UPDATE: APRIL 28, 2020 — In a move that can only be considered peak Melbourne, the CBD's Bar Clara has launched goon bags filled with mulled wine. Made with Aussie red wine, spices and orange, the 1.5-litre Scarlet & Clove sacks will set you back $38 — and can be delivered to doors across Melbourne metro areas for free. Peruse Bar Clara's drinks list, and a number of familiar words jump out, bellini and martini among them. But this new addition to Little Bourke Street isn't just serving up the usual old classics. If Melbourne's restaurant scene can take inspiration from the region's local and seasonal produce, then Bar Clara owner and manager Joel McKenzie can as well. Now open in a basement space in Chinatown, under the arch near Exhibition Street, this watering hole slings a custom, frequently changing cocktail list that blends fresh ingredients with modern techniques. Current standouts include the savoury Roma Martini, which combines gin and dry vermouth with tomato juice that has been spun in a centrifuge 4000 times; the New York Natural with cherry-infused bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters; and the Banoffe Special, a mix of Starward Whisky, lemon and crunchy raw cane sugar syrup — plus caramelised meringue on top. A small beer, cider and wine selection is also available, plus a range of bites to eat — such as smoked almonds, house-marinated olives, duck liver parfait with lavash, smoked mackerel and horseradish bites, and a rotating cheese platter that always features three types of dairy with crackers. Decor-wise, prepare to sip and snack in a dimly lit space decked out with plants, concrete beams, a copper bar top and green velvet couches.
Sometimes, we all need to get a little lost. We need to leave our comfort zones — and the homes we've spent so much time in during the pandemic — and go wandering through an otherworldly realm. We need to play with echo light chambers, bound our way into giant bubbles, wander between shimmering digital vines and take a leap into a three-metre abyss, too, and just completely forget about our day-to-day troubles while we're moseying around a multi-sensory installation. If all of that sounds like your idea of heaven at the moment, it's about to become a reality in Melbourne again from Friday, November 12. That's when Imaginaria is bringing its immersive playground for kidults and children alike back to The District Docklands, and setting up shop until the end of January. If you weren't one of the 100,000-plus people who caught Imaginaria's last Melbourne season late last year and early this year, here's your chance to head along. And if you did make the trip last time, there's plenty to tempt you back for a return wander, including new installations and a collaboration with French filmmaker Thomas Vanz. This time, that aforementioned echo light chamber will respond to your movements — and you can jump into that three-metre cosmic abyss. The giant bubble will be filled with Vanz's hypnotic imagery, or you can recline on a seven-metre rotating bean bag perched underneath a light and sound constellation. In general, you can soak up an ambient soundscape that's designed by Alexander Albrecht and Nico as well. All of the above will still fall within a space that's made up of different structures, each filled with lights, sounds and smells. And yes, you'll still take your shoes off first, before exploring Imaginaria's new otherworldly realm. Melbourne's second dance with Imaginaria will be a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience again, so you can spend 15 minutes skipping through or take your time. Open to all ages, it'll also have capacity limits and strict hygiene measures, with tickets starting at $29.95 a pop for adults. Imaginaria will set up at The District Docklands from Friday, November 12–Sunday, January 30, with tickets on sale now.
Winter is here, meaning it's time to embrace all the stodgy carbs. And what better way to do that than with Eat Pierogi Make Love's bottomless pierogi deal? Every Monday night from now until the end of August, you can score two hours of unlimited Polish dumplings for a mere $39. There's no chance you'll be leaving hungry — trust us, you can get through a whole lot of pierogis in two hours. You'll be rotating through five different flavour combos throughout the night. On the menu, you'll find dumplings stuffed with potato and twaróg cheese, pan-fried mushroom and sauerkraut, beef and vegetables, smoked Polish sausage and cheese, and jalapeño, potato and vegan cheese. These bad boys will come out hot and fast, and are paired with sour cream and dill. And they're best paired with a cold beer, bottle of wine or cheeky shot of vodka. We can think of few better ways to spend a cold Monday night than at Eat Pierogi Make Love. Although, unlike the name suggests, we doubt you'll be up for making love after feasting on platefuls of dumplings. We expect dinner will be followed by a long TV bingeing session on the couch with lots of deep, slow breathing.
Last year, just as the pandemic started shutting down our regular routines, a handy browser plug-in popped up to make life a little more bearable. That'd be Netflix Party, which helps you watch movies with your mates while still social distancing — synchronising everyone's playback so you're truly watching each and every frame at the same time. That's all well and good if you're watching via a browser, and you're watching Netflix. If you and your pals are keen on an iOS alternative that'll slide right into your chats and span other platforms, you'll soon have one. As part of its big iOS 15 announcement, Apple has revealed that it is launching a new Facetime feature called Shareplay. It'll allow you to view films and TV shows together and in sync — and listen to music as well — complete with shared playback controls. So, once you and your friends are on a Shareplay session, anyone can pause whatever you're watching or hearing. Also, you won't all need to be using an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV to access the service. Apple also announced that it's going to extend Facetime calls beyond its own devices, so folks who use Android or Windows devices will be able to access the application via their web browser. A heap of other platforms will be integrated into Shareplay, if you're wondering what you and your crew will be able to binge together. They include Disney+, TikTok and Twitch, as well as Paramount+ — which will launch in Australia this August. You'll obviously all need to subscribe to whichever platforms you're planning to view or listen to — so this won't be a way to watch The Mandalorian on your mates' account. Shareplay will work with Apple Music and Apple's own range of movies and TV shows, naturally, and you'll also be able to share your screen via the feature to view other apps together. Other updates slated for iOS 15, which is expected to start rolling out from spring 2021, include redesigned notifications, a big Safari revamp, a Live Text function that'll be able to read handwritten writing in photos, enhanced features in Apple Maps and ramped up privacy controls. The weather and notes apps are getting a makeover, too, and there'll also be a new Live Translate feature as well. Apple's iOS 15 is expected to start rolling out from spring 2021. For further details, head to the Apple website.
As the colder months approach and more days inside are on the horizon, you might be thinking it's time to give your pad a little refresh. Creating a beautiful living space will help you cherish more time spent at home — but actually creating that personal space can feel like a daunting task. Sure, your Pinterest board is a work of art and you binge celebrity house tour videos on YouTube. But, when it comes to recreating that stylish feel in a small space or a rental (without dropping $400 on a cashmere pillow), it's hard to know where to begin. Luckily, we have interior designer Steve Cordony on our side. In partnership with Samsung, Steve has given us some top tips to help you create the home of your dreams no matter how tight the budget or space you're working with is. START WITH A MOOD BOARD Good news: your endless scrolling on Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram isn't all in vain. In fact, according to Cordony, this is step one for any design project. "My approach is always the same. No matter if I am styling a tablescape or a whole house, I always mood-board reference images and visuals that create an overall concept, and subsequently blueprint, for the project," he says. Collect your favourite design images to form your own aesthetic. Whether you are drawn to a colourful, eclectic style or you're more into neutrals and minimalism, creating a mood board will help you establish the look you are going for. DEVELOP YOUR OWN 'STYLE DNA' While creating a mood board is an excellent way of getting inspired, it's important to not get too swept away with what's in vogue. "Just like your fashion choices, you should never try to be 'on-trend' rather than create your own unique style for your home," Cordony explains. Sure, trends are fun. But if you're on a budget, it won't be worth investing in something that'll soon feel outdated. Instead, find styles that resonate with you personally and fit in with your lifestyle. Once you develop your own sense of style, you'll know how to adapt to changing design trends and create a space that is both contemporary and timeless. As Cordony puts it: "Because I have a strong sense of my style DNA, I can allow these changes to develop and shift my work, but never alter it." FUSE THE PRACTICAL AND AESTHETIC The most important element of design is ensuring your space coincides with your lifestyle. This means choosing a couch that elevates your space while being comfortable, not opting for fabrics that look nice but are impossible to clean, and having a functional space that suits your Netflix ritual. Let's face it, the TV is a pretty central component of any home but can be tricky to style. "So many spaces I visit always try to hide it which often makes it look out of place," Cordony says. With the option to have the legs on or off, Samsung's The Serif TV will easily adapt to your personal style. "The reality is television is part of most people's everyday lives. And with incredible technology and design options at our fingertips, styling an interior with the TV in mind, and thinking of it as a piece of art or sculpture, allows you to fuse practicality and aesthetics, which is the hallmark of a successful interior," Cordony explains. PLAY WITH LIGHT For those working with a less-than-ideal smaller space, a few easy changes can brighten things up. Cordony's tip? "Keep it light! A white paint like Porters Popcorn or Dulux Vivid White instantly creates a crisp background to build your space and bounces light from wall to wall," he says. And, don't forget the magic of the mirror. "Mirrors are my go-to tip for making spaces feel larger than they are, as well as choosing bigger furniture rather than petite pieces to mirror the smaller scale space". SMALL DETAILS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE According to Cordony, simple changes can make a world of a difference when refreshing your space. "My biggest budget styling tip is hardware — think new door and joinery hardware. They will instantly lift any space and create a bold statement with a metallic accent," he says. Cordony is also a believer in the basic rule of thirds to create layers and contrast in a space. Understanding placement can make a big difference to your space without breaking the bank. "If you have amazing pieces but they're all spread out with no thought or consistency, then your eye has too many places to travel and often items get overlooked," he tells us. Instead, he suggests making smaller scenes with contrasting objects. "Creating vignettes in the space and thinking about balance and layering is key to a well-curated interior". If you're looking to add a touch of designer aesthetic to your living space, check out the products Steve Cordony used in our recent styling videos. To find out more about Samsung's The Serif, created in collaboration with celebrated industrial designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, visit the Samsung website. Images: Jarrad Shaw
Bar Nonno on High St in Northcote might have closed, but its spirit lives on. The venue's old head chef, David Murphy, has taken over the space, turning it into a French bistro called Ruckers Hill. If the name Murphy sounds familiar, it's because this guy has been around the traps for a while. After starting his kitchen career at 15, Murphy went on to work as a sous chef at Bistro Thierry, PM24, Bar Nonno and 1800 Lasagne. Ruckers Hill is Murphy's first solo project, and so far it looks like a winner. With its exposed brick and bottle-lined walls, this place is a love letter to the Parisian 'bistronomy' movement, which emerged in the '90s as an antidote to the stuffy, Michelin-world of French haute cuisine. Bistronomy is more about the vibe: a combination of bistro atmosphere and fine dining techniques, at a price to suit the average wallet. At Ruckers Hill, this takes the form of a $79 set menu. The dishes change with the seasons, but depending on the night, you might be wolfing down king prawns and wasabi in crispy brick pastry, pork belly with ginger and dry sherry, or marbled entrecôte with a silky bordelaise sauce. Pomme frites are never far away, either. "I wanted to create a place where the local community can eat well at a reasonable price, and cook food using the best ingredients we can get our hands on," Murphy says. "I think our tasting menu hits that sweet spot. And after a career in restaurant kitchens, it's important to me that our staff are paid fairly, and are working in a positive environment, so that's a big focus for us." You can order a la carte, too, if that's more your speed, and Ruckers Hill also boasts an extensive (and self-described) "uncool" wine list. A lot of old-world drops, curated by sommelier Angelo Stella. Situated just a few doors down from Westgarth Cinema, this place makes the perfect one-two first date combination. Start the night with Murphy's scallops and pancetta, finish with popcorn and a choc top. Northcote, you've got a keeper here. Ruckers Hill is open at 83 High Street, Northcote from Tuesday through to Saturday, 5pm till late. You can make a booking via the Ruckers Hill website. Images: The Edible Image
If you're the kind of person who scoffs oysters like they're going out of fashion and you don't mind a well-crafted tipple or two, then get ready to meet your new favourite watering hole. Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters has opened its doors on Little Bourke Street, freshly shucked from the minds of The Speakeasy Group's (Eau de Vie, Nick & Nora's, Mjolner) Alex Boon and Pez Collier. The focus here is memorable, produce-driven cocktails and oysters sourced from the country's best growing regions. Steering the former is renowned bar gun Boon, whose menu of libations is filled with his signature respect for individual ingredients and penchant for creativity. Expect deceptively simple-looking drinks packing loads of complexity. Pull up a seat at one of the plush banquettes or at the bar, and admire the elegant space while getting acquainted with his art. Among the lineup are sips like the Coconut + Yuzu — a blend of coconut-washed pisco, yuzu verjuice, vanilla, passionfruit and pink peppercorn — along with the ocean-inspired namesake Pearl Diver, and a reworked sazerac built on the classic pairing of peanut butter and jelly. [caption id="attachment_835087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Pearl Diver cocktail[/caption] An oft-changing wine list has been carefully chosen to represent only that which is 'fun' and 'delicious', with a good 50 varieties pouring at any one time and a deep respect for terroir throughout. Meanwhile in the food corner, oysters are the headline act. You'll find them showcased in three different ways, served au naturale, dressed (think, creme fraiche and caviar, or a lemon granita) or cooked. Of course, no matter how you like to slurp them, you've also got to sample the signature creation, the Drunken Oyster: an icy-cold fusion of natural oyster and house Pearl Diver martini. A less bivalve-focused section of the food menu features bites like a wagyu Philly cheesesteak, salt cod beignets with garlic butter and waffle fries served beneath a mountain of comté. Grilled buffalo haloumi is made in-house, steak tartare is matched with artichoke and an oyster cream, and a mandarin trifle stars on the dessert list. And if you're after something extra fancy for your end-of-year catch-ups, see the private dining room, complete with an oyster well running down the length of its giant table. Find Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters at 56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's open 5pm–12am Tuesday–Thursday, and from 3pm–12am on Fridays and Saturdays.
In A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet stepped into Bob Dylan's shoes in the 60s and charted his rise to fame. A trip to the past and aspiring to greatness is also on the actor's agenda in his next film. Instead of folk music, Marty Supreme's eponymous figure is passionate about ping-pong — and he's certain that it's going to be the next big thing. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm telling you: this game, it fills stadiums overseas. And it's only a matter of time before I'm staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box," Marty advises in the A24 movie's just-dropped teaser trailer. Welcome to your first sneak peek at the second of two features that are filling a very specific niche: 2025 releases (in the US, at least) directed by a Safdie brother solo and focusing on sports. Josh Safdie helms Marty Supreme. His Daddy Longlegs, Lenny Cooke, Heaven Knows What, Good Time and Uncut Gems co-directing sibling Bennie has The Smashing Machine on the way, starring Dwayne Johnson's (Red One) as IRL MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Could 2025 nominee Chalamet and Johnson find themselves going head to head come awards season for different Safdie films? That's firmly a possibility. As Marty Supreme's Marty Mauser, Chalamet's task (or obligation, as his character puts it) is chasing the dream that is ping-pong success — for himself and for the game his loves, which no one else seems convinced of in the 50s-set flick's first sneak peek. Gwyneth Paltrow (The Politician) pops up in the Marty Supreme trailer as a famous movie star, while the eclectic cast also includes fellow actors Fran Drescher (A Tooth Fairy Tale) and Odessa A'zion (Until Dawn), rap star Tyler, The Creator, filmmaker Abel Ferrara (Turn in the Wound) and magician Penn Jillette. In America, Chalamet's latest film is a Christmas treat, releasing on Thursday, December 25. That's two years in a row that the merriest day of the year and Chalamet have gone hand in hand in the US, as A Complete Unknown also dropped on the same date. When Marty Supreme will hit cinemas Down Under hasn't yet been revealed. Josh Safdie co-wrote the movie with Heaven Knows What, Good Time and Uncut Gems co-screenwriter Ronald Bronstein, and helms a feature on his lonesome for the first time since 2008's The Pleasure of Being Robbed. Check out the first teaser trailer for Marty Supreme below: Marty Supreme releases in US cinemas on Thursday, December 25, 2025 — we'll update you on Down Under release details when they're announced.
Made out of sponge cake, chocolate coating and desiccated coconut, the humble lamington is a jewel of a sweet treat. Australian childhoods aren't complete without them, and neither are trips to the bakery any old time. But Sydney-born dessert chain Tokyo Lamington likes to mix up the classic cake, making a great thing even better by serving it up in an array of inventive flavours. And, in a first, the brand is also spreading the lamington love by releasing its own custom sneakers as well. To eat, Tokyo Lamington's wares have come in varieties such as Ferrero Rocher, Neapolitan (yes, taking inspiration from the ice cream combo), yuzu meringue, vegan red velvet, black sesame and more. To wear, the brand's shoes also reimagine the dessert's usual setup — so you'll see cream and brown colours like you do on OG lamingtons, and also blue and pink hues as well. The shoes: Nike Dunk Lows, which the artists at Customs Den are using as a canvas. Tokyo Lamington hasn't formed a partnership with Nike, but has purchased 40 pairs, then tasked Customs Den with working their magic on them. Yes, the range is that limited. As a result, these kicks don't come cheap. If you love lamingtons, Tokyo Lamington or both so much that you need a pair of sneakers to show it, they'll set you back $450. At that price, you might want to display them rather than wear them — calling all sneakerheads as well as lamington fiends, obviously. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tokyo Lamington (@tokyolamington) Every pair of Tokyo Lamington x Customs Den shoes is individually handcrafted, and bespoke for each order — so your kicks won't just be one in 40, but unique as well. When you woke up this morning, you likely had no idea that lamington-inspired footwear exists. Now, you're probably keen on new shoes and, understandably, craving a cake. [caption id="attachment_774463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tokyo Lamington x Koko Black collaboration[/caption] For more information about Tokyo Lamington's sneakers, or to buy a pair, hit up the chain's website.
For around 140 years, since back in the 1880s, Australians have been able to make calls from public payphones. Most of us might now carry mobile phones around with us in our pockets, but public payphones are still there — in case your battery is flat, you have no signal, you've lost or forgotten your phone, you simply don't have one, or there's an emergency. And, if you need to use one of Telstra's handsets while you're out and about, you now won't have to pay a thing if you're making a local, national or mobile call. Coins, phone cards, credit cards, debit cards: these have been acceptable forms of payment in the past; however, now you won't need them to get dialling in most situations. If you're calling overseas, that'll still cost you, but otherwise you can use Telstra's 15,000 payphones across the country for free. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn announced the news in a statement on the company's website, noting that "since mobiles became nearly universal, a lot of Australians might not give them [payphones] much thought. Until there's a natural disaster. Until you're in vulnerable circumstances, homeless or fleeing domestic violence." He continued: "that's why I decided it's time to make payphones free. Because even in the age of the smartphone, they play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need, and particularly for those in need." "I've seen myself how much payphones are part of the fabric of Australia and how important they are in good times, and bad. I've seen queues of people waiting in line, coins at the ready, to use a payphone to call home and tell their family and friends they're safe after a bushfire, a cyclone or some other natural disaster has taken the mobile network down," Penn said. "I know payphones are also a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Australians — the homeless, the isolated, those escaping domestic violence — and often provide their only link to critical support services and those that care about them." Gone are the days when every 90s kid had a phonecard in their wallet to use when they needed to call home, but Australians still made 11 million payphone calls in 2020, including more than 230,000 to essential services such as Triple Zero. For more information about Telstra's free payphone calls, head to the company's website. Images: Sarah Tee.
The dusty expanse of a post-apocalyptic world. Life before everything changed forever. Bunker existence. Giant robotic suits. All of the above are set to feature in Fallout season two — as they did in the show's first season — and Prime Video has just dropped a series of first-look images to give viewers a glimpse at what's in store. After premiering in 2024 and becoming one of the platform's top-three most-watched shows ever, notching up more than 100-million viewers globally, the game-to-screen hit is returning for its second season in December 2025. There's no exact release date yet, and there isn't a trailer so far either, but you can get a peek via the new pictures from upcoming episodes. Yes, this is a blast — as was the news earlier in 2025 that Fallout has already been renewed for a third season. Clearly, if you bring a massively beloved video game to TV in the right way, as season one did, then viewers will come flocking. We all know that that worked for The Last of Us as well, with its second season already airing this year and a third also in the works. For season two of Fallout, audiences can look forward not only to picking up where season one's finale left off, but to venturing through the Mojave wasteland to New Vegas — and to more time spent with stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The White Lotus) and Aaron Moten (Emancipation) as Lucy, The Ghoul and Maximus, respectively. When it dropped its initial eight episodes in 2024, Fallout took its cues from the games that first debuted on computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. The live-action television iteration follows Lucy, a lifelong vault-dweller, who leaves her cosy underground digs to navigate the irradiated wasteland that earth has remained for two centuries after the nuclear apocalypse. Crossing her path: bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has ties to life before the devastation; and Maximus, an aspiring soldier with the Brotherhood of Steel, who don those huge mechanical outfits. In this nightmarish future, a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence awaits beyond the bunker that the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan, Overcompensating), who oversees Vault 33, has always called home. Bringing the chaos to life is a behind-the-scenes team featuring Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, as well as Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) as writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in it as well. There's no trailer for Fallout season two yet, but you can check out the trailer for season one below: Fallout streams via Prime Video. Season two will arrive in December 2025 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
If someone was to ask you to imagine a dinosaur, and to picture one type only, it's likely that the Tyrannosaurus rex would come to mind. The towering ancient creature is just that fascinating to kids and adults alike, and not solely because it's rarely far from screens. Head to any museum with a T. rex fossil on display and you'll be surrounded by crowds, whether or not they've seen King Kong, a Jurassic Park movie or Night at the Museum. Head to Melbourne Museum from Friday, June 28–Sunday, October 20, 2024 in particular and expect to have plenty of company, then. Thanks to the Victoria the T. rex exhibition, that's when the fossil of Tyrannosaurus rex Victoria will make its Australian debut in the state with the absolute best name for the occasion. The specimen dates back 66 million years, and is one of the world's largest and most complete T. rex skeletons. Showing exclusively at Melbourne Museum, it's also marks the first time that a real T. rex has ever been on display in Victoria. How big is big? Found in South Dakota in 2013, Victoria is comprised of 199 bones, including a skull that weighs 139 kilograms. The fossil reaches 12 metres in length and 3.6 metres in height. And, because the skull is so heavy, it has to be displayed separately as it can't be mounted upon Victoria's body. Victoria the T. rex will also feature interactive elements, such as multi-sensory installations that'll let you experience how the Tyrannosaurus rex saw and smelled, plus dioramas and a section where you can make your own customised 3D T. rex. Welcome to... the cretaceous period, then. The informative side of the showcase will step through recent palaeontological findings, so that you'll get an idea of what Victoria's life was like all that time ago — and also find out what brought about her end. If that's not enough dino action to make you feel like David Attenborough — or his brother Richard in Jurassic Park and The Lost World — Victoria the T. rex will display alongside Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs, which has been open at Melbourne Museum since 2022. The latter permanently features Horridus, the world's most complete Triceratops fossil, and entry to both exhibitions is included in one ticket. At IMAX Melbourne, 45-minute documentary T.REX 3D will also be showing — complete with footage of Horridus — from Friday, June 21. Images: Neon Global.
The Yarra Valley is set to score its first big name hotel, with IHG announcing plans to open one of its new 'voco' accommodation sites there in 2021. The 170-room hotel, which has nabbed a hillside address in Lilydale, will feature its own on-site gin distillery, natural amphitheatre, mirrored maze, lavender farm and a providore selling local produce. Across one quirkily designed main building and 20 standalone cabins, it'll boast a gym, a restaurant and multiple bars with views across the region. Less than an hour out of Melbourne, it's in a prime location for visitors hitting the Yarra Valley's famed wine region and is on the way to popular ski field Mt Buller. Launched in June, voco is IHG's newest brand, pitched at delivering accommodation options that are upscale, yet fun. The same group has announced it'll be opening a Holiday Inn in Coburg in 2020, and has plans for 22 more hotels to launch across Australasia. voco is slated to open at 486 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale in 2021.
More totes, less plastic: that's been the motto of supermarkets and state governments around the country over the past few years, as plastic shopping carriers have been phased out by stores and the authorities alike. But if you're the kind of shopper who always leaves their own bags at home, you might've simply swapped the thin, single-use plastic variety for their thicker, reusable counterparts. Now, Woolworths and Big W are ditching those nationally as well. Announced to celebrate World Environment Day on Sunday, June 5, the two chains will phase out all of its remaining plastic shopping bags — which includes 15-cent versions at Woolies, and both 15-cent and 45-cent versions at Big W. The move also covers bags not only in stores, but for online orders as well. Exactly when they'll stop being available depends on the brand, with Woolies gradually making the move over the next year, and Big W committing to scrapping them completely by the end of June 2023. Those two timelines are very similar, though — so, by July 2023, you won't be buying reusable plastic bags if you've forgotten your own totes. Woolies will still keep its recycled paper carriers on offer, however, saving you from lugging out your purchases in your arms if you gone shopping without bags. And, Big W is introducing additional bag options alongside its existing printed totes and other fabric bags. Western Australian Woolies stores have already made the switch, since back in March. South Australia and Northern Territory will follow from September 2022, with other states doing the same afterwards — with exact dates for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT yet to be announced. Yes, that means that your shopping will help do the environment a solid — although, there'll still be plastic bags available for fruit and vegetables, but the supermarket is exploring more sustainable options for those as well. Woolworths will start phasing out reusable plastic bags over the next year, while Big W will ditch them by the end of June 2023. For further information, head to the Woolworths and Big W websites.
Already one of the most scenic areas in Australia, the Whitsundays is giving visitors something else to look at: an installation of underwater and inter-tidal art. As part of the Whitsundays Reef Recovery and Public Art Project, six artists have created six artworks that sit beneath the sea, with the first four sculptures now in place. If you're heading to Blue Pearl Bay, Manta Ray Bay or Langford Spit, you can now check out the new attractions, as created by artists Brian Robinson, Col Henry and Adriaan Vanderlugt. Set up on Manta Ray Bay, Robinson's Migration of the Mantas is made from concrete and stainless steel, spans four metres by six metres and depicts six large manta rays, while Henry's Turtle Dream fashions a hawksbill turtle out of 15 tonnes of stainless steel at Langford Spit. As for Vanderlugt, he has two pieces in place: Maori Wrasse, which towers nearly four metres high in Blue Pearl Bay, and Manta Ray in Manta Ray Bay featuring indigenous markings from the Ngaro people, the Whitsundays' traditional owners. They'll soon be joined by another sculpture from Robinson, called Bywa, with the intertidal piece retelling a Dreamtime story about the reef, creation and marine life. It'll be put in place in Horseshoe Bay in Bowen later this month. Completing the set is a collaboration by Caitlin Reilly, Jessa Lloyd and Kate Ford, from the Arts Based Collective. Dubbed Anthozoa and headed to Blue Pearl Bay by late September, it "not only performs aesthetically in its sculptural form, but importantly doubles as a site for reef restoration," Lloyd explained when their piece was commissioned last year. "As the underwater form matures, visitors snorkelling and diving the site will see a sculpture festooned with a myriad of coral species, tentacles encrusted with soft and hard corals, marine animals sheltering in and peeking from small holes." [caption id="attachment_631230" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Vadnjal[/caption] Selected from 73 expressions of interest, the sculptures all sit in spots accessible to snorkelers and scuba divers — should you need something else to look at, other than marine life, on your next underwater adventure. Other than celebrating creativity, the Whitsundays Reef Recovery and Public Art Project aims give the region a new attraction, unsurprisingly. "This artwork will provide a new experience for people travelling to the Whitsundays and will help the marine tourism industry recover after Cyclone Debbie," said Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones in a statement in 2018. "Around the world — from the Caribbean, to the Maldives, Spain, Bali and Australia's west coast — underwater art has been used to lure visitors." Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland.
Walk into Melbourne's Napier Quarter, and you'll smell the aroma of coffee. Just don't expect to leave with a cup in your hand. The Fitzroy cafe is doing something that might seem at odds with today's always-caffeinated, always-on-the-go culture: it's phasing out takeaway coffees. There are two reasons for the Napier Street hangout's decision, and the first is exactly what you'd expect. At a time when reusable and recyclable takeaway cups are gaining prominence — including a world-first reusable cup made from recycled coffee cups — Napier Quarter is going one step further and eliminating the source of potential waste altogether. https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgCQlWgES7/ As stated in Napier Quarter's December 18 Instagram post, the other reason is all about getting Melburnians to slow down and actually enjoy their chosen brew, rather than drink it in a hurry. That queue of people usually hovering around any cafe counter, waiting for their orders so that they can walk straight out the door? Soon, you won't find that here. Napier Quarter also announced that you'll now be able to enjoy a flat white in-house for $3.50. Find Napier Quarter at 359 Napier Street, Fitzroy. Image: Brook James. Updated: December 20, 2019.
It has been six months since Melbourne welcomed cheery new Euro-style food store, Morning Market, in Fitzroy. Locals quickly embraced its offering of groceries, sandwiches and gourmet pantry items in a flurry of post-lockdown enthusiasm. Now, southside Prahran fans have scored their own edition of this store concept — the latest from renowned chef Andrew McConnell (of Cumulus Inc, Builders Arms Hotel, Cutler & Co). Morning Market's new outpost has made its home in a bright corner spot on High Street, stocked with the same tight curation of culinary goodies that have walked out the door of its sibling venue. On-the-go diners will find seasonal options like an autumn poached chicken salad with lemon-dressed freekeh, heirloom carrots and tahini dressing; bacon and egg buns starring Martin's potato rolls; and fat leg ham and comte cheese toasties on Baker Bleu sourdough. Coffee comes courtesy of a house-blend by Single Origin, which you can enjoy to-go, or perched at one of the sidewalk tables. There's plenty more of cult-favourite Baker Bleu bread available to purchase, with fresh country-style loaves, ficelle and bagels sitting alongside a hefty range of pastries and sweet treats. You might be tempted by some pistachio-dusted escargot, orange and almond cake, or the house-made rum and vanilla caneles. [caption id="attachment_809443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morning Market Prahran[/caption] Those stocking their pantries will also find themselves spoilt for choice here, thanks to a top-quality selection of locally sourced fresh produce, gourmet staples and specialty food items — from organic dry goods and artisan pasta, to fancier things in cans and tins. Last-minute dinners are sorted, with Morning Market's signature range of ready-to-heat meals, as well as a selection of meat cuts, snags and charcuterie from sibling store Meatsmith. Elsewhere, you'll find a selection of food-related gifts and homewares, plus an abundance of freshly-cut blooms from local grower Guy McDermott. And soon enough, the offering will be completed by a curated bottle-shop range, handpicked by none other than the sommelier and wine buyer for McConnell's entire Trader House group, Leanne Altmann. Find Morning Market at 579 High Street, Prahran. It's open from Monday–Saturday 8am–6pm. Images: Jo McGann
Whether you're celebrating a promotion, another lap around the sun or just the fact that you can finally dine out again, an occasion often calls for a high-flying feed. Melbourne is the culinary capital of the country, after all — so there's no shortage of fine diners, top-notch bistros and chic Parisian-inspired bars for you to hit. But just because you're treating yourself, it doesn't mean you have to blow all your savings. In fact, if you change the game plan a little, you can have your cake and eat it too. In partnership with Great Southern Bank, we've uncovered some dining hacks that let you eat at Melbourne's top spots without having to fork out a fortune. And, if you're someone who tempts financial fate after a few glasses of wine, then Great Southern Bank's hidden savings account feature, The Vault, will help curb that temptation, so you don't dip into the funds that may just buy you a house one day. Result.
What's race week without a prime pit stop to rest, change your wheels, have a drink and a dance, then get back out on the track? With the Australian GP turning the eye of the racing world onto Melbourne once again this March — St Kilda icon The Espy is joining the fun and bringing back its crowd-favourite live music series, Jack's Garage, to the Gershwin Room to complement the on-track action. Jack's Garage, in a nutshell, is four free nights of live music at Hotel Esplanade. The live gig series is entering its second year in 2026 — once again bringing four artists to the venue for GA only gigs — no tickets required, just registration and a prompt arrival. A very prompt arrival, because the lineup for these first-in, first-served shows will pack the room in no time at all. Opening the week is the multi-ARIA Award-winning electronic duo The Presets, fresh off a summer tour and seen not long ago at the AO, they'll be performing from 7.30pm on Thursday, March 5. Next, local indie rockers and intimate performers Slowly Slowly will slow things down — in a good way — on Friday, March 6. Saturday, March 7, will see Australian DJ and vocalist Anna Lunoe take to the stage to showcase the dance music she's been performing on festival stages around the world. And for the big finale, the Triple J Hottest 100-featured 'it boy' of Aussie electronica, Keli Holiday, is closing out race week on Sunday with a set of his solo work that you've likely heard all over social media already. Each event will star whiskey cocktails from sponsor Jack Daniel's — word to the wise, this isn't the only race week event the brand is putting on, so stay tuned for more chances to get in on the action. Jack's Garage will run nightly at The Esplanade from 7.30pm on Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8. Ticket waitlists are open now on Oztix.
When the National Gallery of Victoria dedicates its blockbuster summer or winter exhibitions to big fashion names, one word usually applies no matter which designer is in the spotlight: stunning. It was true back in 2022 when the Melbourne venue turned its focus to Alexander McQueen, for instance, and also in 2021 when it did the same with Gabrielle Chanel. Expect the same across the summer of 2025–26 — it's Vivienne Westwood's time to shine, plus Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garçons' moment as well. Displaying at NGV International across Sunday, December 7, 2025–Sunday, April 19, 2026, Westwood | Kawakubo is both an Australian and a world first, pairing pieces by both the British talent and the Japanese designer in one massive showcase. No matter which of the duo's works you're looking at, you'll be revelling in rule-breaking, status quo-subverting threads. Some helped define the fashion of the punk movement in the 70s. Others have earned the world's attention at the Met Gala. In-between, items donned by supermodels, seen in films and from collections worn by plenty of well-known names feature. [caption id="attachment_1011671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rhianna wearing Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) at The Met Gala, 2017. Photo © Francois Durand via Getty Images.[/caption] In total, more than 140 designs are gracing the NGV. To assemble such a wide range, the gallery has sourced pieces from New York's Metropolitan Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Palais Galliera and the Vivienne Westwood archive, plus its own collection. Over 40 works are new gifts to the gallery from Comme des Garçons especially for Westwood | Kawakubo, as chosen by Kawakubo. Among the full lineup of items: punk ensembles made famous by The Sex Pistols and Siousie Sioux, the wedding gown that Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) wore in Sex and the City: The Movie and the tartan dress that Kate Moss stepped into in Westwood's Anglomania collection in the mid 90s — and also a version of Rihanna's petal-heavy 2017 Met Gala outfit, plus pieces from collections that Lady Gaga and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black Mirror) have sported. Westwood | Kawakubo spans from taffeta to tweed, vinyl and leather to silk, and corsetry to ruffles and knitwear, then — and much beyond. The exhibition is designed to step through Westwood and Kawakubo's careers across five thematic strands, including the former's punk-era work and the influence of the movement on the latter, their shared needs to rebel against the norm, how the two women have looked either forward or back in their pieces, eschewing objectification and using fashion to make a statement. [caption id="attachment_1011673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer) Look 49, from the Anglomania collection, autumn–winter 1993–94. Le Cercle Républicain, Paris, March 1993. Photo © firstVIEW. Model: Kate Moss.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer) Look 49, from the Anglomania collection, autumn–winter 1993–94. Le Cercle Républicain, Paris, March 1993. Photo © firstVIEW. Model: Kate Moss.
In just a few years time, the Academy Awards will notch up a century of celebrating the best movies to grace the silver screen each year. How will the acclaimed accolades build up to that point? In 2024, at the 96th ceremony, probably with a whole lot of love sent Oppenheimer's way. The J Robert Oppenheimer biopic earned the most nominations of any film from the past year. Don't be surprised if it takes home the most trophies as well, including for Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. We won't be come Monday, March 11, Down Under time. While winning an Oscar — or a swag of them — over other flicks doesn't mean that there aren't masterpieces among the fellow nominees, or among pictures that didn't even make the cut as well, Oppenheimer is a worthy favourite in a range of 2024 Oscar fields. What will it collect? What will it nab that another film should instead? Who else might win, and what? Can't they just give both Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone Best Actress Oscars? That's all part of our predictions. As we did in 2022 and 2023, we've watched everything — many of which you can too in both Australia and New Zealand right now — and done some assessing and prognosticating. Here are the results, aka the movies and folks likely to shortly be able to add "Oscar-winner" to their posters and resumes in 15 key categories. Best Motion Picture The nominees: American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Should win: Poor Things Could win: Poor Things Will win: Oppenheimer Barbenheimer was a phenomenon before either Oppenheimer or Barbie even reached cinemas in 2023, with both arriving on the same day to create a memorable pop-culture moment. They shared a release date, and the same wave of attention — but only one can win Best Motion Picture at the Oscars. That one: Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan's biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer is a mind-blower, and one of 2023's absolute best films. It has some stunning company in this category, however, most of which would also make excellent picks for the Academy's big gong: Anatomy of a Fall, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives and The Zone of Interest, for instance. Then there's Poor Things, which is pure jaw-on-the-floor viewing, and its own unique creation at every turn. It deserves to win. It could achieve the feat. Even if it misses out to Oppenheimer, it'll still be the standout feature of the past 12 months. Best Director The nominees: Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest Should win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Could win: Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Will win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Despite his stunning resume, Christopher Nolan has only been nominated for the Best Director Oscar once before, for Dunkirk. If Greta Gerwig had secured a nod for Barbie, they would've faced off again; the first time, Guillermo del Toro deservedly won for The Shape of Water. Everyone knows that the Academy completely overlooked Gerwig this year — but this is Nolan's year anyway. Don't discount Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things, though. This is also his second nomination, after The Favourite — and again (see: Best Motion Picture above), there's nothing like his riff on Frankenstein. Nolan and Lanthimos' fellow nominees are equally at the top of their games with their latest work, so there's no bad choice here if Justine Triet becomes just the fourth woman to win this category, Martin Scorsese collects just his second directing Oscar or Jonathan Glazer nabs his first. Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The nominees: Annette Bening, Nyad Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan, Maestro Emma Stone, Poor Things Should win: Emma Stone, Poor Things Could win: Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Will win: Emma Stone, Poor Things Give Emma Stone an Oscar for her line reading of "I must go punch that baby!" alone. Of course, that's not the only reason that she should win the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role category for a second time — the first was for La La Land — but it's emblematic of the commitment that she gives her work in Poor Things. Her delivery, her physicality, her constant ability to surprise: now that's a performance. If only two actors could share this field, though. With heartbreaking subtlety as well as searing defiance, Lily Gladstone is exquisite in Killers of the Flower Moon — and if she wins, which she may well, it'll be wonderful. Her speech will also be the highlight of the night. She's also already the first Native American woman to receive a nomination in this field, and will keep making history if she ends up with a statuette in her hands. Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role The nominees: Bradley Cooper, Maestro Colman Domingo, Rustin Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction Should win: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Could win: NA — Cillian Murphy will win for Oppenheimer Will win: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer "Dearest Cillian. Finally a chance to see you lead... Love, Chris." That's how Cillian Murphy's script for Oppenheimer came — and although this isn't the Irish talent's first-ever leading part, Christopher Nolan pushing him to the fore of his latest film will garner him an Oscar. It's remarkable casting, even given that Murphy is never less than excellent in anything that he's in, back to and preceding when 28 Days Later first thrust him to broader attention. If anyone else has their name read out, it'll be a massive shock. That's not criticism of Murphy's fellow nominees, though. Bradley Cooper directs himself to a career-best portrayal in Maestro, while none of Rustin, The Holdovers or American Fiction would be the movies they are without Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright, respectively. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role The nominees: Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple America Ferrera, Barbie Jodie Foster, Nyad Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Should win: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Could win: NA — Da'Vine Joy Randolph will win for The Holdovers Will win: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Not all award-winners keep their accolades on a mantle; however, Da'Vine Joy Randolph's must be getting crowded — or wherever else she puts the trophies that she's been collecting for her soulful turn in The Holdovers. She won at the BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Satellite Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, National Board of Review and Screen Actors Guild, plus thanks to an extremely hefty list of other critics' associations. She won't leave the Oscars empty-handed. As with Best Actor, this is a category where there's no shortage of deserving nominees, but still one certain winner. If someone else does cause an upset, Jodie Foster being rewarded for her efforts in Nyad would see her win for just her second nomination in this field — she's received the Best Actress prize twice for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs — a whopping 47 years after her first for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role The nominees: Sterling K Brown, American Fiction Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Ryan Gosling, Barbie Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things Should win: Ryan Gosling, Barbie Could win: Ryan Gosling, Barbie Will win: Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer There's no walking out of Oppenheimer without thinking that Robert Downey Jr is going to win an Oscar for playing AEC commissioner Lewis Strauss. And no, he won't just emerge victorious because he's not playing Iron Man, although it's such a treat to see him in such a weighty part (and outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) again. That said, if you did the Barbenheimer double on the same day (Barbie then Oppenheimer is the best order), then you would've walked out of Barbie thinking that Ryan Gosling should get the Best Supporting Actor prize, too. Winning for comedy is significantly difficult at the Oscars, but his Ken almost stole Barbie from Margot Robbie. Whatever the outcome, Gosling will sing 'I'm Just Ken' at the ceremony, so he'll be up on stage at least once. Best Original Screenplay The nominees: Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari The Holdovers, David Hemingson Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer May December, Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik Past Lives, Celine Song Should win: Past Lives, Celine Song Could win: Past Lives, Celine Song Will win: Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari That Celine Song's Past Lives only received two Oscar nominations is near unfathomable. That it might go home without any awards is as well. Song missed out in the Best Director field, but the Academy does like to use its screenwriting awards to redress wrongs elsewhere — Quentin Tarantino and Jordan Peele both have wins here, for instance. It's for the same reason that Justine Triet and Arthur Harari will likely win for Anatomy of a Fall, especially given that France didn't put the film forward for Best International Feature, so it couldn't have been nominated and obviously can't win there. It's worth noting that May December's sole Oscar recognition is in this category, and that that's a ridiculous oversight, so an award for it would also be stellar. Best Adapted Screenplay The nominees: American Fiction, Cord Jefferson Barbie, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan Poor Things, Tony McNamara The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer Should win: Poor Things, Tony McNamara Could win: Barbie, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Will win: Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan As noted in the Best Original Screenplay category, winners for putting pen to paper — or fingers to the keyboard — often let the Academy throw some love towards movies largely ignored elsewhere. Consequently, if Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach score victory for Barbie, that trend just might hold up again (although Barbie is particularly in with a great chance in Best Costume Design and Best Production Design). If Barbie loses, expect Oppenheimer to top it — again. Anything could succeed in this field, though, because Poor Things, The Zone of Interest and American Fiction all also boast cracking scripts. Poor Things isn't just a marvel; it's as bold as any movie could ever dream of. Australian screenwriter Tony McNamara did get nominated for The Favourite, too. Best International Feature The nominees: Io Capitano, Italy Perfect Days, Japan Society of the Snow, Spain The Teachers' Lounge, Germany The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom Should win: Perfect Days, Japan Could win: Society of the Snow, Spain Will win: The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom Finding a viewing experience that's more sublime, soulful and thoughtful than Perfect Days — not just among the nominees for Best International Feature, but in general — is a near-impossible task. Watching the Tokyo-set Japanese contender about a toilet cleaner, which is directed by German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence), is as life-changing as cinema gets. A British film set in Germany and told in German, The Zone of Interest is unforgettable in a completely different way given that it is set during the Holocaust among a family living next door to Auschwitz. It's also exceptional — and an worthy recipient of this award. Indeed, there's no wrong pick, which means that Society of the Snow could sneak in for also telling a harrowing real-life tale. Best Animated Feature The nominees: The Boy and the Heron Elemental Nimona Robot Dreams Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Should win: The Boy and the Heron Could win: The Boy and the Heron Will win: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won an Academy Award in this very category. Among the American films that've made it to the final five in 2024, sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the pick of the bunch — and another spectacular achievement for the medium of animation. Twice now, watching the Spider-Verse movies means realising how live-action takes on superheroes will never be able to relay the full story. If Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse wins, that'll be an ace outcome. Going past Hayao Miyazaki's comeback The Boy and the Heron would be downright audacious at the same time, however. With his first film since 2013's The Wind Rises, the master Studio Ghibli co-founder adds one of his best movies yet to his resume. It's imaginative, heartfelt, smart, breathtaking and awe-inspiring — and that's just the beginning. Best Documentary Feature The nominees: Bobi Wine: The People's President The Eternal Memory Four Daughters To Kill a Tiger 20 Days in Mariupol Should win: 20 Days in Mariupol Could win: NA — 20 Days in Mariupol will win Will win: 20 Days in Mariupol For two years in a row, the Best Documentary Feature field will likely offer a damning indictment of Russia with its winner. Navalny did just that in 2023, with the film must-see viewing then and even more so since Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny's recent death in incarceration. With 20 Days in Mariupol, the invasion of Ukraine is in the spotlight. This is a movie that can't be unseen, nor forgotten. An on-the-ground exploration of the first 20 days of the war in the titular city, including in hospitals where victims of bombings and shellings are sent, this is as essential as documentary filmmaking gets. Fighting for freedom is also at the heart of Bobi Wine: The People's President, which could earn some love — and battling for justice similarly drives the also-excellent To Kill a Tiger. Best Original Score The nominees: American Fiction, Laura Karpman Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, John Williams Killers of the Flower Moon, Robbie Robertson Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Should win: Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Could win: Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Will win: Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson Ludwig Göransson knows what it's like to win an Oscar thanks to Black Panther. Soon, the Swedish composer will probably know what it's like to win two. As the greatest scores do, his work on Oppenheimer turns it into the film that it needs to be but wouldn't without such influentual music — which, seeing how astounding everything else is about the movie, isn't a minor achievement. Jerskin Fendrix's tunes for Poor Things do all of that with such distinctiveness, while also feeling so deeply perfect for the feature, that it would come as a surprise to no one if he was somehow composing from within its frames. Giving this award to Robbie Robertson, who does wondrous work for Killers of the Flower Moon, would also be a touching posthumous tribute to The Band musician and regular Martin Scorsese collaborator. Best Original Song The nominees: 'The Fire Inside', Flamin' Hot, Diane Warren 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt 'It Never Went Away', American Symphony, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)', Killers of the Flower Moon, Scott George 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell Should win: 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt Could win: 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt Will win: 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell First, the obvious observation: Best Original Song is Barbie's to lose. Bringing the eponymous doll to the screen notched up two of the five nominees in this category, and is almost certain to win for one of them — after they're both performed live, with Ryan Gosling singing 'I'm Just Ken', of course, and Billie Eilish belting out 'What Was I Made For?'. Expect Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell to take home the trophy, which'll be the pair's second Oscar thanks to 'No Time to Die' from, yes, No Time to Die. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt's catchy dive into Ken's soul keeps getting stuck in the world's heads due to more than just its melody, though. And if there's a non-Barbie upset, it might come from Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson's 'It Never Went Away' from American Symphony. Best Cinematography The nominees: El Conde, Edward Lachman Killers of the Flower Moon, Rodrigo Prieto Maestro, Matthew Libatique Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Poor Things, Robbie Ryan Should win: Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Could win: Poor Things, Robbie Ryan Will win: Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Again and again throughout 2024's Oscar contenders, the fields often come down to two prime candidates: Oppenheimer and Poor Things. Either winning in most categories is a magnificent outcome; when movies this superb are competing against each other, there's no such thing as a losing flick — just one that gets the trophy and one that doesn't. Hoyte van Hoytema and Robbie Ryan's lensing for this pair of pictures is exquisite in different ways; stark and precise for the former, dreamy and inventive for the latter. Oppenheimer emerged with the prize at this year's American Society of Cinematographers Awards, though, which can be a reliable guide. Don't discount Rodrigo Prieto for Killers of the Flower Moon, even if he should've been nominated for Barbie as well. Best Film Editing The nominees: Anatomy of a Fall, Laurent Sénéchal The Holdovers, Kevin Tent Killers of the Flower Moon, Thelma Schoonmaker Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame Poor Things, Yorgos Mavropsaridis Should win: Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame Could win: Poor Things, Yorgos Mavropsaridis Will win: Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame It's happening again: Oppenheimer and Poor Things leading the pack, that is — and likely Oppenheimer winning. Just as with Best Cinematography, there's form for Christopher Nolan's film getting the nod over Yorgos Lanthimos' flick thanks to other accolades. Oppenheimer's Jennifer Lame won at the American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards, for instance. Thelma Schoonmaker is an editing icon, however; this is her eighth Oscar nomination for a Martin Scorsese movie, a run that spans wins for The Aviator and The Departed. And editing is so pivotal to Anatomy of a Fall in telling its story — over every other contender in this field, actually — that Laurent Sénéchal's chances can't be ruled out. The 2024 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 11, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Wondering where to watch this year's Oscar contenders? We've put together a rundown for both Australia and New Zealand.
Just in time for summer, a much-loved Prahran pub has soared back into our lives following a major revamp courtesy of its new owners. It's been a long time between pints, but backstreet gem The Flying Duck Hotel is reopen once more, this time sporting a fresh look, with the crew from Rustica and Hobsons Bay Hotel in the driver's seat. You'll be happy to know the pub's famed beer garden and atrium have stuck around and are sporting a makeover of their own, ready and raring for those impending summer afternoons. That's complemented by a modern public bar, an open-plan main dining space and a private dining room seating up to 40. A fitout by local architect practice Fiona Drago has seen the 150-plus-year-old building's internal spaces completely opened up, re-energised with earthy hues, brass accents and a generous splash of olive green. Head Chef Ben Pigott (Hobsons Bay Hotel, Supernormal, Cumulus Inc) is behind the all-new gastropub offering, featuring brasserie-style fare brought to life via the kitchen's new wood grill. Wood-fired flatbread is matched with black garlic toum and smoked salmon caviar, wood-grilled Shark Bay scallops are elevated with herb butter, and smoky hose-made aioli graces a prawn po boy slider. You'll find many nods to the classic counter meal in plates like the local fish and chips, a cheeseburger and the dukkah-roasted cauliflower steak with smoked hummus. Deeper in, wood-fired barramundi is paired with warrigal greens and a seaweed butter sauce; a slow-cooked whole lamb shoulder feeds two or three people; and there's a couple of hefty grass-fed options for the steak-lovers. A stack of weekly specials runs from a weekday happy hour slinging $7 schooners and $8 wines (4–6pm), to Monday's steak night, to half-priced oysters and prosecco bumping up the mood each Thursday. Find The Flying Duck Hotel at 67 Bendigo Street, Prahran. It's open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Parker Blain
The past year has seen the film industry embrace streaming in a far bigger way than anyone could've imagined just 12 months ago. If you'd told even the most avid of movie buffs that a heap of cinema chains would be setting up their online viewing services, and that film festivals would be delivering their programs online, you might've been accused of wishful thinking. But, that's now the world we find ourselves in, and Event Cinemas is the latest Australian outfit to join the digital realm. It isn't turning its back on bricks-and-mortar picture palaces, of course. Neither did Sydney's Golden Age, or the teams behind the city's Ritz and Melbourne's Lido, Classic and Cameo cinemas when they did the same thing. Rather, the Aussie chain and its predecessors are all giving viewers more options, while also adapting to current movie-watching behaviour. Called Cinebuzz On Demand, Event Cinemas' service operates on a pay-per-view basis. So, it's more like YouTube Movies or Google Play than Netflix or Stan. You simply pick what you'd like to watch from its 1000-plus launch library, then pay accordingly per title — with prices starting at $4.99 per film. You won't find brand new, just-released blockbusters on the platform, or even the same movies that you can see if you head to one of Event Cinemas' physical locations and sit in a theatre. That said, the current catalogue does include plenty of flicks that have been brightening up the big screen over the past six months or so, such as Tenet, An American Pickle, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Wonder Woman 1984, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Antebellum and Baby Done. If you're particularly keen on comedies, horror movies, superhero flicks or Aussie titles, Cinebuzz On Demand lets users search by genre and theme. Or, you can simply browse through the entire library from A to Z. The service takes its name from Event Cinema's existing loyalty program, with members also earning points for their online rentals. And, viewing-wise, Cinebuzz On Demand is available on iPhones, iPads and Apple TV, plus Android and Chromecast, and on Windows and Mac devices as well. Cinebuzz On Demand is available via the service's website, with titles available to watch on a pay-per-view basis.
He was one of the youngest cast members in Saturday Night Live's history. During his eight-season run on the iconic US sketch-comedy series, he riffed on his own life aplenty, then did the same in The King of Staten Island on the big screen, plus in streaming series Bupkis. If you've caught Pete Davidson's comedy specials, you'll know that the same applies when he's onstage, too — which Australian audiences can witness live in September and October 2025. Davidson has just locked in an Aussie leg on his latest stand-up tour, playing three cities: Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The whirlwind trip will see him perform three gigs three nights in a row, kicking off at Riverside Theatre in the Western Australian capital on Monday, September 29. Next stop: Palais Theatre in Victoria's counterpart on Tuesday, September 30, then Enmore Theatre in the Harbour City on Wednesday, October 1. [caption id="attachment_776175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The King of Staten Island © 2020 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Beyond SNL and otherwise fictionalising his own experiences in cinemas and on TV — and beyond his Pete Davidson: SMD, Pete Davidson: Alive From New York and Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli specials as well — Davidson has rarely been far from screens over the past decade. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Trainwreck, Big Time Adolescence, The Suicide Squad, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fast X, Dumb Money: they're all on his resume. Davidson's Aussie dates come just after his latest film, heist comedy The Pickup co-starring Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), drops on Prime Video in early August. [caption id="attachment_897860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bupkis, Heidi Gutman/Peacock[/caption] He also has the Australian-shot Wizards!, which is directed by Animal Kingdom's David Michôd and co-stars Orlando Bloom (Deep Cover) on its way to the screen. Similarly in the works for Davidson: How to Rob a Bank, the latest film from Atomic Blonde, Bullet Train and The Fall Guy director David Leitch, which will release in 2026. Pete Davidson 2025 Australian Tour Dates Monday, September 29 — Riverside Theatre, Perth Tuesday, September 30 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne Wednesday, October 1 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Pete Davidson is touring Australia in September and October 2025, with presale tickets available from 10am local time on Thursday, July 31 and general tickets from 10am on Friday, August 1. Head to the tour website for more details.
Cycle-fashion: most people consider the term an oxymoron, bringing to mind images of brightly coloured lycra, or even worse, cycling shorts worn so thin that they’ve become transparent. If you’ve been afraid of joining the cycling revolution for fear of committing a crime against fashion, then allow British fashion designer Paul Smith to put you at ease. His new collaboration with cycle clothing brand Rapha brings some style to the two-wheeled set. Their new spring/summer range blends Smith’s fashion sense with Rapha’s cycling nous to create cycle-wear with a stylish look, but maintaining the technical and functional elements needed to stay comfortable on a bike. Unfortunately, style comes at a price, so the hip pockets of hipster cyclists will be a little light if they’re sporting these threads. And of course, compulsory helmet laws in Australia mean you can’t legally look as cool as these models. [via Hypebeast]
Piccolina is known for its playful gelato-stuffed creations. Working alone, the team has created chocolate Easter eggs filled with all kinds of ganache and gelato, and Mother's Day bonbons packed with similar fillings. It also regularly teams up with chefs all over Melbourne to create unusual limited-edition flavour combos. And now, for Father's Day, Piccolina has joined forces with Rocco's Deli in Yarraville to serve up a special pistachio gelato sandwich. This old-school Italian delicatessen and grocer has been around since 1977, and is best known for pumping out cheap and incredibly tasty deli sandwiches. Rocco's is the perfect candidate for a gelato sandwich collaboration. And what a beauty this sanga is. The Father's Day treat features pistachio gelato, pistachio fudge blondie and dulce de leche, all covered in milk chocolate and Iranian pistachios. These bad boys cost $20 a pop, which might seem exorbitant for an ice cream sandwich. But the Festa della Papà Pistachio Gelato Sandwich is an incredibly decadent handmade dessert that's far greater than your usual supermarket version. If your dad is a pistachio gelato fan, seriously consider ordering one of these before they sell out. The gelato-filled, chocolate-covered sandwiches are available at Piccolina stores and via its website from Wednesday, August 7–Thursday, September 5. And for a little extra fun, Piccolina is popping up at Rocco's Deli from Thursday, August 22–Thursday, September 5, so you can get one of these Father's Day creations while also grabbing a meatball sub, two litres of olive oil and an antipasto platter. Because, why not? These gelato sandwiches are available at Piccolina stores and via its website from Wednesday, August 7–Thursday, September 5. You can also can pick them up at Rocco's Deli from Thursday, August 22–Thursday, September 5. For more information, head to Piccolina's website.
Boy, do we have a giveaway for you. To celebrate the release of the stunning new documentary film Dancer, we're giving away a trip for two to Auckland — return flights and accommodation included. When you get to Auckland, you'll also get to see Sergei Polunin, one the world's most gifted ballet dancers, perform a rare, special guest appearance at the Auckland Arts Festival. From Oscar-nominated director Steven Cantor, Dancer takes a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the life of the magnetic bad boy of ballet, Sergei Polunin. He was the youngest principal dancer in the history of London's prestigious Royal Ballet, and he shocked the world by quitting just two years later and giving up dance entirely. If you're unfamiliar with the ballet world, Polunin was the guy that featured in the beautifully dance-heavy video clip for Hozier's song Take Me to Church. Dancer, by Oscar-nominated director Steven Cantor, is set for national release in Australian cinemas on December 1. Enter your details below and you're in the running. [competition]600295[/competition]
Plastic shopping bags might seem to last forever, but Australian's reliance upon the pesky, flimsy carriers has an expiration date. In a massive move for the industry — and a huge hug for the environment — the country's supermarkets are ditching single-use plastic bags from 2018. Three grocery chains have announced that they'll be banning the bag: Woolworths, Coles and the New South Wales-based Harris Farm. The big two will phase out plastic bags over the next 12 months, with Woolies' plans also including Big W and BWS, while Harris Farm will remove them from checkouts by January 1, 2018. Rather than offer shoppers free carriers, the supermarkets will sell thicker, reusable options for 15 cents per bag. The move will impact Woolworths and Coles locations around the country — bringing New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia into line with South Australia, ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, where state-wide plastic bans are already in place. Over at Harris Farm, their range will also include single-use paper bags, as well as the free cardboard boxes they've been providing to customers for the past decade. Getting rid the ever-present items everyone has too many of is just the latest example of Aussie businesses putting the planet first, rather than prioritising convenience, money or simply maintaining the environmentally unfriendly status quo. Brisbane's Crowbar banned plastic straws last year, Closed Loop has been trialling ways to recycle takeaway coffee cups, and reusable coffee cups have been gaining popularity all over the place — with some cafes offering discounts, and others banning disposable containers completely. Via the ABC.
Already this year, Melbourne movie lovers have been able to journey to France from their cinema seats. Hitting up Spain just by heading to your local picture palace has also been on the itinerary. Your next stop: Germany. Kicking off just as the weather gets colder to remind you of frosty European climes, Australia's touring German Film Festival is back for 2022 with a 26-movie program. From Wednesday, May 25–Sunday, June 19, GFF will hit Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre — letting you see in winter with quite the lineup of new and classic movies. There's typically a couple of clear recurring themes in this annual cinema showcase, as there tends to be in German films in general. So, the fact that this year's GFF will open with A Stasi Comedy, about life a Stasi agent's double life as both an underground poet and a spy in 80s-era East Berlin, is hardly surprising. Nor are two of the fest's other big-name titles: The Last Execution, starring Babylon Berlin's Lars Eidinger and also set in East Berlin in the 80s; and The Forger, led by Dark's Louis Hofmann, who plays a young Jewish man in Berlin in 1942. They're just some of the 21 movies that'll enjoy their Australian premieres at the event — alongside drama My Son, about a teenager's relationship with his mother; crime comedy The Black Square, starring Toni Erdmann's Sandra Hüller; the post-WWII-set The German Lesson, which leaps from the page to the screen; and political thriller The House, which takes place in the near future. GFF is also showcasing new films from just beyond German's borders in Austria and Switzerland. So, you can check out films such as downhill skiing drama Chasing the Line, an Austrian biopic about Winter Olympian Franz Klammer — and Swiss effort Caged Birds, about a lawyer in the 80s battling the prison system. The festival's final five titles hail from its impressive retrospective for 2022, which takes a look back at German cinema over the past five decades. Cannes Palm d'Or-winner The Tin Drum gets the 70s slot, while the East German-set Sunny Side represents the 80s. Doing the honours for the 90s is the exceptional Run Lola Run, aka one of the best thrillers ever made. The movie that helped push The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's Daniel Brühl to stardom, Good Bye Lenin!, has the 00s covered, and kinetic one-take gem Victoria returns to the big screen to showcase cinema from the past decade.
Few great things spring from being sent to boarding school, but Warwick Thornton's The New Boy is one of them. Decades have passed since the Kaytetye filmmaker was taught by Spanish monks at a remote missionary-style school after getting into trouble growing up in Alice Springs, but he now reflects upon the experience in the type of film that he's made his own within Australia's cinematic landscape: a deeply felt, stunningly shot, hauntingly acted and searingly impassioned tale of First Nations survival. When Thornton's feature debut Samson & Delilah arrived in 2009, it too pondered the subject. Winning the Cannes Film Festival's coveted Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature, it cemented Thornton as one of the country's best filmmakers working today. Sweet Country similarly wowed and blistered as it tackled the nation's long history of racial prejudice — and, premiering at the Venice International Film Festival, earned more international attention. With The New Boy, Cannes came calling again, then Sydney Film Festival's opening-night slot, and now a countrywide release during NAIDOC Week. "I'm Aboriginal — every day is survival for us," Thornton tells Concrete Playground. "Successions of governments have been trying to get rid of us for a very long time, through the last 200 years… So unpacking survival, and learning, and trying to work out what the fuck just happened, it's me. It's part of my life. It's what I do. And I've got a voice. I get money off the government to tell the government they're terrible. That's bizarre — that happens, and that's what I do." [caption id="attachment_908526" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Belinda Rolland © 2023/SFF.[/caption] The New Boy isn't autobiographical, but it always feels personal. Set in the 1940s as the Second World War rages abroad, it sees the film's namesake (newcomer Aswan Reid) get scooped up by outback law enforcement and delivered to a church-run orphanage, where his Indigenous culture and spirituality comes into conflict with Christianity. It's a story about forced conformity and assimilation, and fighting back however one can. It's history in a microcosm. It also teams Thornton with another Australian cinema icon: Cate Blanchett. "Rock 'n' roll! Aren't I very lucky! Isn't this amazing? Shit, Cate Blanchett's just called me and wants to make a movie — life's too short" — that's how Thornton reacted when two-time Oscar-winner and 2023 nominee (for Tár) gave him a call. "It's good for the ego, obviously. Then you go 'god, I've got to do something. I've got to come up with some brilliant idea right now that we can go and make while I've got her on the phone'. And obviously that doesn't happen. You slow down, and you take your time, and you're thoughtful about it. You don't just pitch any shit to Cate Blanchett, because she might go 'oh no, he's an idiot, that's a terrible idea'. So you've got to think about things, and plan some kind of attack on making yourself seem like you're really cool and you have lots of great ideas." Thornton did have something up his sleeve: an 18-year-old script inspired by those boarding school days, but featuring a priest. In the project's past life, French The Big Blue and The Professional actor Jean Reno had been in talks to star. Swapping the character to a nun gave Blanchett a part — which Thorton tells us about, alongside drawing from his own life, finding the next David Gulpilil in Reid, sharing tales of Indigenous survival with the world, balancing tragedy and hope, Adam Sandler movies and the full cinema experience. ON REWORKING AN OLD SCRIPT FOR CATE BLANCHETT "I hate writing. I think it's incredibly painful, and it takes me years. So if you do want to go down that process, well, we wouldn't be here having this conversation — I'd still be writing something. It takes a long time, and it's horrible. Writing is full of pain and angst — and you would rather go to the pub than actually write any words, because there's so much fear in a blank page, so much danger in it. And, so much you happiness as well, but I'm so scared of the blank page — I write with pen and paper, I don't own a computer, I don't know how to type. So you just stare at a blank page and go 'ohh this it's going to hurt'. Then, three years later, you come out of it and you've got something. Then it takes maybe another year to redraft it and get people's opinions. So remembering that I had that script kind of saved my arse, in a strange way, because I didn't want to go down another three-year process. I've got other scripts, but they just they they wouldn't be right for Cate, that I have been writing. So it was either that script or I write something new — and we wouldn't be here talking, I'd still be writing, if I was actually going to write something." ON SPARKING THE NEW BOY FROM EXPERIENCE "You use your experience in life to to get the foundations of what you think might be a good idea for a movie. I'm 52 years of age. I've lived, I've loved, I've died, I've cried, I've divorced, I've married. So you dwell on your own shit. I don't know if I'd be very good at writing a movie about a gecko because I've never been a gecko or goanna. So you just dwell on your existence, and that's where your foundations come from. I think all writers do that — nothing special to me. The reason why it took so long for it to be made, or to get to this point, was because it was actually a really bad script. [It was] pretty clear it wasn't working. Protagonist, antagonist, the arcs are all arse up — and it took someone like Cate to come along to empower me to fix it. But is there any writer who doesn't dwell on their own existence, and how they felt when someone said 'I don't love you anymore'? All that kind of shit? I'm sure every writer does that — it's kind of part and parcel of writing." ON SWAPPING A PRIEST FOR A NUN, BUT LEAVING THE OTHER CHARACTER DETAILS "That was very clear from Cate, because I thought 'well, we will have to do some some serious drafting to rebuild it to do it with the nun'. And she was very adamant — and, really, she's so bloody smart. I didn't see it. But she's seen it straight away: 'don't change the arc of of the character and what the character actually does'. So it's a nun having to do a priest's job and, obviously in that world, nuns can't do priest jobs. They're not allowed to actually do priest jobs. That created such such a great dynamic for for the character, and she was very clear about that. 'Don't go mucking, don't go fucking it up now Warwick! — because that stuff really, really works well for Sister Eileen'. It's like 'of course it does'. It it easier for me — I didn't have to write as much." ON CASTING DEBORAH MAILMAN AND WAYNE BLAIR "Deb and Wayne are really good friends. I shot The Sapphires for Wayne [which Blair directed] back in the day. And I shot Radiance for Rachel Perkins back in the mid 90s — crikey — one of Deb's first feature roles. So we've always been good friends, and I've always wanted to do something really focused, and I thought they were the best actors to be those characters. I told them that I was writing something and they're in it. And they were like 'bring it on, no worries'. So they knew. When it was the older draft, with the monk, I'd already cast them — I wanted them to play those roles even back then. So they were cast even before Cate." ON FINDING ASWAN REID "I was beguiled and freaked out. He looked perfect. He was exactly what the image in my head was of the New Boy. But with that comes a lot of fear because, first-time actors, children on set — they can do the first week, they do the first day, and then go 'I don't like this, I don't want do this anymore', and then just walk away. And you just can't make them do it. So it created more fear because he looked perfect. But that created a lot more fear about 'is the universe going to look after us, are we going to be okay?'. Because you're not casting just a child — you're casting the family. How's his mum and dad? Are they sensible human beings? Because they're going to be on set with us a lot as well. There's so many things come into play when you cast first-time actors, especially kids from communities where making a film is not necessarily that important to them. I think there's a lot of children in LA whose mothers tell them that this is the most important thing they're ever going to do, but for a kid from Kiwirrkurra — I don't know, is going and making a movie that important? I don't know. He had a great time. And he wants to make more movies now, which is fantastic. I think it was a year that we lost Gulpilil and we found Aswan. I think it's one of the most beautiful, strange worlds we live in." ON SHARING FILMS ABOUT INDIGENOUS SURVIVAL WITH THE WORLD "There's a hunger out there for Indigenous storytelling. We still run on a three-act structure — an arc of three acts, beginning, middle and end, which is, ironically, life: you're born, you live, you die. Everything works that way. So that we could transcend these kind of conversations, but from an Indigenous point of view — I think people are getting interested, because we used to make films, especially in Australia and actually in America as well, we made a lot of movies from the suburbs looking at the the mountains. And the fear and the darkness, and wild west and badlands, in a way. It was always from the veranda, from safety, that we would look out at that — and Australia did it a lot, and so did North America. Now people are interested in a different point of view — and that other point of view is from the mountains, from the forest, looking at the people sitting on the veranda. And from our point of view, which is from the badlands or the wild, but looking at and studying these people who are too afraid to come up to the veranda and meet us. [caption id="attachment_655044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sweet Country[/caption] That's the way Indigenous people make movies, in a way. That's our point of view. And I think people are interested in that, so that's why I think the films did quite well around the world. There's a duty of care — when we make stories, it's a very big duty of care about what we say and what we portray about who we are as Indigenous people. It's a big point, and there needs to be a lot of honesty from us about that. And I think people enjoy that and they feel that when they see our films." ON BALANCING TRAGEDY AND HOPE — AND MUSING ON FAITH Well, The New Boy does represent who we are and what happened to us being colonised — but, you know what, we're still here. So there's hope. We're still here. So, obviously, he is what happened to us. Christians came in. Colonisation came in. New laws came in, new rules, new regulations. We had to fit in. We lost a lot. But we're still here and we're gaining a lot now because our form of spirituality is evolving. It's not a bunch of commandments banged into a rock. We have to evolve, and we have to move with the times, and that's what we're doing. And so it is hope and it's survival. There's room for all, I guess is what I'm trying to say. I think the religions that actually believe that there's either their way or hell, and anybody who does not become part of conforming to what they think will burn — and there's only two two options, right or wrong — it's a very dangerous place. Actually, that kind of concept will die one day. That will actually kill itself because it won't move and ebb and flow, and it's not evolving properly." [caption id="attachment_861204" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Rogers[/caption] ON WHAT MAKES A WARWICK THORNTON FILM — AND THE FULL CINEMA EXPERIENCE "All my films have Adam Sandler in it, and they go 'oh, it must be a Warwick Thornton film'. I reckon that'd be really good. It'd be really funny, and tragic. I like him. If you see Adam Sandler on the poster, or a film by Happy Madison Productions, you know what you're going to get — you know when you buy that ticket, you know what you're going to get, and so don't expect anything else and just enjoy it for how stupid it is. Life, cinema, has room for pure popcorn and milkshakes. And then it has room for red wine and biscuits. There's so much scope in the arts, and everyone has a right to have the most ridiculously stupid films to the most blinkered, depressing auteur crap — like what I make. There's room for it all. It's such a beautiful medium. You can go to a cinema and have a mindless laugh. Or you can go to the cinema and have, not go into a lecture, but be entertained but actually walk out with a lot more knowledge about humanity, and existence, and points of view from countries and cultures that you'd never have access to in real life — but you do, cinema gives you that access. So it's such a beautiful, special place." [caption id="attachment_861205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Rogers[/caption] ON JUMPING BETWEEN FICTION AND DOCUMENTARIES "Whatever it is, it's horses for courses — not all stories are documentaries, and not all stories are fiction and features. So you get to a point where you go 'I'm so over a crew of 200 and blowing ridiculous amounts of money, and having that minute frame-by-frame control'. And so I want to go with David Tranter, sound recordist, to just go into the bush and make a beautiful documentary about someone or something — and live around the campfire, and cook rice and curry on a campfire, and just really focus and become this nurturing little unit. Then, after I do that, I'm covered in mosquito bites and rashes, and probably about to lose a a toe because I stubbed it and then it got infected — and I go 'I want to go back to features, I want to go back to catering'. You get bored with one, and then the grass is always greener on the other side. At the moment, I'm obviously doing fiction and features — and the grass, the greener grass at the moment, is in documentary for me. And when I get there, I'll realise that the greener grass is in fiction." The New Boy opened in Australian cinemas on July 6. Read our review. The New Boy images: Ben King.
If you're craving snacks in Melbourne's CBD at 2am, you no longer have to do the walk of shame to the Swanston Street Macca's or eat dirty dumplings on Little Bourke Street (again). That's because the Grossi family — the very same Grossis who have a slew of award-winning restaurants on Bourke Street — has opened Arlechin, a new bar that is shaking up Melbourne's bar scene by offering cocktails and fancy finger food from 5pm until 3am. You'll find this new late-night dining venture just behind Bourke Street down Mornane Place, an alleyway that has been tarted up with fairy lights and a large mural, the bins and outdoor toilet removed. The bar is halfway up the alley, the door marked by a lone candle in a jar. Push open the black steel doors and walk into a small 40-seater space that looks like it picked up design tips from an Italian confessional or a castle wine cellar on its way to Melbourne. The statement vaulted ceiling is covered in cork tiles, which are lit by spotlights and dramatic hanging lights, and black steel walls outline the space, with the occasional gap revealing the seemingly endless bottles of wine hidden behind them. It looks like somewhere you'd share midnight secrets — hidden in a booth off to the side — so it's kind of disappointing when a black-clad staff member directs you to one of the bar tables and stools cluttered around the open space. But it's probably best to save your secrets for another venue, as the loud music, which occasionally delves into club house vibes, doesn't really facilitate whispering. What the venue does facilitate is drinking — and eating — well. The guns from Romeo Lane consulted on the cocktail list, and it shows. Although the cocktails are often on the sweeter side, they always hit the spot, like the Bee's Fix ($19), which tastes like a fancier version of eggnog. The cocktails are all reasonably priced, too, between $16–$20, which is unexpected when the short list of wines by the glass also hovers around the same price. There's an extensive list of wines by the bottle, for those looking to confess their sins long into the night. The menu is just what you'd expect from a Grossi bar, traditional meets fun on snack-sized plates – although, unlike the cocktails, the food doesn't always hit the sweet spot. The saffron risoni with bone marrow ($12) is subtly moreish; the jaffle bolognese ($10) tasty, but not the rich bite of comfort we were expecting; and the sloppy joe ($6) is an underwhelming twist on the classic with cod. At only a few months old, Arlechin feels comfortably Melbourne, settled into the town in a way that bodes well for its longevity. Although there are a few kinks to iron out, we have no doubt that generations of Melburnians will wash up in the bar in the early hours of Sunday morning in years to come, ready to confess their Saturday night sins over cocktails and a sneaky plate of midnight pasta.
Of all the gin pop-up bars with bespoke cocktails and seasonally crafted tapas pairings in all the world, you have to walk into this one. Bombay Sapphire, touchstone of the gin world, has returned once again with their pop-up bar and gastronomic experience Project Botanicals. The project is back following the sell-out success of last year’s pop-up and will be held over three intoxicating weeks from June 24 to July 11. Where? Why, at a bespoke location of course. The newly established warehouse digs are being taken over by guest DJs and lush live botanical walls for the event at 64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne. Project Botanicals is a collaborative effort between some of the finest gin bars in Melbourne; Black Pearl, Eau de Vie, 1806,Union Electric and Gin Palace have all created unique (and devastatingly indulgent) cocktails to feature on the menu alongside ten food pairings. MasterChef‘s Gary Mehigan has constructed textured dishes that complement each cocktail. Catch a preview of five of the dishes and cocktail pairings in our feature.
Far from being abstract paintings of dragon scales or elaborate curves and textures, Andre Armolaev has captured incredible aerial images of Iceland's twisting rivers meandering across the black, ashy volcanic sand. With over 30 active volcanic systems, Iceland is host to one of the world's most 'explosive' areas. Armolaev describes the bird's eye view over the river and volcanic systems in this country as "an inexpressible combination of colors, lines, and patterns." He is fascinated by the contrast the land and water make against each other and the organic and incomparable shapes they create. These stunning photographs capture the beauty that can be created from natural disasters and demonstrate the unparalleled power and allure of Mother Earth. Take a look at the collection of aerial photographs of Iceland's volcanoes taken from thisiscolossal.
Reckon your pup gets a bit lonely sometimes? Well, now you can find him a bunch of new mates with just a few swipes of your phone. It's all thanks to a clever new smartphone app, which helps dog owners to connect their pooches with other local doggos and dog communities. Created by Queensland University of Technology business student Josh Fritz — who came up with the app when he moved to Brisbane, adopted a cavoodle called Quincy and wanted to find him some buddies — PatchPets works a little bit like Tinder. Users create a personalised profile for their pup, and then use the app to find and network with other fur parents in their area, based on location. You can scroll through photos of local hounds, check out their details and get in touch with their owners to set up doggy play dates. To keep you informed about your pooch's possible new pal, profiles feature information about which vaccinations each dog has had, whether it's been desexed and what their all-important Instagram handle is. Got a particularly picky pupper? You can even filter the results by dog breed and size. PatchPets also comes loaded with plenty of other nifty features, including a directory that lists pet-friendly businesses nearby, plus real-time dog park maps — allowing you to see when four-legged friends are hanging out at your local park. No more rocking up to the park for a play sesh, only to find there's no one else there. And, you can use the app's message function to join group chats with your dog's new mates. Having launched in May, PatchPets has already clocked up over 5000 users — which means your doggo will be totally spoilt for choice in the friends department. PatchPets is now available to download for free, for both iOS and Android, from the iTunes App Store and Google Play. Images: QUT Media
Bibelot (pronounced bib-loh) translates from French as 'a small object of beauty, curiosity or desire', and perfectly explains what you will discover at this dainty dessert boutique. Shiny glass cabinets filled with silky glistening gateaux, plump macaroons, bonbons, chocolates and cakes resembling modern works of art stretch endlessly down the long room; a gelato counter with two taps pouring liquid chocolate (dark and milk) stand ready and waiting for warm summer days. In short, Bibelot is a dessert lovers dream. Opened by the Chez Dre team, the dessert bar/patisserie/chocolaterie/retail space is separate from the South Melbourne cafe, but still attached — just enter from the Coventry Street entrance, a stone's throw from the excellent South Melbourne Markets. The interior design is immediately eye catching and very European, reflecting the luxurious, intricate nature of the desserts with strong elements of glass, large mosaic tiled walls, timber and luxe emerald green velvet armchairs. Asking the staff to pick out their favorite sweets creates some fun banter — even the friendly team working here seems to find it hard to decide between so many delicious options. Some highlights include the hazelnut-praline crunch or the Lychee Dome: a photo-worthy dessert that resembles a beautiful alien egg ($9.50). If you are like us and simply refuse to choose between cakes then try the desert platter ($25). Featuring nine popular desserts in miniature form, this platter is perfect for sharing between two. Coffee is delicious, as are their carefully selected range of teas. Lavish high teas are available in the High Tea Salon, and a well-curated retail section stocks a neat range of coffee table books sit waiting for your perusal. The retail side of things sells quality dry tea, housemade blocks of chocolate, biscuits and artisanal food. Make no mistake, this is not somewhere you want to be if you are on a diet. Your only dilemma should be deciding which cake to eat first.
For a country that's girt by sea, as our national anthem reminds us, Australia has become rather obsessed with waves of the artificial kind in the past few years. Melbourne has its own Urbnsurf surf park, Sydney is set to score one this year, and the brand is looking to set up shop in Brisbane and Perth as well — while Melbourne also boasts a theme park with a wave pool, and other different man-made spots have also been earmarked for Sydney's north and the Gold Coast. Oh, and Kelly Slater is meant to be opening a surf ranch on the Sunshine Coast, too. Indeed, "who needs real beaches?" seems to be the current line of thinking — and it's also behind Surf Lakes, a regional Queensland surf park that's been up and running for a few years, but only for testing. Now the operation has been given the go-ahead to develop its Yeppoon site by both the Queensland Government and the Livingston Shire Council, which puts it on-track to add facilities for the public. Yes, that means that within 12–18 months, it'll ideally be welcoming in anyone and everyone to live out their Point Break dreams beyond the ocean. The Capricorn Coast venue was built as a prototype facility designed to give a new kind of technology a whirl, and uses a central mechanism that sends waves from the middle of its 200-metre by 150-metre lake towards the edge. With the water lapping over eight distinctive breaks, it produces more than 2000 surfable waves per hour, including some measuring more than two metres in height. When it launched in Yeppoon, Surf Lakes also had some high-profile support, with Aussie surfers Mark Occhilupo and Barton Lynch the park's two ambassadors. But opening to the public was always floated as part of the venue's overall mission — and, depending on timing when it does open its doors to everyone, it might make it the first operational surf lake in the world. Wannabe Johnny Utahs (because we all want to be Keanu, admit it) can expect a spot that'll cater for beginners and pros alike, covering folks who've never hopped on a board before — including via learn-to-surf lessons — plus those well-experienced at hanging ten. The site is also set to include shops, places to nab food and drinks, and other outdoor and fitness activities around the lake. And, for those making the trip north for a holiday, there'll be glamping-style accommodation as well. Announcing the news, Surf Lakes International Chief Executive Officer Aaron Trevis said "our long-term aim has always been to take our wave-making technology to the world, allowing people from all walks of life to be able to experience the joys of a surfing life in a safe environment. We hope the Yeppoon site can be one of, if not the first Surf Lake open to the public." Surf Lakes is aiming to open its Yeppoon site at 662 Yeppoon Road, Mulara to the public within 12–18 months — we'll update you with further details when they're announced, and you can head to the company's website for more information in the interim.
Music is an integral part of Brisbane's identity, with many of the country's most beloved musicians getting their start in the Queensland capital. Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, Kate Miller-Heidke, Waax, The Go-Betweens and many more spent their formative years gigging around the city. From the punk scene that emerged in the seventies and eighties to the thriving Fortitude Valley suburb and multiple music festivals held each year, Brisbane is also something of a cultural hub. Whether you're a local wanting to support Australia's live music scene or are heading to the Sunshine State and need a steer for your itinerary, here's a curated list of live music venues to check out in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_1029305" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] LiveWire Located in The Star Brisbane, LiveWire is your destination for headline entertainment and a vibrant mix of weekly events. Whether you're into live music, drag bingo, or music trivia, the variety on offer ensures there's always something exciting happening. One act to watch out for is on Friday, October 24, when Brisbane musician Jarryd James will perform his hits, including his ARIA award-winning song "Do You Remember," at LiveWire. Several other singers, DJs and artists perform at LiveWire every week, so check out The Star Brisbane's schedule to see what's on. Looking for a pre-gig tipple? Head to one of The Star Brisbane's cocktail bars, the panoramic Cicada Blu and 360º bar Cherry, before the performance and get into the party spirit. If you'd prefer dinner before dancing the night away, Cucina Regina is The Star Brisbane's Italian eatery. It offers hand-stretched pizzas and delicious homemade pasta. Meanwhile, Aloria is a rooftop restaurant with a European-Australian menu and delicious cocktails. For those making a weekend of it, consider a stay at The Star Brisbane's five-star hotel. If you're a music lover, The Star Brisbane is a one-stop shop for drinks with your mates, dinner with a view, and a free gig to top the night off. [caption id="attachment_1029306" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marlon Trottman[/caption] Fortitude Music Hall The Fortitude Music Hall was built to offer the city of Brisbane a middle ground venue between its small dive bars and larger sports stadiums. Located in the city's CBD entertainment precinct, Fortitude Valley Music Hall is a 3000-person venue that hosts a number of international and local acts. In 2025 and 2026, acts such as Royel Otis, Noah Cyrus, CMAT, Ben Folds, and Travis will take to the stage, making Fortitude Music Hall a venue to add to the top of your live music list. Fortitude Music Hall is located in the middle of the buzzing Brunswick Mall, giving you a number of options for a pre-gig beverage or takeaway on the way home. [caption id="attachment_1029307" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Triffid[/caption] The Triffid If you're looking for live music and pints on tap, head to The Triffid. Located in Newstead, the venue is within walking distance of the buzzy Fortitude Valley area and has everything a music lover could want. Housed in a converted World War II aircraft hangar, The Triffid has an indoor venue and a smaller stage outside in the beer garden, making it an excellent spot for a Sunday session. The venue was created by Powderfinger bassist, John Collins, who knows the importance of fostering local acts and building a community around music. As a result, The Triffid is a hub for music fans—plus, their beer garden serves a mean hot chips if you're looking for a snack to pair with your pint. The Tivoli Originally built in 1927 as the Adams Bakery, today The Tivoli (or The Tiv, as locals call it) is one of the city's most beloved music venues. The Tivoli has hosted some of the country's most prolific artists, such as Powderfinger, Silverchair, Missy Higgins, and Paul Kelly, as well as international acts including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Bob Dylan. Housed in an art deco building, the Fortitude Valley venue combines heritage, charm, and a roster of iconic acts all in one place. Head to the Jubilee Hotel for a pint and pub meal before the gig, or, if you're after something a little more elevated (literally), the Soko Rooftop Bar is a great shout. [caption id="attachment_1029308" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Crowbar Brisbane[/caption] Crowbar A favourite among punk, metal and rock fans, the Crowbar has endured a lot in recent years. After launching in 2012, the venue sadly closed during the pandemic. Thanks to the locals' efforts, Crowbar Brisbane has moved to Ann Street in the Valley and is once again a thriving music venue. No need to make multiple bookings if you're heading to the Crowbar, as the venue offers burgers and barbecue at its bar and restaurant as well as a selection of local beers on tap, making it an easy stop on a night out. This list scratches the surface of iconic venues in Brisbane, Australia's unofficial music capital. Be sure to check out each schedule and make a booking to support live and local music. Explore more at The Star Brisbane. Lead image: LiveWire at The Star Brisbane. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter LiveWire and the casino.
When the end of July hits, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games will kick off, with the finest athletes from Commonwealth countries competing to take home shiny medals. That's all well and good and interesting; however, we've found a much cuter display of sportsmanship that's also popping up this July. At 1pm on Thursday, July 21, viewers can watch four adorable guide-dogs-to-be participating in their very own Puppy Games. Yep, that's a thing and we're definitely here for it. If it sounds familiar, that's because it has been held for the past two years, too — but clearly this is the kind of adorable event that needs to be held annually. Once again, the folks at Seeing Eye Dogs have teamed up The Petbarn Foundation to host the canine-centric games — and, this year, with pet food brand Royal Canin as well. The results will be streaming on a device near you via the event's website. No matter where you're located in Australia, it sounds like perfect lunchtime viewing. How do the Puppy Games work, you might be asking? The event will see young trainee guide dogs Sandler, Tambo, Rani and Tom tackle a series of skill-testing challenges, with their every move captured on camera. They'll be helped through their tasks by their trainers — Abi, Jack, Lina and Paige, respectively. Accordingly, you can watch the young pups hurtle through a time trial, take on a 'puppy patience' food bowl challenge and battle it out for glory in the 'dogstacle distraction course'. And they are very much just pups — Tambo and Tom are the youngest at 11 weeks old, while Rani is the comparative veteran of the competitors at 15 weeks old. The project aims to support fundraising efforts for the annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal, of course, but also promises a much-needed boost of dopamine and general happy feels all round. Viewers can donate to the cause by hitting the link on the event's website. This year, the appeal is shooting for a goal of $1 million to help cover the costs of breeding, training and caring for at least 20 Seeing Eye Dogs. Can't make Thursday's viewing? Fear not, the full event will be up on YouTube to rewatch any time you need a mood boost. The 2022 Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Games will stream via the event's website from 1pm on Thursday, July 21.
Years of travelling back and forth between Jakarta and Melbourne cultivated an affinity for Australian culture for Le Bajo founder and owner, Jason Gunawan. After successfully co-running Bali's famous Potato Head Beach Club, he was about to depart on his next venture before the pandemic hit. Labuan Bajo was set to open on Flores, an Indonesian island known for its Komodo dragons, as well as a diverse sea life of manta rays and turtles. But as the project had to be postponed further and further, Gunawan was determined to not let nearly nine months of planning go to waste. He decided to bring part of the concept to North Melbourne instead, in a spacious garage home to a collection of old-school Mercs and Porsches. Seeking the help of hospitality friends and northside neighbours, Gunawan reached out to Kantaro Okada, owner of 279, to open Le Bajo with him. "Forced to stay in Melbourne, I decided to work with Kan, who has been in the industry for a few decades. We swapped ideas and decided that, with a mutual appreciation for Japanese food and culture, we would open a sando bar," says Gunawan. With a concept locked in, the team set to work sourcing old farm and corner store furniture — gathered in the midst of Melbourne's 2020 stage-four lockdown. Wooden countertops, chairs, glass cabinets and cupboards were given a new life. Inspired by the disappearing milkbars of Australia, Gunawan took the opportunity to make Le Bajo a place to reminisce about Australiana. Retro hand-painted signs, lamps and thrifted ornaments fill the cafe, offering it an old-time aesthetic that feels both familiar and quaint. Lush plants also line the space, further transforming this industrial venue into a welcoming abode. "We wanted it to be a friendly place that everyone is welcome — just like a milkbar," says Gunawan. "The vintage furniture gives the space warmth, so it doesn't feel like a cafe that just opened up; we want to feel like we've been here for 30 or 40 years." And while the menu has its nods to Australian classics, such as milkshakes and milk coffees, the food at Le Bajo is otherwise distinctly Japanese. The team roasts its own coffee and bakes its own shokupan bread — a much-loved fluffy milk bread that is cut thick for sandos and toast. "Japanese people are very particular about every single component of their products," Gunawan says. "Every step: the produce used, the precise ingredients and even the packaging. We bake our bread in-house so it has a certain softness and sweetness to it — there's nothing like it." One of the venue's most sought out items, the fruit sando, is a triangle of vibrant fresh fruits and whipped cream wedged between two slices of cloud-like bread. For more savoury options, the spicy cod roe toast or spicy tako sando are two house favourites. For a complete food experience, Gunawan recommends the morning set, a staple breakfast originating from Negoya — a city in the Chūbu region of Japan where many of the staff at Le Bajo are from. "This set is a combination of toast, potato salad, boiled egg, yogurt with homemade jam and a batch-brew coffee," Gunawan explains. "It offers a savoury and sweet flavour combination that you can mix and match across the plate." To drink, Le Bajo has a rotating origin coffee menu, and proudly roasts its own beans for a batch brew. This coffee is light in body and tea-like, but packs a caffeinated punch. There are also Japanese sodas on offer, made with housemade peach and strawberry jams — making it a perfect palette refresher. With the importance of community at the forefront following Melbourne's lockdowns, Le Bajo is also home to a coffee and car meetup every Saturday between 8–10am for car enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike. "Melbourne is a second home to me, and I want Le Bajo to be a home for everyone — from our North Melbourne locals to travellers that come all the way from Geelong on the weekends to visit us. We are very grateful." Find Le Bajo Milkbar at 8–14 Howards Street, North Melbourne — open from 7.30am–4pm Tuesday–Friday and 8am–4pm Saturday–Sunday. Images: Julia Sansone.
The Good Food & Wine Show will turn 25 this year – and, in one of the event's biggest editions yet, more than 300 exhibitors will converge on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days. Head along between Friday, May 30–Sunday, June 1 for tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations and more. At the heart of the show is the Good Food Village, where you'll find stacks of mini-producers from all over Australia, including Noosa Black Garlic, Monkey Nuts, Kiwi Artisan Truffles and more. Once you've sampled your way through, head to the Harvey Norman Kitchen to a catch a cooking demo from the likes of Miguel Maestre, Georgie Calombaris or Shannon Bennett. Also on the program is a Cheese Lover's Ticket, which buys you a masterclass with Valérie Henbest from Smelly Cheese Co., plus other goodies. Or, if chocolate's your thing, drop into a chocolate appreciation class with Kirsten Tibballs. In between sessions, check out the Wine Selectors' themed tasting rooms, the VIP Lounge where chef Andrew Ballard will be serving lunch, the Sonos Sound Bar for soundtracked workshops, and the Cheese Corner to try some of Australia's best cheeses. You'll find out everything else you need to know over here.
Wilding isn't about the butterfly effect; however, those insects do indeed flap their wings in this thoughtful documentary, and the world changes as a result. In 2009, a high-pressure weather system brought a mass migration of painted lady butterflies from north Africa to Europe, and to Britain, in their millions. One of their destinations: Knepp, the 400-year-old West Sussex estate that Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell call home, and that's been in the latter's family for generations. The 3500-acre property had a creeping thistle problem, threatening not only the land but the couple's way of managing it via rewilding, and also their reputations. Enter tens of thousands of painted ladies, which did the trick through no intervention by Tree and Burrell at all. The butterflies laid their eggs on the creeping thistle, then the hatched caterpillars ate away the leaves, with just the plant's shredded stems remaining. At the turn of the 21st century, battling a £1.5-million debt on their farm, Tree and Burrell made a bold move: to stop toiling on the land and instead let nature reclaim the Knepp grounds whoever it saw fit. Refraining from acting and leaving the earth to its wildlife — plants and animals alike — shouldn't be such a radical idea, but it is now and definitely was then. Wilding works through how the pair's "don't just do something, stand there" philosophy has paid off well beyond their wildest dreams or most-ambitious expectations. The film, Tree's book that it's based on and the rewilding project at Knepp overall are each a testament to the power of nature to rebound; to endurance and perseverance; and to finding a way, including by stepping back and allowing the earth to function as it has long before humans walked upon it. The painted lady butterflies and their role in helping to ensure that Tree and Burrell's plans for a new rewilded landscape at Knepp — an initiative that had already garnered backlash before the threat of creeping thistle — didn't crumble comprise just one of the success stories charted in this inspirational documentary. Storks breeding in Britain again for the first time in 600 years, aiding turtle dove conservation efforts, bringing beavers back to the wild in Sussex after 400 years: they're among the others. A five-time Emmy-winner for National Geographic Explorer, Living with Bugs, Nature and The Serengeti Rules, director David Allen is responsible for chronicling Knepp's transformation here. His efforts have paid off, with the film becoming the highest-grossing UK documentary of 2024. "I can't watch it, seeing my huge face pontificating on the screen. It's very much outside my comfort zone," Tree tells Concrete Playground. "But they did a lovely job, particularly of the footage, I think — the wildlife footage." Tree is Wilding's on-screen guide, as she references — but this is a documentary that devotes as many of its frames to roving through the outcome of her and Burrell's life-changing decision as possible. To venture backwards, it also weaves in recreations with actors (such as Call the Midwife's Rhiannon Neads as Tree), where nature again remains the main star. The movie was made in lockdown and, equally from that period, Tree has penned the ultimate companion piece for those who watch along and want to do the same on whatever patch of earth they have: The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small. "We have this incredible mailbag from people who've come to Knepp, as you say, and they don't have thousands or hundreds of acres, but they're so motivated and excited to do something on their own. And so we have questions: 'can I rewild my garden, my window box, my churchyard, my orchard, the verges around my street?'. And of course you can," she tells us. [caption id="attachment_1006056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Olivier Hess[/caption] "This book really has all that advice. It's about how you can think differently with the rewilding mindset in whatever patch of earth you have influence over. So it's going into your garden and thinking like a beaver when you're building a pond. It's thinking about a grazing pony when you're when cutting your rose bushes — thinking in terms of a free-roaming animal. And it's not less work in your garden. It's probably just as much work, but it is incredibly freeing if you think about the natural processes in the wider landscape and how can you relate them to your smaller space. 'How can you allow dead wood and piles of leaves? How can you create a garden that has perhaps got drier parts to it?'. I mean, we've dumped 400 tonnes of crushed brick and concrete onto our lawn and created these mounds and bumps, because nothing in nature is flat." "Just changing the topography of your garden can create all these little microclimates that benefit different plants. The variety, the mosaic of habitats, is what's important," Tree continues. "When you buy a bird box for your garden — lots of lovely nature-friendly gardeners will buy a bird box. Why are you buying a bird box? Shouldn't there be the habitat for them already in your garden? Because that habitat will also be providing insects and berries and the thing they want to eat, as well as protection from predators. So it's thinking about how you can use nature to provide for nature, for wildlife, in your garden. And get messy. Let's forget the leaf blower and the lawn mower, and use them as sparingly as possible." "We can have wonderful spaces for ourselves, of course, in our gardens. We want to have dinner out there. We want our children to play ball games. But just think about nature, too, and how we could share that space." Viewing Wilding, which opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 22, 2025, means marvelling at what Tree and Burrell have achieved, then often wanting to follow in their footsteps and take Tree's advice. It means seeing how the duo started by letting old English Longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies and Tamworth pigs do what they're driven to — and being well-aware of what a risk they were taking by turning their backs on the estate's farming heritage — then witnessing how, yes, nature is healing. Why is Tree and Burrell's approach considered so revolutionary? How much determination, fortitude and perseverance does it take to actively do nothing? How have some naysayers changed their minds about Knepp Wildland over the years? We discussed this terrain with Tree as well, alongside the pandemic's influence on reshaping how humans feel about nature and other topics, such as which of the project's triumphs means the most to her. On Why Humanity Has Become So Resistant to the Idea of Not Doing Anything and Instead Letting Nature Take Its Course "So that's such an interesting question, and I'm battling with it at the moment. I'm writing a book about the return of our white storks. I think it goes back to Plato, actually. It goes back to the ancient Greeks, that moment when we began to divide ourselves as human beings from nature. We saw nature as something that needed to be controlled, to be won over — that our soul and our intellect, our brains, were separate from nature. We were separate from all other living things. And when you look around the world at native peoples, even today, people who — communities, civilisations that have lived for thousands and thousands of years, successfully and sustainably, they never disassociate themselves from nature. Some cultures, there's no pronoun for the self because you are so much part of the living world. And so I think it all began, the rot began then, with the ancient Greeks — and I'm a classicist, so it's taken me a very long time to say that. But I think this mania with control and tidying up also was just exacerbated with science, and how we approach science as a completely different discipline. How we separate zoology from botany, as if plants and animals just don't coexist. It's the way we think in the western mind. And then, of course, we have the industrial revolution, which gives us fantastic machines that men in particular, may I say, love to use — like chainsaws and mowers and anything with an engine that can just get rid of nature as quickly as possible. So we became fantastically obsessive about tidying up, and that has been nature's downfall, I think — is our disassociation and our mania with tidiness. As well as agriculture, but I'm just thinking about our own personal space." On the Determination, Fortitude, Ambition and Perseverance That It Takes to Actively Commit to Doing Nothing "It's very difficult because it's a shift in mindset, I think, and we've got so many cultural prejudices about what we consider to be responsible or even beautiful. We're often nostalgically tied to these very controlled landscapes because we grew up with them as we were children. We have them in picture books as that's what nature looks like. And so to let go of all that is very, very difficult. And I think that's what we found here at Knepp, is that once we embarked on this experiment and it got very messy and very untidy very quickly, it was a challenge to us. I remember seeing a tree right in our sightline outside the windows that was dying — a huge oak tree that had just succumbed to the amount of chemicals that had been flowing down into that corner of the field over all the years that we've been intensively farming, and it just gave up the ghost. And we watched this tree die, and my husband was saying 'oh god, I know we've committed to not doing anything, but that is right in our sightline. Perhaps we could make an exception?'. And we decided we wouldn't. And that tree largely changed the way we thought, because living with it and watching it die slowly, and actually seeing the life that had attracted — the sparrowhawks that started nesting in it, the whole community of short-tailed voles that were living in its exposed roots, the fox that used to sit there waiting for the rabbits to come by, the perching places for herons — there was life and death. And suddenly we saw the point. That is fantastic habitat. And we learned to love it as a thing of life and beauty. And that skeletal thing became something we thought of as beautiful. So I think it's about changing your aesthetic, and that is a very tricky thing to do. But we had, in the early days, a letter from a woman who was furious and wrote us a kind of 'yours sincerely' disgusted tirade saying 'what you've done to your farmland is an abomination. You've turned something beautiful into a riot of ragwort and thistles. It's hideous. It's depressing'. And about five years ago, she wrote us another letter saying 'I walk at Knepp every week and I have to apologise for that letter I wrote to you back in the day. I now realise that Knepp is beautiful. It's just beautiful in a different way'." On How Knepp Has Changed Perceptions — and Whether Past Naysayers Reassessing Their Thoughts Is Common "Totally, because I think we're so unused to seeing this landscape. When people walk through it, it looks more like the African bush or even the Australian outback. It's scrubby, it's messy, there's animal tracks through it, and people think 'my god, this is just like Africa'. No, it's not. It's like Britain used to be. We just haven't got it anymore. And so, you quite often take someone on safari and they go 'aaah'. Or you take them into our rewilded garden and they kind of brace themselves. And slowly, they begin to relax into it. It's something that I think you have to feel through the heart. You can't just read about it or learn about it in a school classroom — you have to be out there in it and feel that birdsong vibrating in your lungs, literally echoing in your in your guts. And the surprise of turning a corner and finding a beaver or some piglets, then you suddenly have that 'aha!' moment. So that's the power, I think, of having places like Knepp, is that people actually come here and that transformation in their heads begins from their hearts." On If This Response — the Attention, the Books That Tree Has Written About Knepp and Now the UK's Highest-Grossing Documentary of 2024 — Was Ever Expected "Absolutely no idea. We couldn't believe it. We did something because we were forced to do it financially, because the farm was essentially bankrupt. It was one-and-a-half million pounds in debt. We were getting ourselves out of a terrible financial situation. We were doing the wrong thing on our land. And turning it over to nature appealed to us because we felt we could do it — and it would be a wonderful experiment to do. Both Charlie and I love nature. We travelled the ends of the earth to find wildlife, ironically, and never wondered why we didn't have it in our own backyard. So doing something for nature felt incredibly positive. We had no idea that it would — we thought 'if we could increase biodiversity just a little, if we could get just a little wildlife back on our land that had been chemically soaked for decades and decades, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?'. We never thought that we could have nightingales, turtle doves, purple emperor butterfly, some of the most endangered, critically endangered species in Britain, breeding here at Knepp, and increasing every year. We never expected the abundance of life. It's interesting because it's shifted the shifting baseline in the opposite direction. Ecologists come here and they now are really ambitious, more ambitious, for the kind of life they should be having in their nature reserves — if they just got a bit wilder and perhaps used free-roaming animals, and used some of the ideas of rewilding in their own space. Because you simply can't believe you could fit any more life in here, and yet it still comes. So I think we've been amazed. We've been certainly amazed by the attention, which we're not naturally sort of extrovert, table-thumping bandstanders. And so that's been a surprise. But we do feel passionate about communicating this message of hope, because the joy that it's given us. And the thrill of seeing how it galvanises and excites other people, who then go off and do their own amazing thing — we just can't stop. So we've become those kind of people, I suppose." On Whether the Urge to Connect with Nature Post-Lockdown Gives Wilding and Tree's Experiences a Greater Sense of Timeliness Since — and If People Are Having a Stronger Response as a Result "I think absolutely, definitely. I would even say it was a little bit before COVID, funnily enough. I think my book came out in the UK, Wilding, in 2018. And I always felt that if I'd written it six years earlier — I was busy with another book that was taking me far, far, far much longer than I thought, and I was longing to get to this book about Knepp, but I had to wait to finish the other one. Luckily, because I waited an extra six years, not only did that mean that we even more results and even more proof — we've always been very careful about the science, so we had the proof here that we have this amazing biodiversity uplift. But it also, I think, chimed with stuff that was happening at the time. Greta Thunberg was suddenly bursting onto the scene. We had Extinction Rebellion in the UK. David Attenborough was finally coming out and saying 'this is a massive problem'. His films were getting more radical. We had the plastics problem suddenly hitting the headlines. Suddenly it felt like the zeitgeist, that people were feeling eco-anxiety properly for the first time and not trusting governments to change, to take that worry seriously. And so I think that's why the book did well. And then I think that the film was actually filmed during lockdown, and so I think those audiences were definitely feeling that need for nature in a totally different way. We know how being in nature, now we really appreciate — the first thing we did when lockdown was released was find a patch of nature anywhere. And not just a kind of billiard-table lawn in the middle of a city, we needed something heaving with life that was going to connect us to our living selves again. And so I think definitely that appreciation has helped. Our busy daily lives take over, of course, and we forget. But I think that the reminder is: when we can, ourselves, do something. And if we can remind people that your garden, your window box, could be wilder. We can all rewild. And that is the most-powerful way not only to help the planet even in a tiny way — you can feel part of this movement — but it is also very reassuring and comforting to oneself to be able to plant a particular plant and attract a butterfly. It's magic." On Whether Tree Had Any Specific Aims for Wilding as a Documentary "I think we were really in the hands of Dave Allen, the director, who's wonderful and a friend. And so we trusted him. I have no idea how to make a film and what the arc needs to be, but he was amazing how closely he followed the book. I was really impressed and grateful for that. All we did know — we had so many film companies approach us to make a film about Knepp, and none of them, to our minds, apart from Passion Pictures, took the nature transformation seriously. They wanted it to be about us or about I don't know what, but they weren't interested really in the science. And what I so love about the film is how you see under the soil with the mycorrhizal fungi, that universe. You see the huge migration of painted lady butterflies. And bringing that to life, I think, is so wonderful because I think visuals can show a story in much shorter — it's shorthand, really, for what I was writing. And it's very, very powerful, I think. And when you can actually see on the screen the transformation of our land from farmland to this heaving exuberance of life, that's, I think, where the power is in film. So I always hoped it could do that, but I was absolutely amazed by how brilliantly Dave and Passion Pictures were able to do it." On the Highlights That Stand Out From Tree's Knepp Journey Over the Past Quarter Century "I think always that the bird that I find most moving is the turtle dove, because when I was growing up in the 1960s, we had 250,000 turtle doves in Britain — and we've lost them largely because of intensive agriculture. And also dirty water, we have polluted water everywhere now, and they need clean water. So now we have just a few thousand left in the southeast of England, and they are predicted to go extinct in the next decade or so by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds. And so the fact that we have turtle doves here and you can still hear them — they are still increasing in numbers every year. We probably have about between 20 and 30 singing males every year. And on a lovely summer's evening, like tonight when I go out for a walk, if I'm lucky I will hear that gentle 'turr turr' that Shakespeare listened to and wrote about, that Chaucer wrote about. And it's a bittersweet sound, because it's such a melancholic sound and it's so soothing at the same time, and reassuring, and I don't know if we've done enough quick enough to turn around the fortunes of the turtle dove. Knepp might be the last place where you ever hear it in Britain. But, we have extended its stay and I'm forever grateful that my children have heard a turtle dove." Wilding released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Serving up some of Melbourne's best pan-Asian food for about a decade, Red Spice Road is an express tour of Asian cuisine by doing no more than booking a table and arriving hungry. Located in the centre of town on McKillop Street, the restaurant has a relaxed yet constantly buzzing vibe, featuring long, communal tables and a menu that is designed to be shared. In short, sharing is highly encouraged at Red Spice Road. Small plates pack a bite-sized punch, like the betel leaf with roasted snapper, jackfruit, lemongrass and dried coconut ($8) and the crispy prawns with dashi and lime ($19). Medium plates include a watermelon salad with fresh mint and red nam jim dressing ($16), kingfish with coriander, pickled garlic, chilli, shallots and crispy wonton ($32) and sambal chicken wings ($21). For large plates, expect a range of curries, stir-fries and noodle dishes. Open both at lunch and dinner, Red Spice also offers an express tasting menu ($36 per person) during the day for those in a hurry while at night choose from one of two banquets, priced at $79 or $99 per head. Plus, the restaurant is fully licensed, with beers, wines, cocktails and even sake all available.
We've made it to the last day of winter (time to burn your beanies and unpack your togs) and to celebrate Falls Festival has just gifted us with one helluva lineup. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 26th year is a pretty buzzworthy gang of musical mates headlined by American rapper Anderson .Paak. He'll be taking the stage with his band The Free Nationals, and performing hits off his Grammy Award-nominated album Malibu and maybe a tune or two off his highly anticipated third album, Oxnard Ventura. He's joined on the bill by big names like UK foursome Catfish and The Bottlemen, who'll be debuting some fresh new material at their only Aussie show; Australia's own Vance Joy; Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches, who'll also be here for NYD celebration Field Day; Interpol, fresh off the back of their new album release, Marauder; and Toto. Toto. Yes, the American rock band behind the masterpiece that is 'Africa' is heading to Falls. While you're feeling nostalgic, you'll also be able to hit up Hilltop Hoods — call dad. True to form, the Falls 2018 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include the dance-ready Flight Facilities, Melbourne's psychedelic King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Sydney producer Touch Sensitive, Gold Coast native Amy Shark and Heaps Gay DJs & Friends back for another year. This year, too, an impressive 48 percent of acts performing have female artists and, while it's not quite half — and there are still lots of other minority groups that are underrepresented — it's a start. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, the North Byron Parklands and the Fremantle Oval Precinct, WA. But here's what you're here for — the full lineup. FALLS FESTIVAL 2018 LINEUP Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Catfish and The Bottlemen (no sideshows) Vance Joy Chvrches Hilltop Hoods Toto Interpol 88Rising Feat. Rich Brian, Joji, Niki & August 08 (no sideshows) Flight Facilities Amy Shark DMA's Kind Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Golden Features First Aid Kit (no sideshows) Ocean Alley Hockey Dad Cashmere Cat (no sideshows) The Vaccines Cub Sport Ruel Jack River Bishop Briggs Mallrat Briggs Touch Sensitive Tkay Maidza Dermot Kennedy Tired Lion Hobo Johnson & The Lovemakers Soccer Mommy Banks Triple One Alice Skye Heaps Gay DJs & Friends + More to be announced FALLS FESTIVAL 2018 DATES Lorne, VIC — December 28–31 Marion Bay, TAS — December 29–31 Byron Bay, NSW — December 31–January 2 Fremantle, WA — January 5–6 Falls Festival 2018 will take place over New Years. Friends of Falls members pre-sale tickets are available from midday Friday, August 31, with General Sales kicking off next Thursday, September 6 at 9am. For more info and to buy tickets, visit fallsfestival.com.
Maybe the vinyl collectors had it right all along, maybe music does sound better in the physical form. Whether you agree with that or if you're curious to find out, there'll be a gathering of audiophiles, collectors and musicians at Solace Bar to celebrate all things vinyl across an all-day event. This Saturday, October 18, doors will swing open at 1pm for Hotplate, starting with a market of all things vinyl. Stalls from respected selectors, record stores and label heads will be selling thousands of records to eager collectors and listeners. You'll also be able to pick up some limited edition merch. Downstairs, DJs will be on rotation spinning classic funk, disco and house tracks throughout the fair, but at 5pm the vibe will switch gears for full on party mode. Expect a busy lineup of local and interstate heavyweights, label heads, collective founders, record store curators and touring artists all united by a connection to Australia's underground music and vinyl record scenes. There'll be equal opportunity for you to get your groove on once you've picked up your share of goodies. Come early, stay late, and enjoy everything that the good old fashioned style of listening does for your favourite tunes. Hotplate DJ Lineup: Reptant Emelyne Aroma Collette Dawn Again Gracey Hotplate DJs Makoyana Pool Sharks Hotplate Vinyl Fair will run from 1–5pm on Saturday, October 18, with the party from 5pm until late. For more information or to get tickets, visit the website.
We know, we know — saving for a house is a top priority. But, look, splashing out occasionally doesn't make you 'naughty', it makes you human. You only live once, after all. We think every couple should do something extra special from time to time, which may involve spending a little more cash than you usually would. Don't worry, we won't judge; you work hard for your money. To help you formulate your next escapade, we've curated some epic money-can-buy date experiences, while our mates at CommBank have the money tips to help you live money smart when dating or coupled up. So, now you can treat yourself and save for the house. Win, win. Celebrate more big (or little) life moments together. Learn to budget as a couple and save for those special dates with these helpful tips from CommBank. [caption id="attachment_656745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] SIP CHAMPAGNE ON THE WATER If Bridget Jones's Diary taught us anything, it's that romance can bloom on the water, rowing is very romantic and Hugh Grant looks good in a wet shirt. But, we digress. Pick a sunny spring day, head to Fairfield Boathouse, hire out a rowboat and punt yourselves around on a body of water. When you get tired of rowing, just float around in a leisurely manner — but don't forget a hat (or parasol) if it's a sunny day. To top things off, pop into your local bottle-o before you jump on the water and pick up a bottle of Champagne, you're well worth the price tag. The 'gentleman's' rowing boats are $37 for the first hour and $7 for each hour after and if you need some inspiration of what Champagne to get, a bottle of fine Ruinart will set you back $136–540. EAT, DRINK AND SPA AT THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA For your next big luxe date, why not get out of the buzzing Melbourne metropolis? The Mornington Peninsula is a haven for food and wine enthusiasts and the perfect place to escape for the weekend. First, take your date to Laura in Merrick's Pt Leo Estate. This intimate fine diner boasts tasty set menus (from $120 a head without drinks) and an expansive open kitchen that's sure to impress. Then, walk off the multiple courses with a stroll around Pt Leo Estate's 50-piece sculpture garden — keep an eye out for the sculpture by famed Spanish artist Jaume Plensa that Laura is named after. Of course, no trip to the Mornington region is complete without hitting up Peninsula Hot Springs. After a big reno, it's ready and raring to pamper your indulging bodies. The private bathing package costs $120 per person and spa packages start at $150 per person. [caption id="attachment_618664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Craft and Co.[/caption] LEARN A NEW SKILL TOGETHER This one may take a little more time but it'll be worth it, you'll get the chance to spend some quality time with your partner and acquire a new skill. Self-improvement is a go. Pick something which you'll get pleasure — and tasty treats — out of, like learning how to brew beer (from $275 at The Public Brewery), make cheese ($95 at The Craft and Co.), butcher your own meat (from $310 with Cannings Free Range Butchers) or even DIY kombucha ($120 for two people with The Mighty Booch at Work-Shop) if you're really wanting to treat your insides. Work-Shop also has a variety of interesting courses that aren't food or drink related but are still hands-on; give the schedule a look, pick something that won't end in a couples spat and Bob's your uncle. SPEND THE NIGHT IN A FANCY TRAILER Correct, NOTEL is "not a hotel" and it demonstrates this by taking the form of six silver Airstream trailers sitting nice and shiny above Flinders Lane. Half boutique hotel, half trailer park, NOTEL will certainly offer the opportunity to spice things up in your relationship. There's nothing like 'exploring' a new place with your partner. The trailers are situated on top of a carpark roof, are genuine American Airstreams straight from the 70s and come fully equipped with bathroom facilities and all the usual mod cons. Make one of them your digs for a weekend (from $395 a night) and treat yourselves by eating your way up and down the food mecca that is Flinders Lane. The trailers might make it feel like you're in the desert somewhere in Arizona but, my, you sure won't be going hungry. HIRE OUT AN ENTIRE CINEMA If your date is a bona fide cinephile — the type that saw Call Me By Your Name five times in the cinema and cried every time — surprise them by renting out a whole movie theatre. Not only is it a grand romantic gesture but it will allow them to watch the entire movie in peace, something which all movie buffs love. Forget about annoying chats and rustling candy wrappers, it's just you two and the silver screen. Try hitting up your local arthouse cinema, like Cinema Nova, first, since some have 20 seats or less, for a more intimate setting. Once you've got the location sorted, grab your partner and all the obligatory snacks, then get ready for a night at the movies that you'll never forget. Private screenings start at $430.50 and private hire at $800 at Cinema Nova. If a splashy date just isn't on the cards, not to worry. Enter our comp and let us pick up the bill instead.
The most hyped summer event of 2014/15 is returning once more for you to relive the summers of years past — those when it was stinking hot and the sprinkler never shut off. The world's largest street slide, all 400 metres of it, will be making its way to this city once more, setting up on Lansdowne Street for two summer days only: one in December, and one in February. Each ticket gets you two hours of sliding — which is just as well, because you're going to need a Calippo break at some point. While there's certainly a lot of fun to be had, there are a couple of rules to follow. So before you purchase tickets, it can't hurt to double check with the requirements on the website first. Cloakrooms and change rooms are available once you get there, so you don't have to ride a tram into the city in your bathers. Or you can if you want. We won't stop you.
If you happen to have an outfit in your wardrobe that's the same shade favoured by Squid Game's guards, here's a piece of advice: it'd be best not to wear it to St Kilda Beach on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. A huge 200 people will already be there in that exact attire, with Netflix sending a continent of pink guards to the sandy patch of Melbourne to remind everyone that the hit series' second season is on the way — and soon — in an eerie fashion. When season one proved a massive success, the creepy Red Light, Green Light doll from the show towered over Sydney Harbour. Ahead of Squid Game's second season, the Victorian capital is getting in on the action. If your morning routine involves hitting the beach in Melbourne, you'll clearly have plenty of company — not just from the guards, but from others keen for a glimpse at the pop-up. And if you're located elsewhere in Australia, expect to see photos all over social media. Netflix is promising "a true Aussie takeover", all to celebrate Squid Game season two sliding into your streaming queue on Boxing Day. It might be wise to avoid wearing green tracksuits to St Kilda at the same time that the stunt is taking place, too, to avoid earning the pink guards' attention. Up at Sydney's Luna Park, you'll have another chance to get some IRL Squid Game action — without any murder, of course — when an immersive experience hits the tourist attraction to get you playing Red Light, Green Light from Monday, December 16, 2024. Three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix sensation — for viewers and, in the show itself when new episodes drop, for Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) as well. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns, although only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and it finished off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. As the show's protagonist dons his green threads once more for the new season, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. Check out the full trailer for Squid Game season below: Squid Game's pink guards are taking over St Kilda Beach in Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Keep an eye on Netflix's social media for more details. 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. Images: No Ju-han/Netflix.
While Melbourne prepares to cop apocalyptic temperatures of up to 44 degrees today, most of you will have already plotted your day around blasting air-con or — if you're already on holidays — nice cool bodies of water. With parts of the state tipped to smash their maximum temperature records for December, and an expected low of just 19 degrees overnight, it's safe to say this is no day to be stuck outside. But for folks sleeping rough, cool-down options are few and far between. So, the City of Melbourne has announced it will again lend a helping hand to local homeless on this scorcher of a day — and others to come — by offering some sweet relief in the form of free movie tickets and complimentary pool visits. Lord Mayor Sally Capp explained the offer — which has run in previous years — is part of a long-term heat relief program for Melbourne's homeless, run across the hottest days of summer. "We know that it can be very hard to beat the heat for people who are experiencing homelessness," she said. "We offer free passes for our city pools or movie tickets to ensure people have somewhere to go to cool down when it is extremely hot outside." Extreme heat is forecast across #Victoria tomorrow, with many locations likely to break December max temp records. Much of the northwest including #Mildura and #Horsham are forecast to reach 47°C while 44°C is forecast for #Melbourne and #Warrnambool https://t.co/EgDcP4McRz pic.twitter.com/Z2g1XZ94kz — Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 19, 2019 During heatwave conditions, people experiencing homelessness will have access to free movie tickets (and the sweet cinema air-con that goes with it), with passes distributed by the city's homelessness service providers up until April 30, 2020. Free swim and locker passes are also being handed out, to be used at any of the City of Melbourne's four aquatic facilities: Melbourne City Baths, Carlton Baths, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Kensington Community Recreation Centre. In anticipation of today's brutal conditions, The Salvation Army's Lighthouse Café on Bourke Street — which is usually closed in the afternoon — will also remain open for 24 hours, providing another cool place for disadvantaged locals to escape the heat. The free services will be available for those who need them during heatwaves — which the State Government defines as "a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could negatively affect human health" — until the end of April next year. Temperatures aren't going to cool down until early tomorrow morning — and you'll be relieved to know that tomorrow will only reach a top of 20 degrees. Until then, stay cool and hydrated and follow the City of Melbourne's heatwave tips.
