UPDATE, February 15, 2024: Supernormal Brisbane is now set to open in 2024. Head to the Supernormal website for further details. Big culinary names making a move to southeast Queensland: now that's a trend that Sunshine State residents love to see. In just the past couple of months, Guy Grossi has announced plans to open an Amalfi-inspired restaurant in Brisbane, and Hong Kong's Michelin-starred cantonese restaurant T'ang Court just launched on the Gold Coast. The latest eatery that's set to join them: Melbourne's famed Supernormal. Acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell has revealed that Supernormal will launch a second location in 443 Queen Street, Brisbane, in a new residential tower that's due to open in late 2023. It'll sit on the riverfront, and boast views of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge — and also be perched between the Queen Street Mall and Howard Smith Wharves. "There is a special combination of relationship, location, environment and architecture at 443 Queen Street that we are seriously excited to be a part of," said McConnell, announcing the news via Trader House — the collective that spans his restaurants, specialty retail stores and events. "For the past seven years, we've welcomed many interstate and international guests to Supernormal in Melbourne. Now, we look forward to contributing to Brisbane's already growing and vibrant food scene." "There's also a bounty of some of the country's best produce available. What a thrill to be able to explore this as we refine our offering," McConnell continued. Supernormal Brisbane marks Trader House's first venue beyond its Melbourne base, and will seat around 120 diners both inside and out — including in a private dining setup. While it's obviously too early to reveal the menu, the Brisbane restaurant will feature a hefty focus on Queensland produce and seafood, while plating up contemporary Australian dishes that also take inspiration from McConnell's time in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. Fingers crossed that Melbourne's marinated claims, New England lobster rolls, Hunan-style beef tartare and whole roasted flounder make the jump. On architectural and interior design duties: Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of Sydney's ACME, with the agency also working on the design of Melbourne's Gimlet at Cavendish House — the only Australian venue to make the longlist in 2022 for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, coming in in 84th position. Brisbanites can expect Supernormal Brisbane to link in with the Brisbane Riverwalk precinct — 'tis the location for it — and operate seven days a week, including offering an all-day dining menu. The new venue will start welcoming in patrons 22 years after McConnell opened his first restaurant, Dining Room 211, in Melbourne in 2001. And, it folds into a career that's spanned plenty of other notable Victorian sites, including Cutler & Co, Cumulus Inc, Marion, Builders Arms Hotel, Meatsmith and Morning Market. Supernormal Brisbane is set to open at 443 Queen Street, Brisbane in late 2023 — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced. For more information about Supernormal Melbourne, head to the restaurant's website. Images: Supernormal Melbourne, Nikki To / Jo McGann / Kristoffer Paulsen.
It has been a tough summer in Australia, with bushfires raging across the country and ongoing drought still taking its toll. In response to these disasters, it's been a summer filled with Aussie spirit, too — as the country rallies together to do whatever it can to support those affected, as well as the volunteer firefighters battling the blazes. Trust Australia's distillers to take the whole Aussie spirit concept literally, though. Making Aussie spirits is their job, so they're banding together to donate some of that local booze to a great cause. That's what the Aussie Spirit Auction is all about — selling off Australian-made gins, rums, vodkas, whiskies and whiskeys, moonshine and other liqueurs, and giving all the proceeds to Rural Aid's bushfire and drought relief efforts. More than 100 Aussie distilleries are taking part, including big names such as Four Pillars, Starward, Archie Rose and Brookie's Gin. Together, they've donated more than 200 bottles, including many that are rare, limited edition or simply can't be bought in stores. A number of experiences, such as distillery tours, are also on offer, as are fine art prints of distilleries if you need something for your wall. There are two ways to take part, stock up your liquor cabinet and help those in need: a physical auction and gala in Sydney on Friday, February 28, and an online auction that's currently underway online until the same date. For those thinking about attending in person, your $120 ticket will also be donated to Rural Aid, and you'll also eat your way through a three-course dinner, drink plenty of craft spirits and get the chance to bid on the auction's top 12 items. There'll also be a pop-up bar onsite showcasing distilleries from bushfire-affected regions, including WildBrumby, Karu, Reed & Co, Corowa, Craft Works and Joadja. [caption id="attachment_761560" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] 5Nines Distilling, Richard Lyons[/caption] Online, current bids range from reasonable to hefty, depending on the brand and the item on offer. And, if you're eager to help but aren't interested in the booze, you can also simply donate without bidding. Plus, you can bid on a brand new whisky that's being made especially for the occasion — called 'the Aussie Spirit', naturally. The Aussie Spirit Auction is currently underway online, with bids accepted until 10pm AEDT on Friday, February 28. The live auction and gala takes place in Sydney on the same date — at Dockside, 2 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour — with tickets on sale now. Top image: Archie Rose Distilling Co.
If spending a long weekend or a winter break in the great outdoors is on your agenda, the Victorian Government has just delivered excellent news: you've now got more places to pitch a tent. As part of a big push to add more campgrounds around the state, as funded to the tune of $105.6 million, a whopping 119 sites are either opening up as new spots or getting a revamp. Even better: 43 of them are up and running right now, if you're eager to make the most of the upcoming Anzac Day long weekend or you're already planning your next getaway after that. Just before Easter, the Victorian Government revealed that 13 new and 28 upgraded campgrounds are now operational, spanning everywhere from Grampians to the Great Ocean Road, and including reopened spots that had been destroyed or damaged by bushfires and storms. The Grampians Peaks Trail is now home to seven new hike-in campgrounds, for instance, and three new campsites are located in the Great Otway National Park. Also among the newcomers: Flat Spur Campground at Mt Buller, Thomson Bridge Campground in Gippsland and Stockman's Campground in Big River State Forest (which is just south of Lake Eildon). Paddy Joy Campsite near Corryong, Cobaw Visitor Area in the Cobaw State Forest, and Werribee River and Wombat Creek Picnic Areas in the Wombat State Forest rank among the locations that've been reopened after damage. In terms of upgrades, Lake Lascelles Campground and Dimboola Caravan Park in western Victoria now boast all-ability accessible amenities, and Nelson Kywong Caravan Park on the Glenelg River has all-ability accessible showers and cabins. Booking-wise, you can make reservations to slumber in national park campsites via the Parks Victoria website — while most state forest campgrounds don't require bookings. The remaining 23 new and 55 upgraded campgrounds are set to be finished by mid-2023, which'll give you even more spots to head to. For more information about Victoria's new and upgraded campgrounds, head to the Victorian Government website. Images: Parks Victoria — Grampians National Park, Visit Victoria.
The summer of 2019 in the US was unofficially dubbed 'White Claw Summer'. The hard seltzer (an alcoholic carbonated water) was as popular as frosé was the summer before — and now it's set to make a splash Down Under when it launches here in October. So, Aussies, it's time to prepare for your own summer of sippin' Claws. Lion Australia has partnered up with Mark Anthony Brands International, the makers of White Claw, to import and distribute the sparkling beverage from mid-spring. To start, it'll be selling the company's three most popular flavours — mango, natural lime and ruby grapefruit — but expects to launch more of the expansive range over time. White Claw comes in white cans and is named after the supposed legend of the "white claw wave": when three perfect crests come together to create the perfect wave. As well as being a little like an alcoholic version of the already extremely popular La Croix drinks, White Claw gained popularity for its relatively low calories (100 a pop), low sugar content (two grams of carbohydrates a can) and catchy unofficial slogan: "Ain't no laws when you're drinking Claws". As American police departments were quick to point out, however, there are still in fact laws when you're drinking Claws. https://www.facebook.com/BathTownshipPolice/posts/2450523918365166 Australia's own police departments are known for publishing many tongue-in-cheek social posts, so expect plenty of Claw references when the drink lands here. White Claw isn't the only hard seltzer you'll find on bottle shop shelves this summer, either. Aussie-brewed Fellr and sugar-free Good Tides are both already available at BWS and Dan Murphy's, and Lion launched Quincy last year, which it dubbed the "first alcoholic seltzer in Australia". White Claw is set to hit Aussie bottle-o shelves this October. We'll let you know when more details are announced.
Transform your iPhone into the classic rangefinder camera of a photojournalist with the solid black Gizmon iCA Military Edition. This case will totally convert your iPhone, wrapping around it completely and creating an entirely new 'camera', complete with a viewfinder and a top-mounted shutter button. Choose from the available wide, macro, and fisheye lenses, and attach to create photographic effects unavailable in the iPhone itself. The iCA Military Edition comes with a detachable tripod mount, ideal for longer exposures, as well as a fabric bag to store and protect the durable polycarbonate pieces of your camera. The product site claims that the iCA "blurs the line between phone and camera by combining them both", and it's all yours for around $70. [via NOTCOT]
If your travel plans for 2025 include a Japanese or South Korean holiday, trips to both destinations just got cheaper. Jetstar is helping you lock in your vacations for this year by bringing back the airline's popular 'return for free' deal, this time focusing specifically on both Asian nations. Whether you're heading to Tokyo, Osaka or Seoul, a discount awaits. Whichever of the three cities that you decide to fly into, the Australian carrier's latest special will bring you home without making you spend a cent. One caveat: you've got just 72 hours to snap up tickets, with the sale running for three days from 12am AEDT on Wednesday, January 28, 2025–11.59pm AEDT on Friday, January 31, 2025, unless sold out earlier. This deal really is as straightforward as it sounds. No matter which flights you opt for as part of the sale — to Tokyo, Osaka or Seoul only, though, through Narita, Kansai and Incheon airports — you'll get the return fare for nothing. You do need to nab one of Jetstar's starter fares, and you'll then get a free return starter fare for zilch. Also, you'll have to fly in and out of the same arrival and departure port — so factor that in if you're planning to use either of the two Japanese cities or the South Korean destination as a starting point for heading to other places. Also, as is usually the case with Jetstar, checked baggage is not included. Still, expect the flights to get snapped up quickly when they go on sale. If you're a Club Jetstar member, you can get the jump on the special via access from 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, January 28 until midnight. Wondering when you'll be travelling? Dates vary per route, but the windows cover from early-May through to late-November 2025. Jetstar's Japan and South Korea 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEDT on Wednesday, January 28, 2025–11.59pm AEDT on Friday, January 31, 2025 — unless it's sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Itching to take a break from working from home by plunging yourself into the great outdoors? Love the idea of turning on your OOO message and hitting a six-day nature hike, getting a rush of adrenaline as you speed down a mountain on a bike, or gliding over expansive desert sands at exhilarating heights? Then it might be time to put Central Australia on your travel map. Home to some of the most epic activities the country has to offer, taking the plunge and visiting the Red Centre might be the little pick-me-up you need. So, we've partnered with Tourism Central Australia to bring you some of Central Australia's most thrilling activities.
Need a little fantasy in your life? You'll find a healthy serve of it at Melbourne's newly-opened Storyville — a bar inspired by fables, fairytales and all the fantastical things that captured your imagination as a little tacker. The Lonsdale Street spot is the brainchild of Steve and Keti Thomas, who've previously helped you escape reality at iconic themed drinking spots 29th Apartment and Pawn & Co. To bring the Storyville concept to life, they've tapped into the creativity of Josh Lefers (East 9th Brewing, Pawn & Co) for fitout that includes a lofty gold bird cage, novel-filled library, Narnia-inspired lounge and magical toadstool bar decked out with giant glowing funghi. The signature cocktail list comes sprinkled with literary nostalgia as well, with each crafty drink paying homage to a timeless favourite. Through The Looking Glass, featuring a boozy vanilla cream tea and served in a teapot with dry ice, is a nod to Lewis Carroll's iconic story, while for Mr Pilkington's Neighbour, a combination of apple liqueur, animal crackers and pork chop fat-washed bourbon combine to transport you to the pages of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Harry Potter, Hunter S. Thompson, A Clockwork Orange and more also get a nod — and you might even find yourself face-to-face with a garnish of real insects. Meanwhile, the food situation runs to cheese, charcuterie and a selection of jaffles, inspired by stories like The Three Blind Mice and that Dr Seuss favourite, Green Eggs and Ham. Head in a sip of polyjuice and a tumble down the rabbit hole. Find Storyville at 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Head to their website for further details Images: Jean-Louis Carvalho.
AMENDMENT: October 22, 2018 — This article previously stated that Crazy Rider Xpress would open to the public on November 4. This was incorrect, it will open to the public on Monday, November 5. Got the need for speed? Well, soon you'll be able to experience a rush similar to being launched into outer space (supposedly) when the world's fastest rollercoaster zip-line opens in Sydney next month. Latest addition to the adrenaline-packed activities at TreeTops Adventure Park, the Crazy Rider Xpress sends punters hurtling through the air, downhill, at speeds of up to 50kms per hour. Clocking in at around 2.3g-force, that's not too far from what an astronaut experiences being rocketed from earth. Open to (brave members of) the public from Monday, November 5, the new high-thrills ride weaves half a kilometre through the trees on a rollercoaster-style zip-line track, complete with a few cheeky 360-degree loop-the-loops along the way. That makes for some pretty stellar views and a top-notch Go-Pro shoot...if, of course, your nerves aren't too frazzled to take in those surroundings. While you're there, there are a heap of other sly-high activities you do, including wall climbs and rope courses through the trees The aerial adventure park — which also has outposts in Pennant Hills, Coffs Harbour, Central Coast and Newcastle — already has a Crazy Rider on the Central Coast, but it's longer (one kilometre) and not quite as fast. To give you some idea of what to expect, though, the Central Coast one goes for about an hour, has four 360-degree loops and costs $79. Crazy Rider Xpress will open on Monday, November 5, at TreeTops Adventure Park Western Sydney, 749 Elizabeth Drive, Abbotsbury. Images: TreeTops Crazy Rider, Central Coast
When you go to the movies to watch a flick on the big screen, you abide by the usual cinema etiquette rules. You don't kick the seat in front of you, you refrain from checking your phone and lighting up the darkened theatre with its bright glow, and you don't natter away through the feature and annoy everyone around you, for instance. Also, you wear clothes. Well, usually. If you're going to the Lido's special nude session of Nude Tuesday, however, disrobing is highly encouraged. Yes, you read that correctly. When the New Zealand comedy hits screens Down Under this winter, it's baring all, and the Lido wants you to join in. Featuring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement, his What We Do in the Shadows co-star Jackie van Beek, and Aussie Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Damon Herriman, Nude Tuesday follows an unhappy couple who are gifted a trip to a remote couples' retreat to help save their marriage — a spot where getting in the buff often is recommended — after all. Attendees are asked to strip down for the session (or just wear their underwear) at 4pm on Sunday, June 26. There are a few ground rules, though. Photography is completely off limits, you'll need to bring a towel to sit on, only patrons over the age of 18 can attend and you're asked to respect your fellow movie-goers' personal space. You also need to rock up fully clothed, and then disrobe inside the cinema. And, if you have to go to the bathroom during the movie — or want something from the candy bar — you'll need to get dressed again. This isn't the Lido's first clothing-optional session — or its first involving Clement, for that matter. Fans might remember that the venue did the same for another comedy called Patrick last year.
With the summer months moving by at pace it stands to reason that you'd want to make every minute count. However, if you're a little bored of beach time or are looking to swap sunny sporting events for something equally exciting then Mt Hotham offers alternatives in abundance. Because, while the unique alpine village resort in Victoria's High Country (the highest in Australia, in fact) may traditionally be associated with mercury-dropping, mid-year escapes and snow days, here are six reasons why explorers should pay a visit right now. WALKING ON AIR...WELL, ALMOST With an altitude of 1861 metres, Mt Hotham is a hiking hot spot for those who like their head in the clouds but their feet firmly on the ground. And while you could certainly hit your 10,000 steps with a few laps around the block, heading to the highest mountain in the Victorian Alps offers a much more scenic way of doing it. The comfort and centrality of Mt Hotham's alpine village make it an ideal base to discover a range of alpine tracks and trails that provide access to some of Australia's best views, unique flora and the region's rich history. Do it yourself and download the Tracks & Trails Map before you arrive. Or, explore the terrain with experienced operators who provide professional guided tours for a hike that is truly a walk in the park. RUN FOR THE HILLS Melbourne's muggy February temperatures generally see the will to stick to New Year's resolutions wane among even the most motivated wellness warriors. However, if you're struggling with sweaty summer workouts but don't want to throw in the (proverbial) towel just yet, then heading to the hills — especially those of Victoria's High County — offers a cool solution. With kilometres of open space to explore and views to inspire, Mt Hotham is a trail runner's dream. Plug in your earbuds, take your pick from simple single tracks or more challenging trails and prepare to feel the wind in your hair as you leave all the worries of the world (including the fear of heat stroke) behind you. PACK A PICNIC Planning the perfect picnic can be problematic. Should your antipasto platter feature a soft rind and a blue cheese or is cheddar an essential requirement? Is there any scenic vista left in the state of Victoria that isn't already packed with crowds? While Mt Hotham may not be able to solve the cheese debate, it does offer an excellent solution to the other dilemma by delivering a long list of unspoilt picnic-friendly spots. Bring your basket and make your way to the Mt Hotham Summit for 360-degree views over the alps. Round up a group of friends and head to Silver Brumby Hut where you can unwind on the Plains of Heaven down by Swindlers Creek. Another solid option is to unfurl your picnic rug at Joyce Brockhoff Hut to enjoy a more secluded nosh in nature. ECO-CAMPING BUT MAKE IT GLAM If you love the idea of going off-grid but aren't quite ready to give up your creature comforts, Mt Hotham offers a solution by way of their Eco-Glamping Alpine Nature Experiences. As well as all the best bits of a traditional weekend of camping in the wild — crystal clear air, starry night skies and the chance to unplug from the high energy of urban life — Mt Hotham is also home to Australia's only Tree Tent accomodation. Raised off the ground and strung between trees to deliver truly stunning vistas over Hotham, these comfortable tents are perfect for campers who can't fathom the thought of ants crawling near their sleeping bag. Paired with luxury additions like private outdoor hot baths, complimentary bottle of local sparkling wine and freshly cooked breakfast (with vegetarian and gluten-free meal options), it'll be hard to ever imagine pitching your own tent again. GET THE FOUR WHEELS IN MOTION Venture off the highway and into the hills to tackle Mt Hotham's tough terrain and sensational scenery in an equally vigorous vehicle. While your own two feet can certainly play their part in transporting you to Victoria's High Country's most popular outposts, there's something seriously special about taking the wheel and discovering the striking ridge lines, creek crossings and endless valleys of Mt Hotham that would otherwise be inaccessible. For all the necessary details needed to get the most out of a 4WD adventure through the region, take a look at the extensive guide which includes everything from road conditions to washing facilities. WHITE WATER RAFTING MAGIC A February trip to Mt Hotham doesn't necessarily require you to forgo the quintessential summer experience of feeling the water between your toes. However, instead of beaches you'll find the mighty Mitta Mitta River and an abundance of opportunities to take advantage of its crystal clear mountain rapids. Consider a canoe, kayak or commit to a day of white water rafting. With the remote river surging from the magnificent Alpine Gorges and winding its way through the Omeo Valley's spectacular granite rock formations, you can expect an adrenaline rush matched only by the exquisite wilderness, Australian wildlife and impressive natural environment that Mt Hotham is known for. For more information on things to see and do at Mount Hotham this summer, head to Victoria's High Country website.
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures and plenty of people staying home in iso will do that — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you've had a close-contact run-in. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here's 12 you can watch right now at home. NO TIME TO DIE James Bond might famously prefer his martinis shaken, not stirred, but No Time to Die doesn't quite take that advice. While the enterprising spy hasn't changed his drink order, the latest film he's in — the 25th official feature in the franchise across six decades, and the fifth and last that'll star Daniel Craig — gives its regular ingredients both a mix and a jiggle. The action is dazzlingly choreographed, a menacing criminal has an evil scheme and the world is in peril, naturally. Still, there's more weight in Craig's performance, more emotion all round, and a greater willingness to contemplate the stakes and repercussions that come with Bond's globe-trotting, bed-hopping, villain-dispensing existence. There's also an eagerness to shake up parts of the character and Bond template that rarely get a nudge. Together, even following a 19-month pandemic delay, it all makes for a satisfying blockbuster cocktail. For Craig, the actor who first gave Bond a 21st-century flavour back in 2006's Casino Royale (something Pierce Brosnan couldn't manage in 2002's Die Another Day), No Time to Die also provides a fulfilling swansong. That wasn't assured; as much as he's made the tuxedo, gadgets and espionage intrigue his own, the Knives Out and Logan Lucky actor's tenure has charted a seesawing trajectory. His first stint in the role was stellar and franchise-redefining, but 2008's Quantum of Solace made it look like a one-off. Then Skyfall triumphed spectacularly in 2012, before Spectre proved all too standard in 2015. Ups and downs have long been part of this franchise, depending on who's in the suit, who's behind the lens, the era and how far the tone skews towards comedy — but at its best, Craig's run has felt like it's building new levels rather than traipsing through the same old framework. No Time to Die is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. ETERNALS It's the only Marvel movie by an Oscar-winning director. Focusing on a superhero squad isn't new, even if everyone here is a Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer, but it's the lone instalment in the franchise that's about a team led by women of colour. It's home to the MCU's only caped crusader who is deaf, and its first openly gay superhero — and it doesn't just mention his sexuality, but also shows his relationship. It happens to be the first Marvel flick with a sex scene, too. Eternals is also the only film in the hefty saga with a title describing how long the series will probably continue. And, it's the sole MCU entry that features two ex-Game of Thrones stars — Kit Harington and Richard Madden, two of the show's Winterfell-dwelling brothers — and tasks them both with loving a woman called Sersi. (The name isn't spelled the same way, but it'll still recalls Westeros.) As opening text explains, Eternals' central immortal aliens were sent to earth 7000 years ago to battle intergalactic beasts, dispatched by a Celestial — a space god, really — called Arishem. With the monstrous Deviants, another alien race, wreaking havoc, the Eternals were tasked with fighting the good fight — and were forbidden to interfere otherwise, which is why they've been absent in the last 25 movies. But now, a new Deviant attacks Sersi (Gemma Chan, Raya and the Last Dragon), her human boyfriend Dane Whitman (Harington) and fellow Eternal Sprite (Lia McHugh, The Lodge). That gets the gang back together swiftly, including the flying, laser-eyed Ikaris (Madden), the maternal Ajak (Salma Hayek, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Bollywood star Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani, The Lovebirds), the super-strong Gilgamesh (Don Lee, Ashfall), warrior Thena (Angelia Jolie, Those Who Wish Me Dead), the super-speedy Makkari (Lauren Ridloff, Sound of Metal), tech wiz Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry, Godzilla vs Kong) and the mind-manipulating Druig (Barry Keoghan, The Green Knight). Eternals is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. DUNE A spice-war space opera about feuding houses on far-flung planets, Dune has long been a pop-culture building block. Before Frank Herbert's 1965 novel was adapted into a wrongly reviled David Lynch-directed film — a gloriously 80s epic led by Kyle MacLachlan and laced with surreal touches — it unmistakably inspired Star Wars, and also cast a shadow over Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Game of Thrones has since taken cues from it. The Riddick franchise owes it a debt, too. The list goes on and, thanks to the new version bringing its sandy deserts to cinemas, will only keep growing. As he did with Blade Runner 2049, writer/director Denis Villeneuve has once again grasped something already enormously influential, peered at it with astute eyes and built it anew — and created an instant sci-fi classic. This time, Villeneuve isn't asking viewers to ponder whether androids dream of electric sheep, but if humanity can ever overcome one of our worst urges and all that it brings. With an exceptional cast that spans Timothée Chalamet (The French Dispatch), Oscar Isaac (The Card Counter), Rebecca Ferguson (Reminiscence), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Javier Bardem (Everybody Knows), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and more, Dune tells of birthrights, prophesied messiahs, secret sisterhood sects that underpin the galaxy and phallic-looking giant sandworms, and of the primal lust for power that's as old as time — and, in Herbert's story, echoes well into the future's future. Its unpacking of dominance and command piles on colonial oppression, authoritarianism, greed, ecological calamity and religious fervour, like it is building a sandcastle out of power's nastiest ramifications. And, amid that weightiness — plus those spectacularly shot visuals and Hans Zimmer's throbbing score — it's also a tale of a moody teen with mind-control abilities struggling with what's expected versus what's right. Dune is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and Amazon Video. Read our full review. THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH Bringing Shakespeare to the big screen is no longer just about doing the material justice, or even about letting a new batch of the medium's standout talents bring their best to the Bard's immortal words. For anyone and everyone attempting the feat (a list that just keeps growing), it's also about gifting the playwright's material with the finest touches that cinema allows. It's never enough to simply film Macbeth like a theatre production, for instance, even if all that dialogue first penned four centuries ago still ripples with power — while riffing about power — without any extra adornments. No Shakespeare adaptation really needs to explain or legitimise its existence more than any other feature, but the great ones bubble not only with toil and trouble, but with all the reasons why this tale needed to be captured on camera and projected large anew. Joel Coen knows all of the above. Indeed, his take on the Scottish play — which he's called The Tragedy of Macbeth, taking Shakespeare's full original title — justifies its existence as a movie in every single frame. His is a film of exacting intimacy, with every shot peering far closer at its main figures than anyone could ever see on a stage, and conveying more insight into their emotions, machinations and motivations in the process. And, he makes a phenomenal solo debut with this up-close approach. His choice of cast, with Denzel Washington (The Little Things) as powerful as he's ever been on-screen and Frances McDormand (The French Dispatch) showing why she has three Best Actress Oscars, also helps considerably. The former plays Macbeth, the latter Lady Macbeth, and both find new reserves and depths in the pair's fateful lust for glory. The Tragedy of Macbeth is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. THE RESCUE It isn't the first movie about the Tham Luang Nang Non cave incident to reach screens, thanks to the underwhelming The Cave. It won't be the last project to focus on the 12 Thai schoolboys and their soccer coach who were trapped in the Chiang Rai Province spot for 18 days back in 2018, either. Ron Howard (Hillbilly Elegy)-directed dramatisation Thirteen Lives hits cinemas next year, a Netflix limited series executive produced by In the Heights filmmaker John M Chu is also set to debut in 2022 and, to the surprise of no one, more are bound to follow. Still, The Rescue earns another worthy honour. The documentary isn't just an inspirational recounting of a miraculous effort that thwarted a potential tragedy, as told by the brave people who pulled off the feat, although it's certainly that. In addition, this gripping film falls into a genre that always needs more entries: celebrations of skilled people doing difficult things with precision, passion, persistence and prowess. If documentarians Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have a niche, it's this. As co-directors, the married couple has now made three films, all valuing hard work, expertise and when the former leads not only to the latter, but to extraordinary achievements. With 2015 Sundance award-winner Meru, they documented Chin's efforts with two other climbers to scale Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas. Then came Oscar-winner Free Solo, the exceptional doco about Alex Honnold's quest to free-climb Yosemite National Park's El Capitan. The Rescue swaps clambering up for diving deep, and hones in on an event that captured international headlines as it happened, but still belongs in the same company as the duo's past two releases. Here, viewers start the film with an understanding of what happened thanks to all that non-stop news coverage, but finish it in profound awe of the talent, smarts, dedication and unflinching competence involved. The Rescue is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. MALIGNANT The latest film from Australian Insidious and The Conjuring director James Wan, Malignant takes plenty of time in its first half — and, when that's the case, the audience feels every drawn-out second. But after Wan shifts from slow setup mode to embracing quite the outrageous and entertainingly handled twist, his movie swiftly becomes a devilish delight. Heavily indebted to the 70s-era works of giallo master Dario Argento, David Cronenberg's body-horror greats and 80s scary movies in general, Malignant uses its influences as fuel for big-swinging, batshit-level outlandishness. Most flicks can't segue from a slog to a B-movie gem. Most films can't be saved by going so berserk, either. Wan's tenth stint behind the lens can and does, and leaves a limb-thrashing, blood-splattering, gleefully chaotic imprint. Perhaps it's a case of like name, like approach; tumours can grow gradually, then make their havoc felt. Regardless, it doesn't take long within Malignant for Dr Florence Weaver (Jacqueline McKenzie, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears) to proclaim that "it's time to cut out the cancer" while treating a locked-up patient in the film's 1992-set prologue. This is a horror movie, so that whole event doesn't turn out well, naturally. Jump forward a few decades, and the feature's focus is now Seattle resident Madison Mitchell (Annabelle Wallis, Boss Level), who is hoping to carry her latest pregnancy with her abusive husband to term. But then his violent temper erupts again, she receives a head injury, and childhood memories start mixing with visions of gruesome killings linked to Dr Weaver's eerie hospital — visions that Madison sees as the murders occur. Malignant is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. ENCANTO Five years after Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney first teamed up on an animated musical with the catchiest of tunes, aka Moana, they're back at it again with Encanto. To viewers eager for another colourful, thoughtful and engaging film — and another that embraces a particular culture with the heartiest of hugs, and is all the better for it — what can the past decade's most influential composer and biggest entertainment behemoth say except you're welcome? Both the Hamilton mastermind and the Mouse House do what they do best here. The songs are infectious, as well as diverse in style; the storyline follows a spirited heroine challenging the status quo; and the imagery sparkles. Miranda and Disney are both in comfortable territory, in fact — formulaic, sometimes — but Encanto never feels like they're monotonously beating the same old drum. Instruments are struck, shaken and otherwise played in the film's soundtrack, of course, which resounds with energetic earworms; the salsa beats of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' are especially irresistible, and the Miranda-penned hip hop wordplay that peppers the movie's tunes is impossible to mentally let go. Spanning pop, ballads and more, all those songs help tell the tale of the Madrigals, a close-knit Colombian family who've turned generational trauma into magic. This is still an all-ages-friendly Disney flick, so there are limits to how dark it's willing to get; however, that Encanto fills its frames with a joyous celebration of Latin America and simultaneously recognises its setting's history of conflict is hugely significant. It also marks Walt Disney Animation Studios' 60th feature — dating back to 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — but its cultural specificity (depictions of Indigenous, Afro Latino and Colombian characters of other ethnicities included) is its bigger achievement. Encanto is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK So much about The Many Saints of Newark is a matter of when, not if: when familiar characters will show up looking younger, when well-known New Jersey locations will be sighted and when someone will eat ziti. This all occurs because it must; it wouldn't be a prequel to The Sopranos otherwise. Servicing fans is a key reason the movie exists, and it's far more resonant if you've already spent 86 episodes with Tony Soprano and his mafia and blood families while watching one of the best TV shows ever made. This is a film with a potent air of inevitability, clearly. Thankfully, that feeling reaches beyond all the obligatory nods and winks. That some things are unavoidable — that giving people what they want doesn't always turn out as planned, and that constantly seeking more will never fix all of life's woes, too — pulsates through this origin story like a thumping bass line. And yes, on that topic, Alabama 3's 'Woke Up This Morning' obviously gets a spin. The first detail that Sopranos fans should've picked up when this flick first got a title: in Italian, many saints translates as moltisanti. While The Many Saints of Newark spends time with young Tony as a pre-teen in the late 60s (played by feature first-timer William Ludwig) and a teen in the early 70s (when The Deuce's Michael Gandolfini, son of the late, great James Gandolfini, steps into the character's shoes), its protagonist is Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, The Art of Self-Defense). He's seen as an uncle and mentor by Tony, who'll eventually hold the same roles for Dickie's son. The Sopranos mainstay Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli, One Night in Miami) turns narrator here, in fact, offering knowing voiceover that occasionally channels the show's dark humour — calling out Christopher's death at Tony's hands, for instance. The Many Saints of Newark is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE What's more ludicrous in Venom: Let There Be Carnage: an alien invasion of one man's body that turns into a parasite-host odd-couple show, or a prologue that thinks Woody Harrelson could've been a 90s teen? Kudos to this sequel to 2018's Venom for starting how it means to go on, at least. With its opening, set in 1996 in a home for unwanted children, the film doubles down on silliness, overblown theatrics and packaging itself as a cartoonish lark. The goofiness of the original box-office hit was among its best traits, and worked because that ridiculousness rattled against the movie's gritty superhero setup. Venom adopted all the stylistic markers that've become the serious-minded caped-crusader formula, then let Tom Hardy bounce around like he was in a comedy. But this time, everyone's gone more than a little vaudeville, as has the movie — and the outcome is right there in the title. Carnage isn't just an apt term to describe the film, which has actor-turned-director Andy Serkis (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle) behind the lens; it's also the name of its second symbiote, aka a flesh-munching extra-terrestrial who inhabits a bag of bones, then brings out its basest urges. Mercifully, Let There Be Carnage isn't big on rehashing the mechanics established in the initial flick, but Venom fits the bill, too, after the creature took up residence inside San Francisco journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy, Capone), then unleashed the franchise's one-body, two-personality double act. Carnage, the red-hued parasite, is the spawn of Venom, albeit bursting forth from condemned serial killer Cletus Kasady (Harrelson, Zombieland: Double Tap) after a scuffle with Brock. And yes, this is the kind of feature that has the scenery-chewing Harrelson proclaim its subtitle with glee. He bellows "let there be carnage!" with winking jokiness, but resembles a ringmaster announcing the next act in a big top. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. HALLOWEEN KILLS They can't all be treats. That's true each time October 31 hits, sending children scurrying around the streets in search of sweets, and it's true of the film franchise that owns the spookiest time of year. Since debuting 43 years ago, the Halloween series has delivered both gems and garbage — and off-kilter delights such as Halloween III: Season of the Witch — but its latest and 12th entry carves a space firmly in the middle. Halloween Kills ticks plenty of boxes that a memorable Halloween movie should, and is also a horror sequel on autopilot. Somehow, it's also a Halloween movie lacking purpose and shape. It has The Shape, of course, as Michael Myers is also known. But it's more an exercise in spending extra time in Haddonfield, in its boogeyman's presence and in world inhabited by franchise heroine Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis, Knives Out) than a compelling slasher flick on its own. After giving the Halloween realm its second-best chapter in 2018, it's easy to see why returning writer/director David Gordon Green (Stronger) and his frequent collaborator Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones) have taken this approach. When you've just made a classic follow-up to a stone-cold classic — again, only John Carpenter's iconic franchise-starter is better — you keep on keeping on. That's not quite how Halloween Kills turns out, though. It picks up immediately where its predecessor left off, lets Michael stab his way through small-town Illinois again, and brings back Laurie's daughter Karen (Judy Greer, Where'd You Go, Bernadette) and teenage granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak, Son) from the last spin. It also pads things out with a vengeance storyline that endeavours to get political, yet proves about as piercing as a butter knife. Halloween Kills is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. ANTLERS When daylight nightmares infiltrate the horror genre and expose humanity's fears to the sun — in 2019's Midsommar, for instance — viewers tend to take notice. That isn't the case with Antlers, a film that's as gloomy in appearance and mood as an unsettling movie can be, whether it's finding darkness in mining shafts, neglected homes or the memories that haunt teacher Julia Meadows (Keri Russell, The Americans) upon returning to her home town after fleeing as a teen decades earlier. This is a grim and bleak feature in every way it can be, in fact, but it also throws sunlight upon troubles that too often go unmentioned. Writer/director Scott Cooper (Black Mass) uses Antlers' brooding hues and tones to lurk in the realm of myth, to confront domestic abuse, and to muse on the persecution of and violence against America's First Peoples and their land — and, as grey as this creature feature always proves, it wields its colour palette like a spotlight. Antlers can be blunt and blatant, traits that don't bode well for a film about a ravenous beast out of Indigenous American folklore that's biting back at its oppressors. It can be delicate and savvy as well, though, especially when it explores how Julia and her student Lucas Weaver (feature debutant Jeremy T Thomas) both grapple with childhoods no one could ever dream of. Julia has only come back to live with her brother Paul (Jesse Plemons, Jungle Cruise), who is now the town's sheriff, after their father's death. She still sees her younger self cowering in fear wherever she looks, and she can't help but gaze with yearning at bottles of liquor in the local store. Lucas, a slip of a boy, is nervy, jittery and defensive. He looks at the ice cream parlour with the same desire, wanting to lose himself in something fleeting but soothing — a sugar rush, in his case. Antlers is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. CRY MACHO Clint Eastwood has already had his animal phase, thanks to 1978's Every Which Way but Loose and 1980's Any Which Way You Can. At the age of 91, he's already had almost every phase in his career he's going to both in front of and behind the lens. Still, with Cry Macho, he takes the road already well-travelled by seemingly every other on-screen action star and tough guy. Eastwood has been far more than that across his filmography, but he's now buddying up with a child as everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Vin Diesel to Dwayne Johnson and Liam Neeson have before him. Indeed, Cry Macho overtly resembles one of the latter's most recent movies, The Marksman, which only hit cinemas earlier in 2021. It stemmed from a former Eastwood collaborator, in fact, and felt like it should've starred him — which leaves his latest following in its footsteps. A rodeo star whose life changed via injury (his own) and tragedy (losing his wife and son), Mike Milo (Eastwood) is content enough with his quiet twilight years. Alas, his old boss Howard (country singer Dwight Yoakam) now says that the cowboy owes him a favour. The rancher's teenage son Rafo (Eduardo Minett, La rosa de Guadalupe) apparently needs rescuing from his mother (Fernanda Urrejola, Party of Five), and Mike is the man reluctantly tasked with travelling to Mexico City to carry out the job. Unsurprisingly, the situation isn't as clearcut as Howard contends, with corrupt Federales, car thieves and other unhappy strangers on their path all muddying the road home even further. But a forced stopover in a small town, where cantina owner Marta (Natalia Traven, Soulmates) becomes the new female influence in their lives, helps forge a rapport. Cry Macho is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows.
Melbourne-based non-profit social enterprise and clothing label HoMie has been working tirelessly to create opportunity for the city's homeless contingent since it crowdfunded its way to a bricks-and-mortar clothing store in Melbourne Central back in 2015. Now located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, HoMie has embarked on a new effort to halt the social disappearance of the city's homeless. HoMie founders Marcus Crook, Nick Pearce and Robert Gillies have curated HoMie StreetView, a photographic exhibition featuring the work of local homeless artists. Supported by Vinomofo and local charity St Mary's House of Welcome, the project saw disposable cameras given to seven homeless Melburnians to help them capture their everyday experiences on the streets. The resulting photographs are on display at Collingwood's Besser Space this weekend. All of the works are for sale too, with money going to the artists, via St. Mary's House of Welcome. Just call it art with heart.
As craft and boutique beer become more and more common, the pastime of sinking a few brews become increasingly complicated. Like snooty wine connoisseurs, beer drinkers are now expected to pick up on subtle flavours and new styles. Coffee IPA is a thing that exists, for instance. And, if you're not well trained in the dark (ale) arts, the act of ordering a beer can be a bit daunting. Rookies can now breathe a sigh of relief. Spanish creative agency Txaber have devised a beautiful, simple system to categorise and label beer using every design nerd's favourite, Pantone. Under their labelling, beer names would no longer sound like children's books — looking at you White Rabbit and Little Creatures. Instead, they would simply be categorised by the exact Pantone colour of the liquid. Classed into nine varieties of beer, the system makes clear the important differences between pale ale, lager and pilsner or dark ale, porter and stout. Of course, it makes no mention of the taste, but it's an easy shortcut for those who are more visually minded. Instead of telling the bartender you don't want anything too dark, you can now give them a specific colour level you'd be content with. In fact, in case you can't even deal with the different names, you could just point to an item of clothing the same colour as your desired beer. Pantone really is the great equaliser. Unfortunately there aren't any plans to implement the designs as yet, although the creators are keen for breweries to give them an offer. Personally, we think it's only a matter of time. Who needs a finely crafted, floral-scented summer magic ale when you can have a wheat beer 7412C? A return to basics has never looked so good. Via Mashable. All images via Txaber.
If you can't go up, go sideways. Iconic Hawthorn pub, The Auburn Hotel, has bought out the next-door neighbours, Regan Motors, with plans to turn the space into a brand new, atrium-style dining hub. It's just one part of a huge $4.3-million renovation and extension project, which should see The Auburn become one of the biggest venues east of Burnley. The other half of the plan is upgrading the Auburn's famous beer garden, including a new wood-fired pizza bar and a lawn for lazy summer afternoons. Plus, a fancy new playground for the little ones. The real star of the show, however, is the old Regan Motors site next door. This has already been knocked down, and the plan is to turn it into a massive atrium-style dining hall. A relaxed spot for lunch, afternoon sessions, weddings and other functions. The Auburn Hotel has been standing on the corner of Auburn Road and Victoria Street since 1888, and it's fair to say this is the biggest expansion the venue has ever undertaken. Demolition work has already started, but The Auburn Hotel is still open for business. Apart from the beer garden renovations, there shouldn't be too much disruption to day-to-day operations. The Auburn Hotel's renovation project is set to finish sometime later this year. We'll keep you updated as more details emerge. Images: supplied.
No need for the neuralisers, folks. This is one you'll forget about all on your own. In what's proving a particularly rough patch for blockbuster franchises (thanks chiefly to the hugely disappointing Godzilla II and X-Men: Dark Phoenix), Men In Black: International represents the latest casualty, offering a dull, generic and largely pointless extension of the popular sci-fi series. With the departure of original stars Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, it falls to franchise newcomers Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson to keep the ball rolling. Sadly, whatever chemistry they had in Thor: Ragnarok is noticeably absent. The dialogue is stilted and the tension forced, while the acerbic sparring that defined the Jones/Smith relationship plays here like a clumsy copy-and-paste job. Hemsworth's comedic touch is well established, but it's best served in small doses, either via bit-parts as per Ghostbusters, or as flourishes in otherwise serious roles, as seen in all but the last Avengers. When comedy becomes his character's main task, the result is less satisfying. His portly, traumatised Thor in Avengers: Endgame robbed both him and audiences of everything that made his character so appealing, and here again in Men in Black the role plays to few of his strengths. Hemsworth constantly flicks back and forth between hammy clowning on the one hand, and pouting like he's in a Hugo Boss commercial on the other. Only the latter works for him. Thompson fares a little better. Her character's motivation is neatly established via a cute intro sequence that defines her as a driven, intelligent and highly capable individual. In a refreshing twist, she essentially recruits herself into MiB, having pursued the mysterious agency ever since a chance encounter with its agents and a furry little alien back when she was just a child. Once inside the agency, though, her reactions feel far too indifferent for someone only hours into life behind the proverbial curtain. Just because you believe in aliens doesn't mean you wouldn't balk, stop and stare at each and every new encounter of the weird and wonderful, but Thompson's Agent M takes it all in her stride. It's as if she's sharing in the audience's experience of yeah yeah yeah, we've seen all this before. Where Men In Black: International works best is in its secondary characters. The villains this time round are a pair of intergalactic assassins played by French brothers Laurent and Larry Nicolas Bourgeois, otherwise known as Les Twins. The shape-shifting, time-jumping killers are delightfully menacing and beautifully imagined on the special effects front. Reminscent of the Twins from the second Matrix movie, this duo pulls focus in every scene, especially when they're dancing so extraordinarily you're convinced it has to be computer-generated (it's not). Equally appealing is the arms dealer Riza, played by Rebecca Ferguson. Ferguson's recent turns in the last two Mission: Impossible films were amongst their best features, and here again she delivers a sumptuous blend of sensual and sinister. Then there's comedian Kumail Nanjiani, whose tiny chessboard alien Pawny serves up almost every good laugh in the film. If the producers are scratching their heads as to what to do with this franchise in the wake of such a poor initial reception, they could do worse than giving Pawny his own spin-off. If nothing else, at least Men In Black: International has a fitting title. It's a film that feels purposefully generic and inoffensive so as to appeal to the broadest possible market. As a result, it ends up being nothing much to anyone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV-WEb2oxLk
In early September, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled how metropolitan Melbourne area will gradually ease out of its current stage four COVID-19 lockdowns. On the cards is a five-step removal of restrictions, with the second step coming into place at 11.59pm on September 27, as confirmed by Premier Andrews yesterday. More steps will follow; however just when they'll kick in is now dependent on hitting certain case numbers, and accompanying health advice, rather than specific dates. The aim: to get Melbourne to what the powers-that-be are calling a 'COVID normal' scenario — with absolutely no restrictions on gatherings, visitors, hospitality or sport. For now, under step two, metro Melbourne has met everything it needs to. Under the roadmap, Melbourne needed to reach a 14-day rolling average of daily between 30 and 50 — and as of Sunday, September 27, the average is 22.1. If you're wondering what has changed overnight, and what you now can and can't do, that's understandable — the full outline of step two is lengthy. So, we've detailed the basics. This information is correct as of Monday, September 28. Is there still a curfew? No, the curfew for metropolitan Melbourne has now been scrapped. If lifted for the last time at 5am on Monday, September 28. Originally, it was due to stay in step two, but Premier Andrews announced that change on Sunday, September 27. For what reasons am I allowed to leave the house? Remember those four reasons first announced way back in March? Yep, it's still those. You can leave home to purchase groceries and other essentials, for care and caregiving, for outdoor exercise and recreation, and for permitted work. In step two, however, more industries are allowed to return to working onsite, covering around 127,000 employees. You can find out more about what industries are allowed on-site workers over here. [caption id="attachment_776562" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heroes mask[/caption] Do I still have to wear a mask? Yes, masks or face coverings are still compulsory whenever you leave home. In fact, the rules for masks have tightened in step two. You now have to wear a fitted face mask — with bandanas, scarves and face shields no longer acceptable. The new rule came into effect with step two, but Melburnians are being give a one-week grace period to comply. How long am I allowed to be out of the house for? You can now head outdoors for up to two hours. You can use these two hours to exercise or to see a friends or family members (and you can split these into two one-hour sessions, but no more), but we'll get to social interactions in a second. How far can I travel? You can still only travel up to five kilometres from your home. We're sure you're very, very familiar with that patch of dirt by now, but if you want to have another look at what's around, check out this website. Can I see friends and family? Yes, but there are quite a few caveats, so bear with us. You can catch up with up to five people, from a maximum of two different households, outside of your home for up to two hours. You can exercise with them or have a picnic (socially distanced, of course), but you cannot travel more than five kilometres from your home. Inside your home, the rules are a little different. The "single social bubble" from step one is still in place, which allows a single person living alone or a single parent with children under 18 to nominate one person to be in their bubble. You are allowed to have this nominated person over to your home and you can go to their home — and you can travel more than five kilometres to visit them, but you must stay within metropolitan Melbourne. You can also stay overnight. Premier Daniel Andrews has posted a little more about the bubbles, too: https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/photos/pcb.3398375080227004/3401290863268759/?type=3&theater Can I drive to a park to exercise? As long as it's within five kilometres of your home, yes. While it was initially banned at the start of stage four, the government changed the rules after backlash on social media. Also, if you're a worker permitted to return to onsite work, you can now also exercise within five kilometres of your workplace. Can I have a session with a personal trainer in a park? Under step two, yes. Up to two people per trainer is allowed. Can I have a picnic in a park? Yes, as long as it's with up to five people (including yourself) from a maximum of two different households — and within five kilometres of your homes. Here are some of our favourite spots. How about a dog park? If it's within five kilometres of your home, yes. Here are some of our favourites. Can I go to the beach? Yes, if there is a beach within five kilometres of your home. But you can go for a maximum of two hours, and with with up to five people (including yourself) from a maximum of two different households. [caption id="attachment_618946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fitzroy Swimming Pool[/caption] Can I go to a pool? Indoor? No. Outdoor? Yes. But there are capacity limits and bookings at many pools, so check the website before throwing on your togs. You can check out some of our favourites over here. Can I visit a regional town? If you work in regional Victoria, you can travel there (but you'll need a permit) — otherwise no. You can travel more than five kilometres from your home to see someone in your "social bubble", but you cannot enter regional Victoria for this reason. Can I go shopping? For groceries and other essentials, yes. But not all shops are open and some have altered hours, so check before you head off. And do make sure you stay within five kilometres from your home. Under previous restrictions, only one person per household could go shopping for groceries and other essentials each day. That requirement has now been dropped, but you can still only shop for necessary goods and services. How about to a restaurant or cafe? You can pick up takeaway from a hospitality venue located within five kilometres of your home, but dine-in service is off the cards for now. Or a gym? Indoor gyms are currently closed, but outdoors playgrounds and gyms are open. When will more restrictions be eased? For metropolitan Melbourne, the next step of eased restrictions was originally set to take place on Monday, October 26 — but only if the state-wide average daily cases is less than five and there have been less than five cases with unknown sources over the previous 14 days. As part of the step two announcement, that specific date requirement has now been dropped. Instead, metropolitan Melbourne will move to step three when the above case numbers are met, regardless of the date. It's expected that will happen around October 19; however, again, that isn't set in stone. On Sunday, September 27, Premier Andrews noted that the city "cannot take that step any earlier because the impact of decisions made today won't be known for at least two-to-three weeks". If you have more questions, the Victorian Government has an extensive list of FAQs on its website. Top image: Royal Botanic Gardens via Visit Victoria
Aussie supermarket giant Woolworths has gotten a little bit creative with its latest waste minimisation efforts, transforming unsold loaves of bread into beer. A hefty haul of over 350 kilograms of unwanted, leftover bread has been rescued and used to create a new limited-edition pale ale it has fittingly dubbed Loafer. As well as helping to cut down on a big chunk of bread going to landfill, the beer is also helping to raise funds for Aussies in need. You can pick up a six-pack of the new brew from BWS and Dan Murphy's stores, with a portion of profits heading to support the Feed Australia Appeal. Funds will be used to lend a helping hand to Aussies impacted by food insecurity, through a variety of local food relief programs. Pitched as the company's first "circular economy craft beer", Loafer was brewed by Goulburn's Tribe Breweries. Apparently, the bread-infused base gives the easy-drinking brew "the aroma of fresh toast", which mingles with bright, hoppy pear and pineapple accents. Grab a few Loafers for your fridge and, for once, you can kick back feeling pretty good about your beer drinking. Each six-pack sold raises 50 cents or the equivalent of one meal through Feed Appeal, while a carton donates $2 which is enough to feed a family of four. Last year, Woolworths joined fellow supermarket group Coles in another high-profile move in the war on waste, ditching single-use plastic bags from its stores. This latest limited-run initiative won't have quite the same widespread impact, though we're sure it'll do a whole lot better at quenching your thirst. Loafer pale ale is available from BWS and Dan Murphy's stores across Australia. A six-pack will set you back $25 and a carton $73.
For a lot of us, 2020 so far has involved a whole heap less travel than we'd usually like. With devastating bushfires raging across the country, many had to forego our annual summer trips and stay at home. Then, COVID-19 hit Australia, resulting in nationwide restrictions on travel. To say we have a bit of wanderlust would be an understatement. Last week, on. Friday, May 8, the Australian Government announced its three-step roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown, with talks of interstate and possibly trans-Tasman travel happening before the end of July. Finally, we can start thinking about leaving our four walls and dreaming of our next trip away. While we can't jet off to Europe or make our way through Southeast Asia yet, we'll soon be able to explore our own backyard — from its pristine coastline, lush bushland, snowy mountains and expansive plains. And, to help inspire your post-iso plans, Tourism Australia is launching an online program of virtual travel experiences and entertainment. Best of all, it's completely free. Dubbed Live from Aus, the program will run from Saturday, May 16 to Sunday, May 17 via its YouTube channel and Facebook page. It'll feature everything from Phillip Island's penguins to underwater reef tours at the Great Barrier Reef, music by First Nations artists with Uluru as its backdrop, Mona's Spectra light show, an Australian wine tour with Adelaide Hills' Unico Zelo, a cheesemaking session with Jo Barrett and Matt Stone, and sunrise yoga at Byron Bay. All up, expect a taste for Australia's natural beauty, food, music, wildlife and culture. [caption id="attachment_769947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunrise Yoga with Elements of Byron Bay, courtesy of Tourism Australia[/caption] Other highlights include a disco party with The Wiggles, an exploration of Indigenous Australian ingredients with famed chef and MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, tours of Australia's greatest golf greens, pub trivia, a coffee making tutorial with Ona Coffee, a tour of Kangaroo Island, a night at the Opera House and Dreamtime stories with Darren 'Capes' Capewell. You can check out the full program and times here. Live from Aus will kick off at 7am AEST on Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17. You can tune in for free via Facebook or its website. Images: Underwater Reef Tour at the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru Sunset Session with First Nations music curated by Sounds Australia, Penguin Parade Bedtime Stories from Phillip Island and Kangaroo Island Tour with Craig Wickham — all courtesy of Tourism Australia.
There are some truly incredible buildings in the world, but unless you have amazingly hi-res Google Street View or a platinum Amex there's just no way you can see them all. That's where architectural photography comes in. Bringing us images of the craziest buildings and landscapes around the world, these photographers constantly fill up our magazines, Tumblrs and Pinterests with pics from where we'd rather be. Now, they've been judged against one another. Each year the Arciad Awards pick the year's best work in architectural photography. There are thousands of dollars in prize money and the winners are bestowed with countless likes, shares and reblogs from all of the internet — and with good reason. The pictures picking up recognition at this year's awards documented Dubai's twister Cayan Tower (pictured above), the space-age Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan, and a sunken flea market in Barcelona. However the grandeur of the structure wasn't a prerequisite to photographic success. Other noted offerings included a tiny metropolitan roof space in South Korea, a cow shed in the Netherlands and a lone boxy home next to a creek in Ohio. The outright winner was a photograph (pictured below) that showed the aforementioned Azerbaijani architecture with jaw-dropping surrealism. Get ready to take a trip — these images will leave you with a serious case of wanderlust. All images via Arciad.
There's nothing like a dram of scotch to keep you warm in the colder months. Thankfully, World Whisky Day (May 15) is just around the corner and, for Melbourne locals, you can celebrate the amber liquor even sooner at the launch event of The Glen Grant Elegant by Nature on Wednesday, May 5. The Glen Grant distillery is located in the Scottish parish of Rothes, right by barley fields and the River Spey. So, naturally, the label makes use of its natural environment — and engineering innovations — to create elegant and complex amber liquors. The launch kicks off at 5pm on Wednesday May 5 at Loop Project Space and Bar in Meyers Place. There'll be a living artwork inspired by the distillery's stunning surrounds as well as a tasting session where you can try The Glen Grant 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 18 year Old and Arboralis. If you can't make the launch, head to Loop on Saturday, May 15 to celebrate World Whisky Day. Here, you can try a dram of the new whisky while an expert guides you through the tasting notes. As capacity is limited — booking is essential. Tickets are $25 which includes the tasting session and canapés, too. Round up your mates and head to Loop on Wednesday, May 5 to try The Glen Grant Elegant by Nature range.
Scribbling on the walls used to be a top ten reason for grounding. Now NGV wants you to scribble all over their White Cube. Design duo Matheny Studio have created a brand new kids space at the National Gallery of Victoria called Pastello Draw Act — without a fun-quashing parent voice (or airport official) in sight. Kids can gear up in futuristic crayon-studded helmets and crayon-soled shoes and let the rainbow destruction run rife; allowed to colour, scribble, sketch, draw and obliterate every surface in the space with whatever hue's on the menu. Tables aren't safe. Walls can't run. Footstools quiver in fear. It's not every day kids are allowed to make as much mess as they want. "Pastello Draw Act is a new immersive kids space focused on transforming perception surrounding the simple act of drawing," say Matheny Studio on Vimeo. The studio designed the space and crayon accessories specifically for NGV, seeing an opportunity for unbridled artistry by our most abstract expressionist of citizens: children. Via Gizmodo and KNSTRCT. Pastello Draw Act will be open at the NGV until August 31.
Grand Slam fever is set to take hold of Melbourne this month when the Australian Open returns for its 2023 edition. But if you'd like to get in on some tennis action yourself, you'll want to bust out the fluoro and hit Ballers Clubhouse. From Saturday, January 14–Sunday, January 29, the sprawling bar sports venue will be causing a 'racquet' of its own, with the Glow-in-the-Dark Tennis tournament. Here, punters of all skill levels can get their neon kicks battling it out on one of the most unique tennis courts around — one where the balls, racquets and even the outfits will be lighting up the darkened space in a riot of bright colours. While you play, there'll be DJs on the decks until late, as well as an exclusive glow-in-the-dark Canadian Club cocktail to get you in the mood — and the real AO playing on the projector screens. Plus, there are plenty of prizes up for grabs. And if your own wardrobe is lacking in neon, simply hit the pop-up costume shop for some luminous threads to really make you stand out on court. More glow-in-the-dark fun comes courtesy of an LED ball pit, while Ballers' usual games offering can also see you challenging your mates to the likes of shuffleboard, flaming ping pong and darts. An all-games pass comes in at $34, including your first cocktail. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book a time online. Ballers Clubhouse Images: Michael Gazzola
Crip Rave Theory is a Melbourne club night that draws on knowledge from members of the disabled community to create a wildly fun and safe space for everyone to party — focusing on intersectional access, self-expression, pleasure and community solidarity. While open to all, Crip Rave Theory centres around and celebrates all those who've traditionally been marginalised and de-prioritised in commercial nightlife spaces. Allies are more than welcome, but they aren't at the core of these parties. And for its RISING rendition on Saturday, June 15, the team is taking over Newport's The Substation with live performances and DJ sets late into the night. UK-Based Aisha Mirza, the creator of MISERY — a mental health-focused club night for queer, trans, intersex and non-binary Black people and people of colour — will have their own DJ set during the night. As will BAE BAE, who also runs a club night in Los Angeles called Hood Rave, which celebrates Black femmes and queer people. They're bringing their unique own unique blend of R&B, house, jungle, garage and dancehall beats to the Crip Rave Theory. There'll also be sets from Tinika, Enter and Aquenta (the founder of Crip Rave Theory), plus a heap of live performers and hosts that have yet to be announced. [caption id="attachment_624133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Substation in Newport[/caption] It's important to note that tickets differ depending on your intersectional background. First Nations and/ or disabled people can get tickets for $19, queer and trans people for $25, and allies for $49. Those keen to speak to the team running the club night while learning the basics of DJing can also attend Crip Rave Theory's RISING workshop on Friday, June 14.
When it comes to creating smash-hit venues, legendary chef Andrew McConnell knows what's what. He's the mind behind favourites like Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal and Marion, to name a few. And now, Melbourne's set to score another, with news McConnell's planning a new restaurant, to open in the 1920s heritage Cavendish House building at 33 Russell Street in the CBD. It'll be his first new project in five years. The restaurant is yet to be named, though McConnell has dropped some clues as to what we can expect. "The inherent design of the room made me think of a clubby European bistro that manages to be familiar and elegant at the same time," he said in a statement. Part of the space will be home to a cocktail bar, so you'll be able to pop in for an after-work or pre-dinner drink and snack combo, too. Sydney-based architecture and design studio Acme will be heading up the build, charged with creating 'a sensory experience' through a mix of marble, brass, linen and leather. The space will feature a dining area decked out with booths and banquettes, and a separate cocktail bar. Considering the studio is responsible for highly Instagrammed venues like The Grounds Of Alexandria, Charlie Parker's and Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, you can expect it to be very impressive. As for the food, we're told to expect elements of French, Spanish and Italian cuisine, with a few flavours from the British Isles thrown in for good measure. The building — which was previously a fancy flagship for Bang & Olufsen — is located on the corner of Flinders Lane and Russell Street, only a short walk from McConnell's Supernormal and in the middle of the Flinders Lane dining action. Andrew McConnell's next restaurant will open at 33 Russell Street, Melbourne in early 2020. We'll let you know when we have more details and an opening date. Image: Google Maps.
Hurrah! Television and academia are no longer mutually exclusive! Welcome to the 21st century, y’all. That’s right, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image is set to bring you its next edition of Live in the Studio with 'The End of Enlightenment', a critique, dissection and salute of the bygone small-screen series Enlightened. Industry experts, academics and pop-culture aficionados Ronnie Scott (The Lifted Brow), Elmo Keep (Hungry Beast) and Amy Gray (The Drum) join forces this August 29 to analyse and reflect on the polarising program — prematurely cancelled after only two series — and conflicted protagonist Amy Jellicoe, played by co-creator Laura Dern. It all kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, 29 August, at ACMI Studio 1 with something pretty hard to come by — a literary analysis that is equal parts intellectual and entertaining. Grab more info on the talk at the ACMI website.
It wouldn't feel like March if the Moomba Festival wasn't taking over the Yarra River. Thankfully, Australia's largest free festival returns in 2025 for five days of fun, featuring everyone's favourite Birdman Rally alongside nightly fireworks, carnival rides and, of course, the headline-grabbing Moomba Parade. Presiding over this year's festival is local comedy troupe Sooshi Mango, who'll don the crown and follow in the footsteps of icons like Shane Warne, Molly Meldrum and Cathy Freeman. As part of their royal duties, members Carlo and Joe Salanitri and Andrew Manfre will take to the skies alongside other gravity-defying (or so they hope) competitors in the iconic Birdman Rally. Then, it's over to the Moomba Parade, where they'll join 1300 performers as colourful floats, dance troupes and community performance groups flow through the streets. For the 2025 edition, there are seven new floats to admire, including the 'Best Party Ever!' created in partnership with the Children's Cancer Foundation alongside a float designed by Alex Kerr, a Wurundjeri artist and cultural consultant, in collaboration with community members. The music program is another highlight, with Federation Square transforming into a pop playground for the festival. TikTok sensation Peach PRC takes over for an exclusive concert on March 9, showcasing her signature bubblegum-punk-pop. Meanwhile, Sydney-based singer-songwriter and producer Carla Wehbe and Adelaide-born indie-pop darling George Alice will also grace the stage. Throughout the rest of this sprawling event, all-age thrill-seekers will encounter 30 carnival rides and games, the Moomba Skate Park comes to life with national skateboarding and BMX competition finals, and more than 35 food trucks will serve up food and drinks from every corner of the globe. And that's only some of the highlights. Get down with the family to discover the rest of this legendary Labour Day weekend spectacle.
Thanks to the success of Beef, the past year has been huge for Ali Wong. It was back in April 2023 that the hit series arrived, getting audiences obsessed and sparking plenty of accolades coming Wong's way. She won Best Actress Emmy, Golden Globe, Film Independent Spirt and Screen Actors Guild awards for playing Amy Lau, who has a carpark altercation with Danny Cho (Steven Yeun, Nope) that neither can let go of — and that changes both of their lives. The last 12 months have also been massive for the American actor and comedian onstage, all thanks to her Ali Wong: Live tour. Wong has been playing to full houses in the US, and also in Paris and London — and Melbourne audiences can see her this winter at four gigs from Thursday, July 11–Friday, July 12 and Sunday, July 14–Monday, July 15 at the Palais Theatre. [caption id="attachment_893741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023[/caption] Behind the microphone, Wong's comedy career dates back almost two decades, including three Netflix stand-up specials: 2016's Baby Cobra, 2018's Hard Knock Wife and 2022's Don Wong. And, as an author, Wong also has 2019's Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life to her name. On-screen, Wong doesn't let go of grudges easily, at least in Beef. In rom-com Always Be My Maybe, she's also been romanced by Keanu Reeves. Tuca & Bertie had her voice an anthropomorphic song thrush, while Big Mouth sent her back to middle school. Beef, on which Wong was also an executive producer, earned just as much love for the show overall — including the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series; Golden Globe for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television; Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series under 40 minutes; Film Independent Spirt Award for Best New Scripted Series; and PGA for Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television. [caption id="attachment_946690" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023[/caption]
There's a week for everything, it seems — and in 2017, that includes design. The brand new Melbourne Design Week will form part of the National Gallery of Victoria's inaugural Victorian Design Program. Prepare to feast your eyes on a whole lot of local creativity. Other than making everyone say the word design more often than we might normally — and not to be confused with the previous Melbourne International Design Week — Melbourne Design Week will take place every March from 2017, showcasing and celebrating all things related to the field: the business behind it, how it works in practice, its social impact and just how it helps make Melbourne such a liveable city. To kick things off, the first event will focus specifically on design values when it takes over the NGV from March 16 to 26. The program will feature exhibitions, international guests and keynote speakers, product launches, programs for businesses and more, at both the NGV and other venues around the city. Anyone particularly interested in or working in a design-oriented area should be interested in the open-access component developed in conjunction with Open House Melbourne, which will connect Victorians to design-led businesses, manufacturers, facilities and institutions. While the full March lineup won't be announced until February 1, 2017, the broader curated Victorian Design Program will run year-round, so keep your eyes peeled for NGV's new slate of design-centric drawcards. "The Gallery's vision is to present and make accessible design and architecture for a broad range of audiences," said NGV director Tony Ellwood. Image: Haven't you always wanted ...? by M@STUDIO Architects for the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
On Monday, March 23, pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants and cafes across Australia were forced to close their doors, in the latest move to slow the spread of COVID-19. The stage one closure of non-essential indoor venues also included casinos, gyms, cinemas and places of worship, but it didn't include convenience stores or supermarkets. It also allowed restaurants and cafes to continue offering takeaway and delivery food. So, venues have adapted. Instead of pulling pints and plating up schnitties, pubs and restaurants across the country are stocked to the brim with hand sanitisers, groceries and toilet paper. It's a win-win situation: helping the venues stay alive and continue to pay employees, while also letting you skip the supermarket queues and get your hands on those coveted tins of beans. In Sydney, the W Short Hotels Group has transformed two of its pubs into corner stores. Both Redfern's The Tudor Hotel and The Royal Hotel in Leichhardt are now selling fresh food, pantry staples, toilet paper and booze. Food has been sourced from local butchers, bakers and the pubs' suppliers, so the cash you spend is going to support local businesses. Other Sydney spots are also, while not opening physical grocers, delivering boxes of groceries. Nel has a selection of four— ranging from pantry essentials ($45) and a vegetable box ($80) through to a primo meat and veg box ($130) — and is delivering on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Italian chain Fratelli Fresh has its own Gourmet Grocer service, which includes next-day delivery of ready-made meals; alcohol; bags of flour, rice and sugar; tinned tomatoes and beans; fresh fruit and veg; and 500-gram bags of pasta. Melbourne's venues are pivoting, too, including Brunswick all-day diner Theodore's, which is now, temporarily, Ted's Grocer. It's selling produce boxes, ready-made meals and essentials — including pasta, milk, spices, cured meats, sweets and more — for pick up and delivery. Fitzroy's Smith & Deli is also offering $50 grocery boxes twice a week. In Brisbane, Alchemy has launched Alchemy to You — check out the full list of available supplies online, place your order and then pick it up in-store 24 hours later. It's also offering delivery to those in the CBD. We'll be updating the list below as more venues jump on board. If and when you do decide to head out to get groceries, remember to follow the Australian Government Department of Health's social distancing guidelines. SYDNEY Bar M (Rushcutters Bay) The Italian restaurant is now a grocery store, offering pick up and local delivery, 9am–9pm daily. Bella Vista Hotel (Bella Vista) This spot in The Hills has launched 'Essentials Express', a contactless drive-thru service selling the likes of meat trays, pre-batched cocktails, juice and snacks from $2. It's open daily from 10am–2pm and you can check out each day's specials on its Facebook page. Dear Sainte Eloise (Potts Point) $100 hampers, filled with local veggies, eggs, bread, pasta, canned goods and more, available for pick up on Wednesday and Fridays. To order, email hello@dearsainteeloise.com or call (02) 9326 9745. Fratelli Fresh (various locations) This chain is now offering next-day delivery of groceries, pantry staples, alcohol and ready-made meals. You can order over here. Nel (Surry Hills) Online grocery boxes ranging from $45–130 available to order online. Nour (Surry Hills) Market boxes available for $79 and delivered on Mondays. Head here to order. Sample Coffee Pro Shop (St Peters) The specialty coffee roaster's St Peters digs is now selling staples such as bread, milk, eggs, cheese, coffee (of course) and more. Delivery is also available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Single O (Surry Hills) The cafe is offering fancy 'corner store staples' including lemon myrtle kimchi, Pepe Saya butter and kangaroo sausages. Sixpenny (Stanmore) The fine diner has turned into a grocer, open from 10am–1pm on weekends, and is also offering weekly produce boxes ($120) available for pick up on Saturdays. You can preorder over here. The Tudor Hotel (Redfern) Convenience store open daily, 10am–late. The Royal Hotel (Leichhardt) Convenience store open daily, 10am–late. MELBOURNE Grosvenor Hotel (St Kilda East) A shop and bottle-o drive-thru has popped up at this pub, open every day from 10am. Heartattack and Vine (Carlton) This Lygon Street go-to has launched an online grocery store, selling everything from coffee and toilet paper to vino, cheese and one kilogram of its house-made porchetta (uncooked). Lamaro's (South Melbourne) A gourmet grocer and wine store with an online list of items here. Pick up orders are available from 12-6pm Monday through Friday,with delivery available for orders of $100. Smith & Deli (Fitzroy) $50 produce boxes available for pick up and delivery on Wednesday and Friday. Call (03) 9042 4117 to order. Ted's Grocer (Brunswick) Open 10am–8pm Monday–Saturday and delivering on Wednesdays and Fridays. BRISBANE Alchemy to You (CBD) Check out the supplies online, place your order and then pick it up in-store 24 hours later. Delivery is also available to the CBD. Top image: The Tudor Hotel convenience sore
Anything humans can eat, dogs think they can munch on as well. But as every responsible pet parent knows, that isn't actually the case. So, we've all weathered those adorable, yearning, pleading looks from our beloved pooches as we've tucked into something they'd like to taste as well. And, we've all felt the heartbreak at letting our cute critters down — even though it's for their health. Does your doggo get a twinkle in their eye whenever there's a doughnut around? It wouldn't be the first — and, for the next fortnight, it's in luck. In the lead up to International Dog Day on Thursday, August 26, Krispy Kreme has announced the release of a limited-edition range of 'doggie doughnuts'. They're doughnut-inspired dog biscuits, actually, but they sure do look like the real thing. The eye-catching bikkies are a collaboration with Coolum-based pet treats business Huds and Toke, and they come in six different varieties. If you love Krispy Kreme's original glazed doughnuts, perhaps your pupper will adore the dog biscuit version as well. Or, you could let then go barking mad over choc iced, choc cookie, choc cheesecake, choc sprinkles and strawberry sprinkles varieties. The biscuits aren't made from doughnuts or from chocolate, of course; instead, they use a hard-baked cookie base, as well as frosting made from ingredients like carob and yoghurt that's been designed specifically for dog jaws. The bikkies are also meant to be good for chewing and for dental cleaning — and they're designed to last longer than your usual dog treat. If these round delights will get your four-legged friend's tail wagging, you can buy them in six-packs (for $14.95) between now and Thursday, August 26 at Krispy Kreme stores — including via drive-thru and click-and-collect. And, they are just for pets — so just like how Fido or Rover can't have your doughnut, you can't have their version either. Krispy Kreme's doggie doughnuts are now available from the chain's stores — including via drive-thru and click-and-collect — until Thursday, August 26.
Noodle-lovers, dumpling addicts and yum cha fiends, rejoice — Melbourne is on track to score a huge new Asian food precinct, which will, according to its developers, rival Chinatown. Making its home within a sprawling new development in Box Hill, the precinct, dubbed simply New Chinatown, is certainly going to be a big one. Part of a $450 million project by developers Golden Age Group, which was founded by Jeff Xu and owns the Hu Tong restaurant group, the three-level 'Chinatown' is set to clock in at a mammoth 10,000 square metres. While the location isn't exactly central, it's a fitting one given that figures suggest one third of Box Hill's residents were born in Hong Kong or China. The area is already known for its plethora of Japanese, Korean, Vietnam and Chinese eateries, too, including dessert bars, dim sum shops and hot pot joints. [caption id="attachment_722839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hu Tong, Prahran.[/caption] Pulling inspiration from New York's legendary Italian marketplace Eataly, New Chinatown will boast a 4000-square-metre hawker-style food hall, showcasing a broad lineup of street food vendors. There are also plans to include a new Chinese language school and bookshop, Chinese herbalists and a range of clinics specialising in both Western and Chinese medicine. Fender Katsalidis Architects has been tasked with designing the new precinct, which will take cues from the impressive opulence of Beijing and the regions south of the Yangtze River. Expect floating walkways atop flowing water features, traditionally styled pagodas and intricate detailing in a nod to the past. There's no word yet on which restaurants will call New Chinatown home, though we can only imagine Hu Tong's dumplings and peking duck will be making an appearance somewhere on the lineup. New Chinatown will be located within Sky Village at 517–521 Station Street, Box Hill. It's slated for completion by the end of the year.
For this week's dose of retro entertainment, boogie on over to The Night Cat this Friday night for the Fitzroy Roller Jam, presented by legendary Melbourne event organisers the Foreign Brothers. If the previous jams hosted by these guys at Melbourne Music Week in 2014 and 2015 are anything to go by, this will be one hell of a party. With a lineup featuring the likes of Prequel, Animal Feelings and Sugar Fed Leopards, your old-school skating moves will be sufficiently soundtracked well into the wee hours of the morning. BYO skates or hire a pair on the night for $5, and if you're not the most confident skater, rest assured that members of the Victorian Roller Derby League will be around to teach you a few tricks. Otherwise just fake it till you make it — falling over is part of the fun. Image: Gianna Rizzo/Foreign Brothers.
Victoria is currently under stay-at-home orders so, while you can't visit these pubs in person, you can still show your support with takeaway and online orders. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, as well as current restrictions, at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. Rain, hail or shine, Melbourne's excellent pub scene is one that can be enjoyed all year round. And thankfully, many fine Melbourne watering holes are equipped with charming (and, naturally, heated) beer gardens so you can enjoy the outdoor vibes even if the cold winds are rising. We've teamed up with Guinness to put together a list of five excellent beer gardens in Melbourne to hit up at any time of the year. Pub not an option? You could always recreate the mood at home with one of these great winter recipes by star chef Colin Fassnidge. WELCOME TO THORNBURY Welcome to Thornbury is probably the most conspicuous beer garden on High Street. This is probably owing to the fact that it's essentially all beer garden. Complete with loads of high and low seating, lush foliage, adjustable awnings, outdoor heating, and licensed for up to 700 people, it's quickly become a northside favourite for a leisurely day or evening session, especially with their excellent deals (like a jug for the price of a pint during Friday happy hour, for starters). You won't go hungry, either — Welcome to Thornbury is also Melbourne's first dedicated, permanent food truck space. So far, over eighty different food trucks have rolled through the grounds on a daily rotating basis, keeping punters fuelled for regular events like movie and board game nights. Find Welcome to Thornbury at 520 High Street, Northcote. NOTTING HILL HOTEL Sadly, this pub doesn't have a charming 90s-era Hugh Grant manning the taps, but it does have arguably one of the finest beer gardens in town. Its size alone is impressive enough, but it's the long wooden tables beneath leafy boughs that give this local boozer its laidback charm, all year round. Once you're settled in, grab a pizza to share from the dedicated pizza window (open from Wednesday to Saturday), or order something larger from the taproom menu, which offers inventive takes on the usual suspects. Live music, comedy and trivia are also regularly on the bill at The Nott, so there's usually a bit of a buzz around this friendly local. Find the Notting Hill Hotel at 260-262 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill. The Notting Hill Hotel bottle shop is open daily, with cocktails, growlers and snacks available. PRINCE ALFRED HOTEL This renowned Richmond venue houses one of the area's most popular beer gardens — and with very good reason. With its high, leafy trees and dedicated outdoor bar, this spacious beer garden boasts a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of standing heaters, as well as a covered area for those days when the Melbourne weather simply can't make up its mind. Daily specials, share plates and pub classics are all on offer alongside an impressive steak selection, making this Church Street spot a great pick for a reliable after-work feed or leisurely Sunday lunch. Find the Prince Alfred Hotel at 619 Church Street, Richmond. WHITEHART A former car park turns into a smart, two-level shipping container bar serving craft beer and cocktails, in an alleyway off another alleyway — does it get more Melbourne than that? CBD hangout Whitehart epitomises the city's hospo ethos of turning a nondescript industrial space into a venue that effortlessly oozes cool. The expansive beer garden and deck features exposed brick punctuated by the odd bit of greenery. Swing by for well-made cocktails, boutique wines, live tunes and a rotating food menu, which includes hearty fare from pizza (by neighbouring +39 Pizzeria) to smoked barbecue meats. Find Whitehart at 22 Whitehart Lane, Melbourne. HARDIMANS HOTEL Taking up a prime position of Macaulay Road, Hardimans Hotel's claim of being 'the best in the west' may be hard to challenge — this sleek, smartly refurbished art deco hotel not only offers a cracking selection of craft beer on tap, but also houses a great beer garden, some of which is undercover and heated. Low tables and wooden benches wrap around this courtyard bordered by planter boxes filled with lush greenery, making this a great spot to drop into for a catch-up with mates, or maybe even a low-key date. Find Hardimans Hotel at 521 Macaulay Road, Kensington. Thirsty? Find your closest place for a pint over at the Guinness Pub Finder. Top image: Welcome to Thornbury
Australia loves its big things. We're home to oversized pineapples, bananas and watermelons, plus lobsters and prawns as well. If you don't pass some kind of giant sculpture while you're road tripping around the country — and stopped to take your picture next to it, of course — your drive just isn't the same. Ever wondered why we're so obsessed with huge items? It seems that we have quite the massive past, too. In fact, the country's largest ever dinosaur has just been officially identified. Meet Australotitan cooperensis, whose bones where first unearthed in 2007 in Cooper Creek in outback Queensland, but were given an official scientific description and name by palaeontologists from the Eromanga Natural History Museum and Queensland Museum on Monday, June 7. When this huge dino roamed the earth around 95–98 million years ago, it was as long as a basketball court and as tall as a two-storey building. In numbers, that equates to 25–30 metres long, and between five and six-and-a-half metres tall. Nothing that size or bigger has ever been found on our shores. 'Cooper', as the dino has been nicknamed, is also one of the largest ever discovered worldwide — with dinosaurs of comparable or bigger size only found in South America so far. So, if Jurassic Park or Jurassic World ever happened to become a reality in Queensland, recreating local dinos, we'd all come face to face with quite the mammoth creatures. [caption id="attachment_814992" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Steve Young[/caption] "This new titanosaurian is the largest dinosaur from Australia represented by osteological remains," explains Eromanga Natural History Museum and field palaeontologist Robyn Mackenzie. "These are the largest dinosaurs that ever walked on earth and based on the preserved limb size comparisons, this new titnaosaur is estimated to be in the top five largest in the world." To identify Cooper — and, crucially, to ensure that it was a new species — 3D scans were taken of each bone, which were then compared to those of its closest relatives. That involved cross-referencing with both local species and others worldwide. While Cooper is closely related to three other Australian sauropods that lived during the Cretaceous Period (so, around 92–96 million years ago), this exact dino species hadn't been found before. If you'd like to see Cooper's fossilised remains, they're on display in the Eromanga Natural History Museum's fossil collection, which is around a 12-hour drive west from Brisbane. The museum has its own onsite place to stay, called Cooper's Country Lodge, should you need somewhere to bunk down for the night. Further north in Winton, Queensland is already home to a dinosaur-focused museum — because that's where other dinosaur fossils were found back in 1999. So yes, your next road trip can involve trekking across the outback to check out these fascinating remnants of the earth's past. Life finds a way, obviously. Find the Eromanga Natural History Museum at 1 Dinosaur Drive, Eromanga — open from 9am–5pm daily. Top image: Eromanga Natural History Museum.
When you say 'Melbourne market', it's impossible to not to think of the most royal of all: the Queen Victoria Market. With 600 retailers sprawling across the centre of the city, it is a historical landmark, major tourist attraction and place of many happy people eating hot jam doughnuts from the van that's been parked there for eternity. While food is what it does best across the deli hall, meat hall and fruit and veg centre, there's also plenty of other general merchandise worth browsing — especially if you're after a cheap leather belt. The market is at its carnival peak on Sundays.
Melbourne's late-night, citywide spectacular of light, art and performance has entered a new phase of existence, reborn as a three-night extravaganza for the new White Night Reimagined. Making its debut from August 22 to 24, the arts festival boasts a jam-packed, multi-sensory program. On this year's bill, you'll find myriad ways to warm those cockles amid the festival's late-night winter happenings — from a music-filled after-hours party at Melbourne Museum to a breathtaking acrobatics show descending upon Birrarung Marr. Trees come alive with artistic installations, smash-hit films are brought into new dimensions and interactive artworks offer fresh perspectives. Here are our pick of must-try experiences that'll help you get the most of the White Night Reimagined debut program.
When Kate Reid's cult-famous Lune Croissanterie released its first-ever cookbook back in 2022, it put the ability to make its creative pastries into everyone's hands. But sometimes, you just want someone to whip up the treats for you. And sometimes, you want those bites to be something that Lune does particularly well: mashups of its croissants and other baked goods with fellow beloved foodstuffs. One such favourite is the chain's twice-baked finger bun croissants, which are back in February 2024 as part of its monthly specials menu. So, you've got until Thursday, February 29 to get your hands on Lune's traditional croissants with milk and coconut frangipane, strawberry jam, and with whipped coconut icing and a hefty sprinkle of coconut on top. This is in Reid's recipe book — so you can consider picking up the end result from the brand's Fitzroy and Armadale stores in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane, research for your future baking endeavours. This month, Lune also wants you to choose between the finger bun option and a cherry ripe pain au chocolat. The latter is available at all venues — so from the CBD in Melbourne as well — and packs the pastry with cherry frangipane, maraschino cherries and chocolate batons. On top: more cherry frangipane, freeze-dried cherry and toasted coconut. Of course, you can always pick both — and also a tiramisu pudding, berry juniper cruffin, and harissa and goats' cheese escargot. The first takes a Lune pudding, then adds coffee caramel and coffee-soaked savoiardi, plus mascarpone cream and powdered chocolate to finish. You'll find it at the Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Brisbane CBD venues. As for the cruffin — which is available at the same four venues — it's rolled in juniper sugar, filled with blueberry juniper jam and white chocolate ganache, and features white chocolate drizzled on top as well. And, at all locations, the escargot obviously features harissa paste, as well as goat's cheese, spiced chilli sesame sprinkle, flaked salt and fresh mint. Treating yo'self here can be both sweet and savoury, clearly. Lune's February specials menu runs until Thursday, February 29, 2024, with different specials on offer at Fitzroy, Armadale and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane stores, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
Victoria is currently under stay-at-home orders so, while you can't visit these pubs in person, you can still show your support with takeaway and online orders. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, as well as current restrictions, at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. Whether you're a footy fanatic or your team loyalty changes each season, there's no denying that there's a veritable buzz in the air in Melbourne when it's footy season. And if you're skipping the stadium, the next best place to barrack is in one of the city's many great sports pubs. We've teamed up with Guinness to pick six great Melbourne boozers for a pint by the fire and some hearty pub fare while you cheer your team on. Win, lose or draw, you're close enough to the bar for a celebratory or conciliatory bevvie. [caption id="attachment_817263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] THE CLYDE Carlton locals (and Melbourne uni students) will likely be familiar with this inner north stalwart. For those yet to visit, The Clyde boasts a homely, unpretentious vibe offering good food and drink in abundance. The Cardigan Street institution has long been a meeting place for local clubs, and has a rich history of sporting tradition that it carries through today — so you can imagine the energy on game day (especially when Carlton is playing). The pub has four spaces including a rooftop terrace and ground-floor saloon bar, both of which have screens set up for footy (and cricket in summer). Whether you remain warm inside or brave the cold on the rooftop, it's an ideal spot to sip on a perfectly poured pint while you take in a game. Find The Clyde at 385 Cardigan Street, Carlton. [caption id="attachment_817264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] THE CHARLES DICKENS TAVERN A favourite of anglophiles and expats alike, The Charles Dickens Tavern brings a bit of Blighty to the heart of the CBD. An unassuming entrance in the Block Arcade leads you downstairs into a bustling, traditional tavern with wallpaper, dark wood panelling and plenty of British paraphernalia adorning the walls. As you might expect, this is one of the city's most popular spots to watch the English and Scottish leagues of the beautiful game, live and loud. Beer-wise, expect to see Brit favourites pulled via traditional hand pump alongside other local and international brews. The food menu boasts pub classics like bangers and mash with onion gravy and proper fish and chips, complete with mushy peas. Find The Charles Dickens Tavern at 290 Collins Street, Melbourne. COOPERS INN It's hard to miss the heritage-listed corner building that this charming Exhibition Street public house calls home. Expect a friendly greeting and great service here, thanks to a passionate but laidback team of hospo veterans under the steady hand of publican Matt O'Kane. The kitchen serves up unpretentious fare, while the main bar pours a smart selection of local and international brews. Enjoy a pint while taking in a game from one of the pub's 75-inch screens, and stick around for one of the regular live comedy nights, which in the past have seen the likes of Tom Gleeson, Celia Pacquola and Anne Edmonds step behind the mic. Find Coopers Inn at 282 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. THE LOCAL Big screens, hearty pub fare and cold beer on tap — a tried-and-true combination that has definitely helped this Port Melbourne pub earn its status as a local gem. Pull up a stool in this contemporary, spacious public bar to catch a game and enjoy it with elevated bar food like pea and ham croquettes or truffle parmesan fries with aioli. Thirsty? There's a range of local and international beers on tap here, perfect for whiling away an afternoon cheering on your squad. Find The Local at 22-24 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_817267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] STEAM PACKET HOTEL Williamstown's oldest pub, the Steam Packet Hotel — affectionately known to locals as The Packet — is a champion of two of the finest things a pub can offer: Aussie craft beer and sport. The heritage-listed building has a storied history and maintains an old-world charm — think exposed brick, wood panelling and a toasty open fireplace — which interplay with more modern touches like four big screens for the footy. (This is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Western Bulldogs territory.) There's also a contemporary food and drink menu, which includes 17 tap beers with a rotating craft selection. Find the Steam Packet Hotel at 13 Cole Street, Williamstown. [caption id="attachment_817268" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] WINDSOR ALEHOUSE A true local's local that combines comforting pub vibes with a touch of hip south-of-the-river energy, this Windsor watering hole is the perfect place for a pint on game day. Clusters of high tables and chairs, low-set booths and barstools and a heated outdoor courtyard welcome groups of all sizes. As its name suggests, this Punt Road spot is a beer lover's dream with a mind-boggling array of sours, stouts, IPAs and more to wet your whistle while you watch live sport on the big screen. Find The Windsor Alehouse at 42 Punt Road, Windsor. The Windsor Alehouse is offering takeaway food and beer daily from 4–9pm. Thirsty? Find your closest place for a pint over at the Guinness Pub Finder. Top image: Julia Sansone
Looking for your next weekend getaway? There's no need to leave your four-legged fur baby at home anymore: Pullman Melbourne on the Park has just opened a dedicated pet suite dubbed Paws on the Park. One of the hotel's signature suites has been turned into a pet paradise, including doggy room service, a private courtyard, grass mat and kennel. It's designed for guests and the owners of guests. Pullman's Pet Suite is both cat- and dog-friendly, plus, 10% of all bookings will also be going to the Lost Dog's Home, which is a lovely touch. "We are constantly looking for ways to expand our offering to make our guests' experience more enjoyable, and what better way than being able to bring your pet on holiday with you?" Pullman GM Stephan Leroy says. "We have extended our five-star service to cater to the needs of both pets and their owners, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all." Pullman has even teamed up with pet accessory brand, Gummi, to produce a Paws on the Park capsule collection. The range is free for all guests and includes co-branded tote bags and doggy treats, poo bags and a frisbee to take home. There's also a bunch of Pullman X Gummi gear in the room, which you can borrow during your stay. Food-wise, your pet can settle in with room service items like Unleashed Puparazzi — diced, cooked Australian beef fillet with mixed veggies and braised barley or the Pawfectly Healthy, a mix of poached chicken with oats, olive oil, spinach and egg. They also offer a human room service menu, you'll be relieved to hear. It's fair to say, if you're the sort of person who enjoys pet-related puns of the 'pawfect' variety, Pullan's Pet Suite is right up your alley. You can make Pet Suite bookings directly through the Pullman website from June 25, but there's also a special Open Day on June 24, which anyone can attend for free. Paw-some activities are guaranteed. Images: supplied.
There are a lot of weird food museums around the world, dedicated to everything from potatoes to Jell-O to kimchi. Some of them are a little questionable — others totally genius, like Japan's ramen museum — but there's certainly no question that an ice cream museum would be an important, delicious, 100 percent necessary educational facility. So it comes as no surprise that the announcement that a Museum of Ice Cream is opening in New York City this month has gone down very well with the public — especially as one of its draw cards will be a life-sized pool of sprinkles. Yes, you read that right — a pool of sprinkles. That you can swim in. Well, I don't know if you can technically swim through sprinkles, but you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in them either way. They won't be actual sprinkles, but according to Eater, they'll be made to look and feel just like those colourful little edible dots that make ice cream 10000x more delicious. The Museum of Ice Cream is being brought to life by two ice cream-loving New Yorkers, Maryellis Bunn and Manish Vora, who noticed a severe lack of ice cream-dedicated spaces and sprinkle swimming pools in the world. A pop-up museum, it will open in New York's Meatpacking District on July 19 and run until August 31. Aside from the sprinkle pool, the ice cream playground will also feature edible balloons, an "immersive" chocolate room (!!), an ice cream sandwich swing and a giant sundae. Randomly, there'll also be a room sponsored by Tinder. And because it wouldn't be a true food museum without some eating action, admission will also include tastings of special scoops created by some of the city's best ice cream artisans, including Black Tap and OddFellows. What a day out. Pool of sprinkles https://t.co/rBOQsoYgFK pic.twitter.com/4pbrSt3ray— Serena Dai (@ssdai) July 8, 2016 Via Eater.
No matter the season, we can introduce some Italian sunshine into our golden hour tipples with a classic cocktail—and it's a lot cheaper than flying to Europe. Italy's most popular liqueur is arguably amaretto, and the world's favourite way to enjoy it is in a classic amaretto sour cocktail. Read on to discover everything you need to know about this sweet-and-sour drink that has delighted cocktail lovers for decades. What Is Amaretto? Literally translated, amaretto means 'a little bitter' and that's exactly what this luscious liqueur is: a little sweet and a little bitter. There are numerous amaretto liqueurs on the market, but the originator is Disaronno, from the municipality of Saronno in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Depending on the brand, it can be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, regular almonds or peach stones. These all contain a natural compound that imparts the liqueur's almond-like flavour. Like with many liqueurs, it can be enjoyed solo, with some ice, added to coffee, poured over ice cream, used in desserts like tiramisu (yum) or marinade for meat dishes, and, of course, in cocktails. What Is Disaronno? This Italian amaretto liqueur can trace its heritage back to the renaissance in 1525. Legend has it that Bernardino Luini, an artist from the Leonardo Da Vinci School of Art, was tasked with painting a fresco of the Madonna in the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church in Saronno, Italy. To complete his work, he needed a model, and he found one in the local fair-haired and beautiful innkeeper. According to the story, the innkeeper was so honoured to be chosen as the model for Madonna that she created an amber-coloured liqueur from a secret blend of 17 herbs and fruits infused in apricot kernel oil. It got its signature amber colour from caramelised sugar. She gifted this liqueur to Luini, and it caught on. The locals dubbed it 'di Saronno', meaning of or from Saronno, and eventually, that morphed into Disaronno. The liqueur is still made in Saronno, following that same recipe from 1525. How to Make an Amaretto Sour? This cocktail is believed to have been created in the 1970s and was originally known as Amaretto di Saronno. It's a twist on a classic sour cocktail that blends sweet and sour elements. It has two main ingredients: amaretto (in this case, Disaronno) and lemon juice. The inherent sweetness of Disaronno beautifully complements the tart lemon, but if you like it sweet you can always add a touch more simple syrup. For an extra touch of luxury, you can also add egg white, which imparts a silky texture and rich mouthfeel. Ingredients: 60ml Disaronno 30ml fresh lemon juice 5ml sugar syrup (optional, to taste) 1 egg white (or 15ml vegan-friendly option such as aquafaba) Ice Method: Put ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour in 60ml of Disaronno. Add the egg white (or vegan option if using) and freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you like it sweet, add the simple syrup. Shake the shaker and strain it into a chilled tumbler over ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of lemon, and enjoy. Where Can the Amaretto Sour be Enjoyed? In the summer sun, fireside in winter – an all year round tipple. But in all seriousness, we don't always want to be the ones mixing our cocktails. There are plenty of professionals out there who can do a better job than us. Simply go to your favourite bar and order an authentic amaretto sour made only with Disaronno.
Already named one of the world's greatest places of 2023 by TIME magazine, Brisbane has just scored another massive global tick of approval: it's now home to the best hotel in Oceania, the best in Australia and the only accommodation spot in both to make the World's Best 50 Hotels list in 2023. The Calile has earned that honour, with the Fortitude Valley venue coming in 12th in the world for "channelling a luxe 1950s-style Miami beachside vibe in the heart of the city". The World's Best 50 Hotels is the latest addition to the 50 Best stable alongside the World's 50 Best Restaurants, the World's 50 Best Bars, Asia's 50 Best Bars, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and more. Debuting this year, the new countdown highlights excellence among places to stay, and favoured Europe heavily among its selections. Across a list featuring 35 destinations on six continents, European hotels scored 21 slots, with hotels in Asia notching up 18, North American hotels nabbing six, accommodation in Africa getting three and South America joining Oceania with one apiece. [caption id="attachment_694717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy.[/caption] In flying the flag for luxe stays Down Under, The Calile's location on James Street, design by Brisbane-based architects Richards & Spence, 1960s Aussie motel-meets-Palm Springs air, tropical feel, pastel colour scheme and 30-metre pool surrounded by cabanas all earned a shoutout. The World's Best 50 Hotels dubbed its vibe a "relaxed, barefoot Australian style of luxury", while also celebrating onsite restaurants Hellenika, Same Same, Sushi Room, Bianca, SK Steak & Oyster and Lobby Bar. Brisbanites, that's your next staycation spot sorted. Folks elsewhere, you now have a number-one place to check into on your next River City visit. Wondering where else you should be booking in around the world? The top ranking overall went to Passalacqua in Moltrasio in Italy, while Rosewood Hong Kong came in second and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River ranked third. [caption id="attachment_918889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Passalacqua © Ruben Ortiz[/caption] The rest of the top ten featured Hong Kong's The Upper House in fourth place, Aman Tokyo in fifth, Marrakech's La Mamounia at sixth, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives nabbing seventh spot, One&Only Mandarina in Puerto Vallarta at eighth, Four Seasons Firenze in Florence placing ninth and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok perched at tenth. And, sitting between the top ten and The Calile at 12th is another Bangkok spot: Capella Bangkok, which was also named the Best New Hotel as well. Per continent, Passalacqua was named Europe's best hotel, Rosewood Hong Kong the same in Asia, La Mamounia did the honours in Africa, One&Only Mandarina in North America and Rosewood São Paulo in South America. [caption id="attachment_819667" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rosewood Hong Kong[/caption] Also, London's hotels enjoyed a particularly strong showing, taking out four places. On the list: Claridge's (at 16th), The Connaught (number 22), NoMad London (coming in at 46th) and The Savoy (ranking 47th). The World's Best 50 Hotels winners were picked by 580 international travel experts, all with a significant number of stamps on their passports — and also with a 50/50 gender split among them. Their votes come in as a ranked list of the seven best hotels that they've each stayed at during the last two years. [caption id="attachment_909119" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile[/caption] [caption id="attachment_895685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Four Seasons Bangkok[/caption] [caption id="attachment_694714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] For the full World's 50 Best Hotels list for 2023, head to the awards' website. Top image: Sean Fennessy.
Australia, you will feel it coming after all: in what's been a chaotic time for fans keen to see Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye Down Under, the musician is finally bringing his After Hours Til Dawn tour this way. Come October 2024, the Canadian singer-songwriter and The Idol star will hit the country for four gigs, playing two in Melbourne, then another two in Sydney. The details for your diary: The Weeknd will take to the stage at Marvel Stadium in the Victorian capital across Saturday, October 5–Sunday, October 6, then do the same at Accor Stadium in the New South Wales capital on Tuesday, October 22–Wednesday, October 23. Missing from the rescheduled tour dates is a Brisbane stop, which is no longer happening "due to schedule and logistical constraints", tour promoter Live Nation has advised. [caption id="attachment_970220" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hyghly Allene[/caption] It was this time last year that The Weeknd announced that his latest massive stadium tour was on its way to both Australia and New Zealand in November and December 2023 — even adding extra shows before general tickets went on sale — only for it to be postponed just two weeks out "due to unforeseen circumstances" without new dates being set. Then, in April 2024, the tour was cancelled for the time being, with ticketholders receiving refunds. "The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn Tour for Australia and New Zealand is still in process of being rescheduled," said a statement on the Ticketek website earlier in the year, leaving hope then that the tour might be announced again in the future. "Whilst we continue to work through the rescheduling process with the artist, tickets for the existing 2023 tour will be cancelled. All purchased tickets will receive a full refund," the message continued. Revealing the new Aussie shows now, The Weekend said that he feels "a strong pull to perform in Australia before moving on to the next chapter" and that he wanted "to make sure you all know I hadn't forgotten about you". "When I return now, it will be the right time, and I promise it will be such a special experience. I can't wait to see you all!" his announcement about the new dates continued. Mike Dean, Chxrry22 and Anna Lunoe will join The Weeknd Down Under. And if you've spotted that there's no New Zealand gigs this time around as well, his stop in Aotearoa is no longer on the schedule, just like Brisbane. An arena spectacular, The Weeknd's global tour began in 2022, notching up soldout shows far and wide. In the UK, The Weekend saw 160,000 folks head to London Stadium across two nights, smashing the venue's attendance record. And in Milan, he became the first artist to sell out the Ippodromo La Maura for two nights. Those feats are just the beginning. In Paris, the 'Starboy', 'I Feel It Coming', 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills' and 'Blinding Lights' artist scored Stade de France's biggest sales this year — and in Nice, the 70,000 tickets sold across his two shows are the most in the city's history. The reason for the whole tour, other than just because, is celebrate The Weeknd's 2020 record After Hours and its 2022 followup Dawn FM. Obviously, he has been playing tracks from 2013's Kiss Land, 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness and 2016's Starboy as well. The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Tour 2024 Dates: Saturday, October 5–Sunday, October 6 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, October 22–Wednesday, October 23 — Accor Stadium, Sydney The Weeknd is touring Australia in October 2024 — and if you had tickets to his cancelled 2023 dates, you can nab new tickets via the past purchaser presale from 12pm in Melbourne and 1pm in Sydney on Wednesday, August 21. Other presales start from Thursday, August 22, with general sales from Monday, August 26. Head to the tour website for more information. Top image: Rafael Deprost.
When February 2024 arrives at QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane, expect three words to echo with enthusiasm: "be our guest". And, when June hits at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, expect the same. Both venues will be home to the next Australian seasons of Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical, which has arrived Down Under as a newly reimagined and redesigned production. Exact dates haven't yet been announced, but the huge show will bring a tale as old as time to the Queensland and Victorian capitals after its current Aussie-premiere run in Sydney — and marks the latest in a growing line of Disney hits to come our way. Frozen the Musical did the rounds in recent years, as did the musical version of Mary Poppins. This version Beauty and the Beast first made its way to the stage in the UK in 2021, and reworks the original show that premiered in the US in the 90s — adapting Disney's hit 1991 animated movie musical, of course. Fans can expect the same Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, including all the beloved tunes such as 'Be Our Guest' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It also comes with new dance arrangements by David Chase, and with original choreographer Matt West revisiting his work. When the British return was announced, Menken said that "Beauty and the Beast is a testament to the genius of my late friend and collaborator Howard Ashman, but the show's richness comes from the combination of Howard's style and that of the brilliant Tim Rice, with whom I expanded the score to give voice to the Beast." "It's clear that audiences the world over want to return to the world of Beauty, which continues to amaze and humble those of us who created it." Cast-wise, the production features all-Australian talent, including Brisbanites Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Jackson Head as Gaston, the Gold Coast's Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts, Melbourne's Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth, plus Brendan Xavier as Beast and Rohan Browne as Lumiere. "We are thrilled to return to Brisbane and Melbourne with Beauty and the Beast, as re-imagined by members of the brilliant original creative team. This beloved show — and Belle herself — are somehow as contemporary today as when the film premiered in 1991, even more meaningful to those who first discovered them decades ago and to new generations," said Thomas Schumacher President & Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, announcing the Brisbane season. "Each time we've returned to Australia over the last quarter century we see audiences grow larger and more appreciative and the deep pool of extraordinary home-grown musical theatre talent grow even deeper. We cannot wait to bring this cherished story to two of our favourite Australian cities once more." DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE MUSICAL 2024 AUSTRALIAN DATES: From February 2024 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From June 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical will hit QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from February 2024 and Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from June 2024. We'll update you with exact dates when they're announced. For more information, or to sign up for the ticket waitlist — with Brisbane pre-sales from Monday, October 16 and Melbourne's from Monday, November 13— head to the musical's website. Images: Daniel Boud.
After a few years absent from screens, the Guardians of the Galaxy are back in a big way. First, they popped up in this year's Thor: Love and Thunder, although Marvel's ragtag space-hopping superhero crew only made a brief appearance. Then, they scored their own — and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first-ever — Disney+ holiday special. Next comes the long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which'll soar into cinemas in 2023, and just unveiled its first trailer. When this threequel hits, it will have been six years since 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 knows it. "We've been gone for quite a while," Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt, Jurassic World Dominion) says in the just-dropped sneak peek — and yes, the film is set to have a sense of occasion about it. Not only do Quill, Mantis (Pom Klementieff, Westworld), Drax (Dave Bautista, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Groot (Vin Diesel, Fast & Furious 9), Nebula (Karen Gillan, The Bubble) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley) arrive back in cinemas in their own flick, but this might be their last mission. "We'll all fly away together one last time, into the forever — that beautiful sky," says Rocket, which might be the calmest thing he's ever uttered. There's no Kevin Bacon in the trailer, or likely in the movie, but there is the return of another familiar face — because Vol. 3 is serious about getting the team back together. Off-screen, that includes usual writer/director James Gunn (The Suicide Squad), after a chaotic few years that saw him fired by Marvel, then make the switch to the DC Extended Universe — where he's now actually co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios. Gunn returned to the MCU, however, for the holiday special and Vol. 3. The new film picks up after the festive episode, after the rest of the MCU's mayhem over the past few years, and with Quill still coping with big events. But, the Guardians still need to defend the universe, including on that possibly last quest that could lead to their end. Also back is Sean Gunn (The Terminal List) as Kraglin, while Bodies Bodies Bodies and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan's Maria Bakalova voices Cosmo the Spacedog as she did in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Plus, Will Poulter (Dopesick) joins the cast as Adam Warlock — and Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) as The High Evolutionary. Check out the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 below: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 releases in cinemas Down Under on May 4, 2023.
Amidst the challenges of the last two years, Melbourne's food scene lost some old favourites — but it also gained some new guaranteed gems. And now, one Collingwood spot is delivering on both these fronts, as a long-standing legend is replaced by a very promising newcomer. After winning over the masses from multiple locations during its nine years of life, Katie Marron's US-inspired seafood joint Miss Katie's Crab Shack bid farewell to its final incarnation in July. The pressures of COVID compelled a shake-up, and so the chef-owner made the tough call to shut the doors on her much-loved namesake and start afresh with a whole new vision. So was born Suzi Cheek's — a lively neighbourhood spot for drinking and dining, named after Marron's mother, with a menu centred on everything but crab. The venue is sporting a swift makeover courtesy of the owner herself, the space comfy and welcoming with a bohemian edge. "I want people to almost feel like they're in my home," explains Marron of the fitout. This time around, the chef is tapping into a different pocket of her kitchen experience (her resume includes stints at Richmond's Grand Hotel, Movida and Pandora's Box) to deliver a globe-trotting menu that changes up regularly, steered by whatever goodies she gets her hands on at the Queen Victoria Market each day. That might mean an ox tongue sando with horseradish and beetroot, kingfish crudo elevated with fresh wasabi leaf and pickled rhubarb, a dish of fried sardines and mayo, or leek and mahon cheese croquettes. You could kick things off with the likes of fried oysters with yuzu and wakame, move into some saganaki with peach and jamon, and wrap things up with a buttermilk panna cotta. It's a snack-forward affair, but one that works equally well for those diners in the market for a feasting session. "The idea is that you'll come for a drink or cocktail during happy hour and you'll be enjoying the experience so much you just kick back and end up staying for dinner," says Marron. What's more, you're guaranteed to encounter something new each time you visit. There's a fun, snappy drinks lineup to match, running to seasonal sips like a mandarin martini, the kumquat-infused old fashioned, a seltzer-based house spritz and big jugs of peach iced tea. A slushie machine is spinning frozen concoctions and the wine list leans local, while the aforementioned Cheeky Hour (5–7pm daily) serves up $15 cocktails, $8 vino and $6 pints. Meanwhile, summer is looking extra bright with the addition of Suzi Cheek's leafy back courtyard — a secluded hideout that's set to play host to DJ-fuelled Sunday afternoon sessions from November 6. It's also available to book for private shindigs, if you like the sound of snacks and margs in your own little Smith Street oasis. Find Suzi Cheek's at 325 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's open from 5pm till late, Thursday to Sunday. Images: Kim Jane
It is instinctive for human beings to question what the future could hold and and will look like. But just like most aspects of our lives, buildings of the future are incredibly difficult to predict. Here are some of the most mind-boggling futuristic building designs which are in the planning stage or already under construction. New Orleans Arcology Habitat In an attempt to revamp both the aesthetics and economy of New Orleans in the face of the terrible destruction of 2005's Hurricane Katrina, an incredibly modernistic Arcology Habitat has been proposed. The design includes hotels, condos, commercial property and casinos all floating on the surface of a water basin between the Mississippi River and the CBD. Spaceport America Spaceport America is now in its initial stages of development in New Mexico and has already seen a series of flights launched from its lunar pads last year. This sleek construction is set to be the first commercial spaceport the world has ever seen and would unlock the potential to allow anyone to enjoy the wonders of space. Shimizu Mega-City Pyramid This enormous construction proposed for Tokyo would be 14 times higher than the ancient Great Pyramid of Giza, and would house an incredible 750,000 people. Designed as a solution to the over-population issue in Japan, this design is on hold until super-strong lightweight materials appear in the future. Kingdom Tower This enormous skyscraper has been approved for construction in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah at the preliminary cost of $4.6 billion as part of the proposed Kingdom City to be located along the Red Sea. If completed according to plan, the tower will not only become the tallest building in the world, but also the only on the planet to exceed a height of 1 kilometre. Kuwait Airport A new terminal is undergoing construction at Kuwait International Airport this year, set to be completed by 2016. The reconstruction, designed as a three point star, should increase the passenger handling capacity from 7 million to 13 million in the first phase. Trio Vertical Garden French designer and botanist, Patrick Blanc, is starting a revolution with his amazing designs of vertical gardens. His projects started in Sydney in 2009 by embedding 4,500 seedlings into a recycled felt surface, creating a contemporary artwork that is both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Taiwan Tower Sou Fujimoto was the winner of the Taiwan Tower International Competition with his interpretation of 'Primitive Future'. The 300 metre tower is inspired by the Taiwanese banyan tree and is designed to be a model of green architecture for future generations. Keret House Instead of just discounting the space of an 133 centimetre alleyway between two houses in Warsaw, architect Jakub Szczesny saw the possibility for an ingenious house. Designed as a creative workspace for Israeli writer, Etgar Keret, the hermitage would range from 72-122cm in width with remote control stairs and boat-inspired water and sewage systems. Project Utopia Floating Island After numerous references to floating civilisations in literature comes finally an inventive floating island design more like an oil rig than a yacht. The volume of the Project Utopia would be equivalent to a present-day cruise liner, measuring more than 100 metres across and including more than 11 decks.
Already in its 24th year, the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest never ceases to amaze and excite with its stunning displays of photography from around the world. With the current increase in popularity of amateur photography and the pervasion of social media, this year's competition already has a whopping 12,400 entries. Flick through the entries at the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012 website and experience some of the most incredible and awe-inspiring sights, people and moments this Earth has to offer. This year's contest has four categories - Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, Travel Portraits and Spontaneous Moments - to cover a wide range of spectacular photo opportunities. Here we've collated just a sample of what we find to be some of the most remarkable shots from the 2012 contest. Keep a lookout for the winners, which will be announced in August. Northern Lights by Christine Peterson Location: Northern Iceland Monsoon by Enrique Lopez-Tapia Location: Sundarbands, Bangladesh The Rise by James Davies Location: Lizard Point, the UK's most Southerly location, Cornwall African Queen - Madagascar by Lisa Labinjoh Location: North West Madagascar Sun-Kissed Faces by Erwin Choachuy Location: San Remigio, Cebu, Philippines Tamblingan Lake by Agung Krisprimandoyo Location: Gubug Temple, Tamblingan Lake, Bali, Indonesia Up in the Air by Martin Fietkiewicz Location: Wreck Beach, Vancouver, BC, Canada Fox in the Grass by Kathryn Triplett Location: Kodiak Island, Alaska Butts by Laysa Quintero Location: Samburu National Reserve, Kenya Outside Pandora's Box by Johnathan Bareng Location: Ubud, Bali. Indonesia The Great off Isla Damas by Esteban Delgado Location: Puntarenas, Quepos, Isla Damas, Costa Rica
