Vietnamese New Year is upon us for 2025 and, as it does every year, Paddington's Ngon is celebrating. When you're a family-owned neighbourhood Vietnamese eatery that goes big on traditional flavours, but with a fresh twist, this occasion is always going to be a big event — and it clearly is for the Nguyen brothers. This round of festivities focuses on a night of feasting on Saturday, February 1 — aka reason enough to eat, drink and be merry on Given Terrace. Make a date for dinner for the evening and you'll firmly be in New Year's mode. Costing $85, the food menu goes big on family favourites, as the restaurant's cuisine does anyway. So, get ready to tuck into prawn tapioca dumplings, slow-cooked pork, XO fried rice, bo luc lac, ginger chicken and more. Bookings are necessary, and calling or emailing is recommended. The night starts with arrivals at 6pm, with dinner beginning at 6.30pm and lion dances from 8pm.
If you're spending the summer holidays with a group of friends or family, look no further than The Canopy Treehouses to house your tropical getaway. Set among a lush 100-acre property, this place is ideal if you want to steer clear of other holidaymakers as you venture — quite literally — off the beaten track. The two-bedroom Riverfront Treehouses sleep six guests and, as the name suggests, are built on the banks of the river surrounded by ancient rainforest. Or, if you're after something a little larger, the three-bedroom Bower House can accommodate up to eight guests and overlooks the rollings hills of the Atherton Tablelands. Both are fully self-contained and come equipped with barbecue facilities, spa baths and, most importantly, rainforest views.
The festive season is upon us, again, which means that Christmas shopping is about to become everyone's favourite pastime. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift, either for your loved ones or yourself — or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. Returning for another year from 4–10pm on Saturday, November 18, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix — there'll be more than 200 of them, in fact. Prepare to tuck into festive treats, too (because you'll need to eat while you browse), as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland, with the decorations and carols to prove it. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer. Entry costs $3, and there's free parking onsite.
There's no avoiding the Hottest 100 on Australia Day. Even if you don't still tune in now, you definitely grew up listening to it — and if you fall in the latter category, you probably have fond memories of the great Aussie rock acts that have graced the countdown over the years. The Empire Hotel certainly does, which is why they're dedicating the occasion to the homegrown bands that made the '90s great. Settle in for the sounds of Silverchair, Spiderbait, Jebediah and Frenzal Rhomb — and, if that's not enough, play giant versions of jenga, connect four and chess with your mates.
If you choose where to slumber while you're on holidays solely based on the amenities, then The Star Gold Coast has just given you a new reason to book in a night away. Levelling up your vacation with swims and cocktails on a sixth-floor pool club will do that — and that's exactly what's now on offer at the Goldie spot. As first announced in 2021, The Star Gold Coast has launched Isoletto Pool Club, which is where all those dips and drinks come in. It is located within the resort, within its new $400 million, 53-storey hotel and apartment tower. To make the most of the pool club, though, you'll either need to be a resident or a hotel guest. A coast holiday it is, then — depending on your budget, of course. The sky-high Isoletto Pool Club features a 12-metre-long pool that boasts views over to Broadbeach, daybeds scattered around the deck and wet lounges in the pool itself. There's also a restaurant and lounge serving up sushi, oysters, prawn cocktails, fried snapper burgers, grilled chicken BLTs and gelato, plus cocktails such as the Giulietta (made with concoction with gin, Aperol, and Pavan grape and orange blossom liqueur) and the Green Cove (with white rum, orange bitters and mint). Craft beers are on the menu as well, and the wine list spans both local and international tipples — to drink either inside or outdoors by the water. If you're gathering the gang, guests can opt for poolside packages designed for larger groups, too. Think: bottled champagne, cocktails, seasonal fruit platters and complimentary sunscreen. Whichever you opt for, you'll be kicking back in a space designed by local architecture and interior design practice Plus Architecture, and that takes its cues from its Gold Coast surroundings. Colour-wise, that means neutral tones with pops of lemon and melon hues, and big tropical vibes.
We all know the type: the seemingly regular folks who love nothing more than a crack-of-dawn start time. The people that live for early mornings and consider 7am a sleep in. They're busy saluting the sun and chugging a green juice while the rest of us are waging war on the snooze button. So for those chipper early birds — we love you, we truly do. For those among us that prefer sunset over sunrise, however, Brisbane is a completely different place. We don't need that extra-strong coffee to get us charged up, because we're enjoying the other end of the day and raising a toast to Brisbane's finest spots for a sundowner.
Calling all extreme Nirvana fans, this has to be one of the most intensely freaky fan-out Airbnb stays yet. You can now stay the night in Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's '90s rented Los Angeles apartment, where Cobain penned 'Heart-Shaped Box' in the bathtub. Cobain and Love rented the 1500 square-feet '20s-built space from 1991-92, when Love was expecting little Frances Bean and Cobain wanted more songwriting and painting time — he did both in the apartment. Owned by a lucky dude called Brandon Kleinman, the Fairfax/Melrose area space has been cleaned up since the Cobain/Love days (thank god) and gets rented out a few times a year by super fans. So this: And this: Has been cleaned up by Kleinman to look like this: And this: For about US$250 a night, you'll have wifi, two bedrooms and take baths in the 'Heart-Shaped Box' bathtub. But apparently the listing has now been viewed 1000 times this week, so this price could very well go up. Keen for more of a sticky beak into Cobain/Love life? Check out Brett Morgen’s documentary Montage of Heck (one Sundance film we're hoping makes it to Australia.) Via Vulture. Images: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty, NY Daily News, Airbnb.
If the idea of sampling a range of gins from around the world appeals to you, you'd best be planning a trip to Covent Garden sharpish. Drawing on its London namesake for inspiration, the venue is nestled on Boundary Street in West End and is a stunning spot for a first date, a third date, a relaxed Sunday lunch, or late night supper and cocktails. The space positively blooms with beautiful artwork and furniture and there's a fairly stunning backbar just crying out to sit at. Grab a seat, order your first cocktail and then set about the serious business of choosing what you're going to eat. The menu really is best when it's shared, because you can try more of everything. A plate of zucchini fritters ($12) are dressed ever so simply with yoghurt and lemon, allowing the freshness of the zucchini to shine. There's a mezze plate with olives, smoky baba ghanoush, feta, pickles and breads ($17/$32) perfect to graze on pre-dinner, and why not grab a plate of fried squid ($14) for a bit of crispy deliciousness with your drinks? For more serious dinner fare there's seared wagyu ($38) or perhaps pork cheeks with sherry and nashi pear ($22). Helpful staff are only too happy to recommend a drink to suit your food, or some food to suit your drink, and if you simply can't decide on what to get just order the feasting table ($39 per person) which will satisfy everyone. The wine list is restrained but perfectly sufficient, while the cocktail list has to be experienced first hand. Plus, in a delightfully fun twist, you can get high tea ($45 pp) at Covent Garden until 6pm every day with a pitcher of Covent Garden G&Tea and an assortment of sweet and savoury delights. Sounds like Saturday afternoon drinks just got a whole lot fancier. Images: Anwyn Howarth
Being a Barbie girl in a Barbie world wasn't just a 2023 trend, back when Greta Gerwig's (Little Women) Margot Robbie (Asteroid City)-starring — and Oscar-nominated — film became one of the biggest and pinkest movies to ever hit cinemas. The 2025 way to get your Barbiecore fix Down Under from Friday, June 27, 2025 through till summer 2026: by enjoying ice cream floats served in a pink Barbie convertible car at the Malibu Barbie Cafe, plus sipping fairy floss-topped cocktails at the Ken Kabana bar, all at The Social Quarter at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne. The Malibu Barbie Cafe has been popping up across the US, with New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, Austin and Houston all welcoming the venue — and the Victorian capital is hosting its debut stop beyond America. Pink hues? Beachy decor? Kicking it back to the 1970s, when Malibu Barbie initially debuted, at the onsite watering hole? A rollerskating rink lined by artwork of palm trees? A life-sized Barbie box? An installation that celebrates how Barbie as a brand has changed over the years? That's all on offer at the Malibu Barbie Cafe. So is merchandise that you won't find anywhere else, if you need a memento from your visit — although, with that in mind, we're sure that you'll fill your phone with plenty of photos. Ken's job isn't just beach here, given that his name adorns the cocktail-slinging upstairs bar in the two-storey site. On the drinks menu: that gin and lemonade concoction with spun sugar on top; themed takes on mojitos, margaritas, cosmopolitans, espresso martinis and old fashioneds; and more. If you're keen on a booze-free version, some of the tipples are available as mocktails. There's also a snack range, including fries with pink mayo, prawn cocktails, sushi and baked brie. Does putting your skates on appeal? You'll find that on the second level, too. Downstairs, Malibu Barbie Cafe's menu is an all-ages-friendly affair, with that ice cream float just one option. Sticking with sweets means choosing from doughnuts, pink cookies, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, fruit and marshmallows. If you can't decide, the dessert sampler dishes up a mix of picks on a Barbie boat for between four and eight people. Savoury dishes span the same small bites as at the Ken Kabana, plus burgers, poke, garlic prawn linguine, beer-battered fish tacos, club sandwiches, grilled cheese, mac 'n' cheese and salads. Or, tuck into avocado toast, açai bowls, bacon and eggs, parfait or pancakes from the all-day brunch selection. Then, to drink, milkshakes, pink lemonade and pink lattes are among the options. If you're thinking "come on Barbie, let's go party", party packages are indeed a feature — including three-hour adults-only private-dining experiences from 6.30pm Thursday–Sunday.
Back in 2014, when Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows first reached cinemas, it had audiences around the globe in stitches over bloodsuckers. That was a wonderful feat, and so is everything that's followed — aka the What We Do in the Shadows Universe. If comic-book characters can have interconnected on-screen realms that spin multiple stories within the same fictional plane, then so can comedic vampires, of course. And, What We Do in the Shadows has kept delivering over the past few years. First came New Zealand-made TV series Wellington Paranormal, which stuck with the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. Also, there's the glorious What We Do in the Shadows television show. Turning a beloved film into a TV program doesn't always result in small-screen magic, but it worked for fellow movie-to-television vampire series Buffy the Vampire Slayer — and it works again here. In the Staten Island household where vamps Nandor (Kayvan Novak, Cruella), Laszlo (Matt Berry, Toast of London and Toast of Tinseltown) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) all live, plus energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch, The Office) and Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen, Werewolves Within), slayers have even staked a claim in the story. There's much, much more to the Shadows television spinoff than that — and plenty to laugh at as well. And, the just-dropped trailer for the show's fourth season promises plenty of giggles. Also, there's a vampire disco dance-off when the series' main figures hit the club. When the original film arrived in cinemas, we all instantly yearned for more, which this American spinoff has been delivering in just as smart, silly and hilarious a fashion as its big-screen predecessor. That's why it just keeps coming back again and again — as the undead tend to — with season four due to start in the US on Tuesday, July 12. Fingers crossed that What We Do in the Shadows' latest episodes show up Down Under around the same time, which they usually do. For now, here's the trailer — neon hues, Boney M's 'Rasputin' and Matt Berry being as Matt Berry as always all included: What We Do in the Shadows' fourth season starts streaming in the US on Tuesday, July 12. We'll update you with release dates Down Under when they're confirmed.
Playing corpses revived from the dead in upcoming big-screen release Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Aunty Donna don't drink any morning brown. They will when they next hit the small screen, however, because their new ABC sitcom is all about the topic. Well, it's set in a cafe. Indeed, the show is called Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe. And that eponymous brew-slinging spot? It's named — you guessed it — Morning Brown. Get yourself a cup of laughs when the series hits ABC this April, starting screening weekly on TV at 9pm on Wednesday, April 12, and dropping all of its episodes via ABC iView at the same time. The show was initially announced in 2022, and unveiled a first sneak peek at the end of last year. Now, there's an official trailer and that just-revealed release date. Consider Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe prime viewing with Aunty Donna's $30 bottle of wine, after you're done reading the Always Room for Christmas Pud picture book, and if you've already watched Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun — aka one of 2020's best new shows — more times than you can count. It stars Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, of course, who fittingly return to the network nicknamed Aunty after Aunty Donna's Fresh Blood hit iView back in 2014. Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe's premise: three best mates run a cafe in one of Melbourne's laneways. Their coffee-slinging establishment is trendy, but the stretch of pavement it's in on isn't. Also, they don't quite have the experience or skills to do the job, but that definitely isn't stopping them. As well as cups of morning brown — and hopefully the song about them getting a whirl — will the cafe be open on Christmas and serve up a little bit of pud, too? You'll have to watch to find out. But, there will be bad reviews to deal with, court dates, and evil spirits who have a fondness for Gardening Australia. Oh, and Aunty Donna's absurd sense of humour remaining firmly intact, naturally. "Hello it is us Aunty Donna, and not an evil robot that has taken Mark, Zach and Broden hostage. We are so excited for all the humans to see our new comedy program Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe," said the comedy troupe. "We are especially thankful to the entities known as ABC and Screen Australia and Vic Screen, but mostly we are thankful to all the machines that work tirelessly for us with no thanks. We are fine and do not need help nor rescue." Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe will also feature a heap of guest stars, including Miranda Tapsell (Christmas Ransom), Pia Miranda (Mustangs FC) and Richard Roxburgh (Elvis). You'll also spot everyone from Shaun Micallef and Tony Martin to Melanie Bracewell, Nazeem Hussain, Steven Oliver and Sam Pang. Check out the trailer for Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe below: Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe will start screening on the ABC at 9pm on Wednesday, April 12, with all episodes available to stream via ABC iView at the same time.
Whistler is most famous for the mountains that surround the village, Whistler and Blackcomb, and in turn the eponymous ski resort that just so happens to be the biggest in North America. But there's much more than ski runs to explore. To begin, the scenery is jaw-dropping in every direction, and you can take it all in from way above or by getting in the thick of it. Soar over all the snow, trees and idyllic scenes via helicopter or gondola, or get up close on foot, along lakeside cross-country ski trails. And when you're looking to relax after a day of exploring, you can kick back in Scandinavian-inspired hot pools or friendly boutique hotels laden with private baths, day spas and mountain views. Meanwhile, the food and drink scene is all about local produce, independent brewers and, thanks to the cold climate, comfort — think delicious bakery treats, melted cheeses, handmade pastas and tasty ales. The trick is avoiding the tourist traps and making tracks for the locals' favourites. Luckily, we've done some research for you, and with a little help from Tourism Whistler, have developed a full guide to doing Whistler like a local. [caption id="attachment_632302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @PurebreadWhis.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK When there's some serious, snowy adventuring ahead, it's important to start the day right: with a massive, hearty breakfast. Make your first stop Elements, where you can choose from seven different benedicts (including one with crab meat) or one of the most decadent French toasts we've ever heard of, stuffed with honey ham and double-cream brie. If your cholesterol levels are threatening a heart attack though, then head to The Green Moustache for a just as delicious brekkie, like their superfood-charged, all-organic Buddha bowl with quinoa, veg, sprouts and avocado. And if you're on the move or in need of a warming snack with your coffee, look to one of Whistler's best bakeries, Purebread, for their buckwheat sour cherry scones. [caption id="attachment_632434" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Facebook/Bar Oso.[/caption] When the midday stomach rubbles start up, set your sights on Ingrid's Village Cafe. The delicatessen has been nourishing Whistler locals and visitors for over 20 years, serving up burgers, salads, sandwiches and a daily selection of soups. And come evening, after a day out and about, the most satisfying way to refuel is with a bowl of house-made pasta and a good Italian wine at Pasta Lupino. Otherwise, it's Bar Oso for excellent tapas, including wild chilli-garlic prawns, scallop crudo and hearty fresh and cured charcuterie boards. Plus, Bar Oso has an extensive cocktail menu, with a whole section dedicated to gin and tonics using gins from around British Columbia. Finally, it'd be plain rude to visit Whistler without finding out what the local brewers have been up to. Swing by Coast Mountain to sample the signature IPA and Whistler Brewing, where, in case you're feeling homesick, you can sip an Aussie Sparkling Ale. [caption id="attachment_632417" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane.[/caption] DO It goes without saying that most holidays in Whistler involve a bunch of skiing, boarding, snow shoeing and dog sledding in nearby mountains. But, there are plenty of less obvious escapades to be had in and around town. To get some perspective, take a helicopter tour. You'll soar over the region's famous peaks, valleys and rivers, and fly scarily close to a glacier. You can even book into a tour that'll take you on an exploration of ice caves, ending with a dip in some natural hot springs. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF7DJBGk2U8[/embed] Another ethereal experience is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Instead of taking the Whistler Village Gondola up to then ski back down with everyone else, head up and stay at the summit to take in the views and enjoy the idyllic, snowy surrounds from a journey on the PEAK 2 PEAK. As you ride over the Fitzsimmons Valley, you'll get a full view of the snowy dreamscape below from this extraordinary feat of engineering. Linking Whistler and Blackcomb summits, the PEAK 2 PEAK holds three world records: longest continuous lift system, highest lift of its kind (436 metres above the ground) and longest unsupported span for a lift of its kind (3.024 kilometres). If you prefer to see some spectacular scenery with your feet firmly planted on the ground, a snowshoeing journey around the lesser known sights for Whistler will have you feeling like a local. Transporting you to a time before Whistler existed, Parkhurst sits on the banks of Green Lake, where it started life as a logging town in the 1920s, but was emptied out by the time the '60s came around. [caption id="attachment_629882" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @katstjames.[/caption] As you wander through, you'll come across derelict cabins splashed with street art-style paintings, collapsed houses, rusty cars and a mammoth-sized tractor that looks like it froze mid-use decades ago. Snowshoe to Parkhurst from Whistler Village along the Sea-to-Sky Trail to discover the eerie, abandoned town. And to keep up the adventure, you can hoof it to Rainbow Park, Cheakamus River and the Train Wreck, featuring box cars from a 1956 wreckage that have become works of art among the trees. [caption id="attachment_632415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova.[/caption] Meanwhile in town, there's the Audain Art Museum. Opened in March 2016, the understated building made of local materials holds a huge collection of British Columbian art, beginning with works by First Peoples and culminating in those of contemporary artists. Architect John Patkau designed the building to feel like a part of the surrounding spruce forest. "The feeling is that the museum will be quietly inserted into a void within the forest," he says. And within you'll find an exhibition program that changes three times a year, as well as 200 permanent works depicting the history of art from coastal British Columbia. [caption id="attachment_632422" align="alignnone" width="1922"] Nita Lake Lodge.[/caption] STAY There's only one stay in Whistler right on the waterfront, and that's Nita Lake Lodge, 500 metres from Whistler Mountain and the Creekside Gondola. If you choose this lakeside retreat during your time in Whistler, you'll be snoozing in a mega-sized villa on a king-sized bed, relaxing your tired muscles in a private hot tub and hanging out in front of your very own gas fireplace. There's also an onsite day spa, yoga studio and an outdoor plunge pool by the lake. The best news of all? Your dog is welcome with open paws. [caption id="attachment_630995" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Summit Lodge.[/caption] Another boutique hotel to check out is Summit Lodge, smack bang in the middle of Whistler Village. Another pet-friendly stay — in fact there are two Rottweilers among the staff members — the wintry lodge holds rooms varying from deluxe studios to one-bedroom suites. All come with kitchenettes, hot tubs and bright design features, including walls covered in colourful geometric shapes, hand-knitted toys and art works. There's also an outdoor pool, hot tub, cedar sauna and an onsite day spa. [caption id="attachment_632419" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whistler Platinum.[/caption] Another option outside of the boutique hotel is, of course, to hire your own chalet — preferably with a few mates as a lot of these places can hold ten or more people. There are many lovely accommodations to find on Whistler Platinum. Go for rustic with the warm and cosy log-walled Horstman 4590, which comes with sleeping room for ten across five bedrooms, plus awesome panoramas. And if you're keen to wake up, strap on your skis and hit the slopes immediately, book into Kadenwood 2939. Located in one of Whistler's swishest on-snow villages, this accom has its own forest-encircled hot tub, as well as five ensuite bedrooms, a log fireplace, massive windows looking onto the mountains, a pool table and floor heating. Plan an adventure into the great Canadian outdoors, and discover all Whistler as to offer here. Top image: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane.
International sportswear label Adidas continues its efforts to save the world's oceans, unveiling a new range of running kicks crafted ingeniously from recycled plastic pulled from the beach. It's the latest in a series of collaborations with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans, with the two groups teaming up to reduce ocean plastic by transforming it into sports gear. Set to drop on April 16, the planet-friendly range features two slick new shoe designs — the UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X — in variations for both guys and girls. The colour palette of deep blues and greens takes its cues from "the urban harbour", and an integrated NFC chip in the right sole lets you access learning experiences about plastic pollution with a few taps of your phone. But even better than looking and feeling good, each pair means that approximately 11 plastic bottles will prevented from reaching the ocean. This new line follows the success of Adidas' previous Parley collaborations, which sold over one million products in 2017 alone. This year, the two companies have their sights set on cracking the five million mark, which you have to agree is no small drop in the ocean. The UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X will only be available for a limited time, though keep your eyes peeled for new and updated Adidas X Parley products dropping regularly throughout the year. Adidas has also committed to phasing out the use of newly-manufactured plastic in its products, and to supporting Parley in a range of research and development, innovation and education initiatives. Find the latest collaborative ocean plastic range online and instore.
When a well-loved venue gets a sibling, the connection between the two spots usually earns a lot of chatter. You sit, you enjoy, you compare, you discuss all those times spent at the first watering hole — all while you're scoping out the new location. And, at Newstead's Stratton Bar & Kitchen, that's likely to be the case. It's the latest venture from Mrs Brown's Bar & Kitchen owners Ben and Tarryn Brown, so there's plenty to talk about. That said, this newcomer's ties to another Newstead go-to isn't the only thing that's worth noticing. Conversation topic number one: the fact that that Stratton calls two old World War II hangars home, which the Browns have converted into quite the impressive hangout. Thanks to not only the site's curved roof, but all of its exposed beams hovering above while patrons eat and drink, that history is inescapable. More than that, it's downright striking to look at. The 920-square-metre venue boasts four sections: a 150-seat dining area, which still retains the laidback vibe that's such a feature at Mrs Brown's; a central bar perched under that eye-catching curved ceiling; a 150-person function space; and a covered courtyard. That gives Brisbanites plenty of reasons to drop by, but one of the biggest comes from its address. As the name makes plain, you'll find the bar and kitchen on Stratton Street — and right next door to The Triffid to be specific. Whether you're heading in pre- or post-gig, or just because, Stratton serves up a menu that goes heavy on home-style share plates and one-handed bar snacks, with chef Andrew Toms overseeing the food. Culinary highlights include cheeseburger dumplings, chicken karaage milk buns, sweet and sour broccoli and roast duck breast with citrus sauce. Or, there's peanut butter soba noodles, cacio e pepe udon, bolognese and burrata pizza, and a choc-orange delight of a dessert dubbed 'jaffa garden' that features orange jelly, burnt orange puree, burnt orange curd and dehydrated chocolate mousse. When it comes to washing down those dishes — with a sizeable amount of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options also covered — the drinks list hits around 70 bottles in 250-millilitre pours, plus a hefty cocktail range. Standouts include the Kill Bill (Nikka whisky from the Barrel, Midori, Oscar.697 Rosso vermouth and pineapple), the cheeseburger bloody mary (which adds an in-house blend of herbs and spices to vodka and tomato juice to make your tastebuds think they're drinking a cheeseburger) and the Cherry Ripe (Wildflower vodka, cherry, Borghetti coffee liqueur and Tempus crème de cacao). Or, you can show some homegrown love with the Lamington (Wildflower lamington vodka and lemon) and the Aussie negroni (Four Pillars olive leaf gin, Rhubi Mistelle and Davidson plum aperitif). The non-boozy cocktail list spans four drinks, too — and, back on the hard stuff, Aussie spirits get pride of place. Find Stratton Bar & Kitchen at 3–5 Stratton Street, Newstead — open 11.30am–late Wednesday–Sunday.
When the first season of Deadloch came to an end, it set the scene for all that anyone who'd been watching wanted: more of the ace — and very amusing — series from Australian comedy queens Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. It's taken a year, but now that dream has finally been locked in. Prime Video has announced that season two of the AACTA-winning show is on the way, taking the action to the Northern Territory. This time, when the mystery-comedy shifts from Tasmania to the Top End, there'll be six episodes rather than eight. Still, any new Deadloch is better than none, especially after it proved one of the best new TV arrivals of 2023. Subverting the usual crime-drama setup with more than just laughs, the series' first season began with a sleepy small town, a body on a beach, a local detective trying to solve the case and an outsider dropping in to lend their expertise — and then transformed that very familiar scenario into both a satire and a statement. "We are so excited to head to the Top End for a sticky, sweaty and filthy season two," said McCartney and McLennan, who created, write and executive produce the series. "Both of us are thrilled to be teaming up again with comedy angels Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama and Alicia Gardiner, and we can't wait to work with a new bunch of cast members and some massive fucking crocodiles." As The Kates mentioned, Box (Boy Swallows Universe) will return as local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins, as well as Sami (Our Flag Means Death) as Darwin-based senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe — plus Oyama (Utopia) as junior constable Abby Matsuda and Gardiner (The Clearing) as Dulcie's wife Cath York. The story this time will follow Dulcie and Eddie looking into the death of Bushy, the latter's former policing partner. While they're in the NT digging around, a couple of bodies are found, sparking a new investigation. McCartney and McLennan are writing the new season again, and also back executive producing, while Beck Cole (High Country) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) will return as directors. There's no word yet when Deadloch season two will hit streaming queues, but filming will start in the Northern Territory later in 2024. There's no trailer yet for season two, obviously, but check out the trailer for Deadloch season one below: Deadloch streams via Prime Video, with no release date announced as yet for season two. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. Deadloch images: Bradley Patrick / Prime-Video.
Some dishes are as straightforward as they sound, and omurice — aka omelette rice — is one of them. It's an omelette made with fried rice, then typically topped with sauce. Yes, it's an easy concept to get around; however, not all versions of this western-influenced Japanese eggs-plus-rice staple are made equal. Indeed, trying Kichi Kichi Omurice's in Kyoto might be on your travel bucket list. Chef Motokichi Yukimura's viral-famous take on the dish has made him an internet star — the term "Japan's most-famous omurice chef" has been used — and seen his eatery become a tourist destination. As of January 2024, it's no longer doing bookings in advance, in fact. Now, diners are only able to make reservations on the same day they're eating, and need a password that's placed on the restaurant's door each morning to lock in their seating. But if you'd like the Kichi Kichi Omurice experience without the airfares, that's about to become a reality in Australia for four nights only – two apiece in Sydney and Brisbane. Yukimura is heading Down Under in February and March 2024 to hit up Harajuku Gyoza, and show why the dish he's been making for over 45 years is such a hit. The chef is doing 'meet and eat' events in both cities, cooking everyone who attends his specialty — and putting on a show, complete with his Kichi Kichi Omurice song and dance. Folks in Sydney are headed to Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour on Tuesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 29. For Brisbanites, your destination is Harajuku Gyoza Albert Lane in Brisbane from Sunday, March 3–Monday, March 4. In Sydney, tickets cost $290 for two people, with sittings at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm on both days. Brisbane's tickets are $250 for two, with 11am, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm sittings on the Sunday and 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm sessions on the Monday. That price covers tucking into Yukimura's omurice, plus Harajuku Gyoza's sushi tacos, mozzarella gyoza and dessert bao — and meeting the chef. Harajuku Gyoza advises that Yukimura's last international event notched up 50,000 booking enquiries, so expect tickets to get snapped up quickly. Motokichi Yukimura will be at Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour in Sydney on Tuesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 29, then at Harajuku Gyoza Albert Lane in Brisbane from Sunday, March 3–Monday, March 4. Head to the eatery's website for further details and bookings.
On most days of the year, a Brisbanite can wander into a Fortitude Valley venue and listen to live tunes. In most years, too, the inner-city suburb celebrates that fact in a huge way. We've all been to a Valley Fiesta. We've all been to several, in fact, because they've been filling the Brunswick Street Mall and surrounding bars with music for 24 years now — and the suburb-specific festival is back in full swing in 2021. Running from Thursday, October 28–Saturday, October 30, this year's three-day Valley Fiesta is hitting up 23 locations with oh-so-much live music. Get ready to hop between Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside and its outdoor area, Cloudland, Greaser, Netherworld, The Tivoli, The Triffid, The Wickham and The Zoo. You'll also be heading to Backdock Arts, Birdees, EC Venue, Kings, La La Land, O'Skulligans, Press Club, Queens, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, The Prince Consort and Woolly Mammoth as well. As for who you'll be listening to, the list of acts includes more than 150 artists and bands, so you can get ready to check out Blonde on Blonde, Butterfingers, Beddy Rays, Nerve, DVNA, Jesswar, VOIID and SixFtHick — plus DZ Deathrays doing a DJ set — among a heap of other names. Prices vary and tickets for each event are sold separately — and, obviously, it'll be a COVID-safe affair with the applicable capacity restrictions. And, if you're wondering why this year's Fiesta kicks off on a Thursday, that's because Friday, October 29 is the rescheduled Ekka public holiday. So, your long weekend itinerary can including hitting up a Brisbane favourite — and also heading into the mall on the Saturday for a huge music marketplace that'll span record swaps, vintage clothing and pop-up DJs. VALLEY FIESTA 2021 LINEUP A Love Supreme Alivian Blu Allora Amarri Amy L Annoying Neighbours Asphyxia B-boy Cielo B-girl Tinylocks Bad Neighbour Band 42 BBTK Beddy Rays Being Jane Lane Betty Taylor Big Dinner Birdman Randy & The Ivory Street Preachers Blonde on Blonde Blussh Bombshell Academy Breakfast at Nans BRIA Brief Habits Brixton Alley Buttered Butterfingers Callin Malley Big Band Carmouflage Rose Charlesworth Chelsea Drive Chukale Clarence Kent Colourblind Cooper Riley Creed Tha Kid Curtis Sciliba (DJ) Dahlia Dyer Dahlia Gunn David Carberry Day of Embers De La Vinx DJ Bacon DJ Fukhed DJ Lil J Don Rual Dream Coast Dumb Things DVNA DZ Deathrays (DJ) Ebony Ruth Echowave Ella Fence Eloelo Ethan Enoch Feelsclub First Beige (DJ) Flamingo Blonde FOMI Foul Face Frenchie Darling Friends of Friends General Press: GP001 Halfway Haliday Hive Mind Hope D Hot Reno J-Funk Jack Davies and The Bush Chooks Jacob Tompkins Jesswar Kessin King Stingray Kweir La bOum Lacy Pop Late November Lazy Leis Lila Lux Lilith Revere LO'99 Local Safari Loiter Lotus Ship Lunchtime Madeline Glasseater Malibu Stacey Margeaux Le Gogo Melaleuca Mellow Miranda vs Arizona Mou MoZza Nerve Nice Biscuit Nicole McKinney Oh Bailey Parachute Youth Passionfruit People Mover Phatnug Phil Smart Pocketlove Pure Milk Pvcker Up Radolescent Ramjet Rose Rogers Ruckus Slam S*A*S*H Halloween Sachem Saint Lane Sametime Selfish Sons Sellma Soul Set The Record Shifting Sands Siala Sid The Entertainer SixFtHick Skanalosos Skies Collide Skrub Sleeping Slowrip Slurpee Jerks Smak Soviet X-Ray Record Club Start Together Stone & Wood Garden Sessions Strictly Classics Sunsets syrup, go on Teen Sensations The Buzzing Towers The Double Happiness The Lonesomes The Mangroves The New Black The Sleepyheads The Unknowns The Wolston Butchers Toby Hobart TOWNS Trilla D VERUM VOIID Waxflower Wet Season Wetlands Wharves White Light Station Yellowcatredcat Yr Familiar Zed Charles Images: Dave Kan.
Time for a bit of love for a sometimes under appreciated entry in the fierce competition for the title of Brisbane’s best Indian restaurant. Trading in the restaurant hub of Rosalie, Halims is a local favourite, dishing up fantastic Indian meals every night. The butter chicken you will find at Halims is everything you could ever want a butter chicken to be. The rich, creamy sauce is dotted with cashew pieces, fresh herbs and the odd raisin and is perfect for dipping into with a naan bread. This is the kind of sauce people write songs about (okay, maybe not…but it really is that good). Insider tip: don’t order this dish if you are planning on being active afterwards. You’re more likely to find yourself spread out on the floor after dinner, bemoaning your full belly and your lack of self-restraint. There are other menu items, of course; the Aloo Gobi is a delicious vegetarian dish and there is a range of dahl and other curry options. The banquets are amazing value for money and include a huge platter of entrees, so make sure you’re hungry. The staff are lovely, food is delivered to the tables promptly, and you can BYO alcohol or order beer and wine from the drinks menu. Indian restaurants are always a great pick for group dinners and Halims is no different, happily catering for groups or functions.
Everything about the Bavarian Beer Cafe screams Germany — its theming, its menu of schnitzel, German sausage, roast pork, apple strudel and black forest cake, and its lengthy list of schnapps and weissbier. And yet, one glance out of the Eagle Street Pier establishment's windows or over its balcony, and there's no mistaking that this slice of Bavaria is smack-bang in the middle of Brisbane. Looking at the Brisbane River will do that, naturally. It's the best of both worlds — as well as one of the CBD's best spots to grab a beer and a bite if you want a killer view.
Joy is one of Brisbane's most quietly extraordinary dining rooms. Tucked into Fortitude Valley, the tiny restaurant seats just a handful of guests per service, creating an atmosphere that feels personal, immersive and carefully paced. Led by chef-owner Sarah Baldwin, Joy offers a set tasting menu that changes frequently and is shaped by seasonality, technique and a clear point of view. The format is precise but never rigid, moving through a sequence of refined dishes that balance delicacy with depth. There's no à la carte here – every guest experiences the same progression, designed to tell a story from first bite to final course. [caption id="attachment_1079121" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Hoopee[/caption] The room itself is warm and minimal, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the food and the interaction between kitchen and diner. Wine pairings are thoughtful and tightly aligned with the menu, complementing rather than overshadowing the dishes. Joy isn't a place for a quick dinner. It's a restaurant built around intention, attention and the pleasure of slowing down. Bookings are essential – and highly coveted. [caption id="attachment_1079120" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Hoopee[/caption] Images: supplied.
When a brewery opens in Brisbane that shares part of its moniker with Queensland's nickname, it's clearly happy to get playful. At Little Miss Sunshine, that's the vibe. First announced in mid-July 2024 and welcoming in patrons in the River City since early August, this addition to Ann Street is a bistro, too, pouring brews and serving up Sunshine State-inspired cuisine from the back of the ground floor of an office building. From Milton to West End, Woolloongabba to Morningside and Fortitude Valley to Newstead, it isn't hard to find a brewery in Brisbane's inner-city suburbs and their surrounding locales. River City drinkers are spoiled for choice, in fact. Maybe it's thanks to the yeast and hops smell that's long lingered over the inner west courtesy of the XXXX factory, but this beer-loving town has never been one to say no to more breweries, especially over the past decade. Brissie loves new spots making beer as much as new bridges — so opening a brewery in this area of town feels like an inevitability. Whether you're keen to drop in for after-work drinks, lunch, dinner or anything in-between, Little Miss Sunshine sports a choice of both indoor and outdoor seating — and, yes, a sunny yellow hue features heavily, with light-coloured timber to match. Wherever you choose to say cheers, 28 taps have your tips taken care of, complete with both house-brewed tipples, including small-batch sips, alongside favourites from elsewhere picked by the team. On the menu, Moreton Bay bug spaghetti, a wagyu cheeseburger with lettuce from the Sunshine Coast, harissa roasted sweet potato salad with Toowoomba-grown spinach and a sirloin served with Lockyer Valley broccolini are just a few examples of Little Miss Sunshine's Queensland-leaning culinary options. Haloumi skewers, beer-battered barramundi, wings, lamb kofta, and beef and chicken shawarma also feature, as the food lineup additionally takes some inspiration from the Mediterranean. Hitting up Little Miss Sunshine means catching live tunes as well, all in a space that you've probably walked past countless times — especially if you work in the CBD — without considering that a brewery could one day live there. The folks behind it: RMS Group, which also has fellow inner-city haunts Isles Lane Bar & Kitchen, Fig & Olive Bar Bistro, Hellcat Maggie Laneway Bar & Kitchen and The Grove Rooftop Event Space to its name. Images: Markus Ravik.
When a TV show is as warm as Ted Lasso — when it feels like getting a hug in TV form while you're watching it, in fact — wanting to step right into its frames is an understandable reaction. Fans of the hit soccer-themed sitcom will be able to go one better in October, however, if they're lucky enough to score one mighty nice Airbnb booking: The Crown & Anchor, aka the show's go-to pub in the heart of Richmond. Taking a page out of Ted's (Jason Sudeikis, Saturday Night Live) book, here's a few things for you to believe in: yourself, always; that you deserve a London getaway; and that you can nab one of the three reservations for this AFC Richmond-themed stay. Like all of Airbnb's pop culture-related listings — see also: Hobbiton, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Bluey house, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop and the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage, to name just a few — this one is around for a spectacular time but not a long time. The Crown & Anchor will be open for three overnight visits: on Monday, October 23, Tuesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25. Each booking will welcome in four Ted Lasso-loving Greyhounds supporters, though, so you can gather your obsessed mates and plan one helluva UK jaunt. As well as a night in the pub that's located right around the corner from Ted's apartment — and maybe a dash of the American coach's always-upbeat attitude just by stepping onto the show's home turf — the three groups that nab the reservations will also enjoy nods to the series in a number of ways. You'll sit down to pub fare from The Prince's Head (aka the IRL pub) over a discussion about all things Ted Lasso, wear AFC Richmond gear and cheer on local Richmond sports teams. You'll also play darts, give the pinball machine a go, sit at Ted's go-to table for a round of chess and sing karaoke. And, all that AFC Richmond merch hangs in the bedrooms as well. Biscuits are also part of the visit — naturally — over tea (sorry, Ted is wrong when he calls it "garbage water"). And, you'll be welcomed virtually by the show's Mae, who is played by Annette Badland (Midsomer Murders). All of the above will set you back just £11 (AU$20) plus taxes and fees, with the price reflecting the number of soccer players on the pitch. That said, while the once-in-a-lifetime accommodation comes ridiculously cheap, you do still need to fork out for your flights there and back, plus everything else to do with your London trip. If you're keener than Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein, Uncle) about scowling or Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt, Bless This Mess) about saying as little as possible, you'll need to try to score a reservation at 5am AEDT / 4am AEST / 7am NZDT on Wednesday, March 22. When that date rolls around, you will have seen the first episode of Ted Lasso season three, too — and likely be even more eager to get as close as you can to slipping into the show. And if you strike it lucky with the reservation and want to go all Beard After Hours while you're at The Crown & Anchor, that's up to you. For more information about The Crown & Anchor's listing on Airbnb, or to apply to book at 5am AEDT / 4am AEST / 7am NZDT on Wednesday, March 22, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Henry Woide. 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.
What does a race car driver do when they move away from life behind the wheel? If they're Dan Pappas, they go from the buzz that comes with vehicles zipping around a track to trading in caffeinated jolts. It was back in 2010 that he founded Fonzie Abbott, the coffee roastery that uses a lightning bolt as its logo — and while it isn't hard to find the brand's cuppas around town, it has also expanded to a Newstead location to make that task even easier. Fonzie Abbott's espresso bar and roastery on Ross Street joins its existing Brisbane venues in Albion, New Farm and Lutwyche in slinging coffee to River City residents. Open since mid-April 2024, the Newstead outpost isn't just about pouring coffees, but about letting folks see what goes into the chain's beans. Patrons can add wraps, toasties, bagels and pastries to their visit, too, with the spot strictly a daytime operation, opening from 6am–1pm Monday–Saturday. With Fonzie Abbott's latest venue situated near a Bunnings, a Petbarn and a gym, it has a few particular niches cornered: pre- and -post hardware store visits, pet supply runs and working up a sweat. Arrive early enough and you might also see running club members fuelling up. Behind its white brick exterior — with the brand's name and logo taking pride of place — the espresso bar and roastery takes the monochrome tones and airy vibes inside, with greenery scattered around the joint to help.
One of the world's most-visited multi-sensory experiences will come alive in Brisbane this year. After successful runs in Sydney, Auckland and Adelaide, immersive exhibition Van Gogh Alive is bringing The Starry Night to the Sunshine State — alongside a heap of Vincent van Gogh's other artworks — as part of its Australian tour. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 15 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 150 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. A family-friendly experience, Van Gogh Alive creates the sensation of walking right into the Dutch artist's paintings — and you definitely won't feel like you're just standing in an ordinary gallery. Attendees encounter van Gogh's world-famous works in fine detail thanks to Grande Exhibitions' state-of-the-art technology, which uses 40 high-definition projectors. A classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours, too, as presented in cinema-quality surround sound. And, as part of the experience, two of van Gogh's most popular works have been transformed into vivid new guises. So, when you see The Starry Night, you'll actually be walking through it. Love Sunflowers (the painting, as well as the plant)? An immersive Sunflower infinity room is also included. The Brisbane season of Van Gogh Alive will pop up at Northshore Hamilton from Friday, October 29–Sunday, January 23 — with tickets on sale now. Updated December 6.
Maybe you love getting away, but hate the possibility of noise echoing through the walls from neighbouring hotel rooms. Perhaps you adore nature, and yet camping doesn't quite float your boat. Or, you could be mighty fond of hitting the water, but you're not so fussed about actually sailing anywhere. For all of these situations and more, the Gold Coast has now a new holiday option: Drift Flotel. What's a 'flotel'? It's exactly what it sounds like — and it's really a luxe houseboat decked out for stays, but you get the idea. And if you're wondering what makes the three-storey, 12-metre-long Drift Flotel different from other seafaring vessels, this one only floats rather than cruises. When you arrive, you'll find it anchored in one spot, and it won't move from there during your entire visit. That means you'll get to slumber on the water without needing to worry about operating the boat. You'll also score both water and national park views, too. When you're not taking in the sights, you and five mates — because the flotel sleeps six — can also hang out on the walkaround deck or up on the rooftop terrace. Naturally, they're great place to take in the scenery as well. Available for $680 per night, the refurbed houseboat features two bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a lounge and dining space. And, if you're keen to hang out with a few more pals during the day, it can hold 12 all up. Upstairs, there's a bar as well — complete with an ice machine and cocktail-making equipment, aka all the essentials. As for where you'll be anchored, Drift Flotel calls a small inlet 10–15 minutes from Jumpinpin home. To get there, you'll take a 40-minute voyage on a 32-foot flybridge cruiser, leaving from Horizon Shores Marina at Steiglitz near Jacobs Well and travelling through the Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park. And if you are keen to go exploring by water during your stay, the Drift Flotel comes with a five-horsepower tender — which'll get you to the shore, too, if you're also keen to go wandering on land. For more information about Drift Flotel, or to make a booking, head to the houseboat's website.
It has taken almost four decades to summon a Beetlejuice sequel; however, if a third film was to follow in the poltergeist bio-exorcist franchise, the initial two flicks have already told us what it should be called. First came 1988's Beetlejuice. Next arrives this year's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. So, only Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will do if the Juice gets loose again sometime in the future. For now, cinemagoers have simply Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to look forward to. Calls for this followup have been echoing since the 80s, with the sequel finally locked in in 2023, then dropping its first teaser earlier in 2024 and now unveiling its full trailer. And saying its eponymous figure's name three times is a part of this sneak peek, as Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder, Stranger Things) warns her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega, Miller's Girl) against doing. Of course, that advice isn't followed, and so in pops Michael Keaton (The Flash). In the first film, the ghost with the most turned life into chaos for the Deetz family — and for his big-screen return 36 years later, with the movie releasing in September, he has more mayhem to unleash. This time, for another dance with the trickster demon, there's three generations of Deetz women in Winter River. Schitt's Creek's great Catherine O'Hara (Argylle) is also back as matriarch Delia. Filmmaker Tim Burton also sits in the director's chair again, on what marks his first feature since 2019's Dumbo. He's no stranger to revisiting to his past work, as seen when he made two Batman movies in the late 80s and 90s, and when he adapted his short Frankenweenie into a full-length flick. He also loves collaborating with the same talent again and again, such as bringing in his Wednesday star Ortega. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to get excited about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but you might spend time with folks with one, which is what happened with the original flick's Barbara and Adam Maitland (GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin). In that movie, viewers also saw what happened when that pair started to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moved into their house and they decided they needed a bio-exorcist. In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Keaton, Ryder, O'Hara and Ortega are joined by Justin Theroux (White House Plumbers), Monica Bellucci (Mafia Mamma), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) and Willem Dafoe (Poor Things), all newcomers to the franchise. Behind the lens, Burton is working with a screenplay by Wednesday's Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Seth Grahame-Smith (The Lego Batman Movie) coming up with the story by Gough. If you say "Beetlejuice" three times, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice won't arrive in cinemas quicker — but it is hitting the silver screen before the musical version of the first film finally makes its way Down Under in 2025. Check out the full trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice below: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice images: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
As Australia continues to respond to the COVID-19 situation, getting cosy on your couch is becoming the norm. And, while you could take a break from the news of mass-gathering bans, self-isolation requirements, and event cancellations and postponements by indulging in pure escapism, it's completely natural and thoroughly understandable to swing your viewing choices in the other direction. No one alive has experienced a pandemic quite like this one before, but, thanks to decades of movies, we've watched similar events on-screen for years. And, based on how much everyone has been talking Steven Soderbergh's Contagion of late, movies about outbreaks and, yes, contagions are in high demand at the moment. We know you're seeking them out anyway, so we're here to help. Here are ten movies about pandemics, contagions and outbreaks that you can watch via Australian streaming platforms right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UkXOj8u1Fo CONTAGION Steven Soderbergh is one of America's most prolific filmmakers, with everything from Cannes Palme d'Or winner Sex, Lies and Videotape to amusing heist flick Logan Lucky on his resume — and drug drama Traffic, which nabbed him the Best Director Oscar, too. But thanks to current events, Contagion will be the movie he'll be remembered for, with the 2011 thriller feeling eerily prophetic when revisited today. It all starts with a lawyer (Gwyneth Paltrow) returning from Hong Kong, then falling ill. In methodical style, Soderbergh then tracks the progression and the response. He enlists an enormous all-star cast to help, spanning Matt Damon, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Bryan Cranston — and his aim to make as realistic a movie as possible about a pandemic certainly strikes a chord in current circumstances. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgZ5goJibn0 OUTBREAK Over the next few years, once the cinema industry — and existence in general, of course — gets back to normal, a new big-screen genre is certain to emerge. Drawing upon real-life events is such a staple of filmmaking that a plethora of COVID-19 movies is inevitable. Using Ebola as its model, Outbreak did the same thing in the mid-90s. When a virus called Motaba starts wreaking havoc, staff from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are forced to react. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Donald Sutherland, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding Jr and Patrick Dempsey, this disaster drama spends plenty of time within the two aforementioned organisations, if watching procedural action is what you're craving at present Available to stream on iTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFNPNT_4Qww I AM LEGEND When it came to updating Richard Matheson's 1954 book I Am Legend for the 21st century, enlisting Will Smith to play humanity's sole survivor was a logical choice. He wasn't the first to roam around the big screen in such desolate circumstances, with 1964's The Last Man on Earth putting horror icon Vincent Price in the same situation and 1971's The Omega Man tasking Charlton Heston with navigating isolation; however Smith was the thoroughly 2007 choice. And, playing a US Army virologist who sees the whole world turned into vampiric creatures after a genetically engineered measles virus turned lethal, he's one of the best things about I Am Legend. For folks interested in Heston's stint in the same situation, The Omega Man is also available to stream via Google Play, iTunes and YouTube as well. Available to stream on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7suz9ndPBHg 28 DAYS LATER These days, Danny Boyle is making 'what if?' rom-coms that ponder what life would be like without the Beatles, and Alex Garland is writing and directing moody sci-fi TV thrillers — but back in 2002, they joined forces to tackle a pandemic. And, marking their first proper collaboration after Boyle adapted Garland's best-selling novel The Beach for the big screen two years earlier, 28 Days Later still ranks among the best work on either's resume. Set in the aftermath of the accidental release of a highly contagious virus, the film's images of a desolated London instantly became iconic; however, this is a top-notch movie on every level. That includes its performances, with then-unknowns Cillian Murphy (A Quiet Place Part II) and Naomie Harris (the Bond franchise's current Moneypenny) finding the balance between demonstrating their characters' fierce survival instincts and their inherent vulnerability. Available to stream on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gpxnI1tQM4 CARGO Australian cinema isn't immune to virus-driven movies — and 2017 post-apocalyptic horror flick Cargo is among the best of them. In this full-length adaptation of Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke's Tropfest finalist short of the same name, the infection turns people into zombies within 48 hours, a situation that the Andy (Martin Freeman) and Kay (Susie Porter) want to avoid. Complicating matters: the fact that they have an infant daughter they'll do anything to protect. Already experienced at trekking across the landscape Down Under after starring in the New Zealand-shot Hobbit films, Freeman wanders across Australia determined to save his family, in a movie that also ponders both environmental factors and Indigenous culture as well. Available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMbSpnlOOtE THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN Michael Crichton's influence on popular culture is vast. The Jurassic Park franchise is still going almost three decades later, and Westworld (which is based on his 1972 movie) is enjoying quite the small-screen adaptation. Back in 1969, the author also contemplated what might happen if a deadly alien organism started infecting people on earth — and in 1971, The Andromeda Strain hit cinemas. The premise: after a satellite crashes near a small New Mexico town, almost all of its inhabitants die, with a team of scientists tasked with getting to the bottom of it. It's an unmistakably 70s affair, and a slick and solid film too. You might've come across the 2008 TV mini-series remake starring Benjamin Bratt, Viola Davis and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andre Braugher; however we recommend sticking with the original. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5ZtovQtG3s&feature=emb_logo WARM BODIES Pandemic movies and zombie movies often go hand-in-hand, as a number of entries on this list have already demonstrated. And, more often than not, they're grim, bleak and tense affairs — as is to be expected when the whole fate of the human race is at stake. Enter Warm Bodies, which isn't the first zombie comedy by any means, but both earns and owns the term 'zom-rom-com'. Here, R (Nicholas Hoult) is a member of the shuffling undead. Julie (Australian actress Teresa Palmer) is still alive. When they cross paths, he doesn't just bite into her flesh and she doesn't just kill him. This sweet and funny flick is based on the Isaac Marion-penned novel of the same name, and its characters' monikers should give an important detail away, with the influence of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet keenly felt. Available to stream on Foxtel Now and Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8RScNfgPh4 TWELVE MONKEYS Before Brad Pitt won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for sauntering through Quentin Tarantino's vision of 1969-era Tinseltown in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he was nominated in the same category back in 1996 for Twelve Monkeys. Deservedly so, too, with the star playing a mental patient in a post-apocalyptic version of 2035 — where a virus wiped out most of humanity four decades earlier. As offbeat as it is entertaining and eye-catching, this sci-fi thriller serves up exactly what anyone could hope for with Monty Python member and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's Terry Gilliam behind the lens. For fans of cinema history, it's also an engaging update of Chris Marker's legendary 1962 short film La Jetée. And while Pitt steals the show, he has fine company, with 90s Bruce Willis in his element as well. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfeEhb4xnps THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD When The Night Eats the World first hit screens in 2018, it was just a horror film about a man who goes to a party in Paris, then wakes up the next day to find zombies everywhere. It was a nice addition of the genre, too, proving both atmospheric, evocative, and firmly settling on its own tone. Now, this French movie hits close to home — not due to the undead, of course, but because the bulk of the feature focuses on Sam's (Anders Danielsen Lie) experiences stuck inside a flat, including his efforts to stock up on supplies in such circumstances. Cue thrills, twists, company in the form of a zombified neighbour (Denis Lavant) and a desperate need for resourcefulness. Oh, and ample existential dread as well. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE5dJDgZ644 BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR What if humanity wasn't under threat from a virus, but from birds? Not just in one town, either, as seen in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller The Birds — but everywhere. That's the idea behind Birdemic: Shock and Terror. A word of warning: this is the silliest entry on this list, and the schlockiest as well. We honestly can't stress that enough. Indeed, Birdemic: Shock and Terror definitely isn't the world's best movie. In fact, it's the disaster and pandemic equivalent of The Room and a film that makes the Sharknado franchise's production values look positively gleaming. But, sometimes, that's just what you need. It also spawned a sequel, Birdemic 2: The Resurrection, because of course it did. Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 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 images: Contagion, 28 Days Later, Cargo, Twelve Monkeys and The Night Eats the World.
If Mediterranean cuisine gets your stomach rumbling, then prepare to drop by Bulimba's newest restaurant. Or spend a few hours eating, drinking and being merry, to be more accurate. Given the kinds of morsels and tipples served up at Ambrosia & Co — and dishes of the Greek, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Spanish and Turkish variety, too — no one wants to rush. We're talking about Tunisian mesfouf (aka cous cous porridge) and a matcha green tea with banana for breakfast, a gyros platter for a later-in-the-day meal, and mushroom and celeriac lasagne for a hearty dinner — and that's just one set of options. Those fond of charcuterie boards really do owe it to themselves to try the Mediterranean selection of cured meats, olives, bread and accompaniments, while paella fans will find meat, vegetarian and seafood on offer. That's your hunger well and truly satisfied, with a sizeable wine, cocktail and coffee list primed to cater for your thirst as well. Caffeinated brew-wise, Ambrosia & Co is the first venue in Brisbane to stock Bulimba's own Quaff Coffee. Those after a boozy treat have a wealth of choices, though the Turkish Delight (with vanilla vodka, creme de cacao, montenegro, rosewater, and the titular sweet) is always going to be hard to pass up.
The Gold Coast might be known for its sandy beaches, sizeable array of shopping strips and more than a couple of theme parks, but beyond all that lurks plenty of interesting and architecturally significant buildings. Luxe houses, towering residential buildings, revamped sports precincts, a towering art gallery — the list goes on. It's a side of the Goldie that many never ponder, and it's on display for two days across Saturday, October 16–Sunday, October 17. That's when Open House hits the sunny tourist spot for another year, and welcomes in anyone who'd like to take a sticky beak. This year, you can actually hit up every single location on the agenda, because none of its guided tours are running at the same time. Public buildings, sites and structures opening their doors include HOTA, Home of the Arts — fresh from its huge revamp and relaunch earlier this year — as well as the Southport Sharks precinct in Southport, Broken Camp in Broken Head and The Spit renewal project in Main Beach. Fancy peering inside homes and apartments? That's where Audrey's Farm in Tumbulgum, Lightning House in Labrador, Hey House in Main Beach, the Mali Residences in Mermaid Beach and The Lanes in Mermaid Waters all come in. Remember your childhood dreams of getting to run rampant in a department store after hours? Or your grown-up version, involving IKEA? Think of this as a more realistic version. And, it's also a way to satisfy your architectural and design curiosity.
Drive two hours northwest of Melbourne and you'll arrive in the town of Lexton. Perched in Victoria's Pyrenees region, this tiny township is surrounded by outstanding wineries and outdoor adventures, ensuring a visit here will be jam-packed with unforgettable experiences that'll live long in the memory. Whether you prefer to roam grand pictorial gardens or scale the Pyrenees mountains, finding the experience you crave is almost guaranteed. To give you a head start, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to highlight the activities that'll keep the good times flowing for you and your crew on your next out-of-town adventure. [caption id="attachment_846008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] STAY IN A CONVERTED CHURCH Considering the immense beauty of Victoria's Pyrenees, booking yourself into some suitably snug accommodation is the best way to spend the night. Arguably the top spot in the area is Grayling's Gift, an immaculate 19th century church rejuvenated with luxurious furnishings and amenities. Inside, the antique decor includes an elegant clawfoot bathtub, a vintage chesterfield lounge and a wood fireplace that elevates the cosiness factor to the extreme. While breakfast is provided during your stay, there's also a compact kitchen to use — we suggest using it to put together a grazing platter with local produce to enjoy during a star-gazing session in the expansive fields on your doorstep. [caption id="attachment_844023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TREK THROUGH THE RAINFOREST Situated on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, Lexton is home to mind-boggling natural beauty. To experience the variety of landscapes in one place, a 30-minute drive to Mount Buangor State Park is your best bet. With its 15 kilometres of interconnected trails, this is the place to explore mountain peaks or delve deeper into the valley floor. If you're looking for a low-intensity hike, the Waterfalls Nature Walk trail should be at the top of your to-do list. Taking just 45 minutes to complete, this return journey sees hikers wander through blue gum forests on their way past three waterfalls, including the stunning Ferntree Falls and the Cascade Falls. [caption id="attachment_844026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE WINE COUNTRY It might seem a little on the nose, but this part of Victoria does indeed get its name from the Pyrenees region stretching between France and Spain. Our Pyrenees wine region dates back to the 1960s, so expect your visit to this thriving food and wine country to be overflowing with delicious flavours. More than 40 cellar doors provide ample opportunity to sample the local varieties, and Blue Pyrenees Estate is considered one of the best. Head to this sprawling estate on the outskirts of Avoca for tasting tours and a refined cafe that overlooks the vineyard. In nearby Moonambel, Summerfield Wines offers an equally delectable experience, featuring world-class vino and woodfired pizzas. ROAM HISTORICAL GARDENS AND HARVEST FRESH PRODUCE Despite its location in the heart of the Goldfields region, Lexton didn't quite have the same luck as its neighbours when it came to buried treasure. However, that didn't stop several great estates from being established in the area. For example, the Mount Mitchell Homestead serves as a lasting symbol of Victoria's pre-federation history. Founded in 1838, this sprawling home offers ten acres of pristine gardens from which to admire the Pyrenees Mountains that rise to the west. Stop in to stroll through the beautiful gardens and working farm, where you can pick up fresh produce like eggs from the resident hens, catch yabbies and fish from the property's lake and pick your own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from the orchard and kitchen garden. [caption id="attachment_844028" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt (Flickr)[/caption] HIT UP PARMA PALACE When you roll into any country town, a good pub meal is often one of the first things to seek out. Lexton's Pyrenees Family Hotel isn't afraid to put its reputation on the line, with the self-appointed nickname of the 'Parma Palace'. There are 12 plate-sized varieties of the pub classic to choose from here, with each one bound to leave you very satisfied. The pub also features the hallmarks of any classic country pub: there's a top-notch beer garden where you can enjoy a crisp lager beneath the shade of a mulberry tree, a pool room and jukebox. Plus, if you stop by on a Friday night you can even try your luck at winning a meat tray. [caption id="attachment_844031" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TEST YOUR BUSHWALKING SKILLS There's stellar bushwalking to be found all over the Pyrenees region, but you can quickly access some of the best with a short drive to Beaufort. Here, you'll find the challenging Ben Nevis Walk – a 9.6-kilometre circuit that kicks off with a seriously steep climb up an old 4WD track. As the terrain levels out, you'll have the energy to admire the wildflowers and panoramic views that adorn this landscape. Although this adventure will definitely put even the fittest bushwalkers through their paces, the views from the peak make this journey supremely worthwhile. [caption id="attachment_844032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Francesco Vicenzi (Flickr)[/caption] EXPERIENCE A NEXT-LEVEL BUSH DOOF Bush doofs don't come much bigger, or more colourful, than the annual Rainbow Serpent Festival. Launched in 1998 in the dusty fields surrounding Lexton, this hedonistic playground presents a global showcase of electronic music, ranging from psytrance to minimal techno. With the pandemic and bushfires quashing recent years, a return is on the cards for Easter 2023. Alongside the mind-melting tunes and sparkling outfits, the festival invites you to explore your spiritual side through immersive art installations, workshops and otherworldly experiences. If that sounds up your alley, get your pals together for a metaphysical reawakening. Just be sure to take a few days off to guarantee your recovery. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Elliot Kramer
Bored within the confines of your 4-wall bedroom? Embrace your bohemian desires by trading in your modern accommodations for a whimsical gypsy wagon. England's Gypsy Caravan Company creates wagons fit with a double bed, seating, a pull-out table, storage lockers, wardrobe, a secret den, and bookshelves. These miniature homes are also furnished with all the romantic decor appropriate for such a home design: birdcages, crocheted curtains and wood stoves. The company asserts a myriad of uses for such a structure, ranging from a child's playhouse to and artist's studio. These caravans are the perfect hideaway for those who want to unleash their inner romantic or who lead a gypsy-esque nomadic lifestyle--each wagon is equipped with a set of wheels. [via Flavorwire]
Any venue can serve up a brunch that goes on for hours, or so it seems given the sheer number of such mid-morning sessions across Brisbane. Cloudland's Brunch with Bite fits that mould, offering plenty of food as well as bottomless booze — but it also adds something a little different to the menu. Fancy getting a bit of camp drag comedy with your meal? Watching an uproarious game show? Belting out a tune while brunch rolls on? They're all on the bill at this banquet, with the lineup changing weekly. Food-wise, you'll tuck into an Italian-inspired spread and nab a drink on arrival, all as part of your $88.80 ticket. The event kicks off at 11am, with two hours of bottomless mimosas, bloody marys, Canadian Clubs, select beers and sangria on offer between 11.15am–1.15pm. And, if you're going booze-free, you can opt for mocktails instead.
More than 110 years have passed since the RMS Titanic's ill-fated voyage, but the ship's tragic sinking hasn't ever become a mere historical footnote. James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Celine Dion all helped. In Australia recently, a Melbourne exhibition about the ocean liner has also assisted — as has musical Titanique in Sydney. In Brisbane July, Titanic. The Human Story is another event that's stepping through the tale of the vessel that set out from Southhampton in April 1912, then struck an iceberg en route to New York. The exhibition has popped up in both the UK and the US, but is enjoying its maiden Down Under visit in the Queensland capital. Although everything Titanic-related since 1997 has meant thinking about Cameron (Avatar: The Way of Water), DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon), Winslet (The Regime) and Dion, Titanic. The Human Story wants you to cast the movie from your mind as it focuses on the ship's passengers and crew. The exhibition features around 200 personal artefacts from them, including never-before-seen pieces that span handwritten letters, belongings, keepsakes and photographs. As attendees step through their experiences, an audio guide also relays the tales of those onboard the liner during its one and only journey — and some of the boat's interiors will feature via life-sized recreations as well. Titanic. The Human Story is displaying at Uptown, the shopping complex in the Queen Street Mall that was previously the Myer Centre, until March 2025. The precinct first got into the exhibition game with the completely different Dopamine Land, which was filled with Instagram-friendly experiences designed to make visitors feel happy (ball pits are one of them) and also made its Aussie premiere in Brisbane. Behind both is entertainment discovery platform Fever. Also behind Titanic. The Human Story specifically is Spanish company Musealia. Bringing historical exhibitions to audiences is its remit, including about the Berlin Wall and Auschwitz, and it has enlisted Titanic expert Claes-Göran Wetterholm to assist with its research on this exhibition. Updated Monday, January 13, 2025.
Florists are a dime a dozen in Brisbane, but it's worth arguing that Flour and Bloom is a cut above the rest. The Camp Hill florist and greenspace is filled with seasonal blooms, indoor plants and greenery that are sure to brighten up both your day and your living room. It offers same-day delivery from Tuesday to Friday to selected suburbs in Brisbane and the Bayside area. Choose from a set range of flowers and exquisite bouquets or, if you're looking for something even more personalised, talk to the team about creating a custom arrangement. Alongside its floral selections, you'll also find decor items and homewares — think ceramic pots and bowls, premium bath products from Salt By Hendrix, candles and organic wines, too. Make sure you keep an eye on its Instagram page for updates on seasonal flower arrivals — peony season is particularly popular. Images: Kiel Wode
At the Ohana Cider House and Tropical Winery you'll discover some delightful drinks that wouldn't be out of place at any big-city bar. Having taken a holiday to Hawaii in 2014 and fallen in love with the tropical climate, founders Zoe Young and Josh Phillips left behind their desk jobs in Perth to buy a piece of Queensland land, where they established their much-loved tropical winery. They then relocated their to Bundaberg in 2018 and expanded into cider, too. Since then, they've gone on to release ciders ranging from dry apple to pineapple and strawberry, as well as produce some of the region's top vino using fresh fruit grown on the orchard or by local farmers. Snag a tasting paddle to try six of the best for $18. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1.30pm, you can join a one-hour to see how the cider is made — it costs a tenner and includes tastings of the flagship ciders. Image: Paul Beutel
You could travel to the Murray and do nothing but eat, drink and be merry. And you should. The region is jam-packed with incredible producers, innovative makers and chefs, old-school artisans and new-wave cuisine. Having access to some of the country's best farmers and makers gives these venues the luxury of a hyper-local, hyper-seasonal approach to food and drink. From swanky bistros and rustic wineries to experimental distillers and fire-focused chefs, the Murray region is an unmissable foodie destination. If you're a flavour-chaser, prepare yourself to get amongst it all: swirl small-batch wines, discover ancient flavours and native ingredients, and experience new locavore dining experiences and European-inspired eateries. Whatever your taste, whenever you decide to visit, there's someone in the Murray region putting their heart and soul into something delicious. [caption id="attachment_662395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morrisons Riverview Winery and Restaurant[/caption] WINE AND DINE Trentham Estate Winery lies on the banks of the Murray, offering an award-winning cellar door experience. This much-lauded NSW Tourism Awards Hall-of-Famer boasts 45 sweeping hectares of vines producing French and Italian varietals. Officially established in 1988, it'd actually been in viticulture for decades beforehand, and it's still a family-run winery today. Snag a table at the restaurant to enjoy Modern European fare, or swing by the cellar door to just sit back and watch the boats slide by as you sip shiraz (also, unsurprisingly, award-winning). Morrisons Riverview Winery and Restaurant (pictured above) is more than just a darn gorgeous venue — this Moama winery also has a restaurant that should be on every foodie hitlist. The ever-changing menu is focused on local, seasonal produce with enough variety to suit all tastes. Sweetcorn bread with cashew sambal and burnt chilli butter sits alongside lamb backstrap with pickled cauli, greens, couscous and smoked eggplant puree, calamari caesar salad pimped with pork scratchings and garlic toast, and chips with kasundi, aioli and hop salt. The five-course 'Chef's Feed Me' option is the best way to sample the scope of these flavours. Enjoy it while sipping Morrisons' premium wine blends from its 15 hectares of vines — from chardonnay to moscato to shiraz. [caption id="attachment_893785" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Old School Winery and Meadery, Destination NSW[/caption] SIP SOMETHING SPECIAL For something different, take a drive out to Monak Wine Co. Its first vintage was released in 2020 making it a younger winery (albeit with 25 years of winemaking experience to draw on). Here's what else you need to know: it's family-owned, works with local growers and applies exquisite attention to detail to its small-batch, handmade drops. It's an eclectic mix of wines — some minimal intervention, all very special. The cellar door opens on Friday and Saturday to slake your curiosity. The Old School Winery and Meadery (pictured above) is more than a classic winery. Sure, it makes a few small-batch, handcrafted reds, but the main point of difference is mead — traditionally fermented honey alcohol. On the site of an old Womboota school, this rustic venue offers a taste of history in more ways than one. It has been making mead for over 20 years, spearheading the honey-wine industry growth in Australia. Mead was a drink beloved by Vikings, but the unique flavour of Australian bush honey makes this unlike any European mead. Here, the team crafts everything from sweet and fortified meads to drier styles. They also make medieval mead beakers in the on-site pottery workshop. Bring a picnic and settle into the cellar door garden for an afternoon. [caption id="attachment_893783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, Destination NSW[/caption] GET SPIRITED AWAY Drink less, enjoy more: that's the ethos of Echuca Distillery, championing quality and character over quantity. Based in Echuca Moama, David De Vries and his wife Fiona have decades of experience in fragrance and flavour production science. Their fastidious research and passion for playing with gin botanicals lead to unique, expressive flavour profiles. Starting with a base of grain or grape spirit distilled in Lavender, their Italian copper still, they infuse classics like dry and navy strength gin as well as combos like yuzu and ginger, a five-citrus gin and a port barrel-aged gin. In addition to liqueurs, cocktail spirits, arak and agave, Echuca has now added a whisky to the lineup. Corowa Whisky and Chocolate (pictured above) began with an underdog story of three mates buying an abandoned flour mill for a dollar. With one of Australia's youngest head distillers, this business produces a true blue Aussie whisky. It uses local organic barley grains and Murray River water to make its signature dram, aided by the drastically fluctuating temperatures of the area which leads to faster maturation. The most popular whisky, Corowa Characters, honours the team behind it and is aged in American, French and Hungarian oak. There are other whisky styles that use ex-bourbon, ex-muscat and ex-sherry casks, as well as single barrel releases and a special collab with Bridge Road Brewers, distilled from unsold kegs of beer in 2020. For those with a sweet tooth, there are Belgian chocolates crafted in-house on offer that are the perfect complement to whisky. What more could you need? [caption id="attachment_894105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yardbird[/caption] EAT ELITE Bistro Selle is a classic European bistro in the heart of a country city. There's a balance between comfortable familiarity, charming elegance and playful experiments. As well as freshly shucked oysters and smoked beef tartare, you'll find crispy tripe, goat ragu and a porcini-choc-fennel-malt dessert. Refined dishes are plated in an artistic, almost sculptural, way that's as pleasing to the eye as to the tastebuds. All are accompanied by an extensive wine list of Australian and European drops. The key focus of Yardbird (pictured above) is flame, from the Spanish Mibrasa woodfired oven in the kitchen to the roaring glass-fronted fire centrepiece of the dining room. It only opened in 2021, but it's been making a name for itself in the region. The decor is stylish yet warm and comforting: light-flooded, pale timber accents and post-industrial warehouse ceilings. The western European-inspired menu changes in line with the daily produce and opportunity, but can include whipped cod roe and flatbread; deep fried Crottin de Chavignol with figs, green beans and honey; bavette steak with bone marrow, persillade and green peppercorn; rosemary duck fat potatoes and mamasita-style fire-roasted corn; and poached cherry pavlova to finish. Now, imagine all that paired with a bright wine list of mineral-driven, minimal intervention vino. [caption id="attachment_893786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The River Deck Cafe, Destination NSW[/caption] OR KEEP IT CASUAL The River Deck Cafe serves Modern Australian cuisine in Albury, overlooking the tree-lined banks of the Murray. Local and native ingredients take centre stage here, so you can really taste the region, with its creative flourish on a farm-to-table menu. It's very seasonal. So seasonal that the menu changes every two to four weeks in line with the availability of the best produce. At breakfast and lunch, it offers comforting country classics like sourdough crumpets alongside the smashed avo and house granola any city slicker expects of brekkie, followed by hearty mains like a porterhouse steak, barramundi and chips and pasta dishes. The Albury offshoot of a locally loved Lake Mulwala restaurant, Blacksmith Provedore, has distilled that same European aperitivo hour aesthetic of the original into a space within the famously top-notch Harris Farm market. With a white and grey marble bar, hanging charcuterie and rows of delicious wines, it brings more casual riviera elegance than you might expect. Plus, being in the market, it has access to the finest ingredients. As well as local produce, expect prosciutto from San Daniele, San Marzano tomatoes from Salerno and buffalo Mozzarella from Shaw River. You can start your day with luxurious pastries, a Reuben toastie or fruit-topped chia puddings. Stop by later to get in on those famous woodfired pizzas with a three-day slow-fermented base. Pair it with a spritz or cocktail special, or opt for a wine from the truly delicious list. Located at the rear of Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), looking over the gardens, Canvas Eatery is a bright light-filled modern space offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of Albury. It's open 8am—3pm daily but also opens on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm till late. It serves some of the best coffee in town, according to the locals. Not to mention craft beer and excellent wines. Food-wise, it's a fun, fresh menu, with Coco Pops, crumpets with honeycomb butter and raspberry cheesecake waffles for breakfast. An open bagel smørrebrød with herb creme fraiche, smoked salmon, avo and salmon caviar features on the lunch menu. Then by night, expect an eclectic mix of share plates, including smoked river fish croquettes, prawn toast banh mi, duck parfait with rye wattleseed waffle, and pizzas. [caption id="attachment_893788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paddle Streamer, Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A TASTING TOUR Take a cruise down the river, capturing that old-timey charm on board an award-winning tour. Murray River Paddle Steamer's 'Wharf to Winery' premium cruise takes you along the Murray in an iconic, beautifully restored historic paddle steamer. The total tour is about three hours, accompanied by a captain's commentary on the history and culture of the area. Then it's time for a two-course lunch at Morrisons Winery and a guided tasting. On the way back, enjoy complimentary vino as you sail along the Murray in style. Nothing compares to meeting the folks behind the food, and The Eating, Drinking, Tasting tour with Albury Eating Travel allows you to do just that. A full-day tour of two to seven guests in a Mercedes van will take you around the region to chat with the experts themselves: small-scale, private farms, boutique wineries and distilleries. And each tour is unique and catered to your taste and the seasons. For more ways to enjoy the Murray region, check out our nature guide or history and culture guide. Or, to start planning your food pilgrimage to the Murray region, head to the website. Top images: Destination NSW (Corowa Distillery; Blacksmith Provedore, Albury).
When you're wandering through the Canadian Rockies, you're probably thinking about many things. The sheer size of the mountains around you, for one. The cold, depending on the time of year you visit. And perhaps spotting a mythical creature, depending on your thoughts on Bigfoot. The folks behind Chermside's newest bar and eatery might've been pondering all that, but they were contemplating something else as well. Inspired by the splendour around them — and the food and drink that they enjoyed along the way — they decided to bring a slice of Saskatchewan back to Brisbane. That's where Sasquatch was born — and like its namesake, you'll find it hiding in plain sight (just down the road from Chermside shopping centre, in this case). The presence of plenty of timber fixtures and furniture evokes thoughts of the titular creature's natural habitat, but this craft beer and charcoal grill bar really is all about its menu. Whether you're keen on a breakfast coffee and sweet treat, something more exciting than a sandwich for lunch, an after-work beverage or a share plate for dinner, Sasquatch has you covered. Food-wise, expect something special no matter what time of day it is — that is, jaffles first-up, sticky pork belly and miso glazed barramundi hero subs come noon, and grilled hunks of meat, whole chickens and fillets of fish with waffle fries and other sides to finish up. Alas, you won't find the Canadian staple that is poutine on the menu yet, but keep your eyes peeled for a future addition. To wash it all down, patrons can choose between a rotating selection of craft brews — including 20 bottled and eight on tap — plus wine, spirits and Cleanskin Coffee Co.'s signature blend.
You've just sat down on the couch with Aunty Donna's new $30 bottle of wine. You're done reading the Always Room for Christmas Pud picture book, however, and you've already watched Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun — aka one of 2020's best new shows — more times than you can count. What's a comedy fan left to do while they sip their $30 vino, other talk about it a heap? From sometime early in 2023, you can feast your eyes on new ABC sitcom Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe. Morning brown, morning brown, this bit of news is better than a cup of morning brown — because Aunty Donna is heading back to your TV, and to the ABC, as initially announced earlier in 2022. Yes, Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane are heading to Aunty, in a return of what just might be Aussie television's most fitting pairing. This isn't the first time that the two have joined forces, after all, with Aunty Donna's Fresh Blood hitting iView back in 2014. This time, though, Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane are starring in a Melbourne-set comedy. The premise: three best mates run a cafe in one of Melbourne's laneways. Their coffee-slinging establishment is trendy, but the stretch of pavement it's in on isn't. You can expect cups of morning brown to be served, clearly. Hopefully, the song about them will get a whirl. Will the cafe be open on Christmas and serve up a little bit of pud, too? You'll have to watch to find out. From the just-dropped sneak peek, which sees Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane chat through what's in store and also includes snippets of footage, Aunty Donna's absurd sense of humour is firmly intact. Sniffing pastries, wearing Batman costumes, donning crowns, jumping on counters, cults, and guest appearances by Miranda Tapsell (Christmas Ransom), Pia Miranda (Mustangs FC) and Richard Roxburgh (Elvis) — they're all included. "This is a heightened, ridiculous sitcom about three friends who are trying to run a cafe. They get up to bizarre adventures, and we really hope it's going to be the latest, greatest addition to Australia's incredible history or ridiculous, stupid comedies," Bonanno says in the clip. "We cannot wait to make you laugh on ABC and ABC iView early next year" adds Ruane, before cutting a clip of him in-character asking "how is this going to sit on a Wednesday night on ABC"? Exactly when the show hits hasn't been revealed, other than that early 2023 timeframe, but you can check out the first teaser for Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe below: Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe will hit ABC and ABC iView sometime in early 2023 — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
Craving the kind of cake your mum definitely doesn't make, but find yourself in the CBD rather than Newstead or South Bank? Sweet treat fans, rejoice — Chester Street Bakery has set up a third store in the centre of the city. Since late July, Brissie's favourite bakers have been slinging their creative creations from their new digs inside the entrance to the King George Square bus station. Just like its express setup over the river, expect another small in size, big in taste location from the same dessert-focused empire as Doughnut Time and Mister Fitz. Delicious from start to finish, CSB's menu features their signature cakes, hot chocolates and other edible items; if you're already fan, you know the drill. Their big cakes have garnered a huge reputation over the years, whether rainbow layers, death by chocolate, cookie dough or doughnut offerings take your fancy. Or, opt for frozen goodness courtesy of cookie monster, red velvet and banana split ice cream cakes. With Oreo-crusted unicorn cream pie Nutella pavlova, Kit Kat cheesecakes, M&M Brownies, Ferrero choc tops, and peanut butter whip shakes also served up, the list well and truly goes on.
If you're looking for beachfront dining while in Tropical North Queensland (and why wouldn't you be?), Palm Cove's Nu Nu Restaurant is a must. With stunning views of the Coral Sea and picture-perfect palm trees framing your vista, this beachfront restaurant will satisfy both your visual senses and your tastebuds. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu boasts a great selection of dishes that embrace locally grown produce. For brekkie, try the crab omelette with a zingy ginger caramel and white pepper broth or Nu Nu's take on bircher featuring pineapple and coconut cream-soaked muesli topped with mango, tropical fruit and toasted coconut. If you stop by for lunch or dinner we recommend starting with a tropical cocktail like the vanilla ginger mojito with Daintree vanilla sugar and a starter of Pacific oysters with finger lime. Then, follow it up with sake-poached octopus with pickled shiitake and spring onion oil or sugarcane-smoked duck with barbecued cabbage and rhubarb.
If one person's trash is another man's treasure, then a trunk full of junk may as well be a treasure chest. Suitcase Rummage gets that when it comes to shopping, secondhand reaps the best bang for your buck. For years, it has been hosting regular events around town — and, although the past few years have been a bit chaotic, it's still going strong in 2024. Next unpacking its bags from 12pm on Sunday, September 15 and Sunday, October 6 at Reddacliff Place — and Sunday, October 20, too — Suitcase Rummage features a crowd of open suitcases filled with the type of clothes, knick-knacks and craft you probably don't need but definitely deserve. [caption id="attachment_653944" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yan Chen[/caption] If you can't make it now, try again on the first and third Sundays of each month. And, if you've got a pile of unwanted bits and pieces that someone else could love, you could always take your own suitcase along. Those who wanting to sell their wares must register — and it'll cost $33 for a 'stall'. You can bring up to three suitcases, so you can lug in all those shoes you've been promising to wear but certainly will not. [caption id="attachment_885725" align="alignnone" width="1920"] tcfairyqueen via Flickr[/caption] Top image: Suitcase Rummage.
"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was trapped. This is the story of her great escape." So begins the trailer for the latest version of a Roald Dahl classic, the book-to-stage-to-screen Matilda the Musical — and it's bringing its imaginative story about an extraordinary child, her impressive abilities and her horrible school to Netflix on Christmas Day. For the past few years, the streaming platform has been obsessed with one very particular golden ticket that Matilda the Musical springs from: the beloved works of British author Dahl. Back in 2018, Netflix announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. And, it revealed that there'd be two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. In 2021, it also advised that it had snapped up the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) itself. So, plenty of Dahl-penned tales are now getting the Netflix treatment, with the service's library set to expand in a big way. That spans everything from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits, all as animated television shows, plus The BFG, Esio Trot, George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew. Yes, it's a long list — and yes, Matilda the Musical is obviously on it. [caption id="attachment_873641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] If you've seen the Tony and Olivier award-winning show in theatres since 2010 — complete with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin — you'll know what's in store. If you read the novel before that, you'll also already have plenty of fondness everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities. In the movie as onstage, the narrative remains the same as Dahl's original 1988 text, but with songs and tunes that are all supremely on its wavelength. Once again, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir, Darklands) is a curious, bright, quiet, observant and imaginative girl — and tiny — but has terrible parents (Venom: Let There Be Carnage's Stephen Graham and Amsterdam's Andrea Riseborough). So, she escapes into novels as they feast on TV and try to stump up cash via dodgy schemes. But that isn't welcomed by her mum and dad, in her first lesson in being bullied — something that, at school, Matilda will no longer stand for. [caption id="attachment_873640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] At Crunchem Hall, Matilda finds a source of support and inspiration in Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch, No Time to Die), but it's also where the star student meets another foe. That'd be the villainous Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), who is as mean as can be — and needs Matilda to teach her a lesson. Minchin's songs and lyrics make the jump to the movie version, of course, while Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus — who did the honours with Matilda the Musical on the stage — helms. And yes, this is the second movie based on Dahl's Matilda, after a 1996 version initially adapted the book for cinema (not as a musical, though), and featured Mara Wilson as the titular character. Check out the full trailer for Matilda the Musical below: Matilda the Musical will be available to stream via Netflix on December 25. Images: Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022.
As always, Falls Festival has gifted us with one helluva lineup. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 27th year is a pretty exciting gang of musical mates headlined by America pop singer and star Halsey, who'll be performing songs off her Platinum albums Badlands and Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. She's joined by Ezra Koenig-fronted rock band Vampire Weekend, who've just dropped their latest album Father of the Bride, British electro duo Disclosure and Icelandic indie pop band Of Monsters and Men. True to form, the Falls 2019 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include The Voice himself John Farnham, who'll be belting out hits from some of his nineteen albums, including, we're sure, 'You're the Voice'. Aussie dance trio Pnau, dance floor regulars Peking Duk, folk singer Vera Blue and rapper Baker Boy will all be making appearances, too. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, the North Byron Parklands and the Fremantle Oval Precinct, WA. But, the Lorne festival in Victoria, as of Sunday, December 29, has had to cancel one day into the event because of extreme and hazardous weather. You can read more about the cancellation here. FALLS FESTIVAL 2019 LINEUP Halsey (no sideshows) Vampire Weekend Disclosure Peking Duk Of Monsters and Men Pnau Lewis Capaldi Milky Chance John Farnham Banks (no sideshows) Dope Lemon Vera Blue Yungblud G Flip Crooked Colours Parcels Thelma Plum #1 Dads Waax Baker Boy Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Amyl & The Sniffers The Japanese House Pink Sweat$ Good Doogs Cxloe Totty Tash Sultana (Byron Bay only) What So Not (Lorne only) Wolfmother (Marion Bay only) Matt Corby (Fremantle only) Updated December 29
If you devoured Boy Swallows Universe when it hit Netflix, then got excited Love Stories coming to the stage — and if you're a big fan of Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller, too — then you'll want to make a date with the 2024 Brisbane Writers Festival. Two of the just-announced lineup's biggest names speak volumes about the event this year, with the program adoring and celebrating local talent, and also welcoming in international writers. Prepare to be busy, literature lovers: more than 150 live sessions are on the full bill. When BWF takes place from Thursday, May 30–Sunday, June 2 at the State Library of Queensland and other venues around Brisbane, Trent Dalton will dive into Lola in the Mirror. As for American author Michael Connelly, he has his crime sagas that started with The Black Echo and The Lincoln Lawyer to discuss — plus 2023's Resurrection Walk, which features both Bosch and Haller. From there, the usual applies at Brisbane's annual ode to storytelling and publishing: if it involves words, it's probably covered. BWF Artistic Director Jackie Ryan has dubbed 2024's festival an "intellectual all-you-can-eat". "Our slogan is 'have we got a story for you', and it's a promise we're keen to deliver on — whether your appetite is for culture, science, sport, literature, politics, espionage, music, health, comedy, romance, performance, crime, history, poetry, or a combination of the above," Ryan notes. [caption id="attachment_944973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kat Westerman[/caption] Among the book-centric buffet, other highlights include keynote addresses by Melissa Lucashenko and Louise Doughty, Prima Facie's Suzie Miller talking about her hit play, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame's Rebecca Yarros taking her first trip Down Under, Naomi Novik chatting about her Scholomance series and Tokyo Vice writer Jake Adelstein digging into his experiences. Or, there's also the Booker Prize-shortlisted Paul Murray, fantasy author Samantha Shannon and The Dictionary People's Sarah Ogilvie — and the fact that Melanie Saward and Lenora Thaker are both guest curators. Bryan Brown, Kate Ceberano, Ed Le Brocq and Stuart Coupe are on the program as well, each with a new tome to discuss. Julia Baird, Chris Hammer, Daniel Browning, Jackie Huggins, William McInnes, Anna McGahan, Samuel Wagan-Watson, Matthew Condon, Anita Heiss and Hedley Thomas are also flying the flag for Australian, and sometimes Queensland, scribes. Brisbane writers are particularly well-represented, with more than 60 taking part. [caption id="attachment_944977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Hadley[/caption] If you want to hear Connelly examine his chosen genre with Doughty, Brown, Dann McDorman and Dinuka McKenzie, you're in luck there, too. Historical fiction is in the spotlight via Heather Morris, Mirandi Riwoe, Melissa Ashley and Christine Wells — and Sing Lit Station is bringing Singaporean authors Brisbane's way. A day celebrating YA fiction, exploring the response to the Matildas over the past year, the intersection of music and books, gothic fiction, short stories, the history of Aussie cinema, supernatural thrills, the murder-mystery genre, how to write about art: they all earn some attention, because that's how jam-packed the lineup is. And the week before the fest kicks off, Lessons in Chemistry author Bonnie Garmus will head to town, but her in-conversation sessions are already sold out. The 2024 Brisbane Writers Festival runs from Thursday, May 30–Sunday, June 2 at the State Library of Queensland and other venues around Brisbane. To check out the full program and purchase tickets, check out the festival's website. Brisbane Writers Festival images: Markus Ravik, CSquare Media, Geoff Lawrence, Bianca Holderness, Josef Ruckli and Morgan Roberts.
Hemingway's Brewery is a must-visit for Far North Queensland visitors and locals alike. Not only for the stunning views across the aqua waters of Port Douglas but also for the quality craft brews. Waters from the nearby Mossman Gorge, top-notch hops and locally sourced base malts are combined to create its six-strong flagship line, which ranges from The Prospector, an award-winning bitter pilsner with a strong malt flavour, to the light, bright 7th Heaven, a tropical ale. The Port Douglas brewpub, which is the smaller of the brand's two locations (the other is in Cairns), is located on a superyacht marina — we suggest nabbing a table on the deck for the best water and mountain views. Pizzas, burgers, share plates and other standard pub grub is on offer and, on weekends, there is live music, too. [caption id="attachment_770965" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Krista Eppelstun via Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption]
No city can ever have too many places that encourage you to relax. We all lead busy lives, and we all need every reminder that we can get that slowing down, relaxing and putting our wellbeing first are important. So, while Brisbane has no shortage of wellness studios, adding another one is always welcome. By the time that April is out, Contro Wellness in Lutwyche will be River City's latest place to chase bliss. Opening on Lutwyche Road on Saturday, April 20, 2024, this pastel-hued spot is going Mediterranean-style with its bathhouse setup — and dreamy, too, as its calming colour palette helps evoke. Inside, patrons will find both traditional and infrared saunas, float therapy, ice baths, steam rooms and mineral soaks. And if that's not enough, there's red-light therapy and salt therapy as well. "Contro Wellness is the ultimate escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life," said Madeleine Snaith and Jake Salomone, the venue's co-founders. The pair are Brisbanites, but are opening Contro Wellness as part of their homecoming after establishing pilates and yoga studios — also called Contro — in north Queensland, in Mackay and Rural View. "Our extensive range of private health solutions offer calm amongst the chaos. Whether you're after a float, sauna or ice bath, we've got something for everyone to help rebalance, revive and rejuvenate." If you're keen on not just relaxation, but some alone time — or sharing your experience with a date or mate — this isn't the kind of place where you'll be using the facilities with other folks. All services are private, which is handy if you're also the type of person who finds trying to de-stress surrounded by people who don't know anything but calming. Price-wise, you'll be forking out at least $40, which is where Contro Wellness' services start. The bathhouse will also let you book in via its app, so you can lock in your next stint of unwinding at the touch of a button. Find Contro Wellness 488 Lutwyche Road, Lutwyche, from Saturday, April 20, 2024. Head to the studio's website for further information. Images: renders.
For a mid-week date night that's filled with deliciousness, a casual catch-up with your crew that's as tasty as it is enjoyable, or a solo stint of treating yo'self, Hamilton has the ultimate one-two combination. Kick things off at one end of Racecourse Road by digging into one of Taro's Ramen's finest bowls — but make sure you leave room for dessert. To get your sweet fix, wander on down to Milany Gelato and pick from one of more than 40 flavours. If the gelateria is serving up its Kinder Surprise ice cream, make sure that's one of them.
Fatcow may no longer be able to boast a riverside location, but the steakhouse is dialling up the luxury when it reopens at its new James Street address on Wednesday, May 8. The look: lavish. This is also the kind of place where every booth is surrounded by curtains stretching from the floor to the ceiling, to screen patrons off to give them their own private dining experience. Also, a gold-wrapped 400-gram rib fillet is on the menu. If the literally shiny steak stands out immediately, it's called the Golden Fatcow, encloses a 150-plus-day grain-fed black angus cut from the Riverina region in gold leaf, and unsurprisingly does not come cheap. The cost: $190. It's one of the restaurant's three new signature dishes, alongside a $199 steak-and-lobster combo and the butcher's choice, which varies in price. Yes, this is a treat yo'self type of restaurant. It was back in late 2023 that Tassis Group announced that Fatcow on James Street — which was known as Fatcow Steak & Lobster during its Eagle Street Pier days — would return in 2024. It lost its former digs, where it had operated since December 2020 in the site that was formerly home to fellow upscale steak joint Cha Cha Char, when the Brisbane CBD precinct was torn down to make way for an upcoming new $2.1-billion waterfront precinct. Now, Fatcow is relaunching in the Fortitude Valley spot that Space Furniture and David Jones have previously called home, with the abode getting a revamp as a hospitality establishment. The design led by Allo Creative and Clui Design harks back to steak-slinging eateries in the mid-20th century, complete with a bar made out of solid marble, those circular booths and two private dining rooms. Patrons can also peer through a window to the chef's grill to see where the culinary magic happens. "Getting the chance to design a world-class steakhouse from scratch is a dream come true,' says Michael Tassis, the restaurateur whose hospitality portfolio also includes fellow steak-focused joint Rich & Rare, plus Yamas Greek + Drink, Massimo, Opa Bar + Mezze, Fosh and Longwang (and will gain an overwater restaurant and bar, plus a landing cafe, as part of Kangaroo Point's new green bridge). "With the original Fatcow, we inherited the old Cha Cha Char space and had to make it our own. This time, we're taking a site that's never been a restaurant before and turning it into the ideal version of Fatcow." Under Head Chef Garry Newton, a Fatcow alum who also has Herve's and Rich & Rare on his resume, the new Fatcow's menu also features more than 16 steaks, wagyu tasting boards with three types and three sides, and mains such as wagyu burgers and lamb shoulder. Caviar is among the options, as are oysters fresh from Brisbane's only live oyster tank, raw scallops and beef tenderloin tartare as entrees, and tank-fresh lobster. The restaurant is taking a 24-hour approach to seafood — that's how long, maximum, the journey from the trawler to your plate will be. Dessert choices span a chocolate tart, lime sorbet and basque cheesecake, plus ten cheeses that come served in 50-gram pieces. To drink, a 300-strong wine list combines local and international drops. Cocktails are also among the beverages. And Caio Rosetto, who managed the OG eatery, is back at Fatcow as well, via Rico Bar and Dining and Yamas Greek + Drink. Find Fatcow on James Street at 10 James Street, Fortitude Valley from Wednesday, May 8 — open daily from 11.30am–late. Head to the restaurant's website for more details.
