SMART – RETIREMENT HUB

YOUR RETIREMENT HUB

Keep Your Retirement in Great Shape

The best retirements don’t happen by accident—they’re built one experience at a time. Each month SMART curates new events, activities and ideas to help you discover new interests, reconnect with old ones and keep life moving forward.

Your Retirement Hub has two sections.

Discovery helps you find new ideas, experiences and opportunities to add to your retirement.

Keep Your Retirement at its Best includes your favourite activities, retirement review and adjustment, articles and tools to keep your retirement in great shape over time.

All you need for a great retirement, in one place.


Discovery

Click on the two boxes below to explore new activities and experiences. Add the ones you like to Your Favourites. Diarise, book, invite and do.

This Month — Arts & Entertainment
Showing 68 item(s)

SMART Getaway of the Month

Orange – A Perfect Winter Escape
Orange, NSW Rating: Recommended

Escape Sydney for a two- or three-day winter break in Orange, one of Australia's premier food and wine destinations. July is truffle season, making it an ideal time to visit. Wander the historic town centre, explore the Orange Regional Gallery, enjoy breakfast at Byng Street Café, dinner at Charred Kitchen & Bar or Lolli Redini, and sample cool-climate wines at a selection of nearby cellar doors. Consider staying at The Byng Street Boutique Hotel or Yallungah Boutique Hotel. A relaxed two- or three-day visit offers the perfect blend of food, wine, art and country hospitality.

High-Rated Performances

The Jungle and the Sea
11-07-2026 → 02-08-2026 Belvoir Upstairs Theatre Surry Hills $43–$98 Rating: High-rated

S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack's acclaimed, multi-award-winning play returns to Belvoir for a limited Sydney season.

Doubt: A Parable
30-06-2026 → 02-08-2026 Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay $38–$196 Rating: High-rated

John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, starring Pamela Rabe and Sam Reid in a Sydney Theatre Company production.

Bennelong in London
18-07-2026 → 16-08-2026 Wharf 1 Theatre Walsh Bay $25–$175 Rating: World premiere

Jane Harrison's world-premiere Sydney Theatre Company drama about Bennelong, history, identity and performance.

The Dapto Chaser
29-06-2026 → 25-07-2026 Ensemble Theatre Kirribilli $46–$95 Rating: High-rated

Mary Rachel Brown's biting Australian black comedy about family, debt, dreams and the world of greyhound racing.

Afterglow
09-07-2026 → 25-07-2026 Belvoir Downstairs Theatre Surry Hills $45–$48 Rating: Recommended

Griffin Theatre Company and Purple Tape Productions present a four-part a cappella work about harmony, intimacy and connection.

The Lion King
07-04-2026 → 06-09-2026 Capitol Theatre Haymarket $60–$350 Rating: High-rated

Disney's acclaimed stage musical returns to Sydney with Julie Taymor's celebrated puppetry, music and theatrical spectacle.

Pride & Prejudice (sort of)
16-07-2026 → 30-08-2026 Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point Rating: Recommended

Isobel McArthur's comic, music-filled stage adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Sydney Opera House.

The Merry Widow
08-07-2026 → 18-08-2026 Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point Rating: Recommended

Opera Australia's sparkling production of Lehár's operetta, described as an all-singing, all-dancing Broadway-style show.

Talks & Ideas

Our Stories: Indigenous Voices from Asia Pacific
07-07-2026 → 07-07-2026 Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington $8.5–$10 Rating: Recommended

An evening of conversation, poetry and performance with Indigenous voices from across the Asia Pacific.

NAIDOC Week: Aboriginal Cultural Talk
09-07-2026 → 09-07-2026 Pyrmont Community Centre Pyrmont $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

A free cultural talk with Gadigal custodian, Elder and cultural educator Uncle Jimmy Smith.

Collection Conversations: Caring for Country
09-07-2026 → 09-07-2026 Powerhouse Castle Hill Castle Hill $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

Powerhouse Volunteers share First Nations collection stories from carved emu eggs to ancestral star knowledge.

Designing for Discovery: Shaping Libraries Through Architecture
14-07-2026 → 14-07-2026 State Library of NSW Sydney $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

A free State Library talk on how library architecture has evolved with changing ideas about knowledge, access and community.

AI Salon Sydney Event – Human, Amplified
16-07-2026 → 16-07-2026 2 Market St Sydney $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

A free evening exploring AI and human flourishing, including founder insights and practical conversation.

Collection Conversations: Caring for Country
16-07-2026 → 16-07-2026 Sydney Observatory Millers Point $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

A free Powerhouse collection conversation on First Nations objects that honour Country and sustain knowledge.

A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher
21-07-2026 → 21-07-2026 Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point Rating: Recommended

Communication expert Jefferson Fisher presents Argue Less, Talk More in a 90-minute Sydney Opera House conversation.

Justice Ideas Forum 2026
29-07-2026 → 29-07-2026 Barnet Long Room, Customs House Sydney $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

Justice Fellows share research and ideas on access to justice, law reform and consequential legal challenges in NSW.

Exhibitions & Visual Arts

Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes 2026
09-05-2026 → 16-08-2026 Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney $25–$25 Rating: Highly Recommended

Australia's premier portrait and landscape art prizes.

Black Myth
White Rabbit Gallery Chippendale $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

Contemporary Chinese art exhibition.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition
01-07-2026 → 11-10-2026 Sydney Showground Sydney Olympic Park $39–$89 Rating: Popular

Immersive exhibition celebrating the Harry Potter universe.

World Press Photo Exhibition
09-06-2026 → 19-07-2026 State Library of NSW Sydney $0–$0 Rating: Highly Recommended

Award-winning international photojournalism.

Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires
Australian Museum Sydney $25–$35 Rating: Recommended

Interactive natural history exhibition.

Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat
Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney $0–$0 Rating: Recommended

Large-scale contemporary installation.

Navy 125
Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour $0–$25 Rating: Recommended

Celebrating 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy.

Food & Dining

Olympus Dining
Redfern Rating: Recommended

Modern Greek restaurant in the restored Wunderlich building.

Kiln
Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Contemporary Australian dining with city views.

Bessie’s
Surry Hills Rating: Recommended

Neighbourhood bistro with seasonal Australian menu.

Bar Copains
Surry Hills Rating: Recommended

French-inspired wine bar and small plates.

Ante
Newtown Rating: Recommended

Japanese-inspired wine bar with inventive dishes.

Lankan Filling Station
Darlinghurst Rating: Recommended

Award-winning Sri Lankan restaurant.

Sean’s Panorama
Bondi Beach Rating: Recommended

Sydney institution overlooking Bondi Beach.

Saint Peter
Paddington Rating: Recommended

Australia's leading seafood restaurant.

AP Bakery
Surry Hills Rating: Recommended

Excellent bakery for breakfast or lunch.

Baba’s Place
Marrickville Rating: Recommended

Innovative multicultural Australian dining.

Mensho Tokyo Ramen Sydney
Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Ramen pick for winter. Rich chicken-based broth and house-made noodles.

Nichi Getsu Dō
Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Highly regarded Japanese-style ramen, especially its miso ramen.

Gumshara Ramen
Haymarket Rating: Recommended

Sydney institution famous for its intensely rich tonkotsu ramen.

Outdoor & Active

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
Bondi Rating: Recommended

Sydney's iconic coastal walk with spectacular winter ocean views.

Royal Botanic Garden Guided Walk
Sydney Rating: Recommended

Free guided walk through the Royal Botanic Garden.

Sydney Harbour Kayak Tour
Lavender Bay Rating: Recommended

Morning guided kayak tour on Sydney Harbour.

Manly to Spit Scenic Walk
Manly Rating: Recommended

One of Sydney's finest bush and harbour walks.

Centennial Park Cycling
Centennial Park Rating: Recommended

Hire a bike or bring your own for a leisurely circuit.

Barangaroo Aboriginal Cultural Tour
Barangaroo Rating: Recommended

Guided cultural walk exploring Gadigal heritage.

Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
The Rocks Rating: Recommended

Climb the Harbour Bridge with panoramic city views.

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden
Lavender Bay Rating: Recommended

Explore one of Sydney's most beautiful harbour gardens.

Classes

Sydney Seafood School Cooking Class
Pyrmont Rating: Recommended

Hands-on cooking class at the Sydney Fish Market.

BridgeClimb Photography Workshop
The Rocks Rating: Recommended

Learn to capture Sydney Harbour from unique vantage points.

Cork & Chroma Paint and Sip
Surry Hills Rating: Recommended

Relaxed guided painting session.

Introduction to Creative Writing
WEA Sydney Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Writing workshop developing storytelling and creative writing skills.

Drawing for Beginners
WEA Sydney Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Foundational drawing class covering observation, line and shading.

Introduction to Philosophy
WEA Sydney Sydney CBD Rating: Recommended

Interactive philosophy course exploring major thinkers and ideas.

Sydney Community College Italian
Rozelle Rating: Recommended

Beginner conversational Italian.

Sydney Community College Digital Photography
Rozelle Rating: Recommended

Practical photography skills using your own camera.

This Month's Great Retirement Ideas
Showing 20 item(s)
Join a golf competition
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular diary commitment, physical exercise, goals to work towards and improve upon, and social connection.

Join a watercolour class
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular diary commitment, goals and objectives to work towards and improve upon, and opportunities to meet new people.

Take a solo harbour walk
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: gentle exercise and time to reflect, unwind and recharge.

Try a beginner pickleball session
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular activity to look forward to, physical movement, skill development and social connection.

Volunteer one morning a week
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular commitment, a sense of purpose, opportunities to help others and connection with people.

Start a memoir project
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a personal project, goals to work towards, and quiet time to reflect on your life and experiences.

Join a community choir
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular diary commitment, active participation, shared enjoyment and opportunities to meet new people.

Plan a local overnight escape
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: something to plan and anticipate, a change of scene, active exploration and shared experience.

Take a beginner strength class
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular commitment, improved strength and mobility, progress to aim for and encouragement from others.

Create a family recipe book
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a creative project, family connection and a meaningful way to share stories, memories and traditions.

Book a guided e-bike ride
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a planned outing, physical activity, active exploration and connection with others.

Try a meditation class
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular opportunity to slow down, settle the mind and create space for reflection and recovery.

Join a book group
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular commitment, active reading and discussion, and connection through shared ideas.

Start learning conversational Italian
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a learning routine, clear goals to work towards and the satisfaction of building a new skill.

Organise a monthly Sunday lunch
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular social anchor, active planning and preparation, and deeper connection with family or friends.

Take a photography walk
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: gentle movement, a creative goal and quiet time to notice, reflect and enjoy your surroundings.

Mentor a younger person
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a purposeful commitment, active contribution and meaningful connection across generations.

Join a local history walk
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a planned outing, gentle physical activity, active learning and opportunities for conversation.

Set up a weekly garden project
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a regular routine, gentle physical activity, practical goals and quiet restorative time outdoors.

Attend a public lecture or ideas talk
SMART Structure Move Action Relate Time Out

Provides: a diary commitment, intellectual stimulation, new ideas to think about and opportunities for conversation.

Looking for even more inspiration?

Explore SMART's complete Retirement Ideas Library with over 1,500 ideas.

Browse the Full Retirement Ideas Library →


Keep Your Retirement at its Best

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