Not content with launching a Ritz-Carlton on the Gold Coast in 2026, the Marriott International hotel chain is bringing another of its luxe accommodation labels to the Glitter Strip: St Regis, which'll open its first-ever Australian outpost in Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise. Holidaymakers will need to wait until 2027 to soak in the brand's lavish surroundings; however, there'll be plenty to enjoy, all as part of the under-development $1.7-billion La Pélago resort and precinct. La Pélago won't be small, sprawling over 12,000 square metres, and including 5500-plus square metres of dining and drinking options, as well as shops. St Regis Gold Coast Resort won't be modest itself, featuring 185 guest rooms and suites, each with either ocean or hinterland views. Also set to feature at the new St Regis: a sky bar, pool bar and lounge, a specialty restaurant, the chain's signature St Regis Bar and a spa, turning every stay into an excuse to kick back with a drink — while looking at stunning vistas, over a splash, with a meal or before chasing your bliss. Sporting the brand's usual focus on glamour — complete with its bespoke butler service — the Gold Coast's St Regis resort will take over one of La Pélago's towers, and comes in collaboration with property development company Gurner and investment house Wingate. It's set to be the first tower to open, in fact, and joins a list of 55-plus fellow St Regis hotels and resorts worldwide since the chain's first site opened in New York in 1904. You might've heard of its Big Apple venue, and the St Regis New York King Cole Bar, thanks to a well-known tipple. It was the supposed birthplace of the bloody mary back in 1934, with the hotel brand unsurprising touting the spicy cocktail as its signature sip since then. Do genuinely expect to feel on top of the world at the St Regis Gold Coast; as part of the La Pélago design plans, all of the hotel's rooms and amenities, including the bar and restaurant, will sit above the rest of the towers in the precinct. The St Regis building itself will be 50-percent taller than any other surrounding tower, in fact. That means arriving at the porte cochère entrance, then making your way up to the second — and main — hotel lobby on level 42. "This signing for the St Regis brand in Australia is momentous for Marriott International, and a wonderful advancement for the Gold Coast. The St Regis name promises a vanguard spirit steeped in history and tradition, and is synonymous with global luxury," said Richard Crawford, Vice President Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International, announcing the news. "The St Regis Hotel brand redefined luxury when it first opened its doors in New York over 100 years ago and as such we are incredibly selective when choosing the right locations and developments to launch new St Regis Hotel sites, that are befitting of the strict requirements and expectations of the brand," Crawford continued. St Regis was initially due to make its Aussie debut in Melbourne, as announced back in 2018; however, that plan hasn't come to fruition. When the chain's Gold Coast hotel opens, it's expected to be Marriott International's fourth site in the Queensland city thanks to the existing JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa, and theSheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast, plus the aforementioned Ritz-Carlton Gold Coast. Start dreaming about those swanky 2027 vacations now. The St Regis Gold Coast Resort will open at the new La Pélago precinct, 112 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise sometime in 2027 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. 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.
One of the top ways to treat yourself is to check into one of the best hotels in Sydney for a few nights. At these joints, you get a little bit of everything (or even a whole lot of everything). You get fresh plush sheets (this may seem basic, but we all know how good this feels), room service that you can eat in bed, pampering packages at award-winning spas, pools with epic views and just about anything else your luxurious self desires. And Sydney is packed with five-star hotels and brilliant boutique stays that will help you live your best life. So check out our guide to the best hotels in Sydney, perfect for those after a luxury staycation or out-of-town visitors in need of a base for exploring the city. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Sydney Sydney's Best Spa Experiences The Eight Best Glamping Spots in NSW The Best Luxury Getaways Near Sydney
Just can't wait for another date with The Lion King in one of its many guises? For more than three decades now, since the original animated flick first arrived and became a beloved favourite — as well as a box-office smash and an Oscar-winner — no one has had to. Movie sequels followed, as well as a photorealistic remake with its own prequel. Spinoffs and TV shows have popped up, too. For almost 30 years, The Lion King has also taken to the stage. No stranger to Australia, the film-to-theatre musical has just announced a new date Down Under in 2026. Let's call it the circle of stage productions: a local version of The Lion King initially trod the Aussie boards in 2003, then a second take arrived in 2013. Just as both of those two tours did, the new production will open in Sydney. In fact, it's playing at the same venue, the Capitol Theatre, that The Lion King first roared into when it made its Australian theatre debut. So far, only a month has been announced in terms of timing, with The Lion King set to open in April 2026. No other cities or dates have been revealed as yet, but prior productions have taken the story of Simba, Mufasa and Scar beyond the Harbour City. In the past, almost four-million audience members have enjoyed the show Down Under. Worldwide, that number is more than 120 million, all watching a performance that's played more than 100 cities in 24 countries, and is the biggest-grossing title in history. On the stage, The Lion King is as acclaimed as it is popular, including collecting six Tony Awards in 1998, Best Musical among them — and making its OG director Julie Taymor the first woman to receive a Tony for Direction of a Musical. Can you feel the love tonight? This theatre hit has, repeatedly. [caption id="attachment_990210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Deen van Meer, Disney[/caption] "Every time we return to Australia, we are reminded of the region's considerable talent pool, both onstage and off, and we can't wait to gather a talented and exciting company for The Lion King," said Disney Theatrical Group Executive Producer Anne Quart and Managing Director Andrew Flatt, who have been with The Lion King onstage since its 1997 US premiere. "We are thrilled to welcome The Lion King back to Sydney, the place where it all began in Australia over 20 years ago. The Walt Disney Company ANZ is proud to be one of only three places in the world where, alongside Broadway and the West End, we self-produce musicals, directly employing hundreds of Australian theatre professionals," added The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director Kylie Watson-Wheeler. [caption id="attachment_803460" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Murphy, Disney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_803461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joan Marcus, Disney[/caption] The Lion King will open at the Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket, Sydney, from April 2026. For more details, and to join the ticket waitlist, head to the production's website. Top image: Matthew Murphy, Disney.
Even Fitzroy locals would be forgiven for not knowing this place exists. Strategically tucked away on a one-way road off Brunswick Street, The Standard Hotel seems to punch well above its weight. Outside, an outdated Carlton Draught sign hangs from the awnings coated in flecking old paint, but inside lies a labyrinthine and tree-shrouded beer garden that's up there with the best of them in Melbourne. Similar to The Brunswick Green, the bar offers a comforting retro vibe with accumulated clutter covering the walls and faithful friendly (be it busy) bar staff. But unlike the Brunswick Green, these guys still serve food. Get around the parma, steak sanga, chilli enchiladas or the ploughman's lunch that's made up of cured meats, toasted focaccia, cheeses, pickles and a big dollop of chutney. Pair this with a spritz or cider and some sunshine and you're lazy summer afternoon is sorted. While the large dining room at the front of the pub is great for big groups, outside is where you'll be spending most of your time — in the huge beer garden that just goes on and on. And while this pub might be hard to find, the space is roaring on hot summer days. You'll hear it before you see it. To make sure you don't miss out, we highly recommend you book a table in the beer garden ahead of time — it's better than fighting over some of those left for walk-ins. Images: Bobby Dazzler Photography Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
Melbourne loves rooftops. There’s something about getting above it all, isn’t there? Looking out across the city and being King or Queen of all you survey. So it really doesn’t get any better when you can start your day in a lofty kind of way with breakfast on a rooftop. Santoni’s rooftop, that is. Santoni first opened as a pizza bar in the heart of Hawthorn in 2007. Run by Peter Koutroulis, and sons Michael and Anthony, they started on the ground level and have since worked their way up after securing the entire three-level Victorian terrace building in 2014. First, they opened a modern Italian restaurant; now, a rooftop terrace. Previously only open for lunch and dinner, Santoni is now serving breakfast. And it’s quite a breakfast. Smashed avocado like you’ve never seen it before, served with cucumber tomato salad, brick pastry-wrapped king prawn, Meredith goats' cheese, pistachio dukkah and sourdough ($24). If you’re feeling in need of a sensory adventure, why not try their macaron, sandwiched with chicken liver parfait and served with an apple gel, caramelised walnuts and a scotch egg? It’s hard to imagine, I know, but it’s true — and the sweet and salty nature of the dish has a lot going for it. You can always stick to the familiarity of muesli, which is served with a twist — it's swathed in a little raspberry jelly and lemon balm ($13.50). Larger appetites can be sated with pork belly with agrodolce (an Italian sweet and sour sauce) or a soft shell crab burger, which has just the right mix of chilli jam and aioli to render it eye-closingly delicious ($16). And don’t forget the breakfast pizza. Sant’Antonio Abate is said to be the patron saint of pizza makers, and Santoni proudly operate under his care. Any hangover would quake in the face of the vegetarian or bacon version of this AM pizza ($19.50). Coffee, including their special cold brew, is supplied by Code Black, and Santoni will be one of the first restaurants to have Pressed Juices on their menu. The glowing bottles will have goodness coursing through your veins before you can even Instagram the panoramic views from the roof. Hawthorn locals have been enjoying Santoni for years — so don’t get left behind. Pick a friend, any friend, and pull them up the stairs to the rooftop. Take the credit for the discovery and reap the goods and the glory.
Starting life as just a tiny Elsternwick storefront in 2016, Baker Bleu quickly rocketed to cult status, now operating out of a roomy Caulfield North bakehouse and with a roll-call of top restaurants on its supply list. The bakery is known for its fast-selling, queue-worthy loaves, with people flocking from all over to get their hands on the likes of ficelle, French batards, classic challah bread and fresh bagels. And let's not forget about the covetable rotation of signature sweet treats on offer, including spiced apple crostata, golden croissants or custard-topped fruit brioche buns. it's a front-runner for the best bakery in Melbourne. Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
Brotherwolf has been making big moves in 2025, just over a decade since the barbershop and eventual clothing brand launched in Melbourne. In February, the label launched its first retail space on Greville Street, offering a three-month pop-up stocked with tailored streetwear alongside a curated vintage offering. Now, Brotherwolf has just opened its fourth outpost — one designed to marry menswear and grooming. Following locations in Prahran, St Kilda and Fitzroy, the brand-new South Melbourne spot brings barbering, design and fashion under the one roof. Moving into a 100-square-metre space on Clarendon Street, once the home of a grand bank, Brotherwolf has maintained the building's 19th-century heritage vibe. However, the crew brought Jessica Ellis Studio on board to give the interiors a suitably contemporary uplift. Stepping through the Boom-era facade, Parquet de Versailles flooring set against timber-clad walls welcomes visitors inside. Plus, the brand's nod to vintage rings through antique oil paintings in gilded frames as skylights flood the vast space with natural light. In the front, it's all about men's grooming thanks to a row of custom-built stations, while a hair-washing station is smartly tucked into one of the original bank vaults. Meanwhile, sleek garment racks and shelving dedicated to the brand's in-house haircare line adorn the rear. "The South Melbourne store feels like the most refined expression of Brotherwolf so far. It's different in the way it brings everything together under one roof with real intention," says the brand's founder, Pádraig Whelehan. Whether you're heading along to get a fresh fade or shop the range of wide-leg trousers, heavyweight knits and Cuban collar shirts, Whelehan has big plans for the new location. From in-store activations to limited-edition collaborations, expect creative encounters to take over the flagship spot in the coming months. Now, ten years into its run, Brotherwolf is staying true to its community-driven spirit. Says Whelehan: "At its core, [the South Melbourne store] is still very much us. The music, the banter, the attention to detail behind the chair — that stuff all remains unchanged. It carries the same DNA as our other shops, just with a bit more polish." Brotherwolf South Melbourne is now open at 295 Clarendon St, South Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.
First-time visitors to Singapore have a lot on their plate with the city's cuisine, museums, attractions and parks. But dig a little deeper and you'll find a diversity of rich experiences that'll help you get under the skin of the city. Whether this is your first trip or your fifth, these off-the-radar destinations in Singapore will help you delve into the island's vibrant history. Along the way you'll explore pristine natural spots, see unique architecture, try exquisite eats and rub shoulders with locals. We've partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board to showcase some of the best hidden gems across the country. From former military enclaves and heritage neighbourhoods to beautifully repurposed spaces and island destinations, these spots will elevate your next Singapore adventure. [caption id="attachment_864395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lim Wei Xiang (Singapore Tourism Board)[/caption] THE RAIL CORRIDOR A shining example of Singapore's bid to be hyper-modern while honouring its history, the Rail Corridor is a 24km-long green passage through the city's heartlands. The former railway track is a classic example of Singapore's commitment to being 'a city in a garden', while allowing wildlife to move between major green spaces. Parts of the corridor are still in development, but highlights include a former quarry, the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge which was built in 1932 and a wealth of parklands. Visitors can also access the revamped (but non-operational) Bukit Timah Railway station, a conserved heritage building that first opened in 1903. [caption id="attachment_864396" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Sim (Flickr)[/caption] CHANGI CHAPEL AND MUSEUM This poignant museum honours the prisoners of war and civilians that were held at the notorious Changi prison camp under the Japanese Occupation of World War II in February 1942. The families of those who were once interned at the camp have donated personal items, so the museum now offers unprecedented insights into the the fall of Singapore and prisoners' daily lives. The collection highlights include a 400-page prisoner diary and replicas of the murals painted by English bombardier and artist Stanley Warren. [caption id="attachment_864411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tony Hisgett (Flickr)[/caption] HAW PAR VILLA Created by Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par — the sibling heirs to the Tiger Balm empire — this giant theme park in Pasir Panjang houses over 1,000 statues and 150 large-scale dioramas showcasing snippets of Chinese mythology and history. Built in the 1930s, the park was meant to provide moral guidance according to Chinese traditions. Though the original building was bombed during World War II, it was rebuilt and now features the newly revamped Hell's Museum — inspired by gruesome scenes from Chinese folklore — and dioramas depicting tales like the Legend of the White Snake and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. These days, visitors can take part in a scavenger hunt through the park for Zodiac animals or do a self-guided 'Instagram walk'. [caption id="attachment_864415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marklin Ang (Singapore Tourism Board)[/caption] SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE It might be a bright, modern metropolis but Singapore is home to plenty of green spaces and nature reserves, too. At Sungei Buloh, the city's first wetland reserve, you can wander through 87 hectares of rare mangroves. Along the way, you might see some of the cheeky native inhabitants which include water monitors, mud lobsters, monkeys, mudskippers, sandpipers and the odd estuarine crocodile. There are plenty of observation posts to stop at so you can take in the impressive natural grandeur of the area. And, it's far enough off the beaten path that you probably won't be rubbing shoulders with hordes of tourists. [caption id="attachment_864423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] JOO CHIAT/KATONG Named for a wealthy Chinese landowner, the Joo Chiat/Katong neighbourhood was once a coconut plantation and weekend retreat for well-heeled residents. Over the 20th century, it developed into a residential enclave for middle-class, English-speaking Peranakans and Eurasians. The area retains its eclectic pre-war architecture, though the colourful heritage shophouses have been turned into charming eateries including 328 Katong Laksa, The 1925 Brewing Co., Birds of Paradise and Rumah Bebe, as well as boutiques like Cat Socrates that stock stylish homewares, decor and accessories. There are also numerous museums exploring the area's history and culture — The Intan, Katong Antique House, and Eurasian Heritage Gallery are all worth visiting. [caption id="attachment_864426" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] FORT CANNING Singapore is full of history but few places capture as much of the city's past as Fort Canning Park. Over the centuries, it has been the seat of 14th century Malay kings, served as the headquarters of the Far East Command Centre for the British Army and witnessed the surrender of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942. These days, the 18-hectare space boasts nine historical gardens, the boutique Hotel Fort Canning, military history attraction The Battle Box and hosts cultural events such as Shakespeare in the Park. There's also the Instagram-friendly tree tunnel, with its spiral staircase and enormous Rain Tree. [caption id="attachment_864441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] THE ISLANDS Singapore might be a city-state known for its gleaming skyscrapers and modern infrastructure, but just off its shores there's an archipelago well worth exploring. St John's Island, once a designated quarantine centre for major diseases, is now a popular destination for pristine beaches and outdoor adventures, while Kusu Island (pictured above) — named for the Chinese word for tortoise — has hidden lagoons, religious monuments and quirky folklore. Another popular spot, Pulau Ubin, is a former granite quarry that draws visitors for its military history, adventure sports, 1960s vibes and the biodiverse Chek Jawa Wetlands. [caption id="attachment_864446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] DEMPSEY HILL Named for Sir Miles Christopher Dempsey, a British soldier who had a decorated military career, Dempsey Hill was once an enormous nutmeg plantation called Mount Harriet and later in the 1850s became the British-run Tanglin Barracks. Since 2007, this has been a go-to dining and entertainment district. Sample Michelin-starred Peranakan dining at Candlenut, steaks and beers at Red Dot Brewhouse and local bites at Samy's Curry Restaurant. Then, browse the retail offerings at the iconic global fashion boutique Dover Street Market (pictured above), try a pottery class at Impressions Art Studio or visit Singapore's first gin distillery at Tanglin Gin. For more incredible ways to experience Singapore, head to Singapore Tourism Board's website. Top image: Yik Keat (Singapore Tourism Board)
It's a pretty good time to be a fan of rooftop bars, barbecue or both if you live in Melbourne. The Fancy Hank's BBQ have opened a dedicated, two-storey barbecue joint on Bourke Street — complete with a rooftop bar Good Heavens. The 100-seat restaurant is basically a bigger, better version of their venue at The Mercat, complete with a two-tonne smoker that had to be brought in through the first-storey window. They'll need it. Co-owner Michael Patrick notes how the menu features the signature smoked meats, as well as a rotating vegetarian main, such as a smoked eggplant or sweet potato, as well as a few more surprises. "The sides will be a bit more considered as well — a bit more seasonal, a bit more made to order, a bit more interesting," he says. "And mains will be served up on platters, family-style — that's the way to go. We'll be adding a dessert cabinet too." Head above, and you'll feel like you're in the heavens — or Good Heavens, as the bar will be called. A whole new concept set to open any day now, it's a casual rooftop bar that's unlike anything the Fancy Hank's guys have done before. The bar has chosen to champion brightly-coloured '80s-inspired cocktails (blue curaçao may be making an appearance), as well as barbecue snacks like spicy southern chicken ribs, chilli nachos and a seared and smoked lamb neck grilled cheese sandwich. Head to the Fancy Hank's website to book yourselves a BBQ feast before hitting up the rooftop for sunset cocktails.
Good weather and good vibes are on the way, which means the adventure lovers are gearing up for sunshine escapades. If your gear is in dire need of a revamp, iconic sustainable lifestyle brand frank green is here with the solution of three prize packs now up for grabs. frank green aims to end single-use plastic waste by crafting stylish and functional solutions that are built to last. Each of the lucky winners will score two Ceramic Reusable Bottles (grip finish) with Grip Lids, two 3-in-1 Insulated Drink Holders and two Stainless Steel Bowls with Glass Lids. The one-litre Ceramic Reusable Bottle is made for adventures — in the wild and in the city — and for this prize pack, it comes with the newly launched easy-to-grab Grip Lid, which is compatible with all frank green cups and bottles. The bottles also have a durable powder coat for added grip — so no bottles slipping from sweaty hands here. If you want your cold drinks to stay cool or hot drinks to stay hot, the bottles are triple wall vacuum insulated to retain temperature. Plus, because the bottles have a ceramic lining inside, they don't take on any of the flavours of your beverages, whether it's tea, coffee, infused water or anything else. The 3-in-1 Insulated Drink Holder keeps your bevvy ice-cold for longer. You can use it as a stubby holder or a tumbler, or add the included splash-proof lid and stainless steel straw to use it as a next-level cold-brew cup while you are road-tripping to your next adventure. Keep yourself nourished on your adventures, and pack snacks or meals in plastic-free, reusable Stainless Steel Bowls with Glass Lid. They are airtight with a soft-touch silicone seal and lightweight enough to pack in your day pack or to use as your daily lunchbox — to the envy of the office. So, if you and a mate or your partner are keen on adventuring this summer, fill out the form below to be in with a shot of upgrading your gear. [competition]917837[/competition]
Even if it's just for a night, and no matter if you're only travelling as far as the CBD in your own city, spending an evening in a hotel instantly changes your mindset. There's something about walking through the lobby, then getting cosy in fuzzy robes and with a minibar right there, that switches your brain to relaxation mode. That effect is why we all love staycations when we can't head away for a vacation. Of course, the feeling is temporary — but if you took the bed, sheets, TV, towels, bar fridge and more home with you, maybe it wouldn't be? That's the bet that QT Hotels & Resorts is making in February by giving away almost the entire contents of two of its rooms. Sure, you might've taken a hotel notepad and pencil with you after your stay before, or the tiny toiletries and shower cap, but this giveaway goes much, much further. From cushions, the kettle, the Nespresso machine, glasses, crockery and the bathmat through to a Dyson hair dryer, the minibar contents, the in-room safe, the iron and ironing board, and the alarm clock, you'll nab them all — so you'll get a room, then you'll basically be able to recreate that room at your own abode. You'll also receive the tissues, an umbrella, pillows, Kevin Murphy toiletries, a cocktail shaker, coat hangers, a shoe horn, coasters, playing cards, a bin and slippers — and the list from there still goes on. Everything you get will be new, too. The promotion has been dubbed 'Get a Room!', in fact, and does indeed require you to book in at a QT hotel or buy a gift card for at least $100 for a stay via the chain's website. It's also timed around Valentine's Day, so you'll have to slumber at QT between Thursday, February 1–Thursday, February 29, 2024, or purchase that gift card in the same window. Wondering where to check in? The campaign is running across the entire QT Hotels & Resorts chain in Australia and New Zealand for the month of February, which includes in Sydney, Bondi, Canberra, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. Regardless of where you pick, you'll be in the draw once you go to the promo's website and submit your booking confirmation or the order number from buying your gift card. Winners will be announced once early March rolls around, and there's two prizes up for grabs: the contents of a whole room in both Australia and Aotearoa. Now, to start planning where you'll put everything — or, if you'll be staying at QT with a date or mate, who gets what. QT Hotels & Resorts' 'Get a Room!' campaign covers stays between and gift cards purchased during Thursday, February 1–Thursday, February 29, 2024 — head to the company's website for further information.
Flinders Lane is home to some of Melbourne's best restaurants, and the eastern end is always packed with punters hunting down a highly sought-after table. The Spencer Street side, on the other hand, is home to a whole lot more office buildings than dining destinations. But this is slowly changing. More and more stellar spots are popping up on this side of the Melbourne CBD, with Salted Egg adding a fresh dimension back in 2021. Situated on the first floor, diners have views down Flinders Lane, just above it all, while tucking into a far-reaching assortment of Southeast Asian dishes. Executive Chef Adam Woodfield (ex-Chin Chin and Jimmy Liks) is serving playful takes on curries, stir-fries and street food eats full of bold flavours. There's no need to reach for the salt or chilli when feasting at Salted Egg. You can go à la carte for lunch and dinner, choosing your own Southeast Asian adventure, or opt for one of the set menus — something we all love to do these days. The menu kicks off with a few one-bite snacks inspired by Vietnamese, Thai and Singaporean street food. The smoked duck betel leaf with jeaw, lemongrass, mint and coriander is an absolute banger. As are the fresh oysters that come with red nahm jim. This is followed up by some spicy curries and stir-fries, as well as fresh salads to cut through the rich flavours. One particular highlight here has got to be the soft-shell crab stir-fry. These generous portions of crab come slathered in lashings of curry powder, Asian celery and oyster mushrooms. There's no doubt you'll be licking this bowl clean. A couple of desserts round out the food lunch and dinner offerings, best paired with some Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails or Aussie wines from the bar. The spot is also open to the public for breakfast but is mostly filled with hotel guests at this time of day. The pandan waffles and Vietnamese rice cakes with fried eggs are there for those wanting some Asian-inspired brekkie options, but your classic avo on toast and chilli scrambled eggs remain as well. Vietnamese coffee is also on the cards for those wanting to change up their usual caffeine fix. Salted Egg is feeding its hotel guests differently (not just in-room burgers and steaks) while also going after the general public. If you work down this end of town, a trip to Salted Egg or The Q best be on your dining hit list.
After a hefty makeover in 2018, the Bomba space boasts a fresh fit-out, a vermouth-inflected drinks list, and day and night dining menus celebrating the flavours of Spain. The rooftop sports an all-weather retractable roof and a second terrace space with a central copper bar and lots of high tables for a rendezvous with mates once work's done for the day. The drinks list shows lots of love for vermouth, an aperitif that's hitting peak fashionability, with a lineup of drops hailing from Catalonia to the Hunter Valley. A bigger, eight-strong tap list throws its weight behind indie Melbourne breweries, while the wine selection's focused both on organic and small Aussie producers, and lesser-known Spanish gems. Meanwhile, the food situation features a tapas menu of old favourites and new creations, a covetable selection of Spanish cheeses, terrific charcuterie and some stellar mains to pair with all that good Spanish wine. There's a pre-theatre menu if you're pressed for time and a bottomless lunch that features four cocktails and a range of highlights off the snack menu. Images: Peter Tarasiuk, Fiona Hamilton and Visit Victoria.
Before 2020 became a thing of the past, Victoria's 61-day run of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases also came to an end, and new mask requirements and gathering restrictions were introduced. The state presently has 38 active cases at the time of writing on Tuesday, January 5, and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is continuing to release updates regarding new numbers — and it's updating its map of the confirmed cases broken down by area, too. In 2020, DHHS released an interactive daily report of COVID-19 in the state, with a daily updated map as well. That system has undergone a bit of a revamp, but Victorians will still find the details they're looking for. Live on the DHHS website, the state-wide map now provides two options: confirmed cases by local government area, and by postcode. Thanks to a handy colour code, it's easy to see which parts of the state have active COVID-19 cases at present. Regions without any cases remain white in colour on the map, while shades of grey get darker depending on the numbers in each particular area. For example, if you're viewing by local government area, Monash, Booroondara, Glen Eira, Bayside, Kingston, Casey, Whitehorse and Maroondah all have cases as of 11.33am on Tuesday, January 5. By postcode, 3192, 3193, 3914, 3204, 3168, 3169, 3124, 3132 and 3136 are all on the list. If you click on a specific local government area or postcode, you can also see the population, the active rate per 100,000 population, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the area during the pandemic, the current active cases and the number of new cases in the past 24 hours. Scroll down on the same webpage, and you can view a state-wide breakdown of the cases by age group and sex, as well how the cases were acquired. And, you can drill down into the data yourself, with .CSV files available for download as well. DHHS is also frequently updating its list of exposure sites, which is broken down into groups depending on the action needed. Some require anyone in the vicinity at specified times and dates to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure, others require folks to get tested immediately and then quarantine until you receive a negative result, and a third category asks people to monitor for symptoms and, if any develop, to get tested immediately and isolate until you receive a negative result. At the moment, gatherings at private homes in Victoria are limited to 15, and masks are mandatory in all indoor settings — except from when you are eating and drinking. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria and have a look at the interactive daily report, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Services website. Top image: the DHHS Coronavirus COVID-19 in Victoria map as of 12pm on Thursday, January 7.
Walk up the pink marble stairs by Boccaccio Cellars in Balwyn — a family-run Italian grocer and bottle shop that's been around since 1963 — to find one of Melbourne's best new wine bars, Enoteca Boccaccio. The impressive fit-out comes courtesy of the Mim Design team, who were directly inspired by the venue's focus on preserving fine Italian and Australian produce. They've integrated a glass-walled cheese maturing room right by custom wine fridges that are stacked with bottles from local and international producers. But the bar's central white marble countertop is the star here, decked out with glass fridges that proudly showcase huge cuts of cured meats and piles of fresh oysters that the chefs work through each night. Pull up a stool and design your own charcuterie board from what's before you. But the new Melbourne wine bar isn't just serving charcuterie. Like many of Melbourne's best wine bars, food is given a lot of love at Enoteca Boccaccio. You can easily stay here for a full sit-down dinner at the bar or on one of the tables scattered about the 60-seat space. Small bites include the grilled Fremantle octopus served in a cold ajo blanco soup with charred cos and Espelette peppers as well as the grilled wagyu ox tongue topped with beetroot, pine nuts and a summery mustard fruit dressing. A selection of five pastas plus a couple of roasts and desserts round out the tidy menu of contemporary European eats. Wine-wise, the exciting cellar is rapidly rotating through local and international drops. For what's in stock that day, simply ask the team to talk you through it all. It's the kind of place where you should blindly trust their recommendations. The crew know what they're doing. Interior shots: Peter Clarke
Kirk's Wine Bar is almost unfortunately placed. Everyday city-goers and tourists waltz down down Hardware Lane, hassled by waiters trying to lure people into their restaurants. But on the corner is Kirk's. No one stands outside with a menu board, which is exactly why you should walk in. Glancing at the peeling paint exterior takes you back in time a little. Upon entering, you're almost transcended to a Florentine wine bar. The space is sprinkled with small, round timber tables, really only big enough to seat two. Which is fine with us, because, honestly, who wants to share a bottle of wine with more than one other person? Nice thinking Kirk's — you're onto us. Why is it called Kirk's anyway? Isn't that the creaming soda guy? Well, it was also the name of the wine bar's previous tenants. One of the city's first ever pubs, Kirk's Bazaar Hotel, who first occupied the space in the 1860s. Naturally, the wine selection has been carefully curated, including a nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy and a French muscadet from Domaine de la Pepiere. And don't worry, your Australian wines haven't been forgotten — there's a few of them in there too. A spiralled staircase reveals a wine cellar with a 12-seater table, great for a large group of friends. You could probably spend hours down there — an CBD bunker filled with wine and imported cheeses, tucked away from all the noise? Perfect. Image: Brook James.
The dots are stunning. The pumpkins, too. Her use of bold colours and shapes is also dazzling. There's another reason that Yayoi Kusama's art is so beloved, however: whether via mirrored infinity rooms, oversized tentacles or getting exhibition attendees putting stickers everywhere, she wholeheartedly embraces immersing her audience. It's true of Dancing Pumpkin, one of her famous gourd sculptures, which is on display in Melbourne right now — and when NGV International's massive Yayoi Kusama exhibition opens in December, it'll prove true again and again, breaking a world record in the process. Since April, the NGV has ben promising that its summer blockbuster exhibition — an Australian-exclusive as well — will be big. Across Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025, it will feature 180-plus works from the acclaimed Japanese artist, in the largest Kusama retrospective that the country has ever seen. Now, the gallery has also revealed that it'll boast ten of the talent's immersive installations, which is the most that has ever been assembled in a single location before. [caption id="attachment_950475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Chandelier of Grief 2016/18, Tate Modern, London. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and Victoria Miro. © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] One is a brand-new piece that's world-premiering in Melbourne, so when visitors enter Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light, they'll be among the first people on the planet to experience the work. Inside, the space appears to open into an infinite celestial universe. Kusama's latest creation adds to her ongoing fascination with infinity mirror rooms, which she has been creating since the 60s. See also: 2016's Chandelier of Grief, which features baroque-style chandelier spinning within a hexagon of mirrors; 2013's Love Is Calling, where tentacles in different colours spring from both the floor and the ceiling; and 2017's The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which gets viewers peering at glowing pumpkins as far as the eye can see through a small peephole. [caption id="attachment_981012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Dots Obsession 1996/2015 at Kusama's solo exhibition YAYOI KUSAMA: IN INFINITY, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark. YAYOI KUSAMA Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] Also relying upon mirrors heavily: the newest version of Dots Obsession, a room where the walls are reflective and biomorphic inflatables lurk. And yes, it's meant to inspire existential thoughts — and also feel as if the space goes on forever. Then, in Invisible Life, convex mirrors line a twisting and multi-hued corridor. With its six-metre-tall tendrils — which are covered in polka dots, naturally — the yellow-and-black The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe from 2019 is striking without using a looking glass (or several), and will make its Australian premiere. Prefer flowers instead? Set within a dotted space, All My Love for the Tulips, I Pray Forever from 2013 sees a trio of giant tulips loom over audiences. [caption id="attachment_950473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's The Obliteration Room 2002–present. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] If you went to the comprehensive Kusama showcase at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art back in 2017–18, or to the same site when it has also hosted the artist's The Obliteration Room at other times, then you'll know all about this sticker-fuelled experience. Even if you haven't taken part before, you've likely seen photos of it on social media. In Melbourne as in the other places that it has popped up, this artwork gets you popping coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating' it, as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. The idea is to fill every single millimetre with stickers over time. It's an all-ages (and free) part of the exhibition, displaying in the NGV's children's gallery, but expect as many adults there as kids. Flower Obsession is another participatory piece, returning from the 2017 NGV Triennial. Again, you're asked to add to the work. This time, though, red flowers are applied to a domestic space — and again, obliterating it is the mission. [caption id="attachment_950474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Flower Obsession 2017 on display in NGV Triennial from 15 December 2017 – 15 April 2018 at NGV International Melbourne. © YAYOI KUSAMA Image courtesy of NGVImage courtesy of NGV.[/caption] Alongside the ten immersive installations — plus the five-metre-tall Dancing Pumpkin in NGV International's Federation Court — Yayoi Kusama will step through the 95-year-old artist's eight decades of making art via a thematic chronology. Some pieces hail from her childhood. Some are recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s: they'll all appear. Half of the exhibition is devoted to the past four decades — so, pumpkins galore, giant paintings and more. Again, this is a hefty exhibition overall, complete with a new version of Narcissus Garden made of 1400 30-centimetre-diameter stainless silver balls, a Kusama artwork specific to NGV's Waterwall, over 20 experimental fashion designs by the artist, Infinity Net paintings from the 50s and 60s, Accumulation sculptures and textiles from the 60s and 70s, and a recreation of her New York studio. It's one of the most-comprehensive Kusama retrospectives ever staged globally, in fact — and the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving Australia. [caption id="attachment_979066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's Dancing Pumpkin 2020 now on display for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Sean Fennessy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, 2022 © YAYOI KUSAMA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_979065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama's Dancing Pumpkin 2020 now on display for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Sean Fennessy.[/caption] Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Top image: Yayoi Kusama, The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe 2019 at Kusama's solo exhibition Yayoi Kusama: All About Love Speaks Forever at Fosun Foundation, Shanghai. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA.
In addition to its laidback house-party energy and sweeping city views, Collingwood rooftop bar Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout is giving guests more reasons to settle into one of its plush leather banquettes with the launch of its new kitchen. And, in keeping with the playfully cheeky spirit of the venue, the food is flipping the script when it comes to bar menus — there's not a slice of focaccia or kingfish crudo in sight. Instead, you'll find a thoughtful selection of refined comfort classics on a menu that takes its cues from old-school American diners. The tight menu — designed by Slowpoke Co-Founder and Head Chef Bradley Wynne — will always feature three hearty mains, as well as a seasonally rotating list of specials that riff on fast food classics, sans nasties. That means that instead of focaccia, you'll find hash brown fries: golden savoury churro-style sticks served with a secret sauce. And in place of the ubiquitous steak tartare, you'll be able tuck into the Slowpoke Cheeseburger: a grown-up take on the Maccas classic featuring two smashed beef patties encased in a soft bun. And for dessert? What else but a slice of apple pie, served with your choice of cream or ice cream. Slowpoke's eschewal from the typical small-plates-and-pâté wine bar formula that Melbourne knows all too well is very much in keeping with the ethos of the venue. Says Wynne: "The kitchen is a natural evolution of our vision to create a space that invites people into our lounge room — a place where they can relax, connect, and enjoy familiar tastes elevated to something truly special." The kitchen's launch also sets the stage for guest chef collabs and one-off events with some of Melbourne's most creative culinary minds — itself a nod to the venue's broader ambitions as a community space and creative playground. The food is also a clever complement to the equally fun but serious cocktail program, which showcases fresh produce and surprising combinations, as well as considered booze-free options like house-brewed iced tea and homemade lemonade. Slowpoke's kitchen is open Wednesday–Friday from 5–10pm, Saturday from 2–10pm and Sunday from 2–9pm. Find it at Level 4, 50 Gipps Street, Collingwood. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Chege Mbuthi.
When someone spots a giant spider, they take notice, even when it's simply a tall metal piece of art. Seeing one of Louise Bourgeois' towering arachnids is indeed a stunning experience; however, so is watching people clock her lofty works. Her Maman sculptures demand attention. They're the type of public art that audiences just want to sit around, soak in and commune with. They're photo favourites, too, of course — and one has just arrived in Australia. This is the first time that Maman has displayed Down Under, with the world-famous piece arriving in Sydney as part of Sydney International Art Series. Bourgeois is one of three hero talents scoring a blockbuster exhibition during event, alongside Wassily Kandinsky and Tacita Dean. The nine-metre-high, ten-metre-wide sculpture that Bourgeois is best known for is currently on display on the forecourt of the Art Gallery of NSW, towering over the historic South Building. The sculpture hails back to 1999, and boasts its name because it's a tribute to Bourgeois' mother. The artist described her mum as "deliberate, clever, patient, soothing... and [as] useful as a spider". [caption id="attachment_927831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] If you're keen to see Maman on home soil, Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day? is running at the gallery from Saturday, November 25, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024, boasting 120 different works — the most comprehensive exhibition of Bourgeois's work ever to grace a gallery in the Asia Pacific. The Bourgeois exhibition is on display 13 years after the Paris-born artist passed away in New York in 2010, and after she stamped her imprint upon the art of the 20th century. Visitors will see her Arch of Hysteria work down in the gallery's underground Tank, textile works of the 1990s and 2000s, and plenty in-between. Other highlights include The Destruction of the Father, which is among the pieces that've never been displayed in Australia before; Clouds and Caverns, which is rarely seen in general; and the mirrored piece Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day?, which shares the exhibition's moniker. Alongside the display of art, there will be a free film series curated by the AGNSW's Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd. A heap of Louise Bourgeois' favourite flicks will be screened at the gallery's cinema, including 1958's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1971's Harold and Maude, David Lynch's Eraserhead, John Waters' Pink Flamingos and The Wizard of Oz. [caption id="attachment_927828" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] Top image: installation of Louise Bourgeois 'Maman' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins.
At some point, we all have to realise that we just can't watch every TV show ever made. It's a sad revelation, and it mightn't feel the case after a few years spent at home more often than anyone would've liked, but it's the practical reality. So many streaming platforms to choose from, so many new series hitting each and every one of them all the time — throw in all the regular old television channels, too, and that's every TV fan's current, ongoing, never-ending dilemma. We all have gaps in our viewing as a result. And while it seems like every television program that's ever hit airwaves or the internet is always available all of the time, even the list of shows that you can watch in Australia has gaps, because we don't necessarily get access to everything the moment it lands overseas. With all of that in mind, it's been impossible to watch everything new that's hit the small screen Down Under over the past year — but summer is a great time for catching up. Here are 12 standout series that mightn't have made their way to your streaming queues yet, but you should make a date with as soon as you can. And if you've seen them already, summer is also the perfect time for a rewatch. THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS Here's a great way to know whether a new TV comedy is worth watching: check whether Mindy Kaling is involved. After stealing every scene she could in The Office, then turning The Mindy Project into a smart, funny and adorable rom-com sitcom made with oh-so-much love for the genre, she just keeps adding new shows to her resume as a co-creator, writer and producer. The Sex Lives of College Girls is the latest, and quickly thrives thanks to the kind of savvy, authentic, honest and highly amusing writing that's always been a hallmark of Kaling's work. If you didn't know she was behind it going in, you'd easily guess. It also sports an immensely descriptive title, following four college freshmen — strangers to each other, but now roommates — as they navigate the move from high school to the fictional Essex College in Vermont. Because three movies currently in cinemas starring a member of Chalamet family just isn't enough (aka Dune, The French Dispatch and Don't Look Up), The Sex Lives of College Girls features his Timothée's sister Pauline (The King of Staten Island). She plays Kimberly Finkle, who heads to Essex as valedictorian of her small-town school, is more excited about the classes than the parties, but still wants to have the full college experience. And, she's thrilled to find herself rooming with aspiring comedy writer Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur, The D Cut), star soccer player Whitney Chase (first-timer Alyah Chanelle Scott) and the wealthy Leighton Murray (theatre star Reneé Rapp) — even if the latter in particular doesn't initially return the enthusiasm. The quartet's exploits from there navigate all the usual kinds of relatable college antics, but do so with a warm-hearted vibe, a great cast, insightful humour, and a shrewd focus on friendships and figuring out who you want to be. The first season of The Sex Lives of College Girls is available to stream via Binge. THE PURSUIT OF LOVE Bolters and stickers. They're the two labels given to women in The Pursuit of Love, a lavish, effervescent and also impeccably shrewd new three-part miniseries adaptation of Nancy Milford's 1945 novel of the same name. Befitting its source material's timing, the storyline leads into the Second World War, all as chalk-and-cheese cousins Linda Radlett (Lily James, The Dig) and Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham, Little Joe) grow from teens into women — and the former, the impulsive and passionate daughter of a Lord (Dominic West, Stateless) who doesn't believe in educating girls and hates foreigners, chases romance at all costs. Fanny narrates the story, detailing Linda's ups and downs alongside her own. Her own mother (Emily Mortimer, Relic) is purely known as "the Bolter", having left Fanny with her sister (Annabel Mullion, Patrick Melrose) as she too sought love again and again. It's a label that Linda despises when it's applied to her, though. Whether having her eyes opened to the world by her bohemian neighbour (Andrew Scott, His Dark Materials), falling for the first arrogant boy (Freddie Fox, Fanny Lye Deliver'd) she spends any real time with, or later crossing paths with a motivated Communist (James Frecheville, The Dry) and a French duke (Assaad Bouab, Call My Agent!), she does keep leaping forward, however. In contrast, Fanny literally bumps into Oxford academic (Shazad Latif, Profile) and settles into domestic bliss, all while worrying about her cousin. Mortimer also makes her directorial debut with this swiftly engaging look at well-to-do lives, and unpacking of the way women are perceived — and it's the latter, the vivid staging and cinematography, and the vibrant performances that make this a must-see. The Pursuit of Love is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. CALLS Everyone has heard about the response that The War of the Worlds reportedly sparked back in 1938. That's when Orson Welles adapted HG Wells' novel into a radio play, and the result was so convincing that it reportedly incited panic among listeners. Watching Calls, it's easy to understand how. 'Watching' isn't exactly the right term for this mystery series, though. Like all those folks glued to their radios 83 years ago, Calls' audience is forced to listen intently. Indeed, in terms of visuals, the series only provides two types: words transcribing the conversations heard, and abstract visuals that move and shift with each sentence uttered and every suspenseful pause left lingering. Accordingly, focusing on the snippets of phone chats that tell the program's stories is what Calls is all about. Remaking the French show of the same name, and directed by Evil Dead and Don't Breathe's Fede Álvarez, something much more than a small-screen version of a story-fuelled podcast eventuates. A starry cast voices the chats — including everyone from Parks and Recreation duo Aubrey Plaza and Ben Schwartz to Wonder Woman 1984's Pedro Pascal and Zola's Riley Keough — but it's the tension and power of their words that leaves an impression. Each of the nine episodes tells a short story that eventually builds an overall picture, and getting caught up in them all is far easier than the underlying concept might initially make you think. Calls is available to stream via Apple TV+. THIS WAY UP In Britain, This Way Up didn't drop both of its seasons in the same year; however, that's how it panned out for Australian viewers. And, that's a great thing — not only because this smartly written, astute, insightful and delightfully acerbic series about London-based Irish siblings Áine (Aisling Bea, Living With Yourself) and Shona (Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe) keeps viewers hooked episode after episode, but because binging your way through it immerses you wholeheartedly in their chaotic lives and headspace. As the first season establishes, English teacher Áine is riding the ups and downs of a mental health journey that saw her spend some time receiving in-patient treatment, and has left Shona, the high-powered overachiever of the pair, perennially worried. Even as COVID-19 approaches and begins to affect their lives in the second season, that dynamic is still in place. But Áine is now embarking upon a relationship with Richard (Tobias Menzies, The Crown), the father of a French boy (Dorian Grover, The White Princess) she tutors, all while trying to hide it from her bosses and said kid. Shona is the least-fussed bride-to-be there is as she prepares to get married to her long-term boyfriend and ex-colleague Vish (Aasif Mandvi, Evil), and also navigates more than a little awkwardness with her friend and new business partner Charlotte (Indira Varma, Official Secrets). The heart of this series is the push and pull between this sisters, and how they try to weather everything that life throws their way — and it remains firmly intact across its full run so far. The first and second seasons of This Way Up are available to stream via Stan. THE NORTH WATER When ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell, Seberg) secures a gig on a whaling expedition to the Arctic working as the ship's doctor, he's clearly running from something. His new colleagues are instantly suspicious of his story, bloodthirsty harpooner Henry Drax (Colin Farrell, Voyagers) among them — although Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and whaling company owner Baxter (Tom Courtenay, Summerland) are mostly just happy for his cheap services. That's the setup for The North Water, the 19th-century-set, five-part miniseries that takes to the seas, to the cold and to a brutal world, and proves grimly mesmerising with its Moby Dick-meets-Heart of Darkness vibes. Charting a survivalist tale not just of the physical kind amid all that unforgiving ice (and on those treacherous waters), but also of the emotional and mental variety as well, this is one of the most relentlessly intense shows to hit screens in 2021 — and it's also gripping from start to finish. The first episode sets the scene in a slow-burn fashion, culminating in sights so searing they're impossible to forget — and the story, as well as the vast chasm between Sumner and Drax, only grows from there. Writer/director Andrew Haigh adapts Ian McGuire's novel of the same name, but this series has the Weekend, 45 Years and Lean on Pete filmmaker's stamp all over it. He finds as much empathy here as he has throughout his stellar big-screen projects, and once again demonstrates his extraordinary eye for detail, exceptional sense of place and winning way with actors. With the latter, having O'Connell and Farrell lead the charge obviously helps. They're not only reliably phenomenal; they each put in some of their best-ever work, and their performances seethe with complexity. So does the entire miniseries, which is never willing to pose easy answers or provide straightforward interpretations when ruminating over the minutiae is much more riveting, fascinating and realistic. The North Water is available to stream via Binge. PHYSICAL On a typical early-80s day, San Diego housewife Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne, Irresistible) will make breakfast for her professor husband Danny (Rory Scovel, I Feel Pretty), take their daughter to school, then run errands. She'll also buy three fast food meals, book into a motel, eat them all naked, then purge. Physical can be bleak — about the pain festering inside its bitterly unhappy protagonist, her constantly fraying mental health, the smile she's forced to plaster across her face as she soldiers on, and her excoriating options of herself — but it also finds a rich vein of dark comedy in Sheila's efforts to change her life through aerobics. Add the series to the list of 80s-set shows about women getting sick of being cast aside, breaking free of their societally enforced roles and jumping into something active. GLOW did it. On Becoming a God in Central Florida did, too. And now those two excellent series have a kindred spirit in this sharp, compelling and often brutally candid show. Byrne is a force to be reckoned with here, in one of her best performances in some time (and a reminder that in everything from Heartbreak High to Damages and Mrs America, she's always done well on TV). Also entrancing, engaging and difficult to forget: Physical's desperate-but-determined tone, and the way it seethes with tension beneath the spandex, sequins and sunny beach shots. The first season of Physical is available to stream via Apple TV+. MADE FOR LOVE When author Alissa Nutting penned Made for Love, no one needed to think too hard about her source of inspiration. Now bringing its tale to the small screen courtesy of the series of the same name, her story ponders one of the possible next steps in our technology-saturated lives. Hazel Green-Gogol (Cristin Milioti, Palm Springs) seems to live a lavishly and happily with her tech billionaire husband Byron (Billy Magnussen, No Time to Die). They haven't left his company's desert campus in the entire ten years they've been married, in fact. The site is designed to cater for their every desire and whim, so they shouldn't need to go anywhere else — or that's how Byron views things, at least. Then his next big idea looks set to become a reality, and Hazel decides that she can't keep up the charade. She certainly doesn't want to be implanted with a chip that'll allow Byron to see through her eyes, access her feelings and always know where she is, and she's willing to take drastic actions to escape his hold over her life. Bringing the plot to the screen herself, Nutting favours a darkly comedic and sharply satirical vibe as she follows Hazel's quest for freedom, with Made for Love filled with blisteringly accurate insights into the tech-dependence that's become a regular part of 21st century existence. That said, the series wouldn't be the gem it is without Milioti, as well as Ray Romano (The Irishman) in a scene-stealing supporting part as Hazel's father. The first season of Made for Love is available to stream via Stan. THE VIRTUES Director and screenwriter Shane Meadows has a fantastic track record, spanning everything from Dead Man's Shoes to This Is England — as well as the multiple TV shows inspired by the latter. Fellow screenwriter Jack Thorne is no stranger to working with Meadows, also thanks to the This Is England franchise; however his individual resume includes Dirt Music, Radioactive, The Secret Garden, Enola Holmes, The Eddy and His Dark Materials over just the past couple of years. So, the pair's involvement in The Virtues immediately marks it as a miniseries to watch. So does its star Stephen Graham, yet another veteran of This Is England. Here, all three combine for a four-part drama that's bleak, raw, frank and devastating — and, once you've started watching, it's also impossible to tear your eyes away from until the credits roll on the final episode. After it finishes, it's downright impossible to forget, in fact, a claim that can't be made of most television shows. Graham plays Joseph, a labourer who's barely getting by. When his ex-partner and his young son move to Australia, he hits the bottle, has a big night, and wakes up certain that he has to head back to Ireland and confront his troubled past. So starts an emotional journey that's never easy — not for a single second — but is also never anything less than astounding. The Virtues is available to stream via Stan. INVINCIBLE If you've ever shopped for a specific item on Amazon and found multiple similar versions of the same thing, then you already know what it can be like to dive into Amazon Prime Video's streaming catalogue. Many of its new additions instantly bring other shows in its catalogue to mind by sharing and mimicking elements, and Invincible follows that trend. At first, it'll have you thinking about The Boys. Next, you'll start recalling Undone. Those two series mightn't seem like a natural fit, but the combination of superheroes and existential malaise works well here. Animated like the latter, but willing to get bleak and dark with caped crusaders as the former does repeatedly, Invincible focuses on Mark Grayson (voiced by newly minted Oscar nominee Steven Yeun, Minari). The 17-year-old son of the well-known Omni-Man (J Simmons, Palm Springs), he's been waiting for his own powers to kick in — and, when they do, he's forced to grapple with exactly what that means. Among the star-studded cast, Sandra Oh (The Chair), Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Mahershala Ali (Green Book) all lend their vocal tones. Off-screen, The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman is responsible for not only doing the same with the Invincible comic book, but with the series. What lingers most here is the mood, though, with the show at its best when it's getting contemplative and introspective with its teen protagonist. The first season of Invincible is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. LOS ESPOOKYS It has taken almost two years for the delight that is Los Espookys to reach Australian screens — and it'll take you less than three hours to binge its six-episode first season. This HBO comedy is both worth the wait and worth devouring as quickly as possible, though. The setup: horror aficionado Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco, Museo) wants to turn his obsession into his profession, so he starts staging eerie scenarios for paying customers, enlisting his best friend Andrés (Julio Torres, Shrill), pal Úrsula (Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ready to Mingle) and the latter's sister Tati (Ana Fabrega, At Home with Amy Sedaris) to help. Torres and Fabrega co-created the show with Portlandia and Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen, who also pops up as Renaldo's parking valet uncle. This mostly Spanish-language series only uses its biggest name sparingly, however, because its key cast members own every moment. Following the titular group's exploits as they attempt to ply their trade, and to weave it into their otherwise chaotic lives, Los Espookys always manages to be both sidesplittingly hilarious and so meticulous in its horror references that it's almost uncanny. There's nothing on-screen quite like it and, thankfully, it has already been renewed for a second season. The first season of Los Espookys is available to stream via Binge. MR MAYOR Here are five of the most glorious words you're ever likely to read: Ted Danson plays the mayor. The sitcom stalwart (see also: Cheers, Becker, Bored to Death and Curb Your Enthusiasm) has hopped from The Good Place into Mr Mayor, actually, and into the latest TV comedy created and/or produced by Tina Fey. Fans of the latter's other shows — 30 Rock, obviously, and also Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and Girls5Eva — will know the sense of humour her series tend to work with, and it's a fabulous match for Danson. So too is Mr Mayor's setup, which sees a wealthy, clueless but amiable businessman decide he can improve a post-COVID-19 Los Angeles, and get elected. Firmly a workplace comedy, the series chronicles the ups and downs in the mayor's office as Danson's Neil Bremer tries to do a job he clearly isn't qualified for. Naturally, with the arrogance of a rich, white and otherwise successful man of a certain age, he believes otherwise. Mr Mayor is firmly an ensemble comedy as well, however, and both Holly Hunter (Succession) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) are comedic gems as Bremer's over-enthusiastic deputy mayor and bumbling communications director, respectively. The series is a tad less successful when it endeavours to be a family comedy, too, bringing the mayor's teenage daughter Orly (Kyla Kenedy, Speechless) into the mix. But when its gags land — and whenever Danson and Hunter share the screen, which is often — it's smart, hilarious and all-too-easy to binge. The first season of Mr Mayor is available to stream via 9Now. SPREADSHEET When Katherine Parkinson starred in The IT Crowd 15 years ago, she played a woman trying to exude a cool, calm and collected air, but constantly finding her life — and her new job in IT — hindering that aim. In Spreadsheet, her new sitcom role, Parkinson's latest character isn't attempting the same feat. Instead, freshly divorced Melbourne-based lawyer and mother-of-two Lauren has has accepted that her existence is now messy; however, having a spreadsheet to keep track of her revamped love life is meant to help. Embracing being single, and all the opportunities for casual hookups that apps now bring, she isn't looking for a relationship. She even has her colleague Alex (Rowan Witt, Adore) helping to maintain her fast-growing database of sexual options. But this clearly wouldn't be a comedy if her new status quo turned out smoothly and stress-free. As this new Australian sitcom knows and keenly relies upon, there's a breeziness to Parkinson's comic performances that hits both humorous and relatable notes. Indeed, the British actor is the key reason that Spreadsheet's eight-episode first season is so incredibly easy to binge. Whether Lauren is being introduced in the throes of pleasure in the car park outside the Palais Theatre, is getting intimate in a snake dungeon or sports an eye patch after a run-in with a cuckoo clock, Parkinson is a comedic whirlwind. In a series that approaches its 'sex in the suburbs' setup with smarts and insights, too, she's also surrounded by an impressive local cast that includes Witt, Stephen Curry (June Again), Katrina Milosevic (Wentworth) and Zahra Newman (Long Story Short). The first season of Spreadsheet is available to stream via Paramount+.
Spend less time in the air and more on the snow: that's the thinking behind the new route that Qantas is launching at the end of 2025. When winter arrives in Japan, travellers flock in to hit their skis and snowboards, with the island of Hokkaido a popular destination. To get visitors there faster, the airline will start flying direct from Australia to Sapporo. From Monday, December 15, 2025, Qantas flights will run non-stop from Sydney to Sapporo, providing the only direct service between the two cities. Of course, this means that Aussies elsewhere at home will need to get to the Harbour City first, but the leg from Sydney will shorten travel time. Qantas advises that the route, which will fly seasonally — its first season will last until Saturday, March 28, 2026 — will cut several hours off the usual duration to get to Japan's northernmost island. Travelling there, you'll leave Sydney in the morning and arrive at Sapporo's New Chitose Airport by early evening. Coming home, you can enjoy the snow in the morning, then depart at night. When it kicks off just in time for the peak of the 2025–26 snow season, the new journey will fly three times a week on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. In total, over 20,000 seats will be on offer across the three-and-a-half months. This is all great news if you're keen for a getaway at the Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro ski resorts; to hit the hot springs in Noboribetsu and Jozankei; and to attend the Sapporo Snow Festival. When the Sydney–Sapporo leg takes to the skies, Qantas will boast four direct-to-Japan routes, alongside its Tokyo services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — from Sydney–Haneda and Melbourne and Brisbane to Narita. And no, it's not too early to start planning your end-of-year — or beginning of 2026 — getaway. Qantas' Sydney–Sapporo route will launch on Monday, December 15, 2025 and run seasonally, with the first season flying until Saturday, March 28, 2026. Head to the Qantas website for more details.
Champagne, cognac and caviar. This is what Melburnians can expect from the CBD's favourite new cocktail bar, Nick & Nora's. The bar is the brainchild of the Speakeasy Group, the owners of cocktail classic Eau de Vie, Viking luxe bar Mjølner and whisky-serving Boilermaker House. Like Mjolner, Nick & Nora's will be a Sydney import — the group opened its first Nick & Nora's in Sydney in October 2018. The Melbourne outpost swung open its incredibly opulent doors in July 2023 for a very short time, then reopened them at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, October 27, when restrictions were eased. Like its Sydney counterpart, the venue is inspired by Dashiell Hammett's novel The Thin Man and its fictional crime-solving team, Nick and Nora Charles. If you're not familiar with the book, expect a roaring 30s vibe befitting a most glamorous party. The sprawling venue boasts five distinct spaces (a main bar, salon, champagne parlour and a VIP lounge), three balconies, green marble, gold and dark wood finishes and a whopping 400 bottles of champagne on display. The latter is housed in a five-metre-long climate-controlled display case and features rare vintages alongside bubbles by the glass. For cocktails, the manual is organised by taste — a Speakeasy Group signature — but with venue-themed list names like The Femme Fatal, The Hollywood Starlet and The Snitch. Think martinis, champagne cocktails, punches and sours aplenty. [caption id="attachment_787583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinkerton Punch by Brook James[/caption] If you can't be bothered to read through the entire book of drinks, we suggest going for the smoking Cafe Noir (aged rum, cold drip, coffee liqueur, sweet sherry and vanilla mousse, served chilled with liquid nitrogen, the Doin' Time (Woodford Reserve rye whiskey, marmalade and amaro, served with a pinot noir float or the four-person Pinkerton Punch (gin, Cynar, elderflower, celery shrub and bubbles. For nibbles, while you drink, there are French-inspired snacks and share plates, including smoked eel blinis topped with caviar, confit duck with fermented chilli, chicken liver parfait with brioche and lamb tartare topped with macadamia cream. Plus a full caviar service and a sizeable selection of cheese and charcuterie. Nick & Nora's is located in the high-end restaurant precinct within the 80 Collins Street building. It's shaping up to house some big hospitality names, with highly anticipated new venues from Sepia's Vicki Wild and Martin Benn and Pastuso's Alejandro Saravia already locked in. Images: Brook James Updated Tuesday, March 21 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
The beloved Fitzroy local reached for the sky in 2017, opening her doors to a brand new rooftop. The space has vintage patio furniture and shabby chic styling mingling to create an al fresco hangout as relaxed as the suburb it calls home. The drinks offering hits all the right notes. Think easygoing, with just enough attitude, starring signature cocktails like the fruity 'You're Punching, Mate' and a new-school riff on the classic piña colada. They're backed by a fuss-free, ten-strong tap beer rotation and a globe-spanning wine list that's got a little something for everyone. Meanwhile, the food situation is a hands-on affair that'll see you getting stuck into burgers stuffed with beef and bacon and sticky pulled pork, or pizzas topped with spicy sausage and pepperoni. Throughout the winter months, it's also playing host to a cosy winter rooftop — filled with heaters, a creperie and even bottomless brunches on weekends.
There's no summer like a Sydney summer. From long days spent underneath beach umbrellas to leisurely lunches with friends, Sydney looks best when drenched in sunshine. If you're looking for a summer plan to fill your weekends with, the waterfront Mosman restaurant, St Siandra, is bringing back its much-loved deck chairs by Business & Pleasure Co. to its private beach this summer. Running from Friday, January 2 until Tuesday, March 31, every Wednesday to Sunday, the pop-up allows diners to settle into deck chairs right on the beach with uninterrupted harbour views and the full menu delivered right to your seat. From fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired share plates to summer-ready cocktails and chilled wines, you can order the best of St Siandra to your own private beach with just a tap of your phone. Talk about a luxury staycation. Secure your spot on St Siandra's private beach by booking in advance. The beach deck chairs are available to book in two-hour sessions in groups of two to six. Given the luxury of this offering, spots are limited, so it's best to lock in a few summer days with your friends and family ASAP. Inside, away from the sandy shores, St Siandra's continues to exude vacation vibes with a menu that's an ode to holiday dining and the flavours of the Mediterranean. Freshly caught seafood plays a starring role on the menu, which has been designed by head chef Sam McCallum. His experience is evident in his commitment to sourcing the highest-quality produce and ingredients, with a preference for local suppliers wherever possible. Visually, the vacation vibes don't end with the restaurant's beachfront location either. Touches throughout combine to transport you to Europe at its summery best. Every seat in the restaurant boasts views of the water, conspiring with the warm-hued, Amalfi-inspired interiors by interior designer Sally Taylor, featuring furniture sourced locally and from Italy. Together, it all beguiles guests into momentarily forgetting they're in fact in Mosman, not the Mediterranean. So much so, it's even possible to sail straight into St Siandra's private beach aboard your own (or a rented) vessel and disembark immediately into an awaiting deck chair or a seat inside. Whether you're planning a leisurely long lunch or just looking to soak up the sun in style, this unique Sydney experience blends barefoot luxury with laid-back Sydney coastal energy. See you on the deck chairs. See out summer from a beachside deck chair and book now at St Siandra. Image credit: Supplied
Addicted to the grind? We understand. You may not be taking as many trips to your local cafe for barista-made flat whites for the next week, but there are ways to stay keen for the bean, while staying safely at home for as long as it takes for the wave to pass. During the peak of lockdown in 2020, several roasters had to reduce their cafe operations, but they kept roasting, grinding and shipping coffee to customers — with some offering free delivery. Many roasters offer subscriptions for those plunging more at-home brews than ever before, some have online stores of equipment so you can up your home brewing game, and a few have sample packs and isolation gift boxes (as well as cute merch) so that we can make the most of this temporary shift in our daily habits. Here are 12 of the best roasters delivering the goods. If you choose to pick up your beans, make sure you follow the government's latest advice on social distancing. [caption id="attachment_693510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Ross[/caption] EVERYDAY COFFEE The Melbourne-based micro roaster delivers espresso, filter and decaf blends, as well as your requisite brewing gear — filter papers, pour-over cones, AeroPress kits and more. If you're familiar with Everyday Coffee's cafe blends, order a bag of All Day Espresso ($16), which goes well with milky coffees for a dark chocolate and caramel flavour, or a sweet and malty black coffee. Add your grind instructions at checkout and you should have your beans via Express Post within two-to-four days. In it for the long haul? Everyday offers subscriptions to deliver freshly roasted beans to your door. Select how you make your coffee and your preferred quantity, with prices starting at $20 for 250 grams. [caption id="attachment_813753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abigail Varney[/caption] MARKET LANE Prefer your beans with an aesthetically pleasing Pantone-esque packaging design? Market Lane not only offers free standard shipping for all orders over $40 within Australia but also make your kitchen shelf look excellent. The coffee retailer sells beans roasted for all filter brew methods, including pour over and plunger and, right now, all their shops are open for takeaways during their usual operating hours. For the bean fiends among you, Market Lane's vending machine is on 126 Weston Street, Brunswick East and is switched on 24/7 so you'll never go empty handed. Those further afield will get theirs via Australia Post, allowing up to five days for shipping. Fond of commitment? Join the Coffee Club, which ships beans every two weeks for $20 (for 250 grams). SAMPLE COFFEE Pacemaker is Sample Coffee's year-round house blend that has a Cherry Ripe-style flavour profile and goes well with milk. The Sydney roaster has subscription services for a range of blends, delivered across the country and ground to your preference, every week, fortnight or month. A 250-gram bag is between $15.80–23.80 per delivery and quantities go up to four kilograms. The online shop also has eight single origin blends, with bags starting from $16.20, plus brewing gear like cold brew pots, mini grinders and speciality kettles, but note delivery costs are calculated based on weight and distance. LOGGERHEAD Small scale Sydney roaster Loggerhead takes delivery orders up until Tuesday, 3pm, for its weekly Wednesday roast. Its online shop has Nespresso-compatible capsules from $10 a box (of ten), and a selection of roasted blends that start at $13 for 200 grams. So if you'd rather save those essential trips out for the supermarket you can select size, roast and grind preference online. To quote the words on the Loggerhead website: rip in. MECCA COFFEE Mecca Coffee, roasted in Alexandria, Sydney, serves up its orange, honeycomb and chocolatey house blend along with six other options through the website. It's offering ten-percent off all coffee and equipment, too, as well as free shipping on all orders over $30. Just as you can for any coffee order, you can select how your beans are ground if you'd like to skip the arm workout. Sydney deliveries take 1-2 business days and for Melbourne (along with Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra) orders should arrive within 3-5 business days via Australia Post. Looking for a longer term relationship? The Blend Subscription will set up within fortnightly deliveries, making sure you'll never have to worry about a caffeine shortage. ONA COFFEE If you want to geek out, Canberra-based Ona Coffee has an extensive online shop with merch — including winter-appropriate beanies and sweats — and some serious brew gear. There's also milky coffee blends Raspberry Candy, Black Betty, The Founder and The Hitman, which you can order to your brewing style. Filter fiends get some serious Central American single origins to choose from and specialty espresso roasts. Shipping is $10 or free when you spend over $75, and deliveries to Melbourne will reach you in 2-3 days. [caption id="attachment_635510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] SINGLE O In Botany Bay, Sydney's Single O is roasting and packing orders of its seasonal blends, single-source coffee and equipment. Order before 2pm and your coffee (ground to your liking or in whole bean form) is dispatched the next working day. And right now they're offering free standard shipping. Single O has equipment starting from $7, T-shirts and other merch, gift vouchers and coffee subscriptions that are well worth a browse to complement a short- or long-term working from home arrangement. ST ALI South Melbourne's St Ali has been roasting the good stuff for 15 years. Its online shop has ethically sourced Feels Good organic espresso beans, the rich and butterscotch Wide Awake espresso blend, dark roast Italo Disco and apricot and orange sweet single origins. But St Ali doesn't stop there. You can pick up Nespresso compatible capsules filled with its two house blends from $65 for 60 pods. Need a restock of your hand sanitiser? St Ali makes its own formulation in good-looking bottles, along with a collection of products all about keeping you safe and sanitised. For Australia-wide deliveries of its coffees, there's free shipping on orders over $99 so go big or go home. SENSORY LAB Sensory Lab's coffee and subscriptions can be sent anywhere in Australia either weekly, fortnightly or monthly - and shipping is free, Australia wide (with no minimum order!). Packs of whole beans start at $14 for 250 grams, and you can dive into a selection of blends or single origin beans. From the sweet red apple and caramel notes of the excellently titled Kiorero Washing Station to the chocolaty palette of the Steadfast Espresso Blend, you're guaranteed to find your flavour. It also has a limited range of mugs, totes and equipment worth a look in. PROUD MARY Proud Mary roasts its coffee in Collingwood, where you've likely eaten at its two cafes, Aunty Peg's and the eponymous Proud Mary. Founder Nolan Hirte is considered a leader in Australia's specialty coffee industry, and his mission is bridging the gap between farmers and coffee drinkers — so now's as good a time as any to support that mission through Proud Mary's $24 coffee subscription. A fortnightly run of single origin filter is shipped on Wednesdays, which gets you around 16 cups-worth. Add a single bag to your cart from $15 for a blend, and up to $22 for a single-o and in 1–4 days you'll be treated to the candy-coloured surrealist cartoons of Proud Mary's packaging in the mail. SMALL BATCH North Melbourne's socially responsible Small Batch has been roasting exceptional coffee since 2009. The juicy Golden Ticket filter is a blend from two producers, from Ethiopia and Colombia, and you can see how many pesos per carga each producer was paid by Small Batch when you select your quantity and grind. Transparency in the supply chain is Small Batch's bag, and as you're enjoying a Candyman Espresso Blend, which has a malted milk and macadamia flavour when taken with milk, you can be sure of the fact that all four producers who farmed the coffee in the blend were paid above Fairtrade prices. Standard shipping is $8 across Australia and typically takes 2–3 days, while the $13 premium rate should get your beans to you the next day. [caption id="attachment_712131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Industry Beans[/caption] AND MORE! In Adelaide, Monastery Coffee has free shipping on coffee orders over 250 grams with single origins starting at $16, and Elementary Coffee is shipping country-wide when you spend more than $30 (get the Young Street Blend used daily in its cafes). In Brisbane, Wolff Coffee Roasters has Australian International Coffee Awards-winning filter Hummingbird Vol 3 ready to ship for those after a fruity, gooseberry-driven flavour for $16. Industry Beans has espresso blends named for its cafe locations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with prices starting at $15. Melbourne's Code Black Coffee is offering free shipping Australia-wide for orders over $25, which means you could grab two bags of its signature 3056 blend (named for the postcode of the roastery) for $30. Then there's Axil Coffee, Black Market Roasters, Coffee Cartel and Reuben Hills all offering subscriptions. And, Edition Coffee Roasters is delivering Australia-wide with free delivery on orders over $50. So there really is no excuse for drinking bad coffee. Top image: Single O by Alana Dimou
Peninsula Hot Springs just keeps getting bigger and better. Back in 2018, it received a massive $13 million upgrade, which saw the addition of several hot and cold pools, and a hilltop bathhouse amphitheatre. In 2020, luxury glamping facilities landed on the property. And now, a couple of years after scoring a cool $3.3 million investment from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund (RTIF), the crew is ready to unveil its new Eco Lodges on Saturday, November 9. These will each feature a plush 60-square-metre suite complete with wifi, room service, a mini bar, and split-system heating and cooling. One thing that makes these accommodations so special is the dedication to giving guests a damn good night's sleep. Each room has self-guided sleep wellness content like sound and movement experiences, plus sleep masks and mineral salts. "We are thrilled to be opening our highly anticipated Eco Lodges next month to amplify our wellbeing offerings and embrace the importance of sleep as a cornerstone of wellness. True wellbeing begins with restful sleep, and we are delighted to provide a haven for guests to rejuvenate their minds and bodies and be empowered to face each day with renewed energy," says Co-Founder and Creative Director of Peninsula Hot Springs Charles Davidson. Each Eco Lodge also opens out onto its own garden and private hot spring bathing pool that looks out over the surrounding wetlands and a private lake. Usually, you'd need to share the property's large geothermal pools with others, so this private experience is an absolute win. Nonetheless, if you do want to jump around the other natural hot spring pools, your stay includes unlimited access to all of them. Both guests also get a complimentary 45-minute wellness session and buffet breakfast each morning. This is some next-level treat-yourself stuff, so expect to pay handsomely for it. Rooms within the Eco Lodges sleep two adults — with accommodation, unlimited bathing. a wellness activity, and breakfast starting at $930. The new Peninsula Hot Springs Eco Lodges will open Saturday, November 9. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.
On the ground level of the HQ Group's (Arbory and Arbory Afloat) multi-storey venue HER, you'll find HER Bar — a bar that also does lunch and dinner service, rocking a gorgeously sleek fit-out for any time, day or night. Food-wise, the bar moved away from its French-inspired menu when Nada Thomas (Cecconi's, BKK) joined the team in 2023. She's brought her own contemporary European spin to the dining options, leaning into the simplicity of Italian, Spanish and French cooking while also taking cues from her Turkish heritage. Smoked cheddar and corn croquettes, crumbed prawn rolls with cocktail sauce, scallops with house-made romesco and kipfler potatoes and grilled wagyu tongue with guindilla peppers and gribriche sauce give you a sample of the snack-or-stay-all-night approach to the food. The drinks program brings a similar mix of classic meets contemporary, with an any-time-of-day cocktail list curated by HQ Group's Tom Younger, and a wine program from Marcus Ellis (Melbourne Wine Room, Mr Wolf) that mixes French and Italian makers with an eclectic lineup of local Australian wines. Big night out or working lunch? HER Bar is hoping to help you do it all. And if that doesn't suffice, you can move on up the building to its hidden cocktail bar Music Room, Thai restaurant BKK or luxe outdoor space HER Rooftop. Images: Parker Blain and Earl Carter
When Fitzroy's venerable old pub The Rose — famous for their bangin' street parties and being a top-notch place to watch the footy — shut down in December 2015, it was to the dismay of locals. Luckily it was only for a few months to undergo renovations, which has seen the pub get a new lick of paint, a welcome refresh and, most notably, a wine bar upstairs. New owners Tim Hogan and John Tennent — who also own Port Melbourne's greatest wine bar, Harry and Frankie — have reinvigorated The Rose, but Fitzroy locals will be comforted by the fact that their natural watering hole retains the essence of the original pub. The front bar has lost the carpet, but kept the central bar and classic TV setup for watching a game and enjoying that classic Aussie pastime: a pot and a parma. However, upstairs has seen the biggest change. It's Fitzroy version of the pair's popular wine bar, and comes complete with a separate entrance. Up here the focus moves to wine (obviously) and away from pub food to a light charcuterie. There's also a walk-in wine cellar for diners to pluck their wine of choice fresh from the shelves.
Since Friday, September 17, Melburnians have been able to venture ten kilometres from home under the city's current lockdown, doubling the five-kilometre rule that had been in place since the beginning of August. That change only happened just over a week ago, when 70 percent of eligible Victorians had received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. But, when the state hits the 80-percent single-jabbed threshold, the travel radius is being amended again as per the new roadmap out of lockdown — so you'll soon be able to head 15 kilometres away from your house instead. Shopping for essentials? Exercising? Going outside for social interaction with your mates? From 11.59pm on Tuesday, September 28, you'll have another five kilometres to play with. That covers when you're moseying out to meet with someone you don't live with for a picnic, a walk or some other outdoor activity — including, in another just-announced change, 'contactless' pastimes such as golf and tennis. Or, if you and your friends are fully vaxxed with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, then up to five adults from two households, plus their dependents, are allowed to gather outdoors. So, if you're currently scrambling to find quick ways to map out your 15-kilometre zone, that's completely understandable. While you're probably quite familiar with the five-kilometre and ten-kilometre patches of land surrounding your house thanks to more than a few lockdowns over the past 18 months or so, there are a few easy ways to check out your household's government-approved travel radius now that you have more room to venture. But none have proved quite as popular as KM From Home — a website that originally launched in Ireland back in March, when that country introduced its own travel restrictions — and was jumped on by Melburnians back in August 2020. The online map is free and easy to use — simply centre it to your address, select a 15-kilometre radius and you'll see a big red or blue bubble encompassing the zone you're free to travel in under the Victorian Government's new rules. You'll find other radius apps out there as well, including the likes of Map Developers and The Age's tool. Alternatively, if you've got a Garmin watch, you can download this range warning and it'll alert you when you're closing in on a certain distance from your run's starting point. Want to check a specific cafe or shopping centre to see if it falls in your 15-kilometre zone? There's a function on the Google Maps app that allows you to measure a distance as the crow flies. On desktop, simply right click on a location on the map, select 'measure distance' and then click anywhere else on the map and it'll show you exactly how far the address is from your starting point. Under the existing rules, you can head out to exercise or for outdoor social gatherings for a maximum of four hours per day. That time limit isn't changing — but, from Tuesday, September 28, it can be done within 15 kilometres of your home. You can leave your bubble for permitted work, or if you're shopping for essentials and there are no shops in your radius. Lockdown rules in metropolitan Melbourne will ease slightly from 11.59pm on Tuesday, September 28, with exercising, shopping for essentials and outdoor gatherings within 15 kilometres of your house permitted from that point. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website. Images: Km From Home
You've played Nintendo's Mario games, including on Google Maps and mobile phones. You've tried your hand at Mario Kart in reality. You've made plans to hit up the Super Nintendo theme park in Japan, or perhaps the upcoming second site in Hollywood. And you've watched 1993's live-action Super Mario Bros, which starred Bob Hoskins as the titular, John Leguizamo as Luigi and Dennis Hopper as King Koopa. If all of the above fit — or even just some of it, because everyone has pressed start on at least one Mario game — then you're primed for the character's next leap to the big screen. This time, it's happening in animation, and Nintendo has just dropped a colourful sneak peek during its Nintendo Direct stream. The film: The Super Mario Bros Movie, which has enlisted Chris Pratt (The Terminal List) to voice the Italian plumber, because the former Parks and Recreation star doesn't have enough big franchises (see: Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World and The Lego Movie) on his resume. (So far, there's only one new Super Mario Bros, but predicting there'll be more if it does well at the box office is as easy as collecting mushrooms in the games.) As initial teaser trailers tend to do, there's little in terms of story in this first glimpse at the movie — but Mario does frolic his way to the Mushroom Kingdom. Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) gets a-running in spooky surroundings (here's hoping that games' haunted house soundtrack makes the jump to cinemas, too) and Bowser (Jack Black, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) gets fiery as well. Also among The Super Mario Bros Movie's voice cast: Anya Taylor-Joy (Amsterdam) as Princess Peach, Keegan- Michael Key (Reboot) as Toad, Seth Rogen (Pam & Tommy) as Donkey Kong and Fred Armisen (Los Espookys) as Cranky Kong. Hailing from directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies), penned by Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru) and produced by Illumination Entertainment (aka the studio behind the Despicable Me and Minions flicks, and the Sing films), the movie reaches cinemas Down Under at the end of March 2023. That gives you plenty of time to mash buttons in the interim — just try watching this first sneak peek and not busting out your old Mario games. Check out the trailer below: The Super Mario Bros Movie releases in cinemas Down Under on March 30, 2023.
Hands Down is Fitzroy's new hotspot drinking hole, courtesy of a group of hospitality veterans. And coming from those behind Melbourne institutions such as Above Board and Bar Liberty, you know you're in safe hands. Occupying the former Bad Frankie space on Greeves Street, Hands Down has been a long-imagined venture, which pays homage to the drinking cultures of Southern France and Northern Spain. There's a golden trifecta of stiff drinks, salty snacks, and sweet tunes. Sip on the likes of Pastis Swizzles, 50-50 Martinis and Kalimotxos, paired with a gilda, or Éspelette crisps with guindillas. Leading the charge are Dominic Xavier (Bar Liberty), Hayden Lambert (Above Board), and Manu Potoi (Bar Liberty, Above Board, Capitano), who set out to create a high-spirited and energetic hub for groups to gather for a pre-dinner snack and drink, or a later-in-the-evening nightcap or two. Xavier says, "We've always wanted to create a social bar. Somewhere fun, loud and a little bit loose — but still delivering the quality we're known for." The warm and welcoming space, with a loosely seventies-inspired fit-out, was designed by Studio Edwards and built by Orio Randi of Arteveneta. The venue is centred around a vintage Tannoy sound system. Relics of the former space were retained for both charm and purpose, such as the original timber-panelled bar, which was kept for its sound-resonating qualities. Images: Dominic Xavier.
The city has scored itself a bumper new year-round floating bar, with Yarra Botanica making its permanent home atop the Yarra River beside Sandridge Bridge. The brainchild of Australian Venue Co (Fargo & Co, State of Grace, Kewpie, The Smith), the two-storey pontoon bar and eatery is much more than just a pretty face and multimillion-dollar drinking destination. Yarra Botanica has made it a mission to champion Victorian produce and booze, its entire drinks list sourced from within the state and a good 90 percent of the food menu following suit. The bar boasts space for almost 700 across two open levels, decked out with planter boxes, herb gardens and climbing vines amongst the oversized umbrellas and lattice pergolas. That bountiful locally-focused drinks offering boasts plenty of exciting sips no matter your booze preference. A 12-strong tap list runs from Stomping Ground's Big Sky park ale ($11.50–15) to the Hawkers I Go Sour ($10.50–14), while Moon Dog and Wolf of the Willows headline the seltzer selection. A carefully curated vino lineup tours the state's leading wine regions, while botanically-charged cocktails and spritzes hero native ingredients, as well as makers like Grainshaker and Brogan's Way. Try a ginger and mango spritz made with lemon myrtle ($18 glass, $54 carafe), or opt for a wattleseed-infused espresso martini ($23). The matching menu is primed for snacking and sharing, starring smalls like crispy mushrooms with koji mayo ($17), savoury doughnuts stuffed with rainbow trout and caviar ($9), and a pork terrine with wattle crackers ($22). Sourdough pizzas ($24–29) showcase local ingredients like Murray cod belly and Warrigal greens pesto and there's a trio of loaded grazing boards to order by the metre ($55–69).
The Grand Hyatt Melbourne has been part of the city's skyline since 1986 — a Collins Street landmark that continues to anchor Melbourne's luxury hotel scene. Positioned between designer boutiques, theatres and some of the city's best restaurants, it's an address that carries weight, even as new contenders arrive around it. The foyer sets the tone: vast, marble-lined and unmistakably grand. It's one of the few hotels in Melbourne that still feels like an event just to walk into. From here, the hotel stretches across 33 floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows that capture city and Yarra River views. Recent updates have focused on refining the hotel's dining and wellness offerings rather than reinventing them. Collins Kitchen, the hotel's all-day restaurant, has expanded its focus on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus, with the long-standing breakfast buffet still its defining feature. The return of the Friday night buffet and the addition of weekly live jazz at Ru-Co Bar nod to the hotel's classic character rather than chasing new trends. Wellness facilities remain comprehensive. The City Club Health and Fitness Centre includes a heated indoor pool, spa, sauna, and — unusually for the CBD — a rooftop tennis court. There's also a full-service wellness program with massage and personal training, though the space itself still reflects its 1980s origins more than contemporary design trends. Upstairs, the Grand Club Lounge offers additional privacy and skyline views for suite and club guests, while the Lobby Lounge on the ground floor continues to draw in both guests and locals for afternoon tea or a quiet drink away from the Collins Street rush. The Grand Hyatt's enduring appeal lies less in novelty than in scale and consistency. Its position, views and unmistakable sense of grandeur ensure it remains part of Melbourne's five-star conversation — even as the city's hotel scene grows ever more design-driven around it. Looking for restaurants to explore during your stay? Here is our guide to the CBD's best. Images: Supplied
In bittersweet news, we've learnt that Scott Pickett's fine diner, Audrey's at The Continental Sorrento, is set to be replaced by a bold new offering, Ember. This transformation is being unveiled to celebrate The Continental Sorrento's 150-year legacy. The heritage-listed hotel was built in 1875 and has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, with boutique accommodation, multiple drinking and dining venues, and unmissable views. While legendary hospo personality Scott Pickett (of Smith St Bistro, Matilda 159 and Como Lane, just to name a few) will continue to oversee the direction across The Conti (as it's affectionately referred to among locals and regulars), his long-time collaborator and protege, Jake Furst (Chief Operating Officer of Kickon Group), will take the reins in the kitchen at Ember. The distinctive new offering will showcase the drama and unmistakable intensity of flavour achieved from cooking over open flames. Furst says, "Having been mentored by Scott throughout my career, it's a real honour to step into this role and lead Ember. Audrey's set the benchmark for coastal dining, and Ember builds on that legacy with a fresh, fire-led approach. I'm excited to create a menu that champions Mornington Peninsula's incredible growers and producers." Ember will focus on Peninsula dry-aged beef and local seafood, with charry, smoky flavours from the Josper charcoal grill set to highlight the high-quality nature of the ingredients. As part of this exciting new chapter, The Conti will also open CeeCee's (formerly The Atrium), and all-day wine and diner in an easygoing but upmarket space. Craig Shearer, CEO of Kickon Group, says, "This new chapter is about celebrating everything we love about the Peninsula — its food, its people, and its relaxed energy. We're building spaces that are warm, generous and genuinely local. With Ember and CeeCee's, we're listening to what people want and evolving with the Sorrento scene." Images: Supplied. Ember and CeeCee's are set to open this November at The Continental Sorrento. Bookings are now open so get in quick to see what all the fiery fuss is about.
If you're a sucker for next-level degustation dining, Eureka 89 is the place to do it. Simply bypass the tourist-clad Skydeck for a seat on level 89, where you'll get a degustation menu paired with an uninterrupted panoramic view of the city. Eureka 89 aims to fulfil the fine dining prophecy, from the red-carpeted entrance to the window-side seating and every foam, gel and dust in between. Diners are seated right up against the floor-to-ceiling windows and can enjoy the luxury of dining within a very comfortable radius of personal space. In the low, red-tinged light, you barely notice the other diners; low chatter and the clinking of wine glasses make up the soundtrack. With all that skyline swagger, you might expect the food to pale in comparison to the spectacle of it all. Thankfully, it's just as worthy of your attention. Choose a five-, six- or seven-course tasting menu curated by award-winning Executive Chef Renee Martillano. With over 20 years of experience, Martillano's career began in Perth in the highly disciplined brigade of international competition chef, judge and vice-captain of the Australian Culinary Team Adrian Tobin. She is an accomplished chef in her own right, winning gold in the worldwide Salon du Culinaire culinary competition in 2009. She then progressed to Chef De Cuisine in a kitchen of 50 chefs at the Perth Convention Centre. Since moving to Melbourne, Martillano has been instrumental in increasing Eureka 89 from two to three hats in the international restaurant guide Gault and Millau. The menu at this towering venue is ever-changing and adapts to the seasonal produce available to Martillano and her team. Each course has an optional wine pairing with expressions from Australia and beyond. The menu differs month-to-month, but options could include marron with fennel and baby leek, Flinders Island lamb with a fine potato gratin, butter-cooked squash, mint gel and parsnip foam, Rannoch quail with cime di rapa grape and pea, as well as a cheese and a sweet course. Eureka 89 offers evening dining from Monday to Sunday with seatings at 5.30pm and 7.15pm and selected Sunday afternoons for lunch service — subject to availability — with seatings at 12pm and 12.30pm. Make your reservations on the website. Guests of Eureka 89 can enjoy complimentary access to the Melbourne Skydeck on the day of their booking. Head to the website for more information. Updated October 25, 2023. Images: Eugene Hyland
From Lyndon Kubis and Mark Nelson — the team behind Toorak Wine Cellars and Milton Wine Shop — The Moon is a touch moodier and a little more refined than previous ventures, and has made a stamp on the northside bar scene at the bottom of a Collingwood apartment building. The wine offering has a focus on small producers across the board in a curation that reflects places and regions, rather than processes and technique. A hefty by-the-glass selection celebrates locals and foreign finds in equal measure, alongside two craft beer tap options and a rotating bottled range of boutique brews. There's a serious retail collection sitting pretty along one wall — you can grab a bottle to enjoy then and there, or pick something up on your way home. Foodwise, the menu's all about things you can feast on with just one hand. Keep the other firmly on that glass of Luke Lambert 'Crudo' shiraz, while you tuck into a katsu sando ($13), chilli-doused fried cauliflower ($10), or your pick of cheese and charcuterie.
Located in Highett, southeast of Melbourne, Third Wheel must be doing something right. Only a few months after opening in June 2023, it had already won the prestigious Toby's Estate Local Legends award for Victoria, voted by members of the public. It's the brainchild of married chefs Jen Anstey and Mere Herewini and their friend Suzy Kyriakopoulos — the name Third Wheel is an in-joke about Suzy going into business with a couple. All three had over two decades of experience in the hospitality game before deciding to open their own space. Unsurprisingly, having professional chefs behind the wheel means the menu is a cut above your standard cafe fare. There aren't many local spots offering aleppo pepper calamari or chilli eggs with prawn toast alongside your daily cappuccino. The culinary adventures don't stop there, though – there's a rotating cast of specials. Pork katsu ciabatta and confit duck with poached egg and potato rosti are just two of the recent highlights. The trio has also branched out into pop-up dinners with snacks, share plates and main courses, meaning that, if you were so inclined, you could visit Third Wheel for your first, second and third meal of the day.
If you find yourself in the backstreets of South Melbourne, be sure to head to The Montague. Despite its recent renovations, the neighbourhood spot hasn't lost its charm. Pull up a seat by the open fire in winter or sit out on the sunny footpath in the warmer weather. You can pick from the extensive wine list of predominantly Aussie vino or grab a pint of regular craft beer. The Montague also has a range of cocktails if that's more your speed, including espresso martinis, negronis and margaritas. The kitchen dishes up seasonal pub feeds using locally sourced ingredients. On the menu, you'll find steaks, a beef burger on a house-made bun ($25), roast chook ($32), lamb and mint sausages with mash and peas ($28), battered fish ($28) and bunch of starters and sides. If you're there on a Sunday afternoon, there's one thing that should be a high priority: a hearty weekend roast. The generous $28 Sunday roast special is a long-running favourite, swinging through a weekly rotating menu, each variation served with all the must-have trimmings. Maybe it'll be some slow-roasted lamb shoulder matched with crispy spuds and slaw, or perhaps a plate of pork starring plenty of crackling and roasted veggies.
The Laneway Festival 2026 sideshows have landed, giving fans a chance to catch some of the lineup's biggest international names up close before and after the main event next February. Announced today, the official run includes headline shows from Alex G, Lucy Dacus, BENEE, Wet Leg, Cavetown, Geese, Gigi Perez, Jensen McRae, Malcolm Todd, Mt. Joy, Oklou and Wisp — spanning major venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Wellington. [caption id="attachment_974758" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laneway Festival 2024 | Charlie Hardy[/caption] The sideshows arrive ahead of Laneway's 21st anniversary edition, which will bring a refreshed route across Australia and New Zealand and a lineup featuring Chappell Roan, PinkPantheress, Wolf Alice, Role Model and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Sydney and Melbourne dates sold out within an hour of going on sale, marking the second consecutive year the festival has hit capacity on day one. From long-awaited returns to debut Australian performances, the sideshows promise intimate sets from some of the most talked-about names in the 2026 lineup. [caption id="attachment_897686" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BENEE[/caption] You can find the full list of Laneway 2026 sideshows, dates and tickets via Ticketek. Images: Supplied
You probably know NYC's High Line or Paris' Promenade Plantée; now get ready for the arrival of Melbourne's Greenline. The first of a five-site rejuvenation project has just been completed, bringing loads more green space and scenic boardwalks to the Yarra River – Birrarung. Stretching for 450 metres between Batman Avenue and the eastern edge of Federation Square, this reimagined spot is now ready to be explored by the public, launching just in time to offer even more stellar vantage points for the New Year's Eve fireworks. Yet this project's benefits extend far beyond just a single night of fun. Visitors will now encounter 70 new native trees, over 25,000 native plants and 900 square metres of lawn, garden beds, seats and shaded resting areas, levelling up this central part of town. Meanwhile, this initial stage of the Greenline also features a 200-metre boardwalk, ideal for a riverside jog as the sun rises or a quiet spot for a lunch break. Complemented by a six-metre-wide promenade, there's no shortage of space to experience the river from a new perspective. "Hundreds of thousands of people will soon enjoy one of the most beautiful walks in all of Melbourne, with the transformed Birrarung Marr boasting breathtaking scenery from every angle," said Councillor Rafael Camillo, Deputy Portfolio Head for Infrastructure, Safety and Cleaning. With the first major milestone of the Greenline project now wrapped up, locals can look ahead to the arrival of future sections. When all five sites are complete — tentatively pencilled in for 2030 — the Greenline will provide a four-kilometre continuous green pathway from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge. Site 1 of the Greenline is now open, located from Batman Avenue to the eastern edge of Federation Square. Head to the website for more information. Images: City of Melbourne.
The eye and the brain are incredibly powerful organs through which humans receive and process a large proportion of their sensory information. What we see every second of everyday helps shapes our understanding of almost every aspect of our lives. And our brains develop certain expectations about objects based on a long history of experience. However, sometimes optical illusions can challenge our pre-conceived ideas of structures and confound both our eyes and brains. Through clever deceptive techniques, artists and architects can create buildings that elude our basic understanding of how constructions are made and what they include. Here are nine bewildering optical illusions sure to confuse and amaze and challenge your conceptions of architecture. Warped Building This apartment building is your average apartment block...with a twist. A fairly large, warped twist. The unique structure is situated in the Czech Republic's capital city, Prague, and has picturesque views overlooking the River Vitara. El Grifo Magico Appearing to defy gravity and perform some magical feat, this 'floating tap' seems to be pouring an endless supply of water from its vantage point of mid-air suspension. Even though a magician should never reveal their secrets (and stop reading now if you would like the magic to remain), it has been revealed that a pipe hidden by the water actually holds the structure up. Upside Down House Spider-man? Gravity-defying shoes? Talented acrobats? No, it's another awe-inspiring architectural design that tricks and boggles the mind. This unorthodox house has everything upside down and back to front - literally. Trompe-l'eoil Ever after looking at this image several times, it is still impossible to fathom the appearance of this melting building, closer resembling a time warp than an apartment block. In actual fact, this image actually depicts a painting, but even then it succeeds in confounding the brain.The image uses the french art technique of tromp-l'eoil, which attempts to make 2D images appear like 3D optical illusions that really exist. One-walled House History has taught us to understand a house as a building comprising of at least four walls, a roof and a door. However, in Odessa, Ukraine, they have challenges this perception by creating a disconcerting house, which from the front appears orthodox, but when viewed from the side reveals only a single walled-building. Cafe Wall Illusion In 1979 a cafe was erected in Bristol, England, with a perplexing exterior that confused and bemused, and which continues to do so into the present day. A variant of the Münsterberg shifted chessboard illusion, this tessellating pattern uses light and alternating bricks of black and white to make the parallel and even lines appear to be sloped. All the line are actually horizontal and all the levels of the building perfectly equal in size. Bâtiment Another building which seems to flout all logical laws of gravity is the artist Leandro Ehrlich's mirrored art installation for the 'In Perceptions' exhibition in Paris. Whilst people appear to be casually hanging from 3-storey balconies or chilling whilst suspended horizontally to the wall, this trickery is actually a result of a mirrored painting of a building on the ground. 3D Lichtenstein House The top image gives the impression of a quaint and colourful little house that would be fitting within the setting of a fairytale story. The second picture, however, reveals its highly deceptive nature. Cleverly using only two walls placed at specific angles, when viewed at from a particular viewpoint, this house appears to be a complete 4-walled building. Sinking House Another sneaky illusion using angles, the top picture of this house depicts a building seemingly falling into the depths of the Earth. Yet when righted, the correct angle of the house demonstrates a perfectly average home located on the slope of a hill.
What better way to counteract all that CBD hustle and bustle than by partaking in some serious park time? Just a quick stroll beyond Parliament House, East Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens are not only an oasis of rolling green grounds, they're also home to The Conservatory, an iconic Melbourne tourist attraction filled with greenery and some of the city's most attractive examples of nature. Kicking on since 1930 and hosting five displays each year, this is the place of your plant-loving dreams. Right now, head in to live an endless summer, as you feast your eyes and nose on the tropical poinsettia collection, and gain some inspiration for your at-home conservatory (you'll no doubt be hankering to build one after your visit).
The Mornington Peninsula has temporarily lost one of its most celebrated wineries and cellar doors, after Pt Leo Estate suffered a minor fire on Friday, May 20. The venue took to Instagram over the weekend to share the news, confirming the site's restaurants, cellar door and sculpture park would be shut until further notice. Fortunately, it seems no one was injured in the blaze, with the post stating: "Our guests and team are safe and well." It goes on to confirm that all existing dining reservations from May 21 onwards have been cancelled, encouraging people to get in touch via email if they need any more information. [caption id="attachment_822391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pt Leo Estate, by Chris McConville[/caption] The team hasn't yet shared word on how much damage was incurred, nor how long the estate might be out of action. They did, however, thank their customers, saying: "We appreciate your understanding and support and hope to welcome you back soon." The Pt Leo Estate fire comes four years after Main Ridge winery Ten Minutes by Tractor had its restaurant gutted by flames in the middle of service, and was forced to close its doors for over 18 months to rebuild. Fingers crossed that this latest fire is a whole lot less devastating and that long lunches at Laura will be back on the menu in no time. Pt Leo Estate will remain shut until further notice. For updates, see the website. Top Image: by Anson Smart
Attention Carnivores, news is just in that Victor Churchill, the highly acclaimed butcher shop and exclusive steak restaurant in Armadale, has announced plans to open its second Melbourne location next year. Victor Churchill is set to bring its renowned butchery skills and fine dining experience to Crown Melbourne in mid-2027. The beloved butcher was established way back in 1876 in Woolhara, Sydney, and in 2009, the Puharich family changed the store's trajectory, making it the elevated brand it is today. Anthony and his father, Victor, a fourth-generation butcher, have since expanded the brand and achieved international acclaim with their signature blend of butchery, theatre, hospitality, and design. "Victor Churchill has always been about more than just meat — it's about storytelling, craft, and creating unforgettable moments," said Anthony Puharich, CEO. "We're thrilled to bring this philosophy to Crown Melbourne, where we can offer guests one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the country. This new venue will blend the heritage of Victor Churchill with the energy of a contemporary grill room, with every detail designed to feel bold, intimate, and magnetic." The new venue will mark the emergence of a partnership between Anthony and Rebecca Puharich and acclaimed chef Monty Koludrovic, who has worked in kitchens across Australia, the UK, and the United States, including at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and The Dorchester Hotel. "Anthony and I have been close friends for almost twenty years, and I am thrilled to be coming home to Australia and to be working with the Puharich family on a project of this scale and significance. We really couldn't script it any better. Victor Churchill has earned a reputation as one of our nation's most premium butchers and luxury food destinations, and I look forward to contributing to that legacy come 2027," says Koludrovic. Victor Churchill is slated to open at Crown Melbourne in mid-2027, with Ed Domingo, Crown Melbourne CEO, saying, "This exciting new partnership brings together two icons of luxury and dining in what will be an architecturally stunning space overlooking the Yarra. We can't wait for our guests to experience the distinctive theatre and exceptional quality of Victor Churchill right here on Crown Melbourne's famed riverwalk." "Crown Melbourne is more than a destination. It is an institution at the heart of Melbourne's culture and energy. To be part of its evolution and next chapter, and to introduce Victor Churchill into this iconic waterfront resort, is genuinely exciting. I have always been drawn to opportunities that allow us to think creatively and contribute meaningfully, and there is something incredibly inspiring about playing a role in a place that has long shaped Melbourne's hospitality landscape. The next chapter of Crown Melbourne promises to be extraordinary, and this partnership feels like a natural and exciting progression for Victor Churchill," says Puharich. "From our original Woollahra store to our Melbourne home in Armadale, we've reimagined what a butcher shop can be. Now, with Crown Melbourne, we're taking the next bold step: a dedicated bar and grill that will set a new benchmark for extraordinary dining. This is more than an expansion — it's an opportunity to share our craft with locals and tourists in a setting that celebrates world-class experiences. The Victor Churchill brand is ready for this moment, and we couldn't be more motivated to deliver something exceptional." Images: Kristoffer Paulsen. Victor Churchill is set to open at Crown in mid-2027, with further details around the concept and design to be released soon. If you're after a meaty meal in the meantime, check out the best steak restaurants in Melbourne.
World-class rugby is about to hit Melbourne. The British and Irish Lions are in town to face off against the Wallabies at the MCG, and the city will be packed with fans grabbing a beer and getting hyped for the showdown. Before you head into the stadium there's one more stop you'll want to make, getting a free trim inspired by your favourite Aussie sports icons. On Saturday, July 26, Philips is setting up shop in the heart of Fed Square with a pop-up barber shaving experience ahead of the match. From 1.30–9.30pm, the OneBlade Barbershop will be open for walk-ins, with two barbers on hand to give your face a trim, edge or close shave using the Philips OneBlade. You'll get to choose from the icons board of AFL, Rugby, NRL, UFC, Cricket stars to inspire your cut, from Honeybadger and Nick Kyrgios, to Bailey Smith and Volk. There's no need to book ahead, just drop by and scan the QR code to secure your spot on the day. While you're waiting for your shave, you can also spin the prize wheel to win extra goodies to take home. Whether you want to head to the game looking sharp or just want to try the OneBlade for yourself, this is your chance. Catch the OneBlade Barbershop pop-up at Fed Square on Saturday, July 26 from 1.30–9.30pm. For more info, head to the website.
Long-haul flights might be off the menu, but you can still take your sweet tooth on a trip through the Mediterranean with a visit to Hawthorn's new dessert bar Lukumama. Forget about your basic biscuits or chocolate cake — this one's an homage to the traditional sweet treats of Greece and Turkey. From its bright, contemporary home on Glenferrie Road, the just-launched dessert destination is serving up a roll call of overseas culinary classics, headlined by a range of authentic Greek doughnuts, or loukoumades. Here, you'll find the bite-sized fried orbs filled with custard, then loaded with topping combinations inspired by the likes of Biscoff, Bounty and Snickers. There are 12 varieties to choose from, ranging from the chocolatey hazelnut-topped Bueno to the pretty-in-pink pairing of vanilla cheesecake and strawberry jam. And, you can amp things up with a whole swag of different extras, including coconut flakes, crushed Oreos and lashings of chocolate sauce. Sharing the spotlight is Lukumama's take on the Turkish ice cream known as dondurma — a chewy, taffy-like confection made with mastic. It's available in a variety of flavours, served by the cup or cone. Baklava fans will also find themselves in heaven here, with five house-made variations of the layered pastry featured on the menu. Go for a traditional rendition, or shake things up with a Cherry Ripe-, Reese's Pieces- or Ferrero Rocher-inspired baklava. There are also a vegan and dairy-free options to choose from, while the drinks list runs from indulgent thickshakes and matcha lattes through to authentic Greek and Turkish coffee. Find Lukumama at 636A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn — open from 12pm–11am Sunday–Thursday and 12pm–12am Friday–Saturday.
