Australia has more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline and 11,761 beaches, according to those who've somehow managed to count them all. And there's no better way to get to know them than an adventure with your mates and a night within the thin walls of a tent. With the waves just a stumble away and surrounded by kangaroos, wombats and echidnas, beach camping is a great way to immerse yourselves in all the best Australia has to offer, the kind of serenity that's best enjoyed together. To get you started, we teamed up with Jim Beam to find the spots where we reckon you'll get some of the nation's optimum beach camping conditions. Recommended reads: The Best Beach Camping Spots in Victoria The Best Beach Camping Spots in Queensland The Best Beach Camping Spots in NSW The Best Glamping Sites in Australia [caption id="attachment_807772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Noah Beach, Daintree National Park, Queensland Sir David Attenborough called the Daintree Rainforest "the most extraordinary place on earth" and Noah Beach sits right among it. Found about 80 kilometres north of Port Douglas, there are few places in the world where you can camp between a reef and a World Heritage-listed rainforest. Here in the Daintree, you'll find never-ending treetop canopies and animals found nowhere else in the world. The campground is just 50 metres from the beach, and facilities are basic, limited to tap water and composting toilets. With no mobile coverage, it's the perfect place to disconnect from the world. Advance bookings are essential for this beach campsite. [caption id="attachment_807796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Discover Jervis Bay[/caption] Jervis Bay, Booderee National Park, NSW Residents of Lucky Bay, WA, might tell you that their sand is the whitest in Australia (if not the world), but Jervis Bay's locals will argue otherwise. Found 200 kilometres south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins and 20 kilometres of unspoilt shoreline, protected for the most part by Booderee National Park. There are three beachside campsites to choose from — and for still water, go for Green Patch; if you're taking your surfboard, opt for Caves Beach. Bookings, available online, are essential. And for things to do and places to eat (and, most importantly, drink), check out our weekender's guide to Jervis Bay. [caption id="attachment_807799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia Forty minutes southeast of Esperance, in Le Grand National Park, sits five kilometres of sparkling shoreline known as Lucky Bay. And, with tent in hand, you can sleep just metres from its pristine, white sand. When you're done with sunbathing alongside kangaroos, conquer the 15-kilometre coastal track, which takes you to Rossiter Bay via Hellfire Bay — or the three-kilometre Frenchman Peak trail, which gives you epic panoramas. The campsite has 56 spots, as well as a camp kitchen, toilets and hot showers, but make sure to pack your own fresh water. Bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_807803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson[/caption] Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria Wilsons Promontory National Park covers more than 50,000 hectares of rugged mountains, empty beaches and rainforest at the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. One of the best campsites here is Tidal River, which puts you on the edge of both Norman Beach and the river, among wallabies, echidnas and wombats. The massive campground has nearly 500 campsites, toilets, hot showers and an open air cinema, which has been showing flicks since the 1960s. Campsites are divvied up via a ballot in the summertime, with advance bookings essential at all other times. [caption id="attachment_714492" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn/Visit Victoria[/caption] Johanna Beach, Great Otway National Park, Victoria This is a popular one for hikers along the Great Ocean Walk, a 100-kilometre journey from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. The site is nestled among sand dunes, behind spectacular Johanna Beach. Spend your days surfing, strolling and relaxing on the sand, and use your tent as a launching pad for day trips into Great Otway National Park. Its 103,000 hectares are home to lots of walks, koalas, pretty bays and spots for whale watching. Johanna Beach campsite has room for 25 tents and dogs on leads are permitted. [caption id="attachment_807805" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brad Griffin Photography[/caption] Memory Cove, Lincoln National Park, South Australia You'll find this precious piece of wilderness about 50 kilometres southwest of Port Lincoln (across the Spencer and St Vincent Gulfs from Adelaide). The campsite looks directly over the white sand and turquoise water of Memory Cove, from the shade of coastal mallees, and is limited to 15 cars per day to maintain the wilderness. When you're not lazing about, go adventuring in Lincoln National Park, where you'll experience some of South Australia's most beautiful coastline. There's a bunch of lovely walks, from the 2.7-kilometre Stamford Hill hike, which gives you excellent views, to the 12-hour Investigator Trail, which takes in many bays and beaches on its way to Cape Donington. Bookings at Memory Cove campsite are crucial — you can't get in without a key. [caption id="attachment_807807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and Peter Bellingham[/caption] Richardsons Beach, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania Freycinet National Park, which covers a peninsula on Tassie's East Coast, is famous for its striking, pink granite and numerous tranquil beaches, including Instagram star Wineglass Bay. The campground stretches along a stunning coastal strip, behind Richardsons Beach and overlooking Honeymoon Bay. If you're heading during the summer season, a ballot is drawn in mid-August in order to nab on of the 52 spots, or else you can book through the visitor centre. If you find yourself feeling social or thirsty, there's a brewery and shops just up the road. Alternatively, if you want to experience this part of Tasmania in pure luxury — taking a break from the tent — then check out Saffire Freycinet. [caption id="attachment_807810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Crayfish Beach, Hook Island, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland If your idea of idyllic beach camping doesn't involve crowds, then pitch at Crayfish Beach, on Hook Island's eastern shore. The pocket-sized campground has space for only 12 people, the only way you can get there is by boat, and there's no mobile coverage. So, there'll be no way of telling the world you're surrounded by forest-covered mountains and snorkelling among some of The Whitsundays' best-looking underwater communities. Facilities are limited to composting toilets. Be prepared to carry in everything with you, including drinking water. [caption id="attachment_807811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Bonde[/caption] Cloudy Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania Bruny Island is just a 40-minute drive and 15-minute ferry ride from Hobart, yet it feels like it's a million miles away. There are loads of camping spots (including many free ones) all over the island, but one of the loveliest is Cloudy Corner, in the eastern corner of Cloudy Bay in South Bruny National Park. Getting there involves a three-kilometre drive along the beach at low tide. No bookings are taken, with campsites being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to bring cash with you, too, as payment is taken via self-registration deposit boxes. While you're on the island, find the best whisky, oysters and outdoor activities via our 48 Hours on Bruny Island guide. [caption id="attachment_874853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sal Salis in Western Australia - the best glamping in Australia.[/caption] Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park, Western Australia There are a few road trip-worthy campsites scattered around Cape Range National Park for those looking for access to Australia's lesser-known yet nonetheless extraordinary reef, Ningaloo. The UNESCO Heritage-listed wonder hugs the Western Australian coast 1200 kilometres north of Perth and contains hundreds of fish and coral species. Ned's Camp is tucked away behind dunes, right next to a calm, white-sanded beach, which is lovely for swimming, snorkelling and paddling — and is an affordable spot with just ten non-powered campsites. If you're looking to take your holiday up a notch, you could also head to Sal Salis' eco-luxe cabins. Just 15 minutes down the road from Ned's, they're not cheap, but they're located just by the reef and come with meals and drinks, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling gear. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top image: Lucky Bay, Tourism Western Australia
If there's one region that put the Australian wine industry on the world wine map, it's the Barossa. Its signature style of bold, juicy, and age-worthy red wines has stunned wine critics, experts and novices worldwide. You can't get shiraz like a Barossa shiraz anywhere else. One wine brand that is spruiking its prestige in the region is Krondorf Wines. We chatted with Krondorf's head winemaker and Barossan native, Nick Badrice, about the brand and what makes the Barossa region so special. Tell us a little about yourself and your time at Krondorf Wines. I grew up in the Barossa Valley, so it was natural that I was immersed in the wine industry from a young age. This [current] vintage will see me having completed 35 vintages. I have made wines from many of Australia's premium wine-growing regions including Tasmania, Yarra Valley, Eden Valley and the Barossa Valley. But I also spent several vintages working overseas in Spain making wines from the region's extremely old grenache and tempranillo bush vines. I drive my knowledge and experience from this time to fuel my passion for producing super premium wines under the Krondorf label, using fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's oldest vines. As a native Barossan, do you think wine runs in your veins or is it less nature and more a case of nurture that led you to join the industry? My father and grandfather both worked in the wine industry which led me to do a vintage. My aim was to earn some money to be able to travel overseas, but this didn't go as planned. I ended up loving it — and here we are now. What, in your opinion, sets the Australian wine industry apart from the old-world wine regions of Europe and the new-world wine regions of the Americas and South Africa? The Australian wine industry is always pushing the boundaries to try new things and advance ourselves. Whether it's technology, winemaking techniques, advancements in equipment, or viticulture [grape-growing], we are continually striving to be at the forefront of the industry. The history of the Barossa Valley extends back almost two hundred years and includes the oldest vines in the world — do you think it was always destined to be a wine country, or was it purely chance that led those settlers there? The Silesians [people of Central Europe] who first settled the Barossa in the 1840s practised diversified farming. This includes farming livestock, growing crops, maintaining fruit orchids and small vine gardens. After the first few years, they discovered the grape vines doing particularly well on the fertile soils of the Barossa, which led to further plantings. So, what was once a 'cottage industry' is now recognised as a region that produces some of the most sought-after wines in the world. What makes the region such a perfect spot for this red variety? The Barossa has a warm climate that experiences cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. This combination of dry, sunny days broken by short spells of rainfall creates an uninterrupted ripening period, which allows the grapes to achieve optimum ripeness. It's ideal conditions for full-bodied red wines with exceptional depth, flavour and richness, such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and grenache. What time of the year does the region really shine? As a winemaker, harvest time is always the most exciting — the anticipation of the new vintage and the opportunity to create new wines is super exhilarating. The Barossa comes alive during this time. The community also comes together for the bi-annual Vintage Festival, which is a major drawcard for tourists coming to the area during the harvest season. If a complete wine rookie were to ask you 'why should I choose to buy Krondorf?' what would you tell them? Krondorf's winemaking approach is one of minimalism. We use traditional techniques to create wines that showcase the terroir of the wine — the characteristics of the soil type and microclimate of the sites on which the grapes are grown. The range includes super-expressive wines, some of which are made from the oldest vineyards in the region. The Krondorf Kings Mantle Shiraz is the icon shiraz in our range — it's the epitome of Barossa shiraz. What's your recommended care plan to get the best glass out of a bottle of Krondorf shiraz? Do you recommend cellaring or are your wines drinkable now? The Krondorf range includes wines that are delicate, highly fragrant and medium-bodied and made to be drinkable now, and those that are made to be cellared. These wines are typically full-bodied and have amazing richness, concentration, depth of flavour and structure, which will only get better with time. I would recommend carefully cellaring these wines which means storing them somewhere that sits between 12-14 degrees Celsius, with no light and has minimal changes in temperature. A seldom-used wardrobe or cupboard is better than the top of your fridge. Krondorf recently opened a cellar door; what experiences does that offer visitors? The cellar door is located in the township of Tanunda and delivers a high-end, relaxed atmosphere without the stuffiness that can sometimes come along at certain wine tastings. At the cellar door we share a range of sub-regional wines from individual vineyard sites at our masterclass tastings, where the wines are matched with local, regional produce. We immerse our guests in the history of Krondorf and the lives of the early Silesian settlers to the Barossa. What are some local spots in the region for first-time visitors to check out? The Barossa is steeped in history and has so many amazing historical destinations for visitors to experience. My personal recommendation is to visit the historic village of Seppeltsfield, it has an excellent spectacle of palm trees that line the roads and is a must-see. The historic Seppeltsfield winery offers wine tastings, a restaurant and specialty shops, plus it's surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Obviously, the other place I'd recommend for visitors to relax and enjoy a drink is the Krondorf Wines cellar door. Be honest: when you go out for dinner, do you order wine, or do you like to keep your work life out of your personal time? Whenever I'm out to dinner, I always like to check the wine list out of curiosity to see what's on offer. There's often a wine I'd like to drink. As a winemaker, there is always something new to experience, whether it be Australian or international. How do you go about pairing wines? Are you a classic red wine and steak person, or do you have any unusual pairings up your sleeve that always work? To be honest, I don't have any rules here. It's all about experimenting and discovering what does or doesn't work for you. My personal favourite is Barossa grenache matched with fried pig's ears and spicy Sichuan sauce. What's exciting you about the wine industry right now? At Krondorf, we are always looking for better ways to combat climate change and lessen our carbon footprint, it's an important part of our brand's future. We're in the process of transitioning several of our vineyards to organic farming and certification. Our customers are searching for high-quality organic and biodynamic wines, and we want to meet that demand. Plus, increasing sustainable agricultural practices is key to the future of the Australian wine industry. Discover Krondorf Wines and its story at its cellar door in the township of Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa. Book a tasting on the website.
Some people love last-minute New Year's Eve plans, going wherever the mood takes them. Others can't start planning early enough. If you fall into the latter category, here's something for your calendar: the return of end-of-year staple Lost Paradise, which turns a slice of Glenworth Valley on the New South Wales Central Coast an hour out of Sydney into one helluva shindig. There's no lineup as yet, but you can mark Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in your diary now. This multi-day fest includes live music and DJ sets spanning both international and Australian talents, and regularly sells out — 2023's fest did. [caption id="attachment_965685" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Jordan K Munns[/caption] Tunes are just one part of the Lost Paradise experience. Art, culture, wellness, and food and drink also get a look in, with the 2024 event set to include a lineup of yoga and healing arts, and also workshops covering fashion, sustainability and more. So, you can not only farewell one year and see in the next with a party, but by relaxing, feasting and learning something. Last year's lineup will give you an idea of the usual mix of musicians, with 2023 ending with help from headliners Flume, Dom Dolla and Foals, alongside Basement Jaxx, Bicep and Carl Cox on the decks. Other notable names included local festival favourites like Lime Cordiale, PNAU, Winston Surfshirt, Royel Otis and Sycco; pop heavyweight Holly Humberstone; 'Afraid to Feel' hitmakers LF System; and international dance mainstays Kettama, Barry Can't Swim, Ewan McVicar and Yung Singh. [caption id="attachment_965687" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become a go-to way to wrap up one year and embrace the next — including if you're keen to camp for its duration. Just as in 2023, this year's Lost Paradise is also opting to steer away from a traditional first-, second- and third-release ticket strategy. Instead, ticket prices gently increase in accordance with demand, while maintaining fair market pricing. [caption id="attachment_965686" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Amar Gera[/caption] [caption id="attachment_965688" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley, New South Wales from Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025. To sign up for presale tickets, head to the festival's website — with general tickets set to go on sale in August. We'll update you when the lineup is announced. Images: Jess Bowen, Jordan K Munns, Byravyna and Amar Gera.
May to September is the dry season in Darwin, which signals plenty of clear blue skies and balmy nights. And it means winter is a popular time of year to experience the city's vibrant nightlife and culture, without worrying about monsoonal storms and humidity. Whether you're planning a short stay or a long sojourn, there are plenty of delicious dining options, outdoor activities and historical sites to explore. Here are the best spots for eating, drinking, playing and resting your head during your next trip to Darwin. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are some restrictions on where you can go on a holiday. But, you can start dreaming. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_769785" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parap Markets via Tourism Australia[/caption] EAT For coffee that's so good it'll trick you into thinking you've been transported to Melbourne, take a short walk from Darwin's Smith Street Mall to Rabbithole where you will be treated to exceptionally made Campos coffee. Further along, amid the art- and graffiti-covered walls of Austin Lane, PM Eat & Drink serves up fresh seafood share plates, featuring Fremantle octopus and fried Northern Territory coral prawns. If you're after something a little different, CHOW!'s steaming bowls of meaty pho and refreshing, fruity KAPOW! drinks never disappoint. Meanwhile, chef Jimmy Shu will take you on a culinary journey through Southeast Asia at Hanuman, where you can feast on pork rolls, rich garlic dahl and sweet lychee-laced curries. And for an evening showstopper, park yourself at Pee Wee's for a luxe dinner of freshly caught seafood and picturesque waterfront views. Of course, no visit to Darwin would be complete without a stopover at one of the town's famous food markets — so make time to visit at least one of them. You can enjoy unbelievably creamy laksa from Mary's at the Parap Markets and the best banana fritters you'll taste outside of Bangkok at the Rapid Creek Markets. Try different (but delicious) meats like crocodile and kangaroo from the Roadkill Cafe at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets or crepes topped with homemade caramel sauce from Ken's Crepes at the Nightcliff Markets. [caption id="attachment_719163" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lola's Pergola[/caption] DRINK In recent years, Darwin's bar scene has stepped up its game. One of the (relatively) new kids on the block that has really made a splash is The Trader Bar. Serving up espressos by day and cocktails by night, it's your one-stop-shop for a tipple. Six Tanks Brewing Co is another fresh-faced newcomer, slinging stellar handcrafted brews — and currently offering takeout, too. Don't miss the tasty chicken parmigiana. If microbreweries aren't your style, get a little fancy and enjoy some impressive waterfront views at the Darwin Sailing Club or slurp some oysters at wharfside Oyster Bar — try the hot and spicy oyster shots for something a little more colourful. Thrillseekers will also get a kick out of the quirky, circus-themed Lola's Pergola, where you can sip on dark beers like Little Creatures' Hotchkiss Six while surrounded by colourful carousel ponies and giant eyeballs. It's a hoot. [caption id="attachment_769742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] DO Darwin is the perfect place to admire some of the Top End's amazing art galleries. The first stop on your list should be the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). It's home to a stuffed crocodile called Sweetheart, an infamous sound booth that lets you experience the deafening power of Cyclone Tracy, a rotating roster of incredible Indigenous artworks and one of the best collections of natural history specimens in the world. It's definitely a unique cultural institution not to be missed. While you're at it, visit the Aboriginal Bush Traders retail gallery to see a phenomenal collection focusing on the craftsmanship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jewellers. Afterwards, head to the cafe at Lyons Cottage to chow down on modern versions of Australian bush tucker, like saltbush dukkah paired with the ever-popular smashed avo on toast or damper topped with Kakadu plum jam. After you've sent your taste buds into a tailspin, enjoy some downtime at the East Point Reserve. With 200 hectares of green space, there's plenty of room for activities — you can even go kayaking on Lake Alexander. [caption id="attachment_718128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mindil Beach Resort[/caption] STAY Darwin isn't bursting with a bunch of boutique hotel options, but luxury seekers will find the ideal combination of comfort and style at the sprawling Mindil Beach Casino & Resort (currently closed, but due to reopen later in 2020). Set on Mindil Beach, amid 30 acres of tropical gardens, the lagoon-style pool, swim-up bar and private beach will quickly have you trying to figure out how you can make the hotel your permanent home. Keeping with the waterfront location, Mantra on the Esplanade is known for its fantastic sunset views of the harbour and the beautiful Bicentennial Park. And for those on a budget, the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront will keep you close to the action without breaking the bank. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Mindil Beach Sunset Markets courtesy Tourism Australia.
Visiting a zoo, checking out all creatures great and small, then going home to slumber in your own bed: that's one way to get an animal fix. But menageries around the country have started offering more than just a day trip — with Taronga Zoo home to a wildlife retreat, as well as its own glamping experience; Melbourne Zoo letting folks stay overnight in its elephant exhibit; and Queensland's Australia Zoo now launching its own cabins. If this news sounds familiar, that's because the move was first announced back in 2019, with an opening date of 2020 originally planned. Obviously, we all know what's been holding life in general up over the past few years. So if you're keen for a sleepover among the animals at the Irwin family's Beerwah zoo, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is now up and running. Guests can choose from eight rustic cabins, complete with roomy decks that peer out over the site's bushland surroundings — and at the wildlife within it. Indeed, the zoo is calling the whole Crocodile Hunter Lodge setup a "multi-species habitat". As well as the cabins' various human visitors, red kangaroos, emus, echidnas and koalas that were affected by the 2019–2020 summer bushfire season also call the venue home. Fancy keeping an eye out for animals while taking a dip? The Billabong, the Crocodile Hunter Lodge's 25-metre infinity pool, also looks out over the native wildlife. Unlimited Australia Zoo entry — where more than 1200 animals await — and a peek inside the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital comes with every stay as well, for every guest. Back in the cabins, which are made out of timbers recycled from the zoo's famous crocodile viewing grandstands — which Steve Irwin built himself — you'll find a queen bed and two singles; a kitchen equipped with a fridge, microwave, cooktop and dishwasher; and a lounge with a TV. There's a dining space on the verandah as well and, to munch on while taking in the breeze, each booking comes with a breakfast pack, too. And, you'll also score a welcome gift. A stay doesn't come cheap, though, with prices starting at around $949 for an overnight visit for two adults. If you're keen on a restaurant feed, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge opened alongside the zoo's new Warrior Restaurant & Bar — and it's welcoming in lodge guests and general punters for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and also for group bookings in its private dining room. The focus inside its charred timber-clad walls: Aussie cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and paying homage to Indigenous Australians and the plants that have long been part of First Nations diets. Breakfast options include haloumi and corn fritters with poached eggs, corn and tomato salsa, avocado, fresh herbs and tahini yoghurt — plus cranberry and pecan granola, with Maleny cane sugar yoghurt, bee pollen and berry compote. The lunch lineup features duck liver parfait with kumquat chilli marmalade and toasted brioche; salmon rillettes with toasted sourdough, capers, cucumber and, pickled shallots; and a selection of sandwiches. And, for dinner, there's pan-fried snapper, blue pumpkin and rosemary risotto with wattleseed crumb, and river mint-crusted Tasmanian lamb loin — among other dishes. At the bar, a small snacks offering helps line the stomach — think plates with cheese, ham and quandong chutney — while the wine menu spans three pages. Opening The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Terri Irwin said that "Steve always had a dream that one day, people would not just visit Australia Zoo, but stay overnight, and have the immersive experience of listening to and being around wildlife after dark." She continued: "it was so important for us to make his dream come true through the opening of The Crocodile Hunter Lodge. This stunning luxury accommodation is surrounded by our conservation work, providing a home to endemic wildlife species while further continuing Steve's important legacy." Sustainability and conservation is a big focus of Australia Zoo's new addition, with the grounds featuring more than 3000 native trees and shrubs, including greenery that provides food for species such as the endangered glossy black cockatoo. "By building this luxury accommodation with lush bushland around for our animals, we are achieving Dad's vision of a world where humans and wildlife can peacefully coexist, making this planet a better and more harmonious place for future generations," said Robert Irwin. Find The Crocodile Hunter Lodge and Warrior Restaurant & Bar at 88 Irwin Road, Beerwah, Queensland. For further information, visit the venue's website.
If you thought yesterday was literally The Coldest Day Ever, it turns out you weren't being too dramatic. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne yesterday shivered through its coldest June day since 1983 (and coldest overall in almost two years), maxing out at 9.6 degrees around 3.30pm. Most parts of the state were 3–7 degrees below average for this time of the year, with the highest recorded temperature a frosty 14 degrees in Gippsland. Mt Hotham dipped as low as -6 degrees. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1142583652041273344 The city also copped some pretty fierce fog, which hung around well into the day in some northeastern suburbs, the Yarra Valley and parts of Port Phillip Bay. The fog extended into the morning but has since cleared up. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1142684173360082949 That said, today's temperatures are looking a little cosier than the weekend's, with a maximum 15 degrees forecast for Melbourne today and the haze and fog clearing to a healthy serve of sunshine this afternoon. The rest of the week is also looking up, with peaks of 15 and 16 degrees, before Friday and Saturday each reach a sunny top of 17. Classic Melbourne.
Bali is a no-brainer for Aussie travellers. It's close, beautiful, and it's packed with the kind of beaches, spas and resorts that make you want to quit your job and move there permanently (kidding…sort of). If you're going to do Bali, you have to do it right – which means finding the best accommodation. Luckily, you've got some incredible options. And now, thanks to Visa, you can book your dream stay with 10% off through our dedicated platform, Concrete Playground Trips. Whether you're chasing waves and smoothie bowls in Canggu, planning a honeymoon getaway in Uluwatu or heading to Ubud for something a little more off-radar, these eight hotels will have you booking that flight ASAP. Simply book using your Visa card to score the discount, then start packing.
Huge music tours are back on Australia's agenda — and they aren't just confined to chart-topping stars, iconic names and huge festivals. In the classical world, the London Symphony Orchestra is also coming our way to play a series of shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. And, the 2023 tour will mark only its fourth-ever trip Down Under. Famous for everything from being the official orchestra of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies through to recording the Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, Thor and The Shape of Water film soundtracks, the LSO held its first-ever gig in 1904. That means it's been picking up its instruments for almost 120 years — and in that time, it has only visited Australia on three occasions before now. The April and May shows at QPAC in the Sunshine State, the Sydney Opera House in the Harbour City and Arts Centre Melbourne in Victoria will also see the orchestra make the journey Down Under for the first time since 2014. If it's drama you're after, get ready to watch music director Sir Simon Rattle's baton fly as he conducts the orchestra during his final season with the organisation. The LSO is bringing 114 musicians our way for the tour, including two Australians: Naoko Keatley and Belinda McFarlane, both on violin. And, it's the largest orchestra it has ever toured to our shores. The orchestra will play three different programs — two each in Brisbane and Melbourne, and a third in Sydney as well. All cities will be treated to a night featuring John Adams' 'Harmonielehre', Claude Debussy's 'La Mer' and Maurice Ravel' 'Daphnis and Chloé Suite No.2', plus an entire evening dedicated to Gustav Mahler's 'Symphony No.7'. As for that extra Sydney gig, it'll feature Daniel Kidane's 'Sun Poem' and Anton Bruckner's 'Symphony No.7'. Before its 2014 tour, the LSO first came to Australia in 1966 and then again in 1983. LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR Friday, April 28–Saturday, April 29 —Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Monday, May 1–Wednesday, May 3 — Sydney Opera House Friday, May 5–Saturday, May 6 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne The London Symphony Orchestra will tour Australia in April and May 2023. For further information and to buy tickets — with on-sale dates varying per city — head to the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and websites. Images: Mark Allen.
Time to bust out your overalls and dust off the shopping cart. A popular monthly market has returned to Canberra and is going to have you picking up way more than the usuals — a jar of local honey and a handmade soy candle, that is. Love Local Markets will take place on the last Sunday of every month between 9am–2pm at The Plot at Pialligo Estate. Here, you'll find a range of vendors offering local produce and products, including fresh food, drinks and lifestyle goods. While you're there, make sure you check out everything the estate and its neighbours have on offer, including the Pialligo Market Grocer, the Farm Shop Cafe, Wren & Rabbit Interiors, Pink Flamingo Interiors and Bisonhome. Plus, being conveniently positioned near the inner south and Fyshwick precincts, the location makes it a great way to start your day before taking on other activities in the Canberra region. Make sure you grab the loose change hanging around the house or swing by an ATM on the way as the stalls are cash only and there aren't any EFTPOS facilities. Love Local Markets will take place from 9am–2pm on the last Sunday of each month (excluding December) at The Plot at Pialligo Estate. For more information, visit the website here.
What will inspire you to spend your Sunday nights busting out your music trivia knowledge, and also playing along with one of the most-beloved Australian TV shows there is? The return of Spicks and Specks for 2024. Back in 2023, the ABC announced that it was bringing the series back for a new season after it took the past year off — and you can now mark Sunday, June 9 in your diary for the big comeback. Among everything that the ABC has ever broadcast — news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks all included — the Adam Hills-, Myf Warhurst- and Alan Brough-led Spicks and Specks is up there among the favourites. If you're keen to watch a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about tunes again, this season's guests from the music side of things include Anthony Callea, Marlon Williams, Elly-May Barnes, Nooky, Montaigne and Dan Sultan, as well as Mark Seymour, Oli from Lime Cordiale. Among the comedians, Hamish Blake, Tommy Little, Steph Tisdell, Abbie Chatfield, Shane Jacobson and Jenny Tian will feature. Plus, Adrian Eagle, Gut Health and Lime Cordiale will perform. Here's how it works, if you've forgotten: the show's contestants answer questions, compete for points and just generally be funny, too. That's the concept behind the series, which takes more than a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and it keeps being resurrected. As fans already know, Spicks and Specks has enjoyed more comebacks than John Farnham, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Hills, Warhurst and Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten new episodes hit. The new season will air at 7.30pm on Sunday evenings via ABC and ABC iView — and new segments will also be part of the fun. T0 tide you over until June, here's a classic clip from past Spicks and Specks runs: Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV and via ABC iView from 7.30pm on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
UPDATE, 3 JUNE 2021: Heathcote on Show has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. For more information, head to the Heathcote on Show Facebook page. We Melburnians are truly spoiled to have a world-class wine region like Heathcote practically on our doorstep. About a 1.5 hour's drive north of the city, the region is brimming with award-winning chefs, brewers, artists and (most importantly) winemakers. The region is probably best known for shiraz, but it also boasts other excellent red varieties such as sangiovese, tempranillo, petit verdot and cabernet sauvignon, as well as white wine grapes like riesling and viognier. Grapes here are grown mainly in calcium-rich Cambrian soil, and prized for its water retention that leads to rich, concentrated wines. During this Queen's Birthday Long Weekend (Saturday, June 12 to Monday, June 14), the region is coming together for Heathcote on Show. This annual, three-day event will see more than 30 locations throughout the region offering wine tastings, food pairings, live music and masterclasses. There will also be a shuttle bus to take you between venues, so you can get around without having to think too much about it. Here are nine mustn't-miss spots to put on your radar this long weekend. [caption id="attachment_813175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Allie Claire[/caption] RED EDGE Home to the oldest living vines in Heathcote, Red Edge is one of the Heathcote region's most impressive wineries. What started as a two-hectare block of shiraz and cabernet planted in 1971, the vineyard now boasts 14 hectares and grows other classic European varieties, including mourvedre, tempranillo and touriga nacional. Here, vines are hand-pruned, grapes are hand-picked and the wines are made with minimal intervention. Swing by on the June long weekend for exclusive barrel room tastings of the 2019-20 vintages with winemaker (and estate owner) Peter Dredge; complimentary tastings of current and cellar-release wines; and a sausage sizzle with locally made pork and beef snags, with proceeds going to MND Victoria. Between 12–5pm on Saturday and Sunday, it'll all be set to a live soundtrack of americana and country music. Find Red Edge at 54 Golden Gully Road, Heathcote. CONDIE ESTATE Boasting a postcard-worthy backdrop of Wild Duck Creek, Condie Estate showcases traditional winemaking methods with its small-batch drops. For Heathcote on Show, the estate will open the doors to its barrel room, and offer tastings of its sangiovese, viognier and award-winning shiraz. Pair your glass with a woodfired pizza, followed by a slice of cake and coffee. Entertainment-wise, there'll be live music, a petting zoo and a jumping castle for the kids. Find Condie Estate at 480 Heathcote-Redesdale Road, Heathcote. VINEA MARSON In the early 2000s, Mario Marson planted his first seven hectares of vines in Heathcote — he selected the region specifically for its geography, which he saw fit to fulfil his vision of creating new-world versions of his favourite Italian varieties. It's probably no surprise, then, that all things Italian will be celebrated at the Mount Camel winery over the Heathcote on Show weekend. Swing by for samples of prosecco, pinot bianco and picolit, sangiovese, nebbiolo and more. You'll be able to pair your glass with plates of pasta, polenta, porchetta and formaggio. There will also be coffee and cannoli on offer, as well as traditional Italian music throughout the weekend. Find Vinea Marson at 411 Heathcote-Rochester Road, Mount Camel. MUNARI WINES Just north of Heathcote and situated in the foothills of the Mount Ida Range, Munari Wines is a family-owned vineyard steeped in history. The original homestead dates back to 1871, while the former stables now house a charming cellar door. During Heathcote on Show, you'll have the chance to sit among the vines and sample a range of the estate's premium wines. There'll be a heated marquee on-site as well as hot food and live entertainment, including a ticketed concert on the grounds on the Saturday night. Find Munari Wines at 1129 Northern Highway, Ladys Pass. SILVER SPOON ESTATE Named after an abandoned nearby mine, Silver Spoon Estate dedicates most of its 51 acres of plantings — which date back to 2000 — to shiraz grapes, but also makes room for viognier, grenache, mourvedre and tempranillo vines. The estate is 100 percent off-grid, with solar panels powering everything from the winemaking equipment to the on-site residence. During Heathcote on Show, Silver Spoon Estate will offer daily wine tastings and grazing platters from 11am–5pm, plus live music on Saturday and Sunday, all of which you can enjoy either indoors or outdoors while taking in the scenic views. On Saturday night, Silver Spoon will host a Casablanca-themed dinner and show in the estate's piano lounge (and for which bookings are essential). Find Silver Spoon Estate at 503 Heathcote-Rochester Road, Mount Camel. DOMAINE ASMARA Domaine Asmara is celebrating its tenth anniversary over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, and you're invited to join the party. Head to the Toolleen estate to sample an excellent range of James Halliday-approved wines, including durif, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, and take advantage of anniversary specials. The grounds also have a perfect picnic spot overlooking Mount Camel, so pack a basket and sit back and enjoy some of the region's finest wines. Find Domaine Asmara at 61 Gibb Road, Toolleen. HEATHCOTE WINE HUB Whether you're pressed for time over the long weekend or looking to brush up your knowledge on the wide range of wines produced in the Heathcote region, a visit to Heathcote Wine Hub is a must. Home to Australia's largest selection of Heathcote wines and set in a former 1870s corner store, complete with an open fireplace and dog-friendly courtyard, the store is located in the centre of town and will be abuzz with activity over the long weekend. Head over to sample a range of local wine, beer, cider and coffee, as well as vegan food options, southern-style barbecue meats and picnic packs. There'll also be live music from 12–7pm on Saturday and Sunday, with four local bands on the lineup. Find Heathcote Wine Hub at 105 High Street, Heathcote. SANGUINE ESTATE There's plenty happening at the award-winning Sanguine Estate for Heathcote on Show. On Saturday and Sunday there will be coffee and treats provided by local legends Con Cariño Mobile Coffee, plus live music from 1pm. Sunday will also see a Goldfield Farmhouse Cheese stall on the grounds all day, should you fancy a spot of cheese and wine. You can also learn more about local produce when winemaker Mark Hunter runs a tasting masterclass of five rare wines on Saturday morning, and Goldfields hosts a full-day cheesemaking class on Monday. Bookings are required for both sessions. Find Sanguine Estate at 77 Shurans Lane, Heathcote. WREN ESTATE Boasting a place in the top ten in the 2021 Halliday Wine Companion's Best New Wineries category, Wren Estate is an unmissable stop on any Heathcote wine tour. Owner and winemaker Michael Wren enjoyed a career that took him all over the world for nearly two decades before establishing his very own vineyard in Heathcote in 2017. Despite Wren Estate being relatively young, its shiraz has already won a number of awards. Over the long weekend, it will be hosting a masterclass ($65) with Michael on Saturday and Sunday, which includes sampling five Single Block drop for the first time ever (bookings are essential). If you're keen to just drop by in the afternoon, you'll be able to graze on a charcuterie board featuring olive oil direct from the on-site grove. From 12–3pm on Saturday and Sunday, you'll also have the option to pair house-made dumplings with vino (make sure you book ahead for this one, too). Find Wren Estate at 389 Heathcote-Rochester Road, Mount Camel. For more about Heathcote on Show and to plan your trip, head to the official website.
At this point in human history, we've left the world 'normal' far behind us. We live in an age of out-there ideas across all mediums, from entertainment to food and beyond. So why limit yourself to routine plans, basic weekenders and tickets to the same old festivals when you could shake up your calendar with something a little more unique? There's no shortage of offbeat events taking place in New South Wales in 2023, so we've partnered with Destination NSW to showcase some of the more left-of-centre and memorable attractions across this vast state. From existential dread to fabulous festivals and some good old-fashioned silly fun, we invite you to consider the following...
You'll know Untitled Group best as the crew behind hit music events such as Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts and Grapevine Gathering. But as it turns out, these guys have some chops when it comes to making top-notch booze, too. They've gone and launched their own vodka brand, Ugly — a new Australian-made spirit crafted from imperfect apples that would otherwise be headed straight to landfill. Made in Melbourne in collaboration with the pre-batched cocktail experts at 80proof Liquor, the new drop is distilled five times to create an extra smooth sip without any residual apple flavour. It uses unwanted fruit sourced from the Goulburn Valley, with the apples containing a starch extract that works similarly to the potatoes in regular vodka. An innovative response to the issue of food wastage, Ugly gives new life to imperfect fruit that would otherwise be chucked out, having not made the cut to end up in the neat piles of good-looking apples at the supermarket. This preference for perfection contributes a huge amount of food waste to landfill, which leads to hefty CO2 emissions. After 80proof co-founder Danny Grant witnessed the impacts first-hand while on his research trips and talking to farmers, he was inspired to create a new drink that would help undo some of the damage. An initial limited-run batch of Ugly has hit shelves, having rescued an estimated 20 tonnes of unwanted apples from heading to landfill. Ugly Vodka clocks in at 40% ABV and is priced at $64.99 RRP. You can grab a bottle online. Images: Michael Woods
There is a lot of hype surrounding the remake of Stephen King's It, an adaptation of the 1986 novel (and 1990 Tim Curry-starring mini-series, of course) in which a murderous clown terrorises a group of Maine children, due on September 7. If you can't wait until then to get your Pennywise fix (if you're into terrifying clowns), and if you happen to be on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, you'll find a two-storey replica of 'where IT lives' open to the public and totally free. Groups of seven will be guided by 'Georgie' through the 464 square-metre house, room by room, through immersive film-inspired scenes complete with authentic set props, "disorienting images", jump-scares and shit-your-pants terror, for what will probably be the longest 20 minutes of your life. What's the catch? There isn't one, really. But visitors are advised to "be prepared to be scared" and enter at their own risk. They also have to sign a waiver beforehand. "People with medical and emotional conditions should not enter The IT Experience: Neibolt House Hollywood including, without limitation, those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety or emotional disorders, fear of enclosed spaces, medical sensitivity to dizziness, movement or disorientation, and expectant mothers." You know those crappy haunted houses you get at run-down theme parks where the animatronics don't work and the scariest thing you might find is a used condom? We've got a feeling this will not be one of those things. From August 14 until September 10, 1–11pm. See 'The IT Experience' for more information.
Socials have been abuzz for the past couple of weeks with the news that KFC, one of the most hallowed fast food institutions, is hosting an 11-course degustation dinner in collaboration with Surry Hills fine diner Nel. In the two weeks after the news broke, more than 24,000 hungry and curious Sydneysiders added their name to a lottery, in the hopes of scoring an elusive seat at the three-night dinner series. I was lucky enough to score an invite to the media preview for a first peek at the mad scientist-like creations of celebrated chef Nelly Robinson. Here's everything that happened. THE VIBE The dinner takes place in an airy warehouse space at the end of an unmarked Alexandria alleyway, at the entrance to which lies the most unobtrusive of red carpets. Already this isn't feeling like a typical dinner. Once inside, there's free-flowing pre-dinner sparkling in a staging area that is dominated by what your correspondent thought was a fluffy cloud hanging over the bar. Then it's pointed out to me that I'm looking at it from the wrong angle. It turns out that the focal point of the room is, in fact, an illuminated cloud that takes the unmistakable form of a KFC drumstick, because of course it is. We soon move into the spacious, elegant dining room, which is all dark tones and understated pendant lighting. Once seated, a candle is brought to the table, lit and glasses are topped up. It's showtime. THE FOOD Eleven courses of KFC with a wine pairing to boot? Challenge accepted. Course One: You Call That a Burger? This KFC burger-inspired take on Nel's signature savoury marshmallow is a mind-boggling delight. It's light, it's fluffy, it nearly falls apart in your fingers and immediately disintegrates on contact with your tongue — but it also hits the sweet, salty, umami notes of a burger. Course Two: Zinger Katsu Who would have ever thought that a micro Zinger could be so satisfying? But enough about my last Grindr date. Course two of this KFC feast is an immediate hit at the table, a two-bite appetiser featuring a finger-sized Zinger patty on a pillowy oblong of deep-fried potato finished in katsu jus, and then topped with a drizzle of curry mayo and a dusting of dill. I would very much like this in burger form. Course Three: Supercharged Wings Wicked wings, but light them on fire. Perfectly crunchy and juicy wings are presented on a bed of charcoal sticks that are lit on fire at the table — because who doesn't love dinner and a show — which makes them about 15 percent better than a normal KFC wing. Course Four: Potato and Gravy Remember that candle I mentioned earlier? By the time our beautifully brown, perfectly spherical potato buns are placed on the table after the amuses-bouche are cleared, the candle has melted. No, it's not a cheapo that couldn't even last until mains, but in fact made of KFC chicken fat (what else) which, now completely liquefied, is garnished at the table with a couple of rounds of gravy and into which the potato buns can be dipped. And they are. Liberally. Course Five: Zinger Kingfish The first of the mains is, in the very best way, an absolute mindfuck. Slightly torched kingfish is coated in a crumb of the eleven secret herbs and spices and served on a bed of ever-so-smoky yoghurt slaw — itself an elegant take on the classic KFC side. Though it could have very well been actual KFC coleslaw. At this stage up was down and left was right. In introducing the dish, Robinson told us that there was some resistance from team KFC around putting fish on the menu, but he stuck to his guns and the menu is all the better for him having done so. Course Six: Tongue Twister/Twister Sister I still remember when the Twister was launched. Wraps were having a moment thanks to the Atkins diet and variations incarnations thereof (the 90s were truly wild) and it was like Christmas had come early for this chunky, primary school-aged kid who could not get enough fried chicken. Any excitement I might have had about lower-carb KFC was quickly dashed, however, when my first (and to-date only) Twister led to a bout of gastro... So when I discover that the second main course of the evening was a two-part take on the KFC wrap, I'm a little sceptical. That is, until I see the Colonel's face on a plate — or at least a colourful interpretation of it made of emulsified fried chicken, lettuce, tomato and pepper mayo. Our task: pick up the plate and lick the Colonel right off it. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd be tonguing old mate Sanders, but now that I've had a chicken fat candle and KF-fish, I guess the rulebook is out the window. To accompany this surprisingly sensuous dish comes a jazzed-up take on a Twister in the form of a fried chicken taco on a soft spinach tortilla and finished with lettuce, pearl barley risotto, sundried tomato, pepper mayo and an edible flower. It's very, very good. Course Seven: Popcorn Chicken You know what's better than popcorn chicken? Popcorn chicken in a creamy celeriac and mushroom soup with fresh gnocchi and fragrant basil oil. Says my dining companion: "Next time I get popcorn chicken, I'm going to buy a tin of Campbell's cream of mushroom to go with it." Sure, it's a cheat version of this silky, umami-laden dish, but I suggest you consider doing the same. Course Eight: La Di Da Drumstick AKA Fried Gold A dramatic hush suddenly descends upon the room. From the moment the first tall, glass, smoke-filled cloche enters the dining room for the final savoury course, the anticipation for what we know is coming is truly palpable. Underneath, revealed in a hypnotically synchronised flourish, lies a single KFC drumstick. But, reader, this is no ordinary drumstick. This is a gently smoke-infused piece of original recipe resting on a bed of black garlic and cauliflower purée, quinoa and edible gold, and looked like something out of a fairy tale. It tasted as good as it looked. Course Nine: Chips for Dessert Facts: fries dipped in ice cream is a god-tier pairing. For me, this is usually happening when coming out of a drive-through with one hand trying to get my soft serve-to-chip ratio just right, while the other hand is actually trying to drive. No such theatrics are needed for this first of three desserts, however, as I practically inhale this delightful dish of a single dehydrated, de-starched potato chip with wattleseed ice cream and burnt pineapple and mead purée. Course Ten: Our Chocolate Mousse Here, generous nugget-sized serves of light and airy chocolate mousse are dipped in liquid nitrogen and topped with popping candy. I've never eaten chocolate mousse — or any mousse, for that matter — with my hands, but this is so finger lickin' good (you know I had to) that all decorum flew the coop (I'll stop now). Course Eleven: Petit Krusher This is a creative take on an after-dinner mint inspired by the gone-but-not-forgotten KFC Krusher. I'd tell you what this tasted like but, despite being told to have this truffle ball-looking morsel in one bite, I somehow forgot how to eat and ended up inelegantly spraying most of this all over the table. But after all, what's KFC without a bit of mess? THE VERDICT This dinner series might begin on April Fool's Day, but it's no joke. It's a clever, creative menu that serves as both a love letter to KFC and a truly fascinating exploration of the possibilities of fried chicken. A wanky take? Perhaps. But when I'm eating KFC with knives and forks and liquid nitrogen and, it must be said, an excellent wine pairing, the least I can do is get a bit extra with a review. I was asked by a colleague if the meal is as good as big bucket of KFC, and the answer is both yes and no. This dinner doesn't hit the same spot that only a Family Feast can, but that's not the point. It's pure escapism — fun for the sake of fun, an opportunity to just enjoy what's in front of you. And these days, who can argue with that?
Named the live music capital of the world back in 2018, Melbourne's gig scene is legendary — and, even after a tough couple of pandemic-affected years when it comes to live performances, it has the hefty array of venues to prove it. But every city can always use more places for more bands to play, which is where St Kilda's latest addition comes in. Get ready for gigs with a breeze right by the seaside, because you'll find Palace Foreshore adjacent to the Palais Theatre and Luna Park. Billed as a summer venue, the new outdoor music space will start hosting live gigs this November, and will be installed fresh each year when the weather is warm. That means that soaking up tunes, and the sunshine, all with Port Phillip Bay as a backdrop is now on your annual agenda. [caption id="attachment_814905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amy Whelan[/caption] Doing the honours to christen the venue: an initial lineup that starts with Sam Fender in mid-November, then welcomes in The Black Crowes, Tim Minchin, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and more. Keshi and Rei Brown, Six60 and Grentperez, and The Teskey Brothers and Cory Henry all also have dates with the venue — with more acts to be confirmed. Global entertainment outfit Live Nation has teamed up with Publica Australia, Pavilion Australia and the City of Port Phillip on the venue, which will host everything from day-long festivals to headline gigs — and can welcome in 5000 people per show. [caption id="attachment_876098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Galea[/caption] Live Nation owns and operates the Palais Theatre, too, so it knows the neighbourhood. In Palace Foreshore's case, the new venue has also received funding support from the Australian Government's Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund, which aims to help get the arts and entertainment sector back to its best after the chaotic last few years. Here, that money will help the venue upgrade its outdoor site facilities, and also support Aussie talents. PALACE FORESHORE 2022-23 FIRST GIGS: Friday, November 18 — Sam Fender Sunday, November 20 — The Black Crowes Tuesday, November 22 — Keshi + Rei Brown Saturday, November 26 — An evening with Tim Minchin Thursday, December 1 — Six60 + Grentperez Sunday, December 4 — The Teskey Brothers + Cory Henry Saturday, December 10 — King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Palace Foreshore will start hosting gigs in St Kilda, adjacent to the Palais Theatre and Luna Park, from mid-November 2022. For more information, head to the venue's website.
The luxe surrounds of Southbank will soon have a bold new stay, as Hannah St. Hotel is set to open its doors this summer. Designed by Flack Studio, the property will come under the Collection by TFE banner — a portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels built to reflect each location's culture and creativity. Once complete, guests can expect 188 rooms immersed in art, architecture, music and hospitality that celebrate what makes the city's southern edge special. Slotting into one of the glitzier parts of town, this $150 million hotel has spared little expense getting off the ground. Tucked into the emerging Queensbridge precinct — a new mixed-use development — this sophisticated hotel will feel right at home amid the ongoing transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. Inspired by grand New York City landmarks like the Flatiron Building, Hannah St. Hotel's design fuses tradition with modern sensibilities. "This site is incredible, and Hannah St. will deliver an elevated and memorable hotel experience not only through the materiality and aesthetics of the design, but with the F and B, and intuitive service on offer," says Flack Studio Founder and Principal David Flack. "We wanted to create a building that feels like it's always been here. Something that's part grand hotel, part underground bar, part cultural clubhouse — with spaces that feel layered and nostalgic, but completely of now." Inside, guests will encounter an unexpected mix of custom-made furniture, bold colours, sought-after artwork and textured materiality. While Flack Studio has made its name in residential architecture with these same qualities — Andy Lee's 'Ravenswood' development is a current project — the studio is increasingly bringing this modern nostalgia aesthetic to commercial architecture. "In my opinion, every hotel is really about place, context — and that's the number one thing that determines it," says Flack, explaining the hotel will feel like a constructed expression of Melbourne. "There is always a reverence in our work to spark memories, to take people somewhere they've been before, or somewhere they've always wanted to go." Situated within the podium of the Queensbridge Building, a 65-storey residential and lifestyle tower, Hannah St. Hotel is anchored by The Clubhouse. Described as the hotel's social soul, guests will discover a 25-metre lap pool, a fully equipped gym, and wellness amenities including a steam room and a sauna. Meanwhile, a sun-drenched garden terrace offers the ideal spot for rooftop cocktails, and an izakaya-inspired dining room will become a go-to spot for private dinners. With the hotel's long-awaited launch not far away, now is the perfect time to plan a ritzy staycation. Hannah St. Hotel is expected to open this summer at 19 Walker Street, Southbank. Head to the website for more information.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBMS85Rii5A THE GODMOTHER With the inimitable Isabelle Huppert at its centre, and a premise that owes a debt to Weeds and Breaking Bad, The Godmother strikes a crafty balance between comedy, drama and thrills. The Greta and Happy End star (and Elle Oscar-nominee) plays Patience Portefeux, a translator who works with the Paris police on narcotics cases — a job that's routine until, thanks to a big decision, it isn't. During an otherwise straightforward assignment that tasks Patience with listening to and translating wiretapped phone conversations, she holds back a few crucial pieces of information. Instead of giving her boyfriend Philippe (Hippolyte Girardot, Marseille) the details he needs to make a big bust and enhance his career, she chooses to take matters into her own hands. She's never done anything like this at work before, but she's soon redirecting the cops' attention, stealing an enormous stash of hash and taking up a side hustle as a wholesaler to street-level dealers. Her motivation: money. A long-widowed mother of two, she's attempting to secure her financial future via the only viable means at her disposable. As her fellow widow-turned-dealer in Weeds also did, she's also attempting to navigate a world that's hardly accommodating to single, middle-aged women. Adapted from Hannelore Cayre's book of the same name by the author with director Jean-Paul Salomé (Playing Dead, Female Agents), The Godmother is unsurprisingly lifted by Huppert, as everything she stars in always is. Indeed, if the film earns an English-language remake — which, undoubtedly, it will — Hollywood will be doing itself a disservice if the filmmaking powers-that-be cast anyone but the veteran French star. She plays Patience as a slippery, enterprising everywoman with hopes, dreams and a unique opportunity. More than that, she never lets a single thing about the character feel like a collection of stock-standard tropes and traits. It's due to Huppert, in fact, that The Godmother never flounders even when its script does cycle through more than a few predictable crime film cliches. Nonetheless, this is a lively and engaging caper that's helmed with a light touch, as well as a keen awareness of the material's deeper moments. It'd make a stellar double feature with 2018 heist flick The World Is Yours, too, which similarly deployed the distinctive talents of one of France's enduring leading ladies (and someone Huppert has been compared with constantly throughout her career): Isabelle Adjani. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQz1Am56-GQ DEATH OF A LADIES' MAN Tales of men known for their romantic successes — or, to be more accurate, their luck between the sheets — might just have an expiration date in today's post-#MeToo world. We should've outgrown them earlier, really, although Death of a Ladies' Man smartly chooses to grapple with the fallout when a lifelong playboy is forced to face his own end. Taking its cues from Leonard Cohen's songbook (hence the title), this Canadian-Irish co-production also opts to interrogate the idea of the blissful womaniser and drunk, rather than simply let another suave, sauced-up lothario strut across the silver screen. Poetry professor Samuel O'Shea (Gabriel Byrne, Hereditary) is about to add another ex-wife to his tally when the film begins, actually, although this time he's the one who caught her being unfaithful. That's soon the least of his problems. After the hockey players at his son's (Antoine Olivier Pilon, Mommy) latest match appear to start singing and dancing on the rink, and he then returns home to hallucinate an entire boozy conversation with his long-dead father (Brian Gleeson, Hellboy), Samuel seeks medical attention. His daily drinking habit of anywhere up to 39 drinks isn't the problem, but rather a brain tumour — and the terminal prognosis that accompanies its diagnosis gives him just months left at best. For a film about cancer, death, addiction, lingering childhood trauma, several liquor cabinets full of regrets and taking stock of an unfulfilling life complicated by male fantasy, Death of a Ladies' Man is playful rather than bleak — welcomely so. The visions that cause Samuel to imagine women with tiger heads (and sometimes entire relationships) all add a surreal touch to a movie that knows it is wading through both weighty and familiar territory. Writer/director Matt Bissonnette (Passenger Side) doesn't endeavour to thwart or dispel tropes, but to unpack them. Confronting a fatal disease and looking back at all the mistakes made to that juncture is another oft-used narrative crutch, and usually the only time someone with cancer is treated like a real person in a feature, but here it also helps Death of a Ladies' Man expose just why Samuel has clung to his image for so long, what he's been hiding from in the process and what it has ultimately cost him. Byrne is excellently cast, as he usually is, bringing both charisma and waning hubris to the film's protagonist — and Cohen's songs do what they're meant to, adding insight, beauty and melancholy to this quietly potent blend of comedy and drama. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IuL_FSoMBU TWO OF US Early in Two of Us, Martine Chevallier sports a look of such utter devastation and heartbreak that it feels as if her pain will smash the camera peering her way. The French actress (Farewell, My Queen) plays Madeleine, a retiree finally free of the husband she abhorred — a fact that her adult children Frédéric (Jérôme Varanfrain, A Wedding) and Anne (Léa Drucker, Custody) ignore in vastly different ways — and now living with the woman, Nina (Barbara Sukowa, Gloria Bell), that she has secretly been in love with for decades. Given her kids' attitude towards their father, she hasn't been able to tell them. Indeed, when the aforementioned expression darkens her face, it's because Nina publicly admonishes her for hiding their relationship. But the German expat will soon sport the same look, too, after tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, neither Frédéric or Anne know her as anything more than just a friend of Madeleine. So, she spends her days peeking through the peephole in her own front door across the hall — one of the benefits of keeping a second apartment to maintain their ruse — and trying to sweet-talk her way into new carer Muriel's (Muriel Bénazéraf, Conviction) good graces in order to even see and snatch the smallest amounts of time with her lifelong love. Largely taking place within Madeleine and Nina's flats — one warm and inviting, the other sparse and hardly used — Two of Us is an intimate film several times over. First-time feature writer/director Filippo Meneghetti stares intensely at his characters as he steps into their complex lives and, slowly and patiently, watches as they inch towards revealing their true selves to the world. The central performances, especially by Sukowa, a German acting powerhouse dating back to Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz and Lola, couldn't feel more lived-in. Nor could the rapport between Madeleine and Nina, even after illness robs the former of her words. And, the same applies to the predicament that Nina finds herself navigating, circumstances she shares (with a few minor tweaks) with the protagonist in Oscar-winner A Fantastic Woman. Deeply contemplating the historical treatment of queer relationships, and the struggles that still linger today, this is both an astutely judged and overwhelmingly heartfelt drama, and one that also simmers with tension and anger. It's impossible not to feel moved and infuriated by the behaviour directed Madeleine and Nina's way, and to be moved by this tender and impassioned story in general. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGDWckiZcj8 I BLAME SOCIETY She's fired by her manager after he finally reads one of her scripts, then deems the topic of Israel "too political". When his assistant wrangles her a meeting with a couple of indie film producers in the aftermath, she's asked to lend her perspective to stories about strong female voices, breastfeeding in public, and either intersexuality or intersectionality — when it comes to the latter two, they aren't quite sure which. So, as I Blame Society gleefully posits in its savage takedown of the film industry today, it's little wonder that Gillian (writer/director Gillian Wallace Horvat) decides to follow up a leftfield idea. Three years earlier, some of her friends told her that she'd make a great murderer, a notion that she took as a compliment and has been fascinated with to an unhealthy degree ever since. Indeed, at the time, she went as far asking her pal Chase (co-writer Chase Williamson) if she could hypothetically walk through the process of killing his girlfriend. The request put a long-lasting pause on their friendship, to no one else's surprise. Now, as she resurrects the project, her editor boyfriend Keith (Keith Poulson, Her Smell) keeps reiterating that it's a terrible idea; however, with no other avenues forward, Gillian is committed to doing whatever she thinks she needs to to kickstart her career. During a mid-film conversation, an increasingly exasperated Keith reminds Gillian that no "there is no movie that is worth hurting someone for". He's endeavouring to get her to agree, but "if it's a very bad person for a very good movie…" is her quick and firm reply. I Blame Society is equally direct. While Horvat plays a fictional character — and, the audience presumes, hasn't ever flirted with or committed murder in real life — she absolutely slaughters her chosen concept. Not every line or moment lands as intended, but this biting satire sticks a knife into every expectation saddled upon women in general and female filmmakers especially, then keeps twisting. The film's recurrent gags about likeability cleave so close to the truth, they virtually draw blood. Its aforementioned parody of supposed allyship among powerbrokers and gatekeepers is similarly cutting and astute. In their canny script, Horvat and Williamson find ample time to poke fun of a plethora of industry cliches and microaggressions, the treatment of marginalised voices both within filmmaking and in broader society, and even the current true-crime obsession, all without ever overloading the 84-minute movie. And, on-screen as well, Horvat is a savvy delight. She wants viewers to both cringe and nod, and everything about her performance and her feature directorial debut earns that response. I Blame Society is currently screening in Sydney and Melbourne cinemas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WrZU_14cxE SONGBIRD If there are any words that absolutely no one wants to see when they're watching a COVID-19-inspired movie, it's these: produced by Michael Bay. The filmmaker who gave cinema the Bad Boys franchise and five Transformers flicks isn't behind the lens of Songbird, but writer/director Adam Mason and his frequent co-scribe Simon Boyes (Hangman) have clearly mainlined Bay's work, then decided to use its worst traits as a how-to manual. Set in 2024, when a virulent mutation of the coronavirus known as COVID-23 is on the loose, their tactless thriller is gimmicky and misguided at best. It's derivative, dull and has a plot that's so stale it really should also feature a tornado full of sharks, too. Wondering what might happen if the pandemic was even more horrendous and tragic than it is — and if America's handling of it, as based on 2020's response at least, was skewed even further towards corporate interests and the rich — the film decides to opt for quarantine concentration camps and a gestapo-like sanitation department. When it's not tastelessly taking cues from the holocaust to supposedly turn a shattering event the world is still experiencing into entertainment, it also attempts to tell a Romeo and Juliet-style love story about a couple separated by lockdown. And, if you've ever wondered what might happen if a Bay wannabe remade David Lynch's Blue Velvet, Bradley Whitford's (The Handmaid's Tale) role as an oxygen-huffing record executive preying on a young singer (Alexandra Daddario, Baywatch) answers that question as well. Bicycle courier Nico (KJ Apa, Riverdale) is resistant to COVID-23, and has an immunity bracelet to prove it; however, his girlfriend Sara (Sofia Carson, Feel the Beat) and her grandmother (Elpidia Carrillo, Euphoria) aren't so lucky. The coveted wristwear can be bought on the black market, though, which is why Nico is trying to make as much cash as he can working for delivery kingpin Lester (Craig Robinson, Dolemite Is My Name). The obvious happens, of course, sending unhinged sanitation head Emmett Harland (Peter Stormare, John Wick: Chapter 2) to Sara's building — and putting a deadline on Nico's quest, which wealthy couple William (Whitfield) and Piper Griffin (Demi Moore, Rough Night) might be able to assist with. The latter are also meant to be a picture of stay-at-home disharmony, all while trying to protect their immunocompromised daughter Emma (Lia McHugh, The Lodge) from anything outside their sprawling mansion. A PTSD-afflicted ex-veteran (Paul Walter Hauser, Richard Jewell) who flies drones to experience life beyond his walls also forms part of the story, although not a single character is given enough flesh to make viewers care about their plight. Even only clocking in at 84 minutes, this thoroughly unsubtle and exploitative film overstays its welcome — and the fact that it's shot and edited like Bay's glossiest and most bombastic action fare doesn't help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzigvG55ImQ SON OF THE SOUTH A film can tackle an always-important subject, tell a true tale about a real-life figure and their hard-fought battle for a crucial cause, and also seem caught between an adoring celebration and an after-school special. It can boast Spike Lee's frequent editor as its director — with Barry Alexander Brown splicing together everything from Do the Right Thing and Malcom X to BlacKkKlansman — and also Lee himself as an executive producer, and still feel like the most simplistic version of its narrative. And, it can pay tribute to a crusader in the civil rights movement, and note the struggles involved for a southern-born and -bred white college student with klan ties so recent in his past that his grandfather remained a hate-spewing member, and also leave viewers wondering why someone like future US Congressman John Lewis is treated like a mere footnote. Yes, a movie can do all of the above because Son of the South does. Adapted by Brown from Bob Zellner's co-penned (with Constance Curry) autobiography The Wrong Side of Murder Creek: A White Southerner in the Freedom Movement, this by-the-numbers biopic proves both earnestly well-intentioned and blandly formulaic. Even viewers unfamiliar with Zellner will find themselves knowing what to expect at each and every turn. Son of the South introduces its Alabaman subject (Lucas Till, MacGyver) in 1961, with a noose around his neck and an angry white mob at his feet, before flashing back to explain his predicament. This early storytelling choice is designed to make a statement, and to show how deep the resistance to equality burrowed at the time, but it really just acts as a reminder that such violence against Black Americans still rarely garners the same attention. Zellner found himself facing a lynching for his inability to stand on the sidelines — after Rosa Parks (Sharonne Lainer, The Outsider) made history five years earlier, after being told not to go to an event at a Black church commemorating her actions, and then after facing threats of arrest and expulsion for attending. His fiancée (Lucy Hale, Fantasy Island) warns him, too, and his grandfather (Brian Dennehy, The Seagull) says he'll shoot him, but he's soon helping Freedom Riders during riots and volunteering for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Till's performance is as sincere as anything in Son of the South. He's also joined by scene-stealing co-stars, including Dexter Darden (Saved by the Bell) as Lewis, Lex Scott Davis (The First Purge) as a young college professor and Shamier Anderson (City of Lies) as a fellow SNCC worker initially skeptical of Zellman's involvement. And yet, they're all just tasked with sticking to a template, much to the movie's detriment. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on January 1, January 7, January 14, January 21 and January 28; February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25; March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25; and April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22 and April 29; and May 6 and May 13. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig, The White Tiger, Only the Animals, Malcolm & Marie, News of the World, High Ground, Earwig and the Witch, The Nest, Assassins, Synchronic, Another Round, Minari, Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, The Truffle Hunters, The Little Things, Chaos Walking, Raya and the Last Dragon, Max Richter's Sleep, Judas and the Black Messiah, Girls Can't Surf, French Exit, Saint Maud, Godzilla vs Kong, The Painter and the Thief, Nobody, The Father, Willy's Wonderland, Collective, Voyagers, Gunda, Supernova, The Dissident, The United States vs Billie Holiday, First Cow, Wrath of Man, Locked Down, The Perfect Candidate, Those Who Wish Me Dead, Spiral: From the Book of Saw and Ema.
Queen Victoria Market's Dairy Produce Hall has welcomed its newest member: Mörk. It's a natural move for the famous hot chocolate shop, since it's already been supplying chocolatey goodness to Queen Vic's Market Lane café for years and has an outpost in the CBD. Mörk founders Kiril and Josefin even live around the corner in North Melbourne. For years, they dreamed of opening a branch inside Queen Victoria Market, but leases here don't come along very often. So when a spot opened up, the couple pounced. The new site is the heritage-listed corner cake shop inside the Dairy Product Hall. The store hadn't been renovated in decades, so Mörk lovingly restored it. Marble countertops, gingham tiles, even an old-school cash register. Now it looks like your grandma and Willy Wonka opened a chocolate store together. When it comes to food and drink, you have to start with a classic Mörk hot choc. There's a cinnamon bun bakery on-site, and the team is even doing made-to-order s'mores, freshly scorched with a blowtorch and topped with miso-caramel marshmallows. Sweet Jesus. [caption id="attachment_825088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mork's Campfire Hot Chocolate, by Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Images: supplied.
Don't you wish you could spend two-plus weeks closing out summer and welcoming autumn at the first WorldPride ever held in the southern hemisphere? In 2023, that's set to become a reality, all thanks to Sydney WorldPride. Don't you wish you could see a feast of big-name talent take to this stage for what's basically a mega Mardi Gras? That's coming true, too — and if you now have 'Don't Cha' stuck in your head, Nicole Scherzinger has just joined the bill. The Pussycat Dolls lead singer will headline the already-announced Bondi Beach Party on Saturday, March 4, which will turn the famed stretch of sand into an openair club. For one afternoon and evening only, a casual 12,000 people can dance by the water from dusk to the aforementioned 'Don't Cha', 'Buttons' and more tracks from across her career. As well as Scherzinger, the massive party will feature Australian DJs dameeeela, Jarred Baker, Jacqui Cunningham, DJ Charlie Villas and DJ Dan Murphy — taking to the decks and the sand. Unsurprisingly, the event already proved a hot ticket before the lineup announcement; however, there's a last batch of tickets on-sale now. Scherzinger's addition to the Sydney WorldPride bill slots in alongside Kylie Minogue and Charli XCX opening the festival, MUNA and G Flip closing it, Kelly Rowland headlining the Domain Dance Party and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will return to Oxford Street. Also on the lineup from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5 around Sydney: more than 45 rainbow artworks all around town and a monumental pride march with 50,000-plus people walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as part of a hefty program boasting more than 300 events over 17 days. This is the largest-ever LGBTQIA+ festival ever held in the region — and yes, it just got bigger. Sydney WorldPride will run from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5, 2023, with Bondi Beach Party happening from 3pm on Saturday, March 4. For more information, head to the event's website. Top image: Destination NSW.
They say change is as good as a holiday, and a holiday with some leftover change? Sign us up. The little-known island of Bali is the perfect destination that feels worlds away without having to travel around the world. Flights are cheap, the people are a delight, the food is exceptional, and the beaches are breathtaking. It's no wonder it's an Aussie traveller's favourite. From lush tropical rainforests to terraced rice paddies to multiple surfers' paradises — sometimes even just a couple of nights away is all you need. To help you lock away a quick (or longer) getaway, our editorial team has curated some top travel packages for four distinct Bali locations. Find your preferred option and book it through Concrete Playground Trips now. EXTREME RELAXATION IN NUSA DUA For laidback luxury in between extreme watersports adventures, Sadara Resort on the gorgeous beachfront of Tanjung Benoa has your name on it. Tanjung Benoa is Bali's number one water sports playground, with activities from jet skiing to parasailing, banana boat rides and sea-walking adventures. But fear not, if your holiday is for relaxing and relaxing only, then our Nusa Dua travel deal has everything you need. Sink into your included one-hour Balinese massage before or after you sink into the ocean-facing pool, where you can sink cocktails at the swim-up bar. You'll also enjoy the inclusion of daily breakfast and afternoon tea plus a set menu lunch or dinner. LEGENDARY VIBES AT LEGIAN BEACHFRONT In among the action of iconic Kuta, enjoy a beachside break at AlamKulKul Boutique Resort. This is a prime location for exploring Kuta's beaches along the boardwalk and checking out character-filled laneways before heading back to watch a sunset and sip a Bintang on the beach. Check out our resort package, where you can enjoy true Balinese interiors and architecture, a thriving tropical garden and the on-site spa in between ocean adventures. Your daily breakfast at the restaurant will be an ideal start to the day before you make the most of everything the resort and surroundings have to offer. A GREAT RATE VILLA ESCAPE IN SEMINYAK Let's face it: we all want to be the people who have a Balinese villa and floating breakfast for ourselves — and with this deal, it can be you. The Bali Dream Villa is the ideal location for a getaway, with speedy access from the airport that gets you right into the buzz of Seminyak and its plethora of award-winning restaurants. Inclusions abound with return airport transfers, welcome drinks and daily breakfast and afternoon tea for two. It has everything you need for a private vacay away, with your own pool and kitchenette facilities to make yourself feel truly at home. LUXURY VILLA STAY IN ULUWATU Escape everyday life at beautiful Prasana by Arjani Resort – an all-villa resort perfectly positioned in Bali's beautiful southernmost tip, Uluwatu. This stop is a tad pricier, but it is worth it for what you get included in our exclusive travel package. Whether surfing or spa trips are more your speed, you'll have ample opportunities for both. Explore the famous beach club-lined Melasti Beach or surfer favourite, Padang-Padang, or stay in and enjoy the ocean view from your private villa, take a dip in your private pool or get a relaxing treatment at the Menaka Spa. It's a getaway for all to enjoy the best of Bali, and sometimes, that's just the thing you need to refresh, reset and recharge. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world.
The oldest floral festival in Australia, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival focuses on the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees that line the town's streets. First held in 1935, the festival brings together art exhibitions, live music, markets and parades for a week-long celebration from October 28 through November 5. While the jacaranda blooms are of course the main attraction, it's by no means the only event you'll have to look forward to during the festival — think a 30-team dragon boat race and a Venetian-style circus and carnival, along with buskers, fireworks and stallholders aplenty. Grafton takes their tree heritage seriously and currently holds the title for biggest jacaranda on the National Tree Register of Big Trees (yes, it is a real registry). While in town, visit 'The Gorge', a tree which measures at a massive 30 metres high with a six-metre circumference. It deserves a nice big hug, we reckon.
Summer won't last forever. So, we best take advantage while it's still here and head to outdoor bars, pubs and restaurants for sun-drenched days filled with good food, chilled spritzes and our favourite people. To help you find the best outdoor Melbourne spots where you can enjoy a few rounds of summery spritzes, we've teamed up with Aperol (naturally). Head to any of these joints for al fresco fun. Just make sure you grab your shades before heading out. [caption id="attachment_800335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] DOM'S SOCIAL CLUB This multi-level pizzeria and bar is a CBD favourite for multiple reasons, but we are all about the rooftop. Yes, downstairs, you can sip on the same Italian-inspired cocktails and eat the same woodfired pizzas, but you don't get the city views and natural sunlight found up on the deck. Head through the hidden door on Swanston Street and make your way up the stairs to find Dom's Social Club — one of the best rooftops in Melbourne. PÉTANQUE SOCIAL Pétanque Social, a riverside bar inspired by the beach clubs of St Tropez, has joined Crown's riverside precinct, perched right by the Yarra on the riverwalk. As well as sipping drinks and grabbing a bite to eat (including via picnic boxes or tucking into oysters on weekends), you'll hang out on day beds and lounge chairs beneath striped pastel blue umbrellas. The whole idea is to make you feel like you've been whisked far from home, which is a sensation we could all use this year. And, entertainment-wise, there are live DJs, a big screen playing sports all summer and room for the game that gives the venue its name — so get ready to sit at Pétanque Social and play pétanque. CAPTAIN BAXTER Back in 2018, this beachfront restaurant and bar got a massive facelift, and now Captain Baxter feels like a 20s-style beach bungalow. The inside section of the venue might have air-con, but the real vibes at Captain Baxter are very much in the outdoor space that has its own retractable roof — for when Melbourne decides to be Melbourne and have a midday shower during an otherwise hot and sunny day. Enjoy the uninterrupted sea views while noshing on seafood banquets with your mates and sipping on Aperol Spritzes. [caption id="attachment_845962" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I in the Sky Productions[/caption] GRAZELAND Grazeland is West Melbourne's very own 10,000-square-metre outdoor dining precinct that's home to a heady mix of over 50 different food vendors. Here, you'll also find market stalls slinging locally made wares, three licensed bars and an ongoing entertainment program. Head down with a group to eat and drink the day away, watching the sun set over Melbourne's skyline. Could an outdoor dining destination be any better? *Read in the style of Chandler from Friends* SAILOR'S REST Yes, technically, Sailor's Rest is in Geelong. But we love it so much that we decided we had to include it on the list. The family-run restaurant and bar serves up globally inspired cuisine with a particular focus on all things seafood. Either dine at the street-level courtyard, the second floor outdoor terrace or head all the way up to the little rooftop bar for spritzes with a mighty fine sea view. This place gets packed on hot days, offering up peak summer vibes. THE IMPERIAL HOTEL During the week, The Imperial Hotel becomes a go-to place for after-work drinks. Groups of colleagues scurry up to the rooftop as soon as the clock strikes five to nab one of the remaining tables with a view over the CBD (perhaps even sending an intern ahead of the rest of the pack to land a prime position). The coveted outdoor drinking and dining spot offers up good pub grub — parmas, burgers, pies and fish and chips — as well as cocktails for days. The summer spritz specials are also big wins. Grab two Aperol Spritzes and half a dozen oysters or two Aperol Spritzes and a large charcuterie board for an absolute steal. HABA RYE Live music, laidback party feels and elevated pub food are all on offer at this beloved Mornington Peninsula beach club. Haba Rye is made for those big days of drinking and eating out in the sun with mates, which naturally evolve into after-hours dancing till the sun comes up. Start off in the sunlit beer garden, sipping on beers and spritzes before hitting up a gig, pub trivia or drag bingo in the evening. It's a one-stop shop. For more ways to elevate your summer with Aperol, head to the website.
To everyone who'd read The Dry, or even simply heard about its following and success from a devotee who had, turning Jane Harper's debut novel into a movie seemed like one of the easiest decisions that Australia's film industry could make. More than that, it appeared certain to create that holy grail of Aussie pictures: a guaranteed and widespread homegrown hit. The response to the feature, which reached cinemas Down Under to start off 2021, proved that belief true. Robert Connolly helmed it into the top 15 Australian movies at the Australian box office of all time, on the back of over $20 million in receipts. But ask the Balibo, The Bank and Paper Planes filmmaker if he also thought that it'd have everyone across the country flocking to the silver screen, then ensure that Harper's second Aaron Falk story Force of Nature could get the film treatment, and he's not as definitive as you might expect he should be. The reason: timing. Releasing on January 1, 2021 meant that The Dry released as the COVID-19 pandemic entered its second year, after cinemas had spent a large portion of the past 12 months out of action and when capacity restrictions were a reality. "We actually weren't sure what was going to practically happen, because it came out as the pandemic was easing off and cinemas had been closed for months," Connolly tells Concrete Playground. "I remember some of the early screenings of The Dry, the cinemas were only allowed to be half capacity," he continues. "Fifty percent, yeah," Eric Bana, aka Connolly's Aaron Falk, also recalls. "My friends in exhibition, some of them were saying 'we're going to go under, we won't be here in a year'. And so we had a great hope for cinema, and a passion about cinema and exhibition, but not really any idea that it would open up so well," Connolly explains. "We were very proud of the film at that point and had really enjoyed making it, and had finished the film. And we were excited to show audiences. But I think that we'd have to be absolutely delighted that cinema has not only survived but is starting to thrive again. It's amazing talking to exhibitors at the moment, they're all saying that whereas last year there was one big blockbuster, this year there's about ten different films that are playing, and they're enjoying the fact that audiences are coming in to see different films. They might not be packed like a blockbuster, but there's a habit that's reemerging of people going to the movies, which is great for us all." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 — as The Dry's cinematic followup has been rebadged to ensure that audiences make the connection — hits the big screen with two in-built audiences, then. Folks who obsessed over Harper's Falk tales on the page and those who've only known the federal agent via film, with The Castle, Chopper, Munich, The Time Traveller's Wife and Hanna's Bana in the part, have already been packing theatres before the movie's official release on Thursday, February 8 thanks to weekends of advanced screenings. The first camp share something in common with Connolly and Bana: loving The Dry as a book first. Indeed, it was the strength of the material that got them both interested, and saw a new Aussie franchise come to life in cinemas. This saga has more than a few drawcards, too, from the page-to-screen narratives, its filmmaker and star to the strength of its supporting casts, the fact that it's an Australian whodunnit series and its broader look at the nation's landscape beyond the outback's red earth. Where The Dry was set in the Victorian wheatbelt, trading ochre for yellow as far as the eye can see, Force of Nature stays in the same state but treks through lush, sprawling, inhospitably dense, vibrantly green mountainous forests. Falk isn't visiting his home town this time. He's firmly in professional mode, on a case that's sparked another. With fellow federal police officer Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), he's been working to turn Alice Russell (Anna Torv, The Last of Us) into a whistleblower against her employer, only for her to disappear on a corporate hiking retreat. Falk is desperate to find her alive — but getting to the bottom of what happened, both from her bosses Jill (Deborra-Lee Furness, Blessed) and Daniel Bailey (Richard Roxburgh, Prosper), and from her colleagues (Homeland's Robin McLeavy, Mortal Kombat's Sisi Stringer and Strife's Lucy Ansell), is hardly straightforward. That the spot where Alice has gone missing is also personal for Falk further complicates matters. Harper hasn't only written two novels about the determined detective. A third also sits on bookshelves around the country — and whether Exiles might also flicker across the screen was part of our chat with Connolly and Bana. We also asked the long-term friends, who worked together on Blueback in-between The Dry and Force of Nature, about their introduction to Aaron Falk, how Bana steps into his shoes, why the character and the tales he's in resonate so strongly, the stunning surroundings each film has taken them to, and the who's who of Aussie talent among the rest of the casts. [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] On First Discovering Jane Harper's Books, and Aaron Falk — and Wanting to Bring Them to the Cinema Robert: "It's interesting. Bruna Papandrea [The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2's producer], who's a very long-term friend of ours, sent me the book and said 'oh, do you think there's a film in this? Would you be interested? It's incredible'. We work together, share an office, and I literally read it that night. Came in the next day, had a chat with Bruna and said 'I think it's amazing'. Then I sat down with Eric for our morning coffee and said 'god, I read this book The Dry'. And he's like 'I read it too, do you want to do it?'. It was so easy. It was one of those effortless gatherings of friends to make a film. And we never imagined that we'd be making a followup film and taking the story of Aaron Falk further. Embarking on The Dry at that point was just incredible adventure, really." Eric: "Yeah, both just fans of the book originally, and then it all just went from there." On What Appealed to Bana About Stepping Into Aaron Falk's Shoes Eric: "I love great dialogue, and when I read The Dry, I wasn't thinking about myself at all. I was also just so taken in by Jane's depiction of the landscape. And as an Australian who who loves travelling through small country towns, I just felt like finally someone gets it — finally someone's nailed it. This is Australia. And then the way the characters were introduced and evolved, and some of the scenes between Aaron and Gretchen [played by Andor and Ahsoka's Genevieve O'Reilly in the film] — I remember reading and thinking 'if they turn this into a film, these scenes would be just incredible. These things would just be incredible to play'. And that voice started in my head of like 'great, that would be a great character. This would make a great film'. And then you just sort of park it. It was given to me by my wife, who reads every adaptation I've ever been in. And then it came up between Rob and I. So I just thought it was beautifully written. I was drawn to the dialogue. I thought it had a wonderful sense of place and had great potential." On Why the World of The Dry, Force of Nature and Aaron Falk Resonates So Strongly with Audiences Eric: "We don't have a lot of whodunnits in Australia. The Brits do it really, really well. I think they engage an audience in a different way to a traditional drama. Australians love heavy, dark drama, clearly. Character-driven stuff. So in some ways, it feeds that beast. But at the same time, I think it appeals to the ego of the audience who want to figure out something. You want to feel smart. And Jane lays these little, little traps, and Rob lays these little misdirections, and you have to be engaged. There's no leaving the cinema for five minutes when you're watching one of these kinds of films. So, I think that's part of the appeal. I really do. And they're extremely visual. The location is such a major character, it inhabits the drama and infects the drama in both stories. I think that makes them unique." [caption id="attachment_796110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] Robert: "Landscape is a potent thing in cinema. The success of streaming has thrown down the gauntlet to filmmakers now that we have to make films that are bigger and more epic, and that demand to be seen in the cinema. And so my last three films — The Dry, Blueback, Force of Nature — have all shot on large-format cameras, and we've got big music and big sound design. I'm trying to lift the experience of the cinema so that it can be all-consuming. Because I definitely feel in the books. I love the way that they place character in landscape. The landscape in Force of Nature is very different to The Dry, but they're both films that are all-consuming about place, a sense of place." On Expanding the Cinematic Depiction of Australia's Landscape Beyond the Outback's Red Earth Robert: "I am fascinated by the different parts of this country, and by landscape. And so I think the films I'm making are a bit of a jigsaw puzzle of portraits of different parts of Australia. I love going somewhere and then investigating it with the film. So in Force of Nature, I loved going into this subtropical ancient forest that people have never filmed in, with the camera and with the actors, and with this incredible story that Jane Harper had created, and investigating it with the camera — and then taking that to the audience. I think having grown up in the Blue Mountains and grown up in the bush, I do completely agree with you about showing things differently. Like for me, I had never seen a film about the Australian bush that really transported me into the bush I knew, that I'd been out in as a kid and got lost in and had adventures in. So I brought very much my own ambition to kind of make a love letter to the Australian bush in some ways as well, and to show it in a way that maybe no one had really done before in an equivalent way." On How Bana Prepared to Bring Aaron Falk to the Screen for the Second Time Eric: "It felt like a cheat. I mean, I've never been able to reprise a role before. I had this huge leg up and like 'I've been this guy already'. There's a little less work required. Then it was a case of, well, 'where's he at now and how much time has passed?'. This is more about policing. So The Dry was like he was in his own personal time, not as a police officer, and gets lured into elements of this potential crime that had occurred — and then is suddenly being taken down the path of investigator. Here, it's pure policing, 100-percent policing, him in his natural element. And that leads him into a personal investigation of himself and where he's at in his life, and what does policing mean. What does it mean to ask things of informants? And what are the moral ethics of that? And how does that clash with where he's at? Much to my shock, he's actually quite an experienced older officer in his early-to-mid 50s. There's a nice pension waiting for Aaron. So it's quite a different approach, because he is the vet in his professional environment, which was much different to The Dry." On Balancing the Professional and Personal Parts of Aaron Falk's Story, Helped by the Collaborative Approach to Making the Films Eric: "I think it comes down to what the material is asking of me and of the audience. And conversations that Rob and I will have about what this scene is potentially going say about Aaron, and how can we expand on that when Richard Roxburgh's character and Aaron come together, and what changes we can make to to enhance that. A lot of it is evolving when you're in the film as well, and that's why it's great having that collaborative approach, and that things aren't just locked in that — we can move, and we have the luxury because we've worked together and we're friends, we can navigate that stuff really easily." Robert: "It's a really interesting evolution, probably, in my approach to directing. There's one approach where you turn up on the day and you know what you want, and you've got a plan and a structure to get it. And there's another one, which is to turn up and work and collaborate with people that you have a great creative dynamic with, and use the day to explore the material and discover things in it. It took me a while. My earlier films, I was more anxious, probably, and they were a bit tighter because I was. But as I've got deeper into my career, I've wanted to almost call action and not quite know what's going to happen, be surprised by it. And create a situation, particularly with those five women lost in the bush, take them into a remote place, make it an incredibly tough location — they're out there — and then create situations where the camera is capturing a very real, visceral dynamic between them. So that's probably a great passion of mine — and Eric's right, we've been on the set exploring the scene. It's an evolution that happens on the page. I remember someone said that a script is written three times: on the page, during the shoot and in the edit. So when you have best screenplay awards, what are you judging? Are you judging the script on the page at the beginning, or the script you had at the end of the shoot, or the one at the end of the edit?" On Building Such Spectacular Australian Casts Around Bana as Aaron Falk Robert: "I think I've been very lucky across my career. My wife Jane Norris, one of Australia's leading casting directors, she has helped Eric and I on both these films with the casting. And she very much has an aesthetic, a casting aesthetic, which is that a film can be bedded down with a big actor like Eric playing a big character like Aaron Falk, but that Australian audiences also like seeing some of our great actors we haven't seen for a while — like Deborra-Lee Furness, Jacqueline McKenzie. In The Dry, someone like John Polson [who hadn't acted since 2000's Mission: Impossible II]. But she's always really big on new talent. She said Australians love it. She said 'let's go back to Muriel's Wedding and how we all felt seeing Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths for the first time, who went on to become massive actors'. She's big on making sure you are championing new talent in the in the aesthetic of the ensemble, which is where The Dry had those great young actors who've gone on to have massive careers. And in this, Sissy Stringer and Lucy Ansell, playing Bree and Beth, have brought this absolute energy. So I think that that combination of experience and new talent, it's just so dynamic. It feels dynamic on set, doesn't it?" Eric: "Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it definitely does. It was amazing. I mean, we were always really excited by the premise. It was one of the reasons we wanted to make this film. We kept talking about how amazing it would be to have five incredible actors in those roles, and that was going to really carry the the the story. Then Jane's first suggestion was was Deborra-Lee Furness, who's a very old friend of both of ours that we've known for a long time. And we just saw 'oh my god, if we can get her to say yes, we're on our way'. And she did, thankfully. And so it was amazing. They were incredible to work with, all of them. And just sitting in the edit and watching all those scenes — because as the actor, you're not always there on the day — just watching what the women were doing because they were so well-written, but then they were elevating everything and it was just so exciting." Robert: Anna Torv, I mean, we both loved her from Mindhunter. And it's similar, it's like 'do you think she'll do it?'. The excitement of casting is palpable, like when Eric and I — because Eric is producing partner on this as well and across everything creatively — and so as a team, we're all deciding on someone, and then arguing the case to them of why they must do our film." On Potentially Following Up The Dry and Force of Nature with Exiles Eric: "I really can't answer it. We never spoke about Force of Nature whilst we were making The Dry. It was never a conversation, and same with this one. We just wanted to make the best film we could, and for Australian public who gave us that opportunity by championing The Dry to the extent they did. So yeah, there is a third book there. It's Thursday, we're going to try and get through Friday, then Saturday, and then next week — and we just hope this film does well. And then we'll sit down and work out what to do next." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 releases in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Read our review of The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2. Images: Narelle Portanier.
UPDATE: AUGUST 28, 2020 — Carlton's pizza palace has been helping Melburnians through lockdown by delivering its tasty, tasty carbs, and now it's taking things up a notch with creative cocktails to-go. On Saturday, August 29 from 3pm until sold out, Leonardo's is selling piña coladas. To order, text a 🍍 to 0475 587 708 or head online to the website. Cocktails must be ordered with food. Stepping into Leonardo's Pizza Palace, there's a lot going on. Literally. For a Sunday night at eight o'clock, it's packed. A DJ is playing laid-back tracks, and waitstaff carry pizza and pasta to various nooks and crannies, navigating around punters waving glasses of Summer Spritz ($19, Aperol, fermented orange, bubbles) or a Bicycle Thief ($20, gin, Campari, grapefruit, lemon, soda). Formerly Da Salvatore Pizza By the Metre, the restaurant now has a bit of a Williamsburg vibe, although it isn't entirely necessary given that the building itself has its own personality in spades. The team responsible for southside favourites Leonard's House of Love and the soon-to-close Ramblr, have wisely kept the bones and décor from a pizza institution dating back to 1954. While they haven't kept the metre-long pizzas, they still have a kitchen dedicated entirely to pizza — which you can see through one of the many 70s-style brick archways dotted throughout the venue. Choose your toppings for these woodfired, charred and blistered, beauties from a red-and-white menu that channels old-school Chinese takeaway brochures as much as retro Italian ones. The pizza getting a lot of airtime here is topped with Chinese bolognese — taken from Ramblr's menu — piled atop the dough alongside white sauce, fior de latte and chopped scallions ($21). It's full of umami richness. But the pepperoni also has its merits, and the slightly spicy Sicilian further down the menu successfully combines Mediterranean vegetables, a red sauce base and a scattering of bitter rocket leaves. With a side serve of ranch dressing for dipping, there is no excuse not to eat your crusts at Leonardo's. You can't go past a good spag bol and Leonardo's is rich with a good ratio of meat to red sauce ($19). The broccolini salad ($10) features steamed and cooled broccolini, sweet bursts from sugar snap peas, toasted almonds, macadamia cream and a veritable snow storm of finely grated pecorino cheese. Decadent, but still a salad. The nostalgic continues into the desserts, with a choice of either tiramisu or gelato (both $10). When asked about the tiramisu, a waitress replied, "it is what it is and it comes out sliced like a pie." And that's pretty much the case. It's a wedge of thick mascarpone mousse on coffee-soaked sponge topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. While it's more texturally satisfying than flavoursome, the creamy smoothness is still a perfectly fine way to finish the meal. There's a good range of Italian and local wines, both by the glass and the bottle, four beers on tap (choose Leonardo's Bath Tub Brew and say it quickly four times) and a small selection of bottles and cans. Images: Kate Shanasy.
There's only one thing better than jumping in the car and travelling to a place you've never been before, and that's knowing that, upon arrival, you've got days of discovering epic food and drinks ahead of you. And if there's one area in Victoria that offers a plethora of hot restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to get around, it's the Bendigo region, which includes Heathcote, Castlemaine, Maldon, Maryborough, Talbot, Inglewood and Wedderburn. This collection of towns feature some of the most gorgeous spots to have a meal or two (or three) and, good news, the region's less than two hours from Melbourne's CBD. So, if you can muster up the energy to leave the couch and head off on a weekend getaway this winter, make it the Bendigo region — we've got you sorted for all the best bars, pubs and eateries to hit up while you're there. TUCK INTO SMOKY MEATS AT THE WOODHOUSE The Woodhouse is, as you may have guessed from the name, all about wood, smoke and fire — so, expect plenty of grilled and roasted meats and seafood, wood-fired pizza and more. This beloved Bendigo eatery boasts several different types of grills, which burn through around 40 tonnes of local red gum per year and bestow distinctive flavours and heavenly caramelisation on everything they come into contact with. Priding itself on its veritably strong connection to the local land, The Woodhouse spotlights some of the area's most revered producers, farms and vineyards. Step into the warm brick dining room, brimming with happy locals and the aroma of woody smoke, and you'll feel right at home. [caption id="attachment_731734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HAVE DINNER INSIDE A HISTORIC THEATRE Located in one of Australia's oldest theatres, the Theatre Royal, Lola is an easygoing eatery with simple furnishings and decor, low lighting and food that feels like you're eating a perfect homemade meal at a mate's place. All of the pizza and pasta options are sublime — boasting fresh and innovative combinations while maintaining a rustic aesthetic. After dinner, explore more of what the Theatre Royal has to offer — after a much-celebrated reopening in 2016, the historic building is now a live music venue and cinema and also houses an espresso and wine bar. [caption id="attachment_747407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Masons of Bendigo[/caption] ENJOY AN ARTFUL FEAST AT MASONS OF BENDIGO Artfully housed in the historical Mason glass factory, this buzzing restaurant places focus on colour, distinctive plating and small-scale local produce. The modern interior by Russell & George, featuring white brick walls, black chairs and bright timber, brings an airy, casual vibe to the upscale meal you'll be eating. Yep, Masons is one of the most relaxed fine dining experiences one can find. Try one of the Roaming menus ($69.50 per person for dinner or a very affordable $36.50 for lunch), which allows chefs Nick and Sonia Anthony to give you a true tasting tour of Victoria's luscious produce, intricately woven together to create edible art on the share-style plates. ENJOY A HEARTY PUB FEED IN THIS STUNNING HERITAGE BUILDING The Bull and Mouth Hotel was closed for a decade until locals Mick and Jo Reid finally reopened it following extensive renovations by a developer. The reopening in 2017 brought a bright, spacious boutique hotel, cafe and restaurant to the area. The hotel, which originally opened around 1904, is historically significant to Maryborough. Its resplendent Edwardian architecture — uncommon for the time in country Victoria — has acted as a historical local meeting place and landmark for years. Today, the pub and eatery is still well worth a visit for its grandeur, its history and its impressive contemporary take on beloved pub food classics. [caption id="attachment_731736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SIP WINE THEN SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AT BALGOWNIE ESTATE Balgownie Estate, famed for its cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, is a remarkable one-stop shop if you're looking for a special getaway. This lush, longstanding winery not only offers a gorgeous classic cellar door experience, but it also has a wine museum and a restaurant with an unmistakably French-inspired menu — think twice-baked cauliflower and goats cheese soufflé to start, followed by crispy skin duck breast with ratatouille and house-made petit fours to finish. There's stunning accommodation on offer, too. The winery has permanent glamping tents with top-notch amenities, so you can feel like you're in a luxe hotel room while lounging on the deck drinking vino under the stars and soaking in the beautiful vineyard views. EAT YOUR AWAY ALONG THIS BUZZING LANEWAY Chancery Lane is Bendigo's answer to the much-loved Melbourne laneway scene — but, if possible, it's even more charming. Enter the black Gaudi-inspired gates, designed by local artist Yvonne George, to find a vibrant laneway filled with salons, boutiques and art. You'll also find a great selection of places to eat and drink along here, too. Your first stop should be El Gordo, an incredibly popular all-day brunch and Spanish tapas bar. Here, you can enjoy huevos rancheros, bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches) and a selection of traditional conservas and tapas — think sardines with tomato and stuffed squid in ink sauce served with tostadas. Come dinnertime, make your way to The Dispensary to feast on an array of European- and Asian-inspired share-style plates. You can start with goat and turmeric croquettes or crispy tofu with broccoli before moving on to bao, confit duck cassoulet or charred pork cutlet with ratatouille and pumpkin puree. Peruse the extensive drinks menu or, for something a little different, book in for one of the venue's gin or whisky masterclasses, which will leave you with an in-depth understanding of the selected spirit — and samples, of course. TUCK INTO LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AT TALBOT'S PROVEDORE AND EATERY This bright venue chooses not to describe itself as a restaurant or a cafe — it's simply an 'eatery'. This summarises Talbot Provedore and Eatery's mantra for everything: simple, adaptable, everything going back to the absolute basics. Everything that's served, from the garnishes to the wine, is really and truly local — all grown or made within around an hour's drive from the kitchen. Some of it is grown in the community-maintained garden next door to the restaurant, and often Talbot residents and foragers will simply leave boxes of excess produce at the eatery's door. This means there's no menu for you to peek at before visiting, as it changes regularly depending on what produce is in — yet it's all consistently top-notch. HOP BETWEEN THE HEATHCOTE BREWERIES If you're a beer lover, then no Bendigo weekend is complete without a day trip travelling between the impressive array of nearby breweries. Start at Palling Bros — a captivating craft brewery named after Henry 'Rood' Palling, an 1850s convict who developed many of the institutions that established the area. The brewery offers a food menu that wanders far beyond your average pub grub, so you can demolish some gyoza, a pork belly yellow curry and a chocolate porter while learning all about the titular larrikin who put Heathcote on the map. Next stop is the Tooborac Hotel and Brewery. The 'Tooby' is the oldest National Trust listed country pub in Victoria, so there's plenty of history here — the brewery taps pay tribute to the working traditions of settler Australia with titles like the Shearers Lager and the Woodcutters Ale. If you're in need of a feed at this point, the hotel offers classic pub meals, as well as an in-house pie shop. Also worth a visit is Cornella Real, a microbrewery that focuses on traditional British ales. Cornella Real is located at The Shiraz Republic, right in the heart of wine region, so you can hit up the cellar door and taprooms in one go. Finish your visit with a leisurely pizza in the sunshine overlooking the grapevines. [caption id="attachment_731733" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] WANDER THROUGH AN ART AND FOOD PRECINCT The days of the old Castlemaine Woollen Mill being empty and derelict are gone. This is now the spot of The Mill Castlemaine — a creative hub for art and food lovers alike. Inside, you'll find a thriving food precinct including a cafe, coffee roastery and specialist stores for bread, cakes, beer, smallgoods. There is also an artisan and vintage precinct. It's worth putting aside a few hours to spend here, so you can spend time thumbing through the secondhand goodies at Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and browsing the different art galleries. But when you get hungry, head to Das Kaffeehaus. This spot emulates a Vienna cafe with an element of grandeur. You can eat sausages, cold cuts, Viennese coffee and cake while surrounded by lavish period paintings, gold-framed mirrors and a chandelier. After lunch, make your way to The Taproom. It's a laidback space offering pints of a wide range of beers from the on-site Shedshaker Brewing ranging from classic ales and IPAs to more enigmatic brews such as espresso black lager and a hemp pale ale. Or, if you're more into your vino, pay a visit to Boomtown Wine, a shared co-op where winemakers can come to make (and taste) small-batch, locally sourced wines of all varieties. To start planning your trip to Bendigo — and to discover more of what's happening in the region — head to the Bendigo Regional Tourism website.
While older Aussies might be more familiar with bat tennis — from back in the days when it was played around primary schools — the US-born game of pickleball has become far more popular. That's even more true throughout January when the Australian Open returns to Melbourne, and bars and hotels all over the city set up pop-up courts. And this year, the city has got a heap to choose from. [caption id="attachment_986676" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rooftop at QT[/caption] You've got a court up at the Rooftop at QT — which was first played on by Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrios and Frances Tiafoe earlier this month — that's been put together in partnership with Red Bull and The National Pickleball League. This pop-up pickleball court is open every day until Monday, March 3, but those seeking glory (and prizes) should rock up from 4–8pm from Thursday–Sunday. Winners score a round of free Red Bull cocktails and the very best performers have the chance to win an exclusive AO Live Red Bull experience, complete with an overnight stay at QT Melbourne. If one rooftop pickleball location isn't enough for you, you can also head over to Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street for more of the same action. Up at this sun-soaked space, you'll find another court open until Friday, February 28. The space is available to non-hotel guests throughout this period, but the best time to arrive is between 4pm and 9pm. This is when the crew gets out the DJ decks and serves curated cocktails at the adjacent Chateau La Gordonne rooftop lounge. [caption id="attachment_986576" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya[/caption] Lastly, the Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya crew has also joined the pickleball action in 2025, setting up a court on level one. Here, you can battle out with mates while sipping sake cocktails and barrelling through epic sushi platters. This has been set up in collaboration with the National Pickleball League, so do expect a top-quality court and all the gear needed to have a proper game. [caption id="attachment_986678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hilton Melbourne[/caption] [caption id="attachment_986572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya[/caption]
UPDATE, February 15, 2024: Supernormal Brisbane is now set to open in 2024. Head to the Supernormal website for further details. Big culinary names making a move to southeast Queensland: now that's a trend that Sunshine State residents love to see. In just the past couple of months, Guy Grossi has announced plans to open an Amalfi-inspired restaurant in Brisbane, and Hong Kong's Michelin-starred cantonese restaurant T'ang Court just launched on the Gold Coast. The latest eatery that's set to join them: Melbourne's famed Supernormal. Acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell has revealed that Supernormal will launch a second location in 443 Queen Street, Brisbane, in a new residential tower that's due to open in late 2023. It'll sit on the riverfront, and boast views of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge — and also be perched between the Queen Street Mall and Howard Smith Wharves. "There is a special combination of relationship, location, environment and architecture at 443 Queen Street that we are seriously excited to be a part of," said McConnell, announcing the news via Trader House — the collective that spans his restaurants, specialty retail stores and events. "For the past seven years, we've welcomed many interstate and international guests to Supernormal in Melbourne. Now, we look forward to contributing to Brisbane's already growing and vibrant food scene." "There's also a bounty of some of the country's best produce available. What a thrill to be able to explore this as we refine our offering," McConnell continued. Supernormal Brisbane marks Trader House's first venue beyond its Melbourne base, and will seat around 120 diners both inside and out — including in a private dining setup. While it's obviously too early to reveal the menu, the Brisbane restaurant will feature a hefty focus on Queensland produce and seafood, while plating up contemporary Australian dishes that also take inspiration from McConnell's time in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. Fingers crossed that Melbourne's marinated claims, New England lobster rolls, Hunan-style beef tartare and whole roasted flounder make the jump. On architectural and interior design duties: Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of Sydney's ACME, with the agency also working on the design of Melbourne's Gimlet at Cavendish House — the only Australian venue to make the longlist in 2022 for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, coming in in 84th position. Brisbanites can expect Supernormal Brisbane to link in with the Brisbane Riverwalk precinct — 'tis the location for it — and operate seven days a week, including offering an all-day dining menu. The new venue will start welcoming in patrons 22 years after McConnell opened his first restaurant, Dining Room 211, in Melbourne in 2001. And, it folds into a career that's spanned plenty of other notable Victorian sites, including Cutler & Co, Cumulus Inc, Marion, Builders Arms Hotel, Meatsmith and Morning Market. Supernormal Brisbane is set to open at 443 Queen Street, Brisbane in late 2023 — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced. For more information about Supernormal Melbourne, head to the restaurant's website. Images: Supernormal Melbourne, Nikki To / Jo McGann / Kristoffer Paulsen.
Brighton's Hamish & Grace is a whimsical store that sits slightly aside from the mainstream shopping strip. Australian designers are at the forefront, and you'll find Elk the Label printed jumpsuits, mermaid wall art, and peace sign vases by Byron-based brand Jones & Co, plus kids' knitted blankets from Melbourne's own Halcyon Nights. Boasting designer labels alongside handcrafted treasures, Hamish & Grace likes to ensure each item tells a story.
Huge news! Out of nowhere, everyone's favourite chaotic electronic musician Fred again.. is performing at the Sydney Opera House tonight, Tuesday, February 27. The English producer and DJ posted to his Instagram, showing him boarding a flight with his buddy and collaborator Joy Anonymous, teasing that they'd be performing wherever the plane landed. Now, Fred again.. has popped up on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, announcing an ultra last-minute performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Tickets are already available with tens of thousands of people jumping into the queue within minutes of the announcement. They're also limited to just two per person, to deal with the high demand. [caption id="attachment_943139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maclay Heriot, Laneway 2023[/caption] Fred was last in town for Laneway 2023 alongside Haim, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers, at which time he created pandemonium by performing at a slate of pop-up DJ sets around Australia and New Zealand alongside his festival appearances. Whether he'll be heading anywhere else in the country is yet to be confirmed. All we know is he'll be bringing his catalogue of hits to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall from 9.30pm tonight. So, if you want to catch 'Delilah (pull me out of this)', 'Marea (we've lost dancing)' and 'Rumble' in the hallowed halls of the recently renovated Sydney icon, this is your chance. To stay up to date with any more shows that might be announced, you can follow along at Fred again..'s Instagram account. [caption id="attachment_943136" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud, Laneway 2023[/caption] [caption id="attachment_943137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud, Laneway 2023[/caption] Fred again.. is performing at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, February 27. Tickets are now on sale. Head to the Sydney Opera House website for more information. Images: Daniel Boud, Laneway 2023.
TamJai Mixian is huge in Hong Kong, with the city home to over 50 stores serving big bowls of cheap and totally customisable noodles. And now, it's finally coming to Australia. But instead of opening just one store and seeing how it goes, the team already has four planned to open within the next few months. The first Melbourne TamJai is slated to open on Swanston Street on Thursday, November 28, followed by a Melbourne Central location in December. Come 2025, there will also be TamJai noodle shops in Box Hill and Glen Waverley. For those not in the know, what is TamJai Mixian all about? Simply put, it's a fast-food noodle shop that pairs rice noodles (cooked al dente) with a myriad of spicy soup bases and toppings. It's garnered huge popularity in Hong Kong thanks to its generous portions of cheap and boldly flavoured eats. The team boasts that over 10,000 units of its TamJai Supreme Mixian dish are sold every day in Hong Kong alone, with even more sold at stores in China, Singapore and Japan. But the Australian TamJais will be a little different to its Asian counterparts. The brand is using these sites to demo a new visual identity for the brand with bold graphics, a new logo and a colourful, modern restaurant fitout designed to appeal to an Aussie audience. Each store will even have a soup-tasting counter so that new customers can get acquainted with the spice levels of Tam Jai's signature soup bases, which range from 'non-spicy' to 'hell fire'. Punters can also choose from six different kinds of soup bases, into which they can add a large selection of fresh meat, fish and vegetables — plus, a few Hong Kong local specialties for the more adventurous noodle lovers. These will start at $17.90 and go up depending on how many toppings you add. Beyond noodles, you can also find the team's TuFei chicken wings (coated in a secret seasoning), sliced pork belly with mashed garlic and chilli oil, and drinks like Hong Kong-style lemon tea — similar to its soups, you can customise this with your desired level of sweetness. Daren Lau, Chairman and CEO TamJai International Company Limited shared, "Bringing TamJai Mixian to Australia has been our most eagerly anticipated overseas expansion to date, and we're excited to introduce Aussies to the Mixian food category. "We also know that there is a large population of Hong Kongers both visiting and living in Melbourne who will welcome the arrival of one of their favourite comfort foods from back home." TamJai Mixian's first Melbourne Location will open on Thursday, November 28 at 231 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Shops at Melbourne Central, Glen Waverley and Box Hill will open in the months following. For more information, check out the group's website.
Since 2016, the cinema-loving world has had a Studio Ghibli-shaped hole in its heart. That's when the acclaimed Japanese animation house released its most recent film, the gorgeous French co-production The Red Turtle. Its last solo production actually came two years earlier, courtesy of 2014's When Marnie Was There. Still, much has happened in Studio Ghibli's world over the past decade. Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement, then changed his mind. In 2018, fellow co-founder and acclaimed director Isao Takahata sadly passed away. And, over the past few years, the company has been busying itself with its very own theme park. The latter is due to open in 2022 and become quite the tourist attraction — but that doesn't mean that fans aren't keen for more Ghibli movies. Thankfully, the studio revealed earlier this year that it's working on just that, with two new films on its slate for 2020. One of those movies will be helmed by My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle icon Miyazaki, with How Do You Live? actually first announced a few years back. As for the second film, information have been scarce to date; however the company has just provided more than a few details. Called Aya and the Witch — and also known as Earwig and the Witch in English — the movie will mark the first Studio Ghibli completely made using computer-generated animation. Director-wise, it's helmed by Hayao Miyazaki's son Goro Miyazaki, who previously directed Tales from Earthsea and From Up On Poppy Hill. It's also based on a novel written by British author Diana Wynne Jones, who penned the book that Howl's Moving Castle was adapted from, too. And, it'll head straight to Japanese television, with the film airing on local broadcaster NHK TV sometime during Japan's winter. Just when audiences elsewhere will get to see Aya and the Witch is yet to be revealed; however it was announced this week that it would've screened at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival if the event had gone ahead this year. In lieu of holding a physical fest, the prestigious event announced a lineup of 56 movies it would've shown, giving them the 'Cannes 2020 Official Selection' label — and Ghibli's latest is one of them. In terms of story, Aya and the Witch focuses on a girl at an orphanage. She enjoys living there, but her world changes when she's chosen to live with a couple — including, as the title makes plain, a witch. Fingers crossed that Aya and the Witch will head to screens Down Under sooner rather than later. In the interim, you can get your Ghibli fix by checking out the company's online tours of its museum on the outskirts of Tokyo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccgm1Pp5Whw Via Studio Ghibli. Top image: Howl's Moving Castle.
If you're a Melburnian looking for a new staycation destination, you'll can now add the first Victorian venue from hotel chain W Hotel to your must-stay list. And if you're from elsewhere in Australia and you're planning a trip to the city, you can pair your next visit with drinks in a laneway bar, a dip in a sky-high pool and striking views. First announced in 2020, and now up and running as of February 2021, W Melbourne has opened in Flinders Lane, with 294 guest rooms and 29 suites. Following W Brisbane's ten-gallon baths, the Melbourne digs are no less indulgent — including an 'Extreme Wow Suite', which has its own 40-square-metre balcony with views of the Yarra, a jukebox and cocktail bar. Designed by local architect and interior design firm Hachem, W Melbourne also houses a 14th-floor spa, gym and a heated indoor pool with a gold-adorned roof, as well as a poolside bar and DJ decks. And, for those needing function space, W has a heap of it — a 830-square metre space for conferences, meetings, weddings or holding lush balls. On the food and drinks front, the site will eventually boast four in-house venues to choose from — with two up and running now. Already pouring drinks is bar Curious, which you'll find down a laneway and through a secret entrance. It's designed to look like a cocoon, and comes fitted out with dark hues, moody lighting and quite a display of wooden beams overhead. On the menu: cocktails inspired by Melbourne's love of coffee, art and fashion; plus oysters, charcuterie, cheese, and cold and hot small bites. Or, you can opt for a meal at Lollo, with the all-day dining venue under the direction of chef Adam D'Sylva. For breakfast, its range spans the likes of brekky pizza and Indian-style eggs, while duck lasagne, asparagus tortellini, grilled octopus and steak tartare feature on the menu throughout the rest of the day. Come May, the 30-seat Warabi will be your go-to for Japanese fine dining, with the intimate space also featuring a private space for ten. And, Culprit will flip from a cafe during the day to a wine bar at night — complete with a floor-to-ceiling charcuterie display and a vermouth tasting tray. Design-wise, the hotel goes heavy on Victorian bluestone tiles, glass and wood, and celebrates the city it calls home. So, you can expect to see a lenticular art installation by local artist Rus Kitchin, which creates a canopy of Australian flora and fauna; in-room wall graphics featuring fairy wrens, which are native to our shores; and design details inspired by Melbourne's street-level newspaper kiosks. W Melbourne is now open at 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
It's his first solo headlining Australian tour since 2011. It comes after the entire world, or thereabouts, watched him on the Super Bowl stage in 2024. Of course Usher's Past Present Future dates Down Under were going to be popular, then, so much so that he's added more gigs before general tickets even go on sale. The good news: the eight-time Grammy-winner is now playing six concerts each in Melbourne in November and Sydney in December. If you're located elsewhere in Australia, however, he's still only heading to the Victorian and New South Wales capitals, so you'll need to make interstate plans. Celebrating his three-decade career is the name of the game on Usher's Aussie trip — which means going all the way back to his first single 'Call Me a Mack' from 1993, also playing tracks off of his latest 2024 album Coming Home, plus working his way through plenty in-between. With the just-announced shows, adding to the tour due to presale demand, 12 dates have been locked in for Past Present Future's Aussie stop. At Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Usher will take to the stage on Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, then again on Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 and then across Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26. In Sydney, he's playing Qudos Bank Arena on Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, then on Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 and finally on Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11. The initial US shows on the Past Present Future tour were announced just days before Usher's Super Bowl set, which worked through hits from across his lengthy career itself. From August–December 2024, the Texas-born singer made his way across North American stages, before heading to Europe (including England, France, the Netherlands and Germany) from March 2025. Also popping up on his setlist across the tour so far: 'Yeah!', of course, plus everything from 'Can U Get Wit It', 'Nice & Slow', 'U Remind Me' and 'U Got It Bad' to 'Burn', 'OMG', 'Euphoria' and more. And yes, this means that the last two Super Bowl half-time show headliners have both announced 2025 tours to Australia, with Kendrick Lamar on the bill at Spilt Milk. Usher's Past Present Future World Tour Australia 2025 Dates Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 + Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 + Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Usher is touring Australia in November and December 2025. Presales are on now, while general tickets go on sale at 12pm for Melbourne and 1pm for Sydney on Friday, May 16 — head to the tour website for more details. Images: Marcus Macdonald / Bellamy Brewster.
When you go to the movies to watch a flick on the big screen, you abide by the usual cinema etiquette rules. You don't kick the seat in front of you, you refrain from checking your phone and lighting up the darkened theatre with its bright glow, and you don't natter away through the feature and annoy everyone around you, for instance. Also, you wear clothes. Well, usually. If you're going to the Lido's special nude session of Nude Tuesday, however, disrobing is highly encouraged. Yes, you read that correctly. When the New Zealand comedy hits screens Down Under this winter, it's baring all, and the Lido wants you to join in. Featuring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement, his What We Do in the Shadows co-star Jackie van Beek, and Aussie Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Damon Herriman, Nude Tuesday follows an unhappy couple who are gifted a trip to a remote couples' retreat to help save their marriage — a spot where getting in the buff often is recommended — after all. Attendees are asked to strip down for the session (or just wear their underwear) at 4pm on Sunday, June 26. There are a few ground rules, though. Photography is completely off limits, you'll need to bring a towel to sit on, only patrons over the age of 18 can attend and you're asked to respect your fellow movie-goers' personal space. You also need to rock up fully clothed, and then disrobe inside the cinema. And, if you have to go to the bathroom during the movie — or want something from the candy bar — you'll need to get dressed again. This isn't the Lido's first clothing-optional session — or its first involving Clement, for that matter. Fans might remember that the venue did the same for another comedy called Patrick last year.
Australia's touring all-inclusive music and arts festival Summer Camp is returning in December with a lineup of over 100 artists. Following Summer Camp's inaugural run in 2022 which combined great tunes and LGBTQIA+ pride, the blockbuster event will be back in Melbourne at St Kilda Marina on Saturday, December 2. Leading the lineup are headliners Jessie Ware and Trixie Mattel. Ware teased that she was playing the festival back in May, advising that she'd be appearing on an episode of her podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware before confirming her place on the lineup in July. It's been a long time between Australian visits for the UK disco-pop queen. The last time she graced our shores was for Laneway Festival all the way back in 2013. In the period since, she's released four albums, including the immensely critically acclaimed What's You Pleasure in 2020 and its equally vibrant recent follow-up That! Feels Good!. But now Ware's drought of Aussie appearances is officially coming to an end. [caption id="attachment_919632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matto Lucas[/caption] Also on the bill: viral sensation Rebecca Black, who has had a major career revival since 2021, releasing a slate of acclaimed pop projects ten years after achieving global infamy for her so-bad-it's-good track 'Friday'. Similarly gracing the stage are Brooke Candy, Kito, Meg10, The Illustrious Blacks and Tom Aspaul, alongside a stacked program of local musicians, DJs, dancers and performance artists. The BEAT stage will be dedicated to thumping house, disco and techno tunes. Melbourne's Summer Camp will host a cutting-edge Rave Cave. The St Kilda edition takes place as part of the huge 17-day ALWAYS LIVE program that's hitting the state throughout November and December. The massive program also includes performances from Christina Aguilera, Jai Paul and Eric Prydz. [caption id="attachment_919633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matto Lucas[/caption] SUMMER CAMP FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP: Jessie Ware Trixie Mattel Brooke Candy Kito Meg10 Rebecca Black The Illustrious Blacks Tom Aspaul Ultra Naté Alex Morris Ballroom Australia Bathesba Crescendoll Daws Dilonce' Disco Daddies DJ Gay Dad Ecterera Ecterrea x Art Simone Fragile Future House of Buffet Jesse Boyd Kat Zowthabag Kween Kong Mz Risk Nick Spurway Saint Eve Sal Simple Sovblkpssy Stone Motherless Cold Sullivan The Huxleys Tilly Capulet Tyoow Vb Unicorns Yo Mafia Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Craving a bit of nature time to soothe the soul and bring down the stress levels? Well, adventure-loving ladies will now find an instant girl tribe of likeminded outdoorsy types to jam with, courtesy of the new Meetup group, Melbourne Girls Outside. For Laura King, who founded the group last month with mates Tamara Hutchins, Eliza Sum, Emily Rayner and Alla Kozyreva, it's a way of connecting local ladies with a passion for the outdoors, and inspiring them to get out there, smash some goals, and make new friends in the process. "We wanted to show women that you don't have to travel far from the city to be at one with nature, find some serenity and ignite new passions by getting active in our natural world," she explained. With over 450 members signed up in the first month, this is quite the gang of girl bosses you'll have by your side. Open to any Melburnian identifying as a woman, Melbourne Girls Outside has already seen members get stuck into hiking, rock climbing, overnight walks and a movie night – and the program's only set to amp up as Melbourne's weather finally starts playing ball. Sign up now to get involved in all the horseriding, cycling, snorkelling and standup paddling action to come. You can find Melbourne Girls Outside over on meetup.com.
Sometimes one pizza isn't enough. Sometimes your stomach is a ravenous bottomless pit. Sometimes you need all-you-can-eat. Luckily, Melbourne is not lacking in this department — there are restaurants offering all-you-can-eat sushi, pizza and gyoza every day of the week. And we've wrapped up our favourites, so you can satisfy your insatiable cravings, no matter what day it is.
Tasmania has quickly become the ultimate destination for lovers of all things spirituous, frothy and quaffable, with world-class wine regions, small batch spirit producers and a proud history of local brews and hop growing. You'll find new distilleries challenging tradition with unique, personalised experiences for the whisky aficionado and specialist gins that encompass the taste and place that is Tasmania. There are more breweries than you can shake a stick at — including an Aussie trailblazer in the wild fermentation scene. Not to mention the finest of Australian sparkling wine. So whatever your tipple, it's time to grab your glass and see what's on pour in our great southernmost state. We've teamed up with Tourism Tasmania to highlight the region's finest. Just make sure you've got a designated driver in tow. [caption id="attachment_866909" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liza Jane Sowden[/caption] MAKE YOUR OWN SPARKLING WINE AT JOSEF CHROMY Tasmania is the centre of Australia's premium sparkling industry and Josef Chromy Wines produces some of the finest. This is a cellar door experience like no other. At the state-of-the-art winery in Relbia, you'll be guided through the art of sparkling winemaking and tasting before you blend your own sparkling wine to delight your palate — and yes, you get to take a bottle home with you. Hear about Josef's story as a leader of the Tasmanian food and wine industry, the sustainable practices of the vineyard and the cool-climate regions he has helped put on the map. Finish with a tasting flight of current releases, followed by a two-course lunch in the restaurant featuring the finest of local produce — with paired wines, of course. [caption id="attachment_867702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Harmsen[/caption] TAKE A SPRING BAY DISTILLERY VIP TOUR AND TASTING Get a personalised VIP whisky experience at Spring Bay Distillery. Distilling team Cam and Suzy Brett produce award-winning Australian spirits at this spectacular maritime location on the East Coast. Discover whiskies shaped by the sea, crafted from the region's pristine rainwater and premium Tasmanian barley, in a range of elegant single malts from the bright, light and floral to the rich, sweet and bold. As is fitting of a VIP, you'll sample a tasting flight of three drams — including an exclusive dip straight from the barrel — and experience a personalised distillery tour. Find out how exceptional Australian single malt can be and experience the ultimate whisky-lover's delight. [caption id="attachment_868870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Cheese Studio[/caption] ENJOY HAND-PUMPED ALE AND CIDER AT THE TWO METRE TALL FARM BAR Head into the scenic Derwent Valley for a hand-pumped pint at Two Metre Tall. The 'farm bar' sits at the end of an unassuming country driveway surrounded by idyllic farmland and some decorative hop vines. One of the earliest Aussie breweries to really explore wild, funky and sour ferments, it now brews a range of farm ales and ciders throughout the year — including seasonal specials and a dry sparkling mead. Ingredients are sourced from their own sustainable local farm and carefully selected growers across Tasmania. If spontaneous fermentation and sustainable practices are your thing, stop in for some free tastings and a pint, bring a picnic and settle in for an afternoon. Driver recommended. [caption id="attachment_867703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alistair Bett[/caption] GO WHISKY DEEP AT THE CALLINGTON MILL DISTILLERY SERENDIPITY EXPERIENCE The picturesque historic town of Oatlands is now home to a new distillery. On the grounds of the old Callington Mill, this architecturally-designed space is the "Rolls-Royce of Whisky distilleries" and is already home to some award-winning drops. In the massive barrel room of the Callington Mill Distillery, you'll taste five premium cask-strength whiskies, including an Australian brandy cask and a bourbon ex muscadelle. Learn from the masters about the art of crafting the perfect single malt for your tastes. Then do it, and leave with a full bottle of the dram of your dreams and your own unique label. Finish off with an interactive, self-guided tour of the distillery. Prepare to have your whisky-loving mind (and palate) well and truly blown away. [caption id="attachment_866448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] S.Group[/caption] INDULGE YOUR LOVE OF GIN AT SOUTHERN WILD DISTILLERY Southern Wild Distillery has managed to craft something truly distinctive with Dasher + Fisher gins. The distillery is embracing what's unique about Tasmanian landscapes and showcasing small local growers, capturing seasonality, the personality and — of course — the spirit of the place. Take a tour of the distillery and explore different Tasmanian regions with the tasting flight. The Mountain Gin botanicals include pepperberries and herbs from Cradle Mountain with eucalypt and rosemary, with a refreshing result akin to an alpine walk on a wet day. The Meadow Gin distils the essence of Tasmanian gardens with herbs, flowers and seasonal orange. The savoury Ocean Gin variety uses wakame seaweed harvested from the Tasman Sea as a hero botanical. Plus they also craft Sloe, Strawberry, Cherry and Saffron steeped gins highlighting local Tasmanian producers of premium ingredients. Bottom's up. Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Tourism Tasmania and Adam Gibson
If you've got a soft spot for playful hidden messages and food that's almost too cute to eat, this Shepparton-born, Collingwood spot is making a play to be your new lunchtime go-to. A cheery wellness cafe, health food store and sushi bar, Nourish is capturing plenty of hearts with its unique 'sushi art' and its Aussie-first customised sushi service. Nourish's signature hand rolls and nigiri all have floral patterns carved into them, done using a laser etching machine imported from Germany. For custom cuteness, owners Freddy Raftellis and Michael Whelan also do sushi designs to order, etching various messages and graphics into the nori rolls' seaweed. Think, 'Congratulations' for your mate who's just had a bub and can finally eat raw fish again, or maybe a 'Will You Be My Bridesmaid' number for your sushi-obsessed bestie. Alongside the wide array of sushi, Nourish is whipping up a range of sweet and savoury smoothie bowls ($16.50), plus sippable smoothies, juices and a daily-changing rotation of fresh salads. You'll also find a range of hearty sangas stuffed between locally-made sourdough — perhaps featuring the likes of Sriracha-roasted pumpkin with zucchini and pickled red onion ($13.50), or lemon oregano chicken finished with mayo and avocado ($13.50). Images: Lumea Photo
Award-winning theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh's incredible adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera is headed to Melbourne this November. His staging of the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical (produced in collaboration with Opera Australia) will see curtains raised at the State Theatre at 7:30pm on Wednesday, November 2 for the first of a strictly limited-time run. Given that the original musical has won over 70 major theatre awards and is so well-loved, it needs little introduction. However, for the unacquainted, it tells the story of a fictional masked figure who lurks in the catacombs below the Paris Opera House, terrorising all within. He quickly falls madly in love with a young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to fostering her talents — by any means possible. [caption id="attachment_875744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Phantom of the Opera Australia 2022 - Josh Piterman, Amy Manford by Daniel Boud[/caption] A seamless fusion of classic and contemporary, this new production features a thrilling combination of spectacular costumes, stagecraft and song (such as 'All I Ask of You' and 'Masquerade') brought to life by a few familiar Australian faces. Melbourne's own Josh Piterman plays the Phantom, Amy Manford stars as young talent Christine Daaé, and The Book of Mormon alum Blake Bowden brings to life the role of Raoul de Chagney, alongside an orchestra of 65 people — making The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australian history. Opera Australia's The Phantom of the Opera is playing at Arts Centre Melbourne for a strictly limited time. With tickets on sale now, book them before you miss out. Images by Daniel Boud
Could there be a more fitting way for Mexican restaurant Mejico to kick off its monthlong birthday festivities than with a big celebration of tacos and agave spirits? We think not. So, on Saturday, October 8, the CBD venue is getting the party started with the first ever Melbourne edition of its Taco & Tequila Festival — already a popular annual affair at Mejico's Sydney outpost. Firing up from 12pm, it'll see the Pink Alley restaurant transformed into a dedicated agave tasting room, where you can move between supplier stalls sampling pours from labels like Fortaleza, Corazón, Gran Centenario and more. With plenty of boutique sips and hard-to-come-by tequilas in the mix, this lineup is sure to impress the most avid of agave aficionados. You can nab a ticket for $40, which includes all tastings, a tasting glass and two of Mejico's signature tacos to enjoy in-between tequilas. And when you need to switch things up, you'll find $5 beers and $10 margaritas available from the bar. The festival is set to offer a taste of what's to come when Mejico Melbourne's new late-night tequila bar opens permanently at the end of October.
Tiamo has been serving pizza, pasta and coffee on Lygon Street for more than four decades. The super-popular family-run venture is cosy and comfortable, despite spilling over into the space next door and upstairs to a second level, making it the perfect spot for a big group affair. Grab a seat inside or out on the street and settle in for a classic Italian meal featuring antipasto, salads, pasta and simple (but delicious) pizzas. There is also a selection of mains available, all authentically Italian — think veal scallopine, osso buco and eggplant parmigiana. The clientele is a mixture of students, workers and northside locals after affordable, family-friendly eats. The fact that this Carlton restaurant is BYO (with an $8 corkage fee per bottle) is but the cherry on top. Images: Tracey Ah-kee
What makes a great avocado on toast? The answer to that question is subjective, because we all have different tastes when it comes to the breakfast and brunch staple. What makes a serving of avo on toast so spectacular that it's dubbed the best that Australia, nation of avid avo toast worship, has to offer? Avocados Australia, the industry body representing the Aussie avo industry, thinks it knows — and it has just named the country's top version, in fact. Since June, the organisation has been running the first-ever Australia's Best Avo Toast competition, aiming to find the avo on toast that'd make all other avo on toasts envious if the dish had feelings (and turned even greener with envy about better avos on toast). The winner hails from Brisbane, with Balmoral's Little Hideout Cafe getting the nod for a menu item called 'seasonal avocado'. [caption id="attachment_862831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Hideout Cafe[/caption] If you're a Brisbanite keen to give it a try — if you haven't already — or you now know where you're headed for an avocado fix next time you're up north, the winning dish goes with slices of avo, rather than smashing it all up. It places them atop a toasted slice of grainy sourdough, then pairs it with roast tomato aioli, whipped feta and beetroot hummus, as well as slices of radish and a sprinkle of homemade dukkah. The cost: $16.90. No, spending that on avo on toast won't rob young Aussies of their chance to buy a house. Yes, visiting the cafe for some avo will help make a dent in Australia's current glut of avocados. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Little Hideout Cafe (@littlehideoutcafe) Little Hideout emerged victorious from a list of ten finalists, with Queensland performing strongly. Nodo in Newstead, Anouk Cafe in Paddington, Cinnamon and Co in West End and Kin and Co Cafe in Teneriffe all hail from Brissie, too, while Guyala Cafe is located in Cairns. In New South Wales, Barbetta Cucina in Paddington and Bolton Street Pantry in Newcastle made the list, while Faraday's Cage in Fitzroy was the sole Victorian finalist, and The Banksia Tree in Port Adelaide the lone South Australian venue. [caption id="attachment_862832" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barbetta Cucina[/caption] And if you're wondering how the competition worked, it was judged by Avocados Australia, with a focus on the quality of avocados used and how they were heroed in the dish. Little Hideout's avos are supplied by Big Michael's, and grown by Simpson Farms. Little Hideout Cafe is located at 2/185 Riding Road, Balmoral, Queensland. For more information about Avocados Australia's best avo toast competition, head to the organisation's website.
Australians have hotly anticipated the opening of the very first Il Mercato Centrale in Melbourne ever since it was first announced in 2022. At that time, it was expected to launch late the same year. But it's now 2024, and we still have no hard date for its opening. The highly ambitious venture came across a heap of setbacks, as the team behind it is determined to create a hospitality venue unlike anything that Melbourne has ever seen. All the red tape has now been sorted, however, and construction is charging ahead at 546 Collins Street at lightning speed. [caption id="attachment_856983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale in Turin[/caption] First off, the 3500-square-metre space, spread across three stories, truly is enormous. The first floor will have a market feel to it but with more flash, fun and tech. Each of the vendors will be slinging their own specialty goods, with none competing with the other. There'll be a bakery, patisserie, pasta shop, pizza joint, cheese maker, butcher and seafood stall, to name a few. Here, you can get fresh produce to take away or order it to be cooked up right in front of you. That means that you can buy a steak to eat at home or ask them to pop it on the grill while you start on some wine that you ordered from the bar right in the centre of the ground floor. Want to make it a surf and turf? Order some grilled calamari from the seafood stall next door and create your own feast. Conveniently, you'll be able to order from any and all vendors all in one transaction by using a QR code — or even pre-order from your office to pick up when it's ready. It going to be one of the easiest Melbourne food halls to order from. Then, on the second floor of Melbourne's Il Mercato Centrale, you'll find a fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar, pasta restaurant (all made by hand), pizzeria, gelateria, wine bar, a gin and vodka distillery, and live music stage. We told you, it's huge. Up here, you'll even be able to order some of the food from downstairs to be delivered to you. Say you're sipping on a negroni at the bar upstairs and get a bit hungry. All you've got to do is order a cheeseboard and perhaps some slices of pizza on your phone, and the team will bring it up to you. If it all works out how the crew wants it to, it will be a huge feat of tech and service ingenuity. The top floor of Il Mercato Centrale will then be dedicated to private events and masterclasses, where each of the vendors will run workshops on their particular trades each month. [caption id="attachment_856981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale Rome[/caption] There will even be a big outdoor seating area right on Collins Street, something that was not easy for the Il Mercato Centrale team to secure. Taking Concrete Playground on a tour of the site, General Manager Gary Patikkis couldn't share the details about the outside area, but he noted that it is set to be unlike any other street-level drinking and dining space in the CBD. The venue will have a 3am liquor license (another rarity for new venues in Melbourne) and be open until from 7am–12am every day of the week. Patikkis was reluctant to share any opening dates, but rest assured that Il Mercato Centrale is coming. And Melburnians and visitors alike hopefully won't have to wait much longer before being able to dine on a massive range of Italian eats in the Victorian capital's CBD. [caption id="attachment_856978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale Firenze[/caption] Mercato Centrale Melbourne is set to open at 546 Collins Street, Melbourne. We'll share more information as it is announced, and you can head to the venue's website in the interim. Top image: Il Mercato Centrale Milan.
Evie's Disco Diner is a queer-friendly, bottomless brunch-serving, drag-bingo-playing bar that's loved by Fitzroy's late-night revellers. It's big, brash and doesn't take itself too seriously. This has been a winning combo for the team running the Gertrude Street haunt — one of our picks for Melbourne's best bars for dancing. But when they decided to open a spot in the CBD, they didn't want to replicate this formula exactly. Instead, new bar Champagne Problems is like Evie's grown-up sister. She still likes to party and have a big night out, but now prefers to do so while sipping on signature cocktails, and snacking on shared plates and cheese fondue. The crew running the show describes the aesthetic and vibe as "elevated camp". Where Evie's accents are all bright pink, Champagne Problems is fully embracing lime green, from the neon sign out front, to the chairs, painted walls and cocktails like its appletini and Japanese slipper — and yes, we are as confused as you are by Midori's unexpected return to so many Melbourne bars. The team has also left plenty of room inside for when long drinking and dining sessions lead into dancing around the bar late at night. A regular lineup of DJs will help set this party mood as well. But before the party gets going, plenty of food is up for grabs. Small plates dominate the menu, like devilled eggs, prawn cocktails, seared scallops with beets and roasted garlic puree, oysters with champagne granita, and cheese and meat boards. A few bigger dishes also feature, like the lobster roll, beef burger, steak frites and duck a l'orange. Late at night, the kitchen serves decadent truffle gruyere jaffles and caviar bumps. And cheese fondue is also on the cards for winter, great for big group hangs. You can pair these eats with beer and wine, but Champagne Problems is more about cocktails — surprisingly, not champagne. When the sun is shining, you can sit on the outdoor tables with limoncello and yuzu spritzes and margaritas. Those wanting the harder stuff can try the cherry negroni or coconut old fashioned. Classics can also be whipped up without fuss if the signatures don't do it for you. If you loved drinking and dancing at Evie's but now feel a little too old for it, consider a trip to its older sibling in the CBD. You'll find Champagne Problems at 238 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, open 4pm–late from Wednesday to Sunday. For more details, head to the venue's website. Images: Luke Robinson, Drop Media
In the coming years, the Gold Coast is set to welcome a new man-made surf wave pool, as well as a hotel and resort at Dreamworld. Later in 2021, it'll also boast a cabana-filled oceanside precinct on a rooftop. But before all of that comes to fruition, the popular southeast Queensland tourist destination is set to score another new attraction — with its new $60.5 million, six-level art gallery opening its doors on Saturday, May 8. First announced back in 2018, and given a launch date earlier this year, the new addition is part of HOTA, Home of the Arts in Surfers Paradise. Simply called the HOTA Gallery, it has been built at the top of the site's concert lawn, overlooking HOTA's outdoor stage. It's now the country's largest art gallery outside of a capital city and, obviously, it's giving art lovers both locally and Australia-wide plenty to get excited about. Designed by Melbourne-based architects ARM, the multi-floor gallery spans more than 2000 square metres of exhibition space. That includes a main area for touring exhibitions, a permanent collection space across three levels and a children's gallery. There's also an area for storing works that aren't on display, which is pivotal given that the site houses the Gold Coast's $32 million, 4400-piece City Collection. [caption id="attachment_811097" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Back wall: Nicola Moss Local Air 2021; Kirsty Bruce Wonderwall 2021; Aaron Chapman The Towers Project 2021; Back right: Michael Candy, Steal the Sunshine 2021; Front: Ali Bezer I Can Hear Water 2021; SOLID GOLD: Artists from Paradise, HOTA Gallery. Photo by Paul Harris Photography.[/caption] View-wise, there's much to look at already if you're keen on gazing at creative pieces. Running until July 4, Solid Gold: Artists from Paradise, showcases new works by Gold Coast artists, while Lyrical Landscapes: The Art of William Robinson pays tribute to one of Australia's greatest landscape painters until October 3. There's also Contemporary Masters from New York: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, which makes its world premiere until February 27 – and features 70 works from the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Richard Prince and Jeff Koons. In the children's gallery, World Upside Down runs until October 10, and is designed to be interactive for audiences of all ages. Visitors can also peer at more than just the art gracing the walls. The building's windows offer a stellar view of Surfers Paradise — and, outside, sculptural installations await. Queensland Waanyi artist Judy Watson's addition to the site heroes Indigenous native plants, and includes a pathway that forms a topographical map of Nerang prior to European settlement. It also spans Piccabeen basket and dilly bag sculptures designed with Quandamooka artists Libby Harward and Elisa Jane Carmichael, and features a two-metre-tall feather canopy and snippets of local language sandblasted onto the bleachers. And Sri-Lankan born, Sydney based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran has crafted a six-metre-high, double-sided sculpture made out of bronze, concrete, neon and fibreglass that's designed to reflect the vibrancy of the new building. [caption id="attachment_811082" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brett Boardman[/caption] Back inside the building, a rooftop bar and restaurant is also opening its doors. Called The Exhibitionist Bar, it takes over 233 square metres, and pairs panoramic views with tapas, share plates, cocktails, wine, beer and house-made sodas. Both indoor and outdoor terrace seating are a feature, and you'll get a vantage that sprawls over the Goldie's waterways, Surfers' Paradise skyline and the hinterland. Plus, in terms of decor, the venue takes its cues from rainforests — as does the immensely colourful building itself, which is inspired by William Robinson's 'The Rainforest'. HOTA Gallery and The Exhibitionist Bar will both open at HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise on Saturday, May 8. For more information, visit the HOTA website. Top images: Brett Boardman
