Australians looking to travel to New Zealand must consider the current COVID-19 advice. For information on quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub. You don't need to ski or snowboard to have a great time on New Zealand's powder-topped slopes. Alpine resorts across the country have a huge variety of other snow-based activities to choose from during the magical winter months. All you have to decide is whether you'd rather take a high-performance vehicle around a snow-covered race track, drive your own team of sled dogs, or ride a high-speed gondola through the clouds. FLOOR IT AROUND A SNOW-COVERED RACE TRACK Ice Driving is considered the ultimate winter driving challenge. The tyre-sliding experience invites anyone with a drivers licence and a wad of cash to jump in the hot seat and hoon around more than 40 hectares of snow-capped alps. It happens in the deep south from July to August every year with participants invited to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle on a snow-covered race track. The experience is held at the iconic Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds on Mount Pisa, which sits 1500 metres above sea level between Queenstown and Wanaka. The snow track is the winter test centre used to test cars around the world. It's suitable for groups of ten and up who are keen to learn what it takes to drift around a snow circle, weave around a slalom course and bury the accelerator on ice. TUBE DOWN A 150-METRE SLOPE IN TEKAPO Tekapo Springs is the nerve centre for alternative winter activities in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin. Open from June until mid-September, the snow tubing park is just one attraction on offer, taking thrill-seekers on a slippery ride down a 150-metre slope. And there's no uphill walking involved once you're ready for another run — simply hop aboard the magic carpet back to the top. Once you've completed your one-hour tubing session, there's plenty to keep you occupied at the resort. Hit the outdoor ice rink, unwind in the on-site sauna and steam room, or soak in stunning lake and mountain views from one of three hot pools. [caption id="attachment_757146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism New Zealand.[/caption] RIDE NEW ZEALAND'S NEWEST, LONGEST AND FASTEST GONDOLA Riding Mt Ruapehu's newly opened Sky Waka will take you on a journey into the clouds. Called New Zealand's largest and most technically advanced gondola, the high-speed Sky Waka travels 1.8 kilometres in just five minutes above the snow-capped terrain of Whakapapa. From the Top of the Bruce base station you'll traverse over icy waterfalls and ancient lava flows and catch a glimpse of Ruapehu and its neighbouring volcanoes, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, through the floor to ceiling windows. Touch down will bring you to the award-winning Knoll Ridge Chalet where a selection of dining options await. DRIVE YOUR OWN TEAM OF SLED DOGS Cardrona's home of cross-country skiing is also where you can carve trails with a pack of friendly malamutes and huskies. UnderDog New Zealand has been practising the northern tradition of dogsledding in the Southern Alps since 2013, and allows visitors to drive their very own team of dogs or sit back and enjoy the ride. Exhilarating experiences start from $255 and range from one-hour high country journeys to after-dark runs and full-blown overnight stays. SNOWSHOE TO A SECLUDED BACKCOUNTRY HUT Snowshoeing is nearly as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. At Cardrona Valley's Snow Farm you can make a night of your winter adventure by trekking to a backcountry hut in the Pisa Ranges. Overnight snowshoe rental and the trail pass will set you back $29, while a spot in one of the secluded huts starts from $35. There are three to choose from: Meadow, Bob Lee and Daisy Lee. While each features a gas cooker and log burner, the former has room for 20 people. All you need to bring is food, drinks, a sleeping bag and your overnight things. For those who haven't been to a backcountry hut before, don't expect electricity and running water. WHIP AROUND THE MOUNTAIN ON A SNOWMOBILE Queenstown Snowmobiles offers the only heli-snowmobiling experience in New Zealand. The company has access to trails and backcountry riding, only by way of helicopter. The snowmobiles are easy to operate and no previous experience is required. Each wilderness tour is around two and a half hours and includes a 15-minute scenic helicopter flight each way. All of the tours come with an experienced guided and can cater for both individuals and small groups. In no time you'll be cruising across pristine snow at an altitude of up to 6000 feet above sea level. Just don't forget your camera. HAVE LUNCH ON TOP OF A GLACIER An outing with Mount Cook Ski Planes lets you toast the breathtaking beauty of Aoraki National Park with a glass of bubbly. The operator offers a range of experiences through the Southern Alps, including private ski plane flights over snow-capped peaks and chopper excursions to ice caves — which, depending on snow and ice conditions, can be explored with a guide. Once you've taken in all that mountain air, your pilot will land on one of the region's many glaciers for a private picnic on the snow. From there, you'll fly towards Mount Cook to give you a better view of the highest peak in New Zealand.
Celebrated chef Matt Moran is already one of the most significant players in the Australian hospitality scene, running accomplished Sydney restaurants like Aria, Chiswick, Barangaroo House, North Bondi Fish and the always-busy House Canteen at Opera Bar, as well as Brisbane's Riverbar & Kitchen. Now, Moran is spreading his footprint beyond Australia and partnering with Marriott International to take over the kitchen at two luxury resorts in Fiji. Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort will now both boast his signature farm-to-table ethos and hearty modern cooking from March until August this year. The Tatavu Grill & Bar at the newly-refurbished Sheraton resort offers guests a luxury barefoot dining experience and the kitchen crew cooking over a multi-level open vertical grill, while Fish Bar at Marriott's Momi Bay resort serves up panoramic ocean views alongside a menu that will pull from both land and sea, experimenting with local meat and seafood paired with flavoured Fijian salt. [caption id="attachment_889838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fish Bar[/caption] "Fiji offers an exciting canvas to create something truly special with the freshest line caught seafood and an abundance of fresh vegetables and lush tropical fruits," says Moran, who will also be hosting a pair of culinary events to celebrate the takeovers. On Tuesday, March 21, he'll be popping-up at Tatavu, before travelling to Fish Bar the night after. For both occasions, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner showcasing highlights from the new menus, hosted by the chef. [caption id="attachment_889840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort[/caption] "I love teaching people about food and how pure, fresh ingredients, treated simply, are the basis for creating extraordinary dining experiences and I know that Marriott International Fiji aligns with this philosophy," Moran says. The takeover will run until Thursday, August 31 and is open to guests at both resorts. The one-off dinners hosted by Matt Moran are available to book for 399 Fijian dollars or around $260AUD. [caption id="attachment_889841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tatavu Grill & Bar[/caption] Matt Moran will take over the kitchens at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort from Thursday, March 23 until Thursday, August 31. 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.
Fresh flowers. Just-baked cakes. The air just after a storm. Newly brewed coffee. They're all distinctive scents that not only smell nice, but conjure up warm and fuzzy feelings. And if you find that the odour of cracking open a new computer or gadget from a certain popular brand evokes the same kind of reaction, then you're going to want to order a Mac-scented candle. Replicating the smell of a brand new Mac, the hand-poured candles clearly answer an the age-old question: "what do you get the Apple fan who has everything?". They're made from 100% soy wax, cost US$24, and also conjure notes of mint, peach, basil, lavender, mandarin and sage. We have to say, if that's what you're sniffing out when you open your new laptop, you must have super olfactory capabilities. Sure, it sounds like something out of a Seinfeld episode, were the hit sitcom still airing — or a gag one of the many modern-oriented Twitter parody accounts of the show might come up with; however it really isn't a joke. Mac accessories company Twelve South has added the item to their store, alongside their usual lineup of docks, stands, covers, shelves, bass boosters, plug converters and keyboard extenders (you know, the standard computer, tablet and phone gizmos). One US Mac hosting solution outfit put the candles to the test, and decreed that they do indeed emit the apparently much-sought-after "new Mac smell". There must be a fair number of folks looking to fill their home with that particular scent, because the range has already sold out. Don't worry, Mac sniffers: more will be in stock at the end of the month. Via Fast Company.
Previously, if you wanted to get hot food at Queen Vic Market, you'd have very limited options. Throughout the week, there are a few ready-to-eat spots in The Dairy Hall — look no further than The Borek Shop — plus the iconic American Doughnut Kitchen will forever be popular with locals and visitors alike. Food trucks were only really found here on Sundays and during the night market. But the Queen Vic Market crew has taken it to the next level, recently opening its new Food Truck Pit Stop. Within E Shed — on Tuesdays and from Thursday–Sunday — you'll find nine different food trucks serving a diverse range of food and bevs . Grab your coffee from Expresso Time and Bean Brewed, German snags from Galaxy Taste, Ethiopian eats from Eat Enjera, sweet and savoury crepes from Kiki's Crepes, falafel wraps and spicy chicken shwarma from Wesh, Japanese pancakes from Kicca Okonomiyaki, Mexican bites from Tacos El Habanero, momo and stir-fried noodles from Oz Tibet Kitchen, plus heaps more. QVM has needed a bigger lineup of hot food traders for a long time now, and we are stoked to see them deliver. We'll be sure to check out the Food Truck Pit Stop next time we're visiting for a grocery shop or needing a lunchtime bite. You'll find Queen Victoria Market's new Food Truck Pit Stop at E shed, open during normal trading hours on Tuesdays, and from Thursday–Sunday. For more details, you can check out the market's website.
When poring over the menu at Brunswick's Small Axe Kitchen, two words jump out at you straight away: breakfast pasta. Made with macaroni, sautéed peas, mint, pork cheek, and topped with a slow-cooked egg, it's the most eye-catching dish at this Sicilian-inspired brunch spot that is fast becoming a northside staple. Other standouts include their grilled brioche with pistachio granita, espresso mousse, nougat and bloody orange jelly, their warm chestnut rice pudding with figs, prunes, almonds and fennel pollen and — you might need to sit down — the fried scarmorza sandwich. The coffee, meanwhile, comes courtesy of Code Black Roasters in all the regular forms — but if you're having pasta for breakfast, you may as well go for an espresso martini. Images: Tim Grey
Visited Japan in recent times? You probably heard more than a few Aussie accents. From the snowy slopes of Hakuba to the crowded backstreets of Tokyo, the relatively cheap and somewhat short flights mean it'd be more surprising if you didn't come across someone from our part of the world. Yet it's always good to have the numbers to back up your impression. According to new data collected by travel booking platform Klook, Australians are visiting Japan more than ever. So far in 2025, the Japan National Tourism Organisation reports an 18% increase in visits. That means we can expect a significant jump from 2024 figures, which saw a record 920,196 Australians touch down in Japan. But perhaps more interesting is that where we go and what we do is changing for Australian travellers. With many tourists returning for the second, third or fourth time, lots are looking beyond the well-worn 'Golden Route' of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Instead, regional cities and nature-based activities are experiencing a popularity boom. Klook reports that lesser-known cities like Nagoya, the gateway to the Japanese Alps, have seen interest in overnight stays increase by 166%. At the same time, the northern capital of Sapporo has seen demand increase by 173%. Meanwhile, a host of destinations within touching distance of the main tourist hotspots are capturing more attention. In Kyoto Prefecture, the city of Miyazu and its enchanting coastal town, Amanohashidate, have received a 50-fold increase in searches. Likewise, Yokohama — a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo — has seen a 10-fold increase in tour demand. While you could spend weeks exploring the sprawling megalopolis, travellers are looking to explore Japan's abundant nature, with appetite for outdoor and wellness activities up 41%. "We know that Japan is a favourite for Australian travellers, and what's exciting is that many are choosing to go beyond the usual tourist routes," says a Klook spokesperson. "Our data shows a clear rise in bookings to lesser-known destinations and cultural and nature experiences, being driven by travellers looking for more immersive, authentic experiences and a slower, more meaningful way to explore Japan." Klook's top searches reflect this inclination, with travellers eager to explore the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route or tour the Nachi Falls, the tallest single-tier waterfall in Japan at a staggering 133 metres. Although you wouldn't be blamed for loving a beer and ramen session as much as the most raucous salaryman, we're also gravitating towards cultural experiences, with a 72% increase in bookings for museums and art galleries. Supported by the stats, convincing your pals to explore further afield on your next Japan trip might not be so difficult. Heading to Japan soon? Check out this guide to its natural wonders or dive deeper into the best of Tokyo food and culture.
In 2025, Sydney Opera House's annual All About Women festival is welcoming than 50 speakers, including artists, thinkers and storytellers from both Australia and overseas, to explore gender, equality and justice. This year's lineup will participate in sessions that span women in sport and the influence of the Matildas, racism and sexism in the music industry, the impacts of skincare routines, and plenty more. For 13 years, marking International Women's Day with talks, panels, workshops and performances has been as easy as attending this highlight of the cultural calendar — a must-attend event not only in Sydney, but also nationally in recent years, thanks to the streaming of sessions online (which continues in 2025). For this year, Kate Berlant and Gina Chick joined the All About Women bill first, as did the return of the Feminist Roast. Kara Swisher, Rachel House, Jaguar Jonze and Grace Tame are among the folks joining them come Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9. Berlant is making her first trip Down Under, with the comedian and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Don't Worry Darling and A League of Their Own actor set to debut a new stand-up show. Alone Australia's first-season winner Chick is on the bill fresh from releasing her memoir We Are the Stars in October, and will chat about following your own path, grief and resourcefulness. On a lineup overseen by the Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas team — as led by Chip Rolley, alongside 10 News First's Narelda Jacobs and actor and writer Michelle Law — journalist and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story author Swisher will dig into the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, while Heartbreak High star and The Mountain director House will chat through the importance of community and her Māori culture in her career. Jonze is on the panel discussing the present state of the music industry, as is Barkaa. And Tame is part of the Feminist Roast alongside Michelle Brasier, Nakkiah Lui, Lucinda 'Froomes' Price and Steph Tisdell. The Tillies are on the roster via former Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, plus Football Australia, the Matildas and the ParaMatildas Media Manager Ann Odong, with their session exploring the current situation for women in sport. Elsewhere, Dr Michelle Wong, Jessica DeFino and Yumi Stynes — plus Price again — will examine the impacts of beauty standards, especially upon younger generations. All About Women's 2025 program also spans sessions on the women who gave testimony at the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, the rise of domestic violence-related deaths in Australia, systems that are meant to protect First Nations children, perimenopause and how women's health is being commercialised, tradwives, grief, motherhood, the nation's declining birth rate, bodily autonomy and abortion, and being friends for life.
Bottomless gnocchi and bottomless garlic bread, it might sound like a dream, but no. You read correctly. It's real. Every Thursday night from 5pm at The Provincial Hotel in Fitzroy, you can expect a pasta-filled and garlic bread-fueled evening for just $30 per person. Because who said weeknights have to be boring? In case you're not yet aware of what you're in for (and how loose-fitting your clothing choices should be), you can expect an endless feast of hand-rolled gnocchi and warm, delicious garlic bread. Pick from a trio of flavours, including hearty bolognese, spicy vodka cream and fresh green pesto cream. When you're ready for more, you can also order additional servings by calling the Gnocchi Hotline at the phone booth in the Atrium. You can also order from the main menu—the new menu is all about Italian comfort food with a cheeky twist, and features plenty of plant-based options, too. Perfect for groups or dates, say goodbye to the usual portion-controlled dining experience and say hello to a flavoursome new experience, just bring stretchy pants. Gather your mates and dial up the fun with Gnocchi Hotline at Provincial Hotel. Bottomless gnocchi and garlic bread await every Thursday. Book your table now at the Provincial Hotel website. Images: Supplied.
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.
Alexandros Kouris speaks a lot about alchemy. As the owner and founder of the Nissos Brewery on the island of Tinos, he’s not just talking about the rich golden colour of his beer; he’s talking about what makes a craft beer great. “I can’t explain it chemically to you, but there’s an alchemy,” Kouris laughs. “Happy people make good beer.” Nissos Pilsner has made it to the Australian craft beer market all the way from the sunshine and aquamarine seas of the Greek island of Tinos, 6 nautical miles from Mykonos. It’s a beer craft drinkers will be drawn to not just for its unique taste (a citrusy, refreshing and full-bodied pilsner) but as a winsome example of the craft beer ethos. Nissos beer is brewed and bottled in small quantities by 15 local Tinos islanders, using purely natural, traditional and slow brewing processes, as well as Greek ingredients. For Kouris, this local authenticity is very much the appeal, and why he believes the resurgence of craft beers is well deserved. “I’m a great believer that food and drink should be — it’s not the product, it’s not the commercial product — it’s part of our culture,” says Kouris. “So if I take from your hands the production of food and drink I take part of your identity ... I come here with my beers and taste yours and I take back yours, this is beautiful, this is human. And this is human skill and it keeps the world alive.” Kouris entered the world of craft beer following the Global Financial Crisis, when he decided to sell off what companies he had. He says that while everyone in Greece was afraid and taking money out of the country, he wanted to do the opposite. “I loved beer. I followed the craft beer movement all around the world," he says. "I love the Cycladic island of Tinos and I said, putting the two together that could create a very good business, one that will make me happy and one that will, I hope, inspire people in Greece.” It seems his gamble has paid off. Last year the small brewery came away with silver in the Pilsner category at the European Beer Competition (which Kouris describes as the “Oscars” of beer competitions) against 1613 other international beers. Impressive, given the brewery was only 17 months old and produces only one beer, but hardly surprising for a pilsner whose herbal and citrus aroma and crispness tastes like a liquid advertising campaign for life on a Greek isle. This year, the taste and story of the beer has been discovered by Nick Manettas (of Nick’s Seafood Restaurant), who has embarked on a successful campaign to bring Nissos to the Australian market and into your craft beer-ready glass. “It’s very distinct, it’s very full-bodied as a pilsner and apparently it’s very good, people love it,” smiles Kouris. “And you know, this is alchemy.” You can find Nissos on exclusive release to all of the Nick’s Restaurant and Bar Group venues before it begins wider distribution to a pub near you over the next year. So keep your eyes on your craft beers and a Greek island shanty in your heart.
The eye and the brain are incredibly powerful organs through which humans receive and process a large proportion of their sensory information. What we see every second of everyday helps shapes our understanding of almost every aspect of our lives. And our brains develop certain expectations about objects based on a long history of experience. However, sometimes optical illusions can challenge our pre-conceived ideas of structures and confound both our eyes and brains. Through clever deceptive techniques, artists and architects can create buildings that elude our basic understanding of how constructions are made and what they include. Here are nine bewildering optical illusions sure to confuse and amaze and challenge your conceptions of architecture. Warped Building This apartment building is your average apartment block...with a twist. A fairly large, warped twist. The unique structure is situated in the Czech Republic's capital city, Prague, and has picturesque views overlooking the River Vitara. El Grifo Magico Appearing to defy gravity and perform some magical feat, this 'floating tap' seems to be pouring an endless supply of water from its vantage point of mid-air suspension. Even though a magician should never reveal their secrets (and stop reading now if you would like the magic to remain), it has been revealed that a pipe hidden by the water actually holds the structure up. Upside Down House Spider-man? Gravity-defying shoes? Talented acrobats? No, it's another awe-inspiring architectural design that tricks and boggles the mind. This unorthodox house has everything upside down and back to front - literally. Trompe-l'eoil Ever after looking at this image several times, it is still impossible to fathom the appearance of this melting building, closer resembling a time warp than an apartment block. In actual fact, this image actually depicts a painting, but even then it succeeds in confounding the brain.The image uses the french art technique of tromp-l'eoil, which attempts to make 2D images appear like 3D optical illusions that really exist. One-walled House History has taught us to understand a house as a building comprising of at least four walls, a roof and a door. However, in Odessa, Ukraine, they have challenges this perception by creating a disconcerting house, which from the front appears orthodox, but when viewed from the side reveals only a single walled-building. Cafe Wall Illusion In 1979 a cafe was erected in Bristol, England, with a perplexing exterior that confused and bemused, and which continues to do so into the present day. A variant of the Münsterberg shifted chessboard illusion, this tessellating pattern uses light and alternating bricks of black and white to make the parallel and even lines appear to be sloped. All the line are actually horizontal and all the levels of the building perfectly equal in size. Bâtiment Another building which seems to flout all logical laws of gravity is the artist Leandro Ehrlich's mirrored art installation for the 'In Perceptions' exhibition in Paris. Whilst people appear to be casually hanging from 3-storey balconies or chilling whilst suspended horizontally to the wall, this trickery is actually a result of a mirrored painting of a building on the ground. 3D Lichtenstein House The top image gives the impression of a quaint and colourful little house that would be fitting within the setting of a fairytale story. The second picture, however, reveals its highly deceptive nature. Cleverly using only two walls placed at specific angles, when viewed at from a particular viewpoint, this house appears to be a complete 4-walled building. Sinking House Another sneaky illusion using angles, the top picture of this house depicts a building seemingly falling into the depths of the Earth. Yet when righted, the correct angle of the house demonstrates a perfectly average home located on the slope of a hill.
Considering a road trip to the nation's capital? From feeding lions and conquering epic hikes to treating yo'self in palaces of rejuvenation, Canberra isn't short on activities that'll make any mini-break extra memorable. Of course, after visiting the city's museums and galleries and exploring the surrounding wineries and national parks, you'll need somewhere to rest your head at the end of the day. And, you'll want it to tick every box you're looking for — whether you'd prefer a plush glamping bed hidden among the vineyards or a luxurious city nest within stumbling distance of the top-notch nightlife. To help ensure you make the most of your trip to Canberra, we've found seven places to stay that'll tickle the fancy of every type of adventurer there is. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
For fans of Adam Driver, 2019 was a movie-watching delight. When he wasn't tackling zombies in Jim Jarmusch's The Dead Don't Die, he was investigating CIA-sanctioned torture in The Report. He scored an Oscar nomination for his relationship struggles with Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story, and fought the force in Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, too. Alas, after that welcome onslaught of Driver-starring flicks in such short succession — The Man Who Killed Don Quixote also released Down Under the same year, in fact — he didn't appear on our screens in 2020. But this year, he'll be back in cinemas in one of his most-anticipated films yet. In the works for half a decade — and reportedly initially delayed in part due to Driver's busy schedule — Annette tells the tale of stand-up comedian Henry (Driver) and his soprano opera singer wife Ann (Marion Cotillard). He's funny, she's famous, and their lives are happy and glamorous; however, when their daughter Annette is born, they're changed forever. Few other narrative details have been revealed, but their story plays out in a musical — and if the just-dropped first trailer gives any indication, viewers can expect a brooding, dreamy, sweeping and immensely gorgeous film to dance across the screen. Actually, movie buffs can expect all of the above simply based on Annette's director. It has now been nine years since Leos Carax's Holy Motors hit cinema screens, becoming one of the most memorable films of both the decade and the 21st century in the process, so his next project has been eagerly awaited for quite some time. Annette will also mark the French filmmaker's English-language debut. And, after being shot late in 2019 and initially expected in 2020, it'll open this year's Cannes Film Festival in July. Exactly when viewers elsewhere will get to see the film hasn't been announced, but whenever it surfaces locally, it'll be a certain big-screen event. Every director wishes that they made movies that no one else could even dream of, but Carax is genuinely one of those filmmakers. Here's hoping that we soon get to see what Carax's inventive mind has put together next. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=068aFF8fOIA&feature=emb_logo Annette will open the Cannes Film Festival on July 6. Details for the film's release Down Under are yet to be revealed — we'll update you with further details when they're announced.
Melbourne will soon be home to one of the world's largest standalone beauty destinations: MECCA's flagship Bourke Street store — opening on Friday, August 8. This 4000-square-metre location spans three massive levels, with over 200 beauty brands and 80 services crammed inside. Plus, a series of in-store concepts make this a bold new chapter in experiential beauty retail. MECCA Bourke Street has taken up residency in the storied 299 Bourke Street — a 1930s heritage-listed building (most recently David Jones' menswear store) once home to the iconic Cole's Book Arcade. A fitting destination for MECCA's Bourke Street endeavour, leading architecture practice Studio McQualter was brought on board to restore the building's age-old features down to the smallest detail, from its arched windows and terrazzo flooring to the shopfront tiles. [caption id="attachment_836524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.[/caption] "MECCA Bourke Street is the physical embodiment of our purpose — to embolden through beauty by helping people look, feel, and be their best. It reimagines what experiential retail can be, fusing creativity, culture, and collaboration to create something so much more than a store — it's the MECCA of all MECCAs," says MECCA Founder and Co-CEO, Jo Horgan. Over three times the size of MECCA George Street and more than 60 times the original MECCA Toorak Road store, this immense reopening lives up to its grand legacy. Designed as a full-day destination, guests can explore global beauty brands across multiple existing and new concepts. Explore MECCA Perfumeria's fragrance gallery guided by scent sommeliers, head to MECCA Aesthetica for advanced clinical skin treatments, or discover luxury 90-minute hair, makeup and nail treatments at MECCA Beauty Atelier. [caption id="attachment_836525" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.[/caption] The space goes beyond beauty and wellbeing, too. Opening in late 2025, there's a 200-square-metre auditorium designed to bring staff and customers together through a year-round program of educational and inspiring events. There's also Café MECCA — a suitable spot to catch your breath after roaming the shelves. Tucked into the first floor, expect a custom-made marble counter, leather banquette seating and a stunning artwork by contemporary artist Diena Georgetti. MECCA is also bringing purpose to its Bourke Street store, as the location will also act as a platform for MECCA M-POWER, championing gender equality through female-led design, purpose-driven events and over 20 artworks by women curated by Charlotte Day. You'll also be happy to know the store's innovative design features myriad health-first features, including air purification, mindful lighting and movement support. With more details revealed before the doors swing open in a month's time, this landmark MECCA store might just redefine retail beauty for good. [caption id="attachment_836523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.[/caption] MECCA Bourke Street is expected to open on Friday, August 8, at 299 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Top image: Hugh Davies.
Few things can compare to a classic Italian aperitivo. You order a drink from the bar and with it comes a delectable free snack. This delightful afternoon drinking experience is unavoidable if you're travelling through Italy. But for those of us stuck here in Melbourne, Neighbourhood Wine (one of the best wine bars in Melbourne for our money) is throwing its own version of an aperitivo throughout the rest of summer. For its Patio Aperitivo sessions, guests sitting out on the terrace from 4–6pm (any day of the week) will receive a free snack when they order a boozy beverage. And these aren't dry breadsticks we're talking. The Neighbourhood Wine crew will be slinging natural oysters, wagyu beef with bone marrow on sourdough crackers, and honeydew melon topped with capocollo ham to all the aperitivo stans out there. To nab a complimentary snack, you just need to order a glass of wine, a pint of beer or a cocktail within the two hour window. Cocktail-wise, the team has created a few summer specials for the occasion, including a signature spritz and dirty martini. But you could happily head here for a two-hour sesh on the beers and wine, filling up on plenty of fine Italian-inspired eats.
Huge news: Darlinghurst is set to become home to Soho House Sydney, Australia's first outpost for the ultra-exclusive membership club. The much-hyped global brand already has locations across the world from Berlin to Miami, and is now in the process of transforming a building on the corner of Crown and Foley Street above Shady Pines Saloon, with ambitious plans in the works to completely reshape the space. The five-storey development is currently subject to City of Sydney approval, but is set to feature a variety of spaces both indoor and outdoor that are designed to facilitate social gatherings, including multiple restaurants and bars across the various levels. Plans submitted to the city council also show a proposed gym, cabaret facilities, and a rooftop terrace and pool. The plans also reveal anticipated changes to the facade, replacing the building's fairly rundown exterior with a simple, sleek and modern cream and brown design in line with other Soho Houses around the world. Soho House is working with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (The Old Clare Hotel, Bondi Pavilion) in creating the proposed design. "It's possibly one of the worst-kept secrets, but we're so excited to confirm that we will be opening a Soho House in Sydney in the future," says Soho House Membership Director Dominique Bellas. [caption id="attachment_900975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tonkin Zulaikha Greer architects[/caption] "While we don't have more details to share at this time, we continue to grow our Cities Without Houses community in Australia and are looking forward to bringing our members a week-long Soho House experience for Sydney's first South by Southwest." As Bellas stated, the Soho House Sydney announcement comes as the internationally renowned brand hits Australia for SXSW Sydney — taking over The Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale. The dreamy accommodation, pub and rooftop bar is being treated to a Soho House transformation for the eight-day festival. Soho House and Cities Without Houses members — whether they be travelling Down Under for the festival, or local jetsetters and creatives — will be treated to daily programming and events designed to be reminiscent of what you'd experience at Soho Houses around the world. Included in the events will be a performance curated by Secret Sounds, a one-night-only dinner from British chef Darren Robertson (Three Blue Ducks, Rocker), an art installation from Paul Davies and an industry event with the not-for-profit Women In Music Australia. If you want to join the Soho House community in preparation for the inaugural Australian outpost to open, you can apply for a Cities Without Houses membership, which will grant you access to the brand's SXSW Sydney takeover of The Old Clare. [caption id="attachment_706208" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Old Clare Rooftop[/caption] Australia's first-ever Soho House was originally set to open on Domain Road in Melbourne's South Yarra, but developers were forced to ditch plans at the direction of VCAT after strong opposition from local councils and a residents' group. The Darlinghurst building earmarked for Soho House Sydney has a storied history, taking many forms over the years including Bolot's Embassy Dancing Academy between 1924–30, the Playbox Theatre and Stanley Twig's auction house in the 1930s and, most recently, housing several retail tenants throughout the 2000s including an espresso bar, convenience store and a nail salon. Now boasting over 40 houses across the globe, Soho House first opened in London in 1995 as a private members club for clientele in the creative sphere. It has since spread throughout Europe and North America, opening restaurants, cinemas, workspaces, spas and bedrooms alongside the traditional clubs. From New York to Istanbul, exclusivity is a common global denominator. [caption id="attachment_613704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darren Robertson and Cameron Northway[/caption] Soho House Sydney is set to open at 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst — we'll update you with an opening date when one is announced. Top image: Soho House Sydney render by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Champagne, cognac and caviar. This is what Melburnians can expect from the CBD's favourite new cocktail bar, Nick & Nora's. The bar is the brainchild of the Speakeasy Group, the owners of cocktail classic Eau de Vie, Viking luxe bar Mjølner and whisky-serving Boilermaker House. Like Mjolner, Nick & Nora's will be a Sydney import — the group opened its first Nick & Nora's in Sydney in October 2018. The Melbourne outpost swung open its incredibly opulent doors in July 2023 for a very short time, then reopened them at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, October 27, when restrictions were eased. Like its Sydney counterpart, the venue is inspired by Dashiell Hammett's novel The Thin Man and its fictional crime-solving team, Nick and Nora Charles. If you're not familiar with the book, expect a roaring 30s vibe befitting a most glamorous party. The sprawling venue boasts five distinct spaces (a main bar, salon, champagne parlour and a VIP lounge), three balconies, green marble, gold and dark wood finishes and a whopping 400 bottles of champagne on display. The latter is housed in a five-metre-long climate-controlled display case and features rare vintages alongside bubbles by the glass. For cocktails, the manual is organised by taste — a Speakeasy Group signature — but with venue-themed list names like The Femme Fatal, The Hollywood Starlet and The Snitch. Think martinis, champagne cocktails, punches and sours aplenty. [caption id="attachment_787583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinkerton Punch by Brook James[/caption] If you can't be bothered to read through the entire book of drinks, we suggest going for the smoking Cafe Noir (aged rum, cold drip, coffee liqueur, sweet sherry and vanilla mousse, served chilled with liquid nitrogen, the Doin' Time (Woodford Reserve rye whiskey, marmalade and amaro, served with a pinot noir float or the four-person Pinkerton Punch (gin, Cynar, elderflower, celery shrub and bubbles. For nibbles, while you drink, there are French-inspired snacks and share plates, including smoked eel blinis topped with caviar, confit duck with fermented chilli, chicken liver parfait with brioche and lamb tartare topped with macadamia cream. Plus a full caviar service and a sizeable selection of cheese and charcuterie. Nick & Nora's is located in the high-end restaurant precinct within the 80 Collins Street building. It's shaping up to house some big hospitality names, with highly anticipated new venues from Sepia's Vicki Wild and Martin Benn and Pastuso's Alejandro Saravia already locked in. Images: Brook James Updated Tuesday, March 21 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
Australia has more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline and 11,761 beaches, according to those who've somehow managed to count them all. And there's no better way to get to know them than an adventure with your mates and a night within the thin walls of a tent. With the waves just a stumble away and surrounded by kangaroos, wombats and echidnas, beach camping is a great way to immerse yourselves in all the best Australia has to offer, the kind of serenity that's best enjoyed together. To get you started, we teamed up with Jim Beam to find the spots where we reckon you'll get some of the nation's optimum beach camping conditions. Recommended reads: The Best Beach Camping Spots in Victoria The Best Beach Camping Spots in Queensland The Best Beach Camping Spots in NSW The Best Glamping Sites in Australia [caption id="attachment_807772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Noah Beach, Daintree National Park, Queensland Sir David Attenborough called the Daintree Rainforest "the most extraordinary place on earth" and Noah Beach sits right among it. Found about 80 kilometres north of Port Douglas, there are few places in the world where you can camp between a reef and a World Heritage-listed rainforest. Here in the Daintree, you'll find never-ending treetop canopies and animals found nowhere else in the world. The campground is just 50 metres from the beach, and facilities are basic, limited to tap water and composting toilets. With no mobile coverage, it's the perfect place to disconnect from the world. Advance bookings are essential for this beach campsite. [caption id="attachment_807796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Discover Jervis Bay[/caption] Jervis Bay, Booderee National Park, NSW Residents of Lucky Bay, WA, might tell you that their sand is the whitest in Australia (if not the world), but Jervis Bay's locals will argue otherwise. Found 200 kilometres south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins and 20 kilometres of unspoilt shoreline, protected for the most part by Booderee National Park. There are three beachside campsites to choose from — and for still water, go for Green Patch; if you're taking your surfboard, opt for Caves Beach. Bookings, available online, are essential. And for things to do and places to eat (and, most importantly, drink), check out our weekender's guide to Jervis Bay. [caption id="attachment_807799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia Forty minutes southeast of Esperance, in Le Grand National Park, sits five kilometres of sparkling shoreline known as Lucky Bay. And, with tent in hand, you can sleep just metres from its pristine, white sand. When you're done with sunbathing alongside kangaroos, conquer the 15-kilometre coastal track, which takes you to Rossiter Bay via Hellfire Bay — or the three-kilometre Frenchman Peak trail, which gives you epic panoramas. The campsite has 56 spots, as well as a camp kitchen, toilets and hot showers, but make sure to pack your own fresh water. Bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_807803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson[/caption] Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria Wilsons Promontory National Park covers more than 50,000 hectares of rugged mountains, empty beaches and rainforest at the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. One of the best campsites here is Tidal River, which puts you on the edge of both Norman Beach and the river, among wallabies, echidnas and wombats. The massive campground has nearly 500 campsites, toilets, hot showers and an open air cinema, which has been showing flicks since the 1960s. Campsites are divvied up via a ballot in the summertime, with advance bookings essential at all other times. [caption id="attachment_714492" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn/Visit Victoria[/caption] Johanna Beach, Great Otway National Park, Victoria This is a popular one for hikers along the Great Ocean Walk, a 100-kilometre journey from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. The site is nestled among sand dunes, behind spectacular Johanna Beach. Spend your days surfing, strolling and relaxing on the sand, and use your tent as a launching pad for day trips into Great Otway National Park. Its 103,000 hectares are home to lots of walks, koalas, pretty bays and spots for whale watching. Johanna Beach campsite has room for 25 tents and dogs on leads are permitted. [caption id="attachment_807805" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brad Griffin Photography[/caption] Memory Cove, Lincoln National Park, South Australia You'll find this precious piece of wilderness about 50 kilometres southwest of Port Lincoln (across the Spencer and St Vincent Gulfs from Adelaide). The campsite looks directly over the white sand and turquoise water of Memory Cove, from the shade of coastal mallees, and is limited to 15 cars per day to maintain the wilderness. When you're not lazing about, go adventuring in Lincoln National Park, where you'll experience some of South Australia's most beautiful coastline. There's a bunch of lovely walks, from the 2.7-kilometre Stamford Hill hike, which gives you excellent views, to the 12-hour Investigator Trail, which takes in many bays and beaches on its way to Cape Donington. Bookings at Memory Cove campsite are crucial — you can't get in without a key. [caption id="attachment_807807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and Peter Bellingham[/caption] Richardsons Beach, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania Freycinet National Park, which covers a peninsula on Tassie's East Coast, is famous for its striking, pink granite and numerous tranquil beaches, including Instagram star Wineglass Bay. The campground stretches along a stunning coastal strip, behind Richardsons Beach and overlooking Honeymoon Bay. If you're heading during the summer season, a ballot is drawn in mid-August in order to nab on of the 52 spots, or else you can book through the visitor centre. If you find yourself feeling social or thirsty, there's a brewery and shops just up the road. Alternatively, if you want to experience this part of Tasmania in pure luxury — taking a break from the tent — then check out Saffire Freycinet. [caption id="attachment_807810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Crayfish Beach, Hook Island, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland If your idea of idyllic beach camping doesn't involve crowds, then pitch at Crayfish Beach, on Hook Island's eastern shore. The pocket-sized campground has space for only 12 people, the only way you can get there is by boat, and there's no mobile coverage. So, there'll be no way of telling the world you're surrounded by forest-covered mountains and snorkelling among some of The Whitsundays' best-looking underwater communities. Facilities are limited to composting toilets. Be prepared to carry in everything with you, including drinking water. [caption id="attachment_807811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Bonde[/caption] Cloudy Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania Bruny Island is just a 40-minute drive and 15-minute ferry ride from Hobart, yet it feels like it's a million miles away. There are loads of camping spots (including many free ones) all over the island, but one of the loveliest is Cloudy Corner, in the eastern corner of Cloudy Bay in South Bruny National Park. Getting there involves a three-kilometre drive along the beach at low tide. No bookings are taken, with campsites being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to bring cash with you, too, as payment is taken via self-registration deposit boxes. While you're on the island, find the best whisky, oysters and outdoor activities via our 48 Hours on Bruny Island guide. [caption id="attachment_874853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sal Salis in Western Australia - the best glamping in Australia.[/caption] Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park, Western Australia There are a few road trip-worthy campsites scattered around Cape Range National Park for those looking for access to Australia's lesser-known yet nonetheless extraordinary reef, Ningaloo. The UNESCO Heritage-listed wonder hugs the Western Australian coast 1200 kilometres north of Perth and contains hundreds of fish and coral species. Ned's Camp is tucked away behind dunes, right next to a calm, white-sanded beach, which is lovely for swimming, snorkelling and paddling — and is an affordable spot with just ten non-powered campsites. If you're looking to take your holiday up a notch, you could also head to Sal Salis' eco-luxe cabins. Just 15 minutes down the road from Ned's, they're not cheap, but they're located just by the reef and come with meals and drinks, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling gear. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top image: Lucky Bay, Tourism Western Australia
This year, Australia's arts calendar is steadily making up for lost time, compensating for all of 2020's missed gigs, exhibitions and experiences with a slew of brand new large-scale festivals and events. And, plenty of them are arriving this winter — including Rising, Melbourne's latest addition; Sydney Solstice, which will take over Vivid's usual June slot this year; and Illuminate Adelaide, which has just unveiled its first program reveal. Kicking off on Friday, July 16 and delivering 17 jam-packed days of music, art and light, Illuminate Adelaide kicks promises to fire up all of the South Australian city's senses. On the bill: a diverse lineup of installations, collaborations, world-premiere works and tech-driven immersive experiences, which should help fill locals' calendars and also tempt folks across the rest of Australia to SA for a mid-year getaway. In total, there'll be more than 150 installations, performances and events, including 41 world premieres. Helping to launch the festival's inaugural Luminary Artists in Residence program, legendary electronic act The Avalanches will take part in five events throughout Illuminate Adelaide. They'll perform their debut album Since I Left You live with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, present an art exhibition exploring the works that influenced their most recent album We Will Always Love You and descend on the outdoor music stage for a massive DJ set to help soundtrack the closing block party. In between all of that, Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi will also chat about their career, and their residency will include Michaela Gleave and Fausto Brusamolino's sky-high Messages of Hope, Messages of Love as well. Innovative light shows and illuminated works feature heavily throughout the program, starting with Light Cycles — an Aussie debut from Canada's Moment Factory that's set to transform the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with two kilometres of light projections, lasers, sound and special effects across each night of the festival. Adelaide Zoo will come alive after dark with a series of enchanting interactive animal installations for Light Creatures, while Van Gogh Alive, a multi-sensory digital art immersion from the minds behind The Lume, will let you experience the works of Van Gogh like never before. And City Lights will see a range of acclaimed artists transform the CBD into an after-dark art trail, featuring over 40 free site-specific works from kaleidoscopic projections to a giant inflatable deconstructed rainbow in Rundle Mall. [caption id="attachment_806650" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Light Creatures, A Blanck Canvas[/caption] The Adelaide Film Festival has jumped on board, collaborating on two world premiere VR works to be screened in a specially designed dome inside Queen's Theatre. And Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute is set to team up with Music SA for Kinara — a free celebration of art and culture led by a cast of groundbreaking First Nations artists. You'll also catch freshly commissioned public artworks by the likes of South Australia's own Jason Sims, dig into unique music experiences from acts such as Paul Grabowsky AO and head to the reimagined Adelaide Festival of Ideas, too. And, on the final weekend, Illuminate Adelaide wraps up with a bang, dishing up a high-energy block party dubbed MAAD (Music & Art After Dark). Galleries and venues across the West End will come alive with gigs from a broad-ranging lineup of emerging and well-known talent, along with more exhibitions, short film screenings and light installations. The inaugural Illuminate Adelaide runs from July 16–August 1. Check out the festival's website for the full program and to grab tickets. Images: North Forest Lights at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Moment Factory; Airship Orchestra, ENESS.
Positioned right on the bay, yet just seven kilometres from the CBD, and brimming with personality, St Kilda is the vivacious, creative kid you want in your friend gang. It's got colour, it's got coastline and there's a whole swag of different ways to experience its offerings — whether you're a food-lover, an adventurous spirit, a social butterfly, or some mix of all of the above. Lots of life here revolves around that enviable beachfront location, which is crucial for extending those summer vibes for as long as possible. So, we've teamed up with White Claw to pull together a dawn-to-dusk itinerary in the buzzing beachside 'burb. 6.30AM: STROLL THE ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE COASTAL WALK There's nothing quite like kicking off an early morning with an energising bayside walk; especially when it's backed by the kind of sunrise scenes you'll clock on the track from St Kilda to neighbouring Port Melbourne. This northern section of the famed Bay Trail is an easy cruise that'll take you just over an hour, with some cracking water views along the way. Don't forget to stop by the dog beach at Port Melbourne for a few morning pats. 8AM: FUEL UP WITH A FEEL-GOOD FEED FROM MATCHA MYLKBAR A big day of activities calls for a solid AM feast, which just so happens to be where Matcha Mylkbar excels. Venture to Acland Street and you'll find this dedicated plant-based cafe whipping up a menu of nourishing fare that looks as good as it makes you feel. Go for a stack of vibrant matcha pancakes or the jackfruit 'chicken' and waffles, washed down with one of a multitude of rainbow-hued drinks. Perhaps a nutrient-packed blue algae latte or the acai smoothie? [caption id="attachment_843900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joppe Spaa via Unsplash[/caption] 10AM: GET BENDY ON THE BAY WITH SOME SUP YOGA Fancy a little switch-up from your usual yoga sessions? In St Kilda, you can swap the studio for open skies and the rubber mat for a stand-up paddleboard to have crack at SUP yoga. There are a couple of operators running regular lessons at St Kilda Beach — book in a class with the likes of SUP Yoga Melbourne or Stand-Up Paddle HQ and challenge your core to a memorable water workout. The backdrop's beautiful and the post-yoga dip is blissful. 12PM: GRAB A BEACHFRONT LUNCH AT PONTOON For lunch with a view, you'll find it hard to top a visit to the shorefront beauty that is Pontoon. Hugging the sand, the bar and eatery boasts an enviable outlook, and it's serving up some pretty stellar grub to match. Fittingly, seafood is the star of the menu. Get snacky with some of the cod croquettes, the chilli mussels and a garlicky white bean dip, before diving into the likes of handmade blue swimmer crab spaghetti or the pork schnitzel with capers and lemon. Pair with your favourite White Claw pour for full effect, of course. 2PM: FLEX YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLE WITH A STREET-ART LESSON After spending the morning rocking around one of Melbourne's most vibrant suburbs, it's time to show off a bit of your own creative spirit. This city is famed for its lively, art-filled laneways and here in St Kilda, you can take an expert-led class to see you tapping into your own inner Banksy and creating some Hosier Lane-worthy masterpieces. Celebrated local artist Rus Kitchin runs a regular stencil and street art workshop, where you'll learn the secrets to designing and cutting stencils, and then use them to make two spray paint works of your own. 4PM: DITCH THE SHOES FOR A SPOT OF LAWN BOWLS Soaking up some rays, kicking back with mates and indulging in a bit of friendly competition — you can do it all simultaneously when you take to the turf at St Kilda Sports Club. The club's bowling green is open and primed for barefoot bowls most days of the week, with two-hour session times available for groups large and small. Your crew will even get an instructor to show you the ropes before you begin. And, since battling it out against mates can be thirsty work, there's an onsite bar for pre- and post-game refreshments. [caption id="attachment_699804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Drewnik[/caption] 7PM: HIT THE ESPY FOR A FEED AND A SERVE OF LIVE TUNES A true-blue St Kilda icon, The Espy is a quintessential stop on any local jaunt; a wining, dining and live music haven proudly overlooking St Kilda Beach. With myriad food and drink options, it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place, but if a feast of punchy modern Cantonese fare sounds like your jam, lock in dinner upstairs at Mya Tiger. This sumptuous space, filled with bright jewel tones and rich textures, offers a flavour-packed menu to impress. And what better way to cap off your night than catching a post-dinner gig downstairs? For more information on White Claw, head to the website.
In its entire concept, Sydney Opera House's All About Women has always pushed girls, ladies and women to the front. So, when the venue announced that the next version of its key feminist festival would feature riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill, it couldn't have been a more perfect way to start its lineup. That in-conversation event is just the beginning of the event's 2023 program, however, with the just-announced complete bill also going big on high-profile guests — such as child actor-turned-I'm Glad My Mom Died author Jennette McCurdy and human rights barrister Jennifer Robinson. Former iCarly star McCurdy will chat through her experiences, including growing up in the spotlight, finding her independence and the events that led to her New York Times best-selling memoir, in an Australian-exclusive conversation. After successfully representing Amber Heard in Johnny Depp's UK libel case, Robinson will feature in a panel called 'The War on Women', about fighting for both rights and lives, alongside Egyptian American journalist Mona Eltahawy, Pakistani author and journalist Fatima Bhutto, and Mununjali Yugambeh and South Sea Islander Professor Chelsea Watego. [caption id="attachment_885156" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jennifer Robinson by Kate Peters[/caption] Running from Saturday, March 11—Monday, March 13, All About Women's 2023 festival marks its 11th, and sees the event held across three days for the first time ever — growing again after it only just expanded to two days in 2022, in fact. And, in another significant change for this year, the event's lineup is guided by four festival co-curators. Doing the honours: author, podcast presenter and gender equality advocate Jamila Rizvi; Gamilaroi academic and Tell Me Again author Dr Amy Thunig; feminist social commentator, novelist and writer Jane Caro AM; and Sydney Opera House's Head of Talks and Ideas Chip Rolley. Their full program includes 25 events featuring 60-plus international and Australian artists, thinkers, and storytellers, starting with an evening of storytelling, poetry, dance and music for the fest's Opening Night Gala, hosted by Clare Bowditch and featuring actor Eryn Jean Norvill (The Picture of Dorian Gray), "mother of African contemporary dance" Germaine Acogny, Iranian Australian singer and instrumentalist Gelareh Pour, and Fatima Bhutto. And, it also spans Cult Classic author Sloane Crosley chatting about modern dating with journalist Maddison Connaughton — and a romance and reality TV-focused discussion between Bachelorette Brooke Blurton, Just The Gist podcaster Rosie Waterland, and Gamilaroi and Torres Strait Islander writer and actor Nakkiah Lui. [caption id="attachment_885157" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Blurton by Jarrad Seng[/caption] In a session about neurodivergence in women and gender-diverse people, 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, Heartbreak High's Chloe Hayden, and research psychologist and activist Dr Jac den Houting will talk with Thunig — and a panel examining trying to achieve justice in sexual abuse claims, and the trauma the process can bring, will feature sexual assault law reform advocate Saxon Mullins, criminal lawyer Katrina Marson, Yorta Yorta woman and survivor advocate Amanda Morgan, and lawyer and author Bri Lee. Or, attendees can look forward to Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies scholar Kylie Moore-Gilbert hosting a session on the women-led revolution in Iran, as joined by Pour, scholar and poet Dr Saba Vasefi, and author and journalist Shokoofeh Azar; plus a panel about the body positivity movement's struggles to be genuinely inclusive, featuring Wadjanbarra Yidinji, Jirrbal and African-American former model Sasha Kutabah Sarago, body love activist and podcaster April Hélène-Horton aka The Bodzilla, fashion editor and queer rights activist Deni Todorovič, disability rights campaigner Elly Desmarchelier, and comedian and broadcaster Tanya Hennessy. [caption id="attachment_844646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] The list goes on, covering Clementine Ford exploring the history of demonising single women, a session on women's activism through a First Nations lens, diving into starting a family in a modern world, unpacking gendered emotions, and turning Eltahawy's FEMINIST GIANT newsletter into a panel. The Girlboss movement, making tough decisions, the shame often imposed on women and girls, leading movements, a Bikini Kill gig: they all get their time in focus, too. Just like in 2022, the festival will host its sessions in-person for Sydneysiders, and will also live-stream to viewers both around Australia and worldwide — which is ace news if you live outside of the Harbour City. [caption id="attachment_874299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Debi Del Grande[/caption] All About Women 2023 will take place from Saturday, March 11—Monday, March 13 at the Sydney Opera House, with tickets on sale from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, January 19. Head to the festival's website for further details. Top image: Jennette McCurdy by Brian Kimskey.
In bittersweet news, we've learnt that Scott Pickett's fine diner, Audrey's at The Continental Sorrento, is set to be replaced by a bold new offering, Ember. This transformation is being unveiled to celebrate The Continental Sorrento's 150-year legacy. The heritage-listed hotel was built in 1875 and has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, with boutique accommodation, multiple drinking and dining venues, and unmissable views. While legendary hospo personality Scott Pickett (of Smith St Bistro, Matilda 159 and Como Lane, just to name a few) will continue to oversee the direction across The Conti (as it's affectionately referred to among locals and regulars), his long-time collaborator and protege, Jake Furst (Chief Operating Officer of Kickon Group), will take the reins in the kitchen at Ember. The distinctive new offering will showcase the drama and unmistakable intensity of flavour achieved from cooking over open flames. Furst says, "Having been mentored by Scott throughout my career, it's a real honour to step into this role and lead Ember. Audrey's set the benchmark for coastal dining, and Ember builds on that legacy with a fresh, fire-led approach. I'm excited to create a menu that champions Mornington Peninsula's incredible growers and producers." Ember will focus on Peninsula dry-aged beef and local seafood, with charry, smoky flavours from the Josper charcoal grill set to highlight the high-quality nature of the ingredients. As part of this exciting new chapter, The Conti will also open CeeCee's (formerly The Atrium), and all-day wine and diner in an easygoing but upmarket space. Craig Shearer, CEO of Kickon Group, says, "This new chapter is about celebrating everything we love about the Peninsula — its food, its people, and its relaxed energy. We're building spaces that are warm, generous and genuinely local. With Ember and CeeCee's, we're listening to what people want and evolving with the Sorrento scene." Images: Supplied. Ember and CeeCee's are set to open this November at The Continental Sorrento. Bookings are now open so get in quick to see what all the fiery fuss is about.
Across just four episodes so far, Wednesday's second season has filled its frames with everything from serial killers, multiple stalkers, zombies and vengeance plots to new characters and extra time around Nevermore Academy for familiar faces. There's more to come, and soon, with the season's second half dropping in September 2025. Wondering what else is in store? Lady Gaga (Joker: Folie à Deux) joining the cast, for starters — and a surprise return. In the just-revealed trailer for the second part of season two, a new spirit guide becomes part of Wednesday's experience. A voice whispers "beware — there will be a price to pay", too. The former comes courtesy of Gwendoline Christie (Severance) returning as Larissa Weems, with the character making a comeback from beyond the grave. As for the latter, Little Monsters will spot who's speaking. Tim Burton's (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) TV dive into the world of the Addams Family unveiled the initial half of season two on Wednesday, August 6. The Netflix hit will close out its season with the final round of episodes on Wednesday, September 3. However the show's second stint pans out, there's even more on the way — Wednesday was renewed for season three before any part of season two even began streaming In the current run of the creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky favourite, its namesake (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) is back at Nevermore Academy and being heralded as a hero thanks to her efforts in season one. Wednesday is characteristically unimpressed by the attention. Swiftly, her focus is elsewhere, though, due to a premonition of her roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie) coming to a grave end, with Wednesday determined to do whatever she can to stop that from happening. Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) are among the season two's other new cast additions. So are Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, however — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's been talk of a spinoff about the character. And Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago all have meatier parts than in season one. The trailer for season two's second part dropped just as Ortega, Myers and Burton arrived in Australia — along with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who created the show in the spotlight (and wrote the screenplay to 2024's Burton-helmed, Ortega-starring Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) — as well. They were all expected ahead of Wednesday Island on Saturday, August 16, which is turning Cockatoo Island / Wareamah in Sydney Harbour into a Wednesday haven for one day. Not anticipated: Christie joining them for a surprise appearance. Check out the trailer for Wednesday season two part two below: Part one of Wednesday season two is streaming now, and part two arrives on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 — both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan and Jonathan Hession/Netflix © 2025.
Mona has never shirked attention. Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art has welcomed it, in fact, whether it's bringing in 80 tonnes of sand, is allowing music fans listen to the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon a Time in Shaolin or is part of a TV show about potentially eating Australia's invasive animal species — and that's just in the past year. Also part of the venue's story over the past 12 months or so: the legal proceedings around Ladies Lounge, the feminist installation created by artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele, which was taken to court due to an anti-discrimination complaint. Two big developments impacted Ladies Lounge in 2024: first, in April, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that it must start letting men enter; then, a September decision by the state's Supreme Court upheld Mona's appeal, permitting it to reopen for women only to continue to make its statement about the lack of opportunity historically offered to ladies by such spaces. Kaechele did indeed relaunch the installation, but only briefly, while flagging that it could go on tour. So, after ending its run at its original home in January 2025, Ladies Lounge is now headed to the Gold Coast. Each year, the coastal Sunshine State spot turns over much of the city to Bleach*, its annual arts festival. This year, Ladies Lounge is on its lineup. This is the first time that it will pop up beyond Mona, and therefore also beyond Tasmania, with the Gold Coast's HOTA, Home of the Arts playing host to the feminist space. "Yes, some boys may be allowed in for domestic arts lessons and reparations," the fest advises. Bleach* 2025 runs from Thursday, July 31–Sunday, August 10, also covering music, opera, drama, food and more, all at festival hubs a HOTA, Kurrawa Park and Emerald Lakes. It has more big art names attached, too. Australian visual artist Michael Zavros is the festival's guest Artistic Director for the year, curating a program that spans 100-plus events. Among them, Patricia Piccinini's Skywhale and Skywhalepapa are on the lineup, and will float through the Gold Coast's skies. That's how Bleach* will kick off at sunrise on its first 2025 day. "It's such a thrill to come on board as guest Artistic Director and launch Bleach* 2025. We've been shaping this festival for some time now, and it's incredibly rewarding to see the program come to life and finally share it with our audiences," said Zavros, announcing this year's bill. "We've dreamed big this year — pushing for bold, ambitious moments — and it's exciting to see those ideas realised in such powerful ways. Bleach* continues to play a vital role in the Gold Coast's arts and culture scene, and this year's program is a true reflection of the city's creative spirit and growing artistic ambition." Among the festival's three world premieres of works created on the Gold Coast, plus five Queensland premieres and plenty of other must-sees, other highlights include opera, classical music and dancing horses taking over Kurrawa Beach; artist Jeff Koons getting chatting at an exclusive in-conversation event; and Selve's new album Breaking Into Heaven performed in full with lasers, Karul Projects dancers and the Australian Session Orchestra outdoors at HOTA. Or, there's also Drum As You Are, a family-friendly Nirvana tribute — one of the iconic band's albums is called Bleach, after all — that'll feature both professional and community drummers. Unsurprisingly given that he's steering this year's festival, you can also see Zavros' Drowned Mercedes, the sculpture that was first unveiled in Brisbane in 2023 and, yes, features a 1990s Mercedes-Benz SL convertible filled with water. Zavros is also taking part in life-drawing sessions, Melissa Spratt and Tal Fitzpatrick are teaming up to showcase how textiles can be comforting in public space, and Josh Cohen's Radiohead for Solo Piano II will be in the spotlight. Bleach* 2025 runs from Thursday, July 31–Sunday, August 10 at various locations around the Gold Coast. For further information, head to the festival website.
Melbourne sneakerheads, get ready to geek out over some of the rarest sneakers, streetwear pieces and apparel on the market — because Australia's largest sneaker convention, Sneakerland, is coming to town. The event creates a huge space for all collectors, resellers, content creators and creatives, plus anyone who just loves sneakers. If you can't get enough kicks, you'll want to be there. On Saturday, November 19, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be filled with over 3000 sneakers from different 52 vendors. Expect rare footwear including Jordan 1 OG Chicago (1985), Nike SB Dunk Low Paris and Nike Air Yeezy Red October. These shoes are ridiculously expensive, but we know some folks are willing to drop big bucks for the right pair. Expect hardcore sneaker lovers to be at Sneakerland, obviously. Come ready to fight over incredibly exclusive shoes and apparel. But this event isn't only for cashed up collectors. First off, there are stacks of more affordable sneakers available from both local and international sellers. And, the sneaker museum will be a huge drawcard — no matter your budget. Sneakerland will also feature a heap of entertainment, setting the vibe as you peruse — and maybe purchase — all that footwear. So, as well as live sneaker auctions, plus exclusive sneaker and streetwear drops, attendees will be able to get around some basketball competitions, try to win raffles and prizes, hit up the tattoo station and listen DJs. Guest appearances from local celebrities and sporting icons have also been promised, although further details haven't been revealed as yet. While general tickets cost $40, if you nab a VIP ticket for $100, you're in for some extra swag. You'll score early access to the event, food and drinks, and a private lounge to relax in. There'll also be special live auctions featuring the most sought-after items — so if you're looking to beat all others on the trading floor, this is likely for you. Sneakerland takes place on Saturday, November 19, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information, head to the event's website — with tickets on sale via Ticketmaster.
In the lead-up to new Hollywood-set satire The Studio premiering its first season on Apple TV+, the streaming platform kept doing something that's a well-established element of the entertainment industry: name-dropping. This is the latest project from long-time collaborators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg after Superbad, Pineapple Express, This Is the End, Bad Neighbours and its sequel, The Interview, The Night Before and plenty more, with the pair co-creating, co-writing, co-directing and executive producing the series. Rogen (Mufasa: The Lion King) stars, with Catherine O'Hara (The Wild Robot), Ike Barinholtz (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Kathryn Hahn (Agatha All Along) and Chase Sui Wonders (City on Fire) rounding out the main cast. That's a starry group already. Across two trailers, however, a heap of guest parts and cameos were revealed — including for Bryan Cranston (Argylle), Zoë Kravitz (Blink Twice), Paul Dano (Fantasmas), Olivia Wilde (Don't Worry Darling), Charlize Theron (Fast X), Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World), Zac Efron (A Family Affair), Sarah Polley (Women Talking) Greta Lee (Past Lives), Ice Cube (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), Rebecca Hall (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire), Adam Scott (Severance), Ron Howard (Jim Henson Idea Man) and Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon). A few days before the show's Wednesday, March 26, 2025 debut Down Under, the full list of well-known talents appearing on-screen arrived. Dave Franco (Love Lies Bleeding), Jean Smart (Hacks), Johnny Knoxville (The Luckiest Man in America), Josh Hutcherson (The Beekeeper), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ramy Youssef (Poor Things), Steve Buscemi (Transformers One), Zack Snyder (Rebel Moon), Aaron Sorkin (Being the Ricardos) and Parker Finn (Smile and Smile 2) are among them, too. It's clear through the roster of names, in The Studio's ten-part initial season itself, and from talking with a number of the show's cast and guiding forces: this is a series with the utmost of love for the art of making pictures, even as it savvily pokes fun at the whole business around movies. The task that Rogen and Goldberg have set themselves, and achieve winningly, is anchoring the act of parodying Tinseltown with details drawn from real-life experiences, assistance from that enviable lineup of Hollywood folks joining in and a celebratory insider spirit. Rogen plays Matt Remick, a film executive who has only ever wanted one job: to run the fictional Continental Studios. It doesn't take long for that dream to come true, or for the character to realise what being a studio head truly means. "I got into this because I love movies. But now I have this fear that my job is to ruin them," he tells his mentor and predecessor Patty Leigh (O'Hara). That line is indicative of The Studio's knack for turning reality into astute, acerbic but affectionate viewing — Rogen and Goldberg once heard it themselves, uttered by an IRL executive. "They're all really close to our experience in some way, shape or form," James Weaver — who co-runs Point Grey Pictures, the production company behind The Studio, with Rogen and Goldberg — tells Concrete Playground about the link between the series' characters and scenarios and actuality. That said, the team's own interactions across their careers were just the beginning. "We met with a lot of people in the industry who are friends of ours, who had run studios, et cetera, and tried to mine their experience for when we're not around. What do they say behind closed doors? And so I think we tried to have an understanding of what those conversations were like." Personal inspiration remains key across the show, though. "Giving a note to a filmmaker that you really respect, and a note that you know is not going to be popular, is something we've definitely had to do," Weaver continues. That 'been there, felt that' vibe is also crucial to the search for validation at the heart of The Studio. Everyone wants it, executives and megastars alike, whether by getting a gig, having their ideas heard, making a hit, leaving a legacy, winning awards, being thanked in public or being seen to have a worthy job. "Wanting to be thanked at an award show because that's the only evidence that you did anything on it is something that we've seen as well," Weaver advises. "I think we're hoping that that's coming through, that the authenticity of our experience is in the show, and that's partially, I think, what people seem to be liking." In Matt's Continental team, three fellow studio employees are rarely far from his side: Barinholtz's Sal Seperstein, another seasoned executive; Hahn's Maya Mason, the company's marketing head; and Wonders' Quinn Hackett, an up-and-comer. From their respective time in the business, each is familiar with the types of characters that they're portraying — and that knowledge played a part in their performances, sometimes directly and sometimes in a more general sense. "A lot of studio executives I've worked with over the years, some great, some not so great, but I pulled little moments from a lot of them and put them into Sal," Barinholtz notes. "I have not one specific person. What they wrote was what I basically followed. But as I was putting the costumes on, there's definitely some humans, one could say," Hahn says. For Wonders, "my best friend is an assistant to a director, and she is someone who's very precocious, very ready to take over the world, but definitely has to earn her stripes and bide her time, and I think lots of young, ambitious people can relate to that. So that's one person I had in mind." As Continental's execs weather everything from endeavouring to capitalise upon the intellectual property-driven movie trend by making a Kool-Aid flick to attempting to capture an expensive golden-hour one-take shot — plus missing footage, casting conundrums, trailer scandals, the Golden Globes and annual US movie theatre-owner convention CinemaCon — chaos is their baseline. Still, Wonders also sees the series as having "a big sense that if you love what you do and you do it with integrity, as sappy as that is, there is going to be something in it for you, some sort of goodwill that comes your way. I feel like these characters find they have sad lives where they just are so dedicated to this one thing, and at the end of the day they kind of find their family. So that's a nice universal message". [caption id="attachment_997078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Images.[/caption] And that oner? It isn't just a focus of a storyline within the show; long takes are also part of its own style. "It felt like every scene was a play, like you're doing a different play every scene — and just once you got dialled in, once we rehearsed and you knew what you were doing, it was really exhilarating to be in that zone," Barinholtz shares. "It's definitely more challenging, but then it's amazing how much you can accomplish," adds Hahn. "There's something heightened about doing it as a oner that I really, really love." We also chatted with Goldberg, Weaver, Barinholtz, Hahn and Wonders about the love that's baked into The Studio, that search for recognition that drives its characters, ensuring that the series is relatable far beyond Hollywood insiders, its visual approach, those cameos and more — including how Barinholtz and Hahn's past TV comedy roles on recent greats such as The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation and The Afterparty came in handy. On How Everything in the Series, Jokes and Cameos Included, Filters Through the Show's Love for the Film Industry James: "At the beginning of the show, we really knew that this was going to be about having a show about how we love making movies. So I think it comes through the lens of that, everything that happens. So in terms of making jokes about A24 or some of the other companies that are in there, we've made movies with A24. They're great people. They do incredible work. And so I think the entire show is about our experience in Hollywood for the last 15 years, and I think we're trying to bring some truth and some sense of 'this is how it is', but also all through the lens of humour and fun. As far as the cameos, each of them came about in different ways. Some of them are people we've worked with in the past. Some people like Martin Scorsese or Zoë Kravitz, we met for the first time — and either through the script that Seth and Evan had written or through meetings, we talked to them about how we wanted to portray them in the show. And they were really excited and game. There is a history, whether it be The Player or The Larry Sanders Show, of Hollywood satirising itself. And so that was something that people understood, what we were going for, and people were really trusting and excited to be there. I think that we're not necessarily worried that people are going to see the show as some sort of takedown of Hollywood, because we love Hollywood and we love the fact that we get to make movies. It really is more of a presentation of our experience through the comedic lens than it is any takedown of the industry." On Barinholtz, Hahn and Wonders' First Impressions When The Studio Came Their Way Kathryn: "I mean, just to hear that these humans were involved. And I've never really worked with Seth and Evan together. And just the writing of it was just hilarious. And to think of these humans in those parts was really exciting. I couldn't wait to jump in." Chase: "They're telling very risky jokes, and I remember reading them on the page and thinking 'this is something I've heard behind closed doors, but never on television for all eternity'. So it's always good when you feel like you're doing something that's pushing boundaries." Ike: "I remember Seth called me and said 'hey, we're writing ...'. And I said 'I'm in'. And he said 'it's a show about Hollywood'. I said 'I'm in'. And he said 'Catherine O'Hara is going to be in it'. I said 'I'm in. I'm already in.'. It was the world's easiest 'yes'. It was just literally the world and the writing, and having them and Catherine — and Bryan Cranston, who is in really good physical shape. Beautiful body. It was the world's fastest and easiest 'yes'." On the Search for Validation That's at the Heart of the Show Evan: "I would say the nice thing about that element of the series is we set out not to make an aspirational version of Hollywood, but to make a real version of Hollywood. And that is the real version of Hollywood. People are very cynical and all that in the world today, but Hollywood is mostly people who are wildly passionate, care deeply and would rather do this than anything else in the world — no matter how high or low they are on the totem pole of success. People just are passionate in a way that most industries aren't. And so we get to tap into those hopes and dreams in making the show, merely by trying to replicate the real experiences we've had. And, of course, it doesn't always work out for people, and sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, but the passion is the thing that bleeds through it all." On the Importance of Balancing Satire and Affection for the Cast — and the Fact That The Studio Takes the Art of Filmmaking Very Seriously Chase: "I think it's important. And one thing Seth and Evan really tried to hit is the realism of the comedy, and comedy born of situations where people are just trying their hardest and it's just these doofuses who can't quite get it right. It also helps when our production design is impeccable, the way we filmed it is so high-level and it just naturally lends itself to a more elevated, smart type of comedy than just a slapstick sort of thing." Kathryn: "Because everything is so elevated, you really feel a certain responsibility to uphold the world around you and the filmmaking around you. And there is less opportunity for hamming around. So everything feels very focused in a way that keeps the energy legit and high and focused." Ike: "Could not say it better than they just did, so I won't." [caption id="attachment_997090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Images.[/caption] On How Barinholtz and Hahn's Past Work on Fellow TV Comedies Such as The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation and The Afterparty Helped Them on the Path to The Studio Kathryn: "All good ensembles." Ike: "Yes, yes." Kathryn: "Great ensembles." Ike: "Great showrunners." Kathryn: "Yes." Ike: "Great writing." Kathryn: "Great writing." Ike: "We're lucky to have been through a lot of those and seen how they all work. And this was different than all those, just because they went about it a different way. But I think you learn every time you do a show, every time you do an episode of a show or whatever, you learn something, you learn a new trick. So it definitely makes it easier." On the Elements of the Series That Most Felt Real for the Cast and Crew James: "It all feels real to us. I mean, I think we day to day are in these conversations about what kind thing to get behind in terms of a movie or TV show — or who's a filmmaker or a performer that we really believe in. Then we have to have those conversations about 'how is this thing going to make people money?'. It's really this idea of art versus commerce that I think is at the centre of what the show is. But as Evan was just saying, I think then you put overlay that with characters who care deeply about doing something artistic, but also care deeply about not getting fired. And so I think those two ideas are butting up against each other at all times. And that feels very real. The executives that we've been working with for 15 years are friends of ours. We've watched them get married to each other and there's a lot of like, a lot of community, in terms of the people that this show is portraying. And so it all feels very real to us when it goes through that lens. Seth and Evan are also just very, very funny people. So when it comes to making the jokes and the scenarios out of the real thing, they're just very talented at making that funny and entertaining. But it comes from a real place, and I think that's why hopefully people like respond to the show." Ike: "I'm friends with a lot of people who are studio executives, and I think they like to drink a lot. And so I stole that, and I drink a lot in the show. In real life, moderation — but in the show, I have a problem." Kathryn: "Always moderation." Ike: "Always moderation. That's the takeaway." Chase: "I think also studio execs are people who wield a lot of power, but when they're put in front of actors, who are these big personalities, they can be very shy and kind of cower away. And that's something that's both really fun to play the comedy of and also show the humanity of these characters." Ike: "That's a good answer." Kathryn: "I definitely have been in things in which I've seen the mockups for the posters or the possible trailers, and clearly no one has seen the show or the movie. They're so wildly not what the movie's about." Ike: "Yes, yes, yes." On Making the Series Relatable Outside of Hollywood Ike: "I think that the guys, Seth and Evan, did a very good job — even though the show is undeniably set in this world of movies and studios and executives, I think a lot of the situations in each of these episodes are things that everyone has dealt with. We've all had a boss who's gotten too drunk. We've all wanted credit for something and we are afraid we're not going to get credit for it. We've all been jealous of a coworker at some point. So I think a lot of the themes that they deal with in the episodes are universal, and whether you are someone who works in entertainment or around entertainment, or you have nothing to do with entertainment, you'll recognise a lot of those themes and scenarios, and hopefully they'll make you laugh." Kathryn: "Chances are people watch entertainment, so they'll get an idea of what the situations are. But also it's made with love, and so I think that's a different thing, too. There's such care for these characters and there's such love for this business of making movies, and nobody's really tearing down anybody. And I think that that also feels fun for an audience, too." On the Visual Approach When You're Making a TV Series About Filmmaking Evan: "For our show, the method we filmed it came from two different sources. One was, directorially Seth and I have done a lot of improv comedy feature films where we do a wide shot, medium and we get cross coverage of closeups, and then in editing we mess with all the improv we did. And we just wanted to do something very different, so we thought long extended takes would be a great way to do that and to make it more directorial as opposed to written and edited. Then through that conversation, we talked about how it could impact the actual storytelling — and the thing we wanted to embrace was the panic that a lot of these people experience in these jobs. These studio heads, even though they're very powerful and very passionate and very intelligent, they're often panicking because they can just lose their job for one big disaster. One flop and their whole job, maybe even their career, could be done or messed up for a long time. So we thought it would good to anchor people in that mania, and in that intensity, and let them feel the panic — and the best way to do that is make it feel like you are a person, like you are the cameraman, like there's an individual there. So we used one lens with long takes, and it whips back and forth just like your own head would if you were in that room experiencing the scenario that our characters are." On Working with Seth Rogen in His Many Roles on the Series: Star, Co-Creator, Co-Director, Co-Writer and Executive Producer Ike: "Oh man, I'd worked with him a couple times but never as a director. And he's really incredible, I think, at acting and being present in the scene — but he's watching everything. So if there's a slight little problem in a take, if the camera operator accidentally bumps into someone and the camera shakes for half a second, Seth has seen it. And he will just start laughing and go 'let's go again'. But he's just very tuned in. I'm very impressed at how much. You would think, that for who he is and what he ingests, he would be just not — but he is so freaking tuned in. And he's also just an incredibly good-natured guy. I think a lot of times, if something goes wrong, I've seen directors or producers blow their stack and get mad — and I don't know, it's just they're nice Canadian boys who just don't get that upset." [caption id="attachment_997093" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Images.[/caption] Chase: "Doesn't yell, doesn't get mad." Ike: "They don't yell." Kathryn: "You could see sometimes when you screwed up and you're trying to find a word, and then you see him, you see him basically shake his head and look at you." Chase: "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Kathryn: "And you're like 'well, save me'." On the Securing The Studio's Many, Many Cameos James: "Martin Scorsese was someone that we all admire and never thought we would have a chance to meet. Seth and Evan wrote a script with him as that character, and we sent it to him and he read it, and he was like 'yeah, I'd love to do it'. And then all of our heads exploded, basically. But then people like Charlize Theron or Zac Efron, they're all people that we have worked with in the past, so they were people that we could talk to directly and say 'hey, we have this idea for a character for you in our show'. And then there were some new people we got to meet, like Zoë Kravitz or Olivia Wilde. They were characters that we wrote for the show, and we just had to meet with them and get their ideas on that character. Seth and Evan were on a lot of zooms with each of them before they signed on. But it was nice, because I think once Martin Scorsese said yes, there were several phone calls that I started with 'so Martin Scorsese's doing the show — so can you do the show?'. And that was really nice, because people would generally say 'yeah, sure'." The Studio streams via Apple TV+.
Japanese and Peruvian cultures have intertwined for over 100 years, leading to the creation of a fascinating fusion cuisine known as Nikkei. It combines both cultures' produce and cooking techniques to craft new dishes and traditions that are bursting with colour and flavour. And while Melbourne has hosted plenty of Nikkei pop-ups, and a few restaurants have presented limited-time Nikkei menus, our city hasn't had a permanent restaurant dedicated to this cuisine — as far as we know. Until now, that is, thanks to Chapel Street's new Inca at Morris Jones, which opened on Saturday, July 6. Chef Carlos Moreira is running the kitchen here, pumping out classic Nikkei dishes like ceviche and tiradito — but with his own contemporary twists that go well beyond the usual varieties you're used to. Sure, you'll find the obligatory kingfish ceviche which graces every other menu in Melbourne, but there are also playful tuna, salmon and vegan versions. We're also eager to sample the wagyu beef tiradito served with crispy capers, cornichons and mustard tartufo nero. Beyond these, you'll also find the likes of Sydney rock oysters with pisco sour granita; tostada de carmarones with aji verde; spanner crab taquitos; a whole dry-aged duck with burned orange and aji amarillo crema; and a 300-gram black angus picanha with sweet potato and anticuchera sauce. Moreira is originally from Brazil, but has spent vast amounts of time in Peru researching the origins of Nikkei cuisine. He's also worked in his fair share of Michelin-starred and hatted kitchens, so we are expecting big things at Inca. The drinks list is also inspired by Nikkei flavours, boasting plenty of Peruvian pisco sours, Japanese whiskies and light lagers. All of this is being served within the recently renovated Morris Jones, which is also home to a luxe bar with a dance floor and DJs, and a newly designed courtyard that takes it cues from West Hollywood in the 60s and 70s. While you're hitting up Inca for Nikkei eats, be sure to nose around the rest of Morris Jones. You'll find Inca at 163 Chapel Street, Windsor, open 4pm–1am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 12pm–1am from Friday to Sunday. For more details and to book a table, visit the venue's website.
One of Melbourne's most recognisable rooftop addresses is getting ready to reveal a dramatic new look. This spring, MAMAS Dining Group — the crew behind Hochi Mama, Suzie Q and Winsdor Wine Room — will unveil its seventh venue: a Japanese izakaya-inspired rooftop set in the former home of Madame Brussels. The third-floor space at 59–63 Bourke Street will swap pastel garden party vibes for a low-lit, disco-drenched homage to 1980s Tokyo. Expect smooth disco and old-school hip hop spinning on vinyl, a drinks list that flows well into the night, and panoramic views of the city skyline — all wrapped in a retro-modern fit-out by hospitality architects Directitude. In the kitchen, MAMAS' Culinary Creative Director Michael Stolley will oversee a menu of share-style Japanese fare. Sushi from master chefs will sit alongside smoky, chargrilled yakitori and other snacky izakaya classics, paired with an extensive sake list, Japanese-inspired cocktails and top-shelf craft beers from Japan. With seating for up to 150, the venue aims to channel "the soul of Shibuya nights and the heart of Harajuku days". For MAMAS Dining Group CEO and Director Thai Ho, the upcoming opening is a moment worthy of the group's tenth anniversary: "We're so excited to open our seventh venue in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, a huge milestone to mark MAMAS' 10 years of operation in Australia's most renowned city for hospitality. To open in one of the city's most iconic locations is a fantastic opportunity." When the doors of the yet-to-be-named venue swing open this spring, expect a rooftop that swaps Pimm's jugs for sake carafes, cucumber sandwiches for smoky yakitori, and prim garden parties for moody Tokyo nights — and a whole new chapter for one of Melbourne's most coveted rooftops. MAMAS Dining Group's as-yet-unnamed seventh venue will open in the former Madame Brussels site this spring. For more information, head to the group's website.
This piece of tour news will get you smiling like you mean it: The Killers are returning Down Under before 2024 is out, announcing their latest stint on Australia's stages. The Las Vegas-born rockers were last here in November and December 2022 — including playing intimate midnight shows — and will head back across the same months this year to get local crowds singing 'Mr Brightside' and 'Somebody Told Me' again. Hot Fuss, the album that gave the world those two beloved tracks — and 'Smile Like You Mean It', 'Jenny Was a Friend of Mine', 'All These Things That I've Done' and more — is the reason for the tour. 2024 marks 20 years since it first released, so Brandon Flowers and company are celebrating. More than that, they're playing two types of gigs on their Aussie trip. Most will be Rebel Diamonds shows, pumping through the group's hits across their entire career. In Sydney and Melbourne, however, The Killers are doing an extra night to work through Hot Fuss in its entirety. [caption id="attachment_972411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © 2022 Chris Phelps[/caption] Open up your eager eyes, Australia: destiny is calling you to those two concerts apiece in the New South Wales and Victorian capitals, at Qudos Bank Arena and Rod Laver Arena, as well as to single shows at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in the Sunshine State capital and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. Sadly, the November/December timing means that The Killers won't be repeating their AFL Grand Final berth after stealing the show back in 2017. They will be in the country for the AFLW Grand Final, however, if you want to start crossing your fingers. Given the band's lengthy back catalogue, The Killers won't just be focusing on Hot Fuss tunes at both kinds of shows on their tour, but have plenty more songs to bust out. Also likely to get a whirl as well: 'When You Were Young', 'Bones', 'Human', 'The Man' and latest single 'Bright Lights', just to name a few. The Hot Fuss gigs have been receiving a workout in the group's hometown of late, where they played a soldout residency at Caesar's Palace from mid-August till early September. The Killers 2024 Australian Tour Dates: Saturday, November 30 — Rebel Diamonds — Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Friday, December 6 — Rebel Diamonds — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, December 7 — Hot Fuss — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, December 9 — Rebel Diamonds — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, December 12 — Rebel Diamonds — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, December 13 – Hot Fuss — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_831494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Killers are touring Australia in November and December 2024. Pre-sale tickets go on sale at 3pm local time on Tuesday, September 10, with general tickets on sale from 4pm local time on Monday, September 12. For further details, head to the tour website. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Maybe you love nothing more than telling simulated people what to do. Perhaps a fantasy universe is your favourite place to escape to when you're mashing buttons. More than a quarter-century back, virtual critters might've been your go-to pastime. The Sims, World of Warcraft and Neopets have all made an impact on the gaming world, and on audiences. All three are also scoring plenty of love at Game Worlds at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. For five months between Thursday, September 18, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026, this video-game exhibition is shining a spotlight on 30 iconic titles — and making attendees feel like they're stepping inside some of them, too. Expect everything from original concept art and never-before-seen designs to rare objects at the Federation Square site's Gallery 4. Expect to get playing, rather than just peering, as well. [caption id="attachment_997872" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Electronic Arts[/caption] Although the full lineup of games featured hasn't been revealed as yet, they'll span from the 70s until now, and 20 of them will be playable. Demos, games from years gone by, trying to break speed records: they're all part of the setup, which will include international hits, new Australian releases and everything in-between. ACMI has staged major video-game showcases before. This is its third, in fact, following 2008's Game On and 2012's Game Masters. Since the latter, the venue has also hosted smaller gaming exhibitions, such as 2017's Code Breakers — where women in the industry were the focus — and 2024's Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. Earlier in 2025, it celebrated 25 years of The Sims across one nostalgic weekend. As it regularly does with its showcases, the gallery will pair Game Worlds with talks, film screenings and other events, family-friendly activities among them. [caption id="attachment_997868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World of Neopia[/caption] Top images: Blizzard Entertainment.
For nearly a century, 280 Little Collins Street has stood as a significant retail and social hub for generations of Melburnians. Designed by celebrated Melbourne interwar architect Harry Norris as the first significant Chicago-inspired gothic-style commercial building in Victoria, it opened in 1930 as the flagship store of the fast-expanding G J Coles empire — later rebadged as Coles — before David Jones took over in the 1980s, transforming the site into that brand's Melbourne menswear flagship. This October, the heritage-listed building will embark on a new chapter as Rodd & Gunn's new global flagship. The upcoming store will showcase fashion, dining and design across its four floors, marking the New Zealand outfitter's most ambitious venture to date. It follows the recent arrival of Mecca's new Bourke Street flagship in the northern wing of the same building, marking a new era for one of Melbourne's most distinctive addresses. Rodd & Gunn has worked with St Kilda-based Studio Y to reimagine the building's southern wing, weaving its art deco glamour with hospitality-led design. Arched motifs, curved joinery, stepped stone and metallic accents nod to the 1930s, while warm timbers, natural stone and marble accents echo Rodd & Gunn's contemporary aesthetic. "This building holds a special place in Melbourne's history, and we wanted our flagship to honour that legacy at every turn," says Mike Beagley, Rodd & Gunn CEO (pictured below). "Every design choice was made to respect its heritage while creating something entirely new." Each of the four distinct but connected levels offers a different experience. The lower-ground Cellar pays homage to the famed Coles Cafeteria, combining a retail wine store with an innovative cocktail laboratory by Matt Bax (Bar Americano), an Italian-inspired menu featuring handmade pasta and all-day aperitivi. Oversized checkerboard flooring, bluestone laneway walkways, intimate booth seating and mood lighting evoke the feeling of a wine cave. The ground floor will become an elegant, immersive retail space, where cornice plasterwork and marble joinery are juxtaposed with modern display fixtures, heritage-inspired balustrades and robust timber finishes. The mezzanine, meanwhile, will be home to an exclusive Member's Bar, a handsomely wood-panelled, club-like space with sculptural lighting by Volker Haug, Kiwi-inspired snacks and classic cocktails for loyalty clientele. [caption id="attachment_854450" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lodge Bar & Dining, Brisbane[/caption] The crown jewel sits on level one: The Lodge Dining Room. Framed by soaring arched windows and antique mirrors, the grand yet intimate space offers produce-led menus — ranging from à la carte to ten-course tasting journeys — by Executive Chef James Evangelinos (New York's The Musket Room, hatted Sydney pub Hotel Centennial and James Packer's former personal chef). Wines are curated by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, showcasing the best of New Zealand alongside standout Australian and international drops, while a reeded-glass private dining room with a striking white marble table adds a layer of exclusivity. The new flagship will open in two stages. The retail store and subterranean cellar will launch in early October, followed by the private lounge and dining room later in the month. "While New Zealand will always remain Rodd & Gunn's spiritual home, the opening of our Melbourne flagship is our way of giving back to a city that has supported Rodd & Gunn from the very beginning," says Josh Beagley, Director of The Lodge Group. "Every surface in this flagship tells a story — a dialogue between past and present that honours the history of the building and the fabric of our brand." [caption id="attachment_854449" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lodge Bar & Dining, Brisbane[/caption] Rodd & Gunn's Little Collins Street flagship opens in October 2025. For more information, head to the brand's website.
Pearl Jam finally returning to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 2014 was always going to be big news. Tickets to their shows were always going to get snapped up fast, too. So, it comes as no surprise that the Eddie Vedder-led band's Down Under leg of their Dark Matter tour has added new gigs on the day that tix went on sale — because Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland's concerts have proven that popular. In NZ, the group will now hit up Go Media Stadium in Mt Smart on Sunday, November 10 as well as the already-announced Friday, November 8. In Melbourne, Monday, November 18 joins Saturday, November 16 on Pearl Jam's trip to Marvel Stadium. And in Sydney, the band will play Giants Stadium on Saturday, November 23, after their first show there on Thursday, November 21. [caption id="attachment_940860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] At each of the new gigs, as well as the rest of the tour's stops in Sydney and on the Gold Coast, audiences will be treated to two hefty names in 80s and 90s music thanks to Pixies in support. Vedder and Black Francis taking to the same stage? That'll make you feel alive and ask "where is my mind?". Pearl Jam are the headliners, returning after last hitting our shores on a tour a decade back that included the final-ever Big Day Out. Dark Matter, the band's 12th album, will release in April — which gives fans plenty of time to know it by heart before the group take to local stages. [caption id="attachment_940849" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wp72 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Expect to hear tunes from Dark Matter, plus past hits 'Alive', 'Black', 'Jeremy', 'Better Man', 'Last Kiss' and 'Daughter' from previous albums such as the iconic Ten, Vs and Vitalogy from the early 90s, plus No Code, Yield and more since. Pixies, who were last Down Under in 2022, are responsible for a helluva one-two punch with their first two albums: 1988's Surfer Rosa and 1989's Doolittle. The first gave the world the track that's been linked with Tyler Durden courtesy of David Fincher's Fight Club since 1999, aka 'Where Is My Mind?', as well as 'Gigantic' and 'Cactus'. The second is home to 'Here Comes Your Man', 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', 'Debaser' and 'Wave of Mutilation'. Tickets to the tour required registration first, which has already ended. But, if you have received a code as part of that process, it's now valid for the new gigs. [caption id="attachment_940844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Cinch[/caption] Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour 2024 with with Special Guests Pixies — Australia and New Zealand Dates Friday, November 8 + Sunday, November 10 – Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland Wednesday, November 13 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Saturday, November 16 + Monday, November 18 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Thursday, November 21 + Saturday, November 23 — Giants Stadium, Sydney Pearl Jam and Pixies are touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2024, with ticket sales from Friday, February 23 — head to the Pearl Jam website for further details. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Steamy, sunny days are still upon us, making afternoons around the pool an enduringly high priority — and a surefire reason to leave the office inappropriately early. While swimming a few laps satisfies the large majority of water babies, there are those of us yearning for the playful days of yesteryear; when fighting your siblings on the back of inflatable dragons was the ultimate, when diving for sunken rings was the best of times, when blow-up alligator time had to be shared out and rostered by your tired-but-practical Aunty Jane. But pool toy companies haven't forgotten you. There's a huge market for pool toys to suit all ages, with plenty of stylish, weird and genius inflatable ideas on offer. From floating poker and ping pong tables to giant floating birds and watermelons, these are our favourite inflatables to make any pool party that little more Instagrammable — and your summer that extra bit more nostalgic. THE GIANT FLAMINGO/SWAN One of the most Instagrammable pool accessories around: the giant swan (or pink flamingo, if you're feeling more flamboyant). According to the Giant Swan website, the swans are "popular in fashion shoots", so for $99 you can nab your very own oversized aquabird and get yourself a perpetually summery profile picture. POOL SHOOTBALL If you like shooting hoops but find the asphalt a little too steamy in summer, this genius little game brings the court to the water. For just $40 with free shipping, this one's perfect for pool parties or sorting out sibling rivalries. AQUA ZORBS With the increasing popularity of Zorb Bumper Soccer and Human Zorb Bowling, Aqua Zorb water walkers could be of the most epic additions to home pool toy collection. One of the more exxy pool toys on the market, the Zorbs are $595 each — and obviously you're going to need two for battle reasons. One for the truly dedicated pool fiends. FLOATING POKER TABLE Now here's a truly grown-up pool toy. Bestway are responsible for the world's first pool poker set, complete with inflatable poker table, chairs, cards, chips and most importantly, drink holders. It's just $39.95 for the set, however a day of poker in the pool may end up costing you more. THE LAKE TRAMPOLINE You're going to need a bigger pool for this one, preferably lake-sized. Remember all those hours you spent as a youngster doing precarious trick jumps from your trampoline into your pool? Now your adult self can get some solid (and somewhat safer) air jumping off a giant lake trampoline, priced from a rather steep $1800 to $3700. With a price tag like that, might be worth getting your crew to chip in. MOTORISED BUMPER BOATS Yep, motorised bumper boats. Longtime aquatic toymakers Hammacher Schlemmer have created these floating vehicles for long afternoons spent crashing into your loved ones at four kilometres per hour. For $100 each, these bumper boats can also be used to ferry your summer snacks from one end of the pool to the other, or could be used as a flimsy excuse for a jetski in a lake situation. FLOATING POOL PING PONG Never chase ping pong balls around your garage again. Yours for around $60-90, depending where you buy it, this floating ping pong table is as summery an activity you can get. You're going to want to take this to the shallow end though; treading water and playing ping pong sounds like one hell of an exercise. AQUAGLIDE REVOLUTION If you're looking to make other people jealous (or highly confused) of your toys, this'll do the trick. Priced at $4500, the six-foot-high Aquaglide Revolution has it all: slides on one side, some form of extreme seesaw on the other, climbing walls aplenty. The Revolution allows up to ten people on board at once, and will have you outrageously exhausted and immeasurably happy by the end of the day. URBAN OUTFITTERS POOL FLOATS Another much more realistic and adorable option to brighten up any pool party. From watermelons, Monaco bars, snakes, suns, smiley faces to floating beer pong, American retail giants Urban Outfitters have a variety of novelty pool inflatables on offer for just $25 to $50 each. By Tommy Codling and Shannon Connellan.
All That Jazz isn't one of Damien Chazelle's films. It hit cinemas in 1979, six years before the Whiplash and La La Land filmmaker was born, so it can't be. But the Oscar-winning writer/director sure has taken those three words to heart. With the exception of his last flick until now, 2018's Neil Armstrong biopic First Man, Chazelle adores all that jazz — and he adores pumping it through his movies, too. So, returning to the big screen after making jazz club drama The Eddy for Netflix in 2020, of course he's heading back to an era in history known as the jazz age. Babylon dances through Hollywood's Golden Age with a jazz (what else?) soundtrack, following Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt as they wreak havoc throughout Tinseltown. Robbie (The Suicide Squad) plays Nellie LaRoy, a 1920s actor. After winning an Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — set in a different era of Los Angeles' past — Pitt (Bullet Train) plays Jack Conrad, an industry veteran. As the decade comes to an end and Hollywood changes, the two characters have much to grapple with in this tale of ambition and excess. As the just-dropped first trailer makes plain, they have plenty of parties to attend, too — decadently staged affairs that look right out of The Great Gatsby, or at least as if Chazelle is channelling his inner Baz Luhrmann. And if you weren't already thinking that anyway, up pops Tobey Maguire in only his fifth movie role since The Great Gatsby. (Also on his resume since then: the wholly unrelated 2014 TV series The Spoils of Babylon). Since capturing Hollywood's attention back in 2014 with Whiplash, Chazelle hasn't been known for holding back — and in a trailer that opens with Robbie and a table of drugs, ends with her fighting a snake, gleams with golden sights in-between, and splashes around so much alcohol that you're forgiven for feeling a little boozy while watching it, that's clearly the case with Babylon. The official plot synopsis promises to "trace the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood" — and if that's your tempo, the end result hits cinemas in January 2023. Also among the cast: a massive who's who of Hollywood today, including Diego Calva (Narcos: Mexico), Jean Smart (Hacks), Jovan Adepo (The Stand), Li Jun Li (Sex/Life), PJ Byrne (The Boys), Lukas Haas (Widows), Olivia Hamilton (First Man), Max Minghella (The Handmaid's Tale), Rory Scovel (Physical), Katherine Waterston (The Third Day), Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Eric Roberts (The Righteous Gemstones), Ethan Suplee (Dog), Samara Weaving (Nine Perfect Strangers) and Olivia Wilde (Don't Worry Darling). Check out the trailer for Babylon below: Babylon releases in cinemas Down Under on January 19, 2023. Images: courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Come with us now on a journey through time and space, as Matthew McConaughey takes the top spot as heroic protagonist in the new Christopher Nolan film, Interstellar. The brand new (awesome) trailer can only be watched at Interstellar's newly launched website. Once you get there, you'll need a special passcode — '7201969' — the date Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Badass. The film sees McConaughey and fellow astronaut Anne Hathaway travel through a wormhole with the simple goal of saving humanity. The newly-released trailer gives a tiny insight into McConaughey’s character — an engineer and widowed father with two children — as well as vast landscapes of alien worlds and a spaceship hurtling through empty space. We can tell this is not going to be a smooth-sailing intergalactic ride, as McConaughey philosophises in the opening lines, "We used to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars. Now we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt." Cue goosebumps. The highly-anticipated film also stars Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, Michael Caine, Wes Bentley, John Lithgow, Ellen Burstyn, Topher Grace and Matt Damon. That’s one stellar Interstellar line-up right there (#sorrynotsorry). This is Nolan’s first film since wrapping up the Batman trilogy with The Dark Night Rises. Interstellar will be in cinemas November 7 and has a pretty killer poster lurking around: Via The Verge.
Little in cinema gets bigger than Godzilla, even if the iconic kaiju's size can change from movie to movie. Soon, little on streaming will be as giant as the famous creature, either, with new American series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on its way. Slotting into the Monsterverse — aka the US franchise that also includes 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire joining in 2024 — Monarch: Legacy of Monsters arrives in November. If you're a fictional movie or TV character facing a towering critter, any amount of Godzilla is usually too much Godzilla. If you're a creature-feature fan, however, there's no such thing as too much Godzilla. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters not only expands its own saga, but comes just as Japanese film Godzilla Minus One is about to hit as well, although the latter doesn't yet have a Down Under release date. In Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which stampedes onto Apple TV+ from Friday, November 17, the Monsterverse is going the episodic route via a story set across generations and 50 years. It's also expanding its kaiju story with help from Kurt Russell (Fast and Furious 9) — and Wyatt Russell (Under the Banner of Heaven), too. The IRL father-son pair play older and younger versions of the same figure, with army officer Lee Shaw drawn into the series by a couple of siblings attempting to keep up their dad's work after events between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco in the aforementioned 2014 film. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters also involves unpacking family links to clandestine outfit Monarch, events back in the 50s and how what Shaw knows threatens the organisation. So, there'll be monsters and rampages, and also secrets, lies, revelations and mysteries. Giving audiences two Russells in one series is dream casting, as both the just-dropped first teaser in September and the newly released full trailer now shows. Also appearing on-screen: Anna Sawai (Pachinko), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Ren Watabe (461 Days of Bento), Mari Yamamoto (also Pachinko), Anders Holm (Inventing Anna), Joe Tippett (The Morning Show), Elisa Lasowski (Hill of Vision) and John Goodman (The Righteous Gemstones). Behind the scenes, Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Da Vinci's Demons) have co-developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, while Matt Shakman (The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales) helms the opening pair of episodes — and all three are among the series' executive producers. Check out the full trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters below: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 17, 2023.
The sun is shining, you're out of office is on and you've already spent a good amount of time curled up streaming TV shows. Now's the chance to catch up on your reading — so, find a shady spot on a beach, next to a pool or by a waterfall and start making your way through our favourite books of 2020. Even if the unexpected amount of time spent at home this year has provided you with ample reading opportunities, we're sure you'll find something on the list to fill your days. It's a mixed bag this year — we've been turning the pages of novels about First Nations languages, Nick Cave and bars in Spain. Some of them are hopeful, some are relatable and some are heartbreaking, which makes them perfect for mulling over during the holidays, and providing flavourful fodder for dinner conversations. Take your pick. THE YIELD BY TARA JUNE WINCH Awarded the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award, Tara June Winch's The Yield is a book at odds with itself. It's about language lost as much as it's a celebration of tongue; the beauty of the land, the blood in it and its unearthing; and a culture dispossessed as well as a homecoming. It's about both Indigenous and colonial Australia. A connection to — and raw look at — Ngurambang/Country. When August returns home after her grandfather's death, she learns that the land she grew up on is being repossessed by a mining company. What ensues is a reaping of time, secrets, storytelling and blood. Split into three interlinking narratives — Albert 'Poppy' Gondiwindi and his passing on of his language, the Reverend's tales of starting a mission in Massacre Plains and August's quest to save her ancestors' land — it shows how tied Australia's future is to its past. The Yield is stunningly astute. It's a book worthy of attention; worthy to be placed on every Australian bookshelf. It rips at your heart, but also sings of hope. Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer NEW VOICES ON FOOD A timely and personal look at how we connect through food, New Voices on Food makes room for a diverse collection of voices. Edited by writer, radio presenter and Sydney gem Lee Tran Lam, New Voices on Food is the first edition of a community-oriented anthology that offers new perspectives on our collective love of food. After taking public submissions back in August, the book showcases stories of individuals from underrepresented communities and celebrates the power of diversity. Contributions come in the form of written word, comics, photo essays and sketches. Each piece exudes a deep connection with food and its relationship with family, identity, memory and our tastebuds. Together, the stories demonstrate the importance of difference and promote what will hopefully be a more diverse future culinary landscape. Ben Hansen, Staff Writer HUMANKIND: A HOPEFUL HISTORY BY RUTGER BREGMAN If you hand-counted all the good things that happened in 2020, you would probably struggle to make it past your pinky finger. "Not me," you say? Good on you — go buy a yacht or something. If that statement is accurate, read on — literally. Danish author and historian Rutger Bregman has offered up his latest enlightening view on the world, and it's the most uplifting read you'll come across this year. Humankind: A Hopeful History argues against 'veneer theory': the idea that human compassion is cosmetic, and that underneath our thin layer of kindness lies our true, savage, violent and uncaring selves. Bregman uses the Lord of The Flies scenario as a common anecdote throughout the book, backed up with real-world social experiments that show just how horrible us humans are. But the historian in Bregman digs deeper, a lot deeper, and discovers that most of these 'scientific' social experiments were fuelled by ambition, hypocrisy and self-fulfilling prophecies. It's so satisfying to read through a criminologist's pessimistic magnum opus and have Bregman break it like a matchstick. The book leaves you feeling lighter — it's an absolute joy. Reuben Gibbes, Video Producer KOKOMO BY VICTORIA HANNAN You've probably seen Victoria Hannan's Kokomo in someone's hands on the tram, at the beach or at your local cafe; it's been receiving a bit of traction since its publication in July this year. Set in Melbourne, Kokomo feels familiar. Like Helen Garner's Monkey Grip but without the heroin, it celebrates the city and its ordinariness. In this way, it is far from the tropical paradise of the eponymous song by The Beach Boys. But, at its heart, Kokomo is about relationships and the building and tumbling of them. Mina, living her so-called best life in London, gets a call from her best friend Kira. Mina's mother has left the house — something she hasn't done in 12 years. Wanting answers, Mina returns to Melbourne and, after wading through her past, gets them. Hannan's tender storytelling drives her debut novel, with moments of heartbreak and hilarity and all shades in between. Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer HONEYBEE BY CRAIG SILVEY Craig Silvey established himself as a force to be reckoned with in Australian literature with Rhubarb before following it up with the exquisite Jasper Jones. This year, he returned with another tour de force coming-of-age story. Set in Perth, Honeybee opens with its protagonist, Sam, leaning over the side of a bridge ready to jump. Sam is a transgender teenager and is struggling with self-hatred and the ill-treatment of others. Sam is confused and devastated. As it happens, an elderly man named Vic is also out on the ledge, and that chance meeting changes the trajectory of both of their lives forever. At times heart-breaking, tender, wild and woolly, funny and outrageous, this book is brimming over with luminous language and characters that burrow their way into your heart and stick with you. Your heart breaks repeatedly for Sam on such a difficult journey to find self-acceptance, self-love and to accept love; and ultimately this becomes a heart-warming story of becoming. Susi Reed, Business Development Director ALL OUR SHIMMERING SKIES BY TRENT DALTON In his award-winning debut novel Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton shows you the gritty underbelly of 80s Brisbane through the eyes of 12-year-old Eli Bell. In his second novel All Our Shimming Skies, the gravedigger's daughter Molly Hook takes you on a journey through outback Northern Territory in 1942. Both novels have an undeniably dark undercurrent, with war, death and domestic violence setting the scene for Molly's adventure, but they both have an air of magic. Stone hearts, gifts from the sky and 'sorcerer' Longcoat Bob all buoy Molly and her companions, sharp-tongued aspiring actress Greta and fallen Japanese fighter pilot Yukio, as they navigate greed, grief and can after can of Campbell's Condensed Oxtail Soup on their journey. All Our Shimmering Skies is a dreamlike coming-of-age novel, following Molly on her quest to find buried treasures and secrets alike. It's a novel that'll captivate you with descriptions of big fat orange caterpillars and storms that shake pennies from the clouds, and have you booking in a road trip to explore Australia for yourself. Samantha Teague, Editor INTOXICATING: TEN DRINKS THAT SHAPED AUSTRALIA BY MAX ALLEN In his latest treatise on the history of booze in Australia, lauded wine writer Max Allen describes his experience eating an apple from a 180-year-old tree in southern NSW: "It was a ravishing, moving experience: I felt for a moment as though I was travelling through time and space, from now, back through colonial Australia, all the way to Elizabethan England." The same could be said of his book. Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia takes you on a journey, from gum trees on the edge of a boggy Tasmanian frost plain to the Victoria Bitter brewery in inner city Melbourne; from a Port Phillip Bay shipwreck in 1841 to a natural Margaret River vineyard in 2019. It's a history lesson — an engaging one, told by a teacher that's charming, witty and honest — a recipe book and social critique all in one. And it touches on an important not-oft-discussed topic: pre-colonial Indigenous-made alcohol and the myth of a 'dry continent'. It's a read best paired with a home-brewed peach cyder — and followed up with Bruce Pascoe's groundbreaking Aboriginal agriculture deep-dive Dark Emu. Samantha Teague, Editor BOY ON FIRE: THE YOUNG NICK CAVE BY MARK MORDUE Mark Mordue's Boy on Fire: The Young Nick Cave offers an enthralling glimpse into the formative years of the mysterious dark prince of Australian music. It's a personal peek under the hood of Nick Cave, a gripping bildungsroman and a looking glass to the wild Melbourne post-punk scene of the 70s and early 80s. If you're a Cave fan, yes, this is probably more than enough for you to run and grab a copy, but the biography goes far beyond the skimming of surfaces. Boy on Fire is the making of ten years of interviews between Mordue and Cave, as well as a revolving cast of characters from Cave's early days and those close to the enigmatic artist, including Cave's late mother Dawn, boyhood mates from Wangaratta and members of The Birthday Party. Mordue's prose is worthy of its subject; it is at once poetic and gritty, humorous and heartfelt, painting a portrait of an uncompromising, ambitious and, at times, erratic musician who came from rural Victoria to take on the world. Ben Hansen, Staff Writer and Cordelia Williamson, Branded Content Producer COCO WAS PARADISE BY GARY BRUN Coco Was Paradise is Gary Brun's debut novel, which is surprising because it reads as if he's been writing for decades. It's a boozy, sun-drenched fable of lust, jealousy, romance and madness — a tale that could have only been set in Spain. 23-year-old Arthur Washington travels to San Sebastián in an effort to escape the rut of his inner city Sydney life. He spends a night on a stolen yacht with a mystifying woman who goes by the name of Coco. Then, after a month-long coma, Arthur wakes up in hospital before being told he had fallen off a cliff. Did he fall? Or was he pushed? Coco Was Paradise is a sensory journey. Brun seems to have drunk in every bar and visited every cultural monument in Spain in the way he writes with such accurate detail. It's the perfect summer read that will leave you with a tan and a hangover. Reuben Gibbes, Video Producer UNCANNY VALLEY BY ANNA WIENER 'Doomscrolling' may be Macquarie Dictionary's word of the year, but writer Anna Wiener will tell you the act of endlessly refreshing the news on your phone is entirely by design. This won't be surprising to anyone who watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix this year (or, let's face it, to any consumer of media), but what might pique your interest is just how toxic the workplace culture is and was at many of the Silicon Valley companies responsible for our daily addictions. Casual sexism? Check. Harassment? Check. Excessive surveillance? You name it. Uncanny Valley is Wiener's memoir of her time at unnamed tech start-ups, but really it's a reality check for all of us to take off the company-branded t-shirts and start tapping into what we're really supporting with every mindless scroll. Emma Joyce, Branded Content Editor THE ANSWER IS... BY ALEX TREBEK There are many reasons to watch Jeopardy!, the long-running TV quiz show that has been on the air in the US in its current form since 1984. Alex Trebek and his love of knowledge are chief among them, though. Yes, it's fun to play along and to see contestants notch up big wins. But none of that would strike such a chord if Trebek wasn't so passionate and dedicated to the cause — even when he's getting a little sassy with the competitors. In a book that's been decades in the making, The Answer Is… By Alex Trebek sees the beloved host reflect upon his life and career across a series of vignettes, touching upon everything from the moustache that earned so much attention when he shaved it off to Will Ferrell's famed Saturday Night Live impersonations. Backstage stories abound, of course, which are catnip for longterm Jeopardy! fans; however it's Trebek's willingness to get personal that unsurprisingly resonates. The candid memoir hit bookstores earlier this year before the television icon died from pancreatic cancer in early November, but it was always going to be a witty, engaging and moving read. And, a definite Jeopardy! clue one day, too. Sarah Ward, Weekend Editor
Not only is finding top-quality Latin American cuisine a challenge in Melbourne, but getting your hands on the ingredients to whip up an authentic dish at home is no easy feat either. Cousins Laurent Linares and Leidy Avila are looking to change that, combining a new cantina, Holy Guacamole, with a specialty Latin American grocer, El Mercadito, in one convenient Collingwood location. Starting with the cantina, every dish on the menu is made fresh in-house using ingredients Linares personally sources from the Footscray Market. Think handcrafted Mexican street tacos, unique Colombian arepa nachos and house-made salsas that bring a genuine taste of Latin America to the inner north. Meanwhile, the drinks list flows with thoughtfully selected mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails, including a signature michelada. "We've poured our hearts into creating a space that truly reflects the flavors and traditions we grew up with. From the way we prepare each dish to the warm, lively atmosphere, Holy Guacamole is all about sharing the best of Latin America with Melbourne," says Linares. As for El Mercadito, the in-house grocer will assuredly become a go-to spot for locals looking to replicate the flavours of Latin America in their own kitchens. Stocked with imported goods, from snacks, spices and sauces to premium tequila and Colombian coffee, El Mercadito will also feature a dedicated açai bar perfect for a quick organic feed. Serving as a nod to the Amazon, the Tropical Bowl features kiwi, mango and chia seeds, while the Honey Bowl brims with peanut butter and toasted muesli. "We wanted to make it easier for people to cook authentic Latin dishes at home with the same ingredients we use in our kitchen. El Mercadito is about sharing our culture beyond the plate, it's a little piece of Latin America right here in Collingwood," adds Avila. This passion is reflected in the venue's impressive design, with a dilapidated garage transformed into a warm and welcoming space over the past 18 months. With the help of Mexican designer Jimena Morales, the cantina fuses traditional Latin charm with an upbeat modern aesthetic, including neon signage and Day of the Dead-inspired iconography. "Holy Guacamole and El Mercadito are not just about great food; they're about culture, tradition, and bringing people together, and we can't wait to welcome everyone into our new Latin-inspired food hub," says Avila. Holy Guacamole and El Mercadito are open Tuesday–Sunday from 12pm. Head to the website for more information.
Murals don't have the best name for themselves. Instead of representing a vibrant and artistic community, they tend to conjure images of that fluoro abomination that donned the wall of your primary school hall; the one that featured fifty life-sized self-portraits of children with exceedingly long necks and circular eyes that stare at you with unblinking terror. Now, this amateur art form is being taken to the next level. Coupling with the community themselves, Spanish artist collective Boa Mistura are currently in the process of painting an entire town in Mexico (and the results are not at all cringeworthy). Taking inspiration from the art of the indigenous Otomie people, this group of painters, engineers and architects created designs that cover 30 buildings in the small town of Querétaro; with plans to expand to all 1,074 starting from September this year. Enlisting the help of young locals, Boa Mistura says the project is being carried out in an effort to rejuvenate and unite the community not only in the painting of the murals, but in their everyday lives too. "They are thinking in a different way right now," says a member of the group. "[They] have a new reality, a modified one. That's actually really good." This initiative comes after similar efforts in both Cape Town, South Africa and San Paolo, Brazil; and it's hard to say the pieces aren't a success. Bright colours pop from the landscape and energise the derelict surrounds; you can't help but smile at their simple charm. Similar groups are operating all around the world too. Much like Boa Mistura, Dutch street artists Haas & Hahn embarked on a huge project to reinvigorate Philadelphia's Germantown in 2012. Covering four city blocks, the Philly Painting project was carried out with the goal of "uplift[ing] the environment". The founding artists claimed "what feeds the eye also feeds the soul". If this is true, the citizens of Querétaro are in for some serious nourishment over the next few years. At the very least, the expression to 'paint the town red' will finally have a literal meaning. Via Design Boom and The Huffington Post.
Whether 2023 has been your best year ever, something far more average, completely life-changing or just cruisy business as usual, it has definitely been missing one thing: Spicks and Specks. Thankfully, 2024 won't have that problem. Announcing its lineup for next year, the ABC has confirmed that the beloved music game show will be back — and with Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, of course. Among everything that the ABC has broadcast — news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks all included — Spicks and Specks is up there among the favourites. Exactly how many more instalments are on the way in 2024 hasn't been revealed, but watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music will be back on the agenda. So will watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind the series, which takes more than a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and, as it keeps being resurrected. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks has enjoyed more comebacks than John Farnham, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Hills, Warhurst and Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten new episodes hit. Exactly when Spicks and Specks will start airing in 2024, and who'll be hitting buzzers among the program's guests, hasn't yet been announced. Still, you can add playing along with the show from your couch — yet again — to your plans before 2024 is out. Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV sometime in 2024. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
Fine dining can drift into performance — more chef's narrative, less dinner. At Singapore's Marguerite, Chef Patron Michael Wilson has made a series of choices to dismantle that rigour: an open kitchen that reads like a row of domestic island benches, total accessibility to the pass, and a standing invitation to wander over, ask questions, or simply watch. The atmosphere is notably calm — no barked orders, no theatre for theatre's sake — which makes a long tasting menu feel less like a marathon and more like an unhurried, convivial evening. The setting is singular. Marguerite lives inside the city's famed Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay — the world's largest glass greenhouse — and the restaurant leans into that sense of immersion. Plants thread through the room and curl around tabletops set with course-specific cutlery and crockery collected on Wilson's travels. In contrast, a ten-seat private room — inspired by mountain peaks and cumulus clouds — is wrapped in deep blue, burgundy, grey and dark forest green. Singapore's climate complicates strict seasonality. When your pantry can include Australian finger limes, New Zealand lamb and French cream for house-churned butter, "place" becomes a choice. Marguerite chooses freely — loosely French in spirit, but adapted for the tropics with lighter sauces, smaller bites and lucid riffs on classics. Steak frites becomes a bite-sized potato tart filled with tartare and crowned with a fried quail egg; ajo blanco appears as an ethereal foam; and New Caledonian prawn paste is transformed into delicate "tagliolini", glossed with clear spiced consommé and bright aromatics. Course after course arrives like edible sleight of hand — entire plates of flavour distilled into a mouthful. Pairings echo the kitchen's precision. Alongside a generous, far-reaching wine match, Marguerite's Temperance program offers non-alcoholic pairings — clarified juices and fermented jun tea — designed to deliver complexity without cloying sweetness. A mixed "demi" option straddles both. Service keeps the tone grounded and genuine throughout. Wilson's path explains the poise. Melbourne-born, he worked with Andrew McConnell and Guy Grossi before earning a Michelin star at Phénix in Shanghai just five months after opening. Marguerite followed in November 2021 and earned its own star within eight months, showcasing what he calls "creative cuisine" — craft, provenance and produce brought into clear focus. All bookings at Marguerite include a complimentary limousine buggy to and from the Gardens entrance and Flower Dome access for a pre- or post-meal stroll. Images: Supplied
Almost three decades ago, in a movie that's still as beloved now as it was then — and keeps throwing new franchise instalments at the big screen, too — Richard Attenborough uttered four iconic words. "Welcome to Jurassic Park," the actor said in-character as the dinosaur-filled theme park's owner John Hammond. That phrase has been repeated countless times since, and will always be linked to the Attenborough name. Of course, Richard Attenborough isn't the only famous figure in his family. The now-late actor and filmmaker's younger brother happens to be none other than David Attenborough — and now he's showing dinosaurs some love, too. No, you won't find him in the new Jurassic World flick; however, he will be lending his voice to a five-part natural history series about the prehistoric creatures right before Jurassic World Dominion reaches cinemas. If you'd listen to David Attenborough narrate anything and you're always fascinated by dinos — and yes, both of those apply to pretty much everyone — then Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet will be a must-see. With a name that falls in line with the broadcaster, biologist and natural historian's past shows The Living Planet, State of the Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Blue Planet II, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet and Green Planet (as well as Planet Earth and Planet Earth II, plus documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet), it'll look backwards at what the earth was like 66 million years ago. Obviously, CGI will feature heavily, but combined with wildlife filmmaking and paleontology learnings. Accordingly, get ready to discover little-known and surprising facts of dinosaur life, step through the environments of Cretaceous times, see how the Tyrannosaurus rex parented, and explore the ancient creatures of both the sea and sky. That's what Prehistoric Planet will cover across five episodes, which'll drop daily on Apple TV+ across Monday, May 23–Friday, May 27. While David Attenborough's voice is always music to anyone's ears, Hans Zimmer will be adding rousing score to the show — fresh from winning his latest Oscar for Dune. And if you're wondering about the photorealistic imagery that's bringing dinosaurs to life, filmmaker Jon Favreau is one of the Prehistoric Planet's executive producers, and the effects company behind his versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King is doing the CGI honours. Check out Prehistoric Planet's first teaser trailer and a sneak peek video below: Prehistoric Planet will hit Apple TV+ across Monday, May 23–Friday, May 27, with a new episode available to stream each day.
So you've just finished a big day on the slopes and you're looking for a way to warm up. Luckily there's a bevvy of bars and pubs at your fingertips. In Queenstown at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, the practice of après-ski ('after-ski') is as important as the time spent skiing or snowboarding — or spectating, if that's more your vibe. Perhaps you're after a quiet cocktail while enjoying mountain views, or maybe you're with a large crew and want to sink some cold brews by the fire — there will be something in this stunning alpine region that takes your fancy. But with over 150 bars and pubs to choose from, you need to make sure you're heading to a spot suited to your exact needs. We've put together some of our favourite spots for après-ski in Queenstown (and Arrowtown) so you're set to order the first all-important beverage of the evening — as well as the last one of the night. CARGO AT GANTLEY, ARTHUR'S POINT Built in 1865, this stone pub once catered to miners during the gold rush — now it caters to the many winter holidaymakers in the region. Head straight off the mountain and through the door of this cosy fireside spot, which is one minute from the base of Coronet Peak. That makes it an essential place to start your après-ski experience and suck down an extremely hard-earned beer — we're not here to waste any precious minutes. Don't just take our word for it — this historic spot pot also just won the Supreme Award at the Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence. So yeah, you might say it's pretty high on the list. Find it: 172 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown LODGE BAR, LAKEFRONT This might be a controversial inclusion due to its position alongside a Rodd & Gunn store, but we maintain Lodge Bar to be one of the best bars in Queenstown thanks to its warm wood ambience and picturesque views. You'll feel like you've stepped into an alpine retreat thanks to the strong supply of blankets, furs and rugs to wrap up in while you order a few apéritifs and catch up with a friend or loved one. On holiday in Queenstown alone? No problem. Park up in one of the single seats by the window and people-watch to your heart's content while watching an incredible sunset. Find it: 2 Rees Street, Queenstown RED'S BAR, QT HOTEL It's not often a hotel bar is the place to be, but when it comes to Queenstown's excellent QT hotel, it's no surprise this bar is a cut above the rest. You won't just find miscellaneous hotel patrons in this chic and colourful spot: Reds caters to tourists and locals alike, thanks to its cool decor and excellent service. The highlight has to be the jaw-dropping views. One long wall of floor-to-ceiling windows allows you to take in the mountains and Lake Wakatipu, which would probably heighten the taste of any drink — but these bevvies barely need it. If you like your spicy margaritas extremely spicy, get the crew to whip one up for you — it's exactly what you need to warm up from the inside out. Find it: 30 Brunswick Street, Queenstown LITTLE BLACKWOOD, STEAMER WHARF With a prime location on Steamer Wharf, this bar recently won Best Bar at the Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence and we can see why. Fuel up after a big day on the slopes by making your own custom cheese and charcuterie boards — that means all the meats and cheese you love, and none you don't. This spot also has one of the best cocktail menus in the area, including a list of five (we say again, FIVE) different types of espresso martini — perfect if you need a pick-me-up. Get decision-making anxiety? Play 'Trust the Bartender' — the talented team behind the bar will do the hard yards for you. Chic and industrial cool, this cosy bar often plays host to some of the country's best live musicians, making the vibes 10/10. Find it: 88 Beach Street, Queenstown View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Fork and Tap Arrowtown (@theforkandtaparrowtown) THE FORK AND TAP, ARROWTOWN If you're more on the Arrowtown side of the region, head to this pub which gives all the wholesome winter vibes thanks to its open fire and historic stone building. It's one of those spots where everyone seems to know each other and the daily specials are chalked up on the blackboard, so nab a table near the fire and enjoy the great energy. If you're looking for the perfect winter warmer, opt for the mulled wine which comes in a cinnamon-sugar-crusted glass. It's like a hug in a mug. Find it: 51 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown SUNDECK, CENTRAL QUEENSTOWN Cocktails? Check. Open fire? Check. DJ spinning club bangers at 5pm? Check. A rooftop bar boasting epic views, you have to get in early to nab a table at this popular spot. Sure, you have to head up three flights of stairs to find it, but don't let that put you off. It's an absolute go-to if you feel you've gone a little bit too hard too early, and need somewhere to burn off the post-ski beers. With about five people behind the bar at any one time and constant hordes of patrons reaching for spare seats, it's chaos in the best way — but the staff won't baulk at making you a margarita or martini even when the line is six-deep and we love them for that. Find it: Top floor, 4 The Mal, Queenstown LITTLE AOSTA, ARROWTOWN From notable chef and restauranter Ben Bayly, this rustic Italian spot is serving up all the Euro-inspired cocktails, pizza and pasta to soothe the wounds of not being overseas for Euro summer with your friends. Order a Negroni Sbagliato ("Negroni by mistake") and cosy up by the open fire outside from 3pm — and no, no actual skiing experience required. Our tip? Stay for dinner, and warm up with an Italian feast, served family-style. Find it: 18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown Top image: Steamer Wharf, Little Blackwood
Since a US remake of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadow was first hinted at back in 2017, and then confirmed in May 2018, fans have been waiting like a ravenous vampire for the end result. Over the past few months, three brief teasers have dropped, plus a full two-minute trailer — and now the show is headed to Australian TV screens in April. Created and co-written by Clement, and executive by the Flight of the Conchords star with Thor: Ragnarok's Waititi, the ten-episode American version will air weekly on Foxtel's Showcase channel from Tuesday, April 2. That's a few days behind the US run, with the show premiering on America's FX network on Wednesday, March 27 — hot on the heels of the film festival premiere of its pilot episode, which just screened at SXSW over this weekend. Despite the involvement of Clement and Waititi, the duo don't star in the new-look series (but may make guest appearances — we hope). Rather, this take on What We Do in the Shadows follows a group of vampire flatmates living in Staten Island, and features Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou, The Magicians' Harvey Guillen, The Office's Mark Proksch and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein. Novak plays the gang's self-appointed leader, 'Nandor The Relentless', who dates back to the Ottoman Empire days and is somewhat stuck in his ways. As for Berry's mischievous British dandy Laszlo and Demetriou's seductive Nadja, they've been likened to a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde. Guillén steps into the shoes Nandor's familiar, who'd do anything to join the undead, while Proksch's Colin has been described as an 'energy vampire'. And Feldstein's Jenna is a college student with a new craving. If you're keen for another taste before the series starts airing, here's three new teasers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=N0cCrfvCuZM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRiyeML2mnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=4dedH5GU9QU The US remake is just the latest addition to the What We Do in the Shadows universe, too. A follow-up, We're Wolves, is in the works, focusing on the undead bloodsuckers' Rhys Darby-led lycanthrope enemies. And television spinoff Wellington Paranormal, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural, debuted its first season last year and has a second season in the works. What We Do in the Shadows will debut in America on FX on Wednesday, March 27, then air on Foxtel's Showcase channel weekly from 8.30pm AEDT on Tuesday, April 2.
When it comes to kicking back and relaxing, some people swear by a nice warm bath. Others prefer tapping their toes to their favourite tunes, having a boozy beverage or just switching off from their always-vibrating phone. And, for another group, there's nothing that induces bliss better than listening to the one and only Keanu Reeves. Actually, that last category should really apply to everyone. If you're someone who finds the actor behind John Wick, Neo, Johnny Utah and Ted "Theodore" Logan particularly soothing, then you'll want to make a date with HBO's new series A World of Calm. It doesn't yet have a release date but, when it does hit the channel's HBO Max streaming service in the US and hopefully make its way to audiences Down Under as well, it'll give the world exactly what we want: Keanu's voice reading a narrative that has been scientifically-engineered to induce a feeling of tranquility, as paired with music and footage that's also designed to do the same. Ideally he'll say "whoa!" more than once. In HBO's first leap into health and wellness-style content, the ten-episode series is based on the popular Calm sleep, meditation and relaxation app, with the US TV network pairing up with the folks behind the latter. Specifically, the two companies are aiming to bring Calm's Sleep Stories to the screen — which have been called "bedtime stories for grown ups", have notched up more than 250 million listens, and are all about calming and soothing listeners. Keanu will only be doing the honours on one of A World of Calm's half-hour episodes; however the rest of the series definitely doesn't slouch in the star-power stakes. Joining him is a cast that'd do any movie proud, spanning not only Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Lucy Liu and Cillian Murphy, but also two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. As for what you'll be looking at while your ears soak in the dulcet tones of all of the above A-list stars — who'll basically be guiding you through a televised relaxation session — HBO advises that it'll be serving up "mesmeric imagery". Created with Nutopia, the folks behind National Geographic's One Strange Rock and Disney+'s The World According to Jeff Goldblum, that'll also include visuals from the company's global network of cinematographers and filmmakers. Intrigued? While you're waiting for A World of Calm, you can check out one of the audio-only Calm Sleep Stories — as read by Game of Thrones' Jerome Flynn — below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4x9ssJ0jfM A World of Calm doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
Usually, February is the month that gets hearts all aflutter. But if you're in the mood for romance this March and April, Sydney is about to welcome a new pop-up museum on that very topic. Called The Museum of Love, it's the latest venture from the folks behind the sweet-themed Sugar Republic. Expect the same kind of photogenic setup, but this time swapping out lollies galore for pink hues and oh-so-many hearts. Remember the cartoon way of representing romance, where animated figures see hearts in front of their eyes as they go weak at the knees? That's what you'll be seeing, too, if you head along to the three-level installation. Open from Thursday–Sunday each week during its seven-week season, The Museum of Love will fill a warehouse with words about love, tokens of love, neon signs to fit the theme, rosy-coloured streamers, teddy bears and more. Yes, there'll be a heart-shaped ball pit that you can hop into, because of course there will be. Among the pieces of art and lovestruck backdrops, plenty of different facets of types of love will be covered — including first crushes, weddings, platonic relationships with your mates, family bonds, self-love and heartbreak. From the 'rose-tinted glasses room' to the life-sized wedding cake, it has all been developed by Creative Nation, the aforementioned team behind Sugar Republic, in conjunction with emerging Sydney artists Jade Goodwin and Madeleine Golden. Other highlights span a wall filled with scents of romance, a mirrored room so you can adore your own reflection, a confetti shower, and a swing surrounded by flowers that's designed for attendees and their best mates. There's also a Las Vegas-style Chapel O' Love, and you can play the 'Perfect Pair' TV game show as well. Or, walk through the Teddy Bear Tunnel, take an awkward family portrait, then settle in at the Heartbreak Cafe. If you're keen to fall head over heels for the pop-up, each ticket gets you an hour inside the museum, and costs $35. Also, The Museum of Love is the first attraction as part a year-long Sydney program — so it seems that you can look forward to other yet-to-be-revealed Instagram-worthy pop-ups to follow. Find The Museum of Love at at 47 George Street, Sydney from Friday, March 5–Sunday, April 18, open Thursday–Sunday each week. For further details, head to the pop-up's website.
Southsiders can rejoice with the news that Rocco's Bologna Discoteca, a Fitzroy fave, has taken residence at Nobody's Baby in South Yarra. And yes, Rocco's has brought their crowd-pleasing, stomach-filling, juicy meatball sub along for the ride. Nobody's Baby made its quiet yet confident arrival on Toorak Road in South Yarra back in April 2025. The dimly lit, alluring venue from Tim Badura (who came across from Young Hearts) and Gustavo Prince (of Pizza Meine Leibe and Joe's Shoe Store) is a neighbourhood favourite that feels both sophisticated, with complex cocktails, and laidback, with easy-listening vinyls spinning in the background. Nobody's Baby is part of a pioneering group of venues trialling a residency-type program in which rotating chefs take over the kitchen for a period of time (such as the innovative Residence at the Potter). Badura says this model "keeps things fresh, gives our guests new flavours to explore and lets us collaborate with restaurants we really admire." First up in the kitchen were the crew from Very Good Falafel, who brought Middle Eastern-influenced snacks and plates all the way from Brunswick. There were sumac-cured sardines, Hawaij-spiced chicken and olive skewers from the hibachi and pita pockets stuffed with lamb meatballs, grilled onions, sundried tomatoes, and pickled mango condiment. Of course, they also showcased their eponymous very good falafel balls with pickles, tahini and zhough. And now, the easygoing and flavour-focused pair from Rocco's, Zoe and Emilio, are taking over the pans. Their snacky menu lends itself to a footloose and fancy-free night of drinks and nibbles. Think whipped goat's curd with agrodolce, roasted bullhorn peppers with hazelnut vinaigrette, marinated anchovies with nduja mayo, and beef tartare with tonnato sauce, all mopped up nicely with pillowy focaccia. The meatball sub is more of a mandate than an option, and with salsa verde, white sauce, and parmigiano, it makes for a moreish, messy mouthful. Nobody's Baby has created a couple of playful cocktails to accompany the Italian fare. There's a Baby Misu — tiramisu in drinkable form — and the Emerald Green, a blend of basil, honey, Montenegro and gin. For dessert, try the panna cotta with mocha granita. Rocco's residency at Nobody's Baby is here for a good time, not a long time. You've got three short months to check out all that the Northside favourite has to offer, before the next chef in residence moves in. Images: Supplied.
It has been said that describing Burning Man Festival to a person who has never been is like trying to explain what a particular colour looks like to a person who is blind. But perhaps this is no longer the case. Aerial footage has been released of the recent 2013 Festival, taken from a drone. Held two weeks ago, Burning Man was captured on camera by San Franciscan filmmaker Eddie Codel. Taken from a DJI Phantom Quadrocopter — a pilotless mini-aircraft with four propellers — fitted with a GoPro camera, the impressive HD footage is currently one of the best and fastest available introductions to the famous festival. This 360-degree tour pans slowly over the festival during the daytime, functioning to communicate a snapshot of the immense size and sparsity of the constructed city. It reveals close detail of the installations and artworks set up in the desert and at times comes very close to people. Held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, Burning Man draws in a crowd of approximately 50,000 each year. First established in 1986, the seven-day event welcomes attendees from all over the world, encouraging radical art and self-expression through the construction of a temporary community. The city is built the week before Labor Day, on an ancient lake bed, 100 miles north of Reno. Perhaps it's true that to truly understand Burning Man, one must participate. In the meantime, however, the drone tour certainly gets you very close. https://youtube.com/watch?v=m2ThTb6iffA Via Mashable.
Finding the neighbourhood roast chook shops of your childhood seems like it's getting harder and harder. However, those living in the inner south — or those ready to travel for a good meal — will be happy to know that Hawksburn Village's latest arrival, Carvery, is a new go-to spot for roast meats, fresh salads, takeaway rolls and ready-made meals. Leaning into the nostalgia of local takeaway shops from the 70s and 80s, proud owners and Hawksburn locals, Andrew Bayley and Michael Perri (4 Cousins Supermercato) pair this concept with simple, fresh and high-quality produce. So, if you've been missing the heyday of roast chicken takeout, the duo's reminiscent offering might just satisfy your long-held cravings. "We were inspired by the carveries we grew up with that were such staples to the community, such as the Toorak Carvery that used to be out the back of the Toorak Village Car Park," says Bayley. "Most Australians have memories of those roast chook dinners our mum used to pick up or a take-away roast roll with gravy. We wanted to replicate that feeling of nostalgia, but dial up on the fresh, quality produce and deliver it in a beautiful setting with Carvery." Primed for takeaway or dine-in feasts, Carvery's permanent menu places a spotlight on Victorian produce, with occasional specials looking further afield. Of course, the bain-marie is the main event, as Bannockburn chicken is presented alongside Otway Pork, lamb from the Western District and Tassie, and Black Angus beef from the Goulburn Valley. For maximum convenience, there's also roast meat dinner packs served with salad or veggies and chips. When you need a quick feed, Carvery will also serve up roast rolls made daily in-house — like a roast roll with gravy or a porchetta roll with crackling — with plenty of hearty sides, from hot chips and seasonal veggies to scalloped potatoes with cream and cheese. Meanwhile, the salad bar is full of classics like Med salad and slaw, while a special highlight is the Stonnington Chop — Carvery's take on a chop salad. In the fridge, find grab-and-go meals like lasagne, eggplant parmigiana and traditional tiramisu. As for the design, architectural studio Nisk Design has shaped stools and stand-up benches for 18 guests, with old-world checkered tile floors, warm timber panelling and marble benches combining with European-inspired staff uniforms and disco tunes. "As Hawksburn residents, we're so excited to bring Carvery to the neighbourhood, opening the doors to locals as if they're walking into their own family kitchen," says Bayley. "We want to be your neighbourhood go-to for a nourishing meal that conveniently feeds the whole family and doesn't break the bank." Carvery is open Monday–Friday from 10am–7pm, Saturday from 9am–5pm and Sunday from 10am–4pm at 513 Malvern Road, Toorak. Head to the website for more information.
Monforte Viennoiserie, a pint-sized Carlton North bakery, has been missing just one essential ingredient to make it the ultimate one-stop shop for a morning adventure — proper barista coffee. However, loyal customers need no longer go elsewhere to get their gourmet caffeine fix, as the beloved hole-in-the-wall patisserie finally welcomes its own coffee machine and Everyday Coffee beans. What Monforte Viennoiserie lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality, technique and creativity. Giorgia McAlliser Forte's teal kiosk, tucked away in a row of beige Victorian houses, keeps customers on their toes with an imaginative menu of ever-changing seasonal offerings, along with a couple of staple items that showcase her impeccable technique. Signature classics include a leatherwood honey and sea salt croissant, and seasonal offerings range from the likes of a salted yuzu floating island, to a chocolate, green mandarin and finger lime kouign amann, to a hazelnut, peach and black tea twice-baked pastry. "Our loyal customers have been crying out for espresso-based drinks, and after 5 years we've finally managed to rejig the space to squeeze in a machine", explains Forte. "The compliments paid around our pastries, in particular the signature classic leatherwood and sea salt croissant, meant we had to match the best with the best, partnering with local Collingwood-based roaster Everyday [Coffee]. The installation of a La Marzocco machine means our customers can rely on a true gold standard across all our food and beverage offerings." To celebrate its partnership with Everyday Coffee and give back to its devoted customers, Monforte will be giving away free coffees this Saturday, November 15. Get in quick, as the offer is available from 8.30am until 2pm, or until sold out. And for those so inclined, don't worry, they'll still be serving their signature hot and cold filter coffees. Images: Michael Gardenia. Got pastries on your mind? Check out the best bakeries in Melbourne.
