Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens have scored a crisp, white new addition, with this year's MPavilion winner. A minimalist design by celebrated architect Glenn Murcutt AO has been chosen as the annual commission's 2019 champion. It marks the sixth MPavilion in the design series, which sees a new temporary structure erected in the inner-city garden each spring. As Australia's only Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, Murcutt boasts some serious design skills, with a special knack for creating buildings that make efficient use of their site and climatic conditions. Some buildings of his you may be familiar with include Newport's modern Australian Islamic Centre, the Berowra Waters Inn in NSW and the Bowali Visitor Information Centre in Kakadu National Park. For his MPavilion, Murcott designed a rectangular structure with a translucent roof fabric stretched across wing-like trusses. Its curved top is lit from within like a lantern, while two open sides offer views of the city skyline and the Yarra. According to Murcutt, the understated MPavilion was inspired by a sleek aircraft wing he once sheltered himself under on a trip to Mexico, and plays to his own well-known motto of 'touch the earth lightly'. The structure will make its home in Queen Victoria Gardens across summer. During its residency, it'll be used as a 'design and cultural laboratory', playing host to a diverse program of workshops, talks, performances and installations. You'll be able to swing by every Friday night from 6pm for the Sunset Series, with live tunes from local DJs and musicians, and some Tuesday mornings for free one-hour yoga sessions. Elsewhere on the program, there's a life drawing class with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, book club with artist Eugenia Lim and a performance by contemporary dance company, Chunky Move. A series of Indigenous design forums, talks on sustainable living and dog walking adventures are some of the other exciting events on the diverse lineup. An on-site kiosk will also be open from 9am daily, serving up Three Thousand Thieves coffee, Four Pillars Gin, wines by ShadowFax and Sample beers. To check out MPavilion's full 2019–20 program, head to the website. Images: John Gollings Updated November 13, 2019
Plastic shopping bags might seem to last forever, but Australian's reliance upon the pesky, flimsy carriers has an expiration date — and it's finally here. In a massive move for the industry — and a huge hug for the environment — the country's supermarkets are ditching single-use plastic bags from this week. Last July, three of the country's biggest grocery chains announced that they'll be banning the bag: Woolworths, Coles and the New South Wales-based Harris Farm. Harris Farm stopping stocking bags at the start of the year, and now it's time for the big two to do the same. Coles will pull the plug on Sunday, July 1, while Woolies — which also includes Big W and BWS — will get in first and remove the bags from checkout from this Wednesday, June 20. The move will impact Woolworths and Coles locations around the country — bringing New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia into line with South Australia, ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, where state-wide plastic bans are already in place. So, without the bags, what are your options? Well, you'll still be able to get plastic bags at the checkout at both supermarkets fro 15 cents each. These ones are apparently thicker, more durable and are made from 80 percent recycled plastic — but, even though they're meant to be more reusable, it's hard to say if people will use them any differently to the way they use single-use bags now. Woolworths will also be offering another fold-up 99-cent bag option, as well as the regular, bulkier green bags. If you get your groceries delivered, you'll be able to choose a no-bag option. Queensland will flat-out ban single-use plastic bags from July 1, and Victoria is set to do the same later this year. NSW is the only state that hasn't committed to banning them. Getting rid the ever-present items everyone has too many of is the latest example of Aussie businesses putting the planet first. Bars around the country have banned plastic straws, Closed Loop has been trialling ways to recycle takeaway coffee cups, and reusable coffee cups have been gaining popularity all over the place — with some cafes offering discounts, and others banning disposable containers completely.
Victorians are preparing to say goodbye to plastic bags as the State Government today confirmed it will impose a statewide ban from late 2019. The Department of Land, Water and Planning has announced that all bags less than 35 microns thick will be banned — that includes degradable, biodegradable and compostable options. Regular black bin bags, animal waste bags and those little bags you put your fruit and veggies in at the supermarket won't fall under the ban. After conducting a public consultation late last year, the Victorian Government received an "enormous amount of feedback" in favour of delivering the ban. "The Government will continue to work closely with Victorian communities and businesses to design the ban — to ensure it works for all Victorians and our environment," said Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio. Premier Daniel Andrews announced the ban on The Project back in October last year in response to a #BanTheBag Change.org petition run by the nightly Ten current affairs program. The move brings the state into line with South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland, who announced it will next year ditch lightweight single-use plastic bags in September 2017. NSW is now the only state that hasn't committed to banning single-use bags. Woolworths has stopped stocking plastic bags at the checkout, and Coles will do the same from this weekend. Instead, the supermarkets will provide thicker, more durable options that won't be included in this ban — but, even though they're meant to be more reusable, it's hard to say if people will use them any differently to the way they use single-use bags now.
If the City of Melbourne has anything to say about it, post-lockdown life in the Victorian capital involves spending plenty of time roaming the CBD streets. Dining is taking over roadways, a citywide scavenger hunt is happening up until Christmas, pop-up food precincts are hitting town for New Year's Eve and a heap of laneways are getting an arty revamp, for starters. Over the next two weeks, too, some familiar faces are breaking out their instruments in some of Melbourne's most popular locations. As part of a collaboration between the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and Mushroom Group, a number of high-profile musicians are hitting the streets for a series of pop-up performances at busy dining spots. The twist: every show is a surprise. So, next time that you walk past a busker on your way to have a meal, you might want to check if it's someone that you recognise. The pop-ups are happening in conjunction with Melbourne Music Week Extended, which is currently in full swing until the end of February, as well as the Melbourne Christmas Festival and the ANZ City Vibes program. The latter supports 40 buskers a day to break out some tunes, doing so at 20 CBD locations until the end of the year. Already, Daryl Braithwaite has belted out a few songs, popping up in Degraves Street on Thursday, December 10, while Gordi also hit the inner-city streets on Friday, December 11. [caption id="attachment_794543" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] City of Melbourne[/caption] For more information about Melbourne's pop-up performances, which are set to take place up until Christmas Eve, check out the official announcement.
The joining of whisky and beer has seen incarnations aplenty — from considered, craft-focused boilermaker pairings, to hard shandies, to the old Scottish favourite, the 'hauf an' a hauf'. But now, Glaswegian whisky Auchentoshan (pronounced ock-un-tosh-un) is steering this boozy union to a clever new place, reimagining that age-old 'hauf an' a hauf' as a refreshing cocktail for the discerning scotch-sippers of today. Not a beer, not a whisky, not even a boilermaker, the Auchentoshan & Ale is something refreshingly different, says brand ambassador Michael Nouri. Shaking up cocktail lists at select local bars this month until the end of June, the Auchentoshan & Ale is whisky and beer's latest manifestation. Smooth, uniquely triple-distilled and a great whisky for cocktails, Auchentoshan American Oak complements a blend of pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, making one warming, yet refreshing drink. It's a new way of drinking two birds with one stone — that's how the saying goes, right? Find out where you can sip your own Auchentoshan & Ale in Melbourne below. LULIE ST TAVERN, ABBOTSFORD A laidback gem set among the backstreets of Abbotsford, Lulie Street Tavern's warehouse space is an outright charmer. Life's rarely as sweet as when you're kicking back in a place like this with some whisky and beer, shooting some pool, vibing off a friendly crowd of regulars and grooving to a banging soundtrack of vinyl tunes. THE KILBURN, HAWTHORN Housed in a stunning heritage building and with a style that cleverly mixes old and new, The Kilburn is the drinking destination you need in your back pocket. A bar well-versed in the art of fine boozing, its star features include a 600-strong curation of whisky and a blissful rotation of boutique brews. [caption id="attachment_624436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tofu Studios[/caption] THE WOOLSHED, DOCKLANDS With its newly reworked interiors and idyllic harbourside location just a few skips out of the CBD, The Woolshed is after-work drinks gold. Here, the suave surrounds of the fireside room prove the perfect winter escape, especially with a prime cut steak in your belly and a fine whisky cocktail exciting your palate. CAMPARI HOUSE, CBD One of Melbourne's original laneway haunts, the multi-level Campari House has a space for every mood and occasion. Get comfy in the dining room with a feast of rustic Italian fare, unwind over cocktails and DJ tunes in the upstairs lounge, or venture to the Astroturfed rooftop bar to team an Auchentoshan & Ale with sweeping city views. THE RAILWAY HOTEL, BRUNSWICK The historic facade of The Railway Hotel gives way to sprawling, contemporary interiors, where a killer live music program pulls folks from far and wide. Inspiring mid-week pub hangs and late-night revelry in equal measure, it's a space just as well suited to low-key pizzas and jugs, as to that 3am, DJ-driven dance floor session. Add in this whisky and beer match, and you're in for a night of full-frontal merriment. Learn more about why whisky and beer go so well together, and get yourself down to one of these Melbourne haunts for an Auchentoshan & Ale.
In too many music biopics to count, a star is born — and also rises to fame after putting their talents towards a dream that's inspired them as long as they can remember. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story looks set to follow same formula, and also parody it. It wouldn't be a movie about Weird Al Yankovic if it didn't take something that already works, then give it a satirical spin, now would it? "My whole life, all I wanted was to do... was make up new words to a song that already exists," Yankovic, as played by Daniel Radcliffe (The Lost City), says in the just-dropped full trailer for Weird — in case you thought the film wasn't going to be gloriously ridiculous. This line bookends glimpses of a childhood Al happily thumbing through accordion magazines and getting caught at a polka party. In other words, this humorous look at the man behind oh-so-many humorous songs is taking the exact approach a film about Weird Al really has to. The new trailer follows a teaser back in May, and gives viewers plenty of gifts: accordions, obviously; recreations of Weird Al's film clips and live performances; chaotic meetings with Madonna, as played by Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood; and origin stories behind tracks like 'My Bologna' and 'Like a Surgeon'. The list goes on, and also includes Radcliffe having an absolute ball in the lead role. In his time playing Harry Potter, Radcliffe did many things. He didn't cut like a surgeon, get himself an egg and beat it, or lose on Jeopardy, though. And, he certainly didn't don the curliest of wigs, swan around in Hawaiian shirts with his chest hair flapping in the breeze or pick up an accordion, either — but Weird is making all of the above magic happen. With Radcliffe seemingly having the time of his life as the musician behind 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' — plus comedic riffs on pretty much every other big song of the past four-plus decades that you can think of — Weird: The Al Yankovic Story really is exactly what it sounds like. It sounds wonderful, too, naturally. Radcliffe sports wire-framed glasses, those shirts, that hair and Yankovic's instantly recognisable moustache in the music biopic, which feels like it was cast by the internet. Made for the Roku Channel in the US, and arriving in America on November 4 — with no details yet dropping about where it'll air Down Under, or when, sadly — this is 100-percent an authorised bio. Yankovic is one of the screenwriters, in fact, alongside director Eric Appel (a TV sitcom veteran with Happy Endings, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and top-notch cop-show parody NTSF:SD:SUV on this resume). If the man in the spotlight's career has taught us all anything apart from the wrong words to pop hits, however, it's that he doesn't take a single thing, including himself, seriously. Also set to feature: Yankovic's rise to fame, all those songs, everything from "his torrid celebrity love affairs" to his "famously depraved lifestyle", and a story that follows his journey "from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time" — at least according to the original press release revealing the flick, which sports a healthy sense of humour. When the film was announced, Yankovic gave his input too, of course. "When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I'm very happy to say we're on schedule," he said. "And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for." Check out the trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story below: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story releases in the US on November 4, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when further details are announced.
When you hear the word 'aurora', there are two possible things that pop into your mind. A lot of people will be reminded of fantastical images of the Northern Lights that colour the skies of Scandinavia — they're actually making their way over the UK right now. Then again, many of us will think of nothing other than Superintendent Chalmers yelling 'aurora borealis'. And, in our books, both are satisfactory responses. But what may not cross your mind is the lesser talked about aurora australis — the Southern Lights. Equally as magical and much closer to home, this phenomenal feat of nature may be visible from Australia and New Zealand this week. This Wednesday, NASA reported a huge sun flare that is currently hurtling its way towards Earth. As the ABC report, "the blast has sheared off a few billion tons of the sun's outer layer ... [it's] heading towards Earth at a speed of about 4 million kilometres per hour". And, while this sounds completely terrifying to anyone not well-versed in science, it's apparently a pretty good thing for those watching the skies. Once they arrive at Earth, the remnants of the blast could manifest themselves as beautiful auroras. NASA's already getting a preview of the show: The hot tip so far is to head to Tasmania, and locals are on high alert. Boasting over 14,000 members, the Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group is in constant chatter about the best place to see the magical lights and at what time they might strike. Though no definite auroras have been reported so far, the views aren't bad at all. Magaret Sonnemann, founder of the group and published author on the topic, is showing particular faith in the light's arrival. "We haven't seen an event like this for several years and we have no idea when it might occur again," she said. Though the event is incredibly difficult to predict, it's definitely worth keeping your eyes on the sky this week. Views like this would set the bar really high for next year's Dark Mofo. Via ABC. Images: Seabird NZ, 'J', Image Editor, Jonathan Esling Photography via photopin cc.
Remember when your mum told you that being popular wasn't everything? There are many situations where that advice holds true. Take watching movies, for example. Sure, superhero flicks look great on the big screen — but for every blockbuster you head along to, there's probably a heap of smaller films you're missing out on. They're the small players in a world that focuses on big hits, and the ones that pop up at fewer cinemas, run for shorter spans, and don't break attendance records. But just because they don't get as much love, doesn't mean they're not worth viewing. Indeed, among the ranks of the under-seen lurk some of the year's best efforts. Take these ten, which — by way of a limited screening season or lacklustre local box office performance — you may have missed, but we think you really should take the time to see. A MOST VIOLENT YEAR It has been a good year for Oscar Isaac. He's about to feature in one of the year's biggest films (that is, Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens), he made an unnerving impact in the best artificial intelligence movie of 2015 (Ex Machina), and he starred in a heartbreaking HBO TV series made by The Wire's David Simon (Show Me A Hero). But before all three, he teamed up with always exceptional Jessica Chastain in A Most Violent Year, a moody, '80s mob thriller from All Is Lost writer-director J. C. Chandor. The tale of an honest man corrupted as he follows his ambitions might seem familiar, but there's nothing that's routine — and plenty that's riveting — about this devastating dissection of the American dream. Read our full review. THE TRIBE Writer-director Miroslav Slaboshpitsky's first feature was always going to be a hard sell. The film runs for more than two hours without a word of dialogue, a hint of music or even any subtitles, with its characters — a group of classmates at a Ukrainian boarding school for the hearing impaired — communicating only through sign language. And it's not just a difficult concept; in an effort that becomes both violent and haunting — all the more so because it demands audiences pay the utmost attention to what they can see — it's also difficult to watch. Reports of fainting are widespread, but those who can stomach its brutal sights will find a movie completely unlike anything else they've ever seen before. Read our full review. LONDON ROAD When the National Theatre turned the real life 'Suffolk Strangler' case into a stage production, it probably wasn't expected. Adapting the play into a film shouldn't have been quite as surprising, but the results certainly are astonishing. Filmmaker Rufus Norris (Broken) teamed up once again with writer Alecky Blythe to bring the theatre work to the screen — not only telling the tale of the murders of five prostitutes that rocked England's Ipswich in 2006, but charting the media frenzy that followed and the reactions throughout the community. What makes London Road stand out isn't its narrative, though, but its approach. The words uttered by actual residents of the area, reporters covering the case and sex workers become a musical sung in stuttered bursts and choreographed in a highly stylised fashion. It also features a memorable performance by Olivia Colman, as well as appearance by Tom Hardy as a taxi driver. TANNA Two youths fall in love, but external forces — i.e. the wishes of their families — complicate matters. With that description, you're likely thinking about Romeo and Juliet — however, there's more to the first feature shot entirely in Vanuatu than simply following in William Shakespeare's footsteps. In fact, the film actually stems from a local tribal tragedy, uncovered by writer-director-producer duo Martin Butler and Bentley Dean after spending seven months living with the indigenous Yakel community, and then working with them to make the movie. Calling Tanna authentic is underselling its heartfelt account of the story, its impassioned performances and its arresting images — the latter of which makes the most of the South Pacific archipelago nation's lush greenery and ash-spewing volcanoes. GIRLHOOD With Girlhood, the third time is the charm for filmmaker Céline Sciamma — although, with the likes of Water Lilies and Tomboy also on her cinematic resume, the first and second times were pretty up there too. Her film might sound like a female version of Richard Linklater's 2014 hit, but even though it also serves up a coming-of-age narrative, that couldn't be further from the truth. Charting the tough times faced by 16-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) on the outskirts of Paris, the movie tackles maturity on the margins with a raw, realistic and intimate approach — and with stunning performances from the largely untrained cast, too. Plus, it ensures viewers will always feel fondly about Rihanna's 'Diamonds', which provides the soundtrack for the film's most striking scene. Read our full review. PARTISAN Trust a film about a charismatic figure that lures single mothers and their children into his cult-like enclave to have the same mesmerising impact upon its viewers. In relating the experience of the oldest boy in the commune, Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel), when he's deemed mature enough to complete special tasks, Ariel Kleiman's debut feature is the kind of movie you can't look away from — even if you want to. Partisan might be inspired by actual accounts of child assassins, but this is an atmospheric take on allegiance and rebellion, rather than an action flick. It's also the latest effort to feature a hypnotic performance by Vincent Cassel, who's no stranger to playing menacing men, but is rarely given a role so simultaneously threatening and understated. Read our full review. '71 The complexities and contradictions of war are thrust onto the screen in '71, and so is rising star Jack O'Connell. If both seem frenetic and anxious, that's understandable — the film recounts the terrors of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, as seen through the perspective of a rookie British solider left in unsympathetic territory by his squadron, after all. Director Yann Demange splices the two together with skill, his first-time helming efforts as intense as the movie's lead portrayal. If you thought O'Connell was good in TV's Skins, or in previous big-screen offerings Starred Up and Unbroken, prepare to see him blow those performances out of the water. Read our full review. LIFE If ever there was a match made in cinema heaven, it's the combination of Anton Corbijn and James Dean. Add actor Dane DeHaan to the equation, and you've got a movie that smoulders as much as its subject, all while peering behind the tragic star's mystique. Everyone knows that Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24 with just three films to his name — and while other features have attempted to give him the biopic treatment, capturing his allure is a much more difficult feat. With the same precision he demonstrated in his last account of a fallen idol, the Joy Division-centric Control, Corbijn achieves just that as he focuses on Dean's connection with Life magazine photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson). Read our full review. THE SALT OF THE EARTH If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Sebastião Salgado's efforts are worth several multi-volume encyclopaedias. Yes, his images are that intricate and informative — as they should be. The Brazilian social documentary photographer and photojournalist has travelled the world for more than 40 years, snapping the people and places few ever see. Thankfully, the film that charts his life, work and impact is just as engaging and illuminating, as directed by veteran filmmaker Wim Wenders alongside Sebastião’s son Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. Don't take the younger Salgado's involvement as a sign of the documentary's sentimentality, however. Instead, he helps craft a textured portrait of a man who has dedicated more than just his career to taking textured portraits. Read our full review. ZERO MOTIVATION One of the year's funniest and most thoughtful movies sprang from an unlikely place: within the human resources unit of an Israeli army administration office. There, two pencil-pushing women (Nelly Tagar and Dana Ivgy) dream of something more — however, they're never unaware of their status, nor of the military side of their employment. You're probably thinking that Talya Lavie’s feature sounds like it wouldn't be out of place alongside other amusing yet perceptive looks at bureaucracy and war, and you'd be right. Blackly comic as well constantly subversive, Zero Motivation is a slacker comedy and a contemplative consideration of combat, all in one package.
If there's one way to forget that you're still in your own city, staycationing within a short drive from home rather than heading further afield, it's splashing around up high while peering down on familiar sights from a completely different angle. Sydneysiders, another place to do just that is in your future, with TFE Hotels set to launch its first Collection property in the Harbour City in early 2024 — complete with a rooftop infinity pool. The new Collection by TFE Hotels property will be a big feature of the in-development Surry Hills Village, sitting on Baptist Street as part of a precinct that'll also include shops, apartments, event spaces, work spaces and dining. The Sydney spot joins the brand's Savoy Hotel on Little Collins in Melbourne, Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra, Calile Hotel in Brisbane and Hotel Britomart in Auckland. That's impressive company, and the new boutique hotel will continue the same design-led, individual-focused approach. When it comes to slumbering, there'll be 102 rooms. While exactly what they'll feature, and what other amenities guests can expect, hasn't yet been revealed, the hotel will boast curved brickwork and stone pathways as part of its design — and greenery aplenty. Also set to be a highlight: the Cloister, the hotel's restaurant and bar space. And, yes, that sky-high pool with scenic views, of course. "Surry Hills is home to one of the city's premier restaurant, dining, and boutique precincts," said TFE Hotels CEO Antony Ritch, announcing the new hotel. "This Collection property will become a destination in its own right." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surry Hills Village By TOGA (@surryhillsvillage) Within the 1.2-hectare mixed-use development that is Surry Hills Village itself, Sydneysiders can also look forward to a new 517-square-metre public park, plus up to 12,000 square metres of retail and commercial tenants. There'll also be a new public pedestrian thoroughfare linking Marriott Street and Baptist Street — and, as part of the hospitality offering, a new restaurant from Fink Group, the team behind Quay, Bennelong, Otto and newly anointed third-best steak restaurant in the world Firedoor. And yes, new hotels are sprouting up thick and fast around Sydney, with the new Collection by TFE Hotels site joining the soon-to-launch Porter House Hotel; the just-launched Ace Hotel, Australia's first outpost from the chain; and none other than the Waldorf Astoria, which'll also opening its first-ever Australian hotel in Sydney in 2025. That's obviously excellent news not just for staycationers, but for folks visiting the city from interstate as well. TFE Hotels' new Collection property at Surry Hills Village, on Baptist Street in Surry Hills, is due to open in 2024. Head to the Collection by TFE Hotels and Surry Hills Village websites to keep an eye out for further information.
D.O.C Espresso has sat in the same spot on Lygon Street for 20 years, playing a big part in Melbourne's contemporary Italian restaurant renaissance — which saw a more modern style of Italian dining take over the city. After so many years of business, the crew thought the space needed a little love, and so shut up shop for renovations back in August this year. But the team didn't just redo the interiors during this break. The chefs also redesigned the menu and the owners renamed the venue D.O.C Osteria. It reopened on Thursday, October 24, and is already welcoming old regulars back to see what they think of the changes. The new fitout sees the space gain a little more glamour — while still holding onto its semi-casual charm — with the inclusion of gold finishes, luxe red marble countertops and banquette seating. The weatherproof streetside dining area and courtyard out back also got a little revamp, plus the team expanded the kitchen to help the chefs make more fresh pasta onsite. As it was with D.O.C Espresso, Osteria has a strong focus on pasta — keeping a few dishes from the previous menu while reworking others and creating a smattering of new creations. Regulars will be glad to see that the famed lasagne remains — as does the funghi pasta, but in a slightly different form. We will admit that we preferred the original version, but this porcini and portobello number is still worth ordering. The mixed seafood linguine, though, is an absolute banger. Packed with calamari, prawns, mussels and rockling, and dowsed in garlic and chilli, it is more or less a must-order. The small bites have also been given a heap of love, helping D.O.C become a great destination for sipping and snacking — either alone, on a date or with a few mates. Get around the trio of cicchetti, its succulent marbled Rangers Vallery black Angus skewer, and a moreish crochetta — a crumbed and deep-fried cube of bucatini pasta, guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese and black pepper. The playful take on a classic panzanella salad is also a huge win, made with ox heart tomatoes, grilled focaccia, cucumber sauce and a balsamic crunch. There's a really good blend of simple comfort food and more elevated interpretations of classics — letting diners choose their own kind of Italian dining adventure. There are also plans to renovate the D.O.C Delicatessen & Espresso next door soon, helping it transition into a specialty grocer, paninoteca and cafe. D.O.C Osteria is open from 12pm every day of the week, and is located at 326 Lygon Street, Carlton. For more details, you can check out the venue's website.
Always dreamed of a relaxing dip in Iceland's Blue Lagoon? How about bunkering down for the night next to the man-made series of geothermal pools, which happen to be in the middle of a lava field? Soon visitors to one of the Nordic nation's biggest attractions will be able to do just that when the Moss Hotel opens its doors. Expected to launch later in 2017, the luxurious Moss Hotel will feature 62 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over its steamy setting, plus terraces allowing quick access into the warm waters, and balconies with views over the volcanic vista. A new subterranean day spa, Lava Cove, will boast a lagoon and waterfall sourced from the same seawater aquifer as the Blue Lagoon, and will be designed to take advantage of other natural aspects such as lava corridors. A viewing deck, a cold air well and the usual massages and other relaxation-inducing services, all with a killer vantage over the scenic surroundings, will also feature. Those keen on eating with quite the backdrop can head to the Moss Restaurant, complete with a wine cellar in centuries-old lava, and a seven-course chef's table experience. Basically, there's plenty of soaking, sleeping, steaming, sipping and eating in or near lagoons created on a bed of lava on the agenda. For anyone that hadn't already added a trip to the top of the globe to their bucket list — and therefore isn't up to speed on all things Blue Lagoon — the site has quite the history. The moss-covered lava flow dates back to 1226, but the mineral-rich pool itself was formed in 1976 as a result of the nearby geothermal power plant. People started having a dip in the silica- and sulphur-laden waters, which became popular for their supposed healing abilities. Come the late '80s and early '90s, the Blue Lagoon was officially established as a public spa and bathing facility. And no, for anyone who loves '80s cinema, or just thought the name sounded familiar, it has nothing to do with the 1980 movie that helped make Brooke Shields famous. Via inhabitat. Images: Blue Lagoon.
Entertaining things come in small packages in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least where Paul Rudd playing Ant-Man is concerned. The character's two solo big-screen outings have wavered between charming and familiar, but whenever the ageless star himself pops up — and wherever, given that he hasn't just been confined to his own franchise within the franchise — he's always proven a treat. So, of course a third Ant-Man movie is on its way, because who doesn't want to give the world more Paul Rudd more often? The MCU clearly does, and that new film is Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which will buzz into cinemas in February 2023. This time, the MCU's insect-sized superheroes — yes, including both Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Rudd, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Hope van Dyne aka The Wasp (Evangeline Lily, Crisis) — are thrust into a secret universe beneath the one they already know and inhabit, and also face a new enemy. The chaotic space? The quantum realm, hence the Quantumania part of the upcoming movie's title. The adversary? Kang the Conqueror, as played by Lovecraft Country and The Harder They Fall's Jonathan Majors. And yes, both pop up in the just-dropped first trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, as do the return of Hope's parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer, French Exit) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method), plus Scott's now-older daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton, Freaky). Viewers of 2015's Ant-Man and 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp will know that Janet spent decades stuck in the quantum realm, so it's unsurprising that she's a key part of the new glimpse at Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. But, she hasn't told her family and friends everything about the place — as the film is set to explore. The trailer also throws in plenty of goofiness, because that exact vibe helped make the Ant-Man movies stand out in the ever-sprawling MCU. Here, there's an amusing case of mistaken identity to start off this Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania sneak peek. The film marks the 31st film in Marvel's on-screen universe, and the first in its fifth phase — arriving after 2022's already-released Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, plus the upcoming: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Check out the first Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania trailer below: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits cinemas Down Under on February 16, 2023.
Heading to the snow is an experience many of us spend the long winter days at work daydreaming about. But a trip to the snow-covered mountains should be about so much more than just clipping on your skis or snowboard. With a multi-day trip to Victoria's Alpine Resorts, you can take your snow trip to new heights — literally and figuratively — with an array of elevated adventures. Whether you're a snow-sport aficionado, want to soak up the picturesque scenery from lush, on-mountain accommodation, or are hankering to see the sights from above, Victoria's alpine region has you covered. From Mt Hotham to Falls Creek, Mt Buller to Dinner Plain and Mt Stirling, here are our picks for turning your mid-year winter break into a bucket-list trip to remember. See the Sights on a Snowshoeing Adventure While shredding your heart out on the slopes is a staple for most snow trips, there are some other incredible (and somewhat underrated) ways to get up close and personal with Mother Nature, like snowshoeing. If you want something that's low impact on your body but high impact on views, snowshoeing could be your new favourite alpine activity. Dinner Plain has a bunch of trails to suit a range of fitness levels, including shorter walks on the edge of town through to longer treks over mountain ridges for the more intrepid travellers. You can take a guided snowshoe tour in Mt Stirling or Mt Buller, or DIY on a self-guided stroll in Falls Creek. To take things even further, you can have the time of your life on a Snowshoe to Cheese Fondue experience in Mt Hotham. Here, you'll wind through breathtaking snow gums at sunset before tucking into an unforgettable three-course dinner, complete with gooey cheese fondue and Glühwein in a hidden eco-village. Hit the Slopes for Some Skiing or Snowboarding Okay, so we said a snow trip is about more than clipping on your snow-sport gear, but that doesn't mean you should skip it altogether. Classics are classics for a reason, right? If you've only ever stuck to either skiing or snowboarding, consider this your sign to step out of your comfort zone and try the alternative sport. There are amazing runs at Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Dinner Plain to suit all levels. You'll just need to let go of your ego when you have to return to the green runs. Never skied or snowboarded before? You're in for a real treat. With expert guidance from knowledgeable instructors, you'll be carving up the slopes in no time. Take Flight to See the Sights Soaring above the rugged alpine peaks really is an experience like no other. With a bird's-eye view, you can soak in the spectacular sights of Victoria's High Country from new heights and zoom out from the world for a moment in time. Take a scenic helicopter flight between Falls Creek and Mt Hotham and be captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views as you glide above the snowy summits. Or take the opportunity to see the region from above with a helicopter ride over the ridges and valleys of Mt Stirling and Mt Buller to tick off this bucket-list experience. Hang Out with Huskies A husky sled tour might seem like something you only see in the movies, but in Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain, you can live out your Hollywood fantasy in real life. Let a team of alpine huskies whisk you away into the magical scenery of Mt Hotham's and Dinner Plain's backcountry trails with Howling Huskys, or let Australian Sled Dog Tours take you on a trip of a lifetime in Mt Buller. Try Out a New Angle with Cross-Country Skiing If you're a seasoned skier and want to level up your on-slope action, adding a cross-country skiing session to your trip is a must. If you're feeling super adventurous, try exploring the wild and sprawling cross-country trails on Mt Stirling, where there are over 60 kilometres of trails to discover. Falls Creek has loads of patrolled tracks ideal for newcomers, while Dinner Plain has paths that snake around the Alpine Village so you can get a taste of the action without venturing too far from home. Refuel at Incredible On-Mountain Food and Drink Venues After all that time on the slopes, you're guaranteed to work up an appetite. And thankfully, the food and drink scene in Victoria's Alpine Resorts delivers, no matter where you choose to base yourself. From ambient wine bars in Dinner Plain to new great counter meals in Falls Creek, there's an eating and drinking option to please all palates. If you head to Mt Buller, make sure you grab some fresh waffles for breakfast or low-and-slow smoked goodies for lunch at the on-mountain restaurant Spurs Smokehouse. In Mt Hotham, it's the raclette lunch that has us salivating. Here, you'll scrape melted French cheese onto baked potatoes and enjoy them alongside a spread of charcuterie, smoked meats and a selection of curated booze. Rest Your Head at Spectacular On-Mountain Accommodation In Victoria's High Country, you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to stellar accommodation. As far as choosing where to stay, we recommend going all in on your snow trip and cosying up in some on-mountain accommodation if you really want your trip to soar. That way, you get to be close to all the action without having to faff about with draining logistics. There's alpine accommodation to suit a range of group sizes and budgets. For a touch of luxury, Mt Buller's Breathtaker Hotel will hit the spot after a long day on the slopes. If you're after something a little more adventurous, glamping in the snow might be more your style. There are also charming lodges, chalets and resorts to recharge in — many with sweeping views of the pristine mountains. Get away from it all with an adventure at Victoria's Alpine Resorts. For more information and to start planning, visit the website.
The best kind of brunch is one that starts during that critical time bracket between 9.45am and 11.30am (a little too late for breakfast, a bit too early for lunch) and lasts until the sun starts going down. In order to make the good times go the distance, you need a well constructed playlist and an extensive spread of food options. And, of course, you are going to need drinks. After all, a well stocked drinks tray is the cornerstone of any successful brunch. What isn't is facing a table full of boozed up guests before the clock strikes 1pm. Now, thanks to an increased demand for delicious low- and no-alcohol options, you can let the brunch beveragino generously flow without getting everyone totalled. We've teamed up with Tempus Two to handpick some liquid inspiration to impress your guests and make your party an affair to remember (literally). THE MOOD: Popping bottles THE SERVE: 2020 Tempus Two Lighten Up Prosecco Nothing kicks off a brunch better than ceremoniously plucking the cork from a bottle of fizz to the sound of wild applause. It's the ultimate sensory trigger that signals a special occasion is going down. The 2020 Lighten Up Prosecco by Tempus Two has the full flavour of a traditional prosecco with crisp notes of citrus and green apple — but at 6.8 percent alcohol volume and a lower calorie count, you can enjoy more than JTO (Just The One). To put that number into context, that's a massive 30 percent less alcohol (and calories) than a standard bottle of prosecco. We'll drink to that. [caption id="attachment_747074" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Walter's Steakhouse[/caption] THE MOOD: Gorgeously garnished THE SERVE: The 'lightly bleeding' mary A good cocktail can be a work of art. And presenting a tray of artfully constructed concoctions can really wow a crowd, especially with some unexpected little touches in the final execution. Like the umami one-two punch of a cornichon and pickled onion alongside a good stalk of leafy celery on your bloody mary. To go the distance, make them what we're going to call a 'lightly bleeding' mary. Top your tomato juice and Worcestershire with a half measure of vodka or gin — or substitute the booze with a quality, non-alcoholic botanical spirits by the likes of Vera, Sea Arch or Seedlip (the Garden 108 is recommended here). All flavour, no regrets. THE MOOD: F Scott Spritzgerald THE SERVE: The springtime spritz Invoke a Gatsby-esque garden party with a bright, signature spritz that not only looks fantastic on the table but can be sipped throughout the duration of brunch. Start with a scoop of ice, then add a generous dash of Lyre's Italian Orange (a very, very good booze-free substitute for Aperol or Campari), pour in your favourite prosecco (the fruity profile of the Tempus Two Lighten Up would work perfectly), and top with soda. Add a twist of orange peel and two slices of strawberry and you're golden. THE MOOD: On the beers THE SERVE: Heaps Normal So you kicked off the morning with bottles of bubbles and a selection of delicately composed treats but now it's afternoon, your guests have settled in and you've just opened a bag of chips. It's beer o'clock, as they say in France. Keep a few tins of Heaps Normal's exceptional Quiet XPA in your fridge. Brewed to less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume but with refreshing malty sweetness and long finish, it's a great companion for a leisurely day of drinking. THE MOOD: Something smooth THE SERVE: 2020 Tempus Two Lighten Up Pinot Noir Whether you want to serve it lightly chilled or get pouring straight off the wine rack, a good red is always a friend to brunch hosts and guests alike. The Lighten Up Pinot Noir from Tempus Two gives up great wafts of black cherry and a juicy full flavour that makes it as drinkable as any other promising pinot, but with an alcohol content of 6.8 percent, you can keep quaffing this one for that little bit longer — where a standard 750ml bottle would have anywhere between seven to nine standard drinks, there are only four in a bottle from the Lighten Up series. Your cup overfloweth! For more information about the low-alcohol Tempus Two Lighten Up range, head to the website. Top image: Tempus Two
Kew's Skinny Dog Hotel has been kicking around in one form or another for over 150 years. In that time, it has passed through the hands of several owners and gone through a series of makeovers. Nowadays, the pub has settled into having two distinct spaces. Downstairs, you'll find the classic gastropub, serving up steak, pizza and parma deals and sporting plenty of beers and wines to locals. It still has that old-school boozer feel to it. But upstairs is altogether more sleek and refined. The rooftop was renovated in 2023, making it one of the area's must-visit spots in summer. The 400-capacity rooftop bar at Skinny Dog Hotel includes a light-filled atrium full of hanging plants and an openair terrace where you can soak up all the sun during a long day of drinking and eating. Dishes are somewhat more refined compared to the downstairs pub as well. Coconut chilli prawns, tofu chips and charcuterie tasting boards kick things off. A selection of gourmet pizzas, house-made pasta, a few roasts and plenty of seafood dishes round out the savoury dining options. The drinks on the Skinny Dog Hotel's new rooftop are also a step above those found downstairs. The extensive wine list features stacks of Aussie and New Zealand drops, and the team has dreamt up a few new signature cocktails. Beers, ciders and ginger beer are all on tap, plus plenty of fruity seltzers come in can form. It's ticking all the right boxes. From Friday to Sunday, the team hosts live music gigs and DJs up on the roof, transforming the space into more of a party destination as the sun goes down.
Smirnoff takes on a Brazilian spirit speciality with the introduction of a new flavour of vodka, Caipiroska. The Caipiroska mixed drink is typically made by combining vodka with lime wedges and sugar, but Smirnoff has created three different versions of the sweet liquor: lime, mango and passion fruit. The unique flavours deserved to be encased in something more exceptional than the average glass bottles, so Smirnoff wrapped them up in style. The promotional bottles of Smirnoff Caipiroska come in colourful skins that can be peeled off like the fruits they represent. The opaque skins conceal the traditional Smirnoff packaging and give consumers an idea of just how fruity the new concoction is. If you think your taste buds can handle the tangy twist of the Caipiroska mixed drink, here are the simple ingredients: 35 ML Smirnoff vodka, 1/2 lime cut into wedges, 2 small spoons of brown sugar, and 15 ML simple sugar. Enjoy! [via Comunicadores]
After years of performing complex procedures, Dutch surgeon Lex Van Stekelenburg was suffering from enough neck, shoulder and back pain to compete with Quasimodo. But rather than retire to a bell-tower, Stekelenburg decided to take to cycling. The only problem is that, over a long period, conventional bicycles tend to exacerbate upper body problems, rather than alleviate them. Figuring out that it's natural to want to move our arms in harmony with our legs, Stekelenburg decided to design a bicycle that mobilises all four of our limbs. A patented mechanism on the handle bar enables both pedalling and steering, placing the rider in the position that a quadruped might adopt. Our shoulders and pelvis are better aligned, plus we gain speed and strength from increased power. The 4 Strike Bike requires the use of 78 muscle groups, as opposed to the 50 set in motion by a regular two-wheeler. Stekelenburg, who has spent five years experimenting with various prototypes, is convinced of the efficacy of his final model. He says it's 'healthier for heart, better for aerating the lungs and prevents undercooling of the upper body in rain and cold. You'll have more fun on this revolutionary new bike.' [Via Inhabitat]
Deck your halls with holly, then leave them immediately for a nice holiday. If there's one festive season motto that stands out to us, it's celebrating with family and friends and being thankful for the company. If there's another one, to be honest, it's leaving all that behind and escaping on a holiday on your own, or with a single loved one instead of your entire extended family. Nothing beats the sounds of silence, a cold dip in a pool, and the knowledge that you'll be able to remove your pants immediately after eating a huge Christmas-time meal and nobody will be there to mind. In partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith, here are ten getaway options for the Christmas / New Year period — and if you're stuck for present ideas, you can use the suggestions below (or 1000 more boutique hotels) on a Get a Room! gift card. Strongly suggest they take a you-shaped friend. COMO THE TREASURY, PERTH Como the Treasury was voted the second best hotel worldwide by the Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards this year, and its palatial rooms and incredible views of Perth clearly show why. The building may be 140 years old but the facilities aren't — there's a swimming pool, spa, and full fitness centre including yoga and pilates studios to really wave bye-bye to life stress. The top-floor restaurant Wildflower presides over the eating side of things, touting a menu infused with indigenous ingredients. Can't shake the kids while you're dining and yoga-ing? There are even babysitting facilities available. EMPIRE RETREAT AND SPA, MARGARET RIVER The Margaret River isn't a well-kept secret of a holiday destination, but it's a worthwhile Christmas drive just to stay at Empire Retreat and Spa. A lovely old stone farmhouse, it'll be like going back in time while simultaneously hitting an 11 on the luxury scale: the rustically modern rooms have everything you could need, and there's an on-site vineyard as well as the spa, so you should really consider kicking Christmas on for a few weeks more. Stay in a Luxury Villa, complete with sunken lounge and fireplace, or a Deluxe Balcony Suite – attached to the main lodge by a timber boardwalk. SAL SALIS, NINGALOO REEF Sal Salis is the type of place you evacuate to when your cat has knocked down the Christmas tree for the sixth time and you've lost your car in the car park again. A bush camp by the beach in Cape Range National Park, it's a safari by the sea but not without the trimmings: you might be sleeping in a tent but they're moored on timber platforms with own ensuite and deck, 30 metres from the sea. Sal Salis concentrates on eco-friendliness so expect composting loos and solar power — and unforgettable manta ray hangs when snorkelling. PRETTY BEACH HOUSE, CENTRAL COAST If eucalyptus is your calming scent of choice, consider coming to Pretty Beach House on the Central Coast to get your fix. Beautiful wood-panelled lodges make up this ideal holiday escape – a home away from home among the gumtrees, throwing in a private terrace and plunge pool for an extra warm welcome. There's a resident bar and an Italian restaurant by Stefano Manfredi complete with pizza oven so you'll be well fed and watered, too. For even more serenity there's a spa on premises and no children under 15 allowed — this is one for couples. ALILA MANGGIS, BALI If the options are "go to Bali or don't go to Bali" you should always pick "go to Bali". Find yourself surrounded by coconut groves at the Alila Manggis — a beachside resort located next to the sacred Mount Agung. There's a beautiful pool, a spa, and even the chance to be a mature age student: there's a cooking school on-site. The Alila Manggis also has its own organic veggie garden for extra goodness, so your body and mind will both say "thanks for taking me to Bali". BISMA EIGHT, BALI Another reason to up and get yourselves to Bali, if you needed more incentive, is the Bisma Eight resort in Ubud. A concrete oasis, the modern design isn't what you'd expect from a jungle paradise in Indonesia — but paradise it is. Aussie chef Duncan McCance run the restaurant on-site that puts to good use the hotel's organic garden. There's a pretty fancy pool and all rooms come with a Japanese soaking tub; plus, there's a fiery hot cocktail menu in the bar, so what are you even waiting for? THE CHEDI CLUB, UBUD Excuse us, but there's a butler service over here and also a 35m Balinese water palace pool. "Where do I book", you ask? If you're a guest at The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud, you can stay in a Spa Villa, which has your own private spa room and massage beds. There is some mighty interesting culinary goodness happening over here with Singaporean chef Dean Nor working with "Mama Bali" and her local bumbu spices. All the rice comes from the nearby rice paddy fields; tours of these also run, as does the occasional Balinese dance performance. Off you trot, then. SALA, PHUKET Who says you can't relax in Phuket? Sala Phuket is making this a very valid reality for you in your time of need over Christmas and New Year, simply by providing you with a haven featuring multiple pools and much relaxation. Sala Pool Villas have enormous "merman sized" bathtubs, private pools and tropical gardens of their own; you're located near the beach and there's a spa, too, so the beautiful bodies of water never end. The champion of Sala might very well be the bar, with daybeds big enough to sprawl on while drinking a burnt lemon and vanilla margarita. Mmm. THE SAROJIN, THAILAND For a more secluded yet equally as tropical getaway, The Sarojin is a boutique hotel on the coastline of Phang Na set on 10 acres of garden. There's an infinity pool that is infinity types of inviting and has it's own pavilions at its edges. With a cosy seafood shack as well as a restaurant nestled under the huge fig tree that is the centerpiece of the gardens, you'll eat well — or can even charter a cruise to a private island for a romantic dinner for two. A seven-night minimum stay is required over Christmas, so we guess you guys will just have to suck it up. ZABORIN, JAPAN Japan — land of the best things in the world (sushi, good public transport, an island full of cats). It's also home to Zaborin Hotel in the Hanazano woods in Hokkaido, a 15-villa wonderland. Each villa has it's own indoor and outdoor onsen (bath) filled with volcanic water, and once you've soaked to your heart's content head along to the restaurant for a traditional kita kaiseki meal — an 11-course set menu differing with the harvest. Ski slopes are nearby, but we wouldn't be surprised if you lounged around at Zaborin forevermore (or as long as you can get off work). Grab someone you love a Mr and Mrs Smith Get a Room! gift card and send them on a summer holiday — available from $50.
When bushfires raged across Australia over the spring of 2019 and the summer of 2019–20, the Hunter Valley's wine community was among the areas affected. Due to smoke from the blazes, huge hordes of grapes can no longer be used for their original winemaking purpose — so distillery Archie Rose is getting experimental and salvaging more than 50 tonnes as part of a new spirit range. The first of the series' three products is eau de vie Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit, which is made from smoke-tainted Hunter Valley 2020 shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes. Clear, colourless and fruity, it's described by the company as having "notes of shortbread, icing sugar and vine leaves" — as well as hints of pineapple, guava and honeydew. Expect to taste mango, raspberry jam, crème fraîche and wafers, too, plus a slight suggestion of campfire. When you're sipping a glass, you'll be aiding Archie Rose's efforts to help Hunter Valley producers and growers, especially those with team members and and families affected by crop and income write-offs due to the fires. As well as receiving support themselves, Tulloch Wines and First Creek Wines worked with the folks at Archie Rose to identify eight smaller growers in need of assistance — particularly in the Pokolbin, Broke Fordwich and Upper Hunter sub-regions. On sale from Monday, May 25 from the Archie Rose Bar in Rosebery, Sydney, bottle shops and the company's website, 1000 bottles of the Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit are available — in 700-millilitre sizes, for $99. Archie Rose has also suggested a range of cocktail recipes using the Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit, so prepare to pair it with oat milk in the 'Milk & Honey' and with grapefruit in 'The Pokolbin'. Also in the works is a Hunter Valley Shiraz Brandy, using the salvaged smoke-tainted grapes — however, given that the spirit will need to be aged, it'll be available in future years. Archie Rose's Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit goes on sale on Monday, May 25 from the Archie Rose Bar in Rosebery, Sydney, bottle shops and the company's website, with pre-orders currently available online.
In the 22 years since they formed out of Melbourne's underground scene, Eddy Current Suppression Ring haven't ever played a free headlining show — until September 2025 rolls around, that is. Whether you're a fan of Aussie Rules football or you just like an excuse for a public holiday, here's one way to spend this year's AFL Grand Final eve: catching the iconic band taking to the stage in Federation Square, putting on their first gig in nine years and doing so without punters needing to pay a cent. Over the years, Melbourne's Fed Square has hosted free concerts by the eclectic likes of Robbie Williams, Kneecap, Caribou, Glass Beams and more. Now, Eddy Current Suppression Ring are jumping onto that list. They'll take to the stage for their first major appearance since the garage-punk group's last-minute Dark Mofo set in 2016, and for their first headlining Melbourne show since playing The Palace in 2010. Word of the Friday, September 26, 2025 gig follows Eddy Current Suppression Ring's release of their new split 7-inch Shapes and Forms — and sees the group, aka Brendan Suppression, Eddy Current, Danny Current and Rob Solid, keep adding to a career that started after a jam session at a Melbourne vinyl pressing plant's Christmas shindig back in 2003. For company in Fed Square, the Australian Music Prize-winning and ARIA Award-nominated band will be joined by New York's EDAN and the Melbourne-based Wrong Way Up. "Eddy Current Suppression Ring is a band woven into the fabric of Melbourne's music history. Raw, fearless and utterly electrifying live," said Fed Square Director of Programming Sarah Tutton. "We're delighted to welcome them back to the city for what promises to be a truly unforgettable night at Fed Square, continuing our commitment to creating unmissable free, all-ages events that celebrate the best of local and international music, right in the heart of Melbourne." Eddy Current Suppression Ring are playing Federation Square, Melbourne, on Friday, September 26, 2025 — head to the Fed Square website for more details.
A new Australian ridesharing service that caters exclusively to female customers and hires only female drivers has officially started operations in Melbourne and Brisbane, with Sydney soon to follow. Created by comedian and single mother Georgina McEnroe, Shebah is designed to provide an alternative to women and parents who feel uncomfortable or unsafe using other ridesharing apps such as Uber. "My daughter and her friends had had some bad experiences with Uber," McEnroe told The Sydney Morning Herald. "The thought of getting in a small space with a guy seemed inherently unsafe." As of this week, Shebah will be operating in Queensland from North Lakes to Brisbane, down to Thornlands and then heading west to Bray Park, Albany Creek, Ferny Hills, Mount Ommaney and Inala, as well as on the Gold Coast from Coomera, Coolangatta, Currumbin Valley and Chinderra. In Victoria, the service will stretch from Bundoora to Essendon, Tarneit and through the western suburbs, as well as out to Doncaster and Ringwood, to Dandenong, Dromana and Blairgowrie. It will also operate within a 20 kilometre radius of the Geelong CBD. As for NSW, the service has assured its followers on Facebook it will be up and running as soon as they have enough drivers to support passenger demand. All Shebah drivers will be required to complete relevant legal checks, and in return will receive 85 percent of each fare. Shebah takes 14 percent, while the remainder goes to women-centric charities including Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia and the Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault's Respectful Relationships Program. The Shebah app is available on the App Store and via Google Play. For more information visit www.shebah.com.au.
Asian-style beers are often stereotyped as simple, easy drinking lagers that are low in alcohol content and great at hydrating in the heavy, humid heat. To be fair, many of the mainstream brews do match this generalisation — but Hong Kong is swiftly becoming a city to reckon with in the craft beer scene. The city is home to upward of ten local breweries, most of which have launched in the last two years alone. From black IPA to cherry saison, the local brewers are up on all of the current trends and styles — they're even trying out wackier brews, like Young Master Ales' oak infused Rye on Wood ale and Black Kite Brewery's Oh Bacon!, a smoked amber ale that truly does taste the part. Heading to Hong Kong? Here's what beers to drink and where to find them. WHERE TO DRINK The Hong Kong craft scene has had a massive push in the last two years with a slew of newcomers making their mark in the city. The movement has undoubtedly come from the craft beer boom in countries overseas (including here in Australia), but while a few are helmed by expats, many of these breweries have been organically started by locals. It's becoming a big part of drinking culture as a whole; the Hong Kong Beer Co., which originally opened in 1995, has recently relaunched as a craft beer brewery, and in 2012 the Hong Kong Craft Beer Association was established, which promotes and protects the industry as a whole. Local establishments are supporting this movement too — and while craft brewpubs may not be on every corner, it's pretty easy to stumble upon one. Even in the tourist-heavy Kowloon district lays Kowloon Taproom, a craft beer haven that sits unassumingly among your standard pubs and lounges. Their extensive beer list includes both local and imported craft, the most badass of which is City Brew's Lady IPA and Gentlemen Stout duo. These can be drunk either separately, or combined to create a black IPA — an impressive and delicious endeavour by one of Hong Kong's own. It's also an awesome feeling to drink a great beer while fighting gender stereotypes. In the trendier district of Mong Kok lays Tap: The Ale Project. With the modern allure of bright blue walls and a bar that looks more like a makeshift cafe, this spot certainly has the hipster aspect going for it. Opened in 2014 by self-proclaimed beer geeks, their 14 taps are dedicated to local and select import, with an even wider selection in bottles. They even offer growlers with a ceramic seal for takeaway. Both Tap and Kowloon Taproom are run by locals and are filled with locals almost every night, demonstrating the city's true dedication to the craft. WHAT TO DRINK If you're in Hong Kong, these are the beers you need to try. If you're not, well, most are not yet shipping internationally — but we expect big things to come, and can't wait to see these names on Sydney shelves. Gweilo Beer Mak's Beer Yardley Brothers Brewing City Brew Young Master Ales Black Kite Brewery Top image: Dollar Photo Club
Game of Thrones was always going to spark spinoff shows. Indeed, when HBO started thinking about doing a prequel five years ago, before the huge fantasy hit had even finished its run, it was hardly surprising. And, when the US network kept adding ideas to its list — including a Jon Snow-focused series with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show, to name just a few prequels and spinoffs that've been considered, but may or may not actually come to fruition — absolutely no one was astonished. So far, just one fellow GoT-related series has hit screens: House of the Dragon, which jumps back into House Targaryen's history. When it arrived in 2022, it became an instant success. Accordingly, it was quickly renewed for season two. But if you've been hanging out for the next part in its story, and hoping to see it in 2023, you might have to wait a little longer. In an interview with Variety, HBO and HBO Max content CEO Casey Bloys has advised that viewers likely won't be returning to Westeros until sometime in 2024. He said that timing for House of the Dragon season two's debut "is a good guess", and that it probably won't be eligible for the Emmys held that year — which means that new episodes might be coming in winter Down Under, fittingly. The first season also started screening and streaming during Australia and New Zealand's winter, so that'll mean a two-year gap — or thereabouts — between the show's maiden go-around and its second effort. And, it means thinking "winter is coming" to yourself all over again, amid pondering the GoT realm's relationships, flowing long blonde hair, dragons, stabbings and fights for the Iron Throne (whether or not you turn watching House of the Dragon into a drinking game, as we did). The series kicked off 172 years before the birth of Daenerys and her whole dragon-flying, nephew-dating, power-seeking story, and gave HBO its largest American audience for any new original series in its history when it debuted. Yes, House of the Dragon is basically a case of new show, same squabbles, as it was easy to foresee it would be. Yes, it's pretty much Game of Thrones with different faces bearing now well-known surnames — and more dragons. If you haven't yet caught up with the series, it dives into the battle for the Iron Throne before the one we all watched between 2011–19. Paddy Considine (The Third Day) plays King Viserys — and it's exactly who should be his heir that sparks all the Succession-style fuss. The words "succession" and "successor" (and "heir" as well) get bandied around constantly, naturally. The king has a daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Upright's Milly Alcock, then Mothering Sunday's Emma D'Arcy), who is also his first-born child. But because putting a woman on the throne isn't the done thing, the King's younger brother Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith, Morbius) considers that spiky iron chair his birthright. And, this wouldn't be Westeros if plenty of other people didn't have an opinion, including Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man), the Hand of the King; his own daughter Alicent (The Lost Girls' Emily Carey, then Slow Horses' Olivia Cooke); and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint, It's a Sin), who is married to Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie), who had a better claim to the throne when Viserys was named king instead. Also yes, this latest adaptation of George RR Martin's popular fantasy books is bound to continue on for more than just two seasons, but that's all that's confirmed for the moment. Check out the full House of the Dragon trailer below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Via Variety. Images: Ollie Upton/HBO.
"I'm still a flight attendant, and I've been making better choices." In the just-dropped trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season, they're some of the first words that Cassie Bowden (The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco) utters — at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Los Angeles, where she's moved after the dramas we all watched back in 2020. But no one ever thought that this pulpy thriller would come back and just give its protagonist a normal, average, uneventful life, so those opening moments of calm are short-lived, naturally. Cassie has picked up a part-time job, which she also tells her sober pals in LA about — but she doesn't mention that she's now moonlighting for the CIA. Yes, in its second batch of episodes, this airport novel-to-screen series is going full chaotic international espionage thriller. Expect to spy plenty of Berlin in the first sneak peek, too. This time around, Cassie is doing great things at both of her jobs — booze-free things, too — when she inadvertently witnesses a murder while on assignment for her side hustle overseas. Cue more country-hopping intrigue, with the show also filming in Reykjavik. Cue more of Cassie's inner monologues as well, even if she thinks she's seen the last of them with her last drink. Coming to Binge in Australia and streaming via Neon in NZ, The Flight Attendant has also unveiled its return date: in Australia, you can mark Thursday, April 21 in your diaries. Also new: cast members Mo McRae (Big Little Lies), Callie Hernandez (Under the Silver Lake), JJ Soria (Gentefied), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jessie Ennis (Mythic Quest), Mae Martin (Feel Good), Margaret Cho (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Santiago Cabrera (Ema), Sharon Stone (Ratched) and Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse). They'll join Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominee Cuoco, obviously, plus returning co-stars Zosia Mamet (Girls), Griffin Matthews (Dear White People), Deniz Akdeniz (The High Note) and Rosie Perez (The Last Thing He Wanted). And if you're new to this small-screen adaptation of Chris Bohjalian's 2018 novel of the same name, the first season unravelled quite the twisty tale — starting high in the sky, bouncing around the globe and delivering a hectic murder-mystery. Quickly addictive, filled with sudden revelations and reversals, multiple points of interest playing out across a split-screen setup, and also sporting cliffhangers to end every episode, the slick, swift-moving series knew exactly the kind of story it was telling and went for broke. More is coming in season two, clearly. Check out the trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season below: The Flight Attendant's second season will be available to stream via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 21 — and is headed to Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Top image: HBO Max / Binge.
The man knows how to rock a hat: Timothy Olyphant (Full Circle), that is. He knows how to play a determined lawman with a piercing stare and an unassailable sense of honour, too, and television has been all the better for it for nearing two decades. Pop culture's revival culture has benefited as well — first with HBO's 2004–06 western masterpiece Deadwood returning as 2019's Deadwood: The Movie, and now with 2010–15's US Marshal drama Justified making a comeback as miniseries Justified: City Primeval. Olyphant was perfect in both the first time around, and proves the same the second. Indeed, Deadwood: The Movie's only problem was that it was just a made-for-TV film, not a another season; Justified: City Primeval's sole issue is that it spans only eight episodes, and that a next date with the Stetson-wearing Raylan Givens hasn't yet been locked in Streaming Down Under via Disney+, this continuation of Justified's initial six seasons arrives eight years after the show ended for viewers, but also finds Raylan with a 15-year-old daughter. It's with Willa (Vivian Olyphant, Timothy Olyphant's real-life offspring) that he's hitting the road when a couple of criminals reroute their plans. Now based in Miami, Florida rather than Justified's Harlan, Kentucky, Raylan is meant to be taking Willa to camp, only to be forced to detour to Detroit, Michigan to testify. It isn't a brief stop, after the Deputy US Marshal makes the wrong impression on Judge Alvin Guy (Keith David, Nope), then is personally requested to investigate an assassination attempt against the same jurist — teaming up with local detectives who are adamant about Detroit's particular ways, including Maureen Downey (Marin Ireland, The Boogeyman), Norbert Beryl (Norbert Leo Butz, The Girl From Plainville) and Wendell Robinson (Victor Williams, The Righteous Gemstones). You can take Raylan out of rural America and into the Motor City, as Justified: City Primeval does, but even with silver hair atop his calm glare he's still Raylan. So, he'll always stride around like a lone gunslinger who has seen it all, will confront anything, and is perennially valiant and resolute — and silently exasperated about humanity's worst impulses, too — as Justified: City Primeval welcomes. New location, passing years, the responsibilities of fatherhood, more and more lowlife crooks: they haven't changed this character, and audiences wouldn't have wanted that to happen. One of Justified: City Primeval's chief joys is how comfortably that Raylan, and Olyphant playing him, steps straight back onto the screen like the figure, thespian and franchise never left. In Detroit, the Deputy US Marshal meets his latest lawbreaking adversary in Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), aka the Oklahoma Wildman, whose love of singing The White Stripes and Beach Boys songs is only matched by his penchant for wreaking illicit havoc. Mansell is ruthless, including in committing murder, and also enlisting reluctant past acquaintance Marcus "Sweety" Sweeton (Vondie Curtis-Hall, Blue Bayou) — a musician who almost made it onto George Clinton's 'Atomic Dog' and now owns a dive bar — in his violent rampages. He's equally calculating in using his girlfriend Sandy Stanton (Adelaide Clemens, Under the Banner of Heaven) to conjure up a shakedown scam with ties to the Albanian mob, all while promising her that they'll get a big payday and get away. Even his attorney Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis, an Oscar-nominee for King Richard), who has seen more than her fair share of dirtbags because that's the gig, knows that he's a sociopath. Seasoned Justified viewers will spy Justified: City Primeval's overarching narrative path going in. As long as they've seen a crime drama before, newcomers will as well. Raylan has a villain to take down in a deeply corrupt world — but, taking over from the OG series' creator Graham Yost (Silo, and an executive producer here), fellow Justified veterans Dave Andron (Snowfall) and Michael Dinner (Electric Dreams) can't be accused of connecting easy dots or making obvious choices. Both before and now, Justified has always been as much about painting rich portraits of its characters, good and bad, as it has been about its righteous-versus-evil face-offs. So, Justified: City Primeval delivers ample intriguing new additions, most of which pair up with Raylan so winningly that they could earn their own spinoffs. A series about Raylan and Willa, her teen rebelliousness bouncing off his perpetually wearied mood? The younger Olyphant makes a memorable impression, and adds seeing more of that dynamic to the wishlist. An odd-couple cop setup with Raylan and Robinson? That'd also work. Raylan's pursuit of the unhinged Mansell, and the latter's eagerness to keep it going, give Justified: City Primeval a compelling duel — and plenty of mirroring; they both drip charm, are whip-smart and canny, just on opposite sides of the law-and-order divide — but Raylan and Wilder are the show's meatiest duo. Sharing a sense of exhaustion, the Marshal and the lawyer each understand what it's like to ride through a murky and compromised world, endeavour to try to find a way to cope, and have to live with the costs. (That Ellis is as phenomenal as the older Olyphant assists.) 2023 marks 30 years since Raylan first appeared in print, in the pages of iconic crime writer Elmore Leonard's 1993 novel Pronto. While he returned in 1995 sequel Riding the Rap, it was 2001 short story Fire in the Hole that inspired Justified. Once the show became a hit, Leonard wrote 2012's Raylan, in what'd become his last published tome before his death in 2013. To revisit the character with Justified: City Primeval, however, Andron and Dinner dive into the author's back catalogue elsewhere, adapting and reworking 1980's City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. The text's full title virtually screams for Raylan. On the screen, he slides in so seamlessly that it feels like he's always been in this tale. That's a testament to a series that doesn't just know its protagonist, but the work of the man who created him. Raylan might be Leonard's best character, but his bibliography is a wealth of riches — complete with Out of Sight, which became Steven Soderbergh's sparkling crime caper and shares a connection to Justified: City Primeval; and Rum Punch, which Quentin Tarantino turned into the sublime Jackie Brown. Justified: City Primeval excels at bringing Raylan Givens back to the screen, and Timothy Olyphant in the part. It's fantastic as a Leonard adaptation. And, although visually filled with thematically appropriate shadows, it's as shiny as Raylan's badge as a revival. The widespread trend keeps embracing beloved programs from years gone by, but the difference between the very best — see: Twin Peaks, aka the most stunning example there is and likely ever will be, and also Deadwood: The Movie, Veronica Mars, and the recent Party Down and Futurama — and the rest is considerable. Justified was a superb modern western from the get-go. Now Justified: City Primeval is a first-rate city-set neo-western that knows how to feature its familiar ingredients expertly, evolve them, and use them to comment on what changes and doesn't about humanity. Check out the trailer for Justified: City Primeval below: Justified: City Primeval streams via Disney+. Images: FX.
The last time that Timothée Chalamet and Luca Guadagnino joined forces, the best film of 2017 was the end result — and what a swooning, moving delight Call Me By Your Name proved to be. The 1980s-set romance nabbed Chalamet a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and Guadagnino a Best Picture nod, too. So, arriving five years later, it's safe to say that pair's second collaboration is among 2022's most eagerly anticipated movies. That film is called Bones and All, and it'll premiere at this year's Venice Film Festival at the end of August/early September — and it boasts another key factor that'll pique viewers interests. Once again, Chalamet and Guadagnino collaborate on a love story, although this one comes with an extra bite. Forget peaches; here, Chalamet plays one half of a cannibal couple. "You don't think I'm a bad person?" he says as Lee, speaking to Taylor Russell's (Waves) Maren, in Bones and All's just-dropped first teaser trailer — which the Dune, The French Dispatch and Don't Look Up actor himself unveiled via Twitter. The response is exactly what you'd expect: "all I think is that I love you," she replies. While Bones and All will follow its cannibal lovers as they road trip across America, at 28 seconds, this first sneak peek is big on mood rather than plot — and the vibe is yearning, swooning again, but also unsettling. When Mark Rylance (The Phantom of the Open) pops up, he has his finger to his lips in a gesture of warning. Bones and All marks Guadagnino's first feature since 2018's Suspiria remake — after a detour to television with HBO series We Are Who We Are — and sees the director bring Camille DeAngelis' novel of the same name to the screen. Also set to feature in the film: Chalamet's Call Me By Your Name co-star Michael Stuhlbarg, We Are Who We Are alums Chloë Sevigny and Francesca Scorsese (yes, the daughter of filmmaker Martin Scorsese), plus André Holland (Passing), Jake Horowitz (The Vast of Night), filmmaker David Gordon Green (Halloween Kills), and Jessica Harper from both the original Suspiria and Guadagnino's version. Bones and All will release in the US on November 23, but doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — fingers crossed that that changes sooner rather than later. Check out the trailer for Bones and All below: Bones and All hits US cinemas on November 23, but doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is confirmed.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to the pristine beauty of Vava'u, Tonga and the lush Reef Resort. We love this place so much that we teamed up with the resort to offer an exclusive seven-night travel deal — including a discounted room rate, breakfast and lunch included and a magical five days of swimming with humpbacks. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? If you've found yourself in the tropical paradise of Vava'u, Tonga, you're already set for a spectacularly lush holiday. Pristine natural surrounds, crystal clear waters and perpetually warm temperatures: all the makings of a standout time. But, if you've also found yourself checking in to the understated luxury of Reef Resort, your time here is only going to get better. There's sprawling grounds, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and Polynesian fine dining with a Euro twist. The most special element here, though, is the chance to swim with mighty humpbacks. Big and gentle, the whales play right in front of the resort — pure magic. THE ROOMS There's only five fales (Tongan bungalows) in the resort so whenever you stay here you're guaranteed some secluded R&R. Each is self-contained and comes with a private deck — the ideal spot for a pre-whale stretch and early coffee in the morning light. There are four deluxe bungalows dotted over grounds — two on the beach and two a short walk up the hill. Each of these fales boasts sweeping vistas over the lagoon, a king bed complete with lofty canopy and enough room for three. Then, there's the Honeymoon Villa. Nearly twice the size of the deluxe fales, there's a bigger deck, a second bedroom and a more modern feel in this one (so if you're a lovebird, you'd be silly not to). FOOD AND DRINK The onsite restaurant at Reef Resort will have you savouring the earthy, spicy and fruity flavours of Polynesia. Rich coconut milk curries and ocean-fresh fish, the freshest of produce straight from the markets and sweet treats that hero the juiciest melons and papayas. The kitchen here is always helmed by an expert, with this season welcoming Chef Jürgen who is bringing a wealth of experience from time in fine-dining institutions throughout Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The restaurant and bar (pictured above) is easy breezy, with ocean views from every seat. You can expect a constantly rotating menu that features the likes of parrot fish, snapper and mahi mahi — all freshly plucked from the deep. It'll be here that you enjoy all your meals, including a three-course dinner to see out each day in the tropics. THE LOCAL AREA Vava'u isn't one island, but a group of 55. It's in this archipelago that underwater caves await for adventurous divers, pods of gentle giants swim alongside curious humans and nature-heads come to simply enjoy. Come and charter a sailing trip, go scuba diving, explore the abundant surrounds and hop from island to island before returning to your fale for a refreshing sleep in the tropics. THE EXTRAS In case lazing by the ocean under the shade of a palm isn't relaxing enough, the team's made sure there's plenty of places to plonk yourself when you want to hit the chill zone. There are hammocks and a communal sundeck — where cakes are baked fresh and served every day, and cocktails are served each day to farewell the sun. Although you won't find all-out day spas or a smorgasbord of places to refuel, you don't head to Vava'u to luxuriate in this way. Come to enjoy the untouched perfection of the area and the whales. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Honestly, where would Melbourne be without its baristas and single origin beans? Setting up at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2015 will be open to the public over the weekend — and the Friday is especially for those in the coffee trade. There'll be 100 exhibitors, including speciality coffee and tea brands from all over the globe, as well as machine manufacturers and equipment suppliers for those who take their caffeinated brew very seriously. If you enjoy watching the masters at work, the Australian Coffee Championships will be on for all to see, where you can see Australia’s best baristas and latte art mavericks battle it out. While we love a good cuppa, it’s nice to know tea and coffee aren't the only things on the menu. MICE15 will also see a Food Village set up on the grounds, with food trucks from Hammer and Tong, Sliders on Tyres, OoOdle Lishious and Crepes Cart. If you’re a firm believer that coffee and cake are a match made in heaven (and really, who would turn that combination down?) there are special Cake and Coffee Tickets available to punters that allow you to also visit the Melbourne Cake Expo as well, which conveniently happens to be on in Melbourne at the same time.
A quintessential winter staple and favoured year-round comfort food for many — soup noodles have earned their reputation as a trusty go-to once Melbourne's fresher temperatures hit. Perfect for a lazy morning in or late night out, you can't do much better than a steaming bowl of warmth, and luckily for Melburnians — there's a noodle soup for just about any situation. Enter pho, arguably Vietnam's most recognisable dish: rice noodles, delicious broth and a smattering of herbs and veggies. This humble dish is the ultimate balancing act, highlighting the richness of your protein (usually beef or chicken) while keeping it light on the palate with a clear but flavourful soup. Plus, there's added depth from the additional zest from lemons. From Springvale to Sunshine — here's where to find the best pho in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Banh Mi in Melbourne The Best Ramen in Melbourne The Best Hot Pot Spots in Melbourne The Best Cafes in Melbourne [caption id="attachment_819415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abir Hiranandani[/caption] CO DO, RICHMOND Debates about Melbourne pop mostly boil down to Team Richmond, Team Footscray and Team Springvale — and first up to bat is Co Do, right in the heart of Richmond's bustling Victoria Street. The long menu might be a touch intimidating for the uninitiated, but with pages upon pages of noodle soup options, Co Do is sure to please. At the more accessible end, find classic rare beef, brisket or meatballs, and for the more seasoned pho slurper — tripe and offal. There's also Co Do's specialty bun bo hue, a tangy chilli beef version of soup noodles, which comes with its own array of toppings. Service tends to be quick and food is guaranteed to satisfy. I LOVE PHO, RICHMOND This one's all in the name. With a focused and easy-to-read menu that doesn't compromise on variety, I Love Pho is your go-to for a quick and no-fuss meal. Again, there are topping options all across the spectrum including brisket, meatballs, tendon, heart, liver and giblets — but notable here is a vegetarian option, with tofu and veggies. Either way, you're sure to get the classic flavour and soft mouth-feel you'd expect from a top quality pho in Melbourne. XUAN BANH CUON, SUNSHINE Moving westwards, Xuan Banh Cuon is perhaps a little off the beaten path, but it boasts a delicious variety of noodles worth the trip. As always, there's pho — chicken, beef or combination — but also glass noodles and vermicelli varieties should you wish to mix it up from the usual rice noodle suspects. The banh da cua, a noodle made out of red rice paper which is popular in Northern Vietnam, is also on the must-try list. PHO CHU THE, FOOTSCRAY Representing Team Footscray is Pho Chu The, an unassuming corner restaurant — even as far as Melbourne pho restaurants go — in the heart of the city's west. Blink and you'll miss the relatively pared-back menu, consisting largely of pho bo (pho with beef). Where Pho Chu The really shines is the punchiness of its broth, perfectly balanced to pull together the noodles, herbs and meat. The relatively slim set of options might even make ordering easier: you know you'll get a cohesive and flavourful meal no matter what you choose. GOOD DAYS, BRUNSWICK A quick pause in Melbourne's inner north means a visit to Good Days on the iconic Sydney Road. The pho here is a touch pricier than the other venues on this list, but it's distinguished by its commitment to ethically sourced protein. Large chunks of the menu are also vegan for your non-carnivorous buddies. The centrepiece of the meat-free menu is a mushroom pho with a rich vegetable broth, served with a helping of grilled and braised mushrooms. The interior of Good Days is dominated by bar seating and is not particularly large, so just make sure you come prepared to queue. View this post on Instagram A post shared by tony (@paperblade) PHO HUNG VUONG, SPRINGVALE Locals in Melbourne's southeast swear by Pho Hung Vuong. Though this hole-in-the-wall is inconspicuously tucked in the middle of a small block, between an Asian grocer and real estate agency, diners come from far and wide prepared to line up for the noodles inside. The protein options here aren't particularly novel, but each of them is hearty and delicious — the beef special and chicken thigh are particularly stellar choices. Pho Hung Vuong is a Saigon-style, Southern Vietnamese restaurant, so expect big flavour here in contrast with the cleaner palate typical of Northern Vietnamese pho. If you're not prepared to brave the queue here, try its sister venue in Clayton, open seven days a week. [caption id="attachment_822048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kashish Sandhu[/caption] PHO THIN, CBD With pho in just about every corner of the city, Melbourne's CBD is no exception. Even among all the Melbourne restaurants serving pho here, Pho Thin is a standout. Its signature pho features beef that has already been stir-fried in garlic, before taking the plunge into a soup that is cooked overnight to maximise flavour. This recipe also has decades of history, first developed in Hanoi by the restaurant's namesake Nguyen Trong Thin in 1979. There are a small number of other pho configurations, including a vegetarian option, and all pho can also be enjoyed with a crispy Vietnamese donut dipped in broth. [caption id="attachment_819421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kashish Sandhu[/caption] PHO BO GA MEKONG VIETNAM, CBD A Melbourne pho round-up would not be complete without the truly iconic institution of Mekong. With a steady stream of customers passing through its inner-city doors — and a steady stream of delicious noodles more than keeping up — Mekong is a must-visit if you're in the city and hungry for pho. Here, you are spoilt for choice: the usual topping options are all there, accompanied by fish balls, blood jelly and chargrilled chicken. There is a vegetarian option here too, so the whole crew will be well-fed. In addition to all this, the drinks menu has a variety of smoothies and multicoloured bean drinks to tide you into summer. The avocado smoothie is a crowd favourite, although the Vietnamese white coffee and mint lemon ice crush are also worth a spin. Images: Pho Thin, Mekong — Kashish Sandhu, Co Do, I Love Pho — Abir Hiranandani.
When you chat with your friends, family and co-workers about your latest streaming obsession, do you tell them where you've been watching? Not which platform, but where you're sat while your eyes are glued to the screen? If you're one of the approximately 2.8-million Australians who've apparently watched Netflix on the toilet, you likely haven't mentioned that — but you might if you hit up loos based on Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris. Rarely one to miss the opportunity to take its shows off the screen and into real life, especially in Sydney — see: its Stranger Things rift on Bondi Beach, the Squid Game Red Light, Green Light doll by Sydney Harbour and a pop-up Heartbreak High uniform shop in Newtown, all in the past few years — Netflix has taken the research about dunny viewing and run with it. For one day only, aka today, Thursday, February 22, the streamer has set up pop-up toilets that take their theming from some of its hit series. The toilets — or the "tudunnies", as Netflix likes to call them — are indeed functional. That said, the main aim of this installation at Hickson Road Reserve in The Rocks in Sydney is to get everyone snapping while they're on the sets. So, if your social media feeds are filled with toilet pics today, this is why. If you're in the Harbour City, you can drop by between 9am–5pm for the ultimate pop culture-inspired bathroom break. If you're making a detour from work, you might need more than a bathroom break's worth of time if the installation proves popular. And that research? It hails from YouGov, as commissioned by Netflix, and found that 21-percent of folks who responded to the survey about their viewing habits had watched the platform's shows while on the throne. As for the choice of shows for the service's pop-up tudunnies, all three of Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris will drop their latest seasons in 2024. Find the Netflix toilets pop-up at Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks, Sydney from 9am–5pm on Thursday, February 22. Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris are available to stream via Netflix — read our review of Squid Game season one and review of Heartbreak high season one.
Australia's strict rules surrounding social distancing and public gatherings could be relaxed in four weeks — mid-May — if three conditions, outlined by the Federal Government, are met. After a national cabinet meeting today, Thursday, April 16, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the government's attention has turned to the "road to the recovery on the other side" and part of that discussion included the conditions under which current COVID-19 restrictions would be relaxed. On advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), the Prime Minister has outlined three conditions that need to be in place before restrictions will be lifted: increased testing, beyond those who are just symptomatic increased contact tracing, "using technology" local response capability, including the ability to quickly lockdown areas where there is an outbreak While the Prime Minister said that Australia has "one of, if not, the most extensive testing regime in the world today", he says these rates need to be increased even more to include those who are asymptomatic. "We need to do even better than that to make sure we can have greater confidence that when we moved to a lesser-restriction environment we can have confidence we can identify any outbreaks very, very quickly." On the second point, the Prime Minister did not mention the app specifically, but said that the country needs to increase its contact tracing to an "industrial capability" and to "do that using technology" and "with the support of Australians". Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has previously compared the app to Singapore's Trace Together, which uses bluetooth technology to record contact between people. As reported by the ABC, the app could be ready within a fortnight and the government would need at least "40 percent of Australians to voluntarily sign up for it to be effective". Controversy surrounding the app relates to it allowing the government to track your movements and share your data with others. In an interview with a Guardian Australia reporter earlier today, Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said the app would swap your phone number with those nearby. https://twitter.com/joshgnosis/status/1250636195253501952 The local response capability would, as mentioned, relate to local governments' ability to quickly lockdown outbreak areas, such as northwest Tasmania did earlier this week. For now, though, the 'baseline' COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for at least the next four weeks. The Prime Minister said they'll use the time "to ensure we get these [conditions] in place, and these baseline restrictions will remain in place until then". He also said states who have "gone beyond these baseline restrictions" — including how they may be "enforcing measures", see: fines — would be able to make their own decisions about whether they want to wind back those additional restrictions. "Those states will ... make their own decisions whether they want to change any of those arrangements on their own circumstances. I would refer you to individual states and territories where they may choose to do that over the next three weeks," says Morrison. This could mean fines for breaking social-distancing rules are stopped or Queensland's borders opened, for example. While the easing of some restrictions looks like a possibility next month, the Prime Minister has warned that "if you ease off too quickly, too early, you end up making the situation worse". For now, the current COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for at least the next four weeks. And fines are still in place for disobeying these in NSW, Vic and Queensland. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Julia Sansone
If you've ever found yourself slumped in front of your laptop on a weeknight, neutralising an endless stream of utility bills, a steaming plate of veggies in your lap and making a mental note to take the bins out, you know you're officially an adult. You also know that it officially sucks. While adults deal with climate change, busy trains, body odour and junk mail, kids get all the good stuff. They get velcro shoes, officially sanctioned daytime naps, Saturday morning cartoons and sugary cereal you just can't stomach as well with a mature digestive system. Sure, adulthood has its perks (like espresso martinis and personal liberty) but sometimes you just want to get away from it all and fall down the rabbit hole into a simpler time. Thankfully there are ways to relive the glory days of our youth and be overwhelmed with childlike wonder again. We've teamed up with American Express to help you with those moments when you've officially had it with the whole adult thing. Let's journey through Melbourne's best outlets for tapping into that uninhibited glee of childhood (with the benefit of an American Express® Card and some hard-earned adult privileges). Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Melbourne artist Sayraphim Lothian doesn't make art that hangs on walls in galleries. You're more likely to find her work hiding in a tree, resting on a bench or nestled under a bush. She likes to leave people little gifts, just to make their day that little bit more special and fun. This March Sayraphim's mission is to bring guerrilla kindness to Christchurch, which is still rebuilding following the horrific 2011 earthquake. Journey - The Kakapo of Christchurch is a two-week public art project that uses the Kakapo's journey to recovery as a metaphor for Christchurch's journey to regeneration. A native of New Zealand, the Kakapo is the world's heaviest flightless parrot. It's population dwindled to a mere 18 in the 1970s, and since then, the Kakapo has been on its own journey of healing thanks to conservation group Kakapo Recovery. Even though the Kakapo is still endangered, there are now 124 birds alive and well in the wild. "I want to do this project to celebrate the resilience and unity of the people of Christchurch after the earthquakes and the recovery of the Kakapo from near extinction," Sayraphim says. "Neither of these things could have happened without the resourcefulness and kindness of the people involved." From March 13-23, 2014, the artist will travel to Christchurch to install 124 soft sculpture Kakapos around the city. These birds will be left for people to find and move, hide, remove, adopt or throw away. Part participatory art project, part game, part scavenger hunt and part social media check in, Journey invites people to get involved with an art project on a personal level. Each soft sculpture bird will have a tag attached, introducing it to the finder as well as having Journey's website address to provide more information about the project. There will also be a hashtag for social media so people can follow the Kakapos' journey around the city. You can help make this project happen by contributing your own act of guerrilla kindness. In exchange for your pledge you will receive a reward, which could include your very own handmade Christchurch Kakapo.
Burnham Beeches, an Art Deco mansion and 22-hectare estate in the Dandenong Ranges is getting a major makeover by Six Senses. The international luxury resort group has famous properties in Oman and Bali, but this will be its very first Australian venture. It'll also come with all the lavish trimmings you can expect from Six Senses. This mansion, designed by Harry Norris in 1933, will first open with just 43 guest accommodations alongside a restaurant, library bar, large terrace and rooftop retreat covered in foliage — perfect for its forest location. Six Senses is also planning to have a separate two-bedroom cottage and some glamping sites scattered throughout the property. But this is all subject to planning applications that are still in the works. If the project plan makes it through, it will be one of the best ways to experience the Dandenong Ranges. These campsites will be set with the native forest and conveniently located next to a truffle farm. Design wise, new and old Art Deco features will reign supreme. And the flamboyant nature of this period will be ramped right up. Think of it as an Australian hotel of the Great Gatsby era, made for lavish champagne-filled parties. But there will be a strong sustainable ethos throughout as well. The restaurant will source much of its produce from the on-site farm which will also be used for education purposes around sustainable farming and practices The herb garden is even set to produce healing and aromatic plants for use in the Alchemy Bar workshops and Six Senses Spa treatments. [caption id="attachment_692634" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Keppel Lookout, Mount Dandenong, Visit Victoria[/caption] Guests should also be able to explore the historical, ecological, cultural and indigenous stories from Burnham Beeches and the surrounding region. These lands originally belonged to the Wurundjeri and Kulin nations — and the Six Senses team plan to acknowledge this through the art, architecture, signage, and landscaping throughout the extensive grounds. The Six Senses is putting a uniquely Australian stamp on this property, which is slated to open sometime in 2025. We will be patiently waiting. Check out the Six Senses Instagram page for more updates. Now you can book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips, and discover inspiring deals on flights, stays and experiences.
Outbreak Day, the date that Cordyceps reached critical mass in The Last of Us — that'd be September 26 — has been and gone for 2024 in Australia. But as the occasion hit the US, HBO gave fans of the TV show based on the hugely popular gaming series a welcome gift. After dropping sneak peeks as images and in promos for the network's full upcoming slate over the past few months, the American cable TV network has unveiled a teaser trailer for the post-apocalyptic hit's second season. Prepare for a time jump. Prepare for a guitar. Prepare for hordes of infected. Prepare for a haunting feeling, too. How does life go on after not just the global devastation caused by the Cordyceps virus, but following the chaos that the first season of The Last of Us brought? Sometime in 2025, viewers will find out — but here's a glimpse now. In season two, it's been five years since the events of season one. And while there has been peace, it clearly isn't here to stay. Yes, Joel and Ellie are back — and, in their shoes, so are Pedro Pascal (The Wild Robot) and Bella Ramsey (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget). This time around, the show's main duo have company from both familiar faces and a heap of newcomers. Rutina Wesley (Monster High) and Gabriel Luna (Fubar) return as Maria and Tommy, while Kaitlyn Dever (Good Grief), Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Young Mazino (Beef), Ariela Barer (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope), Spencer Lord (Family Law) and Danny Ramirez (Black Mirror) are the season's additions. The first teaser for season two gives fans a glimpse of plenty of the above new cast members, including Dever as Abby and Wright as Isaac. Also new: Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) as a guest star. She starts the clip setting a timer and trying to get Joel to talk. His look in response says everything. The Last of Us made the leap from video games to TV in 2023, and was swiftly renewed after proving a massive smash instantly. The series gave HBO its most-watched debut season of a show ever — and its first episode was also the network's second-largest debut of all time. Locking in a second season was also hardly surprising because the 2013 game inspired a 2014 expansion pack and 2020 sequel. For first-timers to the franchise on consoles and as a TV series, The Last of Us kicked off 20 years after modern civilisation as we know it has been toppled by a parasitic fungal infection that turns the afflicted into shuffling hordes. Pascal plays Joel, who gets saddled with smuggling 14-year-old Ellie (his Game of Thrones co-star Ramsey) out of a strict quarantine zone to help possibly save humanity's last remnants. There wouldn't be a game, let alone a television version, if that was an easy task, of course — and if the pair didn't need to weather quite the brutal journey. As a television series, The Last of Us hails from co-creator, executive producer, writer and director Craig Mazin, who already brought a hellscape to HBO (and to everyone's must-watch list) thanks to the haunting and horrifying Chernobyl. He teams up here with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. Check out the new teaser trailer for The Last of Us season two below: The Last of Us season two doesn't yet have a release date, other than sometime in 2025. When it returns, it'll stream via Binge in Australia and on Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of the first season. Images: HBO.
In typical style of owner, bartender and artist Matt Bax, Bar Americano is doing things a little differently. This Negroni Week, the cocktail bar has been working on a special fermented Negroni Sbagliato in anticipation for the 100 year Negroni celebration. It has been aged for months and uses Champagne in addition to gin, so will be served as a typical Champagne cocktail. The rare drop will be available for a limited time, and a portion of the profits will go to OzHarvest. In addition to the special fermented Negroni Sbagiato you can still get your hands on the bar's range of batched negroni (in 200ml and 500ml bottles) which will still make a contribution to the charity donation. Campari has also donated some Negroni pins for the event, with all the proceeds going directly to Oz Harvest. Bar Americano's stand only venue has limited space, so get in early so you don't miss out.
If you're the type of traveller who doesn't just plan where you'll be staying and what sights you'll be seeing, but also what you'll be drinking while you're there, then add Australia's latest accommodation option to your dream holiday list. A collaboration between caravan rental site Camplify and The Botanist Gin, Salty the Van is the country's latest gin-themed caravan — after the pair first teamed up to bring some juniper spirits to your getaways in late 2020. Yes, a bottle of gin will be waiting for you when you get there; however, that's not all that this holiday spot on wheels has to offer. Firstly, it has made its base in completely a different location — and different state — so you can add it to your list if a Gold Coast vacation is in your future. Painted in beachy blue and white hues, the vintage Viscount caravan comes with an outdoor table and chairs, and an awning, but it's the lineup from The Botanist that'll make you thirsty. During your stay, you'll be sipping from a complimentary 700-millilitre bottle of The Botanist gin and a four-pack of Fever Tree tonic waters. So, you just need to get mixing, sipping and sitting wherever you decide to park the caravan — which'll need to be within 50 kilometres of Tugun. If this sounds like your kind of getaway, the new Botanist Van is available to book from Friday, April 9 through until the end of June from $100 per night. It sleeps four people, and there's a three-night minimum stay during off-peak times and a five-night minimum in peak and school holiday periods. You will need to get cosy over a weekend to receive the gin pack, though, as it comes with Friday–Sunday bookings. To book The Botanist's new van — with prices from $100 per day, and rentals available within 50 kilometres of Tugun in Queensland until February 30, 2021 — visit the Camplify website.
With exposed brick walls, gorgeous timber floorboards and a constant stream of natural light, it would be easy to confuse Terrapotter Studios with a funky, new small bar. This South Melbourne pottery studio offers classes, ceramics retail and membership, and its supportive staff and teachers are said to be some of the best in the business. Its classes include an introduction to wheel throwing, where students get to sit at the wheel for the first time and see what kind of masterpiece they can spin out before trimming, glazing and firing the piece. This is for people who are clay-curious and want to see if they should commit to a longer course. Or people who just want to chill out for a couple of short hours. The term courses consist of seven two-hour classes. Students will learn how to throw, trim and glaze, and by the end of the seven weeks, they'll leave with a newfound understanding of what pottery is, as well as an arsenal of skills and their own works of pottery. If you want to take your pottery skills to the next level, this course is for you. It also offers private functions, so if you want to do something different for your birthday this year and not just head to the bowlo for barefoot bowls (don't worry, we love barefoot bowls, but every birthday?), then this is a good option to keep in mind. The Terrapotter Studios staff are supportive and friendly, and the space is charming and relaxing. We couldn't think of anywhere better to start out potting.
In an ideal world, every single item necessary to living out of a carry bag would be slimline. So far, mobile devices have it well sorted. But between keys, water bottles and sundry accessories, it's way too easy for everything else to turn into the kind of mad jumble that'd give Detective Scott Turner a heart attack (yep, look 'im up). Instead of moaning about it, an Aussie-US collaboration has decided to take action — on at least one front. They’ve redesigned the water bottle and come up with a slimline, reusable version: the memobottle. Inspired by paper, it’s a rectangular vessel that slides into your carry bag, right next to your laptop or tablet, with such efficiency and style that you hardly notice it’s there. The memobottle team is hoping to revolutionise personal convenience while giving environmental protection a leg-up. Last year alone, more than 50 billion single-use bottles were sold across the planet. In the US, 1,500 or so of them are used and thrown out every second. One of the reasons for this insane waste, according to memobottle’s Kickstarter campaign, is that regular bottles are such a hassle to carry around. But this new invention changes all that. It's made of BPA-free Tritan, which is resilient, durable and dishwasher-friendly. Three sizes – A5, A4 and Letter – are available, allowing you to choose one to fit your bag (and hydration needs). Plus, whether it’s lying flat or standing up, the memobottle is leak-proof. So far, the innovation definitely seems to be hitting the right spot. With five days to go, the Kickstarter campaign has seen more than 5,500 supporters pledge over $232,000 — that’s fifteen times the initial target goal. Via Fast Company.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne, the spot we're putting up guests who book one of our exclusive For The Love VIP packages. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This central Melbourne hotel is all about luxury — from the heated pool looking out over the cityscape to the spacious rooms and glorious pan-Asian restaurant. Did somebody say it's time for a city staycation? THE ROOMS You get a king bed! You get a king bed! And you get a king bed! Everyone gets a king bed! Yup, all rooms and suites have large comfy king beds — the prime spot for stretching out and taking up all the space you'd like (whether you're sleeping alone or with someone else). But, that's not all: these luxe rooms have a bunch of other features too. Expect rain-showers, free wifi, blockout curtains, a 55-inch television and views across Melbourne's skyline. Plus, if you go for one of the suites, you're in for an even more glam stay, courtesy of ready-to-go coffee machine and fully stocked mini bar. FOOD AND DRINK Miss Mi is Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's very own restaurant and bar, serving up pan-Asian food and drinks — that are set to take you from Bangkok to Borneo. Sit up at the benches overlooking the kitchen to watch the chefs at work or sink into one of the plush banquettes for a more intimate affair. At the bar, you'll uncover Asian-inspired cocktails that pair top-quality spirits with traditional Asian spices, fresh herbs and housemade syrups. You can opt for classic cocktails, but we recommend trying one of their own creations. [caption id="attachment_882225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Macallan (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA You're in the thick of it here. From the Spencer Street location, you can head west to Docklands for shopping and waterside dining or go east into the CBD to find some of Melbourne's best restaurants and entertainment venues. You're also within the free tram zone, so there's no need to do much walking. Take the free journey to sites like Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square and Melbourne's famous arts precinct. All of Melbourne is at your doorstep. THE EXTRAS One of the most fun and unique things to do at this luxury hotel is partake in their daily chocolate hour. From 4.30–5.30pm, the chefs transform the lobby into a chocaholic's paradise. All kinds of chocolatey creations are made just for you — it's always different so be sure to go each day of your stay. Mentioning Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's gorgeous heated pool (with views over Spencer Street) is a necessity. Head to the water for a swim and sauna, escaping life and all its stresses for a few hours. You don't even need to swim — simply grab some fluffy slippers and a robe from your closet and sit on one of the poolside lounges reading a book for the day. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Someone else's dream job might just inspire your next dream vacation, after Tourism Australia's Beach Ambassador (how do we apply?) just announced a handy list of the top 20 Australian beaches for 2022. The enviable gig sees beach expert Brad Farmer AM survey the nation's sandy spots and draw upon his almost 40 years of writing about beaches — and this year, he's picked Misery Beach in Albany in Western Australia as his best. There's obviously a lot to consider when anointing one of the country's 11,761 beaches as the cream of the crop — and naming the next-best 19, too. If you were to do it, or even just to try to pick somewhere to hit up over summer, you might wonder which ones aren't too busy or seaweed-y, which have the whitest sand and bluest water, and where's best for beach cricket. But Farmer's 2022 list heroes "nature-based locations, many quirky spots within easy reach of cities, and also celebrates the significant cultural value of the coast to Australia's First Nations people," according to Tourism Australia's announcement. Home of the Menang Noongar First Nations peoples, Misery Beach sits 15 minutes south of Albany and five hours southeast of Perth, and is small — sitting in a bay spanning 200 metres. Farmer describes the picturesque place as coming "straight from the pages of a beachscape artist's sketchbook", and that it provides "a dramatic feast for the senses with the look and feel of a perfectly framed filmset". That includes "crystal clear, turquoise water, virgin white sand, bounded by spectacular granite outcrops," and "only a handful of beachcombers, swimmers or kayakers availing themselves of its sublime surrounds", plus "seals, dolphins and returning migratory whales, seeking its calm shelter". It wasn't always this scenic, however, as the location's moniker makes plain. Farmer explains that Australia's last active whaling station sat nearby until it closed in 1978, "and for decades, this shoreline was often awash with whale offal, staining the beach blood red". Now, thankfully, he says that Misery Beach "belies its grim name". [caption id="attachment_712446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Loch Ard Gorge, Visit Victoria[/caption] Misery Beach claimed top position after Cabarita Beach in New South Wales did the honours in 2020, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy island in Far North Queensland did the same in 2018, and Cossies Beach in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in the Indian Ocean, earned the title in 2017. Among the 2022 list's highest-ranked spots, Misery Beach is joined by Horseshoe Bay in South West Rocks in New South Wales' mid-north, which took second place; The Spit at the Gold Coast's northern end in third; four-place getter Flaherty's Beach, on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula; and Loch Ard Gorge, in Port Campbell in Victoria, in fifth. The full list of 20 beaches covers every Australian state and territory, including Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean Territories. Other notable inclusions span Lake Wabby on K'Gari (formerly named Fraser Island), Mots Beach at the mouth of the Snowy River, Murrays Beach in Jervis Bay Territory and Jellybean Pool in the Blue Mountains. So pack your togs, round up some mates and start ticking these off. We see many road trips in your future — not that anyone ever needs an excuse to head to the beach. [caption id="attachment_710496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jellybean Pool, Lauren Vadnjal[/caption] THE TOP 20 BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES FOR 2022 1. Misery Beach, Albany (Western Australia) 2. Horseshoe Bay, South West Rocks (New South Wales) 3. The Spit, Gold Coast (Queensland) 4. Flaherty's Beach, Yorke Peninsula (South Australia) 5. Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell (Victoria) 6. The Neck, Bruny Island (Tasmania) 7. Blue Pearl Bay, Whitsundays (Queensland) 8. Depot Beach, South Coast (New South Wales) 9. Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay Territory (Australian Capital Territory/New South Wales) 10. Dundee Beach, Darwin (Northern Territory) 11. Dudley Beach, Newcastle (New South Wales) 12. Thompsons Beach, Cobram (Victoria) 13. Coogee Beach, Perth (Western Australia) 14. Mots Beach, Marlo (Victoria) 15. Alexandria Bay, Noosa (Queensland) 16. Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island (South Australia) 17. Lake Wabby, K'Gari (Fraser Island) (Queensland) 18. Congwong Beach, Sydney (New South Wales) 19. Jellybean Pool, Blue Mountains (New South Wales) 20. Ethel Beach, Christmas Island (Indian Ocean Territories) Top image: @merrwatson.
UPDATE, December 1, 2021: The Power of the Dog is screening in select cinemas, and also streams via Netflix from Wednesday, December 1. Don't call it a comeback: Jane Campion's films have been absent from cinemas for 12 years but, due to miniseries Top of the Lake, she hasn't been biding her time in that gap. And don't call it simply returning to familiar territory, even if the New Zealand director's new movie features an ivory-tinkling woman caught between cruel and sensitive men, as her Cannes Palme d'Or-winner The Piano did three decades ago. Campion isn't rallying after a dip, just as she isn't repeating herself. She's never helmed anything less than stellar, and she's immensely capable of unearthing rich new pastures in well-ploughed terrain. With The Power of the Dog, Campion is at the height of her skills trotting into her latest mesmerising musing on strength, desire and isolation — this time via a venomous western that's as perilously bewitching as its mountainous backdrop. That setting is Montana, circa 1925. Campion's homeland stands in for America nearly a century ago, making a magnificent sight — with cinematographer Ari Wegner (Zola, True History of the Kelly Gang) perceptively spying danger in its craggy peaks and dusty plains even before the film introduces Rose and Peter Gordon (On Becoming a God in Central Florida's Kirsten Dunst and 2067's Kodi Smit-McPhee). When the widowed innkeeper and her teenage son serve rancher brothers Phil and George Burbank (The Courier's Benedict Cumberbatch and Antlers' Jesse Plemons) during a cattle-run stop, the encounter seesaws from callousness to kindness, a dynamic that continues after Rose marries George and decamps to the Burbank mansion against that stunning backdrop. Brutal to the lanky, lisping Peter from the outset, Phil responds to the nuptials with malice. He isn't fond of change, and won't accommodate anything that fails his bristling definition of masculinity and power, either. In a career-best, awards-worthy, downright phenomenal turn by Cumberbatch, Phil is all hawkish menace and bravado; he viciously calls his brother 'Fatso', his initial taunting of Peter over paper flowers and effete mannerisms is all the more ferocious for its dinner-table audience, and he's effusive in his admiration for Bronco Henry, the man's man who taught him everything he knows. Indeed, Phil's hyper-masculine air, complete with threatening and mocking banjo-plucking, soon drives Rose to drink. He'd rather still be bunking in with George, as they have for the quarter-century they've run their inherited ranch. He'd rather scare everyone away by failing to bathe, unless he's stealing off to a secret water hole — and by mixing his Yale classics degree into his sneering, too. The key to Cumberbatch's commanding performance isn't softening Phil or playing up his charisma, but conveying the battle of repression and self-resentment raging within; the cattleman has long tanned his own public persona, but he's as complex as rawhide. Adapting Thomas Savage's 1967 novel of the same name, Campion gives Phil's chomping misery ample company: in the sauced Rose, in the intimidating attitude that rolls around the ranch like a stubborn tumbleweed, and in Peter when he returns from his medical studies for the summer. The Power of the Dog lets this unhappy stew fester, adding grit to its brew with each passing scene and deepening its rich character studies in the process. The film's only misstep is pushing George aside, although the fact that his passivity — his main trait alongside tenderness — earns him less attention is an incisive touch. Rose becomes a supporting player as Phil and Peter's initially antagonistic relationship finds deeper dimensions but, in Dunst's hands, this is still an intense portrait of a woman heartbreakingly accustomed to being at others' whims. As a raw-boned young man who proves exacting and steely inside, Smit-McPhee isn't just similarly exceptional — he's revelatory. So much of The Power of the Dog hinges upon loaded moments where little appears to occur beyond interpersonal manoeuvring — where observing Phil, Rose and Peter's fraught dance is the most gripping thing in the film's frames. And while that back-and-forth is compulsively captivating, especially thanks to the feature's tremendous performances, the movie springs an unforgettable kicker that makes everything preceding its final scenes blister anew. Campion hasn't helmed a mystery, but she's masterful at lacing her feature with careful clues. She's meticulous with her unfurling, and with the herd of emotions it unleashes. From the get-go, she's also painstaking in her handling of tone and tension — so much so that there's never a second of The Power of the Dog that isn't on edge, particularly when Jonny Greenwood's ominous score grinds, twangs and bounces, the Radiohead guitarist setting the mood as firmly as he did with There Will Be Blood 14 years back. Westerns frequently canter through conflict, finding quarrels baked into the rough countryside. They also gallop into overt clashes about who's permitted to roam over, control and truly exist upon all that land. The Power of the Dog is a domestic melodrama as well as a western, but it's still a tale of dominance, yearning and survival in a remote place — and of people fighting for space, be it by oozing the macho toxicity expected of powerful white men, seeking safety in a sturdy marriage or extracting one's own path through the muck. Handsomely lensed and hauntingly patient, Campion's film is both classic and subversive, the two extremes that recent examples of the genre tend to oscillate between. Like Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain and Kelly Reichardt's Meek's Cutoff — both soaring modern westerns — it's aware of its past and also firmly of the moment, too. Viewers should expect nothing less of Campion, the first woman to win the Palme d'Or back in 1993 with The Piano — only this year did Julia Ducournau become the second thanks to Titane — and also the second-ever female Best Director Oscar nominee. She's already won Venice Film Festival's equivalent of the latter for her efforts here, and deserves at least another Academy Award nomination as well. Campion approaches filmmaking like she's stitching together a delicate tapestry layered with feeling, texture and insight, and the results are exquisite and immaculate. In this case, she's braided The Power of the Dog as intricately and determinedly as Phil plaits the rawhide lasso he becomes obsessed with — and ensures that it also cuts as sharply and devastatingly as the bull castrations he undertakes with his bare hands. Top image: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix.
When you consider the lush green streets of Albert Park, it's only appropriate that there's a stellar nursery on-hand to freshen up your garden or indoor space. Located in the old Albert Park Railway Station, The Garden of Eden Nursery has been around for more than 20 years, welcoming visitors into its green haven of gardening inspiration. From fruit trees to cacti and terrariums, everything at The Garden of Eden Nursery is handpicked from reputable growers so you can be sure you're buying the best quality plant life available.
Yesterday LCD Soundsystem made a surprise appearance on this year's Coachella lineup, almost five years after the band called it quits. But guess what? That is only the start of it. And proving speculation to be true, frontman James Murphy has posted a lengthy (read: really long) note on the band's website confirming that, yes, the band has officially reunited, yes, they'll be doing an "all over" tour, and they'll be releasing a new album in 2016. Holy shit. We'd almost be angry if we weren't so insanely excited right now. It seems that Murphy has anticipated some backlash from fans who have already mourned the band, and are presumably (hopefully) already on the other side of their seven stages of grief. In his apologetic post, which was also shared on the band's Facebook early this morning Australian time, Murphy acknowledges the fans who "feel very attached to the band, and have put a lot of themselves into their care of us, who feel betrayed by us coming back and playing". These fans did, of course, shell out and possibly sold a limb and/or firstborn child for their last glimpse of LCD at their final Madison Square Garden show back in 2011 — a moment that may now, according to Murphy, may feel "cheapened" by their reunion and promise to do a wider tour. He writes: "to you i have to say: i’m seriously sorry. the only thing we can do now is get back into the studio and finish this record, and make it as fucking good as we can possibly make it." An expected album release date is currently unknown, as are the details of the proposed "all over tour" — but we expect the Internet will start wildly speculating on that too. As for an Australian tour? Well, we'll be sitting here quietly, crossing all our things. Image: Matt Biddulph via Wikimedia Commons
Western Australia is already home to Australia's best beach for 2022, the best beach in the South Pacific for this year as well, all that coastline and plenty of beloved sandy spots. But come the summer of 2024–25, it'll score a new reason to get splashing. That's when global surf park brand Aventuur is set to open a massive site in Perth, creating the southern hemisphere's largest venue of its type. Manmade waves have been having their moment Down Under of late. Urbnsurf opened Australia's first inland surf park near the Melbourne Airport in 2020, then revealed plans for Brisbane, Sydney and Perth sites. New South Wales' Hawkesbury region is also getting a giant wave pool and luxury resort, the Sunshine Coast is due to welcome Kelly Slater's second surf ranch, and the Gold Coast has been earmarked for an Endless Surf wave pool. But Aventuur is going as big as possible with its $100-million WA venture, which'll feature 25 different types of waves. Clearly, providing breaks and barrels that everyone can surf — no matter your skill level — is one of big aims of Aventuur's Perth Surf Park, which'll take over a 5.7–hectare site on Prinsep Road in Jandakot, adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway and the Cockburn Central train station. That'll include what it's calling a Wavegarden Cove, aka the huge 56-module surfing lagoon that'll be the key drawcard — and will constantly whip up perfect waves. Also set to feature: accommodation, which'll be handy for anyone making the trip west just for some manmade surf action; a beach club; bars and restaurants; and retail stores, all as part of a hefty surf sports, recreation, leisure and entertainment hub. There'll also be a health and wellness centre, co-working offices, and functions and event spaces. Get ready for provide personalised coaching, fitness and surf skate programs as well, and regular events such as outdoor surf movie nights and photography exhibitions. Yoga and meditation retreats will also make the most of the site, as will live music and cultural festivals — and, naturally, professional surfing competitions. Already an avid surfer? Know someone who might be the next Mick Fanning or Stephanie Gilmore? Then get excited about Perth Surf Park's high-performance surf academy. Whether you're a future superstar or just learning, there'll also be a hire store doing board, wetsuit and equipment rentals — so you won't have to bring your own gear with you. While surfers won't be able to live out their Point Break and Blue Crush dreams until the summer of 2024–25, Aventuur has just has signed a long-term ground lease with the Western Australian Planning Commission for its Perth Surf Park site. And if you're wondering why surf parks keep popping up — especially in a country girt by sea, and therefore surrounded by so many glorious beaches — they're able to provide controlled and reliable conditions, including waves that aren't daunting for newcomers. Perth Surf Park will feature knee-high whitewater for beginners, for instance, as well as ideal waves for experienced surfers. Aventuur's Perth Surf Park is due to open on Prinsep Road in Jandakot, Perth, Western Australia, in 2025. For more information, head to the venue's website. UPDATE, June 22, 2022: The headline for this article originally said that Aventuur's Perth Surf Park will open in 2024. Aventuur has since clarified that the park will be completed late in 2024, opening over the summer of 2024–25. The headline has been amended to reflect that change.
Although your wardrobe might be begging for an update, there's no rule saying your fresh threads need to be brand new. Then again, not all second-hand and vintage fashion is created equal, so if you're looking for something special, SWOP is likely where you'll find it. Its colour-coded racks are always a goldmine when it comes to finding something both fashionable and sustainable. Plus, as well as promoting anti-waste, the buyers are big on inclusivity — so most of the clothing you'll find is affordable, and there tends to be plenty of options for all body types. Images: Victoria Zschommler.
There's nothing quite like a great comeback story. Jordan in '95. Jobs in '96. Jesus in 33. We love watching long-lost enigmas return in dramatic fashion, punching critics in the groin while dazzling us with newfound glory. Such is the tale of ex-Blue-Mountainsiders Cloud Control, who were catapulted to domestic divinity by the success of their 2010 debut, Bliss Release. The psych-pop quartet garnered rave reviews, won shiny awards and then... disappeared. Vanished. Vamoosed. Now, three years after absconding to the UK, Cloud Control has rearrived on Australian soil. And, like a resurrected Goku, they are triumphantly punching everyone in the groin. They've sold out VIVID, dropped a much-hyped single, featured at a sold-out Splendour, dropped a much-hyped second album and are now musically pillaging our fine nation on the Australian leg of their international Dream Cave Tour. Dream Cave, their sophomore release, was masterminded by UK producer Barny Barnicott (The Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian) and exhibits the maturity that Cloud Control have developed through years spent living, writing and playing on the other side of Earth. Their current tour will celebrate this evolution, while harkening back to the blissful release that won them acclaim at the turn of the decade. Supported by Sydney bands Palms and Gang of Youths, this is the perfect opportunity for Cloud Controllers to revel in the band's brilliance before they bugger off back to the UK later this month. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SGSij0-cljI
The inner northwest has welcomed a new Middle Eastern hotspot, and it's claiming to have Melbourne's best falafel. Bekka is run by the original minds behind the famed Brunswick Foodstore, Richard and Suzanna Pavlov, who were keen to give Moonee Ponds locals a fun, authentic taste of Lebanese fare. Pulling inspiration from the their recent travels through Lebanon's Beqaa Valley and their own Australian-Lebanese heritage, the pair is now offering a mezza-style dining experience, with Richard stepping back into the kitchen to deliver a menu of lively flavours, with a modern edge. Here, you'll find yourself tucking into vibrant dishes like fried cauliflower with house-made tahini, garlic prawn skewers, char-grilled barramundi served with fattoush, and falafel worth writing home about. Classic kibbeh are filled with minced lamb, pinenuts and spices, and teamed with a creamy labneh, and the humble baklava is reimagined with a filling of vanilla bean ice cream. And, of course, lots of felafel. The space itself takes cues from the Lebanese landscape, the fitout mixing pops of green with warm tan hues and Arabesque tiling. With a handful of industrial elements and some subtle cultural references, it's a meeting point of Melbourne and Lebanon that's sure to charm. Find Bekka at 22 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds. Images: Michelle Broadhurst
In the catchy theme tune to one of the best, wildest and most cathartic TV shows ever made, aka Billy on the Street, comedian Billy Eichner promised to make dreams come true. How? By taking to the New York City pavement to ask ordinary folks about movies, music and TV shows, often with a celebrity in tow. Each episode also involved Eichner yelling at his unsuspecting contestants about their questionable pop culture taste or utter lack of entertainment knowledge — yep, right there on NYC's streets, with a camera pointing their way — and the end result was a hilarious dream to watch for audiences, too. Now, thanks to new rom-com Bros, Eichner is fulfilling fantasies in a different way. The Parks and Recreation and Difficult People treasure becomes the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film, which is set to hit cinemas Down Under in October — and its just-dropped, extremely self-aware first trailer hilariously plays up exactly what making a mainstream queer rom-com means. What does that entail? "Something a straight guy might like?" Eichner's character Bobby Leiber asks. "Am I going to be in the middle of some high-speed chase, then all of a sudden fall in love with Ice Cube?" he continues. Based on the first sneak peek, no, that doesn't happen. Also the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio to feature an entirely LGBTQ principal cast, Bros sees Eichner play a podcaster who has been asked to write exactly this kind of flick — hence those questions about how it might turn out. This isn't just a queer rom-com about penning a queer rom-com, though. Along the way, Eichner's Leiber falls in love himself (with Killjoys' Luke Macfarlane), and navigates the chaos that ensues. Eichner co-wrote the script with director Nicholas Stoller (Bad Neighbours and its sequel), while Judd Apatow (The King of Staten Island, Trainwreck) produces. On-screen, the cast includes Ts Madison (Zola), Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Díaz (Scandal), Guy Branum (Hacks), Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Amanda Bearse (Married with Children). Check out the trailer for Bros below: Bros opens in cinemas Down Under on October 27.
We can't think of a much better way to alleviate all that hectic airport stress than some pre-flight puppy cuddles and wet-nosed kisses. Thankfully, Sydney Airport has a new team of four-legged employees that is very happy to help on all counts. In an Aussie first, American Airlines and Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) have teamed up to launch a new program called emBark at Sydney International Airport, in an effort to make the whole travelling caper much more bearable. Two mornings each week, a group of ADA-trained floofers will be stationed near American Airlines' check-in desks, to help anyone, young or old, that needs a calming cuddle before tackling all that airport hustle and bustle. As well as proving excellent company and very effective stress relief, the dogs will also help to raise awareness about ADA's work and the huge difference these animals can make. As American's Managing Director – Asia Pacific Russ Fortson explained, "The atmosphere at check-in is noticeably lighter and more relaxed. If these inspiring dogs can accomplish this during short interactions with our customers, imagine the positive impact they can have on the daily lives of the people who need them." At present, emBark pups are stationed at Sydney International Airport's American Airline check-in desks between 7-9am, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Images: Christine Bernasconi Photography
