It's no coincidence that everyone's dream occupation is astronaut. Astronauts get to travel into truly unchartered spaces; they are pioneers who feel and see things the rest of us humble earthlings could only dream of. Until now, I guess. Today NASA have launched the very first live HD broadcast of Earth thereby making all the wonders of the universe free and accessible to every slovenly astro-novice sitting at home on their couch. Basically, the internet is the greatest. Live HD Earth viewing from the space station! Sit back, watch & enjoy our home planet: http://t.co/3rUbOQEWpt #ISS pic.twitter.com/DfGBVB2FI9 — NASA (@NASA) May 8, 2014 This thing is so good it might just beat Pandacam. Maybe. Set from a vantage point on the International Space Station, NASA has positioned four cameras facing Earth. Housed in temperature specific casing these cameras have in fact been designed with the help of American high school students, and the High Definition Earth Viewing Experiment (HDEV) is only an experiment with which to test their durability. So far, it's safe to say the cameras are doing their job. The footage is surprisingly clear and the stream is relatively uninterrupted. A grey screen does however separate footage from each camera angle, and if you can only see darkness that's due to the ISS orbit. (Come on — I know you're not an astronaut, but you have a basic understanding of how planets work, right?) While watching the stream, users can also add comments and interact with other viewers via Facebook plugins and chat options. Already viewed over 7 million times, the footage is an incredibly humbling experience not only for its astronomical proportions, but for its communal nature. Even Garth from Wayne's World is on board. NASA is streaming HD video from space: When it flies over California you can just about see me waving...I'm tiny. RT http://t.co/3bfwyM3EWb — Dana Carvey (@danacarvey) May 7, 2014 Best of all, the broadcast footage comes in total eerie silence. "There is no audio on purpose," NASA state. "Add your own soundtrack." We recommend Pink Floyd or anything from The Beatles psychedelic phase. This is every stoner kid's dream come true. Live streaming video by Ustream Via BGR and Mashable.
Imperial is known around the Chapel Street traps for its high-calibre cocktails, especially those $20 fishbowls on Fridays, and its top-notch pizzas — the pickle-plenty reuben pizza will blow your mind. Now, the venue is expanding its offering and bringing a bottomless brunch into the mix. Yes, it seems the team have cottoned onto the trend of 2018 — and the fact that people really like boozy brunching — and will be running sessions every weekend. Moreover, this indulgent affair will only cost you one pineapple ($50). Melburnians, rejoice. With sessions starting from 10am, both Saturday and Sunday, the bottomless brunch includes a dish off the scrumptious brunch menu as well as two hours of beverages — ample time to drink your fair share of bubbles, beer and a cocktail, or two. Food-wise there are crème fraîche scrambled eggs with chives, smashed avo on toast with feta and buttermilk pancakes with seasonal fruit, mascarpone and berry coulis, to name but a few. Every kind of bruncher is catered for and each dish can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace in between sips. So, clear your calendar, grab your friends and get ready to eat and drink to your heart's content. You don't need an official reason — it's spring and you deserve a treat. Spots fill up fast, so it's best to book through Imperial's website. Happy brunching.
Most travellers heading to Japan don't factor cars into their plans. Tokyo-bound visitors can explore everything by foot or subway, and those journeying elsewhere can hop on a high-speed bullet train (or, if you're flush with cash, a luxe carriage). Still, there's nothing quite like roaming around a new place from behind the wheel, going wherever the expressway takes you — and to make this easier for tourists, the country has just launched an unlimited road trip pass. With Japanese highways operating on a toll system, the Japan Express Pass will allow holders of foreign passports to venture as far and wide as they'd like, all for one set price. Well, almost; they do come with a 10,000 kilometre limit. Available in seven- and 14-day packages for between AU$228 and $400, they're designed to encourage more folks to venture beyond the Japan's cities and soak up its rural sights. If that's on your itinerary any time soon, the passes will become available from 275 car rental stores across the country from October 13. You will still need a driver's licence that's valid for use in Japan — which means an International Driver's Permit and a current Australian state driver's licence. That's what you'll need if you're keen to try your hand at Tokyo's MariCar, a real-life recreation of Mario Kart that lets you race through the streets of the city, so you probably want to make sure you have it anyway. Via The Japan Times. Image: Atif Johari.
When Yours and Owls announced that it wasn't going ahead in 2024, joining the long list of music festivals scrapping plans for this year, it thankfully only put its fun on hold for a year. Returning in 2025 was always the intention, and now that big comeback has dates. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2. Yours and Owls didn't completely sit 2024 out, however. Earlier in October, it held a pre-party, aka the event you put on when you can't put on the full festival experience at your usual time of the year because it doesn't work for your headliners' calendars. So, a tunes-filled shindig still took over the University of Wollongong campus — complete with Golden Features, Peking Duk, Alice Ivy, Anna Lunoe and more — to keep things warm for next year. [caption id="attachment_965220" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] There's no word yet as to who'll be taking to the stage when Yours and Owls starts autumn 2025 in the best possible way, but organisers have advised to expect details soon. It's been a rollercoaster ride of a few years for the fest. It only turned into its new site in 2023 after it was forced to cancel in 2022 when La Niña flooded its Stuart Park venue. Affectionately labelled 'Gong Christmas', Yours and Owls moved to UOW as part of the fest and university's three-year partnership, with the all-weather solutions available at the campus cited as one of the driving factors behind the team-up — plus the uni's picturesque green spaces and a mutual commitment towards carbon-emission reduction. [caption id="attachment_906428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Gleeson[/caption] 2023's Yours and Owls featured Oliver Tree, Chet Faker and Descendents, and also Hilltop Hoods, Earl Sweatshirt, Golden Features, Ocean Alley, Flight Facilities and Pendulum — so expect 2025's fest to be worth waiting for. Confirmation that the event will be back next year follows locked in details for the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 for a heap of fellow festivals, such as Laneway, Golden Plains, Bluesfest (for the last time), Wildlands, Good Things, Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Meredith. [caption id="attachment_906426" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ruby Bowland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_906427" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] Yours and Owls will return to Wollongong on Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2, 2025. Head to the festival website for more details.
Gone are the days when film buffs got their fix in one of three ways: at the cinema, via the video shop and thanks to whatever happened to pop up on TV. Lately, streaming platforms have become a cinephile's best friend — especially with COVID-19 restrictions keeping everyone at home. We say 'platforms', plural, because there's just so many to choose from. Netflix may be the industry's big gun, but Aussie audiences can also subscribe to Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, DocPlay, iWonder, Quibi and OzFlix, too. And, as even the most casual movie fan probably knows, that isn't even the end of the list. Feeling spoiled for choice? Can't pick which platform to splash your cash on? There is an easier way. Australian viewers can also access a number of free streaming services such as SBS On Demand, Tubi and Kanopy — which don't skimp on film options, but won't cost you a cent. And in the interests of budget-friendly movie marathons, we've rounded up ten excellent flicks you can stream for free right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdhN4oMxCQ BAD GENIUS Mark our words: in the next couple of years, an English-language version of this Thai thriller will reach our screens. A high-stakes high-school exam flick, it's smart and slick, funny and fast-paced, as well as tautly made and tension-filled — and it turns a situation we can all relate to into a nail-biting heist caper. Straight-A student Lynn (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) is the misbehaving high-achiever of the title, who first hatches a plan to make money by feeding her classmates test answers, and then bands together with her customers to cheat at the biggest test there is. The premise was taken from reality, and part of the movie was shot in Sydney, but the real highlight is Bad Genius' lively style and thoroughly entertaining narrative. Bad Genius is available to stream via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8oYYg75Qvg YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE In Lynne Ramsay's long-waited fourth feature, an ex-soldier and former FBI agent grapples with his own trauma while trying to save others from theirs. Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) rescues children abducted and abused by pedophile rings — and if that sounds like an astonishing story, just wait, because You Were Never Really Here isn't done yet. Indeed, it's hard to pick what's more stunning here: Ramsay's empathetic and expressive direction, which keeps making unexpected choices to immerse viewers in Joe's headspace, or Phoenix's internalised performance, which won him the best actor prize at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Call it a tie, and call this film an exceptional achievement that isn't easily forgotten after watching. Phoenix might've won an Oscar this year for Joker, but this is his best performance. You Were Never Really Here is available to stream via Kanopy. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg9nzOFVwtQ THE FIFTH ELEMENT The 90s didn't shy away from big-screen sci-fi, but there's nothing quite as entertaining as The Fifth Element. Forget Independence Day, Armageddon and Men in Black — if you're eager for a film about humanity battling aliens and trying to save the planet, Luc Besson's action-packed flick is the best pick. Come for Bruce Willis and a pre-Resident Evil Milla Jovovich at their kick-ass best. Stay for the eye-popping set and costume design, with the latter by Jean-Paul Gaultier. And, story-wise, get immersed in an ambitious and entertaining futuristic tale about a taxi driver saddled with finding four mystical stones to fend off an intergalactic attack. The Fifth Element is available to stream via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36iHKZmeH60 BRIMSTONE & GLORY It's human nature to stare at the sky whenever fireworks ascend to the heavens. We hear the popping sound, spy the bright flashes of light and simply can't help ourselves. Set in Tultepec, the tiny town at the heart of Mexico's fireworks industry, Brimstone & Glory captures that feeling more effectively than anyone could've expected. Indeed, the gorgeous documentary commits the vibrance of watching colourful explosions twinkling above to film as it charts the locale's National Pyrotechnic Festival, explores the lives of those both working and watching, and proves as spellbinding as the substance at its centre. Brimstone & Glory is available to stream via Kanopy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKD0sMntjWE THE TRIBE Writer/director Miroslav Slaboshpitsky's first feature was always going to be a hard sell. The film runs for more than two hours without a word of dialogue, a hint of music or even any subtitles, with its characters — a group of classmates at a Ukrainian boarding school for the hearing impaired — communicating only through sign language. And it's not just a difficult concept; in an effort that becomes both violent and haunting — all the more so because it demands audiences pay the utmost attention to what they can see — it's also difficult to watch. Reports of fainting are widespread, but those who can stomach its brutal sights will find a movie completely unlike anything else they've ever seen before. The Tribe is available to stream via Tubi. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-70r7GkiBGM HEATHERS These days, Heathers is a stage musical, a TV series and (in Brisbane at least) a regular dance party theme. If you've ever wondered why this dark high school-set tale just keeps spawning new adaptations and celebrations, then you owe it to yourself to watch or rewatch the original 1988 movie. For Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), every day at Westerburg High School is hell. Even though she's part of the popular clique — with her three closest friends all called Heather — that still proves the case. Then brooding loner JD (Christian Slater) arrives at school, instantly shaking up the status quo. The result: murder, mayhem, teen angst and one incredibly acerbic, sharp and amusing satire. Heathers is available to stream via Kanopy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVsAixfCL4Q HOLY MOTORS Cinematic mind-benders don't get much better — or more strange, eccentric and surreal — than Leos Carax's Holy Motors. Following a man called Oscar (Denis Lavant) who rides around in a limousine, attends unusual appointments in various costumes and plays an array of different parts, it's the type of film that can't be neatly summarised. Indeed, as Oscar goes about his day, anything could happen. Sometimes, he's dressed up as a beggar in the Parisian streets. Later, he's an old man listening to Eva (Kylie Minogue) sing. As it hops between kaleidoscopic vignettes, Carax's vibrant film ponders and probes identity and individuality, all while serving up dazzling visuals, exuberant performances and constant surprises. Holy Motors is available to stream via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9QrvLd2pbY RIVER OF GRASS Kelly Reichardt boasts quite the filmography. She explored the companionship only a pet can bring in Wendy and Lucy, delved into the western genre in Meek's Cutoff and contemplated eco-activism in Night Moves. Then, she brought Michelle Williams, Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart together for contemplative triptych Certain Women, and stepped back to 19th-century America for her stellar latest film First Cow. Before all that, though, Reichardt spun a story of social isolation and disconnection in the Florida suburbs, all thanks to her debut feature River of Grass. And as with every entry on the director's resume, this not-quite road movie couldn't feel more authentic or keenly observed. River of Grass is available to stream via Kanopy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzp2HP4gaJ0 PURPLE RAIN 'Purple Rain', the song, is one of Prince's all-time greats. Purple Rain, the album, ranks just as highly. And Purple Rain, the 1984 film, is exactly the kind of movie that a Prince-starring rock musical should be. Focusing on an aspiring musician trying to balance his troubled home life with his band and his girlfriend, the storyline is straightforward — but when you plonk a charismatic star like Prince in the middle of it, bathe the flick's frames in plenty of purple, and crank up the killer soundtrack, sparks fly. Given the narrative, the array of live concert scenes also work a treat. And while the sequel, 1990's Graffiti Bridge, doesn't reach the same heights, this is a mighty entertaining, toe-tapping way to spend 111 minutes. Purple Rain is available to stream via Tubi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-_LxiRETWA THE CONVERSATION In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola directed a little film called The Godfather Part II. Yes, everyone has heard of it. But that was just one of his movies that year — and with zero scorn aimed towards the Oscar-winning crime flick, which is rightfully considered one of the best sequels ever made, The Conversation is actually even better. Winning the Cannes Film Festival's top gong, this Gene Hackman-starring thriller delves into a topic that's still very relevant today: the moral dilemma around surveillance. Hackman is fantastic as the film's conflicted protagonist, while Coppola crafts a tense, moody and brooding masterpiece. Keep an eye out for a young pre-Star Wars Harrison Ford, too. The Conversation is available to stream via SBS On Demand.
Déjà vu might strike when 2024 arrives, at least when it comes to one of your first TV shows of the year. Jamie Dornan (A Haunting in Venice), Danielle Macdonald (French Exit), amnesia, a past coming back to haunt, an early-January release: the first incredibly easy-to-binge season of The Tourist back in 2022 ticked all of those boxes, and now so will the second next year. When the series first arrived, it was swiftly renewed for another go-around — and, although plenty is clearly remaining the same, that follow-up does involve one big shakeup. While the initial season of The Tourist was set in Australia with Dornan as the titular figure, the season takes place in Ireland. This time, it's Macdonald's Aussie cop Helen who is travelling abroad. As the show's just-released first trailer for season two illustrates, however, not being able to recall anything remains part of Dornan's remit as Elliot. The character's lack of memory ties into a plot that bring secrets from his past into play, as well as a family feud. Audiences will be able to see the end result from Tuesday, January 2 via Stan in Australia and Monday, January 1 via TVNZ+ in New Zealand, with The Tourist season two spanning another six episodes. Screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams (Baptiste, The Missing, Liar) return as well, but Dornan and Macdonald will have Conor MacNeill, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Olwen Fouéré (The Northman), Diarmaid Murtagh (Outlander), Nessa Matthews (Inspektor Jury: Der Tod des Harlekins), Mark McKenna (The Miracle Club) and Francis Magee (Then You Run) for new on-screen company. If you missed The Tourist's first season, Dornan's Elliot was caught up in a mystery, which unfurled its specifics in cliffhanger-heavy instalments. The show also had fun with its premise — and its onslaught of twists and turns. It knew that zigzagging thrillers that work from a clearcut roadmap should make their familiar pieces feel anything but, and should take their audience along for a wild ride. And, it was well aware that that should all be the case even when largely driving down a recognisable road. An Irish traveller in Australia, Elliot was run off the street by a steamrolling long-haul truck, sparking his fogginess about his own moniker and everything else about his past. Macdonald's Local Constable Helen Chalmers took a shine to him anyway, but piecing together his history was far from straightforward. His other immediate questions in season one: why is he in the middle of Australia, why does a bomb go off in his vicinity and why is he getting calls from a man trapped in an underground barrel? Check out the trailer for second season of The Tourist below: The Tourist season two will start streaming from Tuesday, January 2 via Stan in Australia and Monday, January 1 via TVNZ+ in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one.
Ever wanted an extra few minutes in bed on Monday morning? A new Sydney-based startup is offering you this opportunity with a new app that lets you customise, order and pay for your coffee and breakfast before you even arrive at the cafe door. Beat The Q, as the name suggests, allows customers to beat those dreary queues for your morning latte and vegemite toast. After you set up an account, Beat The Q searches for nearby cafes. Select a venue, and then you can order your coffee and food through a simple online menu. Follow the steps to finalise the order, and it will be ready for pick up without any of the awkward standing around in never-ending lines. With the ability to order while you're still in bed or riding on the bus, this is sure to shave a couple of minutes off your hectic morning schedule. Beat The Q is now being offered by over 30 cafes in Sydney, including Toby's Estate, Sonoma Baking Company, Pablo and Rusty's and Little Marionette cafes. The company's founder, Adam Theobald, states that the app was "born out of a love for coffee, and dislike of queues", something we are all too familiar with. Furthermore, it was created to address "current trends, including longer work hours and a shift towards a cashless society." Indeed, this is another way that technology is making our lives just a little cushier. Watch for more of your favourite cafes to be offering this quick and convenient method of ordering. With Beat The Q, it's certain that your coffee is going to taste just that little bit sweeter. You can grab the app from the iTunes store now.
Remember the feeling of being pushed on a playground swing and getting so much air you thought you could do a 360 over the top? We indulged in that feeling when we rounded up the best swings ever, but now China have taken things to a whole new level. Not only are they building the "longest and highest" glass bridge in the world, but they're also tacking on three (three!) swings for the ultimate rush of adrenaline and sense of mortality. Game on. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is located above the — you guessed it — Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in middle China's Hunan province. Designed by Haim Dotan Architects, the bridge was set to open this month, but has been delayed to include a few cheeky extras. Joe Chen, vice general manager at the Zhangjiajie Canyon Tourism Management Co., told Inhabitat that the bridge will include not one, but three swings. Because one swing is never enough. Obviously. "It's true that we will have a swing on the bridge and it's not a swing but three swings, including one giant swing which has a total length of about 150 meters to 170 meters," Chen told Inhabitat. According to this very dramatic video, the new structure will be the largest glass bridge in the world (note emphasis on 'glass'), standing at 430 metres long and 300 metres off the canyon floor. The video also says the bridge holds ten world records, although it's not actually clear what those records are (especially as it hasn't even been finished yet). The bridge doesn't have a firm opening date, but it could be as early as June or July. Until then, we suggest you start building your swinging technique and nerves of steel. Via Inhabitat. Image: Haim Dotan Architects.
When you think of Victoria's High Country, you probably picture its rugged mountain landscape, charming historic towns and generations-old wineries. But there's a new crop of producers putting the state's northeast on the map for a different product: the beer. From the rivers to the mountains, seven craft breweries across the region have banded together to create the High Country Brewery Trail, the ultimate beer journey for any frothy fan. This tight-knit community of brewers shares a love of place, sustainable practice, local produce and good old-fashioned country hospitality — as well as the simple guiding ethos that life is too short to drink bad beer. The trail, which is inspired by wine trails, covers a broad range of brews, from easy-drinking British ales and European bier, to weird and wonderful sours, seasonal releases and everything in between. Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of operations across the board. There's King River Brewing's use of the award-winning sustainable malts from Voyager in the NSW Riverina, Billson's spring water from its on-site well and the solar-powered beer of Bright Brewery (pictured below). [caption id="attachment_859372" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] Nathan Cowan, owner of Billson's, sees a special spirit and love for the area coming through in the work of local producers. "I think everyone who lives in the High Country takes a lot of pride in showcasing our beautiful region," he says. "The craft beer scene is so exceptional thanks to pioneers such as Bridge Road Brewers and Bright Brewery, they have set an incredibly high standard for others to aspire to." For Ben Kraus, head brewer at Beechworth's Bridge Road Brewers (pictured below), the quality of his brews sprung out of the region's renowned food and wine scene, and the brilliant local produce those industries celebrate. "Our brewery was one of the first of its kind in Victoria — a regional brewery modelled on a modern winery, with a cellar door offering tastings, a bar, retail sales and, later, a restaurant," he says. "Beechworth is a beautiful village known mostly for its gold rush colonial heritage and links to Ned Kelly, but those in the know are also aware that it doubles as a culinary paradise. We're really proud to represent our town and region, and offer an authentic and unique experience to our community and visitors." [caption id="attachment_859370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Dunphy, Tourism North East[/caption] Indeed, each brewery has its own charm, from the converted tobacco kiln that's now the taproom at the laidback King River Brewing, to the sprawling 1850s coach house that's home to Bridge Road Brewers and the famous 150-year-old brick brewery that houses Billson's. The best time to visit? That'd be winter — and it's not hard to see why. "Crisp winter mornings, sunny days, open fires, dark beers, all at a time of year when too much food never seems enough," Kraus says. For King River Brewing's Nathan Munt, the Victoria High Country in the colder months is a whole world away from any grey city winter. "With bright blue skies on clear days and vivid scenery on cloudy ones, the experience is almost surreal when you come out of the city," he says. "There is such a focus on local produce and many family-run small businesses that you can always treat yourself to amazing home-style food, great dark and warming beers, elegant wines, fresh winter veg and roasted produce." [caption id="attachment_859373" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josie Withers, Visit Victoria[/caption] And those seasonal beers are looking good right now. Bridge Road has just launched its 17th anniversary ale, the B2 Bomber Mach 12.0, a big-bodied beer perfect for shaking off the winter chill. While Billson's is keeping its new releases under wraps for now, Cowan says the head brewer has a few special brews up his sleeve. "We've set ourselves the challenge of launching at least one new drink every week for the next 12 months," he says. "Many of these will be exclusive to the region and world firsts." In addition to its usual balanced and approachable European-style beers (including an award-winning doppelbock), King River Brewing's winter brews include a Fig Porter and a number of wet-hopped offerings, all made with fresh harvest ingredients. It's also spearheaded this year's Rule 47, the annual collaboration between each of the brewers on the High Country Brewery Trail that showcases the best of the region's hops. This year's version is a crisp new-world pilsner with notes of passionfruit and white peach. Whether you go for the tried-and-true classics or the seasonal releases, every stop along the trail has something to offer. As Munt tells us, each spot offers something special. "Couple the unique location and scenery at each brewery and the fact that the High Country is the home of hops, with the largest and most innovative hop farms in Australia right on our doorstep, the High Country Brewery Trail is an absolute must for anybody who enjoys beer." BEER HERE: THE ESSENTIAL STOPS ON VICTORIA'S HIGH COUNTRY BREWERY TRAIL BRIGHT BREWERY, BRIGHT This brewery, bar and bike-hub in the heart of Bright — overlooking the Ovens River — is inspired by the alpine breweries of the US. It's made a name for itself with its special releases (affogato stout, anyone?) and is making huge strides towards carbon neutrality, with about one-third of its operations running on solar power. BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS, BEECHWORTH Heritage meets innovation in Bridge Road Brewers' 1850s-era coach house. The spot in picturesque Beechworth offers 20 beers on a rotating tap with both traditional and progressive styles (including a zero-alc brew) and a top-notch pizza menu showcasing local produce. BLACK DOG BREWERY, TAMINICK Brewer (and fourth-generation winemaker) James Booth uses traditional techniques and pure Warby Range water for Black Dog Brewery's handcrafted small-batch beers, which range from pales to stouts, all poured from a traditional English beer engine. KING RIVER BREWING, WHITFIELD King River's brewpub is an inviting space in a converted tobacco kiln, where hearty bratwurst and wood-fired pizza match the Euro-style biers on offer, all set among the gorgeous tree-lined scenery of the King Valley. MITTA MITTA BREWING CO, MITTA MITTA This family-run brewery (pictured above) in the rugged Mitta Valley, about an hour from Albury/Wodonga, was built from local timber and reclaimed materials. Come for the ethical, sustainable food and brews made from hops grown on site, stay for the scenic views and cosy fire. CRANK HANDLE BREWERY, TAWONGA SOUTH Head to Crank Handle Brewery to sit back in the shadows of Mount Bogong and sip on honest traditional beers. There's Bruno's Bitter (an ESB), Kell's Kolsch, Alpine Ale, Dangerous Dave's Lager and more, all ready to be paired with hearty, no-fuss eats, friendly hosts and an unbeatable location. BILLSON'S BREWERY, BEECHWORTH Billson's philosophy is to craft good, easy-drinking beers using local ingredients — including spring water from its on-site well — in its 150-year-old brewery. The space boasts a tasting room, underground speakeasy and even an old-school soda bar where you can sample the producer's famous cordials. For more great ways to experience the incredible food and drinks in Victoria's High Country this winter, head to the website.
We hope you're feeling hungry because the Christmas morning of culinary events is back. The legendary Melbourne Food & Wine Festival returns to whip the city into a feeding frenzy — and certain food coma — from Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 24. This year's program is as hefty as ever, with special guest chefs flying in from around the world, local legends hosting unmissable dining events, and all kinds of parties, pop-ups and food-focused festivities happening in-between. But if you dropped the ball on sorting out tickets and still want to get your MFWF fix, fear not because it's never too late. We've rounded up a bunch of the best Melbourne Food & Wine Festival events you can still book a spot at — or that you can simply rock up to enjoy at your leisure. From dessert degustations and Michelin-starred feasts to huge communal dining experiences, here's all the food fest inspiration you need. Recommended reads: The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Weekend The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Month The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
2024 marks two decades since one of the best blends of romance, comedy, drama and sci-fi of the 21st century reached screens in the form of Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. How should you celebrate that fact? Rewatching the movie always, and also checking out the French filmmaker's latest feature at Australia's annual Alliance Française French Film Festival. In his first movie since 2015, the director draws from his own experience in semi-autobiographical comedy The Book of Solutions — one of the just-announced full AFFFF program's clear must-sees. French film fans, rejoice — the lineup goes on from there, with 41 titles on offer overall. The festival will run across March and April in its 35th year, giving most of its stops a month of Gallic movies. So, in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, get ready to see plenty of France from your cinema seat. Byron Bay's season is shorter, but still lasts for three weeks. At the end of 2023, AFFFF unveiled its first eight flicks for 2024, so audiences already had opening night's The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan to look forward to, alongside its second part The Three Musketeers: Milady. And, the Catherine Deneuve (The Truth)-led The President's Wife, Juliette Binoche (The Staircase)-starring The Taste of Things, futuristic The Animal Kingdom, regal scandal-focused Jeanne Du Barry, legal drama All Your Faces and Laure Calamy (The Origin of Evil) in Iris and the Men as well. Joining them are plenty of new highlights, such as Last Summer, the latest from iconic director Catherine Breillat (Abuse of Weakness), about a woman and her teenage stepson. Not one but two movies starring the great Isabelle Huppert (The Crime Is Mine) are on the roster, with The Sitting Duck casting her as IRL whistleblower Maureen Kearney and Sidonie in Japan about a love triangle that includes a ghost. And Second Round gets the closing-night spot, hailing from Albert Duponte (Bye Bye Morons), and taking aim at politics and the media. Attendees can also check out A Difficult Year, from The Intouchables' Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, and with Noémie Merlant (The Innocent) and Mathieu Amalric (The French Dispatch) among the cast — plus rom-com Mr Blake at Your Service!, with author Gilles Legardinier turning director to adapt his own book, and John Malkovich (Billions) and Fanny Ardant (Well Done!) starring. Historical drama Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe is about the painter (Vincent Macaigne, Irma Vep) and his wife (Cécile de France, The Swarm), while Out of Season has Guillaume Canet (Breaking Point) and Alba Rohrwacher (La Chimera) play ex-lovers. Like The Book of Solutions, The Taste of Things, The Animal Kingdom and romantic drama Along Came Love, both Àma Gloria and Rosalie grace the program after debuting at Cannes 2023. The first focuses on a girl and her nanny, while the second tells of a real historical figure who was born with hair covering her face and body. Other options include Take a Chance on Me, as starring French pop singer Louane Emera; fellow comedy A Chance to Win, where two rival villages face off in rugby; the swashbuckling The Edge of the Blade; the world premiere of King of My Castle, from the writers of Welcome to the Sticks; and the animated Nina and the Secret of the Hedgehog, with Audrey Tautou (The Jesus Rolls) among the voices. The fest is also giving classic Children of Paradise from 1945 a new big-screen celebration, taking viewers back to the 1800s with its storyline, as well as into Paris' theatre scene — because looking at France's great films from year gone by is another way to showcase the country's cinema industry and its impact. Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024 Dates: Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 9 — Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, The Chauvel, Roseville Cinema and Cinema Orpheum Cremorne, Sydney Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Como, Kino Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville and Windsor Cinema, Perth Thursday, March 7–Wednesday, March 27 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Thursday, March 7–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, March 21–Tuesday, April 16 — Nova Prospect and Palace Nova Eastend, Adelaide The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia in March and April 2024. For more information and tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
Finally, summer is on the horizon, and with it comes the inevitable food requirements: beachside BBQs, ice cold beers and the quintessential Golden Gaytime. And now there’s a new contender for the perfect summer treat, and it comes courtesy of a soft serve yoghurt machine and a rainbow of flavors straight of out Willy Wonka’s candy factory. Merely weeks since opening, Yo-Chi has become something of a local phenomenon; teenagers filter steadily through in the after school hours and there’s a comfortable mix of hipsters and families to be found on any visit. And with the ‘pick and mix’ attitude of choosing your own flavor and topping, its cult following is suited much more for the unfussy, laid-back cool of Balaclava rather than it’s showy sibling St Kilda. Whilst there’s no doubt it could have done just as well in a more tourist-focused location, it’s clear the mentality behind Yo-Chi isn’t to become a trendy treat styled chain a la Trampoline, more centered around community and creating a local hangout that’s friendly and relaxed. For what seems a simple concept, the combinations are endless – if you like your yoghurt the conventional way, there’s simple flavors such as traditional greek, mango and mixed berry to choose from, or you can go something more obscure like the brilliantly spiced Chai or the light and fluffy coconut. Toppings range from freshly cut fruit to dense chocolate sauce, nuts and even passionfruit pearls that burst in your mouth. Unlike the usual pick and mix system where each topping costs extra, Yo-Chi encourage you to try different flavors and toppings in the one cup, often giving you the chance to try before you make your decisions. 100g of yoghurt is $2.80, though you’ll most likely find a small cup filled reasonably full (with two or three toppings) works out closer to $5. Whether you’re just looking for a healthy alternative to the myriad of ice-cream chains populating St Kilda or simply want to try something a little bit different, Yo-Chi looks set to become a staple this summer – and with its attitude to trying new variations each time, it demands a return visit.
With its latest movie-fuelled event, Immersive Cinema is hoping that you've never felt like this before — and that you love Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a much-adored 1987 romantic drama. The second part is easy. As for the first, you might've actually stepped into this interactive Dirty Dancing experience back in 2019 when it first came to Australia. Who doesn't want to have the time of their life twice, though? For its second Aussie stint, Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience is only heading to Melbourne, taking over the Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, April 1–Sunday, April 2, 2023. If Francis 'Baby' Houseman can take a trip to Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills with her family, you can hit up the venue — and the Victorian capital if you're not a Melburnian — to get whisked away to the next best thing. Here, attendees will get plunged into the world of Dirty Dancing. Taking over the outdoor venue, Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience won't just screen one of Swayze's biggest film roles, but will recreate the world of the popular film. That means that attendees will travel back to 1963 in spirit, check into the flick's setting, and enjoy a day of painting classes, volleyball, croquet, mini golf and — of course — dance lessons. You can probably also expect a stint of carrying watermelons, and definitely a dance showcase. And yes, it all ends with an evening screening of Dirty Dancing on the big screen. You'd be just a fool to believe that's all that's on the agenda. Actors and dancers will roam around like the wind and, food- and drink-wise, Americana-style eats will be available at 12 different dining spots, while seven pop-up bars will sling summery cocktails — all on offer for those with hungry eyes (and stomachs). Also, there'll be a dedicated watermelon stand, plus a picnic area among the rose bushes. You'll also be able to wander through recreations of Kellerman's famous fictional spaces. That includes the staff quarters where Baby Houseman gets her first taste of dirty dancing, as well as the studios where she learns all the steps from and starts swooning over Johnny Castle. Wherever you head, nobody will be putting Baby in a corner. Like the film version of Kellerman's, the event is also an all-ages affair — and everyone is encouraged to dress up like it's the 60s, but appropriate footwear for dancing is a must. Also, because no one had phones back in the 60s, it's a technology-free experience as well. The only screen that matters: the big one showing the movie, of course. Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience will take over Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday, April 1–Sunday, April 2, 2023. Ticket presales start at 10am AEDT on Monday, November 28, with general public tickets available from 10am on Wednesday, November 30. Images: Mushroom Creative House.
Shane Barrett adores wine. After shopping at specialty supermarket Terra Madre on Northcote's High Street one evening, the co-owner of Melbourne CBD Spanish tapas restaurant and rooftop bar, Bomba, was on the hunt for a bottle and found that the area was not awash in liquor stores. So, he teamed up with longtime Bomba business partners Jesse Gerner, Andrew Fisk and Kelly O'Loghlan to open his own. The four have opened a brand new bottle shop which focuses on boutique producers who practice sustainable, organic and biodynamic principals, alongside handpicked international wines. And they've named it for a fellow wine lover, Samuel Pepys. "Samuel Pepys was a naval administrator in London in the 1600s," says Barrett. "He was a diarist who loved good wine and food. If you read any of his entries they're quite entertaining — he was an old day foodie for lack of better words." The interiors (which the boys conceived themselves) are homely, welcoming shoppers with a cluster of suspended plants that overlook wire racks caressing bottles. Various wines are also available to taste, you'll find the daily offerings written on the chalkboard by the counter. "We want people to feel comfortable coming here and spend a bit of town browsing, we have products the general public won't be familiar with," says Barrett. "We all travel to Europe about two times a year and import a lot of wines ourselves," he adds, referring to their distribution company, Armada Imports. The store hosts about 400 wines, a 200 strong spirit list, a full Riedel glassware range and a selection of cigars (la-di-da). Local wines from Patrick Sullivan are available, as are bottles from the Mornington Peninsula's Polperro Estate. Find Samuel Pepys at 96 High Street, Northcote. Open from 12pm – 9pm daily. For more information head to the store's Facebook, Instagram or website.
Perhaps you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse. Maybe you can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi. Or, you might be able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin. You could've fallen head over heels for Raya and the Last Dragon more recently, too. Whichever category fits — and we're guessing that at least one does — Disney's animated movies have likely played a significant part in your life. We all have those childhood memories. We've all grown up with a lingering fondness for the Mouse House. Based on its just-announced big 2021 exhibition, clearly the team at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne knows the feeling. From Thursday, May 13 to Sunday, October 17 this year, the newly revamped ACMI will open its doors, halls and walls to Disney: The Magic of Animation, which'll showcase Disney's animated prowess over the past century. There's much to display, with the exhibition ranging back as far as 1928, when Mickey Mouse appeared in his first talkie, Steamboat Willie. From there, you can expect everything from Fantasia to Frozen to get some attention. [caption id="attachment_805358" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Disney Enterprises[/caption] Expect to look at art, too — and plenty of it. When it makes its Australian-exclusive stop in Melbourne, Disney: The Magic of Animation will feature more than 500 original artworks relating to Disney's animated catalogue. Paintings, sketches and concept art will all be on display, with the entire lineup specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. Yes, you'll be getting a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, including through glimpses at how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and at the animation techniques that brought them to the big screen. And, although further details haven't yet been revealed, it's probably safe to expect that watching Disney's flicks will also be part of the program. [caption id="attachment_805353" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Disney Enterprises[/caption] Announcing the exhibition, ACMI Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick said that the venue is "thrilled to bring Disney: The Magic of Animation to Australia as ACMI's 2021 Melbourne Winter Masterpiece — the first since reopening after our $40 million transformation. Disney's pioneering work has brought the art of animation to audiences across the globe for nearly a century. This exhibition invites us behind the scenes, celebrating the artists and their incredible craft as they create the magical worlds and iconic characters that we know and love." Previously, ACMI's annual Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series has toured international exhibitions such as David Bowie Is... and Hollywood Costume to our shores. In Disney: The Magic of Animation's case, it's designed to appeal to Disney fans of all ages — including Mouse House aficionados both young and young at heart. Disney: The Magic of Animation will display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne from Thursday, May 13–Sunday, October 17. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the ACMI website.
Luke Mangan is well known for serving up classic French cuisine in Sydney — with restaurants in the Hilton Hotel Sydney, Kimpton Margot Hotel Sydney and the Pylon Lookout inside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And his latest venture Bistrot Bisou follows the same tried-and-tested formula. He has set up a contemporary French restaurant in another city hotel — but this time, in Melbourne's Hotel Indigo. Here, you won't find food that challenges or feels particularly playful. Instead, Mangan and his Head Chef Rory Kennedy (Vex Dining and Bar Romantica) have stuck to nailing the classics. You've got your steak tartare, cheese soufflé, confit duck legs, lobster thermidor, tarte tatin and crème brûlée. There might not be any real surprises, but the dishes are executed with great finesse and also showcase top local produce. The flamed-cooked steaks are a standout. These are cooked in the open kitchen over a roaring fire, which fills the room with a slight smokiness that makes the space feel incredibly cosy and welcoming. Those ready to brave the heat can even sit up at the bar and eat while watching the chefs do their thing. "We want this to feel like a second home for guests, whether they're Melbourne locals or visitors wanting a relaxed place to dine after a long day of sightseeing," says Mangan. "The French bistros of Paris have an ambience about them no matter what time of day or night it is, which is what we are creating here." [caption id="attachment_959622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glen Percival[/caption] And Mangan has lucked out with the 96-seat dining room, which was only fitted-out a few years ago for the Beso, former Spanish restaurant that once called this space home. The kitchen is mostly the same as it was before, as is the front bar. The space is full of cream and light brown tones, leather banquette seats, brass finishes, and a seperate nook for semi-private dining. At the front bar, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Spencer Street, folks can also sit up on a stool while they sip and snack. Tim Davey (French Saloon) has created the impressive cocktail list for Bistrot Bisou, which includes eight martinis, plenty of signature creations, and a hefty list of French aperitifs for those wanting a little pre-dinner sip. As expected, the wine list features a great selection of French and Victorian vinos, while Taittinger Champagne is also available by the glass. If you're a fan of classic French fare (with a slight modern edge), you're in for a real treat at Bistrot Bisou. Bistrot Bisou is located at 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, open for dinner from 5.30pm–late, Tuesday–Saturday. For more details and to book a table, visit the venue's website. Images: Jana Langhorst.
Picking something to watch is about to get harder, and Australian viewers are set to get even more spoilt for choice. The list of streaming services available Down Under is already hefty, but there'll be at least 50 more channels to choose from once the end of August hits. The reason: the launch of Pluto TV on our shores, which is coming via Network Ten's 10 Play platform. Up and running in the US for almost a decade, Pluto TV is completely free to watch. The catch: it's a FAST service, aka free ad-supported streaming television. So, just like in the days before anyone had even dreamed up Netflix and the like, or pay TV, you won't pay a cent to watch — but you will have to see commercials. Pluto TV's big drawcard is delivering its smorgasbord of content via channels, rather than just having audiences scroll through hundreds or thousands of shows and movies to decide what to watch. Basically, it replicates the linear TV experience on free-to-air, but via streaming. You'll still need to do some choosing, though, given that there's a lengthy roster of themed channels to choose from. And to watch, you'll be headed to the new Pluto TV area on 10 Play, rather than to a specific standalone service. Paramount, which owns and operates Pluto TV and also Network Ten, hasn't revealed the exact number of channels that'll arrive in Australia from Thursday, August 31 — other than it'll be 50-plus. And, while it also hasn't unveiled the full list of what each will show, it has named some specific options. Fancy only viewing South Park? I Love Lucy? Happy Days? Dynasty? MTV's reality shows? Nickelodeon classics? They'll all have their own channels. Whatever else Pluto TV adds to its Aussie offering — Hawaii Five-O, an MTV channel focused on Shores shows, and Nick Toons have also been announced so far — it'll be drawing from the Los Angeles-based company's partnerships with 400-plus international media outfits. And, it'll be expanding the service in yet another location, with Pluto TV already up in running in more than 35 markets. "These 50 Pluto TV channels represent our first step to engage with Australian audiences and we are happy to mark this milestone by partnering with 10 Play, demonstrating once more the strength of our Paramount ecosystem," said Olivier Jollet, Executive Vice President and International General Manager for Pluto TV. "As pioneers in the FAST industry, we are bringing a new and unique user experience through curated channels dedicated to this market. Our mix of local and international content which matches the needs of our local audiences is what makes Pluto TV so valuable for viewers, clients, and partners across the world," Jollet continued. August is clearly a great month for Nickelodeon fans — Network Ten also just added a free-to-air channel devoted to the brand, the first in Australia outside of pay TV, separate to the upcoming Pluto TV options. Pluto TV's channels will be available via 10 Play from Thursday, August 31.
Cafe, designer's paradise and overall very cute space Cibi is expanding. Having spent the past decade on Keele Street in Collingwood, it has outgrown the original site — filling it to the brim with Japanese homewares and cafe customers — but it won't be moving far. Just a few hundred metres down the same street, actually. Taking up residence in a huge, 800-square-metre warehouse, which was once a garment factory, Cibi will be able to stretch out across a space four times the size of the original. Although the word "cibi" means "little one" in Japanese, little it won't be any longer. Sticking with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (acceptance of beauty in imperfection), the warehouse will have exposed beams, concrete and brick finishes, with owners Meg and Zenta Tanaka purposefully leaving things untouched. Previously focusing on Japanese homewares and a minimal Japanese-inspired cafe offering, Cibi will add a third notch to its belt at the new site, with the introduction of pantry staples. Using local seasonal produce, Meg will be bottling up a variety of goods in the new spacious kitchen and delivering them straight into your hands — expect pickles, sauces condiments and locally made tofu. The cafe will be expanding its cafe menu, too, with food available from breakfast through to afternoon tea. You'll also be able to try dishes for the store's recently published cookbook, Cibi: Simple Japanese-Inspired Meals to Share with Family and Friends, and its super-popular Japanese Breakfast — with grilled salmon, omelette, seasonal greens, rice and miso soup — will be now available every morning, instead of just weekends. In terms of the homewares, the brands exclusively imported by Cibi (such as Hakusan porcelain and Sori Yanagi cutlery) will be built on, with the addition of larger items — such as furniture — and more brands. And Zenta will explore one-off collaborations with local artists and designs, expanding on the popularity of the Cibi drinking glass. While you're in store, you'll be able to snag green babies for your home from The Plant Society or get a painting framed by United Measures, who'll both be taking up residency in the space. And for the future? Cooking lessons, Meg hopes, thanks to the larger kitchen, as well as other workshops and special events. Cibi will open at its new location at 31–39 Keele Street, Collingwood in early October.
Everyone's favourite food park under a bridge is going all out this year. From June 23 to July 30, Grazeland in Spotswood is transforming into a snow-filled Winter Wonderland. The star of the show will be a 10-metre snowman, which the Grazeland team is claiming to be the biggest snowman in Melbourne. You can also expect snow machines, DJs, dancing and mulled wine galore. Plus, there'll be firepits to keep everything cosy. Feeling hungry? Grazeland has 50 different food vendors on-site, and they're all running winter specials for the event. Frencheese is doing a gooey raclette and Bratboy is slinging festive German meatballs. While the kids go crazy in the Kid Zones, or get their faces painted, parents can relax with a cup of spice-infused Jam Shed mulled wine. Winter Wonderland is running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays till July 30. Opening times vary. Check the website for all the details. Kids under 12 get in free. Images: supplied.
Not someday, but in July next year, The Strokes will head to Australia to play Splendour in the Grass' long-delayed 20th-anniversary festival. And in news that'll have you partying like it's the 00s again, the New York rockers have also just announced two sideshows: at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion and Melbourne's John Cain Arena. Hitting up Melbourne first on Tuesday, July 26, before heading to Sydney on Thursday, July 28, the gigs will mark the band's first Australian headline shows in a decade. Clearly, The Strokes will have plenty to play — 2021 marks 20 years since their seminal debut album Is This It was released, and since everything from the title track and 'Hard to Explain' to the extremely catchy duo that is 'Last Nite' and 'New York City Cops' first got stuck in the world's heads. Since then, the Julian Casablancas-led group have put out five other studio albums, including The New Abnormal, their latest, in 2020 — which nabbed them the Best Rock Album Grammy Award earlier in 2021. When it comes to seeing one of the most influential bands of the past two decades, don't go making bad decisions, missing out, and realising that you only live once — and putting your heart in a cage. If you want to start drinking juiceboxes in preparation, that's up to you. The Strokes will be supported by The Chats and The Lazy Eyes on their solo shows, after headlining Splendour in the Grass on Saturday, July 23. THE STROKES 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES Melbourne — Tuesday, July 26, John Cain Arena Sydney — Thursday, July 28, Hordern Pavilion The Strokes will tour Australia in July 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale at 12pm AEDT on Monday, November 8, with general tickets on sale at 9am on Tuesday, November 9. For further details, head to the tour website. Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Celebrate New Year's Eve like they do in Spain and South America — with complimentary tapas. On December 31, Smith Street's MJR TOM, inspired by the Spanish concept of 'gratis', will be serving up complimentary tapas to revellers from 10pm. Fingers crossed their goreng sliders make an appearance, although we wouldn't say no to the kingfish ceviche, either. Drinks will be available at regular bar prices, making this one of the less exorbitant places in town to ring in 2016. Walk-ins only though — so maybe try and get there a little early to nab a prime perch.
With a booming five-year stint and loyal crowd of regulars under its belt, unique party place Pawn & Co shocked plenty when it announced it was getting turfed from its Chapel Street home — at the hands of developers, no less. But, as promised fiercely to its fans, the bar-pawn shop hybrid has returned with a vengeance, moving to impressive digs around the corner, at 177 Greville Street. The new iteration is bigger and better than ever, with the original hidden bookshelf entrance now leading punters to a heftier two-level space, complete with cosy booths, a courtyard, and three separate bars. This time though, co-owner and designer Josh Lefers has dialled up the steampunk aesthetic to a whole new level, with the retro-futuristic reboot boasting such random treasures as a cryogenic chamber, a steampunk throne, and an old Victorian tram you can sit in. There's also a church organ mixing cocktails, a talking vending machine taking drink orders, and a host of bonus extra features, glimpsed only through special glasses given to patrons. Of course, Pawn & Co has stuck with the bar concept that put it on the map (it was once featured by Forbes back in 2013), so absolutely everything inside the space is up for sale. Best keep that credit card on a short leash though, unless you really want a cryogenic chamber for your house. Pawn & Co. 2.0 is now open at 117 Greville Street, Prahran. For more info, visit pawnandco.com.au. Images: Eugene Hyland.
They're sticky, cinnamon scrolls, drenched in glaze and famous all across the USA. And now, at last, they're available Down Under. Yep, Seattle-born chain Cinnabon has landed in Australia, with a Brisbane outpost now serving up delicious baked goods. The launch was first announced in January this year, when family-run Queensland company Bansal Foods scored the Aussie rights to Cinnabon. But, now, it's more than just news. Brisbanites eager to get their fix can head to Toombul Shopping Centre in the city's north, and grab a scroll seven days a week — well, once the opening queues die down. Cinnabon has been going strong in America since 1985, so it has already picked up plenty of Aussie fans along the way. But this is the first time that we're able to get our hands on those sticky, cinnamon-infused baked goods on home soil. The new Brisbane store slings a trio of Cinnabon cult classics, including the classic cream cheese cinnamon roll, the popular chocolate-drizzled Chocobon and very extra Caramel Pecanbon. They're available in both mini and large sizes, along with packs featuring either four or nine 'minibons'. There's coffee and lots of sugary drinks to pair with your snacks, too, including a cinnamon bun frappe. If you're yet to get acquainted with the decadent dessert creations, prepare yourself for aromatic, cinnamon-spiked dough made to a long-held recipe, decked out with stacks of signature cream cheese frosting and loaded with extras. They're notoriously tough to replicate. Toombul Shopping Centre recently opened a new neon-lit upstairs dining precinct, but Cinnabon isn't a part of that. Instead, it's located on the ground floor near Coles. And if you're not in Brisbane, it probably won't be too long until Cinnabon makes its way down south. The Toombul store is set to be the first of many. A second Brisbane store in Mt Gravatt is due to open in January 2020 and, going off plans announced earlier in the year, Cinnabon is looking to launch in Sydney and beyond in 2021. Cinnabon is now open on the ground level of Toombul Shopping Centre, 1015 Sandgate Road, Toombul.
Rooftop bars are having a moment in Melbourne's hospitality scene, seemingly undeterred by the chill of colder months and spurred on by a promising start to spring. The latest indoor-outdoor space to join this new wave of drinking destinations is Sardine, boasting sky-high views in Melbourne's east. Announced as part of Chadstone's new $70-million entertainment hub, The Social Quarter, Sardine will form the second level of the new White + Wong's. Nestled on the upper level of the 750 square-metre restaurant, the standalone bar is home to uninterrupted views of Melbourne's city skyline and can accommodate up to 95 patrons. The drinks menu runs to the likes of local beers, wine, mocktails and cocktails. Standouts include the Moon Rabbit which mixes Drambuie, Lustao Amontillado Jerez and Demerara black tea with fresh lemon. Spice-lovers should beeline towards The La, which heroes chilli mango, lime, cranberry and maraschino with vodka. Peckish patrons can access the full White + Wong's menu from downstairs, but the bites and snacks section is particularly suited for the openair courtyard space. Peruse through fresh and tempura oysters, the latter served with a fresh nahm jim and kaffir lime mayonnaise. A summer-ready kingfish sashimi is served with Fijian-inspired heirloom tomatoes, chilli, lime, coconut cream and coriander. Crowd-pleasing dumplings range from a modern duck and chive xiao long bao, to traditional crystal skin prawn dumplings. Vegetarians can look towards gochujang wontons with Chinese cabbage, shiitake and tofu, or a Korean glass noodle salad. Sardine is open from 11am until late, 7 days a week at White + Wong's, Chadstone. Head to the White + Wong's website for more info. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Okay, we don't like to get preachy but if you haven't been to the Bendigo region yet, you've been missing out. Over the past few years, the region, which includes Heathcote, Castlemaine, Maldon, Maryborough, Talbot, Inglewood and Wedderburn, has further established itself as an incredible destination for all things arts, crafts and culture — not to mention its emerging foodie scene. But it's not just the urban aspects that are drawing people to the area. The region is a treasure trove of exciting outdoor activities that demand to be explored — from getting your hands dirty and (hopefully) striking gold to uncovering strange wonders like Heathcote's powdery Pink Cliffs and specially built mountain bike trails amid the foothills of Mount Alexander. With that in mind, here are nine that should add to your list right away. [caption id="attachment_730704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Mitchener.[/caption] CONQUER (SOME OF) THE 210-KILOMETRE GOLDFIELDS TRACK The Goldfields Track links the two cities of Bendigo and Ballarat — but you don't have to complete the whole length of the 210-kilometre trail to experience its beauty. Whether you're on a bike or just on foot, the pathway is broken into three smaller sections to make it easier to tackle. And, the Leanganook Track, between Bendigo and Castlemaine, via Harcourt, is a real knock-out. Throughout spring and summer, colourful wildflowers and orchids line the route, which passes by the historic, still-operating Coliban Water Main Channel and the ever-imposing Garfield Water Wheel. The natural wonders are just as interesting, with highlights including lush pine plantations, tempting apple orchards, Australia's first National Heritage Park and Mount Alexander's huge, picture-ready rock formations. Be sure to stop at Harcourt for lunch, cider and wine tasting. [caption id="attachment_730703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Jarni.[/caption] RACE AGAINST AN OLD STEAM TRAIN ON A TRAIL Opened in 2017, the Castlemaine to Maldon Trail is one of the newer kids on the block. From the dry forests of Maldon Historic Reserve and the open farmland of Muckleford to the historic Beehive Gold Mine and its impressive 30-metre-high chimney, there's so much to see and explore along this 17.7-kilometre trail, which can be completed as either a good hike or a beginner-friendly bike ride. Time your visit right (on a Wednesday or Sunday) and you can even have a race a heritage steam train operated by Victorian Goldfields Railway. Too tired to ride back? You can always ride the train back. WANDER OR RIDE ALONG THE O'KEEFE RAIL TRAIL The gold rush may be a legendary part of Australian history, but it may not have happened at all without construction engineer Andrew O'Keefe. The Irish migrant is considered a pioneer of the Victorian railway, and this line — which connects Bendigo to Heathcote, and is now a cycling hotspot — is named for him. The O'Keefe Rail Trail provides you with the perfect opportunity to uncover the stunning native bushland and wildlife — here's looking at you, adorable platypuses. If you're game, you can walk or ride the whole stretch. Be sure to pack a picnic for a riverside break at the Campaspe River Reserve or Lake Eppalock, before arriving in Heathcote and exploring some wineries or tucking into a well-earned pub feed. PADDLE DOWN THIS FIVE-KILOMETRE CREEK Give your legs a rest from all the walking and cycling, and let your arms take over with a canoe tour along Serpentine Creek. Canoe hire is readily available at Boort Lakes Holiday Park from just $10 an hour or $40 for a full day. You'll set off on your journey from Whytcross Road, Durham Ox and throughout the five-kilometre paddle, you'll see the historic red-brick inn, trees scarred from traditional practices of the Dja Dja Wurrung people and a diverse range of birds. You'll also find a bunch more canoe trails, plus training opportunities, over here. ZOOM AROUND A MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK Set amid the foothills of Mount Alexander, the La Larr Ba Gauwa Mountain Bike Park is a 34-kilometre network of purpose-built mountain bike trails. The tracks have been specially designed to take advantage of the area's tough granite-filled countryside. The 11 exciting trails feature jaw-dropping views of the surrounding rolling hills, boulder drop-offs and English-style oak forest. Plus, riders visiting the park won't just be treated to an incredible physical challenge. They'll also have a chance to take in some art along the way as the trail builders have created a few interesting installations along the tracks. Word of warning: if you're a beginner, stick to the green loop. The rest of the trails are all geared toward intermediate and experienced mountain bikers and feature a lot of drops, jumps and other technical features. DISCOVER THESE NATURALLY FORMED PINK PEAKS The gold rush era shaped the town of Heathcote in more ways than one. But, it was the introduction of sluicing in the 1880s that revealed one of the area's most notable sites. Known as the Pink Cliffs and located a short walk from town, the strange mini gorges rise and fall in a sporadic undulation and, like some kind of natural mood ring, change colour depending on the time of day you visit. As you wander through the geological reserve, you'll realise that these stone-like formations are actually made up of a pink clay that feels a lot like talcum powder — so watch where you sit or you'll find yourself covered with the stuff. [caption id="attachment_730707" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Jarni.[/caption] WALK OR RIDE THROUGH A EUCALYPT FOREST ON THIS HERITAGE TRAIL If you're hoping to immerse yourself in the history of the area while taking in the beauty of Victoria's countryside, then the Ballarat–Maryborough Heritage Trail is a great choice. The 91-kilometre trail is broken into four sections that flow through tall eucalypt forests, grand homesteads from times gone by and sprawling vineyards. Quick dips into quaint towns like Clunes — made famous by Ned Kelly — and Talbot will break up the journey, as do the unbeatable views of Mount Beckworth's imposing volcanic mound. The trail ends with a short journey through open grazing land and through box ironbark forest before you arrive in Maryborough. VENTURE INSIDE THE MELVILLE CAVES If you're searching for a great weekend hideout, then look no further than the Melville Caves at Kooyoora State Park. The rocky outcrop is not the dark and bat-filled cave system you might imagine, but rather a collection of granite boulders that notorious bushranger Captain Melville apparently used as a hiding place and a lookout in the 1800s — hence the name. The hike to reach the cave area takes about 20 minutes (or can be accessed more conveniently by driving to the top of the park) and winds its way through lush trees and shrubs while offering sweeping views of the park below. While you're wandering beneath the rocks, keep an eye out for something shiny. Rumour has it that Captain Melville left some treasure behind. [caption id="attachment_730705" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ewen Bell.[/caption] GO PROSPECTING ACROSS THE BENDIGO REGION Although the Bendigo region is now brimming with art galleries, cultural institutions and a calendar packed with exciting contemporary events, it's still one of the key places people visit hoping to strike gold — and for good reason. Its vast gold rush history has proven time and time again that the area is rich in the shiny mineral that has had people seeing dollar signs for decades. But you don't have to be a serious miner to have a taste of glory. The Coiltek Gold Centre runs tours for those interested in learning how to unearth a natural gold nugget or two — all you need to bring is your lunch (and a bit of luck). To start planning your trip to Bendigo — and to discover more of what's happening in the region — head to the Bendigo Regional Tourism website.
Over the past few years, Melbourne's famed floating bar has become a summer staple — because soaking up the warm weather and sipping cocktails on the Yarra clearly go hand-in-hand. Thankfully, that won't change in 2020, as Arbory Afloat has returned once more. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, has reclaimed its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra as of Monday, October 26. As part of its annual revamp, the temporary bar and restaurant is taking inspiration from beach houses in our own backyard, which means lush greenery, wicker furniture, lime-washed timber and lots of blues and greens. To complete the picture, the 69-metre floating venue has two bars, an upper deck and an undercover dining area — so plenty of space to social distance. And, if that's not enough, the onboard swimming pool has made a triumphant return. Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which is packed full of local ingredients and inspired by all things Mediterranean. You can snack on fried calamari ($19), pomegranate-studded baba ganoush ($10) and fried zucchini flowers ($6), or go big with minute steak and fries ($29) and one of nine different pizzas ($23–35), including a Nutella and strawberries ($16) number. And would it be a visit to the floating bar without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there are plenty. As well as Four Pillars pink gin, there are craft beers, wine and six cocktails on tap. [caption id="attachment_754392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Arbory Afloat is open at Flinders Lane from 11am–1am daily. Bookings are free or you can claim a daybed package for $375.
Last year, Melbourne lost its beloved cake shop Beatrix Bakes, resulting in hundreds of devoted fans lining up around the corner to get their last slices during its final week. But owner Natalie Paull promised to return in one form or another. And while she is working on her new cookbook and making plans for 2024, she's also teamed up with one of Melbourne's best ice cream joints Pidapipo — the famed gelato chain in Melbourne that's celebrating its tenth birthday this year — to dream up a new ice-cold cake creation. For the new dessert, the Beatrix Bakes' Peach Alabama sponge cake has received a gelato makeover. It includes delicate layers of peach jam, mascarpone zabaione gelato and poached peach sorbetto — all encased within a marsala-drenched sponge cake. It's then topped with whipped mascarpone cream, slices of poached peaches and a sprinkling of crunchy amaretti biscuits. Peach perfection. This sweet summer treat will set you back $120 and can serve ten to 12 people. But if you want to try a slice of The Peach Alabama Gelato Cake before buying the whole thing, you best take advantage of the upcoming giveaway event. From 5pm on Wednesday, December 6, Pidapipo will be offering free slices of the new dessert to the first 300 customers who visit its Laboratorio in Fitzroy. These will be handed out by Natalie Paull herself, as well as Pidapipo co-owner Lisa Valmorbida. It's your chance to grab some free cake and meet two legends in Melbourne's dessert world. The Peach Alabama Gelato Cake is available for pre-order from Wednesday, November 15, or can be purchased in Pidapipo stores for pick-ups and walk-ins from December 7–31. Find more info at the venue's website.
Hong Kong's T'ang Court restaurant has earned itself an impressive reputation, becoming a must-eat mainstay in the city's culinary scene, and also boasting three Michelin stars for seven consecutive years since 2016. For Australians keen to give its Cantonese menu a try, there's now another option — and it's easier than hopping on an international flight. Adding to T'ang Court's outposts overseas, The Langham hotel chain has opened an Aussie venue in its luxe new Gold Coast site. The Langham Gold Coast hotel itself launched back in June, after first revealing that it was in the works in May — and T'ang Court making the jump to southeast Queensland was announced then as well. But the restaurant was always set to launch later, in spring. It clearly took that opening date seriously, welcoming in patrons from Thursday, September 1. The fine-dining chain's name comes from the Tang Dynasty, with the restaurant taking a luxe approach to both its surroundings and its culinary spread. The decor pairs bold pops of colour with neutrals, including bespoke abstract art pieces by Australian Chinese artist Lindi Li. As for the food range, it spans perennial favourites and seasonal delicacies, including across both a la carte dishes and three set menus. A big drawcard at T'ang Court's first Australian location: a three-part tribute to Cantonese duck, which features duck pancakes with hoi sin sauce, duck buns with lychee and raspberry sauce (and caviar), and sliced duck breast and leg paired with with plum sauce. Or, the menu also includes sauteed pearl meat with ginger, shallots and Asian greens, plus spicy black tiger prawns with roasted garlic. "Our first Australian T'ang Court restaurant marks a significant leap forward for the local dining landscape. Authentic, traditional Cantonese fine dining is comparatively rare in Australia, so we're thrilled to bring this unique experience to life for locals and travellers, from other states and even internationally," said Howard Lam, Director of Chinese Cuisine for Langham Hospitality Group. "Diners at T'ang Court on the Gold Coast will be able to indulge in the same golden age Cantonese flavours that have earned T'ang Court at The Langham Hong Kong three Michelin stars and seen its many other award-winning sister restaurants across the world become highly-sought-after dining destinations." Located indoors on level three at The Langham, and seating 80, T'ang Court is serving lunch from 12–3pm and dinner from 5.30–11pm five days a week — operating from Wednesday–Sunday. If you're a keen to book in a visit from out of town, then stay the night afterwards, The Langham also boasts 339 rooms and suites, direct beachfront access, a pool bar you can swim up to while still staring at that ocean view, a number of other eateries and a wellness centre. Find T'ang Court at The Langham Gold Coast on level three, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise — serving lunch from 12–3pm and dinner from 5.30–11pm from Wednesday–Sunday.
Located just a taco's throw from Queen Vic Market, Hello José is serving up beachside Mexican, minus the beach. It's not often you find an establishment that can comfortably blare the best of the 90s while serving the best of Mexico on plastic plates, but Scott Witham and Andrew Wilson have managed to do just this. You know you're having a good Thursday when you order a Spicy Margarita (made using just a dash of the potent jalapeno pickling juice) only to find that margaritas are $10 during the week, and then 'Emotions' by Mariah Carey comes on. Well done Hello José, you've got me feeling e-mo-tions, alright! Just when Mariah is almost done rolling out the upper limits of her whistle register, your tacos arrive ($5 each — bargain!) and it's a positively musical experience. With a menu that is still being tested and shaped by the Hello José crew, the current offering is a classic lineup ticking off all the major animals and pulses, including pork, fish, chicken, beef and black beans. The tortillas used on the premises are all hand-pressed daily. And while the tacos are the main event, the menu also includes tostaditas (tasty, two-bite morsels of deliciousness), a quinoa salad and churros for dessert. The interior is a sensory overload to say the least. At first it feels disarming, but it only takes a cup of house-made horchata to settle into your surrounds and see that Scott and Andrew have taken special care to make this little taqueria feel as authentic as possible. Inspired by a trip to the beachside haven of Tulum, Mexico, the boys decided that Melbourne was in need of a kitschy and unpretentious taqueria that was reminiscent of the Mexican taco huts where coca-cola memorabilia and disco balls are in rich supply. The walls are adorned with hand painted artwork that adds to the mishmash, yet comfortable appeal of the place. As the warmer months roll in, the guys are planning on expanding outdoors to ensure that everyone can take advantage of their well-stocked tequila cabinet. Until then, Hello José is well worth a visit to bask in the warmth of fairy lights, disco balls and a bit of Mexican-inspired hospitality. Image credit: Crooked Photography
Melbourne might be heading towards its cooler months, but we have an inkling there's still plenty more waterfront wining and dining to come. That's because the city has just scored a bumper new year-round floating bar, with Yarra Botanica making its permanent home atop the Yarra River beside Sandridge Bridge. Set to welcome punters from Wednesday, March 16, the two-storey pontoon bar and eatery is much more than just a pretty face and multimillion-dollar drinking destination. The brainchild of Australian Venue Co (Fargo & Co, State of Grace, Kewpie, The Smith), Yarra Botanica has made it a mission to champion Victorian produce and booze. Its entire drinks list is sourced from within the state and a good 90 percent of the food menu is following suit. The bar boasts space for almost 700 punters across its two open levels, which sport a lush collection of planter boxes, herb gardens and climbing vines. It's an aesthetic that reflects the venue's strong sustainability focus across waste minimisation, recycling processes and energy choices. If you've got chills just thinking about being on a openair river deck during deepest winter, you can breathe easy — the pontoon has been carefully designed to stand up to Melbourne's woolly weather, with oversized umbrellas, lattice pergolas and heaters aplenty. That locally-focused drinks offering is a bountiful one, promising plenty of exciting sips no matter your booze preference. A 12-strong list of tap brews runs from Stomping Ground's Big Sky park ale to a Hawkers hazy IPA, while Moon Dog and Wolf of the Willows headline the seltzer selection. A carefully curated vino list tours the state's leading wine regions and the botanically-charged cocktails and spritzes hero native ingredients, as well as makers like Autonomy, Grainshaker and Brogan's Way. Try a quandong sour made from gin and marmalade, or opt for a wattleseed-infused espresso martini. The matching menu is primed for snacking and sharing, starring smalls like the crispy mushrooms with koji mayo, savoury doughnuts stuffed with rainbow trout, and a pork terrine with wattle crackers. Sourdough pizzas showcasing local ingredients like Murray cod belly and Warrigal greens pesto will be on offer and there's a trio of loaded grazing boards to order by the metre. And if all that sounds like your ultimate brunch situation, you're in luck. Bottomless brunch sessions are set to run Saturdays and Sundays from March 26, clocking in at $69 for three signature sips, a brunch dish and a hemp soft-serve cone for dessert. Find Yarra Botanica beside Sandridge Bridge, Southbank, from March 16. It'll open 12–11pm Monday–Wednesday, 12pm–12am Thursday, 11.30am–1am Friday, 11am–1am Saturday, and 11am–12am Sunday. Bookings are open now via the website.
Do you guys ever think about watching the biggest movie of 2023 in the comfort of your own home? Barbie is a pink-hued dream on the big screen, where everyone should see it once — and it'll beam just as brightly via streaming from Tuesday, September 12. That's when the highest-grossing box-office hit of the year will hit digital, arriving on premium video on demand to rent and buy in Australia and New Zealand. By now, thanks to the pandemic, we all know the fast-tracked drill: these days, films make their way to home entertainment far faster than they used to before 2020. In Barbie's case, like everything from Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and Everything Everywhere All At Once to Elvis, Nope and Don't Worry Darling before it, it'll be both screening in cinemas and shining Kenergy onto your TV at the same time. You'll find Barbie available to stream via all the usual platforms — think: Google Play, YouTube Movies, Apple TV, Prime Video, Fetch, Foxtel Store, Microsoft and Telstra TV Box Office — in Australia and New Zealand. And, of course, you'll find a Greta Gerwig-helmed, Margot-Robbie-starring smash that sports rosy colours, does indeed bring the popular doll to screens, but couldn't be more smart and meaningful about it. Marking actor-turned-director Gerwig's third solo stint behind the camera after Lady Bird and Little Women, Barbie gets its namesake (Robbie, Babylon) struggling with life's big questions — and, when the film's key Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling, The Gray Man) drive through Barbie Land's gates to discover what's on the other side, struggling with Los Angeles as well. Splashing as much humour as pastel tones throughout its frames, Barbie is scripted by Gerwig and fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach — her helmer on Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise, and real-life partner — and boasts a cast that's a gleaming toy chest of talent. All those on-screen stars help fill the feature with Barbies, including Issa Rae (Insecure) as president Barbie, Dua Lipa (making her movie debut) as a mermaid Barbie, Emma Mackey (Emily) as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist Barbie, Alexandra Schipp (tick, tick... BOOM!) as an author Barbie and Ana Cruz Kayne (Jerry and Marge Go Large) as a supreme court justice Barbie — plus Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as diplomat Barbie, Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) as a Barbie who is always doing the splits, Hari Nef (Meet Cute) as doctor Barbie, Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy) as a Pulitzer-winning Barbie and Sharon Rooney (Jerk) as lawyer Barbie. There's also a whole heap of Kens, including Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Ncuti Gatwa (the incoming Doctor Who) and Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie). And, Michael Cera (Arrested Development) plays Alan, Emerald Fennell (The Crown) plays Midge, Helen Mirren (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) is the narrator, America Ferrera (Superstore) and Ariana Greenblatt (65) are humans, Jamie Demetriou (Catherine Called Birdy) is a suit, Will Ferrell (Spirited) wears a suit as Mattel's CEO and Connor Swindells (also Sex Education) is an intern. We expect that you know all of the above already given how well Barbie has been doing in cinemas, where it has also cracked the top 15 of all time — and become the first movie by a solo female director to make $1 billion at the global box office. And yes, we expect that you'll now get 'I'm Just Ken' stuck in your head again (and again and again). Check out the Barbie trailer below: Barbie will be available to stream from Tuesday, September 12 via platforms such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Apple TV, Prime Video, Fetch, Foxtel Store, Microsoft and Telstra TV Box Office in Australia and New Zealand. It's also still showing in cinemas Down Under. Read our review.
During the summer season, Fargo & Co's sun-drenched rooftop is a go-to for spritz-sipping sessions and bottomless brunches. But from Thursday, June 2, thanks to a nifty makeover, it's set to prove itself as a top-notch winter destination, too. The beloved terrace is being transformed into a wintery paradise, with apres-ski vibes in abundance. Included in the new look is a collection of pop-up cabins or mini ski lodges, which you can hire out for a private sesh with your crew. From Friday to Sunday, you've got a choice of two different packages, which'll see your group enjoy a three-hour stay in your private ski chalet, with boozy hot chocolates, shared snacks, a pink chocolate fondue fountain, and a bottle of Grey Goose with mixers. The 'Basic B*tch' package comes in at $400 for 3 to 6 guests, while the 'Boss B*tch' edition also features a private cocktail fountain, totalling $680 for groups of 6 to 8. If you book a cabin on Wednesday or Thursday, you can forgo the packages and enjoy your winter oasis a la carte-style, with a $50 per person minimum spend.
New year, new set of holiday plans? If that's how you celebrate December flipping over to January every 12 months, then you're probably already scoping out where to head when 2023 becomes 2024. Here's some inspiration: Hamilton Island, Bali, Fiji and Tokyo, aka places that Virgin is slinging cheap fares to in its latest sale. This new batch of discounted flights spans more than 500,000 fares for both domestic and international legs. Prices start low, at $45, which once again gets you from Sydney to Byron Bay — the normal cheapest fare in any flight sale — and vice versa. From there, the domestic side of the sale covers everywhere from the Sunshine Coast and Hobart to Canberra and Broome. Fancy a trip to the Gold Coast, Cairns, Launceston, Alice Springs or Darwin instead? They're also on the list. This excuse to book a getaway runs until midnight AEST on Monday, October 23 — unless sold out earlier, with fares to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide also covered. That means paying $59 one-way from Melbourne to Launceston, $69 from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast and $109 from Brisbane to Hamilton Island. Also among the local fares: Sydney to Hobart from $85, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $109, Sydney to Adelaide from $125, Brisbane to Melbourne from $129 and Perth to Broome from $189. Internationally, you'll need to go via Cairns if you're keen to head to Tokyo, starting at $699 return. Among the other global return options: Bali (from $449 from Adelaide or the Gold Coast, $559 from Brisbane, and $629 from Melbourne or Sydney), Fiji ($509 from Brisbane, $529 from Sydney and $579 from Melbourne), Vanuatu ($569 from Brisbane) and Samoa ($579 from Brisbane). And, Queenstown is also on the agenda, with both one-way and return legs. One-way from Sydney starts at $259 and return from $445, Melbourne at $265 and $425, and Brisbane $295 and $515. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover select periods between Tuesday, January 16–Thursday, August 29, 2024, with all dates varying per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to spend some, part or all of next year anywhere but home. Virgin's latest sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, October 23 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Two quintessential Aussie summertime treats are coming together in delicious harmony this week — and if you're quick, you can taste-test the clever fusion for free. The gelato maestros at Messina have teamed up with celebrated wine label Brown Brothers to create a limited-edition prosecco rosé gelato. The icy-cool creation features all the vibrant watermelon and strawberry notes of Brown Brothers' signature prosecco rosé, mixed with bellini-inspired elements like blood peach and lychee cream to form a cooling, creamy gelato blend that's primed for a balmy summer's day. And, since the gelato itself has no alcohol content, it's a treat that everyone can enjoy. But like most Messina creations, this beauty is here for a good time, not a long time. If you're keen to get your mitts on the rosé gelato, you'll find complimentary scoops being handed out at Cleve Gardens in St Kilda West; only between 1–4pm this Friday, January 21.
Chances are, you could use some warmth and sunshine in your life right now. And you'll find a big dose of it radiating from Carlton's new pint-sized Japanese spot, Hareruya. Overlooking Lincoln Square, the takeaway-only hole-in-the-wall is the latest venture from Kantaro Okada, who also brought us other Japanese gems, 279 and North Melbourne's Le Bajo. It's been a long-held plan of Okada's to launch a dedicated bento and gelato bar. Now, thanks to some extra free time during last year's lockdowns, he's been able to bring it to fruition, opening the doors to Hareruya — translating to 'sunny shop' — in April. The tiny Japanese convenience store-meets-cafe is as cheery as they come, drawing queues of eager diners from breakfast till dinner. The shelves are stocked with a neat array of takeaway treats and snacks, while at the front counter, staff are scooping from shiny tubs of gelato. Guaranteed to catch your eye are the vibrant loaded bento boxes, brimming with various osouzai (side dishes) along with beef and egg soboro, the fish of the day, or vegetarian soy tofu sushi. They're courtesy of the store's dedicated bento specialist, Kazuko Goto. Making an appearance just for winter, you'll find oden boxes (a Japanese stew), served with the broth ready to pour over the dry ingredients; while savoury snacks might include the likes of onigiri, sandos and chicken karaage tossed in dashi amazu (a sweet vinegar). Sweet-toothed visitors can get their fix with a rotation of house-baked pastries — think, castella, miso brownies and matcha cookies — and the drinks offering runs to freshly-pressed juices, and lattes of both the caffeinated and matcha-infused variety. Meanwhile, the Italian Pozzetti gelato freezer is stocked with an array of goodies made in-house, the rotating lineup fusing classic Japanese flavours with Italian techniques. Shirogoma (white sesame), sweet potato, and red fruits with elderflower and yuzu are just some of the varieties being scooped of late. All that's left to decide is whether to get yours in a cup or take-home tub, daifuku-style (wrapped in mochi skin), or sandwiched between rice wafer crisps like a traditional monaka. The petite store boasts a couple of bench seats, though if the sun's a-shining, you'll find the adjacent grassy park is the ideal setting to hoof down your bento and gelato. Find Hareruya at 15-17 Lincoln Square South, Carlton. It's open daily from 10.30am–10.30pm.
Just when you thought Chadstone's Euro-inspired brasserie, Cityfields, couldn't get any bigger, they go and open a rooftop bar. It's called The Terrace, and it's been in the works for a while. The Cityfields crew decided to open the main 600-seat restaurant space while they were still finishing the upstairs build. Now, with The Terrace complete, Cityfields is firing on all cylinders: restaurant, long room, public bar, rooftop, the works. It's probably one of the most ambitious restaurant projects we've seen in the last few years. The Terrace will be focusing more on snack plates and alfresco drinks, but there is a second kitchen up here, and you can order basically the same menu as downstairs. Olive gildas, neatly skewered with guindilla peppers and anchovy sit alongside woodfired pizzas, whopping 1.2kg T-Bone steaks and the obligatory cacio e pepe (without which it's now illegal to open a restaurant in Melbourne). Considering the amount of office space in Chadstone these days, you can expect The Terrace to pack out on Friday nights. And with its west-facing location on the top of the Social Quarter, the views are pretty spectacular. Lift your eyes from the surrounding carparks and you get a panoramic vista stretching all the way to the CBD. Most of the new floor is undercover, too. Big folding doors allow some airflow, but you won't have to worry about rain and inclement weather. There's even a crackling firepit on the balcony during winter. For all the latest Cityfields news, specials and events, check out their Instagram. The Terrace is open seven days a week, 12pm till late. Images: Pete Dillon.
Sometimes, you can read a book and imagine exactly what a TV adaptation would look like. Anyone who thumbed their way through The Southern Vampire Mysteries before it was turned into HBO's True Blood can't make that claim, however. Created by Six Feet Under's Alan Ball, this undead-focused horror series drips with mystery, lust and gothic excess. And blood, obviously. It's a show set in a world where vampires aren't just a fantasy — and at a time when a synthetic product that shares the show's name has allowed them to live side-by-side with humans, in theory. At the centre of this vamp-fuelled intrigue sits small-town Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who happens to be telepathic. She also happens to fall in love with 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). When their romance attracts the attention of the area's vampire sheriff (Alexander Skarsgård), that's when the drama begins.
The Good Place wrapped up its existential laughs in 2020. The Office and Parks and Recreation have both been off screen for a few years now, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine will soon be coming to an end, too. So, you might be wondering where you're going to get your 20-minute servings of warmhearted comedy from in the future (other than from rewatching all of the above shows again and again, of course). Enter: Rutherford Falls. Each of these sitcoms, including the newcomer that you've never heard of until now, have one thing in common: they involve writer and producer Michael Schur. He held both roles on The Office, co-created Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and created The Good Place. Yes, he has a distinctive brand of humour — and it's a delight. With Rutherford Falls, the man behind a hefty amount of the past two decades' best comedies is reteaming with one of his past stars — and co-stars. Schur also actually appeared in The Office, playing Mose Schrute, cousin to Dwight. Here, he's working with Ed Helms again, who leads the new series as a descendant of the man his town was named after. Helms' Nathan Rutherford runs tours informing the public of his family's history, and his ancestor's founding of Rutherford Falls 400 years ago. He's also proud of the statue, nicknamed 'Big Larry', that sits in a prominent place. But when it is suggested that the sculpture should be moved, he isn't happy — all in a town that borders a Native American reservation and has hardly been respectful of that aspect of its heritage. As well as Helms, in his first ongoing TV part since The Office, the new comedy stars Jana Schmieding (Blast), Michael Greyeyes (I Know This Much Is True), Jesse Leigh (Heathers) and Dustin Milligan (Schitt's Creek). And, you'll be able to see if it lives up to its Schur-penned predecessors when it hits Stan on Friday, April 23, with its entire first season available to binge that day. Check out the trailer for Rutherford Falls below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmSK3XliTk4 Rutherford Falls will be available to watch via Stan from Friday, April 23.
What sits at the heart of European storytelling? That's a question that one of Australia's must-attend film festivals has been pondering for three years. It was back in 2022 that Europa! Europa initially started showcasing the breadth of cinema from across Europe — surveying as many countries as it can fit into each annual program, and swinging from the latest to the greatest pictures from across the continent. 2025's event kicks off in February to explore that idea again. Attending Europa! Europa's opening night this year means discovering what makes a French box-office hit, for starters. A Little Something Extra, directed by comedian and actor Artus, was its nation's highest-grossing homegrown movie of 2024. When it kicks off this Australian film fest in Sydney and Melbourne on Wednesday, February 12, it'll start the celebration of cinema with a tale about jewel thief and his son at a summer camp for young adults with disability. Returning to Ritz Cinemas Randwick in Sydney, plus both Classic Cinemas Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas Hawthorn in Melbourne — both for a month, running until Wednesday, March 12 — Europa! Europa has compiled a roster of 44 movies from 26 countries. Accordingly, its latest program lets viewers dig into what drives filmmaking from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Estonia, and also Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine. Titles from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom are on the list, too. Unsurprisingly, the largest contingent comes from France. Indeed, Gallic cinema provides Europa! Europa with its centrepiece film as well — and it's an Australian premiere, with Once Upon My Mother stepping back to the 60s. The festival's headliners bring big-name talents, as well as touching documentaries to Sydney and Melbourne. In Another End from The Wait director Piero Messina, Gael García Bernal (La Máquina) plays a mourning widower exploring tech-enhanced ways of facing grief, with Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent) and Bérénice Bejo (Under Paris) co-starring. The Dardenne brothers (Tori and Lokita) co-produce the Belgian tennis academy-set Julie Keeps Quiet, while Sweden's 2025 Oscar submission The Last Journey hails from Swedish journalists and TV hosts Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson, and focuses on a trip to France with the former's father. Still on familiar faces, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Academy Award-nominee Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice) leads the satirical Triumph, French standouts Daniel Auteuil (An Ordinary Case) and Sandrine Kiberlain (November) get farcical in Love Boat, and Mélanie Laurent (Freedom) and Guillaume Canet (All-Time High) portray Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI in their final days in The Flood. Other highlights from the fest's slate of new titles include Spain's I Am Nevenka, about an IRL MeToo case; U Are the Universe, a Ukranian sci-fil film made during the current war; the Sundance-premiering Sebastian, about a writer who is also a sex worker; Anywhere, Anytime, a modernisation of Italian masterpiece Bicycle Thieves; and Loveable, from the producer of The Worst Person in the World — and the list goes on. Europa! Europa's annual retrospectives keep proving a drawcard, too. After shining the spotlight on Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness director Yorgos Lanthimos in 2024, the festival is jumping back into French film history by heroing the iconic François Truffaut. Four of the French New Wave filmmaker's movies are on the lineup, all showing as new 4K restorations: Shoot the Piano Player, The Soft Skin, Two English Girls and Finally, Sunday!. Europa! Europa Film Festival 2025 Dates Wednesday, February 12–Wednesday, March 12 — Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Sydney Wednesday, February 12–Wednesday, March 12 — Classic Cinemas Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas Hawthorn, Melbourne Europa! Europa will screen in Sydney and Melbourne from Wednesday, February 12–Wednesday, March 12, 2025. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
Melbourne's western suburbs are too often neglected. And it is a damn shame because the area is flooded with superb cafes, restaurants, pubs and bakeries. To combat this lack of love and attention, Western Melbourne Tourism has teamed up with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival to run a stacked program of events from Friday, March 15–Friday, March 22. There are 22 individual events running throughout the week (many of which have already sold out) that champion food and beverage venues and producers across the western suburbs. One key part of Eat Drink Westside is a series of moveable feasts known as Westside Wanders. For these, an MFWF guide will take foodies on a tour around one suburb, hitting up three different venues along the way — from markets and grocers to cafes and cake shops. You'll get to know the lay of the land and try some great eats from the multicultural area's hospo venues. Pretty much each of the places you visit will be a 'hidden gem' as so few Melburnians venture out west. Many of these have already sold out, but there are still tickets available for Ascot Vale, St Albans, Werribee and Caroline Springs. Beyond the walking food tours, a stack of venues are also hosting their own unique experiences as a part of Eat Drink Westside. Shadowfax Winery is working with The Lancemore Mansion Hotel in Werribee to host some tastings and a four-course dinner with paired vinos. Pizza d'Asporto and Vino Intrepido have also teamed up to host a concurrent wine tasting and pasta- and focaccia-making class. This means you'll be learning the art of Italian cookery while sipping on wines. And there's really no better way to learn how to cook than with a glass of wine in hand. There's also a honey-themed dinner at The Vic Hotel and a farm-to-plate lunch at Wyndham Harbour, celebrating west Melbourne produce and local chefs. If ever there was a reason to head west, this is it. Just get in quick before everything is sold out.
If you haven't been able to book a trip to Spain in 2019, this month-long series may be a very tasty consolation. Stunning St Kilda bar Pontoon is serving up bottomless paella and sangria every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August. For just $50, guests will have two hours of endless access to three takes on paella paired with bottomless glasses of spiced wine. You'll be able to choose form arroz negro, with squid ink black rice, chorizo and squid; a version with chicken, green beans and smoked paprika; and finally a mussel and squid-heavy paella with lots of saffron. If you'd like to skip the booze and load up on the classic rice dish exclusively, you can do just that for $25 a head, too. Guests might be able to catch Head Chef Rhys Hunter in action, too, whipping up a big pans of paella in the fiery kitchen — which you'll then be able to enjoy out on the beachfront deck. While the bottomless sangria and paella deal will only set you back $50 you will need a minimum of two people to enjoy the deal — so call a mate and make a date ASAP. To make a booking, head to the website. Bottomless paella and sangria is available from midday. Images: Simon Shiff
The Sydney Opera House invited Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard to sing inside the structure of its iconic sails and the result is stunning. Standing on a metal platform and surrounded by the strikingly brutal concrete ribs of the sails, Hansard sings a beautifully raw version of his acoustic song 'Stay the Road'. Written just across the harbour in the Rocks, 'Stay the Road' is the last track on Hansard's 2015 album Didn't He Ramble, which he's in Sydney at the moment to tour. He's playing – this time inside, rather than above, the Concert Hall – on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October. The video is part of a series called Nooks and Crannies produced with Intel Australia to showcase the inside of the Opera House. Image: Teresa Tan.
Melbourne’s favourite Korean food truck has found a permanent parking spot for the next three months. The crowdfunded Bibimbap truck has stopped rolling for the time being, and will operate at the quiet end of Punch Lane in the CBD for lunch until June. Aptly named Bibimbap Backyard, the menu sticks to serving its namesake: bibimbap. The truck's signature rice bowls are served hawker-style, straight out of their four-wheeled, neon yellow kitchen. Patrons can choose from three varieties: beef marinated in bulgogi sauce, teriyaki chicken or silky tofu. The Korean signature dishes are served with mixed, seasonal vegetables and topped with lashings of sauce including the traditional chilli sauce. Drinks are a simple affair, with nashi pear juice as a clear standout. Fitted out by local designers ZWEI Interiors & Architecture, Bibimbap Backyard’s design is reminiscent of a homely, Australian patio. Wheelbarrows filled with greenery, unpretentious parasols and summery deck chairs create a laid-back, cheerful space that’s set to fill up this autumn. The truck will be open from 11am till 3pm Monday to Friday until June. Get there on your lunch break.
It's been a big few months for new hotels around Australia, including just-opened spots and places that'll launch in the coming months and years. Sydney now boasts the first Down Under outpost for Ace Hotels, and will soon score Porter House Hotel, too — plus the local debut of The Waldorf Astoria in 2025. Melbourne has welcomed the design-driven AC Hotels, Newcastle is nabbing its own QT with a rooftop bar and a suite in a clock tower, and the Gold Coast is nabbing The Langham. There's also a new hotel in the works for the Barossa in the middle of a vineyard, and the Yarra Valley is getting one as part of a big gig venue. Don't go thinking that Brisbane is missing out, though — because that's where the new voco Brisbane City Centre comes in. The chain has just taken up residence on North Quay right next to Brisbane Quarter, which means that it's in a prime riverside position. And, to take advantage of that location, it features a views aplenty, as well as a rooftop pool. Brisbane's first voco hotel — and the second for Queensland, after voco Gold Coast — it also comes with 194 rooms, as well as hangout space Kraft & Co. There, you can drink coffee by day and kick back in a lounge bar by night. You'll find the latter on the ground floor, slinging everything from eggs for breakfast and brunch through to cocktails till late. Wherever you're spending your time at this new staycation spot, you'll be surrounded by a sleek fitout by Sydney-based interior design studio JPDC, which takes its cues from the hotel's riverside locale. Dark blue tones are a big feature, alongside neutral colours — and maximising natural light. Among the site's features, voco Brisbane City Centre also boasts an all-hours gym, plus 11 meeting and function spaces. And, as part of a sustainability push that also includes aerated shower heads and refillable Antipodes products, guests can zip around the city for free on handcrafted bamboo bikes from Wyld Bikes. Find voco Brisbane City Centre at 85–87 North Quay, Brisbane. For more information or to make a booking, head to the voco website.
Neighbouring CBD bars Section 8 and Ferdydurke have teamed up with New York's Brooklyn Brewery for Good Beer Week's free Brooklyn Block Party. From 2pm on Saturday, May 20, Tattersalls Lane will be pulsing with the sounds of local and international musicians, including New York turntablist Total Eclipse and Melbourne hip-hop/soul collective ESESE. There'll be BBQ by Brass Knuckles and plenty of beer, including Brooklyn Brewery brews you'll rarely find in Australia. There'll even be barbers dishing out $5 cuts from up on Ferdydurke's balcony.
We Steal Secrets is the story of Wikileaks, and from the outset it fast becomes apparent how little you know of an organisation dedicated to transparency and the sharing of information. Directed by Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room), the documentary mirrors the real-world by focusing on two key individuals: Wikileaks' Australian founder Julian Assange and Bradley Manning, the US soldier whose disclosure of classified documents thrust Assange onto the world stage. The stories of the two men are told with surprising sensitivity, particularly in the case of Manning, who — on account of his ongoing incarceration — is represented exclusively by typed words on a screen. Sent over the course of his deployment in Iraq, the catalogue of Manning's brief online exchanges with various hackers reveals an extraordinarily lonely soul unable to reconcile serious questions about both his own identity and what he perceived to be the ongoing cover-up of atrocities by the US Government. "I want people to see the truth," he wrote, just before leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to Assange. "It affects everyone on earth." In all, We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks achieves a fine balance in its depiction of two men whose lives became inextricably linked and, thereafter, changed almost certainly for the worse. We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks is in cinemas on July 4. Thanks to Universal Pictures, we have 10 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. Read our full review of We Steal Secrets here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SdezJrNaL70
We've seen some pretty amazing accommodation locations in our time (caves, catacombs and ski jumps included), but none quite take the cake like atop one of the world's most recognisable and romanticised landmarks: the Eiffel Tower. Yep, the Eiffel Tower. This new accommodation option (way better than the Montmartre apartment you rented in 2014, sorry) comes from holiday rental website, HomeAway. They've created a casual luxury apartment up there that can fit you, five of your closest friends and only the one of the best views in the goddamn world. Airbnb, you've been one-upped. Of course, you can't actually book this on the site — you'll have to win your way in. In what promises to be the most epic of all Paris holidays, the winner and five friends will receive airfares from their nearest city to Paris and one night (as well as dinner and brekkie) in the luxury Eiffel Tower digs. They'll also chuck in another three nights accommodation in another HomeAway apartment so you don't have to fly to Paris just for one night — but, let's be honest, it's only going to be a letdown after your Tower stay. The trip must be taken from July 2-6, but unfortunately it's only open for US residents. Boo. The promotion follows a slew of similar competitions from Airbnb, the latest of which gave punters a chance to spend a night in a Parisian shark tank. So for our next holiday, accommodation booking companies, we'd like to request a bed in the Statue of Liberty's torch.
