It's not often that a Brisbane eatery delivers a taste of New York and a nod to the Gold Coast all at the same time, but that's what Joe's Deli serves up on Albert Street in the CBD. The Italian American-style street-food diner takes its culinary cues from Big Apple, and its vibe as well. But before the brand set up shop in the River City in September 2023, it cemented itself as a favourite down in Broadbeach — serving up meatball subs, cubans, hoagies, tempura prawn po' boys and Italian flatbreads, plus pickles and chips as sides as well. In spreading not just sandwich fillings but its footprint, the Glitter Strip favourite isn't just for the weekday lunch crowd. Midday meals are definitely on the menu; however, this isn't solely a midday haunt. All those sandos — and Joe's Deli's 90's hip hop playlist and NY-inspired booth seating — now grace an 80-seat eatery that's also a bar, boasting an extended booze offering. Accordingly, along with the chain's newest meat slicer getting to work, the venue is going big on beers and ciders from local breweries, plus organic wines, seltzers, Soda& mixers and pre-mixed margaritas. The Albert Street store also features laneway dining, as well as the brand's newest merchandise and clothing range. Fancy a Joe's Deli t-shirt, hat, bag or beer mug? That's the current line, and it's getting a boost. Food-wise, the selection there has also received a revamp, with hot dogs now sticking around permanently. Where the sangas range includes both Sicilian and Southern fried chicken, the hot dogs lineup covers Brooklyn-style, sloppy joe and chilli dogs. A fish 'n' chips option with beer-battered snapper also graces the menu, plus a lobster roll. Whether you now know where you'll be spending your lunch breaks or you have a new after-work go-to in mind, the dessert lineup with cookie sandwiches and two-tone, liquid Nutella and brûlée marshmallow cheesecakes has hit Brisbane, too.
They're taking the hobbits to Isengard at Dendy Coorparoo this summer, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for two sittings of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations — on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King, this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at 558 minutes, and will run in full on both days. Pick which date to block out, then start the journey at midday, with five-minute breaks between each movie (for breakfast and second breakfast, if you will). If you make it to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest Coorparoo resident on your way home (note: do not actually screech at the residents). Without a ticket, expect at least one overenthusiastic cinema staff member to make an example of you, thundering "you shall not pass!" to raucous applause. So buy a ticket, precious, for $42 — with this all-day marathon taking place in Dendy's Premium Lounge. And, to help ramp up your excitement, watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_WZxJpHzEE
Italian Street Kitchen is the latest addition to the thriving Gasworks Precinct. That name might well sound familiar to you if you've spent much time in Sydney — owner Mauro Marcucci has two other venues down south, with the Newstead site the first for Queensland. Step into the light, airy space and you're immediately greeted with a glass-walled open kitchen (which takes up much of one side of the venue) where a team of chefs, dressed to match in stripes, man the various stations. A round pizza oven commands pride of place next to a pasta bench, while delicate arancini are crumbed and fried next to hanging legs of prosciutto. The restaurant's vibrant atmosphere is established at once with the open cheer of the kitchen. Try to snag a spot along the back wall, otherwise an outdoor table is perfect for people watching — but, really, anywhere is great. Grab an aperitif to warm up your palate for what's to come. The focus is, of course, on all things Italian, so your best bet would be to plump for the bitter perfection of a Negroni. We'll get this out of the way now just so you know: the hardest part about your whole visit is going to be deciding what to eat. The antipasto selection is comprehensive, to say the least — you might kick off with pumpkin and provolone arancini ($4.50 each), fried gnocchi with truffle ($6.50), baked cheese with honey and oregano ($10) or Sicilian anchovies with garlic and chilli ($6.50). Or keep it simple with a shared salumi plate — the bresaola is rich, salty goodness — ($20) and marinated olives ($4). Traditional spit-roasted meats like beef rump cap and lamb shoulder ($19.50 each) are mouth-meltingly tender, while oven-roasted pork belly ($19.50) is a Roman delight. And if the idea of visiting an Italian restaurant without eating copious amounts of both pizza and pasta horrifies you, fear not: Italian Street Kitchen's pizza and pasta game is strong. For pasta you might choose the gnocchi, oven-baked and creamy ($16), the rigatoni amatriciana with pork cheek and a hint of chilli ($16.50), or go classic with spaghetti and meatballs ($16.50). Pizza could be the buffalo margherita ($15.50) or the funghi — with three cheeses and meaty Swiss brown mushrooms ($16) — among others. Once you've decided, take note of your table number and head up to the counter to order. Wondering if you've over (or under) ordered? No problems — the staff are only too happy to advise, and, hey, you can always come back for more. On the way back to your table be sure to stop off and refill your complimentary sparkling water at the self-serve station. In what seems like the work of a moment, steaming dishes of pasta and thin, crisp pizza — cooked to perfection (each pizza spends precisely two minutes and 15 seconds in the rotating pizza oven) — arrive at your table and demands to be eaten at once. Oozy, cheesy and fresh, it is indeed food heaven. But how to slice? Wield the pair of scissors in your table caddy to make short work of divvying up the pizza. The scissors put you in charge of doling out exactly how much pie you're willing to tackle, and yes, "all of it" is a perfectly reasonable answer. We know we probably say this a lot but truly, save yourself room for dessert. Italian Street Kitchen's tiramisu is neither too coffee-y or too creamy and is extremely hard to stop eating. Italian Street Kitchen captures the modern vibrancy of casual Roman dining in partnership with the traditional simplicity of Italian cuisine. To that end, the pizza dough is made on-site and let rise for 48 hours, the pasta is made daily and air dried and the Napoli sauce? Yep, it's made right here. And yet, nothing on the menu comes in over $20 — which is pretty special, given the quality of the eats.
Thanks to Keith Courtney, Brisbanites have already been able to walk through a huge house of mirrors in the past few years. And, with his help, moseying through an eerie and endless labyrinth of doors became a reality, too. The Melbourne installation artist isn't done setting up massive mazes just yet, however — and his latest is designed to resemble a huge, human-sized kaleidoscope. Called Kaleidoscope, fittingly, this installation isn't small. It's a 700-square-metre expanse of glass, steel, mirrors and moving prisms that features a labyrinth of corridors decked out in a revolving showcase of lights and colours. Originally debuting in Melbourne for the city's Rising Festival, and still on display there now until mid-July, it'll start shimmering and luring Brisbanites on Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn for two months between Friday, August 12–Monday, October 3. Like both House of Mirrors and 1000 Doors, Kaleidoscope has been crafted to be immersive as possible. Expect to have your senses disoriented while you're strolling through, including both motion and gravity. Expect to see plenty of shifting illusions among the ever-changing array of light and colour as well, and to be drawn in by the installation's soundscape in the process. "No one will have the same experience in Kaleidoscope – this is a multi-sensory and at times physical experience where the visitor is completely submerged in sound and light – a vortex of serenity to somewhere or nowhere," explains Courtney. In bringing the massive piece to life, the artist has teamed up with visual artist Ash Keating, composer Tamil Rogeon and artist Samantha Slicer, plus a team of highly skilled technicians. Tickets to Kaleidoscope will cost $16.50, and will go on sale on Tuesday, June 28. It'll head to Brisbane in association with Brisbane Festival and, although only making its home there temporarily, it marks one of four big new additions to Brisbane Powerhouse in the coming months. The New Farm venue is also set to launch a permanent outdoor cinema and a glow-in-the-dark performance venue this spring, plus a twice-yearly night food market from March 2023. After hitting Brisbane, Kaleidoscope will then take an international tour. House of Mirrors premiered at MONA's Dark Mofo in 2016, then headed to 12 cities across the globe, while 1000 Doors debuted at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, then went on a 10-city tour of Australia and New Zealand. Find Kaleidoscope at Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn from Friday, August 12–Monday, October 3 — open from 2–9pm from Wednesday–Thursday, 2–10pm on Fridays, 10am–10pm on Saturdays and 12–2pm Sundays. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, June 28.
How many ways can getaways go wrong? In The White Lotus, each season brings a new list of chaos — and the show isn't done sending characters off to exclusive resorts to deal with whatever life throws at them just yet. The show's third season will arrive in February 2025, but there's already more on the way after that, with HBO announcing that season four has been greenlit as well. Accordingly, before anyone even watches a second of The White Lotus season three — which'll stream from Monday, February 17 Down Under — season four has been locked in. There's no word yet on which destination will follow Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, however. There's also no details on who'll be in the series' fourth cast, and if any familiar faces will return. While the world waits for more information about season four, season three is worth getting excited about, too. A new batch of travellers is checking in, and a third The White Lotus hotel is ready and waiting. As Lisa from BLACKPINK says in both the initial look at footage from season three in a broader HBO trailer and in the anthology hit's first teaser, "welcome to The White Lotus in Thailand". A getaway at a luxurious hotel is normally relaxing, but that isn't what vacationers find in this show. It was true in the Hawaii-set first season in 2021, then in season two in Sicily in 2023, each with a largely different group of holidaymakers. Based on the sneak peek at season three, that's of course going to be accurate again in the third season's eight-episode run. Walton Goggins (Fallout), Carrie Coon (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), Jason Isaacs (The Crowded Room), Michelle Monaghan (MaXXXine), Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale) and Parker Posey (Mr & Mrs Smith) are among the folks checking in season three, alongside Sam Nivola (The Perfect Couple), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Gen V), Sarah Catherine Hook (Cruel Intentions) and Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education). Families, couples and friends on getaways: they're all covered by the above cast members. And as Monaghan exclaiming "what the fuck is this place?" indicates, they're in for some chaos. Bad feelings, seeking pleasure but finding pain, threatening to drink oneself to sleep: alongside guns, dancing, judgemental pals, missing pills, snakes, monkeys, ambulances, complaints about gluten-free rice and a body bag, they're all featured in the teaser as well. From season one, Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone) is back Hawaii spa manager Belinda, who advises that she's there on an exchange program. Season three also stars Lek Patravadi (In Family We Trust) and Tayme Thapthimthong (Thai Cave Rescue) as one of The White Lotus' owners and security guards, respectively. Where the Mike White (Brad's Status)-created, -written and -directed satire's first season had money in its sights and the second honed in on sex, eastern religion and spirituality is in the spotlight in season three, which also co-stars Nicholas Duvernay (Bel-Air), Arnas Fedaravičius (The Wheel of Time), Christian Friedel (The Zone of Interest), Scott Glenn (Bad Monkey), Dom Hetrakul (The Sweetest Taboo), Julian Kostov (Alex Rider), Charlotte Le Bon (Niki), Morgana O'Reilly (Bookworm) and Shalini Peiris (The Ark). Check out the first teaser trailer for The White Lotus season three below: The White Lotus returns on Sunday, February 16 in the US, which is Monday, February 17 Down Under. At present, the series streams via Binge in Australia and on Neon in New Zealand. The White Lotus season four doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Images: HBO.
Start clicking your fingers: come August 2025, Tim Burton's (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) TV dive into the world of the Addams Family will be back, with Netflix dropping the first half of Wednesday's second season. The streaming platform has been teasing what's next in this creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky realm for over a year, including via new cast announcements and an initial sneak peek. For more of what's in store, the show's full season two trailer has just dropped — along with news of an upcoming Wednesday experience Down Under. In the latest glimpse at the series' second season, its namesake (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) is back at Nevermore Academy and being heralded as a hero thanks to her efforts in season one. Wednesday is characteristically unimpressed by the attention. Soon, her focus is elsewhere, however, thanks to a premonition of her roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie) coming to a grave end, with Wednesday determined to do whatever she can to stop that from happening. The show is releasing season two in two batches. Part one arrives on Wednesday, August 6, then part two on Wednesday, September 3. Another date for the diary: Saturday, August 16, which is when Wednesday Island will temporarily become a part of Sydney's landscape. More details are to come, and soon — the timer on the pop-up's website is counting down to 12am on Friday, July 11, 2025. For now, Netflix has revealed that the Wednesday cast are heading to Australia as part of a worldwide promotional tour, and that Cockatoo Island / Wareamah in Sydney Harbour will be transformed into a Wednesday haven. Think: experiences that'll make you feel like you're at Nevermore, other activations, performances and more. Back to the new season: Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) are among the series' new cast additions, some of whom can be seen in its full trailer. Season two also features more of Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago, all getting meatier parts than in season one. Among its new cast members, Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) are also onboard — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, though — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's been talk of a spinoff about the character. Check out the full trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. For more information about Wednesday Island, which is taking over Cockatoo Island in Sydney on Saturday, August 16, keep an eye on the pop-up's website — and we'll provide more details when they're announced. Images: Helen Sloan and Jonathan Hession/Netflix © 2025.
Apple is still set to call Melbourne's Federation Square home — and, after first announcing its new store late last year, then being asked to rethink the building's design due to considerable community backlash, the international technology behemoth has unveiled its latest plans. Gone is the pagoda-style structure that was first revealed in 2017, with the new Apple Global Flagship Store now a two-level rectangular-shaped building heavy on glass, mesh and white surfaces. From above, you could even say it looks like one of the brand's products. The new design, which has been formally submitted to Victoria's Minister for Planning for consideration, is the result of a series of workshops focusing on refining the original concept drawings. It now includes a publicly accessible second-floor balcony and outdoor shading, as well as the already-slated 500-square-metres of new public space, the Victorian Government announced. It's also designed to help Federation Square better connect to the Yarra River, opening up space for more cultural events. Apple itself will hold a daily program of free sessions, called Today at Apple, that'll feature local creatives hosting workshops and other tech, design, art and education activities. In the sustainability stakes, the new roof is capable of using solar power, plus new solar shading will improve the energy efficiency of the building. And while it definitely looks less like a Pizza Hut, it will still replace the existing Yarra Building — which will be torn down to make way for the Apple store — and displace the Koorie Heritage Trust in the process. It'll also still see public land sold off to a commercial retailer. The proposed site will be much bigger than Apple's other Melbourne stores, and stand alongside only four other flagship stores around the globe. If it gets the final go-ahead, construction is expected to start in 2019 for a late-2020 opening — forming part of the Victorian Government's revamp of Fed Square, which also includes a new LED big screen, a $36.6 million upgrade of ACMI and a new Melbourne Metro train station.
As we all watched London burning, most of the furious debates were concerned with political squabbling and vigorous finger pointing at wasted British youth. But one of the things least discussed was the impact on creative communities. While the riots may have started off as a response to police brutality, the only thing they seem to have accomplished is making people more upset while completely screwing over small businesses and independent artists, who, let's face it, weren't really doing all that well to begin with. Hip-hop artist Scroobius Pip pretty much summed it up when he said, “This is Britain punching itself in the face. Repeatedly.” While the riots were going down, theatres all over London were forced to cancel shows and performers including Patrick Wolf postponed gigs while the city was in lockdown. Then there were the art galleries, who, with all those big glass windows ripe for smashing, didn't fare so well and have thwarted several exhibitions. But the biggest impact on artists has come as a result of the fire lit at the SonyDADC warehouse in Enfield, which was holding the UK's stock of a significant number of independent music labels including Sub Pop, Warp, 4AD, Matador and XL. These companies had much of their stock destroyed, and that's not to mention the smaller companies who probably never had a huge amount to splash out on tight and all-encompassing insurance policies. In an interview in NME, Spencer Hickman of Rough Trade East explained, "There’s maybe a hundred labels affected. We’ve got no idea how much stock they’ve got elsewhere. I’m convinced that some labels will go under." In addition, the warehouse was holding a a lot of the DVD stock of independent film distributers like BFI, and because much of the income film companies receive comes through DVD sales, it looks like some companies are going to have to lay off staff. A campaign entitled LabelLove has been launched to generate some money to try and keep independent artists and labels afloat during the rough times ahead. On the bright side, artists have almost immediately begun responding to the riots, with graphic designers Nick Scott and Neil Walker designing posters which pretty much sum up exactly what everybody was thinking. Check them out below.
Bars where you can do more than just sit around and drink are really having a moment in Brisbane, and specifically Fortitude Valley. In no small part, it's thanks to the ever-expanding empire of Funlab. The company is in charge of the ever-popular Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and Sydney's Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq — with Holey Moley leading the charge in the Valley's boozy kidulting scene, alongside the independently owned Netherworld. Now, Funlab has just launched its latest brainchild: B. Lucky & Sons. It's a kidult-friendly bar-meets-arcade with some actually good pawn-shop prizes, instead of the usual plastic crap you get. Think vintage Chanel bags, classic cameras and rare vinyls, plus a Nintendo 64 in its original box and Tune Squad swag from the 1996 cult classic, Space Jam. Yup, they're going real old school with this one. The bar is coming to the Valley's TCB Building from September 27 — and Melbourne's version is also hidden behind the facade of an old pawn shop, so expect something a little bit different. Down south, the venue is also decked out with eclectic furnishings, from old-world casino chandeliers to neon-lit red octagonal booths. This East-meets-West fit-out extends to the food, where pizzas are topped with the likes of crispy wonton wrappers and bonito flakes or sausage, gravy and potato crisps. For drinks, the bar sling canned cocktails and alcoholic bubble teas — like the Taro Bang (Frangelico, rum and taro with blueberry pearls and jellies) and the Passion Crackle (vodka, passion fruit and peach teas with apple flavoured pearls and jellies). Not to mention punch bowls served with floral tea cups, a gold-rimmed espresso martini and one with a side of toast and raspberry jam. While Brisbane details haven't been confirmed, the bar's games themselves will be clear throwbacks for the millennial generation — featuring everything from Mario Kart and Space Invaders to NBA Hoops and a Dance Dance Revolution knock-off. And although the venue will be open to littluns during the day, it'll be strictly adults-only at night, so you don't have to worry about being laughed at by a ten-year-old when you fall off Rainbow Road for the fourteenth time. Find B.Lucky & Sons at the TCB Building, 315 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, from September 27. Images: Zennieshia Photography
The climate crisis can feel overwhelming at times. There's so much critical work to be done on our quest for a more sustainable future. To alleviate some of the existential helplessness, we've teamed up with our pals in Tropical North Queensland to come up with some practical ways we can give back to our beloved environment this Earth Day (April 22) and beyond. Whether you want to volunteer for a conservation organisation or you've been meaning to move your moolah to a financial institution that doesn't invest in fossil fuels, read on for practical ways you can show the environment some love. MOVE YOUR MONEY When it comes to helping the environment, money might not be the first thing you think of. But, if you take a moment to properly consider it, where your money is invested really matters. Some banks and superannuation funds invest their customers' cash into industries that are harmful to the environment — like fossil fuels. If you've been meaning to move your money to a more environmentally friendly financial institution — or to find out what industries your money is currently propping up — Earth Day seems like a timely reminder to do that bit of life admin. Not sure what industries your bank or superannuation fund invests your money in? Find out via the Market Forces website. HAVE MEAT-FREE MEALS It's no secret that mass meat production has a negative impact on the environment. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, livestock farming is responsible for 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Want to reduce your intake of animal products? Consider opting for meat-free meals on Earth Day. Or, if you want to take it one step further, make meat-free meals part of your week, every week. There are plenty of plant-based menus to try in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. [caption id="attachment_844234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY From offsetting flights to booking eco-certified experiences, trying to do your bit for the environment while expanding your horizons is a big help. One destination that's loaded with low-impact ways to explore the natural environment is Tropical North Queensland. In the tropics, you can stay in eco-certified accommodation, enjoy the Great Barrier Reef responsibly and explore the region's lush rainforest with minimal impact activities. Want to find out how? Check out the eco-certified experiences and accommodation via the website. SHOP LOCALLY Shopping within your local community has a few benefits. Firstly, it helps to boost the local economy. Plus, if you're buying products that have actually been produced in your local area, it helps to reduce carbon emissions. When you buy produce that is grown near to where you are, the food is only travelling a minimal distance to reach you. That means it takes less resources to transport and store the food after it leaves the farm. So, next time your want to fill up your fridge, head to your nearest farmer's market and grab your goodies from a local. [caption id="attachment_829895" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] EAT SEASONALLY Eating with the seasons is another great way to cut back the travel miles on your food. Similar to shopping locally, when you consume food that flourishes in the season you're in, the transportation and storage resources required to get the produce from paddock to plate are reduced. Want to eat seasonally on your next trip away? Make sure you check in with the locals to see what's in season. If you're planning a trip to the tropics, hit this list to find the finest local produce that's in season. Spoiler alert: there's plenty grown up in this part of the world. If you dine at a Crystalbrook Collection venue, you can even find out how sustainable your food is via its new Climate Calorie concept. The hotel group have labelled its menus to tell you when your food is locally sourced, supplied in eco-friendly packaging, whether or not First Nations People were consulted in the food production and more. [caption id="attachment_793108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] PARKS AND RECREATION -- "Recall Vote" Episode 607 -- Pictured: (l-r) Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope -- (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC)[/caption] TALK TO PEOPLE IN CHARGE One of the most impactful ways to have the environment's back is to tell people in power what you think needs to be done to protect it. While individual action can add up, it's the government that has the power to implement policy changes that'll have a much greater impact. Think we need better emission reduction targets? Reckon the government should stop subsidising the fossil fuel sector and invest in renewable energy instead? Get in touch with your local Member of Parliament to get it off your chest into action. And, of course, ensure your votes in upcoming elections aligns with your beliefs. [caption id="attachment_844433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DONATE OR VOLUNTEER FOR LOCAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS If you've been putting off donating time or money to a local conservation project, but know it's something you want to do, Earth Day is an ideal time to finally make it happen. Most national park organisations have programs for volunteers to get involved in. Or, if you're keen to send some love to the Great Barrier Reef or rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, visit this website to find out how you can help. [caption id="attachment_851154" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET INVOLVED WITH CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS As the old saying goes: knowledge is power. So, to feel more equipped to make positive contributions to the environment, consider getting involved in a citizen science project. Wondering what that even means? Citizen science does what it says on the tin. It's all about getting everyday citizens involved in scientific projects. Our top picks to get among the action are Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and Eye on the Reef. Want to find even more ways to give the environment some love this Earth Day? For more information, visit the Tropical North Queensland website.
2025 marks once, not twice, but three times in a row now that winter in Melbourne is being bookended by major arts festivals. RISING kicks off the cooler weather, then Now or Never helps farewell the frostier temperatures. As the former was as well, the latter is back in a big way this year, whether you're keen to witness one of the city's key spaces undergo a spectacular transformation just for the fest, fill 11 days and nights with live tunes, hear more about astronauts and astronomy, see where the lines between cinema and real-time performances blur, or celebrate queer Black excellence. Now or Never packs its lineup with arts, ideas, sound and technology events. From Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 31 around Melbourne, 2025's fest will feature more than 140 free and ticketed sessions, which are the products of 285-plus local and international artists. Whatever else you head to, making a date with the Royal Exhibition Building — the venue that hosted its first large-scale live music performances in over 20 years at 2023's debut Now or Never — is a must, however, if you want to step inside a pink bubble. Free, running for the first four days of 2025's festival, and both an Australian premiere and a Melbourne exclusive, MATRIA looks set to prove quite the stunner. The installation's aim: to turn the Royal Exhibition Building, its temporary home, into a womb-like space via a recycled pink inflatable. Courtesy of Barcelona-based collective Penique Productions, translucent membrane will wrap around the venue's wooden interior skeleton — and breathe. The accompanying soundtrack, complete with a solo vocalist, will get it vibrating. Dancers will also help the installation's skin move and stretch, and you can expect to see futuristic art feature as well. Inside MATRIA, you'll be cocooned — and you'll also engage with more of Now or Never's program, because the site is still hosting shows and gigs within the installation. Dancer and choreographer Amber McCartney is teaming up with DJ Shapednoise on one, composer Alex Zhang Hungtai is in the spotlight on another, and rRoxymore is also doing the honours one evening. Or, get inhaling and exhaling along with MATRIA thanks to The Breath Haus and its meditation and breathwork sessions. For more music, Melbourne Town Hall will feature four nights of acts spanning Marie Davidson, DJ Python, DJ Logic1000, Young Marco and Yarra — plus Japanese visual and sound artist Ryoji Ikeda bringing ultratronics and its blend of minimalistic light and sound to Australia for the first time. Also engaging multiple senses in the same venue is Einder, a 20-metre-long light and sound installation by Dutch artist and composer Boris Acket. For one evening only, you can also feast beneath it, with Julia Busuttil Nishimura in charge of the multi-course menu. For a memorable outdoor installation, Dr Christian Thompson is on the case at the Evan Walker Bridge. Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire) is all about quiet reflection, and will be the Bidjara/Chinese Australian artist's largest such work. Hit up State Library Victoria instead and you'll spy DELIRI from the Barcelona-based Hamill Industries, a large-scale projection musing on understanding and deconstructing reality that's taking over the building's facade. Thinking about the cosmos is on the bill when Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg and astronomer Dr Tania Hill team up, complete with a screening of a short film commissioned by the Australian Space Agency. For more folks chatting, former Australian of the Year Tim Flannery will contemplate facing the future as the climate changes. Plus, the Charting the Future: First Nations Knowledges and Artificial Intelligence session will examine Australian innovation, not just looking at machine learning now and beyond, but also at knowledge in First Nations cultures — and neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston is digging into potentially living forever. If you're all about the big screen, ACMI is presenting Rashaad Newsome's documentary Assembly, which steps behind the scenes of his installation at New York's Park Avenue Armory. With this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, it's also screening VR documentary The World Came Flooding In. Or, drop by for PARA.CINE's merging of where cinema and real-time virtual performances intersect. One world-premiere piece is giving picture palaces a zoological spin. The other boasts New York's Team Rolfes, with speeding jockeys at its centre. Over at The Capitol, you can check out First Nations film Crown and Country, and its conversations between Warlpiri philosopher and teacher Wanta Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu and music producer Marc 'Monkey' Peckham. Blending performance with motion-capture, reality television and game design, Crisis Actor at Arts House in North Melbourne will get you participating rather than merely watching, all in the aftermath of a fictional disaster. From there, Moritz von Oswald is taking to the stage at Melbourne Recital Centre with a 16-person choir to perform his album Silencio, and composer, DJ and producer Laurel Halo is teaming up with cellist Leila Bordreuil. Plus, Science Gallery Melbourne's DISTRACTION wants to live up to its name via a range of local and international experimental projects, Intraconnection in Federation Square's screen will get you pondering being human, Queer PowerPoint is back and the State Library of Victoria is staying up late one night — and there's still more on the lineup. Now or Never 2025 runs from Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 31 around Melbourne — head to the festival website for further details.
Have you spent a lot of time playing mini-golf lately? The popularity of Holey Moley Golf Club would suggest so. Well, here's your chance to make back the money you've spent on 'practising': the inaugural (and, surprisingly, very lucrative) Holey Moley Masters. Holey Moley — which has eight mini-golf clubs across the East Coast, including one in Melbourne, one in Brisbane and two in Sydney — is launching what's set to be the country's biggest ever mini-golf competition. Kicking off with round one on March 28, the tournament will end with the best team from each Holey Moley venue battling it out for national glory and a cool $10k at a Melbourne final. A series of DJ-fuelled competition nights will be held to find the champion team from each Holey Moley course. Then, on April 19, the winners will be flown to Melbourne to represent their states at a huge final celebration, with the winners scoring their own 'Golden Jackets', a home-course party in their honour and, of course, that sweet, sweet cheque. It's all very official for something that is, at its core, a novelty. Nonetheless, it could be an easy way to make some cash. If you want a shot at victory, start working on your golf game and head here to register by March 18.
After an extra day under stay-at-home conditions due to Queensland's latest COVID-19 cases, the Brisbane and Moreton Bay Local Government Areas will emerge from lockdown at 6pm today, Saturday, July 3. Since the same time on Tuesday, June 29, residents in the two LGAs have only been permitted to their homes for the four reasons that were identified at the beginning of the pandemic — a lockdown that also covered the Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset LGAs in southeast Queensland, plus Townsville, Palm Island and Magnetic Island. Yesterday, Friday, July 2, the stay-at-home period was extended for an additional 24 hours for Brisbane and Moreton Bay only. "For our Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions, can I thank everyone for doing that extra day that we asked people to do," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at her daily press conference today. "That gave our contact tracers that extra time that was desperately needed," she advised. While ending the lockdown for these two LGAs is obviously welcome news, restrictions will obviously still apply — as also happened after Brisbane's January and March lockdowns — until Friday, July 16. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1411144704092106761 So, Brisbanites will be able to leave their homes again once 6pm hits today — and for any reason. That said, new rules will limit what you can do, where and with how many people, as we've all become used to during the pandemic. And yes, dancing is still banned, so Footloose might make for good weekend viewing. Before lockdown started on Tuesday, a number of rules were actually put in place across Queensland — and they're all back on the cards, after coming back into effect everywhere other than Brisbane and Moreton Bay at 6pm on Friday, July 2. These restrictions will now apply across the entire state for the next fortnight, finishing at 6pm on Friday, July 16. The 30-person limit on at-home gatherings is back, and that cap includes folks who live with you. And, as well as banning dancing, standing up at cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs has been scrapped again. So, to eat, drink and hang out, you'll need to be seated. Hospitality businesses will also have to operate under the one person per four-square-metres indoors and one person per two-square-metres outdoors rules — although venues smaller than 200 square metres will be permitted to welcome in one person per two-square-metres with a cap of 50 people. Outdoor events can go ahead, but only if they have a COVID-19-safe plan in place. Indoor events can too — and both can have 100-percent capacity if they're seated, or one person per four-square-metres indoors and one person per two-square-metres outdoors rules otherwise. Wearing masks is still required whenever you're not at home — and you'll always have to have one with you as a result. So, they must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your own house, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and outdoors, unless you're doing vigorous exercise. The usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms all apply, too, as they have since March last year. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1411143269161992192 In the past 24 hours, Queensland reported five new locally acquired cases, with 47 cases currently active in the Sunshine State at the time of writing. Queensland Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. You can also check out this nifty map that uses Queensland Health's data. The Brisbane and Moreton Bay Local Government Areas will come out of lockdown from 6pm on Saturday, July 3. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Back in 2020, which now seems a lifetime ago, Laneway Festival celebrated 15 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio first decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes. The beloved fest marked that milestone with a characteristically jam-packed lineup that made its way to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Fremantle, as well as Auckland — but since then, it's been quiet thanks to the pandemic. First, the bad news: no one will be raising a plastic cup at the fest in 2022, Laneway organisers have confirmed. Now, the great news: the event is gearing up to finally make a comeback in 2023. In a social media announcement, the Laneway crew noted that right now it'd usually "be sailing the Laneway cruise liner into Australia/NZ, docking at Adelaide." That's clearly not happening at the moment, and "for obvious reasons we have decided to sit out again this year but rest assured, we are busy bees preparing for Laneway '23," the post continued. Dates, cities and venues for 2023 haven't been announced yet, but the Laneway team also noted that they're quite advanced in the planning for next year. "It's unusual for us to have booked so many acts so early on but that is what we can confirm we have done for Laneway 23, and it's already feeling like one of those very special Laneway lineups... there are so many exciting ideas and dreams coming into the picture and we look forward to sharing them with you into the new normal," organisers revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by St. Jerome's Laneway Festival (@lanewayfest) If you're now already looking forward to next year, that's understandable. If you're now speculating on who might be on the bill, that's perfectly natural, too. Laneway's news comes after restrictions eased in both New South Wales and Victoria on Friday, February 18, allowing dancing again — with NSW's ban on dancing at music festivals set to lift this week as well. Laneway Festival will return in 2023. We'll update you with further details, including dates, venues and lineups, when they're announced. Top image: Anthony Smith.
Thought you’d be eating vacuum packed meals in space? Think again. Fruit and veges could now be part of everyday space cuisine as part of EDEN’s (Evolution and Design of Environmentally-Closed Nutrition Sources) latest research initiative to grow fruit and veges in outer space with LED lights. The German Aerospace Centre (DRL) has picked up new Heliospectra LED lighting technology which the company has developed to help researchers explore conditions that can be used to grow fruit and veges in outer space. These space greenhouses could potentially function and feed a crew millions of miles above the clouds and prove particularly useful in harsh environments like a greenhouse module on Mars, or on slightly closer turf at the Neumayer Station III in Antarctica. One of the current projects at the German institute investigates testing the greenhouse module in the hostile Antarctica environment where a team lives in total isolation for nine months straight. Researchers hope to discover the ways whereby food could be produced for the crew and investigate how plants influence humans in isolation. [via inhabitat]
This part of the multiverse mightn't boast chefs controlled by raccoons, talking rocks and hot dog fingers, but it has turned a mind-bending movie spanning all of the above into one of the year's big awards contenders. Everything Everywhere All At Once is one 2022's very best movies, too, and it might soon have some shining trophies for its troubles from the 2023 Golden Globes. Awards season is upon us again, because the end of the year doesn't just mean all things jolly and merry — and the beginning of the new year isn't just about fresh starts and resolutions you likely won't keep, either. The Golden Globes will unveil its latest batch of winners on Wednesday, January 11 Australian and New Zealand time, but its just-announced list of nominees features plenty to get excited about, including a heap of 2022's must-see movies and TV shows. While the Oscars cover films and the Emmys focus on television, the Golden Globes spread its gongs across both formats, meaning that big-screen hits like Elvis and Top Gun: Maverick have scored some love, and so have small-screen favourites such as Severance and Wednesday. Topping the nominations on the movie side is standout Irish comedy The Banshees of Inisherin, including nods for stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. School-set sitcom Abbott Elementary — think Parks and Recreation, but in a Philadelphia public school — leads the TV contenders. Reuniting Farrell, Gleeson and their In Bruges director Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin nabbed eight noms, with Everything Everywhere All at Once picking up five, including for actors Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Next on the list, Damien Chazelle's Babylon and Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans each turned their love letters to cinema into five nominations. On the small screen, Abbott Elementary picked up five nods, followed by The White Lotus, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, The Crown, Pam & Tommy and Only Murders in the Building with four each. Other highlights include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery scoring a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Daniel Craig for Best Actor in the same category; Emma Thompson's Best Actress nod in the same genre for Good Luck to You, Leo Grande; both Decision to Leave and RRR among the non-English language picks; and Angela Bassett receiving some Best Supporting Actress love for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. And, there's The Bear picking up two noms (including for lead Jeremy Allen White) in the TV fields, Diego Luna's Andor nomination, Zendaya's Euphoria nod and Better Call Saul's final season being recognised, too. Although there's plenty to celebrate among this year's contenders — including a hefty showing for Australians, including Baz Luhrmann's Best Director nom for Elvis, and Cate Blanchett, Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman and Elizabeth Debicki all picking up acting nominations (for Tár, Bablyon, The Son and The Crown, respectively) — the Globes are sadly back to ignoring women directors. If you're wondering what else is in the running, here's the full list of nominations: GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES: BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Avatar: The Way of Water Elvis The Fabelmans Tár Top Gun: Maverick BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Cate Blanchett, Tár Olivia Colman, Empire of Light Viola Davis, The Woman King Ana de Armas, Blonde Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Austin Butler, Elvis Brendan Fraser, The Whale Hugh Jackman, The Son Bill Nighy, Living Jeremy Pope, The Inspection BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Babylon The Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Triangle of Sadness BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris Margot Robbie, Babylon Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Diego Calva, Babylon Daniel Craig, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Adam Driver, White Noise Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin Ralph Fiennes, The Menu BEST MOTION PICTURE — ANIMATED Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Inu-Oh Marcel the Shell With Shoes On Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Turning Red BEST MOTION PICTURE — NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE All Quiet on the Western Front Argentina, 1985 Close Decision to Leave RRR BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once Dolly De Leon, Triangle of Sadness Carey Mulligan, She Said BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Brad Pitt, Babylon Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Eddie Redmayne, The Good Nurse BEST DIRECTOR — MOTION PICTURE James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once Baz Luhrmann, Elvis Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans BEST SCREENPLAY — MOTION PICTURE Todd Field, Tár Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin Sarah Polley, Women Talking Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner, The Fabelmans BEST ORIGINAL SCORE — MOTION PICTURE Carter Burwell, The Banshees of Inisherin Alexandre Desplat, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Hildur Guðnadóttir, Women Talking Justin Hurwitz, Babylon John Williams, The Fabelmans BEST ORIGINAL SONG — MOTION PICTURE 'Carolina' by Taylor Swift, Where the Crawdads Sing 'Ciao Papa' by Alexandre Desplat, Guillermo del Toro, Roeban Katz, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio 'Hold My Hand' by Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Benjamin Rice, Top Gun: Maverick 'Lift Me Up' by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 'Naatu Naatu' by Kala Bhairava, M.M. Keeravani, Kala Bhairava, Rahul Sipligunj, RRR BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Better Call Saul The Crown House of the Dragon Ozark Severance BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Emma D'Arcy, House of the Dragon Laura Linney, Ozark Imelda Staunton, The Crown Hilary Swank, Alaska Daily Zendaya, Euphoria BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Jeff Bridges, The Old Man Kevin Costner, Yellowstone Diego Luna, Andor Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul Adam Scott, Severance BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Abbott Elementary The Bear Hacks Only Murders in the Building Wednesday BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building Jenna Ortega, Wednesday Jean Smart, Hacks BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Donald Glover, Atlanta Bill Hader, Barry Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jeremy Allen White, The Bear BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Black Bird DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story The Dropout Pam & Tommy The White Lotus BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jessica Chastain, George and Tammy Julia Garner, Inventing Anna Lily James, Pam & Tommy Julia Roberts, Gaslit Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Taron Egerton, Black Bird Colin Firth, The Staircase Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven Evan Peters, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble Daisy Edgar-Jones, Under the Banner of Heaven Niecy Nash, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Aubrey Plaza, The White Lotus BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION F. Murray Abraham, The White Lotus Domhnall Gleeson, The Patient Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird Richard Jenkins, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL-COMEDY OR DRAMA TELEVISION SERIES Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Julia Garner, Ozark Janelle James, Abbott Elementary Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL-COMEDY OR DRAMA TELEVISION SERIES John Lithgow, The Old Man Jonathan Pryce, The Crown John Turturro, Severance Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary Henry Winkler, Barry The 2023 Golden Globes will be announced on Wednesday, January 11 Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
Money can't buy you love, as four mop-topped Brits first sang 59 years ago, but it can buy you tickets to see the music legend who wrote one of the catchiest pop tracks ever released — and co-performed it — play it live in Australia. When Paul McCartney heads Down Under this spring, he'll have a wealth of material to choose from. One of his favourite openers: 'Can't Buy Me Love'. Hitting our shores for the first time since 2017 on his Got Back tour, McCartney will work through a massive catalogue of hits from his time in The Beatles, Wings and also across his solo career on a six-city stint around the country. Arenas and stadiums will welcome Sir Paul, starting at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, October 18, then heading to Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium and Allianz Stadium in Sydney before the month is out. Then, to kick off November, McCartney will take over Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and finally Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast. This tour will mark the Beatles icon's first-ever Newcastle and Gold Coast shows, and also commemorate almost six decades since the band that helped McCartney make history famously toured Australia in 1964 amid a wave of Beatlemania. In Adelaide all of those years back, it's estimated that 350,000 people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the group, packing the stretch between the airport and Town Hall. McCartney's Got Back setlist has featured everything from 'Hey Jude', 'Let It Be' and 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' to 'Love Me Do', 'Blackbird' and 'Got to Get You Into My Life' from The Beatles across its stops so far. Yes, 'Get Back' gets a whirl. Wings tunes 'Live and Let Die', 'Band on the Run', 'Letting Go' and 'Junior's Farm' usually pop up, too, as does McCartney's own 'Maybe I'm Amazed'. The Got Back tour kicked off in the US in February 2022, wrapping up last year's run with a massive Glastonbury set. McCartney now brings his usual band — keyboardist Paul 'Wix' Wickens, bassist and guitarist Brian Ray, fellow guitarist Rusty Anderson and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr — our way after picking up a Helpmann Award for Best International Contemporary Concert for his last visit. PAUL McCARTNEY 'GOT BACK' TOUR 2023 DATES: Wednesday, October 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Saturday, October 21 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, October 24 — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Friday, October 27–Saturday, October 28 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney Wednesday, November 1 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Saturday, November 4 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Paul McCartney tours Australia in October and November 2023, with Telstra Plus members pre-sale tickets from Thursday, August 3, Frontier members pre-sale ticketing available from Wednesday, August 9 and general tickets from Friday, August 11 — all at staggered times. Head to the tour website for further details. Images: MPL Communications.
If you've ever sipped lamington vodka, eaten a baklava croissant or tucked into a cookie pie, you'll know that mashing up two different types of foods and/or drinks is a gift to indecisive stomachs. Sometimes your tummy just doesn't know what it's hankering for — or it does, but it wants too many things at once to make a choice. The next culinary hybrid that's certain to help the next time you can't pick between multiple options: Latina and Old El Paso's new taco-flavoured ravioli. The two supermarket staple brands have teamed up on the limited-edition dinner offering and, yes, the result is exactly what it sounds like. You'll be tucking into Latina's beef ravioli, but made with Old El Paso's taco spice mix. And if you're not that fond of zesty dishes, you'll be pleased to know that this one is mild. The new ravioli is only available in Woolworths supermarkets for a short time, for RRP$8 a packet — and if you're wondering how to serve it, the two brands suggest pairing it with beans, corn kernels and a pasta sauce, popping it in the oven with cheese on top and turning it into a pasta bake. Obviously, just cooking it like you normally would Latina's pasta, slathering it with sauce and sticking a fork in is also an option. But you won't have to decide whether your tastebuds are screaming for Italian or Mexican — because you can have both. Latina and Old El Paso's taco-flavoured ravioli is available now at Woolworths supermarkets for RRP$8 a packet.
Schmoopy woopy and bubba bear, lil' puffy wuffy, honey pie or spicy chilly philly. Maybe just the classic: babe. Regardless of whether you're coupled up or flying solo, pet names for partners can be divisive at the best of times. Whether you love them or loathe them, we've joined forces with Melbourne-based Grinders Coffee Roasters to make a case for sharing yours with the world. In anticipation of Valentine's Day, let's delight in (or cringe at) the pet names we use to refer to our nearest and dearest — and then send 40 of you honey pies on an all-out date. Simply tell us the delightfully soppy (or saucy) nickname you use on your lover (or bestie, cos we're into that platonic love too), and you and snookums could be scoring a $500 Mastercard e-gift card from Grinders Coffee — the grounds for a very good date. Maybe you wear your alter ego on your sleeve, having your barista prepare a double-shot cap for Sergeant Snuggles. Or maybe you save it for home time, downloading after a long day while bae strokes your forehead and calls you boo boo. Whatever your preference, we wanna know about it — and reward you for your honesty. From Monday, January 16 until Tuesday, February 14, someone will score the prize each and every day. And on that day of days? Ten extra winners will be selected. That's 40 stand-out dates with the bill taken care of. Red hot. To go in the draw, enter your details below. Top image: LanaStock
Plans, pathways, roadmaps, rollouts: no matter which state you live in, Australians have heard these terms more than a few times over the past year and a half. As the country has grappled with COVID-19, our state and federal leaders have unveiled all types of outlines that run through what we can do, what we can't do whenever restrictions are in place, how we're getting vaccinated, where we can travel and how life might someday return to normal. Following the latest National Cabinet meeting between state and territory leaders and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which was held today, Friday, July 2, the latter has just announced a new plan — 'a National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response', to be precise. It steps through four phases that Australia will now work through to get life back to normal in this pandemic-affected world. Timeframes haven't been noted, so really it's just a list of things that should happen at some point; however, it's a plan nonetheless. Now 16 months since the country first introduced lockdowns and border restrictions due to the pandemic, Australia is currently in the first phase. Here, the aim is to suppress the virus to minimise community transmission, and much of it either sounds familiar or plans to tweak existing arrangements. Lockdowns will be used as a last resort, caps on incoming passenger arrivals will be cut in half to help stop the possible spread of the Delta variant, and the Commonwealth will run more repatriation flights to Howard Springs. Hotel quarantine is set to be reviewed, too, and alternative options — such as home quarantine for returning vaccinated travellers — will be trialled. In this first stage, everyone will be offered their chance to get vaccinated — which, given how slow the rollout has been progressing so far, might explain why no hard dates have been attached to this overall roadmap. Also in the initial phase, the Medicare Vaccination Certificate will be rolled out, Australia will work out how to authenticate digital vaccination status at our international borders and the vaccine booster program will be prepared. Whenever that's all achieved, the nation will move into phase two. That's when restrictions will be eased on folks who've had the jab — including around lockdowns and border controls. It's aimed that, by then, lockdowns will only happen "in extreme circumstances" if needed to prevent increasing hospitalisation rates and deaths. Also in phase two, inbound passenger cabs for unvaccinated returnees will go up, and more vaccinated returning travellers will be allowed to come home. If you're a vaccinated Aussie and you're coming back into the country, there'll be reduced quarantine arrangements. And, this is when the vaccine booster program should be rolled out, too. Up next: a third phase that has absolutely no lockdowns, and frees vaccinated Aussies from all domestic restrictions — and allows them to travel internationally as well. At this point in the plan, there'd be no caps on returning vaccinated travellers at all, and more travel bubbles, like the one floated with Singapore, would open. Also, vaccine boosters would keep being delivered. Finally, phase four sees COVID-19 just treated like other infectious diseases. It'd still be around, but it'd get the same kind of response as the flu. So, there'd be no lockdowns or domestic restrictions ever, vaccinated folks could come and go as they like, and non-vaccinated travellers would just have to get tested before they depart and when they arrive. Again, there are no timeframes attached to any of these phases as yet. That's dependent upon setting vaccination targets for each phase of the plan, based on modelling. And, if Australia's pandemic response so far is any guide, this could all change, take forever or simply not happen — but, if nothing else, it's the stated plan at the time of writing. For further details about the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response, head to the Prime Minister's website.
It's been more than seven months in the making, and it's finally here: after a hefty renovation, Fortitude Valley favourite The Wickham has reopened its doors. Hitting up the heritage-listed Wickham Street now means enjoying a revamped beer garden — one that's now weather-proof, too, taking not only Brisbane's sunshine but the city's storms into account — and spying pops of colour everywhere, spotting Jennifer Coolidge among the artwork and tucking into Disco Fruit Tingle cocktails served in disco balls. It was back in August 2022 that the 138-year-old venue's makeover was announced, with Australian Venue Co advising that it'd be putting $1.5 million into The Wickham's fresh look. Renovating a bar that dates back to 1885 isn't a small task, though. Accordingly, in early March the hospitality company advised that hotel's do-over cost $3.1 million. As seen across the revamped outdoor area and two newly done-up indoor spaces, that sum has gone into a new design by Newline Design — well, as new as the site's heritage listing allows. Walk through The Wickham now and you'll notice a mix of the old and the fresh, aka balancing historic charm with upgrades. A new kitchen has been put in as well. Among the existing areas of the pub that've been given a new lease on life, The Wickham's old corner bar and studio spaces are now welcoming in patrons in their new guise. They've both been renamed, dubbed The Peacock Room and Garland Room, respectively. And yes, they now sport decor to match. The Peacock Room is decked out with vintage furniture, work by local artists — heroing LGBTQIA+ talent — plus nods to the Wickham's peacock Frankie. It's also the venue's favourite option for cruisy drinks. Garland Room is the venue's new club space, which means that DJs, performers and parties will be filling it ASAP. The Wickham's reopening also sees it bring back Thursday night trivia in the beer garden, live tunes from Friday–Sunday and drag shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Peacock Room is also set to host bottomless burlesque brunch sessions once a month. Menu-wise, Executive Chef Dylan Kemp is overseeing the new food lineup, which spans stone-baked pizzas, bar snacks and late-night options, including a sizeable range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. On offer: cauliflower hot bites, fried quail with truffle mash, deep fried Golden Gaytimes and fairy bread — and a menu just for dogs that spans crispy pig skin, meat balls, gravy and peanut butter. Taking cues from the 70s and its fondness for disco, the drinks list has scored a once-over as well under Beverage Director Kevin Peters. Think: those aforementioned Disco Fruit Tingles; Glitter Bellinis, complete with edible glitter; and frozen G&Ts made with pineapple tonic. If you're keen on a tipple without the booze, the venue has upped its non-alcoholic range of wines, spirits, beers and cocktails as well, which'll feature a No-groni and the Espresso Marti-no. The Wickham is no stranger to nips and tucks during its century-plus existence, of course, including last undergoing a refresh back in 2014 and gaining five completely new spaces in the process. Australian Venue Co has been spearheading makeovers at a number of Brisbane pubs over the past few years, as seen as spots such as Cleveland Sands Hotel, Salisbury Hotel, the Crown Hotel in Lutwyche and Bribie Island Hotel. It's also revamping Riverland in the CBD, with the results set to be unveiled in 2023, too. Find The Wickham at 308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.
Greater Sydney, all of Victoria and the entirety of South Australia are currently in lockdown; however, since southeast Queensland's last stint of stay-at-home conditions ended in early July, the Sunshine State has avoided the same fate over the past few weeks. But, that doesn't mean that life has completely returned to normal. Some restrictions remain in place, masks are still required in Brisbane and, due to a positive COVID-19 case that visited the city from Sydney while they were infectious, the list of exposure sites is growing again. You know the drill from here, because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is key element of Queensland's containment strategy, and has been since early 2020. The list has been expanding in recent days, and includes one big and notable venue — one that's been named an exposure site a few times now. Westfield Chermside, aka the biggest shopping centre in Brisbane's north, is the highest-profile location to join the list over the weekend. A positive case visited Chermside on Thursday, July 15, Tuesday, July 20 and Friday, July 23, with several specific shops within the centre identified as exposure sites. On Thursday, July 15, three barber shops are listed: Tommy Gun's from 12.62–12.58pm, Jimmy Rod's from 12.58–1.09pm and Col Naylor between 1.09–1.30pm. Healthyworld Pharmacy on level one is also listed on the same date, between 1.45–2.10pm. All four venues are close contact spots, which means that you need to get tested ASAP and then self-isolate, regardless of whether you receive a negative result, until you're advised otherwise by Queensland Health. Also falling into the same category: the men's department in David Jones on Friday, July 23, between 10.40–11.20am. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1419235604122849285 A number of locations at Chermside also come under the casual contact category, which requires getting tested ASAP and then self-isolating until you receive a negative result. That applies to the St George Bank ATM on Thursday, July 15 from 12.45–1.15pm, all of David Jones excluding the men's department on Friday, July 23 between 10.40–11.20am, and the Little Sparrow Cafe from 12–1pm on Friday, July 23. And, if you were just at the shopping centre at all on Thursday, July 15, Tuesday, July 20 and Friday, July 23, you're a low-risk contact — and you must get tested, but self-isolation is only necessary if you have symptoms. Other places of note currently named as exposure sites include Niku Ramen, the Prince of Wales Hotel and Burger Urge in Nundah, as well as Woolworths in Banyo — for the full list, head to the Queensland Health website. As always, the usual advice regarding COVID-19 applies anyway. So, requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms in general are still in effect, as they have since March 2020. Queensland currently has 26 active cases as last reported on Sunday, July 25. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the Queensland COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Google Maps.
No one ever likes saying goodbye to their favourite TV show. Thankfully, due to the non-stop array of revivals, spinoffs and movie adaptations that just keep reaching our screens, those farewells are often only temporary. And, if you're lucky, you get multiple new chances to step back into the on-screen world you've already spent so much time watching and obsessing over — which is exactly what's happening with Downton Abbey: A New Era. It's been more than a decade since Downton Abbey, the Yorkshire-set television drama, first made its debut — and creator Julian Fellowes isn't done with it yet. After the show spun its tale of aristocratic life during the 1910s and 1920s across six seasons, finishing up in 2015, the 2019 movie that's also called Downton Abbey then brought the Crawley family and their loyal staff to cinemas. It played out like a last hurrah, but it unsurprisingly proved a hit, so that's where this new movie sequel comes in. To answer the most important question: yes, Maggie Smith is back. She's a key part of the new film's just-dropped teaser trailer, in fact, because of course she is. This time, she's telling her loved ones about a villa in the south of France that she's just come into possession of, which is where this follow-up is headed — in Downton Abbey's usual lavish style, obviously. Narrative-wise, the feature — which is once again written by Fellowes, but has filmmaker Simon Curtis (Goodbye Christopher Robin) in the director's chair — will chart the Crawley's summer trip, all as Hollywood comes to the Abbey. And yes, to answer the other burning question, there's familiar faces aplenty in the trailer, with the returning cast spanning Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppence Middleton, Lesley Nicol, Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton. If you're a fan of the series and the first movie, you don't need any further explanation. That said, a few new actors join the Downton Abbey world in A New Era, too, including Hugh Dancy (Late Night), Laura Haddock (Transformers: The Last Knight), Nathalie Baye (The Guardians), Dominic West (The Pursuit of Love) and Jonathan Zaccaï (The White Crow). Check out the teaser trailer below: Downton Abbey: A New Era releases in Australian cinemas on March 17, 2022. Top image: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC.
The steely gaze and warrior-like stance of Kristen Visbal's legendary bronze statue Fearless Girl have made their home in our own Federation Square. Erected in time for International Women's Day on Friday, March 8, the work is a limited-edition reproduction of the famous sculpture, which was first installed facing off against Arturo Di Modica's Charging Bull in New York's Wall Street. The statue depicts a small girl, with hands on hips and chin in the air, looking boldly into the distance. First commissioned by investment company State Street Global Advisors and appearing on International Women's Day in 2017, she's since become a symbol for female leadership and gender diversity in the workplace — although, not without some criticism. Many, including Di Modica himself, called the statue as a 'publicity stunt' created by a company that itself only had a small number of female executives. The statue was, late last year, relocated to a spot across from the New York Stock Exchange. https://twitter.com/StateStreetGA/status/1072588598388633602 One of just four in the world, our Fearless Girl — commissioned by law firm Maurice Blackburn and superannuation funds Hesta and CBUS — will make her home in Fed Square for the next three years, in an effort to inspire conversations about gender rights and equality. Aside from New York, the only cities to have played host to one of the statues are Oslo and Cape Town. Find 'Fearless Girl' at Federation Square until March 2022.
Word is, good things come in threes, but if you're in the market for some new gear for your home, then it looks like the magic number this week is four. That's because furniture and homewares giant IKEA has kicked off a giant four-day sale, slashing the price of a huge range of products at stores across the country. Running from today until Sunday, October 21, the clearance sale is dishing up bargains on 400 different IKEA products, from flatpack furniture, to those random storage solutions you can never seem to have too many of. And the reductions are well worth battling one of IKEA's impossible maze-like stores for, with all sale prices promising at least 40 percent off. Venture in to stock up on budget-friendly pieces like coffee tables, chairs, beds and homewares — the offers are available in-store only. To check out what's discounted at your local store, head to the Ikea website and punch in your postcode. The IKEA Clearance Sale runs from October 18–21. For more information, head to the IKEA website.
Coca-Cola Amatil, one of the largest manufacturers of beverages and food products in the Asia-Pacific, is the latest company to make a big-ticket move in the fight against plastic waste, announcing it'll phase out all single-use plastic straws and stirrers from its Aussie operations. The company is now switching to fully recyclable and biodegradable paper straws sourced from BioPak and Austraw, for its distribution services to around 115,000 venues across the country, which include everything from grocery stores to petrol stations, bars and cafes. Stocks of the current single-use products will be run out over the next two months, with the more eco-friendly alternatives available from February. While it's a great move for the environment, as highlighted by the ABC, it also has potential to marginalise disabled members of the community. A number of Aussies with disabilities rely on straws to eat and drink, and reusable versions aren't always an alternative. And it seems this is just the start for Coca-Cola Amatil's sustainability shake-up, as the group moves towards its goal to have 100 percent of its Australian packaging fully recyclable by 2025, including bottles, cans, plastic wrap, cardboard and glass. With over 700,000 customers across its brands, ditching the plastic will have a big positive impact. The company says it's currently working with suppliers on a range of sustainable solutions for products like plastic spoons and frozen drink scoops. Last year, it also announced a range of environmental targets it hoped to achieve by 2020, including using at least 60 percent renewable or low-carbon energy in its operations, and significantly reducing the overall carbon footprint of its drinks. The straw phase-out follows similar recent moves by the likes of IKEA, McDonald's and Melbourne's Crown Casino, and comes as South Australia reveals it's looking at implementing its own state-wide ban on single-use plastic items.
At Sokyo, the phrase "looks good enough to eat" earns a new spin. Here, the sushi, sashimi, king prawns in yuzu butter off the robata grill and plenty more almost look too artful, too eye-catching and too enticing to devour. For its first expansion out of Sydney, as well as its debut eatery in Queensland, this Japanese fine-diner has given its Brisbane location in the new Queen's Wharf precinct a specific gift: Executive Chef Alex Yu, brandishing his skills as a "sashimi florist" over the restaurant's aesthetically pleasing menu. Yu earned that nickname at Sokyo Sydney, where he worked for eight years from 2014 and became renowned for his fish platters featuring floral arrangements. In 2022, he moved to Yugen Melbourne to take on that restaurant's Head Chef position. Now, he has completed the east coast capital-city trifecta by coming to Brisbane to helm the new Sokyo. Sokyo's opening, launching when Queen's Wharf did at the end of August 2024, brings a swag of good news to the River City. Brisbanites no longer need to visit Sydney to dine at the culinary standout, for starters. The second Sokyo is part of The Star Brisbane, just as the Harbour City's sits inside The Star Sydney. At The Star Gold Coast, Queensland already boasts fellow Japanese restaurant Kiyomi — a sibling eatery, if you like — but this is the first time that the Sokyo brand has set up shop elsewhere. If you haven't visited Sokyo down south, it heroes traditional cooking techniques and making dining a sumptuous feast for the senses. The restaurant's guiding principle: ritual meets art. The idea is to apply Japanese culinary practice to Australia, including using local produce — from Queensland, of course, at Sokyo Brisbane. In a space that seats 160, features both a sushi bar and a circular private dining room, and has Hassell to think for its scroll- and timber screen-heavy Japanese restaurant decor, patrons can enjoy a range of Sokyo's famous dishes that've made the jump from its OG location to Brissie. Two such highlights: spicy tuna with crispy rice, plus hiramasa kingfish with miso ceviche and crispy potato. Standouts from the rest of the menu include A5 wagyu with egg yolk, garlic chips and gold leaf; tempura snapper paired with a coriander salad; miso-glazed toothfish; and salmon belly aburi. Or, as long as you have at least one person for company, opt for the $160-per-person tasting menu. The multi-dish spread features four seafood plates, the choice to upgrade to a chef's selection of sushi or wagyu in wasabi sauce, plus mochi and strawberry milkshake ice cream, and a caramel macchiato. To wash them all down, sake, Japanese whisky, shochu cocktails, and tap and bottled beers from Japan take pride of place on the drinks list. You can also sip wine, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages.
If you're not the heiress of a Russian billionaire or a Victoria's Secret model, then it's probably unlikely that you have the spare cash to buy yourself a private island or hold your 21st birthday on one. Despair not. Do what you can to rustle up $1500 and you'll have the option of spending the night on a man-made island: Africa's first underwater hotel room. Opened as the Manta Resort's newest attraction on November 1, 2013, the subaquatic accommodation floats in a circular blue hole in the coral reef near Pemba Island, off the East Coast of Tanzania. The top floor — above sea-level — features an open-air deck where guests can relax, take in the idyllic Indian Ocean surroundings and soak up some sun or gaze at the stars. The bottom floor, submerged to the depth of four metres, is a bedroom, walled entirely in glass and affording dreamy views of passing sea-life. The nocturnal scenes, illuminated by spotlights, have been described as rather surreal. The vacation innovation was designed by Swedish installation artist and sculptor Mikael Genberg. He's the brains behind the Utter Inn, an underwater room built in a lake near Stockholm, and is currently contemplating putting a Swedish-style cottage on the moon. Funding was achieved via a newly formed company registered in Zanzibar, Genberg Art UW Limited, which represents a collaboration between several Swedish and Tanzanian investors, including Genberg Underwater Hotels, Christer and Jacky Abrahamsson, Hans Elis Johansson and Michael Wild. Via PSFK.
Sometimes, waiting in line at a restaurant is inevitable. Heading out to dinner and planning ahead don't always go hand-in-hand, or maybe you're travelling, or perhaps you're simply keen on a particular type of popular cuisine. Of course, no one likes standing about, biding their time and hoping for a table. It might be a part of life, but even the most patient among us can get frustrated — particularly when your stomach is grumbling. Now, thanks to Google's latest feature, you can find out just what kind of delay you're in for — even when you're grabbing a bite to eat on the fly. The technology company has added estimated wait times to Google Search, expanding upon its popular times and live status function. You won't just discover when an eatery is typically busy, or how hectic it is at the moment, but when your chances are of getting a seat. The feature will also be rolled out to Google Maps, in excellent news anyone looking for some nosh while they're in an unfamiliar city or part of town. Almost a million places currently have their wait times included, as based on anonymised historical data, with that number set to increase. And, even if you're just trying to do something simple like treat yourself to something sweet, you can work out if that decadent dessert is really worth the wait.
Summer is over for now and spring is still almost half a year away. But if you want to start thinking ahead, Surfers Paradise is set to welcome a brand new attraction that'll keep you busy when the warm weather hits. Do you like hanging out by the beach? Splashing around in several pools? Enjoying a few games of volleyball on the sand? Watching a movie under the stars? If you answered yes to all of these questions — and you also like to spend your sunny days and starry nights kicking back in a cabana, hopping between multiple restaurants and bars, dancing to DJs and gathering the gang on a rooftop with a view — then you'll want to add Cali Beach Club to your must-visit list. First announced late in 2020 and originally scheduled to open this past summer, Cali Beach Club will feature all of the aforementioned facilities and activities in the one spot. Yes, it's going to be more than a little jam-packed with things to do when it launches just in time for spring this year. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been revealed, the new precinct will officially open on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue sometime in August — perched four levels about the street, sprawling across more than 5000 square metres, and boasting vantages over both the ocean and the Surfers' skyline. The Gold Coast might be known for its theme parks, but this is shaping up to be the boozy adult alternative, as run by Australian hospitality group Artesian Hospitality. Whether you're a Brisbanite heading down the highway, a Sydney or Melbourne resident enjoying the lack of border restrictions, or hail from elsewhere in the country, you'll find quite the spread awaiting once you step inside. That includes four pools to swim in, and plenty of daybeds, sun lounges and cabanas where you can while away the hours. There'll also be exercise areas and sports facilities, such as the aforementioned beach volleyball court, and a dance floor as well. In terms of food and drink, you'll have options, thanks to two restaurants and four bars. Exact details of what they'll be serving, and what'll make them different from each other, haven't yet been revealed — but one eatery will sit right by the ocean. Come evening, a moonlit cinema will screen flicks by the water — again, though, no other details have been revealed. Showing Jaws and Point Break seems like a must, however, because everyone likes catching movies about the sea while they're literally right next to it. [caption id="attachment_793063" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Map of Cali Beach Club[/caption] All the other questions you're currently pondering — such as opening hours, cost, capacity and social distancing measures — haven't been answered yet either. But, while it looks perfect for spring and summer shenanigans, Cali Beach Club plans to operate year-round. The Gold Coast does have the weather for it, after all. And, although the precinct will officially welcome in the general public in August, it'll actually be completed sometime in June. Over that two-month gap, it'll let a few exclusive corporate functions and events — and even weddings — have the run of the place. If you or someone you know are currently looking for a space for a up to 150 guest for a special occasion, take note. Cali Beach Club will open on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise, sometime in August 2021 — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
Back in July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia will tie its efforts to manage COVID-19 to vaccination rates moving forward. As the country reaches certain jab milestones — 70 percent of Aussies over the age of 16 receiving two doses, and then 80 percent — the way that Australia handles the pandemic will evolve. Restrictions will start to ease, lockdowns will be less likely, international travel will open back up and people who've been fully vaxxed will live life under loosened rules. As both New South Wales and Victoria have dealt with COVID-19 outbreaks over the past few months, vaccination rates have continued to be thrust into the spotlight. Both NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews have highlighted specific jab thresholds, and announced that lockdown rules will begin to change when they're met — at 70-percent fully vaxxed in NSW and 70 percent with at least one dose in Victoria. So, that means that we're all now paying extra attention to those vaccination figures. They're mentioned at each state's daily COVID-19 press conferences, of course, but you can also check out how your state is going and how the nation overall is faring thanks to a heap of online resources. Wondering why you might be interested in the Aussie rate, and not just vax numbers in your own state or territory? As part of that plan announced by the PM — the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response — vaccination rates have to reach the 70-percent and 80-percent fully jabbed marks across the entire country before an individual state or territory can start easing the rules. That state or territory also has to reach those thresholds itself before it can do anything, of course, but that isn't the only important figure. This daily infographic provides the total number of vaccine doses administered in Australia 🇦🇺 as of 6 September 2021 📅 💻Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccine information here: https://t.co/lsM33j9wMW pic.twitter.com/XTydxJH0sK — Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) September 7, 2021 For Australia-wide data, the Federal Government Department of Health issues several daily reports on the vaccine rollout, complete with handy infographics if you like looking at diagrams more than numerals. You can see the total doses administered, how many people are fully vaccinated, and the breakdown state by state — and, nationwide, also a breakdown of doses by age group and gender. Vax rates among Indigenous Australians, people with disability and the disability workforce, and in residential aged care are also singled out. Or, there's also the COVID Live website, which collates information on new cases, tests, hospitalisations and vaccinations, and lets you dive further into each. With jabs, it gives a breakdown by state and then by day, and also counts down how many days remain until the country and each state and territory hits 60-percent, 70-percent, 80-percent and 90-percent first doses and fully vaxxed, as based on the seven-day average. [caption id="attachment_824786" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] COVID Live as at Wednesday, September 8.[/caption] Each state and territory also has its own online resources, with different details on offer depending on the state. In NSW, for instance, you can access a COVID-19 vaccination dashboard that highlights the number of doses that've been given, or you can check out a nifty map that breaks down jabs by postcode and Local Government Area. Victoria's COVID-19 vaccine data portal lists doses given over the past 24 hours, and also links to a weekly report that tracks the state's progress. Here, you'll find overall and weekly rates, a breakdown via vaccine type and dose — so listing first and second doses of AstraZeneca and of Pfizer — and also breakdowns by age and gender. For Queensland, the overall stats can be found on Queensland Health's COVID-19 page, with further detail on offer if you click through to its statistics summary. Vaccinations are then listed by vaccine site area, including both overall and hospital/vax hub-specific figures. You can see how many doses were administered the day prior and in total so far. Queensland #COVID19 update 7/09/21 Today we have recorded 0 new cases of COVID-19. Detailed information about COVID-19 cases in Queensland, can be found here: https://t.co/kapyXpSIAP pic.twitter.com/G4J57unlPc — Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) September 7, 2021 In Western Australia, there's a vaccination dashboard filled with infographics about doses, rates and age breakdowns. In South Australia, you'll find an overall daily vaccination figure on the state's overall COVID-19 dashboard. Tasmania has a statistics section on the government's COVID-19 website, and includes both a cumulative tally and the daily increase — and both the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have their own COVID-19 dashboards with relevant figures. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
When summer holidays seem like a depressingly distant memory, nothing recharges the soul quite like a couple of days spent exploring the very best of a city — especially when that city is considered the world's most liveable city at that. So, we've teamed up with the folks at DoubleTree by Hilton to curate your ultimate Melbourne weekend getaway. Boasting a top-notch Flinders Street location, right in the heart of all the action, the Melbourne hotel is primed for that hard-earned city escape you've been planning — plus, they'll always welcome you back with a nice, warm 'welcome cookie'. Lose yourself down laneways, feast your way through the city's many multicultural offerings and shop till you're ready to drop, knowing you've got a comfortable home away from home to land yourself at the end of the day — with a spot for a nightcap, if you should feel so inclined, at the hotel's Platform 270. Here's our guide to a cracking Melbourne weekend. START THE DAY AT HIGHER GROUND, CBD As much a feast for the eyes as for the belly, CBD cafe Higher Ground makes its home within a gorgeous, lofty space that once housed the Little Bourke Street power station. Here, award-winning designer touches and exposed brick walls create an elegant backdrop for the kitchen's forward-thinking, artfully designed fare. Pop in for breakfast and a specialty coffee to kick-start a big day of exploring, or swing by after dark to road-test the chic dinner menu on offer Thursday through Sunday. GET YOUR ART FIX AT ROSE STREET MARKETS, FITZROY Each weekend, Fitzroy's Rose Street becomes a shopping hot-spot, playing host to two vibrant weekly markets. On Saturdays and Sundays, hit the Rose Street Artists' Market to find a stellar lineup of local makers showcasing an array of art, fashion, homewares, jewellery and photography, plus an onsite cafe primed for caffeine pit-stops and brunch feeds. Just a few metres down the street there's yet more shopping goodness in store for you at Saturday's Fitzroy Mills Market. This one's got a health and wellness focus, sourcing top produce from local makers and growers — expect treats like quality fruit and veg, desserts, artisan bread, vegan eats and even fare for your four-legged friends. GO FULL MELBOURNE AT WHITEHART, CBD Tucked down a laneway, surrounded by lively street art and crafted from a couple of upcycled shipping containers, Whitehart is unmistakably Melbourne. The industrial-inspired bar slings a top-notch booze lineup of clever cocktails, boutique wines and craft brews, while food comes courtesy of a rotation of visiting food trucks. Also impressive is the soundtrack, as the decks play host to a dance-worthy mix of resident DJs and guest artists from across the world. Swing by for a sunny afternoon session, or after dark to soak up those late-night Melbourne vibes. WANDER THE NICHOLAS BUILDING, CBD A veritable treasure trove of fashion and design, art deco stunner The Nicholas Building is home to a diverse mix of studios, boutiques and galleries. Drool over beautiful heritage features like the leadlight dome above the arcade while you get some retail therapy. Highlights include a huge selection of pre-loved threads at Australia's largest vintage store Retrostar, perfume from The Powder Room, Kimono House's Japanese crafts and textiles, jewellery designs from Victoria Mason and women's fashion from the likes of Obus and Kuwaii. DIG INTO SUPERNORMAL, CBD At the sleek Asian-accented Supernormal, acclaimed Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell delivers some very memorable eats, drawing on a range of influences and serving it all with a healthy side of fun. Here, classic flavours from across Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China are reworked into a menu of modern delights and matched with a contemporary drinks offering of sake, local wines and intriguing cocktails. Just remember, McConnell's cult classic lobster roll is a must and, when opting for the banquet menu, it pays to be within rolling distance of where you're staying. [caption id="attachment_659089" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Gollings.[/caption] EXPLORE THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, SOUTHBANK Delivering a diverse program of bold exhibitions, performances, talks and events, the Australian Centre For Contemporary Art is a hotbed of creativity and a must for any visiting art aficionado. Boasting an award-winning building set among the arty offerings of Southbank, it features thought-provoking works from big-name artists the world over, in addition to commissioned pieces designed to change the way the world sees contemporary art. Cruise the current exhibitions at your own pace, or jump on one of the free public tours, held each Sunday during exhibition periods. CATCH SOME VIEWS AT ROOFTOP BAR, CBD An astro-turfed, open-air space perched at the very top of Swanston Street's Curtin House, Melbourne's original rooftop bar is a year-round favourite, thanks to its laidback feel and those sprawling city skyline vistas. Venture up for brews with a view and eats from The Rooftop Burger Shack, while getting acquainted with one of Melbourne's most iconic drinking spots. During the warmer months, you can even catch a flick on the outdoor big screen for the legendary Rooftop Cinema. PICNIC IN THE SUN AT ABBOTSFORD CONVENT, ABBOTSFORD Set among picturesque grounds in Melbourne's inner north, multi-arts precinct the Abbotsford Convent has a little something for everyone. Once operating as a convent and one of Australia's largest Catholic complexes, the heritage-listed, 16-acre site now boasts a colourful assortment of galleries, studios and green space — not to mention a stack of architectural gems to marvel at. Lose a day happily exploring the current offerings, from exhibitions and talks to markets and performances. Social history tours are run every Sunday afternoon, and there's a plethora of great onsite eateries to choose from come lunchtime. [caption id="attachment_649405" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jamie Durrant.[/caption] EAT TAPAS AND MONTADITOS AT BAR TINI, CBD Having won hearts across the country with his stable of MoVida restaurants, Frank Camorra's latest project is another Spanish-inspired charmer — this time, a cosy laneway haunt called Bar Tini. With its warm red accents and cheery decor, this one's a nod to the bodegas of Spain, its menu a cracking lineup of imported tinned seafood, flavour-packed tapas and montaditos, and open sandwiches. Snack your way through, while sipping vermouth on tap and revamped classic cocktails. Pop in for a daytime visit and you'll even be able to check out the iconic street art of Hosier Lane outside the front door. [caption id="attachment_658995" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stano Murin.[/caption] LAUGH IT OUT AT THE BUTTERFLY CLUB, CBD If a culture fix is on the cards, you can bank on finding a ripper program of happenings at The Butterfly Club. The laneway theatre hosts a diverse lineup of over 1100 performances each year, from cabaret acts to side-splitting stand-up shows. You'll also find a solid mix of regular events, including Tuesday night's burlesque life drawing sessions and Friday's long-running improv comedy show, The Big Hoo Haa. The Butterfly Club's two bars make for charming pit-stops in themselves, decked out with lots of kitsch touches and slinging an oft-changing lineup of themed cocktails. Spend your weekend exploring some of the very best things around Melbourne, and when you need a place to recoup, find your home away from home at DoubleTree by Hilton on Flinders Street.
A small grey moon passes silently through the dark, desolate vacuum of space. No wait, not a moon, a space station. Suddenly from within that manmade menace, a thunderous blast of brilliant green light tears forth, obliterating the planet of Alderaan. Elsewhere, a frail Obi Wan Kenobi shudders and fretfully remarks: “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened”. Fast forward a long, long time to Tuesday April 7, 2015, and once again, one senses a great disturbance has come to pass, only this time, Harrison Ford and the gang are playing for the other team. In a landmark decision by Australia’s Federal Court, iiNet and several other internet service providers (or ISPs) have been ordered to disclose the names and contact details of almost 5000 of their Australian customers accused of illegally sharing the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club. If you’re currently sitting there with BitTorrent open in the background, chances are you’re one of the millions suddenly crying out in terror. But just how afraid should you be? ISPs, WHERE SIZE DOES MATTER The first question to ask is: which ISP do you use? Telstra, TPG and Optus were all ignored by the rights holders (at least for now), meaning yesterday's ruling only applies to customers of iiNet, Dodo, Internode, Amnet and Adam Internet. If you’re not with them, you’re not in the firing line. TORRENTING: A SEEDY PRACTICE Note the absence of the word ‘downloaded’ above. This case drew a critical distinction between those who downloaded the film and those who seeded the torrent (i.e., those who made it available for others to download). Since it’s impossible to identify downloaders, the names to be provided by iiNet and the other ISPs will only be of those who “made the film available online to other persons; electronically transmitted the film to other persons; and made copies of the whole or a substantial part of the film”. Put another way, if you downloaded Dallas Buyers Club but never shared it, you’re probably in the clear. But if you did seed it (and that does happen automatically through some torrenting software), what happens next? ROUND 1 TO HOLLYWOOD Nothing for the next 28 days at least, which is how long those ISPs have to appeal the decision. The chance of them doing that, however, seems unlikely given the comments by iiNet’s CEO David Buckingham that: "We're very happy with Justice Perram's judgment and his balanced approach to both the studio's and consumers' rights.” In all likelihood, then, four weeks or so from now there are going to be around 5000 letters sent out across Australia courtesy of the film’s rights holder — Dallas Buyers Club LLC. ON A SCALE OF ZERO TO ALDERAAN, HOW SCREWED ARE YOU? Three years ago, a Minnesota woman was famously ordered to pay $1.5 million in damages for illegally downloading just 24 songs from the internet. The plaintiff in that case, the Recording Industry Association of America, never had any real expectation of recovering the money from her because, of course, money wasn’t the point. Sending a message was why they’d pushed so hard, and the same may be said of Dallas Buyers Club here. With this ruling, both they and the court have sought to declare an end to the age of anonymous copyright infringement in Australia. BUT IT WASN'T ME, IT WAS THE ONE-ARMED MAN! Just because you receive a letter from Dallas Buyers Club doesn't mean you're actually guilty of copyright infringement. All it means is your name and contact details are attached to the IP address that was identified in the sharing of the file. Who was doing that sharing is an entirely different matter: your flatmate, a sibling, a child or even an unscrupulous neighbour who cracked your Wi-Fi password (seriously, was it 'password'?). Proving actual guilt will be an additional hurdle that Dallas Buyers Club will still have to jump for each and every case it pursues. OKAY, I AM THE ONE-ARMED MAN So let’s say, for argument’s sake, you’re one of the names about to be provided to Dallas Buyers Club. The ‘balance’ in the decision that David Buckingham was referring above to centres on two key points: 1. Your names won’t be made public; and 2. Every single letter that Dallas Buyers Club intends to send out must first be shown to, and approved by, Justice Nye Perram. That second point is more significant than it may sound, because it seriously limits the ability of Dallas Buyers Club to use those letters as a means of intimidation, otherwise known as ‘speculative invoicing’. Recently in America, Dallas Buyers Club sent similar letters to US-based infringers claiming they were liable for damages of up to US$150,000, but noted they’d be prepared to settle out of court for US$7000. It’s unlikely they’ll be permitted to do the same thing here, though they will almost certainly seek some level of remuneration for the infringement. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FUTURE Does this ruling mean Australians will immediately stop torrenting? Of course not. Australia is Olympic-level bad when it comes to copyright infringement, with BitTorrent accounting for more than 25% of all internet use in the region, and Australians responsible for a full 11.6% of the worldwide illegal downloads of Game of Thrones season four. Crucially, nobody ever disputes that it’s wrong, but everyone finds their own little way of justifying it. For most, that justification sits squarely in what’s termed 'The Australia Tax' — a consistently unreasonable price disparity of up to 400% between here and the rest of the world on everything from automobiles and electronics to music, software, games and films (here’s lookin' at you, Adobe). Coupled with inexplicable delayed releases (something that proved a financial disaster for The LEGO Movie), Australians justifiably feel they shouldn’t have to pay extra for something they want, only to then unjustifiably download the whole thing without paying a single cent. ARISE A KNIGHT The game changer in all of this will be Netflix, which finally launched here last week. In the United States, it's almost singlehandedly credited with reducing torrenting from 31% of all internet traffic to just 5.65% in a mere six years, and there’s no reason to doubt a similar trend in Australia. Cinemas have also wised up, with Village Roadshow CEO Graham Burke declaring last year that in Australia, “movies will [now] be released day and date with the US. Movies will come out at the same time.” Of course, yesterday’s decision may yet be overturned, but it’s a sure sign of the changing times and it would indeed seem the days of torrenting with anonymous impunity are numbered. That's not to say technology hasn't proven remarkably adept at circumventing any measures to control it, just as this author isn't blind to the fact that the Rebels ultimately prevailed over the Empire. Still, this a war neither side is prepared to back away from, so next time you’re thinking about downloading something, perhaps just ask yourself: what if I'm Alderaan? Formerly an intellectual property lawyer with the global firm Allens Linklaters, Tom Glasson is a writer, film critic and TV presenter best known for his work as host of Australia's daily satirical news show The Roast on the ABC.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Sunnybank area at any given time, you will be faced with quite a pleasant quandary. Spoilt for choice is an understatement when it comes to finding good Asian food in this part of town. There are so many places to choose from it is almost inevitable that you’re not going to like every dish at every establishment. However, the greater Sunnybank area is filled with the type of restaurants that you will come back to time and time again for your most beloved dishes. Hunting down these future favourites can be a laborious and occasionally disheartening process so we at Concrete Playground have tried to take some of the guesswork out of things. Here’s our list of some of the best meals the 4109 postcode has to offer. Three Cup Chicken at Golden Rice It can be surprisingly hard to settle on a reliable Chinese restaurant. There are so many options and to be honest, some surprise duds. Fortunately Golden Rice is not one of them. This is an extremely modest looking little shop out in Sunnybank Hills. It barely fits four tables, but they seem to do a roaring trade in takeaway – and for good reason. The food here is of a pretty high standard generally, but the Three Cup Chicken is exceptional. The sweet soy broth is thick and rich, replete with chunks of ginger and chilli, whole garlic cloves and basil leaves. 1 Honeywood St Sunnybank Hills 4109 Fried Chicken at Hello! Kyochon Chicken Hello! Kyochon Chicken does really, really good fried chicken. They have some sides like chips and kimchi but they’re just distractions. Next time you have a craving for some deep fried chicken and are about to do something stupid and eat something you’ll regret, just wait. Hold out and take a trip to Kyochon. You will not be disappointed. It’s everything you want fried chicken to be – crispy, salty, juicy and yet miraculously, not greasy. Shop 3 581 Beenleigh Rd Sunnybank Hills 4109 Baked Live Mud Crab with Chef's Special Chilli Sauce at Suncrop Chinese Restaurant There’s something luxurious about mud crab, a fact often reflected in its price. At Suncrop you can get mud crab for as cheap as $38.80/kg when it’s in season. They have a whole page of possible ways to serve it, but the special chilli sauce may be the pick of them. They bring the unfortunate critter to your table for your approval, and provided you’re happy with it, a little while later out comes a spectacular looking plate of baked crustacean. It’s incredibly messy eating, but that’s all part of the appeal. Shop 84 Sunnybank Plaza cnr Mains Rd and McCullough St Sunnybank 4109 Vietnamese-Style Fish Hot Pot at Pho Hung Pho Hung’s Vietnamese-style fish hot pot seems to be Ca Kho To – a caramel fish hot pot typically made with catfish. If you can’t usually abide a lot of bones in your fish dishes you would be well advised to overcome that minor quibble. Don’t complain. Just pick them out. You’ll thank us. The oil from the fish and the caramel of the sauce combine to impart the most deliciously decadent flavour, perfect with a bowl of white rice. Sunnybank Market Square cnr of Mains Rd and Mccullough St Sunnybank 4109 Meat Platter at Little Hong Kong BBQ For convenience and ease, Little Hong Kong BBQ’s meat platter is right up there. For a reasonably small sum you can enjoy a platter of roast duck, roast chicken, roast pork and BBQ pork accompanied by some lightly pickled vegetables and a bowl of rice. You can get however many types of meat you want, but so long as the roast chicken features in your selection, you’re set. Tea and condiments are free, and it’s unlikely that you’ll come out still feeling hungry. Shop 23A Market Square cnr Mains Rd and McCullough St, Sunnybank 4109 Tonkotsu Ramen and Gyoza at Hakataya Ramen Fortunate are we that Japanese chain Hakataya Ramen has made it to Brisbane. Though there are soon to be five of these establishments in Queensland, since two of them are in Sunnybank (one in Market Square and one in Sunnybank Plaza) it seems only right to include them on this list. This is really what fast food is supposed to be. Quick, restorative, tasty. It may not reach the dizzying heights that ramen can sometimes attain, still, it’s immensely satisfying and about as close to the Japanese experience as you can get in Brisbane. Shop 13 Market Square cnr Mains Rd and McCullough St, Sunnybank 4109 Creme Brulee at Casamia Paris Casamia Paris is a real hidden treasure. The type of place you would probably never get a chance to visit if you didn’t already know it was there. Or if you haven’t just finished up a plate of chicken at Hello! Kyochon next door. European desserts are the go here, with delicate looking single serve mousse cakes in the display cabinet at the counter. The menu lists a further collection of French and Italian favourites of which the crème brulee is probably the best – rich and velvety with a side of vanilla ice cream and crème anglaise in a sweet sesame cup, along with some cute swirly and spiky garnishes. Shop 4 581 Beenleigh Road Sunnybank Hills 4109 Soy Custard with Raw Sugar Syrup at Just Soy Café Just Soy Café is the place to go when you’ve finished your Three Cup Chicken at Golden Rice. Just a quick walk up the street, it offers Taiwanese style soy custard with your choice of topping. While toppings are very much a matter of personal preference, the raw sugar syrup (which is nowhere near as sweet as it sounds) is unlikely to offend many tastebuds. Perhaps the same cannot be said of the soy custard itself, as it is likely an acquired taste. The curd-like pudding is smooth and silky, but if the slight bitterness of soy products doesn’t usually grab you, maybe you’d be safer opting for the green tea ice-cream. Shop 1/8 Lear St Sunnybank Hills 4109 Original Milk Ice at Snow Ice Baobing (or patbingsu or kakigori) vendor Snow Ice in Market Square offers just about the ultimate in hot weather dessert. Unlike a standard snow cone, where pieces of crushed ice melt into a watery flavourless sludge, the original milk ice at Snow Ice is wonderfully delicate – disintegrating a few seconds after hitting your tongue. It’s like the frozen version of fairy floss, but not so sickeningly sugary; even the non-sweet tooth should enjoy. Plus – if you still need convincing – the machine that shaves the ice is shaped like a penguin. 341 Mains Rd Sunnybank 4109
Sneezing into our elbows, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and washing our hands thoroughly and often: they're just some of the practices that Australians adopted in 2020 and have been continuing into 2021 in response to COVID-19. So is paying particular attention to where we've all been, which links into ongoing contact-tracing efforts — because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a crucial part of the country's containment strategy. That includes in Queensland, where today, Thursday, January 7, state authorities have just announced a local COVID-19 case in a quarantine hotel worker. In response, Queensland Health has issued a health alert outlining places that residents should note. By now, it has become a familiar routine — and, in this case, if you've visited these spots on the dates and during the times outlined, you should get a test for COVID-19 immediately and self-isolate until you receive your results. This applies regardless of whether you have any coronavirus symptoms or not — and, if you get negative test result, you're still asked to keep monitoring for symptoms and then get retested if necessary. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1346994615862194177 On the list: two train trips, two shopping centres and a newsagents. If you caught the train from Altandi to Roma Street on Saturday, January 2 at 7am, and from Central to Altandi at 4pm at the same day, then you need to get tested and self-isolate. The same applies if you went to Woolworths in Calamvale North from 11am–12pm on Sunday, January 3, to Coles in Sunnybank Hills from 7.30–8am on Tuesday, January 5 and to the Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town Newsagent from 8–8.15am on Tuesday, January 5. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also advised that anyone who lives in Algester, Sunnybank Hills and Calamvale and has symptoms of COVID-19 — even mild symptoms — should get tested. Queensland Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. Queensland currently has 20 active cases of COVID-19, from a pandemic-wide total of 1265 to-date. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Denisbin via Flickr.
The summer holidays might be only just over, but chances are, you're already contemplating your big international trip (or trips) for the year. So, we thought we'd do some research for you. Whether you're gearing up to lay down a deposit on a flight or looking for some deskapism to get you through to knock-off, here are ten international destinations to add to your 2017 wish list. We've got magical Indian cities dotted with blue temples, South American wilderness filled with giant-sized glaciers and a World Heritage listed, volcanic island. [caption id="attachment_606508" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dennis Jarvis.[/caption] TULUM, MEXICO The world's biggest natural aquarium, Mayan ruins atop a 13-metre high cliff, wild jungles, white sands on the edge of the Caribbean... Tulum is the kind of place people visit and drive their friends mad talking about when they get home. Stay in a traditional, palm-thatched cabaña just a stone's throw from the beach and linger over cocktails in rustic, waterfront bars. Unlike the touristy areas to its north, Tulum is UNESCO-protected from development, thanks to its limestone foundations and biodiversity. [caption id="attachment_606607" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eva Blue.[/caption] CUBA Fabled land of dancing in the streets, cigars, classic cars and sticking it to the US, Cuba holds mythological status in many a Westerner's imagination. After all, it's been really hard to get to for a really long time. And, now that Fidel Castro has passed away, there's fear that the island will modernise rapidly. Should you make it this year, be sure to wander along Havana's multi-coloured Malecón boulevard meeting poets and philosophers, get lost in the winding alleyways of Camaguey and laze about on Cuba's stunning beaches. [caption id="attachment_606606" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bernd Thaller.[/caption] MONGOLIA If you love wide open spaces, four-legged beasts running free, sleeping in gers and calligraphy, then make Mongolia your destination. It's in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, that you'll come across galleries dedicated to the mighty pen and, while you're there, be sure to catch a spot of throat singing and a contortionist show or two — Mongolia's are among the best in the world. Next up, head into the Gobi Desert's 1.3 million square kilometres, where you can experience daily life with a nomadic family and drink airag, an alcoholic spirit comprised of fermented horse milk. [caption id="attachment_606604" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Norton Ip.[/caption] SOUTH KOREA Your first reason to swing by South Korea is Jeju, a World Heritage-listed volcanic island, where former lava tubes have turned into some of the biggest caves on the planet. There are hiking trails a-plenty and a bunch of pretty, pretty swimming holes. For a startling contrast, spend the other half of your holiday among Seoul's ten million residents, drinking makgeolli (a sweet rice wine), checking out traditional arts and crafts at the Gahoe Museum, strolling around 600-year-old Bukchon Hanok Village and taking five in a tranquil tea house. [caption id="attachment_606611" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Shannon Connellan.[/caption] HONG KONG Foodies, this one's for you. To make the most of your trip, be there between October 26 and 29, 2017, when the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival takes over the city. You'll be sampling your way through more than 300 stalls, offering gustatory delights of all kinds — from single malt whiskeys to handmade cheeses. Take matters further by booking yourself in for a master chef-prepared, multi-course feast, with matching wines. Equally abundant is Hong Kong's contemporary art scene. Make your way to Kowloon to see the best of it, where a massive, new cultural precinct is under construction, or, if you're after something a little unexpected, take a hike on the lush Lamma Island. [caption id="attachment_606601" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Umesh Gopinath.[/caption] RAJASTHAN, INDIA India's biggest state, found in the country's northwest, gives you 342,000 square kilometres of intense sights, sounds and smells. Jaipur, the capital, is an established tourist destination worth dropping by, but we recommend focusing on some of the smaller cities. To meet artists and reminisce over Octopussy, get yourself to Udaipur (also known as the Venice of the East). To see one of the biggest completely preserved fort cities in the world, check out World Heritage-listed Jaisalmer. And to mix with mystics among blue temples and the humming of Hindu prayers, stay in Pushkar. Then, of course, there's the famous blue city of Jodhpur, with its labyrinthine, medieval streets. [caption id="attachment_606509" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Miguel Mansilla.[/caption] PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA Prepare to feel like a character out of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Patagonia's one million square kilometres are filled with titanic landscapes. Make your first stop Glaciar Perito Moreno, a 30-kilometre long, five-kilometre wide, 60-metre high kingdom of ice that moves at a rate of two metres per day, causing colossal icebergs to crash into a nearby channel. After that, head to Parque Nacional Los Alerces, to wander among pristine creeks, sparkling lakes and lush mountainsides, and meet a 4,000-year-old tree species. Meanwhile, along the coastline, you'll be treated to epic whale shows, dolphins, seals and penguins — all year round. [caption id="attachment_606609" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Harshil Shah.[/caption] BRISTOL, UK Keen to experience the UK's vibrant music and arts scene, but not so keen on shoving your way through crowds in London? Skip the capital and go straight to Bristol. Found in England's southwest, on the River Avon, this 500,000-person city punches well above its weight when it comes to all things cultural and maintains a laidback, friendly atmosphere. If you can, time your vacation with the epic Bristol Harbour Festival, which takes over the waterfront from 21-23 July 2017, bringing free music, dance, circus performances, live art, food, drink and more. Any time of year, you'll get excellent coffee at Small Street Espresso and tasty vegetarian food at Roll for the Soul, a not-for-profit, community cafe, bike workshop and event space. [caption id="attachment_534322" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Peter Saw.[/caption] TOULOUSE, FRANCE Another alternative European city to add to your itinerary is Toulouse. Despite being the fourth biggest city in France, it's yet to become a tourist hot spot, so you can walk around art galleries without bumping into people. What's more, it's the nation's festival capital, which means that, during summer, rarely a weekend goes by that public spaces aren't packed with dance, live music or theatre. Be sure to explore Les Abattoirs (an ex-slaughterhouse turned contemporary gallery), the Musee des Augustins (an ex-convent seized by revolutionaries in 1793) and Marché Victor Hugo, the biggest of Toulouse's 13 food markets, crowded with local produce and wine-tasting opportunities. You'll find more Toulouse tips over here. [caption id="attachment_606610" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tim Sackton.[/caption] BOSTON, USA Already visited NYC, LA and San Fran? Looking for a new place to explore in the US? We present, Boston. Found on the east coast of Massachusetts, this 700,000-strong city is legendary for its love of learning, innovation, ideas and the arts, partly because it's where you'll find Harvard Uni. If you're into American history, take the Freedom Trail, which carries you through the leadup to the War of Independence. For cracking Italian restaurants, hit the North End. And, when you're ready to go further afield, set sail for the Boston Harbour islands.
Last-minute shopping, over-indulging at celebratory shindigs, and pretending not to be annoyed about receiving another pair of socks: they're all a part of every Christmas. For kids and adults alike, so is many a seasonal-themed movie. If it has Santa or Christmas in the title, it's optimal viewing at this time of year. The folks at South Bank certainly think so, and have thrown together their yearly Christmas Cinema Series brimming with merriment. But these free films aren't just for families. Any Yuletide movie held under Brisbane's starry skies and by the water at River Quay Green at this summery time of the season is perfect for, well, everyone. Pack a picnic and enjoy double features every night from Saturday, December 18–Thursday, December 23. The familiar but still festive and fun lineup includes Elf, The Polar Express, Last Christmas, The Grinch, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — and, in case you're already feeling positively jovial and jolly enough already, there's some non-Christmas fare as well. So, you can also watch everything from Up, Crazy Rich Asians and Pitch Perfect to Babe, Ghostbusters and Men in Black. Attending is free, and the all-ages-friendly flicks screen at 6.15pm, with each evening's second session showing at 8pm.
The year was 2005. The album: Hold Your Colour. That's when Pendulum hit the big time, and also why. The Perth-born drum-and-bass group not only became a homegrown sensation with their debut record and its tracks 'Slam', 'Tarantula' and 'Fasten Your Seatbelts', but made it into the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as well. Now, the year is 2023. Almost two decades after that breakout album, the Perth-born electronic favourites have just announced their latest Down Under tour. Five stops, two countries, plenty of echoing arenas: that's what's in store when Pendulum play Australia and New Zealand in October. This'll be the first time that the band has performed across either country since 2021, with dates booked in Auckland, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney. At each show, Pendulum won't just be giving Hold Your Colour's tunes a whirl, but also songs from 2008's In Silico and 2010's Immersion. Expect to hear new single 'Halo' featuring Bullet for My Valentine singer Matt Tuck get a spin, too. Currently comprised of Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillien, Peredur ap Gwynedd and KJ Sawka, Pendulum heads home with experience playing huge overseas festivals such as Glastonbury, Creamfields, Coachella, Rock Am Ring, Reading and Leeds, and also recently headlining Ultra Miami. The band went on hiatus from early 2012, with Swire and McGrillien focusing on side project Knife Party, before starting to reunite in 2015. Joining Pendulum on their latest Aussie and Aotearoa tour: fellow Perth-bred drum and bass talent ShockOne, aka Karl Thomas. PENDULUM 2023 AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR: Friday, October 6 — Spark Arena, Auckland Saturday, October 7 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Sunday, October 8 — RAC Arena, Perth Thursday, October 12 — Riverstage, Brisbane Friday, October 13 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Pendulum is touring Australia and New Zealand in October 2023 — head to the tour website for pre-sale tickets from Friday, August 4 (at 11am local time for Australian shows and 1pm NZST for Auckland), or from 11am local time on Monday, August 7 for general sales. Images: Luke Dyson.
In an ironic makeover, a former Chicago meatpacking plant and slaughterhouse has found a new purpose as the city's first self-sustaining, vertical farm. Located in Chi-Town's Union Stock Yards, the 93,500 square foot brick building once specialised in mass-producing red meat - one of the least environmentally-friendly industries out there. Now, it is a sci-fi-like space dedicated to non-waste-producing urban farming. Projects inside 'The Plant' include a tilapia fish farm, beer and Kombucha tea breweries, aquaponic farms which harvest vegetables, and a mushroom garden. The Plant will also host to a group of bakers and caterers that will work together in a communal kitchen area. Upcoming projects include 'living' walls, and rooftop gardens. All of these endeavors have taken up a zero net waste policy, made possible by an interconnecting indoor ecosystem of sorts. The used grains from the beer brewery will be used as fish-food for the tilapia; the waste produced by the fish will nourish the mushroom garden and hydroponic plants; those plants will clean the water, which may be cycled back up to the fish tanks. Initially aided by a combined heat and power system, as well as an anaerobic digester, the Plant will be entirely self-sustaining. The project hopes to be taken off the power grid in just a few years. By the end of this year, the Plant hopes to have five rentable tenant spaces, and its renewable energy system up and running by next June. By 2016, the building is set to be fully functional, creating 125 neighbourhood jobs, and keeping over 10,000 tons of food waste out of landfills each year. Human waste is an obvious problem, says Melanie Hoeskstra, the Plant's director of operations. The renovations made to the Plant are workable in any old building: “It’s not a perfect system, but it’s really close," she says of the Plant. Sounds like city planners should take a note or two.
Next time you feel like escaping from it all, soaking in greenery-filled views and spending time next to a national park, you don't have to forgo trips to the bar to sip cocktails, too. Opening on Wednesday, September 1 in Beechmont in the Gold Coast hinterland, and neighbouring Lamington National Park, Hazelwood Estate is the new Scenic Rim spot that combines cosy comforts — think: cabins with fireplaces and private verandahs — with an onsite lounge, restaurant and bar. If it's countryside bliss that you're after, the retreat is located on a 75-acre wagyu and polo farm. Hills stretch out in the background through Beechmont and Binna Burra, providing picturesque surroundings — and to even get into the estate, you need to enter a passcode at the gate. Sleep-wise, guests can choose between 17 king farm cabins or three luxury pavilions, with the former including rain showers and the latter decked out with freestanding baths. Whichever you pick, you won't have much company around the place, with only 44 guests accommodated in total. When it comes to grabbing a bite and a beverage, Hazelwood Estate is home to The Paddock restaurant, which boasts Cameron Matthews (ex-Spicers Group) as chef-in-residence. Showcasing local products, including from the venue's own market garden and beehives, is the big focus here. The food menu spans dishes such as beef tartare, camel milk gnocchi with brown butter and coal-grilled beef with salt baked potato — and for breakfast, there's a farmer's platter that comes with black pudding pancakes, red onion jam and lardo. The Paddock also features the estate's cocktail bar, which spills out onto a terrace with views out over the valley — and serves up drinks that hero seasonal ingredients. Or, you can choose from sommelier Luis Buchan's wine list, with Australian and European drops getting pride of place. Aussie beers are also on offer, including an exclusive New England-style lager from Victorian craft brewery Edge Brewing Project that's only available onsite. Also part of the Hazelwood Estate spread: The Club House, as decked out in lounges for lazing around by the fireplace; Spa by Hazelwood, should you be hankering for a facial, massage, scrub or wrap; and a range of activities such as wagyu tastings, market garden tours, horse rides and guided bushwalks. Unsurprisingly, you'll be treating yo'self if this sounds like your idea of a scenic and relaxing vacation, with cabins starting at $699 per night for two people. Find Hazelwood Estate at 422 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont. For bookings and further information, head to the resort's website.
When Sleater-Kinney, aka Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, take to the stage Down Under in May 2024, they won't just be touring their latest album. And they aren't simply making their first trip this way in eight years, since 2016, either. Started under the riot grrrl movement, the group will also celebrate 30 years since forming, plus just as long since they recorded their self-titled first record in a single night in Australia. That album has been followed by ten more studio releases, with Little Rope their latest. That gives the duo — after Janet Weiss left the band in 2019 — plenty to play through on a five-city visit to Australia and New Zealand. The tour commences in Auckland, then heads to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, hitting up theatre-sized venues. "For all intents and purposes, Sleater-Kinney got its start in Australia. We recorded our first album and played our first-ever shows there," said Brownstein, announcing the Down Under leg of the tour. "Because of that, Australia feels like one of the band's spiritual homes, and returning there always feels like a homecoming, a reunion." [caption id="attachment_941986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sleater-Kinney have a stack of US dates locked in before hitting Australia and New Zealand, and will then make their way around Europe in August. Everywhere they play, fans can expect tunes from Little Rope — including singles 'Hell' and 'Say It Like You Mean It' — likely alongside past tracks such as 'One More Hour', 'Worry with You' and 'Jumpers'. As well as their three decades together — with a hiatus between 2007–13, between 2005's exceptional The Woods and 2015's No Cities to Love — Tucker has stints with Heavens to Betsy, Cadallaca, The Corin Tucker Band and Filthy Friends to her name, while Brownstein co-created and co-starred in Portlandia. Carol, Transparent, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Irma Vep are also on Brownstein's filmography. [caption id="attachment_941987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sleater-Kinney Little Rope Australian and New Zealand Tour 2o24: Wednesday, May 15 — Powerstation, Auckland Friday, May 17 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Sunday, May 19 — Forum, Melbourne Tuesday, May 21 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Thursday, May 23 — Metropolis, Fremantle Sleater-Kinney are touring Australia and New Zealand in May 2024, with ticket pre-sales from 10am local time on Wednesday, February 21 and general sales from 10am local time on Friday, February 23. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons.
Move over Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Come From Away, Jagged Little Pill the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and Girl From the North Country — another huge hit musical has just announced an Australian run. This time, it's Broadway and West End smash An American in Paris that's heading our way, with the four-time Tony-winner kicking off its Aussie shows in Brisbane in January 2022. From there, An American in Paris will sing and dance its way to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing its vibrant adaptation of the 1951 film of the same name to Australian stages. Yes, if you're a fan of classic movies — and classic big-screen musicals starring none other than the inimitable Gene Kelly at that — then that's why the show's name sounds familiar. Story-wise, the musical follows an American soldier in Paris — because its moniker is that straightforward. Set at the end of the Second World War, it charts US GI's Jerry Mulligan's exploits as he falls for a French woman. Well, he is celebrating the end of the combat in the notably romantic city, after all. Bringing the Oscar-winning 70-year-old film to the stage, this version of An American in Paris is directed by acclaimed contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon — and adapted for theatre and choreographed by him, too. The Aussie run is also being staged in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, so expect to see some of their dancers helping to bring the musical to life. George and Ira Gershwin's songs make the leap to the theatre as well, including 'I Got Rhythm', 'S Wonderful', 'But Not For Me' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Initially, An American in Paris debuted in Paris — where else? — in 2014, before hitting Broadway, Boston and West End. [caption id="attachment_828888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Johan Persson[/caption] 'AN AMERICAN IN PARIS' AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022: January 8–30 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From February, dates TBC — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide From February, dates TBC — Crown Theatre, Perth From March, dates TBC — State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From April, dates TBC — Theatre Royal, Sydney An American in Paris will tour Australia from January 8, 2022. For more information or to register for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top images: Tristram Kenton.
Instragram has launched their first official account dedicated to music and musicians. The new, internally-run @music account will post on a variety of music-related content, and feature profiles of emerging and established musicians from all around the world. The move marks an interesting new direction for the photo-sharing service, which for the first time appears to be actively cultivating a community based on the specific interests of its users. Operated by Instagram music editor Alex Suskind, the newly-minted account will post six times a week, with content divided between a series of designated hashtags. #LocallySourced will shine the spotlight on unsigned acts, #DoubleTrack will cover musician’s interests outside of music, and #15SecondLessons will feature video tutorials on "everything from riffs to drumbeats". Posts so far include brief interviews with social media-fiend DJ Questlove and up-and-coming Japanese rock band Tricot. The account will also feature the work of music photographers, album illustrators, instrument makers and fans. An official music account does seem like a good fit for the service, with many of its most popular accounts belonging to famous musicians. According to a statement by Instagram founder and CEO Kevin Systrom, "For the past four years, we have become the home for artists big and small — a place where people across the musical spectrum come to share stories, reveal their creativity and connect directly with fans." Assuming the account is successful — and 27,000 followers in less than a day suggests that it might be — it could potentially open the door for a whole range of official channels covering things like food, movies, fashion and of course, cat photos. It also seems like a smart way for the service to attract targeted advertising — although according to coverage at TechCrunch, there are currently no plans to include ads in the @music account.
If your state was just weeks away from legalising marijuana for recreational use, what plans would you be hatching? Well, one Californian winery has gone and created the world's first commercially available marijuana-infused sauvignon blanc. The winemakers at Rebel Coast Winery — who produce Californian blends and Sonoma chardonnay — have invented a wine that's infused with THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis. It's all ready to start shipping within California on January 1, 2018, which is when recreational marijuana becomes legal across the state. Infusing wine with cannabis is no new thing, but this is the first time is will be sold by official means. There is a difference though: THC and alcohol can't legally be mixed, so the winemakers have switched out the wine's booze content for 16 milligrams of THC per bottle. Apparently it "smells like weed, tastes like wine" and won't haunt you with a hangover the next day. And the high? As Rebel Coast explains on its website, "after one glass you won't be thinking your couch is a hippo with short legs or anything. Our goal is not to kill you after you've had a few glasses. The goal is to get giggly and naked with someone." Obviously recreational use of cannabis is not legal in Australia or New Zealand, so this sav blanc isn't either. However, both countries have recently legalised the consumption and sale of low-THC hemp food products.
Earlier this week, the organisers of Bluesfest announced that the award-winning festival was likely to leave Byron Bay — and NSW altogether — after its 30th anniversary this April in a scathing open letter to the State Government. The letter was a response to the government's stringent new music festival policies, which require them to follow a new licensing regime and, in many cases, spend thousands of dollars on increased police presence. Speaking to the media yesterday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian responded to the letter, saying that Bluesfest is a "fantastic festival" that has "nothing to worry about". Premier Berejiklian continued, saying that Bluesfest was a "low risk" event, despite Festival Director Peter Noble's announcement that, according to the government's new criteria, it was deemed a "high risk event", which meant they were required to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with the new policies. This has led to more confusion about what exactly a low- or high-risk event is — and has exacerbated criticism that the government's new policies lack transparency — with guidelines released by the government saying that the level of risk is based on a number of factors including how many attendees, festival duration and whether on-site camping is taking place. Following this criteria, Bluesfest would be ranked as either a "high" or "extreme" risk event. According to Premier Berejiklian, however, high-risk festivals are events where "we've seen death or serious injury" in the past. Two other NSW music festivals, which were forced to cancel in the past week — Mountains Sounds and Psyfari — were both deemed "high risk". [caption id="attachment_566069" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bluesfest, Andy Fraser.[/caption] Speaking to the SMH yesterday, Bluesfest's Festival Director Mr Noble said they were still considering a move to either Queensland or Victoria. "Both the States of Queensland and Victoria do not have these guidelines... In fact, they invest in music and the live arts," Mr Noble told the SMH. "NSW needs to come an awful way along to start doing the same thing to the levels of the states surrounding them are doing. They're falling behind, and yet they're patting themselves on the back at the same time." While many festivalgoers have lamented the festival's possible relocation, saying "Byron is the Bluesfest, Bluesfest is Bryon", some have embraced it, with suggestions the festival move to Victoria. One Concrete Playground reader wrote, "Victoria The Bellarine Blues Festival 2020". Bluesfest 2019 is scheduled to run from April 18 to April 22 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here. Image: Andy Fraser.
The tradition of the 'last meal' is a complex one. In early Europe, the gesture functioned as an act of appeasement — a small token to ward off the spirit of the accused haunting its executioners. In modern times, the act is somewhat less superstitious. A little sweetener to the incalculable moral dilemma of corporal punishment. This is what NZ-born, Brooklyn-based photographer Henry Hargreaves sought to explore in No Seconds, his series of eerie re-creations of those final bites taken by America's most wanted. At a glance, the 12 visually rich photographs seem harmless enough. The shots of chicken and peas resemble something your mother might make you on a trip back home, and the steak and eggs are reminiscent of a meal picked up at a country diner. Of course, most plates are full of comfort food; the same kind of thing you could pick up one particularly hungover morning, or devour with a hint of shame at night. This empathy is exactly what's so worrisome about the series. With the camera positioned above each meal, Hargreaves invariably puts you in the seat of the killer. He forces you to reminisce about home-cooked meals or how much you love fresh strawberries mere moments before your eye wanders to the label reading "John Wayne Gacy ... Rape, 33 counts of murder". In an interview for the exhibition catalogue, Hargreaves said he wanted "the viewer to think of [the prisoner] as a person for a moment instead of them being anonymous". "It's a subject that people can relate to and are curious about," he said. "We all eat and we all die." Of course, the circumstances do differ. The series is further complicated by the fact the tradition may be on the way out in some places. In 2011, Texas — a state well-known for its continued support of the death penalty — put an end to last meals claiming it a waste of taxpayer funds. A premise made complicated by inmates such as Victor Feguer. Hung in 1963 for kidnap and murder, Feguer asked for just a single olive with its pit. Apparently, he thought it might grow into an olive tree from inside his body and hoped it would make use of him as a symbol of peace. Regardless of your politics, the photographs are definitely food for thought. See the series in full at Hargreaves' website. Via Buzzfeed.
Whether it's for a staycation, quick getaway or lengthy vacation, spending a night or several away from your own house isn't just about getting cosy inside any old different four walls. There's an art to providing a memorable stay away from home, including when you're slumbering in someone else's abode. Given that Airbnb is all about folks opening up their spaces to travellers wanting to spend the evening, of course it realises this — and rewards the platform's hosts with the most. For the three years running, Airbnb's Host Awards have recognised the people making booking at their listings something special — and the memorable stays themselves. 2023's winners have just been announced, showing some love across both Australia and New Zealand. Whether you're after a romantic Sunshine Coast retreat, hanging out in a 1920s steam train carriage and or a Hamurana cabin with an outdoor bath, these applauded options have you covered. In Australia, Host of the Year went to Veronica and Colin Eastmure for their Down at The Dale farm stay at Conondale, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Among the often-personalised touches that earned them the coveted prize: robes and slippers, handwritten welcome notes, roasting marshmallows on the fire pit, an outdoor spot to bathe and even making a birthday cake for a guest. From the newcomers to the platform, Fremantle's Sarah Abbott won Best New Host for a light-filled loft in the city's West End district, which earned plaudits for its design focus. There's also a Best Design Stay, which went to a restored Victorian terrace called Mister Munro, as hosted by Elise Croker in Crookwell in New South Wales. Rounding out the Aussie awards: that steam carriage in Forrest in Victoria, which got host Fleur Leslie the nod for Most Unique Stay (unsurprisingly); Bec and Angus McDougall's The Cottage at Dunmore Farm, also in Victoria, for Best Nature Stay; and Skye Lanser's boho-style room in NSW's Forest Lodge, which won for Best Room Host. If you're wondering how Airbnb's Host Award winners are chosen, a heap of Airbnb data goes into picking the recipients, plus guest scores and reviews — and then a judging panel oversees the process. In Aotearoa, The Cabin in Rotorua took pride of place — aka Host of the Year — for David and Christina Chemis. Again, personalisation for guests was a hit with the judges (this time including homemade treats), as was an outside bath. Soaking in the air, scenic surroundings and being made to feel like you really are at a home away from home: that's the formula that's resonated at the 2023 awards across both countries Down Under. NZ's Best New Host went to Viv Madsen-Ries for The Loft on Flynn Host, which gives Arrowtown visitors mountain views. Also, Chanel Griffiths' off-the-grid two-person Kawakawa Hut on a Taupō farm won Best Nature Stay. If it's just a room you're after, that's where Joanna Bell's Freemans Bay villa comes in, including a daily homemade breakfast. In the Best Design Stay field, glamping with a hot tub — and four bedrooms — is at the top of the agenda in Waitomo thanks to host Emily Scott. And New Zealand's Most Unique Stay? A house bus on a 35-acre field will do it, with hosts Tara and Guillaume Wrigley Gignoux dubbing it the Raglan LoveBus. For more information about Airbnb's Host Award winners in Australia and New Zealand, had to the platform's website.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 will go down as one of the most exhausting and absurd days in Australian parliament's history. There were retirements, there were bills proposed, and hijacking headlines and Twitter feeds across the country was the Labor Party's leadership spill, where the caucus sharpened their knives again to farewell Julia Gillard and give Kevin Rudd another chance to shake his sauce bottle all the way to election glory. The whole process played out like an elaborate film or TV plot, so we decided to take a look at the top five leadership battles the screen has offered and see how they compare. 1. Game of Thrones When the excellent #RuddWedding began trending, there was no way to look past the most popular show on television and its parallels with Australian politics. Whilst Red Wedding meme manipulators are casting Kevin as the murderous Lord Bolton, perhaps it would be more appropriate to stick Bill Shorten's head on his shoulders. Either way, we are down to a two-horse race for Australia's iron throne. 2. Rocky Whilst Rocky may have lost his first battle, professional fight against Apollo Creed, the Italian Stallion refused to go down, weathering the blows before rising to deliver a knockout blow and regain the prime ministership. Here is hoping that the plots continue to overlap and we witness a montage of Gillard training Rudd before they treat us to a Rocky III freeze frame ending. 3. Ron Burgundy vs. Veronica Corningstone Whilst Kevin Rudd may not sport Ron Burgundy's glorious moustache, he still held the leadership of his news team until Veronica Corningstone ambitiously took it from him. Ron fought to claim it back though, and whilst there will be no co-anchorship between Rudd and Gillard, we can still look forward to Anchorman 2. 4. Harry Potter vs. Lord Voldemort When ABC reporter Mark Simkin dipped into the pages of Harry Potter to cover the spill — stating "neither can live whilst the other survives" — he wasn't wrong. Gillard has remained true to her word and retired, making Kevin Potter the boy who lived, ready to take on his next nemesis. Whilst we wait for the battle, let us ponder on how much more enjoyable Question Time would be if everyone was wearing robes, clutching wands and shouting 'expelliarmus' at each other. 5. Sideshow Bob vs. Mayor Quimby In Springfield's political showdown of the century, Sideshow Bob rides to victory over Mayor Quimby on a wave of charisma and popularity. Rudd has the charisma and popularity; here's hoping he hasn't masterminded a rigged vote like Sideshow Bob did that would plunge Australian politics into an even larger comedic hole of errors. Bonus: Star Wars Filibuster Yesterday also saw a busy day on the international politics scene, as Democratic state senator Wendy Davis filibustered a package of laws that would restrict access to abortion in Texas. She was controversially cut short at ten hours on a technicality for speaking off topic, which earned her a third strike — at least we can say that the rules of baseball don't dictate Australian politics. Whilst her filibustering was far more topical than this offering, Patton Oswald's rant on Parks and Recreation certainly lightens the mood of defeat.
If you weren't in Melbourne's Federation Square for Australia's 1–0 World Cup defeat of Denmark, then you've seen the footage, with the Victorian capital's massive public space teeming with soccer fans. For the Socceroos' next game, with the squad advancing to the Round of 16, Brisbane wants to give its interstate counterpart a run for its money — with the Brisbane City Council announcing that the match will screen for free in two spots in the CBD. Make a date with either the Queen Street Mall and King George Square, with the game set to grace screens in both spaces. The match kicks off at 5am AEST on Sunday, December 4, which clearly makes it perfect for catching at home from the comfort of your own couch; however, if you're keen to watch the must-win showdown alongside your fellow Brisbanites, you have somewhere to go. ATTENTION @SOCCEROOS FANS pic.twitter.com/71n08CEE9K — Adrian Schrinner (@bne_lordmayor) December 1, 2022 Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed the screening sites on Friday, December 2, after tweeting on Thursday, December 1 that the city was "talking to the broadcaster about showing our historic match" in the two CBD spots. Both venues will be up and running from 4.30am on Sunday morning — and if you've been in the inner city since Friday, December 2, you might've also noticed that City Hall is being lit up in green and gold all weekend to mark the game. [caption id="attachment_881007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John via Flickr[/caption] Whether or not you usually have even a passing interest in soccer, you'll appreciate the sense of occasion. By emerging victorious over Denmark, the 2022 Socceroos are the most successful FIFA World Cup team to ever come out of this country, with two wins in the group stage. The team's move to the Round of 16 is just the second time ever Australia has managed that feat, after doing the same in 2006. And, if it beats heavyweights Argentina, it'll be the first time ever that the Socceroos have made the quarter finals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Socceroos (@socceroos) Australia take on Argentina at 5am AEST on Sunday, December 4, with the match playing on the big screens in the Queen Street Mall and at King George Square. For more information about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, head the tournament's website. Top image: Doozeydouche via Wikimedia Commons.
