Whether you're self-isolating or social-distancing, we bet your couch has seen more of you in the past week than it has all year long. And if you've been looking for some motivation to (temporarily) pause powering through your chocolate reserves and flipping between Netflix and COVID-19 news, here it is: free fun workouts. While you can't get to the gym or go to your bootcamp, you can work up a sweat at home without spending a dime — and without running 66 kilometres in laps around your apartment like this guy. Here are some actually fun (and free) ways to work out at home. NIKE TRAINING CLUB If you want to get fit like the pros, the Nike Training Club is the way to do it. The app offers over 190 free workouts focused on strength training, cardio, endurance and even yoga and mobility. These workouts have been designed by the Nike Master Trainers, who offer video guidance via the app. Workouts are designed for all fitness levels and heaps are body weight-only, so you don't need at-home equipment, either. The more workouts you complete, the more customised the app becomes, and it even offers daily recommendations for regular users. Basically, it's created to make you feel like you have a personal trainer in your living room. Download the free Nike Training Club app for iOS or Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--jhKVdZOJM YOGA WITH ADRIENE Yoga trainer Adriene Mishler must be doing something right — she has over 6.55 million subscribers to her YouTube channel. Her chilled-out and calming disposition make her one of the best online yogis out there. And she has a lot of videos up, with more to come, too — so you you won't run out of workouts anytime soon. Her classes are also much more specialised than your average hatha, with videos themed around yoga for almost anything and anyone. Yoga for hangovers. Yoga for writers. Yoga for chefs. For runners, self-love, cramps, couch potatoes and lower back pain — which may be particularly important in this work-from-home culture. Mishler also offers a 30-day class flow, which you can follow along with daily. Oh, and you'll also get to work out with her dog, Benjamin the blue heeler. Check out all of Yoga with Adriene's videos on her YouTube channel. SMILING MIND Odds are, you aren't just going stir crazy physically, but mentally, too. It's important now more than ever to check in with yourself, watch your stress levels and look after your mental health. One of the ways to do this from home is through guided meditation. While there are heaps of meditation and mindfulness apps out there, Smiling Mind is absolutely free. So, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a meditation guru without the monthly subscription fee — and without leaving the house. The app only suggests ten minute a day, so it isn't a huge commitment, either. Its offering is broken down into age groups, too, and even offers meditation for kids and teenagers. Download the free Smiling Mind app for iOS or Android. 30-DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE When you're staring down the barrel of a few weeks (or more) at home, it can be good to have a daily exercise goal to keep you sane. This 30-Day Squat Challenge app offers just that. The month-long workout plan focuses on — you guessed it — squats, but there isn't just one way to do this move, either. The app focuses on a whopping 13 squat variations used across six different workouts. The intensity of the workout increases by the day, so that on day 30 you'll be a squat master — and have the booty to show for it. Download the free 30 Day Squat Challenge app for iOS or Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofddKYnkxTQ&t=5s THE FITNESS MARSHALL For a fun workout at home (that'll have you smiling if not sweating), it's time to start following fitness teacher Caleb Marshall. His YouTube channel already has 2.3 million subscribers, and for good reason — his workouts are actually fun. They're more dance classes than workouts, and you'll be grooving along to pop songs. Think Work by Rhianna, Truth Hurts by Lizzo and Womanizer by Britney Spears. Marshall's dance moves are for novices, not the pros — so anyone really can join in. And most of his videos are only the length of one song (three–four minutes long), so you can even dance along as part of a quick five-minute break. Check out all of The Fitness Marshall's videos on his YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDLb3rAmTY JANE FONDA ON BEFIT If you haven't watched the famous 1982 VHS Jane Fonda's Workout, you've definitely heard of it. Selling over 17 million copies, the video workout accompanied Fonda's bestselling book of the same name. While you can't watch the OG VHS for free, you can watch a heap of Fonda's slightly-more-recent videos on the BeFit YouTube channel. These oldies-but-goodies are fun, easy and a bit of a laugh. Fonda offers a wide range of workouts, from cardio and fat burning to yoga energy booster and even a questionable dance class. So dust off your leg warmers and sweatbands and prepare for some indoor aerobics. Check out all of BeFit's Jane Fonda YouTube videos over here.
Another year, another collaboration between two big cinema names who keep making stellar films together. With Bugonia, Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos combine for their fourth joint feature, following 2018's The Favourite, 2023's Poor Things and 2024's Kinds of Kindness. The first of the bunch earned them both Oscar nominations. The second scored Stone her second Academy Award and made Lanthimos a contender again. The latest? It's a remake of a South Korean sci-fi comedy. If you've seen Save the Green Planet!, then you'll know the story. If you haven't, get ready for Lanthimos' take on it. Either way, the Greek filmmaker's new movie is all about a CEO of a major company, two men obsessed with conspiracies, the belief that said head honcho is an alien who'll destroy earth and, as a result, a kidnapping plot — as the just-dropped initial teaser trailer illustrates. Stone (Fantasmas) is the CEO. Doing the abducting to the sounds of Green Day's 'Basket Case' in the flick's debut glimpse: Jesse Plemons — who also worked with Lanthimos on Kinds of Kindness, and won the Best Actor Award at Cannes for his efforts — plus feature first-timer Aidan Delbis. And the mindset that sparks the kidnapping? "It all starts with something magnificent: a flower, then a honey bee. The workers gather pollen for the queen," explains Plemons' character. "But the bees, they're dying. And that's the way they planned it — to make us the same as the bees. But it is not in control anymore. We are." Bugonia's cast also spans Stavros Halkias (Tires) and Alicia Silverstone (Y2K). Behind the camera, while Lanthimos directs, Will Tracy (The Menu) adapted the screenplay from Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 film. Stone is one of Bugonia's producers, too — and so is her Eddington director Ari Aster (Beau Is Afraid). The movie has a date with cinemas Down Under from Thursday, October 30, 2025, but you can probably expect to hear more about it before then if you follow international film festival news — premiering at the Venice International Film Festival, where Poor Things did and won the Golden Lion, seems more than likely. Check out the trailer for Bugonia below: Bugonia releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
UPDATE, February 8, 2021: The White Tiger is available to stream via Netflix. Adapted from Aravind Adiga's 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning debut novel, The White Tiger shares an animal metaphor in its name. It works it into the story, obviously, and mentions it in dialogue as well. As a boy, after proudly demonstrating that his reading abilities eclipse those of his classmates in his poverty-stricken village, young Balram Halwai (Harshit Mahawar) is likened to the titular jungle cat by a teacher. He's "the rarest of animals that comes along once in a generation," he's told. That statement arrives within the movie's opening minutes and is meant to linger over the film, which it does. That said, another animal metaphor, also uttered early but pondering roosters and coops, truly cuts to this biting picture's core. Like poultry in a cage awaiting slaughter, India's poor are kept in their place as servants, explains Balram (Adarsh Gourav, Hostel Daze) as an adult. At the mercy of cruel and ruthless masters, the country's workers are well aware that they're being treated thoughtlessly at best, and watch on as everyone is stuck in an unending cycle of drudgery. But, ever-dutiful at every moment, they're unwilling to break free or even mildly defy their employers. That's the compliant life that Balram is supposed to lead, as he notes in the always-pacy, often-winking narration that drives this smart and savage thriller. Balram's existence does play out that way, too, at least for a time. He ingratiates his way into a driver position for Ashok (Bollywood star Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Baywatch's Priyanka Chopra Jonas), the American-educated son and New York-raised daughter-in-law of the rich landlord (Mahesh Manjrekar, Slumdog Millionaire) who owns his village and demands a third of all earnings from its residents. But The White Tiger starts with a car accident outside Delhi involving Balram, Ashok and Pinky, then unfurls in flashbacks from an unapologetic Balram in the future. As a result, it's immediately apparent that he won't always be kowtowing to those considered above him in his country's strict caste system. It's also instantly evident that his tale, as cheekily told via a letter penned to 2003–13 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, will take the audience on quite the wild journey. Balram's plan to work for the man who rules over his home stems from his burning ambition to enjoy a life far removed from his struggling childhood. So does his scheme to supplant the family's first driver, as well as his efforts to later forge his own path. When he is given the white tiger label as a kid, he is also advised that "any poor boy in any forgotten village can grow up to become Prime Minister of India". Politics isn't on his agenda, though. During his time with Ashok and Pinky, he starts thinking bigger. He doesn't just want to win "a million-rupee game show" either — the film's wink to fellow rags-to-riches saga Slumdog Millionaire. As viewers watch Balram evolve from an attentive servant to the self-made entrepreneur who unfurls the movie's twist-filled tale with a sense of mischievous glee — and a clear feeling of accomplishment, too — one truth haunts every moment: that the vast chasm between the wealthy and not-so has wide-reaching consequences, and not just those that the rich, powerful and blinkered foresee. The White Tiger's framing device is a little clumsy, and its overt, blackly comic observations about the well-off taking advantage of everyone they consider inferior definitely aren't new. Nonetheless, this is still a ferocious, compelling and entertaining film with something sharp and accurate to say, and an engaging way of conveying its central perspective. As long as the world remains beholden to the few at the expense of the many, eat the rich-style tales will never get old — Oscar-winner Parasite certainly felt anything but — and this one also skewers globalisation and its ramifications, especially as new technologies are supposed to be bringing everyone closer together. Thanks to 2005's Man Push Cart, 2007's Chop Shop and 2015's 99 Homes, Iranian American writer/director Ramin Bahrani is no stranger to street-level stories about everyday folks trying to survive and thrive under capitalism's boot, or to the twisted power dynamics that can ensue in society at large and in close quarters. Accordingly, he's a perfect fit for the material here. Whether he's focusing on a ponytailed, moustachioed Balram as he narrates away, or following the character from dusty shacks and crowded markets to the basements of Delhi's sky-high apartment blocks, Bahrani brings a constantly probing eye to Adiga's tale in both a storytelling and visual sense. (He's was also one of the author's college classmates.) Also ideal is Gourav, so much so that it's almost impossible to imagine the movie being as captivating without him, or as slick yet scathing. The actor is in excellent company, with Rao and Chopra Jonas each finding multiple layers in their characters' lives of privilege, and their eagerness to regard Balram as a friend while it suits — but, as a bright-eyed but still calculating young man trying to work his way up, and then as a cynical experienced hand who has seen much, endured more and knows how he wants the world to work, Gourav is electrifying. It's a performance that's bound to catapult him into other high-profile roles, and it's also the likeable and empathetic yet also hungry and slippery portrayal this rollercoaster ride of a story hinges upon. Or, to put it in Balram's words, Gourav plays his part as "straight and crooked, mocking and believing, sly and sincere, all at the same time", and it's never less than riveting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35jJNyFuYKQ Top image: Tejinder Singh Khamkha/Netflix.
The BrisStyle team is a rather busy bunch. A few times a year, it puts on twilight markets in King George Square, but that isn't its only regular event. If you're particularly after a treasure trove of handmade goodies — and who isn't? — it hosts another opportunity to browse and buy that's dedicated to exactly those kinds of objects over at the Queensland Museum. And, because it's that time of year, it's putting on a Christmas version of the latter. Fashion, art, jewellery, homewares — if someone's been using their nimble fingers to make it, then you can probably trade your hard-earned cash for their hard work. In fact, there'll be a long list of artisans — 60 locals, actually — selling their wares. And, while you're shopping, you'll also be able to grab a bite at the onsite cafe and listen to live tunes from local musos. The BrisStyle Handmade Christmas Markets take place on Saturday, December 10, so that's when you can take care of your gift-buying needs. Head along from 9am–3pm, with it all taking place in the Queensland Museum's whale mall. Image: BrisStyle.
Whether he's co-writing and starring in sketch comedies, directing two of the best horror films of the past few years, producing an Oscar-nominee or reviving a science-fiction classic, Jordan Peele has amassed an impressive resume. So, whenever he adds a new project to the lengthy list, it's worth paying attention. Already, he has Key & Peele, Get Out, Us and The Twilight Zone to his name— and he produced BlacKkKlansman, and produced and co-wrote the upcoming new Candyman flick too. This year, he also executive produced Al Pacino-starring TV series Hunters, about hunting down Nazis in the 70s. And, come August, he's doing the same with Lovecraft Country, a 50s-era exploration of both otherworldly and actual monsters. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, Lovecraft Country follows a road trip across the US in the time of the Jim Crow racial segregation laws. Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors, Da 5 Bloods) is looking for his missing dad (Michael Kenneth Williams, The Wire), enlisting his friend (Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) and his uncle George (Courtney B Vance, Ben Is Back) to trek around the country with him. Cue the unwelcoming, discriminatory and hostile reality of white America, as well as terrors of the supernatural kind (aka, the type that American sci-fi and horror writer HP Lovecraft is synonymous with, hence the show's title). Yes, it sounds like it's completely in Peele's wheelhouse. Lost and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker's JJ Abrams is also one of the new ten-episode series' executive producers, too, alongside showrunner and writer Misha Green (Underground), directors Yann Demange ('71) and Daniel Sackheim (True Detective, Game of Thrones), and producers Bill Carraro (Blade Runner 2049) and David Knoller (Power, Big Love). Lovecraft Country hits HBO in the US in August, with the exact date yet to be announced. As for airing Down Under, Australians can likely expect it to screen on Foxtel and/or its new streaming platform Binge, with local details yet to be revealed as well. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJV9acMsDwM Lovecraft Country starts airing on HBO in the US in August. A release date Down Under is yet to be announced — we'll update you when one comes to hand. Top image: Elizabeth Morris/HBO
Ever since the world initially watched Squid Game in 2021, Netflix has been obsessed with bringing everyone's favourite South Korean streaming series into real life. First came pop-up stunts. Then arrived reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge, obviously without a body count. Experiences that let everyone play the show's games without appearing on TV are also part of the IRL fun. As the show's second season approaches, dropping on Boxing Day 2024, Australia keeps welcoming Squid Game activations — starting in St Kilda, where 200 pink guards relaxed on the Melbourne suburb's beach to kick things off. Three years back, however, Young-hee made its eerie presence known in Sydney. The Red Light, Green Light doll has now returned to the Harbour City, crossing the famous waterway by ferry with 300 pink guards as an escort to get to Luna Park Sydney for Squid Game: The Experience. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, a towering sight joined the harbour alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House — and, as the pictures show, it was quite an image to behold. From Saturday, December 14, you can head to Luna Park to be in the doll's company. Just in time for the Christmas holidays and Squid Game season two's release, Squid Game: The Experience will get everyone playing with Young-hee. Call it Red Light, Green Light. Call it Statues. Call it Grandmother's Footsteps. Whichever name you prefer, how good are you at the game that involves folks a-sneaking, ideally without being caught? Now, how would you fare trying to creep forward while avoiding being spotted when Young-hee is lurking? Squid Game: The Experience lets you find out. Get your green tracksuit ready. Front Man will be there to dare you to take the Squid Game challenges IRL. Busting out your marbles skills and walking over the glass bridge are also on the agenda. Some games are inspired by the Netflix program. Others are brand new. You'll only know if Squid Game: The Experience takes any cues from the thriller's second season, though, if you drop by after Thursday, December 26. Players can take part individually, or in groups of up to 25. As you work through the challenges, which get harder as you go along, you'll earn points. Another difference from the series: if you get eliminated from a game, you'll still be able to take part in the challenges that follow. Squid Game: The Experience arrives at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Saturday, December 14, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more information and to buy tickets. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced.
More than a tenth of the best steak joints around the planet are located in Australia. That's one of the big pieces of news from 2024's iteration of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Aussie eateries might be well-represented in general, but the annual ranking's sights are firmly set on just two Down Under cities: Sydney and Melbourne. If you live elsewhere in the country, you might disagree, but the New South Wales and Victorian capitals are now officially the Australian spots to hit for a top-notch slice of beef. Sydney took care of six places on the list, while Melbourne notched up five. Only Sydney's eateries made the top ten, however — including Neil Perry's Margaret topping the local entries by coming in third in the world. Buenos Aires' Parrilla Don Julio seared itself into the number-one position, while Bodega El Capricho in Jiménez de Jamuz in Spain came in second. Following Margaret, Cote in New York placed fourth and Carcasse in Koksijde sits in fifth. The other Sydney venue in the ten best of the best? Rockpool Bar and Grill, which was ranked eighth globally. On either side, it's joined by I due Cippi in Saturnia in Italy in sixth, Laia Erretegia in Hondarribia in Spain in seventh, then AG in Stockholm in ninth and Cut at 45 Park Lane in London in tenth position. Melbourne's first recognition came via Victor Churchill, which is knocking on the door of the top ten by sitting in 11th place. It also took out a second position in the top 20 with Steer Dining Room in 17th spot. From there, Sydney also notched up 24th place via The Gidley, 45th thanks to Bistecca, 71st with Porteño and 89th via Kingsleys. Melbourne's other showings span Entrecote at 86th, Gimlet at Cavendish House at 94th and Grill Americano at 98th. If you've checked out our picks for the best steak restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, plenty of the above should sound familiar — Porteño, Bistecca, Rockpool Bar and Grill, Kingsleys and The Gidley all made the Concrete Playground cut, too, as did Steer Dining Room, Entrecote, Gimlet at Cavendish House, Grill Americano and Victor Churchill. [caption id="attachment_956587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_675814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_674682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida[/caption] [caption id="attachment_837205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lillie Thompson[/caption] [caption id="attachment_860199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Earl Carter[/caption] For the full rundown of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants for 2024, head to the list's website. Top image: Nikki To
If someone were to mention pre-fabricated housing, most people would probably conjure up images of dingy, ugly and generic box-like houses inferior to standard homes. However, recent prefab homes have taken a leap forward in terms of sustainability, practicality and comfort. The eco-friendly materials which make up the pods or modules of prefab houses are constructed in factories and can be configured in various ways to allow the buyer to add some creative flair to their housing style. Standard prefab houses are a great way to save money and time when building a house, and ensuring it is highly sustainable, yet imagine if they were tiny prefab houses. Small prefabricated houses are an incredibly effective use of space, help with the increasingly pertinent issue of urban sprawl and housing density, and are also easily transportable and even less costly in terms of both time and money. Here are ten of the most sustainable, imaginative and simply bewildering tiny prefab houses that will be sure to convert you in your thinking about the buildings of the future. Tiny House Number Two This portable house is Kent Griswold's second self-built house with tiny proportions. This 8.2 x 16.2 foot wide house manages to fit in five wooden windows, a pitch and steel roof, walls reinforced with hurricane straps and foam insulation. This little goldmine would be perfectly suitable as a beachside cottage, a guest house or even just a house for tiny living. Gifford Box Bungalow This majestic snow retreat is 99 square feet of luxury with endless interior design options. Complete with porch and even a loft area at the top, the box bungalow is the ultimate in effective use of space whilst ensuring comfort is still a high priority. The house is available from Tumbleweed Tiny House company, which was founded in 1997 by Jay Shafer. Shafer is dedicated to crafting high-quality and inventive small houses which have minimal impacts on the environments and are conducive to a slower, more relaxed style of living. The XS House This tiny construction is the smallest green house available in Jay Schafer's range and comes from the 'House to Go' series, meaning it can easily be transported and towed anywhere. The XS stands for extra small and extra space-efficient because with only 11 feet in length and 7 feet in width, this house manages to somehow fit in a living room, kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom. If you're planning to go caravaning across the countryside, why not just go 'housing' instead, because if built yourself this little beauty will only set you back $16,000. Weehouse Don't be fooled by the deceptive name, because this modern house offers much more than just a place t0 urinate. This construction by Alchemy Architects is spacious living in a non-spacious area at its best, and at an incredibly affordable price: the cost works out to be only $125 per square foot. The interior features IKEA cabinetry and kitchenware and floor to ceiling Anderson windows, making this off-grid living unique yet nevertheless comfortable. Solo 36 Bunkie This eco-friendly pine wood home is a trendy and creative design from Sustain Minihome. Complete with bar, sleeping loft, living room, bathroom and kitchen, you wouldn't know once inside the solo 36 bunkie that it's only 36 feet by 12 feet. As long as you have level ground, this prefab home can situated virtually anywhere, say on a rocky cliff overlooking the stunning Lake Rosseau in Canada. Micro Compact Home A team of researchers and designers from London and the Technical University of Munich have really abided by the lore of less is more with their development of the m-ch. This tiny construction is designed for students, businessmen and sportsmen who require short stay living. The m-ch uses compact living methods as used in aircrafts, yachts and cars to create a 266cm cubed space that conveniently fits in two double beds, shower and toilet, a fold-out table, kitchen and storage space - what more could you want? Ideabox's Minibox Minibox is 200SF of ecological and simple living. These versatile homes can be whatever you want them to be - a studio, backyard feature or a micro-home. Despite the small space, these prefab houses have been designed so effectively that you won't have to make any compromises on comfort. And these efficient, green houses come at only $42,500, making them within most individual's or family's home buying budget. kitHAUS' K4 This stylish little wooden structure is the perfect option for those looking to live tiny, and in style. Kithaus offers a range of modern and revolutionary prefab homes, which are all made from patented lightweight M.H.S construction systems. The creation of their homes, such as this K4, takes only days and can be done almost anywhere because of the lightweight properties - a wilderness retreat made easy. Fish Camp Katrina Cottages produces quaint and dainty little cottages, which are tiny, versatile and easily transportable. This Fish Camp styled house was designed by Steve Mouzon and is a mere 170 square feet. With it's effective use of space this cottage is not only cute to look at but also highly practical, incorporating a porch, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom into the small space. Max's Cabin Max had his 10ft x 20tf cabin built last year by Birky's Better Built Barns as his holiday and meditation retreat 25 miles north of his home in Washington State. The construction added up to about $10,500, which isn't bad for an off the grid, self-sufficient house set with all the necessities required for tiny living.
If you looking to write something poignant but can't seem to get the words to form in your mind or onto the page, you may just need a bit of inspiration to kick your creativity into gear. Some words of wisdom from the mouths of some of history's best writers and poets may help you do just that. From T.S. Eliot to George Orwell, here are some creative tips to help you put pen to paper. Elmore Leonard Anton Chekhov F. Scott Fitzgerald George Orwell Ernest Hemingway Kurt Vonnegut Mark Twain Saul Bellow T.S. Eliot G.K. Chesterton Gertrude Stein Toni Morrison [Via Buzzfeed]
Embarking on an adventure need not be at the expense of the planet. In a world where conscious living is becoming a mantra, wanderlust and sustainability now walk hand-in-hand. Say goodbye to travel guilt with this list of ten feel-good adventures that promise awe-inspiring moments and a lighter impact on our precious planet. Together with B Corp-certified travel group Intrepid Travel, we've selected the trips that allow you to explore the planet with a green conscience. Europe by Rail One of the best low-impact ways to explore Europe is by train. The countries of the continent are all interconnected by rail networks. You can hop on a train in London and travel under the English Channel to arrive in the City of Lights: Paris. Spend a couple of days exploring the French capital, from the Eiffel Tower to the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre in Paris — once home to artistic legends Van Gogh and Picasso. Then hop on a train south to Nimes to discover ancient Roman monuments and swim or kayak in the Gardon River. Next, it's on to Catalonia in Spain to the colourful city of Barcelona before journeying to the heart of Spain, the capital city of Madrid. Not only is this adventure more convenient — no long airport queues or driving days — it's also more carbon-friendly as you will travel by public transport the entire way. Hiking the Dolomites If an adventure for you includes lacing up your hiking boots and traversing a mountain range, then The Dolomites should definitely be on your travel list. The stunning, rugged scenery of the epic mountain range in the northern Italian Alps is next to none. You will make most of the footprints on this journey, not carbon emissions. This adventure to The Dolomites covers the Three Peaks of Lavaredo loop, a full-day walk that is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the region. The trip will require you to hike up to 14 kilometres a day — although there is a cable car ride one day — so you'll want to pack light and consider hiking poles. You'll be fuelled on your hike with breakfasts, an apple strudel tasting, a cheese tasting, a gourmet picnic lunch and the guesthouses along your route have bustling restaurants with schnitzel and beer on offer for hikers. New Zealand by Bike Jump in the saddle and follow the Central Otago Rail Trail through the unforgettable landscape of South Island. Kick things off in the outdoor paradise of Queenstown at the base of The Remarkables mountain range, then meander through valleys, wine regions and small gold-mining towns. Not only will you see the epic landscapes of New Zealand without impacting the environment, but also by travelling on this trip, you'll directly support Intrepid Foundation partner World Bicycle Relief. It provides school kids, health workers, and farmers in remote areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income. Trek or Train the Inca Trail Machu Picchu is on the bucket list of most wanderlusting travellers. The fascinating ancient Incan civilisation perched atop a mountain range in the Sacred Valley. As you journey to the iconic site, you will pass through local villages, marketplaces and maize crops. Stop for lunch and chat with locals — see if you can pick up a few words of the local Quechua language — before climbing to the summit. Did you know you have many options to see this epic clifftop wonder? This trip allows both trekkers and non-trekkers to visit Machu Picchu with the Inca Trail and Quarry Trail for those who want to travel by foot and train option for those who wish to have a more comfortable climb. Morocco by Foot Where are my ladies at? This women-only trekking tour of Morocco promises an epic adventure off the beaten path. Take in the beauty of the M'goun Valley over four days of hiking. You'll need to be relatively fit for this adventure as you'll be walking up to seven hours daily meandering through picturesque valleys and rocky terrains. By travelling on this trip, you may only make a low environmental impact, but you will make a major impact on the lives of the young women and girls of the High Atlas Mountains — as this trip is led by a female leader and supports female-owned businesses throughout the area. Explore the Red Centre The spiritual heart of Australia is Uluru. The Red Centre is a must-visit for all Australians and visitors to this country. Circumvent the sandstone monolith and witness heart-soaring sunsets and sunrises where the red ground changes to orange and purple. Lace up your hiking boots and walk the Kings Canyon Rim Trail in Watarrka National Park. Then, wind through two of the Kata Tjuta's towering domed rock formations on the Walpa Gorge Walk. This is a camping and trekking adventure for those who want an action-packed trip that doesn't cost the earth. Central America by Bus and Boat Feel the calming sea breezes on Playa del Carmen, trek through the lush jungle and cruise to Rio Dulce on this three-country trip to Central America. Amble down the coast by ferry, shared boat and bus with options to hire a bike to explore the region on two wheels. Public transportation allows you to live like a local and reduce your impact while exploring the local wonders of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Vietnam by Train Travel by sleeper train from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City on this adventure to Vietnam. Bike through the UNESCO-heritage ruins of Ninh Binh, kayak between the limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island and explore the local markets and nightlife of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Take in the stunning scenery from the local point of view, all without the carbon guilt. Hike, Bike, Kayak Through Japan Embark on an epic adventure from Tokyo to Osaka by boat, public bus, metro, bullet train, train, taxi, walking, bike and kayak. This is an adventure for those adventurous travellers who love to get their hearts pumping. Cycle along the Shimanami Kaido to the Inland Sea, hike between the preserved post towns of the Nakasendo Way and traverse the World Heritage-listed pilgrimage trail (one of only two in the world), The Kumano Kodo. This trip also supports World Bicycle Relief, which provides bicycles to school kids, health workers, and farmers in rural areas. Walk the Camino De Santiago If you spend your weekends walking the bush and hiking up mountains, amp up your adventuring travel with this iconic 100-kilometre trail, the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Uncover the real Galicia as you trek through quaint hamlets, ancient bridges, and Roman ruins on your journey from Sarria to the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela. This is more than just a physical challenge, it's a journey to the past and one that respects the environment you'd be travelling through — there are no buses or cars on this adventure, just your own feet, so be sure to pack sturdy (and comfy) walking boots. Also, this trip directly supports Intrepid Foundation partner Open Arms, which helps safeguard the rights of migrant people. Intrepid Travel offsets emissions on its trips on its travellers' behalf. The company also has a carbon reduction target you can read about on the website. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
It's no wonder Uluwatu translates to "rock at the end of the land", with its instantly recognisable cliffscapes and edge-of-the-earth drama. For the wellness-inclined traveller prioritising panoramic views and scenic natural landmarks, Uluwatu could be the perfect Balinese hiatus. Situated on the southwestern tip of Bali (the Bukit Peninsula), this beach-abound surfer's paradise has reached icon status. South of the airport, Uluwatu exudes laidback, coastal, rugged energy, and self-care offerings in spades. Here, we walk you through all the must-stay accommodation spots to book, the places to move your body, and some extracurricular activities to help recalibrate a busy mind. If you're ready to embark on a holistically nourishing journey, we've done the groundwork for you — all that's left to do is take the plunge. WHERE TO STAY Alila Villas Uluwatu Architectural majesty, considered wellness offerings and breathtaking ocean vistas are the hallmarks of Alila Villas. A reverent oasis, Alila spans private pool villas that range from 300 sqm to 3,000 sqm. Perched dramatically on limestone cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, this luxe location has proximity to famed surf spots and the Uluwatu Temple. Dreamt up by award-winning sustainable architects WOHA, polished interiors meld modern style with traces of Balinese storytelling. Alila's renowned open-concept design brings the natural world in, to show off endless blue. Surrender yourself to culinary grandiosity with various in-house dining options, such as The Warung, Cire and Sunset Cabana Bar. Panoramic views with your wholesome traditional Balinese plates? That's the norm here. Elegant health-based offerings define Alila, with 'A Day of Pure Wellness' preplanned for you on their service menu. This 10-12-hour itinerary is a specialty of the utopic destination. Begin with a sunrise private yoga session followed by a flavourful breakfast overlooking the ocean, followed by a series of deeply therapeutic rituals, through to a nourishing lunch for restoration of inner balance. Lastly, succumb to soundhealing, chakra work and reflexology designed to instil harmony within. Umana Bali A nod to Bali's heritage and a stride toward its future, Umana's name comes from 'Uma': the word for ancient Balinese rice paddies. Rooted in a deep respect for human connection, Umana has a commitment to impression-making, people-first stays. Nestled 70 meters upon the staggering limestone cliffs of Uluwatu, Umana Bali is located a short 35- minute journey from Ngurah Rai International Airport Enveloped by the verdant landscape on the southern tip of Bali, Umana features 72 villas (all complete with private pools). Opulence is embodied here, as well as limitless activities to embark on: the Uluwatu Temple, renowned surfing locations and tranquil beaches. A multitude of food and beverage offerings are proudly served at Umana, including Commune Restaurant (all-day dining), Oliverra (speciality restaurant), Pad Pool Bar, Mer Lounge and Uma Beach House. From sunrise to moonlight, there is something to entice every traveller. And if you're craving a day of uninterrupted seclusion, imagine waking to a gourmet in-villa floating breakfast. Laden with fresh tropical fruits and nourishing fare, this special service is not just a meal, but an exalted initiation into a day of holidaying well. If you aren't already allured, may we point you in the direction of the innovative wellness sanctuary at Umana. In the contemporary spa, embrace Bali's cultural traditions with a modern twist. There is a vast spectrum of daily activities on offer, from sound healing and soul blessing ceremonies, to consultations with a local spiritual leader for profound insights into past lives. For movement, turn to the 24-hour Duplex Fitness Center, indoor yoga pavilion, steam room, sauna, cold and hot tubs, as well as a spa pool. The Asa Maia This luxury wellness retreat transforms any holiday into a rewarding self-care journey. Poised within a private enclave in Uluwatu, The Asa Maia curates bespoke rituals, mindful service and eco-conscious design. Merely a stroll from Bali's iconic beaches and surf swells, this central accommodation offsets the vibrancy of Uluwatu with intentional tranquility. Atmospheric bliss is expected as you enter this 10-suite-only destination, built from restored 100-year-old Javanese Gladaks. The exclusivity of The Asa Maia makes it an idyllic honeymoon destination, or a true hideaway for the solo traveller seeking peaceful dwellings. Here, the idea is deliberate disconnection for restorative reconnection. The dining repertoire includes an on-site restaurant and bar boasting fully organic, seed-oil-free, vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian cuisine offerings. Rest assured, The Asa Maia holds nourishment as the highest priority, reflected through sustainable ingredients and treasured local recipes. With wellness at its very core, The Asa Maia has programmed an award-winning lineup of therapies including massage, indulgent facials, full-body gua sha detoxification and more. Delight at a Himalayan salt and infrared sauna, and subterranean hot and cold pools adjacent to an inviting outdoor fire pit zone. Six Senses Uluwatu If looking out from an infinity pool onto expansive blue sounds like a dreamscape worth pursuing, consider Six Senses Uluwatu for your next Balinese sojourn. This high-end choice balances privacy, ease of access (being 35 minutes from Denpasar airport) and a paradisiacal position on Bali's rugged coastline. Respecting the footprint of cultural design, every space here is enriched by Indonesian artifacts, heritage details and warmth, immersing guests in the spirit of Indonesia. The resort's architecture marries minimalist design with tropical influences and local materials. Embrace uninterrupted views, terraces and quiet pockets of garden at this wellness mecca. With generous food offerings, guests might rarely contemplate leaving the vicinity. Rocka celebrates farm-to-table dining and international culinary techniques, while Watu Steakhouse showcases premium steak and fusion dishes in a refined setting. Crudo is fittingly flaunting sushi and ceviche, and the Cliff Bar has Mediterranean-esque bites with drawcard scenery. The Six Senses Spa is top-tier, with Balinese-inspired treatments in spades. There are holistic wellness programs to detox, improve sleep quality and uplift the spirit, often personalised with smart health screening tech. The standout facilities include a relaxation area, sauna and steam rooms, a dedicated yoga pavilion and a fitness haven set within verdant gardens. Guests can partake in daily yoga and meditation or signature rituals like Balinese massage and scrubs for an all-bases-covered approach to mind and body renewal. WHERE TO TRAIN Bambu Fitness Touted as one of Uluwatu's most established fitness destinations, Bambu Fitness is relished by surf enthusiasts, athletes and disciplined movers. It's all about functional training and works towards serious results, minus the intimidation. Openair spaces are spliced by raw timber, concrete and tropical greenery. Move freely in capacious training zones and lock in for purposeful sessions that prioritise community. This is a wellness playground for the nomad needing an invigorating gym moment between bouts of relaxation. Bambu's program fixates on strength, conditioning and injury prevention, offering a drop-in class model suited to busy travellers wanting ease in their Balinese itineraries. Whether you're lifting or lightly jogging, every breath here mixes with ocean air streaming through, making it as visually compelling as it is functional. Era Pilates The first on-demand reformer pilates studio has arrived right in the heart of Bingin. At Era Pilates, it doesn't matter what time your flight lands or takes off, because this self-led studio utilises screens above each reformer bed for autonomous classes (that retain expertly curated lesson plans). You can plug in and plug out whenever is most convenient, regardless of jetlag or timetables. This boutique setting is very bright and minimalist, showcasing timber floors and copious light. Every inch of Era feels primed for your next travel TikTok or Instagram inclusion, while retaining a sense of stabilising calm. Reformer Pilates is the bread and butter offering, with a library of instructor‑led video sessions you can choose from rather than set group times. Whether you're leaning into strength, flexibility or tone, each session has been constructed by the pros to maximise movement quality (and burn). 360 Move At 360 Move, holistic training, community and recovery is housed under one bold roof. A true fitness hub, this tight-knit community advocates for growth and connection, as well as performance for travellers who need more than a treadmill. If you're after motivation and a bustling environment full of like-minded individuals, 360 Move is the antidote to mainstream gyms. A visually engaging interior combines indoor and open-air zones with dedicated areas for strength, cardio and speciality classes. Movement is medicine in this gym. 360 Move's schedule is sprinkled with Hot Pilates, HIIT, functional conditioning, 'Stronger' strength sessions and gym access with all the best equipment and free weights. La Tribu A pillar of Uluwatu's yogi community, this renowned yoga studio emphasises consistency, presence and accessibility. All levels of expertise are welcomed with open arms — all that's required is a determined mind and positive energy. With the philosophy of "looking at life with the eyes of a child", La Tribu is about finding courage and passion in the everyday. Leaping into the unknown with a zest for play is the idea. The space is reflective of this idea, with abundant natural textures and warm finishes that feel like an extension of the wild outdoors. Classes feature functional strength, breathwork, yoga and mobility sessions. There is a deep appreciation for body awareness here, with balance training and soft flows ever available. It's an ideal pitstop for travellers looking to temper form with fluidity for a gentle reset. There's also surf‑specific conditioning and personalised coaching available — making it ideal for finessing your skills out of the water. A holistic approach is heralded at La Tribu, with a slew of recovery sessions and physiotherapy options available via partner facilities. After all, regeneration is just as important as exertion. WHAT TO DO The Istana In sync with the clifftop oases we've already covered, The Istana is an elevated (literally and figuratively) movement retreat built for inner healing and multifaceted slow days in Uluwatu. Yoga decks overlook the vast ocean, framed by sculptural architecture and open sky. This context alone will be sure to quieten the busy traveller's perspective before their return to routine. Movement sessions at The Istana can be matched with chef-made, wellness-driven meals utilising the creme de la creme of local seasonal produce. On the never-ending program, enrol in sound healing workshop experiences at 'The Temple of Sound', or 9D Breathwork Down Regulation experiences. There's even Sound Dome Mantra Healing, Karmic Cleanse workshops and so much more, making The Itsana a wellspring of meditative modalities. Pura Luhur Uluwatu & Cliff Path Ritual Walk Perched atop the Bukit Peninsula, Pura Luhur is one of Uluwatu's most iconic sea temples. Beyond sightseeing, travellers can plan a meditative walk along the cliffside paths for an itinerary inclusion that fuses movement with meaning. The temple sits dramatically above the Indian Ocean, embellished with limestone cliffs, frangipani trees and dreamlike vistas. A bucket list location for pensive, low-impact hours spent reflecting, this path invites quiet reflection to the score of crashing waves. Time your visit for sunset to transform the journey into a contemplative ceremony, with guided experiences on offer to enrich your understanding and appreciation of this sacred Balinese jewel. BaliSurf.Pro Surf Lessons Whether you're an avid wave-chaser or total amateur, BaliSurf.Pro has a diverse array of expertly guided surfing lessons across the Bukit Peninsula. For an unconventional wellness adventure, travellers can connect through active movement and natural wonders, while potentially giving something entirely new a brazen go. Lessons take place against Bali's beloved coastal landscape, with white-sand beaches and wide horizons. Meeting points are varied, but typically include Dreamland. Different spots are allocated to best suit ability, the changing tidal conditions, and the individual traveller's goals. BaliSurf.Pro hosts private, semi-private and group surf sessions, all including board hire, rash vest and sun protection to ensure a smooth and confidence-building experience. The surf in Bali isn't purely about the waves — it's an invitation to focus on rhythm, breath and presence, while tapping back into nature's bounties to think about something greater than oneself. Rest assured, receptive instructors are on hand to guide you through the fundamentals while helping you stay grounded and exhilarated by the sea. For more information to help with planning your next trip to Bali, visit Bali Tourism Board here. By Genevieve Phelan Image Credits: Supplied
You've probably already heard of WeWork, the international coworking movement. They have 230 coworking spaces around the world. In 2016, they opened their first coworking venture in Sydney and they've just thrown the doors on their first massive Melbourne space in the London Stores building. Located on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Street, the WeWork office is a little bit fancy with some distinct Melbourne flair. And when we say massive, we mean massive. With six floors and space for more than 700 creatives to shack up and compete for funniest coffee mug, it's set to become the hippest place to work in Melbourne. But don't expect a cookie-cutter corporate office that will put you to sleep. The interior was designed, interestingly, by graphic designer Sui Yao, and has been decorated by Australia artists Georgia Hill, Mik Shida and FunSkull. With an open-air terrace, and an endless supply of kombucha, nitro cold drip coffee and fruit-infused water, you won't mind staying late at work. So, what kind of perks can you expect from a coworking space? The best part of coworking (apart from meeting likeminded folk and working in a beautiful office) is the events. You can schmooze at ample networking dos, lunch and learn sessions, happy hours, and even yoga and massage events. The WeWork system also gives members access to each other at locations across the globe, like your own in-real-life LinkedIn. The Elizabeth Street location is taking enquiries now and WeWork have already announced a second venue, opening 2018, on Collins Street. WeWork Melbourne, located at 152 Elizabeth Street in the CBD, is open now.
Ever wanted to tap into Melbourne's rich indigenous history as you walk around the city? Well, now there's an app for that. The brainchild of AIATSIS — the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies — the Melbourne Dreaming app launched late last year as a new platform for sharing stories and information about the area's vibrant cultural heritage. With it, users can customise self-guided tours exploring significant sites around the city, from the former hunting grounds of Chapel Street, to the Burnley Ngargee (or 'corroboree') tree in Richmond. The app is loaded with travel information to help streamline your historical explorations, and even comes with handy audio commentary. "Aboriginal culture is a living breathing part of Australian life that is easily accessible if you know where to look," explained AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie. He said the app is designed to help users "see past the concrete jungle and be exposed to real and local Aboriginal culture right in the middle of one of the world's top cities." Download the Melbourne Dreaming app now from iTunes and Google Play.
The ability to shop online, in-between emails and before we drift off to sleep, is a thing of beautiful convenience. But despite international brands like Zara, H&M and COS launching a string of retail stores in Australia, we've been largely left in the cold (or in long fitting room lines in shopping centres) when it comes to buying these clothes online — which, in a world where we can order same-day deliveries from The Iconic, seems a little behind. But today — Wednesday, March 14 — Spanish fashion chain Zara has officially launched its Australian online store, seven years after its first bricks and mortar store opened on our shores. The site is now live, with the brand's extensive women's, men's, kids and TRF collections all available to peruse and — most importantly — get your hands on without having to enter the chaos that is the Pitt Street/Bourke Street/Queen Street store. Delivery is the game-changer for Zara fans here. Next-day delivery is free on orders over $75 (or $7.95 if you're spending under that) as long as you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra or Brisbane and order before 4pm. Sydneysiders can get same-day delivery for $12.95 if they order before 2pm — the goods will arrive between 6 and 9pm that evening. Importantly, there are no charges for exchanges and returns, which you can do in-store or via a drop-off point. Zara's Australian online store is now live. You can spend all your money at zara.com/au.
Usually surrounded by trees and nestled into a remote, almost-hidden patch of forest, a secluded cabin in the woods is a familiar on-screen setting. When a group of people step inside, unpleasant events tend to follow, as the horror genre taught viewers long before there was a movie specifically called The Cabin in the Woods. And, in the very first episode of new HBO series Lovecraft Country, this exact scenario plays out — with returned soldier Atticus 'Tic' Freeman (Da 5 Bloods' Jonathan Majors), his uncle George (Project Power's Courtney B Vance) and his friend Leti Lewis ((Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)'s Jurnee Smollett). During a cross-country trip across America, the trio soon find themselves holed up in a rustic hut and fighting for their lives; however they're not just stuck in the kind of stock-standard unsettling scenario that audiences have seen several times over. Ravenous, towering, swift-moving beasts are definitely on Tic, George and Leti's trail, as Lovecraft Country makes creepily and compellingly plain. Also lurking outside: a team of racist police officers who pulled them over purely because of the colour of their skin, and had equally brutal plans before things took a turn into supernatural territory. The message here is obvious, showing both the paranormal and actual monsters the series' three central characters are forced to face. Of course, sometimes the most effective way to make a statement is to take the straightforward route — even if nothing about this textured and layered show can ever be classed as simple. If following the above train of thought has you thinking about Get Out or Us, two recent stellar films that also explored US race relations through a horror lens, that's hardly surprising. Lovecraft Country joins them on Jordan Peele's growing resume, after all. Whether he's co-writing and starring in sketch comedies, directing those two exceptional movies, producing BlacKkKlansman, reviving a science-fiction classic with The Twilight Zone or co-writing the upcoming new Candyman flick, the actor and filmmaker has amassed an impressive body of work that continually interrogates the reality faced by Black Americans. And, in terms of examining the insidious and ever-present horrors that have been a part of the US for far too long — including in the 50s, in the time of the Jim Crow racial segregation laws, when the ten-episode first season of Lovecraft Country is set — Peele's latest project is as powerful as anything else he's ever made. [caption id="attachment_782361" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Elizabeth Morris/HBO[/caption] As based on Matt Ruff's 2016 novel of the same name, executive produced by Peele with Lost and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker's JJ Abrams, and overseen by showrunner and writer Misha Green (Underground), Lovecraft Country benefits from a smart and engaging overarching premise — one that's extremely well-executed from the get-go, too. Tic has come back to Chicago from Florida, where he has been living since returning from his Korean War service, to search for his suddenly missing dad Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams, The Wire). That quest leads to a road trip into the US midwest, which also doubles as research to add African American-friendly places to the Green Book-style guide that George publishes. As for Leti, she's tagging along for the ride, en route to see her brother and sort out her own family problems. From teenagers spitting slurs at service stations to murderous white mobs chasing them out of small towns, Tic, George and Leti are treated abysmally from the moment they leave home. To call their encounters unwelcoming, discriminatory and hostile is accurate, but also underplays the heartbreak they endure. Indeed, when the show's titular elements complicate their path — with the series named for famed real-life sci-fi and horror writer HP Lovecraft, and travelling to a part of the country where he found inspiration for his tales — Lovecraft Country has already purposefully unnerved viewers with real-life terrors. From there, not only oversized creatures but also secret occult societies and haunted mansions await in the first three episodes alone, all while the series constantly and probingly conveys the experiences of black Americans. Impressive special effects help bring the otherworldly side of Lovecraft Country to life, but its other big drawcard — other than its concept, mastery of genre, potent message, excellent cast, and how commandingly and movingly it hits every target it aims for — is its detail. The lavishly made program couldn't look more meticulous in recreating the past, or feel more authentic at the same time. Every painstaking aspect of each set and scene is crucial not just in evoking the era, but in anchoring the wild journey its central characters traverse. This is a big, fantastical, pulpy horror series but, at every single instant, it's also grounded in recognisable experiences and actual emotions — and it never lets the audience forget it for a second. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvamPJp17Ds The first three episodes of Lovecraft Country are available to stream via Binge, with new episodes added weekly on Mondays. Top image: Eli Joshua Ade/HBO.
Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes' buying spree has continued with the purchase of yet another venue. This time, the hospitality mogul has purchased 115 Jonson Street in Byron Bay. Formerly home to Cheeky Monkey's Bar, as well as an adjoining massage spa, the far New South Wales north coast site will become the Sydney-based group's first Byron Bay venue — and its closest to Queensland. The acquisition of the Byron Bay outpost comes at a busy time for Merivale, with the company buying three new venues in the past week — and a total of five this year. The purchase of 115 Jonson Street follows similar transactions that have added the Lorne Hotel in Victoria, Norton's Irish Pub in Sydney's inner west, Tomasetti House in the Melbourne CBD and The Quarterdeck in Narooma to the group's portfolio. The two Victorian sites will mark Merivale's first outside of NSW. The Byron Bay property has been purchased from fellow hospitality group Red Rock Leisure, which currently own venues across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, including Ludlow Bar & Dining Room, The Toff and the PJ O'Brien's Irish Pub chain. While no concrete plans for the venue have been announced, Merivale has confirmed that it will reopen the site as a restaurant and bar later this year. It'll receive the keys on Friday, May 28, but hasn't announced opening plans as yet. "I've been going to Byron since I was ten years old, so it has always been a place close to my heart. I can't wait to open our first venue on the north coast and spend more time in the area. There's simply no place like it," said Hemmes. Merivale currently operates more than 60 venues across Sydney, including popular restaurants Totti's and Mr. Wong, pub stalwarts The Beresford and Vic on the Park, and expansive bars Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. The group's growth has been especially noticeable in recent years, with high-profile purchases of The Duke of Gloucester Hotel and Hotel Centennial preceding this recent run of venue purchases. [caption id="attachment_813258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Justin Hemmes[/caption] Merivale will open its first Byron Bay venue at 115 Jonson Street, Byron Bay. For further details, keep an eye on the company's website. Top image: Google Maps.
For too long, Brisbane has been missing out on one of the best aspects of a European Christmas. Yes, we lack snow — but we've also been missing out on proper seasonal shopping. In what can only be described as a holiday miracle, Wandering Cooks is about to change that. Think festive aromas, fresh baked goods, drinks, cheer and all things Christmasy at Wandering Cook's first ever Christmas Markets. On December 9th and 16th, Fish Lane will be transformed into a delicious, festive wonderland — and the perfect place to stock up on all those last minute Christmas gifts. If you're shopping for someone with a sweet tooth, hit up 31 Degrees Custom Chocolates or Bee One Third Neighbourhood Honey. If you're looking for something to put on the dinner table and claim credit for, Fiori Bakehouse can help. There are dozens of local producers, crafters and cooks who will also be out and about selling their products. Make sure to bring friends and family along to these two very special nights. Dinner can be grabbed from a range of food trucks, and there's even a bar in case you need a beer or wine to get into the festive spirit.
The photography of Charlotte Tegan is not so distant from what one might label as 'happy snaps'. That is, her photographs foster a sense of familiarity and comfort in anyone who's looking at them. Tegan focuses on identifiable places, everyday scenarios and playful, light scenes that you could probably pull from your old family photo albums. It's in her latest exhibition Superimposition, that the full spectrum and force of Tegan's analogue film photography comes together, acting as a vehicle for personal memory and recollection. Tegan's work has a habit of breaking scene —and in turn, viewer's recollections — through her sharp and angular imagery, and use of inversion, repetition and superimposition. Each of her pieces is like a gem, mirroring each another and cutting through whatever sense of nostalgia it might stir. The result is something quite confusing and uncomfortable. While the subject matter is quite innocent, it results in a sense of disquiet and anxiety that places the audience in doubt of their own mind, and provides a window into the fragility of human memory. Charlotte Tegan's Superimposition shows at Bakery Lane's This Must Be The Place until February 12. Opening night is January 22 6pm to 9pm.
When an arts festival gifts its chosen city with shows, it also brightens up the darkness whenever its program spills into venues and spaces around town after night falls. Many such fests like taking that idea literally. At Brisbane Festival, for example, after-dark light event Lightscape was on the lineup in 2023 and 2024, getting the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens glowing. The same fest is heading to the same place in 2025, but with something different: the fiery Afterglow. Brisbane is hosting the world-premiere run of this luminous experience, which is part of the 2025 Brisbane Festival program. Across Friday, September 5–Saturday, September 27, Afterglow will fill one of the River City CBD's leafiest parts with fire sculptures and candlelit installations, and also live performances. If you want to be among the first on the planet to enjoy it, you'll need to be in the Queensland capital. At Afterglow, you'll wander. You'll follow the flame-lined 1.4-kilometre path through an inner-city patch of greenery. You'll soak in the work of fire artists, too, and you'll watch the evening blaze away in the process. "Across time and cultures, people have always felt a connection to fire — as an element of nature, a force of renewal, or a symbol of ceremony and ritual," said Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, announcing Afterglow as part of 2025's lineup. "Afterglow is a slow-burn experience, an invitation to deliberately and respectfully engage with the artistry and power of fire." [caption id="attachment_1008781" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] If this sounds familiar, that might be because you're thinking of Fire Gardens, another installation event with flames at its centre. It was last in Australia in 2024 for Illuminate Adelaide — and back in 2019, it was meant to also be part of the Brisbane Festival program. A hit everywhere from Stonehenge to the Pont du Gard before it began making stops Down Under, Fire Gardens hails from French art collective Compagnie Carabosse, a group that has been starting fires professionally for more than two decades. Its planned Brisbane trip six years ago didn't eventuate, however, due to devastating bushfires carving a destructive path across the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast at the time, plus a total fire ban that was put in place across southeast Queensland as a result. Afterglow is completely separate to Fire Gardens, though — and will run every 15 minutes each evening across its dates from 5.45pm. The trail is family friendly, and also accessible. The event falls within the jam-packed 2025 Brisbane Festival program, which also includes a Gatsby-themed show and pop-up club, turning some of the city's pedestrian bridges into an art trail, a tribute to beloved restaurant Sultan's Kitchen, and a world-premiere dance work by acclaimed choreographer Benjamin Millepied and LA Dance Project, to name just a few of its 106 productions and 1069 performances. [caption id="attachment_1008784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Ogilvy[/caption] Afterglow will take over the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Alice Street, Brisbane between Friday, September 5–Saturday, September 27, 2025 during Brisbane Festival. For more information and tickets, head to the fest's website. Brisbane Festival 2025 runs from Friday, September 5–Saturday, September 27 at various venues around Brisbane. Head to the fest's website for tickets and further details. Top image: Mellumae and Sean Dowling. All images: Sony Music Entertainment.
May has the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, June boasts the Delta Aquariids and December welcomes the Geminids. In November, however, it's Leonids time. Arriving at the end of spring in Australia and New Zealand, the Leonids may not be quite as well known as some of its counterparts, but it's still a shower worth looking up for. And it's famous for one impressive reason: its spectacular meteor storms. It can feature more than 1000 meteors per hour, but that only occurs around every 33 years — and, sadly, the most recent occurred in 2001. Still, while you won't spy that kind of intense onslaught in 2021, you will still see meteors. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts there'll be around five per hour hurtling across the heavens on average. At its peak, timeanddate.com predicts ten per hour. In good news for those Down Under, the Leonids can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it runs from Saturday, November 6 until Tuesday, November 30, this year it'll be best detected between Wednesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 18. Like many astronomical shows, catching an eyeful after midnight is recommended (aka when the moon has set and its light will not interfere). Specifically, for the best view, mark the early hours of Thursday, November 18 in your calendar. Named for the constellation of Leo, which is where it appears to radiate from in the sky, the Leonids aren't just renowned for its huge showers approximately three times each century, but also for its place in history. During the storm of 1833, it has been estimated that more than 100,000 meteors streamed across the sky per hour — and, as a result, the Leonids helped play a part in the formulation of the first theory about the origin of meteors, NASA notes. The Leonids stem from the Comet Tempel–Tuttle, which was actually first officially recognised after the famous meteor shower of 1833 — in 1866, in fact. And, if you're wondering why the Leonids' storms only hit every 33 years or so, that's because that's how long it takes for the comet to orbit around the sun. [caption id="attachment_751114" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The peak of the 2009 Leonids meteor shower. Image: Navicore via Wikicommons.[/caption] For your best chances of getting a glimpse, the usual advice applies. Get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. And, given that the Leonids originate from the Leo constellation, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Leo, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). The Leonids meteor shower runs between Saturday, November 6 until Tuesday, November 30. Top image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
This year Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Sara Landry and Dominic Fike are headlining a nearly sold out Spilt Milk alongside a roster of insane acts like ScHoolboy Q, Sombr, Nessa Barrett and more. Of course, Jim Beam are back at Spilt Milk again helping to deliver on one of the year's best festival experiences to bring you and your mates together. If you missed out on tickets when they dropped in May, Jim Beam have got you covered. [caption id="attachment_1040567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] We have four sets of two VIP tickets up for grabs (for your nearest Spilt Milk location) with a Top Shelf upgrade, plus a money can't buy side of stage experience*. You can use the tickets at your closest Spilt Milk stop and even bring your mate along. To enter, just complete the form below. And, the good times keep rolling. If you've got tickets to Canberra and Ballarat, you can also crash the Jim Beam Mates Confessional and score a whole host of prizes. To free you from the guilt for past flaky friend discretions, simply step into the confession booth hosted by Will Gibb and drop the lore of the most diabolical reason you have ever flaked on your mates. Will will hear you out and determine what prize you're up for. You could be looking at VIP upgrades, merch and more. To get involved, look out for the Jim Beam Mates Confessional and bar at Spilt Milk Ballarat or Canberra from 2 - 5pm. Don't worry, that leaves you plenty of time to confess your flakiest excuses, score a prize, and catch the headliners. [competition]1040682[/competition] *Side of stage access is dependent on availability. Best enjoyed together, visit Jim Beam's website for more information.
The highly anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ is making its way to Australia and New Zealand, heralding a new era for the beloved game. This occasion signifies the first time the two countries have hosted the World Cup, reflecting the sport's growing popularity and the increasing appreciation for our remarkable female athletes. Sydney will be buzzing during this monumental event, offering numerous ways to participate. While we celebrate the trials and triumphs of our favourite teams, why not indulge in some international cuisine to commemorate the occasion? Whether you're a Sydney local or visiting for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™️, be sure to explore our top picks for delightful bites that perfectly complement the exhilaration of football fever.
Visit Alice Springs at any time of year and you'll find plenty to see and do in Australia's Red Centre, including making the trip to Uluru, marvelling at Bruce Munro's Field of Light, and checking out the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon. Here's a spectacular reason to head by every April, including from now until Sunday, April 16 in 2023: Parrtjima — A Festival In Light. The region's luminous Indigenous arts festival is back for another year and, set against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, it looks stunning as always. This event celebrates First Nations arts, culture and storytelling, and just might be Australia's most luminous event — with installations in breathtaking surroundings leading the show alongside music, talks, films, workshops and more. [caption id="attachment_896332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sisters at Watarru by Noreen Dixon, Grounded.[/caption] 2023's focus: 'Listening with Heart'. That's what this year's light-heavy installations, which were announced late in 2022, are focusing on. Parrtjima's theme is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart, with that piece depicting Uluru-Ku Tjukurrpa, the Uluru story of connection, as created by a group of artists from Multijulu as led by Maruku artist Rene Kulitja. So, Kulitja has worked with other of artists for Parrtjima to turn the Statement from the Heart artwork into a large-scale immersive light and sound installation. Accordingly, Parrtjima attendees are currently getting plunged in the world of the Aṉangu people of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands surrounding Uluru. This year's festival installations feature ancient songlines, plus Indigenous viewpoints on Country, as well as connecting to First Peoples' strong links with the land, water and sky. Two things that are also on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. As for the music program, it is overflowing with First Nations talent, including Docker River Band, Eastern Reggae Band, Emily Wurramara, JK-47, KAIIT, Karnage and Paul Ah Chee. They're joined by Radical Son, Richard J Frankland, Discovering Leerpeen Mara, Rowdy Birds, The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and The Merindas across the ten days — and with a range of dazzling backdrops. The talks lineup features actor Steven Oliver, marathon hero Charlie Maher, media identity Naomi Moran, scientist Corey Tutt, Olympian Nova Peris and more, such as musicians Richard Frankland, KAIIT and Paul Ah Chee — doing double duty on stage and having a chat. Movie-wise, attendees can look forward to Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, Araatika: Rise Up and The Australian Wars. And, the workshops schedule includes dance, art and pottery. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until Sunday, April 16, 2023 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
It's time to get social in a different part of Brisbane. Two years after Newstead Social first opened its doors, the team behind it is now pairing brews and pub grub at the chain's second location. Portside Social started welcoming in patrons on Thursday, September 19, 2024, with a familiar — and popular — formula at play. Think: pints, parmigianas and pool, plus beers, barbecue ribs and burgers. The venue also hosts live music, drag bingo, trivia evenings and weekend bottomless brunches. "After building a loyal following over at Newstead Social, we're bringing our signature energy over here at Portside — a proper drinking hole where you can come along whether you're in a sundress or your activewear," explains owner Justin Kong. "I live locally and think it's such an incredible location," he also noted back in February when the venue was initially announced. "There's a diverse demographic in and around Hamilton who will benefit from having a bar like Portside Social in the mix, with few venues of this kind available in the area." Bars, restaurants and a cinema have long been part of the Portside Wharf experience, but hitting the pub for a cold one over a parmi hasn't previously featured at the Hamilton precinct — until now. The inner-north area is in the middle of a $20-million revamp, with Portside Social joining fellow newcomers such as The Ballpark, Rise Bakery, Fosh, Rosé Gelateria and Birds Nest Yakitori from over the past two years. More venues are on the way, too, including French brasserie Mademoiselle, Italian restaurant Sbagliata and burger joint Dumbo. For All Stars Hospitality Group, which is behind Portside Social, this is a case of taking a successful concept to a different area of town to create a sibling venue — after the Newstead Social model has proven such a hit. Their latest venture sprawls across 224 square metres in the precinct's riverfront village, near Gusto da Gianni and Burrito Bar Portside, and joins the company's stable of hospitality sites alongside Wonderland Nightclub, Melt Brothers and more. Going big on green in its decor by Clui Design and builders Lowry Group — in hue, as well as with plants around the place — Portside Social mixes earthiness with industrial touches. Customers can sit inside or out. Go with the first and you can perch around the eye-catching central bar beneath pendant lighting. Opt for the second and you'll get comfortable at high tables while taking in the fresh air. From the food menu, patrons can tuck into crispy wings, arancini balls, honey chicken skewers, and a choice of halloumi, pulled pork and grilled fish tacos to start with. The mains include fried chicken burgers, vegan schnitty burgers, barbecue beef and bacon burgers, wagyu bolognese, slow-cooked barbecue garlic ribs and three different steaks, while chocolate brownies are the sole dessert choice. Really love parmis? There's a challenge to eat 1.7 kilograms of the beloved dish, aka four pieces stacked together. It'll set you back $70, but if you finish it — and the 400 grams of fries and house salad that it comes with — within 25 minutes, you'll win a $150 venue voucher for your next visit. Like the culinary range, the drinks also stick with classics, aka beer, wine and cocktails. Drop by from 11.30am on weekends for the boozy bottomless brunch, which serves up signature dishes with non-stop brews, vino and mimosas. Find Portside Social at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — open from 11.30am–10pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sundays, and from 11.30am–11.30pm Friday–Saturday. Head to the venue's website for further details.
Keeping your coffee at a drinkable temperature — in between keeping your boss off your back, doing chores and checking Facebook — can be a challenge. One minute, the stuff's suitably hot, straight out of the office coffee machine or your barista's hands; the next, it's a lukewarm milky soup. You're not the the only person in the world who experiences this problem. That's why Ember, which describes itself as a "design-led temperature control brand", has come up with a mug that keeps your beverage at the optimum temperature (70 degrees celsius) from first sip to last. Simply called the Ember Ceramic Mug, the vessel achieves this morning miracle via a convection current. Within the mug are elements with the power to both heat and cool. When hot liquid rises to the top, it is cooled until it starts to fall, causing warmer liquid to then rise and be cooled in turn. Once the tech was worked out, Ember joined forces with Ammunition, a design company based in San Francisco, to make sure the result looked good. Together, they came up with a classic-looking white mug — the only visibly techy thing about it is a small LED light. A charging coaster and an app are included. The latter allows you set the temperature remotely, preset temperatures for various drinks and swap between celsius and fahrenheit. At the moment Ember isn't shipping to Australia, although we have seen a few floating around on eBay.
Gold Coast. It's all about the glitz and the glam, the rock and the roll, the bikies and the meter maids, the sun and the surf. Underneath the media hype is a fast-growing city, and the sleepy holiday town of the 1950s isn't riding its now-trashy party vibe any longer. In the city's coming-of-age it's developed a taste for the finer things: whisky on the rocks, organic sourdough bread and rich mahogany. We've compiled a guide to the best of each suburb plus where to have a good time. It's time to reclaim your weekends and take a mini-break to the GC. Surfers Paradise: know where to look There are a two reasons why Surfers Paradise has been somewhat abandoned by locals: (1) It's mostly ugly; (2) Tourists are annoying. But the truth is that tourists frequent the obvious spots on the main drag, and the hidden gems in Paradise are a well-kept secret by locals. For a killer night out, and if you don't like non-stop hip hop, try elsewhere for some indie-music fun, Swingin' Safari for a laidback retro vibe or Black Coffee Lyrics for their craft beers and excellent cocktails. QT Gold Coast: stay in paradise Coming from out of town, the place to stay is QT Hotel. QT have taken the staleness of a hotel, thrown the retro and interior designer stick at it and created a fun oasis that you'll never want to leave – and the good news is that you don't really have to. QT boast Stingray, an uber-trendy bar packed with the coast's beautiful and classy 20 to 30-somethings until curfew; Bazaar, the buffet your dreams are made of; SpaQ, the luxe day spa that leaves others in the dust; and of course, the hotel pool, with its own inbuilt bar. You can even view Justin Bieber's 'art' while here. Broadbeach: for the good times Broadbeach has been treading on Surfers' toes while now, and it's worth embracing the suburb's scene whole-heartedly. To make a Brisbane comparison, cross South Bank with Fortitude Valley and you have modern-day Broadie – the mecca for all things restaurants, bars and nightclubs. For a cheap eat, head to Cha Cha Japanese – there is a good reason this place is always packed; for tapas and a drink with friends – Social is the obvious meeting place; and for a seafood feast or Italian extravaganza try Broadbeach classics Bugzies and Marios, respectively. Nightlife: our top picks A hit venue needs the golden trifecta and Stingray Lounge in Surfers Paradise meets the criteria. Packed to the brim with locals on weekends, this place is all class oozing good vibes, a suave, well-dressed crowd, and regular beverage prices. We'll drink to that. Meanwhile Broadbeach is buzzing with its own nightlife club scene – the Oriental-inspired East, non-stop dancing at Platinum and a classic club vibe at Love. Ladies, often heading to Lil Sister Bar first will gain you free entry to Platinum. Nobby Beach: on your bike Between Broadbeach and Nobby the land is pretty flat, and with the beach on the doorstep expect to see throngs of pastel-coloured beach cruisers sweep by. Down near the water next to the surf club is BSKT cafe. They serve up all sorts and cater to those only eating coyo, bee pollen and kale. Along the GC Highway is the main Nobby's strip and here you'll find tapas bars, boutique stores, The Smoothie Shack (yeah, that one the bikies love - live a little) and the famed Hellenika greek restaurant. Miami: find the arts scene Rabbit + Cocoon is the story of an industrial warehouse turned arts precinct. Two girls with a vision have created an arts space filled with studios, exhibitions, live music, a cafe, markets and its own radio station. Best of all, Miami Marketta is a monthly fiesta held on the second Friday of each month stacked with art, design, music and food stalls. Also tucked away in Miami is Paddock Bakery, the coasts newest place to be seen. Pop by early to score a semi-sourdough doughnut a.k.a heaven rolled in sugar. Devour slowly with a coffee, repeat. Hinterland: head out the back The coast isn't just all about the beach. Besides the theme parks, out the back of the Gold Coast is adventure waiting to be had. Take a trek through the rainforest to the Purling Brook Falls, visit the beauty of Natural Arch and stop by 'Best of All Lookout' (name don't lie) at Springbrook National Park. Do the tree top walk at O'Reilly's and climb up above the canopy, and visit an alpaca farm at Lamington National Park. Burleigh Heads: the new heart The rejuvenation of Burleigh Heads started with a few trendy coffee shops, then a few trendy boutiques and now a hive of trendy bars – and with it came extra facial hair, fixies, #superfoods, tapas and craft beer. When you're done swimming at the beach pop by the fruit shop on James St for one of those juices topped with fruit everyone has before wandering the stacks of boutiques. Grab lunch at The Pocket, wash it down with beer at Ze Pickle, Bin 12 or Justin Lane and continue on here after dark. Dinner calls for something more substantial than hops and yeast, head to The Fish House for seafood like no other. Shopping: retail therapy Brisbane and the Gold Coast have a bit in common — in each James Street is known as a great place to shop. While the Burleigh Heads version mightn't have the designers that Fortitude Valley boasts, its simple mix of fashion, swimwear, homewares and gourmet food with a beach vibe is the perfect mix for a day out. Also in Burleigh (and now Paradise Point), The Village Markets have become somewhat of a staple on the calendar. The markets are known for their quality hand-made goods, vintage clothing and up-and-coming designers. For men, Alfred's Apartment in Mermaid Beach is a must-stop. Both a retail store, barber and outdoor diner, Alfred's knows what's cool – them. Currumbin/Palm Beach: life's a beach Palm Beach and Currumbin have managed to sustain that small-town vibe the other beachside suburbs lack. Fifth Ave, Palm Beach, is home to Pablo Pablo, My Giddy Aunt and Genki Cafe, with Lost second-hand furniture across the highway. Not far away, The Office bar and eatery and Little St Kilda Cafe have a devout following. In Currumbin, enjoy breakfast from the top floor of The Beach Shack, or grab a beer at Vikings Surf Club for panoramic beach views. Climbing Elephant Rock for your own Titanic moment is also a must. But if adventure is more your call, The Boat Shed will hire you kayaks or more to cruise up and down Currumbin Creek.
In 2019, a horrible goose wandered around a quiet village, then chaos ensued — and instigating it became one of the most-entertaining ways to mash buttons. Untitled Goose Game first released in September that year. By the time 2020 hit, more than a million copies had been sold, getting folks controlling a pesky waterfowl with a penchant for trouble. That's honking phenomenal for an indie game out of Melbourne, and it's a feat that the city's Australian Centre for the Moving Image keeps celebrating. After giving Untitled Goose Game the live orchestral treatment back in 2022, the Aussie screen museum is now hosting a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to the title. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition features different versions of the game from its various development stages that you can play, plus sketches, concept art and design material for attendees to check out. It's going to be a lovely five months in Federation Square from Tuesday, September 17, 2024–Sunday, February 16, 2025, and you'll be an adoring Untitled Goose Game fan. Sorry Mario Kart. Move over Tetris. Forget Wii Sports, Pokémon Go, Street Fighter or whatever other title first springs to mind whenever you think about video games. They're all well and good, but they aren't taking over ACMI like this homegrown hit from House House. If you're new to Untitled Goose Game, it's a puzzle game — and, yes, it's about a goose. You play as the bird, and your aim is to move objects and other characters, and just generally cause mayhem in a small village. No description can really do it justice, though; you just need to play it. While the game has filled oh-so-many hours over the past few years, and gotten its ARIA-nominated original soundtrack by Dan Golding stuck in everyone's heads, Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition isn't just for diehard gamers. No matter if you know every inch of the game or you're only hearing about it now, you'll be plunged into its world in an interactive showcase that's designed to get you playing. How slapstick factors in, plus the form of comedy's history, is also a big feature. We don't expect that running off with keys, socks, glasses, radios and the like will be a part of it, however.
In The Guest Edit, we hand the reins over to some of Australia's most interesting, tasteful and/or entertaining people. For this instalment, we've enlisted premiership-winning Brisbane Lions AFLW players Cathy Svarc and Sophie Conway to talk us through their favourite places to get active in and around Brissie when they're not kicking goals — literally — on the field. Passionate, determined, ferocious, fearsome: watch Cathy Svarc and Sophie Conway on the football field, even for mere seconds, and these words instantly spring to mind. Not only 2021 premiership-winning players with the Brisbane Lions AFLW team, but lynchpins of the successful squad — including across eight wins out of ten games during the 2022 home-and-away season — the duo are match-controlling, game-changing stars. For her efforts so far this year, before finals, midfielder Svarc topped the entire league for tackles. Playing on the wing and constantly zipping from defence to attack, Conway tied for top spot in the Lions' goal-kicking. Game in, game out, Svarc and Conway visibly give their all on the field — including across a couple of years that've been marked by fixturing chaos. Due to the pandemic, as well as Brisbane's recent floods, exactly when and where the Lions might play has frequently been up in the air. "A little mantra we go by is 'anywhere, anytime'," explains Conway. "We're just happy to be playing footy," she continues — "we get to, we don't have to," Svarc adds. Those statements could also apply to the pair's approach to getting active, too. That's not just about bringing their best to Lions matches, but also navigating being a professional athlete overall, especially with the AFLW program currently only running for part of the year. It's little wonder that Svarc describes herself and Conway as "very active outside of football in general, and in the off-season" — and, as they head into finals, who better to tell us where to work up a sweat in and around Brisbane? [caption id="attachment_847554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR A SCENIC STROLL, RUN OR CYCLE: THE KANGAROO POINT AND UQ RIVER LOOPS Cathy: I don't think you can go past the old Kangaroo Point stairs and walk, and that river loop there — that's probably one of our go-to walks. Probably walk, maybe running. Sophie: I'm huge for all of it in the off-season. I love getting my hands on something different. Obviously, we still have our programming, gym and running to do, but even if it's getting on my bike and doing the river loop out to UQ, out to Tennyson and back, that's probably one of my go-tos. Getting there: find the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at 29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point — or head over to UQ via foot or bike via the Eleanor Schonell Bridge. [caption id="attachment_847553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Taylor, Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR TRAIL RUNNING, OR JUST WANDERING: MT COOT-THA Cathy: I love trail running as well, and that's definitely something we don't get to do during the season. But going somewhere like Mt Coot-tha, there's so many different little spots there — and you can either do the walk and trek up to the lookout, or you can sort of get lost along the way a little bit and follow some of the trails. That's always quite a nice way to get active and get out. It's a little getaway there in the middle of Brisbane. I think that's a pretty cool place to get out back into nature. Getting there: head to Mt Coot-tha via either Sir Samuel Griffith Drive or Gap Creek Road. [caption id="attachment_847550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR A TRUSTY FAVOURITE WITH A BIT OF EVERYTHING: NEW FARM PARK Sophie: You can't go past New Farm Park. It's got a lot there, even from a tennis court point of view. Cathy: To get the competition side out again. Sophie: Yeah, get the competition side out again and turn off from footy. And obviously go for a walk and just enjoy the scenery around there because it's an unreal spot. Cathy: It's a great location. Getting there: find New Farm Park at 1042 Brunswick Street, New Farm. [caption id="attachment_847559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council[/caption] FOR A QUIET SPOT IN THE CITY: CAPTAIN BURKE PARK Sophie: Under the Story Bridge is really nice. It's a really nice spot to just sit there and even do some yoga. Yeah, that's a good spot to go to, because it actually can be quiet. New Farm Park and under the Story Bridge — those two places are probably our go-tos. Getting there: find Captain Burke Park at 117 Holman Street, Kangaroo Point. [caption id="attachment_847552" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR BEACH AND CREEK SWIMS: BURLEIGH, CURRUMBIN AND TALLEBUDGERA Sophie: If you go south, anywhere from Burleigh and Tallebudgera to Currumbin — there's some obviously nice beach spots there to get in and among. And some unreal cafes. I think anywhere along there is really nice. Talle Creek is obviously really nice, it's a nice little swimming spot. Cathy: And you've got the walk around there as well Sophie: Yeah, that unreal walk around the headland there. Getting there: head to Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin on the Gold Coast. [caption id="attachment_847555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR ESCAPING INTO NATURE: NERANG AND SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARKS Cathy: The other place I love going down to is Nerang National Park, down that way. That's always one of my little go-to getaways — to go for a walk or a run in the forest and just get away from people. It's beautiful. Sophie: We do like getting in among it, doing a climb as well. That's always fun. And trying to find your way to a waterfall — there's definitely some nice ones there. Cathy: And around Springbrook. Getting there: head to Nerang National Park via Beaudesert–Nerang Road, and to Springbrook National Park via Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, Nerang–Murwillumbah Road or Currumbin Creek Road. [caption id="attachment_828680" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR A SURF, NO MATTER HOW WELL YOU HANG TEN: MUDJIMBA Sophie: If you want to go north, I'm a big fan of Mudjimba. Pretty quiet, not much to do there — there's an unreal cafe there actually. You can go for a swim, enjoy the sun and have a coffee. Cathy: And attempt surfing. That'd be a great thing to be better at. We're just beginner surfers, but we're aiming to be better. That's an amazing activity, though. I actually wish I was a much better surfer to be able to go out. The times that we've been able to get out and do that, it takes you away. Sophie: It's quite therapeutic when you're out there, because you don't really think of anything. Cathy: You're just there, in the moment. Sophie: You're just there, and you're like "what wave am I going to catch? Am I going to get dumped? Am I going to absolutely get axed here? Will I get up?" It's good fun. Getting there: head to Mudjimba on the Sunshine Coast. [caption id="attachment_847548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR A COASTAL WALK: NOOSA NATIONAL PARK Cathy: The other good one up north is Noosa National Park. That's an absolute go-to as well. It's stunning. Around to Hell's Gate, that's a great run. We've done that many a time. Sophie: That's unreal up there. That's a nice walk, even run, to get to the point there. Cathy: And see some snakes and dolphins. Getting there: head to Noosa National Park via Park Road or Viewland Drive, Noosa Heads. FOR A COFFEE BEFOREHAND OR AFTERWARDS: FLORENCE CAFE Sophie: My go-to cafe is Florence in Camp Hill. I think it's an absolute ten out of ten. There is a park just around the road, and when Cathy used to live in Coorparoo, we definitely made the most of that area. It's definitely more of a hilly walk in the burbs — but I'd do anything to go for a coffee there, to be honest. Cathy: We still drive to go there. Sophie: I reckon I'd drive 15 minutes out of my way to go there. Getting there: find Florence Cafe at 54 Martha Street, Camp Hill. Top image: photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images via AFL Photos.
If you can't remember the last time you used a payphone, kudos to you. It means you haven't lost your phone, keys and wallet and had to call your mum with 50 cents you wrangled from some guy on the street. There aren't too many around these days, with Telstra either taking them down or (supposedly) converting them into Wi-Fi hotspots. But in Berlin, they've got a better idea — they're turning disused telephone booths into tiny rave caves. It's called Teledisko, and it's probably the smallest party you'll find in Berlin. At one square metre, the booth can only fit two or three people at one time.It's coin operated, but once you've paid your 'entrance fee', you'll be able to select your tunes from the touchscreen in the booth. You may find it a bit hard to throw shapes, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with special effects, including a smoke machine, strobe lights and a disco ball. There's even a photobooth inside that will print your photos or email you a video of your debauchery the next day. At the moment there are only three Telediskos — a pink one at Kater Blau nightclub, a gold one at RAW Flohmarkt (both in the Friedrichshain district) and a silver edition available for hire. However, high demand (and long lines) looks set to see more come into being. Image: Teledisko
If you could travel back in time via a Delorean, phone booth, hot tub or some other nifty gadget, what would you do? Making the world a better place, rewriting dark chapters in history and solving global problems are great responses, but they’re also the replies people think they should give. Be honest: if you thought no one was watching or judging you, what would you really do? Many films about temporal trickery actually answer this question accurately, understanding that we’re all just pursuing our own happiness. That excellent adventure Bill and Ted took was a by-product of trying not to fail their history class, after all. The slackers wanted to hang out, chase girls and dream of rock 'n' roll stardom — without worrying about Ted being sent to a military academy. Project Almanac might start with science wiz David (Jonny Weston) attempting to impress his way into a college scholarship, but that doesn’t last. After building a time machine from a blueprint found in his basement, David, his friends (Sam Lerner and Allen Evangelista) and younger sister (Virginia Gardner) chase fun, success, popularity, money, revenge and romance. Sure, David would like to reunite with his father, who passed away a decade ago and shares links to his new toy, but he’s more interested in ensuring his schoolyard crush, Jessie (Sofia Black-D'Elia), falls in love with him. So far, so standard, including the butterfly-effect-style realisation that actions in the past have consequences in the present, and that selfish deeds always have repercussions. Also standard is the approach chosen, and not just in affectionate name-checking of — and offering homages to — all the other time travel films you know and love. Sci-fi meets party movie wasn’t enough in the familiar stakes, so Project Almanac throws found footage into the mix as well. Think Chronicle crossed with Project X, without the surprise of the former and with the excess of the latter. It’s a gimmick plastered over a gimmick, seemingly justified because everyone everywhere apparently films everything these days — or so the movies tell us. For the first-time filmmaking team, it’s an excuse to cover up obvious plot points and generic teen tropes with a frenetic, frenzied style. Sometimes it works, the handheld, hurried camerawork matching the energy of the characters, copying their largely carefree point of view, showcasing the likeable cast and allowing the feature to rush through numerous fun situations such as winning the lottery and going to Lollapalooza. There’s a hollowness that lingers in the selfie-esque imagery, though, like putting on a fake smile and pretending that you’re enjoying yourself. Michael Bay’s name has featured heavily in Project Almanac’s marketing, not because of any giant, intergalactic, transforming robots or a semi-clad Megan Fox, but because of his involvement as a producer. Perhaps it is fitting that his brand of always shiny, sometimes entertaining emptiness is being used to draw people in. Like the believable motivations of the teens within the film in jumping into the past to seek pleasure and act in self-interest, that’s certainly honest.
Winter is when Aotearoa really turns it on. There's snow on the mountains, clear skies over Lake Tekapo and hot pools to warm you up on freezing days. Whether you're hitting the slopes, exploring the wine regions, or just settling in somewhere cosy, New Zealand is all about slowing down, clearing your head and enjoying every moment. To help you plan the perfect escape, we've rounded up eight of the best winter stays across the North and South Island – and every one of them is ten percent off when you book via our dedicated travel platform, Concrete Playground Trips using your Visa card. From boutique gems to lakeside luxury, these are the hotels worth checking into this season.
Big pop-culture titles, big stunts: from a Stranger Things rift and Squid Game's creepy Red Light, Green Light doll to an Everything Everywhere All At Once-style multidimensional laundromat and a massive Timothée Chalamet mural for Dune, new TV shows and movies sure do love launching with a pop-up in Australia. The latest doing just that: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to 2018's Aquaman. For four days, the film is making its presence known in Sydney with a huge seven-metre gold trident. To see the towering, gleaming object, you'll need to head to Watermans Cove in Barangaroo from Thursday, December 14–Sunday, December 17. On display: the Trident of Neptune that gives Aquaman's namesake the power to rule the sea. It's being used to break ground of the boardwalk, and will be paired with a giant wall of water measuring nine metres high and 12 metres wide on the Friday night only. Seeing the trident is free, and you can just head along whenever suits you across the four days. If you want to catch a glimpse of the wall of water as well — which will have footage from the film projected onto it — you'll need to drop by from 7.45–10pm on Friday, December 15. As for the movie itself, it features Jason Momoa swapping the Fast and Furious franchise's roads for the ocean in that other big-budget saga he's been known to glisten through: DC's flicks. It's been five years since the first solo cinema swim for Arthur Curry arrived, with Aquaman marking just the sixth entry in the DC Extended Universe. Now the series hits 15 instalments with sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, bringing back DC's wettest superhero — plus Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Ambulance) as Black Manta as well. Hitting cinemas on Boxing Day as the fourth DC feature of 2023 after Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash and Blue Beetle, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also hails from Australian director James Wan (Malignant), as the first film did — and sees Patrick Wilson (Insidious: The Red Door), Amber Heard (The Stand), Nicole Kidman (Special Ops: Lioness) and Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett) return alongside Momoa and Abdul-Mateen II. Dolph Lundgren (Minions: The Rise of Gru) and Randall Park (Strays) are back as well, all in another movie that dives into the sea, heads down to Atlantis and paddles about trying to save the world. The story this time: Black Manta is still after vengeance, but now has the Black Trident and its powers to help. So, as well as being a father and the new King of Atlantis, Aquaman has to seek his own assistance. That's how Wilson's Orm, Curry's half brother, ends up fighting by his side instead of being his imprisoned enemy. Check out the trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom below: The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trident will be on display at Watermans Cove, Barangaroo, Sydney from Thursday, December 14–Sunday, December 17. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opens in Australian cinemas on Tuesday, December 26.
You could be forgiven for initially thinking that Chris Jordan's collections of digital photographs were nothing more than faded photos of iconic pieces of art. But on closer inspection, Jordan's photo of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus is actually made up of very small images. On even closer inspection, those very small images are actually plastic bags. The work is accompanied with this description: 'Depicts 240,000 plastic bags, equal to the estimated number of plastic bags consumed around the world every ten seconds'. Jordan's photos are made up of images of everyday items we consume everyday. Or, rather, we overconsume everyday. Some pretty scary statistics about consumption become the starting point for both his idea and the composition of the photo. And so it follows that Jordan's photo of Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Tatte is actually made up of images of 400,000 plastic bottle caps. His take on Van Gogh is made up of images of plastic lighters. Jordon also also creates his own images; a bust made up of 32,000 images of Barbie dolls - equal to the number of elective breast augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006 - and a moon made up of 29,000 credit cards - the amount of personal bankruptcy filings every week in the US in 2010 - also feature in the collection. https://youtube.com/watch?v=f09lQ8Q1iKE
Supermarkets sell them. Almost every bakery does, too. But there's a difference between most croissants and Lune's croissants. The latter have been described as "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" by The New York Times, are made and baked inside a climate-controlled glass cube, and are the result of a time-consuming process overseen by the Melbourne-born croissant haven's founder Kate Reid, an ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist who brings scientific precision to her craft. For a full decade now, Lune Croissanterie has been earning praise and fans — and sparking hefty lines — for its signature item. The many different playful variations it offers up each month, such as finger bun croissants, birthday cake croissants and lamington cruffins, have scored the same adoration. But from Wednesday, November 2, those baked goods aren't just available at Lune's multiple Melbourne and Brisbane outposts (with a debut Sydney store slated to open in 2023). Now, thanks to the brand's first-ever cookbook, you can also whip them up at home. Clear your kitchen bench, switch on the oven, and stock up on flour and butter — in a variety forms — plus eggs and milk: you have some baking to do. Penned by Reid, LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night's title says everything it needs to, and fills 272 pages with all your new favourite snacks. Unsurprisingly, the tome is thorough, stepping through how to make the perfect dough, the layers and lamination process, and getting the right shapes, including for danishes and pain au chocolat. From there, the range of recipes includes croissants, obviously, but also a hefty lineup of other edible delights. Think: lemon curd cruffins, pecan sticky buns, reuben croissants, croissant 'bread and butter' pudding, chocolate-dipped croissant 'biscotti' and croissant croutons, for starters. Other highlights span ham and gruyère croissants, cheese and vegemite escargots, chocolate plum sake danishes, pepperoni pizza escargots, those aforementioned lamington cruffins, four-cheese tousades, fish pies, pulled-pork croissants and lobster rolls. Amid all of the above, and more, the book is filled with food porn-style shots of plenty of dishes, images of Lune's stores and tidbits of history from the company's decade of operations so far — since setting up shop back in 2012 as a pint-sized store in Elwood. Your new problems: picking which of Lune's treats to make yourself, and somehow not devoting every waking hour to cooking your way through the new tome. If you want to set yourself a Julie & Julia-style challenge to work through them all, however, we're sure that your tastebuds will approve. LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night also covers what to do with leftovers, stale croissants and how to freeze your dough and pastries — and all of the classic recipes, of course. Happy baking — and yes, if one of your nearest and dearest loves making pastries, you might've just found their Christmas present. LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night hits Australian bookstores on Wednesday, November 2, with the hardback edition retailing for $55.
Brisbane City Council's public libraries are some of the many venues currently closed during southeast Queensland's current lockdown. That doesn't mean that you can't spend your time at home reading as many books as possible, however. Thankfully, Brisbanites are able to access the libraries' hefty collection of digital items — not only including books, but music, magazines and movies as well. As part of that collection, more than 70,000 ebooks and audiobooks are currently on offer. The likes of Trent Dalton's All Our Shimmering Skies, Craig Silvey's Honeybee, Zadie Smith's Swing Time and Sally Rooney's Normal People are available to read online or download for a limited period for free, as are titles in the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones series. The list goes on, of course — and to start digitally skimming through their pages, all you need to do is sign up for a free digital library membership on the Brisbane City Council libraries website, or use your existing library membership. For those who prefer to have a good book read to them, rather than flick through it themselves, library members can also access a heap of audiobooks — which you can either listen to online or download to your own device. Elsewhere on the library's website, you'll find music, magazines, newspapers and journals, as well more than free movies via streaming service Beamafilm. And, if you're still looking for something to do, you can also learn a language, with your library card getting you free access to Mango Languages. Wondering what everyone else has been flicking through? In 2020–21, BCC's digital library experienced more than 2.8 million loans and downloads, with popular ebooks spanning everything from Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe and Michelle Obama's Becoming to Jane Harper's The Survivors and Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Among the audiobooks, hearing Stephen Fry read the Harry Potter series and Reese Witherspoon read Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman also had plenty of fans. Sign up to become a Brisbane City Council libraries member online and explore its digital collection. This article was originally published in April of 2020. It has been updated to reflect new information.
Here's the exceptional thing about being a movie lover: you're never short on stuff to watch. And, because where you see something can have a big imprint on your viewing experience, you're rarely lacking great places to get your cinema fix. One of Brisbane's favourites: the city's riverside CBD brewery. On most Tuesday nights, thanks to its regular Cinema Sessions, Felons Brewing Co is turning its Barrel Hall into a cinema and showing classic flicks — for free. From 7pm, you can lock your eyes on the big screen and enjoy a movie fave, all without paying a cent. You can also get comfy on a bean bag and reserve your seat at the same time. Obviously, sipping beers with your movie isn't free unsurprisingly. There'll be cinema snacks on offer as well and, again, you'll need your wallet. As for the films flickering across the screen, it's a retro lineup. In June, watch David Bowie dance magic dance in Labyrinth, then get giggling at 21 Jump Street and spend time with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. July brings replicants in Blade Runner, an otherworldly Patrick Swayze in Ghost and sequel shenanigans with 22 Jump Street. Come August, The Dark Crystal, Sex and the City and Inception grace the program, while September boasts Roman Holiday, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Sonic the Hedgehog and Spy Kids. Updated: Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
When Sony phoned the Narrabri Council to ask if Daft Punk could launch their latest album at the Wee Waa Showground, Mayor Conrad Bolton assumed the proposition was a hoax. "I thought a mate was pulling my leg," he told the Narrabri Courier. But the call was very much for real. A fortnight ago, a group of Sony's hard-hitters jetted to the 2000-person town to determine its suitability for a serious party. They liked what they saw, so May 17 will see the launch of Random Access Memories alongside the region's finest livestock at the Wee Waa Annual Show. Only 4000 tickets are going on sale. Several will be reserved exclusively for members of the Show Society and the remainder will be up for grabs from this Friday at Narrabri's Crossing Theatre. The rest of the French electro band's fans, which number in the millions, will be able to attend the celebration remotely, via live stream. Daft Punk will not be appearing live at the show; the launch of Random Access Memories will take place via playback. Last night, Wee Waa Show president Brett Dickinson told triple j, "We're still pinching ourselves. We don't know why, but why not?" According to Bolton, the tiny town's quintessentially Australian ambiance appeals to Daft Punk's maverick tendencies. "We think Wee Waa is so uniquely Australian, so the folks at Sony Music along with Daft Punk thought it fitted the bill perfectly," he explained to the Courier. "Daft Punk is known for breaking down barriers and coming up with new creative, innovative ideas to launch their albums."
Right now, the culinary name on everyone's lips in Melbourne is Rosheen Kaul. The chef made a name for herself when turning Brunswick East's Etta into one of the city's best restaurants and publishing her hugely successful cookbook Chinese-ish: Home cooking, not quite authentic, 100% delicious. Kaul has made it to the big leagues, but still doesn't feel like she's fully cooked — "I will not say I've reached my final form as yet," she shares with Concrete Playground. To get closer to that final form, Kaul decided to leave Etta and throw herself back into the wild. She's now writing a new cookbook, collaborating with chefs all over Australia and judging the upcoming S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition — alongside the likes of Josh Niland, Jake Kellie, Brigitte Hafner and Brent Savage. Kaul has already played a great part in helping develop what contemporary Australian cuisine is and can be, but she has plenty more to give. We also spoke with her about her future plans — both for herself and the country's culinary landscape — as well as the best advice that she has ever received and how it helped her become so successful. On Joining the Big Leagues in Melbourne's Food Scene "There is an incredible responsibility that comes with being a more-prominent face in the Melbourne food scene. I am acutely aware that I represent a demographic that is only now seeing representation in food media, and I am both honoured and empowered to have a platform to share my experiences as a female chef and as an Asian Australian." On What Kaul Has Been Up to Since Leaving Etta "I had planned to take a break when I left Etta, but I definitely underestimated how bored I'd be without the high energy and stimulation of kitchen life. I'm nearly at the finish line with the manuscript for my next cookbook, and I'm spending the rest of the year travelling around Australia cooking with some of my amazing friends and peers in their venues interstate. It's a brilliant way to keep myself in the kitchen, and frequently put myself well out of my comfort zone. Cooking my food in different spaces and running different types of services is really helping me zone in on the core of my style of cooking. Beyond the woodfire, beyond a specific style of service, I've had to figure out precisely what makes my food 'me' — that can be applied to say a breakfast pop-up, a charcuterie pop-up, a rural pub takeover or a completely lo-fi open fire in the bush. I'm excited to see all of the different forms my food takes around Australia." [caption id="attachment_962874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Annika Kafcaloudis[/caption] On Kaul's Upcoming Cookbook "I'm incredibly excited about this next book. I can't reveal the title as yet, and it will be published with the same publisher as Chinese-ish — so it will be fantastic. After the international success of Chinese-ish, I didn't think I would write another one as I felt like I couldn't possibly top the first, but inspiration comes from all sorts of places, and I was hit with an absolute bullet train of inspiration one day and I knew I had to get it all out in a book. See, the thing is I wrote Chinese-ish before Etta, and still didn't quite know who I was as a chef, nor had I really zoned in on my style of cooking as yet. Writing Chinese-ish gave me an incredible insight to my own identity as a person straddling multiple worlds and cultures, and my time at Etta gave me the platform to put that on a plate and the time to refine my ideas. I will not say I've reached my final form as yet, but I am miles away from the chef I was when I wrote my first book. There was no need for me to reach into my past for recipes this time — rather, each of the 160-odd recipes are Rosheen originals born from the confidence and self-awareness I've gained over the past few years. Vibrant, colourful, delicious and bold — it's a book of sauces, condiments and dressings as wildly cross-cultural as I am. I can't wait to share it with you all next year." On Judging at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef of the Year Academy Competition with Some Huge Names in Food "Big names indeed, and I'm honoured to be counted among them. Josh Niland, particularly, is a chef whose work I've followed for many years, and learned so many techniques from that I've applied in my own kitchens and taught my own chefs. Brigitte curates one of the most incredible, immersive dining experiences in the country with such a generous style of cooking and I've had the privilege of dining at Tedesca Osteria twice. Brent Savage's restaurants are legendary, and some of the most pitch-perfect dining experiences I've had in Sydney were at Bentley and Cirrus. And Jake Kellie, I've admired for many years during his time at Burnt Ends, and I'm thrilled to be cooking with him at Arkhe in August." On the Importance of Celebrating and Supporting Young Chefs "Australia doesn't share the same long history of haute cuisine as other countries, and it is only now that we are beginning to articulate what 'Australian cuisine' is, was and can be — encompassing native and traditional ingredients and influence from waves of immigration, and reflective of where we are as a nation. It's hugely important to support our young chefs in Australia on that journey to define who we are, and to have more chefs that thrive on the world stage. For Australia, we're at the precipice of our culinary journey, and we have to see the ideas of the current industry taken to the next level by the next generation of chefs." [caption id="attachment_962876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Etta by Annika Kafcaloudis.[/caption] On How Melbourne's Food Scene Stacks Up Against Other World-Leading Culinary Cities "I'm originally from Singapore, and I can say with certainty that the dining scene in Melbourne is well up there with cities like London and Paris. Not as saturated, sure, but the fresh ideas, breadth of styles and respect for ingredients coupled with incredibly strong skills puts this city firmly in the same calibre. Melbourne did host the World's 50 Best a few years ago for a reason, so I certainly am not biased in this opinion. What I do love about cooking in Melbourne is the freedom. We have sensational produce, young farmers serious about healing our topsoil — growing truly delicious ingredients — and such a wealth of cultures and histories to be inspired by. It's an incredible time to be a chef in Melbourne." On the Best Advice That Kaul Has Ever Received "I've been told a few things in my life that have focused and sharpened my trajectory, the major one being to be a sponge: learn anything and everything from the people around you. Everyone is good at something, and whether it be a Demi-Chef or a Head Chef training you, there is always something to learn, whether you agree with them or not. The more talking you're doing, the less you're learning. When I was working at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts once said 'the moment you lose your temper, you've lost control of the situation'. I held that statement close when I started running my first kitchen. If you stay calm, calculated, and ready for any and all possibilities, you'll never be taken by surprise. Three steps ahead, always." And Some Advice for Young Chefs Looking to Succeed in the Industry "Leave your ego at the door. You also have to continually challenge yourself — don't ever be the smartest person in the room — because complacency is akin to failure, and there were times when I was feeling a little too comfortable at Etta. The best thing I could do for myself as a 31-year-old chef was to throw myself out into the world again and seek new challenges. It's a scary thing, defending your credibility, but I know I can be more, and it is worth every bit of fear and discomfort." Top image: Kristoffer Paulsen.
Art/Work is a new Concrete Playground series where we take some time to chat with our local creatives in an attempt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist. First cab off the rank is Mitch Cairns, a Sydney-based artist represented by BREENSPACE. He is also one quarter of the now defunct collaborative group, Cosmic Battle for Your Heart. He can also play the drums. Most days you'll find me in a bit of a jam, I'd very much like to be in the studio, but being an adult is difficult and most days lately I'm either at accruing pennies or… When I am not there I am working on the next batch of paintings. Painting, for me, is a tricky problem and generally involves 'filling in' the frame with an image of some sort. In order to keep painting, I set up a few hooks to work out from. Currently I've been looking a lot at cartooning, straight up and down visual gags that generally involve the tragedy of going bald. After combing over this material I then go through a process which includes a night of heavy carbs, waking, stretching, keeping up fluids and eventually setting off on a light jog. My day job is at Oxford Arts Supplies, I work with good people, I get to peruse the store, at times, like a guest.... It's great, I could be digging holes right now. Like all job you've got to turn up to be paid.... this isn't a problem for me really, but I am seeking a double, anybody that fits the type of 'chubby greyhound' should apply here. Working in an art supply house is fine, the discounts aren't wild but they're helpful. In fact I work with some really awesome artists.... so yes it is quite a stimulating place to work. If money wasn't an issue I'd have a beer in the fridge. Being an artist/musician in Sydney is very tight right now. But I would never leave for any great deal of time. I have entertained moving to New Zealand, I mean our house is being bent over soon, we gotta live somewhere. My neighbourhood is currently in Rozelle, I am peninsulated. There is in fact a whole bunch of really excellent artists that live on the peninsular, its a very nice neighbourhood. Best kept Sydney secret Balmain Star. It's a pho joint in the Balmain Plaza, very simple, cheap, delicious food. I'm not sure why you'd ask me about hip Sydney secrets thou? Isn't that your job to tell us? I'm a mild mannered and sometimes awkward guy, I got no secrets..... good afternoon.
Before 2025 is out, BENEE will release her second album. Before that, she's supporting Tate McRae's UK and Europe gigs, and already has a tune on the soundtrack for A Minecraft Movie. That's a huge year for any musician, especially after touring with Wallows in North America and Olivia Rodrigo in Australia in 2024, as well as making her Coachella debut in 2023 and singing the official song of the same year's Women's World Cup with Mallrat. But something else that's massive has been happening for Stella Bennett around the above achievements and highlights, plus her own first world tour in 20222: Head South, her debut film. Written and directed by fellow Aotearoan Jonathan Ogilvie (The Tender Hook, Lone Wolf), Head South is based on his own experiences. The filmmaker calls it "an almost-true story"; "everything in it happened, and mainly to me", he also notes. Given that the movie shot in 2022, then premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2024, then played New Zealand International Film Festival and hit cinemas in NZ that year, Head South has been a part of Bennett's life for a few years ahead of opening in Australia on Thursday, April 3, 2205. And while she can't wait for what's ahead for her musically in 2025 — "I'm so excited. I love touring. It's pretty fun being on a bus. That makes it weirdly easier, because you're not checking into hotels or being in a sprinter van, but you get rocked to sleep in the bus. It's quite strange. It doesn't sound fun, but it is fun," she tells Concrete Playground — she's always wanted to be in a film. Indeed, she hopes that more will follow. BENEE wasn't actively looking for the project that'd take her to the big screen when Head South crossed her path. "It was just an opportunity that came up," she advises. That said, "I'd definitely been saying that I want to do acting", she also reflects. "I grew up doing auditions and voiceovers, so it was definitely, when it came up, I was like 'heck yeah, definitely, I'm down'." The bug has firmly struck, though, including genuinely seeking out new parts moving forward. "I am. I've just got a new agent in America, so there are hopefully going to be some opportunities. And I want to be in a horror movie. I would love to be in a scary movie." With Head South mining Ogilvie's teenage life for inspiration, Australian talent Ed Oxenbould (Nugget Is Dead?: A Christmas Story) is the picture's lead — and the lone Aussie among the NZ cast and crew, he tells us. As Angus, it's the Puberty Blues, Paper Planes, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Visit, Better Watch Out, Wildlife and Irreverent star's task to virtually play his director, and to find himself thrust into Christchurch's post-punk music scene in 1979. Always trying to seem cool, the character swaps his blonde surfer-style locks and trying to pass off parsley as marijuana with his schoolmates for a cropped cut, a bass and the world revolving around Middle Earth Records. Listening to Public Image Ltd, John Lydon's band post-Sex Pistols, is one of those life-changing music moments that every teen has. Attempting to put together the band that Angus claims that he already fronts — endeavouring to impress Malcolm (Demos Murphy, The Gulf), the singer from local favourites The Cursed — isn't as straightforward as he expects, however. Angus' made-up group has a name: The Daleks. It soon has a gig as well, opening for The Cursed. BENEE plays Kirsten, who works the counter at a pharmacy, is a wiz on the guitar and is Angus' only hope for making good on his music claims. That Ogilvie's narrative focuses on a journey sparked by exaggerating to fit in, then scrambling to back it up, is indicative of its warts-and-all honesty. There's warmth to Head South, yet it's also deeply bittersweet as it balances Angus and Kirsten's growing connection, and the former's quest to truly find himself amid his self-doubts — plus "all these cute characters vibing around Christchurch", as BENEE puts it — with more than a few people taking advantage of Angus, the awkwardness with his father (Marton Csokas, Cuckoo) at home after his mother has moved out and navigating a tragedy. In Head South's performances, emotions, personal ties, portrait of a moment in music history in a specific city, soundtrack and aesthetic — scratches and splices among the visuals included — Ogilvie pushes authenticity to the fore. Much about that commitment appealed to both Bennett and Oxenbould; this isn't the kind of project that comes either of their ways often. "You don't see these type of things every day, and that's what immediately jumped out about it, was the quality of it, how unique it was. It was something that I knew nothing about, which is always exciting as an actor, to dive into a different world. And the fact that it was personal and true adds a whole new gravity and weight to it, which makes it really exciting. There was so much about it that was so interesting and tantalising as an idea," Oxenbould says. Among the pair, Oxenbould was the veteran on-screen, but Bennett had the music experience. Drawing upon each other's expertise was a key part of the production for both. We also chatted with the duo about being about to lean on each other, the weight of making a film that's so personal for its guiding force — and, as Oxenbould characterises it, "such a unique mix of genres" — as well as music research and more. On How BENEE Knew That Head South Was the Right Film for Her Movie Debut Stella: "I think when I initially got sent the script and story, I was obviously like 'okay, this is sick'. This is set in Christchurch, in the post-punk scene, which I honestly didn't know a lot about when I first got sent it. And then I read the script and I learned about Kirsten, and I was pretty attached to her quite early on — because I was like 'oh, there's something so vulnerable and sweet and kind of damaged and quirky about this character'. And I just instantly fell in love with the whole story. It just felt right. And also Jonathan was so nice. He was so enthusiastic from the get-go. And I was like 'he believes in me, and I'm so down to be a part of this'. I've always wanted to be in a film. And I love acting. It's a lot of fun. And it's fun to just be a different character, because I feel like my whole thing is BENEE and it's more myself — but performing, but myself. So it was cool to just completely take a different role. I want to be in a horror movie next. I want to be every different kind of character." On Whether It's Daunting Making a Project That's So Personal for Its Director — Including, for Oxenbould, Playing a Version of Ogilvie Ed: "100 percent. It's very daunting. Look, it's good. Thankfully, it was really good that Jonathan wasn't like 'you have to get me word-perfect'. It was so relaxed, and he knew that it was just a basis. And there were things that he changed and stretched in his story, so we found a really good middle ground of character and real life. But it is always daunting, knowing that these things happened to him. It adds to it — it's not just like 'ooh, how would I react?'. There was a lot of me asking him 'how did you react? How did you feel here? How can I try to bring some of that authenticity and truthfulness to that?'. But it is definitely daunting." Stella: "It definitely was. And even I remember that last scene, I feel like I got — as you got — pretty emotional, because I was like 'damn, he went through this and we're just acting this out right now in front of him', and 'what a crazy thing to experience in life' and to do it justice, basically." Ed: "Yeah, that's it. But it is surreal. Like you're saying, Stella, it's kind of weird to think 'ohh, we're acting out this crazy pivotal moment in Jonathan's life'." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "And he's watching, and there's a whole crew watching." Stella: "You did a great job, mate. You did a great job." Ed: "Thank you. You too." On the Balancing Act of Navigating the Movie's Mix of Comedy, Darkness, Coming-of-Age Antics, Awkwardness and Heartbreak Ed: "It definitely is, but I think it comes down to Jonathan's great sense of direction — that he knew when to reel it in, he knew when to accentuate it. But I think that's also what read in the script, is the sense of humour, and all these gags that were in it that made it really fun and light. And it's also that really nice, quirky, very Kiwi sense of humour, which also just sets it apart from so many other things. But I think he just did such a good job with, on the day and in editing, just really finding that balance of heart and extremities of both sides." Stella: "Definitely. There's so much depth. And like, yeah, you were laughing — like I was hysterically laughing at times —and then other times I'm like 'well, this is dark and kind of twisted' or 'this is really sad'. I feel like that's what I want out of every movie. I want it to make me feel a bunch of things — and then I come out of it, and I feel a little bit hurt, but I also feel kind of hopeful." On the Research Required for a Film Set in the Late 70s, in the Post-Punk Music Scene, Telling a Very Specific Slice of Christchurch Life Ed: "For me, so much of the film is about these experiences that Angus goes through and he's extremely unprepared for them, and he kind of gets taken off his feet. So I had an element of that, of wanting to be a little bit carried away and swept up by the music and by everything. But I think in basic preparation, it was just a lot of looking at a lot of reference material; listening to the music; listening to what came before, what came after, what came during; and just to try to build the scene in your head — so that we were really well-versed in just that world, so that we could do our jobs truthfully and as close as possible to how these people lived and sounded and acted." Stella: "Yeah, totally. And for me, I think what was really helpful was just sitting down with Jonathan and hearing everything that he has to say about that era, and what it was like for him being in a band — because it is so different to how it is now, and making music and releasing and recording music. And he's so passionate about it because he's not only a director but also musician. So just learning from him, and then feeling prepared by that. He was like an encyclopaedia, for real — a thesis." On How BENEE's Music Experience Helped Her Make the Leap to Her First Movie Stella: "Maybe for the performance at the end. That was really fun. But also, I feel like music is my life, so it felt quite comfortable just doing this film because it was all about the music. And yeah, I think that in maybe some subtle ways that it did help me, maybe. I don't know how, but I think it did." On What Oxenbould Makes of His Journey of an Actor, From Starting Out as a Child to the Path That's Brought Him to Head South Ed: "That journey is bizarre. I've been so, so lucky, and I wouldn't change anything. I've met incredible people. I've made my strongest friends by doing it. It's given me access to a whole host of opportunities that are very, very fortunate. So I feel so lucky. But I don't know — I don't really know where it goes from here. I don't know if I hit my peak and now I've plateaued." Stella: "No, you have not." Ed: "Or I'm on a downward spiral. But it's good. It means everything to me. I'm so lucky, and I hope I can continue to do it for the rest of my life. And I'm excited to explore other areas of the industry. It was a fantastic way to learn and to grow up. I've picked up all these great things and it's made me who I am as a person. I'm very, very fortunate to the people who let me get away with all things I get away with." On What It Means to BENEE to Make Her Movie Debut in a Homegrown Film That's So Proud of Being From NZ, and with Such a Strong Connection to Music Stella: "It feels really special and authentic, and just like it was meant to be. It was just the universe being like 'girl, you're going to do this right now and it's going to be really cool'. And it feels really special that it is my home, and I am part of the music, and the music that shapes the music from Christchurch. That made no sense." Ed: "I got it." Stella: "Did you get that? But it does feel pretty special. I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other role. And also just the people, it was so nice. I don't have any other experience of working with actors or directors from America or anything, so it was pretty special that it was on this Kiwi-Aussie bus. Everyone just gets it and is super down to earth and very chill. So it was a great environment to be in, especially as a first-timer, I would say." On Being Able to Lean on Each Other While Making the Film Ed: "100 percent. It's that beautiful acting thing where you just bounce off each other, and you don't realise it but you learn so much from other people. And then by the end you're like 'ohh, thank you'. And it's not this explicit 'let me help you, ;et me sit you down, Buster'." Stella: "No, no." Ed: "You just absorb." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "It was great." Stella: "It was a lot of fun. It makes it easier, I guess, just being able to vibe with who you're working with in any field — but especially because Ed is so good. I was like 'okay, I'm taking notes and I'm learning, and I'm going to get better at this'. So it was a pretty awesome experience." Ed: "Watching you just perform and on stage — okay, that's how you do it." Stella: "No! I was literally faking the guitar. It was insane. I was learning how to play bass — oh wait, no I wasn't, I was actually playing guitar." On What Oxenbould Looks for in an Australian or New Zealand Project — and What's Special About Working Down Under After His Success Overseas Ed: "It just means a lot more. It's a lot nicer to be talking in your own accent, and talking to people that you know. and you're in a familiar land. It just feels better. It feels nice. It means you can stay and you can work and still live with family. When you work over there, you have to kind of give up — at least I have to give up everything to go over there. But working in Australia, I love. And then working in New Zealand was an honour. I love, love, love, love New Zealand. I love Kiwis. And I was the only Aussie." Stella: "You were." Ed: "I was only one in the cast. I think the only one on the crew. So I was very intimidated." Stella: "New Zealand loves you." Ed: "But you felt very welcomed, and I was very happy. And it meant a lot that that Jonathan trusted me to be the lead of this very distinctly Kiwi film — to get a traitor in the mix." Stella: "No! No. You made peace, bro." On What BENEE and Oxenbould Learned From Making Head South Ed: "You learn so much from every project and every film, which is the best part about it — you just pick up so much from the people, from around you. But I think the main thing that I learned was just about the punk scene. It's just awesome to dive into a whole new topic. And it's not something that I ever would have probably researched or probably would have sought out a lot of information, but then having Jonathan, having this crazy, knowledgeable guy who's just always there and able to fill us in on the gaps of history, it was just great. You walk away learning a lot more about these real institutions that have shaped the music industry here and in New Zealand." Stella: "Totally." Head South opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, April 3, 2025 — and is available to stream in New Zealand via Arovision.
Already one of Brisbane's best Japanese eateries, Howard Smith Wharves' Yoko Dining wants to be one of the city's best Japanese bars as well. Five years after first opening, the waterside venue has given its top level a revamp. Meet B-SIDE, its new upstairs record bar — and get ready for vinyl-spun tunes, boozy slushies, and everything from chicken miso ramen and miso caramel soft serve to tuck into. "We wanted to create something that encapsulates the energy and playfulness of Tokyo's vibrant back-alley bars but with a Brisbane twist," advises restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess, who is behind Yoko Dining, as well as fellow HSW eatery Greca. "B-SIDE is for those who want to kick back after work, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and let loose with good music," he continues. For years, if someone said that things were looking up in Brisbane, they were probably talking about the Queen's Wharf precinct with its 100-metre tall Sky Deck, or the city's embrace of rooftop bars over the past decade or so. Over at HSW, however, levelling up is now also on the agenda (and not just due to the broader precinct's own plans to add a new nine-story hotel to the site, plus a music hall, overwater pool, and waterside food and drinks deck). B-SIDE is one of two new additions to the riverside spot in October 2024 alone, alongside the Hong Kong-inspired Stan's above Cantonese eatery Stanley — each from beloved restaurants revamping their second levels. Welcoming in patrons from 5pm on Monday, October 14 —with 50 bowls of free chicken miso ramen on offer for the first customers through the door — B-SIDE takes inspiration from Tokyo in a number of ways. Firstly, Yoko Dining as a two-storey izakaya already owes the Japanese capital's similar joints a debt, so its record bar not only embraces that idea but runs with it. Menu-wise, however, B-SIDE is also nodding to the kind of fare that you'll find in Tokyo train stations. For bites to eat, diners can also enjoy wagyu katsu sliders, prawn rolls on milk bread and kizami wasabi octopus — plus sashimi (with kingfish, tuna, ocean trout, Hokkaido scallop, ocean trout and eel the choices), Japanese potato salad, tuna tataki and chicken karaage. The tunes come via DJs hitting the decks every night. On Monday evenings, 80s and 90s tracks are set to echo at the bar's retro vinyl sessions. On Sundays from 8pm, discounted rates for hospitality workers who show their RSA card are on offer. B-SIDE's drinks lineup has another impressive name involved: Matt Whiley, best-known of late for his acclaimed low-waste Sydney bar Re (which placed 46th in 2021's World's 50 Best Bars list and made the 51–100 longlist in 87th spot). Fresh from whipping up a sustainability-focused cocktail menu across town in Brisbane at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, he's done the honours for B-SIDE, where slushies and highballs feature prominently. Find B-SIDE upstairs at Yoko Dining, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane — open nightly from 5pm–late. Head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.
For some, Birdees is an unforgettable institution. For others, perhaps those memories are better forgotten. Regardless, Brisbane nightlife icon Birdees is reborn after a five-year hiatus, and it's bringing a slightly more grown-up approach to its next chapter. Tucked below Fortitude Valley's Beaumont Beer Garden, this once untamed dance floor looks fresher than ever, with a multi-million-dollar renovation trading in the sticky floors for an elevated experience. Carved into an old factory, a full-scale redesign blends this industrial history with forward-thinking features destined to produce bigger and better nights. Think immersive lighting, layered textures and a state-of-the-art sound system bound to shake the whole neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the entertainment lineup will overflow with curated DJ talent, live performances, retro tunes and underground house parties every Friday and Saturday night. In fact, the new Birdees plans to be much more than just a raucous club frequented by late-night revellers and sun-seeking backpackers. Instead, expect an ode to music culture past, present and future, where innovation and nostalgia combine. The reimagined spot will focus more on audiovisual artistry, serving up a mix of house grooves, nostalgic R&B tunes and high-energy techno sets that celebrate the best of rhythm and creativity. "Birdees is our love letter to music and the people who live for it," says Group General Manager Danny Webster-Clamp, who guided the venue's new approach. "It's where old-school soul and new-age sound collide, creating something Brisbane has never seen before." Slotting into the recently opened Aussie-inspired Beaumont Beer Garden, this multi-level layout gives the place a dynamic atmosphere. When you need a breather, head upstairs to the Beaumont's terrace, primed for chilling out beneath festoon lighting and the night sky. This might be the perfect time to tuck into the gastropub-style fare, ranging from skin-on chips dusted in Vegemite salt to wagyu rib fillet with Granite Belt red wine jus. Back at Birdees, the party will keep on keeping on throughout the night. Decked out with various spaces perfect for tailoring your shenanigans, slide into a cosy booth or challenge your pals at the pool tables. Of course, a sprawling dance floor will heave into the early morning. But this time around, Birdees regulars will notice this upbeat stomping ground doesn't have quite the same slightly concerning bounce. Birdees is open Friday– Saturday nights from 9pm–3am at the Beaumont Beer Garden, 608 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. Head to the website for more information.
A moment on your lips, a lifetime on your Instagram: that's the future we foresee when Japanese soufflé pancake pop-up Kumokumo arrives in Brisbane. After already treating Perth to its wares, the dessert joint is heading to the Sunshine State to serve up super-fluffy, ridiculously photogenic stacks for ten delicious weeks this summer at South Bank. Those thick, velvety pancakes that instantly make your stomach rumble whenever you see a photo of them (like while reading this article)? That's what's on Kumokumo's menu. It'll be slinging its various varieties from Wednesday, November 23, 2022–Sunday, January 29, 2023 on Grey Street, operating from Wednesday–Sunday weekly. While the pancakes look decadent — flavours like black sugar boba, creme brûlée, biscoffee (yes, Biscoff and coffee cream), matcha cream, tiramisu, and whipped butter with Jarrah honey also help — the pop-up keeps its recipe simple. In the pancakes themselves, you'll find eggs, flour, sugar and milk. Those various ingredients are beaten, piped, grilled and flipped, of course, including with a bit of water in the pan to keep in the moisture — and that all-important fluffiness. Kumokumo sources local ingredients at each of its stops, and has its cooking method down to a precise formula — to perfect the best pancake each time. And as for toppings, it varies per flavour. The black sugar boba version is self-explanatory, for instance, while the creme brûlée comes with custard and berry compote, the biscoffee also includes whipped mascarpone, and the matcha is paired with red bean paste. The pop-up's Brisbane setup will be a walk-in-only affair, and it'll do takeaways — but Kumokumo recommends eating its pancakes within 15 minutes. Head along from 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Thursday, 12–10pm Friday, and 10am–10pm Saturday–Sunday.
Regina George and the Plastics told us that Wednesdays are for wearing pink. In fact, they've advised us of that more than once. But on Wednesday, February 7, the middle of the week is for eating doughnuts without spending a cent, too, to promote the latest Mean Girls film. All day, Donut King is handing out freebies — and keeping Australians happy with their eponymous blend of sweets and carbs. The chain is known for its hot cinnamon doughnuts, and that's exactly what it'll be giving away at participating stores across Australia. Donut King hasn't advised exactly how many doughnuts are up for grabs, and it is a while-stocks-last affair. The big caveat, other than the first-in-best-dressed rule: there's a limit of one free hot cinnamon doughnut per person. Also, you do have to hit up a Donut King shop in-person, with the giveaway not available for deliveries. The brand's locations include everywhere from Chatswood and Top Ryde to Leichhardt and Hurstville in Sydney; Northcote, Sunshine, The Pines and Southland Westfield in Melbourne; Brisbane's Indooroopilly, Carindale, Chermside and Mt Gravatt; Perth's Ocean Keys and Midland Gate; and Adelaide's Glenelg, Tea Tree Plaza and more. But, you will need to check if your local Donut King outpost is taking part. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donut King (@donutking_au) The new Mean Girls movie adapts the stage musical based on the OG 2004 movie, stars Australian actor Angourie Rice as Cady Heron and hit cinemas in January. Check out the trailer below — before, during or after tucking into a free doughnut: Donut King is giving away free doughnuts on Wednesday, February 7 at the chain's participating stores around the country. To find your closest shop and check its opening hours, head to the Donut King website.
When Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt got bantering while presenting a tribute to stunt performers at the 2024 Oscars, they weren't just there to playfully riff on the Barbenheimer phenomenon, or ignite a Barbie versus Oppenheimer rivalry. They had a film to spruik, aka the Sydney-shot The Fall Guy — and while that Academy Awards stint might've been the best promotion any movie needs, a new trailer has dropped for the flick anyway. For much of his career, Gosling has perfected on-screen smouldering. He's the kind of actor who can utter few words and still convey everything, as movies such as Drive and Only God Forgives demonstrated so well. But Gosling is also exceptional at comedy, which Barbie reminded the world in 2023 with glorious ballad-crooning, beach-loving Kenergy. Next, cinema's baby goose is getting into action-comedy mode in The Fall Guy. Based on the 80s TV series of the same name, the film follows stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling), whose career isn't what it used to be. After taking time off, he's back at work getting set on fire for a living — but the fact that his ex Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer) is directing brings chaos. That's just the first dose of the movie's mayhem. Also complicating matters: that megastar actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bullet Train), who Seavers is meant to be doubling for in Moreno's flick, has gone missing. So, the stunt professional now has another task: work out what's going on by solving a conspiracy. If you're thinking "wasn't Gosling in the stunt game in Drive?", you're correct; however, The Fall Guy couldn't be in more different territory tonally. That said, when Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham tells Gosling "you're a stuntman — nobody's going to notice you, that's your job", in The Fall Guy's trailers (the first arrived back in late 2023), you'll already know that his casting means that's never going to prove true. As well as finding a missing actor, getting immersed in action intrigue to unravel a criminal plot, saving his latest movie and doing his regular job, Seavers is on a mission to win back Moreno — but IRL stuntman-turned-filmmaker David Leitch, who also helmed Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, puts stunts to the fore as much as rom-com banter in the initial sneak peek. Written by Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw scribe Drew Pearce, The Fall Guy co-stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu, plus Winston Duke (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Also a big feature in its trailers so far: its Sydney shooting location, including George Street, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Everyone in Australia knows that Gosling was in the country to make the movie — and we all know that any flick shot here will show off that fact in its footage, as seen in the also Sydney-made Anyone But You recently as well. On the small screen, The Fall Guy ran for 113 episodes from 1981–86, starring Lee Majors after his best-known role in The Six Million Dollar Man. Check out the latest trailer for The Fall Guy below: The Fall Guy releases in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Bali is a no-brainer for Aussie travellers. It's close, beautiful, and it's packed with the kind of beaches, spas and resorts that make you want to quit your job and move there permanently (kidding…sort of). If you're going to do Bali, you have to do it right – which means finding the best accommodation. Luckily, you've got some incredible options. And now, thanks to Visa, you can book your dream stay with 10% off through our dedicated platform, Concrete Playground Trips. Whether you're chasing waves and smoothie bowls in Canggu, planning a honeymoon getaway in Uluwatu or heading to Ubud for something a little more off-radar, these eight hotels will have you booking that flight ASAP. Simply book using your Visa card to score the discount, then start packing.
"It's a hard film to Google," says Molly Manning Walker of How to Have Sex, simply due to her debut feature's moniker. "Everyone's always really loved the title, and it's been the title since the beginning. I guess it gets complex when it goes onto the internet and you get bots saying 'maybe I'll learn something' or 'they think they could teach me how to have sex'," the British writer/director continues. "The only thing I think someone once said was 'why don't we call it How Not to Have Sex?'. And I was like 'I think that's too obvious'. As it spends time with three 16-year-old British girls on a boozy Greek getaway to Malia, Crete — a Schoolies-esque rite-of-passage vacation where getting sloshed, soaking up the sun and slipping between the sheets are the only aims — How to Have Sex is as candid as its name. But Walker is never interested in being bluntly overt or neat; rather, everything about the movie is honest, raw and authentic. Premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and collecting the Un Certain Regard Award in the process, her picture resonates because it's so lived in, so ripped from reality and so familiar to everyone who has ever been a teenager. It isn't a slice-of-life documentary, but finding someone who doesn't recognise their own youth in its frames will be rare. Walker doesn't just understand that sensation, which she's seen firsthand among audiences after screenings; she's in the same camp. Amid its fluorescent colours, strobing lights and sweaty intimacy, How to Have Sex sports a doco feel because its guiding force's own teen experiences partly inform this tale of Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce, Vampire Academy) and her best friends Em (debutant Enva Lewis) and Skye (Lara Peake, Halo) heading abroad to let loose, drink away their days and hook up. That includes witnessing fellatio on a stage in front of a heaving crowd, a scene in the feature — and in actuality — that couldn't say more about how cavalier that teen attitudes on sex can be, especially when aided by free-flowing alcohol. It also helps show the mindsets, plus the lack of thinking, that contribute to not taking an active approach to consent. How to Have Sex sees Tara lose her virginity in an inebriated haze of coercion and peer pressure. It also sees how and why a situation like this is so heartbreakingly common and recognisable, and unravels the aftermath. Walker's aim isn't to direct judgement at any character within the film, but to start conversations. Workshops also helped her gauge IRL takes on consent among today's teens. In England and Wales, How to Have Sex will now be shown to the age group it depicts as part of lawyer-led sessions run by the Schools Consent Project. With her first stint in the director's chair — she's also a cinematographer, lensing Scrapper, which debuted at Sundance 2023 — Walker has made an unforgettable feature. The BAFTA-nominee has also crafted a piece of essential viewing. And, as she always hoped, it is sparking discussions. "I think even without these holidays as such, these experiences happen when you're out and about in your local town as well. So I think as much as it was a comment on these holidays, it's a bigger conversation than that for sure," Walker says. Still, wanting that to be the outcome wasn't the same as knowing that's how people would respond. "It's been beautiful to see how people react to the film. We never expected it. When we were in the edit, you finesse over all these small things and spend so long stressing about how people might see it. So yeah, it's been pretty magical." Walker hopped from Cannes to the New Zealand International Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival with How to Have Sex last year, describing the period as "pretty hectic, just really full on". "We finished the film on like the Friday and we went to Cannes on the Tuesday, so I hadn't really had time to breathe or think about it," she also tells Concrete Playground. Her must-see feature receives a general release in cinemas Down Under from Thursday, March 7, 2024 — and Walker kept chatting with us about getting people talking, the movie's inspirations, those workshops, casting British Independent Film Awards' Best Lead Performance- and BAFTA Rising Star-winner McKenna-Bruce, ensuring that Tara wasn't just a victim and more. [caption id="attachment_944364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Molly Manning Walker behind the scenes on Scrapper.[/caption] On What Inspired How to Have Sex, Including Walker's Own Experiences "I was very different as a teenager. I was like, when I was 16, long fake hair, fake eyelashes, covered in fake tan — and I went on loads of these holidays. I went on a holiday with some friends, and we were recalling some of the scenes from these holidays that we remembered, and I started to think it had a big impact on our perception of sex and how we navigate sexual experiences. That's where the idea sort of started. I guess it's all a combination of experiences and just imagination as well. The blowjob on stage is something I witnessed when we were on holiday." On the Research and Workshops That Helped to Shape the Movie "We lived in Malia for two weeks on the scout. We lived there in high season in the middle of a party town, so we were witnessing a lot of chaos all the time. Some of that, we were going up to people and saying 'we're making a film, can we take pictures of your outfits?'. And they were up for it. So it was all direct reference from reality or from memory. We went all around the UK doing some workshops, and it was just mad to see their perception on consent. Not many of them were wised up to consent. We would show them the assault scene and they would be like 'yeah, but, you know, they slept together the night before, so it's fine'. Or stuff like that. So it was really shocking, to be honest." On Giving How to Have Sex That Ripped-From-Reality Specificity "Every choice was to make it as authentic as possible, to ground it in reality. I would never have wanted it to feel like it was a film. So all across the production design, costumes, we chose a documentary cinematographer — everything was to ground it in reality. I wanted to really live and breathe it with them. The first half of the film is meant to be this really joyous party experience — and the second half, you start to see the underbelly of the party town. You see the glitter and then you see the darkness of it. It was split in two halves, both in every design, in production design, in lighting, in everything." On Finding Mia McKenna-Bruce to Play Tara, and the Impact of Her Performance on the Film "It was actually pretty early in the casting process. We got a tape of of Mia, and she's just so funny and her tape was so funny, but there was so much going on behind her eyes. I was pretty sure straight away that she was the one, which we were shocked at because we thought Tara would be the harder one to cast, considering how much she has to go through. But I was just really confident. I don't know what it is — when you see someone, you just kind of know. She's such a legend, Mia. She's a superstar, and she comes to set every day with energy. And often her first take, you'd be like 'so good', so you know where to go with that. But what it did mean was that we could experiment loads because she would always nail it on the first take, so we could bring some options to it. Sometimes, we would try a take with no words or we'd run lots of different experiments, which was really fun — and we could only do that because Mia was so good at nailing it the first time." On Ensuring That This Wasn't a Standard Victim Tale — and That Tara Was Resilient "With Tara, we wanted to not tell a victim story as we classically see it on screen. She's meant to be a bubbly character like all of us. We all go through these experiences and we're not just ruined for life as a film often shows it. So it's meant to show the resilience of young women. It's not that she's not affected by it, because of course she's going to be affected by it, but that she's resilient like people are. They carry on with all of their experiences." On Approaching the Film's Characters and Friendships Without Judgement "I guess they all have their own little stories going on, and the main thing for me was that we never looked down on them, and we never judged them — especially the boys. We want men to recognise themselves in them, in order to open the conversation up. We want it to be fun and for people to want to be on that holiday, but also to question what they're up to. So it was it was complex, for sure. The main thing for me was not to judge them, even though they're all going through their own stuff. But we've all been in those situations." On Starting Conversations with How to Have Sex — and the Reactions to the Film "We didn't really know to what extent people had been affected by this topic. Like, we knew that we wanted to talk about it, but we didn't really know how big the the impact would be. So many young women are coming out of screenings saying 'thank you for making this film, I feel seen'. I guess the quantity was unknown, but we were always hoping to to start a conversation for sure. I think one of the most powerful experiences was, it was like a 65–70-year-old guy pacing after the one of the screenings, and one of the distributors went up to him and said 'are you okay?'. And he said 'I've just realised that I've been that guy. I've been Paddy before.' That sort of blew my brain open because if we can do that for one person, then the film's done its job." How to Have Sex opens in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Read our review. How to Have Sex images: Nikolopoulos Nikos.
When you're fresh from donning armour and sparking an international frenzy in one of TV's biggest franchises, what comes next? For Ryan Corr, following up his stint as Ser Harwin Strong in House of the Dragon means sliding into a six-part Brisbane-shot ABC dramedy about loss and mental health. In its themes, tone, scale and budget, In Limbo is in another world to Game of Thrones and its prequel series — it's about a thirtysomething man struggling with the sudden death of his best friend and his mental health in general, and it's also a supernatural buddy comedy — but the Australian star wouldn't have that contrast of parts any other way. "I guess subconsciously, I try to get them as different as possible, like going from a bikie to a man in a suit," Corr says of picking his roles two decades into his career. "I think that I do that because I've done this since I was a kid, and I'm in pursuit of that challenge, and knocking down boundaries that I didn't think I could necessarily do." Corr has done plenty since earning his first screen credit as a teenager in Aussie series The Sleepover Club. Most homegrown TV shows since have featured the charismatic actor, from Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Underbelly and Tangle to Love Child, Cleverman, Hungry Ghosts and Wakefield — and, of course, his 60-plus-episode run on Packed to the Rafters. On the big screen, he made his movie debut in the film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, then added everything from rom-com Not Suitable for Children and horror sequel Wolf Creek 2 to biopic Holding the Man and bikie drama 1% to his resume, plus Ali's Wedding, Mary Magdalene, Ladies in Black and High Ground as well. Across a body of work with no shortage of highlights, his two most recent projects still stand out. House of the Dragon had Corr playing the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms and, amid the global attention that followed, sparked an onslaught of 'Six Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong' and 'Ryan Corr Has Gone From Blue Water High to Westeros'-style articles. "I don't see myself as a six-foot-five strong knight, and sure as hell not the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms," he says. "But the challenge was how do I replicate that in my idea of what strength is and what the essence is? And can I portray that?" In Limbo, which is streaming now on ABC iView and airing weekly on ABC TV, swaps physical brawn for emotional vulnerability. After crane operator Charlie loses his lifelong best mate Nate (Bob Morley, Love Me), everything unsurprisingly changes, but Nate remains a presence in his life from the afterlife. "When I got the script, it really moved me. I found it laugh-out-loud funny, and really upsetting at times — and I thought it was really fresh. I don't think we've tried to deal with themes like this in quite this way before," Corr advises. There's a sense of responsibility that comes with a series like In Limbo, as well as that challenge that Corr is always seeking. Thanks to its subject matter, the show always felt personal while he was making it, too. Corr chatted with Concrete Playground about all about the above, having a profound reaction to the project, balancing In Limbo's tones and themes, his past year and his career highlights so far. ON MAKING A COMEDY THAT'S THOUGHTFUL AND WEIGHTY — AND IN LIMBO'S PERSONAL FEEL "There was a much longer rehearsal process than usual, where we just got to sit down together, weigh in and talk about what we were about to tackle subject-wise — and there were safety networks all around us while we did so — and also start to share and open up about our own lives and experiences, both direct and indirectly, to do with loss, so that we could develop trust together as people while we navigate these ideas. Because I think the series has to have heart. I found that everyone in the making of it — the crew all up in Brisbane, everyone that read this script — had a profound reaction to it and said 'I want to be a part of this'. I think you can feel everyone leaning into it in the final product. I hope so. I've, of course, experienced loss, as have most people that I know. I think it's a very personal tale. I very much based Charlie's relationship with Nate on some of my early childhood friends, who are a bridge past that now — we're not friends anymore, they're more like brothers and sisters, they are my family. So I very much know where that relationship lives, and the idea of losing one of them is the earth-shattering. We all actively worked through it, communicating with each other, personalising what we've been through and were going through, so that we could trust each other — and so you can invest the series with that heart and that meaning. I don't think it's possible if you don't." ON DRAWING UPON REALITY TO INFORM IN LIMBO'S MIX OF TONES AND GENRES "When I lost my grandfather, I was sitting around with a group of my friends and family, and we're all holding hands as he was literally leaving. And he did something funny in some of his final breaths, he made a funny noise or something. And so I found that my family were all holding each other and crying, and then laughing all of a sudden. We were saying goodbye to someone we love, and all of a sudden he made one of the funny noises and we laughed, and there was a wonderful lesson in that — it had both. And I think in life, it has both. And what In Limbo tries to explore is that — I think In Limbo is more about life than it is about death. Strangely, in the losing of Nate, Charlie discovers more about himself in the pursuit of trying to find answers about Nate. He becomes closer to his family, and it exposes things, it brings things to the forefront that he may have not been dealing with previously. And in a strange way, Nate guides Charlie through — in death, Nate helps Charlie through his life. And it's about the way that the people that are left continue to live, the way they come together, and the way they support each other and water those relationships and friendships, and help each other grieve and process. And that's what life is, you know? And within that, within this thing that we call life, there are often — at least I've found — moments of hysterical laughter, of mundane things that make you lose your shit laughing." ON PREPARING FOR IN LIMBO "Like with all characters, there are some parts that you research and some parts of yourself. I have some experiences with mental health myself personally, and with my family and with my friends. So it's not hard for me to go to places where I was in darker spaces with my anxiety and depression, and knowing what that felt like, and not being able to see the light. One the things that In Limbo brings up is that it's not always visible. In fact, it's very, very rarely visible. And I remember, just simply for me personally, that it wasn't until I was going through some shit for a couple of years until I was like 'oh, I don't think I'm happy right now' or 'I think what I'm feeling is muted. I don't feel the highs. I don't feel the lows'. I remember that being rather confronting, like 'oh [how long] have I felt like this for?". One of things that In Limbo tries to do is shed a bit of light on that. You ask more often if people are okay. When they say that they are, it's not always necessarily the full story. And it's about just trying a little further, it's about asking a little more and it's about checking on yourself. Everyone in In Limbo, we all have to pull from our personal worlds. This is an intimate story, and it's about family and it's about loss. So researching things like this, you have to draw from things in your own life, and then have an environment where you can leave that at the door and feel safe to expose it with other people and be safe going home afterwards. I think they very much made that environment for us." ON THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES WITH TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH "It's not our responsibility to give answers or to hammer over the head any of our ideas around this — it's about starting a conversation, and I think that everyone in the creative process very much took that responsibility on board, and tried to keep that close through the shooting of it as our as our main drive. Our number-one prerogative was to take that responsibility seriously. You have responsibility to all characters you play. If you're doing it properly, it has to cost you something — and particularly with something like this, there's no phoning it in. So we made sure that being comfortable around dealing with these things, both as performers and as people, was right the forefront. And that we weren't trying to hand people any simple answers." ON WHAT CORR LOOKS FOR IN A PART "It can be a number of things, but usually something that challenges me or that I don't think I can do initially — something where I go 'all right, now we're gonna go over here'. It's about challenge and primarily it's about chase. It's about the pursuit of great writing and great directors. When you have language on your side, when you have great ideas on your side, that's the pursuit of this industry. It's raising to those writers and it's raising to those ideas — not making it about yourself and saying 'this is how it is when I feel', it's about trying to play your part in the whole of the narrative. It's really the pursuit of writing that excites me — and directors that, when you sit down and have meetings with them, the way they talk about their ideas gets you excited and inspires you, and you can see it as they talk. It's working with creatives who have a similar pursuit as I do." ON JUMPING FROM HOUSE OF THE DRAGON TO IN LIMBO "Obviously there's a difference in the scale and the reach, but honestly there's not a big difference between In Limbo and Thrones. There's more people, but it's ultimately always the same job. In fact, if anything, I find that the the bigger they get and the more expansive, the less personal they become, and the less involved with the people you're working with. You can shoot a scene over half a week [on House of the Dragon] — one scene of a sequence over half a week. On In Limbo, we're shooting 16 scenes the day and then waking up at 4am to do it again the next day. And we had bugger all time to do it in, like five weeks, so it becomes a completely different exercise in trusting each other. [With House of the Dragon] you just expand upon that. Instead of going into a house that we've decked out in Brisbane, it's a giant setpiece that is an operational castle — you can walk up the stairs, and there's 30 people teaching someone dance for next week, teams and teams of people. It's the same thing extended upon, obviously, because there's huge amounts of money involved, and because the shows are so big. I just tried to go in and fill Harwin's shoes the best way I knew how. There wasn't a huge amount of him in the book, so I had to fill in the lines. That part of it was exactly the same as sitting in the lounge room with In Limbo… working through these scenes, mining them for the best ideas, workshopping the best ways to do it, rehearsing it and then getting out there and trying to give it our all." ON THE PROJECT ON CORR'S RESUME THAT STANDS OUT "Honestly, every one — but two things. Kevin Jackson is my acting mentor who's just recently passed away — he was the acting teacher at NIDA for many, many years, and is responsible for framing the lives and artistry of many people that I know, including myself. I went at 17. I'd done teen shows, and I made the decision at that age — I was like 'I want take this seriously and I want to study it'. So I took myself out of the industry, went to drama school and that's where I met a man in Kevin that taught me what great writing was and how what we did was above ourselves. Like I say, he is 'the writer is God'. He's the reason that I pursue writing the way that I do. It's not about how you feel, it's not about bringing it down to you. It's about pain reaching these ideas. Can you make something of these ideas? And therefore it's universal. When I was growing up, I took a lot of my lessons, my understanding of emotion, my understanding of love, my understanding of grief, from a lot of the films that I inhaled. That was my go-to, that's what spoke to me and that felt important to me. And so, if I'm going to do it as my career, Kevin was very much a pivotal part of helping me understand what it is that we do. Also Holding the Man, I would say as an experience, as a film, working with [director] Neil Armfield, working with Tommy [playwright and screenwriter Tommy Murphy]. And having for the first time the yardstick of what I was doing, as my job slightly changed. It wasn't just 'here's my version of a character and I hope it's good' — it was someone's family. And I met that family, and I had them hand over their journals and their personal belongings, and I had his friends reach out from all throughout Melbourne. And we had the Victorian AIDS Council say, 'hey, can we can we do rehearsals here?'. I was just overwhelmed with the amount of compassion and the amount of love that reached towards us in doing it. And it made me realise that my job here wasn't to do a good job — it was to represent a real person's memory and their legacy and their love to the absolute nth degree that I possibly can. That felt important and, like with In Limbo, I felt a responsibility to the people that I was playing and to what it meant, and that really resonated with me throughout the years. It's not like you can have jobs like that all the time, but it really did entrench what this industry, what this thing that I call a job, what the arts can be and what it can do and how important it is." In Limbo streams via ABC iView. Read our full review. House of the Dragon streams via Binge. Read our full review.
We take travelling seriously at Concrete Playground. Whether you're planning luxury getaways abroad, interstate camping trips, weekend jaunts to a city or bathing beachside, our team of avid travellers and destination-obsessives like to think we've got all the necessary tips for where to eat, drink, stay and hang out to get your itineraries in the best possible shape. But it has come to our attention that we've lapsed in our advice when it comes to what to put in your luggage. So, what must-have travel essentials should you be bringing with you on your next trip to make packing for your holiday a simple and stress-free task? In partnership with the folks at Kmart, we're going to share our top tips for packing, depending on what kind of adventure you are about to embark on. Carry-on Connoisseurs If you are attempting to eschew those ever-increasing checked luggage bag fees but aren't quite keen on stuffing a pillowcase with all your belongings, it might be time to assess what you are actually packing. If you've committed to confining yourself to cabin baggage alone, pack items that can do multiple jobs. A simple button-up shirt can be casual with jeans and a tee, a throw-on layer over swimwear, or be dressed up by buttoning it up and tucking it into your pants. Dresses are the ultimate outfit saviour if you favour a single-item outfit. With a simple hairstyle or accessories, a dress can take you from chill brunch to a luxe wine-tasting or fine-dining experience. Don't put yourself out, and ensure you are always looking your best, whether you are sipping on sparkling next to the Riviera or exploring food markets in Japan. Luxury Lovers There's nothing more luxurious than having options for everyday activities on your five-star getaway. But with all your outfit choices, how can you keep tabs on your belongings? Easy, get yourself organised with luggage organisers. Packing cubes are excellent for all kinds of travellers, whether you're hiking the Great Dividing Range or booking yourself into a relaxing retreat. Keep your items organised, from your electronics to your toiletries, your swimwear to your evening wear. With the right travel accessories, you'll never have to worry about where your perfect evening outfit or super luxurious sunhat is. International Explorers If you're that person who is constantly returning from an overseas trip and planning the next one, you probably need new luggage. All that travelling plays havoc on your baggage. From the usual wear and tear of being pulled through the terminals to the stress of being chucked around on baggage chutes, bus racks, taxi boots and more. Before you start planning your next vacation, make sure your bags are in good nick for overseas travel. You don't want to have to be scouring local supermarkets for duct tape. Get yourself sorted with a stylish new set, and you're basically halfway ready for your next adventure. Weekend Warriors Do you keep your eyes peeled for budget-friendly interstate flights or car hire sales for your next weekend escapade? Much like the Carry-on Connoisseurs above, you're only going for the weekend, so make sure you pack lightly (so you can fill your car/suitcase with all the local goodies you can). Whether you're heading for the hills or journeying to a dense metropolis, walking shoes are a must. No matter if you are a guy planning a luxe trip to the south Pacific or a gal heading to the mountains, the ratty trainers you've been rocking to the gym simply won't do (and neither will that stylish new pair you're yet to break in). Get comfy, versatile walking sneakers or boots that match your fave 'fit for city exploring or countryside wandering and wear them on the way to your weekend destination. Adventure Seekers If you love spending your weekends exploring the bush or hiking up mountains, it's important to be prepared and get your camping gear in order. A sturdy shoe, head torch and waterproof pack can make or break a weekend — so be prepared for every kind of weather and dress for the elements to change. Remember: it's cold at night, even during an Aussie summer. If you're a keen camper, stock up on gas fuel for your stove and a first aid pack (with sunscreen and bug spray). It's the times that you need it that you don't have it. Don't put yourself in that position and get prepped for adventure. Foodie Fanatics Do you spend your holidays sampling wines, tasting local produce and snagging the best dinner reservations in town? Dress to impress and pack a skirt that can bring you from the market to the restaurant in an instant. Whether you're more of a mini, midi, or maxi skirt kind of person, a stylish skirt can elevate your outfit for the perfect look for embarking on your epicurean adventure. Discover more of your must-have travel essentials over on Kmart's website.
