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Puppy cuddles to pickleball: festival lands in cool Sydney precinct

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
From hula hoops to getting a colour analysis, here’s why you’ll want to head to Sydney this September.

Sydney is getting a serious dose of feel-good this spring as the Live Well festival returns in September. Running all month long, the program transforms one of the city’s most vibrant inner-city precincts into a playground of health, fitness and fun – with a dynamic lineup of both free and budget-friendly activities.

Expect everything from expert wellness checks and Pilates classes to laughter yoga, pickleball, puppy playtime, bonsai workshops, manifestation sessions and even fine line tattoos. Whether you’re chasing a midday mood boost or want to overhaul your wellbeing routine, there’s something for every energy level and vibe at South Everleigh’s Live Well festival.

Woman hula hooping on sunny day
Make fitness fun with a hula hooping session.

Prioritise your health

Kick things off with a life-saving skin check in partnership with Skin Check Champions (1–5 September). The Shane Warne Legacy’s four-minute heart health checks also run throughout the month, giving you quick insights into your blood pressure, BMI and heart health – all for free.

Fitness that’s fun

top view of woman playing piclke ball, holding paddle to return ball in pickleball court
Discover why pickleball is having a moment. (Image: Getty Images / gahsoon)

Move your body in ways that feel good, whether that’s free Pilates every Friday at Body Fit Redfern (yes, there are free smoothies, too), or hula hooping with Fembot JuJu’s Hoop Fit sessions across the month. There’s also a pickleball pop-up (15–27 September), where you can grab a paddle and see why this fast-growing sport is having a moment.

Wellness with a twist

Group of people in exercise class holding yoga mats
Participate in laughter yoga for a mood boost.

Balance the sweat with sessions designed to soothe. Mindful massage pop-ups (every Wednesday) offer calming 10-minute massages, while laughter yoga brings 45 minutes of pure joy. For something deeper, try a sleep hygiene workshop (16–17 September) or a manifestation workshop (22 September) to align your mindset and goals.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Experiences you won’t forget

Fineline Tattoos from Finelines Bondi
Get a fine line tattoo that reflects your personal journey, mindset or mantra.

This year’s program goes beyond the usual with unique wellness experiences. Book a fine line tattoo with Finelines Bondi (9–11 September), a lasting way to mark your mantra or personal journey. Creative types can unwind at Bonsai & Brews at BrewDog (18 and 20 September), a mindful workshop pairing plant care with craft beer. And don’t miss the colour analysis workshop (16 September), where designer Kim Crowley will help you discover your personal palette.

Feel-good extras

Woman playing with puppies
Enjoy 10-minute cuddle sessions with puppies. (Image: Getty Images / Slavica)

It’s not all serious – wellness is also about joy. Pop by for puppy playtime (1 and 22 September) for a midday cuddle with adorable dogs or roll up your sleeve and donate blood with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (8–12 September) to make a real impact.

The details

South Eveleigh Precinct outside
There’s something for every energy level and vibe at South Everleigh’s Live Well festival. (Image: Kitti Gould)

Where: South Eveleigh precinct, Locomotive Street, Redfern
When: 1-30 September 2025
Cost: Mostly free, with select paid workshops

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laid-back Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.