Fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Well, forget about booking a flight — it's just casual summer weekendery when So Frenchy So Chic is in town. The ever-popular one-day French festival is doing the can-can back to Sydney's Bicentennial Park and Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion in January 2023, and celebrating its 12th anniversary in the process. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, très bon tartlets and terrines, and supremely good wine — all set to a blissed-out French soundtrack. So Frenchy hinges on an eclectic lineup of artists, both taking cues from the classic sonic stylings of France and showcasing top-notch French talent. Heading the 2023 bill you'll catch the 60s-accented pop sounds of Pi Ja Ma, award-winning singer-songwriter Timothée Régnier aka Rover and French festival favourite Kalika, as well as the fiery tunes and huge stage presence of globally-renowned artist Suzane. [caption id="attachment_868020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzane[/caption] As always, the wine and food will be flowing just as easily as that chilled soundtrack, headlined by an abundance of bubbly courtesy of Champagne Lanson, one of France's oldest champagne houses. In Sydney, Rosebery French eatery Frenchies is packaging up luxe charcuterie hampers, and you can also tuck into fine French fare from Bellevue Cottage. In Melbourne, Frederic Bistro, Milk The Cow and L'Hôtel Gitan are doing the honours to ensure your day's picnicking is top-quality stuff. If you're more of a mix-and-match kind of picnicker, you'll also find a huge array of food stalls slinging all the chic essentials — think, oysters, lobster rolls, croque monsieurs, cassoulet, madeleines, crème brûlée, crêpes and cheese upon cheese. And of course, there'll be plenty of French beer, cocktails, and rosé, red and white wines, too. [caption id="attachment_868021" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Tekni[/caption] If you're quick, you can snap up one of the limited Premiere Pique-Nique group tickets for crews of 10 — coming it at $205, they include a full picnic set-up, with two cheese hampers, two charcuterie hampers and two bottles of champagne. Early bird tickets are now on sale for $79.40 a pop. If you've got kids, you'll be happy to know that the whole thing is very family-friendly, with children's tickets starting from $10 (free for kids under three). [caption id="attachment_868016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Liz Sunshine[/caption] SO FRENCHY SO CHIC 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Sunday, January 15 — Werribee Park Mansion, Melbourne Saturday, January 21 — Bicentennial Park, Glebe So Frenchy So Chic hits Sydney and Melbourne in January 2023. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website. Images: Liz Sunshine and Tekni.
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.
When 2020 ticked over to 2021, Australians were asked to direct their eyeballs towards a brooding mystery set against our dusty, yellow-hued landscape. We did just that, and in big numbers, too, with The Dry quickly becoming a huge box-office hit. A year later, when 2021 becomes 2022, we'll be tempted to do something similar — but this time it's a six-part Stan series that strands Jamie Dornan in the outback that'll be demanding our attention to start the new year. That show is The Tourist, which sees Dornan add another TV role to his resume alongside The Fall, Death and Nightingales, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time. The Irish actor boasts an eclectic filmography — he's highly likely to get nominated for an Oscar next year for his role in nostalgic drama Belfast, in fact, and he hit Aussie screens big and small in the vastly dissimilar Synchronic, Wild Mountain Thyme and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar this year. For this new part, he plays the titular character, who has no idea why he's in the middle of Australia or even who he is. Written by brothers Harry and Jack Williams (Angela Black), and hailing from the Emmy-winning production company behind The Missing and Fleabag, The Tourist is a mystery-thriller, so its just-dropped first trailer starts out with an uneasy air — as Dornan's character gets pursued by a tank truck trying that's trying to drive him off the road. Things don't get easier after he wakes up in hospital with no memory, unsurprisingly, or when he's chased by plenty of other folks. On-screen, Dornan is joined by a heap of familiar faces, including Aussie actors Danielle Macdonald (French Exit), Alex Dimitriades (Total Control) and Damon Herriman (Mindhunter), English-born Australian talent Shalom Brune-Franklin (Line of Duty) and Icelandic American Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Trapped). You'll be able to binge your way through The Tourist's twists and turns on Sunday, January 2, Check out the trailer below: The Tourist will be available to stream via Stan from Sunday, January 2.
High Street is a busy place. So why traverse the heights of Ruckers Hill when you can stop in the quaint surrounds of Westgarth Village and rest on your laurels at Bar Nonno? On entering the establishment you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more of a boutique wine store with room to sit rather than somewhere to hole up for hours drinking good wine (and eating even better food), but you'll be happy to know this little hidey-hole is a restaurant as well. With head chef David Murphy (previously of French restaurants Bistro Thierry and PM24) behind the pass, it is of no surprise to be presented with a beautifully diverse, yet quintessentially European menu. It's clear that Murphy’s largely French technique has given him a deftness across all European cuisines that manages to be both authentic and surprising at the same time. Ordering is made easy thanks to an open and helpful front of house staff — a rarity in most restaurants with a wine list bordering on 120 listings. The dining menu is split into spuntini, mains, pizza, contorni, dolci and formaggio, but it's the spuntini that's the clear standout at Bar Nonno. The king prawn served with a yuzu mayonnaise ($6 each) proved to be an interesting, but excellent pairing — being aromatic without overpowering. The octopus, served with jamon crumbs ($9.50) is a bold dish that manages to perfectly balance what is essentially bacon lardons, with the charred, robust octopus. The pork belly bites ($8 each) with apple, ginger and an amontillado sherry glaze are one of the more palatable pork belly dishes you’ll try; the sherry glaze and the ginger really cut through the fatty pork, and won’t leave you gasping for air trying to digest it. Equally, the charred broccolini with lemon and coriander seeds ($11) was a side that complemented the meal while still holding its own amongst the spread. If however, you're after something a little simpler, the pizza menu is concise and in favour of showing off one or two key ingredients. The Nonno pizza ($21) with fior di latte and tartufo sopressa goes down a treat with a glass or two of wine. The largely biodynamic wine list is impressive but, what’s more, staff are well versed in pairings and have some impressive knowledge on all the plonk on offer. Sommelier David Carlei has selected wines to suit any palate and the attention to terroir and production methods add a layer of authenticity that is hard to fake. Whether seated in the wine store looking out onto High Street or nestled in the more relaxed and inviting dining rooms, Bar Nonno can cater to all. From the staff to the setting and, of course, the food and wine, it is hard to fault this little Westgarth gem. Nonno would be so proud.
From the adventurous team responsible for Cookie, Boney, The Toff in Town and Revolver Upstairs comes yet another street-transforming venue: The Magic Mountain Saloon, set to open on Wednesday 14 January. Owner Camillo Ippoliti, chef Karen Batson and architect Phillip Schemnitz have rejuvenated a 19th century warehouse on Little Collins Street and magicked it into a one-of-a-kind, saloon-inspired eatery and bar. Drawing on materials salvaged from the renovations, as well as timber, stone and steel, they've reimagined the space, infusing it with a historic yet ethereal feel. The bottom floor maintains a laidback Melbourne warehouse vibe, while a pop-top-style extension on the first floor creates a 1940s, loft-style atmosphere. Archways and balconies afford unusual perspectives on the city — at both street and skyline level. And fashion/art designer Misha Hollenbach (Perks and Mini, PAM) has filled two walls with beautiful murals. Batson brings twelve years of experience to the menu. Combining Thai and Australian sensibilities and flavour profiles, she encourages a casual, fun, tasty approach to eating. Breakfast goodies include freshly squeezed soya bean milk, coconut pikelets and papaya; heart-warming congee and rice soups; steamed eggs and roasted pork belly; and Thai staple Kanom Jeen. Then at lunch and dinner, the woodfired grill is ignited for the turning of classics into Thai-inspired specials and the creation of hearty surprises. Promising morsels include potted duck, spiced pineapple and onion roll; veal scallopini with apple eggplant and turmeric; stir fried kale and crispy pork; pork scratchings, sticky pork and beer batter mussels; and green prawns, cured kingfish and bitter melon, with lemongrass, mint and green chilli. Just as much care is going into the soundtrack as every other element, with Phil Ransom, who's been involved with the team's aforementioned venues, programming both recorded music and a rotating schedule of DJs. "We have always aimed to produce warm, vibrant and convivial spaces," says Schemnitz. "I hope that Magic Mountain Saloon will be a place that people look forward to coming to, whether it be to pause between home and office, to meet friends or lovers, to steal some quiet time from an increasingly hectic world or to go looking for late-night stimulation and excitement. I hope that it will be a place in which people walk through the door and feel better. Our cities need such places. They define us in a way that natural beauty might define other cities." Magic Mountain Saloon, found at 62 Little Collins St, Melbourne, opens on Wednesday, January 14. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 7am-3am (kitchen open till midnight), Friday 7am-3am (kitchen till 1am), Saturday 8am-3am (kitchen till 1am) and Sunday 8am-3am (kitchen till midnight). Image: Michelle Tran.
Last chance, Swifties: just days away from Taylor Swift's first Eras gigs in Melbourne, more tickets to the entire Australia leg of the singer's tour are going on sale. If you missed out when her Aussie visit was first announced, then when extra shows were added and also when the first batch of new tickets were released, you'll be wishing on your friendship bracelets that your luck comes through now. The additional ticket drop comes as setting up Swifts shows is underway, meaning that exactly which seats are spare has been worked out. Some have restricted views, and will cost only $65.90. There's tickets available for all shows, going on sale on today, Tuesday, February 13. Folks eager to attend this weekend's shows at the MCG in Melbourne — which take place between Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — will want to try to grab tickets at 2pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 13. In Sydney, for dates across Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 at Accor Stadium, you'll be getting clicking at 4pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 13. [caption id="attachment_940473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paolo Villanueva via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Perhaps it won't be a cruel summer after all for Swift fans who've haven't nabbed tickets so far. When Sydney and Melbourne stops for Swift's career-spanning showcase were announced in June 2023, it sparked a rush for seats. Indeed, before general sales even started, the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together', 'Shake It Off' and 'Bad Blood' musician had announced an extra gig in both cities. And, the Victorian Government even declared her Melbourne stint a major event so that anti-scalping legislation would apply to tickets. It's Swift's world and we're just living in it at the moment. She was a major feature of this year's Super Bowl. Melbourne is getting a pop-up offsite merch store ahead of her MCG concerts. Both Aussie stadiums hosting her tour are doing presales on merchandise in advance. And the Victorian capital is also extending its free tram zone to the MCG to help the 86,000 people expected each night to get to the shows. If you manage to snap up a ticket in the new drop and fill that blank space in your calendar, you'll see Swift working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular. This is Swift's first tour Down Under since 2018, when she brought her Reputation shows to not only Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane and Perth, too. And if you're wondering what's in store, then you clearly haven't seen Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour as a movie, aka a concert film of her latest shows that hit cinemas Down Under last October, digital in December and is on its way to Disney+ in March. [caption id="attachment_906254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Australian Dates 2024: Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to Australia from Friday, February 16–Monday, February 26. Additional seats will go on sale on Tuesday, February 13 — at 2pm AEDT for Melbourne shows and 4pm AEDT for Sydney shows. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.
Summer might be over, but when winter adventures abound somewhere like Tasmania, there's no excuse for hiding indoors. Surrounded by views so awe-inspiring, you really won't care if you need to pack an extra jacket or two. Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state, but it's got a massive reputation, especially among hikers and adventurers from all over the globe. From epic multi-day coastal walks and summit lookouts to remote islands that display the state's famously rugged landscape, Tasmania is a natural wonderland that'll satisfy your explorer spirit. To help you get prepped and planned, we've tracked down five breathtaking places to hike that perfectly express why folks just can't get enough of this beauty. THREE CAPES TRACK Considered one of Australia's most impressive bushwalks, the Three Capes Track combines soaring clifftops that offer incredible views of the Southern Ocean with a myriad of rugged windswept landscape and the possibility of peeping some glittering Aurora Australis. Over the course of 48 kilometres, this multi-day hike tours across the southeast's most famous capes: the trio of Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul. Along the way, the natural landscape shifts from woodland to eucalypt forest — before you arrive at the coastline and get a spectacular view of the Blade, which juts out into the ocean. If you feel like making your visit extra-special, consider taking the Three Capes Lodge Walk, dotted with boutique overnight eco-stays and making your adventure a little cosier. [caption id="attachment_718814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Painted Cliffs on Maria Island. Courtesy of Flow Mountain Bike.[/caption] MARIA ISLAND Just off Tassie's celebrated east coast, Maria Island boasts a seemingly endless variety of wildlife and plants. Whether you're keen on spotting wallabies, Tasmanian devils or wombats, you're bound to see at least one. Plus, in the winter, there are fewer crowds here so you'll get all of these sights practically to yourself. There's also an astounding range of natural landmarks, such as the island's famed marbled sandstone marvels, The Painted Cliffs and Haunted Bay, which showcases enormous granite cliffs overlooking the sea — a very dramatic site to see during Tasmania's rugged winters. Accessible only by ferry, Maria Island is covered by dozens of spectacular walking tracks with lots of picturesque spots to pitch a tent. There are also firepits already stocked with wood for you to cosy up to at night. If you have less time on your hands, e-bike trips around this World Heritage Listed island are another great way to cover some ground. It'll be quite the active stay and a seriously scenic trip, too — with all those trails highlighting the very best of Tassie's coastline from an offshore vantage. [caption id="attachment_718811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and James Bowden.[/caption] PANDANI GROVE The drive to Mount Field National Park is almost as special as the destination, with the park located 80 kilometres west of Hobart through the Derwent Valley. Your trip isn't over yet; in fact, you'll have to trek deep into the state's oldest national park, which is often dusted with snow in winter. On your hike, you'll pass rushing waterfalls before reaching the Pandani Grove. This otherworldly nature walk winds its way alongside Lake Dobson and features the rather odd looking pandani fern, which only grows in Tassie and is quite the marvel, especially when cloaked in snow. Even compared to Tasmania's wealth of natural landmarks, Pandani Grove stands out — it's the kind of place you won't find anywhere else in a hurry. MOUNT RUFUS CIRCUIT Starting from the Lake St Clair visitor centre, the Mount Rufus Circuit walk takes hikers on a journey through an incredible display of natural beauty. Take the Watersmeet Nature Trail through a peppermint gum forest and, eventually, you'll come to the Mount Rufus summit track junction. Make a turn upwards and trek seven-and-a-half kilometres to the peak where you'll be welcomed with panoramic vistas that are hard to beat. As well as looking over Lake St Clair far below, you'll also score views of Mount Olympus, the immense Frenchmans Cap and the Franklin River that winds its way through the landscape. And the fact that all of these sights will be dusted with snow, will make your trek through this veritable winter wonderland all the more magical. [caption id="attachment_721403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Fleming.[/caption] MARIONS LOOKOUT Cradle Mountain is possibly Tasmania's most popular mountain, typifying the rugged terrain that the island is known for. The sprawling region is filled with highlights just about everywhere you look, but few can match the beauty of Marions Lookout — especially when it's covered in snow. To get there, you'll have to be willing to take on a rather strenuous three-hour return trek, but the gradual climb will take you through stunning scenery like snowy forests, white-frosted peaks and around some glacial lakes. Of course, once you reach the summit, you'll almost certainly forget that your legs feel a bit like jelly — unsurprisingly, the 360-degree views of spectacular winter wonderland provide the perfect distraction. Roam the summit and admire the vantage over the rest of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes. Yep, this is quite the hike. Top image: The Candlestick at Cape Hauy by Jason Charles Hill.
Everybody loves food. The glorious stuff keeps us alive, after all. But our relationship with it is so much more than just one of sustenance. It's a deep love based on bold flavours and gastro-satisfaction — and it's a love so strong that we're willing to cross seas, hop on rickety buses and pay big money to travel far-flung countries just to get our hands on what could be the world's best sandwich, or the perfect cup of coffee. Culinary tourism is one of the top reasons people travel, and travelling for a food festival is one of the most hectic, informative and fun ways to immerse yourself in the city's food culture. So take a coffee break and scroll through some of the world's most delicious food festivals. They're events we reckon are worth dusting off the passport and busting out your custom chilli spoon for. And even if you can't make it to the actual event, it might at least give you an inspired idea of what to eat for dinner tonight. AUSTIN FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL, TEXAS, USA Austin has long been the culinary darling of the United States, and the glorious April feast that is the Austin Food + Wine Festival is the best way to find out why. As well as artisanal food and booze from a slew of local vendors, there's usually a fire pit, a taco showdown, interactive demonstrations, live music and meet and greets with America's top chefs. There's so much on you won't even be thinking about the exchange rate — just about how much you can fit in your tummy. When? Late April. COPENHAGEN COOKING, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK So we all know about Noma (especially after Rene Redzepi brought the restaurant to Sydney earlier this year), but do you know anything else about Danish cuisine? Probably not. But your one-way ticket to finding out is attending the Copenhagen Cooking food festival. This lovely little festival (which was in fact modelled in part on Melbourne Food and Wine Festival) will have you biking all over the small city to eat all the smørrebrød and skagen you possibly can. They also have a heap of good coffee and natural wine to try. The festival itself includes a wide range of events, from slow food dinners held in barns on the outskirts of town to cupping sessions and a long table outdoor feast that takes over a street in the city's Frederiksberg area. When? Late August. [caption id="attachment_594133" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Seth Lui via Singapore Food Festival[/caption] SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL, SINGAPORE The entirely unique blend of cultural flavours (and price points) that is Singapore's cuisine jumps out at you like nobody's business at this annual celebration of eating as much as you deem safe. At the Singapore Food Fest, top chefs (many Michelin-starred) re-imagine classics in market stalls, and street vendors around town dish out every delicious colour of the foodie rainbow. This year they were even serving up something called laksagne — that's laksa-flavoured lasagne. Yep. When? Mid July. FOOD AND FUN FESTIVAL, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND With Iceland's relative proximity to the well-known food scene of Copenhagen (thanks to Noma) and the fact that it's on just about every traveller's bucket list, it's no surprise to see the culinary delights of Reykjavik becoming more and more popular. The most popular food event in the nation's capital, the Food and Fun Festival, sees restaurants across the city gather together to showcase Iceland's best home-grown produce over a few days in March. When? Early March. [caption id="attachment_594107" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Binder.donedat via Flickr.[/caption] PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL, PHUKET, THAILAND Although it's already passed us by this year, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is definitely worth marking down on your travel calendar. The festival is actually a religious one, and celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstaining from meat and other stimulants during the ninth lunar month and praying to the Nine Emperor Gods for good health and peace of mind. It packs in ten days of intricate ceremonies — from fire walking to others too gruesome to mention — all while following a strict vego diet. Their mock meat game is strong and the food is stellar, with nature's produce being cooked with such skill that it'll probably never taste better. Remember this is a religious festival though, and if you attend you'll have to follow the festival's ten rules (no alcohol is one of them). When? Early October (but changes with the lunar calendar). L'APLEC DEL CARAGOL, LLEIDA, SPAIN Deep in the heart of Catalonia lies the city of Lleida — and every year in May, it plays host to up to 200,000 visitors for the annual gathering of snails. Essentially, it's a huge snail feast. The festival, named l'Aplec del Caragol, lays it on with parades, bands and whole mess of snails to consume. Last year, twelve tonnes were demolished across the weekend. When? Late May. WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL, CANCUN, MEXICO Legging it to a destination for food doesn't necessarily mean sticking with the local offerings, so why not treat yourself to a festival of pure world class gastronomy? Cancun's Wine & Food Festival is regularly hosted by some of the best chefs in the world, and it comes with the jaw dropping scenery of Caribbean in the background. Plus, you can snack on street tacos in-between events if you're still hungry. When? Early October. LE SALON DU CHOCOLAT, PARIS, FRANCE This one's pretty straight up and simple: a four-day chocolate festival in Paris. Le Salon du Chocolat sees hundreds of pastry chefs, chocolatiers and confectioners from all around the world descend on Paris for a whole long weekend's worth of take my money now. That's a bender to really get behind. When? Late October. Top image: Copenhagen Cooking.
With its Cheap Trick-sung opening theme tune, 90s and 00s sitcom favourite That '70s Show described its setup perfectly: hangin' out down the street, the same old thing we did last week. The decade clearly changes in sequel series That '90s Show, and viewers don't yet know if the introductory track does as well, but the same idea will still ring true in the new Netflix sitcom — based on its just-dropped full trailer, at least. Prepare for nostalgia on plenty of levels — including for the OG series itself, and for the 90s era that this follow-up is set in. Helping the former: the fact that the bulk of the initial comedy series' cast is back this time around, although they're not the focus. Instead, teenager Leia Forman (Callie Haverda, The Lost Husband) is. So, while Topher Grace (Home Economics), Laura Prepon (Orange Is the New Black), Mila Kunis (Luckiest Girl Alive), Ashton Kutcher (Vengeance) and Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS) all pop up, returning to the characters of Eric Forman, Donna Forman, Jackie Burkhart, Michael Kelso and Fez — and Debra Jo Rupp (WandaVision) and Kurtwood Smith (The Dropout) are also back as Eric's parents Kitty and Red — a new group of high schoolers will be hanging out both down the street and in the Forman family basement. In his typical cantankerous manner, Red is hardly thrilled about it. Kitty, though, revels having more kids to look after. If you're keen on That '90s Show for the returning old faves, take note: the new crew is firmly in the spotlight in this sneak peek. But all of those aforementioned original characters do indeed make an appearance in the trailer, and make it feel like no time has passed at all. That '90s Show hits Netflix on Thursday, January 19, with the 1995-set series revisiting Point Place, Wisconsin during Leia's summer trip to see her grandparents. Hardly popular at school, she finally feels like she belongs with Kitty and Red's rebellious teen neighbour Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide, Four Kids and It), her brother Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan, Gabby Duran & The Unsittables), his girlfriend Nikki (Sam Morelos, Forgetting Nobody), and their pals Ozzie (Reyn Doi, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) and Jay (Mace Coronel, Colin in Black & White). As well as nostalgia, expect déjà vu to strike amid the familiar sets — clearly by design. Behind the scenes, creators Bonnie and Terry Turner are back, also with their daughter Lindsey Turner. Yes, the multi-generational vibe flows on- and off-screen. In fact, in front of the camera, that even includes Tommy Chong (Color Out of Space) returning as Leo. Check out the trailer for That '90s Show below: That '90s Show will hit Netflix on Thursday, January 19, 2022. Images: Patrick Wymore/Netflix © 2022.
On the hunt for a new CBD coffee destinations to add to your rotation? Handily enough, Peddler Espresso has just moved into One Melbourne Quarter. Making its home within the building's striking lobby, the cafe sits beneath the new Collins Street Sky Park, bringing a new double-whammy coffee offering to that oft-forgotten pocket near Southern Cross Station. Rocking an impressive Woods Baggot fit-out, complete with punchy red Levanto Italian marble countertops, Peddler is the latest creation from Abbotsford's designer caffeine haven Kitty Burns. The newcomer has a European lean to both its food and espresso offering, the menu crafted almost entirely on produce from South Melbourne's Emerald Hill Deli. Expect crafty grab-and-go options, such as toasted sandwiches stuffed with bacon, gruyère, blackberry jam and jalapeño, classic baguette combinations, and croissants filled with sopressa and provolone.
Melbourne isn't short on Mexican joints — we've got a heap of good 'uns already on high rotation. But, still, it's set to get a dose of unapologetic neon-lit Tex-Mex when El Camino Cantina opens in the old Fitzroy Social (and Little Creatures) space on Brunswick Street next month. El Camino comes from Sydney where is has two outposts, along with another in Brisbane, and is part of Rockpool Dining Group, which also owns Sake, Rosetta, Munich Brauhaus, Burger Project and, of course, Rockpool Bar & Grill. This loud venue is made for casual dining, but it's also and over-the-top with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, lively Tex-Mex fare and sprawling 400-seat dining room and bar. Slushie machines signal big nights and brain freezes. El Camino's margaritas come in many renditions, including a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a collection of over 100 mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. It'll all rounded out with a solid selection of daily specials, including 10-cent chicken wings on Wednesdays (when you buy a drink), $2 tacos on Tuesdays, brunch on weekends and a weekday happy hour from 4–6pm. The venue will launch on Friday, June 14 with free tequila shots on arrival and $7.50 giant margaritas and 'chalices' of beer continuing throughout the whole weekend. El Camino Cantina will open at 222 Brunswick Street on Friday, June 14. Images: El Camino Cantina Manly by Tom Ferguson. CORRECTION: JUNE 13, 2019 — This article previously incorrectly stated that 10-cent wings were available on Tuesdays and $2 tacos on Wednesdays, it's the other way round. We've updated the piece to reflect this.
In the lead-up to its tenth birthday, artisan cacao brand Mörk opened the doors to a second outpost for its much-loved range of fine drinking chocolates and other handmade sweet treats; this time taking over an old lift shaft in a CBD laneway. The new pint-sized digs in Equitable Place are slinging Mörk's signature hot — and chilled — chocolate drinks, along with a range of take-home products and sweet treats, all for takeaway. This tiny haven is also where you'll find the cult-favourite Swedish cinnamon buns from sister label, Söt by Mörk. The store's range of luxe drinking chocolate trips through varying degrees of cacao darkness, all ready to enjoy with your choice of regular, oat or coconut milk (from $6). Or, if you prefer coffee, the caffeinated lineup comes courtesy of a collaboration with Patricia Coffee Brewers ($4.5). That famed Campfire Hot Chocolate also gets a spin here, with its theatrical show of smoke, chocolate and toasted marshmallow ($9). The hole-in-the-wall is turning out a range of plant-based beverages, too, including a hazelnut and almond blend ($8), and a Bounty-inspired fusion of caramelised coconut and sea salt ($8). And should your sweet tooth need a little extra lovin', there's a cabinet full of goodies from the Söt line — gooey twice-baked chocolate cake, florentines finished with Rooftop Honey, and miniature pistachio bundts loaded with yuzu chocolate ganache, to name a few. [caption id="attachment_825088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mork's Campfire Hot Chocolate, by Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
If there's one food experience that's just as good enjoyed on your couch as in any fancy restaurant, it's a good old-fashioned cheese and wine session. A dabble in some gourmet dairy, matched with some crackers and a glass or two of vino — it's a much-loved culinary ritual that not even lockdown can mess with. And there are some Melbourne suppliers that can deliver the whole cheesy, booze-matched situation directly to you, with just a few clicks of a button. Whether you've got a thing for d'affinois, are craving some camembert, or only have eyes for the cheddar, we've found a cheese and wine delivery service to suit. Clear off that coffee table and check out these local spots delivering wine and cheese o'clock to your couch. HIGH CHEESE BY THE WESTIN The Westin's famed High Cheese feasts have been reimagined for lockdown, now available as elegant at-home packs delivered via Providoor. Designed for two ($189), this one's a collaborative, cheese-filled high tea, featuring a selection of Melbourne favourites. There's a pop-up high tea stand, to be loaded up with sweet and savoury cheese creations from both The Westin's kitchen and Prahran's Maker & Monger. Think, oozy baked camembert with crusty bread, gouda scones with caramelised apricot butter and creamy Basque-style cheesecake. And on the drinks front, you've got a 1.5-litre pack of spicy mulled wine from Bar Clara's new side project Scarlet & Clove. The whole tasty haul comes packed in a Maker & Monger tote bag that's yours to keep. How much? $189. Order here. THAT'S AMORE It's one of the best local cheese producers in the biz, but That's Amore is proving it's also got some chops when it comes to pairing libations with those cheesy delights. The company has created a range of gourmet gift boxes available for home delivery, including a handful of drinks-matched options that are primed for lockdown. If vino is the go, you'll find both a classic wine and cheese box, and a premium edition, each showcasing That's Amore signatures like the crumbly buffalotto, a soft-rind caciotta or the aptly named newcomer, Isolation Blue. You'll even get to choose which Italian wine's included in your stash, with options like Il Palazzo's chianti and a Salatin pinot grigio. Gourmet crackers round out the fun. How much? $70–90. Order here. HANDPICKED WINES X MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL This year's Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has moved to a virtual format, but you can rest easy because it's bringing the cinema candy bar to your place, too. MIFF has teamed up with Handpicked Wines to create two movie-friendly wine and cheese boxes, available for next-day delivery across Melbourne. There's a classic pack ($80) and a luxe edition ($195), each starring vino from top local regions like the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley. To match, you'll find gourmet crackers and a couple of top-notch cheese options, such as some ashed chèvre from Meredith, a wedge of L'Artisan's Mountain Man, or the cloth-bound cheddar from Tassie's Pyengana. It all comes boxed and ready to devour, with the option of adding on a curated MIFF film bundle. How much? $80–195. Order here. MCCOPPINS HAWTHORN If you've got a penchant for pick-and-mix snacking, consider McCoppins' Hawthorn store a cheese board gold mine. The grocer has an impressive collection of deli goods available via its online shop, featuring cheese, meats, dips, olives and scores of other accompaniments, sourced from Australia and abroad. You'll find everything from crumbly Bay of Fires cheddar and Milawa's goat's camembert through to the grape skin-coated Occelli tetsun de barolo out of Italy. And to match, there's a hefty range of booze, including lots of local and international wines for all budgets. Stick closer to home with something like a chardonnay from the Yarra Valley's TarraWarra Estate, or head to Europe by way of an Italian sangiovese. Select suburbs can score express delivery on their orders, seven days a week. How much? Price per item. Order here. MILK THE COW Veteran of the cheese and booze match-making game, Milk the Cow is a cheese-scoffing destination of choice for many Melburnians. And now, it's bringing all that expertise to your house, with a series of hampers available now for home delivery. For the full experience, opt for one of those featuring paired beverages, based around specific varieties like rosé, dessert wine or even whisky. The Australian Wine and Cheese hamper ($150) is packed with local goodies, like the Yarra Valley's Airlie Bank pinot noir and fermier cheese from L'Artisan. Or, you might be taken by the boutique beer-matched combo ($135), starring a selection of craft brews alongside the likes of Kris Lloyd camembert and a gouda from the Netherlands. And if you live close to either store, you'll even score free delivery. How much? $135–210. Order here. [caption id="attachment_779499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Pannell[/caption] KING & GODFREE Legendary Italian grocer King & Godfree is basically a one-stop-shop for all your iso feasting needs, handily delivered to your doorstep. Especially if cheese and vino are at the top of your shopping list. The online store has a dreamy collection of deli goods to browse and buy, as well as a couple of antipasto boxes ($75–110) loaded with cheese, salumi, olives, house pickles, fresh baguette and more. Maximum snackage, minimal decision-making. To take it all to the next level, simply finish off your order with a boozy addition from King & Godfree's wine selection. There's an impressive lineup of drops from both Australia and Italy, with varietals to suit every palate. Perhaps a 2017 Monte Tondo valpolicella from Veneto for some Euro flair? How much? Antipasto boxes from $75. Order here. AUSTIN'S X L'ARTISAN Moorabool Valley winery Austin's has combined talents with renowned French-style cheesemaker L'Artisan and Geelong specialty grocer Fresh Food Merchant. The result? A line of lockdown-friendly cheese and wine packs guaranteed to step up your cheese board game and boost your mood. There are five packs to choose from, championing different wine styles and showcasing each drop's best cheese matches. Bunker down with the trio of reds, paired with three wedges of L'Artisan's finest ($130), or perhaps try a broader range of Austin's vino alongside four cheeses and gourmet accompaniments ($199). Whichever pack you choose, you'll be digging into some top-notch local goodies and supporting a couple of great Victorian producers in the process. How much? $85–199. Over here. Top image: Milk The Cow
We usually associate the word 'diner' with some kind of hokey themed establishment, probably with singing wait staff, linoleum floors and greasy oversized portions. And though this brand new Windsor eatery may take its name from those other dubious incarnations of the word, Parlour Diner is thankfully nothing like them. This surely stems from the guiding hand of its owner, former Milky Joe's proprietor Adrian Van Lieshout. Choosing the tiny space next to Windsor station as his new outpost, Van Lieshout and business partner Dorian Padgham wanted to create a 'comfortable little space', and those words are crucial to the experience of Parlour Diner. Though the place is almost full to the brim once its few tables are occupied, there's a sense of camaraderie between the patrons, mostly a local crowd. Whilst cafes on Chapel Street have a tendency to be overpriced and overcrowded, Parlour Diner's tiny size keeps it grounded with a sense of community rather than commodity. The menu takes its cues from a 1920s rather than 1950s diner sensibility, which makes for heartier, healthier dining options, even on a meat-drenched menu. Carnivores will find their mecca here with options like buttermilk fried chicken chops (4 for $15) or BBQ ribs drenched in a smoky hickory sauce (six for $22.5). And then there's the burgers. There's a colourful list to choose from, ranging from classic to culturally inspired choices. You could play it safe and choose the simple but excellent Parlour Burger; a rich 8oz beef patty with the usual additions like fresh tomato, lettuce and pickles ($12) or take the road less travelled with options such as the Miss Saigon – which pairs a crunchy handmade fish patty with lemongrass and ginger to pack a spicy punch ($15) – or the Asian Pork Slider, a new take on the former incarnation at Milky Joe's ($12). There's even a tofu Earth Burger ($13) for the vegetarians out there, who could also go for the perfectly indulgent Mascarpone macaroni and cheese ($9). The generous breakfast options (as many eggs as you like, for $9.50) or the flat top hot dogs that feature adventurous toppings like chipotle and celery salt ($10) are worth a visit too. And then there's the onion rings ($5), lightly battered in Pale Ale and thick enough to satisfy as a snacking option. By elegantly tying together the popularity of American style dining with a Melbourne café mentality, Van Lieshout and Padgham have managed to combine the best of both worlds, creating an atmosphere that takes the humble diner restaurant well into the contemporary dining experience.
Bottomless cocktails, brunch and beats... it's hard to think of a better way to banish a hangover on an autumn afternoon. Yes, Melbourne's hip hop brunch is back, and this time it's serving up R 'n' B tunes as well. Oh, and did we mention that it includes karaoke too? On April 15, doors will open at 11am, which is when brunch will be served. This'll give you a chance to get yourself fed before hitting the booze at midday — bottomless Champagne will last an hour and help everyone warm up for an afternoon of hip hop and R 'n' B karaoke. If the concept sounds familiar, it's because it comes by way of London; this is the first Australian offshoot. The whole thing will go down at Two Wrongs. Even though it's called a brunch, it'll inevitably carry onto into the late, late afternoon.
Don't be fooled by the petite shopfront and narrow entryway — this new South Yarra cafe may be but tiny, but it's packing in some big flavours. Perched near the busy corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street, Tom Dick & Harry has been busily cementing its status as one of the area's better coffee spots. Even if you haven't been in yet, social media has undoubtedly introduced you to their takeaway cups, which are stamped distinctively with the face of a French bulldog named Harry. All day long, those cups — holding a well-handled Illy blend and boasting a nugget of homemade biscotti on the side —are sailing out of the cafe's street-side coffee nook. But delve in deeper and you'll find there's plenty more than just good coffee on offer. For nine-to-fivers, the lunch cabinet is gold, brimming with the day's fresh mix-and-match salads ($8-14) and virtuous breakfasts-to-go. You might find a fruit-infused chia pudding ($8) or toasted muesli, layered with pear, orange blossom and vanilla bean yoghurt ($8). Less healthy, but every bit as Instagram-worthy, are the fresh-baked, big-as-your-head muffins, positioned craftily beside the coffee machine. The pace slows a bit come the weekend, when the 2XU-clad crowd and inner city brunchers make their nests in the small rear dining area, curing hangovers, sharing newspapers and sipping on ginger, pear and lime tonics ($5.50). The eat-in menu is concise, and yet holds something for everyone, harnessing plenty of fresh flavours and hinting at some thoughtful kitchen minds behind the scenes. Build your own breakfast of eggs and sides, or opt for one of three tasty, all-day kitchen creations. For instance, white beans, crushed with lemon and a good dose of chilli, come piled atop toast, with grilled chorizo, blistered vine cherry tomatoes and a perfectly poached egg ($19.50). Even more impressive is this cafe's version of Melbourne's perennial favourite: the avocado smash. Here, it's served on chia seed toast and surrounded by a riotous quinoa salad ($17.50). Diced zucchini, cauliflower, green beans, pomegranate, corn, currants, seeds and goats' cheese all play off each other for a lively, yet well-balanced breakfast creation that'll leave you feeling pretty damn good about yourself. For lunch, there's some Asian-inspired brioche sliders, a big salad of miso glazed salmon and soba noodles, or the slightly more decadent, Harry's Reuben: a fat brioche bun holding thick slices of corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and a housemade special sauce. With a side of with chilli-salted fries ($20.50) for good measure. A modern fit-out, a bit of whitewash and some cheery staff have transformed a narrow, windowless space into an inviting little spot that’s just as great for quick weekday lunching as it is for lazy weekend brunching.
Update 4/10/16: After a few delays, the downstairs of The Rose Hotel is set to reopen on Thursday April 14, followed by the upstairs wine bar the following week. Original story below. Fans of Fitzroy's venerable old pub The Rose may want to get their fill of the place before December 21, when it will shut for a few months to undergo extension renovations. The Rose — famous for their bangin' street parties and being a top-notch place to watch the footy — has been bought by Tim Hogan and John Tennent, who also own Port Melbourne's greatest wine bar, Harry and Frankie. The pair have big plans for The Rose, but Fitzroy locals need not fear the destruction of their natural watering hole as the reno will stay mostly true to the essence of the original pub. Speaking to Good Food, they reassured locals that they intend to give the venue a facelift "without turning it into a yuppie bar or gastropub". Finally, someone's addressing what we're all thinking: let's keep Fitzroy un-fancy. They'll close 'er down on Monday, December 21 and plan to have her back up and running sometime in February. The front bar will retain the classic TV setup for watching a game and enjoying that classic Aussie pastime: a pot and a parma. The back room will be transformed into a family-friendly dining space. However, upstairs will see the most change. It's slated to become a Fitzroy version of the popular wine bar, complete with a separate entrance. The focus will be on wine with a light charcuterie and tapas menu to accompany the drops, and a walk-in wine cellar for diners to pluck their wine of choice fresh from the shelves. The upper renovations are expected to take a little longer and will hopefully be operational by Easter. In the meantime, get down to The Rose to give the old girl a proper bon voyage. We sure will miss her over the summer — but no doubt she's gonna come back, better (and more boozy) than ever. Via Good Food.
2024 is already set to be a huge year for Australia's most-inclusive music festival, after the Dylan Alcott-founded Ability Fest announced that it would not only play Melbourne but also hit up Brisbane as well. Mere days after revealing its expansion, the event has now dropped its lineup — and, with Ocean Alley, King Stingray, Cub Sport and Bag Raiders leading the bill, it too is massive. Ability Fest will first head to Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr in Melbourne on Saturday, October 19, then to Victoria Park/Barrambin in Brisbane on Saturday, October 26. The roster of talent varies slightly per state, but the aforementioned four acts will take to the stage in both cities. So will Asha Jefferies, Boone, Brenn!, Dewbs, Eliza Hull and jamesjamesjames, alongside Jordan Brando, Jordz, Kita Alexander and a triple j Unearthed winner. From there, Melburnians will can catch ONEFOUR, Crybaby, DAWS, Floodlights, Kuzco, NayNay and Wax'o Paradiso. In Brisbane only, punters will see Middle Kids, Cheq, Eves Karydas, Mikalah Watego, Moss, Neesha Alexander and Xeimma. Across both locations, Ability Fest is splitting its musicians across two stages, one for bands and one for DJs. The fully accessible event, which launched in 2018, has been carefully designed from the get-go. It features ramps and pathways for easy access, Auslan interpreters working alongside the artists, and elevated platforms to give everyone a shot at seeing the stage. Plus, there's also quiet zones, dedicated sensory areas and accessible toilets. The Brisbane festival will cater to around 5000 people, and Ability Fest is committed to being financially accessible during the current cost-of-living crisis in both of its stops. Accordingly, tickets will only cost $60 plus booking fee, and carers will receive complimentary entry. The fest is also lowering the age of admission to 16 so more folks can head along. While dishing up primo live tunes and music experiences to Aussies of all abilities, the not-for-profit fest also raises money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation, with 100-percent of its ticket proceeds going to the organisation. [caption id="attachment_963990" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] "Ability Fest is all about bringing people together through music — a celebration where everyone, regardless of ability, can have an extraordinary time," said Alcott. "I'm particularly excited about the diverse and talented artists we have lined up this year. Their performances will undoubtedly bring such a unique energy to Ability Fest, uniting our community and creating unforgettable moments." [caption id="attachment_963997" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Glenn Hunt[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Lineup: Brisbane and Melbourne: Asha Jefferies Bag Raiders Boone Brenn! Cub Sport Dewbs Eliza Hull jamesjamesjames Jordan Brando Jordz King Stingray Kita Alexander Ocean Alley triple j Unearthed winner Melbourne only: Crybaby DAWS Floodlights Kuzco NayNay ONEFOUR Wax'o Paradiso Brisbane only: Cheq Eves Karydas Middle Kids Mikalah Watego Moss Neesha Alexander Xeimma [caption id="attachment_963996" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Dates and Venues: Saturday, October 19 — Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr, Melbourne Saturday, October 26 — Victoria Park/Barrambin, Brisbane [caption id="attachment_963995" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 will hit Melbourne and Brisbane in October 2024. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 12pm AEST on Wednesday, July 10 (register online), with general tickets selling online from 12pm on Thursday, July 11. Head to the festival website for more details. Top image: Chloe Hall.
"A pink, glittery, existential dance party in their heart." That's what Greta Gerwig hopes that audiences will find when her third film as a solo director splashes its rosy — and rose-hued — frames across the silver screen. The movie in question is Barbie, marking Mattel's six-decade-old doll's live-action debut. And, no matter how you feel about the toy itself, the feature boasts no shortage of reasons to get excited: the Lady Bird and Little Women filmmaker guiding the show; the fact that Gerwig co-wrote the film with her Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise helmer Noah Baumbach; Margot Robbie not only starring but producing and originating the project; a killer cast, including Ryan Gosling as Ken; and the self-aware sense of humour that's bounced through not one, not two, but three trailers before the picture hits cinemas Down Under on July 20. Gerwig and Robbie know that Barbie is a product with history. First reaching stores in 1959, as one of the first-ever dolls that weren't of babies, the plaything has sparked more reactions than the toy itself sports outfits — and this figurine in all of its many guises has never been short on wardrobe options. As a flick, Barbie aims to unpack those swirling responses and, yes, play with them. The feature's marketing tagline might be adamant that "if you love Barbie, this movie is for you" and also "if you hate Barbie, this movie is for you", but Robbie adds to it. "It's also a film for people who feel indifferent about Barbie. But when I pitched that to marketing, it didn't really roll off the tongue in the same way." The Australian Babylon, Amsterdam and The Suicide Squad actor shared her thoughts in Sydney, as did her Maggie's Plan, Jackie and 20th Century Women star-turned-filmmaker helmer Gerwig. In the leadup to the picture's release, Barbie is going global, with a trip Down Under one stop on the feature's promotional tour. Also visiting: Issa Rae and America Ferrera, with the Insecure and Superstore talents popping up on-screen alongside Robbie. Rae plays President Barbie, while Ferrera is Gloria, one of the film's few non-doll characters. Weeks out from Barbie hitting cinemas, the Gerwig-directed, Robbie-led, Rae- and Ferrera-costarring movie has already achieved a feat that would likely seem unthinkable if any other talents were involved: this is one of 2023's most-anticipated cinema releases. Actually, Barbie scored that status months out — years even, after the Gerwig-and-Robbie pairing was locked in back in 2021. Audiences are eager, but the folks that've been given the chance to bring this Barbie flick to them couldn't be more thrilled, too. Talking about the film at a beachside Bondi event at Icebergs, where the venue's famous pool even scored a temporary Barbie-themed makeover, the team's enthusiasm is palpable. "It's a movie that I think can really cut across generations and gender," notes Gerwig, who advises that the feature has been made for everyone aged eight to 108. Also covered at Gerwig, Robbie, Rae and Ferrera's Australian press conference: making a "wild, bananas Barbie movie", the huge opportunity to play with something so globally recognised, expanding the character, challenging stereotypes, following Wonder Woman's lead and breaking all of the Barbie rules. ON HOW IT FEELS NOW THAT BARBIE WILL SOON BE IN CINEMAS Greta: "At this very moment, just being in this setting and being with all of you — and the beach, and we're in Australia, and all these talented people — I really am feeling like what a spectacular life this is. It's overwhelming and amazing, and I just feel very grateful that Margot came to me almost four years ago and said 'do you want to you write a Barbie thing?'. And I'm grateful that in my postpartum haze four years ago, I said yes. It's just been such an extraordinary confluence of so many people coming together who are just outrageous and smart and talented — and that we got to make this wild, bananas Barbie movie is just an extraordinary blessing." ON WANTING TO MAKE A BARBIE MOVIE IN THE FIRST PLACE Margot: "I was aware that the Barbie IP was floating around, had gone up and running, and hadn't come to full fruition. So we've been keeping tabs on the property, and when there seemed like there was an opening, we jumped at the opportunity. We sat down with the Mattel CEO, Ynon [Kreiz], and that was five years ago, and pitched what we as our production company would want to do with a Barbie movie. And I knew even at that time that I would want to do it with someone like Greta Gerwig. She was the dream writer/director for it. I didn't know if she was going to say yes to it, but there are very few people in my mind that I want to make a Barbie movie with, Greta being the top of the list — and thank goodness she said yes. But the reason we went after the property is because it seemed like a very big and exciting and scary opportunity. It's globally recognised — the word itself is globally recognised. And not only that, people have very strong feelings about Barbie in a lot of cases. So it felt like a really exciting place to start a film, and start with the audience, where they already feel a certain way — perhaps that, at the very least, they have associated childhood memories with it. And it seemed like we could do something special with it." ON BEING A PART OF BARBIE'S ON-SCREEN WORLD Issa: "It was spectacular. Greta approached me and, just in our interview-slash-meeting, told me that she envisioned a world, a Barbie world, where I was President. I was super flattered by that, and also questioned her taste in political leaders. But it's a world that is perfect and beautiful — and seeing her brilliant writing, and the cast attached, it was a no brainer for me. So I was just honoured to to play in the world." America: "It was Margot and Greta's involvement that made me interested in what the script was. It was irresistible to be invited to — to take a peek into the world that these two incredibly talented and intelligent, respected women in our fields were going to do with Barbie. I never imagined myself in a Barbie movie, and I just opened the script and I was laughing on page one and then I was crying — and then I was laughing and crying. I had so many feelings and, truly, my first thought was 'are they even going to let Greta make this?'. I did not go into it feeling invested in Barbie — I didn't grow up playing with Barbies, I didn't feel represented in the world of Barbie — but Greta and Noah's brilliance created a world that made it relevant to me. And it is really exciting to get to be a part of a moment that is expanding such a dominant, influential female iconic character in our global culture, to include more of us. And also to include people with perspectives that aren't necessarily positive and kind toward the very long legacy and history that Barbie has." ON TACKLING A CHARACTER WITH SUCH HISTORY — AND BREAKING ALL THE BARBIE RULES Greta: "I grew up with a mum who didn't love Barbie, which only made me more interested in Barbie. So I had a lot of hand-me-down Barbies — a lot of Barbies who were Kate McKinnon's version, like their clothes were all on backward. That Barbie is very close to my heart. When we signed on to write it and I went to the Mattel headquarters, they opened up all the archives and took me through everything from 1959 till now, and the designers and the people who work there were just really fun to talk to and really interesting. But I would say that actually what we we did is, if there were rules, I think we broke all of them. That was part of it, in a way: 'tell me what your sacred cows are and I will do something naughty with it'. Margot, as a producer, was so instrumental in the whole process of just saying 'I want to make this. I want to make her version of this movie, her vision and and really protect it'. But yeah, if anything, it was an introduction to all the rules so they could be broken." America: "I remember when Greta and I first started speaking, she gave me a list of movies to watch to get in the vibe and the feel and the tone, and actually one of the movies I watched was a documentary called Tiny Shoulders about the expansion of the brand. I learned so much watching that. I did know a little, but through the making of this movie and the little bits of research that are either in the movie or that you caught researching it, it's really phenomenal to get a sense of how long the Barbie legacy has been — and how there have been times in the legacy where she was a revolution, and other times where she was behind her times and she needed to catch up. Just the mere fact that she was the first doll a girl could play with that wasn't a baby doll is something that I didn't really ever know. So there was there was an appreciation right from the start of how long her legacy is and how varied her place in our culture has been." ON CHALLENGING THE BARBIE STEREOTYPE Margot: "I definitely didn't want to portray Barbie as being vapid in any way. The thing about our how our story is constructed is that Barbie can be anything — Barbie can be president, Barbie can be a Nobel Prize-winner, you see all this stuff at the beginning of the movie that sets up how incredibly intelligent Barbie is. But at the same time, she hasn't been exposed to so many of the concepts that she's going to be exposed to in the real world. So it was a fine line between playing naivety without it coming across as unintelligent, because I didn't want it to seem ditsy— and that's just not interesting to play. It's not interesting to watch, either. There are times in the movie where we lean into stereotypes — we literally call my Barbie 'stereotypical Barbie' — so we're very much leaning into some stereotypes so that we can, in a way of being self-aware, play up the comedy, and also have a deeper conversation about some sort of issue. But then there are other times where you're like 'okay, if we play up that particular stereotype, it's going to be boring for people for the hour and 40 minutes that they're watching this movie'. It was an interesting challenge to find 'okay, what how do we portray the fact that she hasn't been exposed to certain things that she's going to learn along the way, but it doesn't mean that she's not intelligent?'." ON GETTING HELP FROM WONDER WOMAN — AND PASSING THAT HELP ON Margot: "Obviously I want the movie to do well because we all worked so hard and we love it so much. But I think it is important when a movie like this does do well — like, if Wonder Woman hadn't done what Wonder Woman had done, I don't know if people would have given us the budget we got to. And if this does well, then the next person who wants to make [something female-led]. It's so important." Greta: "We were just saying this the other day. I think all the time, I was like 'I'm so grateful that Patty Jenkins made Wonder Woman'. And yeah, whoever comes next, it will be..." Margot: "I remember when they were trying to come up with comps [comparable films] for this movie, and there's not that many. And it's important to have them. It makes a difference on the business side of things to have those comps, and have the proof in the pudding that they've made money and done well. Hopefully we can be an extra stepping stone for the next thing." Check out the trailer for Barbie below: Barbie releases in cinemas Down Under on July 20. Images: Barbie press tour photography by Caroline McCredie for Warner Bros/NBC Universal. Barbie film stills via Warner Bros.
It might be just under two weeks until the Melbourne International Film Festival unveils its full 2018 program, but the fest has been giving cinephiles a sneak peek of its lineup for a while now. In the already announced pile sits the event's first 32 films, a Nicholas Cage movie marathon, a screening of Drive with a new live score, Alia Shawkat coming to town as a festival guest, a selection of new Australian titles and an eye-popping retrospective — and, in its latest revelation, a huge 43 movies headed to Melbourne straight from Cannes. If you're already feeling like you're going to be busy between August 2 and 19, that's completely understandable. In fact, the latest batch of flicks isn't going to change that. It's MIFF's biggest haul to date from the most famous film festival in the world, and includes award-winners, star-studded picks, the latest work from famous directors and more. Leading the charge is Hirokazu Kore-eda's Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters, which just charmed audiences at the Sydney Film Festival. It's joined by nearly every other major Cannes award recipient this year, including best director winner Cold War, Queer Palm and Camera d'Or winner Girl, best screenplay winner Happy as Lazzaro, Directors' Fortnight prize recipient Climax, Critics Week Grand Prize winner Diamantino and main competition Jury Prize winner Capharnaüm. Story-wise, that means the lineup spans thieving families, a couple torn apart by war and a transgender ballerina, as well as an out-of-control dance party, a disgraced soccer star and a 12-year-old child attempting to divorce his parents. Other Cannes titles on MIFF's bill include the French fest's opening night pick Everybody Knows, from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem; Terry Gilliam's long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, aka the flick it has literally taken decades to make; documentary The Eyes of Orson Welles, a love letter to the famous filmmaker; and the Nicolas Cage's suitably unhinged newest effort, Mandy, which'll kick off the aforementioned all-night Cage-a-thon. Three of the biggest Asian films of the moment — Lee Chang-dong's Burning, Jia Zhang-ke's Ash is the Purest White and Mamoru Hosado's animated delight Mirai — are also among a lineup that features everything from a documentary about the Pope to a thriller featuring Mads Mikkelsen stuck in the arctic. And, for fans of short filmmaking — and Aussie filmmaking too — this year's other Palme d'Or winner will also screen at MIFF. A 13-minute drama shot on 16mm film in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, All These Creatures nabbed Australian director Charles Williams Cannes' other top prize, and comes to the fest in its Australian premiere. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from August 2 to 19. For more information, visit the MIFF website — and check back on July 10, when the full program is announced.
Restrictions have rekindled Melbourne's love affair with the humble picnic and we're forecasting park sessions to become the go-to social outing of choice over the coming months — no matter what the weather's doing. There'll be no slumming it on the food and drinks front either, thanks to the growing lineup of beautifully curated picnic packs being offered up by venues across the city. We've rounded up a few of the finest feasts to suit your next al fresco session, from grazing boxes brimming with nibbles, to luxurious seafood spreads. Order one of these beauts and make this picnic season one to remember. BIA HOI A taste of chef Jerry Mai's mod-Viet beer hall is coming to a park near you. Bia Hoi's new picnic packs are chock full of fresh Vietnamese flavours just begging to be devoured on some sunny patch of grass. We're talking: crisp spring rolls, mini grilled chicken banh mi, sugarcane prawns, plump rice paper rolls, and plenty of its famed JFC (Jerry Fried Chicken) teamed with hot chilli and fish sauce caramel. Plus, an assortment of banh hoi (vermicelli parcels), fresh herbs, pickles and zingy nuoc mam sauce rounds out the fun. The details: Feeds two to three, $55. Order online for delivery. ENTRECOTE Add some instant Frenchy-chic flair to your al fresco hangs with a Parisian Pique-nique box from Entrecote. Having settled into its new Greville Street home (though not yet opened the doors, thanks COVID), the celebrated French restaurant is now slinging a range of tres chic picnic accompaniments, headlined by a grazing box for two. The pack stars gourmet goodies like a sourdough baguette, proper French butter, local camembert, traditional charcuterie, mini quiches and macarons. Picnic add-ons range from ice-filled coolers to batched cocktails and bottles of Mumm. BYO beret and you're good to go. The details: Feeds two, $94.90. Pre-order online for pick up. ZSA'S BAR BISTRO & DELI Up in Northcote, Zsa's has made a name for its warm, honest cooking style and dishes rooted in classic European flavours. And, luckily for your future picnic endeavours, that vibe extends to the venue's expansive offering of park-friendly antipasto boxes and grazing packs. There's quite the selection, ranging from cheese packs to local charcuterie showcases. But for a bit of everything, try the Premium Antipasto and Cheese Box — a quality spread of local and international cheese, Aussie prosciutto, free-range mortadella, whisky-spiked orange marmalade, house-made crostini and much more. Extras and add-ons abound, including a bottles of the signature bloody mary laced with Truff hot sauce ($17). The details: $75. Order online for pick up or delivery (select days). ABACUS BAR & KITCHEN If your ultimate picnic pack is one involving plenty of ocean-fresh snacks, Chapel Street's Abacus has your back. Every Friday to Sunday, the South Yarra bar and eatery is serving up two picnic-perfect seafood platters that are destined to impress. Opt for the standard spread and spend your afternoon knocking back Mooloolaba king prawns with a jalapeno emulsion, Sydney rock oysters, lobster rolls loaded with chive mayo, crab and potato croquettes, house-made taramasalata and more. Or, bump up to the deluxe edition and enjoy half a Western Australia rock lobster as well. Add on a bottle from the wine list and your day is looking pretty schmick. The details: $125 (standard), $199 (deluxe). Order online for pick up or delivery. MR MIYAGI Windsor's beloved modern Japanese diner Mr Miyagi is going one step further to hook you up with premium snacking this picnic season. It's kicked off a roving picnic pop-up tour, appearing at a different venue every Friday and Saturday to sling its six-course picnic packs. The four-person Japanese feasts feature lively dishes like the yuzu kingfish sashimi, crispy chicken katsu rolls, soba noodle salad and yuzu cheesecake, and it all comes packed in a nifty Mr Miyagi cooler bag to keep. Cocktail boxes are also up for grabs if you're feeling thirsty. Keep an eye on the website to see where they're headed this weekend. The details: Feeds four, $149. Order online for pick up (collection venue changes every Friday and Saturday). HARRY & LARRY'S GENERAL STORE As Footscray's one-stop shop for locally-sourced groceries, pantry essentials and other fun wares, Harry & Larry's General Store is well-known for its curatorial skills, especially when it comes to tasty eats. So, it should come as no surprise that the venue's now slinging a top-notch grazing box, available in both small and large sizes. Level-up your park time with a primo selection of various breads, cheese, cured meats, dips, crackers and other antipasto fixings, neatly boxed and ready to play centrepiece of your picnic rug. They can be made gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, and you can get a box whipped up with 90 minutes notice. Add on a tipple from the extensive online bottle shop range to make an afternoon of it. The details: Feeds two ($29) or more ($59–70). Order online for pick up (in-store or kerbside) or local delivery. THAT'S AMORE If an aperitivo-style picnic in the park is on the cards, you'll find a very worthy accompaniment in That's Amore's collection of curated cheese and booze hampers. The cheese producer's own Italian-inspired creations take centre stage here, carefully matched to wine, gin, or even a cheeky bottled cocktail. The Cheese & Wine Hamper, in particular, is picnic perfection, stocked with three signature cheese varieties — perhaps the buffalotto, the cacio and some smoked caciotta — plus lavosh crackers, fig paste and a bottle of vino of your choosing. If mixing and matching is more your style, simply swing past the full online store and curate your own epic cheese feast for speedy delivery. The details: $75. Order online for delivery Victoria-wide. [caption id="attachment_827589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] FISHMONGERS SON Infuse your picnic with a hint of indulgence and lots of summer vibes, by ordering a picnic set-up from Carlton North's Fishmonger's Son. The store's seafood-heavy lineup of snack packs and lunch boxes is primed for sunny (or even cloudy) sessions at your local park or beach. Grazers will love the high-end snackage of the Blini Box, starring blinis, smoked salmon, 50 grams of Yarra Valley salmon caviar, and a tub of Lard Ass crème fraiche. Or, if you're picnicking as a pair, go for the Lunch Box — a two-person spread featuring a couple of the venue's cult prawn and crayfish rolls, with a side of Pafritas potato chips. The details: The Blini Box, $50; and The Lunch Box, feeds two, $40. Pre-order for pick up by emailing orders@thefishmongersson.com or calling 0452 166 552. A select range is also available for delivery via Your Grocer.
If a certain pandemic has had you holed up at home getting very well acquainted with the inside of your living room, chances are you've rediscovered that indoor plant obsession. Or at the very least, been inspired to add to your current collection of green stuff. Handy then, that there's a new kid on the plant-slinging block: Prahran's sprawling greenery-filled warehouse, Botanicah. The work of best mates Harris Mashood and Bowen Walker, this plastic bag factory-turned-retail space clocks in at 350 square metres and is stocked to the brim with a hefty assortment of plants, pots and accessories. Everything is carefully chosen by the owners from local nurseries, with new pieces added regularly. And you'll even find a growing selection of locally-made pots and planters in the lineup. [caption id="attachment_775192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] The duo's selection of greenery has a little something to suit just about every condition and watering habit imaginable, from those sun-loving outdoor plants to cute cacti and hard-to-kill indoor varieties. Fancy a foxtail fern for your bedroom? Maybe a melanthera to brighten up that balcony? Whatever you're vibing, a wander through this soothing green oasis is likely to unearth it. And as well as a wide-ranging selection offering buckets of inspiration, the team's also got your back with expert advice on how to help those new plant babies thrive. There are also plans for the venue to eventually moonlight as a lush events space — stay tuned for that to happen later this year. Under the current stay-at-home orders for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, some retail stores are allowed to open if they have appropriate hygiene and social-distancing measures in place. Visiting an open retail store to obtain 'necessary goods or services' is considered one of the accepted reasons to leave your home during lockdown. Botanicah will continue to open from 10am–6pm daily, but if you'd prefer to avoid going out for now, you can also virtually plan your indoor garden by scrolling through its stunning Instagram. Find Botanicah at 44 Porter Street, Prahran. It's open from 10am–6pm daily, with only a handful of people allowed inside at a time. Images: Arianna Leggiero
If you haven't heard the news, South by South West is officially coming to Sydney for its first festival outside of Texas later this year, and details of its massive gaming-focused arm of the conference, officially titled the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival, have now been revealed. Running for the length of the festival, the gaming program will feature a Sydney edition of a global esports tournament, an indie game showcase, a tabletop game expo, hands-on demonstrations for AR and VR creations, panels, performances, a social hub and an investment summit for pitch sessions and general industry hobnobbing. The headline event will be the Intel Extreme Masters, which will arrive at the Aware Super Theatre from Friday, October 20-Sunday, October 22 following massive iterations in Katowice, Rio de Janeiro, Dallas, and Sydney back in 2019 when the event sold out Qudos Bank Arena. The longest-running pro gaming tour in the world, Intel Extreme Masters is the gaming world's equivalent of the World Cup or the Olympics and will bring some of the world's leading esports pros to Australia. The Indie Games Showcase will place the spotlight on 150 independent games from Australia, New Zealand and the globe, with sessions diving into the world of the indie open to both industry and general audiences. You can catch sneak peeks of a new animated word game called Gubbins, a highly stylised adventure puzzle game called Birth and a restaurant-set time management game called The Chef's Shift among the 150 titles. If you prefer your games more tangible, there will be a dedicated tabletop festival within the conference with exhibitors, demos, seminars, stage sessions and a freeplay area all dedicated to IRL card, roleplay and board games. [caption id="attachment_906082" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gubbins[/caption] This is just the start of the gaming section of the SXSW Sydney program with more to be announced closer to the date. Beyond gaming, the world-renowned fest is bringing together innovators and venue-fillers from across a heap of industries between Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22. There's been an initial announcement of keynote speakers and musicians, plus a heap of local artists and a pair of parties so far, with more to come. On the previously announced section of the program, you'll find speakers like Chris Lee (also known as Lee Sung-Su), the Chief A&R Officer and former CEO of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment; The Genesis Machine author and Future Today Institute founder Amy Webb; and Saudi women's rights activist Manal al-Sharif — plus a heap of musicians like Redveil, Connie Constance, Otoboke Beaver, Wallice, Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie, Teenage Joans, Phoebe Go, MALI JO$E, Ashli. [caption id="attachment_906083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birth[/caption] The festival will take place within a walkable precinct within the Sydney CBD, Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, Chippendale and more. Think of the fest's footprint as a huge hub, with festivals within the bigger fest, exhibitions, talks, networking opportunities and streetside activations popping up everywhere. So far, venues named include Powerhouse Museum, ICC Sydney, UTS, Central Park Mall, the Goods Line Walk, The Abercrombie and Lansdowne Hotel. SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues — head to the festival's website for further details. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Rooftop at QT has re-emerged from its chrysalis, and with it comes new drinks, a new vibe and a Mediterranean menu with a fresh coat of inspiration — and the same skyline vistas. After announcing a revamp earlier in spring, the venue relaunched in mid-October ready for prime warm-weather sips with a view. First off, the drinks. Chris Stock, the man who helped Dandelyan in London strut to the number one spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list back in 2018, is at the helm — so you're in good hands. Expect a drink menu that pulls from old favourites but throws in a splash of the new. Fancy a twist on the classic daiquiri? Go for the Son of Man, taking inspiration from Margritte's painting and infusing the drink with basil oil for a hint of aroma. And if you're after an espresso martini (we all love them, don't lie to yourself), there's an interesting variant on offer that utilises rye whiskey and orange and miso syrup. On the food front, Nic Wood has returned to the QT chain after a stint in LA to take the helm of Executive Chef. He brings with him a Mediterranean menu encompassing everything from snacky delights to grand sharing platters that will, for better or worse, end up in a lot of your mates' Instagram stories. Expect snapper cannoli, fried mortadella sandos and lobster cocktails, plus ice cream sandwiches for dessert, to name just a few. As for music, Rooftop at QT is going with day-to-night soundtracks, morphing easy chill daytime tunes into more energetic night-time beats, vintage disco and soul with a twist of the modern. Meanwhile, local artist Dwayne Hutton brings the walls to life with his art all about the space, including cool hand-painted wallpaper. For those keen on ambience and vibe, designer Nic Graham ensured the interior facelift of the joint filled the shoes of its predecessor, and then some. He's serving up private booths, an intimate lounge, an outdoor bar, high banquet seating, a brand-new private dining room and tabletops with custom tiling. Find Rooftop at QT at QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne. It's open Monday–Wednesday, 3pm–late, and Thursday–Sunday, 12pm–late.
In the latest effort to do the environment a solid by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, Western Australia has banned takeaway coffee cups that are lined with plastic and therefore can't be composted. Getting your caffeine fix to go in the state now means either sipping out of paperboard or bringing your own reusable cup, with WA leading the nation in scrapping the single-use item. Rules on plastics such as shopping bags, drink containers and straws vary state to state across Australia, with WA the first to completely ditch plastic-lined takeaway coffee cups. All plastic lids are also now banned, with scrapping both coming into effect on Friday, March 1, 2024. The move in Western Australia isn't sudden. It's part of the phase two of the state's Plan for Plastic, and comes into effect after a 12-month transition period, plus widespread consultation. The aim is to save 154-million-plus cups from landfill each year. And the fines for non-compliance are hefty, at up to $5000 for individuals and $25,000 for businesses. Anyone that supplies takeaway cups for hot beverages — be it coffee, tea, hot chocolate or anything else — is covered by the ban. Plastic trays for takeaway foods have also been phased out in the state at the same time, while lids for takeaway food containers, bowls, plates and trays will be ditched from Sunday, September 1, 2024, as will non-compostable plastic produce bags. Finding alternatives to disposable cups, and ways to recycle them, has been a focus across the country for years — as has encouraging folks to bring their own reusable cup. Cafes have trialled 'more recyclable' versions, given out free coffee if you have your own cup and reduced prices. Complete bans at the cafe level have popped up, too, as have reusable coffee cup sharing networks. WA's statewide ban on non-compostable takeaway coffee cups hasn't been implemented before Down Under, however, and here's hoping that other states take note. South Australia is set to do the same from September, while Queensland has announced previously that it's working to identify alternative cups and intends to ban plastic-lined versions, with no date set. The ban on non-compostable takeaway coffee cups and plastic lids in Western Australia came into effect on Friday, March 1, 2024. For more information, head to the WA state government's website.
Initially, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 was the most-anticipated new Australian movie of 2023. Now, it's taking that label for 2024 instead. After being postponed from its planned August 2023 release amid the current SAG-AFTRA strike, the Aussie film will hit cinemas in February 2024. Fans of Aussie mysteries, page-to-screen crime tales, Eric Bana (Dirty John) getting sleuthing and all things Aaron Falk, take note. The follow-up to 2021's The Dry, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 is now slated to reach the big screen Down Under on Thursday, February 8, 2024. If you're keen to see the film as soon as possible, you'll have the chance a few days earlier, with advance screenings also locked in from Friday, February 2–Sunday, February 4. When Bana stepped into Falk's shoes in The Dry, more movies were always bound to follow. On the screen, the film became a massive Australian box-office hit in 2021 thanks to its twisty mystery, determined detective, stunning scenery and spectacular cast. It was capitalising, of course, on the story's proven success on the page. And, to the delight of movie producers and audiences, the beloved novel by author Jane Harper was just Falk's first appearance. Accordingly, throw that formula together again and you now have Force of Nature: The Dry 2. This second effort sees the core duo of Bana and writer/director Robert Connolly (Blueback) return, with the latter again investigating a case. This time, as both the movie's initial teaser and full trailer explore, Falk is looking into the disappearance of a hiker from a corporate retreat attended by five women. Alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing traveller — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse list of Aussie talent just like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Reteaming not just after The Dry, but also 2023 release Blueback, Connolly and Bana make quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Fans of Harper's work also have The Survivors to look forward to, but on the small screen. It's heading to Netflix from the pages of the author's text of the same name, and isn't linked to The Dry or Force of Nature. Here, the Tasmanian-set story follows families still coping with the loss caused by a massive storm in their seaside town 15 years earlier, then faced with a new murder. Check out the full trailer for Force of Nature: The Dry 2 below: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 will release in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 8, 2024, with advance screenings from Friday, February 2–Sunday, February 4. Read our full review of The Dry. Images: Narelle Portanier.
When the crew behind Sydney restaurant NOMAD revealed plans to open their next bar and restaurant within the historic Melbourne Stock Exchange digs, we were understandably excited. It's been nearly two years since NOMAD Group first welcomed Melbourne guests to their first southern spin-off in the former Ezard site on Flinders Lane, and the much-loved Mediterranean restaurant has been attracting crowds ever since. The latest culinary venture, Reine and La Rue, is set to throw open its doors on Tuesday, August 1. And this time around, they'll be treating diners to a taste of modern French cuisine. A broad culinary offering inspired by French classics has been imagined by the group's Executive Chef Jacqui Challinor, alongside venue Head Chef (and NOMAD Melbourne alum) Brendan Katich. It's a choose-your-own-adventure situation, with a menu designed to suit any appetite. "Whether it's walking in for snacks and Champagne at the bar; a cosy booth for a three- course meal; or a table full of plates to share; we would like our guests to create an experience that suits the way they want to eat," Challinor says. Entrees and snacks zeroes in on Victorian seafood, with scallops paired with rich truffle butter, Eastern Rock lobster cocktails served with endive and rouille; and a seafood platter in the form of a fruit de mer. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover hand-picked mud crab brandade and mushroom pithivier pastry with soubise and chestnut. Also central to the kitchen is a wood-fired hearth. The appropriately dedicated grilled section of the menu sees duck paired with sugarloaf cabbage and jus gras, a selection of Victorian beef from Blackmore and O'Connor with a range of sauces and mustards or whole fish served on a bed of sea herbs and sauce verte. Rounding out the offering: a roving cheese trolley, chocolate tarts, and Jersey milk soft serve pumped from the in-house machine, topped with fresh hazelnut and extra virgin olive oil. As for the drinks, the owners are aiming to showcase the best Australian and local Victorian wines, along with a strong spread of American and French vino, of course. American-inspired drops will also rule the classic-leaning cocktail lineup. Granite columns, lofty ceilings and glass floor tiles are the backdrop for Reine's 150-seat dining room, which will also house a ten-metre-long marble bar devoted to cocktails and another slinging seafood. There'll be big banquettes in caramel-hued leather, and furniture by the likes of Grazia & Co and Volker Haug Studio. Adjacent to all that sits a 40-seat terrace, leading through to the tiny speakeasy-style cocoon of La Rue — a walk-in-only joint with its own wine vault and space for just eight punters at a time. Heritage Victoria have helped guide the rejuvenation of the historic Cathedral Room, which has laid derelict for the last couple of decades. Also behind the transformation are RBA Heritage Architects and Sydney-based design and architecture practice Akin Atelier. Both Reine and La Rue are set to showcase the same culinary offering, so you're guaranteed to eat well, no matter the occasion. [caption id="attachment_899949" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samantha Schultz[/caption] Reine and La Rue will open at 380 Collins St, Melbourne on Tuesday, August 1. It'll be open Tuesdays–Saturdays from 12pm, including dinner from 5pm until late. Bookings are open now via the website.
If there's a season that's made for feasting, it's winter. And if there's a spot within cooee of Melbourne that can offer the cornucopia necessary, it's Ballarat. Found a short 90 minutes' drive west of Melbourne, this 100,000-strong city, famous for its grand 19th-century architecture and links to gold rush history, is packed with cosy cafes, excellent restaurants, top-notch pubs and lamplit wine bars. Together, they add up to make the state's most exciting food scene outside of Melbourne, with a bumper crop of new openings shaking things up even further in the last year. When you've indulged to your appetite's content in town, jump in your car and head for the hills, where you'll be exploring cellar doors surrounded by vineyards and rolling paddocks. To get you started, here are our picks, but be sure to leave yourself time to wander down Ballarat's alleyways and tree-lined streets, following your nose to further delights. CAFES TO START YOUR DAY OFF RIGHT In the cafes of Ballarat, beans come from Melbourne's best roasters but the food owes everything to the surrounding farms. On a frosty morning, you can't go past Websters Market and Cafe for their Pumpkin Pie Spiced Brioche French Toast with pumpkin butter, maple pancetta and pecans. A hit from their all-day brekkie menu, it will pretty much have your cockles warmed until next winter. You'll also find single origins and cold drip made with Industry Beans from Fitzroy. Another spot where you can breakfast from dawn till dusk without watching your watch is The Local. Relax in the light-filled, art-dotted, Scandi-inspired space and tuck into smoked Tuki trout with free-range eggs, house-made horseradish cream, confit leek, greens and herbs on Dench sourdough, accompanied by a Coffee Supreme brew. Alternatively, for Sensory Lab coffee overseen by ex-St Ali barista Matt Freeman and just-baked bagels, make tracks to Fika. Adding an extra sweetener to this time of year is the food-heavy Ballarat Winter Festival, with all three of these cafes squaring off in a pie competition until July 23. Try The Local's vegetarian caponata and white bean, Fika's pork shoulder pie (a collaboration with Salt Kitchen Charcuterie on filling and Le Peche Gourmand on pastry) and Websters' sweet pecan and porter pie, and vote for your fave to win people's choice. RESTAURANTS THAT MAKE LOCAL PRODUCE SHINE The paddock-to-plate experience is unrivalled in Ballarat — this region is known for producing extraordinarily good free-range meat, and the hero ingredients in your meal will usually come from small farms just a stone's throw away. The most coveted experience in town is the degustation at new restaurant Underbar, only on Friday and Saturday nights for an extremely limited audience of 12. The ever-changing menu is created by Derek Boath, formerly of Per Se, a triple Michelin-starred restaurant in NYC. Typically you'll get local produce, foraged ingredients and the prettiest plate of lamb with black and white garlic and romesco you've ever seen. Take a detour to Japan at Kambei, a restaurant dedicated to beautifully composed creations. Think super-fresh sashimi, grilled eel and saikyoyaki (black cod marinated in miso for three days, then grilled). Or, mix things up at local hang Moon and Mountain, where traditional Asian dishes meet Aussie influences. Start with caramelised sticky pork with green apple salad and kaffir lime. End with a deep-fried Snickers bao bun. Wintry comfort food doesn't get any more, well, comforting. To try a whole swatch of Ballarat's finest restaurants in one hit, wander the stalls of the Potato Festival on Saturday, June 30, and see what they've spun out of the humble spud (clue: potato halwa and potato-stuffed naan bread are among the menu items). BARS AND PUBS WITH REAL COUNTRY WARMTH Before and after feasting, Ballarat has bars and pubs of all kinds to explore. In a 140-year-old building that once served as a produce store, then as a mechanic's garage, Mitchell Harris Wine Bar offers more than 100 drops, many from local wineries. Once you're done there, go searching for the Lost Ones Basement Bar, which you'll find (eventually) hidden down an alleyway. Here, you can sink into a plush couch, sip on a cocktail, peruse artworks and play Cards of Humanity. There's also a diverse live program, covering poetry, music, political debates and more. If you're on the hunt for a laidback pub, then go to The Mallow for more craft beer on tap than you could ever drink. Note that happy hour goes on all day, giving you $6 beers from opening time till 7pm. Gastropub-style eats are on offer at the Munster Arms, where the parma comes crumbed in Cheezels, cornflakes and panko. Or, for Argentinian grill, visit artist David Bromley's latest venture, The Pub With Two Names. The stunning 19th-century bluestone reopened in April 2018, after a years-long hiatus. Share a rack of Waubra lamb, with potato and pea empanadas, plus corn-on-the-cob with lime and jalapeno mayo. WINE ADVENTURES ON YOUR DOORSTEP Although you might not consider Ballarat synonymous with wine making, it's the gateway to numerous vineyards and cosy cellar doors that are perfect to retreat to at this time of year. Gear up to sample some excellent cool-climate varieties, from Pinot Noir to Riesling and Chardonnay. A good place to start is the Pyrenees region, which lies about 45 minutes' drive north. Here, you can visit one of the first wineries in Australia to experiment with cool-climate wines: Blue Pyrenees, established in 1962. Today, owner and wine maker Andrew Koerner makes every drop from grapes grown in his vineyards and you can sample his creations surrounded by panoramic rural vistas. For organic wines and ciders, pop over to Captains Creek Organic, about 40 minutes' drive north-east of Ballarat. There's an array of sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and cider to try and, should you get peckish, share plates loaded with local deliciousness, including Istra chorizo and prosciutto, Captains Creek olives, marinated veggies and house-made dips. Finally, about 20 minutes' drive south – making it a convenient pit stop on the way back to Melbourne — is Mount Buninyong Winery, a super-relaxed cellar door and restaurant where you can peruse a massive collection of fortified wines and fuel up on woodfired pizza before scooting down the highway home. To plan your winter adventures in Ballarat and the surrounding countryside, visit the Wander Victoria website.
Have you ever noticed how much Brad Pitt eats in his movies? He's like some sort of human garbage disposal, slamming down burgers, cookies, chips, Twinkies and whatever else he can find into his (perfect) cakehole. He also has a knack of making whatever it is he's eating (from gruel and stale bread to cheesy nachos) look like the most delicious, sensual food in the world. Go on, look: He eats without restraint, without delicacy, as we all should sometimes, and for that reason he's the central figure in a new cookbook called (appropriately but incorrectly) Fat Brad. The team from Long Prawn have collaborated on the project with photographer Ben Clement, PractiseStudioPractise, Tristan Ceddia, Ali Currey-Voumard and Mietta Coventry. The cookbook is a tongue-in-cheek collection of recipes based on Brad's most iconic food moments on film. You'll find instructions for a knuckle sandwich (Fight Club), game bird with taters and Guinness gravy (Snatch), Bellagio Shrimp Cocktail (Ocean's 11), roast turkey drumstick and Grecian salad (Troy) and bloodied roast (Mr and Mrs Smith) amongst others. As well as being straight-up hilarious, the Fat Brad cookbook is also just a really good looking (like its namesake) addition to your cookbook shelf. It's the first in a series of pop culture cookbooks by the Long Prawn crew, so keep an eye out and grab your Fat Brad: The Cookbook here. Have a little preview:
With the sheer number of popular 90s nights happening at the moment, the recent remake of childhood favourites like The Lion King and Aladdin, and the return of artists such as Usher, Janet Jackson, it was only a natural step for the biggest selling boy band — and the target of all your teenage affection — to make a return, too. Backstreet's back, alright. So, unroll your posters and dust-off that secret diary, and get ready to belt out the lyrics to 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)', 'As Long As You Love Me' and 'I Want It That Way', when the famous five — AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson — head to Australia in May 2020 for a very nostalgic arena tour. Hitting up stadiums in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, the Backstreet Boys will also be performing songs off their just-released tenth album, DNA. It (surprisingly?) debuted as number one on the charts when it was released and features Grammy-nominated single 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. But, we know you'll most likely be there for the 90s and early 00s goodness. You've got nine whole months until they're here, so plenty of time to relearn the moves to 'Everybody' and rewatch many retro music videos. Here's one for you to start with: https://youtu.be/6M6samPEMpM BACKSTREET BOYS DNA WORLD TOUR 2020 DATES Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Wednesday, May 20 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena, Friday, May 22 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, Tuesday, May 26 Perth — RAC Arena, Saturday, May 30 Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour pre-sale begins at 3pm on Tuesday, September 17 with general tickets go on sale at midday on Monday, September 23 via Live Nation.
While most Australian states and territories shiver their way through winter, the Top End becomes an ideal vacay destination thanks to its balmy dry season (which runs from May–October). And, if you needed even more reason to escape the winter chill, the region is turning up the heat this season with a stack of arts and cultural events. Sure, Australian cities are in no short supply of creative endeavours. But Darwin is different. Billing itself as the beating heart of First Nations culture and creativity, the Northern Territory's capital has long-recognised the traditional custodians of the land, specifically the Larrakia people. Fittingly, this August, it's got an epic month-long lineup of First Nations-focused exhibitions, runway shows, art fairs and a one-night music celebration. In partnership with Darwin Festival and its Beating Heart of First Nations Culture events series, we've rounded up seven must-see gigs that are not only worth the plane trip, but also represent Australia's past, present and future. So go on — book that flight. [caption id="attachment_817479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elise Derwin[/caption] DARWIN FESTIVAL August 5–22 Darwin's annual winter party is not shy of events this year, with music, dance, theatre, cabaret and comedy performances popping up across a whole host of Top End locations. Naturally, the three-week fest is championing First Nations performers. You can catch openair concert Buŋgul on opening night (more about this later) and the world-premiere of intercultural dance troupe Marrugeku's provocative new production Jurrungu Ngan-ga (Straight Talk) (August 13–14). The stirring show combines dance and theatre, and is inspired by both Yawuru leader Patrick Dodson and Kurdish-Iranian writer Behrouz Boochani's perspectives on incarceration. Ilbijerri Theatre Company's Heart is a Wasteland (August 11–15) — a play and (whisky-fuelled) live music show of First Nations storytelling — is one you won't want to miss. Also on the bill is singer-songwriter Sycco, of Torres Strait Islander heritage, who's playing alongside Confidence Man and Flight Facilities (August 13). To check out the full program, head to the festival's website. BUŊGUL August 5 We promised you we'd talk more about this one. Kicking off Darwin Festival is this free, openair concert celebrating the music of Gurrumul and the people of North East Arnhem Land. Born blind, proud Galiwin'ku man and award-winning musician Gurrumul (AKA Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupiŋu) was a member of Yothu Yindi and Saltwater Band, and had a successful solo career. Dubbed 'Australia's most important voice' by Rolling Stone Australia, he remains one of the most celebrated — and commercially successful — First Nations musicians. His impact is still deeply felt and Buŋgul is set to shine a light on his genius. Featuring Yolŋu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, the opening night event will be held at Darwin Amphitheatre at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens — we recommend getting in early for this one, as spaces are limited. While the concert is free, registration is required. NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS August 7 The music at the Botanic Gardens continues on August 7 with the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA). The event has been celebrating Aussie music for 16 years, and every year it recognises the stellar tunes coming from First Nations musicians from every corner of the country. From emerging artists to those of international acclaim, past awards have been picked up by the likes of Archie Roach, Baker Boy, Emma Donovan, Dan Sultan, Gurrumul and JK-47. Get in on all the action and head to Darwin Amphitheatre to see who will add their names to the honour roll and catch a heap of live acts including Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Alice Skye, and Dallas Woods and Kee'ahn. [caption id="attachment_814319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Buckee[/caption] DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR August 6–8 On the visual arts front, the first weekend of August will see the return of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). Showcasing more than 70 Indigenous-owned galleries under one roof, the fair is a unique opportunity for you to purchase artworks directly from the source. Misrepresentation of First Nations artists is not uncommon, so if you want to pick up authentic Indigenous artworks in an ethical fashion, DAAF is a surefire bet — 100 percent of sales to date go back into First Nations creative communities. The fair always has an exciting entertainment program, with this year promising dance performances, workshops, material demonstrations and artist talks, as well as food, film and fashion. You can check out the full program on the DAAF website. [caption id="attachment_814321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Bliss[/caption] TELSTRA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AWARDS August 2021–February 2022 The Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, is the longest-running and most prestigious art awards program for First Nations artists. For 37 years, it has celebrated contemporary artworks from around the nation across a broad range of disciplines — from paintings to photography and textile works. What makes the awards so special is the diversity in storytelling; here, you can explore perspectives from coastal regions, desert towns, cities and everywhere between. Can't make it to the Top End this season? The exhibition is running right through to next year. Otherwise, you catch it from your couch thanks to the virtual gallery. [caption id="attachment_814318" align="alignnone" width="1920"] George F Photography[/caption] COUNTRY TO COUTURE August 4 Missed seeing Australian Fashion Week make history with its all-Indigenous fashion showcase this year? No worries — you can still get your fashion fix in the NT this August. Falling under the umbrella of DAAF, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) are set to return on August 3. Launched only last year, the awards are a celebration of the innovative, diverse and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers. DAAF even has its own runway show, dubbed Country to Couture, set to take over Darwin Convention Centre on August 4. The stylish show has run alongside the annual DAAF since 2016 and champions First Nations contemporary fine art, textiles and high-end fashion. For tickets, head to the event website. [caption id="attachment_817282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Ngayuku Ngura – My Country' by Barbara Moore, acrylic on linen. Photo: Elise Derwin[/caption] SALON DES REFUSÉS August 5–September 25 Rounding out the stacked events calendar is Salon des Refusés, presented by Salon Art Projects. This year, the organisation is presenting seven Indigenous art exhibitions across five local galleries from July to September. But it's the much-anticipated aforementioned show, running from August 5 to September 25, that you'll most want to check out. Held in Charles Darwin University Art Gallery, the exhibition showcases works submitted but not accepted into NATSIAA. The high quality of works on display showcase First Nations artists from around Australia, while shining a light on the current state of Indigenous art and what its future might look like. Now in its ninth year, the event is also hosting an opening night shindig on Wednesday, August 4. Time to start planning that trip north? Darwin Festival — and its Beating Heart events — runs from Thursday, August 5–Sunday, August 22. For the full program of events, head to the website. Top image: Elise Derwin
Melbourne is about to launch into another frosty winter, but it's never too early to start planning your summer adventures — especially since the city is set to score a shiny new swimming spot. Or, a revamped version of an old favourite, to be exact, with the historic City Baths on Swanston Street receiving a multimillion-dollar makeover just in time for spring. A $2.5 million restoration project is currently underway at the iconic fitness centre, and is set to be completed and unveiled by the time those slightly warmer days of September roll around. First opened in the 1860s, the red-brick Edwardian Baroque building is no spring chicken, but it's about to get some serious upgrades to pull it into a new era of life. Some of the works — which kicked off back in 2019 — have included renovations for the lockers and kitchen, repairs to the spa and changes to the reception area to improve accessibility. Now, the crew of specialist restoration contractors will continue on with the fussier upgrade works required by the heritage-listed site, from carefully recreating the zinc fish-scale tiles adorning the cupolas on the roof to restoring the building's banded brickwork. The timber ceiling planks are being upgraded and will score a new lick of paint, the walls and columns will be given a spruce-up, and new skylights are set to be installed in the roof. [caption id="attachment_808113" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Wpcpey via Wikimedia Commons..[/caption] While the City Baths isn't closing entirely during the refurbishment, its pools, spa and sauna have had to be shut for certain short periods to make way for scaffolding and other construction elements. The venue is releasing details about any closures over on its socials. Find the Melbourne City Baths at 420 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Its refurbishment is slated to be finished by September. Top image: Elekhh via Wikimedia Commons.
There are 8222 islands within Australia's watery borders. You could spend your entire life hopping from one to another and never quite make them all (well, unless you're very, very quick). So, we thought we'd save you some time and handpick ten of the best. They should at least get you started. Next time you start imagining yourself on a white-sanded beach with quokkas close by, sea lions in the distance and your desk a few hundred kilometres away, these are the spots to catch a boat/plane/ferry to. Remember: when you leave the mainland, you leave all your worries there, too. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've put together a list of some of our favourite island escapes — no passport or immense jet lag required. [caption id="attachment_688571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Ewart/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND, QLD Located 25 minutes by ferry off the Queensland coast, Stradbroke Island is an easy day trip from Brisbane. It's the second biggest sand island in the world after Fraser Island (more on that later). For swimming in gentle waves, head to idyllic Cylinder Beach; for wilder surf, make your destination 38-kilometre-long Main Beach. Overnight stays include beach camping, as well as an array of cottages, hotels and B&Bs. Just north of Straddie is Moreton Island, a wonderland of long beaches, clear lakes and a national park. And, consider sleeping over at Tangalooma, an eco-friendly resort where you can hand-feed wild dolphins and swim around a shipwreck. [caption id="attachment_688550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trevor King/Destination NSW[/caption] LORD HOWE ISLAND, NSW Just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Lord Howe, a two-hour flight east of Sydney, is explorable within a few days. Whenever you travel, you won't have to fear tourist crowds: only 400 visitors are permitted at any one time and the population was just 382 at last count back in 2016. Prepare to have pretty beaches, spectacular diving sites and rugged terrain all to yourself. Among the best adventures are the Mount Gower Trail, a steep, eight-hour trek that carries you 875 metres above sea level, and Erscott's Hole, a natural wonder where you can snorkel among staghorn coral, bluefish and double-headed wrasse. [caption id="attachment_688568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Khy Orchard/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] MAGNETIC ISLAND, QLD There are hundreds of islands in the Great Barrier Reef area, offering everything from secluded campsites to five-star luxury resorts. But, for convenience, outdoor adventures and, most importantly, koala spotting, Magnetic Island is hard to go past. You'll find it just 20 minutes from Townsville. Get active with sea kayaking tours and yoga classes, get artsy at beachside markets and galleries or relax at stunning beaches like Horseshoe Bay. If you're keen to venture further, jump aboard a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, diving or sightseeing tour. [caption id="attachment_688400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isaac Forman/SA Tourism Commission[/caption] KANGAROO ISLAND, SA With a whopping 509 kilometres of coastline, Kangaroo Island could have you exploring for weeks. The island was pretty badly affected by bushfires back in 2020, but this guide will help you navigate — including which businesses to support. To get there, take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, around 100 kilometres south of Adelaide. Then gear up to share your holiday with sea lions, fur seals, little penguins, echidnas, koalas and, you guessed it, kangaroos. The island is a haven for creatures who've struggled to survive elsewhere, especially Australian sea lions, who were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are numerous national parks and conservation areas, and the over 4000-strong population is big on food and wine. ROTTNEST ISLAND, WA This island is a 90-minute ferry ride from Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, or 25 minutes from Fremantle. Like Kangaroo Island, Rottnest has given a big dose of much-needed love to our wild creatures, particularly quokkas, which now number 12,000 or so. Dedicate some time to spotting them (though please don't go touching, patting or feeding), before visiting pristine beaches — such as The Basin, where you'll find an underwater playground, and Little Parakeet Bay, backdropped by striking rock formations. [caption id="attachment_724590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC Phillip Island's biggest drawcard is its penguin parade. Every night, at sunset, the island's resident little penguins return to their terrestrial homes, having spent the day out and about fishing. Beyond wildlife watching, go wine and craft beer tasting, bliss out with a massage or spa treatment, or conquer a trail on foot — such as the Cape Woolamai Walk, which traverses dramatic clifftops along Phillip's southernmost point. Find suggestions on where to eat, drink and stay in our guide. Unlike all the other islands on this list, you can reach this one by road: it's around 90 minutes south of Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_770035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] BRUNY ISLAND, TAS Bruny feels completely remote, yet it's just a 20-minute ferry ride from the coast and, with driving time added, 50 minutes from Hobart. The beauty of this proximity to the city is that, despite all the wilderness, you can find some top nosh: for fish and chips head to Jetty Cafe; for pub grub swing by Hotel Bruny; for cheese visit Bruny Island Cheese Company; and for a tipple, there's the Bruny Island House of Whisky. Meanwhile, nature lovers will find white wallabies at Inala Nature Reserve, windswept headlands at Cape Bruny Lighthouse and head-clearing watery views at Cloudy Bay. [caption id="attachment_688565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Raimondo/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND), QLD World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island) is the biggest sand island in the world. There are 184,000 hectares of the stuff, comprising of 72 different colours and mostly in the form of magnificent dunes, many of which are covered in rainforest. If you've time on your hands, take on the Great Walk, an eight-day epic that visits many of Fraser's 100 freshwater lakes. If not, jump aboard a 4WD and cruise along 75 Mile Beach, take a dip at Champagne Pools along the way and pay a visit to awe-inspiring Boorangoora(Lake McKenzie), a perched lake made up of rainwater and soft silica sand. [caption id="attachment_688583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Wilson/Tourism Tasmania[/caption] KING ISLAND, TASMANIA You might have no idea where this island is, but you've no doubt seen its cheese at your local supermarket. King Island Dairy's decadent triple cream brie is an Aussie gourmet staple. But it's far from the only treat you'll be sampling in this lush place, which lies in the Bass Strait, halfway between Victoria and Tassie. Count, too, on super-fresh seafood, flavourful beef and a cornucopia of produce from local growers. When you're finished feasting, stroll along the white sands of Disappointment Bay, visit a 7000-year-old calcified forest and go horse riding by the sea. [caption id="attachment_688591" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coral Coast Tourism[/caption] ABROLHOS ISLANDS, WA The Houtman Abrolhos isn't just an island, it's an archipelago. There are 122 isles that make up the marvel, more or less clustered in three groups, across 100 kilometres. They lie around 60 kilometres off the Coral Coast, west of Geraldton, which is four hours' drive north of Perth. Lose yourself snorkelling or diving among colourful coral, spotting Australian sea lions and looking out for more than 90 species of seabirds, including majestic white-breasted sea eagles. For mind-blowing views, jump aboard a scenic flight. Top image: Lord Howe Island, tom-archer.com via Destination NSW
How does Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) fare against airport security screenings? Why is she willingly returning to a school for the first time ever? What happens when she plays with dolls? How has Tim Burton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) worked Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) into Wednesday's cast for the series' second season? Some of that has been revealed in the just-dropped teaser trailer for the Netflix hit show's long-awaited comeback — and any other questions you have will begin receiving answers soon. Wednesday has not only unveiled its first season two sneak peek, but also announced its return dates. There's two, because the streaming platform is going with a split release this time around. Part one arrives on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, then part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Conjuring up another spot in your streaming queue three years after its first season released, Wednesday again follows its namesake to Nevermore Academy in its second season — and again features a fresh mystery for her to solve, amid navigating a new round of other woes. The initial trailer also spans her reunion with roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie), Wednesday likening her second trip to Nevermore to "returning to the scene of the crime", bees, pink mist, creepy and kooky playthings, swinging axes and a few truths. "Wherever there's murder and mayhem, you will always find an Addams," Wednesday notes — followed by "I do my best work in the dark". Season two will also feature more of Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago, all getting meatier parts than in season one. Among its new cast members, not only Lumley, Buscemi, Piper and Newton are onboard, but also Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, however — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's talk of a spinoff about the character. In its first season, Wednesday unsurprisingly proved a smash, breaking the Netflix record for most hours viewed in a single week, then doing so again — notching up 341.23-million hours viewed in its first week, then 411.29-million hours viewed in its second. All things Addams Family have always found an audience, with the Ricci-led 90s films beloved for decades for good reason, and the 1960s TV show and 1930s The New Yorker comics before that. Check out the first teaser trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025.
Enjoying dinner and a show is a time-honoured theatregoing tradition, but when spring arrives in the Victorian capital in 2024, one menu item mightn't prove so popular. If you've seen Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on the stage before, or caught the 2007 Tim Burton (Wednesday)-directed movie adaptation, then you'll know which dish to avoid when it comes to Arts Centre Melbourne. In this Steven Sondheim-penned musical thriller, meat pies are packed with quite the unwanted ingredients. This murderous tale of slitting throats, then stuffing body parts into baked pastries will play the venue from Saturday, September 14–Saturday, September 21, in a production by the Victorian Opera and New Zealand Opera. Whether you're keen for your first date with music theatre's iconic villain and his partner-in-crime Mrs Lovett, or you've seen see it before and can't wait to repeat the feat again, expect a killer show. Ben Mingay (Shrek the Musical, Frayed, Pirates of Penzance, Packed to the Rafters) is taking up the razor and polishing people off as the titular Sweeney, while Antoinette Halloran (Mary and Max, Macbeth, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll) will join him as Lovett. The production also includes the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra helping to perform classic tracks such as 'No Place Like London', 'The Ballad Of Sweeney' and the always-fitting 'The Worst Pies in London'. Victorian Opera Artistic Director Stuart Maunder will direct this Melbourne season of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. "I love this piece. The terror, the thrills. For all its melodrama, blood and gore, this masterpiece of music theatre tells a universal human story; revenge, obsession, and lust, yes — but also pain, yearning and even love. This is Sondheim at his most powerful, moving and terrifying. And what a cast, I am in awe," he advises. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street doesn't just date back to the late, great Sondheim's Tony-winning Broadway and West End smash. Before that, it was a play in 1973 — and it had hit stages, screens and pages, prior, too. The homicidal barber first appeared in the 19th century, in 1846–47 penny dreadful serial The String of Pearls: A Romance, and has just kept slashing his way through popular culture since, novels, ballets, radio plays, comics and TV shows included. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will play Arts Centre Melbourne from Saturday, September 14–Saturday, September 21, 2024. Head to the Victorian Opera website for further details and tickets. Images: Daniel Boud.
A staple of Melbourne's cultural calendar for more than 90 years and counting, the Sidney Myer Free Concerts are back for another year. Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the latest of this long-standing favourite will, as always, features a trio of performances from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a classical music buff or just want to stretch out with a picnic on the grass, there's a good reason these concerts have become a summertime tradition. The 2022 series kicks off on Wednesday, February 9 with both new and classic pieces — including Franck's 'Le Chasseur Maudit', Hyde's 'Piano Concerto No.2', Delius' 'Summer Evening' and Ravel's 'Daphnis et Chloe: Suite No.2', plus the world premiere of Bianca Gannon's 'New Work for Orchestra and Indonesian Instruments'. Then, on Saturday, February 12, it's time to celebrate famed composer John Williams' 90th birthday with a number of the film themes he's best known for. So, get ready for tunes from Star Wars, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Hook and more. Then, on Saturday, February 19, the MSO is joining forces with Archie Roach on 'One Song' — with assistance from MSO Composer in Residence Paul Grabowsky AO, too. As happened this year, this will likely be a socially distanced affair, with entry and ticketing details set to be confirmed in January 2022.. All three performances begin at 7.30pm; however, gates usually open earlier, with times still to be confirmed as well.
AFC Richmond supporters, rejoice — and get ready for a hefty rivalry. If you're a fan of the fictional soccer team, then you're obviously a fan of Ted Lasso, the award-winning hit Apple TV+ sitcom that tells its tale. After a year gap, sitting on the bench in 2022, the Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live)-starring show is finally set to return in 2023. Even better: Apple TV+ has confirmed that season three will arrive sometime in autumn Down Under, which is sometime in the next few months. There's no exact release date as yet, but the streaming platform has dropped an initial image for the new episodes which teases quite the clash in the works — between perennially optimistic American Ted and his former offsider Nathan 'Nate' Shelley (Nick Mohammed, Intelligence). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apple TV+ (@appletvplus) While Ted Lasso has felt like streaming's biggest warm hug across its first and second seasons, it wasn't afraid to skew darker in the latter, including as Nate felt pushed aside, ignored and unloved by Ted. Viewers will know that the last batch of episodes culminated with Nate's defection to opposing club West Ham United, as owned by Rupert Mannion (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head), ex-husband to AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham, Hocus Pocus 2). Also part of the Ted Lasso crew: sweary now-retired veteran champion Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein, Uncle), recent hotshot player Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster, The Devil's Hour), Jamie's ex-girlfriend and Roy's current partner Keeley Jones (Juno Temple, The Offer), Ted's laconic second-in-charge and long-time friend Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt, Bless This Mess), and AFC Richmond Director of Football Operations Leslie Higgins (Jeffrey Swift, Housebound). As the sitcom's first two seasons have shown, viewers definitely don't need to love soccer or even sport to fall for this series' ongoing charms — although if you obsessed over the 2022 World Cup, it might help fill the gap until the 2026 version arrives. Kind-hearted in the way that Parks and Recreation, Wellington Paranormal, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Abbott Elementary have also proven, Ted Lasso will be in for a significant obstacle in 2023, thanks to Ted and Nate's battle. Usually, this series celebrates people who support each other, are always there for each other and form close bonds as a result. Indeed, that's what has made it so instantly likeable. But with Nate now working for the competition, change is afoot — don't expect to see the show mess too much with its winning formula, though. There's no trailer for season three just yet, but you can check out the trailer for Ted Lasso's second season below: Season three of Ted Lasso will stream via Apple TV+ sometime in autumn 2023 Down Under — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Read our full review of season two.
That bully who stole your lunch money in school? Send 'em glitter. In one of the most gleefully evil services we've seen in years, website Ship Your Enemies Glitter does just that — you hand over AUD$10, they send an envelope of glitter (or "herpes of the craft world") to your enemies. They'll inevitably open the suspicious package, get glitter all over themselves and never be able to rid themselves of the shiny stuff again. "We fucking hate glitter. People call it the herpes of the craft world," say the team on their site. "What we hate more though are the soulless people who get their jollies off by sending glitter in envelopes. We’ve had enough so here’s the deal: there’s someone in your life right now who you fucking hate. Whether it be your shitty neighbour, a family member or that bitch Amy down the road who thinks it’s cool to invite you to High Tea but not provide any weed." Thanks to Reddit, the site has gone viral and is experiencing the odd downed service moment due to epic visits. We know what you're thinking, isn't this pretty dangerous? Envelopes full of suspicious stuff are White House lockdown material. The Inquisitr pointed out the FAQs on the site reveal a darker side to the seemingly lighthearted prank. But the Ship Your Enemies Glitter team aren't backing down. One user complained, "My recipient got glitter in both eyeballs, is now blind and would like to file charges. Help?" To which the team simply replied, "Heh." Way harsh Tai. UPDATE 11AM THURSDAY, JANUARY 14: After being in business for about 24 hours, Ship Your Enemies Glitter is up for sale. After making a cheeky five figures in less than a day, Owner Mathew Carpenter tweeted this last night: "ShipYourEnemiesGlitter with 1m visits, 270k social shares, $xx,xxx in sales, tonnes of people wanting to order. 24 hours old. For sale." According to StartUp Smart, Carpenter claims the website had a cheeky one million visits, 270,000 social media shares and sold over six figures in glitter within an hour. Now he's done. Crafty bastard. Via Inquisitr and StartUp Smart.
Any plans for Bali escapes, treks across Mexico or food-filled Japanese getaways have been put on ice for 2020, but that doesn't mean you can't indulge in a bit of escapism. And, no, we're not just talking about daydreaming and spending hours scrolling through Pinterest. Australian Venue Co is helping to ease the wanderlust a touch by transforming more than 20 of its pubs and restaurants into some of the world's most popular holiday destinations for summer. So, you'll be able to sip frozen margaritas surrounded by cacti, eat dumplings under cherry blossom trees and wear flower crowns (if that's your thing) on Coachella-inspired rooftops. Called Summer Staycations, the transformations will be taking place from November to February at the likes of the The Provincial Hotel and The Smith in Melbourne, Manly Wine and Bungalow 8 in Sydney, and Kingsleys and Riverland in Brisbane. Of course, the visual makeovers — which will include giant teepees, citrus trees and flowers aplenty — will be paired with appropriate food and drink menus. On the Amalfi Coast, you'll find bottomless pizza and sorbet spritzes; in Mexico, there are unlimited tacos and many margaritas; and in Bali, you'll find brunch and many frozen cocktails. For a taster of what to expect, look to The Rook. The Sydney rooftop has been filled with cherry blossoms and bottomless dumplings since March — but, come November, it'll become an Italian summer haven. More information about the staycations is set to drop on Monday, October 19, with pop-ups set to go live on Friday, November 2 in all states but Victoria. Melbourne's will kick off — restrictions allowing — in December. [caption id="attachment_785121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasper Avenue[/caption] SUMMER STAYCATION LINEUP Amalfi Coast Prince Alfred, Vic Provincial, Vic The Rook, NSW Kingsleys, Qld Payneham Tavern, SA Spring in Tokyo The Smith, Vic The Duke, Vic Manly Wine, NSW Fridays, Qld Sweetwater Rooftop, WA Mexico Fiesta College Lawn, Vic Perseverance, Vic Riverland, Qld Cleveland Sands, Qld Waterloo Station, SA Coachella, Palm Springs Fargo and Co, Vic Cargo Bar, NSW The Aviary, WA Hope Inn, SA Beach Club, Bali Bungalow 8, NSW The Globe, WA For more information about Australian Venue Co Summer Staycations, head to the website. Top image: The Rook by Jasper Avenue
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from June's haul. Brand-New Stuff You Can Watch From Start to Finish Now The Bear Serving up another sitting with acclaimed chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw), his second-in-charge Sydney (Ayo Edebiri, Inside Out 2) and their team after dishing up one of the best new shows of 2022 and best returning shows of 2023, the third season of The Bear is a season haunted. Creator and writer Christopher Storer (Dickinson, Ramy) — often the culinary dramedy's director as well — wouldn't have it any other way. Every series that proves as swift a success as this, after delivering as exceptional a first and second season as any show could wish for, has the tang of its prior glory left on its lips, so this one tackles the idea head on. How can anyone shake the past at all, good or bad, the latest ten episodes ruminate on as Carmy faces a dream that's come true but hasn't and can't eradicate the lifetime of internalised uncertainty that arises from having an erratic mother, absent father, elder brother he idolised but had his own demons, and a career spent striving to be the best and put his talents to the test in an industry that's so merciless and unforgiving even before you factor in dealing with cruel mentors. Haunting is talked about often in this third The Bear course, but not actually in the sense flavouring every bite that the show's return plates up. In the season's heartiest reminder that it's comic as well as tense and dramatic — its nine Emmy wins for season one, plus four Golden Globes across season one and two, are all in comedy categories — the Faks get to Fak aplenty. While charming Neil (IRL chef Matty Matheson) is loving his role as a besuited server beneath Richie aka Cousin (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, No Hard Feelings), onboard with the latter's commitment to upholding a Michelin star-chasing fine-diner's front-of-house standards and as devoted to being Carmy's best friend as ever, he's also always palling around with his handyman brother Theodore (Ricky Staffieri, Read the Room). They're not the season's only Faks, and so emerges a family game. When one Fak wrongs another, they get haunted, which is largely being taunted and unsettled by someone from basically The Bear equivalent of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Boyles. For it to stop, you need to agree to give in. In Storer's hands, in a series this expertly layered as it picks up in the aftermath of sandwich diner The Original Beef of Chicagoland relaunching as fine-diner The Bear, this isn't just an amusing character-building aside. The Bear streams via Disney+. Read our full review. Hit Man The feeling that Glen Powell should star in everything didn't start with Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You. Writer/director Richard Linklater (Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) has helped the notion bubble up before as early back as 2006's Fast Food Nation, then with 2016's Everybody Wants Some!! — and now he riffs on it with Hit Man. When viewers want an actor to feature everywhere, they want to see them step into all sorts of shoes but bring their innate talents and charm each time. So, Linklater enlists Powell as Gary Johnson, a real-life University of New Orleans professor who wouldn't be earning the movie treatment if he didn't also moonlight as a undercover police operative with a specific remit: playing hitmen with folks looking to pay someone to commit murder, sting-style. Johnson doesn't just give the gig the one-size-fits-all approach, though. Once he gets confidence in the job, he's dedicated to affording every target their own personal vision of their dream assassin. So, Powell gets to be a polo shirt-wearing nice guy, a long-haired master criminal, a besuited all-business type and more, including the suave smooth-talker Ron, the persona he adopts when Madison Figueroa Masters (Adria Arjona, Andor) thinks about offing her odious husband. Hit Man is as a screwball rom-com-meets-sunlit film noir, and an excellent one, as well as a feature based on a situation so wild that it can only stem from fact. Alongside charting Gary's exploits in the position and the murkiness of falling for Madison as Ron, it's also an acceptance that the kind of darkness and desperation needed for a person to want to hire a stranger to kill to make their life better isn't a rarity — if it was, Gary's services wouldn't have been needed. Linklater has been in comparably blackly comic but also clear-eyed territory before with Bernie, the past entry on his resume that Hit Man best resembles. The also-ace 2011 Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda 4)-led picture similarly told a true tale, and also sprang from an article by journalist Skip Hollandsworth. This time, Linklater penned the script with Powell instead of Hollandsworth, but the result is another black-comedy delight brimming with insight. Hit Man is a movie about finding one's identity, too, and Powell keeps showing that he's found his: a charismatic lead who anchors one of the most-entertaining flicks of the year. Hit Man streams via Netflix. Fancy Dance Lily Gladstone might've won the Golden Globe but not the Oscar for Killers of the Flower Moon, but her exceptional resume shows every sign of more awards coming her way. Fancy Dance, the other movie to join her filmography in 2023 — it premiered at Sundance that year, but only makes its way to streaming worldwide now — is yet another example of how the Certain Women and First Cow star is one of the very-best actors working right now. Where Gladstone's time in front of Martin Scorsese's lens showcased her mastery of restraint, playing an aunt trying to do what's best for her niece and a sister searching for her absent sibling benefits from her equal command of looseness. Jax, her character, is a pinball. When she bounces in any direction, it's with force and purpose as well as liveliness and determination, but the choice of where she's heading is rarely her own. All she wants is to find Tawi (debutant Hauli Sioux Gray) and protect 13-year-old Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson, Three Pines), but set against the reality that law enforcement mightn't look as enthusiastically for a missing Indigenous woman — or treat one with a record attempting to do right be her family with consideration — that's far from an easy task. Writer/director Erica Tremblay hails from the Seneca–Cayuga Nation, where much of Fancy Dance is set. As Gladstone is, she's also an alum of Reservation Dogs — including helming two episodes — and so is experienced at depicting everyday reservation life with authenticity. Accordingly, her first fictional feature after documentaries Heartland: A Portrait of Survival and In the Turn takes a social-realistic approach in its details, especially when it's simply surveying the space and empathy that First Nations versus white Americans aren't given. Because Jax has a criminal history, child services deems her unfit to look after Roki, or even to take the teen to the powwow where the girl is certain her mum will attend to again steal the show in the mother-daughter dance competition; instead, Jax's white father (Shea Whigham, Lawmen: Bass Reeves) and stepmother (Audrey Wasilewski, Ted) are their choice of guardians. Fancy Dance's protagonist isn't one to simply acquiesce to that decision, and Gladstone makes both her fire and her pain palpable — and her tenderness for Roki, who is weightily portrayed by her Under the Bridge co-star Deroy-Olson, as well. Fancy Dance streams via Apple TV+. Exposure When the words "DO NOT MESSAGE" greet someone that's looking through their friend's phone, curiosity kicks in. When that mysterious contact is spied, plus a list of deleted texts and apologies for unintended hurt, immediately after your best mate has taken her own life and left you to find their body, uncovering the person on the other end of the thread becomes an obsession. Twenty-seven-year-old photographer Jacs (Alice Englert, Bad Behaviour) is all impulse and immediate gratification when Exposure begins, when she's at a rave hooking up with a stranger and dancing with her lifelong BFF Kel (Mia Artemis, Anyone But You). The next morning, everything changes forever, except a haunting truth that no one likes realising when tragedy strikes: our worst moments alter us forever, but they can't fix our worst traits or paper over our other traumas. So Jacs keeps being Jacs as she heads home from Sydney to Port Kembla, where she'll barely let her mother Kathy (Essie Davis, One Day) and Kel's ex Angus (Thomas Weatherall, Heartbreak High) lend their support, and where her self-sabotaging spiral only gains momentum as she attempts to turn amateur, fixated, dogged detective. Pain ran in the family in the aforementioned Bad Behaviour, the 2023 New Zealand film — not to be confused with the 2023 Australian miniseries that streamed via Stan, as Exposure also does — that Englert made her feature directorial debut with, plus penned and co-starred in. The movie told of a former child actor (Jennifer Connolly, Dark Matter) and her stunt-performer daughter working through their baggage around the former's attendance at a new-age retreat. Filmmaking talent also ran in the family, given that Englert is the offspring of Oscar-winner Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog). While she's solely on-screen this time, with Lucy Coleman (Hot Mess) scripting and Bonnie Moir (Love Me) helming, Englert is superb again, including at excavating life's agonies once more. Exposure's moniker applies in multiple ways, spanning the controversial contents of an award-winning snap, facing past distresses, playing sleuth and confronting your own chaos — and it equally fits the raw and rich performance at the centre of this six-parter, which also showcases Davis and Weatherall's typically excellent work. Exposure streams via Stan. Under Paris Creature features are often humanity-did-wrong features. Under Paris doesn't have Godzilla stomping around as a scaly, fire-breathing, Tokyo-destroying embodiment of nuclear devastation's reach and impact, but it does set a giant shark on the loose beneath the French capital due to pollution, specifically the Great Pacific garbage patch, making its natural saltwater terrain uninhabitable. This genre of film doesn't restrict its badly behaving people to merely causing the source of their misery, either, often surveying a range of terrible reactions that exacerbate the issue as well. Underestimating the situation is one such response, which has a well-known history in flicks about killer sharp-toothed fish. The mayor of New England's Amity Island in Jaws wasn't great, and now the the City of Light's equivalent (Anne Marivin, Rebecca) is just as uncaring when she refuses to shut down the city's waterways — despite the pleas of marine researcher Sophia Assalas (Bérénice Bejo, The Movie Teller), police chief Angèle (Aurélia Petit, Saint Omer) and law-enforcement diver Adil (Nassim Lyes, All-Time High) — because it'll disrupt a billion-dollar triathlon with its swimming leg in the River Seine. The chomping shadow of Steven Spielberg's (The Fabelmans) summer blockbuster lingers over Under Paris heavily, as it has over all shark movies for almost five decades now. Rare is the film that lives up to the Hollywood great as well as this, however, even though oh-so-much of the story plays out as expected. As Sophia first witnesses calamity when her research crew falls victim to Lilith, the shark they've been tracking, and then is forced to help save Paris three years later when environmental activist Mika (Léa Léviant, Mortel) advises that the creature has made its way to the city, it helps immensely that this shark-in-the-Seine picture isn't a Snakes on a Plane-esque comedy. Fresh from directing episodes of Lupin, Farang and Budapest director Xavier Gens is firmly making a thriller, not playing the scenario for laughs. The setpieces, many in the Parisian catacombs, are both efficient and effective. The film's visuals overall earn the same description. And while nodding to Free Willy as well is a touch clunky, The Artist Oscar-nominee Bejo is never anything less than committed. Under Paris streams via Netflix. Am I OK? The question in Am I OK?'s title is indeed existential: is Lucy (Dakota Johnson, Madame Web) coping with being a thirtysomething in Los Angeles treading water emotionally, romantically and professionally? From there, more queries spring. Can she — or, more accurately, will she — shoot for more than not quite dating the smitten Ben (Whitmer Thomas, Big Mouth), right down to shaking his hand at the end of their evenings out together, and also for something beyond working as a day-spa receptionist while putting her passion and talent for art on the back burner? Is she capable of breaking free of a comfort zone padded out with spending all of her spare time with her best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno, House of the Dragon), including being so predictable that she always orders the same thing at their brunches at their favourite diner? Regarding the latter, she gets a push when Jane agrees to a lucrative transfer to London, splitting the pair for the first time since they were teenagers. Am I OK? is an arrested-development coming-of-age movie, then, and a film about being honest about who you are and want to be. Change comes for us all, even when we've built a cocoon to protect our happy status quo — and, at the heart of this romantic drama, change clearly comes for Lucy. She's forced to consider a path forward that doesn't involve solely being defined as half of a platonic duo. She also confronts the feelings for her coworker Brittany (Kiersey Clemons, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) and the truth about her sexuality that she's never previously admitted. Am I OK? is a coming-out tale, too, but it treats Lucy's stuck-in-a-rut existence and at-first-tentative attempts to embrace how she truly feels holistically, seeing how life's passage inevitably shifts how we see ourselves. If the movie feels more honest than it might've been, that's because screenwriter Lauren Pomerantz (Strange Planet) spins a semi-autobiographical story. Also, the directing team of real-life couple Tig Notaro (2 Dope Queens) and Stephanie Allynne (who helmed Notaro's 2024 special Hello Again) — who met making 2015's In a World… — demonstrate the ideal light-but-delicate touch. Plus, Johnson and Mizuno exude genuine BFF chemistry, with the former again showing why fare such as this, Cha Cha Real Smooth, How to Be Single, The Peanut Butter Falcon, A Bigger Splash, Suspiria and The Lost Daughter, a diverse group of pictures, is a better fit than the Fifty Shades trilogy or a Spider-Man spinoff. Am I OK? streams via Binge. Lumberjack the Monster Spanning big-screen releases, TV and straight-to-video fare, Takashi Miike has notched up 115 directorial credits in the 33 years since making his helming debut. Lumberjack the Monster isn't even the latest — it premiered at film festivals in 2023, which means that miniseries Onimusha and short Midnight have popped up since — but it is Miike back in horror mode, where 1999's Audition and 2001's Ichi the Killer famously dwelled. Here, the inimitable Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter Hiroyoshi Koiwai (Way to Find the Best Life) adapt the eponymous 2019 Mayusuke Kurai novel. Its namesake character also exists on the page in the movie itself, in a picture book. This is a serial-killer picture, though, and with more than one person taking multiple lives. A mass murderer wearing a bag over their head and swinging an axe is on a rampage, and lawyer Akira (Kazuya Kamenashi, Destiny) and surgeon Sugitani (Shôta Sometani, Sanctuary) aren't averse to dispensing death themselves. A clash is inevitable, not that the slick Akira expects it, or that his costumed attacker anticipates that their current target will survive his blade, sparking a cat-and-mouse game. Lumberjack the Monster doesn't just weave in fantasy boogeyman stories, offings upon offings, and characters with dark impulses going head to head. The police are on the case, giving the film a procedural layer, as well as Akira motivation to hunt down his assailant first. Science fiction also washes through, with brain-implanted chips and modifying human behaviour both for worse and for better part of the narrative. There's also a moral-redemption element weaved in. Consequently, it's no wonder that this tale is Miike joint. As well as being prolific, Miike loves making his resume the ultimate mashup. To name just a few examples, see: the yakuza action of Dead or Alive, superhero comedy Zebraman, titular genre of Sukiyaki Western Django, samurai efforts 13 Assassins and Blade of the Immortal, period drama Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai, video-game adaptation Ace Attorney, romance For Love's Sake, thriller Lesson of the Evil, vampire movie Yakuza Apocalypse and the crime-driven First Love. Unsurprisingly, Lumberjack the Monster is specifically the engrossing — and bloodily violent — Frankenstein's monster of a flick that Miike was always going to relish making when splicing together such an array of elements came his way. Lumberjack the Monster streams via Netflix. New and Returning Shows to Check Out Week by Week Fantasmas With Fantasmas, creator, writer, director and star Julio Torres welcomes viewers into a world that couldn't have been conjured up by anyone else but the former Saturday Night Live scribe, who then became the co-guiding force behind Los Espookys and filmmaker responsible for Problemista. Torres also leaves his audience grateful that they exist in this particular world, where HBO has given him the means and support to make a comedy series so singular, so clearly the work of a visionary and so gloriously surreal. Fantasmas has no peers beyond Torres' work, other than the patron saint of spilling the contents of your mind and heart onto the screen with zero willingness to compromise or hold back: David Lynch. That said, even that comparison — and the utmost of praise that comes with it — can't prepare viewers for a show where clear crayons are one idea whipped up by the on-screen Julio, another sees Steve Buscemi (Curb Your Enthusiasm) playing the letter Q as an avant-garde outsider, Santa Claus is taken to court by elves (including SNL's Bowen Yang), and series-within-a-series MELF riffs on 80s and 90s hit sitcom ALF but starring Paul Dano (Spaceman) and featuring quite the twist on its alien-adopting premise. As the sets appear like exactly sets but with a DIY spin, star-studded cameos stack up, and absurdist vignettes pop in and out to flesh out Julio's mindscape as much as the futuristic realm imagined by the IRL Torres, there is an overarching narrative at the core of Fantasmas. The series' take on Julio trades in concepts, plus in being unflinchingly himself, but doing anything is impossible without a Proof of Existence ID card in this dystopia. He's on a quest to secure one, which isn't straightforward. In the process, he's also searching for a tiny gold oyster earring, and pondering whether to upload his consciousness and jettison his body. By his side: robot companion Bibo (Joe Rumrill, The Calling) and agent Vanesja (Martine Gutierrez, returning from Los Espookys and Problemista), who is really just a performance artist playing an agent. As phantasmagorical as everything that the show flings at the screen can get, which is very, it also tears into relatable issues such as societal status, class clashes, housing, capitalism's many woes and inequities, and the treatment of immigrants. As purposefully eager as it is to show its crafting and creativity, too, it does so to stress the fact that it's being made by people chasing a dream rather than corporations bowing to an algorithm. Fantasmas streams via Binge. Presumed Innocent When Presumed Innocent begins, Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal, Road House) has devoted his career to putting away Chicago's criminals. He isn't expecting to be soon treated the same way. Audiences with an awareness of both film and literary history know what's coming, though, with the eight-part Apple TV+ series the latest page-to-screen show from David E Kelley — and also another program with a story that already made the leap from bookshelves to the big screen before getting the television treatment. In recent years, Kelley has ushered A Man in Full, Anatomy of a Scandal, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Big Little Lies down the first route. He's taken The Lincoln Lawyer down the second as well. His pedigree spinning legal narratives dates back to LA Law, The Practice, Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, too. Now, he's adapting author Scott Turow's debut 1987 novel, which initially became a hit 1990 Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny)-starring feature. Turning the tale into a series and the passage of more than three decades are a gift to Presumed Innocent's complexity; there's more time, obviously, to fill out the intricacies of a scenario where a hotshot prosecutor is now a suspected murderer, and to ensure that the misogyny of the 80s and 90s doesn't still shine through. At a time when being chief deputy under District Attorney Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp, who also appeared in A Man in Full) is already a fraught scenario — aka an election year — Sabich's life is turned upside down when his colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve, 2021's Cannes Best Actress-winner for The Worst Person in the World) is found dead. The circumstances closely resemble a case that the two had previously worked on, so Rusty takes the lead. What only his supportive wife Barbara (Ruth Negga, Good Grief) knows is that the pair had an affair, which almost tore apart the Sabichs' marriage. A secret like that doesn't stay quiet for long, though, especially with Horgan's adversary Nico Della Guardia (O-T Fagbenle, Loot) and Rusty's ambitious counterpart Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard, Memory) looking to appease the electorate, and quickly. Presumed Innocent hasn't skimped on casting, to its benefit — in a show that isn't painting its protagonist as a hero or anything as clearcut, Gyllenhaal is at his slippery best, while both Reinsve and Negga flesh out the women caught up in his mess, and Sarsgaard eats up the screen, especially when Rusty and Molto face off in court. Presumed Innocent streams via Apple TV+. The Boys "Superheroes, they're just like us" has been an unspoken refrain humming beneath on-screen caped-crusader tales in recent decades. Possessing great powers doesn't mean knowing how to wield power, or greatness, or how to navigate the daily elements of life that don't revolve around possessing great powers, as movies and TV shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Extended Universe and beyond have kept stressing. Even as it dispenses a much-needed antidote to superhero worship's saturation of big- and small-screen entertainment — even as it has made distrusting the spandex-clad and preternaturally gifted its baseline — The Boys has also told this story. Across the entire extent of human history, what's more recognisable than power and dominance bringing out the worst in people? As adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comics series of the same name by showrunner Eric Kripke (Supernatural) since 2019, this series has stared at the grimmest vision of a world with tights-adorned supposed saviours. It's a show where murder at the hands of supes, which is then covered up by the company profiting from elevating them above the masses, is an everyday reality. It's a dark satire. It's gleeful in its onslaught of OTT violence and sightings of genitals. What it means to grapple with the struggle to hold onto humanity has firmly been at The Boys' core since its first episode, however, making it a mirror. It has never been hard to see where art imitates life in this account of its namesake rag-tag crew (Thor: Ragnarok,'s Karl Urban, Oppenheimer's Jack Quaid, Wrath of Man's Laz Alonso, One on One's Tomer Capone and Bullet Train's Karen Fukuhara) saying "enough is enough" to the US' downward spiral. With flying, laser-eyed, super-strong, supernaturally speedy and otherwise-enhanced beings commercialised by a behemoth of a company called Vought International, The Boys has never been subtle at pointing its fingers at the many ways in which pop culture and the corporations behind it hold sway. The show's parallels with American politics in its portrait of a factionalised nation torn apart over a polarising leader who considers himself above the law are equally overt. Of course, the series is just as blatant in unpacking the consequences of letting the pursuit of power run riot. In its narrative, in chasing supremacy above all else, humans and supes really are just like each other — a truth season four doesn't ever let slip from view. The Boys streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. House of the Dragon It's a chair made out of swords. So notes Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith, Morbius) description of the Iron Throne. Not one but two hit HBO shows have put squabbles about the sought-after seat at their centre so far, and the second keeps proving a chip off the old block in a fantasy franchise where almost everyone meets that description. If the family trees sprawling throughout Game of Thrones for eight seasons across 2011–19 and now House of the Dragon for two since 2022 (with a third on the way) weren't so closely intertwined in all of their limbs, would feuding over everything, especially the line of succession, be such a birthright? Set within the Targaryens 172 years before Daenerys is born, House of the Dragon keeps the black-versus-green factionalism going in season two, to civil war-esque extremes over which two offspring of the late King Viserys the Peaceful (Paddy Considine, The Third Day) should wear the crown and plonk themselves in the blade-lined chair. The monarch long ago named Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy, Mothering Sunday) as his heir. But with his last breaths, his wife Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, Slow Horses) claims that he picked their eldest son Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney, Rogue Heroes) instead. In King's Landing, the response was speedy, with Rhaenyra supplanted before she'd even heard over at Dragonstone that her father had passed away. Based on George RR Martin's Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon has also long painted Rhaenyra as the preferred type of chip off the old block. She too wants peace, not war. She also seeks stability for the realm over personal glory. If Viserys spotted that in her as a girl (Milly Alcock, Upright) when he chose her over Daemon, his brother who is now Rhaenyra's husband, he might've also predicted the dedication that she sports towards doing his legacy, and those before him, proud. Conversely, Aegon, also the grandson of Viserys' hand Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man), sees only entitlement above all else. Martin's tales of dynasties trade in the cycles that course through the bonds of blood, especially in House of the Dragon. Everyone watching knows what's to come for the Targaryens in Daenerys' time, right down to an aunt-nephew romance as the counterpart to Daemon and Rhaenyra's uncle-niece relationship. (No one watching has started this prequel series, the first spinoff of likely many to Game of Thrones, without being familiar with its predecessor). Ice-blonde hair, ambition that soars as high as the dragons they raise and fly, said flame-roaring beasts of the sky, the inability to host happy reunions: these are traits passed down through generations. Some are a matter of genes. Martin continues to explore why the others persist. House of the Dragon streams via Binge. Read our full review. The Acolyte When you've just made two seasons of a time-loop TV show about reckoning with the past, what comes next? For Russian Doll co-creator Leslye Headland, another jump backwards beckons. The Star Wars franchise has been telling tales set not just in a galaxy far, far away but also a long time ago for almost five decades; however, across its 11 movies and five live-action Disney+ TV shows until now, it hasn't ever explored the events of as long a time ago as Headland's The Acolyte brings to the screen. Welcome to the High Republic era a century before Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace — and into a thrilling new angle into one of pop culture's behemoths. Stepping through the events before the events that it has already relayed to audiences isn't new for Star Wars, as went the prequels, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Andor, but so now goes The Acolyte as well. The key aspect of the latter isn't just that this eight-instalment series gains the space to jettison familiar faces and spin its narrative anew — it's also that it's traversing more of the world that George Lucas first envisaged in the 70s, and what the force means to more than the usual faces and those tied to them. And, it isn't afraid to question the heroes-versus-villains divide that's as engrained in all things Star Wars as lightsabers, having a bad feeling and droids. Taking place in a period of peace and prosperity — well, for some — The Acolyte is still home to heroes. Villains are part of the tale, too. But the idea that the Jedi always fall into the first camp and their enemies can only sit in the second is probed. Similarly queried is the notion that anything in the Star Wars realm, let alone everything, is that binary. The premise: Jedi are being eliminated by a mysterious warrior, a setup that is pushed to the fore immediately and initially aligns its emotional response as audiences since 1977 know to expect. But as gets uttered three episodes in, "this is not about good or bad — it's about power and who gets to wield it". The Acolyte's opening showdown unfolds in the type of cantina that's hardly new to the saga, but the battle itself is. From beneath a mask, a warrior (Amandla Stenberg, Bodies Bodies Bodies) isn't afraid to throw down, throw knives and throw around her ability to use the force, with a Jedi her target. In the aftermath, the robe-adorned head honchos have ex-padawan Osha in their sights. Now working as a meknik, which entails undertaking dangerous spaceship maintenance tasks that robots are legally only supposed to do, she fits the description. Her old Jedi mentor Sol (Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game) isn't so sure, though, especially knowing her past. The Acolyte streams via Disney+. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April and May this year, and also from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream shows from last year as well — and our best 15 new shows of 2023, 15 newcomers you might've missed, top 15 returning shows of the year, 15 best films, 15 top movies you likely didn't see, 15 best straight-to-streaming flicks and 30 movies worth catching up on over the summer. Top images: FX, Brian Roedel/Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO and Stan.
Something delightful is happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu9wL8sDhXE SUPERINTELLIGENCE Playing a former couple who reconnect and reignite their spark, Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale have great chemistry together in Superintelligence. This isn't the first time they've featured in the same movie, thanks to 2015's Spy, but there's an energy to their work opposite each other here. She's Carol Peters, an ex-Yahoo executive who quit her job eight years ago with a dream of moving into philanthropy. He's George Churchill, a creative writing professor. Carol still thinks about George two years after their breakup and, when they re-meet-cute in a supermarket, he's happy to see her — although he is flying out to Ireland in three days to take up his dream academic job. There is enough to the concept just described to furnish a likeable albeit predictable rom-com that coasts by on McCarthy and Cannavale's charm and charismatic pairing. A film that simply followed the above story would be straightforward, but Superintelligence shows that it'd likely work. Alas, Superintelligence makes Carol and George's romantic antics the subplot in a movie that's actually about a sentient artificial intelligence that's trying to decide what to do about humanity, chooses Carol as an example of the most average person on earth, and pushes her to get back with George so it can observe, judge her actions and extrapolate what it might mean about people in general. Unsurprisingly, the tech side of the story crashes hard. As everything from Her and Ex Machina to the Terminator and Matrix franchises have shown, films about AI aren't new — and nor are movies about technology threatening to eradicate or enslave humanity — so a wealth of far better features have already traversed this territory. And while screenwriter Steve Mallory (The Boss) has come up with a twist on the idea that he seems to think is brilliant, it really isn't. How can it be when his killer concept just involves said artificial intelligence being voiced by James Corden, and that fact being recognised in the story because Carol is a big fan? If you're not as fond of Corden as she is (likely because you've seen Cats and The Prom), you won't be laughing. It wouldn't be funny even if you did like his work. It's a one-note gag, and a grating one at that. It also chews up far too much of Superintelligence's running time, when viewers would always rather be seeing McCarthy and Cannavale together without any silly gimmickry. The former's husband Ben Falcone directed the film, as he did with Tammy, The Boss and Life of the Party, but that can't explain why the movie squanders the best thing it has. McCarthy's career constantly swings from highs to lows (Can You Ever Forgive Me? and The Happytime Murders came out in the same year, for instance), but Superintelligence is both misguided and a missed opportunity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nmsIChFUCo DREAMLAND Back in 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie didn't simply hold her own against Leonardo DiCaprio. The Australian actor stole scenes from her then far-more-famous co-star — which, given that he put in a phenomenal performance, is no small task. Accordingly, the fact that she quickly rocketed from supporting player to the kind of lead that an entire film can hang from is hardly surprising. Her path from Suicide Squad to Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) illustrates it perfectly, in fact. Still, even Robbie's ability to lift a movie has its limits, which Dreamland tests. She's both luminous and textured in the Great Depression-set thriller. Playing a bank robber on the run, she's the most absorbing and intriguing part of the film. She's meant to be, because that's how and why her character of Allison Wells draws in Texan farm boy Eugene Evans (Finn Cole, TV's Animal Kingdom) and gets him to help her. And, Robbie is clearly invested in the movie both on- and off-screen, as she not only stars but also produces. That said, very little about Dreamland other than her performance proves anything more than standard, and noticeably so. Director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte (As You Are) aims to follow in the footsteps of Badlands and Ain't Them Bodies Saints — and brings Bonnie and Clyde to mind, too — but flails in comparison to both. Dreamland does boast a gorgeously hazy, woozy aesthetic — through the hues that cinematographer Lyle Vincent (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) splashes across the screen, primarily — that gives it an enticing look and feel. In quick square-framed shots inserted to represent flashes of dreams of a life that could possibly come if everything goes Allison and Eugene's way, the film couldn't be more alluring. But, alongside Robbie's performance, that isn't enough to boost the routine storyline. Indeed, at times the movie's visual style even augments and bolsters Dreamland's been-there, done -hat air. The narrative doesn't need much help, though, with screenwriter Nicolaas Zwart (Riverdale) hitting as many recognisable beats as the cops pursuing Allison fire off shots. She's wanted in general, but also because her last stick-up with her now-dead partner saw a little girl get killed. Eugene's stern stepfather George (Travis Fimmel, Lean on Pete) is one of the deputies on her trail, so the teen's decision to let her hole up in his family's barn is instantly risky. The young man is also desperate to flee himself, to find the dad that abandoned him and his mother (Kerry Condon, Better Call Saul) years earlier on their dustbowl property, so he doesn't need much convincing to assist Allison in this all-too-familiar affair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xZGoYU1eg CROCK OF GOLD: A FEW ROUNDS WITH SHANE MACGOWAN Frontman for The Pogues since the early 80s, and a formidable music force in-between the Celtic punk band's stints together — until the 90s, and then from the early 00s to the mid 10s — Shane MacGowan is a rare beast in his chosen industry. He's a true individual that no one could ever emulate no matter how they tried. He's also a spikier, pricklier, far more recalcitrant figure than others who've earned that description (David Bowie and Prince, for example). He certainly has more stories to tell about smoking cigarettes and drinking booze as a child, then listening to his aunt teach him the gospels and sharing her religious fervour to such an extent that he even thought about turning his childhood beliefs into his life's work. Accordingly, to delve into MacGowan's existence beyond the easy-to-Google biographical details, the usual musician-worshipping documentary was never going to do him justice. So, seasoned director Julien Temple doesn't try to fit the usual mould. The filmmaker has ample experience in the genre, with Sex Pistols rockumentary The Filth and the Fury on his resume — plus Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten and Glastonbury, too — and he's just adept at finding the right approach for the right subject. In Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, viewers hear the song that he's best known for more than once. The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' is an instrumental part of his story, after all. Although it was released in 1987, it's also the most popular Christmas song of the 21st century. Alongside the film's birth-to-now linear path, the use of well-known tune is the most standard part about this deep dive into MacGowan upbringing, fame and controversy. Case in point: MacGowan isn't an interviewee here in the traditional sense. Archival footage of him answering questions fits the expected mould, but in his more recent chats specifically for the doco, he talks with people he knows such as Johnny Depp, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. It's a canny and compelling approach, likely by necessity, and just how MacGowan changes depending on his company doesn't escape attention. In the process, and amidst animated sequences, family photos and videos, and deftly deployed stock imagery, Temple lets his audience see first-hand how a man with such a strong presence and infamous reputation is still a rolling, rambling bag of contradictions and complications — although MacGowan's words, offered over more than a few drinks as the lively film's title makes plain, easily paint that picture themselves. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been throughout the year — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30; August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27; September 3, September 10, September 17 and September 24; October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22 and October 29; and November 5, November 12, November 19 and November 26; and December 3 and December 10. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Personal History of David Copperfield, Waves, The King of Staten Island, Babyteeth, Deerskin, Peninsula, Tenet, Les Misérables, The New Mutants, Bill & Ted Face the Music, The Translators, An American Pickle, The High Note, On the Rocks, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Antebellum, Miss Juneteenth, Savage, I Am Greta, Rebecca, Kajillionaire, Baby Done, Corpus Christi, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, The Craft: Legacy, Radioactive, Brazen Hussies, Freaky, Mank, Monsoon, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), American Utopia, Possessor, Misbehaviour, Happiest Season, The Prom, Sound of Metal, The Witches, The Midnight Sky and The Furnace. Images: Superintelligence, Hopper Stone; Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, Andrew Caitlin.
Maybe you've changed your computer backdrop to a picture of Hamilton Island. Perhaps you keep perusing snaps from a past Byron Bay getaway on your phone. Can't stop thinking about your previous holidays? The midwinter blues will do that. We've said it before and we'll say it again: another cure is planning your next vacation, especially when there's a flight sale to capitalise upon. Qantas has dropped another massive round of discounted fares. In June, it put more than one million cheap seats up for grabs. A month later, it's doing the same. The focus is still on its domestic network, spanning 60-plus routes — and this time, prices start at under $160 one-way on more than 40 of them. You'll be able to travel between August 2024–March 2025, although the specifics vary per destination. If you're keen, you'll need to get in quick as this is a 72-hour-only sale, running until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, July 25, 2024. And yes, the usual caveat applies: if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. Options include Sydney to the Gold Coast for $109, and to Byron Bay for the same price; Melbourne to Launceston from $119, and to Maroochydore for $179; and Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast from $119, or to Hamilton Island for $169. Other routes and fares span both Brisbane to Sydney and Adelaide to Melbourne from $129, Brisbane to Cairns from $159, Sydney to Albury for $149 and Melbourne to Coffs Harbour for $169. Trips to and from Perth, Hobart, Alice Springs, Darwin, Canberra, Newcastle, Mildura, the Fraser Coast, Wagga Wagga, Devonport, Broken Hill, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton and Townsville are also on the sale list — and there's more after that as well. Inclusions-wise, the sale covers fares with checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, wifi and seat selection. Qantas' 72-hour surprise sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, July 25, 2024, or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Three Day Clay is back with its sixth pop-up shop, just in time to snag a gift for mum this Mother's Day. You'll be able to browse through a curated range of striking ceramic works by local artisans at Pauli Concept Space along Brunswick's Sydney Road from Friday, May 10–Sunday, May 12. Founded by Kate Brouwer from Asobimasu Clay and Kelly Murphy from Benna, Three Day Clay will showcase thirteen different artists and their creations, from tableware and vases to sculptures and wall decor. Artists include Arcadia Scott, Eun Ceramics, Yen Qin, Juyeon Ceramics, Kayleigh Heydon, Oh Hey Grace and Stof Ceramic. On top of that, you can enjoy a free glass of sparkling wine on Friday night while you shop, or make use of Sunday morning's early hours to find a last-minute gift while your mum enjoys breakfast in bed. As its name suggests, Three Day Clay will take over Pauli Concept Space for just three days, from 10am–7pm on Friday, May 10; 10am–4pm on Saturday, May 11; and 9am–3pm on Sunday, May 12. Images: Ben Glezer
Let's go party, indeed: Barbie is here, filling Australian cinemas with pink-hued cheer, and slaying both the patriarchy and the Australian box office. Greta Gerwig's Margot Robbie-starring take on the famous doll packed picture palaces not just with every shade of not-quite-red it could, but with people, breaking a Malibu DreamHouse worth records in the process. If you noticed plenty of fellow filmgoers watching this trip to Barbie Land, then Los Angeles, then back with you last weekend, that was the experience mirrored around the country. In fact, Barbie notched up the biggest opening at the Australian box office for 2023 so far, raking in $21.5 million including preview screenings. The stats keep coming, but the best is truly historic: Barbie enjoyed the biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a female filmmaker. It earned that same huge opening weekend title for films with any of Robbie, Gerwig and Ryan Gosling (The Gray Man) involved. Now that's some Kenergy. Also, Barbie helped smash even more records as part of the double feature of 2023: Barbenheimer. Thanks to both Barbie and Christopher Nolan's vastly dissimilar atomic-bomb thriller Oppenheimer, the Aussie box office saw its biggest-ever Saturday and Sunday takings. On Saturday, July 22, $11.1 million spent bested the $10.3 million recorded in April 2019 when Avengers: Endgame released. On Sunday, July 23, the $10.5 million gross topped the $9.96 million taken in December 2105 — on the Boxing Day public holiday on December 27, in fact — as fuelled by Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, plus Boxing Day releases. Specific cinemas also broke past records. At Sydney's Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, the independent theatre scored its highest-grossing weekend in its 88-year history. Oppenheimer in 70mm notched up the cinema's highest-grossing opening ever, while Barbie now sits second in that same category. At Melbourne's Cinema Nova, the also-independent cinema looks set to earn its biggest box-office week of all time. If it does, it'll break the record set in January 2020, when Gerwig's Little Women was playing alongside films like Jojo Rabbit and Parasite. Barbie also took the opening-week record from Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, and might become the first film by a female filmmaker to hit the venue's top ten of all time list. As for Oppenheimer, it's in the top ten biggest opening weekends. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Barbie and Oppenheimer's successes mean that two movies that aren't part of long-running franchises have audiences flocking in. Neither film comes in as the fifth or 11th or 17th or 31st entries in a long-running saga, and don't we all know and love it. Here's the big takeaway: more of that please, especially given that oh-so-much of what reaches the silver screen is a sequel, prequel or chapter in a sprawling universe these days. Check out the trailers for Barbie and Oppenheimer below: Barbie is showing in Australian cinemas now. Read our review. Oppenheimer is also showing in Australian cinemas now. Read our review, too.
If life has you travelling regularly between Melbourne and Geelong, here's a little win for you: you'll soon be able to do so via ferry. After successful trials in July 2018, Port Phillip Ferries will launch a regular service between the two cities from next Monday, December 2. Transporting commuters between Geelong's Steampacket Quay, near the Carousel and Cunningham Pier, and Victoria Harbour, the ferries will run twice daily. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the ferry will depart Geelong for Docklands at 6.45am and 11.45am; on Thursday and Friday, it'll depart at 6.45am and 3pm; and on Saturday and Sunday at 9.15am and 4.45pm. Ferries travelling from Docklands to Geelong will depart at 9.15am and 5.30pm on weekdays, and 11.15am and 6.45pm on weekends. The trips are expected to take about 90 minutes — aka the same as a train journey. That said, it might be quicker than driving in peak hour traffic, especially if you work in or near the harbour. Tickets are a little pricier, with the ferry costing $18 one way (or $15 if you get a ten-pack) and the V/Line costing around $13. Built by Tasmanian-based company Incat, the new route will be sailed by a purpose-built Geelong Flyer catamaran, which'll boast indoor and outdoor spaces, and can seat 400 people. Either way, with the added bonus of free wifi, phone charging stations, bike racks and an on-board licensed cafe (perfect for that post-work tipple), the ferry ride sounds a whole lot more picturesque than the train journey — and much more tempting than a peak-hour crawl over the West Gate Bridge. If you don't get seasick, that is. Committing to the route continues the expansion of Port Phillip Ferries' commuter services. It has already been running a daily service between Portarlington and Melbourne, the Bellarine Express, for the past three years. On the very first Geelong-Docklands ferry, departing at 6.45am on Monday, December, the first 50 commuters will score free doughnuts, coffee and drink voucheres. Port Phillip Ferries' new Geelong Flyer will hit the water from Monday, December 2, 2019. For further details, about fares and timetables Port Phillip Ferries website.
When Barry said farewell earlier in 2023, it brought one of the best supporting performances in recent years to an end with it. Star, creator, writer and director Bill Hader wasn't the only talent scoring awards for the hitman dramedy, with Henry Winkler also earning plenty of love — and nabbing his first Primetime Emmy win more than four decades after he was first nominated in the 70s for Happy Days. That's quite the story from a career full of them, given that Winkler will always be known as Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli, for scene-stealing parts in Arrested Development and Parks and Recreation, and for popping up everywhere from the Scream franchise and The French Dispatch to multiple Adam Sandler movies as well. And, Winkler will tell those tales when he heads to Australia in 2024 on a speaking tour to reflect upon his time in Hollywood. [caption id="attachment_918614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Eccles[/caption] Jumping sharks might not be on the agenda, but chatting about doing so more than once — and changing TV history when he made the leap the first time — likely will be. Acting classes also won't be on the itinerary, but hearing about half a century spent performing definitely is. Winkler's tour will follow the release of book Being Henry: The Fonz... and Beyond in October, which will also step through playing Fonzie, Barry Zuckercorn, Dr Saperstein, Gene Cousineau and more. On a six-stop visit, Winkler will head to Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane across two weeks in February. Hopefully also getting a mention: his role in helping develop the original MacGyver back in the 80s. HENRY WINKLER'S 'THE FONZ AND BEYOND' 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Tuesday, February 6 — Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Wednesday, February 7 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide Thursday, February 8 — Perth Concert Hall, Perth Thursday, February 15 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Saturday, February 17 — Canberra Theatre, Canberra Monday, February 19 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Henry Winkler is touring Australia in February 2024, with pre-sale tickets from 10am on Tuesday, September 19 and general sales from Friday, September 22 — head to the tour website for further details. Top image: HBO.
Put your hand on your heart and tell us: how excited are you that Kylie Minogue has not only announced a new world tour, which is her biggest in 14 years, but that she's starting it in Australia? Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but the Aussie pop superstar is ensuring that local fans will see her new Tension tour before anyone else on the planet. It's about to be 'Padam Padam' summer all over again, with Minogue kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has single dates locked in for Adelaide and Brisbane, plus two shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. [caption id="attachment_870885" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darenoted Ltd[/caption] The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. "I am beyond excited to announce the Tension tour 2025. I can't wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more!" said the singer, announcing her tour dates, which also spans stops in Bangkok, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Manila in Asia after her Aussie shows, then hitting up Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham and Birmingham in the UK "It's been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action ... and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!" Minogue's 'Lights, Camera, Action' mention references the first track on the other piece of big news, a brand-new album called Tension II that's set to drop on Friday, October 18, 2024. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Kylie Minogue Tension Tour 2025 Australian Dates Saturday, February 15 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, February 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, February 20–Friday, February 21 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 26 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kylie Minogue's Tension tour kicks off in Australia in February and March 2025. Ticket presales start from Tuesday, September 24, with general sales from Wednesday, October 2 — both at staggered times. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Erik Melvin.
Tasmania is famous for its heritage-listed wilderness, exquisite pinot noir, epic art festivals and, of course, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). But, are you sure you know everything there is to know about the little island off the big island — also known as the Apple Isle? Beyond the magnificent snow-capped mountains, wild rivers, wineries and landmarks, there's a stack of unexpected adventures to be had — and Tassie's wintry sights make them all the more special. Are you aware that Tassie is home to a museum devoted to poo or a farm devoted to sea horses? Or that there's a village that's precisely like one you'd find in Switzerland? Strap in and get yourself to Tassie this winter. There's a whole slew of curiosities to discover. [caption id="attachment_718931" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whisky tasting at Old Kempton Distillery by Samuel Shelley.[/caption] IMBIBE AT A WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO WHISKY Every August, in the dark depths of winter, Tasmanians warm themselves up during Tasmanian Whisky Week. Running from August 12-18 this year, the celebration of local drops takes over the entire state with tours, tastings and special events, like film screenings, cocktail parties and chef feasts — all whisky-inspired, of course. Among the highlights are bus tours of Tasmania's remote distilleries, a progressive dinner across four of Hobart's top restaurants, a whisky-fuelled twilight sail down the River Derwent and Shene Estate's 200th birthday party. Check out the rest of the program over here. [caption id="attachment_722067" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aurora Australis from Strahan by Dietmar Kahles.[/caption] SEE THE SOUTHERN LIGHTS Stargazers, great news — there's no need to travel all the way to Iceland or Norway if you're keen to view one of the sky's technicolour ballets. Australia has our own, and Tassie is the best place to see it. The Aurora Australis, aka the Southern Lights, might not get as much press as its northern counterpart but it certainly is just as beautiful. There's no telling when the stunning spectrum of light is likely to appear, but your safest bet is to head as far south as possible. There's also a handy Facebook group that reports on possible activity, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on that, too. [caption id="attachment_718929" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and Graham Freeman.[/caption] FOLLOW AN UNDERGROUND RIVER (AND SEEK OUT GLOW WORMS) Deep in Mole Creek Karst National Park in Tasmania's central north are more than 300 limestone caves, caverns and sinkholes. However, just two are easily accessible, one of which being the Marakoopa Cave, an underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, crystals, serene pools, babbling rivers — and the biggest glow worm population found in a publicly accessible cave in Australia. Also, look out for the Tasmanian cave spider, a special type of creepy crawly that's learned to live without light. Tours of the cave go for 45 minutes and depart several times a day. [caption id="attachment_717924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Seahorse World.[/caption] VISIT A SEAHORSE FARM You'd have to spend a lot of time snorkelling to get up-close to a seahorse. But, at Beauty Point on Tassie's north coast, there's Seahorse World, a farm where you can meet loads without even getting wet. From big-bellied ones to bright orange pacific seahorses (also known as giant seahorses), you'll wander through the mysterious Cave of the Seahorse, find out how such a farm operates and stroll through the Wonders of the Southern Ocean Aquarium. While here, you can also catch a glimpse of teeny-tiny baby seahorses — which are about the size of a thumbnail — and hold a fully grown one in the palm of your hand. [caption id="attachment_722075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thalia Haven.[/caption] TAKE THE MOST SCENIC BATH OF YOUR LIFE This tub takes scenic bathing to a whole new level. Perched on a private deck at Thalia Haven, it overlooks incredible views of Great Oyster Bay on Tasmania's charming east coast. Even in the nippy winter air, not much can beat soaking in a bubble bath with such views and a glass of wine in hand. Sink into the steaming depths of this tub and lose yourself in a dreamy sunrise or, by night, endless stars. To try it out, you'll need to book a stay at Thalia Haven, an ancient stone dwelling set on 130 acres of woodland on its own private peninsula — with its own private beach. There's room for up to eight guests, so you can take a bunch of friends with you, too. [caption id="attachment_717921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grindelwald Swiss Village.[/caption] STROLL THROUGH A SWISS VILLAGE Head to this magical spot and you could easily believe that you're in Switzerland — particularly when you're in the depths of Tassie winter. Found within Tamar Valley Resort, Grindelwald village, built in the 1980s, is a replica of a Swiss original — think enchanting houses with oversized eaves, window shutters and bright flower boxes. In between admiring the uber-kitsch town, its architecture and manicured gardens, warm up in the chocolate cafe where you can feast on handmade truffles, or take a stroll around the village's sparkling lakes and take in the crisp country air. This wonderland lies a 20 minutes' drive northwest of Launceston and is the perfect pitstop before heading to Tamar Valley's many vineyards. [caption id="attachment_717910" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pooseum.[/caption] TALK FREELY ABOUT POO AT A POOSEUM Anything you've ever thought, questioned or wanted to say about poo is fair game at the Pooseum, "where talking about poo is not taboo". You'll find this paean to the mighty number two in Richmond, a village 30 minutes' drive northeast of Hobart. The exhibition covers poo of all shapes, sizes and types. And you're bound to discover a few things that'll come in handy at your next trivia night — from the poo cheese that Sardinians consider a delicacy to the rising popularity of poo facials in Australia. Top image: Shene Estate by Samuel Shelley.
Visiting a new city can be hard. Not only because you have to learn how to use their unique version of public transport, but most importantly because you need to maximise on eating only the most delicious food in the city. Stumble once and you've lost a valuable meal opportunity — a hurdle that is hard for an epicurious tourist to overcome. But take heart, we've compiled a list of ten eateries to visit when you come to Auckland so your mind will be consistently blown and all your worries of eating a subpar meal can be left in the overpriced taxi from the airport. AMANO, BRITOMART Amano is Pinterest personified. Bouquets of dried flowers dangle from exposed rafters, with the space huge and rustic and beautiful. And the menu is packed with bouquets of flavours that are mostly sourced from local growers or handmade onsite, so you can rest assured that anything you choose will have been made with a hearty dose of TLC. Whether you're a carnivore, herbivore or bonkers for a bit of pasta, your needs will be met and your expectations exceeded. Amano is cloud nine made of flowers, handkerchief pasta and happy bellies. COCO'S CANTINA, KARANGAHAPE ROAD If you're looking for a restaurant with personality and pizzaz, then look no further; charisma is in Coco's bones and bland isn't a word recognised in its vocabulary. Where owner-operators are celebrated and where community isn't a quaint concept but a way of life, Coco's is a restaurant with integrity. Your orders will be taken by waitstaff who feel like friends, and your food, sourced locally and very intentionally, will make you feel whole and perfectly full at the same time. Whether you're in the mood for a cheeky happy hour pomodoro or a romantic Italian meal, Coco's is the ticket. Don't forget to order a bowl of the legendary polenta chips, you won't regret it. GEMMAYZE ST, KARANGAHAPE ROAD Nestled in the back corner of the curious St Kevin's Arcade, Gemmayze St is a dining opportunity like no other. With all the finest Lebanese trimmings and traditional artefacts, Chef Samir Allen and his family aim to give everyone an authentic Lebanese dining experience. Ordering is simple, either you choose from the bursting menu or you simply say "bring" (in Arabic "jeeb") and the chef will provide you with a feast. Either way, you won't be disappointed. ORPHANS KITCHEN, PONSONBY Exploring national flavour and identity through offerings from the bush, ocean, orchards and fjords, Orphans Kitchen's food philosophy is beautifully holistic (they even have a rooftop hive where they collect honey). Beautiful on the inside too, its interior is warm and inviting. High tables surrounded by tall, sheepskin-covered chairs fill the main dining room, which hums with chatter that is occasionally lulled by a mouthful of food. The seasonal menu is homely and unpretentious, the flavours unique and unexpected. Hearty without being predictable, it's a culinary experience, unique to New Zealand, that you don't want to miss. PREGO, PONSONBY Before Ponsonby became the buzzy hive of restaurants and bars it is today, Prego was there. Since 1986, Prego has been serving up consistently great Italian eats with excellent service to match — not to mention a certain elegance and sophistication that has stood the ultimate test of time. Known as 'Ponsonby's Kitchen', Prego is known for its oven-baked loaf, amazing pasta and pizza that will hook you from the minute you take a bite (the bianco is a thing of dreams). The restaurant is an institution for a reason and a must-try for anyone who sets foot in Auckland. HAN, PARNELL Although it's tucked away on Parnell Road, Han should be at the forefront of your mind. Slick fit-out, slick service, slick food — the experience is one slick ride. Designed by Patterson Architects, the interior is a haven of industrial-chic, each table decorated with extractor fans that are as pleasing to the eye as they are practical. The modern Korean cuisine swaps traditional ingredients with finer, more exciting ones and introduces you to unexpected combinations — pork belly and kimchi in a pie, anyone? Han's authentic charcoal barbecue is a DIY experience not to pass up — the meat is prepared so perfectly by the chef, it's pretty much impossible for anyone to stuff up the barbecuing process. KISS KISS, BALMORAL If you've been hurt by undercooked pork belly and soggy bao before, Kiss Kiss will restore your faith in Asian-fusion. Found just off Auckland's busy Dominion Road, among some of the best Chinese eateries, Kiss Kiss can definitely stand on its own two feet. Its kitsch interior — dominated by neon lights, viewfinders and loud floral tablecloths — sets the tone for a fun evening. The pork ribs are insanely tender, the sauce worth licking every last finger for. The free-range lemongrass fried chicken bao is also a must-try, and it's small enough to allow you to fit more of the menu in. This bang-for-your-buck means you won't leave Kiss Kiss broke, but you will leave wanting more — after the food coma wears off, that is. FEDERAL DELICATESSEN, AUCKLAND CBD If you've ever wanted to experience a Manhattan deli from the 1950s, Fed Deli is just the ticket. From the mint green uniforms to the jars of pickles, cartons of cheesecake that line the walls to the kept promise of bottomless coffee — it's the attention to detail that makes the experience so effortlessly authentic. Sit in a cosy booth or take a seat at the counter where you can stare at the chefs and order off a menu stacked with New York deli-style food. Do not look past the poutine, it will be among the best you've ever had. The chicken salad sandwich doesn't go amiss either. Visit the 50s and one of Auckland's best eateries all in one night. CASSIA, AUCKLAND CBD Cassia was Auckland's first restaurants to introduce modern Indian dining, and we're sure glad they did. Owned and operated by Sid Sahrawat, one of New Zealand's most exciting chefs, Sid takes traditional Indian dishes and reworks them with modern, local ingredients. Located in the heart of the city, you'll find this south Asian gem off Fort Lane, down a set of stairs. Proving to the country that there is more to Indian food than just curry, the menu boasts mouthwatering flavour pairings you won't find many other places. There are only two mistakes you could make when visiting Cassia. One would be not ordering off the ever-changing G&T menu with its local offering of gins, and the other would be not leaving room for dessert. The apple sorbet with walnut, raspberry and white chocolate will be a welcome addition to your Auckland bucket list. IMA CUISINE, AUCKLAND CBD Ima means 'mother' in Hebrew. And if that doesn't prepare you for the onslaught of delicious food you will experience while visiting Ima, you can't say you weren't warned. Yael Shohat — owner of Ima, Israeli native and purveyor of all things delicious — wanted Auckland to experience the joy of a Middle Eastern family-style banquet, where plates and plenty of memories are shared. The interior is colourful, as is the feast, with every table bursting with displays of vivid generosity. The flavours are just as intense and wonderful, whether you're biting into the falafel or free-range chicken mesachan, your tastebuds won't be disappointed. Besides trying as much as you can, our only other advice is to wear pants with an elasticated waistband. LET'S DO THIS, HOW DO I GET THERE? Flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand flies direct from all three cities and offers accessible fares. Once you arrive in Auckland, jump in a hire car and let your gustatory adventure begin. https://youtu.be/4kRccnc0F20 Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Looking for more Auckland food recommendations? Check out our Auckland restaurant directory here.
Even if you won’t be rolling in the Byron grass with Outkast and Lily Allen come July, you can still get a slice of Splendour action with Festival sideshows. At least 22 international acts will bring some love to Sydney and Melbourne, with a few going west-side for Perth-based fans. Tickets go on sale via Secret Sounds at 9am AEST on Friday, May 9. Here’s who’s going where. Melbournians will be able to catch up with London Grammar at the Festival Hall on Tuesday, July 22, and Sydneysiders at the Horden Pavilion, on Thursday, July 24. Their debut album, If You Wait, sauntered straight into the ARIA Charts at no.2 when released in September last year. The week following, Foster the People will make appearances at the Palais Theatre on Monday, July 28, and the Enmore Theatre on Tuesday, July 29. Since last visiting Antipodean shores for the Big Day Out 2012, they've been busy putting together new album Supermodel. English songwriter Ben Howard will be playing songs from his Mercury debut album Every Kingdom, as well as a few more recent creations at the Palais on Wednesday, July 30; the Enmore on Thursday, July 31; and the Astor (Perth) on Friday, July 25. And for a dose of Memphis soul and infectious Afro-beat, see Kelis in action at Melbourne's Prince Bandroom on Tuesday, July 22, and Sydney's HIFI on Wednesday, July 23. Meanwhile, London electro-pop darlings Metronomy will appear at Perth’s Astor Theatre on Wednesday, July 23, Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on Friday, July 25, and Sydney’s Metro on Wednesday, July 28. They’re hitting Australia hot on the heels of playing Glastonbury and Primavera Sounds. Expect fresh yet timeless tunes from their Mercury Prize-nominated The English Riviera and new album Love Letters. There’ll also be guest appearances from Liverpool-based indie poppers Circa Waves, who’ll then play their own headline show on Tuesday, July 29, at Sydney’s Newtown Social Club. If you’re under 18, The Strypes will have you covered. They’re four Irish lads whose birth certificates prove they’re not yet legal, but they sound more like old guys who’ve been hanging out in blues-rock clubs for eons. They’ll be at Sydney’s Newtown Social Club on Wednesday, July 23, and Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on Tuesday, July 22. Similarly bluesy and rock-driven are Nashville group The Wild Feathers. But they also throw a significant dash of folk into the mix. In fact, they recently played the ultimate in songwriter support gigs — Bob Dylan’s pre-show set. Catch them in Melbourne at the Northcote Social Club on Friday, July 25, and in Sydney at the Newtown Social Club on Saturday, July 26. Another folksy act is Seattle six-piece The Head and the Heart. One minute they were busking and playing open mics; the next, they were selling out San Francisco’s Fillmore and appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman. They’ll be bringing their intelligent songwriting, sweet harmonies and minimalist percuth. For a more punksy take on rootsy music, check out NYC four-piece Skaters, who’ll be at the OAF on Thursday, July 24, and Melbourne’s The Corner on Saturday, July 26. Triple J recently named their debut full-length, Manhattan, album of the week. At the other end of the groove spectrum is collective Jungle, who are all about floating melodies and ethereal electronica. They’re heading our way after accompanying Haim across Europe, impressing crowds at SXSW and playing Fuji Rock. Catch them at The Corner, Melbourne, on Tuesday, July 29, and the Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, on Wednesday, July 30. While we’re on the topic of the ethereal, Australian-turned-LA-resident Ry X will be travelling his homeland in two manifestations — as part of enigmatic trio The Acid and solo. See the former at Goodgod Small Club (Sydney) on Wednesday, July 23, and Northcote Social Club (Melbourne) on Thursday, July 24, and the latter at the Oxford Art Factory (Sydney) on Tuesday, July 29, and Howler (Melbourne) on Wednesday, July 30. Other sideshows to watch out for include Grouplove, The 1975, Sky Ferreira, Phantogram, Future Islands, Mikhael Paskalev, Asgeir, Darlia and Mas Ysa.
