Slotted into Fortitude Valley's rising skyline, Ovolo The Valley has long made soaking up the city sights a worthwhile experience. But now the five-star stay is bringing even more atmosphere to this elevated perch, launching the new-look Above Rooftop Pool & Bar on the seventh floor, blending Mediterranean vibes with homegrown hospitality. Open from Wednesday–Sunday, this openair retreat features a sun-soaked terrace and pool, made for relishing the long and sunny days. With enough space for 60 seated or 120 standing guests, this attention-grabbing spot will come to life as late afternoons stretch into golden evenings with mezze plates, live music and colourful cocktails. Leaning into Above's coastal ambience, a renowned food and beverage team featuring consulting chef Justin North, award-winning bartender Jake Down and head chef Kya Knights has shaped a bright and fresh experience. Intended for sharing, a refined yet approachable Australian-Mediterranean menu makes for easygoing dining high in the sky. Highlights include stone-baked pita with linseed and garlic oil, classic hummus drizzled with crunchy chilli oil, beetroot and bourghal spread, and kingfish ceviche with avocado and pickled cucumber. Drawing on experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and acclaimed restaurants like Bécasse, North is well-accustomed to curating a bold, but playful encounter. As for the drinks list, Down brings over 15 years of mixology experience to Above, with his CV including major national awards, like the 2024 Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year. Punchy and expressive, he delivers reimagined classics and daring signature cocktails elevated with dynamic ingredients such as pistachio, saffron, rose, lemon myrtle and desert lime. For Above, Down has created the Mirage, an adventurous blend of Belvedere Vodka, passionfruit, rose water and desert lime soda. Paying homage to Middle Eastern flavour combinations, this refreshing, layered concoction will undoubtedly go down easily in the heat of the day or with a cool evening breeze. Above Rooftop Bar & Bar is now open at Ovolo The Valley, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. Head to the website for more information.
Not once, not twice, but nine times, Australia's most-dazzling Indigenous arts festival has lit up the Northern Territory. 2025 will make ten. Parrtjima — A Festival in Light has so firmly established itself as a highlight of Alice Springs, the Red Centre and Australia's cultural scene that it's hard to imagine a time before it. Expect luminous sights again this year, including the reliable star of the show: getting a 2.5-kilometre stretch of 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges glowing every evening. The MacDonnell Ranges Light Show is one of two favourites returning to Parrtjima in 2025, again pairing its eye-catching display with classical music and Arrernte language. The other: Grounded, asking attendees to look down instead of up. A festival of lights in the NT was always going to incorporate the red earth, too, which is where large-scale projections turn the soil into a canvas. This year's version features six artworks. If Parrtjima only boasted those two pieces across Friday, April 4–Sunday, April 13, it'd still be worth heading to the Red Centre to enjoy — but there's far, far more in store across the event's ten days. Four other installations, all new and focusing on the 2025 festival theme 'timelessness', are among the standouts of a lineup that sports contributions from 20-plus First Nations artists, plus more than 100 performers and special guests. At The Gateway at Parrtjima's entrance, towering poles by artists from Antulye, Irlpme, and Mparntwe groups will greet guests. Also, Balanggarra and Yolŋu artist Molly Hunt's Three Generations of Station Women is making an animated comic strip that honours Aboriginal stockwomen, with actor Mark Coles Smith (Apple Cider Vinegar) on soundtrack duties. Then there's Bobby West Tjupurrula's Hypnotic Reverberations, creating a moving dreamscape out of beams of light, mist and reflections on a shallow pool. From Lyall Giles, Transforming Light & Country isn't just about sand dune patterns — it gets festivalgoers to play with them, using drums to create rings of light. Troy Cassar-Daley is headlining the festival's roster of nightly performances, putting on a free show on opening weekend. On the rest of the bill: the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, in what'll be Parrtjima's first-ever orchestral performance, plus gigs by Bumpy, Dem Mob, and Warren H Williams & Western Wind. This year will also feature the fest's debut comedy night, with Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra sparking laughs. The Blak Markets are back, again showcasing First Nations paintings, jewellery, prints, baskets, sculptures and more — and Cassar-Daley, filmmaker Rachel Perkins (Jasper Jones), Michael Liddle, Armani Francois and Rudi Bremer are among the guests and speakers at the event's in-conversation sessions. If you're keen to learn by doing, the workshops itinerary spans art centre Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands getting participants doing watercolour paintings in the style of Albert Namatjira, Chef Mark Olive and Kungkas Can Cook's Rayleen Brown exploring bushfoods and traditional recipes, Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts leading a weaving workshop, drumming with Dobby, and using native plants in Aboriginal healing with language holder and ecologist Veronica Perrule Dobson. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will return from Friday, April 4–Sunday, April 13, 2025, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. 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.
If you're itching to head off on a long-awaited, well-deserved overseas getaway once Australia's borders reopen to international travel, then getting vaccinated is likely part of your pre-travel plans. And, once you get both of your jabs, you'll be eligible to receive an extra bonus to put towards your next holiday thanks to Australian airline Qantas. Via its newly launched 'Been vaccinated? Be rewarded' vaccination incentives initiative, the Aussie carrier is handing out flight discounts, frequent flyer points and status points to Australians who've been fully vaxxed. Everyone over the age of 18 who has received both jabs can score their choice of one of the three rewards — as long as you're a member of Qantas' frequent flyer program. You can pick between a $20 flight discount for a Qantas or Jetstar flight, 1000 Qantas points or 15 status credits (which you need to move up tiers in the airline's frequent flyer scheme). If you've already had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and you're a member of the carrier's frequent flyer program, you can hit up the Qantas app from 8am on Tuesday, August 24 to claim your reward. Otherwise, once you've had both jabs — with Australia's vaccination rollout opening up to Aussies aged between 16–39 from Monday, August 30 — you can then do the same. Qantas frequent flyer membership is free, too, if you're not yet onboard. Also up for grabs: a year of flights, accommodation and fuel, worth around $85,450, which'll be given to eight people — one from each state and territory. To have your travel covered for a year, you'll need to win the prize draw. But, as soon as you hop onto the Qantas app to claim your other reward, you'll automatically be put in the running for the big giveaway, which'll let you jet between any destination that Qantas and Jetstar fly to and from once borders begin to reopen. Keen to nab a flight voucher, some points or credits? And to give yourself the chance to win a year of free flights, accommodation and fuel? You can claim away until Friday, December 31 — with just one claim per person, obviously — and then the mega prize winners will be announced in January 2022. Also, if you're wondering how you'll verify that you've been vaxxed in order to nab your Qantas reward, you'll need to use the Medicare app to access and upload your COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate before you're able to select your chosen option. The airline will then delete the certificate information once you've been through that verification step. Announcing the scheme, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said that "getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it. As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community." Virgin Australia has also announced that it'll be launching a new competition called VA-X & Win, which will hand out millions of Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and dozens of free flights to Aussie who've had the jab — and make one person a Velocity Points millionaire, with the lucky winner then able to put those points to plenty of use. It hasn't opened the campaign yet, or announced how you'll prove you're eligible, how to enter and exactly what prizes will be on offer, as it has opted not to do so until COVID-19 vaccines are made available to all Australian adults. If you're eager to look for vaccination clinics — to get vaxxed now, or to plan ahead for when you can get the jab — you can check out a handy online map that collates vaccination hub, clinic and GP locations. It covers all Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. To redeem your reward from Qantas' 'Been vaccinated? Be rewarded' vaccination incentives campaign, head to the Qantas app from 8am on Tuesday, August 24. For further details about the initiative, head to the airline's website. Top image: Brent Winstone.
Across four seasons of Stranger Things so far, entering a rift to the Upside Down hasn't transported anyone Down Under. But jumping into the hit Netflix series' world keeps proving a reality in Australia — first via one of those portals popping up in Bondi back in 2022, and next courtesy of Stranger Things: The Experience, which has just locked in its Aussie debut at Luna Park Sydney as part of Vivid's just-unveiled 2025 program. Luna Park Sydney and immersive experiences based on Netflix shows keep going hand in hand of late; since the end of 2024, the Harbour City tourist attraction has been hosting Squid Game: The Experience, letting small-screen fans dive into another streaming smash. At the time of writing, playing Red Light, Green Light with Young-hee in Luna Park's big top is on the agenda until late April. Stranger Things: The Experience will run from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14. The must-attend event falls into the Ideas portion of Vivid's lineup. Get ready to visit 1986 — and also Hawkins, Indiana, of course — in what promises to be an interactive stint of Stranger Things-loving fun. Locations from the show are part of the setup, as is a supernatural mystery. And yes, you can expect to feel nostalgic, even if you don't have your own memories of the 80s because you hadn't been born yet. Stranger Things: The Experience isn't just about visiting recreations of settings that you've seen while watching Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, The Electric State) and the gang. The installation features its own storyline, where playing along means trying to save Hawkins from yet another threat. And yes, you will take a trip to the Upside Down. You'll also be able to drink themed cocktails. Based on its time in other cities, Demogorgons and/or Vecna might await, too, along with Christmas lights, Scoops Ahoy and Surfer Boy Pizza. The experience initially opened in New York in 2022, and has enjoyed dates with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Toronto, London, Paris and São Paulo since, with a Rio de Janeiro stint also on the way. "The rift is open and we're excited that our Stranger Things fans will get to jump into the magic once more," said Greg Lombardo, Head of Experiences at Netflix, back when the New York iteration launched. "This time they will take on the challenges themselves and work alongside Eleven, Mike, and the rest of the gang to fight the evil monsters plaguing Hawkins. As Dustin would say, you always say we should never stop being curious, to always open any curiosity door we find," Lombardo continued. Hanging out for new Stranger Things back in your Netflix queue? That's due to happen in 2025, when the show's fifth and final series arrives — although there's no exact release date as yet. Stranger Things: The Experience arrives at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point from Friday, May 23. For more information, head to the Vivid Sydney website. Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information. Images: Netflix.
As technology and art continue to collide in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, a new smartphone app called Smartify is out to make sharing and discovering art a whole lot easier. Working similarly to how Shazam identifies music, Smartify can be used to identify art — simply hold the app up in front of an artwork to discover its name, tap into a wealth of extra information about the piece and even access audio commentary. With this in your hand, there'll be no more battling the gallery crowds for a peek at that tiny wall plaque. Users can also save favourite artworks to their Smartify profile, creating a mini art gallery within their smartphone. The app was founded by a group of four UK friends who were keen to add another dimension to the art experience beyond simply looking at pictures on a gallery wall. To bring this to life while still protecting artist copyright, they've teamed up with museum and gallery partners around the world, who help generate and direct Smartify's content. The app's currently live at famed destinations like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, London's National Portrait Gallery and the Museo San Donato in Italy, with lots more to come. Venues are encouraged to get on board here — let's hope some local additions are just around the corner.
Australia has lost an icon, with news of Olivia Newton-John's death sadly announced on Tuesday, August 9. Across more than half a century in the entertainment industry, the British Australian singer and actor helped give the world everything from Grease to Xanadu — and songs such as 'I Honestly Love You' and 'Physical', too. There are plenty of ways to pay tribute to Newton-John. Singing 'You're the One That I Want' and 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' all day counts. Rewatching Grease for the billionth time does as well. And, so does getting 'Xanadu' or 'Magic' stuck in your head. Or, you can truly take the star's advice and get physical at Retrosweat's tribute sessions. The aerobics outfit is dedicating two sessions this week — its regular classes at 7pm on Tuesday, August 9 and at the same time on Thursday, August 11 — to the Aussie legend. Each one runs for 60 minutes, and dressing like you're stepping out of Newton-John's 'Physical' clip (or even wearing anything Grease or Xanadu-themed that doubles as workout attire) is recommended. Sydneysiders can head along at 242 Young Street in Waterloo on Tuesday — and 525 Crown Street in Surry Hills on Thursday. Fancy joining in at home or from outside of Sydney? Retrosweat livestreams its classes, including these two, if you join its Retrosweat Home Video service. In preparation for the classes — and just to bask in Newton-John's 80s-era glory — you can revisit the 'Physical' music video below:
Barossa Valley has a new winemaker in town and they're classing up the humble goon sack. Tote Wines is taking a distinct turn from the cheap plonk receptacles we're used to and introducing premium bagged wines into the Australian market — picked, produced and packaged in the Barossa Valley, no less. Developed for "active Australians", Tote Wines is geared toward those who love to bring a bit of wine on an outdoor adventure, but don't want to bring glass bottles along for the ride. Their lightweight and break-proof packaging acts as a practical alternative to accompany a hiking, camping or boating trip. Each 1.5L pouch comes complete with a tap (not of the lay-back variety), has a shelf life of up to twelve months prior to opening and remains fresh for four weeks once opened. Positioning themselves as an eco-friendly, high quality alternative, the recyclable pouches also produce one fifth the carbon footprint during the manufacturing process than glass bottles. For now, they're only producing a Barossa Valley Shiraz and Eden Valley Sauvignon Blanc out of their brand new facility in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Their wine specialists are focused on sourcing the best grapes for each wine, so drinkers should be getting a much tastier experience than one would usually associate with drinking wine from a bag. All Tote Wines are available purchase the on their website, but only by the carton of six ($179.70) — so some commitment to the idea is a must. Tote Wines are supremely confident though and promise a 100 percent discount (minus shipping) for any unsatisfied customers. While drinking wine from a plastic tap still brings back some fond and somewhat deplorable uni memories for us, it will be interesting to see how these wines hold up in a market of such world-class winemakers and to see if the goon bag mentality can be replaced by this classed-up affair.
Despite its name, Fat Noodle doesn't just serve up the obvious. On chef Luke Nguyen's menu, you'll also find everything from grilled prawn skewers and banh mi to dumplings and caramelised barramundi with rice. Spotted the street eats influences among the home-style flavours? Of course you have — and Nguyen is leaning in even further in July, August and September. For three months, the Treasury eatery is hosting a Street Food Series, with dishes typically served on Southeast Asia's sidewalks in the spotlight. Each month will focus on a different country, starting with Vietnam in July, then heroing Thailand in August and finally showcasing Malaysia in September. Expect to tuck into bites that explore the absolute best street food flavours from each country — such as pumpkin flowers stuffed with prawns and dill first up. That's a dish that hails from the small city of Da Lat, in the central highlands of Vietnam. Or, there's also green tea smoked duck with vermicelli noodles, a northernwestern Vietnamese meal popular in the mountains of Sapa. The Vietnamese menu also includes chargrilled scallops in spring onion, pork and lemongrass skewers, and warm beef and watercress salad. Come August, the Thai range will feature drunken noodles with prawn and Thai fish cake — among other dishes — while the Malaysian spread in September will plate up chicken and prawn curry laksa, plus stir fry chicken and snake beans with chilli relish.
What do Archie Roach, David Bowie, Prince, Clive James and Beyonce all have in common? They will all be making an appearance or inspiring a session at this year's Queensland Poetry Festival. This unlikely mix is just a taste of the diverse, innovative program on offer at the state's premier event for all things poetic arts. Festival co-directors David Stavanger and Anne-Marie Te Whiu once again bring their discipline-crossing, boundary-pushing vision to showcasing the artform via a plethora of sessions. In their second year at the helm, expect everything from tributes to dearly departed rock stars to funky dance classes — and one-man hip hop shows, literary cabaret, concerts, weaving circles, folk music, and possibly a screening of everyone's favourite visual album of the year (or one of them) as well. The 2016 Queensland Poetry Festival will take place from August 25 to 28 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.
South East Queensland's Woodfordia might mostly be associated with the serene tunes heard at Woodfolk Folk Festival, but for one weekend in May, Tough Mudder is taking over for a down-and-dirty event like none other. For the uninitiated, Tough Mudder is an all-encompassing trial of strength, stamina and grit that sees participants battle it out over a nine- or 16-kilometre course spattered with obstacles and challenges. Held from May 19 to 20, the SE Qld Tough Mudder features more than 20 stumbling blocks, with a host of new obstacles making their first appearances this year. Some of the challenges you'll encounter — and will have to conquer — include a field of dangling electrified wires, a mile of mud that you must crawl across, a 16-feet-tall wall and the Arctic Enema, an ice-filled pool that you have to swim through. Tough Mudder is not to be taken lightly. Despite its beautiful backdrop of rolling hills and dense forest, the daring endurance challenge will test both first-timers and Tough Mudder veterans. But luckily, it's less of a race and more of a team challenge. There's no winner and no clock — just an ice cold beer waiting for you at the finish line. To celebrate the first Tough Mudder race of the 2018 season, we're giving away a VIP team package to Tough Mudder SE Qld. The package includes four VIP passes — for either the full (16 kilometres) or half (nine) — two VIP parking passes and four bag drop passes. To enter, see details below. [competition]663661[/competition]
Fancy reliving your childhood film favourites on the stage? That seems to be the current trend. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child did big business in Melbourne pre-pandemic, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical took its golden tickets around the country, and now Shrek the Musical is bringing its all-singing, all-dancing version of the animated movie franchise to Brisbane's Lyric Theatre from Saturday, January 9, 2021 — after a COVID-19 delay, because it was originally supposed to hit QPAC in 2020. Expect plenty of green when this Tony and Grammy award-nominated stage show finally heads our way, after first premiering on Broadway back in 2008. Since then, everyone's favourite ogre — originally voiced by Mike Myers — has sung his way through theatres in the UK, Asia Europe, Canada, Latin and South America, Israel and Scandinavia. You know the story, of course — unless you somehow managed to miss the original 2001 Oscar-winning film, its sequels in 2004, 2007 and 2010, and the heap of spin-offs, shorts, TV specials and series that all followed. Based on the 1990 picture book Shrek!, the tale follows the reclusive but kindly titular figure who endeavours to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona from the the fairy tale-hating Lord Farquaad, all while trekking along with a talking Donkey sidekick. Shrek lovers can expect a whopping 19 songs, an obvious colour scheme and plenty of other fairy tale references. The 2021 Brisbane season runs through until Sunday, February 7 — with tickets on sale from 9am on Thursday, December 3, and a waitlist available beforehand. Check out the trailer for the production's UK run below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESm1JoEIXAY Image: Brian Geach. Updated November 20, 2020.
The human race has been obsessed with epic tales since the beginning of recorded history. From Homer’s Odyssey right up to the Doctor Who box set, not only have we sought to test the limits of our physical and psychological endurance, but we have enjoyed it. Maybe it's the thrill of the extreme that keeps us hanging on, or our addiction to escaping the boredom of our own lives. But at a time when our attention spans are shortening, ADHD is on the rise, and our linkbaited, schizophrenic multiscreen world is perpetually distracting us, it seems somewhat of a miracle that Melbourne Festival can program a 10-hour experimental verbatim theatre show, and that it can (almost) sell out. Life and Times is sixth on our list containing ten of the world’s longest theatre shows — though it has plenty of company in an era where 'binge watching' might not be limited to just TV. 3 hours: Sleep No More by Punchdrunk Whilst sitting towards the bottom of the time-commitment spectrum, Sleep No More is worth mentioning for its epic interactivity-commitment: you physically walk through the play, and it can take you hours. Loosely based on Macbeth, it's currently showing in New York at the McKittrick Hotel, a five-floor theatrical wonderland. There is no speaking, and audience members wear white Venetian masks for anonymity. You can follow the performers around or independently explore the sprawling set. 6 hours: Hotel Medea by Zecora Ura and Urban Dolls From midnight to 6am, this Brazilian-British theatre marathon debuted at London's Arcola Theatre in 2010. Presented in three parts, the play reinterprets the ancient Greek myth Medea, about a woman bent on avenging her husband's betrayal. The audience is confronted by relationships between ancient and modern ritual, including that of sleep, and undergoes a warpy, surreal theatre experience (ending with breakfast). 7 hours: Angels in America by Tony Kushner One of Sydney's theatre highlights in 2013 was Eamon Flack's staging of Angels in America at Belvoir Street Theatre. A seven-hour, Pulitzer Prize-winning saga in two parts, Angels is set in New York in the 1980s at the height of the AIDS epidemic and deals with the fallout of McCarthy era politics, religion, sexuality and personal struggle. A true humanitarian tale with lots of time to get to know the characters. 8 hours: Gatz by Elevator Repair Service "Should I read the book or watch the play?" How about you do both at the same time! When employee James Gatz finds a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby amidst the clutter on his desk one morning, he picks it up in curiosity, and begins to read. Eight hours later, you've made it through the entire book, word-for-precious-word, thanks to Gatz and a 13-strong cast of co-workers in a low-budget rental office. 9 hours: Lipsynch by Robert Lepage Like the opposite of a silent meditation retreat but with the ability to produce a strangely similar effect, Lipsynch takes time to explore speech and the human voice and how they connect us together. The play follows a multicultural spectrum of nine characters, each with speech-related jobs, from opera singer to speech therapist to interpreter to voiceover artist, interweaving them amidst a visually stunning and theatrically inventive set. After not having talked for nine hours, it's hard to know what to say when the curtains close on Lipsynch. 10 hours: Life and Times by Nature Theater of Oklahoma "Can you tell me your life story?" This is the question that the artistic directors of the Nature Theater of Oklahoma asked Kristin Worrall, one of the members of their company. Now her 16-hour collection of responses is a 10-hour, verbatim theatre experience, and the aim is to develop it to 24. Combining traditional theatre, non-traditional theatre, song, dance, film, installation art and who knows what else they can pack into those hours (presumably quite a lot), it’s on show in Melbourne from 22-26 October, 2013, at the Melbourne Arts Centre Playhouse theatre. If you still aren’t sold, just know that the marathon performance includes a BBQ dinner and snacks served by the company. 22 hours: The Warp by Ken Campbell Writer, actor, director and comedian Ken Campbell achieved notoriety in the 1970s for his 22-hour staging of Neil Oram's play cycle The Warp. The play's hero is Phil Masters and it traces his many previous lives over a period of a thousand years. The main actor is required to be on stage for all but 5 minutes of the play (five and a half times longer than Hamlet), and when it was staged in 1997 in East London, the lead actor had a meltdown about two-thirds of the way through, extending the performance to 29 hours. 23 hours: The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco The Warp has been superseded by what's now officially classified in the Guinness World Book of Records as the longest continuous dramatic performance, sitting at a comfy 23 hours 33 minutes and 54 seconds. US-based company the 27 O'Clock Players performed this absurdist comedy in a gazebo in New Jersey in 2010. The Bald Soprano itself is only about an hour long; however, it features a looped ending which requires continuous repetition of the play. On this occasion it was repeated 25 times. 24 hours: Quizoola! by Forced Entertainment So this is getting a bit ridiculous now, but it's best not to ask questions. Or is it? Aptly titled theatre company Forced Entertainment originally staged a six-hour version of this game-show/improvisation/performance bonanza before taking it to new heights (or rather lengths) this year at London's Barbican. What happens is, six performers sit in alternating pairs in a circle of lights, wearing smeared clown make-up, and ask each other questions. Beginning as a banal chat, the performance moves towards pub quiz trivia, beyond philosophical probing and into CIA interrogation. Questions are provided by director Tim Etchells, the company and the audience (who are free to come and go as they please). A long time: Synecdoche, New York by Charlie Kaufman This is technically a movie with a run time of 124 minutes, but it is a movie about the most epic theatre work ever. Theatre director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) tries to replicate life as realistically as possible in theatre and constructs his set in a huge warehouse somewhere in downtown Manhattan. A growing cast is directed to act out the banalities of their lives, and as the years pass, and the actors keep on acting their life-roles, Cotard becomes immersed in the play and his work-life balance is epically disrupted by doppelgangers and ultimate creative confusion, unable to end until Cotard himself does.
Designated drivers have been doing it for decades, but abstaining from a boozy beverage is no longer just for whoever agrees to ferry everyone home from the pub. And yet, heading out without hitting the drink isn't always easy. We're not talking about willpower — rather, we're referring to the paltry range of drinks usually on offer. Just because you're not keen on the hard stuff that night, for a short spell or even for good, that doesn't mean that you only want to down soft drink, sparkling water or juice. For years, they've been the main options if you're not hitting the sauce, but thankfully the booze-free scene is growing. Melbourne has its own alcohol-free bar, plenty of non-alcoholic options have been popping up in bottle shops — beers, spirits and wines alike — and now one big national hospitality chain is launching a sizeable new zero-proof menu. At 57 of its venues around the country from Thursday, July 1, Australian Venue Co will start serving its zero-proof lineup. Yes, the menu's launch is timed to start Dry July, but this range of non-boozy beverages is also here to stay. So, next time you don't feel like alcohol — or a hangover the next day — you can opt for low- and no-alcohol beers from Heineken, Heaps Normal and Nort; McGuigan's zero sparkling, rose, sauvignon blanc and shiraz; both Seedlip and Lyre's spirit range; and a number of non-booze versions of popular cocktails. AVC's espresso martino, nogroni, Amalfi spritz, berry tiki, dark and spicy, and smooth operator tipples all use Lyre's range instead of hard spirits, but don't skimp on the taste. If you're now keen to say cheers to a booze-free tipple next time you're at the pub, you'll have a few places to head, depending on where you live. In New South Wales, Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Kingsleys, The Rook and The Winery are among the places pouring the new menu — while The Duke, Imperial Bourke Street, Hopscotch, Harlow, Sarah Sands Hotel, The Smith and Fargo and Co are just some of the spots doing the honours in Victoria. Queenslanders, you can now add The Jindalee Hotel, Cleveland Sands, Bribie Island Hotel, Redcliffe Tavern and Brighton Hotel to your list. In South Australia, Parkside, Brighton Metro and Payneham Tavern beckon — and in Western Australia, choices include Wolf Lane, The Guildford Hotel, The Aviary and Sweetwater. These are just some of the venues that'll serve the zero-proof menu in each state, too. Yes, when it comes to drinking without the headache, you've now got options on multiple levels. Australian Venue Co's zero-proof drinks list will launch on Thursday, July 1. For further details, head to the hospitality chain's website.
Have you heard? There's a great, wide world waiting for you out west. A place where the sun sets over crystal blue oceans, rivers cut through hills and valleys are stocked full of agricultural abundance, vineyards and gourmet artisan goods. A place of fascinating early convict history and an even deeper Aboriginal presence running through millennia right up to the vibrant culture of the present day. A place of unfamiliar flavours and exhilarating experiences, where you can get away from it all on an island paradise or immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of beachside locales. For the foodies and wine-lovers, seasiders and surfers, adrenaline junkies and wildlife-seekers — together with Western Australia, we've curated a definitive guide to an exceptional trip to Boorloo (Perth). There's a list of standout activities plus some standout dining digs and a few luxe accommodation options. Pack your bags and book your tickets: we've curated your next holiday. And it's a big one. [caption id="attachment_896158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Duncan Wright[/caption] DINE DELICIOUSLY First things first, all your adventuring is sure to work up an appetite — so it's lucky that Perth is a top foodie destination. Before you plan how to spend your time, plan where you're going to eat. Teeter Bakery, run by pastry wizard Natasha Brownfield, is brand-spanking new but already making waves, with the spot dishing out hand-crafted specialty cakes — like a light-as-air grapefruit and olive oil chiffon or scorched-top basque cheesecake. Swing by on a Friday or Saturday when the pastry-shop door is open for all your viennoiserie and gourmet sandwich needs. Chubby Boy is a Japanese-influenced cafe and bar. Think sandos, matcha lattes and sweet and savoury shokupan toppings like garlic and cheesy corn or salted caramel. In the middle of traditional wine country, Nieuw Ruin is boldly "packed to the rafters with weird wine". Fun, unusual, rare and just damn delicious drops are paired with the seasonal wine-bar fare, alongside classic and house cocktails. Lucy Luu brings Asian fusion to the Perth scene. Here, you can expect local produce and playful twists, like a kinilaw-topped tostada bite, a spicy tiger-prawn toast on brioche, truffle fried rice and the umami-sweet bite of miso parfait. Plus, of course, more cocktails. If you're a craft beer fan, make the trip to Gage Roads Brew Co in Freo. Open seven days a week for all your frothy desires, the brewpub's got a solid menu of fresh seafood, tacos, empanadas and pizzas — essentially, everything you'd want alongside good beer by the water. For a menu that taps into a Mediterranean summer, go to Bathers Beach House. White sands, white walls, blue sky, blue sea — the backdrop to olives, oysters, seafood platters and pasta. Perfect. [caption id="attachment_893737" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] DISCOVER ROTTNEST ISLAND One word: quokkas. If that's somehow not enough to convince you to book flights immediately, Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) has plenty of other wildlife-adjacent attractions making a visit worth your while. Just a short ferry ride (or an air charter, if you're feeling particularly flush with cash) brings you to this renowned island paradise. A nature-soaked haven, it's also home to some of the most pristine crystal-clear waters in the west. Snorkel, swim, scuba, surf or hire a boat and take to the seas on your own adventure, getting up close to marine life. Alternatively, you can get around the island by bike, peddling from art exhibitions to clothing boutiques, restaurants and enviable spots for epic views. Stay at the campgrounds, and cottages or opt for something swanky with beachside accommodation at Samphire. The next morning? Start with breakfast at Dôme or old-school baked goods at Rottnest Bakery, and finish your day's explorations with sunset cocktails at Pinky's. [caption id="attachment_893738" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] TAKE A CRUISE DOWN THE SWAN RIVER What's better than food and wine? A curated tour of both on a Swan Valley river cruise. Opting for this stellar package will see you depart Perth on a gastronomic cruise with an award-winning tour operator as your host. You'll see the beautiful Swan Valley by boat, disembarking to visit some of the area's most exciting wineries. Learn about everything from vine to grape to glass as you sip your way through a guided tasting — with snacks, of course — before lunch at Homestead Brewery. No gourmet foodie tour would be complete without dessert, so expect to stop in at The Margaret River Chocolate Co for sugar-sweet tastings and the chance to grab a few treats on the way out (might we suggest Chokka the Quokka?). On the ride back, settle in for a leisurely journey serenaded by live music. [caption id="attachment_893730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] EXPLORE THE HISTORIC STREETS OF FREMANTLE Once an industrial centre, Fremantle (Walyalup) or 'Freo' as the locals affectionately call it, is now a delightful little port city, just 30 minutes from Perth. You'll find street food, microbreweries and buskers throughout this bustling spot. As well as exquisite fresh produce and artisan goods at Fremantle Markets (established in 1897; pictured above) and an entirely caffeinated zone known as Cappuccino Strip. While you're here, why don't you book a tour of Running with Thieves on South Beach — the largest operational independent brewery and distillery in WA? It might be big, but it still crafts everything on-site and by hand: that's beers, gins, cocktails and seltzers. Discover convict history at the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, with day tours, night tours and journeys into the winding tunnels below. We'll admit, that barely scratches the surface of Freo — there are all kinds of excursions on offer, from a shipwreck museum to a working fish market and even a place to flex your cocktail-making muscles. Can't decide where to start? Trust a knowledgeable local on the Two Feet & A Heartbeat tours. [caption id="attachment_893735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] GET UP CLOSE WITH LOCAL WILDLIFE Want to dive into an award-winning dolphin swim? Absolutely. Perth Wildlife Encounters is the biz that's been giving people the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat since 1989, spending years building a relationship with this pod, and promoting ethical, respectful eco-tourism. Just 45 minutes from Perth, you'll be hopping off your boat on an underwater adventure to encounter a community of more than 200 wild dolphins. During the three-to-six-hour swim, you'll be immersed in the salty environment of these truly special creatures — they might even come up close and play, tumbling and twirling under the water. No snorkel? No worries. Take a lesson beforehand and borrow the gear. Itching for more close contact with the wild? There are penguin encounters and sea kayak tours, too. DISCOVER THE AREA WITH AN ABORIGINAL GUIDE Discover the oldest living culture and the true flavours of Australia. A proud Wardandi Bibbulmun woman, Dale Tilbrook (pictured above) leads on-Country cultural experiences in bush tucker, art and spirituality. The bushfood experience is more than just ingredients: you'll learn about the six seasons of nature plus the unique qualities and medicinal properties of native fruits, seeds, nuts and herbs — like quandong, sandalwood nuts and greens foraged from the coast nearby. Touch and sniff the fresh produce from the onsite garden and taste fresh bushtucker dishes. Warrang-Bridil — meaning 'enlighten to acknowledge' in the Nyoongar language — is the tour business helmed by Mervyn (Nick) Abraham. With connections to the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong, Wilmen, Wardandi and Binjerup peoples, he aims to close gaps in Australia's knowledge of First Nations culture and bring people closer to the Nyoongar way of life. On a 60-minute walking tour through the traditional country along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), you'll learn about pre-colonial ways of living, traditional language and present-day cultural survival. [caption id="attachment_893733" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] CLIMB HIGH ABOVE THE CITY See the Swan River differently — perhaps from 72 metres above? Matagarup Zip+Climb is not for the faint of heart, but well worth the effort of scaling a bridge. Yep, it's a proper climb up Matagarup Bridge to reach the Skyview platform. Not just steps and ladder — climbing gear, grappling, shimmying, the whole shebang. Reach Skyview for, well, a true sky view looking out over the sprawling expanse of Perth and the shimmering river through the glass floor below. All that before jumping on a 400-metre-long zipline that can see you reach speeds of up to 75 kilometres per hour. Epic. The full experience takes two hours and includes free pics of your adventure. There are three ways to complete the climb: Zip and Climb (you climb 314 steps up to the 72m high SkyView glass viewing platform and then zipline back to the start from the 35m high zipline launch and viewing platform), Express Zip (you climb 150 steps up to the 35m zipline launch and viewing platform and zip back), or the Bridge Climb where you forget the zipline and climb. up to the 72m SkyView glass platform and walk down the other side (and watch as others speed down the zipline). Want an extra challenge? Go by night instead and climb through the darkness. [caption id="attachment_893727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] HEAD TO THE BEACH Perth's beaches are legendary, some of Australia's most pristine. Check out the white sands and clear blue waters of Cottesloe — or 'Cott', as it's known — just a 15-minute drive from the city. Spend the whole day swimming and snorkelling, taking pine-shaded walks and stopping in at cafes along the strip for coffee and brunch (or for an evening bev at a stellar bar or restaurant). If you're out Fremantle way, visit Bathers Beach in the West End. It's a gentle little protected swimming bay perfect for a day of relaxation — and the on-sand cocktail service from Bathers Beach House definitely adds to that. Leighton Beach is famous for its dog-friendly north side if you find yourself with a pup in tow. Here, you can snorkel or kitesurf the glassy waves, or hang out with a picnic. Fifteen minutes from Perth's streets you'll find City Beach, which owes its calm, idyllic waters to the fact that it's sheltered by two purpose-built groynes. Play volleyball, splash around, hit the beachside restaurants then watch the sun go down over the glistening sea. STAY SOMEWHERE LUSH A stay at QT Perth (pictured above) offers a boutique, designer base for your getaway that's perfect for those who love to travel in style. Luxe design features, elegant furnishings, warm tones and plush fabrics, all with a sleek mid-century aesthetic. For another gorgeous view, head to the Rooftop Bar to gaze over the city, cocktail in hand. For something with a bit more history, stay in the limestone cottages of Warders Hotel. As the name suggests, these were built in 1851 for prison warders. Now, they're the epitome of cottage comfort, with a modern minimalist fit-out and rustic original timbers. It's also smack bang in Freo's cultural district — just moments to all the galleries, cafes and bars you could want. Or, you could head to Gimlet — the spot's bar, or the courtyard of Emily Taylor — the onsite restaurant. If you'd rather be in wine country, and only half an hour from the city, The Colony is the luxury accommodation overlooking the 19th century vines of Mandoon Estate. Staying right near the cellar door, you'll find it easy to live the good life. Whichever part of Western Australia beckons you over, Concrete Playground Trips is the ideal place to start planning. Ready to go? Head to the website. Top images: Tourism Western Australia, Little Salmon Bay; QT Perth; Duncan Wright, Teeter Bakery; Tourism Western Australia, Quokka; Tourism Western Australia, Fremantle Prison (fifth, last); Tourism Western Australia, Perth Wildlife Encounters.
Over the past decade, streaming has become a firm part of every film and TV fan's life — providing more viewing choices, more places to find movies and television shows, and more excuses to spend hours and hours on the couch. But, it has also sparked a familiar dilemma. Too often, thanks to all of the options available, it's easy to while more time deciding what to check out next than actually watching something. Netflix is planning to release a solution to this problem in 2021, via a new feature. Due to rollout globally across the platform in the first half of the year, it's basically a shuffle function — and will automatically pick something for you to watch, rather than letting you keep scrolling and scrolling (and scrolling) trying to make a decision. The streaming platform revealed the news as part of its latest update to investors about its 2020 earnings, noting that the feature "gives members the ability to choose to instantly watch a title chosen just for them". Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer Greg Peters said that the function would allow Netflix subscribers to indicate "that they just want to skip browsing entirely, click one button and we'll pick a title for them just to instantly play". Obviously, it seems that Netflix will be drawing upon its algorithm — as aided by your past viewing choices — to take your viewing choices out of your hands. It won't be called "I'm feeling lucky", Peters also noted, but that's the approach it'll be asking subscribers to go with in terms of finding something to watch next. The company has been testing this type of functionality in various forms over the past few years — and the concept is hardly new, as users of music streaming services know. In France at the end of 2020, Netflix also trialled a linear channel, which just played films and shows one after the other in the way that broadcast television does; however, Peters said that it is currently "unclear how that's going to work out". The idea behind these new features — whether they're just being trialled, or they're due to become permanent — is to keep people watching and encourage more folks to join up as subscribers, of course. More and more new streaming services pop up all the time, all vying for your eyeballs, or so it feels at least. That's also the reason that Netflix introduced its Top Ten lists in 2020, if you've been wondering why the platform started telling you that everyone was watching Tiger King, The Queen's Gambit and The Midnight Sky. Netflix's new shuffle feature is due to launch sometime in the first half of 2021 — we'll update you when more details are announced.
Today, the award-winning Balter Brewing Company became the latest in the ever-growing line of independently owned Aussie breweries that've been snatched up by the big guys. The Queensland brewery released this statement on its website today, announcing that it had been bought by mega company Carlton & United Breweries (CUB). The multibillion-dollar company already owns the likes of Budweiser, Corona, VB, Stellar Artois and (of course) Carlton Draught — and it has already snatched up some other local craft heroes, including Pirate Life and 4 Pines. CUB is currently owned by the even larger Belgium-based beer corp AB InBev, but that might soon change if a proposed $16 billion acquisition by Asahi goes ahead. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5qqoNHlS1o/ Craft brewers have been slated by beer aficionados for 'selling out' to big producers in recent years, and comments on Balter's Facebook post show some fans' disappointment and concern about maintaining the quality of the beer. But, over at Balter, the owners are promising that not much will change. Head Brewer Scotty Hargrave (ex-Stone & Wood) will stay on in his role and, in the statement — which directly addresses the sell-out mentality — the team has reassured customers that "the beer will stay the same". "Yes, we've sold the business, but no we haven't sold out," the team said in a collective statement. "Tomorrow we'll still show up to work with the exact same team, with same mindset and values that have made Balter to what it is today." The contract with CUB is meant to ensure minimal corporate interference overall, with the team saying: "The only reason we started chatting with CUB was their commitment to keep Balter largely as is. CUB have put that in writing and we'll hold them to it." As well as the brew team, the in-house marketing, warehouse crew and owners are all staying on board, too. According to the team, the sale will help manage the brand's exponential growth, and pay back the initial investment to the 46 families who helped get Balter off the ground. So what does the sale mean for you? Not much, initially. As to be expected with CUBs massive reach, you can expect to see a whole heap more Balter in big name venues around town, too. But, in turn, it might also mean that some independent-only bottle shops, bars and pubs may no longer stock Balter at all. If you're worried that the quality of the beer will stay the same, the only thing you can do is wait and see — the team itself is inviting cynics to try a tinnie in a month's time and see if they can spot the difference. And if you want to only buy local, you still have plenty of independent breweries to choose from. Balter is by no means the only craft producer to have been snapped up this year — beloved gin brand Four Pillars was acquired by another beer behemoth Lion in March, and a second Queensland favourite, Green Beacon, was bought by Asahi in August.
Anyone who lives in a teeny, tiny apartment will love this one. The 1900s-invented wall-folding bed (or 'Murphy bed') isn't new by any means — Charlie Chaplin fought one in the the 1916 comedy short, One A.M. and James Bond was surprised by assassins in one to open 1967's You Only Live Twice — but Latvia-based Boxetti designer Rolands Landsbergs has taken the old space-saving trick to a new slick level. Landsbergs' 'Bedroom in a Box' is the most compact, Fifth Element-looking design we've seen in Murphy beds yet — primarily because it's not just the bed that shuts away, it's the whole room. Containing all the elements of a regular bedroom, 'Bedroom in a Box' contains your bed, bedside table, reading spotlight, headboard ambience lighting, wardrobe space and bookshelf, all in one origami-like, wall-mountable rectangle. But why fold away just your bedroom? Landsbergs has developed a whole series of modules to make your whole home able to pack away, from the kitchen to the lounge room. So if you're living in a claustrophobic loft, awkwardly small sharehouse or just want more floor space for at-home yoga/YouTube dance lessons/fisticuffs with Corben Dallas, there's a setup for you. Via Inhabitat.
For 13 years, marking International Women's Day with talks, panels, workshops and performances about gender, equality and justice has been as easy as attending All About Women. The annual festival arrives each March with a packed lineup — and it's the kind of event where riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill can be on the same bill as child actor-turned-I'm Glad My Mom Died author Jennette McCurdy, as happened in 2023; and where Yellowface author Rebecca F Kuang and Roman Empire scholar Mary Beard can also headline the program, as 2024 delivered. In 2025, Kate Berlant and Gina Chick are two of All About Women's big names — and two of the festival's first-announced talents. The full lineup won't release until January, but the event has dropped a few details in advance. Also included now: the fact that the Feminist Roast will return when the fest runs across Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9. Berlant is making her first trip Down Under, with the comedian and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Don't Worry Darling and A League of Their Own actor set to debut a new stand-up show. Alone Australia's first-season winner Chick is on the bill fresh from releasing her memoir We Are the Stars in October, and will chat about following your own path, grief and resourcefulness. Overseeing the program this time: the Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas team, as led by Chip Rolley, alongside 10 News First's Narelda Jacobs and actor and writer Michelle Law. Their festival will open with the Feminist Roast, complete with past All About Women co-curator Nakkiah Lui, All I Ever Wanted Was to Be Hot debut author Lucinda 'Froomes' Price, comedian Steph Tisdell and Aunty Donna collaborator Michelle Brasier taking part. More international and Australian artists, thinkers and storytellers will join the lineup when the full details are unveiled — and there'll be room for plenty given that Sydney Opera House's key feminist festival is back to a two-day run, after expanding to the same length in 2022 and then to three in 2023, before returning to a one-day stint in 2024. "Everyone is in for a treat with never-before-seen comedy from Kate Berlant, an opportunity to plant our bare feet firmly on the ground and find peace of mind with Gina Chick, and the return of crowd favourite Feminist Roast — where much-loved comedians and writers celebrate, and take the piss out of, the movement we love. There's plenty more to come in the new year too, including enriching and challenging events spearheaded by our formidable co-curators," said Rolley. "There is so much power in women and non-binary folks coming together to talk about the issues we are facing, whether that's in our workplaces and homes, throughout our country or the world," added Jacobs. "The events I've co-curated are inspired by hot topics that dominate conversations with the women in my life — from the transformations women undergo at pivotal points in their lives, to the ways modern culture rejigs and repeats old stereotypes. We'll be having some cracker discussions that I'm sure will continue beyond the steps of the Opera House!" noted Law. All About Women 2025 will take place on Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9 at the Sydney Opera House. The full program will release in January 2025 — check back here then for further details. Tickets for the just-announced first sessions go on sale at 9am on Thursday, November 28, with pre sales from 9am on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Head to the event's website for more details. All About Women images: Jaimi Joy, Jacquie Manning and Prudence Upton.
To celebrate an incredible 40 years on the air, beloved broadcaster and your best friend on a road trip Triple J will host a big one-off party in The Domain as part of next year's Sydney Festival. Taking place on January 15, Beat the Drum will feature The Presets, Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire and Vance Joy among others. No worries if you won't be in Sydney. The whole thing will be broadcast live on Triple J. The lineup, which hasn't yet been fully released, will be full of high-rotation Australian tunes. As well as the above artists, Beat the Drum will feature You Am I, Ball Park Music, The Preatues, Adalita, Courtney Barnett, Remi, Owl Eyes, Tkay Maidza, as well as Alister Wright and Heidi Lenfeer of Cloud Control. As always, Nina Las Vegas will also be on the decks. It seems appropriate that this celebration be announced this week, following all the nostalgia that came with the death of the legendary Gough Whitlam. Establishing the station (then called Double J) in 1975, Whitlam is the reason Triple J exists at all. As Faster Louder wrote following the news of Whitlam's death, he also "introduced FM radio to Australia in 1974, established local content quotas for commercial broadcasters and created independent arts funding body the Australia Council for the Arts." This legacy continues today. On the 40th anniversary of this excellent institution, Beat the Drum will not only feature an all-Australian lineup, it will also be beaming out some covers of iconic Triple J hits. Prepare to take a stroll through the history books of the Hottest 100. The lineup so far: Hilltop Hoods The Presets The Cat Empire You Am I Vance Joy Ball Park Music The Preatures Nina Las Vegas KLP (DJ Set) Adalita Courtney Barnett Remi Owl Eyes Tkay Maidza Alister Wright and Heidi Lenffer (Cloud Control) Beat the Drum will take place 4pm-11pm on Friday, January 16, 2014 at The Domain, Sydney. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 27 via Sydney Festival. Via FasterLouder.
As anyone who has booked a flight, had to suddenly change their trip and been stuck paying handsomely knows, travel and flexibility haven't always gone hand in hand. But with the entire idea of making firm and definite plans undergoing quite the shift in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Virgin Australia is responding to this uncertain period by scrapping its change fees until next year. Make a reservation to travel between now and January 31, 2021 and, if life gets in your way and you need to rearrange your trip, you'll be able to make unlimited changes to your booking without being charged extra. It's worth noting, however, that this only applies to the usual change fee — that is, the amount travellers can be slugged with just for the act of altering their itinerary. If changing your flights involves a difference in fare, you will still have to pay any shortfall amount. The idea, unsurprisingly, is to encourage Australians to get booking — even knowing that little is certain when it comes to leaving the house, interstate borders or just life in general in these coronavirus-afflicted times. Virgin is calling the move its 'Passenger Promise', which spans a number of other measures designed to make travellers feel safer and more confident about taking to the skies. Also included: contactless check-in, pre-flight health screening questionnaires for all travellers when checking in, staggered boarding as part of social-distancing measures, distancing between passengers onboard where possible and minimising movement during the flight. Passengers will also receive free face masks and hand sanitiser kits, and be asked to scan their own boarding passes to limit their contact with crew, while increased cleaning protocols are also in place. To find out more about Virgin Australia's new change fee policy, visit the airline's website.
Whether having a hit on the greens is your idea of fun in the sun or you've never picked up a golf club in your life beyond mini golf, you now have a reason to head to Cannon Hill's new course. Minnippi Golf & Range opened in September 2023, becoming Brisbane's first public golf course in more than 70 years. From Friday, February 16, the site will also welcome its cafe and restaurant — with Cooee catering to 200 diners for coffee, lunch and brunch seven days a week. Weekend breakfasts and dinner from Wednesday–Sunday are also on offer. The scenery is obviously a big drawcard, as eating with a grassy view always is. Sit outside to make the most of the location and you'll be sitting on picnic benches. Overseeing the kitchen is Head Chef Lenes Pawar (Corbett & Claude, Cannon Hill Tavern), serving up a menu filled with familiar bites given a luxe twist. So, the fries are covered in parmesan and served with truffle aioli. The sliders use tiger prawns as their source of protein. The signature burger features a wagyu patty, and the slow-cooked pork belly comes stuffed Italian sausage and herbs. And among the desserts, the chocolate sundae features brownie chunks. Other dishes span mushroom arancini and chicken wings served with blue cheese dipping sauce for snacks; crispy-skinned barramundi and truffle mushroom gnocchi from the bigger dishes; and clubhouse classics such as steak sandwiches, battered fish and chips, and a vegetarian burger. Pizzas get their own section, including a calzone. And if you're just grazing, a build-your-own tacos board is one of three platter options alongside antipasto and a selection of the eatery's top starters. When weekend breakfast hits, pulled pork benedict, a breakfast burger featuring hash browns and an Oreo biscuit crumb pancake stack are highlights. And for drinks, Revel, Your Mates and Fortitude Brewing Co provide the beers on tap, while you find Balter among the canned choices. Or, if you're in a cocktail mood, there's the Dai-Cooee (which is made with white rum, dragonfruit and lime), the Minnippi-rita (agave, orange curacao and lime), and jugs of pear and mandarin spritz. You can also sip wine, smoothies and milkshakes, and get your caffeine fix via Bear Bones Coffee. Cooee is opening alongside Minnippi's golf shop, and celebrating with festivities on Sunday, February 18 that include mini golf, a pop-up bar on the range, a prosecco cart, Revel Brewing Bar doing a pop-up, a petting zoo, live music, and an ice cream stall for dogs. Find Cooee Cafe and Restaurant at 1825 Creek Road, Cannon Hill, from Friday, February 16 — open 9am–6pm (kitchen 11am–3pm) Monday–Tuesday, 9am–9pm (kitchen 11am–8pm) Wednesday–Friday, 7.30am–9pm (kitchen 7.30am–8pm) Saturday and 7.30am–6pm (kitchen same hours) Sunday. Head to the cafe and restaurant's website for further details.
It might be 'Retro', but this nightclub is far from old-fashioned. If you need to groove, boogie, bust a move or otherwise get down this weekend, head to Retro's. With glittering disco balls and neon flashing brighter than the fishbowl cocktails, Retro's is perfect for dancing the night away. The DJ playlist covers the nostalgia spectrum from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, as well as the hits of today, with occasional theme nights. A comprehensive cocktail list includes old-school classics like the singapore sling as well as a whole new world of original concoctions embodying this vibrant sugar-rush of a nightclub. Retro's is ideal for groups: you bring the people, they bring the party. If you've got the cash, you can book the VIP booth treatment for your crew, champagne and all. With a guest list and dress code this is a place you plan ahead for, so wear your best threads.
When Japan reopened its borders to international tourists late in 2022, it was the news that plenty of travellers had been waiting for, helping us all live out our Tokyo-touring dreams once more. The list of sights to see in both the country and its capital is hefty, especially with a Super Nintendo theme park launching during the pandemic, plus Studio Ghibli's long-awaited park also debuting last November. But the latest must-visit Tokyo spot won't even have you leaving the airport. That airport: Haneda, one of two servicing Tokyo, and the more central of the pair. On Tuesday, January 31, it's officially opening the new Haneda Airport Garden complex, which features with a few sizeable drawcards — 24-hour hot springs with views of Mount Fuji (on a clear day) chief among them. Located 12 floors up and spanning over 2000 square metres, rooftop facility Spa Izumi at Haneda is your new go-to for soaking before or after a flight. The onsen overlooks the Tamagawa River, as the entire Haneda Airport Garden does, and operates 24 hours a day. Using privately sourced water, it comes complete with four areas that span openair and indoor baths — a carbonated water bath, ice plunge pool and jet bath included — plus dry, steam and hot-stone saunas, as well as shower, powder and dressing-room facilities. Even better: while Haneda Airport Garden's official opening date arrives at the end of January, Spa Izumi and the hub's two hotels started welcoming in guests back in December 2022. Looking for a place to stay before or after your travels, too? Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand features a whopping 1557 rooms, while the smaller Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier boasts 160. The former offers guests 12 different types of spaces, while the latter has six varieties. Crucially, visitors looking to take advantage of the hot springs won't need to be hotel guests. So, if you're only at the airport to head home or on a layover between flights, you can still make time for a dip before hopping on the plane — no overnight stay at one of the Villa Fontaine hotels needed. You will need to pay an admission fee, however. The full new complex also includes around 60 shops and 30 restaurants — those usual airport staples — and a bus terminal for easy access to Osaka, Yamagata and more. And, there's an event hall and conference rooms. Plus, handily, Haneda Airport Garden connects through to terminal 3, which is where Qantas flies into and out of. Unsurprisingly, this is now Japan's largest airport hotel — so expect to have ample company while you're there. Haneda Airport Garden will officially open at Tokyo's Haneda Airport from Tuesday, January 31, with Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand, Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier and Spa Izumi already operating. For more information, head to the Haneda Airport Garden website. 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.
This just in: giant wads of neon sugary goo are bad for you. Following concerns over the portion size of Allen's Killer Pythons, confectionery manufacturer Nestle have decided to halve the size of the much-loved treat. Where they once weighed in at 47 grams (32.5cm) — big enough to wrap around your neck like the fierce jungle creature they really were — Pythons will now be a mere 24 grams (21cm). No word yet on whether they're changing the name to Killer Penny Lizards. Of course, this move is pretty sensible. Any parent or babysitter can attest to the fact you don't want a kid devouring this much sugar, and any move to improve their nutrition can hardly be a bad thing. "Controlling portion size is an effective, simple and reliable tool that is used in maintaining a balanced diet," dietitian Melanie McGrice said in a statement released today. "A ten year old can now run off a Killer Python in around 30 minutes. With the previous size, it would have taken almost an hour." But this doesn't account for the adults who knowingly want to ingest this much delicious, heavenly sugar. If we can buy steins of beer and slabs of duty-free ciggies, surely we should be allowed full-size Pythons. Let us live with our poor life choices. The new slimline candies will be in stores this month. Understandably, the price for individual sales will halve, and the number of those sold in packs will increase. This isn't enough to appease the masses though. Complaints are going off the hook on the Allen's Facebook page, but this could be temporary. Outrage will probably ease off once everyone eventually comes down off their sugar highs.
When John Carpenter gave the world the exceptional slasher flick that is Halloween, the iconic filmmaker also gave us all something to watch each and every October 31. No one wants to limit themselves to just one scary movie on the spookiest day of the year, though. And while the Halloween franchise has plenty of entries (some excellent, some terrible, some average), it's not the only thing worthy of your eyeballs while you're carving pumpkins, eating candy and dressing up in the most frightening costume you can conjure up. While 2020 has been unsettling all round for everyone, it has also served up a heap of unnerving flicks — especially (and fittingly) via streaming platforms. So if your idea of a perfect Halloween this year involves getting reacquainted with that groove on your sofa and binging your way through the latest and greatest horror movies that are currently offer, we've rounded up a ten-movie viewing list that'll do the trick. You'll need to supply the treats, obviously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZHg9xcK83s THE MORTUARY COLLECTION When The Mortuary Collection begins with a kid on a bicycle making his way towards a creepy multi-level mansion in a remote part of a small town — a mortuary, as the title makes plain — you can be forgiven for thinking that it's about to step into Goosebumps or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark-style territory. That firmly isn't the case, even though this horror flick serves up an anthology of unnerving tales all framed by an overarching narrative. In the bigger picture, as set in the 80s, Raven's End mortician Montgomery Dark (Clancy Brown, Billions) finds a young woman called Sam (Caitlin Custer, Teen Wolf) hovering around the house. She says she's enquiring about the 'help wanted' sign outside and, as they chat, he starts talking her through the histories of folks who've died in the town. Cue four separate segments that feature everything from tentacled monsters and sleazy frat boys to creepy corpses and escaped asylum patients. Each story within the bigger story tells a tale about bad choices leading to bad outcomes, and they're so richly staged that even the briefest still keeps viewers interested. Writer/director Ryan Spindell might be making his feature debut, but from his handling of the movie's equally ominous and entertaining mood to its well-executed lashings of gore, he has crafted himself quite the calling card. The Mortuary Collection is available to stream via Shudder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atqf47wM5Gg RELIC It's a recognisable setup: a remote house, a family haunted by decades-old troubles, a murky history that's still leaving an imprint and tension levels rising when, naturally, strange things start to happen. But Australian horror movie Relic has more than a few surprises up its sleeves as it follows three generations of women in a Victorian-based family. In fact, while the slow-burning affair is set in a nerve-shatteringly creepy house that's up there with many a horror great, and it serves up well-executed jumps, bumps and unnerving sensations, this smart, thoughtful and constantly disquieting film also uses its concept and plot to ponder the physical and emotional impact of ageing, including dementia. It all starts with the disappearances of the widowed and elderly Edna (Top of the Lake's Robyn Nevin). Her daughter Kay (Mary Poppins Returns' Emily Mortimer) arrives from Melbourne to join the search, with her own offspring Sam (Bloom's Bella Heathcote) in tow, but then Edna reappears suddenly without any explanation for her absence. In the assured feature directorial debut of Japanese Australian filmmaker Natalie Erika James, Kay and Sam still need to try to ascertain just what happened, though, and work out why Edna's house — and, increasingly, Edna too — seems so sinister. Relic is available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNZQ2GG833o SHE DIES TOMORROW When She Dies Tomorrow splashes Kate Lyn Sheil's face across the screen, then bathes it in neon flashes of pink, blue, red and purple, it isn't easily forgotten. It's a vivid, visceral, even psychedelic sight, which filmmaker Amy Seimetz lingers on, forcing her audience to do the same as well. Viewers aren't just soaking in trippy lights and colours, though. They're staring at the expression beneath the multi-hued glow, which seethes with harrowing levels of shock, fright, distress and anxiety. That's understandable; this is the look of someone who has just had the most unnerving realisation there is: that she is going to die tomorrow. Yes, that's the film's premise, with Sheil's Amy believing that her life will end the next day. But it's how the on-screen Amy copes with the apocalyptic news, and how it also spreads virally from person to person, that fuels this gloriously smart and unsettling thriller. Toying with surreal Lynchian moments yet always feeling disarmingly astute, She Dies Tomorrow follows the spread of that potentially paranoid, persecution-driven delusion like a contagion, with the haunting feature's cast also including Katie Aselton (Bombshell), Chris Messina (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)), Josh Lucas (Ford vs Ferrari), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story) and Jennifer Kim (Mozart in the Jungle). She Dies Tomorrow is available to stream via VOD on Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ8CCg1tOqc #ALIVE Train to Busan and Peninsula aren't the only recent films to wonder how South Korea might cope with a sudden zombie outbreak. The unrelated #Alive also explores the concept, focusing on a video game streamer as an unexplained disease turns most of Seoul's residents into members of the guts-munching undead. Holed up in the seeming safety of his family's apartment, Oh Jun-u (Burning's Yoo Ah-in) doesn't initially take the situation well. As shuffling hordes lurk outside, his dismal food supply rapidly declines, and he worries about the safety of his parents and sister, he attempts to survive — and to fight off the gnawing feeling that perhaps his struggle is futile. A box office hit when it released in South Korean cinemas this year, #Alive never feels as formulaic as its premise might suggest. In fact, this horror-thriller proves constantly tense, and not just because pandemic films have that effect at the moment. Making his first feature, writer/director Il Cho handles the zombie scenes with urgency and makes ample room for quiet moments; however, his best decision is casting the ever-watchable Yoo. #Alive is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlfooqeZcdY THE PLATFORM Set in a series of confined spaces, stressing the immense disparities between the haves and the have nots, and watching as people fight over everyday items — food, in this case — The Platform couldn't be more relevant to 2020. That's a coincidence, of course, with this twisty Spanish thriller first screening at film festivals in 2019 before hitting Netflix this year. It all starts when Goreng (Iván Massagué) wakes up in a prison cell. He's on level 48 and, as his cellmate Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor) explains, there are 47 storeys above and who knows how many below. He can see this for himself, however, because the concrete room has a hole in the centre of both the ceiling and floor. Through this opening, their daily meal descends on a platform, before moving to the lower levels. For the folks at the top, that means that a huge feast awaits. Alas, as the platform makes its way down level by level, each cell is faced with leftovers, scraps, bones and eventually nothing. Funny, furious, grim and violent all at once, The Platform is also impeccably staged and shot, stressing the claustrophobia of its setting as well as the dog-eat-dog mindset that quickly develops among its characters. The Platform is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNlKbqHqGcY HOST Not to be confused with Bong Joon-ho's creature feature The Host, nor with the terrible sci-fi romance of the same name based on a novel by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, Shudder's engaging horror flick Host is relevant to the absolute minute. Indeed, it could've only been made this year. The setup: bored in COVID-19 lockdown, a group of British friends (Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, Caroline Ward and Edward Linard) decide to spice up their weekly Zoom catchup by enlisting a medium to conduct an online seance. Obviously, anyone who has ever seen a scary movie before knows that this is a bad plan, and that things won't end well. It's not so much what happens here that serves up the film's thrills, however, but how director Rob Savage (Strings) unfurls this creepy, timely premise. Frightening and tense features solely set on computer and mobile phone screens are by no means new — see Unfriended, Searching and Profile, just to name a few recent examples — but this is a savvy, cleverly managed and suitably spooky addition to the genre. It'll also turn you off trying to summon the dead next time you jump on Zoom yourself. Host is available to stream via Shudder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auVZKcxV7XQ SWALLOW Some films boast a stellar lead performance, so much so that you couldn't imagine the movie without it. Some find their strength in a clever, astute and engaging premise. Swallow ticks both boxes — and combines them with a mood and look that instantly make an imprint. In the feature debut of writer/director Carlo Mirabella-Davis, young housewife Hunter Conrad (Haley Bennett, The Devil All the Time) seems to have it all. She has married into a wealthy family, her husband (Austin Stowell, Fantasy Island) has a high-flying job, they've been gifted a lavish house surrounded by countryside and she's now expecting. But, when she isn't being left home alone day in, day out, she's expected to be dutiful and doting by her controlling new family. So, to regain a sliver of power over her life, Hunter starts swallowing strange objects. Bennett is phenomenal as a woman slowly awakening to her restricted reality, fighting to break free and coming to terms with her past, putting in a quiet, nuanced yet potent performance. And the film itself walks confidently in the footsteps of masterpieces such as Safe and Rosemary's Baby, while always following its own path. Swallow is available to stream on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeYWT7CnFK0 SCARE ME Written and directed by Josh Ruben, and starring him also, Scare Me doesn't just like scary movies — it flat-out loves scary stories. Indeed, this pared-back horror film understands that sometimes all that's needed to keep an audience on the edge of their seats is a great tale told well. Its characters, both writers, are all about unfurling creepy narratives. Fred (Ruben) falls into the aspiring category, while Fanny (You're the Worst and The Boys' Aya Cash) has an acclaimed best-seller to her name. With each taking time out in the mountains to get some work done, these two strangers end up in Fred's cabin telling each other disturbing stories when the power goes out (and trying to one-up each other, naturally). For its first two-thirds, Scare Me makes the most of that basic concept. Fred and Fanny perform their tales, sound effects and ominous lighting kicks in — it's a stormy night, of course — and the mood is suitably perturbing. The film also demonstrates its self-awareness, namedropping other genre titles with frequency and sending in a pizza from the Overlook. When this Sundance-premiering feature decides to ponder real-life horrors as part of its layered stories, however, it proves especially potent. Scare Me is available to stream now via Shudder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJvKDp54YjM SPIRAL It shares its name with the next movie in the Saw franchise, which'll hit cinemas next year. But this Spiral gives a familiar premise a smart, topical and resonant twist. In the mid-90s, Malik (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, UnREAL) and Aaron (Ari Cohen, IT: Chapter Two) move to a small town with the latter's teenage daughter Kayla (Jennifer Laporte, iZombie), seeking a quieter, happier life away from the city. They're initially greeted warmly by neighbours Marshall (Lochlyn Munro, Riverdale) and Tiffany (Chandra West); however, in general territory traversed by many a horror film before this, things aren't quite what they seem. Indeed, when Malik comes home one day to find a homophobic slur graffitied on their living room wall, he starts to get suspicious about the cliquey community they're now calling home — fears that Aaron doesn't share. There is clearly much about Spiral that fits a template, but director Kurtis David Harder and writers Colin Minihan and John Poliquin do an shrewd job of moulding this unsettling movie into a timely statement. The result: a feature that's as much about spooky terrors as societal ones, and that possesses a considerable bite. Spiral is available to stream via Shudder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj6JIzrIzxk BLACK BOX Blumhouse, the filmmaking company started and run by producer Jason Blum, has quite a number of horror flicks to its name. It's responsible for Get Out, Happy Death Day, the latest Halloween and this year's version of The Invisible Man, with that list only continuing — and in 2020 it has launched a movie anthology series on Amazon Prime Video as well. Black Box is one of the flicks in the Welcome to the Blumhouse franchise, and it's the best of the four released so far. Written and directed by feature first-timer Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr, the Black Mirror-esque sci-fi/horror hybrid focuses on photographer Nolan Wright (Mamoudou Athie, The Front Runner), who is struggling to regain his memory after a traumatic car accident. Then he's given the opportunity to try an experimental new treatment by brain specialist Dr Lilian Brooks (Phylicia Rashad), and this film starts toying with identity, loyalty and ethics. There aren't all that many surprises, narrative-wise, but Athie is excellent, Osei-Kuffour Jr maintains a sense of intrigue and, more often than not, the movie hits an emotional note, too. Black Box is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video.
In 2023, IKEA celebrated 80 years of operation. To mark the occasion, it unveiled the Nytillverkad collection, which scours the company's design archives to bring back pieces that've proven a hit in the past, and also riff on its prior highlights in general. Like anyone commemorating a big birthday, the Swedish giant isn't done with the festivities yet. Just because it's now 2024, that doesn't mean that it can't keep dropping retro products. With the brand's lengthy history, there's a reason that almost everyone can't remember a time the chain was a homewares go-to. Started by Ingvar Kamprad, aka the IK in IKEA's moniker, it began in 1943 and moved into furniture in 1948. The company then opened its first store in Sweden a decade later — and came to Australia in the 70s. It's the decade of IKEA's Aussie arrival — and the 60s as well — that gets a massive nod in the Nytillverkad collection's latest drop, which hit stores and online on Wednesday, January 10. Think: shaggy rugs, bold patterns and swivel armchairs. Think bright pops of colour as well. Among the side tables, cushion covers and more, 12 of the newly available pieces are re-introductions, with IKEA's Karin Mobring and Gillis Lundgren reviving them from the brand's history. "Vintage furniture has made a big comeback lately, and there's been a growing demand for certain IKEA products that have become collector's favourites," said IKEA Sweden Global Design Manager Johan Eidemo. "That is why we decided to bring back a selection of our design icons, and we are excited to see interest coming from customers of all ages, especially young people who are discovering our design legacy and using these vibrant solutions to express themselves at home. To us, these products are the essence of democratic design, they are timeless, as they combine a beautiful form, a great function, sustainability, an affordable price, and quality that lasts long." Does your lounge room need a white and chrome two-tier side table that first graced IKEA's catalogue in 1971? A yellow-hued armchair from 1969? A black armchair that's designed to reduce stress from 1967? A pendant lampshade that debuted in 1979? They're part of the Nytillverkad range's current vintage focus. Prices vary from $5.50 for a cushion cover to $299 for an armchair — and like with all IKEA limited-edition drops, including its recent first-ever workout collection, you'll want to get in quick before everything sells out. IKEA's Nytillverkad collection is on sale now in Australia, in store and online, until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
Gelato Messina first introduced its cookie pies to the world in 2020, and tastebuds across Australia thanked them. Then, it kept bringing the OTT dessert back when we all needed an extra dose of sweetness across the year. Those cravings haven't subsided, especially as lockdowns have kept popping up, so the dessert fiends have been serving up its special creations for well over a year now. Messina celebrated that 12-month milestone back in April; however, it isn't done with cookie pies yet. Here's hoping that it never will be, because the dessert chain just keeps finding ways to level up these mouthwatering creations. The latest example: the cone-ception cookie pie. If you like cookie pies and you like the waffle cones that Messina's gelato usually comes scooped in, you're in luck. This new limited-edition — and characteristically OTT — dessert combines milk and dark choc chips, caramel custard and waffle cone spread all in one bake-at-home cookie pie. Hang on, a cookie pie? If you're not familiar with the concept yet, it's a pie — obviously — but it's made of cookie dough. And it serves two–six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. This time, you'll enjoy the scent of ice cream cones as well. What's waffle cone spread? It's what Messina makes when it blends a heap of waffle cones into a smooth paste. That's what's stuffed inside the cone-ception cookie pie, and a crumble made of waffle cones is also sprinkled on top. The new pies will be available for preorder on Monday, August 9, so that's your chance to get yourself a piece of the pie. This time, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is staggering the on-sale times — with folks in Queensland and the ACT able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 10am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 11am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 12pm; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 1pm). You can only buy this pie in kits, which means that you'll get some of the cult ice creamery's famed gelato along with it. You can opt for a 500-millilitre tub for $38, a one-litre tub for $44 or a 1.5-litre tub for $48. The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to pick up your order. They'll be available for collection between Friday, August 13–Sunday, August 15. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your pie — with a ten-kilometre limit in place for picking up food in most lockdown areas, and a five-kilometre limit in place in Local Government Areas of concern. Folks in southeast Queensland, if lockdown is extended until then, you'll also only be permitted to travel within a ten-kilometre radius to pick up food. You can preorder a Messina cone-ception cookie pie from Monday, August 9, to pick up from Friday, August 13–Sunday, August 15.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to Pan Pacific Perth, the spot we're putting up guests who book one of our exclusive For The Love VIP packages. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? At the Pan Pacific Perth you can enjoy views over the Swan River and the surrounding cityscape from your room, one of the restaurants or up on the rooftop pool. THE ROOMS The standard rooms feature all the essentials — a big king-sized bed, a pillow menu (because, why not?), tea and coffee making facilities, free wifi, a daily turn-down service and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Then once you get to the larger rooms and suites, you find that each has undergone a little makeover with new modern furniture, walls that have been given a new lick of paint and stacks of updated amenities. FOOD AND DRINK Of course, Pan Pacific Perth has a mixed bag of in-house restaurants and bars to choose from. First off, there's UMA Restaurant where Peruvian cuisine is celebrated. Next up is The Stage, the hotel's own cocktail bar and tapas lounge where you'll also be able to dabble in a classic afternoon tea from Wednesday to Saturday. Beyond these two top dining spots, you'll also find the Hill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, Monty's, The Lobby Café and a separate room service menu for when you don't feel inclined to leave your bed. [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rottnest Island, Tourism Western Australia[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA This hotel is located in the heart of Perth's CBD, close to all its best bits. Walk the streets to find great restaurants and bars, unique galleries and theatres and stunning waterfront walking trails. And if you're staying for enough time, we'd highly recommend a day-trip to Rottnest Island. Take selfies with adorable quokkas, take a sea kayaking tour in untouched coves or go for a cycle to see as much of this protected nature reserve as you can. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
This year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brightened up the Harbour City back in February and March, complete with help from The Wiggles — but today, Friday, June 24, marks a huge milestone for the event. On this day back in 1978, Sydney's first-ever Mardi Gras was held. So, to celebrate, what better day to create a human progress pride flag on the Sydney Opera House steps? That glorious display has already happened, taking place around lunchtime today. That said, like most things in life these days, there are photos. Nearly 1000 Sydneysiders lined up on the steps for the multi-hued display, arranged in colourful lines beneath one of the city's — and Australia's — most recognisable landmarks. [caption id="attachment_859007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] As well as commemorating the date, the flag was created — albeit temporarily, obviously — in the lead up to Sydney WorldPride in 2023. The New South Wales capital will host the global event from February 17–March 5 next year, which'll span 17 days and 300-plus LGBTQIA+ festivities. Included on the Sydney WorldPride bill: the Mardi Gras Parade, of course. It'll make its way down Oxford Street for the first time in three years, after the pandemic scuppered its usual plans and sent it to the SCG in 2021 and 2022. Sydney WorldPride will also feature a huge opening concert hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan, pride villages set up in sections of Crown Street and Riley Street, a giant weekend-long street party on Oxford Street, a Bondi beach party that'll turn the iconic sandy stretch into a club for 12,000 people, and a Blak & Deadly First Nations gala concert. [caption id="attachment_859015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Getty Images[/caption] Plus, there'll be a dance party in The Domain for 10,000, which is being dubbed as the biggest LGBQTIA+ outdoor dance party in Australia; a pride march, sending 50,000 people across the Sydney Harbour Bridge; and huge queer show Rainbow Republic, again at The Domain, this time with six hours of live music, DJs and performances spanning both international and local acts. The Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference is also on the bill, as is a six-night First Nations gathering space at Carriageworks — and Ultra Violet, an inclusive LGBTQIA+ women's party at Town Hall. Yes, it's going to be huge — and it's expected that more than 500,000 people will participate. [caption id="attachment_859017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Getty Images[/caption] Sydney WorldPride will run from February 17–March 5, 2023. For more information, or for general ticket sales from 9am AEST on Friday, July 15, head to the event's website. Images: Daniel Boud / Getty Images.
When Alba Bar & Deli opened in Brisbane's CBD in 2019, it launched at a time before a global pandemic temporarily shut down the world, including the hospitality industry, and then cost-of-living pressures changed the way that people spend their dollars on going out. The Burnett Lane spot weathered those unexpected ups and downs for five years, but has now sadly called it quits. If you went by on Saturday, June 22, 2024, then you hit up the watering hole on its last day of trade. Led by former MasterChef contestant Jamie Fleming, the Alba team announced the news just the day before the San Sebastian-inspired haunt shut up shop, citing the current economic climate for the decision. "It is with great sadness that we the Alba team have to announce that we will be closing as of tomorrow, Saturday 22nd of June. Unfortunately economic pressures as well as having terrible timing with opening (you know what we mean) means we have had to make this heartwrenching decision," said the Alba gang in a statement on Instagram. "We are a small team and always tried to offer the best-quality service and produce. Unfortunately with prices of everything going up and little support, there is unfortunately only one clear end." "We would like to say thank you to everyone that has helped bring Alba to life. From the team members, suppliers, friends and anyone who came through the door, you have helped bring something amazing to life," the statement continues. "A special thank you goes out to the hospitality industry at large. We have always had huge support from those we respect and love the most, our peers. Without your support, Alba would have been another statistic and instead, we have been given the opportunity to swing for the fences and continue to hit the mark. To have so many people come through our doors and buy into our concept has been overwhelming." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alba Bar & Deli (@albabaranddeli) The brick-fronted laneway spot paired its Spanish influences with nods to 90s-era New York, serving up amaro and vermouth spritzes, scallop ceviche, sardines, jamon serrano, steak tartare, patatas bravas and bistec to a hip hop soundtrack within cosy surroundings. Also a highlight: the daily aperitivo block from 3–5pm from Tuesday–Friday. As part of its farewell statement, the Alba team promises that this won't be the last that anyone sees of them, although there's no word yet on Fleming and company's next moves. Alba Bar & Deli closed at 34 Burnett Lane, Brisbane, on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Always fancied hanging a gallery-worthy masterpiece on your wall, but don't have anywhere near the hefty budget needed to make that dream a reality? Adore that idea, but believe that great art belongs in galleries where the general public can see it? Whether you're an art lover without deep pockets or a huge supporter of art museums, here's a handy, creative and gorgeous new alternative: building one of the most famous paintings ever crafted out of Lego. If you can construct flowers out of the colourful plastic blocks, brightening up your home with succulents, orchids, bouquets and bonsai fashioned out of bricks, then recreating phenomenal art is the easy next step. The toy brand has come up with the kit to do just that in collaboration with New York's Museum of Modern Art — and the pair have chosen quite the piece to reimagine in 2316 pieces. Painted in 1889, and a mesmerising, twinkling, blue-dripping sight to behold, Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night is a post-impressionist wonder. When you're making it out of Lego, we recommend busting out the bricks next to a window with a view — given that van Gogh created the OG piece, entrancing colours, brush strokes and all, after taking inspiration from his vantage at the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy, France. Unsurprisingly, The Starry Night is a big hit at MoMA, where it has been on display since 1935 — but now you can put together a version to look at whenever you want. Firmly designed for adults, Lego and MoMa's The Starry Night set measures 40 centimetres long, 21 centimetres wide and 28 centimetres high. And, yes, you can hang the 3D piece on your wall. Also included in the kit, which'll cost AU$259.99 / NZ $279.99 when it goes on sale on Wednesday, June 1: a van Gogh minifigure. It comes with a paint brush, palette, easel and mini painting on a printed tile, and there's an arm that you can attach to the big version of the The Starry Night, too, to show the artist painting the scene. It's been a great few years to be a fan of van Gogh Down Under — so if you went to the National Gallery of Victoria's huge van Gogh exhibition back in 2017, or enjoyed stepping into The Starry Night during multisensory showcase Van Gogh Alive's past Australian and New Zealand stops, this is the Lego set for you. For more information about Lego's new The Starry Night, which goes on sale on Wednesday, June 1, head to the company's website.
Internationally celebrated fine dining restaurants, beery brunch spots, teeny tiny cafes and openair dining terraces by the sea — Perth's fast becoming one of Australia's food capitals. With over two million Perthites, it's no wonder Western Australia's capital has matured into a hub of wealth and high achievers. Perth is a food lover's city with a laidback attitude, full of enthusiastic folks in activewear — in fact, it's apparently acceptable to wear head-to-toe exercise clothes 24 hours a day in Perth with zero judgment. Think of Perth like San Diego — a sprawled out city with pockets of creativity and sunshine for days. As one of our favourite long weekenders, we thought it time to share the love. You'll need a thick wallet, an empty stomach, an explorative mindset and an Uber account (taxis aren't exactly flowing in Perth). Grab a cross-country flight (around five to six hours) on Thursday night then take these cues for the best long weekend in pretty little Perth. [caption id="attachment_621562" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petition.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK The benefits of flying to Perth include gaining time which ultimately means, double breakfast and double dinner. It's the food, wine and beer scene in this city that never disappoints. You thought Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane were hard to please? Perth boasts an exceptional quota of local coffee and food snobs with high expectations. Start your days strong with breakfast or brunch at Gordon Street Garage in East Perth, Petition Kitchen, Tiisch, Post, or La Veen in Perth city. If you're more of a long mac kinda person, Telegram, Saint Larry, Small Print, Max + Sons, Lowdown and Mo Espresso have you covered for a takeaway before you start your adventures. In the 'burbs, you want to head to Pixel Coffee Brewers in Leederville, Hylin in West Leederville or Mary Street Bakery in Highgate for epic baked goods to match your mug o' caffeinated magic. [caption id="attachment_621569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Shorehouse.[/caption] By about midday, the sun has fully occupied Perth so you want to sit outside near a beach and enjoy those lunchtime rays that Melburnians dream of. Bread in Common in Fremantle, Bib & Tucker on Leighton Beach, Il Lido in Cottesloe, The Shorehouse in Swanbourne and Kailis Trigg Beach are a sure thing to a light tan while you indulge in Western Australian seafood and Semillon. Happy hour begins rather early in Perth and it seems customary to head to Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle for a pale ale with a side of hand-cut fries. Heading up the Indian Ocean you also can't go past the infamous Ocean Beach Hotel on Cottesloe Beach. Not many places in the world provide that view matched with thongs and bathers being an acceptable dress attire, but it's Perth so it's all good. [caption id="attachment_621556" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Long Chim.[/caption] Roughly five years ago, Perth saw a significant shift in the dining scene. Maybe it was the mining boom, which saw wealth flow over the state, or perhaps it was Perth's maturity kicking in, but it's plain to see local restaurants and bars have stepped it up. There's an old meets new, East meets West theme clearly evident across the city's menus. Following news of Restaurant Amuse and Neil Perry's Rockpool closing down, many feared the worst for Perth's fine dining industry. But new kids on the block, Ku De Ta, Long Chim, Wildflower and Lulu La Delizia are not letting anything deter them. After dinner, if you're keen to continue the late night shenanigans, hidden CBD bar Helvetica, underground cocktail bar Alfred's Pizzeria, snug rooftop joint Mechanics Institute, rum speakeasy Sneaky Tony's, country-loving dive bar Alabama Song, whiskey den Varnish On King, all-day/night favourite Pica Bar, WA-proud, two-level classic bar Dominion League or these ten bars worth travelling for. [caption id="attachment_621536" align="alignnone" width="1920"] COMO The Treasury.[/caption] STAY Turns out Perth hosts the second best hotel in the world according to Conde Naste. Yep, it's true. It's called COMO The Treasury and it's absolutely stunning. If you're a high baller with cash money to burn, look no further. Wedged between the original 1875 brick and stonework sits a sculpture of polished opulence. With the likes of David Thompson's Long Chim setting up shop inside the Hotel, one never really has to leave. DO Like most Australian destinations, Perth's activities are highlighted in the sun, and no trip is complete without visiting Rottnest Island. Around 20-40 minutes from Perth is Western Australia's version of the Whitsundays (at just a fraction of the price). Think crystal blue water, powder white sand and no cars in sight. You can do Rotto in a day by hiring a bike and snorkel gear and wandering through the bays along the way. The Rotto Pub, Hotel Rottnest is where it's at for fish and chips while you take selfies with the Island's famous native little friend, the quokka. Get your return ferry to drop you at B Shed in Fremantle and explore the Maritime Museum, Fremantle Prison and Fremantle Markets. After Rotto, head for more of the Indian Ocean coastline from Leighton Beach up to Trigg. Hiring a stand-up paddleboard from Elemental SUP is a great place to start. Whether you're a beginner, keen to head out by yourself or try SUP yoga, the team has you sorted. For those a little less SUP and little more surf, there's plenty of boards to hire in Cottesloe, Scarborough and Trigg beach. For a change of pace, head to one of the world's largest inner city parks, King's Park. Hosting various hikes, botanical gardens, outdoor cinema and concerts, treetop walks, memorials and Indigenous history, the park is perfect for exploring for a few sunny hours. Take a picnic with you to savour while you overlook Perth city and the Swan River. [caption id="attachment_621560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petition.[/caption] LET'S DO THIS: WHEN TO GO Like the majority of Australian destinations, to get the best out of them, you want to visit during summer. With an annual average of 25 degrees though, Perth is a sure thing for eternal sunshine. It's from November to April when this city really turns it on so if you can manage a long weekend around the Perth Fringe Festival or the Perth International Arts Festival you'll see Perth in its shining glory.
Sydney's CBD has landed a major dose of the Tokyo-esque practical and compact, with the former Bar Century space reopening in May as The Capsule Hotel, a three-storey, luxury boutique stay. The George Street cheap drinks den, which closed in 2016, was taken over by developer Walter Guo, who invested a massive $5 million on a full interior refurb, carried out by interior design consultants Giant Design. The heritage building has somewhat retained its vintage fit-out but with more of a nod to the futuristic space-like capsules of The Fifth Element. The bar and hotel are running as separate entities, with the first two levels acting as The Century Bar, while the top three floors of the building are dedicated to the capsules. Each of the 70 capsules contains a large flatscreen TV and entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and a climate control panel. Guests can choose from single or deluxe beds with entry from either the side or the end of the capsule. The communal facilities include a kitchen space, breakfast bar, lounge area, rooftop terrace and individual bathrooms. If you're worried about security, don't be — each capsule is fitted with a secure lock and the security desk runs 24-hours. But let's set the record straight — The Century is not a hostel, and it's not aimed at overindulgent locals that can't seem to make it back home. "The accommodation, which is not quite hotel nor hostel, is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpackers and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget," says Christopher Wilks, an associate at Giant Design. It's set to sit well within your budget, with prices ranging from $50-90 a night. Which, depending on how far from the CBD you live, could be a lot cheaper than a cab home at 1am. Find The Capsule Hotel at Level 3, 640 George Street, Sydney. For bookings, head to the website or call (02) 8957 7763.
It's Friday night and you're in the mood to binge on pork dumplings, but before you reach for a cold beer or glass of wine to wash down those hot, juicy pockets of joy, consider cracking open a bottle of champagne. You may have noticed a rise in the number of pink champagnes in your local bottle shop, and that's because this bubbly booze is a surprisingly versatile drink, even with the most flavoursome dishes. We've partnered with the pioneers of rosé champagne, Moët & Chandon, to bring you a list of unusual dishes to try the next time you're popping open a bottle of pink — from delicate wagyu beef carpaccio to simpler summer-ready salads. As rosé champagne is crafted from three of Champagne's grape varieties — pinot noir, chardonnay and meunier — it's one of the best quality rosé champagnes to purchase for your next dinner party. Take some inspiration and go wild with your own menu pairings — this French fizz complements many a feast. [caption id="attachment_759771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mariha Kitchen[/caption] WAGYU BEEF CARPACCIO WITH JUNIPER BERRIES For an unlikely but heavenly marriage of texture and flavour, try wagyu beef carpaccio dressed with juniper berries. The red meat will give you that boisterous protein hit and the slightly sweet, slightly spiced addition of juniper berries is a fantastic complement to the pinot noir notes of rosé champagne. And, as raw meat rarely has pronounced tannins, this is the perfect meal for when you're craving red meat but don't want to spoil the wild strawberry and raspberry notes in a good bottle of bubbly. [caption id="attachment_759773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lilechka75[/caption] BEETROOT RISOTTO WITH TALEGGIO CHEESE AND PINK PEPPERCORNS This is one of those pairings that looks as good as it tastes — it's pink and purple with a glossy rich glow from the risotto. The subtle sweet character of the beetroot and the richness of the creamy Italian taleggio cheese are incredibly well-suited to a bottle of crisp rosé champagne as the vibrancy and the acid in the wine cuts through the creaminess. Plus, the addition of pink peppercorns gives the dish a gentle spice that can open up the flavours of any glass of wine. If it's true what they say — that anything with a little pink pigment is perfect for pink bubbly — then this dish is proof. [caption id="attachment_759782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Turzak[/caption] MOROCCAN LAMB STEW WITH ROAST SUMAC Slow cooking meat, such as lamb, tends to mellow out the tannins in the meat, giving you really tender, slightly sweet meat that's very welcoming to the crisper style of rosé. Try Moroccan lamb stew with roasted sumac for a hearty dish that's an unlikely, yet delicious, match with rosé champagne. The lamb pairs with the dry notes of the wine, plus the gentle spice of the sumac brings out the aromatic elements of the rosé champagne. It's sure to create a whole new flavour experience that's an impressive flex for your next dinner party. [caption id="attachment_749216" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Duck & Rice; Steven Woodburn[/caption] DIM SUM As a rule, any kind of pastry is an excellent companion to champagne, but fatty and salty snacks like dumplings and spring rolls aren't well known companions for pink fizz. Introduce a light rosé champagne to your next dim sum feast of pork or prawn dumplings and it'll open your mind to a world of underrated matches for your new favourite bubbly. Salty-sweet pork and buttery prawns wrapped in pillowy dough couldn't ask for a better partner than a crisp glass of rosé champagne to give a sensation of freshening the palate. [caption id="attachment_617490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NOLA Smokehouse[/caption] KINGFISH CEVICHE WITH PINK GRAPEFRUIT Seafood is a longtime friend of sparkling wine, and while champagne might go great with smoked salmon, rosé champagne is destined for top-end ceviche. The fattiness of kingfish ceviche with the fruity acidity of pink grapefruit makes for a party dish well matched to a robust rosé champagne, such as Moët & Chandon's Rosé Impérial, which has gooseberry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes. For a little kick, add a chilli dressing to really brighten the whole experience. Much like the rosé champagne itself, this pairing packs a big punch but always finishes with a fresh taste in your mouth. [caption id="attachment_759780" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Z Kruger[/caption] MORETON BAY BUGS WITH GARLIC BUTTER This is one of those dishes that is difficult to pair with wine, simply because it's so good on its own. With a buttery sweetness, Moreton Bay bugs need the strength and complexity of a wine big enough to really match it in richness without ruining the lobster-like flavour. Rosé champagne is that complementary partner. The creaminess of the garlic butter is mellowed by the acidity in the rosé, and the dry notes of the champagne go well with the soft-sweet juiciness of the bugs. [caption id="attachment_759786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarsmis[/caption] WATERMELON AND FETA SALAD For a super-simple summer salad, we suggest marrying a subtly sweet watermelon to a briny feta cheese. Try building your salad at a picnic location to keep the flavours as fresh as possible, and remember to bring an ice bucket for the pink champagne. The fresh and healthy salad is an effortless match for a crisp glass of rosé champagne, as the wine's natural fruit characters, minerality and acidity pairs well with light fruit-based dishes. Moët & Chandon's Rosé Impérial is a fruity and elegant champagne with gooseberry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes. Find out more here. Top image: Oriental Teahouse.
Lavish locations just screaming to fill Instagram feeds, wealthy clientele whiling away their hours in luxury, a significant chasm between the haves and the have nots: that's the setup behind two star-studded new miniseries that've hit streaming queues in the past month. Indeed, with The White Lotus just wrapping up its first season, Nine Perfect Strangers' arrival couldn't be better timed. TV fans can farewell the former's Hawaii-set dramas — and its biting sense of humour, savage insights into class disparities and spot-on dissection of societal inequities — and then step into this Byron Bay-shot thriller on Amazon Prime Video. Saying goodbye to the familiar and welcoming all things new sits at the heart of Nine Perfect Strangers, actually. That's because the same notions linger at the core of the wellness industry, too. In a field that's all about helping people find their bliss, any hard-earned sense of contentment tends to stem from letting go of baggage, moving past previous traumas and appreciating yourself for who you are — and often doing so in the types of spaces that'll make you forget the real world exists anyway. That's why Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman, The Prom) has established Tranquillum House, and why the eponymous group of newcomers have sought its sprawling expanse. Each of the latter wants to break free of their troubles, and the former and her offsiders Delilah (Tiffany Boone, Hunters) and Yao (Manny Jacinto, The Good Place) are eager to assist. But there's a reason that this eight-part series keeps gazing at brightly coloured smoothies quite often, and it isn't just because that's what's on Masha's menu. Tranquillum House carefully curates each intake of paradise-seeking customers. In the case of school teacher Napoleon Marconi (Michael Shannon, Knives Out), his wife Heather (Asher Keddie, Rams) and their 20-year-old daughter Zoe (Grace Van Patten, Under the Silver Lake), Masha is even willing to drastically reduce the fee. She's mixing in the right ingredients — people who arrive broken and ready to be swirled around — and trying to perfect the recipe for everyone. Also arriving with this cohort: best-selling novelist Frances Welty (Melissa McCarthy, Thunder Force), who is having both personal and professional crises; Tony Hogburn (Bobby Cannavale, Superintelligence), who doesn't like having his pills taken away from him; and influencer Jessica Chandler (Samara Weaving, Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins) and her husband Ben (Melvin Gregg, The United States vs Billie Holiday), whose marriage could use a new start. Then there's the newly divorced and still bitter Carmel Schneider (Regina Hall, Breaking News in Yuba County), plus exposé-courting journalist Lars Lee (Luke Evans, Crisis). Masha has brought all of these strangers together to talk out their problems, laze by the pool and soak in the natural splendour — with Byron Bay doubling for California — but it's immediately obvious that her intentions aren't quite that straightforward. Nine Perfect Strangers draws out its mysteries; however, it also lets its audience start guessing from the outset. Casting Kidman as a Russian-accented wellness guru who wades in and out of her clients' days at random, and also happens to be getting death threats via text messages, will do that. Complete with ice-blonde locks, it's a part she inhabits well, in her latest TV performance following Big Little Lies and The Undoing, and her third project after those two fellow miniseries with writer/showrunner David E Kelley. Playing a character first penned on the page by Liane Moriarty, the author behind Big Little Lies as well, it's a showcase performance — and here, her reliably inscrutable expression conveys magnetism, power and a succeed-at-all costs level of determination. Nine Perfect Strangers is an ensemble piece, however — and, when it comes to the narrative, thankfully so. It's the time spent with its full suite of characters that makes the series gripping, even though it's the thriller elements that keep viewers instantly wanting to press play on each new episode. As the show keeps teasing what Masha is really up to, who's after her and what's in her past, it finds just as many questions within Tranquillum's other residents, because that's just how humans tick. Everyone has their subplots, and their pasts, and the script by Kelley and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari) is all the more compelling when it's unpacking as many stories as possible stories. Everyone seeks bliss, too, even when they're not paying through the teeth to do so, and everyone has struggles and secrets holding them back. Kidman perfects her central role, but three of her big-name co-stars are just as impressive — and often more so. Shannon's usually forceful energy jostles behind an everyman exterior, giving Napoleon's affable air an always-perceptible edge. It's a stellar stroke of casting, especially given that the Marconis have sought Tranquillum's services to help cope with heartbreaking grief. McCarthy turns in her best work since her Oscar-nominated performance in the phenomenal Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and layers the distress of someone whose life keeps taking unwanted turns over Frances' flowing wardrobe. She's at her strongest opposite the impeccably haunted Cannavale, unsurprisingly. Now working on their fourth collaboration following the aforementioned Thunder Force and Superintelligence, and also Spy, the pair cycle from antagonism and comfort via everything in-between, and give Nine Perfect Strangers its most compelling double act. Directing every episode, filmmaker Jonathan Levine (Long Shot, Snatched, The Night Before) lets his stars play to their strengths, and it works. As lensed by cinematographer Yves Bélanger (another Big Little Lies alum), he also sees the show's glitzy setting with the eye of someone who appreciates how it glimmers, and how brightly, but isn't willing to lose themselves to that shine shine. That's Nine Perfect Strangers' approach overall — it doesn't sink its teeth in as firmly as The White Lotus, but it isn't here to just to play along with its chosen world either. And, in the process, it knows how to lure its audience in and keep them watching. Check out the trailer below: The first three episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Friday, August 20, with new episodes dropping weekly afterwards. Images: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.
Camel racing in Oman. Whale diving in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. A sauna at 2800 meters high in the heart of Dolomites. Chances are, without the world's top tier traveling shutterbugs, we'd never get to see these weird and wonderful parts of our eclectic, beautiful world. Luckily, globally-acknowledged cornerstone of publicising places-you've-never-been National Geographic brings the world's best travel photographers together, all vying for the prestigious blue ribbon in the annual National Geographic Traveller Photo Contest. This year, Nat Geo's Photo Contest judges reviewed nearly 18,000 photographs — and these ten are the top of the crop. Photographers entered their works into four categories: Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. Have a flick through, we're pretty sure you'll be making at least one of these your desktop wallpaper immediately. Images: National Geographic.
Browsing for arts and crafts, stopping for a bite to eat, checking out live performances — sounds like quite the itinerary, doesn't it? Forget running around town to fit everything in, however, with this list of activities all on offer at this year's BrisAsia Bazaar. A one-night market within the broader BrisAsia Festival program, the event includes handicraft stalls, roving performances and plenty of food. That's what Brisbanites will find at on the corner of Station Road and Turton Street from 5–9pm on Saturday, February 6. While the stall lineup is yet to be revealed, this fest doesn't do anything in a small way, so consider your evening plans sorted. Entry is free, although you'll want to bring your wallet so that you can fill your shopping bags (and your stomach).
If last summer was the summer of seltzer, we're ready to call the upcoming season the summer of canned cocktails. And if the seltzer wave showed us anything, it was that convenience will almost always win out over taste. So the next natural step? A convenient sip that tastes great. Here at CP, we think the espresso martini is an ideal canned candidate. The frothy, caffeine-infused libation holds a special place in the cocktail canon. While it's not considered a classic in the traditional sense — legend has it that it was created in the 1980s by a London bartender who was asked by a young female patron for something that would "wake me up, and then fuck me up" — a case could certainly be made that it is perhaps the most influential of cocktails. Think of the last time you had one when you were out and about — chances are, you spotted someone else with one in hand and decided it would be a good idea to have one yourself. Then, your crew decided it would be a good idea too, and so did the crew next to yours, and all of a sudden it was espresso martinis all round. Does any other cocktail have this kind of effect on people, friends and strangers alike? Unlikely. Beloved though it is, the espresso martini is notoriously tedious to make. Enter Mr Black — that equally beloved Australian producer of the eponymous coffee liqueur — which is bringing your dreams of espresso martini o'clock that much closer to reality with its new canned version. This velvety smooth blend of Mr Black, vodka and cold brew arabica coffee is supercharged with nitrogen, meaning that just a couple of shakes is all it takes to have a picture-perfect pour every time. The only question: where will you be having your canned, ready-to-serve espresso martini this summer? We've asked our editors for how they'll be enjoying theirs, so read on for inspo on how to drink yours. [caption id="attachment_872385" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT A DINNER PARTY A beautifully set table, salty snacks to start, multiple courses, delightful company: the recipe for a stellar dinner party. Honestly, I'll live a happy life if it's filled with good food and good company. Add an expertly balanced espresso martini — that sits pretty in the fridge till the minute I want its frothy topped pour in my hand — and we're talking peak enjoyment. Whether you're hosting or attending, you'd be a goose to miss a minute of the tableside vibes. Measuring nips and the risk of spills? Trust me, stay seated with a coffee-laden tinny. Be it for the ease of the sip or the few extra hits of caffeine you'll squeeze into your day. (Or, level up the experience with a martini glass kept icy in the freezer till the second you're ready for it — a serve that's still miles easier than the 'real' deal.) Grace MacKenzie, Branded Content Manager [caption id="attachment_871106" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL For the first time since 2019, festival season is here. I had the privilege of enjoying a couple of espresso martinis at this year's Festival of the Sun, taking full advantage of the fest's BYO policy to enjoy a cold can of Mr Black in the campsite before heading off to catch Middle Kids. If you're heading to any of this summer's BYO events — whether that's Victoria's Meredith Music Festival or Jungle Love in Queensland — I highly recommend doing the same. If you're not one for camping, you could also pick up a four-pack of espresso martinis to enjoy as the perfect pre-festival tipple for any one-day gatherings you might be heading to. You best believe I'll be cracking a can before catching Fred again.. at Laneway, TISM at Good Things and the Boiler Room stage at Mode Festival on Cockatoo Island. Ben Hansen, Junior Editor [caption id="attachment_872384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT A GAMES NIGHT My friends and I are not the types to stay out late — we prefer a reserved night of dignified card games that, inevitably, devolve into screaming at each other over a Monopoly board. Personally, I find that the tactical and economic strategies of board games need an energised and level head. That's when a good espresso martini comes in handy. But, why bother making one when I can keep an emergency reserve in my fridge? That way, there's more time for me to clearly present my case as to why I should be the new owner of the Kings Cross Station card. Alec Jones, Junior Writer [caption id="attachment_872387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jael Rodriguez (Unsplash)[/caption] ON A HOT-GIRL WALK The post-work, summer-evening hot-girl* cocktail walk is a wordy but delightful concept I now have down to an artform — after years of practice — so let me share my secrets. This divine intersection between exercise and cocktail hour is a way to decompress after work and celebrate summer — while still hitting those steps, getting a little fresh air and soaking up some Vitamin D. I like to pop a chilled canned espresso martini or two into my fanny pack, along with sunglasses, keys and phone (tip: this one from Kmart is the perfect size), and trot along with a friend discussing the week's scandals. If possible, find a nearby hill to scoot up so that when you reach the peak, you're perfectly glowing for golden hour. (We are always glowing darling, sweating). Find a grassy spot to park up, crack your bevvies, watch the sunset and cheers to being healthy — but not too healthy. That's balance, baby. *hot-boy and general hottie walks also firmly encouraged, all other aspects remain the same. Sarah Templeton, Aotearoa New Zealand Editor [caption id="attachment_872388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT HOME WITH A GOOD BOOK For me, one of the few good things that came out of two years in and out of lockdown was the discovery that I really appreciate my own company. And maybe it's a sign that I'm getting older, but I've come to realise that solo time can be a genuine indulgence. My favourite way to spend time on my own: switching off my phone and sitting down with a good book for an uninterrupted afternoon of losing myself in a fictional world of my own choosing. This process will also involve making myself a fresh pot of coffee in my French press and taking long, slow sips — but, next time I'll be trading out the beans for a velvety smooth and perfectly frothy espresso martini poured from the can. This way, I can get the caffeine buzz I need with far less effort and a little extra kick — I'm already indulging after all, so I may as well go all out. Nik Addams, Branded Content Manager For more info on Mr Black Espresso Martini, head to the website. Top image: Declan Blackall
When your artistic career spans more then five decades, that usually means one of two things: either you've become rather good at something in particular, or you've tried it all. In Gerhard Richter's case, it's fair to say that both and neither apply. That is, he's exceptional at many different methods of putting paint on a canvas. In the first major exhibition of his work in Australia, Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images assembles more than 90 of his pieces from the past 50 years-plus to demonstrate the extent of the German artist's talents. First, witness the trademark blur of his photo-like paintings, which result from using soft brushes to whip up versions of projected snaps. Then, view his abstract efforts layered over images of extermination camps. In between, gaze at portraits, landscapes, photographs, sketches, collages and cuttings. Running from October 14 to February 4, the end result provides an insight not only into Richter's phenomenal work, but into his process. To help with delving into the latter, the program also includes two documentaries that will alternate each weekend. Image: Gerhard Richter; Germany b.1932. Ella (903-1) 2007. Oil on canvas. 40 x 31cm. Private Collection © Gerhard Richter 2017
UPDATE, June 23: Due to the unsurprisingly overwhelming demand for tickets, a handful of new dates have just been added to The Presets' tour, with new shows bound for Torquay, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. This article has been updated to reflect that change. See the full list of dates below for all the details. When you've spent two decades doing something you love, turning it into a career and enjoying phenomenal success with it, you're allowed to get nostalgic about how things began. Back in February, The Presets did just that, returning to the Sydney venue where they started out for a one-night-only rave-cave gig. The Club 77 club set clearly struck a chord with Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, so much so that it's no longer a once-off. Across more than 20 shows, the duo will be taking things back to where they all began again, playing small clubs and bars around the country from July–October. The tour is set to kick off in Victoria, then head through Queensland and pinball between New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, too. So, fans can catch The Presets at venues such as Frankston's Pier Bandroom, Friday's Riverside in Brisbane, Magnums Hotel in Airlie Beach and the Dee Why RSL in Sydney. If you've seen the duo bust out their festival sets across Australia and the world, or their audiovisual-heavy own solo shows, that isn't what you're in for this time around. "We've been lucky enough to play the biggest stages and festivals in the world over the past 20 years," explains Moyes, announcing the tour. "But nothing compares to the buck-wild intensity of an intimate party. They are an entirely different beast and we can't wait to unleash over these 20 nights." "DJing in small clubs is a whole different experience to performing our usual live show on the big stage with the lights and visuals and things like that," adds Hamilton. "It is more freewheeling and immediate — we feed off the energy of the crowd, weaving our own tracks in with classic jams by our favourite artists. So it's a 20 years celebration of not only our music, but also all the incredible tunes that inspire us. Plus we get a chance to throw in a few unreleased surprises too." Expect hits from The Presets' hefty back catalogue, tracks you've never heard before and also different handpicked special guests each night. Who'll join the duo is yet to be revealed. As well as celebrating where their time as The Presets began, plus giving tracks like 'My People', 'Are You the One?', 'This Boy's in Love' and 'Talk Like That' a whirl, the aim is to make each night a completely different experience. Go hard then go home, obviously. THE PRESETS DJ TOUR: 20 YEARS. 20 NIGHTS. Thursday, July 13 — Torquay Hotel, Torquay — NEW Friday, July 14 — Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave — SOLD OUT Saturday, July 15 — Pier Bandroom, Frankston — SOLD OUT Thursday, July 20 — Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Friday, July 21 — Friday's Riverside, Brisbane — SOLD OUT Saturday, July 22 — Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra — SOLD OUT Friday, July 28 — Burleigh Bazaar, Gold Coast Saturday, July 29 — C.EX, Coffs Harbour Friday, August 4 — Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay Saturday, August 5 — Drifters Wharf, Central Coast — SOLD OUT Thursday, August 10 — Gilligan's, Cairns Friday, August 11 — Kirwan Tavern (outdoors), Townsville Saturday, August 12 — Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach Friday, August 18 — Beer Deluxe, Albury Saturday, August 19 — Torquay Hotel, Torquay — SOLD OUT Friday, August 25 — UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong — SOLD OUT Saturday, August 26 — Kambri Anu, Canberra Wednesday, August 30 — The Station, Perisher Thursday, August 31 — Miranda Hotel, Sydney — NEW Friday, September 1 — Miranda Hotel, Sydney — SOLD OUT Saturday, September 2 — Dee Why RSL, Sydney — SOLD OUT Sunday, September 3 — Dee Why RSL, Sydney — NEW Sunday, September 7 — The Espy, Melbourne — NEW Saturday, September 9 — Monsoons, Darwin Saturday, September 16 - The Espy, Melbourne — SOLD OUT Saturday, October 21 — Freo Social, Fremantle — NEW The Presets are touring Australia from July–October 2023. For more information and tickets, head to their website. Top image: Ben Sullivan.
Call that friend who dreams of being a ship captain: if they have a boat licence, they can now take you cruising on the Brisbane River on one of GoBoat's picnic boats. The Denmark-born company has announced a new addition to its River City fleet, launching premium vessels that it's calling GoBoat+. They're faster, feature a ship's wheel and require that certification before anyone can start steering. Since first getting sailing in Brisbane in 2021 — and hitting the water in Canberra, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney either before or around that time, too — GoBoat's whole angle has been electric picnic boats that anyone can operate. That's meant leisurely voyages for eight folks, and your dog, in slow-moving vessels that are easy to use and don't need a licence. Now, the company's range of experiences is expanding. Brisbane has been chosen for GoBoat+'s debut due to "its connectivity to the city and its waterways, and the demand for unique experiences on the river," the company advises. In an Australian first, GoBoat+'s boats are more powerful and cruise at three times the speed, all thanks to a six-kilowatt motor. The company notes that getting from its Breakfast Creek base to the Story Bridge will take around an hour. Made in Brisbane by Cruise Craft Boats, and launching on Friday, December 1 to kick off summer, the new vessels can still seat eight — and pets also remain welcome. And the cost: $499 for a three-hour journey. There'll also soon be a solution if you're keen on the new concept, with its levelled-up fitout, custom cushions, centre console steering and five-knots maximum speed, but you don't have a boat licence — or a mate with one. In 2024, GoBoat is starting training courses via the new GoBoat Academy, which'll operate at Breakfast Creek, delivering both boat and jet ski licensing. "We are so proud to launch our new vessel GoBoat+ in time for the summer period, with more exciting additions to come in 2024," said GoBoat Owner and Managing Director Nick Tyrrell. "We know there is strong appetite for locals and visitors to make use of the Brisbane River and, with a more powerful motor and the opportunity to travel from Breakfast Creek to the Story Bridge in around an hour, we are confident this offering will provide something special for those looking for a step up from the standard GoBoat experience," Tyrrell continued. "Come early 2024 with the launch of GoBoat Academy, locals will have the chance to obtain their boat licence in the heart of the inner city, instead of travelling upwards of 30-minutes north or south of the river." GoBoat+ launches in Brisbane on Friday, December 1 — for further details and to book, head to the company's website.
Ten-year anniversaries are traditionally celebrated with tin, but fantastic NZ designer Karen Walker has no time for such banalities. To mark ten unconventional years in the eyewear game, she has released the 'Celebrate' collection, entirely done in gold. If they look like lavish versions of what's come before, well, that's exactly what they are. Each style is an iconic favourite from a previous year's collection. So there's 2005's Annie, earlier seen on this vampire; 2013's Northern Lights, earlier seen on this grande dame; and 2012's Number One, earlier seen on this balloon. The metal frames have been encased in a clear epoxy resin, making them look like solid gold. But you'll be looking more Greek island hopper, less Daft Punk member thanks to the warm, amber-brown mirrored lenses, which is what's really elevating these golden oldies to the next level. Here's to another ten years of taking loud, playful and sometimes silly risks on our faces, and another ten years of waiting to see who/what will model Karen Walker's designs next. Check out the festive campaign for Celebrate, shot by Derek Kettela, below. To see out the full collection or just dive in and buy, head to the Karen Walker Eyewear website. Each style is priced at NZ$399 ($358) and is in store from October 9.
Australia is continuing to ramp up the nation's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, with significant impacts on both mass gatherings and international travel. After banning events with more than 500 people last week, the government has now increased that ban to all non-essential events with more than 100 people. And, after imposing a mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirement for all arrivals into the country (which came into effect on Monday, March 16), Australians are now being told not to travel full-stop. In his latest press conference on the topic at 9am AEDT on Wednesday, March 18 — following the latest meeting of Australia's new coronavirus national cabinet last night — Prime Minister Scott Morrison put the travel restrictions bluntly. "The advice to all Australians is do not travel abroad," he announced. As part of the effective international travel ban — which is in effect indefinitely and, like other measures currently put in place, is expected to last at least six months — travel advice for Australians is now at level four for the first time in the country's history. It applies to absolutely everywhere in the world, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smart Traveller website has been updated to reflect the advice. The latest move comes after the government also advised last night that all Australians currently overseas should return to the country immediately. "If you wish to return home, do so as soon as possible," the Smart Traveller site now states. Adding extra urgency for Aussies abroad are the current changes within the airline industry, with flights by Australian airlines being slashed significantly. Qantas and Jetstar have cut their international flights by 90 percent until at least the end of May, and Virgin Australia this morning announced that it will suspend all international flights from March 30. Also in this morning's announcement, the Prime Minister said that "domestic air travel is low risk" at present, with no restrictions put in place by the government. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia's reductions will affect flights within Australia, however — Qantas and Jetstar are cutting domestic services by 60 percent, while Virgin is doing so by 50 percent. Still within the country, he Prime Minister advised that Australians should not travel to remote Indigenous communities, which fall into the sensitive, high-risk category that the government is aiming to protect with its current mass-gatherings ban. Australians are also still implored to continue to take social distancing measures, including staying home as much as possible, staying 1.5 metres from anyone else if you do go out and refraining from social physical contact such as shaking hands. For more information about DFAT's travel restrictions and current advice, visit the Smart Traveller 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. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
We made it through 2020. We're in the throes of a new year, with two months of summer still ahead of us. The holidays are done and dusted, and as we get back into the swing of work it can be easy to get swept up in all the chaos and miss out on the good stuff — like outdoor cinemas, gigs, beer festivals and food pop-ups. It's time to make the most of the summertime events you probably meant to check out in 2020 but didn't. New year, new you. And that means getting outside and embracing the best of Brisbane life. Here are seven things to do this summer and autumn to help lift your mood. Get out there and enjoy it.
Everybody loves a good food pairing, and Belgium has one of the best: moules and frites. Think of it as the fancier version of the Aussie favourite that is fish and chips — because the fact that seafood and potato go well together is something that every nation clearly knows. Throw in a cold brew, and it's heaven in a meal. It's also on the menu at Brewski's returning Moules & Frites & Biére festival, which takes over the Petrie Terrace bar for a whole weekend — across Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5 this year. That's two days of mussels, fries and beer served up in abundance, making for quite the tasty weekend meal. Given all things Belgian are in the spotlight for festival, that extends to the tipples flowing through the taps, with various types on offer. Breweries such as Cantillon, Lindemans, Wildflower, Oud Beersel, Croft Brewing, St Bernardus, Saison DuPont, De Ranke, MayDay Hills, The Bruery and Holgate are all likely to get a look-in — and last year's lineup also included Belgian-style offerings from Australia, the US and New Zealand as well.
If I were to present you with a map and ask you to direct me somewhere, you'd say something along the lines of "Huh? Where's the GPS on this piece of paper?" I am universally acknowledged as being useless when it comes to directions. I will frequently ask people to turn left, then yell "no! I meant the other left!" For this reason my friends forbid me to offer any form of direction on any means of transport and have been known to resort to violent swearing. I use Google Maps every day. But never have I been lost and resorted to an actual map. Google Maps rules the field of location and direction these days. People Finders connect you with others during times of disaster, Street Art View allows you to tag art from around the world, and with a new and improved view you can take a virtual stroll through the streets of Stockholm and Mexico City. An oversized and confusing piece of paper simply can't compete. Now, a series of collages entitled Map Works by American artist Matthew Cusick have taken what has essentially become a dead medium and turned those maps into beautiful and intricate collages. By rescuing them from the landfill and thrusting them into the retro-chic realm of cassette tapes and typewriters, it's work like this which will make us appreciate old-fashioned maps in years to come.
Start making spring plans: the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has locked in exactly when you'll be able to frolic surrounded by blooms and blossoms at the beloved festival in 2024. The event will turn 75 this year, but is set to start its celebrations a bit later than in recent years. Accordingly, you'll be waiting a couple of weeks into September, rather than kicking off the season with a trip west of Brisbane. As it has since 2021, the event will brighten up the Darling Downs city for a more than just a couple of weeks, although this year's festival doesn't span a full month. But, after starting on Friday, September 13, it will end on Monday, October 7 — which is a Queensland public holiday. The setup, as usual, will feature flowers as far as the eye can see. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will also attempt to break its attendance record — again. That occurred in 2022, with 364,775 people making a visit, and then again when 417,517 folks went along in 2023. "Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a very special event — for four weeks in spring, it attracts more than 400,000 people to celebrate the 40-million-plus petals blooming across the city's parks," said Councillor James O'Shea, Chair of the Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Services Committee. "Like its well-tended gardens, the event continues to bloom, and in 2024 will celebrate 75 years. We are thrilled that more attendance and revenue records have been broken at last year's event, as people from all over Australia and internationally, converged on our Garden City," O'Shea continued. The 2024 program won't be revealed until Thursday, March 28; however, garden lovers can look forward to blossoms and floral displays galore, as always. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers takes over a variety of locations — including Laurel Bank Park and the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park — to showcase all of the gorgeous florets and growths and gardens around town, kaleidoscopic arrays of tulips, petunias and poppies included. 2023's fest also spanned everything from twilight tours to a succulent festival, plus a ferris wheel, bonsai show, a heap of strolls across Toowoomba, a sideshow alley filled with games, the dog-friendly Petals and Pups program, a cinema under the stars, three nights of fireworks and the three-day Festival of Food and Wine. It boasted the #trEATS regional food trail, too, which showcases local eateries, and sees participating cafes, restaurants and bars serve up floral-inspired dishes. Whatever ends up on the 2024 lineup, there's no bad time to head along throughout from mid-September to mid-October — and you might want to make the trek more than once. Indeed, when it comes to scenic spring sights, there's no prettier place to be. And, given it takes less than two hours to head up the mountain from Brisbane, it's perfect for a weekend day trip. The 2024 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will run Friday, September 13–Monday, October 7 across Toowoomba. For further information, head to the event's website.
Think there's just one Hottest 100 in January? Think again. The second important countdown of the month actually goes rather well with the music poll that just proclaimed 'Heat Waves' by Glass Animals the nation's best track of 2020 — and picked Mashd N Kutcher's Daniel Andrews-inspired 'Get on the Beers' as the 12th most popular song of the past 12 months. In the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers list, great brews are in the spotlight. And, just like its music counterpart, a worthy victor has come out on top. That'd be Bentspoke Brewing Co, with the Canberra brewery taking out the top spot with its Crankshaft American IPA. In doing so, it bested Stone & Wood's Pacific Ale, the winner of the 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2019 polls, which was named this year's second-placed brew — as well as 2017 and 2018 winner Balter Brewing Company, which came in third. Bentspoke had five beers in the top 100 list in total, which is clearly something to toast to — also coming in tenth for its Barley Griffin Australian Pale Ale, 15th for its Sprocket American IPA, 19th for its Cluster 8 Imperial IPA and 32nd for its Red Nut Red IPA. Reacting to the news, head brewer and co-owner Richard Watkins said that everyone at Bentspoke was "blown away that our small independent brewery from Canberra can take Crankshaft to the number one spot in Australia's biggest beer poll. Crankshaft holds a very special place in our hearts as one of our original beers on tap when we first opened in Canberra in 2014. We are thrilled with the support for Crankshaft from Canberra and around Australia." Clearly, plenty of folks sipped more than a few brews throughout 2020. Run by GABS — or the annual festival also known as the 'Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular' — the countdown is a people's choice poll decided by booze-lovers around the country. Now in its 13th year, almost 40,000 voters took part this time round, a new record. Elsewhere on the list, 15 brews that first wet lips in the past year were included in the GABS Hottest 100, and a whopping 85 percent of the beers on the list are made by independently owned breweries. If you're particularly keen on either, GABS has also released rundowns of the Hottest 100 New Craft Beers and the Hottest 100 Indie Craft Beers (those owned independently) plus the next 100 from the main countdown. If you're thinking "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Your Mates, Black Hops, Ballistic, another appearance by Balter, Bridge Road and Young Henry's round out the top ten, while Kaiju!, 4 Pines, Philter, Modus Operandi, Stomping Ground, Heads of Noosa, Gage Roads, Grifter, Hawke's, Mountain Goat and Pirate Life are among the other brands featured. Working your way through the whole 100 isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews, either — consider it research for the 2021 countdown. GABS HOTTEST 100 AUSSIE CRAFT BEERS OF 2020: 1. Bentspoke 'Crankshaft' (American IPA) ACT 2. Stone & Wood 'Pacific Ale' (Australian pale ale) NSW 3. Balter 'XPA' (Extra pale ale) QLD 4. Your Mates 'Larry' (Australian pale ale) QLD 5. Black Hops 'G.O.A.T.' (New England IPA) QLD 6. Ballistic 'Hawaiian Haze' (Hazy pale ale) QLD 7. Balter 'Hazy' (Hazy IPA) QLD 8. Bridge Road 'Beechworth Pale Ale' (American pale ale) VIC 9. Young Henrys 'Newtowner' (Australian pale ale) NSW 10. Bentspoke 'Barley Griffin' (Australian pale ale) ACT 11. Kaiju! 'Krush!' (Extra pale ale) VIC 12. Feral 'Biggie Juice' (New England IPA) WA 13. Capital 'Capital XPA' (Extra pale ale) ACT NEW 14. Capital 'Coast Ale' (California Common) ACT 15. Bentspoke 'Sprocket' (American IPA) ACT 16. Black Hops 'Pale Ale' (Australian pale ale) QLD 17. Black Hops 'Hornet' (American IPA) QLD 18. Beerfarm 'Royal Haze' (Hazy IPA) WA 19. Bentspoke 'Cluster 8' (Imperial IPA) ACT 20. 4 Pines 'Pacific Ale' (Australian pale ale) NSW 21. Philter 'XPA' (Australian pale ale) NSW 22. Balter 'IPA' (American IPA) QLD 23. Modus Operandi 'Modus XPA' (Extra pale ale) NSW NEW 24. Balter 'Captain Sensible' (American pale ale) QLD 25. 10 Toes 'Pipeline' (Australian pale ale) QLD 26. Burleigh 'Twisted Palm' (Australian pale ale) QLD 27. Stomping Ground 'Gipps St Pale Ale' (American pale ale) VIC 28. Your Mates 'Sally' (American IPA) QLD 29. Moon Dog 'Old Mate' (American pale ale) VIC 30. 4 Pines 'Pale Ale' (American pale ale) NSW 31. Big Shed 'Boozy Fruit' (New England IPA) SA 32. Bentspoke 'Red Nut' (Red IPA) ACT 33. Stone & Wood 'Cloud Catcher' (Australian pale ale) NSW 34. Gage Roads 'Single Fin' (Australian pale ale) WA 35. Modus Operandi 'Modus Pale' (American pale ale) NSW 36. Colonial 'Pale Ale' (American pale ale) WA/VIC 37. Heads Of Noosa 'Japanese Lager' (Pale lager) QLD 38. Modus Operandi 'Sonic Prayer' (American IPA) NSW 39. Ballistic 'Oaked XPA' (Extra pale ale) QLD 40. Grifter 'Pale' (Australian pale ale) NSW 41. Hop Nation 'J-Juice' (New England IPA) VIC 42. Black Hops 'Super Hornet' (Imperial IPA) QLD 43. Brick Lane 'One Love' (Australian pale ale) VIC 44. Grifter 'Serpents Kiss' (Fruit beer) NSW 45. Modus Operandi 'Former Tenant' (Red IPA) NSW 46. Capital 'Trail Pale Ale' (American pale ale) ACT 47. Akasha 'Hopsmith' (American IPA) NSW 48. Capital 'Rock Hopper' (American IPA) ACT 49. Black Hops 'Neverland' (Hazy IPA) QLD NEW 50. Black Hops 'Caribbean Haze' (Hazy IPA) QLD 51. Balter 'Dry Haze' (Hazy IPA) QLD NEW 52. Cronulla Beer Co 'Next Level XPA' (Australian pale ale) NSW NEW 53. Brick Lane 'Brick Lane Draught' (Australian pilsner) VIC NEW 54. Dainton 'Blood Orange Neripa' (New England IPA) VIC 55. Ballistic 'Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout' (Sweet stout) QLD 56. Hawke's Brewing 'Hawke's Patio Pale' (American pale ale) NSW 57. Dainton 'Jungle Juice' (Hazy IPA) VIC 58. Black Hops 'Send It' (Blonde ale) QLD 59. Modus Operandi 'Lost In The Fog' (Hazy pale ale) NSW NEW 60. Mountain Goat 'Goat' (Pale lager) VIC 61. Colonial 'South West Sour' (Hoppy sour) WA/VIC 62. Your Mates 'Macca' (Helles lager) QLD 63. Moon Dog 'Splice Of Heaven Pine-Lime' (Milkshake IPA) VIC 64. Brick Lane 'Base Lager' (Helles lager) VIC 65. Ballistic 'Lager' (Classic pilsner) QLD NEW 66. James Squire 'One Fifty Lashes' (Australian pale ale) NSW 67. Hawke's Brewing 'Hawke's Lager' (Australian pilsner) NSW 68. Your Mates 'Donnie' (Dark ale) QLD 69. Little Creatures 'Pale Ale' (American pale ale) WA/VIC 70. Coopers 'XPA' (American pale ale) SA 71. Bridge Road 'Beechy XPA' (Australian pale ale) VIC 72. Capital 'Evil Eye' (Red IPA) ACT 73. Capital 'Hang Loose Juice' (New England IPA) ACT 74. Your Mates 'Eddie' (Session pale ale) QLD NEW 75. Coopers 'Original Pale Ale; (Australian pale ale) SA 76. Burleigh 'Bighead' (Pale lager) QLD 77. Deeds 'Juice Train' (New England IPA) VIC 78. Bridge Road 'Bling' (English IPA) VIC 79. Pirate Life 'South Coast Pale Ale' (American pale ale) SA NEW 80. Colonial 'IPA' (Australian IPA) WA/VIC 81. Dainton 'Supertrooper' (Imperial IPA) VIC 82. Blackman's 'Juicy Banger' (Hoppy lager) VIC 83. Akasha 'Mosaic' (American IPA) NSW 84. Coopers 'Hazy IPA' (Hazy IPA) SA NEW 85. Moon Dog 'Beer Can' (Hoppy lager) VIC 86. Hawkers 'West Coast IPA' (American IPA) VIC 87. Jetty Road 'Pale Ale' (Australian pale ale) VIC 88. 4 Pines 'Amber Ale' (American amber/red) NSW 89. Brick Lane 'Avalanche' (Hazy IPA) VIC NEW 90. 10 Toes 'Culture Kick Sour' (Berliner weisse) QLD NEW 91. Bridge Road 'Little Bling' (Session IPA) VIC 92. Hawke's Brewing 'Hawke's Legend' (Australian IPA) NSW 93. Capital 'Summit Session Ale' (Session pale ale) ACT 94. Hawke's Brewing 'Hawke's Opener' (Australian IPA) NSW NEW 95. Feral 'Hop Hog' (American pale ale) WA 96. Grifter 'Pink Galah' (Kettle sour) NSW 97. Ballistic 'Watermelawn' (Gose) QLD NEW 98. Furphy 'Furphy Refreshing Ale' (Kölsch) VIC 99. Moon Dog 'Lager' (Helles lager) VIC 100. Bad Shepherd 'Peanut Butter Porter' (Porter) VIC For more information about the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2020, head to the GABS website.
With You &Proud is an initiative launched by American Express as part of the brand's ongoing activity as a major sponsor for Sydney WorldPride. The campaign invites Australians to nominate the loved ones in their life who deserve to be celebrated for their support of and commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. If you know a legend who fits the bill, you can nominate them here and go in the running to win a phenomenal WorldPride experience for you and the one you've nominated. Fifteen winners will score a package that includes tickets to the sold-out opening ceremony featuring Kylie (no surname necessary) and Charli XCX, VIP viewing access of the Mardi Gras Parade, and dining and entertainment vouchers at top Sydney venues. Flights and accommodation will also be provided for interstate recipients. So as prizes go, this one is a certified banger. Scroll for the full details. Speaking of certified bangers, it is apt that the campaign is fronted by Lisa and Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas. The mighty pop queens have consistently used their platform to support and celebrate the rights and spirit of the queer community throughout their career. The duo launched their involvement with the following statement: "For Jessie, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for both of us as passionate allies, we're honoured to bring American Express' With You &Proud initiative to life — we can't wait to celebrate this incredible community and share our personal stories of pride together." "Having grown up deeply connected and involved with the LGBTQIA+ community from a young age and creating safe space for all at our shows for 18 years, representing Australia for WorldPride and being part of this incredible initiative will be an absolute personal and career highlight." The Veronicas join NBL player Isaac Humphries and MasterChef alum and beloved food personality Khanh Ong as With You &Proud ambassadors. Full Prize Details Recipient packages will include curated experiences made up from the below: 2x tickets to Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert featuring Kylie Minogue 2x tickets to Kinky Boots performance Double pass Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience Merivale dining experience voucher Saint Peter dining experience voucher 2x Club Cindy Parade viewing passes Hair styling experience or make up experience House of Priscilla voucher for costume shopping Flights and accommodation at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, for interstate travellers Nominations are open until 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday, 29 January. For T&Cs visit the website.
