They like jumpsuits, one name and living in the same suburb. That's The Kates' quick description of themselves, and of their fame as The Kates, as they've been known ever since The Katering Show proved the funniest thing on the small screen in 2015. Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney didn't start their careers together, but they've become Australia's comedy queens by proving a razor-sharp, whip-smart duo — first while satirising cooking shows in a webseries that was picked up by the ABC for its second season; then by taking on morning television with fellow pitch-perfect two-season parody Get Krack!n; and now with Prime Video's Deadloch, which started streaming its Tasmania-set comedic murder-mystery on Friday, June 2. "There were so many Kates in the show," McCartney notes of their latest project, which The Kates originally gave the working title Funny Broadchurch. One such Kate: Wentworth and Rake's Kate Box, who plays one half of reluctant detective duo in Deadloch's titular small town opposite The Breaker Upperers' Madeleine Sami. "Kate Anderson was our special makeup effects artist. Katie Robertson, Katie Milwright — Katie Robertson is on the show, Kate Milwright was one of the cinematographers — and we had another Kate, Kate Fox, doing locations," McCartney continues. "It was basically if your name was Kate…" adds McLennan, "then you got a job," finishes McCartney. Sami "is in the process of getting her name changed to Kate," McCartney keeps joking. "She hasn't started the paperwork yet," pipes in McLennan. No matter how many other Kates had a hand in Deadloch, the series is instantly recognisable as the work of The Kates. Within seconds of a man being found dead on a beach in the first episode's opening moments, the corpse's penis is on fire. When Box's small-town sergeant Dulcie Collins informs the next of kin, he bellows that he loved him like a brother — but has to be reminded that, yes, the deceased was his actual brother. And when Sami's Eddie Redcliffe blows in like a whirlwind of swearing and Hawaiian shirts, she's the stereotypical arrogant outsider cop, but satirically so. Indeed, with their male victim and female investigators, The Kates gleefully riff on the cop-genre status quo, flip the script to focus on the characters usually robbed of a voice and, although it wasn't originally their aim, balance sidesplitting laughs with making an excellent crime procedural. Deadloch is also an inescapably Australian murder-mystery series in its Tasmanian gothic look, its excavation of the nation's treatment of its First Peoples and, as frequently dropping from Sami's mouth, its love of cursing. The latter gave rise to The Cunt Essay, The Kates explain, to justify why its use of language couldn't be more ordinary on an Aussie-set show. From responding to the standard treatment of women in dead-girl crime thrillers to getting that homegrown vernacular over the line — and scrapping their own filmed cameo in the series, too — we chatted with McLennan and McCartney about all things Deadloch. ON THE NUMBER OF DEAD-WOMAN CRIME SHOWS SOMEONE NEEDS TO WATCH BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO RESPOND McCartney: "Roughly 800, I reckon. I just don't know if there is a single crime show that — if it's not in the first two minutes of a murder show, then you will still eventually see a dead woman." McLennan: "And once you're aware of it as well, you'd watch them and, sure, they're showing you the body of a dead woman, but they would always show a gratuitous shot of her boob. You would always see a nipple. You've got these very serious detectives standing over a body, and you just don't need to see a blue nipple. You don't need to see it." McCartney: "There's always that one at the crime scene. But then you go to the morgue and they have another conversation with the forensic pathologist, and rather than putting a sheet up, they're always completely nude on the slab as well." McLennan: "So we just thought what would be really interesting is if you actually gave those victims a voice. To us, we wanted to know about the backstories of these people that would normally be portrayed as victims in these types of shows. Also, we're just terrible at writing men, so it was easier just to have a dead one instead of writing dialogue for him." ON DEADLOCH'S STARTING POINT AS "FUNNY BROADCHURCH" McCartney: "We thought of the idea in about 2015, when we had just had kids, and the kids were newborns. So we were at home at 3am, in that witching hour of not quite knowing if you exist — and sort of knowing, 'well, I think I do exist because I have a Twitter profile, but I think that's the only thing that tethers me to this realm now because it's so late and I have spent so much time by myself as a tit machine with the baby'. During that time, we both, for whatever reason — and I don't really know what this says about our mental health at the time — but we just gravitated towards crime shows. There was a lot at that point as well, there was a bit of an explosion of Scandi noir. You know, like.. I can't think of a single one. What's that one with jumpers? What's the jumpers? You know, jumpers?" McLennan: "The jumpers?" McCartney: "Jumpers. The Scandi jumpers one." McLennan: "Do you mean The Bridge?" McCartney: "No, The Killing." McLennan: "The Killing." McCartney: "And then The Bridge, and then there was…" In unison: "The Return." McCartney: "And then there was…" In unison: "The Fall." McCartney: "The Fall. Yeah, silk shirts. Gillian Anderson. Silk shirts." McLennan: "And you told me to watch Broadchurch, and I thought it was a comedy because Olivia Colman was in it and I knew her from comedy. So I'm like 'oh, it's a comedy'. So I strapped myself in to watch this funny comedy show. And I'm like 'yeah, this is not a comedy'. But we thought 'what if we did take a show that had that small town, lots of secrets, lots of characters, and you just nudge the comedy". You just nudge the needle up a little bit. We had the idea just after we made The Katering Show. We were pitching Get Krack!n overseas, and we would do the spiel about Get Krack!n and then people would sometimes say 'do you have any other ideas?'. We'd just throw in the Deadloch idea as this last-minute 'we've also got this other show with the working title Funny Broadchurch'. And people just really grabbed onto it. McCartney: "Like, they got it." McLennan: "So we knew that it had legs. We made Get Krack!n and then we thought we'd pitch this other show, and luckily Amazon Prime were ready to jump on board with this." ON MAKING A COMEDIC MURDER-MYSTERY THAT ALSO WORKS AS A MURDER-MYSTERY McCartney: "It wasn't actually [the initial plan]. When we first conceived of it, this was at The Katering Show, that's where we were at in terms of what we were working on. And we did originally conceive of it as being a 30-minute show. And then, we just grew in confidence and ambition as we got into Get Krack!n — and then by the final season of Get Krack!n, we started to really experiment with using that interplay of something dark, then something funny. I think that informed us and bolstered us — that may not be a word — in our confidence and our ability to to be able to pull off something like this. And also having that experience. We'd done a few series. And the things we're trying to emulate, they are a lot longer because of the moodiness and the cinematic quality of it — and you just need more time. And because we're not in it — personally, I'm a terrible actor, so there's only so much I can do — but if you get someone like Kate Box or Madeleine Sami or Alicia Gardner, or anyone like that in your show, you can ask them to do a lot more with the characters. You can actually have proper characters." McLennan: "We wanted the space to tell the story and to do it justice, and to do in a way that felt like it was a rich, rewarding experience for the audience. I think around the time that we going through this creative process with it, Killing Eve had just come out — and I don't know if it did necessarily break the mould, but it made it pretty clear to us that you could tell a story that was longer than half an hour and there was an appetite for that from the streaming services as well." McCartney: "It was the appetite, really. Because we'd already thought about it, we'd already gone 'oh, I think I think this is how it needs to be, this is the kind of show we're looking at, I think we want it to be a proper show'. But the fact that people were watching it and responding to it, there was a precedent that we could go 'people will hang in there'." McLennan: "It certainly made us — when we knew that we had the hour up our sleeve, it's like 'well, we'd better made this crime story really good'." McCartney: "It's a lot. It has to be interesting. Because people aren't going to watch something for an hour if they don't care about the characters, if there aren't actual stakes. You can't just do cop jokes. You can't sit above it and laugh, going 'aren't we clever'." McLennan: "You've got to be invested in it. And play the stakes of the crime." ON DECIDING NOT TO APPEAR ON-SCREEN McCartney: "With Get Krack!n, by the end it was a challenge to have the kind of control over what we were doing that that we like to have, and to make sure that our voice is all-encompassing, and also be on screen. It's a very different brain, and you necessarily have to kind of let things go by the wayside if you're in that role — if you're trying to do those two roles together." McLennan: "I remember being on the couch when we were filming Get Krack!n, and I had my phone and I was answering emails, and then we'd have to go for a take and I'd shove the phone under…" McCartney: "Always shoving it under our legs." McLennan: "And it just felt like the acting was getting in the way of the other job." McCartney: "And we wanted to do the other other job more, because we were pretty done with being on camera as it was." McLennan: "I think audiences were pretty…" McCartney: "They were probably pretty done with us as well." McLennan: "But we did cast ourselves in a cameo in the show. And we filmed that cameo." McCartney: "Probably about half a day, I'd say. So not only did we spend half a day on it, like the production spent half a day filming our cameo, but we also took time out of our personal, very busy showrunner schedule, to do it. So it was like a loss in two ways." McLennan: "Because we were watching rushes, and assembly edits were happening as we're going, we got to see that scene pretty quickly in the edit — and we were so bad that we cut ourselves and recast." McCartney: "So it does exist, but it's in the vault. It's in the Amazon vault. It's in one of those seed things that are in Antartica." ON CASTING KATE BOX AND MADELEINE SAMI McCartney: "Mads was actually a writer on the show. We knew her from quite a way back. We knew she's an extremely funny physical comedian and we've been fans of hers for ages, and obviously we've been massive fans of Kate Box as well." McLennan: "The whole casting process was done over Zoom. I mean, interestingly, we were working with Mads writing scripts with her when the audition process was happening, but we pretended that we didn't know that we were getting her into this." McCartney: "We were secretly in love with her and really hoped that she would play this part." McLennan: "We wanted to keep things very separate, because obviously if we didn't cast her, then that would maybe be a little bit awkward. So we're like 'let's just keep this as two separate streams'. She's like 'guys, did you know I've got an audition?', 'And we're like 'great!'. And the more we worked with Mads, the more that we could see that she was a pretty good fit." McCartney: "In fairness, she was a perfect fit. Setting down a self tape at the best of times is the pits, and really one of the key reasons why I stopped being a performer — but, but, doing it via Zoom, auditioning over zoom…" McLennan: "So Mads and Boxy had both done their separate reads of their characters, and then we got them to do a chemistry test — which again, you can imagine how we that is over Zoom." McCartney: " Zoom chemistry, just you can feel it pinging off the screen, can't you?" McLennan: "But you kind of could with those two." McCartney: "You could, yeah." McLennan: "I remember that day of getting them to do the callback, and to do these scenes together. It was like this immediate calm came over us, like 'this is going to be okay'." McCartney: "Yeah, this is going to be really good." McLennan: "Yeah, they're really good." McCartney: "Boxy is so fucking smart — not the Mads isn't — but Boxy is so smart, and so good at her job. On the page, you don't necessarily see that Dulcie is as funny as she is. And she just got it. So it was the moment she started saying those words, we were like 'not only is this what we hoped the character would be, but it's so much more'. She can do anything, so it seems a bit cheeky to be like 'hey, in this comedy, can you be the straight woman?'. But we needed someone that good at comedy and drama to play that part because everyone else can be a bit silly, but we needed someone to have the stakes all the time, because the audience needs that person." ON KEEPING DEADLOCH'S DIALOGUE UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN McLennan: "To be honest, we wrote all of the scripts and we did not receive a note on the language in the scripts. And then, just as we're going through the process of getting the show happening — you go through this process where people look over everything, just to make sure that everything's okay — there was just a question on the the volume of swearing. And there is a lot. It opened up a conversation, so we responded to that with what's now known as The Cunt Essay. Our setup director Ben Chessell wrote a thesis essentially on Australians' relationship to the word cunt and other swearing." McCartney: "The local usage of it, and how that differs from overseas usage of it. And how, within this context, it's actually not really even a swear word — in fact, it can be a very nice term. And it's used in advertising campaigns! So we just talked about it in its context in the Australian vernacular, and its cultural context. And also, I think he talked about how it speaks to Australianness as well, that we've taken this word — there's no hierarchy, there aren't bad words, we're not as puritanical because we don't have that secretly underpinning our constitution and our heads of government. He also then tied it into something else, he was talking about reclaiming it — which was a bit more of a stretch, I would say, if we're honest about it, and I think he knew it was a bit of a stretch. But it was very wordy. It was about seven or eight pages." ON MAKING MORE SEASONS OF DEADLOCH McCartney: "You always think about things being more than one series, but we'd always thought of it as being an anthology series. So, retaining some of the characters and moving them to a different location, probably — it was always going to be set around Australia. So, that's the hope. That's the plan. That's the secret mutterings between us." Deadloch streams via Prime Video. Read our full review of season one.
Since the craft beer boom of the 2010s, there's been no shortage of brews to test out in watering holes across the country. Whether you like your tinnie with a pineapple tasting note or prefer a smooth lager brewed just down the road, local craft beer remains a hugely popular subset of the hospitality industry. As a result, suburbs outside the inner-city enclaves of Fitzroy and Brunswick are building their own breweries and craft-beer-loving communities. Smiley Brewing Co. is the first microbrewery and taproom in the Melbourne suburb of Pakenham. It was founded in 2023 by partners Trent and Kylie Butcher and is located in a modern warehouse on one of Pakenham's industrial estates. The ingredients in their brews are sourced locally whenever possible, and they serve a core range of up to seven award-winning beers alongside cocktails, wine, and a rotation of delicious food trucks. Given that Trent and Kylie are in the thick of Melbourne's brewery operations, we spoke with Trent to learn more about the flavours and habits that are shaping the craft beer landscape in 2026. Crisp Lagers Are Back Over the past decade, we've seen a myriad of wild and wacky craft beers flood the market. According to Trent, however, people are now gravitating towards the classics: the humble lager. "We have an Australian lager, which is always extremely popular and usually our biggest mover." This popularity was reflected in Smiley Breweries' seasonal sip over the summer: the Mexican Cerveza, AKA Mexican lager. "Australia tends to follow the patterns of what happens in the US," says Trent. "Crisper lager-style beers are tending to be more popular." These beers prioritise refreshment over intensity, proving that perhaps people are trying to get back to the simple things in life. Hazy Still Isn't Going Anywhere Known for its juicy, tropical flavour profile and velvety mouthfeel, Hazy beers (like Indian Pale Ales) are still high up on breweries' lists. "Hazy beers tend to do well, and they have for a couple of years. We have a hazy pale ale, which is a big seller. It alternates between that and the draught beer as to what's the biggest mover for the month," Trent divulges. Sober Curiosity Is On The Rise One of the biggest shifts in the craft beer space isn't about flavours but how people are drinking. "Mid-strength, lower ABV [alcohol by volume] options are popular," shares Trent. "Not everybody's out to drink to get drunk as such." Instead, drinkers are opting for moderation, without sacrificing taste. And a good craft beer, Trent says, is something that you want to go back for more of. "It's something that you can sit and drink and comfortably have a few beers and not feel like you've had too much or that the beer itself is too heavy or too complex." What's Next? As the weather cools down (and we move away from Mexican Lagers), what's on the menu for Smiley Brewing Co and other local breweries? "Moving into autumn, we're just about to brew an amber ale, which is a popular autumn beer," says Trent. "And then as we move into the cooler months, we'll go for more of the darker beers like stouts." Smiley Brewing Co. has become a pub and community gathering spot, giving locals access to great Australian craft beers. Across the board, there's clearly a desire to focus on beer that people know and love, not just the novelty chocolate and lime craft brews of yesteryear. If the last decade of craft beer was about pushing the limits, in 2026, brewers are pulling back just a fraction to meet drinkers where they are.
Trading Hamilton for Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery has recently revealed its brand-new flagship clinic in the heart of the James Street precinct. Yet it's more than just a new look. Guided by interior design firm Studio Collective, this considered space aims to redefine healthcare interiors through the lens of boutique hospitality design. In practice, that means saying goodbye to cold, austere waiting rooms and harsh lighting that makes you feel under the spotlight. Instead, Studio Collective have replaced the clinical cues with a softer design language, where warmth, tactile materiality and human-centred design help foster an experience that aspires to be the antithesis of traditional healthcare design. "We were very clear that we didn't want the space to feel clinical," says Studio Collective Director Casey Talbot. "Our aim was to create an environment where people feel at ease the moment they arrive, more like stepping into a private home or hotel than a medical facility." And it's not just patients who see the benefits. With the clinic's support staff making the move across town, the back-of-house areas match the quality guests experience. According to Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Business Manager Lauren Dinneen, the calm and welcoming space "has a real impact on how our team feels at work and how patients experience their visit." To shape the experience, each material was carefully selected for its sensory effect. Here, softly rendered walls, silver travertine, and warm timber tones establish a restful base, while soothing lighting and layered textures evoke an ambience that reassures rather than intimidates. Meanwhile, mid-century furniture and finishes further enhance the space's character. However, these design-led details remain thoughtfully proportional to stringent healthcare and commercial standards. Bringing over a decade of experience designing for aged care and retirement living, Talbot says striking the balance between beauty and performance was essential. "People expect spaces that support emotional wellbeing as much as clinical outcomes. This project sits right at that intersection, and it's a direction we're excited to continue exploring." Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery is now open at 151 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley. Head to the website for more information or check out Studio Collective for more design-led spaces. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Have you ever struck gold in an op-shop? It's a high, isn't it? The thrill — akin to finding money on the ground or winning a game — comes from small victories like picking up a piece that emulates a current trend (say, anything aquamarine right now) or a trinket to fill that empty space on your shelf. Dedicated thrifters take on bigger conquests, such as finding a brand new wedding dress at a regional Salvos. Op shopping has long been a practical (and sometimes, necessary) cost-cutting measure. A recent study from Salvos and Glow Research has pulled back the curtain on the incredible highs and lows of the op shopping experience — naturally, 60% of Australians value the savings, but the data reveals that more shoppers are rummaging the racks for fun today. Almost three-quarters of respondents agree that the experience feels like a treasure hunt, and that finding the right item brings a sense of personal accomplishment. You never know what lies in your local second-hander, but you're likely to luck out. A crystal chandelier, a rare Dobro guitar — these are among the items of "exceptional value" that 68% of Aussies have purchased at op-shops. This unending potential for discovery explains why two in three Australians find op shopping more exciting than browsing boutiques or department stores. Hard-to-find items have a maverick appeal, but the unique potential and individuality of these items also raise the stakes for shoppers. Something mass-produced can be bought anytime, but who knows when you'll see those vintage leather boots again? Salvos reports shoppers are twice as likely to regret leaving something behind at the op shop than at a regular retail store. It's the opposite of buyer's remorse; 48% of shoppers have returned to the op shop for a previously abandoned item. If they're lucky, it hasn't been snapped up by another discerning eye. Interestingly, op shops backed by charities even offset the guilt of impulse spending for almost 70% of respondents. As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent topic, you're less likely to feel guilty when you're avoiding fast fashion. Still, moderation is always wise. This data was supplied by Salvos and was based on a study of a national representative sample of 1000 Australians. Images: supplied Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
If we're being real, the cost of things right now has probably put a bit of a snag in your travel aspirations for 2026. But you know what's bound to help? A $10,000 flight fund designed to get you exploring the globe over the next 12 months. Behind the initiative is YouTrip — a fintech firm specialising in a multi-currency mobile wallet — where the crew has just launched a nationwide call for its latest campaign. That'd be the chance to become one of ten unofficial YouTrip travel interns. If you get picked for the 'job', there's not a whole lot to stress about. Just use a new YouTrip card to book up to $10,000 in international flights, get reimbursed for the full cost and share at least three travel stories or posts from your adventures. Ready to apply? The campaign runs from Wednesday, March 18–Monday, April 20, and is open to Aussies of any age. The first five winners are selected through a random prize draw, open to anyone who signs up for a YouTrip account. Meanwhile, the remaining five winners will be chosen through a social media giveaway, where participants enter by signing up for YouTrip and commenting on the campaign post about their unique travel talent. "Australians love travelling, but they're also incredibly savvy about how they do it: finding smarter routes, hunting down better deals and ways to stretch their travel budgets further," says YouTrip COO Kelvin Lam. "The Travel Intern search is about celebrating that travel talent." YouTrip's Travel Intern Giveaway runs from Wednesday, March 18–Monday, April 20. Head to the website for more information and competition details. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Tuesday, February 17, marks the 2026 Lunar New Year: a time for family feasts, good fortune, well-wishing, and a fresh start. For Lotus Dining Group executive chef Steve Wu, it's his favourite time of year. "To me, it is a celebration dedicated entirely to family and connection. A holiday where relatives who haven't seen each other in a long while gather to share meals filled with blessings." Steve grew up in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan, a place renowned worldwide for its incredible food culture and warm hospitality. While Steve has been based in Sydney since 2012 and is now the chef behind local restaurants Pearl Dining, Lotus and the Dumpling Bar in Circular Quay and Summer Hill, his culinary roots reach back to his childhood. "My mother was a traditional housewife who mastered the craft passed down from my grandmother. Every festival, she would hand-make everything — from Nian Gao (rice cakes) to Zongzi — using the most traditional methods," Steve tells Concrete Playground. "Watching my mother cook and helping her transform raw ingredients into a festive feast was the most captivating thing to me. That process is truly what inspired me to become a professional chef." Lunar New Year in Australia may look different from the festivities of his childhood, but Steve is still using food to reconnect with his culture. "Nowadays, you see major events and activities all over Sydney, and even Western restaurants have started incorporating Lunar New Year elements into their menus. It's become a shared experience for all Australians," says Steve. "For Chinese restaurants, this is the busiest period of the year, so we celebrate in the thick of the action. However, on my rare days off, I love heading to Yummy Seafood in Beverly Hills for a proper Chinese feast." To celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year, Steve has created a recipe for Pan-Fried John Dory Fillet made with S&B Golden Curry. The pre-mix sauce lets you easily recreate restaurant-quality flavour at home this Lunar New Year, and the sauce's golden hue fits the festive theme. "In Chinese culture, we have a saying: "Nian Nian You Yu" (年年有餘), which means "May there be a surplus every year." Because the word for fish (Yu) sounds exactly like the word for surplus, a fish dish is an absolute must-have on the table to bring good fortune." If you want to try the dish yourself this Lunar New Year, follow Steve's recipe below. PAN-FRIED JOHN DORY FILLET Ingredients: 200g of John Dory fillet (if you can't find John Dory fillet, any type of fish works well) Plain Flour (as needed) Pinch of S&B Seasoned Salt and Pepper 2 cubes of S&B Golden Curry Mild 92g 200 ml of chicken stock 1/4 piece of onion, diced 50g of diced carrot Olive or vegetable oil (as needed) Steamed rice (as needed, for serving) Pickled red ginger Method: To Prepare the Fish Use paper towels to pat the fillet dry. Season both sides of the fillets with a pinch of S&B Seasoned Salt and Pepper. Place plain flour on a plate. Dredge the fish fillets to coat them evenly with a thin layer, then shake off any excess. Make the Golden Curry Heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and carrot for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent. Pour in the 200 ml of stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, then cook for 10 minutes with the lid. Add the 2 S&B Golden Curry cubes. Stir until the cubes are completely dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Turn the heat back to low, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. Keep warm. Pan-Fry the Fish Fillets Heat a clean frying pan, then add the oil over medium heat. Carefully place the coated fish fillet into the hot oil. Pan-fry each side for about 3–4 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown. Remove the fillets and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. Plating and Serving Ladle the hot Golden Curry Sauce in the middle of the plate. Place the pan-fried John Dory fillet on top of the curry sauce, served with pickled ginger. Serve with rice. Steve's top tip? "Chop up the Golden Curry cubes before you put them in the pan to prevent them from burning. And if there's any curry left on the plate, get some bread and scoop it up — you won't regret it" Feeling inspired by Steve's recipe? For the tenth year in a row, Asian Inspirations is hosting the Lunar New Year Cook Snap Win competition. There are $20,000 in prizes to be won, including the grand prize: the ultimate foodie travel adventure for two. Head to the Asian Inspiration website to learn how you could win big. Discover more recipes. Image credit: Josh Mullins
As a tourist, it's easy to get swept away by Sydney's inner-city galleries, restaurants, and bars. But just 25 kilometres south of the capital lies the Sutherland Shire — a destination known for its lush nature — including stretches of beaches (and Sydney's only beach directly accessible by train, Cronulla), as well as the Royal National Park. To learn more about the Sutherland Shire, we spoke with local restaurateur and owner of Hazel Kitchen and Bar, James Lancaster. Located within the Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea (a historic cottage that transformed into an arts haven), Hazel Kitchen and Bar is a cafe-restaurant and events space showcasing the best in local produce and Sutherland Shire dining. We asked James for the best-kept secrets in the local area for you to save next time you find yourself south of the city. CP: What do you love the most about the Sutherland Shire? James: Natural beauty, beaches, forests, waterfalls, and an abundance of incredibly talented people in our community: artists, chefs, musicians, and actors. The Shire really has something for everyone to enjoy. [caption id="attachment_1078693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Harrison[/caption] CP: Why should someone make a trip to the area? James: The coast has some incredible beaches, whether you enjoy calm water swimming at Gunnamatta Bay, Boat Harbour aquatic reserve, Wattamolla Beach, or Jibbon Beach. There are so many waterfalls, wonderful swimming holes, and bushwalks for all fitness levels, making it [somewhere] everyone should explore. There's a great food scene, from casual cafes to wonderful restaurants. The nightlife is vibrant with cool bars, a funky live music scene, and an incredible depth of talent across music, theatre, and visual arts. CP: If you only had one day in the Sutherland Shire, where would you go? James: I'd start with a swim at North Cronulla, followed by breakfast up the road at Rushi. Then I'd head up to Hazelhurst Gallery to check out an exhibition, before a delicious lunch at Hazel Kitchen and Bar. Next, I'd head to the Royal National Park for an afternoon walk and a freshwater swim at Olympic Pool, just past Karloo Pools. I'd pop into Audley Dance Hall Cafe on the way to grab a great coffee and takeaway for afternoon snacks. After sunset (and listening to birds in the forest), I'd head out to Brass Monkey to listen to some live music and have a few cocktails. CP: What do you think is the Shire's best-kept secret? James: The Royal National Park. Though large and commonly known, there are many secret waterholes, trails and endless adventure. For food, my favorite secret spot is tucked down the side of the Coptic Church in Kirrawee and is almost impossible to find. In Paradise is a gem for real Napoletana style wood-fired pizza. Super thin, great ingredients, charred crust, and, if you like chilli, ask Alfonso for his harrissa sauce… it's delicious. CP: Hazel Kitchen and Bar sits within the Hazelhurst Arts Centre. What's it like having a cafe and restaurant in a location with such rich Australian art history? James: The art and artists have really taught us to be more free and flexible in what we do. The inspiration from watching the art change around us all the time is liberating. The community that participates in the Arts Centre, the studios, the exhibitions, and the wonderful gardens brings us joy. We are very blessed to a view of art on one side, a beautiful garden on the other and a kitchen making delicious food in the centre — perfect combinations really. CP: Talk to us about Hazel Kitchen and Bar: what's your top menu recommendation? James: For breaky, I love the breakfast roll with its streaky bacon. For lunch, I often eat the green goddess salad, or if I'm in more of a dining mood, I'll have a grass-fed Scotch fillet and spice-roasted cauliflower with one of our sommeliers' wines from around the world. That lunch can morph into dinner and a few cheeky cocktails. CP: What's Hazel's philosophy? James: Being a public space, we really wanted a comfortable restaurant, a place you can relax and ponder the art you've just experienced over a coffee, scones and jam, or with a martini if you've really been thought-provoked and need to deep dive. We've curated a space for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and those moments in between. The peaceful gardens and the running creek provide the perfect backdrop to the ever-changing art inside the gallery and on your palette. CP: What does the Sutherland Shire do differently from Sydney City? James: So much diversity is accessible in a relatively small area. All your senses can be ignited in a few hours, and there's always more to explore and experience. It's adventures for all your senses. Images: Supplied.
It feels like I woke up one day — sometime in the last six months — with a mysterious pull towards the occult. Witchcraft, tarot, crystals: things that once felt "woo woo" and faintly contrived suddenly began to feel ritualistic. The lines between meditation and manifestation blurred into something I'd more readily describe as secular spirituality. My friends and I sincerely gift each other carefully chosen crystals imbued with particular properties. Everyone seems to have an oracle deck of choice. I know of more than one bride who has quietly tasked an Etsy witch with guaranteeing sunshine on her wedding day. Like most trends I seem to absorb by digital osmosis, it probably began with TikTok (or, more specifically, "WitchTok"). Yes, there are the cursed tarot readings that appear on your FYP when you're at your most emotionally fragile, but it runs deeper than that — it's women speaking about matriarchy; women talking about intuition, cycles, and reclaiming control; women gathering online in ways that could, theoretically, be described as covens. In 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade; in Australia in 2023–24, an average of one woman every eight days was killed by an intimate partner; and by 2026, the word "manosphere" has entered global common parlance. Surveying what it feels like to be a woman right now, I do have to wonder if a modern witchcraft revival is less about Ouija Boards and gothic aesthetics, and much more about female autonomy, intuition, and collective power. "Witchcraft" as a covert disguise for fourth-wave feminism. [caption id="attachment_1079397" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fiona Horne[/caption] Witchcraft has always resurfaced at moments of rupture. It crests when institutions feel brittle and women sense that something is shifting beneath them. In the 1970s, it threaded through second-wave feminism. In the 1990s, it returned via underground punk grrrl movement, The Craft and a generation of teenage girls learning to name their anger. In 2026, it is back again — algorithmic, aesthetic and quietly radical. And few people understand that arc better than Fiona Horne. Long before Etsy witches and TikTok tarot, Horne publicly identified as a practising witch in the late 1990s, publishing Witch – A Personal Journey at a time when the word still carried real stigma. She had already been in the public eye as the frontwoman of Def FX, but stepping "out of the broom closet," as she has described it, positioned her as a lightning rod for modern witchcraft. "I never get asked if I worship Satan anymore," she tells me, reflecting on the cultural shift. "I never get asked if I'm a white witch or a black witch or a good witch or a bad witch. There's just more understanding now. People know that a witch is someone who honours nature as sacred, who recognises a Goddess as well as a God, who does spells and rituals to help and heal themselves and others." Nearly three decades later, Horne is releasing her 17th book, Coven – Where Witches Gather, alongside a companion oracle deck, and embarking on a national tour designed to bring witches — and the witch-curious — together in person. "The alchemy that occurs when we come together is really potent," she says. "There's something that happens in a circle that doesn't happen alone. We celebrate seasonal rites together. We create intentional circles. We support each other. It's about ethical gathering. It's about boundaries. It's about leadership. It's about healing. It's about remembering that we're not meant to do this alone." If fourth-wave feminism is about collective voice, witchcraft offers up collective ritual — but these days, it doesn't always look like a candlelit circle. Michelle Cook is a psychic, medium and practising witch who also hosts the podcast How to Witch, Bitch!, described as "an overview of witchcraft for the new and experienced alike."In a fitting crossover, Fiona appeared on the show while travelling in Egypt, and the two Australian witches' conversation drifted less toward spectacle and more toward what modern practice actually looks like. "[It used to be] the kid on her own in the corner of the classroom getting down into the bush and doing some spells. And now all of a sudden — it's so massive," says Horne. View this post on Instagram A post shared by How To Witch, Bitch! (@howtowitchbitch) In 2026, the next generation of teenage witches is discovering the craft not through dusty metaphysical bookstores or even '90s cult-classic movies, but through TikTok and Spotify. The music streaming platform has reported dramatic surges in manifestation-themed playlists and spell-inflected audio — some up nearly 300 percent in recent years — suggesting that ritual language hasn't disappeared. It has simply migrated. "If words are spells [that's why it's called spelling], then songs could be your ritual. Your playlist could be your altar," says Cook. "The energy you listen to is the energy you're inviting in." The coven, in other words, might now look like a shared Spotify link. The altar is portable, the circle digital, the incantation algorithmically delivered. But the resurgence runs deeper than algorithms, Cook insists. "Women are looking for something that they feel they have control over. They're looking for something that's theirs. Something that says, 'I can influence my world. I can choose what I bring in.'" That search for agency sits squarely within the concerns of fourth-wave feminism. When bodily autonomy is contested and social contracts feel unstable, reclaiming power at a symbolic level becomes both personal and political. Lighting a candle will not rewrite legislation; gathering in a circle will not dismantle patriarchy, but it does create a space where women's voices are centred rather than mediated. Horne articulates witchcraft less as spectacle and more as ethics. "The core laws are simple," she explains. "Do what you will, but do not harm. Do not interfere with another's free will. And understand that what you send out returns. There's accountability in that. There's responsibility." #witchtok That distinction matters in a marketplace increasingly eager to monetise magic. In February 2026, VICE reported that Etsy had begun removing sellers offering spellcasting services, despite the platform's longstanding prohibition on selling supernatural outcomes. Sellers described the move as abrupt, even likening it to a "modern witch hunt." The policy itself was blunt: you can sell a candle, but not the promise that it will fix someone's life. "[It was] preying on fear," Cook says plainly of some online spell-selling spaces. "That's not what this is meant to be. It's not about dependency. It's not about giving your power away to someone else and saying, 'Fix it for me.' It's about coming back to yourself." And the archetype itself has shifted. "When we think of a witch, we think of a woman who is in power, who's in control of her life," says Horne. "If we were describing a man, it would be great. But when we're describing a woman, suddenly it's a bad thing. So reclaiming that word matters. It matters that we say, 'Yes, I'm powerful. Yes, I trust myself.'" Strip away the iconography of pentagrams, cauldrons, and altars, and this message feels like the quiet core of the revival: not supernatural intervention so much as authority redirected inward. In that sense, witchcraft begins to look less like rebellion and more like recalibration — akin to meditation, mindfulness, or even some forms of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Maybe it's more about hope, or control, or a combination of both. Is modern witchcraft just accessible, secular spirituality dressed up in a velvet cape? If history is any guide, this wave will crest and quieten again. The aesthetic may change, the algorithms will pivot, but the underlying impulse remains evergreen and essential — women gathering, naming their experience and refusing to relinquish authority over it. FYI I wrote this piece while listening to my own Spotify spell playlist. When in Rome. Images: Larnce Gold
In 2017, when Warwick Thornton's Sweet Country first reached cinema screens, the blistering Indigenous Australian western won awards in Venice, Toronto, Luxembourg and our own backyard. It's a sublimely shot and performed work of art that powerfully interrogates Australia's past and draws parallels with the country's present, so that's not surprising — and it joined a long list of acclaimed work by Indigenous Australian filmmakers. Thornton himself is no stranger to the spotlight, with his debut Samson & Delilah winning the Camera d'Or at Cannes in 2009. Sixteen years earlier, Australian artist Tracey Moffatt premiered BeDevil at the prestigious international festival, too, with her feature marking the first ever directed by an Australian Aboriginal woman. From Ivan Sen's Mystery Road and Goldstone to Rachel Perkins' Bran Nue Dae and Jasper Jones, the list of exceptional films by Indigenous Aussie directors goes on. Showcasing the breadth and depth of the nation's filmmaking talent — and, crucially, showcasing Indigenous Australian stories — they demonstrate Aussie cinema at its best. And if you're wondering where to start, here are 25 movies that you can stream right now. Mystery Road, Goldstone, Toomelah and Limbo When Ivan Sen and Aaron Pedersen (High Ground) teamed up for 2013 film Mystery Road, they gave Australia the ongoing gift of outback noir. Sen's writing and directing was so finessed, Pedersen's performance as Indigenous Australian police officer Jay Swan so riveting and the movie's entire concept so engaging that it's no wonder everyone wanted more. So, another followed. Across fellow big-screen effort Goldstone, Swan went to a different remote corner of the country, tried to solve a different case and became immersed in a different set of small-town politics. In both films, the franchise lays bare the state of Australia today, especially when it comes to the nation's treatment of its First Nations peoples. And if you're instantly hooked, it has also spawned its own two-season TV series also starring Pedersen — plus an exceptional prequel series as well. Also worth seeking out: Sen's 2011 drama Toomelah, as set in the titular New South Wales town, with ten-year-old Daniel (Daniel Connors, who is also in Mystery Road) at its centre. And, in 2023, Sen brought Limbo to cinemas, this time starring Simon Baker (Boy Swallows Universe) in a black-and-white Coober Pedy-shot tale about another police officer riding into a small Aussie town, and looking into a case that few people have been all that fussed about until now because the victim isn't white. Mystery Road streams via ABC iView, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Read our full review. Goldstone streams via ABC iView, Netflix, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Ivan Sen and Aaron Pedersen. Toomelah streams via Netflix. Limbo streams via ABC iView, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Ivan Sen and Simon Baker. Samson & Delilah, Sweet Country and The New Boy Before Warwick Thornton turned his camera on himself in the personal and reflective TV documentary The Beach — which is the best piece of Australian television that hit screens in 2020 — he directed two of the great Aussie films of the 21st century. And, since then, he's also added another, The first: a love story, a tale of fighting to survive and an unflinching look at teenage life in Australia's red centre, aka 2009's equally heartwrenching and stunning Samson & Delilah. Indeed, it's little wonder the multi-award-winning movie firmly put Thornton on the international map. With Sweet Country, he then returned to the Northern Territory with a film that makes a firm statement, as becomes clear when an Indigenous stockman (Hamilton Morris) kills a white station owner in self-defence. He's forced to flee with his wife Lizzie (Natassia Gorey-Furber), but a local posse is soon on their trail. As Sweet Country decisively confronts this all-too-real situation, it also confronts the country's history of racial prejudice. In 2023's The New Boy, Thornton headed to a remote monastery with a mission for Indigenous children, where Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett, Tár) is in charge. Her faith is tested when the titular child (newcomer Aswan Reid), a nine-year-old orphan, arrives and has his own experience with religion, which clashes with the mission's take on Christianity. Samson and Delilah streams via SBS On Demand, Stan, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Sweet Country streams via ABC iView, Netflix, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The New Boy streams via SBS On Demand, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Warwick Thornton. BeDevil One of Australia's most astonishing films — and yet one of the country's lesser-celebrated gems — Tracey Moffatt's BeDevil took the Queensland visual artist, photographer and filmmaker to Cannes and back. That external validation is all well and good; however it's really just the cherry on top of a potent triptych of haunting tales that demands attention on its own merits. In not only her first and only feature, but the first feature by an Australian Aboriginal woman, Moffatt takes inspiration from ghost stories told to her as a child by both her Aboriginal and Irish relatives. A thoroughly distinctive and immersive horror movie is the end result, and one that smartly and engagingly explores Australian race relations in a disarmingly unique way. Surreal, eerie and simmering with intensity, it'll also show you the Aussie landscape in a whole new light. BeDevil streams via SBS On Demand and Vimeo. Sweet As In Sweet As, the red earth of Western Australia's Pilbara region couldn't be more pivotal. For this coming-of-age drama, Jub Clerc (The Heights) deploys the patch of Aussie soil as a place where teenagers find themselves. The first-time feature director and writer draws upon her own adolescent experiences for her full-length debut, while also crafting the first WA flick that's helmed and penned by an Indigenous female filmmaker. Murra (Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Firebite) is one of Sweet As' adolescents learning to be shutterbugs; with her mother (Ngaire Pigram, also a Firebite alum) grappling with addiction, the 16-year-old's police-officer uncle Ian (Mark Coles Smith, Mystery Road: Origin) enrols her on a trip that she doesn't initially want to take — with youth workers Mitch (Tasma Walton, Scrublands) and Fernando (Carlos Sanson Jr, Bump) as guides and chaperones, plus Kylie (newcomer Mikayla Levy), Elvis (Pedrea Jackson, Robbie Hood) and Sean (fellow first-timer Andrew Wallace) as her new friends. Sweet As is available to stream via SBS On Demand, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson A searing and impassioned take on a well-known Australian tale — a First Nations, feminist and anti-colonial version, too — The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson is the film that Leah Purcell (High Country) had to make. See: her lengthy history with Henry Lawson's short story of almost the same name. In 2016, she adapted The Drover's Wife for the stage. In 2019, she moved it back to the page. Now, she's brought it to the screen — and the end result is a must-see. Only minutes in, in what marks the actor-turned-director's feature filmmaking debut, it's easy to see why Purcell keeps being drawn to retell this 19th century-set story. In her hands, it's a story of anger, power, prejudice and revenge, and also a portrait of a history that's treated both women and Indigenous Australians abhorrently. And, ever the powerhouse, she writes, helms and stars. The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson streams via SBS On Demand, Stan, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Moogai First, The Moogai was a SXSW Midnight Shorts Grand Jury Award-winning short. Then, writer/director Jon Bell and his stars Shari Sebbens (The Office) and Meyne Wyatt (Strife) returned to turn this tale of Australia's past haunting its present on- and off-screen into a feature. This is an Aussie horror film born out of the Stolen Generations where the monsters of colonisation, White Australia policies and attitudes since remain inescapable, and where Indigenous children today are also snatched away by a literal monster — and it's a brilliant idea, as well as one that instantly feels as if it needed to have been made decades back. The Moogai begins on the Red River Aborigines Mission in 1969, where two sisters (debutants Aisha Alma May and Precious Ann) attempt to avoid being separated from their family by white men, only for one to be spirited away instead by the picture's namesake. When it jumps to half a century later, the film spends its time with Indigenous couple Sarah (Sebbens) and Fergus (Wyatt) as they prepare for the arrival of their second child, but find themselves dealing with malevolent forces. The Moogai via Netflix and YouTube Movies. Read our interview with Shari Sebbens, Meyne Wyatt and Jon Bell. Bran Nue Dae, Jasper Jones and Radiance When Rachel Perkins brought hit Aussie musical Bran Nue Dae to the big screen in 2010, she turned an already beloved stage musical into one of the country's cinema box office successes. The lively love story takes a road trip through 60s-era Australia, and brings plenty of famous faces along for the ride, with Jessica Mauboy (The Secret Daughter), Ernie Dingo (Squinters) and Deborah Mailman (Total Control) among the cast. Then, in 2017, she adapted another Aussie classic. This time, she set her sights on Craig Silvey's novel Jasper Jones, which examines race relations in a rural Australian town — particularly the treatment of the teenage titular character (Aaron L McGrath, Gold Diggers), who is considered an outcast due to his ethnicity. The book was already intelligent, thoughtful and engaging, and the film proves the same. Similarly worth watching is Perkins' moving 1998 filmmaking debut, Radiance, about three sisters (Wentworth's Rachael Maza, Deborah Mailman again and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart's Trisha Morton-Thomas) working through their baggage after their mother's death. Bran Nue Dae streams via SBS On Demand, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Jasper Jones streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Radiance streams via ACMI Cinema 3. The Sapphires, Top End Wedding and Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra An actor and a filmmaker, Wayne Blair boasts an eclectic resume. You've seen him on-screen in Wish You Were Here, The Turning, Emu Runner, Seriously Red and The New Boy, and he both directed and featured in episodes of Redfern Now and the second season of the Mystery Road TV series. Behind the lens, he's also helmed episodes of Lockie Leonard, and directed the 2017 US TV remake of Dirty Dancing. But, Blair is probably best known for The Sapphires and Top End Wedding. They're both big films — and Blair has a definite feel for feel-good material. One follows a group of four Indigenous Australian female singers (Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Preppers' Shari Sebbens and The Artful Dodger's Miranda Tapsell) sent to Vietnam to entertain the troops. As for the other, it tracks an Indigenous Australian woman's (Tapsell again) whirlwind quest to stage her perfect nuptials in her hometown of Darwin. Also on Blair's resume: documentary Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, about Australia's acclaimed Indigenous dance theatre. Co-directed with Nel Minchin (Matilda & Me, Making Muriel), it's a powerful portrait that also steps through the nation's past and focuses on three siblings — Stephen, David and Russell Page — with dreams as big as their talents. The Sapphires streams via Prime Video. Top End Wedding streams via ABC iView, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra streams via ABC iView, SBS On Demand, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Here I Am Marking not one but two feature debuts — for writer/director Beck Cole (Deadloch) and star Shai Pittman (Around the Block) — Here I Am tells one of the oldest tales there is. It's also a prime of example of taking a familiar narrative and giving it a new voice; viewers have seen this story before in various guises over decades and decades, but never championing Indigenous women. When Karen (Pittman) is released from prison in South Australia, she embarks upon a quest for redemption, including reconnecting with her unimpressed mother Lois (Marcia Langton) and her young daughter Rosie (Quinaiha Scott). Unsurprisingly, that reunion doesn't go smoothly, but both Cole and Pittman are committed to riding the ups and downs. Both hit the big-screen for the first time in a striking fashion, and with a film that proves both intimate and clear-eyed in its multi-generational portrait. Here I Am streams via iTunes and Prime Video. We Are Still Here It begins with stunning animation, shimmering with the rich blue hues of the sea. From there, everything from lush greenery to dusty outback appears in its frames. The past returns to the screen, and a vision of the present finds a place as well — and crossing the ditch between Australia and New Zealand, and venturing further into the South Pacific, is baked into the movie's very concept. That film is We Are Still Here, which makes an enormous statement with its title, responding to 250 years of colonialism. Of course, filmmakers in the region have been surveying this history since the birth of the medium, because the topic is inescapable. Combining eight different takes from ten Indigenous filmmakers (including Here I Am's Beck Cole, A Chance Affair's Tracey Rigney, Carry the Flag's Danielle MacLean and A League of Her Own's Dena Curtis from Australia) instantly makes We Are Still Here stand out, however — and this Pacific First Nations collaboration isn't short on talent, or impact. We Are Still Here streams via SBS On Demand, Netflix, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Spear An Australian dance movie that uses its fancy footwork to step through the plight of the country's First Nations peoples, Spear is a striking cinematic achievement. First-time feature helmer, Bran Nue Dae and The Sapphires choreographer, and Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page turns the company's performance work of the same name into a big-screen spectacle unlike anything crafted locally, or anywhere else for that matter. Mood, music and movement are pivotal, as a teenage boy wanders from the outback to the city to try to reconcile his ancient culture in a modern world. His journey is just as transporting for those watching as it is for everyone within the movie, as well as anchoring one of the most expressive pieces of Australian film perhaps ever made. Watch his with the aforementioned Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra for a fantastic double feature. Spear streams via ABC iView and Beamafilm. Read our full review. Satellite Boy On paper, it might seem easy to spot exactly why Satellite Boy proves so charming. Writer/director Catriona McKenzie smartly enlisted the now-late David Gulpilil (Storm Boy) as Indigenous elder Jagamarra, one of ten-year-old Pete's (first-timer Cameron Wallaby) guardians and the person teaching him about life on the land. It's a stroke of casting genius, clearly — and crucial to the film. That said, this dreamlike 2012 movie has several impressive casting touches as it traverses the Western Australian landscape, including unearthing young Wallaby as its lead and similarly finding fellow debutant Joseph Pedley to play Pete's pal Kalmain. McKenzie's feature also boasts a delightful narrative, which sees the two boys take to the bush en route to the city to save the home that Pete adores: a rundown drive-in cinema that this big-dreaming kid simply wants to get back into action. Satellite Boy streams via iTunes and Prime Video. Buckskin and Finke: There and Back The past few years have been memorable for Dylan River. The Alice Springs filmmaker directed delightful SBS web series Robbie Hood, was the cinematographer on rousing Adam Goodes documentary The Australian Dream, worked as the second unit director on the aforementioned Sweet Country, lensed The Beach (with the latter two both helmed by his father, Warwick Thornton), co-directed Mystery Road: Origin and was behind the wonderful Thou Shalt Not Steal. He also wrote, directed and shot two impressive documentaries of his own: Buckskin and Finke: There and Back. The first tells the tale of Jack Buckskin, Australia's only teacher of the near-extinct Kaurna language, while the second covers the rough, tough, two-day off-terrain trek that gives the doco its name. Both prove insightful, and showcase the astute skills of one of Australia's emerging filmmaking talents. Buckskin streams via SBS On Demand and Vimeo. Finke: There and Back streams via SBS On Demand, Netflix, DocPlay, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. It's also one of our ten best movies of 2019 that hardly anyone saw. Servant or Slave and Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky Watching a documentary directed by Steven McGregor involves exploring Australia's complicated history. There's much for the director of Black Comedy and co-writer of Mystery Road, Redfern Now and Sweet Country to cover, of course. In 2016's Servant or Slave, he turned his attention not only to the nation's Stolen Generation, but to the Indigenous girls who were forced to work as domestic servants. The powerful film features five women recalling their experiences — and it's impossible not to be moved and horrified by their accounts. With 2020's Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, the filmmaker takes a more irreverent approach to Australia's past, while still remaining just as probing. The charismatic Steven Oliver leads the show on-screen, as this clever and engaging movie revisits the story of Captain Cook from a First Nations perspective, including via songlines with the assistance of Indigenous performers. Servant or Slave streams via SBS On Demand, DocPlay, Brollie, Prime Video, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky streams via SBS On Demand.
Come summer in Brisbane, everyone is always searching for ways to cool off. Hiding in air-conditioned comfort is one approach to beating the heat, but having fun outside is all part of living in Queensland. That's where Brisbane's outdoor pools come in, offering the ideal way to escape the warm temperatures while still enjoying the city's sultry climate. Throughout the length and breadth of the city, there's plenty of places to take a dip, both during sun-strewn hours and balmy evenings. So where should you enjoy a swim, splash around and soak away the scorching temperatures? Here's eight of the best outdoor pools in Brisbane to try out. Some are free, and entry to others only costs $2 all summer long. [caption id="attachment_741063" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cieran Murphy[/caption] Spring Hill Baths There's much to enjoy at the city oasis that is the Spring Hill Baths: the central location, the year-round operating hours and the heated waters, just to name a few of its many conveniences. There's also aqua aerobics classes, if something more than a waterlogged chill-out session is your thing. So far, so good — and then there's the historical angle. The heritage-listed swimming spot's main claim to fame is its status Brisbane's first in-ground pool, and it comes complete with classic-styled changing rooms and grandstand seating as a result. Whether pacing laps for fitness, or getting wet during a dive-in movie when the pop up, there's no other place like this rare water-dwelling gem. [caption id="attachment_777649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Valley Pool You've driven, walked and probably even stumbled past the distinctive red brick building on the edges of Fortitude Valley numerous times, but have you ever been inside? If you went to high school in Brisbane, you may have been bussed in to the Valley Pool for your annual swimming carnival; however, there's more to the Wickam Street icon than sporting competitions and screaming teenagers. Designed by city architect AH Foster and built in 1925, the high walls hold within the usual array of aquatic activities, as well as an inimitable open-air atmosphere. This might just be Brisbane's coolest swimming hole (pun intended) — and you can hire a bar for events there. [caption id="attachment_904761" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Centenary Aquatic Centre Another venue keeping things wet and wild within a stone's throw of the CBD, the Centenary Aquatic Centre doesn't just let you bathe in a heated pool, or bask in the sun at the pool deck cafe — it also lets you dive into the action. If jumping from great heights into refreshing waters below sounds like your idea of a good time (and it does, admit it), then this is the place to go. Make no mistake, the operational diving platform is an undeniable drawcard for Spring Hill's second water wonderland. You can also get sweaty before your swim by visiting the on-site health club. Streets Beach at South Bank Nothing says inner-city swimming like Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands, as man-made as that beach may be. Perhaps the vantages over the brown Brisbane River make it seem more appealing, or perhaps it's the holiday-like vibe that emanates from the sight of sand and water so far from a coastline; either way, Brisbane's only beach in the middle of the city is a lagoon-like landmark. There may be no surf, but there is plenty of sun and fun. Don't forget, South Bank also boasts two other aqua spaces: the boat pool, lapping closer to the river's edge; and the Aquativity interactive water-play park. [caption id="attachment_973605" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Ithaca Swimming Pool When it comes to location, few outdoor pools can beat Ithaca Swimming Pool in Brisbane, nestled as it is among the leafy expanses of Paddington and across the road from Suncorp Stadium. Cafes, bars and restaurants are just a short stroll up the street for those in search of some post-swim refreshments (if the dip itself hasn't done the relaxing trick, that is). The nearby highways might be bustling; however, inside the grass-lined confines of the complex, there's nothing but serenity. Splash about in the saltwater pool, or read a book in one of the many shady areas — the choice is yours. [caption id="attachment_777652" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council[/caption] Colmslie Aquatic Centre Located within the Colmslie Recreation Reserve at Morningside are two pools and a water play park just waiting to get you wet. The Colmslie Aquatic Centre may be a relatively newer addition to Brisbane's map of public swimming spots, opening in 2010, but it remains an enticing one nonetheless. Both pools are heated and accessible all-year round, and play host to squad training as well as fitness classes. Head to nearby Oxford Street at Bulimba afterwards for a bite to eat, bring a picnic in the park next door or drop a reel at the on-site fishing platform to perfect your summery excursion. [caption id="attachment_643649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Wynnum Wading Pool Brisbane isn't a beach city, but venture out of the CBD, away from the shadows of tall buildings and past the suburban sprawl, and you can find the holy grail of outdoor pools. Yes, if you head east until you can't go any further, you'll find a fine example of a man-made area filled from the sea and replenished by the tide. Built during the 1930s depression as part of the Unemployment Relief System, the Wynnum Wading Pool is the ideal place to enjoy the warm weather with an ocean view. Swim, wander along with your feet in the water, breathe in the sea breeze and even spot a few migrating crabs or two. Isn't that what everyone wants to do? It is clearly one of the best outdoor pools in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_973609" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John via Flickr[/caption] Settlement Cove Lagoon Sure, there are plenty of beaches north of Brisbane, but not everyone has a few hours to spend on a road trip. If you're after some natural watery bliss but don't want to drive too far to get your fix, head to the Settlement Cove Lagoon at Redcliffe. Overlooking Moreton Bay, the site offers sand and sun right next to the surf, as well as wading and swimming areas for those who prefer their dips to be free from the ebbs and flows of the tide. Like all great waterside locations, Settlement Cove also features barbecues and picnic tables, because nothing says summer in Brisbane like a swim followed by a feast of grilled meat. You can find Abbott's Bakery products at all major supermarkets — and discover more tasty sandwich recipes via its website.
His hotel concierges are charismatic and committed, while his lobby boys are devoted and delightful. His foxes are nothing short of fantastic, and his dogs are as resourceful as they are adorable. Every time that he turns his attention to a family dynamic — be it siblings, strained parent-child relationships or friendships so close that they feel like bonds of blood — dysfunction always reigns supreme. And, when all of the above occurs, it does so within immaculately symmetrical yet immensely eccentric frames. Yes, we're talking about Wes Anderson, and the distinctive body of work that the American filmmaker has splashed across cinema screens over the past three decades. Usually chronicling some kind of caper, often featuring a retro 60s and 70s soundtrack, and styled so meticulously that each image could happily hang on anyone's wall (in fact, he's even curated museum exhibitions), his films are like no one else's. Often brought to life by a familiar cast of faces — Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Anjelica Huston, Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Bob Balaban, Edward Norton, Scarlett Johansson and Benicio del Toro, to name a few — they firmly resonate on their own frequency. And, understandably so, they've amassed quite a following. But, from a filmography to-date that spans from Bottle Rocket to The Phoenician Scheme, which is the best? As always, that's a subjective question. Like ranking Studio Ghibli movies, it's also a task made all the more difficult by a simple fact: Wes Anderson has never made a bad film, not once. That said, while some are flatout masterpieces that will always stand the test of time, others are entertaining but don't necessarily demand multiple rewatches. That's what we found when we revisited the 13 features (well, 12 and four shorts packaged as an anthology film, which we're counting) currently on his resume, and soaked in his inimitable cinematic creations. And, here are the results: our rundown of Anderson's films from worst — again, not that there's any such thing as a terrible Anderson flick — to best. 13. Moonrise Kingdom By virtue of their format, a ranked list always requires something to come in last place. Moonrise Kingdom earns that honour on Wes Anderson's filmography — not because it isn't great, which it is, but because it's the movie on his resume that can stick in the mind the least. A bittersweet story about first love and finding a home, it's also the rare Anderson film that feels as much a part of its genre as part of the director's oeuvre. In other words, it's definitely an Anderson flick, but it also charts rather recognisable coming-of-age territory. Still, watching 12-year-olds Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward, Slayers) and Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman, Angry Neighbours) set the New England island of New Penzance aflutter when they run off in the name of romance is typically charming. Moonrise Kingdom streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. 12. The Darjeeling Limited In Anderson's fifth film, three brothers take a train across India in the eponymous locomotive. During their trip, Francis (Owen Wilson, Loki), Jack (Jason Schwartzman, The Last Showgirl) and Peter (Adrien Brody, The Brutalist) work through their sibling baggage while literally carting around matching orange-hued, monogrammed baggage. It's been a year since they last crossed paths at their father's funeral, and life isn't treating any of them kindly — with Anderson and co-writers Schwartzman and Roman Coppola (Mozart in the Jungle) balancing the brothers' existential malaise with episodic antics both on the train and off. As stylish as any Anderson-directed feature, The Darjeeling Limited is served best by its performances, as well as its touching blend of sadness and humour. The Darjeeling Limited streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. 11. Bottle Rocket When Anderson made his feature directorial debut back in 1996, he did so with this crime-comedy caper about three friends planning a series of heists in the absence of any other direction in their lives. Based on a short film of the same name that he helmed two years prior, and co-written with Owen Wilson, who also stars, Bottle Rocket establishes many of the filmmaker's trademarks from the outset — including his penchant for witty interactions, as well as his love of dressing his characters in coordinated outfits. Owen Wilson plays Dignan, the driving force; however, as his recently voluntarily institutionalised best friend Anthony, this is Luke Wilson's (No Good Deed) time to shine. A third Wilson, their elder brother Andrew (Father Figures), also pops up, because of course he does. Bottle Rocket streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. 10. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More It might've originally been released as four separate short films, led by Best Live-Action Short Oscar-winner The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, but this 2023 addition to Anderson's resume always made sense as an anthology. In its 39-minute namesake chapter, Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) plays Roald Dahl, who did indeed pen the tale that gives this suitably symmetrically shot affair its name — the book it's in, too. The account that the author spills to start is about a man who has learned to see without his eyes (Ben Kingsley, The King of Kings), the doctor (Dev Patel, Monkey Man) fascinated with him and the gambler (Benedict Cumberbatch, Eric) who wants to master the trick, and is one of several in a movie that enthusiastically makes Anderson's love of layers known in its playful structure as much as its faux set. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More streams via Netflix. Read our full review. 9. Isle of Dogs A literal underdog tale about scrappy canines, a plucky orphan and a pooch-hating politician with an evil scheme, Isle of Dogs is one of the most Wes Anderson-esque movies the filmmaker has ever made. Filled with heart, humour and witty dialogue, this doggone delight is constructed with the tail-wagging enthusiasm of man's best friend — and, as well as sporting all of the beloved Anderson traits (quirky quests, spirited characters, symmetrical compositions, a distinctive colour palette and a huge cast among them), it tells a stellar story. The setup: when his uncle, Megasaki City's mayor, bans all dogs to Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari (Koyu Rankin, Dead Boy Detectives) risks his life to follow his four-legged companion. At every moment, the director fills his narrative to the brim like an overflowing bowl of dog treats, spoiling viewers like he'd spoil his own animal companion. Isle of Dogs streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. 8. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou will always be Anderson's undersung gem. It's so quintessentially Anderson and, with its length, it's guilty of sprawling — but every absurdist moment is a marvel. The premise, casting Bill Murray (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) as a Jacques Cousteau-style oceanographer intent on getting revenge on the just-discovered jaguar shark that killed his best friend, is instantly amusing. Trapping a crew of offbeat folks at sea while Zissou pursues his quest provides plenty of comic as well as thoughtful moments, too. The soundtrack of David Bowie songs, including Portuguese-language covers by The Life Aquatic co-star Seu Jorge, sets the pitch-perfect mood. And, visually, Anderson's pans through a cross-section of the ship are always striking. Also, no one has ever watched this film and not immediately wanted a pair of Team Zissou sneakers. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. 7. Rushmore In Anderson's 1998 breakout film, there's nothing that Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) loves more than Rushmore Academy. As the director conveys so engagingly, his 15-year-old protagonist has spent the bulk of his life at the exclusive private school — mainly starting extra-curricular clubs, as well as annoying both the headmaster (Brian Cox, The Parenting) and his classmates with his enthusiasm, all while barely caring about his grades. Then, just as he befriends a wealthy company owner (Bill Murray), Max falls for the new first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams, Dune: Prophecy). One of the best of Anderson's coming-of-age films, Rushmore deploys both Schwartzman and Murray to perfection, while weaving a smart yet also often dark comedy about learning to adjust your dreams. Rushmore streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. 6. Fantastic Mr Fox Combine Anderson, a magnificent Roald Dahl-penned all-ages story and stunning stop-motion animation, and you get a match made in cinematic heaven. Dahl wrote the acclaimed 1970 children's novel about the canny and cunning titular fox, of course, while Anderson brings it to vibrant life with a voice cast that includes George Clooney (Wolfs), Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building), Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu) and Owen Wilson (and via a script co-written with Frances Ha, Marriage Story and White Noise's Noah Baumbach, too). While Fantastic Mr Fox marked Anderson's first animated feature, he's a natural when it comes to witty comedy paired with playfulness and a whole lot of sight gags. As for the story, it follows Mr Fox's (Clooney) efforts to outsmart a trio of mean farmers — and it's told here with energy, personality and Anderson's usual flair. Fantastic Mr Fox streams via Disney+, Stan, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. 5. The French Dispatch Editors fictional and real may disagree — The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun's Arthur Howitzer Jr (Bill Murray) among them — but it's easy to use Wes Anderson's name as both an adjective and a verb. In a sentence that'd never get printed in this film's titular tome (and mightn't in The New Yorker, its inspiration, either), The French Dispatch is another one of the most Wes Anderson movies Wes Anderson has ever Wes Andersoned. It spins three main stories and a couple of delightful interludes like it's laying out pieces from its titular magazine, and it's as symmetrical, idiosyncratic and thoughtful as the writer/director's work has even been. Plus, the cast is packed, as well as glorious in offbeat performances as always, with Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Benicio del Toro (Reptile) and Jeffrey Wright (The Last of Us) among the standouts. The French Dispatch streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. 4. The Phoenician Scheme It'll always be a glaring oversight that Ralph Fiennes didn't win every award that he could for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Here's hoping that Benicio del Toro's efforts in The Phoenician Scheme aren't similarly overlooked. After the actor's sublime work for Anderson in one of The French Dispatch's segments, the Traffic Oscar-winner is again exceptional as Anatole 'Zsa-zsa' Korda, who starts this film in a plane crash, then trying to appoint his sole daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton, The Buccaneers), a trainee nun, to agree to be his heir. They give each other a trial period — as a father, and as the person who'll carry on Zsa-zsa's legacy. Their other key focus: attempting to enact the titular scheme. Both del Toro and Michael Cera, as a Norwegian tutor, couldn't be more at home in front of Anderson's lens. This is also one of his movies that cuts deep emotionally, and seamlessly shows how he's a master at his usual touches while also venturing into new territory. The Phoenician Scheme released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Read our interview with Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera. 3. Asteroid City Asteroid City is Anderson's 11th movie, also a desert spot known for a hefty crater caused 5000 years ago and a play about said locale. As the film itself tells viewers direct to-camera, however, the latter two — the setting and the theatre show — definitely aren't real, even within the world of the feature itself. Anderson gets especially playful in this film about a Junior Stargazer convention, the motley crew of folks that it brings to town in September 1955 and the otherworldly interloper who causes chaos. Staging a play within a TV show within a movie, he gets as smart and moving as his work has ever been to contemplate art, authenticity, and the emotions found in and processed through works of creativity, too. As the closest thing that the ensemble piece has to leads, Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson (Fly Me to the Moon) are astronomically spectacular, as are the film's look, feel, insightful musings, sense of humour and crater-sized impact. Asteroid City streams via Paramount+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. 2. The Grand Budapest Hotel Many a well-known actor has graced Anderson's frames. Most have done so multiple times, with Bill Murray appearing in ten of his 13 films thus far. But no one has put in a performance quite like Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave in The Grand Budapest Hotel. As the dedicated concierge at the titular holiday spot in the Republic of Zubrowka, he's a powerhouse — as amusing as he is charming, vibrant, confident, soulful, wily and determined. Indeed, it's no wonder that Anderson lets this layered tale of friendship, war, fascism and tragedy hang off his leading man. The rest of his ensemble cast works a treat, including Saoirse Ronan (Blitz) and then-newcomer Tony Revolori (Servant), and this is one of Anderson's most aesthetically stunning creations. Still, without Fiennes, it would've lacked quite a bit of its ample magic. The Grand Budapest Hotel streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. 1. The Royal Tenenbaums In his first two films, Anderson focused on characters striving for greatness, be it through pulling off heists in Bottle Rocket or tying their identity to their school in Rushmore. In The Royal Tenenbaums, the titular family's three children were all once great. In fact, they were child prodigies. But as adults, their lives have seen more disappointment and joy, a truth that stern widower and finance whiz Chas (Ben Stiller, Nutcrackers), fiercely private playwright Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow, The Politician) and ex-tennis star Richie (Luke Wilson) are forced to face just as their father (the now-late, great Gene Hackman, Welcome to Mooseport) resurfaces and their mother (Anjelica Huston, Towards Zero) prepares to get remarried. Although undeniably whimsical, it's the most melancholy, poignant and deeply felt of the director's features. And, in its visuals and its performances, it's also oh-so-rich with affecting detail. The Royal Tenenbaums streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video.
First, Lune perfected croissants, so much so that the Australian bakery chain is renowned for its flaky pastries all round the world. Then came giving cruffins, aka croissant-muffin hybrids, a spin. For Easter, the obvious next step followed: hot cross cruffins, for when you want a hot cross bun, but you're also hankering for a croissant and a muffin — and you don't want to have to choose. Lune's hot cross cruffins have been popping up annually for years, but 2025's batch is different. This time, they're made using the acclaimed bakery's signature croissant dough. You can also pick between two varieties this year, too: the OG and chocolate. Can't decide which one, after being unable to select between hot cross buns, croissants and muffins to start with? You can get mixed packs featuring both. The hot cross cruffins hit Lune's shelves at all stores on Monday, April 7 — so at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney. You've only got until Easter Monday to enjoy them, however. Lune is open every day across the Easter long weekend from 8am, and will either close at each store's regular time or earlier if everything is sold out prior. Single hot cross cruffins cost $10.50 each — or, you can also order pre-order those aforementioned six packs for $63, but you can only do so until Friday, April 18, and only for collection at Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Rosebery. If you're a fruit hot cross bun fan all the way, Lune's hot cross cruffins feature dried fruit, candied peel, mixed spice and brown butter mousseline. For chocolate lovers, you're getting hot cross cruffins made with cocoa choc-chip croissant pastry and chocolate mousseline. Each features a cross on top, of course, but only the chocolate version boasts a cocoa cross. Also worth noting: that Lune has just launched an ongoing loyalty program for pastry fiends. Lune's Easter specials are available until Monday, April 21. Head to the brand's website — or to its stores at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney — for more details. Images: Peter Dillon.
There's big screens, and then there's IMAX's big screens. For Queenslanders, however, only the first have greeted cinemagoers over the last decade — until now. The Gold Coast has just become home to the Sunshine State's sole location playing the huge format, with Event Cinemas Pacific Fair in Broadbeach converting an existing auditorium into an IMAX. The new IMAX was first announced back in October 2024, and has newly opened its doors as at Thursday, December 19, 2024, just in time for the Christmas and Boxing Day rush. In literally massive news, Australia's number of giant spots to catch a film now totals four. The Gold Coast joins Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the also just-opened Dendy Canberra IMAX. The Sunshine State isn't unacquainted with such a sizeable way to see a flick, though. South Bank's Cineplex in Brisbane was previously an IMAX but, while it still has the towering screen in operation, the picture palace hasn't shown the format for more than a decade. So, Brisbanites are set for a trip down the highway — and tourists to the Gold Coast who are keen on catching a flick during their stay have somewhere huge to hit up. At Event Cinemas Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, viewers can expect a custom-built IMAX experience, including a 1.1:9 aspect ratio screen, IMAX 4K laser projection, 12-channel sound and premium seating. Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2 are the first films gracing the new setup, with the future slate set to not only show blockbusters, but also concert films, documentaries and live events. "We are so proud to bring IMAX to the Gold Coast. For years, Queenslanders have been eager for a premium IMAX cinema experience, and we're thrilled to bring this to life for them," said Daniel McCabe, General Manager of Cinema Operations Australia Event Cinemas. The Gold Coast now boasts two sizeable ways to get a movie fix, with surround-screen viewing experience ScreenX making its Australian debut at Event Cinemas Robina back in 2023. Three walls, three screens, a 270-degree field of view: that's the maths behind that concept, which uses multi-projection across a screen area measuring 67.7 metres. Also in 2023, after IMAX Sydney reopened at Darling Harbour following a seven-year period where it was demolished and then rebuilt, it was revealed that another IMAX was on its way to Sydney. While it's planned for an existing Event Cinemas location as well, it hasn't come to fruition as yet. Find IMAX at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Level 1/1571 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach. Head to the cinema's website for more details. Images: IMAX Pacific Fair and IMAX Queensgate NZ.
While they say bad things come in threes, it seems good things do too, with Le Royale marking the third opening from the Anyday hospitality group in just seven months. Located upstairs from The French Exit, Le Royale is Brisbane's newest, sleek, after-dinner escape. At its core, Le Royale is centred on the joyous spirit of music. Located on the heritage site at 169 Mary Street, the cocktail bar will feature three rotating live house bands from Thursday to Sunday. It's a dynamic, lively atmosphere that's designed to make you feel as if you're never quite ready to leave. "In one word, Le Royale is fun. The kind of fun that feels both rare and effortless. You might walk in thinking you will go in just for one drink, but stay because the band starts playing a song you didn't know you missed, then the whole energy of the room just pulls you in," says Anyday Co-Founder, Tyron Simon. Le Royale marks the ninth venue in Anyday's stable of popular venues, which includes Agnes, sAme sAme, Biànca, LOS and Golden Avenue. Designed by a friend of the group, Tamsin Johnson, the venue carries the warm ambience of The French Exit to the top floor. "There is the story of a rich space, told with textural collision and intensity. For me, this was also about creating that warmth, seclusion and comfort. Some real intrigue. A very transported sensation that serves as a total and utter escape from the familiar light-and-bright Brisbane," says Johnson. The menu leans on the old-world charm of The French Exit's offerings, reimagined as refined small plates and grazing dishes, easily paired with drinks aplenty. Snack on olives and salted almonds, oysters and prawn sandwiches. Be delighted by chicken liver parfait eclairs, fried pigs' head cromesquis and a cheeseburger with special sauce. The drinks offering has been carefully curated. Bar Operations Manager, Marco Nunes, says, "A great deal of work went on behind the scenes to create a menu that seizes freshness and covers a wide range of truly unique flavour combinations." Patrons will also have access to Anyday's reserve wine cellar list, showcasing rare and limited wines from around the world. Images: Jessie Prince. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
If there's one thing Brisbanites can count on almost all year round, it's a sunny day begging to be spent outdoors. Whatever the season, the chances of nice weather are high — as are the chances you'll want to make the most of it. Though the beach is a drive away, the city abounds in the next-best places to while away a fine afternoon: picnic spots. With greener pastures aplenty dotting the expanse of the CBD and the surrounding suburbs, there are many wide-open spaces to head to with your trusty rug and a basket filled with snacks and cold bevs — or, you could picnic on the river itself. Don't know where to start? Here's 11 options. [caption id="attachment_750974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Kangaroo Point Cliffs Whether you're hitting up the top or the bottom of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, this just might be the best spot for a picnic in Brisbane. On any given day, locals and tourists flock to the area to soak up the sunshine and admire the city. Up high, the view spans from the CBD to the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, while those down below can gaze out over the river. Regardless of your preference, you'll find gazebos, seats and tables, barbecues and enough grassy areas to lay down a picnic spread — plus cafes for those sans food, as well as rock climbing and cycleways for the more adventurous. [caption id="attachment_826332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] New Farm Park Everyone has enjoyed an afternoon in New Farm Park at least once. You've most likely strolled around markets, seen a movie and participated in some kind of sport, too, but it's the simple joy of kicking back on the grass that sticks in your mind and keeps you coming back. There's no such thing as a bad spot here, whether you're keen on looking out over the river, sitting near the rose garden or enjoying the sea of green that's around you. Among its many merits is New Farm Park's proximity to nearby shops, ensuring that even if you spend all day lazing around, you're never going to run out of supplies. Howard Smith Wharves Howard Smith Wharves might only be a few years old, but this busy and scenic Brisbane precinct is bustling with bars, restaurants and eateries. So, whether you're after burgers and beers, a Greek feast or Japanese bites, you have options. The area also offers up views from underneath the Story Bridge, and a grassy space where you can bring along some snacks for the full picnic effect. Public greenery is a huge part of this freshly redeveloped site, giving Brisbanites access to a vantage point that we haven't been able to enjoy in many a year. And there's no need to BYO — you can grab a six-pack from Felons Brewing Co, and some fish and chips, too. Dogs and families are welcome. [caption id="attachment_931901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane Marketing[/caption] Roma Street Parkland A picnic in Roma Street Parkland gives you the option of saying cheers with whichever brews you've filled your esky with, or that natural wine that you can't stop sipping. The CBD site is home to two of the four parks in Brisbane where BYO alcohol is allowed — so you just need to pull out a rug at either the Celebration Lawn or the Lake Precinct. If you're fine to leave the hard stuff at home, the Sunset Glade, Palm Tree Court and Memorial Corner also await. For getting cooking, there's free barbecues around the place, too — and if you'd like a tour of the sprawling site, they're free as well, although you'll need to book one in advance. [caption id="attachment_668009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] City Botanic Gardens Since opening in 1855, the 45-acre City Botanic Gardens has remained the jewel in Queensland's horticultural landscape. Neither flood nor drought has wearied the symbolic heart of the city, with its array of national and international flora plentiful all year-round. It's not just beautiful and accessible — nestled between the river on one side and QUT and Government House on the other as it is — but a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of inner city life. Where else can you sit on secluded benches scribbled with lover's notes, gaze at ponds housing birds, fish and turtles, and stroll around unique sculptures and themed walkways, all while on your lunch break? [caption id="attachment_703976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Wynnum-Manly Foreshore Kilometres of coastline, a lengthy jetty and a pool by the ocean aren't the only attractions located along the Wynnum-Manly foreshore. There's also an abundance of grass, seats and tables perfect for enjoying the view over a meal, as well as a small beach for those eager to sit on the sand. If the weather is nice, expect to have more than a little company; however, this spot to the city's east has plenty of room for picnickers. You're also in the ideal place for a leisurely post-meal stroll — pick a direction, start walking, and instantly soak in the delightful and calming scenery. Picnic Island at South Bank A whole island just for picnics? We'd like to say "yes, really", but this is more a "well, kind of" affair. The South Bank Parklands Picnic Island isn't actually a land mass surrounded by water, as anyone who has been to South Bank before knows — but it is a space dedicated to feasting, knocking back a few beers — it's one of the four parks in the city where you can BYO booze — and enjoying Brisbane's usually glorious weather. Don't worry: even if the sky opens here, the barbecues are undercover (and they're free, too). We recommend having your own sausage sizzle, lazing about on the grass with a drink, and even indulging in some inner-city wildlife spotting thanks to the surrounding foliage and the neighbouring fish-filled pond. [caption id="attachment_703973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Shorncliffe Pier Brisbane isn't a beach city. We're not really considered a coastal city either. Still, all you need to do is mosey in the right direction and you'll hit the sea in almost no time at all. For northsiders, or anyone keen on heading that way for their sunny summer outing, the Shorncliffe-Sandgate region has more than its fair share of picnic spots right next to the ocean — plus, the largest timber pier in the city to casually stroll along. The super green Sandgate Foreshores Park is one such place and has exactly what everyone here is after: a killer vista. [caption id="attachment_683462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council[/caption] Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens The Mt Coot-tha Botanil Gardens are similar to their city counterpart in name only. Just west of the city, you'll find a sprawling wonderland of themed areas, including the Japanese gardens, bonsai house, arid zone, herb garden, and purpose-built, nine-metre-high biosphere slash prized tropical display dome. Wandering around wandering and being wowed by the perfectly manicured showcase of natural beauty is the perfect way to spend a day, but there's more on offer for those wanting to look to the heavens. Here, you'll also find the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, too. [caption id="attachment_703974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Sherwood Arboretum This heritage-listed gem to the CBD's west has been welcoming the public and its picnics for nearly a century. Here, you'll sit under leafy trees — more than a thousand, in fact — while looking out over your choice of man-made freshwater wetlands or the Brisbane River. Whichever you choose, you're in for both a green and glistening sight — although the plant life is as much of a drawcard as the proximity to water. As the name makes plain, Sherwood Arboretum is all about amassing different species of trees (or collecting them, in a sense), so make time during your picnic to go for a wander. The Brisbane River Picnicking by the water in Brisbane is a tried-and-tested way to spend an afternoon, as this list attests. But you can also picnic on top of the water, all thanks to Denmark-born company GoBoat, which is sailing its 18-feet-long, dog-friendly vessels from Breakfast Creek. The company is all about making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, and its Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence — making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. Each GoBoat boasts a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And they're even affordable enough to fit your budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will start at around $10 per person, per hour. You can find Abbott's Bakery products at all major supermarkets — and discover more tasty sandwich recipes via its website. Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland.
After six years in the hospitality game, the team behind Sydney venue, My Mother's Cousin pizzeria, knew it was time to stretch themselves — just like the dough they work with. "We saw Self Raised as the continuation of our passion for bread and baking. We didn't want anything trendy. We wanted timeless: Good bread. Good doughnuts. Good sandwiches," said Self Raised's co-owner, Sal Senan. The team opened a store in Carlton, and even after a year in the neighbourhood, the long lines of bread-loving customers still weren't easing. "The lines at Carlton got to upwards of 45 minutes on the weekends for over a year. At that point, we knew that we needed to get another venue out to the community to make Self Raised more accessible for everyone." They opened Self Raised Snack Shoppe in Bexley North, a quick-serve kiosk that aimed to ease the crowds of hungry weekend disciples. Yet, the people wanted more. A second Self Raised Snack Shoppe emerged in Merrylands, Western Sydney, late last year. So, what's all the hype about, and what actually goes into Self Raised's delicious baked treats? Signature Items If you're wondering why on earth people spend 45 minutes lining up for a slice of Self Raised, look no further. Sal says that the bakery's Boston Cream Donuts are Self Raised's signature item and have developed an almost cult-like following. "We started making them at our My Mother's Cousin pizzeria, and they would sell out within the hour every night we made them. They are the perfect nostalgic throwback to the original Cream Buns, which have been a lost art for a long time — simple and light but also super decadent." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Self Raised (@selfraisedbread) Another unique go-to for customers (because there are many) is Self Raised's Roman-style pizzas. The bread goes through a 36-hour fermentation using a mixture of Australian and Italian imported flours. "We also use a dry pre-ferment in the dough called Biga, which adds extra flavour and improves texture," says Sal. The co-owner notes that this wasn't a recipe they developed overnight. "It was something that took time to perfect, and we felt like it helped us stand out when it comes to focaccia-style bread specifically." For the toppings, they keep it simple: a classic cheese and a pepperoni with hot honey. "That way," says Sal, "we just let the ingredients and the dough shine." Behind the Scenes of Self Raised Sydney-siders get to enjoy the team's delicious baked goods from their many stores, but what actually goes into running a business like Self Raised? According to Sal, the bakers' days start at around 2–3am, with the sandwich and front-of-house crew getting in at an early 6am for the breakfast rush. While you may assume the team bakes the same amount of produce every morning, each day is different. "Everything has to be fresh, and you can't just make more on the spot," says Sal. "Dough takes time. Fermentation takes time. So you're always trying to get it right without waste and without selling out too early. It's a daily challenge." To know how much to make, the team checks factors including the weather and school holidays, as well as cloud-based point-of-sale and e-commerce platform, Lightspeed. It's designed for retail and hospitality businesses to manage inventory, payments, and customer data across physical and online stores. "We use Lightspeed to track what sells," says Sal. "They keep us organised and provide the data that we need. We can see what's selling, what's slowing down, and where we need to adjust. It takes a lot of guesswork out." As well as Lightspeed, Sal shares that the team also simply learns the rhythm of customers. "Fridays feel different from Mondays. Cold days are different from sunny ones." It's these customers who add Self Raised to their weekly routines, says Sal, that keep the company growing into the Sydney powerhouse it is. "The same order every week. Kids picking doughnuts like it's the biggest decision of their day. That's when you know it's more than just a shop." Image Credit: Supplied
The Southern Highlands may be just a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney, but its string of villages, idyllic landscape and impressive producers will have you forgetting all about city life. Here, you can stay in a 19th-century estate, taste locally produced wine and whisky, peruse a whole heap of art and feast at a hatted restaurant — all in just one weekend. And to help you get the most out of your trip to the Southern Highlands, we've put together a guide to the best places to eat, drink, play and stay. Grab your partner or some mates, base yourself in the lovely little town of Bowral for a few nights and start exploring. [caption id="attachment_770250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bendooley Estate via Destination NSW[/caption] EAT AND DRINK Every weekend away should involve a good brunch, and Bowral offers just that in the form of The Press Shop. Part printing workshop and part cafe, the diner showcases Southern Highlands produce at its best with its farm-to-fork mentality. The cafe also offers one fine cuppa — though coffee-fiends may want to save their caffeine intake for Bowral's boutique roastery Rush. At some point during the weekend, you'll need to make tracks to Bendooley Estate, which is on our list of ten awesome NSW cellar doors. But the 200-acre property doesn't just offer a cellar door — it's also home to a luxe restaurant, an alfresco cafe and an outpost of the much loved Berkelouw bookshop, with thousands of new, secondhand and rare titles. You can also expect stunning views across the vineyard and, of course, some fine regional wine. [caption id="attachment_771032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peppergreen Estate via Destination NSW[/caption] The whole region is home to over 60 vineyards and 17 cellar doors specialising in cool-climate wine varieties like pinot noir and riesling. You can use this handy Southern Highlands wine trail map to get you started. Be sure to include a stop at Peppergreen Estate, where you'll find wines on sale alongside extra virgin olive oil produced from the vineyards adjoining olive grove. Then there's Artemis Wines, which has woodfired pizzas on every Saturday and Sunday — plus BYO vinyl nights, movie nights and yoga events occurring regularly, too. And you cannot miss trips to the award-winning Tertini cellar door and Tractorless Vineyard — at the latter, the biodynamic wines are made by letting sheep graze on the weeds in lieu of using machines and pesticides. Wine not your thing? Whisky and gin fans should instead head to the Joadja Distillery, where free tours and tastings of its small-batch drops are on offer every weekend. Meanwhile, lovers of craft beer should stop by Eden Brewery in Mittagong — and pop across the road to Gumnut Patisserie for a pie to enjoy with your tasting paddle. And, if you have the cash to splash for dinner, be sure to reserve a table at Eschalot, which serves up fine dining from a quaint stone cottage in Berrima. [caption id="attachment_770408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dirty Janes via Destination NSW[/caption] DO The Southern Highland's boasts some pretty spectacular outdoor sights, including the well-known trio of waterfalls — namely Fitzroy, Belmore and Carrington — and an abundance of hiking trails. If you do plan on stopping by the Fitzroy Falls and have a few hours to spare, you'll be well-placed to complete the 1.5-hour West Rim walking track through lush rainforest. Alternatively, epic views of Bowral and Mittagong are on offer at Mount Gibraltar Reserve, or swap your bushwalk for a trip to The Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens in Bowral. If you'd rather take things at a more leisurely pace, spend some time wandering through Bowral's many boutiques and specialty stores. You'll find a mix of eclectic and antique homewares at Barbara's Storehouse, Dirty Janes and The Bronte Tram, indoor plants at The Potting Shed and delicious handmade chocolates and marshmallows at Ms Peacock Confections. Art aficionados can easily enjoy an art trail, with heaps of studios set in and around the Bowral town centre. Popular galleries include Bowral Art Gallery — which offers a regularly rotating lineup of exhibitions, painting workshops and events — and The Milk Factory, where the contemporary exhibitions are paired with a gallery shop selling resin jewellery and blown glass. Around the wider Southern Highlands region, you can also take sculpture classes, pick up some handmade ceramic homewares and even visit a puppet centre. Find more art options in the surrounding region over here. [caption id="attachment_897212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peppers Craigieburn[/caption] STAY Bowral's small-town vibes make staying in boutique accommodation a must. Peppers Craigieburn offers just that — each of the rooms in this country hotel overlooks the expansive 36 hectare garden estate and private nine hole golf course. For something altogether more modern and glam, hit up Berida Hotel. Not only do you get spacious rooms with lavish furnishings and fittings, but you'll also have access to the hotel's own spa — an essential for anyone wanting to really spoil themselves on a weekend away in the Southern Highlands. For those travelling on a bit of a budget, you can even rent a room at the local Bowral Hotel. This pub has a few motel-style rooms around the back that have been recently refurbished. Grab some pints and classic Aussie pub grub before taking the short walk to your room for a good night's sleep. It will help you have a proper local experience in the Southern Highlands. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Destination NSW
After a particularly devastating bushfire season, the Blue Mountains community is calling everyone to come #BacktoBilpin. The community and its local businesses have been hit by not only the fires, but also by a drop in tourism during what should have been one of the busiest times of the year. While, devastatingly, some 80 percent of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area has been burned, there's still plenty of areas to explore, wildlife to spot and fresh produce to devour. So, put that esky in your boot, get out of Sydney and head to the land of the mountain apple. For this trip, you won't be going through Katoomba and Leura, but taking the historic Bells Line of Road. Here, you'll find tasty food, warm hospitality, cute cabins and many outdoor activities throughout Bilpin and its neighbours Kurrajong, Berambing and Mount Tomah. Here's our guide for what to check out while you're there. EAT AND DRINK [caption id="attachment_760286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hillybilly Cider by Destination NSW[/caption] Bilpin is all about them apples. There are probably more orchards here than people. Set out on a drive along the Bells Line of Road, stopping for fresh apples, juice, cider and pie along the way. Keep an eye out for the big Bilpin Fruit Bowl, where you can pick your own fruit or enjoy a hot-from-the-oven apple pie (or peach if you're really lucky) and a glass of fresh juice. Stop for a tipple at Hillbilly Cider and Bilpin Cider (both of which offer non-alcoholic options for the deso drivers), pick some more fruit at Pine Crest Orchard and have a burger for lunch at Maggie Lou's Bite. The Hive just up the road in Berambing is definitely worth a stop for some Bilpin bush honey and a good coffee. For more substantial bites, there are plenty of options in the area, most of which come with spectacular views of the Blue Mountains and the foothills. In nearby Kurrajong, stop at The Village Kitchen for brekkie and a squiz at the on-site art gallery — this cute little spot also offers dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and often has live music to set the tone. For dinner, Kurrajong Heights is home to Archibald Hotel — which serves up modern gastropub classics with a side of sweeping Sydney views — and Lochiel House, for something a little more refined. Try the pan-fried ricotta gnocchi with pickled mushroom, and the miso-glazed lamb rump with local apple kimchi. The Potager Mount Tomah is right in the heart of the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden (which was thankfully saved from the fires) and a must-visit. The restaurant has an unrivalled aspect, from its terrace draped in wisteria vines — perfect for brekkie or lunch whilst out for a day exploring the gardens. DO [caption id="attachment_760285" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Wilson by Destination NSW[/caption] While Bilpin is best-known for its produce, there's plenty more to explore. And while no one will judge you for spending the entire weekend ticking off every farm gate on this Hawkesbury Harvest Experience list, it would be a shame not to get out in nature. We know you're already planning a trip to The Potager, so the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah should definitely be on your must-visit list. While much of the vegetation surrounding the garden was affected by the bushfires, much of the Living Collection was able to be saved, including some of the garden's rarest plant species. The garden has become a safe haven for much of the area's wildlife, so there are lots of birds around and new blooms to be seen. A lot of the hikes around the Grose Valley and north of the Bells Line of Road are still closed due to safety reasons, but Walls Lookout is now open and has a must-see view. Take the turnoff for Pierces Pass Picnic Area just past Mount Tomah, park your car, and walk down to the lookout (it's an hour return) for breathtaking vistas over the Megalong Valley. If you don't mind the hour drive from Bilpin to the Blackheath area, we also recommend a visit to Govetts Leap Lookout, Evans Lookout and the Grand Canyon track. [caption id="attachment_760280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Tomah by Destination NSW[/caption] Although the glow worm tunnel walking track in Wollemi National Park is currently closed, you can still see the magic little creatures with a Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tour on private property near Mount Tomah and Bilpin. If you've got time to spare and want to do even more to help the local community, you can register to volunteer for bushfire recovery with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service or spend a day helping rebuild the Zig Zag Railway, which was still being restored following the 2013 bushfires when it was again burned over Christmas and New Year. [caption id="attachment_757913" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eden Farm Escape[/caption] STAY One of the remarkable things about Bilpin is that it never feels like you're only 90 kilometres from the hustle and bustle of the city, it's a proper nature retreat. Escape to Rustic Spirit for a weekend in a secluded bushland cabin or treetop pavilion on the edge of the Wollemi National Park. You can also book a package with inclusions like couples massages, meals, picnic hampers and champagne. If you'd prefer a farmstay on a 90-acre property, Bilpin's Eden Farm Escape is offering 50 percent off its rates if you can get there in February 2020. Make yourself at home on a lush five-acre hobby farm in Mount Tomah. Spend some time with the animals that have also found refuge at Tomah Retreat (like Flora the pig), taste some of the fruit, nuts and vegetables grown in the garden, and find peace in the living labyrinth. And, to live your best Instagram life, Wollemi Love Cabins are almost too beautiful to be believed. Spend a night under the stars in a luxury teepee that comes complete with a spa bath ensuite, or be right among the trees in a private cabin or studio with a bath right out in nature on the deck. Top images: Destination NSW.
Mark your calendar: if you like free ice cream, as everyone should, then you have a date with a Ben & Jerry's store in April. Each year, the dessert brand chooses one day per year to give everyone a treat without paying a cent. In 2024, that day is Tuesday, April 16. If there's one thing this chain loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. But, to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, on Free Cone Day it loves giving away free scoops just as much. The occasion is exactly what it sounds like: a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually since 1979 until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons — returning in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and now backing it up in 2024. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store (which is most stores) between 12–8pm. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening in both Australia and New Zealand — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores. Last year, the brand gave away 970,000 scoops around the world, with 180,000 of those Down Under. This year, it wants to top one million free scoops globally, and also beat its Aussie and Aotearoa figure. In Sydney, you'll be hitting up Manly, Bondi Beach and Parramatta, for starters. Melburnians have St Kilda, Flinders Lane and Burwood East stores to choose from, while Brisbanites can head to South Brisbane. In Western Australia, Fremantle, Hillarys and Northbridge Scoop Shops are taking part. Ben & Jerry's also has stores in some Hoyts cinemas — so you might be able to join in when you're seeing a movie, such as at Hoyts Norwood in South Australia. Across Australia, these four spots aren't on the list, sadly: Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Zoo. Over in Aotearoa, options for a free ice cream include Commercial Bay and Ponsonby in Auckland, plus Cuba Street and the airport in Wellington. Free Cone Day runs from 12–8pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Ben & Jerry's Australian and New Zealand stores. Head to the brand's website for further details.
There are baths, and then there are baths. And, we're sorry to say, your questionably clean five-foot bath with a view into your neighbour's backyard just isn't going to cut it after you've been exposed to the beauty of Japan's many bathing houses — no matter how many 'winter forest'-scented candles you burn. The ritual of visiting an onsen is one that's intrinsic to Japanese culture. As well as the healing and meditative qualities of the baths, it's pretty special to be able to sink into a hot body of water (naked, of course) with nothing but a view of a snowy Mount Fuji to distract you. People have been bathing naked in the natural hot springs of Japan since way back, and while it's basically second nature for its inhabitants, tourists are welcome to jump on board (as long as you can respect and adhere to their customs). There are over 2000 onsen in Japan, and Steve Wilde and Michelle Mackintosh visited a whole heap of them as 'research' for their new book, Onsen of Japan. While they've collected handy information about 140 onsen across the country, we've pulled out ten of the more secluded, snow-surrounded, totally idyllic spots that you should pencil in for your next trip to Japan. GOTENBASHI ONSEN KAIKAN, GOTEMBA Day or night and in any season, Gotemba offers you a knockout view of Mount Fuji that you don't have to shell out the big yen for. At around one‑and‑a‑half hours from Toyko, Gotemba makes for an excellent day trip. A shuttle bus from Gotemba Station will whisk you to an onsen where, for a rock‑bottom price, you can get the full Fuji‑san view that would cost a bomb at a ryokan or designer hotel. KAWAYU ONSEN, WAKAYAMA One of the three onsen to make up the Hongu onsen-kyo area, Kawayu stands alone due to its popular Oto-gawa River bathing. Deep in the forest, this remote, majestic river bath was discovered in the mid-1600s when a local was tipped off to its existence by an enigmatic stranger. Fast forward hundreds of years later to a township that now has actual roads and hotels, but somehow manages to maintain its reputation as an esoteric and remote haven. SHIMA TAMURA, SHIMA ONSEN Founded in 1563, Shima Tamura is a ryokan experience that shows you just how the Japanese have elevated hospitality into the realm of an art form. The building itself is beautiful, with a traditional and inviting wood–entrance and sliding doorway under a thatched peaked triangle roof that looks almost like it has grown organically from the mountain slopes around it. Shima Tamura features an outdoor bath by a waterfall and seven hot-spring baths nestled in the forest; if you've dreamed of an onsen girded by foliage, hidden from the world and touched with the scent of forested glades with woodland creatures flitting among the cypress, Shima Tamura exists to make your dreams a reality. ZAO ONSEN, YAMAGATA In winter, Zao Onsen (a 40-minute bus ride from Yamagata station) is one of Japan's top ski resorts and the trees become pudgy with snow, so much so that they are known as 'ice monsters', snow-smothered conifers that take on the appearance of a crowd of glacial goblins that huddle together on the mountains as if plotting to take over civilisation (don't worry, they're way too cold to bother). In other seasons, the abundance of nature, greenery and the changing hues of the foliage make Zao popular with lovers of the great outdoors. TSURUNOYU, NYUTO ONSEN A fairytale onsen village hidden beneath low-lying clouds among mountains thick with beech trees, Nyuto Onsen is famous throughout Japan, and the seven hidden onsen all have something magical to offer. Catch the onsen bus (it has a model onsen bath on the roof) that ferries you around to each different hot spring. We've featured Tsurunoyu, Taenoyu and Kuroyu, but everything here is something special. Ogama Onsen is housed in a picturesque old wooden building that was once a school. Ganiba Onsen dates back to 1846 and has a beautiful outdoor unisex bath hidden in a beech forest. HOSHI ONSEN CHOJUKAN, MINAKAMI Hidden in the depths of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Hoshi's dreamily beautiful building with a stunning dark wooden exterior accented by flecks of green foliage, flowers, leaves or snow, will transport you to simpler, quieter times. Inside you'll find winding corridors with low ceilings showing faded photographs of times gone by, taxidermied local fauna and small mementos of the building's past – all in glass cases. The 140-year-old Hoshi is a Meiji-period onsen featuring six baths of equal size under an awe-inspiring vaulted wooden ceiling. The architecture echoes the waiting rooms and stations of the railway boom of the 19th century and its beauty has earned it status as a protected 'cultural property'. MANZA PRINCE HOTEL, MANZA ONSEN With more than a hint of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's horror flick The Shining, the Manza Prince, set along an alpine ridge, is a sprawling hotel that has acquired the well-deserved description of 'grand' over the years. The world surrounding the Manza Prince is a snow-dressed highland in winter (skiers flock here), an ocean of rusty gold in autumn, and intense greenery in spring and summer. Like the lord of the peaks, the Manza Prince perches serenely among the clouds surveying all before it. The hotel has a memorable bathhouse alongside its labyrinthine corridors and abundant rooms, and they happily throw their doors open to day visitors. TAKARAGAWA ONSEN, MINAKAMI Takaragawa means 'treasure river'. Legend has it that the Yamato-dynasty prince Takeru fell ill on his journey east and a hawk led him to this hidden spring where he was miraculously healed. Today you can heal your metaphysical wounds in this hidden forest retreat. Sheltered in deep, wooded groves, Takaragawa's outdoor mixed baths are perched on the banks of the Takara River and encompassed by hewn rock, weathered wood, stone monoliths and a vista of charming traditional Japanese buildings. SATONOYU-WARAKU, KUROKAWA ONSEN Kurokawa Onsen is Kyushu's heart, a 300-year-old onsen town, lost in the mountains, barely touched by modern life and channeling the true spirit of the Edo era. Twenty-four inns line the Chikugo River, housed on winding lanes with small bridges, narrow pathways, moss covered stones and lazily spinning waterwheels. It's here you'll find the onsen, as most of these ryokan open their doors to day bathers. Many of the inns have private baths for an extra cost, giving you choices usually reserved for ryokan guests. HAKONE YURYO, HAKONE The free shuttle bus from Hakone‑Yumoto Station takes you on a steep winding ride into the mountains, delivering you to this contemporary, ultra‑stylish onsen nestled among some of Hakone's most beautiful mountainside foliage. This is the perfect city day escape, a bath in a forest, surrounded by Japanese nature at its finest. The range and quality of the outdoor baths is excellent, the pinnacle being the cypress bath that extends out over the forested glade. The many spacious rock baths are perfect for lying back and gazing at trees towering into the sky while you listen to insects as they lazily drone by. Solo baths give you your own space, and well‑spaced‑out benches allow you to kick back and be nude in nature. This is an edited extract from Onsen Of Japan by Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh published by Hardie Grant Travel, RRP $29.99. The book is available in stores nationally and online.
If you're after an epicurean escape without the hassle of long flights or using up precious days of leave, look no further than the Orange region. Less than four hours by car from Sydney and two hours by air from Brisbane, the area boasts 40-plus cellar doors and wineries that produce everything from chardonnay to vermentino and pinot noir to tempranillo. While wine is obviously the star of the show, you should do more than just sip your way through the region on your next visit. That's why we've teamed up with Orange360 to spotlight six wineries that pair your tipples with tasty bites — whether it's fresh oysters, a long lunch with breathtaking views, or a decadent multi-course meal. Printhie Wines As a Halliday five-starred winery, you can expect the exceptional at Printhie Wines. Beyond its range of renowned wines, Printhie offers several bespoke experiences to take your tasting to the next level, including its hatted restaurant, Printhie Dining. Open for lunch from Friday–Sunday and dinner from Thursday–Saturday, Printhie Dining serves a four-course degustation featuring seasonal produce sourced from the estate and its surrounds. Expect delicate dishes like kingfish with sweet alyssum, celeriac and lemongrass tea; lamb with vadouvan and smoked bone marrow; and pepperberry tea custard with chocolate ganache, bottlebrush and fermented cherries — all served with paired wines. More modest offerings at Printhie Wine Bar include a curated cheese board, charcuterie and oysters shucked to order from a state-of-the-art oyster tank developed by a marine biologist and oyster farmer. If that's not enough, take it outside with a picnic on the grounds accompanied by a bottle of vino, or elevate your four-course meal with a sparkling masterclass, fly-fishing session or helicopter tour. Rowlee Wines Pull up a seat for elegant dining paired with single-vineyard wines and idyllic views at Rowlee. With floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco tables, you'll feel like you're lounging on a farm in Tuscany as you drink in unobstructed views across the vineyard. If you have time to indulge in a leisurely lunch or dinner — you are on holiday after all — settle in at Rowlee Bar and Dining for communal-style, farm-to-table dishes. The seasonal menu focuses on innovation and sustainability, and includes plates like hay-fried chicken with pumpkin sauce and garden curry; coal-roasted fish with preserved lemon; roast pork collar with fermented rhubarb and honey; and sustainably sourced butter-poached lobster with shellfish sauce. Finish it off with an apple and strawberry gum ice cream sandwich or gelato topped with fennel and olive oil. You can also keep it casual at the Garden Bar, which offers snacks alongside more substantial fare, such as a pork and pecorino pancake, chilli of Black Angus beef with lettuce cups, and a lobster roll with bottarga mayo. Borrodell Estate With a restaurant, cellar door-slash-wine bar, and suites and cottages all on the property, you could easily while away a whole day at the expansive Borrodell Estate. Perched at the top of one of Australia's highest vineyards, Sister's Rock restaurant looks out onto rows of pinot noir vines and Towac Valley beyond. Accessible yet elevated, the set menu highlights local produce from Borrodell Estate and around Orange, and is available for lunch from Thursday–Monday and dinner on Friday–Saturday. Start with roast carrots and feta, grilled artichoke, and steamed mussels in tomato sauce, before choosing a main from the scotch fillet with Moroccan eggplant salad, pan-fried barramundi with green peas and zucchini sofrito, or vegetarian lasagne. Needless to say, you should enhance your meal with one of the recommended wine pairings alongside each dish. Ross Hill Wines Need to work up an appetite? At Ross Hill Wines, you can step into the kitchen and pick up some well-tried tips to whip up your own culinary creations at home. The carbon-neutral winery — proudly the first in Australia — boasts its own wine and food school, Barrel and Larder. Hosted by chef Michael Manners and other guest chefs from the region, the classes range from Spanish cooking to Swiss dishes and pie-making. Of course, the winery also caters to those who'd rather have their food prepared for them, with tasting plates of snacks and dip available at the cellar door. For something more special, book in advance for their Pinnacle long lunch series, where renowned local guest chefs prepare a three-course spread on select Saturdays of each month. Swinging Bridge Let's face it — all that wine tasting might not leave much room for a multi-course feast. Swinging Bridge has you covered with two dining experiences at its cellar door near Mount Canobolas. For something lighter during the day, the winery offers a tasting of seven wines complemented by a selection of canapés. These are designed by the chef and sommeliers to enhance the flavour and notes of the wine, without the risk of sending you into an afternoon slump. If you decide you are hungry after all, book in for an in-depth tasting and long lunch. The three-hour experience starts with a guided tour of the family-run estate, followed by a five-course lunch and accompanying wines. Indulge with Swinging Bridge is only available at 11am or 1pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Heifer Station Heifer Station might not have a restaurant, but it makes up for it with a range of picturesque grazing experiences. The setting varies seasonally — you'll either be sprawled out on the vineyard lawns with your own private picnic in summer or snuggled by the indoor fireplace in winter. Both packages include a glass of sparkling and a tasting flight of Heifer Station's esteemed, single-vineyard wines, along with a gourmet cheese and charcuterie platter. There's also an option that includes an interactive tasting tour before you settle in with your nibbles. Otherwise, you can go big before you go home by adding on a helicopter tour of the estate and Mount Canobolas, followed by a guided wine tasting and a picnic or fireside spread. Plan your trip now to the Orange Region at the Orange360 website. Images: courtesy of Destination NSW and Orange360.
Bendigo is fast becoming a cultural hub. Just a couple of hours north-west of Melbourne, the City of Bendigo and its surrounding towns are a gold mine of regional creativity, food and drink. Old school trams rattle through the streets, galleries showcase local art and heritage, and bars stay open late for pints, stories and a healthy dose of small-town charm. In 2019, Bendigo was named Australia's first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, solidifying its reputation as one of the most exciting spots to explore. It's fitting then, that an exhibition for an artist whose life was an act of bold rebellion against convention and expectation has landed at Bendigo Art Gallery. Until July 2025, Bendigo is giving an intimate view of influential Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in 'Frida Kahlo: In her own image', and it's the perfect excuse to plan a weekend trip. Getting there is easy. Drive up from Melbourne in around 90 minutes, hop on an $11 V/Line train straight from Southern Cross Station to Bendigo's town centre, which is a short stroll over to the gallery, or fly direct from Sydney into Bendigo's own airport. So, whether you're making a day trip or staying for the weekend, here's our guide for where to stay, eat and drink while you're in town. Fiesta Bendigo Venture beyond the gallery walls and you'll discover a citywide fiesta. Across town, the artist's spirit is being celebrated with Frida-inspired experiences and events, murals, Mexican food and tequila flights at local bars. There's even pop-up workshops and cooking classes available for anyone feeling creative. Spend a few hours following the 22-spot Taco Trail, duck into a tequila tasting, or join a street art tour to see the city through Frida's lens. Check out the full Fiesta Bendigo program here. Wine Bank on View Before Bendigo was a hub for the arts, it was a gold rush town flush with ambition and you can still feel that energy inside Wine Bank on View. This heritage-listed former bank has been reimagined as a wine bar and merchant, with soaring ceilings, plush chairs and one of the best wine selections in the region. Come for a quiet glass of something local, or try Chef Callum's Mexican inspired menu during the exhibition period. Nimbus Rooftop If you prefer your post-gallery drinks served with city views, Bendigo's Nimbus Rooftop has you covered. Sitting high above Mitchell Street in the town's centre, this fun, open-air bar offers laid back couches, classic cocktails, pizzas and panoramic views. The vibe is modern and it's open til late Thursday to Sunday, making it the perfect pit stop for a night out on the town. Rifle Brigade Hotel Every city needs a good pub and The Rifle Brigade Hotel (known as the "Gun Club" by locals) has been Bendigo's gathering place since 1887. Located just a stone's throw from the Bendigo Art Gallery, this is where you'll find live music, local brews and that classic pub familiarity. It's casual, a little bit raucous, and 100% the right call for anyone chasing a more spontaneous night out. Alium Alium is a modern, intimate restaurant in Bendigo's heritage-listed Royal Bank building, serving comforting, seasonal dishes until 11pm on weekends. Expect a more fine dining experience, with plenty of local ingredients and unexpected pairings that are crafted to be enjoyed over a slow, long sit-down dinner. Hotel Earnest After a day (and night) of exploring, eating and drinking, rest your head at Hotel Ernest. Housed in another of Bendigo's beautiful heritage-listed buildings just steps from the Frida exhibition, this boutique stay is packed with character, history and understated luxury. Each of the rooms have been thoughtfully designed to blend modern details with historic charm, including featuring a different Australian artist in each space. Frida Kahlo showed the world just how impactful it is to live life on your own terms. In Bendigo, that spirit is alive and well. So, drop a link in your group chat and start planning your next visit. Head to visitmelbourne.com.au to discover more of what makes Melbourne every bit different. By Jacque Kennedy. Images courtesy of Melbourne. Every bit different.
The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants has handed down its list of the top spots in Australia ahead of its annual global awards in May. And this year, a Sydney favourite has taken out the top spot. The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants, managed and published by Upper Cut Media House, headquartered in London, launched in 2019. It's Steak Ambassadors work tirelessly across each continent to discover the best quality steaks in the world. The criteria for evaluation include such categories as the selection and quality of meat offered (including the taste, terroir, marbling, preparation, aging process, and breeds), the service and expertise in the product, the description given on the menu, the ambiance of the restaurant, and a curated wine list. Before the global list is revealed, the Steak Ambassadors have unveiled the 30 Best Steak Restaurants in Australia. No surprise to anyone who has kept tabs on the many awards and accolades received in recent years, that Neil Perry's Margaret in Double Bay has taken out the top spot. In fact, Sydney took out the top three spots, with Firedoor coming in second, and Aalia in third. Next up on the list are Agnes in Brisbane, followed by Arkhé in Adelaide. At this point, you might be wondering if the ambassadors made it to Melbourne. But fear not, Steer Dining Room took out sixth place, Victor Churchill eighth, and Gimlet at Cavendish House came in at number 15. Images: Supplied. Feeling carnivorous? Check out the best steak restaurants in Melbourne and the best steak restaurants in Sydney.
If the sun is shining and you're in the vicinity of one of these leafy parks in Brisbane, then your senses will be overwhelmed with the telltale signs of barbecuing and picnicking. Your eyes will spy people sitting on the grass, your ears will hear the distinctive sound of happy chatter, your skin will feel the warm glow streaming down from above and your nose will be filled with the scent of tasty fare. Yep, there's nothing better than an afternoon of eating, drinking and being merry in one of the city's green spaces — particularly if you're in one where you can actually have a beverage. You may not know this, but there are only four areas within Brissie parks that allow alcohol to be consumed. There's a couple of rules, too: anyone keen on an outdoor tipple must also be consuming a substantial meal at the same time, and you can only enjoy your time outside between 10am–8pm. With all of that in mind, here's the quintet of spots just waiting for you to take a picnic basket and a few bevs to in Brisbane. Recommended reads: The Best Walks in and Around Brisbane The Best Beer Gardens in Brisbane The Best Beaches in Brisbane The Best Rooftop Bars in Brisbane [caption id="attachment_918854" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Davies[/caption] Roma Street Parkland Celebration Lawn When it comes to this popular section of one of Brisbane's most popular inner-city parks, the name says it all, really. If you want to spend some time eating outside while also consuming a few drinks to mark the occasion, then you're going to want to head to the Roma Street Parkland Celebration Lawn. This is where most of the park's major events are held, so you might find some festivities taking place on the lawn when you arrive. That said, with such a huge stretch of grass to sit on — plus artwork, a living mural and a dramatic water wall to look at — you're definitely going to have some company whenever you stop by; but hey, isn't that what a picnic in the great outdoors is all about? [caption id="attachment_918865" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lenny K Photography via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Lake Precinct How do you make a picnic even better? And no, we're not just talking about going to a Brisbane park where you can BYO booze. Combine your eating and drinking with a killer view, and you'll never want to go indoors ever again. Because one alcohol-friendly area isn't enough in a 16-hectare space like Roma Street Parkland, its Lake Precinct is its second spot that allows a tipple or two with food — all while roving your eyes over the watery haven that is the massive central lake, of course. You'll be so relaxed watching the ducks swim by, you'll forget that you're actually in the middle of the CBD. Now, that's the life. [caption id="attachment_877232" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jennifer Dudley Nicholson[/caption] South Bank Parklands River Quay Green If you haven't already guessed by now, the folks responsible for naming the various spaces in Brissie's parks really like to let everyone know just what they'll find. At the South Bank Parklands River Quay Green, you get two things: a gorgeous riverside spot with a city view to match and some lush, lush greenery to sit on. Sadly, you'll have to stay away from the redeveloped, futuristic-looking playground, as it's only for kids aged 15 and under. That doesn't mean that there's no outdoorsy fun to be had here though, thanks to its close proximity to Streets Beach and the boat pool. [caption id="attachment_918857" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Davies[/caption] Picnic Island Green A whole island just for picnics? We'd like to say "yes, really", but this is more a "well, kind of" affair. South Bank Parklands' Picnic Island isn't actually a land mass surrounded by water, as anyone who has been to South Bank before knows, but it is a space dedicated to feasting, knocking back a few beers and enjoying Brisbane's (usually) glorious weather. Don't worry: even if the sky opens here, the barbecues are undercover — and they're free. We recommend having your own sausage sizzle with a few drinks in hand, lazing about on the grass and even indulging in some inner-city wildlife-spotting thanks to the surrounding foliage and the neighbouring fish-filled pond.
Some music festivals head on tour, be it the nation or the world, to share their fun. Others livestream. Tomorrowland ticks both boxes, hopping between countries and broadcasting live. The electronic dance music fest that first started in Belgium in 2006 also has a different way of spreading the love: taking its CORE stage to other locations, including to Australia in 2026. After expanding to Colombia for two editions so far, CORE has confirmed bigger plans for next year, embarking upon a global festival tour. First comes a return to Medellín in February, before making its US debut in Los Angeles in May, then hitting up Melbourne for its first-ever trip Down Under in November. While the two other cities will get a two-day CORE experience, its Aussie stint will make the most of just one: Saturday, November 28. So far, there's no other details on offer, including venue or lineup; however, the latter is due to be revealed in early 2026. This is the first time, too, that CORE will host standalone festivals on a trio of different continents — growing from its beginnings within Tomorrowland. It started as part of the overarching event back in 2017, but think of it as a fest within a fest that's now expanded to become its own unique experience, host its own dates and take on its own tour of the globe. So, the full Tomorrowland production isn't journeying to Australia — but CORE, one of its most-beloved stages, popping up in Melbourne is still huge news. The Aussie jaunt is a collaboration with agencies Framed and Pitch Control, and promises attendees "a natural, enchanting setting" for its alternative house and techno tunes, as paired with vivid multisensory staging. Think: lights, an immersive audiovisual approach and even scents. "We are thrilled to bring the iconic CORE stage to Australia. As one of the signature experiences of Tomorrowland, CORE represents the essence of our music, art and stage design. We look forward to sharing this unique atmosphere with fans in Australia and around the world," said Debby Wilmsen, spokesperson for WEAREONE.world, which is behind CORE and Tomorrowland. CORE Melbourne is taking place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with venue details yet to be announced and the lineup set to be revealed early in 2026. Head to the event's website for more information and to pre-register for tickets.
On a future visit to Hoyts cinema in Australia, you might be catching your movie of choice not just on the big screen, but in IMAX. The two companies — Hoyts and IMAX — announced a partnership in July with the goal of launching up to five state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser systems around the country. First stop was Hoyts Melbourne Central, now we know the next four locations to follow. Before 2025 comes to an end, timed before Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives, Hoyts Chadstone will add IMAX to its offering in mid-November, before Hoyts Carousel in Perth, Hoyts Melbourne Central and Hoyts Blacktown in western Sydney open in mid-December — hopefully before the third Avatar film releases on Thursday, December 18, 2025. This isn't the first time that Hoyts and IMAX have joined forces, but they haven't worked together on an IMAX site since 2019. There could still be more additions to come, since the chain operates in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, too. So, if you live in those states, start crossing your fingers. Wherever else Hoyts rolls out its new IMAX with Laser systems, viewers will enjoy 4K images displayed via an optical engine with custom-designed lenses — and showing the widest range of colours in IMAX yet — plus precision audio. "Hoyts is delighted to partner with IMAX to introduce four new screens across Australia, giving movie lovers even more ways to enjoy blockbusters on the big screen," said Hoyts Group CEO and President Damien Keogh. "The release of Avatar: Fire and Ash in December — and a tremendous 2026 slate behind it — represent a golden opportunity for IMAX and its exhibition partners around the world," added IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma1x7ikpid8[/embed] Fittingly, Australia is currently embracing IMAX in a big way. From just four locations earlier in 2025 — in Carlton in Melbourne, in Sydney, and also on the Gold Coast and in Canberra since late 2024 — the country is the tenth market box-office wise for the format around the globe. Expanding the country's super-sized cinema options, this is the third round of new IMAX locations announced in the last year. Another new Melbourne venue has been confirmed as well, launching at Village Cinemas Fountain Gate the end of 2025. Plus, EVT, the hospitality company behind Event Cinemas, has a quartet of IMAX screens on the way at venues yet to be revealed. Three will welcome in movie lovers in 2026, with the fourth arriving before 2027 is out. Hoyts' new IMAX locations are set to start rolling out in November and December of 2025. Keep an eye on the Hoyts website for more details in the interim.
When that big city life feels like it's getting a little bit much, there's no better antidote than to whisk yourself away for a dose of countryside. Lots of fresh air, an abundance of nature and a slower pace that's guaranteed to relax and revive. And you can find all of that just a quick hop out of the big smoke, with idyllic country cottages, wilderness huts and secluded farm retreats dotted all across the state. Places where you can wake up to nature and spend your days lounging by the fire or exploring acres of surrounding bushland. Well, we've done the hard work for you and pulled together twenty of the most unique country stays you can book right now in NSW. Choose a favourite, pack those bags and get set for a taste of rural living. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains Wilderness Hut Studio, Worrowing Heights Embrace the best of country and coast, at this secluded, self-contained cabin. It's a modern beauty, surrounded by nature and crafted from reclaimed timber. From $335 a night, sleeps two. Casa Del Casson, Smiths Lake A little slice of Mexico in the coastal village of Smiths Lake. With a wood fireplace and dense wilderness surrounds, this log cabin is endlessly cosy. From $250 a night, sleeps six. Billabong Cottage, Termeil This secluded cottage for two overlooks its own lush billabong. Enjoy a cosy fireplace, sunny verandah and complete serenity throughout. From $160 a night, sleeps two. Laguna Sanctuary, Upper Colo A Balinese-inspired cottage, bordered by a freshwater lagoon. This one's got a firepit, heated outdoor spa and sun-drenched overwater deck. From $390 a night, sleeps four. The Stables, Holgate A secluded country escape, just minutes from the beach, this modern cabin is primed for relaxing and romancing. And that bath features incredible views. From $250 a night, sleeps two. JR's Hut, Nangus Escape the world at this mountaintop eco-hut, complete with 360-degree views. It's entirely off-grid, with a fire to keep things extra snug. From $660 a night, sleeps two The Shed at Broger's End, Upper Kangaroo River This former machinery shed is now a stylish cottage, cleverly built with reclaimed materials and boasting its own outdoor pizza oven. From $600 a night, sleeps seven. Japanese Studio, Fitzroy Falls Enjoy your own private Japanese-style retreat set among the lush surrounds of Fitzroy Falls, which is on the doorstep of both national parkland and wine country. From $250 a night, sleeps two. Nearest Neighbour Cabin, Cambridge Plateau Unplug at this charming, off-grid couples' cabin, backing onto heritage-listed rainforest and rolling green acreage. It's as private and peaceful as they come. From $80 a night, sleeps three. Spiral House, Robertson This unique tiny home comes complete with alfresco tub, sweeping views and 33 acres as your private backyard. From $277 a night, sleeps two. Warramba, Glen Alice A contemporary country cottage with styling that'll make you swoon. Unplug, recharge and soak up a taste of rural life. From $805 a night, sleeps six. Romantic Guesthouse, Foxground Recapture the romance at this private studio, overlooking rolling green hills. Enjoy cosy nights around the firepit and sunny days in the infinity pool. From $514 a night, sleeps two. Strikes 2, Eurunderee Enjoy an epic outlook and serenity aplenty when you book a stay at this eco-friendly couples' cottage, set high above the Eurunderee Valley. From $357 a night, sleeps two. The Treehouse, Kangaroo Valley Nab your own treehouse paradise, overlooking the Kangaroo River. This group-friendly retreat is enveloped in nature, featuring a firepit and sun-drenched deck. From $508 a night, sleeps four. The Shearing Shed, Cowra This stylishly repurposed shearing shed makes for a dreamy couples' escape, complete with log fire and loads of farm-style charm. From $250 a night, sleeps two Black Rose Cottage, Mudgee A sweet country cottage with room for ten, this stylish retreat sits just minutes from the heart of Mudgee and is surrounded by wine country. From $375 a night, sleeps ten. Kookawood, Rydal A quaint farmhouse cottage perched high overlooking the Blue Mountains. Enjoy the cosy log fireplace and some truly breathtaking views from the outdoor bath. From $550 a night, sleeps four. Loughmore Cottage, Kangaroo Valley Load up on country-style tranquility at this revamped Irish settler's hut, complete with comfy furnishings and a library full of books. From $250 a night, sleeps two. Barrington Eco Hut, Cobark An eco-friendly tiny home that's primed for an unplugged getaway, featuring a hot shower, cosy fire pit and delightfully remote wilderness setting. From $230 a night, sleeps two. Practice Ground, Glen Davis Surrounded by the rugged cliffs of the Capertree Valley, relax and unwind in this architectural wonder nestled on a 20-acre plot of bushland. From $455 a night, sleeps four. 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. Images: courtesy of Airbnb.
One of the best ways to disconnect from the city and connect with nature is a leisurely soak in one of the best hot springs in New South Wales. Scattered across the state, most of these natural pools are sourced from the Great Artesian Basin — a massive underground supply of freshwater — and are renowned for their many health benefits, like melting away that muscle tension. Found tucked into the Blue Mountains or out in the vast expanse of central NSW, these hidden gems provide an opportunity for ultimate rest and relaxation. So grab your swimmers and get your body into one of the best natural hot springs near Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Spas in Sydney The Best Ocean Pools in Sydney The Best Glamping Spots Near Sydney The Seven Best Out-of-Town Ocean Pools Near Sydney YARRANGOBILLY CAVES THERMAL POOL It's not hard to see why this thermal pool in the Kosciuszko National Park is a local favourite. Quiet and secluded, with heaps to explore in the surroundings, it's the perfect destination for an early autumn adventure or a crisp winter's day. Filled with water from a NSW natural hot spring, the 20-metre pool remains at a perfect 27 degrees all year round. Get there via a short (but steep) 700-metre walk from the nearby car park, or wind your way along the three-kilometre River Walk. If the temps aren't too frosty, have a post-swim feed in the adjacent picnic area before exploring the surrounding caves. Where: Snowy Mountains Highway, Kosciuszko National Park, Tumut. LIGHTNING RIDGE HOT BORE BATHS Located just outside the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge, these delightful baths are surrounded by remote bushland and are gloriously removed from all signs of civilisation — plus they're open 24 hours a day. You can soak in the hot waters of this NSW hot pool at sunrise, sunset, or any other time your little heart desires throughout winter. Night swims are particularly recommended as you can float in the 40-degree water while taking in the stunning expanse of the starry sky. A popular meeting place for Lightning Ridge residents, the baths are also a great place to get a feel for local life. Best of all? Entry is totally free. Where: Pandora Street, Lightning Ridge. BURREN JUNCTION BORE BATHS Want to extend your hot spring adventure into a relaxing weekend (or week) away? Pack a tent and head for the Burren Junction bore baths and campground. Camping is $6 per vehicle, and there are barbecue facilities, filtered water and electricity. Open 24-hours between April and November, the baths offer the opportunity to spend your days and nights soaking in the circular pool's 38-degree waters. Once you've melted away the week's tensions, head into town for a beer and a meal at the bustling Junction City Hotel for a taste of country town life just 2 kilometres away. While you're in the area, you may as well visit another natural bore bath in Pilliga. It's a half-hour drive from Burren Junction, and you can pitch your tent in the camping ground for $5 a night and, although the facilities are very basic, it's well worth it for proximity to the lovely baths. Recent upgrades have added a roof over the pool area, lighting for night bathing and a barbecue and picnic area. It's clearly one of the best natural springs in NSW to visit. If you'd rather rest your newly rejuvenated bod in a proper bed, book into the Pilliga Pub, three kilometres away from the baths. Where: Kamilaroi Highway, Burren Junction JAPANESE BATH HOUSE When relaxation is the name of the game, these peaceful baths on the outskirts of Lithgow are the perfect escape for anyone in need of a little R&R. Taking its cues from centuries-old Japanese culture, this picturesque bath house in NSW boasts indoor and outdoor onsen, as well as massage services, traditional gardens, public baths and accommodation all surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains. The natural mineral water here flows from 300 metres under the surface into the serine baths above ground. Book for a casual visit or a full day, or make the most of your relaxation with an overnight stay in one of the Japanese-inspired rooms celebrating the simple, unobtrusive beauty of the shibusa aesthetic. And don't bother bringing a phone charger, by the way — there's no wifi on the property and reception in the area is patchy at best, so you can unwind without any external distractions. Where: 259 Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive, South Bowenfels Top image: Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool by Murray Vanderveer.
Like karaoke? Fond of singing along to well-known songs, especially with a drink in your hand? Happy to belt out a tune in a crowd? Fancy doing something that Kate Bush approves of? If you answered yes to all of the above questions, then it's time to up your crooning game at Pub Choir's next Brisbane date. If you haven't yet tried the boozy sing-along that's all about giving your lungs a workout between sips, there's no better time. Since early 2017 in Brisbane, Pub Choir has been amassing brew-loving music fans in venues around the Queensland city. The regular event asks its attendees to learn a particular song in three-part harmonies, with talented professionals on hand each time to show everyone the ropes and lead the way. Every evening then culminates in a big boozy singing session, with the event making its way to bigger Brissie locations over the years, as well venturing around the country. Next, it's returning to Fortitude Music Hall from 6pm on Wednesday, August 31. The vibe: a far more organised version of exactly what happens whenever someone puts 'Wonderwall' or 'Weather With You' on the pub jukebox. And, now that communal singing in public is back after all the various pandemic-related restrictions that've come our way over the past two years, you can expect this tour to feel particularly celebratory, too. Pub Choir was a big hit during lockdowns, and as life started to return to normal as well; you might've taken part in Couch Choir in 2020, or watched the Australia's Biggest Singalong special on SBS earlier in 2021. Run by Astrid Jorgensen and Waveney Yasso, its IRL events are mighty popular, too — unsurprisingly — with tickets getting snapped up very quickly each time. So if you're keen to sing and drink with a theatre full of people, you'll want to book asap. Tickets for the latest Brisbane session go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, July 19.
Usually, heading to Bondi Beach means keeping your kit on. Visitors can expect to see swimwear as far as the eye can see, but no stark-naked bodies. The morning of Saturday, November 26 wasn't a usual morning at the famous Sydney spot, however, with more than 2500 folks baring all — for art, and for an excellent cause. Back in October, acclaimed New York artist and photographer Spencer Tunick announced that he'd be staging another of his mass nude shoots in Australia, this time heading to a Harbour City beach. That destination: Bondi, which has welcomed everything from a Stranger Things rift to a WorldPride rainbow already this year, and now went naked ever so fleetingly. Kicking off before sunrise and snapping to capture the early-morning light, the art installation marked the first and only time that Bondi has become a nude beach. That said, getting starkers was only permitted for the shoot. Dubbed Strip Off for Skin Cancer, Tunick's latest work was timed to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week, which started on Monday, November 21 and runs till Sunday, November 27. More than making history, raising awareness about — and funds for — fighting the disease was the main aim. "Skin unites us and protects us. It's an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks. I use the amazing array of body types and skin tones to create my work, so it feels perfectly appropriate to take part in this effort in that my medium is the nude human form," said Tunick back in October, when the installation was announced. "It is only fitting that I use my platform to urge people to get regular check-ups to prevent skin cancer. I have not had a skin check in ten years, so I am one of the many who have wrongly ignored getting them regularly. One can say I am traveling all the way to Australia to get one!", Tunick continued at the time. For more than two decades, Tunick has been staging mass nude photographs in Australia. In fact, it's been 21 years since the country's first taste of the internationally famed talent's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square in Melbourne as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Tunick then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, headed back to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths, and went to the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. The list goes on. Wondering why Tunick amassed at least 2500 volunteers this time? That exact number of participants reflects the 2500-plus Aussies who pass away each year due to skin cancer. "With Australia recording the highest number of deadly skin cancers in the world every year, it made sense to host this monumental public awareness campaign in a city that has so many people at risk," said Scott Maggs, CEO and founder of Skin Check Champions. "Beach life is synonymous with Australian culture, but it's also where a lot of skin cancers can start... We need to send a clear message that skin cancer is real, and it can be stopped in its tracks if more people get their skin checked." Strip Off for Skin Cancer took place on Saturday, November 26 at Bondi Beach. Head to the installation's website for further information. Images: Drew Lambert.
After initially revealing parts of its 2025 lineup in late 2024, Sydney Opera House's annual All About Women festival has unveiled the full program of events that'll focus on gender, equality and justice in March. Across two days, more than 50 speakers, including artists, thinkers and storytellers from both Australia and overseas, will participate in sessions that span women in sport and the influence of the Matildas, racism and sexism in the music industry, the impacts of skincare routines, and plenty more. For 13 years, marking International Women's Day with talks, panels, workshops and performances has been as easy as attending this highlight of the cultural calendar — a must-attend event not only in Sydney, but also nationally in recent years, thanks to the streaming of sessions online (which continues in 2025). For this year, Kate Berlant and Gina Chick joined the All About Women bill first, as did the return of the Feminist Roast. Kara Swisher, Rachel House, Jaguar Jonze and Grace Tame are now among the folks joining them come Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9. As revealed last year, Berlant is making her first trip Down Under, with the comedian and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Don't Worry Darling and A League of Their Own actor set to debut a new stand-up show. Alone Australia's first-season winner Chick is on the bill fresh from releasing her memoir We Are the Stars in October, and will chat about following your own path, grief and resourcefulness. Among the latest additions on a lineup overseen by the Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas team — as led by Chip Rolley, alongside 10 News First's Narelda Jacobs and actor and writer Michelle Law — journalist and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story author Swisher will dig into the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, while Heartbreak High star and The Mountain director House will chat through the importance of community and her Māori culture in her career. Jonze is on the panel discussing the present state of the music industry, as is Barkaa. And Tame is part of the Feminist Roast alongside Michelle Brasier, Nakkiah Lui, Lucinda 'Froomes' Price and Steph Tisdell. The Tillies join the roster via former Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, plus Football Australia, the Matildas and the ParaMatildas Media Manager Ann Odong, with their session exploring the current situation for women in sport. Elsewhere, Dr Michelle Wong, Jessica DeFino and Yumi Stynes — plus Price again — will examine the impacts of beauty standards, especially upon younger generations. All About Women's 2025 program also spans sessions on the women who gave testimony at the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, the rise of domestic violence-related deaths in Australia, systems that are meant to protect First Nations children, perimenopause and how women's health is being commercialised, tradwives, grief, motherhood, the nation's declining birth rate, bodily autonomy and abortion, and being friends for life. "There is so much power in women and non-binary folks coming together to talk about the issues we are facing, whether that's in our workplaces and homes, throughout our country or the world," said Jacobs back in 2024, when the lineup's first details were announced. "The events I've co-curated are inspired by hot topics that dominate conversations with the women in my life — from the transformations women undergo at pivotal points in their lives, to the ways modern culture rejigs and repeats old stereotypes. We'll be having some cracker discussions that I'm sure will continue beyond the steps of the Opera House!" added Law. All About Women 2025 takes place on Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9 at the Sydney Opera House, and streams online, with pre-sale tickets for the full program available from 9am on Tuesday, January 14 and general sales from 9am on Thursday, January 16. Head to the event's website for more details. All About Women images: Jaimi Joy, Jacquie Manning and Prudence Upton.
Have you ever been half way through the work week and fantasised about living a simple life? Perhaps you've been dreaming about waking up in a timber cottage with nothing but rolling hills as far as the eye can see? Well, luckily for you, there's a small collection of architecturally designed houses on vineyards and cabins set amongst idyllic gardens in New South Wales — perfect for your next serene weekend venture. To help you live out your dungaree wearing, straw chewing, horse riding dreams, here's a list of the most charming farm stays across NSW you can book right now. Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Luxury Getaways From Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains The Blacksmith's Luxury Cabin, Bellbrook Perfect for a rejuvenating and relaxing getaway. Situated on a regenerative organic farm, you can preorder hampers filled with the farm's fresh produce, book meditation sessions at the nearby "spirit pools", one-on-one yoga classes, massages, and Ayurvedic diet coaching. From $250 a night, sleeps two. The Gate House by Yeates Wines, Eurunderee This architecturally designed, split-level farm stay shares a backyard with Yeates Wines cellar door, so expect a complimentary wine tasting on arrival. It also boasts high ceilings, a slow combustion fireplace, a kingsize bed and sprawling views of the vineyard. From $390 a night, sleeps two. Jaguar Stay, Mogo One of three adult-only luxury villas on the property, all of which have their own plunge pools. Jaguar Stay is close to nearby South Coast beaches and is directly next to Mogo Wildlife Park, a small, privately owned zoo, so you'll be waking up to the sound of exotic animals. From $575 a night, sleeps two. Rustic Country Escape, Tenterfield An idyllic cottage situated on a creek with homely, rustic interior styling in the Northern Highlands. Set amongst picturesque gardens with a view of the adjacent farm, this farm stay is the perfect spot to switch off and unwind. From $247 a night, sleeps two. Vibrant Meadow Lodge, Far Meadow Gaze across the rolling countryside while lounging by the pool in this quaint and summer-heat-friendly cottage. Inside, cook up a feast in the bright and colourful country kitchen. From $399 a night, sleeps five. Kestrel Nest Ecohut, Mount Adrah Halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, this eco-hut is nestled above a rocky mountain stream on the edge of rolling farmland and a conservation area, with an outdoor bathtub, a fireplace and firepit. From $460 a night, sleeps four. The Shearing Shed, Cowra A charming renovated shearing shed with an open-plan living room. Five kilometres from historically rich Wiradjuri Country (Cowra), what was once a vibrant area during the Gold Rush era. From $250 a night, sleeps two. The Loft, Kyangatha The perfect farm stay for animal lovers, this two-level timber loft is set in a paddock with two horses, a small herd of cows and free-range ducks. It also has outdoor shower, a galley-style kitchen and a river on its doorstep. From $195 a night, sleeps three. Kumbogie Cabin, Daruka Situated on a working sheep farm, this eco-friendly retreat is as secluded as they come. Kumbogie Cabin is 900 metres from any neighbours that aren't the kangaroos, wallabies, birds and echidnas that frequent the surrounding bushland. From $150 a night, sleeps two. Luxurious Farm Stay, Peak Hill A renovated two-bedroom 70-year old shearing shed with French doors leading onto decks with views across the 118-year old property. Offers a family-sized barbecue for open-air cooking, and an outdoor bar to match. From $240 a night, sleeps five. All photos courtesy of Airbnb. 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.
Brisbane has been laid bare. In one of the most-ambitious installations in a career filled with them, acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick has turned the River City's famed Story Bridge into the site of his latest mass nude photography work. Called RISING TIDE, the piece is a follow-up to his 2023 work TIDE. While the latter featured around 150 people posing naked by the Brisbane River, the former enlisted a cast of 5500 on one of the Queensland capital's landmarks. Tunick keeps using the River City for inspiration to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, with his latest instance literally stopping traffic. Indeed, it isn't just cars that've now brought Brisbane's Story Bridge to a standstill in 2024. On Sunday, October 27, the famed river crossing closed to vehicles from 1–9am to become the site of Tunick's newest nude photography work instead. In behind-the-scenes images from the shoot, the river crossing packs its expanse with unclothed participants — sometimes reclining on their backs, sometimes on their sides with their arms to the sky. Although the Story Bridge has shut for roadworks and even a market before, there's never been anything like this in the structure's 84-year history. Because taking over one iconic Brissie spot wasn't enough, RISING TIDE also incorporated the Brisbane Riverwalk. Both TIDE and RISING TIDE come courtesy of Brisbane's annual LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival Melt — and attendees can see the images from TIDE at 2024's fest at Brisbane Powerhouse until Sunday, November 10. That exhibition marks the first time that Tunick has put his work on display for the public, as well as his first-ever Australian showcase, with both milestones coming after 30 years and 100-plus installations spent making his style of art. There's no word yet if the Story Bridge images will get the same treatment, but folks who took part in RISING TIDE will receive a print of the final artwork. "This work on Brisbane's Story Bridge and locations around it has been my most inclusive installation to date. Five-and-a-half thousand people is my largest Australian work so far and this one is very special because it celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies," said Tunick about RISING TIDE. "Photographing all the participants on the bridge was like looking down the mouth of a whale, filled with love and diversity." "I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I've gone through illnesses, and you just get to a point where so many people have seen your bits over the years that you just go 'why not?'. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," noted one of the participants. "It's really nice to see so many different body types — shapes, sizes and age groups. I came alone so it's pretty fun to see that so many other people have braved it as well," added another. "It's a sense of unity that you don't often get. It's just an incredible opportunity for people to come together, to celebrate each other and to celebrate art," advised a third. Over the past three decades, Tunick's installations have seen him hit the Whitsundays with almost 100 naked Aussies in 2019 and briefly turn Bondi into a nude beach in 2022. The artist initially turned his lens Australia's way in 2001 in Melbourne, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a pic near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Since then, he's also photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, then returned to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. Elsewhere, Tunick has photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Spencer Tunick's 'RISING TIDE' installation took place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 on Brisbane's Story Bridge during Melt Festival. For more information about the fest, head to the event's website. Images: Markus Ravik.
One universal takeaway from the past few years is a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors. After all, a hike in nature has loads of benefits: fresh air, fitness, scenery, a feeling of smug satisfaction... what's not to like? There are several summits worth surmounting in New South Wales and a heap of them are located an easy drive from Sydney. Here are the best mountain walks near Sydney for when you need an altitude boost. [caption id="attachment_790361" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elinor Sheargold via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] MOUNT BANKS, BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK For dazzling views of the Grose Valley and wombat spotting, head to Mount Banks. The 2.4-kilometre return trail starts at the Mount Banks picnic area and begins with a short yet steep climb before ascending gradually to the summit. Most peaks in the Blue Mountains are sandstone but this still has a basalt covering created by volcanoes 20 million years ago. For the flora fiends among you, take in smooth-barked monkey gums and native wildflowers. Once you hit the top, the view of Grose Valley from the summit is awesome. If you'd like to extend the hike, opt to link up with the Mount Banks Road cycle route, which will make the trek about 4.7 kilometres all up. [caption id="attachment_790363" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Beard via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] CAREYS PEAK, BARRINGTON TOPS NATIONAL PARK Set within the ancient Gondwana rainforests — a World Heritage Area — Careys Peak takes you through the best bits of Barrington Tops National Park. The 14-kilometre return walk begins at the Mount Barrington picnic area and travels through the Australian wilderness, parts of which will remind you of Lord of the Rings with more giant native ferns and fewer demonic shadow creatures. From the peak, 1544 metres above sea level, soak up the pastoral glory of the Hunter Valley on one side and the expansive Barrington wilderness on the other. [caption id="attachment_790364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rachel-Ann Wilcher via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] BURNING MOUNTAIN, BURNING MOUNTAIN NATURE RESERVE Burning Mountain (aka Mount Wingen) gets its name from a coal seam, 30 metres underground, that has been on fire for an estimated 5500 years. And, since the fire moves one metre every year, the landscape is continually changing. The hike itself is an accessible four-kilometre loop that allows you to explore this phenomenon and its impact on geology, animals and plants — from the smoke billowing out of the ground to the red gums growing along cracks in the earth. The Burning Mountain Nature Reserve is a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney, so we recommend staying overnight at a campsite or at accommodation in nearby Scone (the town, not the baked good). [caption id="attachment_789748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] DONKEY MOUNTAIN, WOLGAN VALLEY Wolgan Valley sits between Gardens of Stone National Park and Newnes Plateau. Somewhere in the middle is Donkey Mountain. Reaching its summit involves weaving your way through an adventurer's paradise — in and out of canyons, pagodas and caves splashed with rock orchids, ferns and natural vertical gardens. The trails are largely unmarked and difficult to navigate, so it's best to come prepared for a challenge and take a compass/GPS or an experienced climber. We recommend staying the night before at the nearby Newnes campground to allow plenty of time to explore the region. [caption id="attachment_790360" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susan Davis via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] PIERIES PEAK, MOUNT ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Don't let the three-kilometre return hike to Pieries Peak fool you. It may not be long but it is steep. The challenging trail starts at Youngville campground and launches straight into action, climbing through rocky ridges, snow grass and rainforest. Once you reach the top, kick back and enjoy views across Hunter Valley and Lake Saint Clair. The peak gets pretty cold in winter so check the forecast and make sure it's not arctic up there before you commit. In general, the region's weather is unpredictable, so come prepared for all scenarios. [caption id="attachment_840238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] THE CASTLE, MORTON NATIONAL PARK The Budawangs are a three-hour drive from Sydney, so if you can't cut an early start, head down the night before and pitch a tent by the river at Long Gully campground. It'll give you time to physically and mentally prep, because The Castle hike isn't exactly a lazy stroll. Prepare for rock scrambling at great heights. If you'd rather hike with a pro, you can book in a guided tour through Big Nature Adventures. Despite its difficulty, this hike is worth it — The Castle is hands down one of the best mountain walks in New South Wales, giving you amazing views over Morton National Park, the Byangee Walls and Pigeon House Mountain. [caption id="attachment_789764" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WENTWORTH PASS, BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Do go chasing waterfalls at Wentworth Pass walking trail. Located two hours from Sydney, the grade four hike is a five-kilometre loop that takes around four hours to complete. The trek is a segment of the famed National Pass trail. Along the way, you'll hike deep into the Valley of the Waters encountering seven waterfalls — starting with Wentworth Falls. The lookout boasts views across the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary. You'll then undertake one helluva steep climb, passing five more waterfalls along the way, finishing at the breathtaking Empress Falls lookout. BULAHDELAH MOUNTAIN TRAIL, BULAHDELAH Located an hour north of Newcastle, the Bulahdelah Mountain boasts a relaxed 4.5-kilometre return hike up to the top of the mountain. Once you reach the summit, you'll be treated to expansive views of the surrounding bushland, but there's also plenty to discover on your way up. Sitting in Worimi Country, the mountain is a sacred Indigenous site with a traditional cultural space found halfway up. Throughout the hike, you'll find tree carvings that were created in 2018 by local First Nations community members. And, while you're in Bulahdelah, you can stop by the Grandis picnic area to find the tallest standing tree in NSW. Top image: Morton National Park by Destination NSW
Brisbane's dining scene has matured into something confident, layered and unmistakably its own. The city no longer feels like it's trying to catch up – it's setting its own rhythm, driven by chefs who understand produce, restraint and how to create atmosphere as much as flavour. From intimate tasting-menu destinations and heritage-bistro revivals to riverfront institutions and fire-fuelled showstoppers, these restaurants represent the breadth of what Brisbane does best right now. Some are refined and hushed, others are generous and loud. All are worth booking ahead. Recommended reads: The Best Waterfront Venues in Brisbane The Most Romantic Restaurants and Bars in Brisbane Brisbane's Best Dog-Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants
The Sunshine Coast hinterland is ripe for farm-to-plate cuisine, thanks to its abundant subtropical warmth. In late June, the Alsahwa Estate relaunched with a new restaurant — ēthos — bringing a new level of hospitality to the mix and making the most of the region's fertile conditions. Now situated on a 30-acre regenerative agritourism destination brimming with food, nature and community, the estate recently shifted from its original Verrierdale macadamia farm to forge a new chapter in Palmwoods. Guided by hatted local chef Sophie Phipps (Spice Bar), the restaurant's highly intentional concept features a menu focused on fresh, organic and spray-free ingredients. Harvesting produce straight from the surrounding gardens or sourcing it from local farmers, each dish is made to be shared, while reflecting a more conscious approach to top-quality dining. "The restaurant is a reflection of our values — to tread lightly on the earth, support our community, and nourish our guests with food grown in healthy soil," says Phipps. "We're cooking with intention, with produce that speaks for itself." Inside the restaurant, natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling windows, offering enchanting views of the property while allowing the fresh coastal breeze to flow uninterrupted. Immersed in landscaped gardens, palm trees and thickets of wildflowers, the estate's dams are another serene highlight, primed for sun-drenched long lunches and intimate dinner gatherings that see golden-hour sessions transition to after-dark stargazing. Yet ēthos is just one aspect of the Alsahwa Estate. The broader vision speaks to a regenerative agritourism venue, where curated picnics, seasonal dining, weddings and workshops all form part of an experience designed to help people forge deeper ties with their natural surroundings. A jam-packed events program will also convey this mindful message, from Bees & Brunch sessions that delve into the inner workings of the hive to curated food festivals that reveal the community's best cuisine. "We'll be continuing to follow our 'Mind, Body, Planet' philosophy and look forward to sharing our Wellness in Nature and Estate Exchange events, as well as community conscious movie nights over the coming months," says Alsahwa Estate Founder Jo Walker. "We're excited for the Sunshine Coast to discover Alsahwa Estate at Palmwoods and see it bloom in this botanic garden-like location." Alsahwa Estate's ēthos restaurant is open Wednesday–Sunday from 11am–9pm at 20 Rifle Range Road, Palmwoods. Head to the website for more information.
Sprawling over volcanic hills and boasting not one, but two harbours, Auckland may be New Zealand's largest city, but it still offers hidden corners to get away, without having to hit the highway. With lush native rainforests and black sand beaches in the west, sheltered golden sand beaches in the east, and a cultural hub of a CBD packed with eclectic eateries, it's hard to find a dull moment Tāmaki Makaurau. Visiting is truly a rare experience — one moment, you're hiking through rugged bush, staring across stunning sea-views, and an hour later, you can be strolling through Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki or having a cocktail at a lively inner-city bar. There really is something for everyone in this picturesque and culturally diverse city. So, whether you're travelling from across the pond in Australia, or you're a Kiwi yearning for a staycation, we've pulled together ten of the most unique stays for your next break. Recommended reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand The Best Places to Go Glamping in Australia The Most Unique Stays You Can Book Around New Zealand The Most Unique Stays with Breathtaking Views of New Zealand's South Island NZ Summer House, Riverhead This one bedroom pool house is situated on a equestrian lifestyle property 30 minutes from Auckland's CBD. Close to vineyards, award-winning restaurants, West Coast beaches and popular bush-walking spot Riverhead Forest, it's the perfect place to park up for a mix of adventure and relaxation. From $271 a night, sleeps two. Piha Hut, Piha This newly built one bedroom house is nestled amongst Nīkau palms in Piha, a seaside spot known for great surf, rugged scenery and nearby waterfalls. The sheltered deck looks onto Lion Rock, a volcanic monolith with Māori carvings and war memorials. From $118 a night, sleeps two. Piha Retreat, Auckland Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Chris Tate, this retreat house is perched amongst native rainforest and boasts some of the area's most epic views of Lion Rock. Watch the sun go down from the outdoor bath, while your companion cooks up dinner on the deck's barbecue. From $248 a night, sleeps four. NYC Style Loft, Auckland If you're after a chic urban stay a stone's throw to restaurants and bars abounds, this industrial warehouse style apartment may be your next city getaway spot. From $135 a night, sleeps four. Luxury Piha Escape, Piha This architecturally designed abode with sweeping sea views is perfectly positioned on Piha, Auckland's world famous surf beach. With two bedrooms, an open plan living room and a massive timber deck, it's a perfect oasis for a beach getaway with friends. From $769 a night, sleeps eight. Relaxing Coastal Retreat, Manukau Heads Live out your castaway dreams at this coastal cabin positioned on a small farm. If the driftwood fence isn't enough to get you excited, the outdoor bathtub, sea-views and close proximity to a winery and golf club just might. From $190 a night, sleeps two. Alfriston Stables, Alfriston Transformed from unused stables to a jaw-dropping industrial-style loft, this country escape has everything you need for rural R&R. Perched at the end of a tree-lined lane, with moody renovated interiors, a large swimming pool and a desk for your leisure. From $124 a night, sleeps two. Blackpool House, Waiheke Island This secluded home set amongst the magnificent Taraire trees is an architectural wonder. The spacious structure melds a contemporary sensibility with a retro interior that makes for a warm and inviting stay. Be sure to take full advantage of the naturally lit mezzanine library that looks out on Te Huruhi Bay. From $390 a night, sleeps two. Te Kouma Heights Glamping, Manaia Find luxury off the grid in this tent for two with endless ocean and farmland views. Enjoy fully equipped solar power, a king bed and two claw-foot outdoor tubs facing the glittering Coromandel Harbour. From $330 a night, sleeps two. Coastal Acres Escape, Āwhitu Journey through rolling green pastures and whites sans at this home on the Tasman sea. Just an hour and a half outside the Auckland CBD and tucked between towering dunes, your worries will was away in these double claw foot baths with perfect views for a sunset soak. From $207 a night, sleeps six. 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.
When April 1 rolls around, it's always best to approach the day's news with a sense of humour, but one of this year's best gags isn't just a joke. For April Fool's Day, Google Maps transformed into a giant online game of Where's Waldo? — and it's available to play all week. After the company's Mario Kart caper a few weeks back, and their Pac-Man April Fool's Day update a few years back as well, it's now another iconic character's turn to roam through Maps. As anyone who has leafed through the books will know — aka everyone — good ol' red-and-white jumper-wearing Waldo likes to hide in plain sight, which means that it's up to you to find him. https://twitter.com/googlemaps/status/980203086512869376 Anyone keen to play along simply needs to update their Maps app or visit the desktop version, where Waldo is waiting to be spotted. You'll first find him waving to you from the side of the screen, and then you'll work your way through the game's five levels to find him in various places around the world. If that's not enough addictive fun, you can also try to locate his friends Wenda, Woof, Wizard Whitebeard and Odlaw. Chilean snowfields, the beach at Australia's own Surfers Paradise and South Korea's Olympic Stadium are just a few of the stops on Waldo's world tour. And yes, even when he's in countries other than the US and Canada, the game still refers to him as Waldo, rather than Wally. It'll always be Where's Wally? to us, though. Via Google Maps.
When your name is Kate, you make a series with a heap of other Kates — "I think there was nine of us working on the show," Kate Box advises — and the streaming hit with all that Kate energy is the brainchild of Australian comedy queens Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, accidentally punning on Deadloch's creators, aka The Kates, is probably inevitable. Ask Box about getting started on the award-winning mystery-comedy's upcoming second season, as Concrete Playground did, and the Rake, Wentworth, Stateless and Boy Swallows Universe star drops the perfect response: "I can't wait to get cracking on it". "Oh my god, they've taken over my body," she laughs about referencing one of the TV series before Deadloch that helped cement McCartney and McLennan's status as comedy greats, as sharp and smart satirists, and as creators of the very best comic television that viewers could ask for. Unlike morning TV spoof Get Krack!n, however, or cooking show sendup The Katering Show before it, McCartney and McLennan left the acting to others on Deadloch. Earlier in 2024, Box deservedly won an AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy for co-leading the series as small-town cop Dulcie Collins. She's also rightly up for a Logie for Best Actress in a Comedy. The character of Dulcie is one half of Deadloch's lead double act, and also one part of a TV cop show staple: the odd couple. The Senior Sergeant was once a Sydney homicide detective, then moved south with her vet wife Cath (Alicia Gardiner, The Clearing), finding more solace in the routine and rules of the job than in a quieter Tasmanian life. Donning sandals and Hawaiian shirts, loving swearing as much as Dulcie loves structure, and incapable of containing her emotions for a moment, Eddie Redcliffe arrives from the Darwin Major Crimes division to complete the series' key duo. As the new colleagues investigate why the bodies of dead men have started piling up in the show's titular town, cue pairing Box with The Breaker Upperers, Baby Done and Our Flag Means Death's Madeleine Sami, and giving the small screen an instant-favourite chalk-and-cheese twosome. Imagining anyone else as either Dulcie or Eddie is impossible, but Box was initially in line to play the latter role. When the project came the Offspring, The Daughter and Fucking Adelaide alum's way, that's what she first auditioned for. Envisaging anything about Deadloch's first season differing from the eight excellent episodes that hit Prime Video in 2023 is equally inconceivable; however, knowing what might've been sparked some on-set fun. "I mean, I gave Mads quite a lot of shit when we'd get to the scenes that we were shooting that I'd done in my audition scene," Box explains. "I was like 'ohh, are you going to do it like that? Yeah, I wouldn't have when I was doing it'." It doesn't come as a surprise for a second that Deadloch's first season was a delight to make; as it charted Dulcie and Eddie's investigations, expertly parodied its genre, made a killer feminist statement, and always proved both a hilarious watch and a gripping crime series, the end product certainly was a joy to watch. It might've taken its streaming home a full year to greenlight more episodes of a show that The Kates originally gave the working title Funny Broadchurch, but that a second season is on the way is similarly understandable — and eagerly anticipated. As set up at the end of season one, Deadloch's return will take Dulcie and Eddie to Darwin, looking into the death of Eddie's former partner — plus beyond when more bodies pile up again. We not only chatted with Box about what she's excited about the second time around, but also the response to the show so far, why it has resonated with viewers, working with The Kates, auditioning for both Dulcie and Eddie, how she prepares for stepping into former's shoes not once but twice, what gets her interested in a project and more. On the Enormous Response to the First Season of Deadloch "Obviously it's been so wonderful. It's a project that I feel so deeply proud to be a part of. There's this really wanky thing, I suppose, in the industry where you're like 'don't say it was like a family' — but it really was. It felt like an incredible bunch of artists who all really were looking out for each other and looking out for this incredible new life that would be Deadloch. I think that everybody who worked on it had such great passion for it — and when you see something that you love reach so many people and have the response that it did, it's a pretty great feeling." On Why Deadloch Has Struck Such a Chord with Viewers "It's so funny, isn't it — you never know what's going to stick, really. But I think The Kates write such brilliant characters, they write such tight plots and their voices are so incredibly unique. I think watching Deadloch was that beautiful feeling of danger and surprise, because all of this feels very new — but also of real safety in trusting that the show was going to deliver the goods in terms of great characters and great politics. And once you got into the show and you got used to the fact that it was a fairly new genre — in the way that it was trying to balance these very dark topics with this very wild humour — I think there's that feeling of joy that you get in watching something that is so unique, that is really universal, that you're witnessing something new and wonderful. The Kates just managed to bring that genre to the world in such a smart and generous and joyful way." On How Box Reacted When a New Project by The Kates Came Her Way "I auditioned for Eddie, so when I got sent the first script or the first scene, that was to put down a tape for Eddie. And I read that character — and I'd been a bit madly in love with The Kates for a while now, and had watched their work and had always found them to be exceptional — and then I read this character and I was like 'who is this woman? This is a role that I don't see come across my iPad very often'. I was kind of gobsmacked by that. And I spent the first week preparing Eddie and just having the most-amazing time doing that. It was one of those things I was so excited to go into the audition for and just put the tape down. I just really wanted to play in that world. That's a really good sign, because it doesn't feel like it's a job interview — it feels like an opportunity to just relish a very cool human. Then, before I sent the tapes in, they said 'oh, can you also put something down for Dulcie?'. I'd grown so in love with Eddie and I hadn't read much of Dulcie's material, and then they sent the stuff through for Dulcie and I was like 'well, this is a different hat to put on' — and I had to really recalibrate how I imagined living in that world. Obviously Eddie and Dulcie approach the world in very, very different ways. But it was actually such a great start to being a part of Deadloch, because I got to inhabit the the madness and the straightness of what they were trying to create with this dynamic. It was really wonderful." On Working with Madeleine Sami as Eddie "I think nobody else could play Eddie except Mads. She's the perfect fit for that sandal, and so I was standing opposite her and just watching this cyclonic force of comedy — and Eddie had such big kid emotions and Dulcie is an incredibly restrained adult. Watching Mads was just a comedy masterclass, and my task was to try to stick to the words on the page and to the crime that needed to be solved, and just manage this whirlwind of madness around me. It was just fun. It was very, very fun — and really hard to keep my shit together in a lot of scenes." On How Box Approaches Playing Dulcie "If you look at who Dulcie fell in love with, they're not a buttoned-up, repressed, tight-lipped human. Dulcie's love for Cath speaks volumes in the kind of energy that Dulcie may thrive off internally as well. So while there's all this kind of madness around her, I think her love for Cath indicates that she is drawn to the parts of her that she can't access, which is that chaos and big emotion. And so I think in playing Dulcie, I was always really wary of giving her this massive internal life of responses. I would look at a scene and imagine the screaming and shouting and tantrum-throwing that Dulcie would be doing internally, and then shut the lid on that and play the professional, straight, repressed version of that — which was a really fun task. I think that the chaos of the show and the brilliance of the show is that it is able to hold this incredibly dark and serious storyline, and tackle some pretty rough and intense and vulnerable issues, but it also does it in a way that is wildly funny and absurd. And so finding that balance within Dulcie of somebody who can feel all this stuff but hold everything in felt like the right match for the piece." On the Preparation Process for Stepping Into Dulcie's Shoes the First Time Around "Because the script is so extraordinary, so much of your information is handed to you because The Kates are so specific and so excellent. I chatted to a few folks in the police force, a few women in the police force, and had discussions with them about what it was like working in a pretty dick-swinging environment. And I just watched the way in which they would talk about it. Often the women that I met had taken on a lot of the mannerisms of what you would imagine that really heavy testosterone environment is like. That was really interesting to watch, because I thought 'I don't think Dulcie's gone that way'. I think Dulcie doesn't play the game in that way. I think what she does is she follows the rules, and she does that hopefully to the point where she can't be thrown off or criticised because she's done everything by the book. So I chatted to quite a few yeah folks in the police force. And I rewatched Broadchurch, because that was such an amazing inspiration for it. And I tried to just get incredibly precise in my note-keeping, which is very different to me. Like me, Kate, my notes are chaotic. My brain is a bit messy. I'm not a particularly ordered person. And so as I was preparing for Deadloch, I tried very hard to keep really neat notebooks and to have little codes as to what certain things in the scripts would refer to. I tried to get into the mind of someone with that much precision. Unfortunately it didn't stay. And I'm a big fan of writing personal history for characters, so I have notebooks filled with imagined events that had happened to Dulcie in her life, like the first time she met Cath and the day of their wedding, and when she graduated from the police academy — all that kind of stuff. I journaled." On Returning to the Character Again for Season Two "I feel like I've got access to so many of Dulcie's memories because I wrote them down, but otherwise I may have forgotten. You know when you're moving house and you open that box of letters and photos and you're like 'oh my god, that!'? I feel like I've got Dulcie's box of letters and photos in my desk drawer, all ready to pull out and get going again." On What Box Is Most Looking Forward to with Deadloch's Second Season "I cannot wait to be in Darwin. I spent primary school in Darwin, and I've gone back there quite a lot in my life, and I love it. So I'm really looking forward to spending some time up north in the heat. And hopefully as we get closer to wet season, watching those clouds roll in and waiting for that rain to break at the end of the day. I'm looking forward to all of those things that the place dishes up so beautifully, the sunsets and the markets. So I'm looking forward to the lifestyle — not that I'll get out much because I'll be on set all the time. And obviously just being around Mads and Alicia and Nina [Oyama, Utopia] and The Kates again. I just adore them as humans. They are really good mates, and people that I feel really joyous around and really lucky to be in their company, so I'm looking forward to being in their orbit again." On What Gets Box Excited About a New Role at This Stage of Her Career "I think I'm at a point in my life where the greatest joy is the people that I'm working with. I get really excited about having opportunities to work with people who I love and whose work I find thrilling and challenging and smart. I think I get most excited about collaboration, to be honest. I get excited about building humans alongside other people who have great insight into humanity, and into how folks think and feel and walk through the world. The good thing about being at this point in my career is I feel like I'm able to come into conversations much earlier on than I was when I was younger. I feel like when I was younger, I'd enter projects at the final stage of everything and not trust my voice enough, either, to be able to help fill out those characters through conversation with the writers and the directors. So I think what I love now most is that I trust myself a lot more. I have some excellent relationships with artists who I admire wildly, and that collaborating with those people feels like a real two-way street rather than me getting a script and just trying to give somebody what I think that they want. The inventiveness that comes with working now, I find really thrilling." Deadloch streams via Prime Video, with no release date announced as yet for season two. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. Deadloch images: Bradley Patrick / Prime Video.
It's impossible to think about Christmas without also thinking about ornament-adorned trees; however, the traditional towering variety isn't always practical. Perhaps you don't have space in your apartment. Maybe you're keen on the real thing, but just can't make it to market, farm or nursery to get one. Or, you could have a four-legged friend (or several) that's fond of scaling anything that reaches up into the sky. Even if you've found a place for the same old plastic tree that you trot out every year, you're probably still wishing that you could gaze up at the real thing — which is where Floraly comes in. The Australian plant delivery service focuses on sustainable blooms and even offers monthly subscriptions, and it introduced a Christmas offering in 2019. Because it's that time again, it's getting festive once more in 2021, too. The big drawcard: living trees. If you're happy with a pint-sized version, then this tiny plant is about to make your festive dreams come true. 'Tis the season to order a 50–60-centimetre-tall tiny tree that comes with decorations and a pop-up pot, wait for it to be delivered, then feel mighty jolly. Sourced from farms in Victoria and New South Wales, and able to be sent Australia-wide, Floraly's trees also arrive with soil, fairy lights, baubles and a tree-topper — so they really do look like miniature versions of your ideal Christmas centrepiece. There are two versions available, so you can opt for red baubles and a gold star for the top, or go with white decorations and a silver star In line with Floraly's eco-conscious mindset, its trees still have their root system intact. That means that once Christmas is over, you can replant them, keep them for some year-round merriment and then enjoy their splendour next year. The trees also come in fully recyclable packaging, further reducing their environmental impact. If you're keen, you can order a small bundle of greenery from the Floraly website for $79–85. Fancy sending a tiny tree as a gift? You can do that too, including as part of packs with wine, beer, candles, skin care products, champagne and chocolate. Floraly's tiny Christmas trees are available to order now by visiting the service's website.
These viewers are in love: by the time that the first episode of Invisible Boys ends, pressing play on the next is a necessity, not a choice. Readers fell for the story of small-town Australian LGBTQIA+ teens grappling with who they really are in a remote community where everyone thinks that they know everyone courtesy of Holden Sheppard's award-winning 2019 novel. Now, thanks to an adaption created and directed by filmmaker Nicholas Verso (Boys in the Trees), streaming audiences are there with them. As a ten-part Stan series, Invisible Boys sets its action in 2017, as the same-sex marriage plebiscite is occurring, and as four young men in Geraldton in Western Australia navigate their identities, hopes, dreams and desires — and who they keep being told that they're meant to be. Consider the show's cast in love with this tale of coming of age and coming out in rural Australia, too. Chatting with Joseph Zada (Total Control), Aydan Calafiore (The Voice) and Zach Blampied (New Gold Mountain) means hearing about the genuine rapport that they formed as three of the eponymous Invisible Boys. Speaking with Pia Miranda (Windcatcher), who portrays one of the high school-aged lead characters' disapproving mothers, means discovering how significant it is for the star to again be helping to give an underrepresented community an on-screen space, as she did when fellow beloved book Looking for Alibrandi made the leap to cinemas 25 years ago. Anyone watching is already all in by the time that Invisible Boys' sixth episode arrives; however, as the local debutant ball becomes the only thing that anyone in Geraldton is talking about, impacting Zada's Charlie, Calafiore's Zeke and Blampied's Hammer in different ways, it's one of the series' standout chapters. That's equally the case for Zada, Calafiore and Blampied, in no small part due to a deeply affecting sequence where their characters, plus Joe Klocek (Territory) as farm boy Matt, get a rare moment to hang out together at the town's lookout. The bond that's evident between the quartet is genuine. "We just hung out a lot. We spent a lot of time rehearsing, and then I feel like the beautiful thing is that you get to meet these new people and we were lucky enough to get along really well with each other, and you can really see when there's real chemistry between characters on-screen. You can really tell that there's real chemistry between characters," explains Zada. "So if you're really good friends, it shines through. And there's a real connection between all of us and we really get along. It was so lovely to have that lookout scene where we were all together." "We had a lot of fun that night," adds Blampied. "We all talk about it, that lookout scene, it was a highlight for me. I think it's the only moment — I could be wrong — but I think it's the only moment where the four of us get to share the screen together, and all be talking and communicating and having a laugh, and really feeling like we are the invisible boys. We really find our people in that moment," notes Calafiore. Her character Anna, Zeke's mum, isn't a part of it, but Miranda was also moved: "it's beautiful, that scene — it brought tears to my eyes," she tells Concrete Playground. As Charlie, Zada plays a yearning and hurting soul who lives for My Chemical Romance, and for his dream of getting out of town when his punk band hits it big. When the series starts, he isn't living for himself, though, as he struggles with the death of his father when he was a kid, and hides his sexuality from his friends and family while making the most of hookup apps. Zeke and Hammer attend the same school: the former is the studious youngest son of a conservative Italian Australian family, where nothing he ever does is good enough; the latter is the resident Aussie Rules gun with his entire future as the next Indigenous AFL superstar mapped out. While Charlie has come out by the time that episode two starts, and is starting to connect with Matt and experiencing the rollercoaster that is falling in love, his peers have their own paths to chart. Heartfelt, raw, resonant, committed to rejecting the Hollywood view of the gay experience: as it swings between aching pain and amusing chaos, plus complicated decisions and life's messes and joys alike, they all apply to Invisible Boys. Zada, Calafiore, Blampied and Miranda want viewers to find hope in the series, and to see themselves in it, no matter their own personal journey. "I hope it inspires young people, young queer people, to be themselves, and let people know that if you're feeling alone, you're not alone — there's still people out there," offers Blampied, who took inspiration from Moonlight for his part and, like Hammer here, is no stranger to footy. "I think it'll obviously find its community, but I want everyone from every background and community to watch the show and give it a go," adds Zada, who is next treading where James Dean once did, playing the same character as the late, great icon in a new version of East of Eden. "There's a lot of topics that we cover — I'm sure everyone will have their own takeaways from it". In his TV acting debut after previously gracing the stage in Fangirls and Jagged Little Pill the Musical, and with an aim to continue to pursue both music and acting, Calafiore shares similar sentiments. "My takeaways from the show, from my time shooting and then even watching a couple of the episodes, was naturally the representation. We want people to see themselves in all of the characters, take what they need from everybody and feel like they can see themselves on the screen," he notes. "But I found with Zeke, my big takeaway was that you're not alone. Even though these boys are in this small town, everyone knows everyone but they feel so, so alone and so marginalised and so in their own little bubbles that they can't be themselves, and I think the show really goes through that and shows that emotion really, really strongly — then coming again to that lookout scene, it's the real moment where you're like 'wow, I'm not alone, even though it can feel like it and it feels like the entire world is against me'. There is a light out there somewhere and you just have to find that. You find your people. It's not always who, not that you get stuck with, but it's not always who you surround yourself with. And once you find that it's such a breath of fresh air. So that was a huge takeaway for me, that you're not as alone as you might feel." We also chatted with Zada, Calafiore, Blampied and Miranda about what initially excited them about being part of Invisible Boys, digging into their characters and pushing back against Hollywood's take on the gay experience — and about Zada balancing Charlie's fierce spirit and vulnerability, the complexities of Blampied's task given that there's never been an out gay or bisexual men's AFL-level player, how Calafiore approached Zeke's conflict between being his authentic self and his family, and Miranda serving up another on-screen Tomato Day. On What Initially Excited Zada, Calafiore, Blampied and Miranda About Being Part of Invisible Boys Zach: "The thing that really jumped out at me was just when I got the brief and I saw who the character was portrayed to be, and he was a narcissist and a bully and a jock, and had a big ego. I loved that, so I wanted to play that. But he also has a very sweet side, so it was nice to dive into the two." Joseph: "I really love the character of Charlie. I read the book after the first audition, and fell in love with this story and the characters. And I think it's also it was just so unique to see a story like this as an Australian TV series. It has a really important message and covers a lot of really prominent topics." Pia: "I think for me, I love being a part of something. This is definitely going to be a show where young people will see themselves reflected back for the first time. There's going to be some young people in remote parts of Australia who've never really felt represented on-screen. And so when you get to be a part of that, that's very exciting. I got my start in a film where that had that effect. There were a lot of young migrant people that saw themselves reflected back on-screen for the first time, so it's nice to sort of carry on that tradition. It was really beautiful and exciting. I don't think we've had an LGBTQI story set in — I mean, I might be wrong — but set in a rural town." Aydan: "I think you're right. I'm pretty sure it's the first, especially to come out of WA, a Western Australian-born kind of story. It's also just nice to be a part of something that you know will be a little bit of a conversation point and a conversation starter. I think it's really important for shows like this to be given the platform that Stan's given us just to encourage conversation around some of the tougher topics that shows don't usually dive into." Pia: "A great moment Nic spoke of was when he sent the first draft to Stan, to Amanda at Stan, and then she came back and said 'I thought you told me it was going to was going to be edgy' — and he went 'oh, you never hear that. You usually hear to tone things down'. And so he had this ability to go away and really just experiment and take chances, and do something risky and exciting." On the Cast's First Reads on Their Characters — and What They Wanted to Help Bring to the Screen Joseph: "For me, it was Charlie's vulnerability. I spoke about that with Nic as well. He's very defiant by nature, but he's got a big heart. He's very rebellious, except he's just looking for love — he's just scared of rejection. So that was the take I took." Zach: "The tough bravado, but what's behind that? That was where all the juicy stuff was, and I got to flesh that out. So it was a privilege — but also vulnerability. I think all the boys in the show are very vulnerable at points." Aydan: "It's tough dynamic, when you think about the fact there are people out there that experience mother-son dynamics like this, where it's not the most supportive and loving. I can't say that I experienced that at home. I had very loving, supportive parents, so it was a big shock to see Pia Miranda being so mean to me." Pia: "It's difficult. It's exciting when you get a role like that, because it's very layered and it's a big challenge to work out how to navigate a role — because you can't go into it being judgmental when you're playing a person, because you need that to just unfold naturally. So it's a nice balance to go 'okay, I need to work out how this woman ticks and what's making her feel this way'. It's nice to be able to go deeper. And I never wanted her to be a cartoon villain, because you don't want people to feel ostracised by the character, even though she is somewhat — in the book she's described as a monster, but I think a lot of that was on the page and I tried to have a little bit of, in quotation marks, fun with it, because I thought that would lighten it a little bit. I think we found it. We had a really great groove together and just working opposite Aydan was just a beautiful experience." Aydan: "The give and take was really nice." Pia: "We found something. You can do a lot of work at home, but then it's when you get on set, if you work with a great young actor, things really can unfold in a beautiful way. If you can have a laugh in-between takes, that really lightens the mood, so you can definitely go deeper and go harder. With some of the stuff, some of the stuff I say is pretty challenging and some of it was challenging for it to come out of my mouth, but I think it's important that there's a character like that in there." Aydan: "Oh, definitely. Having the connection off screen also meant for someone like myself, who doesn't necessarily have too much experience in the screen world, I felt super comfortable going there and feeling like I was being pushed by Anna. I felt really quite comfortable to dive into those darker places of being picked on by my mum." Pia: "And Nic is very caring, the director. So he would constantly check in. So when you feel like everyone's feeling safe on set, you can go deeper and go darker and push it a little harder." On Zada's Balancing Act as Charlie, Swinging Between His Fierce Spirit and His Vulnerability Joseph: "Yeah, it was really crazy. And we didn't shoot and order either, not that really would've helped anything. It's still very much topsy-turvy. But yeah, it was crazy — I think I had something nuts like two or three crying scenes, or at least very emotional scenes, a week. It was a lot to prepare for and was a lot to map out. He's a very animated character, Charlie. And so there obviously was a lot to balance, but I had fun doing it, and it definitely, definitely challenged me as an actor. I don't think I'd be half the actor today if I hadn't been given that opportunity by Nic. You just rip in, as with any other character you play. You do all your backstory and you just work hard. I did a lot about learning about punk music. That was a fun way to me. I use a lot of music in general, but just a learned a lot about My Chemical Romance, which is Charlie's favourite band, and their lead singer. And then just the emotional stuff, I didn't feel like I was too ready for it, but then as soon as you get there on the day and you've done all your backstory, it comes." On Blampied's Task Playing a Gay Aussie Rules Footballer When No IRL Men's Player at AFL Level Has Ever Come Out as Gay or Bisexual Zach: "I really love that question. You're probably one of the first people to ask that. But me and Nic had big convos about that, and how there isn't an openly gay or bisexual AFL player. You look at the dynamics of what they go through and it's crazy to think about. I think my goal with that character, specifically towards the end when we were filming some of those scenes, was to hopefully inspire some people in the future who may be playing footy or maybe really successful at that, to not be ashamed to be themselves. So hopefully my work as an actor resonates with some young folk here out there, and even older fellas that are playing footy at the moment. So hopefully there's a change soon. I've been in change rooms before. I've played footy for most of my life. I know the dynamic in in those locker rooms. I think Hammer's just scared at the end of the day. He's scared of what will happen if he actually chooses to be himself, so he has to put on this act for the people around him and his footy mates, and everything like that." On How Calafiore Navigated Zeke's Struggle to Be His Authentic Self When His Family Have Such Strict Expectations Aydan: "There's a lot of background work that went into the complexities of Zeke. He is super layered and I love that about him, because I think as humans were all pretty layered, so it was nice to dive into something that was meaty and had some substance. So I did a lot of work. I made three character journals, where I just made those little journals as 17-year-old Zeke, but in different moments, different headspaces. So if I knew that I had to dive into a scene where I maybe felt like I was under the thumb of family or friends or school bullies or whatever, I would dive into the pages of feeling trapped and feeling like I couldn't express myself and I don't know what's going on. Then there was moments where I felt like I did get to be myself and I didn't want to keep the keep the energy like I'm feeling trapped — I wanted to let Zeke flow a little bit more — so then I would flip to the pages that it's me being myself, and being unapologetically young and free, and exploring sexuality and all of that. So it was definitely a challenge, but I think there's something nice about getting a challenge as an actor. It means that you really get to dive in and do all the work. Because, I was really worried — I didn't want to be embarrassed, I didn't want to watch it on the screen and be like 'oh, dude, why didn't you go deeper?'. I didn't want to leave anything there on set. So yeah, it was a challenge, but I enjoyed getting my teeth into it." On What It Means to Miranda to Be a Key Part of Another Pioneering Aussie Coming-of-Age Tale — and If Doing Another Tomato Day On-Screen Is a Full-Circle Moment Pia: "Weirdly yes, because I've done Tomato Day twice and they've both been on-screen. I've never done one in real life. So it does a little bit. I mean, I don't — full circle makes me feel like my career is over." Aydan: "Half circle." Pia: "But definitely, when you are in a coming-of-age film and it feels like yesterday that you were the young actor on set, it does bring back memories — and definitely brought up those memories of my first job, and how wonderful the older actors were to me. And so it's very nice to hopefully pass on that tradition of caring and making sure young actors feel safe and supported, because you only really do your best work when you're relaxed and supported. So in that sense, it's really wonderful. But it is strange, because it does come quick. As you age, it comes quick — one day you're the young actor and the next day you're the older matriarch of the set. But also it's not lost on me that there's a privilege in that as well. I feel very lucky that I'm still working 25 years after that film. I feel like sometimes as women, we feel like there's a bit of an expiration date with our careers. So I'm very grateful for the opportunity to still have a meaty role, and to be able to just flex my muscles, which is really wonderful. It means a lot to me to be a part of this story. I've had such a wonderful time working on it. And I also have teenagers myself. I've grown up in an era where young actors were told to stay in the closet because people wouldn't believe them as a romantic lead. And I've lived that experience of seeing my friends go through that. And so to be able to be a part of something groundbreaking and positive and wonderful while I'm watching my young children grow up means a lot. And I think whenever you get to be a part of something that is deep and wonderful and you know is putting good into the world, that's a privilege as well." On Invisible Boys' Aim to Correct the Way That Hollywood Usually Portrays Gay Men and Gay Relationships On-Screen Joseph: "It just meant being more real and being more raw. Everything is very mapped out. Everything you see on TV when it comes to sex, especially nowadays, is thankfully very much well-rehearsed and everybody feels comfortable. But it was long conversations about just how bullshit sex is in any shows, and especially gay sex. There's a lot more to it. It's just like: no. But it makes for this this beautiful raw quality. And humour even, as well." Pia: "I have a lot of friends that I've messaged and gone 'can't wait for you to see this show, you're really going to love it' — because for me, I don't want to speak for the gay experience, but for me, a lot of my friends didn't have that experience where they were in the city and had found their tribe. It was a tricky road to find out where they belonged. I do a lot of work with Dolly's Dream, which is a charity that really deals with the mental health of young people, but especially people who are in rural communities who are feeling isolated. I'm very passionate about that. And so it was nice for me to actually tell a story that did deal with young people and mental health in rural communities who do feel isolated. And I think it'll be so great, because sometimes we just think about kids in the city when we're making art in Australia, and we forget that there's a whole country of people who are living in country towns and are very remote." Aydan: "It's also really special that the project itself is just so unbelievably authentic, being that all of the entire team of writers are all queer, plus obviously Nic Verso as well, so it was very easy to bring the story to life in an authentic way — especially in terms of the intimacy. I think that was a big one for me, was just making sure that it wasn't Hollywoodised. Because I think most young people go into their first time or some kind of intimate moment thinking that there's just going to be fireworks and candles, and there's a little bit of that that gets shown where it's candles and rose petals and quiet music and just the dream experience, but it's really never that. It's always awkward and unsure. And 'is this okay? Is it that? Is it this?'. It's awkward. It's real. It's human. So I think that that's just really an overarching theme of the entire show — that it's human, it's real, it's raw and it's not Hollywoodised. And I think that is something that was evidently really important to all of the writers and Nic, and passed on to all of us. It was important to keep it very authentic." Invisible Boys streams via Stan. Invisible Boys images: David Dare Parker, Stan.
The best bars aren't just about what you drink. They're about how the night unfolds. For the best bars in Brisbane, that might mean a ten-seat cocktail den built on discipline, a wine bar that casually pours at the table, or a laneway whisky haunt that feels unchanged by time. Atmosphere, intention and confidence tie them all together. From West End to the Valley with a side-step to Albion, this list rounds up the places Brisbane consistently comes back to — the best bars in Brisbane that reward repeat visits, good conversation and ordering just one more.
