Each winter, inside a brick-walled suburban garage, hundreds of families brave the cold for the start of the salami season. All hands young and old, are on deck to clean and clear space, so that hundreds of kilos of meat, can be turned into neatly packed parcels of pork. For Frank Bressi, co-owner of North Melbourne's Saluministi, this is bigger than tradition. Salumi making is an art form — an epicurean labour of love. And as anyone who grew up in and around these garages would know, these recipes have origins deeply rooted in necessity. As Frank explains, the difference between a homemade and store-bought salami is starter culture. "All commercially made salami needs a starter culture," he says. "It's illegal to sell without it." But it's this starter culture that increases the acidity in the meat, causing it to change flavour and sometimes become tangy. Alternatively, the people making it without the culture have had to show that their process is equal, if not more effective than what a commercial starter culture might be able to do. This process is reliant on moisture instead of acidity, and depending on the variety, homemade salami may have to reduce in weight by half before it’s safe to eat. The result is a salami with a much more complex and delicate flavour profile. These days, homemade salami isn't an activity just for Italian families; with companies such as Home Make It selling specialist equipment to those new to the process, there's clearly a new wave of salami makers looking to try their hand at the homemade stuff. And this weekend's Melbourne Salami Festa (now in its fourth year), will be showcasing just how good homemade salami can be. The amateur salumi-making competition sees a wide range of entrants vying for the title of best salami maker — and with team Saluministi having placed in the top three two years running, we caught up with Frank to learn more about why people are so passionate about homemade salumi, and to get some tips on making your own. BREAKING DOWN THE PIG In the old days, a salami would’ve never been made in isolation. A whole pig would be broken down into its different parts and used to make prosciutto, porchetta and a range of other cuts. "Everything else, all the other bits of meat and fat, were chopped up, ground and turned into salami," says Frank. There are eight main cuts of pork used in the Italian school of curing, and each has a traditional purpose. A salami is ground meat, so it can come from any part of the pig — but female pork is a must. Male pigs will produce a 'boar' taste, which is undesirable in cured meat. "Once you get a cut of meat, it can be hard to tell whether it's male or female," he says. "But a female pig should smell perfectly clean." If you're not game enough to tackle an entire pig, find a butcher that you trust and go from there. According to Frank it's the shoulder, due to its sweetness and good, lean meat-to-fat ratio, that's the cut of choice for many. However, it all comes down to what you like. "Everyone has ideas about what part of the pig produces the best salami," Frank says. "But ultimately, as long as the meat is fresh, it's personal preference after that." THE EQUIPMENT For the best chance of getting your salami working, Frank recommends a good mincer. But if you can't afford one, there are definitely ways around it. Mincing by hand is still an option. It's also a good idea to sterilise and wash your tools, then stick them in the freezer before you use them. That means your bowls, knives and anything else that will come into contact with the meat. They should be so cold you shouldn’t be able to touch them. You'll need gloves. Good temperature control is what stops your salami from going bad. If you're mincing by hand, try to work quickly to limit the time the meat is out of the fridge. Although Frank has a trick: "Stack a steel bowl on top another bowl filled with ice," he says. "That way, whatever goes in is always going to stay cold until you can get it back in the fridge." If you're serious about your salami and want to buy some proper equipment, Home Make It is a good place to start. THE RECIPE The main ingredient in salami is salt. In fact, in the old days, salt and pepper would be nearly all you'd use. As both an ingredient, and as a core part of the curing process, it's important to use a good-quality (non-iodised) salt. You'll need to use 3% of the total weight of meat, but no more, as the salami begins to become too salty. With very fresh meat and a very clean process, lower dosages may work — but anything closer to 2.5% starts to become risky, and may not be salty enough for the salami to cure. Popular additions include chilli flakes, paprika and red wine. Fennel is the traditional ingredient of northern Italians, while pepper sauce (a wet, capsicum-based sauce), is more popular among southerners. But that’s not to say there aren’t younger salumi makers breaking trends and blurring lines. THE CASINGS While the sausage casing you choose won't impart much in flavour, your choice will have an impact on the process. There are both natural casings, which come from the hog, and artificial casings, which are made of a natural collagen. If you're hoping to make a very large-sized salami, you may have no choice but to choose an artificial casing, as hog casings lose up to anywhere between 30-50% of the weight in the curing process. Plus, artificial casings come pre-formed and pre-tied on one end — a real convenience if you're hanging several hundred kilograms of meat at a time. But if you're looking to let in more of the outside world — such as smoke or an aromatic profile from your curing room — the natural casing will absorb this better. Otherwise, stick to using them for your smaller sized salamis. DRYING TIMES Drying times will depend on your meat-to-fat ratio. For a homemade salami with a fat ratio of 20-30%, you will need to lose 30% of the total weight before it should be safe to eat. It's also dependant on the diameter of the salami, as it will take much longer for a thicker salami to cure. So how do you keep track of the shrinking? "If you have two or three different sizes to hang: take one of each, weigh them and start a diary," Frank says. From there, monitor their progress regularly — and once your salami has reached that 30% weight loss goal, it should be safe to eat. For a firmer salami, continue drying until it's reached a 40-50% reduction in weight. On the opposite end of the scale, 'nduja, which is a spreadable fermented sausage, only needs to lose 15-20% of its weight. Due to its 50-60% fat ratio, it requires little drying time and is normally cured in two weeks. As a rough guide, a small, cacciatore-sized salami may take three to four weeks, while a larger salami may take six to eight. If you're still curious, book yourself into one of the salami making courses at the festival. They're being held in a pop-up garage, with DIY salami specialists Home Make It, whose Team BGS were crowned the winners of the first Salami Festa (pictured above). STORING YOUR SALAMI If stored in the right environment, a salami can last indefinitely. Frank admits that the right conditions are hard to come by, so "unless you’ve got that, or a cave in the middle of the sea, the best way around it is to vacuum pack them." Vacuum sealing machines are relatively common and pretty affordable. By vacuum packing your salami, it can easily last for a year in the refrigerator. Unless, of course, you eat it. For those who seek instant gratification, this year's Salami Festa will also play host to a Salumi Market and a range of pop-up food stalls. You may fill your baskets with a range of cured meats from around the country, and fill your bellies with the best of D.O.C., Ombra Salumi Bar and Frank's own baby, Saluministi. Espresso will be served by none other than St. Ali, and sweet treats will be courtesy of Gelato Messina. View the full program at the Salami Festa website. Top and third images: Dollar Photo Club. Second and fourth images: Home Make It. Final image: Saluministi.
A new website and app lets LGBTIQ people test the waters with their friends and family when deciding whether or not to come out. Launching in April this year, You're Accepted lets users anonymously message their friends and family, in order to gauge their reaction. The hope, according to its creators, is that the service will help young people feel supported, allowing them to more confidently take that difficult first step. The project is a joint initiative between queer youth group Minus18 and creative agency GPY&R. The website allows anonymous users to message people – via Facebook, SMS or email – and ask whether those people would support them if that user decided to come out. "Their friends and family members are then given a notification, can read the message and choose to reply with a message of support, which is then moderated by our team," Minus18 CEO Micah Scott told SBS. "The LGBTI person can then read that message, and either choose to come out to them, or simply find comfort in the fact that they will have someone supportive for when they do come out." According to Scott, one of the most common questions young LGBTIQ people struggle with whether or not their friends and family will accept them for who they are. "Coming out can be an amazing experience too, but it's often hard to take that first step when you're not sure how people will react," he said. "It's been really exciting to see the impact the platform has made already." To find out more about You're Accepted, visit www.youreaccepted.com.au. Via SBS.
While so many hospo businesses have been playing it safe in 2024, Mamas Dining Group (Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, Kiss and Tell) has been executing its growth plans at a rapid rate. In June, the crew opened Windsor Wine Room on Chapel Street, bringing a contemporary sip and snack wine bar to the strip. And then one month later, Mamas opened two-storey Chinese restaurant Suzie Q on the Prahran stretch of Chapel Street. The 150-seat site is the team's biggest venture to date, and it includes not only an enormous main dining room and bar with double vaulted ceilings, but also a private mezzanine level and karaoke room. Suzie Q takes its cues from an underground Chinese restaurant in San Francisco in the 1980s that went by the same name — and everything here is inspired by that very diner. Mitchell and Eades (Beverly, Grill Americano, Hawker Hall) was tasked with designing the space, which the team says embodies "the hedonism and rebellion of the underground nightlife scene in the 80s, re-imagined through a modern lens". Expect plenty of red accents, exposed brickwork, plush booths, laza susan-topped tables, retro furniture, and a striking black marble-topped bar with green leather stools that you can park yourself on for a long boozy feed. Within these retro surrounds, punters will dine on nostalgic Chinese eats inspired by the food served at the original Suzie Q. Head Chef Michael Stolley (ex-Ish Restaurant, Eazy Peazy) is executing this all with playful contemporary flair, just as he has done with Windsor Wine Room's new menu. At Suzie Q, this kicks off with a bunch of yum cha bites, including its huge candied pork buns, a fun twist on prawn toast and a selection of dumplings — be sure to get a round of the xiaolongbao. With 12 options available on this side of the menu, you can easily build a sharing feast just out of these. But it would be a shame to miss larger dishes like Suzie Q's mapo tofu, roast duck, crispy egg noodles with mixed seafood, and fried rice packed with sausages, prawns and spring onions. A few different banquets are also up for grabs, which we've got to say easily make our list of the best set menus in Melbourne. For a very reasonable $49 per person, you get two yum cha dishes, two larger dishes and a side to share between two people. The portions in the set menu are super generous, and you'll be glad to know the crew will give you plastic containers for the inevitable leftovers. On the drinks side, you'll find signature cocktails (that are also really reasonably priced), beers on tap, an Australian-leaning wine program and a sizeable back bar that includes a solid selection of sake. It's clear that the Mamas crew is having plenty of fun with Suzie Q, bringing the San Francisco diner back to life, but this time on Melbourne's own Chapel Street. If you haven't been already, add it to your Melbourne restaurant hit list.
Simply put, the best kind of bar is a rooftop bar. Drinks with a view is what Instagram was made for (not pictures of brunch, which is a common misconception). Melbourne isn't a city particularly renowned for its skyscrapers, but it sure knows how to make the most of its rooftop real estate. Pockets of well-dressed, attractive people can be found at the top of discreet elevators and suspect flights of stairs. So rise above the burning concrete and stuffy interiors this summer and tone those thighs with some good old-fashioned stair climbing. Escape to the echelons of summer delight where a cool breeze and a chilled beverage provide the ultimate refreshment high above the steamy streets below. Here's our list of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne. GOOD HEAVENS After opening a new dedicated, two-storey barbecue joint on Bourke Street late last year, the Fancy Hank's BBQ crew are now serving icy cold drinks at Good Heavens, an aptly named rooftop bar that sits above the smoked meat haven. It's a slice of Palm Springs in the Melbourne CBD, with the brand new casual rooftop bar completely unlike anything the Fancy Hank's guys have done before. Think brightly-coloured cocktails and great beer. Of course, it wouldn't be a Fancy Hank's venture without barbecue snacks, with the bar menu featuring the Hank's cheeseburger and nachos with brisket mole and queso, plus fried cauliflower with vegan ranch dressing and artichoke dip for non-carnivorous patrons. THE PROVINCIAL She might be one of the grand old dames of Brunswick Street, but The Provincial Hotel has a new rooftop bar for summer 2017–18. The sky-high space looks set to be hot property as Melbourne's weather starts playing ball, with vintage patio furniture and shabby chic styling mingling to create an al fresco hangout as relaxed as the suburb it calls home. The drinks offering hits all the right notes. Think easygoing, with just enough attitude, starring signature cocktails like the fruity 'You're Punching, Mate' and a new-school riff on the classic Pina Colada. They're backed by a fuss-free, ten-strong tap beer rotation and a globe-spanning wine list that's got a little something for everyone. Meanwhile, the food situation is a hands-on affair that'll see you getting stuck into burgers like The Fitzy (laced with cheese Doritos) and The Sticky Smith Street (featuring a combo of battered sausage, sticky pork and pickles). NAKED IN THE SKY Arguably the best view in Melbourne's north, Naked in the Sky is unadulterated rooftop pleasure. Situated above the burning concrete of Brunswick Street, the view from Naked in the Sky encompasses the stepladder terraces of Fitzroy and the CBD in one direction, all the way across to Kew and Clifton Hill in the other. It's a sweeping panorama that affords the most refreshing breeze in Fitzroy. The bar is extensive and food can be ordered from the adjacent restaurant. Naked is the perfect venue to let off steam amidst a crowd at the height of Fitzroy cool. LOOP ROOF Succulents line the edges of this rooftop oasis, located above the city's favourite video bar. Elbow your way into one of the tight booth seats with a group of friends or pounce on one of the many garden tables and relax in the sunshine. In preparation for Melbourne's classic 'four seasons in a day' weather, Loop Roof is fitted with gas heaters and a large awning shielding the seats from possible downpours, making it the perfect rooftop bar for all seasons. ROOFTOP BAR, CBD This is the rooftop bar. And even though so many have popped up since, Rooftop Bar retains its position as the city's most popular — despite the seven flights of stairs needed to scale before you reach it. Open from 11am it is the ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon shaded by an umbrella and fanned by a sky-high breeze. In the evening, rooftop is the pinnacle of elevated recreation: drinks, dancing, views, burgers, deckchairs and cinema. Its popularity is not without merit. Its reputation, however, can often mean overcrowding and long lines for the bar. Booking a ticket for the season's Rooftop Cinema and having exclusive access after sundown is definitely the way to play it. FEAST OF MERIT A strong contender for Melbourne's favourite non-profit restaurant, there's now another reason to swing by Feast of Merit. With a new, cosy rooftop launched earlier this year — complete with happy hour specials and a grazing menu — the Richmond cafe-bar-restaurant is the place to drink a beer in the name of a worthy cause. And because everyone needs a nudge on hump day, drink specials include $10 espresso martinis every Wednesday night. The boutique wine list is strictly regional, with some of Australia's best homegrown wines on offer. [caption id="attachment_568032" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Martina Gemmola[/caption] UNCLE, ST KILDA In terms of a location, affability and atmosphere, rooftops don't come much finer than St Kilda's Uncle. Located a sandal-squelching walk away from St Kilda beach and conveniently close to Balaclava station, Uncle boasts Vietnamese dishes and some of Melbourne's best local beers. Expect mostly regional wines from the menu, including wineries from the Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula. The interior is spacious and relaxed, with pale timbers and a range of ornamental lanterns dominating the summery space. The rooftop is equally pared-back and filled with Asian greenery. For the price, you won't find a rooftop with better bang for your buck. ROOFTOP AT QT Care for a cheeky beverage looking out over Melbourne's pretty, pretty skyline? Melbourne's shiny new rooftop bar can be found atop the recently-opened QT Melbourne. This new addition to the CBD serves up beer and open-air cocktails every night of the week. To get to this high flying bar in the sky, just head to the hotel's front door and you'll be directed to the roof by staff. Best part? There's no door charge. Just know that, while the bar is open until 1am, outdoor seating will only be available until 11pm. UPSIDE ROOFTOP BAR Upside Rooftop Bar has enough of a range of quality drinks to please your whole crew. Think matcha tea with iichiko shochu and sugar shards, or beer syrup with Angostura Bitters and Japanese whiskey. The interior, made almost entirely of recycled and reclaimed wood, is easy on the eyes. Angled symmetrical tiling, exposed black brick and neon orange cushions create a sleek, modern space — perfect for a post-work tipple. THE IMPERIAL HOTEL Home to one of the best view's of Melbourne's skyline, The Imperial's newly opened rooftop beer garden is modern and laid-back. Featuring bright, beachy colours and grey timber on an open-air patio, The Imperial is Melbourne's third biggest rooftop bar. With many quality beers on tap, The Imperial is the ideal sports bar slash rooftop to settle in with a cold one. The bar menu is hearty, with options including sticky chicken wings and some guaranteed-to-be-messy chilli beef nachos. BOMBA, CBD Bomba has done a great job revamping into a little secluded up-high bar specialising in tasty Spanish tapas. With an exotic selection of beers, ciders, wine and vermouth, it's a smart choice for drinks amongst a crowd of attractive, well-dressed people. The clever design of the deck also closes in for winter, making it weather-proof all year round. EASEY'S, COLLINGWOOD If you thought a view framed between two graffiti-stained Melbourne trains wouldn't be half decent, Easey's is eager to prove you wrong. Gloriously grungy, Easey's rooftop yard overlooks Collingwood's local laneways from a five-storey building. It's certainly not always about your destination, but the Easey's terminal is a deliciously hot, cheesey, greasy mess. From "express" cocktails to local brews, don't skimp on your burger additions to complete your rooftop experience. Whether that involves three dim sims or triple patties is up to you. THE HILLS ROOFTOP Festive and unpretentious, The Hills Rooftop Bar is everything a rooftop bar needs to be, and not a frill more. If you're on the hunt for glamour this probably isn't the rooftop bar for you, but it's the perfect place for a beverage on a warm day. Neon yellow backyard chairs, wooden shipping crates and a smattering of pillows make up most the small but efficient bar. A small television provides entertainment on nights with slow conversation too. THE EMERSON, PRAHRAN This swanky South Yarra establishment is your best bet for rooftop beverages south of the river. With a fully retractable roof, The Emerson is a great destination all year round – and an a la carte dining option Thursday through Sunday only sweetens the deal even further. Pull up a day bed on the full-length deck with cocktail in hand and sunglasses firmly in place, and get ready to watch the sun sink slowly below the horizon. SIGLO The most genteel of the lot, Siglo has the tendency to take itself too seriously, but all is forgiven for the tranquility to be found on the leafy terrace. Perched above Spring Street, the view of Parliament House glittering as the sun sets is a glorious setting for a cold brew. If you're lucky enough to acquire the wooden bench-shaped booths on the balcony, the view is uninterrupted and table service is on hand. Entry is to be found by the back steps of The European. PALMZ ROOFTOP BAR The Carlton Hotel is home to Palmz Rooftop Bar, which is decked out with the most tropical greenery you'll find in the inner city. A combination of bougainvillea and full-sized palm trees fights the urbanity of the bar's concrete surroundings. It stands out from other bars, with tiki-style furniture and bamboo huts, making for a playful environment. The Carlton Club is known for its ability to throw a good party, so on Friday and Saturday nights they open up The Palmz to let as many people as possible flow through.
Go on, get feasting in one of Sydney's newest tunnels. Nigella Lawson wants you to. Either part of the Vivid Sydney Dinners series setup — the unique location or the famous chef curating the menu — is reason enough to head along. Combine the two and you have one of the key events of Vivid 2025. The setting: Martin Place's Muru Giligu pedestrian tunnel. The spread: whatever takes Lawson's fancy. And to make a great event, or three, even better, a light and sound experience will work its magic on the tunnel while you dine. As announced in 2024, Vivid 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14, celebrating its 15th year with all things dreams its theme. A bucket list-type meal overseen by Lawson? Well that's a dream inclusion. So are Tangerine Dream and Anohni and the Johnsons on the music lineup, an immersive Stranger Things experience at Luna Park, and the fact that the entire Vivid Light Walk is free. In fact, more than 75 percent of the entire program won't cost you a cent to enjoy. On the Vivid Light Walk, that includes installations and 3D projections spanning across new backdrops, such as the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo and Challis House in Martin Place. At those locations and beyond — at the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place, too, to name just a couple of other spots — this lit-up reason for scenic stroll will feature swings, seesaws, animation activated via voice, a tennis match made out of light and 150 pieces a week designed by patrons. Still on the broader Vivid Light strand, Sydney Opera House's sails will boast work by the late David McDiarmid, Vincent Namatjira will take over the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia's facade and House of Romance, hailing from fashion label Romance Was Born, has a date with Customs House. Alongside German electronic-music icons Tangerine Dream at City Recital Hall and Anohni and the Johnsons at the Opera House, the Vivid Music bill includes Sigur Rós performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Portishead's Beth Gibbons , Japanese Breakfast, Marlon Williams, Soccer Mommy, RONA, Ravyn Lenae and Pete & Bas. On the lineup as well: Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, Prince's former bass player MonoNeon, V-pop via Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê, Winston Surfshirt, Grammy-winner Dobet Gnahoré, Mall Grab, Ngaiire, Skegss and more. The Upside Down has come to Sydney before, but Stranger Things: The Experience will make its first trip — and add a must-attend event to the Vivid Ideas portion of the program. Get ready to visit 1986, and Hawkins, of course, in what promises to be an immersive and interactive stint of Stranger Things-loving fun. Locations from the show are part of the event, as is a supernatural mystery. Vivid Ideas is also bringing TIME Magazine Creative Director DW Pine this way to deliver the keynote 'Where Do Ideas Come From?', tasking scientist Professor Matthew Walker with diving into why we sleep, amassing First Nations storytellers at Barangaroo Reserve each week and getting Sydney's Legs on the Wall performing new theatre work Endling. And, it's why Haus of Horror screenings of Poltergeist and Edward Scissorhands are on offer, too. At Vivid Food, Vivid Fire Kitchen will be back at The Goods Line; Vivid Chef Series will enlist Jean-Philippe Blondet, James Lowe and Brent Savage teaming up with Sydney eateries; Maryanne Street is becoming the festival's Spice Lounge; and Golden Age Cinema, Hollywood Hotel and The Soda Factory will feature in food and gig trails in the Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills. The Carriageworks Night Market returns, and so does eating on the Sydney Harbour Bridge's southeast pylon thanks to Luke Mangan. This year's Vivid is focused on five zones, spanning Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and the inner city, with each hosting Light, Music, Ideas and Food events. [caption id="attachment_946027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivid Sydney 2023, Destination NSW[/caption]
Sometimes, you've got to put the green juice down and dive right into a very large plate of carbs. You can't deny how good that feels in the moment; it's all about taste, the quality of the forkful of pasta going into your mouth and all the butter or sauce bringing it to life. And Tipo 00 understands this. Named in a nod to the traditional flour used to make pizza and pasta, the Italian restaurant in Melbourne sure knows a thing or two about the gig. Tipo 00 is built a whole pasta bar around the idea of sitting down to a top-notch, memorable bowl of the stuff, where quality, care and fresh produce are far more important than what it might do to your waistline. Don't think of it as a problem for future you. Current you will be very, very happy. Of course, there are some excellent things that come before the pasta at here. Open decadently with plates like stracciatella with radicchio and saffron, chargrilled king prawn with olive crumb or perhaps the grilled ox tongue with balsamic and pink peppercorn. Salumi rotates through a daily-changing chef's selection. But for the main event, there's no denying you're in especially good hands. For perfectly-executed simplicity, go with the likes of pumpkin tortilla with amaretti crumb, prawn spaghettini finished with anchovies and broccolini, or rigatoni in a lush ragu of wagyu beef, tomato and confit chilli. Finish off strong with creations like the Tipomisu, or panacotta with carrot, sunrise lime and mint. Or, if your version of sweet leans to the savoury, the cheese selection is always a good idea. Meanwhile, the Tipo 00 wine lineup takes a knowledgeable jaunt through the homeland, with no shortage of fitting pairings to the generous Italian flavours on your table. Local beers and Euro-centric cocktails round out the fun. [caption id="attachment_871973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023 Where to Find the Best pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Come summertime, there's no better way to see Australia's east coast than through the flaps in your tent. The 1600-kilometre drive between the sunny paradise of Byron Bay and the cosy bars and laneways of Melbourne is dotted with unspoiled beaches, spectacular headlands, national parks and hiking trails. Many of these places are home to campsites — from the fancy, drive-in grounds with hot showers and barbecues to the remote, walk-in pitches where you have entire stretches of sand to yourself. Except for your fellow kangaroos, that is. So grab your sleeping bag, stock up on tucker and get ready for a sun-drenched, star-speckled adventure. Here's our top ten camping spots along the way. REFLECTIONS HOLIDAYS, BYRON BAY Start (or end) your journey with a stay on the water's edge in Byron Bay. If you were in bricks-and-mortar you'd be paying hundreds of bucks a night for this stuff. But, at Reflections Holidays — Byron Bay, it's all yours for next to nothing. Byron's famously warm water and dolphins are just a stumble away, but should you feel the need for good coffee or a feast, you're close to town, too. Facilities are laid-on: you'll get toilets, showers, a camp kitchen, barbecues, a shop and free wifi. Does this even count as camping? PEBBLY BEACH CAMPGROUND, YURAYGIR NATIONAL PARK Getting to Pebbly Beach Campground is half the fun. Found about 50 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, it's accessible by sand only. In other words, you have to drive over the beach, then cross a saltwater estuary to get there. To avoid sinking, be sure to travel at low tide. You'll be pitching just a few metres from the shore, surrounded by she-oaks and with loads of walking tails nearby. There are pitches for 60, but facilities consist of toilets only. If you're keen to light a fire, then head to the Station Creek turnoff where you'll find a stack of free firewood. Getting to Pebbly Beach is fun, but it's probably best left to the camping experts — if you have access to a decent 4wd and some genuine adventure skills (like the ability to let down your tyres and re-inflate when you get off the sand), you'll be sweet. TRIAL BAY GAOL CAMPGROUND, SOUTH WEST ROCKS Your tent gives you million dollar views when you sleep over at Trial Bay Gaol Campground, which is perched on the water at South West Rocks. End your day with a watery sunset and wake up to an immediate swim. If you're a keen diver, then you'll want to explore nearby Fish Rock Cave, considered one of the planet's best cave dives. The 116-pitch campsite gives you toilets, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, barbecues, an onsite cafe and, just in case you have your boat with you, a launching ramp. All these bonuses mean that bookings are essential. THE RUINS, BOOTI BOOTI NATIONAL PARK This open, grassy area behind Seven Mile Beach is encircled with cabbage palms and has plenty of space for campers of all shapes and sizes. Find a secluded corner for your two-person tent or peg your party kingdom smack bang in the middle of the action. When you feel like a break from surf and sand, wander to Wallis Lake for a dip or paddle in still water, or conquer scenic Booti Hill track, which takes you to Elizabeth Beach via a couple of lookouts. Then there's the rest of Booti Booti National Park to explore, as well as cafes and shops in nearby Pacific Palms and Forster. The Ruins offers toilets, showers, drinking water, picnic tables and barbecues. Bookings aren't available — you get your pitch on a first come, first served basis. TALLOW BEACH, BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK, CENTRAL COAST You'll need a bit of strength and stamina for this one — it's a 1.2 kilometre walk from the car park. The effort is 100 per cent worth it, though. With just six pitches available, Tallow Beach is one of the most peaceful camping experiences on this list. If you're serious about Bear Grylls-ing it, then bring a fishing rod and catch your own dinner off the rocks. Otherwise, there's swimming, surfing and bush walking to do — try Box Head track for red gums or Flannel Flower track for coastal views. Facilities are minimal, consisting of toilets only, and there might or might not be mobile phone coverage depending on your carrier. While you're on the Central Coast, do some exploring with our local guide. NORTH ERA CAMPGROUND, ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Like Tallow Beach, North Era Campground is only accessible on foot, so pack light. In fact, if you're a keen hiker, then you can make it an overnight stop on the 26-kilometre long Coast Track. Otherwise, drive to Garie Beach Picnic Area and walk from there. Either way, you're in for a magical escape from urban life. Welcome to the bliss of the land beyond mobile phone coverage, mind-blowing ocean views and a maximum of 11 other tents in your vicinity. All this means that facilities are limited to toilets. Make a booking before you leave home. GREEN PATCH, JERVIS BAY This is your chance to park your tent within a few metres of Australia's deepest and, many would argue, most beautiful, bay. Located with Booderee National Park, Green Patch is dotted with trees and you can expect to meet 'roos, wallabies and possums. Spend your time relaxing on Jervis Bay's fine white sand, dolphin spotting, snorkelling, paddling or bush walking. There's a bunch more local tips in our weekender's guide. Campsite facilities include access to fresh water, hot showers, toilets and barbecues. It's important to book your pitch online in advance. ARAGUNNU, MIMOSA ROCKS NATIONAL PARK Mimosa Rocks National Park — where the forest meets the sea for miles and miles — is dotted with stunning, pristine beaches. And one of the loveliest is 500-metre long Aragunnu, found half an hour's drive south of Bermagui. The campground is separated into four areas, so choose the environment that suits you best, be that right near the waves, in the shade of towering mahogany trees or up high, overlooking the beach. Leave yourself time for the Mimosa Rocks walk, which takes in an excellent lookout. The campground comes with toilets, barbecues and a car park, so you don't have to lug in your gear. However, bookings aren't possible — turn up and try your luck. WINGAN INLET, CROAJINGALONG NATIONAL PARK Croajingalong National Park hugs Victoria's eastern coastline for over 100 kilometres, protecting heathlands, rainforests and eucalypt forests. There's a bunch of tranquil camping grounds to choose from and Wingan Inlet is one of the prettiest. It's set in a tall bloodwood forest, 36 kilometres from the Princes Highway, on the inlet's western shore. There are several day walks to keep you busy, covering river rapids, a fresh water lake, windswept headlands and fur seal colonies representing both Australia and New Zealand. Take your pick of 23 pitches, but keep in mind facilities are quite basic, offering non-flush toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces. TIDAL RIVER, WILSONS PROMONTORY Any road trip between Byron Bay and Melbourne should include a diversion to Wilsons Promontory, the most southern point of the Australian mainland. Its 50,460 hectares encompass empty beaches, swathes of rainforest and rugged mountains. For access to both river and sea, take your tent to Tidal River Campground. The facilities are pretty posh, including toilets, hot showers, free gas barbecues, dishwashing stations, washing machines and device charging stations. So, if you can't bear the ol' digital detox, then you won't have to. There are 484 sites, including 20 powered ones, but bookings are essential.
There's a lot to like about modern Cantonese diner Yum Sing House, tucked away down a quieter part of the city on Sutherland Street. Part-restaurant, part-bar, part-private karaoke room, this is a late-night dining and party spot that keeps good times rolling until the early hours of the morning. Start with a feed at the futuristic, playful restaurant on the ground floor, which takes cues from the streetscapes of Hong Kong. It's embracing the art of modern Canto dining, enthusiastically blending together regional Chinese flavours paired with reworked classic cocktails. A share-style menu is headlined by a slew of creative, well-executed entrees. Fremantle octopus is paired with a slathering of XO mayo on housemade bread, traditional pork and prawn sui mai is upgraded with truffles and an ultra-crispy prawn toast is given a refresh with tobiko and prawn mayo. Deeper into the menu, find roasted duck breast matched with a plum jus and two kinds of fried rice. An expertly curated drinks lineup stars an abundance of top-notch cocktails, along with a selection of wines, beer, spirits and mocktails. Love You Oolong Time is an infusion of bourbon, bitter and smoke while the Suzie Wong cocktail brings together gin, lychees and apple. Upstairs, a moody, late-night bar and five private karaoke rooms stay open until 5am on Friday and Saturday night. Each room varies in size and is plucked from the streets of Hong Kong, plus, the snacks menu is available until 3am — so you can order up loaded wagyu mapo fries, BBQ pork buns and more of that truffle sui mai while you sing (another) rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. Images: supplied.
Ever since coming to Australia decades ago, Alejandro Saravia has been on a mission to bring his own unique take on contemporary Peruvian cuisine (and Latin American food in general) to Australian diners. This kicked off when he opened the first Morena in Sydney's Surry Hills back in 2011, which sadly closed in 2013. It didn't seem as if Aussies were quite ready for Peruvian food like this, and so Saravia went on to launch Farmer's Daughters and Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, which both champion produce from Gippsland. Once these were up and running for a while, Saravia returned to the Morena plan and spent many years educating local diners on Latin American food, and finding out exactly how he could successfully bring the restaurant back. He bit the bullet in 2024, opening Morena Sydney within the city's historic GPO. It was an instant hit, serving up contemporary fine-dining twists on classic Latin American cuisine. Months later, Morena Melbourne popped up — the fully realised version of the Morena brand. Located within the 80 Collins precinct, Morena Melbourne is comprised of two distinct but still clearly related neighbouring venues. First off, you have Barra. This all-day diner is the more laidback and playful venue with strong wine bar vibes. You can roll on in for after-work sip-and-snack sessions over cocktails, Latin American wines (far from the old world varietals we Aussies are familiar with) and street food-style bites like ox tongue skewers, squash tostadas and cheese-packed arepas. [caption id="attachment_971280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barra[/caption] Larger dishes like steaks, lamb neck with green mole and swordfish loin milanesa are also available for those wanting a proper feed, plus a couple of chef's selection menus. All in all, Saravia and his team don't hold back with the bold flavours, especially when it comes to packing on the chillies. It's also likely that you won't recognise a lot of the ingredients or kinds of sauces used on the menu, but trust these guys know what they're doing, and just go with it. If fine-dining is more your vibe, you can always pop next door to Morena Restaurant, which sits across two levels. Here, Saravia is having the most fun, playing with even more Latin American ingredients you might not know, and complementing them with stacks of local produce. A standout has got to be the coral trout tiradito that's brightly paired with aji amarillo kosho and fermented mandarin emulsion. We also highly recommend the grilled grouper loin that sits on a squid and octopus stew, and the suckling goat served with a 90-plus-ingredient aged mole and corn tortillas. You can pair this all with old world wines, but Morena is all about the new. You've got to get around the natty numbers and less-than-common native Latin American varietals and blends which we doubt you'll find elsewhere in Melbourne. If you've dined at Morena Sydney, you'll notice the Melbourne version is considerably more innovative. Flavours are bigger, and Saravia feels more comfortable to stray from tradition. Finally, Saravia gets to make his dream of bringing his take on contemporary Latin American dining to Australia, and we are absolutely stoked that he's done it. Morena Melbourne is the culmination of his life's work as a chef and restaurateur, and it's clearly a great labour of love. If it's not already on it, make sure you add this one to your Melbourne restaurant bucket list. Images: Arianna Leggiero.
Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant Dinner will soon be losing a head chef to a Melbourne version of the Michelin-starred restaurant. But in an international switcheroo, Blumenthal is taking back quite the culinary talent to the UK to reopen The Fat Duck in Berkshire: a MasterChef from Ballina. Confused? Let's break it down. Last night saw the greatly anticipated MasterChef finale, and after a two-and-a-half hour tension headache, a winner was crowned (spoiler alert: it was Ballina chef, Billie McKay, who beat competition golden girl Georgia Barnes in a shocking twist that took a long, long while to get there). But the real star of the show was (as always) wacky, inflatable arm-flailing Blumenthal who appeared with a dish from another dimension: the Botrytis Cinerea dessert, a dish more art than food. After the winner was crowed, Heston offered McKay a job at The Fat Duck when it reopens in Berkshire, which she graciously accepted. So, Australia is losing its newly crowned MasterChef to the UK, but at the same time Melbourne is gaining a new Blumenthal restaurant, Dinner, complete with ex-Fat Duck head chef, Ashley Palmer-Watts. Dinner will take up residence in the Crown Melbourne in October, taking over from The Fat Duck's now-closed, six-month Melbourne residency. Farewell Fat Duck classics as snail porridge and quail jelly with crayfish cream, and welcome Dinner specialties like the fabled meat fruit. Dinner Melbourne will be modelled on the Blumenthal's Michelin-starred London restaurant which serves a typically jaw-dropping menu — inspired by 15th century manuscripts and 'the fanciful dramatic dishes of the royal courts of King Henry VII'. Expect dishes such as the infamous meat fruit (chicken liver parfait contained within a mandarin jelly skin), and ‘rice and flesh’, which is made of saffron, calf tail and red and hails all the way from 1390AD (where it perhaps should have stayed). It’s an ode to historical British gastronomy, which in Hestonspeak means: be wary of your meal because there’s almost certainly four and twenty blackbirds baked into it and about to sing somehow. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will open in late October at the Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Open for lunch Friday and Saturday, and dinner daily. Via Good Food. Images: Alisa Coonan, Ashley Palmer-Watts.
The simplest way to describe Kisumé may be this: three storeys of considered grandeur. Its design is impressive — a Chablis bar, a Kisumé Winewall, avant-garde art — and considered attention to detail travels throughout the three levels, from the menu down to the nifty coin-sized refreshment towels that entertainingly expand when you open them. The space, conceived by Australian firm Wood Marsh, unites sophisticated clean lines and a monochromatic palette of buffed metal and leather banquettes. The design of Kisumé doesn't scream Japanese restaurant, just cleverly hints at it, from the touches of red to Nobuyoshi Araki's provocative photographs of Japanese women. Raw fish dishes are all elegant and mostly restrained, allowing the quality of the (well-sourced) produce to speak for itself. But some border on over-the-top, with gold leaves and teaspoons of caviar. The raw dishes' vivid flavours would imaginably hit a fair few diners with the realisation of "wow, this is what tuna really tastes like". Unlike a slew of Melbourne restaurants, that have stepped away from reservations for walk-ins only, Kisumé takes reservations for all group sizes. You can also pick your location from the private room, the Chablis Bar, the sushi bar, the restaurant and the Table — a 12-person dinner. The restaurant has a mix of incredibly passionate waitstaff, with impressive knowledge of the menu, making exploring the long menu all too easy. Expect to pay handsomely for your night out at Kisumé, but rest assured it's well and truly worth it.
Here, in a buzzy pocket of the Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento has sat for nearly 150 years boasting enviable bay vistas. Now, the historic sandstone building is welcoming an overhauled food and drink offering helmed by George Calombaris as part of the first stage of its redevelopment, including modern Cantonese diner Shihuishi. Shihuishi is the newest addition to the Hotel Sorrento family, nestled in the original, grand Hotel Sorrento ballroom. Head chef Junlin (Jerry) Yi (ex-Red Spice Road) is unafraid to stray from tradition, from prawn crackers paired with crème fraîche; to spanakopita dumplings that marry whipped feta and dill. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover Australian-Canto cuisine that nods to the Chinese restaurant that stood onsite back in the 1980s. A prawn, lap cheong and onion stir-fry is a crowd-pleaser, along with duck pancakes and black pepper beef, served on a sizzling plate. Other classics run to the likes of steamed barra with soy, ginger and spring onion, or the ever-popular pork and prawn shumai. A generous list of cocktails, wine as well as beer and mocktails completes the offering. Don't miss the Dynasty Margarita, a playful mixture of tequila, green tea, honey, lime, jalapeños, Szechuan and rosemary salt. Images: supplied.
There is always one of two things that stick with you after a visit to Curtin House on Swanston Street — those stairs, or the inevitable hangover the next morning. By the time you get up a few flights — even before Rooftop — the drinks are well deserved. Found on level six, Mesa Verde is an open, wood-clad room filled with personality. A Mexican influence is heavy on the food and drinks front. A seriously curated wall of tequila is what you'll find behind the bar as you peruse the menu where you'll find that cocktails rely heavily on the Mexican spirit. For those in the mood for a cocktail try the margarita de la casa a classic mix of tequila, lime and agave or one of the concoctions inspired by Mexican figures like Frida Kahlo, El Santo and even El Chupacabra. If you're a group in the mood to party, go for a cocktail to share like the house sangria, with red wine, curacao, orange and jalapeno, or the lager-ita with tequila, grapefruit, lime, agave and Coronas. Cocktails at Mesa Verde aren't the only ones invited to the party. The taps pour a rotating roster of independent brews, while the wine list features a list of predominantly Australian wines, bar the Champagne and sparkling lists. To accompany the liquids, there is a pretty extensive food menu to sit alongside the drinks list. Keeping in theme, snack on things like Victoria-grown corn tortilla chips with guac or the hiramasa ceviche with lemongrass and salsa macha. For something more substantial, try the tacos with fillings like barbecued goat with salsa, onion and coriander or the braised ox tongue with fermented morita BBQ and grilled mustard greens. Sweet tooths will be happy to know there is a banging dessert menu. You can top off the evening with horchata ice cream with corn meringue, dulce de leche and soft chocolate, churros and mezcal hot chocolate sauce. Mesa Verde is adding something a little different to the already full Curtin House. It earns its place as a stopover to one of the many other venues, or as a destination in itself. [caption id="attachment_888764" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chip Mooney[/caption]
After three and a half years behind locked doors and barred windows, Hotel Esplanade – better known by Melburnians as just The Espy – made a triumphant return at the tail-end of 2018. A mighty revamp added two levels, brought in an innovative art program and restored the pub's live stages, continuing its life as the longest-running music venue in Australia. If you're a Paul Kelly fan, you might know that he recorded much of his 1996 album Live at the Continental and the Esplanade here. Stroll straight from St Kilda Beach, through the Espy's majestic Victorian foyer — the pub was built in 1878 — and into The Espy Kitchen to feast on pub grub and share plates. In league with local design studio Techne and stylist Eleisha Gray, publicans Sand Hill Road have revived Hotel Esplanade's Victorian and art deco splendour, but added necessary contemporary touches, including19th century furnishings and materials, including shelving, light fittings, bars and paintings sources from Europe. The ground floor is home to The Espy Kitchen, a bustling, 450-seater space dedicated to casual eats and drinks. Its centrepiece is a massive, contemporary, industrial open kitchen. Follow the grand staircase upwards to find Mya Tiger, a Cantonese Restaurant that overlooks Port Melbourne. Beyond lies The Ghost of Alfred Felton, a lush cocktail bar, and a series of rooms devoted to Felton, an entrepreneur and art collector who lived in The Espy from 1892–1904, and died in his bed, bequeathing more than a billion dollars to the National Gallery of Victoria. But the biggest question hanging over the relaunch of The Espy was whether the new publicans would pay the same respect to local live music as the old venue did in its heyday. Thankfully, the programming shows that live music not just an afterthought. There are three stages at The Espy. The first is The Basement, a free entry room. The second is The Gershwin Room, a ticketed venue. The third is a small stage in the round on the ground floor. With all this work done back in 2018, The Espy is set to keep its place as one of the very best pubs in Melbourne for many years to come. Top images: Alex Drewniak Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
Three years after Society was first announced, the much-anticipated venture from Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Grill Americano, Kisume and Yakimono) finally made its home within the 80 Collins dining precinct in 2021. It's sporting a timeless (and dramatic) aesthetic fusing elements of art deco, mid-century, art nouveau and brutalist sensibilities across its two restaurants — Society Dining Room and Lillian, plus the upmarket Society Lounge bar. Here, a considered menu offers a choose-your-own-adventure scenario, with dishes boasting a level of precision inspired by ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. At Society Dining Room, you're in for refined creations like scallops matched with green peas, capers and marigold; toothfish with artichokes, grapefruit and roasted chicken sauce; and an angus tenderloin starring fermented Sugarloaf cabbage and black garlic puree. Keen for dessert? Simply ask for the luxe dessert trolley to be carted over so you can choose from a huge variety of freshly made cakes, puddings and pastries. Our favourite? It's got to be the Paris-brest or lemon meringue pie. Meanwhile, the Lillian menu is spiked with European influences, running to plates like the John Dory roasted on the bone and topped with sauce vierge and a banging spanner crab linguine served with a rich lobster oil. Society's sharp drinks offering features an impressive wine curation by Loic Avril (ex-Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston), complete with two pouring lists, Dom Perignon by the glass and cellar displays you can browse before you order. The wine offerings are so impressive that The World of Fine Wine named it the global winner of Best New Wine List in 2023. If you are a bit of a wine snob — and have plenty of cash to throw around — this is the place to really indulge. More top-notch drinking can also be found at Society Lounge, where a cocktail list by World Class Bartender of the Year Orlando Marzo stars a huge selection of martins plus a few house signature creations that regularly change.
When it gets to July, it seems like everyone you know is planning a European holiday — and the Greek islands are on many a traveller's summer itinerary. Most flock to islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Ios — but, really, that's just skimming the surface. While most people can count, say, six islands confidently, there are actually 6000 all up — 227 have people living on them, and the rest you can kayak or sail to for the day. So while we don't want to downplay the beauty of the well-travelled tourist islands, we're putting in a good word for the more underrated parts of Greece, which are extremely — if not more — worthy of your holiday time. Plus, these eight islands are nowhere near as crowded in European summer. So, as you make Europe summer plans, consider these alternative Greek jewels as a setting for snacking, finding serenity or smashing plates — what you decide to do there is up to you. [caption id="attachment_627543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Karakatsanis via Flickr.[/caption] SKOPELOS Waltzing around Skopelos may induce flashbacks of Pierce Brosnan's lack of singing ability, as a large portion of 2008's Mamma Mia was shot on the island. More fondly, you may recognise Agios Ioannis, the tiny little church perched on an 100-metre-high rock that hosted Meryl Streep's impassioned The Winner Takes it All solo. Skopelos' idyllic beaches are aplenty, but stray away from Kastani beach — also featured in the film — as its shores are one of the few spots on the island that gets crowded. Try Limnonari or Glysteri instead. If you hire a car to drive around, you'll notice how much this island differs from others in terms of terrain and vegetation, which is due to its northern situation. When springtime comes around, Skopelos is carpeted in wild flowers such as poppies and irises, camomile starts to pop up in June, and plums and almonds emerge as September nears. [caption id="attachment_627546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Livadaki beach, esther via Flickr.[/caption] FOLEGANDROS Clinging to the southern edge of the Cyclades group of islands is Folegandros, an island which travellers don't usually reach as they choose to halt their journey on Ios or Mykonos. But to venture a little further is a very wise choice; travellers are still greeted with the same, mesmeric turquoise waters and can enjoy them in more tranquil surrounds. Angali, Agios Nikolaos and Livadaki are notable beaches to unwind at. Folegandros is tiny — a 12-kilometre run will get you from one end of the island to the other — and there is no airport, so to get there you need to take a ferry from Athens, which only adds to the odyssey. After you dock and drop off your luggage, hire a quad bike and zoom your way through some seriously fresh air. [caption id="attachment_627461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rachel Docherty via Flickr.[/caption] KOS The sunset at Kos' Agios Theologos beach gives Santorini's a run for its money. Feast on fresh octopus at the beach's only restaurant and watch the sun turn the sky into a hypnotic fuchsia as it disappears into the Aegean. In the morning, take a swim to church. At the western head of the island you'll find the village Kefalos, which literally translates as 'head'. Kefalos' relentlessly cold beach Agios Stefanos hosts a little church, sitting on microscopic island about 200 metres from shore. Adventurers can take a swim through the waters, above the sea life to reach it. Kos also has a rich historical past, filled with ruins and sites that honour Hippocrates. You'll find most of them the capital Kos Town (the island proves to be quite literal in its naming approach). From Kos Town's port, it's a measly 20-minute ferry ride to Bodrum on Turkey's southwest coast. So, if you're continuing on into Turkey, Kos is a wise place to wrap up your Greece trip. [caption id="attachment_627452" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Blue Cave, Tatsushi Okamoto via Flickr.[/caption] KASTELORIZO Instead of white villages and blue motifs, Kastelorizo's houses are boldly colourful and expressive. Its aesthetic significantly differs from other islands which may have to do with the island's far-flung geographical positioning — it just clutches onto the eastern edge of the Aegean Sea. You'll find neoclassical mansions, rocky fortresses, miniature seaside churches and one of the most insanely well-kept secrets in Greece: the Blue Cave. A truly majestic spot to swim, the cave has stalactites that overlook deep blue waters that are slightly lit up by the reflection of sun rays that manage to creep in. If you seek total seclusion and serenity, head to Kastelorizo — we doubt the population of 490 will disturb you. [caption id="attachment_627549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mandraki, Karelj via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] NISYROS Nisyros is very much a calm island, undisturbed by tourists. What we're hoping stays calm is the volcano, which is one of the only active ones in the country. Nonetheless, you can get up close with fumaroles that hiss as you get close. And when you're not exploring Nisyros' terrain, try and delve into some local produce. Those looking for a drink must track down some koukouzina, a distillation of grapes and figs with a taste similar to raki. And it's no revelation that cheese and wine are a glorious combination but trigas takes it to the next level — it's a hard goats' cheese cooked in wine. Enjoy these delicacies in the capital village Mandraki, which rests right on the water. Its roads are made up of intricate pebble patterns, streets are peppered with flowers and cats can be seen on the locals' doorsteps. [caption id="attachment_627462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] View from St John Monastery, Tomisti via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] PATMOS Rich in historical and religious past, Patmos is where Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, and the Cave of the Apocalypse has been spectacularly transformed into a church. The island continues to draw religious tourists and pilgrims from all corners of the world. Near the cave you'll find the old hilltop town of Chora, which is crowned by what at first glance looks like a castle, but, is actually the UNESCO-listed Monastery of St John, built in the 11th century. It solidifies Patmos' position of being a place of religious knowledge and learning in Greece. Plus, the view — which overlooks the entire island — is insane. Worth a visit whether you're religious or not. [caption id="attachment_627548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] t_y_l via Flickr.[/caption] IKARIA Ikaria is heralded as the island of longevity. Dementia is relatively absent, thanks to good diet, incredible produce and a pretty stress-free quality of life. Feast on fresh goats' cheese, fish straight from the sea and tomatoes so flavoursome you won't know what hit you. The local panigiri (that is, festivals) are something you'll want to get in on. Pull up a chair with the locals (after asking if it's okay that you do so), grab some food and then dance it off, Greek style. Ikaria is an inspiring speck of land in the North Aegean Sea, lush and green, separating it from other islands that suffer from dryness. [caption id="attachment_627550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] heipei via Flickr.[/caption] KALAMATA While Kalamata is not an island — it's located on the Peloponnese peninsula in the south — if you do wish to visit an actual city in Greece, this is the one to go for. A lot of Greek Australians emigrated from the Peloponnese city, and many will tell you how much they miss it. We can understand why. The city has endured its fair share of Spartan domination and battles, but, nowadays, you can party it up in Kalamata's abundance of clubs and bars. The next day, rejuvenate in the contemplation of the warm Mediterranean sun — just like the Greeks.
The humble icy poles is the star of childhood memories the world over, reminiscent of tuck shop visits, beachside jaunts, and those sticky days of summers past. Even when we're trying our hardest to adult, getting stuck into an icy treat is still up there with our favourite summer pastimes. And while Paddle Pops and Splices will always hold a place in our hearts and freezers, these days, you're just as likely to find us getting our kicks with some hand-crafted, locally-produced, artisan version. Yup, there's all sorts of fun things happening in the world of frozen treats right now — here's what we'll be ripping into this summer. [caption id="attachment_602909" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pure Pops.[/caption] PURE POPS When two besties share an extreme love of frozen treats-on-a-stick, there's only one logical thing to do: start your own mini icy pole empire! That's the story behind Sydney company, Pure Pops, which has blossomed from a couple of farmers market stalls to a well-known brand, found at grocers, cafés, stores, and events across NSW. And these gals sure know how to make crowdpleasing icy poles. They've kept the sugary stuff to a minimum, going heavy on the natural fruit goodness, with most of the pops clocking in at under 80 calories. Expect summer-worthy flavours like banana caramel, blood orange, and pine-lime coconut splice. Check the website for your nearest stockist. [caption id="attachment_602934" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marissa Fleming (The Simple Things Studio) for Liana Raine.[/caption] LIANA RAINE Liana Raine creations are kind of like the 'It Girls' of the frozen treats world — they're sophisticated, pop up on countless glossy magazine pages, and have even made it onto the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. That said, when it comes to the important stuff, this family-run biz likes to keep things simple. Their all-natural, all-Aussie, artisan icy poles are crafted with the best seasonal fruit on offer, with clever new flavours added as quickly as they can be dreamt up — peach, moscato, and raspberry, anyone? Liana Raine is keeping summer retail plans under wraps for now, but in the meantime, jump on the website to order yourself a box. [caption id="attachment_602942" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Delish Ice.[/caption] DELISH ICE Old-school icy poles, served out of gorgeous vintage caravans – just try and match that for a nostalgia-tinged summer experience. These palate-pleasers from Perth-based Delish Ice are sure to win over young and old, what with the cute-as-pie retro styling and the downright tasty artisan pops. Flavours change regularly, but are sure to impress – expect combos like basil and elderflower; raspberry lemonade; and lychee, pineapple and lime. Buy them online, or catch one of their caravans or carts around Perth, Mandurah, Dunsborough, and Margaret River. They can even customise something special for your next summer shindig. [caption id="attachment_602937" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Frozen Sunshine.[/caption] FROZEN SUNSHINE With all that sunshine and humidity, it's a safe bet Queenslanders know a thing or two about icy poles. So, your tastebuds are in excellent hands with Frozen Sunshine Iceblocks, which are handcrafted in Maroochydore, using top-notch local ingredients and zero nasty flavourings or preservatives. These cool little characters are all free of dairy and made with either a fruit or creamy coconut milk base. At any time, there are at least 12 varieties on offer, so you might find yourself blissing out on a coconut and candied ginger creation; or maybe a pineapple, mango and passionfruit number. Pick up a box from the factory, or find them at markets, cafés and food stores across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_602945" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pop Shop.[/caption] POP SHOP SYDNEY Pop Shop Sydney's icy treats might just be the prettiest popsicles you ever did see. These locally-made beauties have been tricked out with everything from juicy fruit chunks, to edible flowers, and even gummy bears. Although with flavours like choc banana, Pimms, and Japanese lemonade with kiwi and orange, you probably won't be spending too long admiring the aesthetics. While these guys supply to a tight selection of cafés and stores around Sydney, their main jam is custom orders for parties, weddings, and other events. Get in touch and let them whip you up something special. [caption id="attachment_602946" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mountain Pops (Falls Festival).[/caption] MOUNTAIN POPS Turns out, wine isn't the only Yarra Valley creation we'll be cooling down with this summer. The folks at Mountain Pops handcraft their cracking small batch ice blocks out of a kitchen in the Yarra Valley, pulling together fresh, locally-grown fruit to star in their lineup of inventive flavour combos. They've even had a play with some boozy pop varieties, which we suspect would go down a treat at your next backyard party. These thirst-quenchers are fast becoming a favourite on the festival circuit, making their way into many a hot little hand at the likes of Strawberry Fields, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Falls Festival and Yemaya. You'll also spy them at markets and events across town, and can keep tabs on their whereabouts at Where the Truck At. [caption id="attachment_602908" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flyin' Fox.[/caption] FLYIN' FOX If you fancy keeping those food miles to a minimum, then Flyin' Fox ice blocks are sure to have you smiling. This NSW-based company handcrafts its fruit-packed icy poles in Murwillumbah, with mostly organic ingredients sourced carefully from local farms. These guys are pretty proud of our Aussie fruit, and they make it sing, in flavour combos like pomegranate and blueberry, lime and mint, and coconut and milk. You'll find them gracing the freezer section of stores and cafés across NSW and QLD, as well as in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Alice Springs. [caption id="attachment_602943" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Pop Co.[/caption] THE POP CO We guarantee this summer will see plenty of Melbourne ice block fans beating the heat with treats from The Pop Co. These guys sling handmade, gourmet popsicles out of a cheery little food cart, offering fruity flavours for all ages, alongside a range of signature, booze-infused creations. Kick it old-school with a strawberries and cream number, or embrace adulthood with a rum-laced Mojito pop. Customised flavour combinations are also on offer. The Pop Co. cart will be doing the rounds of Melbourne's markets, beaches, and outdoor events this summer, but you can always organise a special appearance, or bumper pop package for your own party. [caption id="attachment_602935" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Paleta.[/caption] PALETA This Melbourne brand pulls its name from the Spanish word for 'icy pole' and whips up its frosty treats based on authentic Mexican recipes. And indeed, these handmade sorbet icy poles, which feature an all-natural ingredient list, zero dairy or gluten, and stacks of fresh fruit, will prompt a mini fiesta in your mouth. Expect tropical flavours, like coconut, hibiscus, and your old mate watermelon, available in packs of 10 or 25, at stockists all across Melbourne. Try Aunt Maggie's in Fitzroy, The Prahran Grocer, and Market Espresso and Trolley Hire at the Queen Vic Markets. HONOURABLE EXPAT MENTION: POPS Icy poles and booze — they're the two staples of a long, hot Aussie summer. Back in October, we told you that the two had finally come together as one. Now, those Calippo-style Champagne icy poles we've all been hankering for since are finally on sale in Australia. The genius creation from POPS, a UK brand that has been keeping folks stylishly cool since 2014, have started popping up around Melbourne. Head to online alcohol delivery service tipple.com.au to order one of four flavours: the Champagne pop (called The Classic) contains half a glass of Champers (wahee!), while the Bellini blends hibiscus flowers, blood orange juice, peach Schnapps, and half a glass of Prosecco. Plus, there are a couple of all-ages products too, which see the alcohol swapped out for real fruit combinations (apple and elderflower, plus strawberry and mint). The timing couldn't be better, with the frozen delights arriving in our eskies just in time to be eaten in front of the fan (or, y'know, in the sun) this summer. As part of the Melbourne-first launch, they'll also be available at Arbory Bar and Eatery — and showering festival attendees with lickable icy alcohol goodness, including at The Pleasure Garden, Let Them Eat Cake and the Inverloch Sound of Summer. The POPS website also teases POPScycle bikes, so keep your eyes peeled.
Wizards of drinking age have a new spot to drown their sorrows about You Know Who — there's now a Harry Potter-themed bar in Toronto. Named The Lockhart, after Hogwarts' cheesy fraudster of a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, the bar is full of super niche HP references and enough wizardy bits and bobs to make JK Rowling ponder legal action. With less actual magic than The Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks, The Lockhart is run by two self-described Hufflepuffs (lol), Paris Xerx and Matt Rocks. Of course, it's not the first HP-themed bar in the world, but we're glad to see one more. The cocktail menu, while it's missing butterbeer (for now, they're coming) or Madam Rosmerta's famous mead, is full of themed potions like the Shacklebolt, Befuddlement Brew and Ludo's Debt. There's also a cocktail on the menu which you can have for free if you can figure out the seriously niche HP ref. Dare to try the potions & elixirs on the cocktail menu at Harry Potter themed @thelockhartto? #newrestaurants #toronto #harrypotter A photo posted by Toronto.com (@torontodotcom) on Sep 9, 2015 at 2:26pm PDT The food menu hasn't a Harry Potter reference at all. No Bertie Bott's? No Cauldron Cakes? No self-propelling custard pie? This is bit of an opportunity lost here. Design-wise, the bar is truly subtle, looking more like a regular casual, cocktail bar than a Disneyland-like novelty bar. The Lockhart, instead, is full of obscure references for serious fans. You can find the Deathly Hallows sign hidden in the bar, a little apothecary, and there's a big neon sign glowing with the famously terrible last line, "All was well." Ugh. So if you're flying to Toronto, apparating or using the floo network, pop in to The Lockhart. Just be wary of cloaked strangers happy to part with dragon eggs in poker. hey it's wednesday A photo posted by robyn hoja (@rohojahoja) on Sep 9, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT Serving our full menu this evening. Specialty popcorn tonight is a sweet and savory, lightly buttered popcorn with Cadbury chocolate drizzle. Yummmmay. A photo posted by The Lockhart Bar (@thelockhartto) on Sep 10, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT Via The AV Club.
If bliss to you means peering at infinite reflections in lit-up mirror rooms, wading through brightly coloured ball pits and having pillow fights — plus hanging out in digital forests, watching tales told via shadows and hopping over musical tiles, too — then prepare to beam with joy when Dopamine Land arrives Down Under. The latest multi-sensory experience that's hitting Australia, it's being pitched as an interactive museum. Inside, you'll find themed spaces that you can mosey through, engage with their contents and, ideally, bask in nothing but pure happiness. With a name like Dopamine Land, it's immediately clear that contentment, glee, merriment and exuberance is the aim of the game here. So is evoking those feel-good sensations through nostalgia, because this is another kidulting activity — it's all-ages-friendly as well — and it's making its Aussie debut in Brisbane from Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Brisbanites, and anyone keen for a Sunshine State trip to revel in more than the sun's glow, can look forward to wandering around Dopamine Land at Uptown in the River City's Queen Street Mall. Locals know that the site was previously the Myer Centre — and, decades back, was home to a dragon-themed rollercoaster. So, it's a fitting venue to get everyone channeling their inner child, unleashing their imagination and, yes, hitting each other with cushions. Heading this way direct from London, the experience combines optical illusions, engaging soundscapes and more across its ten themed rooms. The ball pit is self-explanatory, but also takes its cues from Miami in the 80s, complete with a pina colada scent, an electro soundtrack and LED lights that pulse to mirror waves. The pillow-fight space also doesn't need much explaining; however, the decor is inspired by marshmallows and boxes of lollies, Mexican wrestling is also an influence and you can win the pillow-fighting championship. Fancy seeing stories play out via shadows? There's a room for that featuring a big top-style roof. If you try your hand at the musical tiles — well, your feet, to be more accurate — you'll create a melody as you jump around, with the lights changing as you go as well. And if getting as serene as possible is your aim, head to the Keep Calm Forest, which artificially recreates a woodland via LED trees, mirrors and sounds to match. There's even a room dedicated to the autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, which goes big on projections and animations by Australian digital artist Cassie Troughton. As is always the case with these kinds of pop-ups — Fever, the company bringing Dopamine Land to Australia, has also been behind The Art of Banksy: Without Limits, The NBA Exhibition, Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience and Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience — there'll be ample opportunities to take photos. Accordingly, you know what you'll be seeing on your social-media feeds. There's no word yet whether Dopamine Land will head to other Australian cities beyond Brisbane, but expect it to be popular either way. Find Dopamine Land at Uptown, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane from Tuesday, May 28, 2024, with tickets on sale from 7pm on Thursday, April 11. For more information, or to join the ticket waitlist, head to the experience website.
A chat with Moritz Mohr about Boy Kills World is a chat about the things that he loves. His DVD copy of Battle Royale comes up, and his DVD and Blu-Ray collection in general. So does spending "months and months and months" listening to the soundtrack to Park Chan-wook's Oldboy, and the fact that the iconic South Korean revenge thriller is now being turned into a TV series. Boy Kills World, the German filmmaker's first feature, is a movie eagerly and overtly made from the things that Mohr adores. "That's a very correct assessment of the situation," he tells Concrete Playground. "We — me and all my collaborators, the writers — we really put into that movie everything that we love. So it should feel like that because that's basically what it is," he continues. Accordingly, yes, Mohr and the Boy Kills World team are fond of vengeance stories, martial arts films and fight-to-the-death flicks. And, they've worked that affection into a wild ode to action cinema starring Bill Skarsgård (John Wick: Chapter 4), featuring the voice of H Jon Benjamin (Bob's Burgers) and produced by Evil Dead filmmaker Sam Raimi (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). The involvement of each of those key figures also stems from enthusiasm. Skarsgård was the first actor cast, for a role that makes him a silent film star — Boy, the movie's protagonist, is an orphan who has spent his childhood training for a quest for retribution, and is also deaf and mute — and trades on his physicality as a form of expression as a result. It required him to get ripped, too. "I was like 'are you up for that? Are you up for the training and all?'. And he promised me he would be up for it," explains Mohr. Was he ever; the proof is in the movie. Boy doesn't speak, a choice that plays with the usual strong and silent action-hero archetype; however, viewers are still clued into his every thought and feeling thanks to Benjamin. He gives the flick Boy's inner monologue, and his involvement came about exactly as you'd expect. "I love H Jon. I love his comedy. I love Archer. I love Bob's Burgers. So that's the reason — that's the only reason, because I love him and I thought he would be a great fit," says Mohr. As for Raimi, getting him onboard — and getting compliments from him at Mohr's very-first meeting with him — had Boy Kills World's helmer thinking "oh my god, I can die now", he tells us. It's an inspirational result for anyone who has ever dreamed with their friends of making a movie, and specifically making the kind of movie you'd love to see yourself. Indeed, that's exactly the starting point for the film that premiered at 2023's Toronto International Film Festival, has scored a spinoff video game and is also seeing that button-mashing title get an animated series. [caption id="attachment_954583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Leshay[/caption] Story-wise, Boy Kills World plunges into a dystopian world that brings The Hunger Games to mind, complete with death as a televised spectacle. When Boy is a boy (Nicholas and Cameron Crovetti, Goodnight Mommy), he loses family at the hands of a despot (Famke Janssen, Locked In), then commits himself to revenge. Cue carnage once he's an adult, as brought to the screen with energetic glee — and with a cast that also includes Yayan Ruhian (The Raid, The Raid 2) as the Shaman who teaches Boy his ferocious fighting skills, plus Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey: A New Era), Sharlto Copley (Monkey Man), Jessica Rothe (the Happy Death Day franchise) and Andrew Koji (Warrior). How did Boy Kills World evolve from an idea bandied about in Berlin to bouncing through cinemas? What goes into making the movie a balancing act of action and comedy, and also genres and styles? With Mohr, we also discussed the above, adding complexity to vengeance tales, casting Skarsgård, directing a wordless performance and ensuring that the film goes on a helluva ride. On How Boy Kills World Went From Idea and Proof-of-Concept Short to Getting Sam Raimi Producing and Hitting the Screen "In 2016, there were five people in Berlin: producer, writer, director, fight choreographer and action guy. And we're like 'we really want to make something that we would watch ourselves', because we're all working in advertising and TV, and there's not much of an action scene in in Germany — there's basically no action movies, never have been. And we were like 'we want to do something and we want to feature the unique talent of our brilliant action designer Dawid Szatarski [an alum of Black Widow and Kingsman: The Golden Circle]. And that's why we shot this proof-of-concept trailer, which I think we shot for like five days. It took us a year to wrap it up. And at one point, I got a call from a friend who went to the AFM, the American Film Market in LA. He's like 'hey Moritz, do you want to come along? I'm kind of lonely and I have a couch'. So I was like 'yeah, sure, I'll finish the trailer, wrap it up, stop tinkering with it and just go over there and give it a shot, and see what happens'. When I arrived there I had like four meetings, and the first meeting was like 'this is a great trailer, cool — do you have a script?'. I was like 'no, I don't have a script yet'. So like 'oh sorry, then we can't help you'. And I thought that's how it would stay, basically because I knew everybody told me 'if you want to sell something, you need a script'. Yeah, well, I don't have one. We had a treatment, a five-pager or something. But through very nice people who kept connecting me to other people, about four days later I was in contact with Sam Raimi. And I met him. He's the nicest guy ever. We had this beautiful moment that I will probably remember forever: it was the first meeting and I was like 'I'm such a huge fan of yours' — he's just like 'and I'm a big fan of yours Moritz'. And I was like 'oh my god, I can die now. This is great'. So after that meeting, it's basically sort of a handshake agreement, we're going to do this together. Also Stuart Manashil [Irma Vep, Malcolm & Marie] and Roy Lee [Late Night with the Devil, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire]. Roy Lee, he's a great producer in his own right, he did the IT movies and Lego and The Ring remakes and all that. Then we found a studio, basically, developing a script — and then it just took us five little years and lots of lots of detours. When we finally found our final partners Nthibah Pictures in South Africa and Hammerstone studios, that were ready to put all the money we needed in the film and really make the movie as it was intended to be made — and really believed in us — that's when we started shooting in Cape Town three years ago." On the Film's Balancing Act in Mashing Up Genres and Styles, and Getting the Mix of Action and Comedy Right "That's what I was worried about the entire time — it was like 'alright, we've got the comedy, but we've also got the drama. And we've got the action, and putting that in in the right amount'. Can we cut this joke? Is the movie still funny enough? Can we linger on that dramatic scene a little longer, or is it dragging everything down? Or is it too much action? Are the action scenes too long? Obviously lots of that stuff is very subjective, but it's definitely something you're worried about the entire time." On Adding Complexity to Boy Kills World's Revenge Tale "I really think there's so many revenge movies out there that I just didn't want to add something that is exactly like anything else. And as a thinking human being, usually in a revenge movie you go like 'isn't that enough revenge now? You killed like 50 people. You don't think this is enough now for whatever happened to you?'. Because it is never black and white, right? And it shouldn't be. One of my favourite directors is Park Chan-wook and his revenge trilogy — and with every one of the three movies, he put a different spin on revenge. And that definitely heavily inspired me because it just shouldn't be that easy. If you add something to the great, great genre of revenge movies, I feel like you should these days put a slight twist to it." On Boy Being a Literally Silent Hero — and Unpacking the Trope in the Process "The whole voiceover concept was there pretty much from the start. It was like 'hey, let's combine this young hero with an old narrator voice', that split. It's definitely a disconnect for the audience that the audience has to get used to, but it also makes it special. That's what was, in the beginning, when pitching the project and developing it — besides everything else, besides the story and all — it was one of the things that was like 'oh yeah, that's what makes the whole thing special, that's what sets it apart'. That was very, very deliberate. I read a comment once that was like 'oh, they probably added the voiceover after the fact when they realised that the mute hero doesn't work'. I was really hurt at that moment. I was like 'oh, no, I hope people don't think that'." On Casting Bill Skarsgard as Boy "Bill's a terrific actor, obviously. He was basically the first person we cast, and the only caveat besides him being a great actor and obviously having a super-expressive face that felt very right for role, was that he had never done any action — or not as a lead in an action movie. For a moment I was like 'ohh, can he do that?'. And in my first call, I asked him about it. I was like 'are you up for that? Are you up for the training and all?'. And he promised me he would be up for it. And I was like 'alright, you're good enough for me'. And he really delivered on his promise. He started training in Stockholm. We sent somebody over to go through the basics, the punching and kicking, and then just the motions, and he really put in the work. Like, he got in shape. He got ripped. He trained. The action scenes are basically dance routines to a degree, where you have to remember the movements and the punches and all. So that just takes time, and he was fully, fully committed to this— and spent hours and hours and days and weeks in the gym with our guys creating these scenes." On the Direction That You Give Someone When Their Performance Is Purely Expressive with No Dialogue "It is absolutely, right. So this may sound very stupid, but it was literally – because, giving direction, usually you talk to the actors and then they give you their performance. And then most of the time, if you have good actors, you just go 'oh yeah, can you go a little bigger there in the end? Or take a break?' Just like small things. When I started directing people back in the day, I just talked at them, like 'oh, you need to do this, this and this' — 15 years ago, film school days, basically. But now I'm working with all these great actors, and you really work with what they give you. And you watching the first take is usually magic, or the rehearsal — when you're like 'ohhh, this is amazing. I could never have dreamed to get something like this. That's the perfect start to these scenes'. With Bill in particular, since there's no lines, it was usually very simple directions. We're basically just 'oh yeah, do a little more here, be a bit more expressive, be more intense — or less intense'. And that's the way to go, because I did not have a lot of work with Bill in that regard; he delivered on that." On Making the Film a Wild Ride Where It Feels as If Anything Could Happen "Balancing all that, that's the big task, and we had created a canvas for ourselves where we could do some crazy stuff — and since we created our own world, nobody told us how things should be, so we had all the freedom in that regard. There are some major tonal shifts in the movie, and I was definitely worried that the audience wouldn't be along for them or [would be] like 'oh my god, the tone of that movie is all over the place'. I was literally waiting for — I'm still waiting for somebody to just call me out on that. But I actually love movies where you don't know where they're going to go, and I think that's the most exciting kind of movie — where you can be actually surprised where it's going to go." Boy Kills World opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 2. Read our review. Film stills: Roadside Attractions.
Heartbreak High obsessives, your time is now: the 90s favourite has been revived by Netflix, bringing a new generation of Hartley High dramas into your streaming queue. Let's be honest — if you loved the show since way back when, it's always been your time; however, now you can experience the ups and downs of the Aussie series' next batch of high schoolers. A fan since the OG run, and always wished you lived in the show when you were at school? Just discovered the homegrown classic via the new version? Either way, if you're in Sydney on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18, you can nab some free threads to look the part. Netflix loves launching its big titles with pop-ups, and this one's no different — joining its The Gray Man barber, Stranger Things rift and Squid Game doll over the past 12 months. One thing that this boasts that those others didn't? That free clothing, with 1000 pieces up for grabs all up. Head along and you too can look like you've just stepped out of class — at a school that doesn't have a uniform, aka most teenagers' dream. Netflix has badged the pop-up a 'uniform shop' to fit the theme, though, but the range includes local designers and keenly sought-after thrifted items. Sydneysiders and folks who happen to be in town for the weekend just need to make a trip to 520 King Street in Newtown, where the thrift shop will be handing out pieces by HoMie, Clothing The Gaps, Jody Just, Off White and more. It's a first come, first served affair, and there'll be 500 pieces on offer each day. So, as always with give aways, getting in early during the shop's 10am–6pm operating hours is recommended. Given that the new version of Heartbreak High decks out its characters in everything from bursts of colour to grunge 90s attire, expect a variety of styles on offer. And, expect free temporary tattoos, too, as well as a photographer capturing high school portraits. If you haven't started your new Heartbreak High binge yet — which revives the 1994–99 show, which itself was a spinoff from the Claudia Karvan- and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, which adapted the 1987 play of the same name — it starts with an unexpected fight between best friends Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect) and Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), plus a sex map charting who's hooked up with hook among Hartley High's year 11 students. Yes, that map is part of the Newton pop-up's artwork. Find the Heartbreak High Uniform Shop at 520 King Street, Newtown, Sydney from 10am–6pm on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18. Heartbreak High is available to stream via Netflix — read our full review.
After a hefty makeover in 2018, the Bomba space boasts a fresh fit-out, a vermouth-inflected drinks list, and day and night dining menus celebrating the flavours of Spain. The rooftop sports an all-weather retractable roof and a second terrace space with a central copper bar and lots of high tables for a rendezvous with mates once work's done for the day. The drinks list shows lots of love for vermouth, an aperitif that's hitting peak fashionability, with a lineup of drops hailing from Catalonia to the Hunter Valley. A bigger, eight-strong tap list throws its weight behind indie Melbourne breweries, while the wine selection's focused both on organic and small Aussie producers, and lesser-known Spanish gems. Meanwhile, the food situation features a tapas menu of old favourites and new creations, a covetable selection of Spanish cheeses, terrific charcuterie and some stellar mains to pair with all that good Spanish wine. There's a pre-theatre menu if you're pressed for time and a bottomless lunch that features four cocktails and a range of highlights off the snack menu. Images: Peter Tarasiuk, Fiona Hamilton and Visit Victoria.
When Shazam first hit mobile devices in 2008, it helped iPhone users solve a minor but common and often frustrating problem. By listening to a snippet of a song, the app identifies exactly what the tune is — so if you hear some music on TV, the radio or in the background but don't know what it is, you can easily find out. That's all well and good for songs that are playing somewhere around you, of course. But it doesn't help if you've got a ditty stuck in your head, have absolutely zero idea what it is and are becoming increasingly desperate to know what has wormed its way into your brain. We've all been there, and we've all been annoyed by it, too. Via a new addition to its search functions, however, Google has just announced a feature that resolves this very issue. If you want to find out what a specific tune is called, now all you need to do is hum, whistle or sing it — and Google will listen, then tell you what it is. The feature is available via mobile devices, through the Google app, the Google Search widget and Google Assistant. On the app and in the widget, you need to say "what's this song?" or click the "search a song" button before you start busting out a melody. With Google Assistant, you'll say "hey Google, what's this song?" first. It doesn't matter if you're not quite in tune (or nowhere near the right pitch), thankfully. After listening, Google will provide search responses that it thinks matches your song, so you can learn more about it, watch music videos, listen to the song itself, find the lyrics and more. The function uses Google's machine learning algorithm, building on work the company has been doing with artificial intelligence and music recognition technology — and it's now available in English on iOS, and in over 20 languages on Android, with plans to expand to other languages in the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW61PpKJGm8&feature=emb_logo To use Google's new 'hum to search' feature, either visit the search engine on your mobile device or use Google Assistant. For further details, head to Google's blog.
Boilermaker House, a CBD bar dedicated to pairing and celebraiting craft beer and whisky, has recently announced that it will officially close forever on Monday, December 30. The news comes as the building's landlord has opted to redevelop the site and not renew the Speakeasy Group's lease. The laidback city spot is a unique Melbourne den built around the boilermaker — for the uninitiated, a boilermaker is an American beer cocktail consisting of a shot of whisky and a beer chaser. Ever since it opened in 2015, Boilermaker House has been a go-to spot for city workers, whisky lovers and beer fans alike. Its charcuterie and cheese boards were also no joke — great additions to a long whisky and beer session. But now, it's time to pack up the 700-plus whisky bottles and say goodbye to Boilermaker House. Owner and Operator Greg Sanderson shared, "We're incredibly proud of what we've built over these years. "Parting ways with a place that has meant so much to us — and to so many others — is incredibly difficult. We're deeply grateful to our amazing team, whose passion and dedication have been the heart of Boilermaker House. "And to our guests, especially those who've been with us since the beginning — we can't thank you enough." Punters have until the end of December to drop by for one last boilermaker in the CBD haunt or to simply down a few drams and say farewell.
From today, the launch of Reservations by DoorDash gives you exclusive access to tables at your favourite restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne — even when they are fully booked. This innovative new feature means that your go-to app for dining in can now be used for dining out. DoorDash Vice President APAC, Simon Rossi, says, "The launch of Reservations marks an exciting evolution for DoorDash in Australia. We're not just delivering meals, we're helping diners connect with some of the most sought-after restaurants. Whether it's securing a table at a hatted venue or discovering a hidden local gem, this feature makes it easier than ever to enjoy unforgettable dining experiences. For our restaurant partners, Reservations is another way we're helping them showcase their venues, attract new guests, and foster lasting relationships through exceptional hospitality." The Reservations system is being rolled out across two major cities now, with further launches coming soon. And it's stupidly simple. All you need to do is locate the Reservations icon in the DoorDash app, browse what's available, and confirm your booking, all in the one app. DashPass members will also have access to exclusive tables held especially for them during busy days and time slots. And the best part is that booking through this system allows you to earn redeemable credits that can be used for future orders. Prestigious restaurants across Melbourne and Sydney have embraced this new booking system, including Bar Julius, Di Stasio, Embla, Harriot and Lottie. James Bradey, founder of Liquid & Larder, says, "Bar Julius is proud to be part of DoorDash's Reservations debut. We're excited to welcome more guests from the greater network into our little corner of Redfern and provide the welcoming, detail-driven experience that's become a hallmark of Bar Julius and the Liquid & Larder family." "The DoorDash partnership will open the doors to a diverse bunch of potential new regulars that we might not otherwise have been able to reach. We're always on the lookout for more people who have been searching for a place like ours, and being on the platform will help us to continue to grow as we start our second decade in business," says Christian McCabe, General Manager at Embla in Melbourne. Images: George Roske. Reservations on DoorDash rolls out across Melbourne and Sydney from November 20. If you're looking for ideas of where to dine, check out the best restaurants in Sydney, and the best restaurants in Melbourne.
Melbourne city slickers, rejoice — summer is here. It's time to put your laptop away (momentarily, at least) and bid farewell to your couch because the season of summer day trips from Melbourne is upon us. From gin tastings to dips in the ocean and from leisurely hikes to adventures by bike, there's loads of good stuff awaiting you beyond the city limits — and we've put together a list of ten top-notch day trip destinations to put you in the heart of the action. And, of course, it wouldn't be an Aussie adventure without stumbling upon some interesting wildlife along the way, so gear up to gawk at koalas, dolphins, seals and parades of penguins. Get ready to jump in the car — these are the best day trips out of Melbourne to get out of the grid while the rain's away and the sun's out to play. Recommended reads: The Best Swimming Holes in and Around Melbourne The Best Coastal Walks Near Melbourne The Best Glamping Sites in Victoria The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Winter [caption id="attachment_923802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson for Visit Victoria[/caption] For Scenic Drives, Surfing and Quaint Coastal Towns: Great Ocean Road Between the limitless beaches, nature walks and infinite Instagram opportunities, the Great Ocean Road offers a whole lot to discover as you travel along its picturesque strip. It's never too early to fuel up with breakfast and sweet treats from the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, before a drive down to the iconic 12 Apostles. Beyond that sits the stunning Loch Ard Gorge — while it's too rough for swimming, you can dip your feet in its crystal clear waters and marvel at its sharp golden cliffs. On your way home, stop for an Italian feast at the Lorne outpost of Totti's, a pub feed and brews with a view at the Wye Beach Hotel or craft pints and pizza courtesy of Blackman's Brewery in Torquay. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the trees lining the roads along the way. And if you want to stay a little longer, check out our guide to the best accommodations scattered along the Great Ocean Road. [caption id="attachment_850986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hubert Estate[/caption] For Wine and Waterfalls: The Yarra Valley A hop, skip and a jump from the bustling city, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges feature farmlands, vineyards, art and culinary delights that'll make you feel like you're a world away from the grid. Get into the heart of the region by walking upstream along the Keppel Falls Walk, which envelops you in nature and lands you at a stunning waterfall. You can follow this with a trip through the renowned TarraWarra Museum of Art. Then, end the day with some gourmet local eats — perhaps chic picnic platters and chardonnay at TarraWarra Estate, handmade pasta and heavenly views courtesy of Hubert Estate, or pinot grigio and pizza at Rochford Wines. [caption id="attachment_754135" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Portsea Hotel by Samantha Schultz[/caption] For Beaches, Brunch and Booze: Mornington Peninsula Beginning just an hour out of the city, the Mornington Peninsula is a favourite day trip destination from Melbourne for many. And with countless brunch venues, breweries, wineries and swimming spots to be found here, it's not hard to see why. Start with a coffee and some chilli scrambled eggs at Merchant & Maker (or one of the region's other stellar cafes) before heading for a swim in the rockpools at Bushrangers Bay. Then, take your pick of drinking spots for the afternoon — perhaps at Montalto's sprawling restaurant and winery, the Portsea Hotel with its sweeping bay views or Dromana's entirely gluten-free brewery Two Bays. And if you really want to spend the night, seriously consider the ultra-luxe Jackalope Hotel. [caption id="attachment_694246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] For Secluded Beaches and Seafood Feasts: Lakes Entrance Okay, so this day trip from Melbourne might require an overnight stay, but we thought it was still worth a spot on this list. With sand dunes on one side and crashing waves on the other, Lakes Entrance will instantly have you feeling like you're a long, long way away from Melbourne. Along Ninety Mile Beach, the fourth longest beach in the world, you can go for a swim (stick to the safer patrolled areas) or explore the many charming coastal towns nearby. There's also picturesque spots for kayaking and paddle-boarding, national parks brimming with great hikes and plenty of top-notch fishing. When you're done, refuel with a seafood feast at renowned overwater eatery Sodafish — or head for tacos, burgers and crafty drops at Lakes' first brewery Red Bluff Brewers. [caption id="attachment_831953" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] For Relaxing in Nature: Daylesford and The Macedon Ranges When it's hot, sometimes you just want to stay inside. But rather than ensconcing yourself in your house in front of the air-con, why not make your way to the lush, bathhouse-filled region of Daylesford? First, a climb up Mount Macedon to Camels Hump offers a good excuse to reward yourself with a post-hike brunch and coffee at Mr Macedon. Then, venture on over for a soak in the famed mineral baths of Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa — they are set at varying temperatures so you can warm up and cool off as you need, and there's a bumper menu of other spa experiences also on offer. Of course, no trip back home is complete without a stop off at Holgate Brewery in Woodend for a cold pint and classic pub feed. For Penguins, Seals and Untamed Coastline: Phillip Island A couple hours southeast of Melbourne, Phillip Island is the ideal spot to surround yourself with nature and wildlife for the day. Start with some furry fun at the Koala Conservation Reserve and clear out any remaining hay fever among the eucalyptus woodlands. Then, you absolutely need to pay a sunset visit to the refurbished Penguin Parade to catch the island's resident little penguins returning to their terrestrial homes, having spent the day out and about fishing. Beyond wildlife watching, you can settle in to sample some local booze — the Phillip Island Winery is a popular choice — then bliss out with a massage or spa treatment, or conquer a hiking trail like the Cape Woolamai Walk, which traverses dramatic clifftops along Phillip's southernmost point. [caption id="attachment_669921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bendigo Art Gallery[/caption] For Heritage and Art: Bendigo The old mining town of Bendigo offers buckets of history and heritage, while also boasting extensive contemporary art and pub lunches galore. Go underground (it's cooler) and walk in the footsteps of prior gold miners at Central Deborah Gold Mine or, if you prefer to stay above ground, take a wander through the impressive Bendigo Art Gallery to eyeball its extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography. Then, top off your summer day trip with bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches), tostadas and other tapas at buzzing laneway bar El Gordo, or stop by Masons of Bendigo for a feast starring plenty of top Central Victorian produce. [caption id="attachment_887554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sailor's Rest[/caption] For Dolphins, Vintage Markets and Culinary Delights: Geelong Geelong is fast becoming the base of choice for young professionals who've decided to swap city life for a more affordable low-key option. It offers native wildlife, relaxing ocean views and more local producers than you could possibly sink your teeth into. And it's way less busy than St Kilda. Head just off the coast of nearby Queenscliff and dive straight into the ocean to swim with dolphins and seals. Then, regain your strength by eating and drinking your way along the Bellarine Taste Trail. You can then shop for hidden gems at the Geelong Vintage Market, sip on spritzes at the Sailor's Rest rooftop bar, relax into the pastel-hued interior of Frankie or book in for a fine-dining affair at the much-lauded Igni. If you don't have a car, you can easily travel from Docklands to Geelong via train. [caption id="attachment_812642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ain Raadik for Visit Victoria[/caption] For Mountains, Hikes and Bikes: Mount Buller Although Mount Buller traditionally conjures images of never-ending snowballs and big puffer jackets, there are also lots of reasons to make the trip up during summer. Stretch those legs after the three-hour drive and get them ready for your choice of mountain biking, hiking, trail running and horse riding. Your peepers are in for a workout, too, as you soak up the majestic vistas and explore the Gnome Roam, searching for a glimpse of the mountain's resident gnomes. After all the sunshine and activity, kick back with a session on the sprawling deck at Spurs Smokehouse. [caption id="attachment_851611" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Four Pillars[/caption] For Gin and Cute Animals: Healesville Although it can be easily bundled into a broader Yarra Valley day trip, Healesville has plenty of charms worth carving out a whole day for. For animal lovers, Healesville Sanctuary should top the list, as the bushland haven lets you get up close and personal with native wildlife like dingos, kangaroos and koalas. A very close second is Four Pillars' gin distillery, where you can indulge in a guided gin tasting or leisurely sip your way through a G&T paddle. Then, line your stomach with some grazing boards and wood-fired pizza at Innocent Bystander, perhaps matched with a glass of its famed moscato, before heading back to the big smoke. Top images: Great Ocean Road by Cameron Murray for Visit Victoria.
Golden spinach and feta pastries, boat-shaped shanklish pies flecked with herbs and syrupy layered baklava. One peek at the goodies on show at A1 and it's easy to see why this Lebanese bakery and grocer has been a Sydney Road favourite for almost two decades. The ovens here are turning out an array of classic Middle Eastern breads, from soft souvlaki-style rounds, ready to roll, through to five-inch pita pockets. But for lunch fiends, it's all about the homemade grab-and-go options, such as the haloumi-stuffed pies and pizzas topped with the likes of sujuk, falafel and labneh. All of this gets A1 on our list of the best bakeries in Melbourne and the best cafes in Melbourne. Images: Julia Sansone Appears in: The 13 Best Cafes in Melbourne for 2023 Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023 The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
Young dudes on their way to find a steady job. Frustrated teachers between classes. Older sisters taking their younger brothers to football training. You've met so many story-filled faces on the streets of NYC through Brandon Stanton's insanely popular site Humans of New York. Now the neighbourhood's getting a little more global, with HONY heading out of the five burroughs. Street photography can often stand on its own wordless feet, but photographer Stanton uses just one quote to give a skerrick of insight into lives you had no comprehension of. Strolling through the streets of New York City, Stanton takes unbelievably poignant shots of strangers paired with one excerpt from a conversation he's had with them on the spot. The result is heartwrencher after heartwrencher of wonderfully joyous, sad, excited, in love, grieving, human stories. Now, with a number one New York Times best-selling book, over 1.5 million Instagram followers and nine million Facebook fans behind him, Stanton has left the streets of Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens behind for a more worldwide neighbourhood. Sponsored by the UN, Stanton is taking a 50-day world tour of war zones and areas in conflict. The UN hopes to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, which aim for "human dignity, equality, and equity". Iraq, Jordan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been visited so far, next for Stanton are Haiti, Ukraine and South Sudan. "Those are the places that have the most extreme headlines coming out," Mr. Stanton told the New York Times from Jerusalem. "Those are the places most skewed in people’s heads. The work has a very humanising effect in places that are misunderstood or feared." "It's always been my dream to have a successful business. I'd like one day to open more stores, and maybe even expand into the provinces. But the conditions are very difficult to start a business. Taxes are very high and services are very limited. The electricity was out for eleven days last month, but I still had to pay for thirty days. And when I try to use a generator, the costs are so high that the customers stop coming. It's very difficult." (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo) "She said she'd let me take her photo if I bought some peanuts from her. Afterward, I asked if she could remember the saddest moment of her life. She laughed, and said: 'You're going to need to buy some more peanuts.'"(Kasangulu, Democratic Republic of Congo) "I get way too sensitive when I get attached to someone. I can detect the slightest change in the tone of their voice, and suddenly I'm spending all day trying to figure out what I did wrong." (Amman, Jordan) "He runs to me every time I come home. It makes me very happy, and it reminds me of the times when I used to run to my father." (Al-Salt, Jordan) "Back in Syria, I sold antiques and Orientals. I had all sorts of things in my shop: glass vases, old stamps, coins from the Roman and Ottoman empire, valuable laces, antique furniture. But they beat me with rifles and knocked out my teeth. Then they burned my store to the ground." (Zaatari Refugee Camp, Jordan) "I want to discover the cure for Ebola." (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo) "We told her to sit with us so we could share her sadness." (Dohuk, Iraq) "I'm studying law. My dream is to be a judge one day. Too many people in this country are only in prison because they were too poor to defend themselves. When I'm a judge, I'll look only at the facts, and not at the person." (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo) "We're trying to get to Grandma's." (Zaatari Refugee Camp, Jordan) Check out the whole series at Humans of New York, on Instagram or Facebook. Via New York Times and Fast Company. All images Brandon Stanton.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear," Buddy (Will Ferrell, The Boys) tells Jovie (Zooey Deschanel, Physical) in end-of-year staple Elf. The musical version of the hit festive flick takes that idea to heart. Debuting on Broadway in 2010, it brings the beloved movie to the stage with a swag of merry songs. Fourteen years later — and 21 years since cinemas first discovered Elf's seasonal fun — Elf: The Musical has finally locked in its Australian premiere. Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall will stand in for both the North Pole and New York City across Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, as Buddy goes on a journey of self-discovery. If you've seen the film, as almost everyone has, you'll know the storyline already; however, unless you've caught Elf: The Musical overseas, including a West End season in 2015–16, you haven't seen it like this before. Buddy isn't an elf, but he was raised by them — and he doesn't realise that he isn't like Santa's other helpers until he grows up. Cue his trip to the Big Apple to discover who he is, and also who he wants to be, as first told in a movie directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau before he helmed Iron Man, The Jungle Book and the photorealistic version of The Lion King. The stage adaptation's Aussie debut comes courtesy of Sydney's most-famous venue and John Frost for Crossroads Live, with the pair serving up the ideal way to get jolly in the Harbour City this festive season (as well as a gift of an excuse to take a festive-season trip to the New South Wales capital if you reside elsewhere across Australia). Elf: The Musical boasts a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (who also helped bring The Producers, Hairspray, Cry-Baby and Young Frankenstein from picture palaces to theatres) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), plus songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (more film-to-stage veterans courtesy of The Wedding Singer). The Australian run is being staged as a concert production, in a presentation designed for Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall. If it's been a while since you watched Elf, the film, check out the trailer for it below: Elf: The Musical plays Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall from Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, with presale tickets from 9am on Tuesday, August 20 and general ticket sales from 9am on Friday, August 23. Head to the Sydney Opera House website for more details.
If you've ever wanted to take a deep dive into some of the most iconic moments of the late 1960s, here's your chance. Kicking off this April, a major exhibition devoted to the huge international impact of these five momentous years is coming to the Melbourne Museum. Dubbed Revolutions: Records and Rebels, the exhibition originated at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and it pulls together over 500 objects sourced from the famed art and design museum, as well as international loans and Melbourne Museum's own impressive collection. It's a captivating exploration of 1960s youth culture and how collective action at the time spurred revolutionary shifts all across the Western world, from the tunes to the fashion to the political protests and defining moments and events like Woodstock. You'll revisit these game-changing elements in the context of their lingering impact today, five decades on. To that end, expect to catch a rare glimpse of items like Mick Jagger's signature stage costume, John Lennon's legendary glasses, handwritten lyrics for 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and even a guitar that was smashed on stage by Pete Townsend of The Who. Closer to home, historic items will reference pivotal Australian moments of the time, such as the anti-Vietnam War protests and the recognition of Australia's First Peoples in the 1967 referendum. State-of-the-art audio guide technology will feature a carefully curated musical soundtrack played through Sennheiser headsets, changing according to your position in the gallery. Think, Jimi Hendrix's live Woodstock set, Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' and a whole lot of The Beatles, interspersed with interviews, videos, film screenings and light shows.
Words like 'hidden kingdom' and 'radio broadcast' don't often find themselves hanging out too often. But one of Nepal's most remote spots is now on air, broadcasting from one of the world's most stunningly designed stations to date. Nestled in one of Nepal’s most remote regions lies the 'hidden kingdom' of Mustang. Accessed on horseback via the old Salt Route of the Kali Gandaki River valley, Mustang sits on the border of Tibet and was one of the last parts of the country to encounter Westerners. Dubbed the best example of traditional Tibetan life in the world, Mustang’s surrounding Himalayan mountain range and isolation from major metropolises has kept things pretty traditional, centered around the kingdom’s Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The old king’s palace hasn’t been used in years and is falling into disrepair. But this tiny Tibetan kingdom, who hasn't changed much since the 15th century, is about to leap into the 21st century with an unexpected new development: a radio station. Being cheap as chips to set up, broadcast and listen to, radio is a super democratic medium. Isolated regions can stay on top of things, access crop and weather details and get news bulletins much quicker than the ol' hand delivery. But if you’re 8,400 feet above sea level and surrounded by the Himalayas, radio frequencies might give your town a miss. You'll also be at a bit of an environmental and sociopolitical disadvantage without radio so, according to Gizmodo, nonprofits like the Center For Rural Technology are helping to establish radio stations all through the region, with 144 existing to date in Tibet and Nepal. Now, the Mustang town of Jomson has landed its very first radio station, a stunning, gneiss-walled establishment that looks straight from Grand Designs. Although radio is celebrated as a cheap medium to set up, South Korean communications heavyweight MBC fronted up a whopping $930,000 to build the station. Why would a South Korean bigwig blink an eyelid at a tiny Tibetan community? MBC stated that "the radio station has been established to enhance the awareness of Nepalis in the rural area and assist them to live a quality life". Then the company claimed the station would be the world’s most beautiful broadcasting center. Well, they kind of nailed it. Architect Kim In-cheurl and his firm Archium took on the project, working with extremely temperamental weather, steep hillsides and Mustang’s isolated location. The resulting station is an elegant, modern space that seamlessly corresponds with Jomson’s existing architecture. Gneiss stone walls, sunken courtyards and sleek wooden pegs seats. The studio and event spaces live downstairs, protected by stone walls from Mustang’s extreme weather. The antenna, the heart of the station, has been adorned with prayer flags. So what will Mustang be crankin' up? Broadcasts, which will be sent to about 2,000 people in 98.9 MHz frequency, will cover news, weather, health, culture and the odd trekking tip for the Annapurna circuit. We’ll just have to wait to see if it makes it online, so we can brag to our friends about our love for sweet hidden kingdom radio. Via Gizmodo and Karobar Daily. Images by Taylor Weidman/The Vanishing Cultures Project and Jun Myung-jin/ArchDaily.
These days, there are plenty of venues plating up cheesy dishes and elaborate cheese boards — but there's nothing quite like selecting a few quality wedges of fromage, freshly sliced charcuterie and a matching bottle of wine to dig into with friends. Home to some of the largest cheese selections in the country, Melbourne cheese shops and fromageries are defined by passionate owners, an appreciation for top Australian-made products and some exceptional cheese offerings. From long-running operations at the Queen Vic Market to small neighbourhood retailers with cabinets full of dairy-based wares, we've put together a list of the best shops to sate your appetite for cheese. Whether you're sourcing a serve of your go-to favourite or hunting for something fancy and new, these spots have as gouda selection of cheesy delights as you'll find anywhere in Melbourne.
The dots are stunning. The pumpkins, too. Her use of bold colours and shapes is also dazzling. There's another reason that Yayoi Kusama's art is so beloved, however: whether via mirrored infinity rooms, oversized tentacles or getting exhibition attendees putting stickers everywhere, she wholeheartedly embraces immersing her audience. It's true of Dancing Pumpkin, one of her famous gourd sculptures, which is on display in Melbourne right now — and when NGV International's massive Yayoi Kusama exhibition opens in December, it'll prove true again and again, breaking a world record in the process. Since April, the NGV has ben promising that its summer blockbuster exhibition — an Australian-exclusive as well — will be big. Across Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025, it will feature 180-plus works from the acclaimed Japanese artist, in the largest Kusama retrospective that the country has ever seen. Now, the gallery has also revealed that it'll boast ten of the talent's immersive installations, which is the most that has ever been assembled in a single location before. [caption id="attachment_950475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Chandelier of Grief 2016/18, Tate Modern, London. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and Victoria Miro. © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] One is a brand-new piece that's world-premiering in Melbourne, so when visitors enter Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light, they'll be among the first people on the planet to experience the work. Inside, the space appears to open into an infinite celestial universe. Kusama's latest creation adds to her ongoing fascination with infinity mirror rooms, which she has been creating since the 60s. See also: 2016's Chandelier of Grief, which features baroque-style chandelier spinning within a hexagon of mirrors; 2013's Love Is Calling, where tentacles in different colours spring from both the floor and the ceiling; and 2017's The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which gets viewers peering at glowing pumpkins as far as the eye can see through a small peephole. [caption id="attachment_981012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Dots Obsession 1996/2015 at Kusama's solo exhibition YAYOI KUSAMA: IN INFINITY, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark. YAYOI KUSAMA Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] Also relying upon mirrors heavily: the newest version of Dots Obsession, a room where the walls are reflective and biomorphic inflatables lurk. And yes, it's meant to inspire existential thoughts — and also feel as if the space goes on forever. Then, in Invisible Life, convex mirrors line a twisting and multi-hued corridor. With its six-metre-tall tendrils — which are covered in polka dots, naturally — the yellow-and-black The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe from 2019 is striking without using a looking glass (or several), and will make its Australian premiere. Prefer flowers instead? Set within a dotted space, All My Love for the Tulips, I Pray Forever from 2013 sees a trio of giant tulips loom over audiences. [caption id="attachment_950473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's The Obliteration Room 2002–present. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] If you went to the comprehensive Kusama showcase at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art back in 2017–18, or to the same site when it has also hosted the artist's The Obliteration Room at other times, then you'll know all about this sticker-fuelled experience. Even if you haven't taken part before, you've likely seen photos of it on social media. In Melbourne as in the other places that it has popped up, this artwork gets you popping coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating' it, as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. The idea is to fill every single millimetre with stickers over time. It's an all-ages (and free) part of the exhibition, displaying in the NGV's children's gallery, but expect as many adults there as kids. Flower Obsession is another participatory piece, returning from the 2017 NGV Triennial. Again, you're asked to add to the work. This time, though, red flowers are applied to a domestic space — and again, obliterating it is the mission. [caption id="attachment_950474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Flower Obsession 2017 on display in NGV Triennial from 15 December 2017 – 15 April 2018 at NGV International Melbourne. © YAYOI KUSAMA Image courtesy of NGVImage courtesy of NGV.[/caption] Alongside the ten immersive installations — plus the five-metre-tall Dancing Pumpkin in NGV International's Federation Court — Yayoi Kusama will step through the 95-year-old artist's eight decades of making art via a thematic chronology. Some pieces hail from her childhood. Some are recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s: they'll all appear. Half of the exhibition is devoted to the past four decades — so, pumpkins galore, giant paintings and more. Again, this is a hefty exhibition overall, complete with a new version of Narcissus Garden made of 1400 30-centimetre-diameter stainless silver balls, a Kusama artwork specific to NGV's Waterwall, over 20 experimental fashion designs by the artist, Infinity Net paintings from the 50s and 60s, Accumulation sculptures and textiles from the 60s and 70s, and a recreation of her New York studio. It's one of the most-comprehensive Kusama retrospectives ever staged globally, in fact — and the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving Australia. [caption id="attachment_979066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's Dancing Pumpkin 2020 now on display for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Sean Fennessy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, 2022 © YAYOI KUSAMA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_979065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's Dancing Pumpkin 2020 now on display for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Sean Fennessy.[/caption] Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Top image: Yayoi Kusama, The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe 2019 at Kusama's solo exhibition Yayoi Kusama: All About Love Speaks Forever at Fosun Foundation, Shanghai. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA.
Kirk's Wine Bar is almost unfortunately placed. Everyday city-goers and tourists waltz down down Hardware Lane, hassled by waiters trying to lure people into their restaurants. But on the corner is Kirk's. No one stands outside with a menu board, which is exactly why you should walk in. Glancing at the peeling paint exterior takes you back in time a little. Upon entering, you're almost transcended to a Florentine wine bar. The space is sprinkled with small, round timber tables, really only big enough to seat two. Which is fine with us, because, honestly, who wants to share a bottle of wine with more than one other person? Nice thinking Kirk's — you're onto us. Why is it called Kirk's anyway? Isn't that the creaming soda guy? Well, it was also the name of the wine bar's previous tenants. One of the city's first ever pubs, Kirk's Bazaar Hotel, who first occupied the space in the 1860s. Naturally, the wine selection has been carefully curated, including a nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy and a French muscadet from Domaine de la Pepiere. And don't worry, your Australian wines haven't been forgotten — there's a few of them in there too. A spiralled staircase reveals a wine cellar with a 12-seater table, great for a large group of friends. You could probably spend hours down there — an CBD bunker filled with wine and imported cheeses, tucked away from all the noise? Perfect. Image: Brook James.
Festive decorations have started popping up around Melbourne, but it'll soon look like Christmas in a big way when the city's annual festival celebrating the jolliest time of the year returns for 2023. No matter whether you like staring at luminous lights and dazzling sights, hitting up every single festive market around town or soaking in as many Christmas-themed activities as you can find — including Christmas rollerskating, a Christmas maze and a Christmas cinema — that'll all be on the agenda from Friday, November 24. Once again, the city will have an array of methods to get merry this festive season, with the annual Melbourne Christmas Festival running for an entire month until Monday, December 25. If you weren't aware before, you will be now: Christmas in this city doesn't just mean buying gifts and roasting turkeys. Accordingly, from the end of November, you can make a date with spectacular projections and a whole heap of excuses to get shopping, among other festivities. Those nightly Christmas lights are a clear drawcard, and they'll beam across Melbourne Town Hall and and the State Library of Victoria. You'll also be bathed in seasonal vibes when you hang out at Federation Square's Christmas Square, where a 17.5-metre LED Christmas tree will take pride of place. And, a new river show will get Southbank all aglow ever evening. Other standouts around town include the Christmas-themed roller-skating rink making a comeback Carlton's Argyle Square; the Christmas maze at Docklands, which is also a returning favourite; and an 11-day Christmas carnival at Birrarung Marr with dodgems and a ferris wheel. [caption id="attachment_925585" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ray Reyes[/caption] Like Christmas movies? The Capitol Theatre is joining in with screenings of Elf, The Polar Express, The Grinch, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and The Santa Clause — all for $5 each. Or, Fed Square is showing movies for free outdoors, with Elf, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life on its lineup. Elsewhere, you'll be able to take part in Christmas scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt, mosey along a festive walk that's all about knowing how best to mark the occasion in Melbourne, enjoy a comedic holiday pantomime show, see lights and lasers illuminate the Yarra, hear choirs sing carols and go cruising on a busking boat. If all the merriment makes you hungry and thirsty, you can also partake in a packed stocking's worth of food- and booze-focused Chrissie events. One highlight: Christmas on Afloat. Another: Chinatown's Christmas festival. Ice skating — not just roller skating — is on offer as well. And if nothing says Christmas to you like getting a snap of your pet all dressed up for the occasion, pictures with Santa are also part of the fun. Plus, from a clearly heaving lineup, market and festival devotees can take their pick, with boho, vegan, makers, German, Korean, Japanese and wine options. There's also the Koorie Krismas Market, selling arts and crafts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 'Tis the season to spend a month feeling the Christmas spirit all throughout the City of Melbourne, obviously, because there's more where all of the above came from, too. Melbourne Christmas Festival runs from Friday, November 24–Monday, December 25. For further information, head to the City of Melbourne website.
Get ready to embark on a tantalising culinary journey that will transport you straight to the sun-kissed shores of the Amalfi Coast — all without leaving Aussie soil. Together with Aperol, we've scoured every corner of this vast land to curate a guide to the bars and restaurants that capture the essence of coastal Italy's gastronomic wonders. From echoing laidback osterias to swanky harbourside bars exuding Riviera-style opulence, our roundup is a tribute to the vibrancy of Italian culture infused with an Australian twist. So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for an unforgettable expedition. Your table overlooking the azure seas awaits — no boarding pass required.
The Mouse House is bringing some of its magic Brisbane's way, with Disney: The Magic of Animation making a date with Queensland Museum from Friday, June 24. Whether you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse, can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi, are able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin or fell head over heels for Moana more recently, you'll find plenty worth looking at. And in its doors, too — because walking beneath mouse ear-shaped openings to move from one area to the next is all part of the experience. Running through till Sunday, January 22, 2023, Disney: The Magic of Animation explores everything from 1928's Steamboat Willie — the first talkie to feature Mickey Mouse — through to last year's Raya and the Last Dragon. Obviously, a wealth of other titles get the nod between those two bookending flicks. Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and The Lion King also feature, as do Mulan, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia. The big drawcard: art from the Mouse House's hefty back catalogue of titles, and heaps of it. More than 500 original artworks feature, spanning paintings, sketches, drawings and concept art. The entire lineup has been specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and will let you get a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and which animation techniques brought them to the big screen. Get ready to peer at hand-drawn dalmatians (which is timely, given that Cruella released last year as well), stare closely at Mickey Mouse's evolution, examine Wreck-It Ralph models and pose next to Snow White. Wall-sized artworks pay tribute to a number of movies, too — The Little Mermaid piece is particularly eye-catching — and feeling like you're stepping into a Disney movie is an unsurprising side effect. Disney: The Magic of Animation is clearly designed to appeal to Mouse House fans of all ages. You, your parents, today's primary school kids — you've all grown up watching Disney flicks. So, while you're pondering tales as old as time, being QM's guest, contemplating the animated circle of life and definitely not letting your nostalgia go, prepare to be accompanied by aficionados both young and young at heart. Images: Phoebe Powell.
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 the luxe Anchorage Port Stephens hotel and spa overlooking the picturesque Nelson Bay. If Anchorage Port Stephens looks like your ideal summer vacay destination then head to Concrete Playground Trips, where you'll find our latest travel deal – including a night's stay at this boutique hotel, an epic buffet breakfast and a couple of complimentary cocktails on arrival. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This Hamptons-style hotel is the pinnacle of luxury waterside accommodation boasting rooms with uninterrupted sea views, a fine dining restaurant and a glamorous spa experience. It's made for out-of-towners who are looking to spoil themselves silly for a weekend away. THE ROOMS Room options abound at Anchorage Port Stephens. The classic Anchorage Room gives you most of the best bits, including a private balcony looking out over the marina and all the essential amenities – king-sized bed, large ensuite bathroom, aircon and your own coffee machine. You can also upgrade your stay by booking the large Family Room, the glam Master Suite or one of the separate lofts with bay windows that perfectly frame the gorgeous views. FOOD AND DRINK When staying here, you've got to dine at one of Anchorage's seafood-focused restaurants — both of which have won multiple hospitality awards. The Galley Kitchen is where you go for sophisticated all-day dining options that include seafood feasts, a special sparkling wine breakfast and a traditional afternoon tea. Either sit inside or dine by the pool terrace. And if you want to truly treat yourself, get dressed up for dinner at The Wild Herring. Locally sourced and sustainably fished seafood is presented in a myriad of inventive ways thanks to Executive Chef Michael Jenkins. The culinary experience is one of sophisticated fine dining, so it's recommended that guests travelling with children don't bring the kids along. [caption id="attachment_885378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Dorevski (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Port Stephens is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney but, once you're there, it feels worlds away. Wander through town to browse the selection of charming boutiques or get in touch with nature by exploring the coastal bushland of Tomaree National Park and the clear blue waters. You'll also find several wineries and breweries in the area, so if you're up for sampling the local goods just head to the Anchorage Port Stephens concierge to organise an exclusive tour. THE EXTRAS If total rejuvenation is what you're after, a trip to the hotel's Spa Luca is on the cards. The spa has treatment rooms for singles and couples where you can experience massages, scrubs, wraps, facials and immersive ritual healings — the menu of treatment options is extensive. You'll also find a lavish whirlpool and steam room alongside a private relaxation room to help you stay in the calm bubble for as long as possible. Head to the Concrete Playground Trips website to book a lavish stay at at Anchorage Port Stephens.
After unveiling first-look images for Fallout season two, Prime Video hasn't left fans of the game-to-streaming series waiting long for a deeper dive into what's on the way in the post-apocalyptic hit. A day later, the platform has revealed the show's first trailer for its second season. Also included: an exact release date, after previously advising that Fallout will return in December 2025. You'll start watching the eight-episode sophomore run on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with instalments dropping weekly. "I'm looking for someone," Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell, Yellowjackets) notes to kick off the season two teaser. The reply: "common story around here". The Ghoul (Walton Goggins, The White Lotus) pipes in when she's also asked if she's seeking "someone you care about ... or someone you hate?". "Oooh, what a great question" is his observation — and everyone who has watched season one will surely agree. When it dropped its initial eight episodes in 2024, Fallout took its cues from the games that debuted on computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. The live-action television iteration follows Lucy, a lifelong vault-dweller, who leaves her cosy underground digs to navigate the irradiated wasteland that earth has remained for two centuries after the nuclear apocalypse. Crossing her path: bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has ties to life before the devastation; and Maximus (Aaron Moten (Emancipation), an aspiring soldier with the Brotherhood of Steel, who don giant robotic suits. In this nightmarish future, a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence lingers beyond the bunker that the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan, Overcompensating), who oversees Vault 33, has always called home. New Vegas is now her destination with The Ghoul — because if "you wanna know why the world ended," he advises, that's where this story will take you. The first season two trailer also features a glimpse at Justin Theroux (Poker Face) at Robert House in the show's jumps backwards, as well as a peek at a Deathclaw, one of the franchise's post-apocalyptic predators. Bringing the chaos to life is a behind-the-scenes team featuring Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, plus Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) as writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in it as well. After premiering in 2024 and becoming one of the platform's top-three most-watched shows ever, notching up more than 100-million viewers globally, this game adaptation isn't just making a comeback for its second season — earlier in 2025, Prime Video advised that Fallout has already been renewed for a third season, too. Check out the teaser trailer for Fallout season two below: Fallout streams via Prime Video, with season two premiering on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
In addition to its laidback house-party energy and sweeping city views, Collingwood rooftop bar Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout is giving guests more reasons to settle into one of its plush leather banquettes with the launch of its new kitchen. And, in keeping with the playfully cheeky spirit of the venue, the food is flipping the script when it comes to bar menus — there's not a slice of focaccia or kingfish crudo in sight. Instead, you'll find a thoughtful selection of refined comfort classics on a menu that takes its cues from old-school American diners. The tight menu — designed by Slowpoke Co-Founder and Head Chef Bradley Wynne — will always feature three hearty mains, as well as a seasonally rotating list of specials that riff on fast food classics, sans nasties. That means that instead of focaccia, you'll find hash brown fries: golden savoury churro-style sticks served with a secret sauce. And in place of the ubiquitous steak tartare, you'll be able tuck into the Slowpoke Cheeseburger: a grown-up take on the Maccas classic featuring two smashed beef patties encased in a soft bun. And for dessert? What else but a slice of apple pie, served with your choice of cream or ice cream. Slowpoke's eschewal from the typical small-plates-and-pâté wine bar formula that Melbourne knows all too well is very much in keeping with the ethos of the venue. Says Wynne: "The kitchen is a natural evolution of our vision to create a space that invites people into our lounge room — a place where they can relax, connect, and enjoy familiar tastes elevated to something truly special." The kitchen's launch also sets the stage for guest chef collabs and one-off events with some of Melbourne's most creative culinary minds — itself a nod to the venue's broader ambitions as a community space and creative playground. The food is also a clever complement to the equally fun but serious cocktail program, which showcases fresh produce and surprising combinations, as well as considered booze-free options like house-brewed iced tea and homemade lemonade. Slowpoke's kitchen is open Wednesday–Friday from 5–10pm, Saturday from 2–10pm and Sunday from 2–9pm. Find it at Level 4, 50 Gipps Street, Collingwood. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Chege Mbuthi.
When Alex Honnold scales a nearly kilometre-high cliff, it's with a look of fierce determination blazing in his eyes. When the professional climber discusses the extraordinary feat documented in Free Solo, the same no-nonsense vibe filters through his voice. He's never sombre — just direct. Ask him how it feels to venture to such great heights, and his response is "pretty good". Ask him about the possibility that his death could've been caught on camera, and he says he "basically didn't really care". As newly Oscar-nominated documentary Free Solo chronicles, Honnold made history while scampering up Yosemite's National Park's famous El Capitan rock formation. Plenty of climbers have propelled themselves up the granite monolith's 900-metre vertical expanse, but only Honnold has successfully done so without ropes. The practice is called free climbing. When it's done alone, it's called free soloing. Made plain in the title of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin's film, Honnold's record-breaking quest to the top was completed by himself without any supportive or protective equipment. Unsurprisingly, it's a feat that has garnered significant attention — but reading news articles and seeing photographs really doesn't do it justice. Honnold notes that "the film doesn't quite do justice to the real scale of it" either, but watching Free Solo is as close as the rest of the world will get — and for many, as close as they'll ever want to get — to stepping into his climbing boots. Assisted by their filmmaking team, Vasarhelyi and Chin assemble an astonishing array of footage, with their connection to climbing evident in every frame. A real-life couple, they both directed acclaimed climbing documentary Meru, while Chin is also a professional climber in his own right. Of course, as exceptional as Free Solo's footage is — and as skilled as making viewers feel like they're making the nerve-racking climb with its subject, too — there would be no film without Honnold. He describes scaling El Cap as "an Olympic gold medal-level athletic achievement... and if you don't get that gold medal, you're going to die", in case the whole situation didn't already sound difficult and dangerous enough. Fresh from garnering considerable applause on the international film circuit, an array of accolades from critics groups and now an Academy Award nomination, Free Solo has arrived in Australian cinemas to share its thrills with eager cinema-goers. We spoke to Honnold about the motivation behind his love of climbing, his preparation process and the difficulties of opening his life up to the camera. [caption id="attachment_706084" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] National Geographic/Jimmy Chin[/caption] THE BIG QUESTION: WHY FREE SOLO? There's an enormous question at the heart of Honnold's climb — one that he recognises himself and that he can't completely answer. When asked what it is about free soloing that appeals to him, he replies: "I don't know, it's just a challenge that I seek out". That might sound like a blasé approach to a dangerous field where many experienced figures have died doing what they loved, but Honnold is anything but. In the film, he's meticulous about his work, documenting his progress in climbing journals, memorising complex moves and even living in his van so that he can remain as close as possible to El Cap. "It's just a more demanding style of climbing," he explains. "It requires more from you, so I feel that it gives a little bit more back in return." While Honnold also mentions finding personal limits and trying his hardest — "it's something I feel like I can do, and I feel a certain obligation to do the hard things that I'm capable of" — what truly shines through is how much he enjoys climbing. "I think it has always been the most fun part of my life," he reflects. "It's funny, because I think the really difficult parts of my life are doing the film tour and travelling and just doing appearances as a professional climber, and doing events — you know, working, things like that." That said, Honnold is also quick to stress the difference between climbing in general and free soloing. "Free soloing is pretty rewarding, but it is very difficult and challenging. If I could only choose one style of climbing for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be free soloing." [caption id="attachment_706086" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] National Geographic/Jimmy Chin[/caption] GETTING RID OF THE ROPES "Part of it is intense, but then part of it is amazing. A lot of it just has to do with which part of the route you're on." That's Honnold's assessment of climbing in general — so what made him decide to free solo El Cap, the route that was "always the last one [on his list] that was aspirational"? Initially, he thought it was too frightening, but that's where planning and training came in. It might seem incredulous to the watching audience, but "two years' preparation made something very scary feel relatively comfortable by the end," he notes. Given the life-and-death stakes at play, Honnold's training — which included two years of practice and climbing El Cap with a rope eight times — prepared him to take the leap. "There was no pressure to actually do the climb, so if I had never felt prepared for it — had I never felt comfortable — then I just wouldn't have done it". Of course, he wasn't just hopping to survive the climb, but to enjoy it. "Part of what was so satisfying about it was that I had exactly the experience that I was hoping for. Through the course of making the film, I spent so much time up there working on it, that when I finally did it, it felt great." HOW THE CAMERAS CHANGED THE CLIMB Honnold recognises that watching free soloing is hard. "I don't like to watch my friends free solo. Nobody really likes to watch free soloing — because, as you see here, and as audiences experience, it's just uncomfortable to watch somebody in that kind of position." It should come so no surprise, then, that the impact of the cameras on Honnold's climb — and the impact of his mammoth endeavour upon Vasarhelyi, Chin and their team — is as much a part of Free Solo as the eventual feat itself. Indeed, the documentary doesn't shy away from the emotional toll on those recording Honnold's every move, or the planning that went into ensuring that the filming process didn't take a toll on Honnold. "The crew did a remarkable job of insulating me from any of those [negative] feelings and just staying neutral throughout it all," says Honnold, noting that the cameras didn't feel like they changed his experience "at all". That said, if something had gone awry, Honnold wasn't worried for himself, or about the fact that his literal downfall would be caught on camera. "To me, if something went wrong — if I fell off and I died — I don't really care what happens to the footage after that because I'm dead," he says. Instead, his concerns lay with traumatising the camera crew, who are also his climbing pals. Honnold doesn't just expose the most dangerous moments of his life to Free Solo, however. The film also dives deep into his personal life, including his relationship with new girlfriend Sanni McCandless, which becomes strained as her worry for his safety and their life together is largely ignored as Honnold zeros in on his goal. As someone who'd clearly rather get on with the business of climbing, rather than talk about it, it's the more intimate side of his daily existence that proved the hardest part to share — and to watch later. "I cringed my way through that. I normally pull my hood really deep and cover my eyes. It's hard to watch. And a lot of it is hard to watch because I'm just not a great boyfriend and I'm not a great partner to Sanni." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XhsuT0xctI Free Solo is now screening in Australian cinemas. Read our full review. Images: Madman / National Geographic / Jimmy Chin.
Armchair economists, let alone real ones, received something of a nasty surprise today, as the RBA announced inflation figures climbed in the September quarter, with consumer prices rising at an annual pace of 3.2 percent. Considering the June quarter was measured at 2.1 percent, it's safe to say that anyone holding out for another interest rate cut (or cheaper groceries) in the near future has had their hopes dashed. Yet one piece of positive news headed our way could be the price of coffee. While it has felt like the cost has gone up and up over the last year or two, procurement experts at Proxima are predicting that coffee prices will stabilise, or even fall, in 2026. According to Proxima, arabica coffee futures have jumped 55 percent year-on-year. At the same time, the average caffeine hit in Australia has increased 37 percent since pre-pandemic lows of $5.50. Yet the "perfect storm of supply chain disruptions" is expected to ease soon. With global coffee stocks falling to 20-year lows, soaring coffee prices were partly caused by extreme weather events that slashed exports from Brazil and Vietnam by 30 percent. As Australia imports 90 percent of its beans, it's no surprise the cost at your local cafe took off. Although cafes still face major hurdles — rising rents, wages, operational costs and more — at least getting the beans in the grinder might be a little more affordable. Sure, it won't fix the cost-of-living crisis, but ordering a flat white that won't break the bank is a small win worth celebrating. Looking for a cheap meal? Check out the Ten Best Places to Dine Out Under $20 Right Now.
Games bars are only getting more popular in Melbourne — where you can play mini golf, do a spot of bowling, participate in carnival-style games or simply throw axes at a wall. And one of Melbourne's newest joint providing a space for competitive socialising (with plenty of food and bevs) is the international darts bar Flight Club. But unlike your usual bar that has a dart board located in some random corner (likely, with plenty of broken darts), Flight Club is a massive tech-filled space that offers a heap of different ways to play the classic game. These dart boards are digitally enhanced to track your scores and teach you how to play each of the different kinds of games, and they're surrounded by booths that are all yours when you make a booking. Food and drinks are also easily delivered right to your booth, so you can stay focused on beating your colleagues or mates. When it comes to drinks, Flight Club will be serving up a decent selection of wine and beer, plus a slew of signature cocktails like the Passion Dart-a-Rita (passionfruit margarita) and trophy cocktails that are served in a legit trophy with straws for everyone. Food is mostly shareable and made for the masses — think pizza paddles, popcorn chicken and sticky pork belly bites — so you can eat and play darts at the same time. One hand can hold a slice of pizza while the other chucks darts. Whether you're after a relaxed date-night spot, bottomless brunch with mates, or after-work hang with colleagues, this spot is a bullseye.
The results of the 36th edition of the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition have just been announced, revealing the best pies, sausage rolls and pasties across Australia. The competition, which ran over four days at the Fine Food Event at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, welcomed over 1500 entries from more than 200 bakeries. This year's winners, across 15 categories, came from far and wide. Paradise Bakehouse in Bundaberg, Queensland, won the award for the best plain meat pie. Banana Boogie in Belair, South Australia, took out the award for the best plain sausage roll. The best gourmet pie was a beef bourguignon version from Mount Barker Country Bakery in Western Australia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daisy (@australia.food.drink) There is a wide range of categories judged, including everything from the best gourmet seafood pie to the best slow-cooked barbecue pie and the best brekkie pie. The best vegetarian pie was a roasted cauliflower pie with black truffle and provolone cheese sauce. An apple and raspberry pie from Miami Bakehouse Greenfield in Western Australia took out the dessert pie category. Victoria took out the best manufacturing sausage roll, the best gourmet game pie, and the best gluten-free pie awards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miami Bakehouse (@miamibakehouse) Over $50,000 in prize money and products were on the table, but the real prize of the competition in the past has been the remarkable boost in sales for winning bakeries. Previous winning bakeries have attracted customers from hours away, with lines out the door, to try their award-winning goods. Images: Supplied. For the full list of winners, check out the official website. If all this talk of pies and pastries has made you hungry, check out the best bakeries in Melbourne.
Melbourne is unrepentantly tricksy about its hidden bars — poking them down alleys, up flights of stairs and through fake doors. You'll find Melbourne underground bars scattered all over the place too. The city wants you to work for your liquor. But hey, where's the fun in a well-lit, obvious bar that everyone knows about? No matter how many hoops Melbourne makes punters jump through, there's no denying it's home to some pretty beaut bars. The word "underground" certainly echoes around the traps when it comes to the coolest places to check out — with a swag of venues embracing the secretive speakeasy culture. And a lot of these bars speak to that second meaning of "underground", too: they are literally located under the ground. Good for impressing a date, taking someone from out of town or just for a well-deserved after-work tipple, these are the best basement bars in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Bars in Melbourne Melbourne's Best Pubs and Bars with Fireplaces The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Sunday Roasts in Melbourne State of Grace When State of Grace served its last drinks on Collins Street in 2017 — shutting up shop along with its secret cellar bar Fall From Grace — it wasn't gone for long. In 2018, the city hot-spot made a triumphant return. Resurrected in style on King Street, the well-loved venue made one hell of a comeback. At its new digs, old-world decor meets contemporary flair, finished with a touch of the experimental. Mirrors, marble and chandeliers abound through both the European-style restaurant at street level and the hidden drinking den tucked below. As with the original, the latter is accessed through a bookshelf, though here it's swapped the soaring ceilings for a more intimate space that's scattered with lounges and vintage knick-knacks. Beneath Driver Lane Beneath Driver Lane has a tonne of atmosphere, even before you get inside: there's a velvet rope ushering you in, and a door that opens automatically. That's a whole lot of fanfare, but it'll make you feel pretty special. The Melbourne basement bar pulls its influence from New Orleans — all blues and rum, moody lighting, and black and white photos on the walls. There's a raclette sourdough toastie, which, obviously, would be worth trekking across several cities for, along with jamón croquettes and dijon chicken wings with spicy aioli. Add to that the over 400 different spirits, plus the sweet touches like refreshment mints in the bathrooms (in case you're on a date and it's going well) and stacks of live music, and Beneath Driver Lane makes for a very worthy underground jaunt. Juliet Punch Lane's downstairs sibling Juliet has a bunch of cool stuff going on — including the fact that its modus operandi is to support and represent female winemakers, distillers and cheese producers. For a dose of girl power and, really, just a great night with nice vibes, head down to the basement bar on Little Bourke Street — it's all pink neon, concrete and hand-blown glass down here. The venue offers a swag of signature cocktails, alongside cheese, charcuterie and snacks; think: salt cod croquettes, freshly shucked oysters and anchovies on toast. Settle in with a tasty bite and a mandarin martini or two, and you'll never want to come up from underground. [caption id="attachment_747858" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jana Langhorst[/caption] Dessous As the name — which means 'underneath' in French — suggests, this cosy wine bar and eatery is of the subterranean variety. Sibling to restaurant Hazel above, Dessous boasts a charming space deep within the heritage-listed T&G Building, featuring interiors by award-winning design firm The Stella Collective. Hop on down to this underground bar in Melbourne, nabbing a plush banquette seat and tucking into the likes of pork jowl skewers, dry-aged duck, spanner crab doughnuts and red curry corn fritters. To match, expect a globe-trotting wine list and plenty of chic cocktails — the rhubarb- and cacao-infused Manhattan feels especially well suited to an underground sipping session. Bar Margaux Old-world Parisian style meets New York chic at this underground haunt from the crew behind The Everleigh and Heartbreaker. Step down into its vision of chequered floors, marble-topped tables and rich burgundy banquettes, and you'll feel like you're escaping to another time and place. Bar Margaux's food is French and effortlessly sophisticated, running to classics like tartare, escargot, steak frites and a daily-changing souffle. An expansive drinks program heroes top-notch Aussie and French wines, and plenty of Champagne, along with revamped classic cocktails for any time of day. This one's partial to a late-night underground session, too, given that it's open till 3am on Saturday nights. Trinket Flinders Lane bar Trinket is well-known for its sourdough pizzas, chic cocktails and the roaring open fire that graces its elegant front bar. But dig a little deeper — namely, through the back of a secret wardrobe — and you'll also discover a hidden Melbourne basement bar tucked away downstairs. Much like its upstairs counterpart, the space is a plush, velvet-filled hideaway — just with the addition of heavy curtains and moody lighting to transport you far from that street-level buzz. Steal away down here for a quiet tipple or two; perhaps a classic bramble, a spicy riff on a margarita, or the spiced rum- and coffee-infused Vintage Charm might tempt your tastebuds. Castlerose Glen Bagnara knows a thing or two about opening a treasured neighbourhood bar, as one of the minds behind Hemingway's Wine Room and Prahran's Bar Bianco. For this next trick, he transformed the basement beneath his daytime diner Clementine to create a moodier and altogether more playful old-world bar: Castlerose. Fine champagne is served in vintage-style coupes. Classic European cocktails come in intricate stemware. An old-school cheese cart is wheeled around for anyone who wants to handpick wedges of local and imported cheeses that regularly change. But the most playful aspects of the dining experience are those with supper club touches. At this Melbourne basement bar, the confit duck comes wrapped up like a cigar, served in a wooden cigar box with an ashtray of olive dust. And the duck rillettes come in a sealed tin, ready to be peeled open and enjoyed with fig jam, cornichons and slices of toasted baguette. It's delicious and fun. Bar Clara Located in a basement space in Chinatown, under the arch near Exhibition Street, this watering hole slings a custom, frequently changing cocktail list that blends fresh ingredients with modern techniques. Bar Clara's neat selection of beer, cider and wine is also a winner, as is the kitchen's tasty range of bites — such as a baked brie served with cranberry sauce and mini toasts, mushroom and miso toasties, and panna cotta that comes with a seasonal coulis and white chocolate lattice. Decor-wise, prepare to sip and snack in a dimly-lit space decked out with plants, concrete beams, a copper bar top and green velvet couches. The George on Collins Designed by Hecker Guthrie, this sprawling basement space features a collection of revamped private rooms geared towards upscale celebrations with the crew. Make yourself at home in The Attic, tucked upstairs and behind a curtain; enjoy an intimate celebration in The Den; or settle into a feast in new-look private dining room The Rumpus. The glass-fronted Cellar, with views across the rest of the venue, has room for up to 220. The George's most recent menu overhaul sees the kitchen plating up vibrant, Asian-fusion fare for lunch, dinner and late-night sessions alike. Head in for plates of prawn toast, soft shell crab, a selection of stuffed bao buns, miso glazed octopus and tuna tartare. The $89 bottomless brunch every Saturday is also a big win, which includes three sharing dishes, rice and baos, plus free-flowing wine, beer and cocktails for two hours. The Moat The Moat is a step away from the Swanston Street rush, and a step down from the Wheeler Centre entrance on Little Lonsdale Street. Nestled beneath the State Library of Victoria, the bar is located in the basement of the 19th-century bluestone building. Set yourself up with a wine or three while considering the weight of the literature that sits directly above you, and perhaps toasting to Jack Kerouac or Oscar Wilde. Happy hour (4–6pm Tuesday–Saturday) brings with it a whole menu of happy times — i.e. Spanish anchovy crostini with whipped ricotta, handmade pastas and mixed antipasto bites to accompany your wine. It's most definitely worth going underground for. Bodega Underground If you have a big crush on tequila shots, have been giving mezcal some side-eye, or just have an achin' for a margarita, Bodega Underground in Melbourne's CBD might be the place to descend to. The Mexican-themed mezcal bar is located in some pretty cool digs. Hidden up the Parliament end of Little Bourke Street, it boasts scores of vintage Mexican posters as decor and serves up some serious tacos to go along with its extensive tequila selection. There are many – the mezcal and tequila options take up pages and pages of the menu – so you know you're in good hands. Food-wise, try the brisket tacos, slow-cooked lamb ribs or perhaps some Mexican fried chicken. They're all good alone, but they switch to another level when paired with some agave options from the bar or when included within it's bottomless brunch offering. Valhalla A moody underground oasis for the after-work crowd, Valhalla is a Nordic-inspired drinking den nestled within the Olderfleet building on Collins Street. The brainchild of international coworking space company Work Club, the bar is decked out in dramatic dark tones, with leather booth seating, metallic finishes and lots of statement furniture pieces. From the bar comes a playful and inventive cocktail lineup that changes seasonally. Knock off and pop down to this Melbourne underground bar to enjoy a top-notch cheese platter and a memorable tipple or two. We're all about the reworked negroni crafted on a Davidson Plum aperitivo by Autonomy Distillers. Gin Palace Renowned for its martinis, late night snacks and popularity with both insomniacs and Melbourne's hospitality crowd, Gin Palace a great location to bag a bartender after a long shift. Rich, luxurious and flush with cushioned surfaces and secretive enclaves, it almost begs for a sneaky pash on a dim corner lounge. Ever better, escape with your date to the hidden, fairy-light-lit den that links the venue to Bar Ampere next door — which is open until 3am every night of the week.
