When the end of the year arrives — the merriest time of year, too — some folks like staring at luminous lights and dazzling decorations. Others enjoy hitting up every single festive market around town. Or, you could prefer soaking in as many Christmas-themed activities as you can find, such as Christmas rollerskating and a Christmas maze. Whichever fits, Melbourne has the answers this festive season — specifically from Friday, November 25–Sunday, December 25. For an entire month, the Victorian capital is welcoming back its Melbourne Christmas Festival, because Christmas in this city doesn't just mean buying gifts and roasting turkeys. The fun starts early, with Christmas paraphernalia beginning to deck out Melbourne far and wide from Monday, November 7, and the Myer Christmas Windows also unveiled; however, the fest itself still doesn't kick off until a month before the big day. So, from the end of November, you can make a date with spectacular projections and a whole heap of excuses to get shopping, among other festivities. Those nightly Christmas projections are a clear drawcard, and they'll beam across, Melbourne Town Hall and and Flinders Street station, with the latter spanning a whopping 142 metres. You'll be able to see it when you hang out at Federation Square's Christmas Square, and it'll compete for your attention with a 16.5-metre LED Christmas tree. Yes, things will be bright as well as jolly. [caption id="attachment_876986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Renyard[/caption] Other highlights around town include the Christmas-themed roller-skating rink at Carlton's Argyle Square; Queensbridge Square's pop-up playground with bell swings, a giant dance floor and an interactive orchestra; and a 'How to Make Gravy' show featuring Melbourne's best indie voices echoing in Fed Square. Or, there's the Christmas maze at Docklands and a ten-day Christmas carnival at Birrarung Marr — including dodgems and a ferris wheel. Elsewhere, a floating sleigh and enchanted dolphins will take over the Yarra River nightly, as part of a 27-metre-long floating art installation called Row Ho Ho that's best viewed from Northbank. Also, Queen Victoria Market's Monday-night String Bean Alley Christmas Night Market returns in December. Still on markets, The District Docklands is hosting one, as are River Studios and Testing Grounds. And, in the Royal Exhibition Building for the first time, so is the team behind the Good Food & Wine Show. [caption id="attachment_876991" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Renyard[/caption] Plus, Section 8 is getting in on the market action, then following it up with an eight-night Christmas-themed festival with live music and DJs. There's also the Koorie Krismas Market, selling arts and crafts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; Blender Studios putting on a lights and arts festival; a day of treasure hunts; and roaming drag Santa performances in Flinders Lane and Degraves Street. [caption id="attachment_876992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Or, embrace festive traditions from around the world thanks to the Japanese Christmas Festival, Little Korea Christmas Festival and Nordic Christmas celebrations — including a corridor of live spruce and fir trees that you can wander through. There's more where that came from, too; 'tis the season to spend a month feeling the Christmas spirit all throughout the City of Melbourne, obviously. Melbourne Christmas Festival runs from Friday, November 25–Sunday, December 25. For further information, head to the City of Melbourne website. Top images: Adam Renyard.
The night owls of the northside have scored an eclectic new drinking den, hidden upstairs behind an unassuming facade on Northcote's Arthurton Road. The newly opened Kepler's Yard is both a cosy cocktail bar and an escapist's delight, taking both its name and inspiration from legendary astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler. Venture on up and you'll find an intimate space featuring cheerfully mismatched thrifted furniture, themed trinkets and walls decorated with an array of astronomy-related paraphernalia. Heavy red drapes and gilded mirrors lend an old-world vibe, while squashy vintage lounges encourage lengthy late-night visits. As a neighbour and sibling to music venue 24 Moons, it's little surprise Kepler's Yard will be championing creativity across a regular program of DJ nights, musical offerings, comedy performances and even live drawing sessions. And, from 5pm every Sunday, local crew Pelican Villa delivers a chilled-out curation of weekend-wrapping sounds for Spin City Sundays. Stay tuned for some regular trivia, too. Otherwise, it's a comfy haunt where you can tuck into vinyl tunes and crafty cocktails well into the wee hours — the bar's open until 3am Tuesday to Thursday, with a 5am close on Fridays and Saturdays. The lineup of planet-themed libations might include the whisky- and ginger-infused Mars Attacks, as well as the Neptune Nip — a rich blend of bourbon, chocolate bitters and vanilla. Alongside those sits an all-Aussie offering of wine, beer and cider. And, while there's no kitchen as such, you can order in a bite from various local eateries to be dropped off straight to your table or couch. Find Kepler's Yard at 2 Arthurton Road, Northcote — open from 6pm–3am Tuesday–Thursday, 6pm–5am Friday–Saturday and 6pm–1am Sunday.
UPDATE: MAY 2, 2019 — Whether you have made Willow Wine your new local or have yet to pay it a visit, we suggest scheduling in an after-work session on an upcoming Friday. The wine bar cafe has just launched a Friday happy hour, which includes wines, spritzes and toasties — all for $9 each. It kicks off at 6–8pm this Friday, May 3. The inner west's ever-booming booze scene continues its charge, with the arrival of Kingsville newbie, Willow Wine Cafe. The charming 20-seater marks the first solo venture for local, Ellen Turner, whose hefty hospitality resume includes stints at Gin Palace, Collins Quarter, Seddon Wine Store and even Shanghai's Glamour Bar. Most recently home to a cricket shop, the Williamstown Road building now sports a comfy mix of recycled timbers and repurposed fittings, all warm, natural finishes and cheery glow. Open from 8am until 7pm, Tuesday through Sunday, it's a space that slips easily from morning coffees to those after-work wines. You'll find the early crowd tucking into Five Senses lattes, brekkie boards and crumpets, while loaded toasties and a range of milk bun rolls — perhaps filled with hot smoked trout, crème fraîche and dill — are the stars come lunchtime. Local produce is the focus and the glass cake cabinets filled with treats from the likes of Brasserie Bread, Candied Bakery and Söt by Mörk. The wine list also flies the flag for locality, with a solid crop of Victorian labels backed by a careful curation of drops from further afield. An ever-rotating by-the-glass selection is primed for post-work drop-ins, best enjoyed alongside some of the locally sourced cheese and charcuterie. You'll find a range of wines available to take away, too, while a program of seasonal dinners, tasting events and a Willow wine subscription service are also on the cards. Images: Michelle Matthews
The new 80 Collins precinct isn't just home to a growing number of top-notch restaurants, bars and cafes — it's also the address of Next Hotel Melbourne. Launched in March 2021, this opulent 225-room escape is a design-lover's dream, fitted out with an abundance of marble, plus art by the likes of Jonny Niesche and Julia Gorman. We could see that this would be one of Melbourne's best hotels, even before they opened their doors. All the glam suites boast features like espresso machines, Hunter Lab toiletries and Dyson hairdryers, as well as handy in-room cocktail-mixing stations. Next Melbourne is also the first hotel in Australia to barrel-age its own spirits, the fruits of which you can experience at sprawling third-floor bar and restaurant La Madonna, as well as the adjacent Barrel Room. And yes, that drinks program translates to some pretty special hotel mini-bar offerings, too. But don't miss the unique dining experience at La Madonna. Adrian Li and Danny Natoli have paired up to create an Italian and Chinese fusion menu that will blow your mind. Umami-rich Italian and Chinese flavours merge across ever-changing menus that celebrate seasonal produce and their distinctly separate culinary heritage. But that ain't all. Next Hotel is also one of the few places in Melbourne that have a proper Aperitivo experience. Head to The Club to order a cheeky pre-dinner cocktail that comes with some complimentary snacks. Expect charcuterie, artisan cheeses, olives and freshly shucked Oysters alongside warm treats including grilled seafood and arancini. This has got to be the best way toi start an evening out on the town. 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. Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
If you've got the itch for a bit of outdoor adventure, you're in for a treat. Last year, we reached out to you, dear readers, to share your favourite camping spots, and after a year of exploring, we were due for some fresh ideas. So, in partnership with The Bottle-O, we've pulled together a whole new list of standout camping spots that were submitted by Concrete Playground readers. Whether you're into beachfront bliss, rainforest retreats, or bushland beauty, there's something for everyone. Grab your mates, pack up the car, stock up on good-value booze from The Bottle-O and get set for your next adventure in the great outdoors. [caption id="attachment_943842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Millstream Chichester National Park, Canva[/caption] Miliyanha Campground, Millstream Chichester National Park, WA Our first suggestion takes us to the wild west, where the red dirt meets clear blue skies. Miliyanha Campground in Millstream Chichester National Park is an absolute gem. Reader Bruce reckons it's the ideal spot for some 'twitching' aka bird-watching. "Miliyanha is a perfect spot for a bit of twitching. There are lots of raptors, rainbow bee-eaters, blue-winged kookaburras, and the local hills kangaroos, and if you're lucky, you might spot a quoll!" It's a fairly remote campsite so don't check in without swinging by The Bottle-O first. Because what's a camping trip without a well-stocked cooler and some primo local vino? Closest The Bottle-O: Karratha [caption id="attachment_943841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freycinet Beach Landscape, Chris Putnam[/caption] Friendly Beaches, Freycinet National Park, TAS Let's head south to the Apple Isle where the beaches are as pristine as they come. Freycinet National Park boasts not one, not two, but several top-notch camping spots. From Friendly Beaches (Isaacs Point) and Richardsons Beach to Honeymoon Bay and Ranger Creek, you're well and truly spoilt for choice. Reader Sarah swears by the beachfront camping experience: "Nothing beats falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore at Friendly Beaches. It's my go-to campground all year round." Swing by The Bottle-O on your way to grab a bottle of Tasmanian-made whisky for a special seaside nightcap. Closest The Bottle-O: St Helens [caption id="attachment_943836" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cape Tribulation, Emil Rasmussen[/caption] Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation QLD Head north to the tropics where the world's oldest rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. The Daintree Rainforest is the largest in Australia and is home to flora and fauna you can't find anywhere else on earth. Tucked beneath the canopy of Daintree National Park, it provides the ultimate escape from the rat race of city life. Our reader Gavan recommends Noah Beach camping area in Cape Tribulations as the best spot for a digital detox: "Just you, the wildlife, and the sounds of the rainforest". How good. For all your beverage-in-paradise needs, The Bottle-O has you covered so stop into the Mossman store before you head into the Daintree National Park. Closest The Bottle-O: Mossman [caption id="attachment_943840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jervis-Bay, Cyril Cayssalie[/caption] Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay, NSW In New South Wales, about three hours south of Sydney, we find ourselves in stunning Jervis Bay. With crystal-clear waters and famous white sands, it's a cracking location for swimming, snorkelling or just lazing about in the sun. The choice is yours, and they're all good. Our Instagram follower Kylie is a sucker for Honeymoon Bay campground: "All of the beaches around Jervis Bay are fab, but Honeymoon is my favourite. Cheap, cheerful and ideal for snorkelling." You'll need to bring everything with you (and take it all when you go to keep this spot so awesome), and that includes all your drinking water and cooking supplies. Hit up The Bottle-O to fill your esky with ice and all your go-to drinks for evenings around the campfire as the sun sets across the beach. Closest The Bottle-O: Oak Flats [caption id="attachment_943839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Grampians, Halls Gal Drive, David Burke[/caption] Smith's Mill Campground, The Grampians, VIC Last but not least, we head to the heart of Victoria's Grampians National Park. Smith's Mill Campground near Halls Gap is the perfect base for exploring everything that this amazing Aussie destination offers — just be mindful of the local emus. Our reader Mike places this campground above all others: "Smith's Mill is right around the corner from Mackenzie Falls, an ideal spot for a splash on a hot day after trekking up Pinnacle Walk for the epic views. There's a bush shower at the campground if you miss out." Again, make sure your esky is fully loaded by making a pit stop at The Bottle-O for all your beverage needs as this is a remote spot. Closest The Bottle-O: Sebastopol Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Canva
Suitcases at the ready, eager travellers: your dream Japanese getaway is back on. After two-and-a-half years of border restrictions due to COVID-19, the nation will fully reopen to individual international tourists from Tuesday, October 11 — and you won't need to book a package through a travel agency, or abide by the country's pandemic-era visa restrictions, to enjoy your holiday. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the news on Thursday, September 22 US time during a trip to New York, The Japan Times and Nikkei Asia reported. "We are a nation that has flourished through the free flow of people, goods and capital," the Japanese Prime Minister advised at a press conference at the New York Stock Exchange, as per Reuters. "COVID-19, of course, interrupted all of these benefits, but from October 11 Japan will relax border control measures to be on par with the US, as well as resume visa-free travel and individual travel," he said. That means that visitors to Japan will be able to make their own travel arrangements — a huge change to the current rules, even though requirements were only altered recently. Until May, the country was closed to international tourists. Then, the Japanese government started trialling in letting strictly controlled package tours, including with Australian tourists. Next, in early June, it broadened those entry requirements to allow in visitors from a heap of nations under the same rules. And, since early September, it has permitted travellers, including from Down Under, to make the journey even when they aren't on guided tours, as long as they have organised their flights and accommodation through a travel agency. From October 11, dropping the visa requirement applies to visitors from nations that weren't required to obtain tourist visas before the pandemic — including from Australia and New Zealand. So, in several ways, heading to Japan will return to the pre-COVID-19 status quo. Japan is also ditching its daily cap on international arrivals, which is currently set at 50,000, on the same date. The timing is fantastic for Studio Ghibli fans eager to make a date with the animation house's upcoming theme park — which opens on Tuesday, November 1. Desperate to hit up a Super Nintendo theme park, too? Always wanted to walk across Shibuya's famous scramble crossing? Keen to sing karaoke in a ferris wheel — or simply eat and drink your way around all the ramen joints and izakayas possible? This is supremely welcome news for you as well. Japan's new border rules will come into effect on Tuesday, October 11. For further details about visiting Japan and its border restrictions, head to the Government of Japan website. Via The Japan Times / Nikkei Asia / Reuters.
Just when you finally upgraded to the Spotify premium package, Apple announces they're bringing iTunes Radio to Australia. In its first international release after a wildly successful run in the US, this goliath music streaming platform is throwing its hat in the ring against already popular services such as Pandora and Spotify. Boasting a wealth of scientific algorithms to curate personalised listening streams, Apple are basically asking you to, please, for the love of God, start using your iTunes again. The main drawcard Apple has here is its huge catalogue. No longer will the infuriating words 'artist not found' pop up under your search bar; iTunes has pretty much everyone on board. There are over 100 stations programmed including both basic genre offerings ('Dance Radio', 'Pop Hits Radio') as well as specific artist streams (the universal: 'Beatles Radio', the good: 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs Radio', and the meh: 'Bruno Mars Radio'). But, as Apple said in a statement yesterday, "The more you use iTunes Radio and iTunes, the more it knows what you like to listen to and the more personalised your experience becomes." That being said, the service still doesn't have the capacity for music on-demand that Spotify offers. Once you skip tracks, iTunes will take note and avoid that genre of music, but ultimately playlists are curated for you according to what's already in your music library. Like its competitors, the service is free with interspliced ads between tracks, with the option of upgrading. An annual subscription will set you back $34.99, as compared to $39 with Pandora or $11.99 per month with Spotify (although that also includes the capability to download music and listen offline). Also, you can guarantee that every track you listen to will have that guilt-inducing 'buy' button hovering right next to it. While many will stick to their current platforms, it's comforting to see a major player like Apple get on board with such services. At the very least, it's an acknowledgement that our listening habits have changed — a step in the right direction for an industry that's been failing for far too long. iTunes Radio was made available to Australians on February 11. You can access it via your iTunes account.
Exotic dance meets techno meets burlesque meets pop in a brand new dance work from Melanie Lane. An in-demand choreographer and performer who divides her time between Melbourne and Berlin, Lane's latest piece is billed as a sultry and transgressive effort, and is set to make its world premiere at Arts House in North Melbourne on Thursday, August 24. Lane will be joined on stage by dancers Lilian Steiner and Gregory Lorenzutti, in an hour-long show that examines "the physical experience of the nightclub". "As performers oscillate between entertainer and punter, lap dance and lip-sync, Lane shines a spotlight on the economy of entertainment," reads the event description. Nightdance will dim the lights and ask you to question how you dance the night away. Image: Jody Hutchinson.
It was a groaning, grimacing Timothy Spall who won the Best Actor Award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, for a role in which his face is frequently scrunched, his posture is constantly hunched, and his voice is guttural when heard. His applauded performance leaves a lasting imprint, yet as primal as it proves, it only scratches the surface of a character and a film both called Mr Turner. Beneath the physicality sits a portrayal and a biopic that finds underlying beauty in brutality, while never equating both traits as opposite extremes. Such an approach matches the 19th-century subject, the titular J.M.W. Turner, who made his name painting vistas of land and sea. Some of his oil and watercolour pieces showed pastoral elegance, but for all his praised use of light, increasingly his pictures were tinted with the destruction and violence of nature. His command of technique remained untouched; however, the tone of his canvases evolved over the course of his career. This professional progression, venerated now, wasn’t well received during his lifetime. In Mr Turner, Spall inhabits the hulking figure of a reclusive and eccentric man in what amounts to slices of his existence over his final quarter-century. In his personal affairs, his ailing father (Paul Jesson), his dutiful housekeeper (Dorothy Atkinson), and his secret landlady turned companion and confidant (Marion Bailey) all influence this last difficult chapter, one also marked by the former mistress (Ruth Sheen) and daughters (Sandy Foster and Amy Dawson) he refuses to publicly acknowledge. Writer/director Mike Leigh is known for his fondness for and feeding off of the improvisation of his cast. His films — recently, Happy-Go-Lucky and Another Year – are a cooperative act between the auteur and his actors. Accordingly, his overarching narratives can be driven by the whims of individual scenes, as is strongly the case here. In Mr Turner, Leigh has crafted a pieced-together story that showcases the very best of everyone involved. Spall’s every action may monopolise the frame, but in this feature as in all of the filmmaker’s offerings, there isn’t a bad performance to be found amongst the sprawling yet subtly brushed tale. Indeed, it is with a painter’s touch that Leigh guides his cast, and that his actors enliven their characters, constructing the film layer by layer. The exquisite visuals by Cannes award-winning cinematographer Dick Pope perform the same creative task, further perfecting the feature’s evocation of its central vocation. From sequences following Turner traversing the countryside, to quiet conversations stolen indoors, every image tumbles from artistry – whether glimpsed alone or considered as a whole. As Mr Turner finds the humanity within the harshness of a life of winding down and of an extraordinary talent housed within a complex man, Leigh and his collaborators on-screen and off turn the corresponding account into its own masterly work.
Grab a bite, hunt down a bargain or sit back under the twilight sky and enjoy a show. The Southside’s favourite market-cum-cultural festival is back for another year. Starting at 5.30pm on January 15 and running every Thursday evening for the following seven weeks, The South Melbourne Night Market features dozens of merchants and stalls selling clothes, crafts and everything in-between. There’s also a plethora of dining options, with many of Melbourne’s favourite food vendors including Chingon Taco Truck, Nem N Nem Vietnamese and 196 Below Ice Cream setting up shop along the Coventry and Cecil Street strips. Each week will also feature a different live music act. First up is the La Ramba Flamenco Band along with local singer-songwriter Sarah Carnegie. Other standouts include Geelong funk-rockers The Kite Machine, Queensland folk singer Davy Simony and home-grown indie kids The Black Harrys.
If you're keen to match a pub meal with a crafty brew or three, South Melbourne's Palace Hotel deserves a firm fixture in your after-work and weekend lunchtime. An impressive craft beer selection and a menu packed with pub classics are this gem's star attractions, and the Sunday roast proves the quintessential winter weekend warm-up. Head in from noon each week, nab a spot by the open fire and tuck into the day's good old-fashioned roast plate, loaded with sides and drizzled with lush house-made gravy. Throw in a few pats for resident pooch Billy and you've got yourself a seriously good winter situation.
Movie-loving Melburnians have a new place to get their flicks fix — for six Thursday evenings during MPavilion's current season, that is. The event announced last year that it was turning CBD car park Parkade into its hub to start 2021, and now it's unleashing a series of film screenings there as well. Even better: they're all free. On February 4, 11 and 18, and again on March 4, 11 and 25, the Little Collins Street spot will be setting up a big screen, showing recent and classic movies, and also serving drinks from the onsite bar. Each session kicks off at 8pm, and you'll be heading up to level seven for this collaboration between MPavilion and Rooftop Cinema, which has been dubbed Topless Cinema. As for what you'll be watching, the season starts with the delightful Jacques Tati comedy Playtime, then swoons over The Love Witch in the lead up to Valentine's Day. February's sessions close with award-winning Aussie drama Babyteeth, while March's begin with Tim Burton's gorgeous Edward Scissorhands. And, there's also Agnes Varda's masterful Cleo From 5 to 7, plus documentary Rams, about industrial designer Dieter Rams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHhaIRevB-Y
Deciding how to spend what is potentially your first big international trip in years is a big call. If you're seeking the buzz of a big city but don't want to forgo outdoor adventures, we have an unexpected suggestion for you: New York State. Yep, The City That Never Sleeps delivers all the metropolitan hype you're craving while also being within reach of countless intrepid adventures. Extend your stay in the state and dedicate some time to experiencing all the incredible scenery and activities the blissful upstate region has to offer — it'll add another memorable dimension to your trip. Here, we've teamed up with New York State to present a selection of epic outdoor adventures that'll level up your next holiday itinerary. [caption id="attachment_851067" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Groll[/caption] PADDLE DOWN THE HUDSON WHILE HEARING LOCAL LEGENDS Along the Hudson River's eastern shoreline, the charming village of Sleepy Hollow is well worth a visit to check out the eclectic mix of historical buildings, multicultural food spots and recreational activities. It also happens to be one of New York's best spots for kayaking. Kayak Hudson ensures visitors of all experience levels can enjoy the scenery with an expert guide on its two-hour tour. You'll launch from a tiny beach at Horan's Landing, then paddle down the river past the 19th-century Tarrytown Lighthouse. Plus, if you're a fan of ghost stories, you'll love hearing all about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a spooky tale that gives the community its haunted reputation. [caption id="attachment_844987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] TREK THROUGH DIVERSE FOREST TERRAIN The city streets offer plenty of excitement, but you don't have to travel far to find mind-blowing hiking destinations in New York. A two-hour drive from NYC, the Catskill Mountains is another hugely popular mountain range. Across a diverse network of hiking trails, populated with waterfalls, river crossings and woodland terrain, this outdoor wonderland is an undeniably rewarding area to discover. The average wayfarer won't have a problem completing the Kaaterskill Falls hike. Likewise, the Overlook Mountain summit, which you'll reach via a steady incline will reward you with sweeping views of Hudson Valley, plus old hotel ruins and a fire tower. Or, a little further afield, discover the state's highest peaks in the colossal Adirondacks — Ampersand Mountain reaches 1022 metres and you can reach the summit via a sprawling trailhead lined with wildflowers and panoramic views. [caption id="attachment_844999" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] TAKE A TOPSY-TURVY RIDE DOWN A RIVER There are many experiences that spring to mind when thinking of New York. Theatre shows. Basketball games. Eating your weight in pizza and hot dogs. But whitewater rafting? Probably not. Well, throw it on your bucket list because the state actually has a selection of places to ride the rapids. The Black River Gorge plunges visitors into a narrow ravine loaded with bumpy ledges and boulders — you'll paddle through 14 major rapids on a 3.5-hour Adirondacks River Outfitters Adventures tour. Elsewhere in the Adirondacks, Ausable Chasm is also recognised as a top-notch rafting location, with this floating tour providing a relatively calm water-going experience. Departing from Table Rock, you'll navigate through the Grand Flume canyon to soak up the striking rock formations before arriving at the Whirlpool Basin's choppy rapids. [caption id="attachment_847389" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Maid of the Mist[/caption] GET UP CLOSE TO NORTH AMERICA'S MOST LEGENDARY WATERFALLS Maid of the Mist has operated in the shadow of Niagara Falls since 1846, attracting nature-lovers looking to get an up-close glimpse of the three waterfalls that encompass this famous landmark. Its tours of the Falls started out in rickety rowboats 150 years ago, but you'll be glad to hear that Maid of the Mist's fleet has undergone a significant upgrade — it began tours on 90-foot zero-emission electric vessels in 2020. Prepare to be awe-struck as you make for the base of the American side of the Falls standing atop the double-decker boat in your souvenir poncho, which will (somewhat) protect you from the near 600,000 gallons of water rushing over the falls per second. You'll also be taken to check out the largest of the bunch – Horseshoe Falls – to encounter dramatic whitewater pools and towering rock formations. [caption id="attachment_845287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] ZOOM THROUGH THE AIR AT DIZZYING HEIGHTS Step out of your comfort zone with the New York Zipline Adventure Tour. Set against the backdrop of the Catskills at Hunter Mountain, this canopy experience is the highest, fastest and longest in North America, ensuring you get a once-in-a-lifetime perspective on the surrounding mountain peaks. There are two adventures to choose from: the Skyrider Tour and the Mid-Mountain Tour. The former is the top choice, as you'll hook into five separate zip lines that stretch for over seven kilometres. As you whip along at breakneck speeds, the peak distance from the ground of 180 metres is bound to make your head spin. [caption id="attachment_844982" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Larry Tetamore[/caption] GET A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OVER AN EXPANSIVE STATE PARK You won't find many places better for hot air ballooning than Letchworth State Park, a sprawling green expanse nicknamed 'The Grand Canyon of the East'. The landscape definitely lives up to this moniker, with dense woodlands, waterfalls and gorges, ensuring your gentle float through the air comes with a spectacular view. On a tour with Balloons Over Letchworth, you'll lift off from Middle Falls to rise high above the countryside before gliding so low you can almost touch the rivers. Tours run daily from May to October, depending on the weather, but an autumn visit guarantees you'll catch colourful changes sweeping across the hinterland. [caption id="attachment_846386" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] FLEX YOUR SKIING SKILLS AT THIS MASSIVE WINTER RESORT You don't need to trek across the country to find a celebrated ski destination — this one is just 2.5 hours from NYC. The Catamount Mountain Resort provides an excellent experience for alpine enthusiasts, particularly after a major 2018 upgrade brought new lifts and snowmaking machines to support the diverse runs (the longest of which is 2.8 kilometres) and a snow tubing park. Yet winter isn't the only time to visit, with the mountain resort remaining incredibly active throughout the warmer months. Home to the longest continuous zipline in the United States at almost 1700 metres, as well as a thrilling aerial adventure park, Catamount is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in New York's midsummer beauty. [caption id="attachment_851070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED[/caption] DIVE SEVERAL SHIPWRECKS BENEATH ST LAWRENCE RIVER Forming part of the international border between the United States and Canada, the St Lawrence River has been a major shipping corridor for hundreds of years. Unfortunately for the vessels and some of their crew, this treacherous stretch of the Thousand Islands-Seaway region has claimed many a freighter and schooner. Today, the river is one of North America's top shipwreck diving locations for beginners and experts alike, with dozens of vessels to explore. Several local dive companies organise gear and guided underwater adventures to the most popular, including the Islander and the SS Keystorm. [caption id="attachment_846387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] BE A BIG KID FOR THE DAY AT THIS NATURE-FOCUSED INTERACTIVE PARK Over the last 25 years, The Wild Center has become one of New York's premier attractions for outdoor encounters. Situated in Tupper Lake, on the edge of the Adirondacks, this sprawling 115-acre property's nature walks, museums and kid-friendly play areas help bring people closer to the natural world. The Wild Walk is the park's most popular activity, featuring a series of elevated bridges and tree houses leading visitors through the forest canopy. Meanwhile, a viewpoint replicating a massive bald eagle's nest provides a stellar spot to take in the landscape. Alongside a vast network of hiking trails and ponds, there's also fascinating public art and wildlife encounters. To start planning your trip to New York State, head to iloveny.com. Also, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best food and drink stops, cultural experiences, places to stay and day trips from NYC. Top image: NYSDED, Darren McGee
UPDATE, April 1, 2021: The Personal History of David Copperfield is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube Movies. He's skewered British, American and Russian politics in The Thick of It, In the Loop, Veep and The Death of Stalin. This year, in the eerily prescient Avenue 5, he pondered what would happen if a group of people were confined on a cruise of sorts — a luxury space voyage — for an extended stretch of time. But, made in period comedy mode, The Personal History of David Copperfield might just be Armando Iannucci's most delightful affair yet. Indeed, playfully trifling with a Charles Dickens classic suits the writer/director. It should; he's a huge fan of the 19th-century author, and a staunch believer that Dickens' body of work "isn't just quality entertainment for a long-dead audience" (as he told viewers in his 2012 BBC special Armando's Tale of Charles Dickens). And so, taking on the acclaimed scribe's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story, Iannucci tinkers, massages and re-envisages David Copperfield with ample love for the literary source material. In the process, he also crafts a still Victorian era-set yet unmistakably modern — and fresh, very funny and sharp-witted — big-screen adaptation. The eponymous character's tale begins in the film as it does on the page: with Copperfield determined to discover whether he shall turn out to be the hero of his own life "or whether that station will be held by anybody else". On-screen, the hopeful aspiring writer (Dev Patel) delivers that statement from a stage while speaking to a crowd. Then, in one of the many inventive visual flourishes that mark Iannucci's lively retelling, Copperfield strolls through the background to revisit his experiences from the moment of his birth. Though he enters the world to a doting mother, Clara (Morfydd Clark), his isn't a childhood filled with unfettered happiness. The joy he feels in his earliest days (as played by Ranveer Jaiswal and Jairaj Varsani) — and when his beloved nanny Peggoty (Daisy May Cooper) takes him to visit her family, who live in an upturned boat that doubles as a beach house — subsides quickly when Clara remarries. Not only is his new stepfather (Darren Boyd) stern, cruel, violent and accompanied by an equally unpleasant sister (Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie), but he sends the boy off to London to work in his factory. As episodic on the screen as it is in the book, Copperfield's life then navigates a rollercoaster of ups and downs — starting with the drudgery of child labour, as well as time spent lodging with the poverty-stricken, law-skirting but always kindly Mr Micawber (Peter Capaldi) and his family. After tragedy strikes, Copperfield moves in with his donkey-hating great-aunt Betsey Trotwood (Tilda Swinton) and her equally eccentric houseguest Mr Dick (Hugh Laurie); however, though his situation appears to improve, the cycle from wealth to poverty and back again just keeps turning. As Dickens was, Iannucci and his frequent co-scribe Simon Blackwell (Peep Show, Breeders) are well aware of class chasms, the tough plights endured by the masses to benefit the better-off, the dog-eat-dog nature of capitalism in general and humanity's selfish, self-serving nature. The Personal History of David Copperfield may be largely upbeat in tone, visibly bright and dynamic, and take a few shrewd liberties with the story, but the darker elements of the narrative never escape view. Nor, as is to be expected given Iannucci's political satire prowess, do The Personal History of David Copperfield's contemporary parallels and relevance evade attention. Watching the twists and turns of Copperfield's life, it's easy to see how little some things have changed (attitudes towards everyone who isn't rich, white, powerful and male, especially, particularly in Brexit-era Britain) even 170 years after David Copperfield was first published. Heightening this perception is the movie's colour-blind casting, which not only extends to Patel's leading role, but to Doctor Strange's Benedict Wong, Harlots' Rosalind Eleazar and Avenue 5's Nikki Amuka-Bird in key parts (among other on-screen performers). No one mentions race; however, as also seen in the other recent and exceptional example of purposefully inclusive casting — musical sensation Hamilton — reframing this story to include and champion diverse backgrounds leaves a firm imprint. That makes The Personal History of David Copperfield as perceptive as it is jovial, jaunty, hilarious and spirited. In other words, it makes it a classic addition to Iannucci's resume. He's never shown as much visual creativity as he does here — deploying split-screen imagery, rear-projecting memories on giant tarpaulins, brandishing colourful costumes, favouring theatrical wide-angle lensing and even harking back to 1920s silent cinema — but he's astute as he's always been across his career. As always, that extends to his choice of actors in general, with the perfectly cast Patel as charming and thoughtful as he's ever been; Swinton, Capaldi and Laurie all put to stellar comic use; and Ben Whishaw suitably shady as the conniving Uriah Heep. With this gem of a sharp, savvy and supremely entertaining film, Iannucci doesn't just update Dickens for a modern audience or show that the author's work is still pertinent, but creates one of the great page-to-screen adaptations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqO25i-XNEU
You could spend a weekend in Broken Hill doing nothing but gazing at the sky. In autumn, huge cloud formations battle against the sun all day long, and, come evening, you've never seen so many stars. Perhaps it's this, along with the striking red earth of the surrounding desert, that attracts so many artists to this 18,000-person outback town, about 1200 kilometres west of Sydney and 850 kilometres north of Melbourne. Between gallery visits you can wander among grand 19th century architecture, have a yarn in proper country pubs (you'll be getting burgers, not sliders, 'round 'ere) and head underground to experience some legendary history, from mining to illicit two-up. Plus, there's a museum dedicated to Mad Max 2. Hit the road. [caption id="attachment_580402" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Simon Yeo via Flickr[/caption] SEE AND DO Let's start with the art. 90 minutes before sundown, drive to the 180-hectare Living Desert Reserve. On a hilltop affording 360-degree views, there's a dozen sculptures created by artists from all over the world, and strategically positioned to catch the sun's dying rays. The nearby 1.5-kilometre cultural trail features epic Sturt's Desert Pea displays and Indigenous story poles. Back in town, immerse yourself in the world's biggest acrylic painting on canvas by a single artist (Ando's 100-metre x 12-metre landscape), swing by Pro Hart Gallery and ramble around the many spaces of the high-ceilinged Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery. To get the lowdown on the area's history, join a Silver City Sights and Heritage Tour. In a comfy, air-conditioned bus, you'll cover 50 kilometres and over 100 years — from BHP's first mining of silver and lead in 1885 (BHP, by the way, stands for Broken Hill Proprietary) to the 2001 building of the Line of Lode Miners Memorial, which commemorates more than 800 miners killed on the job. [caption id="attachment_575825" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jasmine Crittenden[/caption] Mining is still a dangerous business, but it was way more terrifying in the 1880s. Get acquainted with its historical extremes at the Day Dream Mine, 33 kilometres northwest of Broken Hill. Back then, workers did it so tough for so little, their bosses handed out opium to ease the pain — presumably cheaper than paying sick leave — and when the drugs wore off, horehound beer was the next refuge, often sending drinkers blind for a day or two (hence the phrase 'blind drunk'). You'll hear these and other tales while squeezing through tunnels 30 metres underground. Recover with scones and tea in the homestead. [caption id="attachment_582402" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Amanda Slater via Flickr[/caption] Another 15 or so kilometres west, the outback proper begins at Silverton. Home to just over 600 people, this tiny town peaked in the 1890s when silver was found nearby, and is now an arty enclave, where donkeys roam wild and days end best with a beer at the famous Silverton Hotel. Among its crowded walls — which are hung with guitars, trumpets, Akubras and empty stubbies — you'll find souvenirs from the many film crews to have passed through, from Wake In Fright (1970) to Mad Max 2 (1981) to Razorback (1984). Delve deeper into movie history at the Mad Max 2 Museum. Opened by obsessive collector Adrian Bennett in 2010, this shed is crammed with behind-the-scenes photos, costumes and vehicles, including the original gyrocopter and interceptor. When you're max-ed out, meander around Silverton, visiting The Horizon Gallery, the John Dynan Art Gallery and the Silverton Gaol Museum, before driving four kilometres north to Mundi Mundi Plains to watch the sun set over what looks like the edge of the world. EAT AND DRINK In most of Broken Hill's pubs and restaurants, you can count on hearty, meat-heavy cooking — mammoth-sized feeds that reward a long day of hard yakka. At The Palace Hotel — where Mitzi, Felicia and Bernadette stopped over during The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert — dig into crispy-skinned, grilled Atlantic salmon with dill, creamy garlic sauce, mash, veg and a splash of Chardonnay. If you're dining on a Friday, hang around afterwards for a game of two-up — The Palace is the only place in Australia where it's legal all year-long. Before 1984, you would've dropped into Broken Hill's illicit two-up school, held behind a green door on Crystal Lane. Two blocks away is the majestic, heritage-listed Astra. This swish hotel, built in the 1890s, has eight suites and a big, shady verandah. Downstairs, relax over a cocktail in the Red Lush Lounge or slide into a cosy, high-backed chair in Trinders restaurant for a modern Australian feast, like their signature surf 'n' turf: fillet steak topped with king prawns, grilled banana, hollandaise and seasonal veggies. There are a few cafes bringing more contemporary fare to the outback. Get your single origin coffee fix at health-minded, family-owned The Silly Goat on the main drag. Among the sunflowers, burnt orange feature walls and timber tables, you'll also find their "turmeric elixir", cold-pressed juices, house-baked treats and inner-city-style mains, like the haloumi burger with mushies, beetroot relish and aioli. A few blocks to the northwest, outside the GP Super Clinic, is The Caff, opened by local couple Summa and Nathan Rayner in February 2014. The fun fit-out was a 100 percent DIY job, from the blue tartan seats ripped straight out of a school bus to the recycled wooden tables. Every dish on the menu is made from scratch. Try just-baked waffles packed with zucchini and corn and stacked with chilli con carne and guacamole, a gourmet pie or some bread and butter pudding-style French toast. And just south of the town centre, there's Bells Milk Bar. This isn't one of those trendy, ironic, retro-themed places — it's the real thing. It's been open since the 1930s and the decor dates to the 1950s. The syrups, cordials and ice cream are all made in-house in small batches, according to secret recipes. Choose from over 40 milkshake flavours or 16 spiders, slip into a booth in the back room and crank some Bill Haley and The Comets on the juke box. STAY For oodles of space and light, a king-size bed, a spa and a separate lounge area — including your own mini-kitchen — check into the Red Earth Motel. The spick-and-span interiors are inspired by the desert. Think luxe white linen dotted with earthy-patterned pillows and lounge chairs in reds and ochres. If you're travelling in a group, book into a two- or three-bedroom apartment. The shaded swimming pool lets you cool off after a busy day of sun and adventures. Meanwhile, you can sleep under an original artwork at Ibis Styles. Owned by locals Michael and Dana Farcich for 27 years, these lodgings were known as the Mine Host Motel before being acquired by Accor in the mid-2000s. 42 two-toned rooms stretch across two storeys, encircling a central pool. There's also an on-site restaurant, the glass-walled, green-and-purple-lit S-Que, where country dishes are given fancy touches. The steak, for example, is a 450-gram, chargrilled Tomahawk behemoth, with kipfler potato chips, rosemary salt, house coleslaw and portobello mushroom sauce. You probably won't need to eat again until you're at the other end of the drive home. Jasmine Crittenden travelled as a guest of Destination NSW. Top image: Simon Yeo via Flickr.
Think of Thornbury and you probably don't think of the surf — after all, it's over ten kilometres to the nearest beach, and at least an hour's drive from any surfable ones. This landlocked reality did not stop Zak Koniaris from opening up a shrine to all things surf on Thornbury's Victoria Road over two decades ago (and another in Newport soon after). Then known as Zak Surfboards, the store became more than just a place to pick up surf equipment and apparel — it helped to foster a community of surfers from all over Melbourne. The store rebranded in 2020 to Melbourne Surf Board Shop, and continues to stock everything you need to take on the waves, from surfboards (both new and secondhand) and board parts to towels and sunscreen. If you get your kicks from something a little more land-based, Melbourne Surf Board Shop also stocks a great range of skateboarding equipment. Image: Daniel Fuge
One dollar usually doesn't get you much these days, but come June, Melburnians should be pretty chuffed with just how far they can make one of those little gold coins stretch. Albert Park Chinese fine diner Sun Kitchen is celebrating its first birthday by dishing up a selection of fan favourite menu items for just $1 each. Swing by for lunch or dinner between Monday, June 8, and Sunday, June 21, and you'll pay next to nothing to sample three of Sun Kitchen's best-loved plates. And these are no cheap eats, either. There's the crunchy golden prawns in creamy coconut ginger sauce (usually $68), the sizzling barramundi bathed in a fiery three-chilli oil ($58), and the luxurious sautéed milk with crab meat and dried scallop ($68). The only catch is that the meals are only $1 when ordered with any main course for dine-in and there's a limit of one $1 meal per table. The birthday celebrations were originally meant to take place in April, but COVID-19 lockdowns forced the restaurant to move them back to June. Sun Kitchen's $1 dishes are available at lunch and dinner.
When you chat with your friends, family and co-workers about your latest streaming obsession, do you tell them where you've been watching? Not which platform, but where you're sat while your eyes are glued to the screen? If you're one of the approximately 2.8-million Australians who've apparently watched Netflix on the toilet, you likely haven't mentioned that — but you might if you hit up loos based on Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris. Rarely one to miss the opportunity to take its shows off the screen and into real life, especially in Sydney — see: its Stranger Things rift on Bondi Beach, the Squid Game Red Light, Green Light doll by Sydney Harbour and a pop-up Heartbreak High uniform shop in Newtown, all in the past few years — Netflix has taken the research about dunny viewing and run with it. For one day only, aka today, Thursday, February 22, the streamer has set up pop-up toilets that take their theming from some of its hit series. The toilets — or the "tudunnies", as Netflix likes to call them — are indeed functional. That said, the main aim of this installation at Hickson Road Reserve in The Rocks in Sydney is to get everyone snapping while they're on the sets. So, if your social media feeds are filled with toilet pics today, this is why. If you're in the Harbour City, you can drop by between 9am–5pm for the ultimate pop culture-inspired bathroom break. If you're making a detour from work, you might need more than a bathroom break's worth of time if the installation proves popular. And that research? It hails from YouGov, as commissioned by Netflix, and found that 21-percent of folks who responded to the survey about their viewing habits had watched the platform's shows while on the throne. As for the choice of shows for the service's pop-up tudunnies, all three of Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris will drop their latest seasons in 2024. Find the Netflix toilets pop-up at Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks, Sydney from 9am–5pm on Thursday, February 22. Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris are available to stream via Netflix — read our review of Squid Game season one and review of Heartbreak high season one.
Earlier this year, Scotland's BrewDog created the world's first craft beer hotel at its US base. Of course, if you're keen to head to Ohio for a boozy holiday, you'll need to get there somehow. Enter the world's first craft beer airline, which the beer fiends have aptly named BrewDog Airlines — and yes, it's all about drinking craft brews at 30,000 feet. In fact, BrewDog has also created its own beer that tastes better at a flying altitude. If you hop on board its airline, you'll be among the first to try it out. Cathay Pacific did something similar back in 2017, launching a bottled beer that was made to taste as great in the air as it does on the ground — but that's not the only brew-focused flourish on BrewDog Airlines. Boarding a Boeing 767, passengers will also enjoy a spot of beer tasting, tuck into a BrewDog-inspired menu that's paired with matching beers, watch the brewery's BrewDog Network — its own streaming platform — and receive a branded eye mask and blanket. More brews will be served during the flight, obviously. And, once the plane lands, you're in for a tour of BrewDog's Columbus facility, as well as a brewery-hopping day trip to Cincinnati. You can also stay at The DogHouse, the brewery's hotel, for an extra fee. If you're keen to take the trip, it's only flying from the UK to America on February 21, 2019, then making the return leg on February 25, 2019. You'll also need to be of BrewDog's Equity Punks, which is what it calls its shareholders — and pay £1,250 per person (or £2,250 for two people sharing a room). That said, the brewery is also giving away ten spots, if you're feeling lucky. With BrewDog also opening an Australian base in Brisbane in 2019 — albeit without a hotel — here's hoping it brings this idea with it. Image: BrewDog.
In 2028, one of the biggest names in Hollywood — and in cinema in general — will turn 100. When that year's Oscars takes place, recognising and rewarding the films of 2027, it'll mark a century of celebrating the latest and greatest on the big screen. The event will also fix a glaring omission from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual accolades. There'd be no movie magic without stunts, but the Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will only join the Oscars when it hits its massive milestone. On Friday, April 11, 2025, Down Under time, the AMPAS Board of Governors announced that it is creating an annual competitive Oscar for stunts — and yes, "finally" is the word that should instantly come to mind. Adding the category comes after a concerted push from stunt professionals in recent years, and after The Fall Guy's Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt were tasked with paying tribute to stunt performers at the 2024 ceremony. [caption id="attachment_999323" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Al Seib, The Academy[/caption] "Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking. We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion," said said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang, announcing the new stunts Oscar. Details on eligibility and voting for the award are still to come, however — and the same regarding how the accolade will be presented. The former will be revealed in 2027, when the 100th Academy Awards rules are unveiled. The latter will be announced "by the Academy's Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date". [caption id="attachment_999325" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Richard Harbaugh, The Academy[/caption] Wondering which movies might be in contention for the first-ever Oscar for stunt design? 2027's current planned releases include the live-action The Legend of Zelda film, Avengers: Secret Wars, the sequel to The Batman, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and the second live-action How to Train Your Dragon, for starters, plus Sonic the Hedgehog 4, a sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and an untitled Star Wars flick. The Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design is just the second new Oscar field since Best Animated Feature Film joined the roster in 2001, the third since Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 1981, and the fourth since Best Costume Design in 1948. The other recent addition hasn't actually been handed out yet, with the Achievement in Casting gong set to first be awarded at the 2026 ceremony, covering movies released in 2025. [caption id="attachment_999326" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dana Pleasant, AMPAS[/caption] [caption id="attachment_718585" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marvel Studios 2018[/caption] The Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will join the Oscars for films released in 2027, so will be first presented at the 2028 ceremony. For more information, head to the Oscars website. Top image: The Fall Guy.
Redfern is getting itself a facelift. Commissioned by the City of Sydney, renowned street artist Reko Rennie and a team of young Aboriginal artists have designed and painted a mural covering an entire Redfern terrace as a tribute and monument to the neighbourhood's rich history of Aboriginal activism and urban culture. Entitled Welcome to Redfern the mural was launched today and marks the first step in the City of Sydney Council's ambitious Eora Journey project to give Indigenous culture and issues more public recognition. The local artists — Nahdia Noter, Trae Campbell, Ji Duncan-Weatherby, Tyrrelle McGrath, Brandon Phillips, Isaac Phillips, Josh Addo and Josh Nolan — helped to paint the mural's bold stripes in red, yellow and black and added paste-ups of 'local heroes', including colonial leader Pemulwuy and activists Charles Perkins and Mum Shirl. "These young artists have grown up in and around The Block, and the imagery is a colourful reminder of these incredible leaders to make sure the next generation will remember them, too," said Rennie, a Kamilaroi man and Archibald finalist who's also responsible for the bright pink T2 Building at Taylor Square. But why are art murals like this significant? While these sort of public projects undoubtedly do much to brighten the aesthetics of rundown urban landscapes, there is a legitimate concern that they offer little more than a highly visible and PR-friendly band-aid solution to the deep and divisive problems that have plagued the local Indigenous communities. The disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in terms of life expectancy, education and unemployment levels remain glaringly pronounced and so the question remains: what does a mural have to offer as a tactic for urban renewal? One of the biggest advocates for street art as a means of urban renewal has been the Dutch duo of Jeroen Koolhaas & Dre Urhahn, who more commonly go by the name of Haas and Hahn. These pioneering muralists — with the help of local artists and enthusiasts — have converted some of the world's poorest urban landscapes into living, breathing works of art. Their project in the slums of Rio de Janeiro converted the once derelict and incredibly dangerous area into a sprawling, breathtaking mural described by the New York Times as a "radiant, updated form of real-life Cubism". The remarkable effect that these murals have on the local community can be more clearly seen in Haas and Hahn's 18-month endeavour to spice up Philadelphia's Germantown. Not only did this project employ dozens of locals but it has also stimulated economic growth and development in the area and given the poverty-stricken region a new lease of life. Mohammed, one of the painters and leaders of the 'Philly Project' told documentary maker Jon Kauffman that the murals had an amazing capacity to lift the hopes and spirits of the artists and the local community. "Everybody's had hard times," he said, "but since I've been working here it's kinda like getting me away from my little troubles." It is these sentiments that give credence to Haas & Hahn's street art philosophy: "what feeds the heart feeds the soul". Closer to home, large-scale murals Melbourne's inner northern suburbs have become a hub for cultural, artistic and political expression thanks to a long series of Indigenous murals dating back to the early 1980s. The murals of the Collingwood Housing Estate often depict traditional Aboriginal iconography such as of the Australian landscape pre-settlement/invasion and Indigenous elders in warpaint and traditional dress, but it is the process of their creation that is perhaps of greater interest. These murals were born out of collaboration between a collection of local muralists known as the BEEM artists and a number of homeless Aboriginal people who live in the nearby park and identify themselves as 'parkies'. The contrasting styles of the artists and the resulting murals — with the street graffiti style of the 'parkies' often in conflict with the more refined portraits of the BEEM artists — is demonstrative of this unique collaboration. According to Denise Lovett, one of the leaders of the project, these murals have provided the local Indigenous community with a sense of cultural ownership over the urban landscape and banded the community together across lines of socio-economic status and ethnicity. So will the City of Sydney's newest mural provide this sort of urban renewal to the Redfern area? For his part, Rennie led the young Redfern artists through workshops covering artistic techniques, as well as other valuable skills. "We talked about how art can benefit an individual, and how success as an artist can be measured, such as by the ability to travel and work in other communities," he said. And Welcome to Redfern is only the very tip of the iceberg. The sweeping reforms of the Eora Journey include not only a further six Indigenous art projects to be scattered across the city but a number of other cultural and economic projects, including a permanent Indigenous Cultural Centre. One thing we can be certain of: the 'Welcome to Redfern' mural has far more to offer the urban landscape than simply pretty colours. Top image of Reko Rennie, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and curator Hetti Perkins.
Aussie climate change protests have been happening in force over the past couple of months, but with a huge four-day mining conference hitting Melbourne this week, it's likely we're about to see some of the biggest strike action yet. The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) started yesterday at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), prompting 24 different activist, community and political groups to join forces in an effort to disrupt the proceedings as much as possible. Some of the groups involved in the protest include Extinction Rebellion, Uni Students for Climate Change and Frontline Action on Coal. A hefty 1300 people markedattending to the protest, called Blockade IMARC 2019, on its Facebook event, which has stated its ultimate aim is to shutdown the conference altogether. Blockade IMARC organisers are encouraging participants to use mass civil disobedience to "disrupt the 'business as usual' of major climate criminals". The group states that conference attendees "continue to profit from fueling [sic] climate change, stealing indigenous land, exploiting workers, displacing people and driving animal extinction". Protestors kicked off action yesterday, Monday, October 28, but an even bigger blockade has been planned for this morning (Tuesday, October 29), with protestors gathering from 6am at the Clarendon Street end of the MCEC. https://twitter.com/yarratrams/status/1188909555985592322 Yarra Trams took to Twitter to warn commuters about potential service disruptions in the area as a result, hinting there could be issues right through until Wednesday, October 30. VicTraffic has also tweeted about the action, confirming tram routes 12, 96 and 109 were affected following Tuesday's morning blockade. https://twitter.com/VicTraffic/status/1188907792700235788 Victoria Police have warned locals to expect disruptions to both public transport and vehicle traffic in the MCEC area for most of the work week, and urged punters to steer clear wherever possible. In a video posted to the Victoria Police Facebook page, North West Metro Region Acting Commander Tim Tully said we could expect to see "heightened tactics by the protest groups" compared to previous events. For further public transport and traffic updates, check Yarra Trams and Vic Traffic.
Prepare for a night of audio-visual immersion, as one of Melbourne's coolest film collectives returns for another year. Not content to simply replicate a typical cinema experience, Hear My Eyes combines little-seen films with new and original scores, performed live by local music acts in unique venues and bars around town. For their first event of 2016, they're pairing local synth pop duo GL with Heartbeats, the ultra-stylish sophomore drama from Québécois wunderkind Xavier Dolan. First released in 2010, the film explores the romantic rivalry that develops between best friends Francis (Dolan) and Marie (Monia Chokri) after they both become enamoured with the same man. It's a must-see film for lovers of world cinema, particularly those who've enjoy Dolan's subsequent efforts such as Laurence Anyways, Tom at the Farm and his recent masterpiece Mommy. GL, meanwhile, are no strangers to success themselves, having played Falls Festival, Meredith and Splendour, and supported the likes of Saskwatch, Shamir and Chet Faker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znpU_Aup-Bg
Hailing from the Victorian High Country, Blackmore Wagyu's first-class beef is almost unmatched when it comes to marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. For one night only, the team is linking up with their friends at Circl Wine House to celebrate their harmonious relationship through a four-course dinner. Presented on Thursday, May 29, at Circl's Punch Lane digs, Executive Chef Elias Salomonsson will serve a menu focused on rare beef, under-utilised cuts, and prime versus braised creations. He'll set the tone with starters like potato rosti with rib-eye cap and caviar, and Sydney Rock oyster with wagyu fat and yeast flakes, before guests are treated to the main event. Here, the third course features smoked rump cap with horseradish and nasturtium. Meanwhile, rib-eye beef cheek with mushroom, black garlic and bordelaise is served alongside Remi's Patch leaves and Gippy Gold potatoes with caramelised brown onion emulsion and chives. Rounding out this tantalising feast, the fourth and final course ends on a sweet note without overlooking the theme, as guests dine on a dark chocolate tart, wagyu fat caramel and vanilla. Throughout, this exclusive dinner will make the most of Circl's 1,500-bottle wine list, with three optional wine pairings offering rare and iconic sips from its deep coffers.
After closing down its Daylesford location earlier in 2018, Kazuki's opened the doors to its new restaurant — bringing its Japanese fine dining from regional Victoria to Melbourne. That year, Japanese-born Chef-Patron Kazuki Tsuya and his wife and business partner Saori launched Kazuki's in Carlton. It's a case of new surroundings, but same approach, for the flagship eatery, in a split-level site that seats 30 downstairs and 18 on the second floor. Design-wise, with a calm, serene feeling all part of the eatery's vibe, the interiors feature timber screening, rich carpets and naturalistic lighting — and an overall colour palette that heroes grey with accents of Japanese elm, granite and leather. As for the menu, it continues the fusion of Japanese and European flavours that Kazuki's is known for, paying tribute to the chef's heritage as well as his French training. The menu oft changes, but diners can expect dishes such as kingfish sashimi with buttermilk, finger lime, white soy and ginger, plus sea urchin with russet potato chips, beluga caviar and cultured cream. The wagyu flank is cooked over coals and comes with a smoked eel and port wine reduction — while desserts may include a dark chocolate tart with gianduja ganache, hazelnuts and miso caramel and yoghurt sorbet with yuzu curd and Anzac biscuit crumbing. Japanese sake, whiskey and spirits feature on the drinks list, as does wine from Japan and Australia among a hefty international selection at Kazuki. Images: Peter Tarasiuk.
When it comes to imbibing gin at home, your go-to may be the classic G&T, or perhaps you shake up a crisp martini from time-to-time. You may also be ready to mix things up with a whole new botanical bev. Whatever your status with gin, Greenall's has given us a few trusty recipes to help you perfect your favourite gin drink at home — whether that be by mastering the perfect proportions for the classics or learning to make an entirely new cocktail. These guys have been at the gin game since 1761, so you can rest assured you're in good hands with their literal centuries of experience, heritage and passion for what they do — whether that's creating new and innovative recipes, or handing over their favourite gin cocktail recipes to make at your gaff. LIME TWIST MARTINI It's the drink that makes you feel like all the laundry has been done, folded neatly away and that Nina Simone is serenading you from an old record. Sit down and have a rest — you've earned it. — 50ml Greenall's Original London Dry Gin — 10ml dry vermouth — Lime twist Place a solid handful of ice into a metal cocktail shaker, add gin and vermouth and set your dominant hand to stir moderately for at least ten blinks. Next, strain into a chilled martini glass. If you're lacking said shapely vessel, Greenall's recommends any other fancy — but equally as chilled — glass. Twist and squeeze the oil from the lime peel into the glass, and leave the curly little citrus in there for garnish. WILD BERRY AND LEMONADE If Bernard Black of Black Books had to choose a summer drink for his summer girl, this would be it. — 50ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 100ml lemonade (or quality tonic water) — Berries to garnish Find your tallest glass, fill it with ice and pour in gin. Top up with — no, not wine Bernard, it's for your girl remember, so opt for the lemonade. Yes, tonic will work, too. Garnish with one berry, two berry, three berry or more. BASIL SMASH Conversation running dry? Then it's time to Natalie Imbruglia the heck out of those basil leaves you've been growing all summer. — 50ml Greenall's London Dry Gin — 25ml fresh lemon juice — 12.5ml sugar syrup — 8 freshly torn basil leaves Add basil to the base of the cocktail shaker and muddle gently. Next, pour in gin, your heart, soul and the remaining ingredients. Shake over ice and strain over an ice-filled tumbler glass, and start (re)memorising the rest of the lyrics to Torn. Head out for a night of 90s karaoke hits. WILD BERRY FLORA DORA When the 'yes' vote came through and all Australian lovebirds got the right to get hitched, this is the drink everyone should have had in hand to celebrate. With a marrying together of gin, ginger beer, lime and raspberry, it's the refreshing drink we all deserve. — 40ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml fresh lime juice — 10ml raspberry syrup — Ginger beer Your Tetris skills will be invaluable here. Your job: build all ingredients in a highball glass over ice. Stir, stir, stir. Serve and play again. GIN AND TONIC Free pouring is for fools. What we're after is a taste sensation that rides the palate of perfection. And Greenall's has given us its easy-peasy, limey-squeezy take on the classic G&T. — 50ml Greenall's London Dry Gin — 100ml tonic water (again, go for quality) — 2 lime wedges Fill a tall glass with ice — that's right, enough to sink a duck. Squeeze in one of the lime wedges. Pour in gin. Top with tonic. Yes, all in that order. Garnish with your second lime wedge. Hold glass high for several seconds in appreciation, and then wink as you hand-deliver to your mate. Make 'em all and find (or re-confirm) a favourite drink to pour your Greenall's into at home.
UPDATE: APRIL 28, 2020 — Mix and match stinky, blue and hard cheeses with boutique wines, boozy gelato and crackers from this Fitzroy Street fromagerie, which is offering free same-day delivery seven days a week. You can order over here. Stocking more than 180 different varieties of cheese from around the globe, Milk the Cow is a haven for those who know what a turophile is. That's a fancy word for a lover of cheese, if you were wondering — and here, each one is chosen by a resident cheesemonger. While you can get cheese to take away, it's best to have a bit to dine-in, as well. That way you can enjoy stellar fromage over a wine, beer, cider or a cocktail. Or even as part of one of the bar's tasty (and affordable) cheese and drink flights that change month-to-month. There is another Milk the Cow in Carlton, but this is the original — it's been on Fitzroy Street since 2012.
There's never a bad time to pop into Andrew McConnell's Supernormal. However, timing your visit just as temperatures start to drop means you can indulge in the restaurant's cherished, but limited-run ramen. Back on the menu for the season, it's served up for $24 on weekdays from lunch until sold out. If you were lucky enough to score a bowl or two (or more) last year, you'll be happy to know the formula remains much the same. Based in a rich chicken bone broth, tender noodles combine with grilled chicken alongside prawn and chicken dumplings. Then, this nourishing creation is finished with a soy-marinated egg. Just know, the chefs at Supernormal aren't cutting any corners. Refined over two days, the rich double chicken stock is slowly infused with dried shiitake, kombu and white miso to create multiple flavourful layers. With so much umami goodness packed into each bowl, it's no surprise this ramen has become a wintertime essential. Images: Parker Blain.
When the Queensland Government reported a new community case of COVID-19 in Brisbane last week, other Australian states were quick to change their health advice and border requirements. Now that the Greater Brisbane region is heading into a new three-day lockdown from today, Monday, March 29 — and now that the area has seven local cases — authorities across the rest of the country are responding again. Brisbanites (which includes residents of the Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan local government areas) can't travel anywhere until at least 5pm AEST on Thursday, April 1. But, if you were thinking of heading elsewhere after that — presuming that lockdown ends when it's slated to — you might need to change your plans. If you're located in another part of Australia and you'll soon be travelling to the Sunshine State, you might need to adjust as well — or prepare to quarantine upon your return. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1376416282526949383 New South Wales hasn't changed its border rules, but it does have testing and quarantine requirements for anyone who visited specified Byron Bay venues over the weekend — as they were also attended by two of Queensland's new COVID-19 cases. NSW also requires anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane since Saturday, March 20 but returned south to comply with Brisbane's lockdown conditions for the next three days. In terms of travel, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advises that the state's residents don't go north. "We are not shutting down our border. We recommend people who were considering going to Greater Brisbane: change your plans. And, also consider changing your plans if you were travelling anywhere in Queensland, because we understand there have been some cases or potential cases outside of Greater Brisbane and throughout broader Queensland," the Premier said. In Victoria, under its traffic light system, Greater Brisbane has been declared a red zone. That change will come into effect at 6pm AEDT today, Monday, March 29. Accordingly, non-Victorian residents will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception, specified worker permit, transit permit, freight worker permit or exemption. Victorian residents who are currently in or have been in a red zone can apply for a red zone permit to make their way back home, but you'll then have to self-quarantine for 14 days from the day you return. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1376391478109343745 Over in Western Australia, the state is putting its hard border back in place with the entirety of Queensland, effective 12.01am on Tuesday, March 30. The state will be designated a medium risk zone under WA's categorisation system, which means travel from Queensland will no longer be allowed if you've been in Queensland since Saturday, March 27 — unless you're deemed an exempt traveller (which applies to a very small list), then self-quarantine for 14 days and submit to testing multiple times. South Australia is implementing a hard border, too, but just with Greater Brisbane. Effective 4pm SA time today, Monday, March 29, only South Australians, essential workers or people genuinely relocating are allowed to enter the state from Greater Brisbane, and they'll need to quarantine for 14 days and get tested. The ACT has declared Greater Brisbane a hotspot, effective 6pm AEDT today, Monday, March 29. For non-ACT residents wishing to travel down from Brisbane, you'll now need an approved exemption from ACT Health. For residents coming back from Brisbane, you'll need to complete an online declaration form before leaving, and then quarantine for 14 days and get tested once you return. Tasmania won't allow entry from folks who've been to the Greater Brisbane area within 14 days of their arrival, except for people deemed essential travellers — and then you'll need to quarantine for 14 days. The Northern Territory now requires testing and quarantining under a number of circumstances, including anyone who has been in Brisbane or Moreton Bay since Saturday, March 20 (and from Friday, March 12 if you have any COVID-19 symptoms). If you've been in Ipswich, Logan, Redland City or Gladstone since Thursday, March 25 — or Toowoomba since Friday, March 26, or Byron Bay since Saturday, March 27 — the same applies. And, you'll need to quarantine until you receive a negative result. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Gonna get 90s-style comedic pop tunes stuck in your head forever, again — or five-ever, to be precise. After proving one of the best new shows of 2021, Tina Fey-executive produced sitcom Girls5eva returns in May with a new season of sitcom antics about a former one-hit-wonder girl group who get back together to chase stardom again decades later. You know, that ol' situation. Fingers crossed that a whole heap of catchy songs are in the returning show's future, too. Its first season was filled with them, and wonderfully so. If you quickly binged its initial eight episodes, you instantly got its tracks lodged in your brain. In fact, even just reading the show's name now will have brought them all back. And, odds are there'll be more gems on the way given that Girls5eva's second season sees the group recording a new album. The setup, if you're a newcomer: more than 20 years after they split up, the four remaining members of a late 90s girl group decide that it's time to get the band back together. Now in their forties, they're all at different points in their lives, but rekindling their dreams is too enticing to ignore. Sara Bareilles (Broadway's Waitress), Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and the great Paula Pell (AP Bio) play Girls5eva's reunited members, while Fey pops up as a fantasy version of Dolly Parton — and yes, the latter is as glorious as it sounds. Also, the comic takes on 90s pop tunes are all 100-percent spot on. Just as pitch-perfect: everything about this immensely funny take on stardom, fame and the way that women beyond their twenties are treated. In season two, which hits Stan in Australia on Friday, May 6, the Girls5eva crew are still chasing their comeback — but they're determined to make their new album on their own terms. As the just-dropped trailer shows, that's an eventful quest, even spanning knee replacements. Even just from the brief sneak peek so far, expect more wannabe popstar chaos, more gags about the entertainment industry and more thoughtful jokes about the way both the music scene and the world in general regard women. Of course, Tina Fey hasn't starred in, created or executive produced a bad sitcom yet — and when the first season of Girls5eva arrived last year, it continued that trend. In its own way, it's another workplace comedy like 30 Rock, Great News and Mr Mayor, after all. And, albeit in a completely different manner to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, it also follows a group of women trying to navigate new lives years after they were thrust together under extreme circumstances. Check out the trailer for Girls5eva season two below: Girls5eva's second season will be available to stream via Stan on Friday, May 6. Read our full review of season one.
If you're heading to the tropical north, chances are you're going for nature. Whether it's the spectacular reefs, the captivating wildlife or the towering rainforest, if you love nature, you'll want to keep it as pristine and protected as possible during your stay. From immersive rainforest education experiences to luxury eco-stays, there are plenty of ways to lighten your footprint while on holiday in Tropical North Queensland.
Melbourne is no stranger to the work of Julien Moussi, whose Only Hospitality Group is behind a stack of loved local venues — including Bentwood, Glovers Station, Hotel Collingwood and Juliette Coffee & Bread. But now it's Geelong's turn for a taste of the action, as the team ventures out of town to open the doors to their new twin venues Pavilion and Caledonia Shores. The pair are neatly cohabitating in the former red brick bathers' pavilion overlooking the Geelong Waterfront, with the two-level space reworked with natural tones and a breezy coastal-inspired fitout. [caption id="attachment_864992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pavilion[/caption] Occupying the ground floor and promenade terrace, you'll find daytime cafe Pavilion. Coffee here comes courtesy of Only Hospitality's own Inglewood Roasters, while the food menu packs enough flair to satisfy even the most discerning inner-city brunchers. There's a dish of tom yum-inspired beans on sourdough with fried ginger and an egg; a prawn and kimchi omelette; cauliflower and haloumi fritters paired with beetroot hummus and tabouli; and a french toast starring roasted macadamia and a white chocolate milk crumb. Pavilion also has its own kiosk, slinging coffee, cold drinks and a fitting lineup of beachy snacks — chicken burgers, fish and chips, and potato cakes all make an appearance. [caption id="attachment_864984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Caledonia Shores[/caption] Then, as the day wraps up, the upstairs space that's home to bar and restaurant Caledonia Shores comes alive. Up here, sweeping bay vistas provide a backdrop to an offering of punchy, Asian-accented fare and considered cocktails. Kickstart the party with snacks like Sichuan calamari, wagyu puffs teamed with wasabi mayo, and corn on the cob slathered with coconut sambal butter, curry salt and 'snowing' cheese. Deeper in, you'll find the likes of XO clams with Chinese doughnuts, DIY brisket bao, sticky Xinjiang-style lamb ribs and a lively papaya salad dressed with tamarind. Meanwhile, the cocktail list also features plenty of big flavours, with sips like a gochugaru-spiced margarita, the Thai Basil Smash, and a lavender- and lychee-infused riff on a Tom Collins. Find Pavilion and Caledonia Shores at 95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong. Pavilion is open daily from 6.30am–4pm, while Caledonia Shores opens from 5–10pm Monday to Thursday and 4pm–late Friday to Sunday.
Visiting Europe sadly isn't on Australians' agendas in the near future. Heading to New York to wander through The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't at the moment either. But, for four months this year, a heap of European art masterpieces from The Met are making the journey to our shores — so you'll be able to feast your eyes on some of the greatest paintings ever committed to canvas at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. From Friday, June 12–Sunday, October 17, 65 works that almost never leave The Met's galleries will grace GOMA's walls, in what'll be the venue's biggest-ever survey of the history of European art — and, it's a Brissie exclusive, too. If you're wondering why these paintings are so treasured, well, that's because they're by everyone from Monet, van Gogh and Vermeer to Renoir, Rembrandt and Degas. The list of artists featuring in the exhibition, which covers a whopping 500 years of European art and is fittingly called European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, just keeps going — with Rubens, Poussin, Gauguin, Raphael, Boucher and Velazquez all included as well. Also impressive: the different types of artworks that'll be on display, spanning everything from portraits and still-life pieces to landscape paintings and figure studies. From the full lineup, the earliest work will date back to 1445, courtesy of an altarpiece panel depicting the Crucifixion of Christ by the Florentine artist Fra Angelico. Also among the centuries-old highlights are Titian's Venus and Adonis from the 1550s, Caravaggio's The Musicians from 1597, Rembrandt's Flora from around 1654, and Vermeer's Allegory of the Catholic Faith. And, for works from the 19th-century impressionist and post-impressionist period, the likes of Monet, Renoir and van Gogh have things wrapped up — complete with Monet's 1919 piece Water Lilies. GOMA's program will also feature hands-on digital and analogue activities to accompany the masterworks, plus — as is always the case with its major exhibitions — a lineup of yet-to-be-announced Up Late events that'll let you check out these art wonders after dark and over a few drinks. [caption id="attachment_781830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The Flowering Orchard' (1888) by Vincent van Gogh. The Mr and Mrs Henry Ittleson jr Purchase Fund 1956/56.13. Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.[/caption] Top images: Water Lilies (1916-19) by Claude Monet. Gift of Louise Reinhardt Smith 1983/1983.532.; Still Life with Apples and Pears (1891-92) Bequest of Stephen C Clark 1960/61.101.3. Both collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In typical style of owner, bartender and artist Matt Bax, Bar Americano is doing things a little differently. This Negroni Week, the cocktail bar has been working on a special fermented Negroni Sbagliato in anticipation for the 100 year Negroni celebration. It has been aged for months and uses Champagne in addition to gin, so will be served as a typical Champagne cocktail. The rare drop will be available for a limited time, and a portion of the profits will go to OzHarvest. In addition to the special fermented Negroni Sbagiato you can still get your hands on the bar's range of batched negroni (in 200ml and 500ml bottles) which will still make a contribution to the charity donation. Campari has also donated some Negroni pins for the event, with all the proceeds going directly to Oz Harvest. Bar Americano's stand only venue has limited space, so get in early so you don't miss out.
Immerse yourself in history and flora at South Yarra's iconic Como House & Garden with the launch of a new European-style dining venue, Como Lane. Led by the Scott Picket Group (Chancery Lane, Estelle, Longrain, Longsong), this community-driven space combines top-notch cuisine and cafe culture with a program of cultural activities and workshops, serving as an extension of the surrounding estate. Situated in the heart of Como House's grounds inside the former gardeners' sheds, Como Lane is reminiscent of storied Parisian cafes. It's set amid the property's botanical communal garden — which dates back to 1847 — and is a thoroughly charming addition to the estate, offering the ideal spot for meets with friends and family when the sun beams down. Split between an inviting indoor setting and an ample al fresco space, Como Lane forges a strong connection with its surrounds. A seven-metre green tiled counter is a striking centrepiece, and pistachio green and beige rattan chairs surround white marble-topped round tables. Yet this refined space has been conceived with flexibility in mind, featuring a market-style grab-and-go concept alongside a sit-down cafe experience. The menu is a nod to both classic cafe fare as well as Pickett's journey as a chef, with a number of dishes taking their cue from some of the chef's most well-known signatures. It's easy to imagine starting the day with breakfast highlights like buttermilk pancakes with stone fruit, whipped crème fraîche and lemon myrtle or chilli scrambled eggs with Longrain's signature XO sauce. For lunch, there's a thoughtful selection of fresh and toasted sandwiches alongside larger options like market fish with herb dressing; chicken schnitzel with celeriac and apple, horseradish and spiced butter sauce; and a classic Wagyu beef burger with fries. The menu showcases quality local produce, as well as ingredients from the surrounding garden. To drink, expect beans from Merchant Coffee Roasters alongside hot chocolate, chai latte, tea, and a selection of cold-pressed juices. Plus, a charming retail space offers the chance to stock up on fresh flowers, jams, preserves and provisions made in-house and by local producers — or even just a grab-and-go pastry and coffee. Operating in tandem with Como House & Gardens, Como Lane will also act as a community space throughout the year, with flower workshops, high teas and other community gatherings already on the agenda for the space. "We look forward to becoming part of the local community's daily routine," says Pickett. "Whether you're coming in for a takeaway coffee, a catered picnic in the garden, or settling in for a long lunch followed by a tour of the grounds, Como Lane will be a flexible venue with something for everyone." Como Lane is now open Monday–Saturday from 9am–3pm and Sunday from 10am–3pm at 20 Como Avenue, South Yarra. Head to the venue's website for more information. Images: Alex Squadrito.
The program for next year's White Night is here to make night owls of us all. The folks behind Melbourne's dusk 'til dawn cultural festival have once again put together a doozy of a lineup, packed with music performances, light art and giant inflatable rabbits. You'll find the colossal conies bounding around Alexandra Gardens. They're among a number of major installations at this year's festival, which kicks off at 7pm on Saturday February 18 and runs until 7am the following day. As in previous years, the city has been split into four different precincts, allowing nocturnal travellers to better plan their evening out. Punters travelling from the southside might want to start in 'Innocence Returned', which includes not just the Alexandra Gardens, but NGV International, the Arts Centre and Southbank as well. Highlights of this section include Echinodermus, an illuminated tree-like sculpture on the Southbank promenade, and Convergence, an interactive display incorporating projections, smoke jets and music in the Arts Centre forecourt. On the other side of the Yarra, 'Dancing in the Streets' stretches from Birrarung Marr to Collins Street. The riverside park will play host to live music throughout the night, with a lineup of artists (to be announced in January) designed to celebrate Melbourne's cultural diversity. Other standouts include the pointedly titled More Than 1 Nation, which will see the Degraves Street entrance to Flinders Street Station lit up with Indigenous artwork, and a plethora of moving image works at ACMI including a big screen mashup incorporating everything from Star Wars to Saturday Night Fever. White Night revellers who find themselves in the section of the CBD between Melbourne Town Hall and La Trobe Streets – dubbed 'Precipitation and Enlightenment' – will have their run of a pop-up cinema on Lonsdale Street, a psychedelic Seadragon's Lair in the State Library, and a 12-hour dance marathon on Collins Street. Finally, the 'Flames and Fantasy' precinct covers the Carlton Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum. The museum plaza will be temporary home to a number of enormous sculptures including a giant Sonic Light Bubble, a fire-breathing Pyrophone Juggernaut and towering Nebulus, while the exhibition building will as in previous years be illuminated by a series of breathtaking projections. 2017 will also see White Night take its first steps out of Melbourne, with a separate White Night Ballarat program set for March 4. For the full White Night program visit www.whitenightmelbourne.com.au. Image: Sonic Light Bubble, ENESS.
The omnipresence of satellite imaging, thanks particularly to our friends at Google, has meant we have become increasingly desensitised by the awesomeness that is mankind's ability to take detailed photographs of our neighbour's backyard from thousands of kilometres up into space. However, every so often we stumble upon images that reignite our wonder in our seemingly endless technological capacity and the epic majesty that is the natural world. These satellite photographs from John Nelson, a mapping manager at data visualisation company IDV Solutions, capture hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires across the globe using colour coding and cutting edge data visualisation technology to beautifully and innovatively map some of the most devastating storms throughout history. 11 Years of Major US Fires After devastating fires blazed across Utah and Colorado earlier this year, Nelson gathered satellite imagery from NASA to visually map the spread and intensity of wildfire across the US over the last 11 years. The differing colours represent the intensity of the fire as compared to the average output of a nuclear power plant during Summer. The bright yellow spots, spread primarily across the West Coast, represent fires burning at a heat and intensity of roughly three or more nuclear power plants, with the hottest recorded at approximately 14 nuclear power plants in June, 2005. Every Hurricane and Tropical Storm Over the Last 150 Years With the help of a plethora of data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration including wind speeds, dates and names, Nelson was able to map every hurricane and tropical storm over the last 150 years. Using this data along with some educated predictions about the movements of 19th Century storms, Nelson "slapped it on a polar projection" and added some colour coding depicting storm intensity to create these incredible images. The maps however serve much more than an artistic purpose, with Nelson creating them in the wake of Hurricane Isaac in order to assist meteorologists in analysing storm trends and even allowing us to detect storms before they have occurred. The World's Earthquakes Since 1898 This map provides an awe-inspiring view of the tectonic boundaries of the Earth's surface. The yellow and green glow represents every earthquake over the last century that measured 4.0 or over on the richter scale, with the more luminous the glow the higher the magnitude of the earthquake.
Since it first lit up Flinders Street back in 2013, White Night has quickly become one of the biggest events on the Melbourne cultural calendar. Last year, more than half a million people flocked into the CBD for a night of music, projections, installations and performances, from the spectacular to the downright strange. For Melburnians, the after-dark arts event represents a chance to see their city — quite literally — in a whole new light. But a single night of live art requires months of behind the scenes planning. There are sites to secure, routes to plot and transport to wrangle. Managing all that — while also recruiting hundreds of artists and performers and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the night — is no easy feat. "There's a mountain of things that are taking place," Artistic Director David Atkins tells Concrete Playground, less than two weeks out from the main event. "The works that are being created for the program are all in various stages of being delivered. We're attending rehearsals and looking at digital content and looking at projection materials. We're looking at screens, fine-tuning some of the bands and the musicians, and looking at all of the risk and safety stuff." It's Atkins' first year at the helm of the festival; he previously worked on major events including the ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the New Zealand World Cup. Still, from the sounds of things, he seems to be more or less on top of things. "Frantic isn't the world I'd use," he laughs. "But it's busy." [caption id="attachment_609855" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Amanda Parer: Intrude[/caption] DESIGNING THE PROGRAM "With something like White Night you are inheriting expectations," says Atkins of the way he approached this year's lineup. "[You have] an audience that has an understanding of what they're coming to see, and an expectation around that. So we're not going to dramatically depart from that, but then we also want to give them new things to look at, and some installations and activities that they might not have experienced before." This year, says Atkins, there's a bit more performance and interaction than there might have been in previous years. Punters can also expect a slightly more political bent to some of the installations. "I think when you've got an audience of half a million people, it's really behoven on you to actually use that to bring some issues to attention," he says. "Not to make judgments, but to at least make people aware." Asked for specifics, Atkins points to Home Less, a projection on the exterior of St Paul's Cathedral inspired by "the dreams of homeless people", as well as Rebel Elders in Rainbow Alley which explores "ageism and perception". [caption id="attachment_609854" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tilt: Peony[/caption] PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER Of course, it's one thing to commission the art. It's another thing to deliver it all simultaneously on the night. "As we get closer to [White Night] the focus changes and we get into the real detail," says Atkins. "We run a whole series of tabletop exercises and 'what ifs' in terms of running the control centre…we're [also] working with all the various stakeholders as we get closer in terms of event messaging for public transport, emergency services and how we interface with them." "It's about managing a whole range of different things on the night, and being sure that we're prepared for them," he says. "You work on the basis that you want everything to run smoothly, but you need to be really well prepared, and have everyone else well prepared in case something goes awry on the night." They even have a plan in case of bad weather. "There are lots of things that are still happening indoors, and we have safety measures to deal with inclement weather," says Atkins. "We're still in a really good part of the year, so it's not cold. And I think if you live in Melbourne and you're not prepared for the rain, then you've not lived in Melbourne very long." [caption id="attachment_603012" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eness: Sonic Light Bubble[/caption] WHAT NOT TO MISS Alright, so now we have an idea of how the whole thing comes together. But the question remains: what are we actually going to get? Atkins was keen to share his recommendations for the evening, starting in the Carlton Gardens. "On the Royal Exhibition Building you've got a piece called Rhythms of the Night, which I think is going to be a really popular projection this year — the guys have gone to a lot of trouble mapping that building and I think it's going to be one of the highlights," he says. "In that same area, you've got Sonic Light Bubble which is an interactive dome, and then you've got Pixel Fruit which is an LED installation. So there's a lot up there to enjoy." Moving through the city, Atkins spotlights Swing City on Collins Street, a never ending dance marathon featuring a 13-piece big band, ballroom dancers, vintage cars and more. "Then you look at the southern end of the city where you've got Alexandra Gardens, and the White Knight Messenger, which is an automated puppet which involves projection, sound and performance," Atkins continues. "So that's a fantastic piece that's going to be down there, along with The Medusa, which is a huge jellyfish suspended from the trees." Still, of all Atkins' recommendations, we reckon his best one isn't about what to see, but when. "If you haven't got kids and you can come after midnight, then that's the time to come," he says. "If you go later, you can avoid the crowds, [and] if you can spend Sunday in bed, that'd be my advice. I'd make a night of it."
Every December, fans of sparkling sights are gifted a luminous feast for their eyes. No, we're not talking about Christmas lights. Regardless of whether you're bathing in a festive glow or hardly fond of all the merriment, 'tis the season for the Geminids meteor shower to soar through the sky — starting back on Sunday, December 4 and finishing for 2022 on Tuesday, December 20. Yes, that means that this shower is visible right now. Even better: Down Under, it's at its peak on the evening of Wednesday, December 14 and the morning of Thursday, December 15. If you have a telescope at hand, it's clearly a great time to put it to use. Eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony? Here's everything you need to know. [caption id="attachment_882304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ESO/G. Lombardi via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHAT IS IT Lighting up the end-of-year skies, the Geminids meteor shower is considered the most spectacular meteor shower of the year. Again, Christmas lights aren't the only spectacle worth peering at this month. The Geminids is caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere — and it was first observed in 1862. Some years, you can catch as many as 150 meteors every 60 minutes, so this definitely isn't just any old meteor shower. [caption id="attachment_699423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai.[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The 2022 shower kicked off on Sunday, December 4, but it really is just getting started. While the Geminids runs through until Tuesday, December 20 this year, it's expected to be at its peak in Australia overnight between Wednesday, December 14–Thursday, December 15. If you fancy a stint of stargazing, the best time to look up is on Wednesday, December 14 from around 9pm in Brisbane, 10pm in Perth, 11pm in Sydney, 11.30pm in Adelaide and 12am in Melbourne. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere, but before sunrise. [caption id="attachment_882301" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Durkin via Flickr[/caption] HOW TO SEE IT For your best chances, it's worth getting as far away from bright lights as possible. This could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. To see the meteors, you'll need to give your eyes around 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark (so try to avoid checking your phone) and look to the northeast. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower runs from Sunday, December 4–Tuesday, December 20, and will be at its peak during the night on Wednesday, December 14–Thursday, December 15. For further details, head to Time and Date. Top image: A composite of 163 photos taken over 90 minutes during the Geminids by Jeff Smallwood for Flickr.
As part of the 2013–14 Sydney International Art Series and part of an exclusive deal with the NSW government, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Destination NSW present, War Is Over! (if you want it): Yoko Ono. Legendary artist, musician, activist and perhaps one of the most controversial figures in the history of rock 'n' roll, Yoko Ono has developed her first solo exhibition made up of five decades worth of art in diverse media. Over the past decade skeptics of Ono and her involvement with the Beatles disintegration in 1970, have let the past go and have started to embrace Ono's musical and artistic endeavours. Ono brings back to life the iconic message, 'War Is Over!' that she and her late husband John Lennon spent years spreading around the world. First appearing in 1969 across billboards worldwide, the message may be the most recognised symbol of public outcry for peace during the Vietnam War. Over the past decade some of those who were once skeptical of Ono and her possible involvement in the Beatles 1970 disintegration, have let the past go and begun to embrace Ono's musical and artistic endeavours. MCA Senior Curator Rachel Kent has worked closely with Ono on the survey. The exhibition reaffirms Ono's belief in a better future. Sydney's MCA will be the only Australian venue for Ono's artwork which includes performances, sculpture, written texts, films, sound compositions, and participatory pieces of art that involve the viewers. The exhibit is to be presented throughout the Level Three Galleries in November of next year. Ono is expected to attend.
One could argue that the Queen's Birthday public holiday falls in June (when Her Majesty's actual birthday is actually in April) to give Aussies the chance to experience the joys of a wintery holiday. It's not entirely true, but we're running with it — and using it as an excuse to plan a cosy getaway with lots of wine. And one spot that delivers this is Winter Wine Fest. The exhibition, held on the Saturday of the June long weekend each year, marks the start of Winter Wine Weekend — a weekend-long fiesta of cellar door tastings and other vineyard events across the Mornington Peninsula. Hosted in the no-frills locale of a large tin shed at Red Hill in the Mornington's hinterland, the Winter Wine Fest is your, one-stop vino hotspot — a meeting of winemakers and wine lovers alike. This year, there'll be over 150 premium wines from 47 of the region's winemakers to sample, matched by a special menu created by chefs from the Mornington Peninsula's top restaurants. Plus, there'll be live music. Sip on textural, biodynamic drops from Staindl Wines, savour a classic, cool climate pinot noir or chardonnay from local winery Myrtaceae or head to one of the top winemakers in the region — Montalto — and sample some of its award-winning pinots. Local winemakers use the event to unveil a bunch of their new release wines, making it an ideal way to work your way through Mornington Peninsula's top drops, chat to some of the winemakers and keep your vino education going. If you wanted to make a weekend of it, continue the Winter Wine Weekend's celebrations and visit some of the peninsula's top cellar doors. For a full list of wineries and activities, visit here. Winter Wine Fest will run from 11am–4pm on Saturday, June 8. Pre-booked tickets cost $75 ($80 on the door), which includes all tastings, a Riedel wine glass, a tasting book (which features all wines on exhibition) and two entree size dishes. To book tickets, head this way. Image: Montalto, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
These cold winter nights require a little extra incentive to leave the house. Luckily, the already warm and inviting Chato has your new midweek fix — of the all-you-can-eat variety. Every Wednesday from July 4 through September 27, you can devour plates upon plates of their signature tapas to your stomach's content from 5pm—9pm. For $30 per person, you'll be free to indulge in everything the tapas buffet has to offer — think patatas bravas, grilled spicy scallops, empanadas and fried calamari, along with all the paella you can handle and, our personal favourite, the coliflor rebozada (deep-fried cauliflower in saffron and manchego butter). Wash it all down with a glass of Spanish wine, a cocktail or both and you've got yourself one hell of a winter pick-me-up. And if you somehow still haven't gotten your fill, head to all-you-can-eat dumplings at POW Kitchen on Thursday night — you legend.
When February 2024 arrives at QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane, expect three words to echo with enthusiasm: "be our guest". And, when June hits at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, expect the same. Both venues will be home to the next Australian seasons of Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical, which has arrived Down Under as a newly reimagined and redesigned production. Exact dates haven't yet been announced, but the huge show will bring a tale as old as time to the Queensland and Victorian capitals after its current Aussie-premiere run in Sydney — and marks the latest in a growing line of Disney hits to come our way. Frozen the Musical did the rounds in recent years, as did the musical version of Mary Poppins. This version Beauty and the Beast first made its way to the stage in the UK in 2021, and reworks the original show that premiered in the US in the 90s — adapting Disney's hit 1991 animated movie musical, of course. Fans can expect the same Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, including all the beloved tunes such as 'Be Our Guest' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It also comes with new dance arrangements by David Chase, and with original choreographer Matt West revisiting his work. When the British return was announced, Menken said that "Beauty and the Beast is a testament to the genius of my late friend and collaborator Howard Ashman, but the show's richness comes from the combination of Howard's style and that of the brilliant Tim Rice, with whom I expanded the score to give voice to the Beast." "It's clear that audiences the world over want to return to the world of Beauty, which continues to amaze and humble those of us who created it." Cast-wise, the production features all-Australian talent, including Brisbanites Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Jackson Head as Gaston, the Gold Coast's Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts, Melbourne's Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth, plus Brendan Xavier as Beast and Rohan Browne as Lumiere. "We are thrilled to return to Brisbane and Melbourne with Beauty and the Beast, as re-imagined by members of the brilliant original creative team. This beloved show — and Belle herself — are somehow as contemporary today as when the film premiered in 1991, even more meaningful to those who first discovered them decades ago and to new generations," said Thomas Schumacher President & Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, announcing the Brisbane season. "Each time we've returned to Australia over the last quarter century we see audiences grow larger and more appreciative and the deep pool of extraordinary home-grown musical theatre talent grow even deeper. We cannot wait to bring this cherished story to two of our favourite Australian cities once more." DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE MUSICAL 2024 AUSTRALIAN DATES: From February 2024 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From June 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical will hit QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from February 2024 and Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from June 2024. We'll update you with exact dates when they're announced. For more information, or to sign up for the ticket waitlist — with Brisbane pre-sales from Monday, October 16 and Melbourne's from Monday, November 13— head to the musical's website. Images: Daniel Boud.
Some holidays arise from months of planning. Others happen simply because an airline has cheap flights on offer. Both are perfectly acceptable ways to lock in a getaway — and if you're keen for the latter, Jetstar is doing a big 48-hour sale with 400,000-plus fares to Bali, Phuket, Hawaii, Vietnam, Japan and Seoul, among other destinations. Actually, the Australian carrier is doing discounted flights across Australia as well as to international spots — but after the couple of years we've all had, with closed borders both locally and overseas, you're probably (and understandably) itching to venture to other countries. International fares start from $199 return — yes, both ways — because this is Jetstar's 'return for free' sale. Running from 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 4–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, May 5, or until sold out, it's as straightforward as it sounds. Whatever flights you opt for as part of the sale, you'll get the return fare for nothing. Overseas, one big caveat is worth keeping in mind: some destinations, such as Japan, haven't yet opened to international tourists. But if you'd like to book cheap flights to Tokyo or Osaka and back for later in the year and cross your fingers that the border situation changes, you can. Also on the list: fares to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, to name a few, with 29 international routes covered. Locally, you've got a choice between 59 routes — all with return legs for free — starting from $69. Tickets in the sale are for trips from this coming spring onwards, with exact days varying in each region. There are a few other rules, as is always the case. You have to the same departure and arrival ports for the two fares — so you can go from Melbourne to Honolulu and back, for instance, but can't return via another place or to another city. And, the sale fares don't include checked baggage, so you'll need to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. Jetstar's 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 4–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, May 5 — or until sold out.
Feeling a bit glum about your lack of airline club membership and all the benefits that go with it? Well, you can pick yourself up off that floor and start actually looking forward to your next Melbourne Airport visit, because someone's launched a 'pay-as-you-go' lounge that's open to anyone and everyone. Over in the international terminal T2, the newly unveiled Marhaba Lounge promises to bring a touch of sophistication to your pre-flight game — even if you're flying budget economy without a single, lousy frequent flyer point to your name. Of course, you'll have to pay for the privilege, with $65 gaining you casual entry for up to four hours, paid either on the spot or in advance when you pre-book online. Sure, it sounds a little pricey, though if you've managed to wrangle a super cheap long-haul flight, who knows when you'll next see a comfy seat and a decent feed? Marhaba Lounge has room for 200 guests and is manned by 26 staff, on hand to ensure your lounging experience is tip top. It's got showers, free wi-fi, a quiet zone, buffet dining and an Aussie-led booze list, and is open from 6am to midnight each day. Currently, you'll score free entry if you're travelling with Marhaba's partners Tianjin, Xianen and JAL, with more airlines set to team up by the end of the year. Other lounges are also under discussion, so keep an eye out if a trip to Adelaide or Perth is in your future. For more information or to pre-book your spot, visit the Marhaba Lounge website. Via traveler.com.au
Calling all live theatre enthusiasts – get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare's comedy in the heart of the St Kilda Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Shakespeare Company has announced its new musical production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, which will debut this year on Saturday, December 3. Following its contemporary interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the production company will deliver the same quality experience with a star-studded list of actors featuring Elle Sejean-Allen, Ellis Dolan and Chris Broadstock. The musical has enlisted a predominantly female cast including Anne Page (Lucy May Knight) and Fenton (Sarah Clarke) who play each other's romantic love interests. The recycled costumes and set design, which has been crafted from reused and reclaimed materials, is another highlight of the production. The best part? Picnics are encouraged and seating can be provided by the venue. The Merry Wives of Windsor will run from Saturday, December 3 to Saturday, December 24. Tickets can now be purchased via the Melbourne Shakespeare Company website. [caption id="attachment_876724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shae Khreish[/caption] Top Image: Shae Khreish
Ever wanted to tap into Melbourne's rich indigenous history as you walk around the city? Well, now there's an app for that. The brainchild of AIATSIS — the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies — the Melbourne Dreaming app launched late last year as a new platform for sharing stories and information about the area's vibrant cultural heritage. With it, users can customise self-guided tours exploring significant sites around the city, from the former hunting grounds of Chapel Street, to the Burnley Ngargee (or 'corroboree') tree in Richmond. The app is loaded with travel information to help streamline your historical explorations, and even comes with handy audio commentary. "Aboriginal culture is a living breathing part of Australian life that is easily accessible if you know where to look," explained AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie. He said the app is designed to help users "see past the concrete jungle and be exposed to real and local Aboriginal culture right in the middle of one of the world's top cities." Download the Melbourne Dreaming app now from iTunes and Google Play.
As much as we all love having our friends and family stay for Christmas, there comes a point where you just need a little ... space. The living room is still littered with crumpled wrapping paper, and your visiting cousin keeps hogging the couch. Everyone's nerves are frayed, and Mum's on the warpath to find out who ate the last slice of pavlova. That strange week between Christmas and New Year's Day can feel slightly confusing. That's why the internet is always flooded with 'what day is it?' memes. But things are different this year. Everyone in Victoria is still riding high on that post-iso freedom, so — even if you're staying in the city — you probably can't wait to get out and explore. With Jacob's Creek, we've put together a list of things for you to try. Grab those lingering relatives, and hustle everyone out of the house. It's time for a mini Melbourne adventure. [caption id="attachment_793547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fairfield Park Boathouse, Phillip Mallis via Flickr[/caption] TAKE A HIKE THROUGH INNER CITY BUSHLAND After being in sloth-mode over the festive season, strenuous exercise probably isn't on the cards. Instead, choose a local, leisurely route that is easily accessible, like Yarra Bend Park in Kew. Start at Fairfield Park Boathouse, wander through the park's lush green fields, and cross over the historic Kanes Bridge to have a picnic in Studley Park. We are fortunate in Melbourne that all of our public parks allow consumption of alcohol, so throw in some snacks and a bottle of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Rosé to enjoy after clocking some serious steps. CATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS We've had limited opportunities to visit the cinema this year, and watching Netflix on the couch isn't quite cutting it anymore. Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave is the perfect way to jump-start your love of watching movies on the big screen again. Originally built in 1935, the cinema has retained many of its original art deco embellishments, with high-quality cinema facilities gradually added along the way. In summer, our favourite spot is the outdoor cinema, which has deckchairs and beanbags to settle into in front of the big screen — and a bar. The best part? You can even bring your pup along to share in the movie magic. [caption id="attachment_699808" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Drewnik[/caption] CATCH THE BOXING DAY TEST AT THE ESPY There's something special about the Boxing Day Test. You might not usually be a big cricket fan during the year but, come December 26, almost everyone's glued to the game. If you aren't keen on trekking to the MCG, wander down to Hotel Esplanade in St Kilda. We all know The Espy as a historic live music venue, but the team is equally skilled at showcasing the biggest sporting events of the year. If you're really not into the cricket, but have been dragged along by your mates, enjoying a cheeky glass of vino while admiring the water views still sounds like a pretty good way to wind down after the Chrissy madness to us. [caption id="attachment_793548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gem Pier, Visit Victoria[/caption] SOAK UP THE SUMMER VIBES ON WILLIAMSTOWN PIER Williamstown truly has it all: kilometres of coastal tracks, lush botanic gardens and no less than six ice cream shops. It's hard to pick our favourite, but The Ice Cream Shoppe gets the tick of approval for serving dog-friendly ice cream, too. Grab a scoop for you — we recommend the chilli chocolate — and one for your furry friend, then admire the yachts as you walk along the nearby Gem Pier. [caption id="attachment_793549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I Love Pho, Visit Victoria[/caption] HAVE A CHEAP AND CHEERFUL FEED IN RICHMOND Blown your budget on Christmas presents this year, but still keen to head out for dinner? Wander down to Victoria Street in Richmond to discover some of Melbourne's best Vietnamese restaurants. There are dozens to choose from, with plenty of room for larger groups. I Love Pho, near the Church Street intersection, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Not only does it have an incredible menu, featuring rice paper rolls, banh mi and (unsurprisingly) pho, but it also allows guests to BYO wine. The Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir pairs exceptionally well with fresh and zesty salads. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: Esplanade Hotel by Alex Drewnik Please drink responsibly.
Brighton's Hamish & Grace is a whimsical store that sits slightly aside from the mainstream shopping strip. Australian designers are at the forefront, and you'll find Elk the Label printed jumpsuits, mermaid wall art, and peace sign vases by Byron-based brand Jones & Co, plus kids' knitted blankets from Melbourne's own Halcyon Nights. Boasting designer labels alongside handcrafted treasures, Hamish & Grace likes to ensure each item tells a story.
