Whichever miniatures are stuffed inside a snow globe, a simple shake surrenders them all to the same fate: flakes falling in their tiny dome. Pop culture's enduring murder-mystery obsession can feel much the same way. When the pieces start raining down in Disney+'s seven-part miniseries A Murder at the End of the World, there's much that instantly feels familiar from a heavily populated field of recent and classics whodunnits. That checklist includes a confined single setting, potential victims cooped up with an unknown killer, rampant secrets and lies, fingers pointed everywhere, Nordic noir's frosty climes, an eerie butler, a wealthy host who might just have the most to lose and, of course, a gifted gumshoe sleuthing through the group. A Murder at the End of the World radiates its own Gen Z Sherlock Holmes vibe, though. That's even how its sharp protagonist is described, and early. In the role of 24-year-old hacker-turned-author Darby Hart, Emma Corrin (Lady Chatterley's Lover) also turns Agatha Christie. The OA creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij have put their own intriguing, involving, can't-stop-watching spin on their addition to the genre, as they make clear early. As the duo share writing duties and split time in the director's chair — with Marling also co-starring — they take cues from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Stieg Larsson's sequels as well, all while also sliding their series in alongside Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery; however, the mood, ambition, pursuit of weighty themes, shadowy conspiracies, earnestness and love of telling puzzle-box tales match perfectly with their last show, plus their film collaborations Sound of My Voice and The East. A Murder at the End of the World is a murder-mystery that's as much as twisty, chilly game as it is a musing. Its name nods to its remote Iceland setting, where untimely death does indeed stalk, and also to humanity's possible demise if the warming earth becomes uninhabitable. Among the assembled guests beckoned to a yet-to-open Scandi minimalist-style hotel, topics of conversation include the climate apocalypse, technological possibilities, space's potential, robotics, ever-present surveillance and AI — which the handpicked group's billionaire recluse host Andy Ronson (Clive Owen, American Crime Story) prefers to call "alternative intelligence". Whether the money and power that's splashed around by rich innovators is a lifeline or catastrophic also lingers, even when it isn't specifically addressed. (Yes, A Murder at the End of the World slips into the affluence-savaging terrain that everything from Succession to The Fall of the House of Usher has trodden upon of late.) Introduced walking to a bookstore listening to 'The End' by The Doors and therefore bringing Apocalypse Now to mind, then reading aloud from her true-crime tome The Silver Doe, Darby's existence has been entwined with death since her childhood. The daughter of a coroner, she grew up around crime scenes and in the morgue, and can recite crime statistics about unidentified murder victims. When she was a teenager, she also started investigating a Jane Doe who was found in her town, putting her own detective skills to the test after apathetic law enforcement decided there wasn't enough information to go on. Darby's debut novel steps into that case, particularly the road trip she took with fellow Reddit-aided citizen detective Bill Farrah (Harris Dickinson, Scrapper) to solve it. Flashbacks to the journey flicker through A Murder at the End of the World, twinning the show's two quests to find killers. In the present-day storyline, an unexpected invite follows Darby's reading, with Ronson selecting her to attend an exclusive ideas salon where the future fuels the discourse. From the moment that she steps onto a private jet that looks like a library, she stands out — and long before freshening up the pink in her cropped hair, too. Also en route to the Iceland chatfest: smart-city designer Lu Mei (Joan Chen, The Heart), astronaut Sian (Alice Braga, Hypnotic), filmmaker Martin (Jermaine Fowler, The Drop) and businessman David (Raúl Esparzam, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit). Upon arrival, not only Ronson, his famed coder wife (and Darby's idol) Lee (Marling) and their five-year-old son Zoomer (Kellan Tetlow, This Is Us) await, but also climatologist Rohan (Javed Khan, Blind), activist Ziba (Pegah Ferydoni, Almania) and robotics whiz Oliver (Ryan J Haddad, The Politician) — plus security head Todd (Louis Cancelmi, Killers of the Flower Moon) and his doctor partner Eva (Britian Seibert, The Knick), all-knowing AI butler Ray (Edoardo Ballerini, Quarry) and Bill, who is now a Banksy-esque artist known as Fangs, and that she hasn't seen for six years. For the innately cautious Darby and for A Murder at the End of the World's viewers alike, there's zero doubting that everything at this symposium isn't what it seems — and everyone for that matter. Then there's a body in the hotel's frozen midst, with more questions showering down, Darby the chief person doing the asking and the reception mostly biting. Interpretative dance doesn't play a part, but The OA's commitment to fleshing out its own engrossing realm and reverberating on its own frequency remains alive and well in Marling and Batmanglij's latest project. They're masters of atmosphere. They adore dwelling in complexity. They know how to make compulsive viewing, too, and to think and feel big while doing so. (Another function of the parallel timelines: swelling, sweltering emotions, as a new couple on the road chasing a serial killer are bound to feel, then carry with them for life.) Marling and Batmanglii also push Corrin to the fore, as well as far away from stepping into Princess Diana's shoes in The Crown's fourth season. The resulting performance is magnificent. Casting is as crucial to any whodunnit as a case to solve — or two here — with A Murder at the End of the World's lead proving an impeccable choice. Their task is considerable, both as their Nancy Drew surrogate embarks upon a chase with American Honey's warm aesthetic and as the character gets so immersed in iciness that they could use The Killing's jumpers. While flitting between those sultry and glacial surroundings, and from the eagerness of a shy but razor-smart teen pursuing a passion and discovering more of the world to a warier twentysomething grappling with loss and survival, their face conveys a blizzard of thoughts and feelings. Cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen (Sharper) patiently and probingly stays close, usually. A Murder at the End of the World's penetrating frames also revel in Corrin's chemistry with Dickinson, a pair to run away to the end of the world with. This is a stylishly shot and seductive series, but it's all the more alluring when Corrin and Dickinson are together at its centre; empathy beats at the core of Darby and Bill's approach to righting the world's wrongs and finding justice for victims that time has forgotten, as it does in the portrayals behind them, plus the series around that. Owen and Marling make another entrancing pair, embodying the trait that Marling and Batmanglii love as much as sincerity: slipperiness. Craftiness abounds in the plot, in its hack-or-be-killed tech-driven sleuthing and in weaving together the show's many potent fixations — misogyny, capitalism and economic inequality among them. Shake this snow globe for more and you won't want to stop. Check out the trailer for A Murder at the End of the World below: A Murder at the End of the World streams via Disney+ from Tuesday, November 14.
If you thought seafood was best suited to sultry days, then Aussie-born chain Kickin' Inn hears you. It started in New South Wales in 2018, then hit up Melbourne when it first branched out interstate last year, and now it has landed in Brisbane. This town of ours is home to warm weather basically all year round, after all — aka the perfect climate to eat the ocean's finest whenever you feel like it. Brisbanites will now find Kickin' Inn at 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill — and its signature offering of seafood tossed through punchy house-made 'Kajun' sauces as well. For the uninitiated, Kickin' Inn offers an all-in, bibs-and-gloves experience, where diners do away with cutlery and get their hands messy with bags full of prawns, mud crab, pipis and shellfish using only the tools that Jesus gave you. The Cajun-inspired house sauces — here, dubbed 'Kajun' — are more than mere support acts, with the venue boasting five flavour-charged secret recipes. If feasting is on the agenda, you'll find an abundance of snacks to kick things off including battered squid tentacles, jalapeno cheese bites, freshly-shucked Sydney rock oysters and wings. After that, you've got some big decisions to make. Choose your main event from a slew of ocean-fresh goodies including whole lobster, pounds of peeled prawns, a pile of baby octopus, blue swimmer crab pieces, or a mess of mussels and pipis. Pick a matching sauce, whack in some additions like corn or chorizo, and dial up the heat level as high as you dare — keeping in mind the 'inferno' option is only just over halfway up the scale. Meanwhile, a separate lunch menu features more solo-friendly feeds from a prawn spaghetti to peeled prawns served with rice.
When the warmer weather breezes in, do you start having yacht-life dreams? Is yacht rock your summer soundtrack of choice, too? Does hanging not just by but also in and on top of the water sound like your ideal way to laze away your weekends and holidays — while kicking back on daybeds, getting comfy in cabanas, taking a dip in the pool and overlooking a marina? It was back in late 2021 that word of La Luna — aka Australia's first European-inspired floating beach club — initially arrived, and news of its plans to set up shop on the Gold Coast. Earlier in 2022, the Seaworld Drive venue's waterside restaurant opened, but it's taken some time for the whole place to follow suit. Now, that time is upon us. Living the yacht life without actually getting on a yacht: that's just become a reality on the Glitter Strip, whether you're a local looking to break up your routine, a Brisbanite eager for any excuse for a trip down the highway or you're vacationing from further afield. From its white-heavy decor to its overall concept, La Luna gleans its cues from its counterparts on the other side of the world — and from Mykonos and Saint-Tropez in general — with influences taken from the setups in Tulum in Mexico as well. Get ready for luxe poolside stints; yes, you'll find those daybeds right by the water, including king-size versions for getting cosy with up to three people. If you'd prefer a cabana, they're available for four-hour bookings catering for ten (standard), 12 (in a lower-level location) and 15 (in the grand cabanas) guests. Or, you can simply choose a sun lounge for two hours — but whatever you opt for, there's a fee. The cheapest seats require a minimum spend of $150 per person, and the price only goes up from there. Menu-wise, the poolside fare includes plenty of the ocean's finest — oysters, kingfish ceviche, yellowfin tuna tartare, caviar, seafood cocktails, fried crispy baby squid, Moreton Bay bug buns, and lobster and scallop ravioli are all on offer — as well as wagyu beef burgers, fruit platters, sorbet and gelato. As for drinks, patrons can sip cognac mango iced teas, lychee martinis, strawberry and kiwi gin sours, plus all the classic concoctions. Or, pick from a small range of on-tap beers, and sparkling, rose, red and white wines. Feeling flush? A $1454 bottle of champagne is available for waterside splurges. La Luna is the brainchild of the Gennari Group, which is already behind the Gold Coast's Koi Broadbeach, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, The Loose Moose, Maggie Choo and Roosevelt Lounge. Also up and running: onsite restaurant Mare, with Meyjitte Boughenot overseeing the kitchen team. Cruisy bites to eat, long lunches and drinks on the pontoon are all the focus, with the cuisine heroing Mediterranean dishes. If you like the poolside menu, many of the same options are also available here. Expect a heftier range, however, including char-grilled steaks, four types of pasta, and a 14-page drinks list. Find La Luna Beach Club at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Gold Coast — open 11am–late Wednesday–Sunday.
From boozy mini-golf spots to beer-fuelled pinball and gaming dens to circus-style arcade joints, Brisbane's themed bar scene has been booming over the past few years. And it shows no signs of stopping, with the inner-city now home to an escape room that doubles as an underground watering hole, too. Originally announced last year and finally opening last month in Spring Hill, Arcadium Adventures has transformed the basement of Wickham Terrace's heritage-listed Espie Dods House into a place for cracking puzzles and knocking back cocktails. You can currently work your way through two spaces within the site to begin with, with a third set to launch later in 2020. Fancy entering (then sleuthing your way out of) the 'Realm of Magic' and 'Realm of Mystery'? That's what the first two escape rooms are called, with 'Realm of Fantasy' still to come. They all take inspiration from a range of sources, including Arthurian legend; Roman, Egyptian and Chinese mythology; and Victorian-era fiction — and they're all designed to connect to an ongoing story, or shared universe, that'll keep being revealed in the future. Arcadium Adventures has dubbed its spaces "immersive adventures" rather than escape rooms, though, with each offering up more than one big mystery to solve. While just what they entail is obviously best discovered by grabbing four or five friends, paying $40 per person and heading along yourself, each experience runs for 50 minutes and uses augmented reality to add an extra dimension to the fun — with participants given their own device to use when the enter. Beverage-wise, the speakeasy-style bar serves up locally brewed beers, spirits and drinks inspired by the immersive escape room experiences. Sip your way through a 'Liquid Luck', which combines apple, mango and prosecco, or opt for a 'Sanguis Dragonis' made from gin, Aperol, lime juice and ginger beer Open to everyone — even if you're not testing your escaping skills — the bar seats 40 and is available to hire for events. If finding clues and having a few drinks is your idea of a celebration, then you're in the right spot. Find Arcadium Adventures at 97 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill — open Wednesdays–Thursdays from 5–9pm, Fridays from 2–11pm, Saturdays from 12–11pm and Sundays from 12–9pm.
Think of the possibilities: that's a statement at the heart of science as a discipline, and it must be a guiding principle at World Science Festival Brisbane as well. Since it held its first event in 2016, this celebration of curiosity about the world we live in — and beyond — keeps finding new ways to surprise with its annual program. Head along in 2025 and you'll be able to unpack the physics of skateboarding, let seafaring cinema flicks float your movie-loving boat, explore the affects of awe, peer at the Antarctic landscape, dive into the quantum realm, hang out with Australian wildlife, peer inside labs and more. This is the tenth time that the Brisbane offshoot of the New York-born event has taken place, this time filling Brisbane and heading to Ipswich from Friday, March 21–Sunday, March 30. Your destinations: Queensland Museum, the Cultural Precinct, South Bank Piazza, Fish Lane and Queensland Museum Rail Workshop, for starters, for talks, panels, installations and events across a full lineup of 200-plus sessions. Skating joins the program via an arena show that blends gravity-defying extreme sports with science — and expect to never think about hopping on a board the same way again. A reliable favourite at the Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinematheque, the festival's film program is screening six flicks: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou for a bit of Wes Anderson comedy, 1954 page-to-screen adaptation 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Studio Ghibli's Ponyo and recent Disney sequel Moana 2, as well as a double dose of fearsome creatures via documentary Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story and classic blockbuster Jaws. Why do humans seek the feeling of awe? Brisbane artists Counterpilot will help you understand, setting up a makeshift laboratory at Queensland Museum — and letting you either take part, complete with using biometric sensors, or watch on. Does the Antarctic landscape inspire awe? Answering that isn't part of Counterpilot's addition to the program, but you'll find out at The Cube at QUT, where icy climes will feature across 26 multi-touch screens spanning two storeys in height. [caption id="attachment_993691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] A Co-Founder of World Science Festival, Professor Brian Greene is back on the bill for another year, chatting quantum physics. For more on the subject, Quantum Australia's Quantum Conference is also on the lineup. From there, when you're not checking out family-friendly activities at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — or going behind the scenes at State Library of Queensland, Queensland Herbarium, QUT Centre for Robotics and other interesting organisations — you can hear about research that might suggest that ageing isn't inevitable, watch battling machines, learn about crustaceans and ponder all things Mars. Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb return for another Afternoon of Science chat, and the fest's yearly debate is again bringing humour to the topic. At QPAC, you can also listen to free string tunes — or at Fish Lane, culinary experts (think: flavour chemists, sensory scientists and food researchers, plus chefs and mixologists) want you to contemplate the science behind food and drinks, including by doing some tasting. For those eager to switch off, the detox sessions have that in mind, such as on a birdwatching walk in the Archerfield Wetlands. "Over the past ten years, World Science Festival Brisbane has grown into one of the leading science events in the Southern Hemisphere, sparking interest and inspiring generations," said Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson. "This year's program will continue that tradition, exploring the wonders of the universe and the power of human ingenuity." [caption id="attachment_816357" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Digital scanning by Oscans in 2019 on authority of Carl Reinecke of WildBear Entertainment.[/caption] World Science Festival Brisbane 2025 runs from Friday, March 21–Sunday, March 30. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the World Science Festival Brisbane website.
Look what Australia's massive demand for Eras Tour tickets made Taylor Swift do: add extra shows to her next trip Down Under. After two rounds of presales for the singer-songwriter's February 2024 concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, and before general sales even start, the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together', 'Shake It Off' and 'Bad Blood' musician has announced an extra gig in both cities. If you've been struggling to nab a seat so far, and also stressing about the next ticket release on Friday, June 30, this enchanted news — which comes due to "historically unprecedented demand" — means that there'll be a heap more on offer. Tickets for both new dates will also go on sale on Friday, June 30. Good luck in the queue, Swifties. [caption id="attachment_907314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] The additional shows come at the end of her stints in both cities, so Swift will now play MCG in Melbourne across Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18, then head north to hit the stage across at Sydney's Accor Stadium from Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26. At all gigs, she'll have Sabrina Carpenter in support. That blank space in your calendar that you were hoping to fill with Swift working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular? You now have more chances to do so. [caption id="attachment_906254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sadly, Swift hasn't added concerts in any other cities across Australia. And, this is apparently it, with Frontier, the touring company that's bringing the star our way, advising that "no further dates will be added for the Australian tour". The Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, where it's still playing. Swift will also head to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil in 2023 — and Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Australia until August 2024. [caption id="attachment_906252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] This'll be Swift's first tour Down Under since 2018, when she brought her Reputation shows to not only Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane and Perth, too. Thanks to the extra dates now, she'll become the first artist since Madonna in 1993 to perform three concerts at the MCG — and the first-ever artist to play four concerts at Accor Stadium. It's no wonder that the Victorian Government declared her Melbourne stint a major event so that anti-scalping legislation would apply to tickets. TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR AUSTRALIAN DATES 2024: Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift will bring The Eras Tour to Australia in February 2024. General ticket sales for the Melbourne shows start at 10am AEST on Friday, June 30, with the Sydney shows on sale at 2pm AEST on Friday, June 30. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons
When Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour in the Grass, gave Australia another massive multi-day music festival in 2022, it did so with a big aim: to get everyone dancing in a park in Adelaide each spring. That event is Harvest Rock, and it keeps putting on travelworthy lineups. 2023's second spin already features Jamiroquai and Beck doing Australian-exclusive shows, plus everyone from Sparks to Bright Eyes — and it just scored a few new additions. Joining the bill at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October: Tash Sultana, Bernard Fanning doing his last Australian show for 2023 and Jade Bird making her first trip Down Under. And, Babe Rainbow, Charlie Collins, Floodlights and Surprise Chef are hopping onboard, too. So, festivalgoers can expect to hear everything from 'Jungle' and 'Wish You Well' to 'Houdini' and 'Juice of the Sun' in the South Australian capital. Harvest Rock II, as 2023's festival has been dubbed, already boasted Rodgers & Chic, Santigold, Chromeo and Ladyhawk as well, plus Flight Facilities, Baker Boy, Julia Jacklin, Chet Faker, Ocean Alley, Bad//Dreems, Thelma Plum and Vera Blue. Paul Kelly was also part of the first lineup announcement, as was The Rolling Stone Revue featuring Adalita of Magic Dirt, Tim Rogers of You Am I and Tex Perkins — yes, all teaming up to play The Rolling Stones' greatest hits. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock instantly proved a success upon debut last year, attracting 15,000 attendees per day. In addition to live tunes, the fest spans Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up food at the Feastiville precinct, onsite eatery Wildwood led by arkhé's chef and co-owner Jake Kellie, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings. There's also a wellness centre doing tarot readings and massages, and mini festival Little Harvest for kids. HARVEST ROCK II LINEUP: Babe Rainbow Bad // Dreems Baker Boy Beck (Australian exclusive) Bernard Fanning Bright Eyes Built to Spill Charlie Collins Chet Faker Chromeo Flight Facilities — Decades DJ set Floodlights Jade Bird Jamiroquai (Australian exclusive) Julia Jacklin Ladyhawke Nile Rodgers & Chic Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Sam Barber Santigold Sparks Surprise Chef Tash Sultana The Lemon Twigs The Rolling Stone Revue Thelma Plum Vera Blue Warpaint Harvest Rock 2023 will take at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October 29, 2023 — with tickets on sale now.
It's mind-boggling to think this idea hasn't been done earlier. Merging two of the greatest things imaginable, soon-to-be-opened Brisbane bar Cowch will officially be the first dessert cocktail venue in the entire state. Much better than the time you tried to make a Beer Spider (trademark pending), Cowch will be a sophisticated and versatile addition to Brisbane's foodie scene — a haven of sugar and bliss from 7am till late. Launching on Friday May 23, the most eye-catching thing about Cowch is its diverse menu. No longer is dessert relegated to a gluttonous afterthought, it's now front and centre. It's glaring at your while you grab a coffee on the way to work. Cowch's breakfast menu will in fact include churros, crepes, fruit parfait and bircher muesli with fruit — though why anyone would go to a dessert bar for muesli and fruit is truly beyond us. Cowch will also boast a whopping 22 flavours of yoghurt. But hey, we know you didn't click on this story to hear about yoghurt. Cowch's evening menu will let the sugar freak flag fly high with the inclusion of honey and rum grilled bananas served with vanilla bean ice cream, marshmallow martinis, strawberry margarita jello shots and toasted marshmallow served with a Baileys-infused chocolate shot. Cowch also boasts a customisable popsicle stand. Known as 'naked pops', diners can dress their plain ice cream sticks with different chocolate coatings and drench them in whatever they see fit — from berries to shredded coconut to almond tuile. Usually eating ice cream in winter is a big no no, but Cowch even has you covered for the weather. Designed by Michael McCann of Dreamtime Australia Design, the space features a big cosy lounge kept warm by a central fire pit, with low lighting so no one can see how quickly you demolished that marshmallow margarita. Basically, dessert is now acceptable all day and sometimes features alcohol. We're in. Cowch is located at 179 Grey Street, Brisbane. It will be open from 7am till late Monday-Thursday and 7am till 12am Friday-Sunday.
The movies have come to Downton Abbey and Violet Crawley, the acid-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham so delightfully played by Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van) since 2010, is none too fussed about it. "Hard same," all but the most devoted fans of the upstairs-downstairs TV drama may find themselves thinking as she expresses that sentiment — at least where Downton Abbey: A New Era, an exercise in extending the series/raking in more box-office cash, is concerned. Violet, as only she can, declares she'd "rather eat pebbles" than watch a film crew at work within the extravagant walls of her family's home. The rest of us mightn't be quite so venomous, but that's not the same as being entertained. The storyline involving said film crew is actually one of the most engaging parts of A New Era; however, the fact that much of it is clearly ripped off from cinematic classic Singin' in the Rain speaks volumes, and gratingly. When the first Downton Abbey flick brought its Yorkshire mansion-set shenanigans to cinemas back in 2019, it felt unnecessary, too, but also offered what appeared to be a last hurrah and a final chance to spend time with beloved characters. Now, the repeat effort feels like keeping calm and soldiering on because there's more pounds to be made. Don't believe the title: while A New Era proclaims that change is afoot, and some of its narrative dramas nod to the evolving world when the 1920s were coming to a close, the movie itself is happy doing what Downton Abbey always has — and in a weaker version. There's zero reason other than financial gain for this film to unspool its tale in theatres rather than as three TV episodes, which is what it may as well have tacked together. Well, perhaps there's one: having Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery, Anatomy of a Scandal) proclaim that "we have to be able to enter the 1930s with our heads held high" and set the expectation that more features will probably follow. A New Era begins with a wedding, picking up where its predecessor left off as former chauffeur Tom Branson (Allen Leech, Bohemian Rhapsody) marries Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton, Mank) with everyone expected — the well-to-do Crawleys and their relatives, plus their maids, butlers, cooks, footmen and other servants — in attendance. But the film really starts with two revelations that disrupt the Downton status quo. Firstly, Violet receives word that she's inherited a villa in the south of France from an ex-paramour, who has recently passed away. His surviving wife (Nathalie Baye, Call My Agent!) is displeased with the arrangement, threatening lawsuits, but his son (Jonathan Zaccaï, The White Crow) invites the Crawleys to visit to hash out the details. Secondly, a movie production wants to use Downton for a shoot, which the pragmatic Mary talks the family into because — paralleling the powers-that-be behind A New Era itself — the aristocratic brood would like the money. With Violet's health waning, she stays home while son Robert (Hugh Bonneville, Paddington 2) and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern, The Commuter) journey to the Riviera — as part of a cohort that also includes retired butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter, Swimming with Men), who's determined to teach his French counterparts British standards. And, as the Dowager Countess remains in Yorkshire exclaiming she'd "rather earn a living down a mine" than make movies, potential family secrets are bubbling up abroad. That subplot takes a cue or two from Mamma Mia!; Downton Abbey creator and writer Julian Fellowes must've watched several musicals while scripting. Violet also notes that she "thought the best thing about films is that I couldn't hear them", because the production helmed by Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy, Late Night), and led by stars Guy Dexter (Dominic West, The Pursuit of Love) and Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock, Transformers: The Last Knight), has hit a period-appropriate snag: talkies are the new hot thing, but their flick is silent. 2022 marks two decades since Fellowes won an Oscar for writing what remains his finest achievement yet: the fellow upstairs-downstairs affair Gosford Park. It doesn't do A New Era's viewers much good to dwell on that fact while watching his latest, which is directed by My Week with Marilyn, Woman in Gold and Goodbye Christopher Robin's Simon Curtis as if he simply had a job to get on with. Noticeably, despite the lavish setting and decor that's a fixed part of the franchise, as well as the handsome costuming, Curtis' vision of Downton looks flat and functional rather than gleaming — almost like being stuck with a TV with the always-abhorrent motion-smoothing settings left on. The French-set scenes appear lighter and brighter, purely due to the switch from old-world stateliness to coastal airiness, but hardly dazzle visually either. If a Downton Abbey movie doesn't make the most of its bigger canvas, serves up stories cobbled together from other films, gets soapier otherwise and doesn't have all that much of Maggie Smith in it — even if she makes the utmost of the time she does get on-screen — it's always going to prove a lesser jaunt. That can't be patched over by the winking knowingness of tasking Downton's residents with verbalising how inelegant it is to make a picture there, while also recognising how great the cash is; instead of tongue-in-cheek, that meta choice just lands awkwardly. And, although the returning cast do exactly what their parts call for, with so many players to shoehorn in this can never be a performance-driven piece. Unsurprisingly, some of the feature's best work comes from its newcomers, with Dancy and West both fine additions — and enjoying romantic threads that, while thin, don't just tick boxes as the majority of the screenplay does elsewhere. Also blatant: that the servants are firmly shortchanged, but butler Barrow (Rob James-Collier, Fate: The Winx Saga), kitchen maid Daisy (Sophie McShera, The Queen's Gambit) and Mary's maid Anna (Joanne Froggatt, Angela Black) fare best. Sometimes, A New Era imitates thumbing through a photo album — spotting adored faces fleetingly, recalling old times in the process and, well, that's it. For the most ardent of Downton Abbey devotees, getting another go-around with the show's figures may be enjoyable enough, but this film is all about that easy comfort, nostalgia and familiarity above all else. It's there when John Lunn's score kicks in early, lingers through the all-too-neat ups and downs, and remains when Dockery virtually announces that if this flick does big-enough box-office business, then more's likely to come. Top image: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC.
When the Australian Government announced its three-step road map to a COVIDSafe Australia last month, it included a 100-person cap on gatherings in step three, which is set to be introduced in July. Today, Friday, June 12, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has lifted this cap and replaced it by a blanket four-square-metre rule. This means that bigger venues will be able to have bigger gatherings — and more than 100 people at events as long as they don't exceed one person per four square metres. The Prime Minister also announced that outdoor venues, such as stadiums, with a capacity of up to 40,000 will be allowed to open at 25 percent capacity, but events must be ticketed and seated. As the Prime Minister said, this means music festivals and nightclubs are still off the cards: "Large folk festivals where people are roaming around from tent to tent, from gathering to gathering, that is not something we're talking about here." Larger events that would be allowed as part of step three, according to the Prime Minister, include funerals, cultural performances and sports. [caption id="attachment_635708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida[/caption] Exactly when this will be allowed, though, is up to individual state and territory leaders. As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the roadmap is a guideline and it's up to individual leaders to implement the steps — and amend the state laws — as they see fit. The Prime Minister did say, though, that the country was on track for the three-step process to be completed by July. Queensland has already outlined what step three could look like, and plans to introduce it on July 10. Victoria has plans to ease more restrictions on June 21 and again in mid-July. NSW is easing some restrictions tomorrow — including opening gyms and allowing gatherings of up to 20 people — but Premier Gladys Berejiklian said yesterday that more on the government's plans for July would be announced "imminently". To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
It's been a good month for the women of Queensland. We're indulging in the likes of the works of many creative females with the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA, Susie Bubble strutting her stuff this week at the State Library and now the launch of C Gallery's most recent showcase, Three Captivating Women. If you've not yet been to C Gallery on James Street, this week's launch is the perfect opportunity to pop you're cherry. The unique, Brisbane gallery space specialises in hand-blown Australian glassware, paintings, ceramics, sculpture and handmade jewellery. Sounds like a treat huh? Three Captivating Women features the illustrations and paintings of Queensland's leading female arts educators, Helen Tanish, Dale Leach and Reginal Dolan, who have all made extraordinary contributions to the local art scene. Here a little low down on our local ladies - Tanish was the one of the founding members of the Queensland pottery society, Leach has been a local arts teacher for fifteen years and Dolan was a co-founder of Brisbane's Artists Academe. All with an impressive amount of experience in the creative industry, the exhibition is sure to be an insightful eye opener to keen artists. Featuring over 30 imaginative pieces, Captivating Women will run from 27 April to 13 May. Check it!
Sometimes, Christopher Nolan likes playing with time, memory and space — or a combination of all three — as films such as Memento, Interstellar and Tenet can attest. Across his Dark Knight trilogy, he also went and completely reshaped superhero cinema. There's another part of the acclaimed British filmmaker's resume, though: jumping back into the past. With The Prestige, he kept things largely fictional. With Dunkirk, he made a helluva World War II epic. Next on the list: the upcoming Oppenheimer, about the "father of the atomic bomb". Unsurprisingly, it looks explosive. Swirls of fire are definitely a part of the movie's just-dropped first trailer, which is only brief, but firmly sets the mood. Nolan regular Cillian Murphy (see also: The Dark Knight, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and Dunkirk) plays the titular American physicist, aka the man who helped develop the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. And as for that tone, the initial sneak peek teases the day "the world forever changes", for starters. Yes, Nolan is going back to the Second World War again. The trailer also features a woman's voice telling J Robert Oppenheimer that "the world is changing, reforming, this is your moment" — with Emily Blunt co-starring the physicist's wife, biologist and botanist Kitty (and reteaming with Murphy after A Quiet Place Part II). Charting Oppenheimer's life, his part in birthing the atomic bomb and how it did indeed change the world — and the fallout — should make for gripping viewing, although viewers will need to wait almost a year to find out. The clock is ticking in the sneak peek, in fact, with the movie set to hit cinemas on July 20, 2023 Down Under. Oppenheimer's story also includes heading up Los Alamos Laboratory — and observing the Trinity Test, the first successful atomic bomb detonation in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. Helping tell that tale is a characteristically stacked Nolan cast, including Matt Damon (The Last Duel), Robert Downey Jr (Dolittle), Florence Pugh (Black Widow), Josh Hartnett (Wrath of Man), Michael Angarano (Minx), Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza), Jack Quaid (The Boys), Rami Malek (No Time to Die) and Kenneth Branagh (Death on the Nile). Oh, and there's Dane DeHaan (The Staircase), Jason Clarke (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Olivia Thirlby (Y: The Last Man), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Matthew Modine (Stranger Things) as well. Check out the first teaser for Oppenheimer below: Oppenheimer will release in cinemas Down Under on July 20, 2023. Images: © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
International sportswear label Adidas continues its efforts to save the world's oceans, unveiling a new range of running kicks crafted ingeniously from recycled plastic pulled from the beach. It's the latest in a series of collaborations with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans, with the two groups teaming up to reduce ocean plastic by transforming it into sports gear. Set to drop on April 16, the planet-friendly range features two slick new shoe designs — the UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X — in variations for both guys and girls. The colour palette of deep blues and greens takes its cues from "the urban harbour", and an integrated NFC chip in the right sole lets you access learning experiences about plastic pollution with a few taps of your phone. But even better than looking and feeling good, each pair means that approximately 11 plastic bottles will prevented from reaching the ocean. This new line follows the success of Adidas' previous Parley collaborations, which sold over one million products in 2017 alone. This year, the two companies have their sights set on cracking the five million mark, which you have to agree is no small drop in the ocean. The UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X will only be available for a limited time, though keep your eyes peeled for new and updated Adidas X Parley products dropping regularly throughout the year. Adidas has also committed to phasing out the use of newly-manufactured plastic in its products, and to supporting Parley in a range of research and development, innovation and education initiatives. Find the latest collaborative ocean plastic range online and instore.
Ah, gluten. Scourge of coeliacs, this humble wheat protein has been making life difficult for as long as we've been eating sliced bread. But fortunately for all the folks out there with gluten intolerances, VEND Marketplace in Virginia will be a gluten-free zone for a day. At the Gluten-Free Pop-Up Market from 10am–3pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024, mobile food vendors will set up their stalls and roll in their trucks to sling tasty treats without a single bit of wheat, rye or barley in sight. At earlier events, SoCal Tacos, The Dagwood Dog Guy, King of the Wings and Big J Woodfired Pizza were among the eateries making an appearance, alongside OMG Donuts, Roll It Ice Cream, Golden Churros and Mama Mac's Macarons — and others. There'll also be a number of stalls selling a variety of gluten-free products to take home, so you can stock your pantry as well. The dog-friendly event will let you take advantage of VEND's usual 130-plus small businesses, too, for a stint of shopping with your gluten-free eats. The October timing? Yes, that's perfect for getting your Christmas shopping done early.
Whether serving up truffle degustations, hosting upmarket wine tastings or just plating up its regular menu, Bacchus was among Brisbane's go-to spots for an indulgent restaurant experience before the pandemic. Over the past two years, though, it's been one of the things that the city has been missing in these chaotic times — but that'll change come Friday, May 20. After a two-year hiatus, the swanky South Bank restaurant is reopening its doors to once again give Brisbanites its decadent fine-diner experience. The ornate, old world-style look and feel is still in place, but the space has had a bit of a revision, including via a new colour scheme that goes heavy on deep mahogany, tobacco and teal. And, Executive Chef Matthew Wood (ex-Stokehouse, Aria Brisbane, Urbane and Hilton Brisbane) and Chef de Cuisine Isaia Dal Fiume (who started his career at the two Michelin-starred restaurant San Domenico in Imola, Italy) are now overseeing the menu. Under their reign, diners can expect a strong focus on responsibly sourced, seasonally focused Australian produce — and a wine list that features more than 600 vinos, as well as an impressive cheese trolley. [caption id="attachment_853697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Woning[/caption] Entrée highlights span kangaroo tartar with beetroot and camel cheese; champagne lobster with macadamia, red cabbage and tarragon; and mushroom with smoked burrata and mushroom broth. They're joined by seven mains, including risotto made with quail from Brisbane Valley, a tagliolini featuring Tasmanian sea urchin, Glacier 51 Heard Island toothfish paired with celeriac textures and celery, and two dishes heroing Queensland wagyu. For dessert, when you're not opting for chamomile and honey or spiced pineapple with coconut sorbet and lime, there's also the chocolate cigar — which boasts coffee, gianduja cremeux, smoked mousse and Irish whiskey ice cream. Also part of the revitalised Bacchus: an 11-course degustation — including a vegan option — with or without matched wines, classic cocktails at the bar, and a luxe high tea that dishes up lemon meringue tarts, tiramisu spheres, quiche lorraine and more. Find Bacchus on level one at Rydges South Bank, 9 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane, from Friday, May 20. For more information or to make a booking, head to the restaurant's website.
Pop on your ruby slippers, click your heels three times and prepare to defy gravity: Wicked is returning to Australia. When 2023 sweeps in, it will have been two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. And, it'll also mark Australian musical theatre fans' latest chance to see that very show right here at home — in Sydney from Friday, August 25. Even if you haven't seen the blockbuster show before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the world since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to Sydney Lyric for its latest Aussie run, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. [caption id="attachment_872890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wicked NY[/caption] Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5 million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Wicked is being brought to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and will also take to the stage again before the in-the-works two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas in 2024. Images: Joan Marcus.
It's a claim made by another animation powerhouse and their bricks-and-mortar wonderlands; however, for fans of Studio Ghibli, the beloved company's Japanese museum might just be the happiest place of earth. Not only does it celebrate the gorgeous on-screen work created by the studio — with Ghibli never making a bad movie yet — but it brings everything from My Neighbour Totoro and Laputa, Castle in the Sky to Porco Rosso and Kiki's Delivery Service to life. Understandably, that's made the Studio Ghibli Museum a must-visit place for travellers to Tokyo, with the site located on the western side of the metropolis, in Inokashira Park in Mitaka. But, unless you've actually made the trip to go there, the extent of its delights aren't that widely known, with photography forbidden once you're onsite. That means that Ghibli fans have heard about the museum's cute little cinema with bench seating, its eye-catching stained-glass windows based on the company's films, its towering spiral staircase, and the exquisite detail evident in the site's wallpaper, signage, fixtures and more — but those yet to pop by probably haven't seen it for themselves. Until now, that is, with the Studio Ghibli Museum newly opening its doors to fans virtually, all via a series of online video tours. With the venue currently temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and with a reopening date not yet announced — Ghibli aficionados can still get their fix via the studio's YouTube channel. The videos are brief, each roaming through a different part of the museum, but they firmly showcase just how adorable the entire place is (something we can confirm from our own visits). A new video drops each week, with seven online at the time of writing — and plenty of the museum's highlights yet to be featured. Remember, this is the place that boasts an entire Catbus room, complete with a giant Catbus that kids (but not adults) can play on. Check out a glimpse at the Studio Ghibli Museum building – including its rooftop garden and its Totoro-inspired windows — in one of the venue's videos below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaX15taUGFY To check out the Studio Ghibli Museum's videos, head to the site's YouTube channel. Top image: George N via Flickr.
Add the Mardi Gras Film Festival to the list of cinema events that have been making a big leap over the past year — and making cinephiles around the country very happy in the process. In 2021, the Sydney-based fest is forging ahead as a physical event to mark its 28th year. But, whether you're a Sydneysider who is unable to head along to everything you'd like to see or you're a fan of LGBTIQ+ movies located elsewhere in Australia, you'll also be able to enjoy MGFF online as well. Different flicks will play in cinemas and online, with the festival running between Thursday, February 18–Thursday, March 4. In person, socially distanced screenings are slated for Event Cinemas George Street and Hurstville, Ritz Cinemas in Randwick, the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne and Moonlight Cinema, and will span more than 60 sessions — with the entire program including 94 features, documentaries, shorts and episodes from 30 different countries. On the bill: opening night's Dating Amber, which'll see the fest launch at Moonlight Cinema for the first time; closing night's Rūrangi, which was made by members of New Zealand's queer, Māori, and gender-diverse communities; and the Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci-starring Supernova, a moving drama about a couple facing considerable health woes and big decisions. Other highlights include British feature Make Up, which is set in a Cornwall caravan park; German standout No Hard Feelings; a showcase of films by Israeli director Eytan Fox; the Vanessa Kirby-starring The World to Come; and the latest film from the inimitable Bruce LaBruce, with Saint-Narcisse following a man who discovers that he has a secret twin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxx76RnyVIo
Sure, we all know Cleveland — but when was the last time you've actually spent an afternoon there? With plenty of history, the bayside town will make your day trip feel like a mini holiday. While Cleveland was settled in 1850, the town's biggest drawcard — other than the ocean — popped up in 1864: the Cleveland Point Lighthouse. Though this seaside watchtower shuttered for good in 1976, it still remains quite the place for scenic snaps and pretending you're in Round the Twist. Oh, and make sure you complete the experience with a trip to the bar-café-kiosk for some fish and chips. As for the seaside itself, trekking along Brissie's east coast offers an array of delights. Wander past historical buildings, go for a dip and grab a drink at the 166-year-old Grand View Hotel overlooking Moreton Bay. Image: Redlands Council.
UPDATE, NOVEMBER 13: SBS Viceland has confirmed that it'll screen Brooklyn Nine-Nine's seventh season from Friday, February 7, 2020 in Australia. The below article has been updated to reflect this announcement. The fine fictional detectives of Brooklyn's 99th precinct have long held a soft spot in sitcom viewers' hearts, but that hasn't always proven the case for TV's powers that be. After airing on America's Fox network for five seasons between 2013–2018, the show was cancelled in May last year — only to be picked up for a sixth season by rival US channel NBC just 31 hours later. That 18-episode sixth season finished airing back in May, screening on SBS Viceland in Australia. Thankfully, the show was renewed for a 13-episode seventh season in March — and, if you've been missing everyone's favourite comedic cops, as well as their Die Hard gags and 'title of your sex tape' jokes, it now has a 2020 release date. Yes, Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans can't utter "noice" fast or often enough. Or, as Andy Samberg's Jake Peralta would say: cool cool cool. The sitcom will return on Thursday, February 6 in the US — which is Friday, February 7 in Australia — with an hour-long season premiere. Aussie fans have been very fortunate in recent years, with SBS dropping new episodes in line with their US screenings, and that'll continue in 2020. https://twitter.com/nbcbrooklyn99/status/1192882629671997440 Breaking out a celebratory yoghurt, Terry Jeffords-style, is definitely in order. If you're more like Captain Raymond Holt, perhaps you'd like to treat yourself to a trip to a barrel museum. Or you could channel your inner Gina Linetti and dance about your happy feelings. However you choose to mark the news, it's worth it. Brooklyn Nine-Nine's seventh season will start airing from Friday, February 7, 2020, Australian time on SBS Viceland. Via Deadline / SBS.
It's time to get schwifty, Rick and Morty fans — again. Last year, everyone's favourite interdimensional adventurers finally returned for their fourth season, with a certain eccentric scientist and his anxious grandson causing plenty of chaos throughout the multiverse across five characteristically anarchic episodes. To the delight of R&M fans everywhere, however, there's more where that came from. In fact, 2019's batch of episodes only covered half of the animated sitcom's fourth season — and the second set of five episodes is heading to the small screen this year. It'll start dropping week-to-week on Netflix Down Under from Wednesday, May 6, running through until Wednesday, June 3. That means that Australian and New Zealand viewers have to wait a couple of extra days compared to audiences in the US, where episodes will air on Sundays — but that's a much, much shorter delay than the gap between the show's third season in 2017 and its fourth in 2019. In the trailer for the new episodes, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland) are still doing what they do best: not just aping a concept straight out of Back to the Future (aka a lab coat-wearing old man, his teenage sidekick, and their time- and space-jumping antics), but wreaking havoc in as many universes as they can stumble across. Also back are Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke), father Jerry (Chris Parnell) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer). Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPDqQDTnJKE As always, the new episodes will rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe — and, behind the scenes, feature the smart comic writing of Roiland and Community's Dan Harmon. And, while five new episodes mightn't seem like much, there's still even more to come, with the show renewed for a huge 70 episodes by US network Adult Swim in 2018 (which is more than double the 31 that the comedy aired before season four started). If you're more excited about new R&M than Mr Meeseeks and Mr Poopybutthole are about just being themselves, then there's more good news, with Adult Swim also dropping a five-minute-long online mini-episode to tide fans over until the next full episodes hit. Prepare to meet Rick WTM-72 and Shogun Morty in Samurai & Shogun. Wubba lubba dub dub indeed. Check out Samurai & Shogun below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=BSF5yoD-vC4&feature=emb_logo The final five episodes of Rick and Morty's fourth season will hit Netflix Down Under weekly from Wednesday, May 6.
With international travel still limited, jetting off to wherever you'd like around the globe isn't currently on anyone's agenda. But if you'd like to while away a few days or weeks at the best beach in the world, you can — because it's right here in Australia. In Tripadvisor's just-announced 2021 lineup of the planet's best beaches, which ranks 25 idyllic locations, two Aussie spots made the cut. In news that will come as no surprise to anyone, the Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach took first place. It's the latest accolade for the picturesque Queensland favourite, which has placed second twice in Flight Network's list on the same topic, and was also named Tripadvisor's best Australian beach for travellers back in 2017. Turquoise Bay in Exmouth, Western Australia made the list as well, coming in at number six. And if you're wondering which overseas spots you should think about visiting when global travel begins to return to normal, Cuba's Santa Maria Beach placed second, Brazil's Baia do Sancho came in third, Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands placed fourth, and Florida's Saint Pete Beach in the US was named the fifth best beach. Also in the top ten: Eagle Beach, Aruba; Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Italy; Ka'anapali Beach in Hawaii; and Baía dos Golfinhos in Brazil. Alongside the best beaches in the world, Tripadvisor also released a list of the ten best beaches in the South Pacific — with Whitehaven and Turquoise Bay in first and second spots. Places three, four and five all went to WA locations, with Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance sitting at third, Greens Pool in the town of Denmark at fourth and Cable Beach in Broome coming fifth. After sweeping up the top half of the list, Australia gave way to Bora Bora's Matira Beach, Piscine Naturelle in New Caledonia, and Ohope Beach, Kaiteriteri Beach and Mt Maunganui Main Beach in New Zealand for spots six through to ten. [caption id="attachment_648438" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Damien Dempsey via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The winners were chosen as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice awards, which is based on reviews and ratings left on the online platform — as well as the number of saves (where users bookmark places they like, or they'd like to visit) — across 2020. To check out the full list of top beaches for 2021, head to Tripadvisor. Thinking about taking your own trip to Whitehaven Beach? Check out our Outside Guide to the Whitsundays.
Stanthorpe is known to celebrate its apples and grapes, hosting an entire festival that's all about the two kind of fruit. But they aren't the only types of only fresh produce that the town, and the Granite Belt region, is famous for. So, that's where the Stanthorpe Berry Festival comes in. Returning for 2023 on Saturday, November 18 at Weerona Park, this sure-to-be-colourful events adores berries in all their forms — but especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries grown locally. Yes, you know what you'll be eating (and plenty of it), including strawberry ice cream. The festival also features berry food stalls, boutique markets, chefs hitting the stage, a competition to find the best strawberry or mixed berry jam, and a scones and jam eating food-eating contest. Or, you can get sipping thanks to the region's wineries and brewers, meet berry farmers, listen to live tunes and take part in a berry-themed dress up.
Strip the cash, labels and cheap tricks from rock'n'roll, restore the reckless danger and what you're left with is the pulverising, barraging band that is Drunk Mums. Since the release of their debut thumper, 'Eventual Ghost', they've been placed at the forefront of an important musical plight — bringing pub rock back to the people. They hold the prodigious ability, through sporadic riffs and rock-heavy tunes, to create a sound so rough and rampant it can only be played in venues that serve 'tinnies' or 'tallies'. With part Braithwaite, part Billy Thorpe, Jake Doyle on vocals, Dean Whitby on guitar, Adam Ritchie on bass, Johnny Badlove on drums and Isaac Forsyth on tambourine, the dynamics of Drunk Mums are quite extraordinary. They sweat VB, sport stubbies and singlets, and look like they've been been plucked from the pokies of the Cunnamulla Hotel. Look at them, and you'll either hold no expectations, or ones too wild to function. Listen to them, and you'll be blown away by the crunches, crazed riffs and corruptive melodies that transcend rum-pig-pub-rock, to something quite Bon Scott-esque. Now, with a self-titled album under their belts, performance slots in just about every Melbourne watering hole and mullets to match, Drunk Mum's have a ripper new single out and a tour to complement. We chatted to Adam about what we can expect from Plastic, the tour and their visit to the home of the XXXX Bitter Angels (Queensland, obviously). 2014 - new single, new clip, same hairdos. How have things changed from the days of house gigs in Cairns to riding the high life in Melbourne? First of all, Isaac shaved his head, so the hair is different. Can we move this along please (and stop talking about Cairns)? Height is the measurement of vertical distance and though our legs have grown from rigorous rock climbing, our outlook has yet to change. But the lack of Mi goreng is close to a blessing, acid shits are for the foolish and we moved on to well better sustenance. Tell us a bit about how new tune 'Plastic' came about? It's about Adam being drunk and thinking he was hearing something then finding out that the sound was coming from the little bit of plastic in a birthday card. It's pretty simple but we're sick of hearing people's problems in songs, tell me a story would ya? Can you describe the crux of your sound? If I were to repeatedly call you a 'garage surf pop band' how strongly would you hit me? 'Garage surf pop' is not really something that describes us. We're just playing what we like, putting in the energy is what we want to see come alive with our music. A lot of people seem to try make music thinking about what an audience wants to hear and we have no time for that. We are definitely influenced by classic Oz rock, but we make our music. What are the plans for the Queensland leg of the tour? A return to Cairns? Nah, just Brisbane on Saturday, June 7. The only people that would probably watch us in Cairns are our parents and respective family members. We'll go there on a later date when we can arrive in separate helicopters. Your sound is something pretty incredible on its own, but combine it with your live performance and you guys really become something else - stage convulsions, spitting, crowd surfing. How out of control can we expect this tour to be? It doesn't just depend on us! Everybody has to get involved. We wanna see homemade fireworks, beer bongs, naked people, frothing at the mouth. We're too busy playing rock songs, I mean c'mon! Help us out would ya? Any post-Plastic tour plans? More kids, more Ceno payments. Get the kids to go undercover and play our shows for us while we sit on the patio drinking shandies and reciting episodes of Neighbours. Kylie era. Finally, Drunk Mums the name? Is it so all those who Pirate Bay you get inundated with freaky, alcohol-fuelled, maternal-based pornography? We are all actually middle-aged women with kids we don't want. We replace the baby with the bottle. Wine bottle that is. Drunk Mum's are playing following dates at these fine pubs and drinking establishments for their Plastic Tour: 10/05 - GEELONG: The Barwon Club Hotel 17/05 - MELBOURNE: The Tote 24/05 - BALLARAT: Karova Lounve 25/05 - MELBOURNE: Cherry Bar 29/05 - SYDNEY: Frankie's Pizza By The Slice 30/05 - NEWCASTLE: The Small Ballroom 31/05 - SYDNEY: @ Tokio Sing Song / Live performance + Dj set till 4am 06/06 - BRISBANE: HOUSE SHOW (details posted closer to date) 07/06 - BRISBANE: Trainspotters 13/06 - WARNAMBOOL: The Loft 14/06 - ADELAIDE: The Edinburgh Castle Hotel
Gone are the days when showing your pop culture love meant being glued to a screen. That's still on the cards, of course, but there's an ever-growing list of ways that you can interact with your favourite movies and shows beyond simply watching them. Disney does cruises, balls inspired by Bridgerton have been popping up around the country, The Simpsons got the adults-only burlesque and drag treatment, and Shrek raves involve copious amounts of dancing and the colour green — to name just a few examples. So of course an interactive IRL game based on Beauty and the Beast that has fans running around the streets was going to materialise at some point. It's a tale as old as time, again, but in an escape room-meets-scavenger hunt way. This new game hails from CluedUpp, which has already busted out CSI, Jack the Ripper, and witchcraft and wizarding-themed activities around Australia — plus Alice in Wonderland games, too, with another based on The Smurfs also still to come. In a year that's set to deliver the Beauty and the Beast musical Down Under as well — in Sydney from June — CluedUpp wants you to be its guest to get sleuthing. Also arriving from the first month of winter onwards, its Beauty and the Beast game involves roaming around outdoors on an adventure that takes its cues from the classic 18th-century fairy tale that's earned such a folllowing, as combined with a whodunnit-style mystery. Beloved story? Tick. Inserting fans into said narrative? Tick again. Working in the ever-popular genre that is the whodunnit? Tick once more. Throw in the whole escape room and scavenger hunt elements, and it does sound like something that an algorithm would come up with — and a lot of fun. Hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide on various dates, this spin on Beauty and the Beast starts with the latter getting cursed again. Forget love — this time, there's challenges to complete, clues to crack and fairy tale characters for you and your mates to interrogate. Participants get involved in teams of up to six, roaming around outdoors with their phones to help. And yes, if you want to dress up to fit the theme, you can. "We're committed to creating unique, outdoor experiences that bring people together and encourage them to have fun with family and friends," said Tref Griffiths, founder of CluedUpp Games. "With Beauty and the Beast, I'm confident people of all ages will love this magical mystery-solving adventure." CluedUpp's game isn't officially connected to Disney's movies, but if you want some costume inspiration, check out the trailer for the Emma Watson-starring version below: CluedUpp's Beauty and the Beast game will start taking over Australia's streets from June 2023 — head to the company's website for further details.
In Australia, we're all about that coffee — though most of us are a whole lot more focused on what's in our cup, than what's being turfed out by our barista. But one Australian startup is hoping to change that by setting up Melbourne's first coffee waste mushroom farm, and using those soggy, leftover coffee grinds to grow fresh mushies. The innovative project has been shaking up Perth's food scene since March this year. Dubbed Life Cykel, the initiative sees cafe's coffee waste recycled and used to grow oyster mushrooms for some of the city's high-end restaurants. Melbourne's status as a world class coffee-swilling destination has marked it as the next logical landing spot for Life Cykel's mushroom movement, with founders Ryan Creed and Julian Mitchell set to unveil another of their urban mushroom farms — this time in a couple of shipping containers in the inner north suburb of Abbotsford. They're currently running a Kickstarter campaign to fund the farm. Instead of heading straight to landfill and messing with the environment long after you've finished that last sip of espresso, spent coffee grounds from some of your favourite local cafés will now get a new lease on life. They'll make their way to the Johnston Street site, where they'll be mixed with mushroom spores and used to cultivate scores of flavoursome funghi friends, which, in turn, might just end up back on your plate. The mushrooms will be sold to local restaurants, and will also be available to buy in take-home mushroom-growing boxes so you can watch those babies grow yourself. It's all designed to get us thinking a little harder about food sustainability — where our food comes from, where all those scraps end up and what we can do to change it. Life Cykel has raised over half of a $30,000 Kickstarter goal, with little over a week of their crowd funding campaign remaining. If you want the carnage of your coffee to be converted into some yummy mushies, you can pledge a few dollars here. It must be noted that the mushrooms don't taste like coffee — they taste like mushrooms.
Melbourne still knows how to draw a crowd. Whether you're a sucker for the city's killer food scene, a mad AFL head or simply enjoying the pleasure of travelling by tram, there's no bad time for a weekend stint in the Victorian capital city. To make the journey even easier, we've teamed up with plush CBD hotel Dorsett Melbourne to offer you an all-inclusive one-night stay for you and a guest. For all your vacay (or staycay) needs, you'll receive one night in a balcony suite, access to the hotel's heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, pre-dinner drinks at Jin Bar AND dinner and breakfast in Port Bistro. Plus, the hotel has an extensive collection of art that you can take in during your stay. To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is complete the form below by Monday, July 31. [competition]907586[/competition]
If your idea of a perfect evening out of the house involves staying in a hotel, lounging around in comfy robes and tucking into plenty of dessert, then you might want to make a date with QT Sydney's latest addition. For an entire month, the Market Street site is devoting one of its suites to Tim Tams. Yes, it's theming the room after the beloved chocolate biscuits — and, yes, eating them while you're there is definitely on the menu. From Tuesday, February 16–Tuesday, March 16, QT Sydney's Tim Tam suite will welcome in dessert fiends for an indulgent night away from home. Some of the usual amenities will be Tim Tam-themed, so you'll be thinking about bikkies when you pop on your robe, slippers and sleep mask. You might want to pay close attention to the wall art, too, as one piece will emit a chocolate scent. Because you'll obviously be feeling more than a little peckish, you can also order as many Tim Tams from the room service menu as you like — and they're complimentary. Or, bust out your wallet and take your pick from a custom-designed in-room menu filled with Tim Tam-inspired sweet treats, which specifically take their cues from the biscuit brand's current 'Crafted Collection' range. It includes coffee crumpets with coffee ice cream and crumble; mango parfait with macadamia, white chocolate crumble and passionfruit; and another mango dish that combines mango sabayon cheesecake, white chocolate and vanilla bavarois, fresh mango and shards of yoghurt meringue crisp. If you opt for the 'Tim Tam Tira Misu', you'll get layers of coffee Tim Tam, Kahlua-soaked savoiardi sponge, macerated strawberries, mascarpone cream and pieces of couverture chocolate. Head down to the onsite spa, and you can also have a coffee wrap treatment inspired by Tim Tams as well. The suite is available to book for the month, or you can enter a competition to win a night there, as run by Arnott's and QT Hotels. Five folks will score an overnight stay, which also includes travel credits to get to Sydney if you don't live locally, plus $250 to use on dessert and amenities during your hotel visit. You'll need to be available between March 8–12, and you'll need to explain why you want to stay in the suite in 25 words or less as part of your entry (which, let's be honest, really shouldn't be difficult). And if you're wondering why the Tim Tam suite has come about, it's part of a promotion tied in with the aforementioned new Tim Tam range. Also, February 16 is National Tim Tam day, because there really is a day for everything. To book a night in QT Sydney's Tim Tam Suite — which is available between Tuesday, February 16–Tuesday, March 16 — head to the QT Hotels website. To enter the competition to win an overnight stay in the suite, hop over to the Arnott's website.
When you work at a zoo, no two days would ever be the same, all thanks to its animal inhabitants. No shift on the job would ever be boring, either — but surely Taronga Zoo's staff haven't had a day like today, Wednesday, November 2, when five of the site's lions escaped their enclosure. In a social media post, Taronga confirmed that "an emergency situation occurred this morning at Taronga Zoo Sydney when five lions were located outside their enclosure". "The zoo has strict safety protocols in place for such an incident. All persons onsite were moved to safe zones and there are no injuries to guests or staff," the statement continues. "All animals are now in their exhibit where they are being closely monitored." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) As aired on the ABC, Taronga Zoo Executive Director Simon Duffy said that one adult and four cubs were found outside of their main exhibit at around 6.30am, and "were observed in a small area adjacent to the main lion exhibit, where a six-foot fence separated them from the rest of the zoo". "The lions calmly made their way back into their main exhibit and den, and one lion cub was safely tranquillised," Duffy advised. "All zoo staff responded and acted swiftly, and procedures and processes were followed as they should have been. As a result, the situation was under control within minutes. We have received video footage, and we confirmed that it was less than ten minutes between the lions exiting their main exhibit and the full emergency response being enacted." If a trip to the zoo is part of your plans today, Taronga has also confirmed that it's operating as normal after the morning's excitement. Taronga welcomed five lion cubs — females Ayanna, Malika and Zuri, and males Khari and Luzuko — in August 2021, during lockdown. It's also streamed them last year, letting everyone enjoy a keepers'-eye view from home. Find Taronga Zoo at Bradleys Head Road, Mosman — open from 9.30am–5pm daily. Head to the zoo's website for further information. Images: Taronga's lion cubs, Rick Stevens.
The simple game of filth, sex and bad taste has been a worldwide hit in the past few years. Best played while drinking with friends (don't even try it with family members), Cards Against Humanity is the go-to game for anyone who embraces the ugly, the wrong and the politically incorrect. Now, after success abroad, it's being brought to the masters. Get ready for the filth to step into overdrive and the Tony Abbott references to increase five-fold. Cards Against Humanity is getting an Australian edition. If you haven't played before, the rules are pretty simple. All players are dealt a collection of white cards with nasty and nonsensical statements. 'Vigorous jazz hands', 'Stephen Hawking talking dirty', or 'strangling a dog to make a point to the audience' for example. One player then draws a black sentence card and everyone puts forward their funniest white filler. It's basically an R-rated version of mad libs. As such, you then end up with statements like 'In M. Night Shymalan's new movie, Bruce Willis discovers that Sarah Palin had really been a passable transvestite after all' or 'And the Academy Award for genital piercings goes to Grandma'. Then everyone drinks to absolve their guilt. The announcement came yesterday via Melbourne games store Critical Hit. The creators are developing an Australian edition, and they need our help to do it. Abolishing all American references, the Australian edition will presumably be rife with talk of all our nation's leaders past and present, goon bags, wristies and Rolf Harris (we know it's too soon, but nothing is out of bounds with this game). Fans can submit their suggestions here and go in the draw to win play tests or full sets of the new edition. Though they ask for an email address to contact you on, the process is largely anonymous so you can really have at it. None of your loved ones need to know about that nasty thing you submitted about Pauline Hanson, but the rest of Australia will thank you for it.
Mozzie repellent really puts a dampener on any summer BBQ. Literally. It's potent and poisonous stench clings to your clothing and gives your skin a sickly sticky glow. It's helpful, sure. We'd much rather have this slight inconvenience than let evil little bugs suck our blood and keep us up all night itching. But now someone has given us the best of both worlds. This new beer carton, a staple at any summer fun you were already having, also functions as a mosquito repellent. Conceived by Australian creative company GPY&R, this cardboard beer carton is currently on a limited run in Papua New Guinea. Made for SP Lager, a brand owned by Heineken, the cardboard casing is laced with eucalyptus oil to keep mozzies at bay. To unleash the full effect, the box must be burned — an easy feat for the PNG locals who often drink around bonfires. For them, mozzie repellent is much more than an annoying afterthought. Malaria is an enormous problem in the area and there are up to 1.8 million suspected cases reported each year. "If we're honest, we're not going to solve malaria with cartons of beer but we are going to raise awareness of the issue," said GPY&R manager Phil McDonald. Though the boxes have been launched as a limited edition item in PNG, those behind the project say they haven't ruled out the possibility to launching the product in Australia. "We're not as liberal with the burning of fires as our friends in PNG. We'd have to get the innovation hat on and think of something different, but it's not out of the realms of possibility," McDonald said. I think we speak for the rest of Australia when we say, yes please absolutely do that. Summer is sneaking up on us, we're staying out later and drinking a few more beers. Our concerns are absolutely first-world problems (especially when compared to those facing the very real threat of malaria) but we'd really like our skin to remain unbitten this year. Plus, it's always nice to have a valid excuse to buy a slab. Via Good Food.
Minimalist Australian clothing designer Assembly Label loves a warehouse sale, hosting them in Sydney and Melbourne, also online, and on the Gold Coast, too. Next stop: Brisbane, for a three-day spring stint that'll be particularly nice to your wallet. From Friday, November 3–Sunday, November 5, you can nab discounted threads, with the brand heading to the John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds. Stop by on the Friday from 8am–7pm, Saturday 8am–6pm and Sunday 8am–4pm. Expect to browse and buy samples and pieces from past seasons, with nothing costing more than $100. The label is known for its linen basics and relaxed coastal vibes, and this Brisbane warehouse sale will span threads, accessories, footwear and homewares. Options include tees and togs from $20, dresses and jeans from $40, leather sandals for $40 as well, and linens from $10. As well as Assembly Label's wares, you'll also be able to grab items from fellow fashion outfit Spell.
They might've already showered Petrie Terrace's Caxton Street with seafood at Gambaro Restaurant, opened a hotel on the same site and added Black Hide Steakhouse across the road too; however the Gambaro family hasn't finished building their food-and-drink empire yet. Cafe Gia is the next chapter, bringing home-style charm to Herston. Located on a sleepy street and housed in a former corner store, it's a lower-key addition to the fold — but an absolutely charming one. The vibe skews local and approachable, complete with a drinking bowl for visiting pooches, plus bottles of milk and daily newspapers for sale. The menu favours the unmistakable Italian flavours of children following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents, because that's exactly what the venue's owners are doing. That means dishes based on family recipes, such as meatballs on panini and baked eggs in Napoli sauce. Sure, they're technically breakfast options, but they're available all day long. It also means a display case filled with freshly made cakes and treats, including peanut butter brownie sandwiches (yes, really). And if you're just dropping by for a fresh brew, you're in luck too, with the aroma of Genovese coffee wafting through the air.
Ice cream maker-turned-activist Ben & Jerry's is once again taking its frozen treats into the political realm. In the past, the much-loved ice cream (or lack thereof) was used to support marriage equality. Now, it'll become a platform for taking action on climate change with the new limited-edition flavour, Gimme S'More Renewables. The flavour's launch corresponds with the global Rise For Climate Day on Saturday, September 8, and will be available in Ben & Jerry's stores for just one day, and while supplies last. All proceeds will be donated to the company's long-term climate activism partners, 350.org Australia. On the day, fifty marches and picnics are scheduled to take place across Australia — you can find the closest event to you here. Ben & Jerry's has also sent personalised pints of Gimme S'More Renewables to federal and state politicians, acting as a direct call on Australian leaders to accelerate renewable energy and commit to a fossil-fuel-free world. In a show of good faith, the company has committed to being carbon positive and using only renewable resources by 2030. Plus, its 2020 deadline for using renewable electricity sources and eliminating coal from its energy mix is just around the corner. All Ben & Jerry's shops are currently powered by Powershop, an electricity provider that is 100 percent carbon neutral. If you need more than the drought and the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef to convince you to get involved, the Gimme S'More Renewables sounds pretty damn tasty, too — a combination of marshmallow ice cream, chocolate cookies, Graham cracker swirls and fudge flakes. Ben & Jerry's limited-edition Gimme S'More Renewables will be available at all Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops on Saturday, September 8. Find your closest one here.
Fans of outdoor art, scenic walks and excuses to mosey around Sydney have spent the past few weeks rejoicing about the upcoming return of Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea. But it's not the only event set to give locals and tourists alike an excuse to soak in the Harbour City's waterside splendour, and soon — and see a heap of impressive creative pieces in the process. Slated to run between Thursday, August 11–Saturday, September 24, Waterfront Whale Tales is a new addition to the New South Wales capital's arts calendar. Yes, that name is a big clue. The free outdoor exhibition will feature 30 two-metre-tall whale tail sculptures, as created by 30 Australian artists, with each piece inspired by its location and the land. Creatives set to do the honours include 2022 Archibald prize winner Blak Douglas, illustrator and animator Chris Yee, and artist, author and illustrator Sha'an d'Anthes, aka Furry Little Peach. Curated by prolific curatorial group Art Pharmacy, the full range of sculptures will span a six-kilometre trail along Sydney's Western Harbour waterfront, reaching from Barangaroo to Sydney Fish Market. That means that it'll stretch past Crown Sydney, King Street Wharf, Darling Quarter, ICC Sydney, the Powerhouse Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum and The Star. While visitors will be able to walk the full trail in a single stroll, there'll also be mini trails for shorter walks. And, there'll be an app that'll provide details of each, plus stories about the waterfront's past, present and future. Also available via your phone: freebies, discounts and prizes from local businesses along the trail, as well as a major prize for checking out all 30 tails. As well as aiming to get folks checking out the waterfront — attempting to attract up to 500,000 visitors, in fact — the trail has enlisted Indigenous Curatorial Advisors Uncle Graham Toomey and Aunty Joanne Selfe to help connect the artists to the Whale Story, as well as to the Gadigal and Saltwater Country that the exhibition will grace. "Traditionally, the whale holds within it intricate Aboriginal knowledge systems, a complex tapestry of science, of knowledge that interweaves with cultural and social practice," said Aunty Joanne. "The sculptures will feature the ancient tracks that connect the clans to each other and the sharing of stories and culture," said Uncle Graham. [caption id="attachment_804445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan; Destination NSW[/caption] After the event's six-week run, the sculptures will be auctioned, with net proceeds given to The Kids Cancer Project. If you're keen on one while you're taking the walk, you can also put in an expression of interest during the trail's dates. Sydney's Waterfront Whale Tales will run between Thursday, August 11–Saturday, September 24 along the city's Western Harbour waterfront from Barangaroo to Sydney Fish Market. For more information, head to the exhibition's website.
History is repeating in the latest change to Fortitude Valley's music scene. When disco started to wane in popularity from the late 70s and early 80s, rock slid in to help take its place — and that's exactly what's now happened on McLachlan Street in Alhambra Lounge's former home. In October 2022, the space welcomed in SuperFly Disco, which even sported a light-up dance floor. Half a year later, the retro nightclub has been reborn as SuperFly Studios, and now focuses on live tunes. The new approach kicked in at the beginning of March, complete with a hefty stage and sound system to match. In its rebranded guise, SuperFly can fit in 400 people, and also now welcomes in patrons for free — including until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. The dress code is also more casual, too. And, in the future, Thursday and Sunday gigs are on the agenda. Given that the venue always hailed from the Drunken Monkey Group team, which also boasts Brooklyn Standard and Suzie Wong's Good Time Bar in its portfolio, the switch from DJs to bands is hardly surprising. Spokesperson Adam Barton said that Superfly Studios can now ensure that the company can host larger shows and names. "We've been approached in the past to take on bigger acts at our other venues but didn't have the capacity. Now, with the new stage and sound system, we're excited to be able to accommodate both national and international touring acts at SuperFly Studios," he explains. "We are stoked to be introducing live music to SuperFly Studios. We want to build on our success with Brooklyn Standard and Suzie Wong's, and create a space where music lovers of all ages can come together and just have a really solid night out with some of Brisbane's best live bands," Burton continues. "I think I speak for all of us [at The Drunken Monkey Group] when I say live music is such a big part of our nights out. Nothing beats a jam-packed dance floor filled with people just singing their lungs out — it just makes your night." In its initial form, SuperFly leaned into the tunes, attitude and decor of five decades back, including a fitout boasting walls of records, neon lights, disco balls aplenty — including in the bathrooms — and murals featuring famous music faces from the bar's celebrated era. Some of that remains, including mirrored tiles and all that vinyl, but you'll now spot Amy Winehouse, for instance, gracing the plaster. Drinks-wise, the venue pours beers and classic cocktails, with its bartenders still on hand to mix something up. And on the upcoming gigs list at the time of writing: The Fonoti Brothers, One Sound, Imessa and La Boum. Find SuperFly Studios at 12 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley — open from 7pm–3am Friday–Saturday.
How do you get plane passengers excited about sitting sandwiched between two strangers? To turn middle seat-dwelling frowns upside down, Virgin Australia launched the Middle Seat Lottery in 2022. It's exactly what it sounds like, giving prizes to people who find themselves perched in everyone's least favourite spot in the air — and, while it was originally set to only span six months, the scheme has just been extended until mid-2023. No one likes the middle seat on a plane. Does anyone book flights, select where to sit and genuinely (and willingly) pick being stuck between two other people, with no window to look out and no easy access to the aisle, if there's another option? No, no they don't. But resisting that urge until Friday, July 9 could score goodies for your troubles, with an extra $45,000 in prizes added to the pool. The 11-week extension means 11 more weekly prizes, with holidays the big focus. Fancy return flights to Tokyo? To Europe, plus a luxe experience in Doha? To North Queensland, including swimming with saltwater crocodiles? To Townsville, where a waterfall and tropical island tour via helicopter and sailboat cruise await? They're some of the giveaways — and there's a stint on North Stradbroke Island that starts with a beer-tasting experience onboard a private jet, then spans a brewery tour with Straddie Brewing Co, too. The freebies change each week, and are only available to passengers to meet one big condition: sitting in the middle seat because you've either selected it or you've been assigned it. An hour or so in a seat you wouldn't normally pick for the chance to win your next getaway? Worth it, probably. Plenty of folks agree, with more than 240,000 Virgin Australia guests entering the competition since it launched last October. To go in the running to win any of the above prizes, you do need to be a Velocity Frequent Flyer member over the age of 18. And, you'll have to fly somewhere within Australia, on a Virgin Australia-operated domestic flight, during the competition period — in a middle seat, obviously. Also, to enter, you then need to use the Virgin Australia app within 48 hours of your flight's scheduled departure time, tapping on the Middle Seat Lottery tile, finding your flight and entering your details. From there, winners are drawn each week and contacted if they're successful. Virgin Australia's Middle Seat Lottery runs until Sunday, July 9, 2023. For more information, head to the Virgin website. Images: Carly Ravenhall. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Six years after opening its doors back in 2012, and just a few months after giving its distinctive patch of Wynnum Road a huge facelift, Morningside's Southside Tea Room has announced that it's closing down. The bar and eatery will shutter after it finishes trading on Sunday, November 4, which means no more barbecued meats, weekend brunch, burnt-wood panelling and hanging out on picnic benches after that date. And, no more band pop-ups, plaster fun house sessions and retro New Year's Eve parties, either. In an update shared to both Facebook and Instagram, Southside owners and The Grates band members John Patterson and Patience Hodgson explained that "it has taken a huge amount of bravery to make this decision". They continue: "what we have be able to achieve, and the memories we have made together, are nothing less then epic". Patterson and Hodgson's post also notes that Southside will be slinging specials and selling off its wares across its last week of operation. "Come say goodbye and grab some kind of bargain in our final week of trade — or buy a table, or the shop", it advises. If you're keen to swing by for old times' sake, you'll still find a pinball and arcade area, outdoor seating, and slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork on metal trays. Since its revamp mid-year, the current iteration of Southside has been all about hefty chunks of meat that come with a slice of bread, pickles, onion and the choice of two sides, such as mac 'n' cheese and charred broccoli with pecorino. Drinks wise, say one last hurrah with local beers on tap, a small range of wines, and house cocktails such as the Morningside margarita and the calippo daiquiri. As for what comes next for Patterson and Hodgson, expect to keep hearing from them — literally. "We never managed to strike a balance between industries and can not be more thrilled about returning to music." Find Southside at 639 Wynnum Road, Morningside until Sunday, November 4 — or visit the venue's website or Facebook page for further details.
Each year, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre becomes a culinary, boozy wonderland for three jam-packed days, aka the Good Food and Wine Show. An alley dedicated to cheese, wine almost as far as the eye can see, an array of food and beverage stalls serving up samples — and the 2025 run is fast approaching. In 2025, the event hits the city from Friday, October 24–Sunday, October 26. If you've been before, you'll be eager to head along again. If you've not been, it's the Ekka of food and wine, minus the rides, dodgems and goldfish. Each year's Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show notches up big numbers; this year, the show has gourmet products from over 300 producers on the cards. Big-name culinary stars Miguel Maestre, Dani Venn, Luke Nguyen, and Kristen Tibballs are making appearances with workshops and masterclasses. Food writer Jane de Graaff and content creator George Georgievski will be on an egg-themed cooking stage, sharing easy but egg-cellent recipes with the crowd. Or enter the guided tasting rooms, where four Aussie wines are paired with accompanying bites. Some activities cost extra; however, if you're just keen to wander and enjoy samples, don't worry — that's all included in the regular admission, plus a wine tasting class hosted by sommelier Shanteh Wale of Quay Restaurant. If you're devoted to gin or wine, though, consider the Gin Lover or Wine Lover tickets. They come with exclusive access to producers, exhibitors and freebies. A word from the wise: you'll be eating and drinking all day, but do make sure you have a light breakfast beforehand. For more information on the show, or to get your tickets, visit the website. Images: Joseph Byford / J Wyld / L Riley.
From Saturday, June 24–Monday, October 2, filling Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art for winter as well as the start of spring, Michael Zavros: The Favourite is serving up a major survey of the Queensland artist. On display: 90-plus paintings, sculptures, videos, photos and performances, as part of one of GOMA's two big midyear exhibitions (the other: eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness). With The Favourite, GOMA looks back across 25 years of Zavros' art — although Drowned Mercedes is brand new. Created for the exhibition, the sculpture fills the cabin of an original classic 90s Mercedes-Benz SL convertible with water. When attendees peer at the piece, they see their own reflection in the water. Other Zavros highlights include paintings including Man in a wool suit and Ferragamo 2000, which take inspiration from men's magazines; the Prince/Zavros, with American conceptual artist Richard Prince's late-80s Cowboy images and Marlboro Man tobacco ads an influence; architectural representations Love's temple and Unicorn in the anticamera; and a heap of portraits, with Zavros himself a frequent subject. Still-life works; equestrian paintings, drawings and sculptures; depictions of rare Japanese Onagadori chickens: they all grace GOMA's walls and halls, too. So does Acropolis Now, a large-scale mural depicting the Parthenon in Athens, which is being turned into a Greek coffee house once a month thanks to folks from Brisbane's Greek community playing backgammon and sipping Greek caffeinated beverages. Images: installation views of Michael Zavros: The Favourite, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2023. © Michael Zavros and eX de Medici / Photographs: Joe Ruckli © QAGOMA.
This Mother's Day at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, you and the maternal influence in your life can think, drink and eat pink. Across Friday, May 9–Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Pretty in Pink Mother's Day High Tea is back, complete with small bites and hot beverages — plus a cocktail or some champagne if you like. Forget lunch, because you'll need to head by between 11am–3pm, which is when everything from red velvet cupcakes with rose petals and raspberry opera cake with ruby pearls to mac 'n' cheese croquettes and shredded chipotle chicken on brioche are on the menu. This is an interactive event, getting you playing with your food — yes, literally. For the Pretty in Pink theming, you'll decorate your own vanilla buttercream cake before you eat it. The icing is coloured pink, obviously. W Brisbane's high teas whip up a signature cocktail for the occasion as well, this time using gin, raspberry cordial, lychee liqueur, lavender, honey and lime juice. You'll pay $130 per person for the food, plus endless tea and barista-made coffee, one cocktail (or mocktail or glass of champagne) and a gift for mum. Extra cocktails cost $25.
The weekend means one thing – brunch. And for a unique brunch experience, we suggest heading to The Regatta Hotel's picturesque al fresco dining space The Courtyard to indulge in their Summer Harvest Brunch. Think: fresh food, river views and all-round good vibes. If you're looking for weekend plans, look no further. Taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 1pm, enjoy fresh, seasonal and hearty brunch plates against the backdrop of a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Dining at The Courtyard is almost the next best thing to your local farmer's market, but without the crowds and without having to do any of the cooking. Plus, you get views of the Brisbane River. For just $79 per person, immerse yourself in exclusive farm-to-table offerings like a mouthwatering Farmers Board — loaded with seasonal delights including smoked meats and farm-fresh accompaniments — like corn and leafy greens. Thirsty? You can enjoy a premium beverage package to keep the palate feeling fresh and the vibes high. For a laid-back weekend brunch, Summer Harvest Brunch at The Regatta Hotel is an easy, delicious way to enjoy a weekend out with friends and family. Spaces are limited, so book your table today and savour the flavours of summer. Images: supplied.
Stuck for a present idea? Why not give the gift of deliciousness? If you can choose from the feast of treats for the taking at Brisbane’s best premium food institute, that is. Yes, cheese, meat, confectionary, chocolate and other delicacies are perfectly acceptable presents when they’re this fancy. With the store sourcing seasonal stock, the range changes all year around, but the tastiness of the food never changes. If picking from 300 different types of cheese is too tough or tempting a task, why not send your nearest and dearest in the direction of their famed cooking school, and potentially reap the benefits of your thoughtfulness all year around.
If you're spending the summer holidays with a group of friends or family, look no further than The Canopy Treehouses to house your tropical getaway. Set among a lush 100-acre property, this place is ideal if you want to steer clear of other holidaymakers as you venture — quite literally — off the beaten track. The two-bedroom Riverfront Treehouses sleep six guests and, as the name suggests, are built on the banks of the river surrounded by ancient rainforest. Or, if you're after something a little larger, the three-bedroom Bower House can accommodate up to eight guests and overlooks the rollings hills of the Atherton Tablelands. Both are fully self-contained and come equipped with barbecue facilities, spa baths and, most importantly, rainforest views.
Over the past 12 months, Qantas has responded to the pandemic and Australia's international border closure in a number of ways. The airline has sold off its fully stocked bar carts, done the same with its pyjamas and launched an athleisure wear range. It announced new routes for domestic getaways, signalled that it hopes to be flying overseas again by October this year and floated the idea of only allowing vaccinated passengers to travel. And, now, it has just run its first trial of a digital health passport with customers — in the hopes that it'll be able to use an app to facilitate safe travel when the global tourism market does reopen. The airline trialled the CommonPass digital health app, which it used on an international repatriation flight between Frankfurt and Darwin. Connecting users to testing labs, the app verifies COVID-19 test results and vaccination information — so border and health officials, as well as Qantas staff, can confirm that passengers have tested negative before their flight. CommonPass is one of two apps that Qantas is planning to trial, alongside the digital Travel Pass app developed by International Air Transport Association (IATA). The latter is also being assessed by Air New Zealand, which will test it on its Auckland to Sydney route in April. Qantas hopes that, whichever app it ends up implementing, users will be able to elect to connect its chosen digital health passport to the Australian Government's vaccination certificates, which'll be available via the Medicare and MyGov apps. Integrating the digital health passport technology into Qantas' own app, too, is the company's ultimate aim. Announcing the customer trial, Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully said that "we want to get our international flights back in the air and our people back to work, and a digital health pass will be a key part of that. COVID-19 test results and proof of vaccine will be required in many countries for quarantine-free travel, just as it has been for polio and yellow fever vaccinations in the past". Last November, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce first advised that the airline was "looking at changing our terms and conditions to say, for international travellers, that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft". He continued: "certainly for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country, we think that's a necessity". So, when you are next able to head overseas, you'll likely to add one more thing to your pre-travel checklist. Australia's vaccine campaign is currently underway, with the Federal Government pledging to give every Aussie the inoculation for free. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.
With its riverside location, sprawling pools and all-round laidback feel, South Bank and summer have long gone hand-in-hand. And, just as the weather starts to warm up in Brisbane, one of the inner-city precinct's spots is giving Brisbanites an extra reason to visit — for free ice cream. A year after setting up its first Brisbane outpost, Noosa's beloved Happy Pops is celebrating its first birthday by handing out its delicious desserts. Just head on by from 4–6pm on Saturday, September 12 and have a gold coin handy, as you'll be asked to donate to the Brisbane Children's Hospital in exchange for your frosty pop. If you'd prefer to donate via card, you can do that, too. For those new to the Happy Pops experience, it's all about artisanal gelato on a stick, using all-natural, preservative-free Australian ingredients. Think Maleny milk, real vanilla, Belgian chocolate and actual fruit pieces. It also serves up vegan options, using soy, rice and coconut milk, which is good news for folks who don't consume animal products but still love a frosty treat. And, while the celebratory giveaway is a limited affair, Happy Pops is also doing a 'Pimped Out Birthday Pop' from Monday, September 7–Sunday, September 20. The $8 dessert comes in the form of a gold chocolate gelato pop, as topped with caramel crunch, caramel chocolate and gold leaf. Happy Pops' first birthday celebrations will take place from 4–6pm on Saturday, September 12 at its South Bank store.
When COVID-19 began to spread around the globe, travel was in no one's immediate plans. Australia's borders closed to international travel and, domestically, the Aussie airline industry drastically scaled down the number of local flights. Now that coronavirus restrictions are gradually easing, the opposite is happening. While Australians are still unable to leave the country, domestic travel is starting up again — and Qantas and Jetstar are putting on more flights as a result. Since the end of March, both airlines have been operating at five percent of their pre-pandemic capacity. By the end of June, the two airlines will boost that number to 15 percent, equating to more than 300 more return flights per week. Yes, that's obviously still significantly less than normal; however if the demand is there and the remaining state border restrictions are removed — such as in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia — flight numbers could return to 40 percent of pre-coronavirus levels by the end of July. Announcing the increase in domestic flights, Qantas and Jetstar revealed that some routes that have still been operating will begin flying more frequently, while some others that stopped completely back in March will resume. Intrastate flights will also increase within New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. That's great news for folks eager to travel between Melbourne and Sydney, with 67 flights available per week by the end of this month across the two airlines — up from 12 per week at present. Flights to-and-from Brisbane and Sydney will increase from 12 to 30, while Brisbane–Melbourne routes will go up from seven to 19. Flights to Canberra will also rise, from five per city weekly to 19 from Sydney, 16 from Melbourne and 10 from Brisbane. Over in Perth, flights to Sydney and Melbourne will remain the same, with seven heading to each city every week. Regionally within NSW and Victoria, a bunch of routes are upping their numbers, including from Sydney to Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Moree, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga, and from Melbourne to Mildura, Newcastle and Ballina. Also, as first announced early in 2020 but then postponed due to COVID-19, Qantas will start direct flights to-and-from Sydney and Ballina. Jetstar already flies that route, but if you're a Sydneysider looking to head to Byron Bay and don't feel like a road trip, you now have another option. In Brisbane, flights will increase to Cairns, Townsville, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Moranbah, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and the Whitsunday Coast. And in Perth, flights will ramp up to Newman, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Exmouth. Qantas and Jetstar are also allowing domestic customers to change the date of their flight once without paying a change fee — if you book before June 30, and plan to fly between June 12–October 31, 2020. The two airlines will be changing a number of their procedures, too, to adapt to social distancing and hygiene requirements. That includes encouraging contactless check-in and self-serve bag drop, placing hand-sanitising stations at departure gates, providing masks and sanitising wipes to passengers on all flights, making everyone board and disembark in sequence, and undertaking extra cleaning. For further details about Qantas and Jetstar's plans, visit the company's website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
When the Socceroos advanced to the Round of 16 in 2022's Men's World Cup, Brisbane celebrated. In a frenzy of football fever, the city even screened the match in the Queen Street Mall and King George Square. That was all well, good and exciting, but 2023 has that beat courtesy of the FIFA Women's World Cup, which Australia — including Brissie — and New Zealand are hosting. Tickets to watch the Matildas, or whichever nation's squad you're barracking for, are going hot. Can't make it to a match, but still keen on the communal atmosphere? South Bank has the answer. For an entire month, from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20, the riverside precinct will become home to the Brisbane/Meaanjin leg of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 FIFA Fan Festival. On the lineup: live tunes, having a kick yourself, and also watching every single Women's World Cup game live and for free. Festivals are happening in five Aussie cities, with Brisbane's making use of South Bank's Riverside Green for 26 days (with no games on August 17–18). Accordingly, you'll be able to head down every day that there's a match to watch, and also soak in the Women's World Cup festivities The games kick off on Thursday, July 20 with a double header: New Zealand take on Norway at 5pm, then Australia battles the Republic of Ireland at 8pm. The Matildas also play Nigeria at 8pm on Thursday, July 27 — at Suncorp Stadium, so if you hit South Bank to watch, you might hear the crowd noise echoing from Milton — and then Canada at 8pm on Monday, July 31. However Sam Kerr and company fare from there, and whether or not they end up lifting the coveted cup, their matches will grace South Bank's big screen — as will every other game in the tournament. The competition features 64 matches in total. On the music bill, Running Touch, Kita Alexander, Sahara Beck and FELIVAND, and Eliza and the Delusionals are headlining, as part of a lineup that also includes daily sets with DJs and other artists, and acoustic sunset sessions. The full festival experience also spans a game pitch where you can try to bend it like whichever soccer player past, present, male or female that takes your fancy; activities for kids; bites including Mediterranean barbecue, Italian, Japanese, burgers, pastries and doughnuts; and bars. And the vibe that'll buzz through Brisbane thanks to eight Women's World Cup games being played in the River City, and almost 225,000 tickets sold across them? That's a bonus. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 FIFA Fan Festival runs from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20 at South Bank, South Brisbane. Head to the FIFA website for more details. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 runs from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20 across Australia and New Zealand, with tickets available from the FIFA website. Top image: IQRemix via Wikimedia Commons.
If there's one thing that every Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan knows about Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), it's that he loves, adores, worships and obsesses over one of the best cop films of the 80s. Come Christmas — and any other excuse he can think of — the detective likes nothing more than watching Die Hard. So, when it comes to dropping a trailer for B99's upcoming seventh season, of course the sitcom's powers that be took inspiration from several decades ago. Crafted to look like grainy VHS footage — complete with a square aspect ratio to match the boxy TV sets of the time — the just-released 80s-style trailer picks up where the series' sixth season left off. If you need a refresher (and consider this your spoiler warning), the New York precinct wrapped up its last batch of episodes with a bang. The squad brought down the city's corrupt police commissioner, and their beloved Sergeant Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) managed to avoid being transferred to Staten Island. When Captain Holt's (Andre Braugher) boss and nemesis found out that he hadn't spent enough time in uniform back in the day, however, he was demoted. The new season will chart the fallout from all of the above, plus the usual B99 antics — and based on this amusing teaser, there's much in store for Peralta, Jeffords, Holt, Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) and Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), as well as Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller). If you're not already counting down the days until the show returns, the seventh season will start its 13-episode run on Friday, February 7, Australian time. The series has also been renewed for an eighth season, which'll air either later in 2020 or early in 2021. Watch the season seven trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=QuJ1ih5srzw&feature=emb_logo Brooklyn Nine-Nine's seventh season will start airing from 8.30pm on Friday, February 7, Australian time on SBS Viceland, with episodes available to stream on SBS On Demand after they've been broadcast.
