REFRESH | WOOLWICH PIER HOTEL

A favourite Sunday lunch destination, the Woolwich Pier Hotel is bustling after its elegant refresh late last year. The upstairs dining space has been opened up to drink in more of those Harbour views and the centrepiece is a huge marble table with 12 blush velvet chairs. Downstairs the hues of blush, tan and pea green continue for an upmarket pub vibe. While head chef Glenn Tabudlo has dialled up flavours with a  Japanese and French fusion, Woolwich hasn't forgotten its community heart with pub classics like fish and chips, and the infamous Sunday Roast booking out weeks in advance. DID YOU KNOW? Overnight visitors to Cockatoo Island (a ferry stop from Woolwich) get a free glass of wine.

STAY | BLACKBIRD BYRON

Soak up the tranquillity and Palm Springs vibe at three new breezy and beautiful pavilions in the Byron Bay hinterland. Blackbird Byron is a design-driven bed and breakfast, with the name blackbird a nod to the native black cockatoos in the area. There's champagne on arrival at the luxury pavilions, which house a king-sized bed on burnished concrete floors, with Morrocan-tiled bathrooms and views of the mountains meeting the sea. Outside, a soothing magnesium mineral swimming pool framed by rainforest looks east to Cape Byron. For the month of March, stay three nights for the price of two. Enter the code DNSW or contact James 0467 904 123 on james@blackbirdbyron.com.au

TOUR | ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN

EAT | PORTAL, MARTIN PLACE

For a unique experience at the Royal Botanic Garden, the new Behind the Scenes Sensory Tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in corners of the garden not usually seen by the public. The tour runs twice a week in small groups and gives guests the chance to feel, smell and taste the Garden’s collection of plants, and hear stories of the people who’ve shaped the iconic garden. Tour creator and horticulturalist Paul Nicholson said “This tour is an opportunity for us to share hidden aspects of the Garden that we know and love.” Visit rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

For delicious eats with a side of philanthropy, Portal is a new dining destination in Sydney city, with every cent of profit going to charity. From the folk behind Folonomo in Surry Hills, Portal is sprawled across the mezzanine level of No. 1 Martin Place and serves tasty lunch and breakfast options crafted from local, seasonal ingredients such as urban honey from a rooftop Sydney beehive. You’ll want to linger in the modern, light-filled space with big communal tables, ideal for business travellers, digital nomads and city workers. Visit portal.org.au

TOUR | DARKINJUNG CULTURAL TOURS

EAT | CANTON! CANTON!

Darkinjung Cultural Tours operates Aboriginal Cultural Experiences on the stunning Central Coast from coast to bush, immersing guests in traditional ceremonies, Dreamtime stories and sacred sites. On the Waraba Ocean tour, visitors are welcomed with a traditional Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony on the beach where Europeans first met the First Peoples five weeks after the First Fleet arrived. The Mundoe (Footprint) Bush Tour teaches guests the Creation Dreaming story of the ancient God Creator Baiyami and includes a visit to the beautiful Girrakool waterfalls. For bookings email bookings@dlalc.org.au

For a traditional and delicious dim sum fix, Canton! Canton! is a brand new Cantonese eatery in Sydney’s CBD on George Street dishing up Cantonese cuisine in an interior emulating a vintage street market with tea crates and Chinese daybeds. Executive Chef Jacky Chan has perfected the art of dim sum over 28 years, studying first under his father then Hong Kong master chefs. Canton! Canton! opens its doors at 11am serving up specialty teas and Yum Cha, then shifts to Cantonese mainstays BBQ duck, pork, juicy chicken, as well as baked pork buns and braised pork belly with preserved vegetables and steamed Malay cake. Visit thejewelpantrygroup.com

TRENDING | MUDGEE AWARDS

STAY | NIGHTCAP RIDGE

Already recognised as a hero destination in NSW, Mudgee and the surrounding region picked up a swag of awards last year. Earlier this month, Mudgee Region Tourism conducted a review of the 2018 achievements across Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos and discovered the region collectively welcomed over 30 awards in 2018. Popular glamping experience in Mudgee, Sierra Escape, was crowned the winner of the coveted Unique Accommodation award at the NSW Tourism Awards; Mudgee was ranked Number 10 for top trending destinations in 2018 by Airbnb; and there were 20 awards across wine, distillery, restaurant and produce.

Byron Hinterland welcomes two luxury cottages and a wedding venue, tucked inside the World Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park. The new eco-destination, Nightcap Ridge, is as sustainable as possible, and has been brought to life with the help of a grant from Destination NSW, boasting two new accommodation options and a large Queenslander function space, The Argory, ideal for weddings. The function space overlooks pretty lily ponds and has seating for 100, an open fire, vaulted ceilings and contemporary interiors. Blue Fig Cottage and Rose Gum Cottage both have two bedrooms, an open fire, full kitchen and oversized claw foot bathtubs. Visit nightcapridge.com.au

SYDNEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Until 3 Mar | 41st Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival 
The 17-day festival has a theme of Fearless and boasts colourful events such as the iconic parade and after party, Bent Burlesque and a thought-provoking ideas forum, Queer Thinking.

1-10 March | VolleyFest
At Volleyball Australia's annual VolleyFest event at Manly Beach, spectators watch visiting countries compete in a series of tournaments as well as celebrity matches while enjoying a beach atmosphere.
Visit volleyballaustralia.org.au

2, 16, 17 March | FIH Hockey Pro League
The Kookaburras (Men) and the Hockeyroos (Women), ranked 1st and 3rd in the world respectively, will take on Spain, USA, Argentina and New Zealand in three double header match days on the 2nd, 16th and 17th of March at Sydney Olympic Park’s Hockey Centre. Visit sydneyolympicpark.com.au

Until 3 March  | American Express Openair Cinema
Capture the spirit of summer with American Express Openair Cinemas, overlooking Australia's most iconic beach at Bondi, with some of the latest and greatest feature films, live music and more. Visit openaircinemas.com.au

10 March | All About Women
The seventh annual All About Women festival is scheduled for International Women’s Day with a line-up of talks, panels, podcasts, workshops and more, about gender and equality. Visit
sydneyoperahouse.com/all-about-women

16-24 March | Vissla Sydney Surf Pro
Manly Beach will again play host to world surfing’s elite, with American professional surfer Kelly Slater hitting the waves at the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro this year. The World Surf League Qualifying Series 6,000 rated events will feature some of the world’s best surfers as they kick their competitive campaigns into gear prior to the start of the 2019 Championship Tour.
Visit sydneysurfpro.com

29 March – 5 May | Saturday Night Fever
Based on the 1977 movie starring John Travolta, this new stage version of Saturday Night Fever has been revitalised for a new generation with explosive energy and sensational choreography.
Visit saturdaynightfever.com.au

22 March – 21 April |
West Side Story, Handa Opera
West Side Story takes to the iconic floating stage at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Featuring classic Broadway hits including Somewhere and Tonight, this all-singing, all-dancing cast takes on Leonard Bernstein’s brilliant score. Visit opera.org.au

25-31 March | Aon Sydney International Rowing Regatta
Held at Penrith's Sydney 2000 Olympic rowing venue, Australia's largest rowing event features a week-long regatta with the world's best rowers competing in over 100 events, including the King's and Queen's Cups Interstate Regatta. Visit sirr.rowingaustralia.com.au

Until 17 March |
Destination Sydney: re-imagined
Destination Sydney: re-imagined is the second exhibition in a series of collaborations between three Sydney public galleries – Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Mosman Art Gallery and the S.H.Ervin Gallery. Visit whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events

29 March – 21 July 2019 | The National: New Australian Art 2019
The latest contemporary Australian art across three of Sydney’s top cultural institutions, Art Gallery of NSW, Carriageworks and the Museum of Contemporary Art. 65 Australian artists will be showcasing works.
Visit the-national.com.au

REGIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

1-3 March | The Cobargo Folk Festival The Cobargo Folk Festival is a volunteer-run, folk and roots music festival held over the first weekend of March every year in the historic village of Cobargo. Visit cobargofolkfestival.com

2 March | River Daze
River Daze is a music, wine and food event presented on the banks of the Murray River at Barham, under historic red gums. Visit barhamkoondrook.com.au/riverdaze

2-3 March | bcu Coffs Tri
Village Sports Coffs Harbour is hosting a weekend of triathlon events for all ages in the beautiful coastal city of Coffs Harbour. All proceeds go to local children's charities and events include triathlons for children six to 12 as well as the Standard Triathlon. Visit villagesports.com.au

2-3 March | Thirlmere Festival of Steam
Celebrate the 30th Annual Thirlmere Festival of Steam with five historic locomotives running along the Thirlmere Heritage Railway. Visitors can watch ‘The Little Engine That Could’ performance.
Visit thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com

9 March | Eat the Street Lismore
Eat the Street is a food, arts and music event celebrating the cosmopolitan culture of Lismore. Heading into its fifth year, the event attracts foodies and culture buffs.  Visit eatthestreetlismore.com.au

9 March | Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras
Wagga Wagga's inaugural Mardi Gras aims to raise visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities in The Riverina. Enjoy a float parade and celebrate at Victory Memorial Gardens. Visit waggamardigras.com

13-16 March | National Touch League
Coffs Harbour will host this monumental event, which will see 120 touch footy teams descend on the C.ex International Stadium over four spectacular days. Visit visitnsw.com

16-17 March  | Bathurst Cycling Classic
The Bathurst Cycling Classic incorporates several events: Criterium Racing, Hill Climb Championships and Blayney to Bathurst. Visit bathurstcyclingclassic.com.au

Until 17 Mar | Surfest Newcastle
Australia's biggest festival has 11 different surfing events with more than 800 competitors in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens areas. Visit surfest.com

21-22 March | Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival
The Albury Gold Cup is an iconic event for the fast developing city of Albury with over $650,000 in prize money, trophies and bonuses on offer over two days, as well as the $180,000 Listed Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup (2000 metres). Visit alburyracing.com.au

23 March | Rewind in the Vines
On the lawns of the Miranda Winery in Griffith, the Rewind in the Vines festival celebrates Australian music and culture, featuring some of the country’s biggest names in rock history. Enjoy a day of iconic hits, local food and wine. Visit rewindinthevines.com.au

24 March | Bidgee Strawberries and Cream on Sydney Weekender
Sydney Weekender will visit Bidgee Strawberries and Cream in Wagga Wagga, airing on 24 March on Channel 7. At Bidgee, visitors can forage for and pick their own sweet strawberries. 

27 March | Ocean Film Festival, Yamba
This carefully curated selection of new short films documents the beauty of the ocean and celebrates divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers. Visit oceanfilmfestivalaustralia.com.au

30 March | Penrith Panthers versus Melbourne Storm
An action-packed NRL clash is coming to Bathurst in 2019. Head to Carrington Park and watch the Penrith Panthers take on the Melbourne Storm. Visit tickets.nrl.com