Significant damage and widespread power outages have swept the state as trees toppled powerlines, fell on homes and destroyed fences.

The night sky is putting on a celestial show with a dazzling "planetary parade" featuring six major planets and a bonus comet. 

When Martin Geyer and Daniel Loader's dog Nova vanished from their yard in western NSW, they never imagined her escape would lead to a 1,700-kilometre rescue mission across two states.

Families are facing crippling costs to educate their kids — even at public schools. It has led some to withdraw their children from hobbies and plan carefully simply to get them through school. 

New data shows rent rises may have peaked, with prices rising at almost half the rate of 2023. Sydney and Melbourne recorded the largest deceleration in price growth, and rental yields for investors in Brisbane and Adelaide dropped below Melbourne for the first time in more than 15 years. 

Country music is having a real moment, and these local acts will show Tamworth crowds that the Australian scene is as strong as any.

Wondering how long your fridge will stay cool enough to store food if you've lost power, or what should be binned and what can be salvaged? Here's what two experts have to say. 

Water access for bushfires simplified for landholders: The NSW Farmers Association says a legislative exemption brings much-needed common sense to bushfire preparedness. An amendment to the Water Management Regulation now allows landholders to use surface and groundwater sources on their properties during emergencies without needing approval. Landholders will also be able to remove and store 100,000 litres a year in preparation for bushfires. Nyngan grazier Richard Bootle (pictured above) is the association's water taskforce chair and says water used for firefighting should be included in the broader definition of stock and domestic use.
 

Image credit: ABC/Movin' To The Country
 

Family breathes life into hotel: The historic Royal Hotel in Coonabarabran has overcome extensive regulatory hurdles to reopen for business more than a decade after pouring its last beer. The hotel, built in the town's main street in 1912, closed a century later in 2012 before it was bought by a local family in the Warrumbungle Shire community in 2014. Eva Rickert is one of five family members behind the restoration and says the occupation certificate was granted in December. She says they made many personal sacrifices along the way, but stayed true to their vision to reopen the venue.