Most of us know that bananas are chock-full of goodness, from loads of potassium to energy-boosting carbs primed for when we're getting active. But these yellow wonders can do more than just keep your hunger at bay, as this new nationwide event reveals. This month, Australian Bananas is teaming up with four-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ariarne Titmus to launch the Banana Swim Pass — your free ticket to 70 participating pools around the country for one day only on Wednesday, January 21. Following October's Banana Gym Pass, this summer-inspired alternative is perfect for those keen to power through a few laps or enjoy a laidback splash about. To score your free dip, simply buy a banana from any local grocer and bring it along to your nearest participating swim centre — head to the website to find yours. "The Banana Swim Pass initiative is a fun way to encourage Australians of all ages to jump in and enjoy the benefits of getting active in the water," says Titmus. "I love that everyone can rock up with a banana and get in for free. Grab a banana, hit the pool, and make your body swim!"
Just about every membership to Saint Haven's three Melbourne wellness clubs sold out before they opened — at one point, its first site in Collingwood had more than 15,000 people on its waiting list. The luxury private wellness club concept is clearly a winner, with an apparently stressed-out Melbourne experiencing something of a boom in spaces to either relax or re-energise. And sure, membership for Saint Haven clubs aren't cheap, but it does give you access to a stack of luxury wellness amenities. The clubs are home to thermal pools, hammams, saunas, coworking spaces, restaurants, fitness studios, and a barber and hairdresser. The Toorak club even has a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and cryotherapy equipment. It's absolutely next-level stuff. And the Gurner Group, which runs these clubs, has huge expansion plans. The next growth phase is headlined by the launch of SAINT, a new private wellness club concept that's made for a younger clientele. Two SAINT venues are already under construction, with the first set to open in St Kilda in late September this year. SAINT will be similar to Saint Haven, in that there will be many spaces to relax and unwind, but here, there will be a stronger focus on what it's calling "high-octane classes" and "social connectivity". On arrival, members will first enter The Portal — a sensory cube — and choose either white for relaxation mode or black for high-energy mode. The cube will then transform accordingly and set the mood for the wellness journey that follows. On the white level, you'll find a lobby bar, a coworking space, retail, a wholefoods bar, a breathwork studio, and a recovery and reverse-aging treatment facility featuring infrared saunas, hyperbaric oxygen chambers and more. Everything on this floor is designed for those seeking to unwind and relax. Those looking for the high-energy experience will need to head down to the basement to the black level. Here, the lights dim and the music changes as rotating DJs play upbeat tunes. Members can hang out in The Den, which is a large sunken lounge area where members are invited to socialise or watch a movie. This floor also houses a gym floor and six distinct studios for fitness classes ranging from meditation and yoga to a weights room and boxing studio. Members also have the opportunity to use WHOOP watch wearable tech that syncs with the SAINT app, giving trainers access members' health data so they can create tailored health programs. Gurner Group Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner commented: "Our first club concept, Saint Haven, was created to help stressed and tired people surrender into a private space and leave feeling more aligned, calm and present. "SAINT is based on the same core premise but with the added opportunity to inject some high-octane performance-based classes and sensory-based classes, a new-world luxury bar to socialise to help you leave fired up and excited to take on the world." The St Kilda SAINT site is set to open in September this year, but the Gurner Group isn't stopping there. It plans to open ten SAINT sites by the end of 2026 and a further 25–30 globally by 2030. The first SAINT club will open this September in St Kilda. To apply for membership, visit the venue's website.
The summer festival season was marked by tragedy this past weekend, when a suspected mass-overdose event saw a fatality at techno festival Dreamstate and another six attendees hospitalised, with one in a critical condition at the time of writing. This follows a warning issued early last week about high-dose MDMA tablets in circulation in NSW that were detected to contain synthetic stimulants. While a police investigation into the event is still underway, NSW Health has confirmed its commitment to working with festival organisers to ensure the festival was as safe as possible. A spokesperson for the government organisation said, "A range of harm reduction initiatives are in place at festivals, including support and health promotion workers, health messaging, free chilled water, misting fans, chill-out spaces and well-equipped medical services," all of which are required by NSW law. However, the ABC confirmed that NSW's pill testing trial was not available at Dreamstate. [caption id="attachment_965220" align="aligncenter" width="1917"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] That pill-testing trial was a 12-month commitment that began in March of 2025, during which free, anonymous testing would be made available at up to 12 music festivals. As mentioned, Dreamstate was not on the list of participating festivals — however, Laneway Festival, which took place the day after, was the eleventh and most recent festival to take part. Run on the ground with staff from the harm-prevention organisation NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), the program was not a commitment to a fixed testing site, but a case-by-case trial of mobile testing planned by NSW Health with the music festival industry and harm-reduction organisations. Because this is a case-by-case offering, not every major festival has participated in the trial. Discussing the tragedy at Dreamstate with the ABC, Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham, said these events were a reminder that pill testing allows health warnings to reach the public before they come into contact with dangerous substances, adding that "We really want to get the word out about the dangers here." Across NSW's test program and national drug-testing services, there is an acknowledgment that illicit substances will always be present in the live music scene, and that festivals should prioritise patrons' safety through free, anonymous, on-site testing, free from prosecution. The program in NSW uses rapid testing technology, allowing patrons to present substances to testing staff, who will, in turn, provide information about what is present in the sample and its potency when applicable, and tailored advice on how to reduce risk if patrons still intend to consume the substance, or safe disposal methods if they decide not to. In 2024, a study published by Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann, from Monash University's Department of Forensic Medicine, revealed that between 2000 and 2019, 64 drug-related fatalities occurred at Australian live music events. According to a 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household survey, 64 percent of Australians support drug checking services as a whole, not exclusive to festivals. So, what are state governments actually doing about it? Canberra led the charge, opening CanTest, the country's first fixed pill-testing site in 2022, with funding to operate until June 2027. Victoria opened its first permanent pill-testing facility in August 2025, alongside a mobile testing program that saw 65 percent of participants have their first-ever harm-reduction conversation. On the opposite side of the conversation, Queensland pulled funding for its two fixed testing sites in Brisbane and the Gold Coast last April, before banning pill testing outright in September. In the NT, the ABC reported in 2021 that 73 percent of surveyed festivalgoers supported pill testing, but no government actions have been taken to enact it. In Tasmania, the state government remains opposed to pill testing rollouts despite 65 percent of voters calling for the services to be made available. That negative sentiment is shared by state governments in South and Western Australia, who remain firmly opposed to pill testing. [caption id="attachment_965685" align="aligncenter" width="1917"] Jordan K Munns[/caption] Government sentiment aside, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation reports that in almost all cases, pill testing trials have led to less consumption of potentially dangerous drugs and greater awareness of the risks involved in drug use. Additionally, the ADF highlighted that public support for pill testing has steadily been rising across the nation in the last decade, so what's going to happen next in NSW? The NSW Government will seemingly still conclude the testing trial next month, following appearances at Yours and Owls, HTID, Field Day, Lost Paradise, EPIK, Hypersonic, Strawberry Fields, Knockout Outdoor, Hyperdome, Midnight Mafia and Laneway. But currently, the program home page does not outline where the trial will conclude, nor has the NSW government announced any intention to extend the trial or establish a fixed testing site from April 2026 onwards, leaving safety to the individuals for the foreseeable future. If you or anyone you know would like more information or harm-prevention support in NSW, the Alcohol and Drug Information Service provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs. Alternatively, PeerLine is a confidential peer-support service that offers support, referrals and individual advocacy, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Sport in Melbourne is definitely one of those culturally ingrained things that is a very big deal to most, and chances are you have a team you find yourself getting invested in, particularly over a few beers at the pub. Whether you're a casual follower or a professional who weeps regularly and loudly over your chosen ones' performance, sometimes your lounge room just doesn't make the cut – and neither does that tray of frozen chips you popped in the oven. Help yourself and your team out by picking a good venue to watch the game, be it AFL, NRL, soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball or boxing. Check out the list below to find the best Melbourne sports bars and pubs that play the big games with the volume turned right up, so everyone can get around the action. Recommended reads: The Best Pubs in Melbourne The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Bars in Melbourne's CBD The Best Beer Gardens in Melbourne
Wine bars from the likes of well-established restaurants are documented enough to be a trend, but what differentiates Scopri's fun younger sibling Bar Olo from the rest is the equal focus it places on food and drink. Part luxurious curtains once you step into the doorway and be transported into a warm, cosy space that can house up to 40 people and has plenty of timber finishings. The food menu isn't overly long, but there's enough on it to warrant return visits. The standout prawn tramezzini — an Italian sandwich featuring soft, crustless white bread enlivened by salsa rosa and fried tropea onion — is a must-order, as are the deceptively simple vegetable medley with bagna cauda dip. For something more decadent, try the fritto misto with chilli salt and the lasagna croquette. Mains encompass both pastas and meat dishes, with tagliatelle with osso buco ragu and agnolotti del plin sitting alongside crumbed King George whiting and saltimbocca skewers garnished with a fried sage crumb. Wine choices encased in a leather-bound booklet borrow heavily from Italy, particularly the northwestern Piemonte region, while the inventive cocktails include the Barolo Sour — an Italian take on a pisco sour — the Amaro Dacquiri and the Sangiovese Bramble. Images: Vanessa Claire Photography.
This year Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Sara Landry and Dominic Fike are headlining a nearly sold out Spilt Milk alongside a roster of insane acts like ScHoolboy Q, Sombr, Nessa Barrett and more. Of course, Jim Beam are back at Spilt Milk again helping to deliver on one of the year's best festival experiences to bring you and your mates together. If you missed out on tickets when they dropped in May, Jim Beam have got you covered. [caption id="attachment_1040567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] We have four sets of two VIP tickets up for grabs (for your nearest Spilt Milk location) with a Top Shelf upgrade, plus a money can't buy side of stage experience*. You can use the tickets at your closest Spilt Milk stop and even bring your mate along. To enter, just complete the form below. And, the good times keep rolling. If you've got tickets to Canberra and Ballarat, you can also crash the Jim Beam Mates Confessional and score a whole host of prizes. To free you from the guilt for past flaky friend discretions, simply step into the confession booth hosted by Will Gibb and drop the lore of the most diabolical reason you have ever flaked on your mates. Will will hear you out and determine what prize you're up for. You could be looking at VIP upgrades, merch and more. To get involved, look out for the Jim Beam Mates Confessional and bar at Spilt Milk Ballarat or Canberra from 2 - 5pm. Don't worry, that leaves you plenty of time to confess your flakiest excuses, score a prize, and catch the headliners. [competition]1040682[/competition] *Side of stage access is dependent on availability. Best enjoyed together, visit Jim Beam's website for more information.
Greenhart Wine Bar on Toorak Road was your classic neighbourhood vino-sipping spot. The team paired its natural wines with small, sustainably sourced plates or Euro-centric food — a tried-and-true combo. Even though it made so much sense for the area, it shut down in 2023 and was taken over by Benjamin Ruan (Benjamin's Kitchen). Instead of going down the common Melbourne wine bar route that's mostly about European influences, he decided to put his own pan-Asian stamp on the new Greenhart in Camberwell. So, instead of pairing a riesling with fresh oysters, say, you can match it with a serving of handmade chicken and prawn wontons in a warming bowl of vegetable broth. And forget your cheese platters and charcuterie boards — instead, change it up with soft-shell crab sliders, san choi bao and curry puffs. Larger dishes are also available, including a crispy rockling elevated with a ginger, soy and sake sauce; sticky pork belly with chilli caramel and crushed pineapple; roasted duck glazed with hoisin and whisky; or the signature green chicken curry with grilled eggplant and oyster mushrooms. Many of these eats are favourites from the original Benjamin's Kitchen in Alphington, and Ruan has adapted them for a wine bar setting. As for the wine, the list is a mostly Aussie affair, with a few drops from Italy and France thrown in for good measure. For a wine bar, the wine list could be a bit longer, but it's still early days for Greenhart Camberwell. A healthy selection of spirits, Australian and Japanese beers, and cocktails are also up for grabs. Tuck into all of these offerings inside at the bar or by the window to watch folks wander down Toorak Road, or head to the secluded courtyard out back when the sun is shining. It's great to see a Melbourne wine bar stray away from the usual European aesthetic, and instead showing how contemporary Asian food and Aussie wines are a perfect pairing.
Wellness has been trending more social and more luxurious in recent times, but no one is combining these elements to the same degree as the Gurner Group. While its Saint Haven wellness clubs and SAINT private members' club are already ludicrously lavish, the forthcoming launch of SAINT Black in South Melbourne is pushing the concept to greater heights. Larger and more exclusive than anything that's come before, wellness meets social connection in pure opulence. Inspired by New York City's rooftop fitness scene, where wellness and atmosphere fuse amid high-rise escapes, expect a similarly upscale encounter that shifts mood when day becomes night. If the sun is up, world-class wellness is the focus, with high-energy and design-led experiences elevating performance. Yet once dusk descends, the sprawling space becomes a dynamic, social sanctuary that invites its well-heeled clientele to rub shoulders. With the first SAINT private social club launching in St Kilda last year, this enhanced concept is double the size and offers uncompromising amenities from top to bottom. For instance, the South Melbourne experience is headlined by a stunning outdoor rooftop pool framed by handcrafted barrel saunas. Meanwhile, the club will level up the ambience with design details inspired by ancient bathhouses and the mystique of private clubs. Spanning a sensory members-only entrance, an adaptogenic and kava bar, and a wholefood-driven restaurant, the fitness offering is just as plush, with 200 classes each week across reformer pilates, yoga, meditation, strength training and more. Plus, guests will have access to the latest recovery and anti-ageing technology, from cryotherapy and red-light treatment to hyperbaric oxygen facilities. While the SAINT Black concept is already a level above the Gurner Group's other experiences, the South Melbourne location will also offer an elite membership tier that unlocks even more amenities. Situated on Level 7, this VIP area includes access to the rooftop pool, saunas and terrace, not to mention a full bio-hacking suite, where the upper crust can set about boosting their wellness to stratospheric levels. "SAINT Black is not just a wellness or social club — it's a statement. It brings a rebellious energy into a space usually defined by restraint. It's where intensity meets introspection, and high-performance meets high design," says Tim Gurner, founder of the Gurner Group. "SAINT is pumping from 6am through until 9pm and people can spend entire days and nights in our club, combining training and recovery with business pursuits, nutrition and socialising." SAINT Black South Melbourne is expected to open in July and is now accepting membership applications. Head to the website for more information.
If the name Zoncello sounds familiar, it's likely because you enjoyed a glass (or two, or three) of the bubbly, yellow-tinted, too-easy-to-drink Limoncello spritz over the summer. The famed Italian sparkling fizz is so popular that it has now found its own home in Healesville, with Zoncello Yarra Valley opening its doors. The new Yarra Valley drinking and dining destination is the second outpost from the group behind Zonzo Estate, which has been in the works for over ten years. Zonzo Estate Director Rod Micallef says of Zonzo's playful little sibling, "Zoncello is a natural extension of the brand. It's about energy, connection and indulgence. Just like our spritzes, the venue is designed to be fun, vibrant, and a little bit brazen, while still deeply rooted in Italian tradition." Zoncello has taken over the large industrial-style venue that housed Innocent Bystander for many years, which has been reimagined by interior designer Claire Larrit Evans. The brief — to create a space as "effervescent as the drinks themselves" — was met with a layered colour palette of vibrant, summery tones, and surprising textures and finishes. There are inviting booths that lend themselves to boozy long lunches, extended communal tables perfect for large groups and private dining rooms suited to host lively celebrations. Larrit Evans says she wanted the space to be "vibrant, warm and deeply considered. Zoncello had to be a destination in every sense, rewarding the journey to the Yarra Valley with an experience that feels immersive and memorable." The menu, designed by Executive Chef David Petrilli, was created to be savoured alongside a fresh spritz in hand. The approachable and easy-to-share Italian menu features an impressive selection of cold cuts, as well as cheesy things and pickled goodies from the in-house salumeria. There is everything from wagyu bresaola to truffle and squid ink salami, to local buffalo mozzarella, dry-cured black olives and Roman artichokes. While picking at these snacks, alongside a few share plates — we'd go for the charred rye toast with confit tomato and anchovies, the Sicilian fried chicken with chilli and pickled zucchini, and the eggplant croquettes — you could easily down a bottle or two of Zoncello. While you're at it, try the green-hued, world-first Cicchio Pistachio Spritz. If you're after something more substantial, there is woodfired pizza, handmade pasta, mains and sides, and Zoncello's signature dish, arrosticini. These skewers of lamb or chicken are cooked over white eucalyptus charcoal, a specialty originating in Italy's Abruzzo region. There is also an 'Italian Party' sharing menu, if you want to sample the best the kitchen has to offer, which is definitely the easy option for large groups. Images: Andersen Studios.
Everything in nature is intertwined — and that includes us. Now you can experience this interconnected reality at Our Wondrous Planet, the largest permanent gallery built in Melbourne Museum's history. Following two years of intensive research, planning and construction, this landmark multi-sensory experience is ready to open its doors on Saturday, September 20. Spread across 1800 square metres, the gallery delves into four distinct ecosystems — reef, rainforest, ice and soil — exploring how each forms part of a thriving global network and plays a fundamental role in supporting life on Earth. Perfect for visitors of all ages, guests will feel immersed in the world's incredible natural environments. "Our Wondrous Planet will share compelling stories that ignite a sense of awe at the extraordinary spectacle and fantastic improbability of life on earth," says Museums Victoria CEO and Director Lynley Crosswell. "Museums Victoria's unique collections and expertise are artfully showcased in this extraordinary and beautiful experience." Throughout this vast gallery, you'll find yourself soaring through lush rainforest canopies, getting swept up in globetrotting atmospheric currents and connecting to the intricate root networks beneath the soil. According to Crosswell, Our Wondrous Planet is all about exploring "a subject as epic and vast as the natural history of the interconnected planet." Of course, the countless species we share the planet with haven't been overlooked. In the 'Our Family' space, guests will discover the human connection to all other living things through a dynamic tree of life. Meanwhile, a reflective First Peoples-led space, Our Roots, delves into connection to Country through immersive soundscapes. Finally, Our Wondrous Planet looks to the future in the Our Moment space. Brimming with multi-media experiences, it encourages visitors to work together to address the planet's greatest climatic issues, highlighting how even the smallest acts can make a difference. "Our Wondrous Planet will be an incredible addition to the Melbourne Museum," says Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks. "This new permanent gallery will educate, entertain and challenge us all to consider our natural world and our place in it." Our Wondrous Planet opens at Melbourne Museum on Saturday, September 20. Head to the website for more information. Images: Eugene Hyland.
Ever set foot in a venue and wondered, 'How?'. How did they transform the idea from a dream on a napkin into a café, bar or restaurant that gets people through the door time and time again? This is the thinking behind In Service, a new on-demand masterclass platform made for current and future hospitality owners. Created by the business solution experts Square, the free learning resource dives straight into the reality of running a hospitality business from the people who have done it themselves. From scaling to staff, marketing to menus, In Service gives you practical lessons directly from the best in the Australian hospitality industry—the ones who have built (and sustained) successful venues. It's real business owners serving up real strategies. Who's involved? A number of influential hospitality owners are offering their knowledge and experience on In Service. [caption id="attachment_1032997" align="alignleft" width="1920"] In Service[/caption] At Fabbrica, what began as a line of retail pasta kits has evolved into multiple pasta bars across Sydney. In Fabbrica's lesson, Head Chef Scott and General Manager Marlon teach business owners how to diversify their revenue and the differences between retail and restaurant operations. CHAE is a home-based intimate dining experience in Melbourne. The Korean eatery serves only six guests per session, but the exclusivity has created a wait list of thousands. Co-owners Chae and Yoora share their insights on building a community and their growth strategies. [caption id="attachment_909508" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Bar Copains[/caption] One of Sydney's most beloved wine bars, Bar Copains, has stood out in a crowded market. In his lesson, co-owner Morgan teaches why every detail counts and the mindset that has guests coming back for more. MUCHO Group, the team behind bars including Bar Planet, The Cliff Dive, Centro 86 and more, have also offered their peer-to-peer advice. General Manager, Daisy, shares their tips on service and training staff. It's not just restaurants and bars teaching their lessons. Calibrate Coffee has created an elevated brand and venue that focuses on high-end beans. Co-founder Josh shares how to build a team as well as how to create an inviting (and efficient) space. [caption id="attachment_939881" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Centro 86[/caption] As well as practical lessons on how to run a venue and team, design studios SCCO and Worktones, and Tom Mark Henry have offered their expert tips on how to design a hospitality venue and build your business's identity. Whether you're an early-stage café owner trying to find your footing or a seasoned operator looking to sharpen your team, In Service is the free platform that lets you learn from the best in the business, and all at your own pace. Square empowers local businesses to thrive by making it easier to run, manage, and grow their operations. Find out how Square can help your business grow. Sign up for free at In Service. Lead image: In Service
There's something novel about soaking in a tub with no wall in front of you, no roof above you, and no worries if anyone will spoil the moment (or see you naked). It's romantic, relaxing, and the unfamiliar nature of bathing outdoors can be, lets face it, kind of exciting. This is especially true when your bath is paired with a glass of red and the knowledge that there's a roaring fire waiting for you inside the architecturally designed house you've found yourself in. So, to make your outdoor-bath dreams a reality, we've rounded up the most enviable houses in Australia that have particularly unique outdoor-bathing scenarios. Whether you fancy relaxing in a private Japanese bathhouse, a rustic metal tub perched on a farm's timber deck, or want to stargaze from a spa-bath in a mountain cave, we've got you covered. Read on for our top stays with next-level outdoor baths across Australia. Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in Australia The Best Glamping Sites in New Zealand The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia Liptrap Loft, Walkerville, Victoria This design-minded house combines Japanese architecture with rustic charm — it boasts a one-of-a-kind sunken indoor-outdoor Japanese bath in a traditional bathhouse that opens up to views of the surrounding property. From $406 a night, sleeps six. Wensley, Wensleydale, Victoria Built from recycled oregon and ironbark, this bespoke timber, architectural shed-like house is a bath-lovers paradise, with a deep indoor bath inside amongst the immaculately styled interiors, and a rustic metal bath on the wrap-around timber deck, perfect for cooling off on balmy evenings. From $995 a night, sleeps ten. Soul Wood Luxury Coast Cabin, Termeil, New South Wales Wake up to views of the bushland from this wooden tiny house. The dreamy outdoor bathtub is surrounded by tall native trees that will have you feeling completely immersed in the natural surroundings. From $300 a night, sleeps two. Woodlands Retreat, Porongurup, Western Australia Not a bath per-se, but the views this jacuzzi boasts earned itself an honourable mention. Just imagine sipping champagne with your pals and looking out over that deck submerged in steaming bubbly water, then slipping on a fluffy maroon robe to finish off the night — yes, please. From $438 a night, sleeps four. Stargazer, Beechmont, Queensland This property is enviable in every way, including a secluded location, cohesive architectural design, and a wood fire pizza oven for your entertaining needs. To top it all off, the uniquely positioned bath looks over the far-reaching countryside, taking your R&R weekend to the next level. From $278 a night, sleeps six. Secluded Studio, Byron Bay, New South Wales A designer retreat for two, complete with a glass-walled bathroom, secluded garden terrace and roomy outdoor tub to wash the salt off from a day spent in the sun and surf — it's a true hidden oasis, just minutes from the beach. From $400 a night, sleeps two. Boutique Retreat, Suffolk Park, New South Wales A cheery self-contained, beautifully styled apartment that's sure to win you over with its plush linens, palm-filled courtyard and massive pink stone outdoor tub for some quality soaking, drinking and reading. From $275 a night, sleeps two. The Enchanted Cave, Bilpin, New South Wales An actual clifftop cave, this unique couples' retreat is like something plucked from a storybook. Relax while enjoying dreamy views across the treetops from the large glass doors that open out from a deep spa bath. From $1140 a night, sleeps two. Seven Sisters Escarpment Views, Medlow Bath, New South Wales Tandem baths anyone? This mountaintop cottage feels worlds away from reality, especially when taking in the views from one of two gorgeous outdoor bathtubs. Be sure to cook dinner from the bush garden and cozy up in front of the wood fire on cooler nights. From $340 a night, sleeps four. Kestrel Nest Ecohut, Mount Adrahm New South Wales Halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, this eco-hut is nestled above a rocky mountain stream on the edge of rolling farmland and a conservation area. It features an outdoor bathtub, a fireplace and firepit, and a charming mix of timber and tiled interiors. From $460 a night, sleeps four. All photos courtesy of Airbnb. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Hospitality workers are the backbone of our cities' night-time economies. After serving us behind the bar or recommending the chef's special that'll have you coming back for more, hospitality workers also keep the city open and thriving post-shift. From the quiet corners to the go-to bars and late-night venues that look after the people who look after everyone else, we tapped a couple of hospitality legends on the shoulder to learn where they head once the kitchen closes. After all, the night-time economy is a significant part of the Australian lifestyle. The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, explores spending habits related to Australia's night-time economy, 32 percent of Australians consider going out "extremely" or "very important" to their lifestyle. It also found that nearly half of Australians go out after dark at least once a week, on average. Here's where the industry insiders in your city are heading. [caption id="attachment_810673" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Grana, Jiwon Kim[/caption] Alex Wong, Executive Chef at Hinchcliff House, Sydney: Lana, Grana, Apollonia, Bar Mammoni, Grana Privato CP: What do you love about the hospitality industry? Alex: I love this industry for the people and the lifestyle. I love being busy, being able to express myself through food, and working alongside like-minded people — there's a real sense of camaraderie and adrenaline that comes with it. You meet so many different people from all walks of life. It's given me confidence, taught me how to stand up for myself, and to grab every opportunity that comes my way. CP: Where do you head after a long shift? Alex: After a long shift or a big Saturday night, I love heading to Mamas on Pitt Street for some soju and supper — their fishcake soup hits perfectly in winter with a few bottles of soju. Super Bowl is another great late-night spot; their Hong Kong–style curry fish balls, noodles, and BBQ meats really slap. If there's time (and energy), a sneaky karaoke session after never hurts. CP: What's your favourite thing about your city after dark? Alex: I've always been a night owl. I love the calm that comes with night — and the little bit of chaos, too. Sydney after dark has so much to offer: great bars for a drink or nightcap, incredible restaurants and wine bars, or just soaking up the city lights. The Friday night Chinatown markets are a classic foodie stop, and walking across the Harbour Bridge at night never gets old. [caption id="attachment_1006447" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Baptist Street, Alana Dimou[/caption] Mahbub Hasan, CBD Precinct Bars Leader for House Made Hospitality, Sydney CP: What do you love about the hospitality industry? Mahbub: The chance to create moments that actually mean something to people. It's noticing small details, picking up on what someone needs without them having to ask, and making them feel looked after. I love that a bit of genuine care can turn a random interaction into a memory. There's something special about watching someone walk in tired and stressed from their day, and leave softer, lighter, and happier. That little shift, that connection, is the reason I keep showing up. CP: Where do you head after a long shift? Mahbub: After a late shift in the city, I love decompressing somewhere with soul. Often, that means making my way to Baptist Street Rec. Club in Redfern — great energy, familiar faces, and the perfect spot to shake off work mode. If I'm in the mood for a proper vibe shift, Disco Pantera hits the spot. It has music loud enough to reset your brain and cocktails good enough to make you forget how tired you are. When I want to stay closer to home, I keep it local. Sometimes it's The Vic on the Park, nothing fancy, just comfort and that Inner West feeling. Other nights I'll drift down Enmore Road. And there are nights where I just want to be home-adjacent, so I'll end up in Newtown. Bar Planet for a martini, or Silvers Motel for something slower. Those places remind me that there's a world outside of work. Real people, real community. CP: What's your favourite thing about your city after dark? Mahbub: Sydney at night feels like a different city. No suits, chaos drops away, and everything slows down. You start to notice things, little conversations, laughter spilling out of small bars, chefs and bartenders having their first breath of freedom outside the venue. It feels like a secret world that only exists after everyone else goes home, a world for the night people, hospitality people, and wanderers. [caption id="attachment_795639" align="alignleft" width="1920"] The Gresham, Millie Tang[/caption] Jaeden Ogston, Bartender, The Gresham, Brisbane CP: What do you love about the hospitality industry? Jaeden: I love hearing people's stories and enjoy the little moments of sonder. Hospitality, and especially working at The Gresham, allows me to meet and engage with such a diverse range of people that I would otherwise never meet. Whether they're regulars or just passing through, it's something really special to be able to connect and create memorable moments for people. CP: Where do you head after a long shift? Jaeden: Straight to Frogs Hollow. It's an authentic Country Saloon Bar that does good times perfectly. It's somewhere I know I can go to see familiar faces, and round out a long day with a 'hell yeah'. The bartenders provide some of the best hospitality in Brisbane and are among the most beautiful people I know. Frogs Hollow also has a rad bourbon selection and Brisbane's best XXXX Gold on tap. Other than that, it'd be Savile Row in Fortitude Valley (just look for the orange door). It's an awesome London-esque speakeasy-style bar that has a back-bar for days. It's cosy yet uptempo, and once again, the staff are not only legends of their trade but also wonderful people themselves. Whilst you're on that side of town, also check out Barry Parade Public House, which just celebrated its first anniversary. The owner, Dan, used to be my boss at The Gresham, and he's taken his love of vintage spirits, classic cocktails and soul food, and he and co-owner Brennan have made it into a beautiful, neighbourhood bar. [caption id="attachment_946892" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Frogs Hollow[/caption] CP: What's your favourite thing about your city after dark? Jaeden: Brisbane, in the grand scheme of things, is still a small city. What's beautiful about this is that if I ever just feel like going out and exploring and seeing where the night takes me, I know I'll bump into a familiar face on either side of the bar. Also, you can walk to almost everything... and whatever vibe you're looking for, whether it's a dive, speakeasy, jazz club or brewery, it's right at your fingertips. [caption id="attachment_932926" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Dear Saint Eloise[/caption] Frankie Stanley, Events and Marketing Manager at The London Hotel, Sydney CP: What do you love about the hospitality industry? Frankie: I love that hospitality is all about people! Meeting people, connecting with them, and being part of their day or night. It's fast, unpredictable and addictive in the best way. Unlike many office jobs, you might be running up 48 flights of stairs on a random Monday, but there is nothing more satisfying than the energy when a room is full of happy people and everything is running smoothly. CP: Where do you head after a long shift? Frankie: After a long shift, I love going to Potts Point or Darlinghurst to their many small wine bars. There's so much love in what they offer, and the vibes are always on point. Caravin and Dear Saint Eloise, both in Potts Point and The Waratah in Darlinghurst, are favourites! Gorgeous food, sexy drinks, and incredible staff. CP: What's your favourite thing about your city after dark? Frankie: I love Sydney after dark, especially as we move into summer. Longer days, warm nights, and everyone wanting to be out and about. With more councils approving outdoor seating, the city finally feels like it's leaning into that European, sit-out-and-soak-it-in vibe. The London just got its parklet approved after nine months and it has completely lifted the vibe. It's brought so much life to the street. I hope we see more of this across Sydney to keep nightlife thriving. Emma Sheahan, Front of House Manager, Lumen People, Melbourne CP: What do you love about the hospitality industry? Emma: Having guests sit at my table and connecting with them. I love meeting so many interesting people and working side by side with them. CP: Where do you head after a long shift? Emma: Brico or Lulie Tavern. Brico's food and wine are exceptional. What brings me back time and time again is their hospitality. I always walk in and feel immediate relief. I'm home. I'm cared for, no matter who I bring or why I'm there, they'll take care of us. Lulie is the champion of Melbourne music and community. It's been a huge part of my social life. Engagements, special birthdays, celebrations and sad times: Lulie always has a seat for you! The burgers are also really good. [caption id="attachment_868486" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Jake Roden[/caption] CP: What's your favourite thing about your city after dark? Emma: Melbourne's live music. I love living in a city big enough to support so many incredibly talented artists. Discover the vibe near you. Lead image credit: Bar Planet
No one's denying a meat pie and a box of chips hit hard at the footy. But that doesn't mean you can't indulge in something a little more refined from time to time. Enter Stoke-Grill, the latest addition to the Premium Members Dining offering within the Medallion Club at Marvel Stadium. Guided by the same team behind beachy dining institutions Stokehouse and Stokehouse Pasta & Bar, expect bold flavours and premium produce as you catch the game. Centred on flame-kissed cuts and fresh seafood, the menu resonates with the heat of the grill, designed to pair perfectly with the stadium's prime-time energy. Even budding grill masters who usually fire up the barbecue in the backyard for the big game will have to admit the grill-led cuisine at Stoke-Grill rises above their efforts on the tongs. With a host of signature dishes to explore, Stoke-Grill's concept focuses on bringing the surf to the turf of Marvel Stadium. "Creating a concept specifically for Marvel Stadium has been inspiring. Around the world, stadiums are delivering world-class, premium dining experiences, so we're excited to be a part of that at Marvel, and to deliver a dining experience that matches the excitement of what's happening out on the field," says Stokehouse Precinct Executive Chef Jason Staudt. Highlights include a 300-gram whole prime rib roast with smoked bone marrow and salsa verde; seared John Dory with leek top mustard and caviar butter sauce; a 500-gram grain-fed bone-in dry-aged sirloin; and half or whole southern rock lobster tail served with chilli and lime butter. Plus, the sides take a soaring grab above the usual footy fare, with shoestring fries paired with tarragon aioli, and triple-cooked potatoes matched with burnt oregano. The smaller plates hit the mark too, with Stoke-Grill bringing match-winning dishes from Stokehouse to the stadium, including its iconic saltbush and vinegar potato cake; mixed crudo, tuna, kingfish, market fish with olive and marjoram dressing; and a spanner crab dog with lime and coconut. Before the siren sounds, dig into crowd-pleasing desserts like the Stokey date pudding, served with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch. "Stokehouse is one of Melbourne's foremost dining institutions and is synonymous with premium fine dining — making it right at home within the Medallion Club. We couldn't be happier to welcome the team to Marvel Stadium, collaborating with us to create a memorable dining experience in Stoke-Grill that I know our members, guests and partners will love," says Scott Fitzgerald, General Manager of Marvel Stadium. Stoke-Grill is now open at Marvel Stadium's Medallion Club. Head to the website for more information. Images: Arianna Leggiero
At the end of 2023 we sadly bade farewell to Baby Snakes, one of the best wine bars in Melbourne. But just as soon as the team packed up, a trio of Melbourne hospo veterans stepped in to create a new bar in its wake. Jacob Bell (Whitehart), Jerry Poon (The Operatives) and Amber Hahipene (Section 8) have revived the space with some splashes of paint, new floors, house plants and more refined decor. Where Baby Snake edged towards dive bar, Misfits is considerably sleeker and more put-together. The new bar isn't losing any of the community feels, as it's set to host workshops, panels and live recordings, alongside a weekly selection of local and international DJs. The team even has big plans for the square behind Misfits, hoping to use the space for laneway parties and local arts and community festivals. Hahipene notes how "we want Misfits to be a platform for new talent, a stomping ground for the local community and a home to people who love music and hospitality." Bevs will be an all-round affair as opposed to specialising in just one spirit or type of booze. Plenty of wines will be up for grabs, plus limited-release beers and some cocktails. Those wanting a feed are also free to get pizzas delivered from the downstairs Slice Shop Pizza. A casual affair, this space remains. Just with a little more spit and polish. Misfits will open on Friday, March 15, at 30 Chambers Street, Footscray. The new bar will be open 5-11pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 5pm–1am on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, head to the venue's Instagram page.
For nearly a century, 280 Little Collins Street has stood as a significant retail and social hub for generations of Melburnians. Designed by celebrated Melbourne interwar architect Harry Norris as the first significant Chicago-inspired gothic-style commercial building in Victoria, it opened in 1930 as the flagship store of the fast-expanding G J Coles empire — later rebadged as Coles — before David Jones took over in the 1980s, transforming the site into that brand's Melbourne menswear flagship. Now, the heritage-listed building has entered a new chapter as the home of Rodd & Gunn's new global flagship. The mega-venue showcases fashion, dining and design across its four floors, marking the New Zealand outfitter's most ambitious venture to date. It follows the recent arrival of Mecca's new Bourke Street flagship in the northern wing of the same building, marking a new era for one of Melbourne's most distinctive addresses. The crown jewel of the venue sits on level one: The Lodge Dining Room. Framed by soaring arched windows and antique mirrors, the grand yet intimate space brings together The Lodge Bar Group's Executive Chef Matt Lambert (former chef and owner of Michelin-starred New York restaurant The Musket Room) and Head Chef James Evangelinos (The Musket Room, hatted Sydney pub Hotel Centennial and James Packer's former personal chef) to deliver produce-led menus ranging from à la carte to ten-course tasting journeys. To start, dishes may include scallops with white asparagus, marron with summer bisque, smoked eel with new-season tomatoes and herb emulsion, and a sophisticated quail galantine with foie gras and whiskey jelly. Mains are along the lines of duck with beetroot and radicchio, and Bass Grouper bouillabaisse with prawns and mussels. Wines are curated by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, showcasing the best of New Zealand alongside standout Australian and international drops. At the same time, a reeded-glass private dining room with a striking white marble table adds a layer of exclusivity. Rodd & Gunn has worked with St Kilda-based Studio Y to reimagine the building's southern wing, weaving its art deco glamour with hospitality-led design. Arched motifs, curved joinery, stepped stone and metallic accents nod to the 1930s, while warm timbers, natural stone and marble accents echo Rodd & Gunn's contemporary aesthetic. "This building holds a special place in Melbourne's history, and we wanted our flagship to honour that legacy at every turn," says Mike Beagley, Rodd & Gunn CEO. "Every design choice was made to respect its heritage while creating something entirely new." Each of the four distinct but connected levels offers a different experience. The lower-ground Cellar Caffetteria pays homage to the famed Coles Cafeteria, combining a retail wine store with an innovative cocktail laboratory by Matt Bax (Bar Americano), an Italian-inspired menu featuring handmade pasta and all-day aperitivi. Oversized checkerboard flooring, bluestone laneway walkways, intimate booth seating and mood lighting evoke the feeling of a wine cave. The ground floor has been transformed into an elegant, immersive retail space, where cornice plasterwork and marble joinery are juxtaposed with modern display fixtures, heritage-inspired balustrades and robust timber finishes. The mezzanine, meanwhile, is now home to an exclusive Members' Bar (for Rodd & Gunn's loyal clientele), a handsomely wood-panelled, club-like space with sculptural lighting by Volker Haug, featuring Kiwi-inspired snacks and classic cocktails for loyal clientele. "This is a space built on relationships," says Josh Beagley, Director of The Lodge Group. "It's our way of giving something back to the community who continue to shape Rodd & Gunn. The Member's Bar is for them." "While New Zealand will always remain Rodd & Gunn's spiritual home, the opening of our Melbourne flagship is our way of giving back to a city that has supported Rodd & Gunn from the very beginning," says Beagley. "Every surface in this flagship tells a story — a dialogue between past and present that honours the history of the building and the fabric of our brand. Images: Supplied.
Australians can now send emoji-filled text and online messages featuring illustrated boomerangs, the Aboriginal flag and other visual representations of the country's Indigenous culture. As first announced earlier this year, Ingenous Studios has created a set of Indigenous images that are now available to download on both Android and iOS platforms — marking the first such collection of emoji-like symbols that celebrate the nation's first peoples. Called Indigemoji, and originally slated to feature 19 pictures but now spanning a whopping 90, the set was developed on Arrernte land in Mparntwe, aka Alice Springs, by Central Australia's young Aboriginal people. The Northern Territory residents were asked to design new emojis that were relevant to their culture and lives, with symbols that feature the Aboriginal flag on crowns, hands and hearts among them. Other images include animals, plants, landscape, vehicles, faces, gestures and symbols. Each of Indigemoji's images also feature their name the Eastern and Central Arrernte language, which is spoken around Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Amoonguna, Ltyentye Apurte/Santa Teresa and Titjikala. And while the set of symbols features the term 'emoji' in its name, they function as stickers — because getting any new emoji approved by overseeing body Unicode, let alone a set of 90, is an extensive and difficult process. If you're keen to start adding them to your messages, that means that they don't officially feature in your phone's inbuilt emoji keyboard. But, once you download the Indigemoji app from the App Store or Google Play, you can share them to text messages, WhatsApp, Messenger and social media platforms. The Indigemoji app is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play. For further details, visit the Indigemoji website or Facebook page. Image: Ingeous Studios.
An escape to Aotearoa New Zealand can cater to all your holiday desires, whatever they may be. Whether your idea of a perfect getaway is to be gazing out at incredible scenery, absorbing it all on a hike, bike, paddle, swim or walk, or being pampered into a state of utter relaxation, New Zealand will take your breath away. Make where you stay part of your holiday too, rather than simply a place to rest your head after an experience-packed day. From camping out under the stars beneath one of the darkest skies on Earth to retreating into luxury residences next to vineyards and cellar doors, or even going completely off-grid, the getaways you'll find in New Zealand are uniquely extraordinary. Although New Zealand beckons for a holiday year-round, the seasons will shape your sojourn too. Revel in the charm of changing landscapes in autumn, catch your breath on alpine walks and in hot springs in winter, or experience the energy of spring as native wildlife and vegetation start afresh. No matter when you visit, you'll be welcomed with manaakitanga, a Maōri value encompassing a deep sense of connection and welcome, for a holiday you'll wish never had to end. We've partnered with 100% Pure New Zealand to curate some of our favourite stays in New Zealand, including which season they're best experienced in, to help you plan an unforgettable trip. Flick the switch for incredible getaway venues in autumn, winter and spring. Jump to switcher
On a future visit to Hoyts cinema in Australia, you might be catching your movie of choice not just on the big screen, but in IMAX. The two companies — Hoyts and IMAX — announced a partnership in July with the goal of launching up to five state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser systems around the country. First stop was Hoyts Melbourne Central, now we know the next four locations to follow. Before 2025 comes to an end, timed before Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives, Hoyts Chadstone will add IMAX to its offering in mid-November, before Hoyts Carousel in Perth, Hoyts Melbourne Central and Hoyts Blacktown in western Sydney open in mid-December — hopefully before the third Avatar film releases on Thursday, December 18, 2025. This isn't the first time that Hoyts and IMAX have joined forces, but they haven't worked together on an IMAX site since 2019. There could still be more additions to come, since the chain operates in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, too. So, if you live in those states, start crossing your fingers. Wherever else Hoyts rolls out its new IMAX with Laser systems, viewers will enjoy 4K images displayed via an optical engine with custom-designed lenses — and showing the widest range of colours in IMAX yet — plus precision audio. "Hoyts is delighted to partner with IMAX to introduce four new screens across Australia, giving movie lovers even more ways to enjoy blockbusters on the big screen," said Hoyts Group CEO and President Damien Keogh. "The release of Avatar: Fire and Ash in December — and a tremendous 2026 slate behind it — represent a golden opportunity for IMAX and its exhibition partners around the world," added IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma1x7ikpid8[/embed] Fittingly, Australia is currently embracing IMAX in a big way. From just four locations earlier in 2025 — in Carlton in Melbourne, in Sydney, and also on the Gold Coast and in Canberra since late 2024 — the country is the tenth market box-office wise for the format around the globe. Expanding the country's super-sized cinema options, this is the third round of new IMAX locations announced in the last year. Another new Melbourne venue has been confirmed as well, launching at Village Cinemas Fountain Gate the end of 2025. Plus, EVT, the hospitality company behind Event Cinemas, has a quartet of IMAX screens on the way at venues yet to be revealed. Three will welcome in movie lovers in 2026, with the fourth arriving before 2027 is out. Hoyts' new IMAX locations are set to start rolling out in November and December of 2025. Keep an eye on the Hoyts website for more details in the interim.
Even if you've got a state-of-the-art home theatre setup, it won't come close to the sheer size and scale of IMAX. Yet this cinema-lover's choice experience has just levelled up, as IMAX with Laser is ready to redefine your viewing experience at Hoyts Chadstone. With the upgraded auditorium described as "the world's most immersive film experience," this newfangled tech lifts the bar on an already impressive encounter, delivering crystal-clear images and precision audio that won't go unnoticed. "We are proud to introduce IMAX with Laser at this world-class destination, delivering an immersive and technically advanced movie experience that continues to raise the standard for cinema in Australia," says Hoyts Group CEO and President Damian Keogh. So, what's changed? IMAX with Laser brings a vastly improved 4K laser projection system, featuring a new optical engine that makes for increased resolution, deeper contrast and colours that pop brighter than ever before. Plus, next-generation audio ramps up audience immersion to even greater heights. Putting the new system through its paces, the IMAX with Laser experience debuts with Wicked: For Good — the highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 blockbuster. Each frame of the film has been digitally remastered for the latest IMAX tech, while the audio is also remixed for maximum effect. If there's no going back after this first experience, movie-goers heading to Hoyts Chadstone can also catch an advanced screening of Avatar: Fire and Ash in IMAX with Laser on Thursday, December 18. Trust James Cameron to push this seriously absorbing system to its limits. IMAX with Laser is now available at Hoyts Chadstone. Head to the website for more information.
If you hit up a Melbourne restaurant and find ten wines offered by the glass, you're doing alright. If you get 20, you're in for a real treat. But Circl Wine House in Melbourne's CBD is doing what few hospo venues can by offering a whopping 150 drops by the glass and 1500 by the bottle. This is hugely important to the owners, who created this Melbourne wine bar to help foster a new culture around vino — one built around accessibility, inclusivity and discovery. One way to help people explore heaps of new and rare wines is to offer them by the glass. No need to worry about trying something new, only to find you hate it after spending hundreds of dollars on an entire bottle. But that's not the only way to help people sample hard-to-find drops. The Circl crew is taking it one step further by pouring one extremely rare wine each week. These drops are limited to 75ml per person, to ensure everyone gets a go. Spanning Australian and international vineyards, the selection will be highly curated, and feature the likes of Coche Dury, Roulot, DRC, and old vintages from top producers in Australia. Head Sommelier and Venue Manager Xavier Vigier shares, "At Circl, we really want to bring our guests wines they've never heard of before. There's a new market and audience in wine that we're very much conscious of." "We will challenge the status quo by offering rare and allocated wines by the glass to allow anyone the chance to try wines they otherwise wouldn't be able to reach. It also provides the chance to have a glass rather than committing to the full bottle." Wine is most certainly the star of the show at Circl, but food is far from neglected. Executive Chef Elias Salomonsson (ex-Scott Pickett Group and Vue Group) has created a Euro-centric menu of small and large dishes that are strongly influenced by his Scandinavian background. They are also pretty luxe bites. You can start off with Sydney Rock oysters and caviar service (if your budget allows), or opt for more complex bites like the smoked eel tart, goat's cheese eclair, arrowhead squid with nduja, morcilla and celeriac, and tuna crudo with Yarra Valley caviar (yes, you know it's a fancy spot when caviar is scattered all over the menu). And it makes a whole lot of sense when you consider the fact that Circl boasts one of the biggest champagne selections in Australia, with 135 bottles available at any time. You'll be sipping and snacking all this within newly designed digs, dreamt up by MARCH.STUDIO (Baker D. Chirico and Lucy Liu). Downstairs, you'll find the main dining room and bar, which features natural timber finishes and polished concrete floors. It's all kept quite minimalist, championing a less-is-more aesthetic. But the top spot to sit has got to be upstairs by the room-length glass-encased wine cellar. Watch on as the sommeliers move around this space, picking and choosing rare wines throughout the night.
Melbourne may not be well known for its seaside dining; however, there are a few notable exceptions. Set on the St Kilda foreshore, Donovans, an enduring Melbourne icon, is one of those beachside venues that dispel the myth that you can't have good food alongside a good view. Self-described as a 'house on the beach', Donovans is warm and welcoming, comfortable and cosy. The space feels well-worn, in the best way possible, like you can feel the legacy of all those diners (many of whom are regulars) who have sat at the same table, pondered over the same glorious view, and savoured their memorable meal before you. Nick Parkhouse is the man who leads the charge at Donovans these days. "I've been working at Donovans for well over ten years and I [was] honoured to have the baton handed over to me [when] I purchased Donovans from Kevin and Gail [Donovan] two years ago. It's a restaurant I fell in love with first dining in over 20 years ago, and I'm proud to be the custodian to continue its legacy for another 30-plus years, and more." There is a wholesome, family feel to the venue, a sense that the staff, whether it's the kitchen crew or the reservations and front-of-house team, are happy to have chosen this place to spend their days honing their craft. It may also have something to do with the calming benefits of gazing out at the glimmering sea all day. Donovans, as you'd hope and expect from a restaurant that has stood the test of time (it's been serving Melburnians since 1995), is one of those restaurants with certain signature menu items whose reputation precedes them. Parkhouse says, "Our menu has long been celebrated with favourites that remain and will never be removed for fear of a revolt." With the golden sun reflecting off the ocean at sunset, many diners are drawn to the high-quality seafood dishes that feature prominently on the menu. Whether you go for the fresh or tempura oysters, crayfish with finger lime and avocado, the crudo selection of the day or octopus with nduja, you'll be off to a flying start. Choosing between the spanner crab ravioli and the seafood linguine is not an easy decision, nor is deciding whether to stick with seafood for your mains or move to meat. Returning to the signature menu items, there are several Donovans' dishes that are legendary around town. The old fashioned chicken pie, with a crispy pastry lid, has kept regulars coming back for decades. As has the crunchy classic beer-battered fish and chips, the in-house smoked salmon with blinis and creme fraiche and the charcoal-cooked 500 gram t-bone steak. Donovans is a dining experience to remember. Whether you want a change from the hustle and bustle of the city, want to feel part of Melbourne's hospitality history, or have something to celebrate, head to this beachside venue that's like a home away from home. And speaking of celebrating, of course, no occasion would be complete without the inimitable Bombe Alaska for two with chocolate hazelnut ice cream and toasted meringue. Images: Supplied.
Tucked inside the entrance to Port Phillip Bay on the Bellarine Peninsula are the seaside towns of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale — just a 90-minute drive southwest of Melbourne. Queenscliff is home to grand 19th-century architecture, old-fashioned piers, sandy stretches and sweeping water views, while Point Lonsdale is where the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay meet the wild Bass Strait. In just one weekend, you can tour one of Australia's few remaining lighthouses with a light keeper, stroll along the rocky coast, ride an old steam train (possibly with live blues music), see art in a church and eat local seafood by the water. We've handpicked some of the best spots to eat, stay and play in the area. [caption id="attachment_1024459" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Supplied[/caption] Do Start with an art fix at one of many local galleries. For contemporary works, visit Salt and Seaview Gallery. Then, at Queenscliff Gallery, housed in an old church, you'll find paintings, sculptures, wood engravings and linocuts from Australian artists. There are plenty more arts and crafts, plus local produce at Point Lonsdale Market, held every second Sunday of the month. A trip to Queenscliff without a ride on one of Bellarine Railway's steam trains would be remiss. Take a 45-minute trip along Swan Bay or a three-hour return journey to Drysdale, or, on a Saturday night, climb aboard the Blues Train for live music. Another place to step back in time is Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, one of the only lighthouses in Australia that still has a lightkeeper. On a half-hour tour, you'll hear all about the lighthouse's history and climb up the steep, spiral staircase to take in panoramic views. Plus, there's a maritime museum and an escape room. And, for even more history and views, you can swing by Fort Queenscliff. [caption id="attachment_1024461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Visit Victoria [/caption] Once you've immersed yourself in the Bellarine's art and history, you'll be ready to get outdoors. Stretch your legs on a walking trail, be it a 500-metre-long stroll through foreshore reserve on the Ferry to Pier Trail, a 2.3-kilometre-long stride along Point Lonsdale Promenade, or the more adventurous Lovers Walk among coastal woodland. Then, jump on a cycling tour to go food and wine tasting, before jumping into the sea to swim with wild dolphins. Eat and Drink A spectacular brekkie or lunch by the water is on the cards at 360Q. Perched on Queenscliff Harbour in a glass-walled building, this one's big with locals and visitors alike. Give yourself a kick-start first thing with the ricotta hotcakes piled with berries and vanilla ice cream. Then, head back later for a two- or three-course feast, starring coconut-lime kingfish ceviche, lemon pepper calamari, flash-fried baby snapper with herby salad, and more. Just 300 metres away, on the beachfront, you'll find Tarra. Here, the seasonal menu offers share plates and classics, from braised duck leg with quince and mustard, to linguine marinara powered by local seafood. And, 15 minutes' drive north, there's Basil's Farm, a dreamy rural property with a restaurant serving classics like lamb rump, chicken ballotine and pork belly alongside veggies grown in the kitchen garden. [caption id="attachment_1024468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: C McConville[/caption] Pre- or post-dinner drinks should start at a friendly local pub, like the newly renovated Esplanade — or, for a fancier tipple, head to the grand, Paris-inspired cocktail lounge at The Royal. Is wine your thing? Drop by Noble Rot Wine Store and Bar, where owner Jordan Berry will talk you through his extensive selection of local and international drops. [caption id="attachment_722223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikola Ramsay[/caption] Stay Ready to dissolve into some cool but cosy bliss? Book in at Lon Retreat and Spa. Your unique, nature-inspired suite comes on 200 acres of land surrounded by magnificent coastal views. At the onsite spa, soak in a hot tub filled with healing mineral waters while gazing at the ocean — then relax into a ritual, be it the 'Body Odyssey' or the 'Detox and Revival'. Alternatively, get snug at The Nest, a series of architect-designed, solar-powered pods by the water, each with a king-sized bed, private deck and an outdoor spa bath. To transport yourself to the 19th century in period drama-worthy guesthouse, try Benambra, Seaview House and Point Lonsdale Guesthouse. Or for a home all to yourself, book the Japanese-influenced Swans' Reach, the magical Lonsdale Palms or this 100-year-old barn. Written in partnership with the Borough of Queenscliffe, Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine. To discover even more, head to the Visit Geelong Bellarine website. Top image: Queenscliff Wharf, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
To say 2021 was a massive year is a bit of an understatement. But with the the new year in full swing, it's officially time to let go of the trials that last year brought and start afresh with a relaxing holiday. If you, like us, are keen to extend your summer this year, consider locking in a trip to Tropical North Queensland to enjoy some much-needed time in this balmy paradise. From private island retreats wreathed in the Great Barrier Reef to secluded treehouses poised in World Heritage-listed rainforest, we've uncovered ten luxury stays to check out. These spots are not only champions of ecotourism, with initiatives like water recycling and single-use plastic and amenities bans evident across most properties, but will also tick the box if you want to wake up immersed in nature. [caption id="attachment_827699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] BEDARRA ISLAND If you're looking for somewhere to truly disappear to, put Bedarra Island at the top of your list. The secluded tropical haven is part of the Family Islands National Park, approximately two hours drive south of Cairns. To get to the island, you can take a helicopter transfer from Cairns Airport or a 30-minute boat ride across the Coral Sea from the idyllic coastal village, Mission Beach. With just 11 private villas on the island (all with ocean views), Bedarra is ideal for travellers looking for secluded, laidback luxury. The island is totally off-grid and uses solar power for energy. The best part? It's an all-inclusive experience. Here, you'll have unlimited access to snorkelling gear, sea kayaks, motorised dinghies, stand-up paddleboards, tennis equipment and stunning rainforest walks. Plus, all your meals, snacks, cocktails and celebratory champagne will be organised for you. Want to take a gourmet picnic on your personal dinghy to a deserted island? How about enjoying a candlelit dinner on your private deck? At Bedarra, you can have both. [caption id="attachment_828271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SILKY OAKS LODGE If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in a treehouse, just like Brendan Fraser in George of the Jungle, Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman is the place to bring that foliage fantasy to life. Wedged between the breathtaking Daintree Rainforest and peaceful Mossman River, Silky Oaks Lodge has six treehouse-inspired stays to choose from so you can sleep among the treetops of the tropics. Each accomodation option has been designed to embrace the property's natural surrounds and will indulge your senses in the lush rainforest when it comes alive in autumn. If you want to wash off under an outdoor shower, wake up to floor-to-ceiling rainforest views and relax in a bath on your very own private deck while overlooking a cascading river, look sharp to Silky Oaks Lodge. THE REEF HOUSE BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND SPA If spending your holiday lazing opposite a palm tree-lined beach sounds like something you have to go overseas to do, guess again. The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa is an award-winning luxury beachfront stay in Palm Cove where you can experience that balmy (and palmy) escape without needing to dig out your now dusty passport. Your stay here includes a drink on arrival, complimentary twilight refreshments, poolside cocktail service and access to the fully stocked Honesty Bar where you can help yourself to your favourite drinks. The adults-only retreat also offers cocktail classes, wine tasting, beachfront yoga, a tranquility pool, jacuzzi, day spa, unlimited bicycle use and a library to keep you occupied in case you get tired of oscillating between the pool and the impressive Reef House Restaurant. [caption id="attachment_827698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] THE CANOPY TREEHOUSES If you're planning a tropical holiday with a group, look no further than The Canopy Treehouses. Set on a lush 100-acre property, this place is ideal if you want to steer clear of other holidaymakers as you venture — quite literally — off the beaten track. The two-bedroom Riverfront Treehouses sleep six guests and, as the name suggests, are built on the banks of the river surrounded by ancient rainforest. Or, if you're after something a little larger, the three-bedroom Bower House can accommodate up to eight guests and overlooks the rollings hills of the Atherton Tablelands. Both are fully self-contained and come equipped with barbecue facilities, spa baths and, most importantly, rainforest views. [caption id="attachment_827697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] LIZARD ISLAND RESORT If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef without spending hours on a boat, Lizard Island Resort is the ideal place to base yourself. This luxury lodge is quite literally surrounded by the reef meaning you can roll out of bed and right into one of the world's natural wonders in minutes. But it's not just its proximity to the reef that lures people to the island. The all-inclusive accomodation helps take the guesswork out of holiday planning with meals, drinks, snorkelling gear, paddleboards, sea kayaks and more included in your stay. The toughest choice you'll make during your trip will be deciding which of the opulent day spa treatments will make you feel the most relaxed. If you do want to explore a little further, the resort has an on-site naturalist that hosts guided walks to share the island's cultural heritage, particularly that of the Traditional Land Owners, Jiogurru of the Dingaal Aboriginal people. [caption id="attachment_827693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] CRYSTALBROOK RILEY If you want floor-to-ceiling ocean views at a centrally located hotel, Crystalbrook Riley is for you. This five-star luxury resort is perched on the Cairns Esplanade, placing you within walking distance of many of the tour operators, restaurants and bars that Cairns has to offer. For a picturesque waterfront wake up, check in to a Panoramic Sea room or Riley's Suite and you'll awaken to uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea and beyond. There's a lush pool that wraps around the entire resort, a day spa to destress at and two in-house restaurants to try — Paper Crane and rooftop bar Rocco. The resort makes an effort to reduce food miles by sourcing 80 percent of ingredients from within a 3.5-hour radius of Cairns, including all of its beef products which come from Crystalbrook's own 85,000-acre cattle station. [caption id="attachment_828717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wilson Archer[/caption] MT MULLIGAN LODGE When you think of Tropical North Queensland, the outback probably doesn't come to mind. But if you drive 160 kilometres northwest of Cairns to Mt Mulligan Lodge, that's exactly what you'll find. As the name suggests, this boutique accomodation overlooks the immense tabletop mountain that is Mount Mulligan. Here, you can experience an all-inclusive luxury outback stay featuring hikes, all-terrain vehicle adventures, barramundi fishing, stargazing and more. The sprawling 28,000-hectare property ensures all 20 guests it can accommodate have ample privacy during their stay. Plus, each guest room gets a buggy to buzz around the property on, so you can get from your bed to sunset drinks at the bar with ease. Mt Mulligan Lodge has lots of worthy initiatives in place, too, from a waste minimisation program to a partnership with Ganbina to help local Indigenous students secure employment after school. NIRAMAYA VILLAS AND SPA Port Douglas is a favourite for folks travelling to Tropical North Queensland. If you want to find out what all the fuss is about, take a scenic one-hour drive north of Cairns and stay at Niramaya Villas and Spa to experience the laidback coastal town for yourself. This luxury accommodation features a number of rooms that vary in size from couple-friendly one-bedroom villas to much larger options that can cater to groups of ten. Regardless of the size you need, the soaring ceilings will make you feel like rainforest royalty. Throughout the property, you'll have access to a fully equipped gym, day spa, tennis court, bike hire, saunas, pools and a restaurant and bar to keep you refreshed. [caption id="attachment_828743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Brennan, Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] DAINTREE ECOLODGE Situated in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, about 90 minutes north of Cairns, is Daintree Ecolodge — boutique accommodation with just 15 bayans (treehouses) perched beneath lush tropical canopies. For the adventurous traveller, this secluded rainforest retreat has its own dedicated walks and a private waterfall to explore. And for those needing something more relaxing, the on-site bar, swimming pool, wellness spa and rainforest restaurant overlooking the lagoon will provide ample opportunity to unwind and disconnect. If you want to discover more about the First Nations people in the area — the Kuku Yalanji people — book into the Culturally Curious package which includes your accommodation, a full-day Walkabout Cultural Tour, a Daintree River cruise and more. The property also assists in the reforestation of the area through a partnership with Rainforest Rescue. [caption id="attachment_828745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Philip Waring, Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] MT QUINCAN CRATER RETREAT If you're seeking somewhere romantic for your next holiday, check out the couples-only luxury accommodation on offer at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat. Elevated 2500 feet above sea level on the edge of an extinct volcano in the Atherton Tablelands, this award-winning escape boasts breathtaking views that look over the volcanic crater and beyond. Each treehouse has its own private spa that captures these vistas. and some even have an al fresco shower for you to enjoy under the stars. Plus, there are in-room dining options available for fuss-free cook ups and tailored packages to help you celebrate special occasions. Ready to book your tropical escape? For more information and to discover more about extending your summer in Tropical North Queensland, visit the website. Image: Lizard Island, Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Now, before you get us all wrong, this is a guide to hotels where you can swing back and forth on actual swings and hammocks. It's not for the other kind of swingers. These hotels have swings on the beach, by the pool, at the bar and in the rooms — on which you can gleefully rock back and forth and take in spectacular views in total comfort. Read on to find our favouriting swinging spots. Recommended reads: The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Hotels in Melbourne The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Australia SHINTA MANI, CAMBODIA You'll rethink your kitchen chairs after a stay at Shinta Mani, where the streetside Kroya restaurant boasts dreamy swings on a breezy terrace. The idea of swings and food might sound messy, but you'll soon get the hang of things in no time. Plus, these swings are huge — you really shouldn't be falling off them. The excellent Cambodian dining options available will also make practice a pleasure rather than a chore (perhaps only the steady-handed should order crab bouillabaisse). American architect and interiors whizz Bill Bensley styled the hotel and added in all the swinging details. NALADHU PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT, MALDIVES Why doesn't every hotel have beach hammocks and in-room swing chairs? Naladhu Private Island Resort, set between a lagoon and the sea, boasts both. That's not all it has, either: each of the 19 intimate beach houses comes with its own private pool and romantic semi-outdoor glass-sided bath and shower. With all this in your villa, don't be surprised if you never reach the main pool, flanked by inviting sun loungers and overlooking the lagoon. When you want to have both feet planted firmly on the ground, head to the Living Room, a thatched-roof restaurant with an openair hardwood deck, to feast on local seafood as the sun sets over the water. COQUI COQUI COBA, MEXICO This luxury Mexican resort is a swinger's paradise. Within the Coqui Coqui Coba suites and villas, you'll find hammocks hanging in the centre of rooms, wooden swings in the bathrooms and hammocks simply used as decorations on the walls. You can even head down to the pool located by the lagoon and surrounded by Mayan-inspired towers to swing about on one of the outdoor hammocks all day long. Order some food and cocktails from its restaurant and swing here while watching the sun set over the mountains. THE GRAY, ITALY The swinging scene at Milan's The Gray revolves around the lobby, where a giant fuchsia-upholstered swing with lipstick-red cords drops from the ceiling: a memorable first impression, regardless of whether you're bold enough to go and sit on it. If you take the swing as a promise of the unexpected, you won't be let down. The rooms have ivory-silk curtains that whoosh open at the touch of a button; there are Jacuzzis in bathrooms; the restaurant has black-velvet chairs, grass-topped tables and spoons and forks suspended from light fittings. It's all over the top and we love it. SAL SALIS, AUSTRALIA A little closer to home, this swingers accommodation is set right on the Ningaloo Reef, where the desert meets the sea — an extraordinary and unique part of Australia that should be on all travel bucket lists. The 16 off-grid wilderness tents are located right on the beach, surrounded by little else but untamed nature. Swing in your hammock all day long, gazing into your stupid-beautiful views with an ice-cold beer at hand, or get out on a sea kayak to explore the nearby reefs full of colourful sea life. Not only is this one of the best accommodations for swingers, it's also one of the best glamping spots in Australia. COMO COCOA ISLAND, MALDIVES COMO Cocoa Island is your quintessential luxury Maldives resort that's home to villas hovering on stilts above clear blue waters. It's the kind of place you see in honeymoon brochures and would expect to be the next location of The White Lotus. It is pure luxury. It's also where swingers can hop from beachside hammock to beachside hammock throughout a long sunny day. When you grow tired of your own private pool and the waters full of turtles and dolphins, you can hit up some of the swings dotted about the island. Bring a good book and a few beers with you and spend your holiday swinging by the sea. RUSCHMEYER'S, UNITED STATES This grown-up, summer camp-style boutique hotel in the Hamptons is home to 19 detached rooms surrounding a large swath of grass that provides a back-to-basics luxury — with swings, a tepee and lawn chairs aplenty. Swingers will even find hammocks in some of the Ruchmeyer's bedrooms. And come night-time, the lawns host summer parties and outdoor cinemas. This means you can swing here all day and all night long. GAYANA MARINE RESORT, MALAYSIA At Gayana Eco Resort, you can take swinging to whole new heights: this eco-luxe hideaway has jungle paths with a canopy walk and zip line, so you can whoosh through the trees like an over-caffeinated monkey. For calmer moments, there's also an excellent spa with horizon-view rooms and a selection of massages, scrubs, facials and beauty treatments. There's even an on-site marine research centre: a hub devoted to giant-clam breeding and coral restoration programmes, where guests can feed man-sized groupers in floating pens, plant coral, or scoop up starfish and squishy sea cucumbers in the touch tanks. WALDORF ASTORIA LOS CABOS This Los Cabos resort is huge and opulent. The 115 individually decorated guestrooms feature fireplaces, private plunge pools and balconies overlooking the private beach. Swingers won't find any swings in their rooms, but there are plenty dotted about the resort. On the beach, stacks of hammocks line the shores, while the beach bar has swapped out the stools, preferring guess to sip cocktails while sitting on wooden swings. These may get a little dangerous once you've had a few bevs, so you best head to the beachside hammocks or one of the four Waldorf Astoria restaurants soon after. THE KOROWAI, INDONESIA Each of Korowai's wood-framed rooms are carved into the limestone cliff overlooking Bali's famous Impossible Beach (known for surfing, not partying). Marvel at the ridiculous uninterrupted 180-degree views across the ocean from the privacy of your own little balcony adorned with traditional Balinese décor — including many hammocks and crochet nets. It's one of the most romantic places to stay in Bali. The glitz and glam of other Uluwatu resorts doesn't exist here. Instead, you and your partner will feel as if you've found your own hidden oasis. But, when or if you do want to get into town, the hospitable resort staff will rent you a scooter or organise a taxi ride. Plus, there are a few walkable restaurants nearby if you somehow get tired of dining at their restaurant overlooking the beach. Top images: Naladhu Private Island Resort Feeling inspired to book a swinging getaway? Book your next dream holiday with Concrete Playground Trips — with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations around the world.
It's officially summer Melburnites, and the city is heating up. The best way to cool off? Running away to your local beaches and lakes for a cheeky dip. Now, you may already have a go-to swim spot, but together with Sheridan — the expert purveyor of luxe beach towels — we've rounded up six spots for you to get aquatic. So, whether you're heading down with a bunch of mates or are going solo with a book and rolled-up beach towel in hand, why not check out this list to find something a bit different. Let's change things up as we elevate our summer game. [caption id="attachment_880835" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Catherine A Campbell (Unsplash)[/caption] MOTHERS BEACH, MORNINGTON PENINSULA The Mornington Peninsula is brimming with great beaches, but Mothers Beach ticks all the boxes for those wanting a chill and easy swim spot where you can really relax. The shallow waters and gentle waves are made for lazily paddling about — you can even hire a kayak or paddle board on the shores to explore the area at your own pace. A decent sized car park, nearby toilets, water taps, outdoor showers and picnic tables all help make this a super accessible, easy beach to hang out at all day long. The verdict? You could take your mother to this stretch of sand and there shouldn't be any complaints. [caption id="attachment_798021" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kim (Unsplash)[/caption] BRIGHTON BEACH, BRIGHTON This spot for a dip may be best known for its brightly coloured and highly coveted beach boxes, but there's a lot more going on here. First off, it's super easy to get to: jump on a train at Flinders Street Station and you'll be throwing your towel down within 25 minutes. In the height of summer, you'll also get breezy, sunshine-soaked vibes — there'll be crowds, but it's far from heaving. Brighton Beach is perfect for those looking to hang with mates, dipping in and out of the water, before eventually running away to local bars and restaurants to keep the fun going. [caption id="attachment_651724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Cochrane via Flickr[/caption] HALF MOON BAY, BLACK ROCK This popular Melbourne beach is that perfect distance from the city — far enough out (and difficult enough to reach with public transport) that it won't be too busy. But only a 30-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD, it's also fairly easy to get to with a car. Park up top and take the leisurely walk down to the white sandy beach below. You'll find the necessary beach infrastructure here — loos, outdoor showers and a couple of spots to grab hot food. It's also great for snorkelling, with crystal clear water and stacks of friendly sea creatures lurking beneath the surface. Above water, there's the wreck of the HMVS Cerberus, built in the 1860s and scuttled in 1926. [caption id="attachment_879774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Denu (Unsplash)[/caption] THE PILLARS, MOUNT MARTHA You could easily forget you're only a 45-minute drive out of Melbourne when you're swimming off The Pillars in Mount Martha — it feels more like a tropical paradise or hidden cove in The Med. But, prepare to work for your day of splashing. This isn't a beach, it's a rock formation that juts out into the sea. So, you'll need to scale the rocks to get in and out of the water — or join all the young guns who come here for cliff jumping. It's a great off-the-beaten-path swimming spot, which means going without the usual beach amenities. Come with everything you need for the day — sunscreen, towel, snacks and a bottle of water. [caption id="attachment_879776" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacob Dyer (Unsplash)[/caption] LAKE DAYLESFORD, DAYLESFORD Most people go to Daylesford for the luxury spas, leisurely hikes and mushroom foraging — but Lake Daylesford is also a perfect spot for wild swimming. Jump off the jetty and float about with some mates before hitting the barbecue area or local waterside restaurants. And, if some of you don't want to get wet, you can hire paddleboats or stroll around the circumference of the tree-lined lake. Be aware that this spot is a bit of a trek — nearly two hours by car out of the city, but well worth it for a proper day of countryside swimming. [caption id="attachment_879781" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Arnaud Mesureur (Unsplash)[/caption] JAN JUC BEACH, JAN JUC Located at the start of the Great Ocean Road, Jan Juc Beach is a hugely popular spot for surfers. Expect big waves and boards cutting wide arching shapes, so if you're not a strong swimmer, stay within the flags during summer for some safe water fun. This dramatic part of the coast is made up of a long stretch of golden sand sitting below rocky cliffs. And at low tide, there are rock pools aplenty — walk towards Torquay's Surf Beach to find massive ones to take a dip in. Once you find your new favourite swim spot, elevate your summer game even further with a Sheridan beach towel. To make your pick, head to the website. Top image: Brighton Beach by Titus Aparici (Unsplash)
As announced in 2017, officially given a green light in 2018 and then launching a couple of years back, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has been a two-building art museum since late 2022. The first space, the 153-year-old AGNSW's OG structure, boasts a sandstone facade dating back to the 19th century. The second came about as part of the $344-million Sydney Modern Project. But even when the venue's extension opened its doors to the public, it didn't have a name. Meet Naala Badu, then. AGNSW has finally announced a moniker for the space that's been known as Sydney Modern to art-loving visitors for more than a year. The term is the Aboriginal word for "waters" in the Sydney language, and has been paired with Naala Nura, which means "seeing Country", as the new name for the gallery's first building. [caption id="attachment_880685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] Overall, the institution itself is still called the Art Gallery of New South Wales. That hasn't changed. But each part of it now has a distinct title, each reflecting its location and architecture. Naala Badu earned its moniker thanks to its proximity to Sydney Harbour, plus the waters that've long been pivotal to NSW's communities. Naala Nura's counterpart nods to the building's sandstone, as well as Indigenous Country in general. Now displaying on both buildings, the names were chosen after AGNSW consulted with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council among other key Aboriginal stakeholders and communities, with the gallery's board of trustees, Indigenous Advisory Group and Indigenous staff in support. "Aboriginal language has a deep and spiritual connection to Country. We hope this can be felt by everyone when the building names Naala Badu and Naala Nura are used by the community and visitors to the Art Gallery of New South Wales," said Indigenous Advisory Group chair Rachel Piercy. [caption id="attachment_749853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jenni Carter[/caption] "We are greatly honoured that the Art Gallery's two buildings on this significant site in Sydney will bear the Aboriginal names Naala Badu and Naala Nura. They evoke a powerful sense of place — this place of extraordinary physical beauty with its complex, contested histories. We intend to carry these names with the deepest respect," added AGNSW director Michael Brand. Located on the hill beside Naala Nura, which gives it a view of Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf, the four-level Naala Badu sprawls across 7830 square metres and is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architects SANAA (with Australia's Architectus as the executive architect). One of its highlights is the Yiribana Gallery, which moved over from Naala Nura to showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work. "As an Indigenous Australian for whom English is my second language, having not had the opportunity to learn my first language, I applaud the gift of living, breathing language for the Art Gallery's two buildings. With the spotlight on the Art Gallery's new initiatives for Aboriginal art and culture, we've created a globally renowned art destination where visitors can experience the best art and culture Australia has to offer," noted Tony Albert, an Art Gallery trustee and also the inaugural chair of AGNSW's Indigenous Advisory Group. [caption id="attachment_880684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_909005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] AGNSW[/caption] [caption id="attachment_880682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] Find Naala Badu and Naala Nura at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney. For more information, head to the AGNSW website. Top image: © Iwan Baan.
Long before Photoshop became widely available photo hoaxes were much more noteworthy and had larger repercussions for contriving fake events. Today we are accustomed to seeing completely unrealistic and out-of-this-world scenes on photographic prints, but in bygone days society was a little more innocent. Whether used as propaganda in war times, t0 invent or perpetuate superstitions, to improve appearances, or to make ordinary events appear extraordinary, photo hoaxes have historically changed our perceptions, beliefs and even our actions. Here are ten of the most famous photo hoaxes (appropriately from The Museum of Hoaxes) throughout history. Portrait of a Photographer as a Drowned Man Hippolyte Bayard was angered by the lack of attention and recognition given to his independently developed process of direct positive printing, which was instead focused on his rival Louis Daguerre. In the 1830s during the race to perfect the printing process, Bayard was not remembered as the first to invent photography, yet he is known as the first to fake a photograph. To demonstrate his frustration, Bayard took a faux photo of himself as a suicide victim alongside a note reprimanding those who supported Daguerre as the discoverer of photography rather than himself. President Lincoln Due to Abraham Lincoln's lack of 'heroic-style' portraits, an amateur entrepreneur created the photo of Lincoln on the left by combining two other photographs. By cutting out Lincoln's head from a picture by Matthew Brady and pasting it onto an image of southern leader John Calhoun, this widespread image of a bold President Lincoln was created. The Cottingley Fairies Cousins Frances Griffith and Elsie Wright were playing in the garden of Elsie's Cottingley village home when a group of frolicking fairies seemingly decided to join in on their fun. The series of photos taken by the young girls captured the world's attention, providing 'proof' to many spiritualists that supernatural creatures really did exist. Little did the world know (until 1980) that the fairies were in fact only cardboard cutouts drawn by Elsie inspired by the book Princess Mary's Gift Book. Trotsky Vanishes Leon Trotsky, the second in command to Lenin in Soviet Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, was deported and eventually assassinated in later years after demonstrating open dissent towards Stalin's policies. This photo was taken in 1920, with the original depicting Vladimir Lenin atop a platform speaking to troops at Sverdlov Square and both Trotsky and Kamenev standing beside him on his left side. This picture is one of the most famous images in the many falsified photos using paint, razor and airbrushes as part of Stalin's attempt to eliminate all traces of the 'traitor' Trotsky. Baby Hitler In the 1930s, a photo supposedly showing a baby Adolf Hitler circulated throughout England and America. The menacing scowl upon the baby's face and greasy mop of hair covering its head was distributed by Acme Newspictures Inc. and appeared in a large number of newspapers and magazines. The photo actually portrayed a young american boy, John May Warren, whose cute and and bubbly features had been manipulated to make him look more sinister. The origin of the hoax picture has been traced back to Austria, Hitler's home country, yet the identity of the forger remains unknown. Lung-powered Flying Machine One of the most successful and widespread April Fools jokes in history, this photo was run in the Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung on April 1, 1934 presenting a flying machine run by the breath from a man's lung. Many immediately thought the image to be true and International News Photo distributed the image of this 'new invention' to its American subscribers. This caused the image to go viral, with it even making it into the New York Times. The Surgeon's Photo A few months after the initial media hype following a sighting of an 'enormous monster' by a couple in the Loch Ness, a highly respected British surgeon, Colonel Robert Wilson, came forward with a picture showing a serpent rising out of the water. By far the most famous image of the 'Loch Ness Monster', this photo, named 'The Surgeon's Photo' (due to Wilson's wish to remain anonymous) was debunked in 1994, 60 years after the photo's initial release. 90 year-old Christian Spurling, on the eve of his death, revealed his role in the hoax. At his stepfather's wishes he had created a toy submarine with a sea-serpent head to appear in a photograph, which Colonel Wilson would be the frontman for. The Brown Lady of Raynham By far one of the most famous ghost pictures, the Brown Lady supposedly haunted the walls of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England. The image was taken by two photographers for Country Life magazine, who had been setting up their cameras and apparently saw an unearthly figure floating down the stairs and subsequently snapped a photo. The appearance of the ghost has later been attributed to camera vibration, light entering the lens from the window or double exposure, yet it is unknown whether the result was produced on purpose or was accidental. The Bluff Creek Bigfoot This image represents frame 352 of Patterson and Gimlin's infamous short film about Bigfoot set in Northern California. The pair set out out to make a documentary on horseback about the beast and conveniently managed to capture footage of a female 'Bigfoot' strolling along the river bank. Skeptics argue that this image is obviously just a figure in an ape suit, yet believers counter that costumes and effects were not sophisticated enough in 1967 to create such a believable image. The quality of the film is not good enough to conclusively prove or deny the existence of the beast, so feel free to make up your own mind on the authenticity of the image. The Foetal Footprint One of the more recent photo hoaxes, this image showing the outline of the foot of a baby in utero pressing against a pregnant mother's belly has gained widespread prominence on the internet and elsewhere. Many have been fooled by this miracle photo, but in actual fact, the abdominal wall is too thick and muscular for a foetal foot to be seen so clearly, and the foot itself is also unusually large.
The Wheelhouse Studio in South Melbourne offers a light and airy space where students of all levels can learn to master the art of pottery. There are several types of classes here, including ones that focus on the wheel and handcrafting, taking place over four or eight weeks. The potter's wheel is what most people think of when they think of pottery (thanks, Patrick Swayze), and it is by far the most popular place to start. Guided by the supportive staff, students will learn the art of throwing and other skills as they attempt to create their first masterpiece. Hand building, on the other hand, involves techniques such as slab-building, coiling and the pinch pot, which are used to create truly unique pieces. This is a much more chilled approach to pottery, as the constant speed and movement of the wheel don't apply. Instead, you can just kick back, relax and mould away. The terms run for either four or eight weeks, and they are designed to encourage a personal style in each potter. The course covers everything from design, making, trimming, construction and decoration. At the end of the term, you'll have stacks of pieces you can take home and show off on your mantlepiece. And if you're afraid of commitment, try The Wheelhouse Studio's term taster, a two-hour masterclass, before you sign up for something longer.
They're best known for their dance floor tunes, but the two musicians behind Peking Duk have now turned their talents to a very different sort of offering, opening their very own bar in South Yarra. The well-known electro duo, Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, has teamed up with Sydney's Steven Hiles — who transformed a tired Surry Hills pub into what's now The Horse — along with chef James McCall, to launch Talk To Me. Setting up shop on South Yarra's Commercial Road, in the space once home to Less Than Zero, the intimate bar focuses on quality bar snacks, booze and late-night partying — with, certainly, a banging music curation setting the tone. For this latest venture, the musicians have pulled inspiration from their many overseas jaunts, referencing favourite spots in New York and Asia to deliver a super comfy, chilled-out locals' haunt. This American-Chinese inspiration continues into the playful food menu, too, which also works to the same theme as the venue's name. Kicking off with 'Quick Chat', where you'll find king prawns with kampot pepper and cashew honey sauce and a spam and cheese hot dog with ketchup kimchi. You'll also spy a lineup of cheeseburger-inspired treats dubbed 'Cheesy One-Liners' — featuring fun bites like cheeseburger dim sim, cheeseburger springs rolls and a tempura nori cheeseburger teamed with ponzu ketchup — and swag of vegan-friendly fare, including jackfruit bao and twice-cooked cauliflower with a hit of furikake kewpie. The bao, along with cheeseburger and fried chicken versions, are just $3 on Tuesday nights. And, while the menu won't feature any Peking du(c)k, it will feature a small bar-appropriate Fernet-Branca duck rillete with black ash lavosh. Images: Patrick Party.
Historic Carlton pub The Lincoln is best known for its progressive booze offering and its produce-driven pub feeds. Pull up a stool at the art deco bar and order yourself a pint of craft beer (or a Carlton Draught, naturally) from one of the 12 taps. For wine, expect an extensive list of small, interesting winemakers and, if you're more into the hard stuff, there's an array of spirits and liqueurs, too, with everything from amaro to mezcal and top-shelf whisky. In the warmer months, you can sit outside on the footpath; otherwise, the dining area with retro-style French posters makes for a good place to while away the hours. Coming out of the kitchen are dishes made with top-quality regional, sustainable and seasonal produce. They change regularly, but expect dishes like a traditional scotch egg, schnitty, pork sausages with mash and mushy peas and a 250-gram porterhouse with duck fat roast potatoes. For dessert, pick between a classic sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce or all-so-French tarte tatin. But, if you're at The Limcoln on a Sunday, you won't want to miss out on the pub's weekly-changing $34 roast. One weekend you might find yourself getting acquainted with some roast porchetta starring braised leeks, apple sauce and gravy; while the next, it's all about the roast beef with spiced pumpkin and yorkshire pudding. Exterior images: Georgia Verrells Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
Market Lane Collins Street is your destination for espresso and filter coffee, beans and equipment at the top end of the city. Located in historic Portland House near the intersection of Collins and Spring streets, the small shop is one of six Market Lane locationa, with the boutique roastery also operating cafes in Carlton, Prahran, the Queen Vic Market and South Melbourne. It serves its own espresso and filter coffee as well as a small selection of cakes from Beatrix Bakes in North Melbourne. The Collins Street store was designed by Sarah Trotter of Hearth Studio, with eucalyptus-green walls and tessellated floor tiles meant to reflect the building's Victorian heritage. Textured fabric walls and seating, matte walnut cabinetry and the use of cloudy marble stone are influenced by the work of Australian painter Clarice Beckett (1887-1935), who studied at the College of Art across the street. Appears in: The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne's CBD
Sitting on level three of the Arbory crew's new HER building, Thai barbecue canteen BKK is celebrating punchy flavours cooked over flame and coal. Up here, a roomy, open-concept kitchen takes centre stage, with exposed brick played against warm orange neon and terracotta floors. Enjoy the kitchen theatrics as you tuck into fire-driven fare centred around BKK's custom-built five-metre Zesti charcoal grill and oven; the offering driven by Executive Chef Nick Bennett and Head Chef Sungeun Mo. From barbecued meats to authentic curries, the menu pulls inspiration from across Thailand, with a few modern reinterpretations in the mix. A strong snacking lineup features the likes of mushroom and glass noodle spring rolls, and oysters finished with coconut cream and nam prik pao (a roasted chilli sauce). There are grilled skewers aplenty, a sweet and crispy stir-fried beef dish, and multiple iterations of the classic laab — including one with barbecued pork jowl and khao khua (ground toasted rice). Meanwhile, a green curry stars jackfruit and green banana, and the tiramisu is reborn using rum, white chocolate and shaved ice. The drinks offering's designed to complement the menu's gutsy flavours and heat, via fresh, interesting wines and tropical-leaning cocktails. Continue your Bangkok adventure with sips like the tequila-infused Lychee Spritz or a charred pineapple margarita. An adaptation of the BKK menu is also available up on the HER Rooftop. [caption id="attachment_842087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Parker Blain[/caption] Images: Parker Blain Appears in: The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures will do that, and so will plenty of people staying home because they aren't well — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Perhaps you've been under the weather. Given the hefty amount of titles now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are nine that you can watch right now at home. Longlegs Faces carve deep impressions in Longlegs, in both their presence and their absence. As Agent Lee Harker, Maika Monroe (God Is a Bullet) does so with a clenched jaw, permanently on-edge eyes and mere bursts of words, aka the guise of a woman who'll never stop being vigilant in every moment but doesn't always know exactly why. As the movie's namesake, as announced in the opening credits, Nicolas Cage (Dream Scenario) has audiences straining to catch whatever glimpse they can whenever they can — and when a full look comes, it's scorching and haunting in tandem in the stare alone. Blair Underwood (Origin) gives Harker's boss Carter a weary gaze, but with fully rounded life experience beyond his FBI gig evident behind it. Alicia Witt (Switch Up) plays Ruth Harker, mother to Lee, as distance and struggle personified. As she relays a tale as survivor Carrie Anne Camera, Kiernan Shipka (Twisters) demonstrates how disconnected a grim reality can be from a dream. For his fourth feature following 2015's The Blackcoat's Daughter, 2016's I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House and 2020's Gretel & Hansel — the first of which also starred Shipka — writer/director Osgood Perkins has clearly assembled an excellent cast for his unease-dripping, get-under-your-skin, torment-your-nightmares serial-killer thriller. Another face leaves an imprint beyond his actors, however. Bill Clinton's portrait assists with setting the scene as it adorns bureau offices, with the majority of the movie taking place in the 90s. Think the FBI and three decades back, and there's no lack of pop-culture touchstones. The Silence of the Lambs is one. Monroe's portrayal as a newly minted operative tracking a murderer is every bit as layered, complex and unforgettable — and awards-worthy — as Jodie Foster's (True Detective: Night Country) Oscar-winning performance was. Longlegs streams via Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Maika Monroe and Osgood Perkins. MaXXXine As played as an unrelenting force by Mia Goth (Infinity Pool), even when slasher killers have other plans, Maxine Minx was always going to go big and never go home. To wrap up the horror trilogy with the ambitious actor at its centre (when Goth hasn't also been playing Pearl, its other protagonist, as both an elderly and a younger woman), MaXXXine shoots for the stars as well, including in shifting to new surroundings. Gone is the New Zealand-standing-in-for-Texas production base of X and its prequel Pearl. Absent is the claustrophobic feel of mainly making one spot the franchise's location, whether it was taking place in the 70s in its first entry or in the 1910s in its second. This Los Angeles-set leap to 1985 sparkles with the same scorching drive and determination as its titular figure — and Minx, Goth, writer/director Ti West (Them) and MaXXXine alike won't accept a life, or a swansong instalment in one of the best sagas in the genre in the 2020s, that they do not deserve. From its debut with 2022's X, which turned a porn shoot in a remote farmhouse into a bloody stalking ground, West's big-screen series has always understood that sex and violence so often intersect in the arena that it's paying tribute to: moving pictures. X, Pearl and now MaXXXine also see how censors and the pearl-clutching equate one with the other. Equally, these pictures glean how a woman with a libidinous appetite — or simply the craving to succeed and the unwillingness to settle — can be deemed a larger threat to morality than a murderer. They also spy what a battle it too frequently is for women to chart their own path free of society's expectations, no matter their aspirations. West not only continues splattering these ideas through the Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)- and Kevin Bacon (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F)-co-starring MaXXXine, but layering them, plus stacking his latest unpackings of them with X and Pearl. The true target in his current sights, however: what it just might cost to make it in a realm as ruthless and ravenous as stardom. MaXXXine streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Elizabeth Debicki and Kevin Bacon. The Bikeriders Can a dream ever exist for more than a fleeting moment? That isn't just a question for oneirology, the field of psychology focused on studying the involuntary visions of our slumbers, but also applies whenever tales of motorcycle clubs rev across the screen. Stories of hitting the open road on two wheels, finding camaraderie and community in a group of likeminded outsiders, and perhaps discovering a purpose along the way are stories of chasing dreams — of freedom, of belonging, of mattering, of meaning in a world seemingly so devoid of it if you don't fit in the traditional sense. So it was in TV series Sons of Anarchy and in Australian film 1%, two titles set within the roar and rush of biker gangs in recent years. So it was in The Wild One, 1953's Marlon Brando-starring classic that immortalised the query "what are you rebelling against?" and the reply "whaddaya got?". Now, so it equally proves in The Bikeriders, about a 60s and 70s leather- and denim-wearing, motorbike-riding crew formed after infatuation got motors runnin' when founder Johnny (Tom Hardy, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) saw The Wild One on TV. A family man, Johnny has a dream for the Vandals MC out of America's midwest — and so does Benny (Austin Butler, Dune: Part Two), the closest thing that the club has to a spirit animal. The latter is introduced alone at a bar wearing his colours, refusing to take them off even when violence springs at the hands of unwelcoming patrons. He won't be tamed, the sixth feature from writer/director Jeff Nichols after Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving establishes early. He won't be anyone but his smouldering, swaggering, rebel-without-a-cause self, either. Courtesy of the Vandals, he not only has the space to stand firm, but the assurance. He's a lone wolf-type, but knows that he has the devoted backing of the pack anyway. Johnny has fashioned the gang as a tribe and a place to call home for those who can't locate it elsewhere, and is open about how his fellow bikers need Benny — and how he does as well — to look up to. The Bikeriders streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Austin Butler. Twisters A cinema plays a key part in Twisters. Frankenstein flickers across its screen, but mother nature proves not only more of a monster, but also an audience member worse than folks who can't manage to spend two hours in a darkened room without their phones. There's a knowing air to featuring a picture palace in this disaster-flick sequel from Minari director Lee Isaac Chung and The Boys in the Boat screenwriter Mark L Smith, reminding viewers how deeply this genre and this format are linked. Almost three decades ago, as co-penned by Michael Crichton fresh off Jurassic Park's mammoth success, 1996's Twister packed movie theatres worldwide to the tune of nearly half-a-billion dollars, doing so with a spectacle. No matter if its sequel reaches the same heights at the box office globally, it too delivers better-on-the-big-screen sights, chief among them Chung and cinematographer Dan Mindel's (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) naturalistic imagery. For those unaware going in that the filmmaker behind six-time Oscar contender Minari — a helmer who received a Best Director Academy Award nomination for his gorgeous and heartfelt work, in fact — is also steering Twisters, it isn't hard to guess from its look, including in its opening moments alone. The movie begins with storm chasers doing what they enthusiastically do. It also kicks off with a horror turn of events thanks to a tornado that exceeds their expectations, and with the crew's survivors afterwards struggling with trauma that'll later drive them forward. In these scenes and beyond, this isn't a picture of visual gloss and sheen, as witnessed right down to its lighting. Twisters remains polished, of course. It also can't tell its tale without CGI. But a choice as pivotal as valuing a genuine aesthetic tone over a gleaming one has a massive impact. Twisters streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos and Lee Isaac Chung. Inside Out 2 They're basic: joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger, that is, the five emotions that swirled inside human heads in Pixar's 2015 hit Inside Out. In nine-years-later follow-up Inside Out 2, that quintet of feelings isn't enough to cope with being a teenager, which is where anxiety, envy, ennui and embarrassment come in. The newcomers arrive with the onset of puberty, literally overnight. They have no time for simple happiness; they've levelled up some of the emotions adjacent to sorrow, fright, dismay and fury, too. Although its now 13-year-old protagonist Riley Andersen (Kensington Tallman, Summer Camp) isn't actively choosing how to manage her feelings because her feelings themselves are doing that for her, Inside Out was always an all-ages ode to mindfulness, as is its sequel — and discovering how to accept and acknowledge apprehension, unease and nerves is here, like in life, a complicated balancing act. In the Inside Out world, feelings are characters, led in Riley's noggin by the radiant Joy — who, with Amy Poehler (Moxie) shining with Leslie Knope-esque positivity in the voice-acting part, is one of Pixar's best-ever cast figures. In an ideal inner world, they all get along. But workplace comedy-style, getting viewers thinking about Parks and Recreation again, that's never the case. Joy, Sadness (Phyllis Smith, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), Fear (Tony Hale, Quiz Lady), Disgust (Liza Lapira, The Equalizer) and Anger (Lewis Black, The Last Laugh) have their routine down pat when Inside Out 2 kicks off. They can handle everything from high-stakes hockey games, complete with a stint in the sin bin, through to learning that Riley's best friends Grace (Grace Lu, Fight Krewe) and Bree (debutant Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green) will be going to a different high school. Then their status quo is upended by the Inside Out equivalent of new colleagues storming in. Inside Out 2 streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. A Quiet Place: Day One There seems little that could be utopian about an alien invasion film where people are picked off by hulking, spider-limbed, lightning-fast, armour-clad creatures who punish every sound with almost-instant death, but prequel A Quiet Place: Day One makes the opening status quo of horror franchise-starter A Quiet Place look positively idyllic. If you're forced to try to survive an extra-terrestrial attack, where better to be than at your well-appointed farmland home with your family, as the John Krasinski (IF)-helmed and -starring 2018 feature depicted? Most folks, including the third movie in the saga's protagonist Samira (Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), a terminal cancer patient with just a service cat called Frodo left as kin, can only dream of being that lucky — not that there's much time for fantasising about a better way to be conquered by otherworldly monsters when what looks like meteors start crashing down to earth. Samira is in hospice care as the A Quiet Place big-screen series, which also spans 2021 release A Quiet Place Part II, steps back to the moment that its apocalyptic scenario begins in New York. She hugs her black-and-white feline companion like letting go would untether her from life even before existence as the planet knows it changes forever — when she's sharing surly poems among other patients, being convinced to attend a group excursion to see a marionette show and, when the promise of pizza on the way home is nixed, telling kindly nurse Reuben (Alex Wolff, Oppenheimer) that he's not actually her friend. Written and directed by Pig filmmaker Michael Sarnoski, A Quiet Place: Day One explores the ground-zero experience for someone who feels so alone in this world and connected only to her devoted pet, and also answers a question: how do those on more than two feet react when the worst that humans can imagine occurs? A Quiet Place: Day One streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. In a Violent Nature Again and again, fans of slasher films have seen the one about the unhinged murderer butchering teen victims. They've seen more than one, in fact. It's a horror convention: take a bunch of young adults, then dispense with them person by person as a killer works through childhood trauma. Penning and helming his first feature — his short Z Is for Zygote was included in The ABCs of Death 2, and he did special effects work on Psycho Goreman, too — writer/director Chris Nash knows the basics of his chosen genre as much as any other diehard viewer. He's just as aware of the great, and greatly influential, flicks gone by such as Halloween and Friday the 13th. He's well-versed in their tropes in storytelling and in form alike. Making his full-length debut with a picture called In a Violent Nature, he's also clued up on what happens when someone sinister gets a-stalking in scenic surroundings. Plot-wise, Nash isn't trying to break the mould with his account of Johnny (Ry Barrett, Massacre at Femur Creek) and the folks who are unlucky enough to fall across his path. But the filmmaker asks a question: what if a rampaging slaughterer's terrors came not with a score heralding their every menacing move (even when those tunes can become iconic, as John Carpenter's Halloween music has), but with the ordinary silence of everyday life in nature punctuated only by noises just as commonplace, and then by the sounds of a killer at their insidious worst? In its imagery, In a Violent Nature adds another query: what if the audience wasn't biding its time with those likely to perish, tension dripping from not knowing when and where the murderer would strike, but was stuck at the side of the force causing such gruesome mayhem as the inevitable approaches? There's seldom any escape from a slasher; however, Nash finds a new way to take that idea literally. In a Violent Nature streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Promised Land The transfixing terrain of Mads Mikkelsen's face has been cast against formidably frosty and inhospitable climes before, weathering mirroring weathering. Sporting a piercing and determined glint in his eye, the Danish acting great has previously surveyed the Scandinavian landscape, too, seeing possibility where others spot peril. It was true in Arctic, in Valhalla Rising and now in The Promised Land: there's no stare as mesmerisingly resolute as his. When Ludvig Kahlen, Mikkelsen's latest character, insists that he can do what no one else has done — to begin with: settling the heath on the heather-covered Jutland moorland and building a colony for the king, a feat considered virtually impossible in the mid-18th century — doubting him isn't a possibility for anyone in the movie's audience. The BAFTA-nominated Another Round star has danced in historical drama territory for his countryman director Nikolaj Arcel in the past as well, with the pair reteaming after 2012's Oscar-nominated A Royal Affair. A different king sits on the throne in this film, Frederick V instead of Christian VII; however, the regal shadow remains inescapable. This time, Mikkelsen and Arcel tell not of a doctor influencing a monarch and a country, but of a soldier aligning his quest for a better future with a sovereign's wish, and learning what it means to chase a dream only to realise that you need something less tangible. Kahlen's attempt to farm land considered barren is equally a battle against entitlement and arrogance thanks to his clash with Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg, Borgen), a cruel local magistrate who contends that the king's land is his own — and feels far enough away from Copenhagen for there not to be any consequences for his claim. The Promised Land streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Taste of Things Cooking is an act of precision. It's also one of feeling. On the movie that nabbed him the Best Director award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Trần Anh Hùng (Éternité, Norwegian Wood) helms with the same care, spirit and emotion that his characters display in the kitchen. The Taste of Things' audience has a front-row seat to both, as this 1885-set French picture begins with dishes upon dishes being whipped up and the feature's gaze, via cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg (Final Cut), lenses their creation intimately and sumptuously. The film's extraordinary opening 30 minutes-plus, as the camera is trained on the stove and counter with slight detours around the room to collect or wash ingredients, is meticulously crafted and at the same time instinctual. Think: the sensations of observing the finest of fine-dining chefs and being a child watching your grandmother make culinary magic, as nearly every kid has, all rolled into one appetising introductory sequence. In the home of gourmand Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel, The King of Algiers), and in its heart, his personal chef Eugénie (Juliette Binoche, The New Look) is so skilled and fastidious that she'd do small-screen hit The Bear proud; she's clearly a conjurer of the culinary arts, too. Hùng and Ricquebourg — the latter a well-deserving Lumiere Award-winner for his efforts here — are methodical with the choreography of setting the scene, while equally deeply immersed in the flow of the kitchen's tasks. As soundtracked by chirping birds, if this was The Taste of Things for 135 minutes and not just half an hour-ish, it'd remain a mesmerising movie. (A word of warning: eat before viewing, lest hunger pangs not just simmer but boil over.) Adapting 1924 novel The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by epicure Marcel Rouff as he scripts and directs, Hùng does more than fashion among the most-handsomely staged and shot imagery of a meal coming to life, but his approach to this entrée establishes the flavour. The Taste of Things streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Looking for more viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, February, March, April, May, June and July 2024 (and also January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023, too). We keep a running list of must-stream TV from across 2024 as well, complete with full reviews. And, we've also rounded up 2024's 15 best films, 15 best new TV shows, 15 best returning TV shows and 15 best straight-to-streaming movies from the first half of the year. Also, here's 2023's 15 best films, 15 best straight-to-streaming movies, 15 top flicks hardly anyone saw, 30 other films to catch up with, 15 best new TV series of 2023, another 15 excellent new TV shows that you might've missed and 15 best returning shows as well.
With its Bollywood soundtrack, pink-lit bathroom with the mantra "you are beautiful" on repeat and a drinks trolley that looks like it came straight from the set of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Jessi Singh's Daughter in Law promises — and delivers — a whole lot of fun. Having been in the kitchen since 6am, owner and chef Singh likes to work the floor during service, weaving among tables, talking about the dishes and treating diners to his twinkly smile. To eat, you'll be tasting dishes from the street, the pots and the tandoor — all given an 'inauthentic' twist. From the tandoor enjoy the chicken, paneer tikka or the king prawns. But, whatever you do, order Colonel Tso's cauliflower. Perfectly fried, spicy and crunchy, this defies any ideas you may have previously held about this vegetable. Balls of happiness are another must. The menu describes them as India's favourite street food. Singh is unwavering on his butter chicken recipe, which has no butter or cream, and is a lighter and popular choice at his restaurants. The cosy and comforting Aunty Dhal is a great vegetarian option, with its slow simmered black lentils, ginger and garlic. Or try the Aussie lamb chops served with raita and mint chutney. One wall at Daughter in Law boasts shelves (and shelves) of wine. And boast it should, the wine list is extensive running the full range of fizz, red, white, pink and skin contact from Australian, French and Californian vineyards. The self-serve beer fridge means there's a big range of craft beer, too. Images: Peter Tarasiuk
Founded in Shenzhen, China in 2021, Molly Tea quickly set its sights on Australian stores. On the back of its successful Australian debut in Sydney's Haymarket last year — as well as a further two sites opening in the Harbour City in March this year — Melbourne is now joining the party with the launch this month of not just one, but three locations in town, including a flagship Swanston Street store. For those not yet in the know, Molly Tea's particular variety of premium Chinese tea has rapidly gained a cult following thanks to its dedication to — and celebration of — all things jasmine. If you're keen see what the fuss is about, you can head to the Swanston Street flagship, or the brand's other new sites at 399 Elizabeth St and Sky One Box Hill from mid-May. The Molly Tea ethos is rooted in the Four White Flowers of the East (四君子) — that's plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum — with each drink made using top-quality mountain tea leaves and naturally scented with fresh flowers to deliver a rich sensory experience. You can explore these flavours in Molly Tea's three signature product lines: the Fresh Milk Tea Series, the Fresh Oat Milk Tea Series and the Snowy Whipped Series. The latter sees your choice of tea topped with a velvety and delicate jasmine-infused whipped cream. Every time you visit, there's a good chance you'll be able to try a new seasonal specialty, as the brains behind Molly Tea are always at work combining its much-loved jasmine base with creative flavours and toppings. So, whether you're a lifelong tea devotee or a newbie looking to see what all the fuss is about, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with the brand's signature brews. To celebrate its Melbourne debut, Molly Tea will host four days of celebrations and giveaways at its new Swanston Street site, with dates to be confirmed. You can score a tea-scented sachet if you make a purchase and leave a Google review. This way, you can fill your home with an enchanting aroma that recalls lush jasmine plantations. On select days, the first 100 customers who purchase two drinks will get a limited-edition black Dupont bag and a rabbit-shaped candle — and customers 101–200 will receive a candle, too. Can't make it to opening weekend? There'll still be time to get involved. The chain is also set to offer a deal for customers who purchase a second drink from a select menu, getting it for half price. Molly Tea will open its three Melbourne stores — Swanston Street, Elizabeth Street and Box Hill — from mid-May. Head to the brand's website for more information.
It's been just over ten years since the streets of Hawthorn and Kew started slowly but surely transforming from quiet suburbs to trendy neighbourhoods complete with specialty cafes, independent homewares stores, and cool fashion boutiques. The two areas share a border and it's impossible to mention the growth of one without citing the development of the other — particularly as both boast an abundance of local owned shops and businesses that deserve your attention. To help you navigate these gems in Melbourne's east, we've teamed up with American Express and curated a go-to guide for the best small businesses in both Kew and Hawthorn. Discover a thrilling page-turner for your summer break, find the perfectly kitsch gift for your bestie, or get comfy in your favourite new local cafe, all with a tap of your American Express Card.
Looking for another excuse to hit the road? We have plenty — from weekends sipping pinot noir and strolling by the water on the Mornington Peninsula and culture-fuelled adventures in Ballarat, to a sleepover in a castle in a lesser-known wine region and bike rides powered by local produce in the Yarra Valley. Now, we bring you art — loads of it. Wherever you go in Victoria, there's a gallery, public artwork, sculpture park, installation or studio nearby. To inspire you to get behind the wheel, we've gathered ten of the best spots. Trail of Lights, Mildura Unlike many light installations, Trail of Lights isn't sensational. Instead, its power is contemplative. You cross a lock over the Murray River onto an island, transformed into a seemingly infinite field of lights. More than 12,000 of them glow among the grass, trees and rocks, each gradually dimming, then brightening, like fireflies. "People react in all kinds of different ways — some people have told me it made them cry," a hotel owner in Mildura told us. Trail of Lights is the creation of UK artist Bruce Munro, who's also behind Field of Lights at Uluru. While you're in town, visit NAP Contemporary and Mildura Arts Centre. Wama Foundation, Halls Gap After 14 years of dreaming and planning, WAMA Foundation opened in July 2025. It's home to the National Centre for Environmental Art, which is the first space in Australia dedicated to environmental art. And you'll find it in the foothills of the Gariwerd/Grampians — among the Endemic Botanic Gardens and the Jallukar Native Grasslands. From 5 July–4 November 2025, West Australian artist Jacobus Capone has taken over with his show End & Being, an exploration of environments impacted by human activity, through painting, photography, video and performance. While you're there, have some more adventures without our list of ten things you didn't realise you could do in the Grampians. Djaara Lights, Bendigo This magical piece by Troy Firebrace and Drew Berick uses light, art and augmented reality to tell the story of the six seasons on Djandak (Country) of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, the traditional owners of Bendigo. During the daytime, visit Djaa Djuwima, the first dedicated and permanent First Nations gallery in the area, and Dumawul, a cultural centre offering local art, walks and talks. Then there's Bendigo Art Gallery, one of Australia's oldest and biggest regional galleries. It carries a large collection of contemporary Australian works, plus a bunch of 19th century European paintings. Street Art, Warrnambool Over the past few years, Warrnambool has become a hot spot for street artists. Spend a weekend wandering among truly monumental pieces, from Claire Foxton's Our Story, featuring giant portraits of local refugees and immigrants on the West Warrnambool water tower, to Adnate's Ngatanwarr (Welcome) mural, inspired by the culture and narratives of the Gunditjmara and Great South Coast region. Other stand-outs include the Ewen Coates's controversial sculpture 3 Pillars of Gratification, a commemoration of the suffragette movement titled Once Women Won the Vote and Julie Squires's Where's the Water?, an impossibly cute series of bronze fairy penguins. On your way to Warrnambool, consider taking the Great Ocean Road with the help of our wintry weekender guide, or our four-day road trip itinerary. Silo Art Trail, Various Locations For an all-out road trip, take the Silo Art Trail, a series of monumental artworks on silos in small towns all over Victoria. There are now 23 stops along the way. Head to Avoca in the Central Highlands to see an owl backdropped by a starburst sky that glows in the dark — and to draw your own artwork on torchlight. At St Arnaud in the Wimmera, you'll come across Kyle Torney's giant portraits of three of the town's pioneers. Then, in Rochester, on the Campaspe River, see Jimmy D'Vate's towering squirrel glider, azure kingfisher and platypus. Whether you explore every silo on one trip, or decide on a less ambitious itinerary, give yourself a few days to explore. Convent Gallery, Daylesford The Convent isn't just a gallery, it's an experience — straight out of the 19th century. The building which, of course, began life as a convent, before becoming a boarding school, holds seven art spaces, plus a museum, chapel, cafe, bar and gift shop. More 100 permanent artworks are dotted across four levels, as well as temporary exhibitions that change every eight weeks — usually starring local artists. Once you've explored the Convent, go roaming around Daylesford with our weekender's guide or indulge yourself in hot spas, fireside gastropub fare and luxe sleepovers. EVA & Marc Besen Centre, at Tarrawarra Museum of Art, Healesville Tarrawarra Museum of Art has been luring art-lovers to Healesville since 2003 with its spectacular hilltop location, and unique exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists — from the giant sculptures of Rose Nolan to the industrial design of Clement Meadmore. As of March 2025, there's a whole new reason to visit, with the opening of the Eva & Marc Besen Centre. Here, you can wander among more than 300 works from the Museum's collection — in storage. To get the most out of your visit, book a tour and take a look at the program. You might catch a workshop, talk, forum or live performance. If you're looking for more things to do in Healesville and Yarra Valley, jump over to our weekender's guide. Berninneit, Phillip Island If you thought Phillip Island was all fairy penguins, beaches and yummy food (not a bad combo, after all), think again. Since November 2023, with the opening of Berninneit, it's become a magnet for arts and culture aficionados. Created for the purpose (with the help of $27.2 million), the building houses not only a gallery, but also a museum, theatre and library. Exhibitions range from shows by local artists such as painter John Adams, who's been at work for more than 70 years, to Narrm (Melbourne) artist Elena Betros López, whose installation as light through water explores the watery world of the Giant Cuttlefish. Come evening, catch a show in the theatre, whose program covers drama, comedy, dance, music and more. PT. Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula Across 16 acres, Pt. Leo Estate gives you more than 70 sculptures to explore — from both Australian and international artists. Among them, you'll find works by KAWS, Yayoi Kusama, George Rickey, Tony Cragg, Inge King, Boaz Vaadia, Tomokazu Matsuyama, BARRY FLANAGAN and many others. Highlights include Kusama's Pumpkin, bright red and covered in black polkadots, as well as KAWS's Share 2020, a monumental figure in painted bronze clinging onto his much smaller best friend, and Flanagan's Drummer, a colossal bronze hare skipping while playing an Irish drum. Hanging around the Mornington Peninsula for a couple of days? Take our weekender's guide with you. Street Art, Benalla Warrnambool might have become more popular for street art recently, but Benalla in the Hume region is still the Australian capital. Artists from all over the world have hit the walls there, from Choq, Adnate and Guido van Helten to Rone, Sirum and DVATE. And, in autumn every year, the little town hosts a street art festival, which attracts thousands of people. Benalla is also an excellent launching point for travels in the High Country — whether you're looking for more art and culture or stunning walks. Images: Visit Victoria
Longrain has long been one of Melbourne's top Thai restaurants — before and after Scott Pickett (founder of Estelle, Smith St Bistrot, Chancery Lane and Matilda) took over in late 2020. He and his team serve a huge range of contemporary Thai fare within a converted horse stable at the top end of Little Bourke Street, but it has always been a dine-in situation, with lunch only available on Friday arvos. But that's all changing this autumn and winter. As of Monday, May 13, the Longrain team is serving lunch-style adaptations of some of the restaurant's most legendary dishes at the west end of Little Collins Street — right next to Pickett's own Chancery Lane. On the menu: head chef Long Le has turned the much-loved crispy pork hock into a roll loaded with pickles, coriander and sriracha mayo; the whole fish is now broken down into more manageable crispy fish fillets served with tamarind mayo and Chinese cabbage slaw; and the prawn salad has been reimagined as a lunchtime dish that's leaps and bounds greater than your Kardashian-style shake-and-go salads. Desserts are also on offer, in the form of Thai milk tea panna cotta and a coconut chocolate mousse. "Our menu is all about tasty, affordable meals that you can eat on the go," says Le. "We have thoughtfully reimagined the flavours, techniques and presentation of Longrain classics that guests know and love without compromising on quality and authenticity." The food is all designed to be taken away, but a handful of seats are available for those who want to dine in. Chang beer, canned wine, young coconut juice and Thai coffee are also up for grabs. Beyond the ready-to-eat dishes, Longrain Canteen is also selling Thai pantry staples and hard-to-find ingredients for those who want to try a bit of Thai cooking at home. Just be sure to get in soon — the pop-up will only run until the start of spring. You'll find Longrain Canteen at 430 Collins Little Street until the start of spring, open Monday–Friday, 11am–2.30pm. For more details, head to the venue's website. Interior images: Alex Squadrito
Melbourne's food scene might be world-famous, but it's not all fancy fine-diners and lavish degustations. This fine city of ours also boasts a smorgasbord of top-notch culinary options to suit even the tiniest of budgets. Just because you're saving your dollars — or it's a few weeks out from payday — doesn't mean you've gotta give up the good stuff. We've scouted the streets for Melbourne's best cheap eats under $20 that'll fill your belly without emptying too much from your wallet. There are big bowls of ramen, towering Korean sandwiches and cheesy pizza slices, each one yours for less than $20. Step away from the mi goreng and check out these budget-friendly food finds all over the city. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Melbourne The Best Ramen in Melbourne The Best Burgers in Melbourne The Best Banh Mi in Melbourne
Sunhands had big shoes to fill, taking over the space that was home to much-loved Ima Project Café, but it's more than earned its keep with its combination of stunning all-day fare and sun-drenched, earthy interiors. Sunhands straddles the line between café and wine bar, transitioning from one into the other on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Founded by first-time business owner Ishella Butler and Heartattack and Vine co-owners Nathan Doyle and Matt Roberts, Sunhands combines ingenuity with experience through an ever-changing menu with head chef Phil Tran of Carlton Wine Room fame at the helm. Small-scale, local producers and vegetables from Keilor's Day's Walk Farm are prioritised in the construction of the dynamic menu, which can range from the signature 'pick and mix' Sunhands plate chock full of seasonal produce and dippy eggs with soldiers during the day to oysters, pickled octopus and cured fish come sundown. The wine list spotlights local winemakers who engage in natural and biodynamic practices. A wine shop, deli, café and wine bar all in one, Sunhands is a versatile offering that satiates the appetites of locals as much as it's come to embody a destination you'd travel for. It's only been around for slightly more than two years, but it feels like forever — in the best way possible.
Anyone who has tasted The Gidley's extraordinary burger will know it's something special. Now, thanks to the annual rankings compiled by the respected World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants judges, we know just how special it is. Ranked ninth on The World's Top Ten Burgers list, the upmarket CBD steakhouse was the only Australian restaurant to earn a nod this year, making its burger the best in the nation. The two carefully hand-crafted beef patties are sourced from hospitality group Liquid & Larder's in-house butchery, located at The Gidley's sister venue Alfie's in the CBD. Once cooked medium rare, they're topped with mature cheddar and a few judiciously placed slivers of dill pickle, all contained within a soft milk bun. [caption id="attachment_751377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] While customers have the option of adding an egg or rashers of bacon to their sandwich, there are no additional condiments included on The Gidley's burger, and trust us, that's a good thing. When the meat is as tender and moist as this, the rich, beefy juices are more than sufficient to self-sauce every succulent mouthful, right down to the last bite. In other great news for Sydneysiders, The Gidley's award-worthy burger is now also available at Surry Hills whisky bar The Rover. The monster burger at Shoreditch barbecue joint Salt Shed in London took out the top spot on this year's rankings., leading an impressive showing for the British capital, including Bleecker in Bloomberg Arcade in third place, Black Bear Market in Exmouth Market in fifth position, and Burger & Beyond, also in Shoreditch, in seventh. Burgers from New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Miami and Valencia made up the rest of the top ten list. For the full list of the World's Best Burgers, head to the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants website. Images: Dominic Loneragan
UPDATE: JANUARY 28, 2020 — Cheesy and peppery, cacio e pepe is one of our all-time favourite pastas. And at Melbourne CBD's Marameo, for all of January and February, you can pair it with a Marameo spritz for just $20. Available at lunch and dinner, the $20 cacio e pepe spritz deal is perfect for those balmy summer days (and when you can't quite face another soggy desk sandwich). Fun, vibrant Italian is the name of the game at Russell Place diner Marameo. From the same minds that brought us Il Bacaro, Bar Carolina and Tetto di Carolina, this one's a playful, yet considered offering, that'll transport you straight to aperitivo hour on some sunny Italian holiday. The space once home to Sarti has been reimagined with a mix of pale timber, green accents, burnt orange leather and an impressive white marble bar taking pride of place inside. While the warm 80-seat restaurant space itself is stunning, it's the terrace that's destined to be covetable turf during the balmy afternoons and evenings to come. On the menu, you'll spy a strong selection of cheese, salumi and antipasti, as well as creative snacks like the wagyu tartare cannoli ($7) and carrot with bug tail, salmon roe and corn ($9). Pasta made fresh in-house daily might include the likes of cavatelli with pork sausage and broccoli ($25) or squid ink spaghetti with blue swimmer crab and chilli ($29), while the grill is turning out classic flavours like a pork chop cotoletta matched with fennel and cabbage ($36). There's even a $15 spaghetti cacio e pepe, on offer for quick weekday lunches between 12–3pm. As for what you'll be sipping on that terrace, the bar's pouring a hefty selection of spritzes, a 300-strong lineup of wine and a tight list of revamped classic cocktails, including a four-month barrel-aged negroni. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
It's always good to have a killer cocktail recipe up your sleeve. Whether you're hosting a Hottest 100 countdown party in your backyard, heading to a beachside Boxing Day barbecue or your mates stop by unexpectedly for a few cold ones before a night out — the drinks you serve can make or break the vibe. While the sun is shining and the days are long, you can't go past a fruity, tropical tipple with a generous splash of rum. We've teamed up with BATI and RATU by RUM Co of Fiji to craft three cocktail recipes to help you become the true hero of summer. They're fancier than goon punch in a laundry bucket and, to be honest, require about the same amount of effort. Your friends will be talking about these drinks all summer. FIJIAN DAIQUIRI Make like you're lying on a beach in Fiji and whip up a few of these bad boys next time you're entertaining poolside. — 45ml RATU Spiced Rum — 45ml coconut water — 15ml fresh lime juice — 15ml falernum syrup Add the rum, coconut water, lime juice and falernum syrup (which you should be able to find at any decent bottle shop) to a cocktail shaker with a good handful of ice and shake it like you mean it. If you're all out of fresh coconuts, strain into a chilled coupe or champagne glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or slice of coconut to make it a bit fancy. SPICED AND STORMY An absolute classic for a reason — there's just something heavenly about the combo of spiced rum, a spicy ginger beer and a tangy hint of lime. — 30ml BATI Spiced Rum — two dashes of aromatic bitters — ginger beer — lime wedges This one is super easy. Fill a highball glass with ice, throw in some spiced rum, two dashes of bitters and two lime wedges (after you've squeezed in their juice). Top with the ginger beer of your choice — make it the alcoholic variety for an extra kick or take it easy with non-alcoholic fizz. CORRETTO PACIFICO Coffee and liquor, they go together like peanut butter and chocolate, like wine and cheese — like, well, coffee and liquor. This one is a pacific twist on a classic corretto, which has been served in Italian bars and coffee shops for decades. It's like a simple (and easy) espresso martini. — 45ml RATU Signature Blend Rum — 30ml cold brew coffee — orange slices Pour the rum and cold brew coffee into a chilled rocks glass with some ice and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a slice of orange and let the compliments roll in. Feeling Adventurous? Learn more about BATI and RATU by RUM Co of Fiji here.
When Parrtjima — A Festival in Light announced its 2025 program, the numbers were impressive, with the event's tenth edition featuring works by 20-plus First Nations artists, plus more than 100 performers and special guests. But nothing sells this Australian celebration of Indigenous arts more than the spectacular end results each year, when the fest lights up the Northern Territory. For 2025, that time is now, and it's once again a dazzling sight to behold. Parrtjima — A Festival in Light has so firmly established itself as a highlight of Alice Springs, the Red Centre and Australia's cultural scene that it's hard to imagine a time before it. Getting a 2.5-kilometre stretch of 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges glowing every evening is the reliable star of the show; however, that's just the beginning. Heading along this year also means being welcomed by The Gateway at Parrtjima's entrance, for instance, where towering poles by artists from Antulye, Irlpme, and Mparntwe groups are greeting guests. Also, Balanggarra and Yolŋu artist Molly Hunt's Three Generations of Station Women is an animated comic strip that honours Aboriginal stockwomen, with actor Mark Coles Smith (Apple Cider Vinegar) on soundtrack duties. Then there's Bobby West Tjupurrula's Hypnotic Reverberations, creating a moving dreamscape out of beams of light, mist and reflections on a shallow pool. From Lyall Giles, Transforming Light & Country isn't just about sand dune patterns — it gets festivalgoers playing with them, using drums to create rings of light. 2025's Parrtjima kicked off on Friday, April 4, and runs until Sunday, April 13. The MacDonnell Ranges Light Show is among past favourites on the bill, again pairing its eye-catching display with classical music and Arrernte language. Another: Grounded, asking attendees to look down instead of up. A festival of lights in the NT was always going to incorporate the red earth, too, which is where large-scale projections turn the soil into a canvas. This year's version features six artworks. Budgerigar Dreaming Ngatijirri Jukurrpa is also back, using shapes from Wirliyajarrayi artist Myra Nungarrayi Herbert Patrick's paintings in neon-hued abstract bird sculptures — and so is Johnny Young and David Wallace's four-metre-tall The Language of Stockmen. While the fest's first weekend has been and gone, the program still has the Darwin Symphony Orchestra to come, in what'll be Parrtjima's first-ever orchestral performance. Gigs by Dem Mob, Dobby, Desert Divas and Warren H Williams & Western Wind are also part of the upcoming lineup, as is the festival's debut comedy night, with Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra sparking laughs. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until Sunday, April 13, 2025, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light / Che-Chorley. 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.
Opened by renowned chef Scott Pickett (Estelle, Matilda, Pastore and Longrain), Chancery Lane resides in the historic Normanby Chambers site at 430 Collins Street. The space is kitted out with moodily lit dining zones, curved banquettes and arched windows framed in dapper black steel, while the Euro-accented bistro serves up fare that's at once timeless and unafraid of modern technique. The expansive seafood selection features a range of caviar served by the gram or the tin, alongside bites like prawn cocktails with apple and cantaloupe. A rich chicken liver parfait with pineapple on brioche makes for a decadent snack, as does the king dory with Cafe de Paris — surely a cult favourite in the making. Deeper in, you might find yourself tucking into a local snapper with turnip and sauce bois boudran or a Westholme wagyu flank. And while the cheese selection features an impressive, global lineup, prepare to be more than little swayed by lush desserts like the lemon and rum baba. A grand, globe-trotting wine cellar rounds out the fun at Melbourne's Chancery Lane, including a pick of top-shelf wines displayed artfully in a former safe within one of the dining room walls. Images: Tania Bahr Vollrath Appears in: The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
If there's one thing Michael Madrusan and his team have a knack for, it's creating strong characters. The founders of hospitality group Made In The Shade nailed a distinctly elegant vibe with award-winning cocktail bar The Everleigh, and followed up with the wild child party animal that is Russell Street's Heartbreaker. And in 2019, Michael, alongside wife Zara and the rest of the crew, turned his hand to yet another personality-fuelled venue, taking cues from the french brasseries of The Big Apple for the effortlessly sophisticated Bar Margaux. It's a long-discussed concept for which the team finally found the perfect home in a CBD basement — complete with very handy 24-hour licence. Rocking a sprawling underground space on Lonsdale Street, Margaux is one of Melbourne's finest places to go to for wining, dining and late-night good times. The vibe was pitched somewhere in between her two siblings. "She's a wild horse, she's got that wild late-night feel," says Zara. "It's going to be fun, it's going to be casual. A bar before a restaurant, but also a bit glamorous and sophisticated." Here, the fun kicks on till midnight weekdays and 3am Fridays and Saturdays (a rarity with venues of this sort in the CBD), with a substantial supper menu of classic French fare on offer right through to close. It's also the Madrusans' biggest dive into the culinary game yet. Sophisticated, comforting French fare is the schtick — the lineup of escargot, seafood gratin, duck frites and bavette steak are very similar to what you'd find in one of New York's well-loved brasseries. But, while Bar Margaux's key culinary focus might be on those classic French flavours, it's also out to deliver Melburnians a top-notch late-night offering. Shift workers and hospitality night-walkers can now tuck into the likes of steak frites, poached salmon with caviar or a decadent cote de boeuf, right through until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. The rest of the week is also a win for late-night appetites, with the kitchen plating up until midnight. [caption id="attachment_743072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] Then, there's the specials. Bar Margaux's 'Golden Hour', which runs daily from 10pm until close, promising eats and drinks at wallet-friendly prices. You might pop in for a burger matched with a glass of Burgundy, or perhaps a serve of oysters, steak tartare and Champagne when you decide to feed your late-night munchies in the most luxurious way possible. Of course, with this team at the helm, the drinks list was always going to be gold as well. Madrusan's biggest cocktail list yet features a choose-your-own-adventure 'This & That' section, a solid spread of lower ABV creations and some longtime owner favourites, like the stout-infused Black Velvet, and a classic Irish coffee. Throw in a strong list of European beers, French wines and an impressive selection of Champagne and you'll be very glad this place kicks on late. Venue images: Parker Blain. Food images: Gareth Sobey. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023 The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
