Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, like in past years, it's also bringing the decadence to you. Whether you're a Melburnian who can't make it to one of the three venues outside of town, or you're located elsewhere and you really love hot chocolate, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie are churning out at-home kits filled with creative hot choccie flavours. This year's physical fest boasts a wild range of flavours, with the at-home version following suit. Whichever you choose between Tuesday, August 1–Thursday, August 31, you'll receive couverture flavour-infused melts, a giant marshmallow and interactive elements to add to your choice of hot milk at home. Wondering which inventive flavours will tempt your tastebuds? The full 2023 lineup is as OTT and indulgent as ever — and as tasty. Kicking things off: a nod to Barbie via a pink-infused hot chocolate, as well as an Iced Vovo hot chocolate that features chocolate iced doughnuts for dunking. Or, you can sip on a poached pear and hazelnut version, a dulce de leche churros hot chocolate and a Biscoff hedgehog variety. Pick the Happy Vegemite hot chocolate and you'll get handcrafted caramel koalas to dip — or go for the Harry Potter-inspired hot choc to score a chocolate wand for doing the same. Some flavours come topped with waffles or pretzels. Yes, the list goes on. Only a selection of flavours will be available to make at home, but the ones on offer can be ordered throughout August for $6.50 per single-flavour kit. There's also a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia. Images: A Myszka.
Like karaoke? Fond of singing in public in general, whether you're solo or in a group? Then it's time to up your crooning game. Pub Choir is exactly what it sounds like — aka a gathering of folks belting out a tune, together, in a bar. It's basically what happens whenever someone puts 'Wonderwall' or 'Weather With You' on the jukebox, but in a more organised fashion. The event happens monthly; however, as part of The Festival — aka the arts and culture fest that's currently taking over southeast Queensland alongside the Commonwealth Games — they're throwing an extra special shindig. On April 5, Pub Choir will be heading on over to The Festival's Brisbane Hub at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt for what's certain to be a loud celebration — and yes, that means South Brissie will be alive with the sound of music this time around. Unlike the usual get-togethers, participation is free. Don't worry, the area is licensed, so you'll still be able to buy drinks. Yes, singing and sipping go hand-in-hand, as they always do — just in a bigger space. If you're not usually the type of person to unleash their inner Beyonce in front of the masses, don't worry. The great thing about choirs is that everyone is singing, so you are literally a voice in the crowd. In fact, you might just find joining in the fun cathartic. If you can't feel free when you're crooning along with hundreds of others, when can you?
Whether you're keen for a staycation or descending on town from distant lands, The Westin Brisbane has a two-day relaxation experience designed to promote a powerful reset. Held from Friday, June 20–Sunday, June 22, the Wellness Weekend is a thoughtfully programmed escape filled with expert-led movement and wholesome food. As part of The Westin Brisbane's new wellness guest experience, you can expect yoga, tai chi, and a Run Concierge to be on hand every weekend at the hotel, starting Saturday, July 5. Created to help guests recharge, calm their overstimulated minds and reconnect with how they want to feel, this weekend-long itinerary appropriately falls between Global Wellness Day and International Yoga Day, giving you the perfect way to get involved. Following your arrival, Friday begins with a personalised wellness welcome, where guests attend a private dinner in the exclusive Chairman's Lounge with a feel-good menu curated by Executive Chef Shannon Batten. Day two begins with gentle sunrise yoga on Westin's Pier before a nourishing breakfast at Settimo by Guy Grossi. As the weekend progresses, guests will attend a hands-on superfood masterclass led by dietitian Kiah Paetz, then glide through a Tibetan sound healing and breathwork session. Additionally, fitness personality Phoebe Parsons will present a pilates-inspired workout, complemented by a live set from DJ Simona. There's no need to rush as this experience draws to a close — your stay comes with complimentary late check-out. While this is the first Wellness Weekend presented by The Westin Brisbane, there are plenty more in the works. In September, the hotel promises new experts, fresh programming, and an equally immersive relaxation experience, giving you the chance to feel refreshed time and time again.
If Brisbane's hospitality scene was to design the perfect Sunday, we're betting that it'd involve non-stop drinks and a tastebud-tempting spread of bites to eat. In fact, plenty of the city's eateries and bars already devote the last day of the weekend to that exact combination. Rita's in Teneriffe is the latest to join the bottomless brunch setup, and it's doing so in its signature style: with tacos and tequila-heavy cocktails. Every Sunday from 10am–2pm from February 6 onwards, you can stop by the inner-north newcomer for an unlimited serving of speciality margarita jugs and a selection of four tacos — with flavours varying on each each week. Fingers crossed that one of the edible options includes the kransky taco, which is Rita's ode to the humble Bunnings snag. But, even if that isn't on the menu when you make a bottomless brunch visit, you'll still get something tasty from the venue's blatantly unorthodox Australian-influenced taco lineup. Your Sunday feast will set you back $65 per person, and you can either book in advance or just walk in.
Our pick of Sunshine Coast Hinterland accommodation is Bird Song Valley, one kilometre from Montville. The 1920s Queenslander offers a large space for you and five of your best mates to settle in for a long weekend. Here you'll find several free-standing baths, a fireplace and views over the surrounding hinterland, plus each guest gets their own robe and slippers. Plus, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is rich with culinary experiences and beautiful sights in equal measure. You can go for rainforest walks, chase waterfalls and catch views of the coastline, all while hunting down excellent local pubs and cafes. Order beers for delivery from Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny for sampling quality craft brews (like the strawberry rhubarb sour) and pop over to Kenilworth Country Bakery to sip your coffee from a doughnut or, better yet, have its one-kilogram doughnut delivered to your accommodation.
Change is coming to Herston, Brisbanites. Change is coming to the entire city of Brisbane over the next decade — hosting the Olympics will do that — but revamping Victoria Park / Barrambin has been in the works long before that news. First announced in mid-2019, the new vision for the inner-city site involves transforming it into a 64-hectare destination complete with a tree house lookout, water play gully, high ropes course, mountain bike track, reinstated water holes and wetlands, and a community edible garden. And, as the Brisbane City Council has just revealed, the project now has a new draft master plan. That might not sound all that exciting, but plenty has happened with the proposed revamp over the past few years. Brisbane City Council first undertook a months-long community consultation process, with more than 5400 people tendering submissions and over 3500 folks showing up to an open day back in September 2019. Then, it unveiled an overview of the best suggestions in December that year, which it combined with advice from local and international design experts to come up with a new draft proposal that it also asked for feedback on. In 2020, it released another plan — and in 2021, it closed the golf course and opened up a heap of parkland, too, as an early step. Now comes the latest rundown of what else is in store, much of which will sound familiar from past iterations. This time, though, it builds on the 51,000-plus ideas and pieces of feedback received during the past phases — and takes into consideration that future works will need to cater for Victoria Park's temporary equestrian cross-country course, and its role as the host of BMX freestyle events, during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. So, moseying through wetlands, riding along rainforest mountain-bike trails, peering out from a treehouse lookout to take in views of the city skyline and mountain ranges, and climbing a high-ropes course — they're all included, all on the edge of Brisbane's CBD. Also on the agenda: a cafe as part of the lookout, an entire 'Adventure Valley' including the bike track and high-ropes setup, a another water play area alongside the nature water play gully, and an adventure playground. The existing pedestrian and bikeway bridge will get an upgrade, and there'll be a community sports precinct as well. And, an Education Hub and Visitor Centre, too — plus plenty of shady foliage including revegetated forests and pockets of native bushland. Regarding all that greenery, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner advised that "over the park's transformation, we will increase tree canopy cover from 10 to 60 percent, with more than 10,000 trees and shrubs already planted, including 80 native species." "This will be an incredible venue during the Brisbane 2032 Games and Council has already been working with experts to ensure that the equestrian cross country course is integrated into the master plan. Once the Games are over, the course will revert to public use and our plan for that part of the parkland will proceed," the Lord Mayor continued. In the immediate future, Victoria Park is also getting new park furniture, shelters, picnic tables, barbecues and drinking fountains — and yes, the existing putt putt course, driving range, bistro and function centre are all staying open while the revamp takes place (should you have the urge to play mini golf or grab a bite to eat). When the full makeover is done, the transformed Victoria Park will become Brisbane's biggest new park in five decades, and one that'll alter the face of the inner city. A completion date for the revamped park is yet to be set, other than after the Olympics. If you have thoughts, the current draft plan is open for feedback until Sunday, October 30. Find Victoria Park on Herston Road, Herston. For more information about the overall transformation, or to provide feedback on the current draft plan before Sunday, October 30, visit the Brisbane City Council website.
So, you've spent your week working — and working up a appetite. It's Thursday evening and you're keen for a tasty feast, but the last thing you want to do is whip something up yourself. Enter Feed Me Thursday, and Dutch Courage Officers' Mess' solution to your ravenous needs. The venue will shower you with five courses of delicious dishes for $39, aka the price of a main meal at some places. A semi-regular event that next takes place across the three weeks of August 2, 9 and 16, the tasty banquet lets Dutch Courage's chefs cook up a storm of comfort food, and lets attendees eat the results. This time around, there'll be lamb cigars, ras el hanout calamari, chermoula flank steak and mango sorbet with Persian fairy floss, among other dishes. A vegetarian option is available. Bookings are recommended, and the only caveat is that you also have to book for two. Given that the Valley bar is rather well-known for their massive gin selection, as well as their cocktails, convincing someone to go along with you shouldn't be too difficult. Image: Dutch Courage Officers' Mess.
Before craft and microbreweries popped up on every corner of the city, the combination of Brisbane and beer meant one thing: XXXX. The company's Milton brewery loomed large over the inner west, with tours providing a taste of their tipples, and the Alehouse combining yeasty beverages with tasty food. Of course, the building hasn't moved (and taking a tour still features high on local booze-lovers' to-do lists), however the bar and restaurant at the end of the beer-coloured rainbow has recently had a facelift. Prepare to find a completely different Alehouse next time you want to sit back, relax and enjoy the freshest XXXX on tap. Fans of drinking outdoors — i.e. everyone — can flock to the all-new beer garden, while anyone seeking something a little more intimate can hole up in the inside dining room. Thanks to Brisbane-based design firm Elm Interiors, the whole place has been decked out with a rustic meets industrial feel. Think classic feature pieces, plenty of greenery and a vibe that knows how to make you feel welcome. Extended trading hours from Monday to Saturday means that there's now more chances to enjoy the all-day Alehouse experience — and their new menu, too. With pub staples such as beer-battered fish with hand-cut chips, grain-fed beef burgers, sirloin with bearnaise sauce and roasted salmon, perhaps beer won't be the only thing luring patrons to this iconic, 135-year-old brewery. XXXX Brewery tours are $32 for adults and $18 children. Tours run Monday to Thursday (11am, 12:30pm, 3pm, 5pm), Friday (11am, 12:30pm, 3pm, 5pm) and Saturday (11am every ½ hour until 2pm, 3pm and 5pm). To book, head over here.
At some point during my hardcore So You Think You Can Dance addiction during my first year of uni, I became inspired. These were kids like you and me, carving up the floor week in and week out, in dance styles I’d never heard of, let alone seen! I was convinced I could do a little swing, a little jazz ballet… but what I didn’t take into account was that these people were talented, and spent hours upon hours per week perfecting their craft. All I was willing to do was swirl around my bedroom after each episode, for about ten minutes (after that I got bored and gave up). I guess on TV you don’t really see the slight nuances that create the barrier of difference between these expert movers (them) and novice shakers (me). For example, not everyone can flamenco. It’s an artform unto itself, fusing music, dance and performance all in one. There’s an energy that seeps out of flamenco dancers that is incomparable to veging out on the couch, watching the SYTYCD eliminations. Here in white-bread Brisbane, you can catch that Spanish sizzle at Flamenco sin Fronteras, but it’s for one night only. After that, the only flamenco sin fronteras you’ll be able to catch is through your TV screen, or, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch me trying to make my break in dancing after a couple of sangrias (do yourself a favour and go see the real thing).
When someone mentions staring at the stars, life on mars, the ocean's deeps, volcanoes or fossils, do you instantly start paying attention? Are futuristic visions your catnip? Do you love hearing smart people explore how everything works, and why? Being curious about the world we live in and beyond isn't just the realm of kids — and it's also the reason that World Science Festival exists. The New York-born event dates back to 2008 globally, then started its Brisbane offshoot in 2016. Accordingly, for almost a decade in Queensland's capital, it has been celebrating all things science and technology. That's on the agenda again from Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 24, alongside its fellow focus on where art and science collide, as the just-dropped lineup unveils. If you're keen on installations and interactive creativity, WSFB's past fest-within-a-fest Curiocity Brisbane has evolved into the Art/Science program, swapping a trail of works for heroing large-scale pieces. One certain highlight is Karina Smigla-Bobinski's ADA, with the German Polish artist bringing the three-metre helium sphere to Australia for the first time. It's a piece that you can play with, pushing and spinning the globe — which comes covered in 300 charcoal spikes — to make impressions upon the surrounding walls. Want to see sand rumble? Snooks+Harper and Philip Samartzis's Tectonic Resonance will allow just that using sand 3D printing and geophone recordings from the Pilbara region, all while musing on how humans use geological resources. Svenja Kratz and Bill Hart's Simulated Selves features an AI-filled room with two human forms representing the artists, and chatting with visitors. And with Drawing on Complexity: Experiment 9, Briony Barr wants attendees to contribute to a work that uses coloured paper tape. You'll add your own lines over eight days, helping to create patterns, as complex adaptive systems are in the spotlight. Art's intersection with science is just one part of the full World Science Brisbane 2024 program, of course. Elsewhere across the Queensland Museum-hosted event, talks abound. A reliable headliner, physicist Professor Brian Greene is back, this time for a multimedia trip through the cosmos, diving into artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity, and chatting about what space rocks and moon rocks can tell us about the evolution of our solar system. Also on the bill: Craig Reucassel presenting a session about waste and climate change, enlisting scientists to share practical ways that we can all make a difference; ABC weather presenter Nate Byrne delving into volcanoes, and Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb leading a panel about scientific discovery. First Nations takes on science will be the focus in a session overseen by Rhianna Patrick — and Mark Humphries hosts the returning Night of the Nerds, where two teams of scientists and comedians do battle, featuring Reucassel, Byrne and astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, as well as a band comprised of The Grates' Patience Hodgson, Velociraptor's Georgie Browning, Ball Park Music's Jen Boyce and Paul Furness, and Simi Lacroix. Obviously Dr Karl pops up, with great moments in science his wheelhouse for 2024's fest. For a great moment in sci-fi cinema history, Fritz Lang's iconic and influential 1927 masterpiece Metropolis is screening at the Gallery of Modern Art, complete with a live score. The overall program also spans the future of food, where medicine is heading, looking back on what Australia has learned since Black Summer, animal consciousness, parasites, shipwrecks and the red planet. If The Abyss isn't just a movie to you, there's a panel that'll pique your interest. And if insect superpowers get you thinking, there's one on that as well. Cocktail-fuelled social science sessions, the pop-up City of Science at South Bank, fighting robots, a walking tour of Brisbane's green infrastructure, fulldome film Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History at the planetarium and the always-popular (and cute) turtle hatching are also included. And, so is the chance to step inside the Queensland Academy of Sport, Queensland Herbarium, Griffith Sea Jellies Research Lab and QIMR Berghofer. World Science Festival Brisbane 2024 runs from Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 24. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the World Science Festival Brisbane website. Top image:
UPDATE, July 10, 2023: On Monday, July 10, KFC is serving up $1 Zinger crunch twisters — and original crunch twisters. And on Tuesday, July 11, the $1 Zinger burger special is back for one day only. Who doesn't love to gift themselves a little treat meal on the weekend? Think: a pizza, a couple of scoops of gelato or a fried chicken burger. Well, KFC is here to facilitate just that last one with its ever-popular Zinger burgers available for just $1 for two hours on Saturday, July 1. The promotion is part of the chicken chain's 11 Days of Christmas, which will see it serve up a different finger-licking deal for the first week and a half of July. Kicking things off is the Colonel's classic burger for just a buck. If you want to claim your dollar Zinger Burger, just head to the KFC app and place your order between 3–5pm on July 1. So, what's in store for the rest of the month? $1 Twisters, 30 nuggets for $10 and a Double Zinger Feast featuring two burgers, ten nuggets and sauce for just $12. To check out each day's deal, just hit up the KFC app. Plus, the fast food chain's Christmas in July merch is also making a comeback. The viral ugly Christmas sweater, a KFC Christmas t-shirt, a corduroy bucket hat, socks, fingerless gloves and the line of matching pet sweaters — they're all available to purchase. Head to the KFC website to place an order.
If catching public transport was your regular mode of transport back in your teen days, then you might remember a golden rule: no eating on the school bus. However engrained that directive might be all these years later, Da Biuso wants you to ignore it. How else are you going to tuck into a degustation dinner in its meals-on-wheels setup inside a mobile coach? Due to hit the road across Brisbane before 2022 is out, the unique eatery hails from head chef Biagio Biuso — a veteran of Fortitude Valley's Casa Nostra Ristorante — with his wife Sarah and their son Joseph. The aim: to pair top-notch fine-dining degustations with regularly changing locations, all in the kind of venue that the city truly doesn't already have. Another big motivation: nodding to Brissie's old tram services. "Brisbane has never experienced something like this," said Biagio. "Our menu specifics remain a surprise for now, but Da Biuso is about great food, fresh and beautiful ingredients, and good wine." "Most importantly, Da Biuso is about providing a truly warm and beautiful experience for our customers, to be there with them to celebrate life's beautiful moments," he continued. "This is why we only want to have a small venue, so that we can spend the time nurturing our customers and bringing the connection and the comfort back to dining." Small genuinely does mean small, although the fact that Da Biuso will call an old bus home – an old school bus, in fact — gives that away. It'll seat 12, serving up Mediterranean-inspired meals made with seasonal produce, and with the Sicilian-raised and -trained Biagio and his family on hand at every service. Sarah will take on the lead sommelier and maître d' gigs, while Joseph also in the kitchen beside his father. Alongside the menu, exactly where in the inner city Da Biuso will pop up hasn't yet been announced, pending council approval. But, to answer the key question, the eatery will remain stationary during meal service. Set to be decked out with an elegant fitout, it'll also be available for private functions, and for catering. Da Biuso is set to launch sometime before the end of 2022. We'll update you with an exact date when it is announced — keep an eye on the venue's website in the interim. Images: Morgan Roberts.
If you're the type of traveller who doesn't just plan where you'll be staying and what sights you'll be seeing, but also what you'll be drinking while you're there, then add Australia's latest accommodation option to your dream holiday list. A collaboration between caravan rental site Camplify and The Botanist Gin, The Botanist Van is the country's first gin-themed caravan — and yes, a bottle of gin will be waiting for you when you get there. Nicknamed Mazzy the Van, the holiday spot on wheels has been painted in beachy blue and white hues, while its interiors have been decked out Hamptons-style — with oozing serious 70s vibes one of its aims. The renovated 1979 Viscount Royal vintage caravan comes with a barbecue, an outdoor table and chairs, and an awning, as well as indoor and outdoor games, a beach umbrella and beach towels, and a picnic basket. It's the stocked Botanist Gin bar cart, however, that'll make you thirsty. During your stay, you'll be sipping from a complimentary 700-millilitre bottle of The Botanist gin, a four-pack of Fever Tree tonic waters and Botanicus' flavoured herbal Tea Tube. You'll also be combining all of the above with dried fruit garnishes and other ingredients to make gin cocktails. The Botanist team have some new suggestions for the latter, too, including its own spin on a G&T — so you just need to get mixing and sipping. If this sounds like your kind of getaway, The Botanist Van is available to book from Friday, November 6 through until the end of summer (February 28, 2021) from $140 per night — sleeping four people, and for a minimum three-night stay. You will need to get cosy over a weekend to receive the gin pack, though, as it comes with Friday–Sunday and Saturday–Monday bookings. As for where you'll be having a few drinks, kicking back and getting nostalgic, the van is based on the New South Wales South Coast. It can be reserved and set up on your choice of campsite within 100 kilometres of Flinders — so between Austinmer and Jervis Bay. To book The Botanist Van — with prices from $140 per day, and rentals available within 100 kilometres of Flinders in New South Wales until February 28, 2021 — visit the Camplify website.
As humans, what divides us from the animal kingdom is imagination. Our ability to construct fantasy, believe in the unknown, and draw abstracts from nothing. And for so long the dream of most foodies has been to construct the ideal cafe — part polite, part cultured, comfy chairs and food that's near flawless. Perhaps coffee that's never too hot, never too cold. A milkshake thats ice cream to syrup to milk ratio is spot on. A cabinet of sandwich combinations that aren't 'experimental' or 'Paleo', but clever, constructive and filling. And air-con is always a bonus. Woolloongabba's Brown Dog Cafe may be the only real concrete proof that yes, despite the odds, dreams really do come true. Their menu is cafe perfection, with a drinks selection that breathes life into a perfect coffee, and a milkshake that doesn't need to be compensated with malt but offers the enhancement regardless. Never make the fatal mistake of walking in without checking the special board — that's where the real deal grabbers are. Whether it be a pulled pork roll, pie with mashy peas, always delicious Ruben or salad or soup of the day, you can expect it to be fresh and generous in portion size. And in this snowy season, nothing beats a warm soup paired with over buttered, lightly toasted bread. Brown Dog mixes things up with a soup of the day, each and every day, from spicy sweet potato to a simple pea, because 'tis the season for warm tums. Testament to the quality emitted from Brown Dog is the bustling line of customers that tends to inhabit it from noon to 12.30 — corporate lunch time. It moves quickly enough, with each and every person behind the counter working a million miles an hour to make sure everyone's served, happy and on their way without a worry. Eating in is just as much of a delight though. So next time you're in Woolloongabba, pay this special cafe a visit. Even if you're not on that side of town, it's worth the trip across the bridge. You'll leave feeling nothing but full, warm and optimistic about the rest of your dreams and aspirations.
UPDATE, March 16, 2022: Kalbar Sunshine and Sunflower Festival has moved its dates from Friday, March 25–Sunday, March 27, and will now take place over the weekend of Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 10. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Traditionally, autumn is a season filled with orange, red, brown and yellowing leaves, as spring and summer's greenery makes way for winter. Come April, just over an hour outside of Brisbane, it'll also be a time for golden stems — all as part of the Scenic Rim's returning Kalbar Sunshine and Sunflower Festival. Expect to spot sunflowers as far as the eye can see at the Jenner family farm in Kalbar. Last year, there was more than 200,000 of the vibrant blooms reaching up to the sky — and, however many there are between Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 10, you'll be able to wander through them all. In fact, there'll even be a maze stretched across an eight-acre patch. Launching in 2021, the event came about after Russell and Jenny Jenner changed direction during Queensland's ongoing drought conditions. Usually, they farm lucerne but, with water levels low, they opted to switch to a crop that doesn't require as much H2O. And, with all those sunflowers then looking rather striking, the couple was keen to let everyone else enjoy their golden petals. For its 2022 event, the fest will feature yoga in the sunflower field, painting sessions focused on committing sunflowers to canvas and having dinner right in the middle of yellow flowers. Picnicking in the farm's sunny surrounds just goes with the territory, too. Obviously, taking plenty of photos with a golden backdrop is definitely on the program as well.
Let's call it the seven-, eight- and nine-month itch: that point when a year reaches its halfway point, and as winter starts to give way to spring, when holidays, holidays, holidays is all that's on anyone's mind. Is that you right now? Been spending every spare moment dreaming of summer getaways, and also making travel plans right into 2023? Then Virgin's latest sale arrives at the right time. More than one million fares are up for grabs as part of the Bring On Summer sale, covering both Aussie and international destinations. Yes, that means that you've got options, no matter where you'd like to head. Among the domestic routes, one-way fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. Other sale flights include Brisbane–Whitsunday Coast from $75, Melbourne–Gold Coast from $79, Melbourne–Adelaide from $79 as well and Sydney–Hobart from $85. And if you're wondering when you'll need to travel, you can book trips between January 17–June 24, 2023. Internationally, return fares cover getaways to Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa — from Sydney (from $489 to Fiji, $549 to Bali and $560 to Samoa), Melbourne ($549 to Bali and $579 to Fiji) and Brisbane ($475 to Vanuatu, $529 to either Bali or Fiji, and $559 to Samoa). Again, that means you've got choices, including if multiple getaways to different spots are in your ideal future. As always when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's discounted fares are now on offer until midnight AEST on Monday, September 5 or sold out, whichever arrives first. In total, the sale is taking up to 30-percent off Virgin's economy fares to 34 locations. Yep, best grab your suitcase now. Virgin's Bring on Summer sale runs from until Monday, September 5 — or until sold out.
Economic uncertainty and vast urban sprawl have made the dream of owning a home less likely for many citizens. Thankfully, architects and designers around the globe are fusing creativity with the latest technology to build unique homes at a fraction of the price. Pre-fabricated houses are gaining more relevance in today's society as homes that are affordable for most prospective owners. These houses are manufactured in factories and then transported and assembled at a location of your choosing. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, simplicity and a reduced impact on the environment, pre-fabricated houses are a solution that people are looking to with greater interest. Here we have collected some of the most innovative pre-fabricated houses. With the diverse range of materials and designs used in the examples below, pre-fabricated homes have also become one of the primary avenues for creative minds to flaunt their imaginations. Have a look below and consider a pre-fabricated home to make your own. MCube by MDesigns Superb-A House by mnm.MOD PLACE Houses mkLotus by Michelle Kauffman The Crib by Broadhurst Architects Haus Bold by Thomas Bendel House Arc by Bellomo Architects Loftcube Origin by Blu Homes zeroHouse
No, you are not looking at a digitally altered photo. These photos are the work of German painter, sculptor and designer, Cornelia Konrads. She has created amazing displays of 'land-art' that seem to defy gravity. Her work represents the temporary existence of the structures that we build within nature. These displays are the disintegration of the man-made structures right before our eyes. Unique and beautiful, her work is a unique approach to land-art and we are quite impressed. For more of her stellar artwork, check out her website.
Next time you're at Southbank, look for the highest point along street's beach. See that Scandi-chic, wood-panelled building? That's Southbeach Social. Ever since Southbank has been remodelled in recent years, we've been hungry for any chance to head down to our inner-city stretch of beach. Plus, everybody loves a bright purple bougainvillea archway. Southbeach Social features an impressive sharing menu — we rate the half kilo of fresh prawns ($28) — and a killer entertainment lineup that features local and international DJs. The views across the CBD aren't too shabby, either. Images: Grace Smith.
The Easter long weekend is easily one of our favourite times of the year. If you were clever enough to plan ahead and score 10 glorious days off by only taking a mere three, go you. But if you didn't get it sorted in time to jet off on an escape, don't worry. There is no shortage of awesome things happening in and around Brisbane to bolster your Easter long weekend. Whether you're spending it with mates, family, or have the kids in town, we've rounded up four historic Brisbane pubs celebrating the Easter long weekend, delivering a festive lineup of seasonal farm-to-table menus, atmospheric live music, chocolate high teas, oyster and champagne specials, hamper giveaways, kids' colouring-in competitions, adorable animal farms, and, of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Everton Park Hotel, Everton Park After undergoing an extensive revamp and re-opening its doors earlier this year, The Everton Park Hotel is firmly back in Brisbane's family-friendly pub scene, and this Easter long weekend is the perfect time to get reacquainted with it. And unlike a lot of pubs, it's, thankfully, open all Easter long weekend, including Good Friday. Undeniably a pub for young parents, The Everton Park Hotel knows how to deliver good times with your pint-sized sidekicks. Lean into al fresco autumn dining and sip on one of six frozen cocktails to kick-start your long weekend in the freshly renovated chic beer garden while the little ones run wild. The Easter Bunny is dropping by both Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, and the kids—and young at heart—can enjoy a hands-on adorable animal farm on Easter Monday from 11am. The Regatta Hotel, Toowong Brisbane's iconic Regatta Hotel, perched across from the banks of the Brisbane River, needs no introduction, and this Easter, it's proudly flinging its doors open on Good Friday and serving up a string of festive offers and events. From casual all-day dining to elevated high teas and menus, the Regatta Hotel really does cater to all, and this Easter long weekend is no different. Sip & Shuck takes place in The Courtyard on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons, offering indulgence that only oysters and champagne can bring. Rally your fancy friends and settle in for a laidback afternoon of freshly shucked oysters and premium champagne to a backdrop of lively yet relaxed music. Bookings aren't required, so it's ideal for a last-minute get-together. Passionate Head Chef Amy Baard and her team are flexing their culinary skills with a special Easter long weekend seasonal menu at The Regatta Hotel's on-site fine-dining restaurant, The Boatshed. Expect a smorgasbord of premium seafood and decadent Easter-inspired dishes with serene, sprawling water views. Bookings are essential, so get in quick. Speaking of decadent, to cap it all off, The Regatta Hotel is hosting an Easter Sunday Chocolate Orange High Tea on level two. Relish all the sweet spoils of the season with a revolving mix of chocolate treats for just $89 per person. The Royal Hotel, Nundah Traditionally, pubs aren't open on Good Friday, but if you're northside this Easter, there's one pub that always delivers fun, flavour and feel-good vibes and is open: Brisbane's beloved Royal Hotel Nundah. Open daily (and until late) across the entire Easter long weekend, feast on chef and cocktail specials while trying your luck at bringing home one of the many hampers it's giving away. Known for its legendary live music, The Royal Hotel Nundah will be kickin' all weekend long with buzzing live music. Pull up a chair and tuck into comforting autumn fare—think classic braised lamb shanks, pappardelle pasta marinara, and tender roasted chicken thighs—while soaking in the soundtrack of talented local acts. Catch sets on Saturday from 5-9pm, Sunday from 1-4pm, and Monday from 1-4pm. Plus, you can keep the little ones entertained with colouring in competitions and more. The Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore If you're craving good ol' fashioned family pub fare, The Kenmore is your go-to watering hole this Easter long weekend. Open from 11am on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the venue is serving up its signature mix of live and loud football across four massive screens in the Sports Bar, plus a jam-packed weekend schedule of live music and kids' activities. Feast your way through The Kenmore's brand new menu, packed with classic bistro favourites and elevated flavours designed to share. Think mouth-watering T-Bone steak, rich and tender chicken ballotine, and a new dessert line-up worth saving room for, like poached pear or a perfectly crafted crème brûlée. All are served up alongside the smooth sounds of live local bands from 7pm on Saturdays and 1-5pm on Sundays. Sort your Easter long weekend plans by booking a table at The Regatta Hotel, The Royal Nundah Hotel, The Everton Park Hotel, or The Kenmore—visit the websites for more information or to make a booking. By Elise Cullen
The weekend means one thing – brunch. And for a unique brunch experience, we suggest heading to The Regatta Hotel's picturesque al fresco dining space The Courtyard to indulge in their Summer Harvest Brunch. Think: fresh food, river views and all-round good vibes. If you're looking for weekend plans, look no further. Taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 1pm, enjoy fresh, seasonal and hearty brunch plates against the backdrop of a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Dining at The Courtyard is almost the next best thing to your local farmer's market, but without the crowds and without having to do any of the cooking. Plus, you get views of the Brisbane River. For just $79 per person, immerse yourself in exclusive farm-to-table offerings like a mouthwatering Farmers Board — loaded with seasonal delights including smoked meats and farm-fresh accompaniments — like corn and leafy greens. Thirsty? You can enjoy a premium beverage package to keep the palate feeling fresh and the vibes high. For a laid-back weekend brunch, Summer Harvest Brunch at The Regatta Hotel is an easy, delicious way to enjoy a weekend out with friends and family. Spaces are limited, so book your table today and savour the flavours of summer. Images: supplied.
Christmas day and backyard cricket might go hand in hand, but Victoria Park's mini-golf course keeps adding its own sporty suggestion to festive season. Fancy tap, tap, tapping around a putt-putt course to compete against your date, mates and/or family for supremacy — on Christmas-themed greens at that? That's where the Herston site's annual bit of merriment comes in. Victoria Park's Halloween course is gone for the year, with festive cheer, decorations and sculptures set to take its place from Friday, November 10, 2023–Wednesday, January 3, 2024. The seasonal makeover will deck the greens with jolliness all round. Usually, that means baubles, lights, mistletoe, trees both green and white, and more. Also gracing the kidulting favourite: bells, bows and twinkling lights. In past years, the course has also sported holly, giant candy canes, gingerbread houses, elves, toy soldiers, polar bears and everything else festive that it can think of. Reindeers and Santa are usually involved, too, and different sections of the 18-hole site tend to be designed around ideas like Chrissy Down Under, Santa's mailroom and Christmas morning — plus there's even been a festive feast fairway, The North Pole and a 'deck the halls' hole. Find out whether you're naughty or nice while swinging a club from 6am–10pm Sunday–Thursday and 6am–11pm Friday–Saturday — which means that you can stop by on your way to work, during your lunch break or after quittin' time as well. If you drop by post-6pm, you'll take to the green beneath Christmas lights, naturally. If vying for mini-golf glory while getting merry also feels like an occasion for a beverage, boozy tequila slushies will be on offer. Also, the course lets you order drinks and snacks as you play. Images: Stephanie Adams Photography.
Whether you're a resident or a visitor — a lifelong local, a recent denizen of the city, a regular traveller, first-time tourist or anything in-between — walking around Melbourne, and also spending that time talking to friend, is one of the best ways to soak in the Victorian capital. Even if you're snapping photos and recording video along the way, most people aren't making a film while they amble and chatter, however. Fwends is about Em (Emmanuelle Mattana, Videoland) and Jessie (Melissa Gan) strolling through and around the inner city. Their journey is the movie's filmmaking journey, too. The feature debut of writer/director Sophie Somerville after shorts Peeps and Linda 4 Eva, both of which picked up awards at the Sydney Film Festival, this walk-and-talk comedy completely improvised its dialogue and also shot in order. Discovering a flick as it unfurls is usually just the audience's experience; for Fwends, which premiered at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, won the Caligari Film Prize for its innovation and had its Australian debut in the Harbour City on the way to the Melbourne International Film Festival, that applied as much to everyone making it. We've all had the kind of day, night and weekend — one at least, likely several — that Em and Jessie navigate in Fwends. The former is a junior lawyer in Sydney with a workaholic's dedication to her career, in no small part because of the effort it took to get there. The latter is an ex-stripper who spent time in Europe before returning to Melbourne, and is fresh from a breakup. They haven't seen each other for years when Jessie meets Em at Southern Cross Station, so catching up is built into their wanderings. Step by step, story by story, they mosey and meander and babble and banter, and it feels to them — and to viewers — that anything can happen. Lingering just as strongly: the sense that nothing, whether getting coffee or dinner, or repeatedly running into strangers, or making plans for the evening, will turn out as either Em and Jessie expects. Deep bonding happens on jaunts like these. Truths and secrets are shared. Revelations are gleaned — about each other and about where you're sauntering. Rambling happens in both senses of the word. Sleep is forgone. Only the moment matters. And the main event is the walking and talking and bonding and exploring, regardless of what else is supposed to be on the itinerary. For Em and Jessie, they're digging into how work-life balance, the cost-of-living crisis, climate change, mental health and sexual harassment touches their existence — alongside sifting through their hopes, dreams, yearnings, fears, failings and regrets. Somerville is diving into the ups of downs of friendship as well, and of life, plus the fact that we all simply just want to connect. Fwends' guiding force is certain that the chronological approach to making the film is a key to why it resonates with audiences as such a relatable slice of life. "Part of why it feels so real is because we shot the film in order. So normally when you shoot a film, all the scenes are out of order and you'll be like 'oh, we do that scene, and then we jump forward and we do that scene'. But for this one, we were just telling the story while we shot it," Somerville notes to Concrete Playground. "So we would go to one place and then be like 'okay, so we shot that part, and we're going to use that take. So we'll go to the next thing and we'll talk about these things'. So it was this very living process." [caption id="attachment_1018129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Berlin International Film Festival[/caption] "And it's the kind of luxury that you can have in filmmaking when you have no money at all, or when you have millions and millions of dollars. But because we had no money at all, it meant that we could create that freedom. That's why it feels so relatable and so alive — because we were living it while we were shooting it," she continues. This is a film about anxiety and life's mess and existential dread, too — but, as Em and Jessie keep trekking, it's also literally about putting one foot in front of the other and keeping on going. "I didn't think of it that way, but that's really cool," Somerville says. Having the tiniest of budgets and relying on free filming permits meant not contemplating about where and how Fwends would makes its way to audiences when it was finished as well. 2025 from the Berlinale onwards has been "pretty up and down", then, Somerville reflects. "After we got back from Berlin, it was chill for a little while — and then we had Sydney Film Festival, and then it's just been film festivals and then overseas, and now I'm back in Melbourne and more film festival, and then more film festivals after that. So it's just — it's crazy." Fwends' Melbourne homecoming is a proud moment. "It is such a Melbourne film in the sense that all the crew are emerging young people, and there's such an amazing community of young filmmakers here who help each other out," Somerville shares. "And it's a real success story for that whole culture. So we're just super proud, and hopefully this means that people like me and people who are young and bold and making innovative, exciting films have more belief and money and time invested in them." We also spoke with Somerville about everything from improvisation as a filmmaking technique, the importance of having the right cast willing to go on this excursion with her, and being unafraid to get dark and reflective, to shooting Melbourne in a realistic but loving way, plus being another example of Australian filmmakers going the DIY route to features and international recognition (see also: kickstarting careers via YouTube, as Talk to Me and Bring Her Back's Danny and Michael Philippou and Together's Michael Shanks did). On the Fwends Experience So Far for Somerville — From Premiering in Berlin and Winning an Award to the International Embrace of the Film and Bringing It Home to Australian Festivals "I feel very lucky that it's not just me going through it on my own — it's been everyone who made Fwends with me. So we've been going through it together. We were all together in Berlin when it came out, and it was a very nice time. And then after that, when we played in the Opera House in Sydney, it was a very insane moment in our lives — because we just never imagined that was possible with our tiny film. So I feel very glad that our friends made our film and our friends have been supporting us through our film coming out." On Not Having Expectations for Fwends' Future While Somerville Was Walking Around Melbourne Shooting It "Because the film was made with so little money, we didn't really have any expectations of 'oh, this will set us up, this will ... '. We didn't really think of it that way. We were just being like 'here's our chance to experiment and try all these innovative techniques of filmmaking, like with improvisation and not having a script and being guerrilla-style and having that kind of freedom that you can't have when you have people with money riding on the film'. So the lack of expectation is the reason the film is the way it is — because we didn't set out having this very judgmental kind of feeling of like 'oh, this needs to make or break anything'." On Whether Somerville Anticipated That Fwends Would Resonate So Strongly with Audiences, Including Around the World "No, we were just wanting to be heard in whatever way we could be. When the film played so well in Berlin, we were all very amazed because we were like 'wow, they really connect with these Australian girls'. And then when we thought about it, we were like 'yeah, of course they do, because the problems they're having are the same ones that people in Berlin are having and that people in so many cities feel'. It's weird now, trying to think back to the headspace we were in when we were making the film, but I think really we were just trying to recreate the depth of the experiences of those two characters, and we were just absorbed in that journey, that process." On Improvisation as a Filmmaking Technique "Working with improvisation is a technique that me and some other filmmakers have been talking about for a little while and experimenting with. And I made a short film called Peeps with five teenage girls in it, which was my graduate film when I was at VCA. I did a bit of improvised filmmaking with those kids, because I knew that it would free them up and make them be quite funny and loose. And I became super interested in it as a way of working just because it just a really surprising, refreshing thing to watch — it feels more alive than a more-scripted thing. And so then I did another short film with Melissa Gan, which was also improvised. And I learned a lot about how to work with that as a filmmaking style. Then with Fwends, I was like 'let's just fully take the risk and improvise the whole thing. Let's see what happens'." [caption id="attachment_1018130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Berlin International Film Festival[/caption] On How Important It Was to Find the Right Leads to Go on Fwends' Journey with Somerville "People have asked me 'oh, did you have an elaborate casting process?'. And the answer is actually no. I just messaged two really talented people on Instagram because we didn't have the money or the time to do a big complicated long casting process. But I was super lucky to connect with Emmanuelle through Melbourne filmmaking adventures — and they are one of the most-talented actors in the world and they're absolutely killing it at the moment. So it was really, really awesome to work with both Melissa and Emmanuelle, because they're so talented." On Ensuring That Fleshed Out, Recognisable, Everyday Characters Are at the Movie's Heart "I really wanted to have that feeling that there's this real depth to these two people, more so than a traditional film. And I also think just authenticity is a real buzzword these days, and it's something that younger audiences really want out of their entertainment. They want to see realness and they want to see honesty. And I think it's a really exciting way of making a film, because you challenge the actors to make themselves more vulnerable, which makes it a more interesting thing to watch." On How the Film's Tiny Budget, and Using Free Filming Permits, Helped Shape the End Result "You kind of have to adjust your mindset, because when you normally make a film, you'll have a script and then you'll be trying to find all the components after the fact, after the script's been written. But with the way we made this one, it was very much being adaptive and responsive to the things we had available, and then being completely willing to be like 'okay, we can't do that scene in this way, so we're going to do this scene using that over there instead'. So some of the best moments in the film weren't storyboarded or thought of beforehand, they were just decided in the moment. They were just like 'oh look'. Like that star scene, that was just there the night we were shooting and it looked amazing, so we were like 'okay, we have to go do something with that star'. But we didn't plan that." On Giving Voice to the Fact That Everyone Just Wants to Connect — But Doesn't Want to Admit It "I guess it's just a thing that was on my mind and something I feel about my relationships, where you just constantly want to tell them how much you love them, and it's always awkward and shit, and embarrassing and doesn't come across very well. I think their friendship is one that is like that. It's messy and they have moments of deep connection, and then they have to go away and we don't know when they'll see each other again. Love is important." On Fwends Being a Fast-Talking Buddy Comedy That's Also Unafraid to Get Deep, Dark and Existential "I think all my films gravitate towards this feeling of wanting to address real, dark stuff, but then somehow find a way to package it in a way that's entertaining — as a way of digesting your real experiences and being like 'but then this funny thing happened'. But I think that's how real life is. I think with Fwends, we were really trying to convey this feeling of realness and authenticity, and so to be like 'yeah, there's all this bullshit, there's bad shit happening, but there's also all this joy and all this life, and they're totally coexisting all at the same time'. And just to try to live with the complexity of that experience, rather than being sucked into 'everything sucks' or being all delusional and escapist — trying to just live with the complex dimensions of our experiences." On the Walk-and-Talk Genre and Fwends' Influences "I know Before Sunrise is the film it's being compared to a lot, but I intentionally didn't watch it before I made this one because I didn't want to feel like I was too absorbed by the Linklater-y thing. I think when I was making the film, I wasn't thinking about it in terms of 'where does this sit in the constellation of cinema?'. I try not to get too sucked in thinking about that kind of thing, because I think it distracts you from what you're really doing when you're making a film — which is 'how do I show this particular person's journey?'. I love all kinds of films and Fwends is definitely influenced by my own taste, which is a field of movies from the French New Wave and slacker films and all kinds of cinema, really." On Whether It's Rewarding Making an Improvised Film — and Taking an Inventive, Problem-Solving Approach to Budget and Resource Constraints "Yeah, for sure. Because filmmaking is so prohibitive. It can feel so out of reach to people who don't have access to a lot of money. And none of my films were ever made with lots of money because I didn't have any. My short films were made with really, really small budgets as well, where it was just a problem-solving thing of being like 'how do we make cinema out of nothing at all?'. So Fwends was a combination of all those skills, of being like 'how do we make this thing feel bigger than it is using the very limited resources that we have?'. I guess I'm very lucky because I'm in today's day and age, where it is possible to make a great movie on your laptop. And I really hope that we can — I don't think we should be ashamed of the fact that we're making a film with no money. I think it's a powerful thing and it can be used to your advantage." On Somerville's Approach to Showing a Realistic — But Still Affectionate — Version of Melbourne "I didn't want it to look too pretty and too ugly. I wanted to strike a middle ground between 'this is a real place' and also wanted to frame it quite lovingly. Because we were shooting the world out there, just regular people walking around, and so I think when you do that you owe the city a kind of respect. So I hope that it t does come across that way, because we do love living here. And I think I was just trying to just show it the way it is — and also find a romance and a beauty in the messiness of the real world." On Fwends' Journey Around Melbourne, Including Both Planned Stops and Surprises Along the Way "Some places were very planned. Carter [Looker, an alum of Peeps and Linda 4 Eva] and I, the cinematographer, we did a lot of walking around — and a lot of 'oh, we really want to do a shot there'. The shot in the rainforest where they walk around, that was always, very early on, something that we were going to do, because we were very excited about this idea of doing this long take where they weave around the whole place. So it's a real mixture. Some of the nicest shots in the film were not planned at all, and then others were totally imagined and planned out and storyboarded. I mean, that's the beauty of making a film — some of it is totally planned and it doesn't even work, and then some of it is fully improvised in the moment and it's the best thing ever." On How Shorts Helped Prepare Somervile for Making the Leap to Features "I wouldn't have been able to make Fwends if I hadn't made those two short films. It's so important that you experiment and try things. And those two short films, they're very different — really, really different aesthetically. But I think there is something about Fwends that they join in the middle a little bit. Then I hope with my next one, that it'll be even more of a joining together of all these different vibes. And I'm super lucky to have worked with some really generous, talented people for my short films." On How Somerville Plans to Build Upon Both Fwends and Her Shorts for Her Next Feature "Our next thing, we want to make with proper funding and all that stuff. So it's an interesting conversation now to try to bring all these methods that came out of working in the DIY space and bring them into a professionalised environment. But I think it's going to be so exciting. Because I think we've proved, because of how well Fwends has done, we've got real proof that filmmakers like me who are taking bold experiments deserve to be given trust. So I'm really excited to make the next one." On Being an Example of Australian Filmmakers Taking the DIY Path to Features and International Recognition "That's very, very cool. I hope that lots more films get made with no money — and I know how hard it is, but I think that it's super important that you have a space to experiment. And sometimes the only way you can find that space is by doing things yourself and taking those risks." Fwends screens at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival. MIFF 2025 runs from Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. For further details, visit the MIFF website.
It doesn't take much to turn a day at the Regatta into a party, but when the iconic Brissie pub really wants to throw a shindig, it knows how to go about it. Enter Vineyard in the Courtyard, a scaled-down but still hefty version of the Toowong spot's old Regatta Fairs — which only spans one day, but is still all about riverside food, booze and hanging out. Taking place from 12pm on Sunday, June 26, Vineyard in the Courtyard is an excuse to eat, drink and be merry at one of the city's favourite haunts — and you won't hear us complaining about that. Who doesn't want to wander beneath the fairy lights strung up over the venue's courtyard, sip vino, listen to live jazz and get munching? Anyone keen on a pop-up charcuterie station will find plenty to snack on. The usual cafe and courtyard menus will also be on offer, including prawn tacos, fried cauliflower popcorn, lamb kofta pockets, mozzarella sticks and barbecue brisket rolls. Drinks-wise, yes, mulled wine will warm up your stomach. 'Tis the season for it, after all. Or, you can opt to taste varieties from Brokenchack and Italiquore, or take your pick from the standard bar range. Entry is free — and you'll pay for whatever you eat and drink. And expect to kick back in woodland-themed surroundings thanks to the Regatta's ongoing wintry makeover, aka Forbidden Forest in the Courtyard. Images: The Regatta / Creative Commons.
If a fresh bread roll, an expertly grilled patty and a slice of melted cheese is your idea of a perfect meal — or some variation of the above — then you probably have May 28 permanently marked in your diary. Each and every year, that's when the world's burger-lovers celebrate their favourite food. We're not saying that burgs will taste better on that date, but if you just can't get enough of the trusty dish, it's definitely time to celebrate. This year, to mark the occasion, 100 restaurants across Australia are offering up to 50 percent off burgers for two days via Deliveroo. On Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, you can get burgs delivered straight to your home or office — or home office — for cheap. Lunch, sorted. Melburnians have 35 burger joints to choose from, including Royal Stacks, Hello Sam, Egg Fix's four locations, Chew Burger, LA Burgers and Carl's Jr, while Sydneysiders have 21, with the likes of Johnny Bird, Belly Bao, Moo Gourmet, Bondi Relish and Outback Steakhouse all getting on board. Brisbanites have eight options for their half-price burger fix: Hashtag, Moo Free, Big Roddy's in Fish Lane and The Valley, Brunchbox, The Burger Joint, Seoul Bistro and The Columbian Coffee Dealer. You can check out the full list here. To get your fix, all you need to do is jump on to Deliveroo and find your closest burg favourite and order. [caption id="attachment_556040" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Royal Stacks[/caption] Top image: Johnny Bird by Parker Blain
Australia will receive a healthy dose of 1920s razzle-dazzle, as record-breaking Broadway favourite Chicago shimmies onto stages across the country this year. An Aussie production of the smash-hit musical will debut at Sydney's Capitol Theatre in August, before heading to Brisbane's QPAC Lyric Theatre in November and wrapping up at Arts Centre Melbourne from December. The longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, the original Kander & Ebb musical has reached the eyeballs of over 31 million people worldwide. Inspiring 2002's Academy Award-winning film of the same name, it tells the tale of a Chicago housewife and nightclub dancer who twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail-time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism set in the decadent 1920s. Taking the stage for Chicago's local run is a cast of well-known Aussie names — catch acclaimed all-rounder Natalie Bassingthwaighte in the lead role of Roxie Hart, musical theatre veteran Alinta Chidzey as her rival Velma Kelly, and ARIA-winning superstar Casey Donovan playing Matron 'Mama' Morton. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking. Hot on its black patent heels are two more award-winning musicals heading Down Under. Saturday Night Fever will head to Capital Theatre in Sydney this August, before Waitress hits Aussie shores in 2020. Images: Peter Brew Bevan, Jeremy Daniel.
Barunah Plains is nowhere near the Gold Coast, but a taste of the Glitter Strip will hit Hesse in Victoria to farewell 2024 and welcome in 2025. Beyond The Valley is back for another massive end-of-year party, with the music festival giving former pro surfer-turned-DJ Fisher — a Grammy-nominee for 'Losing It', too — its top slot. With multiple days to fill, taking place across Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Beyond The Valley goes big with its lineups. This year's just-dropped full roster pinballs between nations, music genres and eras, resulting in a bill where Ice Spice sits alongside Tinashe, Sugababes and Natasha Bedingfield — and Chase & Status, Marlon Hoffstadt, Royel Otis, Sammy Virji, AJ Tracey and Denis Sulta, too. Just from those names alone — and there's plenty more — that gives festivalgoers 'Munch (Feelin' U)', 'Nasty', 'Push the Button', 'These Words', 'Backbone', 'Call Me', new versions of 'Murder on the Dancefloor' and 'Linger', 'If You Need It', 'Bringing It Back' and 'World of Flies' to look forward to. Also on the lineup: Confidence Man, BARKAA, Teenage Dads, NEIL FRANCES, Lola Young, Ghetts and The Rions, as well as Kita Alexander, The Grogans, Billie Marten, The Terrys and Sycco. And yes, the list still goes on from there. After supporting Fred again..'s whirlwind Australian tour earlier in 2024, JOY (Anonymous) is on the electronic side of the bill, alongside everyone from horsegiirL, KI/KI, DJ BORING, SG Lewis and Tinlicker through to Ben Hemsley, Avalon Emerson, Sam Alfred, Sally C, LB aka Labat, Chloé Caillet, and Flowdan & Neffa-T. Music is the main focus of and drawcard at Beyond The Valley, but this fest knows that tunes aren't all that its punters listen to — and that dancing to them isn't the only way to have a blast. First, enter the dedicated podcast stage, this time with Dan Does Footy, It's Layered, The Hook Up, No Hard Feelings and The Psychology of Your 20s getting chatting. Next, there'll also be drag bingo with Poof Doof, hidden parties popping up and swimming pools for a summer splash. The fest is also aiming to give back via donating $1 from each ticket to Igniting Change and offsetting emissions via Treecreds. Beyond the Valley 2024 Lineup: Fisher Ice Spice Chase & Status Marlon Hoffstadt Tinashe Royel Otis Sammy Virji Sugababes AJ Tracey Denis Sulta Natasha Bedingfield horsegiirL Confidence Man Teenage Dads KI/KI DJ BORING SG Lewis JOY (Anonymous) Tinlicker (DJ set) Ben Hemsley NEIL FRANCES Lola Young Ghetts Flowdan & Neffa-T Avalon Emerson The Rions BARKAA Kita Alexander The Grogans The Terrys Sycco Malugi Sam Alfred Hannah Laing Girls Don't Sync Oden & Fatzo (live) Fish56Octagon Sally C LB aka LABAT Franck Chloé Caillet Odd Mob Anna Lunoe Billie Marten Nick Ward Jersey Sarah Story Luke Alessi Nina Las Vegas Half Queen MESSIE Vv Pete Laura King Little Fritter Jimi The Kween Djanaba tiffi Ollie Lishman WOLTERS Marli Ned Bennett Stev Zar Denim Liz Cambage Jewel Owusu SOVBLKPSSY DIJOK Kimboclat Eva Brown Suga Princess Podcast stage: The Hook Up Dan Does Footy It's Layered Luke & Sassy Scott No Hard Feelings The Psychology of Your 20s Beyond The Valley will run from Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Barunah Plains, Wentworths Road, Hesse, Victoria. Ticket presale registrations are open now, closing at 3pm AEST on Tuesday, August 27 — with festival presales from 6pm on Wednesday, August 28. General sales kick off at 12pm AEST on Thursday, August 29. For more information, head to the fest's website. Beyond The Valley images: Alex Drewniak, Mitch Lowe, Duncographic, Ash Caygill, Josh Bainbridge, Chloe Hall.
In the early hours of July 18, 1969, a car veered off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. Ted Kennedy was driving, while Mary Jo Kopechne sat in the passenger's seat. He was a US senator, and a brother of slain American president John F. Kennedy. She was a former aide to Ted's other assassinated sibling, politician and aspiring presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy. Along with Bobby's past campaign staff plus a few friends, they'd been partying in the lead up to the Apollo 11 moon landing, with Ted on the cusp of running for the country's highest office. But then he swerved into a tidal channel — and although he managed to swim to safety as the vehicle sank into the water, he left Kopechne drowning inside the car. More than that, he fled the scene and didn't report the accident until ten hours later. Featuring Jason Clarke as the youngest Kennedy son and Kate Mara as Kopechne, Chappaquiddick explores this controversial chapter in US political history — one that, due to the fallout, would ensure that Ted never followed JFK all the way to the White House. Directed by filmmaker John Curran (Tracks), the movie presents a sombre account of a man caught between complicated extremes on several levels. Teeming with insecurity about living in his brothers' shadows, he was already trapped between his own ambitions and the expectations of his stern father (Bruce Dern). After the incident, he's torn between doing what's right and doing what's best for his career and reputation. Or is he? With the bulk of the movie focusing on the aftermath of the accident, detailing the response to the situation as the hours and days pass, Chappaquiddick doesn't paint Ted in a favourable light. The film might pitch its protagonist as a conflicted man stuck in complex circumstances, but the script is also smart enough to realise that its underlying scenario is actually rather simple. Here, a guy does the wrong thing, but doesn't want to own up to it because it'll have considerable repercussions. It's as straightforward as Curran's efficient, unassuming directorial style, with the picture visually indistinguishable from plenty of other solemn takes on true political tales. Consequently, what ultimately eventuates is less a movie that unpacks a moral quandary, and more an incisive, quietly scathing portrait of power's corrupting influence – among other subjects. Indeed, it's to the credit of Curran and first-time screenwriters Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan that the movie sets quite a number of topics in its sights, all with pertinent parallels to today. Chappaquiddick depicts the calculating cover-up instigated by the Kennedys, leaving cousin Joe Gargan (an effective against-type Ed Helms) as the lone voice of reason. Thanks to the real-life fact that Ted kept his senatorial spot until his death in 2009, it also offers a reminder that even the most serious of scandals can't completely damage someone with enough privilege and authority. Further, the movie demonstrates the forgiving nature of the constant news cycle, where today's lead story becomes tomorrow's footnote when something else comes along. In Ted's case, a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind (something that JFK helped set in motion) couldn't have come at a better time. With a poised facade that can't completely mask his struggles, Ted remains an intriguing character, largely thanks to Clarke's strong performance. Tasked with playing a figure who's neither sympathetic nor the most ruthless person in the film (an honour reserved for Dern's grimacing patriarch, and a role that's slightly overplayed), the Australian actor is saddled with a delicate balancing act. Luckily, it's one that he handles well, with his stint as a troubled local representative on the excellent, underappreciated TV series Brotherhood proving a fantastic training ground. Chappaquiddick might work best as an indictment of everything from political dynasties to impropriety among elected officials to society's short attention span — not to mention the treatment of women by the rich and powerful — but the movie also serves up a solid character study. It's no Jackie, of course, but then again, few things are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snmc-Gc69Fk
If 2020 has taught us anything, it's how much we value both creativity and community in tough times. Cast your mind back to those early housebound days: it was all a rush of sourdough starters and tie dyeing tracksuits. Wholesome, right? While some of those iso trends can stay firmly in the past (Dalgona coffee, we're looking at you), that shared creativity really sparked a sense of togetherness during an utterly bonkers time. As Brisbane continues to open up, it's time to rediscover the creative outlets our city has to offer. In partnership with LEGO Art, which is a new range of adult-friendly wall art including one featuring The Beatles, we've put together a list of creative classes so that you can craft a new 2020 hobby that doesn't have the aftertaste of being a lockdown trend. With these classes, you can get green-thumbed, musical or creative in the kitchen. It's now up to you to get started. [caption id="attachment_782015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr; Gergely Hideg[/caption] CRAFT A NEW MOSSY HOUSEMATE If you're a fan of minimalist design, then you might have noticed these delicate Japanese string ball plants dotting your Instagram feed. Kokedama loosely translates to 'moss ball', and these hanging beauties are essentially living sculptures. If you'd like some guidance in how to create a moss ball to be proud of, join one of The Soul Pantry's upcoming sessions, which are held several times a month at Mappins Nursery, West End. During the two-hour class, everyone will make both a large and a small kokedama, and display bowls will also be provided for participants to take home. Workshops are $95 and you can book into an upcoming class, here. PERFECT YOUR BRUSH STROKE Sometimes, it just takes a few glasses of vino to unleash a wave of creativity, and the team at Cork & Chroma is here to help you channel that artistic flair. Classes are held daily, so all you need to do is book a seat and BYO drinks (anything except spirits). Each class lasts for three hours, which includes time for paint drying breaks, and opportunities to admire everyone's work. If your painting skills tend to be a bit more abstract, don't despair; Cork & Chroma encourages everyone to let their imagination run wild. Under the friendly tutelage of its resident artists, you'll go from rookie to Rembrandt in no time. Find Cork & Chroma at Montague Road and Little Stanley Street, and expect to fork out $60 per person per session. CHURN YOUR OWN CHEESE If you've been surviving exclusively on cheese since March (same), then you're probably ready to branch out from store-bought brie. This two-hour Cheese Making Basics class is held every few weeks at Work-Shop in Newstead. Your hosts Valerie and Joanne are experts in cheese making and sustainable living. The $65 class kicks off with wine on arrival, while you watch the ladies prepare a fresh batch of mozzarella. You'll get recipes and tips on how to make your favourite cheese, plus the chance to taste handmade feta and quark. Trust us, your next charcuterie board is in for a serious glow up. If you're unable to make the classes at Work-Shop, you can find more of their classes here. [caption id="attachment_782101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Lawton[/caption] MAKE WEARABLE ART Mark 2020 down as the year that earrings became the MVP of the jewellery world. Countless hours spent on Zoom calls meant that a pair of bold hoops (and some bright lipstick) could elevate any loungewear look to 'corporate professional' in an instant. If your accessory collection needs a quick update, then grab a spot at this Flora and Fauna Earring Making Workshop at Colab 4010 in Albion. Led by jewellery designer Alex Lawton (aka Lazer Unicorn), each participant will create four pairs of acrylic earrings over three hours. No experience is required, and all equipment is provided. Choose from a range of hand-drawn flora and fauna designs, such as proteas, gumnuts and bottle brushes, and then customise each piece to create your own bespoke jewellery. Each class is $120, and you get a $5 discount if you book in with a mate. SIGN UP FOR A NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE Anyone else have a digital camera gathering dust in a forgotten drawer? This one's for you. Award-winning photographer Alfonso Calero recruits some of Australia's brightest talents to lead photography workshops across the country. This $99 nighttime course is a great chance to learn how to juggle those tricky low-light situations, while shooting some of Brisbane's iconic locations, such as the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Storey Bridge. Classes run on one Saturday evening per month, and each lasts for three hours. Just make sure your camera is fully charged, and bring a tripod to get those slow shutter speed shots looking super slick. JOIN A COMMUNITY CHOIR If you've ever had aspirations to audition for The Voice, or join a glee club, perhaps it's time you joined a community choir? Cheep Trill is so much fun it'll have you singing in the streets as you meander home after class. Sign up for an eight- or ten-week term of weekly rehearsals, then take part in a live performance of contemporary vocal arrangements and mashups. No audition is required, and Cheep Trill encourages everyone from shower singers to experienced entertainers to join. Past choirs have performed at Laneway Festival, the Brisbane Powerhouse and the QPAC Concert Hall (and they're known for a good flash mob, too). Cheep Trill is planning to return to in-person rehearsals later this year, which it runs at Woolloongabba and Enoggera. It's $150 for one session a week, or $225 for two. And it definitely beats lip syncing to Cardi B on Tik Tok, we promise. Discover more about the new LEGO Art range, here.
While seeing fruit mince pies in your local shopping centre in October feels downright disturbing, there's one Christmas treat that no one ever minds arriving early: Four Pillars' annual Christmas Gin. The latest iteration of the Healesville distillery's seasonal sip is coming in strong, set to hit shelves on Tuesday, October 26. It's the delicious result of a yearly tradition that sees a bunch of Christmas puddings handmade with distiller Cameron Mackenzie's mother's recipe — the 1968 Australian Women's Weekly recipe, in fact — and distilled with various festive botanicals to create a sought-after tipple that pretty much screams December 25. The flavours of an Aussie Christmas are captured in notes of cinnamon, star anise, juniper, coriander and angelica. The Christmas gin is then blended with some earlier gin that's been carefully ageing in 80-year-old muscat barrels. It's all finished with a hit of Rutherglen muscat for a bit of added richness and complexity. Each year, a new unique label is chosen to wrap up this Christmas creation, setting out to evoke that same festive spirit. The 2021's bottle design is the work of Cairns-based artist Andrea Huelin, who has taken inspiration from the immensely Aussie pairing of prawns and pavlova. Known for her fondness for fruit, glassware and everyday household items, Huelin combined all of the above — and a cheeky glass of Australian Christmas Gin — in a photo that now graces the tipple's label. The distillers recommend you sip the limited-edition gin neat; mix it with ginger ale, lime and bitters; or whip up a pavlova punch with the festive gin, passionfruit, muscat, berries and your choice of sparkling. Or you can just splash a bit of it on your own Christmas pudding — or pair it with Four Pillars' own Christmas gin puddings, which'll also be available to buy from Tuesday, October 26. If you want to nab a bottle, have your fingers poised over the 'buy' button when they go on sale online next week. Alternatively, you can stop by the Four Pillars HQ in Healesville, Victoria (if restrictions allow, of course) or the brand's Surry Hills shop. Bottles are $100 a pop and would make stellar Chrissy pressies, if you're already thinking about that. Four Pillars Christmas Gin is available to buy online, from the Healesville distillery and Surry Hills shop from Tuesday, October 26. But you'd best be quick — there's only a limited amount of bottles.
When 2018 comes to a close, the National Gallery of Australia will be home to both a permanent Yayoi Kusama infinity room and a short-term showcase of pre-Raphaelite masterpieces from London's Tate Britain — but 2019 looks set to be even bigger for the Canberra venue. The gallery has revealed its full program for next year and it's filled with huge names from the art world, with exhibitions showcasing the work of Monet, Matisse and Picasso coming to the nation's capital. Hitting the NGA between June and August, Monet: Impression Sunrise, will be focused around the artwork that gives the exhibition its title. Painted back in 1872, Impression, Soleil levant is credited as the source of the term 'impressionism' and rarely travels outside of the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. In fact, it has never visited the southern hemisphere before. In collaboration with the French institution, the NGA will display other world-famous paintings by the artist — as well as works by other impressionist talents inspired by Monet, such as JMW Turner. From December 2019 to April 2020, the NGA will then play host to to Matisse / Picasso, which will give art fans to see iconic creations by two major artists in the same space. Drawing pieces from more than 40 collections around the world, the exhibition will highlight the great rivalry between the two figures, and how they responded to each other in their work. The NGA's fondness for Picasso shouldn't come as a surprise — the gallery is already home to a rare set of 100 of the artist's pieces, called The Vollard Suite, which has been touring the country with stops in both Brisbane and Victoria. Among its other highlights for 2019, the NGA will also become home to a new four-metre high wax 'candle' sculpture by Swiss artist Urs Fischer from March, and will unveil a major new work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in October. Monet: Impression Sunrise will display at the National Gallery of Australia between June 7 and August 18, 2019, while Matisse / Picasso will display between December 13, 2019 and April 13, 2020. For further details, visit the NGA website. Image: Claude Monet. Impression, Soleil Levant. 1872. Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet.
For many folks, renting is one of life's unpleasant necessities, and it comes with plenty of grief. If you've ever been forced to beg your landlord to fix faulty lighting (you know, so you can see at night and generally live in a safe environment), then you'll understand. But in good news, the Queensland Government's plans to shake up the state's tenancy laws is progressing to the next stage. The review has been underway since September 2018, when it kicked off with a nine-week exploration of existing tenancy legislation — the first step in the first major examination of current laws since the 70s. The government then announced the key findings from more than 135,000 responses, and has now synthesised those results into a proposed way forward. Given that 34 percent of Queensland households are rentals, the main points shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Pets and making minor changes continue to be hot topics, as everyone who has ever rented would expect — and the outlined changes address these areas. Overall, three key areas have been identified for reform: protections for those renting with pets, safety and security, and protection against domestic violence. Specific details of the proposed changes are outlined in the Qld Government's Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement. Among tenants surveyed last year, many reported that it was difficult to find a property that accepted four-legged creatures. As detailed in CRIS, landlords will need to "have reasonable grounds for refusing a tenant's request for a pet" if new laws are enacted — so they can't just say no on principle. Those grounds include "unacceptable risks to the condition of the property or to health and safety, [if the] rental property is unsuitable for the type or pet, or [if] keeping a pet would contravene a law or managed community by-law or rule", which isn't necessarily clearcut, but the aim is to make it easier for pet owners to rent overall. Property owners will be allowed to mandate the payment of a separate pet bond if they approve the request, and require pest control and professional carpet cleaning at the end of the lease. Many respondents to 2018's survey also said they'd like to be able to hang pictures or affix their furniture to the wall without it being a hassle. From the landlords' perspective, they'd like to approve changes to their properties, make sure any modifications were safe, and have their houses returned to their original condition when a tenant leaves. This area falls under safety and security, with the CRIS recommending that any minor modifications — "alterations that can be reversed, do not permanently alter the rental property and do not require building or other approvals" — for safety, security and accessibility reasons should be able to be implemented without asking permission. Renters would still need to inform their landlords, though, either before or as soon as practicable after the changes are made. For other minor modifications, including personalising the property, and installing energy- and water- efficient amenities, renters would have to ask first — but if you don't receive a response in seven days, permission would automatically be granted. [caption id="attachment_691108" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] kgbo via Wikicommons[/caption] In helping to protect against domestic violence, the CRIS recommends improving the legislation to help victims — especially when it comes to leaving a property. The suggested amendments would allow tenants "with evidence that they are experiencing domestic and family violence to exit a tenancy with seven days' notice". They'd be able to leave immediately after giving notice, with end-of-tenancy costs capped to the seven-day notice period. The proposed changes extend further, also suggesting the implementation of new reasons for legally ending tenancies on both sides. Something that you'd think should've been taken care of by now, aka prescribed minimum housing standards for rental properties, is also recommended — specifically covering weatherproofing and structural soundness, plumbing and drainage, security, the standard of repair of fixtures and fittings, control of pests and vermin, ventilation, lighting and privacy, and cooking and food preparation facilities. The Qld Government is now asking for feedback on the CRIS via an online survey or written submissions, giving the community a six-week timeframe to tender their thoughts. Afterwards, it will move to progress with implementing the above changes via legislative amendments, including to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. Then, the government says it'll move onto the next stage of the reforms — which'll look at areas such as balancing a tenant's privacy and right to enjoy a rental property with a landlord's requests for entry; reviewing bond, rent and tenure settings; improving the accountability and conduct of property managers; and improving dispute resolution systems. For more information about the potential rental legislation changes, or to provide feedback, visit the Queensland Government's Renting in Queensland website. Top image: Apartments in West End, kgbo via Wikicommons.
Byron Bay is known for many things, including beaches, Hemsworths, a stunning lighthouse and, sadly, a terrible reality TV show. From October, the crews behind existing favourite Luna Wine Store and natural wine importers Lo-Fi Wines are hoping that the coastal town draws folks in for another reason: Bar Heather, their new Paris-inspired natural wine go-to. A restaurant as well as a watering hole, the soon-to-open venue sees owners James Audas and Tom Sheer (ex-Noma, Oscillate Wildly and LP's Quality Meats) team up an impressive staff list: chef Ollie Wong-Hee (ex-Ester, Sixpenny and Franklin), sommelier Ollie Smith (formerly at 10 William St) and restaurant manager Amalia Oxley (previously Agrarian Kitchen). They'll oversee a 68-seater on Johnson Street, located just across from Luna, that'll pair some of the best vinos from around the world with a locally focused food menu. "Over the years we've collected some very special bottles and always thought that if we ever opened a drink-in venue this is where they would go," says Sheer. "We only plan to do this once, so we figured we better do it right." Those drops will include from wine names such as Matassa, Alessandro Viola and Gut Oggaua — with vino by the glass starting at $14 and bottles from $50. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bar Heather (@heather.bar) Both the wine list and the culinary lineup will rotate frequently; however, diners can look forward to a range of snacks, small dishes and larger share plates among Wong-Hee's offerings. Think: a potato chip, comté and shiitake combo; duck confit with betel leaf and kohlrabi; and grilled king green prawns in a sauce made from the seafood's shells. And, price-wise, snacks will start at $8, mains at $32 and desserts from $16. Seaside vibes might breeze through Byron by default, but Audas and Sheer are nodding to their French inspiration in Bar Heather's decor, which'll include an attention-grabbing, mortadella-coloured, marble horseshoe bar. Patrons will also spy French wooden flooring, green leather banquettes with an aged appearance and hanging art aplenty. And, as a soundtrack, afro beats, funk and late disco will set the mood. Bar Heather will open evenings from Wednesday–Sunday, and keep part of its seating — 60 of which will be found indoors, and eight outside undercover — open for walk-ins each night. Find Bar Heather at G9 Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson Street, Byron Bay from early October — with reservations currently open from Wednesday, October 19. It'll operate from 5pm–12am Wednesday–Sunday. Images: Jess Kearney.
The annual French Film Festival is touring the country next month and is set to be an entertaining delight for film lovers of all tastes and ages. The festival is a wing of the Alliance Française, an independent, not-for-profit organisation devoted to promoting the spread of French language and culture worldwide. With a presence in over 146 nations and over 30 Alliance Françaises in Australia alone, it is safe to say the organisation has done well in achieving these goals. The Alliance Françaises of Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Sydney have joined forces to develop the Film Festival, now in its 24th year. And the 43 films set to screen at this year's festival will certainly not disappoint. The festival has a huge array of productions on offer, sure to sate the appetites of the soppy romantics, the arty, youngsters, those simply looking for a bit of a laugh, nostalgia-sufferers, and even thrillseekers. These films are some of most acclaimed productions to have come out of France over the last 12 months and will have you adoring both the language and the artistic creativity of the French by the time the credits roll. Opening the festival is Haute Cuisine, light fare about a successful chef who is appointed to head the President's kitchen in the Elysee Palace. During the festival you can see Renoir (pictured), a sumptuous film about the feuds of great painters; the erotic tableaux of FEU by Christian Louboutin; the Cannes closer and Audrey Tautou vehicle Therese Desqueyroux; and the pre-Freudian Augustine. The French Film Festival will tour to major capital cities during March and April. Visit their website to see the full program.
Sometimes, you just want to jump up, jump up and get down. Or jump jump in general when things are wiggity, wiggity, wiggity wack. Tingalpa's BOUNCE Trampoline Park is the place where you can make that happen. Actually, you'll be able to go ahead and jump ('80s musicians were in the know, too) in more ways than you probably think. Free jump over 50 interconnected trampolines — which includes tumble tracks — and then literally bounce up the wall. Or, put a spring in your basketball step while you jump to slam dunk, test out your air sports moves on the soft big bag, play trampoline dodgeball and take to the X-Park Adventure Challenge Course. Yes, that's a real thing.
A Gold Coast favourite has made the move north, with Bar Monte opening its doors in Newstead. The sibling to Miami's popular Italian-inspired spot offers a more elevated experience for Brisbane's fast-evolving dining scene — it's still warm and inviting like its big sister, but with a touch more edge and sophistication for the big smoke. Behind the 100-seat venue are James Sutherland, Kim Stephen (Light Years) and Lorenzo Toscani (Pixie, Byron Bay). Designed by Studio Plenty, the space is a refined take on neighbourhood trattoria, with spotted gum timber, glossy ceramic tiles, sculptural wool pendants overhead and curved banquettes winding across the room. The result is a setting that's both welcoming and eye-catching. [caption id="attachment_1025310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jessie Prince[/caption] The menu reimagines Italian classics with contemporary twists, especially with small plates like Ortiz anchovy toast with smoked tomato butter and lemon, mortadella bun with pickled green chilli and limoncello aioli, and yellowfin tuna with pineapple, green chilli, lemon and koji mayo. Pastas and mains are more straightforward but no less considered, with highlights like paccheri alla vodka with nduja and stracciatella, barbecued chicken alla diavola with fermented chilli and bullhorn pepper sugo and a dry-aged bistecca with a porcini rub, onion and marrow butter. Award-winning sommelier Andrea Martinisi — whose accolades include a top-ten placing in the Association of Sommeliers International's World Best Sommelier Competition — has curated a tight wine list of just under 100 bottles spanning Italy, France and Australia. His wine program is complemented by a playful cocktail list that leans into savoury flavours — a Caprese Martini, like the dish, is layered with tomato, basil and a hint of mozzarella, while a bright and herbaceous celery margarita is dubbed the Celerita. Together, they set the tone for a drinks list that, much like the food, is at once inventive and approachable. [caption id="attachment_1025306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jessie Prince[/caption] Top images: Jessie Prince.
In response to the latest local case of COVID-19 in Brisbane, in a hotel quarantine worker, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that the entire Greater Brisbane region — spanning the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands local government areas — is going into lockdown for three days. The shutdown will start at 6pm on Friday, January 8 and run through until 6pm on Monday, January 11. "All residents living in those areas will be required to stay at home. Think of it as a long weekend at home," the Premier said at her daily press conference today, Friday, January 8. "We need to do this... If we do not do this now, it could end up being a 30-day lockdown. So we will do a very strong three-day lockdown in those areas," she continued. The Greater Brisbane region will return to the rules in place during March's lockdown — which means that you're only allowed to leave the house for four reasons. So, you can only head out for work or education if you can't do that at home, for essential shopping, for exercise in your local area, and for health care or to provide support for a vulnerable person. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1347309459891109888 While Queensland has had community cases of the coronavirus before — including back in July and August, when restrictions were tightened only weeks after they had been relaxed from the first lockdown — the state is being particularly cautious in the current instance because it involves the new, more contagious UK strain of COVID-19. In today's press conference, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young noted that this strain is 70 percent more infectious, hence the need to lockdown to try to get any community spread under control. As part of the lockdown, there is a limit of two visitors in homes. Masks are also compulsory for the three days of lockdown, and are required to be worn everywhere in Greater Brisbane's local government areas, other than if you're at your own home. Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues will all close, as will places of worship, while cafes, pubs and restaurants are only allowed to open for takeaway service. Weddings can only have ten guests, and funerals can only have 20 attendees. Also, folks who decide to come to the Greater Brisbane region during the lockdown will be bound by the same restrictions, although travel is discouraged — and no one should leave Greater Brisbane during this period. The government strongly encourages non-residents currently in Greater Brisbane to remain until the end of the lockdown. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1347396828833017857 And, if you've been in the Greater Brisbane area since January 2 but you're now elsewhere, you still must quarantine wherever you are. You'll also need to wear a mask when you leave your home — for one of the permitted reasons. Announcing the news, the Premier said that "we have learned from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales that a short, sharp lockdown is better than a long one — and this a more contagious strain. All we can do is stay home and stay safe and please get tested". Queensland Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. Extra testing clinics have been set up, and you can find a rundown of clinic locations online as well. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
For more than four decades, Storm Boy has been an essential part of the Australian primary school experience. If you didn't read Colin Thiele's novella, losing yourself in its pages, then you watched the wonderful 1976 film adaptation. Perhaps you did both — or maybe you saw the stage version from the 90s onwards. Both then and now, Storm Boy has always told a timeless tale, but its 2019 remake might've benefited from arriving a few years earlier. The central narrative remains just as affecting, focusing on a young boy and the lively pelican he comes to call his best friend. The movie's new additions and its big-name star, however, don't fare as well. In much of the film, the story of a pre-teen Mike Kingley (Finn Little) scampers across the screen, just as the boy himself scampers along South Australia's sandy Coorong coastline. Other than his fisherman dad "Hideaway" Tom (Jai Courtney), Mike's days are largely free from human contact. When he meets another of the region's reclusive figures in local Indigenous man Fingerbone Bill (Trevor Jamieson), he makes a rare pal. The two bond over a trio of other lonely creatures: three baby pelicans whose mother is shot and killed by hunters. Naming them Mr Percival, Mr Proud and Mr Ponder, Mike takes the helpless chicks under his wing, cares for them and watches the birds grow. From Lassie's yearning to return home, to Kes' combination of a kid and a kestrel, to the recent version of Pete's Dragon, accounts of humanity's connection with animals have long inspired movie magic. In pictures such as E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and the recent Transformers prequel Bumblebee as well, the same themes and emotions apply. Sometimes the genre tugs a little too hard on the heartstrings, and sometimes it's happy being a tad too cheesy, but when it works, it brings tears and tender feelings in equal measure. And in Storm Boy, it works. Watching Mike escort his grown pelicans back into the wild, then watching Mr Percival make his return, proves moving in all of the right ways. The path their tale charts from there also evokes a genuine reaction. There's a sunny but never blindly optimistic glow to these 1950s-set scenes, as paired with warm performances from the effortlessly naturalistic Little, Courtney putting in his best work in years, and the engaging Jamieson stepping into David Gulpilil's shoes. Making his first movie since 2008's Two Fists, One Heart, director Shawn Seet finds the right mood and tone even when he dials up the sentiment to obvious heights, while also filling the main section of the film with sweeping images. Alas, unlike its predecessor, the young Mike's exploits with Mr Percival only comprise part of the picture. Wrapped around Storm Boy's compassionate core is a contemporary story, following Mike as a weary, wealthy grandfather played by Geoffrey Rush. Summoned to a board meeting for the family company that's now run by his son-in-law (Erik Thomson), the ageing character relays his childhood memories to his teenage granddaughter (Morgana Davies), who's firmly against her father's latest plans. These additions by screenwriter Justin Monjo (Jungle) come saddled with a well-meaning environmental statement that brings modern-day relevance, but the end product is as forceful and clumsy as it sounds. They also push Rush to centre stage for a significant portion of the movie, a move that feels unnecessary given how engaging the flashback scenes are — and also feels uncomfortable after the recent allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the actor, which he denies. As a result, Storm Boy is both a gorgeous film and a wayward one. Its soaring heights are a delight, and its awkward depths are an unwanted distraction. One will melt even the hardest of hearts, the other will test even the most patient of viewers. Our advice: focus on the titular tyke and the pelican, although you'll wish the filmmakers had heeded the same words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBOvn18yeQ
There's a reason that the Ekka comes with its own public holiday. Brisbanites are set free from work to rush to the Royal Queensland Show, fill themselves up with fried and sugary goodness, then brave the rides and gaze at the fireworks. In 2018, the annual exhibition runs from Friday, August 10 to Sunday, August 19 — and, as always, that means ten days of sideshows, show bags and more. Of course, there's much more going on than that, with everything from animal competitions to cooking demonstrations on the bill. Where else are you going to see a giant pumpkin, pat a pig, eat a strawberry sundae, listen to live music, crash dodgems, throw a ball in a clown's mouth for a prize and take home all the Bertie Beetles you can eat? Tickets cost $35 for adults, but if you're keen to head by at night, nab a $20 twilight pass — it gets you in from 6pm onwards.
Just a few short years ago, grabbing a bite or having a drink beneath the Fortitude Valley side of the Story Bridge simply wasn't possible. Now, Howard Smith Wharves is one of the city's most popular spots. Restaurateur and entrepreneur Hervé Dudognon knows that first-hand, after holding leadership positions at the precinct — and, hopping over to Albion's transformed 100-year-old timber mill for his new venture, he's helping to weave that magic twice. At Craft'd Grounds, Dudognon is the co-founder and namesake of French restaurant and bar Hervé's, which heroes French-inspired food and wine. The aim: to give the city a homely, relaxed but still world-class eatery that nods to Europe but also embraces Australian culture. "The vision has always been to create a community destination — an extension of your home that's warm and inviting," he explains. Husband and wife executive chef duo Alex and Chris Norman oversee the kitchen — with Chris as Executive Chef and Alex as Executive Pastry Chef. Between them, the pair boasts The Square restaurant and Ritz Hotel in London, plus The Bridge Room, Merivale Group, The One & Only Resort, Palazzo Versace and Emporium Group in Australia on their resumes. Given that Dudognon's career includes stops at the Hotel De Crillon in Paris, Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, and Palazzo Versace and Merivale Group as well, the Hervé's team isn't short on hospitality experience. The venue's food range favours top produce sourced both locally and abroad — including Fraser Island crab, Appellation oysters done two ways and a decadent Australian shellfish bouillabaisse. Among the other menu highlights, chartreuse cured ocean trout, rock lobster ravioli and black angus steak tartare sit among the smaller options, alongside roast duck and a butcher's cut of beef to share, plus kingfish with confit leek and cannellini beans among the mains. On the wine lineup, the bar is pouring Australian, French and other international vino from eco-conscious winemakers. Decor-wise, Byron Bay-based interior designer Katie Cameron has given top-floor space an intimate, homely feel. Think: timber aplenty — befitting the building's history — as well as terrazzo, soft lighting and textured fabrics, plus a clear view into the kitchen and its wood-fired oven. Images: Markus Ravik.
Anyone that's spent time at Kirra has fond memories of Kirra Beach Hotel. Just in time for summer, the Gold Coast pub wants you to make new ones. Three years after closing down, including being demolished in 2021, the water-adjacent watering hole is back pouring drinks by the surf as part of the new Kirra Point Precinct. Eleven years in the making, the beachside spot is making this stretch of Kirra look rather different. Residential and vacation apartments are on the way, with a 116-unit tower dedicated to folks living the beach life year-round. If you're not residing or staying onsite, you can still look forward to hitting the shops, plus gaining a new excuse to sip and snack while feeling the coastal breeze. As announced earlier in 2023, one of development's big drawcards is its seafront perch. Another: the return of Kirra Beach Hotel, complete with killer ocean vistas. Reopening its doors on Monday, November 27, Kirra Beach Hotel is aiming to level up the classic beachside pub concept. A watering hole has stood onsite since 1956, but this current iteration is all new. Designed to be breezy and casual — think: a sunny beer garden opposite the surf, five-metre-high ceilings and windows letting the fresh air in — it sprawls across 1300 square metres on the corner of Marine Parade and Miles Street, and is filled with surfing memorabilia heroing the sport's famous names like Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Attracting all kinds of beachgoers is another big focus. So, Kirra Beach Hotel includes a family-friendly bistro, a public bar and a sports bar filled with hefty TVs. For a tipple to take home, there's also a bottle-o that champions homegrown fare. And, for anyone heading by straight from the beach, there's a tub of thongs for folks who don't have shoes with them. Greg Hodge is back as Kirra Beach Hotel's publican, after overseeing the bar for eight years in its last incarnation. "The team have done a great job on the new fitout and I know the locals are going to love it. It still feels like home and has that nostalgic, old-school pub charm to it," he said. "The Kirra Beach Hotel has always been more than just a pub for our guests and it's a place where anyone is welcome. It's a second home, a place where you can relax and be on a first name basis with our staff, a place where you can pop in after a surf and grab a bite to eat, and perch up with a beer in hand and watch the waves and magic of Kirra roll in." Open daily from 10am, the pub is also welcoming back Venue Manager Julie Craig, Head Chef Richard Whiting and Cellar Manager Kris Flint, along with other core staff. If you're dropping by for something to eat, pub favourites such as fish and chips (of course), schnitzels and beef rissoles with mash return, sitting on the menu alongside burgers, meats from the grill, salads and raw seafood. Local produce is firmly in the spotlight, as are trawler-fresh weekly seafood specials. Think: oysters both natural and kilpatrick, bugs and prawns by the half kilo, tempura-battered bug tails in toasted brioche rolls and stacked platters. Brews-wise, expect to sip local names like Balter and Burleigh Brewing on the beer side, and Brookie's Gin for spirits. Australian wines help round out the drinks selection — which is just one of the new Kirra Beach Hotel's many things to say cheers to. Also on the way: newcomer Kirra Beach House, which will open in December on the precinct's second level. Here, patrons will find a 1200-square-metre venue by SITE Hospitality's Dave Galvin (Kōst, Mozza Mozza) — and a spot that again boasts a number of spaces within its one big space. There'll be a wine bar, two cocktail bars (one, Preston's, is for intimate soirées), indoor spots to drink, outdoor places to settle in, and room for events such as weddings and shindigs. Kirra Beach Hotel and Kirra Beach House form part of Kirra Point Precinct's first stage. When stage two arrives, it'll add to the places to stay, shop, and eat and drink. On the cards: a boutique hotel, laneway retailers, a village square, a fresh food marketplace, another residential apartment tower, a gelateria and more. Kirra Beach Hotel reopens at 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta from Monday, November 27, operating from 10am–late seven days a week.
Dessert is far from being the most important meal of the day, but it might be the thing that keeps you going back to Brisbane's best cafes and restaurants — and there are pastry chefs who are impressing us again and again with decadent desserts making life taste that little bit sweeter. These well-known desserts not only inspire a cult-like following, but they're also easy to find and won't blow the budget. One key ingredient that unites these cult desserts is the humble egg. Whether it's creating a crisp yet chewy meringue for our national summer dessert — that is, pavlova — or whisked into a creamy custard for the traditional Portuguese tart, eggs are an essential part of the mix. You can find all the nutritional benefits as well as recipes for muffins, biscuits and tarts on the Australian Eggs website. Read on for some of the best cult desserts in Brisbane that cost less than you might think.
Everyone has fond memories of playing Uno. If you didn't start a fight by whipping out a draw four just as someone was down to their last card, then you didn't really have a childhood. Yes, it really is the game of champions. It's also a game that Saccharomyces Beer Cafe is rather fond of — so much so that they hold a monthly competition. A word of warning: this isn't for the faint of heart. It is called the Uno Tournament of Death, after all. So flex those fingers, prepare to show off your number- and colour-matching skills, and get geared up to sledge, taunt and distract your opponents. All's fair in love and Uno, with prizes on offer for player that emerges victorious. If someone brings a themed deck (and everything from N*Sync cards to a special Sydney 2000 Olympics version really do exist), then we think everyone will be a winner.
It takes 50 minutes to cook the 1.2-kilogram tomahawk cut of angus beef that's on the menu at Black Hide Steak and Seafood. When it's ready to serve, the $240 dish caters for up to three people. It's a big meal, with a big price, available in a big new location for The Gambaro Group's upmarket steak brand. Black Hide by Gambaro at the Treasury is no more, with the chain moving its Brisbane CBD restaurant into the Queen's Wharf precinct. This is a change of space by necessity, of course, and one that's impacted the other restaurants and bars in the Sunshine State capital's old casino as well. Fat Noodle has moved, too, as has LiveWire, with the latter changing its focus to late-night entertainment and live music. Black Hide announced back in May 2024 that it would have a new home in The Star Brisbane, then opened its doors on Wednesday, September 11 as part of The Terrace, on the same level as the landing for the new Neville Bonner Bridge. Black Hide is The Terrace's largest restaurant, catering to more than 250 guests. The Gambaro team has embraced the opportunity to scale up, as well as the chance to ensure that seafood is a key focus alongside steak. That menu shift seems fitting given the restaurant's prime waterside location, with river views while you eat as much as a highlight as the range of wagyu cuts and multiple lobster dishes — whether or not you're sat on the balcony. While the food remains a drawcard — oysters, caviar and caviar oysters are among the starters; tuna tartare and miso-glazed beef skewers are snack choices; Black Hide's signature meatballs and kingfish crudo feature on the entree lineup; mains include grilled Moreton Bay bugs and chargrilled squid; and dessert picks span sundaes, lemon meringue, and coconut tapioca, ginger and avocado sorbet — the new site is also a cocktail lounge. A shorter small-plate menu is available to pair with drinks, and the bar operates from open till close, even when the restaurant isn't serving lunch or dinner. It was back in 2018 that Black Hide set up shop at the Treasury, expanding from Caxton Street in Petrie Terrace, where Gambaros has long been synonymous. The eatery made the Queen Street side of the casino its home, delivering river views, a bar overlooking Reddacliff Place and a six-room setup that makes the most of the heritage building's features — including a ten-person private dining space filled with timber, brass and marble. At its new digs, the same team remains on staff, with new additions given that the restaurant is bigger. Meals are whipped up in the open kitchen, letting guests view the culinary magic as its taking place.
They're sticky, cinnamon scrolls, drenched in glaze and famous all across the USA. And now, at last, they'll be available Down Under. Yep, Seattle-born bakery chain Cinnabon will land in Australia imminently, with a Brisbane outpost ready to open before the year is out. The launch was first announced in January this year, when family-run Queensland company Bansal Foods scored the Aussie rights to Cinnabon. But, now, we finally have some details. Set to open on Saturday, December 14, the store will be located inside Toombul Shopping Centre in Brisbane's north. Cinnabon has been going strong in America since 1985 so it's already picked up plenty of Aussie fans along the way. But this will be the first time we're able to get our hands on those sticky, cinnamon-infused baked goods on home soil. The new Brisbane store be slinging a trio of Cinnabon cult classics, including the classic cream cheese cinnamon roll, the popular chocolate-drizzled Chocobon, and very extra Caramel Pecanbon. They'll be available in both mini and large sizes, along with packs featuring either four or nine 'minibons'. There will be coffee and lots of sugary drinks to pair with your snacks, too, including a cinnamon bun frappe. And, if you're yet to get acquainted with the decadent dessert creations, just know to expect aromatic, cinnamon-spiked dough made to a long-held recipe, decked out with stacks of signature cream cheese frosting and loaded with extras. They're notoriously tough to replicate. Toombul Shopping Centre recently opened a new neon-lit upstairs dining precinct, Cinnabon won't be a part of that. Instead, it'll be located on the ground floor near the Coles. And if you're not in Brisbane, it probably won't be too long until Cinnabon makes its way down south. The Toombul store is set to be the first of many. A second Brisbane store in Mt Gravatt is set to open in January 2020 and, going off plans announced earlier in the year, Cinnabon is looking to launch in Sydney and beyond in 2021. Cinnabon is slated to open its first Australian store on Saturday, December 14 on the ground level of Toombul Shopping Centre, 1015 Sandgate Road, Toombul. We'll keep you updated on an exact opening date.
The Australian Open is coming in hot for its 2023 edition, with thousands of punters set to descend on Melbourne Park for two weeks of Grand Slam tennis action from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. But as usual, the tennis won't be the only thing pulling crowds and whetting appetites. Serving a few aces of its own is the AO's 2023 food and drink offering — a star-studded lineup of restaurant pop-ups and experiences to tempt tennis-goers and foodies alike. Throughout the tournament, a slew of big-name chefs and dining institutions will be headed courtside to dish up a blockbuster menu of culinary gold. Among these familiar favourites you'll catch Andrew McConnell's modern Asian diner Supernormal, hosting both a set-menu restaurant and a walk-in-friendly al fresco dining terrace. And yes, there'll be plenty of that famed lobster roll to go around. Meanwhile, award-winning Sydney chef and seafood maestro Josh Niland (Saint Peter) will treat locals to a taste of his sustainable fish and chipper Charcoal Fish, which is heading south for the first time. Hit the pop-up eatery for cult-fave dishes like a rotisserie Murray cod roll with gravy and crispy skin, and the double yellowfin tuna cheeseburger. You can also nab tickets to his one-off talk. [caption id="attachment_884148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charcoal Fish[/caption] Fellow Sydneysider Jacqui Challinor will be recreating the magic of her own Nomad stable courtside, serving bites like mushroom and bone marrow empanadas, standout house-made charcuterie and a Middle Eastern-inspired olive oil cream sandwich. There'll be restaurants by Penfolds and Rockpool Bar & Grill if you fancy dialling up the sophistication factor, as well as a pop-up fine-diner by the Stokehouse crew serving a sumptuous set-menu affair — including an adorable tennis ball dessert. And a collective of chefs including Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook), Adam D'Sylva (Tonka, Coda) and Scott Pickett (Longrain, Estelle) are assembling to cook up the fusion feast of your dreams. Elsewhere, you can tuck into plates from the likes of Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, Shane Delia's Maha, Oasis, Ca Com (by Anchovy's Thi Lee and Jia-Yen Lee) and The B.East. Josh Fry will be whipping up a menu of two-handed delights a la Rocco's Bologna, while Mischa Tropp showcases his acclaimed Keralan fare — that legendary butter chicken included. No one's going thirsty, either. The palm-fringed AO Spritz Bar will be your go-to for all things fizzy, with the menu ranging from a booze-free guava marg to a signature hibiscus-infused spritz. It'll be rocking a breezy resort-inspired aesthetic, complete with bookable cabanas and a prime location adjacent to Charcoal Fish. Meanwhile, over at the Canadian Club Racquet Club, you'll find another tidy lineup of sips, alongside free gigs, street food by Beatbox Burgers and Taco Truck, and the tennis action playing live and loud on the big screens. Further booze pop-ups come courtesy of labels like Piper Heidsieck, Balter, Sommersby, Peroni and Gordon's. [caption id="attachment_884140" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maha[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Penfolds Restaurant[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supernormal[/caption] The 2023 Australian Open and its food offering will take over Melbourne Park from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. For details on the full lineup or to book a table, see the website. Top images: Stokehouse, Nomad.
