Bianchetto wins truffle month — the Italian wine and cocktail bar in Kew has transformed into a mossy truffle forest where you're invited to forage through the lush foliage with the help of Clara, Bianchetto's Brittany spaniel-in-residence. It also sets the scene for an exclusive truffle tasting menu by owner-chef Joe Vargetto, featuring dishes like truffle-infused teleggio risotto and a truffle ricotta cheesecake topped with truffled honey. Each dish is served on tableware from Staub's White Truffle collection (a fitting debut for the French brand's latest release), which customers can browse at the bar's pop-up truffle shop. While Bianchetto only seats 28 people for the Truffle Month menu every night, you can sample the items à la carte in the Mister Bianco dining room. On August 27, Mister Bianco will host its annual truffle dinner. The grand affair starts with a welcome drink before moving into five tartufo-speckled courses paired with Australian and Italian wines. Expect already-decadent dishes infused with truffle at every turn, like duck liver parfait and brioche entrée, stracciatella and chestnut mushroom gnocchi, steak with a side of foie gras, and tiramisu eclair. For those craving a meatier truffle season experience, visit Mister Bianco's website for more information.
It's no secret that Melbourne's dumpling game is strong. So if you're going to use the word in your restaurant name, you'd better be bringing the goods. As the latest addition to the buzzing Smith Street stretch south of the Grace Darling, Bowl Bowl Dumpling has made that very call, and passed the test. Inside, the double storefront space has a hipster-friendly, modern zen feel, with earthy tones and verdant foliage interspersed with pops of colour. The exposed brick walls, pendant lights and elegant Japanese clay tableware all show signs of effort. While it doesn't always feel cohesive, it's certainly one of the more comfortable dumpling dining experiences you can expect at this price range, with not a plastic table in sight. Those plump little pillows are, of course, the stars of the menu, but you can kick things off with a few Pan-Asian starters — perhaps some nicely battered salt and pepper calamari ($8.50), or a serve of vegetarian spring rolls ($6.50). With seven dumpling dishes on offer, there's an option to satisfy most, and all but one come with a share-friendly 10 to a serve. Take a few friends and a bit of an appetite and you can walk away having sampled the lot. Dumpling fans will know that xiao long bao are something of a technical yardstick, and Bowl Bowl's version of the soup-filled buns definitely don't disappoint. Touted here as 'Water Bomb' dumplings, they're delicate and juicy, ready to burst with fragrant, gingery pork broth ($14.50 for eight). In terms of technique, the gluten-free, Italian-style chicken dumplings ($13.50 for 10 pieces) don't quite hit the same mark, with skins a little on the thick side, but the fennel filling is tasty and fresh and the combo is a refreshing change from the norm. Then, those really in the mood for some feasting can get stuck into a handful of bigger dishes, like the Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce ($18) or fried rice ($18.50). The drinks list is a step up from the usual dumpling dinner offering — beers are basic, but there's a handful of Australian wines, all hovering around $9 for a glass and $35 for a bottle. Service, too, trumps that at the flourescent-lit set, with attentive, friendly staff showing off some practised moves. This is hardly the dumpling experience you're used to, but a meal at Bowl Bowl is sure to convert you.
If you're in the market for new sunnies this season, skip the shops and head to one of Sunglass Hut's Face the Sun sessions instead. Each themed event — dubbed 'The Raver', 'The Indulger', 'The Relaxer' and 'The Explorer' — comes complete with a complimentary pair of shades, plus a whole heap of other perks and good times. Coming up on Sunday, December 1 is a rooftop gig, hosted at Notel Melbourne that kicks off at 3pm till 9pm. You can kick off the festivities with a makeover by professional hair stylists and makeup artists to get you rave ready, then, pick your new pair of party-perfect sunnies — think big retro styles, colourful lenses and razor-sharp 90s shades. Don them as you get down on the dance floor, watching as the sun goes down. Tunes-wise, you can expect an intimate performance by indie songstress GRAACE in the afternoon followed by party maker DJ Tori Levett with a whole lot of bangers. Plus, to keep you going, bar snacks will also be provided throughout the event. This one-off rave will run from 3–9pm and costs $50, which includes complimentary sunnies, a makeover, live tunes and snacks. To see the full event details of this limited-edition series, head here.
Sinematek is a roving movie night, and it's popping up at Fitzroy North's LongPlay. It'll show a film at the bar every Sunday night in June — and tickets are just $10 a pop. The theme for the month is Winter Darkness, and the four chosen films will all celebrate the archetypal conflicts of one's self and surroundings. And there's certainly some twisted and conflicted flicks on the agenda. It'll kick things off with Jesus Camp by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady: a documentary about children attending a born again Christian 'Kids of Fire' camp. Then, it's Al Pacino in William Friedkin's Cruising, as he goes undercover in the leather gay bar scene to catch a serial killer. Penelope Spheeris's doco about punk groups on the US west coast in the 80s, The Decline of Western Civilization is next, followed by Jessica Hausner's Lourdes, a tale of a wheelchair-bound woman who experiences a miracle in the Pyrenees. Aiming for transcendental cinema, Sinematek will make sure you're feeling even more warm and cosy with LongPlay's winter menu of gnocchi and risotto. Pop in one Sunday for a film, a plate of warmth and a good time.
From November to March each year, the turtle nesting and hatching period kicks into gear along Queensland's coastline. First, the shell-wearing critters lay their eggs. Then, they wait for their young to emerge. If you're a fan of the animals, it's prime turtle-spotting season. Located within the Mon Repos Conservation Park and home to the largest population of nesting marine loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific, the Mon Repos Turtle Centre has long hosted tours during breeding season, letting turtle lovers watch nature in action. When the 2019 period commences, visitors will not only be able to see the sea-dwelling creatures come home to lay their eggs, watch their babies hatch and witness the cute infants make their first journey out to sea — they'll also be able to roam around a revamped facility. Launching in November along with this year's tours, Mon Repos Turtle Centre will unveil its $22 million renovation, with $17 million of that funding provided by the Queensland Government. While it'll get plenty of traffic during peak turtle-viewing season, the aim is to entice visitors all-year-round. To help, the refreshed centre will boast an immersive theatre room that recreates the turtle nesting experience. Attendees will take off their shoes, step onto sand and watch the process, regardless of whether they're heading on a nightly tour or just stopping by in the off-season. Other new additions include a cafe, touch screen TVs and new displays. The revamped facility will also be decked out with new interpretive signage, welcoming visitors to the region by its First Nation tribes — the Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Tarebilang and Byellee peoples. Find the Mon Repos Turtle Centre at 141 Mon Repos Road, Mon Repos from Saturday, November 9. For further details or to book tickets, visit the centre's website.
You wouldn't be blamed for being a little more budget-conscious when it comes to your shopping habits lately. Fortunately, the much-loved Round She Goes fashion market returns to Melbourne from 10am–3pm on Sunday, September 21. Taking over Coburg Town Hall with the full range of high-quality, preloved women's fashion, there are over 60 stalls to rummage through, each jam-packed with stylish secondhand designer labels, chic vintage finds and quality handmade accessories. Hidden among the big names and cult-followed labels, you'll find designer fashion and vintage gems from the likes of Aje, Gorman, Zimmermann and Scanlan Theodore. And the styles up for grabs are as eclectic as the brands, with in-vogue finds ranging from the 1940s to the Y2K era. You're also bound to discover some must-have accessories, with Round She Goes offering Hermès and Liberty scarves alongside mid-century brooches and attention-grabbing jewellery. Prices start from $5, so staying on top of your budget is made easy.
If you missed Gelato Messina's degustation bar the last two times, you're in luck because they're coming back to Melbourne for two weeks this August — and this time it will be all about truffles. In conjunction with Madame Truffles, Messina's Creative Department is returning to the secret room behind their Windsor store, this time with a seven-course gelato-meets-gourmet mushrooms degustation. So what kind of truffle-gelato goodness have the masterminds come up with? There's a pine and eucalyptus gelato that's a mix of 67 percent chocolate and black truffle cremeux, salted caramel, Jerusalem artichoke crisp and caramelised honey served with a ginger and lemon myrtle infusion. Using ingredients from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Tonga and NSW, Messina will take your tastebuds on a sweet and savoury journey. There are also two kinds of sorbet on the special Truffle Week menu: apple and nasturtium sorbet, and black truffle oil and vanilla oil sorbet. Sorbets are paired with a finger lime tonic and a spiced chai latte. Tickets are $130 per person and, with just eight seats available at each of the three sittings each night, you can book for groups of two, four, six or eight of your gelato-loving mates. And based off of previous events, you'll want to grab your tickets ASAP before Melburnians book out the event (most probably in record time again). Head to the Messina Creative Department page to nab a seat. If you miss out, a limited editing truffle flavour will be available to buy at the Fitzroy store. Seats at the truffle takeover are now sold out, but, look at that — you can win a double pass by completing our reader survey.
Summer might be over, but when winter adventures abound somewhere like Tasmania, there's no excuse for hiding indoors. Surrounded by views so awe-inspiring, you really won't care if you need to pack an extra jacket or two. Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state, but it's got a massive reputation, especially among hikers and adventurers from all over the globe. From epic multi-day coastal walks and summit lookouts to remote islands that display the state's famously rugged landscape, Tasmania is a natural wonderland that'll satisfy your explorer spirit. To help you get prepped and planned, we've tracked down five breathtaking places to hike that perfectly express why folks just can't get enough of this beauty. THREE CAPES TRACK Considered one of Australia's most impressive bushwalks, the Three Capes Track combines soaring clifftops that offer incredible views of the Southern Ocean with a myriad of rugged windswept landscape and the possibility of peeping some glittering Aurora Australis. Over the course of 48 kilometres, this multi-day hike tours across the southeast's most famous capes: the trio of Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul. Along the way, the natural landscape shifts from woodland to eucalypt forest — before you arrive at the coastline and get a spectacular view of the Blade, which juts out into the ocean. If you feel like making your visit extra-special, consider taking the Three Capes Lodge Walk, dotted with boutique overnight eco-stays and making your adventure a little cosier. [caption id="attachment_718814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Painted Cliffs on Maria Island. Courtesy of Flow Mountain Bike.[/caption] MARIA ISLAND Just off Tassie's celebrated east coast, Maria Island boasts a seemingly endless variety of wildlife and plants. Whether you're keen on spotting wallabies, Tasmanian devils or wombats, you're bound to see at least one. Plus, in the winter, there are fewer crowds here so you'll get all of these sights practically to yourself. There's also an astounding range of natural landmarks, such as the island's famed marbled sandstone marvels, The Painted Cliffs and Haunted Bay, which showcases enormous granite cliffs overlooking the sea — a very dramatic site to see during Tasmania's rugged winters. Accessible only by ferry, Maria Island is covered by dozens of spectacular walking tracks with lots of picturesque spots to pitch a tent. There are also firepits already stocked with wood for you to cosy up to at night. If you have less time on your hands, e-bike trips around this World Heritage Listed island are another great way to cover some ground. It'll be quite the active stay and a seriously scenic trip, too — with all those trails highlighting the very best of Tassie's coastline from an offshore vantage. [caption id="attachment_718811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and James Bowden.[/caption] PANDANI GROVE The drive to Mount Field National Park is almost as special as the destination, with the park located 80 kilometres west of Hobart through the Derwent Valley. Your trip isn't over yet; in fact, you'll have to trek deep into the state's oldest national park, which is often dusted with snow in winter. On your hike, you'll pass rushing waterfalls before reaching the Pandani Grove. This otherworldly nature walk winds its way alongside Lake Dobson and features the rather odd looking pandani fern, which only grows in Tassie and is quite the marvel, especially when cloaked in snow. Even compared to Tasmania's wealth of natural landmarks, Pandani Grove stands out — it's the kind of place you won't find anywhere else in a hurry. MOUNT RUFUS CIRCUIT Starting from the Lake St Clair visitor centre, the Mount Rufus Circuit walk takes hikers on a journey through an incredible display of natural beauty. Take the Watersmeet Nature Trail through a peppermint gum forest and, eventually, you'll come to the Mount Rufus summit track junction. Make a turn upwards and trek seven-and-a-half kilometres to the peak where you'll be welcomed with panoramic vistas that are hard to beat. As well as looking over Lake St Clair far below, you'll also score views of Mount Olympus, the immense Frenchmans Cap and the Franklin River that winds its way through the landscape. And the fact that all of these sights will be dusted with snow, will make your trek through this veritable winter wonderland all the more magical. [caption id="attachment_721403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Fleming.[/caption] MARIONS LOOKOUT Cradle Mountain is possibly Tasmania's most popular mountain, typifying the rugged terrain that the island is known for. The sprawling region is filled with highlights just about everywhere you look, but few can match the beauty of Marions Lookout — especially when it's covered in snow. To get there, you'll have to be willing to take on a rather strenuous three-hour return trek, but the gradual climb will take you through stunning scenery like snowy forests, white-frosted peaks and around some glacial lakes. Of course, once you reach the summit, you'll almost certainly forget that your legs feel a bit like jelly — unsurprisingly, the 360-degree views of spectacular winter wonderland provide the perfect distraction. Roam the summit and admire the vantage over the rest of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes. Yep, this is quite the hike. Top image: The Candlestick at Cape Hauy by Jason Charles Hill.
If you've ever had the urge to rummage through someone else's suitcase, here's your chance. Suitcase Rummage is coming back to Melbourne, and luckily for you it'll be less old socks and more vintage treasures. Next happening between 10am–3pm on Saturday, February 15 at the South Melbourne Town Hall — and then again on March 14 — the mini-scale market will bring together numerous trunks that aren't just filled with clothing. The suitcases will contain everything from art to records, shoes and jewellery — so, come and bargain, buy or swap to score that old Joni Mitchell vinyl you've been wanting. [caption id="attachment_760661" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Suitcase Rummage[/caption] Those who wanting to sell their wares must register — and it'll cost $25 for a 'stall'. You can bring up to three suitcases, so you can lug in all those shoes you've been promising to wear but certainly will not. Top image: Yan Chen via Suitcase Rummage.
After headlining Splendour in the Grass earlier this year, The National are bringing their moody, Nick Cave-esque brand of indie rock back to Australia in February 2014. The tour kicks off in Adelaide before heading to Sydney (where they'll be performing on the Opera House forecourt), Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Given we're an island on the other side of the world, it took the New York-based band a while to make their way Down Under, but better late than never right? We've loved them doubly ever since. The National first came to Australia in 2008 to promote their fourth album, Boxer, before coming back in 2010 and 2011 for the Falls Festival and Harvest. They took a break for a few years before returning with their sixth album, Trouble Will Find Me, which is being hailed as their best to date. After appearances at several major festivals like Reading and Leeds and Lollapalooza, The National are fast building a reputation as a must-see live act. Fans can expect to hear some of their older songs, like 'Demons', 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Fake Empire' (which was controversially used in a Mitt Romney election video without their knowledge) as well as newer stuff from Trouble Will Find Me. Update 4 September: The National will perform a second and final show on the Forecourt, on Friday, 7 February, after selling out their first performance in under an hour. Tickets will go on sale at midday tomorrow, Thursday 5 September. The 2014 tour dates are: Thursday 6 February – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Saturday 8 February– Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney. Opera House pre-sale from Tuesday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Friday 30th August, 9am AEST. Sunday 9 February - Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Tuesday 11 February - Riverstage, Brisbane. Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Friday 14 February - Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth. Perth Festival pre sale from Thursday 7 November. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 12 November, 9am WST. For more information see the Handsome Tours website.
Stroppy teens they may have been but their names have become synonymous with love. Romeo and Juliet has to be one of the best known and most adapted plays in the English language and this week two arts companies, both alike in dignity, will be joining forces for a homage to the star-crossed pair. John Bell and his troupe of Shakespeare experts will be performing key scenes from the play – so expect the balcony and several deaths at least – while the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will perform extracts from musical works inspired by the story, such as the Tchaikovsky ballet and the pastoral opera version by Delius. No word yet if any of the West Side Story soundtrack’s going to make it in. Playing at the glittering Hamer Hall, with a free pre-show performance by young artists, it is possibly the ultimate romantic date night experience. Boyfriends everywhere, take note.
Enjoying its world premiere at this year's Melbourne Festival, Complexity of Belonging is piquing our interest on so many counts. First, it kills two birds with one stone. Both theatre and dance are looking like strong elements of the program this year and with this outstanding new work you'll get a taste of both. And the same could be said of its creators In a festival packed full of exciting Asian and European works, Complexity of Belonging is one of the few international co-productions with Australia. Our beloved MTC and Chunky Move have joined forces with German Falk Richter, director-in-residence at Schaubuhne Berlin (who've previously brought An Enemy of the People and Hedda Gabler to the festival). Exploring the age of social media with the help of five dancers and four actors, the show is shaping up to be an unique and dynamic experience on stage. Complexity of Belonging is on from October 6-25 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. Tickets are $40-79, but thanks to Melbourne Festival, we have two double passes to the show on Tuesday, October 7, to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
If you'd like to kick-start your year partying amongst the farm animals, you'll want to get a moo-ve on and nab tickets to Melbourne's freshest New Year's Eve fest. From the folks behind Carlton nightclub Colour and rooftop bar Runner Up, When Pigs Fly is the new one-day music party set to take over Collingwood Children's Farm on Saturday, December 31. In a grassy farm setting that feels miles further from the city than it actually is, the festival will be sending out the old year with the help of 14 local and international acts, working their magic across two stages. [caption id="attachment_871568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Jesus Experience[/caption] You'll be grooving to the likes of Chicago house sensation Sadar Bahar, funk and hip-hop nine-piece Black Jesus Experience, psychedelic-jazz outfit Mildlife and the genre-blending Close Counters. Plus, the likes of Emma Volard, MzRizk, Zepherin Saint and Feign Jima, carrying you through until 1am. Meanwhile, you'll be fuelled by food from Polly's, and sips by Bodriggy and Iggy Seltzer. [caption id="attachment_871569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mz Rizk[/caption]
At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, we've all heard about social distancing, coughing into your elbow, avoiding physical contact with others and staying home if you display even the slightest symptoms. As championed by everyone from elected politicians to health officials, these messages have been stressed again and again for months now. But, if you suspect that you might be unwell and you're not in a financial position to miss work — because you simply can't afford to — adhering to the standard health recommendations isn't always simple. To assist those who've been tested for COVID-19 and don't have the money to take time off work while they wait for their results, the Victorian Government has announced a new support payment — in the form of a one-off $300 sum. It's specifically aimed at folks in insecure employment, to ensure that not only they get tested as soon as possible but also quarantine afterwards, all without having to worry about their bank balance. And, it's available as soon as a person is tested. In a statement on Thursday, July 23 — the same day that 403 new COVID-19 cases and five more deaths were reported in the state — the Victorian Government advised that "as many as nine out of ten people who later test positive are not self-isolating between the onset of symptoms and getting a test". It also explained that more than half of Victorians who end up with a positive result aren't isolating between being tested and receiving that news. https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/photos/a.149185875145957/3263782247019622/?type=3&theater The new $300 payment joins the state's previously announced $1500 hardship payment, which is available to workers who must isolate, won't have any income while they do, and aren't entitled to paid sick leave, special pandemic leave or other income support. To access the $300 amount, you also need to fit those eligibility requirements. So, you'll need to have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home, have a continuing job that you'd be showing up to if you weren't required to self-isolate or quarantine, and have exhausted any sick leave and special pandemic leave entitlements. You can't be receiving the JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian Government income support, either, or any income, earnings or salary from work during your self-isolation or quarantine period. While clearly targeted at casuals, the scheme is also open to permanent, part-time, fixed term and self-employed workers who fit the above bill. Although we've all been told plenty of times, take this as a reminder that anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms — such as fever, chills, sweats, a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste — is asked to get tested. And, to stay home between the onset of symptoms and having the test, and again until you're informed of your test results. For further details about the Victorian Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker support payments, and about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website. Top image: Julia Sansone
Printhie Wines, run by brothers Ed and Dave Swift, has also taken its cellar door experience into the online realm, cracking the top off a new weekly virtual wine tasting series. The Molong-based winemakers are hitting screens from 4pm AEST every Friday, to help you wind down and kick-start the weekend in style. Or at least, in some good, wine-loving company. Via Facebook, the guys will guide viewers through a double tasting each week, showcasing a range of drops from their own label and answering plenty of audience questions along the way. To get you in the zone, Printhie is currently slinging a virtual tasting pack via its online store, starring six of the wines featured across the next few weeks' live streams. Get one delivered to your door so you can taste along with the guys and discuss your favourites as the camera rolls.
Discounted airfares have been quite the topic of conversation over the past year or so, as Australian airlines have endeavoured to encourage us all to explore this scenic country of ours. If we can't holiday overseas while the international border is closed, we should all make the most of our own backyards — or so the very sensible thinking goes. That said, with lockdowns and border restrictions still a regular part of pandemic-era life Down Under, holidaying within Australia isn't straightforward. But, if and when that becomes a bit easier in the coming months — with both New South Wales and Victoria set to start easing stay-at-home conditions when the two states each reach certain vaccination thresholds — enjoying an Aussie getaway will hopefully be back on the cards nationwide. And, in preparation for that becoming a reality, Virgin is hosting a five-day sale that's serving up cheap flights. Called 'Anywhere But Here', this sale has more than a million discounted fares up for grabs — but you'll need to get in quick. They went on sale today, Monday, September 6; however, they're only available until Friday, September 10 or sold out, whichever comes first. All one-way fares, the discounted economy flights cover 70 different routes. Some of the specials on offer include Sydney to Byron Bay for $49, Sydney to the Sunshine Coast for $69, Melbourne to Launceston from $49, Melbourne to the Whitsunday Coast from $139, Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $105, Brisbane to Darwin from $149, Adelaide to Melbourne from $79 and Perth to Broome from $179 (and vice versa in all cases, naturally). And, if you're wondering when you can travel — depending on lockdowns and border restrictions, of course — you can book flights for trips between October 6, 2021–June 23, 2022. Only some fares cover seat selection and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in August that it is now splitting its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights also became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin's 'Anywhere But Here' sale runs from today, Monday, September 6–Friday, September 10 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions via the Australian Government's Health Direct website.
Social enterprise cafe Sibling threw open its doors last week, marking the arrival of a venue that's little different to those in the surrounding streets of Carlton's northern edges. The cafe is run by Kinfolk, another social enterprise cafe and caterer in the CBD, with both venues aiming to counteract social isolation through their volunteer programs. With the waitlist to volunteer at Kinfolk stretching for months, the team decided they needed to open a second venue to meet demands. And, thanks to a robust crowdfunding effort — which raised almost $30,000 more than the initial $60,000 target — Sibling came to fruition. As a result, the volunteer task force, made up of people from more than 30 different countries and some of which are living with a disability, transitioning from prison or seeking asylum, was able to expand, with Sibling having room for 120 volunteers — double what Kinfolk could originally handle. So, you'll be able to enjoy tasty kimchi-spiked scrambled eggs from the volunteers, while they benefit from a friendly space, support and training. Which brings us to Sibling's second aim: to make tasty food as sustainably and with as little waste as possible. Along with coffee by Small Batch, the food menu is inventive and diverse. On the brekky menu, there's tahini-topped bread with salted cucumber, chickpeas and pickles ($17); asparagus, chilli, cashew, basil, mint and scrambled tofu ($19); and pan-fried chicken livers — from Trentham's Milking Yard — with peas, shallots and sorghum ($24). Lunch has the famously simple Roman pasta dish, cacio e pepe ($14) and a kangaroo tail braised with peas, labne and rice crisp ($22). And don't walk out without a sweet treat to finish things off — their truffles and cakes are mostly vegan and, from the sound of it, entirely tasty. As another added bonus, all of Sibling's distributable profits are redistributed to different charities each year. This year it's Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and The Cathy Freeman Foundation. Find Sibling at 611 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. It's open Monday to Friday, 7am–3pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am–4pm.
Since making her movie debut as "girl in a blue truck" in Dazed and Confused, then popping up in a Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel, Renee Zellweger has enjoyed quite the career. She belted out a tune on a rooftop in Empire Records, told Tom Cruise that he had her at hello in Jerry Maguire and became everyone's favourite romantically challenged Briton in three Bridget Jones flicks. Then, she razzle-dazzled her way to an Oscar nomination in Chicago, before nabbing a coveted statuette for Cold Mountain. It's an impressive resume. So, when we say that Judy may just be Zellweger's best work, we don't make that statement lightly. Stepping into a famous figure's shoes might be one of acting's most difficult feats, especially when that person is cinema royalty, but Zellweger doesn't ever feel like she's just impersonating Judy Garland. Rather, she wears Garland's ruby slippers as if they're her own — and they fit perfectly. Technically, because Judy is set in the year leading up to the eponymous star's death, Zellweger doesn't literally don that iconic pair of footwear, with the film enlisting newcomer Darci Shaw to do the honours in flashbacks to Garland's teenage years. Zellweger doesn't need glittering shoes to inhabit the part, though; with nuance and intensity simmering through her performance, she shines brighter than any jewel-toned item of clothing ever has. While the aforementioned leaps back into the past show where Garland started, the expectations placed upon her and the destructive impact of her showbiz childhood, Judy spends the bulk of its duration in 1969. Garland is 46, with more than four decades of experience to her name, but she's scrounging for work. Deemed unemployable by Hollywood's insurance agencies, which nixes her cinema stardom, The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis and A Star Is Born talent sings and dances through touring stage shows instead. Both broke and homeless, she's trying to provide for two of her children (Bella Ramsey and Lewin Lloyd). So, when she reluctantly takes a long series of gigs in London, it's largely to earn enough cash so she doesn't have to keep travelling away from her kids afterwards. Given the above state of affairs, plus years of using prescription pills to stay awake and to get to sleep (and drinking as well), Garland isn't in prime physical, emotional or mental health during Judy's period of focus. Remaining in the public eye since she was two has clearly taken its toll, understandably. And, while Garland knows this, she's addicted to the thrill of being in the spotlight — and she has an ego to with it, too, as her interactions with her British minder (Jessie Buckley) demonstrate. Still, what a joy it is to spend time with Zellweger's version of Garland, and not only when she's wowing crowds while strutting across the stage. In an always hypnotic, often heartbreaking portrayal that illustrates the star's on-stage strength and behind-the-scenes sorrow in tandem, Zellweger turns every scene into a revelation. Watching as Garland dotes over her youngest offspring, attends a party with her twenty-something daughter Liza Minnelli (Gemma-Leah Devereux) and falls swiftly for her fifth husband (Finn Wittrock), viewers see the yearning heart of someone who just wants to love and be loved in return. In her messier moments, of which there are many, we feel the kind of aching pain that all the cheering fans in the world can't fix. And, when she's crooning a greatest-hits collection from across her career — including 'Get Happy' and, of course, 'Over the Rainbow' — we understand why she keeps doing what she does even when it's almost killing her. For existing Garland aficionados, the result is like trotting down the yellow brick road — you can bask in all the glorious details you've ever wanted, while also getting a glimpse behind the curtain at the stark reality behind the magic. And if The Wizard of Oz is your only real frame of reference for Garland, Judy wholeheartedly explains that the now-80-year-old classic was neither the beginning nor the end of her tale. Accordingly, in adapting stage musical Over the Rainbow for the screen, director Rupert Goold (TV's The Hollow Crown) and writer Tom Edge (The Crown) have hit the biopic jackpot. There's a sense of formula at work in Judy's storytelling, as can happen in showbiz portraits, but it captures its subject in a winning way. And, come next year, Zellweger will likely be winning plenty more awards for her efforts — for such a captivating performance that does justice to a legend, she deserves to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C61wB6DTwiA
Melbourne's inner north suburb of Coburg is set to score a shiny new addition, with Intercontinental Hotel Group revealing plans to open a Holiday Inn design hotel on Sydney Road. Slated to be up and running by 2020, the 150-room hotel will be a huge win for a pocket of Melbourne that's not exactly brimming with great accommodation options. It'll boast sweeping views across town and the Coburg Lake Reserve, while a new onsite bar and all-day dining offering is sure to prove as popular with locals as with the guests. As for looks, this hotel's steering right away from the usual Holiday Inn vibe. The bold, mirrored glass design is the work of acclaimed architects Hachem, whose previous projects include the likes of Om Nom dessert bar and the newly revamped Baroq House. Find Holiday Inn Melbourne Coburg on Sydney Road from 2020, and keep an eye on the Intercontinental Hotel Group website for further details.
Candlelight dinners, walks in the park, roses and chocolate. That's the old Valentine's Day. We're in 2023, the age of doing things differently. And what date concept is more unconventionally romantic than an evening of hurling a sharp object into a wooden target? The good folks at MANIAX Axe Throwing are getting in the mood and celebrating the season of love with the offer of Valentine's Day date nights at their nationwide axe throwing venues — and you can win one for free. In addition to pelting a heavy weapon at a wall with your S.O., the prize will include the added benefits of the MANIAX date night package: a 60-minute session with a lesson from an instructor (nobody throws until they're ready), two drinks of your choice and a piping hot pizza to share. MANIAX has locations in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. So, whether you're looking for an unconventional date, have a thing for sharp weapons, or are well-versed in the world of axe throwing and simply want to show off, MANIAX has your Valentine's sorted. To earn your place in this hall of warriors, complete the form below. [competition]886696[/competition]
Fresh off expanding Supernormal to Brisbane and opening new concept Bar Miette in the same building, Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal, Builders Arms and Marion) has returned to Melbourne to sign a lease on an all-new venture in the CBD. There's no details yet on what he'll be cooking or who will be joining him in the kitchen, but the new restaurant will take over the former Becco site. This old-school Italian diner has been serving city workers and visitors since 1996, and before that was home to Pellegrini's Tavola Freddo Cantina. For decades, this Crossley Street site has played an important role in the city's food scene, and McConnell and his business partner Jo McGann have been sure to recognise this. [caption id="attachment_860199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gimlet by Earl Carter[/caption] "This is one of the most important heritage restaurant sites in the city. The dining room has a beautiful soul that reflects its history and the incredible hospitality that has been offered here for over 70 years," shares McConnell. "We are excited to preserve and continue this legacy whilst bringing new energy to the space." To revamp the space, McConnell and McGann will once again collaborate with Sydney-based design studio ACME (Gimlet and Apollo Inn). However, we won't get to see what they've dreamt up until it opens in late 2025. Until then, the duo will run a temporary outpost of Morning Market — the Euro-centric grocer and cafe that McConnell and McGann opened during the pandemic. [caption id="attachment_867912" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supernormal Nikki To.[/caption] McConnell and McGann's new restaurant is slated to open in late 2025, and will be found at 25 Crossley Street, Melbourne. For more information, you can visit the restaurant group's website. Image: Andrew McConnell by Shelley Horan for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
Malaysian hawker chain Pappa Rich is spreading the love for its eighth birthday, with two weeks of banger deals across all 11 of its Victorian stores. You'll be able to try your Pappa Rich favourites, or taste something completely new, all for just $8. Dip roti canai in vegetarian curry, try stir-fried noodle dish char koay teow and tuck into a toasted hainan sandwich. Or go classic with chicken rice and steamed chicken. There'll be a different dish for $8 each day from March 16–29, including blended ice drinks, teh tarik and puddings. You can check out each day's deal below. Since 2012, Pappa Rich has opened 28 stores around Australia, with the 29th set to open in The Glen, Victoria, this month. The chain has developed a reputation for serving up a fusion of flavours from Chinese, Indian and Malay influences, as well as creating next-level limited edition bites, like this nasi lemak burger and a collaborative chicken sandwich with Belles Hot Chicken. PAPPA RICH $8 MEALS March 16 — three roti canai March 17 — nasi lemak curry (chicken, vego or mutton) March 18 — chicken curry laksa March 19 — two ice blended or two nasi lemak bungkus March 20 — six chicken wings and a drink March 21 — toasted hainan sandwich and two half-boiled eggs March 22 — deep-fried chicken skin and a drink March 23 — char koay teow March 24 — roti canai curry (chicken, vego or mutton) March 25 — nasi lemak fried rice (chicken, vego or mutton) March 26 — two drinks (lemon iced tea or teh tarik) March 27 — two puddings or three curry puffs March 28 — chips and nuggets or salt and pepper chicken wings with rice March 29 — chicken rice and steamed chicken Pappa Rich's $8 meals are available from March 16–29 at all 11 of its Victorian stores.
First, the bad news: as much as fans of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's excellent Australian mystery series Deadloch want it to (and we do want it to), the first season of that stellar new show doesn't go on forever. Now, some news to help cope with that reality: come August, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will hit streaming to deliver another twisty Aussie affair. This one heads to the screen from the page, with Holly Ringland's 2018 novel getting the miniseries treatment. And, it features one helluva huge name leading the show. Alien and Ghostbusters legend Sigourney Weaver stars as June, the no-nonsense grandmother to the titular nine-year-old, in the seven-part drama — with the story kicking into gear when Alice loses her parents in suspicious circumstances. On the page and on Prime Video — where The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will debut on Friday, August 4 — Alice moves to Thornfield flower farm after the life-changing tragedy, and starts to find solace among its wildflower blooms. But her new home is also the place where secrets about her family and their past start to blossom. Wondering about the show's mood? In both the initial teaser trailer back in June and the just-dropped new full trailer now, the series emphasises that it hails from the producers of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Lambs of God's Sarah Lambert, Mustang FC's Kirsty Fisher and A League of Their Own's Kim Wilson penned the scripts, while Penguin Bloom's Glendyn Ivin directs every instalment. As well as Weaver as Alice's grandmother, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart stars Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead) as its namesake, plus Ayla Browne (Nine Perfect Strangers) as the younger version. The cast from there is a who's who of homegrown talent, including fellow Nine Perfect Strangers alum Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Hotel Mumbai), Xavier Samuel (The Clearing) and Alexander England (Black Snow). In sneak peeks that highlight the complex decades-spanning drama surrounding the titular character, the swirling lies and simmering mistrust, fire, the Aussie backdrop and the big-name stars, Frankie Adams (The Expanse), Charlie Vickers (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Sebastián Zurita (How to Survive Being Single). Check out the full trailer for The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart below: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will start streaming via Prime Video from Friday, August 4.
Every autumn, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the Eta Aquarids are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Eta Aquarids annually. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Tuesday, May 7 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse. WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Tuesday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 30 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. WHERE TO SEE IT Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. So, if you're living in the city, it could be time for a last minute trip to a clear-skied camping spot. The trick is to get as far away from light pollution as possible. For Sydneysiders who don't mind a long drive, this could mean a trip to the far south coast. We reckon Picnic Point campsite in Mimosa Rocks National Park might be a winner. Or, if that sounds too far away, Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay is pretty light-free. Alternatively, head west — after all, you'd be hard pressed to find better views than at The Dish, just outside of Parkes or at Australia's only Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran. Melburnians might consider a journey to Wilsons Promontory or along the Great Ocean Road, as far as Killarney Beach. For somewhere closer, there's Heathcote, which is just a 90-minute drive from the city, but is an excellent vantage point. For a real escape, head to Snake Valley in the central west, where there's hardly a light in sight. For a quick trip out of Brisbane, try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wivenhoe or Lake Somerset, which are all rather dark, considering their proximity to the city. If you have a bit more time, head two-and-a-half hours' west to Leyburn, which has some of the busiest skies in Queensland, or eight hours' west to the tiny town of Charleville in the outback. HOW TO SEE IT The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Eta Aquarii, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. If you struggle to get out of bed, NASA Apart from that, wear warm clothes, take snacks and be patient. Happy stargazing.
One half of the makers of Jafflechutes, Adam Grant, has set up shop with a new endeavour. But fear not, it's just as ridiculous and strangely excellent as his first. Pimp My Myki is a glittery service Grant operates from his home that offers to decorate your Myki or Opal cards. For the low, low price of a postage stamp, your Myki could be transformed into a majestic eagle or a fierce black bear. Something to ward off ticket inspectors at the very least. The process is simple. Just post your current card to a PO Box in Fitzroy (or pay $12 for a new one to be delivered), and wait in glitterless anticipation for it to be deposited in your mailbox within the week! If you'd like a little more certainty in the process, Grant also operates a service called Bearki (or Bearpal) — for those who would just rather have a bear on their cards and be done with it. Now, this obviously isn't for everyone. Understandably some people love their snot-green Mykis. Its resemblance to the mucus-olive pack of smokes in their pocket offers a security in the fact that the world is both dreary and horrible. For the rest of us, a pimped Myki is a little pick-me-up to the 86 tram or a way to daydream about a more exciting trip. Needless to say, renowned dementors Public Transport Victoria are not happy. Despite the fact the cards still clearly display serial numbers and remain entirely functional, representatives have claimed "A Myki that has been altered or defaced in any way is an invalid ticket." In reply, Grant said, "I understand from an official standpoint they might have to say this for whatever reason, but it doesn't bother me a great deal." If a ticket inspector gets in your face about it, let's hope the picture of a cute panda bear is enough to calm them down. For more information head to Pimp My Myki, Bearki, or Pimp My Opal.
Lost in Space, Loosely Speaking and Royalty are three new exhibitions at the ever-experimental Gertrude Contemporary, Melborne's first and best executed combined gallery and studio complex. Dan Moynihan's Lost in Space is an exhibition within an exhibition. Without descending into Matrix-style lingo, Moynihan devises a fantasy art gallery within the front space in which to live out an alternative version of his artistic career. This installation leads all those who enter his faux space into fictional scenarios inspired by his previous art residencies, train station encounters and artistic angst. Loosely Speaking is a collaborative effort between Ruth Buchanan, Sarah Crowest and Adele Mills. It considers the slippery logic of language and the inconsistencies of social expectations. The three women use sound, video and sculpture to gently point out how easily words and gestures can fall into the gap between understanding and misunderstanding. Reko Rennie's Royalty puts urban Aboriginal issues up in neon lights. As a Gertrude Contemporary studio artist, he draws upon local graffiti and streetscapes to feed his enduring passion for exploring contemporary Aboriginal identity via spray paint, installation and projection. While each exhibition is unique, they are all linked by a desire to recreate the spaces we move through unthinkingly, the interactions we crave automatically, and the city we take for granted.
It helped kick-start Carlton's culinary new age, made veggies sexy with its regularly Instagrammed roast cauliflower dish and scooped up a swag of accolades for its efforts. But now, it's time for Carlton's The Town Mouse to stage its final performance, with the owners announcing that, after almost five years, they're selling their Drummond Street eatery and shutting the doors for the final time this March. Of course, this internationally acclaimed restaurant isn't going out without a proper send-off. As a last hurrah, the kitchen's putting its regular food offering to bed and plating up a special four-course set menu to see out the final six weeks. Available from February 1, alongside a limited a la carte offering, this final menu's a celebration of Dave Verheul's signature Town Mouse flair, featuring a mix of old favourites and clever new creations. It'll be on offer (with or without a sweet course) for dinners Thursday through Monday, while Sunday lunches will feature a separate $50 three-course menu, including dessert. As the Town Mouse cellar is given a final clear-out, diners can choose to match those eats to some great wines at very tidy prices, though BYO will also be available at all sittings. Keep an eye out too, for cameo appearances from a lineup of past team members and guest chefs. We're sad to see the restaurant go — especially as Nora, also in Carlton, has just closed its doors permanently. If you don't want to part with Dave Verheul's food, you don't have to — the team's CBD bar Embla is still operating as usual on Russell Street. The Town Mouse's send-off menu will be on offer from February 1 until the first or second week of March. It's priced at $68 (without dessert) or $75 (with dessert) per person for dinner, and $50 per person for Sunday lunch. Find the restaurant at 312 Drummond Street, Carlton and book at thetownmouse.com.au.
Your next road trip through southern New South Wales has gained seven additional stops, all filled with eye-catching pieces of art. Spanning 100 kilometres, and created in response to 2019–20's Black Summer fires, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail now sprawls across the region. It showcases more than 25 giant works by Australian and international artists, all thanks to the team behind Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea. One celebration of sculptures has never been enough for this crew, which also runs another Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe in Western Australia each year. Now, instead of heading west or making a date with Bondi's pop-up pieces of art — with both events only running for a short period each year — art lovers can explore a super-scenic part of the country whenever they like. Officially launched on Thursday, May 5, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a permanent attraction — all dotted along a backroad from Sydney and Canberra to Melbourne. Your specific destinations: the towns of Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba; the hamlet of Tooma; and the Tumbarumba wine region cellar doors at Courabyra Wines, Johansen Wines and Obsession Wines. That's where the 25-plus sculptures now sit in seven specific locations, including a one-kilometre trail-within-the-trail at the Adelong Creek Walk, more along Pioneer Street in Batlow, three stops in Tumbarumba, one at Tooma and some between the latter two spots. You'll also find more at the northern entrances to Batlow and Tumbarumba, welcoming you into both towns. Exactly what you'll spy where is best discovered by driving along the trail yourself — but human-shaped figures, abstract shapes, chimneys, hanging teardrops and more all make appearances along the route. That lineup of pieces hails from impressive art names, too. New South Wales' own Michael Le Grand, Philip Spelman, Harrie Fasher, Stephen King and Elyssa Sykes-Smith are featured, alongside Japanese artists Haruyuki Uchida, Keizo Ushio and Takeshi Tanabe — and Keld Moseholm from Denmark, Milan Kuzica from Czech Republic, and Jennifer Cochrane, Norton Flavel and Ron Gomboc from Western Australia. The list goes on, also spanning eye-catching works by artists from New Zealand, Slovakia and South Africa. The aim, as well as giving tourists plenty to see: helping the communities featured recover after the bushfires, attracting visitors from across Australia and showcasing the region. And it's a fitting year for the Sculpture by the Sea to launch something new, too, given that 2022 marks 25 years since the event first launched at Bondi in 1997. Find the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail along the Snowy Valleys Way in southern New South Wales. For more information, head to the trail's website.
"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free," goes the old song by Ray Henderson, and while Henderson touched on little beauties like flowers that spring and robins that sing, a few more free things have come around since the 1920s, including free food from Chargrill Charlie's. In this case, little did Henderson know that far in the future, you'd be able to grab a free chicken schnitzel roll from Chargrill Charlie's Richmond for one day only. It's all to celebrate the grand opening of the charcoal chook-slinging storefront's fourth Melbourne location, hence the time-limited nature. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chargrill Charlie's (@chargrillcharlies) As such, you'll have to plan ahead to be able to head in-store between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday, November 29. And timeliness is key here, since the store only has 300 of the rolls that it's handing out without price tags. The early bird gets the free lunch, as they probably say. Chargrill Charlie's can be found at 171-173 Swan Street, Richmond. For more information, visit the website.
When your working day is spent kicking around in the heart of the concrete jungle, it can feel like nature and green stuff is in pretty short supply. But you're in for a little reprieve, as the CBD's newest watering hole Bourke Street Green opens its doors, showing off a foliage-filled space that's sure to cure some of those inner-city blues. A greenhouse-inspired bar tucked behind floor-to-ceiling glass, this light-drenched newcomer is working a snappy fit-out by Bates Smart and a locally focused offering from both kitchen and bar. Pull up a sunny spot beneath the retractable roof and watch the Bourke Street buzz pass by as you get acquainted with the almost all-Aussie drinks list. Victorian drinks reign supreme, with beers like 3 Ravens pilsner and the IPA from Hawkers, alongside drops from the likes of the Yarra Valley's Rochford Estate. There's big love for local spirits, too, in cocktails like the Misty Forest, a blend of Tiny Bear gin, lime, cucumber, tonic and smoked applewood. A monthly-changing beer takeover features $10 pints each Thursday (Hawkers is kicking things off for September), plus you'll find wine specials on Mondays and a slew of $12 cocktail specials every hump day. As for the food, expect a seasonal celebration of top Victorian ingredients, across a range of arancini, snacks, cheese boards, pizzas and trapizzino (Roman-style pizza pockets), stuffed with combinations like blue swimmer crab and finger lime hollandaise. After-work punters will appreciate the snacking flights of arancini and mini burgers – settle in for a trio of small bites, paired with three curated brews. And if you're citybound on the weekend, Saturday offers all-you-can-eat feasts for $59 per person, starring 90 minutes of bottomless trapizzinos, beers and spritzes and other cocktails. Stay tuned for a program of food and drink events celebrating homegrown heroes, as well as regular gigs from local DJs and artists. Find Bourke Street Green at 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's open Monday to Friday from 11.30am until late, and on Saturdays from 11am.
Each winter Vivid draws Sydney out of hibernation with a festival of light installations, talks, workshops and performances. Now in its tenth year, the festival is bigger and brighter than ever. From the illumination of major city landmarks to international acts and challenging ideas, there's a lot to pack into the 23 nights. With the help of our friends at YHA Australia, we've put together a rundown to help you navigate the festival. From what to see and do and to where best to eat and drink. [caption id="attachment_670002" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sydney Harbour YHA rooftop[/caption] STAY With so much to see and do during Vivid, you'll want to be close to the action. Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks is the perfect home base; it's just a stone's throw away from the installations in The Rocks and walking distance to Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens. It's also right in the thick of some of the most historic pubs in Sydney. The building combines modern comfort with the heritage of the area — it's set above archaeological remains of colonial Sydney. Choose from private or dorm rooms and head to the rooftop balcony to treat yourself to one of the best views in Sydney. From this bird's eye vantage point, you'll have an uninterrupted view stretching from the Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera House, Customs House and city buildings, all lit up for the festival. Grab a drink and settle in to soak it all up. If you'd prefer to stay a touch further away from the heaving Circular Quay, YHA also has locations in Sydney Central and Railway Square. Here, you'll be in walking distance of Haymarket (and its many dumplings, noodles and 30c cream puffs), Spice Alley and Darling Harbour's stunning light installations. All three YHAs are offering 20-percent-off during Vivid, too. [caption id="attachment_625341" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bodhi Liggett.[/caption] EAT You'll need to keep your energy levels up in order to fit in everything in during the festival. Luckily, there are heaps of great food options around. Start the day with quality coffee and a beautiful, picturesque breakfast at The Grounds of the City. If you're short on time, though, you can grab a cup of joe and a brekkie burger, bowl or muffin from the takeaway window. For lunchtime refuelling, head to La Renaissance Patisserie for house-made pies, baguette sandwiches and pastries. The tree covered courtyard is a sweet little place to retreat from the crowds for a little while. In The Rocks Centre behind Kendall Lane, you'll also find the Fine Food Store serving up sandwiches, salads and winter warmers like soups and stews. When the sun goes down, check out the new Bar Patrón by Rockpool for authentic Mexican eats, margaritas and views of the Vivid lights. Alternatively, head to The Morrison, located between The Rocks and Wynyard, for a mean sirloin steak or the $1 oyster happy hour from 6–7pm each Wednesday. And if you've really got cash to splash and a burning desire for views with some top eats, head to Cafe Sydney. Found above Customs House (which will be covered in a Snugglepot and Cuddlepie light show), this place serves up Australian haute-cuisine with a killer view. The restaurant also has a dedicated vegan menu for those looking for some fine dining that considers their dietaries. For another prime spot with more casual eats, head next door to Gateway — home to Neil Perry's Burger Project, Din Tai Fung, Four Frogs Creperie and Gelato Messina. DRINK The Rocks area is heaving with pubs — in fact, two of them, The Lord Nelson and The Fortune of War, lay claim to being Sydney's oldest. The best way to fit them all in is to head on a pub crawl — starting at The Lord Nelson, making tracks to the potentially haunted Hero of Waterloo, heading up to The Glenmore rooftop for excellent harbour views, passing by The Fortune of War and finishing up at the newly refurbished Orient. If you're after something more sedate and refined, hit Henry Deane, the rooftop bar at Hotel Palisade which boasts incredible views of the harbour and the lights of Vivid. Otherwise, check out Bulletin Place for intricately crafted cocktails, or cosy up at The Doss House, a new underground whisky bar set in an incredible heritage building in The Rocks. [caption id="attachment_624496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan.[/caption] SEE The projections onto the Sydney Opera House have been the crowning glory of the Vivid light display since the festival's inception. This year the sails will feature the work of artist Jonathan Zawada, blending everyday objects with the pictures inspired by the Australian environment. Meanwhile, Skylark makes use of the high rises around Circular Quay, featuring a custom-built laser atop the Harbour Bridge projecting onto buildings in a stunning light show every half hour. The Southern Pylon of the bridge will be lit with Bangarra Dance Company's Dark Emu, melding dance and art and paying homage to the agricultural knowledge of Indigenous Australians. [caption id="attachment_623212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan.[/caption] See bacteria writ large at Beautiful and Dangerous in The Rocks. The work takes you under a neon microscope to explore some of the deadliest diseases facing mankind and what's being done to curb them. While you're in the area, look skyward and see A Little Birdie Told Me — a work depicting the threat to many of our native bird species. The festival of light also makes full use of the glorious Botanic Gardens, with installations dotted throughout. Impressions shows a time-lapse of flora captured from the garden throughout the day, displayed across five huge canvases. Check out The Bloom, a giant metallic flower covered in LED pixels. And hanging in a canopy of trees is Hyperweb, a giant web combining light and soundscape. DO With so many artists and thinkers in town, you might want to extend your stay to fit more in. Top of the ticket is Solange, performing at the Sydney Opera House. Her shows are sold out, but festival organisers recommend checking the website daily for last-minute releases. Also in town are Grammy award-winning singer St Vincent and legendary rapper Ice Cube. There are heaps of local acts to check out too, including No Mono, Middle Kids and Stonefield. For one night only Heaps Gay will host a fabulous, not-to-be-missed fancy dress party, Qweens Ball, at Town Hall. Plus for a change of pace, this year's festival also includes a jazz series for the first time. [caption id="attachment_574541" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bodhi Liggett.[/caption] Vivid Ideas will get your mind bubbling about the big issues. There are talks on everything from building a sustainable future and the threat to democracy to the art of creativity and understanding consciousness. For podcast nerds, the Audiocraft Podcast Festival features a line-up of industry heavyweights in a series of talks and workshops. If you're headed to Vivid this year, YHA is offering 20% off stays for Concrete Playground readers during the festival. The offer applies to all rooms (private and multi-share) at Sydney Harbour YHA, Sydney Central YHA and Railway Square YHA. Use the code VIVID to claim the discount when you book online, valid Sunday to Thursday between Sunday, May 27 and Friday, June 15. More info about the offer and other weekend discounts here. Image: Destination NSW.
There's every chance you've forgotten what a dance floor even looks like but the folks at Untitled Group — the same minds behind Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts and Ability Fest — are here to get you reacquainted. They've just revealed a huge all-Aussie lineup for the 2021–22 edition of live music series For The Love, heading to Wollongong, Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Across three dates, festival staples including Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours and Mallrat will help Australia dust off the cobwebs and rediscover its groove. The local instalment in the party series is due to hit St Kilda's Catani Gardens on Saturday, March 5. The waterfront precinct will be transformed with live sounds from favourites like Running Touch and Allday, along with Telanova, Boo Seeka, George Maple and Ebony Boadu. Punters will also have the opportunity to kick back in style in one of For The Love's VIP lounges, presented by Aussie streetwear label Nana Judy. FOR THE LOVE 2022 LINEUP: Dom Dolla Crooked Colours Mallrat Allday Running Touch Boo Seeka George Maple Telenova Ebony Boadu
Dig out the Thai fisherman pants from the back of your closet, Woodford Folk Festival is back for another year. If you've never been, Woodford is the perfect place to disconnect from the daily grind, become one with nature (read: mud) and check out some of Australians best musicians with a chilled and festive vibe. This year's offering is no exception; the lineup has 'best summer ever' written all over it. Festival mainstays like The Cat Empire and Lior will be back once again. They will also be joined by an A-list crowd of Australian ladies like Kate Miller-Heidke, Bertie Blackman, and Mia Dyson. But the real crowdpleaser will come from The Violent Femmes. Who wouldn't want to listen to 'Blister in the Sun' while dancing in the wilderness in the height of summer? Bliss. Though The Violent Femmes may be a little past their prime, there will also be a bunch of up and coming musicians on stage. Husky and Hiatus Kaiyote will be representing Melbourne talent and The Cairos will be playing to what's basically a home crowd. With over 400 acts jammed into the full program, Woodford is all about discovering new sounds. As well as music, the festival covers visual arts, circus, comedy, vaudeville and dance. Set up camp, let your hair get knotty, and roam the makeshift tarpaulin towns of this super chilled festival. It's time to channel your inner hippy. WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL 2014 LINEUP: Archie Roach Bertie Blackman The Cairos The Cat Empire Christine Anu Darren Middleton (ex-Powderfinger) Del Barber The East Pointers Hiatus Kiayote Husky Jeff Lang Jenn Grant John Smith Kate Miller-Heidke Lau Led Kaapana Lior Matt Anderson Mia Dyson Nahko and Medicine for the People Shooglenifty Sticky Fingers Tiny Ruins The Topp Twins Violent Femmes We Two Thieves Woodford Folk Festival is on from December 27 - January 1. Tickets are on sale now.
Landlocked surfers of Melbourne, rejoice — Australia's first surf park has announced its reopening date. And, if you're looking to catch some waves, it's a whole lot closer to the city than Torquay or the Peninsula. After initially opening back in January this year, then closing in March due to COVID-19, Urbnsurf Melbourne will officially relaunch in Tullamarine, near the airport, just 16-kilometres north of the CBD, on Friday, June 19. The two-hectare space is powering up to 1000 waves per hour — day and night — with the waves coming from an 85-metre pier running down the centre of the lagoon. A series of pistons located on the pier push the water to the left, then to the right, to create the waves. Being ability to create waves means that the park is built for both pros who are looking for steep, barrelling waves and novices looking for a safe place to get their start in the surf. The waves are split into three sections: The Bays (beginner) with gentle rolling waves; The Point (intermediate) with 1-1.5 metre, mid-range turn waves; and The Point (advanced) with steep, long, barrelling waves up to two-metres-high with high-octane turns. At Urbnsurf, founder Andrew Ross predicts most novices will stand on their board within an hour and ride across the green face within two. And not only will you get guaranteed waves — you won't be fighting for them. The park usually holds a maximum of 24 riders in The Bays and 18 on each side of The Point; however, in line with Victoria's current COVID-19 requirements, it'll be limiting numbers to 18 per area. [caption id="attachment_756495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy Urbnsurf and Stu Gibson[/caption] Urbnsurf will also be implementing other changes in response to the coronavirus — such as 1.5-metre social distancing between all surfers, including during surf sessions; keeping The Surf Academy closed, which means there'll be no surf lessons for the time being; and also shutting indoor showers and change rooms. The park will only allow surfing guests in, too, so you won't be able to just head by to watch. And, it'll be suspending sales on spectator passes as well. While the site's Surf Rental store and Lagoon Supply Co will reopen, they'll limit the number of people allowed inside at once, using the four-square-metre rule. Unsurprisingly, all hire surfboards and wetsuits will also be cleaned and sanitised between each use. Find Urbnsurf from Friday, June 19, near Melbourne Airport. It's open from 6am–10pm in summer and 9am–6pm in winter. You can't book in yet for surf sessions and surf lessons, but, if you're keen, keep an eye on the park's website. Images: Courtesy Urbnsurf, Ed Sloane and Stu Gibson.
The flavours of South America are showcased through local produce at this beautiful restaurant and event space on Ryrie Street. The buzzing, dimly lit space — which features deep green banquette seating and artwork-adorned walls — is great for both a vibey date night or a levelled-up lunch. On the menu, you'll find a great selection of small and large sharing dishes, desserts, dessert-style cocktails and digestifs. The drinks program showcases mostly Australian and South American wines, and also has an extensive beer list.
Even if you've never been, Healesville Sanctuary is probably your happy place — it's full of adorable fluffy creatures, protects some of our important native Australian species and is located in a very peaceful part of the world. In news to make your heart swell even more, the sanctuary is hosting its very first Hop Fest on the Melbourne Cup long weekend of November 3–6. The festival will celebrate the standout craft beers and ciders being brewed int the Yarra Valley, with local brewers pouring tastings of their best drops. The whole thing will take place amongst the native flora and fauna with live music happening throughout the weekend. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to meet some of the animals — like hip-clinging koalas — which will be out and about with their keepers. There'll be a menu of street food-style snacks like sticky ribs and pulled pork tacos to help keep you going throughout the day. And, if you've outbeered yourself, head to the Chandon bar where a new classic Champagne cocktail will be poured each day. The zoo opens at 9am and drinks will flow from 11am right through to 4pm. One-day tickets are going for $49, and include all your beer and cider tastings and unlimited pats of the sanctuary's cute creatures. All proceeds will go towards Zoos Victoria's efforts to save the nearly-extinct brush-tailed rock wallaby. Drinking for four days straight has never been for such a good cause.
Across its five seasons to date, Black Mirror has dedicated 22 episodes to imagining dystopian futures — and while it makes for compelling viewing, none of the sci-fi anthology series' predictions are particularly pretty. But, for all of its prognosticating, the Charlie Brooker-created show didn't foresee 2020's chaos. And now we've all endured this hectic year and are about to see it come to an end, the team behind Black Mirror has something to say about it. At some point soon — presumably before 2020 is out — Netflix will drop a new comedy special called Death to 2020, which is made by the Black Mirror crew. Exactly what's in store is being kept a surprise for now, but the show will obviously look back on the year. And, it'll have high-profile help in the form of Samuel L Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Leslie Jones, Diane Morgan, Cristin Milioti and Joe Keery. Netflix has just revealed a teaser trailer for Death to 2020, although that doesn't provide any further info — other than confirming that the Black Mirror team couldn't have made up a year as bleak as this, and that they'll be satirising and savaging the year's developments. That said, Brooker has a history of looking back at events that have just passed, as Newswipe with Charlie Brooker and his end-of-year Wipe specials between 2010–16 have all demonstrated. Brooker and Netflix also love releasing new material over the holiday period with little pre-warning, with interactive Black Mirror special Bandersnatch dropping between Christmas and New Year's Eve back in 2018. So, you might be receiving an extra festive — and grimly funny — present this year. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxR9Zo36rbo&feature=emb_logo Death to 2020 looks set to hit Netflix sometime before 2020 is out — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Top image: Black Mirror.
Queer film festival season is well and truly underway in Australia, but, lucky for Melburnians, the best has arguably been saved until last. Now in its 27th year, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is serving up 135 reasons to head to the cinema from March 16 to 27, with 47 features, 15 documentaries and 73 shorts from 30 countries on the 12-day lineup. The usual festival catch-all — that is, that there's something for everyone — definitely applies. The obligatory appearance of James Franco (not once but twice) does too. So block out the bulk of the month and prepare to spend plenty of time at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Kino Cinemas and Cinema Nova, ideally watching our must-see picks of the program. PULSE An Australian-made queer body-swapping sci-fi fantasy parable about sexuality, youth and disability? We're calling it: Pulse is officially the most interesting-sounding film in the MQFF lineup. It also has a premise worthy of smashing all of the aforementioned words together, with a disabled teenage boy undergoing a strange procedure that places him in the body of an able-bodied woman. It's all in the name of love — what else? — which is how you might feel about the end result. Screening in the high-profile festival centrepiece slot, Pulse also marks the debut of writer/actor Daniel Monks and director Stevie Cruz-Martin, which means it promises on-screen intrigue and off-screen talent galore. I, OLGA HEPNAROVA There's plenty that can be said about I, Olga Hepnarova. It tells a chilling true tale in an immersive, engaging and stylistically interesting way, for starters. Oh, yes it does. Tackling the eponymous 22-year-old's murder spree and eventual execution, it's also far from upbeat viewing — but, even though the Czech effort delves into a stunning real-life crime, it's also perceptive and never sensationalist. Perhaps the strongest thing we can tell you is that, as lead actress Michalina Olszanska draws you into the mind of a loner turned killer in a mesmerising fashion, you won't forget your viewing experience in a hurry. THE INTERVENTION If The Intervention sounds familiar, that's okay. We've been keen for this one for a while. After screening at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, Clea DuVall's directorial debut makes its way to Melbourne with a heap of familiar faces helping her riff on The Big Chill. With DuVall herself, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat, Natasha Lyonne, Melanie Lynskey, Jason Ritter and Ben Schwartz along for the ride, that means a reunion is in the spotlight — and, as the title suggests, the kind of caring confrontation that doesn't always go down too well. If you need any more reasons to watch, and you shouldn't, Sara Quinn from Tegan and Sara provides the score. TAEKWONDO With Taekwondo, two Argentinian talents well-versed in telling screen tales of lust and longing come together. Expect the results to pack a punch. In a film directed by Marco Berger and Martín Farina, sparks fly when the shy Germán accepts an invitation from his taekwondo teammate Fernando to join him on a summer getaway. Fernando's friends make Germán feel like part of the gang, but romance lingers beneath the male bonding — as do plenty of long, yearning looks, as well as a sensitive and intimate drama. A DATE FOR MAD MARY You've seen one wedding-centric flick, you've seen them all, right? That's a line of thinking that's easy to slip into, but Irish bright light A Date for Mad Mary is here to prove otherwise. The titular Mad' Mary McArdle gets out of prison, heads home and gets bundled into being the maid-of-honour at her best friend's wedding, leaving her in need of a companion. A combination of heart and humour makes the finished product stand out, as does a star-making turn by Seána Kerslake. Keen for more MQFF recommendations? The list doesn't stop there. We were excited about King Cobra, Tomcat, Women Who Kill and Out of Iraq when they screened at Sydney's Mardi Gras Film Festival, and eager for AWOL, The Lives of Therese, The Nest, Rara and Out Run at the Brisbane Queer Film Festival. Or, check out Being 17, which is also doing the rounds at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. MQFF screens at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Kino Cinemas and Cinema Nova from March 16 to 27. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
The humble roast chook has plenty of fans across the country, but if you consider yourself a die-hard chicken aficionado, you'll feel like a winner (winner) when ordering your chicken dinner at this St Kilda eatery. Korr Jee Chicken is a casual dining venture from Will Tang (Vue de Monde, Bar Lourinha), a chef formerly specialising in fine dining fare. But at his lively and brightly coloured spot, Tang has set out to transform the picture conjured with the words "chicken shop" — instead showing that casual, quick dining doesn't have to compromise on freshness or care. Actually, the chickens whipped up here may have undergone as much prep than some of the world's finest steaks. According to the restaurant, every roast chicken goes through a 26-hour preparation process where it's brined in a selection of species, before being dry-aged and finally slow-roasted. The end result is a juicy, succulent chook — a far cry from the supermarket bagged chickens mum used to serve at home (which still have their place, of course). You can get your chicken in half ($18) or quarter ($11) servings, or share a whole one ($30) among a group. Or, sure, tackle it yourself. We're not here to judge. Alongside this crowning jewel of the table, diners can order a number of elevated sides, including a coleslaw constructed from freshly sliced cabbage, sauerkraut and charred corn in a house-made dressing ($11), oven-baked crusty garlic loaf ($8) or triple cooked hand-cut chips with house-made aioli ($9). They've even got their own peri peri sauce — a delicious twist on a well-known classic. The eatery may be casual but there's still an extensive beer and wine list, or you can opt for one of their speciality cocktails ($20) like their suze negroni, peach margarita, or a hot toddy to protect from winter's chill. Wednesdays see them slinging $1 wings, and on Fridays, $25 cocktail jugs see in the weekend in style.
If her previous work is anything to go by, then Polly Borland’s Wonky should be a pretty outrageous exhibition. For an artist not many Melbournians would be familiar with, Borland has smashed the international stage with her portraits of famous faces such as Cate Blanchett, Nick Cave, Germaine Greer and Queen Liz II, not to mention that series where she photographed a bunch of dudes dressed as babies. Born in Melbourne but living overseas, the undeniably eccentric Borland often focuses on the psychology of her subjects and the artificiality of the world that exists around them. She’s a big fan of kitsch and it’s an aesthetic that continues to pop up in her work. In this exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Photography, Borland explores different modes and mediums of her practice. She even combines her documentary photography styles with objects found from closed mental health institutions across Victoria. If we’re lucky Nick Cave will be hidden somewhere amongst the rubble... in a blue wig.
Three hours west of Melbourne, the Grampians is one of the country's finest cool-climate wine regions. But rather than leaping in the car to get a taste, it's possible to take a much shorter trip to Bobbie Peels in North Melbourne to sample a glass, thanks to the pub's latest event — Grampians in a Glass. Held across three Wednesday evenings in August from 5–8pm, this fresh take on a traditional wine tasting features interactive cellar door experiences, new releases, exclusive back vintages and premium drops. Plus, the makers themselves will be in the house to answer all your questions. Delving into the lineup, Wednesday, August 6, features wines from Miners Ridge Wines, Best's Wines and SubRosa. The following week, Black & Ginger, Seppelt Wines, Clayfield Wines and Mount Langi Ghiran showcase their wares for your drinking pleasure. Finally, Grampians in a Glass rounds out on Wednesday, August 27, with top-quality vino from Pomonal Estate, Grampians Estate and Mountainside Wines. Spanning household names and family-run favourites, expect non-stop sips complemented by delicious grazing platters. General admission tickets are $35.
Even if you've lived in Melbourne for years, you can always discover new things in nooks and crannies around the city. Blender Lane is the perfect example of one such nook. Housed just off Franklin Street this cramped little alley — even by Melbourne laneway standards — is an epicentre of the city's famous street art scene, and home to this weekly market every Wednesday night. The market was launched by the acclaimed Blender Studios, whose artists have played a vital role in cementing the place of street art in the city’s folklore as well as giving birth to iconic labels like Everfresh. Together with artists' stalls there’s also live music on offer each night, and with the wares on offer ranging from handcrafted wallets to bespoke fashion it's the perfect place to track down a Christmas present for those particularly artsy friends or family members.
Since 2020, fans of cowboy-themed ice cream have had two options: lick your way through a classic ol' Bubble O'Bill on a stick as you've always done, saving the bubblegum nose for last (of course), or tuck into a Bubble O'Bill tub. That's all well, good and tasty, but frozen desserts can't keep a lasso over the fictional, confectionery-based Old West figure — because Bubble O'Bill Easter eggs are now a sweet treat that truly exists. Set to hit the shelves at Woolworths on Wednesday, March 16, the 160-gram chocolate eggs aren't shaped like their namesake, however. They're regular old egg-shaped, but with swirls of strawberry marbling, pieces of caramel and chewy berry pieces mixed into the Chocolatier Australia chocolate. Love the gumball part of Bubble O'Bills? Of course you do. And they're still included in the Easter egg version, with five found inside once you crack open all that chocolate. Turning a beloved Streets ice cream into an Easter egg isn't just the domain of Bubble O'Bill, either. Returning to both Woolies and Coles this year is the Golden Gaytime Easter egg, which sports the same toffee flavour as the frosty dessert and comes coated in Golden Gaytime crumbs. And, it's available now. Yes, Easter is still more than a month away — hitting on Sunday, April 17 in 2022 — but that just means you've got plenty of time to stock up, or to mark the occasion for weeks in advance. Being an adult means eating Bubble O'Bill and Golden Gaytime Easter eggs whenever you like. Find Bubble O'Bill Easter eggs at Woolworths stores from Wednesday, March 16, costing $10 each. Golden Gaytime Easter eggs are available at both Woolies and Coles now.
You might picture gold when the prospect of exploring the Bendigo region comes up, but you'll quickly discover that the city and its surrounding townships are full of contemporary cultural landmarks and unique places to visit. Whether you plan on taking a stroll along the Bendigo Artists Walk or want to pay a visit to the Buda Historic Home and Garden, you'll be happy to know that a host of incredible stays are waiting for you to rest your weary head at the end of the day. From the cutest country cottages to converted halls and glamping homesteads, we've teamed up with Bendigo Regional Tourism to bring you a list of the most distinctive places to stay and use as a launchpad to explore the best cultural hotspots of Bendigo, Castlemaine and beyond. [caption id="attachment_746467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Quarters.[/caption] VISIT BENDIGO ART GALLERY AND STAY IN A 140-YEAR-OLD BENDIGO ICON Since undergoing a stellar facelift in 2014, the Bendigo Art Gallery has emerged as one of Australia's top regional art institutions. Having hosted some world-class contemporary art exhibitions throughout its esteemed history, the gallery's modern design draws in visitors from across Australia. In recent months, they've been coming in droves to gaze upon the showcase of influential fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. After the exhibition closes on November 10, the gallery will welcome works from Gunditjmara/Yorta Yorta artist Joshua Muir — What's on your mind? will run from November 31–March 1, 2020. You can't stay much closer to the Bendigo Gallery than The Residence at Mackenzie Quarters. Mackenzie Quarters was built in 1877 as the deanery for the neighbouring school hall and was referred to as 'The Master's Residence'. It's located in the heart of the arts precinct, and cuts a striking figure, right across the road from the gallery. The residence has been lovingly restored to offer guests modern conveniences across five bedrooms, two bathrooms and multiple entertaining spaces. Come February 2020, there'll also be a sophisticated wine bar in the premise's basement. [caption id="attachment_746487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandhurst Ridge Winery Bed & Breakfast.[/caption] EXPLORE THE GREAT STUPA AND FINISH THE DAY WITH WINE STRAIGHT FROM THE VINEYARD An absolute must-visit when in the region is the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, an enormous Buddhist pagoda. Symbolising the path to enlightenment and providing a calm place to meditate, this (almost) 50-metre tall structure is the largest example of a stupa in the Western world. To continue the calming vibes, head to Sandhurst Ridge Vineyard for a relaxing bed and breakfast experience amid the greenery, or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Balgownie Estate Winery Retreat. Choose from a self-contained cottage with views of Sandhurst's tranquil pond, vineyard and bushland, or one of 15 glamping tents dotted across the Balgownie Estate grounds. There's even a personal outdoor soaker tub on the deck of the safari-style tents on offer. [caption id="attachment_746947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Scout Hall, Harcourt.[/caption] WANDER AROUND CASTLEMAINE ART MUSEUM AND SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE OLD SCOUT HALL Founded in 1913, the Castlemaine Art Museum is one of regional Victoria's most striking cultural landmarks. The museum boasts a delightful art deco design with purpose-built galleries showing everything from historical artefacts to contemporary art, including the 2019 Experimental Print Prize exhibition, which opens December 7 and runs until May 2020. The leafy township of Castlemaine is located within the heart of the Victorian goldfields. It's little wonder this area is a hub for creative types — it's surrounded by quaint little towns and stunning bushland waiting to be explored for inspiration. Earn your explorers badge with a stay in nearby Harcourt at the old Scout Hall, which is complete with a stage for forcing your friends and family to watch you perform. The luxury self-contained apartment retains plenty of its original charm — including soaring ceilings, exposed arch beams and shiny wood floorboards — but has been upgraded so you get all the modern things you need like a nice kitchen and wifi. [caption id="attachment_746297" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.[/caption] CHECK OUT THE BUDA HISTORIC HOME AND SLEEP IN A LUXURY BELL TENT Once the legendary property of prominent Hungarian silversmith Ernest Leviny, today the Buda Historic Home and Garden provides a fully intact glimpse into the past with furniture, artwork and personal belongings remaining much the same as the home's heyday back in the 19th century. A visit to the property is a day well spent, with three acres of heritage garden to explore as well as a gift shop and plant nursery so you can take home a piece of the history. Continue the garden vibes of your getaway at the nearby Big 4 Holiday Park. Stay with us — this isn't your typical caravan park. Set on the edge of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, you can get yourself a luxury bell tent complete with a queen-size bed and exceptionally comfortable linen. You'll be glamping in style on a timber deck, perfect for kicking back with a bottle of vino, looking out to the greenery. [caption id="attachment_746549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fairbank House.[/caption] SPEND THE NIGHT IN A COTTAGE SURROUNDED BY GREENERY AND STOP BY CASCADE ART Set inside a former Gothic Revival church, Cascade Art is a stunning regional cultural landmark that any big city would be grateful to have. Led by long-term Maldon residents Kareen Anchen and Jeff Gardner, the place is more than just an art gallery — it also hosts regular creative launches, artist talks, workshops and pop-up events. It also supports emerging printmakers from across the region. Just across town, you'll find a cute Victorian cottage that's perfect for a weekend getaway. The stylish Fairbank House has plenty of entertaining spaces and lovely country garden vibes but is also conveniently located to explore the rest of Maldon, a picturesque town that has maintained much of its 19th-century architecture in tribute to rich gold rush-era history. [caption id="attachment_746305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pretty Cottage.[/caption] EXPLORE THE CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS FROM HISTORICAL TALBOT Presenting artwork inspired by the wonders of the Central Goldfields, Maryborough's Central Goldfields Art Gallery offers visitors a frequently changing lineup of exhibitions that draw from its vast permanent collection and a range of local creative talent. Home to works by seminal Australian artists such as Dean Bowen, Arthur Boyd and Ray Crooke, the space has everything from landscapes to textile art on display. While in the area, you can also visit Possum Gully Fine Arts Gallery. This bush gallery exhibits a unique collection of works from established Australian artists, covering disciplines including printmaking, painting, drawing, art glass and ceramics. If it's local history and creativity that interests you, the neighbouring town of Talbot is the perfect spot to make your home for the weekend. We found a particularly Pretty Cottage, which was built way back in the 1880s. The fully restored home and its quaint country garden will be all yours during your stay. [caption id="attachment_747414" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Learmonths Place[/caption] STEP INTO HISTORY AT WEDDERBURN'S COACH HOUSE GALLERY THEN ESCAPE TO A FARM For a brief moment in the 1850s, Wedderburn had a significant role in the Victorian gold rush. It only lasted a few years, but the tight-knit community continues to present travellers with a glimpse into the past. The Coach House Gallery and Museum is where to head to see the best work from local artists, while there's also a replica general store that harks back to a time more than a hundred years ago. If you're after a real getaway from city life, there's a 22-acre property on the Loddon River ready to act as your home away from home after a day of exploring Wedderburn and surrounds. Learmonths Place is a fully renovated family farmhouse, where you can breathe fresh country air and enjoy taking in the river views and starry nights. [caption id="attachment_747412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rostrata Country House[/caption] ANTIQUE SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP AND THEN RELAX IN NATURE If you're a lover of knick-knacks and collectables, you may have already known that Inglewood is a must-visit when it comes to searching for antique goods. Wander down Brooke Street and you'll soon discover everything from art, books and French furniture being sold in stores such as Fusspots at Inglewood, Sharps Bazaar and Inglewood Emporium. After all that shopping, you'll need somewhere to rest and rejuvenate, so why not escape to Rostrata Country House. Just a short drive from Inglewood through Tarnagulla (the town of churches), the farm stay lets you enjoy the quiet country life for as long as you like. The fully contained home has space for six, plenty of seating in the gardens, and bikes you can use to explore. To start planning your trip to Bendigo and to discover more cultural happenings in the region (and beyond), head to the Bendigo Regional Tourism website. Top image: Rostrata Country House.
Just seven months in, 2021 has already been a big year for Marvel. Not one, not two, but three streaming series have hit Disney+, and Black Widow is currently both streaming and in cinemas. More silver-screen releases are coming before the year is out, too, courtesy of both Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals. Also big news right now, although it won't actually come to fruition in 2021: a second season of Loki. The third of Marvel's Disney+ series for this year to focus on characters from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, this show about the franchise's favourite trickster instantly stood out from its sibling programs. Having Tom Hiddleston (Avengers: Endgame) step back into the God of Mischief's shoes will do that, of course. With WandaVision, Marvel gave the world a nodding, winking sitcom that morphed into an engaging but still quite standard entry in its ever-growing on-screen realm. With The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it opted for an odd couple action-thriller that hit every mark it needed to, but rarely more. But, across its six-episode first season — which just wrapped up yesterday, Wednesday, July 14 — Loki has proven far more willing to toy with its premise and have fun with its central character. It's now going to do exactly that during a second season as well. News of Loki's second batch of episodes was dropped in the credits for its latest episode, thanks to a stamp that says "Loki will return in season two". That's all the information that's been revealed so far — but if you're a fan of the figure, Hiddleston or both, it's a welcome development. Across its first season, Loki's charms didn't solely radiate from its leading man. He's as charismatically wily as ever (as he's always been in his scene-stealing big-screen appearances in the Thor and Avengers films), but this series has also been helped immensely by its aforementioned playfulness, and also by the great cast surrounding its star. Teaming up duos is obviously currently Marvel's thing, but Loki pairs its eponymous trickster with a time cop played by Owen Wilson (Bliss), gets them palling around in buddy cop-meets-science fiction territory, and also throws in Sophia Di Martino (Yesterday) as a character that's best discovered by watching. The setup: thanks to his previous actions with the Tesseract, Loki finds himself in a bit of trouble. The TVA — that'd be the Time Variance Authority — is on his case, which is where Wilson's Mobius M Mobius comes in. But, that's just where the show starts. Here, viewers came for the usual Hiddleston mischievousness, and stayed for everything this quickly involving series built around him — all while charting what happens when Loki is forced to face the consequences of his past actions. The new season of Loki, whenever it arrives, will join the long list of other upcoming shows that are in the works at Disney+. That includes Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Secret Invasion (about Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury), Iron Heart, Armour Wars, I Am Groot, a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and a series set in Wakanda. Check out the full trailer for Loki's first season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUwwdj6AlBA The first season of Loki is available to stream via Disney+ now. Exactly when the second season will arrive is yet to be announced — we'll update you with more details when they come to hand. Top image: ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Last year, you ate copious amounts of burgers, and to balance it out, bunches and bunches of kale. Your beer got craftier than ever before. You wanted to know more about where your food came from, so you chatted to farmers and ate locally-sourced produce. Instead of extensive menus overloaded with choice, you opted for simpler, cleaner and more expertly-prepared dishes. You kept food trucks doing the rounds. You learnt more about Korean cuisine. And you decided that food tastes better when you share it. So, what's in store for 2015? We're expecting sustainability and seasonality taken to extremes, with hearty broths and micro-seasonal menus; the decline of kale; the rise of roots; veggie-fuelled desserts; cheaper lobster; more restaurant swaps; and epic, multi-sensory dining experiences, thanks to the wonders of neurogastronomy. Here are eight trends to look out for. VEGETABLES IN DESSERTS If only your mama had thought of this when she was struggling to get those Brussels sprouts down your recalcitrant, pint-sized throat. Pretending that vegetables aren't vegetables at all, but actually dessert, is one surefire way to crank up your five-a-day tally. In countries like Vietnam, where beans, lotus root and the like frequently feature in sweet treats, this isn't a new thing. But we're only just getting on the healthy yet tasty dessert bandwagon. Parsnip's been the main contender in Australia so far, thanks to Three Blue Ducks' chocolate with smoked parsnip and Four in Hand's parsnip ice cream with matching chips. RESTAURANT AND BAR SWAPS It seems that chefs and restaurateurs the world over are growing increasingly restless. Rather than keeping their gastronomical discoveries to their local clientele, they're keen to share them across regions and even hemispheres via swaps. Thousands of Melbournians got lucky (or greedy) when Heston Blumenthal announced he'd be bringing his Fat Duck to town, while Denmark's Noma has just opened its doors in Tokyo for a two-month stint. The trend is picking up at bar level too, with the Rook and Black Pearl doing an exchange in May last year. BROTH The more finite the Earth's resources are starting to look, the less we want to waste. In ancient times, when frugality was a necessity rather than an eco-conscious choice, the humble broth was master. Concocted out of animal bones and veggie scraps, it turned mere leftovers into a comfort food feast. Today, broth is the logical extension of our continual move towards sustainable food production. What's more, only Thai restaurants can compete when it comes to names. A restaurant in Melbourne has already jumped on the inevitable: Brothl, while in New York, there’s Brodo. Bring on the broth in 2015. AFFORDABLE LOBSTER After years of exclusivity, the lobster is at last stepping off its high horse and coming down to the street. Heading up the new egalitarian approach in Sydney is Burger Liquor Lobster, which has popped up for summer in both Paddo and Manly, waving $15 lobster rolls and lobster popcorn in front of our seafood-craving faces. The crustacean is getting affordable in London, too, where new trendy hangout Burger and Lobster is selling 2000 lobsters per day across six shopfronts. HATTED CHEFS OPENING CASUAL DINERS This trend, which comes direct from Paris, represents the latest in the growth of premium dining in a casual atmosphere. Hatted chefs are expanding beyond their illustrious premises into bistros, where they're making high-end gastronomy accessible to a mid-range crowd. In late 2013, the team behind the Bentley and the Monopole opened an eatery in Potts Point’s once-bohemian Yellow House. Then, last year, chef Mark Best of Marque brought his cooking to (more of) the people with the opening of Pei Modern in both Sydney and Melbourne. MICROSEASONAL MENUS 'Seasonal produce' and 'paddock-to-plate philosophy’ are the well-established catch-cries of many an Australian eatery. It looks like they’ll be taken even further in 2015 with a trend towards microseasonal menus. These promise fresher and more interesting cuisine than ever before, with dishes changing not with each shift of the earth's axis, but with every passing day. The alterations are ever-so-slight and subtle, and entirely dependent on available ingredients. Sydney’s Q Dining is getting in early. UGLY ROOT VEGGIES Kale's been more ubiquitous than cuts to the arts over the past year or so. But we’re not sure how much longer it's going to fare, given the rise and rise of ugly root vegetables. We're not talking about the good old potato, but its numerous more exotic-sounding and tasting (if not especially good-looking) cousins. As mentioned, parsnips have been sneaking their way into dessert menus, but then there's the likes of celery root and kohlrabi. Sydney's Yellow is already onto it, with a dish made up of beef tartare, kohlrabi, smoked curd and rye featuring on their tasting menu. The good news is that you, too can get started — pick up your own ugly veggies at Harris Farm for half-price. NEUROGASTRONOMY Did you know that on average, a pink strawberry dessert tastes ten percent less sweet on a black plate than it does on a white one? Or that, if you drink a single malt whisky while surrounded by real grass and birdsong, it tastes more herbaceous? Try it, on the other hand, around red lighting and curved furniture and it'll seem sweeter. Starting to get what 'neurogastronomy' means? We now have scientific proof that all of our senses — rather than our tastebuds alone — influence how we perceive flavour. A professor at Oxford University by the name of Charles Spence is obsessed with studying this phenomenon. Spence and a bunch of fellow experts have been developing an intense multisensory dining experience, which combines textures, colours, aromas and temperatures, having previously worked with the likes of Ferran Adrià and Heston Blumenthal. Image credits: Speed Bump Kitchen, jane boles via photopin cc
The warmer months are here, so taking the time to slow down and savour the long days should be close to the top of your agenda. For those looking to do so in style, Jackalope on the Mornington Peninsula is an enviable destination, with a brand-new Ritual Package making getting in the mood for relaxation even easier. Immersed in bold architecture, contemporary art, vine-side dining and curated experiences, trading in your daily stresses for a scenic hinterland retreat is your best decision of the season. Available across two- or three-night stays, the Ritual Package is loaded with signature inclusions and special perks, bound to tempt a city escape in your near future. Upon arrival, guests don't waste any time heading for the pool. Here, you'll be served spritz for two, set against stunning vineyard views. Of course, your design-led room is built to impress, where complimentary mini bar and snacks pair with a curated turn-down service and a daily chef-made in-room breakfast, if you so choose. The package steps things up by including lunch for two in the hatted Rare Hare restaurant, with elegantly presented cuisine harmonising with the panoramic views of LL Vineyard. Meanwhile, guests also receive $100 spa credit and $100 room service credit, ensuring you can tailor your visit with destimulating treatments and estate-made wines delivered straight to your door.
Prince Dining Room's Executive Chef Daniel Cooper is set to host a dining series that will see guest chefs collaborating with the kitchen to serve up exclusive, one-night-only menus. The Mix program kicks off with Jake Nicolson, Executive Chef at Brisbane's Ghanem Group, on Thursday, May 25. Nicolson's past experience boasts stints at The Lake House in Daylesford and Circa — the past iteration of Prince Dining Room. Nicolson and Cooper will serve up a refined, modern Australian five-course menu that pays homage to Nicolson's time at Circa. The set menu runs to the likes of spanner crab tartlet with pine, pollen, Gippsland dairy cream and corn custard Caivar eclair. Guests will find plates of ora king salmon, served with salmon roe buttermilk, and wood-roasted calamari with 'ndjua butter. Wagyu rib fillet is served with smoked bone marrow and flowering garlic, while potato galette is paired with gruyere and chives. Dessert is a white coconut and mango lamington, served alongside black sesame ice-cream. Each course is paired with matching wines, and the $220 ticket price includes the five-course set menu with paired beverages. Images: supplied.
From the adventurous team responsible for Cookie, Boney, The Toff in Town and Revolver Upstairs comes yet another street-transforming venue: The Magic Mountain Saloon, set to open on Wednesday 14 January. Owner Camillo Ippoliti, chef Karen Batson and architect Phillip Schemnitz have rejuvenated a 19th century warehouse on Little Collins Street and magicked it into a one-of-a-kind, saloon-inspired eatery and bar. Drawing on materials salvaged from the renovations, as well as timber, stone and steel, they've reimagined the space, infusing it with a historic yet ethereal feel. The bottom floor maintains a laidback Melbourne warehouse vibe, while a pop-top-style extension on the first floor creates a 1940s, loft-style atmosphere. Archways and balconies afford unusual perspectives on the city — at both street and skyline level. And fashion/art designer Misha Hollenbach (Perks and Mini, PAM) has filled two walls with beautiful murals. Batson brings twelve years of experience to the menu. Combining Thai and Australian sensibilities and flavour profiles, she encourages a casual, fun, tasty approach to eating. Breakfast goodies include freshly squeezed soya bean milk, coconut pikelets and papaya; heart-warming congee and rice soups; steamed eggs and roasted pork belly; and Thai staple Kanom Jeen. Then at lunch and dinner, the woodfired grill is ignited for the turning of classics into Thai-inspired specials and the creation of hearty surprises. Promising morsels include potted duck, spiced pineapple and onion roll; veal scallopini with apple eggplant and turmeric; stir fried kale and crispy pork; pork scratchings, sticky pork and beer batter mussels; and green prawns, cured kingfish and bitter melon, with lemongrass, mint and green chilli. Just as much care is going into the soundtrack as every other element, with Phil Ransom, who's been involved with the team's aforementioned venues, programming both recorded music and a rotating schedule of DJs. "We have always aimed to produce warm, vibrant and convivial spaces," says Schemnitz. "I hope that Magic Mountain Saloon will be a place that people look forward to coming to, whether it be to pause between home and office, to meet friends or lovers, to steal some quiet time from an increasingly hectic world or to go looking for late-night stimulation and excitement. I hope that it will be a place in which people walk through the door and feel better. Our cities need such places. They define us in a way that natural beauty might define other cities." Magic Mountain Saloon, found at 62 Little Collins St, Melbourne, opens on Wednesday, January 14. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 7am-3am (kitchen open till midnight), Friday 7am-3am (kitchen till 1am), Saturday 8am-3am (kitchen till 1am) and Sunday 8am-3am (kitchen till midnight). Image: Michelle Tran.
Deerhunter's Australian tour caps off a stellar year for the Atlanta five-piece — one that's seen the release of their sixth album, Monomania, as well as a stint curating the final All Tomorrow's Parties festival in the UK. Their gig at Melbourne's Hi-Fi Bar is a sideshow from their appearance at the Meredith Music Festival, where they'll be headlining alongside Chic and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Fronted by lead singer Bradfod Cox — a man whose prolific catalogue of solo projects such as Atlas Sound have made him distinctive in his own right — Deerhunter's live shows are charged with a great kind of unstable energy that make this rare Australian show unmissable.
