The average Melburnian can spend more time in a cafe than in their lounge room. As such, a cafe should be designed to feel like a contemporary home. Hannah, the most recent addition to the Carlisle Street precinct, makes a fine lounge room substitute indeed. Priding itself on a well-considered approach to coffee, food and interior design, its triumph in all three delivers a cafe to rival even the best found north of the river. Hannah's founder, Jason Bates, shows keen attention to detail. Vinyl records provide the soundtrack, while ferns pepper the interior. It's a cafe with character. The name, Hannah, was selected to personify the corner as friendly and intelligent. Like the cafe's street number on Chapel, 141, Hannah is a palindrome; accessible whichever way you approach it, the feeling is one that is carried on inside. Hannah is a well-designed space with ceiling-high windows that cantilever open in the summertime, ensuring the dining area remains light filled and airy all year round. The stylish looking florist next door frames Hannah in greenery, not to mention giving the impression of a cool, well-perfumed setting for intimate meetings or social gatherings alike. Hannah serves Proud Mary Coffee, which is juicy and full of flavour — just as it should be. No heavy, milky broth to be found here. The menu is similarly distinct. The all day brunch features porridge with date jam and hazelnuts ($11) and coconut pancakes with pink peppered berries and vanilla mascarpone ($16.50), while lunch is a mouth-watering selection including the likes of smoked trout, cavolo nero, witlof, radicchio, poached egg and samphire salsa ($19) and octopus salad with silverbeet, watercress, purple congos, capers and marjoram salmoriglio ($18.50). Hannah, recognisable from the street by its green tile facade is sure to grow into a new Balaclava hot spot. The structural pillar in the centre of the new cafe already has a leafy vine growing its way up to the roof — a good sign of Hannah's busy life ahead.
Lately, there have been enough new venues opening — or planning to open — in iconic hospitality sites to make it something of a trend. Think, Nomad Melbourne, Fitzroy's Kewpie and, soon, Cucina Povera. Well, here's another one to add to the list. Launched last week, Bar Bambi is the plush new venture from Nick and Daniel Russian (founders of Eve Bar), taking over the revered rock 'n roll site that once housed the original Cherry Bar. You can push aside all thoughts of the four-legged Disney character — the venue's in fact named after and inspired by a bar the duo's Nonno owned in Trieste, Italy, 80 years ago. Here on AC/DC Lane, they're paying homage to their heritage while delivering a dazzling late-night joint that aims to help reignite Melbourne's party spirit. [caption id="attachment_833174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Roper[/caption] It's a sumptuous lounge bar with design nods to the drinking dens of both LA and Europe, celebrating glam vintage touches throughout. Step through the door and into a space filled with curved banquettes and staircases, and sporting a healthy appreciation for the colour pink; all the work of awarded designer David Hicks. Italian share plates rule the menu, with finely-tuned familiar favourites interspersed with contemporary surprises. A loaded carbonara toastie and a tiramisu cannoli fall into the latter group. Elsewhere, you'll find the likes of rigatoni done with wagyu bolognese, a spicy vodka pasta, calamari fritti and a hefty pork cotoletta on the bone, Meanwhile, the antipasti lineup includes bites like mortadella, burrata caprese, nduja and polpette, which you can match with serves of Italian flatbread. [caption id="attachment_833177" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Roper[/caption] A well-matched drinks offering has a soft spot for spritzes and negronis, with a multitude of options and large-format serves available for each. If you're game, try yours by the one-litre carafe; or really impress that group booking by arranging your own negroni fountain ($2200). They're backed by a slew of other classic Euro cocktails, a healthy spread of Italian and Aussie wines, and a cheeky after-dinner bottle service. And, since entertainment is every bit as important as the wining and dining action here at Bar Bambi, expect a diverse program of extra fun running into the wee hours — from DJs, to piano singers, to live performances gracing the front stage. Find Bar Bambi at AC/DC Lane (near corner of 103 Flinders Lane), Melbourne. It's open 5pm–late Wednesday–Friday and from 5pm–5am Saturdays. Sunday sessions will launch shortly, running 12pm–late and showcasing the new Bambi Brunch. Images: Mark Roper
For audiences, Carême is a series to savour: a mix of culinary spiciness, historical intrigue and espionage antics, all whipped together with plenty of sauces in the kitchen and ample sauciness in its characters' private lives. For star Benjamin Voisin (The Quiet Son), the new Paris-set French Apple TV+ series, which debuted on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, is a project that sees him step into a real-life chef's shoes, required dedicated training at a famous school of cuisine, but also gave him the freedom to channel rock stars and invent the show's version of Antonin Carême with few limits. The result for viewers is delicious to watch — and, for its star as well, it's delectable to dive into. Carême's namesake has a claim to fame that the series unsurprisingly plays up. In Napoleonic times, long before Julia Child, Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain, Marco Pierre White and many, many others earned the moniker, he was world's first celebrity chef. The book Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, the First Celebrity Chef is the show's basis — and that tome's author Ian Kelly, who is also an actor (see: The King's Man, The Children Act, Downton Abbey), co-created the streaming drama. Helping behind the camera to bring it to the screen: filmmaker Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers: Milady), one of the series' three directors alongside Laïla Marrakchi (The Eddy) and Matias Boucard (the cinematographer on Bourboulon's Eiffel, and also here). The 19th century has just arrived and Carême isn't even in his twenties when the show begins, with its protagonist learning his craft and initially discovering his aptitude for baking — and much beyond — in the kitchen of his adoptive father. He's already showing his ambition for far more, too. Then comes a horrific personal turn of events that sees Antonin's status quo crumble. Also arriving: a wholly unexpected invitation to cook for Napoleon (Frank Molinaro, Class Act). But being the personal chef to such a figure sparks another gig, after clergyman-turned-politician Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (Jérémie Renier, The Astronaut) gets Carême spying on the Bonapartes. Liaisons with Joséphine (Maud Wyler, En haute mer), wowing diners with vol-au-vents, undercover quests and basically the period's version of MasterChef are all soon headed his way, amid a romance with Henriette (Lyna Khoudri, The Empire), the lady-in-waiting to Talleyrand's mistress Catherine (Sigrid Bouaziz, Irma Vep) — plus a complicated relationship with fellow kitchen whiz Agathe (Alice Da Luz, And the Party Goes On), and also unwanted interest from police chief Fouché (Micha Lescot, Je le jure). A decade into his career, Voisin adds Carême to a resume that's hopped between the stage and screen — and, with the latter, between both its big and small guises — but now gains what'll always be one of his standout performances. That's no simple feat, given that he was nominated for Most Promising Actor at the 2021 César Awards for his exceptional effort in Summer of 85, won the same category at that year's Lumiere Awards, then collected the César in 2022 for Lost Illusions. Jumping into the past keeps proving a recurring theme for Voisin, and often to the century when Carême was cooking up a storm; not only is that true of Lost Illusions, but also with The Happy Prince beforehand and The Mad Women's Ball afterwards. [caption id="attachment_1001934" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Apple TV[/caption] Those rockers that helped Voisin find his take on Carême? "Mick Jagger and Lenny Kravitz," he tells Concrete Playground. What did Voisin learn from the experience of making the series? That answer spans both what the charismatic actor discovered about his chosen field and what he put into his character. "I learned that it's very pleasant," he explains of leading a TV series. "I'd done theatre, stage theatre, and you're there for an hour and a half in front of the audience. But I also did a few movies — there you are there for two hours, a movie is two hours. But here, there is so much time to distill the emotion. On a movie, sometimes I'm asked to go quick into an emotion and out of it again, to be able to face the audience again. Onstage, you only have an hour and a half to tell a story. You don't know that much. In film, you have more time. In series, you have even more time. That, I found great," he advises. "And on Carême's character, I thought it was exciting to be able to offer this — on the one hand, there's this arrogance, but also later on as the series evolves, there's a whole episode about vulnerability and depression and doubt, and then the initial arrogance changes because of that episode." We also chatted with Carême's lead about why portraying the show's eponymous figure appealed to him, the process of learning more about Antonin, whether playing someone thrust to fame at a young age was something that he could connect with, the culinary preparation involved, his run of period-set roles and more. On What Appealed to Voisin About Portraying Antonin Carême "What I liked was the way in which this character, who has trouble with his emotions and he could be something of an introvert, he shows up with self-confidence that's almost arrogance — and you see over the eight episodes how that turns into what chefs should have, that is self-confidence, but also being able to listen to his team. That came out clearly. But I thought his combined love for politics and food, you could see how slowly but surely this young man was going to grow up into an adult. That's what I liked about Carême's character." On Learning More About Carême, and His Role Both as a Chef and in Politics "Well, you know Napoleon, of course — and Talleyrand, two famous characters. I mean, Talleyrand was Napoleon's Foreign Minister and he was Careme's boss, as it were. But that made it even more exciting, because it means I don't need to have a head-on responsibility. You know the character Napoleon. You know how he walks, his gait. As with Careme, you know nothing, so I had a free hand. I read some quotes. I didn't need to read much too about him — a few quotes here and there, to build the character. When he says that things should be as beautiful as they taste, for me, that's plenty to get into the character. But then regarding the body language, the hairstyle, it was great to be able to just make it up and create. We went for the costumes into Mick Jagger or Lenny Kravitz — and nothing to do [with Carême], it makes no sense, but that was my pure imagination. But I thought it was great in this series to have that free hand — I mean, on the one hand, you respect the period, but then you have the freedom to reinvent it." On Whether Voisin Could Connect with Playing Someone Thrust to Fame and Recognition at a Young Age "That's the whole thing, isn't it? This is Napoleon's chef, isn't it — and so, of the greatest public figure? So I do my little series, my little story. It's a huge difference. The one thing I wasn't so keen about — the fame, it was more ambition. There you have this young man who accepts — or young woman — who accepts him or herself as they are, but then there could be criticism and everything, but the main thing is to go to the end of your journey. That's what I could identify with. At the end of the day, you don't want to regret anything, and that reflects my own career in film. People say 'why go theatre?' when I was a kid, and I just believed in it and I went head on, and that enabled me to work without the safety net. And that's the connection, maybe, with the character." On the Preparation Required to Make the Culinary Side of the Role Appear Real On-Screen "You need to work on that, of course. We worked with the actual chef, Christoph, who also teaches in a famous school of cuisine. The school is called Ferrandi, the Ferrandi School of Cuisine. I was able to work with him for two months running, and joined his team and his mates. And he asked me to work not just on basic requirements for the part itself, but many other things in cooking and cuisines, so that my gestures should be really independent. When I go for poultry or whip cream or whatnot, I should know exactly how to go about it. And then my first connection with the part is also costumes. I wanted to have Carême's costumes one month ahead of shooting, so I could identify with that and use it as an apron or something more elegant. I had to be familiar with that. I could see shoes as being very tight, to create some pressure — and you need to go quick, so when you have your feet hurting, it creates even more pressure. That's the sort of thing." On Balancing Carême's Confidence, Impulsiveness, Passion and Seductiveness with His Vulnerability and Yearning, All as He Matures Across the Season "For every character, when you grow up into adulthood and you become a full-fledged person — I mean, Carême, he mourns his parents, so that's pretty evident, but when you leave home, you have to face that. So there is this journey. I don't know if I have a balancing act. Everybody has to find a balancing act. Any human being has got to go through that." [caption id="attachment_1001935" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Apple TV[/caption] On Voisin's Run of Period-Set Roles, Not Only with Carême But Also Lost Illusions, The Mad Women's Ball and The Happy Prince "Something happens to me. You think that actors pick their parts, but it's directors that make choices, and then within the directors' choices I make my choice. I probably have a face for a period movie. I don't know. Maybe I don't fit in in modern times. But it's true, the best parts I was ever offered were in period movies — which I love, because the reason we do this is to wear a suit, a costume, the period costume and stuff, and that makes it more pleasant for an actor. And I love for the audience watching to be suddenly immersed in a period and go back 200, 300, even a thousand years back — I find it exciting as a viewer, but as an actor it's even more exciting." Carême streams via Apple TV+.
First, Melbourne Museum became the top spot right now, in this very galaxy, to see Star Wars come to life via Lego. Thanks to the world-premiering Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, it's the only place to see life-sized recreations of the space saga's locations, characters, duels and moments as made out of eight-million-plus plastic bricks, in fact. Next, the same venue in the Victorian capital is welcoming another Australian debut: the nation's first-ever Star Wars cafe. Blue milk is definitely on offer, because it wouldn't be a Star Wars-themed spot for a snack and a sip without it. That's the only menu item that's been revealed so far. The full range will feature other dishes and selections inspired by the franchise, however — but it hasn't yet been confirmed if green milk, fruit platters, fish eggs or purple juice will be among them. While Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition opened on the appropriate date — May the fourth, of course — the Star Wars Galactic Cafe is launching on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The pop-up also promises an immersive eating and drinking experience beyond what you're consuming, taking you to a Corellian Star Cruiser to get feasting, as part of an Australian-first collaboration between Museums Victoria, Disney and Lucasfilm. "The Star Wars Galactic Cafe showcases Museums Victoria's expertise in creating rich, sensory experiences — taking visitors on a deliciously immersive, intergalactic journey. Combining world-class hospitality with the timeless appeal of the Star Wars galaxy, the Star Wars Galactic Cafe offers Melbourne Museum's visitors yet another way to engage with this premier exhibition, in a cosmically cool atmosphere," said Museums Victoria Chief Executive Officer and Director Lynley Crosswell. As for the Aussie-exclusive exhibition, aka the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled and the biggest touring Lego showcase ever, the force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is. The Millennium Falcon, Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards, a stormtrooper helmet, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader facing off, and the Mandalorian and Moff Gideon: they're all featured. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition hails from Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has indeed been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of the smash-hit franchise that's been soaring across screens big and small — and beyond — for almost five decades now. To build, the showcase took more than 25,000 hours at McNaught's headquarters in Tullamarine. The Star Wars Galactic Cafe opens on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Head to the museum's website for bookings and more details. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition runs from Sunday, May 4, 2025–Monday, January 26, 2026 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Head to the exhibition's website for tickets and more details. Exhibition images: Eugene Hyland, Museums Victoria / The Brickman.
A staple of Melbourne's cultural calendar for 90 years and counting, the Sidney Myer Free Concerts are back for another year. Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the latest of this long-standing favourite will, as always, features a trio of performances from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a classical music buff or just want to stretch out with a picnic on the grass, there's a good reason these concerts have become a summertime tradition. After kicking off on Wednesday, February 5, and keeping the fun going on Saturday, February 8, Melburnians can enjoy the last evening in the series on Friday, February 14. The first night, Around the World with the MSO, will feature songs by Richard Strauss and Antonin Dvorak, as well as the world premiere of a new piece by Australia's own Jordan Moore. On the Saturday, Dance, Dance, Dance will see singer Katie Noonan and dancers from emotion21 — a dance school for people with Down syndrome — join the orchestra for the evening. And, finally, on Valentine's Day, there'll be La Dolce Vita, a romantic Italian evening of music. Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase, but you can also BYO — just make sure you pack cups that aren't glass. Performances begin at 7:30pm; however, gates are open at 4:30pm so be sure to arrive promptly with your picnic basket in hand.
It's been a year full of empty tables and creative pivots, but one of Australia's most celebrated restaurants is finally gearing up to open its doors to dine-in customers once more. Just don't go expecting the same Attica experience as those days of old. Fresh off the back of newly eased restrictions, Ben Shewry's acclaimed fine diner is getting a post-lockdown reboot, reborn as Attica In Between until the end of the year. As the team has announced, "it isn't Attica pre-COVID and it isn't necessarily what Attica will be in the future, but it is Attica now." It takes the form of a ten-person dining experience, showcasing ten brand-new dishes inspired by Shewry's last eight months of lockdown life. The menu speaks to the good, the bad and the many lessons learned, and it's yours to experience with up to nine of your favourite people. [caption id="attachment_789134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chewy Carrots at Attica[/caption] On offer only from Friday, November 13 until Saturday, December 12, this temporary Attica offering doesn't come cheap, clocking in at $5000 for up to ten diners, with beverages as extra. But hey, there's a lot to be said for scoring such an intimate meal of never-before-seen dishes, cooked by Shewry himself. And of course, who knows when something like this might ever be available again. You can book your Attica In Between experience for Saturday lunch, or for dinner service Tuesdays through Saturdays. Just keep in mind that you'll need to pay for your table at the time of booking. Under current restrictions, the restaurant can fit two tables of ten at a time, so we suggest booking relatively fast if you want to head along. Find Attica In Between at 74 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea from Friday, November 13 until Saturday, December 12. Bookings are open now via the website.
In the past few years, old-school barbershops have made a big comeback and one of the coolest ones in Melbourne is Pickings and Parry. Stepping through the door is like entering a time machine; beard oils, pomades and moustache wax are kept in vintage wooden cabinets along with straight razors and an assortment of shaving equipment that wouldn't look out of place in a museum. But the grooming doesn't stop with a precise hair trim and shave. There's also a carefully curated selection of accessories for sale — such as belts, watches and wallets — as well as dapper work clothing, shoes and even some stationery.
There's something simple, but so unbelievably scrumptious, about the espresso martini. A cocktail that's made a name for itself the world over for its appeal not only as a great dessert drink, but also as an often-needed pick-me-up for late nights out on the town. Vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso, that's all it takes. There's more than one way to spin the espresso martini, so the Riverland Group, together with Kahlua, Absolut and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, have teamed up to celebrate its versatility at a bunch of bars around Melbourne. You might be doing a double take on the mention of peanut butter whiskey — no it's not a traditional ingredient, but have you ever tried a peanut butter espresso martini? You'll get your chance soon with what Riverland Group venues across Melbourne are offering throughout June. All day every day from Sunday, June 1 to Monday, June 30, you'll be able to order and sip classic espresso martinis (made with Absolut vodka, Kahlua and fresh espresso) and the shaken-up spin of peanut butter espresso martinis (Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Kahlua and fresh espresso) or a Baby G Shot (made with Kahlua and Bumbu cream). No matter the venue, the martinis are $16 each and $30 for two, while the shot is $10. But where are these drinks available? In the CBD, you'll have to go to the waterfront since three participating venues in Melbourne are along the Yarra. Leading the riverside offering is the openair haunt Riverland Bar, joined by the boardwalk-flanked Boatbuilders Yard and one of the Yarra's most energetic pubs, The General Assembly. Otherwise, you can head to Brunswick's Hotel Railway or venture beyond the city to Jetty Road Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula. Espresso Martini: Absolut-ly Iconic will be running throughout the month of June at various Melbourne venues. Visit the venues' websites for more information.
Since launching in 2013, Four Pillars has given Australian gin lovers plenty to drink, including its famed Bloody Shiraz Gin, an annual Christmas-themed tipple, barrel-aged gins and even a boozy ode to Melbourne landmark The Espy. Next time you pour yourself a sip of one of the above juniper spirits, you'll actually be pouring yourself a drop from the world's best gin producer, with the Yarra Valley-based distillery earning that title at this year's International Wine and Spirits Competition. In the event's 50th year, Four Pillars nabbed what's considered the industry's top gin gong, receiving the prize in London on Thursday, November 28 UK time. And if you're wondering about the size and scale of the IWSC, it's the globe's largest international competition for spirits, receiving more than 3000 entries worldwide. Winning for its impressive range of gins — which also includes its Rare Dry Gin, Spiced Negroni Gin and Navy Strength Gin — Four Pillars also made history by becoming the first Australian distillery to win the award. It's the latest exciting chapter in the company's short but substantial run so far, with the gin outfit founded by Cameron Mackenzie, Stuart Gregor and Matt Jones six years ago, earning plenty of acclaim and awards since, and selling a 50-percent stake to beer giant Lion earlier in 2019. In anointing Four Pillars this year's IWSC International Gin Producer of the Year, the organisation also recognised the company's role in the gin industry, its commitment to collaboration and creativity — and its full lineup of tipples. "When we started making test batches of gin back in 2012 we never in our maddest, wildest dreams thought this could happen so quickly," said Mackenzie. "This award is not for a single one of our gins but for the whole of our gin business and that's what makes it so incredibly special." To peruse the full list of International Wine and Spirits Competition winners, visit the organisation's website.
After a remarkable 26 years, the Grossi family, stalwarts of the Melbourne hospitality industry, have announced they will hand over custodianship of their restaurants before the end of the year. The Grossi family intend to continue their involvement in the industry through mentoring, initiatives and partnerships that support the next generation of hospo professionals. The Grossi family venues include Grossi Florentino, Grossi Grill, Cellar Bar, Ombra and Arlechin. While new custodians are set to take the reins, continuity of service and culture will remain a focus across all venues. Grossi Florentino, Guy Grossi's flagship fine diner, will return to its original name, Florentino. The establishment, founded in 1928, is one of Melbourne's longest-standing dining establishments, and it continues to prove its resilience with another change in leadership. Reflecting on the impressive 26 years overseeing Florentino, Guy Grossi says, "That is a significant period in any person's life. Our purpose has always been to bring people together and make them feel good with every interaction. We feel privileged to have served in these extraordinary venues for so long and to share our family history with so many. As our family looks to the future, this is not about stepping away but embracing a new chapter. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to the hospitality industry, Melbourne, the craft of cooking, and the traditions that have shaped us. For me, that means continuing to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Italian dining, while also ensuring the knowledge, values and passion we've built are passed on to the next generation." Other members of the Grossi Group include Liz Rodriguez, Co-Owner and Managing Director, Carlo Grossi, General Manager, Chris Rodriguez, who has served as Executive Chef, Melissa Grossi, who has contributed to operations and creative development and Loredana Grossi, who oversees branding, communications and partnerships. Rodriguez says, "It's not just a business, it's a craft. It's about bringing people together through amore e cultura [the group's philosophy of love and culture]. I love this business, the people who come here, and giving our team a pathway in the industry they love. I've done this for 27 years; it's not always easy, but when you're passionate, you get excited. I look forward to continuing my creativity and contributing more broadly to the industry as a whole. I remain committed to supporting the next generation and making a meaningful contribution for years to come. Importantly, the Grossi restaurant family will continue through other initiatives in the industry." Images: Michael Pham, Kate Shanasy. The Grossi Group restaurants will continue to trade as usual in the lead-up to the change of custodianship. Details for a special event on Sunday, November 9, will be released shortly. If you're hungry now, check out the best restaurants in the CBD.
A mere 50-metres from the hustle and bustle of Brunswick Street, The Rainbow Hotel is home to a massive beer garden, regular live music gigs and a fireplace that roars all day and night during winter. It's been around for 150 years, having received just enough touch-ups to keep it from falling down, but not enough to remove the many layers of charm that comes with The Rainbow. The draught beers, wines and cocktails are all fairly standard here, but the 100-strong bottled beers list is what helps it stand out. Tell the bartenders your preferred brew styles and they'll suggest something new for you to discover. Or you could just stick to your usual Carlton draught and call it a day. Dealer's choice. Expect the pub classics for lunch and dinner but always look out for the weekly specials — as you should be doing at any good Aussie pub. Mondays are for burgers (all going for $18), Wednesdays are steak nights (a 250-gram porterhouse with sides will only set you back $25) and Sundays are all about the classic roast ($27 with all the trimmings).
Lygon Street scores another hotspot with Lankan Tucker, the much-loved Sri Lankan eatery, finding its new home in Carlton after the closure of its West Brunswick store at the end of 2024. While the new store will have a stronger focus on catering and wholesale the cafe will be open on Fridays and Saturdays to bring back popular favourites. Established by partners in both life and business, Nerissa Jayasingha and Hiran Koon, Lankan Tucker has become a beacon of Sri Lankan cuisine in Melbourne. Initially set up as a catering service, the pair sold lunch packs to friends and coworkers before expanding to markets and events, and finally founding their first brick-and-mortar venue in 2016. People flocked to the eatery for its Sri Lankan dishes imbued with a signature touch of Melbourne. So it's a good thing the popular menu has resurfaced in Carlton. The roti wrap with hash, bacon, egg and tomato relish is a strong contender for a fan favourite, as are the pan rolls (or, as they refer to them, Sri Lankan Chiko Rolls). While the biriyani burritos with melted cheese, spiced rice, chicken curry and raita were originally a staff-only dish, they are now one of the most popular menu items. And while it sounds simple, the cheesy roti has proven to be an irresistible menu item to many. However, you'll have to be lucky to snag a spot, as the Carlton store only opens its doors to customers between 8am and 2pm on Fridays and 10am and 3pm on Saturdays. If you miss out, don't panic because the fridges will be full of take-home meals such as curries, biriyanis, butter chicken pies, stringhoppers and rotis. Nerissa says "This move is about growth. Catering and wholesale allow us to share Sri Lankan food with more people than ever, but the cafe keeps us connected to our community. Carlton gives us space to do both." Images: J Shevan Photography.
Punters who prefer to pair their dinner or drinks with a spot of friendly competition aren't short on options these days. From Maniax's axe-hurling lanes to the bar sports offering of Ballers Clubhouse, and including the arcade games of Archie Brothers Cirque Electrique as well, these kinds of activities abound. But if you're particularly partial to slicing air with small, very pointy missiles, the game-based venue you've been waiting for is finally here. Introducing Oche (pronounced oc-key) — the unique dining-meets-gameplay concept set to open its doors in Elizabeth Street's historic Michaels Building this month, pairing innovative eats with electronic darts. Already a fixture in Amsterdam, London, Göteborg in Sweden and Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, the Oslo-born venue now has Melbourne in its sights, set to launch on Friday, November 18. So what can you expect from this fun-loving place, named after the line that players stand behind when throwing darts? Step inside the Nordic-inspired space and you'll find a healthy dose of Tasmanian oak throughout, ceilings engulfed by foliage and a luminous 'O'-shaped swing designed especially for selfies. There's also 22 cutting-edge, semi-private dart booths; each fits up to 12 players, is manned by a dedicated host, and boasts real dartboards, steel-tipped darts and state-of-the-art technology that keeps track of your score. But while it's built on fun and games, Oche's not playing around at all when it comes to its food offering. This is crafty, innovative fare that's designed to be easily enjoyed with one hand — while your other hand is busy showing that dartboard who's boss, of course. You're in for an array of creative pizza toppings, along with bites like gin-cured smoked salmon cones filled with kohlrabi and liquorice remoulade, plus crispy kataifi-wrapped duck paired with goats cheese and sautéed asparagus. Meanwhile, award-winning bartender Adam MacDonald has dreamed up a selection of clever signature cocktails to (hopefully) help improve your aim. There's a bourbon cocktail with a red wine float dubbed the Thin Red Line, a smoky modern take on the appletini, a reimagined pina colada featuring roasted coconut and white chocolate foam, and an ode to the pornstar martini served the way it was originally intended — with the fizz on the side. Find Oche at 263-269 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne CBD, from Friday, November 18.
UPDATE Thursday, November 4: The Jewish Museum of Australia will reopen following the latest lockdown on Sunday, November 7, with tickets available now. The Mirka exhibition has also been extended, now running until January 30, 2022. For more details on Victoria's current restrictions, see the Department of Health and Human Services website. Never-before-seen works by Aussie artist Mirka Mora are set to take over the Jewish Museum of Australia this year. The St Kilda gallery was set to unveil Mirka to the public on Sunday, February 14 — on Valentine's Day — after the major exhibition was pushed back from December last year, but a second snap lockdown has pushed the opening back to Thursday, February 18. One of Melbourne's most loved artists, Mora is responsible for the first Art Tram in 1978, along with heaps of well-known public murals. Her influence on Australian culture is well-documented, and the exhibition will present a comprehensive picture of the artist's 70-year-long career — specifically in the context of the Jewish Australian experience. Through her work, Mirka will trace Mora's early life in Paris, through to her escape during the Holocaust and eventual migration to Australia in 1947. Presented in partnership with William Mora Galleries — run by Mora's son, who also acts as co-curator — the retrospective features pieces from the private collection of the Mora family, along with letters and diaries written by Mora. Interviews with the Jewish Holocaust Centre archives and works recently acquired by Melbourne's Heide Museum of Modern Art will also be on display. From the full range of works — including more than 200 that have never been exhibited before — pieces will include Mora's famed painting In the Garden of Dreams, along with images from Mora's gallery circa 1967. During the exhibition's lengthy run until Monday, December 13, the gallery itself will be transformed into an "immersive Mirka world", too, reflecting the bohemian nature and mischievous spirit that the artist is known for. And, it'll also feature a soundscape created during the last lockdown by audio conceptual artists Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey, which'll lead attendees through the exhibition using Mirka's own accounts and memories — and in her own voice. Plus, you'll spy a building-scale reproduction of the artist's work on the museum's façade. Images: Mirka at the Jewish Museum by Sarah Walker
The iconic Healesville Hotel has been the beating heart of Healesville for over 130 years. This winter, it's finally reopening its doors following a massive renovation. The new owners are the same crew behind Armadale's Orrong Hotel: publicans Matt Vero (Marquis of Lorne, Union House, Mt Erica Hotel) and Scott Connolly (Moore St Tavern). That should give you an idea of the quality we can expect from the new venue. The pair both spent time in the Yarra Valley region throughout their childhoods and fell in love with the pub ages ago. So, when the call went out for new ownership, they jumped at the chance. "Scott and I were really excited at the opportunity to take on another historic icon and restore it to its former glory for all to enjoy. The ethos behind the interior design was to reimagine the Healesville Hotel; to honour its beautiful bones from its past, and restore a sense of nostalgia through the interiors. It is something we are very much looking forward to," says Vero. The hotel will keep its original public bar, bistro and beer garden setup – but the menu will be given a serious revamp, with interiors and exteriors getting the usual 'preserve-heritage-meets-gastro-pub' treatment. Vero and Connolly are presumably hoping this place can rival other Yarra Valley heavy hitters like Four Pillars and Innocent Bystander. And with their experience and pedigree, we wouldn't bet against it. We'll keep you updated on this one as details emerge. Accommodation is currently operating as per usual, but the pub itself should be open in mid-July, so watch this space. Images: supplied.
Perhaps your pooch really loves seeing cars drive across the small screen. Maybe they seem to adore Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs. One day, you might've even come home from work to find your puppy watching the television all by themselves — because they'd stepped on the remote, accidentally turned it on, then gotten comfy. Every pet owner has noticed their four-legged companion staring intently at the tube once or twice — and likely more than that. Usually, though, your TV-loving canine isn't watching a streaming platform that's been designed especially for barking, tail-wagging, bone-coveting viewers. Dog TV is exactly that kind of streaming service: an online channel that's all about entertaining your woofer, and creates videos that are specifically designed to do just that. Now available in Australia, it features content filled with sights and sounds that'll appeal to your pooch. Some programs aim to relax them, focusing on calming and soothing your little fluffball. Others endeavour to keep them mentally stimulated, and feature scenes of dogs and other animals playing. Indeed, making sure that your pupper is fine when you go out is one of Dog TV's big motivations — with its content also made to ease doggo boredom. If you're the kind of person who leaves the television or radio on for your pooch when you head off to work, then you're familiar with the concept. Here, though, your canine can feast their eyes and ears on footage and audio created especially for them, and not be forced to endure whatever daytime TV is currently serving up. Some clips attempt to do more than just relax or stimulate — by helping dogs get used to car rides and ringing doorbells as well. In fact, you could say that the entire streaming platform is designed to help canines cope, given that anyone who has recently transitioned from working from home full-time to venturing back into the office is now forced to leave their four-legged friend in the house alone far more often. Overall, the whole service takes into account a dog's usual daily cycle, including when they're most active, and tailors its content to match. "Three programs, including stimulation, relaxation and exposure, have been scientifically created to keep your dog feeling happy and confident," says Dog TV General Manager, Beke Lubeach. "Each program is scheduled throughout the day, exposing dogs to visual stimuli and sounds that positively impact their behaviour and reduce feelings of anxiety." If you're eager to add another streaming platform to your list of subscriptions (well, to your woofer's list), Dog TV has launched in Australia via Petstock — and if you're one of the retailer's members, you can access a month for free. Monthly subscriptions cost $8.95 otherwise, or you can pay $69.95 for an annual pass. For more information about Dog TV, or to sign up for your pooch, head to the streaming service's website — or to Petstock's website.
Located in a historic former wool mill, Boom Gallery showcases work by established and emerging artists, designers and makers in a vibrant contemporary space. First opened in 2011, the gallery has expanded to accommodate and celebrate the city's growing creative scene — owners Ren Inei and Kate Jacoby recently opened Big Boom, an expansive gallery space for monthly exhibitions, a design gallery, studios and workshops, and a dedicated artist-in-residence space. Boom Gallery also hosts regular events and workshops, while the buzzy on-site cafe is an ideal spot for a creative and inspiring refuel.
The restaurant at Bad Shepherd Brewing Co's Cheltenham HQ has long had people flocking for its low-and-slow American-style barbecue fare. But as of Saturday, May 13, that classic USA-inspired menu is getting a full-blown Aussie makeover in honour of our country's most iconic — and most divisive — condiment. Yep, Vegemite is turning the big 1-0-0 this year and as part of the birthday celebrations, the beloved brand is teaming up with Bad Shepherd's kitchen to create a special Vegemite-infused food offering that packs a huge umami punch. Available exclusively at the Bayside brewery from Saturday, May 13, 2023–Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Mitey Menu spans a bunch of innovative new dishes, both sweet and savoury. Happy little barbecue-loving Vegemites can get excited for creations like Vegemite and cheddar snags, Vegemite-rubbed brisket and fried chicken wings slathered in a Vegemite-infused barbecue sauce. Even dessert's been given the Vegemite treatment, with a sweet-meets-salty cheesecake that we're guessing is unlike anything you've ever tasted before. You can be among the first to say g'day to the Mitey Menu when Bad Shepherd throws a free launch party at the brewery on May 13. There'll be live entertainment and giveaways galore to enjoy while you tuck into the new Aussie-fied food offering. What's more, you'll have the chance to try two additional dishes being whipped up exclusively for the party — Vegemite-glazed chicken lollipops and a buttery smoked potato mash paired with Vegemite gravy. Find the new Mitey Menu at Bad Shepherd Brewing Co, 386 Reserve Road, Cheltenham, from Saturday, May 13, 2023–Thursday, February 1, 2024. The launch party kicks off from 12pm on May 13, with walk-ins welcome.
Even if you're not much of a fast food fan, odds are that you've heard about McDonald's Szechuan sauce. It was originally released in 1998 as a tie-in with Disney's original animated Mulan, then became internet famous almost two decades later after being name-dropped in Rick and Morty. In fact, in the animated series, Rick was so determined to get hold of the dipping sauce that he didn't care if it took "nine seasons" or "97 more years". You might've felt the same way, actually, as it hasn't been on the Macca's menu in Australia. Until now, that is. McDonald's is finally bringing the coveted condiment our way — all as part of a new limited-edition four-sauce range. It'll hit the menu at the Golden Arches from Wednesday, July 6–Tuesday, July 19, alongside the return of Macca's Cajun sauce (a blend of Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey and spices). That's two of the four special condiments covered. The other two won't be revealed until sometime in July. But, if you're keen to get a taste before they hit stores, Macca's is also running a sauce quest. What's a sauce quest? It's a three-day sauce hunt, all digital, which'll get you sleuthing to find clues — and win IRL sauce. From 9am on Tuesday, June 28, McDonald's will be putting up hidden sauce splatters online, which you'll need to find to go into the draw to nab a personal stash of its limited-edition sauces. To take part, you'll want to keep an eye on the chain's socials — and follow the hints from there. New to the whole Szechuan sauce frenzy? It's a mix of soy sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame oil. And, the last time that McDonald's re-released the much-hyped McNugget condiment in America, the demand outweighed supply. In the US, fans queued for hours, one person traded their Volkswagen and another paid almost US$15,000 for one measly pottle. Rick and Morty's legion of devotees were clearly keen for a taste — and condiment hysteria took flight. In 2020, it was also made available at the global fast-food brand's stores in New Zealand for a limited time. McDonald's Szechuan sauce will be available nationwide from Wednesday, July 6–Tuesday, July 19, alongside its Cajun sauce. Two more limited-edition sauces will follow, with details revealed in July.
When it's hot and humid you'll find us hurling ourselves into the nearest water source to take the heat off. And after the past couple of years we've all had, we're pretty keen to cool off somewhere extra special in 2022. One place that is overflowing with waterfalls and crystal clear freshwater swimming holes is Tropical North Queensland. Autumn is the perfect time to see the rainforest and its waterfalls truly thrive thanks to higher rainfall. From natural rock waterslides to rope swings in the Daintree, there's no shortage of incredible ways to make a splash and extend your summer in the north this year. Just make sure you always follow the advice from Queensland Parks and steer clear of out of bounds zones, flooded waters or dangerous areas so you're always swimming safely. [caption id="attachment_830046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SLIDE DOWN A NATURAL WATERSLIDE AT JOSEPHINE FALLS When you drive 75 kilometres south of Cairns to Josephine Falls, you'll quickly realise why this picturesque playground is so popular among locals and tourists. Located in Wooroonooran National Park, which is home to the Noongyanbudda Ngadjon people, this incredible waterfall cascades through World Heritage-listed rainforest near Queensland's highest peak, Mount Bartle Frere. From the carpark, you'll wander 600 metres through lush rainforest before reaching the viewing decks that overlook the falls. Here, you can take a few snaps of the incredible view before making your way down to the water peppered with smooth boulders for you to perch on — then it's time to get wet. If you're feeling adventurous, have a crack at the natural waterslide in the main pool. Or, if you like to take your swimming at a slower pace, there's plenty of space to float about in the rejuvenating water fresh from the mountain. [caption id="attachment_830048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] HIKE THROUGH AN INCREDIBLE NATIONAL PARK TO CLAMSHELL FALLS If you want to get properly warmed up before jumping into fresh rainforest water, take the track through Behana Gorge to discover the impressive swimming spot that is Clamshell Falls. Situated 30 minutes drive south of Cairns, the track winds its way alongside a babbling creek for 3.5 kilometres before opening up to a dreamy dip destination. The waterfall itself acts as an active backdrop to the gentler swimming hole that sits below. The incline of the walk can be challenging in parts which means it's likely there won't be too many people around. Just make sure you take all your essential items with you as there are no amenities when you're this deep into the jungle. [caption id="attachment_830044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET UNDERNEATH THRIVING FALLS IN THE ATHERTON TABLELANDS If seeing one waterfall in a day isn't enough, head to the highlands to experience the beauty of the Atherton Tablelands waterfall circuit. With a bunch of tumbling waterfalls and vast crater lakes to explore, the trip up the mountain range to these rainforest delights is essential Tropical North Queensland travel. Take the Gillies Highway from Cairns to Crater Lakes National Park to dive into Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham. Unlike their explosive origins, these water-filled volcanic craters are ideal for a serene morning float. Next, drive to the nearby town of Millaa Millaa to find out why its eponymously named falls are one of the most photographed cascades in the country. Have a soak in the swimming hole at the base of Millaa Millaa Falls or get underneath its 18-metre drop to have your very own rainforest shower. And, if more waterfall action is what your heart desires, visit nearby Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls to round out the circuit. [caption id="attachment_830047" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SWING INTO THE PRISTINE WATERS OF THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST Willing to head off the beaten track to find a quality swimming hole? Then head a couple of hours north of Cairns to beat the heat at Emmagen Creek. You'll bounce down an unsealed road to reach this picturesque pool located five kilometres north of Cape Tribulation in the Daintree National Park. From the carpark, head toward the Emmagen Creek road crossing and take the track on the left-hand side to the swimming section of the creek located a few hundred metres upstream. If the water is high, consider plonking yourself in the clear rainforest water via the rope swing. Or, clamber down the twisting tree roots to enter the freshwater swimming hole slowly and try to spot a cassowary from the creek. [caption id="attachment_830054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] BE SPOILED FOR CHOICE AT CRYSTAL CASCADES When you want to get wet on a whim in Tropical North Queensland, head to Crystal Cascades. This stunning swimming spot is a popular place for locals to plunge and it's located only a 20-minute drive from the Cairns CBD. Crystal Cascades boasts a series of swimming holes and waterfalls that tumble down the mountain in a section of Freshwater Creek. If you don't feel like walking far, cool off in one of the cascade's lower pools. Or, if you're keen for a longer stroll, head to the top to take a dip at the larger waterfall at the track's end. The arching rainforest canopy provides for shady swimming and the granite boulder-filled creek helps to keep the pools cool year-round. There are picnic tables and barbecue facilities available too, so pack yourself some seasonal tropical fruit to refuel after all your waterfall exploration. [caption id="attachment_830049" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SPEND THE NIGHT CAMPING AT DAVIES CREEK Drifting off to sleep to the sound of falling water doesn't have to be created through a mindfulness app and your imagination when you're in Tropical North Queensland. If you head to Davies Creek National Park and Dinden National Park, you can listen to the sounds of an actual babbling creek situated right next to your campsite. To get there, drive an hour west of Cairns and then pitch a tent at either the Lower Davies Creek or Upper Davies Creek campsites. Then, spend a couple of days exploring the hikes, mountain bike trails and waterfalls throughout the neighbouring parks. Just make sure you book your campsite in advance as there are only eight spots available at each campground. [caption id="attachment_832593" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] EXPLORE THE JUNGLE AT STONEY CREEK In the rainforest at the back of Cairns, you'll find locals cooling off at much-loved swimming hole Stoney Creek. Whether you want a quick dip not too far from town or to hike your way to a waterfall further afield, this series of private swimming holes has all your swim cravings covered. It's just a short walk from the carpark in Barron Gorge National Park to the first pool perched underneath a small footbridge. Swim here or continue down the left side of the creek adjacent track past a series of swimming spots before reaching the spilling waters at Old Weir Falls. If you're keen for even more mountain action, head back to the footbridge after a swim at the falls and take the right side track up to Glacier Rock. [caption id="attachment_832594" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DIVE INTO THE MAGIC OF FAIRY FALLS If you make your way to Crystal Cascades, it's worth checking out its little sister swimming spot located close by, too. Tucked away in the dense rainforest next door to the cascades, you'll soon realise what's so magical about Fairy Falls. Take the track to the left of the carpark at Crystal Cascades to make your way to the mystical falls a 15-minute walk away. The narrow waterfall shoots into a clear blue swimming hole and the log wedged in the centre of its stream makes it easy to imagine fairies frolicking in this picture-perfect rainforest pool. Just make sure you follow the path along the creek when you're trying to find this veiled treasure — the alternative track at the fork won't lead you to the magical place you're seeking. [caption id="attachment_832597" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raging Thunder Adventures[/caption] FLOAT DOWN THE TULLY RIVER TO PONYTAIL FALLS A couple of hours south of Cairns is where you'll find the spectacular sights of Tully Gorge National Park. The Tully River churns its way down the mountain creating rapids and world-class white water rafting throughout this stunning gorge. But it's not all rough and tumble in at every turn along this river. You have two options to find Ponytail Falls — by car or by raft with Raging Thunder Adventures. For drivers, follow signs to Cardstone Weir until you spot the number 11 painted on the road. Then, take a short stroll through the rainforest to uncover the hair-like spout that spills into pale blue water below. Or, if you want to see the falls from a raft, sign up to a white water rafting adventure and a guide will take you there via wet and wild rapids. Ready to extend your summer by soaking up waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes in Tropical North Queensland? For more information and to book your holiday in the tropics, visit the website. Top images: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
There's little doubt that we love the city, but after a long week chained to the desk, we don't blame you if you get a little lost daydreaming about something a little lusher than the office. So, when the weekend finally comes around, take some time out and go in search of something wilder. Fortunately, you don't have to travel far from Melbourne to find plenty of natural wonders that will help you unwind (and refresh) as you soak up some crisp country air. Victoria is home to a wealth of waterfalls, dotted throughout the state's many national parks and backcountry. Flowing from pristine alpine regions, they are impressive, crystal-like falls all within a few hours' drive of the city. Something to note: this year's bushfire season is particularly dangerous. Before you head on an out-of-town adventure, check the CFA and Parks Victoria websites and heed any alerts and warnings. [caption id="attachment_692502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Lorne[/caption] ERSKINE FALLS Take a drive down the Great Ocean Road and you'll come across another 'great' location: the Great Otway National Park. Running from Torquay to Princetown, this sprawling national park is renowned for its temperate rainforest, flush with stunning scenery and a variety of waterfalls that flow all year round. One of its landmarks is Erskine Falls, which rises a towering 30-metres above the fernery below. Featuring two awesome vantage points, the spot is a far cry from the city, with the cascading water coating you in an invigorating mist. [caption id="attachment_719735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] MACKENZIE FALLS If you want your weekend escape to reach soaring heights, then MacKenzie Falls is where you need to head. One of the largest waterfalls in Victoria, MacKenzie is located deep within the grand Grampians National Park and flows even throughout the coldest part of the year. Undoubtedly some of the most spectacular falls within touching distance of Melbourne, it pours millions of litres of fresh water from the jagged black cliffs into a deep pool below. While you're here, make the most of your visit to the Grampians and take a short walk upstream to the charming Broken Falls. [caption id="attachment_719731" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] STEAVENSON FALLS Opened to tourists in 1866, Steavenson Falls has long been a highlight for travellers touring Maryville and the surrounding foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The 84-metre drop from the top into the Steavenson River below makes for a stunning sight as several viewing platforms provide the ideal spot to get a good glimpse. The falls are one of the easiest to visit on this list at just a two-hour drive from Melbourne. Feel like a late-night nature stroll? The best part about Steavenson is that the falls are lit up by floodlights until midnight, meaning you can go along the gentle walking tracks and admire the falls in a different light (yes, literally). [caption id="attachment_719742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Melbourne[/caption] FERNTREE FALLS Situated within Mount Buangor State Park, Ferntree Falls offers some of the wildest surrounds you can find in regional Victoria. The landscape is overrun by thick eucalypt forests and rough hillsides that offer a variety of scenic walks. As you make your way along the relatively easy 45-minute return walk to get to Ferntree Falls, you'll pass by Cascade Falls, which features spectacular views across Middle Creek. Scramble over a few rocks and twist through the fernery as you get an up-close look at this beautiful natural landmark. Meanwhile, you can carry on your out-of-town adventure by exploring the surrounding area and nearby walking tracks. [caption id="attachment_703437" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian M Ross via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] TURPINS FALLS Just a casual 70-minute drive from Melbourne CBD, Turpins Falls is the waterfall to visit if you're looking to find a tranquil place to spend the day. The pool below, once home to the Turpins Falls swimming club back in the 1930s, invites you to relive history by taking a dip in its icy fresh waters. Surrounded on three sides by sheer rock faces, these 20-metre falls make for a wonderful view as they go crashing into the lagoon below. Located just 15 minutes away are the cafes and restaurants of Kyneton – the perfect way to round out your countryside destressin' session. Top image: Steavenson Falls, Visit Victoria.
Twenty years. Twelve seasons, plus a round of revival specials. Oh-so-many music and comedy guests. As at 2025, that's the Spicks and Specks story. This year marks two decades since the series first debuted on the ABC — and through cancellations, new hosts, bringing back its OG talents and more, the music quiz show has become a firm Australian favourite. To celebrate that longevity, its latest run will arrive in June. The ABC announced back in 2024 that Spicks and Specks would return this year. Now there's an exact date: Sunday, June 15. Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough are all back — this time joined by Megan Washington, Marcia Hines, Kram, Lucy Durack and Robert Forster among the musicians, plus comedians Julia Morris, Tom Ballard, Dave O'Neil and Sara Pascoe. Hands on buzzers, again. Get ready to bust out all that music knowledge, and also to play along with one of the nation's most-beloved television shows once more, too. Among everything that the ABC has ever broadcast, be it news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks all included, Spicks and Specks is among the all-time highlights. 2025's season will also feature performances by Spiderbait, Montaigne, Paul Kelly, Emma Donovan, Pseudo Echo, Barry Morgan and The Living End. In the mid-00s, when the ABC decided to take a few cues from Britain's music quiz and comedy panel TV series Never Mind the Buzzcocks by creating Spicks and Specks, Australia's national broadcaster likely knew that it had a hit on its hands — but it mightn't have realised just how popular that the show would become. Here's how it works, if you need a refresher: the contestants answer questions, compete for points and just generally prove funny, too, all while the series puts Aussie musos and comedians against each other. Spicks and Specks was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and it keeps being resurrected. In fact, it has enjoyed more comebacks than John Farnham, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was initially revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Hills, Warhurst and Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback became the ABC's most-watched show of that year. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten new episodes hit — and then the show returned again in 2024. To tide you over until the 2025 episodes arrive, here's a clip from 2024's Spicks and Specks run: Spicks and Specks returns to ABC TV and ABC iView from Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Fitzroy cafe Bentwood proves a fitting homage to the Thonet furniture showroom that previously occupied its Napier Street home, not only named for the brand's iconic chairs, but boasting a dining room filled with them. They're set beautifully against a warm, rust-hued fitout, where soaring ceilings, concrete pillars and walls of exposed brick give another nod to the building's industrial heritage. Here, Julien Moussi (Elsternwick's Penta and Northcote's Tinker) is delivering another stand-out cafe, where attention to detail extends well beyond the decor, into the coffee cup and onto the plate. The caffeine offering comes courtesy of Moussi's own Inglewood Coffee Roasters, with a tidy range of specialty options to satisfy the coffee connoisseurs of Fitzroy. Food here packs as much of a punch aesthetically as it does for the tastebuds, across a generous menu of brunch and lunch creations. You'll spy elevated classic like meringue-loaded hotcakes ($19) and an eggs benny with braised beef cheek ($20), sitting alongside contemporary hits like a poke-style assembly that comes atop slices of dark rye ($20). There's a big emphasis on seasonal produce and a clear love of vibrant veggies — team that with the designer backdrop and you've got one seriously Instagrammable experience. Images: Kate Shanasy
Stomping Ground Brewing Co. isn't technically finished yet — but that isn't stopping them from having a bit of fun. Located near the corner of Gipps and Hoddle Streets, Collingwood's new 250-seat beer hall still needs a few licks of paint, but the important stuff — i.e. the brewing equipment — is fully operational. And every Friday throughout July, they plan on putting it to good use. Doors to the bar (if you can even call it that at this stage) open at 4pm sharp, giving you just the excuse you need to knock off work that little bit early. Expect a food truck or two out front and brewery-fresh beer running through the taps. And don't worry — despite jumping the gun on the whole ribbon cutting thing, when it comes to the cold stuff, these guys know what they're doing. After all, they're the same team that brought us The Local Taphouse. Beer practically runs through their veins.
If you thought Africa's first underwater hotel room was impressive, how about an upgrade? For an additional US$283,500, you can stay in your very own submarine hotel. Titled 'Lovers Deep', it's the latest offering from luxury travel company Oliver's Travels, whose motto is 'Why Do Ordinary?' Indeed. Why put up with terrestrial limitations, when you could be floating 650 feet deep off a Caribbean island of your choice? Making demands on a dedicated butler? Performing ablutions in company in a dual shower? Watching schools of fish swim by while eating their aphrodisiac friends? You can ask Oliver’s to customise an overnight package according to your desires. Options include sunset beach walks, a petal-scattering service, champagne breakfasts-in-bed and fine dining feasts involving caviar, oysters and chocolate fondant. "All of our hand-picked, luxury properties have something unique and quirky about them," says Oliver Bell, the company's co-founder. "But Lovers Deep really stands out as one of our quirkiest yet." Oliver’s, a UK-based company, specialises in highly unusual, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Their stable includes remote, romantic lighthouses, abandoned windmills-turned-hotels, French chateaus and British country mansions surrounded by rolling hills. Via PSFK.
The Merri Creek Trail is a popular walking, running, biking and strolling track for many northside Melburnians. It's also home to collared sparrowhawks, eastern rosellas and plenty of ducks. You'll be pacing along Wurundjeri Country and it's a route full of nature. There are plenty of places to stop along the way — including community gardens, cafes and swimming pools. At 21 kilometres long, the trail extends from Dights Falls and the Capital City Trail in the south, to Western Ring Road in the north. The best part? You can tackle it all without crossing a single road. Follow the creek and pass the Coburg Lake Reserve, the Brunswick Velodrome and CERES Community Park, as well as garden spots, horse paddocks and sports ovals. Whether you head here on two wheels or two legs, there are a number of charming picnic spots along the trail that are perfect for a pitstop. Our tip: throw down a rug at the northern end, near the lush greens of Coburg Lake, and enjoy the serenity. Images: Brook James
In December last year, we announced the latest ambitious project from the guys behind Arbory and Arbory Afloat: four stacked storeys of food and booze inside a 100 year-old CBD building. Information was patchy in 2020 — all we knew was that this thing was going to be big — but now, we're happy to report, the project is opening within weeks. We've got a name and details and opening hours and everything. The building will be called HER, a nod to the feminine architecture of 270 Lonsdale Street, and it'll be a multi-level hospitality, arts and music venue. Or, as the Arbory guys put it: "an entire building dedicated to the things Melbourne loves — fiery dining, immersive art and a vinyl soundtrack". Each level will be connected by a bluestone-paved 'vertical laneway', featuring light installations from renowned lighting designer Hervé Descottes. There's a lot to cover here. Four storeys' worth, in fact. [caption id="attachment_833924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Exterior of 270 Lonsdale Street, CBD.[/caption] So let's start on the ground floor with HER BAR: a Parisian-inspired cocktail lounge, built around indie gins, aperitifs, spritzes and wine. There'll be an all-day French grazing menu down here, designed by Arbory's Executive Chef, Nick Bennett, and Head Chef, Josh Rudd. Expect woven cane ceilings, leather banquette booths and a 10-metre painting by local artist Eleanor Louise Butt. Up on level one is the Music Room — literally an entire floor dedicated to sound. Inspired by the listening bars of Japan and Europe, the Music Room will feature scheduled DJ residencies throughout the week, pumping a handpicked collection of retro vinyl throughout the entire building. With walls panelled in American walnut, and a ceiling light constellation designed by Hervé Descottes, Music Room guests will feel like they're sitting inside a giant speaker box. You can chill on the lounges here with bar snacks, boozy cocktails and a selection of top-drawer champagne. We're not done yet. On level three you've got BKK, a smoky Thai barbecue canteen, full of sizzle and spice. BKK is inspired by the night markets of Thailand, so expect plenty of LED advertising, barbecued skewers, fiery curries from north and south, and vibrant tropical cocktails. Head Chef, Sungeun Mo and HQ Group's Executive Chef, Nick Bennett, are running the show up here, and this will be HER's primary dinner venue. Finally, on top of the building, with 360-degree city views, we have HER ROOFTOP. Melbourne can never have enough rooftop bars, and this one looks ready to slot right into your weekend rotation. Sydney designer Tamsin Johnson has channelled a European garden party up here, with smashable drinks, wide awnings, French mid-century chairs and plenty of foliage. Food comes courtesy of BKK downstairs, and the bar will be pumping out summery cocktails all night long, including a potent Grapefruit Paloma. "This project has involved so many creatives, people who love what they do, whether they express themselves visually, in design or in music, or make superb food or cocktails — and all in the one place. We think it's pretty special," says Georgie Larkins, Arbory's Marketing Director. It's an ambitious project, for sure. In anyone else's hands, you might think the guys had bitten off slightly too much, but Arbory and Arbory afloat have polished their offering over the years, turning big-scale hospitality into a science, then an artform. We can't wait to taste this one from top to bottom. HER opens at 270 Lonsdale Street from February 2. Opening hours are as follows: HER BAR: 7am–3am, 7 days a week; Music Room: 4pm–3am, 7 days a week; BKK: 11:30am–3am, 7 days a week; HER ROOFTOP: 11:30am–1am, 7 days a week.
Cannoleria dreams up a fun new flavour every week, but the team is taking it to the next level later this month, teaming up with the legendary American Doughnut Kitchen to create a hot jam doughnut-inspired connolo. Both Cannoleria and American Dougut Kitchen sell their sweet treats at Queen Vic Market, but lining up for both cannoli and doughnuts can be a real chore — especially as the American Doughnut Kitchen has long-ass lines down the road every weekend. Too often, punters have to choose one or the other. Thankfully, from Friday, September 20–Thursday, October 3, you can get a mash-up of both iconic eats from any of Cannoleria's stories — at Queen Vic Market, South Melbourne Market, Preston Market and Lygon Street. For the collaboration, a doughnut- and jam-infused ricotta is piped into a crunchy pastry shell, and then garnished with crumbled doughnuts. These bad boys will go for $6 each, three for $15, and then any additional cannolo on top of that costs $5 a pop. "We can't wait for everyone to try this Flavour of the Fortnight," shares Co-Owner and Chef at Cannoleria Dario Di Clerico. "The Cannoleria team have wanted to work with the iconic American Doughnut Kitchen for a while, and we are so excited that the collaboration is nearly here. "When we were planning the flavours, we all thought about how doughnuts are perfect for the [AFL] Grand Final and that people will love the cannoli, and so we decided to make it a Flavour of the Fortnight that covers the big game."
Even woken up after a big night out, with vague memories of an inner-city jungle oasis? Ladies and gentlemen, you've been to the Carlton Club. This urban stalwart has been welcoming thirsty revellers for many moons, and its dedicated crowd is thoroughly addicted. The main drinking area is named the Hasti Bala bar, with lush indoor foliage, plenty of green velvet and a life-size elephant head — it's fake, don't worry. Turn the corner, and you might spy some other four-legged friends, with Gerald the Giraffe and Wally the Ostrich keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings. Upstairs you will find the aptly-named Palmz Deck, bordered with tropical greenery, and dazzling pink flowers. The food menu is similarly impressive, with Asian-fusion entrees and pub classic mains. Our pick is the jamon-crusted eye fillet, with seared scallops and pea puree ($28) — just trust us on this one. The real kicker is the opening hours, with a 24-hour liquor license allowing for some very extended revelry. Images: Giulia Morlando.
Known for its minimalist design, Japanese home goods giant MUJI made a sizeable leap back in 2015, adding houses to its range. As well as selling items to fill your home with, it started selling prefabricated homes as well. Compact but functional — and, perhaps most importantly, affordable — the new additions understandably garnered plenty of attention. But, while the company also released a tiny hut in 2017, it hasn't expanded its house lineup since. Until now, that is. And while MUJI's first three flat-pack houses were all multi-storey abodes made for city living, it has just designed its first one-storey version. Called Yano-no-ie, it's a response to customer demand — and its designed to adapt to different living requirements. Thanks to sliding doors that open out onto a deck, it's also the result of a concerted effort to combine indoor and outdoor living. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2atw0eHEUu/ Taking over 73 square metres of floor space, with a total construction area of 91.50 square metres, Yano-no-ie's standard configuration features a bedroom, living area, combined kitchen and dining room, bathroom and outdoor area — so, as you'd expect, it keeps things simple. That said, its spaces are meant to be multifunctional. The bedroom features furniture that can be used throughout the day as well, for example, with the company suggesting that you can deploy it as a place for reading or using a computer throughout the day, and to have a drink in of an evening. Designed in a box shape, Yano-no-ie is fashioned out of wooden siding made from Japanese cedar. Linking in with MUJI's existing products, it's made to accommodate the brand's storage range in its kitchen — and, in the bathroom, it features the same type of wash basin used in MUJI's hotels. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wNEt9HMkc/ Like MUJI's existing prefab homes, it's also far more economical than your average house, starting at 15.98 million yen or around AU$211,000. Alas, although the company has stores in Sydney and Melbourne — including its first Australian MUJI concept store — the houses aren't available to buy outside of Japan as yet. Via: MUJI.
"Why can't you enjoy life?": when that line arrives in Hard Truths, it's not only a haunting moment within the latest film from British writer/director Mike Leigh, but the same from any movie in the past few years. First, the perennially depressed, angry and disillusioned — and also agoraphobic, paranoid, confrontational and hypochondriac — Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Surface) utters it, giving voice to the accusations that she felt were directed her way by her late mother. Pansy's sister Chantelle (Michele Austin, Boat Story) then repeats it back, but as her own question, asking someone so clearly always in pain why such hurt, unhappiness and fury is her default status. "It was the combination of a lot of improvisations and preparation. It just came out of the blue," Jean-Baptiste tells Concrete Playground about that piece of dialogue. "It was obviously months of rehearsing and developing the characters that led up to it." She continues: "it just summed up the frustration that Chantelle has with her sister Pansy, but also I think something releases for Pansy when she actually answers truthfully." Leigh sees it as "part of the investigation of the relationship", he advises. "The moment, like all the moments — and all the action and all the dialogue and everything else — came out of the whole exploratory process of making the film by finding out what the film is on the journey of making it." As all projects by the iconic filmmaker are — across an on-screen resume that started with 1971's Bleak Moments; saw Jean-Baptiste nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Leigh's Secrets & Lies in 1996; and also covers Life Is Sweet, Naked, Career Girls, Vera Drake, Happy-Go-Lucky, Another Year, Mr Turner, Peterloo and more — the London-set Hard Truths was built from the ground up with his collaborators. His famed method of working involves casting first, constructing characters one on one with his actors sans script, tasking them with improvising the dialogue and, along the way, finding the storyline while only telling the members of his ensemble what they each need to know to play their parts. Here, the result is a two-time BAFTA nominee, including for Best Actress for its lead, who won the same category at the British Independent Film Awards. Alongside standing out as a portrait of the daily lives of a Black British family, a rarity in cinemas, Hard Truths is also a stunning study of a character who holds onto her agony, fears, rage and exasperation so tightly inside, and unleashes it so frequently at anyone and everyone in her vicinity. Pansy's contented salon-owner sister — a single mother with two daughters, one training to be a lawyer (Sophia Brown, Dead Shot) and the other in cosmetics (Ani Nelson, One Day) — isn't the only target of her distress. Hard Truths' protagnist's husband Curtley (David Webber, My Lady Jane) and adult son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett, Back to Black) are as visibly weary from attempting to cope as Pansy clearly is. Jean-Baptiste describes the character as "somebody who is in a lot of pain, but doesn't quite know where it's coming from. There's a lot of fear as well. It's 'attack before I'm attacked'. She's petrified of life and it manifests itself in a very aggressive way". If her performance hardly feels like one — not that she's Pansy IRL for a second — that's again a result of Leigh's process. "Michele Austin and I, obviously we've worked together before with Mike, but we would get into a room and Mike would talk to us about the girls. And so we had to build their parallel history," she explains, offering one example of how such fully realised characters came about. "Their parents, their grandparents, where they lived in London, what schools they went to, the bus route to their schools. How did they get there? Did they walk? Did they have to go past the park? And then we go and find that in London. So located it, so there's a visual memory of what that would have looked like, and that continues and continues until we get to a point — we do birthdays, parties, holidays, all that information. So imagine when you're in an improvisation a month and a half later, you've got all this stuff, all this wonderful history, all these experiences, that you can pull on at any given point within the improvs. So that's how that works." And yes, across a resume that also spans The Cell, City of Ember, the RoboCop remake, In Fabric, seven seasons of Without a Trace, Broadchurch, Blindspot, Homecoming and much more, Jean-Baptiste advises that she's benefited from Leigh's approach even when he's not her director. What appeals to Leigh, one of cinema's great excavators of life's complexities — struggles, joys and everything in-between — about investigating humanity through his work, and collaborating with his cast to create characters that feel like they could've walked off the street and into his movies? And what has driven him to do so for more than half a century? "It comes naturally to me. As a little kid, I was drawing caricatures of the grown-ups," he notes. "I don't make movies about movies. I love watching movies, but that's separate from the films that I make. I am not interested in received notions of plot and structure or anything else. For me, film — and indeed theatre, when I do stage plays, including in Australia — it's about a way to look at real life. People say to me 'where do your ideas come from?'. Well, I've only got to walk down the street and there are ten, 12, 20, 50, 100 films, because it's people, and that's really what it's about for me, basically." With Leigh and Jean-Baptiste reuniting for Hard Truths not only after Secrets & Lies and collaborating for the stage, but after Jean-Baptiste composed the score for Leigh's Career Girls, too, we also chatted with the pair about their working relationship, Leigh's starting point with each project, getting into and out of character, and the challenges and freedoms of his process, among other topics. What continues to inspire them and what they make of their respective careers: we spoke with the two about that as well. On Building Pansy as a Character Over Months and Months Marianne: "Mike asks you to come to the first session, where he works with you one on one, and to have a list of people from real life, real-life people that you know. And you start talking about all of these people and a list is formed, and the list gets smaller and smaller and smaller. So it's important to ground the characters in reality. And from that point, it's a stepping off point, because the character changes. For example, if you have three people, you've taken characteristics from those three people and you've merged them, what you would then do is start from scratch and build a new character — from their first memory to the age they're going to play when you actually see them in the film. In that process, you start to, with Mike always — he takes the position of god, he makes the decisions that none of us can make for ourselves — so with Mike, there's a collaboration whereby he asks lots of questions and you start filling in answers to who this person is. And then things that you wouldn't be able to decide, he makes those decisions. And in doing so, the disappointments, the heartbreaks and things like that, start to build in that person's life. So on a simplistic level, you could say that she is a combination of all of the bad experiences she's had — some real, some imaginary." Mike: "It's a difficult question to answer, really. Because obviously at one level, such people resonate for me — just as for everybody else, no doubt, including you — with experiences that you've had. What we do on my films, and this film is absolutely no exception, is I collaborate with each actor to give birth to a character. And drawing on various things, including some people that Marianne Jean-Baptiste actually knows, we evolved the basis of the character, which then grew." Marianne: "My experience in life. Observation. Being fascinated by human beings. That's the sort of thing that I generally draw on. And just knowing that — it's like being a kid again, almost — knowing that I'm absolutely free to imagine and create. One of my first jobs out of drama school, actually, was doing a Mike Leigh play — and it's exactly the same process, but it was early enough in my career to influence the way that I approached my work and almost approach life in that sort of people-watching way, and just being fascinated. So I think that just being in a safe environment where that was okay to make stuff up, and to pull stuff from my imagination is acceptable. I think you're just in-character in this process. We warm up into character and we snap out of it quite quickly. But as I said, it really is the culmination of months and months of working. We rehearsed for three and a half months — and that's a short rehearsal process for Mike. So if you can imagine, that's months of building layers and layers and layers. So there's every disappointment she's had. There's everything that she hoped for but didn't achieve. There's every slight or perceived slight that she's had. There's that idea that nobody listens to her, nobody values her, nobody likes her. So that's going on for three and a half bloody months. So by the time you get to those sort of scenes, it's like it's all there — it's all there already." On Reteaming Not Only After Secrets & Lies, But After Stage Collaborations and Jean-Baptiste Composing the Score for Leigh's Career Girls Mike: "We did work together 30 years, 31 years ago, in a stage play. And then of course, she was famously in Secrets & Lies, in which, incidentally, in both of those projects she paired with Michele Austin, who plays her sister in this film. It's a long time since Secrets and Lies, and I wanted to work with her — and she with me — for a long time. Often it's the case that you want to work with an actor and they're actually very busy doing other things. Finally we said 'well, let's go for it. Let's do it'. We were going to make the film sooner, but the pandemic put paid to that." Marianne: "I think he's very bold. He's a bold storyteller. He loves people and he loves actors. And I think, as an actor you have more agency working with him than you do with most other types of work. It's truly collaborative — and collaborative all round with production design, with hair and makeup. Everybody works together and everybody's on the same page about the way that they're going to approach the work. I think we've got a very similar sense of humour, so that really helps as well." On Leigh's Starting Point with His Actors on Each Film Mike: "I work individually, separately and privately with each actor. And part of the deal with these films is that the actors take part, agree to take part, and the deal is you'll never know anything about the rest of it, except what your character knows. So they're all working, as it were, in isolation from each other. And I sit down at some length, with quite a lot of sessions, with each actor, and we talk about real people and gradually we talk into existence the basis of the character. So that's the starting point. Then it's about putting them together and exploring relationships, and building up the world and doing any research that needs to be done — into activities or work or whatever it is. To arrive at something that is completely organic and three-dimensional, and is also thus the basis of a film, which then, during the shooting period, we construct as we go along scene by scene, sequence by sequence, location by location, arriving at the end." On Ensuring That Leigh's Cast Can Step Out of Their Characters, Especially Someone as Complicated as Pansy, When Each Scene and Day Ends Marianne: "It's hard to shake in that you still keep, it's still there in your head working. Mike's very, very strict about coming out of character. So there's a whole protocol on-set about warming up into character and warming down. But with Pansy, because of the intrusive thoughts that the character had, obviously you have to create that thought process for yourself in order to play it. So it took a while for me to shut her up." Mike: "As soon as we start to get the characters on the go, I'm very strict, right from the beginning. But actors should warm up and get into character, be absolutely in-character when they're in-character, but as soon as we stop — which is to say not at the end of the day, but each improvisation or whatever it is — to come out of character. So the actor is then able to be objective about what happened in the improvisation or about the character. I'm also very strict that the actor, when talking about the character, refers to the character as 'him' or 'her, not 'I' — which a lot of actors, as you know, do, they talk about 'I' and there's a crossing of wires. So that's really a discipline. And that's what you're talking about, to be sure the actor can be totally in it when in it, but totally comfortable and not screwed up when not in it." On the Challenges and Freedoms of Leigh's Approach Marianne: "It's exhilarating, terrifying and freeing — all those wonderful things. There's nothing else like it, being able to work in this way. There were times when you feel like crying, because you're like 'what on earth am I doing? What is this?'. And then you see it, you see the result and you go 'oh my god'. Because obviously, because everybody's working individually on their characters, you don't know what's happening. The first time I saw the film, I was able to see what happened in the beauty salon, and what Curtley did at work and where Moses went, and what the nieces were like. So it's like, for us, it's like discovering the film for the first time. It's wonderful is all I can say." Mike: "It's totally a combination of the two. It's certainly challenging. Here's the thing: if they say 'okay, here's five or six million pounds and you've got to deliver a film', that is quite a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, of course. It's challenging, but it's highly stimulating. And the freedom of there being no preconceptions or interference or prescriptions from the streamers or the producers or anybody — the backers or the whoever — it's very liberating. Frightening, yes, but then the creative process is dangerous in any context. But liberating. It's wonderful. If I were to ever — many times over the years, the opportunity has come to make a film with certain provisos. 'You have to have a Hollywood star in it.' 'We have to be able to monitor it.' 'You can't have final cut.' All that stuff. Well, I'll just walk away. It just doesn't happen, basically. Which then liberates the freedom to do what artists should do." On How Leigh Works with His Cast to Ensure That Whether or Not the Audience Has Lived a Character's Life, They Feel Recognisable Mike: "You can't underestimate the contribution of the actor. The actor's intelligence, sensitivity, perception, talent. I only work with character actors, which is to say people that don't just play themselves in a narcissistic way, but actually are up for and want to detect, depict and portray real people out on the street. And so my job is to facilitate and to contribute in terms of the narrative ideas — but in the end, what you're asking about relies primarily on her ability to to act, create, empathise, project, distill and investigate all those aspects of the character. There are actors who are, on the whole, good actors, but are not very intelligent. There are actors who are fine actors that have no sense of humour. There are actors who, as I've already said, are not character actors. Marianne Jean-Baptiste, like all the actors in this film, has all of those qualities, not least a sense of character and a sense of humour, and therefore has the ability to get inside different sorts of people and really, really bring it to life." On How Cognisant That Jean-Baptiste and Leigh Were About Hard Truths Standing Out as a Portrait of the Daily Lives of a Black British Family Marianne: "No, we were not aware of it while we were making it. We were aware that there's a predominantly all-black cast, but you obviously don't know what the story is. So you know it's going to be something to do with family and stuff, but yeah, it's a bonus that it's something that people can be proud of and say 'yeah, great, so refreshing'." Mike: "That was a deliberate decision. It wasn't, in no way, a difficult decision, because I just approached the characters and the world and the issues and the emotions and the relationships in this film just as I have every other film I've made, including the period films — which is to say these are people and we're looking at them as people in a real way. However, I was very definitely consciously aware that we were not going to deal in all those cliche tropes that films about Black people on the whole deal with, because that's not what it's about as far as I'm concerned. For me, I would say — and you're no doubt familiar with other films of mine — across all of my films, it's a collection of different aspects of society, but all looking at people as individual, real people. And this film is, if you like, the mere continuation of that ongoing investigation." On Reflecting the Reality of Life by Making a Film That's Both Deeply Moving and Has a Sense of Humour Mike: "It's not a balancing act at all. Life is comic and tragic. Whatever you do, whether you like it or not — how many times have you not laughed at a funeral? Life just comes out of the soil, ready-made comic and tragic. So for me, I don't sit around thinking 'oh, maybe there should be a comic moment' or 'maybe this should be a tragic moment'. That looks after itself, and it certainly looks after itself in this film. It's a barrel of laughs, hopefully, for a good section, a good chunk of the film. And then — and we've had quite a number of public screenings of the film, and you could absolutely chart precisely where the laughter dies away, and it's obvious why that is. It's not a question of balance. It's a question of the truth of what you're depicting and what you're investigating, what you're sharing with the audience and what the audience experiences." On What Inspires Jean-Baptiste and Leigh About a New Project Marianne: "At this point in my life, I'm looking for challenges. I'm looking for something that I can transform myself — something that's going to be fun. For me, that's it. Are they good people? Will it be fun? Will it be challenging in a good way, you know?" Mike: "To me, it's always exciting. It's partly, to be honest, because I don't know what we're going to do and therefore there are all sorts of possibilities. And my head is buzzing with all sorts of possibilities and ideas — 'maybe we'll get him', 'maybe we'll get her to the party'. Then, of course, it's the anticipation and the enjoyment of actually working with people, and making it and making the thing happen. And shooting and working with the actors, all that's just, to me, a joy. Here's the thing that's important: the way I make films is the same way but is parallel to people writing novels, painting pictures, making music, making sculpture, writing poetry, et cetera — which is to say that the artist embarks on a journey of investigation, and discovers what the piece is on the journey of making it. They interact with the material. How many novelists have you heard say 'well, I didn't know what was going to happen, and then somehow the character told me what needed to happen next'? That's really what I do. The privilege I feel I have that painters and novelists, et cetera, don't have, is that I'm not stuck in a room by myself. It's a collaborative, socially pleasurable activity." [caption id="attachment_782569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] In Fabric[/caption] On What Jean-Baptiste and Leigh Each Make of Their Careers So Far Marianne: "I think it's interesting. I think I've had quite an interesting career. I've forgotten some stuff that I've done — it's gotten to that stage where people go 'oh that film' and I go 'oh yeah'. Yes, I think it's been a bit of an interesting one, mine, that's taken me to a few different places. I've been able to be quite selective in the last say five or ten years, which is good." [caption id="attachment_722535" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peterloo[/caption] Mike: "Well, on the whole, if I was to sum it all up, I think I've been very lucky, actually, really. There've been breaks at times, which made it possible to do the crazy thing I do, which is to say to backers or theatre managers: 'I have no idea what we're going to do. I will not discuss casting. And please don't interfere with it while we're doing it at any stage'. And one could be forgiven for imagining that on that basis, I might never have done anything. So I've been lucky in that sense, and I guess the honest answer to your question is that, really — that I've found it remarkable that I've kind of got away with it." Hard Truths opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 6, 2025 and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Entering an Australian supermarket at the moment, you can be forgiven for thinking that you're walking into the set of a post-apocalyptic film. People are everywhere but shelves are bare, with shoppers panic-buying everything from toilet paper and hand sanitiser to pasta and milk. As the COVID-19 situation has evolved over the past few weeks, local supermarket chains have been implementing item limits. They've also set aside dedicated shopping times for the elderly and people with disability as well. But the hoarding keeps happening and everyday staples keep selling out, leading Coles and Woolworths to roll out further caps. Announced today, Wednesday, March 18, both big chains have mandated restrictions on a number of items — in addition to previously revealed limits. At Coles, there's now a two-pack-per-person cap on eggs, sugar, frozen vegetables, frozen desserts, canned tomatoes, pasta, all dry rice regardless of size and liquid soap. And additional limits may be placed on other items on a store-by-store basis, too, so it's best to pay attention to the signage while you're shopping. Over at Woolies, it's limiting such a wide variety of items that it has actually listed what isn't restricted. There are no caps on fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh milk, yoghurts, deli items, seafood, bakery items, canned fish and meat other than mince — or on drinks, baby food, wet dog food, wet cat food, and Easter confectionery and merchandise. If you're after anything else, however, a two-pack-per-person limit applies in general, with some items down to one-pack-per limit. Already in the restricted category at both chains — as anyone who has tried to buy groceries recently well knows — are toilet paper, serviettes, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes and bulk rice over two kilograms, which are down to one pack per person. Tissues, hand sanitiser, dry pasta and flour have all been limited to two packs per person at both companies for days now. And paper towels vary, restricted to one per person at Woolies but two at Coles. Aldi and IGA haven't announced any new limits as yet, although Aldi already has caps on toilet paper (one pack), dry pasta, dry rice, flour, paper towels, tissues and sanitiser (two packs). At IGA, it's a store-by-store decision. "Each store has placed purchase limits on items that are critically low in stock. These limits are being managed on a store by store basis and are increasing day by day," the chain advised in a statement. All four brands have also released a collective plea for consideration, stressing the need to stick to product limits — and reminding shoppers something that should just be a given, aka that hardworking supermarket staff should be treated with courtesy and respect. For more details on Australian supermarket item limits, keep an eye on Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA's websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Tasmania has firmly established itself as a go-to destination on Australia's culinary map. The island's verdant farmlands and inventive chefs produce some of the finest cuisine in the country. Plus, a budding collection of paddock-to-plate restaurants are helping visitors to better appreciate the island state's incredibly rich variety of produce. Here, we've teamed up with Tourism Tasmania to highlight a selection of incredible restaurants where almost everything you feast upon is locally grown and produced. Got a penchant for restaurants that champion sustainability and seasonality? It's time to push Tassie to the top of your travel list. [caption id="attachment_866855" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Van Bone[/caption] VAN BONE Set against the backdrop of Marion Bay's picturesque coastal landscape, Van Bone's eco-conscious philosophy ensures it stands out as a quintessentially Tasmanian fine dining experience. Led by chef Tim Hardy and his partner Laura Stucken, the venue offers seasonal and hyperlocal dishes with incredible vistas and refined architecture to match. Seating just 20 guests, the intimate venue sees diners gazing upon rolling green hills as the chefs prepare the daily degustation menu in an open kitchen. Much of the produce on offer here is grown in the kitchen garden and orchard, while nearby suppliers provide everything else. [caption id="attachment_865477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarrad Seng[/caption] THE AGRARIAN KITCHEN EATERY Rodney Dunn and Séverine Demanet have long been fascinated by the relationship between everyday food and the earth that provides it. After opening in 2015, The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery has helped the couple explore this dynamic further, with their spacious venue in the rural community of New Norfolk serving local, seasonal cuisine that celebrates its origins. Many of the ingredients used across the restaurant's woodfired and hot-smoked dishes are grown on a nearby farm and showcase a relaxed expression of Tasmanian cuisine focused on local, small-batch makers and producers. Soon, the duo will share their skills via a new cooking school and kitchen garden which are set to open alongside the restaurant in October this year. [caption id="attachment_865491" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nat Mendham[/caption] STILLWATER Set in a 19th-century flour mill overlooking a charming estuary in Launceston, Stillwater has been recognised as one of the country's top paddock-to-plate restaurants since its launch. Renowned for its casual fine dining, the venue boasts a highly seasonal menu with almost everything on it grown locally. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Stillwater delivers a distinctly Tasmanian dining experience that's only made better by its picturesque setting. Plus, the knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to walk you through where each ingredient is sourced, from the meat to the herbs. [caption id="attachment_868520" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Charles Hill[/caption] WATERLOO INN Overlooking the east coast of Tasmania about a 30-minute drive from Freycinet National Park, the Waterloo Inn offers simple, seasonal cuisine that reflects its stunning location in Swansea. Housed inside an unassuming hotel, Waterloo Point, the restaurant is guided by chef Zac Green's (ex-Movida) ode to cosy pubs that dot the island's often chilly coastline. Taking cues from the weather and the available local produce, the three-course Sunday set lunch changes by the week so it's best to keep an eye on the restaurant's socials for updates. Head along soon to experience this local favourite before it becomes a bona fide interstate icon. Booking are essential. [caption id="attachment_865478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Neal[/caption] FAT PIG FARM Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman (of Gourmet Farmer fame) have established Fat Pig Farm – a thriving working property that hosts a multi-course Friday Feast (as well as the occasional Thursday session) — on a 70-acre block in the Huon Valley. These long lunches almost exclusively showcase ingredients grown on the surrounding paddocks. Its heritage apple orchard, market garden, chooks, cows and namesake Wessex Saddleback pigs offer a communal experience for diners to explore the flavours of the Huon Valley. Matthew and Sadie even take guests on a guided tour of the farm between courses, bringing diners closer to the source of their food. [caption id="attachment_865479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kelly Slater[/caption] TIMBRE Just a short drive from Launceston in the Tamar Valley, Timbre offers an ever-changing seasonal menu that highlights the region's very best producers and growers. Plus, you can soak up the pastoral views and serene landscapes of the grounds of adjacent Vélo Wines as you enjoy a variety of woodfired dishes. You can choose from standard or deluxe banquets or opt for a selection of tasty shared plates. Although the offering is constantly changing, some recent highlights include pork rib with fermented manzano chilli and miso caramel mousse topped with honeycomb. With exceptional wine coming from the vines outside, Timbre is a must-visit dining destination to add to your Tasmanian food itinerary. Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Tourism Tasmania and Peter Whyte
The joys of a well-rounded lunch shouldn't be relegated to just the weekends. Sometimes your working day calls for a midday bite to eat with your best workmates and bottle of wine to cheers to all the hard work you've been doing. It's not your fault if your boss doesn't realise that. When the company card isn't on the table, you're going to want a lunch spot that caters to groups while keeping the final number on the bill low. We've found a bunch of restaurants around Melbourne that deliver just that — made all the easier by the fact that they offer BYO. All you need to do is to find a date that's free of meetings and hectic deadlines.
In true country-WA style, the Southern Forests region is a horticultural hub known for diverse and delicious produce. And the community celebrates that fact each year with the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival, where you can taste the best and juiciest local cherries, and cherry-flavoured goodies (imagine enjoying fresh cherry ice cream on a warm summer day). The perfect excuse for a weekend getaway, the festival has a bunch of different free and ticketed events, from street parades, market stalls and live entertainment, to a long table lunch among the cherry trees of Newton Orchards. There's also a cherry tour — where you can learn about food innovation and ride a tractor through one of Manjimup's oldest orchards — and Koomal Dreaming, which will allow you to experience Wadandi and Bibbulman country through the eyes of the traditional owners. Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival takes place on Saturday, December 14. Find the full program, including ticketing information, on the festival website.
There's something uniquely satisfying about successfully growing your own produce. Keeping a living thing alive for a prolonged period of time? Achievement! Keeping a living thing alive that, in turn, helps keep you alive? Well, that's circularity at its peak. For a novice green thumb, kicking off a gardening endeavour can be intimidating. As with any living thing, the responsibility of nurturing and growing it can unleash your neuroses — particularly if you've ever been defeated by a pot of cursed basil. Luckily, Lee Sullivan is here to help. Sullivan is the green thumb behind Urban Veggie Patch — an ever-blooming Instagram blog where she documents her incredibly bountiful garden. And while the size of her carrot harvest suggests a lifetime of gardening nous (or the fictional effects of gamma radiation), it's been less than six years that she's been planting and eating homegrown organic produce. "I started gardening shortly after the birth of my first child," Sullivan told Concrete Playground. "I became very interested in health and sustainability and, after some research, decided that the best way to live a more sustainable life, to truly know what was on the food we were eating and where it was grown, was to grow it in our own backyard. So we set up a garden." "At the same time, I was experiencing mild postnatal depression and, unexpectedly, growing and gardening helped me to heal from that. Growing my own food has been a truly beautiful journey for me and has become one of my greatest passions... It's also incredibly beneficial to my mental health and I love that it has created a space for me to relax and recharge." Sullivan shared with us some of her top gardening tips for anyone looking to grow their own fruits, veggies and edible plants, as part of our partnership with VegKit. So ready your patch of earth and prepare to get your hands dirty — while you get your mind clear. [caption id="attachment_840173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonathan Hanna (Unsplash)[/caption] PLACEMENT IS CRUCIAL "Placement is one of the crucial elements that you need to get right if you want to have a thriving garden. Your vegetables need SUN! When deciding on the location of your garden you want to pick somewhere that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Basically, find the sunniest spot in your yard and put your vegetable garden there. The more sun your vegetables can get the better." [caption id="attachment_840175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Spiske (Unsplash)[/caption] START SMALL "A big mistake people make when starting their own vegetable garden is biting off more than they can chew. At the beginning, your garden needs to be small and manageable. Statistics show that many people who attempt to grow their own food give up because of failure [editor's note: that cursed basil!], so you want to do everything you can to ensure your own success! But also remember that failure is just an opportunity to learn and do things differently next time! So, when planning your garden, don't go overboard with the size. By all means create it so that you can keep adding to it, but start small." "I started my garden with five 90-centimetre x 60-centimetre raised garden beds. When I realised how much I loved growing my own food I added eight more. In my opinion, a garden bed that is five-metres x three-metres is ideal and will easily allow you to grow enough vegetables for your family while keeping things at a manageable level." [caption id="attachment_840184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artem Podrez (Pexels)[/caption] APARTMENT LIVING? ADAPT ACCORDINGLY. "If you are limited with space there are still lots of things you can grow and lots of ways to increase your growing potential. When we started our first garden, we were living in a townhouse with a 40-square-metre cement courtyard, so I definitely know what it's like to not have a huge amount of space. I can confidently say that you can grow something no matter how much space you have." "Pots on a balcony or windowsill are an excellent option for people who don't have a yard. Herbs and micro herbs will do particularly well in a sunny indoor spot. If you have a small garden, vertical gardens, trellises or arches are also great as they can help to add more growing area by growing up rather than out." PLANT SEASONALLY AND GROW WHAT YOU LOVE TO EAT "Choosing productive plants that are easy to grow is a great option for first-time gardeners. It is also important to be aware of growing seasons and what grows well in your climate at any given point in time. It may seem obvious, but plant what you eat. Think about the things you buy most at the supermarket and plant those. Growing what your family loves to eat is an excellent place to start." [caption id="attachment_840186" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandie Clarke (Unsplash)[/caption] SOIL QUALITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE "The soil you use in your garden beds will have a direct effect on whether your vegetables thrive. It can be tempting to go and buy cheap bags of soil to save money but please don't. Buying good quality soil full of organic matter is an investment into the future of your garden." [caption id="attachment_840209" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Karolina Grabowska (Pexels)[/caption] ENJOY THE JOURNEY AND DON'T LET FAILURE DISCOURAGE YOU "One thing I can guarantee is that you will fail — we all do. Failure in gardening is a huge part of the learning process so don't be discouraged when something doesn't work. Look at it as one step closer to mastering that particular vegetable. I still have vegetables [that] I struggle to get results on years down the track. Gardening is a lifelong journey of discovery and should be enjoyed! Spend time just being in your garden, enjoying nature and appreciating the little things." If you're a major plant enthusiast, find out what some top Australian chefs love about plant-based eating or try our picks of the best date spots with plant-based menus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To discover even more plant-based dining and recipe inspiration, head to the VegKit website. Top image provided by Lee Sullivan.
Hotel No, the relatively new rooftop hotel in Melbourne, offers a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Located atop a Flinders Lane car park in the CBD, this boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the US and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with queen size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art, and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Hotel No comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full-height shower. It sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to a goddamn spa outside your trailer. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
Closer to the classic British pub than most, The Napier Hotel is a winner all year round — but it's the warm fire that makes this an excellent choice in the winter months. Pull up a pew at one of the big communal tables and settle in for a cosy night out with mates. Alternatively, grab a stool at the bar and chat with some Fitzroy characters or head to the covered terrace with industrial outdoor heaters. Get on the beers, making your way through the lengthy local draught options or get a glass of something nice from the surprisingly well curated list of wines. The pub grub is also a big win at The Napier. Try a bunch of kangaroo options – either in steak form, chucked in a salad or added to the classic chicken parma — or opt for the crispy swordfish tacos and the spaghetti marina that's stacked with fresh seafood. The Napier Hotel is well worn-in and tends to be full of more locals compared to other Fitzroy pubs — thanks to its small size and location down one of the side streets. Image credit: Rexness via Flickr Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
Melbourne city slickers, rejoice — summer is here. It's time to put your laptop away (momentarily, at least) and bid farewell to your couch because the season of summer day trips from Melbourne is upon us. From gin tastings to dips in the ocean and from leisurely hikes to adventures by bike, there's loads of good stuff awaiting you beyond the city limits — and we've put together a list of ten top-notch day trip destinations to put you in the heart of the action. And, of course, it wouldn't be an Aussie adventure without stumbling upon some interesting wildlife along the way, so gear up to gawk at koalas, dolphins, seals and parades of penguins. Get ready to jump in the car — these are the best day trips out of Melbourne to get out of the grid while the rain's away and the sun's out to play. Recommended reads: The Best Swimming Holes in and Around Melbourne The Best Coastal Walks Near Melbourne The Best Glamping Sites in Victoria The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Winter [caption id="attachment_923802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson for Visit Victoria[/caption] For Scenic Drives, Surfing and Quaint Coastal Towns: Great Ocean Road Between the limitless beaches, nature walks and infinite Instagram opportunities, the Great Ocean Road offers a whole lot to discover as you travel along its picturesque strip. It's never too early to fuel up with breakfast and sweet treats from the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, before a drive down to the iconic 12 Apostles. Beyond that sits the stunning Loch Ard Gorge — while it's too rough for swimming, you can dip your feet in its crystal clear waters and marvel at its sharp golden cliffs. On your way home, stop for an Italian feast at the Lorne outpost of Totti's, a pub feed and brews with a view at the Wye Beach Hotel or craft pints and pizza courtesy of Blackman's Brewery in Torquay. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the trees lining the roads along the way. And if you want to stay a little longer, check out our guide to the best accommodations scattered along the Great Ocean Road. [caption id="attachment_850986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hubert Estate[/caption] For Wine and Waterfalls: The Yarra Valley A hop, skip and a jump from the bustling city, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges feature farmlands, vineyards, art and culinary delights that'll make you feel like you're a world away from the grid. Get into the heart of the region by walking upstream along the Keppel Falls Walk, which envelops you in nature and lands you at a stunning waterfall. You can follow this with a trip through the renowned TarraWarra Museum of Art. Then, end the day with some gourmet local eats — perhaps chic picnic platters and chardonnay at TarraWarra Estate, handmade pasta and heavenly views courtesy of Hubert Estate, or pinot grigio and pizza at Rochford Wines. [caption id="attachment_754135" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Portsea Hotel by Samantha Schultz[/caption] For Beaches, Brunch and Booze: Mornington Peninsula Beginning just an hour out of the city, the Mornington Peninsula is a favourite day trip destination from Melbourne for many. And with countless brunch venues, breweries, wineries and swimming spots to be found here, it's not hard to see why. Start with a coffee and some chilli scrambled eggs at Merchant & Maker (or one of the region's other stellar cafes) before heading for a swim in the rockpools at Bushrangers Bay. Then, take your pick of drinking spots for the afternoon — perhaps at Montalto's sprawling restaurant and winery, the Portsea Hotel with its sweeping bay views or Dromana's entirely gluten-free brewery Two Bays. And if you really want to spend the night, seriously consider the ultra-luxe Jackalope Hotel. [caption id="attachment_694246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] For Secluded Beaches and Seafood Feasts: Lakes Entrance Okay, so this day trip from Melbourne might require an overnight stay, but we thought it was still worth a spot on this list. With sand dunes on one side and crashing waves on the other, Lakes Entrance will instantly have you feeling like you're a long, long way away from Melbourne. Along Ninety Mile Beach, the fourth longest beach in the world, you can go for a swim (stick to the safer patrolled areas) or explore the many charming coastal towns nearby. There's also picturesque spots for kayaking and paddle-boarding, national parks brimming with great hikes and plenty of top-notch fishing. When you're done, refuel with a seafood feast at renowned overwater eatery Sodafish — or head for tacos, burgers and crafty drops at Lakes' first brewery Red Bluff Brewers. [caption id="attachment_831953" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] For Relaxing in Nature: Daylesford and The Macedon Ranges When it's hot, sometimes you just want to stay inside. But rather than ensconcing yourself in your house in front of the air-con, why not make your way to the lush, bathhouse-filled region of Daylesford? First, a climb up Mount Macedon to Camels Hump offers a good excuse to reward yourself with a post-hike brunch and coffee at Mr Macedon. Then, venture on over for a soak in the famed mineral baths of Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa — they are set at varying temperatures so you can warm up and cool off as you need, and there's a bumper menu of other spa experiences also on offer. Of course, no trip back home is complete without a stop off at Holgate Brewery in Woodend for a cold pint and classic pub feed. For Penguins, Seals and Untamed Coastline: Phillip Island A couple hours southeast of Melbourne, Phillip Island is the ideal spot to surround yourself with nature and wildlife for the day. Start with some furry fun at the Koala Conservation Reserve and clear out any remaining hay fever among the eucalyptus woodlands. Then, you absolutely need to pay a sunset visit to the refurbished Penguin Parade to catch the island's resident little penguins returning to their terrestrial homes, having spent the day out and about fishing. Beyond wildlife watching, you can settle in to sample some local booze — the Phillip Island Winery is a popular choice — then bliss out with a massage or spa treatment, or conquer a hiking trail like the Cape Woolamai Walk, which traverses dramatic clifftops along Phillip's southernmost point. [caption id="attachment_669921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bendigo Art Gallery[/caption] For Heritage and Art: Bendigo The old mining town of Bendigo offers buckets of history and heritage, while also boasting extensive contemporary art and pub lunches galore. Go underground (it's cooler) and walk in the footsteps of prior gold miners at Central Deborah Gold Mine or, if you prefer to stay above ground, take a wander through the impressive Bendigo Art Gallery to eyeball its extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography. Then, top off your summer day trip with bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches), tostadas and other tapas at buzzing laneway bar El Gordo, or stop by Masons of Bendigo for a feast starring plenty of top Central Victorian produce. [caption id="attachment_887554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sailor's Rest[/caption] For Dolphins, Vintage Markets and Culinary Delights: Geelong Geelong is fast becoming the base of choice for young professionals who've decided to swap city life for a more affordable low-key option. It offers native wildlife, relaxing ocean views and more local producers than you could possibly sink your teeth into. And it's way less busy than St Kilda. Head just off the coast of nearby Queenscliff and dive straight into the ocean to swim with dolphins and seals. Then, regain your strength by eating and drinking your way along the Bellarine Taste Trail. You can then shop for hidden gems at the Geelong Vintage Market, sip on spritzes at the Sailor's Rest rooftop bar, relax into the pastel-hued interior of Frankie or book in for a fine-dining affair at the much-lauded Igni. If you don't have a car, you can easily travel from Docklands to Geelong via train. [caption id="attachment_812642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ain Raadik for Visit Victoria[/caption] For Mountains, Hikes and Bikes: Mount Buller Although Mount Buller traditionally conjures images of never-ending snowballs and big puffer jackets, there are also lots of reasons to make the trip up during summer. Stretch those legs after the three-hour drive and get them ready for your choice of mountain biking, hiking, trail running and horse riding. Your peepers are in for a workout, too, as you soak up the majestic vistas and explore the Gnome Roam, searching for a glimpse of the mountain's resident gnomes. After all the sunshine and activity, kick back with a session on the sprawling deck at Spurs Smokehouse. [caption id="attachment_851611" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Four Pillars[/caption] For Gin and Cute Animals: Healesville Although it can be easily bundled into a broader Yarra Valley day trip, Healesville has plenty of charms worth carving out a whole day for. For animal lovers, Healesville Sanctuary should top the list, as the bushland haven lets you get up close and personal with native wildlife like dingos, kangaroos and koalas. A very close second is Four Pillars' gin distillery, where you can indulge in a guided gin tasting or leisurely sip your way through a G&T paddle. Then, line your stomach with some grazing boards and wood-fired pizza at Innocent Bystander, perhaps matched with a glass of its famed moscato, before heading back to the big smoke. Top images: Great Ocean Road by Cameron Murray for Visit Victoria.
In leafy Kensington, cafes are found at every turn and give the area its distinctive village-like feel. Yet, even surrounded by competition, Local Folk is — true to name — a favourite amongst locals. Occupying a corner spot that used to be the town's local corner store, you'll find fresh modern cafe cuisine with always reliable coffee. Owners Ashley and Belinda have deep roots in the Kensington community and before Local Folk, Ashley's early culinary skills were developed as an apprentice in a French restaurant. The Kenso brekkie roll is the cafe's most popular item and is as great on-the-go as it is for dining in. It's made with the usual breakfast suspects, including egg, bacon, house-made relish, jack cheddar and spinach — and wrapped up in a toasted pide for a bit of flair. Other noteworthy options include the brekkie gnocchi topped with a sunny side up egg, which makes a compelling case for why gnocchi shouldn't be limited to lunch and dinnertimes, and an ever-changing list of specials that keeps the menu fresh. The cafe serves excellent coffee using Toby's Estate beans, favouring the Brunswick blend that's unique to the area as their default roast. If you want to do as the locals do, revel in Local Folk's relaxed vibes with creative yet classic top notch cafe fare and always on point coffee.
One thing sure to rip a pet owner's heart out: leaving your pup behind whenever you're on holiday. Luckily, to celebrate International Dog Day, QT Hotels & Resorts is launching dog-friendly stays for your better half, so you never have to leave them again. Pup Yeah! is an Australia-wide add-on that can complement any QT Hotel stay. It includes pet-appointed rooms filled with luxury treats from the mini-bar, belly rubs and butler service. Then, for a dog dinner that's truly Michelin-star worthy, pups can enjoy steak tartare and bacon ice cream. For the best sleep a pooch can get, each Pup Yeah! room is fitted with a CUB bed, featuring orthopedic memory foam. Not to mention, each QT destination has a 'Strut Your Pup' digital map with the best local walks, dog-friendly parks and cafés. If at any point you need some human time, some QT Hotels also offer dog-walkers (known as Directors of Chaos) to take your pups on a little adventure. You'll also go home with some dog grooming essentials like, smith&burton soothing cologne and waterless foam shampoo. Pup Yeah! rooms start from an additional $120 for three nights. You can book a Pup Yeah! room from August 26, so get your pups ready for a pawfect hotel experience.
When The Kid LAROI was named as SXSW Sydney 2024's music keynote speaker, simply chatting about his career was never going to be his only contribution to the festival. Upon dropping that news, it was also revealed that the globally famous star would develop professional development workshops and performance opportunities for Waterloo and Redfern's First Nations communities as part of this year's event. Here's something related on the list: presenting and introducing a showcase of First Nations talent in Tumbalong Park's free program. With SXSW Sydney's 2024 dates fast approaching — this year's fest runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 — the event's team is still expanding the music lineup. The First Nations show will take place on Saturday, October 19 after The Kid LAROI's conference chat. Triple J Unearthed and Blak Out are behind the gig as well. Music lovers can also now look forward to catching the UK's ENNY, O. and The Lottery Winners; South Africa's Moonchild Sanelly; Buffalo Hunt and Walker Lukens from the US; homegrown talents Ngaiire, Anieszka, Devaura, Dyan Tai, Ella Ion, Jude York, Keelan Mak, Sex Mask and Wet Kiss. They've all been added to a roster of acts that'll take over 25 stages over seven days, and that's been announcing names for months now. Similarly new to the bill: that KRSNA, KAVYA, Yung Raja and Mali from India, plus Manara from the UK, will get behind the mic at +91 Calling, also in Tumbalong Park. The gig focuses on tunes from talents out of India and from the Indian diaspora. [caption id="attachment_974070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ChantelleKP[/caption] If you're keen to attend the opening party for the SXSW Sydney Music Festival, it's locked in for Tuesday, October 15 with Voice of Baceprot and 2Touch at The Underground. And if you're eager for parties and showcases presented by Laneway Presents, Astral People, fbi.radio and more, they're now on the lineup, too. SXSW Sydney 2024 started revealing its program details back in May, and has kept growing it since. A further announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Since then, more music acts, more speakers, The Kid LAROI's involvement, and two rounds of Screen Festival titles have also been added. Accordingly, no one can say that they don't have anything to see when SXSW Sydney makes its eagerly awaited comeback. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. SXSW Sydney images: Peter McMillan, Jordan Kirk, Jess Gleeson and Ian Laidlaw.
These days, Easter promises a whole lot more than just generic choccy eggs and old-school hot cross buns. Bakeries, chocolate brands and dessert shops across the city are getting more inventive with each passing year, whipping up all sorts of creative treats worthy of a spot in your own personal Easter hunt. Here, we've rounded up some of the coolest grown-up goodies to seek out, from beer-infused Easter eggs to hot cross bun rum and even decadent chocolate cocktails. Which of these creations will the Easter bunny be bringing you this year? [caption id="attachment_892129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Dillon[/caption] HOT CROSS CRUFFINS FROM LUNE CROISSANTERIE The croissant masters at Lune have brought back their legendary hybrid Easter treat, to the delight of anyone with a penchant for buttery glazed pastry. The Hot Cross Cruffin is the limited-edition love-child of the croissant, the muffin and the hot cross bun, and features a spiced fruit creme encased within a flaky golden shell. With a cross on top, of course. They're always hot property, so you'll need to be on the ball if you want them in your life. A limited number are available in-store at Lune's Fitzroy, Armadale and CBD sites, though if you get in quick, you can wrangle a pre-order. BEER EASTER EGGS FROM MOLLY ROSE AND PLANET COCOA If you like beer as much as you like chocolate, you're going to love the Easter goodies these two local favourites have dreamed up. Collingwood brewery Molly Rose has joined forces with ethical chocolate shop Planet Cocoa to create a couple of spiked choccy eggs for your Easter wish-list. First, there's the dark s'mores-inspired version, made using Molly Rose's stout, and loaded with vanilla marshmallow, crunchy biscuit bits and a beer caramel. Or, you can try the white chocolate egg, filled with a sour jelly made from the brewery's Summer Holidays apricot sour ale, then finished with honeycomb pieces. Each flavour comes in a six-pack, with a limited number of boxes available to buy from Molly Rose up until Sunday, April 9. BOOZY BUNS FROM ROCHFORD WINES The classic hot cross bun is already pretty darn close to perfection, but this Yarra Valley winery has found a way to make it even better. Rochford Wines has developed a limited-edition Easter bun with a fun, boozy twist, tweaking the usual recipe by soaking the raisins in its signature chardonnay and finishing each bun with a glaze made from its legendary moscato. They're being baked fresh daily onsite at Isabella's Restaurant right through Easter weekend, available to buy from the winery's gift shop. The buns will set you back $22 for a six-pack — you can pre-order online to avoid any disappointment. [caption id="attachment_894933" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Lallo[/caption] EASTER HIGH TEA AT THE TERRACE CAFE Why stop at just one Easter treat when you can sit down to a whole table of them? That's the scene that awaits you at this one-off high tea at The Terrace Cafe on Sunday, April 9. Against the leafy backdrop of the Royal Botanic Gardens, it's serving up a generous Easter spread of sweet and savoury goodies for $95 per person. Expect to tuck into the likes of lemon myrtle cheesecakes, fresh scones, and mini bagels with smoked salmon and horseradish cream. Your ticket also includes a glass of Pommery champagne to sip elegantly while looking out over the lake. SAKURA HOT CROSS BUNS FROM TOKYO LAMGINGTON The masters of inventive sweet treats at Tokyo Lamington are doing something a little bit different for Easter this year. They've taken inspiration from the cherry blossom season that's currently blooming over in Japan and created sakura-infused hot cross buns. This version of the classic features juicy sultanas and yuzu through the dough, with a sakura cross on top and more sakura incorporated into the sticky salted glaze. You can pick them up for $5 a pop, or $27 for a six-pack, online or from the Carlton store. Or, try the team's other Easter invention — a hot cross lamington starring cinnamon sponge, spiced cream and a coating of crumbled hot cross bun. CACAO HUSK LIQUEUR FROM MÖRK AND THE GOSPEL A grown-up Easter offering with a sustainable edge, this innovative cacao husk liqueur is a joint effort from two Melbourne-based makers — award-winning Brunswick distillery The Gospel and artisan chocolate label Mork. The limited-edition drop is crafted using Mörk's leftover single-origin cacao husks, which would normally be thrown out. Here, instead, they're macerated in a blend of the distillery's Straight Rye and Solera Rye Whiskeys to create a complex sip with rich fruit notes. The drink isn't overly sweet, as the husks carry a savoury profile that complements the whisky's aromatics, leaving flavours of roast hazelnut, dried orange and cranberry. There's a limited number of bottles available — grab yours from The Gospel's website. BOOZY BUNNY ESPRESSO MARTINIS FROM QT MELBOURNE This Easter sees QT Melbourne teaming up with local artisan chocolate brand CACAO to deliver a hotel-wide takeover your sweet tooth's gonna love. The chocolate-based festivities are happening from Friday, April 7–Sunday, April 9, kicking off each morning with fresh choc-chip hot cross buns served at Pascale Bar & Grill. But for something extra special, head on up to the 11th floor, where the Rooftop at QT is shaking up limited-edition Boozy Bunny Espresso Martinis right through the weekend. This exclusive Easter concoction features a rich blend of coffee, Diplomatico rum, Chambord and CACAO dark chocolate, coming in at $25 a pop. HOT CROSS RUM FROM THE GROVE DISTILLERY Off the back of a popular 2022 debut, family-run Margaret River distillery The Grove has gone and whipped up a new edition of its beloved Hot Cross Rum. Once again, the small-batch sip has been hand-crafted using The Grove's four-year barrel-aged dark rum, then housed in a former bourbon barrel made of American oak. Raisins, oranges and a bunch of warm spices are left to steep, before the rum is given a final infusion of classic hot cross bun flavours including cinnamon, cloves and vanilla. At the end, you've got a warm, rich, festive-tasting spirit, packed with notes of caramelised raisin, vanilla and cinnamon, with a lingering fruity finish and a hit of molasses to round it all out. A 40-percent ABV hot cross bun in a glass, if you like. The Grove team recommends you sip their new creation neat — with a hot-buttered Easter bun on the side for full effect, of course. Grab yours from the website. HOT CROSS BAO FROM DIN TAI FUNG Dumpling house Din Tai Fung is celebrating Easter with a multicultural mash-up that's sure to delight any sweet-toothed folk — these rather charming hot cross bun-inspired bao. A nod to the traditional Easter bun, the pillowy little beauties are made with steamed bread that's infused with cocoa and filled with oozing molten chocolate, each one finished with a chocolatey cross. Available for a limited time on the menu at Din Tai Fung's Emporium restaurant, they'll set you back $8.90 for a serve of two. Otherwise, you can extend the Easter vibes well into May by stocking up on a bag of three frozen hot cross bao ($12) delivered to your door. CHOCOLATE HOT CROSS BUNS FROM BLACK STAR AND KOKO BLACK Easter is a time for gorging on sweet things — so it's only fitting that two of Australia's best-loved dessert spots team up to release something special in honour of the occasion. The pastry masters at Black Star have come together with chocolatier Koko Black and launched their own dreamy take on the traditional hot cross bun. These beauties are spiked with Koko Black's 60-percent dark chocolate, topped with a lightly spiced glaze and finished with that all-important cross — reimagined with more chocolate, of course. They're available by the single serve, in a six-pack or by the dozen, to pick up from any of Black Star's Melbourne stores up until Monday, April 10. You can also order a box online. DIY COCKTAILS IN EASTER EGGS FROM COCKTAIL PORTER What's way more fun than eating your Easter egg haul the regular way? Filling those chocolate shells with booze and enjoying a grown-up sweet-tooth fix, of course. This DIY kit from Cocktail Porter lets you do just that, stocked with all the ingredients you'll need to whip up your own decadent salted caramel Easter cocktails at home. Each pack features some of Gelato Messina's cult-favourite dulce de leche salted caramel, cold-drip coffee, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and Baileys. You'll also get chocolate Easter eggs to serve your boozy creations out of, plus salted caramel popcorn to use as a garnish. A small pack contains all the fixings to make five drinks for $80, while the large version comes in at $145 for 12 cocktails. Top image: Rochford Wines
In 2019, just one Australian bar made it into the World's 50 Best Bars list: Maybe Sammy. This year, not only has the innovative bar in The Rocks made the list again, it has jumped 32 places to number 11 — and it's joined by two more Sydney spots. Laneway mezcal bar — and one of Concrete Playground's favourite openings of 2019 — Cantina OK! came in at number 28, while Bulletin Place, which has made the list many times during its eight-year life, came in 39. If you've been looking for an excuse to spend a night drinking cocktails in the city, this is it. With many Sydneysiders WFH during the pandemic, CBD bars have done it tough, with some venues reporting drops in revenue of 40 percent and more. Now, it's more important than ever to go out and support them (in a COVID-safe way, of course). For those yet to be acquainted with Maybe Sammy, its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics. Cocktails are served with the likes of scent-filled pillows, hand cream and rosemary bubbles. The latter, comes atop the much-Instagrammed Dunes cocktail, pictured below, which is a delicate balance of gin, fino sherry, watermelon and agave. [caption id="attachment_788842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dunes cocktail at Maybe Sammy by DS Oficina[/caption] While Sydney cleaned up in the top 50, only Melbourne venues (from Australia) featured in the 51–100 list, which was announced late last week. Fitzroy bar The Everleigh snagged the 73 spot, while newer CBD haunt Byrdi came in at 80. Petite Collingwood bar Above Board followed not too far behind at number 84 and the long-running Black Pearl — which has scooped a spot in the Top 50 list numerous times throughout the award's 12-year history — was voted in at 98. The annual World's 50 Best Bars awards are voted on by over 540 bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. You can check out the full lineup of the World's 50 Best Bars 2020 here, and see 51–100 here. Top image: Cantina OK! by Kimberley Low
Dining out is back in — and it's back with a vengeance. As we cruise to the mid-way point through this gloriously lockdown-free year, Australia's wining and dining scene is returning to its former glory. And it seems the rest of the world is taking notice, too. The esteemed World's 50 Best Restaurants awards unveiled their annual 51-100 list overnight, with one Aussie restaurant named among them — celebrated chef Andrew McConnell's Melbourne diner, Gimlet at Cavendish House. [caption id="attachment_860200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Moynihan[/caption] The CBD restaurant took out the number 84 spot in the Top 100 longlist, on its World's 50 Best debut. It was in good company, too, ranking alongside a diverse spread of lauded venues from Singapore to São Paulo, and Munich to Marseille. If you're plotting an overseas food holiday, this lineup is well worth a look. The awards' 51-100 list was unveiled at a ceremony in the UK yesterday, with the restaurant world now holding its breath for the Top 50 lineup, set to be announced on the evening of Monday, July 18 (UK time). Just two Aussie restaurants claimed spots in last year's awards, both of them Victorian, with Dan Hunter's Brae placing 57th and Ben Shewry's Ripponlea fine diner Attica coming in at number 97. [caption id="attachment_826376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo McGann[/caption] Running annually since 2002, the World's 50 Best awards are chosen by a panel of over 1000 culinary experts, guided by a strict voting procedure. They're now hosted by a different country each year, with Melbourne playing host city back in 2017. To check out the full World's 50 Best Restaurants Top 100 list, see the website. Top Image: Earl Carter
With vegan options galore, locally made gluten free bases available and a solid lineup of Victorian beers and wines, Brunswick's latest pizzeria is sure to please the whole family (and friendship group too). Located on Victoria Street, across the road from Small Axe Kitchen, Green Acre was scheduled to open right when the COVID-19 lockdown hit. Instead of hitting pause, though, co-owners Rob McKenzie (Hard Pressed Coffee) and Phil Gijsbers (Burnley Brewing, East End Wine Bar, Small Print Pizza in Windsor) ran a Small Print Pizza pop-up in the space until restrictions eased on June 1. Now, the duo has unveiled the OG idea for the space: Green Acre. Designed by Sash Design and built using mostly salvaged and upcycled materials, the space has cosy leather booths, a fairy light-lit courtyard, polished timber tables and rustic golden light fittings. Wherever you choose to sit, you'll be digging into stone-fired sourdough pizzas. Vegans will find joy in The Grass is Greener (roast zucchini, spinach, chilli and smashed peas) and the Shroom (flat and enoki mushrooms, truffle oil and rocket), as well as the various pizzas topped with dairy-free cheeses and vegan salami. Meat-eaters also have plenty to choose from, including the controversial ham and pineapple, a chilli chicken number and one topped with prosciutto and pear. If you prefer your pizza topped with neither vegetables nor meat but, in fact, sweets, we suggest you go straight for the dessert pizza, which comes with Nutella, smashed Oreos and strawberries. Plus, pizzas are just $15 on Tuesdays. As well as being built relatively sustainably, the pizzeria has a commitment to low waste and locally sourced produce. Wines are almost exclusively soured from Victoria — with a few numbers from across SA and WA — while beers feature Burnley (understandably) and other Brunswick locals, such as CoConsiprators and Foreigner. While the duo encourages dining in where possible (to help minimise packaging waste), if you do takeaway, you can do so knowing your pizza box is made from recycled cardboard and can itself be recycled thanks to a piece of 'sacrificial' paper that catches the grease.
Art exhibitions are fleeting, gracing walls and halls for just days, weeks or months at a time, then moving elsewhere or never being seen again. The Lume, Melbourne's multi-sensory digital art gallery, is also set to be a brief addition to Australia's cultural scene. The venue opened in 2021, and has now announced that it will shut its doors in 2026, after deciding not to extend its lease at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Whether you're an art lover based in the Victorian capital or elsewhere around the country, you've now got just over a year — before January 2026 — to head by. Until early December 2024, Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius is filling The Lume with a tribute to the iconic artist. Then, come Boxing Day 2024, the site is bringing back its Vincent van Gogh exhibition, complete with The Starry Night projected large, taking over an entire room; the immersive Sunflower room, where golden petals stretch as far as the eye can see; an immersive cafe inspired by the artist's Café Terrace at Night; and more. "The Lume Melbourne's lease at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was up for renewal in January 2026, and we have made the decision to not extend the lease beyond that time. This decision, made in alignment with our parent company Grande Experiences, reflects our ambition to explore new directions and technologies that build on our success here in Melbourne," said the team behind the gallery in a statement. "Since opening in November 2021, The Lume Melbourne has become a beloved cultural destination, inviting audiences to experience art in an inclusive, accessible and engaging way. We are incredibly proud of what's been achieved over the past three years." "Looking forward, The Lume is excited to embrace new technologies that deepen connections with our audiences and will transform the way visitors engage with art and culture. This evolution will guide us toward opportunities best suited to support these creative possibilities," the crew continued. "We look forward to an unforgettable final year at MCEC and to sharing this exciting new chapter of The Lume as we continue to push the boundaries of how technology can bring art and culture to life." When it initially opened, The Lume launched with its immersive van Gogh showcase — making the exhibition's return a full-circle moment. Also wowing audiences at the gallery: a celebration of Monet and his contemporaries, a huge showcase dedicated to First Nations artists and, since early 2024, all things da Vinci. The Lume Melbourne is set to close at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, in January 2026. Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius displays until Sunday, December 8, 2024. Van Gogh at The Lume opens on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Head to the venue's website for tickets and further information. Images: Morgan Sette / Miles Noel Photography / Grande Experiences.
To mark the start of the city's most electric sports season, adidas Racquet Club is hosting a free rooftop Block Party. It'll kick off the tennis season, as sport, style and social scenes collide in one seriously elevated setting. On Thursday, January 15, the adidas Racquet Club will take over one of Melbourne's best rooftops with views of the Yarra River and Olympic Park. As the sun dips, you and your mates will find DJs soundtracking the night, flowing drinks, food on hand and a buzzing crowd of sport and style obsessives. There'll also be tennis player appearances, as well as exclusive prizes and giveaways on the night. While this VIP party is free to attend, you need to register for a spot by Tuesday, January 13, and arrive on time (or early), as entry is first-come, first-served. Expect epic views, sounds of the summer, drinks of the season, and a chance to celebrate the beginning of Melbourne's favourite summer sporting event. It's an exclusive Block Party you won't want to miss. Rally your crew and secure your place by registering here. Due to high demand and limited space, you must register by Tuesday, 13 January. Entry on the evening will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. This is an 18+ event. Image credit: Supplied
