Beloved Thornbury cake shop Mali Bakes is entering a new era, with owner and pastry chef Patti Chimkire having now released her debut cookbook, Mali Bakes, in October 2025. The book captures everything that has made the brand so loved: vibrant colours, nostalgic details and a sense of fun that runs through every design. Inspired by vintage decorating manuals and Melbourne's creative spirit, it offers a journey through baking and decorating, beginning with simple, flavour-led cakes and progressing to more intricate designs. For Chimkire, the book portrays a milestone that has been several years in the making. Although baking is now her full-time job, it wasn't part of her childhood. She grew up in Bangkok, where street food culture dominated everyday life. "I didn't actually grow up baking," she says. "Most days we were eating out or picking up takeaway. Cooking at home wasn't really part of our routine." The real spark came from long summers spent on her grandparents' farm, where her grandfather loved cooking everything from scratch. "Those summers became this special time where we'd slow down and just cook together," she says. "That's where I fell in love with being in the kitchen." After moving to Melbourne, she studied cookery and patisserie, eventually working across several kitchens before landing at Proud Mary. When COVID paused dine-in service, Chimkire moved to wholesale baking, where she worked independently for the first time. "It gave me the freedom to work at my own pace and explore what I enjoyed most," she says. When lockdowns paused everything again, she found herself baking at home and posting her creations online. "I started with those big chunky cookies, just baking for fun and delivering them around the city," she says. "Then I started making cakes too, and people really connected with them." Five years later, Mali Bakes has become one of Melbourne's most recognisable cake studios. Chimkire's designs are immediately identifiable, built on bold colours, nostalgic shapes and playful piping. Her style began simply, without formal training. "When I started, I didn't have any background in cake decorating, so I just did things my own way," she says. She drew inspiration from old Wilton cake books from the 1950s through the 1970s, along with a childhood love of Wes Anderson films and Japanese anime. "I think that's where my love of colour and slightly quirky details comes from," she says. But the appeal of Mali Bakes extends beyond appearance. Chimkire cares deeply about flavour. "I always bake like the cake is for me," she says. "It has to be something I'd be proud to eat and proud to share." Her Thai background influences her perspective on balance and contrast, often guiding her toward unexpected pairings. One example is her olive oil ricotta cake with blackberry and fennel jam. "Fennel in a cake might sound crazy at first," she says, "but once people try it, they understand. It's unexpected, but it works if you give it a chance." Building Mali Bakes has brought challenges and turning points. Signing her first commercial lease felt particularly challenging. "We didn't have a big budget, but Luke and I poured everything we had into making it happen," she says. They handled most of the renovation work themselves, learning as they went. Slow but steady growth followed, from custom cakes to Saturday slice days and a short-lived Fitzroy pop-up. "Seeing people come in, enjoy what we'd made and share that excitement felt like such a turning point," she says. Now Chimkire runs the kitchen on her own, with Luke working behind the scenes. "Success doesn't always mean getting bigger. Sometimes it's about finding balance and staying true to what works for us." The cookbook extends that philosophy. Chimkire wanted the book to feel approachable even to readers who might be intimidated by vintage-style cakes. "When you see a beautifully decorated retro cake, it can feel a little overwhelming," she says. "That's why the book starts with simpler cakes so that people can build confidence." She describes baking as something similar to painting, a process of building structure and detail. "Once you understand how the parts work together, you can create something truly special." She hopes the book will resonate with everyone, whether they bake frequently or are just starting. "You can make the cakes as they are, or you can try the decorating projects," she says. "My hope is that people can come back to it throughout their baking journey and always find something new." For Chimkire, the release also marks a new beginning. "It feels like a way to give back to the lovely cake community and the retro decorating scene that supported me from the very beginning," she says. Looking ahead, she's excited to continue exploring one-off custom pieces, especially wedding cakes. "Those projects push me creatively and keep me learning all the time," she says. "Right now, that's what I'm most excited about." As Mali Bakes enters this next chapter, the cookbook offers a way for baking (and decorating) enthusiasts to bring its colour, charm and creativity into their own kitchens, one slice at a time. Images: Supplied
Ever since 1922, every movie that's been made about vampires owes a debt to Nosferatu. On the Malthouse Theatre stage in 2023, so does Australia's latest world-premiere theatre production. The Melbourne theatre company is taking inspiration from the cinematic masterpiece in a new drama that shares its name — but, giving the tale an Aussie twist, it's setting its horror story in a Tasmanian mining town. Hailing from writer Keziah Warner, and starring Jacob Collins Levy (The White Princess), this take on Nosferatu heads to a locale that residents are keen to restore, hoping that its glory days can return. To achieve that feat, they embrace a mysterious investor. If you've seen the film, however, you'll now that its central figure always has quite the taste for blood — no matter the other narrative details around him. People disappearing, questions no one wants to ask, getting more than one bargains for: that's how Malthouse's Nosferatu goes from there, as theatre attendees can see during its debut season from Friday, February 10–Sunday, February 16. And yes, Nosferatu has always owed its own debt, too, given that the OG version has quite the similarities to Bram Stoker's Dracula. There's a long story behind that connection between the 1922 film and Stoker's iconic novel, but it all comes down to making an unauthorised adaptation of a popular book. Dracula has inspired a wealth of movies, TV shows and stage productions itself, of course — and Nosferatu has been remade, turned into an opera and more before Malthouse's new production. (Also in the works for cinemas: a new big-screen version by The Northman filmmaker Robert Eggers, reportedly starring Barbarian and IT's Bill Skarsgård.) Malthouse's date with the influential story marks its latest page-to-stage show, after adapting classic Aussie book Looking for Alibrandi in 2022. At present, anyone wanting to see the end result for Nosferatu will need to rush to the Melbourne season — but cross your stake-holding fingers that audiences elsewhere in the country will get to sink their fangs into the production in the future. Check out a trailer for Malthouse's Nosferatu below: Nosferatu's world-premiere season runs from Friday, February 10–Sunday, February 16 at the Merlyn Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, Melbourne. Head to the Malthouse Theatre website for tickets and further details. Top image: Kristian Gehradte.
The crew behind Pilgrim Bar and The Boatbuilder's Yard have kicked open their latest venue with a bang. Located in the old Caulfield Rifle Club building, the fittingly named Bang Bang at the Rifle Club is a cafe, bar and Asian-style eatery all rolled up in one. Open 6am till late, seven days a week, and situated within shooting distance of Elsternwick Station, Bang Bang is the brainchild of the Riverland Group's Richie Ludbrook and Dave Sharry. In turn, they've tapped ex-Longrain chef Matthew Dunbar to craft a menu inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asia. "Travelling through most of Southeast Asia has really simplified my approach to food," said Dunbar in a statement. The stripped-back approach is on display in Bang Bang's selection of bar snacks, which include chargrilled king prawn with lime and roasted shallot, pork scratching with green chilli, lime and spring onion, and crispy chicken ribs with house spice and sriracha. Those after something a little more substantial can opt for one of the large share plates, such as the whole steamed snapper with Chinese cabbage, or the roasted pumpkin curry with cinnamon and kipfler potato. Bang Bang also offers a range of tasty desserts, including sago, coconut and pineapple with chocolate chilli crumble, and black sticky rice with pandan sweet cream, mango and coconut sorbet. The day menu, meanwhile, features a number of delectable breakfast and lunch options, including French toast with grilled banana, passionfruit ice cream, palm sugar caramel and freeze dried berries, a turmeric omelette with bean shoots, prawns and pork; and jasmine rice bowls with satay vegetables, tofu and egg. Finally, we get to the beverages. Bang Bang's coffee comes courtesy of Seven Seeds, and their tea courtesy of Larsen & Thompson. They also offer an array of milkshakes, in chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel and fresh young coconut. As for booze, they've got a variety of wines, beers and ciders and a small but impressive mix of summery cocktails. The basil cucumber smash includes Thai basil and cucumber (duh) along with Plymouth gin, pineapple juice and lime. We're also quite taken with a watermelon-based cocktail kicked with chilli salt and pepper-infused vodka. Appears in: The Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne for 2023
Preston has been on the up for several years now, and as a sign of the times, the recently opened Northside Grocer has the provisions locals need. From fancy jams and pickled goods to epicurean cheeses, this High Street hub has effortlessly slotted into the community in more ways than one. Led by chef Greg Snelders (France-Soir) and his partner Emma Thomson, there's a host of locally produced and imported goods ready to level up your next get-together or at-home feast. Decked out with goods gathered from far and wide, visitors can expect jams from Jam Haus, pickles from Acide, cheeses from Milawa and chilli oil from Six-Eyed Scorpion. Plus, other products go beyond the pantry, from fresh flowers and greeting cards to crunchy sourdough bread ready to be sliced and spread. However, perhaps the main focus of Northside Grocer is its ready-made meals, prepared in-house on the daily by Snelders. While it'd be nice to have the time to toil over each and every meal, life often gets in the way. Instead, Northside Grocer offers a range of gastronomic creations, from Freddy's Lasagne – featuring slow-braised beef bolognese and house-made tomato sugo – to massaman beef curry, chargrilled harissa free-range chicken, and Thai chicken satay skewers. Available in single or family-sized servings, there's no excuse not to eat well. "The community have been so welcoming and so ready for an offering like ours, the feedback has been wonderful and we're so chuffed to now call lots of customers 'regulars' and even friends," says Thomson. Yet these ready-made meals aren't just aimed at Prestonians or even those in the inner north. Northside Grocer delivers to over 450 suburbs across Victoria, with a recently expanded menu supporting Home Care Package (HCP) recipients. That means older people with complex needs can access delicious, carefully produced meals for a fraction of the total cost. With Mother's Day around the corner, Snelders and Thomson are also gearing up with a limited-run hamper filled with gourmet wares. Expect a curated selection of the Grocer's goods presented thoughtfully with a card designed by Melbourne-based artist and gifting aficionado, The Nonsense Maker. You'll also find vibrant blooms from micro flower farm, The Posy Yard, alongside cakes and chocolates from Monsieur Truffe. Northside Grocer is open Tuesday–Friday from 8am–6pm and Saturday from 8am–3pm at 106 High Street, Preston. Head to the website for more information. Images: Caitlin May.
There are no shortcuts to cooking the perfect Texas barbecue, so when approached to launch San Antone by Bludso's BBQ at Crown Melbourne late last year, Kevin Bludso had one condition: it had to be done right. The original Bludso's BBQ is located on Long Beach Boulevard in south central Los Angeles. It might seem like a strange place to go for authentic Texas barbecue, but Bludso's Compton dive — where ribs are served to-go in styrofoam take-out containers — is the only barbecue restaurant to be named by LA Times Pulitzer Prize-winning food journalist Jonathan Gold in his essential restaurants list each year. It's also perhaps the only restaurant to have its brisket likened to a Monet painting by the critic. So how did LA-born and bred Kevin Bludso come to be one of the best Texas barbecuers in the US? As he explains it, it's all about his childhood. "Back in the day, people in LA had migrated from everywhere," Bludso says. "You had Texans plus Mexicans in south central LA; you had Texas barbecue, you had Memphis barbecue, you had Kansas City barbecue." Then, as a nine-year-old boy, Bludso found himself shipped off for the summer to spend time with his grandmother, Willie May Fields, in Corsicana, Texas. "She had this semi-legal, semi-illegal smokehouse — a juke joint, halfway house — where she used to sell barbecue," he says. "And she had a small little room right off the highway, and she used to sell there on weekends." Corsicana was where he earned his chops. And while he "hated it" — working in the smokehouse in almost 50 degree heat, prepping the meat, cleaning greens — the ritual (or the rewards) of the work must have resonated with him. Bludso still uses his late grandmother's smoker today. If barbecue is in the blood in Texas, then the brisket is its heart and soul. It's prepared simply — a dry rub of salt and pepper, then cooked over wood. "Slow and low like a '64 Impala," says Bludso. It's also regional. Memphis barbecue is particularly famous for its use of sauces, and a lot of places in Tennessee don't use wood. It all depends on what's accessible at the time and in the region. Trying, then, to recreate authentic Texas barbecue in a foreign country is no easy feat. But we asked Kevin Bludso for a few tips on doing Texas barbecue in Melbourne. Here's what he divulged. STEP ONE: SELECTING THE WOOD There's a special reverence reserved for pitmasters. Working with wood is difficult, and it's their craft to find that perfect piece that will burn slowly and flavour the meat accordingly. "We use pecan, red oak and apple in the States," says Bludso. "We use apple here, but all the woods were totally different." That's where Noah Galuten comes in. Galuten, a former food writer and Bludso apprentice, is now a pitmaster in his own right. Trying to find the right wood was a long process, Galuten says. "First we were trying out bull-oak — which was the closest oak [to what we use in LA] we could find — but it was burning too bitter. Eventually, we ended up trying ironbark, which turned out pretty well." The issue with most Australian woods is that they burn too quickly and too hot. This might be good if you're hoping to throw a shrimp on the barbie — but in a smoker it catches and gives what Galuten calls a "bitter smoke". At San Antone, the ironbark is rounded out with Australian pecan and apple wood. The result is intoxicating. STEP TWO: CHOOSING THE BRISKET Finding a good brisket has been another challenge Bludso has faced in his Melbourne venture. The brisket — a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest — is essentially made up of two muscles: the flat (the leaner, flatter portion) and the point (the thicker section on the side of the cut). It's important that the cut has the right amount of fat on it too, and Bludso has had to work with a specialist butcher to meet his exact specifications and get the cuts just right. "We don't want no healthy briskets," says Bludso. "We want all our cows with high blood pressure and cholesterol." With fat comes flavour and, according to Bludso, you want at least an inch of fat if possible — especially on the point. On the underside, a little marbling is also important. STEP THREE: KNOWING WHEN IT'S DONE The brisket goes fat-side up into the smoker for anywhere between 12 to 15 hours. But knowing when it's done isn't a science — it's art. "You just know it by feel," says Bludso. "As time goes on you just know by picking it up, how it feels in the hand, poking it. You just know when it's done." Of course, Bludso 'just knows' because he's well practiced in the art of smoking. But as long as the smoker can maintain a consistent temperature — around 115 to 120 degrees celsius — there's no real reason to fuss over it. The fat cap protects the brisket from burning and maintains the moisture in the meat. Once off the smoker, the brisket gets wrapped in butcher's paper to rest before serving. But is it authentic? "Of course, you can't get it exactly as it is [in LA] because it's different, you know?" Bludso says. "I mean, we got holes in the wall where we can get some of our stuff from [in LA] that we just can't get out here. But — like I said — I really feel we got as close to American as our products and locations [allowed us]." If you've got access to a smoker, give this Texas barbecue thing a go. And if you don't, well, you know you can get the real thing at San Antone by Bludso's BBQ. The pit is even modelled on the smoker Bludso grew up cooking with, as used by his granny Willie May Fields.
Disregard Melbourne's inner west at your own cost, because those in the know are well aware that suburbs like Footscray are the new frontier when it comes to great food, culture and shopping. Home to many of Melbourne's most delicious restaurants, small bars and specialty shops, in recent years, the streets have welcomed a host of new small and independent businesses, while there are still plenty of stalwarts thriving more than ever thanks to the area's ever-increasing popularity. To showcase some of the very best independent businesses in Footscray and its surrounds, we've teamed up with American Express to create a guide to shopping small at the much-loved one-person boutiques, corner stores and family-run enterprises. These ten businesses — which will all accept your American Express Card — are just a starting point for the endless experiences that await throughout Footscray and beyond.
We should all be well aware of the vast benefits that recycling brings to us individually, to our communities, and, of course, to the environment, and many of us make an effort to contribute as much as we can to this vital movement. Yet, some more than others have taken this dedication to reusing and recycling to an entirely new level. Artists and architects around the world have, over recent years, come up with ingenious creations made completely from recycled paper and cardboard. Buildings constructed using recycled paper are not only incredibly environmentally friendly but also cheap, lightweight, and easy to assemble. The structures can also be particularly distinguishable and aesthetically pleasing thanks to the creative methods needed to make use of the renewable materials. Here are seven of the most eco-friendly and remarkable structures made entirely from recycled paper. Dratz&Dratz Architekten's Office After passing by a recycling station and being inspired by the unexpected durability and functionality of recycled paper, Ben and Daniel Dratz of Berlin constructed this unique 2045 square foot workspace made from 550 bales of compressed recycled paper. The duo funded the project through a $200,000 grant from Essen's Zollverein School of Management and Design to build this pioneering 'paper house' on the grounds of a former mining complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The duo stacked and designed the building so that it could withstand several days of rain and then dry in the sun. Not only is this a wondrous architectural feat but it is also a mysterious construction with countless scraps of information and hidden secrets embedded deep within its walls. Shigeru Ban's Takatori Catholic Church One of the most famous paper structures from one of the world's most famous paper architects, the Takatori Catholic Church is not only an unfathomable achievement in architectural design, but it is also an incredibly important construction, which helped rebuild the spirit and unity of the Takatori community following the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Paper tubes were used as the structural elements of the rescue base and church — hence its nickname, 'Paper Dome' — and in 2005 these were then transferred to Taiwan to help the victims from the 921 Earthquake before being reused as a place of worship. Mode:lina Architekci's TRIWA Pop-up Store Nine hundred cardboard tubes were required to pull off this distinctive store for the up-market Swedish watch brand TRIWA. Aside from wanting to gain an alternative edge over their competitors, the company wanted low-cost, renewable materials that could quickly and easily be erected and which would increase their global brand awareness. The store is located in Poznan Plaza Shopping Mall in Poznan, Poland and consists of cabinets made from chunky chipboard panels, placed upon stacks of cardboard tubes made from OSB wood panels. Zouk Architect's Paper Tube Office Zouk Architects decided to adopt some eco-friendly methods for the construction of their very own open-plan office. Rather than simply discarding the unwanted moving waste when relocating their office, they decided to take full advantage of the cheap and highly structural materials to create an avant-garde office with a modern and renewable twist. Sumer Erek's Newspaper House In 2007, artist Sumer Erek made a call-out to the people of London to collate the newspapers lying inside their homes and scattered on the streets and add them to his creation, made entirely of 120,000 rolled newspapers. The transformative art- and think-piece is aimed to alter the perceptions of how Londonites, and everyone the world over, view rubbish and the mess we all contribute to. In an attempt to address the growing issue of free papers littering the streets of England, Erek wanted to reinforce the idea of 'reduce, reuse, recycle' and make the public realise that everyone is part of the problem, as well as the solution. Erek's expressive project was revealed in March 2008 and has since toured around England and various parts of Europe. Masahiro Chatani's Origamic Architecture On a slightly smaller scale, Masahiro Chatani's origamic architecture demonstrates the ways reused paper can be (re)used to create amazingly detailed and accurate depictions of famous buildings from around the world. Chatani invented the art of cutting paper simply using a knife to produce complex and beautiful paper structures in 1981 and since then many other artists have taken up the trend and added their own flair to it. Shigeru Ban's Tea House This tea house made entirely from recycled paper is another awe-inspiring creation from the hands of Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, yet with a slightly more commercial edge. Ban wants to send out a message to the world, as many of these architects do, to stress the importance of reusing and recycling in order to save our planet from the heavy burdens we place upon it through the never-ending mounds of waste we continually create. Following true Japanese tradition, this 5-metre-long construction is complete with a table and four chairs as well as a waiting area with a bench — the perfect environmentally friendly location to sit back and enjoy a rejuvenating green tea.
Following a massive five-year renovation, Hotel Sorrento has finally unveiled its completed look. The Mornington Peninsula's uber-cool, world-class boutique resort has expanded its offerings, marking a new benchmark for coastal luxury in Victoria. The pub has been in the hands of the Pitt family since 1981, and across three generations, it has undergone extensive transformations, including this latest multi-phase project. First, the development saw luxury accommodation, a pool, spa and wellness facilities added on to the venue. And now, the final upgrades have been unveiled to include a New York-style Lobby Bar, an openair wellness terrace, conference and event facilities, and several new luxury suites. "The completion of this development isn't just a milestone for us; it redefines what hospitality looks like on the Mornington Peninsula. We grew up in this hotel, and to now see it fully realised as a resort destination that offers world-class hospitality and wellness is something we're incredibly proud of," says Myles Pitt, Director at Hotel Sorrento. The new Lobby bar, designed by Six Degrees Architects, is inspired by globally recognised venues such as The Bowery Hotel in New York. Whether it's an early morning coffee, an afternoon aperitif, or a post-dinner cocktail, the low-lit space is an intimate and sophisticated place to slow down and unwind. The new openair terrace will complement the hotel's existing wellness offering, Marlo Spa. With seaviews, a travertine yoga deck wrapped in lush greenery and sun-soaked, laidback vibes, it'll be a great spot to settle in over summer. "As a family, we are thrilled to provide an offering that reflects what we love — not only spaces for people to connect and celebrate, but also an opportunity to invest in their health and wellbeing. We are passionate about balance, and Hotel Sorrento certainly now provides that," says Marcus Pitt, Director at Hotel Sorrento. Images: Supplied.
Watching Bangarra Dance Theatre light up the stage isn't something that's easily forgotten. Seeing David Gulpilil grace the silver screen falls into that category, too. Australia's pioneering Indigenous dance company and the country's biggest acting legend have something else in common as well: they've both been the subject of excellent documentaries that've hit cinemas in 2021. The first, Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, steps through the titular dance company's formation, history and impact. Of course, it can't recount Bangarra's origins, evolution, aims and achievements without also telling the tale of Stephen, David and Russell Page, who've become its most famous names over the past three decades. The film that results is a potent portrait of an Aussie arts powerhouse, as well as an important history lesson about the factors that gave rise to the company — and that it continues to address through its performances. The second movie, My Name Is Gulpilil, is a rare treasure — because it gives audiences the chance not only to look back at its namesake's now five-decade career (complete with roles in everything from Walkabout and Storm Boy to Goldstone and Cargo), but also to spend time with him as he reflects upon his life and achievements. He tells his story in his own words and, although he celebrates his successes, he doesn't overlook the struggles. Making the film all the more meaningful: the fact that director Molly Reynolds shot it while Gulpilil battled stage-four lung cancer. Thankfully, he's outlasted his initial prognosis, which allowed Reynolds to spend even longer recording his thoughts. Both of these docos have enjoyed their slots on the big screen. Both are exceptional films, too. Now, to celebrate NAIDOC Week, the ABC is both screening and streaming them — so, whether you missed them in cinemas or you'd like to see them again, you'll be able to do so at home, and for free. Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra screens first, airing at 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 6 and hitting ABC iView at the same time. Come Sunday, July 11, My Name Is Gulpilil will do the same. There's your viewing sorted for the week — with the ABC also showing Bangarra's Dubboo: Life of a Songman, and adding a NAIDOC Week collection of films and TV shows to iView as well. Check out the trailers for Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra and My Name Is Gulpilil below: Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra screens on ABC and hits ABC iView on Tuesday, July 6 — and My Name Is Gulpilil does the same on Sunday, July 11. Top image: Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, Daniel Boud.
Your mates have been listening to your 'big idea' for months. It's that passion project you dream all day about or that side hustle that's yet to get off the ground. And yet, somehow, another year has rolled past and you're still waiting for the time to feel 'just right'. Spoiler alert: the timing will never be perfect. Starting your own business can feel daunting and dazzling all at the same time. While you'll find yourself in the driver's seat, calling the shots and running the show, it's not all fame and control. With power comes chasing unpaid invoices, juggling timelines and hoping you're charging enough to cover the bills. So, to see your idea become a (profitable) reality, you have to be prepared. To help with the financial stuff, we've teamed up with Westpac, in celebration of its Presto Smart payment solution, to track down some Australian business owners — and ask for some advice. Read on to learn the biggest business dos and don'ts from three Australian hospo entrepreneurs: head chef and owner of LP's Quality Meats Luke Powell; Lyndon Kubis, co-owner of Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop; and William Edwards, founder of Sydney distillery Archie Rose (which also happens to be one of Westpac's Businesses of the Tomorrow). [caption id="attachment_511979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Archie Rose by Nikki To.[/caption] DO: INVEST IN PEOPLE TO HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS As cheesy as it sounds, people are the backbone of every great business. Seriously. A great barista will keep coffee lovers coming back and a talented sales rep will build a thriving network of distributors and partners. They're the face of your brand and the people you'll be working alongside through thick and thin. Even during your first years of operation, as you're still working out how to be profitable as a business, you should consider ways to invest and give back to your team. This is especially true for Archie Rose's William Edwards. "You may not have the resources to give out big salaries or awesome job perks, but your people are literally the number one asset you'll have," he explains. "They will drive the business to places you would have never thought to go, or could not have gone on your own — so treat them with respect, empower them to lead the areas they are responsible for and acknowledge the contribution they make." [caption id="attachment_664743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LPs Quality Meats via Destination NSW.[/caption] DO: DIVERSIFY YOUR OFFERING You've heard it plenty: "don't put all your eggs in one basket". When kicking off a business, this little phrase is essential. You want to build an offering that is resilient and, most importantly, sustainable. If your heart is set on selling handmade rings, you should consider broadening your focus. Release other accessory ranges; collaborate on a line of monogrammed notebooks. The key is to find multiple ways of generating income, rather than investing everything into one product or service. Powell is a master of this. The meats made at LP's are also supplied to other restaurants across Sydney, which opened up a whole new revenue stream for the business. "We have diversified our business by making smallgoods for other restaurants, cafes and venues," Powell reveals. "We were making them just for ourselves then other people started asking for them. We got a license as a meat processing plant and can now make and sell to anyone." [caption id="attachment_697656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bella Brutta by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DO: TAKE THE LEAP BEFORE YOU'RE READY Still waiting to hit 'publish' on your website? To announce your business on social media? Are you still endlessly searching for the perfect space to house your new operation? Edwards' advice? Just go for it. "I've met so many people with so many good ideas and the talent to make them a reality, but they never did anything because it wasn't the perfect time," Edwards explains. "I'm not saying don't prepare for what you're about to undertake, but there will never be 'a perfect time' — at the end of the day, you just need to start." The business you launch isn't set in stone. While you want to have the practical stuff like budgets and point of sale technology sorted out, your concept, branding and offering will evolve over time. Just take the first step, and the rest will begin to fall into place. [caption id="attachment_724984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Power of LPs Quality Meats by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DON'T: FOLLOW TRENDS AND FORGET TO CRAFT YOUR OWN VISION Remember those jeans you bought in 2002? Yep, the ultra low-rise ones with raw hems that dragged along the floor. Everyone had a pair. And now? It's all skinny jeans and retro flares. Trends come and go, but a truly unique idea sticks. That's why it's key to use innovation as the foundation of your business. "Restaurant trends are constantly changing, but we do try and stay away from them as they are usually not enduring," says Powell. "We try to be as creative as possible while staying true to our brand to keep it fun and fresh for our staff and customers." His biggest tip for fellow entrepreneurs? "Don't do something because it's trendy. Make sure you are doing it because you love it, and play the long game." [caption id="attachment_724988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] William Edwards of Archie Rose by Trent van der Jagt.[/caption] DON'T: AIM TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT FROM DAY ONE Starting a business means making tough calls and hoping you're on the right track. There are going to be plenty of bumps along the way, and striving for perfection isn't going to make the journey any easier. Edwards has some sage words of wisdom on the topic. "One thing I would do differently is to not try to set up everything perfectly for the long term on day one. [For example,] I purchased two 40-foot containers of 750ml bottles for the US market on day one in order to get a better cost per unit...those bottles are still sitting in storage." So what would he do differently? "In some instances, you're better off just perfecting what you need in the short term, and then getting a better understanding of what you're going to need in the long term as you actually operate and grow." [caption id="attachment_712428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Milton Wine Shop.[/caption] DO: KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR CASHFLOW It goes without saying that money is essential to get any business off the ground (and keep it there once it's opened). But when you're caught up in brainstorming, building, hiring staff and making sure everything just keeps moving every day, it can be hard to stay on top of the cash coming in and going out. Lyndon Kubis, who opened Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop with his business partners back in 2014, knows that, when starting a business in hospitality, income doesn't necessarily come before expenses — or vice versa. So, he says, when trying to turn a profit in the long run, it's important to remember that "money in the bank account belongs to a lot of people" — not just you. Utilising new tech can help, too. On a day-to-day level, Kubis uses Presto Smart at point of sale to track and process cashflow. Powell uses Westpac's tools at LP's, too, saying the information it provides has been "insightful and useful" for growing the business. DON'T: BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH THE WORLD When you've invested so much of yourself in your business, it's then a huge leap of faith to announce it to the public. But don't let your apprehensions prevent you from creating buzz for your business. Powell wishes he'd taken the jump much earlier. "I held back on letting people know in case the build was delayed," Powell reveals. "It then took a long time to build momentum." So, start talking about your idea. Show your mates and their mates what you're working on. And in the words of the LP's founder: "get it out there and start building hype." Now that you have the dos and don'ts to get you started, it's time to make the jump. And when it comes time to set up your payment technology, look to Westpac's Presto Smart terminal. It's made for speedy payments, busting queues, removing keying errors and seamlessly connecting to a range of Point of Sales systems, including Kounta, to help you keep track of cashflow. Please note that the above information is intended to be general in nature and should not be relied upon for personal financial use. Request more info and speak to Westpac here. Top images: Luke Powell by Kitti Gould, followed by William Edwards by Trent van der Jagt.
The Flying Duck Hotel's famed beer garden and atrium have been given a new lease on life with an extensive makeover, now complemented by a modern public bar, an open-plan main dining space and a private dining room seating up to 40. The latest incarnation of the much-loved backstreet Prahran pub comes courtesy of the same crew behind Rustica and Hobsons Bay Hotel, with a fresh fit-out from local architect firm Fiona Drago. The 150-plus-year-old building's internal space has been completely opened up and re-energised with earthy hues, brass accents and a generous splash of olive green. Head Chef Ben Pigott (Hobsons Bay Hotel, Supernormal, Cumulus Inc) is behind the revamped gastropub's menu offering, heroing brasserie-style fare brought to life via the kitchen's wood grill. Wood-fired flatbread is matched with black garlic toum and smoked salmon caviar ($14), wood-grilled Shark Bay scallops are elevated with herb butter ($8), and smoky hose-made aioli graces a prawn po boy slider ($12). You'll find many nods to the classic counter meal in plates like the local fish and chips ($27), a cheeseburger ($24) and the dukkah-roasted cauliflower steak with smoked hummus ($22). Deeper in, wood-fired barramundi is paired with warrigal greens and a seaweed butter sauce ($38); a slow-cooked whole lamb shoulder feeds three or four people for $110; and there's a couple of hefty grass-fed options for the steak-lovers. A stack of weekly specials runs from a weekday happy hour slinging $7 schooners and $8 wines (4–6pm), to Monday's $25 steak night, to half-priced oysters and prosecco bumping up the mood each Thursday. Find The Flying Duck Hotel at 67 Bendigo Street, Prahran. It's open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Parker Blain
Over half a century ago in Sydney, Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie formed a band. Soon, they'd add Peter Garrett and Martin Rotsey, and take Midnight Oil as their name. Back then, none of the group could've predicted the fame they'd have and the millions of records they'd sell worldwide — or the fact that a documentary about them will open the 2024 Sydney Film Festival. Making its world premiere, Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line will kick off this year's SFF when it starts its projectors on Wednesday, June 5. Unsurprisingly, the State Theatre screening will be followed by a celebration in Sydney Town Hall — and we all know what'll be on the soundtrack. "We are thrilled to present Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line as the opening film for this year's Sydney Film Festival," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "This documentary not only chronicles the formidable journey of one of Australia's most influential bands but also captures the spirit of an era that reshaped our cultural and political landscapes. It's a fitting tribute to their legacy and a profound reflection on their impact that continues to inspire audiences around the world." Written and directed by Paul Clarke (who also co-helmed fellow documentary Between a Frock and a Hard Place, about the making of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line steps through the band's story from those 70s beginnings onwards. There'll be power. There'll be passion. There'll be a chronicle of a group who gave Australia — and the globe — songs such as 'US Forces', 'Beds Are Burning', 'Blue Sky Mine' and 'Redneck Wonderland'. Audiences can expect live and studio footage that's never been seen before, and interviews that haven't been heard until now as well, covering chats with every band member. Clarke's doco also weaves in The Oils' "sorry" suits at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their outback tour with Warumpi Band and the Exxon protest gig in New York. A major theme: the fact that Midnight Oil stands apart in the country's music history, with the film the product of Clarke following the group for seven years. "With strong management, a tough crew and a sabre-tooth lawyer, bands can often dwell in a kind of mobile Faraday cage — the lightning striking all around, while the musicians remain high and dry in a studio, on a stage or wedged inside a Tarago. Thus it was for Midnight Oil: rarely were we able to focus on the horizon and see the 'big picture', if there was such a thing," said drummer Hirst. "So a film such as The Hardest Line is as much a revelation as a chronicle. Perhaps at last we can frame the last 50 years, make some collective sense of it, wrap it in a box marked 'the luckiest band ever'." SFF 2024 will run until Sunday, June 16, with The Hardest Line joining the lineup alongside the previously announced Bondi Icebergs documentary The Pool, a retrospective paying tribute to Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène, horror classic Hellraiser with a new live score and 15 other already-unveiled flicks. If that's not enough motivation to get you clearing your schedule for 12 days in June, the fest's full program will drop on Wednesday, May 8. [caption id="attachment_938017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Levy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_938016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Levy[/caption] Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information, head to the festival's website — and check back here on Wednesday, May 8 for the full 2024 lineup. Midnight Oil images: Tony Mott, Daniel Boud and Andrzej Liguz.
If summer is your excuse to indulge in as much seafood as humanly possible, then consider Prahran Market your happy place this February. The precinct's dishing up a series of Friday night seafood sessions, featuring ocean-fresh goodies, tunes, games and fizz to match. The Plenty of Fish in the Sea celebrations will take over the beach-themed Market Square every Friday evening throughout the month, headlined by a specialty seafood menu from an array of market vendors. Think, fish tacos and ceviche from A Dingo Ate My Taco, Claw & Tail's cult prawn and lobster rolls, and kingfish tiradito and octopus skewers courtesy of The Que Club. Matching libations include bubbly delights from The Prosecco Van and cocktails served at the Patient Wolf Gin Bar, which you can enjoy in between games of corn hole and quoits. And of course, your seafood feasting will be well-backed by a roster of summer-friendly DJ tunes. Entry is free, though you'll want to register here to secure a spot. [caption id="attachment_839465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carmen Zammit[/caption]
If you've got a thing for bouncy castles and the likes, you're going to feel quite at home tripping through the latest immersive installation from Nottingham's Architects of Air. Famed the world over for their glowing, inflatable 'luminarium' structures, the artists are headed to Narre Warren's Bunjil Place to show off their latest creation, Katena Luminarium. Once you enter the maze of geometric domes and tunnels, all bathed in a swirling colour palette of glowing light, the moniker makes perfect sense. It's named after the catenary curve, which is the shape of a chain suspended, and is inspired by Antoni Gaudi's design for the Sagrada Familia. You'll start your journey through Katena in an airlock chamber, opening into a tunnel of domes filled with over 100 catenary curves. The mind-bending main dome boasts an intricate fine mesh shape, ablaze with over 200 colour highlights, including a vibrant green apex. While you can't actually bounce in it, you can wander through, or simply find a curve, settle in and soak up the supposed calming and energising effects of the ambient space. Katena Luminarium is open from Monday– Friday 10am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday 10am–5pm. Images: Alan Parkinson
No plans for Valentine's Day and no interest in making any? You're in luck. Go about your usual business next Thursday — that is, as far as humanly possible away from red roses, schmultzy songs and pashing pairs — and you could still be in for a nice little surprise. That's because Penguin Random House is planning on helping you to escape — by setting you up with a book, instead of a person. After all, books can't talk back and, if they end up being not what you thought they were, you can always put them back on the shelf. Said books will be dropped in bundles on trains and street libraries all over Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin and Launceston this Valentine's Day. The books will be wrapped in nondescript orange paper so there's no way of knowing if you've picked up a new release or a modern classic. The idea is to do away with pre-conceived ideas, promoted by particular genres, authors and cover art. The publishing house is scattering the books in partnership with Street Libraries Australia, Sydney, and Books on the Rail, which launched in Melbourne in early 2016 and regularly circulates books on Melbourne's public transport. If you find one, take it home and read it — just remember to pop it back on the train when you're done.
The team behind such Melbourne hospitality favourites Welcome to Thornbury, Belles Hot Chicken and Mr Burger clearly aren't afraid of a bit of hard work, having extended the family with the launch of their mammoth, food court-like, app-fuelled, new concept venue, Hightail. Opening its doors within brand new dining precinct Collins Square, this is the 100 Burgers Group's grandest project to date. With a colourful, Technē-designed fit-out, this ambitious joint boasts room for more than 950 people. But it's the food and drink situation that's the real experiment, as the group debuts its new 100 Orders app, allowing punters to skip the queues and order everything straight to their table. On offer are dishes from Mr Burger, Belles Hot Chicken and Super Taco, alongside a 48-strong beer selection, an Aussie-led wine list and signature cocktails — all en route (and paid for) with just a few taps of your finger. They also have big screens playing all the biggest sporting action, and some pretty tidy weekday happy hour deals to tempt the nearby knock-off crowd. Images: Grace Petrou.
Here's something to be thankful for: Thanksgiving isn't an Australian occasion, but Black Friday has made the jump Down Under, bringing sales upon sales with it. Maybe you're getting your Christmas shopping done early, and cheap. Perhaps you're treating yo'self to a major purchase at a discounted price. Or, you could be excited about making travel plans for the year ahead, which is where Virgin Australia's 2024 Black Friday sale comes in. A huge one-million-plus fares are currently up for grabs from the airline, covering both Aussie and international destinations. If somewhere beyond these shores beckons, Bali, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Queenstown are among your options. Within Australia, so does The Whitsundays, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Darwin, Uluru, Hobart and more. Internationally, return deals are on offer. From Sydney, you can get to and from Queenstown from $435, Nadi from $569 and Denpasar from $609. Melburnians can holiday in the same spots from $405, $599 and $589, respectively, while the prices from Brisbane are $515, $589 and $599. Cheap fares from the Sunshine State capital also include hitting up Port Vila from $499 and Apia from $689. One-way domestic fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. As always, that's cheapest route. Other discounted flights include Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast from $109, Brisbane to The Whitsundays from $79, Sydney to Hamilton Island from $115, Melbourne to Darwin from $205, Brisbane to Uluru from $129 and Sydney to Perth from $209. Are you yearning to kick off 2025 with a holiday? Perhaps you're planning an autumn, winter or spring vacation instead? Travel dates span Monday, January 6–Thursday, September 18, 2025, all varying depending on the flights and prices. As normal when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's discounted fares are available until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 or sold out, whichever arrives first. Virgin's 2024 Black Friday sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, December 4 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Last month, we brought you news that Melbourne was set to gain a vibrant new hotel, with the Hannah St Hotel slated to open this summer. Now, it has been announced that The Mullberry Group, one of Melbourne's renowned hospitality collectives, will be responsible for opening five new venues inside the hotel. The 188-room hotel, set to open in Southbank, is the latest ambitious project from Flack Studio. Hotel General Manager Peter Minatsis says, "Hannah St Hotel offers more than just a place to stay — it's an experience that will deliver the best of Melbourne's cultural identity in one exciting destination. From our locally inspired interiors by Flack Studio to the curated art, food, and design collaborations, every detail is curated to reflect the city's creative spirit." The Mulberry Group operates a number of restaurants in Melbourne, including Lilac Wine, Hazel and Dessous. Its founder, Nathan Toleman, brings a wealth of hospitality experience to this latest project, having been instrumental in defining the Melbourne cafe scene through venues such as Top Paddock, Higher Ground and The Kettle Black. With Hannah St, Toleman will realise a long-held dream of bringing hospitality, community and design together in one project. "From a young age, I've been obsessed with hotels — the excitement of checking in, exploring every corner, and discovering the magic of each space. Some of my best memories are tied to hotels: Ett Hem in Stockholm, Chiltern Firehouse in London, and Chateau Marmont in LA," says Toleman. "For me, a hotel represents an escape from the outside world — a place where every detail tells a story. With Hannah St, we wanted to capture that same sense of wonder and excitement, but with a Melbourne heartbeat. A place that feels alive, authentic, and inclusive — not just for travellers, but for locals too." The Mulberry Group will operate five venues at Hannah St, each with a distinct feel and offering. A hole-in-the-wall cafe, Hannah St Coffee, will serve Square One Coffee, baked goods and grab-and-go lunches, and Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar will be an all-day Euro-leaning restaurant for everything from early morning brekkie to late night suppers. There will be no shortage of options for a nightcap with the Terrace Lounge offering rooftop views and cocktails, Bar Hannah serving as a classic lobby bar, and The Carriage Lounge designed for an intimate and elegant pre- or post-dinner beverage. Images: Supplied. Hannah St Hotel is expected to open over the coming summer. If you need a staycation in the meantime, check out the best hotels in Melboure.
Even if you're not loved up, Valentine's Day is an ideal time to lean into some lovely times with your nearest and dearest — or to enjoy some delightful solo time. Although you don't need an excuse to do delightful things, a dedicated day pushes us to make plans and then execute them. Like birthday nights spent disco dancing, gift-giving on December 25 and candlelit meals on anniversaries — all activities that can happen any old day if you so choose. But, in the spirit of luuurve, we've compiled six activities that are optimal for that February 'holiday', whether you've got a lover or not. What's more, you've got the chance to score the funds — $500 to be exact — to bring the date of your choosing to life. Melbourne-based Grinders Coffee Roasters are asking you to share the cheesiest pet name you use for your lover or friend, and the best ones will be rewarded. Each and every day from now until February 14, one person will score the prize. And on that romance-heavy Tuesday? Ten extra people will score the dollars too. Red hot. Itching to go in the running? Get your entry in now, lover. Otherwise, read on. [caption id="attachment_794495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unyoked, Trent and Jessie[/caption] BOOK A NIGHT AWAY WITH YOUR LOVER OR PAL Whether you prefer an escape that's lush or bush, a vacay or staycay, shaking up your routine and spot of slumber is a surefire way to jump-start those good-time vibes. And $500 towards the trip (courtesy of Grinders Coffee Roasters) would be the cherry on top. Off-grid more your thing? Unyoked (pictured above) has tiny homes aplenty, all ready and waiting for you to lose the buzz of the city in your own patch of wilderness. A fire pit, cosy cabin and nothing but the sounds of nature — undeniably romantic. Hankering for a hotel stay? Lock down a roommate (or fly solo), pick a spot to stay (in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney, perhaps?), make a dinner reservation (or peruse the room service menu) and pack a book — staying between the sheets (whether reading or otherwise) is only made better by a turndown service and do-not-disturb tag hanging from the door. [caption id="attachment_825044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nonna's Grocer[/caption] HOST A DINNER PARTY WITH FRIENDS Sharing a meal with people you love is one of life's greatest joys. Delicious bites and excited chatter stretching into the night is always a treat if the setting is your home and there's no closing time. Make it super special by carefully curating the menu and setting the table beautifully — and to achieve this, moody (read: tutti-frutti) candles are a must. If you're looking for more romance, channel the City of Love. Assemble a Parisian-inspired spread, have matches at the ready and the finest bottle of French red wine you can afford (500 big ones are certain to help you here). [caption id="attachment_885773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thatchypoo[/caption] GET UP EARLY AND WATCH THE SUN RISE Fact: collectively, we don't watch enough sunrises. When we do catch one, it's mesmerising. And usually followed by a promise to do it more often, before inevitably succumbing to the sweet embrace of a few extra moments in bed. Well, pledge to start this Valentine's Day soaked in golden light — set your alarm, find the dreamiest spot and make sure to arrive while it's dark so you witness those precious first beams. Afterwards, get yourself a double-shot coffee. Head to your local cafe (one that serves creamy shots of Grinders Coffee Roasters, if you know what's good for you) or plan ahead and grab a bag of beans or grounds online for when you head home — either way, make sure to savour each and every one of your well-earned bright-and-early sips. [caption id="attachment_885772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oleg Breslavtsev[/caption] STAY IN AND PAMPER YOURSELF Face mask, rom-com and eight hours of sleep: that's as self-loving as it gets. While time spent doing this is enjoyable regardless of whether you have a companion or not, true luxury is found in a solo pampering session. Pick a flick — be it When Harry Met Sally, Call Me by Your Name or Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet — decide upon a sheet mask or bubble bath and make your bed with fresh sheets*. A full glass of vino and page-turner works in the same way. Heartbroken? Blast Adele in your living room and scream-sing through an album. Self care, baby. *Trust us, you'll be stoked come the credits. [caption id="attachment_885771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Manchester[/caption] EXPLORE A GALLERY AND THEN TREAT YOURSELF TO AN EXTRA SPECIAL LUNCH Appreciating others' creative expression has the high potential to ignite a flame in your soul. If you're a Sydneysider and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (pictured above) is within your reach, take a jaunt through the staggering Grand Courts, gazing up at works from ages gone by. Brisbanites, a V-Day date is a great opportunity to head to GOMA to check out Air, an exploration of the element that keeps us all breathing (and, technically, loving); and if you're in Adelaide, a visit to Yayoi Kusama's infinitely spotty room at the Art Gallery of South Australia is a must. Melbourne based? A trip to The LUME will see you literally immersed in the artistry of Monet. And if you're in Perth, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is perfectly primed for your visit, with free exhibitions aplenty on throughout February. Afterwards, take yourself to lunch. Somewhere fancy. Order a glass of something lush, carefully consider the menu and bask in your arty arvo. [caption id="attachment_828069" align="alignnone" width="1920"] KoolShooters, Pexels[/caption] PACK A PICNIC AND GET INTO NATURE Sunlight, snacks and endorphins: the recipe for a romantic Valentine's Day (even if you're sans date). Grab some pals, a selection of soft cheeses, a bottle of something sparkly, then stick an icepack on top and get out in nature. You'll feel better (it's been proven), more connected to the earth (and, more than likely, to your company) and be delighting in some lo-fi al fresco dining. True love. Feeling inspired to make February 14 red hot this year? Grinders Coffee Roasters are giving away a $500 Mastercard e-gift card each and every day until Valentine's — so get your entry in, stat. Top image: Alessandro Biascioli
If you like watching Eric Bana (A Sacrifice) trying to solve mysteries, cinemas have been delivering in recent years. First, the Australian actor stepped into Aaron Falk's shoes in the movie adaptation of author Jane Harper's The Dry in 2020. Come 2024, that Aussie hit scored a sequel, with Bana returning as the lead in Force of Nature: The Dry 2. On the small screen, now comes Untamed, which has nothing to do with Harper's Falk novels — but still puts Bana in murder-mystery mode. As the just-dropped trailer for the Netflix limited series illustrates, the show tasks the Chopper, Dirty John, Blueback and Memoir of a Snail star with playing an Investigative Services Branch agent of the US National Parks Service who is looking into a death in Yosemite National Park. If you also enjoy watching whodunnits and detective tales where the person doing the sleuthing is forced to confront their own past in the course of their investigation, that's Untamed across six episodes as well, as viewers will see when it arrives on Netflix on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Bana's Kyle Turner is "looking into this girl who went up El Capitan", he advises at the start of the sneak peek. Before the trailer is out, Sam Neill (The Twelve) as his colleague and chief park ranger Paul Souter is advising "you have to stop beating yourself to death with memories". Skeletons, scratch marks, evil, explosions: they're all a part of the footage for the show so far, as is facing the task of working on a case that spreads across close to a million acres of wilderness. Rosemarie DeWitt (Smile 2), Lily Santiago (La Brea) and Wilson Bethel (Daredevil: Born Again) also feature among the cast, portraying Kyle's remarried ex-wife Jill, Los Angeles police officer Naya Vasquez and former army ranger-turned-park wildlife management officer Shane Maguire, respectively. Bana not only stars but executive produces, with Untamed created by Mark L Smith (Twisters) — in his second new Netflix series of 2025 after American Primeval — and boasting The Pitt's John Wells as another of its executive producers. Check out the trailer for Untamed below: Untamed streams via Netflix from Thursday, July 17, 2025. Images: Ricardo Hubbs / Netflix © 2025.
You probably recall when Peking Duk caused a major stir by hosting a rave at Bunnings. Now the hardware retailer is getting back into the gig game, this time collaborating with Beyond the Valley on a free pre-festival party held from 7.30pm on Saturday, November 22. Featuring headline festival acts Mallrat and DJ Cooper Smith, the timber yard of Bunnings Port Melbourne will be transformed into a live music venue, offering an alcohol-free chance to get caught up in the tunes. Yet there's more to this gig than just viral marketing. Instead, it's a celebration of Melbourne's music community, with proceeds from the sausage sizzle (of course) going towards Support Act — a leading charity guided by the music industry, for the music industry. This pop-up gig also gives music fans the chance to win a luxurious camping experience at BTV. While most will simply score tickets to the sold-out festival, two winners will arrive to an extra bougie campsite ready to level up their New Year's fun. Tickets are available on the Bunnings website and the artist's social channels from 12pm on Wednesday, November 19. Images: Casey Garnsey / Sammy-Jo Lang-Waite.
"I've never been to school, but I can read and write." Penny Penny takes a moment to chat from Limpopo, the northern South African province where he grew up. Born Giyani Kulain in 1962, the cult musician was just four years old when his father passed away; a local doctor who left behind his 25 wives and 68 children. "After that, we started to suffer a lot," Penny says. "I taught myself [literacy], because I suffered so much. In 1968, I started working on a farm, then I worked in a mine, then I went to the village and sold vegetables and then I worked in a restaurant... Everything I've done, I've done it myself." For the 52-year-old dubbed "the next Rodriguez" by Rolling Stone, this independent drive lead him to singing — except that it didn't involve so much arduous autodidacticism. "I never learned to sing," he says. "Singing just happened." In 1994, while working as a cleaner in a Johannesburg music studio, Penny approached producer Joseph Shirimani, who related the meeting in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview. "I said, 'Can you sing?'. [Penny] didn't say yes — he just sang a song for me. And that's when I heard this unusual voice and those melodies." The resulting collaboration led to the recording of the song 'Shaka Bundu'. Its infectious combination of traditional melody, Tsonga disco and contemporary dance pop sold 250,000 copies, turning the odd jobs man into a national star. "'Shaka Bundu' means 'bad guy', trouble," Penny explains. "I had a girlfriend for more than eight years. After I lost my job, she dumped me. And one of my friends, who used to come to my house, he proposed to her. That's where the song comes from, you see." He breaks off the story in favour of singing the chorus down the phone. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Blk2nsFCt8I Several subsequent albums continued to keep the fans dancing in South Africa, but (like the music of Rodriguez) didn't receive much international attention. That was until a few years ago, when a Penny Penny cassette landed on the desk of DJ and Awesome Tapes from Africa blogger Brian Shimkovitz. "It took a bit of time to track down the busy politician, humanitarian and stadium-filling musician," Shimkovitz wrote. But track him down he did, releasing 'Shaka Bundu' worldwide on November 12 last year. "People like it a lot in Africa," Penny says. "Then I find out that they like it in Australia — and that makes me happy. I've seen Australia on television; I've read about it on the news. I never believed that I would come to meet you, on that side. I think I'll kiss the soil when I land there." He's sorry though, that he won't get the chance to meet Yothu Yindi. "I heard that he passed away recently. He is one of my favourite Australian musicians. That song [he starts singing 'Treaty'] was very big in Africa. I though maybe I'd see him one day, but no." Like Yothu Yindi, Penny is an activist. In fact, in 2011 he became an African National Congress (ANC) Council Member — the first African musician to do so. "I just want to give something back to the community," he says. "Politics is fine, but my heartbeat is music." When he plays VIVID as part of Goodgod's Tin Pan Alley, he'll be bringing a ten-piece band along for the ride. "You can expect to see me dancing up there. When I see people on the dance floor — 75,000 people, 90,000 people — if more people want to come, I say let them come! I've been asking myself, 'How to introduce my style of dancing to Australia?' I want to leave the country dancing my style, with my spirit. I want to leave my mark." Penny Penny will headline Good God Small Club's Tin Pan Alley in the Joan Sutherland Theatre on Friday May 30 for Vivid LIVE. He'll be joined by Bart Willoughby of seminal indigenous band No Fixed Address, ever theatrical Royal Headache frontman Shogun flying solo, Melbourne soft rockers Montero and Sydney's indescribable Donny Benét. Head here for more details.
It might be best known as Melbourne's fashion capital, but Chadstone Shopping Centre has upped the ante in its culinary department with its latest culinary offering. Taking over the two-level space most recently home to the Louis Vuitton Time Capsule exhibition, the project is now home to two different dining offerings: a second outpost of restaurant-to-retail concept Calia downstairs and a Chinese yum cha restaurant, Yu Kitchen, above. This next iteration of Calia comes two years after the original launched within Melbourne Emporium, boasting a larger, 120-seat capacity space, complete with retail area, dining space and dedicated section for wine and whisky tastings. Chef Francisco Araya (from Spain's Michelin-starred elBulli and Mugaritz) is plating up a luxurious, yet affordable menu, crafted around quality ingredients that are also available to buy in the adjoining retail space. Expect Japanese-inspired dishes such as chirashi bowls, sushi and sashimi platters, Tasmanian sea urchin bowls, king crab legs and fresh truffle fries, showcasing goodies from the likes of Yarra Valley Caviar, San Pellegrino, Robbins Island Wagyu, LMVH and Bibelot. The multi-faceted space will also play host to a program of interactive masterclasses and events led by renowned chefs. Meanwhile, Yu Kitchen is launching in partnership with Malaysia's famed Ruyi & Lyn restaurant, boasting a crafty pan-Asian menu by Chen Kentaro — chef-owner of Singapore's two Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten and son of Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi. The kitchen is whipping up dishes like foie gras crab roll soup, sweet and sour Kurobuta pork, and roasted chicken stuffed with foie gras, plus there'll be regular masterclasses and banquet events to add to your calendar. The new dining precinct is only part of Chadstone Shopping Centre's plans for the future. The centre is also set to gain a $130 million luxury hotel, called MGallery by Sofitel, which is slated to open in late 2019. Calia and Yu Kitchen are now open at Chadstone Shopping Centre from 9am–5.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am–9pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am–7pm Sunday.
Not content with boasting Nigella Lawson's touch on its culinary program, Vivid Sydney 2025 has enlisted another huge name in the world of food and television: Martha Stewart. The Harbour City's winter festival is bringing the businesswoman and TV personality Down Under for a one-night-only in-conversation session, where she'll take to the stage to chat about her career. On the agenda: discussing everything from her start as a stockbroker, her 101 books and winning Emmys to becoming the first self-made female billionaire — and likely her 2024 Netflix documentary as well. How did Stewart become a globally known name in all things home and hospitality, and in design and TV, too? Expect to take that journey from her first book in 1982, through her Martha Stewart Living days and since with her at the International Convention Centre Sydney on Wednesday, May 28. How has she remained a pop-culture figure for four decades — and relevant as well? That'll also be discussed, so you can probably also expect to hear about her friendship and collaboration with Snoop Dogg, plus her 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover at the age of 81. [caption id="attachment_998032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] "I have made some wonderful memories traveling to Australia over the years, so I am thrilled to return for Vivid Sydney. The conversation will be fun and honest, covering many aspects of my life and career. I'm always looking for inspiration when I travel, so I'm excited to see what Sydney has to offer," said Stewart. "Vivid Sydney is unrivalled in its ability to offer exclusive, unmissable and one-of-a-kind events to visitors. It's incredibly exciting to welcome one of the most-revered and fascinating minds to Sydney. We could not think of a better figure that encapsulates this year's theme of 'dream' more than Martha Stewart," added Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Stewart heads to Vivid Sydney as part of its Global Storyteller series, which has seen Parks and Recreation's Amy Poehler, The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, filmmakers Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Australia singer Troye Sivan get chatting in previous years. Stewart also joins a 2025 Vivid program that already includes Lawson curating the Vivid Sydney Dinners series in Martin Place's lit-up Muru Giligu pedestrian tunnel, Tangerine Dream and Anohni and the Johnsons on the music lineup alongside Sigur Rós performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Portishead's Beth Gibbons , an immersive Stranger Things experience at Luna Park, lighting up Sydney Opera House's sails with work by the late David McDiarmid, Vincent Namatjira taking over the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia's facade and plenty more. If that's not enough to fill the New South Wales capital between Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14, there's also still a few festival announcements to come. [caption id="attachment_998033" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] In Conversation with Martha Stewart takes place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, with tickets on sale on sale at 9.00am AEDT on Friday, April 4 via the festival website. Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
Back in January, you should've already marked your diary for one of the dance-music highlights of 2025: The Warehouse Project making its second trip to Australia. Now, it's time to discover who'll be spinning tunes while you make shapes. Partiboi69, Hector Oaks, X-Coast, Miss Bashful, Carla Martinez: they're all on the just-dropped lineup. If you went to The Warehouse Project's first-ever Australian dates in 2024, then you experienced a slice of history, as this Manchester-born rave-scene mainstay finally made the leap Down Under. The event's Aussie debut clearly went well, hence the return for a second year running. The Warehouse Project is again hitting up Sydney and Melbourne, this time across Thursday, April 24–Friday, April 25. The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Fred again.., Skrillex and Happy Mondays have played it overseas. De La Soul, Aphex Twin, Carl Cox and deadmau5, too. For fans of dance music, and just music fans in general, The Warehouse Project's fame extends far past its UK home. For its second Australian trip, Melbourne's PICA will welcome The Warehouse Project for the second time; however, Sydney's event is taking place at Hordern Pavilion in 2025, after setting up shop at Munro Warehouse in Sydney Olympic Park in 2024. This year's events are one-day affairs in each city, too, rather than two nights apiece as happened last year. This remains a two-city tour, though, so if you're keen on hitting up The Warehouse Project in Australia and you live somewhere other than Sydney or Melbourne, you'll need to plan an interstate trip. The Manchester institution's Aussie debut in 2024 came after initially going international in 2023 in Rotterdam and Antwerp. It was back in 2006 that The Warehouse Project first unleashed its club nights on its birthplace, kicking off in a disused brewery and then moving underneath Manchester's Piccadilly station, in a space that's also been an air-raid shelter — and also to a warehouse that dates back to the 1920s. Now, it calls former railway station Depot Mayfield home when it's on in its home city. "After the incredible success of last year's debut, we're excited to revisit Sydney and Melbourne to build on the magic we created. Once again, we'll be pulling out all the stops in production and bringing a mix of both international and domestic artists to two special venues," said The Warehouse Project Co-Founder Sam Kandel about the event's Aussie comeback. "With the special atmosphere the Australian crowd creates, we know this will be an experience that resonates long after the music stops." The Warehouse Project Australia 2025 Dates Thursday, April 24 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Friday, April 25 — PICA, Melbourne The Warehouse Project Australia 2025 Lineup Partiboi69 Hector Oaks X-Coast Miss Bashful Carla Martinez The Warehouse Project returns to Australia across Thursday, April 24–Friday, April 25, 2025, with general ticket sales from 11am AEDT on Wednesday, February 5. Head to the event's website for further details. Images: Duncographic / Jordan Munns.
Almost three decades since Snoop Dogg released his first single, the rap star's career has evolved in a variety of ways. He's dropped hits like they're hot, collaborated with seemingly everyone in the music industry, and popped up on both the big and small screens. He's also taken on MC duties at wrestling matches, released his own wine and adopted aliases. And, in 2018, he shared his cooking skills with the world. That's when Snoop unveiled his own cookbook, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen. Within its pages, fans can find recipes for everything from 'billionaire's bacon' and 'Bow Wow brownies and ice cream' to, of course, gin and juice. Yes, that means that you can listen to Snoop's tunes while whipping up his dishes and sipping the drink he'll always be synonymous with. Or, thanks to Menulog, you can just order in a feast based on the rapper's favourite meals. Until Friday, July 3, the food delivery service is serving up a Dogg's Diner menu, which is exactly what it sounds like. In collaboration with select restaurants around Australia, it's delivering a number of dishes from From Crook to Cook, helping to satisfy your 'mack & cheese', 'OG chicken and waffles', 'DOGGs in a blanket' and 'Rolls Royce PB-chocolate chip cookies' cravings. In total, nine items are available, with American-style eateries such as Down 'N' Out, Milky Lane and Meet Patty doing the cooking. While all of the aforementioned dishes are rather self-explanatory, they also include fried chicken wings sprinkled with potato chips, plus fries loaded with chunky ground beef chilli and cheese. Different items are available from different restaurants — so, depending on where you live, you mightn't have access to the whole range. And, while you're feasting away with 'What's My Name?' stuck in your head, you can start wondering whether the other '90s rap star turned cookbook author will ever get the same treatment — aka Coolio, who, in 2009, released Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price. For more information about Menulog's Dogg's Diner menu — or to order a dish before Friday, July 3 — head to the Menulog website or app.
The Witcher wasn't Freya Allan's first acting role. But within a mere two years of her debut on-screen credit, she was in a streaming smash. The Netflix series arrived just as Game of Thrones ended, falling into the big wave of fantasy efforts endeavouring to capitalise upon the genre's Westeros-fuelled renewed TV popularity. It did just that, sparking two more seasons that've already aired, a fourth in the works — to be co-led by Liam Hemsworth (Land of Bad), who takes over from Henry Cavill (Argylle) — and both animated and live-action spinoffs. The Witcher also thrust Allan, the show's Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra and one of its three central characters, to fame in a huge way. The English actor isn't done with her time as Ciri yet, but she's now added a new first to her resume: her first lead film part. In fact, Baghead is only her second movie stint, after co-starring in 2021's Gunpowder Milkshake. One thing remains familiar, as it did when she appeared in miniseries The Third Day as well: Allan and the supernatural keep being linked. While that connection isn't purposeful on her part, the two-time Saturn Award-nominee — the accolades handed out by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, with Allan twice in contention for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series — can see why it keeps happening. "I think once you show a certain thing, people go 'oh, she's the girl that can do that'. And it's harder to break out of a certain box," Allan tells Concrete Playground. "But it's always a work in progress." [caption id="attachment_944097" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susie Allnutt, Netflix[/caption] Baghead tasks her with getting otherworldly by talking to the dead in an eerie pub. Iris Lark, Allan's character, inherits the Berlin watering hole when her estranged father Owen (Peter Mullan, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) passes away. She didn't know about the bar's existence otherwise but, as encouraged by a disquieting solicitor (Ned Dennehy, The Peripheral), she's soon signing up to take it over. Inside, the run-down inn offers more than anyone could ever bargain for. In its basement exists an entity that can give patrons quite the deal: for two minutes, it will gift whoever sits in a chair opposite it the chance to spend time with a loved one that they've lost. It boasts Talk to Me vibes, but the premise initially fuelled Alberto Corredor's 2017 short that's also called Baghead. The full-length version is the director's feature debut. At the movie's centre sits two key elements: the "what would you do?" question, as part of its grappling with grief; plus Allan as the twentysomething woman tussling with that very query — which Iris only learns about after the mourning Neil (Jeremy Irvine, Benediction) arrives with cash for his own date with the pub's other inhabitant — and then experiencing the consequences. Taking the horror heroine route to the silver screen is a tried-and-tested path. After Baghead, however, Allan will next hit picture palaces in 2024 in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth film in the latest Planet of the Apes franchise. "Apes for me is my proudest project I've done so far. I just think that everyone involved is just superb at what they do. All the actors, I watched most of the film the other day, and they just killed it. So I feel very proud of it and I'm just excited for people to see it, and I hope that they can appreciate everyone's hard work," Allan advises. We also chatted with Allan about her response to Baghead's setup, what she'd do in the same situation, how she chooses projects, her relationship with horror and taking on her first lead part — and The Witcher, of course. On How Allan Would React If She Was Given the Chance to Talk to the Dead for Two Minutes "I would. Well, I wouldn't in this film, because there's a lot of risk factors involved. But in general, if I could talk to my grandparents, I definitely would. It was two years ago we shot it, but I'm sure we must have had a conversation about it at some point while shooting. I feel like it's the inevitable question." On Allan's Initial Response to Baghead's Premise — and How She Prepared for the Part "My first response as Freya, I was drawn to that element. I think grief is such a topic that everyone can really associate to and has experienced. And so I think that's immediately something that's very easy to connect to, and is such a prevalent part of life. You can't really escape it. So I think that's profound. I just came up with a backstory and made sure I had all the details I needed, and all the questions answered that I needed. And in regards to when she lost her parents, and understanding a bit more about peoples' experience in the foster-care system where she's come from. And having just lots of conversations with people and their experiences around grief as well, even talking to my mum about it, and Alberto and the other cast as well — just having those constant conversations." On the Challenge of Taking on Her First Leading Film Role "It doesn't necessarily feel totally different to The Witcher in terms of the pressure. I think I have the same pressure on every job I do. It never really goes, whether you have a smaller part or a larger part. And also, it very much felt like I was a part of a team with Ruby [Barker, from Bridgerton] and Jeremy, who played Katie [Iris' best friend] and Neil. So, it felt like we were there to support each other." On What Appeals to Allan About New Projects — Including Baghead "It depends. I think I definitely was at a place of still wanting to learn. I mean, I want to learn on every job I do, obviously — it's just a natural part of leaving a job, you always feel like you've learned even more for the next job. I saw this as a great opportunity for that. It was my first lead in a feature and it was a great ground to learn in order to go into other projects with more experience. And I would say from here, I love to do some stuff which is completely stripped back and has no supernatural at all." On Starring in a Horror Movie But Not Being an Obsessive Horror Fan "I feel like it's an inevitability for every actor. You can't really be an actor and not have done a horror film — and actually it's, like I say, a great ground for learning a lot of things, because a lot of it actually does really revolve around physicality and building a heart rate. And you begin to realise how much physicality plays into being an actor. That really helped me for for other things. But no, I'm not immediately a horror fan — I don't know everything about horror films, but I definitely have had great experiences of watching certain horror movies. I really do think that they can be the perfect film for cinema, to go and have a have a real experience with your friends, and be scared and have a snack." [caption id="attachment_944098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susie Allnutt, Netflix[/caption] On Allan's Journey with The Witcher So Far "When I got that role, that was huge for me and it was so exciting. That character is always going to be hold a very dear place in my heart, and I feel very lucky to have specifically played her. I think she really gets to have such an arc throughout the whole show by the end. But obviously, you do begin to want to do new things as well. So I think when it comes to an end, it will be a bittersweet thing of saying goodbye to a character that I'm hugely grateful for, but also being excited to do new things." Baghead opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 22. Read our review.
If all this social isolation has left you keen to kick start some positive lifestyle changes, helping to save the planet seems like a pretty good place to start. After all, there's nothing like being cooped up indoors to inspire a newfound appreciation for blue skies, clean beaches and big, green open spaces. As a whole, Aussies have been gathering some momentum in the war against plastic waste in recent years, embracing bans on single-use plastic bags, swapping out plastic straws for sustainable alternatives and championing the humble reusable coffee cup. But, if you're feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure where to begin your own journey to a waste-free life, we've found a new local read that'll help put you right on track. Penned by ocean-lover and avid enviro-warrior Kate Nelson — aka Plastic Free Mermaid — I Quit Plastics And You Can Too is a practical guide to ditching disposable plastics and living more sustainably. And, given that Nelson broke up with single-use plastics over a decade ago, it's safe to say she's something of a guru on the topic. Whether you're keen to follow her lead completely, or simply want to learn how to live a little lighter, consider this book your new encyclopedia. It's chock full of handy, helpful information, served alongside manageable tips and how-tos aimed at reducing your plastic use, easily. Small, everyday changes can do big things for the environment. You'll discover how to cut down on waste, while shopping, cooking, cleaning and living with a more planet-friendly, plastic-free mindset. And Nelson shares lots of easy-to-implement strategies along the way, with more than 60 recipes to help de-plastic all areas of your life — from bodycare to breakfast. This is one online purchase the oceans will definitely thank you for. You can grab a copy of 'I Quit Plastics And You Can Too' for $26.25 from Booktopia. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Goodwater is Melbourne's rendition of a modern American cocktail bar, drawing inspiration from the vibrant cocktail scenes of cities like Brooklyn, Washington DC and New Orleans. This isn't an American-themed honky tonk. It's a classy cocktail joint with lots of American whiskies — about 200 bottles, including rare bottlings. The bar is the brainchild of a bunch of whiskey fiends and cocktail connoisseurs led by Nathaniel White (Bar Margaux), with drinks communicator and bartender Cara Devine (Bomba), drinks writer and bartender Fred Siggins (Whisky & Alement, Black Pearl and the now closed Kodiak Club), Yao Wong (The Elysian Whisky Bar), bar manager John Hallett (The Everleigh), April Hudson (The Keys), and Kia Rasteh. The American references extend beyond the drinks list and continue through to the menu with peculiar yet delightful versions of po' boys, including a classic shrimp and General Tso's chicken or eggplant. You can also snag southern style fried chicken, buffalo chicken ribs, sherry French onion grilled cheeses, potato salad with bacon bits and deep-fried pickles. Echoing the focus on American whiskey, the cocktail menu at Goodwater showcases inventive concoctions infused with American influences. Noteworthy mentions include the espresso martini on tap (dubbed a 'baby Guinness') and the Frozen champagne Old Fashioned made with whisky from local distiller Starward Whisky.
Carlton's John Curtin Hotel — mostly known as simply The Curtin — is a stalwart in Melbourne's live music scene. It hosts gigs all through the week — international bands (Girlpool and The Libertines have recently graced the stage) fill in the schedule along with Melbourne faves and up-and-comers launching EPs. Plus, there's some great pub grub. Sonny's Fried Chicken & Burgers currently has a residency in the pub's kitchen, matching its loaded gig lineup with an offering of American-style chicken. The signature bird is brined for 24 hours, then pressure fried for a perfectly crisp finish. It's a true connoisseur's menu with a fix for any sort of chicken craving, from a two-piece feed of dark or white meat, to a full bird divvied up into "eight pieces of awesome". There are also more sides than you can poke a drumstick at, including Southern-style classics like smokey slow-cooked beans, a zesty bean salad and creamy mash drenched in house gravy.
If you've enjoyed a visit to the Melbourne Museum in the past decade, chances are you're well acquainted with Wild: Amazing animals in a changing world — that long-running, one-room exhibition filled with an array of taxidermied creatures from across the globe. If not, you'd better hurry and squeeze in a visit while you can, because the popular installation is about to call it a day. After an impressive 11 years, the exhibition is set to close permanently on Tuesday, January 26 to make way for the much-hyped addition of a 67-million-year-old adult triceratops horridus fossil, which will be unveiled in late 2021. Since first launching in 2009, Wild has played host to over 780 preserved animal specimens, offering a striking glimpse at the diversity of our planet's mammal, bird and reptile life. It sparked many people's curiosity, gave others the creeps and even spawned a few unlikely celebrities — like the eccentric-looking, 120-year-old taxidermied giant otter, known affectionately as 'sad otter'. That guy even made it to international meme status. Now-extinct species like the thylacine and pig-footed bandicoot were also among the mix, with some Wild specimens having been in the museum's collection for over one hundred years. Once they're retired from their current post, the animals will be treated to some much-deserved R&R. The museum's conservators will assess the condition of each specimen, making sure that they're properly preserved and protected for a return to display in the future. Wild: Amazing animals in a changing world will wrap up on Tuesday, January 26. Find it at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton — you can book tickets online. Exhibition images: Dianna Snape. Giant otter image: Jon Augier.
A night out doesn't always have to cost half a paycheque. If you pick the right spot, you can get discounts and bonuses as a reward for well-planned reveries. Take The Pass, a mobile app that pays you back for purchases with credit that can be redeemed at partner venues. Which means you can enjoy savings in the long run. The app is free to download, and if you do, you will score $10 credit. Even better, it is running a spend-and-save offer during the month of October. Between Monday and Thursday each week, you can earn a $10 bonus credit when you spend $20 at select venues — which means you could earn up to $50 bonus credit this month. If you need a little inspiration on where to start spending to earn more credit? Here are our top picks. Hotel Esplanade Where better to start than an institute like The Espy? This multi-level St Kilda pub recently got a facelift that took it to new heights. The main feature is Espy Main Bar, a bustling space dedicated to casual eats and drinks, but there's also a low-key neon-lit Louey's Bar & Kitchen. Head upstairs to find Mya Tiger, a Cantonese restaurant and beyond that lies The Ghost of Alfred Felton, a lush cocktail bar dedicated to a late historic regular. There's no shortage of picks for your hard-earned credit here. Food ranges from full-plate pub classics to elegant charcuterie picks in the Main Bar to boozy yumchas at Mya Tiger. Our pick? A cocktail in the Ghost of Alfred Felton, all of which are themed on the menu in accordance with how he lived his extravagant life — as an international voyager, art collector and pharmacist. Garden State Hotel Another multi-level venue, Garden State Hotel, might have fewer years under its hat, but it occupies a space that has seen its fair share of owners and residents. In its current form, Garden State sits hundreds of people, centred around a beer garden that brings a bit of outdoors indoors thanks to greenery and a ficus tree tower. It is, at its core, a pub, but the menu also hosts a mix of produce-focused concoctions that veer a little further off the beaten pub-classic path. There are also two bars located on the premises, the basement space Rose Garden and the intimate Italian-style Tippy Tay. For The Pass users, Garden State Hotel is one of the exclusive vendors for Four Pillars Sticky Carpet Gin. App users who log on and order the spirit in shot or G&T form will get 250 points of credit added to their account. Morris House Once home to one of Melbourne's most beloved comedy clubs, Morris House is a CBD restaurant with it all. It stands as a seasonal-produce-led restaurant with terrace and rooftop bars and a historic basement comedy club that's been drawing crowds for years. The food is in the vein of European share plates in the main venue. But to reap the rewards of The Pass, we'd recommend heading upstairs to the rooftop bar. Described as an inner-city oasis, it's got its fair share of shareplates, too, but the real fun is on the drinks menu. As well as its fair share of classic cocktails, there are the likes of the frozen iced vovo margarita with blue agave tequila, curacao, coconut, lime and raspberry. Richmond Club Hotel If you're looking for a quintessentially Melbourne experience, you should check out the Richmond Club Hotel. Having stood for over a century, this pub is an institution in its own right. Don't be fooled by the historic facade — inside, you'll find a modern kit-out sprawled across three levels, including a beer garden and rooftop bar. The menu sports old-school pub classics with modern Australian fare, ranging from juicy burgers to crispy schnitties and succulent roasts. You can spend your The Pass credit on the wide range of brews on offer, including many from local and regional breweries. But if hops aren't your thing, don't worry — the bar also boasts an impressive wine list and a creative cocktail menu that's sure to please. Studley Park Boathouse Tucked away on the shores of the Yarra, this 160-year-old public boathouse has been in service for some time, but she still packs plenty of new tricks. Divided across three indoor spaces and a large outdoor area, visitors can take in some sunshine and waterfront serenity in front of a cracking meal during breakfast, lunch or dinner. On the food front, tuck into pub feeds and snack plates for lunch and dinner or even a spot of seafood, with local salt and pepper calamari alongside a 500g bucket of prawns. When it comes to using The Pass, ordering on the app during October means you can score an ice-cold Balter Cerveza for $10. The Duke of Wellington This list makes a strong argument that you can actually teach old dogs new tricks because The Duke of Wellington is Melbourne's oldest licensed pub, and you'll find it on The Pass all the same. The 160+-year-old two-storey city pub offers everything you need from your local, be it a hearty roast beef roll or a lighter serving of gin-cured salmon. The drinks menu is appropriately lengthy, with many brews available on tap and a good selection of wines across the spectrum. Cocktails are well-regarded at The Duke, so a great pick for The Pass would be a house specialty, such as the lemon meringue with vanilla vodka, Frangelico, Licor 43, lemon and sugar. Yarra Botanica Also found on the banks of the Yarra but closer to the heart of town than Studley Park, this floating bar is an exceedingly scenic spot that not only boasts multimillion-dollar views but also heroes Victorian produce and talent whenever possible. Take the pizzas. All use Aussie stoneground flour, Mount Zero pink river salt, cheese from Amore Cheese and locally sourced meats and veggies. Drinks are varied and crafty, with standout picks for The Pass users once again being cocktails. We'd recommend the Spiced Gin Bramble with Four Pillars Spiced Negroni gin, Marionette Mure, blackberry jam, honey and cinnamon. It puts credit back in your account and a dollar for every sale to protect the Yarra. Harlow Formerly The Great Britain Hotel, Harlow took the Church Street space and revamped it into an approachable, all-occasion kind of venue with a ground-floor bar and dining space, a sprawling beer garden and a basement bar. With room for 250, the dog-friendly courtyard comes decked out in festoon lighting and lively street art, with a separate entrance for those with four-legged mates in tow. The menu requires more than an empty stomach. You're bound to have a hard time choosing between heirloom schnitties, carbonara croquettes, tuna poke bowls and okonomiyaki burgers. You guessed it, keep The Pass ready, an ideal source of funds for an extra side or a cheeky cocktail like the Japanese Slipper with Midori, Cointreau, lemon and cherry. For more information on any of these venues, download The Pass app to start exploring and claim exclusive rewards across these venues.
Drive 90 minutes northwest of the city, and you'll find the suitably-named town of Hepburn Springs, home to Australia's largest and oldest concentration of rejuvenating mineral springs. Since 1895, Australians have been travelling here to immerse themselves in the rich, remedial waters. But, to properly experience what the area has to offer, your best bet is to head to the historic and luxurious Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Amble through this beautifully-restored bathhouse, built back in 1895. Ranging from 33–40 degrees, guests can wander through underwater spa couches, hydrotherapy pods, a mineral hammam, an aroma steam room and several kinds of pools, including one for salt therapy and another for outdoor bathing. There's a strong connection to nature and the outdoors throughout this dreamy spa, with all pools carefully constructed so the surrounding native bushland is visible everywhere. Plus, there's a pavilion cafe that has been serving up goodies to visitors since 1908 (the Devonshire Tea and scones is highly recommended). The original, heritage-listed bathhouse is now home to a day spa with private mineral baths, steam therapies and massage options. Once you've bathed, try drinking the water: four different springs are dotted around Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve along a gentle 30-minute loop. You can also extend your stay by booking into one of the newly-renovated wellness villas, a private sanctuary overlooking the surrounding bushland complete with plush furniture, oversized marble spa bath, king bed, yoga mats with guided videos and an indulgent fireplace. Updated July, 2023. Images: supplied.
As a staple of New Zealand's food scene for more than a decade, Botswana Butchery finally crossed the ditch last year, choosing Sydney's Martin Place as the location of its first Aussie restaurant. Now, having thoroughly impressed our northern mates with its luxe meat-focused offering, the concept is gearing up for a Melbourne debut. Botswana Butchery will unveil its new three-level Flinders Lane restaurant on Tuesday, May 24, giving locals a taste of the brand's signature swanky styling and expansive menu celebrating premium meat and seafood. [caption id="attachment_853148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Anna Kucera[/caption] With room for 300 punters, the space has a similar look to its siblings, though the Charlotte Spary-designed interiors are also informed by their Melbourne setting. It's a handsome fitout featuring marble-topped counters, sunken dining areas and sumptuous booth seating, as well as two openair terraces. Centrepiece of the ground floor, the kitchen is using a woodfired grill to celebrate a generous array of quality Aussie meat, while premium seafood and artisan charcuterie are heroed via a dedicated raw and cured bar. Ocean-fresh bites might include the likes of torched hiramasa kingfish with eggplant relish and burnt orange dressing; the snapper ceviche is finished with tiger's milk; and Alaskan crab leg is piled into a milk bun with remoulade and iceberg lettuce. There's a caviar service, too, or you can get your charcuterie kicks with options like wagyu bresaola and the house chicken paté. Meat-lovers will find no less than 14 steak — and lamb — cuts sourced from across Victoria and beyond, topping out with the 1.6-kilogram Rangers Valley Tomahawk for $320. Elsewhere, venison tartare is elevated with Tasmanian wasabi; roasted blue eye is matched with a mussel saffron butter; and a Berkshire pork chop stars grilled figs and fennel pollen. There's also a fitting ode to a New Zealand classic in the whitebait fritters. More tough decisions await you over on the 1000-strong wine list, which champions Australian and New Zealand drops, and in the upstairs bar, with its expansive offering of cocktails, top-shelf tipples and rare spirits. Find Botswana Butchery Melbourne at the corner of Flinders Lane and Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD from May 24, with entrances on Flinders Lane and via Collins Place. It'll open from 11am–late, Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Botswana Butchery Sydney
First, we farewelled Biggie Smalls' Windsor outpost, as owner-chef Shane Delia transformed his contemporary Chapel Street kebab store into a sleek wine bar called Maha East. Now, it's time for the venue's long-running Collingwood sibling to have a shakeup of its own. Biggie Smalls' Smith Street store will be reborn as cocktail-focused meze bar, Maha Bar. It's out with the fried chicken and hip hop, and in with clever cocktails and modern Middle Eastern plates for this new northside venture slated to open its doors in February. We're told to expect a Melbourne twist on the meze bar concept, with flavours and approaches echoing those at Delia's acclaimed CBD restaurant Maha, but served with a slightly more casual edge. Studio Y is overhauling the space in a vision of moody lighting, timber panelling and soft curves, with a stretch of banquettes and a long bar ringed by front-row seats. On the walls, you'll spy pieces from Lebanese French artist Raphaelle Macaron. [caption id="attachment_568892" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The now-closed Collingwood Biggie Smalls[/caption] The honed booze focus means Maha Bar's drinks offering will be an extensive one, headlined by a series of signature cocktails paying homage to the flavours of the Middle East. A broad wine menu will favour organic and biodynamic drops from both near and far, while a range of infused araks and rakis are sure to also get a solid workout. From the kitchen, a seasonal menu stars a diverse spread of large meze plates as well as smaller snacks best enjoyed with a drink in hand. And, in the spirit of the generous Maltese hospitality Delia grew up with, Maha Bar will even be dishing up a few cheeky freebies each week. Head in between 3–5pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and you'll be treated to a selection of complimentary bar snacks to enjoy with your weekend libations. Once the Collingwood store's transformation is complete, Delia's food truck will be the only remaining Biggie Smalls operation. You can catch it at major events, as well as at private catering gigs. Find Maha Bar at 86 Smith Street, Collingwood from February 20. It'll open daily for dinner from 5pm, and for lunch on Friday to Sunday from 11.30am. Biggie Smalls Collingwood is now closed. Top images: Renders of Maha Bar
St Kilda's Local Taphouse is a Carlisle Street institution and must-visit location for draught lovers — its 19 rotating taps go through more than 400 different beers a year. And it's no surprise, considering its owners are Stomping Ground Brewing Co.'s Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone, who are also the creators of the GABS craft beer festival. Whatever it's tapping, there's no better place to enjoy it than by the outdoor log fire, which warms up the Taphouse's spacious rooftop beer garden in winter. There's also a second indoor fireplace downstairs for when the weather turns sour. And, to top it off, regular comedy nights and plenty of top-notch pub eats are also on the docket at this European-style tavern. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
Summer in Australia means sandy feet, mangos, and a speaker permanently in your beach bag playing the music that will soundtrack the season. But, did you know that just 8.4 percent of the music we consume as Aussies is actually Australian? Thelma Plum, Keli Holiday, G Flip, Ben Lee, Gordi and whole host of Australian musicians are asking us to Ausify our algorithms this month. Why? Because the more we play Aussie music the more momentum it gets. More gigs, more music. More stories that represent the rich fabric of what makes up Australia being told. Whether you're watching a summer storm roll in, dipping in and out of the surf, or manning the BBQ, here's some inspiration to Ausify your playlists this AusMusic month. Prefer your music live? Aussie artists are always touring. This month, you can catch Josh Pyke, The Reubens, Thelma Plum and more across the country. A Summer Walk View this post on Instagram A post shared by K I T A (@kitaalexander) With the smell of jasmine in the air and the sun on your skin, nothing beats a headphones-in walk by the Harbour Bridge or through your local neighbourhood. Try Ausifying your walking playlist with Ocean Alley for the perfect summer soundtrack with sun-soaked guitar and hypnotic vocals. For the times your walk needs heavy-hitting lyrics and a lot of feelings, add some Kita Alexander to your walk. Or, when you need more of a strut than a walk, press play on some Jessica Mauboy. A Boogie with Friends View this post on Instagram A post shared by keli holiday (@keliholiday) There are so many Aussie artists begging to soundtrack your summer dance parties. Keli Holiday's 'Dancing2' is shaping up to be the song of the summer and is an absolute joy to dance to, especially around the people you love the most. For something new, check out Ninajirachi. She has quickly gone from triple j Unearthed High finalist to an absolute night out playlist staple with a nostalgic EDM sound. For infectious beats that feel like they are made to be played on a balmy summer night, put on some Electric Fields. Watching a Storm Roll In View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyond Productions (@beyondproductions.tv) An Australian summer isn't complete without an afternoon or two spent watching a storm roll in as the day's humidity finally snaps away. This calls for comforting, nostalgic and somehow thrilling tunes. Take Midnight Oil for example with their classic rock vibe perfect for watching a summer storm. Or blast some King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard for an anticipatory sound that somehow pairs perfectly with the impending approach of those telltale dark clouds. If you're looking to self-soothe and find comfort, Josh Pyke has the perfect ambient vibe to pair with claps of thunder and drops of rain. Road Trips View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thelma Plum (@thelmaplum) A road trip over summer is an Australian right of passage. Whether it's travelling to see family, chasing a waterfall on a scorching day, or driving to the coast to race through hot sand and dive into the sea, road trips feel like a summer non-negotiable. Missy Higgins 'Scar' is an essential accompaniment for watching the scenery pass by. Then, for those drives when you need poignant lyrics to scream along to, or maybe a boost of hometown nostalgia, Thelma Plum's music is road trip certified. Then, for something that will get the whole car going like a shot of espresso, hit play on Amyl and the Sniffers. Beach Day View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baker Boy (@dabakerboy) Nothing feels as good as that first beach day of the summer when the country slowly defrosts. A parmy at a surf club, sunscreen on your skin, and Aussie music playing on your speaker: the perfect day, really. For that welcome to summer feeling, Baker Boy makes the best feel-good, high-energy music to blast as the mercury rises. If you're spending a chill, surfy day by the water Xavier Rudd's music is the natural choice. But, if your beach days are more high-energy check out G Flip for big vocals and punchy beats. This summer, make it your mission to explore Aussie music. The more you explore, the more it gives back. Find out more at the Ausify website.
Time for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Don't settle for an experience that might better be described as "once-in-a-while." Fortunately, there's no such problem when it comes to Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand. Delivered in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences, this ultra-luxe 17-night itinerary spans Singapore, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Greece, Morocco and London, departing Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and shaped for those seeking a truly unparalleled escape. Flying on a private VIP airliner customised for luxury travel, up to 58 passengers will relish an epicurean experience, with an in-flight chef serving gourmet cuisine alongside curated wines and spirits. Meanwhile, the trip is taken to the next level with seamless transfers, private airport access, luggage concierge and personalised gifts. Throughout the itinerary, a 17-member service team will oversee every detail, no matter how small. Oh, and a professional photographer and videographer will be on hand to document every leg of the journey. With non-stop highlights over three weeks, this exclusive experience begins in Singapore with a two-night stay overlooking Marina Bay. Expect sunset cocktails on the roof and a welcome celebration perched above the waterfront. Then, this trip is bound for Jaipur, India, where guests will stay amid palatial splendour in Rajasthan before taking VIP excursions to iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort and the City Palace. Africa awaits next, with guests headed to Kigali, Rwanda, for a two-night visit. Staying at the newly opened Mövenpick Kigali, guests are welcomed with a private reception hosted by President Kagame (yes, really). The following day, climb into a helicopter to soar above the Virunga Mountains, then trek through Volcanoes National Park to catch a glimpse of local gorilla populations. The wildlife experience continues in Kenya, where guests sleep in luxury safari tents as they embark on thrilling Big Five game drives between sunrise hot-air balloon flights and champagne breakfasts served deep in remote plains. Trading in dry and dusty conditions for Aegean coastal bliss, the journey soon touches down in Santorini, Greece, with guests relishing the Oia cliffside. Soak up a sunset sailing adventure, then sip on rare Assyrtiko vintages native to the region. Onwards to Marrakech, Morocco, guests will head into the medina for some local shopping, with time to spare unwinding in a traditional hammam. Rounding out this extravagant adventure is a final stop in London, with guests delighting in the world's first super boutique hotel — The Londoner. So, what does it cost to experience this genuinely once-in-a-lifetime holiday? Just a cool $133,500 USD per person. Sure, that's not the kind of money most of us can find down the back of the couch. But if you're a high-flying traveller with the means to make it happen, look no further for the vacation of your dreams. "Our mission has always been to connect travellers with the world's most remarkable independent hotels and destinations in ways that are both unforgettable and transformative," says Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts takes place from Tuesday, October 6—Friday, October 23, 2026. Head to the website for more information.
Mark Twain once said: "Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough." This seems to be true of Starward Whisky who, after six years distilling out of a former aeroplane maintenance hangar in Essendon Fields, have packed up shop and moved to a warehouse in Port Melbourne. Their new home — which is close to four times the size of their previous distillery — has allowed founder David Vitale and his New World Distillery to bring in new equipment from Europe and amp up the production of his award-winning amber spirit. Working with Australian barley, old wine barrels and Melbourne's four-seasons-in-one-day climate has paid off for the passionate team of distillers. Last year they received the Best Craft Distiller Whisky prize and Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Global Spirits Competition. Considering that a few short decades ago Australian whisky was basically unheard of, this is a pretty remarkable turnaround. The venue is a working distillery and is only open on the weekends to the general public. With a comfy tasting room and large open bar, it's little wonder that crowds of weekend whisky lovers have already begun pouring in. The bar, which, due to its colossal size could have felt quite cavernous and impersonal, has been designed with lots care to make the space approachable and friendly. A large indoor tree takes pride of place, while raw and polished timber, shiny bronze distilling equipment and an impressive bottle display behind the bar bring the space to life. Try some Starward, neat, or get the bartender to whip up a whisky cocktail with it. They also do cheese and charcuterie boards, and there is even space for food trucks should the right event come up. Ever wondered how whisky is made and why it tastes so damn good? Public tours of the distillery are held at 7pm on Fridays and 2pm over weekends. The tour is designed for both whisky enthusiasts and beginners alike — over the course of an hour, the distillers walk small groups through their production methods including mashing in, fermentation, distillation and ageing their special single malt spirit. Tours can be booked online for a cheeky $10 per person.
Miranda July is many things. She is a writer, filmmaker, actor, artist, app maker, and bona fide A-grade nutcase, and now a fashion designer. Teaming up with outlandish leather specialists Welcome Companions, this queen of quirk has created something pretty unique. 'The Miranda' is a specialty item that's been touted as a "millenial survival kit"; an all-purpose bag for the modern manic pixie dream girl. While it appears relatively normal from the exterior, this bag really comes alive on the inside. It boasts somewhat regular compartments for things like emergency cash, bobby pins and medication, but it also asks you to carry a USB drive of "ultra top secret projects", a tiny security blanket and a singular almond "in case of low blood sugar". In place of business cards, the owner of The Miranda carries around offbeat calling cards about theft and personal lubricant. Unsurprisingly, the inspiration for the bag came from July herself. After agreeing to collaborate on the project, July approached designer Laurel Conseulo Broughton with fistfuls of miscellaneous junk. "These are the things I always have with me," she said. The project grew quickly from there. Retailing for $1725, The Miranda is hardly something to be picked up on a whim. Half fashion and half wearable art, the bag is a bit of a collector's item; a definite budgetary stretch for July's usual rung of doe-eyed twentysomething admirers. Regardless, a girl can dream. This thing strikes the perfect balance between functional and neurotic. We can't help but want one. Via PSFK and New York Times.
It was the year 2002 when Bubble Cup first opened in Melbourne, popularising the milky, boba-studded beverages we've come to know as "bubble tea". First created in Taiwan about twenty years prior, boba or bubble tea — typically made from sweet milk tea and chewy tapioca pearls — wasn't quite an overnight sensation. But these days, it's a household term that Australians of all ages and demographics are at least familiar with, if not regularly consuming. Today, bubble tea has become a catch-all term for sweet, takeaway tea-based drinks. But according to Orlando Sanpo, brand manager and head of marketing for Molly Tea Australia — one of China's biggest tea exports — this was just the first ripple in a much larger wave. The landscape has come a long way since the days of Bubble Cup, with new variations, many from mainland China, redefining what takeaway tea can be. "They get offended if you call them bubble tea," Sanpo says of the latest entrants, many of which don't offer tapioca pearls at all. "Now it's real tea, and they actually tell you, 'this tea is from this district in China.' There's an education about it." First Wave – Taiwanese Milk Tea Bubble Cup sparked the trend, but Taiwanese brands like Gong Cha, Chatime and Sharetea — which arrived about a decade later — cemented it. Built on powders, syrups and pre-made pearls, these chains offer affordability and customisation with a strong suburban presence and menus suited to almost anyone. For a time, this was the epitome of takeaway tea. But younger, health-conscious consumers and the churn of food trends have left these brands feeling more nostalgic than aspirational — still popular, but entry-level compared to what's come since. Second Wave – Fruit Tea The next shift came with fruit tea: colourful, layered drinks combining fresh fruit or juice and tea bases. Machi machi and YiFang, also from Taiwan, alongside local chain Top Tea, popularised the style with combinations like grapefruit green tea slush with cream cheese foam or jasmine tea with fresh lychee, lychee jelly and strawberries. Taning, a Chinese brand that landed here in 2023, took it a step further with its "hand-punched" lemon tea made from hand-picked green tea and vigorously, somewhat suggestively muddled green lemon sourced from the Mornington Peninsula. Taning's Australian director Hui Chong says the spectacle of the tea-making process — amplified by social media — is as important as the drink itself, signalling a new wave of tea where experience counts as much as flavour. Third Wave – Premium Loose-Leaf Tea The current wave of newcomers pushes tea back towards its origins — slow, intentional and centred on quality. Drinks are built on premium loose-leaf teas and far more pared back than their predecessors. But the real hook is the brand appeal. Luxury fashion-inspired packaging, loyalty programs and limited-edition merch have turned takeaway tea into a collector's item. It's not unusual for fans to queue for a seasonal cup design or branded keychain more than for the drink itself. "A lot of people want luxury, but they cannot afford luxury every day," Sanpo says. "So this is part of the luxury they can afford. It's not just the tea; it's the lifestyle." View this post on Instagram A post shared by 茶理宜世Charlie's tea (@charlies_tea_melb) Molly Tea has perfected this balance, combining strong branding with a streamlined product range. Its menu spans jasmine, oolong, champaca and osmanthus teas, with toppings like pistachio cream, matcha cream or the crowd favourite, jasmine whipped cream with salted pecan. These tall towers of cream have become a hallmark of third-wave tea, also seen at spots like Charlie's Tea, Tea White and Tingtea. The cream toppings add a playful spin, but the focus on quality reconnects tea with its roots in ancient China, where it was a ceremonial drink meant to be savoured. Some shops even recommend a narrow straw so the tea hits the palate more gradually, highlighting its fragrance and slowing down the experience. "The whole thing about tea in Chinese culture is sitting down, enjoying the tea, not rushing," Sanpo says. "It's telling you to take a step back, enjoy life, just like the old tea culture." Of course, this isn't pure tradition. These teas are still takeaway-friendly and designed to shine on social media. But compared with earlier waves, they put provenance and intention back at the centre. Images: supplied Want to try some for yourself? Check out some of our favourite spots.
Melburnians, you're a mere three hours away from a weekend filled with epicurean adventure in the Victorian High Country. Grab your car keys, because you're going on a road trip out of the dense city and into the wide-open spaces of north-east Victoria — which at this time of year, is tinted a vivid gold as the leaves change colour with the onset of a proper, country autumn. SATURDAY MORNING: BEECHWORTH Your exploration of the High Country starts in the historic town of Beechworth. Grab a country-style breakfast from Beechworth Bakery to set you up for the day, then pick up some of the area's most famous produce from The Honey Shop. After that, it's time to explore the mineral-rich hills around Beechworth, which are home to more than two-dozen vineyards. One-hundred-and-fifty years of wine-growing history in the region have birthed diverse styles, grape varieties and wineries. Visit young guns Vignerons Schmölzer and Brown and Sentio Wines, whose winemakers have worked at prestigious producers both domestically and abroad before striking out on their own to create some of the most exciting drops in the region. Then there's the iconic producers Castagna, who specialise in biodynamically grown fruit, and Sorrenberg, whose iconic Gamay sells out in record speeds every year (their Chardonnay is also worth picking up). Most of the wineries and cellar doors in Beechworth are by appointment only, so book a tour through Beechworth Barrel Tours, who will liaise with your chosen wineries and create a custom itinerary for your morning adventure in wine country. Autumn is a great time to visit, as it is post-vintage when the winery is a little quieter, giving guests the opportunity to taste the wines that are currently fermenting in oak and out of tank. AFTERNOON: BEECHWORTH TO RUTHERGLEN The short half-hour drive between Beechworth and Rutherglen is the perfect opportunity to check out some of the local haunts of the winemakers in the region. Tessa Brown (from Vigneron Schmölzer and Brown) is a fan of Provenance in Beechworth. Built in 1856 (during the height of the gold rush era) this two-hatted restaurant creates contemporary food from quality regional produce with a focus on seasonal awareness. If you want to drive straight through to Rutherglen, your first stop needs to be All Saints Winery and Terrace Restaurant to have one of the best-value meals from a one-hatted restaurant (three courses with matching wines from their estate for only $110 per person). For those wanting something a little more relaxed (and to take advantage of those last warm rays of autumn sunshine), stop in at Campbells Wines. Pick up an iconic Rutherglen fortified wine, along with a locally sourced vineyard platter (featuring cheeses, antipasto and terrines) to feast on at one of the great picnic spots on the banks of Lake Moodemere. For late-afternoon tipples, check out local winemaker Simon Killeen's (from Simao and Co) favourite wine bar, Thousand Pound, for the best wines the region has to offer (plus some classics from further afield). RUTHERGLEN But where to rest your head after a full day of vinous activities? Rutherglen offers you the best of both worlds. Grapevine Glamping at Cofield Estate allows you to stay in the midst of a real working winery and vineyard while enjoying all the comforts of home. The king-size-bed canvas bell tent (complete with split system heating and cooling) comes with wine and the option to cook your own meal in the fully equipped camp kitchen or order up a vineyard platter to feast on while you enjoy the fire pit just outside your tent. For those who like their accommodation with a side of luxury and history, Mount Ophir boasts 360-degree views of Rutherglen, including the Murray River Basin and the Victorian Alps to the east from its incredible 'tower room'. Here you stay over three floors in a French provincial-styled tower, with a spiral staircase that leads to the private sitting room on the second floor and a luxurious bedroom suite and marble bathroom on the top floor. SUNDAY MORNING: MILAWA Here is your chance to work off all the food from Saturday's gluttony. Cycle through the autumnal foliage and pass cellar doors and farms on the Milawa Gourmet Ride (the morning hours of autumn are the perfect time of year to cycle around, as it's not too hot). Hire a bike in town or borrow one from Brown Brothers Winery and stop in at their fantastic cellar door for a morning coffee and a couple of bottles of their Patricia sparkling wine to go. Grab yourself a map and take the leisurely 10-kilometre ride through the region, stopping in to see as many cellar doors, farm gates and gourmet food stores as you like before ending up at self-confessed cycling addict Sam Miranda's joint, the Sam Miranda Winery at Oxley. AFTERNOON: KING VALLEY AND PROSECCO ROAD Complete your journey along the King Valley's 'Prosecco Road' after Brown Brothers and Sam Miranda in the morning with an afternoon visit to Pizzini Wines. The Pizzini family are passionate about family, friends, food and wine. Their vineyards are a mosaic of Italian varietals (like Prosecco, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese), all of which can be enjoyed in their cellar door. You can even try your hand at making some traditional Italian dishes to accompany the wine at Katrina Pizzini's A Tavola cooking school. Then head to Chrismont for inspiring architecture, more Prosecco and an Italian long lunch on the terrace. EVENING: KING VALLEY Stay the night on the homestead where Australia's prosecco vines were first planted (and your last stop on the Prosecco Road), Dal Zotto Cellar Door and Accommodation. Immerse yourself in all things Prosecco by taking part in their 'pick your own Prosecco' adventures. During autumn is when you can witness the drying of the Prosecco grapes to be made into Otto Dal Zotto's 'natural' Prosecco (or 'Col Fondo' style, as they call it). Taste your way through their five different styles of Prosecco at the cellar door before picking your favourite to take back to your accommodation for a nightcap with house-made antipasto and charcuterie. Autumn scenery and produce won't last — to plan your full itinerary in the High Country and explore more of regional Victoria this season, visit the Wander Victoria website.
Everything in its right place: when Thom Yorke takes to the stage Down Under in spring 2024 for his debut solo tour, performing songs from across his four-decade career, that's how Radiohead fans will feel. The English musician has announced a six-date trip to Australia and New Zealand, on his first jaunt this way since the band that he's synonymous with last made a visit in 2012. Yorke has four Aussie and Aotearoa cities on his agenda in October and November, and he's going big at each of them (no surprises there). The Everything tour will kick off at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, then hop to Spark Arena in Auckland. When he makes the leap to Australia, Yorke will play two evenings each at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House Forecourt in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_959883" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Avedon[/caption] Yorke aficionados elsewhere across Australia and NZ, this does indeed mean that the tour is leaving you high and dry for local shows — so we foresee a trip in your future. The singer whose voice echoed through Radiohead's 'Creep', 'The Bends', 'Just', 'Karma Police', 'Paranoid Android' and more will be busting out select tunes from the band's catalogue. He also has three studio albums as a solo artist, so expect tracks from them to also get a whirl. And, his film score and soundtrack work — see: Suspiria, Motherless Brooklyn, Peaky Blinders and Confidenza — will also pop up. [caption id="attachment_959885" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Before the Everything tour, Yorke has been hitting the stage with The Smile, which also features fellow Radiohead alum Jonny Greenwood plus Sons of Kermit's Tom Skinner. The Smile's second album Wall of Eyes dropped in April 2024. Of the Sydney Opera House shows, the venue's Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall said this "this is historic. I'm ecstatic to announce the long-awaited Opera House debut of one of the greatest musicians of our time". "A multi-award-winning artist, Thom Yorke rose to cultural and critical acclaim throughout the 90s with his boundary-pushing reimagination of contemporary rock, and has soared through recent years with a plethora of wildly innovative solo and collaborative creative projects. Yorke will bring his hauntingly existential lyrics, inimitable falsetto and rapturous arrangements to the Forecourt for two nights only," Marshall continued. [caption id="attachment_959886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glenn8881 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Thom Yorke: Everything Australian and New Zealand Tour Dates 2024: Wednesday, October 23 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Friday, October 25 — Spark Arena, Auckland Tuesday, October 29–Wednesday, October 30 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Friday, November 1–Saturday, November 2 — Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney [caption id="attachment_959887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Popcornfud via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Thom Yorke is touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024, with Australian tickets on sale from 10am AEST on Wednesday, June 5 and New Zealand tickets on sale from 11am NZST on Monday, June 10. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image:Raph_PH via Flickr.
The clever festive creations are coming in fast this year; from that decadent sticky date and toffee trifle courtesy of Messina, to the latest edition of Four Pillars' much-hyped Christmas pudding-inspired gin. And here's another limited-edition treat to add to your Yuletide shopping list — a creamy, frozen Italian take on the classic Christmas pud, by the masters at Piccolina. Yep, fresh off the back of a new range of nostalgia-fuelled gelato cakes, the local gelateria is getting into the festive spirit by unveiling the Budino di Natale — a seasonal dessert creation that's sure to steal the show at any Christmas lunch. Here, the classic Christmas table-topper has been given a makeover, reimagined as a multi-layer wonder featuring a whole bunch of different gelato flavours. First, there's an outer shell of panettone gelato, which encases a layer of Piccolina's Better than Nutella gelato that's been studded with a Biscoff crumble. Dig deeper and you'll find elements like the crema ricca (rich cream) gelato, a pain de gênes sponge (almond cake), dark chocolate glaze, and a layer of feuilletine and Biscoff. Top it all off with a generous drizzle of the accompanying chocolate sauce. But it's not just the cake itself that looks the part. Each Budino di Natale is set in a keepsake stoneware bowl handmade by Bendigo Pottery — Australia's oldest working pottery — and housed in a limited-edition Piccolina canvas bag. The Budino di Natale is designed to serve around 14 people; though that'll obviously depend on how hard everyone goes on Dad's Christmas barbecue spread. You can nab one for $120 by pre-ordering via the Piccolina website. Find the Budino di Natale available to pre-order online, for pick up after December 5. Limited numbers are on offer.
A terrific talent begetting another terrific talent: that's the Kurt and Wyatt Russell story. An on-screen presence since the 1960s, the elder Russell has basically done it all, from being a child actor to becoming a Hollywood legend. Since the early 2010s, the younger Russell keeps proving one of film and television's must-watch stars. Both weaved sports careers — Kurt with baseball, Wyatt with hockey — between their early acting credits. The physical family resemblance is also unmistakable. The father-son duo now play the same role in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the initial giant step into television by the Monsterverse, the franchise that's sprung up around the recent American-made Godzilla and King Kong movies (2014's Godzilla, 2017's Kong: Skull Island, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the way in 2024). When we say that Kurt has virtually done it all, we mean it. He kicked Elvis Presley in the leg in his uncredited debut (It Happened at the World's Fair), became a Disney teen star (The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Now You See Him, Now You Don't and The Strongest Man in the World) and played Elvis in his first collaboration with John Carpenter. He kept working with the director (Escape From New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China and Escape From LA), and acted opposite partner Goldie Hawn multiple times (Swing Shift, Overboard), including while playing Santa (The Christmas Chronicles and its sequel). He's stepped into Wyatt Earp's shoes, toyed around with Stargate, featured in Quentin Tarantino movies (Death Proof, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and made both Marvel (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) and Fast and Furious (Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious and Fast and Furious 9) appearances. Entering the kaiju realm is a first, however, although sharing the same part with the Black Mirror-, Ingrid Goes West-, Lodge 49- and Under the Banner of Heaven-starring Wyatt is not. It was back in 1998 that Wyatt earned his first-ever screen credit, not by booting a music icon but as the younger version of his dad's character in Soldier. Twenty-five years later, the same dynamic exists in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which flits between time periods to deploy both Russells as Lee Shaw. In the 1950s, Wyatt plays him as another soldier, a colonel who helps found the titular Monarch with scientist Keiko Miura (Mari Yamamoto, Pachinko) and cryptozoologist Bill Randa (Anders Holm, Inventing Anna). Kurt follows in his son's footsteps this time, playing the elder version of Shaw in the 2010s, when the world knows about Godzilla but the titular government monster-hunting outfit is conflicted about how to handle it and its fellow titans — and about its history with Shaw, Miura and Randa. If making the two Russells its biggest stars — well, its biggest human stars — doesn't immediately give it away, then getting mere minutes into Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' ten-episode first season does: this is a kaiju tale where people matter. That hasn't always been able to be said about the Monsterverse, and both series itself and the saga overall is all the better for the new show's approach. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters also happily nods to Kurt's past when it gets him battling creatures in icy surrounds, which took him back into The Thing territory. "Very much so. We flew up every day in a helicopter. And, you know, you put it all together — the helicopter, whiteout, ice, glacier — it took me back 40 years, 40 years plus, something like that," Kurt explains. It might seem like an obvious choice to enlist the Russells to share the role of Shaw. It's certainly dream casting for viewers, and it's impossible to imagine Monarch: Legacy of Monsters with anyone but them in the part. But despite previous attempts to get them to work together again since Soldier, collaborating here — working together again at all, in fact — was a matter of being pitched something different. With Monarch: Legacy of Monsters currently screening its debut season on Apple TV+ — premiering in mid-November and running through until mid-January — we chatted with Kurt and Russell about only reteaming because the right project came up and getting into the same headspace. Also included in the round-table conversation: the opportunity to do something special, what they've learned from each other and their pre-Monsterverse experiences with the monster to end all monsters, aka Godzilla. ON SHARING A PART AGAIN, THIS TIME WTH ADDED GODZILLA Wyatt: "It was the right project coming up. It wasn't ever something we looked for or actively sought out. It was the idea that came from Ronna Kress, who is the casting director of Monarch, and Matt Fraction and Chris Black [who developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and also co-wrote and executive produced]. They came up with the great casting idea, but we had never really actively looked to work together." Kurt: "In fact, when we'd been asked that, we said nobody's done it before. Well, we had and we forgot about it. We forgot that we've done it before." ON EMBRACING A GREAT CASTING IDEA AND SEIZING AN INTERESTING OPPORTUNITY Kurt: "It was a chance to really do something special, and do something that had really never been done: two known actors that were father and son playing the same character. We actually recently just looked around about that — it had never been done. But we didn't even think about that. It was just like 'oh, this is an interesting opportunity and maybe we'll never get this opportunity again'. So we really wanted to go hard and try to make it work, because we didn't want to do something that we felt wasn't going to be at least as good or better than the idea itself of us playing the same person." ON EARLY MEMORIES OF GODZILLA, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF JOINING THE MONSTERVERSE Wyatt: "My earliest memories of Godzilla would have been when I was probably really young and I saw some Godzilla stuff on TV. I grew up in the 90s. I was thinking of this yesterday — I was a child of the 90s and I don't remember very many Godzilla things being around then. They didn't really start making Godzilla movies — somebody will say I'm wrong and they'll be right — but they weren't big in [US] movie theatres until a little later. I just didn't grow up with it. So this is my first real introduction to to Godzilla. I obviously knew who he was. Then joining it, we wanted to make something that was more character-based than what had been previously done, and previously the stories that have been told. Because it was a ten-part series, you could dive into characters, and that was relatively more interesting than just watching the monsters for for us. So I think that was a big, big reason." Kurt: "I was young kid, probably six or seven. First monster I remember. There was also The Blob, which was truly terrifying to me. Godzilla was just kind of like 'that's awesome, he's cool'. Then throughout the years, Godzilla was always around and stuff, but like Wyatt, I wasn't waiting for the next Godzilla movie to come out. I didn't really know much about it. I don't know much about the Godzilla lore — I learned more on this. So this was really more of understanding that with Godzilla, it was going to be a big plate. It was going to be a backdrop. And we had the sense from talking to the guys that Apple was very, very much behind it, and all that stuff was going to be great. But what we needed to do was make sure that over the ten-hour period, the people that you were watching dealing with these monsters were as compelling a story as just watching the monsters themselves in terms of entertainment." ON BOTH LEARNING FROM AND TEACHING EACH OTHER Kurt: "He has a very, very — I was always natural, but I was natural in my own way. Then when I wanted to play different characters, I would just invent them in my head, or maybe it was drawn off a little bit of somebody I'd seen or knew. Wyatt is naturally extremely real. He's just extremely real. I think that's a great quality in an actor to be able to do that. It isn't necessarily yourself, it might be a different character, but to be real in that character, it's really fun to watch Wyatt do that. I think I've learned that. Also patience. I watch Wyatt deal with certain things in a more patient fashion than generally have. In our family when I grew up, it was baseball that was the focus. And as Wyatt was growing up, hockey was his focus. And therefore our business was sort of how we made our money to run the family. Obviously Goldie and the kids all had to deal with the notoriety and whatnot. But Goldie, both Goldie and I, that wasn't a part of our home life. Wyatt didn't grow up in that kind of thing. So I tried to, I suppose, show him a world that naturally, to me, was a real one. I didn't really pass anything down to Wyatt in terms of specific knowledge or direction, and we never had any conversation in our family like that. It just wasn't the way our family was. We were just a family living our life. And yeah, we did something that people would recognise us from, but the importance of that was given very little — in fact, most of the importance of that came from the fact that we just sort of dealt with it. Sometimes, it was kind of in the way too much. Other times, you just avoided it. Other times, you understand you have to, it's time to go to work. You accept it. I guess you guys saw all of that. I mean, that's all I tried to pass — I didn't pass anything on Wyatt. Wyatt was Wyatt. He was always just Wyatt. I don't know how to say it other than that, he was just who he is. It's pretty much the same thing [now] with a beard — a five-year-old with a beard." Wyatt: "I like my dad more so as a parent, nothing with acting specifically. He's just a good, great dad and I love being around him, and we have a great time together — and we got to spend a lot of time together, more than most dads probably, because when he was working I could go to set, and when he wasn't working he was just around all the time. So yeah, it's like 'be a good person' and 'say please and thank you', and hopefully, you know, just being a good person. That's what I learned from my dad and my mum." ON GETTING INTO THE SAME HEADSPACE Wyatt: "Everything that we do is uniquely its own, and so drawing on characters of the past, at least for me, was not going to help this character. Although I guess I did characters that were similar in certain ways, but I don't think I really referenced them." Kurt: "I think that the obvious truth is you'd have to be pretending not to have seen things. You know what I mean? So I've seen a lot of what Wyatt's done, and vice versa. And so therefore, there's some things in our minds. We do know kind of where we are — I'll call them strengths. We also know our weakness. And what we wanted to do here, being in a Godzilla gigantic landscape, we didn't want to misuse that. We wanted to use it properly. So that was a focus of ours in co-creating the character, I guess you'd say, with the writer, head writer and the showrunner, Chris Black and Matt Fraction." Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+. Read our review.
Right now, automobile design faces two significantly big restrictions: one, the need for a driver; second, it's got to be safe. Pretty straight forward. However, if tech projections are on the money, we're heading into a future in which neither will be a factor. Driverless vehicles, currently limited to Google experimentation and public transportation, will become ubiquitous. On fully-automated thoroughfares, collisions will be a thing of the past, and design will respond by moving further and further away from functionality and closer and closer to art. London designer Dominic Wilcox is pre-riding the wave. At this year’s London Design Festival, finishing up tomorrow, he's revealed a life-size concept car. Or, more accurately, a mobile sleeping pod. "In the future it will be safer to drive in a driverless car than it will in a manual car," he says. "Therefore we don't need the protection systems that are built into contemporary cars. We can just have a shell of any design." One thing's for certain, you’ll be certain to see it coming. The Stained-Glass Driverless Sleeper Car is a bed on wheels, protected by an egg-shaped dome made of multi-coloured glass panels. They're soldered together and attached to an arched wooden frame. The controls are remote; Wilcox imagines that, like that of Google, his creation will be operated via a distant computer. That, of course, leaves loads of room for sleeping, reading, relaxing and sundry work and leisure activities. To illustrate the potential, Wilcox has simultaneously launched a concept website named taxirobot.co.uk. This allows visitors to select from a variety of driverless vehicles that double as mobile facilities, including a bedroom, an office, a gym, a dining room and even a sun bed that could be programmed to avoid cloudy routes. Via Dezeen.
UPDATE: APRIL 24, 2020 — Preston's Coeliac Australia-accredited bakery has pipe-your-own cannoli packs available for pickup every day. Eat Cannoli founders Kate and Dom Marzano really love their Sicilian pastries — just without gluten. The duo's Preston cafe is serving up 100 percent gluten-free fare to the masses — and it's got a Coeliac Australia accreditation to prove it, too. All cannoli are made from scratch and filled to order, going for $4.5 a pop. The menu changes often, with the original ricotta regularly featured — the deep-fried pastry shell is filled with ricotta, chocolate chips, candied orange and honey from the shop's beehive. Other fillings include Aperol spritz, lemon cheesecake, amaretto, creme brûlée and passionfruit. Shells come infused with the likes of charcoal and raspberry, too, and vegan cannoli are also available for order. But the Preston shop isn't just limited to cannoli. It also serves up other desserts like tiramisu ($6) and semi freddo sandwiches ($4.5), along with coffees by Hallelujah ($4–5) and a daily granita ($4.5). For savoury options, the duo is baking piadini in-house — an Italian-style flatbread made from a 48-hour sourdough starter. The toasted bread is used for sandwiches, including the slow-cooked beef brisket with pickles, sauerkraut and peppers; and the pumpkin and ricotta with mozzarella and rocket ($10.5 each). Add vegan cheese for two bucks. Apart from the physical cafe, Eat Cannoli is still making the festival and market rounds, too, so keep an eye out for Ivana — the team's vintage caravan — the next time you're out and about. Images: Parker Blain.
When it comes to festivals, 2023 is gearing up to be a non-stop party all across the Sunshine State, right up to the year's end. We're looking at a jam-packed calendar of cultural events, from long-running festivals to exciting newcomers and immersive experiences. Whether you're into classical, country or blues, or folk and rock 'n' roll — or you simply want to discover the hottest emerging artists in the country — there's a good chance you'll find a fest that hits your chosen genre (or lets you delight in something new). And there's more than just tunes on offer. There's cultural spotlights and event programs highlighting fantastically unique communities, as well as activities bringing together artists and performers across different media forms for thought-provoking creative collabs. Plus, these festivals are in some pretty amazing locations, from the desert to the forest, seaside or sprawled across a vibrant city suburb — ideal for an adventure that mixes music with some travel. It's time to make space in the calendar, culture vultures — Queensland calls. [caption id="attachment_878012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] CMC ROCKS QLD Now in its 16th year, CMC Rocks QLD is a pilgrimage for every country-lovin' cowpoke. From March 17–19, the biggest country acts (and fans) will descend on Willowbank Raceway in Ipswich — just a short drive from Brisbane — for a three-day hoedown. The lineup this year features some real heavy hitters, plus Zac Brown Band's only Australian show. There's big representation from US artists, including Kip Moore and Morgan Wallen, as well as a truly standout suite of homegrown talent. While the 2023 edition is sold out, this red-hot event is one to keep on your music bucket list. Hopefully you can mosey on up in the future for three days of tunes, local markets and fully stocked food stalls and bars. Go enjoy some good old country hospitality. CMC Rocks QLD, Friday, March 17 till Sunday, March 19, 2023 BLUES ON BROADBEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL From May 18–21, Broadbeach is taken over by one of the biggest free, all-ages music festivals in the country. Blues on Broadbeach is in its 22nd year, and this celebration of blues and blues-inspired sound has some true legends hitting the stage — including two-time Grammy nominated acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame-er Don Walker, and acclaimed act Emma Donovan and The Putbacks. There's blues straight outta Memphis as well as a solid contingent of all-Aussie performers dominating the impressive roll call. The sprawling festival boasts multiple stages and venues around Broadbeach, so you can easily check out the local bars and restaurants between gigs. Blues on Broadbeach, Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023 BIRDSVILLE BIG RED BASH Run away from the cold this winter and hit the desert. Birdsville Big Red Bash has been going strong for a decade, drawing folks from all over out to the Simpson Desert. At 35km from Birdsville, it's the most remote music festival in the world. From Tuesday, July 4 till Thursday, July 6, this little patch of desert will become Bashville, the home of concerts, campsites and a festival community all beneath the Big Red Dune. The team have even got the nifty Bash App to help you navigate the massive site, epic lineup and vast array of food trucks and activities. This year's festival features headliners Icehouse, John Williamson, Hoodoo Gurus, Pete Murray and Kate Ceberano. As well as being an all-ages event, it's also dog-friendly and BYO friendly. Nice one. Birdsville Big Red Bash, Tuesday, July 4 till Thursday, July 6 AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC A festival for the classical connoisseurs, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music is a massive 10-day celebration of the genre — and it just so happens to take place in the gloriously idyllic tropics. From Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6, performers and composers from all over the world join Australia's finest chamber musicians in Townsville-Gurambilbarra. The celebration covers a broad range of chamber music — from full orchestras performing classic pieces to beachside acoustic sessions, solo singers, quartets, concert pianists and more. Stimulate your intellect and be stirred by old works, new commissions and collaborations, which explore many stories and themes, both modern and timeless. All that right by the beautiful northern beaches of Queensland? Perfect. Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6 GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER Penned as the "festival in the forest", this gathering has been going strong since 1982. And excitingly, after being on hold for 2020 and 2021, the Muster returned last year with a bang (and a hoot 'n' holler). This year, over four days and six venues, more than 100 artists, including country legends Kasey Chambers, Adam Brand and Troy Cassar-Daley, will perform in Amamoor State Forest on Kabi Kabi country. They're part of a huge lineup covering country, blues, folk and rock, which includes workshops and bush poetry too. This here is real country — proper bush — so bring your tent and your true-blue music passion and get in on this unmissable forest party. Gympie Music Muster, Thursday, August 24 till Sunday, August 27 [caption id="attachment_809942" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas, Kymie at BIGSOUND 2019[/caption] BIGSOUND Here it is: a mid-week music fest right in the heart of the big city. More than 180 exciting emerging artists will perform across 23 stages in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley from Tuesday, September 5 till Friday, September 8. Well-known up-and-comers like Budjerah, Mia Wray and Teenage Joans lead the way, but there are also so many fresh acts to discover across all genres. There's everything from indie pop, R&B, soul and electronic to heavy rock, country and an Auslan-incorporated performance from Alter Boy. There's a full First Nations program, with music, workshops, talks and gatherings, and a special After Midnight program of late night performances and parties. The festival runs alongside the BIGSOUND conference, which is the biggest music industry gathering in the southern hemisphere. Discover the future of Aussie music — the next big sound starts here. BIGSOUND, Tuesday, September 5 till Friday, September 8 [caption id="attachment_892555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cynthia Lee[/caption] CALOUNDRA MUSIC FESTIVAL A huge three days of "sun, surf and soul", the Caloundra Music Festival is a diverse showcase of the Aussie music industry that celebrates homegrown talent at the seaside Kings Beach Amphitheatre. Last year saw some of Australia's hottest acts, including Baker Boy and Client Liaison, and long-time faves Ben Lee and Missy Higgins, take to the stage, and this year's artists are sure to be just as impressive — keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. Both family friendly and not for profit, this festival has real heart, prioritising the support of all things local and welcoming excited festival-goers from all over Australia. Come for the music, stay to experience the unique Caloundra community and environment, from its natural beauty to its local vendors, makers and creative spirit. It's a one-of-a-kind weekend and well worth a visit. Caloundra Music Festival, Friday, September 29 till Sunday, October 1 [caption id="attachment_892225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Troy Cassar-Daley performing at Savannah in the Round[/caption] SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND From Friday, October 6 till Sunday, October 8, Savannah in the Round brings three days and nights of rootin' tootin' country music to tropical north Queensland's Mareeba, in the Cairns Hinterland. Although this is one of the newer festivals on the scene, it's already making its mark. In 2022, it brought in big names from overseas, including Brad Paisley, as well as local acts like Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins and The Waifs. The lineup for 2023 is yet to be announced, but promises to be packed with world-class country, rock and pop acts. What we can tell you is that music on the main stage kicks off late on Friday arvo, but the two support stages (Big Top Music Hall and Bull Bar) start in the morning and finish late. There's also plenty of art and cultural activities running over the long weekend. Expect a chockers First Nations-led cultural program complete with hands-on workshops, art installations, dance performances and storytelling. For your thrills, you can hit the fun fair's Ferris wheel and carnival games; and if you're a foodie, the paddock-to-plate experience will serve you the best of the region. Once you're there, you'll be just a moment from the gorgeous beaches and towering rainforests of the tropics — so it's well worth taking a few extra days to explore en route to the rodeo. Savannah in the Round, Friday, October 6 till Sunday, October 8 [caption id="attachment_891347" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bianca Holderness[/caption] GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Throw on your cowboy hat and tropical shirt, you're goin' to where the country meets the sea for three days this October. Each year, this award-winning three-day event delivers free live music via an exceptional mix of performers from all over. Whether you prefer traditional country, rock or laid-back acoustic sessions, you'll find it on the beachside main stage or other venues around Broadbeach's stunning locale. This seaside hoedown has something for everybody, including markets, food stalls and fairground rides, with a big focus on celebrating the local community and spotlighting everything that makes it unique. Groundwater Country Music Festival, Friday, October 20 till Sunday, October 22 WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL This immersive, magical — and quite frankly, iconic — festival is the perfect way to close out the year. Over 25,000 people gather annually in the temporary village of Woodfordia, on regenerated native habitat, to experience music, art, culture, craft and convivial camping in an eco-friendly setting. It's a massive event, with more than 2000 performers from around Australia and abroad bringing high vibes — as well as writer's talks, circus arts, parades, an environmental program, a children's festival and workshops where you have the chance to flex your own creative muscles. Woodfordia itself becomes a thriving little community, complete with cafes and bars, with activities all day and into the night. Woodford Folk Festival, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 till Monday, January 1, 2024 To explore more arts and culture events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website. Top images: Andrew Rankin (third); Matt Williams (fourth); Jess Gleeson (fifth).
