Guillermo del Toro will be the first to tell anyone, as he did at Neflix's annual Tudum event for 2025, that he's long had an obsession with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, that he's been weaving that affection for it into his work since he first hopped behind the camera and that making his own adaptation of the gothic-horror masterpiece is a dream come true. "This is, for me, the culmination of a journey that has occupied most of my life," the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water filmmaker told the crowd on Sunday, June 1, 2025 Down Under. "I first read Mary Shelley's book as a kid, and saw Boris Karloff in what became, for me, an almost-religious stage," he continued while onstage, accompanied by Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) and Mia Goth (MaXXXine). "Monsters have become my personal belief system. There are strands of Frankenstein throughout my films — Cronos, Blade, Hellboy, big time on Pinocchio, and a long, long [list], et cetera." It's alive, then: del Toro's version of Frankenstein, that is. Audiences will be able to watch the Netflix film from sometime in November 2025, with an exact release date not yet confirmed. Zapped into existence already, however, is the first teaser trailer for the movie, which demonstrates how much its writer/director adores Shelley's now 207-year-old text, all of the love and care that he has taken with bringing it to life, and how well he has cast its characters. Isaac portrays the feature's namesake, aka Victor Frankenstein, the scientist driven by tragedy to attempt to conquer the line between life and what exists beyond it. As the trailer notes, "only monsters play god". As Victor advises himself, "in seeking life, I created death". Also uttered in the movie's first sneak peek, reinforcing its theme: "what manner of creature is that? What manner of devil made him?". Goth is Elizabeth, Victor's fiancée. From there, Christoph Waltz (Old Guy), Ralph Ineson (Nosferatu), Charles Dance (The Day of the Jackal), Lars Mikkelsen (Dalloway) and del Toro regular Burn Gorman (Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, Pinocchio) are also part of the cast. One of the film's biggest names belongs to the actor portraying Victor's creation, however, with Jacob Elordi taking on the role after already adding The Narrow Road to the Deep North to his resume this year. Frankenstein will never stop entrancing filmmakers, as it has James Whale back in 1931 when Karloff played the monster, Mel Brooks (Dracula: Dead and Loving It) with 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein, Kenneth Branagh (A Haunting in Venice) on his 1994 take, Danny Boyle (Yesterday) with his stage adaptation, Tim Burton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) via Frankenweenie and Yorgis Lanthimos (Kinds of Kindness) in Poor Things, plus Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Lost Daughter) with 2026's The Bride!, just to name a few examples. But, based on the first trailer, seeing del Toro take on Shelley's work looks set to dazzle. Check out the initial teaser trailer for Frankenstein below: Frankenstein will release via Netflix sometime in November 2025 — we'll update you when an exact date is announced. Images: Netflix.
In just a few short years, getting around Brisbane via rail is set to become a whole lot different. The city's Cross River Rail project has been in the works for quite some time, complete with plenty of construction around the place to prove it — and when it launches in 2025, southeast Queensland's train network will change with it. The Queensland Government has just revealed exactly what the Cross River Rail will mean for existing train routes, with some big shifts in store. The huge one: the Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe Peninsula lines will no longer run through Central station. They'll bypass South Brisbane too; instead, the routes will use the Cross River Rail setup to hit up the new Woolloongabba and Albert Street stations. [caption id="attachment_863607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The new Roma Street station.[/caption] If you've somehow avoided all things Cross River Rail over the past few years, it'll give Brisbane its first underground rail network, connecting from a new Boggo Road station through to the upgraded Exhibition stop. It's part of the reason that Roma Street station was torn down, alongside adding a new entertainment precinct to that part of the CBD. Shifting five lines away from Central will obviously disrupt some daily routines; however, all other routes will still stop at the busy inner-city station. Every line will also go through the new Roma Street Station as well. With the latter, some will use the underground Cross River Rail station, while others will remain above ground. Also, trains across southeast Queensland will be split into three sectors. The first will connect Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh to Redcliffe Peninsula and Nambour, aka all the trains that'll skip Central. The second will cover services from Rosewood, Ipswich and Springfield through Central to Doomben, the airport and Shorncliffe — and the third will span from Ferny Grove through Central and South Bank to Cleveland. [caption id="attachment_863610" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The new Woolloongabba station[/caption] In total, when it joins the train network, Cross River Rail will add a 10.2-kilometre stretch from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels beneath Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD. As well as the new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street, the project is undertaking upgrades to eight above-ground, spanning Salisbury, Rocklea, Moorooka, Yeerongpilly, Yeronga, Fairfield, Dutton Park and Exhibition. Cross River Rail is set to launch in 2025. For more information, head to the project's website. Images: renders of Roma Street and Woolloongabba stations.
For nearly two centuries, everyone has known the Artful Dodger's story. Charles Dickens wrote the character, aka Jack Dawkins, to life in 1838's Oliver Twist — and readers have thumbed through the pickpocket's part of the famous tale ever since. But what happened once the book's narrative ended? What if Fagin's light-fingered apprentice is on the straight and narrow 15 years later, living in 1850s Australia? What if he is a navy-trained surgeon now plying his trade while living on the other side of the world from London, and great at it? What if Fagin is still alive despite Dickens' words on the page, too? In fact, what if the thieving ringleader is the latest convict arrival to the penal colony, crossing paths with his old pal with a plan that cares little about Dodge's new upstanding reputation? If you're wondering how the Aussie-set The Artful Dodger can exist, that's how: by sinking into the above scenario. Australian-made as well, with Jeffrey Walker (The Clearing), Corrie Chen (Bad Behaviour) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) directing, the Disney+ series that arrived on Wednesday, November 29 is not an origin story — it's an after story. Getting caught with a silver snuff box might've wrapped up Jack's exploits for the author who created him, but the latest iteration of the figure lives on from there for The Artful Dodger creators James McNamara (also one of the show's writers), David Maher (The Commons) and David Taylor (Bloom). Their take also turns its antics in the fictional Port Victory into a riff on The Knick, plus a romance. Two decades on from Love Actually, Thomas Brodie-Sangster (The Queen's Gambit) plays the show's namesake, joining a long line of actors who've done the same — many musicians, including Davy Jones from The Monkees onstage in the 60s, earning a Tony Award nomination; Phil Collins, also in the theatre in the same era; and Rita Ora in 2021's worth-avoiding crime-drama movie Twist. As in his big Christmas-movie break, Brodie-Sangster is again concerned with affairs of the heart, with The Artful Dodger's lead casting benefiting from bringing its star's best-known role to mind. In the festive rom-com, he was a kid cutely grappling with adult emotions. Here, he spiritedly steps into the shoes of an all-grown-up figure who acted wiser than his years when he was a child, too-large attire to match. Although no one saw Brodie-Sangster as the Oliver Twist version of Dodge, imagining it is easy because remembering him as a 13-year-old is that instantaneous. Also similar from Love Actually: Brodie-Sangster's character having an older guiding hand by his side, albeit with mischief and scheming this time. David Thewlis (Landscapers) gets wily — one of his finest on-screen traits — as Jack's former mentor, who isn't willing to let their links fade away. The Artful Dodger isn't a two-hander, but its biggest international names make a lively and engaging pair. Thewlis' Fagin isn't the villain, either, with both the script and the Fargo, Macbeth and I'm Thinking of Ending Things talent's performance expanding the part beyond the scoundrel — even if much of the criminal mastermind's focus is on convincing Dodge that his illicit know-how shouldn't be retired. This eight-part series also enlists a hefty lineup of Aussies, from Damon Herriman (The Portable Door), Miranda Tapsell (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe), Susie Porter (Mercy Road) and Tim Minchin (Upright) to Damien Garvey (Troppo), Jessica De Gouw (C*A*U*G*H*T) and Kym Gyngell (Black Snow). Chief among the homegrown cohort is Maia Mitchell (Good Trouble) as Lady Belle Fox, daughter of the Governor (Garvey) and an aspiring doctor herself — not that a female surgeon is approved of in the show's period. Familiar Australian faces aren't the only constant reminder that this is a local production. Beginning with Wolfmother's 'Joker and the Thief', the anachronistic soundtrack spins on average one Aussie track per episode, including from Spiderbait, Jet, INXS and The Living End. Playfulness abounds, then, in a series that's a caper as well. Narrative-wise, Dodge endeavours to keep on the up and up, despite a shady gambling debt to pay to crooked harbourmaster Darius Cracksworth (Minchin) on penalty of losing a hand. Given that he needs his two mitts to continue his line of work, his devotion to staying legit is quickly tested. Fagin is officially his servant, but is really the devilish force whispering in his ear — in-between ample gloating about how his pilfering instructions all that time back helped his protégé earn his new calling, teaching him the dexterity required as a cutpurse. Complicating the already chaotic situation is the ever-present Captain Gaines (Herriman), who loves nothing more than sending whoever he can to the noose. Once he becomes certain that Jack and Fagin have more than a few reasons to take the drop, he's relentless. Jack is the colony's best doctor, repeatedly besting the drunken professor (Gyngell) in charge of the hospital and his chosen successor Rainsford Sneed (Nicholas Burton, Safe Home). Accordingly, it's only in Belle that he meets his professional match. She's deeply uninterested in just finding a husband no matter what's expected of her. She's also an avid subscriber to and reader of medical journals. So springs an arrangement where her booksmarts help Jack with his patients — the very concept of germs and their role in causing infections isn't on anyone's radar until she mentions it — and he lets her put her self-taught skills to practical use. So flies sparks, too, amid an evident class clash, bloody surgeries with a live audience, Jack and Fagin trying to avoid the hangman, and a pilfering bushranger (Tapsell) drawing attention their way. As its fondness for Aussie rock makes plain, The Artful Dodger is energetically told, and also anything but an old-school period piece. Walker, Chen and Otto take the same cues visually and in the show's fast pacing, making for rollicking and always entertaining viewing. Wanting more comes swiftly, primarily thanks to Brodie-Sangster, Thewlis and Mitchell, however. While everything about the series knows that this is a lark, its key trio not only sell it but give it depth — no bait-and-switch required. Check out the trailer for The Artful Dodger below: The Artful Dodger streams via Disney+.
Hop onto that intrepid cruiser of the Brisbane brown snake, the CityCat, and ride all the way up to Teneriffe Terminal. Once you've arrived, alight and make your way directly to one of Brisbane's local produce havens for an early morning caffeine fix, the Sourced Grocer. These purveyors of fine food and drink also stock all manner of perfectly presented preserves and provisions to pick from as you wait for your coffee. If you're hungry, the house rye crumpets with Byron Bay Butter and fresh honeycomb go down a treat, but if you've had your breakfast, pick up a healthy, hearty sandwich for lunch on the way out. Image: @yestheodore / Instagram.
The Langham Gold Coast is giving festive season celebrations a coastal twist this year, with a lineup of luxurious Christmas and New Year's dining experiences set against stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, the hotel's signature restaurant, Akoya, and the Diamond Ballroom will host a series of indulgent celebrations that blend world-class cuisine, premium beverages, and The Langham's signature touch of elegance. Guests can start the festivities with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffets overflowing with ocean-fresh seafood, traditional roasts, and decadent desserts, all served in Akoya's chic oceanfront setting. For those looking to elevate their holiday experience, the Diamond Ballroom's Christmas Day lunch transforms into a festive wonderland, complete with a three-hour premium beverage package and live entertainment. When it comes time to toast the new year, Akoya's New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner sets the stage for an unforgettable night by the sea. Expect champagne, a coastal-inspired feast, and panoramic views of the Gold Coast skyline as midnight approaches. Packages start from $195 per person, with complimentary dining for children aged four and under, making it a perfect way to celebrate with family or friends. Whether you're dreaming of a seaside Christmas or a sophisticated New Year's celebration, The Langham Gold Coast offers a festive experience where every detail matters.
Huge news: Darlinghurst is set to be home to Soho House Sydney, Australia's first outpost for the ultra-exclusive membership club. The much-hyped global brand which has locations across the world from Berlin to Miami, is now looking to transform a building on the corner of Crown and Foley Street above Shady Pines Saloon, with ambitious plans in the works to completely reshape the space. Plans for an estimated $24-million multi-storey mega-venue have been lodged, with the proposed building featuring a restaurant and bar, gym, cabaret facilities and a rooftop terrace and pool. The plans also reveal anticipated changes to the facade, replacing the building's fairly rundown exterior with a simple, sleek and modern cream and brown design in line with other Soho Houses around the world. The Darlinghurst building has a storied history, taking many forms over the years including Bolot's Embassy Dancing Academy between 1924–30, the Playbox Theatre and Stanley Twig's auction house in the 1930s and, most recently, housing several retail tenants throughout the 2000s including an espresso bar, convenience store and a nail salon. Fans of affordable drinks and Americana aesthetics, never fear: it looks like Shady Pines won't be disrupted by the opening of Soho House Sydney, with the floor plan revealing an allocated zone for "tenancy" on the basement floor where the bar currently resides. Concrete Playground reached out to the Swillhouse team for comment on the future of the site, but they didn't get back to us in time for publication. Australia's first ever Soho House was originally set to open on Domain Road in Melbourne's South Yarra, but developers were forced to ditch plans at the direction of VCAT in late October, after strong opposition from local councils and a residents' group. Now boasting over 40 houses across the globe, Soho House first opened in London in 1995 as a private members club for clientele in the creative sphere. It has since spread throughout Europe and North America, opening restaurants, cinemas, workspaces, spas and bedrooms alongside the traditional clubs. From New York to Istanbul, exclusivity is a common global denominator. If you want to apply for a membership, you can explore all of the options and lodge an application at the Soho House membership page. [caption id="attachment_653445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shady Pines[/caption] Soho House Sydney is set to open at 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst.
Vietnam is a traveller's absolute dream. From bustling and sensory-captivating city life to beautiful beaches, rivers and expanses of rice fields. It's a country rich in experiences for every type of traveller – including those on a budget. Knowing that the must-do and "eh, you can skip it" experiences are key to planning any vacay, so to save your precious time, we've collated five must-do experiences to help you make the most of your time in this Southeast Asian gem. It's a special country with a rich culture and warm people — so get out your map and start planning. Or, if you want the plans made for you, check out this amazing eight-day experience that'll give you a taste of some of the best sights of Vietnam as you unlock your love for the country. STARTING FROM THE TOP… THE ANCIENT TEMPLES OF HANOI Let's start with a little geography, shall we? Vietnam is located on the easternmost side of Southeast Asia, which means it has a long and lovely coastline. At the top of this coastline (well, it's a little in from the coastline) sits its capital city, Hanoi. Hanoi is more of a 'river city', sitting in the Red River Delta, and you may recognise its beauty and cityscape from films like The Quiet American. With colonial footprints of China and France, the city's architecture, food and religious sites are influenced by multiple cultures. However, the country's dominant religion is Buddhism, with ancient temples like the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049, and Trấn Quốc Pagoda — Hanoi's oldest temple, which is over 1500 years old. Both spiritual attractions represent a rich part of Vietnamese culture. At both temples, you can learn about cultural practices, including the significance of incense and monks. OVERNIGHT CRUISE ON HALONG BAY When it's time to make your way south from Hanoi, there is no better way to travel than cruising along Halong Bay. A drive-thru to the Red River Delta and out to the coastline will take you by the beautiful layered rice paddy fields, where you can see farmers taking part in the ancient farming tradition. Then, hop aboard a Junk Boat, the name anglicised from the Malay adjong, which means ship or vessel. As these boats glide across the water, you can witness Vietnam's exquisite coastline and rock formations, enjoying the mod cons of contemporary holiday luxury alongside the experience of centuries-old aquatic travel. HOI AN, AN ANCIENT TOWN If ancient towns and canals are your thing, look no further than Hoi An. Along the central coast of Vietnam, this beautiful city enjoys the best of coast and canal life. Its architecture is splendid to the eye, with a colourful mix of French colonial style blended with Chinese shophouses and Vietnamese tube houses. Get lost in the history of the place as you explore on foot or by bike, and learn why it's a UNESCO World Heritage-protected site. BẾN THÀNH MARKET IN HO CHI MINH CITY Known as "the soul and symbol of Saigon", Bến Thành Market operates from early morning into the evening. With over 1500 stalls, there are endless selections of artisanal edible goods to take with you, as well as beautiful art and ceramic products. Taste the best of local cuisine at stalls selling traditional Vietnamese meals like pho and banh mi. It's a must to rub shoulders with the locals as they go about their day and to experience an institution that's stood the test of time for over a century. MEKONG DELTA BOAT RIDE In Southern Vietnam, you'll experience part of the Mekong Delta, which is a network of rivers that flow through Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and the Himalayas. Bến Tre boat rides are a wonderful educational adventure. You can travel down the coconut canal and learn about the many creative ways coconuts are used, as well as experience local hand-made mat weaving and more. Immerse yourself in cultural traditions and beautiful scenery and get to truly understand the unique crafts of the Mekong locals. There are so many incredible experiences you can have in Vietnam, and these five are just the beginning. Find out more in this curated eight-day experience that'll show you the best the country has to offer. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world.
Heartbreak High obsessives, your time is now: the 90s favourite has been revived by Netflix, bringing a new generation of Hartley High dramas into your streaming queue. Let's be honest — if you loved the show since way back when, it's always been your time; however, now you can experience the ups and downs of the Aussie series' next batch of high schoolers. A fan since the OG run, and always wished you lived in the show when you were at school? Just discovered the homegrown classic via the new version? Either way, if you're in Sydney on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18, you can nab some free threads to look the part. Netflix loves launching its big titles with pop-ups, and this one's no different — joining its The Gray Man barber, Stranger Things rift and Squid Game doll over the past 12 months. One thing that this boasts that those others didn't? That free clothing, with 1000 pieces up for grabs all up. Head along and you too can look like you've just stepped out of class — at a school that doesn't have a uniform, aka most teenagers' dream. Netflix has badged the pop-up a 'uniform shop' to fit the theme, though, but the range includes local designers and keenly sought-after thrifted items. Sydneysiders and folks who happen to be in town for the weekend just need to make a trip to 520 King Street in Newtown, where the thrift shop will be handing out pieces by HoMie, Clothing The Gaps, Jody Just, Off White and more. It's a first come, first served affair, and there'll be 500 pieces on offer each day. So, as always with give aways, getting in early during the shop's 10am–6pm operating hours is recommended. Given that the new version of Heartbreak High decks out its characters in everything from bursts of colour to grunge 90s attire, expect a variety of styles on offer. And, expect free temporary tattoos, too, as well as a photographer capturing high school portraits. If you haven't started your new Heartbreak High binge yet — which revives the 1994–99 show, which itself was a spinoff from the Claudia Karvan- and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, which adapted the 1987 play of the same name — it starts with an unexpected fight between best friends Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect) and Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), plus a sex map charting who's hooked up with hook among Hartley High's year 11 students. Yes, that map is part of the Newton pop-up's artwork. Find the Heartbreak High Uniform Shop at 520 King Street, Newtown, Sydney from 10am–6pm on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18. Heartbreak High is available to stream via Netflix — read our full review.
Batter up at Portside. While most sports bars are happy with patrons simply watching their games of choice over a few drinks and a bite to eat, The Ballpark wants Brisbanites to get swinging. There's bats. There's plates to step up to, too. And when you have a slug, you'll be doing so in a batting cage. As well as screening plenty of sports, The Ballpark Portside lets you play baseball via its three interactive simulators. The venue advises that they're an Australian first, expanding the usual lineup of bar pastimes — because playing pool and darts is also on the agenda here. Think of it as a cross between a sports bar and the growing range of watering holes with things to do other than drink (a trend that Brisbane is mighty fond of, with the axe-throwing joints, boozy mini-golf havens, challenge-room spots and more across the River City to prove it). Open since Saturday, September 7, 2024, The Ballpark Portside has taken over a 450-square-metre space, which can welcome in 200 folks at once. Both local and international sports grace it screens, while its food and drink menu pairs tap beers, cocktails, wine and Seven Miles coffee with bagels from its Short Stop Cafe by day, and also with burgers from fellow American-themed Portside newcomer Dumbo when it opens. If hitting the batting cages sounds like a group activity, that's firmly on offer, including for events — and you can even book out the entire place for parties.
For many, gelato has assumed ice cream's mantle as the height of iced indulgence. Lower fat content, less air incorporated during the churning process and a lower serving temperature all contribute to its smooth, elastic allure. And plenty of folks argue that these differences — especially in the preparation process — give gelato a more intense flavour. But ice cream will always have its diehard fans. It's frosty, creamy and sweet — how could it not? So, if you prefer its rich dairy goodness and light consistency, many old-school ice cream vendors also await you. Indeed, in the gelato, ice cream and sorbet game, there's variety out there. Feeling spoiled for choice? Below are our favourite purveyors of chilled confectionery in the River City — Brisbane's best ice cream and gelato, in fact — whether you like it in a cone, in a cup, on a stick, in a sandwich or as part of a decadent sundae. Recommended reads: The Best Beaches in and Around Brisbane The Best Waterfront Bars and Restaurants in Brisbane The Best Beer Gardens in Brisbane Goodtimes Gelateria, Howard Smith Wharves If pastel colours make you think of gelato — and make your stomach rumble — then prepare to indulge at Goodtimes. The Howard Smith Wharves dessert spot serves its scoops from a pink counter that'll make you crave ice cream aplenty. And that's exactly what you'll get here, with a 22 flavours to choose from at any given time. A few of our top picks include the cassata (candied citrus fruit), the apple pie (freshly baked pie folded through cinnamon gelato), and the plum and yoghurt. Given that you'll be enjoying this frosty treat by the water, you can't really go wrong. If you want even more Goodtimes in your life, the shop also hires out a gelato cart for private events. Gelato Messina, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley Remember that feeling you had as a kid when Christmas finally rolled around? That mix of excitement, enthusiasm and an inability to decide just what you should do first? That's what walking into Gelato Messina's two Brisbane stores feels like. Inside the chain's South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley shops, you'll find display cases filled with flavours of Messina's finest. Flavour-wise, the range spans popular best-sellers like salted caramel and white chocolate, the tasty pandan and coconut sorbet, and a mint choc-chip so distinctive, the staff will ask you if you've had it before. Yes, it's okay to want to try everything. You're only human, after all. Happy Pops, South Bank Already a hit in Noosa, Happy Pops made the jump to South Bank in 2019 — and tastebuds around Brisbane were pleased. Instead of in a cup or cone, these artisanal gelato creations come on a stick and are available in a heap of flavours. Specials have included rum and raisin, rocky road and white chocolate, cookie dough and macadamia. If you like to get creative, you can also design your own gelato pop in store. Yep, just think of the possibilities. Apart from all that gelato, Happy Pops also offers warm brownies and choc-chip cookies on a stick, plus gelato shakes. [caption id="attachment_703343" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Milani Caffé e Gelato[/caption] Milani House of Gelato, Hamilton A Hamilton mainstay, Milani House of Gelato is one of Racecourse Road's must-visit spots, whether you're heading by after dinner or making gelato your main meal. The Brisbane gelato spot has picked up a host of awards over the years, nabbing honours at the Australian Dairy Awards, the Australia Dairy Product Competition and the Queensland Royal Food and Wine Show. The panna cotta ranks among its most decorated creations, though you can't go wrong with dolce latte, pistachio or one of its many chocolate bar-inspired varieties (think: Snickers, Mars Bar, Bounty and Crunchie gelato). Milani also dishes up lavish (and customisable) sundaes, if that's your thing. But given the store's prime location, prepare to have plenty of company. Lick! Ice Cream, Petrie Terrace and Graceville After 11 years as a dessert company, Lick! Ice Cream took the next step in 2015 and opened its own Graceville store — and it also boasts an outpost in Petrie Terrace. The Lick! claim-to-fame is its Ekka-style strawberry ice cream, available all year round. In case anyone is after something different, the Brisbane ice cream store's rotating range spans an array of signature creations. Must-tries include peanut butter chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and bubblegum and marshmallow, as well as Nutella. For summer, tuck into one of the refreshing sorbets, with flavours such as green apple and ginger, mandarin and mint, and passionfruit and lime. La Macelleria, Teneriffe, West End and Woolloongabba Simply eating gelato is obviously a delight, but what if you learnt how to make your own? As well as serving up delicious scoops, La Macelleria Gelateria in West End hosts regular workshops in the art of gelato. Roll up your sleeves, listen up and become your own gelato-maestro. Best of all, you get to take home the fruits of your labour, which means you'll have gelato for the week (or as long as it lasts). La Macelleria also has Brisbane ice creameries in Teneriffe and Woolloongabba. Yep, these authentic Italian-style desserts have plenty of fans all over the city. Head to its OG site, however, if you're keen to order and pickup one of its ace gelato cakes. Nom Nom Natural Gelato, Bulimba If you're fond of sweet, frozen dairy treats, head to Bulimba, where an array of top-notch flavours await. Combining Maleny dairy milk and cream with the best ingredients, Nom Nom Natural Gelato's nom-worthy range includes all the usual suspects, plus heaps of specialties. Think salted pistachio, cookies and cream, caramelised macadamia and fresh mint chocolate. There's also vegan gelato on offer — including the soy-based crème brûlée and dark chocolate — plus a wide range of fresh and fruity sorbets to tuck into. Gelateria Cremona, Rosalie A long-term Rosalie favourite, Gelateria Cremona is Brisbane's home of Christmas pudding gelato at the right time of year. But you can also grab everything from cappuccino and liquorice to durian and bush lemon flavours, too. Plus, granitas are on offer each summer — think: watermelon and chocolate flavours — and refreshing sorbets like mango and blood orange rotate seasonally. In fact, the highly regarded Baroona Road gelato cafe serves up a constant rotation of out-of-the-box options, so you'll find something different on each visit. The scoops here are silky and delicious and, as for the place itself, it has a charming ice cream parlour vibe. Sugo IT, Bulimba Dine in at Bulimba's Sugo IT, and you can follow up your pizza or pasta with a bowl of gelato. Keen to simply drop by for a few scoops? You can do that as well. At the back of the restaurant, down a hidden side alleyway, you'll find a deli and ice creamery that's all about gelato and sorbet made the traditional way. Nab a cone of peanut butter and chocolate or a cup toasted marshmallow — or opt for a tasting bowl of four small scoops if you just can't decide on one flavour. Some flavours stick around, others rotate, and take-home packs are also on offer. It doesn't purely specialise in the frozen stuff, but it is still home to some of the best ice cream and gelato in Brisbane. Anita Gelato, West End When West Village revamped its chosen patch of West End, it took over a site of significance. From 1928–1996, the Boundary Street spot was home to the Peters Ice Cream Factory, which churned out frosty dairy desserts for seven decades. That's why, to mark the precinct's past, West Village has also hosted an ice cream festival — and it's also home to Anita Gelato. The international chain already had stores in Barcelona, New York, San Juan, Tel Aviv and Sydney, but its West Village spot marks its first Queensland shop. Its specialty: boutique handmade gelato, with more than 150 flavours in its range. That hefty lineup includes yogurt and sorbets, too, as well as its organic, sugar-free, fat-free, soy-based and real cream-based gelato. Top image: Happy Pops.
No one spent a winter weekend dancing in a North Byron Bay Parklands field at Splendour in the Grass in 2024. No one will do that in 2025, either. After 2024's festival was cancelled just weeks after unveiling its Kylie Minogue-, Future- and Arcade Fire-led lineup, the Splendour crew has advised that there'll also be no fest this year. "Hey gang, sorry it's been so quiet, but we had a little holiday ... finally. The rest of the festival team have still been busy cooking up some awesome new things for music lovers in Australia, but Splendour needs a little more time to recharge and we won't be back this year," said organisers in a statement on social media. "Think of it as a breather so we can come back even bigger and better when the time is right. Lots of other huge events on the horizon so keep an ear to the ground in the coming months — we can't wait to share what we've been working on!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Splendour in the Grass (@splendourinthegrass) Notably, the statement about 2025's event doesn't confirm that the festival will return in 2026, but rather says that it'll be back "when the time is right". For now, put those glittery gumboots away for at least this year, in what proves another heartbreaking piece of news for Australia's live music industry. When Splendour scrapped its 2024 plans, it did so after revealing its roster of acts, and also followed on from a heap of other cancellations across the Aussie festival scene. Groovin the Moo ditched its 2024 events just a fortnight after announcing its lineup. Also, Falls Festival took summer 2023–24 off, Summergrounds Music Festival at Sydney Festival was cancelled and This That hasn't gone ahead for a couple of years. Since Splendour cancelled, Yours and Owls ditched its 2024 fest, as did Spilt Milk and Adelaide's Harvest Rock. Dark Mofo took a breather, too, while Mona Foma called time forever after its 2024 event. Bluesfest also revealed that it would say farewell after its 2025 fest, but it has been reported that that might no longer be the case. "With a heavy heart, we're announcing the cancellation of Splendour in the Grass 2024," said the Splendour team in a statement last year. "We know there were many fans excited for this year's lineup and all the great artists planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we'll be taking the year off. Ticketholders will be refunded automatically by Moshtix. We thank you for your understanding and will be working hard to be back in future years." "We're heartbroken to be missing a year, especially after more than two decades in operation. This festival has always been a huge community effort, and we'd like to thank everyone for their support and overall faith. We hope to be back in the future," added Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco, co-CEOs of Secret Sounds. 2024's event would've marked the festival's 22nd birthday — and its third COVID-19-era fest, following the supremely muddy 2022 iteration (which was delayed for the two years due to the pandemic's early days) and 2023's go-around. Splendour in the Grass won't take place in 2025. For more information, head to the festival website. Images: Charlie Hardy, Bianca Holderness and Claudia Ciapocha.
In literally huge news for keen hikers, a spectacular new walking trail has been unveiled on the NSW North Coast. The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk weaves a spectacular 42-kilometre path through the ancient Gondwanan rainforest and volcanic landscapes of the Tweed Byron Hinterland, and it's ready to be explored right now. Located on Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal Country, part of the Bundjalung Nation, the walk connects Mount Jerusalem National Park and Nightcap National Park via the Whian Whian State Conservation Area, and is the latest addition to NSW's growing collection of Great Walks. 'Gidjuum Gulganyi' translates to 'old people's track', a name chosen by the land's Traditional Owners to honour the cultural significance of this route, which follows paths walked by their ancestors for thousands of years. [caption id="attachment_999895" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scrub Tree Walking Track, R Brand[/caption] The four-day, three-night walk offers hikers a chance to explore plunging waterfalls and towering trees, as well as take in sweeping views of the Tweed caldera mountains. Across the three different parks the walking trail traverses, walkers will also be able to encounter the region's incredible biodiversity, including rare and unique species of flora, as well as creation sites, ceremonial areas, traditional pathways and campgrounds that are connected through the Dreaming. The walk ends at the dramatic Minyon Falls, a 100-metre-tall cascade formed by the ancient Tweed Volcano. The trail also boasts three newly built campgrounds, each fitted out with 11 elevated sleeping platforms — you can BYO gear and book a camping package, or opt for a guided experience that delves deeper into the region's flora, fauna and rich Indigenous heritage. There's also a shuttle service available for transfers from nearby towns and airports. [caption id="attachment_999892" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peates Mountain Track, R Brand[/caption] Not quite ready for the full 42 kilometres? No problem. You can tackle one of the many shorter side trails and sections, with options for a range of fitness levels. The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk — delivered by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) — is part of the $7.34 million Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails Project, which aims to showcase the ancient landscape of and encourage more nature-based tourism to the region. It's the sixth NSW Great Walk to open in the past two years, and a worthy new addition to the list. [caption id="attachment_999897" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yelgun Kyoomgun campground, D Parsons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_999896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unicorn Falls Walking Track, R Brand[/caption] [caption id="attachment_999893" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scrub Creek Walking Track, D Parsons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_999891" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Minyon Falls, D Parsons[/caption] For more information or to book, head to the NPWS website. Top image: D Parsons.
Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art boasts plenty of highlights, including its location right next to the Brisbane River. Art lovers can walk through the venue's halls, enjoy a snack at its waterside cafe and even relax on the grass while taking in the view — but they can't usually walk along a massive indoor riverbed. 'Usually' is the key word, with GOMA due to serve up just that during its huge 2019–20 summer program, Water. As part of an expansive exploration of the titular liquid substance in all of its forms between December 7, 2019 and April 26, 2020, the site will become home to Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation. Created by the Berlin-based, Danish-Icelandic artist, the huge piece will use more than 100 tonnes of rock to recreate an Icelandic stream inside the South Brisbane venue. The artwork has been described as both pre-historic or post-apocalyptic — and, to answer the question that immediately popped into your head, you can indeed walk on it. When Riverbed arrives in Brisbane, it'll be on display to the public for only the second time ever, following its debut at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Obviously, that means it'll be visiting the southern hemisphere for the first time as well. [caption id="attachment_725225" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cai Guo-Qiang. China, b. 1957. Heritage (installation view) 2013, Animals: polystyrene, gauze, resin and hide. Installed with artificial watering hole: water, sand, drip mechanism. Purchased 2013 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through and with the assistance of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © The artist. Photograph: Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA.[/caption] With more than 40 works by international and Australian artists included in the exhibition, Riverbed will have some serious company. Cai Guo-Qiang's installation Heritage will make its return to GOMA, with the piece inspired by Stradbroke Island, featuring more than 40 life-size animals drinking around a waterhole, and appearing at Water in a new arrangement. Queensland artist Judy Watson will also create a major new work with a local theme, not only drawing upon on the cultural memory of water, but reflecting upon the obvious nearby body — the adjacent Maiwar, or Brisbane river. And if you're fond of art that you can interact with and learning about the biggest threat facing humanity — and climbing — then keep an eye out for William Forsythe's The Fact of Matter, which is comprised of suspended gymnastic rings. As visitors make their way through the space, they're asked to contemplate the weight and strength of their body, the impact it has on the earth, and the power we can exert if we all come together to combat climate change. Expect topical pieces all round, with pondering the importance of water one of the exhibition's main aims. Overall, "the artworks featured in Water will make connections with many of the major environmental and social challenges faced by the world today," explains Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. Water exhibits at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Images: Olafur Eliasson. Denmark, b.1967. Riverbed 2014 (detail). Site specific installation. Pictured: The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark. Photograph: Iwan Baan. William Forsythe. America, b.1949. The Fact of Matter 2009. Site-specific installation comprising gym rings, fabric straps, gym mat and truss system. Dimensions variable. Pictured: Installation view, William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, 2018-19. Image courtesy the artist. Photograph: Liza Voll. © William Forsythe.
Australia has more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline and 11,761 beaches, according to those who've somehow managed to count them all. And there's no better way to get to know them than an adventure with your mates and a night within the thin walls of a tent. With the waves just a stumble away and surrounded by kangaroos, wombats and echidnas, beach camping is a great way to immerse yourselves in all the best Australia has to offer, the kind of serenity that's best enjoyed together. To get you started, we teamed up with Jim Beam to find the spots where we reckon you'll get some of the nation's optimum beach camping conditions. Recommended reads: The Best Beach Camping Spots in Victoria The Best Beach Camping Spots in Queensland The Best Beach Camping Spots in NSW The Best Glamping Sites in Australia [caption id="attachment_807772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Noah Beach, Daintree National Park, Queensland Sir David Attenborough called the Daintree Rainforest "the most extraordinary place on earth" and Noah Beach sits right among it. Found about 80 kilometres north of Port Douglas, there are few places in the world where you can camp between a reef and a World Heritage-listed rainforest. Here in the Daintree, you'll find never-ending treetop canopies and animals found nowhere else in the world. The campground is just 50 metres from the beach, and facilities are basic, limited to tap water and composting toilets. With no mobile coverage, it's the perfect place to disconnect from the world. Advance bookings are essential for this beach campsite. [caption id="attachment_807796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Discover Jervis Bay[/caption] Jervis Bay, Booderee National Park, NSW Residents of Lucky Bay, WA, might tell you that their sand is the whitest in Australia (if not the world), but Jervis Bay's locals will argue otherwise. Found 200 kilometres south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins and 20 kilometres of unspoilt shoreline, protected for the most part by Booderee National Park. There are three beachside campsites to choose from — and for still water, go for Green Patch; if you're taking your surfboard, opt for Caves Beach. Bookings, available online, are essential. And for things to do and places to eat (and, most importantly, drink), check out our weekender's guide to Jervis Bay. [caption id="attachment_807799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia Forty minutes southeast of Esperance, in Le Grand National Park, sits five kilometres of sparkling shoreline known as Lucky Bay. And, with tent in hand, you can sleep just metres from its pristine, white sand. When you're done with sunbathing alongside kangaroos, conquer the 15-kilometre coastal track, which takes you to Rossiter Bay via Hellfire Bay — or the three-kilometre Frenchman Peak trail, which gives you epic panoramas. The campsite has 56 spots, as well as a camp kitchen, toilets and hot showers, but make sure to pack your own fresh water. Bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_807803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson[/caption] Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria Wilsons Promontory National Park covers more than 50,000 hectares of rugged mountains, empty beaches and rainforest at the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. One of the best campsites here is Tidal River, which puts you on the edge of both Norman Beach and the river, among wallabies, echidnas and wombats. The massive campground has nearly 500 campsites, toilets, hot showers and an open air cinema, which has been showing flicks since the 1960s. Campsites are divvied up via a ballot in the summertime, with advance bookings essential at all other times. [caption id="attachment_714492" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn/Visit Victoria[/caption] Johanna Beach, Great Otway National Park, Victoria This is a popular one for hikers along the Great Ocean Walk, a 100-kilometre journey from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. The site is nestled among sand dunes, behind spectacular Johanna Beach. Spend your days surfing, strolling and relaxing on the sand, and use your tent as a launching pad for day trips into Great Otway National Park. Its 103,000 hectares are home to lots of walks, koalas, pretty bays and spots for whale watching. Johanna Beach campsite has room for 25 tents and dogs on leads are permitted. [caption id="attachment_807805" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brad Griffin Photography[/caption] Memory Cove, Lincoln National Park, South Australia You'll find this precious piece of wilderness about 50 kilometres southwest of Port Lincoln (across the Spencer and St Vincent Gulfs from Adelaide). The campsite looks directly over the white sand and turquoise water of Memory Cove, from the shade of coastal mallees, and is limited to 15 cars per day to maintain the wilderness. When you're not lazing about, go adventuring in Lincoln National Park, where you'll experience some of South Australia's most beautiful coastline. There's a bunch of lovely walks, from the 2.7-kilometre Stamford Hill hike, which gives you excellent views, to the 12-hour Investigator Trail, which takes in many bays and beaches on its way to Cape Donington. Bookings at Memory Cove campsite are crucial — you can't get in without a key. [caption id="attachment_807807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and Peter Bellingham[/caption] Richardsons Beach, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania Freycinet National Park, which covers a peninsula on Tassie's East Coast, is famous for its striking, pink granite and numerous tranquil beaches, including Instagram star Wineglass Bay. The campground stretches along a stunning coastal strip, behind Richardsons Beach and overlooking Honeymoon Bay. If you're heading during the summer season, a ballot is drawn in mid-August in order to nab on of the 52 spots, or else you can book through the visitor centre. If you find yourself feeling social or thirsty, there's a brewery and shops just up the road. Alternatively, if you want to experience this part of Tasmania in pure luxury — taking a break from the tent — then check out Saffire Freycinet. [caption id="attachment_807810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Crayfish Beach, Hook Island, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland If your idea of idyllic beach camping doesn't involve crowds, then pitch at Crayfish Beach, on Hook Island's eastern shore. The pocket-sized campground has space for only 12 people, the only way you can get there is by boat, and there's no mobile coverage. So, there'll be no way of telling the world you're surrounded by forest-covered mountains and snorkelling among some of The Whitsundays' best-looking underwater communities. Facilities are limited to composting toilets. Be prepared to carry in everything with you, including drinking water. [caption id="attachment_807811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Bonde[/caption] Cloudy Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania Bruny Island is just a 40-minute drive and 15-minute ferry ride from Hobart, yet it feels like it's a million miles away. There are loads of camping spots (including many free ones) all over the island, but one of the loveliest is Cloudy Corner, in the eastern corner of Cloudy Bay in South Bruny National Park. Getting there involves a three-kilometre drive along the beach at low tide. No bookings are taken, with campsites being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to bring cash with you, too, as payment is taken via self-registration deposit boxes. While you're on the island, find the best whisky, oysters and outdoor activities via our 48 Hours on Bruny Island guide. [caption id="attachment_874853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sal Salis in Western Australia - the best glamping in Australia.[/caption] Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park, Western Australia There are a few road trip-worthy campsites scattered around Cape Range National Park for those looking for access to Australia's lesser-known yet nonetheless extraordinary reef, Ningaloo. The UNESCO Heritage-listed wonder hugs the Western Australian coast 1200 kilometres north of Perth and contains hundreds of fish and coral species. Ned's Camp is tucked away behind dunes, right next to a calm, white-sanded beach, which is lovely for swimming, snorkelling and paddling — and is an affordable spot with just ten non-powered campsites. If you're looking to take your holiday up a notch, you could also head to Sal Salis' eco-luxe cabins. Just 15 minutes down the road from Ned's, they're not cheap, but they're located just by the reef and come with meals and drinks, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling gear. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top image: Lucky Bay, Tourism Western Australia
In 1999–2001 TV series Spaced, one of Nick Frost's first-ever roles — also, before Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End, his initial screen collaboration with Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning) and Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho) — he played a character who was obsessed with weapons and the military. A quarter of a century later, he's portraying someone that's training dragon fighters and forging armaments as a blacksmith. "I'm just trying to see now if there's a connection between Mike and Gobber," Frost jokes with Concrete Playground. "I mean, I think Mike would be a great Gobber. Maybe Berk is actually where Mike ended up. Maybe there was some awful apocalypse in Spaced that we never saw and he eventually became Gobber." If you'd like to embrace that theory about one of Spaced's key figures, you can. You heard it from Frost, after all. Regardless, the English talent is now one of the stars of How to Train Your Dragon in its latest iteration as a live-action film. British author Cressida Cowell started the all-ages-friendly Viking tale on the page in 2003, sparking a book saga that's spanned 12 novels. In 2010, filmmakers Chris Sanders (The Wild Robot) and Dean DeBlois (the OG Lilo & Stitch) brought her tales to cinemas in animation. The latter also wrote and directed 2014's How to Train Your Dragon 2 and 2019's How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, and now does the same on the newest big-screen visit to Berk. How to Train Your Dragon fans know the story, then, but they haven't seen it unfurled with actors literally stepping into the shoes of its isle setting's inhabitants. Before Mason Thames (Monster Summer) returns to the world of The Black Phone in that horror hit's sequel later in 2025, he's Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the reluctant fledgling dragon fighter who befriends one of the most-feared types of the winged creatures — not that you'd know it from Toothless' appearance and demeanour — and champions living in harmony with rather than waging war against them. Gerard Butler (Den of Thieves: Pantera) voiced Hiccup's chieftain father Stoick the Vast in the animated movies, and now reprises the part in How to Train Your Dragon's present leap. As first given voice by Craig Ferguson (The Hustler) in the previous pictures, Frost's Gobber is Stoick's friend and Hiccup's mentor, plus a source of support for a young man who is struggling with living up to his dad's expectations. The dragons themselves still required visual effects to animate into existence, with life-sized puppets used during shooting for the actors to work against. Everywhere that it can, however, How to Train Your Dragon circa 2025 is immersed in a tangible Viking-inspired realm. For Frost, as Gobber is charged with imparting dragon-battling skills not just to Hiccup but to other young warriors — the determined Astrid (Nico Parker, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), plus a group of Berk's fellow next generation spanning Snotlout (Gabriel Howell, Nightsleeper), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison, Y2K), and twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut (Mickey 17's Bronwyn James and The Acolyte's Harry Trevaldwyn) — that meant ample days in the film's training-arena set. This part also saw him continue to build upon father figure-type roles that've been joining his resume of late. "It's because I'm getting old," he jests. A jovial "get stuffed!" is Frost's first comment when the passage of time since Spaced and Shaun of the Dead comes up. He's spent that quarter-century-plus since the former kicked off and more than 20 years since the later arrived cementing himself as a beloved actor with a diverse resume. On his filmography, The Boat That Rocked sits side by side with US-set alien comedy Paul — which Frost and Pegg wrote — and also with Attack the Block, voice work alongside Pegg again on The Adventures of Tintin, two Snow White and the Huntsman films, leading rom-com Cuban Fury, TV's Mr Sloane, wrestling flick Fighting with My Family, the Pegg co-starring Truth Seekers and loaning his tones to Skeleton Crew's SM 33. There's more, of course, such as Ice Age, The Boxtrolls and Trollhunters; 2024 horror efforts Krazy House, Get Away and Black Cab; and, in his latest significant news, playing Hagrid in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series. Frost is responsible for decades of folks asking if their friends want a beer in quite the colourful way, repeating perhaps his best-known Shaun of the Dead line. With that film's Peter Serafinowicz (Wolf King) by his side as How to Train Your Dragon's Spitelout, he's currently in completely different terrain. What appealed to Frost about joining the franchise, and also juggling the family-friendly and definitely not child-appropriate sides of his resume, was equally a topic of conversation in our chat — alongside a range of other subjects, such as adding his own stamp on Gobber, his personal connection to using humour as a shield, that massive training arena, the importance of DeBlois returning as director and Frost never wanting to be an actor. On Taking on the Role of How to Train Your Dragon's Dragon-Fighter Trainer "First of all, it's a massive film. It's part of a really well-loved — I hate the phrase 'franchise', but that's what it is. And apart from maybe Snow White and the Huntsman and stuff like that, I hadn't really done anything perhaps this massive before. And I think being a filmmaker and a writer and an actor, it's like 'let's do this, let's try this — this is different, let's have a go'. I think part of me was aware that obviously Craig Ferguson was Gobber in the past. And people love what Craig did. And I was aware that I didn't want to ruin what he did — I was aware that there was a responsibility on me to make Gobber what people felt watching Craig's Gobber. And I think having a conversation with Dean before I got the job, he was like 'what do you want to do?' — I think once you realise that you have a certain amount of creative freedom, that's really attractive, I think, for me. And to collaborate, that's always a joy. And to know that you have a voice on set and you can say 'hey, is this all right? Can we try this?' or 'do you think this is funny', it's always a lovely compliment to be allowed to do that." On Bringing a New Guise to a Part That's Already Well-Established in the Animated Films "Honestly, I didn't, after the initial few days of getting the job and speaking to Dean, I just left it at the door and then came in completely without that. I didn't want to feel like that was on me for the whole thing, and that I couldn't try anything new or be different because it wasn't what had gone before. I just wanted to try and, as I say, respect what that was, but then let's move on and try to give a different kind of Gobber for a new generation of audiences — but also, I guess, leaving something of what Craig did so people who love the animated ones will enjoy it, too. I think, personally, if I'm going into this with the expectations of what people will think, I think you'd probably just be crushed. You just have to unburden yourself from all of that and just do what you think is right, do what Dean wants, and be respectful of that process and the process of the other actors in the film with you." On What Interests Frost About the Variety of Projects Across His Career, Including Both Family-Friendly Fare and Horror Films Aplenty of Late "I just don't see them as any different, really. It's still all work. I think I'm probably very lucky and grateful that I haven't been pigeonholed in 'oh, well he just does that'. I think that is possible and that does happen. And I'm very pleased that the people who cast things like Harry Potter and this don't think 'oh god, he was cutting someone's head off in a film that he wrote like two years ago. Is that going to be a problem?'. I love the fact that I can do both. I can get away with it all." On Portraying Someone Who Uses Humour as a Shield to Deal with an Uncertain World "I think that's me. That was me for a long time. I think where Gobber and I differ, he just uses it — I think if you live in a society like Berk and where the Vikings are from, I think probably the sense of humour is very dark, because essentially you could be taken and killed in at any moment, day or night. So I think using comedy and laughter as a shield is par for that kind of society. I think where it becomes not so useful is when you hide behind it and not work out what's behind that." [caption id="attachment_1009286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyler Curtis/ABImages[/caption] On Stepping Into Paternal-Type and Mentorship-Style Roles "I just think I'm a dad, I've got three children, so I just get it more. I guess when before I had children and if you're going to be a kind of father figure, you're just — as a lot of actors do — you're just imagining what it would be like. And you're drawing on your own father or your grandfather or stepfather. But once you have your own, I think as I act, I always try to get better. Every job I do, every role I play, I just want to be better and better and better. And I think an actor's ageing gives you that opportunity. Every time you do something else, you're slightly older. You've seen a tiny bit more. And what I think, what I'd say about this film, is I know people are saying potentially 'oh, he's quite paternal' — but I actually think Gobber's more maternal in this film. I think he's stepped in to be Hiccup's mum." On the Impact That Immersive Sets Have, Especially How to Train Your Dragon's Training Arena "That was the first thing we shot, and it was really nerve-wracking, because it's massive. It's honestly the size of a small soccer stadium. And there are 200 crew, and there are 500 extras and they're all dressed as dragons. And they all know you, they're looking at you, and you have to give them a little wave. And it's frightening. I think what 25 years in this has given me is you have to shrug that off, and it just becomes about my relationship with the camera and Dean and whoever I'm acting with, and Bill Pope [Unfrosted] the DoP. 'What can I give to you? How can I help you? Should we have a run through our lines?' And I think what helps is making something that massive that small, it helps me cope with it more emotionally, more effectively — because if I were to look around and think 'all these fucking people', it becomes unmanageable emotionally for me." On How Dean DeBlois Continuing as How to Train Your Dragon's Director From the Animated Films Assisted the Cast "Dean, he absolutely loves it. He loves How to Train Your Dragon. He loves Hiccup. He loves Stoick and Gobber and the gang. And he's just passionate about it, and I find being around someone who's so passionate about something, it's really attractive. It makes me love it, too. And I wanted Dean to like me. I wanted him to like Gobber. And I wanted him to, when you're working with someone like Dean, when he just comes up behind you and gives you a little pat, it's like 'oh dad, dad likes it', you know — 'he loves it'. It's nice to be around that kind of passion. It's conducive. It makes me want to be around it, too." On Frost's Journey Over the 25 Years Since Spaced and Two Decades Since Shaun of the Dead "It's not lost on me. It's amazing. I never wanted to be an actor. I never wanted to act. I never knew what I wanted to do. Even, I was like 30 when we did Shaun of the Dead, and that was the first film I ever did. So I just — and this is going to sound like, I don't want to say actor-y bullshit, but I'm just terribly grateful, I'm amazed, and I just love it. I'm so lucky that I found something that I — there's not one day I've ever been on a set in 25 years where I haven't loved it in some way, shape or form. And to get a chance to do that, and then to start getting bigger and bigger things, it feels like a dream to me, really. Like when I got How to Train Your Dragon and you realise the kind of people who have to say 'yes' before you get the role — that was terribly flattering for me that someone, somewhere, had to say 'yeah, he's the guy. We'll have him'. It's not lost on me how lucky I am every single day. I'm sitting here, someone brings me a coffee‚ it's like 'this is amazing'. It's amazing to me. And I love it. I love making films." How to Train Your Dragon opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
We've all seen it rotating lazily, shining brightly and reflecting in the slow-flowing Brisbane River. Yes, we are talking about the Wheel of Brisbane, and if you've always thought that you should take a ride at some point in your lifetime, then we reckon there's no time like the now. Even if the giant Ferris wheel hasn't crossed your mind, we still think you should go for a ride because sometimes playing tourist in your own city can be pretty darn fun. This almost 60-metre tall wheel gives you a pretty spectacular view over the city and beyond, and let's face it, it would make for a pretty delightful date night. After your ride, treat your date (and yourself, of course) to the creative and highly delicious ice cream flavours at the newly-opened (and nearby) Gelato Messina. Image: Anwyn Howarth.
Weekends and curling up with a good book go hand-in-hand — but what if you've already worked your way through your reading pile? Dropping by Bulimba's Riverbend Books should solve that problem, as well as another Sunday morning struggle: where to go for brunch. As classic a Queensland setting as you can imagine with its big deck and leafy trees, Riverbend Cafe is a popular mid-morning spot for plenty of reasons. Try the croque madame if you're feeling extra indulgent; the breakfast menu is served until 11.30am. Cakes and pastries are also on offer, as well as Merlo coffee and T2 teas. Then, once you're done eating, head into the bookstore and browse away. If you're after recommendations, the staff will be quick to help — whether you want something you know you'll love, or are happy to jump outside of your reading comfort zone. Image: Atlanta Bell.
Aunty Donna have been busy over the past few years. Since 2020, they've brought both Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun and Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe to the small screen. They've played corpses in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and also dropped a $30 bottle of wine that's literally called $30 Bottle of Wine, too. The Australian comedy troupe embarked upon a world tour in 2023 as well, selling 90,000-plus tickets. If you're keen to see Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane live, your next chance arrives in 2025. Aunty Donna have announced that they're hitting the stage again, not only in Australia and New Zealand, but also in the UK, Ireland, the USA and Canada. So far, only dates for the first four parts of the world have been locked in, kicking off in August in Hobart, then hopping to Brisbane, Sydney, Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Dublin before September is out. October brings gigs in the United Kingdom, while Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne get their turn in December. Audiences will enjoy the Drem experience, with Aunty Donna unveiling their brand-new live sketch show. Will everything be a drum again? Will morning brown get a tribute? How much room should you leave for Christmas pud? If you're instantly thinking about these questions, you're clearly already a fan. In the trailer for the tour, Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane are promising big things in their comedic usual way. "In 2025, Aunty Donna will be touring the greatest live comedy show ever seen by human beings," the trailer advises. "You have asked 'is it funny?'," it continues. "Leading experts in the field have made it perfectly clear that it is the best comedy show ever made." [caption id="attachment_866548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ABC[/caption] In a statement announcing the tour, Kelly builds upon that sentiment. "We're very excited to show Drem to the world. Performing live is what we do best and we can't wait to bring this show out to everyone," he says. "It's the best thing we've ever made and it's the best thing that anyone in the world will see. It's better than anything anyone else has ever done or seen." Check out the trailer for Aunty Donna's Drem tour below — and the full Down Under tour dates, too: Aunty Donna's Drem Tour 2025 Dates Friday, August 22–Saturday, August 23 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Monday, August 25–Thursday, August 28 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Monday, September 1–Thursday, September 4 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, September 9 — Opera House, Wellington Thursday, September 11 — James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Saturday, September 13 — Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 — Regal Theatre, Perth Friday, December 12–Sunday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 17–Thursday, December 18 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_791048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netflix[/caption] Aunty Donna's Drem tour kicks off Down Under in August 2025. For further information and tickets, head to the Aunty Donna website.
Melbourne's hotel scene just keeps booming, with an impressive new Marriott Hotel outpost set to launch in the heart of Docklands. And this one comes complete with a whole swag of onsite hospitality venues, including a swanky rooftop bar and heated infinity pool. Slated to open late June, the Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands will be the suburb's only five-star hotel, boasting 189 luxury rooms kitted out with features like 'retail-inspired wardrobes' and 55-inch LCD TVs. Then, there's the hefty collection of food and drink offerings, including one next to the hotel's crowning glory — the stunning infinity pool, complemented by sweeping views to the west overlooking Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Escape up here for a taste of the high life and you'll be swimming in a 28-metre wet-edge pool — or lounging on a day bed enjoying cocktails and high-end panoramas. You don't even need to be a hotel guest to take advantage, with day passes available for $68 (or $168 for a family of two adults and two children), which gets you four-hour entry to the rooftop pool and whirlpool, plus use of both the sauna and the hotel's high-tech gym. Adjacent rooftop bar Sunset House is set to be a buzzy sky-high destination where punters can kick back on lounges nibbling finger sandwiches — and quaff signature cocktails and a range of Everleigh's bottled spritzes. After dark, the menu will expamd to include chic shared plates like katsu sandos, duck jaffles, Moreton Bay bug rolls, and tuna sashimi teamed with a green chilli sambal and sesame tofu. Expect a program of nighttime DJ sets to match. Meanwhile, elegant all-day restaurant Archer's is being headed up by Executive Chef David Albert, and will champion local ingredients and producers through an offering of bold, technique-driven plates. You'll sit down to the likes of lamb tartare; Mount Martha mussels smoked over paper bark; and a dish of Great Ocean Road duck jamon with rhubarb compote, davidson plum and walnut mole. The fare's complemented by a considered drinks program from sommelier Hamish Small, including champagne aplenty. Explore further and you'll find casual all-day haunt Corsia, which trips from St Ali coffee and breakfast fare to Euro-leaning lunch dishes, and then onto after-work wines and Italian-style desserts. Cocktail lounge Ada's is the final piece of the puzzle, taking both its name and inspiration from the pioneering female mixologist that created the Savoy Hotel's famed Hanky Panky cocktail in the 1930s. The sophisticated space will be slinging chic bar snacks, revamped classic cocktails and an impressive range of non-alcoholic creations. The Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands will open at 15 Waterfront Way, Docklands, from late June. For more details, or to book a stay or pool access, check out the website. Images: Dianna Snape
There's a new kind of passenger cruising around Melbourne's public transport network — and you might just find yourself taking one of them home with you. A new movement called Books on the Rail has seen a diverse collection of books set loose on the city's trains, trams and buses — kind of like a roving public transport library. The initiative was started back in April by two Melbourne ladies, Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus, as a local interpretation of London's Books on the Underground project. It's intended to reignite Melburnians' passion for reading and turn passengers' eyes from their iPhone to a page in a book. About 300 books have already infiltrated the transport system at the hands of local 'book ninjas', each tome bearing a Books on the Rail cover sticker and a flyer explaining the ins and outs of the initiative. Travellers who happen upon one of the books are invited to take it home and read it, and then return it to a service for the next lucky bookworm to do the same. If you find a page-turner the world (or, more specifically, Melbourne's commuters) simply needs to know about, you can become a book ninja yourself. Simply email hello@booksontherail.com to request a sticker, whack it on a book and set it free to be discovered by countless other local literary fiends. So next time you're battling it out with Melbourne's public transport system, you might want to put down that iPhone and keep your eyes peeled — who knows which well-worn tram seat your new favourite novel is hiding under? Via ABC News.
So you've just finished a big day on the slopes and you're looking for a way to warm up. Luckily there's a bevvy of bars and pubs at your fingertips. In Queenstown at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, the practice of après-ski ('after-ski') is as important as the time spent skiing or snowboarding — or spectating, if that's more your vibe. Perhaps you're after a quiet cocktail while enjoying mountain views, or maybe you're with a large crew and want to sink some cold brews by the fire — there will be something in this stunning alpine region that takes your fancy. But with over 150 bars and pubs to choose from, you need to make sure you're heading to a spot suited to your exact needs. We've put together some of our favourite spots for après-ski in Queenstown (and Arrowtown) so you're set to order the first all-important beverage of the evening — as well as the last one of the night. CARGO AT GANTLEY, ARTHUR'S POINT Built in 1865, this stone pub once catered to miners during the gold rush — now it caters to the many winter holidaymakers in the region. Head straight off the mountain and through the door of this cosy fireside spot, which is one minute from the base of Coronet Peak. That makes it an essential place to start your après-ski experience and suck down an extremely hard-earned beer — we're not here to waste any precious minutes. Don't just take our word for it — this historic spot pot also just won the Supreme Award at the Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence. So yeah, you might say it's pretty high on the list. Find it: 172 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown LODGE BAR, LAKEFRONT This might be a controversial inclusion due to its position alongside a Rodd & Gunn store, but we maintain Lodge Bar to be one of the best bars in Queenstown thanks to its warm wood ambience and picturesque views. You'll feel like you've stepped into an alpine retreat thanks to the strong supply of blankets, furs and rugs to wrap up in while you order a few apéritifs and catch up with a friend or loved one. On holiday in Queenstown alone? No problem. Park up in one of the single seats by the window and people-watch to your heart's content while watching an incredible sunset. Find it: 2 Rees Street, Queenstown RED'S BAR, QT HOTEL It's not often a hotel bar is the place to be, but when it comes to Queenstown's excellent QT hotel, it's no surprise this bar is a cut above the rest. You won't just find miscellaneous hotel patrons in this chic and colourful spot: Reds caters to tourists and locals alike, thanks to its cool decor and excellent service. The highlight has to be the jaw-dropping views. One long wall of floor-to-ceiling windows allows you to take in the mountains and Lake Wakatipu, which would probably heighten the taste of any drink — but these bevvies barely need it. If you like your spicy margaritas extremely spicy, get the crew to whip one up for you — it's exactly what you need to warm up from the inside out. Find it: 30 Brunswick Street, Queenstown LITTLE BLACKWOOD, STEAMER WHARF With a prime location on Steamer Wharf, this bar recently won Best Bar at the Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence and we can see why. Fuel up after a big day on the slopes by making your own custom cheese and charcuterie boards — that means all the meats and cheese you love, and none you don't. This spot also has one of the best cocktail menus in the area, including a list of five (we say again, FIVE) different types of espresso martini — perfect if you need a pick-me-up. Get decision-making anxiety? Play 'Trust the Bartender' — the talented team behind the bar will do the hard yards for you. Chic and industrial cool, this cosy bar often plays host to some of the country's best live musicians, making the vibes 10/10. Find it: 88 Beach Street, Queenstown View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Fork and Tap Arrowtown (@theforkandtaparrowtown) THE FORK AND TAP, ARROWTOWN If you're more on the Arrowtown side of the region, head to this pub which gives all the wholesome winter vibes thanks to its open fire and historic stone building. It's one of those spots where everyone seems to know each other and the daily specials are chalked up on the blackboard, so nab a table near the fire and enjoy the great energy. If you're looking for the perfect winter warmer, opt for the mulled wine which comes in a cinnamon-sugar-crusted glass. It's like a hug in a mug. Find it: 51 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown SUNDECK, CENTRAL QUEENSTOWN Cocktails? Check. Open fire? Check. DJ spinning club bangers at 5pm? Check. A rooftop bar boasting epic views, you have to get in early to nab a table at this popular spot. Sure, you have to head up three flights of stairs to find it, but don't let that put you off. It's an absolute go-to if you feel you've gone a little bit too hard too early, and need somewhere to burn off the post-ski beers. With about five people behind the bar at any one time and constant hordes of patrons reaching for spare seats, it's chaos in the best way — but the staff won't baulk at making you a margarita or martini even when the line is six-deep and we love them for that. Find it: Top floor, 4 The Mal, Queenstown LITTLE AOSTA, ARROWTOWN From notable chef and restauranter Ben Bayly, this rustic Italian spot is serving up all the Euro-inspired cocktails, pizza and pasta to soothe the wounds of not being overseas for Euro summer with your friends. Order a Negroni Sbagliato ("Negroni by mistake") and cosy up by the open fire outside from 3pm — and no, no actual skiing experience required. Our tip? Stay for dinner, and warm up with an Italian feast, served family-style. Find it: 18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown Top image: Steamer Wharf, Little Blackwood
The south end of Ann Street has scored a new precinct, turning the site of the old Brisbane Fruit and Produce Exchange into $860-million development Heritage Lanes. And, as well as 35 levels of offices — plus Brisbane CBD's first free basketball and handball court by the end of 2023 — the space is home to a range of cafes and eateries. The latest: Frankie's Food Hall. Taking its cues from Europe, this weekday breakfast, brunch and lunch spot is a sandwich diner and deli, going heavy on fillings between two pieces of bread. It also doubles as a carvery, serving up roast rolls aplenty. That means welcomely embracing a food-precinct staple that's nowhere near as common as it was decades ago but still should be, because who doesn't want a roast for their midday meal whenever the craving hits? Open 6am–3pm Monday–Friday, Frankie's Food Hall can seat 40 whether you're after a sanga, bagel or a burger from the curated menu. One highlight: a smoked salmon bagel layered with cucumber, tomato, rocket and cream cheese. You can also make your own sandwiches and salads, and pair them with coffee, smoothies and specialty cordials. The breakfast range includes a Croatian breakfast featuring smoked cevapi, which isn't just Frankie's signature way to start the day — it's a nod to the diner's namesake. The venue hails from father-daughter duo Bill and Eleni Pippos, formerly of Fruits of Eden and Eleni's Gourmet Deli at Toombul Shopping Centre, and takes its moniker from Eleni's son, who has dual Croatian and Greek heritage. Greek pastries are on the menu as well, and so is a curated grocery selection heroing the diner's favourite suppliers. Frankie's Food Hall joins Heritage Lanes' culinary lineup alongside coffee spots Public Cafe and Espresso Engine, all-day bistro Gather, bottle shop and specialist whisky store Malt Trader, and gourmet food go-to Mumbleberry.
Retailer of classic silhouettes, every season basics and generally good garb COS has opened its first Queensland store — setting up shop on Edward Street. Owned by the H&M Group, COS already has presences in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. With six stores already offering the brand, the Brisbane store makes one for every day of the week (if you're so inclined). Founded in 2007 in London, COS now has 231 stores worldwide. It opened its first Australian store on Melbourne's Elizabeth Street in 2014 and has been supplying us with sleek and minimalist, yet fundamentally wearable clothing ever since. The new two-storey Wintergarden store is itself stunning, too, incorporating a brickwork facade, a luxe lounge area and spacious fitting rooms spread throughout its 474 square metres. Inside, you'll find clothes, accessories, underwear and shoes for women, men and children. It launched at midday on November 16, 2018, with the new spring summer 2018 collection, which features lots of soft tailoring and structured draping in greens, whites, creams and navy.
The Greater Brisbane area is going into lockdown again, with stay-at-home conditions coming into effect from 4pm today, Saturday, July 31, in the Brisbane City Council, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim Local Government Areas. This is all very familiar by now, given that Brisbane has previously been in lockdown in January, March and June this year alone; however, this time, there's a considerable change. Under the new rules, a travel limit will be implemented — so you'll only be permitted to go shopping or exercise within ten kilometres of your house. Residents in these 11 LGAs can only leave home for four reasons anyway: to get essential goods; for essential work if you can't work from home, and for school or childcare; for exercise, and only with one person who isn't in your household; and for healthcare, including to get a COVID-19 vaccination, or to provide help, care or support. But, when it comes to buying essentials or working out, that ten-kilometre radius will be in effect. Accordingly, if you're currently scrambling to find quick ways to map out your ten-kilometre zone, that's understandable. There are a few easy ways to check out your household's government-approved travel radius, but none have proved quite as popular as KM From Home. The website originally launched in Ireland back in March, when that country introduced its own travel restrictions — and was then jumped on by Melburnians back in August 2020, during its extended lockdown last year. The online map is free and easy to use — simply centre it to your address, select a ten-kilometre radius and you'll see a big red or blue bubble encompassing the zone you're free to travel in under the Queensland Government's new rules. You'll find other radius apps out there as well, including the likes of Map Developers. Alternatively, if you've got a Garmin watch, you can download a range warning and it'll alert you when you're closing in on a certain distance from your run's starting point. Want to check a specific shopping centre or park to see if it falls in your ten-kilometre zone? There's a function on the Google Maps app that allows you to measure a distance as the crow flies. On desktop, simply right click on a location on the map, select 'measure distance' and then click anywhere else on the map and it'll show you exactly how far the address is from your starting point. Under the new rules, you can only exercise with your household members or one other person who is not from your household. All exercising and shopping must be done within ten kilometres of your home, of course. Eleven LGAs in the Greater Brisbane area will go into lockdown from 4pm on Saturday, July 31 until at least 4pm on Tuesday, August 3. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website. Images: Km From Home
We all have movies that change us, open up the world to us and/or make us feel seen. Most folks, whether they're filmmakers or not, don't then bring new versions of those pictures to cinemas — no matter how much they might want to. Andrew Ahn's feature filmography started with his 2016 debut Spa Night, then delivered 2019's Driveways and 2022's Fire Island, and now adds a fresh take on a Berlin-winning, Oscar-nominated 90s box-office hit that marked just the second film from Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi Best Director Academy Award-winner Ang Lee. 1993's The Wedding Banquet was also the first gay movie, first gay Asian movie and first gay Asian American movie that Ahn ever saw. The man behind the camera on 2025's The Wedding Banquet was eight when he watched the original picture courtesy of a video-store rental. When he started on the path to becoming a filmmaker himself, and even once he had a movie or two under his belt — long before this project came his way, then — crafting his own version didn't ever occur to him. "Oh, it never crossed my mind — like, not a direct remake," Ahn tells Concrete Playground about the fourth feature on his resume, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. "I think I thought about similar themes and ideas, but to make something that would be called The Wedding Banquet, I could never have imagined. It really took the producers approaching me. Our producers had been chatting before I was in the picture, and I think their scheming led to this." Three decades back, The Wedding Banquet focused on Manhattan-based gay Taiwanese man Gao Wai-Tung (Winston Chao, Daughter's Daughter), whose parents (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Sihung Lung and Qing yu nian's Ah-Lei Gua) had no idea that he wasn't straight, let alone any awareness of his long-term American partner Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein, Modern Houses), and so had matchmaking their son with a future bride and stressing their yearning for grandchildren firmly on their minds. As co-written by Lee with James Schamus (The King's Daughter) and Neil Peng (The Candidate), the film makes Wai-Tung's mother and father's dreams come true via Wei-Wei (May Chin, now a Taiwanese politician), a Chinese artist who'll be deported if she doesn't get a green card. Of course the eponymous event takes place, with Mr and Mrs Gao in attendance and in the dark that it's all a sham. Lee's movie is a comedy, romantic and screwball alike, and equally a deeply considered and thoughtful relationship drama, plus a compassionate family drama. A reimagining rather than a remake, 2025's The Wedding Banquet falls into all of the above categories still, so it's a rom-com, it's screwball, and it's both a relationship and family drama as well; however, Ahn and Schamus — who returned to co-write another The Wedding Banquet, after initially collaborating with Ahn by producing Driveways — have their eyes firmly on the queer experience right now. As a result, while there's winks and nods to the original, and clear affection for it evident across its frames, this take on the film is guided by how the initial flick's setup would truly play out two decades into the 21st century as it explores queer identity, cultural heritage and community. Accordingly, audiences meet two Seattle-based queer couples: Angela (Kelly Marie Tran, Control Freak) and Lee (Lily Gladstone, Fancy Dance), plus Min (Han Gi-Chan, Dare to Love Me) and Chris (Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live). Among their families, Angela's mother (Joan Chen, Dìdi) wins awards for her allyship, while Min's grandmother (Youn Yuh-Jung, Pachinko) is the head of a Korea-originated multinational company that he has always been expected to take over. Having children is Angela and Lee's priority, but after two unsuccessful rounds of IVF they're now out of money for a third. While cash isn't a problem for Min, the fact that his student visa will soon expire is — and so is Chris' commitment-phobic reluctance to marry him. The plan, then, is for Angela and Min to wed, helping the latter stay in the US in exchange for financial assistance for Lee's next IVF treatment. [caption id="attachment_1003561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Janice Chung[/caption] One of the key points that's pushed further to the fore this time around is parenthood — and what it means to have a family as a queer couple. Ahn's fondness for the families that we choose, as seen across his filmography so far, remains a pivotal element of The Wedding Banquet, but so does the specific intention and effort needed to pass on your genes when getting pregnant can't just happen accidentally as it can for some in heterosexual relationships. That thread, and even a specific line of dialogue about it, comes from Ahn's own life. As such, he's not just lending his loving eyes to a new iteration of a movie that's personally important to him — alongside his Korean American background, he's lending parts of his existence. Ahn's on-screen ensemble is clearly phenomenal, including Gladstone in a more-comedic role than audiences are accustomed to seeing the Killers of the Flower Moon Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe-winner in, the director giving his Fire Island star Yang a more-dramatic arc, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker's Tran in a film with a smart and funny Star Wars line, Han getting his feature film and English-language debut, Chen after she was almost cast in the original and Youn's first American film since winning her Oscar for Minari. Also exceptional: how lived-in that they make their characters' connections feel. We spoke to Ahn about that, drawing from his own reality to highlight queer parenthood, how his past work — episodes of Bridgerton among them — led him here, fleshing out the narrative for 2025, tonal balance, found families and more. On Ahn's Past Work, Including Spa Night, Driveways, Fire Island and Directing Episodes of Bridgerton, Leading Him to a New Version of The Wedding Banquet "I think everything that I do feels informed by what I worked on in the past. Even Bridgerton I feel like snuck its way into The Wedding Banquet a little bit — the romanticism of it. I think The Wedding Banquet definitely required me to pull from so many different parts of my life, as a person and as a filmmaker, to make this film the best that I could." On Working Out Where to Take a New Iteration of The Wedding Banquet, Including a Broader Range of Characters, Exploring the Korean American Experience, and Examining Allyship, Found Families and Having Children "It was kind of step by step. When I rewatched the film in preparation for my conversation with the producers, there were first instincts that were just inspired by how beautiful the original film is. I wondered 'what if the bride in the original film, Wei-Wei, what if she also were queer and had a lesbian partner?'. And then, thinking about how gay people can get married now, I wondered 'now that we can, should we?'. Like 'do we really want to?' And then in the original film, there's an accidental pregnancy — 'but what if we see a couple trying to get pregnant, and planning to have a baby?'. And so these were very helpful foundation-building elements to the story, and I worked with James Schamus to really breathe life into these characters, and engineer the many different themes and questions that we were wrestling with. It was a very difficult process. We worked very hard, and we were writing the film for more than five years, and so it was a real labour of love. I'm so thankful for James, and just the years of experience that he had — not just as a screenwriter, but also as a producer and a director. You could not ask for a more-experienced collaborator." On First Watching Ang Lee's Film at the Age of Eight, Then Reimagining It Three Decades Later "I think it definitely helped that I had a really special relationship with the original film, but that wouldn't be enough. I think what helped me understand 'this is my film that I can make' was the phase of adulthood that I found myself in when I was working on this — and really thinking about getting married and having children. I had a lot of conversations with my boyfriend about marriage and kids, and I realised that I felt very strongly about how important and how beautiful queer family-building is — and that really was my guiding light through this whole process in making this movie." On Drawing One of the Film's Key Exchanges About the Intention Needed for Queer Couples to Start a Family From Ahn's Own Life "I wanted to talk about how that's a reality of queer people's existences — and one of the challenges of building family that's not even defined by homophobia. It's not like there's a straight person keeping us away from building family. It's our own hesitations. There's definitely, of course, a lot of financial and legal reasons that complicate queer family-building, but we kind of have to get out of our own way first, and just believe that this is something that we can do and that we want. And so I really wanted to talk about this particular nuance that I don't think has been explored in an in-depth way on the big screen. So it was an insight that I had only come to in having a conversation with my boyfriend, and I took that line of 'if it happens, it happens' straight out of my boyfriend's mouth onto the page." On Helping Ensure That Years and Even Decades of Intimacy Shone Through Among the FIlm's Characters Thanks to Its Stacked Cast "It's such an incredible ensemble, and I had so much fun working with them. They were all so game. They wanted to be vulnerable, and they showed so much generosity with each other and with me. I think of directing as creating an environment where these actors can feel safe and inspired, and so there was a lot of conversation that I had with each of the actors before they came to set — and then as much as we could find rehearsal time, we built in rehearsal time in our schedule so that we could fast-track an intimacy. I think these actors are all incredible, incredible actors, and so it's not hard to get a great performance out of them — and so for me, it's just about creating an energy and a space for them to really be present and work with each other well. And for me, I think a lot of that had to do with just putting together a cast and crew that really valued the story and what we were doing, and understood the meaningfulness of our work." On Casting Gladstone in a More-Comic Role Than Audiences Are Used to Seeing Her in, and Also Giving Yang a More-Dramatic Arc "I love being able to work with actors in a mode that they might not be used to or have been cast in before. I think it's fun to broaden the horizon for an audience of who these actors are and can be. Bowen, I loved working with him on Fire Island, and I just see so much charisma and vulnerability that I think is undeniable. And then when Lily, she's so serious in some of her work, but I saw her in some interviews and she's such a goofball. And I love that. And so I had a lot of belief that she could have fun in this role. And the way both of those actors — the way that all of our actors — traverse the balance of comedy and drama, it was very inspiring to watch." On Making a Romantic Comedy and a Screwball Comedy That's Also a Family Drama, and Is Deeply Considered and Thoughtful About Queer Identity, Cultural Heritage and Community "I think tone is one of the hardest things about filmmaking, and it's because it takes the entire process to figure out. You are writing it, you are directing it, you are editing it, and it's not until the very end, even with score and sound design and colour correction, where you've figured out the tone of your movie. And so it's really about trusting the artistic process and giving yourself options. In the script, we had alt lines for other jokes, for different zingers. On set, we would do certain takes more dramatically, do certain takes more comedically. In the edit, we're constantly adjusting. And so we had to just trust in the process — and in some ways trust in my own intuition and just energy. My editor Geraud Brisson [Lessons in Chemistry] mentioned that the film, it kind of feels like hanging out with me. And I used that as a creative north star in helping find that really complicated but fun balance of comedy and drama." [caption id="attachment_1003558" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fire Island, photo by Jeong Park. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved[/caption] On Why the Idea of Found Family Interests Ahn and Keeps Popping Up Through His Work "I think found family, it is something worth celebrating, and I think we can take it for granted sometimes. Our friends, our relationships — there's so much there, there's so much that needs to happen, there's so much work you need to put in in creating your chosen family. And so when you can create your own chosen family, it's really worth celebrating. And so it's something that I feel like whether you're queer or not, it's a very meaningful reminder" The Wedding Banquet opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The Wedding Banquet images: Luka Cyprian, Bleecker Street.
Er, um, wow. From surreal director Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python and left-field movie fame, comes The Zero Theorem, the supposed third film in his trilogy of bizarre dystopias that began with 1985's Brazil and 1995's 12 Monkeys. Though its release on Antipodean shores is yet to be confirmed, today's first trailer release for the film has got us all excited (and maybe a little flabbergasted). The Orwellian sci-fi follows Qohen (Christoph Waltz), an eccentric computer hacker with a whole lot of existential angst. Using a mathematical formula, Qohen's working to solve the zero theorem in the hope that he'll crack the meaning (or lack thereof) of life. But Management continually interrupt his work, sending a teen, Bob (Lucas Hedges), and a love interest, Bainsley (Melanie Thierry), to distract him. Funnily enough, desiring Bainsley might just be the key he'd been missing to understand the complexities of life. The trailer makes The Zero Theorem look equal parts bonkers and mind-bogglingly intelligent all at once. Though it's received mixed reviews, a cast that includes David Thewlis, Peter Stormare, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw and Matt Damon — along with the usual sci-fi commentaries on humanity, technology and politics — makes this an interesting one.
Prepare to have feelings: Pixar's Inside Out is getting a sequel, it's filled with even more emotions than the first gorgeous 2015 hit, and it also looks set to again be the kind of movie about emotions that sparks plenty of them itself. Slated to hit cinemas in June, Inside Out 2 returns to the head of Riley, who was 11 years old in the initial movie but is a teenager now. Cue more than just feelings of joy, fear, sadness, anger and disgust bouncing through her mind, as both the followup's initial teaser in 2023 and new full trailer show. Joy (Amy Poehler, Moxie), Fear (Tony Hale, Quiz Lady), Sadness (Phyllis Smith, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), Anger (Lewis Black, The Last Laugh) and Disgust (Liza Lapira, The Equalizer) are all still present and accounted for in Inside Out 2. But they have company of the oh-so-apt-for-adolescence type. Anxiety (Maya Hawke, Stranger Things) was introduced in the debut sneak peek. Now, Envy (Ayo Edebiri, Bottoms), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos, The Animal Kingdom) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser, The Afterparty) have shown up as well. The story from there: Joy and the OG gang have some adjusting to do when Anxiety and her pals arrive, just as Riley (Kensington Tallman, Firebuds) does to high-school life and being a teenager. Of course, the battle between emotions plays out IRL as well as in Riley's brain. As viewers saw in the first flick, the emotions that Riley experiences are sensations; however, they're also characters trying to guide their human in the best way they can. Everyone who has been a teenager knows the whirlwind of feelings that can spring, and therefore why Riley's head is getting crowded. And, you'll also recognise that Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment aren't about to just become barely seen figures. Tallman, Hawke, Edebiri, Exarchopoulos and Hauser aren't the only new additions to the voice cast. Fans of the initial Inside Out will also spot that Hale and Lapira have also joined the fold, replacing Bill Hader (Barry) and Mindy Kaling (The Morning Show) respectively. Diane Lane (Feud) and Kyle MacLachlan (Lucky Hank) are back as Riley's parents, though. First-time feature director Kelsey Mann (who has a story credit on The Good Dinosaur) directs, while Meg LeFauve (Captain Marvel) wrote the screenplay, as she did with Inside Out. Check out the full trailer for Inside Out 2 below: Inside Out 2 releases in cinemas Down Under on June 13, 2024. Images: © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Can you really say you've seen the American South if you haven't explored the region's rich musical history and culture? After all, the South is the birthplace of some of the world's most influential, enduring and popular genres of music. Rock 'n' roll, bluegrass, blues, country, gospel, jazz, soul, zydeco — the list goes on — are all genres with deep roots in the South and wouldn't sound how they do today without the region's musical influence. Whether you want to trace the history of music in the Western world, experience the South's rich musical culture and traditions firsthand or simply see an unforgettable show that only the South can put on, then you won't want to skip any of these music destinations when you visit the South. In partnership with Travel South USA, we've taken on the trip planning and handpicked the most unmissable music destinations and experiences in each of the South's nine states so that all you need to do is focus on having the trip of a lifetime. Carnegie Hall — Lewisburg, West Virginia There's no question where you'll find the beating heart of West Virginia's creative culture. It's in Lewisburg, one of the state's prestigious certified arts towns, at Carnegie Hall. The West Virginian landmark hosts musicians, exhibitions and special events year-round. The venue is also home to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame exhibition, which showcases the impact of the state's musicians, including Bill Withers and Little Jimmy Dickens to name just a few, over the years on the American music landscape. Grand Ole Opry: Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is not only the home of country music — it's also where you'll find modern music's past, present and future. The extent of Nashville's musical impact and influence can make it hard to decide how best to explore the city's music culture. After all, the city's countless studios, cafes, bars, halls, stages and venues always have something on and there are more musicians, shows and history than could possibly be covered in a lifetime. That's why Grand Ole Opry is the best place to start. The legendary show, which started as a radio broadcast in 1925, is country music's biggest stage. To celebrate a century of country music, head to Opry House for Opry 100. Running over the course of the year in 2025, the celebration showcases an unprecedented lineup of country music's rising stars, superstars and legends through a series of spectacular live shows. Carolina Country Music Fest: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina South Carolina's Myrtle Beach is a haven for music lovers. With venues ranging from beachfront bars to intimate lounges, the coastal city boasts a thriving live music scene that's sure to strike a chord with every visitor. One of the best times to experience Myrtle Beach is when Carolina Country Music Fest is on. The annual summer festival takes place outdoors at the boardwalk along the beach and always features a stacked line up with over 40 of country music's hottest artists. MerleFest: Wilkesboro, North Carolina When you can't decide which artists to see live, music festivals are the obvious solution. Instead of tossing up between experiencing just one of the region's many musical genres, head to North Carolina — a state that straddles both the South and Appalachia — for MerleFest, one of the country's major festivals. Held annually in Wilkesboro, the music festival celebrates "traditional plus" music, covering traditional music of the Appalachian region including bluegrass and old-time music, as well as Americana, country, blues, rock and more. Kansas City Jazz: Kansas City, Missouri America's Prohibition era saw music clubs across the country shutter — but not in Kansas City. The city's clubs were run by the mob, not only continuing to serve alcohol, but also giving musicians a platform where they could keep performing. Soon, musicians were flocking to the city known as 'Paris of the Plains', where different musical styles merged and evolved. The legacy of this long musical history in the city lives on today with countless jazz clubs, including the Mutual Musicians Foundation which hosts midnight jam sessions on Friday and Saturday nights and has done so since 1930, and the American Jazz Museum which allows visitors to dive into the history of the state's soulful music. GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi: Cleveland, Mississippi The GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi isn't just any music museum. It's the most technologically advanced music-themed museum in the South and was the second of only three GRAMMY Museums in the world, chosen in a testament to the state's musical chops, Mississippi has more GRAMMY winners per capita than any other state in America. The influence of the Mississippi Delta on the development of American music can hardly be overstated. So much so, the state claims the title of "the birthplace of America's music". If Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Eddie Willis of The Funk Brothers — to name just three — ring any bells, it might be because they're all Mississippian musical greats. [caption id="attachment_987473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morgan Petroski[/caption] Frenchmen Street: New Orleans and Shreveport Municipal Auditorium: Shreveport, Louisiana What do the musical genres of jazz, Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop have in common? They all hail from the great musical state of Louisiana and the impact of the state's musical history cannot be overstated — with blues, country and rock 'n' roll all being shaped by artists from this Southern state. The list of artists hailing from Louisiana reads like a history book of American music and includes: Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aaron Neville, and Mahalia Jackson, as well as Jon Batiste, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty more recently. Head to Frenchmen Street in New Orleans for a taste of live music as it can only be experienced in the South. Here, you'll find jazz clubs like The Spotted Cat, while Lafayette is home to Cajun dance halls like Blue Moon Saloon. To get even deeper into the South's music scene, head to north Louisiana and stop by Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. The performance venue is a National Historic Landmark, a designation that recognises locations of outstanding historical significance. Today, live performances continue to take place and the venue offers history tours about the Louisiana Hayride, a music show that not only featured artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and other major artists, but was instrumental in launching the career of the king of rock 'n' roll himself, Elvis Presley. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame: Owensboro, Kentucky It's difficult to pinpoint where exactly bluegrass originated, but it's easy to quickly brush up on your knowledge of the genre at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky. The museum is a must-visit for music lovers who also want to explore Kentucky's cultural heritage. It celebrates the rich history of bluegrass music with engaging exhibits, live performances and a Hall of Fame honouring influential artists, including Bill Monroe, the "father of bluegrass music." FAME Recording Studio and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: Muscle Shoals, Alabama The small town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama is one of those must-visit destinations for music lovers in-the-know. Located in the state's north-west, about equidistance from Memphis and Nashville, the town is home to FAME Recording Studio and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Many of the greatest hits by Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones and countless others were recorded in these two studios. Across the Tennessee River, about a ten-minute drive away is the town of Florence. It's the birthplace of W.C. Handy, the "father of the blues", and where a museum in his name stands today. Also nearby is Huntsville, where a state-of-the-art, 8000-seat amphitheatre built by Mumford & Sons' member Ben Lovett stands, after being inspired by the Muscle Shoals music scene. Find your next adventure in the South. Discover more unforgettable destinations and start planning your trip with Travel South USA.
For such a tiny island, Jamaica has had a disproportionate impact on global culture. Naturally, Bob Marley's ubiquitous portrait and defiant, uplifting anthems are the first exports to come to mind. But then there's the rest. It's thanks to Jamaica's 10,911 square kilometres of sundrenched Caribbean goodness that we can gawk at physics-defying athletes, fantasise about encountering Sean Connery or Ursula Andress under a waterfall, and luxuriate in the world's finest coffee and rum. THE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD One of his legs is a half-inch shorter than the other. During warm ups, when his competitors are stressed to the max, he's usually found dancing. His height measures in at 6 feet, 5 inches — too tall for sprinting, according to convention. And he describes himself as 'lazy'. Against quite a few odds, Usain Bolt, who grew up in a country town in Trelawny, Jamaica, is the fastest man on the planet. At the 2009 World Championships, held in Berlin, he set the current world record for both the 100 metre sprint, at 9.59 seconds, and the 200 metre sprint, at 19.19 seconds. EVERY JAMES BOND NOVEL YOU’VE EVER READ In 1946, Ian Fleming bought fifteen acres on a cliff-face on Jamaica’s north coast, built a house and named it Goldeneye. He then wrangled an agreement with his employer, The Sunday Times, which allowed him to take January and February off work. When each new year rolled around, he'd hole himself up in his Caribbean hideaway and write a new James Bond saga. By his death in 1964, twelve novels and two books of short stories were completed. These days, Goldeneye is a fancypants hotel and resort where people like Richard Branson and Harrison Ford hang out. BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE In Jamaica's Blue Mountains grow some of the most expensive coffee beans you'll find anywhere. Online, they'll set you back $180 a kilogram. They're cultivated in small acreages, between 600 and 1500 metres above sea level, where the moist, cool environment increases the ripening period to as long as ten months. Consequently, the natural sugars within the beans have oodles of time to develop, giving them their famous smooth flavour. JERK Finding a local eatery is never difficult to do in Jamaica. That's because the chief national dish, jerk, gives its whereabouts away, as a result of its mouthwatering aroma. Jerk cooking involves rubbing or marinating meat (usually chicken or pork) with a fiery blend of ingredients known as Jamaican jerk spice. Pimento and Scotch bonnet peppers are crucial, but you can also add cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, cloves, garlic, salt and shallots. PREMIUM AGED RUM FROM APPLETON ESTATE When Christopher Columbus visited Jamaica in the 15th century, he brought with him sugarcane and rum. Thanks to the island’s lush climate, some of the finest spirits to ever pass the lips of humankind were soon in production. One such place is Appleton Estate — Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and distillery — which is located in the heart of Jamaica on an incredible 4,614 hectares in the picturesque Nassau Valley. Appleton Estate has continued their craft in the traditional way, using copper pot and column stills for the distillation process, American oak barrels for ageing and naturally limestone-percolated water from the hills of cockpit country. A master blender then blends the spirit by hand, creating the distinctive flavour profiles and handcrafted feel for which Appleton is renowned. Fun fact: Appleton is one of the few rums in the world that can claim terroir: the unique flavour that only comes from being wholly produced in a single location. DUNN'S RIVER FALLS Dunn's River Falls is one of the few waterfalls in the world that you can climb without being in constant fear that you're going to tumble to some horrendous watery death. Even though they're 55 metres high, they're 180 metres long, because they're conveniently shaped like stairs, officially referred to as 'travertine terraces'. In Dr. No (1962), Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) emerges from the sea at the base of the falls, where she runs into James Bond (Sean Connery). REGGAE, SKA, DUB, ROCKSTEADY Bob Marley might be the most legendary of Jamaican musicians, but he's just the start of the record catalogue. Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and the Maytals were all raised on the island too. Reggae took hold in the late 1960s, but before that, there was rocksteady, which The Wailers cut their teeth on, and earlier still, ska. With the '70s emerged dub, spearheaded by producers like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and King Tubby. A WAY OF LIFE THAT ISN'T AN –ISM Some people have fallen into the habit of describing Rastafari as Rastafarianism, but it's a term that followers don't use — and don't like to hear. That's because they're generally extremely critical of 'isms'. The Rastafari movement kicked off in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastas worship Haile Selassie I, who was the Ethiopian emperor between 1930 and 1974. They refer to 'conventional society' as Babylon, rejecting what they see as its oppression, consumerism and way too much focus on quashing sensual pleasures. COOL RUNNINGS Cool Runnings might have been created by Disney, but its story was inspired by Jamaica and parts of it were shot there. The film hit cinemas in 1993, debuting at box office #3, and was the last movie featuring John Candy released before he passed away. It is (very) loosely based on the real-life experiences of Jamaica's national bobsled team, which made its debut at the Winter Olympics in 1998 at Calgary, Canada. CIVIL RIGHTS One of Jamaica's national heroes is civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica in 1914 before moving to Harlem in 1916. Like Martin Luther King, he was a rousing orator, and spent years travelling across America, attracting thousands and thousands of loyal followers. His major contribution was boosting African Americans' pride in their culture and encouraging their return to their homelands in Africa.
If life's chaos has made your world feel a little small of late, what better antidote than to head outdoors and catch a few of the world's biggest creatures frolicking majestically in the sprawling blue ocean? Watching whales swim around, complete with tail-slapping acrobatics and clouds of water sprayed from blowholes, is sure to instil a sense of wonder and release. When it comes to whale watching, us Aussies have it made. Not only are we surrounded entirely by water, but our east coast is a route favoured by many whales on their annual migration to and from Antarctica. And that means ample opportunity to spy these gentle giants in action — either from atop dry land, or right out there beside them on the water. From the scenic lookouts of Eden to a boat cruise around Wilsons Prom, we've rounded up eight of Australia's best spots for whale watching. Grab your binoculars and venture coastward for a whale spectacular. Recommended reads: The Best Whale Watching Spots Along the NSW Coast The Best Beaches in Australia Eight Epic Holidays for Animal Lovers You Can Book Now [caption id="attachment_772713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Melbourne[/caption] Bass Coast, Victoria From May to October, the waters of Gippsland's Bass Coast come alive with migrating marine mammals — mostly humpback and southern right whales, but also the odd orca flashing its distinctive black and white markings. And you'll find plenty of opportunities to catch them all in action, by embarking on a jaunt along the Bass Coast Whale Discovery Trail. Running the perimeter of Phillip Island and around to Inverloch, this coastal stretch is peppered with primo whale viewing points, most decked out with informative signage so you can dabble in some history and knowledge along the way. Some of the most popular pit stops include Cape Woolamai and the soaring cliffs of Pyramid Rock. [caption id="attachment_772704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Warrnambool[/caption] Warrnambool, Victoria Located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, the coastal hub of Warrnambool is a renowned spot for scoping out these majestic creatures, as scores of female southern right whales descend on the waters of Logans Beach to calve between June and September. A dedicated platform located in the dunes often offers the best vantage point for views of this 'whale nursery', and you can call ahead to the Visitor Information Centre to check up on any recent activity before you visit. Got some time up your sleeve? Make a road trip of it by following the Whale Trail west through more viewing spots near Port Fairy and Portland. [caption id="attachment_772711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wildlife Coast Cruises[/caption] Wilsons Promontory, Victoria The secluded beaches and rugged wilderness of Wilsons Promontory have made it a favourite destination for hiking and camping, but the waters surrounding its scenic coastline also happen to pull their fair share of humpback whale visitors, stopping by on their southerly migration between late August and October each year. For a shot at seeing a few of these majestic travellers up close, opt for a day on the water with the Wilsons Prom Whale Cruise, helmed by the team at Wildlife Coast Cruises. Departing from Port Welshpool Jetty, this informative six-hour boat trip takes you past stunning coastal hotspots like Refuge Cove, promising a high chance of spying at least one or two new whale friends. [caption id="attachment_772705" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jervis Bay Wild[/caption] Jervis Bay, New South Wales Sitting halfway along the whales' annual 5000-kilometre migration route, Jervis Bay on the New South Wales South Coast is known to be a favourite pit stop for humpback and southern right whales. Between May and November, the region's calm, still waters are an aquatic playground of choice for many of these supersized creatures, as they take some time out from their lengthy journey to rest up and play with their babies. For some great whale spotting, with views across the Jervis Bay Marine Park, try the Cape St George Lighthouse or the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse — where a lookout towers 90 metres above sea level. Otherwise, you can opt for an on-water whale experience with a renowned operator like Jervis Bay Wild. [caption id="attachment_772830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Park for Destination NSW[/caption] Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park, New South Wales Promising striking sandstone clifftops, sweeping ocean views and an excellent vantage point for the passing pods of humpback whales each June and July, Cape Solander makes for a worthy winter day-trip destination. Located in the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, this scenic coastal spot has been known to notch up over 100 whale sightings in one day, with the gentle giants frolicking as close as 200 metres from the shore. A dedicated viewing platform features plenty of whale-related information, and there's usually a couple of knowledgeable volunteers there sharing facts and tallying up the day's sighting count. Southern right whales also make an appearance here, along with the odd orca and minke whale. [caption id="attachment_772710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Eden[/caption] Eden, New South Wales The Sapphire Coast town of Eden is a whale-watcher's paradise. After all, the surrounding waters of Twofold Bay are known as the 'Humpback Highway' — so numbered are the humpback whales that swim through here en route home to Antarctica each year. You'll spy plenty of these mighty creatures between September and November, while pods of baleen and toothed whales make their own similar journeys in early spring. The town itself is chock-full of great vantage points for shore-based whale spotting, not least of which is the Rotary Park lookout, set right out on the point. And for those braving the water, there's no shortage of charter boats offering a variety of whale-watching tours. Also, head here in October and you can hit up the Eden Whale Festival. [caption id="attachment_772707" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stradbroke Island[/caption] Minjerribah, Queensland For some breathtaking whale-watching action just a quick ferry trip from Brisbane's bayside, lock in a trip to Minjerribah, aka North Stradbroke Island. Between late May and early November, the region welcomes scores of its most majestic annual visitors, with up to 200 humpback whales passing through each day on their journey between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Perched at around 35 metres above sea level, the headland at Point Lookout offers a top-notch view of these creatures breaching and tail-slapping in the balmy waters. Hervey Bay, Queensland Located across from K'gari, the protected waters of Queensland's Hervey Bay entice thousands of humpback whales each year, so your chances of scoring a sighting are solid. It is the world's first Whale Heritage Site, after all. The ocean giants are usually spotted here between mid-July and November, frolicking and launching themselves spectacularly into the air as they teach their young the tricks of the trade. For the ultimate close-up, your best bet is to head out on the water yourself, joining one of the many local whale-watching tours. If you're feeling brave, the crew at Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters even offers the chance to jump in and swim right alongside these mega-sized mammals. Top image: whales at Hervey Bay by Visit Fraser Coast. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Heads up Australia, Aldous Harding is one of those Kiwi musical talents we'll casually be calling our own in a few years. You may not have heard much from her yet, but this Christchurch folk queen is just about to drop her debut album and head out on her first tour of Australia. Be sure to check her out — by all accounts, she's killin' it across the Tasman. Starting her career from the ground up, Harding has dominated the pub scene of Lyttelton — a port town just south of the Christchurch CBD. Full of rural charm and enchanting melodies, her acoustic folk is definitely telling of her roots. Like New Zealand's answer to Julia Stone, her music is rich in character and story. Her self-titled debut so far has just the one single, 'Hunter', with the rest to be released on July 25. And she's making her way to our shores just one week later, so you better get acquainted with it quickly. Touring Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne alongside fellow Kiwis Tiny Ruins the shows are sure to be a very chilled affair — perfect for red wine, big jumpers and melodious swaying. Better yet, she's throwing in a couple of free gigs for punters in Sydney and Melbourne. Staying true to her pub roots, Harding will be hitting up Midnight Special and Public Bar on her lonesome. Cruise by, pick up a pint and take a chance on the new girl. It'll pay off in a few months when she's the next Lorde. Tour dates: Tuesday, July 1 – Black Bear, Brisbane Wednesday, July 2 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney Thursday, July 3 – Midnight Special, Sydney Sunday, July 6 – Public Bar, Melbourne Tuesday, July 8 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
If you haven't spotted festive decorations popping up around Brisbane yet, that means that you haven't been anywhere in Brisbane since Halloween ended and November arrived. Otherwise, you would've seen the obvious: it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the River City. Come Thursday, November 23 until the big day, the Brisbane CBD will be brimming with even more festive cheer — whether you're keen on shopping your way through markets, peering at dazzling lights or searching for tiny doors. Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner have unveiled the lineup of Christmas events that'll be decking out the city, and it's filled with highlights. Some, like the Enchanted Garden in Roma Street, are popular favourites set to delight again. Others, such as a Christmas party at Victoria Park / Barrambin that'll livestream the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols, are fresh additions to your seasonal itinerary. It all kicks off on Thursday, November 23 with the return of Enchanted Garden, aka glowing sights filling Roma Street Parkland for you to wander around, which runs until Wednesday, December 20. Then, to welcome December — taking place on Friday, December 1, in fact — the annual lighting of King George Square's 22-metre-tall Christmas tree will herald a cavalcade of merriment showering the inner city. For nabbing gifts, Brisbane Arcade's two-day Christmas markets are back, as are the BrisStyle twilight Christmas markets in King George Square — both joining the city's hefty list of places to browse and buy beyond shopping centres. In the CBD, there'll also be nightly light shows at City Hall, running from 7.30pm–12am from Friday, December 8–Sunday, December 24; daily roving performances in the mall from Friday, December 1–Sunday, December 24; and the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols on Saturday, December 9 at the Riverstage, plus the broadcast over to Herston. For the latter, entry is free and picnic baskets are encouraged, with food trucks also popping up. As for the tiny doors, they're all handmade and will be scattered throughout the city from Friday, December 1–Sunday, December 31, ready for you to find and marvel at their cuteness. The rest of the festive lineup includes a free Christmas show in the Queen Street Mall on three Fridays — December 8, 15 and 22 — plus singers and dancers taking to the same stage from Saturday, December 16–Sunday, December 24. And, at Uptown (RIP the Myer Centre), Queens Plaza and the Wintergarden, you'll have a heap of chances to get Santa snaps. Brisbane City Council's 2023 Christmas program will take over the Brisbane CBD from Thursday, November 23–Sunday, December 31. Head to the Visit Brisbane website for further details.
Waiting in slow-moving lines has to be one of the least-loved parts of overseas travelling, but it could soon prove a whole lot less hassle, with Sydney Airport set to start trialling biometric testing from May this year. As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, the trial will be available to those flying internationally with Qantas who've registered their involvement with the Australian Border Force. It'll reduce the usual airport adventure to a breezy six-step process — from checking in, to border processing, to boarding — requiring just one flash of your passport along the way. Instead of the usual fussing around, face and fingerprint scans will be used as verification, as Sydney Airport looks at ways to ease congestion and make travelling easier. Facial-recognition technology is already in place at Australian airports, which has, at Sydney Airport, knocked the average time spent by people passing through customs from around four minutes to a speedy 23 seconds. Exactly what information and data the Border Force will need from individuals is not yet known, but it's likely to be extensive. Sydney Airport told The Sydney Morning Herald it would make sure "relevant privacy issues are managed" and that if the trial's successful, there are plans to roll it out across other international airlines. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
The crew behind Marrickville's Grifter Brewing Co just unveiled new environmentally 'friendlier' four-pack holders so you can enjoy a more liberated conscience with your tins of Serpent's Kiss. Grifter has the lofty ambition of developing a packaging solution across the business that is 100% renewable. And while they're not quite there yet, according to Grifter co-founder Matt King, the switch to these first-to-market four-pack holders — made with 93.5% renewable resources — will save five tonnes of plastic waste per year. "These new holders will start to roll out across our whole range from this week," said King. "So keep an eye out, pick one up, take it home, rip into it and let us know what you think!" Since 2018, the team has been trying to improve their packaging and now that they've invested in getting to a more sustainable option (made locally in Sydney), they're hoping other local brewers jump on board. Lately, I've been fantasising about knocking back a few middies of pink lemonade sour at the bar of Grifter's Marrickville digs. In the meantime, a slab of takeaways tinnies will be that drop more satisfying. To check out Grifter Brewing Co's full range of beer and merch, head to the website.
Given its title, Avengers: Endgame was always going to feel like a finale. Marvel's huge superhero blockbuster wasn't just the sequel to Avengers: Infinity War, complete with the eagerly awaited response to the snap heard around the movie-loving world, but marked the penultimate film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's third phase. It also said goodbye to a few beloved characters, and left viewers uncertain about the future — because, while Spider-Man: Far From Home was always going to arrive afterwards to cap off the current portion of the now 11-year, 23-title saga, no films beyond this point had been officially announced. Until now, that is. With San Diego Comic-Con in full swing — and dropping trailers to everything from Cats and IT: Chapter Two to The Witcher and Snowpiercer quicker than fans can probably watch them — Marvel has finally unveiled just what it'll be thrusting in front of audience's eyeballs for the next few years. Almost of all of its just-revealed titles were already known in some shape or form, primarily due to casting news, the hiring of certain directors and the programming slated for Disney's new streaming platform, Disney+. Now, it's all 100-percent confirmed. On the big screen, cinema-goers will have a bit of a break from Marvel's huge franchise until May 2020, when Black Widow will drop — giving Scarlett Johansson's character a long-awaited solo movie, with the prequel helmed by Australian Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome), and co-starring Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Ray Winstone. It'll be followed by The Eternals in November, which'll focus on a species of humanity that originally created sentient life. The Rider's Chloe Zhao sits in the director's chair, while Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek and Brian Tyree Henry star. Come 2021, fans have three films to look forward to, starting with newcomer Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in February. Marvel's first Asian-led flick, it focuses on the Master of Kung Fu, boasting Short Term 12's Destin Daniel Cretton behind the lens, and is led by Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) as the titular character, as well as Hong Kong great Tony Leung and Awkwafina. Next arrives two massive sequels: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which hits in May, and Thor: Love and Thunder, which'll bow in November. Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong will return to the former, alongside filmmaker Scott Derrickson, and with Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlett Witch also popping up. As for the latter, it'll once again bless viewers with the combo of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, which is what everyone wants after Thor: Ragnarok (and even after Men In Black: International, too). Even better — Taika Waititi is back as both the film's writer and director (and, presumably, as Korg as well). Natalie Portman will also be making her return to the franchise, with her character Jane Foster becoming the female Thor. Marvel will also be making a new Blade film starring Mahershala Ali as the undead vampire hunter, plus sequels to Black Panther, Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Now that Disney — which owns Marvel — also owns Fox, it'll try its hand at another take on the Fantastic Four, as well as a new strand of X-Men movies. Here's hoping the last two improve on their most recent predecessors. If that's not enough caped crusader antics, a heap of Marvel's previously announced Disney+ series now have release windows. In August 2020, you'll be able to binge on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, focusing on Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan's characters. Then, 2021 will bring WandaVision (about Olsen's Scarlett Witch and Paul Bettany's Vision), Loki (complete with Tom Hiddleston) and Hawkeye (about Jeremy Renner's arrow-slinger, and introducing comics character Kate Bishop). Via: Marvel Studios / IndieWire / The Verge. Top image: Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel Studios 2018.
It's safe to say that many people have a strange liking of bubble wrap. But artist Bradley Hart takes his bizarre obsession to a whole new level. Hart, who is from Toronto but currently resides and works in New York City, creates landscapes and portraits of friends and famous people by injecting acrylic paint into bubble wrap. He started out painting abstract art on the exterior of bubble wrap, but with his newest bubble wrap portraits, he treats every bubble as an individual pixel. According to Hart, injecting the paint is somewhat of a science, and even though he's mastered it, it still takes him on average 150 hours for each painting. He also spends two to three days putting all of the paint into syringes. One of Hart's most famous paintings is of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Hart told the Huffington Post that he injected over 16,000 bubbles and used 89 different colours just for this one portrait. The result: a pixelated-looking picture fit for our modern world. On Hart's website he writes about the idea for his 'Injections' portfolio, saying, "The idea of using bubble wrap came from a few experiences where overzealous museum security guards instructed patrons not to touch works of art and a leftover roll of bubble from wrapping my first solo show in NYC. After researching the material, I found that bubble wrap was originally invented in 1957 as a modern form of wall covering; an experiment or product that failed. My first piece in the series (not shown), 'Fulfilling My Creator's Intended Purpose', is bubble wrap stretched over a stretcher and signed, paying homage to its original use and at the same time flipping its usage as protective covering for art into art itself." Hart’s artwork is currently featured in a solo exhibition 'What? Where? When? Why? How?' at gallery nine5 in New York City through 29 March 2013. Check out some of Hart's artwork below.
How do you choose Australia's best beach from the country's 11,761 coastal locations? That's the enviable annual job of beach expert Brad Farmer AM. It might sound like one of the best gigs that there is, but it's also far from an easy decision given that there's so many places to pick from in this nation girt by sea. So for 2025, Farmer hasn't been able to select just one — he's opted to anoint a ten-kilometre stretch of beaches as the country's finest instead. You'll find the top spots for some beach time in 2025 along the Tasmanian coastline, at the Bay of Fires Conservation Reserve. Farmer has chosen an expanse across the site's southern portion as his pick for the year. In doing so, he's given his list a few firsts. [caption id="attachment_666210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Scott[/caption] Never before has Tasmania taken out top spot for Farmer's recommendations for sun-, sand- and surf-fuelled getaways for the year ahead. Bay of Fires earns the honour after Squeaky Beach in Victoria did the same in 2024 and South Australia's Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island achieved the feat in 2023. Other past winners include Misery Beach in Western Australia in 2022, Cabarita Beach in New South Wales in 2020, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy island in Far North Queensland in 2018 and Cossies Beach in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in the Indian Ocean, in 2017. Similarly making history: Farmer selecting a cluster of beaches over a single winner. "I spent plenty of time in Tasmania assessing the beaches and in the end there were so many incredible options I couldn't even settle on one, which is why, for the first time, I'm awarding the best beach to a cluster of neighbouring beach bays in the Bay of Fires," he advised. "They say the colder water is good for you, but even if you're not up for a refreshing dip there is still plenty to do and see along this ten-kilometre stretch of coast. It's a location made for photography or painting, fishing and surfing." [caption id="attachment_990475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liz McGinnes[/caption] As always, Farmer has spread the love across his top-ten list around the country. Woolgoolga in New South Wales came in second, then Emily Bay Lagoon on Norfolk Island placed third, Queensland's North Kirra Beach ranked fourth and Little Lagoon in Western Australia sits fifth. After that, South Australia's Fishery Bay earned sixth position, before Queensland, WA and NSW all pop up again — with 1770, Scarborough Beach and Caves Beach, respectively, in that order. Then, Victoria makes a showing thanks to Cowes Beach in tenth place. Situated on the Coffs Coast, Woolgoolga has notched up an impressive feat, too: its second-place ranking makes it Australia's best mainland beach and finished in second spot. Farmer has dubbed it "the quintessential Aussie beach destination". [caption id="attachment_990476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Norfolk Island Tourism[/caption] He's also badged Emily Bay Lagoon as "Australia's hidden gem in the South Pacific" and North Kirra on the Gold Coast as "Australia's best airport beach". The praise goes on; Shark Bay's Little Lagoon is "a unique oasis", Eyre Peninsula's Fishery Bay is recognised for its sacred First Nations connections and 1770 near Agnes Waters is highlighted for being "a beautiful Queensland inlet shoreline environment". Perth's Scarborough Beach is "Australia's number-one integrated foreshore development", while Caves Beach in Lake Macquarie has the best caves and rock pools to explore, and Cowes Beach on Phillip Island earns affection for its lack of pretence. [caption id="attachment_990477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] www.coastalreflections.com.au[/caption] "Every beach which makes the list is a winner and this year really highlights the incredible diversity of the beach offerings we have here in Australia. It really is like nowhere else in the world. In 2025 we recognise beaches of all shapes and sizes right around the country," he continues. Farmer might've unveiled his picks with less than a month left of summer 2024–25, but you still know what to do from here: start making holiday plans that involve a splash. For Aussies in most states, there's a site on the list in your own backyard. And if there isn't or you're just keen on heading further afield for a gorgeous beach trip, you have options. [caption id="attachment_990478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @theultimateaus Chris Bulloch[/caption] The Top Ten Best Australian Beaches for 2025 1. Bay of Fires, Tasmania 2. Woolgoolga, New South Wales 3. Emily Bay Lagoon, Norfolk Island 4. North Kirra Beach, Queensland 5. Little Lagoon, Western Australia 6. Fishery Bay, South Australia 7. 1770, Queensland 8. Scarborough Beach, Western Australia 9. Caves Beach, New South Wales 10. Cowes Beach, Victoria [caption id="attachment_990479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Serio Photography[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] londonerinsydney.com[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Will Wardle Media[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake Macquarie City[/caption] [caption id="attachment_990483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] www.coastalreflections.com.au[/caption] For more of Brad Farmer's beach tips, head to his Best Australian Beaches website. Top image: Will Wardle Media. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
It has taken almost four decades to summon a Beetlejuice sequel; however, if a third film was to follow in the poltergeist bio-exorcist franchise, the initial two flicks have already told us what it should be called. First came 1988's Beetlejuice. Next arrives this year's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. So, only Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will do if the Juice gets loose again sometime in the future. For now, cinemagoers have simply Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to look forward to. Calls for this followup have been echoing since the 80s, with the sequel finally locked in in 2023, then dropping its first teaser earlier in 2024 and now unveiling its full trailer. And saying its eponymous figure's name three times is a part of this sneak peek, as Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder, Stranger Things) warns her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega, Miller's Girl) against doing. Of course, that advice isn't followed, and so in pops Michael Keaton (The Flash). In the first film, the ghost with the most turned life into chaos for the Deetz family — and for his big-screen return 36 years later, with the movie releasing in September, he has more mayhem to unleash. This time, for another dance with the trickster demon, there's three generations of Deetz women in Winter River. Schitt's Creek's great Catherine O'Hara (Argylle) is also back as matriarch Delia. Filmmaker Tim Burton also sits in the director's chair again, on what marks his first feature since 2019's Dumbo. He's no stranger to revisiting to his past work, as seen when he made two Batman movies in the late 80s and 90s, and when he adapted his short Frankenweenie into a full-length flick. He also loves collaborating with the same talent again and again, such as bringing in his Wednesday star Ortega. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to get excited about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but you might spend time with folks with one, which is what happened with the original flick's Barbara and Adam Maitland (GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin). In that movie, viewers also saw what happened when that pair started to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moved into their house and they decided they needed a bio-exorcist. In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Keaton, Ryder, O'Hara and Ortega are joined by Justin Theroux (White House Plumbers), Monica Bellucci (Mafia Mamma), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) and Willem Dafoe (Poor Things), all newcomers to the franchise. Behind the lens, Burton is working with a screenplay by Wednesday's Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Seth Grahame-Smith (The Lego Batman Movie) coming up with the story by Gough. If you say "Beetlejuice" three times, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice won't arrive in cinemas quicker — but it is hitting the silver screen before the musical version of the first film finally makes its way Down Under in 2025. Check out the full trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice below: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice images: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
After boasting Australia's only run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, then playing host to a natural history exhibition based on the Fantastic Beasts films, Victoria is set to enchant wannabe wizards and witches again — and muggles, too — with a new Harry Potter-themed experience in 2024. This time, you'll be walking around an illuminated woodland filled with nods to the Wizarding World, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience finally heading Down Under. Accio joy, clearly. Think: Lightscape, which is returning to Melbourne in 2024, but all about the world that's sprung up around the Boy Who Lived on the page, screen and stage. So, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience taking over The Briars, Mount Martha from Saturday, April 6, 2024, attendees will enjoy a nighttime stroll around a 230-hectare property an hour out of Melbourne. Entering the Forbidden Forest is clearly the big attraction, as lit up with dazzling lights, all while also spying creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies. A hippogriff will feature, as will nifflers and unicorns, plus the chance to pose for a photo mid-wand duel — and to summon up a patronus spell as well. Accordingly, you won't just be surrounded by all things Wizarding World after dark in a forest; you'll be joining in like every aspiring Hogwarts student has always wanted to. Sounds and special effects will also help bring the experience to life, as aided by award-winning behind-the-scenes folks. Expect to spend around 90 minutes being immersed in the all-ages event — plus however long you need at the onsite shop afterwards buying merchandise. That's part of the village at the end of the trail, where you'll also be able to grab a bite and something to drink. Wands crossed for butterbeer, obviously. Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience comes to Australia after seasons in the UK, Europe and the US, and a current stint in Singapore, with Warner Bros behind it just like the films and upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Also helping conjure up the fun is events platform Fever, adding to a recent Australian slate spanning Banksy and NBA exhibitions, plus the Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience. Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience will take over The Briars, Mount Martha, from Saturday, April 6, 2024, with tickets on sale from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, December 202, 2023 and the waitlist open now. Head to the event's website for further details.
What music goes best with turning eight-million Lego bricks into the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled? 'Luke's Theme', aka the franchise's main tune? 'The Imperial March' when things get tricky? 'Parade of the Ewoks', just because? That's a question for Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of a galaxy far, far away. The end result: Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, which is a world-first showcase of Lego models based on the George Lucas-created space saga. It'll arrive in Australia in 2025, making its global premiere — and it sparks another question for attendees: which tracks will pair well with walking through this Lego Star Wars wonderland? The force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is. Exactly where all of those millions of Lego bricks will display hasn't been revealed as yet, and neither have exact exhibition dates, but you can start getting as excited as a Skywalker learning how to first use a lightsaber. The full list of models that'll feature also hasn't been unveiled so far, but battle scenes between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader will be on display, plus Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul duelling, and also Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards. If you're in Melbourne and Sydney, you can also get a sneak peek right now — with the first two at Westfield Doncaster from Wednesday, May 1–Monday, May 6, and the third at Sydney Arcade's huge Lego store (the world's largest, in fact) for the month of May. As it constructs an immersive experience and follows in the footsteps of the Jurassic World franchise, which has also scored the Lego treatment from Brickman, Star Wars: The Exhibition has plenty of material to draw upon. On-screen, the series spans the initial film trilogy that released from 1977–83, then the prequels from 1999–2005, then the sequels — including The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker — from 2015–2019. Rogue One, Solo, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka: the list goes on across the big and small screens. There's also TV's The Acolyte, which arrives in June 2024, plus the wealth of animated efforts in the saga. "Building real people and characters is one of the hardest things you can possibly make out of Lego bricks. Each model not only has to represent who it is in incredible detail, but also needs to capture the moment, the emotion, the struggle, the tension," said McNaught about Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. "Translating those epic scenes, iconic characters and spacecraft from Star Wars into little bricks is really hard and that's why they are rarely done, and even more so on this scale. Nobody has ever recreated these fight scenes at this scale out of Lego before — and I'm excited to be able to help premiere this in Australia for the first time in 2025." Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition will hit Australia in 2025, with when and where still to be revealed — we'll let you know more when it is announced. Head to the exhibition's website to sign up for updates in the interim.
Bringing together some of the region's finest fare, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape presents a tantalising four-day festival of food, drink and merriment, all set in one of the most naturally beautiful areas imaginable. It's a packed program with over 100 boutique producers involved and highlights, including a star-studded chef's table, cooking masterclasses, coffee workshops and a buzzing village green featuring an array of local produce. Margaret River is often seen as a wine region. While that's not wrong, seeing it as just a destination for vineyard-hopping would massively underplay the charms of this picturesque spot for a multi-faceted summer holiday. Few regions of Australia are as rich in natural beauty and densely populated with world-class dining options. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you make the most of your trip to Gourmet Escape. Here are the best options for what to eat, what to do and where to stay during the feasting fest. [caption id="attachment_632002" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elements Margaret River.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK If you're looking to make the most of Gourmet Escape, be sure to plan ahead — you'll find there are more than just a few fringe events and degustations you'll want to find. This year's all-star program corrals top chefs like Andrew McConnell (Supernormal, Supernormal Canteen, Cumulus Inc.), David Thompson (Long Chim), Guillaume Brahimi (Bistro Guillaume), Clayton Wells (Automata) and Paul Carmichael (Momofuku Seiobo). There is also the option to simply kick back in idyllic surrounds and sip some local tipples. Outside of the festival, Saturday mornings in Margaret River see the buzzing Margaret River Farmers' Market set up with dozens of stalls offering all kinds of local baked goods, fruits, vegetables, flowers, chocolates and wines. It's an ideal spot to stock up on supplies for a beach picnic, as is the gourmet deli located at Smiths Beach at Lamont's winery. This coastal favourite is also a great spot for a laidback brunch with an all-day menu split in two — offering brekkie eats like buttermilk pancakes and shakshuka or lunchtime bites like pork rillette and spaghettini with walnut sauce. [caption id="attachment_642075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Margaret River Farmers' Market.[/caption] An iconic restaurant of the region, the acclaimed Cape Lodge's menu revolving around local produce attracts many to the area — everyone from Bill Clinton to Katy Perry has stopped off at this famed lakeside restaurant. On any given visit, you might find Western Australian options like marron from Donnybrook, mussels from Safety Bay or Exmouth prawns. And if you're after a more casual option, White Elephant Beach Café — who'll also be among the many local dining options in attendance at Gourmet Escape — is located ideally overlooking the boat ramp at Gnarabup beach and pumps out great coffee and classic all-day breakfast options like bircher muesli and smashed pumpkin on sourdough. [caption id="attachment_642073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peta Hopkins via Flickr.[/caption] DO Along with great eats, there's also plenty of entertainment on offer at Gourmet Escape. Matt Okine will do his food and comedy thing, DJ sets from the likes of Hugo Gruzman (Flight Facilities) and Triple J's Tom Tilley will be held throughout and locals San Cisco will headline the closing night party. So plan to have a boogie or two during your visit. Spending some time in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is also an absolute must. Named as a world biodiversity hotspot by the World Wildlife Foundation, the region's unusual climate and soil profile means it's home to a dazzling variety of colourful wildflowers, many of which are rarely seen elsewhere. Look out for the likes of blue grass lilies, spider orchids and crimson one-sided bottle brush. The very keen hikers may want to tackle the famous Cape to Cape Track, a 135-kilometre walk which hugs the coastline. For everyone else, there are many options to drop in on the track for much shorter walks. [caption id="attachment_642066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mammoth Cave.[/caption] The area is also notable for its limestone cliff and crystal caves. You can enter a network of caves at CaveWorks, just south of Margaret River. A narrow staircase leads you down into the most spectacular of the underground hollows, the giant Lake Cave, which includes an ethereal sunken forest. A rare example of an 'actively dripping' cave, it's like something taken from the pages of a fairytale. Further natural beauty is found in the region's string of stunning beaches, which include Hamelin's Bay, a photogenic stretch of white sand and blue-green water where stingrays weave their way through bathers. The popular Smiths Beach is another gorgeous part of the coastline, while Prevelly Beach, where Margaret River meets the ocean, is home to professional surfing events. STAY Riverglen Chalets offers a range of boutique accommodation options, with everything from studios to larger chalets for up to eight people. Best of all, it's set amongst seven acres of lush, green natural surrounds with a picturesque pond and towering gum trees. In a seemingly secluded location, the chalets are only a few minutes from town proper. Grab a breakfast hamper from the festival and head back to the chalets and start the day with an al fresco feast. Old Dairy Cottage is a quirky, character-filled option, proudly wearing its heritage as a pioneering district farm, but also including all the modern amenities. The light, airy accommodation is designed to make the most of the summer sun. Hilltop Studios also splits the difference between pastoral living and pure luxury; their designed accommodation comes with an award-winning chef on site and views of rolling hills and rugged countryside from your bathtub. For something entirely different, Conto offers a range of camping options alongside the winding coastline and peppermint woodland. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option or just like the idea of waking up to the sound of roaring waves, it's perfect a way to experience a truly spectacular part of the country. Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2017 takes place in the Margaret River region from November 16 to 19. Top image: Elements Margaret River. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
Pups usually get all the cafe fun, but New Yorkers have saved some coffee for the kitties. In one of the most Internet-anticipated cafe openings in NYC since Dominique Ansel's cronut shop, Purina One's pop-up Cat Cafe takes pet friendly to the next level, with cat'achinos aplenty. Populated with sixteen outrageously squeal-inducing adoptable cats from the North Shore Animal League, the Cat Cafe has everything your tabby could want in a downtown hotspot: multiplatformed towers, little mouse things on sticks, and All The Pats. You can take Duchess, Zander or Sushi to a good home after you've chilled out together over free pastries and cat'achinos with feline face latte art. Photos and bios of the adoptable fuzzies are framed proudly on the walls, or you can meet the crew over here. Sitting at 168 Bowery in lower Manhattan, the pop-up Cat Cafe is open from today for four days until April 27. Taking home a Health Department Sanitary Inspection Grade of "A", the cafe sits in its own space sectioned off from the kitty hang zone and can hold up to 65 cat-loving punters. Sure to follow the lead of Every Other NYC Opening, queues are expected down the block and to be solidly represented on Instagram. Nothing stops a New Yorker from lining up. Purina's Niky Roberts told Gothamist that the cat food company wanted to raise awareness of feline health issues and get some furry faces adopted in the meantime, simultaneously promoting their healthy cat food. With no other plans to open another cat cafe at present (or one in Australia, dayum), Purina are open to the possibility. For everyone not in NYC sipping cat'achinos and making buds with Duchess, it's going to be on Livestream a la Pandacam. Via Gothamist. Images by Tod Seelie.
When you spend your childhood working in the family seafood eatery, growing up to become a restaurateur yourself is hardly surprising. Neither is running your own joints that sling the ocean's finest. That's Michael Tassis' story, starting at his dad's George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant in Sanctuary Cove, also including Eagle Street's now-closed Fatcow Steak & Lobster, and now continuing over to Fosh at Portside. First announced in 2022, locked in for a winter opening back in July and officially open since Thursday, August 17, Fosh doesn't just sling fish, prawns, scallops, bugs, oysters and the like — it does so by the river, and with impressive views. Here, peering at the water while enjoying fresh lobster and doing caviar bumps is firmly on the menu. So is hitting up the island bar and enjoying the fireplace's warmth (when the weather calls for it) at this 700-square-metre spot. Tassis is also behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Massimo Restaurant and Yamas Greek + Drink, and has overwater restaurant and bar Bombora and landing cafe Mulga Bill's on the way 2024 in Kangaroo Point's new green bridge, plus steak venue Rich & Rare in West End's West Village this September. So, variety is in his wheelhouse along with seafood. As a result, it also shouldn't come as shock that Fosh is two venues in one. Fancy a more casual experience? Fosh Tails does fish and chips in a more relaxed setting, complete with picnic tables. Fosh's menu starts with whipped taramasalata and fish finger sandwiches among the snacks, those caviar bumps with optional vodka and champagne, and a raw seafood lineup heroing oysters. From there, it moves onto prawn cocktails, barbecue squid and Hokkaido scallops as starters, then mains such as dry-aged fish, Moreton Bay bugs with spaghetti, pan-seared snapper and one-kilogram servings of black mussels. The live seafood range features rock lobster and mud crabs. Or, pick from both cold and hot platters keep serving up catches from the sea. If you're after a different source of protein, spiced lamb ribs sit among the small plates, and twice-cooked chicken, a couple of steaks and smoked eggplants are among the larger options. From a kitchen team that includes Head Chef Vikash Gurung (Greca, Fatcow Steak & Lobster, Rico Bar and Dining, and Jellyfish) and sous chef Daniel Hernandez (Agnes, Restaurant Dan Arnold and La Cache à Vin), dessert picks span a cheese selection and chocolate cake with raspberry gel, plus lemon tart and creme caramel with orange segments. At Fosh Tails, patrons can choose from grilled, beer-battered, crumbed or coconut fish of the day, cod, snapper, barramundi, ocean trout or coral trout. The chips come with kombu salt and mayonnaise, and the potato scallops with curry mayo and curry leaves. There are also fish sandwiches, fish bowls, both fish and wagyu burgers, buckets of fresh prawns, beer-battered prawns and chips, oysters and calamari — so, levelled-up takeaway fish-shop fare. Images: Blank Studios / Markus Ravik.
Not even Australia's balmy December temperatures can keep us from embracing the ironic ugly Christmas sweater trend. Christmas in July is here again, my friends, and so too is the Colonel's line of OTT Yuletide-themed pullovers for another year. Yep, KFC has just dropped its 2023 Christmas jumper range — and, like in 2022, there's a matching outfit for the furry mate in your life, too. Available to snap up now, the limited-edition designs are primed for cheesy family photos, rocking a cheery red-and-white pattern and emblazoned with a cheeky nod to fried chicken: "Tis The Seasonings". Both the human sweaters ($60) and the pet versions ($40) come in a range of sizes, so you're sure to find a good fit no matter how hard you — or Murphy— have gone on the winter comfort food this year. What's more, there's zero shame to be felt in this daggy knitwear purchase, since all profits from the jumpers are going to support KFC's charity partners such as The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. 2023's range also includes socks ($25) — if you're all about business on top and a party on your feet — and a black long-sleeved jumper ($60) that's a bit more subtle in its seasonal cheer (although KFC buckets and drumsticks still feature). And if the matchy-matchy outfits have left you and your pooch really wanting to cash in on that Christmas in July spirit, KFC is also doing festive food specials until Tuesday, July 11. KFC's 2023 Christmas in July sweaters are available to buy online, costing $60 for the human jumpers and $40 for pets.
Home to the oldest vines in Australia, the Barossa Valley is renowned worldwide for its bold and beautiful wines. In particular, it's the rich jammy reds with complexity, texture and tannin structure that have contributed heavily to this reputation. It's in this region that Krondorf Wines lives, the estate making shapes to become the next go-to premium wine producer — a fact exemplified deliciously with the release of its 2023 five-bottle collection. The Krondorf story actually begins in 1847. The hamlet was founded by a collection of people from Silesia — what is now Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic — and among them notable wine families that regularly show up on standout wine lists and bottle shop shelves across the world: Henschke, Lehmann and Nitschke. The intrepid group named their newfound home Krondorf, meaning 'crown village' in German. Today the custodians of the Krondorf legacy, under the watchful eye of chief winemaker Nick Badrice, are realising the potential of their vines with consistently award-winning drops. The ripe bottles here showcase the best of the Barossa style, perfectly illustrated in the five-strong 2023 collection. Crafted with the traditional minimalistic approach, the 2023 release includes an ultra-expressive grenache, an intense but structured cab sav and a rich and robust shiraz. The standout of the collection is the winery's newest Icon wine: the aptly named King's Mantle Shiraz. It's described as having a luscious palate, evocative of juicy black forest fruits and plums, with an earthy liquorice undertone and velvety tannins — you're going to pay a pretty penny to taste it at $150 a bottle. If you're in the area, carve out some time to visit the cellar door and wine bar. With pouring beginning in 2021, the spot's housed inside a converted heritage-listed flour mill from the 1800s. You can taste your way through the whole range — including the 2023 collection — with a bespoke wine flight or set tasting that can be happily tailored to personal taste. For those that like nibbles with their tipples, the cellar door slings artisan pizzas as well as cheese and charcuterie boards (with the option to add on Maggie Beer's premium nosh and other local produce, too). Krondorf Winery's 2023 collection is a true celebration of the winery's history and dedication to producing wines that speak to the wonders of the locale. If you're heading to this bucolic South Australian region, the cellar door is a must-visit. But if you can't make it, we suggest you peruse the 2023 collection online, choose your libation and have it sent direct — truly stellar sipping guaranteed. Concrete Playground travelled to the Barossa Valley as a guest of Krondorf Wines. Book your Krondorf cellar door tasting experience here. The cellar door is open Monday – Saturday, 12–7pm and Sunday from 12–5pm.
Your tweets might be entertaining sometimes, but are they a narrative? A virtual page-turner? A form-bending flight of fancy? They could be, if you flex your fingers and join in the 2014 Twitter Fiction Festival. Friends, strangers and your favourite authors are using Twitter for their latest literary endeavours, right now until March 16. The best part is that, as with the recent Digital Writers' Festival, no travelling is required to get to it; it is entirely virtual and takes place on the platform it embraces, Twitter. While there are a select group of official participants — famous authors plus 25 contest winners — all Twitter users are encouraged to participate. Festival organisers (a grouping of American publishers) encourage everyone to use the hashtag #twitterfiction and make their stories easy to find for other users. The short stories call on many of the distinct features of Twitter. Users can collaborate, create multiple different character accounts, and incorporate pictures and videos into their fiction. Teju Cole recently wrote a story entirely through retweets. Ranging from romance stories to crime stories to the inner erotic thoughts of Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey, the 2014 Twitter Fiction Festival has something to offer everyone, particularly because these stories are so easily digestible. One fictional account is tweeting a new book of the Bible entitled #TheBookOfBieb. It recounts the rise and fall of the younger brother of Jesus, Justin Bieber. Alternatively, author Alma Katsu will be exploring what happens when a dead man's Twitter account seemingly comes back to life. Whether you're in the mood for a story about a tense hostage stand-off or need someone to relate to while you're stuck at the airport, finding fiction can be done by perusing the #twitterfiction hashtag or by checking the official Twitter Fiction Festival account to see what they're retweeting. Inspired to write your own Twitter fiction story? Get started on your own story with the Twitter Fiction tweet generator. If you just want to read, check out the program for more information. Via The Millions.
What do Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night and Sunflowers, Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa all have in common? Yes, they're all masterpieces. Yes, they all hail from iconic talents. And yes, they're all works that art lovers need to see in-person with their own eyes. Here's something else that they each share: they've all received the Lego treatment, letting you build them yourself, then hang them on your own wall. Lego has announced that Sunflowers is the latest great work to get turned into plastic bricks — and the latest reason that your own home can hold its own with the world's greatest galleries. The company's art range not only lets you display stunning art in your own house, but gets you recreating these masterpieces, too. To construct van Gogh's rendering of golden flowers, you'll be using 2615 blocks. Releasing on Saturday, March 1, 2025, but available to preorder already (for AU$299.99 and NZ$349.99), the new kit is a collaboration between Lego and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Together, they've designed a set that reimagines Sunflowers with 3D bricks, using the blocks to help convey brushstrokes, plus light and shade — and they've also fashioned a Lego creation that isn't small. The finished piece measures 54 centimetres in height and 41 centimetres in width, so you really will want to find the right space to display it. As you construct Sunflowers, you'll be putting together the painting's 16 sunflowers, all with adjustable petals, as well as a removable frame. The kit comes with a hanger, too, alongside a tile with the artist's signature. Lego and the Van Gogh Museum are also dropping a podcast via LEGO.com, YouTube and Spotify on Saturday, March 1, which'll chat through both the artwork's history and the Lego set's design — and is recommended listening while you build. "Working on one of the world's most-famous paintings can be quite daunting, but recreating Sunflowers has been a dream come true. We collaborated closely with the Van Gogh Museum and its experts, delving into the details to meticulously craft a 3D version of the original artwork," said LEGO Designer Stijn Oom. " One of the most challenging yet crucial aspects was translating the impasto effect into Lego bricks while preserving the painting's asymmetrical yet balanced composition. We are incredibly proud of the result and hope our fans enjoy building it as much as we enjoyed bringing Van Gogh's masterpiece to life." For more information about Lego's new Sunflowers kit, which goes on sale on Down Under on Saturday, March 1, 2025 — but is available to preorder already — head to the company's website.
