When I was at school I wore out my tape of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat . But I never mention to many pals that I liked musicals. They were rather daggy back then.

Something that only old people and geeky, spectacle-wearing kids who played the violin (like me) went to see. READ MORE: Too old for hostels? Here's how to escape loneliness while travelling solo But now musicals are, dare I say it, hip. The Wicked film has pretty much taken over the world (no-one had heard of it when I saw it on Broadway 20 years ago and burned a copy of my friend's CD).

My colleague's kids' know all the words to Hamilton . And even Hollywood stars like Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman are starring in musicals on stage. If you want to get in on the trend, here are the best shows worth travelling to see across Australia, as recommended by this musical geek.

The annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour show atop the water this year is this classic. Former pop star and swimmer Cody Simpson will star, but let's face it, you're going for the setting as much as the show. When: Sydney from 21 March to 20 April 2025, Book here .

It might have been released in the 1970s, but this show still packs an incredible punch today. This version, complete with a baseball cap-clad Jesus stars Jimmy Barnes' daughter, Mahalia. But it was Javon King as Judas who stole the show for us.

When : Sydney until January 26 2025, Perth from February 13 2025, Melbourne from March 16 2025, Brisb.