Murals don't have the best name for themselves. Instead of representing a vibrant and artistic community, they tend to conjure images of that fluoro abomination that donned the wall of your primary school hall; the one that featured fifty life-sized self-portraits of children with exceedingly long necks and circular eyes that stare at you with unblinking terror. Now, this amateur art form is being taken to the next level. Coupling with the community themselves, Spanish artist collective Boa Mistura are currently in the process of painting an entire town in Mexico (and the results are not at all cringeworthy). Taking inspiration from the art of the indigenous Otomie people, this group of painters, engineers and architects created designs that cover 30 buildings in the small town of Querétaro; with plans to expand to all 1,074 starting from September this year. Enlisting the help of young locals, Boa Mistura says the project is being carried out in an effort to rejuvenate and unite the community not only in the painting of the murals, but in their everyday lives too. "They are thinking in a different way right now," says a member of the group. "[They] have a new reality, a modified one. That's actually really good." This initiative comes after similar efforts in both Cape Town, South Africa and San Paolo, Brazil; and it's hard to say the pieces aren't a success. Bright colours pop from the landscape and energise the derelict surrounds; you can't help but smile at their simple charm. Similar groups are operating all around the world too. Much like Boa Mistura, Dutch street artists Haas & Hahn embarked on a huge project to reinvigorate Philadelphia's Germantown in 2012. Covering four city blocks, the Philly Painting project was carried out with the goal of "uplift[ing] the environment". The founding artists claimed "what feeds the eye also feeds the soul". If this is true, the citizens of Querétaro are in for some serious nourishment over the next few years. At the very least, the expression to 'paint the town red' will finally have a literal meaning. Via Design Boom and The Huffington Post.
Netflix's hefty stable of original programming spans every genre imaginable, from nostalgic sci-fi thrillers such as Stranger Things and smart existential comedies like Russian Doll to crime procedurals such as Mindhunter and period dramas like The Crown. But as fans of Making a Murderer, Tiger King and Unbelievable all know, the streaming platform has also been leaning rather heavily upon true tales in recent years — both via docuseries and dramatised versions. Add Unorthodox to the latter pile, with the new four-part miniseries based on Deborah Feldman's best-selling 2012 autobiography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. As the book's title makes plain, the memoir and the TV adaptation each explore her decision to leave her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, New York, flee her arranged marriage and everyone she's ever known, and escape to Berlin to start a brand new life. Names and details have been changed, as tends to be the case with dramas based on real-life stories; however Unorthodox still follows the same overall path. In a tense but instantly commanding opening to the show's first episode, 19-year-old Esther 'Esty' Shapiro (Shira Haas) slips out of the apartment she shares with her husband Yanky (Amit Rahav), picks up a passport from her piano teacher and nervously heads to the airport. Once she arrives in Berlin, she's just as anxious and uncertain — whether she's thinking about contacting her estranged mother (Alex Reid), who lives in the German capital; trying to work out where she'll sleep, given that she knows no one and brought nothing with her; or befriending a group of music students, cherishing making new connections and hoping she can join them at city's conservatory. Netflix's first original series primarily in Yiddish, Unorthodox then jumps between multiple narrative strands — chronicling Esty's sudden awakening into a secular existence far removed from her previous life; charting Yanky's desperate efforts to track her down under orders of their rabbi, with his cousin Moische (Jeff Wilbusch) on hand to help; and flashing back to Esty's childhood, her time with her beloved grandmother (Dina Doron), the lead up to her marriage and the wedding itself. Directed by German actress-turned-filmmaker Maria Schrader (Deutschland 83 and Deutschland 86), the end result proves a unique and intriguing coming-of-age tale, a thoughtful thriller, and an eye-opening but always careful and respectful look at a culture that's rarely depicted on-screen in such depth. Israeli actress Haas (The Zookeeper's Wife, Foxtrot, Mary Magdalene) turns in a nuanced, weighty and gripping performance as Esty, too — which is absolutely pivotal in making Unorthodox so compelling to watch. And, for viewers stuck at home and eager for a window into the wider world, the series makes great use of its Berlin setting — viewing the busy city with the same wide-eyed wonder as its protagonist. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVhRId0BTw Unorthodox is currently streaming on Netflix. Images: Anika Molnar/Netflix.
Accustomed to digital deception across all types of visual media, it often takes us more than one look to realise that an effect has been achieved solely by the human hand. The new food-art stylings of Hong Yi, or 'Red' as she is nicknamed, almost look too perfect to be real. An artist/architect, Red set herself the task of creating a new artwork using only comestibles, every day for a month. From a serene cucumber landscape to a dragonfruit dragon in battle rapture, the resulting scenes are highly detailed, innovative and beautiful. Hong Yi loves painting "but not with a paintbrush"; her other works have included a painting made using a basketball, a portrait of Ai Weiwei in sunflower seeds, and another of Adele using melted candles. Check out her Facebook page to see deluxe Louis Vuitton mushrooms and more. Via Colossal.
When late October rolls around in Australia, Monopoly will no longer just be a game: it'll be a theme park as well. Already open in Hong Kong, Monopoly Dreams is heading Down Under, setting up its second Monopoly attraction in Melbourne Central. On the agenda: feeling like you've just stepped into the board game IRL in a 1700-square-metre space filled with all things Monopoly. Expect to hear the word Monopoly a whole lot — right now while reading about this news, and in general at this Monopoly haven. Monopoly Dreams launching in the Victorian capital isn't a new development, but the official opening date is. If you're keen, mark Saturday, October 21 in your diary. Also, you can start buying tickets now, too. It's the game that's caused many a childhood dispute, and plenty more between adults as well. Thanks to its ever-growing range of themed versions, it has let players buy everything from Game of Thrones' King's Landing to AFC Richmond's Nelson Road Stadium from Ted Lasso. And, it's now going the IRL bricks-and-mortar route on Melbourne Central's lower ground level. If you're wondering what a Monopoly theme park entails, that's hardly surprising — and the answer isn't just a life-sized version of the game that everyone has played more than once. Rather, the venue is taking a chance on bringing Monopoly elements beyond the board, building a Monopoly city that includes water works, the electric company, the bank and Mr Monopoly's mansion. And yes, there's a jail. Presumably you don't go directly there upon entering, but you can get your mugshot taken within its walls. When you walk through the doors, you'll also find carnival games. It wouldn't be a theme park based on a board game if playing games wasn't a big part of the attraction, of course. Expect challenges as well — and, in the mansion, there'll also be a vault and gallery, alongside a 4D cinema screening a movie about Mr Monopoly and his dog Scottie touring Melbourne locations — plus the opportunity to create your own customised Monopoly title deed. [caption id="attachment_918250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tony Gough[/caption] For bites to eat, patrons can hit up the Monopoly cafe. And if all this Monopoly talk has you wanting to play Monopoly or buy Monopoly merchandise, Monopoly Dreams will also feature Australia's first and only dedicated Monopoly store. Catering for audiences of all ages — so, you'll have kids for company, but it's open for adults without children in tow — Monopoly Dreams will take visitors around 60–90 minutes to enjoy the full experience. "Our team has worked tirelessly to create an immersive experience that captures the essence of Monopoly and transports guests into a magical world of excitement and imagination," said Monopoly Dreams General Manager Mark Connolly. "We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available, giving fans the opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary adventure." Monopoly Dreams will open on Saturday, October 21 at Melbourne Central, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Head to the venue's website for tickets and further details. Top image: Tony Gough.
If the beginning of 2020 has had you looking forward to the future more than usual, we don't blame you given the current state of affairs. But this week you might want to look to the skies as well — and feast your eyes on a luminous night sky. Every autumn, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Wednesday, May 6 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse from your backyard or balcony. WHAT IS IT The Eta Aquarids might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but they are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 76 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), the Eta Aquarids come around every year, usually between April 19–May 28 every year. The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. Luckily, being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. On average, you can see up to 20–40 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_769233" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Wednesday, May 6, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. This year, at that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 50 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT Usually, when a meteor shower lights up the sky, we'd tell city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. That's not advisable given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, so you'd best take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate them, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. Generally, the weather is set to be fairly clear along the east coast with some chances or showers and cloud cover — hopefully in the early hours the sky is clear. This year, the meteor shower will also have to compete with an almost-full moon, so you'll catching a glimpse pre-dawn after the moon sets is your best bet.
There's no such thing as 'just a cocktail', as everyone who's fond of making and sipping them knows. Sourcing the exact right ingredients, combining them in the ideal way, perfecting your favourite recipe — ace all three stages, and you'll find yourself with a refreshing, drinkable work of art. One particular part of the above equation is especially crucial, of course. If you don't pick the right spirit to start with, your cruisy afternoon cocktail just won't taste the same. And, if you can go one better and find a standout local drop — a creative gin or a flavoursome rum, for example — you'll be able to both enjoy a stellar beverage and support a homegrown distillery at the same time. When it comes to great spirits made right here in Queensland, you might already have your go-to. Or, you could be looking for ideas for your next concoction. Either way, we've teamed up with our pals at BWS to highlight five local outfits pumping out first-rate spirits you should know about.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — at present, spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. NINE DAYS Androids may dream of electric sheep, or they may not, but that isn't the only metaphysical question that cinema likes to contemplate. Do souls yearn and strive for — and fret and stress over — their chance to shuffle onto this mortal coil? That's the query that Pixar's Soul pondered so thoughtfully and enchantingly, and it's one that Nine Days, which actually predates its animated counterpart but is only reaching Australian cinemas now, masterfully explores as well. "You are being considered for the amazing opportunity of life," a bespectacled, suspender-wearing, serious-faced Will (Winston Duke, Us) tells the candidates hoping to soon live and breathe. They're far more enthusiastic about the process than he is, although he values their prospective existence much more than they can fathom in their wide-eyed eagerness and excitement. Will has seen what can happen next, because it's his job not only to select the best souls to embark upon this thing called life, but to monitor their progress in all the days, months and years afterwards. He's observed the success stories; however, he's also witnessed the heartbreaks as well. In this stirring and fittingly soulful debut feature from writer/director Edson Oda — a movie that won the dramatic screenwriting award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and that's memorably and evocatively about the texture, experiences, feelings and enigmas that comprise every soul, and every life — Will surveys his next troupe of contenders fresh from viewing the unhappy end that met one of his previous favourites. He's already adrift from existence as we know it, and from almost everyone else who resides in the picture's ethereal yet also earthy pre-life realm, but he's now burdened with a renewed sense of solemnity. His colleague Kyo (Benedict Wong, The Personal History of David Copperfield) tries to get him to see the lighter side — the more human side — of the path his next chosen candidate will take. He emphasises the ebbs and flows that Will, who has become more rigid in his thinking and feelings the longer he's in the role, now fervently discounts. But among a roster of new applicants that includes Kane (Bill Skarsgård, IT Chapter Two), Alex (Tony Hale, Veep), Mike (David Rysdahl, Dead Pigs) and Maria (Arianna Ortiz, Rattlesnake), all of which are given nine days to demonstrate why they should be born next, it's actually the calm, passionate and inquisitive Emma (Zazie Beetz, Atlanta) that challenges the way Will perceives his work and what it means to be alive. Read our full review. GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE Cutesy name, likeable stars, stylised brutality, a familiar revenge scenario: blend them all together, and that's Gunpowder Milkshake. There's one particular ingredient that's missing from this action-thriller's recipe, though, and its absence is surprising — because much about the film feels like it has jumped from the pages of a comic book. That's one of the movie's best traits, in fact. The world already has too many comics-to-cinema adaptations, but although Gunpowder Milkshake doesn't stem from a graphic novel, it actually looks the part. Its precise framing and camera placement, hyper-vibrant colours and love of neon could've easily been printed in inky hues on paper, then splattered across the screen like the blood and bullets the feature sprays again and again. Writer/director Navot Papushado (Big Bad Wolves) and cinematographer Michael Seresin (War for the Planet of the Apes) have made a visually appealing film, and a movie with evident aesthetic flair. All that gloss is paired with a generic assassin storyline, however, and a half-baked feminist thrust. It's Sin City meets John Wick but gender-flipped, except that the Kill Bill movies and Atomic Blonde have been there and done that. Crafting a film that's entertaining enough, but largely in a mechanical way, Papushado and co-scribe Ehud Lavski (a feature first-timer) attempt to complicate their narrative. The basics are hardly complex, though. As skilled killer Sam (Karen Gillan, Avengers: Endgame) notes in the movie's opening narration, she works for a group of men called The Firm, cleaning up its messes with her deadly prowess. It's an inherited gig, in a way. Fifteen years earlier, she was a fresh-faced teen (Freya Allan, The Witcher) with a mum, Scarlet (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones), who did the same thing. Then her mother abandoned her after a diner shootout, leaving Sam to fend herself — and, to ultimately get her jobs from Nathan (Paul Giamatti, Billions), one of The Firm's flunkies. It's on just that kind of gig that Sam kills the son of a rival crime hotshot (Ralph Ineson, Chernobyl), and he wants revenge. Soon, her employers are also on her trail, after she takes another assignment in an attempt to sort out her first problem, then ends up trying to save eight-year-old Emily (Chloe Coleman, Big Little Lies) from violent kidnappers. The cast also spans the impressive trio of Angela Bassett (Black Panther), Michelle Yeoh (Last Christmas) and Carla Gugino (a Sin City alum), albeit sparingly, with all of Gunpowder Milkshake's female figures solely tasked with navigating an inescapably clear-cut scenario. Read our full review. SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY In the misfire that's always been 1996's Space Jam, basketball superstar-turned-unconvincing actor Michael Jordan is asked to hurry up. "C'mon Michael, it's game time! Get your Hanes on, lace up your Nikes, grab your Wheaties and your Gatorade, and we'll pick up a Big Mac on the way to the ballpark," he's told. Spoken by go-to 90s schemester Wayne Knight (aka Seinfeld's Newman), this line couldn't better sum up the film or the franchise it has now spawned. The Space Jam movies aren't really about the comedic chaos that springs when a famous sportsperson pals around with cartoons. That's the plot, complicated in the original flick and now 25-years-later sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy by evil forces that turn a basketball game into a battle ground; however, it's also just a means to an end. These features are truly about bringing brands together in a case of mutual leveraging, as product placement always is. Connect Looney Tunes with the NBA, and audiences will think of both when they think of either, the strategy aims. It has worked, of course — and with A New Legacy, the approach is put to even broader and more shameless use. Everyone who has ever even just heard of Space Jam in passing knows its central equation: Looney Tunes + hoop dreams. The first Space Jam's viewers mightn't also remember the aforementioned product name-drops, but Warner Bros, the studio behind this saga, hopes A New Legacy's audience will forever recall its new references. All the brands shoehorned in here are WB's own, with its other pop culture franchises and properties mentioned repeatedly. The company also has Harry Potter, The Matrix, the DC Extended Universe flicks such as Wonder Woman, and Mad Max: Fury Road in its stable. Its catalogue includes Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, The Lord of the Rings, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo, too. And, it holds the rights to everything from The Wizard of Oz, Metropolis and Casablanca to A Clockwork Orange and IT. A New Legacy wants to forcefully and brazenly impress these titles into viewers' minds so that they'll always equate them with the studio. In other words, this is just a Warner Bros ad with LeBron James and Looney Tunes as its spokespeople. You don't need to be a cynic or have zero nostalgia for the OG Space Jam to see A New Legacy as purely a marketing exercise, though, because corporate synergy is literally what the movie's villain, an algorithm named Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle, Avengers: Endgame) that runs the on-screen Warner Bros, aims to achieve in this shambles of a film. Read our full review. SIR ALEX FERGUSON: NEVER GIVE IN Even among sports agnostics who know next to nothing about football of any code, and don't want to, Sir Alex Ferguson's name still likely rings a bell. The prodigiously successful soccer manager was synonymous with equally prosperous English Premier League team Manchester United for almost three decades between 1986–2013, leading them to 38 different trophies — including 13 EPL titles. He oversaw an era that featured star players such as David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, all famous names that are also known beyond sports fans. Accordingly, Ferguson is a highly obvious candidate for a documentary, particularly an authorised film directed by his own son Jason. But the best docos don't just preach to the already celebratory and converted. A piece of non-fiction cinema has the potential to turn any viewer into an aficionado, and to get everyone watching not only paying attention, but wholly invested. As the vastly dissimilar, not-at-all sports-related The Sparks Brothers also does, that's what Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In achieves. It steps through its eponymous subject's life story, all with the man himself narrating the details, sharing his memories and musings, and looking back on an extraordinary career. Helpfully when it comes to standing out from the crowded sports doco crowd, Never Give In has an angle: in 2018, Sir Alex was rushed to hospital and into surgery due to a brain haemorrhage. At the time, his biggest fear was losing his memories, which the younger Ferguson uses as an entry point — and as a touchstone throughout the birth-to-now recollections that fill the film otherwise. This approach helps reinforce exactly what Sir Alex has to recall, and what it all means to him. It also makes his plight relatable, a feat his footballing achievements were never going to muster (we can all understand the terror of having our lives' best moments ripped from our consciousness, but few people can claim to know what his level of professional success feels like). In his Scottish brogue, the elder Ferguson proves a lively storyteller, talking through his upbringing in Glasgow, his childhood adoration of Rangers Football Club, his ups and downs as a player — including taking to the pitch for Rangers and against them — and the path that led him to coaching first in Scotland, then for Manchester United. A wealth of archival footage assists in fleshing out the tale, as do interviews with players such as Cantona and Ryan Griggs. The result: an easy win of a film, but a nonetheless compelling and skilful one, too. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on January 1, January 7, January 14, January 21 and January 28; February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25; March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25; and April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22 and April 29; May 6, May 13, May 20 and May 27; June 3, June 10, June 17 and June 24; and July 1 and July 8. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Chaos Walking, Raya and the Last Dragon, Max Richter's Sleep, Judas and the Black Messiah, Girls Can't Surf, French Exit, Saint Maud, Godzilla vs Kong, The Painter and the Thief, Nobody, The Father, Willy's Wonderland, Collective, Voyagers, Gunda, Supernova, The Dissident, The United States vs Billie Holiday, First Cow, Wrath of Man, Locked Down, The Perfect Candidate, Those Who Wish Me Dead, Spiral: From the Book of Saw, Ema, A Quiet Place Part II, Cruella, My Name Is Gulpilil, Lapsis, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Fast and Furious 9, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks, In the Heights, Herself, Little Joe, Black Widow and The Sparks Brothers.
Aussies are ditching the overdone, stuffy dinner parties of yesteryear and instead are opting for bougie elevated cocktail nights at home with their besties. We're socialising more than in previous years but, with the rising cost of living, we're looking for more economical ways of hanging out with our friends. One way to do it is to host luxurious cocktail parties at home. Are you part of the trend? Read on to get some tips to elevate your next cocktail party. CONCOCT THE COCKTAIL LIST You can't have a cocktail party without cocktails. To keep things easy for you (and interesting for your guests), stick with a single spirit for your shindig. Bourbon can be a foundation for many cocktails like old fashioneds, manhattans, whisky sours or highballs. Vodka is the basis for numerous cocktail recipes like a classic cosmo, martini, bloody mary or lemon drop. Equally versatile is gin with cocktails like gimlets, Tom Collins, negronis and, of course, gin and tonic on its repertoire. Aim to prebatch your ingredients and garnishes so you can spend more time socialising with your guests. One garnish can work for many cocktails. For instance, bourbon cocktails work exceptionally well with orange peel garnish. CURATE A MENU Tasty cocktails deserve equally tasty food. It doesn't need to be complicated, especially because cocktail parties are better suited to canapes and charcuterie boards. So crack out the cheese knives and small plates and set up grazing stations throughout your party space. You don't need to bust your weekly budget on ingredients. Stock up on cheese, crackers, cured meats, fresh fruits, olives and crusty bread. Don't forget dips and spreads, and you'll be golden. Keep in mind any dietaries your mates may have, and don't mix bread and crackers with the cheese and meat to ensure any coeliacs among you are happy. CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE What's a party without the right vibes? Get onto Spotify and create the playlist to perfect your cocktail party theme. Are you going with minimalist chic? Maybe you should load up on lo-fi beats. Are you thinking more of a luxe old-world vibe? Jazz is your friend. Or perhaps you're pushing a colourful midday sesh. If so, pop music should be on the tracklist. Depending on the vibe you are going for, lighting can make a major impact on the atmosphere. No one wants to chill with overhead lights showing everything. If you don't have dimmers on your lights, you can create a soothing vibe with fairy lights, lamps or candles — just be careful where you set up candles. To let your guests know the party is over, subtly blow out the candles and turn off the music. The vibes will be over, and so will the party mood. Keen to host a luxurious night of your own? We are giving our readers the chance to host a luxury cocktail party for up to 40 guests. Check out the competition here. Images: Susannah Townsend, Woodford Reserve, Getty Images
For most of the past two years, Australians haven't had many chances to attend a music festival or escape the mainland. We all know how the festival landscape has fared during the pandemic, and the travel situation as well. But if you've been longing to hear your favourite tunes while surrounded by your friends and to take a trip to a secluded beachside resort in The Whitsundays, Dream Machine has you covered. The brand-new festival was first announced in 2021, and was meant to take place last year as well — but the past 12 months didn't turn out as anyone planned, either. In great news, however, it's been locked in to go ahead this month, and will now occur between Wednesday, January 26–Sunday, January 30. Handily, that news comes just after Queensland revealed that it's ditching its domestic border restrictions from Saturday, January 15. A new venture from the team behind Wine Machine and Snow Machine, the fest will see music lovers travel to The Whitsundays for a stacked lineup of local electronic talent. On up the party-forward lineup: Hayden James, former Triple J House Party presenter KLP, Touch Sensitive, CC:Disco!, Set Mo and Yolanda Be Cool, as well as The Jungle Giants, and Confidence Man hitting the decks for DJ sets. Yes, the list goes on. If the simple activity of grooving to tunes on a tropical island isn't enough motivation for you, festival-goers will also be treated to an island-hopping adventure between Daydream Island, Paradise Cove and a surprise location. Your itinerary can also include kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and waterside cocktails, and, if you stay at Daydream Island Resort, you'll have four restaurants, three bars, a pool and a spa to enjoy as well. Dream Machine will run for three days within its five-day, four-night period. Unsurprisingly, it isn't cheap, starting at $1999 per person — and also to the astonishment of no one, plenty of packages have already sold out, so you'll need to get in quick if you're keen. The extravagant price tag will get you accommodation, breakfast each morning, ferry transport to and from the airport, and tickets to the festival (of course). DREAM MACHINE 2022 LINEUP: Belta Variant CC:DISCO! Confidence Man (DJ set) Client Liason (DJ set) Dena Amy Generik Happiness Is Wealth Harvey Sutherland (DJ set) Hayden James Jimi the Kween The Jungle Giants (DJ set) Juz KLP Kristina Jaman Late Nite Tuff Guy Made in Paris Mell Hall Mira Mira Owl Eyes Pat Stevenson Poof Doof DJs Robbie Set Mo Squeef Stace Cadet Shouse (DJ set) Sneaky Sound System Touch Sensitive Wax'o Paradiso Yolanda Be Cool Dream Machine takes place from Wednesday, January 26–Sunday, January 30 in The Whitsundays, with final tickets available via the festival's website.
Square burger patties are now on the menu Down Under, with American chain Wendy's launching in Australia. After initially starting making moves to hit our shores in 2022, then confirming in 2023 that a heap of Aussie stores are on the way, the burger-slinging joint has opened its first-ever Australian outpost on the Gold Coast, in Surfers Paradise's Paradise Centre. In terms of big US fast-food franchise making the leap to this part of the world, Taco Bell did it, plus Mark Wahlberg's Wahlburgers and fellow burger joint Five Guys, too — and now Wendy's has officially followed suit. The Australian venues fall under The Wendy's Company's master franchise agreement with Flynn Restaurant Group to set up a huge number of Aussie shops. And we do mean a big figure: at least 200 stores, in fact, as slated to open by 2034. Wendy's already knew there was an Aussie appetite for its burgers thanks to a 2021 Wendy's pop-up in Sydney, where it gave out free burgs and desserts. Indeed, when it confirmed the massive expansion to Australia, the company mentioned the one-day pop-up's success among the reasons for giving Australia a couple of hundred places to nab its burgers within the next decade. Back then, it was expected that the stores would largely start launching from 2025 — and with the Gold Coast flagship, that's exactly what has happened. Exactly where Wendy's will set up shop from here, and when, hasn't been revealed. Open since Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Wendy's Gold Coast store features the brand's signature dishes, such as its Classic Double, Baconmator and Spicy Chicken Sandwich — as well as the Wendy's Frosty in chocolate or vanilla flavours for dessert. The menu also spans double hand-breaded chicken tenders (which are served by themselves, and in burgers and wraps), plus sea-salted fries with loaded options (cheese, chilli and cheese, and bacon and cheese). Flynn Restaurant Group and Wendy's have history, with the former already running nearly 200 of the latter's outposts across five US states. Similarly on Flynn Restaurant Group's plate in America: operating Applebee's, Taco Bell, Panera, Arby's and Pizza Hut restaurants. In Australia, Wendy's isn't the only food joint with that name. Across the country, that moniker also graces a South Australian-born ice cream chain which is now known as Wendy's Milk Bar. With more than 7000 stores worldwide, the American Wendy's is one of the globe's biggest and most-recognisable burger chains. While most of its outposts are scattered across the US, the chain also has over 1000 international locations in countries like New Zealand, Canada and the UK. The first Wendy's was opened by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio in 1969. It quickly expanded due to the popularity of its burgers and iconic Frostys, growing to over 1000 restaurants in its first nine years of operations. Find Wendy's at Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise — open from 10am–10pm Thursday–Tuesday and 11am–9pm Wednesday. Head to the chain's website for more details.
Is the Avatar franchise set to win its third Academy Award for Best Visual Effects? With its characteristically rich and stunning visuals, the just-dropped first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash makes that case. The latest film in the sci-fi saga is set to arrive three years after Avatar: The Way of Water, and 13 years after all things Avatar initially hit cinemas with what's still the world's biggest box-office blockbuster. Get ready to return to Pandora: come December 2025, James Cameron will usher viewers back to the Na'vi-inhabited moon, and into the middle chapter in the director's planned five-film series. In past entries, forests and reefs have proven home to the franchise's blue-hued residents, but volcanic plains join in this time around. So, meet: the Ash People. Oona Chaplin (Treason) portrays Varang, the new clan's leader. Her message in the sneak peek: "your goddess has no dominion here". When Avatar: Fire and Ash plays in picture palaces Down Under from Thursday, December 18, viewers will also see Michelle Yeoh (Star Trek: Section 31) and David Thewlis (Sherlock & Daughter) among the cast. Leading the ensemble, Sam Worthington (Relay) and Emilia Pérez Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana (Elio) are back as Jake Sully and his warrior wife Neytiri, alongside fellow returnees Sigourney Weaver (The Gorge), Stephen Lang (House of David), Cliff Curtis (Invincible), Britain Dalton (Dark Harvest), Trinity Bliss (The Life of Chuck), Jack Champion (Everything's Going to Be Great), Bailey Bass (Interview with the Vampire) and Kate Winslet (Lee). Cameron once again directs, and co-wrote the screenplay with the also-returning Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Mulan). Since the first Avatar in 2009, the filmmaker behind it has only helmed movies in the franchise. If getting excited about one new Avatar film isn't enough, the two final flicks that are set to follow Avatar: Fire and Ash are slated for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively. Check out the Avatar: Fire and Ash trailer below: Avatar: Fire and Ash releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, December 18, 2025 Images: courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Brisbane comedy fans, your autumn plans now include chuckling your way through sets by Josh Thomas, Nazeem Hussain, Joel Creasey, Rhys Nicholson, Nina Oyama, Melanie Bracewell and Arj Barker at the 2024 Brisbane Comedy Festival. Each year, the Brisbane Powerhouse-run event brings the giggles for an entire month, with more than 100 comedians set to stand behind the microphone when it next returns. Also on the 2024 list: Reuben Kaye, Luke Heggie, Ivan Aristeguieta, Guy Montgomery, Schalk Bezuidenhout and the return of Sh!t-faced Shakespeare. As always, BCF is a something-for-everyone fest. If you can't find something to laugh at, you mightn't have a funny bone. 2024's Brisbane Comedy Festival will take place from Friday, April 26–Sunday, May 26, filling not only New Farm's riverside arts venue with laughter, but also The Princess Theatre, Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli. So far, the event has announced its first 25 acts, spanning both local and overseas names, stand-up sets and broader events. The annual Brisbane Comedy Festival Opening Gala is among them, kicking off the fest with a yet-to-be-revealed list of talents — and so is rom-com production 44 Sex Acts in One Week. Thomas' place on the bill is big news given that he hasn't taken to the BCF stage since 2013, which was when Please Like Me first arrived. When Sh!t-faced Shakespeare makes its comeback — yes, its name is as descriptive as it sounds, with one member of the troupe completely sloshed at each performance — it'll be to take on the Scottish play, aka Macbeth. And Deadloch fans will want to check out Oyama's onstage efforts. The first-round bill also includes Bob Franklin, Tony Martin, Bev Killick and Gretel Killeen teaming up for an Aussie Comedy Legends night; Kaye's brand-new show APOCALIPSTIK; and James Schloeffel from The Shovel and Charles Firth from The Chaser bringing Wankernomics: Solutionising the Corporate World follow-up Wankernomics 2.0: As Per My Last Email Brisbane's way. The 2024 Brisbane Comedy Festival will take place between Friday, April 26–Sunday, May 26. For further details and tickets — with the first shows on sale from 10am on Friday, November 17 — head to the festival's website.
Burnham Beeches, an Art Deco mansion and 22-hectare estate in the Dandenong Ranges is getting a major makeover by Six Senses. The international luxury resort group has famous properties in Oman and Bali, but this will be its very first Australian venture. It'll also come with all the lavish trimmings you can expect from Six Senses. This mansion, designed by Harry Norris in 1933, will first open with just 43 guest accommodations alongside a restaurant, library bar, large terrace and rooftop retreat covered in foliage — perfect for its forest location. Six Senses is also planning to have a separate two-bedroom cottage and some glamping sites scattered throughout the property. But this is all subject to planning applications that are still in the works. If the project plan makes it through, it will be one of the best ways to experience the Dandenong Ranges. These campsites will be set with the native forest and conveniently located next to a truffle farm. Design wise, new and old Art Deco features will reign supreme. And the flamboyant nature of this period will be ramped right up. Think of it as an Australian hotel of the Great Gatsby era, made for lavish champagne-filled parties. But there will be a strong sustainable ethos throughout as well. The restaurant will source much of its produce from the on-site farm which will also be used for education purposes around sustainable farming and practices The herb garden is even set to produce healing and aromatic plants for use in the Alchemy Bar workshops and Six Senses Spa treatments. [caption id="attachment_692634" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Keppel Lookout, Mount Dandenong, Visit Victoria[/caption] Guests should also be able to explore the historical, ecological, cultural and indigenous stories from Burnham Beeches and the surrounding region. These lands originally belonged to the Wurundjeri and Kulin nations — and the Six Senses team plan to acknowledge this through the art, architecture, signage, and landscaping throughout the extensive grounds. The Six Senses is putting a uniquely Australian stamp on this property, which is slated to open sometime in 2025. We will be patiently waiting. Check out the Six Senses Instagram page for more updates. Now you can book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips, and discover inspiring deals on flights, stays and experiences.
Sydney and Melbourne may grab the headlines thanks to their larger populations, but there are plenty of reasons to love Brisbane. The home of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games offers urban exploration, waterside luxury, natural beauty and, in some cases, all of the above at the same time. We've teamed up with Samsung to pick out the best places to visit in the Queensland capital if you want to pimp your Insta feed. Not only that, but we've separated them out into day and night. Why? Well, thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Series' Nightography feature, you don't have to worry about your phone not being able to cope in low-light conditions, meaning you can enjoy each of these locations at the times when they're at their very best. [caption id="attachment_694714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] DAY The Calile Pool Yes, admittedly, it is just a hotel pool on paper, but somehow, every picture you see of the pool at The Calile looks like it's been handpicked to promote a film where the characters live a life of opulent, worry-free luxury. Maybe it's the semi-circular raised section in the middle of the pool where you can bask in the sun, maybe it's the gold lettering on the tiles on the bottom of the pool or maybe it's the way the pastels of the poolside furniture seamlessly blend with the surroundings to give an air of elegance. Either way, prepare your camera for a dreamy snap. Roma Street Parkland Noted as the world's largest subtropical garden located in a city centre, Roma Street Parkland's incandescent displays are spread over several hectares, providing a riot of colour whichever way you turn. If you want to curate your pics even further, volunteers offer a range of free guided tours, so you can learn about the history of the park, local bush tucker, the rainforest experience and more. Mount Coot-tha Lookout and Tropical Dome Want to see as much of Brissie as you can in one go? Head on up Mount Coot-tha and make your way to the lookout. From Brisbane's highest point, you get spectacular views of the city, Moreton Bay and beyond. Up here, you'll also find the Tropical Dome: a climate-controlled haven for tropical plants which gives them the precise conditions they require to thrive. You'll think you're on an island paradise instead of just a 20-minute drive out of the centre of the River City. South Bank Beach and Grand Arbour Put aside any preconceptions you may have about a man-made beach right a proverbial stone's throw from the city centre, and soon you'll be wondering why more places don't follow suit. At South Bank, you can experience golden sands and crystal waters, with the stunning backdrop of the imposing CBD just on the other side of the river. Located right nearby is the Grand Arbour – ostensibly a pedestrian walkway but in practice, a kilometre-long pergola where a vibrant bougainvillea canopy provides a beautiful covering for your leisurely stroll. Emporium Hotel rooftop pool There are few phrases in the English language quite as decadent as "rooftop infinity pool". Twenty-three metres long and 21 storeys up, the Emporium Hotel's pool offers incredible views over South Bank Parklands, the Brisbane River and even further afield. This kind of position gives the kind of view you'd more likely associate with a gleaming metropolis such as Dubai or Singapore, but Brisbane gleams as brightly as any of them. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Easily accessible and just over the river from the CBD, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs are a spectacular heritage-listed natural formation. People visit to picnic, climb or abseil and, at the base of the cliff, there's a small park with facilities and artworks. In terms of views, though, beyond the majesty of the cliffs themselves, you can see the Captain Cook Bridge, the CBD, Story Bridge, the botanic gardens and hordes of mangroves, all from the one vantage point. Fortitude Valley laneways You think laneways and you probably think Melbourne, but Brisbane can certainly give the Victorian capital a run for its money. Street art, hip coffee joints and al fresco eateries sit side by side in a series of alleyways that will inspire your creativity. You'll stumble upon hidden gems everywhere you look – perfect fodder for a series of high-quality snaps documenting your exploration. NIGHT The Calile Exterior/James Street We've already covered how The Calile's swimming pool is one of the best places to kick back but by night, head on outside and check out what the hotel's exterior and surrounds have to offer. The hotel's quietly brutalist style belies the sandy colours and resort feel you get in one of Brisbane's most bustling precincts. And just beyond the front door, the tree-lined James Street positively glows in the evening under soft street lamps and fairy lights. Fairy light trees at QUT The clue's in the name with this one. Go to QUT and look for the trees with fairy lights in them. While there are multiple public sites in Brisbane where fairy lights illuminate the night sky, the QUT side of the Goodwill Bridge is the biggest and, in our opinion, the best. Pro tip: try to arrive around dusk so you get the opportunity to see the lights turn on for the night. Clem Jones Promenade Science probably can't explain it, but it's surely beyond dispute that a leisurely stroll is always improved when it's adjacent to a waterway. And the Clem Jones Promenade is a fantastic way to see Brisbane in all her glory – it's a wide, well-kept walkway in South Bank that gives you fantastic views of the city across the river while also providing a picturesque canvas for your best social media shots. Wilson Outlook Reserve Is this little stretch of grass Brisbane's best-kept secret? Wilson Outlook Reserve is a small park in New Farm that if you know, you know — but if you don't, it's the ideal vantage point for a view over the spectacular city skyline. And it's even better at night, as the lights from the skyscrapers, bridges and residential towers combine to make a glittering urban artwork. Fish Lane Strings of lights, cute restaurants, hip bars – a trip to Fish Lane at night is like wandering into a painfully chic European quarter. A dazzling array of artworks, galleries, sculptures, murals and performance spaces all coexist side by side with the food and drink options, meaning it's impossible not to find something you love every time you visit. Captain Burke Park Most parks are generally daytime places and, to be fair, Captain Burke Park more than holds its own in the sunlight. But it's after sunset that this park at the northern tip of Kangaroo Point really reveals its treasures. It's well lit, meaning you never have to worry about navigating your way around, but it also provides an unspoilt view across the river to Brisbane's cityscape. See the multi-coloured lights of the CBD reflect in the river back at you and marvel. Make nights epic with Samsung Galaxy S22. For more info, head to the website. Top image: Jamie McGlinchey (Unsplash)
The streets of Sydney are about to transform into a kaleidoscope of colour, charisma and character for the 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and we've got two exclusive packages to make sure you're in the thick of it. Whether you're a Mardi Gras veteran or a first-timer, these deals will set you up to have the ultimate Mardi Gras experience. First up, for those looking to add a touch of luxe to their Mardi Gras, we present the Diamond Club Viewing & Boutique City Stay. Priced at AU$1,599 for two people, this deal not only puts you in a premium viewing area for the Parade on Saturday, March 2, but also gives you access to exclusive bars, gourmet food and amenities at Diamond Club — one of the hottest tickets on the festival calendar. And when the day is done, you'll retreat to your luxury room at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo for two nights (March 1–3). This isn't just a place to crash — it's a five-star retreat complete with daily breakfast, unlimited Wi-Fi, self-laundry (because glitter gets everywhere), daily afternoon cocktails, free minibar, gym, pool and in-room Alexa and Apple TV. Alternatively, the Sideshow Viewing & Boutique City Stay starts from AU$1,299 for two people and offers front-row seats to the parade from the Sideshow area. Your accommodation? Take your pick between The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo or the Kimpton Margot Sydney. Both options are an easy stroll to the parade route and come with all the perks you'd expect from top-tier hotels. So go on, treat yourself. You're not just booking a room; you're securing a front-row seat to one of the most vibrant events on the Sydney calendar. See you there.
Musician, actor, cook book author, wrestling MC, wine brand owner, 2024 Paris Olympics correspondent and performer: these labels all describe Snoop Dogg. Here's another that's set to join the Californian rapper's list: AFL Grand Final headliner. The hip-hop icon will take to the stage at the MCG on Saturday, September 27, 2025, leading this year's pre-game entertainment. Whichever teams make it to the season's final match, they won't want to be dropping anything like it's hot — but the man who hits the turf before them is bound to be singing about just that. AFL Grand Final headliners typically work through a range of their best-known and most-loved hits, so even if you aren't sipping on gin and juice at the game, you'll likely be hearing Snoop rap about it. Cross your fingers for not only 'Drop It Like It's Hot' and 'Gin and Juice', but also 'What's My Name?', 'Snoop's Upside Ya Head' and plenty more to make it into his set before the game's 2.30pm AEST kickoff. "It's an absolute honour to be hitting the stage at the AFL Grand Final — it's one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar. Can't wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let's make it unforgettable," Snoop Dogg said about the gig, as per the AFL. "The AFL Grand Final is the biggest event on the Australian sporting calendar — and this year, it just got a whole lot bigger," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon advised. "Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer and a true entertainer. He's played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most-iconic crowd yet." "We want Grand Final Day to be an unforgettable celebration of footy — and beyond the four quarters of the match, a celebration of culture, energy and entertainment. Snoop fits that brief better than anyone." "From Long Beach to the biggest stage in Australian sport — Snoop Dogg is coming to the MCG for the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment, and we're ready to make history." Snoop Dogg last played in Australia on his 2023 'I Wanna Thank Me' tour, which was postponed from 2022. In headlining the AFL Grand Final, he follows in the footsteps of Katy Perry in 2024, KISS in 2023 and Robbie Williams in 2022, all recent overseas talents who've helped kick off the biggest day in Aussie Rules. The Killers, Black Eyed Peas, Sting, Chris Isaak, Ed Sheeran and Tom Jones, and Meatloaf have all done the honours since 2010, too. If you're a Western Bulldogs fan, you might be thinking that Snoop's prime spot on the 2025 lineup is a sign. Given that he's also gone by Snoop Lion, you can claim that as well if you're a supporter of the Brisbane Lions, 2024's premiers. Snoop Dogg is headlining the 2025 AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday, September 27, 2025. For more information, including tickets to the game when they're available, head to the AFL website. Top image: Andrew Chin/Getty Images.
Ice cream fiends don't need any extra excuse to tuck into their favourite frosty treat, especially when the weather is warming up — but if you can lick your way through a scoop or two and help a great cause, your dessert just might taste extra sweet. That's what's on the menu at Ben & Jerry's, which has launched a new flavour in solidarity with Torres Strait Islanders battling the climate crisis. And, for one day only, it's giving out free ice creams for supporting climate change action, too. The brand isn't shy about making products that make a statement. When it wanted to call for action on the same topic in 2018, it stuck to its strengths, releasing a new ice cream flavour to draw attention to the subject. When it wanted to specifically target the Australian Government's support for fossil fuels in 2020, it did the same as well. And, back in 2021, it released a choc-chip cookie dough beer to support renewable energy. So, new limited-edition non-dairy flavour 'This Is Our Whirled' joins a lengthy history, but also hit shelves in collaboration with Our Islands Our Home. That campaign is spearheaded by the Traditional Owners of the Torres Strait, and is urging the Australian Federal Government to take stronger action on climate change. In September this year, as part of the push, eight Torres Strait Islanders won a ruling from the United Nations Human Rights Committee — which stated that the Australian Government had violated Torres Strait Islanders' human rights by failing to act on global warming. The ice cream itself is a vegan dessert made with sunflower butter — and we hope you like chocolate, because it's filled with chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sandwich cookies and chocolate cookie swirls. You'll find the tubs at Woolworths, Metcash and Ben & Jerry's scoop stores Australia-wide, including for free at the latter from 5–9pm on Friday, October 14. To nab a pint of 'This Is Our Whirled' ice cream without paying a cent, you will need to sign Ben & Jerry's petition calling on stronger climate action and climate justice for Torres Strait Islanders. You can do so online via the Ben & Jerry's website, then you'll need to take a screenshot to prove it — and show that at your nearest scoop shop to score your free tub. There's a limit of one per customer, and the giveaway will only run while stocks last during the four-hour window. Still, anyone who nabs a freebie will be gain a pint with artwork from Torres Strait Islander and art activist Dylan Mooney, which is designed to celebrate Torres Strait Islanders' resilience. If you're buying a pint some other time instead, a portion of profits from every sale of the flavour are going to Our Islands Our Home to support its ongoing climate justice efforts. Ben & Jerry's has scoop stores at Newtown, Bondi Beach, Manly and Hoyts Broadway in Sydney; Flinders Lane, St Kilda, at Hoyts at Melbourne Central, Docklands, Highpoint and Chadstone in Melbourne; and South Bank and Hoyts Sunnybank in Brisbane. Ben & Jerry's 'This Is Our Whirled' ice cream is available at Woolworths, Metcash and Ben & Jerry's scoop stores Australia-wide. The chain is giving away free tubs at its scoop stores from 5–9pm on Friday, October 14. For more information, head to the Ben & Jerry's website.
One of 2018's most interesting Australian documentaries told a unique and intriguing tale, stepping into the life of Sydney's Jason King. When the real-life figure isn't working as a security guard, he's out hunting ghosts, although he's not always doing the latter quite as literally as it might seem. King does indeed have a penchant for the paranormal, as well as a side business busting spirits out of people's houses. But, given that the first ghost he says he ever saw belonged to his own brother, who told him that he needed to find their estranged father, he's also haunted by his past. After hitting the big screen last year at film festivals and in general release, Ghosthunter is now taking on a second life — a fitting development, given its subject matter. As hosted by documentarian and filmmaker Ben Lawrence (who helmed the doco about King, plus this year's Hugo Weaving-starring Hearts and Bones), the film has now inspired a five-part podcast, delving further into this strange and compelling story. Released by Audible, it's available to listen to from today, Tuesday, July 23. It's great news for anyone who saw the movie and wanted to know more, and for folks who didn't get around to watching it just yet as well. And, it's obviously a stellar development for true-crime buffs, with Ghosthunter's five 30-minute episodes featuring police investigations, court dramas, family secrets, difficult traumas, murky mysteries, estranged figures from King's history and — naturally — hunting ghosts. Lawrence spent seven years turning King's tale into a documentary, so he has plenty of extra details to share. He starts with King's first ghostly memory, unpacking the rollercoaster ride of a story from that point onwards. In a podcast that doesn't just dabble with true crime, but with family memoir, it helps that King himself makes for an equally charismatic and eccentric character. As Lawrence explains: "you never know how deep the rabbit hole will take you. There were so many personal twists and turns over the seven years creating Ghosthunter that I found myself deeply immersed in Jason's life — I was even the best man at his wedding." Ghosthunter joins Audible's growing slate of Australian content, following in the footsteps of Marc Fennell's It Burns podcast, about the competitive world of breeding super hot chillies. Ghosthunter is available now on Audible — as part of existing member subscriptions, or free with a 30-day trial. The documentary can be rented on YouTube, Google Play and the iTunes Store.
Here's your latest excuse to pretend it's the late 90s and 00s: The Offspring and Simple Plan are teaming up for a heap of 2025 Australian shows, heading Down Under in a year that's also bringing Green Day this way on their own tour. Who needs one reason to grab your sneakers, your huge sense of nostalgia and head to a gig when you can have two? The Offspring just played an Aussie gig on Sunday, November 24, 2024 as part of Victoria's Always Live music season — but it was their only concert on this trip, and it sold out in 30 seconds. So, next May, they're returning to hit up arenas in four cities. The tour kicks off on Sunday, May 4 at AEC Arena in Adelaide, then heads to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Brisbane Entertainment Centre. It's been a quarter of a century since The Offspring earned a claim to fame that every music fan Down Under should know: topping Triple J's Hottest 100 with 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)', a win that still ranks as the annual countdown's most-controversial result to date. 2024 also marks four decades since the band first formed in the early 80s, and more than 30 years since it came to mainstream attention with hits like 'Come Out and Play' and 'Self Esteem' — and the Californian outfit isn't done belting out its catchy brand of punk just yet. While the band released albums Let the Bad Times Roll and Supercharged in 2021 and 2024, respectively, you can still expect to hear their famous tracks — including 'Gotta Get Away', 'Why Don't You Get a Job?', 'The Kids Aren't Alright' and the song that's forever cemented in Australian radio history, obviously. Still led by frontman and guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland — the group's only remaining member from its initial 1984 lineup, so you can definitely call him the original prankster — The Offspring will have company in the form of Canada's Simple Plan. From The Offspring alone, you'll get the words "gunter glieben glauchen globen" stuck in your head for another couple of decades. The Offspring Supercharged Worldwide in '25 Australian Tour Sunday, May 4 — AEC Arena, Adelaide Wednesday, May 7 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, May 11 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Wednesday, May 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane The Offspring are touring Australia in May 2025. Early-bird pre-sale tickets go on sale at 9am local time on Thursday, November 28, 2024, with general tickets on sale at 9am local time on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Head to the tour website for further details and to register for early ticket access. The Offspring images: Daveed Benito.
Since Brisbane was announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games, plans keep being put in place to transform the River City. South Bank has been earmarked for significant changes, as has a seven-hectare riverside stretch of South Brisbane on Montague Road. On the other side of town, Northshore Hamilton is also set to look a whole lot different. And demolishing and rebuilding the Gabba may or may not be happening, depending on where the new State Government lands. On the list as well: Victoria Park / Barrambin, where a massive revamp has been on the cards since in mid-2019 — plus Oxley Creek, Kedron Brook, and the Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshores. Brisbane City Council's aim: to revitalise the four park precincts, which it wants to turn into "legacy lifestyle destinations" that'll add more green space and more activities for the city's growing population. "Brisbane's natural environment is one of the things that sets us apart from other cities. Our river and creeks are places for both wildlife and people, and this will no doubt be part of the unique 'Brisbane' experience for people visiting before, during and after the 2032 Games," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. "Delivering major transformations of public parks alongside the delivery of an Olympic and Paralympic Games requires vision and imagination from the outset. We have an ambitious plan to transform hundreds of hectares of underutilised spaces into incredible lifestyle destinations." The already-revealed Victoria Park / Barrambin master plan includes filling the 64-hectare parkland with everything from a treehouse lookout, water-play gully and high-ropes course to a two-kilometre parkway boulevard and a new playground. The site will also be a venue for the Olympics, with the revamp works taking that into account. Moseying through wetlands, riding along rainforest mountain-bike trails, peering out from a sky-high perch to take in views of the city skyline and mountain ranges, and getting climbing — they're all set to become a reality on the edge of Brisbane's CBD. The Oxley Creek transformation plan, which dates back to 2017, will give Oxley Creek Common a makeover, turning an old farm and wetlands into a precinct sprawling across 120 hectares. Expect a 20-kilometre recreation trail, birdwatching to be a big feature and the area's agricultural history to remain a focus. The revamp to Archerfield Wetlands, revitalising an old wastewater plant, is also part of the project. At Kedron Brook, the 20-year master plan has 110 square kilometres from Ferny Grove to Nudgee in its sights — and improving flood resilience is one of its aims. The Wynnum, Lota and Manly foreshore is also getting a 20-year masterplan, focusing on the expanse from Wynnum Creek to Lota. One key element of it: upgrading the playground near the Wynnum Wading Pool. For more information about the Victoria Park / Barrambin Master Plan, visit the Brisbane City Council website. And for more details on the Oxley Creek transformation, also visit the Brisbane City Council website.
Before the pandemic, it was one of the annual highlights of Sydney's art calendar. If you don't live in the Harbour City, it has long been reason enough to book in a weekend spent walking around Bondi. And, in 2022, for the first time since 2019 — for obvious reasons — super-popular free outdoor exhibition Sculpture by the Sea is finally making a comeback. The dates to lock into your calendar: Friday, October 21–Monday, November 7. That's when Sculpture by the Sea will unveil more than 100 large-scale artworks by Australian and international sculptors, all along Sydney's two-kilometre Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. While the full lineup of artists hasn't been revealed for 2022's event as yet, keen Sculpture by the Sea attendees can start looking forward to the return of a few exhibition favourites. On the lineup: Marina DeBris and Stephen King, recipients of the Helen Lempriere Scholarship; and Danish artist Naja Utzon Popov, the first person to nab the new $15,000 Friendship Society of Denmark, Australia and New Zealand Danish Artist Award. [caption id="attachment_860366" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katja Grinling[/caption] 2022 will mark the exhibition's 24th year and, as always, it's set to draw a crowd. In 2019, Sculpture by the Sea attracted approximately 450,000 visitors over three weeks, with the same number of art lovers expected this time around. "It is great to be planning to stage the exhibition without the spectre of almost certain cancellation hanging over our heads," said David Handley, Sculpture by the Sea's founding CEO and Artistic Director. "The excitement is building as the artists, our staff and everyone who supports us financially believe the exhibition will go ahead." Indeed, the event's return won't just unleash a heap of eye-catching sights upon Sydney, and give locals and tourists alike an excuse to soak in the scenery as well — it'll cap off an understandably tumultuous few years for the exhibition. Sculpture by the Sea tried to make a comeback in October 2021, but had to scrap those plans due to the pandemic, marking the second year it went through that process. In 2020, the event initially planned to go ahead as normal in October, then aimed for an early 2021 berth. It did successfully stage a CBD spinoff, Sculpture Rocks, in autumn 2021, however. [caption id="attachment_860364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Jensz[/caption] That said, even before the current global health situation interrupted its annual plans, it had been already been an eventful period for Sculpture by the Sea. To rewind a little, in mid-2019, organisers were at loggerheads with the Council over the construction of a new path, and were scoping out alternative locations for the long-running art exhibition. In fact, it was only early in 2021 that the parties came to an agreement to remain in Bondi until 2030, with the organisers and Council agreeing to a ten-year deal. Amid all of the above, the Sculpture by the Sea team also branched out this year, opening the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail. It's a permanent 100-kilometre collection of outdoor art along the Snowy Valleys Way, passing through the towns of Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba, the hamlet of Tooma, plus the Tumbarumba wine region's cellar doors. So, as well as checking out what dazzling delights this year's array of sculptures in Bondi has to offer come spring, you can add even more huge art to your must-see list — and your travel list, too — in the Snowies whenever you like. [caption id="attachment_860363" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danai Kotsaki[/caption] Sculpture by the Sea is will return to the Bondi–Tamarama coastal walk from Friday, October 21–Monday, November 7. For more information, head to sculpturebythesea.com. Images: Henrique Fanti / Clyde Yee / Charlotte Curd.
Ikea may have been the brand on everybody's lips when they recently blessed Sydneysiders with a new store in Tempe, but the Swedish design giants are turning more heads with their latest advertising stunt in France. Ikea have built a whole apartment inside Auber subway station in Paris. Sitting at just 54 square metres, it is currently housing five people, who are staying there from January 9 to 15. The aim of the campaign is to show people how to use space effectively in their own homes with Ikea furnishings. With windows for communters to peer inside, they get a first-hand look at the inhabitants eating, sleeping and lounging away in the space, all with the help of Ikea's premium products. Apart from feeling sorry for the five people trying to sleep right next to the constant arrival and departure of passengers and trains, this is a great advertising stunt that fuses private and public spaces to spark customers' creativity within their own homes. Check out the apartment's construction and some of the reactions below. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oMEi9vzWdug
If drinking spritzes is your favourite way to sip — and basking in stunning river views is your favourite way to spend an afternoon, too — then a waterside date filled with drinks by Brisbane's ol' brown snake should definitely be in your future. That's all on the agenda at Customs House, which is celebrating the warmer weather by turning its terrace into a Chandon-pouring pop-up garden. It's the Queen Street venue's latest seasonal makeover, and it comes complete with greenery aplenty (and pops of orange as well) for you and your mates to hang out in — while peering at the river and knocking back a range of beverages, of course. The drinks list will hero the Chandon garden spritz, which combines Chandon's sparkling wine with orange bitters; however, there'll also be French, Italian and Australian vino, plus margaritas and espresso martinis. Open Thursdays–Sundays weekly until Thursday, October 27 — from 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays — the pop-up is also serving up a selection of bites to line your stomach. Customs House's beloved Moreton Bay bug croissant is back, this time featuring citrus-poached bug. Or, there's caviar with blini and crème fraiche; salmon gravlax with blood orange, smoked sour cream and chive oil; and fromage croquettes with pickled walnut and rosemary aioli.
What begins and ends with two massive gigs, will light up the sky three times a night, and includes everything from unsettling shipping container installations to a kaleidoscopic house of mirrors and a mind- (and body-) bending circus? That'd be this year's Brisbane Festival, which will feature nearly 600 performances across a huge 22 days when it returns between September 8–29. Marking his fourth stint as Brisbane Festival's artistic director, David Berthold has curated a stacked program of almost 70 shows for the 2018 lineup — featuring more than 1000 artists, taking over 17 venues, and serving up 100 performances for free. As always, the fest's lineup spans the full array of arts, culture, performance and music events, so if you're keen to catch an inventive new play every night at the returning Theatre Republic — or schedule your life around gigs at Brisbane Arcadia — then you're about to become mighty busy. Certain highlights include Séance, which has spooked out audiences in Sydney and Melbourne, and now comes to Brisbane to unleash its immersive sonic scares in 20-minute bursts; Horror, the already-announced production that's like bringing a frightening film to the theatre; and the return of House of Mirrors, aka the reflective labyrinth you'll want to get lost in once again. Or audiences can witness Homer's Illiad turned into a memorial for fallen soldiers in Memorial; catch the world premiere of LIFE the show, the latest cabaret-fuelled circus effort from Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO's Strut & Fret; and watch eight same-sex couples tying the knot in a joyful garden street party celebration. Want more? There's Peter Grimes, the acclaimed opera by Benjamin Britten, as well as Hamnet, which stars an 11-year-old who takes on Shakespeare by playing the bard's abandoned son. Over in Home, a house will be built on the QPAC Playhouse stage each night, with the process turning into a party. And thanks to A Force at Flowstate, a public artwork will evolve moment by moment and day by day, adding materials that have flowed through the space — and holding free workshops so that everyone can take part. Music-wise, Brisbane Festival's two bookending gigs at the Riverstage will get things started with Ball Park Music and San Cisco on September 8, and then cap it all off with Violent Soho, Meg Mac, Methyl Ethel and WAAX on September 29. In-between, Brisbanites can catch sets by Tkay Maidza, Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project, Sarah Blasko, Destroyer, Polish Club, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jen Cloher and Eskimo Joe — the latter with Brisbane's chamber Camerata. The list keeps going, with classical pieces combining with Circa's acrobatics in En Masse, puppet show Umami Mermaids exploring the world of mutated sea sirens, and pianist Sonya Lifschitz working her fingers as historical footage of the likes of Joseph Stalin, Ai Weiwei, Bertolt Brecht, John F. Kennedy and Julia Gillard screens in Stalin's Piano. And while it all comes to an end with Riverfire's usual bright display of blazing fireworks — for the 21st year, in fact — a thrice-nightly light show called River of Light will also illuminate the city, featuring giant spirals of water, coloured lighting and rainbow-hued lasers along the river at South Bank. Brisbane Festival runs from September 8–29 across Brisbane. For the full 2018 program, or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
As soon as the mercury hits anything above 25 degrees, Queenslanders will drop everything to find the nearest body of water- working commitments be damned! On a bad day, said 'body of water' might look like a room temperature bath, or a partially deflated kiddie paddling pool. But on a good day? Well, it might look a bit like the Spring Hill Baths. Don't waste your time battling highway traffic to get to the beach- this heritage-listed pool is just a stone's throw from the CBD. With more aquatic group fitness classes than you can shake your goggles at, Spring Hill Baths is famed for being Brisbane's first in-ground pool. The brightly painted changing room doors, and traditional grandstand seating, gives this swimming spot a sweet, nostalgic touch. Plus, there is a dive-in cinema, for some seriously chilled summer viewing.
The kind of place where 18 degrees is considered freezing, Brisbane is hardly a snowman's natural habitat. But that's changed now that Queensland Art Gallery has welcomed in its very own icy figure — and, yes, it's made out of real snow. If this sounds familiar, that's because Peter Fischli and David Weiss' Snowman first went on display in Brissie in the summer of 2019–20, thanks to the Gallery of Modern Art's eye-catching Water exhibition. Now, it's made a permanent home at Queensland Art Gallery, GOMA's sibling venue, so you can check it out all-year-round — yes, even in summer — in QAG's sculpture courtyard. [caption id="attachment_743010" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2017-19). Copyright: Peter Fischli David Weiss, Zurich 2019. Courtesy Spruth Magers, Matthew Marks New York and Los Angeles, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich.[/caption] Quite the frosty sight to behold, the piece dates back to 1987. First conceived as part of a site-specific work at a German thermic power plant, the fairly typical-looking snowman is made from three balls of snow, with the top one boasting hand-drawn eyes and a mouth. What's not typical of this well-travelled snowman, however, is its ability to survive even Brisbane's subtropical climate. It sits encased in a glass and metal industrial freezer — so, while QAG visitors can definitely see the frosty sculpture, you absolutely can't touch it. [caption id="attachment_755192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Fischli. Switzerland, b.1952. David Weiss. Switzerland, 1946-2012. Snowman 1987/2019 (installation view, GOMA). © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Zürich 2019. Courtesy: Sprüth Magers, Berlin/London/Los Angeles; Matthew Marks, New York/Los Angeles; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] That said, lucky gallery staff members have been given the task of retracing its eyes and smile every few days — so this snowman always has a face. As a result, you can expect to see the artwork's enigmatic expression shift subtly over time from happy to quizzical to maybe even diabolical. When Snowman first brought its literal chill to Brissie in 2019, it marked the piece's first-ever visit to the Southern Hemisphere. Only four versions of the work exist worldwide and, understandably, it's usually exhibited in locations where it's much, much colder — including at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Snowman is now permanently at Queensland Art Gallery, Stanley Place, South Brisbane. For more information, head to the QAG website. Top image: Peter Fischli. Switzerland, b.1952. David Weiss. Switzerland, 1946-2012. Snowman 1987/2019 (installation view, GOMA). © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Zürich 2019. Courtesy: Sprüth Magers, Berlin/London/Los Angeles; Matthew Marks, New York/Los Angeles; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich. Photograph: QAGOMA.
Experience all the wine this region has to offer during Canberra Wine House Murrumbateman Moving Feast, a weekend-long, roving degustation celebrating local drops and producers. Presented by the Makers of Murrumbateman, the feast will take over the best vineyards around town over the October holiday weekend from Saturday, September 30 to Monday, October 2, when local musicians will hold concerts throughout town for Music Monday. Each winery along the trail will offer signature tasting menus, with each dish paired with a curated fine wine. Punters can choose between a $25 savoury or $20 dessert degustation, with wines presented in a specialised engraved glass that is yours for the taking. Throughout the weekend, visitors will have the chance to meet the makers behind these nationally and internationally recognised bottles, all while taking in the gorgeous rolling views around the region.
Avocados: everyone loves them, not just Aussies accused of spending all their cash on smashed avo for brunch. In Amsterdam, one person loves them so much that he opened up a restaurant dedicated to serving the green creamy fruit up in as many ways as possible. Now, he's thinking about taking the show on the road, including to Australia. The Avocado Show, that is — because that's what the eatery is called. It launched in February in Amsterdam's De Pijp district, and calls itself "Europe's first and finest avocado bar". Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late at night, any time in between: if you've got a hankering for avo on bread, avo between two pieces of bread (aka avocado sandwiches), burgers made with avocado buns and more, you'll find it here. https://www.instagram.com/p/BZdMi__FQxc/?taken-by=theavocadoshow With the likes of avo roses on toast, avo poke bowls, avo ice cream and avo daiquiris on offer, the venture has been quite a success — unsurprisingly — which is what has prompted thoughts of expansion. MUNCHIES reports that there'll be new sites in Europe, as well as restaurants in North America, Asia and own our shores. Owner Ron Simpson told the publication he had received franchise requests before the first store even opened, so it's little wonder that 15 additional spots are planned over the next year. As you've probably noticed, avocado isn't literally the only thing on the menu, although every item does include it in some shape or form. If that makes you hungry, feasting your eyes on The Avocado Show's Instagram pics will only make it worse. Keep your eyes peeled for more info about their Aussie ventures while your stomach grumbles, though, with just where and when they'll arrive yet to be revealed. Via MUNCHIES
No matter where you live in Australia, you've heard about plans, pathways, roadmaps and rollouts quite often during the pandemic. As the country has faced COVID-19, our state and federal leaders have unveiled plenty of outlines that run through what we can do, what we can't do whenever restrictions are in place, how we're getting vaccinated, where we can travel and how life might return to normal — including, in early July, a new outline for the future stemming from Australia's National Cabinet. That overall plan, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison after meeting with state and territory leaders on Friday, July 2, steps through four phases that Australia intends to work through to get life back to its pre-pandemic state. It covers things like resuming international travel, loosening restrictions on vaccinated folks and scrapping lockdowns completely. That said, when first announced, the plan didn't include timeframes or information on when these different tiers would kick in, other than vague hopes. But following the latest National Cabinet meeting on Friday, July 30, the Prime Minister has now filled in some details. Vaccination thresholds have been attached to the second and third phases of the roadmap, which has been dubbed the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response. The second stage will come into effect when 70 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated with two doses, while the third phase will kick in at 80 percent. There's still no expected dates, however. For both stages, there's also a couple of requirements — and a "two-key process", as the Prime Minster explained. Firstly, the entirety of Australia must reach those figures overall, based on the population over the age of 16. After that, each individual state and territory also must hit those thresholds for that phase to specifically apply in that state or territory. At 70 percent, restrictions will be eased on folks who've had the jab, including around lockdowns and border controls. Some of the inclusions in each phase have been amended since the beginning of July, reflecting the changes in Australia's COVID-19 situation over the past month, but it's still aimed that lockdowns will be less likely in this second stage. Low-level restrictions will still help minimise the spread of cases and assist contact tracing, and the vaccine booster program would begin. This is when inbound passenger caps for unvaxxed returning Aussies will be restored to previous levels, too, and when more vaccinated returning Aussies will be allowed to come home. When the 80-percent threshold comes in, that's when jabbed Australians can travel overseas again without restrictions — which is clearly huge news. This third phase also has minimal restrictions on daily life and no lockdowns, and frees vaxxed Aussies from all those domestic restrictions anyway. At this point in the plan, there'd be no caps on returning vaccinated travellers at all, and more travel bubbles, like the one floated with Singapore, would open. Also, vaccine boosters would keep being delivered. After that comes the final phase, although this one doesn't have any specifics regarding a vaccination threshold as yet. This tier sees COVID-19 just treated like other infectious diseases. It'd still be around, but it'd get the same kind of response as the flu. So, there'd be no lockdowns or domestic restrictions ever, vaccinated folks could come and go as they like, and non-vaccinated travellers would just have to get tested before they depart and when they arrive. Basically, life would be like it was before the pandemic, just with some quarantine required for the highest-risk inbound travel. Obviously, with Greater Sydney set to spend at least nine weeks in lockdown, Victoria just coming out of its latest almost two-week-long lockdown and 11 Local Government Areas in southeast Queensland heading into a new three-day lockdown from Saturday, July 31, COVID-19 case levels could still impact how this plan gets put into effect. Indeed, if Australia's pandemic response so far is any guide, this could all change, take forever or simply not happen — but it's the stated federal plan at the time of writing, and now has some concrete vaccination thresholds. Wondering where we sit in the scheme of things right now? We're in the first stage, unsurprisingly. Here, the aim is to suppress the virus to minimise community transmission. So, there's early, stringent and short lockdowns when outbreaks occur, and domestic restrictions as well. Our international borders are closed, there's a cap on inbound travellers, and the vaccination campaign is underway. Also in this initial phase, the Medicare Vaccination Certificate will be rolled out, Australia will work out how to authenticate digital vaccination status at our international borders and the vaccine booster program will be prepared. For further details about the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response, head to the Prime Minister's website.
Beer festivals can happen anywhere, because events dedicated to showcasing and sinking brews are all about the drinks, not the location. Host a beer fest in stunning surroundings, however, and it's a sure-fire way to level up an already enticing celebration. That's what Range Brewing's Gerard Martin and Matt McIver decided back in 2022, when the pair gave Brisbane a brand-new booze event that's all about independent beers. That festival? Juicy. And its glitzy locale? The one and only Fortitude Music Hall. That initial event was clearly a hit, because the Range crew are back to do it all again in the eye-catching Valley Mall venue. 2023's Juicy Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, March 11, this time with up to 90 different brews from 20-plus brewers ready to be sampled beneath Fortitude Music Hall's chandeliers. As it did last year, it'll host two sessions: an afternoon slot from 12–4pm and an evening one from 6–10pm. "We gave the beer festival industry a bit of a shake up with Juicy last year and the resounding response was that the public and the brewers loved it," says McIver. "We think the all-in ticketing model is the future of the modern beer experience in Australia and we are stoked to be bringing another rendition of Juicy back in 2023." As well as getting attendees sipping beers under those chandeliers, this one-day event pairs yeasty beverages with a soundtrack, all as part of a ticketed affair that covers everything you'll taste for that one price. Martin and McIver took inspiration from overseas, then decided to bring it home — and give Fortitude Music Hall its first-ever beer festival in the process. So, you'll pay your entry fee, get your glass and start enjoying your way through all the brews on offer — without needing to worry about paying for drinks as you go. Each beer is served up in the event's exclusive tasting glasses, and every single one on offer in 2023 will be different to the lineup in 2022. Breweries getting some love at Juicy's second fest include Sydney's Wildflower, Melbournian's Hop Nation and Brisbane's Sea Legs, as well as everywhere from Grifter and Molly Rose to Garage Project and Working Title. Yes, Range features as well, naturally. DJ Ebony Boadu, DJ Sampology and select DJs from Fortitude Valley's QUIVR DJ School will provide the tunes — and to help line the stomach, Shucks Oyster Bar will be slinging seafood, Southside will serve up its Asian cuisine and Baja is bringing the Mexican bites. Also on offer, and a perfect beer accompaniment: steak and frites. Juicy Beer Festival takes place on Saturday, March 11. For more information or to buy tickets from 9am on Thursday, January 19, head to the fest's website.
Already, a seafood festival is sounding pretty spectacular. But add wine to it, and you’ve got a recipe for success! Oh, and did we mention the live music? This coming Sunday, Paddington’s Caxton Street will be transformed into what has been pegged as Queensland’s biggest street party in celebration of the Caxton Seafood and Wine Festival’s coming of age. A wide range of seafood choices will be on offer such as Moreton Bay bugs, lobsters, oysters, prawns and crabs, just to give you a teaser. Caxton Street’s restaurants will be offering up their finest fare. The selection of wines has been chosen to perfectly match the food on offer. This festival really represents top of the ladder quality for seafood and wine. This year’s live music lineup is the best the festival has seen. Local favorites The Jungle Giants and The Cairo’s are set to share the stage with international DJ DCup (of We No Speak Americano fame), a combination that will have your feet tapping while you gorge on perfectly cooked calamari. You can purchase tickets in advance, but there will also be sales on the day. One last bit of good news: part of the pre-sale ticket proceeds will be donated to The Wesley Hospital Kim Walters Choices Program. So you can indulge in delicious food and booze guilt free knowing your dollars are attributing to a much deserved charity.
From the outside, it's just another cute specialty coffee nook. Inside, Blackout holds so much more. As the retail arm of The Black Lab Coffee Co. all the blends, single origins and microlot coffees are roasted right here. That means you're getting artisanal coffee at its most fresh from folks who know exactly what they're doing with these fine beans. Whatever your perfect brew, Blackout provides the goods by serving batch, cold drip and espresso and has the full arsenal of alternative milks on hand. But it's not just coffee it's serving up. It also has you sorted for hot chocolate and chai — both from Cosecha Organics — as well as bottled juice 'n' booch, and a cabinet filled with freshly baked treats. As leaders in coffee making, Blackout also provides training courses on every manner of brew that the career coffee maker or home hobbyist needs to master, plus the equipment to go with it. It's your go-to Paddo spot for caffeination, bean-based know-how and that V60 you've been eyeing off.
"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." This Oscar Wilde quote is featured on the menu at Mons Ban Sabai in Camp Hill. As it turns out, it's an apt introduction to the dining experience at what is one of Brisbane's finest Thai restaurants. Finding authentic Thai food in the suburbs isn't always the easiest of missions, but with Mons Ban Sabai, residents of South-East Brisbane have a gem on their hands. Located amongst a hub of small businesses on Martha Street, the restaurant is open seven days a week and has gained both local popularity and critical acclaim over the years. Although, coming from the same team that's also behind the wonderful Green Papaya restaurant and Pawpaw Café, that's hardly a surprise. Most notably, it was awarded Best Thai Restaurant in Queensland in the Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and gained a Chef's hat in the 2012 Australian Good Food Guide awards. Walking into the restaurant, you'll notice that it's not huge. If you haven't made a booking on a busy night, steel yourself for potential disappointment. Early in the week, however, you should be safe with a walk-in. The interior of the restaurant is divided into sections so that no matter where you sit, the dining space feels intimate and cosy. These spaces can also be configured to suit large groups or functions. Now, to the menu. Entrees on offer range from spring rolls ($10.90) and Tom Yum soup ($14.90) to deep fried tofu ($11.90) and Thai fish cakes ($13.90). Standing out on the curry menu is the Gang Massaman ($22.90) – tender beef and potato pieces in a thick sauce dotted with peanuts – or for something more exotic, the Island curry with roasted duck, lychees and pineapple ($26.90). Of the seafood menu, the Pla Lard Prik – juicy fish fillets in an onion and sweet chilli sauce ($25.90) - is delicious. The servings are generous, but don't worry; if you can't finish your meal the staff will prepare a takeaway bag for you to take home where you can enjoy it all over again. For those who aren't satisfied with just taking great Thai food home, Mons Ban Sabai also runs cooking classes. Images: Hennessytrill
Since a US remake of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadow was first hinted at back in 2017, and then confirmed in May 2018, fans have been waiting like a ravenous vampire for the end result. Over the past few months, three brief teasers have dropped, plus a full two-minute trailer — and now the show is headed to Australian TV screens in April. Created and co-written by Clement, and executive by the Flight of the Conchords star with Thor: Ragnarok's Waititi, the ten-episode American version will air weekly on Foxtel's Showcase channel from Tuesday, April 2. That's a few days behind the US run, with the show premiering on America's FX network on Wednesday, March 27 — hot on the heels of the film festival premiere of its pilot episode, which just screened at SXSW over this weekend. Despite the involvement of Clement and Waititi, the duo don't star in the new-look series (but may make guest appearances — we hope). Rather, this take on What We Do in the Shadows follows a group of vampire flatmates living in Staten Island, and features Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou, The Magicians' Harvey Guillen, The Office's Mark Proksch and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein. Novak plays the gang's self-appointed leader, 'Nandor The Relentless', who dates back to the Ottoman Empire days and is somewhat stuck in his ways. As for Berry's mischievous British dandy Laszlo and Demetriou's seductive Nadja, they've been likened to a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde. Guillén steps into the shoes Nandor's familiar, who'd do anything to join the undead, while Proksch's Colin has been described as an 'energy vampire'. And Feldstein's Jenna is a college student with a new craving. If you're keen for another taste before the series starts airing, here's three new teasers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=N0cCrfvCuZM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRiyeML2mnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=4dedH5GU9QU The US remake is just the latest addition to the What We Do in the Shadows universe, too. A follow-up, We're Wolves, is in the works, focusing on the undead bloodsuckers' Rhys Darby-led lycanthrope enemies. And television spinoff Wellington Paranormal, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural, debuted its first season last year and has a second season in the works. What We Do in the Shadows will debut in America on FX on Wednesday, March 27, then air on Foxtel's Showcase channel weekly from 8.30pm AEDT on Tuesday, April 2.
UPDATE, February 10, 2021: News of the World is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, February 10. The first time that Tom Hanks was nominated for an Oscar, it was for munching on baby corn spears like they were full-sized cobs. His nod for Big stemmed from more than just that scene, but the way he handled the tiny vegetables perfectly illustrates how, at his best, he can make anything look and feel convincing. He didn't win for the 1989 comedy, and he hasn't taken home an Academy Award since he went two for two with 1994's Philadelphia and 1995's Forrest Gump; however that skill has remained a vital reason for his prolonged success. And, it applies equally to the silliest roles on his resume — early movies Splash, Turner & Hooch and The 'Burbs, for instance — and to the far more serious and subtle parts. Last year's Oscar-nominated performance in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood typifies the latter, and featured Hanks in such exceptional form that it couldn't have been easier to see him as children's presenter Mr Rogers. His latest great film, western News of the World, also belongs in the same category. This time around, Hanks plays a Civil War veteran-turned-travelling newsman who becomes saddled with escorting a child back to her family, and he's as gripping and compelling to watch as he's ever been. Hanks' character, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, is a travelling newsman in the very literal and era-appropriate sense. He journeys from town to town to read newspapers to amassed crowds for ten cents a person, all so folks across America can discover what's going on — not just locally, but around the country and the world. Then, on one otherwise routine trip in 1870, he passes an overturned wagon. Only a blonde-haired ten-year-old girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), remains alive. Kidd soon discovers that she had been abducted by the Kiowa people years earlier during a raid that saw her entire family slaughtered, and was then raised as one of their own, but she has now been left homeless after more violence. The wagon was transporting Johanna to her last remaining relatives and, in the absence of any officials willing to take over — or ensure her safety until they get around to setting off — Kidd reluctantly agrees to the task. Reading the news is still part of their trek, but so is avoiding the many dangers that plague their ride across Texas' golden-hued landscape. If the sight of a wearied Hanks donning a wide-brimmed hat, sitting atop a trusty horse and galloping across scrubby plains feels unfamiliar, that's because it hasn't happened before — with News of the World marking his first-ever western more than four decades after he made his acting debut. (No, his time voicing cowboy plaything Woody in the Toy Story movies doesn't count.) Hanks is a natural fit, unsurprisingly. The grounded presence he has brought to everything from Apollo 13 to The Post couldn't pair better with a genre that trots so openly across the earth, and ties its characters' fortunes so tightly to the desolate and wild conditions that surround them, after all. As a result, the fact that News of the World eagerly recalls previous western standouts such as The Searchers and True Grit doesn't ever become a drawback. Instead, this adaptation of Paulette Jiles' 2016 novel makes a purposeful effort to put its star in the same company as the many on-screen talents who've shone in — and strutted and scowled through — the genre. Hanks takes to the saddle like he's been perched upon one his entire career, of course, and takes to Kidd's lone-rider status with the same naturalistic air as well. Indeed, Hanks plays Kidd as an everyman, another key trait that's served him excellently for years — but the ex-soldier is also a wanderer for a reason. A handful of poignant scenes help shade in the character's painful past, and make it plain why his eventual connection with Johanna is perhaps a bigger deal for him than it is for her. They're an ideal match, actually, even if it doesn't instantly seem like it. He's quiet and stoic, she's unafraid to voice her displeasure, and a father-daughter rapport slowly springs. But Hanks isn't the only actor who ensures that this pairing works so disarmingly well, with his young co-star just as phenomenal. For anyone who saw Zengel's performance in 2019's System Crasher, which won the pre-teen the German Film Prize for Best Actress, that won't come as even the slightest surprise. Also pivotal to News of the World is filmmaker Paul Greengrass, who directs Hanks for the second time following Captain Phillips. Working with a script co-written with Australian screenwriter Luke Davies (Lion, Beautiful Boy, Angel of Mine), the United 93, 22 July and three-time Bourne franchise helmer opts for a more polished visual approach than he's known for — less frenetic and jittery, and noticeably so, but with imagery that still pulsates with emotion. When Kidd and Johanna find trouble along their trek, including from a shady trio with despicable intentions, Greengrass expertly ramps up the pace without ever letting the film's classic feel subside. With stellar assistance from cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (Sicario: Day of the Soldado) and editor William Goldenberg (an Oscar-winner for Argo), he ensures that the wagon chase and cliffside shootout that ensue are as tense and thrilling as they are exacting and meticulous. And, when his central duo arrive in a town where the local heavy (Thomas Francis Murphy, The Secrets We Keep) isn't keen on any news he doesn't approve of, he never overemphases the contemporary parallels with today's political cries against the media. Greengrass also fills News of the World with a top-notch supporting lineup, including Deadwood's Ray McKinnon, True Grit's Elizabeth Marvel, Hanks' Turner & Hooch love interest Mare Winningham and The Queen's Gambit's Bill Camp — a touch indicative of the film's finesse on every level. In fact, as perfectly cast and reliably great as Hanks is here, in the latest role that's likely to see awards nominations come his way, the empathetic and absorbing movie he's in meets him at every turn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_EVA58P-g Image: Bruce W Talamon/Universal Pictures/Netflix.
It's been a busy couple of months of stargazing, with both the Lyrid and Eta Aquarids Meteor Showers lighting up our skies. Tonight, Thursday, May 7, there's another reason to look up, too: a supermoon. The last in a series of four supermoons in 2020, according to NASA, this one is called a flower moon. If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know: a supermoon is a new moon or full moon that occurs when the moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. They're not uncommon; three have taken place since February. But, now, it feels especially nice to have something luminous to look out (outside of our apartments). The flower moon is named after the flowers that are usually abundant this time of year in the US, where it's currently spring. Closer to home, this supermoon corresponds with Vesak, a Buddhist holiday marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha. https://www.facebook.com/NASA/photos/a.67899501771/10158205507416772/?type=3&theater If you're keen to see it, you'll want to catch the full moon when it's most illuminated, which happens when it's opposite the sun (a term called syzygy). According to timeanddate.com, this will happen at 8.45pm AEST and 10.45pm NZST. Have your cameras at the ready, obviously — and see if you can outdo the last big batch of supermoon snaps. Usually, when a supermoon lights up the sky, we'd advise city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. That's not possible given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, so you'd best take a gander from your backyard or balcony. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live streaming the flower moon from 4.30am AEST (6.30am NZST) here. Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Every year, The Wickham hosts Little Gay Day. Despite the name, it's a sizeable party, all while doubling as a fundraising event for charities that serve the LGBTQIA+ community. And, in 2023, this sister shindig to the venue's Big Gay Day is returning — this time in April. These two fests have swapped spots on the calendar just for this year; however, they're both still attached to long weekends. For Little Gay Day, that means getting Brisbanites partying from 2pm on Sunday, April 30. There'll be live tunes and performances taking over the whole newly revamped venue. There'll be beverages, too, given the location. Zoë Badwi, SGT Slick, BRIEFS, Get Ready with Ruby Slippers, Clara Cupcakes' Good Time Corral, Henny Spaghetti, Dolly Kicks, Stefani Stefani and Reef VS Beef lead the lineup of musicians, drag queens and performers who'll be strutting their stuff, spanning both locals and interstate talents. This year, entry is ticketed, with funds going to Open Doors Youth Service.
It's always summer somewhere, right? Not exactly, but that's long been the idea behind swapping Australia's winters for a midyear trip to Europe. And if that's on the cards for you at the moment — or you're thinking about it given how genuinely cold the last month has been already Down Under — then you can now hop on one of Qantas' new direct flights to Rome. To truly get the non-stop experience, you'll need to live in Perth. If you hail from another part of the country, you will have to make your way to the Western Australian capital first. But, either way, that flight from Perth to Rome won't make a layover — getting you from Down Under to continental Europe faster, and without switching planes, worrying about connecting legs and navigating other airports. The direct-to-Rome routes were first announced back in late 2021, but they've just started taking to the air since Saturday, June 25. They follow the airline's direct flights from Perth to London, and will make the trip three times a week between now and October. And yes, that timing is 100-percent aimed at letting Australians take full advantage of European summer holidays. As well as being the only flights that connect Australia to continental Europe, the new Rome trips are speedier than other routes to the Italian city — more than three hours faster than the current quickest travel time from Australia to Rome. That means fewer hours spent in transit, and more to actually soak in Italy. It also means spending a big unbroken block of time in the air, which still sounds a bit like science fiction after so long without international travel. If you're keen to head elsewhere on the continent, you can use Rome as a connection point to fly to 16 other European destinations, including Athens, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Nice, Madrid and Paris. You can also venture to 15 other spots in Italy, Milan and Venice among them. Also, if you fancy flying into Rome but coming home from London, or vice versa, Qantas will let you combine the two direct routes on the one return ticket. The airline has also added a few Italian-inspired food and drink items, including negronis, to its lounge and inflight menus — and it's screening films that link in with Italy, too, such as Rome, Open City and Life Is Beautiful. And if you're wondering about the possibility of travelling non-stop to Europe from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, which Qantas has been looking into for a few years now, the carrier has locked in direct Sydney-to-London flights (and direct Sydney-to-New York routes as well) to start in late 2025. Qantas' new Australia–Rome direct flights are flying three times a week from Perth until October. For more information, or to book tickets, head to the airline's website.
Australians are exceedingly lucky when it comes to travelling domestically. Aussie shores are home to an eclectic mix of bushland, pristine coastline, rainforests, turquoise waters and white sand beaches, along with biodiversity that is hard to beat the world over. And the list of things you can do in your own backyard only continues to grow every year. Here, we've puled together ten of the country's newest (and most) exciting travel experiences. Whether it be a luxurious cross-country train ride, a trip dedicated to dipping into coastal thermal baths or an art gallery farm stay in rural New South Wales, this list has something for every kind of explorer. Perfect for exploring the country when you don't have enough annual leave to head overseas. [caption id="attachment_702560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] CONQUER THIS EPIC ISLAND WALKING TRAIL This newly opened mountain bushwalk trail on North Stradbroke Island was designed and constructed by the Quandamooka people, the island's traditional owners. At just over two kilometres long, the Mount Vane walking track boasts 360-degree views of Moreton Bay and Quandamooka country. It also links into two existing walks within Naree Budjong Djara National Park, making a ten-kilometre network of trails. Along the interconnected trails, walkers can now nab a view from the top of one of Straddie's highest peaks, trek half a day down to Karboora (the Deep Silent Pool, which is also known as Blue Lake) and find other high spots with scenic vantages — including sweeping over 18 Mile Swamp and over to the Gold Coast. For those keen to stay a few nights, new beachside cabins, eco-tents, glamping and safari tents are coming to this scenic spot in June. [caption id="attachment_718055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] HAVE A WEEKEND RETREAT AT NSW'S MOST LUXE FARM STAY Located a three-hour drive south of Sydney, the town of Braidwood is now home to the renovated Mona Farm, a 124-acre country estate and your new excuse for an out-of-town holiday. The property is part luxury farm stay, part-nature retreat and part-art gallery, all wrapped into one. Mona Farm's six historic farmhouses have been revamped by Australian heavyweights such as Surry Hills' architect Louise Nettleton, Brisbane artist Sally Anderson and German kinetic sculptor Frank Bauer. Beyond the accommodation, over 20 Australian and international sculptors have been installed throughout the gardens and grounds, giving the natural surrounds a modern appeal. It really is a working farm, too, with Scottish Highland cattle, English Wiltshire Horn sheep, Wessex saddleback pigs and Clydesdale horses all sharing the land — plus platypus, long-necked turtles and rainbow trout sharing the lake. STAY ON THIS INSANE ISLAND RESORT IN THE WHITSUNDAYS After a huge $100 million redevelopment, Daydream Island Resort last month finally reopened after being devastated by Cyclone Debbie back in March 2018. The only resort on Daydream Island in the Whitsundays, it features a 200-metre living reef, three restaurants, a poolside bar and an outdoor cinema to boot. Crystal clear turquoise waters surrounding every corner of this tiny oasis. And the massive, newly landscaped pool wraps throughout the resort's tropical gardens and coral beaches, offering views of the Great Barrier Reef beyond. At resort's living reef, guests can learn from local marine biologists while helping to feed baby stingrays and exploring the new underwater observatory that includes over 100 species. While you're in the region, don't miss the chance to do a bit of exploring and check out the nearby Whitehaven Beach, which is listed as one of the best beaches in the world. Those keen to explore the Whitsundays further can book snorkelling, helicopter tours, sailing, jet-skiing and island-hopping experiences through the resort. CHECK OUT FOR A NIGHT SURROUNDED BY WINE IN THE HEART OF THE BAROSSA The Barossa Valley's rolling winery-filled countryside has scored a sleek new addition in The Villas, a secluded luxury retreat championing environmentally responsible architecture. Two thoughtfully designed structures have made their home in the quaint town of Marananga, an hour's drive from Adelaide. The work of Sydney firm Stephen Sainsbury Architects, the villas are constructed using a minimal impact and environmentally sustainable system called 'Ecoshelta', which has been used to build off-the-grid retreats across NSW and Tasmania. All topped off with views across the one-hectare of private property (yours to explore) filled with sugar gums, eucalypts and — often — 'roos. This retreat is also a prime basecamp for any winery hopping adventures, perched within walking distance of no less than five local cellar doors, not to mention the famed Seppeltsfield Road Distillers. With more than 150 wineries in the region, you certainly won't be short a good glass of plonk. ZOOM DOWN A ZIP LINE AT THE BIG PINEAPPLE As part of a $150 million redevelopment, the space around The Big Pineapple is looking a little different. As well as viewing the giant tropical fruit, you're now able zoom down a 120-metre zipline and complete five high ropes courses. TreeTop Challenge's new course — which opened in March— features 120 activities across eight acres, including a two-kilometre stretch of high ropes and 12 ziplines and flying foxes, including that massive 120-metre one. All up, it takes around half a day to complete. Eventually, it'll form part of an 'adventure precinct', which will include a water park, an on-site glamping site, a new craft brewery and a major distillery. SPEND A NIGHT AT AUSTRALIA'S ONLY 'URBAN RESORT' Fortitude Valley has just welcomed its next addition: The Calile Hotel. Two years in the making, the seven-storey, 175-room spot is calling itself 'Australia's first urban resort'. Yes, that means that going for a splash in the central pool, lazing around in cabanas or on a sun lounge, and eating on the hotel's outdoor deck are all on the agenda. So is hanging out at the spa, which is also open to the general public. The white brick design, by architects Richards and Spence, certainly highlights the tropical side of things. Think open-air spaces and breezeways, natural ventilation and plants aplenty. Inside the rooms, guests will find oak furniture, cork floors and sisal matting in the bathrooms, day beds for afternoon naps, linen robes and a mini bar stocked from local suppliers. The Calile also featuring nine suites and two premier suites, complete with poolside and terrace-style balconies as well as two private rooftop terraces — for when you're feeling like splashing some cash around. STAY IN A HARRY POTTER-THEMED HOTEL SUITE Grandiose Melbourne institution The Hotel Windsor has transformed one of its 180 heritage rooms into a wizarding wonderland — complete with pieces inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. Think wands, prints and tonnes of official merchandise, along with many magical limited-edition items. Guests of the suites — which have also been decked out with Hogwarts-appropriate vintage trunks, leather furniture and plush rugs — have exclusive access to all of it. The suite's launch corresponds with the current season of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre — located just down the block from the Windsor — and it will remain open for bookings until December 31, 2019. This means that the magical world of Harry Potter doesn't have to end post-show, but will just keep on going back at your hotel room. [caption id="attachment_699371" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Great Southern Rail[/caption] COMPLETE THIS BUCKET LIST-WORTHY RAIL JOURNEY If a long trip on a locomotive holds romantic, old-world notions for you, then you'll want to hop on one of the luxury Great Southern Rail trips, which will embark on its maiden journey from Adelaide to Brisbane in December this year. Passengers departing from Adelaide will stop at the Grampians National Park, then hop off again at Canberra, and also enjoy the northern New South Wales coast on their way to Queensland. For those boarding in Brisbane, dining by the beach in northern NSW awaits, as does a day in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle, plus some time at the Twelve Apostles. The company already operates two long-distance train treks, The Ghan (which runs from Adelaide to Darwin) and and the Indian Pacific (which journeys from Sydney to Perth), but this limited-edition journey will run only 16 trips between December 3, 2019 and January 30, 2020. It doesn't come cheap — starting at $1649 per person — but that price does include your food and wine onboard, any dining that takes place off the train, and all of the off-locomotive experiences across the multi-night trip. You can book now. STAY IN A SECLUDED DOME IN THE BUSH If a luxury getaway is on the cards in your near future, NSW has a stunning new outback accommodation option to add to your wish-list. Set on a 9000-acre, third generation beef and sheep property near Warialda in the state's north (about seven hours from Sydney and five from Brisbane), the newly launched Faraway Domes promises a luxury secluded escape, with the added bonus of a minimal carbon footprint thanks to an off-grid power supply. Designed to be able to create its own natural heating and cooling, the self-contained geodesic dome structure fits two and is kitted out in style. A surrounding elevated deck (complete with an outdoor bath) takes full advantage of those sweeping rural views. When you're not living it up in your gorgeous temporary home, you'll find plenty nearby to keep you entertained — Macintyre Falls, Copeton Dam, Cranky Rock Nature Reserve and the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park are located all within an hour's drive of the dome. TREAT YOURSELF AT AUSTRALIA'S FIRST ICE CAVE Melburnians — and Australians — now have even more of a reason to head down the Mornington Peninsula for a pampering session, as the acclaimed Peninsula Hot Springs has recently unveiled some swish new facilities as part of a $13 million upgrade. The award-winning wellness destination now has two cold plunge pools and seven new hot spring pools, an impressive outdoor Bath House Amphitheatre and underwater stages. The Hot Springs is also delving into cryotherapy for the first time with a new 'ice and fire' experience — which is worth the trip in itself. This will allow bathers to switch between hot and cold therapy — the hot being two new 30-person saunas, and the cold being a new (and Australian-first) ice cave and a 'deep freeze' treatment room, which is kept at a cool 25 degrees below freezing. Thermally heated glasshouses and an underground mushroom cave are also in the works.
Sydney is currently experiencing a wave of new hotel openings. From the sleek-as-hell Ace Hotel and the lavish Capella Sydney to exciting upcoming openings like the forthcoming W Hotel, the Harbour City is awash with flash new accommodation providers. On top of all of this, a five-star Sydney favourite has just received a multimillion-dollar transformation with heritage CBD hotel Swissôtel unveiling its new look, Euro-influenced rooftop pool and grand lobby bar. Both the bar and pool are located high in the sky, nestled among Sydney's high rises. Enter the hotel from Market Street and head up to level eight to find Arches On Market, a no-holds-barred dining and drinking experience within the building's pre-existing 1930s lobby. A luxurious fit-out has brought new life to the space, and an award-winning chef now heads up the kitchen, serving up a selection of finger food and bar snacks. Take your pick from intimate booths, relaxed lounge seating and the more formal dining space, or take a seat at the eight-metre-long Calacatta marble bar where you can really analyse the cocktail list with the bartenders to determine the beverage your heart truly desires. On the drinks menu, you'll find the signature martini served straight out of the freezer and garnished depending on your preference, as well as sours, cobblers and a twist on an Old Fashioned. Executive Chef John Giovanni Pugliano has pulled together a snack menu that will have you cancelling your dinner reservations elsewhere. Oysters, finger sandwiches, goats cheese and caramelised onion croquettes, prawn cocktails and pork terrine all make appearances alongside caviar and mandarin cheesecake. These vibrant cocktails and stellar eats are all calling to be enjoyed poolside, and hotel guests are in luck with the Arches fare available at the new rooftop pool. This inner-city oasis now boasts built-in cabanas and sun-soaked day beds, as well as booths set up to accommodate a spread of snacks from the lobby bar. Pristine white pool club-style walls surround the timber deck, giving the sky-high swim spot a sense of privacy without shutting it off from the sun and the surrounding skyline. The new-look 369-room hotel and all of its fresh amenities are open now. Rooms start from just over $350 a night and include access to the Ten Stories restaurant, Arches on Market, the rooftop pool and the wellness and spa facilities, all in the heart of the Sydney CBD. Swissôtel Sydney is located at 68 Market Street, Sydney. Restaurant images: Steven Woodburn
Back in 1982, Melbourne played host to one of China's most important ancient artworks: a collection of statues known as The Terracotta Army. Crafted between 221–206 BCE and first discovered in the Shaanxi province in 1974, it made its international debut at the National Gallery of Victoria — and now, 37 years later, it's returning for the NGV's 2019 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. Dubbed Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality, the five-month exhibition will feature eight warrior figures and two life-size horses from The Terracotta Army, alongside two half-size replica bronze chariots that are each drawn by four horses. They were created during the reign of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang and were buried near his tomb more than 2200 years ago. The pieces coming to Melbourne only represent a fraction of the entire work, which numbers more than 8000 figures in total. If you're wondering how big of a deal the statues are, the answer is very. The Terracotta Army is considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century and has also been described as the 'Eighth' Wonder of the World. Displaying at the NGV from May 24 to October 13, 2019, the selected pieces will be accompanied by more than 150 other ancient Chinese treasures sourced from museums and Shaanxi archaeological sites. Expect to rove your eyes over priceless gold, jade and bronze artefacts that date back more than 3000 years, charting China's artistry across the country's formative period. Here's The Terracotta Army in all its glory: Looking to the present as well as the past, the NGV's winter season will also celebrate acclaimed Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. His work is no stranger to Australia — in 2014, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art hosted its own showcase — however, his Melbourne exhibition will feature all new pieces. With Cai known for his large-scale installations, The Transient Landscape will include 10,000 porcelain birds suspended in a spiral formation, in an artwork that links to The Terracotta Army. Specifically, it'll create a 3D version of a calligraphic drawing that depicts Mount Li, which is where Qin Shi Huang and his terracotta warriors were buried. Another of Cai's new works will feature a porcelain sculpture of peonies placed in the middle of a 360-degree gunpowder, with his entire show taking inspiration from Chinese culture and philosophy. The world-renowned talent will also help design Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality, making the two concurrent exhibitions as immersive as possible. 'Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality' and 'Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape' will exhibit as part of the NGV International's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces presentation, running from May 24 to October 13, 2019. For further details or to buy tickets, visit the NGV website. Images: The terracotta army, Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE), Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, Xi'an.
The best culinary experiences are only partly determined by what's on your plate — the ambience and aesthetic of a dining space can have a major influence on the overall success of a meal. In recognition of this important facet of dining out, the annual Eat Drink Design Awards celebrates the most beautiful and innovative interiors of recently opened hospitality and accommodation venues across Australia, with this year's clutch of winners showcasing a range of concepts from the rustic and culturally rich to the modern and minimalist. Bar Besuto, which opened in Sydney's CBD in January 2024, took home the Best Bar Design Award. Designer Tom Mark Henry's approach to this hidden drinking den and omakase restaurant draws on the history of Japanese Noh Theatre with a space featuring bespoke tapestries, a textural mix of metallic and ceramic finishes and a palette that skews dark yet sophisticated. [caption id="attachment_978241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Besuto, Damian Bennett[/caption] The judging panel praised Besuto for its strength of purpose. "This venue sets itself apart through its courageous and unconventional approach, presenting an environment that is unpredictable and refreshingly different." The Best Restaurant Design gong went to Fortitude Valley's Gerard's Bistro, a stalwart of Brisbane's dining scene that underwent a major renovation in 2023, reopening to the public last November. Created by J.AR Office, the new-look Gerard's is a symphony of earth tones, summoning an otherworldly energy rooted in the counterpoint of different textures, such as the contrast between the rough, stone-clad walls and the polished, metallic surfaces of the open-plan kitchen areas. [caption id="attachment_978242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gerard's Bistro, David Chatfield[/caption] "This design captivates with its three-dimensional and experimental qualities," the judging panel said of J.AR Office's design, adding, "the restaurant excels in creating diverse spatial experiences within a traditionally flat and uniform floor plan. Its distinct character is not reliant on the existing building but is instead defined by its own remarkable elements". Melbourne claimed the Best Cafe Design Award, which went to Top Tea's Clayton outpost, designed by Wall Architects. With a space partly inspired by the retro arcade game Tetris, this futuristic, angular, brutalist yet playful concept pairs crisp white surrounds with hefty metallic elements. [caption id="attachment_978244" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top Tea, Tom Blatchford[/caption] "The design's boldness is exemplified by its striking material palette and the unconventional placement of stainless steel tactile studs on the wall, adding a touch of whimsy and surprise," the judging panel noted of Top Tea's design. Despite its name, it's not only hospitality venues that are honoured by the Eat Drink Design Awards. Victoria continued its winning streak, taking out both the Best Hotel Design Award and the Best Identity Design Award. Melbourne's five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel, designed by BAR Studio, was praised for decor that "steers clear of cliches while balancing high-end luxury with everyday comfort, offering a space that is as inviting as it is elegant". [caption id="attachment_978245" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Peter Bennetts[/caption] The Best Identity Design Award was won by the new branding behind Michelin-starred chefs HyoJu Park and Rong Yao Soh's French-Korean fusion patisserie, Madeleine de Proust. The judging panel recognised the branding's "strikingly simple yet powerful" use of colour and text. Branding agency Principle Design was praised for developing a concept that was bold yet remarkably successful in its minimalism. "The choice to forego excessive touchpoints and focus on a strong, cohesive presentation through packaging and signage underscores the brand's confidence," the jury citation added. The Best Retail Design Award was scooped (pun intended) by Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab in Perth. The vibrant and playful space, conceived by design firm Bosske, stood out "for its engaging personality, blending approachability with a refined elegance" and "a functional layout, combined with modern elements and nostalgic accents infused with a sense of humour", according to the judging panel. [caption id="attachment_978248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab, Duncan Wright[/caption] This year's Hall of Fame inductee hails from a remote suburb in Greater Sydney's far north, an hour's drive from the CBD. The Berowra Waters Inn, designed by Glenn Murcutt more than four decades ago, has timeless, crisp-white walls that gleam with the dappled light reflecting off the Berowra Creek. A glazed wall along one side of the slender building frames a picture-postcard view of the waters gently flowing by. Reflecting on the simplicity of his design, Glenn said, "It was very much a riverside building, and I did not want to change that character." [caption id="attachment_978255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab, Duncan Wright[/caption] [caption id="attachment_978256" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Besuto, Damian Bennett[/caption] The Eat Drink Design Awards has been heroing the interiors of Australian hospitality and accommodation venues for twelve years. For the full list of this year's shortlisted venues, please visit the Eat Drink Design Awards website. Top image: David Chatfield
At plenty of Fortitude Valley bars, you can dance the night away. At some, you can play games, get putting and win prizes instead. Only at Pawn & Co, however, can you buy everything in sight — and not just the beverages — in-between making your own scent. Some of the tipples that you'll be sipping while you browse, hang out, and just generally take advantage of this combined watering hole, pawn shop and perfumery are inspired by fragrances as well. It's a bold concept: a nightclub that not only takes its cues from completely different kinds of establishments that don't normally serve drinks, but operates as them, too. Pawn & Co first debuted in Melbourne and, as initially announced in July 2024, has now made its first foray outside of Victoria on Ann Street in Brisbane. The 500-square-metre Bakery Lane space that Laruche previously called home has undergone a $4-million refurbishment to cater to its new inhabitant — and to ensure that patrons know that they're in the type of bar that's new to the River City. Yes, you can purchase whatever you like within Pawn & Co's walls. If you've been known to window-shop when having a few tipples — wondering if your own cocktails would taste better out of the same glasses, if your lounge room would be more relaxing with the same couches and if your dining room would be moodier with the same lighting, for instance — then you can turn that pondering into a reality here. Need a new handbag? A watch? A $390,000 Bentley, which sits in the front window? They're just some of the items that you can go home with if you mix your drinks with a spending spree. Fancy your own signature scent? You can create them while you're there, complete with masterclasses with perfumers. Obviously the drinks are for sale, too, but you can't take them with you. How do you deck out a place that slings drinks, aromas and all that falls within its walls? Co-founders Josh Lefers and Stephen Wools, plus their collaborators Steve Thomas and Alex Docherty — who also boast Ballers Clubhouse in Melbourne and Adelaide, and Melbourne's StoryVille and 29th Apartment, on their combined resumes — have gone luxe. Pawn & Co Brisbane features an art deco-inspired piano bar among its many other inclusions, such as rich colours, retro patterns and slide-out furniture. And the atmosphere? Elegant, lavish and piquing patrons' curiosity, befitting somewhere where martinis and Rolexes sit side by side on the menu. The vibe may scream lavish, but getting inspiration from pawn shops also means appreciating the circular economy and sustainability. Accordingly, while some of the objects on sale are upmarket goods, others are pre-loved and hail from thrift stores. "We wanted to create a venue that not only delights the senses but also champions sustainable fashion. Pawn & Co is a haven for closed-circle fashion goods, blending the excitement of thrift shopping with the luxury of a high-end cocktail experience," explains Wools. Find Pawn & Co Brisbane at 680 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley — open from 5pm Wednesday–Sunday. Head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Dominic Loneragan.
UPDATE, APRIL 19, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queensland government has extended the public consultation period for the proposed single-use plastics ban — from Wednesday, April 15 to Thursday, April 30. The below article has been updated to reflect this change. Over the past few years, Queensland has introduced a container refund scheme and scrapped disposable plastic bags, and the Sunshine State ramping up its war on waste once again. In 2019, it released its Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan, with the government proposing a ban on single-use plastics — and now it's asking for community feedback in advance of potentially introducing legislation this year, then kicking off the ban in mid-2021. In the immediate crosshairs are plastic straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers, which could be banned from July 1, 2021 if plans proceed as currently outlined. Crucial to the proposed idea is the existence of already-available alternatives — whether they're reusable, in the case of cutlery and plates, or 100-percent compostable, as seen with paper straws and stirrers. For people with disability, some alternative products to plastic — such as bamboo, paper and metal straws — aren't always a viable option. It's worth noting that straws or cutlery that form part of another product — so if they're attached to poppers or included with tuna — won't be subject to the regime. In a second phase, which doesn't yet have a timeline, the Qld Government also committing to investigate banning coffee cups, plastic cups, heavy-weight plastic shopping bags and polystyrene containers as well. If you're eager to provide your thoughts about the plan to ban single-use plastics, you can do so online by Thursday, April 30. From this year, the Qld Government will also start banning the products from their own events; however an exact timeline from there hasn't been revealed. Also on the state's agenda: developing facilities to process and repurpose plastic, mandating the use of recycled plastics, and expanding the Plastic Free Places program, which works with retailers, events and markets at the community level to wipe out single-use water bottles, straws, coffee cups and lids, takeaway containers, food ware (such as cutlery, plates and cups) and bags. In Noosa, more than 200 businesses have signed up to the scheme. While Qld's powers-that-be are calling their proposal an Australian first, they're not the only authority figures looking to tackle the growing waste problem. Similar laws are being drafted in South Australia, Hobart is progressing down the same track and, as a nation, Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025. That's on top of plenty of smaller-scale initiatives, not only including bag bans and container schemes, but the phasing out of single-use plastics in various guises at the company level, with McDonald's, IKEA, Coca-Cola Amatil and Qantas among those making steps in the plastic-free direction. You can read more about the Queensland Government's Plastic Reduction Plan over here — and provide your feedback online by Thursday, April 30.
Most of us are spending a lot of time at home at the moment, meaning we may have more time to cook, but prepping meals to scoff down in your home office isn't how all of us wish to spend our Sundays. And, while you can still head down to your local pizza joint to pick up a takeaway feed or order from Uber Eats, you may be craving more nourishing food as time goes by while you're in isolation. Thankfully, healthy food delivery service Nourish'd is dropping off nutrition-packed meals to doors across the country. Its main selling point is the variety of gluten, dairy, preservative and sugar free dishes on its menu. Nourish'd delivers fresh, chef-prepared dishes to your door and is suitable for anyone looking for a tasty, nutritious meal without all the prep work. It'll also save you a trip to the supermarket, so you can practise social distancing without skipping your daily quota of veggies. You'll be tucking into a diverse range of meals, too, with everything from a nourishing chickpea dahl to pad thai, jerk chicken, veggie lasagne and chipotle shredded beef on the 55-dish menu. So, you can say goodbye to eating the same leftovers day-in and day-out. There are options for vegans and vegetarians; those on diets such as keto and paleo; and people with allergies and intolerances. Prices start from $11 per dish, with six different packs available. You can opt for the ease of a subscription-style service, delivered to your door weekly, or the flexibility of one-off orders, meaning you can tailor it to suit your needs, as well as your dietaries. Plus, you don't have to commit to anything longterm. Nourish'd is available across NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic, ACT and SA, with orders delivered every week. Meal plans start at $69.35 per week. For more information and to sign up, head here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Brisbanites love a market — especially one that specialises in top-notch pre-loved clothing. There's nothing like finding a quality item at a clothing market. There's the thrill of searching through the racks to stumble upon the piece, plus shopping secondhand and upcycled clothing is more sustainable than buying your clothes new. If this all sounds entirely relatable to you, head to the Second Life Markets when it hits Brisbane for winter on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Taking place at Superordinary, the event will host pop-up stores boasting vintage, secondhand and upcycled clothing. The 90-plus stalls will span all ranges of clothing, including masculine, feminine and unisex pieces. The Second Life Markets run successful events across Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, London and, of course, Brisbane. The seasonal events bring together local sellers and independent designers, as well as a heavy dose of good vibes. Brisbane's winter market will run from 11am–4pm. Entry varies from free to $15 depending on what time you'd like to head by (the later, the cheaper) and, in the sustainable spirit of the market, it's asked that you bring your own reusable shopping bag(s) with you on the day. There'll also be food trucks onsite, because shopping is hungry work — and DJs spinning tunes to set the mood.
Brisbane's bar scene is no slouch. It's also far from sparse. You can love getting a drink in your own city and want a taste of ace watering holes from around the rest of Australia, however. For that situation, the hospitality industry invented bar takeovers, where one booze-pouring place drops in to run the show for a night at another such establishment — and Brissie is about to welcome three interstate joints to show off their beverages. In February and March, for one night apiece, sipping drinks from Sydney's Bar Planet, plus Cry Baby and Memphis Slim's House Of Blues in Adelaide, will be on the menu without leaving the River City. Bar Planet and Memphis Slim's House Of Blues are headed to Frog's Hollow Saloon, while Cry Baby will do the honours at Alice, all as part of a month-long party series. Cry Baby will be bringing the late-night party on Sunday, February 18 to kick things off, before Memphis Slim's House of Blues and Frog's Hollow Saloon make a perfect pair on Sunday, March 3. Then, on Sunday, March 10, Bar Planet will be heroing martinis all evening. The two sibling Brissie bars also have another couple of parties on their agendas: a rave cave at Alice on Sunday, February 25, plus Frog's Hollow Saloon's second birthday party Sunday, March 24. Expect to celebrate all night at the latter. Expect plenty of bourbon as well. "What better way to celebrate Frog's second birthday than by hosting five parties, and bringing three of our favourite bars to the city," said co-owner Peter Hollands, announcing the festivities. If you're new to either local watering hole, Frog's Hollow Saloon goes big on whisky and cocktails in Charlotte Street, and takes its name from a part of the CBD that once previously swampy mangroves, then a red-light district. Over at Alice, 80s-era rock 'n' roll is usually on the playlist seven nights a week in a laneway off Elizabeth Street. Frog's Hollow Saloon x Alice Events: Sunday, February 18 — Cry Baby takeover at Alice Sunday, February 25 — Jameson Rave Cave at Alice Sunday, March 3 — Memphis Slim's House of Blues takeover at Frog's Hollow Saloon Sunday, March 10 — Bar Planet takeover at Frog's Hollow Saloon Sunday, March 24 — Frog's Hollow Saloon's second birthday bonanza Frog's Hollow Saloon and Alice are welcoming in interstate bars in February and March — head to the Frog's Hollow Saloon and Alice websites for more details.
