A decade ago, Melburnians gained a new spot to see a movie. Elsternwick's Classic Cinemas and Belgrave's Cameo Cinemas also scored a sibling venue in Hawthorn. When Lido Cinemas opened in mid-2015, it did so by resurrecting the space that was home to the Glenferrie Theatre six decades prior, leaning into the boutique experience and also looking upwards, with sky-high setup Lido on the Roof showing films under the stars when the weather is warm. Lido Cinemas launched by offering $5 tickets for a day, too. Consider the picture palace's just-announced ten-year celebrations a blast from the past, then. To mark a decade of screening flicks to film fans, the Glenferrie Road venue is doing discounts, bringing back that $5 deal for a whole week. If you catch a movie between Thursday, August 7–Wednesday, August 13, 2025 — other than attending special events — that price is all that you'll pay. More discounts apply if you're keen for something to eat or drink: there'll be $5 choc tops, plus $10 medium combos featuring popcorn and a drink. That means that you can get your film and snacks covered for less than the cost of a ticket at Lido's regular prices. If you're thinking that it's the cinema's birthday but film lovers are the ones getting the presents, you're right. Here's another: a ten-year anniversary retrospective season across the week that's fittingly playing ten films from the past decade that Lido has been operating, all of which will only cost $5 to see (and every one of them is exceptional). 2015 is the year that not only Lido launched, but that the world gained the Australian sci-fi/action spectacular that is Mad Max: Fury Road, so of course George Miller's fourth title in the franchise — and the movie that sparked 2024's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga — is on the lineup. Then, 2016's pick covers a feature that will always be remembered for its Oscars glory, no matter the mixup announcing its win as Best Picture: Moonlight from director Barry Jenkins (Mufasa: The Lion King). From 2017, the program boasts a yearning dose of Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), and its first of two Luca Guadagnino (Queer) flicks, via Call Me By Your Name. 2018's selection goes with horror thanks to Ari Aster's (Eddington) unnerving debut Hereditary, while 2019's Portrait of a Lady on Fire from Céline Sciamma (Petite Maman) is another title on the program to swoon over. Rachel Sennott (Saturday Night)- and Molly Gordon (The Bear)-starring comedy Shiva Baby is 2020's choice, then Joachim Trier's (Sentimental Value) Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent)-led The Worst Person in the World from 2021. Paul Mescal (Gladiator II) makes an appearance on the lineup thanks to Charlotte Wells' Aftersun, the film that earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination, as 2022's pick. Finally, two very different love triangles — 2023's Past Lives from Materialists' helmer Celine Song, and 2024's Challengers starring Zendaya and helmed by Guadagnino — round out the bill. [caption id="attachment_1014611" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin John[/caption] Find Lido Cinemas at 675 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn — with the cinema's tenth-birthday celebrations, including its $5 tickets and ten-year anniversary retrospective season, running from Thursday, August 7–Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Head to the venue's website for tickets and more information. Top image: Gavin John.
Doing your bit for the environment has never looked quite so good as it does with Frank Green's colourful range of reusable cups. The durable containers are not only helping to quash Australia's single-use coffee cup waste problem, they're also super stylish and beautifully designed. And you've got the perfect excuse to add a couple to your collection (or someone else's) with Frank Green's storewide 20 percent off sale this weekend. From Friday, November 27 until Monday, November 30 you'll be able to treat yourself, a friend or your family to a stylish and sustainable cup on the cheap. Frank Green's entire catalogue — apart from sale items and gift cards — is on sale and there's something for everyone. You'll find the core reusable cup and bottle range featuring the brand's recognisable pastel colour palette and in-built tap-to-pay feature, as well as the Sustainable Sips range of tea, coffee and the new ceramic french press. If you're looking for holiday presents for the kids or your nieces and nephews, Frank Green also has a range of Disney and Minions cups and bottles. The pastel yellow Winnie the Pooh cup is so adorable you might end up getting it for yourself. Plus, $1 from every order will be donated to Reforest Now, an organisation that grows and plants trees in subtropical Australia. You'll be saving the planet in more ways than one. [caption id="attachment_792088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
UPDATE: THURSDAY, JULY 16: The Parking Lot Social has been postponed. No official tickets have been sold for the event. Drive-in cinemas have long been a part of the movie-going landscape, but they've been experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to COVID-19. In fact, the whole drive-in concept is proving a go-to way to keep folks entertained in this time of social distancing, with the idea expanded to live gigs as well. That's just the beginning, it seems. Thanks to The Parking Lot Social, the drive-in premise now encompasses huge parties too. When the new Australian event rolls around the country between July and September, attendees will sit in their cars, sing karaoke (well, 'car-a-oke', as it's being called), dance at a silent disco, play trivia and bingo, and laugh at standup comedy — and watch flicks, see live bands and grab a bite to eat from food trucks as well. Basically, the event mashes up of a whole heap of entertaining pastimes, combining them in one place while complying with physical-distancing measures. Weekend evenings will have an in-car party vibe, while movies will screen late to folks kicking back in their vehicles. Plus, there'll be separate dedicated midweek nights for films and comedy. The brainchild of the folks behind Big Bounce Australia, aka the world's largest inflatable theme park, The Parking Lot Social will also feature two 12-metre-tall big-screens, a huge stage, a 16-metre-tall fire hydrant that shoots rainbows and inflatable gorillas. Exactly where in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra all of the above will be popping up hasn't yet been disclosed; however it'll do so in venues in that can accommodate 250 cars each evening. Ticket costs haven't been announced yet either, nor has the music, movie and comedy lineup. That said, The Parking Lot Social has revealed that it will settle in for multiple nights at every stop, and that it'll also feature an all-ages 'Social Kids' event for families as well. THE PARKING LOT SOCIAL 2020 DATES Sydney — July 9–19 Melbourne — July 23–August 2 Brisbane — August 6–16 Canberra — August 20–30 Adelaide — September 3–13 The Parking Lot Social tours Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra between July 9–September 13. For further information, or to register for early-bird tickets, visit the event's website.
For 66 years, humanity has been blessed by Jeff Goldblum's company. For a whopping 45 years, we've been lucky enough to enjoy his big-screen presence, too. It's impossible to have a bad time when you're watching the beloved actor, staring into his piercing eyes, listening to his distinctive vocal patterns and marvelling over how tall he is — no matter what he's in. Thankfully, he's been in plenty. While he'll always be Dr Ian Malcolm to dinosaur-loving movie fans everywhere, old Goldie has played a blue alien in Earth Girls Are Easy, turned into an insect in exceptional body-horror classic The Fly, and tried to save the world from aliens in Independence Day. He's unleashed his psychic powers with Cyndi Lauper in Vibes, romanced Emma Thompson in the Richard Curtis-penned The Tall Guy, headed out to sea in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and overseen a garbage planet in Thor: Ragnarok, too. And if you're thinking that all of these flicks sound like the perfect Goldblum Marathon, then you're both completely spot-on and on the Melbourne International Film Festival's wavelength. After paying tribute to Nicolas Cage last year, MIFF is once again joining forces with The Astor Theatre to celebrate another movie legend with an overnight session of seven back-to-back flicks. It all happens from 11.30pm on Friday, August 9, running through until around midday on Saturday — and if you want to try to laze around like Goldblum in Jurassic Park, we're guessing that no one will stop you. General public tickets go on sale Friday, July 12.
Travelling in our own backyard is one of the most sustainable and planet-friendly options we can make when planning a well-deserved getaway. If you're starting to pencil in some strategic long weekends for the latter half of this year, here's one to consider: Port Douglas, a tropical paradise conveniently located just an hour's drive from Cairns. Nestled perfectly between the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, Port Douglas offers an alluring long weekend proposition for city travellers looking to put nature at the forefront of their next holiday. Port Douglas is home to a number of sustainable tours, accommodations, and opportunities for conscientious involvement, so here are five ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your next getaway. [caption id="attachment_913642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy[/caption] CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION Consider camping if you're looking to keep your holiday footprint low. Douglas Shire Council coordinates powered and unpowered camping grounds, along with a range of caravan sites. In order to protect the unique environment, overnight stays are only permitted at licensed caravan parks and camping grounds, so make sure to plan and book ahead. If you're looking for luxury accommodation, The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort boasts over two hectares of sparkling saltwater pools in Tropical North Queensland. Lagoons on-site include spots with sandy beaches, as well as serene private cabanas nestled on the waterfront. As part of your trip, all Sheraton guests are invited to participate in a conservation activity hosted by Marriott Bonvoy in partnership with Good Travel. The Four Mile Beach cleanup is hosted by a marine biologist, allowing travelers to meaningfully engage with the environment while giving back. [caption id="attachment_888046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas[/caption] BOOK WITH ECO-CERTIFIED OPERATORS If you are keen to venture further during your stay, there are a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable tour options you can book. Locally-run and eco-certified Back Country Bliss run swimmable tours through the Daintree Rainforest, which includes a snorkel and float tour of Mossman Gorge. As part of the Mossman Gorge Back Country Bliss tour, guests can experience a Welcome to Country and smoke ceremony with a Kuku Yalanji guide. Acknowledging and paying respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands you are visiting is a great way to show deep respect for the place you're visiting. The Kuku Yalanji People are the Traditional Owners of this land. [caption id="attachment_844375" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sailaway Reef Cruises - Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] CHOOSE EXPERIENCES THAT GIVE BACK Sailaway is a family business running half-day and full-day charters to Great Barrier Reef, including the Low Isles and Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef. The business holds an advanced eco-certification, meaning they're recognised for their work in conserving and protecting the Great Barrier Reef. A qualified marine biologist attends cruises, so you can learn about the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef as the boats go out. The company also donates $20 from every ticket to its reforestation and carbon offsetting. [caption id="attachment_913718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] LOOK FOR GREENER TOUR OPTIONS If you want to experience Four Mile Beach from a different angle, adventures with a twist can be booked with locally-operated Port Douglas Segway Tours. Segways use electric power to recharge but produce zero emissions and are extremely energy efficient. Cruise along a trail which features the spectacular Four Mile Beach, rainforest paths and sandy flats. [caption id="attachment_913719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SUPPORT FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES There are lots of ways you can support First Nations communities and creators during your stay in Port Douglas. Booking tours and experiences with First Nations-owned or operated businesses, purchasing locally-created art and wares or attending a Welcome to Country are all meaningful ways you can pay respect to the Traditional Owners of this land. Concrete Playground travelled to Port Douglas as a guest of The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. If you want to extend your Queensland getaway, check out our curated Whitsundays packages on CP Trips which includes a four-day stay, snorkel and sail adventure with a day cruise. Top image: Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy.
Online shopping go-to The Iconic has no shortage of sales, but now it has launched a permanent sale in the form of an outlet site. The best part? Discounts start at a whopping 50 percent off. Called The Iconic Outlet and live to shop right now — say goodbye to your plans of a productive Monday at work — the site features heaps of women's, men's and kids' clothes, as well as accessories and shoes, for pocket change. You'll find heels and sandals for under $15, sneakers under $50, tops under $10, dresses under $20, shirts as little as $14 and a whole heap more. All the usual brands are on offer, too, including Nike, Speedo, Tigerlily, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Camilla and Adidas. As well as discounted clothes, The Iconic Outlet is offering a flat-rate delivery fee of $7.95 across Australia and $9.95 across NZ. The site's launch has come at a great time, too, with spring in full swing from tomorrow. So, if you need new bathers, beach shoes, dresses or hats, The Iconic Outlet has got your back. Alternatively, if you're still working from home and those trackies you've been thrashing are looking a little threadbare, you'll find some cheap new ones on the site. The Iconic Outlet website is now live in Australia and NZ. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
When a supermoon graced the skies in April, you probably trotted out to your backyard to stare at the heavens. And, you might've nabbed a decent-enough look at the impressive lunar sight. But if you'd like to get a bit closer to the astronomical body during this month's next supermoon — the second and last for 2021 — you now have the option of jumping on a plane. On Wednesday, May 26, Qantas is running a special supermoon flight — and yes, its sole purpose is to let its passengers get a better look at the moon. Not only will the date bring a supermoon, but there'll be a full lunar eclipse as well. That's when the Earth gets between the sun and the moon, covering the latter with its shadow and giving it a reddish hue. If you'd like to take to the skies, rather than just peer up at them, you'll need to be in Sydney. Just one supermoon flight is departing from Sydney Domestic Airport (T3) at 7.30pm, and only just over 100 seats will be available. Passengers will hop onto a B787 Dreamliner, then take a three-hour trip over the city — including Sydney Harbour — complete with a stint cruising above the clouds at 43,000 feet for maximum moon viewing. The lunar eclipse is due to begin at 6.47pm, reach its maximum at 9.18pm and end at 11.49pm, according to Timeanddate.com, so you'll be in the air at the absolute best time. Before departing, you'll also enjoy a cocktail party in the Qantas business lounge from 5.30pm. And, once you're onboard, you'll eat, drink, lock your eyes on the window and listen to CSIRO astronomer Dr Vanessa Moss — who'll be giving a live commentary, and also working with the pilots in advance to design the optimal flight path. Unsurprisingly, tickets for the supermoon flight don't come cheap — starting at $499 for economy, $899 for premium economy and $1499 for business. To offset the environmental impact of taking to the sky purely to get a closer look at the moon, Qantas will offset 100 percent of the flight's carbon emissions. Qantas' supermoon flight will depart Sydney Domestic Airport (T3) at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 26, with tickets going on sale at 12pm on Tuesday, May 12.
From luminous coral to majestic jellyfish, the deep blue ocean is home to no shortage of natural masterpieces and some of its most luminous critters are now being celebrated with their own dedicated digital exhibition at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. Running until December, Submerged is an immersive all-ages exhibition that explores the fascinating depths of the bioluminescent underwater world where organisms produce and emit light using chemical reactions. Expect breathtaking, hyperrealistic displays of colour and light depicting phenomena like glittering beaches scattered with spawning creatures and the tiny firefly squid that light up the deep waters off Japan. This is where science and nature show off their artistic side. The interactive exhibition is taking centre stage while Sea Life's sprawling Oceanarium display is closed for renovations — though it's not the only underwater magic you can catch right now at the aquarium. Other displays let you get up close and personal to creatures like fish, turtles, penguins, jellyfish and sharks. Pinjarra the saltwater crocodile also remains on show for those who want to say g'day. Access to Submerged is included in the cost of a general aquarium ticket.
In the beautiful chaos of Prahran Market, a familiar name is carving out a new chapter. G. McBean Family Butcher, formerly known as Gary's Meats, has not just expanded its space but also its legacy, reopening at the very spot where the founder originally set up shop back in 1984. Gary McBean, the man behind the cleaver, is not just a butcher; he's a craftsman with a story that begins when he was just a nine-year-old kid watching and working with his father, Ken, also a butcher. Gary would go on to climb the ranks from a young apprentice to the owner of his dad's shop on Bridge Road, before planting his own flag at Prahran Market. Fast forward to today, and he's flipping the script yet again, rebranding to G. McBean Family Butcher and passing the baton to his daughter, Ash, who seems to have inherited the family passion. The new space, a brainchild of designer Wendy Bergman (Orrong Hotel, Chancery Lane, Studio Amaro), promises more than your standard butcher experience. Think dark green tiles, brass trims and marble floors. As for the meat, it's the kind of fare you'd expect from five generations of butchers who supply some of the city's top dining spots, including Attica — there's just more space for them to do their thing now. It's not just meat, though. From dry-aged and smoked delights to in-house sandwiches that can compete with Melbourne's best cafes and delis, there's a lot going on. Sustainability is also front of mind, with branded jars filled with take-home meals that can be returned for reuse, to a nose-to-tail approach ensuring as much of the animal is used as possible, giving customers a range of options including bone broths, stocks and lard. Kangaroo, wallaby, deer and crocodile are also available, if you're game. And for those who fancy themselves with a cleaver, Gary's not just selling meat; he's sharing his craft. Regular masterclasses and steak nights are on the cards, where you can learn to break down a cow, pig or lamb, or pick your own steak cut and have it prepared for you to eat — cooked directly by the big man himself. Find G. McBean Family Butcher at Prahran Market, Stall 501 Commercial Rd, South Yarra. It's open 7am–5pm Tuesday and Thursday–Saturday, and 10am–3pm Sunday. Learn more at the butcher's website.
When Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victoria's latest stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions, he gave cinephiles a particularly exciting piece of news. Movie theatres have been closed around the country since mid-March; however, as of Monday, June 22, projectors will be allowed to start whirring again in the Garden State. And, while that doesn't mean that it's popcorn-munching business as usual quite yet, local cinemas will gradually begin to reopen. Cinema Nova will be one of initial places to start welcoming movie buffs back into darkened rooms, opening its doors on the very first day it can. It'll relaunch with The Invisible Man, which was already screening in March when cinemas shut, as well as with new films such as The Assistant, The Wretched and Monos. Also reopening on June 22 are the Classic, Lido and Cameo cinemas, which'll show both recent releases and fresh flicks. That includes the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, For Sama, Honeyland, Honey Boy, Jojo Rabbit, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and The Current War, plus new movies that were originally slated to hit cinemas during their closure, then switched to video-on-demand releases, and are now brightening up the big screen anyway. That means that if you haven't yet caught the Hugo Weaving-starring Hearts and Bones at home, you can now do so in a theatre. The same applies to watching Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan eat and banter their way through The Trip to Greece. And, joining the June 22 relaunching bonanza are Reading's Victorian sites. The company has announced its reopening date, but is yet to reveal what will be screening. [caption id="attachment_529488" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Charlie Kinross Photography[/caption] Come Thursday, July 2, Palace's Victorian sites will also let punters back in. And, other than The Astor Theatre, they'll do so with a lineup of brand new movies that haven't screened in Aussie cinemas or hit VOD as yet. On that date, film fans will be able to check out The Booksellers and bakery-set British drama Love Sarah. The week after, Waves and A White, White Day will follow suit, before (hopefully) Christopher Nolan's Tenet hit the following week. If Tenet does release on Thursday, July 16 as planned — which depends not only on Australian cinemas, but whether enough US and worldwide cinemas have reopened — it's safe to expect that plenty of other Victorian picture palaces will relaunch on or around then. In fact, that's the date that the local industry has been working towards. At the time of writing, big chains such as Village and Hoyts haven't revealed their reopening dates, nor has The Sun Theatre — but, again, expect that to change as mid-July creeps up. And, like attending any business reopening in the time of COVID-19, patrons can also expect significant changes to the movie-going experience — including online bookings, allocated seating, gaps between patrons, contactless payment, social-distancing requirements and extra cleaning. For more information about what's screening in Melbourne from June 22, or to book tickets, visit the websites for Cinema Nova; the Classic, Lido and Cameo cinemas; and Reading. For details about Palace's reopening from July 2, visit the chain's website — and The Astor Theatre's.
Port Macquarie's Festival of the Sun has been running for 15 years, and the boutique summer music festival is still bringing the goods. The lineup for this December has just been released and it looks like it'll be a doozy of a 15th birthday celebration. Vera Blue and Pond will headline the three-day fest, with Winston Surfshirt, Skegss, Tkay Maidza, Angie McMahon, Emily Wurramara and Remi lending their voices too. Didirri, Slowly Slowly and West Thebarton — among others — round out what looks like it'll be a big couple of days of music, with more acts still to be announced in September. The camping festival is also — excitingly — BYO, so you don't need to spend your hard-earned cash on overpriced UDLs. Alongside the lineup of live music, there will also be a heap of food trucks (serving everything from burgers to vegan fare), silent discos and silent comedy. On Thursday, dubbed 'Wabi Sabi Thursday', you'll also encounter a heap of crafty workshops, artist stalls and a glitter bar — to help you kick off the colourful weekend in style. The festival is themed each year, and this year it's the "Roll On Up" edition — looks like it's time to whip out your circus costumes and maybe start practising your stilt walking. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 9. FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 2018 LINEUP Vera Blue Pond Winston Surfshirt Skegss Tkay Maidza Remi Angie McMahon West Thebarton Didirri Slowly Slowly Kwame Emily Wurramara Clowns Boat Show Pist Idiots Good Doogs Clews Jess Locke Body Type Triple One Clypso Halcyon Drive Grace Turner Unearthed
A neighbourhood landmark dating back to 1854, Brunswick's Sarah Sands Hotel is the classic locally loved pub — with a distinctly modern twist. The two-level watering hole has that old-school feel with weekly specials, a generous happy hour and trivia, plus a menu of reimagined pub classics, including vegetarian and vegan options. But if you head upstairs, you'll find a trendy, light-filled oasis perched above Brunswick and Sydney Roads, where you can mingle late into the night with a cocktail in hand. If you're looking for your next late-night go-to, then Bar 3056 is the perfect place for a drink and a dance. There are live DJs every Friday and Saturday from 9pm, with a thriving dance floor until late. And, with a cocktail menu that celebrates native Australian ingredients — as well as towering cocktail trees, topped up with the spritzes of your choice — you can be sure you'll be sipping on some quality booze as you dance the night away. With puffy, Naples-style pizzas on the menu — with or without gluten — you're sure to be sustained well into the wee hours. For more information, visit the website.
If you're a Queenslander or a Victorian with a trip to Sydney in your future — or vice versa — the pandemic has just interrupted your plans. Yes, again. With the New South Wales capital currently experiencing a new COVID-19 cluster, both its northern and southern neighbour states have declared parts of the city either hotspots or red zones, depending on their respective terminology. And, as a result, both Queensland and Victoria are shutting their borders to seven Sydney Local Government Areas. Victoria announced the news late on Tuesday, June 22, while Queensland did the same today, Wednesday, June 23 — and each state's border closures come into effect at different times, too. In Victoria, the change actually kicked in at 1am this morning. In Queensland, it'll apply from 1am on Thursday, June 24. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1407302855405363202 Accordingly, folks who've been in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick LGAS will no longer be permitted to enter either Victoria or Queensland, other than in a few circumstances. Victoria is allowing the state's own residents who've been in the identified LGAs, which are now classes as red zones under its traffic light-style permit system, to obtain permits to return home — but they'll then need to quarantine for 14 days. If you're not a Victorian resident and you've been in the seven Sydney regions, you can no longer enter Victoria. In Queensland, residents entering from the seven Sydney hotspots will need to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days — and non-residents will only be allowed to enter if they receive an exception, and will also need to go into hotel quarantine for a fortnight. Plus, everyone will need to complete one of the state's online travel declarations first, after that system was brought back into effect last week. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1407478815853400064 Queensland actually already made a similar move on Saturday, June 19, but limited to Waverley local government area. So, when 1am hits on Thursday, June 24, it'll be joined by the City of Sydney, Woollahra, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick under the state's hotspot declaration. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 border restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. For more information about COVID-19 in Victoria and the state's current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health website.
If you thought the concept of Christmas gin was cool, you might be pretty excited about this: a Melbourne-born small-batch gin infused with cannabis has just hit the shelves. Distilled in Healesville by The Cannabis Co, local makers of all things cannabis-infused, The Myrcene Hemp Gin is made using one of the main essential oils, or 'terpenes', found in cannabis plants, called myrcene. It's supposedly the world's first cannabis gin made with tyrene. Also found in hops, this little guy can apparently help ease symptoms of inflammation and chronic pain, and is responsible for producing some of those joyful and euphoric effects associated with cannabis. All Cannabis Co products are currently free of psychoactive substances, but, as the company pushes for the legalisation of recreational marijuana use in Australia, it hopes to release products — like gin — with CBD and THC (cannabinoids) in the future. Terpenes, like myrcene, are also known for their specific aromas and flavours, and, in The Myrcene, works a little bit like the botanicals in regular gin. The result is a sip that balances the earthy and the fruity. According to the makers, it has aromas of bubblegum, pine forest, lavender and sage, with hints of cloves and woody spice flavours on the tongue. And it works a treat alongside some tonic and fresh lemon, or a sprig of rosemary. The creators of The Myrcene stepped back in time for their inspiration, looking to the gin-makers of 17th century Britain. Word is, small distillers would often flavour their creations by distilling resins from terpenes they found in the forest. All of The Cannabis Co's hemp products are certified organic and grown here in Australia. The first batch (aptly named batch 420) has already sold out, but if you're keen to get some cannabis gin in your life, you can sign up for pre-sales of the next batch through Alchemy. First image: Letícia Almeida
The Barossa Valley's wineries, Glenelg's beaches, Whyalla's LED-lit circular pier — whichever South Australian spot takes your fancy, you'll be able to visit it from Tuesday, November 23 if you're double-vaccinated. Today, Tuesday, October 26, SA Premier Steven Marshall announced South Australia's reopening roadmap. And, as well as outlining when the state's residents will be able to have more people over to their homes, it locks in the date that SA will welcome back double-vaxxed travellers from all other Aussie states and territories. The key milestone: reaching the 80-percent double-jabbed threshold among SA inhabitants over the age of 16, which is expected by that mid-November 23 date. There are a few caveats, however. While double-vaccinated Aussies travelling to SA won't have to quarantine in general, that'll change if you're coming from a Local Government Area with local cases and a double-vaxxed rate of less than 80 percent. Also, that November reopening date won't see quarantine scrapped for overseas visitors just yet. Instead, double-jabbed international arrivals will be required to do a seven-day stint, and unvaxxed international arrivals will still quarantine for 14 days. It isn't until SA reaches the 90-percent double-vaccinated mark among all residents aged of 12 that there'll be no quarantine at all for double-jabbed visitors from both interstate and overseas. That's expected to happen before Christmas, Marshall advised. SA's COVID-Ready Plan safely eases restrictions over the coming months and coordinates the health response to manage COVID-19. It's important to continue to get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms, physical distance, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick. pic.twitter.com/khu0Tbvfkr — SA Health (@SAHealth) October 26, 2021 So, if you're a double-vaxxed Aussie who's hankering for a a wine-fuelled venture into South Australia, you now know when you can pack your bags. SA's news follows similar announcements by the Queensland and Tasmanian governments, meaning that Australians who've had both COVID-19 jabs will soon be able to venture around most of the country again. If you're now eager to start planning an SA getaway, we have suggestions — whether you're eager to hit up Adelaide, or sip and sightsee your way around the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Limestone Coast or the Clare Valley. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in South Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: d'Arenberg Cube.
What do killer Squid Game dolls, Stranger Things rifts, Jurassic World raptors and very nice Borat statues all have in common? They've all brought pop-culture hits not just to Sydney but to Bondi, albeit temporarily. On the morning of Thursday, December 19, 2024, a towering toy loomed over Bondi Icebergs, accompanied by plenty of red and green outfits — and yes, as part of the latest pop-up celebrating the upcoming return of the South Korean Netflix smash for season two, a game of Red Light, Green Light took place. Ever since the world initially watched Squid Game in 2021, the streaming platform has been obsessed with bringing everyone's favourite South Korean streaming series into real life. First came pop-up stunts. Then arrived reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge, obviously without a body count. Experiences that let everyone play the show's games without appearing on TV also keep proving part of the IRL fun. As the show's second season approaches, dropping on Boxing Day 2024, Australia has welcomed three Squid Game activations — starting in St Kilda, where 200 pink guards relaxed on the Melbourne suburb's beach to kick things off; then cruising through Sydney harbour; and now at the pool so famous that it recently earned the documentary treatment. The Harbour City is no stranger to Squid Game stunts, or to Young-hee. Three years back, the Red Light, Green Light doll first made its eerie presence known in Sydney. When it took to the water this time around, it did so by ferry with 300 pink guards as an escort to get to Luna Park Sydney for Squid Game: The Experience. And now it has visited another iconic location. At Bondi Icebergs, 50 Squid Game guards were also in attendance, while ten players tried their hand at avoiding Young-hee. And the winner? Steve Bradbury, chalking up another claim to fame.. Come Thursday, December 26, Squid Game will unveil its second batch of episodes — and fans' second-last opportunity to press play. The show will return in 2025, too, with its third season; however, that will be the end of the series. More Squid Game: The Challenge is on the way, however. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced. Squid Game: The Experience is now on at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point. Head to the venue's website for more information and to buy tickets.
It's nice to escape out of the big city sometimes. Just a hop, skip and a jump (90 minutes) from Sydney, the Pullman Magenta Shores Resort is a worthy way to exit hectic Sydney and get a little quality R&R in. Beachfront and with numerous, luxurious pools, the resort is nestled in between Tuggerah Lake and the sea, so swimming is probably #1 on your holiday priorities list. For those who can drag themselves away from their sunlounger, the resort is the perfect gateway to the New South Wales Central Coast. Around summer, this area is your go-to for outdoor adventures ranging from surfing and paddleboarding to quad biking and ziplining through the treetops. Take your pick from beaches like The Entrance, Bateau Bay, Shelly Beach, Copacabana or Macmaster's, enjoy your cold-drip coffee barefoot in the cafes of Avoca and Terrigal, and breathe in a big gulp of fresh air at Bouddi National Park. So you can further remind yourself that you're out of the city, all rooms at the Pullman Magenta Shores (choose from a studio apartment up to a three-bed villa) have relaxing nature views, just so you can remind yourself that you're out of the city. You can kick back in the Lagoon Pool, the heated lap pool indoors if it's a bit nippy, or even the beach rock pools if you want to go crab-watching. The Resort is also home to the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, designed by Ross Watson and 18-holes long to fully occupy your vacation days. You're only allowed on this private green if you're staying at Pullman Magenta Shores, or if you've invested in a pricey membership, so take advantage. If you're tuckered out from the activity time or golf isn't your bag, head to the on-site Vie Spa to pamper yourself in one of their five treatment rooms. Once you're hungry from all the relaxing, head over to the resort's fine-dining Barrett's Restaurant, or Shallows Bar – there's a tasting menu as well as a wood-fired pizza oven and a range of share plates on the menu, so your belly will be just as happy as your relaxed muscles.
Imagine a room filled with pinot noir, with red drops after red drops from wineries around the country poured for your sipping pleasure for hours. If that's your preferred type of vino, it likely sounds like your idea of boozy heaven. There's no need to just dream up the concept, however. Thanks to Pinot Palooza, it already exists, has been doing the rounds in Australia for more than a decade, and has locked in its return for 2024. A guiding principle here: that being spoilt for choice can be overrated when it comes to deciding which wine varieties you feel like at any given moment. So, let this event do the picking for you. Pinot Palooza celebrates exactly the type of vino that's in its name, and makes the sound of a light- to medium-bodied red wine sloshing around a glass its standard soundtrack, including in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne come spring. Expect to hear that noise a whole heap — before the pandemic, the Melbourne-born wine-tasting festival had notched up an estimated 65,000 tickets sold globally. In 2024, Pinot Palooza is hitting up its three east coast stops for a two-day stint in each. While that was first announced back in March, now venues have been confirmed. Across Friday, October 4–Saturday, October 5, Sydneysiders will be clinking glasses at Carriageworks. From Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16, Brisbanites will get their pinot fix at the Exhibition Building at Brisbane Showgrounds. Then, come Friday, November 22–Saturday, November 23, the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton is the go-to destination in Melbourne. The Pinot Palooza team has also revealed that up to 100 wineries will be taking part in 2024, up from more than 50 winemakers last year, and surveying everything from organic and vegan to biodynamic and low-intervention drops. The full list of producers hasn't been unveiled, but Tasmania's Meadowbank, Oakdene from Geelong, Murdoch Hill and Vinteloper from the Adelaide Hills and New South Wales' M&J Becker are among the names that'll be involved from Australia. New Zealand tipples will be showcased by Two Paddocks, Burn Cottage, Mt Difficulty, Te Whare Ra, Greystone and others. As always, attendees will spend their session swirling and sampling that huge array of pinot noir, and making the most of up pop-up bars and food stalls between drinks. In Brisbane, though, a cheesy time also awaits. While dairy fest Mould has already taken place in the River City in 2024, it's teaming up with Pinot Palooza in October to give the Queensland capital a hybrid Pinot Palooza x Mould fest. Pinot Palooza 2024 Dates and Venues: Friday, October 4–Saturday, October 5: Carriageworks, Eveleigh, Sydney Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16: Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Friday, November 22–Saturday, November 23: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne Pinot Palooza will tour Australia's east coast in October–November 2024. For more information, and for tickets, head to the event's website.
Beach days and good weather aren't the only thing summer brings. With the return of music festival season, we're getting wind of Australian tour dates from heaps of cool bands. The latest news is from Okkervil River and Austra, who will be appearing at this year's Perth Festival and other sideshows around the country. Okkervil River Get ready, folk-rock fans, for a little something to spice up your musical repertoire from Okkervil River. The Texan-indie rockers have released their seventh full-length studio album, and you could hear it live this summer when they make their sixth tour of Australia. A nostalgic ode to the days of his New Hampshire-spent youth, The Silver Gymnasium is the autobiographical creation of frontman Will Sheff. Since the band members grew up in the 1980s, it's only fitting that the album stays true to the times with lots of pop influences. You probably wouldn't think of '80s pop and southwestern folk rock as a match, but Okkervil River makes it seem completely natural. Tracks like 'Stay Young' and 'Deep Down the Deep River' could be soundtrack-worthy of cult classics like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles with their catchy tunes and reflective lyrics. You'll find yourself humming along, fondly (or not so) reminded of the glory days of your high school years. Sydney: 21 February, Oxford Art Factor Melbourne: 22 February, Corner Hotel Perth Festival Tickets available from Handsome Tours. https://youtube.com/watch?v=n7UeGBULQ7Y Austra The Canadian electro-pop group Austra caused a sensation at the 2012 Laneway Festival, with their exhilarating fusion of riveting vocals and electronic synth. That performance was just from their debut album, and since then they've added two new members and dropped a fantastic follow-up album. 2013's Olympia is the perfect combination of indie rock and new wave. Katie Stelmanis, the main songwriter, rings a bell of Florence Welch and London Grammar's Hannah Reid with her operatic voice. Her songwriting talents have shone as well in this second album, which is a beautiful collection of lyrically personal tracks. But perhaps its been her ability to expand the band's range of sounds — which encompasses many dimensions of trance, electro and pop — yet stay true to feeling of their first album that have made Austra so successful. They've recently had a crazy touring schedule, sharing the stage with big-timers such as The xx, Grimes and The Gossip. This summer, Austra will be returning to the country for Perth Festival, and making appearances at sideshows in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Adelaide: 13 Feb, Uni Bar Sydney: 14 Feb, The Standard Melbourne: 15 Feb, Corner Hotel Perth Festival Tickets available from Handsome Tours https://youtube.com/watch?v=ODyWKkDBb4U
When you have so many huge musicals to your name, as Andrew Lloyd Webber does, one is always likely to be playing a stage somewhere. That includes in Australia, where the acclaimed composer's The Phantom of the Opera will start its latest stint Down Under in August — to be swiftly followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While the latest version of Phantom heads our way fresh from proving a huge hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States, this iteration Joseph makes the leap straight from London's West End. It also marks the first time that it's being staged outside of the UK, with seasons in Melbourne and Sydney locked in. Hailing from not only Lloyd Webber, but from lyricist Tim Rice as well, Joseph will enjoy its Australian premiere run at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from Friday, November 11, 2022, before heading to Sydney's Capitol Theatre from Saturday, February 11, 2023. If you live elsewhere in the country, cross your fingers that it adds shows in other capitals to its Aussie run. (No matter where you reside, perhaps cross your fingers that Cats isn't the next big Lloyd Webber musical to prowl across local stages.) Joseph's Aussie seasons will feature all the expected songs, of course — so 'Any Dream Will Do', 'Close Every Door To Me', 'Jacob and Sons', 'There's One More Angel in Heaven' and 'Go Go Go Joseph' will all get a whirl. Leading the cast: Euan Fistrovic Doidge (Saturday Night Fever, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Les Misérables and Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Joseph, plus Australian Idol contestant and singer Paulini as the Narrator. And if you're new to this particular sing-through show — and didn't catch the streamed 2000 adaptation back at the beginning of the pandemic, when Lloyd Webber was screening his hits via YouTube — it does indeed focus on the biblical figure, and was actually the first of Lloyd Webber and Rice's musicals to be performed publicly. That happened back in 1968 at a school concert, of all places, before it started getting more attention after Jesus Chris Superstar became such a success. JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT 2022–23 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: From Friday, November 11, 2022 — Melbourne's Regent Theatre From Saturday, February 11, 2023 — Sydney's Capitol Theatre Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will hit Melbourne's Regent Theatre from Friday, November 11, 2022, before playing Sydney's Capitol Theatre from Saturday, February 11, 2023. For more information or to buy tickets — with the Sydney season on-sale from Friday, July 15 — head to the musical's website.
When it was announced back in 2016 that Moulin Rouge! was being turned into a stage musical, fans around the world thought the same thing in unison: the show must go on. Since then, the lavish production premiered in the US in 2018, then hit Broadway in 2019, and also announced that it'd head Down Under in 2021 — and if you're an Aussie worried about whether the latter would actually happen after 2020's chaos, it looks like the same mantra applies to its planned Melbourne season. Moulin Rouge! The Musical has put out a casting call for auditions in both Melbourne and Sydney in January and February 2021, with working towards June rehearsals and August previews part of its timeline. So, once the second half of next year hits, you could be watching the spectacular show — which is based on Baz Luhrmann's award-winning musical movie, of course — at Melbourne's revamped Regent Theatre. The musical brings to life the famed Belle Époque tale of young composer Christian and his heady romance with Satine, actress and star of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret. Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, the film is known for its soundtrack, celebrating iconic tunes from across the past five decades. The stage show carries on the legacy, backing those favourites with even more hit songs that have been released in the 19 years since the movie premiered. And, when Moulin Rouge! The Musical makes its Aussie debut, it'll be doing so in the movie's 20th anniversary year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p68Q1G1A_k4&feature=emb_logo The musical is heading to Melbourne in the hands of production company Global Creatures, along with the Victorian Government. The Government is also a big player behind the Regent's upgrade works, having dropped a cool $14.5 million towards the $19.4 million project. It co-owns the site, along with the City of Melbourne. While Moulin Rouge! The Musical's exact season dates haven't been revealed, you can register for the ticket waitlist via the production's website. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will hit The Regent Theatre, at 191 Collins Street, Melbourne in 2021 — with the show currently working towards an August 2021 kick-off date. To register for the ticket waitlist, head to the production's website. Moulin Rouge! The Musical image: Matthew Murphy.
Given its location on the Sapphire Coast (a six-hour drive south of Sydney or seven-hour trip north of Melbourne), the Wanderer Festival may require a little more travel than the leisurely stroll suggested by its name. But, it promises to deliver an excellent final destination for road trippers seeking a weekend away that's big on tunes, tasty treats and a tonne of cool market stalls. Wanderer Festival is a three-day event held in picturesque Pambula Beach between Friday, 29 September and Sunday, 1 October. This year's genre-diverse lineup of 40+ artists include Ocean Alley, Django Django, The Jungle Giants, Thelma Plum, Spiderbait and UK indie-rock luminaries Gomez. Those looking for more than music will find it in the Wanderer Festival Big Top, which will feature gravity-defying circus cabaret courtesy of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Other off-stage activations include craft markets and food stores. The former will be the place to stock up on unique hand-crafted, hand-made or hand-picked goods, while the latter will be packed with a range of stalls that focus on produce from the region and local beer, wine and spirits, as well as culinary delights from around the world. The Wanderer Festival will run from Friday, 29 September and Sunday, 1 October 2023. For the full event program visit their website.
For the first time in over two decades, the Grammy Awards will take place in March this year, after the music industry's night of nights was postponed due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles. The ceremony has been pushed back from its original date of Sunday, January 31, and will now be held on Sunday, March 14 Pacific Time. For Australian viewers looking to tune into the ceremony, the new date to mark in your calendar is Monday, March 15. In a joint statement regarding the postponement from Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr, CBS executive Jack Sussman and show producer Ben Winston, the worsening COVID-19 situation in LA was cited as the reason for the postponement. "The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do," reads the statement. The announcement comes after a record 29,464 new COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County were reported in a single day on Saturday, December 26. There are currently 7898 COVID patients currently hospitalised in Los Angeles County. Leading the 2021 list of Grammy nominees is Beyoncé with nine nominations for her song 'Black Parade' and her collaboration with rapper Megan thee Stallion 'Savage (Remix)'. Australians Tame Impala and Flume are nominated for awards in the Best Alternative Music Album and Best Dance Recording categories respectively. Flume previously took out the Best Dance/Electronic Album Award in 2017 for his album Skin, while Tame Impala have been nominated twice previously but have never won. You can find the full list of nominees via the Grammy Awards' website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCRiUi28UpA The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards have been postponed to Sunday, March 14, 2021 Pacific Time — which is Monday, March 15, 2021 in Australia. For further information, head to the Grammy Awards website. Top images: Grammy Awards, M.Johnson / Flume, Andy Fraser.
Think of your favourite major events that have happened across the country — chances are Gill Minervini had something to do with them. The legendary creative director has been behind some of Australia's best festivals and parties. So, when you're wanting to bring some excitement to local communities, Minervini should be your first call. Wanting to encourage Aussies to support small, local businesses that have done it tough this year, American Express did just that. We recently spoke with Minervini about this special partnership — read on to learn about her creative process and the small businesses she loves supporting. [caption id="attachment_762640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winter Feast, Dark Mofo by Remi Chauvin[/caption] HER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS It's hard to play favourites when you've been at the helm of many of Australia's best events in the past two-plus decades. Minervini has been involved in Adelaide Festival, Sydney Lunar New Year and Art and About Sydney to name but a few. The ones that she seems most proud of are those that really drove positive change. "I was the first professional festival director that Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras had," Minervini says. This was in the late 80s and early 90s, which Minervini describes as the "golden era". "We were really crashing through some of those political barriers, and I'm very proud of the work I did there," she continues. Another career highlight was the birth of Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, now a beloved highlight of Tasmania's annual winter festival. "It brought together all the things I love: food, music, events, outdoor activations, community," Minervini says. "We didn't know if it would work or not. Clearly, it did." And, of course, one of her career highlights is still to come. In April 2021, Minervini was appointed one of her most exciting roles to date: Festival Director of Vivid Sydney. However, with the festival postponed till 2022, she's yet to make her Vivid debut. "I'm really looking forward to my first Vivid. We're working on programming that now" she tells us. THE SILVER LININGS OF LOCKDOWN It's impossible to discuss a career in the arts right now without acknowledging the big COVID-shaped elephant in the room. The past two years of lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions have decimated an industry already struggling. But, Minervini suggests, there are some silver linings to be found — for herself, for the industry and for audiences. "It's given me a lot more time in the planning and research phase. It's made audiences a lot more grateful in terms of the vast array of live events we have and what it looks like when they're not there," she says. "That sense of anticipation is a positive thing. It's going to take a while to recover, a lot of people have left the industry. But the renaissance is coming." HER CREATIVE PROCESS Minervini's mention of planning piques our curiosity. How does she approach the mammoth task of producing a creative event, be it a big citywide affair or a small activation? Where do you even begin? "It's really about research. It sounds boring but it's the most fascinating part of the job for me," says Minervini. "I always try to pare it back to: what is the story that we want to tell? And, most importantly, who are we trying to tell it to? It's that simple and that complicated. Finding that overriding narrative is really crucial. If you get that right, people will connect with it." Minervini also places a lot of importance on working with community members — from Indigenous leaders to LGBTQIA+ voices — to ensure their stories are central. "I try to make sure I'm as collaborative as I can be and that there's a sense of ownership and a sense of self-determination in terms of working with diverse communities. When you do that, the resulting event has a lot more power," she says. [caption id="attachment_836896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handsom[/caption] HER FESTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS Minervini's creative process was practiced in her recent partnership with American Express. The brand enlisted Minervini to create spectacularly festive installations in the shop windows of Sydney's Collector Store and Art on King and Melbourne's Handsom for two important reasons. The first: to bring a dose of festive joy to local communities. And the second: to encourage Aussies to shop up a storm at small businesses that have done it tough this year. As a small business advocate, Minervini jumped at the opportunity. "It seemed like a match made in heaven," she says. She began by interviewing the business owners to understand their backgrounds, the shops' histories, the communities they operate within and their customers. The creative direction Minervini landed on was 'Great Things Come in Small Packages'. "These shops are small but there are amazing things in them. Things you wouldn't find anywhere else," she says. Designer James Dide then took Minervini's concept and put it into reality. The end result was three vibrant wreaths handmade out of paper through 3D printing — each completely unique and reflective of the shop they represent. "Each of the wreaths has elements of the area that the shop is in and elements of what they sell. For example, Art on King has some real urban elements in the wreath, everything from the local buses that run up King Street to birds of the area and telegraph poles," says Minervini. "Handsom had a really interesting take on what they love at Christmas time and what they sell in the store. The shopkeepers met in Ibiza, so some of the designs of their clothes are really inspired by Spanish summer vibes. So we really picked up on the colours, Spanish fans, stars, candles and florals." Collector Store's wreath is trying to convey the Aussie Christmas experience with florals, cockatoos, Australian natives and cocktail glasses, with Minervini saying it has "a real summery vibe". [caption id="attachment_836146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Collector Store[/caption] HER FAVOURITE SMALL BUSINESSES Minervini's passion for small business is evident all throughout our chat. She partly attributes this to having come from a family of small business owners (publicans to be precise), but also to the unmatched experience one can expect from a small business. "If we lose those small local shops, we lose the diversity of what's on offer to us," she says. "The three shops that we're doing these installations in are a really good example of the curation of goods that you won't find anywhere else. You get an individualised experience." So, where in Sydney will she be hitting up for her Christmas gift shopping? "I'm a big reader and I love giving books, so I love Better Read Than Dead and Pentimento. And I'll be going to Collector. They have some of the most luxe towels — that's my present to myself," she says. [caption id="attachment_820890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casa Mia Osteria by Kitti Gould[/caption] HER SUMMER PLANS After such a busy and tumultuous year, it's safe to assume Minervini deserves a break (hell, we all do). And she has some pretty enviable plans for the next few weeks. "I will be doing a lot of swimming, a lot of reading and a lot of eating," she says. As an inner west local, she mentions a couple of restaurants that she'll be frequenting over this time: much-loved vegan pizzeria Gigi and King Street newcomer Casa Mio Osteria. "It's just brilliant," she says of the latter. She also plans to check out lots of Sydney Festival, which kicks off on January 6, and then "back to work because Vivid will be here very soon". After two long years without Sydney's favourite festival of lights and ideas, we can't wait to see what Minervini has in store for next year's program. Shop Small this festive season and spend at least $100 with a small business. This small action will help inject an additional $2 billion into the sector to help it recover. To learn about American Express and the Shop Small initiative, visit here.
It's been more than a year since Five Guys, the burger joint with more than 1600 stores to its name across America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, first announced the news that folks Down Under had been waiting to hear. When the popular US-based chain revealed that it was finally launching stores in Australia and New Zealand, it sparked a lot of rumbling stomachs — and, from Monday, September 20, it's following through. That's when Five Guys will open its first Aussie outpost, which'll start serving up burgers, fries, hotdogs, sandwiches and shakes in Penrith. As already announced earlier in 2021, Sydney is the first place Down Under to taste the chain's wares. Due to the city's ongoing lockdown, however, it'll only be open for takeaway for the time being. Live within five kilometres of 123 Mulgoa Road — or within the same Local Government Area, depending on the restrictions in your part of town? Then you'll be able to head in to grab a bite to bring home with you. The temporary pivot to only doing takeaway orders is actually Five Guys' second big pandemic-inspired change. Initially, the brand was set to open its debut store Down Under in Sydney's CBD, but it switched to Penrith due to COVID-19. Overseas, Five Guys has amassed quite the reputation. Even given the number of big-name US burger chains with hefty followings, such as Shake Shack and In-N-Out, it stands out. If you're wondering why, the fact that its made-to-order burgers skew in the classic rather than oversized, jam-packed direction is one good reason. These burgs come with two hand-formed patties on toasted buns, with your choice of free toppings (including pickles, grilled mushrooms and jalapeños). Five Guys also does bacon cheeseburgers that add two strips of bacon and two slices of Kraft American cheese as well. Prefer hotdogs, sandwiches (in veggie, cheese or BLT varieties), hand-cut fries (with or without Cajun spices) and vanilla milkshakes? They're all on the menu as well. Don't go thinking that the latter are boring, though — you can add bacon, bananas, peanut butter, salted caramel and even Oreo pieces to your design-your-own beverage. The cult-favourite chain makes the leap to Australia and New Zealand as part of a master franchise agreement with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, aka the folks behind The Meat & Wine Co, Hunter & Barrel, 6 Head, Ribs & Burgers, Italian Street Kitchen and Butcher and the Farmer. Five Guys started back in 1986 in the Washington, DC area and, as anyone with allergies should note, only cooks its fries in peanut oil. Around 20 stores are due to launch in Australia, plus more in NZ — although exactly where else and when Five Guys will be popping up is yet to be revealed. In Sydney, additional sites are currently under consideration, including in the CBD around Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Broadway. Find Five Guys' first Australian store at 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith from Monday, September 20 — open from 11am–10pm daily. More eateries in other Australian states — and in New Zealand — are set to follow; we'll update you when more information comes to hand.
Tacos slathered with salsa. Chips dipped in hot sauce. A sliver of cheese accompanied by a zesty relish. Whatever your favourite food happens to be, it probably tastes better with a condiment — and, like everything from artisanal gin to plants to cocktail ingredients, there's now a curated delivery service dedicated to flavour-adding substances. Meet Condimental, which bundles a heap of pickles, preserves, sauces, seasonings and relishes into a box and brings it to your door. If an image of a boring Christmas hamper just popped into your head, then this service will wipe it away. On the menu is a changing range of limited-release and seasonal items from Australian suppliers, aka the types of condiments that you won't find in any old supermarket. [caption id="attachment_707077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Condimental's launch box.[/caption] Condimental also leans into the concept of exclusivity — not just via its selection, but courtesy of its limited-run editions. Only 100 boxes are available with each release, and while you can't subscribe to receive a box every time the service starts shipping a new batch, you can sign up to be notified when a new edition becomes available. In other words, if you're keen on watermelon pickle, habañero and oak hot sauce, umami seasoning, fermented tomatillo salsa picante, or bread and butter pickle, then you'll need to get in quick. They're the items on offer in the first delivery, with the launch release costing $65 plus a $15 delivery fee. For more information, visit the Condimental website.
A good toastie is more Australian than Bob Hawke sculling beer at the cricket. The humble toastie may just be a simple sandwich that has been toasted (whether that's in a frying pan, a sandwich press or a jaffle iron), but a world of possibilities exists within those two slices of bread. While this is something you could make at home, why would you when so many venues do it so well? These five toasties are the toast of the town. BACON SANDWICH, WIDE OPEN ROAD One sandwich rules them all in Brunswick, and that's the bacon sanga at Wide Open Road. It has crispy bacon, oozy double cheese, sweet and slightly spicy relish framed in bread so golden you know it's been fried by some kind of magic (otherwise known as a frying pan). If you don't normally come to Brunswick, this is a toastie worth crossing rivers for — whether that's the Yarra, the Parramatta, the Danube, the Seine or the Nile. BANGERS AND MASH JAFFLE, BAD FRANKIE If you get out of bed on Saturdays for the sausage sizzle at Bunnings, we'd like to introduce you to the sausage sizzle's gourmet cousin: the bangers and mash jaffle at Bad Frankie. This small bar, just off Smith Street in Collingwood, specialises in Australian whisky and jaffles. On the menu, there are toasties stuffed with cheese, supreme pizza, vego butter chicken, and, of course, the bangers and mash. Pork sausages are served on wholemeal bread, topped with potato mash and served with gravy dipping sauce on the side. It's so delicious you'll never go to Bunnings again (well, not for the sausage sizzle). [caption id="attachment_640639" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] LAMB JAFFLE, TUCK SHOP TAKE AWAY Tuck Shop Take Away is a corner store in Caulfield reinventing old classics that make a variety of 'best of' lists: best milkshakes, best burgers, best fries, best treats, and, most importantly, some of the best jaffles around. Tuck Shop has three jaffle options — baked beans, three cheese or slow-cooked lamb. The lamb is mixed with Vegemite and béchamel sauce and tightly sealed in a jaffle iron – it tastes like the best gourmet pie you've ever had. There's limited seating in the cafe, so head in early and grab a stool at the counter. CHICKEN AND CHORIZO BOLOGNESE TOASTIE, CHEERIO Cheerio lives up to its name — it's a small and cheerful cafe just off Swan Street in Richmond where you can order a cheerful toastie from a cheerful waiter. And if that's not enough for you, wait until you bite into the chicken and chorizo bolognese toastie. Mixing comfort foods from Spain and Italy, in an Australian toastie, it's unapologetically indulgent. [caption id="attachment_647658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida[/caption] JAFFLE BOLOGNESE, ARLECHIN Another bolognese toastie, in a completely different setting. Arlechin is a new bar in the CBD serving up snacks and drinks til 2am. So if you've ever craved a stellar toastie after midnight, but have, maybe, lacked the 'dexterity' to do so, Arlechin is here to save the day. The rich, piping hot bolognese is sealed between slices of crisp golden bread and topped with a healthy pile of grated parmesan. Your hangover will thank you tomorrow.
It's no secret that martinis are having a bit of a moment. But if you want to sip one that's genuinely different, you'll want to seek out Haku Vodka. Made from polished Japanese white rice and crafted by the House of Suntory, Haku Vodka is basically everything a martini lover dreams of. This winter, it's being poured at some of the best bars in the country as part of a limited-time experience pairing bespoke Hakumai Martinis with rice-inspired dishes. We're talking Bar Sumi, Icebergs Bondi, The Roosevelt, Prefecture 48, Aster, Island Radio, Letra House, Toko Restaurant and Moku in Sydney. In Melbourne, there's also The Blacksmith Bar, La La Land, Bar 1806, Warabi, Curious, Rossi, Ugly Duckling, Kushiro, Bar Jayda, Le Bar Supper Club, Holy Grail and Yugen Dining to check out. To celebrate, we're giving four lucky winners a $200 voucher each to enjoy the full experience for themselves. To go in the running, just tell us in 25 words or less: What's your ideal martini — and why? For the full details, see the comp form below. T&Cs apply. [competition]1016425[/competition]
IKEA's blue-and-yellow Frakta bag has been a shop staple for more than three decades. It has helped carry your purchases of (too many) tea light candles, and proven an integral part of moving house. It's been used to make everything from masks and boots to bucket hats and even outfits for dogs, and has inspired a $2000 Balenciaga knockoff as well. And now, it's getting a new colour — so get ready to add a different hue to that pile of bags stuffed in one of your cupboards. Back in 2019, the Swedish retailer dropped a limited-edition rainbow version of the instantly recognisable, and super versatile bag; however, it was only available for short time. From November this year, IKEA will release a vibrant pink iteration as well, this time as part of a new collaboration with designer Zandra Rhodes. The vivid Karismatisk bag falls under the Rhodes-designed, 26-piece collection of the same name and, obviously, it's pink. The colour is bright, and there's another design flourish you won't find on the regular blue Frakta, too: side frills. "It is playful and functional — and the colour pop of pink adds an extra Zandra accent," said the designer. The Karismatisk bag will be available to purchase at IKEA stores n Richmond, Rhodes and Logan from November for $3. It'll also be available online at the same time. Across the rest of Rhodes' collection, you can also pick up cushions with eye-catching prints, both blue and pink vases, gold lampshades, and a range of rugs — plus mirrors, LED lighting, and candlestick and tea light candle holders. The Karismatisk bag will be available to purchase at IKEAs stores in Richmond, Rhodes and Logan from November for $3, and online via the retailer's website at the same time.
After creating an instant hit with inner-north food truck park Welcome to Thornbury, the 300 Burgers Group is back for round two. The team is continuing its northside foray with a new venture in collaboration with famed Sydney-based brewery 4 Pines. Together, the duo has opened a new 450-person food precinct, brewery and beer garden in Brunswick. Located behind Sydney Road's Brunswick Mess Hall, 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick is a little smaller than its Northcote sibling indoors, but outside it boasts a much roomier, park-like outdoor zone, decked out with loads of lush greenery, paintings by local artists and a solid spread of both sunny and shaded areas. And yes, it's all as dog-friendly as it sounds. The food offering comes courtesy of a rotating food truck lineup, with up to four vendors on-site each night. Expect regular appearances from favourites like Mr Burger, Woking Amazing, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks and Nem n Nem, all backed by dishes from the Mess Hall kitchen, which you can also order from. Meanwhile, the beer lineup is set to feature entirely 4 Pines brews — and, come 2020, all of them will be brewed in the on-site brewery. Signatures like the summer ale, pale ale, pacific ale and kolsch star alongside the brewery's seasonal Keller Door releases, which, at the moment, includes the Margarita gose and the El Dorado IPA. An environmentally sensitive design by Breathe Architects is heavy on the recycled and reclaimed materials, which include kegs that've been up-cycled into stools. Welcome to Brunswick's commitment to sustainability also includes composting 100 percent of its organic waste (including all of its bowls and plates) and future solar panels, with a long-term aim of producing all of its energy on-site. Find 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick at 1 Frith Street, Brunswick. It's open from 5–10pm Wednesday, 12–10pm Thursday, 12pm–midnight Friday–Saturday, 12–10pm Sunday.
Every seasoned party-goer knows the good times really start after midnight — and the late-night kick ons are the key ingredient. Nights out on the town always get to a point where you need to take charge and make a decision, a bold call on where to go to keep the good times rolling. This decision is the difference between a night you'll never forget and a night you can't be bothered to remember. You want a place that not only stays open late, but serves cold beers and boasts a great bar menu so you can do your late-night snacking in-house. It's a big call, but don't worry — we've got this. To help you out, we've teamed up with our mates at Heineken to find Melbourne's best venues for guaranteed good times into the wee hours of the morn.
There's always something happening in New South Wales, no matter what time of the year. So whether you're a local looking for extravagant summertime surf carnivals on the coast or an interstater on the hunt for cosy winter festivities, there's something for everyone. So why not get a weekend getaway on the books? We've scoured the calendar for festivities taking place across the state, and here's our round-up of the outdoor events. Depending on where you go, you'll need some sunscreen, a good jumper or a couple of napkins. Adventure awaits.
It's no secret that high-level cycling attracts some pretty serious devotees, but when you come across the Bike Gallery just off Burke Road, you'll be made to feel at home with some fantastic coffee and a laidback attitude. Opened in November 2010, the shop is no slouch when it comes to high-end bicycles, stocking acclaimed cycling brands such as Pinarello, Cervelo and S-Works, and also clothing and accessories by the likes of Rapha, Pedla and Melbourne's own MAAP. With a dedicated cafe, workshop and regular shop rides, Bike Gallery is a place that most cycling fanatics can only dream of.
The Australian film world has a striking new talent. Scooping up a best director gong at the Sundance Film Festival in January and winning the prestigious Crystal Bear in Berlin the following month, Adelaide's Sophie Hyde has with her debut feature, 52 Tuesdays, produced a powerful and progressive piece of cinema that defies formal, social and narrative expectations. With memorable characters and exceptional performances helping to shore up an intriguing structural gimmick, it's a bold and original coming-of-age drama that discerning local audiences should hurry to the cinema to see. Newcomer Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Billie, a 16-year-old high-school girl struggling to find her footing after her lesbian mother Jane (Del Herbert-Jane) announces her intention to become a man. The transition, which involves a regimen of testosterone along with surgery, will take a year, during which time Jane — now going by James — requests that Billie go and live with her father (Beau Travis Williams). Billie agrees, on the condition that she can still visit every Tuesday after school. If nothing else, 52 Tuesdays is noteworthy for its approach. Fully committed to her year-in-the-life premise, Hyde shot the film in chronological order, one scene every Tuesday, over the course of an entire year. The result, captured on consciously uncinematic digital video, has a particular kind of lived-in realism; the actors were given a new piece of the script every week, allowing for performances that feel both spontaneous and authentic. Through a long and sometimes arduous process, Hyde and her writing partner, Matthew Cormack, handle James' transition frankly and without judgement. Herbert-Jane, an actor who identifies as gender non-conforming, is excellent in the role, conveying each and every moment of excitement, frustration and doubt. Interviews with other trans individuals, captured by James on a trip to San Francisco, further contextualise his experience for his daughter, who in turn serves as a kind of surrogate for the audience. The year sees big changes for Billie as well, particularly as her friendship with a pair of students in the year above her (Sam Althuizen and Imogen Archer) evolves into sexual experimentation. A soulful screen presence, there's little doubt that Cobham-Harvey, like Hyde, has a big future ahead of her. As Billie, she gets us on side with a potentially unlikeable character, whose own adolescent drama seems to dwarf everything happening around her. Honest, insightful and bravely against the grain, 52 Tuesdays is a magnificent debut for cast and filmmaker alike. Expect big things going forward. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y5WcMzEYRGU
Established in 2009 to discuss difficult issues, push boundaries and inspire debate, Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas has spent a decade exploring provocative topics — and it's celebrating its tenth anniversary in the same fashion. This year's event will tackle the theme 'dangerous realities', focusing specifically on racism, surveillance and climate change. After postponing its weekend-long Town Hall event in April due to the government's ban on non-essential gatherings over 500 people, FODI has decided to return next month with a succinct digital program for 2020. It's called FODI Digital, aptly — and fans will be happy to hear that headliner Edward Snowden is still on the docket. The whistleblower will — of course — examine the reality of mass governmental surveillance system. As expected, he was always planned to appear via livestream rather than in person, so not much has changed. The one-hour conversation will take place on Thursday, September 24 from 7pm. Alongside Snowden, the program features Professor Marcia Langton AM on Thursday, September 10 and Journalist David Wallace-Wells on Saturday, October 11. Langton will discuss the truth about racism in relation to Australia's Indigenous people, as well as our society's resistance to accepting our racist past. Meanwhile, Wallace-Wells will dissect the climate crisis in a conversation titled The Uninhabitable Earth. As all events will be live-streamed, tickets will cost just $10 for Langton and Wallace-Wells and just $15 for Snowden — or nab tickets to all three for $30. FODI is presented by The Ethics Centre, who co-founded the fest with the Sydney Opera House, then partnered with UNSW for the 2018 version of the event on Cockatoo Island. While this year's digital season is decidedly different from past iterations, it still boasts the fest's usual high-calibre range of speakers — so another eyeopening FODI season awaits. FODI Digital will take place across three separate online conversations on Thursday, September 10; Thursday, September, 24; and Saturday, October 11. For tickets, visit the festival's website. Top image: Jodie Barker
The last two years have been peppered with high-flying hotel openings, with the likes of Next, the W, AC Hotels and Movenpick just some of the brands that have come to make Melbourne home. But the city's next exciting accommodation addition comes not in the form of a sleek newcomer, but an old favourite reimagined. Rydges Melbourne is currently undergoing a top-to-toe transformation, slated to return in its next incarnation from autumn. And it's leaving the past well behind. You can push aside any existing notions you had of this long-running hotel brand — Rydges Melbourne 2.0 is a whole new kettle of fish. Set in the heart of the action on Exhibition Street, the hotel is set to reopen as a Rydges flagship complete with 370 freshly revamped rooms, including 35 suites, plus 25 new apartments catering to the business-leisure set. A completely overhauled look steered by the renowned Luchetti Krelle features soothing interiors of natural stone and pale timber complemented by loads of natural light. An impressive collection of local art has been curated by interior designer Janet Graham, and all the rooms are kitted out with Rydges' signature DreamBeds. Alongside all that, there's a hefty 1500 square metres of revamped event and conference spaces, including a lofty ballroom in the former Bobby McGees digs and a brand-new rooftop terrace. And there'll be more news to come soon about the property's signature restaurant, which is set to "celebrate the theatre of food". Rydges Melbourne is currently taking bookings from June onwards, with prices starting from $270 a night. Rydges Melbourne is set to reopen at 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne some time in autumn. We'll share more details about its offerings as they drop.
Do you wanna know the latest big Australian tour news? Yes, if you're an Arctic Monkeys fan, you do. Already slated to head Down Under for Falls Festival and Lost Paradise, the Sheffield rockers have just gone and added three huge standalone — and outdoor — gigs to their tour itinerary. We bet you'll look good on the dance floor when January 2023 rolls around, obviously. 2022 marks two decades since the band first formed in their Yorkshire home town, and they'll see out the year in Australia, then start next year here as well. For their solo shows, Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders will hit Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Brisbane's Riverstage, both with Mildlife in support, before heading to The Domain in Sydney with DMA's & The Buoys. Arctic Monkeys' last tour to come our way, 2019's Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino World Tour, was massive. Actually, every tour they've brought Down Under has been. Given their career to-date — including scoring the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history when Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not released in 2006 — that's hardly surprising. (Nor are the Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday shirts always spotted in the crowd whenever the band makes the trip Down Under, with Aussie supporters of the group's two hometown soccer teams routinely coming out in force.) It's been four years since the Monkeys' last album, the aforementioned Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino — but they won't be short of hits to play. Expect plenty of fun when the sun goes down, and not just a number-one party anthem on the set list. And if you're somehow not already excited, snap out of it. ARCTIC MONKEYS 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES — STANDALONE SHOWS: Wednesday, January 4 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, with Mildlife Wednesday, January 11 — Riverstage, Brisbane, with Mildlife Saturday, January 14 — The Domain, Sydney, with DMA's & The Buoys Arctic Monkeys are touring Australia in January 2023. Tickets go on sale online at 12pm local time on Friday, June 17, with pre-sales via the band from 10am AEST on Wednesday, June 15 and through Frontier from 10am AEST on Thursday, June 16. For more information, head to the tour website. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
For two decades, Bendigo Bloom has flourished like a perfectly tended garden, and 2023 is set to be its biggest year yet. The annual celebration has blossomed into a major tourist attraction, and is celebrating spring with a stunning blend of floral beauty, food and wine tastings, comedy shows, live gigs on trams and even a yoga festival. The centrepiece of the fest is the tulip display, which will see over 53,000 tulips in various colours bloom from mid-September to early October. The display will be located along Pall Mall and the Conservatory Gardens, and promises to look just as spectacular in the evening (if not more so) thanks to Bloom After Dark, which will illuminate the flower displays at night from 6.45–10pm. As well as checking out the tulips, the festival includes several other events. The Heritage & Hidden Spaces Wines Walk on Saturday, October 21 will get participants sampling vino from over 18 wineries as they make their way through nine heritage spaces, which is handy for anyone looking to cross 'walking wine festival' off their bucket list. A new addition to the festival in 2023 is the Groove Tram, which is offering an alternative way to experience Bendigo's food and wine scene throughout September and October. Attendees will enjoy live music, local brews and wine while onboard. Love to laugh? (If you answered no, are you okay?) The Bendigo Comedy Festival will feature some of Australia's best comedians, including Have You Been Paying Attention? regular Alex Ward, Dane Simpson and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Most Outstanding Show of 2023 winner Gillian Cosgriff. If you're looking to unwind from all that laughing, drinking and flower gazing, check out the Bendigo Yoga Festival for the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate with a variety of yoga classes and workshops. Bendigo Bloom runs from Saturday, September 9–Sunday, November 5, 2023 at various locations around Bendigo.
The unassuming streets of Newcastle have seen major rejuvenation in recent years. The former industrial centre has been transformed into a happening spot packed with hip bars and eateries plonked right beside a stunning stretch of coastline. Make the most of the salty air with a stay at The Beach House at Merewether. This luxurious private home provides the perfect digs for up to seven guests to chill out and lean in to the beachside lifestyle: quick morning dips after catching the sunrise from your deck's front-row seats, before bubbling away the afternoon in the backyard spa. Right on your doorstep is Bathers Way, a six-kilometre coastal path linking the nearby Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) to Nobby's Lighthouse in the north. Once the sun goes down, check out hidden spots in the CBD, like whisky speakeasy Coal & Cedar (to enter, you'll have to text a number scribbled on a brick wall) or the sprawling Foghorn Brewery, which houses a bar and restaurant in an art deco warehouse.
Houseboats are the aquatic equivalent of packing up a camper and taking yourself where the road leads. Rather than traversing the neverending highways that cut across our broad country, why not try cruising the rivers and waterways that trail like veins through some of the remarkable landscapes Australia has to offer? From fishing on the Ord River to skippering your own sailboat in the Whitsundays, sleeping on a boat opens up a whole new world of adventure holiday. For a cruisy vacation you haven't thought of yet, here are our top ten picks of houseboats around the land, and a couple that aren't technically houseboats, but provide an unmatchable experience on the water nonetheless. FIVE STAR SPA, WISEMAN'S FERRY, NSW Able Houseboats on the Hawkesbury River has a berth for 12 people, and as the name suggests, has a nice spa for soaking while boating. Wiseman's Ferry only takes an hour or so to reach by car from Sydney, so the boat is perfect for a cheeky weekend on the river. A weekend for 12 people on the stunning Hawkesbury River starts at $4820, which is starting to verge on the exxy side, but can you really put a price on happiness? Particularly happiness induced by houseboat? THE RIVERDREAM BOATEL, RENMARK, SA So, there's a luxury houseboat, then there's an insanely luxurious houseboat. Then there's the Riverdream. Boasting five king-sized bedrooms, a spiral staircase that leads you to the control room, a tinted ceiling, central heating, barbecue and everything short of its own helipad, this is the houseboat that Elton John would probably hire if he had any interest in houseboats. Operating along the Murray River, this boat shows off some of the most picturesque landscape that South Australia has to offer, all in the comfort of a floating five star resort. Prices start at $180 per night, per person. OCEAN SPIRIT, HOPE HARBOUR, QLD It's a general rule with boat-bound holidays that the stronger the pun, the better the boat. So Ocean Spirit (from Fantaseas) has to be one of the best boats out there. Ocean Spirit is moored at Hope Harbour, just north of Surfer's Paradise. It has four bedrooms, all lined with leather and panelled with polished wood, plus a barbecue on deck and what's that? A spa? Yep, there's one of those, too. Midweek prices in the normal season start at $3200 for four nights, and the boat can sleep you and 11 friends. CRUISE AWAY, WALPOLE-NORNALUP, WA A houseboat getaway doesn't mean you have to take a whole squad of mates. Instead, tear it up peacefully on the waterways with a romantic getaway for two. Cruise Away, a four-berth houseboat moored in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park on the southern tip of Western Australia, provides ample opportunity for exactly that. Cruise through the park, set off up the rivulets on the dinghy provided, try your hand at fishing for dinner, or simply sit on the deck and soak up the natural beauty of this less-explored landscape. Three nights in the peak season starts at $1225. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, KUNUNURRA, WA From the bottom of Australia's western edge to the top, Love At First Sight is a six-berth houseboat moored in Kununurra on the banks of the Ord River. This boat will take you away from the hubbub of urban living into the complete embrace of nature. Keep a line out for bream, catfish and even barramundi to catch yourself your very own dinner. Prices start at $1500 for three nights in peak season. PINK LADY, MILDURA, VIC It's all too often that a holiday house is a stark reminder that you've travelled far from the comforts of home. Pink Lady, however, aims to make this less and less obvious with an injection of what All Seasons Houseboats call the Platinum Indulgence. The boat has all the trimmings necessary for a fancy hotel, including a barbecue, spa, bar and a fitout worthy of a luxury hotel. Prices for a three-night sojourn on the Pink Lady start at $3200, but the upshot of this is that some of this coin goes towards the Breast Cancer Network Australia. HERO, ECHUCA MOAMA, SA Another entry on the list that isn't exactly a houseboat, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Echuca Moama sits on the banks of the Murray River, and has long been known as the paddle steamer capital of Australia, but only by those who knew Australia has a paddle steamer capital. Hero organises overnight stays in the floating hotel, where guests experience the luxury of 1874, the year that Hero was built. The crew do their best to maintain the beautiful interiors, which only accentuate the views of the countryside as they scroll past. The cost of staying on Hero varies, depending on your stay. SCALLYWAG, BLANCHETOWN, SA Although houseboats are an amazing idea for groups, it's always nice to spend a little time with just you and a special someone. In that case, the two-berth Scallywag has you covered. You can crew Scallywag, just the two of you, up the Murray River, soaking in the rugged scrub that lines the riverbanks. The queen bed sits below a panoramic window, so you can watch the moon and stars as you sleep. The roof is decked with timber, so there's plenty of space up there to soak in the sights. Scallywag is moored at Blanchetown, and prices start at $1050 for three nights in the normal period. LEOPARD 48, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, QLD Houseboats, given their general lack of the ability to brave any kind of surf, usually stick to rivers and canals. But what if you're feeling like an overnight holiday on the ocean? Bareboating uses the same principals as houseboating, where you acquire yourself a boat, a skipper and crew it yourself, and then return it when you're done. Whitsunday Escape provides everything from sailboats to powered yachts, including the very fancy catamaran, Leopard 48. Nightly rates for the five-star boat start at $1950 per night in the peak season, but when split between 11 mates, that's not too much to pay to captain your own sailboat around the Whitsunday Islands. SOLWAY LASS, WHITSUNDAYS, QLD While not exactly a houseboat, I think we can all agree that the Solway Lass definitely deserves to be on this list. I mean, look at it. It's a pirate ship. Tours start out at Airlie Beach, and the skipper takes you on a three-day voyage around the Whitsunday Islands, so you can cruise about on a 100-year-old pirate ship without worrying about having to steer the thing. The trip carries you to Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island, and through a whole heap of bushwalking opportunities. Prices start at $560 per person for three days with meals included, and accommodates groups of up to 30 people.
We've all been there — waking up on a Sunday morning feeling more zombie-like than zest-for-life — but if you don't want to miss out on all the fun things you could get up to at the weekend, you're going to need a healthy feed to heal your body and soul. There's no need to knock back raw eggs in a glass (Rocky-style) to build up your stamina for the day — the hospitality folks of Melbourne know how to serve up deliciously diverse brekkie dishes that'll have you back on your feet, and ready to face the day. Plus, brunches that hero eggs give you a healthy serve of amino acids and cysteine, which helps you break down acetaldehyde, one of the root causes of hangovers. If fact, there are heaps of nutritional benefits to eating eggs (on any day of the week) and the Heart Foundation recommends healthy Australians can eat eggs without limitation as part of a healthy diet. So we've picked out six delicious, hangover-busting dishes to help you start the day as you mean to go on: with gusto.
Drink Local, Think Global. A brewer's motto for the modern day. More than ever, people are concerned about local producers, more in touch with local brands and looking to make that personal connection to a product they use. Craft beer is also becoming more and more prominent in the lives of clued-up drinkers. Along with dedicated beer halls, bars with extensive craft beer lists and an all-round desire to learn more, Australia even has its very own craft beer publication based in Sydney. Big and smaller brands alike are turning their attention to local producers and locally grown ingredients to create their products. Even Cascade Brewery, Australia's oldest brewery based in South Hobart, is changing things up. We chat to Cascade's brand manager, Louise Thiele, about local produce, Tasmania and a good stout. Cascade has recently moved towards a more local focus. Can you tell us a little bit about this? One of the priorities for us with Cascade is that if you've got Australia's oldest brewery in Tasmania, why wouldn’t you use what Tasmania has to offer to make the beers? We have an amazing region for ingredients, which is known across the country. It just made sense to us. All the beers are brewed here at the brewery and we think it is really nice to be able to give back to the state. Some of our workers have been here for 40 years and it's their pride and joy. It is about employing local people across the local business and giving back to Tasmania. Where exactly are your local ingredients coming from? One of the local products we use are the hops from Derwent Valley, 45 minutes away from the brewery. We are now using only Tasmanian hops, not mainland hops. We have some great relationships with the producers and we think it's important to foster those relationships. Across the portfolio, we use a wide range of hops depending on the style. The team at Cascade are also not far off commissioning a new water filtration plant. This should enable us to supply filtered mountain water for brewing. We're currently using some mountain water in the maltings. We also use some filtered mountain water for cleaning and the pasteuriser systems in the brewery. Most of the water used currently in production is filtered local mains water. Can you tell us about the new brews, and what we can expect from the classic brews? I think the key for us is to reinforce that Pale Ale hasn't changed. It is a fantastic recipe. Pale Ale is the oldest brewed beer and, while over the years there have been very slight changes, it is a classic brew that is loved by the locals and those on the mainland. The Premium Lager was previously made using imported hops so we've changed that recipe to include Tasmanian hops instead. The feedback says that consumers are really liking the new lager. The Bright Ale is new altogether, so a completely new recipe has been created there. It is really giving consumers something easier to drink, but craft enough to give nice aroma and mouth feel. We think this will be a favourite. Which elements of the heritage are still important in moving forward? We are Australia's oldest brewery and we haven't always embraced that. We have often just played to the fun aspect of beer, which doesn't do our history justice. Consumers want credibility and authenticity, and, with Australia's oldest brewery, we think we are nailing that. The new bottles are about reflecting the history of the brewery and taking inspiration from the museum bottles we've been looking through. Interestingly there are so many trends where companies are looking for provenance. Similarly, we are looking for authenticity and provenance whilst using Tasmania's quality produce. Craft beer is certainly on the rise, where do you think Cascade sits in relation to those smaller craft breweries? We are smaller than James Squire, so we see ourselves as entry into craft. If a consumer is drinking a standard beer, Cascade gives them the ability to explore craft but still with an easy drinking style. Once consumers like the Pale Ale, for example, they are more likely to try the others. In terms of other small craft breweries, we think it's really healthy to have smaller breweries out there. The more beer being produced the better. It gets people to talking about and exploring beer. So what is your favourite beer from the Cascade range? The Bright Ale. It has a lovely floral aroma and a really nice mouth feel. It feels like you're drinking a full-bodied beer but it’s only 4.2% alcohol. It's interesting, has notes of passionfruit and is a beautiful beer. But, I also love the Stout — especially with chocolate.
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in Australia — but, although The Phantom of the Opera was set to head to Sydney from September this year, and then to Melbourne from November, the famed musical's upcoming dates have been postponed. Accordingly, the music of the night will still be crooning its way into both cities via to a new season of the acclaimed Tony-winner; however, it'll now happen sometime in 2022 instead. New dates haven't been announced as yet, but Opera Australia, who is staging the production, advised that it had decided to push its shows to next year due to "the uncertainty created by the ongoing restrictions imposed by both the New South Wales and Victorian Governments because of the indefinite COVID-19 lockdowns." "This has been a really difficult decision for OA and our partners to make and has certainly not been made lightly when so many people will be affected," said Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. "After making box office history at the Opera House, it was clear that Australians were very excited about this new production of the world's most successful musical, and we'd brought together a fantastic cast of Australian performers, it's heartbreaking to have to postpone." When it does eventually hit the stage, the current production of The Phantom of the Opera will arrive in Down Under after breaking records in the UK and touring the US for seven years. Australia will become just the third country to witness this take on the tale, in fact. Obviously, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number. You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different. Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman is set to play the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by a cast and orchestra of 65 people, which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia. If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpaw9dft2Y The Phantom of the Opera will tour Australia in 2022. Tickets for current shows will remain valid for the production's new dates, when they're announced. For further information, head to the musical's website. Top image: Michael Le Poer Trench.
Edinburgh Gin's 'Filled With Wonder' Floral Workshop is arriving in Melbourne this November, transforming Richmond's iconic Glasshaus Inside into a lavish greenhouse oasis for an afternoon of creativity, flavour, and seasonal celebration. As the Christmas party season approaches, this one-of-a-kind event offers the perfect way to ease into the festive season, inviting guests to unwind with a floral arrangement in one hand and the perfect Gin cocktail in the other. Inside the lush, plant-filled walls of Glasshaus Inside, florist Kathy Nguyen of Rosie Haus will lead the workshop. She guides guests through crafting their own seasonal bouquet, teaching them how to balance colour, texture and form while surrounded by cascading greenery and natural light. As guests arrange stems and blooms, Edinburgh Gin serves three expertly made cocktails from its botanical range, including an exclusive first taste of the brand-new Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin, freshly launched in Australia. Expect vibrant serves that celebrate spring with every sip. Think a zesty classic gin and tonic with a citrus twist, a juicy watermelon and lime punch, and the standout Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin Sour, shaken with lemon, strawberry syrup, and a hint of peppercorn spice. Tickets are just $35 and include the floral masterclass, three crafted cocktails, and access to a beautifully laid out table piled high with local cheeses and charcuterie. We promise the next time you host your own garden party, you'll be able to pull out all the tips and tricks from this event to recreate this perfect evening at home. So whether you're an aspiring florist, a Gin lover, or looking for a relaxing way to enter the spring season, Filled With Wonder is the perfect, relaxed escape, designed to celebrate creativity and welcome you into spring. The 'Filled With Wonder' Flower Arranging Class will run across two sessions on Saturday, November 15 from 12–1:30pm and 2:30–4pm. Tickets are $35 and include the class, three cocktails and grazing table.
Sometimes, we're all looking onwards, upwards and forwards because we're thinking about the future. In a 16-month period that's seen normality as everyone knows it change and evolve rapidly, that's hardly surprising. But don't forget to look up literally, too — especially when must-see sights keep gracing the night sky. When it comes to vibrant astronomical visions, the past few weeks have well and truly delivered. First, the Lyrids meteor shower lit up the night. Then, the 'pink' supermoon did its lunar thing. Every autumn, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower also sets the sky ablaze, and it's that time now. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early on Friday, May 7 — very early, in fact. If you're eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony, here's how. WHAT IS IT The Eta Aquarids might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the shower is actually a distant relation — because the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 76 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), the Eta Aquarids come around every year, usually between April 19–May 28 every year. The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. Luckily, being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. On average, you can see up to 20–40 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_769233" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Friday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a few days on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. This year, at that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 50 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT Usually, when a meteor shower lights up the sky, we'd tell city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. If you can't venture out of town at the moment, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the shower, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. It has been updating this daily. The weather might get in the way of your viewing, though. Sydney is set for showers until Friday — fingers crossed that the wet weather takes a break during the early hours. It's also forecast to be partly cloudy in Melbourne until the weekend, mostly sunny in Brisbane, showery and cloudy in Perth, and partly cloudy in Adelaide. This year, the meteor shower will also have to compete with the moon, which is expected to reduce visibility — so catching a glimpse pre-dawn after the moon sets is your best bet.
With international travel expected to be off the cards until mid-2022, and Australians encouraged to spend their holiday dollars at home to help the country's tourism industry, the 2021–22 Federal Budget is committing a hefty amount of cash to roads, rail and infrastructure projects. Aiming to support the nation's economic recovery from the pandemic, and boost jobs in the process, the Budget allocates $15.2 billion over the next ten years as part of an overall $110 billion spend across the same period. The Great Western Highway between Katoomba to Lithgow ($2 billion), Victoria's Monash ($250 million) and Pakenham ($380 million) roads, and Queensland's Bruce Highway ($400 million) are just some of the stretches of road that'll receive upgrades. So will the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia ($200 million), the North-South Corridor from Darlington to the Anzac Highway in South Australia ($2.6 billion), the Midland Highway in Tasmania ($113.4 million) and the Northern Territory National Highway ($150 million). Announced last night, on Tuesday, May 11, this year's Federal Budget commits $3.8 billion in new spending to New South Wales, $3.4 billion to Victoria, $2 billion to Queensland, $1.6 billion to WA, $3.4 billion to SA, $377.2 million to Tasmania, $401 million to the NT and $186.2 million to the Australian Capital Territory. If some of the above projects sound familiar, that's because part of the cash has been allocated to works currently underway — but as a new funding commitment. Also covered: the Princess Highway Corridor in Jervis Bay ($500 million), and the M5 ($87.5 million) and M12 motorways ($229.4) in NSW; the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal ($2 billion), as part of the national freight network; the third stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail ($126.6 million); and stage 2A of the Canberra Light Rail ($132.5 million). The Budget also includes $1 billion to extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to 2022–23 — which, as its name suggests, is all about supporting local councils to deliver local road and community infrastructure projects — as well as another $1 billion to continue the Road Safety Program into the same year. For more information about the 2021–22 Federal Budget, head to the government's website. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Scattered around the city, Melbourne's laneways are one of its most famous features. They're usually a hive of activity, too. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that obviously hasn't proven the case — but when life starts returning to normal, the Victorian Government has committed to sprucing up 40 Melbourne sites with new art, light installations and acoustic designs. Laneways in the CBD, North Melbourne and Carlton will all receive a revamp, as part of a six-month project. And if you're wondering exactly what's in store, the government will be launching a callout for designers, music producers, light specialists, production designers and technicians — plus maintenance workers — to help give these spaces a major makeover. Westwood Lane is the first site that'll get a revamp, courtesy of creative new lighting and new art, both of which are designed to help attract foot traffic. That's one of the main aims of the whole project, of course, alongside supporting workers in creative industries — and drawing attention to Melbourne's lesser-known laneway spots. Also earmarked for revitalisation are Tattersalls Lane, Heffernan Lane, Flinders Court, Healeys Lane and McKillop Street, as well as North Melbourne's Raglan Street, Little Errol Street and Bakery Lane. In Carlton, Kelvin Place, Beard Place and Canada Lane have been identified as prime spots, too. Announcing the project, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley advised that the project will help "people from the creative industries to use their talents to create a legacy for the city that will be enjoyed by Melbourne's residents, workers and visitors for years to come". For more information about Melbourne's laneway makeover, check out the official announcement. Top image: Jacqui Szyrpallo via Flickr.
Catch iiiiiiiiit! If summer for you was all about hitting the crease and making sure you yelled "out" as loudly as possible, you'll want to stop hitting refresh on your email and take a little break to reminisce over the good times. Together with TikTok, who ran a summer-long activation called #ClassicCatch in Australia, we've picked out five TikTok videos that have us wishing we'd spent more time perfecting our bowl. Here are five legends who did just that, showing us how to land the perfect catch on the sand to hitting a six in the sweltering Aussie heat. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@fairmoodz/video/6785779214101630214?lang=en[/embed] According to TikTok maker and photographer Joel (@fairmoodz), old mate Doug here has never played cricket before, yet he smashes it — only to be caught out. What a catch. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@harlsmalone/video/6745028181704625413?lang=en[/embed] What can we say? Harley has clearly been smashing the Weet-Bix for brekkie. No, you didn't just flip the dial to Channel Nine, @harlsmalone has only gone and given his beach cricket match an upgrade to professional level with a little audio. And why the hell not? Did you see that catch? Right between his teeth. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@kaybawa/video/6716017780166102277[/embed] Melbourne-based TikToker Kaybawa has opted for some truly inspired slo-mo action to show off his sweet bowling skills. He's also paired it with R Nait's beats, a stormy looking sky and the facial expression of a master. What a ledge. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@cricketdistrict/video/6900918387866619138[/embed] Hear that encouraging clap? These cricktokkers are not messing around. Cricket District posts hours of spins, bowls and LOLs on its page. This mid-air catch is a classic. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@bigmads/video/6813258573473238277[/embed] One of our personal faves, AFLW player Maddi Newman isn't just an all-rounder on the sports field but she's also a fan of Lizzo. Here, she brings three loves together in one clip (her dad, cricket and Lizzo) to show it ain't just the fellas hitting it out of the backyard this summer. Onya, Maddi. Download TikTok to watch more #ClassicCatch videos and look for TikTok's cricket themed activations in your city. Top image: Lochie Blanch; Unsplash
Identity and ink are front and centre at the Immigration Museum's upcoming cross-cultural exhibition, Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Marks. Kicking off on Friday, May 24, and running through until October 6, the series explores both modern and ancient tattoo customs, through an intriguing program of photography, installations and parties. The season launches with an opening night celebration on Thursday, May 23, when you'll have the chance to rub shoulders with the artists, take a sneak peek at their works, sit in on a series of talks and enjoy the night's themed pop-up bar. Elsewhere, the program dives into ideas surrounding tattoo art and its links to identity and self-expression for communities across the globe. Catch contemporary installations curated by Ukrainian Australian artist and tattooist Stanislava Pinchuk (aka Miso), featuring works from the likes of Zaiba Khan, Angela Tiatia, Paul Stillen and Miso herself. Explore the idea of sacred Samoan tattoos (a 2000-year-old tradition), catch an installation created using deck chairs by artist Brook Andrew, and discover a collaborative work that sees immigration paths tattooed onto the bodies of those who made them. Images: Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World, photo by Kip Fulbeck; Annie, 2019, Paul Stillen, photo by Lekhena Porter.
Thanks to seminal documentaries such as The Endless Summer, excellent action flicks like Point Break and even the formulaic cheesiness such as Blue Crush, surfing is no stranger to cinemas. Big waves and big screens go hand in hand quite often, in fact, as seen in everything from beach party flicks like Gidget, surf dramas such as Drift, docos including Morning of the Earth and even the animated likes of Ride Your Wave. The next addition to the ever-growing surf movie genre: documentary Girls Can't Surf, which heads back to the 80s and into the backlash by female surfers against the male-dominated industry. Sick of being told that professional surfing wasn't for them — and being considered a gimmick, sideshow and complete afterthought compared to their male peers — a group of women fought back, striving for equal pay and treatment. Yes, this doco features an important story — as told through interviews with pioneering female surfers such as Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha and Layne Beachley. Behind the lens, it's directed by Christopher Nelius, who is no stranger to the waves thanks to 2012's Storm Surfers 3D. With summer now in full swing, the arrival of Girls Can't Surf's trailer couldn't be better timed — although you will have to wait to see the film itself. After being selected as part of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, it'll premiere locally at the Perth Arts Festival in January, then hit up Sydney Film Festival's Summer Season and Westpac Openair, before hitting cinemas nationwide on March 11. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBjcbZla2cA&feature=youtu.be Girls Can't Surf releases in Australian cinemas on March 11, 2021. Top image: Don King
