It's a pretty good time to be a fan of rooftop bars, barbecue or both if you live in Melbourne. The Fancy Hank's BBQ have opened a dedicated, two-storey barbecue joint on Bourke Street — complete with a rooftop bar Good Heavens. The 100-seat restaurant is basically a bigger, better version of their venue at The Mercat, complete with a two-tonne smoker that had to be brought in through the first-storey window. They'll need it. Co-owner Michael Patrick notes how the menu features the signature smoked meats, as well as a rotating vegetarian main, such as a smoked eggplant or sweet potato, as well as a few more surprises. "The sides will be a bit more considered as well — a bit more seasonal, a bit more made to order, a bit more interesting," he says. "And mains will be served up on platters, family-style — that's the way to go. We'll be adding a dessert cabinet too." Head above, and you'll feel like you're in the heavens — or Good Heavens, as the bar will be called. A whole new concept set to open any day now, it's a casual rooftop bar that's unlike anything the Fancy Hank's guys have done before. The bar has chosen to champion brightly-coloured '80s-inspired cocktails (blue curaçao may be making an appearance), as well as barbecue snacks like spicy southern chicken ribs, chilli nachos and a seared and smoked lamb neck grilled cheese sandwich. Head to the Fancy Hank's website to book yourselves a BBQ feast before hitting up the rooftop for sunset cocktails.
If you've stepped foot outside recently, you'll probably have noticed Sydney has scored a bevvy of new neon-green arrivals. First appearing in early November, the distinctive vehicles of US-born bike share company Lime has now taken over the city. You might be thinking it's a strange time to be rolling out yet another bike share service in Sydney, and you're not wrong. A swag of international share bike companies like Reddy Go and oBike launched in Australia, but had a rough time gaining traction locally, as councils crack down on dumping and vandalism issues spurred by the new dockless systems. But strict laws and stories of ill-fated predecessors don't appear to have deterred Lime, which has this week launched a fleet of its Lime-E electric-assist bicycles across Sydney. These work much the same as others we've seen — you locate a nearby bike using the Lime app, unlock it by scanning a QR code or entering an ID, cruise to your destination, then park and lock the bike safely out of the way. The difference between other dockless bikes and Lime-E, is its lithium battery, which the company says allows users to ride up to 14.8 mph (23.8kmh) without breaking a sweat — even when venturing uphill. The bikes' batteries (which last for about 80 kilometres) will be supposedly monitored and replaced regularly by the company, and can be checked by tapping the Lime-E icon on the app. Each of the vehicles is also equipped with a sensor, which can tell the operators its location, elevation and even orientation — a feature which may or may not help curb bike dumping. In Sydney, it'll cost you $1 to unlock a Lime-E and 30 cents per minute for your ride. The Californian company's perhaps best known for its dockless electric scooters, which first hit the streets of Auckland and Christchurch last month. A week-long trial of the two-wheeled vehicles is also underway on campus, at Monash University in Clayton, Melbourne. The scooters are gaining popularity across the globe, with even Uber signing up as a strategic partner. Unfortunately, given that NSW road safety laws currently state that "powered foot scooters and skateboards cannot be registered and can only be used on private land", it doesn't look like we'll be seeing a Sydney launch of Lime's e-scooters anytime soon. While we don't have high hopes for the success of this new bike sharing service, we do hope it's better monitored, and the neon green bikes don't end up clogging footpaths, parks and waterways, like the others did. The Lime App is available to download now via the app store.
Melbourne Place has been in the works for a few years now, but it has finally opened to the public. The new hotel on Russell Street is 14 stories high, boasts 191 luxury rooms and suites, and houses a basement bar and rooftop restaurant that are set to become destinations in their own right. When it comes to places to rest their heads, guests can choose from a number of room formations, from simple rooms to a totally lavish penthouse. The team isn't shying away from colour or multiple textures throughout the rooms, and is adding luxury elements with bespoke finishes and furnishings. Mars Gallery has also been brought on to fill the hotel with a heap of local art. Melbourne Place is taking its drinking and dining destinations very seriously as well. Hatted Young Chef of the Year Nicholas Deligiannis (ex-Audrey's) has been enlisted to run the hotel's culinary program, giving particular attention to its 150-person restaurant Mid Air. Located up on the 12th floor, Mid Air is championing Mediterranean eats throughout its breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Either tuck into these bites inside or out on the terrace when Melbourne's weather is behaving. When it comes to the ground-floor dining room and basement bar, Ross and Sunny Lusted (Sydney's Woodcut and Aman Resorts) are in charge. They're running the Portuguese restaurant Marmelo and late-night bar My Mills, which are slated to open within the coming weeks. Marmelo (the Portuguese word for quince) will feature vibrant snacks like silver-served anchovy fillets and two savoury takes on the much-loved pastel de nata. The first version comes with crab meat and custard, and the second is filled with sheep's cheese crisp and salted pork. Ross is also well-known for cooking with charcoal and wood, so you can expect plenty of flame-kissed eats to slide across the pass. You'll find wood-grilled southern calamari with green coriander seeds and goat milk butter; suckling pig shoulder served with oranges and bitter leaves; whole john dory with kale; and O'Connor grass-fed beef with pickles. You can also head down a grand chartreuse-hued staircase to find the duo's Mr Mills basement bar. It will be an altogether moodier and cosier space with intimate booths as well as the option to dine at the bar or open kitchen (a big win for solo diners). Here, the inspiration is also Spanish and Portuguese, but drinks are more the focus. Small plates of Iberian classics and more substantial bites are paired with an extensive cocktail menu and wine list showcasing drops from Victoria and Europe. "Neighbouring the city's best restaurants, bars, nightlife and retail, [Melbourne Place] will be the place to be, providing guests with a unique lifestyle and cultural experience situated among the best offerings in the city. It is the ultimate location to experience the pinnacle of Melbourne's life and spirit. It is the ultimate location to experience the pinnacle of Melbourne's life and spirit," shares Executive General Manager Tracy Atherton. You'll find Melbourne Place at 130 Russell Street, Melbourne. For more information and to book a room, you can visit the venue's website.
As we all watched London burning, most of the furious debates were concerned with political squabbling and vigorous finger pointing at wasted British youth. But one of the things least discussed was the impact on creative communities. While the riots may have started off as a response to police brutality, the only thing they seem to have accomplished is making people more upset while completely screwing over small businesses and independent artists, who, let's face it, weren't really doing all that well to begin with. Hip-hop artist Scroobius Pip pretty much summed it up when he said, “This is Britain punching itself in the face. Repeatedly.” While the riots were going down, theatres all over London were forced to cancel shows and performers including Patrick Wolf postponed gigs while the city was in lockdown. Then there were the art galleries, who, with all those big glass windows ripe for smashing, didn't fare so well and have thwarted several exhibitions. But the biggest impact on artists has come as a result of the fire lit at the SonyDADC warehouse in Enfield, which was holding the UK's stock of a significant number of independent music labels including Sub Pop, Warp, 4AD, Matador and XL. These companies had much of their stock destroyed, and that's not to mention the smaller companies who probably never had a huge amount to splash out on tight and all-encompassing insurance policies. In an interview in NME, Spencer Hickman of Rough Trade East explained, "There’s maybe a hundred labels affected. We’ve got no idea how much stock they’ve got elsewhere. I’m convinced that some labels will go under." In addition, the warehouse was holding a a lot of the DVD stock of independent film distributers like BFI, and because much of the income film companies receive comes through DVD sales, it looks like some companies are going to have to lay off staff. A campaign entitled LabelLove has been launched to generate some money to try and keep independent artists and labels afloat during the rough times ahead. On the bright side, artists have almost immediately begun responding to the riots, with graphic designers Nick Scott and Neil Walker designing posters which pretty much sum up exactly what everybody was thinking. Check them out below.
Port Macquarie is best known for its idyllic climate and its many pristine beaches. But, over the past few years, this town on the mid-north coast of NSW has developed quite the foodie scene. That's partly thanks to the Hastings River, which runs along Port's northern border, creating fertile land for growing crops and raising cattle, sheep and chooks. It's also thanks to the numerous chefs and baristas who've travelled the world, working in top-notch restaurants and cafes, before settling down in Port Macquarie. Whether you're on the hunt for a good coffee, a tasty burger, some local seafood, a hatted feast or an epic wine list, you'll get it. And if you're contemplating a springtime visit, try to time it with October's Tastings on Hastings festival to experience the full spectrum of regional foods. [caption id="attachment_678289" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Stunned Mullet[/caption] EAT The food at The Stunned Mullet is worth the drive alone. The pale-timber accents, sea-green booths and concertina windows make the most of the breezy beachside location and sweeping ocean views. Among the hatted dishes are creamy oysters ($27 for six, $54 for 12) and Glacier 51 Toothfish ($49): a rarely served species that lives 2000 metres below sea level off Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic. Here, it comes with a shiitake-infused clear soup and black rice wafer. Let sommelier and co-owner Lou Perri choose you a wine from his extremely quaffable list. Another restaurant that puts you right on the water is the Whalebone Wharf. Perched on the Hastings River, this airy space has been serving up premium seafood since 1971. Every fish on the menu is described according to its source, so you know if you're getting mulloway from Yamba (300 kilometres north); dusky flathead from Wallace Lake (750 kilometres south); or mud crab from Forster (100 kilometres south). There's also a light all-day menu; for anyone short on time, a plate of oysters ($4 each) straight out of the Hastings should do the trick. [caption id="attachment_678288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whalebone Wharf[/caption] Whalebone WharfGo rural at Cassegrain Wines, where the Seasons Restaurant overlooks the rose garden and vineyard. The menu combines French cuisine with local produce. Think terrine made of Macleay Valley rabbit or bouillabaisse crowded with black mussels and local fish. Match your picks with a Cassegrain drop – the French family first made wine in 1643 and, in 1980, descendant John and his wife, Eva, planted Port Macquarie's first vineyards. If you're looking for a more casual feed, then head to the Burger Rebellion for classic burgers or Zebu for pizza made with 72-hour dough. There are also plenty of excellent cafes in Port Macquarie. Drury Lane, located in a shady courtyard outside Glasshouse Theatre, utilises the local produce to create contemporary dishes, such as Wauchope zucchini with feta and olive-strawberry tapenade. Another champion of local produce is Milkbar, which is the spot for an early brekkie. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio and watch the surf roll in, while digging into house-made beans and baked eggs. Right near the river mouth is LV's on Clarence, it takes the whole locavore thing so seriously it's even established its own mini-farm. Every egg on every plate comes from one of 500 pet chickens, while all ham and pork started out as a free-range pig. The produce is turned into all kinds of tasty treats, such as char sui sandwiches and pork belly sliders ($17). [caption id="attachment_668369" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Duck[/caption] DRINK First things first, coffee. One of the best brews in town is at Social Grounds. Since July 2014, this graffiti-covered hideaway has been bringing some seriously good beans to Port Macquarie. The house blend, known as The Story, is a complex journey across several continents, containing beans from Ethiopia, Sumatra, Colombia and Rwanda. Another good option is Blackfish: a welcoming espresso bar, laden with natural timber forms, that looks as though it's been transplanted from the streets of Melbourne. The fruity and caramelly house blend, Cheeky Monkey, comes from Flying West: a roastery based on the Sunshine Coast. About four kilometres southwest of downtown is Peak Coffee, which is not just a cafe but a retail space and roaster, too. To see the process in motion, jump on a tour. Otherwise, go straight to surfer-barista Kenichiro Seno, to choose from two or three single origins. Peak buys most of its beans directly from a man called Uncle Ravi — who inherited his father's coffee plantation in Southern India, where he now oversees a community of farmers. To add a baked treat, try Murray Street Bakery which peddles artisanal goodies from Coffs Harbour's K'pane, or Urban Grain Bakery for goodies made by ex-Zumbo chefs — such as lemon myrtle, caramel and chocolate cronuts. For a bagel fix, head to Blackmarket, where bagels are made according to a well-tested 17th century recipe. [caption id="attachment_668362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Botanic Wine Garden[/caption] Cocktail hour should begin at Bar Florian. This 1960s Italian-inspired bar offers an impressive drinks list, from a luxury dry gin martini to wines sourced from all over Australia and Europe. Let your boozy adventures continue at Botanic Wine Garden: a friendly bar with bright murals and creative cocktails. Also worth sampling are the efforts of local brewers. A name that you're likely to notice frequently on taps around the North Coast is Black Duck — its headquarters are in Port Macquarie. Work your way through a tasting paddle or take a tour with head brewer Al Owen and meet Murphy, an extremely lovable Great Dane. Another local brewer with wide reach is Little Brewing — it's responsible for Wicked Elf beers and winner of more than 150 awards. [caption id="attachment_668360" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Macquarie Waters Hotel[/caption] SLEEP In between all your eating and drinking, you'll need a cosy place to sleep. For that, check into Macquarie Waters. It's in town, so there are cafes, restaurants and plenty of bars nearby. And, when you're hiding out in your room — or self-contained apartment — you'll be treated to a comfy bed, oodles of space and free wifi and, if you so choose, a spa and/or ocean views. Communal facilities include a heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi, a drive-in movie theatre and, on the rooftop, a hot tub overlooking the sea. For brekkie, The Corner Restaurant on ground level does a mean pulled beef benedict ($19) and Campos coffee. If you're looking for other things to do in Port Macquarie, then check out our weekender's guide.
Renowned food writer and chef Michele Curtis is reinventing the concept of corner store with her newly opened St Kilda West operation, Frankie's Top Shop. Making its home in a former kiosk site on leafy Cowderoy Street, it's a charming neighbourhood gem, complete with a verdant colour palette, shelves filled with Curtis' favourite pantry staples, and a cabinet heaving with the day's gourmet take-home creations. A rotation of lively salads, ready-to-heat dishes and sweet treats is set to be a life-saver for those trekking past after a long slog at the office. By day and at the weekends, Frankie's is just as well-loved for its cafe offering, with the open kitchen serving up a vibrant menu that swings from apple cinnamon porridge and fig-topped buttermilk pancakes, to a signature eggs Benedict and daily-changing lunch tart. A host of creative specials ensures there's always something new to get stuck into, and an extensive kids' menu speaks to Frankie's all-welcoming, family-friendly nature. Backing it up the fare, you'll find organic coffee by Dukes, an on-trend array of turmeric, matcha, and chai lattes and nostalgia-inducing milkshakes.
Hidden in a narrow, cobblestoned lane, Chez Dré's exterior is a little slice of Europe. A simple, unassuming sign marks this renowned patisserie and boulangerie, located just around the corner from the heart of South Melbourne Market. A wealth of sweet and savoury options, pastries and all-day brunch meals lie beyond this humble exterior. Since opening in 2011 it has been keeping the ravenous hordes in check with classic eggs on toast, a noteworthy avocado toast, and the much-loved and often order blueberry and ricotta hotcake. However, when it comes to satisfying pastry fiends and lovers of baked goods, Chez Dre is the perfect spot to quell your sweet tooth. The chocolate croissants are our pick if you want to keep things classic. Encased by a delightfully airy pastry and oozing with chocolate filling, it's a craft the team has perfected — and we get to relish in the spoils.
Melbourne's bubble tea franchise Gotcha Fresh Tea is rapidly expanding, having just opened up shop on Elizabeth Street. It's the brand's fifth Melbourne store — since launching in June 2018, they've popped up at Flinders Street Station, Springvale, Keysborough and Glen Waverley. Gotcha stands out from the pack thanks to its teas, which are all exclusively grown and hand-picked on the Gotcha plantation in Taiwan — the country where bubble tea originated, mind you. The extensive menu goes deeper than your average bubble tea shop, too. Milk teas come in red bean, bamboo charcoal, taro and durian flavours. Fruit teas come with sliced fresh fruit, including lychee, passionfruit, cumquat and mango. They all range from $5.60–6.40. There are also teas available with cheese, salted egg or tiramisu foams; a range of 'healthy' collagen teas in bamboo, aloe vera and mulberry flavours; and a menu of macchiatos, lattes, health teas and smoothies to choose from. Of course, you can add pearls and jelly to any and all flavour combinations. Gotcha's expansion is no where near slowing, either, with over 15 stores slated to open in 2019. A Footscray store is currently in the works, along with eight additional stores across Victoria as well as many more around the country.
UPDATE: AUGUST 19, 2020 — If you're looking for a midweek fried chook feed during lockdown, look no further than Fried and Tasty. The Brunswick East joint is delivering its finger-licken-good feeds via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Doordash. Walking into Fried and Tasty (F.A.T), you know you're in for something delectable. The relaxed restaurant is made up of walls plastered with old advertising, well-known quotes from movies like Shrek, and orange booths that complement the crispy coating of its already renowned fried chicken. Speaking of, there are multiple ways you can devour yours. Get it in a burger, on waffles or on its own — perhaps with a side of chips, poutine, coleslaw or potato salad. The Original burger keeps it simple with fried chicken, coleslaw and mayo ($9.90), while The Brunswick honours the restaurant's location with chicken, bacon, beetroot, cheese, barbecue sauce and mayo ($11.90). All burgers can also be made in wrap form. The food at F.A.T clearly speaks to the favourites of American cuisine, serving up the classic dish of chicken and waffles — the perfect fusion for those who wish to simultaneously eat mains and dessert. The eatery pairs buttermilk waffles with crispy chicken, vanilla ice cream and Canadian maple ($17). For straight-up chicken with no disturbances, share the bucket o' chicken for $25. It's truly no frills here; everything is served in red diner baskets and the milkshakes — which come in flavours Milo, vanilla malt, salted caramel and apple crumble (all $7) — are served straight out of the stainless steel cups they were created in. If you're looking to class it up a bit, F.A.T surprisingly serves wine as well. You'll find drops from both Australia and Europe. To dine at F.A.T is to spoil the soul. For non-violent prices and some damn tasty chicken, make your way to the deep fryers at this Lygon Street joint.
Escaping to a picturesque off-grid cabin in the countryside was recently something you'd spend all month not-so-humble bragging about. Yet as Australia's boutique accommodation landscape has continued to grow, what once felt special is now increasingly commonplace, with enticing stays tucked into clifftops, vineyards, farmland and everywhere in between. Don't get it twisted — having options is never a bad thing. That said, to stand out in this somewhat saturated niche, you have to build something that goes far beyond the everyday. Newcomer to the design-led accommodation scene, Spaces in Places, aims to do just that, with the founding team of four friends merging their experience in construction, branding, design and hospitality to create a stay that feels crafted, considered and experiential — inside and out. With the daydreaming out of the way, Spaces in Places is ready to reveal its first stay. Found in Bonnie Doon on the edge of Lake Eildon, about two-and-a-half hours' drive northeast of Melbourne, this modern bush hut borrows extensively from Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism. Here, timber-lined ceilings, clean lines and large openings emphasise warm craftsmanship and blur the boundaries between the cosy interiors and the agrarian landscape. "We didn't want to be another tiny cabin in a paddock," says Amy Elliot, who co-founded the brand with Gabe Hamilton, Andrew Kyriacopoulos and Tom Bennett. "Spaces in Places is about design that moves you; spaces that feel alive, grounded and deeply connected to where they're found." The harmonious experience extends outdoors, with guests enjoying a private plunge pool, fire pit, open-air cinema, and sun-lounging terrace where you can soak up the surrounding nature. You're also invited to explore a range of optional experiences during your stay, from sunrise paddleboarding and late-night stargazing to curated picnics and dinners featuring local produce. Ultimately, it's about helping guests connect with the place, just as much as the space. Featuring a modular design built in-house by Spaces in Places' sister company, Second Spaces, the Bonnie Doon structure adheres to Passive House principles, with high-performance, thermally efficient design choices supporting year-round comfort in both temperature and quiet. What's more, this idyllic stay is just the beginning, with Spaces in Places planning more Victorian locations over the next 12 months. Spaces in Places Lake Eildon is now available for bookings. Head to the website for more information. Images: Jack Carlin.
The usually sparse, concrete surrounds of Port Melbourne's Fisherman's Wharf precinct have been given a dramatic facelift, jazzed up with the help of a huge, record-breaking artwork. Gracing the ground of the waterfront stretch, you'll now find a sprawling mural by Melbourne-based large-scale artist Kitt Bennett. And, not only is the 9000-square-metre design the largest mural in the southern hemisphere, but it's also nabbed the title of the world's largest independently produced work of animated 'gif-iti' — a term referring to gif-style graffiti or street art which is viewed online, as coined by UK artist ISNA. Called Revolution, the giant artwork was crafted using satellite technology and over 700 litres of paint, taking Bennett a whole 30 days to complete. Designed to be viewed from above, it features a row of ten individual 30-metre-long figures each in different poses which, when seen together, form separate frames in an animated sequence. A team of animators and designers have also optimised it for audiences, creating a fluid, gif-style animation that audiences will be able to view online. This new piece was born of a collaboration with local street art collective and street art collective and creative agency Juddy Roller, who you might know from teeing up Adnate's Collingwood public housing block mural last year, as well as regional Victoria's famed art silo trail. The Port Melbourne work has stolen the ultimate bragging rights from Perth's new Adnate hotel, which was previously home to the southern hemisphere's largest (and still its tallest) mural. That mural reaches 27 storeys in height, while Revolution covers the equivalent of 90 floors worth of ground space. A short film documenting the whole Port Melbourne mural process has also been created, and will be on show at an exhibition at Juddy Roller next month. It's designed to be seen from an aerial perspective, but Revolution is now gracing the ground at Port Melbourne's Fisherman's Wharf. For further information about Juddy Roller, visit its website. Top image: Nicole Reed.
Let's face it, sometimes we just don't have the energy for crowded clubs where we're practically yelling at our mates over deafening music (which essentially just becomes noise after a while) just to make ourselves heard. If you still fancy that lifestyle, kudos to you. However, for those looking for nights out in more cosy, laidback surrounds (with quality drinks, of course), we've partnered with American Honey to gather a list of bars in Melbourne that will offer just that. From intimate, nook-filled venues to establishments that feel like vibey house parties, the bars below are perfect the next time you want to sit back, relax and soak up quality time with quality people. [caption id="attachment_701740" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] STATE OF GRACE, CBD State of Grace offers a casual ambience perfect for catching up with your friends when you actually want the nitty gritty of their lives. This three-level King Street spot features three distinct spaces, including a moodily lit subterranean bar hidden behind a bookshelf and is decked out with comfy armchairs and lounges so you can create your own private nook. If the weather is turning it on, head up to the rooftop for grazing plates and breezy serves like American Honey, fresh lime and soda paired with stunning city views. HARPER, PRAHRAN House party energy can be tough to recreate, but that's what Prahran spot Harper feels like. While evenings here can get pretty lively, there are couches and armchairs aplenty for you and your crew to lean into a laidback evening while soaking up the vibes. Should things get competitive, you can also head to the pool or beer pong table to decide who buys the next round. Speaking of rounds — did someone say happy hour all day, every day? At Harper, you can take advantage of happy hour from 5pm to 1am, Wednesday through Sunday. MANCHURIA, CBD Meet Manchuria, where glamorous old-world Asia meets contemporary Melbourne. Located in the heart of Chinatown, this cosy and inviting cocktail den features plenty of nooks, perfect for settling into with a drink in hand and catching up on conversation. Head in on Thursdays for evening sessions backed by a rotating lineup of live music acts. KEWPIE, FITZROY $5 pizzas all day, every day, including plant-based options — what more could you ask for? Kewpie is Brunswick Street's all-in-one after-work spot in the space that was once known as Bimbo. While the name may have changed, the vibes here definitely remain just as high as its former incarnation, especially with a weekly entertainment lineup that ranges from drag trivia on Wednesdays to DJs spinning into the early hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether you settle into one of the cosy ground-floor booths or find a spot on the openair rooftop terrace, be sure to pair your pizza with a cheekily named cocktail like the Sourgirl69 (featuring a mix of Gordon's Gin, Midori, lemon and sugar underneath a delightfully frothy top) or the High As Balls (which sees Smirnoff Vodka meet watermelon, lemon and soda). [caption id="attachment_678123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Matthews[/caption] WILLOWS & WINE, WEST MELBOURNE "Books, wine, cheese and good times" — the Willows & Wine mission statement is as delightfully straightforward as they come. This West Melbourne spot is the ideal locale for those catch-ups when you're all coming with a book in hand, or when you and your mates can appreciate comfortable silences as you browse the considered selection of titles on site. Like what you've picked up? Consider taking it home — Willows & Wine recently launched its lending library, which features books by First Nations authors, as well as POC, queer, disabled and diverse storytellers. Pair your read of choice with a selection from the tidy wine list — you can go for a glass, carafe or a full bottle — for the ultimate book and bevvie combo. [caption id="attachment_772312" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Albert Park Hotel by Simon Shiff[/caption] ALBERT PARK HOTEL, ALBERT PARK The stately Albert Park Hotel has been an inner-south fixture for over a century. Following an extensive reimagining that debuted in 2020, the historic establishment features a lofty front bar and sleek cocktail bar. For an intimate time, pre-book an enclosed booth in the cocktail bar — it can accommodate groups of up to eight. Feeling peckish? Head upstairs to Happy Valley, a spacious dining room that features a menu of produce-driven modern Chinese plates. FLOUR CHILD, ST KILDA Every Thursday and Friday, Acland Street's Flour Child offers an irresistible two-hour pregame deal that is guaranteed to start your night off on the right note. In addition to two hours of bottomless cocktail jugs and hot chips (for $49 per head), you and your friends can take part in a range of entertaining quizzes — where you can tap into the tucked-away bits of general knowledge that you've just been waiting to bust out. For a more lowkey evening, settle in on one of the couches, order an impossibly smooth American Honey, fresh lime and soda and split a pinsa romana or two with your crew. [caption id="attachment_874886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Longboy Media[/caption] LA LA LAND, CBD Upstairs Hardware Street spot La La Land is like a grown-up living room — with plush Chesterfield couches, accents of greenery and an open balcony setting the ideal scene for a chill get-together in the city. Perch up with a tap beer, glass from the striking wine list or a signature cocktail — in a jug, for those conversations that linger a little longer. The regular Sofa Sessions also bring a rotating lineup of live music into the mix, and take the chilled vibes to the next level. For more ways to celebrate golden moments with mates, head to the American Honey website.
Before all your healthy eating resolutions kick in on January 1, it's time for one last mouth-watering hurrah. From 7pm on New Year's Eve, Welcome to Thornbury are hosting some of their favourite food trucks for an end-of-year street food feast. Mr. Burger, Super Taco, Fancy Hanks and Billy van Creamy will all be represented, while your ticket also gets you unlimited access to the bar's tap beers and house wines. It's not exactly what you think of when you hear the words 'truck stop dining,' is it? Not that we're complaining.
The Coachella lineup has landed. Over the course of two autumnal weekends — April 11-13 and 18-20 — California's music-loving valley will welcome some of the world's most original, inventive and popular acts into the fold. There's a major headliner scheduled for each day — the long-rumoured and at last reunited Outkast on Friday; England's rebellious, alt-rockers Muse on Saturday; and Canada's indie favourites Arcade Fire on Sunday. While Muse just finished up an Aussie tour, Arcade Fire will soon be packing their suncream and surfboards —l they’ll be headlining Big Day Out on January 19. We Antipodeans are getting quite a look-in at Coachella, too. As you might've guessed, New Zealand teenager and singing, songwriting phenomenon Lorde is on the program. She'll be joined by fellow Kiwis The Naked and Famous. Australia has abundant representation in the form of electro duo Empire of the Sun; Sydney rockers The Preatures; multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ Flume; psychedelic specialists Jagwar Ma; dance music trailblazer Anna Lunoe; and indie DJs Flight Facilities. As for the rest of the planet, the list includes The Replacements, Broken Bells, Queens of the Stone Age, The Knife, Pharrell Williams, Beck, Lana del Rey, Motorhead, Skrillex and Sleigh Bells. Tix go on sale this Friday at 10am (California time) at www.coachella.com/festival-passes
The flash mob has become synonymous with making a statement, a bold one at that. It isn't everyday that a group of people randomly assembles in a public place to perform a silly choreographed dance number, so on the rare occasion a flash mob does take over the streets, passersby pay attention. American Airlines took advantage of this increasingly popular public display to make a statement of their own. The airline broke away from traditional methods of advertising and organised a flash mob at the U.S. Bank Plaza in downtown Los Angeles to promote the launch of their new flight services. The performance began with a single man dancing past a father and his daughter, and he was soon joined by 40 dancers descending the steps of the public plaza. After shocking onlookers with their meticulously choreographed routine, the mob created the American Airlines logo with their travel bags above their heads and then nonchalantly dispersed. Few things grab attention quicker than a flash mob, but this form of marketing has surely been done to death. And what are the new services that this quirky advertisement was meant to showcase? The airline now offers daily non-stop flights from LAX to Shanghai as well additional flights to nine new U.S. destinations. https://youtube.com/watch?v=a_w0lX3NIOk
Goodwater is Melbourne's rendition of a modern American cocktail bar, drawing inspiration from the vibrant cocktail scenes of cities like Brooklyn, Washington DC and New Orleans. This isn't an American-themed honky tonk. It's a classy cocktail joint with lots of American whiskies — about 200 bottles, including rare bottlings. The bar is the brainchild of a bunch of whiskey fiends and cocktail connoisseurs led by Nathaniel White (Bar Margaux), with drinks communicator and bartender Cara Devine (Bomba), drinks writer and bartender Fred Siggins (Whisky & Alement, Black Pearl and the now closed Kodiak Club), Yao Wong (The Elysian Whisky Bar), bar manager John Hallett (The Everleigh), April Hudson (The Keys), and Kia Rasteh. The American references extend beyond the drinks list and continue through to the menu with peculiar yet delightful versions of po' boys, including a classic shrimp and General Tso's chicken or eggplant. You can also snag southern style fried chicken, buffalo chicken ribs, sherry French onion grilled cheeses, potato salad with bacon bits and deep-fried pickles. Echoing the focus on American whiskey, the cocktail menu at Goodwater showcases inventive concoctions infused with American influences. Noteworthy mentions include the espresso martini on tap (dubbed a 'baby Guinness') and the Frozen champagne Old Fashioned made with whisky from local distiller Starward Whisky.
While the last 97 years of its life have likely been filled with bake sales, dances and community get-togethers, St Kilda's historic Trinity church hall has just dived right into a new phase of existence. The triangular site at the intersection of Brighton Road and Chapel Street has been reborn as Trinity — a 300-person pub, beer garden, event space and food truck park. The brainchild of third-generation Melbourne hospitality owner Matt Nikakis, the venue officially opened its doors last week, delivering a pet-friendly watering hole and meeting spot that's destined to become a St Kilda go-to. [caption id="attachment_850322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Cleary[/caption] Step through the front gate and into an all-weather courtyard filled with outdoor tables and fringed by that day's food truck lineup. There'll always be a couple of guests on rotation (think, Nem 'n Nem and The Holiday Parlour) joining Trinity's resident kitchen, which makes its home in a shiny silver 1956 Airstream. This is your pitstop for snacks like fried chicken tenders, mac 'n' cheese bites and crispy onion rings, alongside a range of things in buns — maybe a double beef and bacon number, a fried chicken burger, and a prawn and lobster roll laced with kewpie and dill. Meanwhile, the red-brick former church hall building has been carefully converted into a lofty, light-filled beer hall, complete with soaring ceilings and a huge central bar. Emerald velvet booths means there is room for the whole crew, a separate sitting room is filled with a curation of vintage furniture, and elegant Art Deco-inspired finishes star all throughout the space. Glance upwards and you'll also spy a glass-walled mezzanine level, available for private functions, and sporting its very own bar. [caption id="attachment_850329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Cleary[/caption] Trinity's drinks offering is a hefty, crowd-pleasing one. A 12-strong tap list heroes familiar favourites from Balter, 4 Pines and Mountain Goat, while the beer fridges play host to drops like Colonial's pale ale, the Kaiju Krush tropical ale and a slew of Saintly seltzers. Wines are largely local — think, Seville Estate's Sewn Chardonnay, or the Wilds Gully Tempranillo out of King Valley — and cocktails celebrate reworked classics. Settle in with one of three margaritas, try the house ode to Four Pillars' shiraz gin, or get into the good times groove with a yuzu-infused riff on the mojito. Find Trinity at 2 Brighton Road, St Kilda. It's open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Nicole Cleary
The Village Belle is winning over locals with a whole swag of great weekly specials, though come Sunday lunch, it's all about that traditional, Mum-style roast. It'll set you back a mere $29, for the likes of Flinders Island salt grass lamb, or roasted Hazeldene free-range chicken, with an assortment of matched sides crafted on produce sourced from the St Kilda Community Garden. It's all best enjoyed against the cosy backdrop of the old-meets-new public bar, where there's footy on the big screens and live tunes to round out the weekend.
Award season might run across global events and involve dozens of prestigious awards from Critics' Choice to Golden Globes and BAFTAs, and AACTAs, but it's hard to deny that it all comes to a head with the annual Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars. For Hollywood, it's the night of nights, where a year of films comes to its conclusion in a celebration of the greatest filmmakers, actors and creatives in the game. Whether it's a love for filmmaking, a need to stay in the loop or if you're just looking for some inspiration on what's worth your time — these awards steer film opinions for years to come, and many a to-be-watched list for cinephiles around the world. Now that this year's winners are rolling down the red carpet, we've done the legwork for you, tracking down where you can find the best picture, best actor and actress, best score, and more. Here's where to watch this year's Oscar winners in Australia, whether they're streaming now, available on demand or still playing in cinemas. One Battle After Another — HBO Max The other main contender for the best film of 2025 is Paul Thomas Anderson's (There Will Be Blood) One Battle After Another, a timely film that follows ex-revolutionary Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has to call on his former brothers and sisters in arms to rescue his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from a slimy, antisemitic army colonel (Sean Penn). Watch it now on HBO Max. Nominations: Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound. Winner: Best Casting, Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Director, Best Picture. Sinners — HBO Max The latest film by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) is the most Oscar-nominated movie in history. Sinners follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) who return to their home of Clarksdale, Mississippi, with the hopes of opening a juke joint, but things quickly get bloody when a vampire (Jack O'Connell) arrives intending to claim the community for himself. Watch it now on HBO Max. Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Sound. Winner: Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan) Frankenstein — Netflix A lifelong filmmaking dream for director Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape of Water), this take on the classic novel stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein opposite Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's Monster — telling the story of Frankenstein's childhood all the way to the Monster's relentless, vengeful pursuit of him across the world. Watch it now on Netflix. Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Sound. Winner: Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design KPop Demon Hunters — Netflix Netflix's biggest original animated film ever needs no introduction, thanks to its millions of fans, earworm original songs and wildly entertaining premise about Korean pop stars who moonlight as demon hunters. Watch it on Netflix now. Nominations: Best Original Song, Best Animated Feature Film. Winner: Best Original Song, Best Animated Feature Film Sentimental Value — Available on VOD and Digital Family and parenting are at the heart of this moving film from Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World), in which Stellan Skarsgård stars as a filmmaker who comes back into the life of his estranged daughter to offer her a leading role in his new film. Audiences worldwide advise bringing tissues. Rent or buy it on a digital storefront of your choice. Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best International Feature Film, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing. Winner: Best International Feature Film. Hamnet — Available on VOD and Digital Speaking of tissues, the other major tearjerker of 2025 also earned eight Oscar nominations. Chloé Zhao's Hamnet adapts the Maggie O'Farrell book of the same name, exploring the relationship between Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), their challenges as parents, and the devastating grief they share after an unthinkable tragedy. Rent or buy it on a digital storefront of your choice. Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Casting. Winner: Best Actress (Jessie Buckley). F1 The Movie — Apple TV Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinki's F1 stars Brad Pitt as nomadic driver Sonny Hayes, who gets approached by an old rival, now the owner of a low-ranking Formula One team, to become his new driver alongside a younger rival co-driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Watch it now on Apple TV. Nominations: Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Film Editing. Winner: Best Sound. Avatar: Fire and Ash — In cinemas The third film in James Cameron's groundbreaking Avatar series sees the Sully family face a new threat in the form of a hostile Na'vi tribe that allies with the destructive RDA. Watch it in cinemas now. Nominations: Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects. Winner: Best Visual Effects. Mr Nobody Against Putin — DocPlay During the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, a Russian schoolteacher goes underground to record the extreme propaganda that Russian students are being presented. Watch it on DocPlay now. Nominations: Best Documentary Feature Film. Winner: Best Documentary Feature Film. Weapons — HBO Max A teacher in a small town becomes the centre of a spine-tingling mystery when 27 children from her classroom go missing in the middle of the night. Watch it now on HBO Max. Nominations: Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Winner: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Amy Madigan). Keen to keep expanding your cinematic horizons? Check our guide for what movies we're going to be watching this month.
On February 17, 1936, when Sir Reginald Ansett first took flight in his Fokker Universal passenger plane from Hamilton, Victoria, he wasn't to know that his would be a legacy in two acts. A legacy not just of iconic Southern Hemisphere aviation, but also of the dankest wearable swag this side of that $19 Bunnings cap with the built-in torch. Yet, some 82 years later, in a rural tin shed-cum-hangar-cum-museum — located at the birthplace of the aforementioned national aero-identity — lies, in mint-ish condition, the most complete collection of Ansett Australia paraphernalia you never knew you were in grave spiritual free fall without. And much of which money can buy. Because we're suckers for nostalgia and weird experiences accessible from the city, it was time to beeline — nay, V/Line — 288 kilometres west to the good township of Hamilton (town slogan: "One place, many possibilities") and examine the loot. But first: the 'museum'. There she blows. If you're not familiar with Ansett Australia, it was an airline — much like Qantas is currently an airline — until 2001 when it was placed into administration following a gnarly financial collapse. At its peak, it sponsored the cricket, provided Winnie The Pooh pencil cases and colouring books for kids, and served hot food on board when the competition bothered not to. It was the official airline of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, flying the torch from Auckland to Uluru, and it sponsored Neighbours during the iconic Kylie era of the late 80s. The museum tells of the erstwhile airline's rise and fall (mostly the fall) and houses a neat grab of quintessential airline detritus. It also houses a heap of derelict (and creepy) mannequins — perhaps the most complete collection of derelict mannequins in the entire Southern Grampians region — cracking out in costume, for your pleasure. Some are more headless than others. About halfway through the museum, we hit a room covered with testimonials from former employees penning some pretty deep plane's-going-down truths. Some were undyingly positive — "It should not have gone down / We were fabulous / We could have blasted QF and VG out of the sky" — others more sombre — "To everyone, for everything, thank you" — and some a little bit extraterrestrial: "We might all be gone but our spirits will last forever". Also in the room was this scary unexplained bus. Aside from the reminiscing and the scrutinising decaying mannequins, what you're really here for is that euphoric airline swag of yore. Like this 90s schoolyard must-have. What a ride. If you're not ready to go home, or you can't for whatever reason, a volunteer — let's call him Gary — who'll put on a historical Ansett Australia DVD in the headless mannequin room. It's ok — two stars. Otherwise it's an exit through the gift shop, where you'll find many things you can buy with your money and wear to cool nightclubs. You can buy this stubbie cooler ($8). That you can pair with this beanie ($10). Or this fresh self-mulleting legionnaires hat ($10). And put it all in this nightclub-essential bum bag ($9). Probably drape one of these ($5) around your best finger, too. It all feels a bit like when an elderly relative dies and you have to spend a weekend going through their things — only the deceased was an airline and owned more stuff. But, hey, treasure is treasure. The Ansett Australia Museum is located just three and a half hours from Melbourne in Hamilton, and is weird and good. Did I say good? I meant strange. Entry is $10 for adults, $8 for concession, but you can also not go into the museum and just go to the gift shop — though you'll have to explain that to Gary. You can also just go to this website and buy heaps of this stuff online, but you would really be missing out on the whole experience. Ansett Museum is located at the corner of Ballarat Road and Riley Street, Hamilton, Vic. It's open daily from 9am–4pm. To book a visit call (03) 5571 2767. Images: Frank Sweet.
It's easier than you think to find pockets of nature in Singapore's concrete jungle. Take a walk off the beaten path and discover some lesser-known places to get lost in Singapore's greenery. Whether you hop on a bike or venture out on foot, exploring Singapore's expansive outdoors doesn't have to cost you. We've teamed up with Singapore Tourism to showcase some of the Lion City's top outdoor trails and activities — all for free. Coast-to-Coast Trail The name gives it away, but this 36-kilometre track stretches across the whole island of Singapore, from the Jurong Lake Gardens in the west to Rower's Bay Park in the north. The trail passes through 10 major checkpoints and takes about 11 hours to complete on foot, or three hours by bike. For this reason, it's recommended that you get an early start or divide up the trip across two days, so you can finish up in time for the sunset at Rower's Bay Park. Start off at the 90-hectare Jurong Lake Gardens, which boasts a Chinese and Japanese Garden, a freshwater swamp with various wildlife, water-sport facilities, an outdoor lap pool, a skate park with a bouldering wall, and a children's water playground. You can pick up a rental bike at the GoCycling outlet here, before returning it at Punggol Jetty towards the end of the trip. From Jurong Lake Gardens, you can trek on to Bukit Batok Nature Park and Hindhede Drive to reach Adam Road. Grab some much-needed fuel at the nearby Adam Road Food Centre and take a breather at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Rested and ready? The journey continues past Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West, Luxus Hills Park and Sengkang Riverside Park. Make a pit-stop here to explore the man-made floating wetland, the elevated bridge across the river and over 20 species of fruit trees throughout the park — but you'll have to refrain from picking any fruit. You'll get to enjoy the views across the Jewel Bridge, Adventure Bridge and Kelong Bridge as you pass through Punggol Waterway Park, before you reach Coney Island Park and your final destination, Rower's Bay Park. Celebrate your achievement with spectacular sunset views from the waterside boardwalk or pavilion. [caption id="attachment_977504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Santos[/caption] East Coast Park With attractions like a water-sports centre, skatepark, yoga studio and beachfront bar, East Coast Park is a hub of activity for all ages. The seafront park and beach is spread across almost 15 kilometres, so you can enjoy a leisurely two-hour stroll or 30-minute cycle along the water. If you choose the latter, pick up a bike at GoCycling or Coastline Leisure. The dedicated bike lanes and flat terrain make cycling around the park a breeze. If you're feeling adventurous, you can bike to Marina Bay or head in the opposite direction, where you'll pass through the Jurassic Mile and end up at Changi Airport. If you've got tots in tow, there's no shortage of fun to keep them entertained. Kids can clamber up Singapore's tallest playground at Coastal PlayGrove; try windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding or laser sailing at the Aloha Seasports Centre (which opportunely has a beach bar for accompanying adults); or practise their tricks at one of Singapore's largest skateparks. You've also got plenty of options when all that action inevitably rouses your appetite. Grab some local cuisine at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, enjoy a chilli crab at popular chains JUMBO Seafood and Long Beach Seafood, keep it simple with healthy cafe food at East Coast Commune, or tuck into some Italian fare at Fico. Rail Corridor This 24-kilometre track stretching from Tanjong Pajar in the south to Kranji in the north was formerly a railroad bearing trains to and from Malaysia. Since being revitalised in 2021, it has become a popular hiking trail that takes explorers through expanses of greenery, across restored bridges and alongside native flora and fauna. The trail is divided into North, Central and South sections, if you'd prefer to split up the journey. Due to its significance to local wildlife, parts of the Rail Corridor are not lit at night, so be sure to time your visit to end by sunset — the whole walk can be completed in less than six hours. In the central portion of the trek lies Bukit Timah Railway Station. The refurbished train station and staff quarters date back to 1932, and now house a gallery and café. As you continue further north, you'll come across the Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, before passing by the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — home to the city's largest peak. For striking views, take some time out to admire the quarries at Rifle Range National Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park and Dairy Farm Nature Park. Conveniently located about halfway through the Rail Corridor, the Rail Mall includes numerous eateries, so you can snag a much-needed feed and put your feet up before venturing on to the northern stretch. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre. Top images: Lim Wei Xiang, Marklin Ang. All images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.
Since the beginning of September, Victorians have had an extra incentive to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and to also keep an eye on the state's vax rates. When spring hit, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that some lockdown rules would start to ease once 70 percent of eligible Victorians received their first jab — and, while that was originally expected to happen around Thursday, September 23, the state has actually hit the milestone a week early. Well, it's about to hit it. At Victoria's daily COVID-19 press conference today, Thursday, September 16, the Premier advised that the state would tick over to 70-percent single-jabbed mark sometime today. So, as promised, Andrews revealed what will now be permitted in lockdown areas of metropolitan areas of Melbourne from 11.59pm on Friday, September 17, because a few rules will be relaxed slightly. As previously advised, Melburnians will be able to venture twice as far from home for exercise and to shop, and to spend a little longer out of the house when you're working up a sweat. The current five-kilometre radius will expand to ten kilometres, and you'll get four hours a day to exercise — which is an hour more than was initially flagged at the beginning of the month. Outdoor personal training will be allowed, too, with up to two people plus the trainer. Also, outdoor communal gym equipment and skateparks will reopen. The just-announced changes also include something that wasn't previously flagged: "outdoor social interaction". That's the term that the Premier used, and it means that one person may meet another person who isn't from their household — outside, obviously — for a picnic, a walk or some other outdoor activity. You don't need to be vaccinated to enjoy outdoor social interaction, either, and outdoor social interaction is covered by both the ten-kilometre and four-hour rules, too. That said, if you are fully vaxxed with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be able to go a step further. Up to five adults from two households, plus their dependents, will be allowed to gather outdoors — but only if all adults present have had both their jabs. Here's a summary of what's changing across Victoria. An accessible version of this document will be available shortly from https://t.co/dGpPnSTHLS pic.twitter.com/y5vW4eO5dY — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) September 16, 2021 Also changing: allowing child-minding for school-aged kids if only one parent is an authorised worker, and letting up to five people go to an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance, class or concert. And, the new rules will allow real estate inspections to resume, but by appointment only (and only featuring people from the same household, with the real estate agent remaining outdoors). Back at the beginning of September, the Premier did advise that more rules could be eased at the 70-percent single-jabbed mark, depending on the situation at the time. Today, he said that "during the course of the day, tipping over the 70-percent first-dose mark, as we will, means that we can honour and indeed exceed the commitments that we have made to the Victorian community, particularly in metropolitan Melbourne, just a couple of weeks ago." Andrews is also set to reveal metro Melbourne's full roadmap out of lockdown this coming Sunday, September 19, which is expected to fall in line with Australia's new 'National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response' that was announced in July — which outlines the easing of different rules once the country meets the 70-percent and 80-percent fully vaxxed targets. Reported yesterday: 514 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. - 41,758 vaccines administered - 61,961 test results received More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/AV5ugLP8J6 — VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) September 15, 2021 Today's announcement came as Victoria reported 514 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours until midnight last night. Melbourne first went into this lockdown at the beginning of August — just nine days after the previous lockdown ended — and has seen the stay-at-home rules extended not once, not twice, but three times so far, and a nighttime curfew implemented as well. That overnight curfew remains in place at present, including when the eased rules announced today come into effect. As always, people across the city are asked to get tested if they experience even the slightest COVID-19 symptoms, and to keep checking the state's list of exposure sites — and to get vaccinated. Lockdown rules in metropolitan Melbourne will ease slightly around outdoor gatherings and the distance travelled away from home from 11.59pm on Friday, September 17. For more information, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
Made in Japan using hakumai — 100 percent Japanese polished short-grain white rice — and filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka is as refined as vodka gets. Hakumai is prized for its purity and subtle flavour, and it's what gives Haku Vodka its smooth and subtly sweet profile and clean finish. It's a spirit that rewards slow sipping and thoughtful pairing — an ideal base, in other words, for a martini. This July and August, a handpicked selection of Melbourne bars and restaurants are spotlighting the Japanese vodka with limited-time creative martini serves and paired snacks to match. From sultry laneway cocktail dens to buzzy Euro summer-channelling hot spots, here's where to experience Haku Vodka in its most elegant form.
It was one of the biggest celebrity scandals of the 90s, and it's now heading back to screens. When a sex tape featuring Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and her then-husband Tommy Lee was stolen from their home in 1995, then leaked online, it fuelled tabloid headlines (and internet downloads) for years and years. Now, the whole saga has been turned into a drama called Pam & Tommy — starring Lily James (The Pursuit of Love) as Anderson and Sebastian Stan (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as the Mötley Crüe drummer. Even better: streaming platform Disney+ is bringing the eight-part show Down Under in February and, after dropping the first teaser for the series in 2021, it has just unveiled the full Pam & Tommy trailer. James obviously dons the red swimsuit that Anderson was so famous for wearing for 76 episodes of everyone's favourite 90s lifeguard drama, because you really couldn't make a series about her without it. Also, given that the focus is squarely on the couple's intimate recording, how it became public, and the impact it had on Anderson and Lee, things clearly get chaotic rather quickly. In both sneak peeks so far, a mullet-wearing duo played by Seth Rogen (An American Pickle) and Nick Offerman (Devs) can't quite believe what they've stumbled across. That's the main focus of the first trailer, alongside Anderson and Lee's reaction when the tape makes its way out into the world — and the second trailer goes big on the latter. Pam & Tommy's stars firmly look the part — calling James' appearance a transformation definitely fits — and the trailer sports an expectedly hectic vibe. Australian-born director Craig Gillespie has jumped into larger-than-life true tales before with I, Tonya, so he's in somewhat familiar territory. He also keeps being drawn to decades gone by: the 90s here and in I, Tonya, the 80s in aerobics-focused dark comedy series Physical, and the 70s in 2021's live-action Cruella as well. Disney+ will start streaming Pam & Tommy in Australia and New Zealand from Wednesday, February 2, dropping the first three episodes on that date and then streaming the rest week-to-week afterwards. Yes, there's something to add to your 2022 must-see TV list. Check out the full Pam & Tommy trailer below: Pam & Tommy will start screening via Disney+ Down Under from Wednesday, February 2.
If you love your AFL and you're a mad-keen Marvel Comics fan, today is a pretty good day. That's because, in a partnership with the Walt Disney Company Australia that few saw coming, Melbourne's Etihad Stadium has just been relaunched as Marvel Stadium. An eight-year agreement between Disney and Melbourne Stadiums Limited will see the iconic Docklands sporting ground switch to its new moniker from today, with its first official event as Marvel Stadium being the the Melbourne Victoria vs Melbourne City soccer match on Saturday, October 20. On top of the name change, the rebranding has seen the installation of a huge neon Marvel sign on the side of the stadium, a large-scale Marvel character wall near Gate 3 and flags along the concourse toting the universe's famed superheroes and villains. A "premium" Marvel retail store — dubbed Marvel Vault — has also popped up on-site, and punters can prepare to see a number of brand activations when visiting the ground. Personally, we're looking forward to the return of the AFL season, when we hope to see teams' mascots clash with likes of Black Widow, the Hulk and Iron Man.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions, you can't go on a holiday (locally or overseas). But, the government has hinted travel between Australia and New Zealand may be allowed in the near future, so it's time to start dreaming. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. New Zealand's South Island has more nature than you can throw a stick at. Just over 17 percent of the island is dedicated national park, within which there are countless hikes for both multi-day trekkers and half-hour stroll-takers. While the South Island is consistently amazing and pretty much any walk you go on will exceed expectations, we've handpicked these five as our particular favourites. When you need to quiet your mind, they'll be there for you. [caption id="attachment_687371" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Miles Holden.[/caption] ROUTEBURN TRACK With waterfalls, snowy mountains and views in spades, Routeburn is an absolute show-off in the nature department. Open to the public since the 1880s, the 32-kilometre track winds along the glacial Route Burn river and up past both the Routeburn and Earland Falls. It's an easy South Island favourite and has truly earned its place as one of New Zealand's Great Walks. The Fiordland National Parks-based track takes about two to four days to finish depending on your fitness level and how long you want to spend taking in the various majestic views. The track is only open from October through to April, and it pays to reserve a spot at one of the Department of Conservation huts or campsites early, as the department has a monopoly on park accommodation and spots are guaranteed to fill up fast. HEAPHY TRACK Based in the Kahurangi National Park, the Heaphy Track spans across the Nelson-Tasman and West Coast regions, taking hikers through dense Nikau palms and forest and out towards the beautiful, choppy Tasman Sea. The track also has quite a few cute little side trips, including a small expedition through an "enchanted forest" filled with beech trees and the remains of old caves. Take a torch and go exploring inside the caves a little, especially the one that has a small waterfall pouring out of it. The Heaphy Track totals 78.4 kilometres, so should take you between four and six days. The track's open all year but use your common sense and check the Department of Conservation site for up-to-date alerts before embarking on your trip. [caption id="attachment_687373" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Will Patino.[/caption] MILFORD TRACK The Milford Track was historically used as a practical route for Maori to traverse the Fiordland area, but British immigrants quickly cottoned onto the four-day track's potential as a recreational walk when they stumbled upon it. By the early 1900s the news had even spread to London about this beauty-saturated route, the poet Blanche Baughan describing it as "the finest walk in the world" in the London Spectator in 1908. The 53.5-kilometre track is still the most famous of all New Zealand hikes due to its iconic and varied Kiwiana landscape and views. But with fame comes the necessary bureaucracy; to walk the track, hikers need to book months in advance. [caption id="attachment_687375" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Corey Parsons.[/caption] MUELLER HUT TRACK According to Reddit rumours, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant wrote 'Stairway to Heaven' after going up to the Mueller Hut. The ten-kilometre return hike starts with a gentle incline to the Sealy Tarns, where on a sufficiently bluebird day you'll be blessed with a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook. This is about your halfway point. After that, the two-hour alpine track through the tussock to get to the hut begins. The view from the Mueller Hut itself is a combination of glaciers and New Zealand's highest peaks in all directions. A stairway to heaven indeed. [caption id="attachment_687374" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Julian Apse.[/caption] ALEX KNOB TRACK Alex Knob is a track that will give your quads a baptism of fire, with about a four-hour steady climb. The Rata Lookout over what is just an absolutely glorious view of the Franz Josef Glacier will make it worth though. The track is for experienced and well-equipped trampers only, so stay below the snow line if you don't have alpine hiking experience or crampons. Don't be that guy in the news for getting seriously injured or lost in one of our national parks. Start planning your trip to New Zealand's south with our guide to the South Island journeys to take here.
Just because you haven't got an actual kid, doesn't mean you have to miss out on that time-honoured tradition of taking some festive shopping centre snaps with the jolly man himself. Westfield centres across Australia and New Zealand have teamed up with a crew of expert pup-arazzi to once again offer Christmas-themed pet photography shoots. Yes – your fur-baby can get a family paw-trait with Santa Claus. Westfield's shopping centres — with the exception of some, such as Sydney CBD — are offering an extended festive photography series, with sensitive and pet-friendly options available. Unfortunately, not quite all creatures great and small are allowed — dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs can book in at most centres, but you'll need to double check before bringing in something like an alpaca, snake, frog or goat. Of course, with the pandemic, it's not quite business as usual at the Santa sessions. Instead of cuddling the big man in red, you'll be holding your pup or guinea pig in the seat next to him. A similar setup is on the cards for regular family photos, too, with kids and kidults located a safe distance away. Westfield has three spots in SA, four in WA, six in Queensland, seven spots in Victoria and a whopping 15 in NSW. Over in NZ, there are four in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Bookings are a must and can be made via your local Westfield's website, where you'll also find some guidelines for you and your four-legged mate. Most centres will have a dedicated Pooch Parking zone where you'll be met and escorted to the set, and your pet needs to be brought in on a lead or in a cage. There's a range of photo packages to choose from, including The Vixen ($29.95) for one 6x8 photo, one 4x6 photo and four wallet snaps, while at the higher end you can splash out on Santa's Gift Pack ($49.95), which includes a hefty array of photos, gift tags, digital files, bookmarks and even a calendar. Various sessions are available at Westfield centres across Australia and NZ from Saturday, November 7. Check your local's website for details.
For most of us, films are synonymous with food and drink. Okay, so we're talking about popcorn and paper cups of watery Diet Coke — but sometimes we do like to also dine out at some of Melbourne's fine establishments for a much needed pre-film feed or a post-movie nightcap and plot deconstruction. With the Melbourne International Film Festival kicking off on July 28, it's time to start planning your eating schedule as well as your screening times. And to make things easier in the mad rush from cinema to cinema, we've put together a list of the best eats and drinks conveniently close to the festival's main venues: The Forum, ACMI, Kino and Melbourne Central Hoyts. So whether you need sustenance in the 45 minute gap between your third and fourth screenings for the day or you want to sit down for dinner and cocktails before a 9pm screening, here's where you can drink and dine and still get there before the opening credits start rolling. DRINK LOOP ROOF MIFF time isn't traditionally rooftop season, but, luckily, Loop Roof has been fitted with gas heaters and a large awning shielding the seats from possible downpours, making it the perfect rooftop bar in-between films. Succulents line the edges of the rooftop oasis, perfectly framing the magnificent view over busy Meyers Place. Elbow your way into one of the tight booth seats with a group of friends or pounce on one of the many garden tables for a few drinks before making your way to Kino. MARY FORTUNE If you're dragging yourself out of the house to see a film in the cold, you may as well indulge in a cocktail or two too. Flinders Lane bar Mary Fortune has teamed up with Grey Goose to create a film-themed cocktail list especially for MIFF. Bibulous film lovers can swing by the upstairs bar any time after 5pm throughout the festival, where they'll find a number of cinema-themed cocktails, including the beef bacon and thyme-infused Dick Tracy, the Bloody Pulp Fiction (with spiced tomato juice, no less), a hazelnut and butter martini named The Man with the Golden Goose, and classy A Streetcar Named Desire, which stars the Amarena cherry. If you want the full fancy film-goers' experience though, order the classic Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz, which is a simple concoction of vodka and St Germain. UNION ELECTRIC Before (or after) you enter a dark room for two to three hours, tuck yourself away in one of Melbourne's cuddly little alcoholic concaves at Union Electric. Behind the mossy green door, Huw Griffiths runs a bar rich in charm and quirky ambiance. What makes Union Electric so great is that you can actually buy a few drinks without draining your wallet. Select from the creative cocktail menu or choose one of the local and imported wines, ciders and beers. Sip them all in the outdoor smoke-free courtyard, which, shielded by a mammoth four-storey brick wall on one side and the undercover bar on the other, is cosy day and night. EAU DE VIE If you can find it, Eau de Vie is one of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne. Down Malthouse Lane, next to a hotel car park, slip through the large wooden door and enter a new world. An intimate cosy space, it's the kind of world where you feel as though you could find yourself sitting next to Jay Gatsby or Mr Fitzgerald himself. Choose a spot at the bar, or perhaps retire to one of the more private booths towards the back. Just don't forget about your film — both The Forum and Kino Cinemas are nearby. MADAME BRUSSELS Everything at Madame Brussels, from the pink walls to the fabric flowers which line the white wooden arches of the bar, will have you turning your lips up in joy — even if you've been here a million times. And that's without even tasting one of their cocktails. Nab a seat in one of the curled iron chairs in the hedged bar, or brave the elements out on the AstroTurfed terrace. It's really the best place to do it. But while you're downing a teapot of cocktails, just remember you'll have to descend the stairs to make it to your movie in one piece. EAT SAKE FLINDERS LANE Because the walk from Hamer Hall to The Forum was just a few steps too far, we're real happy Sake have opened up shop on Flinders Lane. This latest incarnation takes over the former digs of the short-lived Woody P, and offers a good alternative to Chin Chin when their waitlist almost certainly means missing the movie (which is most of the time). The space boasts that trademark Saké wow-factor, incorporating a chic designer fit-out and sleek open kitchen, but it also a basement cocktail lounge perfect for a drink and some quick dins. Plus, you can grab a great bowl of ramen up until 2am, so you can drop in for a feed even after a super late screening. FONDA FLINDERS LANE If you're looking for something fun, fast, bright and loud, then Fonda fits the bill. While their 200-seat Flinders Lane restaurant is a little overwhelming, you'll be fed delicious tacos, guacamole and cheesy corn cobs and served up frozen margaritas at lightning speed. It's the perfect precursor to popcorn. LONGRAIN This one's for when you want to make a night of it. You've got a 9.30pm session? Book at a table for 6pm and take your time eating your way through the dynamite Thai menu. Despite the big windows, this place is cosy (especially on a rainy night) and only a short laneway walk from your table to the cinema. SHANDONG MAMA MINI Dumplings and a movie is a guaranteed ride to good time town. Especially when its ShanDong Mama dumplings and a MIFF film. These guys do some of the best vegan dumplings in the city. Unfortunately everyone knows this and the place is tiny, so getting a seat is highly contested. But worth it. So, so worth it. Only open until 8pm though — so you'll have to go before the movie. SUPERNORMAL If you're planning on coming for a full three-course meal, making a booking in advance. But if you find yourself on Flinders Lane looking for a snack (like, say, a lobster roll), a drink (some sake?) or dessert (peanut butter parfait, no doubt about it), try your luck for a seat at the bar pre- or post- film. To celebrate the 65th Melbourne International Film Festival, the generous guys at Grey Goose are giving away two double passes to the MIFF Opening Night Gala on Thursday, July 28. The event will kick off with a premiere screening of Melbourne director Cris Jones' The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, followed by a party at Hamer Hall. To enter, head over here. By the Concrete Playground team.
Fans of weighty Australian fare that reckons with the country's past are fans of the Mystery Road franchise, spanning both the big and small screens. They're fans, then, of the way that the outback-set saga surveys the nation's distinctive ochre-hued landscape from above in picturesque drone shots, all while contemplating the racist ills waged to live and work upon it. Stan's new six-part series Black Snow borrows much that's made Mystery Road such a hit, including a shock murder in a small town, a cop riding in to solve the mystery it heralds, a grim look at Aussie history and a bird's-eye view of its setting. But when this instantly compelling show peers down, it spies fields of green sugar cane fields far and wide. And, when it explores the country's traumas, it focuses on the treatment of the Australian South Sea Islander community. Seventeen-year-old Isabel Baker (talented debutant Talijah Blackman-Corowa) is the first person seen in Black Snow's opening moments, riding her bike hurriedly through the cane in the thick of night, making a frantic call from a remote phone booth and getting spooked by a music-blaring car's sudden appearance. The year is 1994, and the evening is the high schooler's Year 12 formal, as well as her last alive. Black Snow's second face belongs to James Cormack (Travis Fimmel, Raised by Wolves), a Brisbane-based Cold Case Unit police officer trying his luck in 2019 at a claw machine in a pub. He's troubled in a different way, haunted by emotional pain he attempts to deaden by paying for a Fight Club-style beating in the bar's back alley, and he'll swiftly be on Isabel's trail. Flitting between the two timeframes — hopping back and forth so heartily that Isabel is as much Black Snow's protagonist as Cormack, meaningfully so — this series isn't short on 90s touchstones. VHS stores, mix tapes, camcorders, Smashing Pumpkins and You Am I on the soundtrack, a Thelma & Louise video, teen chat about piking and being cut, a mention of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: they're all covered. The best TV show of that decade, Twin Peaks, doesn't get an overt shoutout; however, David Lynch's influential masterpiece springs to mind while watching as clearly as Mystery Road does. Ashford, Black Snow's setting, is indeed a quaint locale centred around a mill and populated by inhabitants who all know each other. And, due to the murder of its most promising daughter, the town's secrets start to spill. As simple maths makes plain, Ashford's 90s tragedy bubbles up again a quarter-century later, in one of creator Lucas Taylor (Harrow) and co-writers Beatrix Christian (Hearts and Bones) and Boyd Quakawoot's (Black Comedy) sharpest moves. In what's supposed to be a moment of celebration to mark the local school's centenary, the town gathers to unearth a time capsule buried by Isabel and her classmates, with the blasts from the pasts that result spanning far beyond nostalgia. In addition to providing the series with an immediate point of difference — outsider detectives dropping by to solve dead-girl crimes is a well-worn on-screen trope — the excavated box also signals Black Snow's devotion to looking backwards. Fields like the fictional Ashford's have been blighted by blackbirding, the exploitation of South Sea Islanders involving forced relocation, severe underpayment and brutal working conditions, a grim form of slavery that isn't forgotten here. In the show's 2019 timeline, Cormack heads north to sweaty heat, an unwelcoming Senior Sergeant Turner (Kim Gyngell, Wakefield) — who originally led the case, and is adamant a passerby was responsible — and a mixed reaction from Isabel's sister Hazel (potent first-timer Jemmason Power), mother Glenda (Seini Willett), aunt Rosa (Lisa Blackman) and pastor father Joe (Jimi Bani, Mabo). His job: to find the murderer by "finding out who people really were back then", he notes, with his enquiries also involving Isabel's boyfriend Anton Bianchi (Alexander England, How to Please a Woman) and best friend Chloe Walcott (Brooke Satchwell, The Twelve), the former a farmer's (Rob Carlton, Bali 2002) son and the latter gifted every advantage courtesy of her mill-owning father (Erik Thomson, Blueback). Back in 1994, Isabel wades through her own chaos, with the younger Hazel (Molly Fatnowna) watching on. Her parents are strict, so much so that she's scared to tell her dad about plans for a pre-university road trip to Sydney with Chloe (played by The Unlisted's Annabel Wolfe as a teen). Anton (Josh Macqueen, Significant Others) is hardly reliable, but he is jealous of the time she's spending with the picked-on Hector Ford (Fraser Anderson, Rock Island Mysteries). Plus, Isabel soon has her own investigation causing waves around town, tied to fresh-faced Vanuatu newcomer Ezekiel Iesul (musician Ziggy Ramo), absent visas, hellish abuse and missing people. Without its leaps backwards, Black Snow would still be gripping and well-acted, with Fimmel giving the series an expectedly dogged but quietly magnetic cop — one so breezily spoken that he stands out from every other detective that's ever chased comparable cases — and Power living up to her name as a woman that's spent more than half her life in a tragedy's shadow. Still, it can't be overstated how essential the 1994 segments prove. They gift Isabel a voice and presence past being a mere victim; showcase Blackman-Corowa's luminous performance in the process; and inescapably anchor Black Snow's narrative in colonial crimes, horrors waged for centuries since, the deep-seated intergenerational traumas they've caused, Australian South Sea Islander culture and telling class clashes. Come for Australia's latest must-stream crime drama, and the first of 2023, then, but stay for a show that embraces and interrogates much more than its recognisable basic setup typically indicates. Stay, too, for taught and tense direction from helmers Sian Davies (Spreadsheet) and Matthew Saville (A Month of Sundays), an emotive score by Ramo with Jed Palmer (Animals), and eye-catching cinematography from Eric Murray Lui (We Are Still Here) — scenic sights lush with greenery but as stained with hurt, woe and sorrow as Australia's reddest soil. Check out the trailer for Black Snow below: Black Snow streams via Stan.
Ah, the joy of gift-giving. And by 'joy,' we mean the stressful task of finding the perfect present for your loved ones who seem to have it all. But fear not, fellow gift-giver, we've got a guide that's as picky as your loved ones. Together with House of Suntory, we've put together this handy guide so you can find something perfect, no matter how niche. FOR LOVERS OF JAPANESE CRAFT SPIRITS There are scotch buffs and bourbon fans, but nobody is more discerning than a Japanese whisky enthusiast. People who have great respect for Japanese culture can be pretty specific when it comes to their spirit preferences. Nothing says "I appreciate your refined taste", like a bottle of Toki Whisky from House of Suntory. Toki means time, and this dram aims to combine different eras in one effortless blend. It combines whisky from three Japanese distilleries: Chita, Hakushu and Yamazaki. The palate is brimming with grapefruit, green grapes, peppermint and thyme with a subtle sweet and spicy finish with hints of vanilla oak, white pepper and ginger. It's ideal in a classic highball. Want to go all out with craft spirits? Suntory has just released its Hibiki Japanese Harmony 100th-anniversary edition. It's a delicate blend of malt and grain whiskies that promises a honeylike sweetness of candied orange peel and white chocolate on the palate and a nose bursting with rose, lychee, rosemary and sandalwood. FOR THE ONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROPER GLASSWARE There's no point gifting an awesome whisky if they are just going to sip it out of some crappy mug they got for free at a festival three years ago. Level up their glassware with some luxury high-ball super-thin (but durable) glasses, like these Usuhari High-Ball Glass Set from Bokksu. Made in Japan and sent in a classy wooden case, they are a perfect gift for the whisky-lover who desperately needs some high-quality glassware. FOR YOUR MATE WHOSE VINYL COLLECTION IS TAKING OVER THEIR HOME Vinyl collectors are on another level and living in another era. Given the heaving shelves in their living room, there's little point trying to source their next favourite vinyl — because, likely, they already have that planned out. Instead, think outside the box for something that showcases their love for vinyl but is also useful, like Vinyl Coasters. It is ideal for the vinyl-lover who loves coffee or whisky and cares about protecting their coffee table. There are many options out there, but these novelty nostalgia ones from Retro Room have titles on the vinyls like Tea Time (Don't Spill This) and Topo Hot To Handle by The Nostaligics. Want to go further? Get them a vintage-inspired suitcase record player from Crosley to add some retro charm to their place. FOR THE FASHIONISTA WHO ALWAYS DRESSES THEIR BEST We all have that one friend who looks effortlessly fabulous. Who buys high-end wardrobe staples and with the addition of classic accessories like a silk scarf, stunning jewellery, or even on-point makeup can elevate even the most relaxed sweatpants look. If your fashion-forward bestie is in need of classic footwear, look no further than Onitsuka Tiger, currently having something of a resurgence in the fashion world. And what's a completed outfit without a signature fragrance? Check out Comme des Garçons (CDG) unisex scents, the brainchild of Japanese fashion rebel Rei Kawakubo. The range is inspired by 'anti-perfumes', like the scent of gunpowder or laundry — we're partial to the concrete fragrance. FOR SCREEN BUFFS WHO LOVE A TIPPLE WITH THEIR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW Lights, camera, action...and a good cocktail. If your mate can't go five minutes without referencing a movie or television show, then Cocktails of the Movies and Cheers to TV are two deep cuts to gift them. These books are the perfect blend of screen magic and mixology, ensuring your friend's movie night is Oscar-worthy, even if their cocktail skills are still in the supporting actor category. The movie book includes iconic cocktail recipes from Marilyn's Manhattan in Some Like It Hot to The Dude's white russian in The Big Lebowski, whereas the television version includes cocktails inspired by Game of Thrones, Fleabag and Jerry Seinfeld. They're the ultimate pop-culture accessory and make for excellent coffee table books, with each cocktail accompanied by a history of the beverage, some movie or television show insight and original artwork. [caption id="attachment_862472" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Brimble (Unsplash)[/caption] FOR THE PLANT PARENT WHO HAS COVERED EVERY SURFACE Normal planters are so last season, and your green-thumbed friend has probably used up all their surfaces with devil's ivy vines and monstera cuttings. Help them spruce up their home and their plant collection with a hanging disco ball planter. Now your friend can turn their house into a disco jungle, where even the plants groove to the beat of the water droplets. FOR THE TRAVELLER WHO IS PROBABLY ALREADY ON THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE If your mate returns from one adventure only to start planning the next one, their passport probably needs some protection. And what better way to keep their most treasured item than by gifting a luxe leather passport holder embossed with their initials? Perfect for the seasoned globetrotter, it's like a first-class ticket for their travel documents. Toki Whisky is available from all premium liquor outlets. For more information, check out the website.
Gone are the days when it was safe to assume that a long-running music festival would definitely return each year, as Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass' recent fortunes have underscored. As a result, when a fest announces that it's coming back, it's big news. Good Things is the latest to confirm a spot on 2025's calendar, and also its dates. Once again, the event will be starting off summer. As it has in past years, Good Things will hit up all three of its stops — Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane — across one huge weekend. There's no venues locked in so far, after the festival took over took over Flemington Racecourse, Centennial Park and Brisbane Showgrounds in 2024; however, you can mark Friday, December 5 in your diaries for the Victorian capital, then Saturday, December 6 in the Harbour City and Sunday, December 7 in the Sunshine State. As for who'll be on the bill, that hasn't been revealed as yet either, and neither has a timeline for future announcements. 2022's lineup dropped in June, while 2023's and 2024's each arrived in August, so expect to know sometime in winter if that pattern holds. Last year, Korn, Violent Femmes and Billy Corgan were on headlining duty, with Electric Callboy, Mastodon, The Gaslight Anthem, L7, Kerry King, Jet, The Living End, The Butterfly Effect and Killing Heidi among their company. 2023's fest featured Devo, Limp Bizkit, Corey Taylor, Pennywise, Bullet for My Valentine, Taking Back Sunday, I Prevail, Enter Shikari, Pvris, Behemoth, Sepultura, Spiderbait, Frenzal Rhomb, Jebediah and Eskimo Joe, among other acts. In 2022, the reunited TISM, Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, NOFX and Millencolin led the roster. Good Things 2025 Dates Friday, December 5 — Melbourne Saturday, December 6 — Sydney Sunday, December 7 — Brisbane Good Things will hit the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in December 2025. We'll update you when the lineup is announced and tickets go on sale — head to the festival website for more information and to sign up for the event's mailing list in the interim. Images: Kane Hibberd.
While numerous bushfires continue to burn across Victoria, efforts to ramp up support to those directly affected are well underway. The Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) — the state's peak farmer advocacy body since 1979 — is calling on the public to lend a hand, as farmers and their communities need immediate relief following the catastrophic events. At least 700 structures have been destroyed, and more than 1000 agricultural properties have been impacted, with farmers losing fencing, pasture, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, it's estimated that 15,000 livestock have been lost. Combined with ongoing challenges around droughts and rising costs, throwing your financial support behind the community makes a tangible difference, now more than ever. In this time of crisis, the VFF has activated its Disaster Relief Fund, where every dollar donated goes directly to farmers in need. Guided by VFF President and fifth-generation grain farmer Brett Hosking, he says this farmer-led program exists to offer immediate support in devastating moments like these. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) "Every donation goes to support farmers in need, providing immediate grants to those who have suffered loss and to replace vital infrastructure, fodder and equipment, while also meeting basic household needs," says Hosking. "But it's about more than just rebuilding farms. In times of crisis, immediate financial help eases stress, restores hope, and supports the mental well-being of farming families." In addition, the VFF has also been coordinating with the federal and Victorian governments to secure much-needed support as soon as possible. A joint recovery package has been announced, with almost $100 million available to affected communities, including recovery grants, prolonged power outage payments, concessional loans and financial counselling. "History has shown that in times of devastation, Australians always band together and dig deep. It's part of our DNA," says Hosking. "During the worst of times is often when the very best of the community is on show. Farmers need help, and donating is the best way people can do that." [caption id="attachment_1063729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: iStock/Beverley Van Praagh.[/caption] The Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) is now accepting public donations. Head to the website for more information and to contribute.
For years, Foxtel has been Australia's main source for HBO series, airing everything from Game of Thrones, Westworld and Succession to Chernobyl, Veep and Big Little Lies. And, if you weren't signed up to the pay TV service, that meant streaming your favourite shows via its online platforms — such as the now-defunct Presto and the currently available Foxtel Now. From Monday, May 25, Aussie TV fans will have another option: new streaming service Binge. While Foxtel Now isn't going anywhere, the Foxtel-run Binge works more like Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video and their long list of competitors. So, rather than replicating Foxtel's channel packages via an online platform, requiring you to pick and choose different options depending on whether you're eager for sport, movies or drama, as Foxtel Now does, with Binge you'll pay a flat fee to gain access to everything. On the TV lineup: all of the aforementioned HBO programs, plus older faves such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Sex and the City and Girls. After HBO's new US streaming service HBO Max launches in the US on May 27, Binge will also feature scripted shows from the platform, such as the new Gossip Girl reboot. And, working with companies such as WarnerMedia, NBCU, FX, BBC and Sony, it'll boast plenty of other highlights — including classic comedies like Seinfeld, The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation; crime thrills thanks to Law & Order and NCIS; new releases like Breeders and Mrs America; documentaries such as Planet Earth; and competitive series including the Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman-hosted Making It. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWFiFfrbY0 Kicking off with more than 10,000 hours of content, Binge's catalogue will also feature a heap of movies — think flicks from the Fast and Furious, Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible and DC Universe franchises; films from directors such as Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino; and newcomers like the Hugh Jackman-starring Bad Education. And, if you're eager for recommendations — and not just from an algorithm — it'll include curated collections that'll steer you in different viewing directions. You can also select 'binge' or 'surprise me' options, which'll do the choosing for you. Price-wise, Binge will cost $10 per month for one SD screen, $14 per month for two HD screens and $18 per month for four HD screens, with a two-week free trial also available when it kicks off. Users will be able to access the service online, and via Android TV, Apple TV, Telstra TV, Chromecast, tablets and mobile devices. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuB2VNA8MLQ&feature=youtu.be Binge launches on Monday, May 25. For further information — or to sign-up — visit the platform's website. Top image: Game of Thrones, Helen Sloan.
Stare at The False Mirror at Magritte, one of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' just-announced big summer exhibitions, and the masterpiece of a painting from 1929 will peer right back. One of Belgian surrealist René Magritte's most-famous creations, the piece features a giant eye looking at the viewer, while also filled with a cloudy blue sky. It's an unforgettable work, and it's one of the stars of the 2024–25 Sydney International Art Series. Another striking painting that's hitting the Harbour City from Saturday, October 26, 2024–Sunday, February 9, 2025: Golconda, Magritte's 1953 work that brings two other pieces of popular culture to mind. Just try not to think about Mary Poppins and The Weather Girls' song 'It's Raining Men' while you feast your eyes on the sight of bowler hat-wearing men streaming down from the heavens. [caption id="attachment_959955" align="alignnone" width="1920"] René Magritte 'Golconda (Golconde)' 1953, oil on canvas, 80 x 100.3 cm, The Menil Collection, Houston, V 414 © Copyright Agency, Sydney 2024, photo: Paul Hester.[/caption] At Magritte, which is exclusive to Sydney, The False Mirror, Golconda and 1952's The Listening Room (La Chambre d'Écoute) — which shows an oversized apple — will have ample company at AGNSW's south building Naala Nura. In total, 100-plus works are set to display. This will not only be a huge retrospective dedicated to the artist, but also Australia's first retrospective dedicated to the artist. More than 80 of the pieces will be paintings, demonstrating why he's considered one of the most-influential figures in 20th-century surrealism; however, archival materials, photographs and films will also feature. Sydney International Art Series isn't just about one major exclusive showcase, of course. From Saturday, November 30, 2024–Sunday, April 13, 2025, AGNSW will also host Cao Fei: My City. Over at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia from Friday, November 29, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025, Julie Mehretu will be on display as well. [caption id="attachment_959956" align="alignnone" width="1920"] René Magritte 'The listening room (La chambre d'écoute)' 1952, oil on canvas, 45.2 x 55.2 cm, The Menil Collection, Houston, gift of Fariha Friedrich, 1991-53 DJ © Copyright Agency, Sydney 2024, photo: Adam Baker.[/caption] Cao Fei: My City is also an Australian-first retrospective and the largest showcase of its namesake's pieces Down Under, putting the Guangzhou-born, Beijing-based artist in the spotlight. Expect cyber futurism to grace AGNSW's walls in a 1300-square-metre space in Naala Badu, the gallery's south building, as part of an exhibition designed by Cao Fei with Hong Kong's Beau Architects. Your entry point: a replica of a Beijing cinema from the 60s. And your exit point isn't a gift shop, but a Sydney yum cha restaurant. As for Julie Mehretu, it will be the southern hemisphere's first major survey of the Ethiopia-born, New York-raised artist's output, spanning over 80 paintings and works. Some will date back as far as 1995. Others have been created just for the exhibition. Mehretu herself will also be in Sydney for the showcase's opening. [caption id="attachment_959957" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cao Fei 'Nova' 2019, single-channel HD video, colour, 5.1 sound, 97:13 min, 2.35:1 © Cao Fei, Vitamin Creative. Courtesy Sprüth Magers.[/caption] "Magritte and Cao Fei are giants of their respective times and leading figures in both the modern and contemporary art worlds. Magritte will consider the Belgian artist's groundbreaking contribution to surrealism in an exhibition that highlights the uniqueness and independence of his artistic vision. This Art Gallery-exclusive exhibition will give Australian audiences the chance to experience Magritte's practice in deeper and more profound ways than ever before, providing a real glimpse into the evolution of his practice," said Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Michael Brand. "Naala Badu, our new SANAA-designed building, allows us to stage inventive kinds of exhibitions as never before, and the imaginative format of Cao Fei: My City is Yours befits the playfulness of one of the world's most prominent and innovative living artists. This exhibition builds upon the Art Gallery's proud history of staging exhibitions of Chinese art since the 1940s, and with this show we celebrate the pioneering creativity of this globally acclaimed artist, as well as the boundless possibilities that art offers for deeper understanding and connection. With both Cao Fei and Magritte on show this summer, we have an unmissable offering for visitors to Sydney and local art lovers alike," Brand continued. [caption id="attachment_959961" align="alignnone" width="1920"] TRANSpaintings (green ecstatic), 2023–24, courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery; TRANSpaintings (emergence), 2023–24, courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery; TRANSpaintings (recurrence), 2023, Pinault Collection; TRANSpaintings (skull), 2023, courtesy the artist and White Cube; TRANSpaintings (mask), 2023, courtesy the artist and White Cube; Your Eyes are two blind eagles, That Kill what they can't see, 2022–23, private collection. Installation view, Julie Mehretu. Ensemble, 2024, Palazzo Grassi, Venezia. Ph. Marco Cappelletti © Palazzo Grassi, Pinault Collection.[/caption] "The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is delighted to be presenting to audiences in Australia this remarkable exhibition by an artist who is undoubtedly one of today's most exciting living painters, and whose dynamic language of abstraction speaks so powerfully to the contemporary world in which we live," added MCA Australia Director Suzanne Cotter about the Julie Mehretu exhibition. "The experience of Mehretu's paintings is nothing short of a visual and physical event. We are proud to present this year's Sydney International Art Series with Julie Mehretu to build upon the MCA's history of introducing to the public in Australia the work of today's most influential artists." [caption id="attachment_959954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] René Magritte 'The false mirror (Le faux miroir)' 1929, oil on canvas, 54 x 80.9 cm, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 133.1936 © Copyright Agency, Sydney 2024, photo © The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, Florence 2024.[/caption] Sydney International Art Series 2024–25: Saturday, October 26, 2024–Sunday, February 9, 2025 — Magritte, Art Gallery of NSW Friday, November 29, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025 — Julie Mehretu, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Saturday, November 30, 2024–Sunday, April 13, 2025 — Cao Fei: My City, Art Gallery of NSW [caption id="attachment_959963" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cao Fei 'Nova' 2019, single-channel HD video, colour, 5.1 sound, 97:13 min, 2.35:1 © Cao Fei, Vitamin Creative. Courtesy Sprüth Magers.[/caption] Sydney International Art Series 2024–25 runs from October 2024 — head to the AGNSW and MCA websites for further details. Top image: excerpt of René Magritte 'The false mirror (Le faux miroir)' 1929, oil on canvas, 54 x 80.9 cm, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 133.1936 © Copyright Agency, Sydney 2024, photo © The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, Florence 2024.
In leafy Kensington, cafes are found at every turn and give the area its distinctive village-like feel. Yet, even surrounded by competition, Local Folk is — true to name — a favourite amongst locals. Occupying a corner spot that used to be the town's local corner store, you'll find fresh modern cafe cuisine with always reliable coffee. Owners Ashley and Belinda have deep roots in the Kensington community and before Local Folk, Ashley's early culinary skills were developed as an apprentice in a French restaurant. The Kenso brekkie roll is the cafe's most popular item and is as great on-the-go as it is for dining in. It's made with the usual breakfast suspects, including egg, bacon, house-made relish, jack cheddar and spinach — and wrapped up in a toasted pide for a bit of flair. Other noteworthy options include the brekkie gnocchi topped with a sunny side up egg, which makes a compelling case for why gnocchi shouldn't be limited to lunch and dinnertimes, and an ever-changing list of specials that keeps the menu fresh. The cafe serves excellent coffee using Toby's Estate beans, favouring the Brunswick blend that's unique to the area as their default roast. If you want to do as the locals do, revel in Local Folk's relaxed vibes with creative yet classic top notch cafe fare and always on point coffee.
A long time ago, in this very galaxy, brass instruments sounded, a text crawl started and the first Star Wars film burst onto the screen. Thanks to director George Lucas and composer John Williams, it's one of the most iconic movie openings in history — and, in all of its force-wielding, Death Star-destroying, orchestra-scored glory, the sci-fi classic is making a kriffing special return. With Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens getting the concert treatment in 2017, every jedi, wookiee, droid and even sith around the rest of the country has been crossing their fingers and toes for a similar blend of Star Wars movies and music. Those hopes and dreams are being answered with three screenings of Star Wars: Episode VI — A New Hope at Hamer Hall in February 2018. The film will roll, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will perform Williams' Oscar-winning compositions, and you'll burst with a Millennium Falcon's worth of happiness. Whether you're a huge Star Wars buff eager to ride a wave of excitement past Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi's December release, just have a casual interest, or have no idea what the term R2-D2 means, mark February 2 and 3 in your diary and prepare to experience history — it's the first time that a live performance has accompanied A New Hope in Melbourne. The MSO's associate conductor Benjamin Northey will once again lead the charge, as the city's finest provide the soundtrack to Luke Skywalker meeting Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia sending a message for help, Han Solo oozing his usual attitude and Darth Vader just being a power-hungry jerk.
Melbourne comes alive on AFL Grand Final day — and while nothing beats being at the 'G, the city's pubs and bars know how to throw a party on the last Saturday in September. From rooftop viewing parties to sprawling beer gardens and bottomless banquets, there's no shortage of places to cheer on every second of the action. Whether you're keen on a lively crowd, a sit-down feast, or just looking for somewhere to catch every kick, mark and goal with a cold one in hand, these venues have your game day sorted. The Terminus Hotel Abbotsford's Terminus Hotel is gearing up for a huge Grand Final Saturday with the return of its annual Grand Final Day Block Party. Catch every second of the action from a massive outdoor screen with a siren-to-siren premium bottomless drinks package and roaming canapes to keep you fuelled. Plus, live entertainment will keep the energy high long after the final siren. Find out more at the venue's website. Garden State Hotel Flinders Lane favourite Garden State knows how to throw a party, and this Grand Final day will be no exception. There'll be free-flow tap beers and house wines from 1.30pm, roaming canapes, live music at halftime and DJs spinning well into the night — and plenty of massive screens around the venue. Tickets guarantee you access but not a table, so get in early to nab one before they're gone. Find out more at the venue's website. The Duke of Wellington Melbourne's oldest licensed pub is covering all the bases this Grand Final day. Doors open from 9am for hearty pre-game counter meals, before all the action plays live and loud on screens on all three levels. The rooftop comes alive post-match, with acoustic sets from 5pm and DJs taking over from 8pm until late. To find out more and book your spot, head to the venue's website. [caption id="attachment_1021356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zennieshia Butts[/caption] Hickens Hotel Having swung open its doors just a few weeks ago in the former Crafty Squire site, CBD newcomer Hickens Hotel is going all in for its first Grand Final. Live music and DJs get things started on Thursday and Friday night, before a 10am start on the day of the big dance. A live duo in the Carlton Bar will set the mood pre-game, while a live band in Abe's Athletic Hall keeps the energy high after the siren. Table and booth bookings are also available for prime vantage spots. Find out more at the venue's website. Hotel Esplanade Do Grand Final day your way at The Espy. For a loud and lively vibe, The Gersh is throwing a three-hour watch party with free-flowing bevs and roaming canapes. It's standing room only, so if you're after somewhere to settle in, the Sunroom is hosting a long lunch, while Mya Tiger is dishing up a three-course banquet with the game on in the background. If you'd rather keep things casual, the whole venue is open all day — just wander in, grab a spot, order a cold one and catch every bump and tackle across the venue. To book your spot, head to the venue's website. Prince of Wales Hotel St Kilda's legendary pub is turning into a high-energy watch party this Grand Final day. Multiple screens will show every moment, while bottomless beer, wine and chef-curated canapes will flow from the first bounce. Then, keep the celebrations going with Anthems live band in the Bandroom post-game. Head to the venue's website for more information. Brewdog Pentridge Pull up to Pentridge for a massive Grand Final day at BrewDog. The sprawling beer garden will be the heart of the action, with bottomless beers, wines and house spirits flowing siren to siren, plus roaming canapes to keep you going. Huge dome screens will beam in every play — but with no allocated seating, it's first in, best dressed, so get down early to nab yourself a spot. Find out more at the venue's website. Beer DeLuxe Fed Square Fed Square's flagship watering hole is serving up two ways to do Grand Final day. Entry is free downstairs, where you'll be in the thick of the action – and in the shadows of the 'G — with big screens to take it all in. Or, upgrade to the VIP package upstairs for bottomless house beers and wines, roaming canapes and a halftime barbecue buffet. Find out more at the venue's website. Auburn Hotel Auburn's light-filled pub is kicking things off from 10am this Grand Final day with a Bottomless Footy Brekky — $70 for two hours of spritzes, pizza and fries. Starting later? Catch the game live across the venue, whether you've locked down a table in the light-filled Pavilion or found a spot in the leafy beer garden. After the final siren, DJs will take over to keep the party rolling well into the night. Find out more at the venue's website. For more information on these venues and to claim credit for your order, download The Pass app.
Starting life as just a tiny Elsternwick storefront in 2016, Baker Bleu quickly rocketed to cult status, now operating out of a roomy Caulfield North bakehouse and with a roll-call of top restaurants on its supply list. The bakery is known for its fast-selling, queue-worthy loaves, with people flocking from all over to get their hands on the likes of ficelle, French batards, classic challah bread and fresh bagels. And let's not forget about the covetable rotation of signature sweet treats on offer, including spiced apple crostata, golden croissants or custard-topped fruit brioche buns. it's a front-runner for the best bakery in Melbourne. Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
On Tuesday, a landmark decision was made that will affect hundreds of thousands of Australians. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced that discounted junior pay rates will no longer apply to young Aussies, with workers aged 18 to 20 now entitled to salaries reflective of those received by their older coworkers. This means that starting from December 2026, an estimated half a million employees will be entitled to a pay rise. Specifically, the ruling dictates that young employees are required to have at least six months of experience to be eligible for the rates, and employees aged 17 and below will still be paid on junior rates. Said discounts are based on the historical precedent that young employees incur training costs to offset their inexperience, and that businesses have historically been incentivised to hire younger employees because they'd have to pay them less. [caption id="attachment_1088266" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Getty Images[/caption] Typically, young people in Australia get their start in hospitality, fast food, pharmaceutical and retail industries, and responses within those industries have been mixed. According to the Australian Retail Council (ARC), one in eight Australians gets their first job in retail, and in a statement, ARC Ceo Chris Rodwell said that while the ARC welcomes the FWC's decision, it "does add another layer of cost at a time when many retailers are dealing with a cost-of-doing-business crisis." The ruling was set in motion in 2024 by an application from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA). Following the ruling, SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said, "It may take longer than we would have liked, but the principle has been established that no longer will 18-year-olds be treated as second class citizens," citing that 18-year-old employees are old enough to vote, enlist in the armed forces and to drive, adding the decision was "up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s." View this post on Instagram A post shared by SDA SA/NT (@sda_sa_nt) While the added cost for businesses cannot be overlooked, this decision will go a long way to support young Australians struggling to make a start amidst the cost-of-living crisis. It will take some time to go into full effect, though, with the rates set to increase five percent each year until 2029 until they match adult rates. Upon completion, 18-year-olds will be entitled to 70 percent of the adult pay rate, 19-year-olds to 80 percent and 20-year-olds to 90 percent. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Cleo, the new energetic rooftop offering at Hyde Melbourne Place, burst into the Melbourne hospitality scene in late 2025. Now, the dynamic venue is helping you stick to those New Year's health and wellness resolutions with its Saturday morning Sunrise Sessions. In partnership with Peaches Pilates, every Saturday morning from January 17 until February 28, Cleo will play host to a wellness session to kick off your weekend on a high. Starting at 8am, you'll power through a 45-minute Pilates class, enjoy a 15-minute guided meditation with SONNA LED Face Masks, then fill your tum with a curated breakfast menu. The rooftop drinking and dining destination underwent a three-month transformation last year to introduce warm tones, more greenery, long tables and relaxed spaces suitable for leisurely dining. Carmen Tomasic, Ennismore's Director of Brand Operations, Pacific, says, "A large focus for the design of Cleo was to create a space that felt grounded in Melbourne while embracing the ease and energy of Eastern Mediterranean hospitality. It's a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city that embraces its existing architecture while adding an earthy softness to the space." The special breakfast menu features the likes of tried-and-tested avocado toast and the Cleo breakfast plate with eggs, pickles, hummus, and feta, and is designed to nourish and energise after a morning workout. So treat yourself, or grab a mate, and start your weekend with a mindful practice with the added bonus of tranquil city skyline views. Images: Supplied. Tickets are priced at $79 per person and are now available for booking. If you prefer rooftop drinking, check out the best rooftop bars in Melbourne.
The first large-scale exhibition of famed Queensland artist Gordon Bennett since 2007, Unfinished Business includes familiar works alongside several never-before-displayed pieces. It has taken over the Queensland Art Gary and Gallery of Modern Art from until March 21, 2021. Considered to be one of the most significant figures in contemporary Aboriginal art, Bennett's work spans the 1980s up until his death in 2014. His artwork explores his identity, as well as racial stereotypes and Australian society. In the exhibition, visitors will experience nearly 200 artworks spanning paintings, sculptures, drawings, video installations and ceramics. Threads of Jackson Pollock and Jean-Michel Basquiat can also be seen within Bennett's work. In turn, Bennett has influenced heaps of contemporary and emerging artists. [caption id="attachment_792504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gordon Bennett, 'Abstraction (Migrant)'[/caption] Top image: Gordon Bennett 'Diptych' 1987. Private Collection, Brisbane. Photographer: John Downs.
For some, the arrival of children in their lives is the time they transition into maturity. This is not the article for those people. Free-jumping on trampolines, swinging through trees, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, zipping down huge waterslides — these are activities for kids and kidults alike. With that in mind, there's no reason why your next family outing shouldn't be one that delights your entire multigenerational crew — mums, dads and sprogs included. We've teamed up with Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove, to point you towards these excursions in Melbourne. These are destinations where you'll come together to make memories, make Instagram Stories, make a fool of yourself (in a good way) — and all while making your kids' day. FUNFIELDS Breakneck speeds, hair-raising twists and turns, stomach-churning drops – you'll be pushing the kids out of the way to experience all you can at Funfields. While the site boasts three of the longest and tallest Proslide water slides in the world, little ones are also catered for with an excellent paddling pool and water-play area. All up, there are more than 20 attractions, including a go-kart track, toboggan slide and several rides of varied intensity. Admission ain't cheap – $160 for a family of four with two school-aged kids – but it's small change for hours of thrilling, childhood-reliving fun. 2365 Plenty Road, Whittlesea SLIDES PLAYCENTRE Yes, it boasts a tip-top toddler area with scooters, toy cars, cubby houses and a jumping castle, but Slides' centrepiece is actually a towering three-lane slide — which, at eight metres, is Australia's highest. It's all part of the multipurpose Eastern Indoor Sports Centre, where there are also indoor sports pitches if soccer or futsal is your thing, a well-maintained kids' party and cafe area, and some hidden play zones out back that boast a flying fox, spinning platforms and more climbable objects. The best bit? Parents play free. 1642 Ferntree Gully Rd, Knoxfield ARTVO This place is custom-made for the Insta-everything generations. An optical-illusionary experience that adds quirk to the traditional art museum, ArtVo has 11 themed zones and 100 large-scale illustrations that allow families to inject themselves into all manner of adventurous scenes, famous drawings and locations. Snigger as a loved one oozes vulnerability in King Kong's palm or under the paw of a giant cat. 26 Star Crescent, Docklands BOUNCE Kids bouncing off the walls at home? You too? Time, then, to hit the place where the name says it all. Boasting venues in Blackburn North, Glen Iris and Essendon Fields, Bounce is a buzzing indoor playground of interconnected trampolines and aerial assaults. Try your hand at slam dunking, wall running and dodgeball, or kick back in the cafe and observe others' skills. Bonus: your energy-sapped kids will almost always go to bed that night without complaint. Hangar 4, 236 Wirraway Road, Essendon Fields; 22 Joseph Street, Blackburn North; 2 Weir Street, Glen Iris SCIENCEWORKS There's something for everyone at this culturally rich – and hip-pocket friendly – Spotswood institution. Scienceworks is perfect for budding — or big — mad professors, astronauts or sports nuts, or anyone who's simply curious as to what makes the world tick (and spin). You can lose yourself in the sights of the Planetarium and Lightning Room, and test those hammies racing the kids – and a digitised Cathy Freeman – on the 10-metre dual-lane running track. Nice outdoor cafe, too. 2 Booker Street, Spotswood GLOWGOLF DOCKLANDS Mini golf — the casual and quirky offshoot of the grand, slow-moving parent game — now comes with an extra layer of flair in the form of an 18-hole, glow-in-the-dark course, aptly called GlowGolf. Putt your way through a bunch of UV-lit, sound-effects-enhanced Aussie icons, including a rainforest, the outback, an outdoor dunny and even a Kingswood ute. Set to open early in 2018 is the Le Bar Europeen, self-touted as Victoria's smallest bar, with standing room for six to eight people. NW F05 Star Crescent, Docklands TREES ADVENTURE Ever wanted to swing through the trees like Tarzan? Set among the breathtaking greenery of the Glen Harrow Heritage Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges, Trees Adventure gets you most of the way there. The site is home to a series of obstacle courses, zip-lines and aerial challenges that cater to all ages and abilities. Two-hour sessions (adults $48, children $25-$38, including training) allow safety-harnessed thrillseekers to tackle nine courses ranging from two to 25 metres high, all the while soundtracked by bellbirds and kookaburras. Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave PLAYTIME Adults and arcade centres: it conjures up analogies of, well, kids and candy stores. Jam-packed with 100-plus classic and new-age video games and a spellbinding laser-tag arena, Playtime draws big and little kids aplenty. There are venues at Crown, Highpoint and Eastland, the latter boasting several "Cryptology Escape Rooms" that lock behind you upon entry. It's a great chance to team up with your kids to piece together the clues and puzzles that reopen the door within your allotted hour. Crown Entertainment Complex, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank; Highpoint Shopping Centre, 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong; Shop MM12 Eastland Shopping Centre, 175 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood Drive your family on adventures in and outside of town in the Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove. Find out more on the Holden website.
There's getting away. And then there's disappearing to your own private, tiny house in the wilderness — miles from any sign of human interference. Meet Unyoked, a new, Australian independent accommodation option that lets you do just that. Importantly, this is not a hotel. Founded and run by twins Cam and Chris Grant, the off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Here's how. With the help of designer/builder Alice Nivison and builder/eco-consultant Richie Northcott from Sydney design studio Fresh Prince, the brothers have designed and built two tiny houses — both sustainable and solar-powered. They've been placed in secret patches of wilderness on private properties, in the middle of nowhere. Anytime you want to flee the city, disconnect and recharge, all you have to do is book one and jump in your car. Both houses are no more than two hours' drive from Sydney. "We grew up camping and hiking," the Grants say. "But once we started to work full-time, we noticed we weren't doing that as much. We were spending too much time in the grind. Unyoked came about because we wanted to get back to nature." The idea is that, rather than having to wait for your annual vacation, you can add a nature escape to your regular routine. "We wanted to give people more of a balance ... to give them the chance to get off the grid, but without necessarily having to go to Nepal," the Grants say. The houses aim to "make you feel like you're part of the environment". Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. Plus, the locations have been carefully selected. "We went through a detailed process of finding the right properties," the Grants say. "There's a set criteria. Each property must be secluded, away from the sight or sound of any human-made elements and have wildlife." For example, the first-built tiny house, which is named Miguel, sits on a 300-acre property, surrounded by 400-year-old rainforest, waterfalls, walking trails and kangaroos. Unyoked aims to make sure your stay is a bit of an adventure, by keeping the exact address of your chosen house secret until two days before you're due to set off. You'll be given a vague idea of the location, but nothing more. "We want people to feel like they were walking in the wilderness and suddenly came across a cabin." More Unyoked tiny houses are on their way — Melbourne's next. https://vimeo.com/202315726 Images and video: Samantha Hawker.
If you went to The Warehouse Project's first-ever Australian dates in 2024, then you experienced a slice of history, as one of the dance-music world's favourite events finally made the leap Down Under. The Manchester rave scene mainstay's Aussie debut clearly went well — so much so that dates have just dropped for a return visit in 2025. The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Fred again.., Skrillex and Happy Mondays have played it. De La Soul, Aphex Twin, Carl Cox and deadmau5, too. For dance music fans, and just music fans in general, The Warehouse Project's fame extends far past its UK home. For its second Australian trip, the event is again hitting up Sydney and Melbourne, this time across Thursday, April 24–Friday, April 25. [caption id="attachment_943879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © Photography by Rob Jones for Khroma Collective[/caption] Melbourne's PICA will welcome The Warehouse Project for the second time; however, Sydney's event is taking place at Hordern Pavilion in 2025, after setting up shop at Munro Warehouse in Sydney Olympic Park in 2024. This year's events are one-day affairs in each city, too, rather than two nights apiece as happened last year. This remains a two-city tour, though, so if you're keen on hitting up The Warehouse Project in Australia and you live somewhere other than Sydney or Melbourne, you'll need to plan an interstate trip. The Manchester institution's Aussie debut in 2024 came after initially going international in 2023 in Rotterdam and Antwerp. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Warehouse Project (@whp_mcr) As for who'll be on the lineup this time, that's still to be revealed — but whoever does the honours, they'll follow on from Mall Grab, Bonobo, HAAi, Kelly Lee Owens, Paula Tape, dj pgz, Krysko, Effy, Jennifer Loveless and DJ Dameeeela in 2024. It was back in 2006 that The Warehouse Project first unleashed its club nights on its birthplace, kicking off in a disused brewery and then moving underneath Manchester's Piccadilly station, in a space that's also been an air-raid shelter — and also to a warehouse that dates back to the 1920s. Now, it calls former railway station Depot Mayfield home when it's on in its home city. The Warehouse Project Australia 2025 Thursday, April 24 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Friday, April 25 — PICA, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_943890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mayfield Depot, Rcsprinter123 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Warehouse Project returns to Australia across Thursday, April 24–Friday, April 25, 2025, with presale tickets from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, January 22 and general sales from 11am AEDT on Wednesday, February 5 Head to the event's website for further details. Top image: Rob Jones for Khroma Collective.
In all art forms, creativity is the cornerstone of the craft. As we move into a modern world where everything has been created before, creative work has come from all corners of contemporary life. One could list many crevices where the beauty of the art form has spawned an unlikely trade, but never before has gelato been the source of such delicious innovation. Not like this. It is the cult of Gelato Messina, of course, which has spilled into every corner of Sydney like a sugar-laden avalanche blanketing the city. People eat it for breakfast, follow the rotating specials like movements of the sun and — I can only assume — thank the goddamn world each morning that Messina is open seven days a week, 364 days a year. It’s a sheer phenomenon and, with the opening of the first Melbourne store today, it's not one that's waning anytime soon. With 10 years already under their belt, an operation that started with just three guys and a gelataria in Darlinghurst has become one with a slew of stores, a factory and over 100 staff. While it's taken a while for Messina to drip down to Melbourne, it was just a matter of finding the right place, says part owner and founder Nick Palumbo. "We feel at home in Melbourne, even Fitzroy kind of reminds us of Darlinghurst," says Palumbo. "For us it just made sense." The Smith Street store may take their total to six (with four in Sydney and one in China), but the additional demand certainly won't affect the gelato's artisanal properties. Ask anyone in the Messina family, and they'll tell you that their gelato is unlike anyone else's in Australia. It's artisan gelato in every way; everything is distinctly made from scratch and nothing is out of the question. "What we do differently is that we don't use any pre-prepared pastes or powders that come out of Europe," says Palumbo. "Until about six years ago we had a few flavours that we could not get right, where still using pastes would achieve a better product, but, we finally cut that and now we don't use anything that comes out of Italy. We just do everything ourselves." While most gelato makers rely on flavoured pastes — akin to a box of cake mix — Messina works of the premise of creating recipes from raw, mostly local ingredients. One of their most popular permanent flavours, tiramisu, was the flavour that spearheaded the whole concept of making their own versions of desserts, says Palumbo. And so, they built a real tiramisu, complete with egg yolks, mascarpone cheese, marsala wine and coffee-soaked biscuits that could be frozen, churned and sold in-store. There's no doubt that this is doing things the hard way — "it's a very labour intensive procedure," says Palumbo — but it seems it's the only way these guys know how to do it. And the proof is in the numbers: they go through 1000 litres of milk a day, 2 tonne of sugar a week and an obscene amount of salted caramel each month. The way Messina develop and produce their gelato is not only one of skill, but one that's reliant on constant innovation. With Palumbo's love of gelato dating back to early visits to his family's native Messina in Sicily, he saw an opportunity to bring real, Italian gelato to Sydney — with a twist. "Back then, and even now, gelato places are doing the same flavours they've been doing for twenty years, and, in Australia, gelato has become this hard, icy thing — which it's not at all," says Palumbo. "We saw an opportunity to do something different and be creative and innovative with flavours." After starting to experiment with flavours such as Pavlova and coconut lychee, the team has progressively moved from tame to all-out rebellion with inventions such as Isn't That A Salad? (goats cheese, walnut, beetroot) and Nacho Libre (avocado cream, salsa, crushed corn chips). Taking inspiration from their mums, aunties, customers and progressive chefs, a lot of the flavours are variations of dishes or desserts they've eaten at restaurants. With five or six specials constantly rotating each week, the creative process is always in action. Managed by Simone Panetta, a man with a strong gelato background, Messina Melbourne is set to continue the gelato revolution. While the mix will be shipped to Fitzroy from the Rozelle factory, all the churning of the gelato will be done in store. If you're already following their Instagram account, you'll know that Sydney's weekly specials are posted as they are placed in the cabinet — and, for now, Melbourne will run on the same schedule. "We're going to start off with whatever specials are running in Sydney, will also run in Melbourne at the same time," says Palumbo. "It's going to be huge, but we’re going to give it a shot." And, giving it a go is something that's worked out pretty well for these ice cream artisans. Gelato is now an art form, with Messina at the helm of its reinvention. Gelato Messina is located at 237 Smith Street, Fitzroy. As part of Good Food Month, Gelato Messina is holding Talk & Taste Classes on Saturday 16, 23 & 30 at their Fitzroy store, $60.
The initial event announced for RISING 2025, Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf was always going to be one of the Melbourne winter festival's big highlights for this year. Combining mini golf and art, exploring the feminist history of the short game, getting folks tap, tap, tapping across the entire upper level of Flinders Street Station, and boasting talents such as Kajillionaire filmmaker and All Fours writer Miranda July designing courses: what a combination. Accordingly, months after the fest wrapped up its later iteration, it should come as no surprise that its putt-putt experience has not only proven a hit, but is also sticking around even longer than planned. While RISING ran for 12 days from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 for 2025, Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf was locked in until Sunday, August 31 from the beginning. Now, that season has been extended. With a new closing date of Sunday, September 21, you've now got three more weeks to take to the greens. Expect company, as more than 25,000 people have headed by so far, resulting in soldout sessions. What do you get when you create an art exhibition that's also a mini-golf course? Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf answers that question with its playable setup. The piece's greens are designed by female-identifying and gender-diverse artists, resulting in surreal and mindbending creations in a work that also aims to get attendees thinking about the sport's beginnings. July's contribution, for instance, riffs on her latest book's name with an 'all fores' setup. Also helping to shape Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf: Soda Jerk switching from bringing TERROR NULLIUS and Hello Dankness to the big screen, plus Australian artists Kaylene Whiskey and Nabilah Nordin, Japan's Saeborg, the United Kingdom's Delaine Le Bas, Indonesia's Natasha Tontey, Atlanta rapper BKTHERULA and Hobart-based photographer Pat Brassington. "It's been fantastic seeing the diverse groups of people coming through the space, having fun, playing and learning about all of the beautiful, unusual artworks," said RISING's Grace Herbert, who curated the work. "So far, Swingers has hosted many families, friend groups and dates, and we've even had a proposal in the ballroom. I'm so glad that RISING is extending the season so that more people can enjoy this experience." As for the festival itself, it came, it celebrated, and it filled Melbourne with art, music and performances in June — with help from 100-plus events from 610 participating artists, including 16 brand-new commissions. Not only was Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf the first 2025 announcement, but it's the longest part of this year's program. And, while a few other events extended past RISING's official dates, this will also be the last to wrap up. Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf runs until Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Flinders Street Station, Flinders Street, Melbourne — head to the event's website for further information. Images: Remi Chauvin.
If Neil Buchanan taught us anything on Art Attack it was that a toilet paper roll can be used to design an array of artistic works. Whilst the word 'intricate' may never be used to describe the toilet roll castles he helped us build, it perfectly describes the artworks created by artist Anastassia Elias using only toilet rolls and a scalpel. Since 2009, the French artist has sculpted 67 works from these rolls, with each as spectacular and beautiful as the next. She carves the detail of each scene from other rolls and then delicately inserts them through a slit cut into the roll that frames each individual piece. Her works include dancing ballerinas, a busy construction site, an incredibly detailed science laboratory and an amusement park spanning two toilet rolls. Rouleaux, the title of the series and the accompanying book, is available here. In the meantime, you can check out our favourites below. Via Huffington Post.
UPDATE, November 10, 2020: Bunnings has confirmed that its snags will be cooking again at selected metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5. This article has been updated to reflect that change. It's a tradition well-known to many Australians: wake up on the weekend, make a beeline for your closest Bunnings, down a snag in bread. It's also a tradition that's been around since the 90s, and one we've been missing for eight very, very long months since Bunnings postponed its sausage sizzles back in mid-March because of rising concerns around COVID-19. In good news for Victorians, the weekend ritual is about to make its long-awaited return. First relaunching in some regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, the charity sizzles are set to roll out across selected metropolitan Melbourne venues from Saturday, December 5. In a statement released today, Monday, November 2, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer Deb Poole said, "Victorians have done such an amazing job flattening the curve and we hope bringing back sausage sizzles will be yet another sign we can reclaim a sense of normality while remaining COVID-safe." Each year around 40,000 sausage sizzles are hosted at Bunnings stores, help raising much-needed funds for local charity groups and sporting teams. Community groups that had sizzles pre-booked will be prioritised, with 130 already booked in for the first weekend back. When they do return, there will, of course, be social distancing and hygiene measures in place — measures we're all very used to at this point — including spaced queues, increased cleaning and separate ordering and pick-up points. Bunnings sausage sizzles are set to return to select regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, then to select metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5.
Now that we all carry digital maps in our pockets, finding our way around is as simple as whipping out our smartphones, typing in a location and following the stated directions. And, with Google Maps featuring extensive real-life images of the globe's roads and spaces in its Street View mode, it couldn't be easier to double-check that the place in front of you is your intended destination. If the above describes your usual process when you're trying to navigate your way to somewhere new, then you'll also be keen on Google Maps' new Live View feature. Using augmented reality, it combines the service's directions with Street View, superimposing arrows, street names and directions over the actual view that's in front of you — rather than a map or photographic representation of it — literally pointing users in the right direction. Whether you've been distracted while walking around New York and ended up in the wrong place, or found Tokyo's busier districts a bit of a labyrinth, this'll help. The same applies if you're notorious for paying more attention to the sights and sounds around you instead of looking at where you're going, which, when travelling, is an experience we can all relate to. After testing Live View with its local guides and via Pixel phones over the past few months, Google is now expanding the feature — which is currently still in beta testing — to Android and iOS devices. To use it, your phone will need to support ARCore (the company's platform for building augmented reality experiences) and ARKit (Apple's equivalent). Then, after typing in a location into Google Maps, you'll just need to tap the directions button, select walking directions and look for the Live View option. The rollout comes part of the tech giant's broader suite of updates in the travel space. Users can now also use Google Maps to track hotel and flight bookings, find restaurants tailored to their tastes and use their Location History timeline to make notes on each place they visit. Google Maps' Live View is now available on Android and iOS devices. For more information, visit Google Maps.
