It is well and truly holiday season and as things heat up (literally and figuratively), Black Star Pastry has come in with the ultimate way to elevate your Christmas gathering. Enter the brand-new White Strawberry Watermelon Cake — a limited-edition Christmas version of its famous Strawberry Watermelon Cake aka the "world's most Instagrammed cake". The cake is crowned with white strawberries — rare variants originally from Japan — known as 'hatsukoi no kaori' or 'scent of first love', which have limited availability in Australia. Also included: layers of fresh watermelon and almond dacquoise enveloped in a rose- and strawberry-scented cream, then topped with white strawberries, pink cream, hand-carved snowflakes and a dusting of sweet snow — the closest thing we'll get to a white Christmas Down Under. The four-portion White Strawberry Watermelon Cake, priced at $80, is currently available for preorder. You'll want to get in quick, as this baby is available in strictly limited numbers due to the elusive nature of the white strawberry. Once ordered, collection will be available on Saturday, December 23–Sunday, December 24. In its 2023 Christmas range, Black Star Pastry is also offering a Gingerbread Chiffon Cake ($70). This take on the classic chiffon includes a gingerbread-spiced base, molasses buttercream layers, a white chocolate and lemon drizzle, then mini ginger ninjas and handmade white and strawberry chocolate candy canes on top. It serves 12 portions, with pre-orders are available now — as is collection, which will end on Sunday, December 24. For those looking to grab a slice of the festive action, individual slices of the Gingerbread Chiffon Cake are available in Sydney's Rosebery and Chatswood stores, as well as Melbourne's St Kilda store. So, if you're in Sydney or Melbourne this holiday season, why not treat yourself? After all, what's Christmas without a little indulgence? Head to the Black Star Pastry website to order the White Strawberry Watermelon Cake and the Gingerbread Chiffon Cake before Sunday, December 24.
During the summer months, there's often one thing at the top of our to-do lists: hitting up as many beaches as possible. Australia has a lot of them (11,761 of them, to be exact) and choosing which ones to go to can be difficult. Where won't be too busy? Too seaweed-y? Which one has the whitest sand? The bluest water? Is the best for beach cricket? There's a lot to consider. Thankfully, Tourism Australia's Beach Ambassador (how do we apply?) Brad Farmer AM has done the hard yards and pulled together a tidy list of the top 20 Australian beaches for 2020. Farmer chose the beaches based on water quality, cleanliness, capacity, facilities, safety and 'wow' factor, as well as a host of other factors. Topping the list for 2020 is Cabarita Beach on the Tweed Coast, tucked between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. As well as being a great surfing spot that's reasonably quiet, Cabarita is filled with lauded dining destinations and a brand-new glamping retreat a thong's throw from the award-winning beach. Farmer calls it a "quintessential Aussie beachscape showcasing a truly diverse range of settings to swoon over". [caption id="attachment_754821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wagga Wagga Beach by Destination NSW.[/caption] Also on the list, for the first time, is an "inland beach". Wagga Wagga Beach, coming in at number nine, is located on the banks of the Murrumbidge River a five-hour drive inland from Sydney. It's far from the coast — and the seashore — but Farmer said "it's time we extend the meaning of a beach". "There are so many aquatic environments across Australia's interior," Farmer said in a statement. "These water spaces...socially connect rural and remote communities in often dusty and dry, drought conditions." At a time when so many parts of rural Australia are suffering through a two-year drought, it seems a fitting time to recognise our inland water bodies. A second non-coastal beach made the list, too: the pristine Lake McKenzie on Queensland's Fraser Island, which came in tenth. Rounding out the top five are the Gold Coast's Currumbin Beach at number two, NSW's hidden Minnamurra Beach (aka Mystics Beach) at number three, and Maria Island in Tasmania and Queensland's Cape Tribulation at number four and five respectively. Some of Australia's busiest (and, arguably, most popular) beaches — ie Bondi and Jervis Bay— didn't make the short list, but are both on Farmer's long list of 101 top Australian beaches for 2020. As did the Whitsunday's Whitehaven Beach, Australia's top-ranking beach in FlightNetwork's global list. So pack your togs (and your beach cricket set), round up some mates and start ticking these off. We see many road trips in your future. [caption id="attachment_754820" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake McKenzie by Ashley Dobson[/caption] THE TOP 20 BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES FOR 2020 1. Cabarita (NSW) 2. Currumbin (Qld) 3. Minnamurra (NSW) 4. Maria Island (Tas) 5. Cape Tribulation (Qld) 6. Brighton Beach (Vic) 7. Bettys Beach (WA) 8. South Port Beach (SA) 9. Wagga Wagga Beach (NSW) 10. Lake McKenzie (Qld) 11. The Basin, Rottnest Island (WA) 12. Fingal Bay (NSW) 13. Smiths Beach (WA) 14. Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island (NSW) 15. Quobba Station Red Bluff (WA) 16. Cossies Beach (Indian Ocean) 17. Lake Tyers Beach (Vic) 18. Diamond Head (NSW) 19. Pondalowie Bay (SA) 20. Killiecrankie Beach, Flinders Island (Tas) Top images: Cabarita Beach by Destination NSW
Sometimes, when a TV show is a hit, giant dolls pop up by Sydney harbour. At other times, when a movie is a must-see, one of its key locations makes its home on Little Bourke Street in Melbourne. Right now is one of the latter occasions, all to celebrate Everything Everywhere All At Once — aka the multiverse-hopping, mind-bending delight starring the one and only Michelle Yeoh that everyone is rightly talking about at the moment. In the flick, the Crazy Rich Asians, Last Christmas, Boss Level, Gunpowder Milkshake and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor plays middle-aged Chinese American woman Evelyn Wang, who runs a laundromat with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom's Short Round and The Goonies' Data). That might sound straightforward, but the feature was written and directed by the Daniels, aka Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. If you saw Swiss Army Man, which cast Daniel Radcliffe as a farting corpse who doubled as a jetski, you should have some idea of the kind of wild and wacky on-screen chaos the filmmaking duo is capable of conjuring up. For Evelyn in Everything Everywhere All At Once, she takes a trip to her local tax office — and her tale soon goes hurtling through other dimensions from there. The full details are best discovered by watching; however, the end result is exactly what big-screen multiverse-focused fare should look like. While following in Evelyn's footsteps isn't something that anyone can truly do, Roadshow Films has set up a pop-up that'll let you pretend — only if you're in the Melbourne CBD from 1–8pm daily between Friday, April 22–Sunday, April 24. At Corrs Corner at 132–138 Little Bourke Street, you'll find the Everything Everywhere All At Once multiversal laundromat. Step inside, see crucial spots from movie right there before your eyes and feel like you've leapt into the film. While you'll enter a space that, yes, resembles a laundromat, that's just the beginning. From there, you'll find a spliced and angled mirror room as well, and different nods to places and moments in the movie. Having your senses overwhelmed comes with the territory — as it does, at least with your eyes and ears, while watching Everything Everywhere All At Once. Make sure that you peer inside the washing machines onsite, too, as they're designed to spin with a kaleidoscopic array of moving imagery — and make you feel like you're time-travelling between different dimensions. Obviously, taking snaps is a big part of the fun, so that's what you'll be seeing on Instagram all weekend. Find the Everything Everywhere All At Once laundromat at Corrs Corner, 132–138 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne from 1–8pm daily between Friday, April 22–Sunday, April 24. Everything Everywhere All At Once is currently playing in Australian cinemas — read our full review.
Describing itself as a candy store, but for herbs and spices, Gewürzhaus presents visitors with 350 single-origin spices, herbs, salts, peppers, teas and sugars imported from around the world. Located on Lygon Street amid Carlton's vibrant restaurants and eateries, the store also stocks more than 100 small-batch blends that are mixed and milled on a weekly basis exclusively by Gewürzhaus. From premium quality thyme to sage and tarragon, send your tastebuds into overdrive as your cooking will assuredly be taken to whole new levels following your visit. Images: Parker Blain.
Australia's love of whodunnits and crime stories helped make Jane Harper's Aaron Falk books a hit on the page. In cinemas, The Dry brought the character to the screen back in 2021 and proved a huge success there, too. Next came sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2, also based on one of the Aussie author's novels, also starring Eric Bana (Blueback) as the determined detective and also helmed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes) — and now you can check it out at home. The second move in the franchise took its time getting to the silver screen. Initially, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 was the most-anticipated new Australian movie of 2023; however, it was postponed from its planned August 2023 release amid the SAG-AFTRA strike and moved to Ferbuary 2024. The picture is still in cinemas at the time of writing but, if your busy schedule has gotten in the way of you catching it so far, you can make a date to see it on your couch instead. When Bana stepped into Falk's shoes in The Dry, more movies were always bound to follow. On the screen, the film became a massive Australian box-office smash thanks to its twisty mystery, determined protagonist, stunning scenery and spectacular cast. So, throw that formula together again and you have Force of Nature: The Dry 2. This second effort sees Falk again investigating a case, looking into the disappearance of a hiker from a corporate retreat attended by five women. Alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing traveller — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse list of Aussie talent just like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Blessed), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Strife). Richard Roxburgh (Prosper), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Reteaming not just after The Dry, but also Blueback in the middle, Connolly and Bana make quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Fans of Harper's work also have The Survivors to look forward to, but on the small screen. It's heading to Netflix from the pages of the author's text of the same name, and isn't linked to The Dry or Force of Nature. Here, the Tasmanian-set story follows families still coping with the loss caused by a massive storm in their seaside town 15 years earlier, then faced with a new murder. Check out the trailer for Force of Nature: The Dry 2 below: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and also streaming via YouTube Movies and Prime Video. Read our review of Force of Nature: The Dry 2, and of The Dry — plus our chat about Force of Nature with Eric Bana and Robert Connolly. Images: Narelle Portanier.
Cycling escapades through artsy neighbourhoods, banquets in medieval castles, kayaking expeditions through incredible scenery to local breweries, cocktail masterclasses and late-night parties in century-old spa baths. Cruises may've once been targeted at retirees, but they're not anymore. U By Uniworld, a branch of global river cruise company Uniworld, has waterborne odysseys for all ages — and the ships, where you'll spend a good chunk of your time, aren't just ships. They're part floating boutique hotel, part restaurant, part yoga studio, part night club. And, as moveable hotels, they can also park in the heart of some of Europe's most exciting cities. Still don't believe us? We're willing to help you change your mind. We've joined forces with U By Uniworld to give away an eight-day cruise for two people. Worth up to $7,598, the prize gives you a choice of four cruises leaving port in 2018. To see France from a whole new perspective, jump aboard The Seine Experience. You'll spend eight days on the river that travels through the heart of Paris. Possible adventures include a foodie tour around Paris's secret laneways, paragliding through a nature park, a small bar crawl in Rouen's magical old city and a visit to a cider farm in Normandy. More in the mood for beer? Opt for the Germany's Finest, which meanders along the Main and the Danube. You'll take a midnight walking tour of cosmopolitan Frankfurt, a visit to Germany's biggest beer-producing region where more than 400 drops are up for tasting, a bike ride around Nuremberg and a visit to the world's oldest sausage restaurant. Meanwhile, a multi-country experience can be had on the Danube Flow. It begins in southeast Germany with a night out in mysterious, medieval Regensburg, and finishes in Budapest, Hungary, where the ship's chef will take you on a tour of a local market. Finally, you could win a spot on Rolling on the Rhine, which starts with a night out in Amsterdam, travels through The Netherlands — where you can go sea kayaking and visit the Church of Beer — and ends in Frankfurt, Germany. Whichever you choose, your prize includes accommodation, activities, port taxes, gratuities and meals for two. It doesn't, however, include flights so keep a keen eye out for any specials — this may be the perfect excuse to book that Europe tour you've been talking about for months. To enter, see details below. [competition]650728[/competition]
Long before Photoshop became widely available photo hoaxes were much more noteworthy and had larger repercussions for contriving fake events. Today we are accustomed to seeing completely unrealistic and out-of-this-world scenes on photographic prints, but in bygone days society was a little more innocent. Whether used as propaganda in war times, t0 invent or perpetuate superstitions, to improve appearances, or to make ordinary events appear extraordinary, photo hoaxes have historically changed our perceptions, beliefs and even our actions. Here are ten of the most famous photo hoaxes (appropriately from The Museum of Hoaxes) throughout history. Portrait of a Photographer as a Drowned Man Hippolyte Bayard was angered by the lack of attention and recognition given to his independently developed process of direct positive printing, which was instead focused on his rival Louis Daguerre. In the 1830s during the race to perfect the printing process, Bayard was not remembered as the first to invent photography, yet he is known as the first to fake a photograph. To demonstrate his frustration, Bayard took a faux photo of himself as a suicide victim alongside a note reprimanding those who supported Daguerre as the discoverer of photography rather than himself. President Lincoln Due to Abraham Lincoln's lack of 'heroic-style' portraits, an amateur entrepreneur created the photo of Lincoln on the left by combining two other photographs. By cutting out Lincoln's head from a picture by Matthew Brady and pasting it onto an image of southern leader John Calhoun, this widespread image of a bold President Lincoln was created. The Cottingley Fairies Cousins Frances Griffith and Elsie Wright were playing in the garden of Elsie's Cottingley village home when a group of frolicking fairies seemingly decided to join in on their fun. The series of photos taken by the young girls captured the world's attention, providing 'proof' to many spiritualists that supernatural creatures really did exist. Little did the world know (until 1980) that the fairies were in fact only cardboard cutouts drawn by Elsie inspired by the book Princess Mary's Gift Book. Trotsky Vanishes Leon Trotsky, the second in command to Lenin in Soviet Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, was deported and eventually assassinated in later years after demonstrating open dissent towards Stalin's policies. This photo was taken in 1920, with the original depicting Vladimir Lenin atop a platform speaking to troops at Sverdlov Square and both Trotsky and Kamenev standing beside him on his left side. This picture is one of the most famous images in the many falsified photos using paint, razor and airbrushes as part of Stalin's attempt to eliminate all traces of the 'traitor' Trotsky. Baby Hitler In the 1930s, a photo supposedly showing a baby Adolf Hitler circulated throughout England and America. The menacing scowl upon the baby's face and greasy mop of hair covering its head was distributed by Acme Newspictures Inc. and appeared in a large number of newspapers and magazines. The photo actually portrayed a young american boy, John May Warren, whose cute and and bubbly features had been manipulated to make him look more sinister. The origin of the hoax picture has been traced back to Austria, Hitler's home country, yet the identity of the forger remains unknown. Lung-powered Flying Machine One of the most successful and widespread April Fools jokes in history, this photo was run in the Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung on April 1, 1934 presenting a flying machine run by the breath from a man's lung. Many immediately thought the image to be true and International News Photo distributed the image of this 'new invention' to its American subscribers. This caused the image to go viral, with it even making it into the New York Times. The Surgeon's Photo A few months after the initial media hype following a sighting of an 'enormous monster' by a couple in the Loch Ness, a highly respected British surgeon, Colonel Robert Wilson, came forward with a picture showing a serpent rising out of the water. By far the most famous image of the 'Loch Ness Monster', this photo, named 'The Surgeon's Photo' (due to Wilson's wish to remain anonymous) was debunked in 1994, 60 years after the photo's initial release. 90 year-old Christian Spurling, on the eve of his death, revealed his role in the hoax. At his stepfather's wishes he had created a toy submarine with a sea-serpent head to appear in a photograph, which Colonel Wilson would be the frontman for. The Brown Lady of Raynham By far one of the most famous ghost pictures, the Brown Lady supposedly haunted the walls of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England. The image was taken by two photographers for Country Life magazine, who had been setting up their cameras and apparently saw an unearthly figure floating down the stairs and subsequently snapped a photo. The appearance of the ghost has later been attributed to camera vibration, light entering the lens from the window or double exposure, yet it is unknown whether the result was produced on purpose or was accidental. The Bluff Creek Bigfoot This image represents frame 352 of Patterson and Gimlin's infamous short film about Bigfoot set in Northern California. The pair set out out to make a documentary on horseback about the beast and conveniently managed to capture footage of a female 'Bigfoot' strolling along the river bank. Skeptics argue that this image is obviously just a figure in an ape suit, yet believers counter that costumes and effects were not sophisticated enough in 1967 to create such a believable image. The quality of the film is not good enough to conclusively prove or deny the existence of the beast, so feel free to make up your own mind on the authenticity of the image. The Foetal Footprint One of the more recent photo hoaxes, this image showing the outline of the foot of a baby in utero pressing against a pregnant mother's belly has gained widespread prominence on the internet and elsewhere. Many have been fooled by this miracle photo, but in actual fact, the abdominal wall is too thick and muscular for a foetal foot to be seen so clearly, and the foot itself is also unusually large.
Bourke Street Mall's constant foot traffic probably won't be slowing down anytime in the near future, but it'll soon be a little easier on the lungs to walk through the buzzy stretch. Melbourne City Council has this morning announced that a smoke-free zone will be introduced between Russell Place and Elizabeth Street — covering all footpaths, roads and tramways — from Friday, October 4. "We're creating a welcoming, safe and healthy environment for the 60,000 visitors, residents and workers who enjoy the shopping and fantastic atmosphere of Bourke Street Mall every day," said Lord Mayor Sally Capp in a statement. Once the ban has been introduced in October, there'll be $100 fines for people smoking in the zone. If you're caught littering butts, you could face even heftier fines of up to $660. The City of Melbourne currently has ten smoke-free zones, including Howey Place, Block Place, Equitable Place, QV Melbourne, The Causeway, Fulham Place, Goldsbrough Lane, Collins Way, and the Tan and Princes Park running tracks. Smoking in outdoor dining areas is also banned. The Bourke Street smoking ban comes just a couple of months after North Sydney made the move to become one of the first smoke-free CBDs in the country. Hobart and Brisbane also have designated smoke-free public places in their own CBDs. The Bourke Street Mall smoke-free zone will come into effect from Friday, October 4. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
Some pretty big changes are afoot in Bligh Place. Two and a half years after launching, modern Middle Eastern diner Souk has had a full refit, jumping into its next phase with a flashy fresh look and a brand-new bar offering. Off the back of hefty renovations, Souk 2.0 has opened its doors, showing off a new space that conjures up some futuristic Arabian marketplace vibes. Much of the venue's signature neon remains, though it's now matched with an even more dramatic fitout. While the upstairs and rear of the site house the restaurant, the front space is being transformed into the all-new Handsome Bar, which is slated to launch mid-August. Entered through a separate door, Souk's new watering hole is contemporary, luxe, and heroes playful cocktails and drinking snacks. Serving up an entirely plant-based menu, the food range features eight tapas-style bites, including the likes of Jatz and French onion dip with harissa oil, and faux 'bone marrow' toast with parsley. They're matched by an offering of retro-inspired cocktails and French wine. Meanwhile, Souk has debuted a new menu of its own, while still sticking to its trademark fusion of classic Ottoman flavours and modern technique. Among a lineup primed for sharing, you'll find plates like fenugreek chicken wings teamed with dried pickled chillies, crispy spiced lamb ribs starring toasted garlic and mint vinegar, and a truffled cheese borek stuffed with black truffle mayo and three types of cheese. Charred flatbreads come with a choice of dip, including an appetising blend of dried tomato, lemon oil, black chilli and sumac. Meanwhile larger dishes span the likes of a barbecue spiced-chicken with buttered rice and currant pine nut sauce, and a contemporary riff on the mixed meat kebab. Plus, at $55 and $75, the two different sized chef's choice menus are solid options for the feasting-inclined. Find Souk Melbourne and Handsome Bar at 13 Bligh Place, Melbourne. Souk is open now, while Handsome Bar launches in mid-August — and they both trade Tuesday–Saturday.
The site at 20 Bourke Street has spawned its fair share of incarnations over the decades, from cinema to nightclub to gig space. But this year has seen it spin full circle, reborn as a hotel — the same kind of venue it was first built as back in the 1850s. The top-end address is now home to Le Méridien Melbourne — a 12-storey beauty from Marriott Bonvoy that's kitted out with 235 rooms and dressed in a modernised nod to mid-century glamour. Textures abound and neutral hues are celebrated throughout, balanced with refined pops of jewel-toned colour. In the rooms, you'll find the hotel brand's signature beds, Marshall speakers, bath products by Malin + Goetz, bottled cocktails from The Everleigh Bottling Co and even Le Méridien's own exclusive room scent. Art lovers will be impressed by pieces like Wendy Yu's video projection work and a sculptural installation by Marta Figueiredo. Guests can also look forward to gaining access to Le Méridien's Unlock Art program, including a self-guided walking tour and free entry to some of the city's leading cultural attractions. Venture up to the rooftop to find the openair pool and deck, dubbed Le Splash, which overlooks Parliament House. It's got a cocktail bar, a menu of hand-crafted gelati, and an adjoining gym and sauna. A pop-up outdoor cinema will also be debuting on the deck later in the year. More culinary goodness awaits you in the lobby's cafe-meets-wine-bar, Intermission, which is serving Axil coffee and open sandwiches for the daytime crowd, moving into snacks, small plates and vino after dark. Slink down the curved staircase one more level and into the elegant embrace of Dolly — a dinner destination with a 1930's-inspired look and a Euro edge to the menu. The restaurant is named after the zoom camera technique used by Hitchcock in his 1958 thriller Vertigo, while its glossy fit out pays homage to the golden age of cinema. Expect velvet, fluted glass and polished accents. Victorian produce shines through the menu, as does Executive Chef Christian Graebner's classical European training. Artful plates might include oysters finished with a champagne sorbet, smoked venison loin teamed with Davidson plum and a spiced macadamia cream, and salt-baked beetroot featuring caramelised walnut mousse and goats curd. King George whiting is done 'en papillote' with saffron-braised fennel and a mussel broth, while a reworked bombe alaska for two comes jazzed up with popcorn and salted caramel ice cream. And the prix-fixe pre-theatre menu feeds two for $120. Renowned importer Cellarhand has taken over vinous curatorial duties, showcasing lots of local options — think, Dal Zotto and Giant Steps — alongside a strong lineup of champagne. Meanwhile, cocktails are the result of a collaboration with the Everleigh Bottling Co, named after and inspired by music and theatre icons from across the ages. Find Le Méridien Melbourne at 20 Bourke Street, Melbourne. 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.
From the outset, it's hard not to be impressed by this place. It's a 900-seater, authentically-styled German beerhall just a short walk from the CBD. It has an enormous list of beers on tap, enough schnapps to get your Bavarian grandmother excited, and most things on the menu are in some way related to seasoned pork. Even when we announced its opening earlier in the year, thousands upon thousands of you started drooling over the prospect of hot pretzels and pig-bits. So, the question remains: is it worth the hype? Yes! If you're prepared for what's ahead of you. This isn't a restaurant to just pop into on your way home from work. This is a destination. Whether it's for a birthday, a buck's night or a family reunion where you want everyone's mouth to be constantly full of food, Munich Brauhaus is a place to celebrate. Skip lunch, wear your stretchy pants and cancel work for the next day — you'll definitely be here for the long haul. For the best possible experience, we encourage you to embrace your inner glutton. Choose whatever beer you want — it's a flawless selection — but choose a stein of it (approx. $19). While it would be worrying to order a jug of beer for yourself at any other venue, lifting this 1L glass will be met with cheers from fellow diners. Not to mention the approval of the house oomp-pah band as they serenade you with arm-swaying drinking songs. Proust! When your attention is turned to the menu, don't be alarmed. The beer hasn't already worked its magic on your eyes, the dishes are traditional German fare with appropriately unpronounceable names. Meaty treats to start you off include knochenmark (roasted bone marrow) or gepresstes eisbein (ham hock terrine), and it's pretty much mandatory that everyone order a pretzel. These house-made beauties are honestly the best you'll get in Melbourne. Just do it. We're not even asking. Main course will lead you into an impressive selection of schnitzels, sausages, and various pig-themed delights all served with traditional sides like braised red cabbage and sauerkraut. The suckling pig (either a single serving or half the motherflippin' pig) is a clear standout dish. Sourced locally, seasoned and cooked impeccably, it's the ultimate go-to for any Deutsch die-hard. But if you just can't decide, go for the Tasting Platter. With pork belly, sausages, pork knuckle, schnitzel, and various sides, it has something for everyone. Don't be put off by the price points either. While some meals will set you back around $30, the serving sizes are monumental. Trust us, it would take a tenth-generation Bavarian weightlifter to get through the suckling pig. While we're a huge fan of the singing and the feasting and the general merriment that comes with this German wonderland, there was one thing that rubbed us the wrong way. From day one, it's been clear that this venue places extra emphasis on its female employees. While male workers don regular checked collared shirts, most women wear traditional Oktoberfest garb or similar shirts made in an unsubtle V-neck. It's tradition. It's part of the festivities. We get it. But when the venue asks punters to 'come in for a tall blonde', we can't help but feel a little irked out. The pigs should be on the plate, not on the table next to us ogling the waitresses. It's a shame this detail rubs us the wrong way, because other than that, Munich Brauhaus is a lot of fun.
Permission to come aboard, captains: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is back for 2023. Those first five words spring from RuPaul's very owb lips, not only announcing the show's return in July, but also unveiling this year's queens. Ten new fierce, fabulous, bright, bold and sassy competitors will sashay before the show's cameras for glory this winter, and showcase drag in Australia and New Zealand in the process. "Australasian drag is filled with heart and humour, and I'm thrilled to share my season three queens with the world, for all to see their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent," said RuPaul. From Friday, July 28 via Stan and TVNZ, seven Aussies and three New Zealanders will do their utmost to become the next Down Under Drag Race Superstar: Amyl, Hollywould Star and Ivory Glaze from Sydney; Melbourne's Ashley Madison, Bumpa Love and Isis Avis Loren; Gabriella Labucci from Ballarat; Auckland's Flor and Ivanna Drink; and Rita Menu from Hamilton. Each will endeavour to follow in Kita Mean and Spankie Jackzon's footsteps — after Mean took RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under's first season and Jackzon did the honours in season two. Obviously, the show's first go-around worked a charm. The second did as well. And, there's no doubt that the third will be, after the series was renewed for its latest run on Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ Aotearoa in 2022. RuPaul is back on on hosting duties, of course. Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, however, you'll watch the next batch of Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of Mean, Jackzon, and US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Before it made the leap Down Under in 2021, the US version of RuPaul's Drag Race had already been on the air for more than a decade, first premiering in 2009 — and wholeheartedly embracing its mission to unearth the next drag superstars ever since. The original US series aired its 15th season earlier in 2023, so this is a program with proven longevity. It has also spun off international iterations before, including in the UK — where it's also hosted by RuPaul — plus in Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Meet Drag Race Down Under's season three queens below: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season three will stream via Stan and TVNZ from Friday, July 28.
Missed Coldplay's sole Down Under stop in 2023, when they played exclusively in Perth? Didn't nab tickets when the British group announced 2024 shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland? Caught the Chris Martin-fronted band's Glastonbury set via the livestream and started wishing you could catch them live next time that you had the chance? Ahead of their upcoming Australian and New Zealand visit, Coldplay have dropped more tickets for their late-October and November concerts. The limited number of additional tickets are on sale now, releasing at 8am AEST and 10am NZST on Tuesday, September 24. There's no extra shows, just extra seats for their four already-announced dates in the Victorian capital, four in the Harbour City and three in Auckland. [caption id="attachment_926978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] It'll be all yellow at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday, October 30–Thursday, October 31 and Saturday, November 2–Sunday, November 3, then at Accor Stadium across Wednesday, November 6—Thursday, November 7 and Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10, before heading to Eden Park on Wednesday, November 13 and Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16. Coldplay's current tour kicked off in March 2022, meaning that the band will have been on the road for almost three years when they make their return to Australia and Aotearoa. Packed stadiums have also been awaiting; when the Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland gigs were initially announced, every show between then and October 2024 had already sold out, with the group hitting up Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Athens, Bucharest, Budapest, Lyon, Rome, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Munich, Vienna and Dublin before their return trip Down Under. When they take to the stage in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, the British band will play their first shows in each city since 2016. Fans can look forward to a setlist that covers Coldplay's 27-year history, including everything from 'Clocks', 'Fix You' and 'Sparks' to 'A Sky Full of Stars', 'Viva la Vida' and 'The Scientist. On all dates, Ayra Starr, Shone and Emmanuel Kelly are on supporting duties. Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour Australia and New Zealand Dates 2024 Wednesday, October 30–Thursday, October 31 + Saturday, November 2–Sunday, November 3— Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Wednesday, November 6—Thursday, November 7 + Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Wednesday, November 13 + Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16 — Eden Park, Auckland Coldplay is touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024, with new tickets available online now. Head to the tour website for further details. Images: Anna Lee.
Taking a hard shift away from the minimalist aesthetic of so many Melbourne bars, The Shady Lady's decor is lush and fun, mirroring the kind of night you're bound to have inside. Tasseled lampshades, leather upholstery, NSFW artwork from local creatives, shimmering gold curtains and disco balls make this dive bar feel a little bit like your over-the-top great aunt's pool room. Plus there's a similarly decorated, astroturfed and blue-walled courtyard out the back. If that all sounds a little bit trashy, it's because it is — in the best possible way. There's no space for pretentious attitudes at The Shady Lady, which serves up a pretty short and sweet drinks list including a few local beers in tinnies (including dive bar Mexican staple Tecate), a couple of wines by the glass, your usual selection of spirits and, the real hero, alcoholic slushies capped off with little umbrellas. There are also a few snacks, like $5 nachos, most of which can be done vegan if you say the word. The LGBTQI+ friendly venue hosts a bunch of different events throughout the week, like YouTube karaoke, drink and draw nights, porno bingo and psychic aura readings. Get down early every second Saturday for Bacon Fat, a "greasy 'n' sleazy" rhythm and blues party, complete with gogo dancers from 11pm. The Shady Lady is open until 1am every night except Sunday, and most weekends there'll be someone on the decks spinning everything from 'I'm Coming Out' by Diana Ross, to the latest track from Lizzo. There's no strict genre at The Shady Lady, anything that fits with the 70s-inspired vibe — and you can shake your booty to — is on the cards.
By now, it feels like no stone has been unturned by Sydney's big developers. But you know where they haven't developed yet? Underground. So perhaps that's why the NSW Government has set its sights below street level — today it announced its plans to turn the St James tunnels, a large subterranean space that adjoins St James Station, into an underground attraction. The tunnel is, after all, just sitting there. It was built back in the 1920s as part of a plan to connect the CBD with eastern suburbs, but the project was never realised. Since then, it's been used as an air raid shelter during World War II, an operations bunker for the air force and as a location for The Matrix Revolutions. Tours used to run, but now there's no way for the public to access the tunnels. The NSW Government is opening this one up to the floor, and is seeking expressions of interest from both local and international developers. Ideally, it would like something that would turn the tunnel and its platform into a "world-renowned attraction" — perhaps restaurants, bars, shops, or cultural and entertainment spaces. "Spaces like the St James tunnel are rare," said Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance in a statement today. "Around the world, hidden spaces are being converted into unique experiences and we want St James Station to be part of that." Expressions of interest will close November 6 — after they've been received, the process will be managed by Sydney Trains and real estate company CBRE. We'll keep you updated on the next stage of the process.
A 90s-era Blockbuster Video might play a prominent role in the next big superhero movie headed to cinemas, Captain Marvel, but in Australia, the chain and its bricks-and-mortar outlets will soon be a mere nostalgic memory. The country is currently home to one last Blockbuster outlet in Western Australia, and one of only two remaining on the planet; however the store's owners have just announced that they're shutting up shop. As reported by Community News, Blockbuster Morley in Perth will close its doors at the end of March, with locals able to head in and say farewell for the rest of the month. Speaking with AAP, owner Lyn Borszeky said that the rise of streaming services had impacted the business. "We knew change was coming but were a bit surprised how quickly it affected our customer base once Netflix hit the Australian market." [caption id="attachment_710127" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Blockbuster Morley[/caption] When the Morley shop says goodbye, just one Blockbuster will remain worldwide. Located in Oregon in the US, Blockbuster Bend earned the title of America's last outlet back in July 2018, when a fellow store in Alaska closed up. It's a far cry from the brand's glory days, aka the late 90s and early 00s, when it had more than 9000 stores worldwide. In Australia, the first Blockbuster store opened in Melbourne in 1991. For Perth folks who haven't completely replaced their physical media collection with a never-ending streaming queue, the Morley shop will also be throwing a closing down sale — the bittersweet part of any video store's last moments. For everyone else, hold on to those memories of spending way too long walking up and down video store aisles, picking movies based on their cover artwork, and taking home towers of plastic cases during school holidays and sleepovers. Scrolling through Netflix isn't quite the same, and doesn't throw up anywhere near as many old gems that you wouldn't have come across otherwise. Via Community News.
They're best known for their dance floor tunes, but the two musicians behind Peking Duk have now turned their talents to a very different sort of offering, opening their very own bar in South Yarra. The well-known electro duo, Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, has teamed up with Sydney's Steven Hiles — who transformed a tired Surry Hills pub into what's now The Horse — along with chef James McCall, to launch Talk To Me. Setting up shop on South Yarra's Commercial Road, in the space once home to Less Than Zero, the intimate bar focuses on quality bar snacks, booze and late-night partying — with, certainly, a banging music curation setting the tone. For this latest venture, the musicians have pulled inspiration from their many overseas jaunts, referencing favourite spots in New York and Asia to deliver a super comfy, chilled-out locals' haunt. This American-Chinese inspiration continues into the playful food menu, too, which also works to the same theme as the venue's name. Kicking off with 'Quick Chat', where you'll find king prawns with kampot pepper and cashew honey sauce and a spam and cheese hot dog with ketchup kimchi. You'll also spy a lineup of cheeseburger-inspired treats dubbed 'Cheesy One-Liners' — featuring fun bites like cheeseburger dim sim, cheeseburger springs rolls and a tempura nori cheeseburger teamed with ponzu ketchup — and swag of vegan-friendly fare, including jackfruit bao and twice-cooked cauliflower with a hit of furikake kewpie. The bao, along with cheeseburger and fried chicken versions, are just $3 on Tuesday nights. And, while the menu won't feature any Peking du(c)k, it will feature a small bar-appropriate Fernet-Branca duck rillete with black ash lavosh. Images: Patrick Party.
Canberra's light rail, the swish new(ish) north-to-south route that delivers passengers into the heart of the city, is more than a commuter line. It's an easy — and cheap — way for visitors to get around town between 6am and 11.30pm (or 1am on Saturday nights). Yep: no designated driver, no ridesharing, just you and the open rails. Well, 12 kilometres of them, anyway. Make your Canberra weekend away as simple as possible, and leave yourself with more money to spend on food and fun, by touring the capital via the light rail. Some of Canberra's best eats, well-stocked bars and intriguing curiosity shops (plus a surprising nighttime sports hub) are waiting to be explored along the light rail line. Here, we've got the ultimate hop-on-hop-off adventure for a day out in Canberra. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Lovers of utes — or Aussie cars in general — should make tracks to Deniliquin this October, for the 21st annual Deni Ute Muster. The town sits in the southwest corner of New South Wales, making it a relatively quick 3.5-hour commute for Melburnians (it's 7.5 hours from Sydney). The 'rural-themed' camping festival attracts some 20,000 visitors, as well as utes of all models and vintages. There are so many trucks in attendance that each year the festival tries to break its own 1999 Guinness World Record for the largest parade of utes (currently 2839, if you're interested). Country music fans have their own reason to visit, with a full lineup of local and international acts taking the stage across two nights. This year's program is headlined by Tim McGraw. Driving competitions, building challenges, lawn mower races, whip cracking, wood chopping and a go-kart track are also on the docket. The $269 ticket price also covers camping, so you can bring your own tent or caravan — or simply roll out a swag in the back of your ute.
Since it opened its doors in June, modern Scandi diner Freyja has been impressing locals with its sophisticated looks, Michelin Star cred and standout offering of 'new Nordic' cuisine. But alas, the experience was only on the menu for nighttime diners, as the restaurant opted to stick to just dinner service while its team perfected its rhythm. Now, much to the delight of lunch-breakers stuck down the western edge of the CBD, Freya has expanded its offering to include a new daytime menu, running every Tuesday to Friday. And yes, it's a primo spot to keep in mind for this season's long festive lunches. As at dinner, the new lunch menu deftly fuses traditional Scandinavian sensibilities with contemporary techniques, across a range of small plates and mains, at once crafty and approachable. You'll find plates like a beef tartare featuring tarragon, quince and Tasmanian mountain pepper; rainbow trout matched with broccoli leaf and a sherry sauce; and a kingfish dish elevated with fermented tomato water, blackcurrant wood oil and yoghurt. The Scandi classic and Freyja favourite, smørrebrød — a traditional open-faced sandwich — also gets a look-in here at lunch, with toppings set to change seasonally. Right now, you can try combinations like school prawns atop egg salad with mustard greens and cayenne; duck paired with olive and rosemary; and brassica veggies with mushroom, buckwheat and a hit of biquinho chilli. Plus, down the spiral staircase in the subterranean dining space, you'll now also find two semi-private dining zones available to book for those end-of-year food gatherings. [caption id="attachment_879490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freyja's Downstairs Space[/caption] Find Freya and its new lunch menu at 477 Collins Street, Melbourne. It's now open 12–3pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 5.30pm–late Tuesday to Saturday. Images: Parker Blain and Jason Boucas
Carolina is sweet. On sunny days she's full of light and on the weekends she's buzzing. At night she is sultry, but always welcoming, warm and understated. She lives on Nicholson, just over Park Street's thoroughfare where Carlton North becomes Brunswick East. She's a cafe, bar and possibly our fave gal this side of the bike tracks. If you're lucky enough to have Carolina as your local then you're probably already on good terms. She's happy to hand out pre-tram takeaways and has your go-to Sunday morning breakfast down to a tee. On Friday and Saturday nights she's up for a good time — as long as you are. Carolina's shopfront is unassuming — the window still reads Invicta: Italian hand made shoes — as is the interior that doubles as a cafe by day and a bar by night. The wood-panelled bar and exposed brick walls seem to allude to a European past, but it's the feature lighting and intimate seating that makes the space feel cosy, lived in and familiar. Don't sit down too quickly though — the courtyard is big, golden by day and enchanting by night; summer sees this courtyard fill up fast, but heaters keep it warm in winter too. If you do come during daylight hours, breakfast will not disappoint. Carolina changes her menu seasonally and at any one time will feature everything from fritters to bratwurst to gingerbread French toast. For hearty, winter comfort food we wouldn't go past the organic wholegrain rice porridge infused with bay leaf and cloves ($14) or the smoky baked beans cooked with cinnamon, fennel and paprika, served with rosemary, lemon, feta and two slices of toast ($13). Add a crunchy housemade hash brown into the mix with a Seven Seeds coffee and you'll have no regrets. Come Friday and Saturday nights (Wednesday and Thursday too come summer) Carolina leaves her doors open until 11pm for locals and passers-by to drop in for a few glasses of wine, some dinner and — no doubt — some interesting conversation. She's nice like that. Pop in and pay her a visit. And if you happen to live close-by to this lovely lady, well, you better count yourself lucky.
Meredith is a festival where you're guaranteed to have a good time, no matter what. But whatever your reasons for heading to the three-day December festival in central Victoria, you won't be disappointed with the acts Aunty Meredith has just announced for this year's lineup. They're absolutely spiffing awesome. Superwoman and curator of all things wacky, Peaches, will be headlining the bill, bringing her extravagant live show to The Sup. Kelela will be coming all the way from Washington to kick off the after-dark vibbes on Friday night, and Geelong boys King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will be providing that dose of psych rock every weekend at Meredith needs. BADBADNOTGOOD will be fusing jazz and electro, while Angel Olsen will be bringing all them feels and The Triffids will be there for a shot of nostalgia. And that's not even a half of it. Aunty has really covered all bases here. You're wondering how you can get tickets to this aren't you? Meredith tickets are only available by entering the ballot. You can still do so at aunty.mmf.com. Fingers crossed that we can all hang out in The Sup on December 9, 10 and 11. But we know what you're really here for. We'll cut to the chase. Here's the full lineup MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP Peaches Sheila E King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard BadBadNotGood Angel Olsen The Triffids Kelela Ben UFO Japandroids The Congos Baroness Archie Roach Jagwar Ma Mount Liberation Unlimited Fred & Toody Cole Chiara Kickdrum Cass McCombs The Goon Sax Ross Wilson CC: Disco! Cable Ties Wilson Tanner Silence Wedge The Sugarcanes Terry Judith Lucy Sheer Mag Dungen Meredith Music Festival will return to Meredith on Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, 2016. Onsite camping will once again be available from Friday. To put your name in the ballot to win tickets, go to aunty.mmf.com.
It's said we make 35,000 decisions a day. The weight of these choices varies greatly, but often it's the small decisions we make that can have the greatest impact, particularly on a global level. From bringing a reusable cup to the coffee shop to buying high-quality threads, there are plenty of small changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint and still make an impact. Sustainability is not a buzzword; it's something that should be at the forefront of our day-to-day decision making. For Australian menswear brand M.J. Bale, moving towards a more sustainable future drove the decision to launch a new range of single-source garments from a low-impact farm in Tasmania. To celebrate the Kingston Collection, we've partnered up with M.J. Bale to give you five simple tips to help you make more sustainable choices in your daily routine. BUY LESS AND BUY QUALITY Although nabbing a fast-fashion bargain seems like a good idea at the time, after a couple of washes it will probably look a little worse for wear. Why? Because these trend-driven pieces aren't designed to last. Investing in higher-quality items means you'll have a closet that'll stand the test of time as well as reduce your impact on the environment; clothes manufacturing has a pretty dire impact on the environment, so the less often you buy, the better. M.J. Bale is just one Australian fashion house that favours timeless, well-made threads over seasonal trends — although it is always sartorially suave. "We don't believe in trends at M.J. Bale," says founder and CEO Matt Jensen. Furthermore, the new Kingston Collection range heroes sustainable wool. For Jensen, traceability was key to his decision to partner with Simon Cameron — a sixth-generation farmer of the environmentally low-impact Kingston Farm. "The wool in these Kingston suits comes from this exact farm," explains Jensen, "and this is the grower who produced it, and this is how well he treats his merino sheep, and this is how he takes care of the land." Head into your nearest M.J. Bale store and make the conscious effort to ditch the fleeting trend-based fashion cycle and create a timeless wardrobe with premium pieces that'll serve you for years to come. [caption id="attachment_710930" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WALK OR CYCLE TO WORK Getting to the office doesn't have to include a crowded commute or circling the block for hours trying to find a park. Boost your step count and hit the pavement or hop on your bike and cycle to the office. Not only will you get the blood pumping but walking and cycling also help to reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you'll skip the congested city traffic making for a much calmer start to your day. If walking, set yourself up for success by starting small. Aim to get off a couple of bus stops earlier than usual or try walking home a couple of afternoons each week. Get creative and find ways to maximise this time by tuning into a good podcast, crafting a killer playlist or scheduling a phone call with one of your out-of-town mates. If you're cycling, you're likely to get home faster rather than sitting in the evening car crawl after work. BRING YOUR OWN CUP TO YOUR COFFEE RUN For the caffeine addicts among us, our day doesn't start until we have a coffee in hand. But our love for a cup of joe shouldn't cost the earth. As most notably brought to light by the War on Waste, it is estimated that Australians throw away 50,000 disposable cups every half hour. That's roughly 2.7 million a day, or one billion each year. In Sydney alone, we discard approximately 100 million annually. And that's mostly all into landfill. Nabbing yourself a re-usable coffee cup is a no-brainer in 2019. It's one simple change to your morning routine that can make huge strides towards reducing unnecessary waste. Plus, these sturdier cups make for a damn good drinking experience, with sealable lids and thermal insulation designed to keep beverages hot all the way to your desk. Taking things up a notch, Sydney has just launched Green Caffeine — the city's first free re-usable coffee cup sharing network. If a city can take this simple sustainable step on board, so can you. [caption id="attachment_698391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carriageworks by Jacqui Manning.[/caption] PREP YOUR LUNCHES WITH LOCAL FARMER'S PRODUCE No one really wants to spend their Sunday night slaving over the stove, but hear us out. Meal prepping is one of the best ways to save yourself some extra dosh each week and means you'll avoid splurging on pricey UberEats orders when you're too busy to grab lunch. Plus, by going to some local markets, you can turn your grocery shop into a delightful weekend jaunt. Who doesn't want to spend a morning patting pooches, grabbing a coffee (using your keep cup, of course) and soaking in some sunshine all while smashing out the weekly grocery shop? Farmers' markets have fresh, sustainable and often organic produce from nearby farms. Not only does eating local help support grass-roots farmers, but it also lowers the distance produce has to travel to arrive from paddock to plate, meaning fewer carbon emissions polluting the environment. Sydneysiders, head to Marrickville Organic Food Market every Sunday morning from 9am, Carriageworks Farmers Markets each Saturday from 8am or Erskineville Farmers Market every Saturday from 9am. GO DIGITAL AND SAY NO TO UNNECESSARY OFFICE PRINTING Let's face it, office printers are the pits. They're constantly jammed, out of ink or running low on paper. And don't get us started on scanning. Next time you mindlessly hit Command + P, think again. What are you about to print? How long will you use this hard-copy? Could you work from the digital version instead? Take a moment to question your decisionmaking and consider ways to reduce the number of runs you make to the printer. Sure, there are some cases where you can't escape printed documents, but making a start by not printing unnecessary emails or files will help limit that churn through huge quantities of ink and paper. Top image: M.J. Bale Kingston suits by Jamie Azzopardi.
Summer is here and with it the holy trinity of sun, sand and surf — and conveniently long days to enjoy them. But before you book your annual leave and leg it to the beach, plan your suncation. Now is the time to invest in sun safe essentials so you don't come out the other side of summer looking like a shrivelled raisin. And one of the most overlooked sun-safe accessories is a beach tent. "A beach tent?" you shriek. "Good grief, I'm not 85!" Well, hold up now. Yes, beach tents may have started as a gaudy, fluorescent nightmare dotting the shore but the logic behind them is sound. And they've evolved way past the beach tents we remember as kids and they're the best way to keep the sun off. We've found some super cute ones that won't ruin your beach cred while you avoid the UV. BYRON BAY BEACH LIFE As if those gorgeous, vintage tropical prints weren't sweet enough, these tents by Byron Bay Beachlife have clearly been designed by someone who spends a lot of time on the beach. How can we tell? They're designed to cast shade but also give you a clear, 360-degree view of the beach so you can stay out of the sun but keep track of any fire hotties that wander past. And isn't that the whole point of lazing on the beach? They've been designed to be assembled in a few different ways too, so you can customise your set-up. GINGER AND GILLIGAN If you're looking to spend big bucks on your beach swag (we're talking $249 each) and be voted 'Most Opulent Beach Goer 2016', look no further than Ginger and Gilligan. We recommend their tie-dyed beach tipi because it's just so damn pretty. It's also a bit more contained than most beach tents, giving you some privacy while ocean-side, just in case you need to change. Each tent is hand-dyed so you can guarantee no one else on the beach will have a tent like yours. LOVIN' SUMMER Minimalist beach tents look incredible. You can rig your beach set-up to look like it's straight out of a photoshoot. But how do minimalist beach tents hold up against the elements? Pretty well apparently. The gorgeous tents from Lovin' Summer are only minimalist in look. They block out 99 percent of UV protection and come with specially-made pegs that anchor deep in the sand. They've also been designed to be easily assembled by a solo beachgoer, making them genuinely 'pop-up'. SOMBRILLA BY HOLLIE AND HARRIE The Sombrilla tent by Hollie and Harrie, similar to the Byron Bay Beach Life design, lets you gaze over the whole beach while staying in the shade. They come in a variety of pop colours and designs, bringing to mind the famous beach boxes of Brighton Beach. And best of all, they're versatile — you can put it up in the standard symmetrical formation for shade coverage or set it up more like a windbreaker for when the sun dips low. They also sell windbreakers, for those days when you just can't have the wind up in your business. SUNNY JIM When we say Sunny Jim tents are designed to make #beachlife easy, we really mean it. They've thought of everything you could possibly need to execute the perfect beach tent seamlessly. The cute tents fold away into an easy yoga bag and/or handbag and they come with a mallet. A mallet! Useful not only for banging in pegs but also for passing official judgements on your friends. Best of all, the shade material is made from UPF50+, the highest shade rating available. The Sunny Jim really isn't messing around here. CANCER COUNCIL The range of tents available from the Cancer Council might be a bit more in line with your original ideas about beach tents. They're the classic beach pod, closed in on three sides (no sunlight getting in here, no sir) in bright blues and yellows. They each boast the highest UPF rating (50+) and very high nostalgia factor. We'd also like to give an honourable mention to the 'Sunshade Chair', a fully shaded chair, with a drink holder included. Now that's how you stay sun safe with raditude. SPORTBRELLA Now, here us out on this one. The Sportbrella might look a bit whack, being a Frankenstein combo of beach tent and beach umbrella, but it's actually pretty useful. It's rocking that UPF 50+ rating, so you know no UV is getting in. The Sportbrella (but feel free to use it for leisure) combines the sturdiness of the umbrella staked into the sand with the privacy of an enclosed beach tent. Plus they're huge, at 2.45 metres wide and perfect for big groups. Stay tuned for our wrap-up of the summer's best beach umbrellas, coming soon.
"Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" They're the questions that the full trailer for Wicked poses in its first moments. The rest of the sneak peek, the film it's for, and both the musical and the book that it's based on all explore those queries through the tale of Glinda (Ariana Grande, Don't Look Up) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo, Pinocchio). Film lovers, you're going off to see the witches, the powerful witches of Oz, when Wicked soars from the page and the stage to the screen in 2024. The famous and beloved theatre musical adapts a book that takes inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, and has been a show-going favourite for more than two decades thanks to composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman. Now, it's heading to cinemas as a two-part movie. The first instalment, now just called Wicked rather than Wicked: Part One, arrives in November with director Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) behind the lens. Grande dons pink and Erivo sports the requisite green in both the first teaser trailer for the movie — which arrived amid the annual Super Bowl sneak-peek frenzy (see also: Deadpool & Wolverine) — and also for the just-dropped complete sneak peek. Haven't caught the stage show on its current Australian run, including in Sydney since 2023 and in Melbourne from March 2024 , with Brisbane to come? Defy gravity in your local picture palace before the year is out instead. In the two trailers for the film, Glinda tells Elphaba "don't be afraid". "I'm not afraid," is the fellow witch's response. "It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me." As for why, the second trailer steps through more of the plot — complete with renditions of 'Popular' and, yes, 'Defying Gravity'; Elphaba getting her black witch hat; flying monkeys; hues of pink and green aplenty; and meeting the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum, Asteroid City) in Emerald City. Wicked follows the Land of Oz's witches, with telling their untold tale the musical's whole angle. On the stage, the show has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Joining Grande and Erivo in bringing Wicked to the cinemas is quite the who's who-style cast. Alongside Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh (A Haunting in Venice), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Ethan Slater (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) also feature. As for when the second Wicked movie will also get flickering, it's due in November 2025. Check out the full trailer for Wicked below: Wicked releases in cinemas Down Under on November 28, 2024.
Reko Rennie is no stranger to public art. The renowned Indigenous Australian artist has created some of the country's most bold and bright public displays over the last decade, including Darlinghurst's Always Was, Always Will Be building, Barangaroo's huge pink and blue mural and works in the West Side Place public gallery. Rennie's latest work is the transformation of a public basketball court in Melbourne's inner city. Located on Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri land, at 90 Queens Bridge Street, South Bank, Underpark functions both as a pink, blue and green-hued piece of street art and as a basketball court, open to the public. The court is available to be booked for one-hour, half-court sessions between 6am and 8pm every day, but there are no bookings before midday on Saturdays and Sundays when the court is open to all to encourage pickup games of community basketball. If basketball isn't your forte, you can head down to check out the colour-filled artwork or sit on the bleachers and watch more skilful individuals take to the court. Rennie's artwork, titled OA_Hardcourt, is an extension of his Visible Invisible series, an installation and exhibition comprising of bold neon colours and camouflage patterns. According to Rennie, the camouflage "celebrates our visible cultural identity – where in the past camouflage has been used to conceal, here it proudly reveals a strong and vibrant cultural history". The artwork was commissioned by property developer Time & Place in conjunction with fellow developer Hickory. Time & Place is hoping the artwork and public space will provide a starting point for further development of the neighbourhood surrounding the basketball court. Time & Place director Tim Price said the company hopes "the use of this space will open up a broader placemaking conversation with the City of Melbourne about the future use of the neighbouring Kings Way Undercroft". The court will be active for a limited time before Time & Place begins development on the site in mid-2021, so if you'd like to check it out or book it in for a game of Horse, now's the time. Underpark and the OA_Hardcourt art installation is located at 90 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank. Bookings are available via Underpark.
This celebrated Italian-style bakery boasts three stores (Carlton, South Yarra and St Kilda) and an ever-growing fan base, famed for both its premium sourdough breads and the rows of tempting house treats beckoning from its pastry cabinets. Pop in for that loaf of crusty casalinga or to stock up on some panino, and we promise you'll find it hard not to leave without a creamy cannoli or fat bomboloni also in tow. That said, it's Baker D. Chirico's seasonal creations that really cause a stir — just check out the annual queues for its glazed hot cross buns or artisanal panettone and you'll know what we mean. Design-lovers will especially love the cosy Carlton shopfront, its striking timber waves the work of renowned March Studio. It's easy to see why it's one of the best bakeries in Melbourne. Top image: Emily Godfrey Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
In a city where personal style reigns supreme, one creative is standing out from the crowd. New Zealand-born stylist and content creator, Paris Wycherley, mixes vintage finds, elevated streetwear and tomboy silhouettes to create a uniquely self-expressive Melbourne-inspired look. "Melbourne fashion differs from other places because it's less about labels and brands and more about showing your individuality, thrift shopping and mixing and matching lots of different pieces," says Paris. "It's kind of anything goes, which I love." As a personal stylist, Paris often sources fashion across the city. With her keen eye for standout pieces and love of all things secondhand, she can often be found scouting Melbourne's vintage circuit. From Fitzroy's Brunswick Street to Smith Street, Goodbyes to Lost and Found Market, the stylist has a sixth sense for finding vintage deals among the bargain bins. So, what are her top tips for secondhand shopping? [caption id="attachment_1027350" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Image by Declan May[/caption] "Hunting for items across Melbourne's vintage stores is honestly like a sport to me," says Paris. Her ultimate vintage finds have included a leather vest from Comme des Garçons in Berlin and some Prada kitten heels. "They ended up getting worn to death on holiday because they were the only heels I could have a boogie in without getting blisters." But when it comes to secondhand shopping success, Paris credits persistence and time. "You have to go in with an open mind, head down, [and] get to work. Sometimes I can be in the vintage stores for hours, but once you find that special piece, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze." The stylist says she's found a winner when, if she left the piece behind, she knows it'd get snapped up by another fashion fan. "[I look for] unique pieces that I know if I leave it behind in the store, I probably won't see it again. Also, classic timeless pieces. A good vintage blazer is always needed and I collect slogan vintage tees, so I cannot pass up a good slogan." Alongside her persistence, Paris also uses the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 to snap inspiration and log her favourite stores. The phone is supercharged by Google Gemini, making it easier to discover, capture and share your style. Think of it as a style companion, or having someone like Paris in your pocket. You can see how Paris herself uses the tool for secondhand shopping in the video below. As a personal stylist and working for her partner's label, Monphell, Paris knows what makes good taste, and it's not keeping up with the never-ending (supercharged) trend cycle. "A sign that someone has good fashion taste isn't always about what they're wearing, but how they carry themselves and the confidence with what they're wearing," she affirms. "You don't have to keep up with the latest trends or spend your entire paycheck just to look good." [caption id="attachment_1027351" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Image by Declan May[/caption] Through her styling work, Paris aims to curate fashion pieces that feel authentic to the client and, most importantly, make them feel good. "I cannot stress enough that clothes should make you feel good." With her oversized fashion looks and seemingly effortless stream of content, Paris Wycherley is a fashion creative to watch. Whether she's shooting a lookbook with Monphell or sourcing for her clients, Paris proves that finding your style and taking the time to curate your wardrobe trump quick-and-easy trends every time. Explore more at Samsung. Flex Mode supported at angles between 75°and 115°. Some apps may not be supported in Flex Mode. Gemini is a trademark of Google LLC. Gemini Live feature requires internet connection and Google Account login. Available on select devices and select countries, languages, and to users 18+. Fees may apply to certain AI features at the end of 2025. Circle to Search not available on the FlexWindow. Results may vary per video depending on how sounds present in the video. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Lead image: Samsung
Brothers-in-law Frank Bressi and Peter Mastro took out a place in the 2012 Melbourne Salami Festa — and the rest was history. They opened their first Saluministi salumi bar in North Melbourne in 2015, and a bit of expansion and many signature porchetta panino later, the pair now has two stores, in Docklands and the CBD. Paying homage to the duo's shared heritage, Saluministi is all about celebrating proper Italian flavours, renowned for its stand-out offering of made-to-order panino and tramezzino (an Italian white bread sandwich). Come breakfast, the fillings might run to pork and fennel sausage with scrambled egg and peperonata ($11), or tomato with a fried egg, asiago and Sicilian oregano ($9). That legendary porchetta number is a clear favourite for lunch breakers, loaded with free-range slow-roasted pork, artichoke paste, rocket and Pecorino Romano DOP ($14). Though there are plenty more tempting options among the rest of the panini crew — like one teaming mortadella with stracciatella and green olives ($11.50); another starring baked eggplant lasagne ($14); and the fried calamari with lemon tartare and salsa verde ($13.50). Stay on theme and match your pick with an espresso, an Italian soda or the 'caffe freddo' ice coffee ($5.50). Appears in: Where to Find the Best Sandwiches in Melbourne for 2023
On your next getaway in southeast Queensland, head up in the world, then stay there. Located 45 minutes out of the Gold Coast in the Scenic Rim region — which Lonely Planet named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022 — Tamborine Mountain is the area's lofty tree-change go-to. From December 2024, the scenic site will also be home to a new boutique motel. The latest accommodation option from the team behind Cassis Red Hill in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, The Tamborine boasts 23 rooms in its 80s-style abode, which takes its design cues from haciendas. When you're getting cosy, you'll be doing so in king-sized beds — and with mountain views no matter which room you're in, including from either a private balcony or a terrace. If you're keen for a splash as well, there's a heated mineral pool and spa. The Tamborine will also include a lounge and bar area, where complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning, hosted aperitifs are on the menu each afternoon, and drinks and bar snacks can be ordered to enjoy poolside. The drinks focus: locally sourced sips. But if you're eager to use the motel as a base to explore the rest of the mountain, the crew here understand — and have a curated array of experiences beyond the site's doors to suggest. "Whether it be immersing oneself in nature, enjoying a tipple at one of the many and emerging microbreweries and distilleries, or exploring the artisan wares the mountain is famous for, The Tamborine will be the perfect escape for our guests. We want guests leaving feeling enriched and connected, and eager to return," advised co-owner Nina Aberdeen. "We are beyond excited to open the doors to The Tamborine and share this special place with our guests. The hotel is designed to offer a seamless connection between our guests, our hosts, the natural surrounds and the local community," added co-owner Gina McNamara. "Every detail has been crafted to ensure that when guests arrive, they feel a deep sense of relaxation and belonging. We can't wait to see them experience the stunning views, unwind by the pool and explore everything the Scenic Rim has to offer." Find The Tamborine at 99 Alpine Terrace, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, from early December 2024. Head to the motel's website for bookings and further details.
After serving Japanese izakaya-style eats and incredible sushi by the beach for 15 years, Ichi Ni St Kilda is closing its doors for the final time on Sunday, February 18. This comes as a shock to many, as loyal fans only have a few days left to visit. Ichi Group Directors Paul Adamo and Vince Sofo made the tough decision to sell the waterfront site, and now plan to focus on the younger sibling Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya. "Our goal is to reunite the St Kilda team with our beloved sister venue at 127 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, which has been thriving for nine years and where your Ichi Ni favourite dishes will soon live," said Adamo. This is a silver lining of sorts, as some of the staff will keep their jobs and contribute to the Fitzroy site. Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya is one of Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants and home to some of the city's best sushi — and this can only improve with some of St Kilda's dishes and staff finding a new home up north. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, both past and present, who have contributed to shaping our legacy. To our supportive suppliers, who we have worked with through the good and the bad. And most importantly, to our cherished guests who have dined with us over the years, we offer our sincere thanks," the Ichi Ni team shared on Instagram. "Each of you have played a vital role in our journey, occupying our thoughts day in and day out. Your support has made us stronger, and we have learned invaluable lessons that we eagerly anticipate in carrying forward to Fitzroy," the post continued. "We invite you to join us in our final days, but if we miss the chance to bid you farewell, we warmly welcome you to visit us in Fitzroy... lots of love and arigatou!" Find Ichi Ni St Kilda at 12 The Esplanade, St Kilda until Sunday, February 18. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Captain Baxter is slinging lunch, dinner and drinks at the St Kilda Sea Baths. Everything about the beachside restaurant and bar has had a facelift, from the menu to the decor — and with the latter taking inspiration from 20s-style tropical beach bungalows, it's vying to become your next hangout any time of the year. Inside, Captain Baxter is light and bright. Thanks to a new retractable roof, on a sunny day, the venue means that literally. Another fresh addition is a new vantage over the beach because pairing your food and beverages with a view is part of the appeal. With Timothy Martin (ex-The European and Taxi Dining Room) and Adrian Hawkins (ex-Est and Bistrode Sydney) joining St Kilda Venues' group executive chef Matt Dawson, Captain Baxter's menu highlights seafood in a big way — think prawn and ginger dumplings, hiramasa kingfish and grilled swordfish with 'nduja xo, charred garlic and pickled celery. Among the standouts that didn't come from the ocean are duck sausages, lamb shoulder with crying tiger sauce and whipped tofu with mushroom xo and cassava, recognising the venue's other big influence: Asian-style cuisine. And, it wouldn't be a beachside spot without cocktails, such as the blood orange coconut margarita or The Captain — whiskey, apple liqueur, pomegranate molasses, lemon and apple. An extensive wine list is also available, focusing on quality drops from across Australia, although there are a few foreign beauties in there too.
Next time you're jetting abroad, you might want to add a visit to Singapore's Changi Airport to your trip. After hosting a short-term Harry Potter-themed world over the Christmas period and opening the world's largest indoor waterfall in April, the airport has now added a massive new Canopy Park into the mix. It features a mirror and hedge maze, suspended sky nets and a slide-filled sculptural playground, to name a just few of its attractions. Located on the top level of the airport, the indoor park spans over 14,000 square metres and houses over 1400 trees. It's home to seven different attractions, including the aforementioned maze, which comes in at a whopping 500 square metres (we suggest you don't enter here — and get lost — just before your flight). Travellers can also catch views of it from above on one of several elevated platforms. Other sky-high features include a 23-metre-high bridge with a glass floor offering views of the Shiseido forest valley and Rain Vortex waterfall below. You'll also be able to bounce or walk along a 250-metre span of sky nets, which are suspended five storeys in the air. Or spend your time wandering through a slide-filled sculptural playground, a petal garden, a topiary walk filled with animal-shaped shrubs and a fog-covered, cloud-like play area to boot. A virtual reality lounge, dubbed Changi Experience Studio, has also just opened on level four. The 90-minute experience includes interactive games, projection storytelling, immersive shows and gallery exhibitions. An onsite IMAX theatre, the YOTELAIR Hotel and over 280 retailers and eateries (including Nike, Marks & Spencer, Muji, Zara and Uniqlo stores) can now be found within the airport as well. It's all part of the 137,000-square-metre Jewel Changi entertainment and retail complex, designed by famed architect Moshe Safdie. The ten-storey building, set under a glass-and-steel dome, is jam-packed with shops, dining options, greenery and activities — and is connected to the all-important airport, of course. Forget just killing time on a layover, searching for a phone charger or suffering in uncomfortable chairs while you're waiting for your flight home. Here, you might have to remind yourself that you're actually at an airport. For further details, visit the Jewel Changi Airport website. Entrance to the Canopy Park is set at the $5 SGD (around $5.30 AUD, $5.60 NZD), with selected attractions costing between $8—22.
Sydney's cultural scene hits full stride in summer, when theatres, galleries, parks and inner-city streets light up with blockbuster musicals, bold new exhibitions and major festivals. Whether you're in the mood for a time-travelling stage spectacular, a boundary-pushing gallery show or a night out at one of the city's biggest cultural celebrations, there's something happening in nearly every corner of Sydney. To help you plan your season, we've pulled together six standout events and paired each one with nearby places to help you make a day — or night — of it. Consider this your roadmap to experiencing Sydney at its most creative and colourful. [caption id="attachment_1048999" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Back to the Future: The Musical Why it's unmissable Great Scott! The DeLorean has arrived in Australia, bringing high-voltage sets and nostalgia-driven humour to the Sydney Lyric. Featuring music and lyrics by OG Back to the Future composer Alan Silvestri and acclaimed songwriter Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill the Musical), plus a book by Gale — who co-penned all three Back to the Future film scripts with filmmaker Robert Zemeckis — the Olivier Award-winning Back to the Future: The Musical is summer's blockbuster musical moment. Find out more here. Make a night of it Start your evening with pasta and a spritz on the breezy waterfront terrace — the largest in Barangaroo — at Gina. The sun-washed venue takes its cues from the classic coastal trattorias of the Amalfi Coast, serving daily handmade pasta, cold cuts sliced to order and crowd-pleasing Italian classics. Its position on the ferry pier also means a swift (and scenic) trip across the harbour will set you down in Pyrmont just steps from the theatre. Extend your stay Extend your night out with a stay at Sofitel Darling Harbour, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the skyline and the rooftop infinity pool delivers some of the best sunrise views in the city. It's an elegant, easy base just a short stroll from the theatre — and puts you right in the heart of Pyrmont and Darling Harbour's buzzy dining and lifestyle scenes. RELICS: A New World Rises Why it's unmissable Running at the Australian Museum, RELICS: A New World Rises goes far beyond your average LEGO® exhibit. Created by Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey (2020 winners of Channel 9's LEGO® Masters), it blends the iconic bricks with real-world objects like you've never seen before, transforming pre-loved everyday items into 14 immersive mini civilisations. Find out more here. Make a day of it After the exhibition, take things sky-high at Infinity by Mark Best — a scenic stroll through Hyde Park from the museum — where, from the 81st floor of Sydney Tower, the Harbour City feels like its own miniature civilisation. Its elegant Modern Australian menu showcases local produce in clever, technique-driven dishes — a fitting follow-up to an exhibition that asks you to look closer at the worlds we build. [caption id="attachment_1018817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] Then, ease back down to street level and wander over to Library Bar, the State Library's rooftop hideaway overlooking the treetops of Macquarie Street. It's an easygoing spot for a summer sundowner, with spritzes, snacks and views that pair perfectly with a slow end to the afternoon. Sydney Festival Why it's unmissable Sydney Festival turns 50 in 2026, and it's marking the milestone with a citywide celebration of culture and connection. From January 8–25, the annual summer spectacular will take over stages, parks and galleries — plus unexpected spaces like alleyways, pools and even a working funeral home — for a three-week program spanning theatre, dance, music, cabaret, visual art and immersive experiences. It's one of the most exciting times to be out in the city, with something happening in nearly every corner. Find out more here. Make a day of it Sydney Festival is built for days spent wandering between performances and pop-ups, so start early with brunch or a breezy lunch in whichever pocket of the city your show is in. If you're headed to Walsh Bay, a waterside spot like Barangaroo seafood favourite love.fish sets the tone; for a show in the CBD or around Town Hall, enjoy a pre-show snack and sip at contemporary Greek spot Ela Ela, or slip into elegant fast fine-dining spot Ette for an aperitivo and creative snack before the curtain goes up. Follow the festival trail Post-show, drift along the Festival trail and hop between neighbourhoods as the night builds. That could mean a sunset drink at InterContinental Sydney's rooftop stunner Aster before an event in The Rocks, or a stop at vibey Chippendale fave Bar Freda's for a spicy watermelon marg slushie — and maybe even a cheeky boogie — ahead of a late-night gig at Carriageworks. [caption id="attachment_1046924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the 'Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 11 October 2025 – 15 February 2026, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Anna Kučera[/caption] Dangerously Modern Why it's unmissable The Art Gallery of NSW is spotlighting an often-overlooked chapter of Australian art history with its summer blockbuster Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940. This landmark exhibition showcases more than 200 works by 50 pioneering women who left Australia to embed themselves in the studios, salons and artist colonies of Europe's cultural capitals, where they experimented and exhibited long before modernism took hold back home. The show traces how these experiences shaped their practices, and how they returned with ideas that helped reshape Australia's artistic landscape. Find out more here. Make a night of it With two-for-one tickets on offer for Art After Hours on Wednesdays, the gallery is an ideal spot to kick off a chic midweek date night. Afterwards, channel the spirit of Europe's late-night salons and slip into Letra House, Kent Street's moody underground tapas bar. Head in for a pick from its ever-evolving 50-bottle wine list, and pair it with a selection of ingredient-driven small plates like raw scampi tostada, duck liver parfait with pickled rhubarb and brandy snap, or socarrat with firefly squid, broadbean and garlic. Nightcap? Take a short stroll around the corner to Bar Herbs, which pours classic and flavour-forward martinis in a neon-hued subterranean space that hums until the small hours. Extend your stay Turn your date night into a mini-escape with a stay at W Sydney, where boundary-pushing design and statement-making interiors pick up right where your gallery visit left off. The hotel's striking architecture, curated art moments and rooftop infinity pool overlooking Darling Harbour will keep you perfectly primed to carry that creative spark into the next day. Tropfest Why it's unmissable Following a six-year hiatus, the world's biggest short-film festival returns to Centennial Park this summer. And while the world has changed quite a bit since its last outing in 2019, Tropfest's core mission remains unchanged: to give filmmakers at any stage of their careers a genuinely global platform — and to do it at a free, openair event that welcomes everyone. Find out more here. Make a night of it Centennial Park's position smack-bang in the middle of the eastern suburbs means you're on the doorstep of Double Bay's buzzy dining scene. Stop by Neil Perry's big-swinging Italian restaurant Gran Torino for handmade pasta and a show-stopping tiramisu in a historic setting, or settle in for a perfectly cooked steak at Perry's sleek Mod Oz fine diner Margaret, just up the street. [caption id="attachment_1017635" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yusuke Oba[/caption] If dinner by the sea is more the mood, head east and grab a table at Rocker, North Bondi's breezy all-day diner featuring coastal Mediterranean-inspired plates, natural wines and a solid cocktail lineup that includes eight types of margarita — plus one of the more impressive Sunday roasts in town. [caption id="attachment_978660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Why it's unmissable Sydney's most colourful pride parade returns to the streets of Darlinghurst for its 48th edition in February, transforming Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade into a glittering celebration of visibility, power and joy. With thousands of marchers and dozens of flamboyant floats, the night pulses with energy — and it's completely free to watch, making it one of Sydney's most accessible major events. The theme guiding the parade's 48th edition is ECSTATICA, which celebrates joy as power, protest and connection. Find out more here. Before the parade Set the tone early in Darlinghurst, where street-front tables start filling long before the first float hits Oxford Street. Ease into the night at The Waratah, the cosy two-storey bar known for its native ingredient-starring cocktails and fun bar snacks (pictured below). Or, take a seat at L'Avant Cave, Oxford Street Paddington's charming courtyard wine bar pouring standout drops by the glass and nostalgic French-leaning bites. If you're coming in via Surry Hills, The Art Syndicate serves wines, beers and spirits exclusively from NSW in an intimate art gallery just behind Taylor Square. For a more low-key warm-up, 40Res offers a seasonally evolving menu built around local ingredients and a sharp list of Australian and European from boutique producers — all in an understated, dimly lit room that contrasts beautifully with the technicolour chaos of the festivities outside. [caption id="attachment_929493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] After the parade When the glitter settles, head up to Monica, Paddington's 1960s Hollywood-inspired rooftop bar overlooking Oxford Street, for skyline views and a party-ready drinks list. It's perched above the personality-packed 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia, a handy spot to crash after one of the city's biggest parties. When you resurface, stroll down to Surry Hills stalwart Bills for a breezy brunch — the signature ricotta hotcakes, corn fritters and velvety scrambled eggs are an ideal way to fuel your debrief from the night before. Ready to feel the Sydney side of summer? Discover the full calendar of what's on across the city at sydney.com. Top image: Anna Kučera.
Tucked away on Grey Street is Miss Jackson, a cosy hideaway serving excellent Allpress coffee and smart brunch fare. The space is homely and comfortable, perfect for spending a lazy morning in. Try the sweet corn and haloumi fritters finished with sundried tomato ketchup and popcorn butter, or the beer-smoked brisket hash with smoked corn, poached eggs and hollandaise. The menu also includes indulgent sandwiches, like a cheesy brisket bolognese and a potato chip bacon butty. If you need a hair of the dog, Miss Jackson is also licensed, so you can sip on an IPA or a bloody mary with your brunch. Images: Julia Sansone
What had you done with your life by the time you were 22? For most of us, it didn't include training abroad, publishing a best-selling cookbook, opening multiple businesses and competing in a huge televised competition. But it is just some of what Morgan Hipworth has already achieved before even getting close to his mid-20s. What an overachiever. The Aussie-born, French-trained pâtissier already has two Morgan Bistro sites in Melbourne selling his famed doughnuts alongside a heap of other sweet treats. Last year, he starred in Dessert Masters, competing with some of the country's top pastry chefs. And now, he's tackling the all-day dining scene in Fitzroy with his new restaurant Maven by Morgan. For this venture, Hipworth is joined by co-head chef Daniel Neytha (ex-Lona Misa), who he's worked with to create an all-day dining menu that champions both European and South American cuisines. All the Aussie brunch favourites feature on the menu from Friday–Sunday, including avo on toast, eggs benny and chilli eggs. But standing out among these options is the duck and waffle. Hipworth and Neytha put a crispy duck leg, fried egg and fermented ginger and honey glaze on top of a crunchy sweet potato waffle for those seeking something a little different for brunch. Come dinner time, from Tuesday–Saturday guests can get around a selection of small and large dishes made for sharing. Neytha's South American touches shine through in dishes like the slow-roasted lamb shoulder paired with roasted eggplants and a vibrant salsa verde and the market fish ceviche served with potato puree and corn salsa. More Euro-centric bites include the pork cotoletta and the pistachio and zucchini pesto pasta that comes with squash and stracciatella. Pair these with a tight selection of European and Aussie wines, some signature cocktails and a stack of spirits and beer. And this wouldn't be a Hipworth venture without banging desserts. There's a classic Basque cheesecake and roasted fig and apple frangipane tart, plus a decadent tableside-served Biscoff tiramisu. But Maven by Morgan highlights how Hipworth has no desire to be seen as purely a pastry chef. At 22, he's already looking to the future and expanding on his brand. We're intrigued to see what he's got up his sleeves for us next. You'll find Maven by Morgan at 402 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, open for brunch from Friday–Sunday and dinner from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, head to the restaurant's website.
Four shows. Four sites. Four weeks. Coming to a location near you, the Site is Set mini-fest is bringing some brand spanking new visual and immersive performance shows to Melbourne that will have you gearing up to choose your own mini adventure. First up is Exposition by Lara Thoms and Jason Maling. Throughout the year Jason and Lara have visited Melbourne's best expos so you don't have to. In one glorious location, they bring everything you may have missed, creating a niche expo... of expos. Join them and guests from the cosplay community, the tattoo world or perhaps if you're feeling particularly colourful, the untapped world of scrumble in their exclusive study of these wonderfully diverse events. Bron Batten approached a hypnotist to help her write her new show. They agreed. This is the result. Use Your Illusion blurs the line between truth, performance and lies as audience members as well as Batten herself are placed under hypnosis. Is this a brilliant study of the human psyche? Is Batten just using tricks to reel in her audiences? Is it both? Astrojet is an after dark experience exploring Melbourne's forgotten and short-lived museum, The Astrojet Space Centre. Artist Zoe Meagher takes audiences on a tour of the building, incorporating multimedia, performance art and a 'disco-infused' soundtrack. With bonus bus tour, Astrojet is sure to set your senses a-tingling and your brain a-thinking. If you're a dog person, then My Best Friend is for you. But be warned; this can and will get emotional. Following the death of his family dog, Malcolm Whittaker was inspired to honour the memory of dogs past. By retracing their walking rituals, Whittaker will unravel stories of Melbourne's dearly loved best friends. Running from August 17 until September 7, Site is Set mini festival is an inherently Melbourne experience — one you should immerse yourself in, if you're game.
If there's one thing the eastern suburbs do well, it's wine bars. It doesn't matter if you're slogging it down Chapel Street or staying away from the crowds in a quiet leafy pocket of Kew, chances are, there'll be a nice little wine bar nearby. The ones of this list stock a nice selection of traditional and new-age natural drops, and most have a kitchen or at least a good selection of cheese so you can snack while you taste a few of the open bottles. Quite a few even allow you to take away — so once you've taste tested a few, you can take a bottle home with you to drink at your leisure.
There's an elaborate story involving bootleg vodka stills and a Russian named Leon "Satan" Satanovich behind this throbbing Fitzroy nightspot. Men helping Satan brew his vodka during the Great Depression were said to be getting naked for Satan when they stripped down to endure the heat of the copper stills in summer. Whether it's true or not, the myth is fitting because there's a touch of the fantastical about Brunswick Street bar Naked for Satan, where patrons come for the Pintxos and stay for the infused vodkas. Spread over three levels, the lush red benches and highly-polished copper trimmings conjure a steampunk aesthetic. As you enter, you are assaulted by food and drink. Wine bottles fill one wall and a buffet-style smorgasbord of Spanish pintxos are displayed along the other. If that isn't decadent enough, the back wall is plastered with pin-ups of half-naked men and women. The fit-out is slick but the polished copper and red trimmings give this sinful speakeasy-inspired bar a warm, welcoming feeling. The décor maybe shiny and modern, but the inspiration behind the substance of the place - the stuff you're putting in your mouth - is Spain via depression-era Melbourne. The Pintxos - a Basque practice - are bite sized mini-meals served as they are in Spain's north; speared on a toothpick. Costing less than a coffee, the cold Pintxos are mostly slices of baguette topped with meat, fish, jamon or calamari, paired with a slice of tomato or salad shavings and a shellacking of tapenade, pesto or soft cheese. There are also waiters serving trays of hot Pintxos so you don't have to worry about going hungry one you've decamped with a drink and a handful of food. Like all good north-side bars, Naked for Satan offers a selection of beers a cut above the standard Fosters fare. Thornbury brewery Three Ravens is on the menu alongside South Australia's Beard and Brau. Traditionalists can get Asahi and Stella. Clearly gathering to all tastes, Naked for Satan also serves Melbourne Bitter, if you must. There is a long list of infused vodkas, with strange and unexpected flavours including violet and alpine chocolate with sugarcane. But it's the Pintxos that truly set Naked for Satan apart from the 7,564 other bars in Melbourne's inner hub.
Let's face it, when life gives you lemons, you don't always feel like lemonade. For some of us, a bad day at work, an unexpected bill or the total wet blanket that is lockdown can see you reaching for something a little more heavy duty than citrus juice. If the standard Netflix and takeout self-soothing strategy has worn thin, we get it. And that's why we've put together a few strategies to try next time life tosses you a curveball. PRIORITISE YOUR SLEEP How many days of the week do you wake up and feel like you've actually had enough sleep? For us, it's minus three. So when everything hits the fan, one thing we like to focus on is getting a good night's sleep. If you have a hard time falling asleep, there are a few habits you can incorporate into your nightly routine to wind down more easily. NSW Health recommends doing an activity that you find relaxing for an hour or so before bed like reading or taking a bath. Or, you could try incorporating a sleep supplement into your routine to assist in de-stressing from the day and to help you hit the hay at a reasonable hour. TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK When things have gone awry it can be easy to distract yourself with mindless activities to escape. One way you might do that is by spending hours doomscrolling on social media platforms. And while social media definitely has its positives, it's not like you can control what other people post. Typically, people use social media to make public declarations of wins they've had, and that's great. We love celebrating our friends. But, if you've just had a loss, no matter how big or small, seeing someone nailing life can send you into a tailspin. That's not to say you can't be happy for people in those moments — you absolutely can. But before you login after a tough day, consider checking in with yourself and figure out whether or not you're emotionally prepared to deal with the feelings that may arise while being online. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS When you're not feeling 100 percent, taking active steps to look after your physical health is a great way to lift yourself out of your slump. Getting on top of the basics like good sleep, a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is key. And, if you want to go even further, we recommend stocking up on vitamins from JSHealth, too. Whether you need something to help with skin health, hormone balance, sleep or stress, JSHealth has an extensive selection of supplements to choose from to help you take care of yourself. Plus, you'll get access to the JSHealth app for free with any order of vitamins — just use your order ID to access recipes, workouts, meditations and more, so you can get yourself back on track. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCES When you've had a doozy of a day, it can be useful to shift your focus to things that you actually have control over. One of those things is your cash. And while at times it may feel like your money controls you more than you control it, taking time to sort out your finances (and actually following through with your plan) is possible. It can be useful to think of your money like other parts of your wellbeing. For example, if you want to start running, signing up for a marathon may not be the best place to start. The same applies to your dollarydoos. If you need to pay off some debt, want to bolster your savings or have a desire to start investing, you've gotta make time for it. And like running, if you stick to your plan, you'll get closer to your goal every day. Check out the Australian Government's moneysmart website for free tips on how to make your cash make sense (and cents). GET TRIPLE CLEAN We're all fans of freshly washed sheets, right? Crisp, warm and straight of the line on a sunny day are the top-tier kind. But to boost your mood on a less-than-average day, you've got to step things up a notch and get yourself triple clean. Let us talk you through what we mean. Step one is to strip your bed sheets and give your mattress a makeover with a fresh set of threads. Step two is to strip yourself and get squeaky clean in the shower. Then, it's time for step three — fresh PJs. Yep, time to swap out last night's pizza-stained pants for a fresh pair and soon after you'll be feeling like a million-dollar triple-clean queen. DIY PAMPER NIGHT We've never had a bath that we later regretted — ever. So next time things feel like they're spiraling out of control, consider taking a moment to slow yourself down with an at-home pamper session. One of the great things about a DIY pamper sesh is you get to decide how extra you want it to be. If you feel like going all out, pick up a new face mask, bath salts, a candle and a cheeky bottle of something to take to the tub. Or, if you're more the spontaneous type, dig out that gift pack your Secret Santa gave you last year and actually use it. Whether you want to go all out with a foot scrub and at-home microdermabrasion or are stoked by the idea of a classic bubble bath, the whole point is for it to be relaxing — so don't stress over the set up. You can do a lot with dim lighting, a calming soundtrack and warm water. GET SOME FRESH AIR If you spend a lot of time working indoors, a quick whip around the block can do wonders to your mood after a wonky day. There's no need to rush your walk or worry about getting hardcore exercise in while you enjoy the outdoors, either. It's all about getting a change of scenery and a lil fresh air to take you far away from your desk for a moment. To heighten the experience, you can add your favourite podcast to soundtrack the stroll. Or, if you want to get really in touch with nature, go sans headphones and soak up the natural sounds of your surroundings. MAKE A CONNECTION When we're feeling down in the dumps, it can be hard to reach out to loved ones. It's easy to feel like you'll be terrible company and no-one wants to feel like the party pooper in the pack. But think about how many times you've gladly sat with a friend after a breakup. They weren't exactly the life of the party on those occasions but you still happily made yourself available in their time of need. And guess what? Your friends will absolutely want to do that in return. But, if being around people is a no-go for you in those moments of distress, consider making a connection with yourself, instead. You could do this by by journalling, meditating or engaging mindfully in one of your hobbies. CROSS SOMETHING OFF YOUR LIFE ADMIN LIST We all have a list of tasks we've been meaning to get to but for one reason or another it keeps getting put on the backburner. And even more unfortunately, as time goes on, the list keeps getting longer, too. Whether it's returning an online shopping purchase, consolidating your superannuation funds or finally booking your car in for a service — we've all got a thing or two we could cross off our lists. So next time you're feeling like you're in a funk, consult your mental to-do list and tackle one of its tasks for a lil pick me up. SET A BOUNDARY With work from home now a reality for a lot of us, the boundary between work and play has become increasingly blurry — which makes sense considering a lot of dining tables now double as work desks. With physical spaces melding together like this, it's more important than ever to create a healthy set of boundaries, and stick to them. One way to do that is to set times for when you'll respond to work questions (hot tip: try and stick to your regular work hours). Another boundary you may need to implement is knowing when to say no to social occasions so that you can schedule in essential alone time to recharge. Just remember, if your boundaries impact others (and they often do) it's a good idea to communicate what they are so that others can understand your limitations and respect them without trying to read your mind. CP readers can take advantage of a 15% discount on all JSHealth products by using the code: CPLAYGROUND. Learn more about JSHealth by visiting the website here. Images: Unsplash.
When the National Gallery of Victoria dedicates its blockbuster summer or winter exhibitions to big fashion names, one word usually applies no matter which designer is in the spotlight: stunning. It was true back in 2022 when the Melbourne venue turned its focus to Alexander McQueen, for instance, and also in 2021 when it did the same with Gabrielle Chanel. Expect the same across the summer of 2025–26, when it's Vivienne Westwood's time to shine, plus Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garçons' moment as well. Heading to NGV International across Sunday, December 7, 2025–Sunday, April 19, 2026, Westwood | Kawakubo is both an Australian and a world first, pairing pieces by both the British talent and the Japanese designer in one massive showcase. No matter which of the duo's works you're looking at, you'll be revelling in rule-breaking, status quo-subverting threads. Some helped define the fashion of the punk movement in the 70s. Others have earned the world's attention at the Met Gala. In-between, items donned by supermodels, seen in films and from collections worn by plenty of well-known names will feature. [caption id="attachment_1011675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer). Outfits from the Portrait collection, autumn–winter 1990–91 (detail). 116 Pall Mall, London, March 1990. Photo © John van Hasselt / Sygma via Getty Images. Models: Susie Bick & Denice D. Lewis.[/caption] In total, more than 140 designs are set to display at the NGV. To assemble such a wide range, the gallery has sourced pieces from New York's Metropolitan Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Palais Galliera and the Vivienne Westwood archive, plus its own collection. Over 40 works are new gifts to the gallery from Comme des Garçons especially for Westwood | Kawakubo, as chosen by Kawakubo. Among the full lineup of items: punk ensembles made famous by The Sex Pistols and Siousie Sioux, the wedding gown that Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) wore in Sex and the City: The Movie and the tartan dress that Kate Moss stepped into in Westwood's Anglomania collection in the mid 90s — and also a version of Rihanna's petal-heavy 2017 Met Gala outfit, plus pieces from collections that Lady Gaga and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black Mirror) have sported. [caption id="attachment_1011671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rhianna wearing Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) at The Met Gala, 2017. Photo © Francois Durand via Getty Images.[/caption] Westwood | Kawakubo will span from taffeta to tweed, vinyl and leather to silk, and corsetry to ruffles and knitwear, then — and much beyond. The exhibition is designed to step through Westwood and Kawakubo's careers across five thematic strands, including the former's punk-era work and the influence of the movement on the latter, their shared needs to rebel against the norm, how the two women have looked either forward or back in their pieces, eschewing objectification and using fashion to make a statement. "This exhibition celebrates two leading female fashion designers from different cultural backgrounds, who both had strong creative spirits and pushed boundaries," explained NGV Director Tony Ellwood, announcing the showcase. "Through more than 140 designs from the NGV Collection and key international loans, Westwood | Kawakubo invites audiences to reflect on the enduring legacies of these groundbreaking designers and contemplate the ways in which fashion can be a vehicle for self-expression and freedom." [caption id="attachment_1011673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer) Look 49, from the Anglomania collection, autumn–winter 1993–94. Le Cercle Républicain, Paris, March 1993. Photo © firstVIEW. Model: Kate Moss.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1011677" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) Look 9, from the 2 Dimensions collection, autumn–winter 2012. Paris, 3 March 2012. Image © Comme des Garçons. Model: Henna Lintukangas.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1011676" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Jessica Parker wearing a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown on the set of Sex and the City: The Movie, New York City, 12 October 2007. Photo © James Devaney / WireImage via Getty Images.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1011678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) Look 1, from the Blue Witch collection, spring–summer 2016. Paris, 3 October 2015. Image © Comme des Garçons. Model: Maja Brodin.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1011674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World's End, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer), Malcolm McLaren (designer) Outfit from the Savage collection, spring–summer 1982. Pillar Hall, Olympia, London, 22 October 1981. Photo © Robyn Beeche.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1011679" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) Look 13, from the Uncertain Future collection, spring–summer 2025. Paris, 28 September 2024. Image © Comme des Garçons. Model: Astrid Wagemakers.[/caption] Westwood | Kawakubo displays from Sunday, December 7, 2025–Sunday, April 19, 2026 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Head to the gallery website for tickets and more details. Top image: excerpt of Rhianna wearing Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) at The Met Gala, 2017. Photo © Francois Durand via Getty Images.
Much-loved beer festival Pint of Origin is back for another round. For ten days, 23 venues around Melbourne will host tap takeovers, each showcasing beers from a different region, state or country. While some are staying close to home, others are venturing to the other side of the world. Head to Freddie Wimpoles in St Kilda to try an array of drops brewed south of the Yarra, or Heartbreaker Bar in the CBD to sip your way through neighbourhoods north of Yarra. Looking for a more exotic adventure? You'll find Scandinavian beers at Collingwood's Beermash, a mix of Japanese and Korean brews on the taps at West Melbourne's Benchwarmer, and Canadian crafties at the CBD's Whitehart. Then head to the Catfish Bar in Fitzroy for a New Zealand showcase or Mr West in Footscray for a bunch of beers from the UK. Wherever you go, you won't run out of new drops to try. All in all, Pint of Origin, which is organised by independent online magazine The Crafty Pint, will see more than 800 beers from more than 200 breweries hit taps across the city. It's one of the biggest beer collections at a single festival anywhere in the world.
These days we have access to unprecedented amounts of information in a multitude of mediums. Gone are the days when organisations could just rely on a good story or startling statistics to get their message across. In our increasingly visual culture, a story just ain't a story and information just isn't newsworthy unless it's accompanied by some darn good imagery. The 2020 VISION project takes all of this into account. The multi-media conservation project, the most ambitious of its kind to date, has gotten together 20 of the UK's best professional wildlife photographers and assigned them an area of conservation to document using visual media. The photographers have been assigned areas all over the isles — sustainable fishing on the border between England and Scotland, restoring the wetlands at Somerset Levels and even an attempt to 'rewild' the River Thames. The work of these photographs will be assembled into a outdoor audio-visual multi roadshow at the end of this year. The project hopes to capture the visual imagination of the British public, making an emotional rather than a scientific argument for conservation, and to get the message across that the health of the natural environment has a significant impact on the health of the individual. Information worth remembering.
Located on the edge of Melbourne's favourite river, The Wharf Hotel's eclectic, asymmetrical interior makes it one of the best spots for a stylish summer drink. From warm, striped carpet and leather bar stools to fireplaces and a plant-filled deck, there's no lack of nooks and crannies to tickle your drinking fancy. And with the bar boasting a range of local and imported beers, spirits and cocktail jugs, you won't find any problem with The Wharf's drinks menu, either.
POOF DOOF, GiRLTHING, Thursgay and CLOSET are all coming together for the ultimate Midsumma blowout at St Kilda's iconic Luna Park. From 3pm until late, Yass Pride! will see an all-star lineup of DJs, dancers and drag performers working their magic across multiple stages beneath the rickety Scenic Railway. Oh, and if that weren't enough, once 8pm rolls around, ticketholders will be given unlimited ride access. If your inner child isn't screaming with glee right now, then we just don't know what to say. First release tickets have already sold out, so snap up second release tickets while you still can.
Don't underestimate the potato, especially at the Great Trentham Spudfest where this humble staple takes the spotlight. The annual festival will be hitting Trentham, a region known as spud country, to celebrate the production of Australia's finest potatoes thanks to the area's ochre-coloured volcanic soil. Now in its 16th year, the Great Trentham Spudfest is bigger than ever, with around 6000 potato lovers flocking to the small town (with a population of. just 1200 people) each year, a testament to the spud's well-deserved popularity. Most experiences are free to attend, so you can save your money for the many market stalls, farm-fresh produce, and food trucks serving the spud in its many delicious forms. But the Spudfest fun doesn't stop at food. The festival offers a range of activities, from classic games like potato sack races and a potato peeling competition, to a unique spud scavenger hunt where visitors can solve potato-themed clues to win prizes. Live music and food and farm tours tours are also part of the lineup, with local pubs and eateries hosting their own events and spuddy specials. [caption id="attachment_771084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption]
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. 26 years later, and the game isn't just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads — but onto the real-life streets, and now Google Maps. Because zooming Mario Kart-style through Tokyo wasn't enough, or bringing the IRL concept to Australia either, you can now spend the next week getting navigational directions from everyone's favourite cartoon plumber. Plus, he'll not only pop-up on the app, but as you drive along the road, he'll drive along with you on Maps — in celebration of Mario Day, which is March 10 (or MAR 10). [caption id="attachment_659698" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Google Maps[/caption] Anyone keen to take a drive with Mario simply needs to update their Maps app, then look for a question mark-shaped box that resembles a block from Super Mario Brothers. That's all there is to it — and it's not quite as fun as being able to actually play Mario Kart on Google Maps, like their Pac-Man April Fool's Day update a few years back, but it'll probably make you look up directions more often than you actually need over the next seven days. It goes without saying, but you you should still be watching the road as you drive — and not Mario on your phone, as cute as the gimmick may be. How else are you going to keep your eyes peeled for bananas, shells or gold coins? Via Google Maps.
If your pooch, like most pooches, goes absolutely wild for the beach, you've probably already found yourself at Republica right on St Kilda Beach. The sandy courtyard brings in weary dog owners of all varieties and reinvigorates them with cocktails and snacks while their puppers recover from chasing seagulls. If you've worked up a serious appetite chasing Rover, we recommend the roasted barramundi, mussels, cider cream, peas and potato dumplings for a filling meal.
How better to make the most of Melbourne's balmy, summer evenings, than a poolside deck, a few dreamy gin concoctions and sweeping views across the city skyline? If that sounds like your kind of after-work heaven, you'll be happy to know that the Adelphi Hotel is bringing the goods, teaming up with Four Pillars to launch the second season of its popular Rooftop Gin Sessions on Friday, January 18. This time around, the sky-high fun is happening from 5–9pm every Thursday and Friday night, right through until Friday, March 29. Against the chic backdrop of the Adelphi's rooftop pool deck, guests can spend the evening quaffing signature Four Pillars cocktails, such as the tropical Gin-a-Colada, crafted on Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin, coconut and pine-lime. If malt and hops are more your jam, you'll also find a brand new range of brews from Yarra Valley newcomer Detour Beer Co, unveiled ahead of its official launch on January 26. Of course, seasonal bar bites from the hotel's lauded Om Nom Kitchen will also be doing the rounds. Entry is free, though this rooftop has a limited capacity — best knock off work early so you can be guaranteed a prime sunset spot. Adelphi Hotel Rooftop Gin Sessions run from 5–9pm.
