It's a scenario familiar to many. You're loitering in the Valley with an hour or so to kill before a gig and want something quick, not too flashy, not too pricey but tasty to keep you going. If you've much sense your first thought will be of the Chinatown Mall – many a restaurant there to suit your needs. Of these, Thai Wi Rat should be a pretty solid contender. Very few restaurants in Brisbane declare themselves to serve Laotian food, which Thai Wi Rat does. It's a nice point of difference to be sure, however the main focus is Thai food. Brisbanites, and Australians for that matter have long proved their love for this South East Asian cuisine – though Thai Wi Rat doesn't necessarily offer anything new on this front, when it comes to cheap and cheerful convenience, they're hard to beat. Curries, stir fried dishes with rice, soup noodles and salads abound, but the stir-fried noodles are the way to go. First select from vermicelli, egg noodles, thin rice noodles or fat rice noodles, then choose from a catalogue of sauces including guay teaw pad kee maw (spicy sauce), guay teaw pad thai (tamarind sauce) and guay teaw pad ce ew (dark sweet soy sauce), available vegetarian, with a variety of seafood, beef, pork or chicken. For a safe bet, order the guay teaw lard na (Thai-style gravy sauce) with combination seafood ($14.90). Its prime position makes it ideal for a quick bite before a night out but Thai Wi Rat takes reservations and on our early Saturday night visit, the vast majority of the outdoor tables had been booked. Not a problem, as seating is surprisingly ample given the number of Asian restaurants vying for space in the area. Thai Wi Rat is extra fortunate in its location, with the Mall's water feature running adjacent to the restaurant's main outdoor seating area. The drinks list offers a range of Thai style iced drinks, enough wines and beers to keep you occupied, as well as a shot of Thai Whiskey. Images: Hennessytrill
Giving Australians the Shake Shack experience we can't otherwise have because Shake Shack somehow doesn't operate on our shores yet, Betty's Burgers isn't short on reasons for burg lovers to stop by. And, it's also known for serving up quite the range of specials, including lobster rolls, prawn rolls and steak sandos. But if you want to try its latest creation — and, given that it's a truffle cheeseburger, you will — you'll also need to book a flight. In a first for both Betty's and Virgin Australia, the two brands have teamed up to add burgs to the latter's airport lounge menus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. That means that pre-flight burgers can now be a part of your departure routine — as long as you have access to Virgin's airport lounges, that is. There are a few other caveats involved, too. Those truffle cheeseburgers are only available at the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airport lounges, and so is the chain's new take on popcorn chicken, if that prompts you to pay for membership. Also, you'll need to be flying on a Thursday or Friday, and at around dinnertime, as that's when the Betty's menu items will be available. Still, if you have a trip in your future and you love burgs, this'll set your stomach a-rumbling. It's the latest step in Betty's efforts to spread its burgers far and wide, after initially setting up shop in Noosa, first expanding to the Gold Coast, and then setting up shop in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. For more information about Betty's Burgers and its new Classic Plant burg, head to the chain's website.
Want to invest in crypto but aren't sure where to begin? Or are you already investing and want to avoid paying those pesky trading fees? Whether you're a crypto pro or total novice, you can now start investing in crypto sans trading fees via the Finder app. To celebrate the launch of Finder's new fee-free crypto-trading function, it's throwing a Bitcoin Drop Party where it'll be giving away a share of Bitcoin to everyone who signs up to the app. Once you've joined, you'll then have the chance to score even more Bitcoin via daily prize drops until the virtual party wraps up at 5pm on Monday, March 7. There's $200,000 worth of Bitcoin in total to be won, so don't worry, there's plenty to go round. Keen to join the party and to nab yourself some free Bitcoin while you're at it? The Finder Bitcoin Drop Party is happening online until 5pm, Monday, March 7. For more information and to read the terms and conditions, visit the website.
Brisbane's Night Feast is back, featuring a star-studded lineup of culinary icons paired with art interventions and live performances. In 2025, Layla — Shane Delia's first Queensland restaurant — is set to make an attention-grabbing debut at the event, serving a mix of signature Middle Eastern-inspired favourites and festival bites alongside a special Night Feast exclusive. Transporting some of the restaurant's most-loved dishes from its home at the Thomas Dixon Centre to the festival's month-long home at Brisbane Powerhouse, diners can expect Layla's Moroccan-spiced habibi butter chicken, and Turkish-style beef manti dumplings with yoghurt, burnt-butter mushroom XO and spiced sausage. Meanwhile, smaller options span butter chicken loaded fries, smoked hummus with chermoula and chickpeas, grilled flatbread, and baby cos lettuce salad with carrots, harissa and tomato slaw. On the drinks front, sip on curated cocktails like the Mango Spice Crush or the Moroccan Bubble Mojito, alongside by-the-glass local and international wines. Yet, if you're keen for something with a little more heat, Layla has a new creation that embodies the restaurant's culinary ethos and inspiration — gunpowder fried calamari with cashew and curry leaves. "We're excited to bring Layla to Brisbane's Night Feast for the first time and share bold, vibrant flavours of the exotic spice trail," says Delia.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it's how much we value both creativity and community in tough times. Cast your mind back to those early housebound days: it was all a rush of sourdough starters and tie dyeing tracksuits. Wholesome, right? While some of those iso trends can stay firmly in the past (Dalgona coffee, we're looking at you), that shared creativity really sparked a sense of togetherness during an utterly bonkers time. As Brisbane continues to open up, it's time to rediscover the creative outlets our city has to offer. In partnership with LEGO Art, which is a new range of adult-friendly wall art including one featuring The Beatles, we've put together a list of creative classes so that you can craft a new 2020 hobby that doesn't have the aftertaste of being a lockdown trend. With these classes, you can get green-thumbed, musical or creative in the kitchen. It's now up to you to get started. [caption id="attachment_782015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr; Gergely Hideg[/caption] CRAFT A NEW MOSSY HOUSEMATE If you're a fan of minimalist design, then you might have noticed these delicate Japanese string ball plants dotting your Instagram feed. Kokedama loosely translates to 'moss ball', and these hanging beauties are essentially living sculptures. If you'd like some guidance in how to create a moss ball to be proud of, join one of The Soul Pantry's upcoming sessions, which are held several times a month at Mappins Nursery, West End. During the two-hour class, everyone will make both a large and a small kokedama, and display bowls will also be provided for participants to take home. Workshops are $95 and you can book into an upcoming class, here. PERFECT YOUR BRUSH STROKE Sometimes, it just takes a few glasses of vino to unleash a wave of creativity, and the team at Cork & Chroma is here to help you channel that artistic flair. Classes are held daily, so all you need to do is book a seat and BYO drinks (anything except spirits). Each class lasts for three hours, which includes time for paint drying breaks, and opportunities to admire everyone's work. If your painting skills tend to be a bit more abstract, don't despair; Cork & Chroma encourages everyone to let their imagination run wild. Under the friendly tutelage of its resident artists, you'll go from rookie to Rembrandt in no time. Find Cork & Chroma at Montague Road and Little Stanley Street, and expect to fork out $60 per person per session. CHURN YOUR OWN CHEESE If you've been surviving exclusively on cheese since March (same), then you're probably ready to branch out from store-bought brie. This two-hour Cheese Making Basics class is held every few weeks at Work-Shop in Newstead. Your hosts Valerie and Joanne are experts in cheese making and sustainable living. The $65 class kicks off with wine on arrival, while you watch the ladies prepare a fresh batch of mozzarella. You'll get recipes and tips on how to make your favourite cheese, plus the chance to taste handmade feta and quark. Trust us, your next charcuterie board is in for a serious glow up. If you're unable to make the classes at Work-Shop, you can find more of their classes here. [caption id="attachment_782101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Lawton[/caption] MAKE WEARABLE ART Mark 2020 down as the year that earrings became the MVP of the jewellery world. Countless hours spent on Zoom calls meant that a pair of bold hoops (and some bright lipstick) could elevate any loungewear look to 'corporate professional' in an instant. If your accessory collection needs a quick update, then grab a spot at this Flora and Fauna Earring Making Workshop at Colab 4010 in Albion. Led by jewellery designer Alex Lawton (aka Lazer Unicorn), each participant will create four pairs of acrylic earrings over three hours. No experience is required, and all equipment is provided. Choose from a range of hand-drawn flora and fauna designs, such as proteas, gumnuts and bottle brushes, and then customise each piece to create your own bespoke jewellery. Each class is $120, and you get a $5 discount if you book in with a mate. SIGN UP FOR A NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE Anyone else have a digital camera gathering dust in a forgotten drawer? This one's for you. Award-winning photographer Alfonso Calero recruits some of Australia's brightest talents to lead photography workshops across the country. This $99 nighttime course is a great chance to learn how to juggle those tricky low-light situations, while shooting some of Brisbane's iconic locations, such as the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Storey Bridge. Classes run on one Saturday evening per month, and each lasts for three hours. Just make sure your camera is fully charged, and bring a tripod to get those slow shutter speed shots looking super slick. JOIN A COMMUNITY CHOIR If you've ever had aspirations to audition for The Voice, or join a glee club, perhaps it's time you joined a community choir? Cheep Trill is so much fun it'll have you singing in the streets as you meander home after class. Sign up for an eight- or ten-week term of weekly rehearsals, then take part in a live performance of contemporary vocal arrangements and mashups. No audition is required, and Cheep Trill encourages everyone from shower singers to experienced entertainers to join. Past choirs have performed at Laneway Festival, the Brisbane Powerhouse and the QPAC Concert Hall (and they're known for a good flash mob, too). Cheep Trill is planning to return to in-person rehearsals later this year, which it runs at Woolloongabba and Enoggera. It's $150 for one session a week, or $225 for two. And it definitely beats lip syncing to Cardi B on Tik Tok, we promise. Discover more about the new LEGO Art range, here.
It's a familiar problem: your lounge room corner or kitchen windowsill is screaming for a bit of greenery, but finding time to shop for a fiddle leaf fig or a monstera is easier said than done. That's where plant delivery services come in, whether you're after something new each month or a one-off parcel of nature's goodness. And, in the latter camp, Australia has a new site ready to send a baby rubber plant, bird of paradise or peace lily to your door. That'd be The Plant People, a Brisbane-based nursery that takes care of the whole process, including seeding, growing, potting and delivery. At the company's base in Burpengary, green babies are nurtured by propagators and horticulturalists, then sent to eager customers — not only in Brissy or on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, but throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. Greenery-wise, The Plant People specialises in low-maintenance plants that can be grown indoors and arrive room-ready, with its range spanning familiar names and more creative types. You can nab a birds nest fern, Swiss cheese plant or string of pearls, or perhaps a philodendron, string of dolphins, Chinese money plant or manda succulent. The collection will continue to grow, following the latest trends and adding new varieties. The Plant People also sells pots, which are made by an artisan in Vietnam, as well as handy accessories such as garden scissors and moisture meters. Prices range from $14.95–$395 — and, no matter where you're getting your plant delivered to in its custom-designed box, shipping is free. The Plant People delivers to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. For further details, visit the company's website.
With so much to see, do and eat around Singapore, you might be feeling a little lost on how to best navigate the city. While Singapore's streets are renowned for being spotless, the humidity sometimes makes it difficult to wander long distances on foot. Get around by hopping on the efficient — and air-conditioned — Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system instead, which runs from Changi Airport in the east to Tuas Link in the west and through major stops such as Marina Bay, HarbourFront, Chinatown and Little India. The trains operate every 2–8 minutes from 5.30am–12.30am each day and are often conveniently connected to large shopping malls, hawker centres or other attractions through covered passageways. Simply use your existing contactless card or Apple Pay to tap on, or purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass (if you're staying for less than 3-5 days) or EZ-Link Card (if you're staying for longer). With the help of Singapore Tourism, we're spotlighting five MRT stops worth hopping off for along your commute, and what to do near each station. [caption id="attachment_981017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Afur Wong[/caption] Maxwell Located in the heart of Chinatown, Maxwell is a stop along the Thomson–East Coast line. Jump off here to explore Chinatown and some of the city's top hawker centres as you're travelling from Gardens by the Bay towards Orchard Road. You'll find the famed Maxwell Food Centre right next to the station, which boasts over 100 stalls, including the renowned Tian Tian Chicken Rice. If you're still feeling peckish, the Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre, which is the largest hawker centre in Singapore with 260-plus stalls, and the renovated Lau Pa Sat are both a short walk away. After lunch, take a stroll through historic Chinatown with a self-guided walking tour to see sights such as the Sri Mariamman Temple, Masjid Jamae mosque and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, with breaks for sweet treats and coffee in between. Marine Parade Further along the Thomson–East Coast line is Marine Parade, where you can walk or cycle through East Coast Park, refuel at Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre, shop at Parkway Parade, and discover Peranakan culture at Katong-Joo Chiat. East Coast Park offers a range of activities for the whole family, from walking and cycling trails to windsurfing, paddleboarding and skateboarding, as well as a plethora of dining options. Katong-Joo Chiat dates back to the early 19th century and was a hub for Eurasian and Peranakan communities. Step back in time and learn about the neighbourhood's rich history at The Intan (a home-turned-museum), Eurasian Heritage Gallery and Katong Antique House, before snapping some photos at the iconic pastel-hued shophouses along Koon Seng Road. Finish up your day of discovery with Peranakan cuisine at Kim Choo Kueh Chang, 328 Katong Laksa or Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen. Bayfront You can't go to Singapore without visiting the iconic Marina Bay area. Stop at Bayfront on the Circle or Downtown lines to explore the whole precinct. At Marina Bay Sands, you can sip a sky-high drink at CÉ LA VI, enjoy a free light and water show at the Event Plaza and dance the night away at MARQUEE nightclub. For a more laidback night, take an evening stroll around Marina Bay to snap a photo at the Here is SG sculpture and explore Merlion Park, which is adjacent to the buzzing Fullerton precinct. While you're in the area, make sure to check out other unmissable attractions, such as the sprawling Gardens by the Bay and innovative ArtScience Museum. [caption id="attachment_980376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Santos[/caption] Little India From ornate temples to vibrant street art and plentiful shopping and food options, Little India is an energetic cultural hub that's worth a stop on the North East or Downtown lines. Follow the self-guided map and visit landmarks such as the Indian Heritage Centre, Tan Teng Niah House and Sri Veerakaliamman Temple. Along the way, you'll be able to browse for Indian homewares, ornaments, jewellery and textiles. If you're really ready to shop, head to Mustafa Centre, which is open 24/7 and sells everything from home appliances and electronics to camping goods, perfume, vintage collectibles and snacks across six levels. Once you've worked up an appetite, sample some local fare at Tekka Centre, which is Singapore's largest indoor wet market and a hawker centre. Other notable eateries in the area are Podi and Poriyal for cocktails and contemporary takes; The Banana Leaf Apolo, which has been serving North and South Indian cuisine since 1974; and Bismillah Biryani, which has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight years straight. [caption id="attachment_980381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paris Chia[/caption] HarbourFront If you continue on the North East or Circle lines until the final stop, you'll end up at HarbourFront. Alight here for outdoor expeditions to Sentosa or Mount Faber Park, with a break for bites at Seah Im Food Centre. Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in the city and looks out across the southern coast of Singapore. With well-paved pathways, you can easily hike or cycle up to the highest peak at Faber Point. Other sites in the park include a rainbow-coloured stairway, two restaurants, cable car rides to Sentosa, a mini Merlion and even a famous public bathroom with views across the harbour. If heights aren't your thing and you'd rather not take a cable car to reach Sentosa, not to worry — you can also reach the island via car, bus, bike, monorail, or even on foot. You're in for an action-packed day once you're there, with attractions ranging from beaches and an aquarium to a waterpark, go-kart track, adventure park, Universal Studios Singapore, WWII fort and role-playing city for kids. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre. Top image: Paris Chia Photography. All images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.
When you take a photo of yourself and share it on social media, or a video, you're staging a moment to broadcast to the world. It's a performance, even if you don't quite realise it at the time. The lighting, the angle, making sure you look your best, choosing your words, deciding what to snap or film — it's all part of putting a specific version of yourself out there. In Testament, American artist Natalie Bookchin explores this concept through four video works. Spanning from 2009 to 2017, her pieces endeavour to expose the repetition and shared elements common as people present their preferred take on themselves via online means. Using video blogs and testimonials, the entire project touches upon four common subjects: unemployment, medication use, sexual identity and body image. It's screening on a loop at the Gallery of Modern Art as a companion piece to documentary series All the World's Memories until February 24. Image: Natalie Bookchin.
Joy is one of Brisbane's most quietly extraordinary dining rooms. Tucked into Fortitude Valley, the tiny restaurant seats just a handful of guests per service, creating an atmosphere that feels personal, immersive and carefully paced. Led by chef-owner Sarah Baldwin, Joy offers a set tasting menu that changes frequently and is shaped by seasonality, technique and a clear point of view. The format is precise but never rigid, moving through a sequence of refined dishes that balance delicacy with depth. There's no à la carte here – every guest experiences the same progression, designed to tell a story from first bite to final course. [caption id="attachment_1079121" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Hoopee[/caption] The room itself is warm and minimal, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the food and the interaction between kitchen and diner. Wine pairings are thoughtful and tightly aligned with the menu, complementing rather than overshadowing the dishes. Joy isn't a place for a quick dinner. It's a restaurant built around intention, attention and the pleasure of slowing down. Bookings are essential – and highly coveted. [caption id="attachment_1079120" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Hoopee[/caption] Images: supplied.
Before Dolly Parton's own musical about her life makes its theatre debut, premiering on Broadway in 2026, always loving the music icon on stage is easy thanks to Here You Come Again. Telling the story of a massive fan of the legend and their imagined version of a star like no other, this fellow song-fuelled production is filled with Parton's tunes. It has her stamp of approval, too, and it's coming to Australia in 2025. Here You Come Again has locked in stops in six cities, starting with Melbourne, playing at the Comedy Theatre from July. From there, it'll enjoy a stint at Theatre Royal Sydney from September, before touring to Perth, Newcastle, Canberra and Adelaide at yet-to-be-announced dates. There's no Queensland season so far, but cross your fingers that one gets added. At each of its Aussie destinations, get ready to hear 'Jolene', '9 to 5', 'Islands in the Stream' and 'I Will Always Love You', among other tracks, as the show's protagonist navigates the ups and downs of life with his own fantasy of Dolly by his side. Playing that pivotal part, so slipping into the rhinestones and blonde hair, is Here You Come Again co-creator Tricia Paoluccio — and yes, she's also a Dolly fan. "I've loved Dolly my whole life and have been singing her songs since I was a little girl. It's been my dream to create a musical comedy that celebrates her music while imagining how she might help someone in a real-life way," said Paoluccio, who conjured up the show with Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and songwriter Bruce Vilanch, plus director Gabriel Barre. "Having Dolly's personal stamp of approval on this piece makes it even more special, and I can't wait to bring this production to Australia!" In the US and UK, Here You Come Again has played soldout seasons — and expect it to prove popular Down Under, too. Alongside Paoluccio, Australian Dash Kruck (Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar) stars, with the local run also set to feature an all-Australian ensemble, plus a live band helping to bring Parton's music to life. Here You Come Again Australian Tour From Thursday, July 10, 2025 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne From Friday, September 12, 2025 — Theatre Royal Sydney, Sydney Dates TBC — Perth Dates TBC — Newcastle Dates TBC — Canberra Dates TBC — Adelaide Here You Come Again starts touring Australia from July 2025, with ticket presales for Melbourne and Sydney from 9am on Wednesday, March 12 and general sales from Friday, March 14 — head to the production's website for more details, and for waitlists for other cities. Images: UK production, Hugo Glendinning.
When a TV show is as warm as Ted Lasso — when it feels like getting a hug in TV form while you're watching it, in fact — wanting to step right into its frames is an understandable reaction. Fans of the hit soccer-themed sitcom will be able to go one better in October, however, if they're lucky enough to score one mighty nice Airbnb booking: The Crown & Anchor, aka the show's go-to pub in the heart of Richmond. Taking a page out of Ted's (Jason Sudeikis, Saturday Night Live) book, here's a few things for you to believe in: yourself, always; that you deserve a London getaway; and that you can nab one of the three reservations for this AFC Richmond-themed stay. Like all of Airbnb's pop culture-related listings — see also: Hobbiton, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Bluey house, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop and the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage, to name just a few — this one is around for a spectacular time but not a long time. The Crown & Anchor will be open for three overnight visits: on Monday, October 23, Tuesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25. Each booking will welcome in four Ted Lasso-loving Greyhounds supporters, though, so you can gather your obsessed mates and plan one helluva UK jaunt. As well as a night in the pub that's located right around the corner from Ted's apartment — and maybe a dash of the American coach's always-upbeat attitude just by stepping onto the show's home turf — the three groups that nab the reservations will also enjoy nods to the series in a number of ways. You'll sit down to pub fare from The Prince's Head (aka the IRL pub) over a discussion about all things Ted Lasso, wear AFC Richmond gear and cheer on local Richmond sports teams. You'll also play darts, give the pinball machine a go, sit at Ted's go-to table for a round of chess and sing karaoke. And, all that AFC Richmond merch hangs in the bedrooms as well. Biscuits are also part of the visit — naturally — over tea (sorry, Ted is wrong when he calls it "garbage water"). And, you'll be welcomed virtually by the show's Mae, who is played by Annette Badland (Midsomer Murders). All of the above will set you back just £11 (AU$20) plus taxes and fees, with the price reflecting the number of soccer players on the pitch. That said, while the once-in-a-lifetime accommodation comes ridiculously cheap, you do still need to fork out for your flights there and back, plus everything else to do with your London trip. If you're keener than Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein, Uncle) about scowling or Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt, Bless This Mess) about saying as little as possible, you'll need to try to score a reservation at 5am AEDT / 4am AEST / 7am NZDT on Wednesday, March 22. When that date rolls around, you will have seen the first episode of Ted Lasso season three, too — and likely be even more eager to get as close as you can to slipping into the show. And if you strike it lucky with the reservation and want to go all Beard After Hours while you're at The Crown & Anchor, that's up to you. For more information about The Crown & Anchor's listing on Airbnb, or to apply to book at 5am AEDT / 4am AEST / 7am NZDT on Wednesday, March 22, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Henry Woide. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
When Australian wine festival Pinot Palooza does the rounds each year, it's heaven for fans of the type of vino that's in its name. When dairy fest Mould pops up, cheese dreams are indeed made of this. The two initially ran as separate events, but that's been changing in some Australian cities in recent years. In 2025, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth are on that list, getting the Mould x Pinot Palooza experience. It's a wine fest. It's a cheese fest, too. It's a celebration of an iconic pairing, clearly. Brisbane is hosting the first festival of the year, across three days in May at the RNA Showgrounds. Then, come winter, Melbourne gets a two-day stint in July at the Royal Exhibition Building, before it's Perth's turn for three days at Claremont Showgrounds in August. On the vino side, being spoilt for choice can be overrated. Sometimes, like when deciding which wine varieties you feel like at any given moment, it's easier to have someone else do the picking for you. With that in mind, Pinot Palooza goes all in on pinot noir — and here, the sound of a light- to medium-bodied red wine sloshing around a glass is the standard soundtrack. For cheese fiends, imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine a wide array of different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? Yes — it isn't just a cheesy fantasy. Bringing Pinot Palooza and Mould together is both a stroke of genius and the result of the two events both being organised by the same company. Revel first starting clinking glasses filled with pinot noir in 2012, then turned its attention to cheese, cheese and more cheese in 2017. The full lineup of folks that'll be letting you sample their wares hasn't yet been revealed, but it will include Innocent Bystander, Vinteloper, Yering Station, Meadowbank Wines, Charteris Wines and Howard Vineyards on the wine front, plus Milawa Cheese and Bruny Island among the cheesemongers — and Bee One Third honey and Women's Work relishes, too. And yes, your $59 ticket still includes unlimited tastings at the fest's featured stalls. You'll also get a free cooler bag, wine glass and tote. "Mould x Pinot Palooza is the ultimate celebration of two of life's greatest pleasures — cheese and wine. This year, we're bringing together Australia's best artisan cheesemakers alongside a stellar lineup of pinot noir producers from Australia, New Zealand and beyond. It's a chance for food and wine lovers to immerse themselves in the incredible diversity of local cheese and world-class pinot," said Jessica Audas, Head of Revel. "More than just a tasting experience, this event is about discovering the magic of perfect pairings — where the right cheese and pinot can elevate each other in unexpected and unforgettable ways." Mould x Pinot Palooza 2025 Dates: Friday, May 23–Sunday, May 25: John Reid Pavilion, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane — Friday (5–9pm), Saturday (11am–3pm and 4–8pm), Sunday (11–3pm) Friday, July 4–Saturday, July 5 — Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne — Friday (5–9pm), Saturday (11am–3pm and 4–8pm), Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 10: Silver Jubilee Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds, Perth — Friday (5–9pm), Saturday (11am–3pm and 4–8pm), Sunday (11–3pm) Mould x Pinot Palooza is touring Australia between May–August 2025. For more information, and for tickets, head to the Mould and Pinot Palooza websites. Select Mould images: Dexter Kim.
Drive two hours northwest of Melbourne and you'll arrive in the town of Lexton. Perched in Victoria's Pyrenees region, this tiny township is surrounded by outstanding wineries and outdoor adventures, ensuring a visit here will be jam-packed with unforgettable experiences that'll live long in the memory. Whether you prefer to roam grand pictorial gardens or scale the Pyrenees mountains, finding the experience you crave is almost guaranteed. To give you a head start, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to highlight the activities that'll keep the good times flowing for you and your crew on your next out-of-town adventure. [caption id="attachment_846008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] STAY IN A CONVERTED CHURCH Considering the immense beauty of Victoria's Pyrenees, booking yourself into some suitably snug accommodation is the best way to spend the night. Arguably the top spot in the area is Grayling's Gift, an immaculate 19th century church rejuvenated with luxurious furnishings and amenities. Inside, the antique decor includes an elegant clawfoot bathtub, a vintage chesterfield lounge and a wood fireplace that elevates the cosiness factor to the extreme. While breakfast is provided during your stay, there's also a compact kitchen to use — we suggest using it to put together a grazing platter with local produce to enjoy during a star-gazing session in the expansive fields on your doorstep. [caption id="attachment_844023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TREK THROUGH THE RAINFOREST Situated on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, Lexton is home to mind-boggling natural beauty. To experience the variety of landscapes in one place, a 30-minute drive to Mount Buangor State Park is your best bet. With its 15 kilometres of interconnected trails, this is the place to explore mountain peaks or delve deeper into the valley floor. If you're looking for a low-intensity hike, the Waterfalls Nature Walk trail should be at the top of your to-do list. Taking just 45 minutes to complete, this return journey sees hikers wander through blue gum forests on their way past three waterfalls, including the stunning Ferntree Falls and the Cascade Falls. [caption id="attachment_844026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE WINE COUNTRY It might seem a little on the nose, but this part of Victoria does indeed get its name from the Pyrenees region stretching between France and Spain. Our Pyrenees wine region dates back to the 1960s, so expect your visit to this thriving food and wine country to be overflowing with delicious flavours. More than 40 cellar doors provide ample opportunity to sample the local varieties, and Blue Pyrenees Estate is considered one of the best. Head to this sprawling estate on the outskirts of Avoca for tasting tours and a refined cafe that overlooks the vineyard. In nearby Moonambel, Summerfield Wines offers an equally delectable experience, featuring world-class vino and woodfired pizzas. ROAM HISTORICAL GARDENS AND HARVEST FRESH PRODUCE Despite its location in the heart of the Goldfields region, Lexton didn't quite have the same luck as its neighbours when it came to buried treasure. However, that didn't stop several great estates from being established in the area. For example, the Mount Mitchell Homestead serves as a lasting symbol of Victoria's pre-federation history. Founded in 1838, this sprawling home offers ten acres of pristine gardens from which to admire the Pyrenees Mountains that rise to the west. Stop in to stroll through the beautiful gardens and working farm, where you can pick up fresh produce like eggs from the resident hens, catch yabbies and fish from the property's lake and pick your own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from the orchard and kitchen garden. [caption id="attachment_844028" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt (Flickr)[/caption] HIT UP PARMA PALACE When you roll into any country town, a good pub meal is often one of the first things to seek out. Lexton's Pyrenees Family Hotel isn't afraid to put its reputation on the line, with the self-appointed nickname of the 'Parma Palace'. There are 12 plate-sized varieties of the pub classic to choose from here, with each one bound to leave you very satisfied. The pub also features the hallmarks of any classic country pub: there's a top-notch beer garden where you can enjoy a crisp lager beneath the shade of a mulberry tree, a pool room and jukebox. Plus, if you stop by on a Friday night you can even try your luck at winning a meat tray. [caption id="attachment_844031" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TEST YOUR BUSHWALKING SKILLS There's stellar bushwalking to be found all over the Pyrenees region, but you can quickly access some of the best with a short drive to Beaufort. Here, you'll find the challenging Ben Nevis Walk – a 9.6-kilometre circuit that kicks off with a seriously steep climb up an old 4WD track. As the terrain levels out, you'll have the energy to admire the wildflowers and panoramic views that adorn this landscape. Although this adventure will definitely put even the fittest bushwalkers through their paces, the views from the peak make this journey supremely worthwhile. [caption id="attachment_844032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Francesco Vicenzi (Flickr)[/caption] EXPERIENCE A NEXT-LEVEL BUSH DOOF Bush doofs don't come much bigger, or more colourful, than the annual Rainbow Serpent Festival. Launched in 1998 in the dusty fields surrounding Lexton, this hedonistic playground presents a global showcase of electronic music, ranging from psytrance to minimal techno. With the pandemic and bushfires quashing recent years, a return is on the cards for Easter 2023. Alongside the mind-melting tunes and sparkling outfits, the festival invites you to explore your spiritual side through immersive art installations, workshops and otherworldly experiences. If that sounds up your alley, get your pals together for a metaphysical reawakening. Just be sure to take a few days off to guarantee your recovery. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Elliot Kramer
Two icons of Australian creativity will combine in the country's newest opera, which sees Opera Australia take on the life of famous Aussie artist Brett Whiteley. Called Whiteley, the production will come to the Sydney Opera House across July 15–30, 2019, exploring and honouring not only the celebrated, two-time Archibald Prize-winning painter, but his wife and muse Wendy. And, as well as turning their tale into a song-filled drama, the opera will feature a digital backdrop that'll incorporate the artist's iconic pieces onto huge LED screens. The set design will be Dan Potra's domain — and if you saw any of the Handa Opera shows on Sydney Harbour, or even just saw pictures, then you'll know you're in for a visual treat. As for the rest of the talent behind this take on an Aussie talent, it'll be directed by David Freeman, with music composed by Elena Kats-Chernin and libretto by Justin Fleming. The opera will mark the second time that Whiteley's story and works have made the jump to another medium in just a few short years, following on from the 2017 documentary also called Whiteley — but so far, this latest effort is exclusive to Sydney as part of Opera Australia's packed 2019 season. While a slate of Melbourne productions have also been announced for next year, Whiteley isn't taking the trip down south yet. That means art fans should schedule a mid-year getaway, or cross their fingers that Whiteley will feature among the company's touring productions down the track. Whitely comes to the Sydney Opera House from July 15–30, 2019. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Opera Australia website. Image: Photo courtesy Brett Whiteley (Australia; England, b.1939, d.1992). Self portrait in the studio 1976. Oil, collage, hair on canvas, 200.5 x 259 cm. Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo credit: AGNSW, Chritopher Snee.
Since opening late in 2018, Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves precinct has continued to expand. The spot already boasts a riverfront brewery, an overwater bar and a sprawling Greek taverna, as well as an Art Series hotel with a rooftop pool, waterside Betty's Burgers, gelato joint, light-filled restaurant and just-opened Cantonese restaurant and bar — and now it's home to Jonathan Barthelmess' new two-level Japanese izakaya. First announced earlier this year and called Yoko Dining, this is restaurateur Barthelmess' second HSW venue. The new restaurant and bar sits next door to his existing Greca restaurant, and takes inspiration from his time spent in Tokyo, where his fine diner The Apollo is located. If you've ever visited the Japanese capital's izakaya and music bars, you'll be well prepared for Yoko Dining. Think tunes spun on vinyl, an upbeat vibe and a retro-yet-futuristic feel both in the downstairs restaurant and on Yoko's mezzanine level. The upper space also features a hidden bar and a dining space. Decor-wise, renowned interior architect George Livissianis has jazzed up the heritage building's original timber framework with bursts of yellow, concrete fixtures and blonde wood, plus an interesting lighting design, all while keeping to a box-style structure. In the kitchen, Kitak Lee leads the charge, with the head chef already a veteran of Barthelmess's Japanese joint in Sydney, Cho Cho San. A hibachi (a Japanese charcoal grill) sits pride of place in the kitchen, the seafood-heavy menu heroes smoky flavours, and there's a raw bar serving up fresh sashimi, tempura and seasonal gyoza. You'll also find noodles, tonkatsu, wagyu and charcoal chicken among the mains — and plus pork kakuni bossam, which is braised pork belly Japanese-style. As for dessert, choose between shaved ice kakigori, mochi, matcha and mango-flavoured soft serve, and a mille feuille slice made with yuzu and strawberry. As for drinks, prepare to sip your way through yuzu slushies, vodka-splashed iced teas, ten different types of sake, and a range of umeshu (plum wine), yuzushu (yuzu liqueur) and shochu. Japanese whiskeys, Japanese and Australian beers, and sodas with optional booze are also available — as is wine on tap and in bottles from a 100-strong list. Yoko Dining is now open at Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane — Monday–Friday from midday–late, and weekends from 11.30am–late.
First, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under sashayed its way Down Under. Now, the series that's been known as Drag Race Down Under since RuPaul handed over hosting duties to Michelle Visage for season four is sharing its talents with the world. Or, to be more accurate, Drag Race Down Under vs The World is welcoming queens from around the globe to compete against Drag Race Down Under favourites. Stan has announced that Drag Race Down Under vs The World is on its way — although there's no exact release date as yet. The streaming platform has also revealed that Visage, who has been involved in the Drag Race world as a judge since the third season of the OG RuPaul's Drag Race, is hosting. PLus, Rhys Nicholson is back on the judging panel, joined by season four's winner Lazy Susan. Whenever it hits, there'll be eight hour-long episodes of Drag Race Down Under vs The World, all pitting Down Under competitors from the four seasons so far of Drag Race Down Under against contenders from beyond Australia and New Zealand's shores. Viewers will also be tuning in for a show that's following in the footsteps of other Drag Race spinoffs such as UK vs The World and Canada vs The World. The drag queens at the centre of the series haven't yet been announced, either, and neither has the lineup of guest judges. "After four incredible seasons of Drag Race Down Under, we're delighted to bring back our Aussie drag fan-favourites and unleash them onto the world stage," said Michael Healy, Nine Entertainment's Executive Director, Entertainment Content Commissioning. "With a formidable and familiar panel, and the reigning queen Lazy Susan joining the esteemed judges' desk, Drag Race Down Under vs The World will showcase the extraordinary talent we have in Australia and give local audiences a front-row seat to watch our queens shine globally." Drag Race initially made the leap Down Under in 2021 — and if you've been watching since, it's time to start guessing which past queens will be making a comeback for Drag Race Down Under vs The World. Of course, there's no trailer yet for Drag Race Down Under vs The World, but check out clips from past seasons of Drag Race Down Under below: Drag Race Down Under vs The World doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Stan and TVNZ when it returns — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
How do you choose Australia's best beach from the country's 11,761 coastal locations? That's the enviable annual job of beach expert Brad Farmer AM. It might sound like one of the best gigs that there is, but it's also far from an easy decision given that there's so many places to pick from in this nation girt by sea. So for 2025, Farmer hasn't been able to select just one — he's opted to anoint a ten-kilometre stretch of beaches as the country's finest instead. You'll find the top spots for some beach time in 2025 along the Tasmanian coastline, at the Bay of Fires Conservation Reserve. Farmer has chosen an expanse across the site's southern portion as his pick for the year. In doing so, he's given his list a few firsts. [caption id="attachment_666210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Scott[/caption] Never before has Tasmania taken out top spot for Farmer's recommendations for sun-, sand- and surf-fuelled getaways for the year ahead. Bay of Fires earns the honour after Squeaky Beach in Victoria did the same in 2024 and South Australia's Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island achieved the feat in 2023. Other past winners include Misery Beach in Western Australia in 2022, Cabarita Beach in New South Wales in 2020, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy island in Far North Queensland in 2018 and Cossies Beach in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in the Indian Ocean, in 2017. Similarly making history: Farmer selecting a cluster of beaches over a single winner. "I spent plenty of time in Tasmania assessing the beaches and in the end there were so many incredible options I couldn't even settle on one, which is why, for the first time, I'm awarding the best beach to a cluster of neighbouring beach bays in the Bay of Fires," he advised. "They say the colder water is good for you, but even if you're not up for a refreshing dip there is still plenty to do and see along this ten-kilometre stretch of coast. It's a location made for photography or painting, fishing and surfing." [caption id="attachment_990475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liz McGinnes[/caption] As always, Farmer has spread the love across his top-ten list around the country. Woolgoolga in New South Wales came in second, then Emily Bay Lagoon on Norfolk Island placed third, Queensland's North Kirra Beach ranked fourth and Little Lagoon in Western Australia sits fifth. After that, South Australia's Fishery Bay earned sixth position, before Queensland, WA and NSW all pop up again — with 1770, Scarborough Beach and Caves Beach, respectively, in that order. Then, Victoria makes a showing thanks to Cowes Beach in tenth place. Situated on the Coffs Coast, Woolgoolga has notched up an impressive feat, too: its second-place ranking makes it Australia's best mainland beach and finished in second spot. Farmer has dubbed it "the quintessential Aussie beach destination". [caption id="attachment_990476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Norfolk Island Tourism[/caption] He's also badged Emily Bay Lagoon as "Australia's hidden gem in the South Pacific" and North Kirra on the Gold Coast as "Australia's best airport beach". The praise goes on; Shark Bay's Little Lagoon is "a unique oasis", Eyre Peninsula's Fishery Bay is recognised for its sacred First Nations connections and 1770 near Agnes Waters is highlighted for being "a beautiful Queensland inlet shoreline environment". Perth's Scarborough Beach is "Australia's number-one integrated foreshore development", while Caves Beach in Lake Macquarie has the best caves and rock pools to explore, and Cowes Beach on Phillip Island earns affection for its lack of pretence. [caption id="attachment_990477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] www.coastalreflections.com.au[/caption] "Every beach which makes the list is a winner and this year really highlights the incredible diversity of the beach offerings we have here in Australia. It really is like nowhere else in the world. In 2025 we recognise beaches of all shapes and sizes right around the country," he continues. Farmer might've unveiled his picks with less than a month left of summer 2024–25, but you still know what to do from here: start making holiday plans that involve a splash. For Aussies in most states, there's a site on the list in your own backyard. And if there isn't or you're just keen on heading further afield for a gorgeous beach trip, you have options. [caption id="attachment_990478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @theultimateaus Chris Bulloch[/caption] The Top Ten Best Australian Beaches for 2025 1. Bay of Fires, Tasmania 2. Woolgoolga, New South Wales 3. Emily Bay Lagoon, Norfolk Island 4. North Kirra Beach, Queensland 5. Little Lagoon, Western Australia 6. Fishery Bay, South Australia 7. 1770, Queensland 8. Scarborough Beach, Western Australia 9. Caves Beach, New South Wales 10. Cowes Beach, Victoria [caption id="attachment_990479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Serio Photography[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] londonerinsydney.com[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Will Wardle Media[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake Macquarie City[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] www.coastalreflections.com.au[/caption] For more of Brad Farmer's beach tips, head to his Best Australian Beaches website. Top image: Will Wardle Media. 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.
For the past decade, personal health has become a paradox. Never have people exercised more, tracked more, supplemented more or optimised more and yet uncertainty has never been higher. Protein intake is debated daily. Sleep protocols multiply. Longevity routines proliferate. People are trying. Consistently. But largely without visibility. This is the cultural gap Everlab is built to address, not as another wellness brand promising better habits, but as a fundamentally different way of approaching health: calm, preventative and data-led. Their premise is simple, most people aren't failing their health because of motivation. They're failing because they're guessing. The invisible years of health One of Everlab's central ideas is that longevity doesn't begin later in life, it begins decades earlier, in the silent phase before symptoms. Most chronic conditions develop gradually and invisibly, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, hormonal decline, inflammatory disorders. For years, people can feel entirely fine while risk quietly accumulates. Traditional healthcare rarely intersects with this phase. It is designed for treatment, not early detection. Appointments are short. Testing is symptom-driven. Investigation begins once a problem is suspected. Everlab's model inverts that timeline. Rather than waiting for symptoms, the program maps health proactively through comprehensive diagnostics across cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal, immune and musculoskeletal systems, alongside imaging, advanced blood biomarkers and genetic insights. The aim is not diagnosis of illness. It is visibility into trajectory. Why guessing keeps people stuck Modern health culture offers abundant advice but little precision. People experiment with supplements, diets, training plans, and recovery tools. When results plateau, motivation is often blamed, discipline, consistency, adherence. Everlab reframes this entirely. Without biomarker insight, health decisions become trial-and-error. Symptoms are lagging indicators. Fatigue, weight change or poor recovery often appear only after underlying physiology has shifted. The company's position is that most people are not under-committed; they are under-informed. Through advanced blood panels screening hundreds of biomarkers, physiological testing and longitudinal tracking, Everlab attempts to replace guesswork with clarity — identifying which systems actually require attention, and which interventions are unnecessary. In this sense, the program is as much about subtraction as optimisation, reducing wasted effort, spend and misplaced focus. Beyond transactional healthcare Everlab also reflects a broader shift from episodic healthcare to continuous health management. Traditional models operate in snapshots, isolated tests, individual appointments, fragmented records. Preventative health requires continuity: baseline, monitoring, retesting, adjustment. Everlab structures this as an ongoing cycle. Members build a comprehensive baseline integrating historical records, advanced diagnostics and imaging. Results are reviewed by a multidisciplinary care team including longevity physicians and nutrition specialists. A personalised protocol is created across lifestyle, supplementation and, where clinically indicated, medication. Biomarkers are then tracked over time, typically at six- and twelve-month intervals, allowing physiological change to be measured rather than assumed. A digital platform consolidates results and trends into a longitudinal health record. Data-led prevention Everlab arrives as health culture itself matures. The early wellness era emphasised motivation. The optimisation era emphasised performance. The emerging phase emphasises measurement and prevention. In this model, biomarkers become the organising principle of decision-making. They allow risks to be identified years before symptoms, interventions to be personalised to physiology rather than averages, and progress to be measured rather than guessed. Everlab frames this shift succinctly: health decisions should be guided by data, not trends. A framework, not a fix Notably, Everlab avoids positioning itself as a quick-outcome wellness product. Its language is structural: baseline, diagnostics, monitoring, optimisation. This reflects its deeper claim, that prevention is not an intervention but a framework. The company reports that a meaningful proportion of members discover previously unknown health risks through testing, reinforcing its central thesis: feeling well does not necessarily mean being physiologically optimal. The opportunity lies in the gap between the two. Stop guessing Everlab's relevance lies less in any individual test than in the question it poses to modern health behaviour, what if the problem isn't effort, but visibility? In a category saturated with motivation and optimisation narratives, Everlab positions itself differently, as a rational infrastructure for prevention grounded in biomarkers and longitudinal data. A calm voice in a noisy space.And a reframing that may define the next phase of personal health. Stop guessing. Start knowing. To start a deep dive into your health journey visit Everlab to explore a framework suited to your needs.
Since its debut in 2022, Always Live has quickly become a loud and proud voice for sharing everything great about contemporary music and highlighting outstanding venues from Geelong to Gippsland and Ballarat to Bendigo. The stage is set for a 2024 return, with a huge range of artists set to hit venues all over Victoria from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, December 8. Leading the program is the Australian debut of genre-defying performer and artist Anyma, who's fresh off a record-sold-out six-show residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. Accordingly, the largest screen in the southern hemisphere will be set up for the show at Flemington Racecourse. [caption id="attachment_969884" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] Other headline acts include Californian punk rock group The Offspring, who are bringing their famous punk energy to the stage for a one-night-only show. Tina Arena will perform at Mornington Racecourse in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her breakout album Don't Ask. Meanwhile, Victorian-based singer Missy Higgins will conclude her national tour with a show at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. A massive LGBTQIA+ party is kicking off in Port Melbourne, headlined by Irish artist Roísín Murphy alongside a set of global and local artists alike. Rockers St Vincent will hit two classic venues: Palais Theatre in St Kilda and Her Majesty's Theatre in Ballarat before returning to Melbourne for 'An Intimate Audience with St Vincent'. This one-of-a-kind show is a half-concert, half-dining experience and takes place in The Aviary, Crown Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_969882" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Simon Fazio[/caption] The program truly goes on and on and on, with shows from Chet Faker, Jack White, Baker Boy, The Rions and many, many more. You'd best start preparing a plan to hit as many shows as possible. Always Live 2024 runs from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, December 8, at venues across Victoria. For more information and to book tickets, visit the website.
If Fisher could pick anywhere to put on a massive beachside dance party-slash-music festival, where would he choose? The Gold Coast DJ — and former pro surfer, too — went with his hometown when he started OUT 2 LUNCH, of course. When it debuted in 2024, giving Australia its biggest beach party ever, the event sold out within minutes. For the fest's return in 2025, it's unsurprisingly scaling up. While the first-ever OUT 2 LUNCH took place at Coolangatta Beach and welcomed 30,000 attendees, the second fest is taking over to Surfers Paradise Beach instead — and hosting 40,000-plus music lovers this time around. The dates for your diary: Saturday, May 3–Sunday, May 4. If you're a Queenslander, you'll be excited to know that the festival falls on the Labour Day long weekend. On the lineup, the man behind the fest is on headline duties on both nights at what's set to be the Gold Coast's biggest-ever dance party, with plenty of company from a mix of international names and local acts. Chris Lake, DJ Boring, Little Fritter and Shimmy will also hop behind the decks on the Saturday, while Hayden James, Patrick Topping, Noizu and Jake Smith are set to do the same on the Sunday. Keen to seem them all, including Fisher twice? Two-day tickets are available. If you can only make it on either the Saturday or the Sunday, so are single-day passes. "OUT 2 LUNCH Festival is back this May for the second year running and I can't wait to do it all again!! We've got a great lineup and there's no better place than Surfers Paradise to have a beach bash. Aussies just love a party and I'm ready to put it on for you," said Fisher, announcing the 2025 lineup. Heading along, whether you're a local or travelling from interstate — which plenty did in 2024, resulting in $50 million being injected into the local economy — means helping a great cause, too. Last year, OUT 2 LUNCH raised money for the Starlight Foundation and The Pink Elephants Support Network. This year, it's donating $1 per ticket sold to the Make a Wish Foundation. OUT 2 LUNCH Festival 2025 Lineup Saturday, May 3 Fisher Hayden James Patrick Topping Noizu Jake Smith Sunday, May 4 Fisher Chris Lake DJ Boring Little Fritter Shimmy [caption id="attachment_992031" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Ghnassia[/caption] OUT 2 LUNCH Festival is returning for 2025 across Saturday, May 3–Sunday, May 4 at Surfers Paradise Beach on the Gold Coast — with ticket presales from 9am AEST on Tuesday, February 25 and general sales from 1pm AEST on Wednesday, February 26. Head to the event's website for more details. OUT 2 LUNCH Festival images: tommynortz.
It's called a cabinet of curiosities and, once you walk inside The Inchcolm by Ovolo in Spring Hill, the L-shaped glass counter filled with all kinds of knickknacks will definitely pique your interest. Maybe your eyes will be drawn to the Etch A Sketch, the plate with John Lennon's face on it, the bowling pin and the cassette tape. Or, you could instantly scope out the mannequin head, the Polaroid camera or the Elvis Presley box set. Either way, the cabinet is quite the centrepiece — and conversation piece, too. The gleaming piece of furniture has been part of the The Inchcolm since 2018, when the now century plus-old site was first taken over by the Ovolo hotel chain. Now, it remains after the venue's latest revamp. Visually, not too much has changed, but Ovolo has altered a few names here and there, and also shifted the focus of its entryway bar setup. The Inchcolm by Ovolo is actually the hotel's new moniker, and it's the first 'by Ovolo' site in Australia. As for the bar, the space formerly known as Salon de Co is now called The Inchcolm Bar. If you're not staying on the premises, it's the latter that's the main drawcard — and it has ditched its sit-down restaurant in favour of a boutique bar and bistro vibe. Its inspiration: Bar Marmont at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont. In other words, the theme here is retro glamour, all in keeping with the buildings old-school heritage. Or, as Dave Baswal, Ovolo Group Managing Director ANZ, explains, "think a 1920s Paris salon where Gertrude, Ernest and Pablo would comfortably rub shoulders while sharing trailblazing ideas." Yes, he's talking about Stein, Hemingway and Picasso. If you visited The Inchcolm before the change of focus, you'll still recognise the velvet furnishings, dark-hued colour scheme, mood lighting and eye-catching floral wallpaper. Now it all adorns a space that's both a bar and a bistro in one. So, you can sit back and sip martinis — there's 11 different types on the menu, and the five signature versions cost just $12 during the daily martini hour from 5.30–6.30pm — or you can choose from an all-day dining lineup between Tuesday–Saturday. Food options include cheeseboards, charcuterie, escargot, steak tartare, caviar and oysters to nibble on — plus steak frites, gnocchi, southern fried chicken and burgers for something more substantial. Three kinds of toasties, including one with three cheeses, are also on offer, as is tiramisu, mud cake and creme caramel for dessert. If you're after something to drink other than martinis, the wine list spans seven pages, while the spirits offering runs over five. And, if you'd like to combine your visit with an overnight stay, The Inchcolm by Ovolo is dog-friendly, and features a complimentary sweets bar.
Confession time: when was the last time you ducked down for a swim at South Bank? Tourists travel from all over the world to marvel at this inner city man-made beach, but locals often forget that we have such a stunning stretch of sand at our fingertips. Monday blues got you desperate for an escape from the urban grind? Streets Beach has enjoyed a recent makeover, with the spruced-up pools the ideal spot for a few lazy mid-week laps. Image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
UPDATE, JULY 30, 2020: Sundays on the Law was due to run each week until Sunday, August 30; however it will no longer go ahead. This article has been updated accordingly. When the sun is shining in Brisbane, claiming a patch of grass, stretching out and enjoying a bite to eat is one of the best things that you can do. That's most of the time in this fair city of ours — and, if you're looking for a place to relax on a Sunday afternoon, Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn is awaiting. Combine the historic riverside spot with food trucks and live jazz, and you have Powerhouse's Sundays on the Lawn series. It takes over the venue's front turf from 1–4pm each Sunday. The laidback kind of afternoon hangout we all need every now and then (or maybe even more often), it's the type of event to bring your best picnic blanket to, plus your mates and some cash for something to eat and drink — and then let the event take care of the rest. Food-wise, expect an array of Brissie's best trucks serving the likes of wood-fired pizza, burgers, lemon meringue doughnuts and gelato. And, when it comes to the jazzy tunes, the folks from the Jazz Music Institute will be doing the honours. Sundays on the Lawn takes place on the Brisbane Powerhouse Performance Lawn each Sunday from 1–4pm. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy a blast from the past, but stepping inside a museum is one of the most reliable. Head to the Australian Museum in Sydney right now and a trip back to Peru more than 3000 years ago awaits. For its big summer exhibition for 2024–25, the venue is hosting the Aussie-exclusive season of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, displaying 134 priceless artefacts including the most-opulent collection of Andean gold that's ever left the South American nation. Move over Egypt: after the Harbour City institution dedicated the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 to Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, it's now time to wrap up one year and kick off another with a different journey backwards. Featuring jewels, masks and other treasures, some of which were found in royal tombs, this historical showcase hails from Peru's Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon. To make the exhibition's six-month stay even more immersive, a virtual-reality tour of Machu Picchu is also part of the experience (albeit at an extra fee). Six cultures are in the spotlight: Chavín, Moche, Chimú, Nazca, Lambayeque and Inca. The array of items is also organised into six themes, taking attendees through ancient Peruvian societies' beginnings, religious beliefs and traditions, and the power wielded by royalty. Trade, agriculture, and Spanish conquistadors forcing their decline: they're covered as well. Sometimes, visitors will peer at gleaming body ornaments. Sometimes, rare ceramics await. From textiles to ceremonial tools, plus bowls to statuettes, the collection is wide-ranging — including in pairing earthy pottery tones with shining gems and metals (as well as gold, silver and gilded copper also feature). As for the VR, this highlight of the program is the first-ever virtual-reality 'fly-through' of the famous site, which won Best Use of VR at the Lumiere Awards. The experience will get you feeling as if you've been transported both back in time and to the other side of the world — not just via VR, but also 360-degree motion chairs and drone footage. The vision featured was recorded at the World Heritage-listed site when Machu Picchu was closed to visitors during the early days of the pandemic. Sydney is just the fourth place in the world to welcome Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, after the exhibition's stops in Boca Raton in the US, Paris in France and Milan in Italy. "Full of mystery and culture dating back over 14,000 years, Peru is a stunning land of deserts etched with ancient geoglyphs shown in the Nazca Lines, soaring peaks harbouring secret cities like Machu Picchu and awe-inspiring landscapes" said Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay, opening Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. "We invite visitors to uncover the extraordinary legacy of ancient Peru, by visiting Machu Picchu and The Golden Empires of Peru exclusively here in Sydney. It is a cultural experience right at the top of everyone's travel bucket list." Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru opened at the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney on Saturday, November 23, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details and tickets. Images: Cain Cooper.
Music is about more than just a great tune — it also has the power to inform and inspire action. That's the idea behind the Environmental Music Prize — a $20,000 prize launched in 2022 awarded to artists exploring ideas around sustainability and conservation in their music. With voting open until Sunday, December 14, the public is invited to have their say on the tracks that get them reflecting on the importance of nature. Just choose three choice tunes and share them with your pals to help spread the word about music that speaks to the kind of world we want to live in. [caption id="attachment_1052482" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Debbie Hickey/Getty Images[/caption] "Music reminds us of what's at stake, but it also gives us hope," says Prize Founder Edwina Floch. "These songs capture the beauty of nature, the spirit of Country and the resilience of communities rising to protect it. Together, they form a powerful soundtrack for now." With the 30 finalist songs now revealed, each is jam-packed with lyrical meaning and taken to even greater heights with evocative music videos. Think King Stingray's Through the Trees, Angie McMahon's Mother Nature or DOBBY's Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya, alongside dozens more. "Music connects where other messages can't," explains Floch. "By voting and sharing these songs, fans can help amplify the voices of artists shaping a more sustainable culture, because change begins in the stories we tell and the songs we sing." With this year's prize announced on Wednesday, December 17, the highest voted artist will join much-loved past winners like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Xavier Rudd. Both donated the money to grassroots conservation initiatives, giving even more meaning to their songwriting prowess. Voting for the 2025 Environmental Music Prize closes on Sunday, December 14. Head to the website for more information.
UPDATE, March 14, 2022: After a three-week closure due to Brisbane's floods, the Gallery of Modern Art will reopen — and APT10 Cinema as well — on Friday, March 18. Whenever the Gallery of Modern Art welcomes in a new exhibition, there's always two things to get excited about. The first is all that art gracing the South Bank venue's cavernous halls, obviously. The second: whatever film program GOMA's Australian Cinematheque team has whipped up to go along with it. With both the Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA currently playing host to the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, both galleries are overflowing with pieces to see — and the Australian Cinematheque has not one, not two, but three movie lineups to match. They're each free, too, so this trip into a darkened theatre is mighty nice on the wallet. All running from Friday, December 4–Monday, April 25, but screening on various times and dates (usually Friday–Sunday each week), the program includes The Magic Arts, a showcase of Australian animation from the 70s till now; Under the Radar, which is all about the best and brightest new flicks from around the Asia-Pacific; and Australian Next Wave, a lineup of Aussie up-and-comers. Animation highlights include Dot and the Kangaroo, which everyone has seen at least once at primary school; the delightful award-winning Mary and Max; and Babe: Pig in the City, because it's a stone-cold Aussie classic. From the Asia-Pacific haul, standouts span revisionist western My Sweet Pepperland, festival favourite Wolf and Sheep and anthology film Vai, which hails from nine female Pacific filmmakers. Or, among the locals making new waves, there's horror anthology Dark Place, exceptional Adam Cullen-focused drama Acute Misfortune, the Ukraine-set A Family and moving doco-drama hybrid Island of the Hungry Ghosts.
This Mother's Day at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, you and the maternal influence in your life can think, drink and eat pink. Across Friday, May 9–Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Pretty in Pink Mother's Day High Tea is back, complete with small bites and hot beverages — plus a cocktail or some champagne if you like. Forget lunch, because you'll need to head by between 11am–3pm, which is when everything from red velvet cupcakes with rose petals and raspberry opera cake with ruby pearls to mac 'n' cheese croquettes and shredded chipotle chicken on brioche are on the menu. This is an interactive event, getting you playing with your food — yes, literally. For the Pretty in Pink theming, you'll decorate your own vanilla buttercream cake before you eat it. The icing is coloured pink, obviously. W Brisbane's high teas whip up a signature cocktail for the occasion as well, this time using gin, raspberry cordial, lychee liqueur, lavender, honey and lime juice. You'll pay $130 per person for the food, plus endless tea and barista-made coffee, one cocktail (or mocktail or glass of champagne) and a gift for mum. Extra cocktails cost $25.
Stephen King's literary output contains multitudes. Horror, which the author has been best-known for since his 1974 debut Carrie, is just one genre on his bibliography. Accordingly, a life-affirming tale about the fact that we all also contain multitudes — Walt Whitman's poem Song of Myself is naturally quoted — isn't a surprise from the writer. Filmmaker Mike Flanagan bringing King's novella The Life of Chuck to the big screen might've been less expected, though, if the director behind recent TV must-sees The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher wasn't again exploring characters not initially appreciating, then slowly dawning upon the fact, that the choices they're making aren't necessarily ones that are making them happy. Flanagan has adapted King's work before, first with 2017 film Gerald's Game, then with 2019 The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep. Neither was a fantasy/drama that celebrates life's wonders and small joys — and just relishing existing for the time that we each have in general — however. That's The Life of Chuck through and through, with Flanagan's characteristically perceptive version of the King story that was first published in 2020 compilation If It Bleeds proving one of the most-heartwarming viewing experiences of 2025. Consider the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival's People's Choice Award-winner if not an antidote then a helpful reminder whenever minor annoyances blight your days: this picture understands that revelling in the delights, not the dramas, is a more-fulfilling mindset. Being a part of the film's cast was an instant yes for Karen Gillan (Douglas Is Cancelled), who initially starred in Oculus for Flanagan. The 2013 horror movie brought the Scottish actor to the US before playing Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and rolling the dice in the Jumanji franchise joined her resume. And yes, The Life of Chuck immediately stood out, she tells Concrete Playground. More than that, the picture's thoughtful examination of relishing tiny, everyday wins and treasures, and discovering what and who truly light up your life, is "such an interesting thing to dive into just as a human being," Gillan advises. "It's a great question to ask yourself." "I found myself asking myself this in preparation for the film, and after having watched the whole film. I asked myself 'how am I spending my precious time on this planet in the way that I want to?' and 'am I doing the things that make me truly happy?'. And 'if it were to all end tomorrow, what would I go and do that I've been too scared to do?'. And it was such an interesting way to reflect on how I'm living my life. So I just found it really moving on just a human level." [caption id="attachment_1017401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amy Sussman/Getty Images[/caption] In The Life of Chuck, Tom Hiddleston (Loki) portrays the titular character, as do Jacob Tremblay (Queen of Bones), Benjamin Pajak (Honeypot KK) and debutant Cody Flanagan at various stages, all as the flick steps through its namesake's existence in reverse. The movie begins as the end of days approaches, with society crumbling with it. Think: the internet disappearing forever, the sea enveloping cities, ordinary routines proving pointless and the hospital where Felicia Gordon, Gillan's character, works being inundated with those unsurprisingly unable to face the fast-ticking clock put on everything they know. Confusion reigns, including about a particular new development that Felicia's schoolteacher ex Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy) also notices: TV and billboard advertisements filled with Charles Katz's image and thanking him for his "39 years of service", and radio ads as well. While there's nothing like being forced to confront your mortality to spark a reassessment of what's important in life, who matters, and how you want to spend the time that you have and direct your energy towards, that idea echoes in The Life of Chuck's following chapters, where nothing apocalyptic lingers in the narrative's timeline. And, it buzzes and hums in a movie that is anything but standard in digging into a concept that is no stranger to the screen. Spontaneously answering the call to dance, developing and embracing your passions, carving out time for life's pleasures where you can, treasuring your loved ones: in a picture also featuring Mark Hamill (The Sandman) as Chuck's grandmother and giving Ferris Bueller's Day Off great Mia Sara (Dorothy and the Witches of Oz) a rare screen part as his grandmother, these moments and realisations are essential. Everyone from Annalise Basso (Blind River), David Dastmalchian (Murderbot), Harvey Guillén (Companion) and Matthew Lillard (Five Nights at Freddy's) to experienced Flanagan cast members such as Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan and Carl Lumbly (all most recently in his The Fall of the House of Usher), plus also Violet McGraw (Doctor Sleep), similarly get their time to shine in The Life of Chuck. Gillan receiving hers also added to her parts beyond Guardians of the Galaxy and MCU fare — to a filmography already overflowing with them, of course, going back to her first on-screen role in Rebus; then to The Kevin Bishop Show, The Well, playing Amy Pond on Doctor Who and more in the UK; and also the Jumanji films, NTSF:SD:SUV, Selfie, 7 Days in Hell, In a Valley of Violence, Gunpowder Milkshake, Dual, Late Bloomers, her feature directorial debut The Party's Just Beginning and other titles since. It is indeed refreshing when Gillian isn't donning the Nebula makeup for a role. "I would say that the biggest difference is that I just kind of feel like I'm at the spa every morning when I'm not in the Nebula makeup. Because the Nebula makeup is intense. And it's so cool and it's so worth it, but they've got the scalpels and stuff. It's not one of those spa-like experiences. And then any other job, it just feels so luxurious in comparison," she shares. "So I love playing Nebula, but it is really nice to just have a normal face." We also spoke with Gillian about reteaming with Flanagan, playing someone trying to look after everyone else as the world disintegrates, fleshing out a complicated relationship alongside Ejiofor in their brief screentime together and The Life of Chuck as a source of inspiration — and also being a King fan starring in a King movie, swinging from big franchises to more-intimate projects and the film's feeling of quiet urgency, among other topics. On the Unique Prospect of a Film That Celebrates Life and Its Wonders, the Multitudes That We All Contain and Treasuring the Small Moments "The script completely stood out to me. So I've worked with Mike Flanagan before, on a movie called Oculus. He's actually the whole reason that I moved from Scotland to America. And so it was one of my first roles in Hollywood. So when I got the call for this project, I was ready to sign up having not even read the script because I was so excited about working with him again. And I love all the Stephen King adaptations that I've seen. So it was a bit of a no-brainer. But when I actually read this script, it was like 'this is like nothing else I've ever read before'. It's so unique — even just the structure of it. It's told in reverse and the whole first chapter is the end of everything, and then you learn that that's all a metaphor for one man's life, Chuck. And it was just such a beautiful exploration into an ordinary man's life, and really focusing on those smaller moments that don't usually get screentime in movies — and showing the beauty of those moments." On What Excited Gillan About Stepping Into Felicia's Shoes "There were so many things about the character that I thought was really interesting. I really was intrigued by the fact that she had taken on this caretaker position in everyone's lives around her. And I kind of filled in a whole backstory as to why that would be the case — because it's not really explored so much in the short story or the film. But it was a really interesting character to dive into, because she's this real caretaker-type, and you can see that in her relationship with her ex-husband Marty. But then we throw her into the end of the universe, the end of everything, and you can just see how much she's still trying to fulfil that position and keep everybody going — and maintain optimism when everyone is just giving up around her. And I thought that was such a beautiful character trait." On Fleshing Out a Complicated Relationship Alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor in Their Brief Amount of Screentime Together "We didn't actually do so much reading the scenes with each other or anything like that. We just spoke and had conversations, and we did that both separately with Mike Flanagan to really flesh out characters and backstories, and then talked together. But the first thing that we ever shot together was the long phone call scene, and it was his side of the phone. So we made sure that we were present for each other — and so I hid in a bedroom upstairs and would just call him on the phone, and then we would film his side of the scene. So I was just in some random person's bed in the house, no one else was there in the house that we were in, just kind of talking to him on the phone. And that brought such a sense of authenticity to the whole thing. And then he did the same thing for me when I filmed my side of the conversation. What was nice about that was having not done it over and over again prior to that — like, the first time he properly heard that scene would have been through the telephone." On If a Film About Life's Quiet Wonders and Being the Centre of Your Own Universe Gets You Thinking About Those Ideas in Your Own Life "Yeah, it's so true. And this film really reminded me of that. And I found myself being really filled with gratitude for all the little things that sometimes you can take for granted. And yeah, I think honestly, it was just such an existential experience watching the film when it was all finished. I came away from it crying, but they were happy tears. And I just think that's so rare that film does that to its audience." On the Film's Tonal Balance — Proving Heartfelt and Sweet, But Also Clear-Eyed About the Truth That Life Is Fragile and We're All Only Here for a Short Amount of Time "I think you just have to trust Mike. He has it. And all I really tend to do is just try to approach each scene from the most-truthful place possible — and ask myself the question 'how would I genuinely feel if this was happening?'. And then what I do is I think of a time when I genuinely felt that emotion, and try to access it so that I don't really have to act — if that makes any sense — because I'm generally feeling something. And that's all I'm focused on. I'm not necessarily like 'how does this fit into the bigger picture?'. I think that, for me, is the director's job, and I'm just there to bring some authenticity and to genuinely feel things." On Starring in a Stephen King Adaptation When The Shining Is One of Your Favourite Films "I know — a non-horror one, which feels even more rare and unique. It was just mindbending. I'm like 'what? I'm in a Stephen King thing?'. That just seems like, to me, as big as it gets. And actually he loved the film, which was so cool — because I know that he wasn't a fan of The Shining, and he loved The Life of Chuck. And I got to meet him, and he came and supported the film, and came to the premiere at the Toronto Film Festival — and I met him and I was pregnant, and he told me to have a good one, and I'm never going to forget that." On the History Among the Cast and Crew of The Life of Chuck — and Not Just Gillan and Mike Flanagan's History Together "So I had such a good time on Oculus. Really, that's one of the best experiences I've ever had on a film. And then I found myself really wanting to have that experience again. Because I visited set, I visited Mike when he was filming The Haunting of Hill House, the series. And I was looking around and I saw all the same crew members as Oculus, and I was like 'I want to do this again'. And I was like 'put me in something'. And then he did. And it's The Life of Chuck. And it was just so great to reteam with him and see how he's evolved, and actually how he's exactly the same — which is mainly how I experienced it. He hasn't changed that much, even though his career has gone into the stratosphere. He's still the same old Mike. But he has evolved in ways as a filmmaker, and that's really cool to see. I just loved it. I had the best time." On the Ease That Comes with Repeat Director Collaborations "Definitely. It's just like any person that works with a new colleague or one that they've got a shorthand with. It's exactly that. You sort of have to feel each other, figure out each other's rhythms a little bit, get on the same frequency — and it's just so nice when you don't have to do that introductory period every single time. You can just dive back in. Some of the directors I've worked with have very distinctive ways of working, and sometimes you have to recalibrate and be like 'okay, so this director likes to give notes over a giant megaphone thing. This one is going to want me to improvise. This one's going to want me to stick to the script'. And so it's nice to just know what you're getting into again. And also they know how you work and can get the best out of you — because the best directors, in my opinion, are different directors to each actor, because each person needs something slightly different. And so it's nice when they really understand how I work as an actor." On the Impact That Working with Flanagan the First Time on Oculus Had on Gillan's Career "It really did bring me over to the States. It literally got me a visa to be able to stay in the States, which meant I was available for auditions and that's how I managed to have a career over in the States. So it just kickstarted everything for me. And it was a massive challenge for me as an actor to lead a film. I was young at the time and it was quite a demanding role. And so that made me have to level up and up my game. And so for my development as an actor, it really helped me get a lot better." [caption id="attachment_888782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.[/caption] On Being Able to Swing Between Big Franchises Such as Guardians of the Galaxy and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Plus the Jumanji Films, and More-Intimate Projects "That just feels like such a treat as an actress. I'm like 'that's so great to not be completely pigeonholed, and to get to do projects of all different sizes and genres'. I mean, that's my dream. I would hate to be bound by typecasting or anything like that. [caption id="attachment_756013" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jumanji: The Next Level[/caption] I think I'm just looking for great characters and great stories, and it truly doesn't matter if it's a $200-million film or $200,000 film. It's like 'I don't care'. It's about making good cinema at the end of the day, and I just feel really lucky that I've had a variety of experiences." On If You Tap Into Something in Particular to Bring The Life of Chuck's Feeling of Quiet Urgency — That Life Needs to Be Lived Urgently to Be Lived Fully — to the Screen "I would say so. I was definitely asking myself questions about how I'm living my life. And I started to have these visuals — like, 'imagine if I just had an hourglass with the sand falling through it for my whole life, what level of the sand would it be at?'. And it's something so wild to think that it's constantly dwindling away. And you kind of forget that as you go about your day to day, and you think 'oh, that's not going to happen to me' and 'that's never coming' — but it is. None of us are getting out of this. And so, yeah, I think it's first of all really important to remember from time to time in your life. And I really had to think about that in terms of the character and what she would do in the moments where she knew that those were her last. Who does she want to reach out to? And I think what I learned is so much of the stuff that we focus on in our lives would just fall away in those final moments. Like, we think we focus on accolades, achievements, money — and none of that matters at the end of it all. What matters is being around the people that you love and love you. And that's definitely what I've found in the character." The Life of Chuck opened in Australia cinemas on Thursday, August 14, 2025 and in New Zealand cinemas from Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Winter is coming, and that means a few important things are on their way. Firstly, and most obviously, Game of Thrones is starting to get pretty epic. We're definitely getting accustomed to staying in with a bottle of red and forgoing nights out in favour of some medieval carnage. But secondly, our ski slopes are hitting their prime. The time for snow gear is fast approaching and Concrete Playground is here to get you sorted. If our nights in are complemented by a bottle of red, our time on the slopes is inevitably coupled with three beverages: hot chocolate, mulled wine and warm cider. Fittingly, the latter is getting involved with the physical activities. Rekorderlig — the Swedish champions behind this apple and cinnamon bliss — have made you a custom snowboard this season, and we have one to give away. This special creation, which ordinarily retails for $330.50, is in a traditional shape with a rounded nose and tail. It offers traditional and zero camber options, extended carbon pop rods, a wood core, and a wide-centred stance that works for riders of all sizes and abilities. We know winter can be a bit of a drag, but this is your best bet to make the most of it — outside of boozy TV marathons that is. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Aunty Donna's approach to their career and to comedy boast more than a little in common. Think about either, and it also brings a recent movie title to mind. Beloved for their absurdist mile-a-minute humour, the Australian group recent loaned their voices to Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, but it's the name of 2023's big Oscar-winner that seems to sum up their whole ethos: Everything Everywhere All At Once. Zachary Ruane, Mark Samual Bonanno and Broden Kelly aren't in that film; however, they have been touring, making a Netflix series, and releasing Aunty Donna's $30 bottle of wine and an Always Room for Christmas Pud picture book all in just the past few years. And, they've now returned to the ABC nine years after a Fresh Blood iView stint in 2014, this time with six-part sitcom Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe. For fans watching on, Aunty Donna's jam-packed recent slate has felt like a whirlwind. Chatting to Concrete Playground about the release of Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe — which is now streaming in full on ABC iView, and also airs weekly on ABC TV — Ruane goes one better, while also noting how much hustle it took to get the now world-famous comedy troupe to this point. "I think the last ten years for us at least have felt like a whirlwind. In a way, it feels like we've slowed down in the last couple of years, even though everything's a bit more in the public. We used to tour a lot more than we do now. We used to make a lot of content for online, possibly more than we do now," Ruane advises. "So even though there's heaps happening and it's nice to be reminded, it actually in some ways feels like we've slowed it down a bit, which gives you an indication of what the last ten years have been like for us." Aunty Donna formed in 2011, then took their first live show to the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. They haven't stopped inciting laughs since. Anywhere they can possibly spread their wild, weird and wonderful brand of comedy, they have — a lengthy list of stage shows all around the world, their YouTube channel, a podcast, two albums, multiple webseries, pilots, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, that book, the vino and now Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe included. The latter sprang after their Netflix success, and from Ruane, Bonanno and Kelly's eagerness to try the sitcom format. The end result: a workplace comedy skewering cafe culture, specifically Melbourne's caffeine-sipping scene, with an Aunty Donna spin. When it comes to satirising its setting and anything even tangentially connected — kidulting bars, cereal cafes, awful bosses and terrible landlords, for instance — the gags and bits keep coming. So too does Aunty Donna's beloved grab-bag approach, giving a show about working in a cafe an entire episode about a court case with Richard Roxburgh (Elvis) reprising his role from Rake, then a real-estate agent parody featuring Looking for Alibrandi's Pia Miranda, plus yet another instalment making fun of the very platform that Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe streams on. "We just went for it. We definitely caused a few headaches for our director Max [Miller, a fellow Aunty Donna member] with some of our setups," Ruane explains. Scoring a second show, being self-described "Melbourne wankers", getting nervous performing with Miranda, what comes next: Ruane told us about all of that, too — plus the dream of making an Aunty Donna movie. ON HOW AUNTY DONNA'S COFFEE CAFE COME ABOUT "It's our second longer-form thing, and I think we always knew that we wanted to keep pushing ourselves. Every time we come to a new platform or do a new thing, we want to it a little bit differently. We were really keen to do something a bit more narrative-focused, a bit more in that traditional sitcom structure. So that was the goal for us. I don't know how much that will read to an audience. Maybe it will all read as our crazy stuff, and in the same lineage of everything we do. But we wanted to challenge ourselves to make it a little more like a traditional sitcom, at least structurally, but still be as crazy and wild as what we've always done." ON COMING UP WITH THE CONCEPT — AND NOT JUST THANKS TO 'MORNING BROWN' "'Morning Brown', it's more of a nod to that song. We play around with different things, but we've always found that the things that we do that resonate the most are when there's a sort of a — I call it a sandbox, but there's a setting that resonates with people that I think people have an emotional connection to and understanding of. When we have that kind of setting that resonates, it allows us to go more crazy, more absurd. So, we've done it with the YouTube and our live shows. There's 1999, which was a webseries which is set in an office in 1999. We also did Glennridge Secondary College, which is a live show and a webseries set in a high school. I think we find whenever it's set somewhere recognisable and accessible, it actually allows us to go weirder and crazier and more absurd because people have a hook in. So we were looking for something like that — something that people would recognise, feel comfortable in, but then would also allow us to go in any direction we wanted." ON SKEWERING CAFE CULTURE "One thing we wanted to avoid going into — there's a territory of cliches in that space. We had to keep reminding ourselves to not just do the cafe stuff and the coffee culture stuff. But we've worked in hospitality, we're all Melbourne wankers, we've been customers at these cafes. It just feels so ripe, and it feels like the kind of thing you can pull from multiple different experiences. You can go into the kitchen and do a whole episode there. You can just focus on the staff, do a whole episode there. That's what we loved about the idea." ON MAKING A WORKPLACE COMEDY "It's really interesting. We've done other things set in workplaces, but also found it in the school one as well — there's something about a workplace where very different personality types and very different things can happen. I think also what we really loved about the cafe compared to our last series, which was set in a house: it's really hard to get people from the outside world into the house. We love to play lots of different characters, and it's really hard to get weird characters to come through the door. With a cafe, that's exactly what it is. Structurally, it's all a cavalcade of people coming through the door. Anyone you can envision, you just imagine them wanting to get a coffee and they're there in your world. That was the best part about it." ON GETTING GUEST STARS LIKE RICHARD ROXBURGH AND PIA MIRANDA "We were expecting Roxburgh to be a firm no. And not only that, we had to get so many layers of approval to get that joke in. I remember when it was floated, it was like 'oh, that's fun but it will never happen'. Because we had to get the creator of Rake onboard. We had to get ABC to sign off on it. We had to get Roxburgh to sign off on the character and then to want to do it — and then to be available to do it. Which is like, there are so many barriers here, it's not going to happen. We'd already started thinking of alternative jokes to him. Then I remember we were in the writers room and each day we'd get another person who'd said yes to it, we just kept getting this run of emails, and then when he was available to do it. We did not expect it to happen. Which I think made it more fun, because I don't think we put too much thought into it — we just wrote this stupid joke and were like 'surely he'll say no and then we'll figure something else out'. So it was very amazing that he said yes. I mean, same with Pia Miranda. I think I was more nervous performing with Pia Miranda than I was with Roxburgh. I had to act opposite her — that's crazy! Intimidatingly, she doesn't look like she's aged a day since [Looking for Alibrandi]. So it's like, I feel like I've been teleported. I'm like 'am I Kick Gurry right now?'. It was very cool." ON MAKING FUN OF THE ABC ON THE ABC "Insanely, they were so chill. It was funny how much. They were like 'you can tease us more if you want'. And we were like 'we'll see'. They were so up for it. I definitely thought we had pushed it too far with iView, because we really go at the platform. We thought they'll come back with 'you can make a bit of a joke but maybe not about technical issues'. But they were just like 'haha, yeah'." ON RUANE'S FAVOURITE AUNTY DONNA PROJECT SO FAR "It's hard to say. I mean, I was super proud of the picture book. It was one of those things that we had to keep explaining to people that we saw it as a little piece in its own right and it wasn't just a merch cash in. It was really fun to just do something completely different and to just discover a different world, and play around in a different space — and just to get people who really got the joke. I had such a specific vision in my mind of an early 90-style of Australian picture book — and to have it come out looking like that was pretty special. So that's, of the recent stuff, probably the thing I'm most proud of. But then I also love crazy stuff. Like I think $30 Bottle of Wine, which is a video on our YouTube that goes for about eight minutes and it's just repulsive, that's probably my favourite still." [caption id="attachment_791048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, Netflix.[/caption] ON THE ORIGINAL AUNTY DONNA DREAM — AND LIVING IT NOW "I think it's always evolving and always changing. To be honest, in a really real way, I feel like it has surpassed so many of the original dreams and goals years ago. Very early on, I would've been perfectly happy if it was my full job — that became the goal really early in my twenties. If I can be entertaining people or doing something like this as my full-time job, that would be enough. To have hit that, and then had all these other things happen — we've got an ABC show, Wednesday night, that was the dream as a teenager for sure. That's what I grew up watching. To have had another show seen around the world. We've got a world tour coming up. So many of these things weren't even in the dream, weren't even a part of the picture. So to have achieved it, it's really cool and lovely and so — people say humbling, but it's the opposite. It's not that, it's cool and amazing." ON WHAT COMES NEXT FOR AUNTY DONNA "It's always about the creative, and always about doing new things. I don't think it's about [doing] more or [moving] up — I think it's just about different ways. If we can find different ways to make people laugh and to bring joy, then that's for me what it is. So who knows? Maybe it's a video game, maybe it's a board game, maybe it's more TV, maybe it's more YouTube — there's so many options, and I'm excited to just see where it goes." ON MAKING AN AUNTY DONNA MOVIE "How we would do it and how we would go about it is such a big question, but that's definitely on the list as something that I'd love to do. Our big one was that we always wanted to do like The Rugrats Movie, just a real crazy adventure. Yeah, we would love to do something like that for sure." Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe streams via ABC iView, and also screens weekly on the ABC at 9pm from Wednesday, April 12. Read our full review. Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe images: Richard Lowe / Jackson Flinter / ABC.
2025 is a shaping up to be a big year for Netflix finales — and it will end that way, too. First, Squid Game is coming to a conclusion in June 2025. Then, Stranger Things will begin following suit with its fifth and last season. You'll be tuning in not once, not twice, but three times for this farewell trip to Hawkins, Indiana, however — starting in November 2025, then checking in again twice in December this year. Those specific dates: Wednesday, November 26 for the first four-episode volume of season five, then Thursday, December 25 for its second three-chapter volume, followed by Wednesday, December 31 for the finale. Netflix locked in the release schedule as part of a date-announcement video which also provides an initial glimpse at how everything will wrap up. Included in the clip: looks backwards at the tale that Stranger Things has told so far, which means peering at how young the cast was when the show premiered in 2016. From what's to come, comas, bedside vigils, the military, exploring via torchlight, shaking floors and a key piece of advice — "run" — all feature. Season five makes finding and killing Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower, Emmanuelle) its main aim, all while the town has been placed under quarantine and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, The Electric State) has been forced into hiding We know already that the year is 1987 and the time is autumn, jumping forward from the fourth season's spring 1986 timing. We're also aware that one way or another, the residents of Hawkins that viewers know and love will have their last experience with the eeriness that's been plaguing their town for years. That's the promise that accompanies saying goodbye to Stranger Things, of course, even if the hit Netflix show's end won't be it for the franchise's broader universe. If it feels like there's been a lengthy wait for more — even with the series no stranger to long delays between seasons — that's because there has been. When November rolls around, it will have been almost three-and-a-half years since season four, a gap extended due to 2023's Hollywood strikes. Before that, just under three years elapsed between seasons three and four, and just under two between the second and third seasons. The 13-month gap between seasons one and two seems positively short, then. Late in 2024, Netflix revealed the titles of Stranger Things' eight season-five episodes. If you feel like obsessing over the monikers for clues, you've had eight hints for a while, then. The season will kick off with 'The Crawl', then deliver 'The Vanishing of ...', 'The Turnbow Trap' and 'Sorcerer'. Next comes 'Shock Jock', 'Escape From Camazotz' and 'The Bridge', before it all ends with the enticingly named 'The Rightside Up'. Fans also already know that this season features Terminator franchise icon Linda Hamilton, jumping from one sci-fi hit to another. Season five brings back all of the usual faces, too — so, alongside Brown and Bower, Winona Ryder (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), David Harbour (Thunderbolts*), Finn Wolfhard (Saturday Night), Gaten Matarazzo (Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain), Caleb McLaughlin (The Deliverance), Noah Schnapp (The Tutor), Sadie Sink (O'Dessa), Natalia Dyer (All Fun and Games), Charlie Heaton (The Souvenir: Part II), Joe Keery (Fargo), Maya Hawke (Inside Out 2), Priah Ferguson (The Curse of Bridge Hollow), Brett Gelman (Lady in the Lake) and Cara Buono (Things Like This). As for more Stranger Things-related antics after season five, when creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that their sci-fi show was working towards its endgame back in 2022, they also said that they had more stories to tell in this fictional realm. Instantly, we all knew what that meant. Netflix doesn't like letting go of its hits easily, after all, so the quest to find a way to keep wandering through this franchise was about as surprising as Jim Hopper's (Harbour) usual gruff mood. Check out the date-announcement video for Stranger Things season five below: Stranger Things season five will arrive in three parts, on Wednesday, November 26, Thursday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 31, 2025. You can stream the first four seasons now via Netflix — and read our review of season four. Images: Netflix.
With over 7000 stores to its name worldwide, Wendy's is one of the world's biggest and most recognisable burger chains. While a majority of its outposts are scattered across the United States, the chain also has over 1000 international locations in countries like New Zealand, Canada and the UK. Now, the American burger chain may be landing down under in the near future. Australian franchise consulting firm DC Strategy announced that it is working with the burger brand to help develop a strategy to bring its famous square hamburgers to Australia and open franchises throughout the country. "The Wendy's Company is looking for world-class, experienced franchise partners with strong operations experience and a proven track record for growing brands in Australia," a statement on DC Strategy's website says. [caption id="attachment_811853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] PRNewsfoto/The Wendy's Company[/caption] The consulting firm is now taking applications for individuals interested in becoming an Australian Wendy's franchisee. The first Wendy's was opened by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio in 1969. It quickly grew due to the popularity of its burgers and iconic Frostys, growing to over 1000 restaurants in its first nine years of operations. Wendy's would join a new wave of American franchises that have recently arrived in Australia, including Taco Bell, Mark Wahlberg's Wahlburgers and Five Guys. [caption id="attachment_869874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sharon Hahn Darlin[/caption] DC Strategy is now taking applications for Wendy's franchisees in Australia. More to come.
With its massive deserts, wild seas and expanses of ancient forest, Australia offers space a-plenty for sculpture parks. Here, we take a look at eight of the most spectacular – from Mornington Peninsula's Pt. Leo Estate, set among vineyards and wildflowers, to Western Australia's Inside Australia, where metal figures appear on the surface of a gigantic salt-crusted lake. Next time you're in the mood for an arty road trip, pay a visit to one of these wonders. [caption id="attachment_641338" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] PT. LEO ESTATE, VICTORIA Set among vineyards, flowers and oceanic backdrops on the Mornington Peninsula, this 135-hectare park features epic works by local and international artists, all belonging to multibillionaires John and Pauline Gandel (owners of Chadstone Shopping Centre, FYI). Among the main attractions are the late Australian sculptor Anthony Pryor's Horizons (1988) — a spiral staircase that seems to disappear into the sky — and the late Israeli-American artist Boaz Vaadia's Ma'aseyahu. In between wandering, sample wines at Pt. Leo Estate's cellar door and feast at Laura, the stunning on-site restaurant, headed by ex-Rockpool Bar & Grill chef Phil Wood. Where? 3649 Frankston–Flinders Road, Merricks — about an hour south of Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_696465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] NGA SCULPTURE GARDEN, ACT While many sculptures are made with a particular site in mind, at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), things are topsy-turvy. The Sculpture Garden was landscaped to fit the artworks. Built in 1981, the grounds stretch between the NGA building and the sparkling waters of Lake Burley Griffin. There are 26 sculptures by Australian and international artists, including Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya's Foggy wake in a desert: An ecosphere, a cool, mist-filled forest through which you can wander, and a collection of Pukamani burial poles from the Tiwi Islands. Where? Parkes Place, Canberra — about three hours southwest of Sydney and seven hours' northeast of Melbourne. BROKEN HILL LIVING DESERT RESERVE, NSW The best time to visit Living Desert Reserve is sunset. This is when the sculptures look their most dramatic, backdropped by endless plains, flooded with the last rays of the day. There are 12 sculptures in total, created in 1993 by artists from all over the world during a sculpture symposium led by Australian artist Lawrence Beck. Each artwork has its own story, told through an accompanying plaque. While you're there, take a stroll through the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, where you'll find stunning displays of Sturt's Desert Peas and learn about the site's significance to the area's Aboriginal people. For more tips in and around Broken Hill, check out our weekender's guide. Where? Living Desert Reserve, Broken Hill — a hefty 13 hours west of Sydney. MCCLELLAND SCULPTURE PARK AND GALLERY, VICTORIA Also on the Mornington Peninsula is McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery. Its origins lie back in the 1920s, when artist Harry McClelland and his poet sister, Annie May, moved to Long Island, Frankston, where they surrounded themselves with arty, bohemian types. Harry built his studio on the current site of the gallery, which was designed by modern architects Munro and Sargent and opened in 1971. Dotted among open fields and pretty lakes are more than 100 sculptures by well-known Australian artists, including Inge King, Lenton Parr, Clement Meadmore, George Baldessin, Robert Owen, Norma Redpath, Rick Amor, Lisa Roet and Ken Unsworth. Where? 390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin — about 45 minutes southeast of Melbourne. GLENORCHY ART AND SCULPTURE PARK, TASMANIA Located one kilometre from the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), this extraordinary space is a fusion of art and nature. It occupies nine hectares along the shores of Elwick Bay, accessible by a boardwalk that passes through parklands and wetlands. The artworks respond to the site – often through their watery or amphibious qualities. James Guests' Refraction Principle, for example, launched in October this year, is a piece made of marine grade aluminium that marks the spot in the River Derwent where fresh and salt water meet. Where? Brooker Highway, Elwick Bay, Glenorchy — about 15 minutes' drive north of Hobart. HEIDE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, VICTORIA Like McClelland, Heide Museum of Modern Art began its life at the centre of a bohemian community. Philanthropists John and Sunday Reed bought 15 acres 16 kilometres northeast of the Melbourne CBD and it wasn't long before artists, writers and intellectuals were dropping by, such as Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and Joy Hester (who is soon to have an exhibition at TarraWarra). In 1950, the duo established the Gallery of Contemporary Art on the property, which, in 1958, became the Museum of Modern Art of Australia and went public in 1981. The program focuses on temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary works, including major surveys. Among previous shows are Modern Times: The Untold Story of Modernism in Australia (2009), Cubism & Australian Art (2009–10) and Less is More: Minimalism and Post Minimalism in Australia (2012). Where? 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen — about 20 minutes northeast of Melbourne. GALERIA ANIELA, NSW Surrounded by the rugged Kangaroo Valley escarpment, Galeria Aniela's sculpture park gives you 7.9 acres of green, landscaped gardens to explore. In between perusing works by Australian and international artists, rest beneath cherry blossom trees and among herb gardens. If you're lucky, you might meet a wombat or wallaby. Indoors are three gallery rooms dedicated to temporary exhibitions. While you're in the area, stop by Southern Pies for a cheeseburger pie and swing by Fitzroy Falls. You'll find more Kangaroo Valley ideas over here. Where? 261A Mount Scanzi Road, Kangaroo Valley — about two hours southwest of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_696466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] INSIDE AUSTRALIA, WA Inside Australia, created by one artist, is the biggest outdoor art gallery in Australia. Its setting is Lake Ballard, a completely flat expanse that lies 11 hours' drive northeast of Perth, in the Western Australian goldfields. The artist is Antony Gormley, a Turner Award winner, who made the sculpture series in 2003, to celebrate the Perth International Arts Festival's 50th anniversary. He has scattered 51 metal figures across the lake, which stand out vividly against its dazzling, salt-crusted surface. Where? Lake Ballard, Menzies — about 11 hours northeast of Perth.
There'll be no need to grab snacks before the latest screen-to-stage musical production. As fans of the '90s cult classic well and truly know, Empire Records is certain to give you a sugar high anyway. The beloved flick is heading to Broadway, which means someone is going to be following in Renée Zellweger's footsteps and belting out the Coyote Shivers track 'Sugar High' while standing on a record store rooftop. Expect someone else to sing "oh Rexy, you're so sexy" too, as the tale of a struggling music shop, its motley crew of employees and the washed-up former star making an in-store appearance makes the leap to another format. Rolling Stone is reporting that the movie's original screenwriter, Carol Heikkinen, is adapting her own script, with the show working towards a 2020 premiere date. No word yet who'll be taking on the characters first played by Zellweger, Liv Tyler, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry and Aussie actor Anthony LaPaglia, rocking out to what's certain to be an ace '90s soundtrack and wearing some top retro fashions. Empire Records joins a long list of films making the jump to the theatre of late, including La La Land, The Devil Wears Prada, Amelie and Moulin Rouge! And, of course, the newest production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is heading to Australia in 2019. Via Rolling Stone.
As the state capital and one of the region's most vibrant cities, Sydney is bursting at the seams with diverse cultural happenings. Luckily, we're here to guide you. We've rounded up a trifecta of the most thrilling and culturally important experiences over the coming months.
2022 was a huge year for Milly Alcock, with House of the Dragon bringing her into the Game of Thrones realm and Australian series Upright returning for its second season. Just a month into 2024, this year is already proving massive for the Aussie actor as well. After stepping into Rhaenyra Targaryen's shoes, Alcock is now becoming the Woman of Steel in upcoming DC Universe film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Filmmaker James Gunn, who is DC Studios' co-CEO and co-chairman — and, before getting those roles, directed The Suicide Squad — has confirmed that the Aussie talent is taking on the lead part in the upcoming flick. "Milly is a fantastically talented young actor, and I'm incredibly excited about her being a part of the DCU. Yes, I first became aware of her in House of the Dragon, but I was blown away by her varied auditions and screen tests for Supergirl," Gunn posted on social media after reports of Alcock's casting started circulating. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) If you're looking for more details about Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, however, little else has been revealed as yet — including who else is starring, the filmmaker behind the lens and when the movie will arrive. Under Gunn and fellow co-head honcho Peter Safran (who was a producer on The Suicide Squad), all things DC on-screen are currently undergoing a shakeup. The DC Extended Universe is over, wrapping up with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, with the new DCU taking the company's movies in a fresh direction instead. In 2025, the Gunn-helmed Superman: Legacy will kick off the reborn franchise, starring Pearl's David Corenswet as the eponymous figure and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. After that will come The Authority, focusing on a team of WildStorm characters; The Brave and the Bold, the DCU's first Batman and Robin flick; Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, as now starring Alcock; and Swamp Thing. Alongside House of the Dragon and her AACTA-nominated performance in Upright, Alcock's resume includes Australian shows such as Wonderland, Janet King, A Place to Call Home, Pine Gap, Fighting Season and Les Norton. As Kara Zor-El in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, she'll take on a figure also played by Helen Slater (Chantilly Bridge) in 1984's Supergirl film, Sasha Calle (The Young and the Restless) in 2023's The Flash, Laura Vandervoort (Sullivan's Crossing) in TV's Smallville and Melissa Benoist (Clerks III) in the Supergirl television series. There's no sneak peek at Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow yet, obviously, but you can check out the trailers for House of the Dragon season one and Upright season two below: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our interview with Milly Alcock about House of the Dragon and Upright. House of the Dragon images: HBO.
One weekend of Coachella 2024 might be over, complete with lively sets and plenty of special guests, but this Californian music festival doesn't just run once each year. First, it throws its huge party in Indio across three days. Then, the next week, it backs it up to do it all over again. And for those playing along at home, that means that you have another chance to hit up the YouTube livestream. Wondering who is playing when? That's where set times for Coachella's second weekend come in. There aren't many changes from the first weekend's bill — but you will find Kid Cudi joining the lineup this time around. [caption id="attachment_950213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] petercruise via Flickr[/caption] In the headline spots as with weekend one: Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and No Doubt. Coachella's second 2024 run spans across Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 — which is Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under. Among the highlights on Saturday in Australia and NZ: Del Rey, Justice, Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, Suki Waterhouse, Peggy Gou and Tinashe. The list goes on, of course. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) On Sunday Down Under, get excited about Tyler, The Creator, No Doubt, Blur, Ice Spice, Jon Batiste, Sublime, Dom Dolla, Grimes, Orbital, Oneohtrix Point Never and RAYE — and more, obviously. And, come Monday for Aussies and New Zealanders, Doja Cat, Kid Cudi, J Balvin, Lil Yachty, Kruangbin, Reneé Rapp, Flight Facilities and DJ Seinfeld are on the bill, plus a heap of others. [caption id="attachment_936351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casey via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Spotted a dreaded set clash? This year, for the first time ever, you can livestream multiple stages at once. How many? Four in total. Each year, Coachella and YouTube join forces to beam the massive music fest around the world, which is no longer such a novelty in these pandemic-era times — but being able to fill your screen with a quartet of Coachella sets at the same time definitely is. YouTube's multiview concert experience is enjoying its debut in the music space, and globally, at Coachella. This year, the service is capturing six different stages, as it did in 2023 for the first time ever — with Sonora on the list for the first weekend and Yuma now up on the second. [caption id="attachment_951352" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaime Rivera via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] That said, while you can feast your eyes on four stages simultaneously, you'll only be able to hear one, so you will still need to pick a favourite in any given timeslot. Bookmark Coachella's YouTube channel ASAP — or hit it up below: Coachella 2024's second weekend runs from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 — which is Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: demxx via Flickr.
It's that time again for 2024: time for Australia's Red Centre to glow with other hues, including across ranges dating back 300 million years, thanks to giant puppets and on the ochre earth. Every April, Parrtjima — A Festival in Light returns to the Northern Territory with art, music, talks and an all-round celebration of First Nations culture. This year's event is on now, kicking off on Friday, April 12 and running till Sunday, April 21 — and if you're not there or on your way, this is what you're missing out on. When Arelhe Urrperle strolls along, people take notice. A six-metre-tall puppet that weighs 600 kilograms wandering around draws attention. Seeing it mosey through Alice Springs Desert Park, sharing Arrernte stories and language, is a main attraction at 2024's Parrtjima — A Festival in Light, in fact — and just one of the highlights of this Indigenous arts festival. Erth, which has also brought dinosaurs and sharks to life around the country in the past — and held prehistoric picnics featuring puppets — is behind Arelhe Urrperle. In New South Wales, Marri Dyin, which also reaches six metres in height, has taken a stroll at Vivid Sydney 2018 and 2019, plus at the Nights on Crown Festival in Wollongong in 2019. Arelhe Urrperle is specific to the Red Centre, however, with Erth's puppeteers training local Indigenous performers to operate the roving puppet for Parrtjima's 2024 run. Representing Arelhe matriarchs, Arelhe Urrperle is one of this year's signature installations — and a new addition to Parrtjima for 2024. Fancy feasting your eyes on illuminated cars that form a collage of work celebrating Eastern, Western and Central language groups? Walking through an immersive passageway that pays tribute to late Arrernte leader Dr MK Turner? Thanks to fellow installations Arrernte and Honouring, they're also on the festival's program right now. One of the Northern Territory's annual highlights — and one of its dazzling sights, alongside natural features Uluru, the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon, plus nightly light show Wintjiri Wiru, as well as Bruce Munro's Field of Light and Light Towers — this arts, culture and storytelling event takes place against the MacDonnell Ranges. 2024 marks the ninth Parrtjima, with its lineup focusing on the importance of interconnectedness across First Nations culture for this year. That's partly happening through two things that are always 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. The Ranges Light Show has taken over additional projection space in 2024, while Grounded has become more interactive. Over its opening weekend, the program also included a three-night marketplace for the first time in the fest's history. The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) Buy Blak Market featured both food and other products from local Aboriginal businesses. On the music roster across the entire event, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shellie Morris, Miiesha and Mulga Bore Hard Rock are taking to the stage. Cassar-Daley and Morris are also on the talks lineup, alongside Floyd Doyle and Dr Josie Douglas. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21, 2024, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Australia's cities are lighting up this winter thanks to a slew of dazzling arts festivals — and if you're planning to spend the middle of the year hopping between them, you've now got another destination. While Melbourne's Rising festival, Sydney's Vivid, and Hobart 's Dark Mofo will all unleash their delights in June (with Vivid even starting in late May), Illuminate Adelaide is set to brighten up the South Australian capital throughout July. And, based on its just-dropped lineup, there's plenty to tempt both locals and interstate visitors alike. Returning for its second year, Illuminate Adelaide is all about creativity, art, music and light, and will unfurl all of the above from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 31. Topping the bill: Gorillaz, with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's chart-topping act adding an Adelaide show to their Australian tour, which already includes headlining this year's Splendour in the Grass, plus sideshows elsewhere. Also set to be huge: Ouchhh Studio's Wisdom of AI Light, a major exhibition that's all about art and artificial intelligence. A multisensory experience, it'll take up a specially designed pop-up exhibition space in the East End of the Adelaide CBD, with quite a wonder inspired by renaissance painters as its centrepiece. Here, AI has been trained to analyse billions of brushstrokes by some of the best artists who've ever lived — with a particular focus on Leonardo da Vinci — and create its own new moving image work. [caption id="attachment_850982" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ouchhh Studio[/caption] The exhibition also includes a number of other pieces by the Istanbul-based Ouchhh Studio, such as art made in conjunction with the Machine Learning Scientists at CERN in Switzerland and with NASA. In the former, called Dark Machine, you'll peer at AI-processed data from subatomic particle collisions — while the latter, Data Gate, sees AI play with data from the Kepler Space Telescope, drawing upon its nearly ten years in space observing 2500-plus planets, more than 530,000 stars and over 61 supernovae. Still on all things radiant, 2022's festival will welcome back some of last year's big light installations (because peering at shiny sights never gets old). Making a comeback is Light Cycles, which'll once again transform the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with light projections, lasers, sound and special effects, all thanks to Montreal's Moment Factory. And, the Adelaide Zoo will host the return of Light Creatures, so there'll be another round of enchanting interactive animal installations — think: giant tiger lantern puppets, huge rainbow skinks, giant pandas and giraffe lanterns — giving the place an enormous glow. The City Lights program is returning as well, once again featuring a range of acclaimed artists — and turning the CBD into an after-dark art trail in the process. 2022's version will notch up more 40 free site-specific works over 17 days, spanning creative photobooths, illuminated laundry, 15 giant glowing seesaws and a chandelier harp in various spots around town. There'll also be a 50-metre-long walkway of moving light and mirrors, an interactive geometric LED cube, bouncing glowing orbs, and Vincent Namatjira's Going Out Bush turned into animation and projected onto the Art Gallery of South Australia's facade. [caption id="attachment_850978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chandelier Harp, Jen Lewin. Photo by Aaron Rogosin.[/caption] Other standouts from the hefty full Illuminate Adelaide program include the Australian premiere of seven-channel video piece We Will Slam You With Our Wings by Joanna Dudley, which takes notoriously sexist speeches from throughout history and reframes them as feminist war cries; the Aussie debut of concert series KLASSIK underground, which pairs classical music with live visuals; and experimental and electronic music celebration Unsound Adelaide. And if you're already starting to make plans to head along, expect to have a heap of company — last year's fest was impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and wild weather, but still attracted more than 500,000 attendees. Illuminate Adelaide 2022 runs from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 31. Check out the festival's website for the full program and to grab tickets. Top images: Light Creatures, Adelaide-Zoo. Credit: Frankie the Creative. // Futures, part of City Lights // Submergence, part of City Lights. Credit: Rikard Osterlund.
Fancy hitting the road for a camping adventure, but don't have quite the right wheels for it? Before you fork out the big bucks to hire from a rental company, meet Camplify — a new Aussie sharing platform for campervans and RVs that works a bit like Airbnb. Using the peer-to-peer rental platform, owners can rent out their vehicles when they're not in use (read: gathering dust in the garage). As for hirers, they can get a taste of caravanning life whenever they like, without actually having to own one themselves. Each party has a Camplify profile, owners approve each hire and reviews are exchanged via the platform. The prices are reasonable too, starting at around $30 per night for a standard camper trailer. A caravan will cost you about $80, while that top-of-the-line luxury motorhome you hire for a romantic weekend getaway might see you stretching to $500. For minimal effort, you can even have the vehicle and gear set up for you at a campsite or holiday park, so it's holiday-ready as soon as you rock up. Insurance is covered in the cost, as well as Australia-wide roadside assistance from Camplify's mates at NRMA. Share your own caravan, or start planning that camping trip, over at Camplify.
Passion. Vulnerability. Determination. This is what Mia Thompson offers when asked what's needed to make a career out of dance. The full-time artist speaks from a position of experience, having had both feet planted in the world of dance since childhood. "I started dancing when I was 4," Thompson shares. "I wouldn't say I was a superstar — just running around in a cute little tutu thinking everything's great. I have six sisters, so I think it was a way to get us into a controlled space together that was also artistic. It's in our family's blood to be artistic." Embarking on any creative journey is difficult — embarking on one as your 9–5 that satisfies your inherent creativity and enables you to share your craft with the world is especially so. With the support of LG SIGNATURE — a proud partner of Sydney Dance Company and supporter of the wider arts community — we had a chat with Thompson, exploring her travels to the world's stages, her current position with Sydney Dance Company and what it takes to be a full-time dancer. [caption id="attachment_866757" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pedro Greig[/caption] "I THOUGHT WHAT YOU DID WITH DANCE WAS TEACH" Not fussy on her favourite style, Thompson fell in love with all forms of dance. Ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop — for Thompson, it was a joy to just be moving. In high school, after watching an older sister perform, she realised that the world of dance extended further than the classes she was in. "I thought what you did with dance was teach," she laughs. "I saw the Queensland Ballet do The Sleeping Beauty and I was like, 'They're getting paid to do that?! I want to do that!'" After finishing high school, Thompson joined Queensland Ballet's professional program. "I did one year but the director didn't really like me — he thought I was only doing it 'cos my sister was. I was told it'd be unlikely that I'd get a contract with them, and that I could stay and get my training or find another program with a segue into another company." A heavy blow, but a blessing in the end. Because, what's vital to flourishing in the world of professional movement art? "A school or teacher that supports you as an individual. You can go to the top school in Europe, but it might not be the top school for you. If they don't understand you, they're not going to give you the most that you can get out of yourself as an artist. I was so headstrong on getting a ballet career, so being in a contemporary [dance] company now, maybe Queensland Ballet could see something I couldn't." Following her training in Queensland, Thompson went westwards with a successful audition for WAAPA. Living away from home for the first time, evolving as a dancer and starting friendships, the tingle for travel set in. Thompson secured a spot in the Scottish Ballet where, in 2018, she was promoted to first dancer. [caption id="attachment_865975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rimbaud Patron[/caption] LANDING ON HOME SOIL While at the Scottish Ballet, she met her future fiancé. "He wanted to do contemporary and I told him about Sydney Dance Company. We were just friends at this point, and I was like 'You should go'." He auditioned, got in and the pair got together, giving long-distance love a go for a year. In the audience of a Sydney Dance Company production — and seeing the new-found articulation in her partner's body — Thompson had a revelation: "With ballet, you're striving for perfection. Watching the [Sydney Dance Company] dancers — the way they moved and the understanding they had for their body — there was nothing that I could relate to. I wanted that, I wanted to be able to speak on behalf of myself and my body." Dance is a notoriously cutthroat industry. There's limited spots, stiff competition and a relatively short career span. "You have no idea how many dancers, even in Europe, are just desperate to get into Sydney Dance Company. We are the leading contemporary dance company in Australia, even in the world. Young artists leaving school are just so keen to get in, they want to know everything about you, it's like we're celebrities. It's very easy to forget — I remember myself at that age, dancers would walk past and my jaw would drop. Even before I auditioned, that was me looking at the company." The chance to audition arose and she took it. She got the longed-for call and high-tailed it Down Under, finishing her time with the Scottish Ballet as Cinderella. As Thompson speaks, she radiates an almost palpable enthusiasm for her vocation. Sydney Dance Company's stellar reputation is one that has not only been earned, but continues to be a work in progress. "If we're not performing, a typical day starts at 9.30am and ends at 6pm. You rehearse repertoire or create new work, explore ways of moving. You can have your steps, but every day I see dancers in the mirror or talking to each other trying to find new ways to develop it. It literally never stops growing, which is beautiful in itself." [caption id="attachment_866753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pedro Greig[/caption] "IT'S FLOW STATE" When seated behind a desk, it's difficult to imagine a work life dedicated to exploring and executing movement. Beyond perfecting shape after shape, there's a bottomless list of to-dos. "After a show," Thompson shares, "you'll see most of the dancers in a cubicle, with our feet shoved in an ice bucket to cool." Plus, there's warm-up classes, prehab/rehab (to safeguard those hardworking bodies), rehearsals, feedback sessions and self-review videos, collaboration, hair and makeup, stage direction and spacial notes. The end result? Expertly controlled dancers commanding the stage, allowing audiences to connect and feel something. When asked what it feels like to perform on stage, Thompson's eyes widen and she lifts her chin. "When I dance I feel a great sense of freedom and release," she smiles. "It's like I'm in a trance. There's no better feeling than feeling completely lost on stage, surrounded by your colleagues. Working with them but also feeling completely alone in this world. It's my happiness, it's my sadness, it's my expressive therapy. It's flow state." Defining what it takes to be a full-time dancer is so subjective that it's no simple task. But, when you reflect on Thompson's persistence and determination, her desire to understand her body and to collaborate on stage, and the palpable energy and emotion that buzzes around her when she speaks about dancing, it's clear that it's not just a job. "Some days can feel like work," Mia finishes. "But the minute you step out on stage, you just get lost in it." A supporter of the wider arts community, LG SIGNATURE is a proud partner of Sydney Dance Company. Head to the website to learn more about the partnership. Top image: Pedro Greig
If you've been to the Brisbane Powerhouse, you've probably been to WATT. The restaurant on the venue's lower level is the kind of place where whiling away a bright afternoon feels like a breeze — and not just because of the zesty riverside air. Next time you head there before a show, a tasty brunch or just because you're in the area, prepare for a refreshing atmosphere on two fronts. The relaxed vibe remains the same, as does the name, but everything else has been transformed. Playing on its enviable location, WATT has decided to bring the outside in, complete with sunny dining areas, outdoor seating and a retractable roof. They’ve spruced up the bar snack, share plate-heavy menu to match, of course, with chilli popcorn, mini hot dogs, soft shell fish tacos and salt and pepper cuttlefish among their delicious-sounding offerings. And, in news certain to thrill arts lovers and theatre attendees everywhere, a special pre-theatre option has been added — plus, it's guaranteed to be ready before the curtain rises. For those looking for something more substantial — or with more time to spend eating and drinking— WATT also welcomes a sibling eatery to the fold. At New Farmer’s Kitchen, a produce-to-plate focus sees food fresh from the sea, farm and garden made into mouthwatering meals, including seafood chowder, Cone Bay barramundi, Caboolture roasted beetroot salad and a vegetarian antipasto board. Come September, the duo of dining establishments will start playing host to Sunday sessions with live music and DJs, if you needed any more reasons to stop by. After a few month's absence from Brisbanite's routines, WATT is back and better, it seems. Expect crowds of people finding out why. Find WATT and New Farmer’s Kitchen at 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, or check out the WATT website.
These days, travel trends shift in the same way as food, music or fashion. Destinations that were popular a few years ago don't always stay that way, and as you scroll through Instagram, you'll often see your friends all hitting up the same travel hotspots. Instead of chasing the same locations, travelling in 2026 is about going somewhere that feels fresh, exciting and a little unexpected. Thanks to Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals, you can book ahead to the cities that are sure to fuel your curiosity, from Manchester to Johannesburg to Ho Chi Minh City. Manchester, England London will always be a classic holiday destination and a popular gateway to Europe, but Manchester has a lot more to offer than you might think. Known for its legendary music history (responsible for bands like The Smiths and Oasis), the city has evolved over the years into a hive of live gigs, design festivals and one of the UK's most exciting dining scenes. Football fans already know Old Trafford and the Etihad are must-visit stadiums for a game, but Manchester's neighbourhood bars and galleries are just as worthy of your time. With Singapore Airlines' Early Bird fares, you can fly Perth to Manchester from $1,555 return. Brussels, Belgium Belgium's capital is full of beautiful architecture and public spaces, but it's also fast emerging as Europe's creative hub, where street art and digital design combine with the city's old-world charm. Between modern art galleries, neighbourhood breweries and its reputation as the birthplace of fries, there are so many reasons to go and visit. It's also perfectly positioned for day trips to Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp, if you feel like taking your travel plans even further. Early Bird fares from Adelaide start at $1,473 return, proving that booking ahead pays off. Istanbul, Türkiye Few cities are as interesting as Istanbul right now. Straddling Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, the city is buzzing with a new wave of restaurants, rooftop bars and contemporary art spaces that sit alongside ancient mosques and markets. Stay in Sultanahmet if you want to be right in the historic centre. For something a bit less touristy but still trendy, find a place in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood. You can spend your days wandering through the Grand Bazaar, cruise along the Bosphorus and sample modern Turkish cuisine in Karaköy. Lock in your 2026 flights now and you'll have first pick of this ever-changing city. Frankfurt, Germany When most people plan a European trip, they think of Italy, Greece or Paris. But Frankfurt has quietly become one of Europe's most exciting cities, and it's worth adding to your list. Beyond its skyscrapers and reputation for delicious sausages, it's also home to leafy riverside parks, food halls that champion local producers and some of Germany's most active nightlife districts, offering everything from old school German pubs to trendy wine bars. With Singapore Airlines' and Lufthansa's joint network, you can also connect from Frankfurt to other European cities seamlessly, making it easy to hit multiple destinations in the one trip. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam On the Southeast Asia front, Ho Chi Minh City (still known locally as Saigon) is a place of constant movement. Once you touch down, you won't need any plans other than setting out on foot to explore. Street food stalls sit beside cocktail bars, while French colonial buildings stand near cutting-edge coworking hubs. Block out an afternoon to visit the historical Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office buildings, or check out the city's many stores stocked with locally sourced streetwear, jewellery and antiques. It's energetic and chaotic in the best way, and it's impossible to visit without wanting to return again and again. Johannesburg, South Africa For those wanting to go further afield, South Africa's largest city is an eye-opener. Over the years, the city has reinvented itself with a thriving arts district, an innovative restaurant scene and a proud emphasis on heritage as the home of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. It's also the perfect launchpad for safaris or road trips across South Africa, making it a destination that feels equal parts unique and inspiring. Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen is one of those cities that feels old and new all at the same time. There's colourful harbour front houses and cobbled streets alongside sleek architecture, bike-friendly paths and world-leading restaurants. In 2026, plan your visit for summer to make the most of the city's long, warm evenings — perfect for rooftop drinks, open-air festivals and cycling along the canals. Book with Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fares and you'll have first pick of the best travel dates to soak it all in. For Aussies looking to head overseas, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of fresh horizons. Thanks to Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals, you can book now and secure your seat to over 100 destinations worldwide. Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals end September 30, 2025, so get in early and make your next adventure one to look forward to. Find out more and book your Early Bird fare for select travel dates in 2026 here.
If pink drinks are your favourite beverages to sip — and basking in stunning river views is your favourite way to spend an afternoon, too — then a waterside date filled with tipples by Brisbane's ol' brown snake should definitely be in your future. That's all on the agenda at Customs House, which is celebrating the warmer weather by turning its terrace into a Moet & Chandon-pouring pop-up rosé garden. It's the Queen Street venue's latest seasonal makeover, and it comes complete with greenery and flowers aplenty (with pops of pink, of course) for you and your mates to hang out in — while peering at the river and knocking back a range of beverages. The drinks list heroes the rosé — sparkling, flat and in creative concoctions, but it isn't the only thing on the menu. You can also enjoy white and red wine, beer and boozy ginger beer. And those cocktails? One pairs sparkling rosé with Dom Bénédictine liqueur, lemon and honey; the other goes with vodka, lychee liqueur, raspberries and lychees. Open Thursdays–Sundays weekly throughout spring from Thursday, September 21 — from 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays — the walk-in-only pop-up is also serving up a selection of bites to line your stomach. Customs House's beloved Moreton Bay bug croissant is back, as it is every time these gardens return. Or, there's caviar with blinis, wagyu tartare, shellfish platters, oysters, duck terrine and scallop ceviche — and, to match all the rosé, a heap of cheeses.
When Babylon Brisbane opened its doors at the end of December 2022, it didn't just mark the first Sunshine State outpost for the eatery that's been serving up dishes and drinks in Sydney since 2019. It also saw 145 Eagle Street gain the first of two new venues, the second of which has just launched as well: waterfront bar Babylon Garden. Initially announced back in November, too, Babylon Garden is the 500-person, 645-square-metre outdoor hangout space accompanying Babylon Brisbane's sitdown indoor 120-person setup. So, you can head inside for a restaurant meal with river views, or spend your afternoon or evening right by the water on two tiers of terraces, sipping beverages in the open air. As with indoors, Babylon Gardens' design is overseen by Brisbane's Hogg and Lamb, the architects behind the Sydney venue. This time, pale bricks are a big feature, plus timber furniture, leather banquettes, and palm trees and plants aplenty. You'll sit at green marble tabletops at high and low tables, and your drinks come from a ten-metre brass bar. On the menu amid that greenery, and while soaking in the fresh air: Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean bites and cocktails. The food lineup is a collaboration between Babylon Brisbane's Head Chef Ferdinand Sariin and Babylon Sydney's Head Chef Robert Taylor, with standout options including crispy chicken wings with Baharat spice, harissa and labneh; homemade falafel with tahini sauce, dukkah and lemon; and pumpkin kebabs with coriander, muhammara and Aleppo chilli. For something sweet, there's also assorted baklava, plus three-piece servings of Turkish delight. Drinks-wise, the range of beers on tap and by the bottle heroes brews from around the world, as does the hefty wine list. With bubbles, the focus unsurprisingly falls heavily on French champagne. Folks keen on a cocktail will find Middle Eastern-meets-East Mediterranean flavours shining through here, too, as tasted in the Semiramis' Throne (made with Tanqueray Sevilla, mastic liqueur, apricot, lemon, falernum and orange blossom), Devine Levanthyme (limoncello, lemon gin, thyme, sugar and egg white) and Turkish espresso martini (with Turkish coffee and cardamom-infused Metaxa 7, chocolate liqueur, orgeat and cold brew). Find Babylon Garden at 145 Eagle Street, Brisbane — open 11am–11.30pm Sundays–Tuesdays, 11am–12am Wednesdays, 11am–1.30 Thursdays and 11am–2am Fridays–Saturdays. Images: Markus Ravik.
UPDATE, Wednesday, May 15, 2024: After two new Olivia Rodrigo shows for October were added at midday today, another two have been announced at 4pm. This article has been updated to reflect all four new gigs — two each in Sydney and Melbourne. Great news if you're a fan of Olivia Rodrigo and the first four tour dates announced for her first-ever Down Under visit didn't suit: four more shows have just been added to the singer and former Disney talent's Australian itinerary. She's still only playing Sydney and Melbourne, adding a third and fourth gig in both cities — and doing so before punters can even buy general tickets, which starts on Thursday, May 16. Big-name acts have a habit of doing this; see also: Taylor Swift, blink-182, Lizzo and The Weeknd, for some recent examples. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise — but it will give you more chances to head along to Rodrigo's huge GUTS world tour Rodrigo has a date with Australia in October, and will now take to the stage at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena from Wednesday, October 9–Thursday, October 10, and also from Sunday, October 13–Monday, October 14. In Sydney, you can catch her at Qudos Bank Arena dates from Thursday, October 17–Friday, October 18, and also from Monday, October 21–Tuesday, October 22. When we say that this tour is big, we mean it. With the Aussie dates alongside gigs in Bangkok, Thailand, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, the tour spans more than 80 concerts around the globe. Fans Down Under who aren't in Sydney and Melbourne, however, you'll be needing to travel. In support of her second studio album that's also called GUTS, this marks three-time Grammy-winner Rodrigo's first arena tour. The 'Drivers License', 'Good 4 U' and 'Vampire' singer will have her debut album SOUR to work through as well. The GUTS tour started in Palm Springs in February, saw Rodrigo do four shows at Madison Square Garden in April, and is currently making its way around the UK before heading to Europe, back to the US, then to Asia and Australia. Olivia Rodrigo GUTS World Tour 2024 Australian Dates: Wednesday, October 9–Thursday, October 10 + Sunday, October 13–Monday, October 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, October 17–Friday, October 18 + Monday, October 21–Tuesday, October 22 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olivia Rodrigo is touring Australia in October 2024. Ticket presales start at 1pm on Wednesday, May 15, and general sales at 1pm on Thursday, May 16 — head to the tour website for further details. Images: Chris Polk, Polk Imaging.
True crime and Cluedo collide when CluedUpp comes to Brisbane. The interactive detective game is coming our way on Saturday, December 7, bringing the classic board game to life on the streets of the city — with a slight twist. The outdoor adventure will take you back to 1960s London to solve the double murder of the famous Kray twins. While the Kray twins were very real, very notorious British gangsters, they were not murdered IRL, just in this murder mystery. Forget Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the study — this event will bring you and your friends closer to reality and out onto the streets to solve the case. The game will kick off at a secret Brisbane location between 10am–1pm and, depending how good of a detective you are, will finish sometime before 5pm. The best news of all, however, is that the event is dog friendly — and there are prizes to be won by both human and canine detectives. All you need to play is some friends and your phone. Dressing up as 1960s gangsters is encouraged, so you can really get yourself into character. A ticket will set you back $67 per team of six, but you only need two humans to play. With only 100 teams available, get in quick for your chance to solve the mystery.
