September 2025 Edition
What’s On
The last whispers of winter give way to sunlit afternoons, racing silks, and the promise of spring’s grand stages. In Melbourne, anticipation builds for the AFL Grand Final, the city’s heartbeat roaring from the MCG, while Flemington readies for the glamour and glory of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Sydney eyes the NRL’s ultimate showdown, and courtside dreams take shape as the Australian Open countdown begins.
This season also sets the table for Australia’s evolving dining story. South Yarra’s Splash Café serves vibrant, produce-driven plates and refined brunches, while The Peacock Café delights with $5 toasties, soup, and a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Pacific Seafood BBQ House sizzles with fresh seafood and interactive barbecue feasts. Meanwhile, Harriot in Melbourne enchants with French elegance, Reed House wraps you in British comfort, and Brisbane’s Layla spices the subtropics with coastal flavours.
Beyond the plate, art and culture command the spotlight. Granny Bingo transforms Melbourne nights with cabaret-style hilarity and quirky prizes, while Seniors Tea with NGV offers guided tours and afternoon tea for a refined, social experience. Virtuoso violinist Ray Chen brings his internationally acclaimed talent to an intimate recital, and Sydney hosts Sculpture by the Sea, turning Bondi’s cliffs into a striking open-air gallery. The NGV also presents major exhibitions that celebrate craftsmanship, innovation, and visionary storytelling.
On stage, Melbourne dazzles with Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hamilton continues to rewrite history, Wicked enchants Sydney audiences, and The Australian Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty in a timeless display of grace, colour, and artistry. Six the Musical adds sass and pop power, proving that the season’s theatre offerings are as diverse as they are spectacular.
From sun-dappled cafés to candlelit tables, coastal art trails to packed stadiums, September–February 2026 is a canvas of colour, flavour, and spectacle. Each moment — whether a sporting roar, a musical crescendo, or a gallery discovery — invites you to step into the season fully, glass in hand, and take your place at the heart of Australia’s cultural rhythm.

LIVE & LOUD
The games you can’t miss
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AFL Grand Final 2025
Experience Australia’s biggest sporting spectacle as the AFL season reaches its thrilling climax, with electrifying atmosphere, fierce competition, and a packed MCG roaring for victory.
Saturday 27th September, 2025
MCG, Melbourne -
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2025
Celebrate a week of fashion, racing, and glamour at Flemington, where world-class thoroughbreds, lavish marquees, and Melbourne’s social elite gather for an unmissable Spring Racing Carnival.
Saturday 1st November – Saturday 8th November, 2025
Flemington Racecourse -
NRL Grad Final 2025
Witness the pinnacle of rugby league as the top two teams battle for glory under the lights, with a charged atmosphere and spectacular entertainment at Accor Stadium.
Sunday 5th October, 2025
Accor Stadium, Sydney -
Ashes Boxing Day Test Match 2025
An iconic cricket tradition, watch Australia face England in the Ashes at the MCG on Boxing Day, combining fierce rivalry with a festive summer atmosphere.
Friday 26th December, 2025
MCG, Melbourne -
Australian Open 2026
The first Grand Slam of the year brings world-class tennis, electric night sessions, and Melbourne’s summer buzz to centre stage at the iconic Australian Open.
Sunday 12th January – Sunday 1st February, 2026
Melbourne Park, Melbourne -
Qatar Airways Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026
Feel the adrenaline as Formula 1 roars into Melbourne’s Albert Park, with high-speed drama, glamorous hospitality, and a festival atmosphere on and off the track.
Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th March, 2026
Albert Park Racetrack, Melbourne

Dining & Hospitality
A seat at the finest table
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Splash
Bright, fresh, and buzzing with South Yarra energy, Splash Café blends laid-back charm with refined café dining. Known for vibrant, produce-driven plates and excellent coffee, it’s a go-to for brunch lovers. Light-filled interiors and a friendly neighbourhood vibe make it perfect for everything from leisurely weekend breakfasts to quick weekday catch-ups.
Monday to Friday, 6:30am - 4pm
The Como centre -
The Peacock: $5 Toasties & Soups!
A cosy local favourite, The Peacock Café serves up comfort and community in equal measure. Known for its friendly service and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect pit stop for coffee, hearty brunches, or their unbeatable $5 toasties and soup. Bright interiors and a welcoming vibe make it a South Yarra staple for everyday indulgence.
Tuesday to Friday, 12-2:30pm, 5-10pm
68 River St, South Yarra VIC 3141 -
Pacific Seafood BBQ House
Pacific Seafood BBQ House brings the flavours of Asia to South Yarra with fresh, sizzling seafood and barbecue delights. Guests can enjoy an interactive dining experience, from grilled prawns and lobster to marinated fish, all cooked to order. Casual, lively, and perfect for groups, it’s a go-to destination for seafood lovers seeking bold, satisfying flavours.
Thursday to Sunday, 12-10:30pm
210 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141

Art & Culture
Immersion in inspiration
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Granny Bingo
Granny Bingo is Melbourne’s cheeky, fun-filled twist on the classic game. Part cabaret, part bingo hall, it combines laughter, live performances, and quirky prizes for a night of irreverent entertainment. Perfect for groups and celebrations, this interactive show turns bingo into a lively, unforgettable experience that’s equal parts humour, music, and community spirit.
- Opens 25th September 2025
- National Gallery Victoria -
Seniors Tea at NGV
Seniors Tea with NGV offers a relaxed, social experience celebrating art, culture, and community. Guests enjoy guided tours of the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibitions, followed by afternoon tea in the gallery café. Perfect for seniors looking to connect, explore world-class art, and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere in Melbourne’s iconic cultural institution.
- Open from 7th December, 2025 - 19th April, 2026
- National Gallery Victoria -
Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi
Virtuoso violinist Ray Chen brings his internationally acclaimed talent to Melbourne in an intimate recital setting. Known for his electrifying technique and charismatic stage presence, Chen performs a program of masterworks and favourites, offering a captivating experience for classical music lovers. An unmissable evening of precision, passion, and musical brilliance at the city’s premier venues.
- 23rd October - 9th November, 2025
- Art Centre Melbourne

Entertainment & Concerts
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Upcoming Concerts
Oasis | OCT- NOV
31st Oct, 1st, & 4th November - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
7th & 8th November - Accor Stadium, SydneyKendrick Lamar | DEC
3rd December- AAMI Park, Melbourne
10th December - Allianz Stadium, SydneyEd Sheeran | FEB
31st January & 1st February - Optus Stadium, Perth
13th, 14th, 15th February - Accor Stadium, Sydney
20th, 21st, 22nd February, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
26th, 27th 28th February - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
5th March - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide -
Melbourne Plays & Musicals
LAST CHANCE: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
Baz Luhrmann’s hit film comes alive on stage with over 70 pop anthems, dazzling costumes, and spectacular choreography. Set in Paris’ bohemian world, it’s a lavish celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and love.
- Regent Theatre
- Until 21st September, 2025HAMILTON
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning masterpiece blends hip-hop, R&B, and history to reimagine the life of Alexander Hamilton. Electrifying performances and razor-sharp lyrics make this a revolutionary theatrical experience that’s captivated audiences worldwide.
- Her Majesty’s Theatre
- Until 3rd November 2024 -
Sydney Plays & Musicals
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY - THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET
A grand production of Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Australian Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty enchants with opulent sets, exquisite costumes, and timeless choreography, bringing this beloved fairy tale to life on the iconic Opera House stage.- Sydney Opera House
- 3rd - 21st December 2025WICKED
The untold story of the witches of Oz returns in a breathtaking production of Wicked. Featuring Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, this spellbinding musical reveals the friendship, rivalry, and choices that shaped Glinda and Elphaba’s destinies.- Sydney Lyric Theatre
- Until October 2025
At Your Request