UK-born Michael Lambie (ex-Stokehouse, Circa, The Prince and Taxi Kitchen) has been a big player in Melbourne's restaurant scene ever since he landed here back in the late 90s. He's worked at some of the city's top restaurants and even co-founded Lucy Liu — before selling it in 2020 and running off to Queensland for a short stint. But now he has returned and is ready to take on the CBD with a new venture: Juni. Opening in late-2024, you can now drop by Juni to find a menu full of contemporary twists on Southeast Asian fare — designed by both Lambie and Head Chef Hendri Budiman (ex-Coda). The menu is built around the concept of 'Fire and Spice', so you can expect all kinds of heat. Kick things off with snacks like the seared tuna tataki with ginger and wasabi dressing; half-shell scallops with spicy tom yum brown butter; crayfish dumplings with ginger and green onion, and togarashi-spiced cauliflower with sesame and tofu and walnut furikake. You've then got more substantial dishes like Juni's dry-aged Chinese duck with cucumber, pickled daikon, spicy hoi sin and pancakes; steamed barramundi fillets with black beans, ginger flower and leeks; and vegan Japanese pumpkin and eggplant red curry with lychee and hot mint. The full menu is available across the main dining room, front bar and mezzanine-level events space — although the bar is expected to have more of a sip-and-snack feel (for after-work or pre-theatre sessions). And when it comes to the sipping side of things, you can expect a playful cocktail menu, a decent wine list, and an all-important sake selection. Carlton-based studio Techne has designed the 140-person venue, which features a bright colour palette that blends bold reds and pinks with soft green and maroon hues. Glass, metal and concrete finishes are also used throughout, softened by a smattering of cushioned leather banquettes. Lambie shared, "I'm thrilled to be back cooking in Melbourne – it's become my hometown – and I've wanted to open up a restaurant here again for a long time." Images: Dylan Kindermann.
Lovers of mountains and adrenaline junkies, meet your new bucket-lister. An old-school ski resort in Switzerland's Kandersteg Mountains is giving you a way to get your thrills and your incredible panoramas at the same time. It's an epic bobsled (better known in Europe as rodelbahn) that twists and turns down nearby mountains for 750 metres. Introducing Mountain Coaster. Frequenters of attractions Jamberoo Action Park or Merimbula's Magic Mountain might already know the drill — both parks are home to bobsleds that have featured in many a South Coaster's childhood. But the Mountain Coaster experience is looking far more spectacular. Rather than cruising around open hillsides, it plunges you down steep slopes and deep into some of Switzerland's most famous wilderness. In fact, its territory is smack bang in the centre of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is renowned for its extraordinary High Alps and numerous glaciers. Actually, you'll find the biggest glacier in Eurasia right here. Watch some of the runs on YouTube, they're nuts. Once you've conquered the Mountain Coaster, you might want to consider taking matters to scarier heights with the Alpine Coaster. Also found in Switzerland, it's the highest rodelbahn in the world and takes you through a kilometre of curves, waves, jumps and bridges, including a giddying 520-degree spin. Via Infinite Legroom. Image: Aleš Novotný.
Do you like Italian food? Then let us introduce you to the happiest place on earth. Due to open in Bologna, Italy in the middle of next year, Eataly World will be the world's first Italian food theme park, featuring nearly 20 acres of restaurants, kitchens, grocery stores, classrooms, farms, laboratories and more. The park is the latest venture from Oscar Farinetti, the founder of Italian food and grocery chain Eataly. It was first announced a few years back, with an opening set for last November. Fingers crossed they stick to their revised schedule, because we're already looking into flights to Europe. Speaking to Eater, Eataly vice-president and Eataly World CEO Tiziana Primori said the park would mix entertainment with education. "We call it from the farm to the fork because you can see all the steps of the chain, from the animals to the raw materials and workshops and restaurants." The hope is that the park will attract as many as 10 million visitors each year, providing a boost to Bologna tourism in the process. The city already boasts a number of gastronomic attractions, including a medieval marketplace and the world's only gelato university. Via Eater. Header image via Dollar Photo Club
Le Ho Fook has been serving up creative and stylish modern Chinese fare in Melbourne since 2013, when it opened its doors in Collingwood. Now located in the CBD, the brainchild of head chef and owner Victor Liong has become a Melbourne dining institution. So much so that in 2021, in the height of the pandemic that saw mass closures in the restaurant scene, he was able to open his second restaurant in Marvel Stadium, Docklands. The focus is Chinese-Australian classics with a modern take, designed to please everyone from the grandparents to the kids. The a la carte menu features a large list of house specialties which rotates from time to time. The pickled Apollo Bay mussels with chilli oil, fennel and nasturtium vinegar make for a tasty treat first up, while the much loved prawn toast is made with green garlic and salted egg yolk butter. It's not to be missed. For something truly surprising, the three cup stuffed chicken wings with wood fungi and black vinegar will have you recommending the restaurant to everyone you know. If its the classics you're here for, look no further than Lee Ho Fook's crispy eggplant with spiced red vinegar and an order of pork and chive dumplings with black vinegar and chilli oil. Pair this with some spanner crab fried rice complete with scallops and XO sauce and you have the Chinese meal of your dreams. Finish the evening with an exclamation point and order the mango pudding sorbet with passionfruit granita and a jasmine tea.
Gyms: musty, boring, full of intense bodybuilders and just so 2012. Why would you slog it out on the treadmill when you can dance in the dark? Why lift weights next to a grunting lifter when you can hang upside down bat-style in aerial yoga? Or shake those hips at a Bey Party? Exercise doesn’t have to be your bog standard running, squats and bicep curls. Creative and unusual alternatives are being offered around Melbourne. Try a different way of working out, and you may just enjoy it. BEY PARTY All the single ladies and non-single ladies plus gents are welcome to learn the dances to Queen Bey’s famous tracks for fun and to tone your bootylicious bods. Held in the tiki surrounds of LuWow in The Forbidden Temple on Thursday and Friday for $15 a session, it’s a party vibe with the opportunity for after-dance cocktails in easy reach. Beyonce-inspired outfits such as leotards, sequins and glitter are strongly encouraged, but no need to take it too seriously. Beyonce wouldn’t like that. Note: the same group is launching Bey Yoga on November 21 at Kal Studios. Thursdays and Fridays 6-7pm at The Forbidden Temple, LuWoW, 62-70 Johnson Street, Fitzroy DISCO YOGA If you like yoga but think your Vinyasa Flow would be improved with the rocking beats of MJ or Lady Gaga, you’ll find your centre in these classes. Held sporadically throughout the year with different themes across Melbourne, you can expect glitter, fluoro, a DJ and a high-intensity two-hour workout combined with plenty of kitschy freestyle dance. Disco Yoga is a weird mix of spiritual yoga and party atmosphere, and not for the introverted soul. This event will cost you around $45. The next Disco Yoga is Halloween themed and to be held at Chunky Move, Southbank. NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA 'Dance like nobody’s watching' isn't a saying for nothing. Founded in Fitzroy and now a worldwide movement, No Lights No Lycra invites you to reunite with the joy of dancing for fun and exercise to a mix of pop tracks from across the decades. They do it by switching off the lights. With no instruction, it's really just about letting loose, expressing yourself and embracing your inner daggy Dad dancing — because who can see you anyway? The class will cost you $5 - $7 for one hour to dance the way you feel. Held across various locations throughout the week in Melbourne. PARKOUR FOR FIRST-TIMERS Jump things. Climb. Vault. Parkour is an exercise that proves that you don’t need to join a gym to get fit; you can scale your neighbours backyard fences instead. Though it's probably best not to do that either, when you can go to the safe environments of Coburg Park and Southbank, and for $20, join a parkour class. This attitude and training style is about moving through urban environments like a ninja. Flipping, jumping across skyscrapers and other cool (but dangerous) tricks you may have seen on YouTube are not taught here, because legality. Southbank every Sunday 2.45pm–5pm, Coburg North first Thursday of every month 7-9pm. MORNING GLORYVILLE RAVES While most of us are still in the land of nod at 6.30am, a select few crazies are ready to “rave their way into the day” at the motivational yoga/dance party Morning Gloryville. As well as yoga classes and a DJ ensuring early risers get their sweat on, there are plenty of juice bars, vegan treats to help ravers reach natural highs and free massages to soothe their aching muscles. Every event is different, but the Morning Glory style ensures that glitter, performance artists and bright colour will be a given. Prices range from $16 - $26, and events are held sporadically throughout the year. THE CIRCUS SPOT Before running away and joining the circus, maybe try a few classes and see if it’s the life of which you’ve always dreamed first. The Circus Spot offers a range of classes for the acrobatically enthusiastic — trapeze, aerial hoop, tissu and tumbling — spread across studios in Fitzroy and Pascoe Vale. There are drop-in and term classes available depending on what you’re after, with casual classes costing $15. Skilled instructors will help you through the basics and guide you towards circus super-strength. If all else fails, you can always have a career as an amusement ride operator. Pascoe Vale (main studio), 204 Sussex Street, and Fitzroy, 304 Gore Street. VIBES ANTI-GRAVITY YOGA In anti-gravity (or 'aerial') yoga, you use a hammock for support, balance and to fly like a bird. Hang upside down like a bat, and try superman pose to swing side-to-side. It’s still yoga, so there’s a lot of balancing poses and tonal strengthening, but in the air. It’s a hell of a workout for your core and you will develop awesome arm strength from the jungle-like postures. What it’s not so great for is vertigo, and for the less coordinated among us, be prepared to knee yourself in the face. Anti-gravity doesn’t come cheap — casual drop-in classes cost $30. 106 Leicester Street, Fitzroy. HOOPS, THIGHS AND BUTTOCKS Remember hula hooping? Those were simpler times when success meant keeping a plastic toy moving around your hips. Turns out this kids' plaything is not a bad way to get moving and shaking. Hoops, Thighs and Buttocks have the philosophy that workouts don’t need to be so serious. They offer two fun classes: Booty Camp (some hooping combined with a variety of other dance aerobics) and Show Us Your Tricks! (100% pure hoopage). The classes are led by talented hula hoopers in Brunswick, Fitzroy, Northcote and St Kilda and are $20 per hip-shaking session. Various times and days across Brunswick, Fitzroy, Northcote and St Kilda.
Located within the marvellously opulent Block Arcade, The Tea Room 1892 (formerly the Hopetoun Tea Rooms) projects class, decadence, style and fun — with lavish wallpaper, impossibly attractive cakes and five-star service. This is one of the premier high tea experiences in Melbourne, and having opened way back in 1892, it is the oldest in the country. This is old-world fun steeped in nostalgia. Think fine bone china, hanging chandeliers and opulent mirrors with belle-epoque and art-nouveau influences. The high tea experience here comes served on an elegant three-tiered stand and is curated by head chef Indika Rajapaksha. The savoury offerings change every now and then but may include a quiche Lorraine, roast beef sandwiches with pickled gherkins and mayonnaise, tea room pinwheels with Tasmanian smoked salmon, avocado and dill, chicken liver patés and a vegetarian quiche. It is rounded out by an assortment of signature petit fours for something sweet, as well as fresh fruit and freshly baked scones with triple berry jam. High tea comes with a choice of either tea, coffee or soft drink, while alcoholic beverages are available at an extra cost. [caption id="attachment_939324" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] There are separate breakfast, lunch and drinks menus, too, with brekkie including French classics such as croque monsieur, brioche de raisin, fresh berry crepes with whipped cream and omelettes. For lunch, enjoy entrecôtes, crispy chicken leek salad, a seafood linguine with sautéed prawns, scallops and fresh fish, as well as a side of fries. If you need something to quench your thirst, the drinks list at The tea Rooms 1892 includes an assortment of coffees, as well as iced drinks such as moccas and fresh juices. The organic tea list is impressive, with flavours such as Bolivian Green, Darjeeling, Goji Acai, Lemon Myrtle and Ginger and Organic Mint. If you're planning for your lunch to get a little boozy, there are sparkling, white and red wine options, including a buttery Yarra Valley chardonnay. [caption id="attachment_939323" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hisco for Visit Victoria[/caption] Top image: Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria
Despite the name, Secret Kitchen has quite the reputation in Melbourne. As one of four outposts under the moniker across the city, this CBD location maintains the restaurant groups A-plus scorecard, providing reliably slick and sophisticated service. Menu-wise, don't expect any major surprises — this is simply traditional Chinese cuisine done really well. Seafood is proudly the main focus here, which is evident in the menu (each species has at least a dozen options) and the enormous fish tank by the entrance. Dessert doesn't disappoint either — expect deep-fried durian puffs and steamed custard buns fashioned as cutesy pig heads. Dumpling options include steamed Shanghai pork dumplings, and king prawn dumplings, while the entrees include traditional Peking duck pancakes and crispy garlic prawn spring rolls. The seafood san choi bao is a delight while the braised whole abalone is an exotic option. For a main go no further than the perfectly succulent and deliciously saucy suckling pig with a side of veggies and some fried rice.
Moon Dog's three-storey, 800-person, wild west-themed bar in Footscray's former Franco Cozzo building had quite a few unforeseen delays in the lead-up to its opening. But it eventually came to be, and it is one of the most impressive bars in Melbourne's west. Guests can find bars on each level pouring Moon Dog beers and seltzers from over 100 taps. Three-time Australian Bartender of the Year Chris Hysted-Adams was also brought in to design the cocktail list and shots menu. This includes an old-school pickleback shot, a regularly changing old fashioned that'll be served in a barrel for four people and a layered tequila sunrise slushie. A mechanical bucking bull takes centre stage down on the ground floor, where people can compete in actual tournaments with prize money. There's also a secret little Pianola Bar, an arcade, pool tables, a private dining space, a barrel-ageing room, and a stunner of a dog-friendly rooftop that's littered with cacti and fake desert rocks. The Moon Dog crew has completely packed this space out. Then you've got the food, which is all Tex Mex-inspired. The team is pumping out buffalo chicken ribs, double-decker tacos, roasted pumpkin mole and a Western barbecue bacon burger. Everything at the new Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray just screams unabashed fun. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Located at 105 Swan Street Richmond, Tartine is an elegant addition to the burgeoning Melbourne French culinary scene. It sits within a striking three-storey Edwardian corner block, painted a dazzling winter white, with street side dining and a private salon for special events. The interior is rustic with a gorgeous wooden bar that curves around the room and a few low marble tables to dine at. It's the perfect venue for a date or a catch up with old friends. Alternatively, pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy some alone time with a pastis. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu includes small bites such as oysters (mixed up daily), hash browns with foie gras and cognac, Cantabrian anchovy toast with shallots and butter and Basque style octopus with charred cos and lettuce. The venue takes its name for a style of French open sandwich, and the options here are absolutely mouth-watering. Vegetarians can enjoy a tartine of roasted mushroom, chèvre, walnut and thyme on brioche, or the brie de meaux with caramelised onions and walnuts on an open baguette. For carnivores, there's the wagyu bresaola with fennel remoulade or the house salmon gravlax with avocado, cucumber and dill on sourdough. For mains, the French classics are all here with steak frites and Montpellier butter the highlight, while the gnocchi Parisienne with eggplant, zucchini, tomato and goat curd caters to all diners. There is a full bar and stunning wine list at Tartine as well — be sure to give yourself plenty of time to sit back, relax, and soak up the atmosphere which is earnestly and effortlessly Parisian. Appears in: The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
The minds behind the multi-layered delight that is the legendary Strawberry Watermelon Cake — which has lit up Instagram feeds across the world since its inception in Sydney over a decade ago — headed south last November, opening the doors to a Black Star Pastry pop-up in St Kilda. It closed, like many restaurants did, at the start of the pandemic, but now it's back — permanently. Making its home beneath Acland Street's Jackalope Pavilion — where the now-closed, hopefully-reopening-soon exhibition Rain Room is located — the team's first permanent Black Star Pastry outside of Sydney follows a successful 2017 pop-up in Carlton, as well as plenty of outings at Melbourne's Night Noodle Markets over the years. The new pop-up store is serving up a selection of Black Star smash hits, the bill headlined, of course, by that Strawberry Watermelon Cake. Sporting layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream and watermelon, this little beauty sells around one million slices annually across the brand's four Sydney stores and was even dubbed the "world's most Instagrammed cake" by the New York Times. Other favourites making the journey south include the Pistachio Lemon Zen Cake — another layered sensation featuring pistachio ganache, white chocolate mousse, lemon curd and crunchy pistachio dacquoise — and the Raspberry Lychee Cake, which fuses chocolate biscuit, raspberry marshmallow and vanilla cream. Also on the lineup: custard flans, croissants, a vegan chocolate popcorn cake, a Dragon Cake (made with thinly sliced dragonfruit and jelly ripples) and a Japanese Forest Cake, which has matcha moss, dark chocolate bark and whole confit ume (plums). The sweet stuff is complemented by St Ali coffee and a contemporary, minimalist store space, featuring neon signage by UK artist Tracey Emin proclaiming "you loved me like a distant star". And, in a win for those who don't like waiting — or don't like heading out in the current climate — customers can also pre-order a range of cakes online and skip the queues with express pick-up. Those cakes are for all types of celebrations, too, ranging from four to 45 portions.
Local, seasonal and sustainable is the name of the game at Fitzrovia. As St Kilda's answer to the freshest Victorian produce you can find, ingredients at this all-day diner are especially sourced from fine estate suppliers from within 100 kilometres of Melbourne. You'll be hard pressed to find greater quality elsewhere. At the very least, be prepared to start harbouring dreams of harvesting all your own food forevermore once you visit. Where possible, all produce has free range and organic origins; Fitzrovia makes it easy to see why fresh is best. Non-homogenised milk from Jonsey's, salt, olives and oil from Mount Zero, butter from The Myrtleford Butter Factory, buffalo mozzarella from Shaw River, Romsey Range beef, free range chicken and duck from Milawa and St Ali single estate coffee are all used regularly and only just scrape the surface of a veritable pie of foodie goodness. It's no question then that the menu at Fitzrovia changes seasonally, with modern European influences tying it all together. Overlooking Albert Park at the idyllic end of Fitzroy Street, Fitzrovia will draw you in with its expansive glass facade and homely touches. A light-filled atrium extends to a cosy dining room that feels like a slice of the country in the middle of the city. With wooden crates of fruit and vegetables and freshly cut flowers abounding, it's hard not to feel like you've just walked in from the paddock. Big, rough comfort food runs out of the open kitchen regardless of the time of day (take note: it truly is open). A selection of house made breads and mueslis kick things into gear, with breakfast served until 3pm for sleepy souls. Come lunchtime, baked pies, tarts, seafood and pasta enter the equation, and extend to the evening where mains feature quality local meat cuts, inventive salads and some truly stellar polenta chips ($11.50). And Wednesday through Saturday, the lunch menu rolls into the evening — so you can have dinner (and a cocktail) at Fitzrovia too. Thanks to its thoughtful approach to produce, Fitzrovia is the kind of place that pleases visit after visit. If you're hankering for some fresh, local delights and a little contemplation with your meal, this is the place to do it.
There is always one of two things that stick with you after a visit to Curtin House on Swanston Street — those stairs, or the inevitable hangover the next morning. By the time you get up a few flights — even before Rooftop — the drinks are well deserved. Found on level six, Mesa Verde is an open, wood-clad room filled with personality. A Mexican influence is heavy on the food and drinks front. A seriously curated wall of tequila is what you'll find behind the bar as you peruse the menu where you'll find that cocktails rely heavily on the Mexican spirit. For those in the mood for a cocktail try the margarita de la casa a classic mix of tequila, lime and agave or one of the concoctions inspired by Mexican figures like Frida Kahlo, El Santo and even El Chupacabra. If you're a group in the mood to party, go for a cocktail to share like the house sangria, with red wine, curacao, orange and jalapeno, or the lager-ita with tequila, grapefruit, lime, agave and Coronas. Cocktails at Mesa Verde aren't the only ones invited to the party. The taps pour a rotating roster of independent brews, while the wine list features a list of predominantly Australian wines, bar the Champagne and sparkling lists. To accompany the liquids, there is a pretty extensive food menu to sit alongside the drinks list. Keeping in theme, snack on things like Victoria-grown corn tortilla chips with guac or the hiramasa ceviche with lemongrass and salsa macha. For something more substantial, try the tacos with fillings like barbecued goat with salsa, onion and coriander or the braised ox tongue with fermented morita BBQ and grilled mustard greens. Sweet tooths will be happy to know there is a banging dessert menu. You can top off the evening with horchata ice cream with corn meringue, dulce de leche and soft chocolate, churros and mezcal hot chocolate sauce. Mesa Verde is adding something a little different to the already full Curtin House. It earns its place as a stopover to one of the many other venues, or as a destination in itself. [caption id="attachment_888764" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chip Mooney[/caption]
Fusing classy food with a casual pub buzz was Jacques Reymond's vision for L'Hotel Gitan. Monsieur Blanc introduced a bohemian 'gypsy' twist to his long-running Michelin-style repertoire. Accessible and appealing, L'Hotel Gitan really is the epitome of the gastropub concept he was wanting, even ten years after first opening. It's refined dining in a smart casual setting. And the setting is certainly beautiful. The art deco bones of this stunning building have been primped and preened to produce a marble, brass, mirrored and tiled thing of beauty. The waitstaff are smartly dressed and know their way around the food and drink offerings. As for the menu at L'Hotel Gitan, it is one that encourages sharing. There are three sections: petite, moyen and plat principal. The petite section comprises single-serve tasters, from freshly shucked oysters to crisp cheddar and broccoli croquettes right through to jamon serrano offering. Moyen offers slightly more substantial dishes, such as the whole roasted king prawns and Gitan steak tartare: a freshly sliced beef fillet in a slightly spicy dressing, served in crisp lettuce leaves. As a plat principal, you have a choice of duck breast, a rockling colbert, a fragrant farmed Humpty Doo barramundi, a coq au vin pithivier or a grilled lamb backstrap. Desserts at L'Hotel Gitan include a creme brûlée, a fondant au chocolat and a selection of cheeses — best enjoyed by the fireplace on a cold winter's eve. The wine list features some local drops but has a far greater variety of European labels on offer. Beers have also been amped up lately, with a selection of Aussie and International brews on tap (and a few ciders) alongside some craft bottles and cans of beer.
It's easy to miss Seven Seeds on Berkeley Street, hidden in one of the quieter pockets of Carlton. This micro-roaster, cafe and retailer is hidden behind a wood-panelled door, which serves as a humble ruse for one of Melbourne's most marvelled cafe creations. And it truly is one aromatic, if slightly overwhelming, marvel. The interior design, the crumpets, the lamingtons, the coffee lab — these are all little sensations that piece together a giant applause-worthy creation that comes with a tasty caffeine hit, no less. Takeaway or dine-in, Seven Seeds is an experience either way. No matter where you sit, stand or wait, you'll have a clear-cut view of where your coffee is being conceived. Look at the baristas working busily behind their machines or the roasters, with beanies atop, in glasses you can't afford, sporting science-fair stares of intrigue at vats of dense, brown liquid: coffee. The team here are renowned for bringing the best and tastiest characteristics out of a bean, and it's one of the few roasteries to cup what they roast on a daily basis. There's only one size for coffee here, purely so these craft masters can delicately balance your shot in a proportion to water or milk that suits best. At a glance, it seems ostentatious, but at a sip, it seems unquestionable. Seven Seeds is meant to be all about the coffee, but the food doesn't just sit on the sidelines. Though small and compact, its baked goods cabinet can't be missed on arrival. There's a rotation of tasty treats here, with lamingtons, brownies, a sweet and savoury muffin selection, croissants, and strangely addictive pretzel blondies that make for a selection that'll have your hands drifting to your wallet while your eyes stay fixated. The dine-in menu is just as tasty and comes at half the calories. From pasta to white beans, waffles to mushrooms, each meal is as hearty as a breakfast should be, with the delicate flavour balance synonymous with Seven Seeds. At the very least, you must admire any cafe that can pull off homemade french toast with chocolate mascarpone, blackberries, strawberries and hazelnut praline. Come here for the coffee, but stick around to lap up the full experience of Seven Seeds. After all, when your postcode begins with three, it's your God-given right to be a coffee snob occasionally. Top image: Cormac Hanrahan/Visit Victoria. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Evie's Disco Diner is everything you hope it'll be when you first hear it's name mentioned. It's bright, unapologetically eighties, loud and queer friendly. With Queeraoke every Thursday and bingo every Wednesday, there is no shortage of fun to be had here. Whether it's (badly) belting out your favourite tune or polishing off a bucket of bingo wings, grab a group of mates, put on your dancing shoes and prepare to boogie. The food at Evies Disco Diner is described as vegan friendly comfort food, taking inspiration from a classic New York diner. Vegan options include classics such as pickles, corn chips with guac, beer battered onion rings and jalapeño poppers for entrees. Mains include nuggets with house dipping sauce, celery sticks with ranch sauce or a range of hot dogs which can be either vegan or not. If you're a carnivore, the 1kg bucket of fried chicken with bread, pickles and ranch is hard to pass up, while the Philly cheesesteak with onion, green capsicum and provolone cheese is another hit. For dessert opt for the fried apple pie with vanilla ice cream or the New York cheesecake with berry compote. Cocktails include classics such as Aperol spritz and espresso martinis, while house options include the Coco Chanel with Coco Pops, creme de cacao, vodka and horchata, or the leamington martini with wildflower and lamington vodka. The drinks are fun and visually impressive, so be sure your phone is fully charged as there'll be plenty of pics. On Saturdays they offer up a bottomless brunch, with four hours of vego food plus two hours of mimosas, bubbles, wines, beer and seltzers. But once the night comes, the dining tables at Evies Disco Diner are pushed aside and this space becomes more of a club, full of the usual Smith Street crowd of party-goers staying up late and getting rowdy. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne of 2023
The team behind South Melbourne's Park Street Pasta & Wine have some serious street cred when it comes to crowd-pleasing Italian food. And they expanded that fan base even further when they opened the doors to their new restaurant Osteria Renata in 2022, just a quick hop east in the heart of Prahran. Co-owners Alex Ghaddab and Gus Cadden (Head Chef) have delivered High Street a warm, modern take on the classic osteria and named it in honour of Ghaddab's Polish-Ukrainian grandmother. There's a sense of generous hospitality throughout, with a comforting, yet imaginative food offering matched by inviting interiors sporting soft olive accents and natural timbers. An onsite pasta lab steers the menu's carb component, as Cadden embraces both the traditional and the innovative. A strong lineup of antipasti features the likes of crisp gnocco fritto paired with 36-month-aged Iberico jamon, freshly shucked oysters with amaro mignonette, and brussel's sprouts with gorgonzola, pecorino and lemon. Otway free-range pork belly with grilled witlof starts off the mains, and the market fish stars Cloudy Bay clams and prosciutto XO. And the limoncello syrup cake is as summery a dessert as it sounds. [caption id="attachment_859748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Euro-inspired signature sips rule the cocktail selection at Osteria Renata, and Italian vino is celebrated alongside drops from Australia, France and Spain. A handful of rotating wine taps also offer a taste of what's happening with Italian varietals in the local winemaking game. The aforementioned pasta lab isn't just be whipping up fresh pasta stocks for the Osteria Renata and Park Street kitchens, but will eventually play host to a program of pasta-making workshops. [caption id="attachment_859749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thom Mitchell[/caption] Top Image: Parker Blain Appears in: Where to Find the Best pasta in Melbourne for 2023
There's getting away. And then there's disappearing to your own private, tiny house in the wilderness — miles from any sign of human interference. Meet Unyoked, a new, Australian independent accommodation option that lets you do just that. Importantly, this is not a hotel. Founded and run by twins Cam and Chris Grant, the off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Here's how. With the help of designer/builder Alice Nivison and builder/eco-consultant Richie Northcott from Sydney design studio Fresh Prince, the brothers have designed and built two tiny houses — both sustainable and solar-powered. They've been placed in secret patches of wilderness on private properties, in the middle of nowhere. Anytime you want to flee the city, disconnect and recharge, all you have to do is book one and jump in your car. Both houses are no more than two hours' drive from Sydney. "We grew up camping and hiking," the Grants say. "But once we started to work full-time, we noticed we weren't doing that as much. We were spending too much time in the grind. Unyoked came about because we wanted to get back to nature." The idea is that, rather than having to wait for your annual vacation, you can add a nature escape to your regular routine. "We wanted to give people more of a balance ... to give them the chance to get off the grid, but without necessarily having to go to Nepal," the Grants say. The houses aim to "make you feel like you're part of the environment". Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. Plus, the locations have been carefully selected. "We went through a detailed process of finding the right properties," the Grants say. "There's a set criteria. Each property must be secluded, away from the sight or sound of any human-made elements and have wildlife." For example, the first-built tiny house, which is named Miguel, sits on a 300-acre property, surrounded by 400-year-old rainforest, waterfalls, walking trails and kangaroos. Unyoked aims to make sure your stay is a bit of an adventure, by keeping the exact address of your chosen house secret until two days before you're due to set off. You'll be given a vague idea of the location, but nothing more. "We want people to feel like they were walking in the wilderness and suddenly came across a cabin." More Unyoked tiny houses are on their way — Melbourne's next. https://vimeo.com/202315726 Images and video: Samantha Hawker.
Meat pies and sausage rolls will never go out of style at the footy — even if they do cost a fortune nowadays. But sports stadiums across Australia have noticed how punters increasingly desire a really decent meal before or after a game. More specifically, these venues see how there is a lot to gain from feeding fans within the stadium rather than having them hit up a local pub or restaurant before heading over to catch a match. To achieve this, GMHBA Stadium has brought out the big guns: Melbourne's forever-favourite Chin Chin. Chris Lucas' new restaurant is slated to stick around for one year as a pop-up (sadly, it isn't a permanent fixture), but we're hoping that its huge popularity might change that. Even before Club Chin Chin opened on Sunday, May 4, there was a 5,000+ waitlist. And even though it is fully booked in May, June and July reservations are now available for anyone to book — not just footy fans. Chin Chin regulars will find a stack of familiar dishes served at both the Melbourne and Sydney Chin Chin, alongside a few new bites that are exclusive to Geelong. Signature dishes only found at GMHBA Stadium include crispy prawn spring rolls and a panang curry that's packed with twice-cooked lamb. Bevs are a highly local affair, featuring beers from Blackman's Brewery and wines from Jack Rabbit, Yes Said The Seal, Leura Park, Mulline, Bannockburn and Oakdene. "From growing up in Belmont to now opening my first venue in Geelong, I couldn't be prouder", says Chris Lucas. "Launching a third Chin Chin outpost in my own hometown is a dream come true. And doing it in collaboration with my beloved football team, the mighty Cats — well, it doesn't get any better than that." Club Chin Chin can be found at GMHBA Stadium, 370 Moorabool Street, South Geelong. AFL game-goers can book a table before a match, while regular programming will see Club Chin Chin open from 5pm–late on Thursday, 12pm–late on Friday and Saturday, and 12pm on Sunday for lunch. Find more details and book a highly-coveted table via the venue's website.
Here's a cheap way to update your wardrobe, as long as you're so fond of ALDI that you're keen to show your love via your outfit. Already a go-to for budget-friendly groceries, snow gear and whatever other specials that it can rustle up, the supermarket chain started its own streetwear collection in 2024, and that move proved a hit. Accordingly, you can now get excited about decking yourself out in the company's 2025 range. Selling clothes wasn't new for the chain when the ALDImania collection initially debuted, as everyone who regularly trawls its middle aisles will be well-aware, but this was the first time that the brand released its own ALDI threads. Those pieces sold out, so 2025's collection is even bigger. Everything still comes cheap, though, clocking in at under $20. Available from ALDI stores from Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the new range features 29 pieces. ALDI-branded hoodies, track pants, sneakers, socks and beanies are back, as are sweatshirts, t-shirts, bucket hats and caps. You can also get ALDI clogs this time around. For some items, there's also multiple colours available, with grey, back and white the 2025 lineup's base hues. Both types of shoes come in two styles, as do the t-shirts. For little ALDI fans, kids' sweatshirts and track pants are also on offer. Again made from sustainably sourced or recycled materials, the collection starts at $4.99 cost-wise, which'll get you a pair of socks. The most you'll pay is $19.99 for the sneakers. In-between those maximums and minimums, hoodies will set you back $14.99, beanies and bucket hats $7.99 each, clogs are the same price, and tees $8.99. If you'd like a compact umbrella (in three designs) or a double-walled insulated mug (in four designs), they help round out the collection. ALDI's 2025 streetwear range will hit the chain's supermarkets around Australia from Wednesday, April 9. Visit the ALDI website for more details.
If you're looking for one of the top pools with a view, then it has to be The Langham's. From atop one of Melbourne's best hotels, you have uninterrupted views across the Yarra River, over Flinders Street Station and the rest of Melbourne's cityscape. Swim a few laps, laze on the balcony and have the staff attend to your every need. It's pure cosmopolitan luxury. The Langham is also home to one of Melbourne's best spas. The massage menu heroes traditional Chinese techniques, while multi-treatment options combine things like body wraps, plumping facials and mud masks. You can even take their online quiz to determine which of their five core elements you resonate most with, which can then be applied to your Chuan treatment. Our element is wood, in case you were asking. But it isn't all about the pool and spa. Each of the 387 rooms are old-school opulent and offer up a range of views – our pick being over the river, of course. And if you're looking to go all out, try one of their balcony suites — then you'll discover what true luxury really looks like. And lastly, no stay at The Langham is complete without feasting at Melba, their all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
When Lorde announced that she'd be bringing her Ultrasound world tour to Australia in 2026, Sydneysiders and Melburnians embraced the green light to buy presale tickets. In fact, the demand for the Aotearoan star's Qudos Bank Arena and Rod Laver Arena gigs has been so huge that new shows in both cities have already been announced — before general tickets to the originally locked-in concerts even go on sale. In February 2026, the 'Royals', 'Solar Power' and 'What Was That' singer-songwriter will hit the stage across both Australia and New Zealand, making dates with arenas at every stop across a six-city run. Sydney and Melbourne are now hosting not one gig apiece, but two. Ella Yelich-O'Connor is playing the Harbour City on Wednesday, February 18 and again on Thursday, February 19, then the Victorian capital on Saturday, February 21 as well as Sunday, February 22. These are the final Sydney and Melbourne dates that'll be added to the tour. [caption id="attachment_1012905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Okpako/WireImage[/caption] Lorde last took her Solar Power tour to Australia in 2023. Her new series of concerts begins in September 2025 in the US — and also includes gigs in Canada, the UK and across Europe before this year is out. When the initial Australian and NZ dates were revealed, they came fresh from Yelich-O'Connor's surprise 2025 Glastonbury set, as well as her fourth album Virgin releasing at the end of June. The latter debuted at number one in Australia and New Zealand alike. This is Lorde's biggest tour of her career in general, too, with nights at the likes of Madison Square Garden in New York City and O2 Arena in London already sold out. [caption id="attachment_1012901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thistle Brown[/caption] Featuring the aforementioned 'What Was That' — her first original new track in four years — alongside 'Man of the Year', 'Hammer', 'Favourite Daughter' and 'Shapeshifter', Virgin also hit number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. There might be a three-year gap between Lorde's last Down Under shows and her upcoming Ultrasound tour concerts; however, in addition to writing and recording Virgin, she's been busy making a surprise Sydney club appearance back in May 2025 at a Lorde-themed night. Since 2013, when her debut record Pure Heroine arrived, Yelich-O'Connor has also released 2017's Melodrama and 2021's Solar Power, won two Grammys, picked up a Golden Globe nomination for 'Yellow Flicker Beat' from the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 and notched up over 18 billion streams worldwide. [caption id="attachment_1012904" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Okpako/WireImage[/caption] Lorde Ultrasound World Tour 2026 Australian Dates Monday, February 16 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, February 18–Thursday, February 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, February 21–Sunday, February 22 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 25 — Perth Arena, Perth Lorde is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2026, with ticket presales for the new shows from 2pm local time on Thursday, July 17, 2025 and general sales for all shows from 2pm on Friday, July 18, 2025 — head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Thistle Brown.
In 1999, two new releases posed the same question: what would happen if a member of the mafia went to see a psychiatrist about his many woes? The first, The Sopranos, changed TV forever. Indeed, it's the show that many people instantly think of whenever they see HBO's famed logo sequence on the small screen. And it also ensured the comedy movie with the same premise, aka Analyse This, would always be seen as the lesser of the two projects. Focusing on New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), and spanning both his professional and personal lives, The Sopranos is the gangster series that all subsequent gangster series want to be — and the weighty, nuanced, compelling and thoughtful drama that paved the way for everything from Six Feet Under and The Shield to Mad Men. The now-late Gandolfini is an absolute powerhouse in the lead role, imbuing Tony with both volatility and vulnerability, as he's paired perfectly with Edie Falco as his wife Carmela
Chances are, you're well overdue for a relaxed group getaway with your besties, and it just so happens that Australia's chock full of world-class vacation spots to suit all types. And for that group escape, Byron Bay is delivering the goods, as always. In northern NSW, you'll find a healthy dose of sun, sea and subtropical rainforest awaiting your arrival. Plus, an array of waterfront villas and roomy coastal retreats ideal for a beach vacay with your besties. We've done the hard work and rounded up the best group Airbnbs you can book in Byron Bay. Pack those bags and get set for a hard-earned beach adventure. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains Elevation, Byron Bay Luxe vacation vibes abound at this newly renovated architectural stunner, complete with heated pool and spa, and enormous sun-drenched deck. From $1321 a night, sleeps eight. Paradiso Property, Byron Bay Sporting soothing whites and natural finishes, this group retreat feels instantly relaxing. There's loads of space indoors and out, plus a brand-new pool. From $750 a night, sleeps eight. Belongil on the Beach, Byron Bay Swap city life for a weekend of blissful Byron beachfront. This sprawling house boasts cheery nautical styling and a backyard right on the water's edge. From $700 a night, sleeps six. Havana Lodge, Byron Bay With its contemporary boho styling, nature-filled surrounds and dreamy meditation loft, this eclectic retreat is the ultimate antidote to fast-paced city living. From $449 a night, sleeps four. Byron Superluxe, Byron Bay Boasting loads of outdoor living, a pool and space to sleep 14, this supersized retreat is group holiday perfection. And the beach is just metres away. From $1220 a night, sleeps 14. Beaumonts House, Byron Bay Perched overlooking the sand, this spacious beach house is a true surfer's dream. Expect incredible views and plenty of room to move. From $799 a night, sleeps ten. Eternity Beach House, Byron Bay A leafy oasis just moments from Belongil Beach, this relaxed holiday retreat comes complete with luxury furnishings and state-of-the-art features. From $990 a night, sleeps six. Ayana at the Pass, Byron Bay With its tropical setting and designer interiors, this modern abode is a study in holiday luxury. Enjoy a heated spa, outdoor shower and dedicated yoga deck. From $1380 a night, sleeps eight. Old 55, Byron Bay This beautifully restored Wategos Beach treehouse makes for an inviting beach escape, with roomy open-plan living and lots of outdoor space. From $949 a night, sleeps 11. Memories at Wategos, Byron Bay Just a short six-minute walk from Wategos Beach, this fabulous modern abode is perfect for a day in the sand or lounging by its top-tier pool with your best friends. From $1190 at night, sleeps eight. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb.
Although it's impossible for viewers to tell while watching it, as over 7000 handcrafted items that took around 20 different artisans 48 weeks to make bring Memoir of a Snail to glorious life — pieces that were used to animate the film's 310,000 individual movements, too — Adam Elliot's latest feature Memoir of a Snail is the result of compromises. Every movie by every filmmaker is, of course. Existence in general is a series of bargains and trade-offs anyway. But the Australian animator's output is so distinctive, so clearly the product of its guiding force's vision, and so deeply moving in its balance of laughs and darkness, that each one plays like it's been lifted from his brain wholesale. It has almost been three decades since Elliot first made stop-motion magic with 1996's three-minute short Uncle, starting what he's dubbed a trilogy of trilogies. The plan: to make three short shorts, three long shorts and three features, all using his instantly recognisable style of animation. The fondness for brown and grey hues, the hand-moulded appearance of each clump of clay, the intricate character studies that see the ups and downs that life takes us all on: they've all continued through his two other short shorts, 1999's Cousin and 2000's Brother, and then in his lengthier efforts. 2024 marks 21 years since Elliot initially went slightly longer with the 23-minute Harvie Krumpet — and two decades since he earned one of filmmaking's highest and most-coveted honours, taking home the 2004 Academy Award for Best Short Animation. Then, six years later, came his debut feature Mary and Max, which continued adding to what's now a swag of more than 100 career accolades. The 21-minute Ernie Biscuit followed in 2015, but Memoir of a Snail arrives 15 years since Elliot first ticked off that debut full-length effort. It too has been boosting his prizes. Upon its premiere at the prestigious Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France, it was named the fest's Best Feature. At the London Film Festival, it won the event's 2024 official competition. Memoir of a Snail also opened this year's Melbourne International Film Festival — aptly given that Melbourne plays a key part in its early scenes — on its many fest stops around the world. Unsurprisingly, it's been a whirlwind few months for Elliot when he speaks with Concrete Playground about the movie. "I think this is my seventh film and each one feels like a birth. You just want to make sure the baby has all its fingers and toes, and it's a pretty baby, and no one thinks it's ugly. So it's this sort of very precarious nerve-wracking period. It's no different for any other filmmaker. It's stressful for several reasons. It's not just 'will the film work?', but 'will I have a career to continue on with?'," he advises. "But, I have to admit, not that I had low expectations, but our budget was so much lower than Mary and Max — and so we couldn't afford walking, so we had to do the Muppet technique, and there was a lot of compromises. Everybody worked on award rates. So I didn't think it would be as well received as Mary and Max, but it's still early days, but it seems it seems to be getting a better response than Mary and Max." Elliot continues. "I do find the pressure and the expectation with each film gets greater and greater. I mean, you try to block that out. But the reactions are very consistent. France, then Telluride Film Festival, Melbourne Film Festival and Spain, San Sebastian. And even with the language — France and Spain had subtitling — most of the jokes, excluding Chiko rolls, most of the jokes were understood. So that's a big relief. I think the word 'relief' is probably the word I've been using the most for the last couple of months." With Succession star Sarah Snook leading the cast — and Eric Bana (Force of Nature: The Dry 2), Tony Armstrong (Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things), Nick Cave (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain) and Magda Szubanski (After the Trial) among the others loaning their voices — Memoir of a Snail tells another of Elliot's outsider tales, focusing on the lonely Grace Pudel. The film unfurls as Grace's reflection upon her life, from her childhood in Melbourne with her fire-obsessed twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Disclaimer) and their widowed father Percy (French actor Dominique Pinon, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon) onwards, as told to a snail named Sylvia. The movie's protagonist has long loved garden molluscs, literally wearing her love for them on her head. She's also largely been happy in her shell, until she meets and befriends the elderly Pinky (Jacki Weaver, Hello Tomorrow!). Elliot coined the term 'clayography' to describe his films, which use his preferred medium to unpack rich stories about his chosen characters — figures that spring from real-life tidbits gleaned from a lifetime love of observing others. The folks in his frames are as detailed and idiosyncratic as anyone living and breathing, and his movies have always proven deeply resonant as a result. We also chatted with the writer/director about his process of building characters, and finding that mix of humour and heart. Similarly part of our discussion: Elliot's initial animation and filmmaking dream, the path to Memoir of a Snail, his approach to writing, casting the movie and more. On Elliot's Initial Animation and Filmmaking Dream — and How Everything That's Come Since Stacks Up Against It "Well, certainly an Oscar was never even in the realm of something I thought would happen, mainly because I thought my films were too arthouse or boutique, or for adults. I never have had a strong long-term ambition. I did come up with this pretentious idea of doing a trilogy of trilogies: three short shorts, three long shorts and three features. I never thought I'd be up to number seven, so I've really only got two left and then I can die. I think I was very surprised at how universal the films have become, and that they haven't really dated. I still get people who have seen Harvie Krumpet for the first time sending me emails. And I'm constantly aware of and surprised by how people's suspension of disbelief, how they really do invest themselves in these plasticine blobs. It's hard for me to be objective. I've got a friend who's a GP and she just can't watch animation. She can't pretend to believe these characters are real. I think it's quite humbling to know that people really do give over to the characters and their stories. I thought at this point in my career that maybe stop-motion would be an artform that had disappeared. I was told that when I was at film school — I was told that stop motion was a dying artform and CGI would kill it, but the opposite has happened. Stop-motion is going through a bit of a renaissance or a golden period, and there's a lot of reasons for that, but it's alive." On the Path to Memoir of a Snail "I don't want to refer to Woody Allen, but I will. I've always liked his methodology of just finishing one and going straight into the other, and not getting caught up in the hype and the buzz. And, of course, you have to do promotion as an auteur. And you are part of the marketing campaign and strategy by Madman and the distributors and sales agents. But I'm thinking to the next film, and you've got to practice what you're preaching. In Memoir of a Snail, I'm always talking about moving forwards, moving forwards — and it's literally back to the drawing board. I'm starting to think about the next characters. What are they going to look like? And more so narrative and the story and what type of film I want to do next. I'm one of those lucky few filmmakers who hasn't had to revert to TV commercials or TV series or other forms. I've been very lucky that Screen Australia and the state funding bodies, VicScreen here, perpetually fund me. I know I'm lucky. And I know we're lucky in Australia, even having government support. So, I remind myself that quite often. Having said that, I'm always prepared to criticise the funding bodies because I think they could be doing more. I'm very annoyed they no longer fund short films. I do also worry, just quickly, that each film has a lot of references to previous films I've made, and there's a lot of repeated motifs I bring back. And I do start to worry my films are becoming formulaic and repetitive. I know somebody in IMDb posted a comment 'Adam Elliot's films are all the same'. They're right." On Elliot's Entry Point Into His Films and Approach to Making Each One Stand Out From the Rest "I do start each screenplay, I have to wait until I'm agitated by something or frustrated or extremely curious. And this film, I was going through the death of my father, the grieving process, and also getting rid of all his stuff. He had three sheds full of stuff, so I became fascinated by that. So I do a lot of research. I'm a very slow writer and I have to be enthused and driven by something. I can't just force myself to sit down and write. And sometimes it takes a few years. But when I do start the writing process, I really do become obsessed with it, and I love rewriting and writing. I mean, I could just do endless drafts. I never really ever want to start making the film. I just want to keep writing. I try to create films that I don't see and that deal with subject matter you don't see. And not that I'm trying to shock or deal with taboo subject matter, I just feel that there's things — there shouldn't be rules to animation. I don't want to offend, but I get annoyed when people think that animation is a genre. It's not, it's a medium. There was someone in the audience last night, who was talking about 'oh this film's not for the young children'. The onus is not on me. The onus is on the parents. The film's rated M. And I never get this problem in France and Germany, when I go. They have a long history of adult animation, particularly in countries like Estonia and the Czech Republic, there's a lot of surrealist animation. I think it's a job of a writer and a director to push the boundaries and push themselves. I'm very self-conscious of not just becoming stale. And if the artform of stop-motion has got to survive, it's got to move beyond Wallace and Gromit. It's got to move beyond family-friendly. And there's certainly many other stop-motion artists out there who would love to sink their teeth into an adult animation or an abstract stop-motion film, or an experimental. But of course, the thing that prohibits all this is money. It's a very slow, therefore very expensive art form. And again, I'm one of the lucky few who — every year, there's probably only three or four stop-motion features made. There's only been three in the history of Australian cinema and I made one of the others, Mary and Max. So we're very, very rare." On Finding Inspiration for His Characters in Real Life "I'm self-diagnosed OCD. I haven't had a clinical diagnosis, but I know I am. I'm very, very, extremely neat, and I obsess about detail. And I start with the detail and work backwards. So I don't worry about the three-act structure and the plot and the narrative until much later. I just gather all my ingredients — and I have very detailed notebooks going back decades. I collect quotes, I collect names, I collect sounds, I collect smells. I'm a hoarder of words, I suppose. And I just love going over my notes, and there's so many that I've forgotten that I've written. I also have very long descriptions of people I've just seen on the street. And I invent stories. I write poetry. I went through a period during COVID where I would write a poem every morning before nine o'clock. And so if I ever lost these journals, I wouldn't know what to do because they're my recipe books. It's where I get all my ingredients. I love observing people. I'm always staring at people on public transport. Even today, on the plane, I got caught staring at someone, so I'll probably get arrested, too. 'Why are they wearing those shoes? Why did they choose those earrings? I wonder what their backstory is.' I love backstories. Pinky has this whole backstory that no one will ever know about. It's mentioned briefly in the film, but to create very dimensional characters, I think you really have to go into every layer and dimension of them — because I'm aiming to create authenticity and believable characters. To give them dimension, you have to give them incongruities and contradictions. And it's not a matter of just pinning the character full of all these quirks. They have to be human. They have to have contrast and contradictions. So I'm certainly character-driven more than I am plot- and narrative-driven. On Elliot's Casting Process, Knowing Sarah Snook Was Perfect for Grace and Getting Lucky with Tony Armstrong "Well, I collect voices as well. So I have long lists of people who I think have fantastic voices for animation, or I might be able to use in the future. So I had listened to Sarah's voice, one of her early films, These Final Hours, when she was just starting out. There was the quality I loved. There was a quietness and vulnerability about her voice. So she was in my head very early on. But I did then listen to the Blanchetts and the Kidmans and the Wilsons and all the others, but none of them really ticked the boxes that Sarah did. But there's always a danger, too, that you might have this fantastic voice and then the animators do some lovely animation, and you marry them together and it just doesn't gel for generally an unknown reason. A good example is the very first Paddington film, five or ten years ago, was originally going to be Colin Firth. And they paid him. They cast him and they put his voice to the animation, and it didn't work. So they had to let him go and then in the end, they got Ben Whishaw — and he works beautifully as Paddington. So you never know. And you certainly don't want to have to tell an actor 'sorry, your voice doesn't work'. But I'm very intuitive and I also love non-actors. I do like getting people who — for example, Tony Armstrong, we'd already animated Ken, and I just couldn't find the person I wanted to voice Ken. And then I was watching ABC News Breakfast and Tony came on. And not only did he look like Ken, but he had that bass to his voice, that suaveness. And I thought 'oooh, I wonder if he can act?'. So we got in touch. And my gut instinct was actually he'd work. And it did. But sometimes you can get it wrong. And also, too, with casting, they're not the actors — the actors are the animators. I always remind the actors — I call them my voice, they're loaning us their voices, really, that's what they're doing. And they get paid a lot of money for only a few hours work. So you've got to make sure when they're in the studio, you get exactly what you want. So I do work my actors, my voice talent, quite hard, and we do many, many takes." On Filling Out Memoir of a Snail's Voices with an Australian Who's Who "It ends up being quite eclectic, and luckily we don't have to cast everybody upfront. So we only cast the voices where there's lip-sync. So it's quite leisurely in a way. My producer and I, Liz [Kearney, Sweet As], had a lot of time to go through every casting book and listen to every voice. We listened to everybody from Jimmy Barnes through to politicians. Then in the end, I did some of the voices, Liz did a voice. It's just a lot of experimentation, actually — a lot of just closing your eyes and listening, and watching some clips of animation. Certainly we got our dream cast, I have to be honest. We got pretty much everyone we wanted and thankfully it all worked out. But as I say, it's risky, and sometimes it goes pear-shaped." On Balancing Lightness, Laughs and Hope with Melancholy and Tragedy to Make Audiences Both Laugh and Cry "It's the thing that keeps me awake at night, is the balance, and it has been from day one. I often think 'gee, Adam, why don't why you just doing children's TV?' or 'why are you doing something like Bluey?'. Although Bluey has wonderful darkness at times as well, and is very clever. But yes, it is a balancing act and you don't want to depress the audience. I read somewhere, someone, I think it was on Letterboxd or somewhere, said 'Adam's films are all trauma porn'. And I thought 'oh gee, maybe they are'. I'd hate for my films to be called bleak. There's a lot of bleak Australian cinema. I do try to instil moments that are uplifting — and particularly my endings, I really want the audience to come out of the cinema feeling satisfied and relieved. They might be melancholic. I love that Victor Hugo quote that melancholy is the happiness of being sad. And I wouldn't say my films are sad films, they're melancholic at times, but ultimately I'm trying for them to be life-affirming and uplifting and soulful. A word I use a lot is 'nourishing'. I really want to nourish the audience. What's that horrible quote? Chicken soup for the soul. I think that's what I'm ultimately trying to do, it's empathy, that I'm trying to get the audience to put themselves in my characters' shoes and understand what it's like to be someone with a cleft palate. Or someone who, with Mary and Max, somebody who has Asperger's syndrome, who's being bullied and teased. Bullying and teasing is something that is a thread that goes through all my films, and that's because I was bullied and teased. And in some ways, my films are not revenge but they say to the bullies 'what you do is incredibly hurtful and destructive, and there's a whole lot of us out there who've had to carry this with us our whole lives and deal with it, suffer the consequences'. And I think there's so much animation out there doing other things, pure entertainment. I don't like getting lumped in with adult animation such as South Park and Family Guy. They are adult, but they're different, they're not trying to do the same things I'm trying to do. I do feel often very alone with what I'm doing. I'm surprised there aren't more people doing what I'm doing. I think there's certainly a demographic out there. There's certainly people who really connect with the works. I often get emails — I got an email the other day from a woman who has a cleft palate saying it's the first film she's ever seen that dealt with someone having a cleft palate with sensitivity and truthfulness. So you realise as a director and a writer that you have a degree of responsibility, and that films and cinema, they have a longevity, but they also can have an impact. I wouldn't say we save people's lives. I wouldn't go that far. But it's taken me a long while to fully understand that you can have an impact, and so you better be very mindful of that and be careful what you say." Memoir of a Snail opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
There are 11,761 beaches in Australia. So it goes without saying that choosing the nation's most epic stretches of sand is no easy feat. Still, we've taken on the challenge. And, having considered the entire coastline, we've teamed up with Jim Beam to come up with ten of the best beaches in Australia so you can book a group holiday — from South Australia's sweeping Coorong Beach, which is one of the longest beaches in the world, to Queensland's Whitehaven Beach, which is famous for its incredible beauty, rather than its length. Remote and not close to major cities, these are not your local favourites — these are the top beaches in Australia. Get your bucket list ready, hit up the group chat (because every beach adventure is best enjoyed together) and start planning your next waterside getaway to at least one of them. Recommended reads: The Best Coastal Spots for Whale Watching Across Australia The Best Islands to Visit in Australia The Best Beaches in Sydney The Best Glamping Sites in Australia [caption id="attachment_694321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] NINETY MILE BEACH, VICTORIA Sometimes, size does matter. That's true in the case of Ninety Mile Beach, which is actually 94 miles — or 151 kilometres — long, making it one of the longest beaches in the world. It runs along the state's northeastern coastline, parallel to the (also epic) Gippsland Lakes. And there are all kinds of adventures on offer. Spend days (and days) wandering along the sand, uninterrupted by rocks or headlands while soaking up the surf and looking out for whales. Visit Ninety Mile's cute seaside towns, like Woodside, Seaspray and Golden Beach. And, if you're a camper who's happy to swap creature comforts for serenity, pitch your tent at Emu Bight, on the shores of Lake Victoria within The Lakes National Park, and use this guide to explore the water. Editors note: Emu Bight is currently closed due to bushfires in the nearby area. Check the government's Emu Bight site for more updated info. [caption id="attachment_743661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] RED ROCK BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES Some beaches are epic, not only for themselves, but for what surrounds them. Take Red Rock, 30 minutes' drive north of Coffs Harbour. The Australian beach takes its name from its stunning headland, a 20-metre-high formation of 300-million-year-old jasper, also known as red quartz. Much of the sand is backdropped by national park and keen hikers should conquer the 65-kilometre multi-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk — or at least a section of it. If you find yourself needing human civilisation, visit the tiny coastal community of Corindi, where you can camp or stay in a cabin at Reflections Holiday Park. Take your time exploring the area and Red Rock Beach, one of the best beaches in Australia. [caption id="attachment_743607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] WHITEHAVEN BEACH, QUEENSLAND Whitehaven Beach was famous for its looks even before Instagram existed. Located on Whitsunday Island, this seven-kilometre-long wonder is known for its sand, which, made of silica, is among the whitest, brightest and purest on the planet. To visit, you'll need to climb aboard a tour from Airlie Beach — be it by yacht, powerboat, ferry or seaplane. You'll be sorely tempted to take a dip in the crystal clear waters when visiting Whitehaven Beach, easily one of the best beaches in Australia. And, for extraordinary views of the beach, island and surrounds, get yourself to Tongue Point Lookout. If you'd like to stay overnight, there are several campsites nearby. [caption id="attachment_743612" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] CAPE TRIBULATION BEACH, QUEENSLAND Cape Tribulation in Queensland's Far North is where two Heritage-listed wildernesses — the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest — come together. Cape Tribulation Beach is the first one north of the cape, around two hours' drive north of Port Douglas. Begin your adventures at Kulki with a ten-minute stroll to Cape Tribulation Lookout, which looks north over Cape Tribulation Beach, backdropped by mountains. And to add a second sandy spot to your itinerary, take the one-hour Cape Tribulation to Mason's Store walk, for views of Myall Beach. [caption id="attachment_743652" align="alignnone" width="1920"] South Australian Tourism Commission[/caption] COORONG BEACH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA This breathtaking stretch of sand forms the southwestern border of Coorong National Park, on South Australia's southeast coast. It runs for around 220 kilometres, between Port Elliot in the north and Cape Jaffa in the south — and it's considered the longest beach in Australia. It's also where the Murray River meets the sea, after a 2500-kilometre journey from the Australian Alps. Just behind Coorong Beach are the Coorong Wetlands, where the original Storm Boy (1977) film was shot. Consider a paddling tour along one of the best beaches in Australia, be it a three-hour sunset fling or a multi-day expedition. Keep your eyes peeled for threatened species, including the orange-bellied parrot, freckled duck and southern bell frog. [caption id="attachment_743610" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] 75 MILE BEACH, QUEENSLAND Another beach that's legendary for its awesome size is 75 Mile Beach on K'gari. This sandy behemoth forms most of the east coast of the island — which is the world's biggest sand island — and lies just off the coast, around six hours' drive north of Brisbane. The attractions here aren't just endless sea and sky, but also multicoloured and adventurous. Yes, there are sharks in the water and dingos on land, but the main attraction here is the length of the beach. Consequently, one of the most popular ways to travel 75 Mile Beach is by 4WD tour. That said, you can also go exploring on foot and camp or glamp at the dedicated Beach Camp Fraser Island. And be sure to stop off at Nudey Beach, which was named the best beach in Australia for 2018. [caption id="attachment_743683" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Charles Hill, Tourism Tasmania[/caption] WINEGLASS BAY, TASMANIA Like Queensland's Whitehaven Beach, Tasmania's Wineglass Bay is known all over the world for its good looks. As you've no doubt guessed, the bay gets its name from its smooth curves, which resemble a wine glass. You'll find one of the beast beaches in Australia on on Tassie's east coast, within Freycinet National Park. To get some perspective, follow the three-kilometre walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout from Wineglass Bay car park. An even more epic adventure is the full-day Hazards Beach to Wineglass Bay Circuit, an 11-kilometre hike that takes in two beaches, wilderness and pretty views. [caption id="attachment_743719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] CABLE BEACH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cable Beach, on the edge of Broome, is best known for its camel rides. Every evening, the humped beasts traipse along the shoreline, delivering tourists to some of the most beautiful sunsets in Australia, if not the world. It's hard to think of a better way to experience Cable Beach. But, if that's not your thing, you can hire a bike and cycle along the sand. Alternatively, settle for relaxing on the sand, swimming or sipping cocktails when visiting one of the best beaches in Australia. As well as its white sand, Cable Beach is famous for its rich red ochre cliffs, which create a striking contrast with the blue, blue sky. [caption id="attachment_743663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Stanley via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] COSSIES BEACH, COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS Add a bit of island hopping to your beachy bucket list chasing with a quick getaway to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. These magical wonderlands of coral are in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a 4.5-hour flight west of Perth — which is pretty far-flung, but they're still considered an Australian territory. There's no shortage of gorgeous beaches, but one of the most magnificent is Cossies, on Direction Island, which beach expert Brad Farmer named Australia's best beach in his book 101 Best Beaches 2017. Keen snorkellers should definitely spend some time at the Rip, a haven of colourful corals, parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, reef sharks and other intriguing underwater creatures. And if you're looking for a place to stay when visiting one of the best beaches in Australia, try nabbing a room at Cocos Seaview. [caption id="attachment_743664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Linear77 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] EIGHTY MILE BEACH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA One of the best things about Western Australia's many beaches is that they come with sunsets. And, on Eighty Mile Beach — which sprawls between Port Hedland and Broome — you get 220 kilometres of them. It's also a marine park, so you can count on plenty of sea life, including dugongs, dolphins, sawfish and flatback turtles, that come here to nest. Spend your time looking out for these and other wondrous creatures, or get into some strolling, swimming or fishing. There are spots to camp, too, including Cape Keraudren Coastal Reserve. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top images: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.
Victoria cleaned up at the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), with the state's breweries taking out an impressive 12 trophies at the annual awards ceremony. The beer competition saw a swag of southern labels emerge victorious, competing with a 400-strong line-up of brewers from across the globe. Ballarat-based Dollar Bill Brewing took out the top slot of Champion Australian Beer for its Gold Teeth peach wild ale, with the tipple also named as the AIBA's Best Fruit Beer. Meanwhile, Footscray's Hop Nation snapped up the title of Champion Medium Australian Brewery, as well as claiming awards for Champion Victorian Brewery, Best Pilsner (for its recently released Rattenhund) and Best Amber/Dark Ale. Valhalla Brewing, Two Birds Brewing Co. and Fixation were also among the Victorian breweries to win big on the night. Sydney's 4 Pines was named Champion Large Australian Brewery, with Western Australia's Cheeky Monkey taking out the small brewery division. Other Aussie favourites in the awardee mix included Foghorn, Sunday Road, Six String, the ACT's Bentspoke Brewing Co, Western Australian brewery King Road, and Queensland's Burleigh Brewing Company. Of the more than 2500 beer entries, plenty came from overseas, with South Korea's Goose Island Brewhouse, China's Nbeer Craft Brewing Co and Taiwanese label Zhang Men among the international names that scooped awards. Across the ditch, Auckland's Deep Creek Brewing Company was named Champion International Beer for its Sauvage farmhouse ale, also collecting the title of Champion Large International Brewery. Each year, the AIBA recognises excellence in brewing, beer packaging design and beer media. This year's victors were picked earlier this month by a team of 67 expert judges, including Ben Kraus (Bridge Road Brewers), Jayne Lewis (Two Birds), Justin Fox (Hawke's Brewing Co), Tina Panoutsos (Carlton & United Breweries) and Warren Pawsey (Little Creatures). For the full lineup of this year's AIBA awardees, jump over to the website.
Open Gardens Victoria is celebrating its tenth anniversary by inviting you to a hand-picked selection of off-the-radar landscapes — from Emerald's dramatic two-acre cactus garden and sweeping hilltop views at Telopea to the airy wildflower paddocks and hydrangea-lined pool garden at Little Steading on the Mornington Peninsula. This September, these exclusive gardens (that normally stay hidden behind private gates) will welcome visitors for just one magical weekend each. This year's lineup takes you from the coastal backroads of the Bellarine Peninsula to the rolling hills of the Macedon Ranges, with each property offering a unique horticultural escape. Visitors can expect self-guided tours, expert talks, plant sales and the odd food truck or coffee cart — perfect for picnics on the lawn, photo ops in golden light and time to linger with fellow plant lovers. In Banyule, Farm Raiser & Bellfield Community Garden turns urban plots into a celebration of sustainability, complete with veggie patches, pizza ovens and pop-up workshops. Over in the Yarra Valley, Ridgefield's 500-strong rose collection and on-site perfumery create a fragrant haven, while Bentwood's handmade rock walls and flower paddocks offer panoramic views of the Kinglake Ranges. Little Steading on the Mornington Peninsula brings hydrangea-lined pool gardens and wildflower meadows to life, and Gherang Gardenalia in the Surf Coast Hinterland pairs native plantings with salvaged garden art — plus CWA-fresh scones. These special openings are part of Open Gardens Victoria's tenth anniversary, with a handful of crowd-favourite gardens from the festival's early days also returning for one-time-only visits. Every ticket sold supports community grants and mental-health initiatives across the state; once each garden's weekend passes, the gates close again — so don't miss your opportunity to explore these hidden landscapes. Check out the full Open Gardens Victoria lineup and start planning your spring weekends. Images: supplied by Open Gardens Victoria
The much-hyped 80 Collins Street dining precinct might be a good 320 kilometres away from Gippsland. But, even so, resident Farmer's Daughters is dedicated almost entirely to celebrating and showcasing the region's finest produce and ingredients. The three-level restaurant is the work of acclaimed chef Alejandro Saravia (Pastuso) — not only a longtime champion of the area, but the Official Food & Beverage Ambassador for Gippsland. With this homage to all things Gippsland, Saravia is out to take guests on a full-blown exploration of his favourite Victorian region, minus the four-hour road trip. On the first floor, you're greeted by a gourmet deli, food store and eatery, turning out share-friendly fare like handmade mozzarella paired with macadamia and black garlic and Amber Creek confit pork belly matched with pepperberry and roasted quince. Available to go, there's a strong curation of pantry items and food products, heroing both Gippsland and other renowned Victorian regions. One storey above, the Farmer's Daughters restaurant plates up a more formal celebration of provenance, complete with an open kitchen fuelled by charcoal and wood. A sophisticated space by Agents of Architecture's Luke Hickman marries a nature-inspired colour palette of gentle greens and greys with tabletops made from reclaimed Gippsland timber. But it's the custom-made campfire kitchen at the dining room's heart that will really transport you, nodding to nights spent out bush beneath the stars. Expect a seasonal set menu (from $125, with matching wines available), featuring plates like baked Baw Baw alpine trout with mountain pepper cream, or Yarragon rabbit elevated with preserved carrot. It's backed by a Gippsland-focused drinks list, showcasing drops from the likes of William Downie, Patrick Sullivan and Loch Brewery & Distillery, alongside other wines sourced from across Australia and Europe. [caption id="attachment_833163" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Farmer's Daughters Rooftop, by Dan Castano for City of Melbourne[/caption] Finally, there's the venue's crowning glory: the rooftop bar, where you can unwind against a backdrop of native mountain pepper trees and potted herbs. Up here, you'll find a botanical-driven cocktail list featuring the exclusive Farmer's Daughters Gippsland vermouth in many iterations, along with wines by the glass and a range of beer that includes multiple pours from Orbost's Sailor's Grave Brewing. Images: Arianna Leggier. Updated August, 2023.
In the hierarchy of food and drink experiences, few things rival knocking back a cold craft beer in an independent brewery. One member of Victoria's constantly evolving cohort of independent brewers is Pakenham's Smiley Brewing — the suburb's first microbrewery and taproom. Relatively new to the brewing game, Smiley was founded by owner Trent and his partner, Kylie. Trent is the mind behind the brews, usually found around Smiley's custom-built brewhouse looking for the next flavour to put behind the bar and inside the cans of their original beers (the crowd favourite is the Pakenham Draught, if you're wondering). All ingredients in all their brews are sourced locally whenever possible. Meanwhile, Kylie runs the taproom and front-of-house operations with a sharp eye for detail and a smile (get it) ready for all their customers. Inside the taproom, you can order from a core range of up to seven award-winning beers — be it refreshing Hazy Pale Ales, Stouts, Amber Ales or bold IPAs. Plus, there are local cocktails, mocktails, wines and spirits if you're not a beer drinker, all best paired with food from local food trucks — you can check the food truck schedule here to find out what's on offer. Smiley also keeps a busy events program, with regular live music schedules and special events like open mics, drag bingo, trivia, comedy, karaoke and more — check their Instagram to see what's on. Images: Supplied
Cafe, designer's paradise and overall very cute space Cibi expanded in a big way back in 2018. Having spent the past decade on Keele Street in Collingwood, it outgrew the original site — filling it to the brim with Japanese homewares and cafe customers — but it didn't move far. Just a few hundred metres down the same street, actually. Taking up residence in a huge 800-square-metre warehouse, which was once a garment factory, Cibi could stretch out across a space four times the size of the original. Although the word "cibi" means "little one" in Japanese, little it no longer is. Sticking with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (acceptance of beauty in imperfection), the warehouse now has exposed beams, concrete and brick finishes, with owners Meg and Zenta Tanaka purposefully leaving things untouched. The cafe has expanded its cafe menu, too, with food available from breakfast through to afternoon tea. You can try dishes for the store's recently published cookbook, Cibi: Simple Japanese-Inspired Meals to Share with Family and Friends, and its super-popular Japanese Breakfast — with grilled salmon, omelette, seasonal greens, rice and miso soup — will now be available every morning, instead of just weekends. In terms of the homewares, the brands exclusively imported by Cibi (such as Hakusan porcelain and Sori Yanagi cutlery) have been built on, with the addition of larger items — such as furniture — and more brands. Love the food at Cibi in Collingwood? Buy the cookbook and recreate such dishes at home. Equally enamoured by the plate it was served on? Those are for sale, too. Even the chair you sit on could have a price tag underneath it. Synergy is in full swing here. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023
It's about time Torquay got a luxe day spa. The Great Ocean Road town does have a few wellness spaces that you can drop by for massages and skin treatments, but there's nothing quite like the bathhouses and natural hot springs found across the bay at Mornington Peninsula. But finally, on Thursday, December 26, About Time will open and Torquay will get the day spa it deserves. It comes from the people who created Little Company (champions of slow, pared-back facials and LED lightroom therapy) and STILL Beauty (massage experts), so you're sure to get some damn good wellness treatments here. The Torquay spa is also fully equipped for all your luxury bathing needs within its brutalist building. Inside, it will have a magnesium pool, cold plunge pool, traditional sauna, steam room, and private infrared saunas and ice baths that can be booked for groups of up to eight people. Step outside, and you'll find hot and cold magnesium pools that are tailor-made for social bathing with mates. You're free to chat out here, but it seems like the indoor bathhouse is more about quiet self-care. With so little competition out this way, About Time is set to be incredibly popular with locals and day-trippers alike. About Time is slated to open on Boxing Day, and will be found at 27 Baines Crescent, Torquay. For more information and to book a spot at the spa, check out the venue's website.
Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only things to do at Thredbo, but they're the main reason that most folks head to the snowy resort in Kosciuszko National Park in winter. The spot in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains also prides itself on its unique attractions, however, including Australia's only alpine gondola, plus the country's only lift-accessed mountain bike park with more than 40 kilometres of trails — and, soon, the first alpine coaster in the southern hemisphere as well. What's an alpine coaster? It is indeed a rollercoaster-like attraction, but features individual sleds on a track. Get zooming on the Thredbo Alpine Coaster, then, and you'll travel along a 1.5-kilometre expanse while controlling your own pace. The maximum is 40 kilometres per hour, but whether you feel the need for that speed or you're keen on something cruisier is completely up to you. Whichever you pick — fast, slow, in-between — you'll traverse both uphill and downhill tracks. You'll also go through a tunnel and over a bridge. And while this new addition to Thredbo is called an alpine coaster and is set to open for winter 2024, it will operate all year round. So, it'll be a drawcard in summer, too. Construction started in October 2023, with bulk civil excavation works and concreting already finished, and the track currently being installed. In autumn, independent third-party engineers will undertake safety testing. Then, come the coldest season of the year — with an exact launch date not yet announced — it'll be open to everyone. Thredbo General Manager Stuart Diver said that the Thredbo Alpine Coaster "will build upon our wide range of outdoor adventures in summer as a drawcard for new tourists to the village in the shoulder seasons". "This new development is a testament to Thredbo's commitment to provide a premium experience for our guests 365 days a year," he continued. The Thredbo Alpine Coaster is set to be operational by winter 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Head to the Thredbo website for further details in the interim.
Australia's touring all-inclusive music and arts festival Summer Camp is returning in December — and it's just dropped the full lineup of over 100 artists, as well as info on its new venues. Following Summer Camp's inaugural run in 2022 which combined great tunes and LGBTQIA+ pride, the blockbuster event will be hitting St Kilda Marina on Saturday, December 2 and the Wentworth Park Sports Centre in Sydney on Sunday, December 3. Leading the latest lineup announcement is viral sensation Rebecca Black who has had a major career revival since 2021, releasing a slate of acclaimed pop projects ten years after achieving global infamy for her so-bad-it's-good track 'Friday'. Heaven will be a place on earth at the Sydney edition of Summer Camp with Belinda Carlisle joining the lineup, while Ultra Naté will be exclusively hitting St Kilda with her catalogue of hits including the iconic dance cut 'Free'. [caption id="attachment_919632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matto Lucas[/caption] Also gracing both Summer Camp lineups: Brooke Candy, Kito, Meg10, The Illustrious Blacks and Tom Aspaul alongside a stacked program of local musicians, DJs, dancers and performance artists comprising more than 100 acts. The BEAT stage will be dedicated to thumping house, disco and techno tunes. Sydney will also be treated to Club Love — a haven for cheesy singalongs and big emotions, while Melbourne's Summer Camp will host a cutting-edge Rave Cave. [caption id="attachment_919633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matto Lucas[/caption] The huge program will be headlined by previously announced headliners Jessie Ware and Trixie Mattel. Ware teased that she was playing the festival back in May, advising that she'd be appearing on an episode of her podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware before confirming her place on the lineup in July. It's been a long time between Australian visits for the UK disco-pop queen. The last time she graced our shores was for Laneway Festival all the way back in 2013. In the period since, she's released four albums, including the immensely critically acclaimed What's You Pleasure in 2020 and its equally vibrant recent follow-up That! Feels Good!. But now Ware's drought of Aussie appearances is officially coming to an end. [caption id="attachment_899478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] The St Kilda edition will be taking place as part of the huge 17-day ALWAYS LIVE program that's hitting the state throughout November and December. The massive program also includes performances from Christina Aguilera, Jai Paul and Eric Prydz. As for the new location in Sydney, the festival has decided to head to an indoor-outdoor facility after facing issues with flooding at Centennial Park last year. SUMMER CAMP FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP: Jessie Ware Trixie Mattel Brooke Candy Kito Meg10 Rebecca Black The Illustrious Blacks Tom Aspaul Sydney Only: Belinda Carlisle Abby & Tyrone Akala Newman Atomic Blond & Dutch Kiss Ballroom Australia Baschoe Charlie Villas Chic Coach Cleo Rapture Club Chrome Dads Mayo Dan Azzo Diva Cups Dyan Tai Feta James Fried Pork Chop Half Queen Jackie Daniels Jane Jason De Cox Jimi the Kween Karlee Misi King C*ntessa Lady Fur Matt Vaughan Never Enough DJs (Dunny Minogue x Estèe Louder) Rosie Rivette Melbourne Only: Ultra Naté Alex Morris Ballroom Australia Bathesba Crescendoll Daws Dilonce' Disco Daddies DJ Gay Dad Ecterera Ecterrea x Art Simone Fragile Future House of Buffet Jesse Boyd Kat Zowthabag Kween Kong Mz Risk Nick Spurway Saint Eve Sal Simple Sovblkpssy Stone Motherless Cold Sullivan The Huxleys Tilly Capulet Tyoow Vb Unicorns Yo Mafia Summer Camp will be hitting Sydney and Melbourne in December 2023. For further details or to nab tickets, head to the festival's website. Top image: Matto Lucas
Arbory Bar and Eatery is long — 150m long, to be exact. Stretching along the length of what was the Sandridge railway platform at Flinders Street Station, this is the perfect place for some old fashioned promenading before taking a seat at the long counter bench overlooking the Yarra to enjoy a tipple while you take in the riverfront views. Named for the leafy canopy, or arbor, that the plane trees create above, Arbory is a magical pocket of green goodness in the midst of a bustling city. It is even more enchanting as the sun goes down, and the container housing the kitchen, two bars and the bathrooms emit an enticing golden glow. Arbory is open from 11am for riverside drinks and eats until late with a concise and well-chosen menu from ex-Trocadero (now Fatto) chef Nicolas Bennett. The offering is somewhat refined but still a little cheeky, focusing on sandwiches and burgers, such as its New England Lobster Roll, with shoestring fries and truffle salt and its fan-favourite double cheeseburger. Word has it that the butcher makes the patties to Bennett's specifications to create the ultimate meat-to-fat ratio and — what's more — the perfect bread-to-beef proportions. While the beef patty is definitely the star of this gig, the bacon, brioche bun, mellow and creamy Monterey cheese, sundried tomato relish, a slip of lettuce, and pickles all work together to elevate this burger to superstar status. The accompanying crinkle-cut fries complete the dish. And, from experience, more than one napkin is required. With a state-of-the-art beer system, fancy Hoshizaki ice machine, wine on tap (as well as some lovely local and Spanish wines by the bottle) and a cocktail list with all your favourites, this is a well-thought-out bar and eatery.
Golden spinach and feta pastries, boat-shaped shanklish pies flecked with herbs and syrupy layered baklava. One peek at the goodies on show at A1 and it's easy to see why this Lebanese bakery and grocer has been a Sydney Road favourite for almost two decades. The ovens here are turning out an array of classic Middle Eastern breads, from soft souvlaki-style rounds, ready to roll, through to five-inch pita pockets. But for lunch fiends, it's all about the homemade grab-and-go options, such as the haloumi-stuffed pies and pizzas topped with the likes of sujuk, falafel and labneh. All of this gets A1 on our list of the best bakeries in Melbourne and the best cafes in Melbourne. Images: Julia Sansone Appears in: The 13 Best Cafes in Melbourne for 2023 Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023 The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
A four-layer slice of Italian flavour and sophistication, the multi-storey Stella is Ali Mousavi's contemporary Aussie take on the classic Italian trattoria. An elegant fitout by Projects of Imagination and SUM Design Studio has lent each space its own identity while tying it back in seamlessly to the rest of the building. First, you've got the historic bluestone walls and back-lit cabinets of cellared vino gracing the subterranean private dining room. [caption id="attachment_872163" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Pascoe[/caption] Up on the ground floor, a light-filled restaurant space makes a statement of the kitchen's impressive Golden Onyx Marana Forni pizza oven; while above sits a moodier lounge bar lined with emerald banquettes and sporting a hand-crafted light installation hung with hundreds of glass bottles. One floor further is the openair rooftop terrace, with its lush vertical garden and vistas across the inner-south. It's a choose-your-own-adventure situation with a food offering — by Executive Chef John Park (Vue de Monde, 400 Gradi) — to match. Sipping and snacking types will be particularly happy lounging in the bar or kicking back on the rooftop, over salumi boards, mushroom arancini and beef tartare on toasted schiacciata. House-made pasta proves a highlight, with options like lamb ragu tagliatelle with orange pangrattato, truffle mascarpone-laced pappardelle funghi and blue swimmer crab tagliolini elevated with a prawn bisque. Meanwhile, pizzas come laden with classic toppings such as pork sausage, fennel and hot salami; or marinated prawns and cherry tomatoes. [caption id="attachment_872169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Primed for rooftop knock-offs, Stella's drinks offering is headlined by a mix of Italian wines and local varietals curated by sommelier Myron Kloppers (Omnia, Ike Jime). Of course, the Mediterranean-leaning cocktail lineup has plenty of terrace-worthy inclusions of its own — including the blackberry and hibiscus Stella Royale spritz; and the Violetta's sophisticated blend of tequila, Cointreau, lavender bitters and house-made lavender tea. [caption id="attachment_872171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] [caption id="attachment_872167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Images: Parker Blain and Kate Pascoe
Moon Dog announced its plans to transform Footscray's iconic Franco Cozzo building into a huge drinking and dining venue at the end of 2022, and now we finally have news on when it's going to open. Come early March 2024, the team will swing open the saloon doors to its new Moon Dog Wild West brewery bar that's set to be twice as big as the already enormous Moon Dog World in Preston. The new 800-person venue will span three storeys, and have over 100 taps pouring Moon Dog beers and seltzers. Once guests pass through the swinging saloon doors on Hopkins Street, they'll be met with a huge bucking bull surrounded by horseshoe-shaped booths, an old western-inspired arcade and a barrel-ageing room. Up on level two, there'll be a honky tonk bar, live music stage, some pool tables, a balcony and a secret Pianola Bar. On this floor, the menu will be stacked with American barbecue eats — very on theme for the Moon Dog Wild West brewery bar. The new Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray will even have a sun-drenched rooftop with views over the city. There'll be another bar up here, plus food will come in the form of Tex Mex bites and classic gastropub dishes (it seems that no matter how far it leans into the US stylings, it can't get rid of the Aussie parma — and we're not mad about it). "With a venue of this size, we know we could achieve something that hasn't been seen before and really go bigger than we ever have. We're hoping to create somewhere for people to enjoy the outrageousness of it all!" said Moon Dog CEO and Co-Founder Joshua Uljans. [caption id="attachment_880996" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin Anderson via Flickr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_744580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Dog World, Kate Shanasy[/caption] Moon Dog Wild West will be located at 54 Hopkins Street, Footscray and is set to open in early March 2024, operating from 11am–11pm Sunday–Thursday and 11am–1am Friday–Saturday. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Sam Schultz.
Are Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally comedy's funniest couple? Both together and apart, their resumes make a strong case for it. Here's another way to make that call: catching them live onstage together in Australia in their first-ever shared in-conversation session. It's a one-night-only date for the Parks and Recreation co-stars, happening to close out Vivid Sydney 2025. If you're as obsessed with one of the best American sitcoms of the 21st century as everyone should be, you will have spotted a trend at Vivid in the past two years. At 2024's festival, Amy Poehler was on the lineup, also getting chatting. Fingers crossed for Adam Scott or Rob Lowe in 2026. Yes, you should get the bacon and whisky ready for Offerman and Mullally. You should also prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. Making your own canoe? If you can, that's an appropriate way to celebrate, too. Taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Offerman and Mullally's exclusive Vivid show is called Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally, and falls into the Harbour City event's Global Storyteller series — which is also bringing Martha Stewart to the New South Wales capital in 2025, was why Poehler was on 2024's lineup, and has also seen The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, filmmakers Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Australia singer Troye Sivan get talking in past years. Parks and Recreation's on-screen Ron and Tammy Swanson were meant to tour to Australia together in 2016, but Mullally had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, so Offerman came solo. When they finally make the trip by each other's side, the husband-and-wife duo have everything from their multi-hyphenate individual careers to collaborating as creative and real-life partners to dig into, alongside their LGBTQIA+ and environmental activism. "Megan and I are powerfully chuffed to get back to town for Vivid Sydney, but also to reprise our lovemaking session atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Once we have recharged those particular batteries, we'll be thrilled to transfer our slatternly energies to the Vivid Sydney audience," said Offerman, announcing Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally. "Come for the anecdotes and the burlesque lust in our every turn of phrase, then get stretched out before you get home, because there's gonna be some canoodlin'." "We couldn't let Vivid Sydney take place this year without treating visitors to a masterclass in comedy. Nick and Megan are one of the funniest couples alive, and this conversation is set to be equal parts unpredictable and hilarious. Bolstering Vivid Sydney 2025's lineup alongside lifestyle icon Martha Stewart and the formidable Nigella Lawson, there really is something for everyone," added Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Offerman and Mullally have also appeared on Will & Grace, Childrens Hospital, Smashed, Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Kings of Summer, Bob's Burgers, The Great North and Party Down together, to name just a few of their shared credits. The Last of Us, Civil War and the upcoming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning are some of Offerman's recent other projects, while Dicks: The Musical, The Righteous Gemstones and Reservation Dogs are among Mullally's. Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally takes place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, with tickets on sale on sale at 9am on Friday, May 9 via the festival website — and presales from 9am on Thursday, May 8 for Stan subscribers Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information. Top image: Emily Schur.
Care for a cheeky cocktail looking out over Melbourne's pretty, pretty skyline? Melbourne has a shiny new rooftop bar atop the just-opened QT Melbourne. This new addition to the CBD promises to serve up openair cocktails and brewskis every night of the week. To get to this high flying bar in the sky, just head to the hotel's front door and you'll be directed to the roof by staff. Best part? There's no door charge. Just know that, while the bar is open until 1am, outdoor seating will only be available until 11pm.
MasterChef Australia fans — we know there's a heap of you out there — are in for a real treat in May when four of the show's former contestants take over Crown Melbourne's Evergreen space overlooking the Yarra. The ALUMNI pop-up restaurant will feature Kishwar Chowdhury, Callum Hann, Khanh Ong and one mystery chef who is yet to be announced. Each will have their own three-week stint at Crown, sharing some of their signature dishes and other eats from the cuisines they are best known for. The four-course set menus will cost diners $150 per person, while kids get their own $75 feast. Kishwar Chowdhury kicks off the MasterChef festivities with a menu inspired by her Bengali background, running from Thursday, May 16–Thursday, June 2. Chowdhury has a passion for sourcing rare ingredients and growing hard-to-find produce, so we are expecting a few surprises here. She's followed by Callum Hann, who placed second in the 2010 competition after cooking Peter Gilmore's famous snow egg, and will run the pass from Thursday, June 6–Sunday, June 23. Hann is a champion of sustainable cooking practices and will use his menu to showcase local farmers and discuss issues surrounding food waste. Khanh Ong, known for sharing the flavours of his native Vietnam and for his new cookbook A Gay Guy's Guide to Life Love Food, will then take over the kitchen from Thursday, June 27–Sunday, July 14. We're yet to know anything about the fourth chef but have been told their residency will be properly announced on Tuesday, June 25. Let the wild speculating begin. The ALUMNI 'MasterChef Australia' residencies begin on Thursday, May 16, at Crown Melbourne's Evergreen events space. For more information and to book a spot, visit the venue's website.
Now and then, we all need to take a break from being a part of society, close the doors, turn off notifications and binge watch TV shows while ignoring all texts and messages. The tricky part, though, is being in a you-time bubble when dinner rolls around. Our instincts tell us to snuggle into our couch burrito, order enough UberEats to feed the whole apartment block and when it arrives, awkwardly call back into your apartment, "Hey, large group of my friends, the food is here!". You're not fooling anyone and you deserve better. Put on your glad rags and treat yourself to a meal out — alone. Yes, it sounds weird (food is often such a social concept, after all) but hear us out: you should be treated to fresh, delicious food and a doting waiter, even when you're retreating into your antisocial bubble. Alone but together with American Express we've uncovered Melbourne's best eateries for when you're riding solo and intend to keep it that way. Pick a spot, bring a book (and your American Express® Card) or spend the evening people watching — there's no wrong way to do it. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
The Market Pavilion – a sprawling food and dining precinct – is set to satisfy epicureans with its landmark launch at Chadstone. Spanning over 26,500 square metres, more than 50 retailers have taken up residence, offering everything from fresh produce and gourmet ingredients to artisan creations. With investment in the new precinct reaching $485 million, expect a world-class experience. Bringing together a host of favourites from across Melbourne's food and lifestyle scene, it's the ideal spot to shop and dine on the finer things in life. Throughout the massive space, visitors will encounter renowned providores, specialty grocers, local culinary masters and premium restaurants. Meanwhile, home decor and lifestyle boutiques will add another sophisticated element beneath the shopping centre's iconic gridshell roof. Taking the experience up a notch, The Market Pavilion will also host a myriad of immersive food experiences. We're talking exclusive tastings, cooking masterclasses and pop-up collaborations with a who's who of groundbreaking chefs and producers. Says Chadstone centre manager, Daniel Boyle: "With the opening of The Market Pavilion, we are redefining the way Melburnians experience food. This precinct is a celebration of quality, craftsmanship, and the rich food culture that makes our city unique." As the new retailers get comfy in their surroundings, there's no shortage of big and respected names. For food-lovers, Brunetti Oro will serve up authentic Italian coffee and cuisine, as Mörk Chocolate presents a new concept store. Casa Nata bakes some of the best Portuguese tarts in town, while That's Amore covers all your artisanal cheese needs. Then, you've got top-notch sourdough at Little Sister, deli-style creations at Hanks Bagelry, plus loads more. The Market Pavilion's existing offshoot, Dining Laneway, has also received a makeover, with casual all-day dining from PappaRich and Thai Social to Yo-Chi. Living and entertaining is also a big focus, with The Market Pavilion offering a suite of much-loved retailers primed for giving your home and lifestyle a spruce up. Think Hommey's fully vegan bedding and floral arrangements shaped by Flowers Vasette operating alongside convenient superstores like House and Readings. A development of this scale also needs a few premium services that add a touch of innovation. Make the most of The Market Pavilion's Food Concierge, where shoppers can put their fresh produce in cold storage while they roam. You can also pre-book curbside pickup from an expanded nearby carpark. There's also a new AI-driven shopping recipe tool – just input your mood, dietary requirements and number of guests to receive a little culinary inspiration. The Market Pavilion is open Monday–Wednesday from 8.30am–5.30pm and Thursday–Sunday from 8.30am–6.30pm at 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone. Head to the website for more information.
Cult favourite Gelato Messina just opened its fifth digs in Melbourne, this time taking over a shopfront on Malvern's Glenferrie Road. It's serving up all the favourites, plus a regular lineup of seasonal scoops within the new store — decked out with marble-like finishes and floor-to-ceiling wood panelling. Like all its other spots, 40 flavours are available throughout the year, each made in-house using milk sourced from its very own dairy farm in Victoria. But the team has taken it one step further with this Melbourne launch. To celebrate the occasion, Messina has teamed up with the famed Tarts Anon to create a new flavour of gelato that's only available in the Malvern store. For this one, Tarts Anon has supplied a heap of its coconut pandan tarts that the Gelato Messina team chops up and chucks into its own coconut and pandan gelato. It's a crunchy and creamy swirl of pandan and coconut goodness. Specialty cakes, bottles of Jersey milk, cookbooks and a whole host of merch are also displayed up the front, beneath a screen showing the team creating some of the best gelato in Melbourne. This new opening is perfectly timed as we slide into summer. Find Gelato Messina Malvern at 225 Glenferrie Road, Melbourne, open 12pm–late daily. Head to the venue's website for more details.
With a name like Holy Grail, a nautical aesthetic might not be what you expect at this venue, but there's no Camelots, killer rabbits or incompetent knights here. With ropes, wheels and an antique interior that feels like the bowels of a ship itself, Holy Grail is Chapel Street's own vessel for a night out. When visiting a ship, you can't be blamed for wanting to drink like a sailor, and Holy Grail emphasises the beverages. For starters, there are two separate happy hour offerings. Between the hours of 3–7pm, house beer and wines by the pot, pint, jug and glass get the discount, while from 7–9pm, you'll be able to sip on $14 Tommy's margaritas, spiced rum espresso martinis and hard slushies. Outside of the happy hours, there are cocktails aplenty. Signatures range from the punchy Breakfast Slipper (Patron Silver tequila, Midori, orgeat, lime, orange marmalade and jalapeño tabasco) to the more delicate Shy Girl (Grainshaker vodka, Fraise des Bois, Licor 43 Horchata, strawberry puree and egg white). Dessert-focused drinks are on offer if you're docked here to end the night, and if you prefer your beverages a bit more single-minded, you've got more than enough to browse through in the beer, wine and spirits lists. Hungry? Food comes in the form of pizza, thanks to Freddy's across the street. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Melbourne's CBD has no shortage of rooftop bars, with plenty packed out every time the sun decides to grace us with its presence. But The Q at the Quincy Hotel still manages to fly under the radar most days, even though it has such a prime location on the corner of Flinders Lane and King Street. To find it, you'll need to head into the Melbourne hotel and make your way to the 28th floor. Here lies the hotel pool (sadly, only available to hotel guests) and The Q, with its large indoor drinking and dining area and narrow wrap-around terrace. The indoor dining space is great, but you really come here for the views. When entering, make a beeline for the few benches located outside in the sunshine, boasting sweeping views over the city skyline and the Yarra. While many Melbourne rooftop bars are still within the city skyline, The Q rises above most other towers in the area. You really feel high above it all up here. Booze-wise, The Q is more of a luxe cocktail haunt than a casual beer and wine spot. And you'll realise this the moment you walk through the door, as you're greeted by the rhythmic sounds of cocktail shakers. Seasonal signature sips cover a broad range of spirits and flavour profiles, and you can count on the classics to be top-notch. Bar food comes courtesy of the downstairs Salted Egg restaurant, which champions elevated Southeast Asian street food. Everything is portioned out for snacking, including the fresh oysters topped with red nahm jim; fluffy pork baos; raw tuna in prawn rice cups; chicken ribs with garlic chilli fish sauce; and wild mushroom lettuce cups. Many of these options are one-bite snacks, perfect for when you're juggling a cocktail in your other hand. And to coax local workers and hotel guests up to the rooftop, the team even offers a wicked happy hour deal. From 4–6pm, Thursday to Saturday, you'll get 20% off all food and bevs. Alternatively, take advantage of the The Q's semi-regular bottomless cocktail package. The inclusions of this unlimited booze deal change from time to time, but from April–June 2024, it's all about free-flowing margaritas. If you needed an excuse to head skyward, this should do the trick.
