Live like it matters? Write like it does.

Commitment: Freelance, Monthly Retainer

Location: Your city (Australia or New Zealand)

Urban List is looking for freelance contributors to join our crew on a monthly retainer, helping elevate one of our most-loved content series: the “Best Of” guides. We’re on a mission to make this series the go-to resource for culture seekers in your city and we’re searching for talented digital storytellers with the drive to make that happen. 

The Gig

On a monthly retainer basis, you’ll work alongside our in-house editorial team to supercharge the value, accuracy, and performance of our “Best Of” content—think: best bars, bakeries, date night spots, dog-friendly walks, and beyond.

You’ll be responsible for reviewing, creating, and enhancing our most-loved guides to ensure they remain culturally current, search-optimised, audience-centric — content that transforms scrolling into truly showing up.

It’s a great fit for culturally connected content creators who know their city inside and out, have experience with search-optimisation, and believe in the power of a great rec.

What You’ll Do

• Write and refresh a curated collection of “Best Of” content each month — articles packed with inside intel on where to eat, drink, escape, and explore
• Help us shape this series into the most credible and compelling guide for people who live like it matters.
• Collaborate with our editorial team to ensure every piece delivers value and earns visibility.
• Bring your voice, experiences and expertise to our audience, championing the people, places, and experiences that make culture tick.

What You Bring

• Proven creds writing digital lifestyle, culture, travel or hospitality content that gets audiences out the door and into the moment.
• Excellent editorial instincts — you know how to deliver on search demand, audience value and editorial tone.
• SEO experience — you can optimise for search without killing the vibe; confident updating evergreen content to boost performance and cultural relevancy.
• Deep local knowledge and a love for your city — you know what’s hype, what’s slept on, and what’s worth the detour.
• Comfort working in a CMS — formatting and refining content for readability and engagement (think: sharp headings, slick links, smart CTAs, and well-placed imagery).
• You believe in the Urban List brand with a genuine enthusiasm for what we do—our values, our purpose, our personality—and want to help shape the good life for our community.

Sound Like a Match?

We’d love to hear from you. To apply, please send an email to the city you’d like to write for, including:

• Your CV
• 2–3 writing samples
• A short note on why this is the gig for you, availability and rates
• Bonus points for pitching a “Best Of” guide you think we should create (and why it matters)

Sydney: editorsyd@theurbanlist.com
Melbourne: editormelb@theurbanlist.com
Brisbane: editorbne@theurbanlist.com
Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast: editorgc@theurbanlist.com
Perth: editorper@theurbanlist.com
New Zealand: editornz@theurbanlist.com

Urban List is diverse by design and committed to cultural representation and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.