Some Pixar movies bring childhood obsessions to big screen, as seen in the Toy Story and Cars films. If you loved monsters as a kid, the Monsters, Inc flicks definitely also count. Other features made by the beloved animation studio explore exactly what it feels like to be a child — as seen in the wonderful Inside Out, of course, and now in the company's upcoming release Turning Red. Marking the first feature from writer/director Domee Shi, who won an Oscar for her delightful 2018 short Bao, Turning Red takes its moniker literally. Many Pixar flicks do (see also: Finding Nemo, Up, Brave and Onward, for instance). Here, 13-year-old Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang, also making her movie debut) is an ordinary teen who gets embarrassed by her mum Ming (Sandra Oh, The Chair) fairly often, and can find adolescent life a bit overwhelming. So far, so relatable — but when she's overexcited by all of the above, Mei Lee also happens to turn into a fluffy red panda. If you're thinking about the Hulk but red, female, younger and more adorable, that's the kind of vibe that the trailer gives. Disney does own both Pixar and Marvel, so that isn't a big leap. Just how Mei Lee copes with those sudden transformations is exactly what the flick will cover, obviously — and while the film was originally destined for cinemas, viewers will now be able to see the end result via Disney+ instead. The Mouse House has just revealed that Turning Red will take the same route as the past two Pixar releases, Soul and Luca, and head straight to its streaming platform. So, you'll be sitting on your couch to grab another dose of heartwarming animated cuteness, with the film due to drop on Friday, March 11. Check out the trailer below: Turning Red will be available to stream via Disney+ on Friday, March 11. Top image: © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
If you're a Brisbanite missing your regular pub meal, weekly date night out with your partner, or just having a bite to eat or a few drinks somewhere other than home, then good news might be on the horizon — with Queensland restaurants, cafes and bars possibly reopening in June. Speaking to media today, Monday, May 4, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed that the Queensland Government is currently considering allowing the hospitality industry to start welcoming customers again as early as next month. "I think June is a good ambitious target... I can't say whether it's early June or late June, but I'm going to have those discussions," the Premier commented. Other details haven't been announced at this early point, with the Premier set to speak with industry bodies and figures before anything is finalised. Currently, restaurants, cafes and bars are only allowed to provide takeaway and delivery options — so scaling that back, and allowing people to sit down to have a meal or a beverage, is the obvious next step. That said, with social distancing measures unlikely to be phased out any time soon, Queenslanders shouldn't expect an immediate return to pre-coronavirus business as usual. At the very least, it's likely that sitting 1.5 metres apart from your fellow diners will be required. [caption id="attachment_681498" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grace Smith[/caption] Reopening restaurants, cafes and bars would form the next step of state's gradual move out of its current COVID-19 lockdowns. The first set of stay-at-home restrictions were eased late on Friday, May 1, allowing Queenslanders to leave home for more than just essential activities — and to travel within 50 kilometres of their residences. Today, the Premier revealed the next stage, which involves the return of students to schools over the course of this month. At the time of writing, Queensland has 52 active cases of COVID-19, from a total of 1038 cases to date. Since mid-April, new daily diagnoses have been falling, with fewer than eight new cases confirmed daily since April 15 — and the state experiencing five single days with zero new cases. 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. Top image: Grace Smith
It's time to get the word "Jellicle" stuck in your head again: to mark 40 years since it first hit the stage in Australia, Cats has locked in a new season Down Under. Back in July 1985, Aussie audiences initially experienced Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed production, which turned a tale inspired by poems from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats into an award-winning theatre hit. The place: Sydney, aka where Cats is heading again from June 2025. Four decades ago, the show pranced and prowled through Theatre Royal Sydney — and the new season will scamper across the boards there again, too. There's no word yet on whether the show's 2025 Australian run will make stops in any other cities, so if you're keen for some new Cats memories, booking a seat in the Harbour City is your only current way of guaranteeing them. "Cats is a legendary show that I've admired for over 40 years. A sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse, it was revolutionary when it first opened and enticed new audiences into the world of musical theatre," said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live about the new Aussie performances. "I can't wait to bring the original production of Cats back to Australia where it all began, at Theatre Royal Sydney, to celebrate its 40th anniversary in Australia." If you're new to Cats, it spends its time with the Jellicle cat tribe on the night of the Jellicle Ball. That's the evening each year when their leader Old Deuteronomy picks who'll be reborn into a new Jellicle life by making the Jellicle choice. And yes, "Jellicle" is uttered frequently. Of late, audiences might be more familiar with Cats as a movie. In 2019, the musical made the leap from stage to screen with a star-studded cast including Idris Elba (Hijack), Taylor Swift (Amsterdam), Judi Dench (Belfast), Ian McKellen, (The Critic) James Corden, (Mammals) Jennifer Hudson (Respect), Jason Derulo (Lethal Weapon), Ray Winstone (Damsel) and Rebel Wilson (The Almond and the Seahorse) playing singing, scurrying street mousers. If you ever wanted to see Swift pouring cat nip on a crowd of cats from a suspended gold moon, or were keen to soothe your disappointment over the fact that Elba hasn't yet been James Bond by spotting him with whiskers, fur and a tail, this was your chance. For its efforts, the Tom Hooper (The Danish Girl)-directed film picked up six Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. But while the movie clearly didn't hit the mark, you can see why this feline-fancying musical has been such a huge theatre hit when it makes its Aussie stage comeback. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cats Australia (@catsthemusicalau) Cats will play Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney, from June 2025. Head to the musical's website to further details and to sign up for the ticket waitlist. Images: Alessandro Pinna.
For the second year running, Formula 1 cars won't race around Melbourne's Albert Park during the Australian Grand Prix, with the event cancelled once again in 2021. It was scrapped in 2020, too, after it was initially due to take place just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia. This year, the race had already been postponed from March to November, but now it won't be held at all. Announcing the news today, Tuesday, July 6, the Victorian Government advised that the event has fallen victim to the pandemic — and to Australia's slow vaccination program and new caps on international traveller numbers specifically — as has this year's Australian MotoGP on Phillip Island. The Formula 1 race was due to take place on November 21, and the MotoGP on October 24; however, the state was unable to give the sports' governing bodies assurances that both would be permitted to proceed. As a result, the organisers of the two events have chosen to move on with their 2021 seasons without stops in Victoria. Both races are expected to return in 2022, though. "The Victorian Government understands the need for Formula 1 management and MotoGP controller Dorna Sports to confirm their schedules, and the decision not to proceed in 2021 was mutually agreed with those bodies," said the Victorian Government in a statement. https://twitter.com/ausgrandprix/status/1412275229800292353 The big Formula 1 race has hit Melbourne every year since 1996 — every year until last year, that is. At present, it's contracted to return to Albert Park between 2022–25. The MotoGP's history on Phillip Island is very similar, with the event first held there in 1997, and contracted to continue until 2026. Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said that "it's very disappointing that these much-loved events can't proceed but this is the reality of the pandemic — but until we get much higher vaccination rates we cannot return to more normal settings." He continued: "we are getting to work on plans for 2022 immediately and can't wait to welcome the world's best drivers and riders and all motorsport fans back to Albert Park and Phillip Island." Whether Melbourne's other big international sporting event, the 2022 Australian Open, will also be impacted by Australia's sluggish vaccine campaign and our traveller caps — and the fact that anyone heading here from overseas needs to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival — is obviously yet to be seen. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian MotoGP will no longer go ahead in 2021. For more information about the cancellation, head to the Victorian Government website and the Australian Grand Prix website.
As House of the Dragon's second season finale set up, big things are happening in Westeros. With fellow Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms dropping a sneak peek ahead of its 2025, big things are happening for the George RR Martin-created realm on-screen, too. Here comes some more big news related to the hugely popular page-to-TV fantasy franchise, which just keeps proving a hit for HBO: winter is coming to House of the Dragon, giving fans just two more seasons of its Targaryen feuds. In a press conference, House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has advised that as well as the already-announced third season of the show — which was greenlit before season two even aired — a fourth season is planned. After that, there'll be no more time with Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy, Mothering Sunday), Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, Slow Horses) and everyone else that's been squabbling over the Iron Throne since 2022. As both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety report, Condal also said that the third season of House of the Dragon is likely to go into production in early 2025, and span eight episodes as season two did. Why get viewers obsessing over one ending, given that season two just wrapped up on Monday, August 5, Down Under, when they can dig into two? That's where this information puts House of the Dragon aficionados. But while you start to come to terms with another stint in the Seven Kingdoms coming to its conclusion, your next Game of Thrones-related watch is already confirmed thanks to the aforementioned A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. HBO has always been quick to lock in more House of the Dragon. It took a mere one episode when the series premiered for the US network to sign on for season two, after all. But after giving Game of Thrones eight seasons, it seems that HBO is now also quick to know when not to drag out a storyline, even for one of its massive shows. There's no details yet on when either season three or season four of House of the Dragon will bring back its flowing long blonde hair, carnage, fire, dragons, conflicting factions and fights for supremacy — including if it'll be in winter in Australia and New Zealand, as has proven the case for both season one and two. Game of Thrones was always going to spark spinoff shows. Indeed, when HBO started thinking about doing a prequel six years ago, before the OG smash had even finished its run, it was hardly surprising. And, when the US network kept adding ideas to its list — including a Jon Snow-focused series with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show, to name just a few prequels and spinoffs that've been considered, but may or may not actually come to fruition — absolutely no one was astonished. So far, just House of the Dragon has reached screens, with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Dunk and Egg adaptation, arriving next. Check out the trailer for House of the Dragon season two below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Seasons three and four don't yet have release dates. Read our review of season one and our review of season two. Via Hollywood Reporter / Variety. Images: HBO.
Described as a 'modern cowboy of the creative revolution', Mr Lentz creates objects and fashion accessories from wood and upcycled materials, which he finds in junk yards. 'My aim has always been to find beauty and share it with others,' he explains on his site. Mr Lentz works with leather, and dabbles in photography, but his current project is the creation of rings, necklaces and brass knuckles made of wood and grass. Fashioned from sustainably harvested walnut, each ring plays host to a live micro-environment - a teeny tiny patch of growing grass or moss. For those who don't go for green, Mr Lentz has created a limited edition series of brass knuckles made from deer antlers. According to his site, 'they're a force to be reckoned with', designed 'for the rebel livin' life on the edge'. The antler tips are gathered from the forest floor, after the deer have gone through their annual shedding process. Mr Lentz says that he decided to make environmentally-inspired jewellery after a solitary walk through a foggy, overgrown redwood forest. 'This walk lasted days, meandering through river valleys and steep, dense hillside. The redwood forest did not once fail to impress and inspire me, and so what once was a trail of footsteps is now a journey into the handmade world of eco-friendly and sustainable jewellery'. [via Inhabitat]
If you've seen a man in the moon, the Virgin Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich or a monkey in the callus of a tree, do you know there's a word for what you've been experiencing? It's 'pareidolia', which the Collins Dictionary defines as "the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not actually exist". In his notebooks, Leonardo da Vinci wrote that the phenomenon inspired great art: "If you look at any walls spotted with various stains or with a mixture of different kinds of stones ... you will be able to see an infinite number of things which you can then reduce into separate and well-conceived forms." Google is now taking pareidolia to a whole new level. Combining facial recognition software and Google Maps, Google Faces can identify human features on the Earth's surface. Given that the aforementioned cheese sandwich sold for $US28,000, we can only begin to imagine what the discovery of Jesus's visage in someone's backyard might do for property values. Google Faces is the brainchild of Onformative, 'a studio for regenerative design', based in Berlin. They have created an algorithm that, in combination with Facetracker, scans the satellite images provided by Google Maps, honing in on geographical elements that resemble an eye, nose, mouth or forehead. So far, the programme has circumnavigated the world twice, and it'll continue its journey over the next few months, gradually zooming in on the Earth to access new perspectives. Via io9.
As one of southeast Queensland's two go-to beach-filled holiday spots, the Sunshine Coast is known for its sun and sand. But as well as being perched right on the ocean, the region also boasts rainforests and farms in extremely close proximity. That places it among Australia's most unique food and drink regions, gives it an interesting culinary landscape and makes it a prime location for a festival that's all about eating and drinking. Bites, beverages, basking in everything that makes the Sunshine Coast ace: that's The Curated Plate's remit, and has been since it kicked off back in 2019. Returning for 2023, the festival now runs for ten days, spanning Friday, July 28–Sunday, August 6, to celebrate all of the culinary goodness that this coastal pocket has to offer. On the lineup: more than 100 events featuring 300-plus local producers and suppliers, as put together by 52 local businesses and event organisers. The festival's program takes place in venues across the region's hinterlands, rainforests and beaches, giving attendees the full Sunny Coast experience. Heading along means feasting your way from Caloundra to Coolum, Maleny to Mooloolaba and Buderim to Beerwah, including at bar crawls, overwater picnics and farm-to-fork experiences. 2023's highlights cover MooloolaBARS, which is exactly what it sounds like across one beer- and beverage-heavy day; picnics in the Maroochydore Wheel House on Bradman Avenue, with food and booze taken care of for you; and a day spent eating at Falls Farm and Mapleton Public House. Or, there's the return of the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival, a zero-waste garden-to-plate lunch, and Moffat Beach Brewing's beer and barbecue degustation dinner. The festival is also championing First Nations food experiences, such as at a series of bush tucker river cruises by Saltwater Eco Tours, and a four-course dinner featuring native Australian ingredients — hand-picked garnishes from the Sunshine Coast hinterland included. Also on the lineup: a kombucha workshop, classes on plant-based cooking and oyster shucking, and a session about combining whisky, tequila and chocolate. Or, there's a boozy brunch heroing locally grown oyster mushrooms, bottomless high teas, trawler-to-table cruises that obviously go heavy on seafood and farm open days.
Wearable art meets wearable music with this trendy idea from New York company Parte LLC. Playbutton is an mp3 player embedded in a badge, each one storing pre-recorded content like an album or mix-tape. Album artwork is printed on the badge, making your music taste an integral part of your fashion statement. Sure, you can't change the sequence of the music or download new content, but that's pretty much the entire idea. It's only fitting to hark back to older forms of music consumption (like listening to an entire album, rather than buying individual songs) when teaming it up with a retro-style fashion accessory. Each Playbutton weighs just 0.8 grams, making it 175 times smaller than a traditional iPod; and bands like Mount Eerie, Bubbles and Opening Ceremony are already on board. In fact all proceeds from the sales of Open Ceremony's Playbutton go to Musicians on Call, a non-profit in New York that brings live and recorded music to hospital patients who are unable to leave their beds. [Via NOTCOT]
Is it a balloon? Is it a giant beach ball? No, it's (This is) Air, the National Gallery of Victoria's 2023 Architecture Commission. Thanks to the St Kilda Road arts institution's annual commitment to livening up its garden by celebrating design, a towering sphere is making Melbourne home until June 2024. This isn't just any old 14-metre-tall globe: as everyone can see while in its presence, it breathes, inhaling and exhaling to draw attention to air. When the NGV International hosts this yearly architecture commission, almost anything can grace the venue's grounds. In the past, that's meant a colourful mini Parthenon, a bright pink pool to wade through, a bamboo garden with its own deck and a pink carwash, all memorable. Among a series of pieces all literally designed to stand out, (This is) Air might just have them beat. A lofty sphere that expands with air, then releases it — doing so all day from Thursday, November 23 — isn't easily forgotten. One of (This is) Air's aims: to make the invisible substance that's there in its name visible. Australian architect Nic Brunsdon has joined forces with ENESS — the art and technology company behind public artworks such as Sky Castle, Airship Orchestra, Cupid's Koi Garden, Lost Dogs' Disco and more — on the work that promised to make quite the sight when it was announced back in July, and proves the case now that it has been installed. No one in the vicinity will be able to miss it, either, thanks to that 14-metre height when it's fully inflated. To get to that measurement, it uses air as a building material. And when it breathes out, it does so by releasing gusts, forming different cloud-like shapes, then filling back to capacity again. Brunsdon and ENESS also want everyone taking in (This is) Air to think about humanity's need for and relationship to air. While you're peering at the commission, you'll see air in action and notice how essential it is. Also highlighted: how dependent we all are upon the element, how finite it is and how its quality is being impacted. "The idea for this project was conceived by the architect during the global pandemic, when the air we breathed was suddenly at the forefront of everyone's mind. Taking the form of a giant inflatable sphere, this living structure inhales and exhales before our eyes, giving presence to that omnipresent yet invisible element that connects us all," said Ewan McEoin, the NGV's Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. "Air can be understood as part of our global economic, social and ecological realities. And yet, the quality of air we breathe varies depending on where and how we live. Air is universal, yet clean air is not." As (This is) Air gets viewers pondering, it's also designed to be uplifting. As is always the case with the NGV's yearly commission, it'll provide a place for accompanying performances and other public programs in the NGV Garden, too. (This is) Air also forms part of this year's NGV Triennial exhibition, which will display from Sunday, December 3, 2023–Sunday, April 7, 2024. On the agenda: robot dogs, a room-sized ode to plants, Yoko Ono's work and more, with 75 works set to feature, including more than 25 world-premiere projects. The art showcase will respond to the themes magic, matter and memory, with (This is) Air fitting in with the matter strand. (This is) Air displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 3, 2023–June 2024 — head to the NGV website for further details. Images: Installation view of the 2023 NGV Architecture Commission: (This Is) Air designed by architect Nic Brunsdon in collaboration with ENESS. (This Is) Air is on display from 23 November 2023 until June 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Ben Hosking
Any film that critics compare to being "stabbed in the head" would normally be something that people would want to avoid. But when it comes to The Room, the harsher the reviews the better. The 2003 melodrama, about a love triangle between a banker, his best friend and his treacherous fiance, has spawned a massive cult following, with audiences all around the world coming together at late-night screenings to celebrate its cringe-worthy performances, horrendous dialogue and baffling, incomprehensible plot. The mad genius behind The Room is its writer-director-producer-star, the mysterious Tommy Wiseau. Blessed with a confidence that far exceeds his ability, it's Wiseau's virtuosic incompetence that plays a huge part in the movie's appeal. Interviews with Wiseau tend to raise more questions than they answer. A more forthcoming subject is actor Greg Sestero, who co-stars as the best friend, Mark. Sestero recently co-penned a book, titled The Disaster Artist, full of behind-the-scenes stories about the movies' turbulent production. In the lead-up to a promotional visit to Australia, Sestero spoke to Concrete Playground about the book, Wiseau and his dubious double-edged fame. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mQ4KzClb1C4 When you meet Tommy Wiseau "He was the ultimate character," remembers Sestero of his and Wiseau's first meeting, in a Los Angeles acting class back in 1998. "He didn't take no for an answer. As a nineteen-year-old aspiring actor who was doubting myself, he was the perfect person for me to meet at that point in my life." Slowly, the two became friend. Even so, when Wiseau first approached Sestero about making the movie, the actor was reluctant. "I agreed to help him make the film behind the scenes, [but] he really wanted me to be in it," says Sestero. "The night before filming he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I was an unemployed actor working retail, and I didn't think anybody would see it. Fortunately I was wrong." Production proved a disaster, with cast and crew members regularly quitting or being fired over the course of the six month shoot. "You were dealing with somebody who had never made a film," says Sestero. "He wanted to honour his vision, and anybody who got in the way was shown the door. It was a very trying experience for a lot of people … but he had a very unique way of making art, and more power to him. Unique stands out, and here we are eleven years later, still talking about The Room." When you want fame but get notoriety "I always thought the movie was very funny and very campy, but I was shocked when it found an audience," says Sestero. "It developed a small LA fanbase around 2005, 2006, and then there was an article written in Entertainment Weekly that really blew it up. It wasn't until 2010 that I did an appearance at a theatre in New York at which twelve hundred people showed up. I think at that point I realised The Room had arrived." Of his own performance, and the questionable celebrity the film brought him, the actor remains upbeat. "For something that I just phoned in and didn't expect anything from, I can't really complain," says Sestero. "When you put yourself out there and you read bad things about yourself, it stings. But with this project I was kind of in on the joke from the beginning." And frankly, no one would argue that the cast didn't have their work cut out for them. "With the dialogue, even if you did try to act well, you would have been doomed," reflects the actor. "Even Daniel Day-Lewis probably would have had some trouble getting those lines out." When James Franco and Seth Rogen want to act out your memoirs "I think the book has kind of redeemed the whole experience," says Sestero. "Ever since I made this movie, there were so many crazy stories. I thought that if I took them to a publisher, they wouldn't even believe it as fiction. Then as time went on and the cult began to grow, I felt like the story behind it became even more compelling." Now, in a fittingly strange turn of events, James Franco and Seth Rogen have announced that they'll be adapting the memoir into a film. Franco will direct, while his younger brother Dave will play Sestero. "It's still in the early stages, but I think James Franco and Seth Rogen have made so many great films," says Sestero. "They're a great fit for the project." Despite all The Room has done for him, Sestero is looking forward to moving on. "At the end of the day, it's really Tommy's movie," says Sestero. "It's what really defines him. I think we were all just passengers on this ship. The book was a start to doing things that I'm really excited about, and to kind of show that there's more to me than just this bad movie."
This year hasn't been great for anyone; however, if you're a Parks and Recreation fan, a few tiny slivers of happiness have poked through. First, the Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman-hosted crafting series Making It finally hit screens Down Under. Then, the entire Parks and Rec main cast reunited for a one-off, COVID-19-related new episode. And now, Making It is returning for a second season. Premiering in the US in 2018 but only airing its first season on Australian screens via Foxtel earlier in 2020, Making It sees Poehler and Offerman them step into the competitive reality TV show realm. That domain isn't for everyone, but even if you usually completely abhor the genre, its manufactured dramas and its saturation across the small screen, you'll be smiling heartily at Poehler and Offerman's kind-hearted, extremely likeable and all-round nice show. Focusing on DIY crafting, and celebrating both great craftsmanship and genuine camaraderie, it's basically Project Runway — but hosted by Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson. With Poehler and Offerman leading the charge, it's warm-natured, filled with crafting puns and other gags, and showcases folks trying to do their best, helping each other and enjoying themselves. Basically, it's the feel-good, light-hearted viewing we could all use at the moment. And, when there's a stereotypical moment of heightened tension, it's because Making It is overtly making fun of reality TV's usual theatrics. When you're not watching Poehler and Offerman hang out in a tiny house — yes, really — viewers can soak in the talents of contestants who happen to be handy with a glue gun, great at woodworking, skilled at working with felt and other such crafty endeavours. The competitors complete two tasks per episode, with one person sent home at the end of each episode. The last person standing at the end of the season is crowned the show's 'Master Maker' and wins $100,000. If you watched the first batch of episodes and instantly wanted more, Making It's eight-episode second season will start streaming via Binge from Friday, July 31, with new episodes dropping weekly — and, like season one, this is a case of better late than never. Expect the show's contestants whip up everything from mailboxes and costumes to holiday wreaths and pet homes, and to laugh quite often at Poehler and Offerman's jokes. While the star duo do the hosting — and do it well, naturally, even picking up an Emmy nomination for their efforts — the judging falls to Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson and window-dresser and fashion commentator Simon Doonan. Check out the second season trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWFiFfrbY0 Making It's second season will be available to stream via Binge from Friday, July 31, with new episodes dropping weekly. Top image: Making It.
When the cool air starts to move in and the days get shorter, we know there's really only one thing you want to do: put your slippers on, stay in, order takeout and binge on anything even remotely worth watching. But by staying put, you miss out on all the eats you could be eating, drinks you could be drinking and things you could be thinging, erm, doing right-damn-now. So instead of whiling away your winter nights in front of the TV learning far too much about Call the Midwife (no judgement), we suggest grabbing your jacket, calling up a willing friend or two and setting out for the Boundary Street Markets. In partnership with Samsung, we road-tested the new Galaxy S9 and S9+ and its camera's low light abilities to snap some shots of our favourite dishes being served up every Thursday and Friday night. So, go on, seize the night and eat your way through the markets, documenting all the bites you happen upon for your 'gram without worrying about the lack of bright lights. SEAFOOD LAKSA FROM LITTLE NYONYA Few things say winter comfort food more than a steaming bowl of laksa, and at Little Nyonya, they seem to understand precisely what makes for a magnificently balanced bowl of the fragrant soup. Here, the laksa has a bit of a kick with a lightly spiced broth — but the Little Nyonya crew will be happy to sling some more chilli your way if you're after more of a punch. Along with the warming broth, your bowl will come heaped with prawns, fresh bean shoots, assorted veggies and garnishes. Winter chill, be gone. ABURI SALMON BOWL FROM RAIJIN Make sure your Boundary Street Markets trip doesn't end without a visit Raijin for one of its Aburi Salmon Bowls. Fresh salmon is sliced and fired on site so it gets a nice smoky flavour. It's then served atop a healthy bed of brown rice with some fresh veg to balance out that tasty, tasty sauce slathered on top. Every morsel of salmon is fire blasted and smoked just enough so that it still retains superb ocean freshness. This is a firm favourite of the Boundary Street Markets so be warned, there might be a small queue when you go to order your bowl. SLOW BREW CHAI When you've already had a feed but you could still use a little warming from the inside out, wrap your chilly fingers around a warm mug from Slow Brew Chai. As you sip the slow-simmered chai spiced with cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, cardamom and a few other secret spices, kick back and enjoy some of the free nightly music and entertainment. Extra points if you bring your own mug or keep cup. SALTED CARAMEL AND NUTELLA DOUGHNUTS FROM ORGANIC FROG There's really nothing to say about doughnuts that hasn't already been said — they're warm (obviously), somehow light (at least in texture) and completely delicious. But these here are Frog doughnuts. You could almost say they're a health food seeing as they're gluten free, dairy free, yeast free, egg free and low in sugar. So you know what that means — you can, and should, have two (or more). The stall's plain and cinnamon doughnuts come with toppings like salted caramel, Nutella and organic jam. Grab a half doz to share (or scarf up all by yourself) — just make sure to get a snap for your feed first, if you can. RATATOUILLE FROM MA PETITE Ma Petite is known for many things, especially its beef bourguignon and light-as-a-cloud crepes. But at this French food stall, we think the real star is the ratatouille. This French Provençal dish has a rich history as a simple yet hearty meal, where vegetables are the hero. Ma Petite's version is no exception. Served alongside fresh cucumber to balance out the tomatoey stew, fresh vegetables like zucchini, capsicum and eggplant are simmered in a mix of tomato and spices until tender. With no cheese or carbs to be found, this one is the epitome of healthy winter comfort food. CHICKEN MOMOS FROM TIBETAN MOMO CAFE Momos are one of Nepal's most popular traditional dishes — and with good reason. These tender parcels are filled with meat (or veg), steamed and served up with tomato pickle (golbheda ko achar) for dipping, smearing and generally enjoying alongside these doughy bites. These South Asian dumplings can be found on almost every street corner in Kathmandu and may remind you of the Chinese dumplings that we all know and love from yum cha. At the Tibetan Momo Cafe stall, you'll find chicken, beef and pork momos, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. Grab a plate of the steaming parcels to share — or to gobble up all on your own. Instead of spending your winter nights on the couch, discover all the after-dark happenings in your city here — and don't forget to document it all on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light so you can capture your best moments no matter what. Images: Cole Bennetts.
When Stephen King's Doctor Sleep released in 2013, it didn't just return readers to the world of his 1977 hit The Shining — it also meant that a film adaptation became inevitable. Hollywood loves a sequel after all, so it should come as no surprise that the book is indeed headed to the big screen, with the movie's director just announced. Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil) will helm the follow-up, which explores the adult life of Danny Torrance, aka the tricycle-riding tyke at the centre of the first story. And while it might seem like the filmmaker has pretty big shoes to fill — particularly given Stanley Kubrick directed the 1980 classic that became one of the greatest horror movies of all time — Flanagan is no stranger to King's work. In fact, the last credit on his resume is last year's Gerald's Game, as based on the famous author's 1992 novel. A bestseller when it was released in print, Doctor Sleep checks back in on Danny — now going by Dan — who is unsurprisingly bearing emotional and psychological scars from his experiences at the Overlook Hotel. Variety reports that Flanagan will also rewrite the script, which was originally adapted by A Beautiful Mind Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman was also among the writers of last year's awful King-based effort The Dark Tower, as well as Transformers: The Last Knight and Rings. Via Variety.
2022 hasn't been kind to anyone's bank balances, with inflation having a hefty impact on the cost of living all around the world, including in Australia. We know you know this, and so does your wallet. In Sydney in fact, the year's financial struggles have seen the Harbour City reclaim global recognition for being a mighty expensive place to call home, taking tenth place on The Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Worldwide Cost of Living survey. While Melbourne was dubbed Australia's most liveable city in the EIU's Global 2022 Liveability Index earlier in 2022, Sydney has nabbed a less sought-after mantle, after sitting in the same spot back in 2018. Again, it's an exxy time all-round in general, with the survey noting that prices worldwide, in the 172 major cities surveyed, have shot up 8.1 percent year on year on average (in local currencies). That's the biggest jump in the 20 years that the EIU has digital data for. The place on the planet that'll trouble your pennies the most? This year, there's two: New York and Singapore. The pair of cities tied for the top spot, with New York earning the unwanted honours for the first time ever, but Singapore taking the crown for the eighth time in a decade. The two places bump down 2021 leader Tel Aviv to third, with Hong Kong and Los Angeles then sharing fourth spot. The Swiss cities of Zurich and Geneva came in at six and seven respectively, while San Francisco sits at eighth, Paris at ninth and Copenhagen shares tenth place with Sydney. Yes, this means that Sydney is more expensive to live in at the moment than London and Tokyo — two cities that aren't considered cheap at all. In fact, Tokyo dropped down 24 spots to sit in 37th place. As per The Guardian, Sydney's rise from 14th in 2021 to tenth this year isn't the only upward movement among Australia's cities. Melbourne leapt from 16th to 15th, and Brisbane from 36th to 32nd. For further details about the 2022 Worldwide Cost of Living survey, head to The Economist Intelligence Unit's website.
In a bid to contain the most recent coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government made wearing masks compulsory across southeast Queensland in late June. It then extended that requirement in Brisbane and several other parts of the state until mid-July, and then extended it again for 11 Local Government Areas in and around Brisbane for another week. So, the news that masking up will continue to be mandatory in parts of Brissie for a further week really shouldn't come as a surprise. Today, Thursday, July 22, Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced a number of changes to Greater Brisbane's current COVID-19 restrictions, including easing gathering and venue caps — however, in the Brisbane City Council, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim LGAs, masks are staying. You'll now need to keep wearing them as you are now until 6am on Friday, July 30. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418011226559246336 If you need a refresher, the mask rules apply whenever you're spending time indoors somewhere other than your own home. In those situations, you must wear a mask. They must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, and in taxis and ride share vehicles. And, outdoors, you need to wear them when social distancing isn't possible. Accordingly, you always need to have a mask with you. The Deputy Premier also advised that masks will now be mandated in all indoor ticketed venues, including stadiums, theatres and cinemas, statewide as well. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418011562866970624 "It's great to see the restrictions or ease from 6am tomorrow, but I have for an additional week asked for people please wear their masks," said Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young at the same press conference. "We know that has protected us. I'm positive the reason we've not had communities spread recently is because people have been genuinely wearing their masks," she continued. Queensland currently has 26 active cases, with none reported in the past 24 hours. As always, the usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms also still apply — as they have since March last year. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Food fans, rejoice. One of the most anticipated food festivals in Queensland is back this year — Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. And, to make up for last year's cancellation, it's set to be even bigger and better than previous years. The event will take place from Friday, August 19 till Sunday, August 21 at Apex Park in Woody Point as part of the wider Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival event. Shining a spotlight on farmers, local producers and the freshest seafood, the event will highlight the abundance of local produce in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay areas. You can expect a line-up of talented chefs and big-name restaurants from throughout the region who'll be doing live cooking demonstrations at the festival. Plus, there'll be live music to enjoy as you gaze over the glorious bay with a local wine in-hand — bliss. Keen to head along? The full program and tickets are now available. For more information and to book your tickets to enter the festival precinct, visit the website.
On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Instead of banding together — it was humanity's attempts to combat climate change that caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — the residents of the Snowpiercer have instead transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and this year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick proved a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens early in 2020. And while it doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order — the planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer will premiere on US TV network TBS in 2020, with airdates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
Travel junkies now have another big-ticket festival to add to their overseas itineraries as organisers behind legendary California music fest Coachella announce plans for a new London festival to launch next year. Kicking off on May 25, 2018, All Points East will feature a three-day, multi-genre music festival held across six stages in east London's Victoria Park. On top of that, the festival will span an extra week of free entertainment for the community before culminating in a trio of standalone headline shows. Already confirmed on the bill for the first portion are London heavyweights The xx, Jamaican MC Popcaan and Swedish pop act Lykke Li. Punters will be able to grab tickets to one, two or all three days. There'll then be free access to the site over the following week, as it plays host to a diverse program of comedy shows, food and drink events and an outdoor cinema. Finishing strong from June 2, the APE Presents headline shows will feature the likes of American indie rockers The National and The War On Drugs, synth-pop trio Future Islands, LA act Warpaint and Pennsylvania rock outfit The Districts. Further All Points East artist announcements are set to drop next week. Stay tuned. Via The Guardian.
It started back in 1956 as a singing contest between a mere seven nations. Now, more than six decades later, Eurovision is a glitter and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Forty-one countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere compete — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse each May to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their playlists. But with COVID-19 continuing to spread, the show won't go on in 2020 in Rotterdam as planned. With this year's event cancelled, that leaves a huge Europop-shaped hole in plenty of music fans' lives. Thankfully, while the live contest isn't happening, SBS is screening an alternative. Between Sunday, May 10–Sunday, May 17, the Aussie broadcaster is hosting a week-long Eurovision festival filled with new specials and repeat airings of the Eurovision grand finals from 2015–2019. It all kicks off with Road to Eurovision 2020 on Sunday, May 10, which is hosted by this year's hosts and was actually filmed in the Netherlands in December — and charts the journey towards this year's now-axed event. Then, between Monday, May 11–Friday, May 15, viewers can check out the contests that featured Australia's entrants so far — Guy Sebastian, Dani Im, Isaiah, Jessica Mauboy and Kate Miller-Heidke — with each grand final screening in full. Next, on Saturday, May 16, SBS is putting together a new special called Eurovision 2020: Big Night In. As well as watching along, Aussie Eurovision aficionados can take part. Viewers are asked to head to the SBS website before Sunday, May 3, check out all the songs and artists that would've competed if this year's contest went ahead, and then vote for your three favourites, with the results revealed on the night. SBS' usual local hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey will be overseeing the show, and this year's Australian entrant, Montaigne, will perform live as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974&feature=emb_logo Finally, on Sunday, May 17, it's time for Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light. All 41 of this year's songs will get their time to shine in a non-competitive format, with the special made in The Netherlands and hosted by Dutch Eurovision presenters Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit. SBS' week-long Eurovision festival will air from Sunday, May 10–Sunday, May 17 on SBS and SBS Viceland. For further details — or to vote for your favourite 2020 Eurovision acts for Eurovision 2020: Big Night In before Sunday, May 3 — head to the SBS website.
Come March 2021, it will have been 12 months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Accordingly, just when jetting overseas will be back on the agenda has been the subject of much discussion. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate, in fact — and now it looks like that could remain the case in 2021 as well. This isn't particularly surprising news; however, with a COVID-19 vaccine currently being rolled out around the globe — with the first jabs slated to hit Aussie arms sometime in February — there was hope that 2021 could see a slow return to normality. But Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has now forecast that the travel situation is unlikely to change soon, even with the vaccine. Appearing on ABC New Breakfast on Monday, January 18, Murphy — who is now the Secretary of the Department of Health — said "I think the answer is probably no. I think we will go most of this year with still substantial border restrictions. He continued: "even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus, and it is likely that quarantine will continue for some time". "At the moment, we have this light at the end of the tunnel — the vaccine — so we're going to go as safely and as fast as we can to get our population vaccinated," he also advised. "And then we'll look at what happens." https://twitter.com/breakfastnews/status/1350911014544449538 Murphy also said that, early on in the pandemic, he told Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he didn't want to "predict more than two or three months ahead" — because, "one of the things about this virus is that the rule book is being made up as we go". Eager travellers might remember that last April, Murphy advised that international travel wouldn't be back for at least three-to-four months. With COVID-19 cases continuing to spike elsewhere in the world, that timeframe just keeps extending. At the moment, Australia has implemented a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide. It's presently only one-way, though, meaning that New Zealanders can come to Australia, but Australians aren't yet able to holiday in NZ. It's worth noting, as everyone should be well and truly aware, that Australia's domestic border situation keeps changing with frequency, too — including recent updates in response to cases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne — so travelling anywhere beyond your own city probably isn't guaranteed to be straightforward for the foreseeable future. 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.
If you're looking for a weekend of relaxation, heading to the coast and zoning out by the beach is up there with the best options around. Throw in Queensland's sunny tropical weather and you have a recipe for a perfect warm-weather vacay. Whether you're looking for a lavish waterfront mansion, a quaint beachside cabin or an eco-friendly floating houseboat, there's a spot for everyone around southern coastlines of Queensland. Check out these twenty charming spots — then check your calendar and book in your next getaway. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly-Stays in Queensland The Best Places to Go Glamping in Queensland The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Island Stays in Queensland The River House, Noosa Heads It doesn't get much more summery than this waterfront house. Step out your front door to palm trees, white sand and a private jetty, or enjoy a drink and the dusk breeze from the expansive al fresco area. $1057 a night, sleeps six. Quirky Black Shack, Burnett Heads If you're looking to be consumed by the sounds and sights of the ocean, this unique three-bedroom beach house will set you up nicely with panoramic views of the beach from the laid-back front porch. $490 a night, sleeps six. The Lake Shack, Weyba Downs As the name suggests, this lush natural haven is closer to a lake house than a beach house, sitting on the banks of Lake Weyba. It's still only a short drive from multiple white-sand beaches, and the renovated fisherman's cottage comes decked out with a pool, outdoor bathtub and fire pit. $390 a night, sleeps two. Sophisticated Coastal Sanctum, Noosa Heads You'll find views of the Noosa river system, Mount Cooroy and Mount Tinbeerwah from this expansive three-storey house. You'll never run out of new reading spots here, with multiple expansive living areas both inside and out. $950 a night, sleeps eight. Floating Oasis, Noosa Heads This dreamy part-house boat, part-eco-friendly tiny house promises morning views and tranquil relaxation like no other. $589 a night, sleeps two. Bicentennial Oasis, Agnes Water You can find this quiet stay resting among the trees, just one kilometre from a dog-friendly beach and less than three kilometres from Agnes Water's main beach. Sit around the fire pit and enjoy watching the local kangaroos that wander the property. $100 a night, sleeps eight. Arkaba Views, Noosa Heads With a seven-metre pool, air hockey table and smart TV, this Noosa Heads house is a perfect group getaway. The sleek architectural style, abundance of light and picturesque views will have you slipping into complete holiday mode on arrival. From $1494 a night, sleeps eight. Mango Lodge, River Heads If you're looking for a relaxing home base before jetting off on day trips, try this bushland property. The wheelchair-accessible house is located just three minutes from the Fraser Island ferry and a short drive from Hervey Bay. $225 a night, sleeps four. Waterfront Resort, Banksia Beach This five-bedroom waterfront house sits on the banks of a pontoon, and comes fitted with a home theatre, pool, kayaks and outdoor barbecue. $550 a night, sleeps 14. Decked Out Holiday Home, Woorim Park yourself in this sleepy beachside town and enjoy a relaxation-filled stay at this leafy coastal house with shaded front and back decks. From $297 a night, sleeps six. Eclectic Oasis, Doonan An abundance of trees overrun this sunny coastal stay. The two-bedroom space comes with everything you need for a wholesome, nature-filled holiday including hammocks, board games and stars aplenty once night rolls around. $400 a night, sleeps four. Glass on Glasshouse, Glass House Mountains While this glass-walled house is less beachy than other stays on this list, what it lacks in direct access to the surf it makes up for with its picturesque location on Glass House Mountains. Plus, it's still less than 30 minutes to multiple bodies of water, including Golden Beach and the Bribie Island waterways. $494 a night, sleeps three. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. All photos supplied by Airbnb.
It's been more than two decades since Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet changed the game when it came to screen adaptations of Shakespeare — and delivered a stunning soundtrack along with it. There are many things that make the 1996 movie great, from its stellar casting to the filmmaker's inimitable style. But tracks by everyone from The Cardigans to Radiohead to Everclear to Garbage rank right up there with its biggests strengths. It's no wonder, then, that Brisbane Festival is throwing quite the soiree to celebrate one of the best-ever collections of movie tunes. At Young Hearts Run Free, The Tivoli will become a rock masquerade, with patrons dressing up, dancing the night away, and listening to live performances of the entire soundtrack — with Tom Dickins, Greg Chiapello, Airling, Electric Fields and Miss Blanks on the lineup.
As The Delta Riggs return home for their national tour one wonders if these Brit rock look-a-likes from Melbourne, in their extra skinny jeans, Vince Noir haircuts and lyrics about winklepickers and marmalade shoes, will miss the Notting Hill scene they seem so at home in. The four-piece band, known for their gritty blend of blues, psychedelica and classic Brit rock are fresh off the plane from this year's CMJ Music Marathon — New York's five-day music mecca — keeping up the brutal momentum of an epic year in which they've hit over 20 European gigs and toured Australia with their long-time idols Kasabian. The new album Dipz Zebazios is described by lead singer Elliot Hammond as a "sonic shift" from their previous work, with singles 'The Record's Flawed' and 'Supersonic Casualties' dialling up the psychedelic guitars and keyboard to give an intoxicating, almost sinister sound. It's sure to be a high-energy, whisky-drenched tour as The Delta Riggs endeavour to perfect their unique Brit-rock-from-Fitzroy sound. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KEgB2ra5su8
If you've always wanted to follow in the footsteps of Rasputin, but just couldn't find the right Contiki tour, we're here to help. There's a certain stigma that, in order to travel through Russia, you need to simultaneously wield a knife and be prepared to denounce democracy at any moment. There's some weird idea that it's filled lunatics, haters of English-speakers and that every street peddler possesses a stare of death. Well, take it from our experience — that's a total load of rot. Russia is home to some of the world's most incredible architecture, highest fashion and interesting people, and flights are on par with the cost of a trip to London. English isn't widely spoken — and you might have to adopt a diet of carrot cake and Cornettos to avoid attempting the language — but if you're chasing great experience over a great tan, lock in Russia for your summer vacay. [caption id="attachment_554510" align="alignnone" width="1280"] farhad sadykov via Flickr[/caption] WHERE TO GO If it's your first time in Russia and you're strapped for time, stick to the Western side — that is, St Petersburg, Moscow and Sochi. St Petersburg is an artist's dream, Sochi is the adventurer's city and Moscow is the New York of Russia (though they'd never admit it). Each city has every scene you can imagine — dive bars, high-end food precincts, live music venues, and a cathedral on every corner. If you want to experience a less hectic and clustered Russia — but still want to survive as an outsider — travel around the small towns outside Moscow, commonly known as the Golden Ring. It's a great route if you're chasing the peaceful life in the Russian province, beautiful countryside views and ancient architecture. [caption id="attachment_554526" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Kyle Taylor via Flickr[/caption] HOW TO GET A VISA Nothing great comes without at least one hurdle — and this one is a toughy. You're going to have to print some forms, post them off and pay some cash money for a little piece of paper to stick in your passport. Normally you have to apply for a Russian visa in person, but the Sydney consulate kindly allows you to post your application in. Check out their guidelines here. On your application form, you'll have to make sure you list every single country you've visited before. Seriously, if you forget that brief stopover you had once in Singapore, there'll be no visa for you. Oh, and you'll need an invitation from the hotel or hostel you're staying at during your stay in Russia. If you're Airbnb-ing it, you will have to obtain an invitation online. Stress Free Visas is a reliable, UK-based company that will help you obtain an invitation compatible with your visa within a day (for $40). [caption id="attachment_554509" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Chao Mama Hostel[/caption] WHERE TO STAY Hostels in Russia are seemingly some of the cleanest and cheapest in the world, but, of course, you're always at risk of getting a flea-ridden dud. In St Petersburg, Chao Mama hostel should be your go-to — seriously, work your trip around their availability so you can stay here. Its location is walking distance to St Isaac's Cathedral and a bed in a six-bed dorm is around a stupidly affordable $9AUD a night. They have homemade Belgian waffles for breakfast and the entire place is slick, clean and modern. If you're willing to empty your bank account on a luxe stay, then W Hotel is by far the trendiest, most convenient stay this side of the Baltic. In Moscow, just Airbnb it. The best hostels are on Airbnb anyway, and there are truly some pretty remarkable, not-too pricey views you could be waking up to. It's pretty easy to sort the reliable hosts from those looking to lend their dirty couch out for some quick cash. Use your know-how and, for God's sake, don't take a chance on a place that only shows one pixelated photo of a kettle. And if the listing is written in Cyrillic, steer clear — purely because making contact is going to be more hassle than it's worth. [caption id="attachment_550676" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Severyanin[/caption] WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK Unfortunately, not all Russian cuisine isn't something to get excited over. It seems all the time they spent building cathedrals, museums and invading different countries meant they simply forgot to forge an interesting cuisine. Most meals are meat and potato based, and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables are somewhat of a myth. So you can either eat cheap Chinese (of which there is plenty of) or take our advice on where to find meat and potatoes done not so bad. The traditional, must-try Russian dishes are stroganoff, borsch (beetroot soup), meat dumplings and honey cake. You can order delicious interpretations of these meals in St Petersburg's Severyanin. Their honey cake is famous (with good reason), and every Sunday from 2-5pm they host a Russian tea ceremony, complete with the homemade pies, jams, bagels and sweets pictured above. Other great restaurants in the area include Zoom Cafe (for breakfast), Pelmenya (for dumplings) and Macarena (for seafood). [caption id="attachment_550687" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Cafe Pushkin[/caption] In Moscow, head to the Novokuznetskaya District for a great bite. You can grab anything from a Japanese curry from Tanuki to a croque madame from Paul French Bakery — and of course there's some great Russian restaurants around too. Cafe Pushkin is one of the more famous, pricey restaurants in Moscow with renowned borsch, a dining room as posh as a museum and service that will have you feeling as royal as Catherine II. They're open from breakfast for dinner, and we recommend booking a table a few days in advance. On the drinks front, here's a serious don't: don't drink homemade vodka. If you're a traveller that has a tendency to make friends with locals and hence accept their invitation for a meal in their cabin in the woods, then this is your hot tip. Stay away from the moonshine. It'll probably kill ya. Just stick to the store-bought spirits, beers, illegally-imported Moldovan wine and rooftop bars (of which, there are many). [caption id="attachment_554517" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Larry Koester via Flickr[/caption] WHAT TO DO St Petersburg is a marvel of a city, made of more colours than Faber Castell HQ. Its architecture is incredible — the kind of exotic avant-garde structures, alien sensibilities, and strict Stalin-era designs you really won't find in any other country. St Isaac's Cathedral, The State Hermitage Museum and The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood are all must-sees. You could easily stay here a week and still not have done everything in and around St Petersburg, but the necessary out of town stops include heading to Pushkin to visit Catherine Palace and Peterhof State Museum Preserve. If you're a solo traveller, make a hearty attempt at catching public transport there, but if you're in a group of three or more, a taxi is affordable (and makes the trip a lot easier). [caption id="attachment_554524" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ana Paula Hirama via Flickr[/caption] In Moscow, allocate a good, sunny day to Gorky Park (pictured). Then another good, sunny day to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Hire skates or a bike (not a Segway) at both places as each are enormous and almost impossible to see properly without a set of wheels. If you're looking for more galleries and museum, The State Tretyakov Gallery, Tsarytsyno Open-Air History and Architectural Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum (where you can see Lenin's embalmed body) all deserve top rungs on the to-do list. [caption id="attachment_550679" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Adam Baker via Flickr[/caption] OTHER TIPS Bite the bullet, and learn to read Cyrillic as well as basic phrases and words.This isn't Bali. Most everyone speaks Russian exclusively, with perhaps a smidgen of German or English. Spa-see-ba is thank you. Stras-voot-yeah is hello. Make sure you have the Google Maps app on your phone. It gives the correct metro lines and stopovers right down to the minute. Use Uber, and always put your address in before you head out in case you don't have internet — it's much easier to have the address stored than having to pronounce a Russian street name. You might find yourself in a traffic jam with an Uber driver who is about to crack it because he's being dolled by the mile, not the minute. That's a good time to say spa-see-ba. He'll probably call you a prostituka. Don't lose your passport. That visa inside is the most important thing you have in Russia. If you lose it, you'll be detained in our embassy, promptly kicked out of the country and dished out a five-year ban from returning. No ifs, no buts — and don't even bother with the waterworks. These guys have dealt with more international disputes than you have Instagram followers. The empathy card is about as useless as a Georgian flag in South Ossetia. There's so much to see and do in Russia, and this is really only a snapshot of what this country has on show. It's a place everyone should venture to at least once — and there's no riskier/better time then now. Here's some Boney M to get the ball rolling. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTVWXYctoY[/embed] Top image: haylee via Flickr
Chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are among the spirits now available for tasting just outside of Melbourne in Healesville, following the opening of brand new distillery Alchemy. The business has taken over a century-old bakery, which you'll find hidden away up a laneway, off the main street. And not only is there a cellar door, there's a cocktail bar and accommodation too. At the centre of Alchemy's operations is a hybrid pot still with a 100-litre capacity. This mighty machine enables founders Evan Kipping and Jannick Zester to experiment with a variety of left-of-field flavours and ideas. While the aforementioned chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are Alchemy's core products, there's also a bunch of small-batch spirits on the go at all times. "Sinking our teeth into making multiple spirits has allowed us to collaborate with local producers," says Zester. "We've been overwhelmed with support and are currently playing with local strawberries, cumquats and grapes from the Yarra Valley." You're invited to taste Alchemy's offerings and/or settle in for a signature cocktail, craft beer or local wine — either indoors, at the bar, or out in the sunny beer garden splashed with greenery. If you want or need to sleep over, there's a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the main street that'll sort you out. To get more deeply involved, join Alchemy's barrel-ageing program. The crew is giving 100 people the opportunity to own their own 20-litre barrel. You'll start by going through the whiskey-making process, including mashing, distillation and fermentation, then, throughout maturation, make return visits to sample your creation. Two years down the track, choose to release the whiskey, stick with it as it continues to age or pop it in a bottle and take it home. Alchemy Distillers is now open at 242 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. For more info or to book a room, visit alchemydistillers.com.
Been spending the start of 2018 looking to the future? That's what new years are all about, but tonight you might want to look to the skies as well. As part of a summer filled with supermoons, an extremely rare celestial event will occur: a super blue blood moon — or a supermoon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse, aka a blood moon, all at once. On the evening of January 31, it'll be time to peer above to see a piece of history. The last time this trifecta happened at the same time was back on March 31, 1866. They'll be more frequent in the coming decades, with others expected on December 31, 2028 and January 31, 2037. Still, if you miss it this month, ten years is a long time to wait. WHAT IS IT? If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know. As we all learned back in November 2016, a supermoon is a new moon or full moon that occurs when the moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. They're not uncommon; two have taken place since the beginning of December. The supermoon at the end of January will be a full moon, which is why it's also a blue moon. A blue moon refers to the second full moon occurring in a calendar month. Despite the saying, they happen more often than you might think, with the last taking place in July 2015, and another due in March this year. And then there's the lunar eclipse, when the moon passes directly behind the Earth, into its shadow, blocking direct sunlight. When the three celestial bodies are lined up, it makes the moon look like it has been tinted red. WHEN CAN I SEE IT? If you're keen to catch a glimpse, timeanddate.com has put together a handy to-the-minute schedule of when the eclipse will be happening in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The super blue blood moon is expected at around 12.30am in Sydney and Melbourne, and 11.30pm in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_655292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney total lunar eclipse times via timeanddate.com[/caption] Have your cameras at the ready, obviously — and see if you can outdo the last big batch of supermoon snaps. WHERE CAN I SEE IT? Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world — weather permitting, of course. Everyone in Australia should be able to catch a glimpse, but, even so, if you're living in the city, it would be best to as far away from light pollution as possible. Typically, clouds and rain are predicted for today along the east coast, which could prove really screw up visibility. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live streaming the eclipse from 10.30pm AEST (9.30pm in Brisbane) here. Otherwise, there will be another total lunar eclipse on July 28. Via Space.com and timeanddate.com. Updated: January 31, 2018.
Earlier in 2020, when events worldwide started cancelling, postponing and rescheduling due to COVID-19, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s Dark Mofo was sadly one of many that had to pull the plug. It's also just one of the annual festivals that the venue holds but, thankfully, MONA's summer event will be forging ahead — and, if the first sneak peek at its program is anything to go by, Mona Foma's 2021 festival is returning in a big way. Come January, arts and music fans will be able to soak in the fest's eclectic sights and sounds across two weekends — and in two locations. Although Mona Foma was originally held in Hobart, where MONA is located, the event made the move to Launceston in 2019. In 2021, however, it'll split its program between both Tasmanian cities. Launceston will be up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. After revealing back in September that Mona Foma would definitely return next year, MONA has now announced two parts of its 2021 lineup — one per city — which is great news for everyone who loves arts, culture, festivals, lights, lasers, gorges and warehouses. [caption id="attachment_790928" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Aqua Luma, Robin Fox. Photo Credit: Nick Roux. Image courtesy of the artist and and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] First up, in Launceston, the city's Cataract Gorge will host the latest work by audio-visual artist Robin Fox. Yes, that means the site's landscape will be taken over by an immersive installation, called Aqua Luma — which'll be making its world premiere, will run on a 20-minute cycle from 9.30am–11.30pm, and will be free to attend. Aqua Luma will feature multiple components, too, all adding to one impressive experience. First, it'll include 12 metre-high water jets that'll erupt in time with subharmonic frequencies. Also, there'll be lasers tracing geometrical patterns in the watery mist. Basically, you'll feel like you're standing beneath a canopy of light and sound — and there'll be an electronic composition sent straight to your smartphone as well. [caption id="attachment_790934" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] K&D Warehouse, Hobart, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Over in Hobart, Mona Foma is turning the site of former hardware store K&D Warehouse into a gallery — with exhibition No Place Like Home filling the entire place with video installations, art and sculptures all selected by Mona curator Emma Pike. You'll be able to wander through one of the city's best-known buildings, which dates back 118 years, and see works by artists such as Tony Albert, Zanny Begg, Andy Hutson, Rachel Maclean, Nell, Ryan Presley and Phebe Schmidt. Entry will cost $10 per person. Revealing Aqua Luma and No Place Like Home, Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie said that the festival was excited about hosting "installations in two of the state's most dramatically different but equally beloved locations". He continued: "Robin Fox has been involved in every festival program since Mona Foma's inception, so it's appropriate that he has created a new work to address a year like no other. While at K&D Warehouse, the art will take you over the rainbow after the storm that was the year 2020." If you're wondering what else the event has in store, Mona Foma's full program will be released on Monday, December 7, with tickets going on sale at 8am the next day. Of course, before you go making big plans for a weekend getaway down south, you'll want to keep an eye on Tasmania's current border restrictions — which, at the time of writing, requires 14 days in quarantine for non-Tasmanian residents entering from a location considered medium-risk, such as Victoria and South Australia. Restrictions on Victorians are due to ease on Friday, November 27, however. Mona Foma will take place from January 15–17, 2021 in Launceston, and from January 22–24, 2021 in Hobart. We'll update you when the full program is announced on Monday, December 7 — but head to the festival website in the interim for further details. Top image: Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Rob Burnett. Image courtesy of the artist and Visit Northern Tasmania.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will be transformed next week when the Games of Thrones Exhibition hits Sydney. With over 100 real artefacts, props and costumes (no replicas) the free exhibition will keep fans from gnashing their teeth as they await season five. The exhibition features a virtual experience that simulates life on top of the wall, where fans can catch a 360 degree panoramic view over Castle Black, as well as the opportunity to snap a selfie atop the Iron Throne. Liam Cunningham, who plays Davos Seaworth on the most downloaded program in history, is in town to launch the show. On a sunny winter morning outside Three Williams cafe, we caught up with the Irish engineer-turned-actor to talk finger puppets, potatoes and patricide. So thanks for chatting to us after no doubt a long flight. It's wonderful. I've a mate here who I've been threatening to come and see forever and I just haven't had the opportunity and when this came up they didn't have to ask me twice. This exhibition has gone all over hasn't it? Toronto, Amsterdam, Belfast, London. It's a real treat. What's really cool about it now is that HBO aren't trying to make a quick buck out of it. It's free. It's a little thank you to the fans for, you know, making it as big as it is. But it needs to finish real soon, otherwise I'll be naked in the next show, which would be unheard of. All my costumes are in this exhibition. For the fans, it's just a real treat. There are some fans, aren't there? Nobody knew it was going to be such a phenomenon. It's just this really expansive backdrop to an incredible story of family and paranoia and jealousy and power and how power corrupts and how the powerful, generally speaking, are just taking care of themselves. Our first female PM loved the show. Yeah she's a fan, a big fan! And Barack Obama. He insisted on getting season four before the public got it. So power does corrupt. That's how you know you've got power. He's a big fan. Jack Nicholson is a fan. Martin Scorsese. Who else? It's extraordinary the amount of people who love this show. You see it at the exhibition. You've got the emos and the goths and those people coming along who are kind of hardcore but generally speaking it's kids from sixteen to one hundred and sixteen watching it. It's not a niche program at all because it's unpredictable. Right from when our leading man Ned Stark got chopped it was a game-changer, because it broke, especially for the States, where your leading man gets in trouble, overcomes, gets the girl and disappears, boring boring boring. People went, 'What? Hold on, we need to watch this thing properly, because this is just messing with our heads.' If Davos suddenly turned around and told Stannis to shove it I don't think we'd see that coming. It's not in his nature. He's the kind of guy, if you were in trouble you'd want him in your corner. His loyalty and decency is unquestionable. Listen, he's treated well apart from having his hand chopped off. Is it a glove you use? Sometimes it's a glove. Sometimes it's little green puppets on my fingers that then get digitally removed. Pop quiz: If Davos was going to be killed off would you prefer his head was chopped off, his skull was popped or torture? Torture's always good 'cause you have the audience on your side. You're sort of a veteran but you started late as an actor. You worked as an engineer, lived in Africa and got married all before taking up the game. Your career before GoT is pretty accomplished but has your life changed in a big way since – I've been outed. I feel like I've been gay and kept it quiet and now people know. But you're coping. But I'm in front of the pride march with a stick. There is a bit of that. Listen, people's memories are really short. What's good about it is I have to wear this [gestures to beard], my pubic balaclava, when filming and when I finish filming off it comes and nobody knows who I am. Luckily I started late enough not to be impressed by myself. But you're Ireland's pin-up boy… There's a very healthy begrudgery in Ireland. No one gives a fuck who I am. You're not allowed to get on any sort of pedestal. It's kind of healthy. My ego's enormous anyway. I don't need it massaged. I can do that myself. You've brought your youngest along. Are you the coolest dad ever? Of course. Isn't that obvious. No, yeah, he's my travelling companion. He keeps me out of trouble. He keeps me out of the pip. I think he had a book. I'm impressed. A kid with a book. Yeah, but it's a book about guns. I'm raising a small serial killer. At the moment he's choosing which weapon to end my life with. He's probably looking at me through the window and saying I'm gonna pop a cap in your arse, Dad. No, he's cool. He's a sixty-year-old man trapped in a thirteen-year-old body. He's the kind of dude I got to for advice. He's an extraordinary little fella, my boy. In my last 35 seconds I have to ask, for my editor, reflections on The Little Princess? She's a fan! Quite a few tweets come through — OMFG Davos Seaworth is the dad from The Little Princess. The Little Princess was nineteen years ago so a lot of those eight-year-old girls are now watching me as Davos. And now they're hugely attractive, gorgeous-looking women, and I'm close to death at this stage, but at least I've kept these ladies very happy when they were kids and I'm keeping them happy when they're grown-ups. I love my job. There's not many movies for daddies and little girls. Can you think of any other ones for fathers and daughters? Oh man, the The Shiralee. It's this Australian one … It's got Bryan Brown in it. I used to look like Bryan Brown. Just quickly, I'm working on a story and I want to list all the things you can do with potatoes. Because you're Irish, and I don't mean to be racist, but I was wondering if you could add anything to my list. So far I've got mashed potato, fried potato, boiled potatoes, potato bake, potato soup... Mashed potato sandwiches. Keith Lemon's favourite dish. If you had to give up onions or potatoes? Well this is not an option. No. I cook. You have to give up one. Shit. Onions or potatoes? Onions are so incredibly important but listen, we'd die without potatoes. Now you're going to remember The Shiralee or will you forget? It's S-h-i-r-a – [A lady walks past and tells us to shut up our very female-specific body parts several times before moving on.] ...Welcome to Australia! That's fantastic. I wonder if she arranges flowers for a living. When do you head home? I leave Tuesday. We're going to open the exhibition. I couldn't wait to get down here. Does Australia really feel as far away as everybody – It's the moon. It's the moon. Next stop, the Sea of Tranquillity. Game of Thrones: Season 4 is now available on Google Play. The Game of Thrones Exhibition is at the MCA from July 1-5.
It's hard to get a true snapshot of a place you're holidaying in when you don't have a friend who lives there to show you around. The Margaret River region presents its own unique set of challenges — with over 150 wineries and six days' worth of stunning coastal walking track, you're just not going to get to do it all are you? We've teamed up with Pullman Hotels and Resorts to bring you a guide to Margaret River that you can do in a few days, and that should leave you feeling like you really got to know the area. (If you ever decide to leave, that is. You do realise it's a food and wine mecca with a boho beach vibe that's long been punching above its weight in the culturescape, right?) Putting our heads together with Pullman Bunker Bay ambassador Shane Hilder — a creative consultant, entrepreneur and passionate amateur photographer who shot the most stunning images in this article — we've curated a list of ten must-dos that will expose you to Margaret River's many strengths. They range from a brewery in a dairy farm to a beach beloved for its stingrays, because the southwest of this country has no room for ordinary, apparently. Check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. FOOD & DRINK [caption id="attachment_643873" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Larry Cherubino winery[/caption] MARGARET RIVER WINERIES You didn't come all this way, to one of Australia's premier wine-growing regions, not to taste a truckload of wine. Plenty of tour operators offer group trips that will help you blitz a selection of the area's more than 150 cellar doors. Alternatively, sort your own car or bike and follow an itinerary of your own invention. Taking responsible service of alcohol to heart, several of the wineries also have strong food offerings that will more than line your stomach. Cullen Wines and Vasse Felix (the region's first winery, dating back 50 years) are two estates with excellent restaurants, while Woodlands Wines has some of the best reds in the region. Don't miss: The brand spanking new cellar door at Larry Cherubino. The former head winemaker at Houghton, Larry started producing wines under his own label in 2005 and has just opened a cellar door in Wilyabrup. METRICUP'S BEER FARM Right in the midst of Margaret River's zoned agricultural area is this brewery, recently converted from a working dairy farm, and with cows still roaming its fields. The Beer Farm's old creamy is now an entrance, and the roundhouse where the cows were milked is the brewhouse, but you'll spend most of your time in the old hay shed — which has been transformed into a bar filled with handmade wood benches, chesterfield couches and floor-to-ceiling murals. An atmosphere of casual fun pervades the whole space (pinball machines, lawn games and footy posts help kick that along), and you can get a good feed from the on-site food truck. Don't miss: Their lovely cloudy cider, made from local Manjimup apples. THE GOOSE BEACH BAR & KITCHEN The main attraction of The Goose is its position at the start of the Busselton Jetty — the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. The views from here out over the waters of Geographe Bay will make you Zen out so deeply you could forget to eat. Though, don't — it's all local southwest produce here, whipped into comforting cafe classics. Start your day with eggs any which way, the house granola with coconut yoghurt, or a more adventurous salmon pastrami and 63-degree egg on rye. Don't miss: Walking off a meal on Busselton Jetty — it stretches nearly 2 kilometres into the ocean, with an underwater observatory at the end. MARGARET RIVER FARMERS MARKETS Is there anything more pleasing than a farmers market in an actual farming area? Everything is so damn fresh, it's practically still growing, and the people manning the stall are the actual growers. On every Saturday morning at the Margaret River Education Campus, this farmers market has been running for more than 13 years. It's where residents do their weekly shop, producers test out their new creations, and visitors go to try out everything from regional honey and olive oil to kimchi and kombucha. It's only about 50 stalls, but the good vibes are disproportionately huge. Don't miss: Having a coffee by local roastery Yahava and a plate of Má Là dumplings — made in the northern Chinese style but stuffed with the produce of Australia's southwest. WELLBEING & LEISURE [caption id="attachment_643870" align="aligncenter" width="1980"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] HAMELIN BAY Two words: Friendly. Stingrays. These guys just love swimming around the jetty here and don't care if you hop in the water with them. While patting and feeding of the rays isn't strictly encouraged, people often do it anyway, so just use your common sense and be respectful. Otherwise, Hamelin Bay is great for swimming, walks or just some solid lolling around. The beach is open to the northwest, so skip it if it's a windy day and opt for somewhere more secluded. There's a reason 11 vessels have been shipwrecked here over the centuries. Don't miss: On the plus side, that's 11 sites to explore if you've got a snorkel or scuba gear. [caption id="attachment_643871" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] CANAL ROCKS While you're in Margaret River, you've got to do a section of the Cape to Cape Track — the 140 kilometre coastal path from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin that take about six days to walk in whole. A good segment to pick is around Yallingup, as it means you can take in the Canal Rocks. Waves have eroded a narrow path through the rocks in this headland over time, and watching the waters roar through it now is transfixing viewing. Unlike many other coastal spots, this one is great when the seas are rough, as the force of the waves is accentuated. There's a boardwalk over the rocks so you can get up close. You can swim around here too, but — need it be said — use caution. Don't miss: Watching the sunset from here over the Indian Ocean. If you're used to east-coast sunrises, you've been missing out on a world of colour. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL Margaret River is betting that interest in mountain biking will continue to boom — it's apparently planning 500 kilometres in new trails in the coming years. There's already plenty there, winding through the region's famous jarrah and karri forests, with options for riders of all levels. Beginners can try the 10 Mile Brook track, following the Margaret River for some 15–20 kilometres, with an option to detour to the Colonial Brewery for lunch. Advanced riders might be more drawn to the Creek Trails, which include some sharp descents and what Margaret River Tourism terms the "flowy magic dirt" of Goobers Pool. Check their website for more tracks. Don't miss: Fat biking on the beach with The Margaret River Adventure Co. The oversized tyres mean your bike won't sink into the sand and it's actually fun. [caption id="attachment_643648" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] BUNKER BAY One of the many excellent beaches along the southwest coast, Bunker Bay has the advantage of being relatively sheltered from the winds of the Indian Ocean. You'll only ever be facing smallish waves, which makes it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling. Fishing is also permitted in this area. Pullman ambassador Shane Hilder also rates this area for its photographic opportunities, especially the "forever-changing" characteristics of its afternoon versus morning light. Don't miss: A post-swim meal at Pullman Bunker Bay's restaurant The Other Side of the Moon (the name comes from a nearby surf break), which focuses on local ingredients like Manjimup truffle, Cape Naturaliste beef, and line-caught fish. ART & DESIGN RED CLOUD ART SPACE Opened in 2012 in Yallingup, Red Cloud Art Space is a gallery with two artists' studios attached. It's also the place you're most likely to find non-wine gifts for friends and family back home, as it brings a contemporary, minimal and accessible style to the Margaret River scene. Works on sale here range from WA artist Lisa Payton's abstracted and textural mixed-media canvases capturing the ocean hitting rocks (which hit around the $1000 mark) to individually handcrafted ceramic flowers by Perth's Bronwen Holding (which start at just $3). Don't forget to poke your head into the studios and watch the resident artists at work. Don't miss: Quarterly event Kaleidoscope. There's live music and drinks alongside displays of the latest work by Red Cloud artists, and your donation at the door goes to a chosen charity. MARGARET RIVER GALLERY If your budget stretches slightly higher, or you just want to get a look at some of the best contemporary art in the state, head to Margaret River Gallery. Located on Charles West Avenue in Margaret River town proper, this light and bright gallery focuses on works by leading WA practitioners and emerging artists, but it also catches some interstate names in its net. Look out for objects by local studio Melting Pot Glass, the oceanscape photography of Tony Warrilow, and poetic, migration-themed small sculptures by Lesley Whitham. Don't miss: The great jewellery selection by WA artists — clever, contemporary and not-too-exxy designs that make a great treat for someone (especially yourself). Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
The top end of the Northern Territory is postcard-perfect Australia — World Heritage-listed national parks, islands, wetlands, pristine beaches and off-the-beaten-track (and croc-free) swimming holes are all within its borders. And Darwin is its gateway. Darwin is Australia's only tropical capital city. With hot, balmy summers and dry, sunny winters, it feels worlds away from the inner-city hustle of our nation's other capitals. On top of its incredible natural beauty, there are plenty of action-packed adventures to be had. From a helicopter pub crawl around the Darwin region to an outdoor deckchair cinema and a music festival right on the beach, the city is the perfect launchpad. Really, it's the perfect summer getaway for when it's cold everywhere else and it's right on our doorstep. Go on, get acquainted with Australia's Top End. SAIL INTO THE SUNSET Darwin is a city known for its harbour and close proximity to the crystal-clear Timor Sea, so kicking back on a cruise is a must when it comes to exploring. Grab a beer and sail into the sunset. You won't have a care in the world with that balmy breeze and endless ocean as far as the eye can see. There's a variety of sailing tours available from Darwin Harbour, lasting from a few hours to adventurous overnight and multi-day trips. But if you're just after a relaxing mini jaunt, the sunset harbour cruise is a winner. Operated by local company Darwin Harbour Cruises, you can choose to either just jump on board and see the sites or indulge in a sunset buffet dinner while being ferried around. Darwin Harbour Cruises sunset tours typically run between April and December, from 6–8.30pm daily. For more information and online bookings, visit the website. SWIM WITH CROCS No trip to Darwin is complete without saying hello to a few crocodiles. Get up close and personal with the prehistoric beasts at Crocosaurus Cove — a croc and reptile haven in the heart of Darwin. It houses the world's largest display of Australian reptiles and is home to Australia's only crocodile dive for the Steve Irwin enthusiasts among us. If the Cage of Death is too far out of your comfort zone, there's a bevvy of other scale-studded attractions like the aforementioned reptile house, croc feeding shows — where you'll see Burt (the star of iconic Australian film Crocodile Dundee) — a freshwater aquarium, a swimming pool and a chance to hold a baby croc. Better to see a croc here than while sunning yourself at the beach. Visit the website for more details and bookings. BOOGIE ON THE BEACH Going to music festivals isn't strictly a summer activity — at least, not in Darwin. Mid-May sees the return of Darwin's huge one-day music shindig, the People's Choice BASSINTHEGRASS festival. This year's lineup features a stack of ace musicians, including Hilltop Hoods, Nick Murphy FKA Chet Faker, Amy Shark, Broods, Meg Mac, PNAU and more. Plus, for the first time in its 17 years, BASSINTHEGRASS will take place at Mindil Beach. So, in between catching your favourite artists, you can gaze out at the Timor Sea and forget that winter is waiting for you back home, as you soak up bucketloads of Top End sunshine. BASSINTHEGRASS 2019 will take place from 11am–11pm on Saturday, May 18. For the full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit the website. WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS Run by the local not-for-profit film society, Darwin's Deckchair Cinema grew from the desire to screen films that were not otherwise available in the city. Since it began in the 90s, it has become a go-to activity for locals and passersby alike, hosting an eclectic mix of films in a beautiful outdoor setting. Based on the edge of the harbour, Deckchair Cinema is decorated with fairy lights, artworks by local artists and, of course, deckchairs. There's also a licensed bar and food by local caterers, plus complimentary cushions and (very mandatory) bug repellent. It's the ideal balmy evening activity. Deckchair Cinema runs from mid-April to mid-November with daily screenings. Visit the website for more information and the current program. VISIT DARWIN'S MASSIVE WATERFRONT PRECINCT Darwin Convention Centre, shopping, restaurants, a park, swimming lagoons and a wave pool are all part of the mammoth precinct along Darwin's harbour. The lagoons and wave pool are notable drawcards, offering croc-and-stinger-free cooldowns in the Top End heat. Plus, it's home to some of Darwin's top eateries, including casual Vietnamese eatery CHOW!, Il Lido and the luxe Oyster Bar, which boasts waterfront views and some of the best seafood in town. For more information on the Waterfront Precinct, visit the website here. WANDER THROUGH MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKETS Held every Thursday and Sunday night from late-April to October, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are undoubtedly Darwin's largest and most popular markets. Alongside arts, crafts, and entertainment stalls, there are over 60 food vendors offering up cuisines from almost every international corner — Mexico, Greece, Turkey, Sri Lanka, South America, North Africa, India and across South East Asia. Enjoy a picnic on the beach, then check out what the jewellers, tarot readers, indigenous artists, tailors and leatherworkers have on offer. Oh, and expect street theatre, magicians and plenty of musicians to keep you entertained while you peruse. For more information, visit the website here. [caption id="attachment_718143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Pritchett[/caption] EXPLORE KAKADU NATIONAL PARK AND STAY IN A LUXURY SAFARI LODGE If you're planning a visit to Darwin without venturing to one of its surrounding national parks — Litchfield, Mary River and Kakadu — you're really missing a trick. Australia's Top End is abundant with wildlife, exotic flora, rock art, waterfalls, floodplains, colossal termite mounds and swimming holes — it's some of the most diverse terrains in the country. World-Heritage-listed Kakadu, the largest national park in Australia, is 253 kilometres east of Darwin. Cruise down the remarkable Yellow Waters, visit Nourlangie Rock — famed for its indigenous rock art — and see some crocs and Australia's most diverse bird population. Be sure to fit in a visit to Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and dive into a few of the croc-free swimming holes, too. While day tours from Darwin exist, we recommend going all out and staying at Bamurru Plains — Australia's version of an upscale safari lodge — situated on the Mary River floodplains on the edge of Kakadu. Nine bungalows, artfully kitted out in timber and corrugated iron, are enclosed in mesh that offers sheer views over the wetlands. Be warned though — it'll set you back a cool $1360 per night. Visit Kakadu National Park's website for more information. For bookings and more information on Bamurru Plains go here. GO ON A HELICOPTER PUB CRAWL Being a tourist is thirsty work. Luckily, Airborne Solutions has got you with its helicopter pub crawl, which stops at some of the region's more remote watering holes. While up in the air, you'll see unparalleled views of the Top End's natural beauty, covering Darwin, its harbour and coastlines, eucalypt woodlands, termite mounds, billabongs and mangroves. Offered as both a half-day and full-day tour, this pub crawl is sure to get you rubbing shoulders with some quintessentially Aussie characters. You'll visit The Lodge of Dundee, Crab Claw Island Resort, Darwin River Tavern and Goat Island Lodge, before deciding between Humpty Doo Hotel and Noonamah Tavern for your final stop. Although the tours don't come cheap — $795 each for a half-day and $975 a pop for the full Monty — it's a pretty fair dinkum deal for a chopper ride and a beer (or few). For more information and bookings visit the website. To help get you to Darwin this season, and BASSINTHEGRASS festival, Northern Territory Major Events has partnered with Virgin Australia to release a bunch of discounted holiday packages. For more information and to book a flight and accommodation package, head this way. Top Image: Emma Pritchett.
Brisbanites, your recycling routine is about to change, and, as well as being great for the planet, it's good for your wallet. Come Thursday, November 1, Queensland's Containers for Change refund scheme will come into effect, letting you exchange your used containers for a ten-cent refund per eligible vessel. Announced last year, it's the state's latest effort in the war on waste, after phasing out single-use plastic bags on July 1. And while similar schemes exist in most of the country — in South Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and the ACT, with SA's dating back four decades — it's a case of better late than never. Apparently almost three billion beverage containers have been used by Queenslanders this year alone, so here's everything that you need to know. HOW DOES IT WORK? While we've all become accustomed to popping our empty drink containers into our yellow-topped wheelie bins, Containers for Change wants you to break that habit. From Thursday, November 1, you'll be able to take your beverage containers to one of Queensland's 230 refund sites instead (more on where they are below). The container refund scheme (CRS) does include a few rules, however. Queenslanders are asked to remove the lids from their containers before taking them to a collection site, and to make sure they don't contain sand or dirt, paint, petrol, noxious substances. You don't need to rinse them, but they do need to be empty. The CRS is also only open to containers purchased within Queensland. WHAT CAN YOU RECYCLE? Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers that range between 150ml and three litres in size can be recycled. To be eligible, they need to display the refund mark — many of them already will, but the ones that don't have until December 1, 2019 to add it. That said, there are some exceptions. You can't get a refund on any containers that held plain milk, or concentrated or undiluted cordial or syrup. The CRS also won't accept glass wine or pure spirits bottles of any size, or containers over one litre that held flavoured milk, pure fruit or vegetable juice or cask water. These containers can still be recycled through kerbside collection. And if you accidentally (or purposefully) place CRS-eligble containers in your wheelie bin, the kerbside operator and/or local council will be able to collect the ten-cent refund. WHERE DO YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR EMPTY CONTAINERS? Container Exchange, the organisation managing the CRS, has set up 230 refund sites across the state. They include over-the-counter depots, drop-off sites (where you can leave already bagged and tagged containers), reverse vending machines that collect your containers and spit out refunds, and mobile and pop-up refund points. In Brisbane, the spread of sites spans the entire city, including depots located in West End, Geebung, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Salisbury, Tingalpa, Creastmead, Yerongpilly, Banyo, St Lucia, Darra, Samford Valley and Kedron. HOW WILL YOU GET PAID? To receive the ten-cent-per-container refund, you have several options. Some sites offer cash, but for those that process the payment via EFT, you'll need to sign up for a scheme account. You can also opt to not only do the environment a solid, but someone in need as well. The CRS allows you to donate your refund to a community group, not-for-profit or school, either at the collection point, or by taking your containers to a drop-off site run by a registered group or charity. Queensland's drink container refund scheme comes into effect on Thursday, November 1. For more information, visit the Containers for Change website.
Not content with becoming a fixture on Australia's roads, and possibly taking to the skies as early as next year, Uber is now hitting the water at one of the country's greatest natural features. If you've always wanted to cruise the Great Barrier Reef by submarine, now you can now book one via the Uber app. No, this isn't a joke — but it's definitely a marketing stunt. Aptly named scUber, the new service — which will be available between Monday, May 27 and Tuesday, June 18 — is a collaboration between Uber and Queensland's state tourism body. Of course, diving down deep via scUber is incredibly pricey at $3000 for two people. But if you're particularly flush with cash and have always dreamed of seeing the reef this way, now you can. According to research by Tourism and Events Queensland, plenty of people have this exact experience on their bucket list. Your big stack of bills gets you a trip to the southern Great Barrier Reef's Heron Island from May 27, or to north Queensland's Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas from June 9. You'll be picked up from your location by Uber, naturally — although you'll need to be in Gladstone, Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Then you'll be taken by helicopter to either scUber destination, where you'll jump inside the submarine and dive under the water for an hour. Afterwards, you'll head back to your original pickup spot. The submarine actually holds three people — someone who knows what they're doing will be going down with you. They'll take you deep, down to 30 metres, where 180-degree views await. Obviously, there are a few other drawcards: you don't have to learn how to dive or get a license, and you won't get wet. Uber will also be partnering with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef as part of scUber, donating $100,000 to the protection and conservation organisation, as well as the equivalent value of every scUber ride purchased. And, in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland, it's giving away a scUber package complete with flights and five nights accommodation — which is open to eager folks not only from Australia, but from New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the UK and France too. You'll need to enter by 1.59pm, Australian time, on Monday, June 1. scUber will be available from Monday, May 27 to Tuesday, June 18 in Gladstone, Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. For more information, visit scUberqueensland.com. Images: Tourism and Events Queensland.
Well-known for his visual distinctive style and fondness for symmetry across films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson is now playing museum curator. Alongside his partner, set designer and illustrator Juman Malouf, he's put together an exhibition for Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum: Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures. The creative couple were given a task that plenty would envy: trawling through the Kunsthistorisches Museum's more than four million objects, and selecting their favourites from the incredibly broad collection of in-house artifacts. The end result includes items from all 14 of the museum's collections, which span old master paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Imperial coins and more. Think pieces like historical musical instruments, suits of armour, foreign antiques, carriages and sleighs, plus a fully illustrated catalogue. If you're wondering what inspired Anderson, he explains in the exhibition catalogue that, with Malouf, he harbours "the humble aspiration that the unconventional groupings and arrangement of the works on display may influence the study of art and antiquity in minor, even trivial, but nevertheless detectable ways for many future generations to come". And if you're not planning to be in Austria before April 28, 2019 — or in Italy afterwards, with the exhibition set to travel to the Fondazione Prada in Milan at a yet-to-be-announced date — here's a look at what's on offer. [caption id="attachment_703302" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband[/caption] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband [caption id="attachment_703299" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband[/caption] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures exhibits at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum until April 28, 2019. Images: © KHM-Museumsverband.
In celebration of the XX Commonwealth Games currently being held in Glasgow, one Scotland bar has created a marathon cocktail. Like many of the athletes competing this year, this cocktail is also a record breaker, with 71 ingredients used to represent each country participating in the Games. Mal Spence, of Kelvingrove Cafe in Glasgow worked with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau to create this extravagant concoction. "Most classic cocktails have three or four ingredients.” Spence explained to the Evening Times. “To find a recipe that could combine all these different flavours and also taste good was a challenge I couldn't resist.” Spence experimented with 300 different ingredients before finally achieving the right blend of flavours. While most alcohol aficionados would squash up their face at the thought of such a busy cocktail, in this case we’re satisfied that the research has been done and we will happily be the judge of this debate if someone would like to make us one. While the cocktail uses some familiar flavours of English red Apple and Scottish wild strawberry, the Commonwealth Cocktail includes a few things we’ve barely heard of, let alone tried in a cocktail. Really, when else would you get to sample The Cook Islands’s custard apple seeds, Swaziland’s sycamore fig, or Malaysian galangal? Australia’s contribution to the mix is an aniseed myrtle (syzygium anisatum), in case you were wondering. Spence is doing a limited run of 71 of these cocktails (of course) until August 3. If you’re unable to get to Glasgow Spence has made a simpler version, which you can make at home as you watch Australia dominate the Games. Here's the full list of ingredients: Africa Botswana: devils claw (genus clerodendrum) Cameroon: bitter leaf (piper umbellatum) Ghana: taro (psidium guajava) Kenya: chives Lesotho: rosehip Malawi: cacao (pycreuscyperaceae) Mauritius: wild raspberry (rubus rosifolius) Mozambique: cassava Namibia: prickly pear Nigeria: utazi leaves Rwanda: papaya Seychelles: citronella Sierra Leone: cashew nut (piassava) South Africa: roobus Swaziland: sycamore fig Tanzania: cloves Uganda: nakati eggplant Zambia: sorrel Americas Belize: dragonfruit Bermuda: arabica coffee beans Canada: logan berry Falkland Islands: bitter cress Guyana: sugar cane St. Helena: St. Helena tea plant Asia Bangladesh: jujubi Brunei Darussalam: durian fruit India: mangosteen Malaysia: galangal Maldives: pomegranate (annaaru) Pakistan: saffron Singapore: rambutan Sri Lanka: ripe jakfruit Caribbean Anguilla: mango Antigua & Barbuda: tamarind Bahamas: egg fruit Barbados: sour cherry British Virgin Islands: noni Cayman Islands: sage (salvia caymanensis) Dominica: guava leaf Grenada: lemon grass Jamaica: okra Montserrat: devil’s horse whip St. Kitts & Nevis: tamon St. Lucia: sweet basil St. Vincent & The Grenadines: arrowroot Trinidad & Tobago: tonka bean Turks & Caicos Islands: sapodilla Europe Cyprus: basil-thyme (???????) England: red apple Gibraltar: maqui berry Guernsey: blueberries Isle of Man: new potatoes Jersey: lavender Malta: star anise Northern Ireland: bog rosemary Scotland: wild Scottish strawberry Wales: wild cotoneaster Oceania Australia: aniseed myrtle (syzygium anisatum) (gundabluie) (bardi bush) Cook Islands: custard apple seeds (annona reticulata) Kiribati: dried coconut meat (copra) Nauru: pumpkin seeds New Zealand: manuka honey Niue: paw paw Norfolk Island: yam Papua New Guinea: taro (colocasia esculenta) Samoa: ladies finger (small, sweet banana) Solomon Islands: taro leaves Tonga: avocado (avoka) Tuvalu: breadfruit Vanuatu: plantain Fiji: kava root Via The Evening Times and Grub Street.
Southeast Queensland isn't lacking Mexican joints. But, still, it's set to get another dose of colourful, unapologetic Tex-Mex when El Camino Cantina opens its third local outpost in Robina on Wednesday, July 22. El Camino already has spots in Bowen Hills and Chermside — and Sydney and Melbourne, too — and is part of Rockpool Dining Group, which also owns Sake, Beerhaus, The Bavarian, Munich Brauhaus and WingHaus. If you've been to the chain already, you'll know this casual dining venue is loud, colourful, and filled with over-the-top with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes and lively Tex-Mex fare. The new El Camino — which will be located on The Promenade dining strip at Robina Town Centre — will hold 280 patrons, including in a rowdy neon-lit dining room, as well as an outdoor area that has room for 175 people to spill out in front of the restaurant. Slushie machines signal big nights and brain freezes, with El Camino's margaritas coming in multiple sizes and renditions — such as a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations, and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. It'll also have El Camino's signature specials, including $2 tacos on Tuesdays and ten-cent wings on Wednesdays. El Camino Cantina will open at Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina at 4pm on Wednesday, July 22. Images: El Camino Cantina Manly by Tom Ferguson.
During this last week of April there's been a bit of good news about Australia's battle to contain coronavirus. Queensland and NSW both announced the easing of some restrictions from this Friday, May 1, South Australia has had seven days in a row of no new cases and the ACT, as of today, has zero active cases. Also unveiled today was the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal, which includes the reopening of restaurants, bars and cafes — in just two weeks. Announced today by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, the roadmap is broken into three parts. From midday tomorrow, May 1, some "simple and safe" outdoor activities are allowed — including weddings and funerals, outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained (so tennis is OK, but not basketball) and fishing, boating and sailing with other people — and public swimming pools, water parks, playgrounds and campgrounds (outside biosecurity areas) can open. Stage two, set to start from midday on Friday, May 15, allows "safer" indoor activities for "less than two hours". Places of worship, public libraries, gyms, beauty therapy salons (for non-facial services), shopping centre food courts and restaurants, cafes and bars can all have customers for short bursts. So, you can go and have a couple of pints at a bar or a bowl of pasta and a wine, but not sit down for an eight-course degustation. The venues wanting to reopen as part of this second round of eased restrictions must submit a "simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist" to prove they're operating within physical distancing and hygiene guidelines, but these do not need to be approved. At present, the Chief Minister has not outlined exactly what these physical distancing guidelines are, but the checklist will be made public on May 5. [caption id="attachment_714483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney's Cantina OK is currently closed. Image by Kimberley Low.[/caption] If the guidelines include the Federal Government's previous one person-per-four-square-metre limit, it's possible it won't be viable for all hospitality venues to reopen. When this restriction was first introduced back in March 20, many hospitality spots — including tiny Sydney mezcal bar Cantina OK — chose to close. Some closed even earlier, when the government introduced a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Part three of the NT government's plan is set to be rolled out on June 5, and includes the removal of the two-hour limit and the commencement of more indoor and outdoor activities, such as going to a football game and the opening of cinemas, theatres, concert halls, nightclubs and entertainment venues (in an "approved configuration"). The territory's 14-day forced quarantine rules for all non-essential interstate travellers does not have an end date as part of the plan — so, no, don't expect to go on a holiday to the Top End anytime soon. The NT has had significantly less cases compared to other states and territories, with a total of 27 — as of 6am on April 30 — compared with 1034 in Queensland, 1354 in Victoria and 3016 in New South Wales. But the two-month plan could be an example of what the road out might look like for the rest of the country, albeit a little later on. You can find out more about the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal here.
You've watched her on television. You've cooked her recipes. Her books might sit in your kitchen. You could've even heard her culinary tips live and in-person. The next way to take your cues from Nigella Lawson? Eat where she did, and then raved about, during her recent trip to Brisbane. Fortitude Valley's Agnes is no stranger to attention — we named it Brisbane's best restaurant — and the latest comes from Lawson. The author of How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food, Nigella's Cook, Eat, Repeat and more — the star of Nigella Bites, Nigella Feasts, Nigella Kitchen, Nigellissima, Simply Nigella, Nigella: At My Table, Top Chef, MasterChef Australia and My Kitchen Rules as well — took to the stage at QPAC Concert Hall on Thursday, March 14, 2024 for An Evening with Nigella Lawson. Around that speaking engagement, she also headed to the restaurant that recently welcomed in Adam Wolfers as Group Chef (alongside Biànca, sAme sAme and hôntô). And, she couldn't have more praise for Agnes. "Ever since I found out that Adam Wolfers was opening Agnes Restaurant, I'd been longing to go, and lo, the food gods looked favourably upon me and made sure it came to pass. What a cave of delights!" Lawson said on social media. In a lengthy post, the celebrity chef then went on to call out the "fabulous space", Skull Island tiger prawns with fermented chilli butter that she says are now "imprinted on my taste-memory", plus the rock oysters with coal mignonette that she dubbed "an extraordinary experience". She also had kind words for Agnes' raw beef with dripping toast and Bangalow pork chop. "But the dish that quite spun my senses was the chicken skewer with fenugreek: chicken oysters brined in onion juice, flamed and brushed with toum, along with turmeric and fresh fenugreek. Still reeling with pleasure," Lawson advised. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nigella (@nigellalawson) Lawson's visit came just after Wolfers, Gerard's Bistro's former Head Chef, took on his post at hospitality group Anyday — which is behind Agnes, Biànca, sAme sAme, hôntô, LOS (sAme sAme's cocktail bar) and Agnes Bakery (Agnes' woodfired pastry offshoot). Located in a three-level space in an old brick warehouse on the street that shares its name, Agnes focuses on woodfired cooking, and features not only a main dining room — which overlooks the open kitchen and its two charcoal pits — but a wine bar and a rooftop bar as well. Also boasting Ben Williamson as Executive Chef and a co-owner, it's been worth stopping by since opening in 2022. Now, however, it officially comes with Lawson's glowing adoration and tick of approval. Find Agnes at 22 Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley — open for lunch from 11.30am Friday–Sunday and for dinner from 5.15pm Monday–Saturday. Head to the restaurant's website for further information. Top image: Cathy Schusler.
Big names from Australia and overseas. A new stage dedicated to dance music. A health and wellness zone with guided meditation and ice baths. With the returning lantern parade, too, as well as Steven Bradbury hosting the Great Australian Pineapple Toss and the onsite ferris wheel offering a helluva view, that's how The Big Pineapple Festival is making the most of its 2025 event. Taking place on Saturday, November 1, the Sunshine Coast is marking its ten-year anniversary with Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire, The Jungle Giants and PNAU leading the bill, as well as Polaris, SIX60, Hands Like Houses, MKTO, Rum Jungle and Thelma Plum. Superlove Arena, that purpose-built haven for electronic tunes, will feature Baauer, Bushbaby, Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas, KLP B2B Mell Hall, Little Fritter B2B Wongo, Paluma B2B Kessin, Shimmy and Raw Ordio. And Betty Taylor, Beckah Amani, HEADSEND and IVANA are also on the fest's lineup as well, all helping the event back up being named the Festival of the Year for the fourth time at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards. For those keen to dance in the shadow of a giant piece of tropical fruit — and one of Australia's most-famous big things — hitting Pineapple Fields in Woombye also comes with the option of camping, whether you'll be bringing your own tent, hiring one onsite or glamping. The Big Pineapple Festival 2025 Lineup Hilltop Hoods The Cat Empire The Jungle Giants PNAU Polaris SIX60 Hands Like Houses MKTO Rum Jungle Thelma Plum Baauer Bushbaby Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas KLP B2B Mell Hall Little Fritter B2B Wongo Paluma B2B Kessin Shimmy Raw Ordi Betty Taylor Beckah Amani HEADSEND IVANA Select images: Claudia Ciapocha / Charlie Hardy.
Picture this: you're having a lazy evening at home in front of Netflix, and you promise yourself you'll power through just one — and only one — more episode before tapping out for the night. How many times have you broken that promise? Let's face it, you'd probably prefer not to count. And if you're like us, you probably also reach for the Ben & Jerry's for a quick sugar fix to keep you going. Convenient it may be, but healthy? Not so much. Next time you're planning a lazy night in, level up your snack game with something more wholesome (and equally delicious). We've teamed up with Yumi's to compile a collection of quick, easy and delicious alternatives to your favourite couch-time snacks. Here's what to dig into next time you're doing Netflix and chow. INSTEAD OF CHARCUTERIE...ASSEMBLE A GRAZING PLATTER Look, there's nothing wrong with a well-prepared charcuterie board — piles of delicious deli meats, indulgent cheeses, pâté and preserves, salty crackers, and the odd smattering of fruit. Add some variety with crunchy crudites — and, of course, dip. Yumi's have a huge range of dips that are all dairy and gluten free, and packed with real ingredients. We love the classic sweet potato and cashew dip, while the classic hommus is also excellent — variations like the rocket and almond pesto are also winners. They're great paired with fresh veggies (think carrots and cucumber), but perhaps even better with Yumi's selection of preservative-free and ready-to-eat falafel or veggie bites. We recommend zapping them in the microwave for a minute. INSTEAD OF ICE CREAM...MAKE SORBET Real talk: telling yourself that you're having just one more scoop of ice cream is the same as telling yourself you'll only watch one more episode before heading to bed. Before you know it, it's an ungodly hour and you're staring at the bottom of an empty tub. Lessen the lactose by making a swap for an easy, refreshing homemade sorbet — no churning required. You'll need to dice and prefreeze your favourite fruit — mango, cherries, pineapple or banana always work a treat, while store-bought, prefrozen berries are great for a quick win. Then, pop a cup (or two) in a blender with three to four tablespoons of sugar or maple syrup, and blitz until smooth. You can balance out the sweetness with a hint of lemon or lime juice, too. [caption id="attachment_815090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Margarita Zueva (Unspalsh)[/caption] INSTEAD OF PIZZA...MAKE BRUSCHETTA An evening on the couch with a juicy series lined up and a big, cheesy pizza — is there a better way to Netflix? Perhaps not — but there are healthier ways (that also don't rely on Uber Eats). Making your own pie is simple as can be, especially with so many types of premade bases available in just about any supermarket, including ones that cater for just about every dietary requirement. Crank up the oven and lather your base with tomato paste (you can even make your own, should you wish), cheese and your choice of toppings. Feel like something more refreshing? It's hard to go wrong when you make your own bruschetta. Pick up a crusty baguette, whack it under the grill, give it a rub with some olive oil, garlic and salt, and then load it up with fresh diced veggies, herbs or deli meats. It's an easy — and delicious — way to make sure you get in your five a day. [caption id="attachment_815095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charles Deluvio (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF SALTY CHIPS...MAKE VEGGIE CHIPS Love the salty crunch of potato chips? Us too — so we also know how hard it is to know when to stop. For a healthier alternative, leave the prepackaged morsels in the supermarket aisle and pick up some sweet potato or kale instead. It couldn't be more simple to get snacking, either. Just slice up your veg, toss it in some olive oil and pop it in the oven until crispy. Kale is full of good things, from beta-carotene to help eyesight, and Vitamins C, K and E. As for sweet potato, it's loaded with antioxidants, fibre and Vitamin A — it's also lower GI than a regular potato. Want some extra flavour? Kale chips are even better when tossed in a bit of za'atar, while sweet potato and paprika is a spicy match made in heaven. Dip liberally in some hummus and you've got yourself a serious snack. [caption id="attachment_815092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anshu A (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF BIKKIES...MAKE OATMEAL COOKIES We stan a Tim Tam as much as the next sweet tooth. And don't get us started on our ongoing love affair with an Iced Vovo. But of course, they're not the healthiest treats to snack on. If you too have trouble keeping your mitts out of the bikkie tin, try your hand at making your own oatmeal cookies. They're surprisingly easy to put together and will easily satisfying any sweet cravings. The benefits of trading sugar for oatmeal are plentiful — oats are higher in fibre, can stabilise blood sugars and are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. There's also the added benefit of the warm aroma of freshly baked goods waiting through your house. [caption id="attachment_815093" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abbie Whiddett (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF CAKE...MAKE CACAO BALLS There's a better way to get your gooey chocolate fix. Enter date and cacao balls. They're ridiculously easy to make, and they last longer than cake does, too (though if they disappear from the fridge quickly, we won't blame you). There are a heap of health benefits, too — dates are high in antioxidants and fibre, and can also improve bone health, while cacao has been shown to help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. For more wholesome snacking, check out the full range of Yumi's falafels, veggie bites and dips.
Just a cheeky heads up for local legends like Liquorun, Jimmy Brings, Friday Beers, LiquorDrop, Dial-A-Drink, QuickBottle and WineRun — the big guns have jumped on the booze delivery bandwagon. Online shopping behemoth Amazon is trialling one-hour alcohol delivery, starting in Seattle. Announced by Amazon this week, Prime Now will take human laziness and demand for things now to the next level, dropping wine and beer at your doorstep within 60 minutes. From burger delivery by drone to ordering pizza with one emoji, humans just want things faster, faster, faster now. The Prime Now service, which is Amazon's fastest yet, will be exclusively available to members of Amazon Prime — and it's not just for booze. Tens of thousands of items will be available for one-hour delivery, from wine and beer to milk and ice cream, televisions, Kindles, paper towels, you name it. Throwing a last minute party or treating yourself to one heck of a night in just got pathetically easier. Local startup booze delivery crews, don't freak out just yet. Prime Now is currently only available Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland in the States, but the company has plans to expand the service to localities across the country and worldwide, eventually. Via CNET. Images: Dollar Photo Club and Walnut Studio.
Ethical shopping is really goddamn hard sometimes. On one hand, you don’t want clothes that have been painstakingly made by someone earning a dollar a day in a sweatshop. On the other hand are a bunch of shopping bags because you've no idea where to even start shopping ethically. Like everything, an ethical mindset happens incrementally and the first step you can take is here — the Good On You ethical shopping assistant app is seeking crowdfunding. Intended to help you make better consumer choices, the Good On You app amalgamates information on the ethical rating of fashion brands, either by search term or in your local area. The app also measures different production impacts and processes such as child labour, treatment of animals and contribution to climate change. Basically, the app tells you all the real ingredients that went into making your must-have leather jacket, leaving no stone unturned. At times, it may be a hard pill to swallow if your favourite brands don’t pass the test, but the GOY team don't want you to stop shopping — the app also feature alternative suggestions, based on your style, that do better ethically. And perhaps the feature with the greatest potential to catalyse change is the ability to directly message brands who don’t pass muster (fire up your emoji dictionary for maximum emotional impact). There are a few ethical shopping assistant apps on the market right now, however this is the first that systematically catalogues Australian fashion and beauty brands — and it’s about time. Ethical shopping needn’t be a time-consuming ordeal and with an app that creates brand transparency it hopefully soon won’t be. Image: Dollar Photo Club and Good On You. UPDATE DECEMBER 18, 2015: Thanks to awesome crowdfunded dollars, Good On You reached their target of $15,000 and the app is now live. You can download it from their website. Go team!
Contemporary fusion cuisine is not only often tasty, but a reasonable extension of Australia's diverse gastronomic history. Even dishes thought idiosyncratic to a particular country are rarely free of intercultural influence. All that said and done, sometimes it is nice to sit down to a meal that resists modern interference. Traditional dishes are not necessarily always improved by radical reinventions or reimaginings – something to which Brisbane's Hosokawa can attest. Not lavishly or even traditionally decorated, it is not for the décor that locals flock to this small Hamilton Japanese restaurant. Not exactly a sake bar, Hosokawa offers only a few local and Japanese beers, some wines and a modest selection of sake and umeshu. But, there are plenty of authentic izakaya-style dishes to accompany them: teriyaki, chirashi and karaage to name a few. The nasu dengaku is a real standout - half an eggplant grilled with sesame and miso sauce - sweet and crisp on top, with velvety molten eggplant inside. The portion sizes are surprisingly generous, given the prices, and the standard accompaniments of rice, white miso soup, and assorted pickles are readily available. Though these options do not disappoint, they are not the main drawcard. The sashimi and sushi are without fault – simple, expertly handled and lovingly presented. The nori is crisp, the rice well seasoned, and the seafood is fresh and expertly sliced. In a country where Japanese food is often associated with either sushi chains or omakases, Hosokawa offers a very welcome alternative.
The mercury is rising and things are getting steamy, with the hotly anticipated return of World Movies Summer of Sin. Featuring only the most scandalous and salacious titles that the international film world has to offer, this four-week-long, adults-only program is sure to get pulses racing. Here listed are five of our favourite films from the lineup. From critically acclaimed French melodramas and German erotic comedies to James Franco making a documentary about his favourite BDSM porn site, these are the titles that consenting adults simply can't afford to miss. BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR (2013) The winner of top honours at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Blue Is the Warmest Colour gained notoriety for its extremely graphic lesbian sex scenes, as well as director Abdellatif Kechiche's tyrannical behaviour on set. Controversy notwithstanding, the sex is actually the least interesting part of this film, a devastating portrayal of the lifespan of a relationship featuring absolutely phenomenal performances from actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux. Friday, December 19, at 9.30pm KINK (2013) Produced by James Franco (because of course he did), Kink takes viewers inside the daily workings of Kink.com, one of the world's leading producers of BDSM-themed pornography. Through interviews with directors and models, documentarian Christina Voros dives into the ins and outs of the adult entertainment world, exploring both the appeal of bondage pornography and the practical considerations involved in shooting it. Tuesday, December 23, at 9.30pm EMMANUELLE (1974) Yuletide revellers, ring in the festive season with this Christmas Eve screening of a classic soft-core porno. Marketed to mainstream moviegoers as an arthouse flick, Emmanuelle follows the Bangkok sexual odyssey of its titular heroine, the young, naive wife of a French diplomat. The film helped turn Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel into a sex symbol, and spawned dozens of sequels and spinoffs, a number of which will also be screened as part of the Summer of Sin program. Wednesday, December 24, at 9.30pm IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (1976) Hugely controversial upon its release both in its native Japan and around the world, Nagisa Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses dramatises the violent sexual affair between a hotel manager and a maid in 1930s Tokyo. The film is inspired by the real-life case of Sada Abe, a woman who sparked a media sensation in Japan after strangling her lover and cutting off his penis. You'll have to watch the film yourself to see how closely it sticks to reality. Friday, January 2, at 9.30pm WETLANDS (2013) Although it's just a graphic as anything on this list, it's hard to think of a recent film less sexy than David Wnendt's Wetlands. Adapted from Charlotte Roche's novel of the same name, the film is a punk-rock feminist satire about 18-year-old Helen, a self-described "living pussy hygiene experiment", who falls in love with her attractive male nurse after landing in the hospital with haemorrhoids. Gleefully disgusting, it's sinful in a whole other kind of way. Monday, January 5, at 9.30pm
You don't need to be Liza Minnelli to think that life is a cabaret, particularly if you're in Brisbane this June. Yes, it's Queensland Cabaret Festival time again, which means that spending your nights watching talented singers tell stories through song is well and truly on the menu. For its third year running, the Brisbane Powerhouse-based festival is back with another jam-packed program of music-fuelled fun, spanning new takes on old classics, repeat tributes to lost icons, and everything from ukuleles to comedic musical therapy in between. In fact, if one of the fest's 13 shows doesn't inspire a prolonged bout of humming, clapping and toe tapping, then you're not looking hard enough. We've picked our five favourites to get you started.
The Finders Keepers Markets have become a staple for those who are into design, creativity and supporting local artists. Treat yourself to a stroll around the market – it has over 100 stalls featuring fashion, ceramics, jewellery and food – while drinking wine or sipping specialty coffee. Returning to Brisbane's The Old Museum for two days for the second time this year, you'll be able to nab some marvellous treats that are difficult to find anywhere else. The designer-centric, come-one-come-all mini-festival has managed to bridge the gap between local market and exclusive exhibition, creating a space for independent designers to engage with the wider community. This time around, keep an eye out for Felicity Cooney's leather sandals and bags, Ginny Reynders for beautiful silver jewellery, and Timber & Co. for interiors. As usual, there will be a healthy amount of food. Allpress Espresso will be there, as will Spotted Cow Cookies if you need a little treat. Finders Keepers will run over two days, Saturday, November 5 from 9am-4pm, and Sunday, November 6 from 9am-4pm. For more information and a full list of designers, visit their website.
There's a reason that flexing, the rhythmic street dance style from Brooklyn that has gained traction over the past decade, is also known as bone breaking. Just one glimpse of the performer's gliding, contortionist movements and you'll be wondering how their limbs remain intact. At the aptly named FLEXN, however, something else will set your jaw agape. Flex pioneer Reggie 'Regg Roc' Gray and theatre and opera director Peter Sellars have corralled a cohort of dancers use their moves to tackle post-Ferguson social injustice. In their pausing, snapping and other energetic dance displays, a beautiful, brutal statement is made.
Calling all Gordon Gekkos and Jordan Belforts, the UK's got a new bar for you. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange is London's new venue where drink prices fluctuate in real time according to their nightly popularity, opening on June 17. Set across three floors, Reserve is attempting to connect customers to the value of their cocktails, and how quickly one drink can rise in value while another crashes. It all depends on which drink is most popular on the night — classic supply and demand. There's a live market price board where you can see how different cocktails are doing, and the bar's smartphone app will let you keep track of things at your table — an app that also allows patrons to order cocktails right to their table. The bar's advice? "Buy low, play the market, and when the market crashes... everybody wins." We guess that means a sweet cheapo special. So who's the Wolf of Wall Street behind this whole deal? Reserve has been dreamt up by Alan Grant and his crew, whose former escapades include London's Cherry Jam, Supper Club and Notting Hill Arts Club. It's London's first bar of its kind, but it's not the world's — Austin, Texas has a stock market themed bar called The Brew Exchange, where the hundred beers on tap fluctuate according to popularity. If you happen to be in London (or you've got buds over there) before the bar opens on June 17, Reserve is offering punters the chance to feel like a right ol' Gecko — you can invest £25, £50 or £100 in the bar and you'll double your money instantly with a 100% return of £50, £100 or £200 in bar credit. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange opens on June 17 at 46 Gresham Street, London. Via The Drinks Business. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Dark and debaucherous banquets from Bompas and Parr, immersive art sleepovers at Cradle Mountain and all the demon purging and ceremonial death dances you could want in a festival. Dark Mofo has announced its 2015 program. Centred around the winter solstice and running June 12-22, MONA's annual June festival celebrates the Neolithic-started tradition over ten days of weird and wonderful art, performance, music and happenings around Hobart. Last year's festival attracted more than 130,000 Mofos, and with this year's lineup, they're looking at a lot more pilgrims. Coinciding with MONA's huge Marina Abramovic retrospective Private Archaeology, this year's Dark Mofo is deeper, creepier and darker than ever before — with art, food, music and performance pioneered by 250 artists from around the world. For one of the biggest events of the festival, the brave and adventurous at heart will want to lock in June 15-17 for a two-night immersive art experience sleepover within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. That's right. Immersive art sleepover. It's called Wild At Heart and is curated by the Unconscious Collective (Motel Dreaming). British jellymongers and universally applauded food artists Bompas and Parr are hosting a full-on, debaucherous banquet. Huge. And Melbourne contemporary artist Ash Keating will open an exhibition called Remote Nature Response as part of the whole WAH shebang. Music-wise, Dark Mofo is as brooding and gloomy as ever at Hobart's historic Odeon Theatre, with already-leaked, heartbreaking headliners Antony and the Johnsons leading the charge with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. British art-pop collective The Irrepressibles are also locked in, alongside Arkansas experts in doom metal Pallbearer. Seattle's 'horror-country' rocker King Dude will be there, as well as German industrial dance outfit Oake. There's plenty of Australians in the bunch too, from The Drones' brooding folkster Gareth Liddiard to Melbourne's '60s-inspired crooner Brous and performance vocalist Kusum Normoyle, modern day Divinyls-like Sydneysiders The Preatures, Hobart's eclectic pop group Tiger Choir and Melburnian chillwave must-see Klo. Also hailing from Melbourne, gloomy electronica artist Jake Blood and frenetic rock outfit My Disco. Then there’s Japan's electro-conducting EYE, who will be premiering new work CIRCOM, especially for Dark Mofo, presented by Red Bull Music Academy. Immersive art and experimental theatre fans, you'rve got plenty to look forward to. Dark Mofo set to unveil a brand new festival precinct dubbed 'Dark Park' at Hobart's Macquarie Point. Huge public artworks will invade the park, from a high-octane Fire Organ by German chemo-acoustic engineer Bastiaan Maris with producer Duckpond, to a Night Ship cruising around the river, and a full-body sonic massage immersion of Bass Bath by Melbourne’s Byron J. Scullin in collaboration with Supple Fox. Virginia Woolf’s Orlando will be performed by Victoria’s THE RABBLE theatre company at the Theatre Royal (Australia’s oldest theatre) and you'll find a dark take on Roald Dahl's The Witches at Salamanca Arts Centre’s Peacock Theatre. Plus, you won't want to miss Dark Mofo's new late-night ceremonial death dance Blacklist curated by Supple Fox. We don't even know what that means. Those keen to lose themself in a dark, dark cinema have plenty of Nordic dark folkloric films to sink their teeth into. North Hobart’s century-old State Cinema is presenting a super niche series featuring A Second Chance, A Spell to Ward off the Darkness, Down Terrace, A Field in England, Partisan, Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America, Valhalla Rising and more, curated Nick Batzias and James Hewison. Dark Mofo Films will also see the red carpet world premiere of Tasmanian-filmed Foxtel adult drama series The Kettering Incident at the Odeon. Last but not least, we feast. Dark Mofo's annual bacchinalian food festival returns to Princes Wharf Shed 1 — the ever-anticipated Winter Feast. Guest chefs Jake Kellie, Martin Boetz, Sean Moran, Mike McEnearney and O Tama Carey and the Mona Source restaurant team head five nights of feasting and performance, culminating in a Balinese ogoh-ogoh parade to purge all those demons and burn all those fears. Really. Then there's the annual Nude Solstice Swim — nothing like an early morning swim in Tasmanian water to cure your Mofo hangover. Dark Mofo runs June 12-22 in various locations across Hobart, Tasmania. Tickets are on sale from 10am Monday, April 20 from here. Registration for tickets for Antony and the Johnsons with the TSO over here. Images: Beth Evans, Matt Glastonbury.
Sipping drinks at soaring heights: if that's your preferred way to while away your days in Brisbane, there's no shortage of spots to head to. But Lina Rooftop doesn't just want you to eat and drink while soaking in the view. That's all part of Lina Rooftop, of course — but, in a 1500-square-metre bar that's taken its cues from the Mediterranean, this beach club-inspired spot wants you to get swimming as well. Head up to the top level at 74–80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane and you'll be enjoying a splash in two ways: in your glass and in the 30-metre rooftop infinity pool. Hang out in daybeds, sunken lounges and booths by the water, stare out over the Brissie skyline, and enjoy an atmosphere that's designed to make you feel like you're on holidays without leaving town. Bound to make the most of Brisbane's year-round balmy weather — Lina hails from Icatha Hospitality's Ross Ledingham and Salt Meat Cheese Group's Stefano De Blasi. Blue, white and neutral tones help set the vacation mood, both indoors and out. The prevailing vibe: lounge all day, party through the night, with the venue open from brunch till evening from Wednesday–Sunday. Relaxing by the pool is hungry work, so the food menu spans restaurant fare, waterside options, bar snacks and sharing spreads. And, drinks-wise, signature cocktails sit alongside a gin and tonic menu, plus low- and no-alcohol concoctions. Or, there are beers by the schooner and bottle, a sizeable spirits range (especially agave), and coffees, teas and hot chocolates. Images: Markus Ravik.
