A certain snappable chocolate bar has told us to 'take a break' for years, but if you happen to find yourself craving creamy, coated wafer fingers in Japan, 'sell your first-born to hunt down every flavour you can' works just as well. Yes, the nation is well-known for its many weird and wonderful varieties, most of which you won't find elsewhere (we've tried). Think Australia's first Kit Kat chocolatory and those salted chocolate, cookies and cream, and choc mint whirl Kit Kats on Aussie supermarket shelves are special? Not even close. What's a chocolate lover to do when they find themselves in the country that ramps Kit Kat appreciation up to eleven? Try them all, of course. It's a tastier alternative to catching all the Pokémon. Here's our flavour-by-flavour guide to all the varieties you should try when in Japan. Prepare to have your tastebuds blown. GREEN TEA It's the Kit Kat you have when you don't have time for a cuppa — or when you want to combine one habit with the other. It's also the light green addition to the chocolate fold that you'll find absolutely everywhere in Japan. And yes, as it melts in your mouth, you'll enjoy the unmistakable flavour of green tea. A word of warning: these are sold in every convenience store on every corner for a reason. Pace yourself. PUMPKIN If you happen to be in Japan at the right time of year (aka October), prepare to find another kind of Kit Kat lining the shelves. The packaging is tinged with orange, features witches and ghosts, and contains a Halloween-themed pumpkin surprise. And yes, that sweet smell that reaches your nostrils when you open the packet is indicative of the flavour. It's more coconut-leaning than pumpkin, really, but given that it's also an acquired taste, maybe that's a good thing. SHINSHU APPLE If there was any justice in the world, dark chocolate Kit Kats would sit on every store shelf next to the regular milk chocolate varieties. They don't, but Japan's special Shinshu apple flavour offers the next best thing — as long as you're keen on rich fruit-laced chocolate that retains the taste of both. Unsurprisingly, they emit a powerful scent of fake apple, but we're happy to report the taste is much more subtle. WA-ICHIGO If the pink chocolate doesn't give it away, then the aroma and taste will: this is Japan's popular strawberry flavour. Reminiscent of an extra sweet, very strong serving of strawberries and cream, this is one sweet treat you really will want to savour/eat again and again. You can buy them at the airport by the 68-piece boxful — the decadent purchase is highly recommended. HOKKAIDO MELON Hokkaido melons (that is, yubari melons that are available on the island of Hokkaido) are considered a delicacy. In Kit Kat form, they smell and taste like rockmelons — and those sensations somehow happen to be both strong and refreshing. This chocolate has a secret though, and it's a good one: it's also flavoured with mascarpone cheese. Yum. WASABI They had to do it, didn't they? Wasabi Kit Kats are the things that curious eaters' dreams are made of — and the kind of food mashup even those that aren't fond of the plant-based nose-burning paste that's commonly eaten with sushi will probably ponder trying. The good news: it takes a while for the taste to kick in, but once it does, you'll know about. You mightn't want to eat too many of these morsels at once, but you'll be happy enough to give them a second try. SAKURA MATCHA Ever wanted to know what cherry blossoms and matcha tea would taste like if they were smashed together, mixed with chocolate and poured over wafers? Primarily available in Japan in spring, the sakura matcha Kit Kats have you covered. If you've already scoffed some matcha ones, these ones will taste similar — but it has a stronger, floral-like aftertaste. YOKOHAMA STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE Japan's Kit Kat powers that be clearly believe that you can make something great into something even better. Take the Yokohama strawberry cheesecake flavour, for example. If you want a creamier, slightly more subdued — but somehow even more mouthwatering — version of the wa-ichigo variety, this is the chocolate to stuff your suitcase full of. RUM RAISIN Everyone knows that one of the the best things about Christmas is rum balls. So how would you feel about savouring that delicious boozy taste all year-round in wafer-based chocolate form? Rum raisin Kit Kats are right up there with the best of them — and given that even the highly acquired tastes are delicious, that's high praise. It looks like a white chocolate Kit Kat, smells rummy, tastes rummy, and will make you think of many a drunken family get-together. SAKE How good is sake? It's great to drink, and it is so, so, so, so good as a Kit Kat flavour. The first thing you'll notice when you open your bottle-shaped box of chocolates is the uncanny aroma that really does trick your tastebuds into thinking that you're about to sip the real thing. If we could only eat one type of Kit Kat for the rest of our lives, we'd want it to be this one. Top image: Mira Pangkey via Flickr.
Trekking across a continent is the type of bucket-list activity plenty of people think about, but few ever manage. If you're in Canada, however, walking across the country just got a whole lot easier. Spanning 24,000 kilometres across 13 provinces and territories, the world's longest hiking track has just been completed. It has taken 25 years to come to fruition, so it's no wonder that they're calling it The Great Trail. Opening in its 100% connected form at the end of August, the path connects Canada's east and west coasts via an outdoor journey through all of the terrain the nation has to offer. Urban, rural and wilderness landscape is featured, plus greenways, waterways and roadways, with track perfect for not only hikers, cyclists and horse riders, but anyone keen for a paddle, cross-country ski or snowmobile trip as well. The trail was first conceived as part of Canada's 125th anniversary celebrations in 1992, with Pierre Camu, Bill Pratt, and Paul LaBarge coming up with the idea to connect all of the country's various tracks. As well as the types of treks you'd expect — over rocky ground and through leafy forests, for example — highlights include wanders through major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa, a sea-to-sky marine trail around islands and waterfalls, and dog-sledding during snow season. Via Travel + Leisure / Image: The Great Trail.
Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that are practical, keep you busy or get you feeling crafty. We're talking gardening, tools, all things arts and crafts and the latest gadgets. Finding things to keep you occupied and using your hands is super important, especially over the holiday season, when most people have more time on their hands than they know what to do with. Luckily, Amazon has heaps of cool stuff to support your DIY era over the summer break. Here are some of our top choices. 1. Self Watering Pots Gardening can be harder than you think, so starting off with these SpringUp Self-Watering Pots is a good way to beat the summer heat. These pots come with a detachable saucer and a water storage system that automatically keeps your plants hydrated. Plus, drainage holes prevent plants from being overwatered. Made from sleek white, durable, recyclable plastic, they can be used indoors or outdoors — the perfect gardening gift for your green-thumbed friends and family. [caption id="attachment_840175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Spiske (Unsplash)[/caption] 2. Sewing Starter Pack If you can't afford expensive new clothes as a gift, sewing clothes yourself is a great backup. Gifting the Sew It Yourself with DIY Daisy kit will not only give your friends some cool new threads (eventually), but it'll also provide them with endless hours of fun DIY-ing. This colourful, size-inclusive book is perfect for sewers of all stages and abilities, from beginner to master, with guides on everything you need to get started, including equipment, materials, basic techniques and step-by-step projects. 3. Beer Cooler There is nothing worse than warm beer, and if you've noticed your dad's still using the scruffy stubby he has had since the 80s, maybe it's time for an upgrade. Enter the Huski Beer Cooler. Made from marine grade 316 stainless steel and triple insulated, this little thing means business. Our favourite thing about this beer cooler, however, is that it adjusts to fit differently sized cans or bottles – so no matter what you're drinking, it will fit. 4. Gardening Gloves These PHIRAH Gardening Gloves are everything we've ever dreamed of. Cute, practical and comfortable, we'd wager anyone with these will be inspired to spend much more time out in the garden. Offering full protection from dirt and bugs (no dirty fingernails with these gloves,) they're made from breathable and sweat-absorbent canvas material, which means they actually feel good to wear. Our favourite thing about them has to be the ergonomically designed thumbs, which make it easy to grip those pesky garden tools. Say no more. 5. Storage Rack Organizer Don't quote us, but organising the home and pantry has to be one of the most common things to do over the Christmas and New Year's break. After a year of putting it off and with no more excuses, the time always comes. Here, to make it all a bit easier is the HuggieGems 4 Pack Magnetic Spice Storage Rack Organizer. For the fridge, it's got a strong magnet attachment that allows you to store extra items on the outside, which is especially useful for those who live in small spaces. It is also super easy to adjust when needed. 6. Candle Making Kit Why buy candles when you can make them yourself? This candle-making kit has everything you need. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make your very own soy candle using natural soy wax, pure spices and easy-to-use tools. Not only do you get to make a candle, but you can also have fun doing it. It also comes in a cute gift box, so you don't even have to wrap it. 7. Origami Kit A cute gift for kids or origami beginners, the Complete Origami Kit is bound to provide hours of fun. The kit includes clear and easy-to-follow instructions for creating 30 projects, including step-by-step diagrams, as well as 96 sheets of origami folding paper and two sheets of gold metallic paper. [caption id="attachment_978071" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kicia Papuga via iStock[/caption] 8. Jewellery Pliers Apparently, making jewellery isn't actually that hard, you just need the right pliers for the job. Enter the Shynek Jewellery Pliers. Coming in a set of three including needle-nose pliers, round-nose pliers and wire cutters, the kit is not only great for jewellery making but is also handy for jewellery repair, wire wrapping and other DIY crafts. 9. Gardening Tools Another idea for the green thumbs, this Grenebo Gardening Tools set has it all. Made from stainless steel, the set includes eight tools, including pruning shears, a weedier, a transplanter, a cultivator and more, all in a cute little bag so you can carry your tools wherever you go. The bag also doubles as storage, so it's a win-win. 10. Cross Stitching Kit Embroidery is well and truly trendy again. So the AUTOWT Beginner Cross Stitching Kit may be the ideal gift for anyone looking for a new hobby. The kit includes all the gear you need, as well as needle art illustrations for instructions. Once finished, the embroidery can be hung on the wall for decoration, or can also be embroidered on pillowcases, towels and backpacks. Images: Supplied by Amazon. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, Concrete Playground may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site.
Victoria's seemingly endless supply of incredible walking trails offers everything from waterfalls to coastal landscapes and rugged terrain covered in glistening rainforest. But best of all, you don't actually have to go far to enjoy these wonderful adventures. Many are well within reach of Melbourne's sprawling public transport network. And even when you're not trekking into the far-flung hills, it's a great idea to have some high-quality hiking gear to keep you warm and prepared for anything. That's why we've teamed up with Macpac to help you take a break from the Big Smoke and venture to some of Melbourne's most convenient hiking destinations. Don't stress about driving or mapping out your route, instead, head to the train station or tram stop and climb aboard, because these five hikes are all accessible via public transport and will have you surrounded by incredible scenery in no time at all. [caption id="attachment_711648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackman.[/caption] LILYDALE TO WARBURTON RAIL TRAIL Opened in 1901, the Warburton railway line once ferried farm produce back and forth from the city. But nowadays, it's been transformed into a charming pathway through scenic sights of the Yarra Valley that can be leisurely walked or cycled. With trips through historic vineyards and views of the Yarra Ranges towering in the distance, this trail is without a doubt one of the most satisfying that can be easily reached from the city. Conveniently beginning at Lilydale Station, the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail sticks close to the original railway path as its 38-kilometre route winds its way through active farms and across 17 restored bridges. You don't need to complete the entire journey within a day; many of the individual sections are worthy of the trip all on their own. For example, the six-kilometre stretch between Mount Evelyn and Wandin (an hour's walk from Lilydale Station or a 20-minute bus ride) is particularly special, as you head downhill flanked by ferns and forestry and find yourself surrounded by native birdlife and wildflowers. Pack this: Rapaki 26L Daypack ($109.99) FRENCH ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Getting to French Island by public transport may require a few changeovers, but once you arrive, your efforts will be instantly rewarded by perhaps one of Melbourne's best-kept secrets. Take the train to Frankston Station, change to a Stony Point V/Line service and then make the short trip by ferry to Tankerton Pier. Much of the island is covered by French Island National Park, which offers visitors a myriad of hiking and cycling trails surrounded by some wonderfully diverse landscapes. There are mangrove marshes, wild woodlands and native bushland that are all worth delving into. Plus French Island is also home to one of Australia's largest populations of koalas, so keep your eyes peeled. And when you need a break, make tracks to the French Island Vineyard, which is open every Sunday for wine tastings and wood-fired pizzas. Pack this: Graphic Organic Cotton T-Shirt in women's and men's styles ($39.99) GOLDFIELDS TRACK A slightly more serious undertaking than some of the other walks on this list, the Goldfields Track is a journey through one of Victoria's most prominent gold-rush era regions. The full length of this trail measures out to be a remarkable 210-kilometres, so unless you're prepared to take on a multi-day excursion up some challenging mountains, we recommend the much friendlier 20-kilometre route from Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road to Castlemaine. This section remains a tough hike at times, but you won't regret taking it on after soaking up the astounding views and the fascinating historical landmarks that dot the way. If you're coming from Melbourne, it's a good idea to make an early getaway on the V/Line, which departs the city toward Bendigo or Castlemaine about every hour. Pack this: Fiord 1.1 40L Pack ($189.99) SHERBROOKE FALLS WALK This lush forest is an oasis that's found within touching distance of the city. Catch the train to Upper Fern Tree Gully or Croydon stations and hop aboard the 688 bus to immerse yourself deep within this outer suburban pocket of greenery. There are a lot of hikes you can follow around here, but the Sherbrooke Falls Walk is an easy-going wander through the gullies and grasslands that has a spectacular end. Completed in around 45 minutes, the tranquil journey through the hills features towering mountain ash trees and a peaceful soundtrack from the suburb lyrebirds. Arriving at Sherbrooke Falls, you'll be met with some of the most impressive sights that can be discovered anywhere this close to the city. Pack this: Trekker Pertex Equilibrium Softshell Shorts in women's and men's styles ($89.99) [caption id="attachment_718793" align="alignnone" width="1920"] AmelieAuPont via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] PLENTY GORGE WALK Ride the 86 tram to the second to last stop, and you'll come upon one of Melbourne's best tucked away spots. For those in the know, Plenty Gorge Park and its picturesque Blue Lake always take up a spot on the summertime calendar once the temperature cranks up and the city's pools become overloaded. But this sprawling parkland offers a lot more than just a deep blue place to swim — and the Plenty Gorge Walk undoubtedly covers much of it. Making for a top-notch trek any time of year, the trail ventures through native bushland that's home to everything from kangaroos to echidnas to swans. Complete the loop around the former mineral quarry and admire the bushland views across the lake. At less than 20-kilometres from the city, this place is a top-notch half-day escape, perfect for a weekend trek. Pack this: Tui Fleece Pullover in women's and men's styles ($129.99)
Nothin' says NOPE like the idea of a wine milkshake. Flipping the bird to the haters, US burger chain Red Robin has made the bold, unstoppable move toward the unchartered territories of wineshakes. Yup. We'll give you a minute while you see that lunch of yours again. Abominably but probably fittingly titled 'Divalicious Red Wine Shake' has been created by Red Robin in a furiously horrible attempt to bring all the boys to the yard. Ingredients? Little Black Dress "red wine", Pinnacle whipped vodka, raspberry puree and vanilla soft serve ice cream — the stuff underage backyard party and Poor Life Decision dreams are made of. The best bit? Your red wine shake comes with a free dangly wine charm thingy because you're fancy like that. According to Red Robin's website, the shakes are designed "for 21-and-over guests in need of some 'me' time." If you're kicking it around the States, the wine shakes are available as part of Red Robin's holiday collection — along with a more logical and less vom-inducing menu item, the gingerbread milkshake. But this isn't the first time Red Robin have released the ungodly blend of wine and dairy products — the crew revealed a 'Mango Moscato Shake' earlier this year. Yeah alright, that one doesn't sound or look so bad. "The sky's the limit at Red Robin," says the campaign. Just... fly over there and away from my glass. Via Grub Street. Images: Red Robin and CamEvans via photopin cc.
A familiar sight to backpackers galivanting across Europe, catching a bright-green FlixBus is one of the cheapest, most convenient and comfortable ways to get across the continent. Now, the long-distance coach company is preparing to launch in Australia, revealing its first two routes hitting the road on Thursday, November 20. Kicking operations off down under, passengers can soon commute from Melbourne–Sydney and Canberra–Sydney. And to encourage people to climb abroad, prices across the network start at just $9.99 until the end of November. While cheap, the FlixBus experience isn't as no-frills as you might imagine. Featuring free Wi-Fi, power outlets to keep charged, plenty of legroom and toilets, passing the time on the journey between capital cities can be surprisingly comfortable. "We're confident that Flix will resonate with Australians by setting a new benchmark for convenient, affordable and sustainable travel powered by technology," says Flix Founder and CEO, André Schwämmlein. For the Melbourne–Sydney route, stops take place in Albury, Canberra, Sydney International Airport, Sydney Domestic Airport and Sydney Central Station. Then, for those making the shorter journey from Canberra–Sydney, expect 12 daily departures hitting the same strategic stops on the way to the Harbour City. "As in every market we enter, we are committed to a long-term presence as a trusted and reliable partner in the travel sector, and we are taking the first steps by opening sales on Australia's busiest travel corridor," says Schwämmlein. Besides the cost benefits, FlixBus says hitching a ride on a coach from Melbourne to Sydney also reduces an individual's carbon footprint by approximately 90 percent. "These new routes embody our commitment to making sustainable travel affordable to everyone travelling in Australia," describes Senior Managing Director of FlixBus Australia, Yvan Lefranc-Morin. FlixBus routes from Melbourne–Sydney and Canberra–Sydney commence on Thursday, November 20. Head to the website for more information.
It's been more than two decades since the Peninsula Hot Springs became one of Victoria's must-visit spots, especially if you enjoy getaways of the pampering, wellness-oriented and relaxing kind. Since then, the Fingal venue and its geothermal pools have become synonymous with blissful jaunts beyond the city. But in the coming years, it might become just one stop on a whole trail filled bathing spots — all thanks to the proposed Great Victorian Bathing Trail. First floated back in 2019, and set to gain its next new location mid-2022 when Metung Hot Springs opens its doors in East Gippsland — also stemming from the team behind Peninsula Hot Springs — the Great Victorian Bathing Trail is exactly what it sounds like. It'll span more than 900 kilometres along the Victorian coast, and have one big aim: linking the state's hot springs and other bathing spots into one must-trek route for folks fond of soaking away their woes. Also slated to join the trail: Phillip Island Hot Springs and Saltwater Hot Springs on Phillip Island, Nunduk Spa Retreat in the Lake Wellington part of Gippsland, 12 Apostles Hot Springs on the Great Ocean Road, Geelong Mineral Spa and the Eden project in Anglesea. The soon-to-launch Alba Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula is joining the lineup, too. Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon will also feature, for fans of splashing around in a regular community pool, and so will Warrnambool's existing Deep Blue Hot Springs. [caption id="attachment_845455" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peninsula Hot Springs, Visit Victoria[/caption] In other words, if you're keen to escape the big smoke and kick back in a body of water — steamy or cool alike — the Great Victorian Bathing Trail will help you connect the dots. The plan will see the route stretch from Portland in the state's southwest over to East Gippsland, and also include beaches along the way. The idea: to give Victoria a calming tourist attraction to rival hot springs and spa hotspots such as Beppu and Kurokawa in Japan, Guangdong in China, and the Nordic region's many go-tos — including in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark's Copenhagen harbour bath trail. [caption id="attachment_845443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peninsula Hot Springs[/caption] The numbers for Peninsula Hot Springs certainly give the concept plenty of hope, given that about 500,000 annual visitors make the visit to the spot. 2030 has been outlined as the ideal launch date — but, given that was the plan pre-pandemic, that timing could easily change. The good news is the Mornington Peninsula's new Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, which forms part of the trail, will launch in September and is already taking bookings. And while an exact date for Metung's midyear opening hasn't yet been revealed, hot springs fans can look forward to a multi-faceted attraction and wellness precinct with steamy thermal pools and sauna options. It'll encompass various hot springs bathing facilities at the main King Cove site, and also a spa relaxation centre and further hot springs constructed at the nearby King Cove Golf Club, all-around 3.5 hours out of Melbourne. And, there's set to be a glamping site as well. For more information about the Great Victorian Bathing Trail, head to the project's Facebook page. Top image: Peninsula Hot Springs, Visit Victoria.
In October of 2010, Google revealed that it had developed cars that drive themselves automatically, and that they had been in the road-testing phase for several months. At that point, the cars had been tested on over 140,000 miles of California highway, with only one accident to report. The accident, it turns out, was a result of human error: an uninvolved driver rear-ended the Google car at a red light. Each tester car was manned by a driver, ready to brake or steer if an emergency should occur, and an engineer, who monitored the software operations from the passenger seat. The Google cars are designed to minimise human driving error, making driving safer, and possibly more space and fuel efficient. Computer-operated cars could hypothetically drive closer together and with less excess gas usage than human drivers. Around the time of the press release, it was estimated that Google's cars would take at least 8 years to go from design to production, as design and legal kinks would take a long time to work out. This Wednesday, after 200,000 miles of road testing, Google put Steve Mahan behind the driving wheel. Mahan, who has lost 95% of his vision, was ecstatic at the freedom provided by the self-driving car. His first stop was to a Taco Bell, where the car successfully navigated the drive-through. "This is some of the best driving I am ever done," said Mahan, who would value the "independence and flexibility" a Google automated car would provide him. It may sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but following Mahan's test drive, self-driving cars may be a lot closer to reality than we realised. https://youtube.com/watch?v=cdgQpa1pUUE [via Mashable]
Ah, piracy. The youthful and agile foe to a government of middle-aged men with dial-up internet and longstanding Foxtel subscriptions. Copyright in the digital age has been an absolute nightmare for artists and legislators alike in the past decade (and a godsend for broke students with a healthy addiction to HBO). Though we all agree in principle that filmmakers and producers should get paid for the work they create, the shift to digital modes of delivery and a dispersed audience has made the process of distribution and regulation completely untenable. It's widely acknowledged as a global problem with no easy answer. But hey, that won't stop the federal government giving it a go. Last week saw widespread reports of potential movement on the issue spearheaded by Attorney-General and Arts Minister George Brandis. Outlining two proposals to be considered by the federal cabinet, Brandis set his sights on the users themselves as well as the torrent sites responsible for making this content available. As the news dropped on a Monday — otherwise known across the country as 'the day for downloading Game of Thrones' — this posed a potential problem for Australian pirates. Take heed of the warning or call the bluff? Since then, there's been no further news on the potential reforms. The proposed measures originally outlined in the ALRC report of Copyright and the Digital Economy have since gone through the wringer of online cynics and tech nerds — and come up wanting. Everyone watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones breathed a giant sigh of relief. In light of all this, we've done a bit of research and compiled for you a handy user's guide: five things you can expect from the Government's so-called piracy crackdown. A few angry letters The first of George Brandis's proposed measures was the creation of a three-strikes policy. In theory, this would involve internet service providers tracking the addresses of those using torrenting sites and issuing warning letters to Australian pirates. Upon receiving their third correspondence, users would be faced with potential litigation, fines and possible termination of their accounts. In reality, this is a textbook scare tactic. Known as the 'graduated response system', this policy has already been implemented in France, the UK, New Zealand and South Korea and has seen only very limited success. Since the law passed in 2009, just one French user has been penalised — 15 days without internet and a fine of €600. It has since been repealed in favour of legislation that instead penalises those profiting commercially off the piracy. In New Zealand the law still stands, though it has proven incredibly expensive to enforce and is commonly referred to as 'Skynet'. If or when this system is implemented in Australia we can expect similar problems with enforcement. As much as I like the idea of Tony Abbott and George Brandis spearheading a militant letter writing campaign with personalised stationery and blood red frowny face stamps, it's hardly a solution to the problem. Politicians yelling about The Pirate Bay The other proposal Brandis raised was the filtering of torrenting sites such as The Pirate Bay. In what is tantamount to the cursed internet filter of 2011, ISPs would be obliged to block Australian users from accessing sites that enable such illegal activity. On one level this seems like a feasible idea. Though it raises recurrent concerns around internet freedom and the bounds of free access, it outwardly seems like a good plan to stop the downloading. Here's the problem: it would never ever work. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably still uses Internet Explorer, has a Hotmail account with an embarrassing alias thought up as a teenager, and is confused why their MSN Messenger is no longer working. It's dumb. Just really, really bad. The very nature of peer-to-peer file sharing means it's near impossible to shut down. With no centralised node to attack, individual users can pop up and share copyrighted content on any platform at any time. Even if The Pirate Bay was blocked, smaller sites would rise up and take its place. It's like trying to rid your apartment of ants by attacking the colony only to realise they're actually also all over your kitchen and snuggled in your bed, obnoxiously writhing around on your face and body. Also they can never die. It won't work. Add to this the fact that a lot of Australian pirates already have location-blocking or VPN software installed on their computers. The ISP block wouldn't be able to pinpoint the user's location and The Pirate Bay would be ready and available anyway. Politicians will moan and gripe about it for awhile in an effort to look tough and scare off some casual users, but really it will do nothing in the fight against the unkillable ants on their face. A few thousand outraged Facebook statuses Of course, this all seems pretty scary to the untrained eye. People hear that Tony Abbott's coming after their Monday night Game of Thrones and they're bound to freak out. Add to that the paranoia that grows when they hear the government is blocking their internet access and ordering ISPs to watch their online activity — there'll be a clicktivism campaign that blows Kony right out of the water. In fact, The Pirate Party — who else? — are already on it. Their Change.org petition to the Australian Senate already has over 5,000 signatures and understandably takes a strong stance against Brandis's proposals. The petition declares its condemnation of laws against online piracy because they are "ineffective", "expensive", and "a serious invasion of privacy". It asks that the Senate not allow the proposed legislation to pass and put any future legislation regarding digital rights to committee, ensuring expert opinions can be considered. When translated to the Facebook dialect of that high school friend you've been meaning to delete, that amounts to: "WTF what even? As if they can look at our computers. That's fkd." Have fun with that. A fight from your ISP The most trying part of the proposed piracy crackdown is that it would have to be controlled and enforced by your ISP. And as a company that makes money off your downloads and your loyalty, why would they ever want to punish you? Not only would the restrictions harm their business, they would also come with an enormous administrative cost. If this is to happen resources must be devoted into tracking online activity, contacting individual users and then issuing punishments. Then, if the ultimate punishment is loss of connection, they lose your valued business too. Regardless, both the government and international production companies claim ISPs need to start taking responsibility for their part in online piracy — providing the platform on which it takes place. From 2008–2010 iiNet battled a mammoth law suit from 34 production houses including Village Roadshow, Universal, Disney, Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks. In a landmark decision, it was ruled that the ISP was not liable for the actions of its users. In the USA and Canada, ISPs have also gone as far as protecting their users' identities when faced with individual litigation. While a recent court ruling ordered a stop to this practice, pirates will find it comforting to know your ISP has your back. They definitely don't support piracy, but they're sure as hell not going to police it. Access to timely legal content at a fair price Loljks. Though everyone pretty much knows this is the correct answer, no one's committing to making it happen. Cheaper downloads from iTunes and streaming services such as Spotify have helped ease the burden in the music industry, but the Australian alternatives for film and television are next to naught. If you want to see Game of Thrones before spoilers flood in from overseas, you better dig deep for that $85 monthly Foxtel bill. Australians are paying more for their entertainment across the board and the lack of competition from new sources only works to drive up prices further. A government inquiry last year discovered that when compared to an industry average, we're actually paying 16 percent more for eBooks, 52 percent more for music and 82 percent more for games. It's no wonder we're all turning to piracy. However, we're definitely still willing to pay for timely, legal content. All we ask is a fair price. American services such as Netflix and Hulu are even seeing big influxes of Australian customers who are willing to circumvent the geo-blocking software in order to set up accounts. It's a legal grey area with no standing precedent, but with how-to guides already published by Junkee, Gizmodo and thousands of blogs, it's quickly becoming common practice. Local alternatives like Foxtel's Presto and Quickflix are trying to crack the market — but as they offer half the content at double the price, it's hardly a fair fight. So, when all's said and done, the piracy crackdown has little likelihood of changing matters. Little can be done about the offences until a new system emerges that better combats the realities of the digital economy — Australia needs innovation before it jumps to legislation. For now, as the trumped up bickering and outraged finger wagging gets ready to hit the nation; George Brandis can take some advice from an unlikely source. In the words of millions of teenage boys' Myspace pages from 2004: "Don't hate the player, hate the game."
Following in the footsteps of Toshiro Mifune, the Japanese acting icon and frequent Akira Kurosawa collaborator, isn't an easy job. But enlisting Hiroyuki Sanada (John Wick: Chapter 4) to tread where the Rashomon, Seven Samurai and Yojimbo star once did is a genius move in television's second adaptation of Shōgun. James Clavell's bestselling 1975 novel has reached the small screen before, in 1980. Back then, with Mifune as war hero Lord Yoshii Toranaga, it told its tale in five movie-length parts. Now, boasting the resolute and restrained Sanada in the role (and also as one of the show's producers), it returns 44 years later as a sweeping, dazzling and thrilling ten-episode miniseries — streaming on Disney+ Down Under from Tuesday, February 27 — that perfects many things, its casting high among them. Sanada has equally well-chosen company; picking him, Cosmo Jarvis (Persuasion) and Anna Sawai (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) as Shōgun circa 2024's leads is a masterstroke. The 17th century-set series makes plenty of other excellent decisions, but getting its core trio right is still pivotal. Richly detailed, the samurai series knows how to thrust its viewers into a deeply textured world from the outset, with complex performances at its centre an essential anchoring tactic. Sanada's Toranaga is among the political candidates vying to steer the future of the country. Jarvis is John Blackthorne, a British Protestant sailor on a Dutch ship that has run aground in a place that its crew isn't sure is real until they get there. And Sawai is Toda Mariko, a Japanese noblewoman with her own complicated history, who is also tasked with translating for the Englishman. Each of Shōgun's three key characters encompasses much more than their basic descriptions, of course. The portrayals that bring them to the screen make that plain from the moment they're each first seen. Weight and heft have long lingered in Sanada's layered performances — be it in his turns in J-horror's original Ringu films, or in Sunshine, Lost and Westworld — which befits a regent with his own plans for his nation, separate from his fellow council members, a year after of the death of the last supreme ruler. He cuts a contemplative but determined figure, who is as canny with strategy as with seizing opportunity; Blackthorne's arrival sees him in both modes. Reminiscent of Tom Hardy (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), Jarvis brings raw bluster and astonishment to his part at first, then slowly dawning understanding. As for Sawai, she exudes duty, stoicism, shrewdness and sorrow as a woman whose choices are so rarely her own. When it opens, Shōgun finds feudal Japan in crisis mode given its heir is to young to rule, Toranaga facing enemies and Blackthorne among the first of his compatriots that've made it to the nation, the latter much to the alarm of Japan's sole European inhabitants, all Catholic and from Portugal. While it is indeed still a story where a Westerner enters as an outsider, then becomes enmeshed in the daily goings-on, this Shōgun doesn't ever present Blackthorne's as the only or chief perspective. Sanada is the show's first-billed talent. The series' devotion to unravelling its narrative with Toranaga, Mariko and Blackthorne evenly at its heart never wavers. And, nor does its exploration of perspective — because what a splintering Japanese society means to one of its leaders, an interloper fresh to its shores and someone accustomed since childhood to be at its whims ("we live, and we die; we control nothing beyond that," Mariko says more than once) is completely different. Early in, creators Justin Marks (Top Gun: Maverick) and Rachel Kondo (on her first TV credit) don't let the fact that "barbarian" is flung around by almost everyone escape attention. Usually it refers to Blackthorne, as used interchangeably with "anjin", the Japanese term for pilot. Toranaga swiftly gleans how handy the Brit's 500 muskets and 20 cannons will be if the acrimony directed his way by his regent counterparts results in war. His new vassal lives at his direction, then, as does Mariko. She'd prefer to surrender her life than exist without her disgraced family or stay with a warrior husband (Shinnosuke Abe, Keiji Shichinin) that she feels nothing warm for, but honour dictates otherwise. It's obligation, too, that has her convince her spouse's niece-by-marriage Usami Fuji (Moeka Hoshi, Turn to Me Mukai-kun) to submit to a heartbreaking decree, which is how Mariko is introduced. In another of the dialogue's aphorisms, people are compared to pebbles that are pushed here, there and everywhere by the elements. It isn't just the metaphor that lands, but also the granularity; Shōgun looks and feels intricate, and is staged and plotted to match. Spies, love, loyalty, courtesan life, gardening practices, earthquakes, rabbit stew, duplicitous allegiances, ambition in a variety of forms, how gravely one's word can be taken: they're all weaved in. In its overarching narrative, Toranaga is beckoned to Osaka, where his main rival Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story) wants to put him in his place to snatch up overseeing the country for himself. That's truly the framing, however, as is Blackthorne initially washing up in a fishing village. Although Toranaga declares several times that he's not after the titular position, Shōgun is another series for the streaming pile that's about fighting for supremacy, as Game of Thrones and Succession both famously were. As with just the former, it's another grand and gripping epic. While it's impossible not to see those links, knowing that both battling over who'll grasp power and traversing sprawling worlds are among pop culture's favourite things right now (and for some time) doesn't make Shōgun any less impressive. Rather, Marks and Kondo's spin on Clavell's book is a reminder of how magnificent and mesmerising such efforts can be when they're at their very best. The scale is immense, and yet there's no skimping on intimacy. With authenticity as its guide, the minutiae is meticulous, demanding that the utmost notice is paid to everything at all times. The scenery alone is so exquisitely and sumptuously shot that it'll doubtless inspire tourist pilgrimages. Shōgun is visceral, too; gore is also no stranger from the get-go, when being boiled alive proves one way to deal with Japan's newcomers — and frequently from then on, including via seppuku. This is potent, thoughtful and immediately engrossing viewing, and lavish and precisely made also. As skilled at giant setpieces as it is at plunging into political scheming and emotional yearning, Shōgun makes getting drawn in instantaneous. Check out the trailer for Shōgun below: Shōgun streams via Disney+ from Tuesday, February 27. Images: Katie Yu/FX.
Tokyo is a city of extremes. It has the physicality of a big city, which it is, yet the people are personable and warm. The toilets sing, the streets are immaculate and everything from dentist's surgeries to street signs is adorned with a cartoon character. This bite-sized whirlwind guide to Tokyo is here to give you a snapshot of what you should add to your trip list. Whether you're going to experience the breathtaking blooms of the cherry blossom season, to shop till you drop or to consume your weight in ramen, half the fun of exploring a new city is discovering your own favourite locations. Armed with a guide to Tokyo, you'll be set up to scratch the surface and carve out your own perfect-sized Tokyo trip. First, some general tips: walk everywhere (sneakers a must), explore a new district each day and do not commit to using a toilet unless you're 100% confident you know how to flush it. Trust us. ACTIVITIES Street Go-Karting What better way to explore this vibrant city – especially for Mario Kart lovers – than on a street go-karting experience? Discover downtown Tokyo including Asakusa, Ueno, the sky tower and more. Just don't forget your driver's licence. Top points on Nintendo won't count for squat when you're on the ground in the city. District: Akihabara Mori Tower Take in panoramic views of Tokyo from the Roppongi Hills Observation Deck in Mori Tower. This place is also home to contemporary art gallery Mori Art Museum — located on floors 52 and 53 — where exhibitions are varied and world-class. Head up high and take in both the art and spectacular views. District: Roppongi Cherry Blossoms You cannot think of Japan without the cherry blossoms — they are truly iconic and an absolute must-see if you're there. If you are lucky enough to be in Tokyo during cherry blossom season, there's everything from petal-filled festivals to optimal viewing spots in the city. So, no matter what you feel like doing in sakura season, you will be spoiled for choice. District: all over Shibuya Crossing There are countless things to see and do in Tokyo, but one of the greatest pleasures can be those brief moments when you are doing nothing but sitting and watching the crowds of fantastically dressed locals walk by. If you're after some truly spectacular people watching, head to the renowned Shibuya Crossing, and wonder at the flashing neon lights as throngs of people come and go. Want a bird's eye view? Head to Shibuya Sky and take in the city from the Sky Edge, the rooftop deck with glass railings. theLet the lights absorb you as you become one with the energy of Tokyo. District: Shibuya [caption id="attachment_893096" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tsukiji Fish Market.[/caption] EATING Food Courts Apart from the toilet flushing thing, the other best practical Tokyo tip we can share is to explore the food courts below all major department stores. Descending into the midst of what is the most plentiful display of every food item ever created is akin to what it probably felt like for Augustus Gloop at Wonka's Factory. You can buy a salad and it can come with a mini ice pack to keep it cool. Pure genius. Hit up Tokyu Foodstore if you're near Shibuya Station, but you will find one of these food courts in the basement of any department store. District: all over Fish Markets Lovers of Japanese cuisine should not pass up the chance to visit one of the largest food markets of its kind and explore Tokyo's food culture and culinary history at the Tsukiji Fish Market and Toyosu fish market. Toyosu is the new inner market located in central Tokyo. Weave your way through the stalls, hear stories from the stall holders, and taste the authentic and fresh sushi. District: Tsukiji, Toyosu Izakaya Ism Izakayas have a casual bar-like atmosphere and also serve food. There are thousands of them in Tokyo. With a distinctly local vibe and with the addition of English menus, the food here is brilliant, the atmosphere energetic and the sake flowing. District: Shimokitazawa [caption id="attachment_893088" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tokyo.[/caption] SHOPPING T-Site Tucked away in dreamy Daikanyama is T-Site, the architecturally stunning Tsutaya bookstore that demands hours of attention. A beautiful place to spend the afternoon pouring over the never-ending shelves of books that cover every conceivable topic, this huge double-storey space houses an incomparable selection of both English and Japanese titles. There's also a cute cafe on the second floor where you can rest your weary eyes. District: Daikanyama Dover Street Market Joined at the hip with the Uniqlo store in snazzy Ginza, Dover Street Market is an absolute must. Renowned for being the Comme des Garçon's mothership, IRL it's kind of like six super beautiful boutiques stacked on top of each other stocking many trendy designer labels (like Jacquemus, Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and the entire Comme des Garçons range). District: Ginza Loft You cannot make it to the end of your trip without purchasing a sparkly sticker, glitzy notepad or wacky highlighter. Brighten up your office supplies at the stationary floor of Loft, where all your wildest kawaii organisation dreams become realities. Countless pens, stickers and colourful folders await you here. Multiple locations 1LDK Be the most well-tailored version of yourself at 1LDK, an amazing clothing and lifestyle store with locations in trendy Aoyama and Nakameguro. Stocking brands like Maison Margiela, Bless, COSMIC WONDER Light Source and Orphic, it's a real haven for high-quality everyday wear in a minimalist, timber-fitted space. District: Nakameguro, Aoyama Parco If you've come to Tokyo to indulge in some retail therapy, a great one-stop shop is Parco. The one-stop shop features all the classics, like Frapbois, Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons, as well as a range of pop-ups and event stalls that can change overnight. Grab an onsite iced coffee to give you the energy boost you need to continue your Tokyo adventure. District: Shibuya Once you've booked your trip to Tokyo, Klook will ensure the rest of your trip is easy, affordable and full of all the highlights. To start planning, head to the website.
Do you remember making time capsules when you were younger? You'd fill a little shoebox with your most prized possessions like an Eiffel 65 CD, a daisy chain your friend made you, and a battered magazine cut-out of Titanic-era Leonardo DiCaprio, and then write a letter to your future self. Twenty years later when it came time to open it you'd either forgotten where it was entirely or found it and wished you hadn't. Well, legendary author Margaret Atwood is essentially doing that with her latest book. It may be housed in a more sophisticated version of your shoebox, but her current work-in-progress will be stowed away unread for the next 100 years. This will all take place because of a larger initiative started by Scottish artist Katie Paterson. The Future Library Project will see one author per year contribute to a collection of works to be published in 2114. This year organisers planted 1,000 trees in Norway that will be used to print the books in 100 years time. Atwood is the first author to take part, but she seems unfazed by the project and its absolutely crippling reminder of our collective mortality. "When you write any book you do not know who's going to read it, and you do not know when they're going to read it," she told The Guardian. "You don't know who they will be, you don't know their age, or gender, or nationality, or anything else about them. So books, anyway, really are like the message in the bottle." In fact, the project raises many questions about the nature of writing and reception. Will people still have books then? Will we speak exclusively in emojis and gifs? How will they convert the text into the direct brain waves they use to input information from their flying cars and jetpacks? In speaking about the project, Paterson stated the 100-year time span was very deliberate. "[It's] not vast in cosmic terms ... it is beyond many of our current lifespans, but close enough to come face to face with it, to comprehend and relativise," she said. It's a scary prospect, and an extremely daring project to take on as a writer. Where an author's job is usually to articulate and discuss life in historical and social context, this throws everything out of whack. The people who will read and review this upcoming work haven't even been born yet! Personally, we've got out fingers crossed we're going to make it. Modern science and all, right? Either that, or we'll just give our great, great grandkids the heads up. Via The Guardian.
Melbourne is pretty sushi crazy. There are countless takeaway sushi joints and sushi trains dotted all about the city. But the best sushi in Melbourne is usually found in small neighbourhood Japanese restaurants, where stacks of passion and skill go into preparing each and every bite of sushi. It can strongly be argued that the best sushi is often found in omakase restaurants, but we decided to keep those out of this guide. They deserve their own separate praises and, let's be honest, tend to be far too expensive for the average sushi lover to hit up regularly. So, read on to discover where you should next fuel up on outstanding sashimi, nigiri and uramaki in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Ramen in Melbourne The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Fried Chicken in Melbourne
Aussies love a good ball game. And though we might prefer a local game of NRL or AFL to the likes of the American NFL, there's a place for all sports fans in our nation. And besides, the Super Bowl is a big deal no matter how you spin it. Whether it's the sporting thrill for the fans watching the culmination of the NFL season, the always-viral halftime show or even the debut of hotly anticipated movie trailers mid-commercial break, we can all find a reason to tune in. So, when the Super Bowl LIX touches down on Monday, February 10 (in our local timezone), secure your annual leave (or chuck a potentially risky sickie) and get the most out of the game by making a booking for a game day special at one of these Melbourne venues. The Terminus Hotel, Abbotsford Never missing the chance to get it on for a big sporting event, the Termo has set the stage for one hell of a touchdown with a special offer for game day. With doors opening at 9am ahead of the 10.30am kickoff, you can get in early to secure the best seats in the house. Once you're situated, grab a cold Coors Light ('tis the day for it) and join in on a team jersey raffle. Make the most of the occasion and order some options off the special American-themed menu — think: loaded fries and double cheese and bacon cheeseburgers. Imperial Hotel, Bourke Street Super Bowl LIX is taking place at Caesars Superdome, the home stadium of the New Orleans Saints, so the Imperial is taking notes from the Crescent City. Starting at 9am, you can get face painting to support your team and enjoy some NFL-themed games before kickoff. The menu will be inspired by the flavours of New Orleans, and come halftime — this year's performance will be headlined by Kendrick Lamar — cheerleaders will back the performance with a rooftop show. The fun will keep going once the game is done, too, when a live band takes over at 3pm to keep festivities going well into the evening. The Exchange Hotel, Port Melbourne If you're planning more than just a quick lunch to watch the game, make a booking at The Exchange to make the most of a bottomless package for the day. For $89pp, you'll get guaranteed prime seats to watch the game, four hours of bottomless house beers and wines and your choice of an item off the American-themed menu. Doors open at 9.30am, so don't delay ahead of the game. The Local, Port Melbourne The Local is also going all out for game day, with celebrations spread across two floors and two tiers. If you'll have the day free, splash $75 and enjoy a four-hour Super Bowl package on level one. That's 240 minutes of bottomless house beers and wines and a complimentary item off the themed menu between 10.30am and 2.30pm. If you can only duck out for a quick viewing on your lunch break, the ground floor is accepting standard bookings and walk-ins; just be prepared for limited space. College Lawn Hotel, Prahran For those looking to go absolutely all-out, the College Lawn is offering a mega four-hour booking for $140pp. Any seat is prime viewing since the venue boasts two big screens and 16 TVs scattered throughout, and you'll be able to enjoy the action with all beers on tap, house wines, soft drinks and an American-inspired eight-piece canapé platter. How's that for a game day viewing party? Melbourne Public Hotel, South Wharf Meanwhile, at Melbourne Public, there are more than a few options for bookings, depending on how you want to spend your day. At the base level, entry will be $20 on the day and includes a schooner of Coors Light (first in, best dressed for tables), or you can book the brekkie bundle for $35 — that'll secure a table and a schooner of Coors plus a brekkie burger and three wings. If you're looking to splash a bit more cash, the $120 VIP package is your biggest option. That will land you entry and the best seats in the house, unlimited beers from 10.30am and an American meat platter to fuel you until the game is through. For more information on these venues and to claim credit for your order, download The Pass app.
Through our travel booking website Concrete Playground Trips, you can book unforgettable travel packages, exclusive accommodation deals and a whole series of experiences and tours. For this particular article, we're focusing on Australian adventure trips that are currently available on CP Trips for travellers who are keen to get out in nature and go exploring. These packages will take you swimming under remote waterfalls, hiking to breathtaking vistas and cycling from vineyard to vineyard. Book any of these deals to experience some of Australia's greatest sites in style, taking your holiday to the next level. QUEENSLAND [caption id="attachment_891464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Guillaume Marques (unsplash)[/caption] KAYAK, SANDBOARD AND SNORKEL AT MORETON ISLAND Travel to Moreton Island from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast for a full day of fun in the sun. Your guide takes you by 4WD along the sands to the famous Tangalooma Wrecks, where you'll see incredible coral reefs on snorkel and kayak outings. You'll also go inland for an exhilarating sandboarding experience on the famous massive sand dunes. This action-packed tour also includes a lunch on the beach and time to soak up the scenery of Moreton Island, the third largest sand island in the world. BOOK IT NOW. ROCK CLIMBING IN BRISBANE AFTER DARK The Kangaroo Point cliff face is a unique sight in the heart of Brisbane. For this experience, you'll climb the urban cliffs while they are lit up in the evening, looking out at Brisbane's glimmering skyline and serpentine river. And thanks to the different climbing routes, it doesn't matter what your experience level is. Beginners to total pros can enjoy this three-hour adventure. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_891465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lacie Slezak (Unsplash)[/caption] OVERNIGHT TWEED COAST CAMPING AND SURFING GETAWAY This Tweed Coast overnight surfing getaway provides a two-day surf camp experience as you discover this world famous section of the Australian coast. Surf all day, make some new mates, spend the night camping, and enjoy provided meals including a beachside barbecue. Select your pickup location when booking; several locations are available from Brisbane to Gold Coast and Byron Bay. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_891469" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frankie Dixon (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY 4WD TOUR AROUND K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) This is a proper Queensland bucket list experience for lovers of the outdoors. On this trip, you'll explore both coasts of the world's largest sand island on one eco-adventure. Start your getaway in style with a pre-night stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort. Relax on island time and enjoy full access to the resort facilities before you spend two days driving around K'gari's crystal-blue lakes, wild rainforests, hidden stretches of coast and cameo appearances from the island's wild dingo population. And if you want to charter your own yacht around the island (with your own skipper) then check out this luxury tour. BOOK IT NOW. VICTORIA CYCLING TOUR AROUND THE YARRA VALLEY WINE REGION This guided cycling trip will take you to several wineries in the Yarra Valley region, giving you the opportunity to taste some wine (in moderation, since you will be cycling on roads), tuck into some woodfired pizza for lunch and soak up the sights of this world-famous wine region. During the day, you'll cycle up to 20-kilometres — so prepare to get a bit active. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_891472" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shawnn Tan (Unsplash)[/caption] TWO-DAY CAMPING AND SURFING TRIP ALONG THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD This small-group tour (of 10-15 people) will start from Melbourne and take you down to Victoria's dramatic Great Ocean Road. You'll stop off at beaches for surfing lessons and lunches before setting up base at a new campsite — staying in a spacious teepee-style tents built by the beach. The two guides will take you to all the best secret viewing spots for kangaroos, koalas and Australian native birds before you set your sights upon the Twelve Apostles. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_818655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] PRIVATE WILSON'S PROMONTORY HIKING TOUR FROM MELBOURNE Wilson's Prom is huge. It can be challenging to explore — especially if you don't have your own car. That's when a bespoke tour like this one is the perfect option. Your guide will take you on hikes to private beaches and sand dunes as well as epic summits with views across the whole region. You'll find some of the very best coastal views during this tour. And if you're looking for something a little more cost-effective, you can try this tour of Wilson's Prom. BOOK IT NOW. WHITE-WATER KAYAKING ADVENTURE ON THE YARRA RIVER Head to Wonga Park for a high-octane day trip just an hour or so out of Melbourne's CBD. You'll be geared up with life vests and helmets before jumping into a two-person inflatable kayak that will take you down the rolling rapids. Prepare to get soaked and have a good laugh. If you go in the wetter months, you're guaranteed even bigger rapids. BOOK IT NOW. WESTERN AUSTRALIA SUNRISE HIKE AND MEDITATION IN THE PERTH HILLS This one is for the morning people out there. Or those of us who wish we could be. Meet at Sullivan Rock carpark nice and early and follow the guide on a leisurely hike through jarrah and banksia forests before reaching the summit of St Vincent at sunrise. Find a spot on the large granite slopes overlooking the expansive Western Australian plains and let the first sunlight of the day wash over you during a guided meditation. It's an altogether unique and rejuvenating experience. BOOK IT NOW. QUAD BIKE AND SANDBOARDING EXPERIENCE This is a super fun way to explore Western Australia's Lancelin Sand Dunes. You'll ride quad bikes, get driven in dune buggies and go down massive dunes on sandboards with a bunch of other travellers. It's a great vantage point from which to see this part of the country, overlooking the Indian Ocean and surrounding bushland. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] ROTTNEST ISLAND CYCLE, SNORKEL AND FERRY TRIP Getting to Rottnest Island is easy enough – just jump on the ferry from Perth. But once you get there, getting around to explore the best bits of this spectacular natural playground could require a little direction. That why this tour is so good. You'll get a bike for the arvo and ride around hidden beaches before snorkelling in calm pristine waters, marvelling at the bright coral and marine life. Alternatively, you can book this five-day Perth staycation that will take you to Rottnest Island and the Pinnacles. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_891479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Keller (Unsplash)[/caption] SIX-DAY COARAL COASTER FROM PERTH TO EXMOUTH (VIA NINGALOO REEF) Go on a proper Western Australia adventure during this week-long trip. With unspoilt beaches, deep red deserts and an abundance of wildlife, this will be an unforgettable Australian holiday. You'll also tick a bunch of spectacular destinations off your bucket list — including the Pinnacles, Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake, Murchison Gorge, Kalbarri National Park, The Stromatolites at Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef. BOOK IT NOW. NEW SOUTH WALES UNDERWATER SCOOTER EXPERIENCE IN CLOVELLY This is a proper local Sydney experience set in the waters of beloved Clovelly Beach. You'll get to use an underwater scooter which is basically a small propellered device that you hold in your hands) that pulls you along underwater. Use this device to find the infamous blue groper or simply pretend you're chasing your favourite Bond villain for 90 minutes. Instructors will also be on hand to help you out. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_891481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacques Bopp (Unsplash)[/caption] BLUE MOUNTAINS 4WD ADVENTURE If you've got a car and are willing to hike a little, you can see some spectacular parts of the Blue Mountains — but this trip takes you even deeper. Your driver will traverse rough roads to take you into rarely explored parts of the national park including exclusive access to private property in Capertee Valley and experience the epic views. It will also include a lunch in a cosy country pub. Winner. BOOK IT NOW. BATEMANS BAY OYSTER TASTING KAYAK TOUR Yup, you read that right. This trip combines oyster tasting with kayaking — think of it as a pub crawl, but on the water and with super fresh oysters. Paddle around local oyster farms along the Clyde River Estuary system in Batemans Bay with a guide, tasting some of the freshest molluscs you'll ever have the pleasure of eating. It's a whole lot of fun. And done in stunning surrounds. BOOK IT NOW. FULL-DAY CANYONING TRIP IN EMPRESS CANYON For the uninitiated, canyoning is a type of mountaineering that involves travelling into canyons in a variety of ways. And this trip ticks most of them off the list. The day will include abseiling down waterfalls, cliff jumping and bouldering. It has got to be one of the most thrilling ways to explore this rainforest in New South Wales. BOOK IT NOW. NORTHERN TERRITORY [caption id="attachment_840362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Helen Orr for Tourism NT[/caption] KING'S CANYON HIKING TOUR King's Canyon, famously where the queens from Priscilla Queen of the Desert hiked in feather-clad bird outfits, is a big bucket list destination — not just for fans of the film. Located between between Alice Springs and Yulara, this has to be one of the very best places to go hiking in Australia. Walk along red rock cliffs, through maze-like gorges and around beautiful bushland. The views across the surrounding desert are also just next level. And this big day trip takes you to all the best bits. BOOK IT NOW. CHAMBER PILLAR AND RAINBOW VALLEY 4WD TRIP Go off-road during this full-day tour around the Rainbow Valley — a remote region in Australia's Red Centre. The small group 4WD experience takes you deep into the Red Centre's beautiful and remote sand hill country in comfort and style. You will discover the history of the early explorers, local First Nations culture and stories, the iconic Simpson Desert and stunning landscapes and rock formations. In between short hikes, you'll be driven around in an air-conditioned 4WD car to catch your breath and cool down. BOOK IT NOW. DAY TRIP TO LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK WATERFALLS If you've ever seen images of people jumping into spectacular natural waterholes and pools in a tourism ad for the Northern Territory, there's a very good chance the footage was shot at Litchfield National Park. Making a visit here is an experience we should all have at some point in our lives. And booking this package will get you right there. You'll be picked up from Darwin and transported to the famous Florence Falls for a day of exploring and swimming in extraordinary (croc-free) waters. BOOK IT NOW. TASMANIA [caption id="attachment_891488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Fotheringham (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY ACTIVE ADVENTURE FROM LAUNCESTON TO HOBART This trip explores some of Tassie's most scenic locations. Start your journey with a huge day out at Cradle Mountain World Heritage area, an area of immense grandeur with amazing walks and scenery. Travel onwards to Hobart via the Wineglass Bay lookout for some of the world's best coastal scenery. Keep your eyes open and your footsteps light to encounter the local animals in the wild. Lastly, walk amongst the history at the World Heritage Port Arthur Historic Site and enjoy the action of a Tasmanian Devil feeding. It's an incredible way to experience Tasmania's vast natural landscape. BOOK IT NOW. SAILING TRIP IN HOBART'S BAY AND THE DERWENT RIVER During this experience, you'll be sailing in a Sydney to Hobart race maxi — really sailing. This isn't a champagne-and-sunset-dinner on a luxury yacht kind of experience. You'll be getting a workout as you cruise around Hobart's breathtakingly beautiful bay. You might see penguins, dolphins or seals (regular visitors) and sometimes even whales and orca. That is when you're not grinding the winches and taking a turn on the helm. End the experience with an altogether civilised afternoon tea in town. BOOK IT NOW. KAYAK IN THE TASMAN PENINSULA Get up-close and personal with the southern hemisphere's highest sea cliffs and resident Australian fur seals. At sea level you'll truly appreciate its scale, gazing up at 200-metre-high fluted rock formations, peering into natural sea caves, photographing the towering Candlestick, and searching for climbers on the Totem Pole — a sheer column famed amongst thrill-seeking rock climbers. BOOK IT NOW. BMX RIDE DOWN MOUNT WELLINGTON On this adventure, you'll ride a mountain bike down the foothills of Mount Wellington past bushland and wildlife as you feel the wind rushing through your hair. At the end of the ride, you'll be invited to join the guide at a local Hobart pub for a few beers and enjoy the unique opportunity to drink from the famous (to locals, at least) handlebar that holds a glass of beer. Look it up. BOOK IT NOW. SOUTH AUSTRALIA FARM FOR OYSTERS IN COFFIN BAY This is a great little experience to tag onto any trip along South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. You'll don some sexy looking waterproof overalls, wading in the water as you learn about oyster farming while tasting some of the freshest oysters you'll ever have — straight out of the clear blue waters. For more sightseeing, you can even take this longer boat tour around the oyster farm. BOOK IT NOW. KANGAROO ISLAND QUAD BIKE TOUR Explore an otherwise inaccessible part of Kangaroo Island on a guided ATV tour through open grassland, native bush and rocky terrain. Master the controls of your own bike as your group zooms past gorgeous scenery, and Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas and more. For something a little different, check out the Sunset Safari, a more wildlife orientated tour which heads out just as more of the island's famous critters start to emerge for the evening. Or do you prefer two wheels? Try this cycling tour of the island instead. BOOK IT NOW. KAYAK TRIP IN A DOLPHIN SANCTUARY It's not every day that you get the opportunity to paddle your way down a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest creek with the opportunity to see dolphins along the way. But that's not all. You'll also be kayaking up close to shipwrecks and relics of a bygone era. It's a special experience that simply can't be replicated anywhere else. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_883581" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Skopal (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY ADVENTURE IN THE FLINDERS RANGES This is small group Eco tour of the famous Flinders Ranges gives guests the opportunity to see the incredible rock formation of Wilpena Pound and the Ranges themselves while learning about local Aboriginal culture. You'll search for the rare Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, see an abundance of kangaroos, emus and wedge tailed eagles, visit ancient Aboriginal cave paintings, meet the locals and enjoy campfires and camp cooking. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Brunswick East's Taverna is a love letter to family, traditions, heritage, and the spirit of Greek cuisine. It's a place for locals and visitors to eat big, laugh loudly, drink, and be merry. The opening of Taverna on Lygon Street is a full-circle moment for Angie Giannakodakis, who helped set up Hellenic Republic in the same site years ago. Together with Guy Holder, Angie opened Taverna to embody the essence of an Athenian Taverna, where the matriarch is central to influencing local cuisines. "When my mum, the matriarch of our family, entered care after a fall, I realised how much her food represented love and survival," Angie says. "Taverna is more than a restaurant; it's my way of honouring my parents. This is a seat at my family table. Every dish is a story — a download of the love I grew up with." The seasonal menu is deeply personal to Giannakodakis, who draws on the flavours of her mother's kitchen to bring a true taste of Athenian cuisine all the way to Brunswick East. Familiar mezze such as taramosalata, fried whitebait, dolmathes and chickpea fritters are followed by small plates like tinned sardines and grilled prawns with saffron butter and ouzo. There's plenty of meat, too, of course. Find goat in a ragu with Greek-style pasta, pork and orange sausage cooked over the grill, a lamb shoulder slow-cooked until falling apart, beef and herb patties with yoghurt, and a thick 500-gram t-bone with lemon and olive oil. And if you're lucky, you might find Katina's signature moussaka on the menu when you visit, made from the cherished recipe passed on by Giannakodakis' mother. "Taverna is my way of bringing the traditions of an Athenian taverna to life, a place of connection, joy, and escape here in Brunswick," says Giannakodakis. "It's where people can come together to share stories, celebrate milestones, and find comfort in good company. A place where love can be confessed, memories can be made, and life is celebrated." Holder says they are committed to delivering the warmth and service that Melbourne deserves, emphasising that "Taverna is an honouring of heritage, a family's legacy on the plate." Images: Supplied.
Pulling off a blockbuster retrospective of one of Australia's most loved landscape painters is ambitious in any year, but in 2020 it's a huge achievement. "It's the largest Streeton retrospective since 1931 — and I did try to compete with that exhibition," says the Art Gallery of New South Wales' head curator of Australian art, Wayne Tunnicliffe. The new exhibition Streeton features more than 150 works by the Australian impressionist painter (only 20 shy of the one held by the Gallery 89 years ago), and its works come from public and private collections from around the country, including ones from Victoria, coordinated during lockdown. The Gallery's exhibition follows Streeton's career from his early drawings to his latter years when the artist became a vocal environmentalist. "Streeton had a lifelong practice, but most galleries show his earlier works," says Tunnicliffe. In Streeton, you'll walk room to room seeing the progression from the revolutionary moment when Streeton and his contemporaries invent Australian impressionism to his journeys to London, Cairo, Venice and back to Australia. In partnership with Destination NSW, we asked Tunnicliffe to pick out five paintings that tell us more about the talented painter's passions, and how they retain relevance today. [caption id="attachment_789415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'Still glides the stream, and shall for ever glide' (1890), oil on canvas, later mounted on hardboard, 82.6x153 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, purchased 1890. Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW[/caption] 'STILL GLIDES THE STREAM AND SHALL FOR EVER GLIDE' (1890) The Victorian artist was only 22 years old when he painted 'Still glides the stream, and shall for ever glide', and the Art Gallery of New South Wales buys it the year it was painted — transforming Streeton's career. "It's his first acquisition by a public art gallery, and that financial support means he's able to come to Sydney and live, and paint those extraordinary Sydney harbour scenes," says Tunnicliffe. "[The acquisition] is saying Australian impressionism is important and that we need to take it seriously." The painting has been on public display ever since, and the curator tells us it was Streeton's way of implying nature's persistence. "Nature is here forever. Streeton tries to encompass this in the painting, and it suggests that we will endure with it, and by extension, the creative act of this painting will endure as well." Streeton and his Heidelberg School contemporaries were inspired by the French movement of painting en plein air (outside), and they were making it their own, here in Australia. As Tunnicliffe tells us, the Gallery's forward-looking trustees of the time were keen to support and validate this new style of painting. [caption id="attachment_789412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'Circular Quay' (1892), oil on wood, 19.3x47.6cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1959. Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW[/caption] 'CIRCULAR QUAY' (1892) After Streeton's cash injection, he comes to Sydney and falls in love with its beaches and harbour. In Streeton, you'll find scenes of bathers at Coogee Beach, ferries picking up passengers at McMahons Point and the rocky harbour around Sirius Cove. "He paints the life around him, as impressionists do around the world," says Tunnicliffe. "When he comes to Sydney, he's transfixed by the harbour and the beaches, but the working harbour is what he gets really interested in. This bustling, modern, growing, booming city." "In this painting, 'Circular Quay', you can see the Quay at work: people strolling, ferries puffing, boats arriving on a bright, hot day. And, of course, we can see that scene now. It looks different, but we can be in that spot where Streeton is and experience that." [caption id="attachment_789414" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'The purple noon's transparent might' (1896), oil on canvas, 123x123 cm, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, purchased 1896. Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne[/caption] 'THE PURPLE NOON'S TRANSPARENT MIGHT' (1896) Sydney alone is not enough for Streeton. He actively travels to the Blue Mountains, Gloucester and across regional New South Wales to capture the Australian landscape. In 1896, he travels to Richmond, buys a cheap horse called Pawnbroker, and rides out to a raised area above the Hawkesbury River to paint 'The purple noon's transparent might'. "It's 44 degrees when he paints this. It's a heatwave and he's out there literally suffering for his art," says Tunnicliffe. "What he captures is the extraordinary intensity of Australian light and colour on this hot, hot day." It's an example of Streeton's tenacity, his commitment to recording what he finds before him, and Tunnicliffe says he thinks it's "one of the great landscape paintings in Australian art." "What's remarkable about this work is that it's never been varnished. It's matte paint, as Streeton painted it in 1896. It's been conserved over several months, so it looks now like it did when it left Streeton's studio. You can see the really visible brushstrokes — the way he's pushing that paint around to get that effect. But also, that shifting, shimmering light." [caption id="attachment_789413" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'The Grand Canal' (1908) oil on canvas, 93x169cm, Collection of Susan Clarke, Victoria. Photo: Glen Watson[/caption] 'THE GRAND CANAL' (1908) Fast forward to the 20th century. Streeton's lauded as one of Australia's greatest landscape painters all before he turns 30, and he's looking to prove himself overseas. "Streeton leaves Australia in 1897 because he feels he's done as much as he can at that point in his life. He wants to challenge himself; he goes to London and he struggles. But, going to Venice in 1908 on his honeymoon, and painting over 80 views on two visits in that year, he exhibits these in London and that's when he gets recognition. Because he takes a real risk." Venice is one of the most painted scenes by some of the most famous artists in the 19th and early 20th century, explains Tunnicliffe. "He pits himself against them and he's very well reviewed. This particular painting is one of two he did on this scale, with this ambition." This aerial view was painted from high up on the palazzo looking up the Grand Canal. Interestingly, both his large-scale Grand Canal paintings have been missing for decades. "This one was recently rediscovered in a private collection in regional Victoria," says Tunnicliffe. "And so, this is the first time it's been shown publicly for many decades. It's in completely original, untouched, unconserved, condition — this is what a painting looks like after 100 years." [caption id="attachment_789411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arthur Streeton, 'The vanishing forest' (1934), oil on canvas, 122.5x122.5cm, on loan to the Art Gallery of Ballarat from the Estate of Margery Pierce[/caption] 'THE VANISHING FOREST' (1934) By the 1920s, Streeton was an established artist, and somewhat of a celebrity. He's returned to Australia, painting pastoral landscapes, and living in the house he's built in the Dandenong Ranges with his wife Nora. And it's during this time that the artist uses his prestige to actively campaign to save the environment. "He was deeply concerned when he came back to Australia in the 1920s, seeing much-loved landscapes being cut down." In 'The vanishing forest', Streeton is making a statement. It's a large-scale painting, intentionally similar in size to his most famous works, and, as Tunnicliffe tells us, he's asking Australians to take the destruction seriously. "He paints mature trees that have been ring-barked, a tree that has been bulldozed and is soon to be cut up. He really wants us to think hard about this, and about what we're doing to our environment, and that message is still so important." Tickets to 'Streeton' cost $22 and you can buy timed-entry tickets online. If you've already purchased untimed and undated tickets for 'Streeton', they will be honoured for any date and time until February 14, 2021. For $35, you can upgrade to a Gallery Pass, which gives you access to 'Streeton' and the 'Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2020'. Top images: installation views of 'Streeton' at Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. Photos: Jenni Carter, AGNSW
The perpetual re-creation of urbanscapes amounts to copious waste. It's true that an abundance of recycling processes aims at diminishing resource use. However, they're often heavy on the energy consumption front. Consequently, designer Omer Haciomeroglu, in conjunction with Atlas Copco, has come up with 'ERO: Concrete De-Construction Robot'. It's programmed to pull apart reinforced concrete structures, so that they can be re-used in the construction of pre-fabricated concrete buildings. 'Today, operators manually control different sized demolition machines to smash and crash the concrete structure into dusty bits within the demolition location,' Haciomeroglu explains. 'All of these machines consume a lot of energy to operate. Water has to be sprayed constantly over the pulverised surfaces with fire hoses to prevent harmful dust from spreading around. After the work is done, big machines come and scoop the rebar and concrete mixture and transfer them to the recycle stations outside the city. There, the waste needs to be separated manually.' So, Haciomeroglu designed ERO to separate materials during the de-construction process, achieved through Hydro-demolition and Centrifugal Decanter technologies. This means that new concrete blocks can be created onsite. In the 2013 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), ERO won First Prize in the Student Designs category. Haciomeroglu has studied design at California State University, Istanbul Technical University and the Umea Institute of Design, Sweden. 'As a developing designer I always look forward to being part of design teams that develop projects, concepts and products that will grant us, the humankind, valuable and entertaining vision of a better and sustainable future,' he explains. [via PSFK]
Peering at ancient pyramids isn't normally an Australian pastime, but it will be come spring without needing to leave the country. In 2024, the nation's fascination with Egypt thousands of years ago has already been fuelled by Sydney exhibition Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, which wrapped up in May — and also by Pharaoh in Melbourne, which is on display until October. Next up is Horizon of Khufu, a virtual-reality experience rather than a showcase of treasures and trinkets. You won't get up close to historical items here, but you will become immersed in the past like it's all around you. Patrons will see the Great Pyramids of Giza, including flying over the Giza Necropolis. You'll climb to the top of the Pyramid of Khufu, in fact, and gaze out over Egypt with a 360-degree view. Getting a glimpse of burial chambers and embalming ceremonies, finding the queen's chamber, sailing down the Nile, attending Khufu's funeral: that's all also on the agenda, as is checking out the Great Sphinx of Giza and witnessing these ancient wonders by night. That's where your eyes will be heading, at least, via a VR headset that'll take you into a shared play space. Your peepers will also be checking out recreations of sights dating back 4500 years, to the time of Khufu, the second pharaoh of Egypt's fourth dynasty. He's the figure that's believed to have commissioned the largest of the pyramids, which was also his tomb. Your body will need to be in Sydney at the Harbour City's Fever Pavilion, where Horizon of Khufu is making its Australian debut from Thursday, September 5, 2024. There's no word yet whether the experience will then head to other Aussie cities, as some past events from entertainment platform Fever have, including its Banksy and NBA exhibitions recently. Once they've popped on their headsets, attendees will be led through Horizon of Khufu by a virtual guide, all while benefiting from design by Egyptologist and Harvard University professor Peter Der Manuelian. If you're with your date or mates, or family, the 45-minute experience also lets you visuals others in the VR space, so you won't all just be off on your own wander through bygone years. Australia joins France — where Horizon of Khufu debuted in 2022 — as well as the US, Canada and the UK in being able to enjoy this blast from the past. Unsurprisingly, it has proven popular around the globe, notching up more than one million visitors so far. If you've seen plenty of other Egypt obsessives at Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Pharaoh, you'll know that Aussies will help boost those numbers. Horizon of Khufu will open at Fever Pavilion, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney from Thursday, September 5, 2024 — with the waitlist open now and tickets on sale from Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Head to the exhibition website for more details.
Do you like Italian food? Then let us introduce you to the happiest place on earth. Your stomach has probably been craving pasta, pizza and gelato since news of Eataly World first started circulating — and those rumbles are only going to get louder now that the world's first Italian food theme park has opened. Located in Bologna, Italy, and calling itself an agro-food park, the site takse patrons on a trip from the field to the fork. That involves six interactive experiences, more than 40 places to eat, over 100 stalls and shops, and a dedicated parmesan cheese bar. In fact, over nearly 20 acres, Eataly World features restaurants, kitchens, grocery stores, classrooms, farms, laboratories and more, showcasing everything from livestock, dairy products and the cereals that become pasta, to preserves, Italian desserts and the best in both boozy and non-alcoholic beverages. As well as boasting free entry — aka making a good thing even better — Eataly World offers ticketed daily classes on pizza, pasta, gelato sorbet, truffles, wine, olive oil and more as part of its schedule, ensuring visitors don't just wander through this Italian food-focused realm, but can pick up a few new skills as well. To get around the massive area, bikes are also available. Eating, drinking and cycling in Italy: it sounds like a culinary holiday dream. The park is the latest venture from Oscar Farinetti, the founder of Italian food and grocery chain Eataly, which has locations in New York, Boston and Dubai. And while it has taken some time to come to fruition — it was first announced a few years back, and then set for a 2015 opening that didn't happen — it looks like it has been worth the wait. Speaking to Eater last year, 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou5uPuVBub4 Via Eater. Images: Eataly World By Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
With the onset of autumn, Sydney's warm and cosy cinemas beckon more than ever, particularly the city's independent and boutique ones. Once you get away from the multiplexes with overpriced tickets and sticky floors, Sydney has some amazing cinemas screening the best new release indie, arthouse and classic films in atmospheric theatres with excellent beer and fancy ice cream. Unfortunately, independent cinemas are, like live music venues, facing tough times of late, and the city has lost some of its loveliest to financial struggles and renovation. That's why it's more important than ever that we support the amazing independent venues that we have left. Here we present our pick of Sydney's best boutique cinemas, from the velvet-upholstered art deco kind to the sleek and modern, and all are set to please any ardent cinephile or those just looking for an easy date option. Whatever you're keen on, Sydney's boutique and independent cinemas are some of the best around and well worth checking out. THE CHAUVEL The Chauvel has been operating in the old ballroom of Paddington Town Hall since 1977. With a fully sprung dance floor beneath its comfy seats, the Chauvel has by far the most tightly curated selection of current release and vintage films as well as old-timey ambience and the convenience of being in Paddington. Around five years ago, its future looked mighty grim, and like it could go the way of Glebe's Valhalla or the nearby Academy Twin. But a campaign to save the Chauvel saw it rescued by Palace. Now fighting strong, the Chauvel is a destination in and of itself, with a cafe and bar on the second floor of the beautiful old building. The Chauvel is also home to the city's only dedicated film club, the Chauvel Cinematheque, a curated program of arthouse classics for seasoned cinephiles and their friends for a very reasonable price indeed. Cnr Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington 2. Hayden Orpheum The Orpheum is a heritage art deco cinema which has been around since your grandparents day, a claim very few cinemas left in Sydney can still make. Housing six theatres, a Wurlitzer pipe-organ played at selected sessions and a foyer pianist, the Orpheum is the kind of place where you could catch a Vera Lynn tribute or swing band sessions on a given night. The selection of films is strictly along independent lines - arthouse and foreign films are the only ones you'll find on the program, but the glass light fittings, velvet curtains and seats, terrazo floors and fresh flowers make the decor alone worth the trip. While it was left to fall apart during the middle of the twentieth century, restorations got under way in 1986 to restore the Orpheum to its former glory; the kind of place that makes you feel as though you should be wearing furs with a cigarette holder dangling languidly between your fingers. Address: 380 Military Rd, Cremorne 3. The Randwick Ritz The Ritz is, alongside the Orpheum, the only original art deco cinema left in Sydney, and one of the few remaining independent cinemas. Built in 1937, the cinema is still family-owned and runs your typical selection of current-release arthouse films. The Ritz also boasts the cheapest tickets around: $13 for an adult. With an extra five auditoriums added over the last fifteen years, the Randwick Ritz has cemented itself into the heart of Sydney film culture and regularly plays hosts to events like the Australian Film Festival and one-off nights like The Big Lebowski Bash and infamous Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings. A traditional candy bar, red velvet upholstery and bright lights gilding the cinema's exterior all make the Ritz one of the best experiences of old-timey nostalgia you can get in Sydney. Address: 45 St Paul's St, Randwick 4. Palace Verona The Palace Verona is a stone's throw away from the Chauvel on Oxford Street, and is a sleek and modern cinematic alternative hidden amongst the leafy trees and bookshops of lower Paddington. With an excellent cafe and bar serving wine, beer, Lavazza coffee, popcorn cooked in olive oil and fancy ice creams, the Verona does its best to bring arthouse food to the arthouse films it screens. Renovated a couple of years ago when its neighbour the Academy Twin was shut down, the Verona has expanded its screens and taken up the slack in the wake of the Academy's demise, kicking up its selection of quality and edgy films from around the world. Address: 17 Oxford St, Paddington 5. Dendy Newtown Possibly the best art house cinema in the inner-West, the Dendy lies at the heart of the King Street hub and is popular with the night-owl crowd. With an impeccable selection of current release art house cinema, the Dendy is also in easy browsing distance of Fish Records and Better Read Than Dead, as well as a merry walk away from good coffee, food and plentiful alcohol. The Dendy also regularly hosts special events like the Hola Mexico Film Festival, Queerscreen and one-off film nights. Given its proximity to all things fun, the Dendy Newtown is a perfect way to start or finish a night out on the town. Address: 261-263 King St, Newtown 6. Govinda's Restaurant and Cinema Govinda's is a bit of an odd one, yet a true Sydney institution. Govinda's is actually a vegetarian restaurant in Darlinghurst, which is at once a boutique cinema and a quiet space dedicated to yoga, chanting and 'uplifting the consciousness'. Open every day but Monday, a proper evening at Govinda's is a culinary as well as cinematic experience. The gourmet buffet was named best vegetarian restuarant in Sydney in 2011, and at $29.80 for dinner and a movie it's one of the most whimsical and cost-effective date options on offer. The movie room is upstairs, and patrons are invited to kick off their shoes and recline on floor cushions, couches or tub chairs. There are generally three films to choose from each night, all at different times, and generally cover the current release art house range pretty solidly. Address: 112 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst 7. Bondi OpenAir Cinema Bondi OpenAir Cinema is seasonal, from late January to early March, and our pick as Sydney's best outdoor cinema. Even though it's a summertime-specific event, Bondi OpenAir is a cinema experience unequalled anywhere in Sydney. Located on the Dolphin Lawns beside the Bondi Pavilion, the program is a fairly eclectic mix of retro classics, art house and Australian new releases. Patrons can chill out on a bean bag with a drink, gourmet treats from the likes of Sonoma and Ben & Jerry's, and check out some of the best acts emerging on Sydney's live music scene all before the film even starts. Address: 1 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi 8. Dendy Opera Quays Situated along the promenade from Circular Quay to the Opera House, the Dendy Opera Quays cinema is the best art house cinema in the city, and probably the most scenic. With an impeccable range of current release art house films alongside some middlebrow fare, the cinema is also home to classic film screenings, Met Opera and Ballet screenings and special events like the Sydney Film Festival. With reasonably priced ticketing, a luxurious fit-out and boutique wine, beer and snacks available, the Opera Quays makes movie-going very pleasant indeed. Address: 9/2 East Circular Quay, Sydney 9. Mount Vic Flicks Mount Victoria is a bit tricky to get to at the best of times, but if you make the trip to the top of the Blue Mountains you'll find a whimsical high-altitude answer to art house cinema. Run by couple Ron and Diane Bayley, Mount Vic Flicks is advertised as 'cinema, the way it used to be'. All films are carefully selected - generally a mix of indie and classic stuff - with Ron managing the technical side of things while Diane ensures the candy bar is stocked with a variety of delicious handmade cakes and scones. Housed in the former local community hall, Mount Vic Flicks has an intimate community vibe to it, with a foyer barely big enough for two people and tea and coffee served in mugs. While it's a little out of the way, Mount Vic is worth it if you want to re-experience the old world ritual of going to the pictures. Address: Harley Ave, Mount Victoria 10. Palace Norton Street The Norton Street Palace is smack bang in the middle of the Leichhardt restaurant strip, conveniently close to the best pasta and gelato Sydney has to offer. Not only does the Norton Street Palace screen an excellent range of new-release art house cinema, and house a fully licensed bar and cafe, but it also plays host to Sydney's French, Greek, German, Brazilian, Spanish and Italian film festivals, making it perhaps the most international of Sydney's cinemas. Address: 99 Norton St, Leichhardt
To celebrate a momentous 50 years since the very first appearance of LEGO bricks in Australia, the Danish toymaker is putting on a Festival of Play throughout the year. LEGO is the number one toy in Australia, with each Aussie owning an average of 70 LEGO bricks. This influential product has changed many of our childhoods and reconstructed our perceptions of inspiration, creativity and play. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming competitions, like the 50 from 50, where your creativity is put to the test for brickvention, art displays like the one appearing at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum showcasing unique mosaics of Lego brick art, or the exciting new Build with Chrome innovation, which allows you to explore and build a world of 3D LEGO creations online anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. Here, we take a look at some of the most spectacular giant LEGO creations around the world in recent times. LEGO Colosseum, Nicholson Museum Tiny Romans and architecture at this exhibition on the ancient world at the University of Sydney, which runs until early 2013. LEGO Forest, Martin Place For those who missed this spectacular surprise forest appearing in Sydney's CBD, the set of 15 LEGO flower and pine tree structures are an exact replica of the original pieces, only 66 times bigger. LEGO Forest, Broken Hill Going on tour, the forest next appeared against the vibrant backdrop of outback Australia's red dust plains in Broken Hill. Who knows where the gigantic LEGO pieces will appear next? LEGO Staircase, New York This dazzling staircase and railing in a Chelsea Loft is fashioned from an enormous 20,000 LEGO bricks, designed by artist Melissa Marks and interface designer Vicente Caride. LEGO Skyscraper, Seoul This phenomenal structure, built solely out of LEGO bricks, set the new world record for the highest LEGO building ever. The Skyscraper took 4,000 children 5 days to construct using 50,000 bricks. LEGO House, Surrey 1,000 volunteers collaborated together for BBC 2 show, Toy Stories, to create this enormous 32-million brick, two-storey house. Despite designer James May's best attempts to sell the structure to Legoland in Windsor, the house was demolished in 2009. LEGO Furniture by Lunablocks Release your inner decorator and inner kid simultaneously with these soft and stackable LEGO furniture items. They come in an array of shapes and sizes that offer endless opportunities to design and reconfigure your lounge room. LEGO Dispatchwork Using LEGO as dispatchwork is a movement launched by German artist Jan Vormann a few years ago. What started as a fun, colourful and creative way to patch old walls at the contemporary art festival in Boccignano, Italy, has now become an ongoing project spreading worldwide. LEGO Church, The Netherlands The 20 metre Church of the Holy Brick, called Abondantus Gigantus, was built last year in the town of Enschede for the Grenswerk Festival. It was designed as a venue for town meetings, raves, LEGO building contests and even a mass at one stage. LEGO Bridge, Wuppertal It took German Street-artist Megz four weeks to transform this drab bridge into a wonderment of colour and vibrance, resembling giant LEGO bricks. LEGO Car, Munich 800 kids + four days + 165,000 Lego bricks + German Automakers = Life-size replica of a BMW X1 made out of lego.
Did you know there are more pets in Australia than there are people? And yet, when you think of road trips, you might not immediately think of dogs — that's not very fair. How would you feel if you always got left behind while all your bipedal mates grabbed their cars and drove away to have the time of their lives without you? It's time to change that, it's time to start bringing more dogs on road trips. So grab your car and your furry pal, and strap in for one of this country's most popular road trips: Sydney to Brisbane. And no stress if you don't have a car, because SIXT offers stress-free pet-friendly car rentals from a bunch of locations across Sydney and Brisbane — so you can worry less about logistics and focus on making memories. NEW MATES AT NEWCASTLE The journey begins in Newcastle, where the golden sands and rolling waves of Horseshoe Beach make the perfect first pit stop for some off-leash fun. The beach is a mecca for local dogs and dogs passing through alike — it's the only dog beach in central Newcastle, so your little pal can expect to make a lot of mates during this visit. You'll find it tucked beneath Nobby's Breakwall. Other off-leash areas worth exploring are Carrington Foreshore along Throsby Creek, and King Edward Park, which offers stunning views of Newcastle. Islington Dog Park is also worth a visit while you're near Throsby Creek, but it's not the only dog park in town — Acacia Avenue Reserve offers a massive 1.5-hectares of grassy paradise for dogs to run around in. It is also the first enclosed dog park in the Hunter to offer separate areas for big and small dogs, which is pretty neat if your little pal feels anxious around bigger ones. Once you and your pup are sufficiently adventured out, head to Cafe Inu — 'Inu' means dog in Japanese, so to say this cafe is dog-friendly would be an understatement. Fill up on craft coffee and Japanese fast food fare while your furry pal has their choice of puppychinos, puppy ice cream or puppy treats (or all three), which are all on the menu. Yep, there's a dedicated dog section — how cute. [caption id="attachment_913208" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Samantha Zoratto[/caption] FIND PEACE AT CROWDY HEAD As you continue north towards Port Macquarie, make a quick (or not so quick) stop at Crowdy Head. This quiet coastal spot is anything but crowded. In fact, it's kind of a hidden gem — so keep this between us, capisce? While you're around, check out the cute lighthouse that overlooks Harrington Beach. Your dog will love it — dogs love lighthouses, didn't you know? You'll also get a kick out of it too, given it's been fully operational since 1878. If waves aren't your little mate's thing, Harrington Lagoon offers all the fun of water and sand, sans the surf — for this reason, it's a popular spot for families with kids and little furry pals alike. [caption id="attachment_831355" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindsay Moller Productions[/caption] DON'T WORRY AT PORT MACQUARIE Port Macquarie offers an array of dog-friendly activities. Explore the natural wonders of Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park or enjoy a splash at the dog-friendly Nobbys Beach. Other dog-friendly beaches include Rocky Beach and Oxley Beach — though keep in mind dogs need to be on leash at Oxley. Feeling hungry? Little Fish Cafe and Cassegrain Wines are both dog-friendly, with the latter welcoming dogs on the deck of the restaurant. Little Shack is also a great dog-friendly option for all times of day, from morning coffee to lunch by the water to a cheeky evening cocktail. Once you're ready to retire, check out NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park, a dog-friendly holiday park with powered and unpowered sites. [caption id="attachment_913209" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Samantha Zoratto[/caption] CATCH WORLD-CLASS WAVES AT CRESCENT HEAD Known for its consistent waves and stunning coastline, Crescent Head is a paradise for surfers and their furry mates as the beach is dog friendly. It even has a dog swimming area if your dog wants to brush up on its dog paddle while you perfect your… human paddle? [caption id="attachment_913218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bailey Rytenskild via Unsplash[/caption] ENDLESS ADVENTURE AT EVANS HEAD Nestled between river and sea, Evans Head offers a mix of river adventures and oceanic exploration. Enjoy the calm waters of the Evans River with your dog or take a beach walk — or run if you really wanna stretch those legs. Or why not take advantage of the off-leash area and play some fetch, or have a beach 4WD adventure detour? FIND YOURSELVES IN BYRON BAY Ahh, Byron Bay — the ultimate destination for every dog that aspires to be spiritually awakened. Embark on the iconic lighthouse walk, where you and your furry mate can both ponder the meaning of life while marvelling at the vast expanse of stunning ocean, tourist selfies, and crystals as far as the eye can see. Belongil Beach, Tallow Beach, Seven Mile Beach, and Brunswick Heads Beach are all dog-friendly, so you'll have plenty to do in the surf and sun while you're in town. Byron also offers a plethora of dog parks to explore if you prefer more inland adventure. After all that frolicking, treat yourself at Stone & Wood, Pickled Pig, or Byron Bay breweries, all of which welcome dogs with open arms. GOLD COAST (GO ON, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO) Forget surfers, the Goldy (we're sorry) truly is a pet's paradise. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the esplanade, visit the absolutely stunning and vast off-leash area at The Spit, or explore the dog-friendly parks the city has to offer — Tallebudgera Offleash Dog Beach, Cabana Offleash Dog Area, and Pizzey Offleash Dog Area are particularly nice. If you happen to be around on a Sunday, head to one of the many dog-friendly markets which pop up every weekend all around the Gold Coast, with Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads, and Paradise Point markets being particularly pet-friendly. If you're after a caffeine hit, Elk Espresso, Daymaker Espresso, BSKT Cafe, and Daark Espresso are all dog lovers. Or, you could also head to Wild Flower Gin in Varsity Lakes for dog-friendly dining and relaxation, and if you're lucky you might even meet Ghost, the resident Great Dane cross Bull Arab. Once it's time to rest, check out the lovely NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort, which has a number of pet-friendly options including powered and unpowered camp and caravan sites, as well as dog-friendly cabins. BEAUTIFUL BRISSIE Congrats, you made it. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs at the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens, where you'll find the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Loop — a fun inner-city adventure for humans and canines alike. Or if you're up for more of a challenge, head to the Kokoda Track Loop for a ten-kilometre heart-pumper, located just 20 kilometres out of Brisbane. Once you're ready to relax, check out the various dog-friendly cafes, bars, and restaurants. Also, it's been a long journey, so you've earned a treat. Stay at The Ovolo in Fortitude Valley, which is more than happy to welcome your pooch in its pet-friendly rooms. Lastly, if you're wanting to do this road trip in reverse, there are some excellent dog-friendly bars, restaurants and cafes just waiting for your tired legs to perch up. And when it's time to pack up for the night, you'll be spoilt for choice as Sydney is arguably Australia's best spot for dog-friendly hotels. Looking for a pet-friendly rental to take you and your best furry mate on the road trip of a lifetime (or looking for a bigger car to fit your furry mate)? Check out SIXT, which welcomes customers to bring their family and furmily along for the ride, so no one gets left behind. Auto club members including NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RACT, RAC and AANT will receive 15% off SIXT's daily rates. Click here to book now
Some actors have a type. The films change, and the names of their characters as well, but it can feel as if they're always playing a variation of the same person. That sensation doesn't apply to Jackie van Beek's work. Many movie lovers discovered her on-screen as Jackie, the human familiar to a Wellington sharehouse-dwelling vampire in What We Do in the Shadows. In the decade since the hit comedy, she's helped end romances in The Breaker Upperers, which she also co-wrote and co-directed with Deadloch star Madeleine Sami — and then disrobed for Nude Tuesday, this time penning the script solo, alongside portraying a woman who attempts to reignite the spark in her marriage by heading to a couples' retreat where clothes are often optional. Now arrives Audrey, a delightfully dark Australian comedy from first-time feature director Natalie Bailey (Bay of Fires, Joe vs Carole, Run) and screenwriter Lou Sanz (The PM's Daughter, 6 Festivals) that enlists van Beek as a former star. Decades after her Logie-winning heyday, Ronnie Lipsick hasn't given up on her showbiz dreams. The world beckoned when she was at the top of the acting game, but then she had her first daughter and settled into married life; however, she still knows what she wants. Her focus after 18 years of being a mum: ensuring that the movie's eponymous figure (Josephine Blazier, Fires) makes it big as well, whether she likes it or not. Nothing is going to stop Ronnie in this quest — not even Audrey falling into a coma. There's regular second chances, and then there's Ronnie's path. When Audrey can't follow the route to fame and fortune that's been plotted out for her, Ronnie impersonates her instead. There's endeavouring to cope with tragedy, and then there's the Lipsick family's response to Audrey's plight as well — including on Ronnie's husband Cormack (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and younger daughter Norah's (Hannah Diviney, Latecomers) parts. As keeps proving the case across van Beek's filmography, no one will mistake Audrey for any other movie. After debuting at SXSW in Austin, the blackly and sharply hilarious feature now hits Australian cinemas in what's been a busy year for its lead. Off-camera in 2024, the New Zealand talent was one of the driving forces behind the Australian version of The Office, and also directed an episode of Time Bandits. Audrey appealed to van Beek's love of dark comedy, she tells Concrete Playground. Unsurprisingly, Ronnie stood out as the kind of character that isn't a standard fixture on-screen. When The Breaker Upperers released in 2018, she chatted with us, alongside Sami, about creating roles for the two that didn't exist otherwise. Now, van Beek advises that when she was reading Audrey's script, she thought "oh, she's delicious. She's so challenging to like. I thought as an actor, it'll be such a great kind of joy to try, and to try to pull her off with some degree of charm." "When I read Lou Sanz's script, Ronnie Lipsick is a morally ambiguous, very career-driven kind of obsessive mother, and I just thought 'what a delight'. Because you don't come across these characters — especially as a female — you just don't come across these characters very often. Well, I hadn't," van Beek notes. "I love dark comedy. I think I was probably told the premise, I imagine by Lou or the producer Michael Wrenn before I read the script. So as soon as I heard the premise, I was like 'ooh, this sounds perfectly dark for me'. I love comedy, but I do really like the edginess of this premise. I think someone who prioritises resurrecting her career over nursing her daughter back to health is a very interesting character to play." Also built into Audrey: recognition that being a mother shouldn't mean giving up on your own journey, an adult coming-of-age tale and a woman's quest, albeit by highly questionable means such as pretending to be her teenage offspring, to reclaim her own sense of self. We discussed all of the above with van Beek, too, alongside what she drew upon to play Ronnie, portraying such a tricky character in a heightened story, what gets her excited about a new project, what you learn making a movie like Audrey and more. On the Film's Ability Not Only to Rally Against Traditional Visions of Womanhood and Motherhood, But to Take That Idea to a Comedic Extreme "It was an interesting take, because I think we've seen a lot of films, dramas and comedies, about women who are struggling, as a lot of us do — women who are struggling with that work/life balance, being being pulled one way as a mother, being pulled another way by their career. And I think we're quite used to those stories. I think this film, obviously what I love, really pushes it to a comedic extreme. I mean, I find Ronnie kind of delusionally adorable, but also abhorrent. I hope that I'm a very different woman to her. But it was delightful to play, because pushing the idea that women aren't born simply to reproduce or mother, but are born to bring about your hopes and dreams, through a career or what have you, is fun. I did find Ronnie Lipsick to be quite mentally unhinged, and in need of some professional help, I would say. She's really spinning off the planet. She's such an egotist. She's so vain. And she's really lost sight of what's important in life. But I do love this idea, to the extreme in Lou's script, that she absolutely prioritises her career over her over her daughter's health." On Finding Inspiration to Play Ronnie — and Always Trying to Win the Audience Over "I'm a mother myself. I have three children, so obviously I was able to easily draw on my own life for the harried mum aspect of the character — organising the pickups, all the logistics with the husband, wanting them to do well. So I've drawn on a lot of that. In terms of her being dangerously delusional, I didn't have much to go on from my real life. So what I did was, I came up through theatre, I was in theatre for like 20 years before I got into TV and film, and a lot of my training was about trying to win the audience over. So whether or not you were a hero or a villain, you try to charm the audience so much that you can have them onside. I really thought that would be a fun game to play, just for myself, over the course of production, to see — by finding vulnerability or delusion or asking the audience to sympathise with me in any way — whether or not I could win the audience over to my side, so they would, I guess, forgive Ronnie for some of the choices she made." On Ensuring That Depth Shines Through When You're Playing Such a Tricky Character in a Heightened Story "It was hugely important for me to navigate a truth for the character throughout the story. And, in some scenes that was harder than harder than others, because it is a very heightened story, and a very heightened reality that we were playing within. Natalie Bailey, the director, was fantastic at helping me navigate that — as was Lou, the writer, who was on set the whole time, which was incredibly useful. But it was really important to me that I could feel truth in every single scene. And so some of the more heightened ones, I really had to lean into Ronnie's delusion, I guess — so that I thought if I, as Ronnie, can actually believe what I'm saying, even if it seems ridiculous to everybody else in the scene and in the audience, as long as I can believe it, it should feel like a real human being that's going on a journey. But some scenes are more tricky than others. That's a fun challenge. I love reading a role where I go 'ooh, this is going to be quite tricky'. And it was. It was such a fun challenge to take on that part." On Adult Coming-of-Age Stories Blossoming as a Genre — and Tales of Women Aiming to Reclaim Their Identities "I'm not sure why it's coming up more now. Maybe because more adults have access to therapy and so people are reflecting on these things? Definitely on my to-do list is to carve out time to go to see therapists. I haven't quite managed to do it yet. But I'm really enjoying the stories coming out at the moment, especially with female protagonists, about women around my age — I'm 48 — who have realised that they've lost a sense of self and they are really struggling to find a way to reclaim an identity. I think what interests me is a lot of people, they don't go deep enough, and try to just reclaim their youth through surgery or affairs or whatever. I'm really fascinated by that. I think all women that I know have just read Miranda July's All Fours, which I think is an incredible examination of that kind of reclaiming that sense of self. It's a fascinating subject." On Audrey, the Australian Version of The Office and Time Bandits All Reaching Screens Within Months of Each Other "The momentum of that is quite strange because, of course, these projects all happened at quite different times and it really is coincidence, I think, that everything lands in the same few months. It all depends on how long the post-production is or the distributor. But it's exciting to have things come out. I'm always someone who really itches to get a project in front of an audience to get that response. But I'm also someone who doesn't really dwell on the response, because I've always moved on to a million other things. But I love it — as I said before, I came up through theatre, so it was all about working as hard as you can and then opening night, the curtains open and you give the projects to an audience, you share that. So it's always a relief for me when something finally is out there and you're like 'oh good, okay, actually it's opening night, the curtains are parting, and people can actually now watch it and respond'. I think I do find it hard when you're in development for a number of things, and nothing's on-screen or you're not delivering anything to an audience. You just feel like you're working in this weird, insular bubble, and what's the point if nobody is able to see this thing you're working on and respond to it. And then, of course, with every response you learn so much about what we've created. And I then I take that onto my next projects. I'm very invested in learning, I guess." On What Gets van Beek Excited About a New Project at This Stage of Her Career "The most-exciting element for me with new projects is the team on it. There are so many people from all around the world, of all different levels of experience, that I'm just dying to work with. And so for my own projects, I of course seek these people out to collaborate with — actors, directors, writers. I think that is the driving force. Second to that, well, actually shooting location is quite important for me because I have three kids and my youngest is still only 12. So I am always trying to prioritise projects like Time Bandits that can be made here in New Zealand, so that I don't have to be away from the kids and my family for too long. And then, of course, the project itself — I'm very drawn, and always have been, to projects which will potentially polarise. I kind of find it thrilling to take on a project or be a part of a project that I think could go either way. The Office, for example, it did seem so silly to create the 13th version of The Office. But, of course, I leapt at the opportunity knowing it was going to be the first version with a female lead, and I knew that was quite high-risk because people are so besotted with the UK and the US versions. But it was that risk that really thrilled me. And the same with when I get involved in some local low-budget films here in New Zealand, sometimes it's the project that draws me, like it's something that I've never kind of seen before or they're taking a big risk on something. And I'm like 'ooh, I'd love to be a part of that because I like the thrill of it'. I'm not really drawn to something that feels quite kind of tried and true, I guess." On What van Beek Learned Starring in Audrey "It's interesting. I think when I'm acting in other people's films or projects, I learn a lot about writing and directing. And then I feel like when I'm writing and directing my own projects, I learn a lot about acting. I think I learn a lot from the other people that are surrounding me. And I really enjoy jumping between acting, writing and directing for that. So I'm constantly shifting roles and having these experiences from both sides. But I think with Audrey, I'm a real believer in 'if you say yes to a project, then you really are giving yourself over to that writer and especially to the director'. So once I say yes to something, I'm pretty much like 'what do you want me to do?' — like 'here I am, what do you want me to do? I'll do anything.'. I don't say yes to a project unless I unless I'm prepared to offer up everything." Audrey opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
"Why did you choose pizza? It must've been fate." They're the words of Yoshihiro Imai, a pizza chef in Kyoto, in the trailer for Chef's Table: Pizza — but for anyone who loves pizza, that dialogue could've been plucked out of your own head. No one just likes pizza. No one is just happy with one slice of it, either. If you adore pizza, you're all in. Pizza is dinner. Pizza is lunch. Pizza is breakfast, too. And, pizza is life. You mightn't really eat pizza for every single meal, no matter how much you'd like to; however, if you're fond of orbs of dough stacked with toppings, then baked in an oven, then Chef's Table: Pizza is serving your next streaming feast. The latest addition to the Chef's Table franchise, arriving on Netflix on Wednesday, September 7, it's set to dedicate its entire six-episode run to pizza and the folks who make it. Accordingly, viewers will watch pizza chefs cook up the beloved dish around the world, including in Portland, Phoenix and Minneapolis in the US; in Rome and Caiazzo in Italy; and in Kyoto, Japan. The latter is where the aforementioned Imai comes in, but he's joined by fellow pizza-cooking talents Sarah Minnick, Chris Bianco, Ann Kim, Gabriele Bonci and Franco Pepe. If you're a Chef's Table fan already, you'll know the format. Each episode hones in on a specific chef, and steps through their approach to cooking. The only difference here: everyone featured whips up pizza, whether opting for traditional slices or mixing things up. In the trailer, flowers even feature atop one pizza. Chef's Table: Pizza joins the franchise after five previous seasons focusing on a broad array of chefs — celebrating the stellar kitchen skills of talents such as Massimo Bottura, Francis Mallmann and even Attica's Ben Shewry, for instance — plus a four-episode instalment devoted to French cuisine, a four-chapter run that's all about pastry and another four-episode focus on barbecue. The usual advice applies while watching anything food-related, whether it's this, chef dramedy The Bear or everything in-between: eating beforehand or as you press play is clearly recommended. Obviously, this time you'll want to eat pizza. Already feeling your stomach rumble? Check out the trailer below: Chef's Table: Pizza will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 7. Images: Netflix © 2022.
Have you heard? There's a great, wide world waiting for you out west. A place where the sun sets over crystal blue oceans, rivers cut through hills and valleys are stocked full of agricultural abundance, vineyards and gourmet artisan goods. A place of fascinating early convict history and an even deeper Aboriginal presence running through millennia right up to the vibrant culture of the present day. A place of unfamiliar flavours and exhilarating experiences, where you can get away from it all on an island paradise or immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of beachside locales. For the foodies and wine-lovers, seasiders and surfers, adrenaline junkies and wildlife-seekers — together with Western Australia, we've curated a definitive guide to an exceptional trip to Boorloo (Perth). There's a list of standout activities plus some standout dining digs and a few luxe accommodation options. Pack your bags and book your tickets: we've curated your next holiday. And it's a big one. [caption id="attachment_896158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Duncan Wright[/caption] DINE DELICIOUSLY First things first, all your adventuring is sure to work up an appetite — so it's lucky that Perth is a top foodie destination. Before you plan how to spend your time, plan where you're going to eat. Teeter Bakery, run by pastry wizard Natasha Brownfield, is brand-spanking new but already making waves, with the spot dishing out hand-crafted specialty cakes — like a light-as-air grapefruit and olive oil chiffon or scorched-top basque cheesecake. Swing by on a Friday or Saturday when the pastry-shop door is open for all your viennoiserie and gourmet sandwich needs. Chubby Boy is a Japanese-influenced cafe and bar. Think sandos, matcha lattes and sweet and savoury shokupan toppings like garlic and cheesy corn or salted caramel. In the middle of traditional wine country, Nieuw Ruin is boldly "packed to the rafters with weird wine". Fun, unusual, rare and just damn delicious drops are paired with the seasonal wine-bar fare, alongside classic and house cocktails. Lucy Luu brings Asian fusion to the Perth scene. Here, you can expect local produce and playful twists, like a kinilaw-topped tostada bite, a spicy tiger-prawn toast on brioche, truffle fried rice and the umami-sweet bite of miso parfait. Plus, of course, more cocktails. If you're a craft beer fan, make the trip to Gage Roads Brew Co in Freo. Open seven days a week for all your frothy desires, the brewpub's got a solid menu of fresh seafood, tacos, empanadas and pizzas — essentially, everything you'd want alongside good beer by the water. For a menu that taps into a Mediterranean summer, go to Bathers Beach House. White sands, white walls, blue sky, blue sea — the backdrop to olives, oysters, seafood platters and pasta. Perfect. [caption id="attachment_893737" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] DISCOVER ROTTNEST ISLAND One word: quokkas. If that's somehow not enough to convince you to book flights immediately, Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) has plenty of other wildlife-adjacent attractions making a visit worth your while. Just a short ferry ride (or an air charter, if you're feeling particularly flush with cash) brings you to this renowned island paradise. A nature-soaked haven, it's also home to some of the most pristine crystal-clear waters in the west. Snorkel, swim, scuba, surf or hire a boat and take to the seas on your own adventure, getting up close to marine life. Alternatively, you can get around the island by bike, peddling from art exhibitions to clothing boutiques, restaurants and enviable spots for epic views. Stay at the campgrounds, and cottages or opt for something swanky with beachside accommodation at Samphire. The next morning? Start with breakfast at Dôme or old-school baked goods at Rottnest Bakery, and finish your day's explorations with sunset cocktails at Pinky's. [caption id="attachment_893738" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] TAKE A CRUISE DOWN THE SWAN RIVER What's better than food and wine? A curated tour of both on a Swan Valley river cruise. Opting for this stellar package will see you depart Perth on a gastronomic cruise with an award-winning tour operator as your host. You'll see the beautiful Swan Valley by boat, disembarking to visit some of the area's most exciting wineries. Learn about everything from vine to grape to glass as you sip your way through a guided tasting — with snacks, of course — before lunch at Homestead Brewery. No gourmet foodie tour would be complete without dessert, so expect to stop in at The Margaret River Chocolate Co for sugar-sweet tastings and the chance to grab a few treats on the way out (might we suggest Chokka the Quokka?). On the ride back, settle in for a leisurely journey serenaded by live music. [caption id="attachment_893730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] EXPLORE THE HISTORIC STREETS OF FREMANTLE Once an industrial centre, Fremantle (Walyalup) or 'Freo' as the locals affectionately call it, is now a delightful little port city, just 30 minutes from Perth. You'll find street food, microbreweries and buskers throughout this bustling spot. As well as exquisite fresh produce and artisan goods at Fremantle Markets (established in 1897; pictured above) and an entirely caffeinated zone known as Cappuccino Strip. While you're here, why don't you book a tour of Running with Thieves on South Beach — the largest operational independent brewery and distillery in WA? It might be big, but it still crafts everything on-site and by hand: that's beers, gins, cocktails and seltzers. Discover convict history at the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, with day tours, night tours and journeys into the winding tunnels below. We'll admit, that barely scratches the surface of Freo — there are all kinds of excursions on offer, from a shipwreck museum to a working fish market and even a place to flex your cocktail-making muscles. Can't decide where to start? Trust a knowledgeable local on the Two Feet & A Heartbeat tours. [caption id="attachment_893735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] GET UP CLOSE WITH LOCAL WILDLIFE Want to dive into an award-winning dolphin swim? Absolutely. Perth Wildlife Encounters is the biz that's been giving people the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat since 1989, spending years building a relationship with this pod, and promoting ethical, respectful eco-tourism. Just 45 minutes from Perth, you'll be hopping off your boat on an underwater adventure to encounter a community of more than 200 wild dolphins. During the three-to-six-hour swim, you'll be immersed in the salty environment of these truly special creatures — they might even come up close and play, tumbling and twirling under the water. No snorkel? No worries. Take a lesson beforehand and borrow the gear. Itching for more close contact with the wild? There are penguin encounters and sea kayak tours, too. DISCOVER THE AREA WITH AN ABORIGINAL GUIDE Discover the oldest living culture and the true flavours of Australia. A proud Wardandi Bibbulmun woman, Dale Tilbrook (pictured above) leads on-Country cultural experiences in bush tucker, art and spirituality. The bushfood experience is more than just ingredients: you'll learn about the six seasons of nature plus the unique qualities and medicinal properties of native fruits, seeds, nuts and herbs — like quandong, sandalwood nuts and greens foraged from the coast nearby. Touch and sniff the fresh produce from the onsite garden and taste fresh bushtucker dishes. Warrang-Bridil — meaning 'enlighten to acknowledge' in the Nyoongar language — is the tour business helmed by Mervyn (Nick) Abraham. With connections to the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong, Wilmen, Wardandi and Binjerup peoples, he aims to close gaps in Australia's knowledge of First Nations culture and bring people closer to the Nyoongar way of life. On a 60-minute walking tour through the traditional country along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), you'll learn about pre-colonial ways of living, traditional language and present-day cultural survival. [caption id="attachment_893733" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] CLIMB HIGH ABOVE THE CITY See the Swan River differently — perhaps from 72 metres above? Matagarup Zip+Climb is not for the faint of heart, but well worth the effort of scaling a bridge. Yep, it's a proper climb up Matagarup Bridge to reach the Skyview platform. Not just steps and ladder — climbing gear, grappling, shimmying, the whole shebang. Reach Skyview for, well, a true sky view looking out over the sprawling expanse of Perth and the shimmering river through the glass floor below. All that before jumping on a 400-metre-long zipline that can see you reach speeds of up to 75 kilometres per hour. Epic. The full experience takes two hours and includes free pics of your adventure. There are three ways to complete the climb: Zip and Climb (you climb 314 steps up to the 72m high SkyView glass viewing platform and then zipline back to the start from the 35m high zipline launch and viewing platform), Express Zip (you climb 150 steps up to the 35m zipline launch and viewing platform and zip back), or the Bridge Climb where you forget the zipline and climb. up to the 72m SkyView glass platform and walk down the other side (and watch as others speed down the zipline). Want an extra challenge? Go by night instead and climb through the darkness. [caption id="attachment_893727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] HEAD TO THE BEACH Perth's beaches are legendary, some of Australia's most pristine. Check out the white sands and clear blue waters of Cottesloe — or 'Cott', as it's known — just a 15-minute drive from the city. Spend the whole day swimming and snorkelling, taking pine-shaded walks and stopping in at cafes along the strip for coffee and brunch (or for an evening bev at a stellar bar or restaurant). If you're out Fremantle way, visit Bathers Beach in the West End. It's a gentle little protected swimming bay perfect for a day of relaxation — and the on-sand cocktail service from Bathers Beach House definitely adds to that. Leighton Beach is famous for its dog-friendly north side if you find yourself with a pup in tow. Here, you can snorkel or kitesurf the glassy waves, or hang out with a picnic. Fifteen minutes from Perth's streets you'll find City Beach, which owes its calm, idyllic waters to the fact that it's sheltered by two purpose-built groynes. Play volleyball, splash around, hit the beachside restaurants then watch the sun go down over the glistening sea. STAY SOMEWHERE LUSH A stay at QT Perth (pictured above) offers a boutique, designer base for your getaway that's perfect for those who love to travel in style. Luxe design features, elegant furnishings, warm tones and plush fabrics, all with a sleek mid-century aesthetic. For another gorgeous view, head to the Rooftop Bar to gaze over the city, cocktail in hand. For something with a bit more history, stay in the limestone cottages of Warders Hotel. As the name suggests, these were built in 1851 for prison warders. Now, they're the epitome of cottage comfort, with a modern minimalist fit-out and rustic original timbers. It's also smack bang in Freo's cultural district — just moments to all the galleries, cafes and bars you could want. Or, you could head to Gimlet — the spot's bar, or the courtyard of Emily Taylor — the onsite restaurant. If you'd rather be in wine country, and only half an hour from the city, The Colony is the luxury accommodation overlooking the 19th century vines of Mandoon Estate. Staying right near the cellar door, you'll find it easy to live the good life. Whichever part of Western Australia beckons you over, Concrete Playground Trips is the ideal place to start planning. Ready to go? Head to the website. Top images: Tourism Western Australia, Little Salmon Bay; QT Perth; Duncan Wright, Teeter Bakery; Tourism Western Australia, Quokka; Tourism Western Australia, Fremantle Prison (fifth, last); Tourism Western Australia, Perth Wildlife Encounters.
Two hefty names in 80s and 90s music. One massive visit to Australia and New Zealand. Pearl Jam have finally announced new Down Under gigs, as a leg on their Dark Matter tour to support their next album, and they'll have huge company thanks to Pixies. Eddie Vedder and Black Francis taking to the same stage? That'll make you feel alive and ask "where is my mind?". The Seattle-born Pearl Jam are the headliners, and about time; this is the band's first visit Australia and Aotearoa since 2014, on a tour that included the final-ever Big Day Out. They've been dropping clues for a while that they were heading this way again, complete with hints at Bondi Beach since the past weekend. Now, they've locked shows in Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney and on the Gold Coast. [caption id="attachment_940844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Cinch[/caption] Dark Matter, the band's 12th album, will release in April — which gives fans plenty of time to know it by heart before the group play Go Media, Heritage Bank, Marvel and Giants stadiums in November. The record's title track is a brand-new tune, just dropping on Tuesday, February 12. Live, that song and others from Dark Matter will feature on a setlist that's sure to span past hits 'Alive', 'Black', 'Jeremy', 'Better Man', 'Last Kiss' and 'Daughter' from previous albums such as the iconic Ten, Vs and Vitalogy from the early 90s, plus No Code, Yield and more since. [caption id="attachment_940849" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wp72 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Pixies, who were last Down Under in 2022, are responsible for a helluva one-two punch with their first two albums: 1988's Surfer Rosa and 1989's Doolittle. The first gave the world the track that's been linked with Tyler Durden courtesy of David Fincher's Fight Club since 1999, aka 'Where Is My Mind?', as well as 'Gigantic' and 'Cactus'. The second is home to 'Here Comes Your Man', 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', 'Debaser' and 'Wave of Mutilation'. Foo Fighters, blink-182, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D, now Pearl Jam and Pixies: it's been a great time of late for big rock tours in this neck of the woods. Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour 2024 with with Special Guests Pixies — Australia and New Zealand Dates Friday, November 8 – Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland Wednesday, November 13 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Saturday, November 16 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Thursday, November 21 — Giants Stadium, Sydney Pearl Jam and Pixies are touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2024, with ticket registrations from Wednesday, February 14–Sunday, February 18 and ticket sales from Friday, February 23 — head to the Pearl Jam website for further details. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
One of the most spectacular must-sees on any Tokyo trip will soon be back on every tourist's itinerary: digital-only art gallery teamLab Borderless. When it opened in 2018, the stunning spot instantly became one of Japan's top destinations. Since mid-2022, however, the venue has been closed while it shifted to a new site. Thankfully, wandering through its dazzling array of artworks is about to become a reality again from January 2024. Breathtaking, kaleidoscopic, glorious, delightful, worth a trip to Tokyo all by itself: all of those descriptions apply to teamLab Borderless, which became the most-visited single-artist museum in the world during its first year of operation. Expect all those gushing terms to flow again when it reopens at Azabudai Hills in central Tokyo, relocating from its past Odaiba base. [caption id="attachment_912403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] teamLab, Sea of Clouds © teamLab[/caption] First, the bad news: to get there, you'll no longer be crossing over Tokyo's gorgeous Rainbow Bridge. That's the only negative aspect of move, however. Among the excellent news, the new teamLab Borderless will feature both evolved and brand-new artworks. So, even if you've been before at its old digs, you won't just be seeing the same things — even though they're definitely worth enjoying more than once. [caption id="attachment_912401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] teamLab, Microcosmoses (tentative title) © teamLab[/caption] If you were lucky enough to mosey around the OG spot before the pandemic, you'll know that the Borderless experience involves vibrant, constantly moving, always-changing interactive digital art keeps that keeps glowing and rearranging before your eyes. As the name makes plain, nothing is fixed or static here. Pieces move from one space to the next, and interact with other works. Sometimes, several different projections and installations mingle together. For attendees, peering at the end results isn't merely a passive experience, with the venue encouraging patrons to "wander, explore and discover". While the full list of works that'll feature at teamLab Borderless 2.0 hasn't yet been revealed, the pieces announced so far include the jaw-dropping Light Sculpture series — which cycles through an array of light formations and colours — as well as an eye-catching mirrored infinity room-style space that's tentatively been titled Microcosmoses. teamLab might be best-known for its Tokyo site, but it doesn't only operate in Japan. A second teamLab Borderless has already been open in Shanghai since 2019, and others are slated for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Hamburg in Germany — the former without an exact opening date, the latter slated to launch in 2025. The organisation also operates a different museum in Macao, and has its first teamLab Phenomena on the way for the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, again targeting a 2024 launch. The list goes on, with teamLab's works a drawcard wherever they pop up. [caption id="attachment_868130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Azabudai Hills, Tokyo © teamLab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_912400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birth © teamLab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_912402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] teamLab, Microcosmoses (tentative title) © teamLab[/caption] teamLab Borderless Tokyo: MORI Building Digital Art Museum will reopen at its new location at Azabudai Hills, Garden Plaza B B1F, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo sometime in January 2024 — for more information, visit the museum's website. Top teamLab, Universe of Water Particles, Transcending Boundaries; teamLab, Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together © teamLab.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your text trip. In this instalment, we take you to Wollemi Wilderness Cabins in the Blue Mountains, where Lionel Buckett has constructed the Secret Treehouse overlooking two National Parks and a World Heritage listed rainforest. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? You'll spend a few nights in your own uniquely designed treehouse looking out over 600 acres of Australian wilderness. It's escapism on stilts. THE ROOMS The private treetop cabin comes with the lot. You have a kitchenette, Queen bed, fireplace and floor to ceiling windows looking out over the Blue Mountains. But our favourite feature has to be the in-floor spa bath. It sits in the corner of the treehouse and has retractable doors all around it so you can decide to either let nature in, or just look out at it from the warmth of your room. We could spend the whole day getting pruney in here. But they only have one treehouse, which fits two guests – and it's pretty damn popular. If you can't book the treehouse, don't be scared off. These guys do have other accommodations on site. They have a few large wooden cabins (and a tipi accommodation) with impressive views over the surrounding area. They aren't adult-sized treehouses, but they are still great for nature lovers. FOOD AND DRINK The treehouse is set up with its own little kitchen so you can be fully self-sustained here. BYO groceries and booze, and cook up a storm. But, we get it, sometimes you just want to be taken care of by someone else when you're on holiday. That's when Caroline comes in. Caroline is a local who runs her own catering company called Come by Chance. All you need to do is ask the accommodation's hosts for some brekkie or dinner — and they'll get Caroline on the case and she'll cook and deliver great meals to your room. Expect a classic chicken parma, tea and scones, or a full English breakfast spread. THE LOCAL AREA Come here to marvel at some classic Aussie bush landscapes. All the cabins are located within Wollemi National Park, which is the largest wilderness area in NSW. Forming part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area - Wollemi is made up of a consort of canyons, cliffs, watering holes and undisturbed forest. And it's only an hour drive from Sydney. Winner! THE EXTRAS But you don't have to spend your whole visit up in the treehouse. There are stacks of things to do around here. First off, there are hikes galore, of course. The hosts will direct you to the nearby trails where you can also go mountain biking, or to the nearby river for canoeing. Pampering is also big here — although it's done in true Aussie fashion. They have a few of their own hot mud baths available. Sit in an old tub, surrounded by bushlands, and let the in-house therapist guide you through a relaxing, muddy ritual. It's great for your skin, plus its loads of fun. You're already in a treehouse, so why not embrace your inner child even more with this experience? Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world. Images by Jochen Spencer
2020 is already shaping up to be a great year for Studio Ghibli fans, with the Japanese animation house confirming it's working on two new films this year. But, if you need something to tide you over until those undoubtedly gorgeous new movies are released — your Netflix queue will have the answer from February 1. In a huge deal that marks the first time Studio Ghibli's films will be available to stream in most of the world, Netflix has acquired the streaming rights for the bulk of the company's back catalogue — for almost the entire planet, including Australia and New Zealand. The arrangement covers 21 films, which means that every solely Studio Ghibli-produced animated feature except Grave of the Fireflies will hit the platform. Made-for-TV movie Ocean Waves will also be available to stream as well. So, getting spirited away, spending time with Totoro and chasing a moving castle will be as easy as clicking a few buttons whenever you feel like it. Netflix is making Ghibli's films available in three batches, with seven different movies joining the platform on February 1, then seven more on March 1 and the last seven on April 1 — so you can spread out your viewing. In February, prepare to feast your eyes on everything from Castle in the Sky to Kiki's Delivery Service, plus My Neighbour Totoro, Only Yesterday, Porco Rosso, Ocean Waves and Tales from Earthsea, too. Come March, heavy hitters Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away will join the lineup, as well as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbors the Yamadas, The Cat Returns, Arrietty and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. Then, in April, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo lead the charge, alongside Pom Poko, Whisper of the Heart, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises and When Marnie Was There. Working your way through all of the above, you'll obviously delight in the talents of the great Hayao Miyazaki — however, films by fellow Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, Miyazaki's son Gorō Miyazaki, and other directors Yoshifumi Kondō, Hiroyuki Morita and Hiromasa Yonebayashi are also on the bill. Until Ghibli's titles start hitting the streaming platform, feast your eyes on the delightful trailer for Howl's Moving Castle below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwROgK94zcM Netflix will start streaming Studio Ghibli films in Australia and New Zealand from February 1, with further titles available on March 1 and April 1. Top image: My Neighbor Totoro
When the first season of Deadloch came to an end, it set the scene for all that anyone who'd been watching wanted: more of the ace — and very amusing — series from Australian comedy queens Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. It's taken a year, but now that dream has finally been locked in. Prime Video has announced that season two of the AACTA-winning show is on the way, taking the action to the Northern Territory. This time, when the mystery-comedy shifts from Tasmania to the Top End, there'll be six episodes rather than eight. Still, any new Deadloch is better than none, especially after it proved one of the best new TV arrivals of 2023. Subverting the usual crime-drama setup with more than just laughs, the series' first season began with a sleepy small town, a body on a beach, a local detective trying to solve the case and an outsider dropping in to lend their expertise — and then transformed that very familiar scenario into both a satire and a statement. "We are so excited to head to the Top End for a sticky, sweaty and filthy season two," said McCartney and McLennan, who created, write and executive produce the series. "Both of us are thrilled to be teaming up again with comedy angels Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama and Alicia Gardiner, and we can't wait to work with a new bunch of cast members and some massive fucking crocodiles." As The Kates mentioned, Box (Boy Swallows Universe) will return as local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins, as well as Sami (Our Flag Means Death) as Darwin-based senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe — plus Oyama (Utopia) as junior constable Abby Matsuda and Gardiner (The Clearing) as Dulcie's wife Cath York. The story this time will follow Dulcie and Eddie looking into the death of Bushy, the latter's former policing partner. While they're in the NT digging around, a couple of bodies are found, sparking a new investigation. McCartney and McLennan are writing the new season again, and also back executive producing, while Beck Cole (High Country) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) will return as directors. There's no word yet when Deadloch season two will hit streaming queues, but filming will start in the Northern Territory later in 2024. There's no trailer yet for season two, obviously, but check out the trailer for Deadloch season one below: Deadloch streams via Prime Video, with no release date announced as yet for season two. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. Deadloch images: Bradley Patrick / Prime-Video.
Do you have a book that's gone neglected, gathering dust in a bedside drawer or on a coffee table? Bring it out of literary hibernation thanks to Reading Party Melbourne — a rare chance to mix some quality reading time with a night out on the town. The event will be hosted at Mr Mills for one night only this December. Descend the chartreuse spiral staircase to the perfect alcove to tear through a couple of chapters — a moody bar replete with warm timber, plush booths and little lamps. Order snacks like olives, almonds and even a charcuterie plate with guindillas and manchego, and you've got the perfect setup for a reading sesh. Starting at 6pm, you'll get to enjoy some silent reading time with your fellow attendees (no awkward icebreakers or aloud reading needed) before it's books down to and time to get your mingle on. It's not so much a book club, but an excuse to enjoy your page-turner of the moment somewhere other than your usual reading spots. No pre-reading, no homework, no worries. Of course, the books are right there to get the conversation started. Swap recommendations, or break down the events so far, if someone happens to be reading the same volume as you. Your ticket includes a beer or a glass from Mr Mill's wine list. Tickets come in at $23 and you can be in bed by 9. What's not to love? Find out more and get your tickets via the website. Images: Supplied
Consider this a case of better late than never: if you've been hanging out to discover if there's more Yellowjackets in your viewing future, that question has now been revealed. After the show's third season wrapped up in mid-April 2025, it has taken over a month to confirm that a fourth is in the works. The survival thriller's characters know more than a thing or two about waiting in both of its timelines — so consider this a case of standing in their shoes for a short stint, too. There's no word yet as to when Yellowjackets will be back, or even when production on season four will start. Season one debuted in 2021 and became one of the best new shows of that year, then season two arrived in 2023 and season three this February. Whether there's a two-year wait as in the past between seasons, or either less or more, getting to find out what happens after season three's cliffhanger is obviously an excellent development. The renewal comes after Yellowjackets' third season became its most-watched ever — and after season three's finale proved the most-streamed Yellowjackets episode in the show's history. As created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Dispatches From Elsewhere), the series serves up the answer to a compelling question: if a plane transporting a New Jersey high school's girls' soccer team across America was to crash en route, how would its surviving passengers cope both at the time while lost in the wilderness and also a quarter of a century later back in their everyday lives? Accordingly, in its 90s-set scenes, Yellowjackets' teenagers do whatever it takes to endure. Hop to the 2020s era and the women that made it home aren't done with their trauma yet. Battling the elements, cannibalism, haunting secrets, shifting power dynamics, embracing the otherworldly, romantic tangles, fighting over whether being saved is even the best outcome: they're just some of the places that Yellowjackets has gone across its three seasons to date. Bringing that journey to life so far, the show's cast has spanned Melanie Lynskey (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Christina Ricci (Wednesday), Tawny Cypress (Law & Order), Juliette Lewis (Opus), Simone Kessell (Critical Incident), Lauren Ambrose (Caddo Lake), Hilary Swank (Ordinary Angels), Sophie Nélisse ( L'Indétectable), Sophie Thatcher (Companion), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Dreams in Nightmares), Samantha Hanratty (Brilliant Minds), Courtney Eaton (Parachute), Liv Hewson (For Worse), Ella Purnell (Sweetpea), Sarah Desjardins (Dead Boy Detectives), Warren Kole (A Wonderful Way with Dragons), Kevin Alves (No Good Deed), Steven Krueger (Roswell, New Mexico), Joel McHale (Animal Control), Elijah Wood (The Monkey) and more. After it debuted, Yellowjackets was swiftly picked up for a second season because its first was that ace, then renewed for a third season before that second group of episodes even aired. In Australia, viewers can watch via Paramount+. In New Zealand, the series streams via Neon. There's obviously no sneak peek yet at season four, but check out the trailer for Yellowjackets season three below: Yellowjackets streams via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — we'll update you with a release date for season four when one is announced. Read our review of season one and review of season two, plus our interviews with Melanie Lynskey and Simone Kessell. Images: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
If Harry Potter movies were still gracing cinemas, exploring the boy who lived's adult life, we're certain he'd be a brunch fan. It's a magical meal, after all. Alas, unless The Cursed Child makes the leap to the big screen, that isn't in our future. But while you're muttering "accio new HP movie" to yourself over and over again, if you're in Sydney or Melbourne, you can enjoy the next best thing. Whether you're still not over Harry or you just wish you'd had the chance to attend Hogwarts because you know you're destined to be in Gryffindor (and to be seeker on the quidditch team, obviously), you'll want to make a date with The Wizard's Brunch. You'll dine in a Great Hall-like space, matching your meal (Pixie Puffs, please) with bottomless butterbeer, 'magic' potions (aka cocktails, we're assuming) and other wizard-themed beverages. And you can bet the menu will include every Potter pun you can think of. The particulars such as the exact date, venue and how many galleons you'll have to spend haven't been revealed as yet, though keen muggles can sign up to The Wizard's Brunch email list for more information. What we do know, however, is that there'll be Harry Potter characters mingling with attendees. Folks in costumes pretending to be Hermione, Dumbledore and others isn't really our idea of a magical HP experience, but perhaps a few firewhiskys — and a spot of quidditch, a couple of sorting ceremonies and wand lessons — will get you in the right mood. The Wizard's Brunch will take place in Sydney and Melbourne later this year. We'll let you know when you can buy tickets, and you can sign up for updates here. UPDATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2018 — The Wizard's Brunch has now sold out two sessions in Sydney. More details around Melbourne are coming soon.
On the list of things that no movie lover likely anticipated, Darren Aronofsky getting into fun crime-thriller mode is right up there. Consider the just-dropped trailer for Caught Stealing a surprise then. Here, the filmmaker behind Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan, Noah, Mother! and The Whale seems to be taking a leaf out of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels- and Snatch-filled book, all with Austin Butler (The Bikeriders) at the flick's centre. For Aronofsky, the Elvis Oscar-nominee plays Hank Thompson, who can no longer play baseball after proving a star in high school — but is fine with being a New York bartender, and with his relationship with Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz, The Studio). Then his punk neighbour Russ (Matt Smith, House of the Dragon) makes a simple request. Being asked to cat-sit shouldn't then spark chaos; however that's where this sneak peek at the film goes. Given the genre, there's soon gangsters after Hank. Avoiding them, trying to work out what's going on and, of course, remaining alive then all become his mission. Among those waving a gun his way: Benito A Martínez Ocasio aka Bad Bunny, giving the music superstar another acting credit (see also: Bullet Train, Cassandro) before he tours to Australia for the first time in 2026. Regina King (Shirley), Liev Schreiber (The Perfect Couple), Vincent D'Onofrio (Daredevil: Born Again), Griffin Dunne (Only Murders in the Building) and Carol Kane (Between the Temples) round out Caught Stealing's cast — as the trailer teases not to the tune of Jane's Addiction's 'Been Caught Stealing', but to The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'. Aronofsky, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Black Swan, is working with a screenplay by Charlie Huston (Gotham) — and the latter literally wrote the book, too, that Caught Stealing adapts. Butler's run of collaborating with top filmmakers continues here, joining Ari Aster (Beau Is Afraid) on fellow upcoming 2025 release Eddington, Baz Luhrmann on Elvis, Jeff Nichols on The Bikeriders, Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two, Quentin Tarantino on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Jim Jarmusch on The Dead Don't Die. Check out the trailer for Caught Stealing below: Caught Stealing opens in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Images: Niko Tavernise.
It's that time again for 2024: time for Australia's Red Centre to glow with other hues, including across ranges dating back 300 million years, thanks to giant puppets and on the ochre earth. Every April, Parrtjima — A Festival in Light returns to the Northern Territory with art, music, talks and an all-round celebration of First Nations culture. This year's event is on now, kicking off on Friday, April 12 and running till Sunday, April 21 — and if you're not there or on your way, this is what you're missing out on. When Arelhe Urrperle strolls along, people take notice. A six-metre-tall puppet that weighs 600 kilograms wandering around draws attention. Seeing it mosey through Alice Springs Desert Park, sharing Arrernte stories and language, is a main attraction at 2024's Parrtjima — A Festival in Light, in fact — and just one of the highlights of this Indigenous arts festival. Erth, which has also brought dinosaurs and sharks to life around the country in the past — and held prehistoric picnics featuring puppets — is behind Arelhe Urrperle. In New South Wales, Marri Dyin, which also reaches six metres in height, has taken a stroll at Vivid Sydney 2018 and 2019, plus at the Nights on Crown Festival in Wollongong in 2019. Arelhe Urrperle is specific to the Red Centre, however, with Erth's puppeteers training local Indigenous performers to operate the roving puppet for Parrtjima's 2024 run. Representing Arelhe matriarchs, Arelhe Urrperle is one of this year's signature installations — and a new addition to Parrtjima for 2024. Fancy feasting your eyes on illuminated cars that form a collage of work celebrating Eastern, Western and Central language groups? Walking through an immersive passageway that pays tribute to late Arrernte leader Dr MK Turner? Thanks to fellow installations Arrernte and Honouring, they're also on the festival's program right now. One of the Northern Territory's annual highlights — and one of its dazzling sights, alongside natural features Uluru, the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon, plus nightly light show Wintjiri Wiru, as well as Bruce Munro's Field of Light and Light Towers — this arts, culture and storytelling event takes place against the MacDonnell Ranges. 2024 marks the ninth Parrtjima, with its lineup focusing on the importance of interconnectedness across First Nations culture for this year. That's partly happening through two things that are always on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. The Ranges Light Show has taken over additional projection space in 2024, while Grounded has become more interactive. Over its opening weekend, the program also included a three-night marketplace for the first time in the fest's history. The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) Buy Blak Market featured both food and other products from local Aboriginal businesses. On the music roster across the entire event, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shellie Morris, Miiesha and Mulga Bore Hard Rock are taking to the stage. Cassar-Daley and Morris are also on the talks lineup, alongside Floyd Doyle and Dr Josie Douglas. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21, 2024, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
For every Australian that was a toddler from the 90s onwards, and their counterparts worldwide as well, heroes wear blue, yellow, red and purple skivvies. Since the early 90s, The Wiggles have been one of the biggest Aussie names in children's entertainment, and one of the country's most-successful global hits. Alongside Bananas in Pyjamas and Bluey, they're part of a trio of homegrown icons in pop culture's early-childhood space, all thanks to the decision by Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Greg Page and Murray Cook to turn their university studies in the area, plus their experience in music — Field and Fatt were part of The Cockroaches, while Page was in Dead Giveaway and Cook in Bang Shang a Lang — into an album for kids. The rest is history, which The Wiggles just keep making. In Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2021, three decades after the group's self-titled debut album, they topped the poll with a cover of Tame Impala's 'Elephant'. Also among the troupe's recent achievements and highlights: appearing at the Mardi Gras parade, playing Falls Festival, earning some love from Lil Nas X and bringing the OGs back together for adults-only shows. Premiering at the first-ever SXSW Sydney, documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles — which is now streaming via Prime Video — has joined their resume as well. Onstage for today's toddlers — plus every batch of preschoolers since 'Get Ready to Wiggle' and 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' first started echoing — The Wiggles serve up business as usual. Whether playing at home or around the world, the Aussie entertainers put on a child-pleasing live show. Other than Field, the folks donning the skivvies have changed, with the troupe becoming bigger, more culturally diverse and championing gender balance. At gigs specifically focused at 90s and 00s kids who are now well past The Wiggles' prime demographic, Field, Fatt, Page and Cook have reformed for reunion tours. As seen in Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles, both types of concerts draw huge crowds. For Field, Fatt, Page and Cook, life has been shaped by wearing bright colours, singing to fans young and older alike, and getting 'Hot Potato' and 'Fruit Salad' lodged in everyone's brains — and lives have been moulded by their efforts in turn. Early-childhood teaching philosophies have always sat at the forefront of The Wiggles, which the OG four attribute to their success. Young devotees who dance along to their tunes then become adults who still think fondly about their first-ever favourite group. Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles clearly has much to cover, then, all within a 104-minute doco that does much more than trade in nostalgia: as directed by Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks and David Stratton: A Cinematic Life filmmaker Sally Aitken, it chronicles how four friends started a phenomenon that's taken them everywhere from small Aussie shows to Madison Square Garden, and sparked a beloved group that shows no signs of stopping. With the movie now delighting audiences, Field, Fatt, Page and Cook spoke to Concrete Playground about all things Wiggles, including reflecting upon their careers via the doco, the whirlwind last few years for the OGs and why they're so beloved. And if you're wondering if Fatt, Page and Cook wear skivvies or their famous colours now, Page bought yellow sneakers just for the film's premiere "to have something yellow in my wardrobe", Fatt says he "definitely avoids the purple" and Cook does "have some skivvies though, but they're black". ON THEIR RESPONSE TO A DOCUMENTARY BEING MADE ABOUT THE WIGGLES Anthony: "This New Zealand company approached us about doing it. So they were filming us for the last couple of years and being with us, and then got all this archival footage, and got fans to send in a whole lot of stuff — and just got all these incredible photos right through our career. We were all a step away from the actual creatives of it, and the storytelling. It was pretty well Sally [Aitken] and Fraser [associate director Fraser Grut] with the guys in New Zealand who put it together. But I was a bit scared to see it. I found it very emotional and beautiful — and sad and happy, all that stuff. A lot of great memories." Murray: "When someone's going to make a documentary about you, you're not involved in the decision-making. There's a bit of trust involved and you just hope that they do the right thing. But once we met the filmmakers, Fraser and Sally, we got to know them a bit, and I felt very trusting that they'd tell the story honestly. You don't want to whitewash — you just want the the truth to be told, I think." Jeff: "And Fraser grew up with The Wiggles. So, he held us in very high esteem." Greg: "I think, too, that because he did, because he was a fan as a child, he got the essence of what the documentary is, and that is showing that connection between us and the children, and that connection that continues on today with the new Wiggles. I think that really sums it up beautifully. And I think the overall tone of the picture is one — can you believe I said picture, like moving picture? — the tone of the documentary is one of joy and happiness. Really, that's what it's about. And I think he's done a great job, and so has Sally." ON REFLECTING ON THEIR CAREERS VIA THE FILM Greg: "It must have been such a challenge to try and cram 30 years into probably 100 minutes or so. But they've done a really good job at capturing those high points and the low points along the way — the milestone moments of The Wiggles. To sit there and watch it back for us, I know personally it was really interesting because living it from the inside, you see it very differently to how other people have seen it. But then to step outside of that now and watch it in a different perspective, it's really quite fascinating." Anthony: "You see little bits on YouTube of things we did 15 years ago, but this was like a line of just what happened. And just at the end of it, I was overwhelmed by it all." Murray: "I thought it was quite moving at at times. There was a lot of joy there, but there were a few tears. It does give you an opportunity to reflect on what it was that we achieved and what we created. I think it's really great for the world to see the people behind The Wiggles — that it's not just four goofballs, although we are that — but that there's theory and philosophy behind it. But also just seeing the journey that we went on together, it was really lovely to be able to see that." Greg: "It's interesting because when people ask us questions like they did in the documentary, they're asking questions that we probably never asked each other. And a lot of things we kind of took for granted that we're on the same page about, or we just felt that we would all feel the same way about, but I think there were some differences — not major differences at all. It's kind of funny, like we never sat around and shared a lot about our own feelings about things. A lot of the time, we were talking about the show, the production that we were going to do, there was a lot of that stuff. So I think for me it was really a chance to hear the other guys' perspective on what The Wiggles was to them." ON REALISING THAT THE WIGGLES WERE BECOMING A PHENOMENON Anthony: "In Australia, we went from birthday parties to playing fundraisers for the Nursing Mothers Association, which was really good. They'd sell the tickets and get a percentage of the tickets, they were fundraisers for them and it was great because, basically, it just was word of mouth. The Wiggles in those days, we weren't on television and we weren't on the radio. But the big step up in America, when I knew that things had changed, was when we went over and the people in customs recognised us — not in a bad way. That's when I went 'things have changed here'. It was because Disney took our TV series and put it on four times a day on their channel. And we became massive in America and Canada, and it was amazing." Murray: "I don't think we thought it would go around the world until we actually spent a bit of time in America. For us in the 2000s, from about 2002 on, America was a fairly big focus because it was very successful there. Once we started doing things like playing Madison Square Garden and doing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, it became a little bit surreal, for me anyway. We'd be sitting on buses going to these cities in America that in a lot of cases we've heard of but never been to, and it was a great adventure but it was also a little bit hard to get your head around." Jeff: "From the early days, for example, when we put out the first video and it really made a connection with our audience — and just little steps like that. We'd quite often play for the Nursing Mothers Association in little halls, and that started getting traction. So the audience was continually building in those regional areas and in the city. So there were these little steps along the way, so it wasn't like a huge leap — it was a very gradual thing for us." Greg: "I think, too, it's interesting that people use words like 'global phenomenon' or 'global empire'. For us, it was never about that. It was just about being able to do something that we loved and do it well. And for that reason, every time we had a little bit of success, it felt like we had achieved so much more than what we ever set out to do. And every step along the way, it just kept building and building. So on reflection, I think that was probably the biggest thing about the doco — to sit back and watch those milestone moments be played back. It's like 'well, god, I can't believe we did that because we never set out to do it' — it was just all these happy bonuses that came along. We've had a a blessed time and I think, I hope, that people take away from the doco the fact that when you do something in life that you really enjoy, if it brings joy to other people and that joy is something that's shared both ways, and if everybody's life can be filled with joy, then it's a really great thing." ON THE WIGGLES' ONGOING SUCCESS Murray: "I think that what made The Wiggles successful in the first place is a few things. One of them is that we had this philosophy that was being child-centred, which is a philosophy from early-childhood education where you put the child first and you think about where they're at in terms of their development. We tried to use that in The Wiggles, I think quite successfully. Also just things like we're pretty genuine about it. We're very genuine about what we're doing and what we're trying to achieve. And the songs are good, I think, and really connect with the audience. What's happened after we moved on is that mostly Anthony's seen to it that those things are intact, that the philosophy's still there, that the way of speaking to the audience is still there, the songs are there. So I think that has carried on through the decades and kept The Wiggles in the forefront." Anthony: "I think the bottom line for us is that we have to entertain, and keep children interested and educate them if we can. We're more about pro-social skills, and I think that we've kept the early-childhood philosophies at the forefront, and we haven't gotten too carried away with too many bells and whistles. When we play a live show, we can go off the script at any time, as opposed to a lot of children's shows that are taped. We can, if a child calls out something, we can go with it. That keeps it interesting for us as well. I think that for all those reasons we still love it. I love it still." ON THE WIGGLES' TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC GROWING UP, BUT REMAINING WIGGLES FANS Greg: "I think for those fans, it's the connection to their childhood, when they were young — hopefully carefree and innocent. It's a time of your life where, if you can connect to that inner child when you're in your 20s or 30s, it's something to celebrate. And if The Wiggles are that connection for people, it's a great channel to be able to play music for them and come to our shows, and it's great for us too, actually." Murray: "Oh it's fantastic." Greg: "Because it connects us to that time of our lives as well, when we were doing something that we absolutely loved doing and very privileged to be a part of so many people's lives in a way where they did embrace us and they still do." Jeff: "And for Australian fans, us topping the Triple J, Hot 100, that certainly boosted things with our older audience now." Anthony: "We get told that it was a positive part of their childhood. And when those shows, when we do those adult shows, we don't change our show at all. I mean, pretty well, we're just the same — in the documentary, Paul Paddick, who plays Captain Feathersword, thought it was going to be a chance to swear on stage. And we said 'no, it's got to be exactly how it was or we're going to ruin what these people think about us'." ON THE HOTTEST 100, LIL NAS X AND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS Anthony: "It's been awesome. I'm still going with The Wiggles, so the eight Wiggles, and I'm loving that we've had Jeff come on stage, Murray come on stage, Greg come on stage with us — and it just proves that we're all part of the Wiggles family. Lil Nas was amazing. He made a couple of fun tweets that he'd like to do a collaboration — I really did think it was tongue in cheek — but we did get to meet him at Falls. Falls Festival was just the best, and hanging out with Australian bands that are in their 20s that grew up with the Wiggles, it's just been great. The Hottest 100 was surreal. And musically, it was great because I got to experience Tame Impala, who I knew nothing about — so it was educational for me." We're ready to wiggle with you! 💛💜💙❤️ — The Wiggles (@TheWiggles) April 27, 2022 Murray: "It's funny that so much of what we've done over the years, like going to America, quite a lot of the things we've done have been uncharted. And we've always had this sense of doing things for the adventure of it — and I think this is again something that we never expected. We never expected the initial success that we had, and we never expected that 30 years later we would be playing for those kids who grew up — and no one ever thought that we'd be on Triple J at all, let alone topping the Hottest 100. So it's just wonderful. It's like some sort of icing on the cake, I guess, that we can still get together and have fun with our audience, but also to spend time with each other, and really go back and do this thing that we loved and this amazing thing we created together. Jeff: "At the time we didn't even know who he [Lil Nas X] was. I was totally out of touch with all. But looking at it now, it's crazy." Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles streams via Prime Video. Read our review.
Learning the ins and outs of wine isn't for everyone — some people simply don't care to know their syrah from their shiraz. But if you're the kind of drinker willing to decode numerous bottles' terroir, vintage and tasting notes to arrive at the perfect choice, Circl's Wine Masterclass Series might be tailor-made for you. On the back of big news — the venue just won the Wine List of the Year award for 2025 — this fortnightly series takes place on Friday evenings from 4–5.30pm, with each event on the schedule exploring different grapes, regions and producers. Plus, guests can expect sharp pairings with artisanal cheeses. Guided by Xavier Vigier, two-time winner of the Judy Hirst Award, awarded to the sommelier who curated Australia's Wine List of the Year, attendees will be learning from one of the best in the business. So, before long, you'll know how to identify standout wines and maybe even impress your pals (just don't overdo it). The next session in the series kicks off on Friday, October 17, with the magical white wines of the Loire Valley. Then, on Friday, October 31, you'll discover ever-diverse chardonnays from all over the globe. Looking ahead, the series wraps with unexpected yet outstanding burgundy varieties on Friday, December 5.
Tucked between the grey high-rises of Queen Street, you'll find Keki Milkbar: a small, considered cafe that's a cosy escape from (the usual) hustle and bustle of the CBD. If you don't see Keki — although, it's hard to miss its moss green exterior — you'll certainly smell it. The space emanates a delicate sweetness not unlike the bakeries and cake shops you'd find in train stations around Japan. But it was Korea where Keki owner Hangyul 'Han' Oh first thought up the cafe. "It was in Ikseon-dong, Seoul, where I first played with the idea of opening up a cafe," Oh tells Concrete Playground. "My business partner Wookjin 'Jin' Jang and I saw a soufflé pancake cafe while travelling around this popular area in Korea, and he had a recipe up his sleeve." Together with Oh's third business partner Jacob Jeon, the well-versed hospitality trio united back in Melbourne and launched Keki. Instead of finding their own space, though — a difficult feat during a pandemic — they started serving takeaway pancakes at CBD cafe Workshop Bros after dark. To make the gravity-defying pancakes — a dish originating in Japan, but now adored all over the globe — the team whips egg whites into pancake mix to create pillowy, airy batter. They're less sweet than traditional pancakes, too, which leaves room for sugar-filled toppings. [caption id="attachment_775896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] "The most important thing is the presentation," says Oh. "Our menu has six flavours and we have tried to make them as good looking as possible. We garnish delicately so every customer see just how jiggly and fluffy the pancake is." Oh's favourite flavours are strawberry ($14) and tiramisu ($14), but other offerings include matcha and red bean ($14), honey-macadamia (made with local honeycomb) and sticky salted caramel ($15) — a popular flavour among regulars. The drinks menu at Keki is almost as impressive as the pancakes. You can choose from orange and lemon, strawberry or mandarin sodas ($5.50), which are made with fresh fruit syrup and fermented for eight hours. They can be served hot, like a tea ($5), too. If you're looking for a milk-based drink, try a matcha, strawberry or chocolate latte ($5–5.50) —served hot or cold — made using a special Keki recipe. Images: Parker Blain
Sitting on level three of the Arbory crew's new HER building, Thai barbecue canteen BKK is celebrating punchy flavours cooked over flame and coal. Up here, a roomy, open-concept kitchen takes centre stage, with exposed brick played against warm orange neon and terracotta floors. Enjoy the kitchen theatrics as you tuck into fire-driven fare centred around BKK's custom-built five-metre Zesti charcoal grill and oven; the offering driven by Executive Chef Nick Bennett and Head Chef Sungeun Mo. From barbecued meats to authentic curries, the menu pulls inspiration from across Thailand, with a few modern reinterpretations in the mix. A strong snacking lineup features the likes of mushroom and glass noodle spring rolls, and oysters finished with coconut cream and nam prik pao (a roasted chilli sauce). There are grilled skewers aplenty, a sweet and crispy stir-fried beef dish, and multiple iterations of the classic laab — including one with barbecued pork jowl and khao khua (ground toasted rice). Meanwhile, a green curry stars jackfruit and green banana, and the tiramisu is reborn using rum, white chocolate and shaved ice. The drinks offering's designed to complement the menu's gutsy flavours and heat, via fresh, interesting wines and tropical-leaning cocktails. Continue your Bangkok adventure with sips like the tequila-infused Lychee Spritz or a charred pineapple margarita. An adaptation of the BKK menu is also available up on the HER Rooftop. [caption id="attachment_842087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Parker Blain[/caption] Images: Parker Blain Appears in: The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
This is it, folks. December—the home run, the final stretch before we close out the year with the silliest of all the seasons. It's full speed ahead to Christmas now, with present shopping and catch-ups taking over our schedules. If you're short on Christmas Eve plans with a family that needs entertaining, look no further than the Christmas Eve Community Day at Studley Park Boathouse. The stunning riverside venue is offering an all-day mix of activities for families with little ones in tow and serving up a menu of reimagined pub favourites. Starting at 2pm, you might hear the voice of a certain Disney princess telling you to let it go. That's right, Elsa herself is roaming the grounds until 3pm. Meanwhile, at 2.45pm, 3.45pm and 4.45pm, you and your kiddos can get crafty in 30 minute sessions and decorate your own star ceramic baubles with provided deco pens, porcelain paints and glitter. From 5.30–7.30pm, a Christmas choir will bring the vibes with carols, and the one and only Santa Claus will take a breather from delivering presents to make an appearance at 6pm. If you're keen to kick on throughout the silly season, Studley Park Boathouse will also be hosting a NYE celebration for the ages. If you can't make it on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, bring the whole fam for more family events in 2025, including a Back to School Circus in January and Dinosaur Day in February. The Christmas Eve Community Day runs on Tuesday, December 24 from 2pm to 7.30pm. For more information or to see more events hosted at Studley Park Boathouse, including on New Year's Eve, visit the website.
Shusai Mijo is a little oasis of luxury on the much-loved Johnston Street strip‚ best known for its underground arts scene, small bars, cheap eats and smattering of local designer shops. Here, it almost seems strange to find a high-end omakase restaurant where you fork out $250 for an extravagant degustation. But it is a sign of the area's gentrification, with plenty of locals now on the hunt for fine-dining haunts. And those folks are in for a real treat. Chef Jun Oya (ex-Warabi) is running the show with Sous Chef Takuro Abe (ex-Warabi) for a different kind of omakase experience than you might be used to. At Shusai Mijo, Oya is championing a Kappo-style omakase, which includes more cooked dishes than you'll find at other Melbourne omakase spots. The menu changes seasonally, mostly depending on what fish is available both from Australia and Japan, but it does tend to follow a particular pattern of courses. A somewhat complex appetiser starts off the proceedings — we had the mixed seafood dish made with pufferfish, scallops, snow crab and tiny firefly squid. There's a lot going on here, but the delicate combination of flavours is handled with a master's touch. This is reflected throughout Oya's menu, where you won't be hit in the face with big flavours, but instead invited to explore a more understated and subtle cooking style, where the top-grade seafood is the champion of each dish. Everything else is but a stellar support act. The second course is a steamed dish, followed by some sashimi, then a deep-fried dish, two separate rounds of sushi, a grilled plate, and finally a dessert. Some of these courses include one large plate of food, while others include a selection of smaller one-bite options. Each is sublime — especially the melt-in-your-mouth wagyu nigiri that's cooked with hot coals right in front of you. When it comes to drinks, Matthew Ng (also ex-Warabi) has curated a tight but truly impressive list of wines and sakes from all over, many of which won't be found anywhere else in Melbourne. Whether you're drinking wine, sake, cocktails or beers, he'll pair them up with whatever creation is being plated up next. The trio of Warabi alums struck out on their own and have created a damn good fine-diner in Fitzroy. If you're in the area and can afford such a luxurious experience, do check to see if they can fit you at the eight-seater omakase bar. You'll find Shusai Mijo at 256 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, open 6–10pm from Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, head to the restaurant's website.
Sweltering through increasingly toasty temperatures, the Earth keeps breaking and matching records — ones the planet doesn't want to continue. After notching up its hottest year in recorded history back in 2016, this spinning rock we call home equalled it in 2020. The past six years are now the hottest six on record, too, while the past decade is also the warmest ever recorded. The news comes via the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which tracks data about the climate now and the past to contemplate the future — not just for Europe, but also for the rest of the world. Compared to the period between 1981–2010, which is commonly used as a reference, 2020 was warmer by 0.6 degrees Celsius. In comparison to pre-industrial times, from 1850–1900 specifically, it was hotter by 1.25 degrees Celsius as well. That mightn't sound like a huge amount, but it made a big difference in some parts of the globe. Europe experienced its hottest year ever recorded, even beating 2016 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. And in the Arctic and Siberia, temps reached more than six degrees higher than average. That meant that Arctic sea ice was significantly lower than average in the second half of the year — the lowest sea ice extent on record in July and October, in fact. Announcing the data for the past year, C3S Director Carlo Buontempo said that "2020 stands out for its exceptional warmth in the Arctic and a record number of tropical storms in the north Atlantic. It is no surprise that the last decade was the warmest on record, and is yet another reminder of the urgency of ambitious emissions reductions to prevent adverse climate impacts in the future." https://twitter.com/CopernicusECMWF/status/1347438880551800832 The unwanted milestone also came about as the northern hemisphere mostly experienced higher than average temperatures for the year, while parts of the southern hemisphere had below average temperatures due to cooler La Niña conditions. C3S also advised that 2020 matches the 2016 record despite the cooling effect of La Niña, while 2016 started with a warming El Niño event. With climate change continuing to show its effects, the news shouldn't come as a surprise. It's still a stark reminder of the current state of the planet, however. Locally, the Bureau of Meteorology has already advised that Australia sweltered through its fourth warmest year on record in 2020, and ended its hottest decade ever as well. For more information about the 2020 data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), head to the C3S website.
Your options for post-work knock-offs just got even better, thanks to Mini Cocktail Aperitivo Hour at Morris House in Melbourne's CBD. If you're looking for an affordable, elevated weekday experience, head to Morris House. Here you'll find something a bit better than a happy hour, where every Thursday and Friday from 4–6pm, you can enjoy five mini cocktails paired with matching snacks. There is also a refreshing non-alcoholic option if you're taking it easy. The best bit? Each pairing is just $12. With prices like these, things are only bound to get better. With a prime rooftop location in the CBD, live DJs taking the stage from 6pm and a range of cocktails and snack offerings, it's almost impossible not to stay a while. Enjoy a Espresso Pronto with a Cherry Ripe Ganache, a Negroni Nano with Stuffed Olives, or opt for a Spicy Watermelon Marg with a chilli con carne taquito, just to name a few. So, whether you're looking for a spot to wind down after work with the team or kick off the weekend early with mates, Mini Cocktail Aperitivo Hour at Morris House is the perfect way to try new flavours, one small bite and sip at a time. For more information on Mini Cocktail Aperitivo Hour at Morris House, visit the website. Terms and conditions apply. 18+ only. For more bars and restaurants around Melbourne, explore more on Concrete Playground. Images: Supplied.
The serenity is obvious as soon as you wander into the Royal Botanic Gardens. Now, a new all-day dining destination reflects this sense of harmony, as The Observatory launches on Thursday, May 1, with a meticulous design and menu that makes the most of its verdant surroundings. Led by The Darling Group — the same team behind Higher Ground, Top Paddock, The Kettle Black and more — expect this latest venture to meet a similarly high standard. Taking over the former home of Jardin Tan, The Observatory features an expanded footprint and opened layout that makes dining even more inviting. With clear glazing on three sides of the venue, these clear panes streamline the venue's connection with the surrounding landscape and the namesake Melbourne Observatory, just a few steps away. This sweeping transformation now accommodates 150 guests indoors, with space for 200 more on the front terrace and courtyard garden, making it a prime spot for after-dark events. This metamorphosis is also seen through the interior design, as the former venue's dark and moody hues are replaced with natural timbers, stones and steels. Bringing a newfound warmth and materiality to the space, subtle architectural details also speak to the Melbourne Observatory's astronomical heritage. Here, polished plaster panels are etched with the parallax method used to measure planetary distance, while terrazzo flooring is speckled with constellation charts. "This part of the Gardens has always felt special — calm, timeless, a bit hidden," says Nick Seoud, Director of Darling Group. "We wanted to create a place that feels connected to the gardens yet stands on its own as a destination," adds Chris Seoud, Creative Director of Darling Group. "The Observatory brings together incredible produce, timeless design and an atmosphere that lets guests slow down and take it all in." Led by Darling Group's Culinary Director Ashly Hicks and Group Executive Chef Chris Mitchell, The Observatory's menu remains grounded, where Mediterranean flavours are shaped with a Melbourne lens. Think generous, seasonal and shareable plates, from refined brunch staples to woodfired pizzas and handmade pasta. For breakfast, try the indulgent Brisket Eggs Benedict with smoked pastrami, rosti, mustard hollandaise and house pickles, or delve into the Barbecue Dory with ajo blanco and cucumber for lunch. Plus, artisan pastries are baked and delivered daily from South Melbourne sister venue, Chéri. To celebrate The Observatory's launch and help you get acquainted with the Royal Botanic Gardens' newest arrival, the team is presenting a series of daily giveaways. On Thursday, May 1, you're invited to pop down for a free coffee, while Friday, May 2, is your chance to sample one of Chéri's signature filled doughnuts for $1. Then, on Saturday, May 3, head along for a dine-in lunch to claim a spritz on the house. The Observatory launches on Thursday, May 1, opening daily from 7am–5pm at Royal Botanic Gardens, 100 Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Images: Julian Lallo.
Fancy a haul of market-fresh produce, but aren't so keen on the hectic crowds that usually go with it? Or maybe you just don't have time to squeeze in full-blown shopping trip? Either way, the Queen Victoria Market has your back – it'll now deliver those fresh veggies, meats and seafood right to your doorstep. The historic Melbourne market is barreling into the modern age and teaming up with online shopping and delivery service YourGrocer to offer a new delivery option. Now, you can ditch the queues and shop a selection of Queen Vic's greengrocers, delicatessens, butchers and fishmongers, with just a few clicks on your phone or computer. Already a diverse spread of market traders have jumped on board — including the likes of The Epicurean, Vic Meat Supply, Gazza's Gourmet Seafood, Rare Organics, Sword Wines and The Bread Box — with an expected total of 25 to be offering their wares via the service in the coming months. And yes, that means cheese, charcuterie and even wine is available to order online and have sent straight to your house. You can register and order by jumping onto the YourGrocer X QVM website, selecting your chosen market goodies and buying them online. YourGrocer then picks up your purchase from the market and delivers it directly to your front door. Place an order before 11am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and you'll even score same-day delivery. Just a heads-up – the service has a minimum spend of $60, so it's not ideal for small orders. You're also looking at a delivery fee of $9.99, though that's a flat cost regardless of how many traders you buy from at once. The charge is waived if you nab yourself a $16.99/month YourGrocer unlimited membership. Queen Victoria Market's online fresh produce shopping and delivery service is available here.
