Sprawling over volcanic hills and boasting not one, but two harbours, Auckland may be New Zealand's largest city, but it still offers hidden corners to get away, without having to hit the highway. With lush native rainforests and black sand beaches in the west, sheltered golden sand beaches in the east, and a cultural hub of a CBD packed with eclectic eateries, it's hard to find a dull moment Tāmaki Makaurau. Visiting is truly a rare experience — one moment, you're hiking through rugged bush, staring across stunning sea-views, and an hour later, you can be strolling through Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki or having a cocktail at a lively inner-city bar. There really is something for everyone in this picturesque and culturally diverse city. So, whether you're travelling from across the pond in Australia, or you're a Kiwi yearning for a staycation, we've pulled together ten of the most unique stays for your next break. Recommended reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand The Best Places to Go Glamping in Australia The Most Unique Stays You Can Book Around New Zealand The Most Unique Stays with Breathtaking Views of New Zealand's South Island NZ Summer House, Riverhead This one bedroom pool house is situated on a equestrian lifestyle property 30 minutes from Auckland's CBD. Close to vineyards, award-winning restaurants, West Coast beaches and popular bush-walking spot Riverhead Forest, it's the perfect place to park up for a mix of adventure and relaxation. From $271 a night, sleeps two. Piha Hut, Piha This newly built one bedroom house is nestled amongst Nīkau palms in Piha, a seaside spot known for great surf, rugged scenery and nearby waterfalls. The sheltered deck looks onto Lion Rock, a volcanic monolith with Māori carvings and war memorials. From $118 a night, sleeps two. Piha Retreat, Auckland Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Chris Tate, this retreat house is perched amongst native rainforest and boasts some of the area's most epic views of Lion Rock. Watch the sun go down from the outdoor bath, while your companion cooks up dinner on the deck's barbecue. From $248 a night, sleeps four. NYC Style Loft, Auckland If you're after a chic urban stay a stone's throw to restaurants and bars abounds, this industrial warehouse style apartment may be your next city getaway spot. From $135 a night, sleeps four. Luxury Piha Escape, Piha This architecturally designed abode with sweeping sea views is perfectly positioned on Piha, Auckland's world famous surf beach. With two bedrooms, an open plan living room and a massive timber deck, it's a perfect oasis for a beach getaway with friends. From $769 a night, sleeps eight. Relaxing Coastal Retreat, Manukau Heads Live out your castaway dreams at this coastal cabin positioned on a small farm. If the driftwood fence isn't enough to get you excited, the outdoor bathtub, sea-views and close proximity to a winery and golf club just might. From $190 a night, sleeps two. Alfriston Stables, Alfriston Transformed from unused stables to a jaw-dropping industrial-style loft, this country escape has everything you need for rural R&R. Perched at the end of a tree-lined lane, with moody renovated interiors, a large swimming pool and a desk for your leisure. From $124 a night, sleeps two. Blackpool House, Waiheke Island This secluded home set amongst the magnificent Taraire trees is an architectural wonder. The spacious structure melds a contemporary sensibility with a retro interior that makes for a warm and inviting stay. Be sure to take full advantage of the naturally lit mezzanine library that looks out on Te Huruhi Bay. From $390 a night, sleeps two. Te Kouma Heights Glamping, Manaia Find luxury off the grid in this tent for two with endless ocean and farmland views. Enjoy fully equipped solar power, a king bed and two claw-foot outdoor tubs facing the glittering Coromandel Harbour. From $330 a night, sleeps two. Coastal Acres Escape, Āwhitu Journey through rolling green pastures and whites sans at this home on the Tasman sea. Just an hour and a half outside the Auckland CBD and tucked between towering dunes, your worries will was away in these double claw foot baths with perfect views for a sunset soak. From $207 a night, sleeps six. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Melbourne's love affair with French cuisine continues. Perhaps owing to the classic nature of flavours that never get old, or the accompanying ambience that is usually stylish and a little sexy, or the fact that it's the closest you can get to a romantic, daydream-worthy evening out in Paris without having to set foot on a plane. When it comes to French restaurants in Melbourne, there are many old-timey establishments where regulars have their favourite tables and bottles of wine reserved, but there are also a handful of more playful spots making French fare accessible and approachable; you just need to know where to find them. So we have rounded up the best French restaurants in town where the champagne is flowing, the baguettes are lathered with butter, the steak is doused in béarnaise, and the crème brûlée is cracking. Bon appétit. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Mexican Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne
From cheap and cheerful street food spots where the tacos and tinnies flow freely, to secret, in-the-know joints specialising in regional cuisine, to institutions that have been slinging guacamole for as long as we can remember, Melbourne has a Mexican restaurant to suit every craving. The past few years have seen an admirable number of newcomers emerge on the city's Mexican food scene, and we're grateful for it. From venues boasting agave clubs and extensive mezcal selections, to restaurants churning out the highest-quality tortillas, to joints spotlighting diverse Mexican dishes and flavours, Melbourne is fortunate to have such a high standard of Mexican cuisine at its fingertips. So grab your margarita-loving mates, and take a trip through Melbourne's best Mexican venues using our handy guide. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne
Self-taught chef Junda Khoo is single-handedly reimagining the place of Malaysian food within Melbourne's diverse culinary landscape. Junda is ambitious, resilient and forward-thinking, and across his different venues, he manages to achieve the sweet balance of upholding the traditions of homecooking, while also finding ways to make Malaysian food modern and playful. First, he took on Sydney, opening Ho Jiak Town Hall, Ho Jiak Haymarket, Amah by Ho Jiak and Ho Jiak Strathfield. Then, he set his sights on Melbourne, setting up a three-level Malaysian dining destination on Rainbow Alley in Melbourne (which reportedly cost a casual $7 million to get off the ground), offering a distinctly different concept on each floor. On the lower level, Da Bao offers homestyle Malaysian food to go, such as roasted pork, honey fish, and sambal eggplant served out of bain maries — it's the kind of food that Junda misses from home. Ho Lia, located on level two, is Junda's casual beer hall, slinging signature dishes such as Char Koay Teow (done Junda's way) and a cracking dry-aged Malaysian roast duck with five spice. "When I think of the food that made me who I am, I think of my Amah's kitchen - the smell of her braised pork, the sound of the wok, and everyone laughing around the table," says Chef Junda Khoo. "Food was how we connected, how we showed love. With Ho Liao, I wanted to recreate that feeling for others — a space where you don't just eat, you belong." And Ho Jiak, sandwiched in the middle on level one, is called Junda's Playground, and it's where the chef's creativity and ingenuity are given a place to shine. Junda puts a pleasingly playful twist on many traditional dishes here. There's laksa, but not like you know it: find it transformed into Junda's signature laksa bomb dumplings (which found new fame during the recent Masterchef series), or taste Assam Laksa granita atop raw kingfish with pineapple salsa. There's also a mud crab Caesar salad with Indomie dressing and smoked eggs, Malaysian curry puffs with Stilton cheese, and short ribs with Vegemite. The joy continues with dessert. There's a pandan lava cake with whisky crème and dark palm sugar, a calamansi sorbet with watermelon granita and preserved dried plums, and a crepe/crème brûlée/banana roti mash-up, served with miso caramel and coconut sorbet. Junda says, "Malaysian culture is built around sharing. Whether it's a big family feast or street-side noodles after work, food is what brings us together. That's the spirit I want people to feel here - warmth, generosity, and belonging." Images: Supplied.
When it comes to creating smash-hit venues, legendary chef Andrew McConnell knows what's what. He's the mind behind favourites like Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal and Marion, to name a few. In July 2020, Melbourne scored another McConnell original when he opened Gimlet — a cocktail bar and restaurant in the CBD's 1920s heritage building Cavendish House. Sydney-based architecture and design studio Acme (The Grounds Of Alexandria, Charlie Parker's and Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel) is behind the fit-out, which sees this historic building filled with black and gold marble bars, leather booths, geometric tiles and honeycomb chandeliers inspired by famed Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. [caption id="attachment_879623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gimlet's signature Gimlet, by Jo Mcgann[/caption] Split into four spaces — a cocktail bar, an elegant clothed-table restaurant on the upper level, a 12-person private dining area and a more casual space on the lower level — the restaurant feels like a very elegant French bistro. And the food echoes this. The menu makes its way from oysters and caviar to raw tuna with anchovy and smoked chilli, and duck liver parfait with pickled green almonds. The food is "leaning on Europe and America, a bit of old world mixed with new world sensibility"- and, like the space, it's also a little bit indulgent. Expect caviar, champagne and truffles aplenty. Certain mainstay menu items have become crowd favourites over the years, and for good reason. The Southern Rock lobster baked in saffron rice is a showstopping dish that continues to delight diners again and again. As the year draws to a close, and that warm, spirited feeling fills the streets of Melbourne, Gimlet also celebrates the summer season. "The end of the year is a moment we look forward to. Melbourne leans into its holiday rhythm, and long summer afternoons are spent with friends and family," says McConnell and McGann. Flirtatious and luxurious dishes have been added to the menu that evoke the holiday spirit. Mildura peaches are poached with vanilla and verbena, before being flambéd tableside with butter and cognac. They are scooped up alongside a generous slice of chiffon cake, house-made amaretti biscuits, French vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of bright peach syrup. Going into summer, you'll also be able to try Gimlet's dry-aged duck crown, scented with maple, fennel and coriander seeds, served up alongside juicy mulberries and radicchio. Or go for the coral trout, which is grilled over charcoal and served with a Sicilian-style salmoriglio and aioli. And while you're at it, don't forget to pop into Apollo Inn next door (well, if you can snag a seat that is). The cavernous space provides relief from the humidity outside and a sense of tranquillity among the holiday chaos. It might be the silly season, but Apollo Inn are now serving a very serious trio of martinis. For just $45, you can select three varieties to sample that are served half the size and twice as cold. If there are many other ideal and enviable ways to spend an unhurried afternoon during the summer break, we can't seem to think of them at this point. [caption id="attachment_826374" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo McGann[/caption] Top images: Earl Carter and Sharyn Cairns
Brisbane has been laid bare. In one of the most-ambitious installations in a career filled with them, acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick has turned the River City's famed Story Bridge into the site of his latest mass nude photography work. Called RISING TIDE, the piece is a follow-up to his 2023 work TIDE. While the latter featured around 150 people posing naked by the Brisbane River, the former enlisted a cast of 5500 on one of the Queensland capital's landmarks. Tunick keeps using the River City for inspiration to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, with his latest instance literally stopping traffic. Indeed, it isn't just cars that've now brought Brisbane's Story Bridge to a standstill in 2024. On Sunday, October 27, the famed river crossing closed to vehicles from 1–9am to become the site of Tunick's newest nude photography work instead. In behind-the-scenes images from the shoot, the river crossing packs its expanse with unclothed participants — sometimes reclining on their backs, sometimes on their sides with their arms to the sky. Although the Story Bridge has shut for roadworks and even a market before, there's never been anything like this in the structure's 84-year history. Because taking over one iconic Brissie spot wasn't enough, RISING TIDE also incorporated the Brisbane Riverwalk. Both TIDE and RISING TIDE come courtesy of Brisbane's annual LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival Melt — and attendees can see the images from TIDE at 2024's fest at Brisbane Powerhouse until Sunday, November 10. That exhibition marks the first time that Tunick has put his work on display for the public, as well as his first-ever Australian showcase, with both milestones coming after 30 years and 100-plus installations spent making his style of art. There's no word yet if the Story Bridge images will get the same treatment, but folks who took part in RISING TIDE will receive a print of the final artwork. "This work on Brisbane's Story Bridge and locations around it has been my most inclusive installation to date. Five-and-a-half thousand people is my largest Australian work so far and this one is very special because it celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies," said Tunick about RISING TIDE. "Photographing all the participants on the bridge was like looking down the mouth of a whale, filled with love and diversity." "I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I've gone through illnesses, and you just get to a point where so many people have seen your bits over the years that you just go 'why not?'. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," noted one of the participants. "It's really nice to see so many different body types — shapes, sizes and age groups. I came alone so it's pretty fun to see that so many other people have braved it as well," added another. "It's a sense of unity that you don't often get. It's just an incredible opportunity for people to come together, to celebrate each other and to celebrate art," advised a third. Over the past three decades, Tunick's installations have seen him hit the Whitsundays with almost 100 naked Aussies in 2019 and briefly turn Bondi into a nude beach in 2022. The artist initially turned his lens Australia's way in 2001 in Melbourne, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a pic near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Since then, he's also photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, then returned to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. Elsewhere, Tunick has photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Spencer Tunick's 'RISING TIDE' installation took place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 on Brisbane's Story Bridge during Melt Festival. For more information about the fest, head to the event's website. Images: Markus Ravik.
Sexual pleasure is as much about wellness and intimacy as it is about kinks and hedonism. It can be liberating, restorative, and exploratory — and doesn't require a partner, performance, or party. But if you're looking to spice things up, sex toys are an easy (and often empowering) place to start. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a couple wanting to set a new mood, or simply curious to expand your repertoire, Melbourne has no shortage of thoughtfully curated sex stores to enhance the experience. And no — these aren't the dimly lit, tinted-window venues of old. Think inclusive, design-led spaces you can walk into confidently without the urge to go incognito. High Tide 5 Rankins Ln, Melbourne High Tide isn't your average sexual emporium. Just near Kirk's Wine Bar, the concept store could easily be mistaken for a premium jewellery brand or highly curated interiors space. Instead, you'll find an approachable, design-led destination devoted to pleasure-forward objects and intimate essentials. Founded by couple Paige Aubort and Soren Poulsen, former bartenders from Shady Pines Saloon in Sydney, the pair wanted to take away the shame associated with sex retail and promote positivity and curiosity for people of all ages and sexualities. First-timers and those more experienced will find an array of creative and intuitive adult products of all different price points including vibrators, lubricants, sex sheets, even sculptural butt plugs. Passionfruit 414 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Feminist, functional, and flirty — Passionfruit is first and foremost for the female gaze. Nestled in the heart of Fitzroy, Melbourne's first female-focused adult store has been empowering sex positivity since 1998. The destination boutique, conceptualised by internationally renowned interior designers Russell and George, sells everything from German and Scandinavian-made vibrators, size-inclusive lingerie, erotic fiction and games, and even eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products. Passionfruit is also big on education, with newbies, singles and couples able to book a range of workshops, private consultations, such as libido-enhancing classes or even naked portraits. Lucrezia and De Sade 411 Brunswick St, Fitzroy For the more sybaritic, Lucrezia and De Sade's the "perverse pleasure" palace for you. For over 30 years, the Brunswick Street store has been offering (and encouraging) all kinds of kinks and fantasies with local makers in mind. Uniquely, most of their BDSM products are designed and manufactured right on premises. Melding fetish with fashion, there are also ethically designed latex catsuits, mesh lingerie, and more. And even with their extensive range, the Lucrezia and De Sade team is more than happy to source or make something extra "special" for you. Sexy Secrets 541 High Street, Epping No secret's too big at this northside adult store. Located on High Street in Epping, Sexy Secrets has an assortment of stimulators, sexy sartorial garments, and even cheeky hens and bucks supplies sourced from all over the world. Staff are warm and knowledgeable, and happy to talk through their inclusive stock with singles, couples, throuples and more. And if you prefer shopping from the privacy of your own home, Sexy Secrets has an online store for convenience. JouJou Luxe 67/15 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin JouJou Luxe is the official Australian retailer for one of the world's leading luxury pleasure brands, LELO. Appearing in various industry showcases and local events, JouJou Luxe sells everything from the Swedish brand's award-winning ENIGMA range, to personal massagers, and even 24K Gold toys—if you're after ultimate indulgence. While predominantly online, you can also visit their Moorabbin warehouse for informal consultations or product pick-ups. Image: Dominic Xavier for High Tide Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Melbourne's food scene might be world-famous, but it's not all fancy fine-diners and lavish degustations. This fine city of ours also boasts a smorgasbord of top-notch culinary options to suit even the tiniest of budgets. Just because you're saving your dollars — or it's a few weeks out from payday — doesn't mean you've gotta give up the good stuff. We've scouted the streets for Melbourne's best cheap eats under $20 that'll fill your belly without emptying too much from your wallet. There are big bowls of ramen, towering Korean sandwiches and cheesy pizza slices, each one yours for less than $20. Step away from the mi goreng and check out these budget-friendly food finds all over the city. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Melbourne The Best Ramen in Melbourne The Best Burgers in Melbourne The Best Banh Mi in Melbourne
Cumulus Inc. has quietly and confidently held its own on Flinders Lane for many, many years now. It remains a tried-and-tested favourite among Melburnians for good reason. With Andrew McConnell's Midas touch, it's hard to go wrong, but Cumulus really gets it right time and time again. A seamless blend of outstanding food and beautiful, intuitive, attentive service makes any lunch or dinner feel special. With expansive warehouse windows transporting you anywhere from New York's Meatpacking District to the narrow laneways of Paris' Montmartre, the space remains inherently Melbourne, adorned with fine black detailing and an expansive marble bar. And the venue has only got better with time, aging elegantly like a fine wine. It'a a reprieve from the bustle of the city outside, and the comfortable, lived-in feeling that awaits is owing to the countless satisfied diners who have walked through its doors before you. Allan Doert Eccles (of Cutler, Marion, Emla and Gimlet) serves as the Head Chef nowadays. His dishes are fuss-free, executed effortlessly and source only the finest of local produce to do so. His ethos of prioritising peak season ingredients means there is no need to overcomplicate or overembellish the produce he loves. No stranger to the pure pleasure of a meal at the restaurant, Eccles recalls with fondness one particularly memorable occasion when "the light was streaming in, the vibe was great, and we had the time and headspace to really enjoy the food being cooked by the passionate team in the kitchen." Menu mainstays include the tuna tartare with goat's curd and green peas, and a slow-roasted lamb shoulder with almonds and red pepper. A stupidly simple tin of anchovies with grilled bread, chilli and lemons really shows that sometimes less is more. Fresh produce shines in dishes such as a zucchini galette with Emmental custard, prawns with garlic butter, swordfish with mussels and chickpeas, and asparagus with mozzarella and pistachio. Look out for unmissable specials at this CBD hotspot, including $2 Oyster Hour and Harvest Lunch specials. During the Australian Open, the kitchen has extended its snack menu to include an array of Cumulus favourites, ideal for recharging between matches or fuelling up before an evening match. Don't miss the crumbed fish sandwich, the spanner crab toast or the Shark Bay scallops. A visit to Cumulus remains incomplete — no matter how many times you may have visited in the past — without devouring a few of the sought-after madeleines. Baked to order, they arrive at your table filled with vibrant lemon curd, scenting the air with their sweet steam. They're an absolute delight. Pair them with a coffee or, even better, a glass of champagne. Cumulus Inc. is a reliable gem in the city's crown. If you are one of the few Melburnians yet to visit, make it a priority. It'll remind you why our city is one of the best food destinations in the world. Images: Supplied.
If you enjoy getaways of the pampering, wellness-oriented and soaking kind — you're in luck. Victoria is quickly becoming a hot spring haven, with future plans including a 900-kilometre trail of bathing spots dubbed The Great Bathing Trail to span along the Victorian coast. In the meantime, there are plenty of newly-opened and established favourites to explore. Regional Victoria boasts some of the best hot springs in the country, from geothermal pools overlooking stunning views to majestic spa precincts complete with restaurants. If you're looking to escape the city for some well-earned self-care, here are the natural hot springs and wellness destinations to put on your must-visit list. Recommended reads: The Best Spas in Melbourne The Best Heated Pools in Melbourne A Weekender's Guide to the Mornington Peninsula The Best Winter Day Trips From Melbourne
From Sydney's sandstone cathedrals to cosy, hidden bookstores, there's Harry Potter™ inspiration everywhere if you look hard enough. In December, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is performing the first film's entire majestic soundtrack live for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone™ In Concert at the Sydney Opera House. To get you excited for all things wizarding world, we've created the ultimate Harry Potter™-inspired day in Sydney that feels straight out of Hogwarts. So, pack your wands (leave the owls) and enjoy a magical day out. Brunch at The Grounds Coffee Factory, South Eveleigh Begin your quest at The Grounds Coffee Factory in South Eveleigh, where whimsical styling and a hearty meal will set the tone for your day. Located inside The Locomotive Workshop, a heritage-listed railway factory built in the 1800s, the Coffee Factory offers industrial charm that could be the breakfast spot for Platform 9 ¾. Slide into one of the train-inspired booths and enjoy their delicious diner-style menu. [caption id="attachment_1077698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phillip Minnis[/caption] Head to the Great Hall, AKA St Mary's Cathedral Next, jump on a train to Hyde Park and head to St Mary's Cathedral. It's the site of the first Catholic chapel in Australia, opening in 1838. The grand building is inspired by 13th century Gothic architecture, making it a perfect replica of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Take your time wandering the chapel and admiring the stained glass windows. You can almost hear the Sorting Hat ceremony taking place under the high ceilings. [caption id="attachment_1077699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin Guan[/caption] Find Dark Academia Energy at Sydney University Quadrangle Still keen on some Harry Potter™-inspired architecture? Head to the University of Sydney's Quadrangle. Despite being the grounds of a university, the quadrangle is so famous it literally has its own Wikipedia page, and its main building and interior were listed on the City of Sydney's local government heritage list. The neo-Gothic architecture is awe-inspiring, and you can even join guided tours, including the University's heritage group tour. Simply wear a Griffyndor scarf, enjoy some dark academia, and you're basically in Hogwarts. Find the Magic at Berkelouw Bookstore Every wizard needs a good spellbook, and at Berkelouw in Paddington, there are three (yes, three) storeys of new, rare, and secondhand titles that'll help you feel like you're walking along Diagon Alley. The heritage terrace adds to the charm, and there's something magical about climbing a staircase to a library. Grab a copy of Harry Potter™ and enjoy a break at their cafe, Cafe 1812. Cosy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESCAPE THIS | Sydney Escape Rooms (@escapethissydney) Wizard Chamber Escape Room Ready to put your magical skills to the test? Wizard Chamber Escape Room lets you and your friends face off against dark sorcerers and solve magical puzzles. With immersive set design and high-stakes challenges, it's the closest you'll get to battling the dark arts (without enrolling in Hogwarts). Simply ensure your witch or wizard friends are 9 years or older, and you can embark on your mission to save the world of magic. Old Mates Sydney After all that dark arts fighting, you'll be ready for a drink. If not with children, head to Old Mates Sydney for an underground whisky pre-concert. With leather booths, old books, and moody lighting, you can pretend you're in the Leaky Cauldron sipping on Butterbeer with Ron and Hermione. [caption id="attachment_1077697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Symphony Orchestra[/caption] Finish With the Magical Sydney Symphony Orchestra For the grand finale, make your way to the Sydney Opera House and experience the magic of the first film live with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone™ In Concert. Running across five performances from Wednesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 5, the film that began the series will be screened in high definition, while the in-person orchestra brings John Williams' epic score to life. Whether you're a lifelong Potterhead or want to introduce the magic of the series to a new generation, hearing the spellbinding score live and in person is sure to be a memorable end to a magical day. Book your tickets now. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone™ In Concert is rated PG. Please note: children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times when attending concerts at the venue. All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.
If you know where to look, Melbourne is full of well-curated retail spaces that take the guesswork out of finding a genuinely good gift. Department stores might do the job, but low-key gems like pantry-style bodegas, independent presses and even a Japanese ceramic dealer offer something better: the antithesis of a generic, "that'll do" present. Whether you're shopping for a friend with a niche interest or a colleague you barely know, you'll never have to default to another run-of-the-mill scented candle and emergency mug again. In a city known for its laneway gems, Concrete Playground has scoured inner-city neighbourhoods and unconventional nooks to find the best places for gift shopping in Melbourne. Need to do a quick online order instead? These are some of our favourite gifts to give to the design lovers in our lives. The Box 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy View this post on Instagram A post shared by The StandardX, Melbourne (@thestandardxmelbourne) It's been a major year for The StandardX Hotel, the youthful spinoff of The Standard Hotel chain. From opening a rooftop bar to hosting a string of legendary chef residencies, it's one of Fitzroy's buzziest bars this year. Yet the in-house bodega remains a quiet gem packed with lifestyle goods and pantry staples like Cambodian peppercorn brand Pep, organic tallow-based hand creams from Rodeo and a limited-edition Crash Baggage luggage that comes with artful dents and metallic stickers by New York City-based artist and nightlife icon Connie Girl. Florian Home 619 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North View this post on Instagram A post shared by Florian Home (@florianhome.florianhome) Defined by its relaxed European sensibility, Florian is one of Carlton North's favourite eateries. Fans of its interior should pop into Florian Home next door, where owners Dom Gattermayr and Rose Richards have turned their eye for aesthetics into a retail offshoot. Find a highly curated range of sourced and vintage kitchenware, trinkets and art — think heart-shaped bottle openers, candy-coloured dinner knives and salt and pepper shakers crafted through ancient Indian techniques — sitting alongside jars of Florian's preserves. Pinky's Store 28 Gilbert Road, Preston View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pinky's (@pinkys_store_melbourne) Pinky's Store is one of Preston's most joyful retail stops. The colourful space is a love letter to all things whimsical and well-made. From a fish-shaped pitcher vase (there's a croc version as well) to a tiny book of scrapbooking papers, the shelves are stacked with objects that don't take themselves too seriously. Tucked between the design pieces, an impressive edit of Miffy, Monchhichi, Snoopy, and other cult character pieces is a no-brainer for anyone in your life who is deeply obsessed. Rodd & Gunn Flagship 280 Little Collins Street, Melbourne View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rodd & Gunn (@roddandgunn) Kiwi-born Rodd & Gunn is best known for its refined menswear, but its global flagship on Little Collins Street offers far more than clothing. Housed across four levels in a heritage building, the behemoth space isn't just for sharp dressers: there's also a dining room, an invitation-only members' bar and an underground wine cellar. Alongside timeless polos and quality leather goods, you'll find New Zealand wines — an easy and thoughtful pairing for the stylish epicurean in your life. St Kilda-based Studio Y has blended the building's elegant 1930s-inspired aesthetic with contemporary materials, creating a beautiful space where gift shopping can comfortably roll into lunch, dinner or drinks. Made In Japan 1–7 Wynyard Street, South Melbourne View this post on Instagram A post shared by Made in Japan South Melbourne (@mij_southmelb) Made in Japan has been a fixture in South Melbourne for over 30 years, quietly supplying Japanese ceramics to many of the city's favourite restaurants. Step inside and you'll find everything, from everyday plates and bowls to specialty kitchenware like donabe pots and matcha cups. Each piece, sourced directly from kilns in Japan, is built to last. Take your time browsing a rainbow of vibrant indigos, mossy greens, speckled greys and warm terracottas — there's something for every budget. There's also a second store in Mornington. Lore Perfumery 313 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lore Perfumery (@loreperfumery) Scent lovers will be familiar with this perfumery: it's been selling perfumes, candles and soaps on Brunswick Street since 2017. Find cult favourites like Juliette Has A Gun, Tokyo Milk and Blomb here — or chat to one of the resident scent experts to discover a new favourite. Discovery sets and Lore's festive advent calendar are always a safe bet. For a more personal gift, jump on this niche #PerfumeTok trend and pair a fragrance with a book – Brunswick Street Bookstore is just a few doors down. Terrain Earth 101-103 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy View this post on Instagram A post shared by TERRAIN (@terrain.earth) To answer FKA Twigs' question, the thinkers are shopping at Terrain Earth. Part bookshop, part art gallery, the ecologically-minded space has curated a selection of titles that explore the world we live in. Mounted on a cave-like wall, the aluminium shelves are stocked with showpiece art and design books, fictional novels that tackle themes of environment and culture, and thoughtful non-fiction about food, health, science and sustainability. Gewürzhaus Spice House Various locations View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gewürzhaus Spice House (@gewurzhaus) 'Never show up to someone's home empty-handed' is golden etiquette advice — it's just light on the specifics. When in doubt, stop by one of Gewürzhaus' five stores for gourmet gifts that any host would appreciate. The biggest spice merchant in Melbourne touts over 200 locally-made spice blends — from spice rack staples from around the world to those specially crafted for specific dishes like laksa and apple cake — alongside teas and artisanal kitchenware. Third Drawer Down 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen View this post on Instagram A post shared by Third Drawer Down (@thirddrawerdown) It's a shame that a trip to the museum is rarely inspired by gift shopping, because their gift shops are brimming with creative and non-generic surprises. At the Heide Museum of Modern Art, Three Drawers Down stocks functional creations from over 200 artists. Expect everyday objects turned on their heads here. A plain notebook might be boring, but a double-sided notebook designed for jotting down both good and bad ideas by daredevil performance artist Marina Abramović is a masterpiece. Saloon Store Level 4/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD View this post on Instagram A post shared by Garmentory (@garmentory) Among Curtin House's lineup of creative independent retailers, Saloon Store stands out for thrilling finds. With a considered collector's eye, owners Georgah Crane and Kirra Scotland pull clothing and accessories from hard-to-find labels like Sandy Liang and All is a gentle spring. They're matched with an equally compelling range of lifestyle pieces such as skin contact vinegar from Tax Vinegar, nourishing beauty tints and balms from New Zealand-born Maryse and Service Objects' restaurant-grade tableware. The Hub General Store 36 Cambridge Street, Collingwood View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Hub General Store (@thehubgeneralstore) Typically found in small towns, a traditional general store is a one-stop shop for everyday provisions. The Hub General Store brings that convenience to Collingwood's backstreets, but sleeker, sharper and far better-dressed. Inside, wander through a labyrinth of miscellaneous objects. The range runs deep: medicinal chest rubs, artisanal whistled and housekeeping tools sit alongside kitchen knives sporting handpicked timber handles, vintage board games and designer matchsticks. Chibi and Esmé 1/5 Wilkinson Street, Brunswick View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chibi & Esmé (@chibiandesme) Print is not dead, as printmaker Chibi & Esmé makes apparent. The concept space feels like a workshop, stocked with international zines and print media (including owner Jasmine Jafari's playful illustrated creations), craft materials, jewellery, art and apparel from local makers. From offbeat artists to original ideas, the unpretentious curation here is one for visual thinkers and creative minds. Sticky Institute 510 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne CBD View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sticky Institute (@sticky_institute) Thoughtful, creative and budget-friendly, zines are a gifting option more people should be considering. Not-for-profit Sticky Institute has been dedicated to zine culture in Melbourne since 2001. Part low-cost printer, part retail space, the Elizabeth Street location is stocked with creations from local makers. From lo-fi booklets to technicolour spreads, it's a haven for those who prefer their literature underground. Images: supplied
Offering a hearty dose of Mother Nature's magic, there's something pretty special about a cave, all rocky and majestic. There are few better antidotes to that hectic city life than a visit to an impressive natural rock formation. Without trekking too far out of Melbourne, you'll find a handful of captivating grottos to light your adventurous spark — from lofty hilltop caves to underground marvels and huge limestone beauties filled with stalactites. Here are seven caves worth the visit. Recommended reads: The Best One-Day Hikes Near Melbourne The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under Near Melbourne The Best Bike Rides In and Around Melbourne The Best Country Towns to Visit on a Day Trip From Melbourne [caption id="attachment_923781" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Savage for Visit Victoria[/caption] Buchan Caves, Gippsland Formed almost 400 million years ago, Gippsland's breathtaking Buchan Caves are the result of ancient underground rivers carving their way into limestone rock. Word is, the calcium carbonate that helped create the limestone is made from coral and shellfish skeletons left over from ancient times, when Gippsland was submerged beneath ocean. Today, the system is well set up for visitors, with lights and hallways throughout, as well as expert-led tours running daily, which you'll need to book online in advance. The charmingly named Fairy Cave is packed full of striking stalactites and stalagmites surrounding pools of water, while the nearby Royal Cave boasts some pretty incredible calcite-rimmed pools. The site is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners, and you can find out more about its Aboriginal cultural heritage over here. [caption id="attachment_703046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr[/caption] Byaduk Caves, Mount Napier State Park Back in the day, Mount Napier volcano blew its top and unleashed a huge lava flow, which solidified and created what we now know as the Byaduk Caves in Mount Napier State Park. Together, they're Victoria's most significant lava caves, though only the one dubbed Harmans 1 is open to the public. It's a sprawling underground chamber set about 20 metres below the earth's surface, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and scores of bent-wing bats. Access this subterranean wonderland via a rocky walking track and through the entrance shrouded in ferns. Just remember to take a good torch and wear some decent clothes — it can get pretty chilly down in these depths. [caption id="attachment_818003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] Hollow Mountain, Grampians National Park Towering high above the Grampians National Park, the aptly named Hollow Mountain is home to a series of spacious caverns that have gradually been carved out of the rock by wind. To experience them up close — and soak up those sweeping vistas of Mount Stapylton and the Wimmera — you'll need to tackle the reasonably adventurous, two-hour return trek along the Hollow Mountain (Wudjub-guyan) walk. It's a steep, rocky trail, requiring a fair bit of scrambling, but you're sure to be impressed by the big chambers you'll find yourself enveloped in once you reach the top. Not to mention the outlook — these caves boast some of the best views around. [caption id="attachment_792008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Tarragal Caves, Cape Bridgewater A collection of lofty limestone caves overlooking Bridgewater Lakes in Southwest Victoria, the Tarragal Caves remain a significant Aboriginal camping site. Set a good 50-metre hike uphill, the six caves rock some top-notch views, but they're also stunning within, covered in stalactites and home to a colony of bats. One of the caves, which runs over 400 metres into the ground, has a mysterious sinkhole opening which air breezes through — it's said that this was once believed to be the entrance to another cave inhabited by supernatural beings. Britannia Creek Caves, Wesburn If you don't mind a few tight squeezes, Britannia Creek Caves, just under two hours east of the city centre, will be very much your jam. The labyrinthine network of granite caves is dark and rocky enough to require a helmet and a headlamp, though it makes for some pretty special caving adventures. Navigate the array of narrow tunnels, slippery rocks and flooded spots, and you'll be rewarded with a captivating show put on by the resident glow worms. Various groups run adventure caving tours through the system, though if you've got the necessary skills, you can tackle it guideless. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lewis (@lewis_travels_runs) Wells Cave, Cathedral Ranges National Park As far as caves go, this one's not the most claustrophobe-friendly, though avid climbers will find it a real fingertip-burning treat. Wells Cave is a narrow natural passageway flanked by steep rock faces, located along the Wells Cave Track Loop in Cathedral Ranges National Park. It's a squeezy space that's only recommended for those making their ascent up the mountain, but it certainly makes for some memorable hiking. And once you've scrambled your way through and emerged from the cave's close quarters, you'll be well rewarded with incredible 360-degree views from atop the majestic Sugarloaf Peak. And while you're here, don't miss some of the other breathtaking hiking trails located in the area. [caption id="attachment_703043" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Princess Margaret Rose Caves, Mumbannar Venture about five hours west of Melbourne and you'll be rewarded with the dazzling natural beauty of the Princess Margaret Rose Cave, which makes its home within Lower Glenelg National Park. The limestone formation was carved out by the Glenelg River, and first explored back in 1936. As well as a pretty posh name, the cave boasts a colourful array of calcite crystals, stalactites, stalagmites and the more head-scratching helictites — a formation that grows in all different directions. A series of rimstone pools and cave coral have also been produced by the cave's calcite crystal, to stunning effect. See the underground wonder at its best on a 45-minute guided tour. Note: The Princess Margaret Rose Caves are currently closed for upgrades. While no reopening date is confirmed yet, the works are expected to be completed in late 2025. Top image: Hollow Mountain Cave by Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria.
April is here, and along with the chocolate overload of Easter, the chaos of the school holidays, and the harsh reality check that winter is definitely on its way, it's also bringing us a set of stellar new specials. From wildly affordable wagyu to unmissable express menus, late-night happy hours to all-you-can-eat yum cha, limited-edition ice cream flavours, and bottomless weekend feasts, these are the best specials going around town in April. Wagyu Wednesdays, Marmont Californian-inspired restaurant and bar, Marmont, found within the always buzzing Crown Melbourne precinct, has welcomed back an old-favourite special this month. Marmont's Wagyu Wednesdays special includes a marble-scored 6+ wagyu steak, served with a signature Cali Butter and a heaping helping of crisp fries, for just $35. Available for lunch or dinner, it's an ideal midweek pick-me-up set to the sounds of Marmont's spinning vinyls and views of the river. Tuesday Date Night, Ruzias Hidden in plain sight along busy Balaclava Road is Ruzia's, a suburban wine bar that locals are proud to call their own. The open, warm and informal space lends itself to convivial dining, chitchat amongst neighbouring diners and with staff, and to settling in for a simple yet deeply satisfying meal of salty snacks, Eastern European delights, and plenty of generously poured drinks. Its newly introduced $45 Date Night is a sure-fire way to make Tuesdays special, featuring Baker Bleu bread, signature meatballs, a warm cinnamon doughnut with ice cream for dessert, and a glass of wine. Express Lunch Menu, PAST / PORT The Waterside Hotel's vibrant Southeast Asian diner, PAST / PORT, has introduced a stellar special to level up your midweek lunch. The Express Lunch Menu, available Monday to Friday, is a great go-to when you're short on time but still seeking a substantial, memorable meal. For just $42, enjoy an entree, such as the signature Tom Yum prawn dumplings, and a main, like the crowd-favourite wok-fried green pepper beef. After Dark, Juni One of the CBD's best Southeast Asian restaurants, Juni, has welcomed a playful new deal this month. Introducing a fresh take on a traditional happy hour, Juni's After Dark special kicks off at 9pm every night and lasts late into the evening. For $38, snack on a selection of bite-sized dishes such as Szechuan-spiced salmon gravlax with whipped tobiko and finger lime, prawn and chive dumplings with red chilli vinegar and lamb skewers with cumin and crispy chilli oil. The moreish mouthfuls are designed to be enjoyed alongside a curated list of $15 cocktails. All You Can Eat Yum-Cha, Cha Ching Cha Ching is an energetic, playful modern-Asian diner on Flinders Lane, popular for group catch-ups and celebrations. And it has just introduced a stomach-stretching, all-you-can-eat yum cha experience. Available on Saturday and Sunday, the 90-minute feast features a lineup of menu favourites, including prawn har gow, xia long bao, truffle chicken wontons, Korean fried chicken, and DIY Peking Duck pancakes, for just $59 per person. If you're looking for fun, upgrade to the drinks-inclusive package with unlimited cocktails, prosecco, wine and beer. Bottomless Dayze, Bar Bouni Bar Bouni has introduced a stellar all-you-can-eat special, Bottomless Dayze. The generous, Lebo-terranean tasting experience distils the best of Bar Bouni's Middle Eastern-meets-Mediterranean menu into a bottomless offering for just $34.90 per person. Bottomless Dayz is available on Saturdays, during lunch or dinner sittings and over the course of 90 minutes diners will be delighted with a steady rotation of generous dishes. Expect menu highlights such as Lebanese pickles with za'atar flatbread and hot honey and plancha grilled kofta topped with zhough, as well as seasonal plates full of freshness. And that's not all. For just $49.90, add bottomless cocktails, beers and wine to the Bottomless Dayze offer to make it a real party. Limited Edition Flavours, Pidapipo One of Melbourne's favourite ice cream establishments, Pidapipo, has launched a range of signature, limited-edition flavours. The sweet new scoops will only be available in April, so don't wait to try them. This month, the special flavours reflect the change of seasons, as we move from the long, luscious summer into the cosy warmth of autumn. There are several fruity flavours to try, as well as creamy and indulgent scoops that'll have you wishing they were available all year round. Midweek Specials, Hawker Hall Hawker Hall is a bustling, scaled-up establishment that pays homage to the intimate and grounded experiences of hawker-style Malaysian and Singaporean street food. It has just introduced a weekly line-up of unmissable specials, making it a little easier to enjoy the good things in life even in this economy. Make Mondays memorable with $2 dumplings, take Tuesdays to tastier places with $15 noodles, and get spicy on Wednesdays with $15 Spice Night. $9 Drinks, Good Times It's been around a while now, but the unassuming Fitzroy North joint, Good Times, is still pulling queues. And it's not hard to see why. The laidback St George's Road eatery is doing a bang-up job of living up to its name, with cheerful, honest dishes and a comfy, home-spun vibe. Until now, the venue has been open only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but to celebrate nine years in business, Good Times is now opening on Wednesday evenings too. That means one extra opportunity for mid-week good times. And to make the middle of the week a little more exciting, Good Times is offering $9 Montenegro Spritzes and Peronis, available only on Wednesdays. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Pubs are the beating heart of Melbourne's drinking and dining culture. It's almost un-Australian not to have a favourite beer garden, pot and parma deal, or pub trivia spot. That's why we take this list of the best pubs in Melbourne very seriously. We've been hitting up popular haunts and exploring hidden gems all over the city to create this complete guide to the best Melbourne pubs. So, read on to see if your favourite Melbourne boozer has made the cut and potentially discover a local treasure that's been hiding right under your nose. Recommended reads: The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
Returning to the autumnal part of the year means the return of multiple annual festivities, but for the creatively, politically and philosophically inclined, few of those can top Melbourne Writers Festival — which will be celebrating its 40th birthday when it returns to town this May. Organised under the theme of 'Visions & Revisions', Melbourne will be treated to events from over 150 artists and authors between Thursday, May 7 and Sunday, May 10. So who's on the headline bill? On day one, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be joined by Virginia Trioli at Melbourne Town Hall to offer her perspective on leadership in times of crisis. Later that evening, the previously announced headline event from Yellowface author R.F. Kuang discussing her new work, plus peril, power and speculative fiction, will take place, also at Melbourne Town Hall. [caption id="attachment_1084396" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Susan Choi - photograph by Laura Bianchi[/caption] Other notable and bestselling authors are shared with the upcoming Sydney Writers Festival, often the case due to the two events' close proximity in timing. You'll be able to hear from the likes of David Szalay (Flesh), Yann Martel (Life of Pi, Son of Nobody), Susan Choi (Flashlight), Michael Pedersen (Muckle Flugga), Genki Kawamura (If Cats Dissapeared from the World, One Hundred Flowers and the upcoming film Exit 8), Mieko Kawamaki (Breasts and Eggs, Sisters in Yellow) and more — all of whom will be discussing their latest works, inspirations and impacts with hosts and close friends. For reflections of current events on the peoples of the world, you can listen to Ukrainian-Canadian Author Maria Reva, discussing her debut novel written in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi sharing his memoir Fire in Every Direction, which chronicles three generations of displacement through love, political awakenings and queer self-discovery. [caption id="attachment_1084397" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tareq Baconi[/caption] Canadian writer, podcaster and political commentator David Moscrop will examine the current political landscape and whether our caveman-based brains have what it takes to handle the digital age we've created. Poetry lovers can't miss events featuring Nikita Gill, discussing her new coming-of-age spin on Greek mythology in Hekate: The Witch, and Ariana Reines reflecting on her two releases and how they probe the viscera of life and its many emotions, sensations and motivations. Another highlight this year is a creative exchange between MWF and the Toronto International Festival of Authors — the Festival of Indigenous Stories. This collaboration welcomes Indigenous writers from Canada and Australia for three highlight festival events to explore global Indigeneity, relationships with land and water, and the multiplicity of First Nations storytelling in both countries. And it's not just international guests — local artists and figures on the bill include Antoinette Lattouf, Grace Tame, Stephanie Alexander, Alice Zaslavsky, Barrie Cassidy, Sean Kelly, Madison Griffiths, Benjamin Stevenson, Kayla Jade and Dee Salmin. They'll discuss everything from Australia's place in geopolitics and iconic cookbooks to the evolving shape of sex and relationships, the rise of independent media in the age of consolidation, and the ongoing impacts of AI worldwide. Festival Director Veronica Sullivan said, "Since 1986, MWF has been shaped and sustained by countless visions. Whether contributing as artists, audiences, volunteers or supporters — many hands, hearts, pens and minds have forged the festival's legacy." "You'll hear from bestsellers, prize winners and electric new voices in fiction, poetry and memoir; from our most trusted journalists and political commentators; and from local writers who have been inspired by our City of Literature. You'll be transported around the world; from the jungles of Borneo with Omar Musa, to a housing commission in Hungary with David Szalay, and to the very depths of Hell with R.F. Kuang." Melbourne Writers Festival will take place at venues across the city from May 7–10. For the full program or to book tickets, visit the MWF website.
Most Melbourne spas tend to set up cool spaces full of wellness technologies and then simply leave you to choose your own adventure. You're free to relax and escape however you like. But learning how to best use these wellness tools can be daunting for those who might be new to the spa life. It's like visiting a gym for the first time and trying to use all the machines on your own — you're just not going to get the most out of your workout. This is why the team at EQ, a new wellness space in the Domain Precinct, is changing things up. Open Wednesday–Sunday, EQ is home to a hammam, sauna, rain room, ice-cold plunge pools, a social lounge, and a light and sound therapy dome. But the team here hasn't just built a wellness playground for stressed-out folks to run wild within. Instead, it's curating seasonal three-hour semi-guided wellbeing and spa experiences designed to address specific wellness needs. It's like a classic workout split at the gym — you're not visiting EQ to magically fix all your problems in one go, but rather, there will be a different focus every few months. The first of these experiences is called Welcome Chaos, and is said to help you find and create calm within your hectic life. But how does this actually work in practice? Well, guests get three hours to explore the facilities in a specific order, working through each of the rooms like a circuit training class. They will move through the light and sound therapy dome (the colours and soundscape will change for each experience), a series of hot and cold therapy zones and the rain room, plus participate in communal mediative breathwork. There will also be an educational room that's meant to give guests the tools needed — like basic breathwork and meditation skills — to create and sustain healthy wellness habits at home. For the EQ team, the spa acts as a circuit breaker to stress, which is why guests are encouraged to make long-term changes for their physical and mental wellbeing even after the session has finished. Once the next seasonal campaign begins at South Melbourne's EQ, you'll be invited to return and work through a different mind and body program. And even though there will be a prescribed order to EQ's wellbeing experience, you are free to go rogue and move through the space however you like. If you just want to lay in the hammam and dip in the plunge pool, go for it. But the semi-guided aspect is what makes this wellness site so special. It would be a shame to totally abandon it. EQ is located at 22 Kings Place, South Melbourne, open 9am–8pm, Wednesday–Sunday. For more information and to book a session, head to the wellness venue's website.
Need some perspective? Grab your hiking boots. There's no better way to get yourself out of your head (and your altitude) than a good old mountain climb. Australia's ranges might not have the height and ruggedness of the Himalayas, but they do have snow gums, wildflowers, seemingly infinite space and wallabies. Autumn is a great season for conquering a peak or two. Depending on where you live, you can knock them out on a day trip, conquer one on a weekend away or plan a whole holiday around a climb. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. [caption id="attachment_750964" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] MOUNT KOSCIUSZKO, NSW Start at the top. Mighty Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak in Australia. You'll find its towering 2228 metres in the Kosciuszko National Park, around 500 kilometres southwest of Sydney. The most popular route follows the Old Summit Road for 18 kilometres, beginning at Charlotte's Pass. For a longer adventure, take the Main Range Walk, a 22-kilometre loop that takes in several impossibly blue glacial lakes. Either way, you'll find yourself surrounded by spectacular wilderness — and you'll end your journey looking down on Australia. [caption id="attachment_688566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trevor King/Destination NSW[/caption] MOUNT GOWER ON LORD HOWE ISLAND, NSW Perched 875 metres above the Tasman Sea on Lord Howe Island, the Mount Gower summit walk isn't just a mountain climb — it's a serious adrenalin rush. You'll need a guide in order to tackle this 14-kilometre trail through the island's most inaccessible — and most beautiful — terrain, where you can expect to meet endangered creatures and unusual plants. The peak is covered in a seemingly enchanted forest, filled with mosses and ferns, soundtracked by the sounds of waves crashing nearly a kilometre below. Lord Howe Island is just under two hours' flight east of Sydney and is one of Australia's best islands for a holiday. [caption id="attachment_690974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Charles Hill/Tourism Tasmania[/caption] CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TASMANIA From a distance, Cradle Mountain, which is perched on the shores of Dove Lake, looks like a challenge fit for Frodo Baggins. And it pretty much is. The 13-kilometre circuit includes quite a bit of rock scrambling and boulder hopping among ancient rainforest, rushing streams and wild creatures. Get to the summit and your efforts will be well rewarded with absolutely magical vistas of Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Finish off your holiday with a food-centric road trip or continue hiking along the iconic Overland Track, a 65-kilometre, six-day adventure. [caption id="attachment_690956" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Rains/Tourism WA[/caption] BURRINGURRAH (MOUNT AUGUSTUS), WESTERN AUSTRALIA Burringurrah (also known as Mount Augustus) isn't just a mountain, but an island too. Like Uluru, it's an inselberg — that is, an island mountain, a single rock formation that rises dramatically from surrounding plains. But you can climb it. The tough 12-kilometre return trail spends most of its time among native shrubs and flowers, including wattle, cassias and figworts, and the views are panoramic. As the day passes, you'll notice the changing light bringing various colours out of the landscape. If this walk sounds too difficult, there are plenty of shorter trails to choose from. However, you can only climb during the day, as the Wajarri community — Burringurrah's traditional custodians — request that no one climb the inselberg after dark. [caption id="attachment_690946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World Expeditions/Tourism Australia[/caption] MOUNT SONDER, NORTHERN TERRITORY There are two ways to master Mount Sonder: as the finale of the 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail, or as a day trip. Its rich red peak, at 1380 metres, is the highest point in the West MacDonnell Ranges and the fourth highest mountain in the Northern Territory. The trail is a steady climb, leading eventually to high slopes dotted with round-leafed mallee and native pines. Keep your eyes down for grey-headed honeyeaters and desert mice and up for wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons. [caption id="attachment_724172" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn courtesy of Visit Victoria[/caption] MOUNT DUWUL (WILLIAM), VICTORIA Another peak that's good for newbie mountain goats is Mount Duwul, also called Mount William. At 1167 metres, it's the highest peak in the Grampians, which lie around 270 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. You can drive much of the way to the base, so the walk is just 45 minutes. For minimum effort, the rewards are major: the summit affords mind blowing views of the Grampians' many plateaus, rocks formations and swathes of wilderness. [caption id="attachment_690954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rawnsley Park Station/South Australia Tourism Commission[/caption] RAWNSLEY BLUFF, SOUTH AUSTRALIA There are numerous peaks to conquer in the Flinders Ranges, a mountain range 200 kilometres north of Adelaide. St Mary's Peak is the highest, but since the Adnyamathanha People have requested that walkers keep away from the summit, considerate hikers have been pursuing other possibilities. One of these is Rawnsley Bluff. The 11-kilometre return trail immerses you in a spectacular arid landscape, dotted with wildflowers, roos and emus. At the top, prepare for breathtaking panoramas of Wilpena Pound (Ikara), the Elder Range and the Flinders Ranges. [caption id="attachment_614775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tamyka Bell/Flickr[/caption] MOUNT BOGONG, VICTORIA Mount Bogong, at 1986 metres high, is the highest mountain in Victoria. It's in the Alpine National Park, around four hours' drive northeast of Melbourne. The one of the more challenging routes is the Staircase Spur: a steep, 16-kilometre climb to the summit. You'll pass through a forest of peppermint gums before reaching Bivouac Hut, which marks the halfway point. Beyond, snow gums line the way, opening onto a rocky ridge and then Bogong's summit: an open plateau that affords 360-degree views of the High Country. If you're looking for a cosy campsite, head to Cleve Cole Hut. [caption id="attachment_690972" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gray/Wikimedia Commons[/caption] DIDTHUL (PIGEON HOUSE MOUNTAIN), NSW If you're keen to climb, but don't have the skills and fitness of a pro mountaineer, make tracks to Didthul (Pigeon House Mountain), which lies around four hours south of Sydney in the Budawang National Park. Unlike many of the other peaks on this list, it's a relatively easy trail. The five-kilometre return walk is clearly marked and ends in awe-inspiring views of wilderness plus coast: on a good day, you'll see as far north as Jervis Bay and as far south as Bermagui. [caption id="attachment_690952" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] MOUNT BARNEY, QUEENSLAND Twenty-four million years ago, the Focal Peak Shield Volcano erupted leaving behind a collection of craggy peaks, including Mount Barney, which, at 1359 metres, is the second highest mountain in South East Queensland. You'll find it within the Scenic Rim, a land of ancient rainforest, rugged scenery and little villages in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Fair warning: the trail is challenging and tricky to navigate at times, so you'll want some bush walking experience under your belt. Should you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded with uninterrupted views of nearby volcanic peaks Mount Maroon, Mount Ernest and Mount Lindesay. Top image: Cradle Mountain by Jason Charles Hill/Tourism Tasmania.
Here's a collab we never knew we needed, but we'll happily get around. This weekend, beloved Collingwood bakery, Dua Bakehouse, is partnering with one of Australia's favourite body care brands, Sundae Body, to bring you all sorts of tasty treats and giveaways. To celebrate Sundae Body's Brunch Collection, Dua Bakehouse will host the body care brand on Saturday, 18th, and Sunday, 19th of April, with baked goods and drinks aligned with the products in the Brunch Collection. Dua Bakehouse, situated within the Collingwood Yards precinct, is a bakery that blends Southeast Asian flavours with European pastry techniques. Since opening in early 2025, the understated yet aesthetically pleasing bakery and cafe has garnered a loyal following of locals and visitors seeking out two-toned iced drinks and the famous fluffy shokupan. Pop into Dua Bakehouse this weekend and purchase either a French toast-inspired latte or a hotcake, and receive a free, full-size shower foam. If you go for the latte, you'll be rewarded with a Sundae French Toast Whipped Shower Foam, and if you choose the hotcakes, you'll get to leave with a Sundae Fluffy Pancakes Whipped Shower Foam. The only condition is that the offer lasts only as long as the stock does, so we suggest skipping the snooze button on this one. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Sometimes, you just want to stretch those legs and grab some fresh air without having to road-trip to your starting destination. Luckily, Melbourne is brimming with scenic walking trails tucked away just a few kilometres from the dense urban hustle and bustle of the CBD. Expect picturesque routes that'll actually make clocking up those daily steps an enjoyable pursuit. Whether you fancy a stroll by the water, or you're keen to explore some leafy parkland, you don't have to trek too far at all to find yourself some wide-open walking track just waiting to be trodden. Lace up those kicks and smash out a few brisk inner-city kilometres on one of these great walks around metro Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Coastal Walks Near Melbourne The Best Bike Rides in and Around Melbourne The Best One-Day Hikes in Victoria The Best Multi-Day Hikes in Victoria Royal Park, Parkville At over 180 hectares, Royal Park is the biggest park in the City of Melbourne, offering a giant expanse of green to offset the busyness of nearby Royal Parade and Flemington Road. You can loop the eastern half in around 90 minutes, or bump up that step count by adding a spin around adjoining Princes Park or Melbourne Zoo. Or, take advantage of the winding trails that weave through the park's interior, traversing bushland, lakes, sporting grounds, grasslands and plenty of wide open spaces. Keep an eye out for the Australian Native Garden, the Burke and Wills memorial, and lots of native flora and fauna along the way. Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail (Williamstown to Altona Pier) For a bayside jaunt that remains pretty flat the whole way through, venture west and jump aboard the section of the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail linking Altona Pier to Williamstown. It's a low-impact trek boasting sparkling water views along much of its length, with natural wetlands shaking up the scenery as it curves through parts of the Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve, and Altona Coastal Park. Keep an eye out, too, for some of the trail's famed outdoor artworks, including Pauline Fraser's Seaborn — a collection of bronze and steel structures standing guard over Altona Pier. The best part? No matter which end you finish at, you can reward yourself with a post-walk dip — weather permitting, of course. [caption id="attachment_825150" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Philip Mallis via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Darebin Parklands Trick your brain into thinking you're miles away from the big smoke by embarking on a nature-filled trek through the Darebin Parklands. Nestled in amongst the residential streets of Alphington, this bushland park serves up 33 hectares of tranquil public green space, providing a picturesque, leafy escape. A loop of the perimeter clocks in at around three kilometres, moving you amongst native vegetation and past the cheekily named Mount Puffalo — a hill built out of dirt from the Domain Tunnel. The park's brimming with wildlife, including 70 different bird species and the odd kangaroo. It's also got a large off-leash dog area if you find yourself with a four-legged walking buddy in tow. Bushrangers Trail, Mornington Peninsula If you're keen on a dose of striking coastline, wild bushland and secluded beach, the Bushrangers Bay Trail is sure to impress. Located on the lower tip of the Mornington Peninsula, this 2.6-kilometre jaunt kicks off from the historic Cape Schanck lighthouse, winding alongside basalt cliff tops and through wildlife-filled banksia groves. You're in for million-dollar ocean views from the top, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to soak it all up. A final steep descent then deposits you onto Bushrangers Bay beach, where there are lots of rugged rock pools to explore. The journey back up is a little less forgiving, though the scenery is definitely worth any muscle burn. It's clear to see why this is one of our favourite coastal walking paths around Melbourne, too. [caption id="attachment_801213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Port Melbourne to St Kilda Pier This inner-city coastal trail is one of Melbourne's most popular; free of hills, but always buzzy and offering ample opportunity for people-watching. Between the iconic St Kilda Pier and the western stretch of Port Melbourne, you'll cruise along an easy, flat foreshore track providing non-stop water views as the backdrop. There are some brilliant venues peppered all along the foreshore should you need to refuel with a coffee or snack, and if you time your walk after sunset, you might even catch a glimpse of St Kilda Pier's resident Little Penguins. For extra feel-good vibes, take a breather at the Port Melbourne dog beach and make some new four-legged mates. [caption id="attachment_794627" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Maribyrnong River Trail Weaving through picturesque suburban parkland between Brimbank Park and Southbank, the Maribyrnong River Trail stretches 28 kilometres in full — which means options galore for anyone wanting to hit the pavement west of the CBD. As the name suggests, this one offers some top-notch river views as it meanders through a variety of bushland, grasslands and serene open reserves. It's mostly flat and very accessible, making it the ideal low-effort trek. Be sure to stop at the Lily Street Lookout for a great glimpse of the city skyline, and to pay a visit to the Living Museum of the West when you reach the leafy grounds of Pipemakers Park. Albert Park An easy three kilometres from the CBD, the spacious precinct of Albert Park is packed with flat walking trails, picnic areas, open spaces, drinking fountains and of course, that iconic namesake lake. All of that makes it a popular choice for local walkers and joggers, while the dog-friendly tracks mean there's always plenty of furry pals to be seen, too. The park's main loop trail circles the whole thing in just under five kilometres, with distance markers located at every 500 metres — if you're counting. As for the outlook, it's a scenic mix of grassy spaces, tree-lined lake and city skyline. [caption id="attachment_711646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josie Withers for Visit Victoria[/caption] Capital City Trail One of Melbourne's best-known urban walking tracks, the Capital City Trail takes you on a 29-kilometre loop around the CBD and inner-northeast suburbs, linking to plenty of other popular routes along the way. For a tourist-style adventure, start at Federation Square and trek east along Birrarung Marr, before passing the iconic MCG. You'll cruise by the Yarra River through Burnley, curve north to swing past the historic Abbotsford Convent and then take a jaunt through suburbia across to Melbourne Zoo. The final leg of the trail heads south through Docklands and back along Southbank. It's a mostly flat and easy walk, plus there are scores of great coffee stops to be found along its length. And, if you want to get on the bike, it is also one of the best cycling trails in Melbourne for people of any skill level. [caption id="attachment_622411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] Merri Creek Travel For a relaxed trip through the best of inner-north suburbia, get your kicks on the well-trodden Merri Creek Trail. This one stretches 21 kilometres between Dights Falls and the Western Ring Road at Fawkner, with a variety of bush, creek and parkland sights to spy along the way. You'll walk past horse paddocks, scenic lookouts, tree-filled reserves and wide open spaces galore. There are stacks of rewarding pit stops to take note of during this walk. Pooches are also allowed to join in the fun, as long as they stay on-leash. If the weather's decent, pack a picnic — there are scores of leafy locations to throw down a rug and give those feet a rest. And if it's open, a stop-in at CERES Community Environmental Park is always a top idea, for chook sightings, plant purchases and a feed. Top Image: Merri Creek Trail by Brook James
During one of Jason M Jones' trips to Paris, he discovered three rules of Parisian dining worth following. Keep it simple. Serve it till late. Never shirk on the fries. And so was born Entrecôte. Jones' famed restaurant is modelled closely on the Parisian restaurant L'Entrecôte. It was originally located on Domain Road in South Yarra, but moved to new digs in Prahran in 2021. Since then, it has reestablished itself as one of Melbourne's most beloved glitzy diners primed for long, late nights filled with champagne and caviar. This year, the French brasserie achieves a tremendous trifecta: celebrating ten years on the plate, the release of a tell-all book, and the 50th birthday of its founder. Jones says, "At ten years in, it felt like the right moment to pause and reflect. After ten amazing, chaotic, joy-filled years of Entrecôte, and turning fifty myself, it finally felt like time to tell the Entrecôte story." Entrecôte-Depuis 2015 is part memoir, part recipe book, part portrait of a decade spent at the heart of Melbourne hospitality. It's a richly layered story that captures the essence of the restaurant, from champagne mornings to countless servings of steak frites to caviar bumps and fluffy soufflés. Speaking of steak frites, the signature dish remains popular as ever, never having lost any of its lustre. Steak and fries, with a side of salad in vinaigrette with walnuts, is finished with the Secret Herb Butter Sauce, giving the dish its instantly recognisable velvety green look. The famous sauce will not remain a secret for much longer. The celebratory book will reveal the closely guarded secrets behind Entrecôte's elusive herb butter sauce for the first time. That's reason in and of itself to get your hands on a copy fast. Crowd favourites like escargot, beef tartare with egg yolk and mustard leaf, and chicken liver parfait continue to hold their place on the menu. And if you're not going for the steak frites, it's likely that's because you're drooling over the Entrecôte Cheeseburger Royale with truffled brie and frites. A place for special occasions or bougie nights out that give the credit card a workout, Entrecôte offers many special dishes and drinks that'll make you feel fancy and fun. Go for caviar bumps with a One Sip Vodka Martini, or a glass of NW Taittinger Cuvée Prestige, or go all-in with the caviar service featuring pommes Anna, crème fraiche, capers, shallots, egg, and chives. There's a gourmet seafood platter, oysters served with champagne mignonette, and an array of creative cocktails, including the Elderflower Gimlet and the Parisienne Paloma. Reflecting on the ten-year anniversary and his new book, Jones says, "It's not quite a cookbook, and it's certainly not a novel. I imagine this as the kind of book where you really do scan the music playlists QR code I have curated on each seasonal menu, settle into your favourite chair with a cuppa tea or a good G&T and step into my world. It's a world I haven't spoken about before as the biggest introverted extrovert in the world, shaped by 39 years in hospitality and 50 years on this great big ball called earth. I wouldn't recommend reading it in bed though — it's rather heavy, and nodding off mid-chapter could be mildly to seriously dangerous…!" Images: Supplied.
Scott Pickett, one of Australia's leading chefs and most well-known restaurateurs, has appointed administrators for two companies associated with his hospitality empire. However, Pickett has insisted that the appointment does not impact his restaurants and that they will continue trading as usual. The Scott Pickett Group operates a diverse range of award-winning restaurants across Melbourne. Pickett set up Estelle in 2011 and went on to establish a string of restaurants, including Matilda in 2018, Chancery Lane in 2020, and Smith St Bistro and Audrey's at The Continental Sorrento in 2022. Just days before news of the administration broke, the group announced that Audrey's was set to close, to be replaced with Ember, a new fire-driven coastal diner. While Pickett will continue to oversee the food and beverage direction across The Continental, Jake Furst, the Chief Officer of Kickon Group, was announced to be taking the reins in the kitchen. As reported by The Age, Pickett released a statement saying that while he needed to find an investor or strategic buyer, he wanted "to make it clear to everyone that the remaining companies in the group, which include my restaurants, are not affected. Our restaurants will continue to trade as usual and all bookings and vouchers will be honoured. All staff remain employed. Their wages, superannuation contributions and entitlements are fully up-to-date and will continue to be paid on time." Images: Tim Grey, feature image, Simon Shiff. The Scott Pickett Group Restaurants continue to trade as usual at the time of writing. Book a table now at Matilda for contemporary Australian food cooked over flames, or at Smith St Bistro for classic French fare.
While this city is in no way short of banging bakeries, every now and then, a new one emerges that really captures the attention of Melburnians. Bloomwood Bakery, a serene CBD space, did just that, with its irresistible pastries and specialty drinks. The owners, Brian Tang, Joe La and Darren Nguyen (Brian and Joe from Sloppy Joe's Deli, Joey's Doughies, FOC and ex-owners of Workshop Bros and Braybook STN, and Darren, ex-owner of Workshop Bros), designed Bloomwood to be a calming and grounding venue, with light wood and stone bench tops playing into the Japandi aesthetic. Certain menu items celebrate the Asian flavours and ingredients that the owners grew up eating. You may find a taro-coco flower, a matcha, mochi and strawberry danish, or a miso banoffee pastry. Signature pastries, which attract hordes of visitors each day, include a passionfruit and coconut jelly flower, a pepperoni and hot honey focaccia pizza slice, a maple cinnamon scroll, a choc chip pretzel cookie and a corn and cheese crisp croissant. To drink, there are renowned two-toned drinks, such as strawberry, banana or coconut iced matchas. Images: Supplied.
From the mind of Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume, Grill Americano, Society) comes the 80 Collins venture, Yakimono — a two-storey Japanese diner with a street food menu that's fuelled by fire. An ode to the late-night izakayas of Tokyo — where Lucas spent three years living and working — it's serving a fresh riff on Japanese street eats, melding classic flavours with a touch of Melbourne flair. [caption id="attachment_921099" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Heading up the kitchen, Huxtaburger's Daniel Wilson is plating up an offering of adventurous dishes, with bites like sweet corn tempura with Grana Padano, a Yaki Hot Dog with mustard and grilled jalapeno on a milk bun, and miso beef tataki with citrus ponzu. The Yaki mixed sashimi with ginger and finger lime is a perennial menu favourite, as are the experimental sushi handrolls, think panko prawn with spicy mustard mayo, tobiko and finger lime, or mushroom with citrus mustard. A dedicated 'sticks' menu allows the chefs to showcase their cooking-over-fire skills, with a variety of options ranging from scallops with apple-soy glaze to smoked Swordfish with green chilli to wagyu beef intercostal to hot honey-glazed carrots with black sesame sauce. Fill up on seafood and meats such as roasted king salmon with unagi glaze, or Tokyo grilled chicken with barbecue spring onion, alongside duck fried rice, charred cauliflower steak with crispy rice and Japanese potato salad with yuzu mayonnaise. [caption id="attachment_921101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adrian Lander[/caption] It's a moody, yet colourful space, with digital art and clever lighting lending a futuristic edge. Both the central open kitchen and the bar feature ringside seats for those wanting to be close to the action, while the Corner Room boasts private dining for up to 14 guests. It's certainly one of the best private dining rooms in Melbourne. The team have also introduced YakiHour, a new daily, pre-dinner offering of quick-fire snacks and Japanese-inspired cocktails for just $15. From 5 to 6pm daily, head to the Collins Street hangout for a curated menu of flame-kissed plates, including crispy eggplant with plum vinegar glaze, karaage chicken with chilli crisp mayo, prawn gyoza, and tuna tartare. Perfect for a post-work pop-in, or a snack before a show or evening out on the town, the team behind the bar will be shaking up Matsumoto Martinis, Sendai Sours, Tokyo Tommy's and more — and for just $15, you can afford to try a few. Top images: Pete Dillon and Adrian Lander
If there's one way to get cosy, it's a sleepover in a tiny house. Over the past few years, the Tiny House movement has gone wild, bringing incy wincy dwellings to valleys, fields, forests, river banks and beaches all over the Earth — from Mudgee, NSW, to Orléans, France. While much of the craze is the work of start-ups, like Unyoked, Tiny Away and Into the Wild Escapes, locals have been getting on the bandwagon, too, offering their pint-sized stays via Airbnb and the like. The result is you have plenty of choice, whether you're looking for a one-night getaway in Castlemaine or a tiny house festival with friends in the Goldfields. Little Sprout, Gippsland Sometimes, staying at a tiny house is all about experiencing the house itself. But, at others, it's about where the tiny house is. Little Sprout by Tiny Away is a case in point. This gem lives in Gippsland, in the middle of a 60-acre olive grove, surrounded by regenerated eucalyptus forest. Just a stumble away is The Grove, where, on Sundays, you can join a long afternoon feast of smoky meats and seasonal sides. All that said about the location, the dwelling itself is lovely and eco-friendly, offering a comfy queen bed next to picture windows, a cute kitchenette with mod cons and good air con for all seasons. Tiny Home, Gruyere For an escape that isn't too far from Melbourne but still feels like a proper getaway, book the Tiny Home in Gruyere, just an hour's drive northwest of the CBD. This storybook spot is ideal for relaxing. Start with a coffee around the redwood table (made from a local sequoia tree), before sinking into a beanbag or hammock for a glass of wine. Come evening, make your own pizza and watch it bubble in a woodfired pizza oven. Up for some stargazing? While you're at it, keep warm and comfy by the campfire in an Adirondack chair. Marcel, Castlemaine Another baby home that isn't too far from Melbourne is Marcel in Castlemaine. It's a cute cabin deep in a gumtree forest, on the banks of your very own swimming hole, brought to you by Unyoked. Like all the company's tiny houses — there are many in Victoria — this one is solar-powered, and on a private property where you can neither see nor hear any human-made sights or sounds. Leave your phone in your bag (it probably won't connect anyway), and get lost in books, card games, cassette tapes and yoga mats (all provided) by the warmth of your woodfired heater. Handcrafted Shack, Halls Gap The Handcrafted Shack is a good example of what you can do with pre-loved goods. Every part of this tiny house features recycled materials — from the wood heater inside to the handcrafted red gum deck outside. Big, timber-framed windows give you beautiful views over the owner's regenerative farm, backdropped by mountains. Spend all day staring at them from bed, or brave the outdoor bath, cleverly built into the deck. If you're after a little action, head to Halls Gap for coffee, beers and bites, or into Gariwerd (The Grampians) for stunning walks. Tiny Away Escape, The Grampians Keen to get away but don't want to leave your crew behind? Tiny Away Escape in Geriward (The Grampians) is for you. It gives you not one, but ten mini holiday homes, on one property. So you can invite all your family and friends. When you're not hiding away at your place, meet them in the rec room or swimming pool, or by the fire pit. Every dwelling is built sustainably, and the houses come with kitchenettes, air-con and ensuites with gas-heated showers. In case you want to go even further off the grid, or invite even more people, there are powered and unpowered sites nearby. Skypod, Cape Otway For incredible water views, stay at a Skypod on Cape Otway. This collection of architecturally designed hideaways lives on a 200-acre private property on the coast, overlooking the Great Southern Ocean. Big glass walls let you soak up the vistas in all their glory, without leaving your queen bed. Or, if you want to feel the breeze on your face, kick back on your spacious deck. Every skypod is solar powered, and comes with an equipped kitchen, reverse cycle aircon, wifi and, for movie nights, a 100-inch projector screen. Visiting Cape Otway as part of a road trip? Get help from our 48 hours on the Great Ocean Road guide, and consider these seven lesser-known stops. Pepe, Yarra Valley Another tiny house from Unyoked is Pepe in the Yarra Valley. This one is on a delightful rural property, surrounded by green grass, pine forest and rolling hills. There's also a river right on your doorstep. When you're not snuggling up in bed or kicking back beside the wood-powered heater, head outdoors to freshen up under the shower before plunging into the hot tub. Whatever you get up to, you'll be miles away from other humans. On the way out, or in, you might want to explore the Yarra Valley, which offers wineries, breweries, pubs, eateries, art and cycling trails galore. Rainforest Getaway, Sassafras Disappear deep into the rainforest at this tiny home in Sassafras. It's in the Dandenongs, just 40 minutes' drive from Melbourne, so it's perfect for an overnighter if you're short on time. You'll have three acres of rainforest, interwoven with century-old gardens, to roam through. To cool off, follow the mossy path to babbling Sassafras Creek, where you'll find a "tranquillity platform". Or stay home the whole time, alternating between your Tylo cedar dry sauna and your spa bath, surrounded by scented candles and essential oils. Once you're fully relaxed, you'll be ready to spend a day or two exploring the Dandenongs. Jumanji, Elevated Plains For location, Jumanji is hard to beat. It's right on the edge of a cliff face, overlooking a rugged valley. Soak up the views from the comfort of your king bed, or jump into the outdoor bath — made with 20-million-year-old petrified stone and framed with fairy lights. Wherever you are, keep an eye out for kangaroos, and count on spectacular sunsets. The interior design, dotted with lanterns, sculptures and elephants, takes its cues from the African continent. The Elevated Plains are a brief drive from Daylesford. On your way home, check out these seven things you didn't realise you could do in the region — from trekking with a llama to having a spa bath in a treehouse. Harper, Macedon Ranges Another tiny home in the Daylesford region to check out is Harper, brought to you by Into the Wild Escapes. Just 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne, it's surrounded by native bush and magical rock formations. Swing by Kyneton on the way to pick up some local wine and produce, so you'll have everything you need to stay in bed for days. Or, if that sounds like too much effort, add a gourmet brekkie hamper or a charcuterie board to your booking. Keen to stretch your legs? Stroll around the property and along nearby walking trails, and maybe take a dip in a swimming hole — or head to Mount Macedon National Park for more serious hiking. Helen, Lenore & Justyn, Goldfields Another option from Into the Wild Escapes is this trio of tiny houses in the Goldfields region. Helen, Lenore and Justin are all on Mooramong Estate, a 1930s National Trust property that once belonged to silent movie star Claire Adams and her husband, millionaire heir Donald 'Scobie' Mackinnon. But they're less than two kilometres apart. There's space for four in each — so you can take up to 11 friends with you. When you're not visiting the nearby lake or enjoying the views of Mount Elephant, challenge your mates to a tennis match on the sand court. Racquets and outdoor games are provided. Images: supplied
Since the craft beer boom of the 2010s, there's been no shortage of brews to test out in watering holes across the country. Whether you like your tinnie with a pineapple tasting note or prefer a smooth lager brewed just down the road, local craft beer remains a hugely popular subset of the hospitality industry. As a result, suburbs outside the inner-city enclaves of Fitzroy and Brunswick are building their own breweries and craft-beer-loving communities. Smiley Brewing Co. is the first microbrewery and taproom in the Melbourne suburb of Pakenham. It was founded in 2023 by partners Trent and Kylie Butcher and is located in a modern warehouse on one of Pakenham's industrial estates. The ingredients in their brews are sourced locally whenever possible, and they serve a core range of up to seven award-winning beers alongside cocktails, wine, and a rotation of delicious food trucks. Given that Trent and Kylie are in the thick of Melbourne's brewery operations, we spoke with Trent to learn more about the flavours and habits that are shaping the craft beer landscape in 2026. Crisp Lagers Are Back Over the past decade, we've seen a myriad of wild and wacky craft beers flood the market. According to Trent, however, people are now gravitating towards the classics: the humble lager. "We have an Australian lager, which is always extremely popular and usually our biggest mover." This popularity was reflected in Smiley Breweries' seasonal sip over the summer: the Mexican Cerveza, AKA Mexican lager. "Australia tends to follow the patterns of what happens in the US," says Trent. "Crisper lager-style beers are tending to be more popular." These beers prioritise refreshment over intensity, proving that perhaps people are trying to get back to the simple things in life. Hazy Still Isn't Going Anywhere Known for its juicy, tropical flavour profile and velvety mouthfeel, Hazy beers (like Indian Pale Ales) are still high up on breweries' lists. "Hazy beers tend to do well, and they have for a couple of years. We have a hazy pale ale, which is a big seller. It alternates between that and the draught beer as to what's the biggest mover for the month," Trent divulges. Sober Curiosity Is On The Rise One of the biggest shifts in the craft beer space isn't about flavours but how people are drinking. "Mid-strength, lower ABV [alcohol by volume] options are popular," shares Trent. "Not everybody's out to drink to get drunk as such." Instead, drinkers are opting for moderation, without sacrificing taste. And a good craft beer, Trent says, is something that you want to go back for more of. "It's something that you can sit and drink and comfortably have a few beers and not feel like you've had too much or that the beer itself is too heavy or too complex." What's Next? As the weather cools down (and we move away from Mexican Lagers), what's on the menu for Smiley Brewing Co and other local breweries? "Moving into autumn, we're just about to brew an amber ale, which is a popular autumn beer," says Trent. "And then as we move into the cooler months, we'll go for more of the darker beers like stouts." Smiley Brewing Co. has become a pub and community gathering spot, giving locals access to great Australian craft beers. Across the board, there's clearly a desire to focus on beer that people know and love, not just the novelty chocolate and lime craft brews of yesteryear. If the last decade of craft beer was about pushing the limits, in 2026, brewers are pulling back just a fraction to meet drinkers where they are.
Coburg has landed a new Japanese-inspired bar and diner, Koi Toy. The new high-energy, late-night spot brings modern Japanese flavours to Melbourne's North, opening inside Pentridge Shopping Centre. "At Koi Toy, our aim is to offer delicious, rustic, and creative Japanese food with a twist. We've moved beyond the usual sushi and sashimi staples, presenting dishes that are infused with passion and innovation. Our food is made for everyday enjoyment – flavourful, satisfying, and crafted not for Instagram, but for a true degustation of taste and craftsmanship on every plate," says Executive Chef Alex Meimetis. Meimetis, whose resume includes stints at Chin Chin Club and Claypots Evening Star, has designed a menu of classic dishes with a modern twist, in collaboration with Head Chef Long Le. Japanese flavours are blended with intentionally unexpected ingredients, such as smoked chorizo, pomegranate molasses, and Turkish spices, to create dynamic dishes. Menu highlights include angel hair tempura King Prawns, sake-cured Ocean Trout, and crunchy fried whitebait with yuzu tartare sauce and apple nori slaw. Bartenders Danny Chen and Whale Kim have curated a fresh, fruity cocktail list, including standout creations such as the Swipe in TanTan with Pavan Liqueur, gin, lemon, passion fruit, and peach bitters, and The French Rising with Chambord, pineapple juice, citrus vodka, and rhubarb bitters. The space, designed by Studio Y and with branding by Confetti Studio, features outdoor dining and a private dining room for up to 20 people. "The design of Koi Toy is inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, with materials like timber that nod to yakisugi, a method of preserving wood by charring. The overlapping neon signs evoke the iconic glow of Tokyo's signage. The interior design works symbiotically with the branding by Confetti Studio to create a cohesive experience, while the sphere lighting adds a unique, conceptual touch." Images: Supplied.
Charming hand-drawn menus on blackboards, exposed brick walls, vinyl collections and an abundance of natural light are what await you when you step into Bar Holiday in Lincoln Square — the former airy home of Kaprica. A succinct selection of wines, beers, Victorian spirits and Italian aperitifs are available at Bar Holiday, which is one of those bars where you can sit down for a hearty meal instead of having to adjourn to a restaurant after. Think casarecce blanketed in a pork and fennel ragu — a mainstay on the menu — pasta e fagioli, barramundi served alongside a prawn bisque, and tarragon chicken with brussels sprouts and a mustard sauce. [caption id="attachment_1017320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danielle Castano[/caption] If you're hankering for a snack, Bar Holiday does those too — Sicilian olives, white anchovy toast, and eggplant chips are some of the many on offer. If you'd like to skip straight to dessert, there's the likes of a burnt cheesecake or French cheeses like a triple cream brie and comté. More than capable of holding its own in the sea of Italian eateries in Carlton, Bar Holiday is — much like Kaprica was in the same space — a spot you'll keep returning to time and time again. It's both a classic neighbourhood bar and a destination worth travelling for. [caption id="attachment_1017319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Hurst[/caption] Top images: Danielle Castano.
Victoria's beaches might not have the warm waters that Sydney and Gold Coast brag about, but swimming holes are an idyllic summer staple here. Days above 30 degrees are swallowed up in cold dips, laying on sun-warmed rocks surrounded by native bush, and plotting where to stop for ice-cream on the way home. Swimming holes near the city will do in a pinch, but a longer drive will reward you with clearer waters. As a pocket of nature left to its own devices, swimming holes carry a wild charm. They're also largely unpatrolled, which is why Parks Victoria advises paying close attention to water conditions. Strong currents, deep ends and debris sneak up, waterways are contaminated after rainfall, and solo swimmers are at higher risk — so grab a mate before you dive in. We've rounded up our favourite swimming holes around Victoria. From a mineral-rich freshwater creek to mystical rock pools by the ocean, these are the spots you'll want to stake out in summer. Recommended reads: The Best Coastal Walks in and Around Melbourne The Best Places to Go Kayaking or Canoeing Near Melbourne The Best Beach Camping Spots Near Melbourne The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Summer Laughing Waters, Eltham It's hard to believe that this pocket of calm is just a 45-minute drive from the CBD. Originally known as Garambi Baan, Laughing Waters is one of the rare swimmable sections of the Yarra River. Slip in for a secluded swim shaded by tall trees, or hop on to an inflatable and let the gentle rapids drift you along. The serene site is also protected for its rich cultural history: ancient iuk (eel) traps built by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people once captured native short-finned eels for food, and they remain along the river here. In the deeper and slower parts of the pool, you might spot the sleek olive-brown creatures at home in the water. Find it: Around a 45-minute drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_1063530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kevin Yank via Flickr[/caption] Jebbs Pool, Lorne The Great Ocean Road is marked by breathtaking stops, but some of its stunners lie off the beaten track. Jebbs Pool is a lesser-known wild freshwater amphitheatre just a short rainforest trail away from Cumberland River Holiday Park. Set against the dramatic clifftops and giant mountain ashes, the journey will make anyone feel wonderfully small. Anything is gorgeous in the sun, but the moss and mist around Jebbs Pool lend it a haunting quality even on an overcast day. Catch your breath — the preferred way to enter the pool is by riding the natural rock slide straight into the crystal-clear waters below. Find it: Around two hour's drive from Melbourne. View this post on Instagram A post shared by chloe (@chloeps_) Cairns Bay, Flinders This dreamy cluster of turquoise-blue rock pools is a prime spot for playing mermaids (yes, we all do it). Dip your head into the glassy water to discover the twisty seashells and darting small fish beneath the surface. Even if the waves look rough along the Cairns Bay, keep going. Once you're down on the beach, head left. A natural rock wall keeps the water calm — just make sure that it's low tide before heading there. After a serene swim, a more convivial scene is just a 10-minute drive away at Bushrangers Bay's tidal pools. Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_1063484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Olszewski via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie Doing an epic backflip off a cliff (or belly-flop with maximum bravado) and sputtering back up is a well-loved summer ritual. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, Bridgewater Bay's rock pools are a popular spot for some cheeky cliff jumps. Daredevils line the cliffs like seagulls waiting for someone to drop a chip — the water drops several metres, but keep an eye out for the shallower edges. If you're trying to avoid surprise splashes during your swim or snorkel sesh, there's a second pool over the rock ledge. Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KB (@kathrynlouiseharris) The Cascades, Metcalfe Art people might want to put this on their list. Just a short drive from artsy Castlemaine, The Cascades is a collection of rock pools that doubles as an avant-garde sculpture park. Over millennia, the Coliban River has carved clean, organic-shaped hollows and swirling water channels into the granite bedrock. The best crevices for a cool dip are uncovered by scrambling across moss-covered rocks. Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_1063480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pat2007 via Flickr[/caption] Vaughan Mineral Springs, Castlemaine Vaughan's Springs has seen generations of out-of-towners and Goldsfields locals come and go. The creek was the centre of a buzzing social calendar in the '50s; a fair lady was crowned Miss Central Victoria in 1952 by these very waters. Surrounded by shady gum trees — one of them holding an old-school rope swing — the scenery remains a vintage postcard of the riverside. A mineral water swim is the perfect way to round off a Goldfields road trip, especially when it's fuss-free. Luckily, this is one of the few spots on this list with accessible amenities like public toilets, electric BBQs and picnic tables. Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne. Kitty Miller Bay, Philip Island The salty waters at this 500-metre-long, horseshoe-shaped beach provide good luck and good times to all who enter. Located on Phillip Island, it's a sweet coastal setting where visitors can find solace in the gentle waves, venture further out to hit the surf or have a snorkel among the rocky reefs — with sponge, starfish and other aquatic creatures happily going about their day. If you're especially keen on the latter, come by at low tide when the beach reveals a large rock platform that acts as a good jumping-off point. And in between dips, you can stoke your inquisitive spirit with a mosey around the famed rusted wreckage of the SS Speke, which ran aground in 1906 and is also accessible at low tide. Find it: Around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_832058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] R.Reeve via Flickr[/caption] Loddon Falls, Glenlyon A quick drive beyond Daylesford and a short descent along a bushwalking trail in Glenlyon lies your new rugged swimming spot of choice. Here, Loddon River drops to the gorge below in a cascading waterfall, creating an idyllic swimming hole that feels blissfully far removed from the city. Take it all in as you float, from the gentle rush of the falls to the scrub clinging to the high basalt columns around the sheltered gorge. Formed by volcanic eruptions around 2.5 million years ago, Loddon Falls is now a tranquil bush reserve that's perfect for relaxing and spotting native fauna — wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas are all known to make appearances. Find it: Around a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_879774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Denu (Unsplash)[/caption] The Pillars, Mount Martha You could easily forget you're only a 45-minute drive out of Melbourne when you're swimming off The Pillars in Mount Martha — it feels more like a tropical paradise or hidden cove in The Med. But, prepare to work for your day of splashing. This isn't a beach, it's a rock formation that juts out into the sea. So, you'll need to scale the rocks to get in and out of the water — or join all the young guns who come here for cliff jumping. It's a great off-the-beaten-path swimming spot, which means going without the usual beach amenities. Come with everything you need for the day — sunscreen, towel, snacks and a bottle of water. Find it: Around a one-hour drive drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_879945" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson for Visit Victoria[/caption] Croajingolong, Gippsland They say that good things come to those who wait. And while six hours may seem like a long time, it's well worth the road trip for the swimming spot of your dreams. So round up a few mates, organise a tent and get ready to hit the beach. Spread across hundreds of kilometres in Gippsland, the Croajingolong National Park is beautifully wild and rugged, with eucalypt forests leading to long, white sandy beaches and scores of sheltered inlets primed for swimming. Plus, this truly secluded paradise offers crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling and it has plenty of coastal campsites to choose from. Get ready to Instagram like crazy. Note: Parts of Croajingolong National Park are currently still closed due to bushfire damage and erosion. For the most updated information and alerts, head to the Parks Victoria website. Find it: Around a six-hour drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_832059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josie Withers for Visit Victoria[/caption] Ladies Bath Falls, Mount Buffalo Every bit as tranquil as it sounds, Ladies Bath Falls is a picture-perfect swimming spot tucked away within Mount Buffalo National Park. In the early 20th century, it was a popular pit stop along the climb up Mount Buffalo, with separate natural pools reserved for women and men. These days, its pure mountain waters and lush surrounds are enjoyed by all, with the brisk temperatures proving a real treat on sweaty summer days. You'll find plenty of picturesque spots nearby to drop your blanket for a post-dip picnic, as well as walking trails weaving through the surrounding bush. But if you're looking to camp in the area, be sure to plan ahead by checking updates on opening times at the Parks Victoria website. Find it: Around three and a half hour's drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_703431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Blue Pool, East Gippsland If you've been hankering for something a little special, it might be time to make the pilgrimage to Briagolong State Forest. Two and a half hours east of the CBD, Blue Pool (just outside of Briagolong) is worth any distance of travel, promising a great stop during a coastal road trip or weekend getaway. Here, in a natural oval-shaped pool in the Freestone Creek gorge, the water is clear as glass and tends to stay relatively warm all year round. Once you're happily submerged, take a moment to admire the beautiful, tranquil surrounds. You may just see a kangaroo bounding by or some colourful parrots flying overhead. If you feel like staying and cracking open the marshmallows, there's a popular camping spot nearby, as well as plenty more to be found throughout Briagolong State Forest. Find it: Around two and a half hour's drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_651724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Cochrane via Flickr[/caption] Half Moon Bay, Black Rock Throw down your towel and get ready to frolic amongst this lunar-shaped beach and its sandy shores, which are less of a secret than some others on this list, but gorgeous all the same. Half Moon Bay is more for floating and bobbing than for surfing or getting dumped by waves, so it's a winner when all you want is a leisurely day on the beach. For the rest of you, take a jaunt around the surrounding cliffs, where primo coastal views await you. Once you're finished, venture back down to sink your toes in the sand and cool off with a dip. Oh, and while you're there, be sure to enjoy a fishy feed from one of the seafood restaurants by Black Rock Wharf. Find it: Around a 30-minute drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_703439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Carson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Pound Bend, Warryndyte Even though the Yarra River isn't swimmable in the city, there are cleaner spots upstream. Among them is Pound Bend Reserve in Warrandyte State Park, which is only around 30 kilometres northeast of the CBD — making it the closest swimming spot to the city. It's also a great spot to go canoeing or kayaking. Here, you spread out on the rocks with a picnic and wade in the swimming hole encircled by bushland. Then, wander along Pound Bend River Walk, a 1.5-kilometre saunter upstream into koala territory. Just be sure to check the water quality before you go — it's not recommended you swim after rain. And be aware that the currents can get quite strong here. While it's one of our favourite swim spots in Melbourne, there have been a few water rescues and drowning incidents here. Never swim alone, and always keep an eye out for your mates who aren't strong swimmers. Find it: Around a 45-minute drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_703507" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Strathbogie City Council[/caption] Polly McQuinns, Strathbogie According to legend, Polly McQuinn was a baby-faced settler who could not grow a beard and drowned in these waters after one too many sherries. But despite the gnarly history, this deep swimming hole in Ned Kelly country (located on the Seven Creeks) offers a welcome respite from the heat and proves a scenic spot to splash about. With man-made waterfalls, rapids, and a purpose-built diving board for plunging and belly-flops, it's an ideal day trip for those after something a little different and with a bit of character. The water travels over the concrete weir wall, under a road bridge and over large exposed granite boulders before settling into a deep-water pool. Just keep your wits about you and don't go the way of Polly while you're here. Find it: Around two hour's drive from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_703427" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Madeleine Deaton via Flickr[/caption] Fairy Cove, Wilsons Promontory Sadly no fairies (that we know of) reside in the stunning blue waters here, but the magical seclusion away from the crowds of Wilsons Prom's busier sites is well worth heading off the beaten track for. To find Fairy Cove's white sandy beach and heavenly pool, park at Darby Saddle and take a sweaty hike through the steep terrain of Tongue Point Walk — you'll be well rewarded by the isolated beach, cooling waters and blissful serenity that awaits you. If time is on your side, you can make the full nine-kilometre trek from Darby River, which passes through Fairy Cove and finishes at the breathtaking Tongue Point lookout. Find it: Around three hour's drive from Melbourne. Top Image: Fairy Cove, by Mark Watson for Visit Victoria
Melbourne is obsessed with Japanese food and has been for many decades. The city is absolutely packed with sushi joints, omakase fine-diners, ramen dens and izakayas, as well as more contemporary Japanese fusion eateries. You'll find them in the CBD and scattered all over the burbs. We're spoilt for choice. But that makes finding the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne a mighty hard task. Thankfully, our crew of writers and editors has spent many years eating and drinking around town to uncover the 25 greatest. Find them all here, ranked. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne's CBD
It's no secret that Melbourne is experiencing a massive surge in Greek dining — from the CBD to all corners of the suburbs — with a wave of restaurants opening, long-standing institutions being updated, and old-school spots finding reinvigorated favour among younger patrons. Melbourne has always been home to outstanding Greek dining establishments owing to its huge Greek population, so expectations are set pretty high when it comes to tzatziki, slow-cooked lamb, and loukoumades. So we've done the groundwork for you and rounded up the best Greek restaurants in Melbourne. Here you'll find everything from generously stuffed gyros, modern takes on Greek flavours, home-style authentic dishes, family recipes passed down through generations, and of course, some ouzo-induced good times. Recommended reads: The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
Like bulk-billing GPs, Melbourne has lost a lot of its BYO restaurants over the years. Many of the old favourites we used to rock up to with bottles of wine and six-packs of beer in hand have either shut down or started serving their own booze. But we still have a handful of excellent Melbourne BYO restaurants floating about. Sure, some only let you bring your own booze on particular days, but that just means you have to plan ahead a little. To help you with said planning, check out our guide here to 21 of Melbourne's best BYO restaurants. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Bottle Shops in Melbourne The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Pubs in Melbourne
As the warm weather rolls in, you'll be back to finding ways to stay cool all summer long. Sure, you can try all of your standard attempts to keep refreshed in and around Melbourne this summer. A dip at the local pool is always a solid option, as is a trip to the beach. Or you can stick your head in the fridge. For those of you feeling a little more adventurous, we recommend a swim beneath one of Victoria's many beautiful waterfalls. Here are four such locations within a reasonable drive of the city. Whether that's natural or man-made, up a mountain, along a riverbed or within a national park, this list has you covered. Recommended reads: The Best Swimming Holes Near Melbourne The Best Natural Hot Springs in Victoria The Best Coastal Walks in and Around Melbourne The Best Day Trips From Melbourne to Take in Summer [caption id="attachment_791983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Nigretta Falls, Grampians National Park While swimming under most of the Grampians National Park's waterfalls is strictly prohibited, you can still swim at one of its many cascades. Located seven kilometres west of Hamilton (a short detour from the Glenelg Highway), Nigretta Falls is one of few Grampians spots where swimming is encouraged. The secluded waterfall is fed by the nearby Wannon River and offers clear waters that are perfect for relaxing. When you're not swimming, head up the stairway to the top of the falls, where a picnic area and barbecue facilities are waiting. [caption id="attachment_703755" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josie Withers via Visit Victoria[/caption] Ladies Bath Falls, Mount Buffalo National Park Located in Mount Buffalo National Park, the water of the Ladies Bath Falls cascades into a crystal clear pool below. Despite being rather chilly all year round (it is up a mountain, after all), we guarantee you won't be able to resist taking a dip. In the warmer months, this swimming hole is a perfect respite from the heat of the nearby Ovens and Buckland valleys. If you want to get in on more waterfall action while you're here, head up to the Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls. It's only a short walk between all three, but the national park is a four-hour drive northeast of Melbourne — so we recommending staying overnight in nearby Bright. [caption id="attachment_703507" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Strathbogie City Council[/caption] Polly McQuinns, Strathbogie Alright, so this one's kind of cheating. The small, man-made waterfall at this popular swimming hole near Strathbogie doesn't quite have the same natural splendour as the others. But what it lacks in magnificence it makes up for in history. Legend has it that the weir is named for an early settler, Polly McQuinns, who could not grow a beard and drowned in the waters after one too many sherries. Despite the gnarly history, this deep swimming pool offers a welcome respite from the heat. Apart from the man-made waterfalls, there's rapids and a purpose-build diving board for plunging and belly-flops. It's a day-trip for those looking for something a little different and with a bit of character. [caption id="attachment_703752" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian M Ross[/caption] Turpins Falls, Kyneton Situated on the Campaspe River about a 1.5-hour drive from the Melbourne CBD, the bracingly cold waters of Turpins Falls will require some bravery, but it's a refreshing plunge nonetheless. The 20-metre falls empty into a lagoon that's larger than an Olympic swimming pool and surrounded by high rock walls on three sides (not for jumping off, mind you). It's a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic or a sneaky drink along the rocks. You can also treat yourself to a high-pressure natural shower under the waterfall. But it can be a bit hard to find, so be sure to bring Google Maps along for the ride while you hunt for one of the best waterfalls to swim under near Melbourne. Top image: Josie Withers via Visit Victoria.
Those currently working from home have probably seen two major changes to their routine: less shoes and more snacks. To help with the latter, Australia's much-loved biscuit maker Arnott's has been opening its vault and releasing some of its coveted recipes — for the first time in history. So far as part of the snack expert's Big Recipe Release, it has unveiled its Monte Carlo, four-ingredient Scotch Finger and Iced VoVo recipes. Next up is a decadent twist on everyone's favourite chocolate-coated bikkie: the Tim Tam. While the company hasn't revealed exactly how to make the beloved biscuit, it is sharing how you can whip up salted almond Tim Tam brownies — aka the kind of snack you probably didn't know that you were craving until right now. This recipe has been put together for home bakers by Arnott's Master Baker Vanessa Horton, and timed to celebrate a very apt occasion: World Baking Day, which falls on this Sunday, May 17. Of course, while that's a great excuse to make Tim Tam-flavoured brownies, you can obviously cook them up whenever you like — and however often, too. As you'd expect, you do, in fact, need flour to make Tim Tam brownies, but we've rounded up some of the spots selling the essential ingredient across the country, which aren't supermarkets. Australia's oldest baker will continue to release a new recipe for one of its famous biscuits every week until social distancing regulations are lifted. Next up, will it be the Mint Slice? Pizza Shapes? Tim Tams themselves? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, though, here's the Tim Tam Brownie recipe: SALTED ALMOND TIM TAM BROWNIES Melted butter, to grease 120 grams dark chocolate, chopped 120 grams butter 1 1/2 cups (400 grams) caster sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (120 grams) plain flour 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 200 gram packet of Arnott's original Tim Tam, chopped 1/2 cup almonds, chopped 1/2 teaspoon sea-salt flakes Method Preheat oven to 180ᵒC (or 160°C fan forced). Grease a square cake tin (20 x 20 centimetre) and line with baking paper. Place chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then stir until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Stir sugar into the chocolate mixture, then add the eggs one at a time — stirring well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa powder and baking powder in a small bowl. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir through Tim Tam pieces. Pour batter into prepared tin. Spreading evenly, sprinkle with almonds and sea salt flakes. Bake for 30 minutes or until firm. Set aside to cool completely. Cut into pieces and serve.
The Hardware Lane site that previously held Campari House was completely overhauled and transformed into a huge new Mexican restaurant and bar in mid-2024. The five-level spot on Hardware Lane is pumping out Mexican-inspired eats that are entirely gluten-free across all its many floors, including the impressive rooftop bar. The Head Chef combines traditional Mexican elements with plenty of European, Australian and South American influences. While still boasting its 100% gluten-free status, Hotel Nacional is now showcasing a new menu of inventive, reimagined Mexican-inspired dishes. New dishes include the likes of sun-dried tomato and potato croquettes, spiced beef empanadas with salsa verde, Barbacoa mushroom tacos and a prawn tostado with lime mayo and flying fish roe. The recently added plates sit alongside crowd favourite menu mainstays such as the Baja fish taco with fennel slaw and chipotle aioli, the Birria braised beef tacos with grilled cheese consommé, and the grilled chicken with red mole. Not only is Hotel Nacional looking out for gluten-intolerant guests, but also for your vegan friends, with plenty of plant-based dishes, making this a particularly inclusive spot. Perhaps the most exciting new addition to the menu is the gluten-free churros with cinnamon and chocolate sauce. So now even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy all the sweet-toothed fun, too. When it comes to bevs, there's a ten-strong margarita menu — including a beer-spiked lagerita — a selection of signature and classic cocktails, Aussie and international beers on tap — including some that are gluten-free. Plus, there's a stacked lineup of local and European wines, and an even more impressive collection of tequila, mezcal and raicilla. Design-wise, the team hasn't leaned too hard into Mexican-themed cliches, instead opting for a lighter touch. Hotel Nacional has an almost breezy, beachy feel, thanks to the sand-textured walls, rattan furniture, and cacti that dot the terracotta- and beige-hued space. "We wanted to create a venue unlike anything else in the city," shares Managing Director Taylor Granchi. "You walk up the stairs, and you are transported to another location across the globe. The earthy tones, the arches, the shapes, the crazy pavers, the textured walls, the cacti — there is so much Mexican feel. "Being five levels, there are so many aspects to our venue. We wanted something you could explore to create a new memory every time."
Experience gelato with a Korean twist, as two Melbourne institutions team up for a special collaboration. Fusing the talents of beloved gelateria Pidapipo and the acclaimed Korean restaurant CHAE, this limited-edition release marks the debut of Pidapipo's Makers Series. Melding Italian gelato traditions with CHAE's signature flavours, the result is a trio of playful Korean gelato cups centred on in-house ferments such as makgeolli, a millennia-old style of Korean rice wine renowned for its softly textured, lightly tangy profile. For the range, Pidapipo is pairing milk-based gelato with CHAE's traditional makgeolli and glutinous rice, adding a textural puffed sweet rice to finish. For an even brighter taste, the watermelon makgeolli gelato makes the most of CHAE's house-made creation, served alongside fresh Victorian watermelon. Finally, mugwort is a standalone gelato, where this traditional Korean herb — sometimes compared to matcha — harmonises with chocolate granita, chocolate cookie crumb and a crisp wafer. "This collaboration is a meeting point between Italian gelato craftsmanship and Korean ingredients and fermentation practices, showing how traditional techniques from different food cultures can come together to inspire new flavours and experiences," says Pidapipo Co-Owner and Creative Director Lisa Valmorbida. Available across all Pidapipo stores from Thursday, April 9—Sunday, April 26, this exciting collab is a brand-new way to experience CHAE. Founded by Korean-born chef Jung Eun Chae in 2019, this six-seat restaurant operated from her one-bedroom Brunswick apartment until it relocated to the hills in 2021. Now in Cockatoo, about 50 kilometres southeast of Melbourne CBD, the experience remains just as intimate (and hard to book) set within her family's home, immersed in a peaceful landscape. What's more, Jung Eun Chae will also be hosting an up-close fermentation workshop at the Pidapipo Laboratorio in Fitzroy on Monday, April 20. Presented as an exclusive masterclass, expect a hands-on experience focused on the craft of makgeolli and various fermentation techniques. Plus, you'll see how these traditional ingredients are transformed into three gelato flavours. Tickets are $150 with session times announced on Thursday, April 9. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Birthdays are generally considered a mixed bag. While some of us luxuriate in celebrating our special day with week-long parties, some of us pretend like it isn't happening and plan a few quiet ones to observe the occasion in peace. But, no matter how you choose to celebrate the birthday bonanza, there's one thing you have to consider: moolah. We've all been there, making the tricky choice between celebrating a birthday with the Attica tasting menu and not entering into poverty. But remember: happy, well-fed friends (who aren't selling their kidneys on the black market) make celebrations worthwhile, and you don't want to box anyone out because of price. But don't fret. We've done the research for you, so that you can celebrate in style and not send your friends broke. Ideally, you want a venue with a broad menu, options for all different budgets and preferences, hearty servings and staff who won't judge your off-key caterwauling when it comes time to sing 'Happy Birthday'. So here we have our list of the best bars and restaurants for birthday parties in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Melbourne Restaurants and Bars with Private Dining Rooms The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Underground Bars in Melbourne
With its Bollywood soundtrack, pink-lit bathroom with the mantra "you are beautiful" on repeat and a drinks trolley that looks like it came straight from the set of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Jessi Singh's Daughter in Law promises — and delivers — a whole lot of fun. Having been in the kitchen since 6am, owner and chef Singh likes to work the floor during service, weaving among tables, talking about the dishes and treating diners to his twinkly smile. To eat, you'll be tasting dishes from the street, the pots and the tandoor — all given an 'inauthentic' twist. From the tandoor enjoy the chicken, paneer tikka or the king prawns. But, whatever you do, order Colonel Tso's cauliflower. Perfectly fried, spicy and crunchy, this defies any ideas you may have previously held about this vegetable. Balls of happiness are another must. The menu describes them as India's favourite street food. Singh is unwavering on his butter chicken recipe, which has no butter or cream, and is a lighter and popular choice at his restaurants. The cosy and comforting Aunty Dhal is a great vegetarian option, with its slow simmered black lentils, ginger and garlic. Or try the Aussie lamb chops served with raita and mint chutney. One wall at Daughter in Law boasts shelves (and shelves) of wine. And boast it should, the wine list is extensive running the full range of fizz, red, white, pink and skin contact from Australian, French and Californian vineyards. The self-serve beer fridge means there's a big range of craft beer, too. Images: Peter Tarasiuk
The best Italian restaurants in Melbourne are known for their cuisine prowess — home to everything from famed squid ink tagliolini and old faithful woodfired margherita to rich duck ragus and golden-fried arancini balls. And don't get us started on all the outstanding tiramisus coming out of their kitchens. But most of Melbourne's best Italian restaurants don't just stick to these well-known dishes. They explore regional specialities from all over the boot-shaped country. Get on the cicchetti train before diving into a mean veal cotoletta or some grilled swordfish with caponata. You best save some room for a semifreddo or old-school torte while you're at it. The options are boundless when dining out at these neighbourhood eateries. But to help you navigate the huge selection of Italian restaurants in Melbourne, we have compiled this guide to the absolute greatest. Read on to find where you'll be carb-loading next. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Melbourne The Best Pasta in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
One of the best ways to disconnect from the city and connect with nature is a leisurely soak in one of the best hot springs in New South Wales. Scattered across the state, most of these natural pools are sourced from the Great Artesian Basin — a massive underground supply of freshwater — and are renowned for their many health benefits, like melting away that muscle tension. Found tucked into the Blue Mountains or out in the vast expanse of central NSW, these hidden gems provide an opportunity for ultimate rest and relaxation. So grab your swimmers and get your body into one of the best natural hot springs near Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Spas in Sydney The Best Ocean Pools in Sydney The Best Glamping Spots Near Sydney The Seven Best Out-of-Town Ocean Pools Near Sydney YARRANGOBILLY CAVES THERMAL POOL It's not hard to see why this thermal pool in the Kosciuszko National Park is a local favourite. Quiet and secluded, with heaps to explore in the surroundings, it's the perfect destination for an early autumn adventure or a crisp winter's day. Filled with water from a NSW natural hot spring, the 20-metre pool remains at a perfect 27 degrees all year round. Get there via a short (but steep) 700-metre walk from the nearby car park, or wind your way along the three-kilometre River Walk. If the temps aren't too frosty, have a post-swim feed in the adjacent picnic area before exploring the surrounding caves. Where: Snowy Mountains Highway, Kosciuszko National Park, Tumut. LIGHTNING RIDGE HOT BORE BATHS Located just outside the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge, these delightful baths are surrounded by remote bushland and are gloriously removed from all signs of civilisation — plus they're open 24 hours a day. You can soak in the hot waters of this NSW hot pool at sunrise, sunset, or any other time your little heart desires throughout winter. Night swims are particularly recommended as you can float in the 40-degree water while taking in the stunning expanse of the starry sky. A popular meeting place for Lightning Ridge residents, the baths are also a great place to get a feel for local life. Best of all? Entry is totally free. Where: Pandora Street, Lightning Ridge. BURREN JUNCTION BORE BATHS Want to extend your hot spring adventure into a relaxing weekend (or week) away? Pack a tent and head for the Burren Junction bore baths and campground. Camping is $6 per vehicle, and there are barbecue facilities, filtered water and electricity. Open 24-hours between April and November, the baths offer the opportunity to spend your days and nights soaking in the circular pool's 38-degree waters. Once you've melted away the week's tensions, head into town for a beer and a meal at the bustling Junction City Hotel for a taste of country town life just 2 kilometres away. While you're in the area, you may as well visit another natural bore bath in Pilliga. It's a half-hour drive from Burren Junction, and you can pitch your tent in the camping ground for $5 a night and, although the facilities are very basic, it's well worth it for proximity to the lovely baths. Recent upgrades have added a roof over the pool area, lighting for night bathing and a barbecue and picnic area. It's clearly one of the best natural springs in NSW to visit. If you'd rather rest your newly rejuvenated bod in a proper bed, book into the Pilliga Pub, three kilometres away from the baths. Where: Kamilaroi Highway, Burren Junction JAPANESE BATH HOUSE When relaxation is the name of the game, these peaceful baths on the outskirts of Lithgow are the perfect escape for anyone in need of a little R&R. Taking its cues from centuries-old Japanese culture, this picturesque bath house in NSW boasts indoor and outdoor onsen, as well as massage services, traditional gardens, public baths and accommodation all surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains. The natural mineral water here flows from 300 metres under the surface into the serine baths above ground. Book for a casual visit or a full day, or make the most of your relaxation with an overnight stay in one of the Japanese-inspired rooms celebrating the simple, unobtrusive beauty of the shibusa aesthetic. And don't bother bringing a phone charger, by the way — there's no wifi on the property and reception in the area is patchy at best, so you can unwind without any external distractions. Where: 259 Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive, South Bowenfels Top image: Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool by Murray Vanderveer.
In the modern world of entertainment, content can feel a little bit non-stop. There's always new things to watch, but a lot of it is better than ever. Each month, we're cutting through the streaming noise and helping you figure out what's worth bingeing on release day and what you can save for some downtime later in the year. Here are the new seasons and series we'll be watching in April. Prefer something with a longer runtime? Check out our guide to the movies releasing in theatres and on streaming this month instead. Imperfect Women — Thriller, Mystery Friendships can be complicated. But your friend group drama pales in comparison to the story that unfolds in Imperfect Women, an adaptation of Araminta Hall's novel of the same name. Here, the decades-old friendship between three women (Elizabeth Moss, Kate Mara, Kerry Washington) comes crashing down after a death, revealing long-standing secrets, desires and mistakes that all come rushing to the surface at once. Streaming weekly on Apple TV now. Invincible: Season four — Animation, Superhero When Amazon's hit animated action series Invincible returns for season four, the stakes will be their highest yet. Still recovering from a series of devastating global conflicts, Mark (Steven Yeun), aka Invincible, has to find a way to protect Earth from enemies on all sides — a task made even more difficult when his father returns from his exile and imprisonment to recruit him for a war that will decide the fate of the galaxy. Streaming weekly on Prime Video now. Deadloch: Season two — Comedy, Crime The Australian crime-comedy hit Deadloch is ditching Tasmanian noir for a tropical mystery in its second season. Detectives Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) are up north on a case from Collins' past, but are reassigned when a John Doe is discovered inside a dead croc in the remote town of Barra Creek, fuelling bad blood between the hot-headed locals and pinning Collins and Redcliffe in the middle. Streaming weekly on Prime Video now. Heartbreak High: Season three — Coming of Age, Feel-Good Another one of Netflix's perennial series is coming to an end in 2026, with the third and final season of Heartbreak High set to land on the streamer this month. When term four rolls around at Hartley High, the students are on their final stretch to graduation and the reality of life after school. But there might be just enough time left to muck around with a bit of chaos and self-discovery first, if they're smart about it. Streaming on Netflix now. Daredevil: Born Again: Season two — Superhero, Drama In the second season of Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) has gone underground. With Mayor Fisk (Wilson Donofrio) firmly in control of the city and arresting anyone who publicly opposes him — he's a fugitive in and out of the Daredevil suit. Maybe some old friends, superpowered and otherwise, can help him take the fight against "Mayor Kingpin" from the streets to city hall. Streaming weekly on Disney+ now. Your Friends & Neighbours: Season two — Crime, Dark Comedy In Your Friends & Neighbours, Andrew Cooper (John Hamm) is a recently divorced former hedge-fund manager fallen on hard times who turns to robbing his wealthy neighbours to keep his family's life intact. In season two, things are looking up for Coop, until a mysterious new neighbour arrives (James Marsden) who quickly catches on to the scheme — putting Coop in a precarious situation that could get him rich…or get him arrested. Streaming weekly on Apple TV from Friday, April 3. Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord — Animation, Sci-Fi The iconic Star Wars villain Maul returns in this new series from Lucasfilm Animation. In the immediate aftermath of the Clone Wars and the destruction of the Jedi Order, the Empire is rapidly spreading its influence across the galaxy. On the run from the law and the Empire alike, Maul moves to cement his place in the criminal underworld and recruit a reluctant ally to destroy those who have wronged him. Streaming weekly on Disney+ now. The Testaments — Drama, Coming of Age Adapting Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name, The Testaments returns to Gilead after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, introducing a group of young women entering the oppressive system that transforms women into wives. For Agnes (Chase Infiniti), it's a dream come true, but for Daisy (Lucy Halliday), who's from beyond Gilead's borders — it's a life or death mission to save these women from a system that will consume them. Streaming weekly on Hulu via Disney+ now. The Boys: Season five — Superhero, Dark Comedy In the final season of Amazon's breakout superpowered drama, enemies will collide, and the bodies are guaranteed to pile up. Homelander (Anthony Starr) has achieved absolute power over America through his fascist regime. Before his planned superpowered supremacy can conquer the world, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and The Boys must consider the bloody means they'll need to kill him, and if they'll have to wipe out every 'supe' on the planet to do it. Streaming weekly on Prime Video now. Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair — Comedy, Feel Good 20 years later, Malcom has finally got it all figured out. A good job, a daughter and a girlfriend. He just has to stay far, far away from his family. When his family discovers he's intentionally been hiding his life from them, they'll come crashing back into it like a runaway train, bringing all their "non-stop anti-social behaviour" and "mindless myopic priorities" with them — his words, not ours — it's set to be 2026's biggest reunion. Streaming on Hulu via Disney+ now. Euphoria: Season three — Drama, Thriller HBO's award-winning series is returning after four long years, and its cast of characters has left high school far behind, moving on to bigger and stranger ways of life than they could have ever imagined. Rue (Zendaya) is finding faith and fending off Laurie (Martha Kelly) and other gangsters, Nate (Jacob Elordi) is married to Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), who is now an adult content creator, and Jules (Hunter Schafer) is in art school, living the high life of a sugar baby. Streaming weekly on HBO Max now. Margot's Got Money Troubles — Comedy, Family Drama A24 and Apple have partnered to adapt Rufi Thorpe's bestselling novel, where college dropout and aspiring young writer Margot (Elle Fanning) finds her life and career to-be derailed by an unexpected pregnancy. Staring down an endless pile of bills and running out of patience for her parents' expectations (Nick Offerman and Michelle Pfeiffer), she turns to OnlyFans to earn the income she and her newborn baby so desperately need. Streaming weekly on Apple TV now. Beef: Season two — Thriller, Dark Comedy You might have thought that Netflix's Steven Yeun and Ali Wong-starring dark comedy Beef was a one-and-done story of suburban life turned inside out by a dispute, aka beef. Turns out it's an anthology series now — with season two introducing a young couple (Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton) who witness a fight between their boss (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Carey Mulligan), triggering a four-dimensional chess match of favours, blackmail and beef in the world of an elitist billionaire-owned country club. Streaming on Netflix now. From: Season four — Mystery, Horror Everyone loves a small town getaway, but when getting away from said small town is impossible — that holiday becomes a nightmare. That's what's happened in From, where a small town in America inexplicably won't let anyone leave, and every night the residents are hunted by supernatural horrors from the surrounding forest. In season four, the answers to their prison are closer than ever, but the residents will find their struggles to escape are becoming more dangerous by the day. Streaming weekly on Stan from Monday, April 20. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Supplied / HBO Max
Listen up, news hot off the press. Melbourne will land a retro-leaning, vinyl-only, ultra-cool new hang-out spot this Friday, November 28. The venue, to be led by hospo heavyweights Michael and Zara Madrusan, will find its home in Meyers Place. LB's Record Bar is centred around a vinyl music program with a rotating lineup of local DJs and artists taking their place behind the decks. The team is so dedicated to what patrons will be listening to that, apparently, every record was hand-sourced from local and independent stores. The Madrusans say, "We've always had a love for Meyers Place, so to finally be opening the doors to LB's feels surreal. Bringing this iconic space back to life with the help of some incredible talent from The Everleigh and Bar Margaux has been incredible, and we can't wait for people to experience it." The drinks list is strongly focused on agave, as well as on an overlooked and humble ingredient, ice. From hand-cut clear ice blocks to fine shaved ice snow, it will feature prominently across many drinks, including the aerated Dancefloor Martini, and the Daiquiri Snow Cone. There's also a narrow, Spanish-influenced snacky bar menu offering up the likes of seafood conservas, charcuterie and patatas fritas. LB's Record Bar marks Merivale's inaugural Melbourne venue, with its CEO saying, "We're looking forward to bringing new energy to this iconic spot with two of the most talented people in the industry. We've built LB's on the foundations of a great bar, with fantastic drinks and music, welcoming service, and a space you'll (hopefully) never want to leave." Images: Kayla May Petty-Kook.
When you first walk into The Commons Health Club, located in Melbourne's ever-stylish suburb of Richmond, it looks much like the co-working spaces The Commons is known for. Full of natural light and greenery, the public-facing cafe anchors the space upon entry. But beyond the collagen smoothies and salads lies a true wonderland of wellbeing, featuring a gym, studio classes, and Melbourne's latest addition to the bathhouse movement. The Commons Health Club is a members-only destination that places as much emphasis on aesthetics and design as it does on training and recovery. Designed by Collingwood-based architecture and interiors studio DesignOffice, the fit-out balances cork, timber and concrete with rich, saturated hues, creating an environment that feels warm, grounded and quietly luxurious. With Australia boasting one of the world's fastest-growing wellness economies, The Commons Health Club is a natural evolution for the brand and the city itself. I spent an afternoon exploring the new work-and-wellness space. Here are the highlights. After swiping your membership app at reception, you're led into a bright co-working and hangout space adjoining the cafe. From here, three purpose-built studios branch off to the left, each dedicated to different movement practices including reformer pilates, hot mat, yoga, breathwork, meditation and more. There are over 200 classes weekly for members to work into their schedules. On a Thursday afternoon, I attended the 5:30pm reformer pilates class. Inside the expansive studio, 24 reformer beds are spaced generously across the room, allowing the class to feel calm rather than crowded. As people trickled in, the instructor welcomed us warmly, signalling that work was over, and now it was time to focus on self-care. The class was hard, but no side-eye was received if you needed a breather mid-crouching tiger. The muted colours of wood and cork gave the space a spa-like feel, despite the elevated heart rates. Unlike most pilates studios around the city, no wet wipes were handed around to hastily clean the equipment post-class. Instead, we were asked to leave our equipment where it was so the staff could clean the beds themselves — a small detail that reinforced the health club's premium nature. Downstairs, the space opens into a sprawling free-form gym, complete with change rooms and a bathhouse. The gym is divided into multiple zones, featuring state-of-the-art equipment. Cardio machines, including treadmills, ellipticals and spin bikes, are available around the clock, while the strength and conditioning area boasts the largest collection of Swedish Eleiko weights in Australia. A large skylight draws natural light into the subterranean space, softening the industrial concrete finishes and making the gym feel unexpectedly open. Despite being on a single level (and my arrival occurring as the post-work rush began), there was no battle for machines or queues for equipment. The space felt both spacious and private at once. The recovery zone is equally considered, offering members deep-tissue recovery machines, compression boots and health assessment add-ons with an expert. Signature personal training programs are also available for a fee to help members get the most out of the classes and equipment. By the gym sits the concierge desk, where members are issued a wristband granting access to the bathhouse. The private sanctuary features leading Clearlight infrared saunas, red light therapy, and lymphatic compression. After spending 20 minutes in the infrared sauna (that comes complete with Bluetooth connectivity and a temperature-safe phone compartment) I emerged rejuvenated. The bathhouse itself is the destination within the destination. It's a sanctuary of hot and cold therapy, featuring 36°C and 39°C magnesium baths, a 6°C cold plunge, a traditional sauna, a steam room, and heated stone benches. In recent years, bathhouses have become a staple for Melburnians looking to rest and restore from busy weeks. At The Commons Health Club, you don't have to wait for a weekend booking or have a time limit on how long you spend soaking in the baths or deep thinking in the sauna. By having a bathhouse in the same space as a co-working space and gym, you can work and recover whenever your schedule allows. Signature bathhouse experiences are set to arrive at The Commons Health Club soon, including candlelit magnesium soaks, immersive sound baths, and community-led rituals designed to foster connection. If you weren't already convinced that every detail has been thoughtfully considered, just look at the change rooms. Dyson styling tools, Kevin Murphy hair products, CeraVe skincare, and the cult sunscreen brand Standard Procedure adorn the shelves, available for members to use. If you've forgotten your toothbrush, a razor or need an electrolyte boost post-workout, the concierge team have thought of it all. As you exit, a seasonal Fragrance Bar featuring rotating Maison Margiela scents perches on the concierge's desk, offering members a complimentary spritz or two from four luxurious perfumes before they head off for their day. Just like The Commons co-working spaces that are popping up across Melbourne and Sydney's inner-city suburbs, The Commons Health Club is already expanding, with the South Yarra branch set to open in March, mere months after Richmond. From morning workouts and midday meetings to post-work sauna sessions, The Commons Health Club is supporting a modern way of life. One that blends work, wellness, and a sense of community, all under the one well-designed roof. Schedule a tour to experience The Commons Health Club
Kangaroo Island is known for its spectacular coastal views, wildlife, wineries and pristine beaches. It's clear to see how it got on the New York Times list of the best places to visit in 2023 and our own list of the best islands to visit in Australia. To help travellers get the most out of a trip to Kangaroo Island, we decided to create this complete guide. It highlights the best places to stay, where to eat and drink and what special activities to book ahead of time — whether you're looking for adventure or a little bit of luxury. All you have to do is get yourselves there, either by ferry or plane from Adelaide. [caption id="attachment_759309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bay of Shoals Wine by Meaghan Coles[/caption] EAT AND DRINK Straight off the ferry? Head to Millie Mae's Pantry for a full brunch made with ingredients from the kitchen garden, or pick up something to take with you for lunch while you adventure through the island. If you've stayed in Kingscote, start the day off with coffee from Cactus. It's well worth coming back later in the day for dumplings, tacos or whatever is on the menu that night. A winery tour is a must while you're in town, so make sure to hit Bay of Shoals Wines, which boasts the closest vines to the sea in the southern hemisphere. Nearby, there's also The Islander Estate Vineyards for vino made by a renowned Bordeaux winemaker and, for balance, Kangaroo Island Brewery where you can stop for lunch and try a few local cold ones. Also worth checking out on the far east side of the island is False Cape Wines — known for its minimal intervention drops — and Dudley Wines, which has incredible views and live music on the first Sunday of the month. But if organising this alone seems like too much hassle or you'd rather someone else drive you around, then wine tours are the way to go. This full-day wine and nature tour starts from Kangaroo Island and this alternative food and wine tasting safari starts from Adelaide. On each of these Kangaroo Island day trips, you'll taste great local vinos, eat some tasty local produce and get up and close with friendly Aussie wildlife. [caption id="attachment_759308" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Penneshaw Hotel by Adam Bruzzone[/caption] For the island's best fish and chips, we have to recommend KI Fresh Seafood in Kingscote. It's attached to a petrol station, but don't let that put you off — take away and enjoy on the water's edge. For a finer affair, head to dinner at Sunset Food and Wine. The modern bistro looks out over American Beach and is owned by Jack Ingram, former executive chef of Southern Ocean Lodge, a Kangaroo Island favourite that was sadly destroyed in the bushfires of 2020. The menu is stacked with fresh local seafood and produce, including rock lobster, kingfish sashimi and Kangaroo Island honeycomb. Otherwise, the Penneshaw Hotel is perched on a clifftop and offers a decent pub feed overlooking the wide open sea. And lastly, you should check out the monthly farmers and community market day at Penneshaw Oval, which also happens on the first Sunday of the month (between October and April). [caption id="attachment_759315" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chapman River[/caption] DO If you're arriving by ferry, you'll get into Penneshaw — and from there you can head straight to Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari to swim with dolphins. In Lashmar Conservation Park, you can also watch out for wildlife as you kayak along the Chapman River to Antechamber Bay, where you'll find a lovely private beach perfect for a dip. Making your way west, seafood lovers should spend an afternoon at American River, where The Oyster Farm Shop will sort you out with fresh local oysters, marron, abalone and King George whiting, before you explore the protected wetlands of Pelican Lagoon. Of course, one of the best things about Kangaroo Island is the beaches: crystal clear, blue waters, long stretches of glittery white sand and lazy days spent soaking it all in. The best ones? Emu Bay on the island's north coast, where you can drive your car right onto the four-kilometre stretch of white sand and spend a day in the tranquil waters, or — a little further west — Snelling Beach for an epic sunset. Spend a day exploring the shops and sights of Kingscote, the island's largest town, just south of Emu Bay. Stop in at the Spinners and Weavers Shop for handmade natural fibre treasures, take a tour of Island Beehive and pick up some local honey, shop art at Shep's Studio and Fine Art Kangaroo Island, and visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil distillery. Be sure to make time for a two-hour blend-your-own-gin experience at Kangaroo Island Spirits. Next, you should head southwest to Vivonne Bay for surf and to sandboard down Little Sahara with the help of Little Sahara Adventure Centre. Alternatively, you cab join a quad bike tour to explore the grass and bushland before heading to the Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided tour of the sea lion colony. [caption id="attachment_759307" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ecopia Retreat by Stirling West[/caption] STAY Kangaroo Island has lots of luxury accommodation and you can go off-grid in style at Stowaway Kangaroo Island. Imagine curling up in the window seat of a luxurious private cabin on the edge of Lathami Conservation Park and a privately owned sheep farm, soaking in views of the bush and ocean in the distance. Both of the cabins, aptly named The Nest and The Sleepy Hollow, come with a huge soaker bath with sweeping views, a hot tub out on the deck, a sauna and a local produce hamper. Otherwise, make yourself at home at Ecopia Villas on a vast property in the middle of the island, complete with exclusive access to the Eleanor River and hundreds of acres of wilderness. Or you can book an all-inclusive package with bespoke 4WD tours at the Sea Dragon Lodge and Villas, or fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs of the island's eastern-most point at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge within the Cape Willoughby Conservation Park. If you'd rather keep it simple (and cheap), pitch a tent at one of these gorgeous camping spots that are all mere steps from the beach and have their own toilets, barbecues and picnic facilities. These stunning sites help place Kangaroo Island on our list of the best camping spots in Australia, as voted by our readers. We aren't the only ones who love Kangaroo Island — you guys do, too. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. All images courtesy of the South Australia Tourism Commission.
They like jumpsuits, one name and living in the same suburb. That's The Kates' quick description of themselves, and of their fame as The Kates, as they've been known ever since The Katering Show proved the funniest thing on the small screen in 2015. Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney didn't start their careers together, but they've become Australia's comedy queens by proving a razor-sharp, whip-smart duo — first while satirising cooking shows in a webseries that was picked up by the ABC for its second season; then by taking on morning television with fellow pitch-perfect two-season parody Get Krack!n; and now with Prime Video's Deadloch, which started streaming its Tasmania-set comedic murder-mystery on Friday, June 2. "There were so many Kates in the show," McCartney notes of their latest project, which The Kates originally gave the working title Funny Broadchurch. One such Kate: Wentworth and Rake's Kate Box, who plays one half of reluctant detective duo in Deadloch's titular small town opposite The Breaker Upperers' Madeleine Sami. "Kate Anderson was our special makeup effects artist. Katie Robertson, Katie Milwright — Katie Robertson is on the show, Kate Milwright was one of the cinematographers — and we had another Kate, Kate Fox, doing locations," McCartney continues. "It was basically if your name was Kate…" adds McLennan, "then you got a job," finishes McCartney. Sami "is in the process of getting her name changed to Kate," McCartney keeps joking. "She hasn't started the paperwork yet," pipes in McLennan. No matter how many other Kates had a hand in Deadloch, the series is instantly recognisable as the work of The Kates. Within seconds of a man being found dead on a beach in the first episode's opening moments, the corpse's penis is on fire. When Box's small-town sergeant Dulcie Collins informs the next of kin, he bellows that he loved him like a brother — but has to be reminded that, yes, the deceased was his actual brother. And when Sami's Eddie Redcliffe blows in like a whirlwind of swearing and Hawaiian shirts, she's the stereotypical arrogant outsider cop, but satirically so. Indeed, with their male victim and female investigators, The Kates gleefully riff on the cop-genre status quo, flip the script to focus on the characters usually robbed of a voice and, although it wasn't originally their aim, balance sidesplitting laughs with making an excellent crime procedural. Deadloch is also an inescapably Australian murder-mystery series in its Tasmanian gothic look, its excavation of the nation's treatment of its First Peoples and, as frequently dropping from Sami's mouth, its love of cursing. The latter gave rise to The Cunt Essay, The Kates explain, to justify why its use of language couldn't be more ordinary on an Aussie-set show. From responding to the standard treatment of women in dead-girl crime thrillers to getting that homegrown vernacular over the line — and scrapping their own filmed cameo in the series, too — we chatted with McLennan and McCartney about all things Deadloch. ON THE NUMBER OF DEAD-WOMAN CRIME SHOWS SOMEONE NEEDS TO WATCH BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO RESPOND McCartney: "Roughly 800, I reckon. I just don't know if there is a single crime show that — if it's not in the first two minutes of a murder show, then you will still eventually see a dead woman." McLennan: "And once you're aware of it as well, you'd watch them and, sure, they're showing you the body of a dead woman, but they would always show a gratuitous shot of her boob. You would always see a nipple. You've got these very serious detectives standing over a body, and you just don't need to see a blue nipple. You don't need to see it." McCartney: "There's always that one at the crime scene. But then you go to the morgue and they have another conversation with the forensic pathologist, and rather than putting a sheet up, they're always completely nude on the slab as well." McLennan: "So we just thought what would be really interesting is if you actually gave those victims a voice. To us, we wanted to know about the backstories of these people that would normally be portrayed as victims in these types of shows. Also, we're just terrible at writing men, so it was easier just to have a dead one instead of writing dialogue for him." ON DEADLOCH'S STARTING POINT AS "FUNNY BROADCHURCH" McCartney: "We thought of the idea in about 2015, when we had just had kids, and the kids were newborns. So we were at home at 3am, in that witching hour of not quite knowing if you exist — and sort of knowing, 'well, I think I do exist because I have a Twitter profile, but I think that's the only thing that tethers me to this realm now because it's so late and I have spent so much time by myself as a tit machine with the baby'. During that time, we both, for whatever reason — and I don't really know what this says about our mental health at the time — but we just gravitated towards crime shows. There was a lot at that point as well, there was a bit of an explosion of Scandi noir. You know, like.. I can't think of a single one. What's that one with jumpers? What's the jumpers? You know, jumpers?" McLennan: "The jumpers?" McCartney: "Jumpers. The Scandi jumpers one." McLennan: "Do you mean The Bridge?" McCartney: "No, The Killing." McLennan: "The Killing." McCartney: "And then The Bridge, and then there was…" In unison: "The Return." McCartney: "And then there was…" In unison: "The Fall." McCartney: "The Fall. Yeah, silk shirts. Gillian Anderson. Silk shirts." McLennan: "And you told me to watch Broadchurch, and I thought it was a comedy because Olivia Colman was in it and I knew her from comedy. So I'm like 'oh, it's a comedy'. So I strapped myself in to watch this funny comedy show. And I'm like 'yeah, this is not a comedy'. But we thought 'what if we did take a show that had that small town, lots of secrets, lots of characters, and you just nudge the comedy". You just nudge the needle up a little bit. We had the idea just after we made The Katering Show. We were pitching Get Krack!n overseas, and we would do the spiel about Get Krack!n and then people would sometimes say 'do you have any other ideas?'. We'd just throw in the Deadloch idea as this last-minute 'we've also got this other show with the working title Funny Broadchurch'. And people just really grabbed onto it. McCartney: "Like, they got it." McLennan: "So we knew that it had legs. We made Get Krack!n and then we thought we'd pitch this other show, and luckily Amazon Prime were ready to jump on board with this." ON MAKING A COMEDIC MURDER-MYSTERY THAT ALSO WORKS AS A MURDER-MYSTERY McCartney: "It wasn't actually [the initial plan]. When we first conceived of it, this was at The Katering Show, that's where we were at in terms of what we were working on. And we did originally conceive of it as being a 30-minute show. And then, we just grew in confidence and ambition as we got into Get Krack!n — and then by the final season of Get Krack!n, we started to really experiment with using that interplay of something dark, then something funny. I think that informed us and bolstered us — that may not be a word — in our confidence and our ability to to be able to pull off something like this. And also having that experience. We'd done a few series. And the things we're trying to emulate, they are a lot longer because of the moodiness and the cinematic quality of it — and you just need more time. And because we're not in it — personally, I'm a terrible actor, so there's only so much I can do — but if you get someone like Kate Box or Madeleine Sami or Alicia Gardner, or anyone like that in your show, you can ask them to do a lot more with the characters. You can actually have proper characters." McLennan: "We wanted the space to tell the story and to do it justice, and to do in a way that felt like it was a rich, rewarding experience for the audience. I think around the time that we going through this creative process with it, Killing Eve had just come out — and I don't know if it did necessarily break the mould, but it made it pretty clear to us that you could tell a story that was longer than half an hour and there was an appetite for that from the streaming services as well." McCartney: "It was the appetite, really. Because we'd already thought about it, we'd already gone 'oh, I think I think this is how it needs to be, this is the kind of show we're looking at, I think we want it to be a proper show'. But the fact that people were watching it and responding to it, there was a precedent that we could go 'people will hang in there'." McLennan: "It certainly made us — when we knew that we had the hour up our sleeve, it's like 'well, we'd better made this crime story really good'." McCartney: "It's a lot. It has to be interesting. Because people aren't going to watch something for an hour if they don't care about the characters, if there aren't actual stakes. You can't just do cop jokes. You can't sit above it and laugh, going 'aren't we clever'." McLennan: "You've got to be invested in it. And play the stakes of the crime." ON DECIDING NOT TO APPEAR ON-SCREEN McCartney: "With Get Krack!n, by the end it was a challenge to have the kind of control over what we were doing that that we like to have, and to make sure that our voice is all-encompassing, and also be on screen. It's a very different brain, and you necessarily have to kind of let things go by the wayside if you're in that role — if you're trying to do those two roles together." McLennan: "I remember being on the couch when we were filming Get Krack!n, and I had my phone and I was answering emails, and then we'd have to go for a take and I'd shove the phone under…" McCartney: "Always shoving it under our legs." McLennan: "And it just felt like the acting was getting in the way of the other job." McCartney: "And we wanted to do the other other job more, because we were pretty done with being on camera as it was." McLennan: "I think audiences were pretty…" McCartney: "They were probably pretty done with us as well." McLennan: "But we did cast ourselves in a cameo in the show. And we filmed that cameo." McCartney: "Probably about half a day, I'd say. So not only did we spend half a day on it, like the production spent half a day filming our cameo, but we also took time out of our personal, very busy showrunner schedule, to do it. So it was like a loss in two ways." McLennan: "Because we were watching rushes, and assembly edits were happening as we're going, we got to see that scene pretty quickly in the edit — and we were so bad that we cut ourselves and recast." McCartney: "So it does exist, but it's in the vault. It's in the Amazon vault. It's in one of those seed things that are in Antartica." ON CASTING KATE BOX AND MADELEINE SAMI McCartney: "Mads was actually a writer on the show. We knew her from quite a way back. We knew she's an extremely funny physical comedian and we've been fans of hers for ages, and obviously we've been massive fans of Kate Box as well." McLennan: "The whole casting process was done over Zoom. I mean, interestingly, we were working with Mads writing scripts with her when the audition process was happening, but we pretended that we didn't know that we were getting her into this." McCartney: "We were secretly in love with her and really hoped that she would play this part." McLennan: "We wanted to keep things very separate, because obviously if we didn't cast her, then that would maybe be a little bit awkward. So we're like 'let's just keep this as two separate streams'. She's like 'guys, did you know I've got an audition?', 'And we're like 'great!'. And the more we worked with Mads, the more that we could see that she was a pretty good fit." McCartney: "In fairness, she was a perfect fit. Setting down a self tape at the best of times is the pits, and really one of the key reasons why I stopped being a performer — but, but, doing it via Zoom, auditioning over zoom…" McLennan: "So Mads and Boxy had both done their separate reads of their characters, and then we got them to do a chemistry test — which again, you can imagine how we that is over Zoom." McCartney: " Zoom chemistry, just you can feel it pinging off the screen, can't you?" McLennan: "But you kind of could with those two." McCartney: "You could, yeah." McLennan: "I remember that day of getting them to do the callback, and to do these scenes together. It was like this immediate calm came over us, like 'this is going to be okay'." McCartney: "Yeah, this is going to be really good." McLennan: "Yeah, they're really good." McCartney: "Boxy is so fucking smart — not the Mads isn't — but Boxy is so smart, and so good at her job. On the page, you don't necessarily see that Dulcie is as funny as she is. And she just got it. So it was the moment she started saying those words, we were like 'not only is this what we hoped the character would be, but it's so much more'. She can do anything, so it seems a bit cheeky to be like 'hey, in this comedy, can you be the straight woman?'. But we needed someone that good at comedy and drama to play that part because everyone else can be a bit silly, but we needed someone to have the stakes all the time, because the audience needs that person." ON KEEPING DEADLOCH'S DIALOGUE UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN McLennan: "To be honest, we wrote all of the scripts and we did not receive a note on the language in the scripts. And then, just as we're going through the process of getting the show happening — you go through this process where people look over everything, just to make sure that everything's okay — there was just a question on the the volume of swearing. And there is a lot. It opened up a conversation, so we responded to that with what's now known as The Cunt Essay. Our setup director Ben Chessell wrote a thesis essentially on Australians' relationship to the word cunt and other swearing." McCartney: "The local usage of it, and how that differs from overseas usage of it. And how, within this context, it's actually not really even a swear word — in fact, it can be a very nice term. And it's used in advertising campaigns! So we just talked about it in its context in the Australian vernacular, and its cultural context. And also, I think he talked about how it speaks to Australianness as well, that we've taken this word — there's no hierarchy, there aren't bad words, we're not as puritanical because we don't have that secretly underpinning our constitution and our heads of government. He also then tied it into something else, he was talking about reclaiming it — which was a bit more of a stretch, I would say, if we're honest about it, and I think he knew it was a bit of a stretch. But it was very wordy. It was about seven or eight pages." ON MAKING MORE SEASONS OF DEADLOCH McCartney: "You always think about things being more than one series, but we'd always thought of it as being an anthology series. So, retaining some of the characters and moving them to a different location, probably — it was always going to be set around Australia. So, that's the hope. That's the plan. That's the secret mutterings between us." Deadloch streams via Prime Video. Read our full review of season one.
