Torquay business S2 Adventure is encouraging families to shop locally as summer begins. Most stock is discounted by at least 40 per cent until Friday, with some items reduced by up to 60 per cent. The sale also includes samples and main-range Tavi Activewear pieces. Owner Michele Scarce said the team is local and the business supports other local businesses. The 40 per cent-off sale runs from October 26 to 30 at Unit 2/10 Cylinders Drive, Torquay.
Lifeguards will return to Lake Parramatta this weekend as the summer swimming season opens in Western Sydney. Patrols will run on weekends until 29 November, then daily from that date. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean urged swimmers to stay within the designated area and keep children close. A solar-powered buoy named Sunny measures water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen, and helps detect blue-green algae. Visitors can check water quality on the council website before swimming.
Pastry chef Natalie Paull has shared a make-ahead cheesecake that needs almost no baking. The dessert uses a cardamom crust and a filling flavoured with lemon juice. Paull says it works well with summer berries and mango, and it can be made in a foil container as a gift. The cheesecake needs at least three hours to set, and overnight chilling is best. If it fails to set, Paull suggests a gelatine fix. The recipe is taken from her book Sweet Heart.
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The NSW Government is deploying 34 Fish Aggregating Devices along the state's coast, from Tweed Heads to Eden, ahead of summer. The floating buoys, tracked by GPS and anchored up to 20 kilometres offshore, attract baitfish and larger species such as mahi mahi, tuna, marlin and wahoo. The devices stay in the water through the warmer months and are retrieved in early winter for maintenance. Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the program is funded by recreational fishing licence fees. Fishers are urged to check weather and marine safety conditions before heading out.
Victoria Police will patrol Altona and Williamstown beaches this summer under a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe and antisocial behaviour. Operations begin on 1 November, with Water Police, the Public Order Response Team and other units supporting local officers. Acting Deputy Commissioner Chris Gilbert warned that alcohol, drugs and waterways can be a deadly mix. Jet ski riders will face speed and restricted-area checks, drug and alcohol testing, and possible vessel seizure. Patrols will also cover St Kilda, Half Moon Bay, the Surf Coast, Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula.
Cherry-picking season opens at CherryHill Orchards in Victoria's Yarra Valley on November 13. Visitors can pick ripe cherries straight from the tree and fill their own buckets. The orchard grows more than 30 varieties across several Victorian regions, and different types ripen at different times through summer. The season runs until January 8 at Coldstream and Wandin East. The Riseborough family, now in its third generation, has grown cherries in Victoria for 86 years. Tickets are on sale now.
Flowering shade trees can cool an Australian backyard, block out neighbours and draw birds, bees and butterflies. Garden editor Jenny Dillon profiles seven suitable species. Colville's glory grows to 15 metres and produces orange clusters that attract rainbow lorikeets. Golden penda suits rainforest-style gardens, while the Persian silk tree offers pink pom-pom flowers through summer. Readers are advised to match tree size, climate and growth speed to their space.
Canberra's 35-degree heat demands stylish yet practical attire for outdoor events. Boutiques like Blue Bungalow offer breathable, loose-fitting dresses in natural fabrics, ensuring comfort without sacrificing elegance. Opt for open necklines, flowing skirts, and lightweight accessories to stay cool. Wide-brimmed hats and supportive footwear complete the look, balancing practicality with sophistication. These intentional choices allow attendees to enjoy events comfortably while maintaining a polished appearance.
Coopers Brewery is adding ginger beer to its range for the first time, launching it on tap ahead of summer. The South Australian brewer says the drink is brewed in the traditional style, using real ginger juice, malt, hops and yeast. The ginger beer will be brewed in Sydney rather than at Coopers' Regency Park Brewery in Adelaide, because the Adelaide site is already over capacity during summer. The drink has less bitterness and half the sugar of comparable ginger beers on tap. It is heading to pubs in South Australia and New South Wales first.
Southern Grampians Shire Council is recruiting summer casual lifeguards for outdoor pools in Hamilton, Balmoral, Coleraine, Dunkeld and Penshurst. Applicants aged 18 and over are especially sought for Balmoral, Penshurst and Dunkeld. Applicants do not need qualifications before interviewing, and training costs will be reimbursed for those who work consistently through the season. Younger applicants can apply for the Hamilton and Coleraine pools. Applications are open for the pool season running from December to March.
Homeowners, renters, landlords and businesses in Monash can now access council-backed, vetted tradespeople through the Monash Home Energy Program. A home energy assessment shows where heat enters a home and which upgrades will bring the greatest benefit. Options include improved insulation, draught sealing, solar panels, battery storage, heat pump hot water systems, efficient heating and cooling, induction cooktops and electric vehicle chargers. The program aims to make homes more comfortable, lower energy bills and better prepare households for the summer ahead.
A travel agent says last-minute summer holidays are still possible despite peak demand. Options include Western Australia's Margaret River and Rottnest Island, Vanuatu's island resorts and Japan's winter scenery. She advises travellers to be flexible with travel dates, look for added perks and consider working with a travel agent, who may have access to rooms that online booking systems show as unavailable.
Melbourne image consultant Christina Robert White says men should be allowed to wear shorts to work in hot summers, but workplace expectations have not yet caught up. She says acceptance depends on the industry, the employer's dress code and who clients are. She advises tailored, structured chino-style shorts that finish just above the knee, paired with a tucked-in smart shirt, a leather belt and loafers or clean sneakers. She recommends against denim, cargo, board and elastic-waisted shorts.
Despite summer's warmth, dermatologist Dr Shreya Andric warns that factors like air conditioning, travel and stress can still leave skin dry. She recommends consistent hydration to maintain a healthy complexion. The popular Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel offers a lightweight, fast-absorbing solution with hyaluronic acid, providing 72-hour hydration and an 80% stronger moisture barrier after one use. At $38, it's an affordable daily option for those seeking plump, comfortable skin. This water gel has become Australia and New Zealand's top-selling face moisturiser.
The Victorian government has announced its biggest-ever Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program, with more than $31 million shared across 350 projects. Funding will go to CFA, VICSES, Life Saving Victoria and volunteer marine search and rescue groups. A further $53 million will provide a fleet of 60 firefighting aircraft, more than 600 ultralight firefighting vehicles and 130 extra forest firefighters. Minister Paul Edbrooke said the opposition Liberal-One Nation Coalition would cut emergency services grants.
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A shark net is going in at Quinns Beach this week ahead of summer, and local lifesavers say it will reassure parents of children learning to swim. Mike Spiby, a surf and ski coach at Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club, said the barrier would bring confidence to the club's 700 Nippers. He said the community felt deeply affected by a recent fatal shark attack at Sorrento. Residents who watched contractors roll out the net on Tuesday said it made the beach feel safer for families.
Mosquito numbers are already unusually high across the Surf Coast, and an expert expects them to keep rising. The Surf Coast Shire has brought forward its annual treatment program, with monitoring and treatment of breeding sites starting on Monday. The City of Greater Geelong has also begun its seasonal program, using drones and ground crews. University of Melbourne researcher Perran Ross says numbers usually peak in January and February, after a wet spring. Residents are urged to remove stagnant water and use fly screens and repellent.
Anti-chafing shorts are recommended for summer comfort. The Staple, Boody’s Seamfree Undershort, The Cooling, and Taking Shape’s Bamboo Anti-Chafe Crop Short are highlighted for their moisture-wicking fabrics and breathable materials. These shorts prevent thigh chafing and are designed to be lightweight and seamless. The best materials for anti-chafing include nylon, polyester, merino wool, and bamboo, which offer stretch, breathability, and moisture control.
