When the first-ever SXSW Sydney took place in 2023, we were there as history was made. We didn't just check out the talks, gigs, films, TV shows and games on offer — Concrete Playground was part of the conference programming, which is called Session Select. When we took to the stage, we did so to dive into youth, information and the digital age. In 2024, we're keen to do it all over again. At the end of 2023, after the inaugural SXSW Sydney proved a success, the Australian event confirmed that it'd be back in 2024. This year's dates: Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20. Earlier in April, SXSW Sydney also revealed that Session Select candidates are currently vying for your love, because that's how this part of the program is chosen — and we'd like your help. SXSW's Down Under leg lets the community get behind the microphone at Session Select. More than that, it allows you to choose what makes it into this portion of the fest's lineup. All you need to do is vote, which is now open for 2024 until Monday, April 22. We've submitted two sessions for consideration in 2024 — here's what we're planning, both of which you can vote for via the SXSW website. [caption id="attachment_920349" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brittany Hallberg[/caption] Appetite for Distraction: Youth, Information and the Digital Age in 2024 Call it a comeback. Call it a sequel. Either way, we're not done with this topic yet. Backing up our 2023 SXSW Sydney session, we'll host a discussion on how young people are consuming news and information in online spaces. This panel will bring together industry-leading communicators to discuss where Gen Z and young millennials are getting their news from, what's grabbing their attention, the importance of online communities and where the future of journalism and information-based content is headed. Vote for the Appetite for Distraction: Youth, Information and the Digital Age in 2024 panel online. [caption id="attachment_920350" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brittany Hallberg[/caption] New Rituals: The State of Socialising and Hospitality How is going out changing? How are consumer expectations changing? How is the hospitality industry changing to meet those demands? What trends are we seeing and how are hospitality businesses, food and beverage businesses adapting to meet them? In this panel, we'll share five minutes of insights and consumer trends from ongoing annual research into socialising, events and going out, which will be conducted in August 2024 for the second year in a row. Then, a panel of experts will discuss some of the key themes and trends, talking about their experience within their businesses, and how they are changing their products and services to meet changing consumer expectations. Vote for the New Rituals: The State of Socialising and Hospitality panel online. If you're be interested in attending our panels, please visit the voting pages for New Rituals: The State of Socialising and Hospitality and Appetite for Distraction: Youth, Information and the Digital Age in 2024 to show your support. Voting closes on Monday, April 22, 2024. SXSW Sydney 2024 will take place from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20. Top image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
After what's seemed like an eternity, summer is finally here. Combine that with the usual silly season shenanigans, and it means that we're getting ready for some serious partying. The one thing that any party needs, though, is music. We've teamed up with Hennessy to ask ARIA-nominated rapper B Wise for his playlists that set the mood for any occasion — whether for the before party, the party party or the after party. SETTING THE MOOD: ALTERNATIVE HIP HOP B Wise checks this playlist as his "personal vibe and taste", while providing a good counterpoint to his own music. "I feel most of my music as an Australian-based rapper feels alternative to the rest of the world." HYPE MUSIC: BLACK LIVES MATTER Need to hype yourself up for a night out? Look no further than these songs about empowerment and pride. B Wise says: "the playlist title says it all. Some of the best sounds from Black creators." TIME TO MOVE: RAP UK Ready to really get the night started? This selection of UK rap is a sure bet. "When it's time to move like a road man (or hit the gym), this is my vibe." LOCAL PICKS: A1 This international selection of the hottest hip hop right now is an Australian-curated selection that also includes tunes from homegrown talent. According to B Wise, this playlist "always keeps the big energy up". HIT THE FLOOR: RAPCAVIAR You know that time of the night when it's past the point of no return? This is the playlist for that time. "If we partying, this is the first playlist I'm gonna visit." AFTER PARTY: STRANGE NIGHTS Naturally, even the after party needs tunes — and this list curated by B Wise himself is sure to strike the right note. "One of those if you know, you know kinda vibes. For the party after the party." Level up this summer with Hennessy. Hennessy V.S brings elegance and complexity to any mix while showcasing its versatile appeal. Whether it's an Espresso Martini, an Old Fashioned or the game-changing mix Hennessy x Ginger, Hennessy allows you to step it up this summer. Top image: Jarrad Shaw
With a program packed full of great events, there's a bunch of ways to fill your days at the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival. Of course, you could also blow off any attempt at constructing a schedule and spend the whole time playing demos of the 150+ indie games featured in the Games Showcase. With that many titles on offer you're sure to find some that speak to the unique gamer within you, but if you'd like a steer on what to see and play we've gathered ten red hot picks from developers both Australian and international. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuD8G9GzOFw[/embed] WINNIE'S HOLE Since tumbling into the public domain, the beloved Winnie the Pooh has been showing up in some odd, often horrific places (notably this childhood-ending horror movie). Winnie's Hole, developed by Melbourne studio Twice Different, is buying into this trend with a rogue-lite puzzle game that sees you controlling a virus infecting the bear. As you conquer more cells you begin to twist your huggable host's body in grotesque ways, choosing mutations that allow you to fight off enemies and spread to more inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. It's a compelling blend of disgusting and delightful. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJbUXpfAWis[/embed] JANET DEMORNAY IS A SLUMLORD (AND A WITCH) If you're reading this and you live in Sydney, chances are you've lived in rental properties before (and maybe still do *shakes fist at real estate market*). If so, Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (And A Witch) will probably hit home for you. This first-person horror comedy from Sydney-based studio Fuzzy Ghost has you moving into a fairly dilapidated terrace house and joining a crew of LGBTQIA+ roommates. Problem is, the house has been transported to another dimension and your interactions with the landlord – who, as the title suggests, is a witch – are becoming increasingly threatening. Featuring real-life rental horror stories, it's set to be a funny and frightening look at what it takes to have a home these days. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m-_bNcnpQE[/embed] THE DUNGEON EXPERIENCE Jacob Janerka might just be the funniest game developer in Australia. In his new project, The Dungeon Experience, you're a visitor to a fantasy-themed experience established by a level 1 mud crab who's packed in being an enemy for a life of entrepreneurship. It's a first-person adventure game that will send you on a quest filled with memorable characters and hilarious dialogue, all the while turning the tropes of the fantasy genre firmly on their head. This is one game you won't want to miss. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp3Uy4CYNJc[/embed] ANOTHER CRAB'S TREASURE If you're into Souls-likes (that's brutally difficult third-person roleplaying games inspired by the Dark Souls series, in case you aren't familiar) but wish they weren't so uniformly dreary, Another Crab's Treasure is the game for you. Developed by the appropriately named Aggro Crab out of Seattle in the US, this underwater adventure features the fiendish combat you know and love in a bright, cartoony aquatic setting. As Kril the hermit crab you'll use a variety of trash from the ocean floor as both shell and weapons during your mission to buy back your repossessed original shell. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDjbZyvvyu0[/embed] WAY TO THE WOODS Way To The Woods is the project of Melbourne-based solo developer Anthony Tan who started working on the game while in his teens. It's been a long road – as it often is with game development – so to get a chance to see it in action at SXSW Sydney is a genuinely exciting opportunity. The game puts you in the cloven hooves of a deer who must guide its fawn through a ruined world to get back to their natural environment. With a beautiful, serene art style and a high chance of touching narrative moments, this title is shaping up to be something special. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHhqezkr5R0[/embed] WOOD & WEATHER If you're looking to recapture the raw, unbridled power you felt while playing imaginary games with toys as a child, Paper House out of Melbourne have you covered. In their new game Wood & Weather, you'll assume god-like control over a city made of wooden blocks, populated by inhabitants that have pleasingly similar aesthetics to old Playmobil sets. As a benevolent deity, you'll tinker with the weather as well as interacting with objects while taking the form of a giant blue hand, all to help the townsfolk solve problems. It's a whimsical, wonderful experience. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNJ87JU4CII[/embed] DARKWEBSTREAMER With the astronomical rise of Twitch and TikTok, streamers have become the new celebrities. But how far is too far when pursuing fame this way? That's the question darkwebSTREAMER by Adelaide's We Have Always Lived In The Forest poses, as you try your hand at being a fledgling streamer looking to rise to the top of an internet culture where the more extreme and dangerous your content, the more famous you'll become. With an eerie 1-bit art style and use of procedural generation meaning no two sessions are the same, this has the makings of a horror game masterpiece. [embed]https://youtu.be/eTfZzwydEWQ[/embed] DEAD STATIC DRIVE The open road. The wind in your hair. The purr of the engine. The eldritch screeching of the monsters chasing you. Dead Static Drive by Melbourne's Reuben Games puts you in the driver's seat on a road trip through 80s-inspired, fading small town America. A journey to visit family turns into a fight for survival as the end of the world arrives, bringing monsters with it. You'll need to scavenge, sneak and slay to reach the final destination in this top-down horror driving game. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3Tnrl7WOA[/embed] THE DRIFTER The point-and-click adventure renaissance continues with The Drifter, developed by Powerhoof out of Melbourne. Assume the role of Mick Carter, an itinerant who's experiencing the worst day of his life. From witnessing a murder, to returning to life after his own murder, he's got to unravel deepening mystery while trying to keep his wits about him. It's a pulpy thriller that harks back to the guts and gore of 70s Ozploitation flicks, with a focus on fast-paced storytelling rather than finicky puzzles. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9RDPQv_Tyk[/embed] KNUCKLE SANDWICH Starting over in a new city can be hard, particularly when it's Bright City — the setting for Knuckle Sandwich by Melbourne's Andy Brophy. This fictional Australian metropolis has a missing persons problem, and you get tangled up in it as you take on an amusingly over-the-top gang and a cult. It's an RPG of classic lineage, with a vast array of characters to interact with, a plethora of locations to explore, and turn-based combat that utilises over 100 different mini-games. This one has been on the horizon for a while, and with a recently announced release date SXSW Sydney is a great way to try before you buy. The SXSW Sydney Games Showcase is taking place across Eddy Multi Space, Mercure Sydney and Fortress Sydney from October 18-22. To see session times, and the full list of showcase title, check the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival website for details. For more inspiration head to our full guide to the best of SXSW Sydney.
The Gold Coast has Cucina Vivo. Sydney is home to Cucina Porto. Now, Brisbane boasts Cucina Regina. The chain of authentic-style Italian restaurants sits inside The Star's various locations, serving up classic dishes and drinks in old school-leaning surroundings. In the River City, the new riverside Queen's Wharf precinct is now your destination when the hankering hits for hand-stretched pizzas, homemade pasta, panna cotta from the dessert trolley, and negronis and limoncello sours. Brisbanites have been looking forward to Cucina Regina since October 2023, when it was initially revealed that it'd join the $3.6-billion CBD spot that took almost a decade to come to fruition. Several of The Star's eateries in other cities have made the jump to the Queensland capital, including cocktail bar Cherry and Japanese fine-diner Sokyo — adding to a precinct that also features Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, the new LiveWire and Black Hide's latest guise, all three of which have moved over from the old Treasury. At the 160-seat Cucina Regina — which is part of The Terrace, the riverfront space at the end of the Neville Bonner Bridge before visitors get to The Star Brisbane — the menu isn't just about Italian food; it's about comforting Italian fare. Trattorias are a big influence on the restaurant's look, feel and menu, with Australian design studio Tom Mark Henry in charge of the neutral-heavy fitout (which covers an 18-person private-dining space as well) and Italian-born Chef Davide Incardona overseeing the kitchen as Executive Chef. Whether you're tucking into puffed pizza bread as a starter, stone-baked prosciutto- or garlic prawn-laden slices, a 40-day dry-aged scotch rib fillet or the Brisbane menu must-have that is Moreton Bay bugs, you'll likely be enjoying something from the woodfired grill. Other options include calamari, burrata, bruschetta and arancini among the smaller bites; rigatoni carbonara, spiced Italian sausage ragu, and salted ricotta and roasted pumpkin agnolotti from the pasta picks; veal scallopini, the house speciality; and a 1.1-kilogram t-bone steak in the bistecca alla fiorentina. And for dessert? Tiramisu, Nutella pizza, a choice of lemon or chocolate cannoli, lemon sorbet and affogatos are among the choices. A banquet menu for four people, costing $89 and featuring ten dishes, is on offer if you're known to have trouble deciding on what to eat. For just a bite with a drink, there's also the snack range. Among the beverages, Italian wine gets its time to shine, naturally, while spritzes both boozy and alcohol-free equally tempt tastebuds — and classic cocktails are available upon request.
In an unassuming area of Bowen Hills, Fireworks Gallery is an Aboriginal art paradise housed in a spacious, concrete warehouse. Established in 1993, the gallery was born out of the desire to present Indigenous artworks and non-Indigenous artworks side by side to connect and build a community through contemporary art. Since then, heaps of leading artists have exhibited their works in the two-storey building, making this gallery a must-visit for art lovers. Images: Kiel Wode
Though it's been over ten years since the Gallery of Modern Art opened its doors to shower the city with creativity, the gallery still keeps things fresh, providing many reasons for repeat visits. Browsing the works that line GOMA's walls, and nestling into the Australian Cinematheque's comfy chairs are only a couple reasons to drop by, not to mention the gallery's ever-changing exhibitions. If you're after arty wares, head to the Gallery Store, and if you're craving some caffeine and eats, pop in for a coffee and cake at the on-site café or a meal at their restaurant with a view. The best part? If you work in the CBD, you'll have plenty of time during your lunch break to sneak a midday trip to the gallery.
First, Queensland Health ran a walk-in weekend for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations. Then, it opened up four of the state's vax hubs to walk-in appointments every day. Now, it has extended that move to all Queensland Health vaccination clinics — so, no matter which one is most convenient for you, you can head in and roll up your sleeve whenever you have time. Jurassic Park told us that life finds a way, but sometimes life gets in the way, which is what this walk-in option aims to work around. So if you've been busy, or booking in has slipped your mind, or it's just kept falling further down your to-do list, you no longer need an appointment. "Getting vaccinated is absolutely crucial when it comes to ending the pandemic, rebuilding our economy and preserving our way of life here in Queensland," said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, announcing the move. "Walk-ins have been successful so far and with more supply, we want to make it as easy as possible for all Queenslanders to get vaccinated." Walk-ins are now welcome at all Queensland Health vaccination clinics. We can't predict where and when the Delta strain is going to pop up - the best protection for you and your family is to get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/qdvAAIX3IK — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 30, 2021 If you already have an appointment at any Queensland Health vax hubs, you can still keep it — that won't be affected by the walk-ins. And, if you would prefer to make a booking to lock yourself in to a set time, that's still possible. You can also still opt for an appointment at a GP instead, or get the Moderna jab through a pharmacy. At the Queensland Health clinics, walk-in availability is dependent upon demand on the day, so it's worth noting that you may need to wait — and each clinic has different operating times. Either way, getting vaxxed will help the country increase its vaccination rate, with more restrictions likely to ease for fully vaxxed Aussies once the nation hits both the 70-percent and 80-percent vaccination thresholds. Obviously, if you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 jab, you should seek advice from your GP or a healthcare professional. For further information about Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, head to the Australian Government Department of Health website. For more details specific to Queensland, visit the Queensland Health website.
It used to be said that the kitchen was the heart of the home — these days, though, it's the living room. Whether you're cheering (or jeering) your team, cueing up a playlist or exploring new worlds as you settle in for a movie or gaming marathon, the TV is now the heart of the action. And with a few smart upgrades, you can easily transform your setup into a home theatre that rivals the real thing. Upgrade your screen The foundation of any great home theatre is the display itself, but not all screens are created equal. TCL's new C8K QD Mini LED TV makes a strong case, with ultra-vivid picture quality, sleek border-free design (no blocky borders around the screen, just pure pixels from edge to edge) and immersive Bang & Olufsen sound that keeps the focus squarely on what's on screen. Whatever the occasion, a top-rate screen undoubtedly elevates the entire experience. Layer your lighting Gone are the days of all or nothing when controlling the lighting. Rather than just flicking off the ceiling light, use dimmable sconces or softly glowing lamps, LED strips behind the TV or smart bulbs that shift colour to match what you're watching. Or, go old school — lighting a candle or two also keeps things cosy. Ambient lighting doesn't just set the mood, but it also reduces eye strain and keeps you immersed in the action. Invest in soft furnishings You don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate cleaner sound. Soft furnishings are a simple fix to absorb echoes and stop audio bouncing around the room. And while integrated speakers like the C8K's Bang & Olufsen set do a lot of the heavy lifting, a plush rug under the coffee table or heavy fabric curtains can instantly make dialogue clearer and explosions punchier — not to mention they help dial up the comfort factor. For that authentic theatre vibe, swap out sheer curtains for blackout drapes to block out glare, improve on-screen contrast and give your living room that same feeling of anticipation when the lights lower in a cinema. Set the scene Cinemas have décor, so why not your living room? Frame your favourite movie posters, add a neon sign or even make a mini marquee on a blackboard listing that night's feature. Touches like these make the space feel more intentional and turn a regular movie night into an event. Hide the mess A tangle of cables and remotes can ruin the illusion. While not all TVs can be wall-mounted, hiding cords under cable covers and keeping devices in one console is an easy and surefire way to make the experience more immersive. Some TVs like the C8K have a built-in Google TV interface, meaning you can even cut down on boxes altogether. Level up your home viewing experience with the TCL C8K QD Mini LED TV. For more information, head to the TCL website.
Got an empty wallet but a full itinerary? Good news. Melbourne might have its fancy restaurants and exclusive cocktail bars, but it's also the great provider of a true city experience if you're on a budget. Staying at youth hostels has long been the domain of the cleverly thrifty, not to mention those who love meeting new mates and maybe even sipping a beverage on a rooftop bar. Who says a budget trip can't be ritz, too? YHA Australia turns 80 this year, and it's well and truly proved its mettle as a mainstay of budget travellers — not least Melbourne Central YHA. Be you solo travellers (there are plentiful common areas to meet new people) or a group of friends (ensuite rooms and small multi-share rooms are very affordable); a keen stayer-inner (kitchen facilities are available for whipping up a feast) or a ready-to-partier (it's BYO, but there's also a bar on premises) — you're going to have a top time. [caption id="attachment_728172" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Central YHA rooftop.[/caption] Need to find some equally thrifty things to do around the city while you're there? We've rounded up our best penny-pinching tips for a weekend down south. Check 'em out, then get booking, 'cause it's fun to stay at the Y. H. A. GET A COFFEE AND CREAM CHEESE BAGEL AT 5 AND DIME BAGELS — $8 5 and Dime is right around the corner from Melbourne Central YHA and churns out traditional, boiled bagels inspired by the way they make 'em overseas. Opened by a New Jersey native, the small cafe honours the bagel's roots in the Jewish communities of Poland and Israel and, in particular, its intense popularity in New York. You'll find schmears, lox and pastrami here to top your doughy treat with. But, the best part, is the meal deal — you can nab a toasted bagel of your choice with cream cheese and a coffee for just $10. It's the perfect fuel to enjoy on the go as you start your busy day of exploring. [caption id="attachment_726133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] CHECK OUT INDIGENOUS ART AT KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST CULTURAL CENTRE — FREE The Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre is an integral part of Melbourne's history and context, and it's smack bang in the middle of town — you'll find it in the Yarra Building in Federation Square. Entry is free (with a gold coin donation to the Trust) and it's open seven days a week. Go in to learn about Koorie culture and heritage and of the traditional owners of the land. It's also an important stop for any art loving out-of-towner — especially now that ACMI is closing for a while. Right now, you can see Ngarigo artist Peter Waples-Crowe's exhibition insideOUT. The solo collection of collages, animations and live-art activation tackles being both queer and Indigenous. [caption id="attachment_726160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rushdi Anwar[/caption] KEEP THE DIY ART TOUR GOING AT KINGS ARTIST RUN — FREE Want to clock more free art? Head over to King Street to the small in size (yet hefty in breadth) art gallery Kings Artist Run. Blink and you'll miss the door — so don't. The contemporary gallery and studio space is driven by a community of artists, writers, curators and academics, and the range of art within is worth much more than the free entry. Three exhibition spaces and an array of events pepper the space. Right now, you can catch a collection of Japanese artists approaching the consumption of video as an artefact — Black_Box: And again {I wait for collision}. There's also a study on how artists incorporate language into their practices with these words. HAVE A BARBECUE IN BATMAN PARK — FREE Batman Park is the most urban of Melbourne's parks — it's just a hop, skip and a jump from the city centre and is basically next door to Melbourne Central YHA. The park is small, but it's worthy of a stroll, a run around or a picnic. Eucalyptus trees cloak the smell of traffic and the views of the Yarra cloak any winter coldness you might be feeling. Barbecue facilities mean you can have a budget cook up — just BYO an eight-pack of snags from the supermarket and six-pack of beers of your choosing. Crack a cold one and say cheers to the founding father John Batman. TUCK INTO A JAPANESE RICE BOWL AT DON DON — UNDER $10 If you've spent all that time tramping around arty and historical sites of the city, chances are you're a hankering for a hot (and cheap) lunch. You're in luck — Don Don's Francis Street outpost isn't far from the hostel. Here, you'll find rice bowls for between $7 and $8 — you have a choice of teriyaki or curry. The bowls are big and the service is fast, so it's not a place to linger. It is, however, a place to come back to every day of your trip. You'll need to in order to try the popular Don Don box, with chicken, beef, salad and rice for under $10, plus miso soup on the side for an extra $1.50. It's one of the best value meals you'll find around the traps. CURL UP WITH A BOOK IN THE STATE LIBRARY'S READING ROOM — FREE If you're after some quiet time, let us guide you to the very beautiful, and very free, State Library Victoria's domed La Trobe Reading Room. Reminiscent of eras gone by (it was built in 1913), the reading room is six storeys in height and can be home to any 320 readers at a time — but, since it also houses up to 32,000 books, they're probably not reading what you are. As well as being a perfect space for getting through a chunk of an epic novel, doing some trip planning or even meditating, the State Library also houses art exhibitions and a viewing platform up high for panoramic views of your new calm place. CATCH SOME LIVE MUSIC — FREE A trip to Melbourne isn't complete without checking out one of the sticky (in a good way) dive bars that the city is famous for and catching a gig. Cherry Bar might be your best bet when it comes to music, free stuff and character (via said stickiness). Head to the legendary spot on AC/DC Lane for the regular Sunday Blues sessions. Or, you could pay a visit to Ferdydurke — the venue is similarly equipped to give you a good (free) time on a Sunday with its weekly live hip hop night. [caption id="attachment_726358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peterdownunder via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] DIVE INTO GREEK CULTURE AT THE HELLENIC MUSEUM — $10 The Hellenic Museum, based inside the former Royal Mint building, paints a solid portrait of 8000 years of Hellenic history and Greek culture. Now in its 11th year, the space gives the huge population of the Greek community in Melbourne a well-deserved place to both celebrate and inform. The Hellenic Museum's entry fees are $10 (or $5 concession), which includes access to multiple installations it has going at any one time. Right now, you can go and see Oneiroi, a photographic installation by Bill Henson, or Beyond Attica: Art of Magna Graecia. GRAB A BITE TO EAT AT CROSSWAYS — $8.95 One of the best meal deals in all of Melbourne has to be at Crossways Food for Life. The Swanston Street vegetarian spot, run by Hare Krishnas, has fed many a hungry city-goer in the 30 years-plus it's been operating. The menu changes every day but the deal remains the same: two courses, plus a drink, for under $10. Vegan options are available, too. And — the greatest news for hungry travellers — seconds and thirds are free because it's all-you-can-eat. Roll up for dinner and sticky date pudding (if you're lucky). Let YHA Australia help you explore more of Australia without breaking the bank. Plan a trip to Melbourne (or Sydney or Brisbane) and book a stay right in the middle of the city with YHA Australia. Top Image: Jake Roden.
To experience a truly exceptional adventure, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little sleep to make it happen. And, after returning from a trip with Hot Air Balloon, you'll be more than glad you got out of bed before the sun to see it rise over the magical Atherton Tablelands. Departing from Cairns's northern beaches and Port Douglas, this tour will take you approximately one hour west to Mareeba for your ballooning take off. Once afloat, you'll experience the soft colours of dawn as you glide high over the Atherton Tablelands, soaking in panoramic views of the region. You'll arrive back in Cairns between 9-9.30am, just in time for breakfast at one of the city's excellent cafes.
Set your GPS to The Record Exchange, then let all notions of modern technology melt away at this nostalgic musical mecca on Adelaide Street in Brisbane's CBD. Home to some 250,000 records (no, that's not a typo) and over 10,000 CDs, the store is an ideal spot to while away an hour, browsing the latest new releases and getting nostalgic with a look through the retro gems. If you've got some musical gems lurking in your CD wallet or record crate, The Record Exchange buys and trades. So gather up your old CDs and get down there on Thursday afternoon. Flick through some vinyl and pick yourself up some analogue tunes while you're at it. Image: Anwyn Howarth.
Weekends and curling up with a good book go hand-in-hand — but what if you've already worked your way through your reading pile? Dropping by Bulimba's Riverbend Books should solve that problem, as well as another Sunday morning struggle: where to go for brunch. As classic a Queensland setting as you can imagine with its big deck and leafy trees, Riverbend Cafe is a popular mid-morning spot for plenty of reasons. Try the croque madame if you're feeling extra indulgent; the breakfast menu is served until 11.30am. Cakes and pastries are also on offer, as well as Merlo coffee and T2 teas. Then, once you're done eating, head into the bookstore and browse away. If you're after recommendations, the staff will be quick to help — whether you want something you know you'll love, or are happy to jump outside of your reading comfort zone. Image: Atlanta Bell.
New South Wales being as big as it is, it should come as no surprise just how varied the communities and events calendar can be. If you're committed to travelling across this wide land in search of a good feed, let us do the hard yards for you. Throughout the year, there are food festivals of all shapes, sizes and menus happening across the state, so we've partnered up with Destination NSW for this definitive list of events you'll need to add to the agenda. As of autumn, we're fast approaching the annual celebration of luminescence and warmth that is Vivid Sydney, conveniently timed to fend off the cold and dark nights of winter. Beyond the obvious attractions of bright lights and exclusive experiences, a great many foodie-centric events are booked across the state, too.
There's no shortage of places to eat and drink in Paddington, especially on the stretch of road that starts off as Caxton Street, segues into Given Terrace and eventually becomes Latrobe. Nowhere has stood the test of time like The Paddo, however. It dates back to 1885, although it definitely looks a little different these days. As well as a slice of inner-west history, The Paddo has something else on its menu on Tuesdays: two-for-one meals with a side order of karaoke. Grab a cheap meal then belt out a tune — and banish any midweek blues in the process. Mains include pork belly, lamb cutlets and Atlantic salmon, aka just the kind of pub food favourites you'd expect to find in the area's favourite pub. And, if you don't have to work the next day, you can show off your singing skills until late, with the karaoke session kicking on until 2am.
Whether sprawling across a Tokyo warehouse, taking over a Japanese castle, turning old oil tanks into waterfalls or even popping up in Melbourne, the digital art made by creative collective Teamlab can make you feel like you're in another world. That's a sensation we could all after the past year year, even if visiting the group's overseas sites is currently off limits due to international travel restrictions. Enter Teamlab's latest project: the online-only Sakura Bombing Home. If it sounds familiar, that's because it's a twist on Flowers Bombing Home, which Teamlab launched in 2020. The project has been updated for cherry blossom season, because Japanese students usually graduate at this time of year — but can't currently enjoy the usual festivities due to the pandemic. Like the bulk of Teamlab's work, Sakura Bombing Home is interactive; however, as its name suggests, art lovers can take part from their own couch. The collective is asking its audience to draw and colour-in pictures of cherry blossoms — either on paper or on your phone — then take a photo and upload it to the group's site. Your pics will then be added to the bright, kaleidoscopic, constantly moving and evolving piece. That's the participatory part of the project. When it comes to watching — whether you've gotten arty first, or you just want to view the piece without breaking out your colouring pencils — you can head to Teamlab's YouTube channel. Sakura Bombing Home is live streaming constantly, joining together cherry blossoms created by folks all over the world. While viewing, you'll notice petals scattering, then coming together to form new images. Unsurprisingly given the sensory nature of its physical installations, Teamlab recommends viewing Sakura Bombing Home on your television set, "or as large a device as possible". The project will be available for the foreseeable future, too, with the collective advising that it "will bloom until the end of the coronavirus" — and that it'll also stick around afterwards "for people to remember this era". For more information about Teamlab's 'Sakura Bombing Home' — or to add your own drawing — visit the art collective's website. To watch the live-streamed artwork, head to its YouTube channel.
No matter how you feel about Game of Thrones' polarising eighth and final season, the epic HBO show will always hold a soft spot in many pop culture fans' hearts. It'll also always adorn a lengthy tapestry that's currently on display in Northern Ireland. In fact, the detailed piece of fabric has embroidered all of the show's ups and downs onto a massive, 90-metre-long artwork. Simply called the Game of Thrones Tapestry, the piece was inspired by the famous 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry — and while it has called the Ulster Museum in Belfast home since mid 2017, it'll head to Normandy to be displayed alongside its counterpart from September this year. Originally, the cloth reached more than 80 metres in length; however it has recently increased in size for a very important and obvious reason: to add the events of GoT's last season. Along the fabric's huge expanse, dragons, battles and blood sit side-by-side with well-known characters and lines of dialogue. Yes, "winter is coming" is one of them. If you've ever wanted to see Jon Snow in stitchery, the Iron Throne get a linen makeover, revisit Ned Stark's demise in cotton or get a completely different look at all of the series' standouts scenes, this is your chance. Daenerys' fiery rebirth, the Red wedding, the Night King's frosty reign, Hodor's touching end, the Battle of the Bastards and plenty of other deaths, fights, frays and phrases all feature, with the show's first first seven seasons all averaging around 10–13 metres of coverage each. [caption id="attachment_729913" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ulster Museum, Belfast[/caption] If you can't make it to either Northern Ireland or France to see the intricate piece with your own eyes, you can peruse an online version — although, at the time of writing, it hasn't been updated to include the eighth season as yet. Designed by hand, employing a machine to do much of the weaving, and then embroidered by a team of 30 stitchers, the tapestry doesn't just celebrate the show that kept people talking. In addition, it uses fabric from Ferguson's Irish Linen, it commemorates one of the last surviving linen mills in Northern Ireland. Much of the series was filmed in the area, and a new museum will also pop up there soon — which is great to know if you're not ready to say goodbye to GoT just yet, can't wait for George RR Martin's long-awaited next book to finally drop, and are biding your time until the TV spinoffs and prequels come to fruition. The Game of Thrones Tapestry is on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast until July 28, 2019, before moving to the Hôtel du Doyen in Bayeux, Normandy, France from September 2019. Images: Game of Thrones Tapestry.
'Have I got a story for you?' The uttering of this simple question is simultaneously charged with boundless potential, designed to pique interest and loaded with promise. Will the tale be hilarious, harrowing or just plain entertaining? This year, the Sydney Writers' Festival (the local wordsmith's answer to Glastonbury) has put grandiose, pompous conceptions of what truly great literature means aside to focus on the simple joy that can only be brought forth by a cracking yarn, plain and simple. Whether you're a book club aficionado who knows her Shakespeare from her Tolstoy or just a fan of The Breakfast Club, the dynamic program of events, released today, has something to make you lean in with anticipation. "Stories lie at the heart of our lives. We need them to understand ourselves, to understand others and to make sense of the world around us. In 2013 we look at the breadth of storytelling from Australia and around the world," explains Jemma Birrel, who debuts in her role as artistic director this year. Reckon you've heard it all before? Let the festival's astonishing stable of prominent orators, including Molly Ringwald, Naomi Wolf, William Dalrymple, Robert Green, Ruby Wax, Anita Desai, Archie Roach, Edward Rutherford, Hannah Kent, James Wood, Joe Rospars, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Kate Atkinson, Kate Mosse, Michael Sanders and Gillian Meares prove you wrong. These voices of our generation (minus Hannah Horvac of Girls, der) will wax lyrical on everything from the Future of Activism, to What Money Can't Buy and the question on everyone's, um, lips — I'm a Feminist, Can I Vajazzle? In a new addition to this year's program, a series of live storytelling events will see the likes of Claudia Karvan, Brendan Cowell, Jacqueline McKenzie and William McInnes hold court. Topics include personal passions and obsessions as told in 15-minute increments, true stories with the literally loco theme Lost the Plot and the sharing of specially written love letters by authors to their other halves in People of Letters. Gather round children, the Sydney Writers' Festival has a story for you. Images via Sydney Writers' Festival.
In every generation, there is a chosen one, as every Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan knows. And while those famous words from Joss Whedon's cult television show refer to the titular assassin of the undead, we think they're also relevant in another arena: battling it out with other Buffy aficionados in a BtVS trivia quiz. If you think you're the one who can wield the strength and skill to defeat fellow devotees in a high-stakes test of knowledge and tidbits, then you'd best head to Grill'd Wintergarden. There, the folks from Man vs Bear will test your talents, anoint a winner and even hand out prizes for best costumes. If you've ever wanted to copy Buffy's style, Willow's witchy ways or Giles' watcher outfits, now's your chance. Other than something great to wear, all you'll need are your wits and your encyclopaedic knowledge of a seven-season series that started out as a movie, gave its main love interest a detective-focused spin off, and now lives on in comic book form. Well, that and your gang of offsiders, of course. No vampire slayer can defeat the big bad of competing trivia contestants all alone.
When the term 'kidulting' gets thrown around, it usually means one thing: taking a pastime that you enjoyed when you were a child and adding alcohol. It's why we have boozy mini golf bars, cocktail-slinging arcades and beer-serving bowling alleys, all aimed at adults. And at the latter in May, you can also add free gigs — and free brews and ten-pin, too — to the equation. Your destination: Strike Bowling, which is bringing back its Live on the Lanes concert series. The shows first took place in 2018, returned in 2019, but were then put on hold during the pandemic — and this time, they're going on the on the road. Live on the Lanes will hit up Strike QV in Melbourne, QV Wintergarden in Brisbane and Wintergarden King Street Wharf Sydney across Wednesday, May 11–Friday, May 13. But before you going marking your calendar, this is the kind of show you need to win tickets to. Entries open between 9am Thursday, April 7–11.59pm Wednesday, May 4 via the Strike Bowling website. If you nab a freebie, you really will get everything covered — the music, the beer and your time hurtling balls down the lane. Touch Sensitive will taking care of the tunes, hopping up on stages in each city that'll be set up on top of the alley. And those free lagers will come courtesy of Byron Bay Brewery — which is obviously something to say cheers to. LIVE ON THE LANES 2022: Wednesday, May 11 — Strike QV, Melbourne Thursday, May 12 — Strike Wintergarden, Brisbane Friday, May 13 — Strike King Street Wharf, Sydney Live on the Lanes tours Australia's east coast between Wednesday, May 11–Friday, May 13. For more information, or to enter to win tickets between 9am Thursday, April 7–11.59pm Wednesday, May 4, head to the Strike Bowling website.
Call it a thrill, call it a joy, call it a delight: whichever you prefer, one of the key characteristics of live theatre is the fact that anything can happen. That said, the exact same show with the exact same cast usually plays out in the exact same way each and every time that it is staged. Created by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour and set to make its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre in July 2025, ECHO: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen definitely isn't that kind of production. The international theatre hit is the opposite of a night-after-night-after-night repeat performance — and not just because its Aussie-debut season is brief, running between Monday, July 14–Saturday, July 19. Leaning as far into the stage's immediacy and ability to surprise as a play can get, ECHO unleashes a completely unrehearsed and unpredictable solo performances every time that it treads the boards. Not even each evening's lone cast member knows what's coming. Here's how it works, as audiences at London's Royal Court Theatre have been enjoying: when the night's performer takes to the stage, they're guided through the script by White Rabbit, Red Rabbit and NASSIM's Soleimanpour, plus Italian Palestinian director Omar Elerian. This happens in real time. Cold reads, as the technique is called, are Soleimanpour's signature — and he'll be in Berlin during ECHO's first-ever Aussie run, aiding his latest cast via technology over 90 minutes. That lineup: actors Pia Miranda (Invisible Boys), Nadine Garner (Savage River) and Ben Lawson (Mixtape); journalists Stan Grant and Jan Fran; presenter and musical theatre veteran David Campbell; and comedian Michelle Brasier. Whatever they each bring to the stage will be unique and never repeated again. The show's Australian stars are following in impressive footsteps, given that London's 2024 season featured the likes of Benedict Wong (Bad Genius), Fiona Shaw (Echo Valley), Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso) and Toby Jones (MobLand) — and 2025's includes Daniel Kaluuya (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), Dominic West (The Agenct), Milly Alcock (Sirens) and Lolly Adefope (The Franchise). Soleimanpour himself describes ECHO: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen as a "long-distance magic show". He continues: "It's the unpredictability of this style of performance that I find so thrilling." "It's the most alive theatre can get. Imagine watching a football match — Melburnians especially will know what I mean — and you already knew who would score and when. It'd be less fun. That's why we don't want to spoil it!" ECHO: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen is taking to the stage at Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, Melbourne, between Monday, July 14–Saturday, July 19, 2025 — head to the theatre's website for more information and tickets.
When life is bleak, art reacts. When the world went through the Great Depression in the 1930s and then went back to war before the decade was out, filmmakers responded with dark cinematic tales. That's when the genre of film noir was born, and it has been showering viewers with stories of crime, gangsters, double-crossing, femme fatales, private detectives and gritty streets ever since — whether following two lovers scheming to be together in 1944's Double Indemnity, unleashing violence upon New York in 1976's Taxi Driver, or pondering just what happened when a wife goes missing in 2015's Gone Girl. They're just three of the titles on offer at the Gallery of Modern Art's Film Noir program, which runs through classics old and new between March 31 and May 21. Come Wednesday and Friday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons, GOMA's Cinematheque will be stepping through the essential flicks from both the genre's heyday and the decades that followed. Yes, this is a lineup that features Underworld, 1927's silent crime effort that's considered to be at the forefront of mobster cinema, as well as Goldstone, Ivan Sen's Aaron Pedersen-starring outback thriller from 2016. Hitchcockian hijinks in Strangers on a Train, Jack Nicholson being a nosy investigator in Chinatown, a young Natalie Portman in Leon: The Professional, Fargo's snowy antics and Drive's seductive sheen are all on the bill too, as is a big-screen revisit of Blade Runner before the sequel hits later this year
Maybe you're always on the hunt for new experiences. Perhaps you can't go past a meal with a view. You could be keen to indulge your adrenaline-junkie side any way that you can. Or, you just might want to see Brisbane from a different perspective. All of the above is on the menu at Vertigo, as is dinner. Sure, a great bite to eat should satisfy your tastebuds and your stomach; however, this one will also get your blood pumping and pulse racing. Serving sky-high diners Thursday–Sunday weekly, Vertigo is part of the River City's iconic Brisbane Powerhouse. The twist: it isn't just located on top of the riverside New Farm venue, but hangs off of the site's industrial facade. Forget just living on the edge — this is dining on the edge, and literally. Obviously, the views are spectacular. Given that patrons climb out to their seats while donning a safety harness, then eat four stories (and 17 metres) up, so are the thrills. An Australian-first vertical dining experience, Vertigo's levelled-up dinners welcome in tables of two to peer out over Brisbane. It comes with a big caveat, however, with the restaurant at the mercy of the weather. That'll certainly play a factor over Brissie's stormy summers, but the night's sitting will still go ahead if it's only lightly raining. Once you're seated, Brisbane Powerhouse's Bar Alto downstairs provides Vertigo's food across its eight tables — and each reservation's two-hour sitting — with the two-course menu featuring local ingredients to go with what's certain to become a local attraction. Unsurprisingly, a visit here doesn't come cheap, costing $250 per person. Another caveat: you can't head up if you've been drinking, with everyone breathalysed first and required to return a 0.00-percent blood alcohol reading. That said, while you need to be sober to climb over the edge, a matched glass of wine will be served with dinner. You'll also get a post-descent champagne, beer or soft drink. If you're not fond of heights, this won't be for you. But if you're fine with towering not just atop but over the side of an old power station-turned-arts precinct that dates back to the 1920s — whether you're a Brisbane local or a tourist — you'll be in for quite the unique experience. To make the evening even more dramatic, diners can also choose to come back to earth post-meal via dropline down the facade. Or, if that's too much adventure for you — especially after eating — you can just head back to the ground through the venue.
When summer starts to scorch, we'll do anything to cool down. And while we'd like to be able to fling ourselves into the ocean at every 30-degree-plus opportunity — which, let's face it, is quite often in Brisbane (and not just in summer) — that's not always an option. That's when we usually turn to air conditioning. But while it might be a convenient way to keep your cool, it has its drawbacks — from dehydrating effects and the potential to spread bacteria to its massive energy consumption (which is both a drain on your wallet and the planet). And of course, some of us are living in stuffy rental properties where clicking on that air-con remote isn't even an option. So, now that summer's here with a vengeance, we thought we'd bring you a few simple hacks for avoiding air con — or just surviving without it. You'll need ice, water and — if you're really keen — some trees. Go nuts. HACK YOUR FAN On scorching days, fans can be rudely ineffective, seeming to do little more than blow more hot air into your face. But a quick hack can work some magic. Find a big bowl, fill it with ice, and place it between your fan and you. The propellers will work on the now-cooled air, sending it straight your way, transforming your fan into what feels like an air conditioner. Another option is to hang a bag of ice (or bottles of frozen water) directly in front of the fan. You can also place a wet, cool towel over the fan itself, which should get you an hour or so of extra crisp air. MAKE CLEVER COLD DRINKS Just carried the beer in from the car? Wrap each bottle in a soaked (but not dripping) paper towel and pop it in the freezer. The moisture will evaporate and cool speedily, and within 15 minutes, you'll be sipping on an ice-cold brew. You can swap your hot caffeine hit for an iced one by turning just-made coffee into ice cubes — for something different, make it Vietnamese-style by adding a dash of condensed milk. Or, if you're kicking all the habits this summer, add frozen berries to a glass of water, which cools down your drink while upping the taste factor. MIST-IFY YOURSELF Got an empty spray bottle lying around? Give it a good, thorough clean and fill it with cold — or icy — water. Then, whenever you feel your temperature start to rise, spray yourself and everyone else in your vicinity. It's a basic trick, but an easy one. If possible, keep the bottle in the refrigerator or freezer (for short periods only – don't let the water turn into ice). Otherwise, just re-fill that baby as often as you can. APPLY COLD THINGS TO YOUR PULSE POINTS Anyone who's ever spent term one or four in a Queensland primary school should already know this trick, but just in case you missed out: the easiest way to cool down quickly is by applying a source of cold to your pulse points. Start by holding your wrists under running water for at least three minutes. Afterwards, apply an ice pack (or equivalent; heck, some frozen peas will do) to your wrists, neck, back of knees and/or ankles. These strategies cool the blood running through your veins and decrease your body temperature. PUT PLANTS IN FRONT OF YOUR WINDOWS Got pot plants? Got windows that let in lots of light? Well, there's an energy-saving match, right there. Use said plants to block said windows. The taller and leafier the better (consider that your permission to stock up on even more plant babies). In fact, if you're serious about keeping cool, it's worth investing in some dense trees or even vines, as long as you have a way to hang them from the windows. Not only will plants reduce the light and heat entering your home, but they'll also provide you with cleaner air. GIVE YOUR FEET A COLD BATH When you need to sit in one spot for a while — maybe you're getting some work done or watching a flick — fill a container with cold water (and ice, if you can hack it) and stick your feet in. Immerse your ankles if you can — they're pulse points, so when they're cool your whole body temperature tends to drop. Should this work for you, go one further with a bath or shower. Or, if you'd rather avoid hanging around in the bathroom all day, invest in a kiddy pool to use either indoors or outside. CLOSE ALL THE WINDOWS Up to a third of heat inside a house comes in through open windows and doors. So, go on a closing rampage — and tell your family or housemates all about it so they can get on board. While you're there, cover windows as effectively as possible by drawing blinds and curtains, and shutting shutters. If nighttime brings any relief, open them up again. And, to increase the effect of any cooler air, hang wet sheets in front of the windows. As the evening breeze blows through, the moisture will drop the temperature even further. Just don't forget to close everything again in the morning before it heats back up. FREEZE YOUR PILLOWS AND SHEETS One of the biggest challenges of an air con-free summer is getting to sleep. To produce the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, your body needs to reduce its core temperature. But once the thermometer hits 25 degrees, this becomes a tough task. To make it easier, stick your pillows and sheets in a plastic bag and shove them in the freezer for 30 minutes, before making and hopping into your bed. As the night wears on and you start to warm up, you might find yourself waking up — if you're really committed, keep a spare set of PJs in the freezer, so you can do a quick switcheroo. TURN OFF YOUR APPLIANCES You'll be surprised how much heat is generated by your appliances. The obvious one is your oven. Even a seemingly harmless spurt of baking can give the thermometer a major surge. If you've got people coming over for dinner, an outdoor barbie is the best solution. Beyond the oven, there are loads of other heat-creating suspects, including your microwave, electric kettle, television, bedside lamps, dishwasher, washing machine and computers. Whenever possible, switch them all off and unplug them — it'll help you stay cool and save energy. SPICE IT UP There's a good reason why spicy food is so popular in steamy parts of the world like India and Bangladesh. When you ingest all that chilli, your body starts to sweat and, as you know, sweating cools you down. Make your meal hot enough and you'll be so deep in the sweats you won't know what season it is. What's more, spicy food comes with a heap of potential health benefits, from increasing life expectancy to preventing cancer. [caption id="attachment_828682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] ESCAPE TO THE WATER Of course, if your house is too hot to handle sans air con, your best bet might be a shaded body of water where you can head for a cooling dip. For inspiration, check out our lists of rivers near Brisbane for swimming, waterfalls nearby that you can swim under and local snorkelling spots. Our summer day trips rundown also includes plenty of beaches, because of course it does. Otherwise, scout out a shady piece of real estate at one of the city's public pools and get a good rhythm going between dipping and lounging. We have a list for that as well — and also another that includes water-adjacent activities for soaking in the breeze, too.
There's only one place in Brisbane that serves Mac Daddy burgers filled with mac 'n' cheese. Well, three if you count Miss Kay's different stores in the CBD, Mitchelton and Woolloongabba. Whether the Kris Kross joke came first, or the idea for a macaroni and dairy-filled burg, we don't care — when you're going to put cheesy pasta between two slices of bread, no one does. The pop culture-themed, American-style diner's concoction also features a beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, sweet barbecue sauce, mayo and fries; however jump jumping for its other ingredient is understandable. Cheese lovers can also enjoy a poutine burg with haloumi, or a good ol' fashioned cheeseburger of the single or double variety.
You've probably heard of glamping, but Starry Nights Luxury Camping takes things to a whole other level. Situated in the bucolic hinterland by the waters of the gently flowing Petrie Creek, these lush grounds host handmade tents spanning 75 square metres, each set on a raised platform of polished recycled barn floor wood. Inside there are hand-carved stone basins, a roaring fireplace, hot running water for both showers and opulent baths in the claw-footed tub, a fully stocked kitchenette, flushing toilets and king-sized beds with organic linen. Settle in among the eucalypts and rolling hills and take in a decadent evening under the stars.
It's already been decided. You must go to Vintage Kitchen and you must order the salad. Yes, you heard us. Salad. That healthy leafy green stuff your mother used to bribe you into eating. Now if only our mamas were as savvy as Mrs Kitchen, then we'd all be lettuce munching addicts. Sitting unsuspiciously in the middle of the menu, the haloumi salad ($13), just as the name states, is a generous stack of squeaky haloumi atop a bed of rocket, roast pumpkin and beetroot, accompanied by a garlic yoghurt and drizzled in a Moroccan dressing. No guarantees, but this may the best salad you ever eat - truly. As for the ambience, Vintage Kitchen is a retro delight for the eyes. With bold wallpaper print curtains, a mish-mash of laminate tables and chairs, and eclectic wares, Vintage Kitchen doubles as Vintage Closet, and as you venture further in past the tables you'll be greeted with racks of very reasonably priced vintage clothing, crockery, toys and knick knacks. There is no musty scent of days past here, just quality retro goods, fresh coffee, tasty meals and trivial pursuit on each table. If salad is more foe than friend, the retro kitsch cafe also offers a classic BLAT sandwich, falafel sliders and bruschetta as well as an extensive and almost 'all-day' breakfast menu with smoked salmon, savoury mince and organic banana bread topping our list, and a favourite, eggs benedict with real hollandaise, just a mere $13. Front of house displays rotating specials and cakes in a glass counter case, including a number of tasty gluten-free sweets, and besides coffee an extensive range of smoothies such as the banana smoothie with dark chocolate ganache ($6-8) will tempt your taste buds. Vintage Kitchen and Closet is proving yet again that the 'burbs have what it takes to rival the inner-city chic of cafes and, of course, that you can indeed make friends with salad. Lettuce turn up the beet (on vinyl)!
If going to a theme park by day is your idea of fun and excitement, then prepare to experience your favourite pastime notched up a few levels. At Screamworld, you won't just visit Dreamworld by night, but enter a version of the famous destination overrun with zombies. Yes, the park's nine thrill rides — yes, nine — aren't the only things that will be giving your lungs a workout. Prepare to yell on the WipeOut, Giant Drop, Tower of Terror II, BuzzSaw, Cyclone, The Claw, Pandamonium, Motocoaster and TailSpin, of course. Then prepare to unleash a blood-curdling squeal as you walk through scare attraction Zombie Evilution. There, you'll wander through the town of Kevil Hill, which just happens to be teeming with undead nasties. For those less fond of such horrors, Screamworld also offers an illuminating laser show spectacular, plus music for you to dance the night away to. Yes, there really is something for everyone.
Exploring the sprawling, popular metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka undoubtedly makes for a great holiday, but your visit to Japan isn't complete until you escape the crowds and experience the countryside. The stunning vistas are the perfect antidote to the hectic buzz of the major cities, and give you the chance to explore sacred mountaintops, luminous lakes and soaring waterfalls. Located just a couple of hours north of Tokyo via shinkansen (bullet train), the region of Tohoku — which literally means 'northeast' — is an ideal escape for your next visit to Japan. It makes for a special destination all year round with some of the nation's most striking landscapes dotted throughout six prefectures: Aomori, Akita, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata. So, to provide you with some inspiration, we've picked out five unbeatable nature trails that won't have you missing the city anytime soon. GOSHIKI-NUMA It might come as a surprise to learn that a place as beautiful as Goshiki-numa can be just 100 years old. Also known as the Five Coloured Lakes, they sprung to life in 1888 when the nearby Mount Bandai erupted, spewing aluminium and silicon into the water and resulting in the clear, turquoise lakes that are a a major attraction for locals and tourists today. A four-kilometre path that links the lakes is a relaxing walk, with plenty of elevated viewing platforms to snap some great shots. There's also the chance to rent a rowboat and live our your Studio Ghibli dreams as you push across Bishamon-numa, the largest of the lakes on offer. LAKE INAWASHIRO In the shadow of Mount Bandai, Lake Inawashiro is another picturesque spot that offers visitors some incredible outdoorsy opportunities. Throughout the warmer months of the year, the lake is a popular spot for locals to carve up the water on a jet ski, while winter brings a raft of snow sports enthusiasts out of the woodwork. If the weather's nice and clear, take the 3.6-kilometre path on the north side of the lake for some of the best views of Mount Bandai. And, once you've taken a dip in the pristine waters and dried off on the sandy lake beach, your next stop has to be the nearby Morohashi Museum of Modern Art. It has the third largest collection of Salvador Dali artworks in the world, with around 330 of his pieces on display. TATSUZAWA FUDO FALLS As you explore Tohoku, you'll quickly realise that the region is home to many of Japan's most epic waterfalls. Located deep in the forests east of Lake Inawashiro, the Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls provide a tranquil pit stop during your trip. The short walk to the falls is surrounded by steep hillsides with trees clinging to the side, and, as you make your way to the end of the trail, you'll be welcomed by a free-flowing stream coming over the rocks from high above. These hidden falls are particularly special to visit during the warmer months, as the thick treetops provide a great escape from the humidity of the countryside. MOUNT HAGURO Considered one of the most sacred mountains in the region, Mount Haguro is one of the must-do hikes in Tohoku. The walk starts at the Zuishinmon Gate — from there, you'll delve into this ancient forest of cedar trees and climb up 2446 stone steps that have been designated a Japanese national treasure. Along the serene two-kilometre path that winds its way through the forest, there are some fascinating sights to explore. But the Five-Storey Pagoda is certainly the most impressive. Constructed in the iconic Kokerabuki-style over 600 years ago, it's especially notable due to its earthquake-proof design, which features an ingenious wooden pendulum that counterbalances the structure as it sways. [caption id="attachment_751830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ChiefHira via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] MOUNT GASSAN For more than a thousand years, pilgrims have climbed to Mt. Gassan's 1984-metre summit. The tallest of the Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata's three sacred mountains, it's not uncommon to catch the Yamabushi mountain monks scaling its hillsides to this day. While Gassan might be the toughest climb in the region, it's well worth the effort once you witness the views from the top. While there are loads of ways to get to the peak, the four most popular routes range from nine to 15 kilometres, making for a very achieveable sunny day out on the mountainside. Note that it's only opened from July to September due to the weather. Need more reasons to visit Japan's stunning Tohoku region? For more travel inspiration and to start planning your adventure, head this way.
Suitcases at the ready: your latest excuse to not just dream of a getaway, but actively start looking forward to your next one, is here. Virgin is putting on another flight sale, and this one expands its usual Happy Hour promotions. For one day only, and for the first time ever, the airline is extending its weekly window for specials to a full day. That means that today, Thursday, February 23, you have until midnight AEDT to score a bargain fare to destinations around Australia. Included on the sale list is everywhere from the nation's capital cities to Sunshine State hotspots such as Hamilton Island, Cairns and the Gold Coast. So, whether you're keen to explore a different concrete playground than your own or to soak in some beach time on an endless summer, you've got options. A huge 250,000 discounted one-way flights are on offer, starting at at $55. As always, that price will get you from Sydney to Byron Bay, which is consistently the cheapest route during sales like this. Other cheap fares include Sydney to the Gold Coast from $89, Adelaide to Melbourne from $99, Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $119, Sydney to Hobart from $95 and Melbourne to Launceston from $69. And, the discounts apply both ways, and for economy seats. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the dates cover between Thursday, March 9–Friday, September 15, all varying per route. Get ready for autumn and winter getaways, or to start off spring with a break. As usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick — quicker than usual, in fact, given the midnight deadline. Virgin's day-long Happy Hour sale runs until midnight AEDT on Thursday, February 23 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
A quick search through magazines and online will bring up hundreds of bucket lists suggesting the bright lights of Manhattan or the ancient ruins of Rome. However, for many people a city is a city, and to truly live and experience beauty one has to look further — much further. Here's just a few of the world's hidden wonders. 1. Mount Roraima in Venezuela/Brazil/Guyana Mount Roraima, the highest of the Pacaraima Mountains, is a massive tabletop plateau that spreads into three countries. Boasting a variety of plant life — such as pitcher plants, bellflowers and heather, some of which are unique — Roraima creates some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and has steep sides that reach over 400 metres in height. Popular with backpackers and hikers, who usually hire a guide from the village of Paraitepui below, the plateau has only one route up, a perilous ascent of near constant cloud cover and uncanny rock formations. 2. The Door to Hell in Turkmenistan It's not strictly one of Mother Nature's greatest creations as mankind lent a hand in making it, but the locally dubbed Door to Hell in Turkmenistan is unlike anything else in the world. A giant hole in the ground with a never-ending supply of burning gas, the crater is around 60 metres across and easily just as deep. Supposedly formed in the '70s when geologists, drilling for natural gas, went too deep and caused a massive cave-in and explosion, the Door to Hell has been ablaze ever since, and may never go out. 3. Chocolate Hills in the Philippines Formed, according to legend, by the tears of a giant that had lost his love, the Chocolate Hills appear on the provincial flag of Bohol and all stand between 30 and 50 metres high. A more reliable explanation for this unusual landscape could be that the hills were the result of the self-destruction of an active volcano. Mostly uniform in shape and size, the hills are covered in rich, green grass that turns brown during the dry season (hence the name). It's thought that there are as many as 1770 of these mysterious hills spread out over an area of 50 square kilometres. 4. Stone Forest in Madagascar Home to many unique species, including the white lemur, which can be found in the passageways below as well as above, Madagascar's Stone Forest is filled with pillars of extensively eroded limestone that rise up to 70 metres above the ground. From the air, the area appears harsh and barren, but beneath the jagged peaks lies a world of forest canyons and humid caves, all teeming with plants and animals. The Stone Forest is known locally as 'Tsingy' (where one cannot walk barefoot). It's quite clear why. 5. Mount Sanqingshan National Park in China Shrouded in mist for 200 days of the year, Sanqingshan National Park, which is considered a sacred place, is used by many for meditation and is believed to grant immortality. Home to about 2500 species of plant, the area's granite formations and strangely shaped pine trees resemble silhouettes of people and animals. 6. Socotra in Yemen Considered to be the most biodiverse place in the Arabian Sea, world heritage site Socotra has some of the most unusual looking plant life in the world, including the distinct Dragon Blood Tree, mainly because of its harsh climate. Located within the Republic of Yemen, the group of islands are also home to a huge number of spiders, birds, and spectacular coral reefs. Socotra's main island has three different terrains: narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau dotted with deep caves, and the Haghier Mountains, the tallest of which is 1503 metres high. 7. Devils Tower in the USA According to Sioux Indian legend, a group of young girls were out picking flowers when they were suddenly chased by bears. Seeing and taking sympathy on their plight, the Great Spirit moved the ground beneath them and raised them to safety. The bears, who couldn't climb the rock's steep sides, fell, leaving scratches in their wake. The mysterious rock is sacred to a number of tribes, and during the month of June, when they conduct ceremonies around it, climbing is prohibited. The truth behind the formation of Devils Tower, located in Wyoming, has experts baffled. While many believe it is the neck of an extinct volcano, as evidenced by the surrounding landscape, others are sceptical. We may never really know. 8. The Eye of the Sahara in Mauritania Used by shuttle crews as a landmark since the earliest days of space travel, the Eye of the Sahara, which has a diameter of 50 metres, resembles a giant bull's-eye in the desert or, to be more descriptive, the fossil of a giant ammonite. A true geological wonder, it was once thought the Richat Structure, as it is also known, was formed when a meteorite struck the earth. Nowadays experts believe it was formed by the constant lifting and erosion of the earth. 9. Dune of Pyla in France Completely out of place in France, the Great Dune of Pyla, Europe's largest sand dune, is a popular hot spot for paragliders and holidaymakers. With a height of around 100 metres, the dune comes in from the coast and runs along 3 kilometres of coastline, with its steepest side facing a green forest beyond. A strange sight indeed. 10. Cano Cristales in Colombia For most of the year, Cano Cristales, a river so remote it can only be reached by horse or on foot, is different to no other, littered with waterfalls, rapids, wells, and hollows, but for a brief period it transforms and earns its nickname, 'The River of Five Colours'. During the gap between the wet and dry seasons, a unique species of plant that lines the river floor suddenly appears to turn a brilliant red, which, along with yellow and green sand and blue water, turns the whole area into a vision of paradise.
It's worrying the way we deride films aimed at an older audiences as simply being a Best Exotic Marigold Hotel facsimile designed to snare seniors, given how we largely ignore the fact that the majority of mainstream cinema over the past 30 years has been made for 12-year-old boys. Philomena, with its poster depicting a smiling Judi Dench alongside a stoic Steve Coogan, will no doubt be dismissively lumped in with this crowd. It is, however, a million miles away from the likes of Best Exotic (which, for the record, was actually rather good). Based on a true story, Philomena follows ex-political spin doctor Martin Sixsmith (Coogan), who, in an attempt to revive his journalism career, chases the "human interest story" of Philomena (Dench) an elderly woman searching for her long-lost son. In flashbacks, we see the younger Philomena (Sophie Kennedy Clark) as she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, and is forcibly kept in servitude by nuns, who then sell her son to a wealthy couple. As the pair investigates, the truth behind the forced adoption becomes all the more shocking. Coogan, who not only portrays Sixsmith but also co-wrote the screenplay, strikes a perfect tone with such sensitive material. The revelations are powerful and honest without being gut-wrenching; the comedy is welcome and consistent without being inappropriate. It's a remarkable juggling act, directed beautifully by Stephen Frears, who atones for recent disasters Lay the Favorite and Tamara Drewe. Coogan's sardonic Northern charm makes Sixsmith a compelling lead, and his relationship with Dench's Philomena is wonderfully developed. It's Dench who is the real standout here. At this point in her career, she could easily get away with sleepwalking through roles, relying on her undeniable presence to carry her performances. But as in 2006's Notes on a Scandal, she creates a character unrecognisable from her previous roles. Philomena is pleasant, vague, forceful and compellingly well-rounded. Dench's energy and attention to detail elevates this film to something even more remarkable. The depiction of the Catholic structure both past and present is one of the most fascinating elements of Philomena. It's caused controversy, with many accusing the film of being anti-Catholic. To make such an accusation, however, fundamentally misses the point, and excuses the crimes committed in the name of the church. The film does not shy away from Philomena's piety or Sixsmith's atheism, and argues strongly in favour of both. Sixsmith is deeply compassionate without religion, whilst Philomena embodies the ideals of Christianity that the Church and its representatives so often and so demonstrably forget. Disinterested in a sanitised "I'm okay, you're okay" message, the film manages to extol the best elements of both atheism and Christianity whilst unrelentingly and unapologetically shining a light on the darker side of organised religion. It is truly impressive stuff. Be not fooled by the marketing materials, which make the film look like an aged-up version of The Trip with Judi Dench in place of Rob Brydon. (Although, thinking about it, that would be brilliant.) Philomena is a terrifically made, entertaining work that stands head and shoulders above many of the films being forced upon us this Christmas. See it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rD8f9kn7D2U
The sun is shining, you're out of office is on and you've already spent a good amount of time curled up streaming TV shows. Now's the chance to catch up on your reading — so, find a shady spot on a beach, next to a pool or by a waterfall and start making your way through our favourite books of 2020. Even if the unexpected amount of time spent at home this year has provided you with ample reading opportunities, we're sure you'll find something on the list to fill your days. It's a mixed bag this year — we've been turning the pages of novels about First Nations languages, Nick Cave and bars in Spain. Some of them are hopeful, some are relatable and some are heartbreaking, which makes them perfect for mulling over during the holidays, and providing flavourful fodder for dinner conversations. Take your pick. THE YIELD BY TARA JUNE WINCH Awarded the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award, Tara June Winch's The Yield is a book at odds with itself. It's about language lost as much as it's a celebration of tongue; the beauty of the land, the blood in it and its unearthing; and a culture dispossessed as well as a homecoming. It's about both Indigenous and colonial Australia. A connection to — and raw look at — Ngurambang/Country. When August returns home after her grandfather's death, she learns that the land she grew up on is being repossessed by a mining company. What ensues is a reaping of time, secrets, storytelling and blood. Split into three interlinking narratives — Albert 'Poppy' Gondiwindi and his passing on of his language, the Reverend's tales of starting a mission in Massacre Plains and August's quest to save her ancestors' land — it shows how tied Australia's future is to its past. The Yield is stunningly astute. It's a book worthy of attention; worthy to be placed on every Australian bookshelf. It rips at your heart, but also sings of hope. Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer NEW VOICES ON FOOD A timely and personal look at how we connect through food, New Voices on Food makes room for a diverse collection of voices. Edited by writer, radio presenter and Sydney gem Lee Tran Lam, New Voices on Food is the first edition of a community-oriented anthology that offers new perspectives on our collective love of food. After taking public submissions back in August, the book showcases stories of individuals from underrepresented communities and celebrates the power of diversity. Contributions come in the form of written word, comics, photo essays and sketches. Each piece exudes a deep connection with food and its relationship with family, identity, memory and our tastebuds. Together, the stories demonstrate the importance of difference and promote what will hopefully be a more diverse future culinary landscape. Ben Hansen, Staff Writer HUMANKIND: A HOPEFUL HISTORY BY RUTGER BREGMAN If you hand-counted all the good things that happened in 2020, you would probably struggle to make it past your pinky finger. "Not me," you say? Good on you — go buy a yacht or something. If that statement is accurate, read on — literally. Danish author and historian Rutger Bregman has offered up his latest enlightening view on the world, and it's the most uplifting read you'll come across this year. Humankind: A Hopeful History argues against 'veneer theory': the idea that human compassion is cosmetic, and that underneath our thin layer of kindness lies our true, savage, violent and uncaring selves. Bregman uses the Lord of The Flies scenario as a common anecdote throughout the book, backed up with real-world social experiments that show just how horrible us humans are. But the historian in Bregman digs deeper, a lot deeper, and discovers that most of these 'scientific' social experiments were fuelled by ambition, hypocrisy and self-fulfilling prophecies. It's so satisfying to read through a criminologist's pessimistic magnum opus and have Bregman break it like a matchstick. The book leaves you feeling lighter — it's an absolute joy. Reuben Gibbes, Video Producer KOKOMO BY VICTORIA HANNAN You've probably seen Victoria Hannan's Kokomo in someone's hands on the tram, at the beach or at your local cafe; it's been receiving a bit of traction since its publication in July this year. Set in Melbourne, Kokomo feels familiar. Like Helen Garner's Monkey Grip but without the heroin, it celebrates the city and its ordinariness. In this way, it is far from the tropical paradise of the eponymous song by The Beach Boys. But, at its heart, Kokomo is about relationships and the building and tumbling of them. Mina, living her so-called best life in London, gets a call from her best friend Kira. Mina's mother has left the house — something she hasn't done in 12 years. Wanting answers, Mina returns to Melbourne and, after wading through her past, gets them. Hannan's tender storytelling drives her debut novel, with moments of heartbreak and hilarity and all shades in between. Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer HONEYBEE BY CRAIG SILVEY Craig Silvey established himself as a force to be reckoned with in Australian literature with Rhubarb before following it up with the exquisite Jasper Jones. This year, he returned with another tour de force coming-of-age story. Set in Perth, Honeybee opens with its protagonist, Sam, leaning over the side of a bridge ready to jump. Sam is a transgender teenager and is struggling with self-hatred and the ill-treatment of others. Sam is confused and devastated. As it happens, an elderly man named Vic is also out on the ledge, and that chance meeting changes the trajectory of both of their lives forever. At times heart-breaking, tender, wild and woolly, funny and outrageous, this book is brimming over with luminous language and characters that burrow their way into your heart and stick with you. Your heart breaks repeatedly for Sam on such a difficult journey to find self-acceptance, self-love and to accept love; and ultimately this becomes a heart-warming story of becoming. Susi Reed, Business Development Director ALL OUR SHIMMERING SKIES BY TRENT DALTON In his award-winning debut novel Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton shows you the gritty underbelly of 80s Brisbane through the eyes of 12-year-old Eli Bell. In his second novel All Our Shimming Skies, the gravedigger's daughter Molly Hook takes you on a journey through outback Northern Territory in 1942. Both novels have an undeniably dark undercurrent, with war, death and domestic violence setting the scene for Molly's adventure, but they both have an air of magic. Stone hearts, gifts from the sky and 'sorcerer' Longcoat Bob all buoy Molly and her companions, sharp-tongued aspiring actress Greta and fallen Japanese fighter pilot Yukio, as they navigate greed, grief and can after can of Campbell's Condensed Oxtail Soup on their journey. All Our Shimmering Skies is a dreamlike coming-of-age novel, following Molly on her quest to find buried treasures and secrets alike. It's a novel that'll captivate you with descriptions of big fat orange caterpillars and storms that shake pennies from the clouds, and have you booking in a road trip to explore Australia for yourself. Samantha Teague, Editor INTOXICATING: TEN DRINKS THAT SHAPED AUSTRALIA BY MAX ALLEN In his latest treatise on the history of booze in Australia, lauded wine writer Max Allen describes his experience eating an apple from a 180-year-old tree in southern NSW: "It was a ravishing, moving experience: I felt for a moment as though I was travelling through time and space, from now, back through colonial Australia, all the way to Elizabethan England." The same could be said of his book. Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia takes you on a journey, from gum trees on the edge of a boggy Tasmanian frost plain to the Victoria Bitter brewery in inner city Melbourne; from a Port Phillip Bay shipwreck in 1841 to a natural Margaret River vineyard in 2019. It's a history lesson — an engaging one, told by a teacher that's charming, witty and honest — a recipe book and social critique all in one. And it touches on an important not-oft-discussed topic: pre-colonial Indigenous-made alcohol and the myth of a 'dry continent'. It's a read best paired with a home-brewed peach cyder — and followed up with Bruce Pascoe's groundbreaking Aboriginal agriculture deep-dive Dark Emu. Samantha Teague, Editor BOY ON FIRE: THE YOUNG NICK CAVE BY MARK MORDUE Mark Mordue's Boy on Fire: The Young Nick Cave offers an enthralling glimpse into the formative years of the mysterious dark prince of Australian music. It's a personal peek under the hood of Nick Cave, a gripping bildungsroman and a looking glass to the wild Melbourne post-punk scene of the 70s and early 80s. If you're a Cave fan, yes, this is probably more than enough for you to run and grab a copy, but the biography goes far beyond the skimming of surfaces. Boy on Fire is the making of ten years of interviews between Mordue and Cave, as well as a revolving cast of characters from Cave's early days and those close to the enigmatic artist, including Cave's late mother Dawn, boyhood mates from Wangaratta and members of The Birthday Party. Mordue's prose is worthy of its subject; it is at once poetic and gritty, humorous and heartfelt, painting a portrait of an uncompromising, ambitious and, at times, erratic musician who came from rural Victoria to take on the world. Ben Hansen, Staff Writer and Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer COCO WAS PARADISE BY GARY BRUN Coco Was Paradise is Gary Brun's debut novel, which is surprising because it reads as if he's been writing for decades. It's a boozy, sun-drenched fable of lust, jealousy, romance and madness — a tale that could have only been set in Spain. 23-year-old Arthur Washington travels to San Sebastián in an effort to escape the rut of his inner city Sydney life. He spends a night on a stolen yacht with a mystifying woman who goes by the name of Coco. Then, after a month-long coma, Arthur wakes up in hospital before being told he had fallen off a cliff. Did he fall? Or was he pushed? Coco Was Paradise is a sensory journey. Brun seems to have drunk in every bar and visited every cultural monument in Spain in the way he writes with such accurate detail. It's the perfect summer read that will leave you with a tan and a hangover. Reuben Gibbes, Video Producer UNCANNY VALLEY BY ANNA WIENER 'Doomscrolling' may be Macquarie Dictionary's word of the year, but writer Anna Wiener will tell you the act of endlessly refreshing the news on your phone is entirely by design. This won't be surprising to anyone who watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix this year (or, let's face it, to any consumer of media), but what might pique your interest is just how toxic the workplace culture is and was at many of the Silicon Valley companies responsible for our daily addictions. Casual sexism? Check. Harassment? Check. Excessive surveillance? You name it. Uncanny Valley is Wiener's memoir of her time at unnamed tech start-ups, but really it's a reality check for all of us to take off the company-branded t-shirts and start tapping into what we're really supporting with every mindless scroll. Emma Joyce, Branded Content Editor THE ANSWER IS... BY ALEX TREBEK There are many reasons to watch Jeopardy!, the long-running TV quiz show that has been on the air in the US in its current form since 1984. Alex Trebek and his love of knowledge are chief among them, though. Yes, it's fun to play along and to see contestants notch up big wins. But none of that would strike such a chord if Trebek wasn't so passionate and dedicated to the cause — even when he's getting a little sassy with the competitors. In a book that's been decades in the making, The Answer Is… By Alex Trebek sees the beloved host reflect upon his life and career across a series of vignettes, touching upon everything from the moustache that earned so much attention when he shaved it off to Will Ferrell's famed Saturday Night Live impersonations. Backstage stories abound, of course, which are catnip for longterm Jeopardy! fans; however it's Trebek's willingness to get personal that unsurprisingly resonates. The candid memoir hit bookstores earlier this year before the television icon died from pancreatic cancer in early November, but it was always going to be a witty, engaging and moving read. And, a definite Jeopardy! clue one day, too. Sarah Ward, Weekend Editor
It was back in late 2021 that word of La Luna — aka Australia's first European-inspired floating beach club — initially arrived, and news of its plans to set up shop on the Gold Coast. Earlier in 2022, the Seaworld Drive venue's waterside restaurant opened, but it's taken some time for the whole place to follow suit. Now, that time is upon us. Living the yacht life without actually getting on a yacht: that's just become a reality on the Glitter Strip, whether you're a local looking to break up your routine, a Brisbanite eager for any excuse for a trip down the highway or you're vacationing from further afield. From its white-heavy decor to its overall concept, La Luna gleans its cues from its counterparts on the other side of the world — and from Mykonos and Saint-Tropez in general — with influences taken from the setups in Tulum in Mexico as well. Get ready for luxe poolside stints; yes, you'll find those daybeds right by the water, including king-size versions for getting cosy with up to three people. If you'd prefer a cabana, they're available for four-hour bookings catering for ten (standard), 12 (in a lower-level location) and 15 (in the grand cabanas) guests. Or, you can simply choose a sun lounge for two hours — but whatever you opt for, there's a fee. The cheapest seats require a minimum spend of $150 per person, and the price only goes up from there. Menu-wise, the poolside fare includes plenty of the ocean's finest — oysters, kingfish ceviche, yellowfin tuna tartare, caviar, seafood cocktails, fried crispy baby squid, Moreton Bay bug buns, and lobster and scallop ravioli are all on offer — as well as wagyu beef burgers, fruit platters, sorbet and gelato. As for drinks, patrons can sip cognac mango iced teas, lychee martinis, strawberry and kiwi gin sours, plus all the classic concoctions. Or, pick from a small range of on-tap beers, and sparkling, rose, red and white wines. Feeling flush? A $1454 bottle of champagne is available for waterside splurges. La Luna is the brainchild of the Gennari Group, which is already behind the Gold Coast's Koi Broadbeach, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, The Loose Moose, Maggie Choo and Roosevelt Lounge. Also up and running: onsite restaurant Mare, with Meyjitte Boughenot overseeing the kitchen team. Cruisy bites to eat, long lunches and drinks on the pontoon are all the focus, with the cuisine heroing Mediterranean dishes. If you like the poolside menu, many of the same options are also available here. Expect a heftier range, however, including char-grilled steaks, four types of pasta, and a 14-page drinks list.
"Darling it's better down where it's wetter," Disney's animated hit The Little Mermaid told us; however, the Mouse House also thinks that life is pretty great on top of the water. For nearly a quarter-century, the huge entertainment company has been taking fans of its ever-growing array of pop culture wares on themed vacations, all thanks to its Disney Cruise Line. Alas, setting sail from Australia and Aotearoa hasn't been a possibility — until now. Come October 2023, Disney Cruise Line will head Down Under for the first time ever, running Disney-themed holiday cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. And yes, given that Disney own plenty of huge franchises, that means these stints at sea are Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars-themed as well. The Mouse House's first 'Magic at Sea' Australian and NZ cruises will depart from October 28, 2023, with the season running through till February 2024. On offer: sailings for two, three, four, five and six nights — your pick — where you'll watch live musical shows, see Disney characters everywhere you look and eat in spaces decked out like Disney movies. Those musicals include a Frozen show; another production dedicated to the company's old-school favourites like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella and Aladdin; and a Golden Mickeys performance, which is obviously all about Mickey Mouse. Or, there's a Mickey party set to DJ beats, nightly fireworks and a pirate shindig on the vessel's deck. While not every show and party is available on all cruises — especially the two-night option — the entertainment also includes Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Moana, Tiana, Cinderella, Woody, Jessie and more wandering around the ship. And, Chewbacca, Rey, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel and Thor as well, if you like hanging out around folks in costumes. The dining setup rotates, so each day of the cruise takes you to a different location with a different theme. One day, you'll hit up the Animator's Palate, which focuses on bringing Disney characters to life — including getting patrons to draw their own characters — and on the next, you'll get munching in a restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog, and serving up New Orleans-inspired dishes. Or, there's also Triton's, which offers an under the sea theme given it's named after Ariel's father, and serves four-course French and American suppers. For folks travelling with young Disney devotees, there's also a whole range of activities just for kids — but adults without littlies in tow are definitely catered for, complete with a dedicated pool for travellers aged 18 and over, an adults-only cafe, the Crown & Fin pub, cocktail bar Signals, Italian eatery Palo, and a day spa and salon. Dates for Disney Cruise Line's first trips from Australia and New Zealand vary per city of departure, as do prices, but you can expect to enter this whole new ocean-faring world from $720 per person for two nights in a double-occupancy room from Sydney, $546 from Melbourne and $755 from Brisbane, and $760 per person for three nights in a double-occupancy room from Auckland. And, room-wise, there's ten different types to choose from — some with private verandahs, and some with ocean views through portholes. Disney Cruise Line's 'Magic at Sea' cruises will sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland between October 2023–February 2024, with bookings open from 8am AEST / 11am NZDT on Thursday, September 29, 2022. For more information, head to the cruise line's website. Images: Matt Stroshane / Kent Phillips.
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and in 2022, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Brisbane again from 2pm on Saturday, July 30. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon Milton and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are usually flooded with orders for the day) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Frew Park. If you need an incentive — other than the event itself, of course — it's now 44 years since the song was first released. Also, this year's celebration of all things Kate Bush is taking place on the British musician's birthday. Running up that hill beforehand (whichever hill you like) isn't compulsory, but it feels fitting. And yes, when it comes to Kate Bush worship, she sang it best herself : don't give up.
Hip hop culture, graffiti and architecture combine as one. The Hive apartment, the coolest apartment around, is graffiti inspired and located in Melbourne, the city renowned for its funky, impressive street-art. Designed by the architect Zvi Belling of ITN Architects, the Hive is the first in a series of Hip Hop buildings. Made mostly of concrete, this building symbolises the tumultuous relationship between architecture and graffiti. Whether it appeals to you or disgusts you, graffiti exists and is a common form of art around the world. Belling teamed up with old schoolgraffiti artist, Prowla RDC, to make this unusual, radical and not-so-humble looking abode. Not only is the house inovative and cool, but it is environmentally friendly, too. Fully equipped with solar panels lining the roof, the Hive is a green hip-hop home. Arrows, swooshes, and drips have been incorporated into the concrete walls but the biggest statement of all is the four meters high concrete letters spelling 'hive' across the building. Watch out for ITN's next unconventional design as it is bound to be interesting.
Brisbane will never get tired of finding things to do near, around, in or on its very own river, including hitting up overwater bars and hiring picnic boats. If there's one thing that the Sunshine State capital particularly loves when it comes to the Old Brown Snake, however, it's party vessels cruising down the waterway while pairing views, tunes and drinks. Now floating out of the City Botanic Gardens River Hub each weekend, Oasis is the latest — and your new excuse to temporarily say goodbye to dry land. Announced back in April, launching later that same month and currently boasting a stacked roster of weekend shindigs locked in until the end of June, Oasis follows in The Island, Seadeck and Yot Club's slipstream. For this stint of ditching the shore for a watery jaunt, Brisbanites can hop onboard a $10-million steel-hull catamaran. And the soundtrack? It comes via DJ-backed gatherings by both day and night. Oasis isn't small, stretching to 35 metres in length and accommodating 500 people across three levels. And, it's sticking around permanently, rather than cruising in and out seasonally. Oasis was also custom-designed for Brisbane's windy waterway, with Alex Zabotto-Bentley — who also did the honours for Seadeck and Sydney's Glass Island — taking care of the hues, fixtures and fittings. The aim: to immerse partygoers in a Sicily and Capri vibe. Thanks to The White Lotus' second season, nodding to Italian islands is quite the vibe right now. Taking to the water for weekly Saturday and Sunday festivities — and the occasional Friday-night special event — Oasis lets its passengers rove its trio of floors, each of which is decked out in its own way and provides a different experiences. They all come with their own bar, sound system, standing areas, and seating including VIP tables — but, the lower floor goes with copper, dark tones and a pressed tin ceiling, and the middle deck with greenery and wood aplenty. Up on top, pink and white stripes are a feature, alongside tropical plants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oasis Brisbane (@oasisbrisbane) "Brisbane is famous for its energised spirit, its youthful vitality, its vibrant love of the outdoors and its love of celebration, and Oasis has been designed to amplify this," said founder Dave Auld back when Oasis was first announced. "As we look forward to the Olympics in 2032, Brisbane will become one of the hottest cities in the world, and the Brisbane River one of the hottest pieces of real estate — and that's where Oasis calls home!" The boat's lineup of DJs and artists rotates weekly, and Oasis also serves up sips and bites to eat. And, if you want to book the whole place out for your own soirée, that's available Monday–Friday. Upcoming events include Boatbreaks on Saturday, June 3, headlined by the USA's Dr Fresch and the UK's Georgie Riot; Planet of the Breaks on Friday, June 16, where breaks, drum and bass, and jungle tunes will echo thanks to A.Skillz and Krafty Kuts; and queer boat party Splash Out on Saturday, June 24. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oasis Brisbane (@oasisbrisbane) Oasis departs from City Botanic Gardens River Hub, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City. Head to the vessel's website for bookings and further details.
A sleepy small town. A body on a beach. A local detective trying to solve the case, plus an outsider dropping in to lend their expertise. Viewers have seen this scenario plenty of times before, complete with secrets swirling, a killer lurking among a close-knit community and ample friction between the new arrival and the town's inhabitants — but until now, we've never seen Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's take on the situation. Anything that The Katering Show and Get Krack!n's duo make is an instant must-see — see: those two very shows — and Deadloch, their newest effort, is clearly no different. Announced in 2022 and set to hit Prime Video from Friday, June 2, this mystery-comedy series is created, written and executive produced by the comic duo, with McCartney and McLennan acting as showrunners as well. They're not listed among the cast, sadly, but The Kates are still back. Another Kate — Kate Box (Stateless) — stars as local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins. When a local man turns up dead on the beach, her life and Deadloch's titular seaside spot are thrown into chaos, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show illustrates. And no, it isn't by accident that the series subverts the usual dead-girl trope that's such an engrained part of these kinds of TV setups, even when they're at their best as in Twin Peaks. Enter Darwin-based senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami, The Breaker Upperers), too, who isn't afraid to make a splash as she teams up with Dulcie to get to the bottom of the case. There's also junior constable Abby (Nina Oyama, Koala Man), who couldn't be more eager to join in, all while Deadloch is busy getting ready to launch its annual Winter Feastival — an arts, food, and culture festival. "We are both so thrilled to share the dark, strange little town of Deadloch with the world. We're particularly excited for everyone to meet Dulcie and Eddie, performed by the powerhouses Kate Box and Madeleine Sami, who are far better actors than we'll ever be," said The Kates. "The supporting cast is sublime, the crew are a delight, and the experience of making this story with Prime Video globally on the incredible land of lutruwita (Tasmania) is one we'll never forget." As well as Box, Sami and Oyama, Deadloch's cast spans a heap of recognisable faces, including comedian Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner (Wakefield), Susie Youssef (Rosehaven), Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Kris McQuade (Irreverent), Duncan Fellows (The Letdown), Harvey Zielinski (Love Me) and Shaun Martindale (Sissy). Shot in and around Hobart, Deadloch's eight-episode run also sports a stacked roster of directors: Ben Chessell (The Great), Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) and Beck Cole (Black Comedy). Check out the trailer for Deadloch below: Deadloch streams via Prime Video from Friday, June 2, 2023.
If you live in southeast Queensland, coming up with a reason to hit the beach is easy. The sand and surf is just there, waiting, and luring Brisbanites up and down the coast. But if you plan your beachy stints around festivals, then you've likely been loving the growing number of new oceanside events that keep joining the region's cultural calendar — such as music fest Springtime in Surfers Paradise, Byron Bay's Revel Food and Culture Festival and now the just-announced Burleigh Festival. The latter will debut across the weekend of Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18, taking over Justins Park on the Burleigh Heads Foreshore for three days. On the agenda: food, wine, music and surfing — aka a golden quartet for any festival, especially one setting up shop right by the water. Burleigh Heads' culinary scene sits at the centre of the new fest — and while the event is free overall, obviously you'll be paying for what you eat and sip. Food-wise, venues such as Tropic, Tommy's, Maman, Costa Taco and Tarte will serve up their signature dishes, spanning everything from Mediterranean bites and Italian cuisine through to Middle Eastern-inspired and Mexican dishes. Also on the vendor list: Al Natural Oysters, Freddy's, Lil Mami, Lucia, NAAMI and Rosellas. And, to wash everything down, Burleigh Festival is celebrating local wine via tipples from Naked Bunch, Flor Grocer and Jackson West. Grabbing a plate, some vino and enjoying a beachside picnic is one of the fest's big drawcards — but the event will give you something to watch and listen to as you eat and drink, too. The music lineup hasn't been announced as yet; however, it'll showcase local talent as it soundtracks your festival experience, with Boo Seeka curating the bill. If it's the surfing part of the program that'll have you rushing to the shore and vicariously living out your Point Break or Blue Crush dreams, you'll be able to catch spectacular wave action via the the inaugural Burleigh Festival King and Queen of the Point surfing competition. Hosted by Burleigh Boardriders and Summer of Surf, it'll run across two days, on Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18, and see top Aussie surfers competing for a $5000 prize pool. Burleigh Festival runs from Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18 at Justins Park on the Burleigh Heads Foreshore, Burleigh Heads. For further information, head to the event's website.
When French stage actor Sarah Bernhardt performed in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, posters helped spread the word. The art that featured is as famous as the star herself. Responsible for the designs: Czech-born painter and illustrator Alphonse Mucha, who is virtually synonymous with Paris in the art nouveau period as a result. He's also the subject of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' huge 2024 winter showcase. AGNSW has unveiled its program for the year ahead, and its biggest-name exhibition is impressive. It'll also be exclusive to Sydney. Running from Saturday, June 15–Sunday, September 22, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau will be the most-comprehensive showcase of the artist's work that Australia has ever seen, in fact. Posters for Bernhardt and others will feature, alongside illustrations, photographs, jewellery and interior decoration. Surveying Mucha's five-decade career, created in collaboration with the Mucha Foundation in Prague and featuring pieces from the Mucha Family Collection, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau will also include a digital component. There, his painting cycle The Slav Epic from 1912–26 will get the immersive treatment. [caption id="attachment_942045" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alphonse Mucha 'Reverie' 1898, colour lithograph, 72.7 x 55.2 cm © Mucha Trust 2024 // Alphonse Mucha 'The Seasons: Summer' 1896, colour lithograph, 103 x 54 cm © Mucha Trust 2024. // Alphonse Mucha 'Princess Hyacinth' 1911, colour lithograph 125.5 x 83.5 cm © Mucha Trust 2024[/caption] "Thanks to the close and generous collaboration with the Mucha Foundation in Prague, this extensive exhibition brings many of Alphonse Mucha's exceptionally important works to Sydney, revealing an artist and designer whose powerful influence remains with us today, some 85 years after his death," said Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Michael Brand, announcing the exhibition. "Mucha was a prolific and versatile artist whose work spanned many areas of design, from the iconic theatrical posters that made his name, to design and advertising, to jewellery, sculpture and interior design, book illustration and, of course, painting." "As an artist, activist and philosopher, Mucha moved beyond art nouveau in his search for an art to elevate the human spirit, coming to focus attention on the socio-historical issues affecting the Slavic peoples then under the domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire," Brand continued. [caption id="attachment_942047" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lesley Dumbrell 'Solstice' 1974, Liquitex on canvas, 173 x 296 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased with funds provided by the Patrick White Bequest 2019 © Lesley Dumbrell.[/caption] Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau sits on AGNSW's 2024 lineup alongside a wealth of other reasons to hit the Sydney gallery. The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes will be back, of course, displaying across winter as well. The Volume festival, which debuted in 2023, will also return — albeit with dates and details to be confirmed. And the site is a venue for the 24th Biennale of Sydney from March–June, too. The abstract art of Australian talent Lesley Dumbrell, paintings and sculptures by South Korea's Lee Ufan and stepping into Wendy Sharpe's creative process are among the other highlights, from a list that goes on. One particular must-see: What Does the Jukebox Dream Of?, where the gallery will go big on defunct media — complete with Susan Hiller's large-scale installation Die gedanken sind frei (Thoughts are free), a customised Wurlitzer jukebox, which will hit Australia for the first time and play 100-plus anthems spanning centuries. [caption id="attachment_942046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susan Hiller 'Die gedanken sind frei (Thoughts are free)' 2012, 102 songs on customised Wurlitzer walnut jukebox, vinyl lettering, books, benches, sound, overall display dimensions variable, Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Geoff Ainsworth AM and Johanna Featherstone 2017 © Estate of Susan Hiller, courtesy Lisson Gallery, photo: Jack Hems.[/caption] Art Gallery of New South Wales' 2024 Exhibitions and Events: Until Sunday, March 10 — Kandinsky and Georgiana Houghton: Invisible Friends Until Sunday, April 28 — Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day? Until Sunday, April 21 — ARTEXPRESS 2024 Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10 — 24th Biennale of Sydney: Ten Thousand Suns Saturday, March 9–Sunday, September 22 — What Does the Jukebox Dream Of? Saturday, March 9–Sunday, June 2 — Jelena Telecki: Mothers, Fathers Saturday, May 25–Sunday, August 11 — Wendy Sharpe: Spellbound Saturday, June 8–Sunday, September 8 — Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes 2024 Saturday, June 15–Sunday, September 22 — Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau Saturday, June 22–Monday, October 7 — Emily Hunt Saturday, July 30–Sunday, October 24 — Lesley Dumbrell: Thrum Saturday, August 31–September 2024 — Lee Ufan Saturday, September 14–Sunday, January 12 — Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial 2024 Saturday, September 21–mid 2025 — Angelica Mesiti: The Rites of When Saturday, November 2–Sunday, February 16 — Leyla Stevens Saturday, November 9–Sunday, February 9 — Nusra Latif Qureshi TBC — Volume 2024 [caption id="attachment_942048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sampa the Great performing at the 2023 Volume Festival at the Art Gallery of NSW, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Daniel Boud.[/caption] For more information about the Art Gallery of New South Wales' 2024 exhibitions — all of which will occur at The Domain, Sydney — visit the venue's website. Top image: excerpt of Alphonse Mucha 'Reverie' 1898, colour lithograph, 72.7 x 55.2 cm © Mucha Trust 2024 // Alphonse Mucha 'The Seasons: Summer' 1896, colour lithograph, 103 x 54 cm © Mucha Trust 2024. // Alphonse Mucha 'Princess Hyacinth' 1911, colour lithograph 125.5 x 83.5 cm © Mucha Trust 2024
Whether you're in Singapore for the first time or are lucky enough to have visited before, there's always more to do, see and experience around the Lion City. Rather than just stop in and marvel at iconic attractions, discover local stories and learn something new the next time you're in the city, with a guided tour by local experts. In partnership with Singapore Tourism, we've pulled together some fascinating tours — many of which are free — where you can get access to insider knowledge to uncover a new side to Singapore. Singapore Walking Tours Kick off your Singapore trip with a walking tour to get your lay of the land. There are several tour operators around the city, but Monster Day Tours is one of the few that offers free daily walking tours through different neighbourhoods. Over two-and-a-half hours, you'll be guided through the historic areas of Chinatown, Kampong Gelam or Little India. If you're more interested in the contemporary side of Singapore, there's also tours of Marina Bay and the Singapore City. You can try your luck joining in on the day, but priority is given to those who have booked a spot in advance. [caption id="attachment_976861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marklin Ang[/caption] Gardens by the Bay With 1.5 million plants from across the globe spread across over 100 hectares, you could visit the Gardens by the Bay many times over and still not have seen it all. That's why the Gardens offers a series of free sustainability and nature tours around the massive park. Every Saturday and Sunday between 8.30–11.30am, you can learn about topics such as water conservation and sustainable design practices, biodiversity and ecosystems, the sensory features of plants, and the impact of carbon on our climate as a guide takes you through parts of the park. Although it's free to join, you'll have to reserve a spot ahead of time to ensure you don't miss out. Mandai Wildlife Reserve Make some new furry friends when you get a close-up look at local wildlife on a behind-the-scenes tour. Mandai Wildlife Reserve consists of Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Night Safari, and each park offers a range of exciting experiences. Explore Asia's first river-themed animal park with a personal guide or embark on a nighttime adventure through the world's first nocturnal wildlife park. At the Singapore Zoo, you can jump aboard a private buggy for a tour of the orangutans, tigers, KidsWorld and Wild Africa, before you get to meet a giant tortoise and participate in feeding the giraffes. Be sure to add on a backstage experience when you book your ticket. Brass Lion Distillery Brass Lion Distillery is a gin distillery known for its flagship Singapore Dry Gin, along with atypical gins that incorporate local flavours and aromatics, such as osmanthus oolong, butterfly pea and jasmine. For an in-depth experience, book in for the 50-minute distillery tour. Not only will a guide take you through the history of the brand and its production process, but you'll also be treated to a welcome drink and tasting flight of three gins in the upstairs Tasting Room. For a bespoke souvenir, choose your own botanicals and make your own gin to take home at the Brass Lion Gin School. National Gallery Singapore Let's be honest — it can sometimes be a struggle to fully comprehend or appreciate complex works of art. Give the artists the admiration they deserve and delve into major works by Singapore, Southeast Asian and international artists with docent-led tours at the National Gallery of Singapore. There are free tours ranging from deep dives into specific exhibitions and artists to a highlight tour of the whole gallery or building tours of City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Some of these tours require admission passes and you can register for a spot once you're at the National Gallery. Peranakan Museum Explore a significant part of Singapore's history and culture at the Peranakan Museum. 'Peranakan' is derived from the Malay word meaning 'local descendants', and the museum showcases the origins of Peranakan culture in Southeast Asia, as well as contemporary expressions of the culture. Peruse historical artefacts alongside textiles, furnishings and ceramics. The museum also offers free guided tours every day, and you can register on the day once you've paid for admission to the museum. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre.
Love theatre? Desperate to see all the latest and greatest shows that London's West End has to offer, or the British theatre scene in general? Live in Australia, rather than the UK? If you answered yes to all of these questions, and you can't afford to zip over to Britain and back to indulge your stage fix — because who can? — then you're probably a huge fan of National Theatre Live. Since well before the pandemic, this theatre-to-cinema program has beamed live versions of hit London stage productions into Australian picture palaces. If you watched Danny Boyle's phenomenal version of Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, as everyone should've, then this is how you saw it. If you caught Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy in the also-phenomenal Skylight, it was thanks to NT Live, too. (And if you found yourself streaming other British theatre shows during lockdowns, that's because National Theatre set up its own online platform when we were all at home as well.) NT Live's Aussie cinema program has been back up and running as the venues themselves have been doing the same, and it has something massive in store in July: Prima Facie. The one-woman play marks the West End debut of Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, who plays a brilliant young barrister. And it'll be showing in movie theatres Down Under from Saturday, July 23. Penned by Australian British playwright Suzie Miller — and an AWGIE winner in 2020 at home for its Griffin Theatre premiere season — Prima Facie also sees Miller herself make her West End debut. Her play follows legal eagle lead Tessa (Comer, The Last Duel, Free Guy), who has succeeded in her field after working her way up from working-class origins. Then, thanks to an unexpected event, she's forced to examine power dynamics, the patriarchal force of the law, morality and burdens of proof. NT Live's recording of Prima Facie was captured live at the Harold Pinter Theatre — and, as all such stage shows that make the leap to cinemas as filmed versions of the original plays, the visual presentation is designed to make you feel like you're really there. Prima Facie will play in select cinemas around the country — including the Hayden Orpheum, Dendy Newtown, Palace Chauvel and Ritz Cinemas in Sydney; Cinema Nova, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Como, Palace Balwyn, Lido Cinemas, Classic Cinemas, Cameo Cinemas and Yarraville's Sun Theatre in Melbourne; and Palace James Street, Dendy Portside and Dendy Coorparoo in Brisbane. It'll also show in Palace Nova Eastend in Adelaide, as well as Luna Leederville and Luna on SX in Perth. And if you're wondering what else is on NT Live's schedule, it's doing Shakespeare — Henry V starring Game of Thrones and Eternals' Kit Harington, in fact — from Saturday, June 25. Check out the Prima Facie trailer below: Prima Facie will screen in Australian cinemas from Saturday, July 23. Images: Empire Street Productions, Helen Murray.
The discovery of Slinky Espresso was one of those 'yes!' moments. It's not often you uncover a gem left hidden. Tucked away in unsuspecting Fairfield between a Liquor Land and sushi train (stay with me here…) this popular and trendy cafe is the last thing you expect to find in such location, but well worth a visit to those from out of the area. The first thing that'll catch your eye is Slinky's striking mural. Next is the crowd of locals perched on bar stools and around tables outside, many with their pooches here for a morning coffee. Inside, the cafe has a welcoming and trendy interior that says cool without being pretentious, with the coffee machine buzzing and smiling staff making the atmosphere shine. The beauty of venturing outside the inner-city to more humble establishments is finding a gourmet breakfast for under $15. With the exemption of its big breakfast, Slinky is well-priced in every way, including extras. Nothing irks myself more than forking out $5 for a side of avocado on top of a breakfast meal already tipping $20. Speaking of avocado, Slinky are generous (and artistic) with its classic avo toast ($8.5) offering – served on toasted sourdough with all the trimmings. With well-priced extras in mind, the vege stack ($13) with roasted pumpkin, haloumi, rocket, poached eggs and pesto on toasted sourdough, was screaming out for a serve of hollandaise ($1.5). As a sucker for an eggs benny, this DIY vegetarian version more than hit the spot – it may have bumped benny down a spot. With the sharing nature of the internet it is hard to keep much a secret these days, and we're so glad we stumbled upon Slinky. The secret is now out, and there is no longer an excuse not to know.
Getting away from it all can mean many things, from venturing as far as way from home as possible to finding a quiet patch to ignore your daily routine. At Wander at The Overflow 1895, Brisbanites will find the latter — because you'll be kicking back in an eco-cabin on a Scenic Rim winery, surrounded by vines and 4000 acres of bushland, and perched right on the shores of Lake Wyaralong. The new place to stay is the product of eco-pod company Wander, which is setting up one- and two-bedroom Wander Pods on the Wyaralong winery. Its cabins come equipped with king beds to keep you comfy, private kitchenettes to keep you fed, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to keep you peering at the eye-catching scenery. And, if you'd like to sip drinks outside, each pod also has its own private deck. The vibe: luxe meets sustainable, all within a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. And, when the cabins start welcoming in people from December 2021, they'll also include access to a range of local experiences curated especially for Wander's guests. So, as well as seeing waterfalls, scoping out birds and wildlife, moseying through the eucalypts and making the most of the lake, you'll be able to choose between private hot air balloon rides, onsite yoga sessions, and meditation and massage as well. Or, there'll be walking tours of the region, led by a local guide — and seasonal fresh produce to eat direct from the farm. If that sounds like your idea of a top-notch getaway, bookings are now open for the five cabins. You'll be staying in Joyce, Moy and Juberra if you opt for a one-bedroom pod, with the first sat next to a giant granite rock formation, the second on a shelf of sandstone and the third perched up on a hill. Flintoff and Crumpet are the two-bedroom spaces, the former in a gully and the latter on open countryside next to a fig tree. And, while getting away from it all is clearly on the agenda here, each cabin comes with wifi — so you can choose to be as connected to the rest of the world as you like. Price-wise, a one-bedroom space is currently going for $1226 for three nights, and a two-bedroom cabin for $2116 for the same period. If your booking is affected by a lockdown, it's transferrable and fully refundable, too. Find Wander at the The Overflow 1895 at 1660 Beaudesert Boonah Road, Wyaralong from December 2021. Head to Wander's website for bookings and further information.
It took more than 25 years for Twin Peaks to revisit its moody, otherworldly and all-round odd small-town mysteries — and if you're not done diving into the television show's wonderful and strange world just yet, don't stress. Whether there'll be any more episodes is anyone's guess, but you can spend an evening with the show's stars in the interim, with five of the series cast members heading to Australia later this year. Although David Lynch famously refuses to talk in-depth about any of his work, including Twin Peaks' three seasons to date and the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, expect Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer), Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran), Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk), Al Strobel (Philip Gerard) and Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs) to be much more forthcoming as they chat about their experiences both on- and off-screen. Between August 25 and September 2, they'll be joining forces with Twin Peaks producer Sabrina S. Sutherland for a series of 'Conversation with the Stars' discussions around the country. If you've ever wondered what it was like to be wrapped in plastic, or to line up piles and piles of doughnuts, or to play the other half of the series' evil entity, here's your chance to find out. While Twin Peaks' lead Kyle MacLachlan won't be making the trip, the lineup is still a Peaks-lover's dream come true. Lee played Laura Palmer, the teen sweetheart whose murder sparked the whole series, while Ashbrook swaggered through highs-chool hallways as her boyfriend Bobby Briggs, and then turned unlikely cop in the latest season. Robertson is best known as bubbly police station receptionist Lucy, and Horse played the enigmatic Deputy Hawk — and had one of the most recent series' most moving scenes. As for Strobel's Phil Gerard, he was pals with Bob before becoming a resident of the Black Lodge. If all of the above gets you thinking about damn fine coffee and the Double R Diner's cherry pie, then you'll be keen to nab tickets to the intimate chat, which heads to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney for one night only. No word yet if the cast members will be sitting in front of red curtains or being interviewed by someone called Diane, but we can only hope. And if you're an absolute die-hard Peaks fan with some spare cash (around $500 in spare cash), meet-and-greet tickets are also available. Twin Peaks: A Conversation with the Stars comes to Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Saturday, August 25, Brisbane's Eatons Hill Hotel on Sunday, August 26 and Sydney's ICC Theatre on Saturday, September 1. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, July 6, with a pre-sale at 10am on Thursday, July 5 — for more information, visit the event website.
Succession isn't the only Emmy-winning HBO show dropping its fourth and final season in 2023. Bill Hader's just-as-excellent hitman comedy Barry is also finishing its run when season four wraps up, and it's just-as-certain to be deeply missed. The reason is all there in the killer concept, and the phenomenal performances, writing and direction that goes with them. When you've got Hader (Lightyear) playing a military sniper-turned-hitman-turned actor, something special was always bound to result. If you've watched season three, which was characteristically spectacular, you'll know why things seem to be coming to an end for Barry in more ways than one. A show about an assassin trying to be an on-screen star in Hollywood can't keep its main figure away from the law forever. So, in the just-dropped full trailer for Barry season four — which follows an earlier sneak peek from HBO — the series' namesake is in reflective mode. "I'm really sorry. I didn't think it would end up like this. I am a good person — that is who I am," Barry tells himself in the new trailer. Everyone he knows seems to be taking stock, too, whether they still have their freedom or not. In this season, Barry is incarcerated, his mentor and veteran thespian Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, Black Adam) is being hailed as a hero, but this turn of events is clearly going to have consequences. That includes for his former handler Monroe (Stephen Root, Succession), as well as his ex-girlfriend Sally (Sarah Goldberg, The Night House). Is this where the killer-for-hire will be when the eight-episode season concludes? Will Chechen gangster Noho Hank (Anthony Carrigan, Bill & Ted Face the Music) somehow intervene? What's happening with Sally's career after season three? These are all natural questions to have about the show's return. Answers will start coming soon, with Barry season four set to start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 17. If you're new to all things Barry, Hader not only stars but created the show, has directed a heap of episodes, and also co-wrote others. The initial setup: when Hader's Barry Berkman heads from Cleveland to Los Angeles for his job, he discovers a previously unknown passion for acting after he stumbles into a class held by veteran thespian Cousineau. The catch? Barry kills people for money, and that isn't a line of work that you can leave easily, especially when you become caught in the Chechen mafia's violent and deadly dramas. Check out the full trailer for Barry season four below: Barry's fourth season will start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 17. Images: Merrick Morton/HBO.
Forget finding a golden ticket — while scoring a free pass to a chocolate factory was everyone's dream as a kid (and, let's face it, is still a dream now), there are other ways to indulge your Willy Wonka fantasies. Cakes as far as the eye can see, classes on how to make them and a dedicated sweet zone aren't just things that floated through your head while you were asleep. They're real, and they're part of the International Cake, Cookie and Sweet Show at Brisbane Showgrounds. From Friday, May 14–Sunday, May 16, the Ekka precinct becomes the sweetest place in the city, so prepare your tastebuds and stomach accordingly. The three-day show will feature a mixing bowl worth of live cake-making and decorating sessions, how-to demonstrations, hands-on classes and a two-day cake sculpture challenge — as well as hosting the Australasian Cake Oscars, the tastiest awards you're ever likely to come across. Other highlights include stalls and shops, which'll help you bake up a storm at home, as well plenty of tasty fare to devour. Basically, when you're not learning how to make sweet treats, you'll be eating them.
Celebrating Oktoberfest year-round over a game of putt putt mightn't be the standard way to mark the occasion, but it became a reality in Brisbane when Hey Caddy opened its doors in North Lakes in 2022. From April 2024, it'll also be on the agenda at South Bank. That's where the mini-golf chain is setting up its next venue, as part of a golf-centric hub that'll also include indoor golf simulator business X-Golf. Hey Caddy is an offshoot of X-Golf, so they're no strangers to each other. When both open on Grey Street on Tuesday, April 4, it'll mark Hey Caddy's second location in Brisbane, third in Queensland and tenth nationally — and for X-Golf, its third in the city after North Lakes and Enoggera, eighth in the Sunshine State and 26th in the country. Back in 2022, Hey Caddy advised that South Brisbane was in its sights that same year, but it's clearly just taken longer to get there. Patrons will be able to tap, tap, tap their way around 12 holes, then give their swing a try at five simulators. Hitting up the bar, hanging out in the games area, grabbing a bite from the in-house kitchen and watching screens showing sports: that'll all be offered by the site, too, in what's being badged an "indoor golf-entertainment hybrid". The aim is to cater to all levels of golfing interest, whether you're only interested in having fun with your short game, you'd like to take lessons from PGA-certified coaches or X-Golf's X-League competition — which feeds into venue, state and national championships — gets you excited. Other than playing mini golf, you'll be honing or showing off your skills on virtual greens, of course. Aside from an Oktoberfest-themed hole and one that nods to Spain's running of the bulls, exactly what putt putt fans will be hitting around hasn't been revealed. When the North Lakes venue opened, however, it did so with Coachella, Area 51 in Nevada, New York, Miami, Bora Bora, Egypt, Melbourne and Mars all getting a nod. Hey Caddy also themes its cocktails to its courses, which you'll be able to enjoy in the al fresco dining area. The hybrid venue will feature party rooms as well, if that's your ideal way to gather the gang to commemorate an occasion. Find X-Golf and Hey Caddy at 275 Grey Street, South Brisbane, from Tuesday, April 4, 2024 — head to the X-Golf and Hey Caddy websites for further details.
Fortitude Valley has a brand new outdoor music space — and it's highly likely that you've been there before. While gigs have taken over The Brightside car park on plenty of occasions, the Warner Street patch of pavement is now dedicating itself to that very purpose, all under the name The Valley Drive In. No, you won't leave your vehicle there, or see a movie. You will catch plenty of live shows, however. "We've found that so many artists and promoters are looking to put on a show that simply cannot be experienced inside a traditional live space," says venue booker Cael Johnston on The Valley Drive In's website. "And we feel that this venue will give punters an evening that they will never forget." A collaboration with Social State and The Brightside, the openair space will boast permanent staging all-year-round, and is also fully licensed. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for future gigs — adding to the list of folks that played the space in its former guise, such as Dune Rats, Methyl Ethel, Goldlink, Angel Olsen, DZ Deathrays and WAAX, as well as events including The Blurst of Times, Biscuit Factory, Neko Nation, Out On The Weekend and BIGSOUND's outdoor stage. Find The Valley Drive In at 27 Warner St, Fortitude Valley. Via The Music. Image: The Valley Drive In.
This Christmas, all you need is love — plus a festive little cabaret that showcases all of the hit tunes from Love Actually. It's the way to celebrate the season when you're not just leaving the seasonal favourite flick on repeat at home. Yep, that's Christmas Actually. Created by the folks behind Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle, and starring Naomi Price (Ladies in Black, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Christmas Actually features all of the tracks that've become synonymous with this merry time of year — including Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', naturally. Songs by Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Beach Boys and The Beatles are all on the bill as well — and, to help belt them out, Price will be joined by Mik Easterman, Irena Lysiuk, Luke Kennedy, Michael Manikus, OJ Newcomb, Stephan Ward and Tom Oliver. There'll even be more than one nativity lobster, plus a jolly mood and a whole room full of festive cheer. That room is Fortitude Music Hall, where Christmas Actually plays from Wednesday, December 14–Saturday, December 17. Get excited by revisiting Love Actually's trailer below. 'Tis the season, after all.
