Like plenty of last year's events, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2021 suffered some lockdown-induced hiccups. But the long-running arts celebration is bouncing back like a pro, kicking off a special three-week makeup edition this month. The aptly titled Fringe Rebound is set to deliver a jam-packed serve of music, comedy, theatre, cabaret and more, taking over the Fringe Common Rooms hub at Trades Hall from Tuesday, February 22–Sunday, March 13. You'll have the chance to catch a stack of hotly-anticipated offerings that missed out on stage time last year; including raucous NYC-born variety show Blunderland, an award-winning homage to housemates titled Little Monster, and the hilarious exploration of single life that is Mad Woman. Elsewhere, a cast of differently-abled stars will impress you with their stories and talents for The Chronic Cabaret, celebrated comedian Lauren Bok delivers an unmissable ode to a sausage roll, and Isabella Perversi promises to have you feeling all the feels with her latest one-woman show Canary. Throw in some more stand-up, a spot of immersive theatre and a few eclectic performance pieces and you've got one heck of a Fringe fix to help you make up for lost time. And to tide you over until the full Melbourne Fringe 2022 edition, happening in October. [caption id="attachment_843206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Sensory', Fringe Rebound[/caption] Top Images: 'Little Monster' and 'Canary'.
While Fitzroy's Johnston Street stretch has no shortage of options for working out and getting fit, its newest addition promises to be a little different to most. Nestling into a light-flooded space above The Cruelty Free Shop, Universal Practice is an all-encompassing yoga, pilates and meditation studio with a scientific edge, run by a team of fully qualified physiotherapists. In Universal Practice's second venture, the main studio boasts both a collection of pilates reformer beds and an assortment of specialist physio equipment, while the yoga room features a ropes wall — allowing students the use of props to deepen their focus on alignment. In addition to physiotherapy treatments and individualised pilates sessions, a broad range of classes is on offer, spanning from yoga asana and ropes yoga to reformer pilates, meditation and even deep-focus Yin sound bath sessions. Designed by Genevieve de Campo of de Campo Architects, the new space has a similar look to the team's original Richmond studio — which opened in 2016 — but with a more relaxed vibe to suit its Fitzroy address. Expect a feel-good vibe, fitted out with soaring warehouse ceilings, pale oak finishes and huge windows overlooking Johnston Street. Plus, to celebrate the launch, Universal Practice is offering a week of free reformer pilates, yoga and meditation classes to all visitors at their new Fitzroy digs. Jump over to the website to check out the timetable and reserve your spot. Find Universal Practice at Level 1, 124 Johnston St, Fitzroy, or check out their website.
If you're keen to raise a glass for International Women's Day, why not make it a nice pint glass filled with a special collaborative brew crafted in honour of all the women who drink, make and appreciate beer? On Friday, March 8, Blackheart & Sparrows is set to host its third annual froth-filled celebration of women who are making the beer game their own. Held at the Co-Conspirators Brewpub, it'll double as a launch party for the latest release of The Brewer — a collaboration beer made with Co-Conspirators for the occasion. This year's brew is a boldly malty ESB (extra special bitter, otherwise known as an English-style pale ale). Female-identifying beer-lovers and allies are invited along for an afternoon spent sampling the new brew (either by tap or by hand pump), while hearing from key females in the biz at a panel chat led by Blackheart & Sparrows' beer buyer Cherry Murphy. She'll be joined by co-director of Co-Conspirators and co-Vice President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Jacqui Sacco, as well as the President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Sarah Turner, founder of Full Colour Life and co-founder of Two Birds Brewing, Jayne Lewis, and founder and head distiller at Island Gin, Andi Ross. Another women-led business, Basil & Oregano Pizzeria, will also be on hand throughout the evening, pumping out woodfired pizzas. Entry is free to this year's Future Brewer event, but you will need to reserve a spot online.
Normally a fire that burns out a warehouse doesn't exactly spell good fortune, but for the creators of new events space The Third Day things turned out pretty well. Originally a costume warehouse in the 1920s, the space in North Melbourne was struck by a fire seven years ago and has laid dormant ever since — that is, until about a year ago, when The Third Day team took ownership and started work. Venue manager Rob Anthony says it's been a work in progress since then, at times slow thanks to the council, but is gaining momentum now in the new year. "We've had the venue for a year, and feel like we've been sitting on it since then and nobody knows," he says. "There's a big social media roll-out happening now and we're looking at lots of events too." The venue's first party was on Boxing Day last year, and since then they've played host to a number of other parties, mostly house music-centric and with the distinctive flavour of the Berlin club scene. "Being in Melbourne is a bit like the Berlin way too," says Rob. "You've got to seek out your parties. It might not look like much from outside, but inside it's huge — people are saying they've never seen anything like it here." The warehouse block is large, and the venue sprawling: think more openair art bar than cramped club, with space enough to expand themselves — and plans to do so soon. "Our plan in the future is to open five or six nights a week with food offerings too, and perhaps a couple of different music options and sounds. For now, we'll just do these events until we get into the groove of things. But we've got a little kitchen next to the bar and plan on moving a guy who does woodfire pizzas in by next summer." After a year ofbuild-upp, The Third Day seems to be easily in the swing of summer parties; keep an eye on their social media pages as it seems like there are hotter things still to come (no more fires though). Find The Third Day at 290 Macaulay Road, North Melbourne and www.thethirdday.com.au. Check their Facebook page for events.
Still fantasising about the standout southern Indian dishes Mischa Tropp has served up via his We Are Kerala pop-up over the years? Or perhaps the cult-favourite Delhi-style butter chicken he was slinging during lockdown? Well, get ready to reacquaint yourself, because the chef is descending on the Mornington Peninsula's Avani Wines for a summer feasting series inspired by the Keralan flavours of his heritage. Taking up residency at the Red Hill winery from Monday, December 26–Saturday, January 7, Tropp will be showcasing a vibrant four-course Keralan lunch feast that harks back to his roots. Expect generous flavours like fried Murray cod with spicy coconut curry in banana leaves; wood-fired calamari stir-fried with fresh coconut, curry leaf and fennel; a cucumber and green tomato kachumba; and goat pathiri — rice flour pastry with curried goat and a lime yoghurt. The four-course lunch comes in at $95, and Avani will have a range of signature drops available to complement the food. A vegetarian menu will also be on offer, with most other dietary requirements catered to if you call ahead. Lunch will run from 12pm daily, except for January 1.
Getting really into craft beer and growing a beard has been the overwhelming trend of the past year and while beards are apparently on the out, our love of craft beer is only getting stronger. The designers at Swedish-Italian company Sempli know this and they’ve created a set of glasses that not only look like modern art but are engineered to give you the ultimate beer experience. The Monti range includes four pieces of glassware (yes, these babies are not just glasses, they’re glassware) that look like something you'd find on a gallery plinth but are designed for optimum drinking conditions. In the four-set, you'll get a glass for pilsners, IPAs, pints and 12-ounce bottles for a cool (excuse the pun) $100. The glasses are designed to maximise bubbliness and keep the liquid at the optimum drinking temperature for each different type of beer. It’s true what they say: once you go engineered glassware, you never go back to a beer helmet. Bartenders: prepare for yourself the ultimate snobbery of patrons bringing customised IPA glasses to the pub with them. It’s the craft beer snob’s equivalent of using a tin camping mug as your takeaway coffee cup, except slightly more functional. Monti glassware by Sempli will set you back $55 for a two-set or all four for $100 at Sempli.com. Via Fast Co.Design.
UPDATE, November 10, 2020: Bunnings has confirmed that its snags will be cooking again at selected metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5. This article has been updated to reflect that change. It's a tradition well-known to many Australians: wake up on the weekend, make a beeline for your closest Bunnings, down a snag in bread. It's also a tradition that's been around since the 90s, and one we've been missing for eight very, very long months since Bunnings postponed its sausage sizzles back in mid-March because of rising concerns around COVID-19. In good news for Victorians, the weekend ritual is about to make its long-awaited return. First relaunching in some regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, the charity sizzles are set to roll out across selected metropolitan Melbourne venues from Saturday, December 5. In a statement released today, Monday, November 2, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer Deb Poole said, "Victorians have done such an amazing job flattening the curve and we hope bringing back sausage sizzles will be yet another sign we can reclaim a sense of normality while remaining COVID-safe." Each year around 40,000 sausage sizzles are hosted at Bunnings stores, help raising much-needed funds for local charity groups and sporting teams. Community groups that had sizzles pre-booked will be prioritised, with 130 already booked in for the first weekend back. When they do return, there will, of course, be social distancing and hygiene measures in place — measures we're all very used to at this point — including spaced queues, increased cleaning and separate ordering and pick-up points. Bunnings sausage sizzles are set to return to select regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, then to select metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5.
The decade-old Brunswick East outpost of George Calombaris's Hellenic Republic will be calling it a day this December. But the building won't be empty for long — it's swapping Greek fare for a modern Australian offering with a distinct British edge. Opening in the space from mid-January next year will be Crofter Dining Room & Bar, a new venture from renowned Pope Joan chef-owner Matt Wilkinson in collaboration with Calombaris' Made Establishment (Gazi, Elektra). The new year will mark Wilkinson's 20th in Australia, following his first two decades in his homeland of Britain, and this new nighttime venture will draw from the flavours and influences from both regions. We're told to expect contemporary Australian sensibilities, spiked with a healthy dose of UK nostalgia. If you used to frequent Pope Joan, you'll know to expect Wilkinson's sustainable, waste-free practices, and a menu that heroes plant-based fare and generous shared plates. [caption id="attachment_752256" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chef Matt Wilkinson[/caption] Meanwhile, Crofter's Brunswick East site is the second Hellenic Republic outpost to be transformed, with Hellenic Hotel Williamstown already making the transition to its new life as bar, grill and cellar, Hotel Argentina. Hellenic Republic Brighton is the only restaurant in the family to remain as is. While you wait for the 2020 opening, you can get your Wilkinson fix at Pope Joan, located underneath the Sofitel on Collins Street. The CBD venue is the latest incarnation of the chef's legendary northside cafe Pope Joan, which closed its original outpost in mid-2018. Crofter Dining Room & Bar is slated to open at 434 Lygon Street, Brunswick East in January, 2020. Hellenic Republic Brunswick will hold its final service on Tuesday, December 31.
This article is sponsored by our partners, lastminute.com.au. The Barossa Valley may produce a wide selection of mighty fine drops, but it's also one of the world's friendliest wine regions in the world. Wine makers will happily stop for a chat to let you in on a few of their techniques; cellar door staff don't mind helping you to distinguish your chocolate tones from your blackberry ones; and there's every chance your bed and breakfast hosts will feel like a homely aunt and uncle. What's more, the area is really accessible. Though it seems a world away, it's less than an hour's drive from Adelaide. And, to make it even easier, many of its 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries are grouped in clusters. So, in the absence of a designated driver, you can walk or cycle from one to the other without too much effort. The wine, of course, is the main attraction of the area. But the Barossa also has a range of other events and festivals. Here are five that are well worth the road trip. Barossa Film Festival For three days each spring, the Valley's wine cellars, brewery lawns and bars are transformed into mini cinemas. But don't expect your everyday blockbusters and rom coms. The Barossa Film Festival focuses on unconventional flicks: the too-often ignored yet totally brilliant creations of independent, underground and emerging filmmakers. And they're all screened free of charge. If you haven't booked your flight/train/camel yet, you'd better do so quick smart. November 28-30, Various venues in the Barossa Valley, FREE. Barossa Gourmet Weekend Held smack-bang in the middle of winter, the Barossa Gourmet Weekend is one sure-fire way to get through the colder months. Every third weekend in August, the valley is overtaken with all manner of food and wine adventures: from cooking lessons and wine masterclasses to long lunches and even longer dinners. As the weather's still nice and sunny, you'll have a while to wait for the program. Details are to be announced in mid-June. August 14-16, Various locations in the Barossa Valley, TBA. Barossa Vintage Festival Of all the wine festivals in Australia, Barossa Vintage is the biggest and longest-running. The event was first held in 1947 to celebrate the end of the grape harvest as well as the end of WWII. Since then it's become tradition; it's been around for nearly six decades. The next incarnation is promising all kinds of surprises, following the appointment of new festival manager Andrew Dundon. Adelaide Fringe-goers should know him well: he's been taking care of artists and venues there since 2011. Look out for the program announcement on December 9. April 15-19, Tanunda, FREE. Shakespeare in the Vines Quirky Melbourne theatre company Essential Theatre takes the bard on the road every year. Their tour of Australia's most beautiful gardens and wineries includes the Barossa Valley's Seppeltsfield Road, where Shakespeare in the Vines occurs on the Saturday of the Australia Day long weekend. Macbeth will be the next work to get the outdoor treatment in 2015, on January 24, 2015. Tickets are always limited to 400, so it's a good idea to book well in advance. January 24, Seppeltsfield Road, TBA. SALA Festival Even though SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival is a state-wide event, it takes on an especially vibrant presence in the Barossa. Sculptures, paintings, mosaics and installations are scattered around the area's rolling hills and vineyards; and there's plenty of opportunities to kick back at a gig with a nice drop of wine. SALA runs throughout August every year, so if you make it along to Barossa Gourmet Weekend, be sure to leave yourself a day or two to take in the culture. August 1-24, Various locations across South Australia, TBA. Now you've got your itinerary, book your getaway to the Barossa Valley now with lastminute.com.au.
There may or may not be a new mixtape from the Avalanches. This past weekend, the Australian band tweeted this mysterious message to fans, with a link to a mix titled 'A Sleepy Bedtime Mix for Young Ones'. The link is hosted by new mixtape site, Pinchy & Friends, created by Tom Kuntz, who directed the video for the Avalanches' 'Frontier Psychiatrist'. Reps from Modular, the Avalanches' label, claim to have no knowledge of a mixtape. The Avalanches have gonna a little MIA as of late; a "taking a break" message appears on their site, and the band has thanked fans for their patience via Facebook. The mysterious mixtape is posted under the name of Charles Bukowski's character Henry Chinaski, and is currently available for free download here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eS3AZ12xf6s
There are plenty of ways you could experience Sydney Harbour's world famous New Years Eve fireworks show, but here's one that'll really make all those haters jealous. The Sydney Opera House has teamed up with the crew at Airbnb to offer the ultimate bucket list New Year's Eve situation, involving exclusive VIP front-row seats, dinner by an acclaimed Aussie chef, an intimate concert and a private Opera House balcony. And all that could be yours for an easy $10. This high-flying experience will be enjoyed by just ten lucky people, with the Opera House releasing one double pass each Wednesday at midday for five weeks, starting from tomorrow, November 13. The Opera House x Airbnb New Year's Eve Experience will see those ten winning punters wrapping up 2019 in serious style, partying in their own VIP area overlooking the fireworks extravaganza. Hatted chef Karen Martini will be dropping by to whip up a fitting last supper of 2019, an Opera House expert will guide guests on an educational tour and a surprise act has a special, intimate concert planned. Then, it's off to a private balcony to celebrate the turn of the decade with possibly the best view in Sydney. Each pair of tickets will cost $20, though, as you can imagine, it'll be a challenge to beat out the competition and actually snap one up. But, for 20 bucks, it's worth a shot. Elsewhere, you have to pay a pretty, pretty penny to get a view of the fireworks. For example, the Sydney Opera House's official party costs a bomb ($795 per person), a ticket to Shark Island's festivities is $245 and even a spot on the lawn in the Royal Botanic Garden will set you back $360. To be in it, you'll need to head over to the website, and be ready and raring to go when the NYE experience appears on the page at noon. If you've been conflicted about your NYE plans, this could be an easy solution — and, even if you don't live in Sydney, it's a good reason to make the trip. Double passes to the New Year's Eve Experience will be released at midday on November 13, 20 and 27, and on December 4 and 11. Images: Ken Leanfore. Fireworks image: City of Sydney
Melbourne Fashion Week is back, and this year's instalment promises a week brimming with style, flair and a pinch of the unexpected. From Monday, October 23 to Sunday, October 29, the heart of Melbourne is set to pulse with the vibrant rhythm of 300 designers and retailers. There will be 100 events in both classic venues as well as some rather interesting settings, including the rooftop pool deck at Le Méridien and some abandoned industrial garages. This year's MFW theme, For Curious Hearts, is all about giving a nod to the unsung heroes backstage. The mavericks, the designers, the people who make the industry tick — both emerging and established. This year is for championing sustainability, inclusivity, and everything that makes Australia's fashion scene so vivaciously diverse. Speaking of sustainability, MFW is carbon neutral certified, with $1 from each ticket going to carbon offset efforts. So, while you enjoy the city's fashion fiesta, you're also doing your part to stave off the climate apocalypse. Fun! The MFW runway spectacle is set to grace various venues across the city, from transformed industrial locales to the majestic Regent Theatre. Spotlighting the event are names like Jason Grech, Bec + Bridge, Ngali, Blanca Studios, Leo Lin, Aje, J'Aton, Oroton, Mariam Seddiq, and Arnsdorf, among others. The crowd-favourite fashion capsules are back in full swing, revealing the craftsmanship of over 70 local creators. To add to the fun, there will be complimentary runway pop-ups, including at the newly launched MFW spots at Emporium and QV. For those keen on learning more about the industry, Creative Victoria is hosting the MFW Conversations program. The series, graced by iconic fashion editor Janice Breen Burns, delves into topics like circular fashion and the role of tech in the industry. Students will also get their moment in the limelight with the Student Collections Runway, crowning the MFW Student Award winner on October 27. So, if you're a fashion lover (or just keen on soaking up the vibes), grab your tickets, and we'll see you on the runway. Head to Visit Melbourne for the full rundown and to check out what else is happening in Melbourne this spring.
Urban beekeepers in Australia are on the increase, with more and more people besotted by an unusual new love affair with backyard native beekeeping. According to Sydney's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, the new trend has brought an element of nature back to the city, where residents and native bees alike are reaping its benefits. The Asylum Seekers Centre community garden in Surry Hills is currently home to several hundred sugarbag bees. Volunteer Jess Perini says that asylum seekers are “hooked” on the beauty of the tiny bees, which produce roughly one kilo of sugarbag honey – an expensive, nutritious variety – a year. Not only do the creatures add to the splendour and biodiversity of the garden, they have also helped to break down language barriers for asylum seekers. Sydneysiders can expect the backyard beekeeping craze to stay with the instalment of native beehives in several community gardens later this year. In Brisbane, a code of practice for urban beekeeping has already been established. And in Melbourne, an organisation called Rooftop Honey offers people the chance to sponsor their own hives. Australia is home to ten different species of stingless bees which grow to only a few millimetres. Tiny and harmless, they quite literally take the sting out of a mutually beneficial relationship. Backyard beekeepers are able to harvest their own sources of honey, while the bees find sanctuary from the destruction of their habitats from land clearing. Native bees also play an important role in balancing the natural ecosystem by pollinating native plant species and crops. With so many environmental and community benefits, it’s not hard to see why urban beekeeping has generated such a buzz. And it’s not limited to Australia – since a ban on beekeeping in New York was overturned in 2010, the popular pastime has hit the roof on NYC's rooftops.
UPDATE: JULY 28, 2020 — Carlton North's favourite gnocchi spot is still slinging pillowy balls of potato to-go — and via delivery on UberEats. Melbourne's hot gnocchi destination is tucked away in Carlton North. Good Gnocchi is slinging some top-notch takes on its namesake dish on Nicholson Street, which is manned by Owner James Eddy. On the menu, you'll find a handful of $15 gnocchi options — think butter sage, walnut pesto, three-cheese gnocchi and a classic bolognese number. All can come extra cheesy on request, or paired with garlic bread for an extra few bucks. A gluten free pumpkin gnocchi is also up for grabs, as is vegan cashew cheese if you're sans dairy. It's hot, fast and a solid antidote to a sad desk sandwich. And it's already proven a serious hit with local lunchbreakers looking for comfort food in the cooler (and warmer) months. First launching as a hole-in-the-wall in Collingwood, Good Gnocchi's first lease ended in early December. It then opened a pop-up in the CBD, before launching a bigger restaurant in Carlton North. Images: Kate Shanasy
The familiar flavours of Asia have been given a Melbourne-inspired revamp, for newly hatched CBD eatery Goldie Canteen. From its funkily dressed home at the entrance of the new Novotel Melbourne Central, this vibrant all-day diner is dishing up a playful mod-Asian offering, proving it's not afraid to break with tradition. Helmed by Executive Chef Michael Smith (former head chef at both Tonka and Mamasita), the menu's packed full of bold flavours and tweaks on classics. Breakfast hits include the likes of a scrambled egg, mushroom and fermented soybean toastie ($9), and peking duck-inspired brekkie bao ($7), while an all-day offering of crepes features fillings like banana and Nutella, or Chinese doughnut with egg and spring onion. [caption id="attachment_712945" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] Also keeping the fun running from morning till night is a lineup of baos — think, crispy chicken with Sriracha kewpie and pickled veg (two for $15) — dumplings and toasties, the latter stuffed with the likes of char siu pork ($12), panko chicken ($12) and braised beef ($12). Another, sandwiched with a glorious combination of peking duck, hoi sin and noodles ($14), is sure to delight everyone's inner child. [caption id="attachment_712954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] Things are just as creative in the drinks department, with a range of bubble tea concoctions, both non-alcoholic and booze-infused. After-hours bao sessions call for sips like the Peach Surprise ($16), blending peach nectar, bourbon and black tea, or perhaps the Goldie Signature ($16) — with plum wine, lychee liqueur, peppermint, apple and a sprinkle of gold flakes. Kidults — and inner children — will also be excited Ocean Bomb's range of Pokémon-themed sodas, which are plastered with Pikachu, Pokéballs and Psyduck. Find Goldie Canteen + Brews at 399 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It's open from 7am–8pm daily. Images: Kate Shanasy.
First, Spilt Milk gave music lovers and festival fans in Canberra, Ballarat and southeast Queensland the news they'd been hoping for: in November and December this year, the beloved music, art and food fest will finally return. Now, the event has unleashed unleashed its impressive lineup, aka exactly who you'll be dancing to. Leading the charge: Flume, Stormzy and The Wombats. Homegrown hitmaker Flume nabs one of the headliner slots fresh from playing Coachella, while UK grime pioneer Stormzy adds Spilt Milk to his upcoming — and rescheduled — Down Under tour. The latter also proves true of British indie rockers The Wombats, who keep proving a hit on our shores — with 15 slots in Triple J's Hottest 100 over the years to prove it. Also on the bill: Ninajirachi, FISHER, G Flip,Genesis Owusu, Mallrat, Spacey Jane, A.GIRL and PEACH PRC, among others — and, from the art lineup, a heap of talent from long-running Spilt Milk partners Studio A. Also, because this fest is also about food, there'll be bites to eat from Alongside, Firepop, Black Bear BBQ, 1800 Lasagne and more. Originally only held in Canberra, then expanding to Ballarat, and now heading to the Gold Coast as well, the fest will hit up its ACT home on Saturday, November 26 at Exhibition Park, then regional Victoria on Saturday, December 3 at Victoria Park, before wrapping things up on Sunday, December 4 at Doug Jennings Park in the Sunshine State. The multi-city one-dayer has cemented its spot as a must-attend event for a heap of reasons — and tickets have sold out in under 30 minutes every year, including in a record nine minutes one year. So, expect this to be one of the most anticipated returns of 2022. SPILT MILK 2022 DATES: Saturday, November 26 — Exhibition Park, Canberra Saturday, December 3 — Victoria Park, Ballarat Sunday, December 4 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast SPILT MILK 2022 LINEUP: A.GIRL Beddy Rays Billy Xane Fisher Flume G Flip Genesis Owusu Hayden James King Stingray Kobie Dee Latifa Tee Little Fritter Mallrat Mansionair Ninajarachi PEACH PRC Spacey Jane Stand Atlantic Stormzy Telenova The Wombats Toro Y Moi (Canberra only) YNG Martyr Young Franco 1300 Also in Canberra: Brittany De Marco and Kaylee Harmer Jack Burton and Clique Miroji Sesame Girl Shaka J Tekido Waxlily Also in Ballarat: Coastal Jam DJs Gangz Lashes Mason Flint Sweat Dreams DJs Also on the Gold Coast: Friends of Friends Jynx House DJs Saint Lane Siala WIIGZ Food: Firepop Black Bear Bbq Birdman Burger Head 1800 Lasagne and more Art by Studio A: Emily Crockford Greg Sindel Katrina Brennan Jaycee Kim Meagan Pelham Thom Roberts Spilt Milk will hit Canberra, Ballarat and the Gold Coast in November and December 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale from Tuesday, May 3 and general sales from Thursday, May 5. Head to the festival website for more info and to register for pre-sales. Images: Jordan Munns and Billy Zammit.
If you're not already at work or uni, expect major delays heading into the city this morning. An electric fire at Flinders Street Station has caused major delays across the network, with ten lines affected. Those travelling on the Frankston, Werribee, Williamstown or Sandringham lines have been told to consider alternative forms of transport, while those travelling on most other lines should allow for extra travel time. You can check out the status of all lines below — accurate at time of publication, 9.25am. To check the updated status of your line, head to the Metro Trains website. Metro Trains is suggesting those travelling to and from South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Balaclava, Ripponlea and Elsternwick use the following alternative public transport options, instead — but to still expect delays, as the services will be experiencing higher-than normal demand. https://twitter.com/metrotrains/status/1108847688953417729 The Metropolitan Fire Brigade is currently on the scene attending to the fire. https://twitter.com/MFB_NEWS/status/1108850851752230912 Head to the Metro Trains website for live public transport updates, or, if you're at the station, keep an eye on the platform displays. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria.
The Australian Open 2024 is set to serve up a lot more than world-class tennis, which is pretty ace if you ask us. Expect a food lover's dream, showcasing a smorgasbord of cuisines from across the planet and catering to every palate. One of the hottest seats will be Bar Atrium with its Yarra and city skyline views — the perfect backdrop to a three-course, Lebanese-inspired brunch curated by Melbourne's own Tom Sarafian. Then, as the sun sets, the venue transforms into an 'After Eight' experience, featuring bar snacks by Sarafian and cocktails from The Everleigh. Meanwhile, at John Cain Arena's Fusion Feast, you'll find dishes from beloved chefs like Ross Magnaye of Serai and Jessi Singh of Daughter-In-Law. But that's just the beginning. Enjoy tastes of Italia at Garden Square with Lygon Street Italian. Iconic Melbourne joints King & Godfree, D.O.C, and Brunetti Classico will serve up classic Italian dishes from pizza al taglio to delish porchetta rolls. Seafood lovers can head to the AO Courtside Bar, where Bondi's Fish Shop will be serving bar bites. Fishbowl will also make another appearance at Grand Slam Oval, serving items from its new Street Food concept menu. And for a taste of Spain, visit Abel Lusa's Cambio de Tercio for traditional and modern tapas. Not far away, the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar offers a touch of fancy, perfect for sipping champagne while watching the matches. For those looking for salvation amid the Aussie summer heat, don't miss the signature Peach Melbourne soft serve at AO Ballpark. Or head to the returning Peroni Bar for ice-cold respite. Canadian Club's Cabana Bar, Terrazza Aperol and Squealing Pig Wine Terrace will also be on hand to provide tournament goers with some quality watering hole options. Rockpool Bar and Grill, Penfolds Restaurant and Stokehouse will be returning to next year's event, as will the much loved Rod Laver Arena Superboxes by Shane Delia's Maha and Nick and Nora's. So, with all that being said, our tip for next year's Australian Open? Wear loose pants. Catch the Australian Open from Sunday, January 14, 2024, to Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Encompassing York, Clarence and Kent Street in Sydney's CBD, the Harbour City's YCK Precinct has just been recognised in an international pilot program as an outstanding hub of nightlife, becoming Australia's first designated Purple Flag district. The Purple Flag program is an international accreditation scheme dedicated to recognising nightlife areas that are diverse, vibrant and safe. Each recognised district must meet a set of criteria judging its public transport, street lighting, food and beverage offerings, and entertainment. YCK Precinct will join areas across England, Sweden and New Zealand as Purple Flag districts, as the program strives to highlight the best after-dark cultural spots the world has to offer. [caption id="attachment_654874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] "We are working to deliver a better night out for all and Purple Flag will boost Sydney's reputation as a global nightlife destination, creating a thriving 24-hour economy across the state as more precincts apply for accreditation," said New South Wales' 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Mike Rodrigues. "A collaborative and coordinated effort is required to build a vibrant and strong 24-hour economy and the YCK team has shown considered planning and a willingness to innovate in earning Purple Flag status." Boasting beloved and accomplished venues like Since I Left You, PS40, Esteban, Cash Only and The Prince of York, the YCK Precinct launched in 2021 in order to bring more attention to the three busy inner-city streets. Since then, it has worked to capitalise upon its venues, and the forces behind them, to promote the vitality of the Sydney CBD — and host several multi-day food, drink, music and arts festivals in the process. "Whether it's for some retail therapy, to visit one of the superb small bars, grab a late-night bite or enjoy one of our regular arts and cultural events, we are committed to delivering our patrons a safe, friendly and fun experience," YCK Laneways Association Vice President Karl Schlothauer said. Also in Sydney, the Purple Flag pilot program is still running in the Parramatta CBD, Haldon Street in Lakemba and Marrickville, with these three hotspots still yet to be given the official go-ahead as a Purple Flag district. Don't live in New South Wales? Sydney's latest accolade is bound to reignite Australia's capital-city rivalries. [caption id="attachment_805684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lobo[/caption] Learn more about the Purple Flag program in Sydney at the NSW Government's website.
Melburnians are set to score a brand new place to get a culture fix this winter, when Science Gallery Melbourne opens its doors as part of the University of Melbourne's new innovation precinct. Celebrating the intersection of art and science, the 3800-square-metre site is slated to welcome its first visitors in June, showing off a state-of-the-art gallery complete with a theatre, learning centre, workshop facilities, social areas and a range of exhibition spaces. It'll be the first permanent home for Science Gallery Melbourne, which has hosted various exhibitions and programs at public spaces and pop-up sites all over the city for the past four years. This major new addition is set to showcase a calendar of immersive, interactive exhibitions and events, and will also feature a significant educational hub in its STEM Centre of Excellence. It's one of a whole suite of Science Gallery museums located in universities around the world, which are dedicated to exploring a fusion of scientific theory, new technology and creativity. The purpose-built museum has been designed by award-winning architect William Smart of Smart Design Studio, and its fitout is inspired by the hidden forces of nature. Inside, it boasts a dramatic ceiling that appears to warp as you move beneath it, while at the front entrance, the gallery's facade has been constructed from Venetian glass bricks, each housing one of 226 touch-enabled screens, creating a changeable digital canvas for future works and collaborations. Helping to launch the museum in June, will be opening exhibition Mental: Head Inside, which is set on exploring the societal bias about mental health and diving into the spectrum of our lived realities. It'll showcase 25 new projects and installations from artists local and international, along with a calendar of performances, panel discussions, workshops and public art. Science Gallery Melbourne is slated to open at the corner of Grattan and Swanston streets, Parkville, on June 15. For further details, head to the museum's website. Images: Peter Casamento
Armadale's Little Grocer is exactly what you'd expect from the name. It's a small cosy space, lined with maximum Good Stuff for padding out your pantry in style. Adjoining the longstanding Coin Laundry cafe next door, The Little Grocer is like the walk-in pantry you always dreamed of. Open till 7pm most days, you can head by after work (especially if you're jumping off the train, as it's a stone's throw from Armadale Station) and make full use of the all-Australian produce it stocks. And, if you're looking for an edible gift, it also does a very nice hamper.
Nothing gets you out of a winter funk like a weekend away, and the crisp mountain air of Leura is particularly up to the task. This picturesque town, just two hours west of Sydney on the train, puts you at the doorstep of all the outdoor adventures of the Blue Mountains while nailing the kind of cosy indoor culture that wraps you in a big warm hug at the end of the day. Set up home base at the very scenic Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains, and spend your days trekking along ancient trails and your nights indulging in hearty meals, local wines and fireside chat. Here's our guide to a winter short stay in the area. EAT AND DRINK After the journey in, your first stop in Leura should be for a little sustenance. Fortunately, the cafe culture here is another part of what makes this town a winter dream. Among the best cafes in the region, the hidden Lily's Pad Cafe has just-baked breads and cakes — including gluten-free options aplenty — along with homemade toppings like chutneys, jams and curds. The courtyard is covered, heated and, best of all, dog-friendly. On Leura's main street, the leafy Red Door Cafe is a standout for healthy eating, with organic coffees and freshly squeezed juices. For eats, we're all about the zucchini and feta fritters, served with cumin yoghurt and mesclun salad, as well as the smoked rainbow trout with rocket and lentil salad, all topped with a poached egg. View-seekers should head to Solitary, set in a 100-year-old cottage overlooking the valley. Its fireplace makes this an ideal sanctuary after a winter's hike through the nearby Leura Cascades. For fireside dining in the evening, look no further than the appropriately named Embers restaurant at the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Enjoy views over the Jamison Valley along with the soundtrack of crackling flames and the flavours of a classic beef brisket given a contemporary twist. Back in town, unassuming North Indian restaurant Tamarin offers some serious eats in the most unlikely of places, just across from the station. The samosas trump most in Australia, as does its samosa chaat — a smashed and dressed version. For a dinner to remember, book yourself a table at the award-winning Leura Garage. Set in a repurposed mechanic's workshop (hence the name), the environmentally conscious restaurant focuses on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. We suggest going with the surprisingly affordable tasting menu, which includes plenty of winter warmers, like 12-hour braised lamb shoulder and truffle mashed potatoes. Accompanying drops come from NSW wine regions like Orange and Mudgee. Your wine journey doesn't have to stop at dinner. Meander down the street to bar and bistro Bon Ton for after-dinner drinks. For winter, sip a martini in the protected comfort of the enclosed terrace. For a nightcap, stop in at the Sublime Lounge, another fire-warmed space within the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Their signature cocktail is the Berry Sublime, designed to evoke the nearby orchards with its mix of strawberry, tequila, lime, mint and an unexpected dash of white balsamic. DO If this isn't your first rodeo in the Blue Mountains, chances are you've already frequented the landmarks of Three Sisters and Wentworth Falls. And that's fine, because the region has much more to offer, with a seemingly endless number of bushwalks, lookouts, caves and valleys to explore. For a different mountain view, check out Evans Lookout, 20 minutes' drive away in Blackheath, then continue on the steep clifftop walk to Govetts Leap. If you'd rather a more leisurely stroll (and one walking distance from town), Leura Cascades is a serene canopy walk through tall eucalyptus trees. Take a short trek along the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls. Several walks can be accessed from here, including the Fern Bower Circuit, Echo Point and Leura Forest. Feeling like a serious adventure? Then book yourself into an abseiling and canyoning day trip. A few businesses in nearby Katoomba run tours, including the Australian School of Mountaineering and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company. They'll have you abseiling waterfalls and trekking through ancient crevices and canyons. For a more leisurely level of activity, stroll the boutiques along Leura Mall and do a spot of shopping at the likes of Quidditas General Store. If you visit during the first Sunday of the month, you can also hit Leura's flea market for everything from jewellery, clothes and homewares to local eats. For a full dose of the quirky and quaint history Leura is known for, drop by the Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum, Bygone Beautys' Teapot Museum or the National Trust property Everglades Gardens. In what might be the high tea capital of Australia, the latter two are good spots to partake. Once night falls, take a short drive over to Blackheath to catch an indie film at Mount Vic Flicks. The renovated 1930s movie theatre makes for a relaxing night out and offers house-baked treats. STAY While Leura offers an array of accommodation options, the Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains is an enduring classic. The hotel's boutique rooms and suites are individually decorated for that personalised touch, while its public spaces offer sweeping views across the Jamison Valley. It's close to the Leura Cascades, Inspiration and Sublime Points, and Empress, Gordon and Wentworth Falls, so you're well situated for many of the region's best hikes and treks. Taking time to relax within the vast gardens and grounds should also be on the itinerary. The resort houses a golf club, four luxury restaurants and a lounge. The new Ubika Day Spa opens on August 13, so now's your chance to be one of the first to lie across their massage tables and be pampered with local organic iKOU products. Don't miss the resort's signature high tea, where your miniature cakes and sandos come with a pretty spectacular view. A perfect preformed weekender comes in the shape of the MGallery Memorable Moment package, which includes one night accommodation, a full buffet breakfast and a wilderness experience for two. At the heart of the getaway is a four-hour bushwalk led by a tour guide dedicated to reconnecting you with nature — an experience exclusive to the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in Leura, and to discover more of regional NSW, check out Visit NSW.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." They're words famously spoken by Hippocrates, way back when, and lived diligently by so many foodies, even today. They also sum up the concept at the heart of bright new Prahran café Market on Malvern, which opened its doors in October. The brainchild of Dr Anthony Yeuong, who's also behind adjoining health practice Beingwell Healthcare, MOM was dreamt up in response to a growing number of patients with dietary dramas and allergy issues. Dr Yeuong has long been a champion of food that both tastes good and feels good afterwards, and now he's treating the good folk of Melbourne with a bit of pre-emptive edible 'medicine', Hippocrates-style. With an ex-Nobu chef helming the kitchen, MOM's catering to clean eaters and flavour seekers alike; its thoroughly-researched menu is packed full of paleo, vegan, allergen-free, and FODMAP-friendly goodness. Dishes are categorised according to their specific properties and benefits to the body. You might find yourself boosting those energy levels with the caramelised sweet potato and hemp protein hummus, or you might opt for the red rice and miso eggplant, to help soothe any digestive issues. Backing up all those healing food options, there's a slew of juices and smoothies, coffee by Allpress, and a list of caffeine-free lattes that runs from beetroot right through to mushroom. Market on Malvern is open daily from 7am till 4pm at 388 Malvern Road, Prahran. For more info, visit momcafe.com.au.
Nearly one-third of the artists scheduled to exhibit in the 19th Biennale of Sydney have written an open letter to the board of directors, urging them to "act in the interests of asylum seekers" by withdrawing from "the current sponsorship arrangement with Transfield". Transwho? Detainees who've been dodging bullets and knives on Manus Island know the name all too well. It's an "operations, maintenance and construction services business" that, in the 2013-14 financial year, made millions out its involvement with the Nauru Regional Processing Centre. Since early February, Transfield has taken over welfare responsibilities on both Nauru and Manus from the Salvation Army (because a construction company is just so well-equipped to provide education, recreational facilities and emotional support to traumatised individuals). Though the 28 artists acknowledge that the increasing dependence of public institutions on private funding is complex, they are clear, that "in this particular case", their involvement risks "adding value" and "cultural capital" to the Transfield brand. The letter states, "We appeal you to work alongside us to send a message to Transfield, and in turn the Australian Government and the public: that we will not accept the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, because it is ethically indefensible and in breach of human rights; and that, as a network of artists, arts workers and a leading cultural organisation, we do not want to be associated with these practices." The problem is that Transfield isn't just another name on the sponsorship list. Transfield Holdings actually established the event in 1973, and Transfield Foundation board member Luca Belgiorno Netti is the Biennale's current chairman. While the open letter does not overtly threaten boycott, a separate statement hints at the possibility. "We are taking this very seriously," spokesperson Gabrielle de Vietri said. “Some artists are reconsidering their participation, and others organising different forms of protest from within ... Still other artists have proposed to join with the Biennale team in an effort to develop alternative modes of fundraising." A Boycott the 19th Sydney Biennale Facebook page is gathering support. With the Biennale due to open on March 21, the board members, the 90 participating artists and Sydney's art-loving public have some quick decision-making to do. Here's the full text of their open letter: An open letter to the Board of Directors, Biennale of Sydney 19 February 2014 To the Board of Directors of the Biennale of Sydney, We are a group of artists Gabrielle de Vietri, Bianca Hester, Charlie Sofo, Nathan Gray, Deborah Kelly, Matt Hinkley, Benjamin Armstrong, Libia Castro, Ólafur Ólafsson, Sasha Huber, Sonia Leber, David Chesworth, Daniel McKewen, Angelica Mesiti, Ahmet Ö?üt, Meriç Algün Ringborg, Joseph Griffiths, Sol Archer, Tamas Kaszas, Krisztina Erdei, Nathan Coley, Corin Sworn, Ross Manning, Martin Boyce, Callum Morton, Emily Roysdon, Søren Thilo Funder, Mikhail Karikis all participants in the 19th Biennale of Sydney. We are writing to you about our concerns with the Biennale’s sponsorship arrangement with Transfield.1 We would like to begin with an affirmation and recognition of the Biennale staff, other sponsors and donors, and our fellow artists. We maintain the utmost respect for Juliana Engberg’s artistic vision and acknowledge the support and energy that the Biennale staff have put into the creation of our projects and this exhibition. We acknowledge that this issue places the Biennale team in a difficult situation. However, we want to emphasise that this issue has presented us with an opportunity to become aware of, and to acknowledge, responsibility for our own participation in a chain of connections that links to human suffering; in this case, that is caused by Australia’s policy of mandatory detention. We trust that you understand the implications of Transfield’s recent move to secure new contracts to take over garrison and welfare services in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres on Manus Island and in Nauru. We have attached for your information, a document that outlines our understanding of the links between the Biennale, Transfield and Australia’s asylum seeker policy. We appeal to you to work alongside us to send a message to Transfield, and in turn the Australian Government and the public: that we will not accept the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, because it is ethically indefensible and in breach of human rights; and that, as a network of artists, arts workers and a leading cultural organisation, we do not want to be associated with these practices. Our current circumstances are complex: public institutions are increasingly reliant on private finance, and less on public funding, and this can create ongoing difficulties. We are aware of these complexities and do not believe that there is one easy answer to the larger situation. However, in this particular case, we regard our role in the Biennale, under the current sponsorship arrangements, as adding value to the Transfield brand. Participation is an active endorsement, providing cultural capital for Transfield. In light of all this, we ask the Board: what will you do? We urge you to act in the interests of asylum seekers. As part of this we request the Biennale withdraw from the current sponsorship arrangements with Transfield and seek to develop new ones. This will set an important precedent for Australian and international arts institutions, compelling them to exercise a greater degree of ethical awareness and transparency regarding their funding sources. We are asking you, respectfully, to respond with urgency. Our interests as artists don’t merely concern our individual moral positions. We are concerned too with the ways cultural institutions deal with urgent social responsibilities. We expect the Biennale to acknowledge the voice of its audience and the artist community that is calling on the institution to act powerfully and immediately for justice by cutting its ties with Transfield. We believe that artists and artworkers can—and should—create an environment that empowers individuals and groups to act on conscience, opening up other pathways to develop more sustainable, and in turn sustaining, forms of cultural production. We want to extend this discussion to a range of people and organisations, in order to bring to light the various forces shaping our current situation, and to work towards imagining other possibilities into being. In our current political circumstances we believe this to be one of the most crucial challenges that we are compelled to engage with, and we invite you into this process of engagement. We look forward to hearing your response and given the urgency of this issue, hope that we can receive it by the end of this week. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Gabrielle de Vietri, Bianca Hester, Charlie Sofo, Nathan Gray, Deborah Kelly, Matt Hinkley, Benjamin Armstrong, Libia Castro, Ólafur Ólafsson, Sasha Huber, Sonia Leber, David Chesworth, Daniel McKewen, Angelica Mesiti, Ahmet Ö?üt, Meriç Algün Ringborg, Joseph Griffiths, Sol Archer, Tamas Kaszas, Krisztina Erdei, Nathan Coley, Corin Sworn, Ross Manning, Martin Boyce, Callum Morton, Emily Roysdon, Søren Thilo Funder, Mikhail Karikis NOTES 1. Please note that in this document we use the name Transfield to refer to three branches of the Transfield brand: Transfield Holdings, Services and Foundation. Please refer to our information sheet for our understanding of how these are linked. Image: Henna-Riikka Halonen, Moderate Manipulations, 2012 (video still).
If you were out and about near Princes Bridge any time last December, chances are you spied some brave souls fanging it over the Yarra on a zipline. No, you weren't dreaming — that was indeed the 130-metre-long Firefly Zipline, which for a short, sell-out season had people soaring from Federation Square to Alexandra Gardens enjoying a unique adrenaline rush. And now, it's back. Yep, from Friday, December 16–Saturday, January 28, Firefly Zipline will make its return for an extended run of thrills (and hopefully no spills). Speed-demons of any age will be able to book a ticket, don a safety harness and helmet, and enjoy a hurtling flight over the Yarra, either solo or alongside a mate. Cruising six metres above the water and clocking speeds of up to 35 kilometres per hour, it's the ride you never knew you needed in your life. And just in case you need a little more adrenaline this summer, Firefly is unveiling a new experience for the season, dubbed the Firefly Quick Jump. Once you've got your kicks soaring over water, you can put your wits to the test with a simulated freefall experience off the top of a 10-metre-high platform. There's no age limit for zipline flyers, though anyone under 18 will need a parent or guardian present to sign their waiver, and kids under 16 will have to ride with a paying adult. You'll also need to weigh between 25 and 120 kilograms to jump aboard. It's recommended you get in quick though, with limited tickets available. Firefly Zipline will operate multiple sessions daily from December 16–January 28. Tickets are $59 for adults, $49 for kids and $195 for a family of four. The Quick Jump clocks in at $25, with combo tickets available. Buy yours online.
The beloved Cameo Cinema will once again showcase some of the summer's most talked-about films on its magnificent outdoor movie screen under the stars. Kicking off for the 2022–23 season from Friday, October 28 and screening through the rest of spring and summer, this outdoor film-watching spot will give cinema lovers the chance to relax in deckchairs and beanbags, with craft beer, homemade choc-tops and freshly popped popcorn in hand, for another year. If that's not worth the drive out to Belgrave, then we just don't know what is. Featuring on the big screen will be a selection of new flicks, starting with Bros and Black Adam to welcome the openair cinema's return. Other upcoming highlights include Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Menu and Die Hard. More flicks, both recent and classic, will join the lineup as well as spring and summer go on. It doesn't hurt that the Cameo concessions are a cut above what you'll find at your local shopping centre multiplex. It has craft beer and boutique wines — and dogs are welcome here, too. The bar opens an hour before the film starts each night — and remember that sessions are at the mercy of the weather.
Melbourne's 24-hour nightlife is held in high regard, and without those pesky lockout laws that have befallen other cities, you can keep dancing (or eating) until dawn. Gaze upon the sprawling city from the rooftop bar at Fitzroy's Naked For Satan, before catching a band at The Worker's Club, an intimate live music venue only metres away. If you've caught the boogie bug, stick around for their resident DJ, Cassette Walkman, who'll be spinning rock and roll tracks until 1am. Round off your night with a burger and some chilli fries at Le Bon Ton, Collingwood's late-night eatery that serves food until 3am, and showcases flavours from the American South. And when that second wind kicks in, head to Nieuw Amsterdam for a drink and a sneaky snack — they've got a 24-hour license, and will be more than willing to serve you a beverage alongside some late-night eats.
The Moon Dog crew doesn't really do understated. Its brewery bars are not only large in size but usually have a theme and playful food and drink lineup. Moon Dog Wild West out in Footscray even has a free-to-ride bucking bull and is made for big group parties. And now, the team is going even bigger with Doglands — its 1200-person island themed bar within the revamped Marvel Stadium Concourse, which is slated to open in October this year. The original plans included an indoor volcano and hidden karaoke room, but these have sadly been left out to accommodate more punters. However, it will still have a palm tree-lined boardwalk that snakes around the entire venue, plus a live music stage and jungle-themed terrace restaurant. The team will serve classic pub food, Moon Dog beers and seltzers, wine, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks in the main venue. Vacay-inspired specials like a Jungle Spritz with Campari, dark rum and pineapple, and a Volcano Bowl Negroni will bring even more playful energy to the Doglands adventureland experience. And those who head over to The Jungle Room will find a slightly elevated dining experience with Med-inspired food and drinks. More details on exactly what's on offer here are yet to be announced, but we'll be sure to share more once it's all finalised. Moon Dog's Doglands will open in October 2024, and can be found at 685 La Trobe Street, Docklands. For more information, you can check out the venue's website.
Just because you haven't got an actual kid, doesn't mean you have to miss out on that time-honoured tradition of taking some festive shopping centre snaps with the jolly man himself. Westfield centres across Australia and New Zealand have teamed up with a crew of expert pup-arazzi to once again offer Christmas-themed pet photography shoots. Yes – your fur-baby can get a family paw-trait with Santa Claus. Westfield's shopping centres — with the exception of some, such as Sydney CBD — are offering an extended festive photography series, with sensitive and pet-friendly options available. Unfortunately, not quite all creatures great and small are allowed — dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs can book in at most centres, but you'll need to double check before bringing in something like an alpaca, snake, frog or goat. Of course, with the pandemic, it's not quite business as usual at the Santa sessions. Instead of cuddling the big man in red, you'll be holding your pup or guinea pig in the seat next to him. A similar setup is on the cards for regular family photos, too, with kids and kidults located a safe distance away. Westfield has three spots in SA, four in WA, six in Queensland, seven spots in Victoria and a whopping 15 in NSW. Over in NZ, there are four in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Bookings are a must and can be made via your local Westfield's website, where you'll also find some guidelines for you and your four-legged mate. Most centres will have a dedicated Pooch Parking zone where you'll be met and escorted to the set, and your pet needs to be brought in on a lead or in a cage. There's a range of photo packages to choose from, including The Vixen ($29.95) for one 6x8 photo, one 4x6 photo and four wallet snaps, while at the higher end you can splash out on Santa's Gift Pack ($49.95), which includes a hefty array of photos, gift tags, digital files, bookmarks and even a calendar. Various sessions are available at Westfield centres across Australia and NZ from Saturday, November 7. Check your local's website for details.
The days of art being pristine and untouched are long gone. Art these days wants to get all up in your face. It's cheeky and inappropriate. Sometimes it involves dancing naked in a gallery. Taking these ideas to the extreme, MUMA is presenting Art as a Verb: a group retrospective of interactive, performance based works. Exhibiting pieces from Marina Abramovic, Vito Acconci, Francis Alyss, Mike Parr, Yoko Ono and many more, this show asks you to get your hands dirty. With peoplemasturbating under floorboards and sewing their lips shut, it's pretty clear — art is no longer just about pretty oil paintings. This event was chosen as one of our top ten picks for the 2014 Melbourne Festival. See the full list here.
Since 2014, the Queen Victoria Gardens has been the home to the temporary architectural structure MPavilion and an extensive cultural program every spring. And it has just been announced what this year's eye-catching structure will be: a floating geometric building, combining architecture and urbanism, designed by Spanish architect Carme Pinós, of Estudio Carme Pinós. It will be open to the public between October 2018 and February 2019. Featuring sharp floating planes in a carefully considered geometric configuration, the structure has two timber latticeworks that intersect to form the pavilion's roof. The surrounding landscape has been altered to form three large grassy mounds that offer seating, and enclose the event space where MPavilion's huge community-focused cultural program will be presented. Discussing the inspiration behind her design, Pinós says, "Whenever I can, I design places where movements and routes intersect and exchange, spaces where people identify as part of a community, but also feel they belong to universality." Pinós's design will host this year's program running from October 8 to February 3, 2019. With more than 400 free events, talks, workshops, performances, and installations, the program will features themes of building communities, women in leadership and inclusive cities, plus the exploration of visual languages like fashion and architecture, regional contexts, and landscape and nature. Pinós has played a significant role in the rise of contemporary Spanish architecture, producing progressive projects throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Renowned for architecture that displays a strong commitment to a site's local or regional identity, her work ranges from large urban developments to social housing, public works and furniture design. Carme Pinós's MPavilion will be open to the public between October 8, 2018, and February 3, 2019, inside Melbourne's Queen Victoria gardens. For more info, visit mpavilion.org.
UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 12 — The RTBU announced last night, Sunday, August 11, that after "construction conversations" with Metro Trains, it would not be proceeding with its planned industrial action between August 12–19. Instead, it'll be "work as usual" from today onwards as the union continues to negotiate a new agreement. The four-hour stoppage on Tuesday, August 27, however, is still on the table — we'll let you know if that changes. If your daily commute involves catching the train, you're in for a disrupted day on Tuesday, August 27. After discussing the matter for months, the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) will go on strike — although, while a 48-hour walk-off had been proposed, its members will only stop work for four hours. All services will be affected between 10am–2pm. The stoppage will occur between hectic peak-hour periods; however it's reasonable to expect disruptions both before and after the scheduled period as a flow-on effect. The move comes after an eventful week, with the RTBU originally stating that its members would keep ticket barriers open all day on both August 12 and 19 — effectively giving Melburnians two days of free travel. Then, on Friday, August 9, the Federal Court of Australia ruled in favour of an injunction filed by Metro Trains, causing the RBTU to cancel that part of its initial plans. At the same time, the new stoppage was announced, involving not only drivers but commuter-facing employees as well. Speaking to The Age, the RBTU Victorian Branch secretary Luba Grigorovitch said that the strike was in response to Metro's decision to dock the pay of any workers involved in the union's upcoming actions, and not a reaction to the Federal Court decision. https://www.facebook.com/RTBUVic/photos/a.905557212842062/2541434102587690/?type=3&theater Other plans for the period between August 12–19 remain in effect. RBTU staff still won't be checking Myki cards on both August 12 and 19, although the barriers will remain closed and require a swipe to pass through. Commuter-facing employees will also scrap their uniforms indefinitely from August 12, too, and workers will refuse to participate in any training for Melbourne's soon-to-launch high-capacity trains between August 12–18. Between these dates, drivers will also refuse to operate any train that doesn't have fully operational public address systems and passenger emergency intercoms. And there'll be no skipping stations, alternate services running, or announcements by drivers to alert when their trains are running late. The union, which supports over 35,000 members Australia wide, has seen months of failed negotiations with Metro Trains, while trying to secure a new enterprise agreement, cut a new wage deal and call for improved working conditions. "This industrial action is aimed at Metro's hip pocket, not the travelling public," explained Grigorovitch in a statement. With negotiations still under way, it's possible no strike will go ahead, though only if Metro and the RTBU reach a satisfiable agreement in time. Melburnians also look set to endure tram disruptions in the near future, as part of a separate set of failed negotiations with Yarra Trams. RBTU members have voted for industrial action across the tram network, including a strike of up to 48 hours. There's no word yet as to when the latter may happen, although it's expected within the next 30 days. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
Restrictions on how many people can attend restaurants, entertainment sites and other venues have been a regular part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, but they're about to become a thing of the past in Victoria. Limits on the amount of people that you can hang out with at home are going the same way, too. With the state set to reach the 90-percent double-vaccinated mark among over 12s in the coming days, these kinds of caps and density rules will no longer apply — effective from 11.59pm tonight, Thursday, November 18. So, once Friday, November 19 hits — unless you're venturing out just before the stroke of midnight this evening — double-vaccinated Victorians will be able to head to all hospitality, entertainment and nightlife venues without needing to abide by any other density or patron restrictions. That applies to places such as restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, nightclubs, cinemas, zoos, stadiums, galleries, libraries and museums, and to all events, including everything from festivals to fun runs. The basic rule: if all venue patrons and staff are double-jabbed, there's no capacity limits. Events with fewer than 30,000 people won't need approval, either. That said, if you aren't double-vaxxed, you won't be able to go to most of these places or events at all. You can still go to hospitality venues that are only doing takeaway, but that's it. At 11.59pm tonight restrictions are lifting in Victoria. There will be no density limits. No capacity limits. No restrictions on how many people can visit you at home. No masks in most places. And if you want to celebrate - you can hit the dance floor too. pic.twitter.com/POq9jl61e2 — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) November 17, 2021 The change means that dance floors are back, too, so Melbourne will no longer resemble the town from Footloose — again, only if you're double-vaxxed. In the retail space, the double-vaxxed requirement will apply to entering all non-essential stores, including beauty services and hairdressers. So, only places such as supermarkets and post offices will be accessible to unvaxxed patrons. All sporting and recreational facilities won't have capacity limits for double-jabbed folks either, but if you aren't vaxxed, you won't be able to enter — other than for community sport. There's also no limits on hanging out with friends and family either at home or in public — so while picnicking or at the beach — although it's strongly recommended that everyone is double-jabbed. Plus, for weddings and funerals, there's no limits at all if everyone is double-vaxxed. If not, or if vaccination status isn't being checked, there will be a 50-person cap — and the one person per four-square-metres rule will be in effect. And, regarding travel, there's no restrictions. The double-vaccination mandate to enter venues applies statewide; however, for accommodation premises such as hotels and Airbnbs, being double-jabbed is strongly recommended instead. The requirements around masks are changing as well, and will only be compulsory indoors in limited circumstances — such as retail, health care, aged care, justice facilities, public transport, taxis, ride shares, planes and for workers serving the public at hospitality venues. And, as long as hospitalisations don't jump significantly, the retail requirement will end on Wednesday, December 15. That said, it's still highly recommended that Victorians keep masking up anywhere that you can't physically distance from other people. The 90-percent double-jabbed threshold among over 12s was originally expected to be reached on or around Wednesday, November 24, so Victoria is ahead of schedule. At the press conference to announce the easing rules, Premier Daniel Andrews called it "quite an amazing achievement". When the new changes kick in at 11.59pm tonight, the requirements for anyone who comes into contact with a confirmed positive case outside their home will change, too. If that's you, you will no longer need to self-quarantine. Instead, you'll just have to get a standard (PCR) test and isolate till you receive a negative result. Also, exposure sites will no longer be published. Instead, you'll be notified via the new alert function in the Service Victoria app if you've been to a higher-risk venues where positive cases have been present — places such as restaurants, gyms and nightclubs. Today's announcement comes as 1007 new local COVID-19 cases were reported in Victoria. Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions will relax again at 11.59pm on Thursday, November 18. For further information about Victoria's reopening roadmap, head to the Victorian Government website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health website. Top image: Visit Victoria.
The promises and proposals are flying in hard and fast as Victoria gears up for its next state election, and our railway situation is once again on everyone's radar. Five months after the current Victorian Government revealed it was gearing up to start work on a high-speed train line between Geelong and Melbourne, the Opposition has served up alternative plans for its own $15–19 billion regional rail network upgrade. Coalition's rail overhaul would see the Melbourne–Geelong commute slashed to just 32 minutes by 2022, using trains running at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. The current journey clocks in at roughly an hour, with the state's best tracks only allowing for speeds of 160 kilometres per hour. In the proposal unveiled today by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, the new 'European-style' rail network would also eventually drop travel times between Melbourne and Ballarat to 45 minutes, and squeeze the Melbourne to Bendigo trip down to 70 minutes. It would see currently closed passenger services to places like Mildura, Horsham, Donald and Hamilton reopened, and incorporate two new fleets of next-gen, high-speed trains. [caption id="attachment_691613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Opposition's proposed regional railway network.[/caption] According to the Opposition, the revamped network would lure a whole heap of people to move from the city to the country, and would take ten years to complete. Mr Guy also confirmed that his proposal would complement existing plans for an Airport Rail Link and the Metro Tunnel, hinting that he expects the Federal Government to chip in funds as well. Labour government's plans weren't a heap different, with proposed train speeds of 250–300 kilometres per hour and a link to the airport; however, it did not mention larger plans to link in and shorten times to Ballarat, Bendigo and other regional cities. Either way, it looks like Melbourne will be getting itself a fancy new high-speed train to Geelong.
If you like to swap the big smoke for some colourful blooms and garden-themed fun every chance you get, you'll want to pop the Ballarat Begonia Festival on your autumn calendar. A top-notch excuse to get outta town, the free festival returns for its next edition from Saturday, March 11–Monday, March 13, 2023. As always, green-thumbed folk will be in their element, with a dazzling display of rare begonias set to transform the Robert Clark Conservatory for the fest's dramatic floral centrepiece. As supporting acts, there'll be loads more eye-catching flower installations — including the famed floral clock — with over 500 varieties of begonia on show. As you wander amongst the blooms, you'll be able to enjoy live tunes at multiple stages, plus market stalls, food pop-ups and roving entertainment. The full program of happenings is set to drop in February, but previous years have seen circus performances, guest appearances from gardening experts and workshops — and 2015's fest even played host to the world's largest outdoor LEGO flower, created by The Brickman Ryan McNaught. Images: Teagan Glenane
What happens when a 20th-century pizza delivery guy gets cryogenically frozen for a thousand years, defrosting when 2999 is flicking over to the year 3000? Futurama has been telling that tale for a quarter of a century now. The animated series hasn't spent the full 25 years since its 1999 debut on-screen, weathering a chaotic run; however, it's been back again, baby, since 2023. The latest comeback's second season — dubbed the show's 12th overall — arrives from Monday, July 29, 2024, and it has a trailer. As always, shut up and take our money. This time, viewers can expect robot villages, a world dedicated to coffee and the survival of Earth under threat. Birthday party games to the death, AI proving both friendly and villainous, cute beanbags, the Planet Express team's usual interplanetary antics: they'll all feature, too, when Futurama returns to Disney+ Down Under. The Matt Groening-created show about life in the 31st century was in vintage form when it dropped its ten-episode 11th season, which embraced the fact that anything and everything can and will happen as it always has. When Futurama's return was first announced in 2022, it was for a 20-episode run, so season 12 was always going to follow. Then in 2023, the show was also renewed for two more seasons beyond that, so season 13 and season 14 are also on the way — taking viewers back to the future for even longer. Both soon and in years to come, get ready for more time with Philip J Fry (voiced by Billy West, Spitting Image), distant uncle to Planet Express cargo company Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (also voiced by West), plus the rest of the outfit's crew: one-eyed ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal, Dead to Me); fellow employees Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr, Craig of the Creek), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom, Dragons: The Nine Realms) and Zoidberg (also West); and everyone from self-obsessed starship captain Zapp Brannigan (West again) and his amphibious 4th Lieutenant Kif Kroker (Maurice LaMarche, Rick and Morty) through to scheming corporation owner Mom (Tress MacNeille, The Simpsons). Bender Bending Rodríguez is causing more mayhem as well, with John DiMaggio (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) also back with the cast when season 11 arrived. When the revival was first announced, that wasn't the case — but it wouldn't be Futurama without its constantly sauced robot exclaiming "bite my shiny metal ass!". You can put a beloved show into suspended animation, but someone is going to thaw it out one day — and more than once, as fans have experienced for decades now. Initially airing from 1999–2003, the futuristic series then returned from 2008–2013, before now being given another run. Check out the trailer for Futurama season 12 below: Futurama streams Down Under via Disney+, with season 12 arriving from Monday, July 29, 2024. Read our review of season 11.
If your idea of a Queensland holiday involves sun, surf, sand and the Gold or Sunshine coasts, we understand. That's been the norm for many a decade. But it's 2019, not 1989, meaning it's high time to expand your northern getaway horizons. If you fancy all of the above, plus exploring an inner-city playground teeming with arts, bars and eateries, then you should tee up a weekend away to Brisbane. While city-based vacations can be more expensive than simply setting up at the beach, Brisbane is a budget traveller's paradise — especially if you book a stay with Brisbane City YHA. Book in for a few nights at the hostel on Upper Roma Street and make one of its premium ensuite rooms your base — or opt for a four-to-six person multi-share suite if you're gathering the gang for a jaunt. [caption id="attachment_728173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City YHA rooftop bar.[/caption] The hostel's sustainable ethos will make you feel good about the environmental impact of your trip, and its rooftop pool, bar and games room will make you feel relaxed. Outside of the hostel, you'll surely want to explore, so we've fleshed out the rest of your agenda below. From strolling leisurely by the river to hunting down the best bites around, you'll be set for a highly affordable but jam-packed mini-break. SNACK ON SAVOURY CHURROS — $9 Travellers in the know venture beyond the obvious tourist hotspots. And in Brisbane, you won't have to venture far. A trip down the winding roadway that turns from Caxton Street into Given Terrace into Latrobe Terrace offers up everything from concrete couches with a view, to huge antique centres to peruse and bars and eateries to duck into whenever the urge arises. At the Petrie Terrace end of Paddington, Nota is one of the latter, with a $5–10 snack range that spans beyond the usual. Think savoury churros with honey, tempura fish sandwiches and blinis, to name a few options. And yes, they'll all go down rather well with the venue's cocktail and wine-heavy drinks list. [caption id="attachment_701809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greca by Nikki To.[/caption] RIDE THE RIVER TO BRISBANE'S NEWEST PRECINCT — VARIES When any city gains a new culinary precinct, it's a kind of a big deal. And Brisbane's latest spot is by the river in the middle of the CBD, so it's even more cause for excitement. Howard Smith Wharves holds Brissie's only riverside brewery, its only overwater bar, a Greek taverna, a joint serving Shake Shack-style burgers and grassy areas for hangs by the water, plus the precinct will continue to welcome even more restaurants and bars — including a Japanese izakaya and multi-level Cantonese eatery. Adding a visit to your itinerary is also an excuse to use the city's favourite form of public transport: the CityCats. You'll be in for a walk at either end of the journey (from Brisbane City YHA to South Bank Ferry Terminal, and then from Riverside Ferry Terminal to Howard Smith Wharves), but it's all part of the experience. [caption id="attachment_649663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atlanta Bell.[/caption] SING KARAOKE AND EAT CHICKEN PARMIGIANA SPRING ROLLS — $16 Many a day has been lazed away at Little Big House, the multi-level pub set in a heritage-listed Queenslander. This party spot has just kept adding reasons to stop by since it opened a few years back. Sometimes, it's boozy bingo; others, it's trivia. No matter when you drop in, you'll find breezy verandahs to sit on and chicken parmigiana spring rolls on the menu. Yes, you read that correctly. Another highlight is the free karaoke room, which is especially ace if you've got the gang in tow. Make sure to book in advance because it's a first-in, best-dressed type of scenario. [caption id="attachment_628008" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Green Jam sessions, QPAC.[/caption] LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC OUTDOORS — FREE Not so eager to belt out a song yourself, but love watching other people do it? South Bank, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Roma Street Parklands regularly host free live music across the weekend, so you're never too far from a tune. It's a case of picking your preferred picturesque setting — do you prefer grooving by the river, relaxing in sprawling parklands or sipping and eating on a nice little green patch? Time your wanders around town just right during your Brisbane stay, and you can probably even fit in all of the above. [caption id="attachment_711839" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Paul Giggle.[/caption] ENJOY A LEISURELY RIVERSIDE BIKE RIDE — FREE Your first stop starts at Brisbane City YHA's doorstep, where just a few you paces away you can hire one of CityCycle bikes (free for the first 30 minutes) and hit the pavement. You couldn't be in a better place to explore Brisbane on two wheels, with the river and its bike paths just a few pedal pushes away. Everyone's favourite destination is South Bank, understandably, where you can bike gently along the shoreline with the water on one side and parklands on the other. But don't be afraid to go slightly further afield, including through West End's hilly expanse, or through Paddington, Red Hill and Milton in Brisbane's inner west. Hot tip: at the latter, you can even see Brisbane's mini Eiffel Tower, should you be keen to spy replica landmarks out of context. TAKE IN THE CITY FROM A ROOFTOP POOL AND BAR — FREE WITH YOUR STAY Sometimes as a visitor to a city, you get the unique advantage of enjoying places that even lifelong locals don't know about if you stay at the right spot. The rooftop pool and bar at Brisbane City YHA is one of them. If you haven't dropped by for a night, you wouldn't even know that it was there. As well as a scenic view over the CBD and beyond, and a great place for a refreshing splash, it's also where you can wind down with a beverage and a bite to eat. Feeling inspired to whip up your own feast and really stick to a budget? There's a supermarket just up the road at Barracks, where you can grab some snags to whack on the poolside barbie. There are kitchen facilities by the pool for your use, too. That's the real Brisbane experience. EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MARKETS — VARIES When the weekend hits, South Brisbane and West End come alive with markets. In good news for anyone staying at Brisbane City YHA, they're all just a short stroll away. From Friday to Sunday, mosey over to Stanley Street Plaza to browse the trinkets, fashions and accessories (every holiday needs a unique souvenir, after all). If eating your way through an array of cuisines is more your style, then Boundary Street is your destination with treats from around the globe including Brazil, France, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Plus, for the vegans among us, the Boundary Street Markets go vegan every second and fourth Sunday of the month with sweet and savoury offerings, as well as a selection of vegan beers and wines. [caption id="attachment_646498" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth.[/caption] FEAST YOUR EYES ON A CAVALCADE OF ART — FREE For most of the year, Brisbane is blessed with sunny weather; however, if you've caught a few too many rays or if rain is on the horizon, then the Queensland Art Gallery and its sibling spot at the Gallery of Modern Art are your central go-tos. No matter what's gracing the walls of either building on any given day, you'll find a heap of paintings, sculptures and more, as well as an airy, dry space to escape the weather — plus general admission is completely free. At GOMA, you can also head to the gallery's Australian Cinematheque, where free and cheap films hit the big screen every weekend. And don't avoid the Children's Art Centre either; if you like your art with more than a dash of interactivity, you'll find fun for all ages. TAKE A WALKING TOUR OF BRISBANE'S HISTORY — FREE The best way to get to know a city is to delve into its history and Brisbane has plenty to teach you. Strap on your comfiest shoes, then throw a stone in whichever direction you feel like. Wherever that pebble lands, there'll be a heritage trail waiting to be walked. If you're eager to find out more about Brisbane's convict history and big 19th-century fire, then the CBD is your destination. Always wondered what lurks in Fortitude Valley's history? Make a beeline to the Fortitude Valley Post Office to start your tour through the notorious past. If you're keen for a dip, venture through Spring Hill and make sure to stop by the heritage-listed Spring Hill Baths. And the old faithful, of course, is any track by the river. Take a tour through Brisbane's close history with its river or walk along the other side of the river to learn the secrets of South Brisbane. Plus, the hostel offers free walking tours through Brisbane City every Wednesday and Sunday if your keen for more guidance through the city. Let YHA Australia help you explore more of Australia without breaking the bank. Plan a trip to Brisbane (or Sydney or Melbourne) and book a stay right in the middle of the city with YHA Australia. Top image: Greca at Howard Smith Wharves by Nikki To.
UPDATE Thursday, June 10: Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are restrictions on where Melburnians can travel. Check out the latest information on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. You can also check out more figures and graphs on its Victorian coronavirus data page. If you're looking for a cheeky excuse to get out of town this month, you'll find it down on the Mornington Peninsula at Willow Creek Vineyard's casual eatery Rare Hare. Sibling to the renowned Jackalope Hotel, the restaurant's plating up an exclusive Good Food Month lunch menu all the way through June. From 12–5pm weekdays, book yourself a table to enjoy a produce-driven, woodfired feed teamed with a local tipple and some memorable views of the property's sloping green vineyards. $45 will get you a selection of starters — think, house-baked potato bread with Leontyna olive oil and sardines on toast with preserved lemon — followed by a main of harissa lamb rump with smoked yoghurt and green olive tapenade. You'll also enjoy tea, coffee and a glass of Rare Hare's signature red or white wine to match. And if your afternoon looks free, you can always stick around and make it a long lunch and get acquainted with a few more of the wine list's celebrated homegrown drops. [caption id="attachment_813262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rare Hare[/caption]
After a massive, six-month refurbishment, the Mornington Peninsula's beloved T'Gallant Vineyard is officially back in business. The renovations were carried out by Melbourne-based interior design crew, Bergman & Co, who handle a lot of the city's big gastro pub makeovers (Mt Erica Hotel, The Orrong Hotel, Chancery Lane etc). This time, though, they've gone continental, turning T'Gallant into a Tuscan-inspired cellar door and restaurant. Hanging plants everywhere, rustic timber furniture, lots of outdoor seating and communal tables. T'Gallant has always been an affordable, family-friendly venue and that hasn't changed. The new-look menu still has plenty for the kids, and the wood-fired rectangular pizzas haven't gone anywhere. Take a seat in one of the three relaxed dining spaces, or find a barrel in the outdoor courtyard. There's also a beautiful cellar door, where you can sample T'Gallant's signature Pinot Gris. You have to bring your A-Game to make it on the Mornington Peninsula. Vineyard competition is tough down here. But with the new renovations, and new management running the show, T'Gallant is still one of the best, family-friendly wineries in Victoria. Image: Kate Shanasy.
If you're starting to pencil in some strategic long weekends and well-deserved trips this year, here's one to add to the mix: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas has just launched a Bali-inspired floating breakfast. Designed for a loved-up pair or two partners-in-crime, this luxurious floating breakfast is available exclusively for guests staying as part of the Sheraton's Float Into Paradise accommodation package, which includes a three-night stay in a Mirage Studio Garden View Room. The menu runs to the likes of smashed avocado with perfectly poached eggs, charred sourdough and kale with whipped feta and seeds. A vegan-friendly scrambled tofu is paired with avo and tomato bruschetta, or a climate-appropriate coconut acai bowl is made with an almond-milk base and loaded with yoghurt, banana, macadamia and goji berries. If you take a more flexible approach when it comes to holiday nutrition, look towards the indulgent part of the menu. You can expect a three-cheese and tomato sourdough toastie, fresh banana bread or a brekkie burger with hash brown, smoked bacon, cheese and a fried egg. [caption id="attachment_888044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ellen Seah[/caption] The crowning jewel of the floating breakfast menu is a succulent half-lobster, served stuffed with creamy scrambled eggs, chives and garlic Turkish bread. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, a pair of coffees and juice are also included. The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort itself boasts over two hectares of sparkling saltwater pools in Tropical North Queensland, meaning you can spend more time lounging by the water and less time travelling. Lagoons on-site include spots with sandy beaches, as well as serene private cabanas nestled on the waterfront. The five-star resort is also home to 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens, an 18-hole golf course and seven restaurants and bars on-site. In particular, the hatted Harrisons headed up by Spencer Patrick is a must-visit as one of Port Douglas' best restaurants. [caption id="attachment_888046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sunset Sessions[/caption] While the pool (and poolside) food and cocktails will keep you plenty busy, the hotel also runs Sunday sunset sessions complete with tapas and live tunes, or you can head along to a monthly rum masterclass. If you are keen to venture further during your stay, there are a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable tour options you can book. Locally-run Back Country Bliss runs swimmable tours through the Daintree Rainforest, which includes a snorkel and float tour of Mossman Gorge. Sailaway is a family business running half-day and full-day charters to Great Barrier Reef, including the Low Isles and Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef. Finally, Four Mile Beach adventures with a twist can be booked with locally-operated Port Douglas Segway Tours. You can book the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort floating breakfast via the hotel website. It is available until December 18, 2023. If you want to extend your Queensland getaway, check out our curated Whitsundays packages on CP Trips which includes a four-day stay, snorkel and sail adventure with a day cruise.
Melburnians haven't had much to say cheers to this year — but with the city slowly reopening after the most recent COVID-19 lockdowns, that's changing. And if you're looking for something to sip while you gather the gang (responsibly, while socially distancing and adhering to the requisite rules, of course), Richmond's Baby Pizza is doing an aperitivo special every single day. From 12–5pm daily, you can head by for $6.50 drinks — whether you're keen on sipping Aperol spritzes, Nastro Azzuro beers or Stefani Estate rosé. Spend a tenner, and you can choose from a couple of different cocktails instead, including a sgroppino with lemon sorbet, limoncello, vodka and prosecco, and a frosé lambone with rosé and Chambord. If you're also feeling peckish, Baby Pizza's usual menu will be on offer. As a soundtrack, there'll be DJs spinning tunes on weekends. You will need to reserve a table if you'd like to sit indoors — without al fresco dining available for walk-ins. You'll have a 90-minute slot, and you will also need to spend $45 per person while you're having your drinks over lunch.
Ever wanted to channel Step Brothers and unleash some party vibes at a Catalina Wine Mixer? Well, thanks to the crew at Welcome To Thornbury, your time to shine is now. The northside food truck park is turning comedic art into reality and hosting a real-life rendition of the fictional shindig. From 1pm on Saturday, March 4, you're invited to don your finest yachting get-up and launch into autumn with a day of live tunes, wine quaffing and general Will Ferrell-inspired frivolity. Entry to the party is free, with a variety of tickets and packages available, depending on how thirsty you find yourself. For example, the $55 option will get you two hours of free-flowing wine, plus house spritzes, bubbly and a couple of tacos courtesy of Maria's Taqueria. You might even fancy splashing out and adding on a loaded cheese platter for two. While bare-handed giraffe wrestling isn't on the day's agenda, there is a whole stack of other entertainment in store, including a magician, a roving saxophonist, DJs spinning through the day and a live band kicking off at 5pm. Everyone will be getting low in the limbo competition and you'll even have the chance to join in attempt to create the world's longest conga line. Images: Chip Mooney
Fond of Betty's Burgers and its Shake Shack-style burgs? Keen to share the love with someone you love? From Wednesday, July 8 to Sunday, July 12, the chain of eateries wants Melburnians to come in for a bite — and to bring their besties in as well. To mark Betty's Bestie Burger Fest, the brand's new Westfield Doncaster joint will be serving up two-for-one burgers, for dine-in or takeaway, with a different version on offer each day. Pay $15 for the Betty's Deluxe — with angus beef, bacon, cheese and pickles, lettuce, tomato and special sauce on a soft bun — on Wednesday and you'll score a pair of them. The two-for-one offer also applies to the $11.50 crispy chicken on Saturday, and the Betty's Classic, which'll set you back $10.50 for two, on Friday. The Betty's Deluxe will be on offer again on Sunday and the 'supreme' version of the chook burger (with cheese and bacon) will be two for $15 on Thursday. The two-for-one deal is available from 11am until 9pm, so if you and your favourite fellow burger fiend are especially eager, you could always hit up one for lunch and another for dinner. Until at least Wednesday, July 29, stay-at-home orders have been reintroduced in 12 Melbourne postcodes, which means their residents can only leave for one of four reasons: work or school, care or care giving, daily exercise or food and other essentials. For more information, head to the DHHS website.
Maybe it's the massive layout, which everyone traverses from the front door to the checkouts without taking any shortcuts. Perhaps it's all the display-room setups, turning almost every nook and cranny of a huge warehouse into dream homes. It could be the promise of those Swedish meatballs mid-shop, the coveted blue bags, or just knowing that your house will get a makeover when you return after browsing and buying oh-so-much. Whichever fits, a trip to IKEA isn't an ordinary shopping experience — although that'll prove true in a different way for 16 days between Friday, August 26–Saturday, September 10. That's when The IKEA Festival, aka your latest excuse to hit up the chain's closest store, will host a heap of free activities. Fancy celebrating another Swedish icon, aka ABBA, as part of an in-shop dance mob? Of course you do. Also on offer across IKEA's Melbourne stores: dance parties, yoga sessions, food tastings, a nature room you can relax in, a wall full of bears, DJ sets, singing in the aisles and drumming on IKEA's bin range. Can't make it along in-person? There's also an online live shopping event — and, of course, you can also hit up the brand's newly launched As-Is Online marketplace for discontinued, ex-display and pre-loved products.
Swedish furniture giant IKEA has been creating stylish storage solutions for our personal possessions for decades. As part of their latest marketing strategy, they've released a digital version of the Expedit shelving range to restore order to computer files. Hungarian advertising agency Laboratory Ideas developed the concept, saying "We prepared a useful, design-conscious and cost-effective way - true to IKEA's values - to organize and store your stuff even in your second home, your computer." One of my pet hates is that PCs don't allow for folder customisation. At least on Mac you can colour-code and highlight, though it's limited to seven shades. With its icon set of boxes, drawers and shelving in a range of colours and designs, IKEA's e-Folder set lets you say goodbye to stock-standard folders and furnish your computer so it feels like home. Download the set from IKEA online stores in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, check out the installation instructions in English and get tidy! [Via NotCot]
Splendour in the Grass is back this July, but not as we know it. The blockbuster Byron Bay music festival is packing its bags and road tripping down to Sydney to launch a new nine-day festival at the city's Overseas Passenger Terminal. Splendour in the City will run from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18 in the lead up to Splendour's virtual festival Splendour XR, which will kick off the following week. Across the lineup, music fans will find an array of beloved Australian artists — plus two stacked nights of stand-up comedy and a whole heap of extras that are aiming to recreate as much of the OG Splendour in the Grass experience as possible. While you won't get caught knee-deep in mud or have to climb North Byron Parklands' heartbreak hill to reach the main stage, you'll still find art installations, a range of dining options and food trucks, specialty bars from the likes of The Winery and The Strummer Bar, markets, a Little Splendour kids program and a VR pop-up at Splendour in the City. Taking over the 900-person Customs Hall and 400-person Cargo Hall, the lineup ranges from Splendour in the Grass mainstays such as Violent Soho, Illy, Vera Blue, Dune Rats and Tash Sultana to fresher faces like Spacey Jane, Masked Wolf, Ziggy Ramo and Triple One. Some local Sydney and Wollongong artists will also be popping up including Big Twisty, A.Girl and The Lazy Eyes — with the latter launching their second EP at the festival. Then, across at the Comedy Club, you'll find the likes of Nazeem Hussein, Nikki Britton, Tom Ballard, Nath Valvo and Triple J's Michael Hing and Lewis Hobba. 2021 will be the second year in a row that Splendour in the Grass won't welcome patrons come July. The full-sized Byron Bay edition of the music festival is currently scheduled for November with headliners Tyler the Creator, The Strokes and Gorillaz; however, that's reliant upon COVID-19 restrictions allowing the event to take place. [caption id="attachment_788985" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ocean Alley[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE CITY Customs Hall Saturday, July 10 — Spacey Jane Sunday, July 11 — Tash Sultana Wednesday, July 14 — Ocean Alley and Clews Thursday, July 15 — Illy, Masked Wolf and A.Girl Friday, July 16 — Running Touch Saturday, July 17 — Vera Blue and Cxloe Sunday, July 18 — Violent Soho Cargo Hall Saturday, July 10 — Nikki Britton, Tom Ballard, Michael Hing and more Sunday, July 11 — Nazeem Hussein, Nath Valvo, Lewis Hobba and more Monday, July 12 — Big Twisty and the Funknasty Wednesday, July 14 — The Southern River Band and Vast Hill Thursday, July 15 — Ziggy Ramo and Alice Skye Friday, July 16 — Triple One Saturday, July 17 (Early) — The Lazy Eyes Saturday, July 17 (Late) — Ebony Boadu Presents Sunday, July 18 — Dune Rats and Totty Splendour in the City will run from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18 at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, June 18.
Melbourne's CBD might be getting an overhaul to make it easier and safer to get around on foot, but that could mean saying goodbye to a few very familiar faces. As part of its Draft Transport Strategy unveiled last week, it turns out the City of Melbourne has plans to ditch a bunch of the CBD's long-standing footpath kiosks. Two are already on their way out and seven more will be decommissioned at the end of November this year. The kiosks that'll be removed are the rectangular 'street-trading' kiosks (that sell the likes of newspaper, gum and cigarettes), not the cylinder kiosks. Which, thankfully, means that Swanson Street's La Petite Crêperie kiosk is safe. The moves comes as part of the council's plan to tackle congestion and free up more space for pedestrians — it's estimated close to one million people walk around the CBD every day, and that this number will grow to 1.4 million in 17 years. It has identified the main footpath obstructions as being motorbikes, bicycle racks, construction hoardings and cafe equipment. While kiosks account for just a small portion of overall obstructions, they've been deemed unnecessary additions and are being given the boot. City of Melbourne Transport Portfolio Chair Councillor Nicolas Frances-Gilley said the kiosks simply take up too much space, and that declining cigarette and newspaper sales meant it was becoming tougher to find tenants for the streetside structures. "People have told us they feel overcrowded while navigating footpaths around the central city," Cr Frances-Gilley said in a statement. "The data backs up what we're hearing from pedestrians, so we're responding." The familiar kiosks won't be disappearing entirely, though. The council is looking to re-home them, with one heading to Collingwood Children's Farm and another gaining a second life as a ticket booth at Scoresby's Chesterfield Farm. The Draft Transport Strategy 2030 scored an unanimous thumbs up at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting earlier this week, and will be up for public consultation until Wednesday, June 19. CORRECTION: May 10, 2019 — This article previously stated that Swanson Street's La Petite Crêperie could be one of the kiosks closing. The City of Melbourne has since confirmed that the nine kiosks being removed are the rectangular street-trading kiosks, not the cylinder kiosks (which the crêperie is). The above article has been updated to reflect this.
The long, lazy weekend lunch is up there among life's greatest pleasures — and it's one that the team at Brunswick East's Etta will be celebrating right through winter. On Saturday, May 20, the renowned eatery kicks off its new Saturday feasting series, dedicated to top-notch seafood and champagne. The food lineup is set to change up weekly, though with shellfish season peaking, you can be sure of some sensational seafood no matter what. Each week's haul will be served as a tantalisingly stacked tower for $70 per person and enjoyed alongside the crackling fire from 12–2pm. That'll be brimming with the likes of king prawns done in fish sauce and fermented chilli butter, arrow squid skewers matched with lemon balm and calamansi lime sauce, and chilled bugs and blue spanner crab, with black peppercorn and garlic butter for dipping. And, since seafood and fizz are a match made in culinary heaven, Etta will be pouring out some primo champagne options to complement your lunch. Adding to the regular lineup of by-the-glass gems, there'll be a weekly-rotating champagne special pulled from the cellar just for the occasion. Etta's full wine list will be available, too. Images: Annika Kafcaloudis
There probably aren't too many raging 100th birthday parties pencilled in your diary right now, but here's one you'll want to make room for — Abbotsford institution The Terminus has clocked up a whole century of life and you're invited to raise a glass in its honour. While the building itself is even older, the Victoria Street boozer officially started life in its current iteration in 1923, debuting its name and that famed green paint job. And on Thursday, March 23, it's celebrating its 100th anniversary with a free soiree for all its fans. The birthday fun kicks off at 4pm, with the first 100 punters through the door to score a commemorative stubby cooler and a complimentary tinnie of Stone & Wood. Then from 6pm, they'll be firing up the hot plates for a free barbecue dinner in the beer garden. Meanwhile, the acoustic tunes will be flowing through the afternoon and the bar will be stocked with all the usual suspects to keep the party rolling on till late. Plus, the Termo team will be giving away a stack of free merch t-shirts on the night. Entry to the party is free and you can book a table if you want to guarantee a spot. [caption id="attachment_893424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tofu Studio[/caption] Top image: Tofu Studio
If all you wanted for an early Christmas gift this year was for the Matildas to put on a spectacular show at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Australia's national women's soccer team didn't disappoint. If all you're now hoping for this actual festive season is to hear three of the squad's stars chat about their experiences — and their careers in general, as well as what's brought them to this point — then the first-ever Open Air Live event is going to deliver there, too. Taking place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, Open Air Live will feature Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, forward Mary Fowler and defender Alanna Kennedy, who'll be back in Australia to get talking. All three impressed on the pitch in July and August, and cemented their place as Aussie sporting heroes, even if the semi-final loss to England meant that the Matildas didn't end up with the ultimate prize. On offer as well: a live masterclass where Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will show off their skills; and a match-day vibe thanks to four stages and ample use of the stadium screens. "I'm excited to be part of the Open Air Live event in Sydney this December. Mackenzie, Alanna and I will be taking the field at CommBank stadium for a huge night of entertainment; you won't want to miss this!" said Fowler. "I can't wait to join Mackenzie and Mary on the pitch for an incredible night of entertainment. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to putting on a great show," added Kennedy. "Bring your families along and join Alanna, Mary and I in sharing our stories. It will be a great night of entertainment. We can't wait to see you there," advised Arnold. There's obviously plenty for the three Matildas players to discuss. Their Women's World Cup efforts enraptured the entire nation, including breaking viewing records to become the most-watched program on Aussie TV since 2001 when current records began, and likely ever. They had Nikki Webster sing to them in Brisbane afterwards, and are getting a team statue in the Queensland capital. And, of course, the campaign was the result of years of hard work both as a squad and on the individual level to get the Tillies to this point. Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will be back in Australia for the event from the UK, where all the trio play in the Women's Super League. Arnold is West Ham United's captain, while Fowler and Kennedy remain on the same team at Manchester City. The full Matildas squad will also return to home turf for three games at the end of October and beginning of November, for Olympic qualifying matches in Perth. They play Iran on Thursday, October 26; The Philippines on Sunday, October 29; and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, November 1. Open Air Live with Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy will take place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, 11–13 O'Connell St, Parramatta — head to the ticketing website for more details and tickets.
