Gary Barlow may be touring Australia right now but it’s lovely to know his son would simply have to take one large step to be reunited with his dad. IYKYK. Here is how to spend your weekend.

The Headlines

• After the absolute chaos that was Pitch Festival 2024, the team behind the event has announced it's going to be back in 2025. If you weren't in Australia yet and have no idea what we're talking about, give this a read—you’ve got a lot to catch up on. If you were one of the festival goers facing the carnage, permission to skip past this part. For the brave ones out there, next year’s event is set for the 7th to the 11th of March, though if last year was anything to go by, you’ll be back in your Fitzroy flat by the evening of the 9th.

• The beloved sausage roll, a staple in the diet of one too many uni students. Well, if you've been struggling to get your Greggs fix since being in Australia, the Time Out gods are here to answer your prayers. They've ranked the 15 most mouthwatering sausage rolls in the country, and two Melbourne spots made the cut—Falco Bakery in Collingwood and Caufield's Baker Bleu. We simply must know if the same writer tried them all, top-tier journalism if we've ever seen it.

• Admit it: the Noosa lovers amongst us will always feel a bit let down by the sands of St Kilda—great for people-watching, but not so much for the views. If you're still wanting to live your Aussie beach dream while living in Melbourne, it is possible. For those of you with a car (or friends with one), the peninsula serves up all the coastal beauty those postcards promised. Anglesea Beach is a lively surfers’ hotspot, while Half Moon Bay offers the secluded feel usually found further up the East Coast. Brighton is a great option a little closer to the city, too. Here's a round-up of the top 10 beaches to spend a sunny day.

Where to Go on Friday

For Melbourne's answer to the jaw-dropping Christina Aguilera in Burlesque, VIVA in North Melbourne bring Paris to Melbourne for their cabaret show. Branded 'Melbourne's sexiest night out', it's a sultry and fun way to spend your Friday night, sipping vodka martinis and enjoying the show. It's even been choreographed by the guy behind the moves in ‘Hair’ and ‘Hairspray’, so you're in for a treat.

Where to Go on Saturday

You know by now how we feel about a market, and Makers and Shakers is a crafty, artisan extravaganza of a market featuring the very best food, fashion and gifts on this weekend. This bi-annual market is being held at the Seaworks Maritime Precinct (bonus points if you remember this venue from yesterday) and everything for sale is Australian made, it's set to be a very wholesome day out.

Where to Go on Sunday

Many a good memory was had getting competitive on the high school rounders field, and now working holiday girls group Sexy on Sundays are bringing us back to our roots. They are hosting a rounders game at Fawkner Park in South Yarra for us all to get stuck in for a Sunday morning run around, and to meet other girls in non-forced fun, perfect. Join their WhatsApp chat for more details here.

Where to Eat and Drink

With one month to go until summer truly kicks in, get your roast dinner fix at The Lion and the Wombat in St Kilda before it gets too hot for gravy. This British-inspired cosy pub offers not just the classic Sunday roast, but also fish finger sandwiches and scotch eggs too. For $27 treat yourself to huge Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets and gravy to truly remind you of home. If we're treated to a sunny Sunday, you can enjoy your roast in the beer garden, but be sure to book online as walk-in availability fills up pretty quickly.

Where to Live

This St Kilda house comes with a resident husky waiting to be taken on summer walks down the beach. The current residents are looking for a new fun, but drama-free housemate so if you're partial to a bit of chaos, this might not be the one for you. We've also got another case of the do they really love Christmas or is it an old photo on our hands? Either way, 10/10 effort on the tree.

Core selling point: can't be anything other than Benji the husky can it.

Where to Work

If you know your niacinamide from your Vitamin C and spent your teenage years referring to yourself as an MUA, multiple Sephora stores across the city are looking for—you guessed it—Xmas casuals. The job comes with up to 45% discount meaning you'll be more popular than the single plug socket in a 12-bed hostel room. There's also the chance to extend in the new year if you've found your new calling, or just don't fancy doing the rounds with your CV again—a humbling experience.

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