Whether on screens big and small, when an audience watches a Steven Soderbergh project, they're watching one of America's great current directors ply his full range of filmmaking skills. Usually, he doesn't just helm. Going by Peter Andrews and Mary Ann Bernard — aliases from his parents' names — he shoots and edits as well. And he's prolific: since advising that he'd retire from making features after Side Effects, he's directed, lensed and spliced nine more, plus three TV shows. Among those titles sit movies such as Logan Lucky, Unsane, Kimi and Magic Mike's Last Dance; the exceptional two seasons of turn-of-the-20th-century medical drama The Knick; and now, streaming on Binge from Thursday, July 13 and Neon from Friday, July 14, gripping New York-set kidnapping miniseries Full Circle. Soderbergh will always be the filmmaker who won Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or at 26 for Sex, Lies and Videotape. He's the talent who earned two Best Director Oscars in the same year for Traffic and Erin Brockovich, winning for the former, too. He brought the Ocean's franchise back to cinemas in 2001, and eerily predicted the COVID-19 pandemic with 2011's Contagion — and he's in his element with his latest work. Six-part noir-influenced thriller Full Circle reunites Soderbergh with Mosaic and No Sudden Move screenwriter Ed Solomon, boasts a starry cast, involves money and secrets and deception, and proves a twisty and layered crime tale from the get-go. It also couldn't feel more relevant to now, both in its understanding of how pivotal technology is to daily life — Soderbergh shot the aforementioned Unsane, plus High Flying Bird, solely on iPhones, after all — and its unpacking of today's attitudes on class, race, power and capitalism. Full Circle starts with a murder, then a revenge plot, then a missing smartphone. As the show's name makes plain, these early inclusions all tie into an intricate narrative that will indeed demonstrate inevitability, cause and effect, the repercussions of our actions, and decisions looping back around. The pivotal death forms part of a turf war, sparking a campaign of retaliation by Queens-based Guyanese community leader and insurance scammer Savitri Mahabir (CCH Pounder, Avatar: The Way of Water). She enlists freshly arrived teens Xavier (Sheyi Cole, Atlanta) and Louis (Gerald Jones, Armageddon Time) to do the seizing under her nephew Aked's (Jharrel Jerome, I'm a Virgo) supervision; one of the newcomers is the brother of the latter's fiancée Natalia (Adia, The Midnight Club), who is also Savitri's masseuse. The target: Manhattan high-schooler Jared (Ethan Stoddard, Mysteries at the Museum), son of the wealthy and privileged Sam (Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble) and Derek Browne (Timothy Olyphant, Daisy Jones & The Six), and grandson through Sam to ponytailed celebrity chef Jeff McCusker (Dennis Quaid, Strange World). Savitri is convinced that this is the only way to stave off the curse she's certain is hanging over her business — a "broken circle", in fact — but, much to the frustration of the US Postal Inspection Service's Manny Broward (Jim Gaffigan, Peter Pan & Wendy), his go-for-broke agent Melody Harmony (Zazie Beetz, Black Mirror) is already investigating before the abduction. As a filmmaker frequently obsessed with heists — see: not just Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, but Out of Sight, Logan Lucky and No Sudden Move — Soderbergh is well-versed in the reality that little about stealing and swindling goes smoothly. Full Circle's kidnapping is quickly botched, the Brownes' attempts to pay the $314,159 ransom become a mess and everyone from the perpetrators to law enforcement makes questionable choices. Soderbergh and Solomon also know how to toy with tropes and expectations, as illustrated so devastatingly and delightfully in their staging of the suspense-dripping snatching itself. Viewers think they're seeing clearly what's happening, only to then discover what's actually occurred, and also how cleverly Full Circle has stitched together the whole incident to comment on perception, misdirection, mistruths and people acting without gleaning the full picture. This is an intelligent and precise series in every detail, making connecting the dots both addictive and satisfying — for viewers, that is, but rarely for the show's characters. None of Full Circle's key figures are ever being completely honest, and each time that truth is revealed, more arcs appear, questions are posed and tangents sparked. There's a savvy statement echoing, too, about how everyone who thinks they're intelligent and precise, be it a detective, crime matriarch, business leaders, famous folks, rebellious teens, people chasing a dream or those endeavouring to do the right thing, so rarely are. Again, it's right there in the title that all of these complications will come full circle — and, visually and within the narrative, Soderbergh and Solomon find shrewd ways to play up the spherical motif — but less expected is the emotional weight that spins along with the labyrinthine storyline. That Full Circle is terrifically performed isn't a surprise for a second; Julia Roberts and Benicio del Toro both won Oscars in the same year for different Soderbergh films, and the director's way with actors has been a hallmark of his work since the 80s. Here, there's no weak link, even among stars who remain in comfortable territory. Danes and Olyphant's involvement is dream casting for that very reason — she just played highly successful and highly stressed in Fleishman Is in Trouble, and is equally as stunning in this; whether in Deadwood, Justified or Santa Clarita Diet, he's always excellent at weathering and navigating crumbling facades. Jerome seems worlds away from I'm a Virgo, and Pounder from The Shield, and Beetz from Atlanta, yet each brandishes some of their best traits in those projects and now: yearning and desperation, potency and determination, and wiliness and playfulness, respectively. An intriguing premise, astute scripting, admirable actors, outstanding filmmaker: combine them and an all-round superb series results. There's a circular element to the way that each of these core aspects feeds the other; without Soderbergh's virtuoso craftsmanship in everything from probing closeups to sharp editing, or the cast's commitment in examining complex characters and their motivations, or a knotty script that might just owe a debt to Akira Kurosawa's High and Low, Full Circle mightn't have swirled so rivetingly. The one query that it leaves viewers with, particularly those outside of the US: why the postal service needs cops? Of course, that's a minor concern in a taut, tenseand intoxicating major must-see. Check out the trailer for Full Circle below: Full Circle streams via Binge from Thursday, July 13 and Neon from Friday, July 14.
From watching the fireworks on the river to drag queens, family fun, live music and epic DJ lineups, Brisbane sure knows how to throw a New Year's Eve party. We know how hard it can be to decide what to do on the all-important final night of the year, so we've enlisted the help of The Pass to round up some pretty epic New Year's Eve events and specials in Brisbane to bid farewell to 2024. Riverland NYE Celebrations Head to Riverland for an unforgettable New Year's Eve. From your prime spot along the river, you can sit back and watch the fireworks show while indulging in an exclusive four-hour premium food and beverage package. There will also be live cooking stations, live music and DJs. Honestly, we can't think of a better way to spend the last day of 2024. Grab your tickets here. Time: From 8pm until 3amWhere: 167 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 Cost: From $209 Fridays NYE Party Ring in 2025 at Friday's iconic New Year's Eve party, set along Brisbane's stunning riverside with views of the fireworks. We're really looking forward to this one—you can expect gourmet food, drinks and live tunes from DJs, including KAOS, Chunky Dip, and Darley. Tickets can be purchased here. Time: From 8pm until 3am Where: Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 Cost: From $170 Regatta - Through the Decades NYE For those who are nostalgic for New Year's Eve's past, or maybe you just love a bit of 80s music, The Regatta Through the Decades party is the place for you. There will be plenty of fun things to keep you entertained, like themed rooms, live entertainment and food pop-ups with oh-so-many tasty offerings. Or, opt for the VIP treatment on Level 1 with a four-hour canape and drinks package with an oyster bar, while VIP Level 2 takes it up a notch with a luxe four-course meal and exclusive live music. Get your tickets for the ultimate blast from the past. Time: From 8pm until late Where: 543 Coronation Dr, Toowong QLD 4066 Cost: From $30 Crown Hotel Head to the Crown Hotel for a memorable, fun night. A great option if you've got little ones with you, enjoy countless fun activities for the kids, live music and a delicious chef's selection menu, with DJs hitting the decks later in the night so you can let loose. There will be a family countdown starting at 7.30pm, with a confetti cannon celebration. Tickets can be found here. Time: From 3pm until late Where: 446 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche QLD 4030 Cost: Free Wickham's 90s + Early 00s NYE Festival One of Brisbane's favourite pubs, The Wickham will be hosting a 90s and Early 00s party and it's time to get excited. There will be three rooms and three vibes – Vogue: Pop divas & icons all night long, Show Me Love: 90s dance floor anthems and Bring It All Back: 90s and 00s pop, RnB, and hip hop. You can also expect drag shows, themed drinks, giveaways, and a best-dressed competition. Get your tickets for a night of queer chaos and throwback bangers. Time: From 8pm until late Where: 308 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Cost: From $35.20 Images: Supplied.
Forget the host's monologue, when there is one. Jimmy Kimmel was on MC duties for the 2023 Academy Awards, and he did indeed start the show by making jokes about a heap of nominees — and about Batgirl being the first superhero taken down by studio accountants, and what'll happen if someone tried to follow in Will Smith's 2022 footsteps this year. But each Oscars ceremony truly begins when winners start being announced and those recipients give barnstorming speeches. With that in mind, the 2023 festivities began with a bang. If you didn't have tears in your eyes watching Guillermo del Toro, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan, then you weren't watching. As predicted, the latter's speech about never giving up on your dream — and how he almost did, but his wife told him his time would come — was an all-timer. He even gave a shoutout to Jeff Cohen, his co-star from The Goonies and his entertainment lawyer now. Of course, the excited words kept flowing from there. The An Irish Goodbye team singing happy birthday to star James Martin was another early highlight. So was the arrival of Jenny the donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin, and the thrilled look on Colin Farrell's face when it happened. When Everything Everywhere All At Once kept adding to its awards, you could see the joy among the film's team. And when records were made — the first Best Actress winner who identifies as Asian (Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All At Once), the first song from India to win Best Song (for 'Naatu Naatu' from explosive action-musical RRR), and the first Black woman to win two Oscars (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Ruth Carter) — it was tremendous. Among the many deserving winners, there were missed opportunities as well. Kimmel's opening joke about James Cameron not getting a Best Director nomination just as plenty of women didn't called out a glaring ongoing struggle with the Oscars. Also, the awards couldn't find a way to make Elvis' Mandy Walker the first woman to win Best Cinematographer in its 95-year run. Great work is great work — and great films are great films — no matter whether they earn shiny trophies. Some movies and talents end up with statuettes to their names, some come close and miss out, others don't even get nominated. All are worthy of attention. Here's the latest round of winners batch to join the Oscars' ranks — and who they were up against as well. You can also check out our rundown of the ten winners you should watch right now as well, plus our full lists of where most of this year's contenders are screening or streaming in both Australia and New Zealand. OSCAR WINNERS AND NOMINEES 2023: BEST MOTION PICTURE All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All At Once — WINNER The Fabelmans Tár Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking BEST DIRECTOR Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All At Once — WINNER Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans Todd Field, Tár Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Cate Blanchett, Tár Ana de Armas, Blonde Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All At Once — WINNER PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Austin Butler, Elvis Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin Brendan Fraser, The Whale — WINNER Paul Mescal, Aftersun Bill Nighy, Living PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Hong Chau, The Whale Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All At Once — WINNER Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All At Once PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All At Once — WINNER BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY The Banshees of Inisherin, Martin McDonagh Everything Everywhere All At Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert — WINNER The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner Tár, Todd Field Triangle of Sadness, Ruben Östlund BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY All Quiet on the Western Front, Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Rian Johnson Living, Kazuo Ishiguro Top Gun: Maverick, screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks Women Talking, Sarah Polley — WINNER BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM All Quiet on the Western Front — WINNER Argentina, 1985 Close EO The Quiet Girl BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio — WINNER Marcel the Shell With Shoes On Puss in Boots: The Last Wish The Sea Beast Turning Red BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE All That Breathes All the Beauty and the Bloodshed Fire of Love A House Made of Splinters Navalny — WINNER BEST ORIGINAL SCORE All Quiet on the Western Front, Volker Bertelmann — WINNER Babylon, Justin Hurwitz The Banshees of Inisherin, Carter Burwell Everything Everywhere All At Once, Son Lux The Fabelmans, John Williams BEST ORIGINAL SONG 'Applause', Tell It Like a Woman (Diane Warren) 'Hold My Hand', Top Gun: Maverick (Lady Gaga and BloodPop) 'Lift Me Up', Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; lyrics by Tems and Ryan Coogler) 'Naatu Naatu', RRR (music by MM Keeravaani, lyrics by Chandrabose) — WINNER 'This Is a Life', Everything Everywhere All At Once (music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski, lyrics by Ryan Lott and David Byrne) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY All Quiet on the Western Front, James Friend — WINNER Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Darius Khondji Elvis, Mandy Walker Empire of Light, Roger Deakins Tár, Florian Hoffmeister BEST FILM EDITING The Banshees of Inisherin, Mikkel EG Nielsen Elvis, Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond Everything Everywhere All At Once, Paul Rogers — WINNER Tár, Monika Willi Top Gun: Maverick, Eddie Hamilton BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN All Quiet on the Western Front, Christian M Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper — WINNER Avatar: The Way of Water, Dylan Cole, Ben Procter and Vanessa Cole Babylon, Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino Elvis, Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy and Bev Dunn The Fabelmans, Rick Carter and Karen O'Hara BEST VISUAL EFFECTS All Quiet on the Western Front, Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank and Kamil Jafar Avatar: The Way of Water, Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett — WINNER The Batman, Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands and Dominic Tuohy Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R Christopher White and Dan Sudick Top Gun: Maverick, Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R Fisher BEST COSTUME DESIGN Babylon, Mary Zophres Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ruth Carter — WINNER Elvis, Catherine Martin Everything Everywhere All At Once, Shirley Kurata Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, Jenny Beavan BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING All Quiet on the Western Front, Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová The Batman, Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Camille Friend and Joel Harlow Elvis, Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti The Whale, Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley — WINNER BEST SOUND All Quiet on the Western Front, Viktor Prásil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel and Stefan Korte Avatar: The Way of Water, Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges The Batman, Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray and Andy Nelson Elvis, David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller Top Gun: Maverick, Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor — WINNER BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT The Elephant Whisperers — WINNER Haulout How Do You Measure a Year? The Martha Mitchell Effect Stranger at the Gate BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — WINNER The Flying Sailor Ice Merchants My Year of Dicks An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM An Irish Goodbye — WINNER Ivalu Le Pupille Night Ride The Red Suitcase
There's no official Wes Anderson Cinematic Universe. That label isn't bandied across his trailers and posters to describe connections between his movies, storylines don't continue from one film to the next and characters from past flicks aren't popping up in the writer/director's new works. Fan theories can speculate otherwise however they like; however, rather than any overarching narrative tidbits, it's the inimitable auteur's distinctive style, recurrent themes and familiar troupe of actors that connect Anderson's movies — delightfully so 13 full-length titles into his resume (if you count 2023 shorts The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Rat Catcher and Poison as one charming anthology). Still, being a part of one of the Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs' helmer's features is akin to entering a specific realm for his cast. Starring in an Anderson picture means working with a filmmaker with a precise aesthetic and meticulous direction, the results of which then get splashed across the screen for audiences to cherish in elaborate detail. In The Phoenician Scheme, Benicio del Toro (Reptile) and Michael Cera (Sacramento) are two such players. They're each either relative or literal newcomers to Anderson's world — del Toro first collaborated with him on The French Dispatch, while Cera was slated to be in Asteroid City but the birth of his son understandably took precedence — and they're loving it. Nothing is accidental in the making of a Wes Anderson film. Nothing is anything but intricately planned and orchestrated, in fact. Accordingly, it should come as zero surprise that del Toro and Cera weren't merely cast in the 50s-set The Phoenician Scheme — they're the only actors that Anderson had in mind for the roles of European business magnate Anatole 'Zsa-zsa' Korda and Norwegian tutor/entomologist Bjorn, respectively. Chatting with Concrete Playground, they both use the same word to describe that situation. "It's a hell of a gift," del Toro advises with a smile. "It was really a treat and a gift," says Cera. Zsa-zsa is The Phoenician Scheme's protagonist. The plan that gives the flick its name — as stored in shoeboxes, and involving a range of business partners spread far and wide (as portrayed by Here's Tom Hanks, The Studio's Bryan Cranston, Relay's Riz Ahmed, A Private Life's Mathieu Almaric, The Last of Us' Jeffrey Wright and Fly Me to the Moon's Scarlett Johansson) — is all his. Brought to life by one of Oscar-winner del Toro's greatest performances, he's also wealthy, charismatic, cut-throat in his professional endeavours and, after surviving his sixth plane crash, keen to get reacquainted with Liesl (Mia Threapleton, The Buccaneers), the nun in training that's also his estranged daughter and preferred heir. As for Bjorn, he's enlisted to teach Zsa-zsa about insects, but finds himself acting more as a personal assistant while getting close to Liesl — who is expectedly wary about her father and his endeavours — as they jet around attempting to lock in The Korda Land and Sea Phoenician Infrastructure Scheme. Cera is stellar, too, as well as a seamless fit into Anderson's repertory cast; his work here ranks up there with Arrested Development's George Michael Bluth, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World's eponymous figure, Twin Peaks' Wally Brando and Barbie's Allan among his most-memorable characters. [caption id="attachment_1006881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giulia Parmigiani[/caption] For co-stars, del Toro, Cera, Threapleton and the fellow talents listed above also have everyone from Richard Ayoade (Dream Productions), Benedict Cumberbatch (Eric), Rupert Friend (Companion) and Hope Davis (Succession) to Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu), Stephen Park (Death of a Unicorn), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Étoile) and Bill Murray (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) for company. And for plot specifics, the ensemble has "disrupting, obstructing, impeding" bureaucrats, the price of bashable rivets, lie detectors, suspicious uncles, locomotives, basketball shots, terrorists, freighters, marriages, grand hotels and heaven to navigate. They're stepping into a redemption story, and also a complex family dynamic with deep emotional resonance. This group is in another Anderson gem, then. Ask del Toro how he approaches plying his skills for Anderson, a filmmaker who is giving him rare comic parts — so much so that the actor was astonished the very first time that the director called — and he speaks about his commitment to telling the truth no matter the role. Ask Cera about conveying complicated bonds for the helmer, and also about the path that's brought him to Bjorn after more than a quarter of a century of acting, and he's all about the people around him. For both, trust and faith in Anderson are pivotal to them giving their all, and the results are on the screen. "You trust him and you try to be as honest as you can, even when you're lying," del Toro notes. On Digging Into a Wes Anderson-Penned Redemption Story That's Characteristically Both Comic and Has Emotional Depth Benicio: "I think I do what I do in every movie — I try to tell the truth. Wes and Roman Coppola, together they wrote this incredible script. You just draw from it. You know, I'm not known to do comedy — and one thing that we tried to keep in mind was 'don't try to be funny'. If the laughs come, good. If not, it's good. Don't try to make the laugh happen. Let the laughs follow. So try to tell the truth. And for me, it's just like what I do in other movies. I mean, this time I have to do it verbally, and there's a lot of dialogue. So for that, you just have to get ready and practice that dialogue. But the bottom line for me is basically what you said — it's the depth of this arc of this character. But also those dream sequences or heaven sequences, that is his subconscious also talking. It just added for the actor to know what was the arc about. It helped. It was like having your psychiatrist explaining the character as well. It's like having the psychiatrist explaining who the character is. Those dreams fed a lot of information to me of where we were on this story — also where was his emotional arc of that particular moment in the story." Michael: "I think the material and the writing takes care of a great deal of that for you. If it's able to get you invested in the story — which, it's just such strong writing — you feel it when you read the script. You feel and you know completely — you know where the feeling is going to come from and how you know it needs to be rendered. But even so, I found the movie much more moving in the end than I even expected, even after having shot it. I find it to be very moving." On How del Toro, Cera and Mia Threapleton Worked Together to Convey Their Characters' Deepening Bond Across the Film Michael: "We did have a little bit of a rehearsal period, fortunately, with the three of us and with Wes. And we just really worked, the four of us privately, for a couple of weeks — like two weeks or so. And it's a great thing to be able to do. It makes you get ahead of things a little bit. It allows you to come up with some observations and ideas that that later can feed into the work. And it also, but most importantly I think, just creates a strong sense of a team and comfort and trust with each other. And that carries into the work, I think. But we discovered, also I think, in reading it, discovered the dynamics and the emotions that these characters feel toward each other. And what it feels like for to be betrayed, when there are betrayals that happen. It was nice to get ahead of all of that and find the specific way in, and what was specific about it — because I love the way it's played. Things are salvaged even though there's a major betrayal. And there's an emotional bond that helps them all pull through that even, which is really nice. A really nice turn, I think." On the Significance of Anderson Writing Specific Parts for Del Toro and Cera Benicio: "Well, it's a hell of a gift. I think that we never talked about anything. 'Hey, did you write this for me? Am I your second choice?'. I never really questioned that. He called me up. He sent me the first 20 pages. I have to go back and explain to you that when I got The French Dispatch and he first called me, I was super elated. It was hard to believe that Wes Anderson was calling me to be in one of his films, because most of the movies I do, even though they're fiction, they tilt towards documentaries. Wes movies, they're fiction but they tilt more to theatrics — to the theatre, let's put it that way. When he called me up the first time, I was a little bit like 'wow, is he, is he really?'. I immediately thought 'wow, he's thinking outside the box, he's going against stereotypes'. Because there's many actors that do comedy better than me, and he could have gone to those actors. But for some reason, he pulled me into that world, his world. And I was really elated by it. When I read the part of The French Dispatch, it was like it was so good, and then I realised that it came to an end and another story happened and that was it — and it was like 'wump, wump, wump'. I was little bit like 'oh, wow, I could really get into this character, the painter Moses'. And so then that happened. I did the film. I had a blast working with him. When you work with Wes, you have to let the kid in you, you've got to let them out, the imagination. You have to play. It's a lot of fun. It reminded me — I was trained in the theatre, so it was kind of like back to the future, in a way. It was like I had travelled back in time to my beginnings, studying with Stella Adler and being on the theatre. And then come to this, when he sent the first 20 pages, I was like 'oh wow, this is amazing'. But I thought that might be it. And then he sent the next 20 pages and I'm still in the movie. And then the next 20 pages — and then I'm going 'oh my god, now this is going to be hard work'. So it was kind of like one of those, and I was really excited — and it's a gift from Wes. But at the same time, you had to really put on, strap on your boots and get to work, because there was a lot of work to do." Michael: "I didn't know that really, to be honest. So I'm not sure — like I don't know exactly what his process was with that or when I came into his mind for it. But obviously just so happy to be considered and invited. Wes had offered me one role once before, in Asteroid City, and I ended up not being able to do it because of the birth of my son interfering with the dates. So I was so disappointed. I mean, obviously it was the most-important kind of life event for me. So it was all good, but it was just horrible timing. I was like 'oh no, I finally got offered by Wes to come along and be a part of his one of his productions and I can't go'. It was heartbreaking. But this more than redeemed it. So I was just happy that he was still thinking of me, and then so delighted to read it and to discover this character — and so caught, really, by surprise by how involved of a role it was too in the whole story, and in the whole play of everything. I didn't expect to be given such an opportunity by him. So it was really a treat and a gift." On Cera's Knack for Taking on Distinctive, Specific Characters That Aren't Going to Be Mistaken for Any Others, Including in Arrested Development and Twin Peaks Michael: "It's the greatest thing when you get a piece that's exciting to read and an amazing opportunity as an actor. I remember reading the script for Arrested Development when I was like 14 or 13, and really, it was very clear how special it was. I don't know — I think there are things that you just gravitate toward and you just want in. There are a lot of things that I have felt that about that I didn't have a chance to work on, too, but you're just like 'oh, I need this. I want this. I get this. I love this world. I love the people making it'. So when you are lucky enough to get onto the ones that you feel that way about, it's the greatest." [caption id="attachment_1006861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roger Do Minh/TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.[/caption] On How Working with a Filmmaker with Such a Precise Visual Style Influences the Way an Actor Approaches a Role Benicio: "Well, you know his movies are handmade. There's nothing there that is — let's say CGI, very little. You might have to use something but very little is CGI. Everything is built. Everything is put together. Everything is really — you can touch it. So my approach to it was the same way I approach any movie: is just try to tell the truth unless, and trust Wes that if I do what I do, he will take it to the finish line. He will do his thing and take it to the finish line. And, like any actor, you try to tell the truth — even when you lie. So that's what you do in a Wes Anderson movie as that's an actor. You trust him and you try to be as honest as you can, even when you're lying. That's what I did. Hey, there might be other ways, but everybody's different." Michael: "Well, you have a lot of faith in him. You have a lot of trust in Wes, because you know that he's across every inch of the movie and he's not going to let something get through that breaks the spell or destroys the nuance of what he's creating. So you just feel you're in incredibly good hands and he's going to make you shine — and make you look better than what you did, even. So working with someone on that level, it makes you feel very confident. And then you can you can try things and you can work with confidence. That feeling is not always there, and sometimes you have the opposite feeling, and it's really hard to really put yourself out there as an actor when you have that, when you have doubts." On What Cera Makes of His Journey as an Actor Over More Than a Quarter of a Century, Leading Him to The Phoenician Scheme Michael: "I feel really lucky to be doing this for a living and doing what I was attracted to from that age. When I was a kid, it wasn't like a career. It was just something I loved. And then it turned into something that was kind of a job, but I loved that, too. It's an interesting life. I've had a very positive experience of coming up as a child actor and turning into an adult person who's acting. There are obviously the famously unfortunate versions of that. But for me, I was always just around great people. [caption id="attachment_1006880" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giulia Parmigiani[/caption] It was exciting to be nine years old and having colleagues that were grown people that you admire and that took care of me and showed me how to do it. Even first assistant directors and things, when I didn't even know what I was doing. I didn't know where I was supposed to go, what I was supposed to, what I was supposed to say — and people helped me. So I feel very lucky. I've had a very good road to be where I am now. And it's really nothing but good luck that made it that way. I just have had really good people around me." The Phoenician Scheme opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Film stills: courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Luck, be a lady tonight: when Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour's famed floating stage returns for 2025, Guys and Dolls will be sweeping audiences off to 50s-era Manhattan from the city's — and the country's — most-stunning performance venue. As one production does each year, the hit five-time Tony-winning musical will unleash its showgirls and gangsters, as well as its incredibly catchy tunes, against a helluva backdrop. Guys and Dolls will play the unique waterfront opera venue at Mrs Macquaries Point from Friday, March 21–Sunday, April 20, following in the footsteps of West Side Story in 2024, Madama Butterfly in 2023, The Phantom of the Opera in 2022 and La Traviata in 2021 — to name just a few shows that've gotten the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour treatment over the years. This time, expect a new version of a musical that first premiered on Broadway in 1950, then on West End in 1953, and has enjoyed many a revival in the seven decades since. [caption id="attachment_968000" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2016 — Turandot, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] The story, as also conveyed in the 1955 Marlon Brando- and Frank Sinatra-starring film — which was nominated for four Oscars — follows Sky Masterson as he endeavours to win big, then crosses paths with missionary Sister Sarah Brown. Also weaved into the narrative: the tale of Nathan and Adelaide, with the former also immersed in gambling and the latter his fiancé. Tunes such as 'Luck Be a Lady', also 'Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat', 'Adelaide's Lament' and 'I've Never Been in Love Before' will echo across the harbour in the latest take on Guys and Dolls, as directed by Opera Australia's Artistic Director Jo Davies. "Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is so magical, just the walk through the venue to reach your seat creates such a sense of anticipation. I'm thrilled to be bringing a beloved musical like Guys and Dolls, with its wild ensemble dance numbers and brilliantly sharp comedy, to this incredible stage," said Davies. [caption id="attachment_968002" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2021 — La Traviata, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] Helping make the season even more of a spectacle is Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour veteran set designer Brian Thomson, who also demonstrated his talents on La Traviata, Carmen and West Side Story. As always, also included in this Guys and Dolls experience is not just the show on the overwater stage, but also fireworks each evening, dazzling Sydney skyline views and hitting up pop-up dining spots that are constructed onsite each year. [caption id="attachment_968003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2022 — The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_968006" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2024 — West Side Story, Richard Milnes, Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_968004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2019 — West Side Story, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_968001" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2017 — Carmen, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] Guys and Dolls at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will run from Friday, March 21–Sunday, April 20, 2025 — with tickets via Opera Australia subscription packages available and general tickets on offer from Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Top image: Opera Australia's Performance of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour 2019, Hamilton Lund.
Browsing through stalls, sipping a freshly brewed beer, seeing a movie, checking out a rooftop farm: in the near future, all of the above will be possible at one inner-north address. In around 12–18 months, Lutwyche will be home to the Lamington Markets, a 10,000-square-metre food and retail precinct that'll set up shop on Lutwyche Road above the the northern busway over Lutwyche Station. And if you're wondering where all of the above will fit, this new site will spread out vertically. That means Brisbanites will have multiple levels to explore, which is where the development's 4500-square-metre indoor market halls will reside — and its craft brewery, boutique cinema, restaurants, cafes and 134-plus residential apartments, too. Atop it all will sit the aforementioned rooftop urban farm, which'll take over a 500-square-metre site and feature its own restaurant. Also included: greenery, obviously, as well as views southwards to the CBD and eastwards over to Moreton Island. If it's the markets side of things that you're now excited about, there'll be more than 100 stalls on offer. Shopping-wise, a speciality supermarket will also feature, as well as boutique retail shops. And, if it's the brewery that's whet your appetite, it'll sprawl over 400 square metres — while the cinema is set to take inspiration from Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art. The development will also be built into excavated and exposed rock, which is where the movie theatre will be located — and terraced lawns, influenced by the High Line in New York, will feature as well. In terms of design and setup, Lamington Markets will also glean a few cues from Adelaide Markets, New York's Chelsea Markets and Barcelona's Santa Caterina Markets, with architecture studio Conrad Gargett doing the honours. Patrons can expect a sculptural look, copper aplenty, a large number of laneways, and areas that merge the indoors with the outdoors. Brisbane's climate has also guided the design, which is where touches such as energy efficient lighting and performance glass will come in. Just getting the go-ahead from Brisbane City Council last week, the development is expected to start construction towards the end of this year. And, it's just one of two new precincts being built by Marketplace Developments, alongside the soon-to-open Craft'd Grounds, which'll launch in Albion in August. Lamington Markets is expected to open by early 2023 at 612 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche. For further details, head to the architecture studio's website.
New South Wales is dotted with seemingly endless country towns and weekend destinations. Among the best of these is Kangaroo Valley, named for the Kangaroo River along which the tiny village is situated. The town is only two hours south of Sydney but packs all of the charm that we love about rural NSW — breathtaking mountain and valley views, bushwalks aplenty and wineries galore. Kangaroo Valley is a cabin retreat that will feel decades away from the city hustle and bustle, but is still close enough for a quick weekender. Here's how to make the most of it. [caption id="attachment_581967" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @she_eats[/caption] EAT/DRINK Kangaroo Valley may not be the most talked about wine region, but it sure is a quiet contender. The region is distinguished by its rich volcanic soil which is ideal for viticulture — aka growing grapes. The winding pathway to the remote Yarrawa Estate is not an easy one to follow, but you'll be pleasantly surprised as the path opens to this lakeside vineyard. If the golden retrievers and frolicking children remind you of a visit to the family country home you either have or dream about, well, it should — the cellar door is quite literally set in the Foster family dining room, where strangers momentarily become relatives. Apart from the incredible wine, they also offer a range of nuts, jams and pickles made from homegrown produce. Be sure to taste their homemade walnut liquor wine, a combination of both passions. Possibly the best known among the region's wineries is Silos Estate. The cellar door is run by friendly, knowledgeable locals and set among the estate's sloping Shiraz vineyards. Order a local producer's cheese plate at the cellar bar while you enjoy your free wine tasting or peruse the collection of locally-made smallgoods for sale. If you're hankering for something more substantial, head over to the Silos restaurant which is set in a 100-year-old hay shed and has a relatively reasonable tasting menu ($29.95 for lunch, $95 for dinner). Head chef Nick Gardner (Tetsuya's, Quay, The French Laundry) focuses on native Australian ingredients and local produce, like the decadent red snapper topped with warrigal greens, smoked oyster cream and citrus caviar sauce. The open fireplace keeps you cosy in the winter months while outdoor seating is perfect for warm weather days. Once you're out by Silos, might as well stop over at The Famous Berry Donut Van for their notorious cinnamon-sugar doughnuts. You deserve a second dessert — you're on holiday after all. [caption id="attachment_575084" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Southern Pies.[/caption] If wineries aren't your thing, Kangaroo Valley holds plenty of small town eateries to explore. If you're looking for a quick, road trip snack, check out Southern Pies — the cheeseburger pie or the curry beef are standouts, and vegetarians will love the award-winning lentil and chickpea dhal pie or the honey-roast pumpkin and spinach. The only pub in town, The Friendly Inn, has been around since 1892 and is one of the oldest in the region. Though it's pretty standard pub fare, the real draw is the expansive beer garden which overlooks the rolling valleys and mountains beyond. On the drive down from Sydney, or on the way back home, have a stopover at Berrima's Bendooley Estate, which houses the original Berkelouw Book Barn. The architecturally-designed winery is situated within a gorgeous backdrop, while the produce-driven restaurant sits within the bookshop itself. Check out our Foodie's Guide to Kangaroo Valley for more eating destinations. [caption id="attachment_581969" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Angus L.[/caption] DO As the town lies along the Kangaroo River, one of the best ways to see the valley is via kayak or canoe. Two companies in town, Kangaroo Valley Safaris and Kangaroo Valley Kayaks are comparable in price and both offer pick-up service at the end of the five-kilometre, self-guided journey. The gentle rapids and overall calm river is easy to navigate and includes spectacular scenery and plenty of wildlife to sight. A pro tip is to go on an overcast or drizzly day when the tourist count will be at its lowest and the river will be as peaceful as ever. If bushwalks are more your speed, Mortan National Park and Kangaroo Valley Nature Reserve seem to have an endless number of hiking trails to explore. Within the park is the Fitzroy Falls walking track, which offers both forest and cliff-side views, as well as a good chance to see platypus and lyrebird in their natural habitat. The full West Rim walking track, a moderate 3.5 kilometre trip, will take you through eucalypt and lush rainforest, remarkable gorges and waterfalls before finishing at Twin Falls. Beach lovers should go for the Seven Mile Beach track, which includes stunning ocean views and beach side picnic areas. [caption id="attachment_581975" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Maarten Danial.[/caption] Once the great outdoors has you good and tired, it's time to check out the many antique shops around town. While Kangaroo Valley town itself is loaded with boutiques and craft shops, our favourite is the out-of-towner, Grandpa's Shed. Located down the road from Fitzroy Falls, this warehouse has every antique imaginable, from hand-axes and old farming equipment to antique jewellery and comic books. The shop is connected to an old-school, working gas station, which will offer a much needed cold drink if you're visiting after a trek. [caption id="attachment_581976" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Heavens.[/caption] STAY Kangaroo Valley is ideal for a cabin getaway weekend and there are plenty of options to that end, from The Heavens to Kookaburra Hill. Twin Falls Bush Cottages is by far our favourite — family-owned and operated, the five one- or two-bedroom cottages are nicely spaced for privacy from the neighbours and include a fireplace, full kitchen and outdoor barbecue. The expansive property is set right in the bush, with private hikes and mountain bike trails, as well as a communal tennis court, pool and fire pit to boot. The location is also perfectly situated for both for Twin Falls and Fitzroy Falls treks and the remote location is a true removal from city living. If you're looking to stay closer to town, the Tall Trees Bed and Breakfast is conveniently located just one kilometre from the town centre and is walkable for those without a car. You can either choose a traditional B&B or a self contained unit here. Another, more upscale option is the villas at Kangaroo Valley Golf and Country Club, only a four-minute drive from town and offering sweeping valley views. [caption id="attachment_581974" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] LET'S DO THIS, HOW DO I GET THERE? By car: Kangaroo Valley is two hours drive south of Sydney along Hume Highway. This is the suggested route, as it makes it much easier to travel around the valley for hikes and wineries. By public transport: Catch the Southern NSW train line from Central Station to Moss Vale Station, then transfer to the 810 bus toward Nowra, which stops in the heart of Kangaroo Valley. Top image: Rodney Campbell.
We're going back ... back to see Back to the Future, this time as a musical on the Sydney Lyric's stage. First floated 20 years ago by the big-screen trilogy's screenwriter Bob Gale, then finally premiering in 2020, the song-filled take on Marty McFly and Doc Brown's exploits has proven an award-winning success in London's West End and on Broadway. In 2025, the DeLorean has finally arrived in Sydney. The power of Back to the Future isn't really a curious thing. As viewers have known since 1985, the Michael J Fox (The Good Fight)-starring sci-fi/comedy is a timeless delight. But as well as making film lovers weep with joy for almost four decades, the iconic movie has been making other folks sing — the casts of the Olivier Award-winning Back to the Future: The Musical, that is. Aussie audiences can now experience the award-winning musical at the Sydney Lyric. Exclaiming "great Scott!" is obviously the only fitting response to this development, and to the production in general — and there's clearly plenty to get excited about. Since initially racing towards clocktowers onstage in the UK since early 2020 (around a pandemic hiatus or two, of course), Back to the Future: The Musical has picked up the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and then was nominated for two Tony Awards in 2024. And yes, the show does indeed follow the Marty McFly and Doc Brown-led story we all know and adore, but with songs, including renditions of Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Goode' and Huey Lewis and the News' 'The Power of Love' and 'Back in Time', naturally. [caption id="attachment_1049421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Australian fans will now want to speed at 88 miles per hour towards the Harbour City, given that it is the only Aussie city where a season of Back to the Future: The Musical has been announced so far, so bookmark a trip to the Harbour City to see it — or pop on your own white lab coat, start tinkering around with electronics and whip up your own time machine to try to make it happen. Also featuring music and lyrics by OG Back to the Future composer Alan Silvestri and acclaimed songwriter Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill the Musical), plus a book by Gale — who co-penned all three Back to the Future film scripts with filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Here) — Back to the Future: The Musical was nominated for seven Olivier Awards. It only won the big one, but emerged victorious over heavy-hitters and fellow screen-to-stage shows Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Frozen. Tickets are on sale now. For more info, head to the website. [caption id="attachment_1049422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption]
Now, before you get us all wrong, this is a guide to hotels where you can swing back and forth on actual swings and hammocks. It's not for the other kind of swingers. These hotels have swings on the beach, by the pool, at the bar and in the rooms — on which you can gleefully rock back and forth and take in spectacular views in total comfort. Read on to find our favouriting swinging spots. Recommended reads: The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Hotels in Melbourne The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Australia SHINTA MANI, CAMBODIA You'll rethink your kitchen chairs after a stay at Shinta Mani, where the streetside Kroya restaurant boasts dreamy swings on a breezy terrace. The idea of swings and food might sound messy, but you'll soon get the hang of things in no time. Plus, these swings are huge — you really shouldn't be falling off them. The excellent Cambodian dining options available will also make practice a pleasure rather than a chore (perhaps only the steady-handed should order crab bouillabaisse). American architect and interiors whizz Bill Bensley styled the hotel and added in all the swinging details. NALADHU PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT, MALDIVES Why doesn't every hotel have beach hammocks and in-room swing chairs? Naladhu Private Island Resort, set between a lagoon and the sea, boasts both. That's not all it has, either: each of the 19 intimate beach houses comes with its own private pool and romantic semi-outdoor glass-sided bath and shower. With all this in your villa, don't be surprised if you never reach the main pool, flanked by inviting sun loungers and overlooking the lagoon. When you want to have both feet planted firmly on the ground, head to the Living Room, a thatched-roof restaurant with an openair hardwood deck, to feast on local seafood as the sun sets over the water. COQUI COQUI COBA, MEXICO This luxury Mexican resort is a swinger's paradise. Within the Coqui Coqui Coba suites and villas, you'll find hammocks hanging in the centre of rooms, wooden swings in the bathrooms and hammocks simply used as decorations on the walls. You can even head down to the pool located by the lagoon and surrounded by Mayan-inspired towers to swing about on one of the outdoor hammocks all day long. Order some food and cocktails from its restaurant and swing here while watching the sun set over the mountains. THE GRAY, ITALY The swinging scene at Milan's The Gray revolves around the lobby, where a giant fuchsia-upholstered swing with lipstick-red cords drops from the ceiling: a memorable first impression, regardless of whether you're bold enough to go and sit on it. If you take the swing as a promise of the unexpected, you won't be let down. The rooms have ivory-silk curtains that whoosh open at the touch of a button; there are Jacuzzis in bathrooms; the restaurant has black-velvet chairs, grass-topped tables and spoons and forks suspended from light fittings. It's all over the top and we love it. SAL SALIS, AUSTRALIA A little closer to home, this swingers accommodation is set right on the Ningaloo Reef, where the desert meets the sea — an extraordinary and unique part of Australia that should be on all travel bucket lists. The 16 off-grid wilderness tents are located right on the beach, surrounded by little else but untamed nature. Swing in your hammock all day long, gazing into your stupid-beautiful views with an ice-cold beer at hand, or get out on a sea kayak to explore the nearby reefs full of colourful sea life. Not only is this one of the best accommodations for swingers, it's also one of the best glamping spots in Australia. COMO COCOA ISLAND, MALDIVES COMO Cocoa Island is your quintessential luxury Maldives resort that's home to villas hovering on stilts above clear blue waters. It's the kind of place you see in honeymoon brochures and would expect to be the next location of The White Lotus. It is pure luxury. It's also where swingers can hop from beachside hammock to beachside hammock throughout a long sunny day. When you grow tired of your own private pool and the waters full of turtles and dolphins, you can hit up some of the swings dotted about the island. Bring a good book and a few beers with you and spend your holiday swinging by the sea. RUSCHMEYER'S, UNITED STATES This grown-up, summer camp-style boutique hotel in the Hamptons is home to 19 detached rooms surrounding a large swath of grass that provides a back-to-basics luxury — with swings, a tepee and lawn chairs aplenty. Swingers will even find hammocks in some of the Ruchmeyer's bedrooms. And come night-time, the lawns host summer parties and outdoor cinemas. This means you can swing here all day and all night long. GAYANA MARINE RESORT, MALAYSIA At Gayana Eco Resort, you can take swinging to whole new heights: this eco-luxe hideaway has jungle paths with a canopy walk and zip line, so you can whoosh through the trees like an over-caffeinated monkey. For calmer moments, there's also an excellent spa with horizon-view rooms and a selection of massages, scrubs, facials and beauty treatments. There's even an on-site marine research centre: a hub devoted to giant-clam breeding and coral restoration programmes, where guests can feed man-sized groupers in floating pens, plant coral, or scoop up starfish and squishy sea cucumbers in the touch tanks. WALDORF ASTORIA LOS CABOS This Los Cabos resort is huge and opulent. The 115 individually decorated guestrooms feature fireplaces, private plunge pools and balconies overlooking the private beach. Swingers won't find any swings in their rooms, but there are plenty dotted about the resort. On the beach, stacks of hammocks line the shores, while the beach bar has swapped out the stools, preferring guess to sip cocktails while sitting on wooden swings. These may get a little dangerous once you've had a few bevs, so you best head to the beachside hammocks or one of the four Waldorf Astoria restaurants soon after. THE KOROWAI, INDONESIA Each of Korowai's wood-framed rooms are carved into the limestone cliff overlooking Bali's famous Impossible Beach (known for surfing, not partying). Marvel at the ridiculous uninterrupted 180-degree views across the ocean from the privacy of your own little balcony adorned with traditional Balinese décor — including many hammocks and crochet nets. It's one of the most romantic places to stay in Bali. The glitz and glam of other Uluwatu resorts doesn't exist here. Instead, you and your partner will feel as if you've found your own hidden oasis. But, when or if you do want to get into town, the hospitable resort staff will rent you a scooter or organise a taxi ride. Plus, there are a few walkable restaurants nearby if you somehow get tired of dining at their restaurant overlooking the beach. Top images: Naladhu Private Island Resort Feeling inspired to book a swinging getaway? Book your next dream holiday with Concrete Playground Trips — with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations around the world.
The team behind Fortitude Valley favourites Hôntô and Agnes made a clever addition to their restaurant portfolio with the opening of sleek James Street trattoria Biánca in 2021. And it has consistently gained fans and repeat customers ever since. Nestled into Ada Lane which branches off of the popular Valley roadway — and also houses The Calile Hotel, Same Same and Gelato Messina — Biánca is all about simple, old-school Italian fare. Within the trattoria's pastel-hued confines, diners can fill the table with antipasti items like Cantabrian anchovies, burrata, fritto misto and prosciutto di parma with melon — as well as a pasta range that includes prawn spaghetti and a mafalde with beef ragu. The Biánca mains are true classics. Pork cotoletta served on soft polenta, grilled spatchcock, and wood-roasted flounder served in an almond cream are all big wins. But be sure to leave room for something sweet. The stellar dessert lineup includes fior di latte gelato, salted caramel and walnut cannoli, tiramisu and a rich chocolate torte topped with seasonal fruit and diplomat cream. When you're tucking into Biánca's cheeses, breads and pastas, you're eating slices of dairy and servings of carbohydrates all made in-house. Pair it all with one of the many Italian wines or a few cheeky cocktails — highlights include a Campari, creme de peche, white peach and orange juice number, plus a combination of gin, apricot, rosemary and lemon. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Brisbane
When Kendrick Lamar was announced as Spilt Milk's 2025 headliner, festivalgoers had all the right words to say courtesy of the man himself. "DAMN" and "LOVE" also apply to his latest news. Not content with taking to the stage Down Under in Ballarat, Perth, Canberra and on the Gold Coast, the acclaimed hip hop artist has also locked in two solo stadium shows on his next Australian trip, as part of his Grand National tour. After making its way around North America and Europe, Lamar's latest string of live dates is heading to Melbourne and Sydney. First up: the Victorian capital, at AAMI Park on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Then comes Allianz Stadium in the Harbour City on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Lamar's Aussie stadium gigs kick off before his Spilt Milk dates, then slot in-between the festival's two weekend runs. The fest hits Ballarat on Saturday, December 6; Perth on Sunday, December 7; Canberra on Saturday, December 13; and the Gold Coast on Sunday, December 14. December clearly suits Lamar for a jaunt Down Under — that's when the Pulitzer Music Prize-winning musician also made the trip in 2022. Lamar is one of the most-critically acclaimed and successful hip hop artists of our generation. He currently has 22 Grammys to his name, plus an Academy Award nomination for one of his contributions to the Black Panther soundtrack. He won the 2017 Triple J Hottest 100 and, when he nabbed his Pulitzer in 2018, he also became the first ever artist to take out the prestigious award for contemporary music. GNX, his most-recent studio album, dropped in November 2024 — with his extensive catalogue also spanning 2011's Section.80, 2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly, 2017's DAMN and 2022's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Kendrick Lamar Grand National Tour 2025 Australian Dates Wednesday, December 3 — AAMI Park, Melbourne Wednesday, December 10 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney Spilt Milk 2025 Dates Saturday, December 6 — Victoria Park, Ballarat Sunday, December 7 — Claremont Showground, Perth Saturday, December 13 — Exhibition Park, Canberra Sunday, December 14 — Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Gold Coast Kendrick Lamar is touring Australia in December 2025, with ticket presales for his Sydney gig from 9am on Thursday, June 12 and for his Melbourne gig from 11am on Thursday, June 12 — then general sales from 9am on Monday, June 16 for Sydney and 11am Monday, June 16 for Melbourne. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.
Send in the terrifying clown: that's what Stephen King did when he penned IT back in 1986, as did a 1990 miniseries adaptation of his horror novel, then the hit 2017 IT movie and its 2019 sequel IT: Chapter Two. A prequel to those two recent films, IT: Welcome to Derry is doing the same. Pennywise is back, and Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu) in the part, in a small-screen return to the franchise that's premiering in October 2025. If you've read much of King's work, then you would've agreed with some of the first words spoken in the initial teaser trailer for HBO's new IT series: "anywhere but Derry". That's a great motto if you're keen to avoid unnerving and supernatural events, which have frequented the fictional town's streets in the author's pages for decades — and in their leaps to the screen, too. The just-dropped second sneak peek at the show keeps demonstrating why the Maine locale isn't an ideal place to live. "Things are certainly different here" is quite the understatement, in fact, as is "things do happen from time to time". King's go-to setting is clearly at the heart of the series, which steps through Derry's scares before the terror that viewers have already seen and experienced. Alongside the transdimensional evil entity known as Pennywise, there's a spate of missing children, more kids seeking answers, a new family moving in, uncaring police, violence in the streets, a curfew, eerie smiles and cackles, voices in the pipes and a crimson balloon — as per the two teasers so far. If you've somehow missed all things IT until now, it follows the exploits of that maniacal clown, as well as the folks that he's rather fond of terrorising. IT: Welcome to Derry's cast includes Taylour Paige (Brothers), Jovan Adepo (3 Body Problem), Chris Chalk (Feud), James Remar (Megalopolis), Stephen Rider (What Lies Under the Tree), Madeleine Stowe (Soundtrack) and Rudy Mancuso (The Flash). Returning to oversee the show is filmmaker Andy Muschietti, who helmed the most-recent two IT movies and last directed DC Extended Universe flick The Flash. He's also behind the camera here on multiple episodes, expanding his Derry-set vision from his two features. And yes, HBO and its streaming service HBO Max are in franchise mode of late, adding The Penguin to the world of The Batman, expanding the Game of Thrones realm with not only House of the Dragon but also the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, announcing a new drama series set in The Conjuring universe and locking in a Harry Potter series that readapts the books. IT: Welcome to Derry falls into the same camp. Watch the latest IT: Welcome to Derry teaser trailer below: IT: Welcome to Derry is set to stream via HBO Max in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from sometime in October 2025 — we'll update you with an exact release date when it is announced. Images: HBO.
Already home to grapevines as far as the eye can see, a restaurant with views over Moreton Bay, a nine-hole modified form of golf and regular concerts, Mount Cotton's Sirromet Winery has added another attraction to its expansive 560-acre grounds: onsite glamping. Dubbed 'Sanctuary by Sirromet' and launching on June 1, the new accommodation option lets wine-loving campers spend a night or several in one of 18 luxe tents. It's also the first vineyard glamping experience in Queensland. Visitors can get cosy in one of 15 couples' abodes, two family tents and one specifically designed as a bridal suite, with each featuring king beds, indoor day chairs, outdoor tables and seating, bathrooms with a shower and toilet, and reverse cycle air-conditioning to cope with southeast Queensland's usually-warm weather. Every safari-style tent also includes a breakfast hamper filled with croissants, bagels, smoked salmon and coffee — and, naturally, a mini-bar filled with Sirromet wine. And while you'll be able to connect to the outside world via free wifi, what you won't find is a television. Instead, everyone is encouraged to soak up the scenic surroundings. Or drink wine. Or both. Let's face it, you don't go glamping at a winery without hitting the vino and revelling in nature. Wallabies are known to graze around the tents, so you might have company. For those more keen on drinking side of things, you can enjoy the daily tastings and tours, grab a snack up on the Tuscan Terrace and stock up on supplies to take home from the cellar door. Unsurprisingly, you can expect to drop a few dollars on the experience, with tents at Sanctuary starting at $280 per night — with a two-night minimum. Eventually, 54 tents will be littered across 20 acres, with the winery spending more than $10 million on its new addition. Find Sanctuary by Sirromet at 850 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, or head to sanctuarybysirromet.com for bookings and further details.
The idea that you can't have too much of a good thing has been part of The Office franchise ever since an American version of the UK-originated hit was initially locked in. As well 188 episodes of the US take on the workplace comedy, more iterations have followed around the world, including in Australia. An American spinoff called The Paper led by Domhnall Gleeson (Echo Valley) also arrives in September 2025. Here's another way that "the more, the merrier" applies to The Office: via the Superfan episodes. Extended scenes, bloopers, deleted moments: they're all included, alongside other bonus content — and for the first time, these lengthier instalments are available Down Under. [caption id="attachment_1018235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Haston/NBC[/caption] As at Thursday, August 21, 2025, Binge has dropped the Superfan episodes across seasons 1–8 of the US The Office, spanning 170 episodes — and an extra 28 hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds material. This is the first time ever that they've not only been made available in Australia, but outside of the US. Get ready to see the beloved sitcom in an entirely new way, then, no matter how many times you've watched and rewatched it before. For everyone who has ever had a cringeworthy boss, annoying co-worker or soul-crushing office job, this comedy franchise has understood for more than two decades now. It was back in 2001 that the original UK version of The Office arrived, introducing the world to the literally paper-pushing David Brent. And, in 2005, an American series featuring the also-awkward Michael Scott hit the small screen as well. The US iteration of The Office proved one of the rare instances where a TV remake is better than the original. It was also immensely easy to just keep rewatching, as fans have known since the 2005–13 show finished its run. Of course, that's what you get when you round up Steve Carell (Mountainhead), John Krasinski (Fountain of Youth), Jenna Fischer (Mean Girls), Rainn Wilson (Home Delivery), Mindy Kaling (Velma), Ed Helms (Family Switch), Ellie Kemper (Happiness for Beginners), Craig Robinson (Hot Frosty) and more in the same show, and let all of them break out their comedic best. As for The Paper, it streams from Thursday, September 4, 2025, also on Binge, and is set at a midwestern newspaper publisher. As its predecessor was, it's a mockumentary series. The setup: the same documentary crew that turned their cameras towards Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch have found a new workplace to explore. Their time pointing their lens the Toledo Truth Teller's way coincides with Ned Sampson (Gleeson) joining the publication as editor-in-chief, with the paper's newest employee underwhelmed with the status quo and brimming with ideas about how to change things. Check out a trailer for The Office season one's Superfan episodes below: The Office Superfan episodes are available to stream in Australia from Thursday, August 21, 2025 via Binge.
Established in 2013 as an online gift store stocked with items for apologising, showing gratitude and getting a little romantic, multi-hyphenate concept store Sorry Thanks I Love You has continued to evolve with the launch of a second Sydney concept store in Paddington. Moving into 25hours Hotel The Olympia — a long-awaited boutique development — this forward-thinking fashion, design and art space feels right at home alongside a similarly eclectic mix of neighbours. Slotting in beside an Australian outpost for London's renowned Palomar restaurant, specialty cafe Jacob The Angel, and a Hollywood-inspired cocktail bar, Sorry Thanks I Love You brings together rare clothing and accessories from around the world. Think high-end names like Comme Des Garçons, Bao Bao Issey Miyake and MM6 Maison Margiela, alongside emerging designers from Paris' Dover St Market incubator. Plus, locals like Loco Love, Momoko Hatano, and Dinosaur Designs round out the collection. Yet this brand-new storefront will feature garments of a different kind, as STILY has recently revealed a debut clothing collection of its own. Designed by Co-Founders Ant White and Caroline Ball, fashion-forward pieces span cut-to-length velveteen jersey t-shirts, diamond quilted denim jackets and water-resistant parkas that wouldn't look out of place in an Oasis photoshoot. Made in Japan and Portugal, each silhouette is the result of months of careful consideration. "It's the beginning of a new chapter for Sorry Thanks I Love You: one fuelled by experience, experimentation and a quiet obsession with doing things properly," says Ant. Similar care has been taken in designing the new store. Led by Paddington local and award-winning architect, Shelley Indyk, the Oxford Street location presents as a calming, light-filled space. For those familiar with STILY, the Yves Klein blue returns, adorning a pressed-tin ceiling, plush velvet curtains and custom detailing throughout, contrasting with stark white walls and garment racks that tread the line between fashion boutique and art gallery. "If Sydney is a city of villages, then Paddington is its capital," says Caroline. "The Olympia is the kind of beautiful electric shock that Oxford Street has been waiting for, and we can't wait to show Sydneysiders what's inside." Sorry Thanks I Love You is now open Monday–Saturday from 10am–6pm and Sunday from 11am–5pm at The Olympia, 1 Oxford Street, Sydney. Head to the website for more information.
Dom Dolla just keeps making history. Back in December 2023, the Australian DJ and producer notched up a hefty achievement, playing his biggest-ever hometown show in Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Then, come 2024, his national tour became the largest ever by an Australian electronic artist, selling 170,000-plus tickets in four cities. What does 2025 hold, then? Oh, only the Grammy-nominee doing his first-ever Aussie stadium show and biggest headline gig ever. He's played Coachella, Lollapalooza, Wildlands, Spilt Milk and more — including soldout Madison Square Garden gigs with over 30,000 attendees, plus Ultra Miami and EDC Las Vegas. When Europe's summer hits, he's doing a ten-week residency at Hï Ibiza. Then, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Dom Dolla will head home in a massive way, headlining Sydney's Allianz Stadium. The three-time ARIA-winner (and 16-time ARIA-nominee) also has something else sizeable to add to his resume in 2025: with 'No Room for a Saint' featuring Nathan Nicholson, he's making his film soundtrack debut. The movie: the Brad Pitt (F1)-starring F1. Also this year, Dom Dolla has released two other tracks: 'Dreamin' featuring Daya and 'Forever' with Kid Cudi. On his 2024 Aussie tour, the venues weren't small, given that he played Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse, Sydney's Domain, Brisbane's Riverstage and Perth's Wellington Square. But making the leap to a headline stadium gig is no minor feat. Only the sole Allianz Stadium show has been announced, so if you're keen to head along and you're outside of the Harbour City, you'll also want to make travel plans. Dom Dolla is playing Allianz Stadium, Sydney on Saturday, December 20, 2025. You can sign up for ticket presales from 11am AEST on Monday, May 19, then buy presale tickets from the same time on Thursday, May 22, with general sales from 12pm on Friday, May 23. Head to Dom Dolla's website for more details. Images: shevindphoto / Beyond the Valley, Chloe Hall.
Two excellent TV comedies about show business hardly makes a trend, let alone heralds a golden age, but it's currently a fantastic time for smart, astute and extremely funny series about standing behind microphones. In 2021, Girls5eva and Hacks premiered in America within a week of each other, deservedly winning fans immediately. In 2022, they've both returned for their second seasons in the US and Down Under (via Stan and TVNZ On Demand) with the same timing. Accordingly, if you only want to watch shows about talented ladies chasing their starry dreams right now, that's firmly on the cards. If you're keen to dive deep into what makes something funny — how comedy evolves, shifts and swings; the differences between easy and well-earned laughs; the courage it takes to truly lay yourself bare during a standup set; and how comedy is received when it's coming from women rather than men, too — that's Hacks' remit. As the goofier and sillier but still wonderfully savvy Girls5eva does, it carves into the entertainment industry's treatment of women, and doesn't hold back from depicting the bleak reality. It's scathing, in fact. This Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner's specific target, though: the world of comedy. In season one, Hacks pushed Deborah Vance (Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, North Hollywood) together. The former is a veteran comic with a long-running Las Vegas residency, while the twentysomething latter reluctantly took a job as Deborah's assistant after thinking she was going to make it big in Los Angeles, then getting herself into trouble via an ill-thought-out tweet. The end result could've been cliched from start to finish. The series does indeed focus on a chalk-and-cheese pair who don't get along, slowly discover that they have more in common than either will admit, and try to navigate the unwelcoming realm that is comedy for women with each other's help. But, crucially, that whole concept is the premise, not the joke. Hacks doesn't laugh at its mismatched, wittily spiky central duo, but at everything they're stuck facing. The series' first season quickly cemented itself as one of 2021's best new TV shows — one of two knockout newbies starring Jean Smart last year, thanks to the aforementioned Mare of Easttown — and it's just as ace the second time around. It's still searingly funny, nailing that often-elusive blend of insight, intelligence and hilarity. It retains its observational, wry tone, and remains devastatingly relatable even if you've never been a woman trying to make it in comedy. And it's happy to linger where it needs to to truly understand its characters, but never simply dwells in the same place as its last batch of episodes. Season two is literally about hitting the road, so covering fresh territory is baked into the story; however, Hacks' trio of key behind-the-scenes creatives aren't content to merely repeat themselves with a different backdrop. Those guiding hands — writer Jen Statsky (The Good Place), writer/director Lucia Aniello (Rough Night) and writer/director/co-star Paul W Downs (The Other Two) — started Hacks after helping to make Broad City a hit. Clearly, they all know a thing or two about moving on from the past. That's the decision both Deborah and Ava had to make themselves in season one, with the show's second season now charting the fallout. So, Deborah has farewelled her residency and the dependable gags that kept pulling in crowds, opting to test out new and far-more-personal material on a cross-country tour instead. Ava has accepted her role by Deborah's side, and is willing to see it as a valid career move rather than an embarrassing stopgap. That said, last year's episodes also left the series with a potential wrecking ball: an email Ava wrote about Deborah while drunk, high, and upset about being slapped and insulted. Penned in anger and filled with extremely personal details about the comedian, it was sent to LA producers who wanted to hire Ava to mine Deborah's life for a new show about an insufferable woman in power. That destructive stream of text isn't season two's entire focus, but it's also inescapable, as much as Ava wants it to just disappear — as does Jimmy (Downs), Ava and Deborah's shared manager. But Hacks has always been willing to see that actions have consequences, not only for an industry that repeatedly marginalises women, but for its imperfect leading ladies. The brilliantly biting Smart continues to turn in awards-worthy work in Hacks' second season, and Einbinder still wears Ava's entitled chaos like a second skin. But there's one added bonus: now Deborah and Ava are lived-in characters, rather than newcomers to audiences. It's a pleasure to see both actors dive deep into what makes their on-screen alter egos tick, clash and occasionally get along; indeed, many of season two's best moments explore the whirlwind that ensues when Deborah and Ava fight but still clearly care about each other. Also upping the ante: being stuck on a tour bus on the road, decked out with a luxe bedroom for Deborah but condensing Ava's bunk to the tiny space above the onboard tanning bed. There, with fellow assistant Damien (Mark Indelicato, With Love) and new tour manager Weed (Laurie Metcalf, The Dropout) in tow, everyone's feelings bubble and boil in the resulting pressure cooker. Those supporting players — Deborah's daughter DJ (Katlin Olson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), business manager Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Candyman) and personal blackjack dealer Kiki (Poppy Liu, The Afterparty) included, as well as Jimmy and his high-maintenance assistant Kayla (Megan Salter) — don't get as much time to shine this time, though. That's the one difficulty that Hacks' sophomore batch of episodes have, but it's also the best kind of problem. There's still so much depth to Deborah and Ava's stories and their dynamic, and so much to unpack about them separately, together and in the world of comedy, that pushing the spotlight elsewhere is always going to prove tricky. The only solution: renewing Hacks for a third season, and hopefully more beyond that. Check out the trailer for Hacks season two below: Hacks' second season starts streaming via Stan in Australia from Friday, May 13, beginning with two episodes, then dropping further instalments weekly — and on TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Images: Karen Ballard/HBO Max.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, you can't go on an interstate holiday just yet. But, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said it could be back on the cards by July, 2020 — so, it's time to start dreaming. There's no shortage of on-snow accommodation in Australia — from ski lodges to chalets. But a lot of it is designed for function, rather than romance. Finding a cosy cabin of your own, however, where you can snuggle in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine in your hand, while watching the snow fall all around you isn't easy. But it's not impossible. We've searched far and wide, to scope out five cabins where you can stay right on the snow. Just don't forget to pack your skis — or snowshoes. NUMBANANGA LODGE, SMIGGINS HOLES, NSW Opened in July 2018, this secluded lodge is just minutes (by skis) from Smiggin Holes ski resort and two kilometres from Perisher Valley. Whether you want to ski or snowboard downhill all day or go on a cross-country adventure, you can – from your door. Plus, there are loads of restaurants, bars and pubs nearby, too. Three bedrooms provide room for up to six guests. The only catch is, you'll need to be quick. This is one of the only isolated, free-standing huts on snow in Kosciuszko, so it's pretty popular. Bookings, at $1200 per night in winter, are available via NSW National Parks. How much? From $1200 a night. [caption id="attachment_733860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lean Timms[/caption] THE EASTERN, THREDBO, NSW For incredible views of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in Australia, stay at the Cedar Cabin, which makes up one half of The Eastern: a pair of beautifully designed, luxe stays in Thredbo. The open-plan, loft-style space features vaulted ceilings, exposed timber and a piping hot Japanese-inspired onsen — the perfect place to relax after a day spent outdoors. You'll find this haven on the village's western side, around four minutes from restaurants, bars, shops, and Thredbo's diverse, scenic ski runs. How much? From $700 a night. MOONBAH HUT, SNOWY MOUNTAINS, NSW Moonbah Hut is located on private frontage on the Moonbah River, the Snowy Mountains' cleanest, most unspoilt home for trout. Give your fishing muscle a flex from your front doorstep, while keeping an eye out for wildlife – from wombats to deer to brumbies. Or bunker down inside, with a huge, open stone fireplace for company. Previous guests have taken the experience next level and invited personal chefs along for an evening. Moonbah Hut is around 20 minutes' drive west of Jindabyne. How much? From $245 a night. FOREST VIEW BUSH CABINS, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS Smack bang in the middle of Tasmania's Cradle Mountain National Park are two bush cabins surrounded by forest and run by Highlanders Cottages. Hand-built with local Tasmania timber, each offers two bedrooms, den lounges and a log fireplace, plus a private deck and a fully stocked kitchen. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, you'll find a soaking tub and a shower. This is an ideal spot to unwind after wandering around Cradle Mountain's magical, snow-covered forests. How much? From $215 a night. WOMBAT CABIN, MT BAW BAW, VIC Located on the edge of Victoria's Mount Baw Baw Village, the simple, super-cute Wombat Cabin is just a quick shuffle away from both Maltese Cross T-Bar and the Frosti Frog Hollow Toboggan Park — so there's fun to be had for skiers, boarders and tobogganers of all kinds. There are two cosy bedrooms, with room for up to five guests, plus a private deck, where you can surround yourself with snow gums. When you're not adventuring on the slopes, explore Mount Baw Baw's many offerings, including Howling Huskys' husky sled dog tours. How much? From $419 a night. Looking for more? Check out these seven cosy cabins around the country. Top image: Numbananga Lodge
It's no secret we love a swimming hole. From Sydney to Melbourne to Brisbane and even over to Perth, we spend our spare January days driving in search of a swimmable body of water, and the other seasons eagerly awaiting the ripeness of summer. And the best part is that this country is full of swimming spots unique to our sunburnt landscape, both on rugged coast and hidden inland among bush and desert rocks. Caroline Clements and Dillion Seitchick-Reardon visited a whole heap of them as 'research' for their book, Places We Swim. While the book collates handy information about 60 pools, lakes, beaches and gorges across the country, here, they detail five of the stunning spots that you should most definitely plan a road trip around before summer ends. Recommended reads: The Best Australian Beaches The Best Australian Islands to Visit Anytime of the Year The Best Glamping Spots in Australia The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Australia Clarence Dam, Blue Mountains, NSW Dressed in native gumtrees, the landscape here feels like true blue Australiana. Around Christmas time, the tea tree near the waterline turns white, like it's somehow snow-covered in the middle of summer. The reserve is home to two disused railway dams (that feel like lakes) built to supply water for steam engines, and is still bordered at the north side by a functioning western railway corridor. But the Crown Land area is now used mostly for public recreation such as bushwalking, rock climbing, canyoning and swimming. Swimmers are in for a treat. Huge pieces of ironstone protrude out of the water in soft shapes of all sizes, like artful, abstract sculptures. It's not the water that makes this swimming hole great, it's the rock. Some have an architectural quality, which starts to make a lot of sense when we remember we were brought here by an architect. The water is cool and deep, and we swim from a low entry point over to a large ten-metre-high wall. The drop is sheer; it's also a rite of passage for local teenagers. We're about 20 years older than most, but we take the deep plunge into the cool freshwater below, slapping the water with our feet first. In other sections there are rope swings tied to tree branches at different heights, but this is no amateur set-up. There are various jumps that range from your standard rope swing to full-on carnival trapeze, none of which should be taken lightly. If jumping isn't your thing, floating down the river in an inflatable ring might be. How far? The dam is located in the Blue Mountains, close to Lithgow — about a two-hour drive from Sydney. Little Blue Lake, Mount Gambier, South Australia The pool sits in an unassuming paddock about 15 kilometres south of Mount Gambier, looking a little lonely and out of place. It makes more sense when you learn that Baby Blue is a sinkhole, formed by the gradual collapse of an underground cave. The pool has an average depth of about 35 metres and it isn't unusual (but it is a little creepy) to see the odd diver suddenly emerge from below. In fact, this area is one of the best inland diving destinations in the world, with a Swiss-cheese network of 500 underground caves and 50 sinkholes to explore. For our purposes, however, surface swimming is just about the right speed. Sheer 10-metre limestone walls make this an iconic South Australian jump and a rite of passage among locals. Like many places, signs forbid jumping here and there are murmurs of council-enforced fines, though nobody seems too concerned. Jump at your own discretion. Alternatively, take the steps down from the carpark side of the pool to a shiny new pontoon. This makes for a more gentle entry and is an easy introduction to the cool water. A few natural terraces extend back towards the road, providing a great vantage to sit and watch, like a swimming amphitheatre. How far? The lake is located just south of Mount Gambier — about a five-hour drive from both Melbourne and Adelaide. Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park, Queensland It could only be described as lust when we laid eyes on this series of tiered granite rock pools and waterfalls just south of Cairns in Wooroonooran National Park. This lush mountainous land, right on the coast, covers 75,000 hectares of the Bellenden Ker Range and forms part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area. The range includes Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest mountain (1622 metres). Josephine Falls sits at the base, with a constant flow from streams that cascade down the mountain, creating some of the cleanest waterways in the world. There are three spots to stop along this boardwalk. The first is where you get in to swim. We find people sitting and chatting in crystal clear shallow pools, while others laze on big boulders in the dappled light. The biggest rock pool has a sandy bottom and is bordered by a giant piece of slippery granite that people are queueing up at to slide down, some wearing inflatable iced strawberry doughnuts. Scrambling further up takes you to more rocky slides into smaller pools, and families splashing about and fishing for yabbies. The second stop is a deck that looks over the rock pools onto swimmers below. Continuing along the rainforest walk takes you to the third stop, a large viewing platform looking up to a flowing waterfall with a deep plunge pool. It's probably the most impressive of them all but, unfortunately, is not open to public swimming. How far? The falls are located in Tropical North Queensland — about an hour south of Cairns. Bushrangers Bay, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria This basalt coastline is quite unlike anywhere else in the area, or even the state. Volcanic black rocks emerge from clear blue water. Deep pools are filled at high tide and slowly warm throughout the day. It has a distinct look and feel, so you can imagine how our eyes popped out of our heads when we saw this secret spot featured in the 2009 film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. Indeed, it seems like a natural place for a wild rumpus, and you will see lots of kangaroos if you arrive early in the morning. Don't be surprised to see waves exploding onto the beach, as it is exposed to a constant barrage of swells from the south. We prefer the safety and beauty of the nearby tidal rock pools. Follow the beach east towards the rocky headlands. The most prominent feature is Elephant Rock and the best pools are distributed around its base, on the left-hand side. Water is always clear here and often a few degrees warmer than the ocean – Victoria's version of a spa bath. Remember, this is a low-tide-only spot, so take a moment to make sure that rogue waves aren't crashing into the pools before jumping in. Otherwise you may suddenly find yourself inside a washing machine or heading out to sea. How far? The bay is located on the Mornington Peninsula — about an hour and a half from Melbourne. Emma Gorge, The Kimberley, Western Australia The dramatic Emma Gorge falls pour over a 65-metre-high cliff into a large plunge pool, punctuating the end of the 1.6-kilometre hike in. The track begins at Emma Gorge Resort, and winds past the deep Turquoise Pool (also a great spot to swim, which we take note of for later) before arriving at the falls. The water is refreshingly cool, shaded by the looming cliffs for most of the day. Tourists dribble in and out, dropping piles of clothes on rocks as they stare up at the falls in awe before shocking their hot, sweaty bodies with the water's cool, pristine touch. The plunge pool is deep and wide with a rocky bottom, but the water is so clear and fresh, you could drink it. We bliss out for a few hours before making out way back along the track past Turquoise Pool, where we take another plunge. The surface water here is lit up by the sun, giving it the turquoise colours it's named for, while people gather at the fringes to cool off. A rock jump begs us to plunge from a height rather than scramble over a slippery entry. Emma Gorge is one of the most incredible places we've been, even late in the season when the water isn't flowing at its best. How far? The gorge is located just west of Kununurra — about halfway between Broome and Darwin. This is an edited extract from Places We Swim by Caroline Clements and Dillion Seitchick-Reardon, published by Hardie Grant Travel. Images: Dillon Seitchick-Reardon.
When something on HBO proves a huge hit, the US cable network goes all in. One case in point: all things Game of Thrones, including the just-arrived House of the Dragon, plus the hefty list of other spinoffs also in the works. Another example: Euphoria, with creator Sam Levinson now behind another HBO series that's filled with parties, drugs, attractive actors and plenty of drama — aka The Idol, which keeps dropping teaser trailers. The show itself doesn't have a release date yet, but it has just released its second sneak peek after first giving viewers a glimpse back in July. This time around, the teaser builds on the music industry-set show's suitably wild vibe and spells out the cast list. With both, it isn't holding back. Levinson teams up with Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye on the series, with the latter co-creating The Idol and starring in it. The focus: a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, played by the musician, as well as the up-and-coming pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp, Voyagers that he starts a complicated relationship with. From the two trailers so far, Depp's character clearly gets thrust into a heady new world — and here, as gets mentioned in the latest clip, sex definitely sells. For viewers, a cast that includes Red Rocket's Suzanna Son, Boy Erased's Troye Sivan, Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy, singer-songwriter Moses Sumney, BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, Only Murders in the Building's Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Hacks' Jane Adams, Bodies Bodies Bodies' Rachel Sennott and Inglourious Basterds' Eli Roth should be a definite selling point, too. Also set to pop up in the series: Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Hari Nef (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel), Steve Zissis (Happy Death Day 2U), Melanie Liburd (This Is Us), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story), Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Saved By the Bell) and Nico Hiraga (Booksmart), plus Anne Heche (All Rise) in what'll be one of her last performances. When it was originally announced in November 2021, The Idol was set to span six episodes, all filmed in Los Angeles — with She Dies Tomorrow's Amy Seimetz directing every single one. But back in April this year, it was revealed that Seimetz had left the project and reshoots were underway as a result. How that'll impact the end product is obviously yet to be seen — but the teasers so far should have you intrigued anyway. Check out the latest teaser trailer for The Idol below: The Idol doesn't yet have a release date, including Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
"It wasn't so much about antagonising Nicolas Cage, for me," Julian McMahon tells Concrete Playground. "It was more about getting him to face his demons — to truly look at himself and evaluate who he has been in life, who he is now and who does he truly want to become?" That's how the Australian actor describes his task in The Surfer, in which he stars opposite the inimitable Cage (Longlegs) in the latest film to ride the Ozploitation wave. The two portray men caught in a battle at a scenic Australian beach. Cage's eponymous figure is an Aussie expat returning home after living in the US since he was a teen, and is fixated upon purchasing his old childhood house as the ultimate existence-fixing dream. McMahon (The Residence) is Scally, the local Luna Bay surf guru who decrees who can and can't enjoy the sand and sea, complete with a band of dedicated disciples enforcing his decisions — and who doesn't give the besuited, Lexus-driving, phone-addicted blow-in a warm welcome. It was true when the trailer for The Surfer arrived and it remains that way after watching the full film: Wake in Fright-meets-Point Break parallels flow easily. Director Lorcan Finnegan (Nocebo) and screenwriter Thomas Martin (Prime Target), both Irish, are purposefully floating in the former's wash, adding a 2020s-era Ozploitation flick with an outsider perspective to the Aussie-set canon, just as Canada's Ted Kotcheff did with his 1971 masterpiece — and as British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg similarly achieved with Walkabout the same year (the two premiered within days of each other in competition at Cannes). With Point Break, though, if the OG version was instead about a middle-aged man returning home rather than an FBI agent chasing bankrobbers, and if that character found himself taunted by rather than accepted into the crew that rules its specific coastal turf, then that'd be The Surfer's starting point. Adding to a resume that's seen him use jiu-jitsu against alien invaders (Jiu-Jitsu), voice a prehistoric patriarch (The Croods: A New Age), battle demonic animatronics (Willy's Wonderland), hunt down the folks who kidnapped his porcine pet (Pig), step into his own IRL shoes (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent), get his gunslinger on (The Old Way), give Dracula a comic bite (Renfield), don Superman's cape (The Flash), pop up in people's dreams (Dream Scenario), face the end of the world (Arcadian) and turn serial killer (Longlegs) in the 2020s so far alone — alongside more roles — Cage begins The Surfer waxing lyrical about the pull and power of the waves, including their origins, plus the result when you attempt to conquer them. "You ever surf it or you get wiped out," the film's protagonist, solely credited as The Surfer, tells his high school-aged boy (Finn Little, Yellowstone) as they approach his preferred patch of oceanside paradise. "Locals only" is the response from Scally's gang, however, when the father-son duo head to the water, but that isn't a viewpoint that The Surfer can roll with. The Yallingup, Western Australia-shot movie, which itself debuted at Cannes in 2024, is then firmly a Finnegan flick as its namesake gets caught in a nightmare under the blazing sun courtesy of a few simple decisions, and equally thrust into an experience that questions reality. The director has made four features in nine years: 2016's Without Name, 2019's Vivarium, 2022's Nocebo and now The Surfer. In every one, the lead is plunged into a type of purgatory or hell. The first also sets its protagonist against the elements at times. Trying to buy a house equally turns surreal in the second. The past haunts, too, in the third. All four have more than a little time for peering at the trees as well. Asked what interests him about making psychological thrillers in this mould, Lorcan responds "good question: is there something wrong with me?". He continues: "I think it arrives, from a filmmaking point of view, because it allows a lot of creative freedom — because if you're delving into somebody's mind and their experience and their interpretation of events and reality from a very subjective point of view, it really allows a certain amount of elasticity in terms of visualising that and interpreting that for the audience, and for the audience to almost feel like the character feels entering into that world. Particularly with this film, because it's such a subjective experience for Nic Cage's character. And the audience goes on that journey with him and discovers what he discovers and feels what he feels — and starts tripping out when he's tripping out. So it's a weird experience." McMahon was familiar with Finnegan's output when he signed on for The Surfer. What appealed to him about this project? "I think, in this particular case, it was how well-written the entire piece was," he advises. "That, accompanied with Lorcan's previous films, is a recipe for a well-earned match; they fit each other perfectly. And regarding his approach to psychological thrillers, I was intrigued by his novel and unique vision of this piece. His movies are like something I've never seen before, and that is inspiring." Did Finnegan's penchant for toying with reality influence how McMahon tackled portraying Scally — a character who is so key in the feature's querying of what's genuine and what's all in The Surfer's head? " I think you leave that up to the filmmaker," he notes. "Play your part and allow him, Lorcan, to create the sense of reality." In 2025, audiences are witnessing McMahon at two different extremes when it comes to portraying Australian characters — first as the Aussie Prime Minister in Netflix murder-mystery dramedy The Residence, and now as Scally here, with The Surfer in local cinemas since Thursday, May 15 before heading to streaming via Stan from Sunday, June 15. "I'm looking for variety. I'm looking for characters that allow me to feel challenged, maybe even a little uncomfortable," he shares. Only The Surfer brings him back to Aussie films for the first time since 2018's Swinging Safari, though, after spending much of his career working internationally (see: Profiler, Charmed, Nip/Tuck, the two 00s Fantastic Four movies, the FBI franchise and plenty more). "I love working in Australia; however, it's more about the piece and the characters I'd like to play," McMahon reflects. An American star who couldn't be more unique on-screen, an Australian actor with decades of overseas success, two Irish friends and filmmakers layering an outsider vantage onto Aussie localism, nodding to Ozploitation classics, taking inspiration from 1968 American great The Swimmer, digging into masculinity and materialism alongside identity and belonging: it all adds up to mesmerising viewing. Somehow, as prolific and wide-ranging as Cage's filmography is, putting him in this beachside scenario wasn't already on his resume, but he gives it the full glorious Cage treatment. His energy is pivotal to the movie, as it was to McMahon and Finnegan as his co-star and director, respectively — which we also chatted to the pair about, plus everything from trapping characters and humanity's yearning to belong to quintessential Aussie beaches and recurring themes in Australian cinema. On Why Being Just One or Two Decisions Away From Getting Stuck in Your Own Purgatory, Losing Everything or Both Fascinates Finnegan Lorcan: "I suppose we're all like that, really. We're all a couple of steps away from losing it. And I think a lot of the time, the characters in my films are trapped in some way, whether that's in a physical place or mentally, or in their behaviours or relationships, whatever. It's something universal, though, that we all feel we're trapped in some way — whether that's with our routine or jobs or lives or physically inside, like a fleshy trap of meat and the only release is death. I suppose all of that is quite existential and fascinating. And in some ways, films are a reflection of our subconscious. Stories reflect our inner fears, and going crazy and all that kind of thing. So, to me, it's just fascinating to explore all that." On What Excited McMahon About Collaborating with Nicolas Cage — and About Stepping Into Scally's Shoes Julian: "I've been an admirer of Nicolas' since as long as I can remember. His work is always entertaining, inspiring and unique. I also really love the energy that he puts into everything that he does. And I was excited to develop a character that would fit well with his on-screen persona as The Surfer. There's a few things you need to accomplish in fulfilling the character of Scally. You need to fill the requirements of the movie itself, and what it is asking from your particular character, and as an entire piece. You need to develop the relationship between Nicolas' character, as well as all the other characters. And then you need to be sure that you are filling the requirements of who Scally truly is. With Scally, there was no room to waiver — the more definitive he was, the more strength he had. And I thought that was particularly important." On Why Taking Inspiration From The Swimmer and Ozploitation, Then Digging Into Ideas of Masculinity, Materialism, Belonging and Identity — in Australia, as an Irish Filmmaker with an Irish Screenwriter — Appealed to Finnegan Lorcan: "When I read the outline, what struck me was it was going to be about this man of a certain age, at a certain point in his life, where he'd amassed success, I suppose — what would be deemed success. He has a nice car. He has his suits. He's got some money. And he wants this one last thing, to buy back his family home, and then that will fix all of the problems that are manifesting over the years. So his relationship with his wife has fallen apart. His son has no interest spending any time with him. But he still thinks 'if I just have this one thing, if I can just buy this house, that will fix everything'. But then, of course, over the course of a few days he loses everything bit by bit — all his material wealth, his watch, his phone, his shoes, his suit, his car. And it's like he needed to shed all of that in order to actually, almost like therapy or something, to actually find what it is that he needs as opposed to what he believed he wanted. So that just fascinated me as a way into a story. And then both Tom and I have a love of New Wave Australian film. And then we were talking about the tradition of non-Australians, with Ted Kotcheff being Canadian and Nic Roeg being British, non-Australian filmmakers making a film in Australia as the outsider view — and this could be a continuation of that, because there hadn't been, from our point of view, there hasn't really been any of those kinds of films in a long time coming out of Australia. So we wanted to go and make one. And this was the perfect vehicle, basically." On Making a 2020s-Era Take on Exploitation with an Outsider Perspective, as 70s Greats Wake in Fright and Walkabout Did Half a Century Ago Julian: "This story could take place in many locations around the world. It could also be embedded in many different types of developed societal cultures. It could be California, could be Hawaii, could be the UK and places around Europe. I think what's interesting to note is that this particular surf culture can be found, almost identical, anywhere in the world." Lorcan: "All of the themes around identity linked to place — and also Cage's character being an outsider, that was sort of our way in, really, or my way in, particularly in terms of thinking about how to direct a film like this. Because he's an outsider returning to a place that he hasn't been in over 40 years. He's lost his accent, and he's got this weird, nostalgic, rose-tinted-glasses view of the place from his childhood. So it's almost like he remembers it from the 70s. So that was the way of making it, the look and feel of the place, that it's all from his weird point of view. Ozploitation films from that period, there would always be these very masculine men drinking beer, Broken Hill-style. So we were updating all of that, though, to show the surf community. But they're not just like Point Break surfers. These guys are all the doctors, hedge-fund managers, wealthy yuppies. Julian McMahon's character, he plays this guy Scally, who's almost like a weird shaman version of a Joe Rogan or Jordan Peterson kind of guy, who's lecturing these younger guys on masculinity — and they could be tribal and animalistic down below on the beach, but when you're up above, you behave differently. So all of that felt like perfect updates of previous themes around masculinity in these Australian films from the 60s and 70s, and even 80s — to update it now in a much more contemporary way, talking about masculinity, but it is still classic examination of it in a way." On Why Nicolas Cage Was The Surfer's Eponymous Figure to Finnegan — and Getting Him Onboard Lorcan: "I remember reading the script through from beginning to end before we offered it to him, imagining him in every scene. And I just thought he'd perfect, because there's not that many people who can play drama, action, comedy, all of these things, and have this physicality to the performance that Nic can do. So once he came onboard, it made The Surfer's character come to life, in a way. Also, as we were shooting it, we were finding that we were seeing the humour of these scenes bubbling up, too — which is good fun, because Nic's funny. He'd seen the previous film of mine, Vivarium, which he liked. And so when he got the script, he was already familiar with the filmmaker, which was helpful. And then he loved the title The Surfer, he told me recently — that was one of the things, because he grew up in California and he's familiar with surf culture, and thought that was intriguing. And he read the script and he just really liked the material. He thought it had a kind of Kafka-esque kind of vibe to it, and the character would be very challenging to play. And then he also loved the idea of going off to a little town Australia to make this film, the adventure that would bring." On McMahon Approaching Scally and His Offsiders in Terms of Them Trying to Find Their Way — and How Else He Built the Character On-Screen Julian: "I wanted to let Scally evolve in his own manner. And so while I was developing the character, I put no restrictions, thoughts or preconceived ideas that I might usually put into the development of a character, and let it come to me. It was an interesting approach, and what it allowed for was development right up until the end of shooting. Most of Scally was developed on set, in the environment, with all the other players present, your director and, of course, the largely influential location. I decided to not research anything, to just allow the character to speak to me from the written word on the page. I gave myself no limitations, no boundaries and the ability to feel comfortable with not really knowing exactly what I was doing all the time. I wanted to be more willing to allow the time and space of the moment to fill the development of the character." On the Energy That You Get From a Nicolas Cage Performance When You're Working with Him — Both as an Actor and as a Director Julian: "That is one of the reasons I looked at this as a great opportunity to challenge my own concept of performance. I love the energy that Nicolas brings to his work. And now the question is 'how do I contrast that energy, that delivery, that performance, so that when we see the two of them on screen, we know that we are dealing with two completely different individuals? And then let that play?'. Lorcan: "A lot of it is in conversation before shooting. We talk about scenes, we talk about what point he's going to — his character changes, his voice changes at certain points in the film, and he's hobbled at certain points of film, then his foot gets a little better, all those sort of things were tracked in prep. And then, when we're shooting, in terms of directing, a lot of the time it was just Nic — so we could do silent movie-style directing. The scene where he completely breaks down and he's crying, sobbing, and then that turns into rage — shooting that, we're shooting on the long lens, slowly zooming in on him. And then I'd be saying 'you've lost everything, you're crying, everything's falling apart, you're never going to get the house'. And you're like 'and now you're starting to get angry, you're getting angrier, you snap'. And he loves that actually, being directed off-camera, and he can just give that performance and time it to the movement of the camera then as well. So all that was really good fun. But I think there was an element of trust between us as well, that he trusted that I just use all the best pieces to put it together in the edit, which allowed him the freedom to give a few different types of performance throughout the film — that we would just use the best of." On Finding a Balance of Charisma and Menace for Scally — and Digging Into Humanity's Yearning to Belong, and the Rules and Hierarchies That We're Willing to Enforce and Abide to, Along the Way Julian: "There may not be a perfect balance — and I believe, quite definitively, that there is no real way to play charisma, and then perhaps menace. He is who he is and he does what he does, and it's up to the viewer's discretion as to how that should be interpreted. Being present to each moment would be my only way to find balance. Scally has his own discomforts, and he is very much still finding his way. Even though he would never expose that side of himself, he knows he's a work in progress. Scally's position is one of such that if he waivers, it is very likely that he will lose the love and devotion of those who see him as someone worth listening to, someone worthy of following." On Finding the Exact Right Quintessential Australian Beach for the One-Location Film Lorcan: "That was the biggest challenge. And actually, although it might seem like it — and I thought the same, 'oh yeah, there will there be loads of them' — it was really hard to find a car park that's raised quite high above the beach with a view down, and the beach being a certain scale, and all that kind of thing. We settled on Western Australia early on, which is obviously, as you know, it's gigantic — it's not exactly a small place. And we scouted north of Perth, as far as Kalbarri, I think. And then we scouted south of Perth. And, actually I think Yallingup was the last place we stopped when we were going south. And as soon as I saw it — I first saw the beach, and I thought it looked perfect, that kind of crystalline turquoise water which is very evocative of memories and dreams. And this golden sand. And then the car park above it was perfect size, and surrounded by bush. There's a national park area right behind it. And then it has a great vantage point, like a viewpoint down to the beach. So it has all the elements. So we're trying to match the staging of the script to the location. And then once we found the location that was perfect for the film, we tweaked the script to match it better as well. But it's harder than you think to find this sort of car park that is perched above a beautiful beach‚ with good surf as well. Nice breaks. And Western Australia, as well, has these amazing sunsets, that you get this really long twilight kind of lighting, which we took advantage of as well." On Why Localism, Plus the Manifestations of Masculinity and Aggression That Can Come with It, Are Common Themes in Australian Cinema Julian: "That's a tricky one to answer. I guess the simplest answer would be that Australian cinema is still challenged by those concepts, and is perhaps looking for a way to flush that out and understand it. That said, if you've read anything from Thomas Martin, he very specifically notes that his ideas and concepts were developed in many places. Californian surf culture was a heavy influence, as an example." Lorcan: "I suppose Western Australia, anyway, still has a very masculine kind of energy to it. I think it's because it's a lot of mining, a lot of very physical jobs that men perform there. And they can also make a lot of money very quickly, and then also lose it very quickly. It's one of the most-remote cities of the world — the most-remote city in the world — Perth, isn't it? And so I think although Australia has changed a lot since the 70s, in terms of becoming more liberal, I suppose, and less chaotic, there's still elements of that. And it was interesting to see the culture between, even from Perth down to Margaret River. Margaret River is a beautiful wine region and everyone was actually really welcoming — and there's a winery called Bacchus Family, who invited the entire crew up to their estate, their vineyard, and wined and dined us. And I suppose, this is similar to Ireland, in a way. Ireland has sort of grown in parallel with Australia, in terms of we used to be very Catholic, and there was a very kind of patriarchy in Ireland, that still exists but has evolved over the years. And I feel like it's the same with Australia. But there's still interesting things — like the way that masculinity has evolved over the years has almost come full-circle. Now there's these guys who are lost and looking for something, looking for belonging. And that whole male cult is forming around the world, I think, not even just Australia." The Surfer released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 15, 2025, then streams via Stan from Sunday, June 15, 2025. Images: David Dare Parker / Radek Ladczuk.
In supremely Brisbane news, the River City was shocked back in March when Myer announced that it was moving out of its CBD store. Shutting up shop in Queen Street didn't just mean leaving the inner city — it meant saying goodbye to the Myer Centre, aka the retail complex that's been named after its key tenant since opening back in 1988. The time for farewells has come, with Myer closing up shop in the Myer Centre after its last day of trading on Monday, July 31. In the aftermath, Vicinity Centres and ISPT, the two companies behind the shopping centre, have wasted no time in changing the building's name. So, meet Uptown. [caption id="attachment_893280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Other than the big Myer-shaped gap across a hefty part of the complex, the centre is still the same — just with a different moniker. What will take over Myer's multi-floor tenancy is still yet to be revealed. It likely wasn't among the choices, but The Dragon Coaster Centre — paying tribute to the beloved rollercoaster that used to sit at the top of the building — would've had a nice ring to it. For many Brisbanites, the spot has never been the same since it lost that attraction. Even if you aren't old enough to have lived through that pre-2000 era, you've probably always wondered what it was like. Before Y2K, the CBD shopping complex's upper levels weren't home to cinemas and arcade games — they boasted an indoor theme park called Tops, including a ride that had everyone loving fire-breathing creatures before they'd ever heard of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. There's been rumours of the dragon coaster making a comeback over the years, but sadly nothing has ever eventuated. Back to Myer: until now, the department store that the whole place is named after was the complex's central shop, but the company decided not to renew its lease. "Myer has made the decision to depart the Myer Centre Brisbane at the end of its lease in July 2023," said Vicinity Centres and ISPT in a joint statement in March. "Vicinity and ISPT were investigating a number of options for the centre including a downsized contemporary department store and plans without a department store, which we can now progress with certainty." "We look forward to delivering a reimagined destination in the heart of Brisbane's evolving CBD and anticipate sharing our plans shortly." [caption id="attachment_893278" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Figaro via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] "Whilst we remain committed to the Brisbane market, we have been unable to negotiate a reasonable commercial outcome with the landlord and as such will continue to look for an alternative CBD location," said Myer CEO John King at the time. "We thank our team members for their service and will be providing redeployment opportunities at nearby stores." "For our loyal customers, we will continue to serve the Brisbane area with our surrounding stores and our 24/7 online business while we explore future Brisbane CBD options, and we thank you for your ongoing loyalty." [caption id="attachment_893277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Responding to the news when it was first revealed, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that "while this is a sad day for generations of Brisbane residents who have loved shopping at the Queen Street Mall Myer, it's also a great opportunity for our city centre." "With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, now is the perfect time for the centre's owners to reimagine one of Queensland's premier retail spaces." "The Myer Centre once had live music on its lower levels, as well as a fun park at the top, and has always evolved and moved with the times. I think this is a fantastic opportunity for the centre to be reinvigorated into a vibrant, modern retail experience for residents and visitors and I look forward to working with the owners on their future plans." Find Uptown at 91 Queen Street, Brisbane — and head to the centre's website for further details. Top image: Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia Commons.
It's official: we Australians really love our coffee. None of that Starbucks swill for us; we know the real thing when we taste it and we aren't willing to settle for anything less. In even better news, coffee snobbery is no longer a Melbourne-centric thing. Brisbane's caffeine scene has spent the past few years growing up, and we reckon our humble city now boasts some of the best coffee in the business. Check out our top 10 picks and see if you agree. Ltd Espresso In less than two years, Ltd Espresso has reached lofty heights in Brisbane's coffee scene. A humble A-frame located outside Ltd's front door has gained near cult status for its daily jokes, puns and pearls of wisdom (which are also broadcast over social media) and the smooth Cleanskin coffee blend keeps customers coming back. Grab a bottle of cold press coffee to keep in the fridge for later. 362 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley Death Before Decaf This new coffee hub offers something that sets it apart from all other entries on this list: 24 hour caffeination. That's right; whether your cravings hit at 3pm or 3am, you'll find an open door and a hot coffee at Death Before Decaf. You can take your Bellissimo coffee with you or take five in the comfy leather sofa or milk crates out front. Shift workers, musicians and other creatures of the night have never been so awake. 3/760 Brunswick St, New Farm Dandelion & Driftwood Husband and wife team Peter and Penny Wolff have created a coffee-lover's dream at this Hendra cafe. Peter is a roaster with over 30 years experience, while Penny has judged at the Australian International Coffee Awards, and these credentials shine through with the two signature blends (aptly named 'Dandelion' and 'Driftwood'), tasting notes, rotating single origin options, and a 'Brew Bar' of opportunity. Shop 1, 45 Gehler Rd, Hendra Reverend's Fine Coffee When the owner of your coffee local is a former pastor, you come to expect a divine brew, and cappuccinos topped with real grated chocolate sure do fit the bill. The house blend is as appealing as the rustic interior, and a cafe menu is also available for those who don't want to caffeinate on an empty stomach. 372 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley Elixir Coffee Taking superb coffee further into the Northern Suburbs is Elixir, a hugely popular café and roastery in Stafford where you can watch coffee beans being roasted as you enjoy breakfast and a cuppa. Owners Jason and David Narciso practically have coffee running through their veins, such is the quality of their caffeine pedigree, and they have recently inked a deal with Paleo Cafe that will see award-winning Elixir coffee served up in Paleo Cafes around Australia. 10-12 Hayward St, Stafford Bunker Coffee Talk about hole-in-the-wall…Bunker Coffee is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it coffee hub (located in an real WWII bunker!) serving up espresso, filter coffee, iced coffees and authentic hot chocolate. Open from Monday to Friday and located a hop, skip and a jump from Milton Train Station, Bunker is a hit with weekday commuters. Bunker’s brother, John Mills Himself, has also recently opened in Brisbane’s CBD. 21 Railway Terrace, Milton Gramercy Espresso This semi-hidden cafe oasis is located just inside the Edward St entrance to the Wintergarden. The coffee is sourced from Sydney’s Reuben Hills roasters, and is a delight whether hot or cold. And bonus points, the folks at Gramercy make their own almond milk. A mouth-watering selection of cakes and pastries are also on offer, so don’t leave your sweet tooth at home. Wintergarden, 219 Queen St, Brisbane Blackstar Coffee Hailed as kings of the cold-press, Blackstar don’t take short cuts when it comes to providing their rich and earthy blend. In a story that has become a Brisbane legend, the Blackstar boys returned from a coffee-excursion in New Zealand, and with little more than flavour memory tried to replicate the finely crafted coffee they left overseas. Needless to say, success ensued and these days you can you can grab a brew from Blackstar in West End, Contessa in the City, or at the Queen Street markets. 44 Thomas St, West End Fonzie Abbott Espresso The Fonzie Abbott crew are serious about their beans, roasting their own blend at the Fox Street Factory in Albion. You’ll taste Fonzie’s brew if you order a coffee at establishments including Bitter Suite, Papa Jack’s, Noosa Chocolate Factory and Primal Pantry, as well as at the Fonzie Abbott café in Hamilton. While you’re there, grab a fresh croissant or a slice of banana bread to enjoy while you soak up the rustic surroundings and the goings on of Racecourse Rd. 1/30 Racecourse Rd, Hamilton Spring Hill Deli Spring Hill Deli is another fine establishment that has realised that using real chocolate on top of cappuccinos makes them approximately 1000% better. We probably don’t need to say much more, but if you still need convincing, the beans come from celebrated locals Cup Coffee Roasters and the moreish food menu is the perfect accompaniment. 537 Boundary St, Spring Hill View all Brisbane Cafes.
Spoiler warning: this interview incudes specifics about Materialists if you haven't watched the film before reading. Honesty. Authenticity. Anyone who has seen, swooned over and fallen head over heels for Past Lives, aka one of 2023's very best movies, already knows that these two traits beat at the heart of Celine Song's films. What's present in the writer/director's sophomore feature Materialists more than her Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated, Gotham- and Independent Spirit Award-winning debut, however, is frankness — especially about people approaching relationships as an arrangement and a transaction, even, and about coupling not just driven by love, fluttering hearts and racing pulses. As it plunges into the New York City life of Lucy (Dakota Johnson, Madame Web), Materialists is submerged in a matchmaker's existence. That's her job. For those looking for love and willing to pay her high-end employer — so, usually folks with ample cash to splash in the service of meeting their perfect partner — Lucy works her magic. She knows how to woo new clients. She also knows how to seal the deal, with nine marriages springing from her services so far. And, she's well-aware that her gig isn't simply to make sparks fly. With her like with no one else, the Big Apple's bachelors and bachelorettes are unvarnished about their wants and must-haves in a soul mate. They have exact height parameters, and acceptable salary ranges as well. Some sport lengthy lists that go much further. None are particularly willing to budge. Materialists is a direct film, then, about the objectification and commodification of people that can be layered into the search for someone to spend one's life with, plus the materialistic values that can often become part of that process. Yes, that's weighty for a romance. Song's movie is still both deeply affectionate and genuinely comedic, though — smartly, sharply, astutely and wonderfully so. And, even if its characters sometimes might be, Materialists is never cynical about love, its marvels, and the joys of truly finding someone that makes you instantly imagine your older self next to theirs decades into the future. Is Materialists saying the normally quiet part about modern love and dating maths, the motivations and reasons that aren't necessarily normally voiced, out loud? "Oh, interesting that you feel that way," is her first response to the question. "I feel like there are fully people who speak this way about love and dating. You go on TikTok, you know," she tells Concrete Playground. "I think that it is actually so much more common — and not only is it common, it is actually the way that my clients would speak." With Past Lives, Song adapted her own experience. She too had a Korean childhood sweetheart. She has an American husband. The movie in its entirety isn't autobiographical, but it grew from that kind of place. With Materialists, Song instead draws upon her own time endeavouring to assist others with their love lives. She was only a matchmaker for around half a year, but that stint has informed her second film that's centred on the emotional journey of a woman torn between her past and her future. Consequently, when Song says that people tackle the quest for a partner like they're putting in a drinks order (a coke and a beer is Lucy's) or making a deal, it's because she has seen it firsthand. "And also, people will just — like people in my life now, if you ask them what they're looking for, sometimes they will speak that way," Song continues. "And I do think that it is something where it's the quantifying or the turning into numbers, that it is, it gets that literal in that way. As in 'well, even if you're five-two, I still want somebody who's over six-feet tall'. And you're like 'why? Can they be five-ten?'. And they're like 'no'." Lucy faces this situation day in, day out. Chatting with Song about it, it's clear how intricately that her own time in the same day job while she was starting out as a playwright has fed into Materialists. The romantic options of Lucy's clients aren't the film's key concern, of course, but their attitudes have made an imprint on her own. So, when she has two choices — Harry (Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us), the tall, successful, distinguished, handsome and ultra-wealthy brother of someone that she's just married off; and John (Chris Evans, Red One), a struggling actor making a buck as a cater waiter that she has a past with — this proves a picture about how her personal reality and beliefs about love come to collide. Upon exiting her matchmaking days, Song knew that it'd play a part in her work at some point. She felt that compulsion immediately. Why? We also explored that in our chat about this seductive and significant — and masterful and meaningful — interrogation of relationships with its guiding force. Do people appraising romance in economic terms consciously realise that they're treating marriage like a transaction, or do they think that that's just a relic of history? How do you approach casting for chemistry, especially when a luminous Johnson, debonair Pascal and never-better Evans are your stars? They're some of the other directions that our discussion with Song charted. On Song Leaving Her Short Stint as a Matchmaker Knowing That It Would Somehow Inform Her Work — and How Materialists Came About From There "I think that I walked into that job thinking that it was going to be a day job, but I think I learned more about people and what their hearts desire than almost any other six-month period of my life. And I think that I did walk away from that job feeling like I'm going to make something about it. I was like 'I'm going to devise something about it, I just know it'. And I think that it's because I'm dealing with people, encountering people, every day who want to find love. But when you ask them what they're looking for, everything that they say about the person that they intend to love are things like height, weight, salary, lifestyle — things that are quantifiable, things that are concerns of an insurance salesperson or somebody at the morgue. So I think in that way, I was just always so shocked by how different the way everybody's talking about the dating side of the pursuit of love versus what I knew about love. And love is this amazing ancient mystery. It's a complete miracle when it happens. And it's the most beautiful, most dramatic thing that we do in our lives. So it's an amazing thing to just watch such a gap, huge gap, between what is the answer to 'who are you looking for?' and then what it is actually like to be in love and to fall in love. And I think that that gap, and then the tension in that gap, the contradiction of those two things, I think that was what really made me want to make a movie about it. It just felt like such a powerful mystery and a powerful thing to deal with." On Whether People Consciously Realise That They're Approaching Marriage Like a Transaction — or If They Think That That's Just a Relic of History, Such as Victorian Romances "We're not very far from the way that Victorian romances were talking about marriage, because I feel like still this economic pressure, especially as the economic anxieties and financial anxieties are such a fundamental part of our lives, the relief we want from it is, I think, at the heart of our fundamental desires, right? We're starting to be like 'I would like to be relieved of financial troubles. I would like to be relieved of it'. So part of that relief, desire for relief, is, of course, something that was a fundamental part of the Victorian romances. It's so much about that relief. And I think that we have not come that far from feeling like that's a very good reason to marry someone. I think that, of course, it's less of a total choice. And then, of course, women make money. So it's kind of like 'of course it's changed a lot in that way'. But how amazing that women are able to make their own living? And so in that part of this, of course, so far improved — but it still hasn't changed the otherwise very difficult thing, which is that marriage is still seen as a very specific contract. And I think that that is a very reasonable and a normal thing. But as Lucy says in the film 'but love has to be on the table', right? You can't walk away, right? Like you can't actually have a business partner for your spouse. Your spouse is your spouse. You're going to have to change that person's diaper. That person would change your diaper — whatever, one of you is changing the other person's diaper. And the thing is, that's the most romantic thing about marriage, and therefore love has to be on the table." On Song's Approach to Casting for Chemistry — Especially When Casting Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans "I think that when it comes to chemistry, some of it is just purely instinctual. But it's also so much work that's coming from the actors — as in, it is something that we're working on together as part of the performance, the chemistry. I think that sometimes people think chemistry is just flirting on-screen, but it's really not about flirting at all. Chemistry is something that you build by having two characters who want different things from each other, and the two of them trying to find a resolution. So what I mean by that is, for example, that loading dock scene between John, Chris Evans' character, and Lucy, Dakota Johnson's character, is that the chemistry in that scene is being built by me telling Chris 'you're doing your darndest, you're doing your best, to not kiss her'. And when it comes to Dakota, I'm telling her 'I think that she already knows that she probably will kiss him at some point'. So to me, I'm like 'well, you have two contradicting desires, right?'. And in that, that's where the tension is going to be and that's where the chemistry is going to be. So that's how it gets built. And the thing is, it's not just that these two people who are flirting with each other and then somehow there's going to be chemistry — there's not. It's all beautifully make believe. So, much of it I would want to credit the acting, the work that we're doing on it. And this is what I've always believed about chemistry. Chemistry is about erotic desire. And what is erotic desire? Wanting something that you don't have. That's where you can have chemistry. So I think, to be honest, that's the truth of it. And when it comes to those actors, I think building the chemistry, some of that is just about just knowing it — just knowing that they're going to, all three actors, are going to feel something for each other. That they're going to like each other, and even like just actually feel something for each other in such a deep way as humans. So I think it's really that. And of course, if they're the right people for each role, and these roles are romantically entangled and have chemistry with each other, they are going to have chemistry with each other. So to me, that's how I would really describe the way to find chemistry." On the Film Exploring Not Only Lucy's Clashing Romantic Options, But the Conflict Between Her Personal Reality and Her Beliefs About Love "I think the funniest part of it is that she's a matchmaker and she's having trouble finding a match for herself. And that's kind of an amazing dramatic problem — a matchmaker who is looking for love. So I think that in that way, it was always so important that we're meeting Lucy at the peak of her power and the peak of her feeling that she's the expert, that she knows everything. And then throughout the film, to unravel her until she is somebody who was able to not only accept that she doesn't know, but to also say 'I completely surrender. I completely surrender to love'. So I think that because that is her journey throughout this film, it was absolutely, yes, exactly what you're describing is the reason I wanted to make this movie. It was very important for Lucy to start as somebody who is presenting as just the smartest girl ever, and then to end the film making a decision that is with her heart. And it's not going to seem smart to a lot of people — even though the truth is we know that she's making the only smart decision in the whole film, right? Which is to say 'deal' to the one deal that you cannot say 'no' to. That's the only deal that is worth saying 'yes' to. And she does it. And in fact, that's the beautiful thing. It's like by making a decision that I'm sure, to herself in the beginning of the film, may seem like a stupid decision, she's making the wisest decision she can make about her life — which is to go where love is." Materialists opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Images: Atsushi Nishijima, A24.
In Patricia Piccinini's mind, bulbous creatures float through the sky. In her imagination, automobiles may as well be animals, and the line between humans and other critters is razor thin. It all sounds like something out of a science-fiction movie (or several), but the Australian artist's output isn't just confined to a screen. Across a variety of media, Piccinini explores the way that nature and technology, people and animals, and the unusual and the sublime all combine — and, more than that, she finds ways to make their weird and wonderful blend appear, feel and seem real. With Piccinini's body of work spanning from figures that look so naturalistic you'll expect them to start moving, to looping short film installations that bring strange beings to life, to paintings and sculptures made with actual human hair, wandering through her creations is like wandering into another realm. At Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art until August 5, that's exactly what's on offer. Taking over the entire ground floor of the building — and filling the place with more than 70 sculptures, photographs, videos, drawings and large-scale installations, including both exisiting favourites and newly commissioned pieces — Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection transforms GOMA into a pleasingly intriguing playground. Indeed, if Piccinini's famous animal-shaped hot air balloon, The Skywhale, literally unleashed her unique sensibilities out into the world, then Curious Affection does the opposite: it invites everyone into the acclaimed artist's mind and lets them roam around. Inside, visitors get a peek at not-quite-human lovers cosying up in a caravan, walls filled with alien-like mushrooms, and a vast array of peculiar yet beautiful creatures. And, in an exhibition designed to make you ponder what it means to be human, that's just a fraction of its treasures. In short: entering the otherworldly showcase is an experience like few others, crafted by an artist who has taken her visibly distinctive sensibilities everywhere from the Venice Biennale to Japan's skies to galleries around the world over the past two decades. Discovering exactly what her imagination has brought forth is part of the fun, but here are five things to look out for along the way — and, whether you're a Brisbanite keen on an arty staycation or you're travelling from interstate to see the exhibition, we've found you somewhere to stay as well. [caption id="attachment_667357" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Installation view 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, 2018, featuring The Field 2018. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] WANDER THROUGH A FIELD OF OTHERWORLDLY FLOWERS The Field isn't the first thing you'll see at Curious Affection, but this darkened room will stay with you long after you've left GOMA. It's the exhibition's main attraction for a very good reason: there's nothing quite like walking into a cavernous hall filled with more than 3000 flower-like sculptures, lightly bouncing along the spring-loaded floors and finding out that nothing's really as it seems. Each individual stem is a feat of astonishing artistry that'll make you think about the real meaning of beauty, not to mention the kind of creations that sci-fi filmmakers like Ridley Scott (Alien) and David Cronenberg (The Fly) would be proud of. When you're not staring into their hypnotic expanse, the four larger-scale sculptures — two of mothers with children, two of curious creatures — scattered around the gallery are just entrancing, not to mention perfectly on-theme. [caption id="attachment_667360" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Patricia Piccinini, Australia VIC. b.1965. Pneutopia 2018. Ripstop nylon, shed, air. Courtesy the artist, Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco.[/caption] ENTER A GARDEN SHED — AND LOOK UP Maybe you saw The Skywhale float through the sky back earlier this decade. Maybe you just wished you did. Either way, if you ever wondered what it looked like inside, then inflatable installation Pneutopia almost has the answer. It's not Skywhale 2.0, but this custom-built blow-up creation comes close — just confined within GOMA's huge two-storey hallway rather than roving free on the wind. Roam around either the ground or second level, and you can feast your eyes on the outside of this billowing orange and pink structure. Enter the ordinary-looking garden shed underneath, however, and you'll peer through a window into the heart of the balloon. [caption id="attachment_664391" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Installation view 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, 2018, featuring The Young Family 2002. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH CURIOUS CREATURES In one corner, a girl sits with an owl flapping over her shoulder. At several other points around the exhibition's first few rooms, kids reach out to strange critters, or cradle them in their arms, or find them laying on their backs. On a leather platform, a pig-human chimera feedings her suckling offspring. In a life-sized bed, a toddler stands shoulder-to-shoulder with a creature that could've stepped out of her dreams (or nightmares). There's more where they came from, representing some of Piccinini's best-known sculptures, and they really are the best introduction to the artist's work that you can get. Each attention-grabbing piece makes a statement, whether about natural evolution, genetic experimentation, the open mind that comes with child-like wonder, or the fine line between horror and empathy. As the exhibition's explanatory text describes, it's a collection that's "startling but rarely fearsome". [caption id="attachment_664396" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Installation view 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, 2018. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] MOSEY THROUGH A STRANGE PATCH OF GREENERY In the last corner of the exhibition, GOMA becomes a forest — but you don't usually see creatures called 'tyre lions' and 'butthole penguins' in a standard patch of greenery. Yes, that's their actual name, and they're bizarre but delightful, like figures from an offbeat animation you now definitely wish existed. Piccinini arranges these pieces as if she's arranging a display in a natural history museum, which only adds to their uncanny allure. It's the final piece in a gallery-wide puzzle that presents an assortment of seemingly familiar figures, animals, scenes and objects, but shows that they really couldn't be less ordinary. [caption id="attachment_667355" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Installation view 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, 2018. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE SCREENS As well as Piccinini's eye-catching sculptures, installations and other pieces, GOMA's walls are lined with multiple screens playing her video works. Each runs on a loop, ranging from 90 seconds to a couple of minutes in duration — and if you're keen to dive even deeper in the artist's mind, they're all well worth your time. Gaze at Ghost, aka a hairy chicken-like creation hanging from the ceiling, for example, then watch In Bocca Al Lupo, a mesmerising short film filled with similar critters. If you only make time for one, however, then head to an adorably odd effort called The Seedling's Dance. It runs for less than three minutes, and it's playing on a cinema-sized screen that you you really won't be able to miss. COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN OR INTERSTATE? Can't get enough art? Not quite ready to re-enter reality after wandering through Piccinini's intriguing creations? Heading in from out-of-town and looking for a suitably creative place to stay? Brisbane's Art Series Hotel The Johnson fills its walls, halls, rooms and suites with abstract works from its namesake artist, Michael Johnson, offering the closest thing you'll find to sleeping in a gallery. And, for the duration of Curious Affection, the boutique hotel has a stay-and-see deal that includes one night's accommodation and two tickets to the GOMA exhibition. When you're not marvelling at Piccinini's work, you can look through the in-house art library, watch the dedicated in-room art channel, or get a dose of outdoor splendour while you're taking a splash with a view in the 50-metre pool or lazing around on the luxe deck. Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection exhibits at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art until August 5, and includes a film screening series and Friday night art parties throughout June and July. For more information, head to the gallery website. Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection images: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.
If you had to pack up and run for your life, what would you grab? Clothes? Food? Phone charger? Australians and New Zealanders are in one heck of a lucky situation, we haven't had to throw essentials in a bag and flee because of war, genocide or unbridled violence. But nearly 100,000 people from the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa have had to do just that — this year alone. Refugees don't have the luxury of packing ten Louis Vuitton suitcases of unnecessary crap for their travels. They travel light, for the road is incredibly dangerous. It's only necessities that refugees throw into their bags before getting the hell out of their home country: medication, little food, phones, maybe a toothbrush. To get an insight into exactly what refugees are travelling with, the International Rescue Committee and photographer Tyler Jump asked an artist, a mother, a family, a child, a teenager and a pharmacist, who are all refugees from war-torn areas like Syria and Afghanistan, to show us what they'd managed to bring with them on their journey — what they'll need on the road to a (hopefully) more peaceful future. All images and quotes were originally published by Medium. A FAMILY OF 31 From Aleppo, Syria “I hope we die. This life is not worth to live anymore. Everyone closed the door in our face, there is no future.” 1 shirt 1 pair of jeans 1 pair of shoes Toiletries 1 diaper, 2 small cartons of milk and some biscuits Personal documents and money Sanitary pads A comb A TEENAGER Iqbal, 17, from Kunduz, Afghanistan “I want my skin to be white and hair to be spiked — I don’t want them to know I’m a refugee. I think that someone will spot me and call the police because I’m illegal.” 1 pair of pants, 1 shirt, 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of socks Shampoo and hair gel, toothbrush and toothpaste, face whitening cream Comb, nail clipper Bandages 100 U.S. dollars 130 Turkish liras Smartphone and back-up cell phone SIM cards for Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey AN ARTIST Nour, 20, from Syria “I left Syria with two bags, but the smugglers told me I could only take one. The other bag had all of my clothes. This is all I have left.” Small bag of personal documents A rosary (gift from his friend; Nour doesn’t let it touch the floor) A watch (from his girlfriend; it broke during the journey) Syrian flag, Palestinian charm, silver and wooden bracelets (gifts from friends) Guitar picks (one also a gift from a friend) Cell phone and Syrian SIM card Photo ID 1 shirt A MOTHER Aboessa, 20, from Damascus, Syria “Everything is for my daughter to protect her against sickness. When we arrived in Greece, a kind man gave me two jars of food. Another man gave us biscuits and water when he saw my baby.” Hat for the baby An assortment of medication, a bottle of sterile water, and a jar of baby food A small supply of napkins for diaper changes A hat and a pair of socks for the baby Assortment of pain relievers, sunscreen and sunburn ointment, toothpaste Personal documents (including the baby’s vaccination history) Wallet (with photo ID and money) Cell phone charger Yellow headband A BOY Omran, 6, from Damascus, Syria 1 pair of pants, 1 shirt A syringe for emergencies Marshmallows and sweet cream (Omran’s favorite snacks) Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste Bandages A PHARMACIST Anonymous, 34, from Syria “I had to leave behind my parents and sister in Turkey. I thought, if I die on this boat, at least I will die with the photos of my family near me.” Money (wrapped to protect it from water) Old phone (wet and unusable) and new smart phone Phone chargers and headphones (plus extra battery charger) 16GB flash drive (containing family photos) Via Medium. Images: Tyler Jump/International Rescue Committee.
There are swimming holes, and then there are swimming holes — and yes, there is a difference between the two. In the first camp, you'll find all the standard haunts that those seeking a splashing good time rush to, aka the usual beaches and pools. But in the second category lurks spots that are a little further off the beaten path, just waiting for the adventurous and the curious. They're the kind of places where you can soak up the benefits of tea trees, scramble over rocks to secret coastal pockets and look out from waterfall caves. Here's our list for the most unusual swimming holes to try around Brisbane. Put these on your summer itinerary and check them off one by one. [caption id="attachment_795007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR WAVES: CHAMPAGNE POOLS, FRASER ISLAND As far as natural phenomena go, seaside pools are up there with the best of them. You get the benefits of a dip in the ocean and a place to wade about. Located between Waddy Point and Indian Head just up from 75 Mile beach, Fraser Island's Champagne Pools offer both, as well as the only place on the landmass that allows saltwater swimming. The real source of their attraction, though, is the sensation that gives them their name. Here, as the waves crash over the pools, the foam that remains fizzes, leaving bathers feeling like they're soaking in a splash of sparkling goodness. [caption id="attachment_794956" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tatters via Flickr[/caption] FOR ADVENTURE: LOWER PORTALS, MOUNT BARNEY As many a cliche reminds us, the destination isn't the only source of fun to be found when venturing away from the usual haunts — the journey is just as important. Heading for a swim at Mount Barney's Lower Portals ticks both boxes, particularly for those keen for a hike and then a dip to cool off afterwards. To get to the gorge that keeps people trekking to Queensland's most impressive peak — after you've driven from Brisbane and through Beaudesert and Rathdowney, that is — you can choose to wade along a creek or slither through a hole in a cave. Adventurous sorts will opt for the latter. [caption id="attachment_795005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Duranbah Beach, Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR SNORKELLING: SPIRAL BEACH, COOLANGATTA If you're thinking about snorkelling in Queensland, you're likely thinking about the Great Barrier Reef. But venturing up north isn't the kind of thing you can just do for the day, so thankfully the Tweed area boasts the southeast's best spot to don a mask and flippers. Even though Spiral Beach — located just past Duranbah Beach near Coolangatta — is actually in New South Wales, us Sunshine Staters will still claim it as our own. If you haven't heard of it before, that's because it's really considered a local secret. At high tide, you'll discover why: that's when the soft coral is visible, as is the brightly coloured marine life. [caption id="attachment_794967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Richard Ryde via Flickr.[/caption] FOR HEALING: LAKE AINSWORTH, LENNOX HEAD Don't shy away from the discoloured waters of Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head — or its healing powers, either. As well as being a great place to paddle, kayak and canoe, the secluded, amber-stained spot is infused with the properties of the neighbouring tea trees, and is said to have rejuvenating benefits as a result. That's the reason it was historically embraced by Indigenous communities and used as a women's swimming hole for post-childbirth soothing. To enjoy its restorative powers, you'll need to head over the border and towards Ballina — trust us, this therapeutic freshwater swim is worth driving interstate for. [caption id="attachment_794966" align="alignnone" width="1920"] lilianedeazevedo via Instagram.[/caption] FOR THRILLS: FAIRY POOLS, NOOSA NATIONAL PARK As the name suggests, there's something magical about the Sunshine Coast's Fairy Pools, which can be found in Noosa National Park at Noosa Heads. These oceanside tidal basins are best visited when water levels are high, which is when you'll spy colourful fish, coral and sponges — plus enjoy a vigorous blast from the lively waves that come crashing towards the shoreline. At times, you might need to wade and splash through the energetic spray more than actually swim in it. But, if slipping into the secluded pools by the sea isn't enough of a thrill, the trek there — which involves climbing down the rocky face of the headland, sans path or official walking track — should definitely help get your adrenaline pumping. [caption id="attachment_794999" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR VIEWS: MINYON FALLS, NIGHTCAP NATIONAL PARK Imagine relaxing in a natural pool of water while looking up at 100 metres of glistening rainforest and an unbelievably steep cliff face. At Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park — located in the hinterland just outside of Byron Bay — there's no need to engage your brain's creative faculties, because that's exactly what you'll find. While gazing out from the lookout above is the more popular pastime, the view from below is just as majestic; but be sure to check what the weather before you make the trek, because this spot is at its best when the water is really flowing. Note: Minyon Falls is currently closed for upgrades until December 23. Before you head out, check for the latest alerts on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website. [caption id="attachment_795011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Sunshine Coast[/caption] FOR SECLUSION: SERENITY FALLS, BUDERIM FOREST PARK A place that's less than a 30-minute drive from both Buderim and the coastline might not seem like it should be secluded, but these falls offer a truly hidden paradise. The Serenity Falls in Buderim Forest Park are aptly named for the relaxed state of nature-induced bliss you'll find here. Indeed, this watery wonderland is set in the midst of 45 hectares of rainforest and feels like you're stepping into a world far removed from the beach and town nearby. Just make sure you time your trip to coincide with recent rainfall, otherwise you'll be paddling in ponds rather than swimming in a rockpool. [caption id="attachment_795000" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR CAVE DWELLING: KILLEN FALLS, TINTENBAR Everyone loves a waterfall you can walk behind, which already puts Killen Falls in northern New South Wales on many a must-visit list. Here, just a short two-hour drive from Brisbane, you can swim in the mist of the waterfall-fed basin — but that's not all. For those keen on holing away in a rocky retreat, you can crawl into the crevice that lurks behind the cascading water and watch the stream of spray tumble down. With the beach in such close proximity, it's not a tourist hot-spot, which means there's more chilled-out cave and lagoon dwelling for you to enjoy without the crowds. [caption id="attachment_795009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] FOR NUDITY: NORTH BELONGIL BEACH, NEAR BYRON If you're a Queenslander fond of sunning yourself in your birthday suit, then you'd best hit the road. Nude bathing isn't actually legal in the Sunshine State, but North Belongil Beach near Byron Bay will let you indulge in this pastime. Just look for the end of Grays Lane, south of the picnic area — about four kilometres north of the main Byron turnoff. Be sure to check that you're in the clothing-optional section before you disrobe, though, as only a 600-metre stretch of the beach is nudist friendly. Signs at the Tyagarah Nature Reserve carpark will point you in the right direction. Note: you'll also be in the thick of a national park, which means you'll have to pay a daily visit fee — but $8 is a small price to pay for some sun, sea and sans-clothes freedom.
Australia's love affair with the meat pie has reached extravagantly unfathomable new heights, with today's unveiling of a pie worth a whopping $12,000. Billed as the world's most expensive pie, the gold-encrusted pastry is the result of a partnership between the Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington and Groupon Australia; celebrating the sale of the website's two-millionth food and drink voucher. Baked by Lord Dudley's executive chef Paul Medcalf, the so-called posh pie is made with David Blackmore's Wagyu beef eye fillet, rock lobster from Western Australia, Italian porcini mushrooms, 500g of black truffles and a selection of organically-grown vegetables, as well as two bottles of Penfolds Grange Reserve. The top of the pie consists of puff pastry covered in shaved truffles and — wait for it — 23 carat gold leaf from Germany. Yes, it sounds delicious and opulent and outrageous. But $12,000? To put that price into perspective, this pie costs roughly the same amount as 2500 Four 'N' Twenty Pies from 7-Eleven, or fifty-two thousand frozen party pies from Coles. But their gravy ain't made of the Grange. Groupon have released a video of the baking process, complete with inspiring MasterChef-style music, viewable below. Drooling is permitted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjpc_9auDA Anyone with a casual 12K lying around can make a purchase offer here. The rest of us plebs can also win a free taste, through a competition on the Groupon website.
Located in Brisbane's Paddington, Noir is the quintessential neighbourhood wine bar. On the ground floor, you'll find an intimate bar with enough stools for you and a couple of mates, while a few extra high tops flesh out the room. Upstairs, you'll find a small but comfortable loft with some leather lounge furniture and a view of the scene below. The place is cosy and dimly lit, with fresh sounds and artwork on the wall and staff who'll make you feel right at home. It has a rotating wine list, so you'll never know what you'll find at Noir. But the team does focus on local producers, minimal intervention wines and harder-to-find varietals. Trust them to know what they're doing and follow their advice. Noir is run by the crew behind Blackout Paddington, so you know you can trust them when it comes to world-class snacks, too. The focus here is charcuterie — think locally sourced cheese, premium grade salamis from Saison Salumi, and all the fresh pickles and condiments you could poke a breadstick at. It's open Wednesday to Friday, from 4pm until 10pm or 11pm, and from 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. This isn't the kind of joint to rock up close to midnight with six of your boozed-up mates — rather it's the place to come in the early afternoon and catch up with someone over a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board, who you're actually interested in talking to. It could be an old friend, could be a first date, could be the old folks. The music here is chill so you'll be able to hear one another over the top of it, and the service is intimate and friendly. If Noir is your local neighbourhood wine bar, we're more than a little bit jealous.
If you can find us an activity more decadently wintry than slipping into a steaming bath of natural mineral water in the middle of the wilderness, we'll eat our collective hats. You might usually associate the likes of Iceland, the French Alps or New Zealand with thermal baths, but the good news is that there stacks of stunning natural hot springs in Australia. We are lucky to have our fair share of stunning bush hot pools where you can indulge in some serious mineral water therapy. Plus, we've got some serious mountaintops complete with supersized hot tubs, so why go overseas? PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, VICTORIA This is where Victorians escape to for thermal relief. The drive down the Mornington Peninsula to the Peninsula Hot Springs retreat is basically a Melburnian pilgrimage — especially as it underwent a $13 million upgrade in 2018. It has cold plunge pools, hot spring pools and an impressive outdoor Bath House Amphitheatre in a remote and picturesque hilltop location. There's also a hamam, an underground sauna, cave pool and the pool at the top of the hill which affords 360-degree views of the area. Plus, a cafe, a cultural meeting space designed in collaboration with local Indigenous Elders, and a multipurpose wellness centre for classes and talks. For the full experience, book in for one of the spa's treatments, from 60-minute bioactive facials to 180-minute packages with organic mineral mud wraps, relaxing massages, hair and scalp treatments and breakfast or lunch in the cafe. Where? 140 Springs Lane, Fingal, Victoria. How much? $35–55 entry to the Bath House. YARRANGOBILLY CAVES THERMAL POOL, NSW It's not hard to see why this thermal pool in the Kosciuszko National Park is a local favourite. Quiet, secluded, with heaps to explore in the surroundings, it's the perfect destination for a crisp winter weekend. Filled with water from a natural hot spring, the 20-metre pool remains at a perfect 27 degrees all year round. Get there via a short (but steep!) 700-metre walk from the nearby car park, or wind your way along the three-kilometre River Walk. If the temps aren't too frosty, have a post-swim feed in the adjacent picnic area before exploring the surrounding caves. Where? 50 Yarrangobilly Caves Road, Yarrangobilly, NSW. How much? $4 per car (national park entry fee). [caption id="attachment_724325" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] LIGHTNING RIDGE ARTESIAN BORE BATHS, LIGHTNING RIDGE, NSW Located just outside the opal-mining town of Lightning Ridge, these delightful baths are surrounded by remote bushland and gloriously removed from all signs of civilisation. Open 24 hours a day (except from 10am–noon each weekday for cleaning), you can soak in the hot waters at sunrise, sunset, or any other time your little heart desires. Night swims are particularly recommended as you can float in the 40-degree water while taking in the stunning expanse of the starry rural sky. A popular meeting place for Lightning Ridge residents, the baths are also a great place to get a feel for local life. Best of all? It won't cost you a thing. Where? Pandora Street, Lightning Ridge, NSW. How much? Free! HEPBURN BATHHOUSE, VICTORIA Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, about two hours northwest of Melbourne, is another achievable day trip for Melburnians. The bathhouse, built back in 1895, is the oldest in the whole country and is continually warmed to 34 degrees. Take your pick of communal swimming experiences, from a magnesium pool to an outdoor creek pool. Plus, there's a pavilion cafe that has been serving up goodies to visitors since 1908 (go for the Devonshire Tea) and a day spa with private mineral baths, massage options and steam therapies. Once you've bathed, try drinking the waters: various springs are dotted around Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. You can also extend your stay by booking into one of the ten luxury villas overlooking surrounding bushland. Where? Mineral Springs Reserve Road, Hepburn Springs, Victoria. How much? $45–55 adult entry to the Bathhouse. WITJIRA-DALHOUSIE SPRINGS, SA The most remote point on this list is Witjira-Dalhousie Springs — a cluster of around 60 natural hot springs located on the edge of the Simpson Desert, in northern South Australia, about 250 kilometres southeast of Alice Springs. It's certainly worth seeking out if you're driving towards the Red Centre. The Great Artesian Basin groundwater below is more than one million years old, and temperatures in the natural springs ranges from 38–43 degrees, so don't say in for too long at a time — you might find yourself a little dizzy and pruney if you do. Witjira-Dalhousie has cultural significance to the local Indigenous peoples and is associated with Dreamtime stories of the area. Due to its historical importance, the site is included on the Australian National Heritage List. Where? Witjira National Park, South Australia. How much? Free. Top image: Destination NSW.
Anyone who has ever held a nine-to-five office job will have at some point wanted nothing more than to crawl under their desk and take a nap. We find it tends to happen at around three in the afternoon — once the rush from our lunchtime coffee has subsided, but quittin' time is still a ways away. Lucky for all of us, there's a new workspace on the market designed to accommodate our every dozy desire. Created by Greek design firm NL Studios, the '1.6 S.M. of Life' (doesn't that just roll off the tongue?) is a desk with its own in built-in sleep pod that seems perfect for a quick on-the-job power nap. Made from solid wood, metal and white leather, the prototype includes a slide-out top and removable side panels, allowing you to easily transform it from desk to bed and back again. According to an interview with A' Design Awards and Competition, designer Athanasia Leivaditou came up with the idea after seeing her graduate school classmates sleeping on chairs during late night study sessions. "The main concept was to comment [on] the fact that our lives are shrinking in order to fit into the confined space of our office," she said. Of course, just because such a product exists doesn't mean your boss will be too keen on you taking an afternoon siesta. On the other hand, studies are increasingly showing that a lack of sleep and energy can lead to major drops in productivity in the workplace — and many companies including Google and Facebook already have sleeping pods where exhausted employees can recharge. Now, if you'll excuse us... Via Refinery29.
Were it not for a fearless, feisty adventurer by the name of Marie Byles, Bouddi National Park wouldn't exist. As a kid growing up in Palm Beach in the 1900s, she spent hours and hours gazing across the Hawkesbury River towards the Central Coast. As an adult, she ventured across the water whenever she could, to walk, camp, swim and write. By 1930 (shortly after becoming New South Wales's first practising female solicitor), she'd decided the area should belong to the public forever. And, after five years of fierce, relentless campaigning, she made it happen. Thanks to Byles, Bouddi looks pretty similar to us to the way it did to her. Its 3790 glorious acres still stretch along the Central Coast's southeast corner. Among them are more than 100 important Aboriginal sites, secret sandy beaches, dizzying cliffs, waterfalls, patches of rainforest, walks and mountain bike trails. At either end lie the ultra-relaxed, tree-filled villages of Copacabana in the north and Killcare in the south. SEE AND DO For a thorough exploration, slap on some sunscreen and take on the Bouddi Coastal Trail. This 8km hike runs the length of the park, sticking to the coast most of the time. You'll pass lookouts and beaches and, if you're not too raucous, meet wildlife of all kinds. Don't have the time — or inclination — for such an enormous journey? You can always squeeze in a briefer stroll. One of Bouddi's most popular short walks is the Maitland Bay Track, which begins at Maitland Bay Information Centre (cnr, Maitland Bay Drive and The Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights; (02) 4320 4200). It's a 1.5km wind through sandstone and rainforest to beautiful Maitland Bay. Take your snorkelling gear — Bouddi has a 300-hectare marine extension, so you'll catch plenty of underwater action — and if the tide's low, tiptoe around the PS Maitland, shipwrecked in 1898 in the bay's eastern corner. On your return journey, there's every chance you'll notice the trail seeming steeper than it did on your way down. If you're not in top form, travel slow or take the gentler, 3km route to Putty Beach — another excellent beach for swimming. Just don't forget to organise a ride back to your car. Some of Bouddi's indigenous history can be explored at Daley's Point. It's reached by an easy, 1.7km-long stroll along a ridge. The views over Brisbane Water are brilliant and inside Milligans — also known as Fish Hook Shelter — you'll find a series of ancient sandstone engravings. Alternatively, go day tripping with your mountain bike and conquer the Bouddi Ridge Explorer, a 10 km loop around the park's north-western section. Count on cracking views and keep an eye out for swamp wallabies and echidnas. Inexperienced riders might want to limit themselves to one or two easy sections, like the 5km Strom Loop. If you're keen to stay the night, there are three campgrounds in Bouddi National Park. The biggest is Putty Beach, with 20 spots, while Tallow Beach and Little Beach have six each. It's definitely a good idea to book in advance. EAT AND DRINK When you're ready to refuel between outdoor escapades, drop by Copacabana or Killcare. Copacabana is a 2,700-person settlement on mighty Allagai Bay. For breakfast or lunch right on the beach, there's Bar Copa. It's a casual kiosk operating out of the northern end of the Copacabana SLSC (220 Delmonte Place, Copacabana; Wed-Mon, 8am-3pm). The coffee comes from the Byron Bay Coffee Company and the menu specialises in tasty, wholesome, goodness, covering both classics and surprises, from salted caramel hot chocolate to vegan burgers filled with homemade patties, featuring exotic flavours like carrot and coconut. Just across the road, sheltered by a Norfolk Island pine, is Allagai Bay Cafe (2/204 Delmonte Place, Copacabana; Sun-Thu, 7am-3pm; Fri-Sat, 7am-3pm and from 6pm;(02) 4382 6120), serving up inventive dishes, which change according to the availability of quality produce. Current examples include scallops with chorizo and pea puree; salt and pepper soft shell crab; and deconstructed cheesecake with nutella, berries and marshmallow. Visit on a Sunday afternoon to score some live acoustic sessions with your meal. For beachside dining in Killcare, drop into Horizons, a cafe and tapas bar occupying the first floor of the SLSC. The focus is on simple, hearty fare done well. Lunch dishes are big on fresh seafood — think prawn risotto with tarragon, peas and parmesan; and grilled barramundi with French beans, crispy prosciutto, almonds, mint and lemon. If you're treating yourself to a fancy, schmancy day out, make a booking at Manfredi at Bells Restaurant (Fri-Sun, lunch and dinner; Mon-Thu, dinner only; 107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights; (02) 4349 7000). Manfredi's hung onto its chef's hat since 2008, so you're pretty much guaranteed a top-shelf feast. Plus there's a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical farming: the 500-square metre kitchen garden supplies more than 15 percent of produce, roaming hens provide free-range eggs and there are hives onsite. And, if you're feeling worn out after a day's adventuring, this is the perfect place for a luxurious overnighter. GETTING THERE AND AWAY Copacabana and Bouddi National Park are both a 1.5-hour drive north of the Sydney CBD. You can also catch a ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe (near the park's southern end), but your adventures will be limited to what you can cover comfortably on foot. Image: Dollar Photo Club, FotoSleuth (Flickr), Allagai Bay Cafe.
The Australian rideshare economy is set to go the way of Asia and Europe, with new company Scooti ready to unleash its fleet of scooter taxis on Melbourne next month. CEO and founder Cameron Nadi boasts the service as a cheaper, faster and more eco-conscious mode of transport. "The main advantage of Scooti is, of course, getting where you want to go sooner," says Nadi. "Two wheels have a distinct advantage in busy traffic. It's [also] more cost-effective than other chauffeur-driven ride sharing options, and creates less emissions than most other public or shared transport options available." It may sound odd, but Scooti is by no means a novel idea. Motorbikes already act as taxis all across Asia, as well as in European cities like Amsterdam and Florence — though this is the first time the concept has been implemented in Australia. The fleet currently consists of around 50 drivers and they're recruiting for more — so if you've got a scooter or motorbike and need some extra cash flow, listen up. As with any rideshare company, drivers can use their own motorbikes as long as they meet Scooti's mechanical, safety, comfort and hygiene standards. Alternatively, drivers will be given the option to invest in one of the company's branded blue electric Fonzarelli scooters. Scooti is also offering up benchmark pay rates and rewards in the transport services/delivery category, which should mean the pay will sit fairly within Australian salary standards. If true-to-word, this could set them apart, as pay continues to be a major issue within the ridesharing and delivering industries. Nadi also claims the company's recruitment standards "go beyond the likes of Uber", assessing for things like scooter skill and an arbitrary marker of "common sense". Riders can request a pickup using the Scooti app, though keep in mind you'll only be able to legally ride solo — so it's a good option when you don't have anyone to split an Uber or Taxify with. The drivers are also required to have an extra helmet for you, with hair nets on hand for those that are skeeved out by the idea of sharing headgear. The company is committed to offering female drivers to women riders upon request too. In addition to more drivers, Scooti is also actively looking for investors to grow the business. If Melbourne proves successful, you'll likely be seeing Scooti up in Sydney and Brisbane in no time, with expansion planned over the next 12 months. In the lead up their launch, you may notice some trial drivers around town. Keep a lookout — some heavily discounted fares will apparently be available for the first riders using the app. Scooti will launch in Melbourne this April, so keep an eye out for blue bikes around town. For more information or to download the app, head to their scooti.com.au.
Scenario: you’re having a few drinks with friends, eating corn chips, playing Cards Against Humanity and really trying to connect with your dark side… like, really trying to let all those politically incorrect thoughts out so they may guide your horrifying choices towards a CAH victory. There’s nothing too gross or inappropriate and everyone is cackling like ghouls and bonding over mutual evilness. And then there’s one friend who’s really uncomfortable. That one saintly friend with so much moral fibre they can barely stand the game and tut disapprovingly at all your funniest card drops. A real wet blanket. Imagine for a second that this party pooper was in charge of the entertainment for the evening and, in an attempt to foster neighbourliness and goodwill to all men, brought a new game... Cards for Humanity. “It’s fun, you guys! It’s a real winner!” they say, pouring virgin margaritas and placing a fruit tray down on the table. “I got it from Kickstarter, it’s meant to spark meaningful and insightful conversations!” “I have to go,” you scream, swiftly running off into the night “I left my hairdryer… in the oven.” And fin scenario. We don’t mean to alarm you but this could be a reality soon. Cards For Humanity, a card game that trades on your innate goodness, is in the works via the maker of dreams, Kickstarter. It was created by two good kids called Betsy and Hannah. Just look how goodhearted and sunbeamy they are: Although it lacks the nasty appeal of Cards Against Humanity, we concede that it would be good to play in any scenario where you can’t be your most evil self, such as work, church or with your grandparents. The pack includes such horrifically warm and fuzzy questions such as “What’s the craziest thing you have ever done for love?” and “If happiness was the national currency, what would make you wealthy?” and (oh god) "What would you wish on a shooting star?" that will really highlight your moral corruption and make you question your entire life. However, Cards For Humanity doesn’t include an answer deck allowing you craft warm, meaningful answers… or use a Cards Against Humanity answer deck to really spice things up. Check out Cards for Humanity's Kickstarter page over here.
When it gets to July, it seems like everyone you know is planning a European holiday — and the Greek islands are on many a traveller's summer itinerary. Most flock to islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Ios — but, really, that's just skimming the surface. While most people can count, say, six islands confidently, there are actually 6000 all up — 227 have people living on them, and the rest you can kayak or sail to for the day. So while we don't want to downplay the beauty of the well-travelled tourist islands, we're putting in a good word for the more underrated parts of Greece, which are extremely — if not more — worthy of your holiday time. Plus, these eight islands are nowhere near as crowded in European summer. So, as you make Europe summer plans, consider these alternative Greek jewels as a setting for snacking, finding serenity or smashing plates — what you decide to do there is up to you. [caption id="attachment_627543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Karakatsanis via Flickr.[/caption] SKOPELOS Waltzing around Skopelos may induce flashbacks of Pierce Brosnan's lack of singing ability, as a large portion of 2008's Mamma Mia was shot on the island. More fondly, you may recognise Agios Ioannis, the tiny little church perched on an 100-metre-high rock that hosted Meryl Streep's impassioned The Winner Takes it All solo. Skopelos' idyllic beaches are aplenty, but stray away from Kastani beach — also featured in the film — as its shores are one of the few spots on the island that gets crowded. Try Limnonari or Glysteri instead. If you hire a car to drive around, you'll notice how much this island differs from others in terms of terrain and vegetation, which is due to its northern situation. When springtime comes around, Skopelos is carpeted in wild flowers such as poppies and irises, camomile starts to pop up in June, and plums and almonds emerge as September nears. [caption id="attachment_627546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Livadaki beach, esther via Flickr.[/caption] FOLEGANDROS Clinging to the southern edge of the Cyclades group of islands is Folegandros, an island which travellers don't usually reach as they choose to halt their journey on Ios or Mykonos. But to venture a little further is a very wise choice; travellers are still greeted with the same, mesmeric turquoise waters and can enjoy them in more tranquil surrounds. Angali, Agios Nikolaos and Livadaki are notable beaches to unwind at. Folegandros is tiny — a 12-kilometre run will get you from one end of the island to the other — and there is no airport, so to get there you need to take a ferry from Athens, which only adds to the odyssey. After you dock and drop off your luggage, hire a quad bike and zoom your way through some seriously fresh air. [caption id="attachment_627461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rachel Docherty via Flickr.[/caption] KOS The sunset at Kos' Agios Theologos beach gives Santorini's a run for its money. Feast on fresh octopus at the beach's only restaurant and watch the sun turn the sky into a hypnotic fuchsia as it disappears into the Aegean. In the morning, take a swim to church. At the western head of the island you'll find the village Kefalos, which literally translates as 'head'. Kefalos' relentlessly cold beach Agios Stefanos hosts a little church, sitting on microscopic island about 200 metres from shore. Adventurers can take a swim through the waters, above the sea life to reach it. Kos also has a rich historical past, filled with ruins and sites that honour Hippocrates. You'll find most of them the capital Kos Town (the island proves to be quite literal in its naming approach). From Kos Town's port, it's a measly 20-minute ferry ride to Bodrum on Turkey's southwest coast. So, if you're continuing on into Turkey, Kos is a wise place to wrap up your Greece trip. [caption id="attachment_627452" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Blue Cave, Tatsushi Okamoto via Flickr.[/caption] KASTELORIZO Instead of white villages and blue motifs, Kastelorizo's houses are boldly colourful and expressive. Its aesthetic significantly differs from other islands which may have to do with the island's far-flung geographical positioning — it just clutches onto the eastern edge of the Aegean Sea. You'll find neoclassical mansions, rocky fortresses, miniature seaside churches and one of the most insanely well-kept secrets in Greece: the Blue Cave. A truly majestic spot to swim, the cave has stalactites that overlook deep blue waters that are slightly lit up by the reflection of sun rays that manage to creep in. If you seek total seclusion and serenity, head to Kastelorizo — we doubt the population of 490 will disturb you. [caption id="attachment_627549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mandraki, Karelj via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] NISYROS Nisyros is very much a calm island, undisturbed by tourists. What we're hoping stays calm is the volcano, which is one of the only active ones in the country. Nonetheless, you can get up close with fumaroles that hiss as you get close. And when you're not exploring Nisyros' terrain, try and delve into some local produce. Those looking for a drink must track down some koukouzina, a distillation of grapes and figs with a taste similar to raki. And it's no revelation that cheese and wine are a glorious combination but trigas takes it to the next level — it's a hard goats' cheese cooked in wine. Enjoy these delicacies in the capital village Mandraki, which rests right on the water. Its roads are made up of intricate pebble patterns, streets are peppered with flowers and cats can be seen on the locals' doorsteps. [caption id="attachment_627462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] View from St John Monastery, Tomisti via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] PATMOS Rich in historical and religious past, Patmos is where Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, and the Cave of the Apocalypse has been spectacularly transformed into a church. The island continues to draw religious tourists and pilgrims from all corners of the world. Near the cave you'll find the old hilltop town of Chora, which is crowned by what at first glance looks like a castle, but, is actually the UNESCO-listed Monastery of St John, built in the 11th century. It solidifies Patmos' position of being a place of religious knowledge and learning in Greece. Plus, the view — which overlooks the entire island — is insane. Worth a visit whether you're religious or not. [caption id="attachment_627548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] t_y_l via Flickr.[/caption] IKARIA Ikaria is heralded as the island of longevity. Dementia is relatively absent, thanks to good diet, incredible produce and a pretty stress-free quality of life. Feast on fresh goats' cheese, fish straight from the sea and tomatoes so flavoursome you won't know what hit you. The local panigiri (that is, festivals) are something you'll want to get in on. Pull up a chair with the locals (after asking if it's okay that you do so), grab some food and then dance it off, Greek style. Ikaria is an inspiring speck of land in the North Aegean Sea, lush and green, separating it from other islands that suffer from dryness. [caption id="attachment_627550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] heipei via Flickr.[/caption] KALAMATA While Kalamata is not an island — it's located on the Peloponnese peninsula in the south — if you do wish to visit an actual city in Greece, this is the one to go for. A lot of Greek Australians emigrated from the Peloponnese city, and many will tell you how much they miss it. We can understand why. The city has endured its fair share of Spartan domination and battles, but, nowadays, you can party it up in Kalamata's abundance of clubs and bars. The next day, rejuvenate in the contemplation of the warm Mediterranean sun — just like the Greeks.
If you're fond of a certain 1996 sports comedy that features Adam Sandler (Spaceman) taking to the green, then this'll be magic: the full sneak peek at Happy Gilmore's long-awaited sequel. Netflix has been teasing the film for months, but the streaming platform has saved the longest look at the movie yet for just under two months out from Happy Gilmore 2's Friday, July 25, 2025 arrival. As Virginia Venit's (Julie Bowen, Hysteria!) told the feature's namesake in an earlier teaser trailer, "we're not done with golf". Almost three decades after first getting tap, tap, tapping as a hockey player with an anger problem who makes the jump to a different sport — and after Happy Gilmore became one of the best-known comedies of the 90s, as well as one of Sandler's best-known films — its star is back chasing more glory with a club in his hand. In the initial flick, Happy won the Tour Championship in 1996 in an effort to make enough money to save his grandmother's house. Since then, he's repeated the trophy-claiming feat several times over, and now has a bust of his head to honour five-time winners to show for. It's been years since he has played the sport, though, and he's a little intimidated by today's golfers — but soon he's back in the swing again, albeit with a few missteps, to help rustle up some cash to put his daughter through ballet school. Alongside Sandler and Bowen, Ben Stiller (Nutcrackers) and Christopher McDonald (Hacks) return from the original Happy Gilmore. Among those joining them in the cast: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Cassandro) aka Bad Bunny; Sander's daughters Sadie (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah) and Sunny (Kinda Pregnant); Travis Kelce; Blake Clark (a regular Sandler collaborator, as seen in The Waterboy, Little Nicky, Mr Deeds, 50 First Dates, Click, Grown Ups and more); and Margaret Qualley (The Substance). Then there's the lineup of IRL professional golfers, such as John Daly, Rory McIlroy, Paige Spiranac, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris and Bryson DeChambeau. All part of trailers so far, too: a new happy place, unexpected reunions, broken clubs, more than a few rounds of advice encouraging Gilmore to get back to the sport, shanking shots, Happy's temper, breaking in his caddy, getting everyone talking and, unsurprisingly, a heap of nods to the first film. Just as with the original, Sandler co-wrote Happy Gilmore 2 with Tim Herlihy (who has also penned or co-penned Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy and eight other Sandler flicks through to Hubie Halloween), but Kyle Newacheck (Murder Mystery) steps into the director's chair instead of the initial film's Dennis Dugan (Grown Ups 2). Check out the full trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 below: Happy Gilmore 2 will stream via Netflix from Friday, July 25, 2025. Images Cr. Scott Yamano/Netflix.
Since 2019, IKEA shoppers have been able to offload their no-longer-needed furniture and do the environment a solid, all thanks to the Swedish retailer's buy-back service. And, if you've been keen to add some pre-loved wares to your home in return, you've been able to purchase other folks' unwanted goods in-person at the chain's As-Is sections. Been spending too much of the last couple of years at home, browsing online for new pieces to deck out your digs — because we've all filled plenty of time in our houses, staring at our same-old couches and rugs, during the pandemic? Still keen to opt for secondhand furniture, rather than new? From Monday, July 11, IKEA has launched its new As-Is Online Australian marketplace, letting you buy its discontinued, ex-display and pre-loved items from home. The platform has been trialled in Queensland since April, and now reaches stores nationwide. And yes, it's still linked to individual IKEA outposts, because that's where you'll need to head to collect whichever secondhand pieces you decide to buy. Here's how it works: shoppers hit up the As-Is Online platform, then scroll their way through the list of discontinued items, used wares, ex-showroom displays and products returned via IKEA's buy-back service. Once you've found something you like at a reduced amount — between 20–75 percent off the original product price — you can reserve it with a few clicks. After that, you just need to head to your selected store to complete the purchase, including picking up your new-to-you items from the brand's As-Is area. That's located just before the checkouts, which probably does mean you'll still wander the length of IKEA anyway — but at least the things you've made the trip for already have your name on them. IKEA is promoting the service as a way to save cash — which is rather handy right now thanks to inflation — and also as part of its efforts to become climate positive by 2030. Back when the buy-back regime was implemented, it was initially inspired by IKEA's findings that Aussies threw away up to 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused or repaired. To check out IKEA's new As-Is Online marketplace from Monday, July 11, head to the chain's website.
UPDATE, December 23, 2021: Encanto is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and will be available to stream via Disney+ from December 25. Five years after Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney first teamed up on an animated musical with the catchiest of tunes, aka Moana, they're back at it again with Encanto. To viewers eager for another colourful, thoughtful and engaging film — and another that embraces a particular culture with the heartiest of hugs, and is all the better for it — what can the past decade's most influential composer and biggest entertainment behemoth say except you're welcome? Both the Hamilton mastermind and the Mouse House do what they do best here. The songs are infectious, as well as diverse in style; the storyline follows a spirited heroine challenging the status quo; and the imagery sparkles. Miranda and Disney are both in comfortable territory, in fact — formulaic, sometimes — but Encanto never feels like they're monotonously beating the same old drum. Instruments are struck, shaken and otherwise played in the film's soundtrack, of course, which resounds with energetic earworms; the salsa beats of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' are especially irresistible, and the Miranda-penned hip hop wordplay that peppers the movie's tunes is impossible to mentally let go. Spanning pop, ballads and more, all those songs help tell the tale of the Madrigals, a close-knit Colombian family who've turned generational trauma into magic. This is still an all-ages-friendly Disney flick, so there are limits to how dark it's willing to get; however, that Encanto fills its frames with a joyous celebration of Latin America and simultaneously recognises its setting's history of conflict is hugely significant. It also marks Walt Disney Animation Studios' 60th feature — dating back to 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — but its cultural specificity (depictions of Indigenous, Afro Latino and Colombian characters of other ethnicities included) is its bigger achievement. The focal point of their jungle-surrounded village, the Madrigals are the local version of superheroes. They live in an enchanted home, complete with a magical candle that's burned for three generations, and they each receive special powers when they come of age. The latter wasn't the case for Encanto's heroine Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), though, and that absence of exceptional abilities has left the bespectacled teen feeling like an outcast. Plus, with her young cousin Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, #BlackAF) now going through the ceremony, Mirabel's perceived failings linger afresh in everyone's minds. But then la casita, as their supernatural home is known, starts cracking — the flame begins to flicker as well, as everyone's powers waver with it — and it looks like only its most ordinary inhabitant can save the day. Encanto doesn't refer to the Madrigals by any term you'd hear in a Marvel movie, but the imprint of Disney's hit franchise remains evident. Thankfully, director Byron Howard (Tangled), and co-writers/co-helmers Charise Castro Smith (Sweetbitter) and Jared Bush (Zootopia) have sprinkled in a few fun abilities — because mixing up a template sits high among the feature's powers, even when those generic underlying pieces can still be gleaned. Accordingly, one of Mirabel's sisters, Luisa (Jessica Darrow, Feast of the Seven Fishes), is super strong, but the other, Isabela (Diane Guerrero, Doom Patrol), makes flowers blossom with her loveliness. Similarly, while their aunt Pepa (Carolina Gaitán, The Greatest Showman) controls the weather, their mother Julieta (Angie Cepeda, Jane the Virgin) heals through cooking. In one of the most surprising moves ever made by all-ages film, Encanto also nods to Gabriel García Márquez and his novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (superheroes, Disney not-quite-princesses and Colombian magical realism, together at last!). It works because Encanto meaningfully ponders inherited woes and the weight of family expectations, and grounds them in past struggles and the cycles they kickstart. That's the Madrigals' story, as tied to Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero, Nurses). And, while delivered in bright and bouncy packaging, it includes noting how the pressure to excel and enchant has caused fissures. Indeed, due to her uncle Bruno (John Leguizamo, Playing with Fire) — who no one is supposed to discuss, as the aforementioned track trills — Mirabel isn't the only Madrigal wrongly deemed to have let the family down. Vibrant, rich, tender, sincere and lively (the songs, pace and lush computer-generated animation just keep earning the term): add in familiar, still, and that's Encanto. Perhaps it's an apt combination, considering that finding beauty in the seemingly standard is one of the movie's key messages. Or, maybe it's just what was always going to happen when the Mouse House mashed up such recognisable parts — there's plenty about Mirabel's tale that's pure Disney 101, too, and we've all enjoyed the childhood viewing to prove it — into a gorgeous and heartfelt love letter to Colombian culture. Either way, the movie remains a modest charmer and, with Beatriz's yearning yet resilient vocal performance worlds away from Rosa Diaz's growl, and her co-stars helping to make the picture melodic several times over, it's winningly cast as well. Encanto is also the fourth feature bearing Miranda's fingerprints in 2021, after In the Heights, fellow animated effort Vivo and his filmmaking directorial debut Tick, Tick… Boom!. Thanks to both his and Disney's involvement, it'll likely take the reverse route traversed by two of those titles and, The Lion King and Mary Poppins-style, end up on a stage sometime in the future. Such a production would inherently lack the creative cinematography that assists in making Encanto such a visual treat — especially in the imaginative journey that Mirabel takes in the movie's second half — but it'd dazzle as a live-action show anyway. One of the film's other joys is the fact that it's poised, fashioned, animated and sung like it's treading the boards already, and that why that's the case — why it exudes big musical energy, even when it feels like its threatening to overdo it at first — is cannily baked into its narrative.
The Brisbane restaurant scene is in the midst of an ongoing renaissance. Older dining institutions are changing things up to keep up with the pack, and new eateries keep popping up all over our fine city, championing creative and approachable menus inspired by a diverse range of cuisines. These days, the options are almost endless. We can treat ourselves at classic fine dining restaurants, be part of the cool crowd when eating at underground haunts, or revel in the delectable beauty that is local Queensland produce at joints that celebrate all things seasonal and sustainable. With all this on offer, deciding where to go next is tough. So let us lead you in the right direction with our list of the 20 best restaurants in Brisbane. Recommended reads: The Best Waterfront Venues in Brisbane The Most Romantic Restaurants and Bars in Brisbane Brisbane's Best Dog-Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants
Chances are, you're well overdue for a relaxed group getaway with your besties, and it just so happens that Australia's chock full of world-class vacation spots to suit all types. And for that group escape, Byron Bay is delivering the goods, as always. In northern NSW, you'll find a healthy dose of sun, sea and subtropical rainforest awaiting your arrival. Plus, an array of waterfront villas and roomy coastal retreats ideal for a beach vacay with your besties. We've done the hard work and rounded up the best group Airbnbs you can book in Byron Bay. Pack those bags and get set for a hard-earned beach adventure. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains Elevation, Byron Bay Luxe vacation vibes abound at this newly renovated architectural stunner, complete with heated pool and spa, and enormous sun-drenched deck. From $1321 a night, sleeps eight. Paradiso Property, Byron Bay Sporting soothing whites and natural finishes, this group retreat feels instantly relaxing. There's loads of space indoors and out, plus a brand-new pool. From $750 a night, sleeps eight. Belongil on the Beach, Byron Bay Swap city life for a weekend of blissful Byron beachfront. This sprawling house boasts cheery nautical styling and a backyard right on the water's edge. From $700 a night, sleeps six. Havana Lodge, Byron Bay With its contemporary boho styling, nature-filled surrounds and dreamy meditation loft, this eclectic retreat is the ultimate antidote to fast-paced city living. From $449 a night, sleeps four. Byron Superluxe, Byron Bay Boasting loads of outdoor living, a pool and space to sleep 14, this supersized retreat is group holiday perfection. And the beach is just metres away. From $1220 a night, sleeps 14. Beaumonts House, Byron Bay Perched overlooking the sand, this spacious beach house is a true surfer's dream. Expect incredible views and plenty of room to move. From $799 a night, sleeps ten. Eternity Beach House, Byron Bay A leafy oasis just moments from Belongil Beach, this relaxed holiday retreat comes complete with luxury furnishings and state-of-the-art features. From $990 a night, sleeps six. Ayana at the Pass, Byron Bay With its tropical setting and designer interiors, this modern abode is a study in holiday luxury. Enjoy a heated spa, outdoor shower and dedicated yoga deck. From $1380 a night, sleeps eight. Old 55, Byron Bay This beautifully restored Wategos Beach treehouse makes for an inviting beach escape, with roomy open-plan living and lots of outdoor space. From $949 a night, sleeps 11. Memories at Wategos, Byron Bay Just a short six-minute walk from Wategos Beach, this fabulous modern abode is perfect for a day in the sand or lounging by its top-tier pool with your best friends. From $1190 at night, sleeps eight. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb.
Perfect for a nature-filled long weekend, Grampians National Park boasts some of Victoria's best mountain views, waterfalls, and wildlife. For those looking to temporarily ditch the hustle and bustle of city life, or are after a secluded getaway surrounded by lush greenery, visitors to Halls Gap and surrounding areas can hike to famous mountain lookouts including the Pinnacle, explore the town's food and drink options, or just stay in, light a fire and take in the scenery. That sounds relaxing. In order to keep it relaxing, we did the research and found some of the best stays in the area to rest, relax and enjoy great views. These are some of the region's best Airbnbs for your next kangaroo-and-cockatoo-filled weekend getaway. Recommended reads: The Best Hotels in Melbourne The Best Places to Go Glamping in Victoria The Best Dog-Friendly Stays in Victoria The Best Places to Stay on the Great Ocean Road Blue Ridge Retreat, Halls Gap After a day of exploring Grampians National Park's bushland, pour yourself a glass of wine and settle into this property's spa bath with leafy outlooks from all angles. From $370 a night, sleeps five. Hemley House, Halls Gap Take in the picturesque view of the Grampians' notable wildlife against the backdrop of the mountains from your seat in this property's heated jacuzzi. From $368 a night, sleeps eight. Wine Down, Halls Gap Within walking distance to Halls Gap town centre, this cosy spot offers plenty of activity options. Explore the town's food and drink options, walk any of the several nearby nature trails, or light a fire and unwind in the outdoor kitchen area. From $210 a night, sleeps four. School House Villa, Halls Gap Nestled amongst the trees not far from Halls Gap town centre, visitors of this cottage can enjoy the best of both worlds: the creature comforts of town and the rugged charm of the bushland. From $190 a night, sleeps two. Aztec Escape, Halls Gap Light a fire and ease into a bottle of wine in property's picturesque living area, or step outside and relax on either of its patio areas. From $240 a night, sleeps four. Awonga Cabins, Halls Gap Rent out one of these six cabins for their proximity to an easy 1.3 km walking path to Main Street or to enjoy an evening BBQ on the deck. From $180 a night, sleeps two. The Escarpment, Halls Gap What better way to end a day than by relaxing in the outdoor hanging chair of this treetop-level home with sandstone cliff views — plus, this particular stay is kid-friendly with highchairs and cots provided. From $180 a night, sleeps six. Mountain Hideaway, Halls Gap Enjoy views of the Pinnacle from this property's front verandah or take the 20 minute stroll along the path into Halls Gap for an evening in town. From $205 a night, sleeps six. Heath House, Halls Gap You'd be hard-pressed to find better panoramic mountain views than from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Heath House. From $514 a night, sleeps eight. Redgum Log Cottage, Halls Gap Trade out your usual address for this rustic log cabin with epic mountain views and you might be personally greeted by the local emus, kangaroos, birdlife, and the property's free-ranging chooks. From $289 a night, sleeps six. Halls Gap Cottages Couples Retreat, Halls Gap Under the famous Pinnacle, lay out on this property's outdoor sectional and enjoy the fresh mountain air, views and nearby wildlife. From $317 a night, sleeps two. Hillrise Cottage, Moyston If you're willing to venture a little further, this remote cottage is the perfect base for the explorer. And, if you happen to overheat during your adventures, you can cool off in the nearby dam. From $250 a night, sleeps five. Ironstone, Hills Gap If you want to splurge, check out Ironstone. Designed to be the ultimate couples' retreat, this home's best asset is its spectacular mountain views from the living area, bathroom and bedroom. From $524 a night, sleeps two. Views at Pomonal, Pomonal Settle onto this home's front porch that is the epitome of rural single-level Australiana living with a drink in hand and watch as sunsets colour the skies. From $175 a night, sleeps five. Bush Lodge Retreat, Halls Gap Centrally located in Halls Gap, this cosy holiday home has all you need to relax indoors or out. From $317 a night, sleeps four. Romantic Tiny Home, Halls Gap If you're looking to see if the tiny house craze is for you, this tiny home is compact without sacrificing comfort. However, it also has easy access to trails into the mountains and to town just in case you decide you need to temporarily escape the close quarters. From $177 a night, sleeps three. Dacelo, Halls Gap If you're seeking out an eco-friendly option, there are many places to take in the mountain views in this two-storey home, although the soaker tub might be hard to beat. From $310 a night, sleeps eight. Mount Ida View, Halls Gap Hang out with the visiting cockatoos and kangaroos and take in the scenery on this home's shaded back deck. Or, enjoy a short stroll to the town of Halls Gap and explore the area. From $220 a night, sleeps six. Top image: Redgum Log Cottage courtesy of Airbnb. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
2020. It's a year so difficult to summarise that even the Oxford Dictionary couldn't decide on a single word of the year. Another brand is looking forward with similar indecisiveness, with Pantone's colour experts this week, on Friday, December 11, announcing not one but two hues as the 2021 Colour of the Year. Ultimate Gray (Pantone 17-5104) and the vibrant yellow Illuminating (13-0647) are the two colours that Pantone has chosen for the new year, describing them as "practical and rock solid" and conveying "strength and positivity". When paired together, they're designed to convey "a message of happiness supported by fortitude" — and to be "aspirational and give us hope". Yes, they're meant to get everyone looking up in 2021— something that hasn't been much of a factor in 2020. Pantone noted that optimism was a driving force behind the choices. "We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter — this is essential to the human spirit." Expect to see these hues popping up around the place when the new year hits, with Pantone suggesting how they can be used in fashion and accessories, home decor, design and beauty. Folks with greying hair are clearly ahead of the trend. If you suddenly have beachy images in your head, too, that's actually by design. Pantone notes that Ultimate Gray is emblematic of "the colours of pebbles on the beach, and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time". As for Illuminating, it's described as "a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power". This year's colour of the year, Classic Blue, also evoked a beach theme. The year before, Pantone went with Living Coral, while 2018's colour was Ultra Violet and 2017's was Greenery. To find out more about Ultimate Gray and Illuminating — and to check out all the previous Colours of the Year — head to the Pantone website.
Visited Japan in recent times? You probably heard more than a few Aussie accents. From the snowy slopes of Hakuba to the crowded backstreets of Tokyo, the relatively cheap and somewhat short flights mean it'd be more surprising if you didn't come across someone from our part of the world. Yet it's always good to have the numbers to back up your impression. According to new data collected by travel booking platform Klook, Australians are visiting Japan more than ever. So far in 2025, the Japan National Tourism Organisation reports an 18% increase in visits. That means we can expect a significant jump from 2024 figures, which saw a record 920,196 Australians touch down in Japan. But perhaps more interesting is that where we go and what we do is changing for Australian travellers. With many tourists returning for the second, third or fourth time, lots are looking beyond the well-worn 'Golden Route' of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Instead, regional cities and nature-based activities are experiencing a popularity boom. Klook reports that lesser-known cities like Nagoya, the gateway to the Japanese Alps, have seen interest in overnight stays increase by 166%. At the same time, the northern capital of Sapporo has seen demand increase by 173%. Meanwhile, a host of destinations within touching distance of the main tourist hotspots are capturing more attention. In Kyoto Prefecture, the city of Miyazu and its enchanting coastal town, Amanohashidate, have received a 50-fold increase in searches. Likewise, Yokohama — a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo — has seen a 10-fold increase in tour demand. While you could spend weeks exploring the sprawling megalopolis, travellers are looking to explore Japan's abundant nature, with appetite for outdoor and wellness activities up 41%. "We know that Japan is a favourite for Australian travellers, and what's exciting is that many are choosing to go beyond the usual tourist routes," says a Klook spokesperson. "Our data shows a clear rise in bookings to lesser-known destinations and cultural and nature experiences, being driven by travellers looking for more immersive, authentic experiences and a slower, more meaningful way to explore Japan." Klook's top searches reflect this inclination, with travellers eager to explore the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route or tour the Nachi Falls, the tallest single-tier waterfall in Japan at a staggering 133 metres. Although you wouldn't be blamed for loving a beer and ramen session as much as the most raucous salaryman, we're also gravitating towards cultural experiences, with a 72% increase in bookings for museums and art galleries. Supported by the stats, convincing your pals to explore further afield on your next Japan trip might not be so difficult. Heading to Japan soon? Check out this guide to its natural wonders or dive deeper into the best of Tokyo food and culture.
Victoria cleaned up at the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), with the state's breweries taking out an impressive 12 trophies at the annual awards ceremony. The beer competition saw a swag of southern labels emerge victorious, competing with a 400-strong line-up of brewers from across the globe. Ballarat-based Dollar Bill Brewing took out the top slot of Champion Australian Beer for its Gold Teeth peach wild ale, with the tipple also named as the AIBA's Best Fruit Beer. Meanwhile, Footscray's Hop Nation snapped up the title of Champion Medium Australian Brewery, as well as claiming awards for Champion Victorian Brewery, Best Pilsner (for its recently released Rattenhund) and Best Amber/Dark Ale. Valhalla Brewing, Two Birds Brewing Co. and Fixation were also among the Victorian breweries to win big on the night. Sydney's 4 Pines was named Champion Large Australian Brewery, with Western Australia's Cheeky Monkey taking out the small brewery division. Other Aussie favourites in the awardee mix included Foghorn, Sunday Road, Six String, the ACT's Bentspoke Brewing Co, Western Australian brewery King Road, and Queensland's Burleigh Brewing Company. Of the more than 2500 beer entries, plenty came from overseas, with South Korea's Goose Island Brewhouse, China's Nbeer Craft Brewing Co and Taiwanese label Zhang Men among the international names that scooped awards. Across the ditch, Auckland's Deep Creek Brewing Company was named Champion International Beer for its Sauvage farmhouse ale, also collecting the title of Champion Large International Brewery. Each year, the AIBA recognises excellence in brewing, beer packaging design and beer media. This year's victors were picked earlier this month by a team of 67 expert judges, including Ben Kraus (Bridge Road Brewers), Jayne Lewis (Two Birds), Justin Fox (Hawke's Brewing Co), Tina Panoutsos (Carlton & United Breweries) and Warren Pawsey (Little Creatures). For the full lineup of this year's AIBA awardees, jump over to the website.
There's no shame in picking up a cheap bottle of whiskey. You're a little strapped for cash and in need of a nightcap, so what? You can knock it back all the same. As much as we'd love it, we can't all be Don Draper kickin' back on some Blue Label. But, now there might be a way to get the best of both worlds. This new device currently blowing up on Kickstarter claims transform your horrid cheap whiskey into something delectable in just 24 hours. Get ready for some serious life hacking. After six years of development, a group of Portland entrepreneurs named Time and Oak have created what they call Whiskey Elements — nifty little devices to stimulate the ageing process of whiskey (or at least make it seem that way). Each 'Element' is a small customised oak stick that is to be placed in a bottle of whiskey. After being submerged for a single day, your drink will taste richer and more complex while having much less toxins. The process has roughly the same effect as three years of ageing. Taking this one step further, the Elements have different variations to ensure a unique custom taste. You can choose from classic oak, vanilla, maple, smoky or peaty options and create a different flavour of whiskey altogether. It's a concept which must seem appealing to a lot of people. The Whiskey Elements Kickstarter campaign has surpassed its goal seven times over. Though the developers were only shooting for US$18,000, they've already received over $150,000 in pledges. The crowdfunding effort is open until next week, so you still have an opportunity to contribute and get your hands on some tasty, tasty whiskey. Though the lower level pledges only ship within the US, you can pick yourself up a starter pack for $24 plus delivery. If you ask us, that's not a bad price to trick your way into Don Draper levels of luxury. Via Springwise. Photos via Whiskey Elements.
One of the top ways to treat yourself is to check into one of the best hotels in Sydney for a few nights. At these joints, you get a little bit of everything (or even a whole lot of everything). You get fresh plush sheets (this may seem basic, but we all know how good this feels), room service that you can eat in bed, pampering packages at award-winning spas, pools with epic views and just about anything else your luxurious self desires. And Sydney is packed with five-star hotels and brilliant boutique stays that will help you live your best life. So check out our guide to the best hotels in Sydney, perfect for those after a luxury staycation or out-of-town visitors in need of a base for exploring the city. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Sydney Sydney's Best Spa Experiences The Eight Best Glamping Spots in NSW The Best Luxury Getaways Near Sydney
