In 1999, two new releases posed the same question: what would happen if a member of the mafia went to see a psychiatrist about his many woes? The first, The Sopranos, changed TV forever. Indeed, it's the show that many people instantly think of whenever they see HBO's famed logo sequence on the small screen. And it also ensured the comedy movie with the same premise, aka Analyse This, would always be seen as the lesser of the two projects. Focusing on New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), and spanning both his professional and personal lives, The Sopranos is the gangster series that all subsequent gangster series want to be — and the weighty, nuanced, compelling and thoughtful drama that paved the way for everything from Six Feet Under and The Shield to Mad Men. The now-late Gandolfini is an absolute powerhouse in the lead role, imbuing Tony with both volatility and vulnerability, as he's paired perfectly with Edie Falco as his wife Carmela
A mere 50-metres from the hustle and bustle of Brunswick Street, The Rainbow Hotel is home to a massive beer garden, regular live music gigs and a fireplace that roars all day and night during winter. It's been around for 150 years, having received just enough touch-ups to keep it from falling down, but not enough to remove the many layers of charm that comes with The Rainbow. The draught beers, wines and cocktails are all fairly standard here, but the 100-strong bottled beers list is what helps it stand out. Tell the bartenders your preferred brew styles and they'll suggest something new for you to discover. Or you could just stick to your usual Carlton draught and call it a day. Dealer's choice. Expect the pub classics for lunch and dinner but always look out for the weekly specials — as you should be doing at any good Aussie pub. Mondays are for burgers (all going for $18), Wednesdays are steak nights (a 250-gram porterhouse with sides will only set you back $25) and Sundays are all about the classic roast ($27 with all the trimmings).
They've taken us through the streets of Japan with Tokyo Tina, sent our tastebuds tripping across Vietnam with their Hanoi Hannah stable and, most recently, immersed us in modern Chinese flavours at their Balaclava diner Moonhouse. Now, the Commune Group has hit its next global food tour stop with its latest project, Studio Amaro — an Italian bar and eatery based in Windsor. The team has dived into unchartered territory in more ways than one, with this Chapel Street venue being its largest yet. It boasts a 100-seat dining room at ground level, leading down to a DJ-fuelled, subterranean drinking den with space for an extra 60. Open from lunch through dinner and on into late-night revelry, this big corner site celebrates the classic flavours of Italy, with an offering that's bright and lively, yet steeped in simplicity. "Studio Amaro is our interpretation of Italian dining done in a very Melbourne way: communal, casual dining," explains the group's Creative Director Simon Blacher. Along with the eats, the venue's music offering features a diverse lineup of artist residencies who grace the downstairs DJ decks, and plenty of focus is given to the overall sonic experience. Meanwhile, Bergman & Co (La Fantaisie, Poodle, Chancery Lane) have looked after the interiors, delivering a warm, nostalgic setting complete with yellow corduroy banquettes. Find Studio Amaro at 168 Chapel Street, Windsor. It's open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Julia Sansone
Take a must-visit Paris art museum, an acclaimed Victorian gallery, an iconic French painter and one of the world's most influential architects, mix them all together, and Australia's latest huge exhibition is the end result. So is something unsurprisingly stunning: the world premiere of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi at the NGV International in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria's revolving door of blockbuster exhibitions shows no sign of slowing, with this exceptional meeting of creative minds announced earlier in 2023, and now gracing its halls from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. When the temperature dips each year, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series kicks in — and, as created in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, home to the world's largest collection of Bonnard works, this ode to Bonnard and Mahdavi is the current centrepiece. On display: more than 100 pieces by the famed French artist, but seen through a fresh lens. Helping provide that new perspective is scenography by internationally renowned architect and designer Mahdavi, in a major showcase that was originally slated to debut in 2020 before the pandemic did its thing. An icon of late 19th- and early 20th-century art, and a good mate of Henri Matisse, Bonnard is known for his colourful, textural depictions of French life, offering stylised yet subtle glimpses of intimate domestic scenes, urban backdrops and natural landscapes. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi includes a hefty collection of the artist's own paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and other decorative objects, alongside works from his contemporaries — including Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Félix Vallotton and cinematic pioneers the Lumière brothers. Attendees can expect to step through Bonnard's early artistic days in the 1890s, highlighting his focus on Parisian street life; his evolution from there, including when he started focusing on more domestic scenes as inspired by his relationship with his companion Marthe Bonnard; and his love of landscape, especially from 1910 onwards, and as influenced by his fellow pal Claude Monet. Numerous pieces are on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, as well as other museums and private collections in Europe, Australia and the USA. The NGV's own collection also includes significant works, however, including Bonnard's 1900 painting La Sieste (Siesta). Considered one of the world's most influential architects, multi-award-winning Mahdavi has been commissioned to help bring the historic pieces to life via her scenography, tasked with creating a setting that complements Bonnard's signature use of colour and light. The results aren't just spectacular — they're dreamy. "Monsieur Bonnard and I share the same passion: colour," Mahdavi explains of the exhibition. "I love his subjective perception of colour — the way he transforms the intimacy of everyday life into something sublime." "Pierre Bonnard is one of the most captivating artists of the post-impressionist movement. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience his work within a vivid scenography designed by India Mahdavi, one of the world's leading designers working today. Both the artist and the designer are celebrated for their ingenious use of colour, which made them a natural and authentic pairing for this NGV-exclusive exhibition," adds Tony Ellwood AM, the NGV's director. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi runs at the NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. For more information, see the venue's website. Images: Installation view of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi, on display from June 9–October 8, 2023 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Lillie Thompson.
There's a reason conversation is referred to as an art. It's not an exact science, for starters, but when done properly it's something that can organically take on a life of its own — it can be colourful, inspiring, thought-provoking and radical. Whether you're a veritable Caravaggio of conversation or you've not quite nailed your chat game just yet, interesting — and, yes, provocative — conversation prompts can go a long way to you uncovering more about people you think you already might know so well. Inspired by our upcoming event The Slow Lounge in partnership with American Honey, we put out a call to you, our readers, to reveal your favourite conversation starters — and we're delighted to report that you did not disappoint. Sure, not all of these will be appropriate for every situation (who's your favourite Muppet? might not be a solid opener for your future mother-in-law), but here are some of your go-to catalysts for good chat. What makes you happy? Would you rather be a metre taller or a metre shorter? What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? What's been the best part of your day so far? What is a language you love to listen to, even if you don't speak or understand it? Instead of "What's been happening?", ask "What's the most important thing happening in your life right now?" If you could go back and change one decision you've made in your life, what would it be and why? Who's your favourite Muppet? What's the most outrageous thing you've done in your life? What food best describes your personality? What song describes your life to now? Who would you least like to get stuck with in an elevator? What's your favourite cocktail? What has been the best thing about emerging out of COVID-19 hibernation? What are your three favourite vegetables? If you could be a fruit, what fruit would you be and why? What's something about you that people are surprised about when they first hear it? What is something about yourself that you love? What is your fondest live music memory? What is your favourite Arnott's biscuit? What do you want to achieve this year? What's been the best moment of your week? When was the last time you built a Lego set? What was it and what have you done with it since? If you were sent to Antarctica and could only take one person and two objects, who and what would you take? If a squirrel could talk do you think it would have a really high voice or a really low voice? Who would play you in a movie about you? For more inspo on how to create your own golden moments with mates, head to the American Honey website. Top image: Cottonbro (Pexels)
As the accompanying bar to Vue de Monde, it might be all too easy to think of Lui Bar as an afterthought, a mere staging area for the dining room it's connected to. But instead, Lui Bar makes the case for restaurant bars as destinations in their own right. The bar is perched 55 floors above the city in the Rialto — Lui Bar is named, in fact, after Luigi Grollo, whose construction company built the Collins Street tower in the 1980s. It's home to an impressive drinks offering, with cocktails that champion Australian flavours (much like its fine diner sibling). The drinks do more than just feature local ingredients, though: the list is a celebration of Melbourne's cocktail history, with tipples that take inspiration from the city's first cocktail boom during the Gold Rush, right through to today. The venue also takes the concept of drinking snacks to new heights thanks to its Vue de Monde-designed menu, which showcases clever technique as it reimagines classic local bites — think seafood rolls, handmade beef sausage rolls with a spicy ketchup and a chocolate lamington filled with raspberry gel. Add to the mix a standout wine list, incredible views from 236 metres above the city and live jazz on Sundays, and an evening at Lui Bar is no mere afterthought.
Nestled between the business of St Kilda and the big houses of Brighton, Elwood locals enjoy the best of the bayside lifestyle — that is, a seemingly endless coastline, parks, walking trails and a village vibe without being too far from the city. Plus, the area boasts a number of quaint shopping and cafe strips both in Elwood itself and in neighbouring Ripponlea and Elsternwick. We've teamed up with American Express to encourage you to shop small and support local businesses. Below, you'll find nine shops and eateries that are helping make Elwood and its surrounds great. As a bonus, all of these businesses accept your American Express Card, so you can tap away and still get to the beach in time.
Bar Selecta isn't just any old bar. It's a 10-seater, Tokyo-style music listening bar tucked away down a no-name laneway in Hawthorn. Drawing inspiration from Tokyo's famed jazz kissatens and vinyl-listening cafes, Bar Selecta blends audiophile-level sound with expertly crafted drinks that range from small-batch Japanese whiskies, beers and sakes to music-inspired signature cocktails like the Sailor Moon Gimlet and negroni-adjacent Bittersweet FM. Ingeniously, drink specials tie into specific musical genres. Nibbles are either chips or nuts — take your pick — while wine is divided into 'white' and 'red', with two Australian selections in each. Non-alcohol drinkers' options are not to be sneezed at, with the Red Panda Fizz mocktail — Four Pillars non-alcoholic shiraz gin mixed in with pink grapefruit soda — and a coconut soda mocktail called Shyboy with toasted pineapple and yuzu. A team of six are behind Bar Selecta, which includes Michael Tan and Eleena Tan — founders of BrandWorks Studio and the creative minds behind the outfit — Kelvin Low, owner of Elysian Whisky Bar, and former Flower Drum bartender Joey Tai. Customers can look forward to a curated analogue sound experience featuring a rotating roster of the bar's personal vinyl collections on a custom hi-fi system. What's not to love? Images: Heart Media.
Originally built in 1889, the historic significance of the Middle Park Hotel does not go unnoticed. Polished brass bar fittings coupled with moody wood-panelling interiors pay homage to such history, complemented by the gastropubs new Korean-inspired menu. Ultra-fresh seafood is king on the new menu. For a bona fide Korean experience, go for the platter loaded with slow-cooked pork shoulder, oysters, jalapeño pickle, ssamjanj (a spicy paste) and cos ($69). From this, you can build your own ssam, which involves wrapping up the ingredients in a lettuce leaf. If you're a Middle Park steak groupie, fear not. The pub is far from abandoning its meaty side. The revamped menu features five cuts, a 1.5-kilogram dry-aged ribeye platter ($135) and a revamped burger crowded with a house-made wagyu pattie, beetroot, egg, tomato, gruyere and caramelised onion jus ($24). The same goes for the classics, which have been reimagined under Ha's tenure. If you're keen on bangers and mash, give the pork and fennel sausage with plum-infused semi-dried tomatoes, leek and white pepper mash and duck fat gravy ($23) a try. Enjoy such dishes with a beer from one of the Middle Park Hotel's 45 taps.
Got a greasy pizza box that you can't recycle? Hold on to it, as you'll soon have a chance to put it to good use. That's because Pizza Hut is hosting its first-ever nationwide free pizza exchange, taking over stores across the country from 4–7pm on Friday, November 21, and celebrating the launch of their garlic and cheddar golden stuffed crust. Representing the latest evolution in Pizza Hut's ever-popular crust upgrade, this brand-new offering features a generous blend of cheddar cheese combined with signature hot dust garlic seasoning. Making for a golden, crispy finish that adds a whole new element to your slice, expect serious cheese pulls with every bite. With the prospect of free pizza almost impossible to resist, this fun-loving exchange will be up and running in four states. In NSW, head to Pizza Hut Surry Hills and Pizza Hut Waterloo, whereas QLD fans can visit Pizza Hut Forest Lake and Pizza Hut Runaway Bay. Meanwhile, Victorians can visit Pizza Hut South Melbourne, as those in WA are invited to complete the swap at Pizza Hut Morley. "Pizza Hut has always been about fun, flavour and innovation, and we wanted to give Aussies a reason to fall back in love with our crusts," says Pizza Hut Australia's Chief Marketing Officer, Wendy Leung. "The new Golden Stuffed Crust delivers on all three." If you decide to swing by your nearest exchange, the equation is simple. Just hand over a pizza box from any rival brand and walk out with a steaming hot Pizza Hut Golden Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza. Why a rival? Well, the idea is that Pizza Hut is the only place to get the real deal when it comes to stuffed crust pizza that never misses the mark. Says Leung: "The Get Stuffed Free Pizza Exchange brings that spirit to life by giving people the chance to trade in their pizza frustrations for something they'll actually love." The Pizza Hut Get Stuffed Free Pizza Exchange is happening at various store locations around Australia from 4–7pm on Friday, November 21. Head to the website for more information. Images: supplied
After a hefty makeover in 2018, the Bomba space boasts a fresh fit-out, a vermouth-inflected drinks list, and day and night dining menus celebrating the flavours of Spain. The rooftop sports an all-weather retractable roof and a second terrace space with a central copper bar and lots of high tables for a rendezvous with mates once work's done for the day. The drinks list shows lots of love for vermouth, an aperitif that's hitting peak fashionability, with a lineup of drops hailing from Catalonia to the Hunter Valley. A bigger, eight-strong tap list throws its weight behind indie Melbourne breweries, while the wine selection's focused both on organic and small Aussie producers, and lesser-known Spanish gems. Meanwhile, the food situation features a tapas menu of old favourites and new creations, a covetable selection of Spanish cheeses, terrific charcuterie and some stellar mains to pair with all that good Spanish wine. There's a pre-theatre menu if you're pressed for time and a bottomless lunch that features four cocktails and a range of highlights off the snack menu. Images: Peter Tarasiuk, Fiona Hamilton and Visit Victoria.
Finding greatness in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite isn't difficult. The perceptive class-clash and eat-the-rich story, the array of pitch-perfect performances, the acclaimed director's stunning mastery of tone, the insightful and revealing production design: they're all examples in this Oscar- and Cannes-winning South Korean masterpiece. Another instance comes courtesy of composer Jung Jae-il's score, which soundtracks the film with tunes both disquieting and baroque. It's no wonder that accolades came Jung's way, too, including from his homeland's Grand Bell Awards. Hearing Jung's contribution echoing as Parasite screens is the best way to appreciate it, of course — and watching him perform it live in Australia with Orchestra Victoria will dial what's already a spectacular experience up a few notches. For the first time, the composer is heading Down Under, all thanks to 2025's Melbourne International Film Festival. The event's commitment to honouring the art of screen composition via screenings that pair live tunes and movies is continuing, and two Parasite in Concert sessions are set to be among this year's fest highlights. At 2pm and 8pm on Saturday, August 23 at Hamer Hall in the Victorian capital, Jung will take to the keys. He'll also be conducting Orchestra Victoria as he plays. Seeing Parasite on a big screen is already a treat, no matter how many times you've watched it before; however, giving the picture the concert treatment is something extra special. It's only happening in Melbourne, if you're located elsewhere in Australia and needed more motivation — beyond the 26 films the fest has already announced for 2025 — to attend this year's MIFF. Jung isn't just known for Parasite. If you've felt the tension emanating from Squid Game's score across its two seasons so far — with the third arriving before June 2025 is out — then you've also appreciated the composer's efforts. Prior to Parasite, Jung collaborated with Bong on Okja, then did so again afterwards on this year's Mickey 17. The tunes in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Broker hail from him as well, as does the score for MIFF 2025 title Twinless. "Composing the score of Parasite for director Bong Joon Ho was a life-changing experience for me, and it's a work I'm incredibly proud of. I'm so excited to conduct and perform this original score live in concert for the first time in Australia with the talented Orchestra Victoria as part of Melbourne International Film Festival," said Jung about MIFF's Parasite in Concert events. "This isn't just a film with live music, it's something far more rare. To see Jung Jae-il perform and conduct his own score, live, brings an intimacy and immediacy you can't replicate," added Melbourne International Film Festival Artistic Director Al Cossar. "It's exactly the kind of experience that belongs on a festival stage. In collaboration with Orchestra Victoria, we're proud to present something that speaks directly to MIFF's mission to bring audiences the story of the world through unforgettable screen experiences," Cossar continued. Parasite in Concert joins two sessions of almost-100-year-old masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc with a new score by Julia Holter on the music-and-movies side of Melbourne International Film Festival's 2025 program so far. As for what else they'll have for company beyond the already-revealed titles, the fest's full lineup is unveiled on Thursday, July 10. Check out the trailer for Parasite below: Parasite Live in Concert takes place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank — with tickets on sale from 11am on Thursday, June 12, 2025 via the venue website. The 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. For further details, including the full program from Thursday, July 10, visit the MIFF website.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to the luxe Anchorage Port Stephens hotel and spa overlooking the picturesque Nelson Bay. If Anchorage Port Stephens looks like your ideal summer vacay destination then head to Concrete Playground Trips, where you'll find our latest travel deal – including a night's stay at this boutique hotel, an epic buffet breakfast and a couple of complimentary cocktails on arrival. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This Hamptons-style hotel is the pinnacle of luxury waterside accommodation boasting rooms with uninterrupted sea views, a fine dining restaurant and a glamorous spa experience. It's made for out-of-towners who are looking to spoil themselves silly for a weekend away. THE ROOMS Room options abound at Anchorage Port Stephens. The classic Anchorage Room gives you most of the best bits, including a private balcony looking out over the marina and all the essential amenities – king-sized bed, large ensuite bathroom, aircon and your own coffee machine. You can also upgrade your stay by booking the large Family Room, the glam Master Suite or one of the separate lofts with bay windows that perfectly frame the gorgeous views. FOOD AND DRINK When staying here, you've got to dine at one of Anchorage's seafood-focused restaurants — both of which have won multiple hospitality awards. The Galley Kitchen is where you go for sophisticated all-day dining options that include seafood feasts, a special sparkling wine breakfast and a traditional afternoon tea. Either sit inside or dine by the pool terrace. And if you want to truly treat yourself, get dressed up for dinner at The Wild Herring. Locally sourced and sustainably fished seafood is presented in a myriad of inventive ways thanks to Executive Chef Michael Jenkins. The culinary experience is one of sophisticated fine dining, so it's recommended that guests travelling with children don't bring the kids along. [caption id="attachment_885378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Dorevski (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Port Stephens is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney but, once you're there, it feels worlds away. Wander through town to browse the selection of charming boutiques or get in touch with nature by exploring the coastal bushland of Tomaree National Park and the clear blue waters. You'll also find several wineries and breweries in the area, so if you're up for sampling the local goods just head to the Anchorage Port Stephens concierge to organise an exclusive tour. THE EXTRAS If total rejuvenation is what you're after, a trip to the hotel's Spa Luca is on the cards. The spa has treatment rooms for singles and couples where you can experience massages, scrubs, wraps, facials and immersive ritual healings — the menu of treatment options is extensive. You'll also find a lavish whirlpool and steam room alongside a private relaxation room to help you stay in the calm bubble for as long as possible. Head to the Concrete Playground Trips website to book a lavish stay at at Anchorage Port Stephens.
Literally massive news, movie lovers: IMAX is bringing its big-screen experience to Queensland. Australia's number of giant spots to catch a film is expanding to three, with the Gold Coast joining Sydney and Melbourne. Cinephiles will be able to check out the new screen before 2024 is out, with the country's latest IMAX set to open before Christmas and Boxing Day. The Sunshine State has been in this situation before, however. South Bank's Cineplex in Brisbane was previously an IMAX but, while it still has the towering screen in operation, the picture palace hasn't shown the format for more than a decade. Accordingly, Brisbanites are set for a trip down the highway — and tourists to the Gold Coast who are keen on catching a flick during their stay have somewhere huge to hit up. The movie haven to head to: Event Cinemas Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, with an existing auditorium transforming for IMAX, which is being custom-built in. Expect a 1.1:9 aspect ratio screen, with images flickering across it thanks to IMAX 4K laser projection. There's no word yet if, like its counterparts down south, the Gold Coast's IMAX will be one of the biggest cinema screens in the world. IMAX Corporation and hospitality company EVT are aiming for a Thursday, December 19 launch, which means opening with Mufasa: The Lion King — and then showing 2024's Boxing Day slate. On an ongoing basis, film fans can expect to see not just blockbusters, but also concert films, documentaries and live events make the most of IMAX. The Gold Coast will now boast two sizeable ways to get a movie fix, with surround-screen viewing experience ScreenX making its Australian debut at Event Cinemas Robina back in 2023. Three walls, three screens, a 270-degree field of view: that's the maths behind that concept, which uses multi-projection across a screen area measuring 67.7 metres. Also in 2023, after IMAX Sydney reopened at Darling Harbour following a seven-year period where it was demolished and then rebuilt, it was revealed that another IMAX was on its way to Sydney. While it's planned for an existing Event Cinemas location as well, it hasn't come to fruition as yet. "At EVT, our vision has always been to provide experiences that escape the ordinary, and IMAX embodies that ethos. Queenslanders have long desired an IMAX cinema, and we are thrilled to bring this incredible cinematic experience to the Gold Coast," said Daniel McCabe, EVT's General Manager, Cinema Operations Australia. "Australia boasts an exceptionally passionate moviegoing audience and 2024 has already become the highest-grossing year for IMAX in the country since 2016. With audience demand at an all-time high, we couldn't be more excited to bring The IMAX Experience to the Gold Coast," added IMAX Chief Sales Officer Giovanni Dolci. IMAX will open at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Level 1/1571 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach, in the lead up to Christmas 2024 — expected on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Head to the cinema's website for more details. Images: IMAX Queensgate NZ and IMAX Sydney.
Melbourne loves rooftops. There’s something about getting above it all, isn’t there? Looking out across the city and being King or Queen of all you survey. So it really doesn’t get any better when you can start your day in a lofty kind of way with breakfast on a rooftop. Santoni’s rooftop, that is. Santoni first opened as a pizza bar in the heart of Hawthorn in 2007. Run by Peter Koutroulis, and sons Michael and Anthony, they started on the ground level and have since worked their way up after securing the entire three-level Victorian terrace building in 2014. First, they opened a modern Italian restaurant; now, a rooftop terrace. Previously only open for lunch and dinner, Santoni is now serving breakfast. And it’s quite a breakfast. Smashed avocado like you’ve never seen it before, served with cucumber tomato salad, brick pastry-wrapped king prawn, Meredith goats' cheese, pistachio dukkah and sourdough ($24). If you’re feeling in need of a sensory adventure, why not try their macaron, sandwiched with chicken liver parfait and served with an apple gel, caramelised walnuts and a scotch egg? It’s hard to imagine, I know, but it’s true — and the sweet and salty nature of the dish has a lot going for it. You can always stick to the familiarity of muesli, which is served with a twist — it's swathed in a little raspberry jelly and lemon balm ($13.50). Larger appetites can be sated with pork belly with agrodolce (an Italian sweet and sour sauce) or a soft shell crab burger, which has just the right mix of chilli jam and aioli to render it eye-closingly delicious ($16). And don’t forget the breakfast pizza. Sant’Antonio Abate is said to be the patron saint of pizza makers, and Santoni proudly operate under his care. Any hangover would quake in the face of the vegetarian or bacon version of this AM pizza ($19.50). Coffee, including their special cold brew, is supplied by Code Black, and Santoni will be one of the first restaurants to have Pressed Juices on their menu. The glowing bottles will have goodness coursing through your veins before you can even Instagram the panoramic views from the roof. Hawthorn locals have been enjoying Santoni for years — so don’t get left behind. Pick a friend, any friend, and pull them up the stairs to the rooftop. Take the credit for the discovery and reap the goods and the glory.
There's plenty to see and do in and around Daylesford, whether you're up for adventure or just want to spend your whole weekend blissing out. Located in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria's northwest, this cute country township is close enough for you to make an afternoon, a day or a whole afternoon of it. Take your time exploring this lush spot and be sure to pick up some local produce to ferry back home to Melbourne — a tasty reminder of a delightful weekend away. Together with our Victorian road trip partner RACV, we've put together a guide to a perfect weekend in Daylesford. And don't forget — if you're planning on having a drink, make sure there's a designated driver to keep you safe on your travels. [caption id="attachment_581973" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Lake House[/caption] STAY There is truly a plethora of bed and breakfasts here — Daylesford is that sort of place. But if you want something charming in the centre of town you can't go past the Central Springs Inn. Basic but cosy, be sure to request a room with a fireplace to maximise those winter feels. It can't be beaten on location either, with this central spot only a five-minute walk to The Convent Gallery and many other local sights. If you want to treat yourself, then head directly to the Lake House. Check in and take a turn about your tastefully decorated room before heading out to the luxurious spa for a private treetop treatment before dinner. Later, sink into your it's-so-fluffy-I'm-gonna-die bed before drifting off to sleep tucked into what feels like one million thread-count sheets. [caption id="attachment_581981" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, s13n1 via Flickr[/caption] SEE AND DO Kick things off with a walk through the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens. In this Victorian Heritage-registered oasis of calm, you can wander verdant paths lined with towering trees and lush greenery. Once you've had a good ramble, maybe grab a coffee at Wombat Hill House. Afterwards, you can get your art on with a visit to The Convent and its adjoining gardens. Tread the old floorboards and enjoy local and international art displayed in what is arguably one of the prettiest galleries around. Once you've soaked up the culture, head out for a wander around the grounds and admire the range of bronze sculptures seamlessly interspersed with the stunning gardens and native plants. Insert obligatory TLC joke about chasing waterfalls, and then head out to see this one. Right near Daylesford is Trentham Falls, one of the longest single-drop falls in Victoria. Plunging a respectable 32 metres over basalt columns, these falls were forged by volcanoes five million years ago and are now a great spot for a walk and a few pics. [caption id="attachment_581987" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hepburn Bathhouse[/caption] Haven't had enough nature? Good! Head to Lavandula, a special spot just north of Daylesford. Wander the stunning European-style gardens and perhaps take a tour of the original 1850s stone farmhouse. Afterwards, nibble on a lavender scone and enjoy a glass of lavender lemonade for a fragrant sweet treat. After all that exploring you need to take some time for yourself. This is pretty much expected in a region that is perhaps best known for the revitalising mineral waters of the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. Slip into a fluffy robe at the Hepburn Bathhouse and settle in for a day of utter bliss. A popular spot since 1895, it's safe to say that this spa has got the whole relaxation thing down pat. Choose from a range of spa therapies including facials, wraps and scrubs, or simply recline on an underwater spa couch and enjoy a hydro massage like it's something you do every day (we wish). And if you just don't want to leave, you don't have to. The spa offers some luxe accommodation too. [caption id="attachment_581994" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Cliffy's Emporium[/caption] EAT Hungry? You're in the right place. Start the day with a relaxed breakfast at former general store, Cliffy's Emporium, where you can tuck into an excellent brunch menu that showcases celebrates producers and is dotted with a clever selection of international influences — laksa or Turkish eggs, anybody? Larder is also a great option for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and a feast for the eyes, too — the cafe features an proud selection of art by local creatives. After breakfast take a wander through town and stock up on treats for a picnic lunch later on. Choose smallgoods from local salami legends Istra and load up on dips and cheeses while you're at it. And if you're the kind of person who plans your next meal while you're eating your current one, you might also want to start thinking about dinner. For fantastic food and wonderful wine, wedding-venue-favourites Lake House or Sault are your go-to options. [caption id="attachment_581992" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Lake House[/caption] This region boasts some truly magnificent produce, and you'll find it heavily and beautifully on show at Lake House. This celebrated spot under the direction of culinary legend Alla Wolf Tasker AM has been on the radar of Melbourne foodies for years — and it's not hard to see why. Enjoy the elegance of the venue perched on the shores of Lake Daylesford as you settle at your table, perhaps taking a seat at one of the spots against the expansive windows. If you have any restraint then you can try not to fill up on out-of-this-world, crusty fresh-baked sourdough before your main meal arrives. Good luck. Impressive is one word that might spring to mind as you approach Sault, a 100-acre property which comes complete with lake, manicured gardens and lavender fields. The restaurant offers a stunning array of seasonally changing Modern Australian plates that celebrates local produce — the venue is a member of the Daylesford Macedon Produce group — so you can be assured that the food miles are minimal here. [caption id="attachment_581997" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sault[/caption] If you're into classic French farmhouse cooking with a real honest vibe (and who isn't?) then Annie Smithers is your go-to. She's doing amazing things at du Fermier with her ethos of fresh, locally-sourced food. There's no set menu, it's simply Annie crafting an offering each week, which showcases the spoils of her garden and the finest meats and poultry from the region. You have to call to book and lunch runs Friday to Monday each week. But if you're just after a good old pub meal then head for the red-brick charm of The Farmers Arms. Grab a seat at the long wooden bar or one of the tables, order a drink and choose a meal from the selection of well-executed pub classics. Plump for crispy roast pork belly with a house-made apple and cranberry relish, or a juicy porterhouse, or perhaps a warming miso-glazed pumpkin with lemon tahini. [caption id="attachment_581999" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Belvedere Social[/caption] DRINK Passing Clouds is the winery to visit if you want to sample the drops that have turned the heads of sommeliers and wine lovers everywhere. Graeme Leith and Sue Mackinnon, friends and partners in wine, started the winery in 1983 with a humble goal: to create the best wine in the world. And after winning gold at the Melbourne Wine Show with their 1982 shiraz, they didn't look back. Passing Clouds wines are on the lists at Attica and Rockpool, and remain a firm quaffing and cellaring favourite among their loyal fanbase. Enjoy fragrant, cherry-red pinot noir and fine, crisp, citrusy chardonnay at the cellar door before enjoying a relaxed family-style lunch, a three-course feast cooked entirely over a charcoal fire pit. For a nice drink in town, head for a cocktail at The Convent's snazzy Altar Bar, or pair your drink with live entertainment at Palais in Hepburn. [caption id="attachment_582006" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Convent Gallery[/caption] ALRIGHT, LET'S DO THIS Daylesford is 70-minute drive from Melbourne CBD travelling by car and just under an hour from Tullamarine Airport. The Hume, Calder and Western highways, and the Tullamarine Freeway, all lead to the region. V/Line operates several services daily to Daylesford, via train to Woodend, Ballarat or Castlemaine, with a connecting coach service to Daylesford. Road tripping this summer? Make sure you're covered with RACV. Top image: Lake House
If you're Melbourne's NGV International and you've spent the summer filling your walls and halls with fashion by Coco Chanel, how do you follow up come winter? By dedicating your next blockbuster exhibition to Pablo Picasso and the artists, poets and intellectuals he crossed paths with. The iconic Spanish painter, sculptor and printmaker's pieces will sit alongside works by everyone from Salvador Dalí and Henri Matisse to Marie Laurencin and Gertrude Stein at The Picasso Century, which'll take over the St Kilda Road gallery from Friday, June 10. A world-premiere showcase developed exclusively for the NGV by the Centre Pompidou and the Musée national Picasso-Paris, and displaying until Sunday, October 9, The Picasso Century won't skimp on its namesake. From Picasso alone, more than 70 works will be on display. But it'll also surround his pieces with over 100 others from more than 50 of his contemporaries, with the latter sourced from French national collections and the NGV Collection. [caption id="attachment_844954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pablo Picasso. Spanish 1881–1973. Reclining woman (Femme couchée). 19 June 1932, oil on canvas, 38.0 x 46.0 cm, 55.6 x 63.0 cm (framed). Centre Pompidou, Paris, Musée national d'art moderne - Centre de création industrielle. Donated by Louise and Michel Leiris, 1984. © Succession Picasso/Copyright Agency, 2022 Photo © Centre Pompidou, MNAM - CCI/Bertrand Prévost/Dist. RMN - GP.[/caption] That means that art lovers will be able to gaze at 170-plus works of art, and chart Picasso's career via his paintings, sculptures, drawings and ceramics in the process — and also see how it developed through his engagement with his peers. And, when it comes to other talents showcased, the hefty list also covers Guillaume Apollinaire, Georges Braque, Alberto Giacometti, Françoise Gilot, Valentine Hugo, Dora Maar, André Masson and Dorothea Tanning. By placing the artist's pieces in context with the works of others around him, The Picasso Century examines the connections that helped make him who he was, and explores how his creations rippled throughout the world. Accordingly, art by Natalia Goncharova, Julio González, Wifredo Lam, Suzanne Valadon and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva will also feature, all talents who've rarely been exhibited in Australia. And, other artists included span André Breton, Georges Bataille, Aimé Césaire and Alberto Giacometti, as well as Kay Sage, Max Ernst and Giorgio de Chirico — plus Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning as well. [caption id="attachment_844955" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Salvador Dalí. Spanish 1904–89. Invisible sleeping woman, horse, lion (Dormeuse, cheval, lion invisibles). 1930, oil on canvas, 50.2 x 65.2 cm, 74.3 x 89.2 cm (framed). Centre Pompidou, Paris, Musée national d'art moderne – Centre de création industrielle. Gift of the Association Bourdon, 1993 © Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala - Salvador Dali/VEGAP. Copyright Agency, 2022. Photo © Centre Pompidou, MNAM - CCI/Philippe Migeat/Dist. RMN - G.[/caption] Didier Ottinger, a scholar of 20th century painting and Deputy Director of the Musée national d'art moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris, has curated the exhibition, which obviously steps through Picasso's distinct artistic periods: his blue period, cubism and surrealism, for instance. In total, The Picasso Century will explore 15 thematic sections that chart the course of Picasso's seven-decade-plus career. If you're fond of his surrealist period, however, it'll be particularly packed with works from then. As Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, explains, "this exhibition offers visitors an extraordinary insight into the development of modern art and the preeminent figure at its centre, Pablo Picasso. Through more than 170 works of art — including many that have never been seen in Australia — audiences will come to appreciate the many ways in which Picasso influenced — and was influenced by — the artistic community that surrounded him." If it sounds big, that's because it is. And, as French Impressionism was in 2021, The Picasso Century is part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. The Picasso Century will be on display from Friday, June 10–Sunday, October 9, 2022 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the NGV website. Top image: Pablo Picasso. Spanish 1881–1973. Figures by the sea (Figures au bord de la mer). 12 January 1931, oil on canvas, 130.0 x 195.0 cm. Musée national Picasso - Paris. Donated in lieu of tax, 1979. © Succession Picasso/Copyright Agency, 2022. Photo © RMN - Grand Palais (Musée national Picasso - Paris) / Mathieu Rabeau.
Aussies are embracing the no- and low-alcohol movement. When we go out to a bar, bottle shop or even our local supermarket, we are spoiled for choice with options for non-alcoholic wines, beers, mocktails and spirits. One such offering is from premium alcohol-removed winery Edenvale Wines. It has positioned itself as an alternative range of wines for wine lovers if they've decided to go booze-free for whatever reason. We caught up with Edenvale Wines winemaker Aaron Milne to find out how the heck you even get the alcohol out of the wine, and what the future is for the no and low trend. First up, tell us about your background. How did you become involved in the wine world? I started in wine by picking up some work during the holidays working in the cellar door. About 16 or 17 years ago, I took a vintage job with Lindeman's Winery and I really enjoyed it. While I was there, I researched and jumped on a winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University. I was offered to come and work at AVL (Australian Vintage Limited) and they offered to help me with my studies. I did that and I really haven't looked back. It's been hectic! What was it about the wine industry that drew you in? It's just very different. When you're working in a factory or other production facility you do one thing every day, all the time. Whereas with wine, because it's so seasonal, we're doing a different thing at each time of the year and each wine is different and each season is different. So, although you are kind of making the same product every year, there's always something very exciting and challenging about it. So how, and why, did you end up making alcohol-removed wines? It was actually just fate. I was working at AVL and they had a division that had an alcohol-removal facility. They offered me a position to run the place. I was interested in the process, the spinning cone, evaporators, thermo flash extractors and all sorts of different pieces of equipment. Back in those days, there was some scepticism about the concept — "Who is actually going for alcohol-removed wines?" — and then suddenly it just turned around. People became really keen on it and it just grew and grew. AVL is where I met Michael Bright, he was our biggest customer and really championed the alcohol-removed wine category with Edenvale. I worked closely with him to improve and develop products and processes. When Michael asked if I wanted to join Edenvale and help them build a brand-new processing plant, I jumped at the opportunity. Can you bring me through the process of actually making alcohol-removed wines? The basic winemaking process is the same. We harvest the fruit, remove the stems and leaves and then crush the fruit to get all the juice, then add yeast and ferment it. Once fermented, it is clarified to remove impurities and put through cold and heat stabilisation to prevent spoilage. There are other potential steps like ageing in oak barrels and so on. But essentially, you get it to the bottle-ready stage and then we start the process to remove the alcohol. The standard method is with a spinning cone that uses vacuum distillation. This puts wine under a vacuum to reduce the pressure and lower the boiling point of alcohol. Before this method, winemakers would just boil the alcohol out of the wine — cooking out all of the flavours. Now we're able to remove the alcohol at quite low temperatures down around the 30–40-degree range. This first round is called the 'de aroma step' because the alcohol that is removed also includes all the aromas of the wine. We hold the alcohol and aromas to one side and pass the wine through again more slowly to get rid of the rest of the alcohol. What's left is a quite harsh, severe wine that's been concentrated as well. It's honestly undrinkable. So then we restore balance. Alcohol is very sweet. So when you remove the alcohol, you remove a lot of sweetness. We normally put in some grape juice concentrate to replace that. When it's ready, we return a small portion of that aroma that we took out back into the wine — but only a little bit at a time as there's alcohol in the aromas. We're not adding artificial flavours and trying to blend artificial or natural sorts of flavours to recreate wine. We're taking the original flavor and we're returning it to the wine. So, it's almost like you kind of deconstruct the wine and you reconstruct it again? Yes, we essentially pull it apart, get the alcohol out and then try and put it back together. And the alcohol by-product doesn't go to waste either. We sell it to distilleries for further processing and they sell that on to brandy makers. It makes for a good spirit because we use good quality grapes and wines. What's the biggest challenge you'd face when making alcohol-removed wines? It can be challenging, not just because of the flavour, but also trying to make it not look like watery juice. We also have issues with spoilage. As we've removed the alcohol, we've removed the main preservative that stops it from going bad. We have a really short time frame from when we remove the alcohol to trying to get it into a bottle nice and safe in a sealed environment because it really wants to ferment. With regular wines, you can leave it for months or longer before bottling, but we don't have that luxury with alcohol-removed wines. We need to get everything right in one go. Do you think an average wine drinker would be able to tell the difference between alcohol-removed wines and traditional wines? If you don't prime them and just pour wine at dinner and don't mention it, you might get away with it for an average wine drinker. It'll be much harder to detect that there's no alcohol in a sparkling wine than in aromatic whites. We find that sparkling wines are the easiest to make as the bubbles help to fill the palate and lift the flavour so you don't notice the missing alcohol quite so much. Then the next is probably our aromatic white like sauv blanc and riesling because they are fresh and fruity. Then more complex heavier whites like chardonnay. It gets a little bit easier to tell with reds. When we pull that aroma out, what's left is an extremely floral red berry flavour, not the expected complex notes and then there are the tannins. I was going to ask, do you lose any of that tannin structure? No, it actually comes forward really aggressively. The sweetness and mouthfeel of alcohol tend to help soften those tannins. When you take that away, the tannins become really quite harsh. That's why the alcohol-removed wines have grape juice concentrate in them to replace that alcohol sweetness and also to make those tannins a lot less harsh and more drinkable. Our GSM from Fleurieu Peninsula is a more serious de-alcoholised red that stacks up. We've done our best to dry up that wine as much as possible. How would you go about pairing Edenvale Wines? The wines pair excellently with food. You can even cook with them — there's no alcohol to cook off. I would say to pair seafood with our sem sauvignon blanc, canapes with our sparkling and for a big rich fatty steak I'd probably go with our sparkling shiraz. It might seem like an odd choice but it's got a big body and mouthfeel that would help to balance out a nice big steak. Do you see a point in the future where traditional wine is a competitor to your wines? I think right now it's different enough that people are choosing us specifically because we have no alcohol. If it gets to a stage where they're deciding whether or not they feel like alcohol and we're a good alternative, that would be a good place to be. But it's great that punters have the choice now between a mocktail, zero-alcohol beer and zero-alcohol wine. And why do you think there has been such a trend towards non-alcoholic beverages of all kinds? There's definitely an underlying trend in younger people to drink less alcohol and a growing health awareness around the consumption of alcohol. Speaking from my own point of view, if I get a hangover before a weekend when I have plans, that then makes me feel like I've wasted my entire weekend. With these wines, we retain all the good things about the drink, all the good extracts from the grape, just no alcohol. What do you think would be the future for Edenvale Wines and alcohol-removed wines in general? I think right now the focus on this side of the wine world is fantastic. There's a lot more energy in the industry. We're getting a lot more funding into research and I think we may see new developments and new technology to make the process even better. Edenvale Wines is a premium range of alcohol-removed wines that are available to purchase directly from the website or at most major supermarkets and liquor retailers.
The team behind South American restaurants San Telmo, Pastuso, Palermo and Asado has switched continents entirely for its latest venture: Robata Japanese Grill. A playful, minimalist space with futuristic elements and neon lights aplenty, the restaurant takes its cues from the streets of Tokyo. It's embracing the art of charcoal grilling as enthusiastically as the rest of its stable, though with Japanese techniques and traditions at the forefront, and a custom-built robatayaki grill taking centre-stage in the kitchen. An izakaya-style menu by former San Telmo Head Chef Stephen Clark is headlined by a slew of yakitori and kushiyaki skewers, cooked over charcoal. Choose from the likes of chicken meatballs with cured yolk and tare sauce ($9), miso-marinated pork belly ($10), and scallops dressed in sweet soy with tobiko ($9). Other snacks run to the likes of various sashimi and a wagyu flank tataki ($25), while bigger bites might include a chargrilled pork cutlet with black sesame glaze and wasabi leaf ($40), and duck matched with salted plum sauce and pickled sansho pepper ($44). Add a side of brussels sprouts elevated with tuna flakes and goma dare (sesame sauce) ($14), and try the miso caramel apple mille-feuille ($14) for dessert. An expertly curated drinks lineup stars an abundance of top-notch drops, ranging from Coedo craft brews to bottles of local chardonnay. The bar's pouring a strong spread of imported sake and Japanese whisky, while cocktails include the likes of an umeshu and yuzu negroni ($22), and the sake and hojicha tea highball ($16). Updated Friday, September 9, 2022. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Since Melbourne's earliest days, St Kilda is somewhere people have flocked to for a day of leisure or a night out. And for good reason — as you won't find anything like Luna Park, St Kilda Beach and the sea baths anywhere else in the city. While the suburb is not quite the same bohemian wonderland it was known as in the 60s and 70s, you'll still find a host of trendy restaurants, cafes, fashion boutiques and live music venues that continue on its tradition as one of Melbourne's liveliest areas. Highlighting many of St Kilda's greatest independent businesses, we've teamed up with American Express to give you a handy destination guide for when you next head to Melbourne's busiest coastal suburb and want to shop small. Come armed with your American Express Card and get ready to come away with not only sand between your toes, but some St Kilda souvenirs, too.
Picnic season is upon us, so it's time to amp up your gear-game for the inevitable days spent feasting on foil-wrapped sandwiches and plastic cups of chilled wine. When shopping for picnic gear, you need to consider all the practical stuff like transportability, usefulness (don't forget a bin bag!) and practicality (can it get wet?). But it's also nice if it looks great. We've combined all those things into the following list for our picks of picnic must-haves. And every inclusion on this list is Australian-designed or made because we love to keep it local. SPEAKERS THAT DOUBLE AS ESKYS One of the only downsides to spending a day in the sun picnicking is the mandatory lugging of cooler boxes, picnic baskets, speakers and food from the car to the designated picnic spot. So, whenever possible, try find picnic gear that can do two things at once. Like this pretty and pink two-in-one cooler and speaker from Sunnylife for $199. It has a 15 litre capacity so it fits 16 cans with ice. It also has bluetooth, radio, connects to AUX and USB. If you're after something a little larger and don't require the most aesthetically pleasing cooler-box-speaker-hybrid at the beach, here's another one from Super Cheap Auto that holds 55 litres and will only set you back $60. [caption id="attachment_827827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Annika Kafacaloudis for Hattie Molloy X Curio Practice [/caption] WARM BLANKETS FOR SUNSET PICNICS Need something to wrap yourself in when the sun goes down and the spritzes aren't warming you up enough? Curio Practice is a female-owned small business making checkered and patterned blankets from the finest Australian Merino wool and made locally in Victoria. Curio Practice's blankets are of impeccable quality and beautifully made, plus, when winter rolls around the picnic baskets go into storage, they look pretty draped over lounge chairs or folded on the end of your bed. Win-win. MINI CUT-OUT TABLES FOR NO-SPILLS If you're on the clumsy side or have a penchant for sinking one too many rosés on the grass with your pals, Etsy store Noosh and Noo sells picnic tables with clever cut-out glass holders so your drink won't get knocked over and your cheese stays free of ants. The tables are handmade out of bamboo so they're light and durable, and you can have your name, initials or a symbol engraved. They're $100 and are made to order in Australia. Or, if you picnic in larger groups, Indi Tribe Collective has portable picnic tables with up to eight wine glass holes and two wine bottle holders for $259.95. PATTERNED RUGS FOR A VINTAGE VIBE Arguably the most important piece of picnic equipment is a durable but fun waterproof rug you can plonk yourself and your food on. Etsy store BreezeBoutique has loads of different colours and checks to chose from, with two size options ranging from around $89-$99. These blankets are made from acrylic and have little PU leather handles for easy travelling. If you want traditional tartan made with natural materials, Waverley Mills is Australia's oldest working textile mill and makes some of the finest Australian Merino wool picnic blankets around. They're crafted in Tassie, made to last and range from $229-$299. BEACH CHAIRS FOR THE PICNIC ELITE If you really want to take your picnic to the next level, purchasing portable fold-out chairs might be on your agenda. If you're after a stylish but comfy chair, Sunday Supply Co have designed luxe beach seats with fast-drying padded foam and fade resistant fabric. They have some very funky covers, including a sunny yellow and white striped number and a beachy black and white polka dot. If you're more low-key but still love a retro look, these striped plastic camp chairs are a throwback we can get around — especially for only $24.99. [caption id="attachment_827899" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Greta Mitchell for Porter Green[/caption] ECO-FRIENDLY REUSABLE CUPS Glassware and expensive ceramic tableware have no place at a picnic, but the over-manufacturing of single use plastics are wreaking havoc on the environment. Instead of plastic supermarket cups, go for reusable options like these stainless steal party cups with splash-less lids or this double wall insulated wine traveller set. The ones featured in the image above are unbreakable, foldable silicone tumblers from sustainable interiors brand Porter Green and are $27.25 for a pack of two. If you're partial to something sparkling, these reusable pink champagne flutes are only $24.99 for two. COCKTAIL SHAKERS FOR ON-THE-GO MARGS The number one way to impress dinner guests is casually shaking and pouring cocktails like you were born to do it while effortlessly maintaining vibrant conversation. Same goes for picnics. Picnic Folk are an Australian brand selling brightly patterned stainless steal picnic equipment like lunchboxes, tumblers and cocktail shakers that are hand painted by an older generation of artisans in Kashmir. If you're more of a minimalist, this cocktail set from Grand Cru Wine Fridges comes in black matte finish and has everything you need to make a basic cocktail for $59.95. PICNIC BASKETS THAT DOUBLE AS CHEESE BOARDS Picnic basket, cheeseboard, card table — we love a picnic basket that can do it all. The Beach People have designed specialised, handmade picnic baskets that have a wooden food grade removable cheeseboard lid and an insulated interior with a zip close for $199. They also have a 'seconds' section, where they sell the cheeseboard picnic baskets that have minor imperfections for $179. If you want something a little larger, Paragon Emporium has a fold out picnic basket that doubles as a table with optional legs that are tucked away when the basket is in its basket form, plus swing out wine glass holders. GAMES TO PLAY WHEN THE CONVO ISN'T CUTTING IT Sometimes a picnic needs an element of organised fun, and, if our national sports are any indication, there's nothing Australian's love more than a bit of competition on the grass. Check out this enormous wooden Jenga from Yellow Octopus or this two-in-one lawn games bundle from Living by Design. If you're vibing the things-that-double-as-other-things picnic tip, perhaps this games-board-slash-towel from Sunnylife is a win for your next beach picnic. [caption id="attachment_828069" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: KoolShooters via Pexels[/caption] VINTAGE FINDS FOR ONE-OF-A-KIND GEAR With so many new gadgets constantly being manufactured, it may also be on your mind to start a collection of vintage picnic gear for a more sustainable approach. South Australian based Etsy shop, Beach Kiosk Vintage, has vintage collectables that are perfect for outdoor use and your next picnic. It might take a bit of hunting, but from 80s ice coolers to enamel fondue pots, there's something for everyone. The Vintage Retro Guy is another Etsy shop, this time based out of Geelong Victoria. It usually has a great selection of original, colourful plastic cups, saucers, plates and containers for all your portable picnic needs. Happy hunting. Image: Annika Kafacaloudis for Hattie Molloy X Curio Practice
Breakfast and dessert haven't looked so cosy till now. Welcome to gelato like you've never seen it before. Brought to you by iconic gelateria Piccolina and black pepper evangelists Pep, Sunny Side Up is a fun treat that blurs the line between breakfast and dessert. Fusing Piccolina's signature artisanal gelato with the deep flavour and aromatic complexity of Pep's premium Cambodian black pepper, this is a delicious, adventurous and somewhat egg-centric dessert that looks, at first glance, like a perfectly fried egg. "We've always loved pushing the boundaries of what gelato can be," says Piccolina founder Sandra Foti. "Sunny Side Up is playful, sophisticated and unique – a true testament to the magic of exceptional ingredients." For Pep, this collaboration is a delightful foray into the wonderful, wild world of desserts. "Black pepper isn't your usual sweet ingredient, but as any pastry or dessert chef will tell you, its versatility is extraordinary," says Pep co-founder Josh Gardiner. "As long-time fans of Piccolina's inventive flare, we hope everyone gets as much of a kick out of this lively little number as we do." So, here's what you'll get: black pepper mango jam gelato topped with a coconut jelly 'egg white' and frosty fruit jelly 'yolk', finished off with many hearty cranks of freshly cracked Pep, of course. It's cold, it's delicious, it's dessert at its very best, and it's a limited edition creation that you don't want to miss. Available exclusively across all Piccolina Gelateria stores for two weeks only from Wednesday, March 5.
Long before we were all forced to indulge our international wanderlust through a screen — and only though a screen — the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival was projecting France's wonders into Australian cinemas. For the past 31 years, the annual event has let Aussie movie buffs see the European nation's newest, best and brightest flicks. And when you're watching French features, you're often watching films set against Paris' busy streets, the country's greenery-filled countryside or along its scenic coastline. As it always does, the 2021 festival traverses plenty of France through its big-screen lineup. City-set dramas, suburban comedies, beachside romances: they're all on this year's bill. In total, 37 films are hitting cinemas Down Under throughout March and April, in a touring program that's making its way around the nation. Wondering what to check out? We've planned your movie-watching itinerary for you, all thanks to our ten must-see picks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYCyYJofeEE SUMMER OF 85 Nothing is ever simple in a film by François Ozon, as the likes of 8 Women, Swimming Pool, In the House and By the Grace of God has already made plain across his 19-feature resume. So, when Summer of 85 makes viewers swoon over its blossoming seaside love story — and makes teenager Alexis (Félix Lefebvre, School's Out) fall for the slightly older David (Benjamin Voisin, Moving On) when the latter rescues the former after capsizing in a sailboat — no one should get comfortable or cosy, or think that a complication-free romance will float easily and effortlessly across the screen. Alexis falls hard for his new friend, who is one of the only people he has connected with since moving to Normandy. But, unfolding across two timelines as the 16-year-old looks back on his time with David, this becomes a knotty tale of love, heartbreak and forging one's identity out of defining moments. Writing as well as directing, Ozon adapts Aidan Chambers' 1982 novel Dance on My Grave with his usual swelling mood and command of detail — and from the pitch-perfect period fashions to the coastal setting, Summer of 85 catches the eye as much as it demands the audience's emotional investment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7GvHwRzjz0 SKIES OF LEBANON Heartfelt and hauntingly evocative, Skies of Lebanon starts its story in the 50s, when Alice (Alba Rohrwacher, Happy as Lazzaro) departs Switzerland for Beirut. Never feeling as if she belongs in her homeland, she jumps at the chance to work abroad, where she quickly meets, falls for and starts a family with astrophysicist Joseph (Wajdi Mouawad, Still Burning). That part of the tale happens quickly, because this isn't the kind of romance where a couple simply lives happily ever after. Indeed, once the Lebanese Civil War begins, the ebbs and flows of Alice and Joseph's existence are wholly dictated by the combat, which instantly changes the mood of the entire city. Making a stunningly affecting feature debut, writer/director Chloé Mazlo plunges into the reality of having everything you hold dear touched by conflict, with her narrative drawn from her grandmother's recollections from the time. The always-exceptional Rohrwacher conveys Alice's internal struggle in a quietly expressive performance, while Mazlo's jumps into playful animation and striking use of stylised sets gives the film the air of a memory, helping an already moving feature to keep landing stirring blows. THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS SKIN Back in 2017, when The Square clawed through the commercialisation and commodification of the art world, it won the Cannes Film Festival's coveted Palme d'Or for its efforts. Fellow satire The Man Who Sold His Skin doesn't have the same accolade to its name, but it's just as savagely entertaining as it rips into the same topic. The man of the movie's title is Sam Ali (Yahya Mahayni, Opium). A Syrian refugee in Lebanon, he accepts a strange offer from an acclaimed, controversy-provoking artist (Koen De Bouw, Torpedo) to have Europe's Schengen visa tattooed on his back. He'll also receive assistance to obtain the real thing, as long as he agrees to sit in art galleries as a living exhibition whenever he's asked. If that last part sounds familiar, Wim Delvoye's Tim, which is live-streaming at Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art, provided writer/director Kaouther Ben Hania (Beauty And The Dogs) with inspiration for The Man Who Sold His Skin. That said, this whip-smart and wild movie takes its own ride. The great Monica Bellucci (Twin Peaks) also pops up, but a film this vivid, clever and ferocious about art, money, freedom, borders and the way the world treats asylum seekers doesn't need a star to stand out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM3J6INVpcw THE GODMOTHER With the inimitable Isabelle Huppert at its centre, and a premise that owes a debt to Weeds and Breaking Bad, The Godmother strikes a crafty balance between comedy, drama and thrills. The Greta and Happy End star (and Elle Oscar-nominee) plays Patience Portefeux, a translator who works with the Paris police on narcotics cases. During a routine job listening to wiretapped phones, she decides to prevent the big bust that'd make her boyfriend Philippe's (Hippolyte Girardot, Marseille) career, steal the enormous stash of hash after redirecting the cops' attention and take up a side hustle as a wholesaler to street-level dealers. Her motivation: money, with the long-widowed mother of two attempting to secure her financial future in a world that's hardly accommodating to single, middle-aged women. Adapted from Hannelore Cayre's book of the same name by the author with director Jean-Paul Salomé (Playing Dead, Female Agents), The Godmother is unsurprisingly lifted by Huppert, as everything she stars in is. Still, this lively and engaging crime caper is helmed with a light touch, as well as a keen awareness of the material's deeper moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puzzh3wowd8 DELETE HISTORY Following three French suburbanites who are each intensely unimpressed with today's always-online times, Delete History is a satire for anyone that's ever felt tired of social media's hold on their lives; of the likes, favourites and ratings that now dictate much of human interaction; and of the fact that every word, text, video and action can last forever in the digital world. All residents of the same masterplanned community, the recently separated Marie (Blanche Gardin, #Iamhere) is being blackmailed over a sex tape she can't remember starring in, widower Bertrand (Denis Podalydes, La Belle Époque) keeps writing letters to Facebook over his teenage daughter's cyberbullying, and ride share driver Christine (Corinne Masiero, Invisibles) can't seem to amass more than a single star from her customers. Banding together in a film that's always purposefully odd and absurd, and yet also clearly grounded in relatable situations and emotions as well, this trio decide to take matters into their own hands in increasingly offbeat ways. Writer/director duo Benoit Delepine and Gustave Kervern (I Feel Good) don't deliver an earth-shattering insights about modern-day life, but in a quickly memorable movie, they do serve up a wealth of wry laughs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqEjJW059TA IBRAHIM An on-screen presence in everything from TV's Spiral and The Returned to films such as In the Name of the Land and The Transporter Refuelled, actor Samir Guesmi makes his feature directing and screenwriting debut with the sensitive and moving Ibrahim. He also co-stars, playing waiter and single father Ahmed Bougaoui; however, the movie's real point of focus is the titular teenager (Abdel Bendaher, How to Make Out), his character's son. After sliding into shoplifting with his friend Achille (Rabah Nait Oufella, Nocturama), getting caught and leaving his dad with a sizeable debt, Ibrahim is torn in two directions. He's determined to make things right for his already-struggling father, even if that means further flirting with crime. With Ahmed sternly condemning of Ibrahim's new direction, the latter is also a ball of pain, uncertainty and unhappiness. Both Guesmi and Bendaher turn in exquisitely layered performances as a father and son weighed down by life's disappointments but, despite their hurt and heated feelings, always tied together. And, as a filmmaker, Guesmi tackles the coming-of-age genre with naturalistic flair — visually, and in exploring his intricate characters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuSlIPZZFRc CALAMITY, A CHILDHOOD OF MARTHA JANE CANNARY If you've ever watched Deadwood, as everyone should've, then you've already seen one version of Martha Jane Cannary on-screen. The American frontierswoman better known as Calamity Jane has been immortalised on television and in film many times, including in the 1950s Doris Day-starring musical that shares her nickname — but Calamity, A Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary steps back to the real-life figure's formative years. While telling her tale through gorgeous minimalistic animation filled with deep and vibrant blues, greens and purples (and with breathtaking renderings of America's sprawling landscape, too), this all-ages gem does't pretend to stick to the facts. Instead, it spins Cannary's youth into an 1860s-era adventure set on and around the Oregon Trail. Director and co-writer Rémi Chayé already has 2015's Long Way North to his name, and also worked on 2009's The Secret Life Of Kells, so he's no stranger to eye-catching animation. Here, he teams spectacular imagery with a spirited narrative, and the delightful end result won him the Best Feature Film award at the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z56cG1ULGi0 NIGHT SHIFT In Lupin, playing the titular master thief, Omar Sy continually skirts the law. In Night Shift, he stands on the other side, as one of three cops assigned to escort asylum-seeker Tohirov (Payman Maadi, The Night Of) to the airport — to be deported back to Tajikistan, where further torture and worse likely await. A tense drama that delves into topical subject matter, Night Shift splits its attention between Sy's Aristide and his fellow officers Virginie (Virginie Efira, Bye Bye Morons) and Erik (Grégory Gadebois, An Officer and a Spy). Each has their own story, took their own path to their present situation and deals with the demands of the job in their own fashion. With their current task, and the fate their prisoner is expected to face, each copes in their own way as well. Adapting Hugo Boris' novel Police, it's a testament to director and co-writer Anne Fontaine (The Innocents) that little here feels as straightforward as it sounds, even if it primarily remains in familiar territory. The top-notch cast assist considerably, with Efira pushed to the fore in a rare cop movie that noticeably values a female perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij-SxVU5P3g MISS When Misbehaviour thrust beauty pageants into the cinematic spotlight in 2020, it recreated real-life events from 1970 to call attention to the fight for equality — a battle that became worldwide news half a century ago, as covered in the film, but still hasn't been won in the 21st century. Because movies on similar themes often arrive in pairs, Miss also explores the industry, this time pondering gender identity and the norms that society has long ascribed to femininity. Since childhood, Alex (Alexandre Wetter, Emily in Paris) has dreamed of becoming Miss France. Uttering that goal as a boy earned laughs, and pursuing it as a twentysomething requires navigating a wealth of expectations, preconceptions and judgement. Playing a character that's confident in their heart but still learning to show the same assurance externally, Wetter brings grace, poise, texture and complexity to the central part, while filmmaker Ruben Alves (The Gilded Cage) ensures that Miss is rousing, charming and never as by-the-numbers as its feel-good premise signals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGs--e32Sc MANDIBLES In Mandibles, friends Manu (Grégoire Ludig, Bye Bye Morons) and Jean-Gab (David Marsais, The Nobodies) stumble across a giant fly. Freeing it from a car boot, they decide that they can train it, then profit. Yes, that's what this OTT film is about. Yes, it comes straight from the mind of Quentin Dupieux, because it really couldn't spring from anywhere else. The French filmmaker has already made movies about psychotic tyres and alluring jackets — in 2010's Rubber and 2019's Deerskin, respectively — so adding a big insect flick to his resume hardly comes as a surprise. His sense of humour is that absurd and distinctive and, if the film-viewing world is lucky, he'll keep reminding us of that fact with every new movie he makes. Dupieux's work isn't to everyone's taste, as you've either gathered by watching or just by reading the above right now; however, if you're on his out-there, surreal and often incredibly silly yet also disarmingly astute wavelength, it's a delight. And sure, multiple versions of The Fly already exist, but they're bound to look positively sensible compared to this. The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from March 2–April 22, screening at Sydney's Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne from March 2–April 5; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Astor Theatre, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema from March 3–April 5; Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Windsor Cinema, Luna on SX and Camelot Outdoor Cinema from March 10–April 11; Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace James Street from March 17–April 15; and Adelaide's Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas from March 23–April 22. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
The Atlantic Group is known for setting up some of the best seafood restaurants in Melbourne — most notably, The Atlantic. So, it was no surprise to see its takeaway sushi joint Sushi Baby do so damn well in Brighton immediately after opening in mid-2023. Riding this wave of success, the crew has now gone ahead and set up a new dine-in restaurant with a bright pink and green dining room and a courtyard filled with greenery and pink blossom garlands. This fit-out is starkly different from most of Melbourne's sushi joints, which tend to keep the colour scheme muted and furnishings traditional. But Sushi Baby isn't your classic sushi diner. Its colourful design reflects the kitchen's contemporary stylings and playful approach to Japanese cuisine. The nori tacos — filled with raw salmon, avocado, teriyaki sauce and furikake — are a brilliant representation of this. The classic flavours and ingredients are presented differently without being unusual just for the sake of it. The sushi purists out there shouldn't be scared off, as the Sushi Baby crew isn't messing around too much. Traditional nigiri, maki rolls and inari are up for grabs, plus there's a daily changing sashimi platter for those wanting to really treat themselves. Katsu sandos and some larger sharing plates help the diner transition from day to night. Upgrading the space hasn't meant that it has totally abandoned its takeout sushi roots. Most of the dine-in goodies can be made to take away, plus the 62- and 85-piece sushi boxes are still as stunning as always — coming in a bright pink box with the brand's signature laughing baby face printed under the lid. Sushi Baby can be found at 414 New Street, Brighton, open 11am–8.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday (and on Sundays) and 11am–9.30pm from Friday to Saturday. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Melbourne street artist Rone has completed his latest and most industrious work to date, a nine-storey portrait in Melbourne’s CBD. Sitting at 35 metres high and 23.5 metres wide, the gargantuan face of Byron Bay model Teresa Oman looms from the external wall of 80 Collins Street. Based on a photograph Rone had taken of "one of the most re-blogged models in the world" according to Nylon, the work sports the title, L’inconnue de la rue (unknown girl in the street). The colossal mural, commissioned by wall owner QIC Global Real Estate, took seven days to create, with Rone working for ten hours a day from a cherry picker until the wall was complete. "It took a lot longer than expected and was no doubt the most challenging project I had ever taken on," said the Melburnian muralist on his website. "This is one of those walls you dream of. When it was offered I took it with a grain of salt as not to get my hopes up, as there has been a few things like this talked about in the past that just never happened." Long celebrated Melbourne-wide for his signature style of tightly cropped, magnified portraits of glamorous female faces on crumbling walls, Rone’s work has expanded from local lanes to interstate spots in Adelaide and Sydney to the streets of Berlin, Port Vila, Queenstown and Miami. Rone will now return to London, where his first UK solo exhibition Wallflower at Stolen Space Gallery opens April 10. Images by Ben Wesley and Tony Owczarek. via Lost At E Minor.
On Tuesday, a landmark decision was made that will affect hundreds of thousands of Australians. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced that discounted junior pay rates will no longer apply to young Aussies, with workers aged 18 to 20 now entitled to salaries reflective of those received by their older coworkers. This means that starting from December 2026, an estimated half a million employees will be entitled to a pay rise. Specifically, the ruling dictates that young employees are required to have at least six months of experience to be eligible for the rates, and employees aged 17 and below will still be paid on junior rates. Said discounts are based on the historical precedent that young employees incur training costs to offset their inexperience, and that businesses have historically been incentivised to hire younger employees because they'd have to pay them less. [caption id="attachment_1088266" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Getty Images[/caption] Typically, young people in Australia get their start in hospitality, fast food, pharmaceutical and retail industries, and responses within those industries have been mixed. According to the Australian Retail Council (ARC), one in eight Australians gets their first job in retail, and in a statement, ARC Ceo Chris Rodwell said that while the ARC welcomes the FWC's decision, it "does add another layer of cost at a time when many retailers are dealing with a cost-of-doing-business crisis." The ruling was set in motion in 2024 by an application from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA). Following the ruling, SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said, "It may take longer than we would have liked, but the principle has been established that no longer will 18-year-olds be treated as second class citizens," citing that 18-year-old employees are old enough to vote, enlist in the armed forces and to drive, adding the decision was "up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s." View this post on Instagram A post shared by SDA SA/NT (@sda_sa_nt) While the added cost for businesses cannot be overlooked, this decision will go a long way to support young Australians struggling to make a start amidst the cost-of-living crisis. It will take some time to go into full effect, though, with the rates set to increase five percent each year until 2029 until they match adult rates. Upon completion, 18-year-olds will be entitled to 70 percent of the adult pay rate, 19-year-olds to 80 percent and 20-year-olds to 90 percent. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Styling itself as a south side alternative to the longstanding Asian restaurant mecca of Richmond's Victoria Street district, Hanoi Hannah promises classic Vietnamese hawker-style dishes such as rice paper rolls ($7), vermicelli noodle salads ($10) and the classic bowl of pho ($9). But whilst comparisons can be made from a menu standpoint, the similarity between Hanoi Hannah and its long-standing predecessors end right there, and you'll be wasting your time if you're expecting a brightly-lit, tiled dive where you can get your cheap pho fix and skull cheap BYO wine. Hanoi Hannah places a lot of emphasis on style, and its trendy appearance and cheap menu attracts suitably intense crowds to the modestly-sized outpost near the corner of Chapel and High Streets. Eating at Hanoi Hannah is certainly a process – be prepared to wait between 30-50 minutes for a table on any night of the week, due to the now-popular (and sometimes frustrating) Melbourne restaurant inclination to avoid taking reservations. There's no room to have a drink while you wait at the bar as every nook is filled with keen diners, but with its great location, at least there's plenty of bars to relocate to around the corner whilst you wait. Once you've secured your table, the service and food are quick in succession, and whilst the staff are pleasant you do get the feeling that after attending to table after table in such quick turnover, there isn't the time for them to take the time to concentrate on recommending the more interesting offerings on the menu, which is a shame due to a fantastic array of tapas style offerings from the rice paper rolls ($7 for two) to excellent sliders in both pork belly or tofu form ($8 for two). The rushed attitude of the place is only a slight criticism, as it detracts little from the wonderful food and excellent atmosphere of the tiny restaurant. Low lit and with a distinct Vietnamese vibe (but without the tacky themed restaurant appearance), it's perfect for a light dinner and drinks with friends or a bowl of pho that won't break the bank. Whilst it claims to be the Asian-dining salvation for the Prahran and Windsor area, it's less Victoria Street authenticity and more like the stylized offerings of Colonel Tan's nearby: great food, great atmosphere, and very hip. Like Mamasita is to Mexican, Hanoi Hannah is to Vietnamese; its settings and popular cuisine choice have made it a dining stalwart in a mere 6 months since opening. And you only need to look at that daily line to see the proof.
Grazeland Director John Forman teamed up with El Taco's Neven Hayek and Sandrow Yalda to create two huge Mexican bars and restaurants in 2024. The first of the two venues to open was Preston's Bar Mexico, a two-storey haven for agave-based tipples. Located within the former Northside Food Hall on the Preston end of High Street, the bar showcases over 50 tequilas, mezcals and raicillas sourced directly from distilleries across Mexico. Sure, you can shoot some of these shots with your mates, but they're best consumed like a fine wine. Take your time sipping on these agave-based bevs, exploring different regions of Mexico as you make your way through the list. But if straight tequila ain't your thing, you can always take your pick from the extensive cocktail menu. Get around classics like a marg or paloma, or change it up by sampling Bar Mexico's tequila espresso martini or tequila old fashioned. You'll also find Aussie and international beers on tap, plus an impressive selection of Mexican brews in bottles or cans. A handful of wines are also available, almost all by the glass, too. Siblings Hayek and Yalda are on food duties, and they're serving up El Taco's signature style of Mexican street eats. Start off with crowd favourites like jalapeño poppers, flautas and elote before getting onto the bigger bites like quesedilla, nachos and tacos — the crew's famed birria tacos are a must-order. If you're after a proper feast, go straight for the build-your-own taco platter. This massive serve comes with slow-cooked pulled beef and adobo-marinated chicken, as well as a heap of fillings and ten corn tortillas that you can fill however you like. It's family-style eating at its finest.
The Market Pavilion – a sprawling food and dining precinct – is set to satisfy epicureans with its landmark launch at Chadstone. Spanning over 26,500 square metres, more than 50 retailers have taken up residence, offering everything from fresh produce and gourmet ingredients to artisan creations. With investment in the new precinct reaching $485 million, expect a world-class experience. Bringing together a host of favourites from across Melbourne's food and lifestyle scene, it's the ideal spot to shop and dine on the finer things in life. Throughout the massive space, visitors will encounter renowned providores, specialty grocers, local culinary masters and premium restaurants. Meanwhile, home decor and lifestyle boutiques will add another sophisticated element beneath the shopping centre's iconic gridshell roof. Taking the experience up a notch, The Market Pavilion will also host a myriad of immersive food experiences. We're talking exclusive tastings, cooking masterclasses and pop-up collaborations with a who's who of groundbreaking chefs and producers. Says Chadstone centre manager, Daniel Boyle: "With the opening of The Market Pavilion, we are redefining the way Melburnians experience food. This precinct is a celebration of quality, craftsmanship, and the rich food culture that makes our city unique." As the new retailers get comfy in their surroundings, there's no shortage of big and respected names. For food-lovers, Brunetti Oro will serve up authentic Italian coffee and cuisine, as Mörk Chocolate presents a new concept store. Casa Nata bakes some of the best Portuguese tarts in town, while That's Amore covers all your artisanal cheese needs. Then, you've got top-notch sourdough at Little Sister, deli-style creations at Hanks Bagelry, plus loads more. The Market Pavilion's existing offshoot, Dining Laneway, has also received a makeover, with casual all-day dining from PappaRich and Thai Social to Yo-Chi. Living and entertaining is also a big focus, with The Market Pavilion offering a suite of much-loved retailers primed for giving your home and lifestyle a spruce up. Think Hommey's fully vegan bedding and floral arrangements shaped by Flowers Vasette operating alongside convenient superstores like House and Readings. A development of this scale also needs a few premium services that add a touch of innovation. Make the most of The Market Pavilion's Food Concierge, where shoppers can put their fresh produce in cold storage while they roam. You can also pre-book curbside pickup from an expanded nearby carpark. There's also a new AI-driven shopping recipe tool – just input your mood, dietary requirements and number of guests to receive a little culinary inspiration. The Market Pavilion is open Monday–Wednesday from 8.30am–5.30pm and Thursday–Sunday from 8.30am–6.30pm at 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone. Head to the website for more information.
The Sporting Globe Richmond, one of the suburb's oldest pubs, needed a little TLC for quite a few years. And it finally got what it deserved in 2024: a huge $3 million renovation that centred around making this one of the best sports bars in Melbourne. And the team seems to have done a pretty bang-up job. The bar reopened in July, and immediately filled up with sports fans watching the Olympics on some of the 60-plus screens dotted about the venue — be they inside or out on the rooftop that now boasts a fully retractable awning. Once the Olympics was over, the team got onto playing stacks of local and international matches on the small teles and the huge stadium-style screen located in the main bar. Some of the booths even have their own screens, which you can switch to whatever match you'd like to watch with your mates. Games are also played with the volume turned up, so you're sure to hear all the commentary — unless everyone is cheering for a sports match or fighting over a game of pool. But The Sporting Globe is more than just a spot for watching games on the tele. Now, you can also play digital darts at the new high-tech darts lanes found across both floors. It's set up for dart pros and casual players alike, as the screens will teach you how to play each of the seven different games available. For a midweek treat, the team is even running a special darts and draught deal every Tuesday. This sees punters get an hour of bottomless Carlton Draught (or house wine) and darts for $39 per person. Other deals include half-price wings and ribs on Mondays, half-priced steaks on Tuesdays, $18.90 parmas on Wednesdays, $16.90 burgers on Thursdays, parma and pint deals on footy Fridays, discounted cocktail towers on Saturdays and $34.90 beer towers on Sundays. With specials like these, you can expect the clientele to get a bit rowdy. But that's the vibe most of us are after when heading to a sports bar. If you prefer something a little more low-key, a smaller local Melbourne pub might be your thing.
Pickleball remains a thing. Get used to it. The tennis-lite social sport format has kept gaining popularity in the past year, leading to the unveiling of new indoor pickleball courts in South Melbourne and the state is littered with leagues. Jumping on the sport's growing popularity is Humpday, a dating app that's meant to just be used once a week on the titular day. It's teamed up with the National Pickleball League to run an alternative speed dating event on Wednesday, January 31 — notably just a couple weeks out from Valentine's Day. Instead of sitting in a bar trying to pitch your most winning traits, this speed dating event comes with a healthy dose of competition to break the tension. Punters from the age of 21 to 35 will take to the court for a few rounds of pickleball with and against other attendees, helping potential couples let their guards down and have some fun. Unlike more traditional speed dating experiences in Melbourne, this is a scenario for good, clean fun and casual attire. And if you're still feeling a little nervous then you can bring a mate along for support — and end up just playing pickleball together at the end of the night if neither of you hits it off with anyone else.
Self-driving cars and flying uber taxis may still be (at least) one year off, but Melburnians can now take advantage of one minor modern convenience on a select number of city buses. The first 18 buses in a new fleet has hit Melbourne roads this week — and, among other features, they have on-board USB charging stations. Passengers on inner north and eastern suburb routes — including Fitzroy North, Carlton, Kew, Port Melbourne and Altona North — will be among the first to try out these fancy new rides. On the new buses, ports with two USB charging points are located at every double seat, as well as at the back, so there are around 30 ports all up. Which means, if you're travelling on one of these bus lines, you can finally say goodbye to dying phones on your commute home or after a late night out. It's a small win, but a win nonetheless. Other features on board these new fully accessible buses include low floors, more priority seating and "improved CCTV capabilities". The charging stations are, of course, the cherry on top. The new fleet, which will replace some of the city's oldest buses, is part of a $16 million order by the Victorian Government — and the biggest replacement order in over 25 years — and one facet of the Government's commitment to delivering heaps more trains, trams and buses. It has also pledged $2.3 billion towards new metropolitan trains and $848.5 million for new regional trains, plus 100 new accessible E-Class trams. A full fleet of hybrid buses are also in the process of being released, with all 50 buses expected on the road by 2022. They will be reducing emissions between Wyndham, Oakleigh and Sunshine. For those who are not located in the inner north or eastern suburbs, the full, 100-strong fleet of buses with charging facilities is set to be on the road by July 2020 — so expect this perk to become a regular facet across our city before too long. The first buses of the new fleet (with charing facilities) are currently rolling around Fitzroy North, Carlton, Kew, Port Melbourne and Altona North.
Australians do many cuisines very well. Arguably, Mexican isn't one of our strong suits. Whether it's our geographical distance or aversion to spice, Australian-Mexican food can often pale in comparison to the bold flavours the authentic dishes are known for. San Pancho, a taquería in Marrickville, aims to subvert this stereotype. The taquería opened its doors in June 2024 with one premise: cooking food the way it's eaten day-to-day in Mexico. The founders chose Marrickville from a line-up of Sydney suburbs for its authenticity. "It's a neighbourhood where food is part of everyday life, not something overly polished or staged. San Pancho belongs in that kind of setting. Somewhere casual and grounded, where substance matters more than spectacle," says co-owner and chef, Roberto Garcia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Pancho Taqueria (@sanpancho_taqueria) The restaurant takes its name from a beach town in western Mexico, adding to the laidback and warm energy of the communal dining setting. "These are the flavours of our childhood, the dishes from our Abuela's table, and the spirit of the taquerías that bring people together every day." Roberto studied Culinary Arts in Puebla, Mexico, and grew up with a principle of Mexican food: to be simple yet bold. "That background shapes everything I cook, with a focus on flavours that feel true to Mexico, without overexplaining or dressing them up for trend. What I do is straightforward: cook real Mexican food, the way it's meant to taste." What are the flavours that define Mexican cuisine? While we may assume that it's all heat and power, Roberto shares that Mexican food is actually about balance. "Acidity, heat, richness, freshness. Each element has its place. Mexican food isn't about overpowering flavours, but about how they work together." San Pancho's enchiladas suizas, Roberto's most recommended menu item, are just this. Comforting, straightforward, and all about balance rather than complexity. If you want to impress your dinner guests with your own Mexican food that tastes straight out of Oaxaca, these are the staples to keep in your pantry, according to Roberto. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Pancho Taqueria (@sanpancho_taqueria) Fresh herbs Roberto recommends using fresh herbs to garnish your Mexican dishes. While coriander, oregano and salt may come to mind instantly, one spice you may not have in your pantry is epazote. The traditional herb (also named Mexican tea) is used in chilli sauces and Mexican bean dishes. It'll add a strong blend of mint, citrus and anise to your dishes, creating that unmistakable Mexican taste. Dried chillies A range of chillies (not just Sriracha) is a must for authentic Mexican flavour. Morita, guajillo, pasilla, ancho and arbol chillies all add the Mexican heat and smoky flavours you know and love. Each brings its own balance of sweetness, depth and heat, forming the backbone of countless traditional salsas, garnishes and marinades. Handmade tortillas Store-bought tortillas make a good substitute for busy people, but handmade tortillas will elevate your Mexican cuisine. Authentic tortillas are made of flour or corn, salt, and oil (or fat). The simple flavour of the crispy dough will make your flavours and spices stand out even more than pre-packaged tortillas. "With those basics," says Roberto, "you can already cook food that feels genuinely Mexican. It's less about having everything and more about using a few things properly." If you're ready to start cooking more authentic Mexican foods and flavours, Roberto recommends experimenting with a simple salsa roja (a smoky, tomato-based salsa) or salsa verde (a lime-centric green salsa). "It's where Mexican cooking really begins, and it teaches heat control, balance, and restraint." By investing a little more time in cooking and sourcing these pantry staples, your Mexican will taste more elevated than your usual burrito night. If you find yourself stuck, San Pancho's in Marrickville is always there to scratch the itch.
This May, Mornington scored a luxe new cocktail bar that's bringing old-world luxury down to the coast. The Bon Vivant's Companion is all black finishes, brass trimmings, art deco pendant lights and marble counters, and makes for a moody and lavish setting for cocktail-sipping. Behind the bar, you'll find over 200 Australian spirits, with a particular focus on gin and whisky. These are served up as they are, or mixed into a collection of signature cocktails or reimagined classics. The Clarified Paper Plane made with whiskey, amaro, Aperol and lemon is a particular standout. As is the Manhattan, made using Hellyers Road pinot noir-cask whisky, rose vermouth, cherry glaze and chocolate bitters. But if you'd just prefer a dirty gin martini, you'll have no trouble getting a mighty good one here. When it comes to food, there are just a few snacking options. Expect small plates like coconut ceviche with pomegranate arils and chilli and smoked trout rillette with salmon roe and house-made chips. Platters of cured meats and cheeses are also easy choices for those looking to graze, but there isn't a whole heap to eat as this haunt is primarily a drinking destination. But make sure you don't just rock on into the front bar and leave it there. For there's a Japanese-inspired speakeasy bar hidden behind a false wall somewhere in the building. Either feel for it yourself, pushing every wall in The Bon Vivant's Companion, or ask the staff for 'Jane'. They'll take you to the secret bar with its huge whisky collection. If you're in Mornington and have a hankering for fine whisky, gin or luxe cocktails, this'll be your spot. You'll find The Bon Vivant's Companion at 150 Main Street, Mornington, open 3pm–late from Wednesday–Sunday. For more info and to book a table, visit the venue's website.
The house where the Kerrigan family came to enjoy the serenity in the 1997 Australian film The Castle is now up for sale. While there's no pool room, the two-bedroom fibro shack boasts an open-plan kitchen, bathroom, laundry and combined dining and living area which opens onto the verandah, complete with original mozzie zapper. In recent years, the property has been used as a rental home, attracting city dwellers who want to reconnect with nature, family, and the vibe. Located 2.5 hours drive north-east of Melbourne on the banks of Lake Eildon, the beloved Bonnie Doon is a waterfront haven for those who love water sports, carp fishing and the smell of a two-stroke engine. https://youtube.com/watch?v=PmlMv5givwQ The property is enhanced by a magnificent set of power lines adjacent to the property, which stand as an important reminder of man's ability to generate electricity. It's also flanked by a vacant plot, so there's lots of spare ground if you want to dig a hole or practise kickboxing. As well as the property, the buyer will also be the proud owner of other pieces of memorabilia from the film, including Tracey Kerrigan's diploma of hairdressing from Sunshine TAFE, as well as a set of jousting sticks – a must-have for all family holidays. Sydneysider Richard Moseley first bought the property in 2006 for $170,000. It went on the market again in 2011 with an asking price of $195,000 but failed to sell and now it's set to hit the market again next week for $240,000. The last time it went to sale, the real estate agent was bombarded with calls from people who would ask the price — only to be followed with "You're dreamin!" and a dial tone. It apparently began to wear thin quite quickly. Via Domain.
These days, you won't find too many people yet to be bitten by the Melbourne plant-buying bug. If there's one thing we love, it's a dose of Mother Nature in the form of a leafy, green houseplant. And of course, that plant collection is a constant work in progress, because there is always room for one, two or seven more additions. Thankfully, Melbourne's got a mighty offering of expert-run plant nurseries that are more than happy to help fuel your obsession for all things green. Whether you're looking to jazz up your abode with some fresh plant talent, hunting the perfect pot, or in need of a spot of sound advice, here's a round-up of Melbourne plant shops worth putting on your radar. Recommended reads: The Best Bookshops in Melbourne Where to Shop Like a Local In and Around Melbourne CBD The Best Hair Salons in Melbourne
Just because you're not currently sitting on a beach in the Caribbean sipping pina coladas, doesn't mean you can't capture some of that big holiday energy right here at home. Rum-lovers will find themselves in cocktail heaven this month, when Whitehart hosts the next edition of its I Hart Rum festival. On Sunday, February 20, the CBD container bar will be turning on the tropical vibes for a big day of rum and entertainment, held across two sessions. More than 25 distilleries will be showing off their creations for you to sample, totalling over 80 different varieties of rum. There'll be plenty of cocktails being shaken and stirred, including treats from a sustainable pop-up bar hosted by Fitzroy's Ends and Means. You'll also be able to wet your whistle at Fever Tree's dedicated highball station, load up on knowledge at an Australian rum distillers panel and stock up on cocktailware at the tiki mug shop, all while listening to the afternoon's guest DJs. And if you sip something you love, a pop-up bottle shop will be stocked with an array of rare and unique rums to take home.
Known for its minimalist design, Japanese home goods giant MUJI made a sizeable leap back in 2015, adding houses to its range. As well as selling items to fill your home with, it started selling prefabricated homes as well. Compact but functional — and, perhaps most importantly, affordable — the new additions understandably garnered plenty of attention. But, while the company also released a tiny hut in 2017, it hasn't expanded its house lineup since. Until now, that is. And while MUJI's first three flat-pack houses were all multi-storey abodes made for city living, it has just designed its first one-storey version. Called Yano-no-ie, it's a response to customer demand — and its designed to adapt to different living requirements. Thanks to sliding doors that open out onto a deck, it's also the result of a concerted effort to combine indoor and outdoor living. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2atw0eHEUu/ Taking over 73 square metres of floor space, with a total construction area of 91.50 square metres, Yano-no-ie's standard configuration features a bedroom, living area, combined kitchen and dining room, bathroom and outdoor area — so, as you'd expect, it keeps things simple. That said, its spaces are meant to be multifunctional. The bedroom features furniture that can be used throughout the day as well, for example, with the company suggesting that you can deploy it as a place for reading or using a computer throughout the day, and to have a drink in of an evening. Designed in a box shape, Yano-no-ie is fashioned out of wooden siding made from Japanese cedar. Linking in with MUJI's existing products, it's made to accommodate the brand's storage range in its kitchen — and, in the bathroom, it features the same type of wash basin used in MUJI's hotels. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wNEt9HMkc/ Like MUJI's existing prefab homes, it's also far more economical than your average house, starting at 15.98 million yen or around AU$211,000. Alas, although the company has stores in Sydney and Melbourne — including its first Australian MUJI concept store — the houses aren't available to buy outside of Japan as yet. Via: MUJI.
Road trippers have returned to the freeways, exploring rural Victoria's best towns and natural landscapes. And one of these towns has got to be Cobram which straddles the twists and turns of the Murray River. When visiting this area, you've got the option to really relax or go full hog and have a proper adventure. Hike up around the local forest, take to the water with some wakeboarding or jet skiing (whether you're a pro or total rookie), or slow right down and immerse yourself in the local wildlife and culture. We've teamed up with our Victorian road trip partner RACV to bring you a selection of incredible ways to experience Cobram and the surrounding region. And don't forget: if you're planning on having a drink, make sure there's a designated driver to keep you safe on your travels. [caption id="attachment_845463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria[/caption] SWIM AT ONE OF THE LARGEST INLAND BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE Cobram is home to what locals claim is one of the longest inland beaches in Australia, Thompson's Beach. Sit on the sandy shore with a book for the day, dipping in and out of the water periodically, or jump in a canoe and let the current slowly take you downstream. You can easily spend an entire day here, being as lazy or active as you like. It's a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike, making it a truly special spot for experiencing the area's culture. The local animals don't mind it either, and if you look up into the river red gums lining the shore you can catch a goanna or koala sunning themselves. [caption id="attachment_845466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] TEE OFF AT ONE OF THE REGION'S MANY GOLD COURSES You don't need to swim in the river or go hiking in forests to experience some active fun in Cobram. If you'd rather work on your swing, the region is known for having some damn good golf clubs. You've got the Cobram Barooga Golf Club, the nearby Tocumwal Golf Club, Black Bull Golf Club at Yarrawonga and Numurkah Golf and Bowls Club. Each of these is a winner for golfers with a range of experience. Either plan your visit around one of the region's golf tournaments or pop by during quieter periods for more relaxed play. SEE THE BIG STRAWBERRY AND GO STRAWBERRY PICKING It's hard to pinpoint exactly why, but Aussies really do love big public sculptures of random fruits and animals. It's a thing – especially for seasoned road trippers. So, when driving near Cobram, you have to stop by The Big Strawberry. Yeah, it's great for the requisite happy snap for your 'Big Things' photo album, but you can also do some good old fashioned strawberry picking. Grab a bucket and take to the fields during a sunny day in Cobram. Grab as many as you like, either for jam making back home or just enough to keep you going for the next leg of your road trip around northern Victoria. And if you can't be bothered doing the work, you can grab a strawberry ice cream or jars of preserves from the cafe and store. [caption id="attachment_845468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE A HIDDEN DESERT OASIS FULL OF CACTI Rural Victoria offers up a whole lot of unexpected things to do – including a visit to Australia's largest cactus garden. Spend an arvo in Cactus Country's Mexican inspired garden and see a different, less Australiana landscape. Walk down some of the eight different paths spread across 12 acres, snapping pictures within this desert oasis, before diving into margaritas, nachos, and homemade cactus ice cream. You can also take in the views of the cactus fields and surrounding area from the elevated lookout dome. See how many of the 1000+ plant varieties you can spot, from the smallest of succulents to the largest of the cacti. You'll feel completely transported when exploring Cactus Country. [caption id="attachment_845493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darren Donlen[/caption] EXPLORE THE DIVERSE TERRAIN OF COBRAM REGIONAL PARK When heading up this way, you must stop by the well-preserved Cobram Regional Park. If you're short on time, you can drive up to a few lookouts and walk along the shorter trails but we recommend you take your time here. Within Cobram Regional Park, you can hike along the Murray River, stopping to swim in and camp by several inland beaches. This is true escapism. You can also visit the Quinn Island Wetlands Sanctuary. This forty-hectare island was formed by a bend in the Murray River and is a waterbird haven. A trail winds its way through river red gum and silver wattle forest, and from a bird hide you can spot a huge range of native birds and animals — especially after some heavy rain. You'll feel like you're in an epic David Attenborough documentary when you walk around the area. [caption id="attachment_845475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPERIENCE THE MIGHTY MURRAY RIVER UP CLOSE Cobram's unique cultural identity is directly linked to the Murray River. Locals have always lived off the surrounding lands which have been fed by the river, but these waters do more than just help the farmers. They also make Cobram a massive water sports destination. Go fishing along the banks, spend the day paddle boarding or get behind a power boat for some water skiing. You don't have to be a water sport pro to enjoy all this, either. There are several companies that offer water skiing lessons for total newbies, and you can easily join a guided canoe tour of the local waterway. There are also some romantic sunset cruises for those wanting to slow down. Everyone and anyone can enjoy a long day on the Murray. [caption id="attachment_845477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] LEARN THE LOCAL HISTORY AND ENJOY A TRADITIONAL FARMERS' LUNCH The Byramine Homestead is ideal for road trippers wanting to take in some regional history. Learn about the early pioneering days which helped make Cobram what it is today before having a morning tea in the picturesque gardens. There's also a brewery and cider house on site and a restaurant with paddock-to-plate meals (try the Ploughman's) so you can spend a few more hours drinking and snacking within this historic setting. Take a long rest here before heading back to your hotel, caravan park or tent for the night. ADMIRE THE MURRAY IN COMFORT AT THE RACV COBRAM RESORT When on a long road trip, you really want to stay somewhere that immerses you in the local area. And the RACV Cobram Resort does just that. Positioned along the Murray River, the property features a range of self-contained cabins where you and your crew can relax amongst the wildlife — or, sit out on your private balcony, pour yourself a glass of wine, and escape it all. Either spend the whole day making the most of the resort's facilities (there's a pool, tennis courts and a spa to enjoy in the colder months) or use it as a base to explore more of the region. At RACV Cobram Resort, you can take in the sights, scents, and sounds of the Australian countryside in pure comfort. Planning a road trip? Get RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance before you head off. Top images: Visit Victoria
IMAX theatres are the cutting edge of the film industry, and no IMAX screen in the southern hemisphere can really hold a candle to IMAX Melbourne. It's kitted out with IMAX Laser 4K resolution, the only IMAX 1570 film projector in the country and the largest 1.43:1 cinema screen in the southern hemisphere. All that makes it the perfect home for Big Best IMAX Festival, which has set a Saturday, January 31 opening date for its 2026 return. The festival puts the biggest and best of Hollywood, both new and old, front and centre on the IMAX screen, with reruns of recent releases and remastered classics alike for eager theatre attendees — presented in Australia's only IMAX 70mm film prints and IMAX 4k Laser. This year, the program is led by Christopher Nolan classics like The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar and Oppenheimer. They're joined by award season frontrunners from 2025, including Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another — and blockbusters like F1: The Movie and Denis Villeneuve's award-winning Dune and Dune: Part Two ahead of the release of Dune: Messiah later this year. Other entries to the program include a Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 double feature, George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road in 3D and Francis Ford Coppola's divisive Megalopolis. Several classic films will get the remastered IMAX treatment, including The Matrix, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Apocalypse Now, Se7en, Back to the Future, The Shining, Princess Mononoke and more. [caption id="attachment_1061503" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Director/Producer/Co-Writer Christopher Nolan on the set of INTERSTELLAR, from Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures.[/caption] The Christopher Nolan entries are a special standout, as Nolan is known to create films with IMAX theatres in mind. His last release, Oppenheimer, has a film reel that's 18km long and weighs over 270kg, seeing it in IMAX 1570 is an extremely rare treat. His upcoming release, The Odyssey, will be the first film in history to be entirely filmed on IMAX cameras, the film reel is supposedly even longer than Oppenheimer, and IMAX Melbourne will be the only theatre in the southern hemisphere to screen the film on IMAX 70mm when it releases in July. Tickets to BBIFF 2026 go on sale from Wednesday, January 14 at 1pm for IMAX Big League members and 3pm for the general public. Visit the IMAX Melbourne website for more information. Images courtesy of Warner Brothers via Museums Victoria
The World's Best 50 Hotels has named The Calile in Brisbane the top place to stay in the whole of Australia and Oceania not once but twice. Nigella Lawson has sung its praises recently. It's been one of the River City's finest homes away from home ever since first opening in 2018. Holidaymakers flock to the Fortitude Valley spot, including Brisbanites for staycations and out-of-towners for resort-style getaways. Soon, you'll have a second The Calile to stay at further north. As initially announced back in 2022, the group behind The Calile has plans for a new site on the Sunshine Coast. Now, that proposal has just been given final approval. The destination for The Calile's expansion beyond James Street: Noosa, where the brand's sub-tropical look and feel will fit in perfectly. Calile Malouf Investments CMI), the group behind The Calile, has announced that Noosa Shire Council approved the final plans for The Calile Noosa on Thursday, October 17, 2024 after a two-year process. Work can now begin in early 2025, with construction expected to take three years. The next must-stay Noosa hotel will sit on a 2.4-hectare site at 3–7 Serenity Close in Noosa Heads, and feature 153 rooms, 29 suites and four villas. Yes, it's going to be a sprawling venue, which'll apply within the broader location and in the rooms themselves. That's one of the key points of focus for CMI's plans, alongside soaking in that sub-tropical vibe — complete with gardens, which have helped make The Calile in Fortitude Valley what it is. [caption id="attachment_909119" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St[/caption] "We worked collaboratively with the Noosa Council and fine-tuned the scheme to ensure we addressed the planning scheme and community expectations," said The Calile co-owner and CMI Director Michael Malouf. "Resort sites are often at risk of being ceded to multinational hotel companies who impose incongruous designs and standards upon the local community. By contrast, The Calile is a homegrown Southeast Queensland brand with an implicit understanding of the local culture, climate, community, demographic and attributes," he continued. [caption id="attachment_694714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Sean Fennessy.[/caption] Accordingly, your future trips to Noosa should see you roaming around a coastal resort surrounded by lush bushland, taking a dip in several pools — one stretching 50 metres, the other in a garden — and chasing your bliss in the site's wellness facilities. When you recline to your rooms, you'll be relaxing in sizeable surroundings, with 45 square metres the standard hotel-room space. Guests will also be making the most of The Calile's second hotel to be designed by architects Richard and Spence, as Brisbane's is. Mark a 2028 visit in your diary now. Plus, sustainability will be a focus, with carbon-neutral operations the target. [caption id="attachment_973398" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Cieran Murphy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_856487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Sean Fennessy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_973394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Cieran Murphy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_694716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Sean Fennessy.[/caption] The Calile Noosa is set to open by 2028 at 3–7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads. In the interim, find Brisbane's The Calile Hotel at 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley.
Australia's best interiors for 2025 have been revealed — and a theatrical Brisbane restaurant has nabbed top honours. Central, the subterranean restaurant by J.AR Office, claimed the prestigious Premier Award for Australian Interior Design at this year's Australian Interior Design Awards. Celebrated for its moody, immersive atmosphere and inventive use of constraints, the venue also won the Hospitality Design Award and Best of State Commercial for Queensland. The annual awards, now in their 22nd year, recognise excellence across residential, hospitality, retail, installation, public and workplace design, as well as achievements in sustainability and emerging practice. The program is a collaboration between the Design Institute of Australia and Architecture Media's InteriorsAu, with this year's entries honouring aesthetic impact and user-centred thinking. [caption id="attachment_1010109" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Central by J.AR Office[/caption] The jury praised Central as a "highly inventive project" that's "executed with a level of cleverness that uses constraints to its advantage". In a year defined by refined aesthetics and clear design narratives, the 80-seat, Hong Kong-inspired Central stood out for its emotive interiors, with low lighting and cleverly juxtaposed accents of granite, timber and exposed rock, which all set the stage for a singular experience. Elsewhere, southern states swept the residential awards — Montage Apartments by Studio Prineas in Sydney's Double Bay received both the Residential Design and Best of State Residential for New South Wales accolades, commended for its "strong and nuanced colour palette and detailing", while the "joyful, sophisticated and colourful" Panorama House by Sally Caroline won the Residential Decoration Award and Best of State Residential for Victoria. Design Office claimed Retail Design honours for Vic's Meats in Chatswood Chase, Sydney — the project was also awarded Best of State Commercial in NSW for its "bold and highly distinctive design" that "honour[s] the tradition of the butcher's craft through a contemporary expression". [caption id="attachment_1010110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coopers Brand Home by studio gram[/caption] In the Public Design category, Studio SC was recognised for its moving and detailed interior at the new Australian War Memorial entrance in Canberra, which also took home Best of State Commercial in the ACT. The jury was split down the middle for the Workplace Design award, with top honours shared by both Cox Architecture's Adelaide Studio (which also won Best of State Commercial for South Australia) and the Arup Workplace Perth/Boorloo by Hames Sharley with Arup and Peter Farmer Designs — the latter also received the Sustainability Advancement Award for its conscious use of resources and sensitivity to human interaction. The jury noted that this year's awards represented "an opportunity for our industry to stand back, take it all in and genuinely celebrate the quality of interior design being produced in Australia today". And they're confident that the future is in good hands, too: "We can give ourselves a collective pat on the back as we continue to produce work that is inventive and sophisticated." [caption id="attachment_1010111" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Good Luck Restaurant Bar by Akin Atelier[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010112" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Good Luck Restaurant Bar by Akin Atelier[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010114" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010116" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Palace Coffee by Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice[/caption] For more information on the Australian Interior Design Awards 2025 and the full list of winners, head to the awards' website.
Sometimes you just want to leave the city behind and get back to nature. Recharge and reconnect. Go off-road or underwater or deep into the outback. Where can you do it all? Western Australia's Coral Coast. On this stretch of coast, you'll find everything from wildflowers and wonderfully weird geological sights to beautifully preserved coral habitats. See vibrant underwater ecosystems to rival those on the tropical east coast and swim with gentle giants of the sea. Take road trips through storied landscapes of deep cultural significance, stand up high for sweeping vistas across ancient formations and hike, hike, hike to your heart's content. Stay on family-owned cattle stations with luxe amenities or simply set up your tent by the river for a truly rustic getaway. Whether you want a day trip from Perth (Boorloo) or a dedicated adventure north, underwater encounters or desert exploration, country home comforts or nights sleeping out under the stars, here's a few ways you can get in touch with nature during your Coral Coast trip. Get ready for a breath of fresh air — and a heavy dose of wonder and awe. [caption id="attachment_895302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] UNDERWATER WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS The western beaches are world-class — and, if you head offshore (and underwater), you can get up close and personal with a really special place. Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) is a healthy, vibrant reef that plays host to some incredible marine life. To meet them, head out by boat from Coral Bay or Exmouth (Warnangoora). The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and swims by between March and August. You'd be silly to miss taking a snorkel tour to join these gentle and beautiful giants in their home. In this part of the world, you're also well-placed to catch one of the huge manta rays soaring gracefully through the water. Around 30,000 humpbacks pass through the marine park between June and October, and you can set off on a boat tour for a closer look at the pods of these gargantuan guests. For a glimpse of a rare species, take a cruise to see the sea lions in Jurien Bay playing in the ocean and resting on their 'haul out' islands. [caption id="attachment_896070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lavender Patch at Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay[/caption] CORAL VIEWING TOUR It may not be as well known as the Great Barrier Reef, but Ningaloo Marine Park is a thriving World Heritage-listed area — and the world's largest fringing coral reef. The Coral Coast has more than 200 coral varieties and more than 500 species of fish; joining them is an abundance of charismatic mammals and seabirds. For what lies beneath the sparkling blue waves, you can't beat a glass-bottom boat tour — some even include fish-feeding. The clear, shallow waters make it a cinch to view these underwater worlds teeming with marine life; you never know what you're going to spy gliding under the glass. You don't have to be a coral expert when you've got one on board talking you through it, and with passionate guides operating out of a roll call of local businesses — like this one-hour coral-filled trip with Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat — you'll be schooled on all the ins and outs of the reef. Plus, many are eco-certified, so you know your guides love the reef and are dedicated to preserving it for future generations. [caption id="attachment_895352" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] YAMAJI DRIVE TRAIL The Yamaji Drive Trail near Geraldton (Jambinu) is an epic 195-kilometre stretch of road where history, art and natural wonders are entwined. Featuring 14 significant Aboriginal sites, this experience takes its name from the word meaning 'human' or 'man' in the language of the Wajarri people. You'll traverse a diversity of landscapes in this patch of the world, from idyllic beaches, tree-lined rivers and red, red dirt to midden sites, meeting places and stellar wildflower-spotting places to wander. There's no need to keep yourself cooped up in the car: there are numerous walking trails through parks and reserves along the drive. See native quandong trees on the Warlgu trail, go bird-spotting along the Greenough River nature trail, and visit Ellendale Pool, watched over by Bimarra the serpent. Depending on how often you'd like to stop and explore, the whole trip can take between one and two days. Looking to break it up with a stay? We recommend Geraldton, Greenough or Mullewa as overnight pitstops. [caption id="attachment_895316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] NAMBUNG NATIONAL PARK Only a few hours' drive from Perth, Nambung National Park feels a world away from the shining city. Explore this mesmerising area via dedicated walks or drives through the desert. Visit the Pinnacles, the famous ancient limestone rock formations, standing stark in the sandy flats like some alien landscape. Take the boardwalk at Lake Thetis and learn all about the curious geology of the place — and the unique rock forms known as thrombolites. From August to October, the oceanside dune vegetation flowers beautifully, covering the sandy scenery in life and colour. The park also has beaches perfect for swimming, snorkelling and surfing from the white sands and blue waters of Kangaroo Point to Hangover Bay in Jurien Bay Marine Park and the rocky shoreline of Grey beach area (if you brought a fishing rod, this is the spot). Head to the Desert Discovery Centre to find out more about the history, significance and ecology of this fascinating park. [caption id="attachment_895310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] KALBARRI SKYWALK The Kalbarri Skywalk (Kaju Yatka) offers an unbeatable view of the 80-kilometre expanse of the Murchison River Gorge. Formed millions of years ago, the gorge is part of an ancient landscape replete with fossils and fascinating geology. The cantilevered platforms sit 100 metres above the gorge, making it feel like you're really floating in the sky. Look down or gaze out and take in the vast view of scrub, sand and stone below, with the river snaking through. There are a few more spectacular places to catch a sunset around here, too. If you want to get a bit closer, take a hiking track down to the gorge to catch the seasonal wildflowers blooming in the rugged terrain. Learn about the flora and fauna, the history of the place and of the Nanda Aboriginal people from sculptures and helpful signs. Stay a while and refresh yourself at the kiosk or set up a picnic at the table. You won't find a better lunchtime vista than this. CORAL COAST WILDFLOWER TRAIL Love wildflowers? Really love them? Then set off on this 11-day trail along a stretch of the Coral Coast in bloom. From late July to early October, this driving trail and its many points of interest burst into florals — with a few rare plant species to spot as well. Native wildflowers surround historical sites, tourist activities and places of cultural significance. Pick up a map and set out on an adventure. Each day on this road trip offers a new landscape, a different mix of wildflowers and wildlife, and a compact diversity of geological wonders, national parks and sweeping beaches. You can stop off in Carnarvon — the 'food bowl' — to sample delicious local produce while spotting the fuchsia dream parakeelya, delicate bluebells and seasonal everlastings. While you're on this adventure, you could opt to stay at Peron Homestead, relax in an artesian spa, explore 8 kilometres of walking trails in Mullewa, get amongst the gum trees, carpets of wildflowers and native scrub (and a few rare orchids) in Kalbarri National Park and visit historic buildings to discover the stories of the vibrant communities along the way. [caption id="attachment_895309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] OUTBACK STATION STAYS: BULLARA, QUOBBA, WOORAMEL Want the real outback experience? Stay at a working station and see it all firsthand. Bullara Station (Punurrba; pictured above) lies between Coral Bay and Exmouth, offering an authentic cattle station experience complete with friendly country hospitality. Stay in a self-contained cottage or shearers' lodge, or on a bush-camping site. Take coffee and scones in the wool shed garden, join your host and guests for special meal nights, stay for the yearly muster, or just wander, stargaze, fish and recharge. For an eco-certified option, head to Quobba Station instead. The Meecham family operates this 187,000-hectare station, which was established in 1898. You can stay in the original cottage outbuildings, including the blacksmith's workshop, stables or jackaroo quarters. You're close to the sea here, so make the most of fishing, whale watching and even snorkelling with turtles. The station campground at Wooramel River Retreat sits on the banks of the Wooramel River. It's a delightful balance between the rugged outdoors and home comforts, with a private campfire, naturally heated artesian bore baths, walking trails and a cafe and nightly dinners. The family-owned outback station backs onto a World Heritage area and splendid surrounds that are hard to beat if you're looking to partake in wildlife spotting. 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 (Exmouth Adventure Co; Quobba Station; Bullara Station Stay; Bullara Station Stay; Ningaloo Reef; Coral Bay; Kalbarri Skywalk; Exmouth Dive).
It's not even the end of 2025, and 2026 is already shaping up to be a significant and exciting year for the Melbourne hospo industry. The team behind Melbourne perennial hotspot, the Gilson, have announced plans for an intriguing new venue to open next year. James McBride and Marc Gurman are well-versed in the art of Melbourne drinking and dining. Their Domain Road cafe by day, restaurant by night, the Gilson, draws crowds from all hours, serving not only energetic vibes, but consistently high-quality food. Now, they are taking their many years of experience and channelling it into The Frog Club. Slated to open in August 2026, the new venue is set to be a hot new grill and late-night spot, taking up the former Morris Jones Site on Chapel Street in Windsor. "At The Frog Club, we are creating a venue we have really missed in Melbourne," says co-owner Jamie McBride, "where it is not just the food that is culturally exciting, but it is also the atmosphere, a place you don't really want to leave." The venue will take influence from New York City grills, while also focusing strongly on music with a high-flying vinyl collection. There will be burgers and dry-aged steaks, classic cocktails, and if the Gilson is anything to go by, it's likely the guest list will be as notable as the wine list. Images: Supplied. The Frog Club is slated to open in August 2026. In the meantime, work your way through the best restaurants in Melbourne using our handy guide.
While many of us wish we were jumping on a plane for a week of relaxing at a beachside resort in Saint-Tropez or hopping over to the Cinque Terre for many bowls of pasta and spritzes, the reality is international travel can be a time-consuming and expensive hassle. But, that doesn't mean a glamorous waterfront getaway is completely unattainable. About an hour's drive north of Sydney, you'll find Pittwater, which is surrounded by hundreds of secluded beach houses, charming cabins set right on the water and serene retreats that'll transport you miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To save you hours of scrolling, we've rounded up a list of the most stunning — and most secluded — Airbnbs located by the water around Sydney's northern beaches. So, book a spot, pack your togs and get ready to escape the city for a weekend of relaxing. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains The Boathouse, Scotland Island This cosy coastal cabin is the ideal destination for couples wanting to unwind, beachside. It's got character aplenty, with sparkling water views to match. From $440 a night, sleeps two. Boathouse on the Waterfront, Avalon Beach A cheery couples' hideout perched right on the shores of Careel Bay, where just a few steps connect open-plan living with a waterfront jetty. From $995 a night, sleeps two. Secluded Waterfront Cottage, Lovett Bay It doesn't get much more secluded than this bayside retreat for two, which backs onto a lush national park and has water-only access. From $399 a night, sleeps two. Retreat at Coasters, Coasters Retreat Treat your flock to some downtime at this family-style retreat, enveloped by pristine bushland and set just metres from the shore. From $444 a night, sleeps four. The Secret Palm Beach Getaway, Palm Beach At this breezy Palm Beach cottage, the open-plan living space, sprawling deck and infinity pool all boast the same covetable water views. From $700 a night, sleeps two. Sandstone Cottage, Great Mackerel Beach One of Mackerel Beach's original sandstone cottages is now a secluded six-person hideaway with spectacular sunrises to match. From $1100 a night, sleeps six. Cape Mackerel Cabin, Great Mackerel Beach Secure your own patch of Great Mackerel beachfront, boasting an entertainer's dream deck and views that stretch from Palm Beach to the Central Coast. From $635 a night, sleeps six. Tides Reach Boathouse, McCarrs Creek Accessible only by water, this modern nautical cottage feels worlds away from reality. Fresh white interiors and a sun-drenched waterfront deck round out the holiday vibes. From $700 a night, sleeps eight. The Boathouse Retreat, Elvina Bay This peaceful hideaway nestled on the edge of Ku-ring-gai National Park offers stunning views of Pittwater and that cosy tiny home feel without compromising comfort. From $360 a night, sleeps two. The Oyster Shed, Lovett Bay Accessed only by water, this rustic studio on the bay is perfect romantic getaway. This nautical boathouse comes complete with a fire pit, private dock and cosy vibes to spare. From $369 a night. Sleeps two. Top image: Waterfront Boathouse FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Chinese tradition meets the old-school Aussie pub at The National Hotel in Richmond. And now, every Sunday from midday until the stroke of 3pm, the iconic local is hosting an elaborate Yum Cha lunch. Because there's no better way to end your week (or cure your hangover) than with the mother of all feeds. Yum Cha Sundays will feature a range of classic and modern yum cha options, which, if you're lucky, might include their steamed duck dumplings and pork belly bao. They'll also be serving a special iced tea cocktail, which should go down a treat. Alternatively, stick with beer. Beer's good too. Image: Gareth Sobey/The National.
It's about time Torquay got a luxe day spa. The Great Ocean Road town does have a few wellness spaces that you can drop by for massages and skin treatments, but there's nothing quite like the bathhouses and natural hot springs found across the bay at Mornington Peninsula. But finally, on Thursday, December 26, About Time will open and Torquay will get the day spa it deserves. It comes from the people who created Little Company (champions of slow, pared-back facials and LED lightroom therapy) and STILL Beauty (massage experts), so you're sure to get some damn good wellness treatments here. The Torquay spa is also fully equipped for all your luxury bathing needs within its brutalist building. Inside, it will have a magnesium pool, cold plunge pool, traditional sauna, steam room, and private infrared saunas and ice baths that can be booked for groups of up to eight people. Step outside, and you'll find hot and cold magnesium pools that are tailor-made for social bathing with mates. You're free to chat out here, but it seems like the indoor bathhouse is more about quiet self-care. With so little competition out this way, About Time is set to be incredibly popular with locals and day-trippers alike. About Time is slated to open on Boxing Day, and will be found at 27 Baines Crescent, Torquay. For more information and to book a spot at the spa, check out the venue's website.
