Maybe you love nothing more than telling simulated people what to do. Perhaps a fantasy universe is your favourite place to escape to when you're mashing buttons. More than a quarter-century back, virtual critters might've been your go-to pastime. The Sims, World of Warcraft and Neopets have all made an impact on the gaming world, and on audiences. All three are also scoring plenty of love when Game Worlds takes over the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. For five months from mid-September 2025 till February 2026, this video-game exhibition will shine a spotlight on 30 iconic titles — and make attendees feel like they're stepping inside some of them, too. Expect everything from original concept art and never-before-seen designs to rare objects to fill the Federation Square site's Gallery 4. Expect to be able to get playing, rather than just peering, as well. [caption id="attachment_997869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] Although the full lineup of games featured hasn't been revealed as yet, they'll span from the 70s until now, and 20 of them will be playable. Demos, games from years gone by, trying to break speed records: they're all part of the setup, which will include international hits, new Australian releases and everything in-between. "As the home of videogames in Australia, Game Worlds celebrates the continuous evolution of this century's defining artform. It builds on ACMI's multi-decade experience in making video-game exhibitions, and our long-term support of the Australian video-game sector through preservation, education, industry partnerships and our dedicated Games Lab," said ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan, announcing the exhibition. "Whether you love games as much as we do or have never picked up a controller, Game Worlds gives fresh insight into video games and their cultural impact." [caption id="attachment_997868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World of Neopia[/caption] As Chan referrenced, ACMI has staged major video-game showcases before. This is its third, in fact, following 2008's Game On and 2012's Game Masters. Since the latter, the venue has also hosted smaller gaming exhibitions, such as 2017's Code Breakers — where women in the industry were the focus — and 2024's Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. Earlier in 2025, it celebrated 25 years of The Sims across one nostalgic weekend. As it regularly does with its showcases, the gallery will pair Game Worlds with talks, film screenings and other events, family-friendly activities among them. [caption id="attachment_997870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] [caption id="attachment_997871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] Game Worlds displays at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Thursday, September 18, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026. Head to the venue's website for more details. Top image: Electronic Arts.
The silly season may be over, but that doesn't mean the country's (or your) cultural calendar is looking too bare. Some of the year's most exciting and immersive art exhibitions have opened their doors across the nation this autumn. Which is particularly exciting, because interstate borders are all fully open for the first time since the start of the pandemic — and there are cheap flights aplenty. So, get out your diaries and plan trips to walk over giant Monet artworks, visit Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and explore decaying rooms filled with street art. We've rounded up the best art exhibitions happening across the country this autumn.
When you've just made the best new TV show of 2022 so far, how do you respond? If you're Apple TV+ and you've had the streaming world obsessing over Severance for the past two months, you double down, thankfully. In waffle party-worthy news, the instantly addictive Adam Scott-starring thriller has just been renewed for a second season. No one needs to be listening to defiant jazz today, clearly. If you've missed the series so far, there's no better time to catch up — it drops its ninth and final season one episode this week, on Friday, April 8, and it's as phenomenal as everything in the show so far. The setup: a hellish office that'll feel familiar to anyone whose spent the nine-to-five grind sat at a desk, and yet is even more unnerving than your worst nightmare. And if you're wondering why the latter is the case, that's because Lumon Industries, the company as the series' centre, uses the futuristic technology that gives the program its title. #Severance has been renewed for Season 2. https://t.co/SbEtvE1yj1 — Apple TV (@AppleTV) April 6, 2022 What is severance? It's a drastic work-life balance solution — the kind that Black Mirror might've dreamed up, or could've been used if Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was about punching the clock instead of romance. To be specific, it's a brain implant that separates parts of your mind, leaving one section to solely focus on work and the other to live the rest of your life free from knowing what you get up to in business hours. That's the situation that Macrodata Refinement division employee Mark S (Scott, Big Little Lies) has willingly signed up for, all to help process his grief over the death of his wife. And he's happy with the scenario until his work BFF Petey (Yul Vazquez, The Outsider) leaves suddenly without saying goodbye, and new staff member Helly (Britt Lower, Future Man) comes in to replace him — and instantly starts questioning the insidious setup, the rules and restrictions needed to keep it in place, and why on earth her "outie" (as the outside versions of Lumon employees are known) agreed to this in the first place. Taking cues from the likes of Devs, The Truman Show, The Matrix, The Office and Office Space — and serving up a surreal workplace that often feels like the green-hued employment-focused version of Twin Peaks' red room — Severance has constantly delivered both intrigue and surprises throughout its first season so far. That remains the case in its final season episode as well. And, while this largely Ben Stiller-directed show has been diving deep into a mind-warping mystery that sounds like heaven but quickly proves anything but, it has also been smartly and savagely probing what it means to be a slave to the wage in 2022 — and what employers expect in return for a paycheque. Exactly when Severance will return for season two hasn't yet been revealed, but the fact that it is coming back is worth celebrating with a music/dance experience. Apple TV+ usually brings its hits back quickly, though — Ted Lasso backed up its first season the following year, for instance — so fingers crossed that Severance will be the best show of 2023 as well. Check out the trailer for Severance below: The first eight episodes of Severance's first season are available to stream via Apple TV+, with the ninth dropping on Friday, April 8. Season two doesn't yet have a release date, but we'll update you when it does. While you're waiting, you can also read our full review of Severance season one.
If there's one thing the eastern suburbs do well, it's wine bars. It doesn't matter if you're slogging it down Chapel Street or staying away from the crowds in a quiet leafy pocket of Kew, chances are, there'll be a nice little wine bar nearby. The ones of this list stock a nice selection of traditional and new-age natural drops, and most have a kitchen or at least a good selection of cheese so you can snack while you taste a few of the open bottles. Quite a few even allow you to take away — so once you've taste tested a few, you can take a bottle home with you to drink at your leisure.
They've taken us through the streets of Japan with Tokyo Tina, sent our tastebuds tripping across Vietnam with their Hanoi Hannah stable and, most recently, immersed us in modern Chinese flavours at their Balaclava diner Moonhouse. Now, the Commune Group is gearing up to hit the next stop on its global food tour, announcing plans for its latest project, Studio Amaro — an Italian bar and eatery to open in Windsor this spring. The team's diving into unchartered territory in more ways than one, with this Chapel Street venue set to be its largest yet. It'll boast a 100-seat dining room at ground level, leading down to a DJ-fuelled, subterranean drinking den with space for an extra 60. Open from lunch through dinner and on into late-night revelry, this big corner site will be celebrating the classic flavours of Italy across an offering that's bright and lively, yet steeped in simplicity. "Studio Amaro is our interpretation of Italian dining done in a very Melbourne way: communal, casual dining," explains the group's Creative Director Simon Blacher. "I can't wait to see tables filled with spilled wine, pasta sauce and lots of laughter." There'll be more to come on the menus soon. Alongside the eats, the venue's set to dish up a considered music offering, with a diverse lineup of artist residencies to grace the downstairs DJ decks and plenty of focus given to the overall sonic experience. Meanwhile, Bergman & Co (La Fantaisie, Poodle, Chancery Lane) are looking after the interiors, delivering a warm, nostalgic setting complete with yellow corduroy banquettes. Find Studio Amaro at 168 Chapel Street, Windsor, launching this spring. It'll open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Julia Sansone
Melbourne's no stranger to the boozy brunch concept, though this one does it a little differently to most. At modern Japanese restaurant Tokyo Tina, the ever-popular weekend brunch sessions come matched with a fun side of bingo, as hosted by the hilarious Valerie Hex. This big-energy brunch setup promises to fire up your Saturday with one of two weekly sittings — 12–2pm and 2.15–4.15pm. For $79, you'll spend two hours sipping bottomless tap beer, bubbly and Aperol spritzes, while feasting on your table's choice of five dishes from the brunch menu. Expect plates like miso-baked cauliflower, yuzu potato salad, five-spice chicken karaage, kingfish tataki with white ponzu and fennel, and the crispy avocado bao. There's complimentary kimchi rice and edamame to match. And if you're only in for the eats and entertainment, a drinks-less option comes in at just $49. The bingo itself promises a bit of raucous fun, especially those crowned bingo king or queen. Who knows — you could end this Saturday session with a sweet prize and serious bragging rights to your name. Either way, this is not the kind your nan plays. Just be sure to book online to nab a table. [caption id="attachment_848176" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leah Traecey[/caption] Images: Leah Traecey
While Messina's main jam is crafting supremely scoffable gelato varieties, the brand's love of food extends far beyond the freezer — as it has proven plenty of times over the past few years. Sometimes, it likes to team up with other culinary hotshots. Sometimes, it just likes to whip out a creative dessert. Either way, your tastebuds always benefit. And this month, you're really in luck because from 12pm on Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10, Messina is busting out one of its specials. If you've sampled its famous mango pancakes before — yep, those treats that starred at its yum cha sessions — you'll already be hungry. The crepes come stuffed with mango sorbet and whipped cream, and they've proven immensely popular every other time they've popped up. After getting its hands on a new pancake machine last month, the cult gelato chain even hosted a dedicated mango pancake party at its Sydney HQ. And now, it's bringing this tasty occasion to Melbourne. The whole thing will go down at Messina's Fitzroy store, with pancakes on offer until sold out each day — so getting in early is recommended. A pair of pancakes clocks in at $12.
If you're like us, you've probably excitedly hummed along to the theme song at the start of every Game of Thrones episode (yep, all 73 of them). Now, you can do just that again, but you'll be joined by a live orchestra, a choir and tens of thousands of other spectators when the internationally renowned Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience finally hits Australia. Having toured North America and Europe, the grandiose musical show will head to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in early 2020. The immersive show sees Emmy Award-winning composer Ramin Djawadi's emotive scores — from all eight seasons of the HBO show — brought to life with an international cast of soloists, an orchestra and a choir, and accompanied by the equally dramatic footage. Over in the States, according to MTV, the show featured 360-degree stages (designed to replicate locations throughout the Seven Kingdoms), 800 feet of video wall, an 80-piece orchestra and custom-made instruments, such as a 12-food Wildling horn. Expect things to be equally large and OTT Down Under, too. Expect, also, to relive some of the season's most dramatic moments — SPOILERS (if you somehow haven't watched it already) — such as Hodor's sacrifice, Arya's conquering of the Night King, Joffrey's (brilliant) death, the Battle of Winterfell, the Red Wedding and so much more. Pack the tissues, folks. What's more, the show will coincide with a series of 'VIP experiences' that we can definitely get around. These include a pre-show medieval banquet (hopefully without any Freys), the chance to sit on a Iron Throne and a dedicated butler, who'll deliver food (hopefully pies) and drinks (hopefully wine in goblets) to your seat. While you're waiting for the show to arrive next summer, you can re-listen to all eight seasons' scores on Spotify — including the nine-minute epic that is 'The Night King Theme' (we've handily embedded that below). If that's not enough to fill your time, you can also listen to some of Djawadi's other scores. He has created the music for Westworld, Prison Break, Pacific Rim and Iron Man, too. Get ready, winter is coming (back) to Aus. GAME OF THRONES LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE 2020 DATES Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, February 7 Sydney — ICC, February 9 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, February 12 Adelaide — AEC Theatre, February 15 Perth — RAC Arena, February 17 Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Tuesday, August 13 with general sale starting at midday on Friday, August 16 via Live Nation. Images: Ralph Larmann
The first thing you notice when you walk up the flight of stairs from first floor venue-sibling Polepole, is a huge tent-type structure, which dominates half the venue. Mind you, it isn't cloying or claustrophobic — and it certainly isn't a detraction to the overall aesthetic — because when your name is Glamp, you’re kinda expected to give some kind of nod to the camping vibe. The tent is one of the possible spots to sit and imbibe, with a sightly snugger nook at the other end. If you steer towards the tent, you’ll find it full of bright cushions and mix of wood and wire furniture, all plopped on a covering of equally as colourful carpet. The seating is low and functional, and is just the right level of relaxed for an after-work drink or two. Glamp has a DJ on Fridays from 6pm and Saturdays from 9pm, making it an ideal spot for cocktails with a friend or for a pretty schmancy first date. The noise levels on Friday night were such that it would be pretty tough going holding a conversation with a group of more than four, but it was just right for a huddled tête-à-tête (without any neighbours overhearing your conversation). Save your D&Ms for during the week though, when the bar operates sans-DJ. When you've got your spot, one of the chirpy waitstaff will pop over to deliver some water and take an order. There are interesting drinks on the menu, and if you're up for a refreshing pre-dinner aperitif, you couldn't go far wrong with a Jungle Juice ($19): a herbaceous sour with a hint of fresh capsicum. If something a bit stronger is more your tipple then head straight for the Means No Worries ($22) — their take on the Mai Tai — or the Maasai Warrior ($20), which is basically a Negroni. The cocktails will have you reaching deep into your wallet if you plan on having two or three, but there's also an interesting offering of African beers alongside their wine list, with prices from a more friendly $8.50. As far as food goes, Glamp is definitely on the grazing end of the scale (and with Polepole downstairs there's really no reason to eat anywhere else) — but if you're post-work and starving, you'll be stoked to find a charcuterie platter with biltong, pancetta, 'nduja and an assortment of piquant pickles adorning a wooden slab ($22). If you've already had main course and are in the mood for a finisher, look no further than their cheese board ($18), which comes with a generous serving of manchego, za'atar goats' cheese and gorgonzola. The cheeses are paired with dehydrated green island pear, burnt honey and fig and ginger paste, among other delights. A nice accompaniment to Polepole downstairs, Glamp is perfect for a sundowner after a hard day traipsing the city, or a great spot for classed-up post-work drinks. No matter who you take, you're sure to impress — even if just for the novelty factor.
If your pooch, like most pooches, goes absolutely wild for the beach, you've probably already found yourself at Republica right on St Kilda Beach. The sandy courtyard brings in weary dog owners of all varieties and reinvigorates them with cocktails and snacks while their puppers recover from chasing seagulls. If you've worked up a serious appetite chasing Rover, we recommend the roasted barramundi, mussels, cider cream, peas and potato dumplings for a filling meal.
An immersive escape room, augmented reality games and multi-sensory dining events — these are just some of the different experiences that may soon call the State Library Victoria home. 14 successful applicants have been chosen to develop their out-of-the-box ideas for reactivating Australia's oldest public library as part of the inaugural Alchemy program, which hopes to reimagine how people interact with the library's online and IRL spaces. Each successful applicant receives a $20,000 grant to bring to life their proposed concept for a visitor experience, shaking up perceptions of what a traditional library can offer. Selected from more than 300 proposals, the winning ideas are a diverse bunch. Among them is a concept from Escape Room Melbourne's Dr Owen Spear, which would see the site play host to an immersive puzzle experience, inviting participants to crack clues while exploring the building's hidden spaces. While the idea is yet to be finalised, Spear notes the library's 'in-built' atmosphere will have a big role in bringing it to life. "I also want to play with the idea of a time travel narrative, to give people a sense of the State Library's fascinating and rich history," he says. True Crime Games — the company that recently released augmented reality whodunnit game Eastern Market Murder — is also in the mix. It'll be developing an augmented reality mini-game to be played out across the library's various rooms and spaces, centred around real stories and characters from the city's past, and the library's own collection of artefacts. [caption id="attachment_811398" align="alignnone" width="1920"] True Crime Games' 'Eastern Murder Market'[/caption] Other concepts to look forward to include a series of quirky, history-inspired dining events and performance lectures from Long Prawn; a new literary-focused podcast with a supporting program of trivia, comedy and games; an immersive exhibition dedicated to Australia's most-loved children's books; and another interactive game titled Night at the Library: The Book Detective. Not only will the Alchemy initiative offer a much-needed boost for the local creative industry, but it'll give the library a chance to properly show off its $88 million makeover. The site unveiled its long-awaited redevelopment in December, 2019, though this new look has gone a little underappreciated, as visitor numbers took a hit from lockdowns and restrictions. Check out the full list of Alchemy grant winners and find out more about their plans over at the website. Top Image: Patrick Rodriguez
Days are getting longer, and the nights are getting warmer. And we don't doubt that you've already seen Melbourne's pubs and bars flooded with rounds of the most summery of drinks: the Aperol Spritz. That's why we curated this list of excellent spots for a sunset spritz in partnership with Aperol. First and foremost, these guys all make a good Aperol Spritz — that's essential. But, beyond that, each spot offers a great way to experience the sunset, whether you're soaking it up from high on a rooftop bar or enjoying a spritz on the waterfront.
Part of the appeal of this big, buzzing, wonderful city of ours comes from the constant parade of activities, restaurant openings, festivals and cultural fun it's got on offer. But with only 24 hours in a day, how are we supposed to cram it all in and keep the #fomo to a minimum? No, the answer is not to stop sleeping. You can get out there and enjoy this fine city while still maintaining the routines of everyday life (like, y'know, sleeping eight hours a night and rocking up to work in the morning). Melbourne life can be pretty hectic, which is why we're here to help you harness the power of a coffee break — be it in the morning, at lunchtime of when you knock off work. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. GET A MASSAGE (ON THE CHEAP) Suffering from that classic desk-hunch stiffness, but can't afford to shell out for a visit to some fancy-pants day spa? Victoria University's King Street Student Clinic will help relieve your tension, without relieving you of too much cash. Sessions are run by massage students, supervised by qualified therapists. An hour massage will cost you just $25 and you can rest easy knowing your tight muscles are in capable hands. Squeeze one into your lunch break and head back to the office feeling super fresh. BOOK A SESSION AT THE YOGA SOCIAL Avoid the after work peak hour at your yoga studio and get bendy in your lunch break instead. The Yoga Social is a sweet little space on King Street, with a class to suit every skill level and timetable options to fit even the most hectic of schedules. City workers will especially love their Express Flow Align classes — short and sweet 45-minute sessions, which kick off at either 12.15pm or 12.45pm. They've even got the equipment side of things covered, which means no lugging that awkward yoga mat around on your morning commute. Jump on the website to book your spot in advance. FIND YOUR INNER CALM WITH A FREE MEDITATION CLASS Amidst all of Melbourne's hustle, bustle and background noise, a little slice of peace can do you wonders. Especially if you've got the skills to conjure it up whenever you need. Learn all the tips and tricks of meditation, at Sahaja Yoga Victoria's free weekly lunchtime classes. From 1pm every Thursday, the Sue Healy Room at Ross House is transformed into an oasis of solitude, as experienced teachers guide you through an hour-long meditation session. They'll share simple techniques and load you up with take-home wisdom, so that you can learn to revisit that peaceful bubble of calm, any time you like. TAKE YOURSELF ON A STREET ART TOUR Melbourne's colourful, street art-laden laneways are right up there with its biggest tourist attractions, but you don't need to be a visitor to appreciate some kick-ass artwork. How about grabbing lunch to go and setting out on your own DIY midday art adventure? The folks at Walking Maps have created a four-kilometre Melbourne city street art tour which will guide you around 20 of the best street art hot-spots in town. GET CULTURED AT FORTYFIVEDOWNSTAIRS Art-lovers, there's no need to block out a whole Saturday to go gallery hopping. Embrace the art-spaces and exhibitions hidden in the city and squeeze a quick cultural fix into your lunch break. Whether you're a photography fan, a modern art aficionado or you dig a bit of thought-provoking sculpture, Melbourne will surely have an exhibition to float your boat. Throw your support behind some talented independent artists and spend a lunch hour soaking up some culture at fortyfivedownstairs. The not-for-profit theatre and gallery boasts a cracking program, with upcoming exhibitions including Marco Luccio's aerial glimpse of New York City, and a powerful series of interpretive portraits by Lisa Minogue.
Outgrowing his first location in Fitzroy is something Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc., Supernormal) didn't expect to happen so quickly — but, after just two years, the acclaimed chef and restaurateur is set to open a second store, this time in St. Kilda. Along with co-owner and butcher Troy Wheeler, McConnell will bring his fancy meats, trademark club sandwiches and snags to the south. The pair will set up shop in the historic Gruner's, a butcher and deli with over 60 years of tradition. In a classic Australian immigrant tale, founders Endre and Rose Gruner arrived in Melbourne from Budapest in 1957, looking to establish a new life and opportunities for their children. Fellow Hungarians were said to have come from all over Melbourne to not only buy familiar food, but also to speak in their native tongue, and the shop still holds cultural significance for the area. "A long-standing business like Gruner's has been an integral piece of Melbourne food history," McConnell says. "Troy and I are thrilled to be part of continuing this tradition." With an old-meets-new philosophy, Meatsmith's Barkly Street location will inherit some of Gruner's most-loved recipes, with Hungarian, Polish and European smallgoods taking their spot next to Meatsmith's classics; including dry-aged beef, the Cumulus Inc. lamb shoulder and foie gras parfait. Architects Herbert & Mason (who fashioned the Fitzroy interior) will team up with award-winning, minimalist interior designer Fiona Lynch to ensure the new fitout is in line with the Meatsmith brand and feel — think clean lines and lots of white marble. The new store will open in August, with an exact date still to be confirmed. For those itching for a Meatsmith fix in the meantime, the original location has just kicked off a bi-monthly ode to the world's best food regions, starting with a celebration of Italy for the month of July. Meatsmith St Kilda is set to open in August at 227A Barkly St, St. Kilda.
For us device-addicted youths, consuming content on non-back-lit material (otherwise known as paper) has become somewhat of a novelty. So, Australian publisher Pantera Press has decided to help change that by dedicating themselves to getting the digitised back into analogue. Its newest imprint, Lost the Plot, is aimed at publishing titles by millennials for millennials. Launching with a curated but diverse selection of books, Lost the Plot instils Pantera Press's longstanding mission to support the next generation of writers and readers. And with titles like The Quit Smoking Colouring Book and Space is Cool as Fuck, they've also found that the book series even appeals to those who were way into adulthood when the popularity of books on good ol' fashioned paper began to decline. Along with helping smokers quit mindfully and admiring the amazing 'AF' properties of the next frontier, the series brings writings on being #single: Dating in the 21st Century, as well as the complementary Just the Tip: Sex Tips for Chicks by Gay Dudes. They've got modern 21st-century living covered. To celebrate the series' launch, we're giving away five book sets with all four titles included, so you can get back into the papery-stuff (without forgetting your friends at Concrete Playground, of course) and live your best millennial life. For your chance to win (and give your phone a break), see entry details below. [competition]645082[/competition]
Melbourne's Yarra River is known for a lot of things — like instigating a north-south city divide, being a sweet spot to have drinks next to, etc. — but being clean isn't really one of them. It's got a lot to do with that time it was a dumping ground for industrial run-off, sure, but it's also more visibly attributed to the litter that finds its way into the river. To help remedy this (literally) rubbish situation that's affecting the health and quality of that Yarra's water, local industrial designer Rowan Turnham has developed a floating device to help trap and remove litter from the waterway. In collaboration with non-profit vegetation renewal group the Yarra Link Project, Turnham (through his company Amass Design) has developed Project Galada. Galada is a modular capture barrier that floats on the surface of the water to capture and collect litter that accumulates there. Designed to look like bike chains (very Melbourne), the pods link together to create a barrier suitable for the environment. As the Yarra flows both ways, so the flap is opened by downstream flow (letting in litter), while an upstream flow pushes the flap closed (trapping litter). The blue pods also act as buoyant planters, with roots that are submerged into the water to provide bio-filtration for the river. As well as removing cheeseburger wrappers from the Yarra, Project Galada will also help improve the health, biodiversity and quality of Melbourne's waterways both now and for the future. We still wouldn't swim in it, but still.
Zipping around the city running errands can be difficult without a bicycle accessory to hold all your belongings — backpacks get heavy and bags hanging off handlebars get caught in wheels. So counter this, Yeong Keun Jeong and Aareum Jong have created Reel, an invention that attaches to your bike frame using woven elastic and adhesive silicone buttons. This simple yet effective design comes in two parts: one long piece of elastic and a sheet of clear plastic buttons. By attaching the buttons evenly along the bike frame, Reel stops the elastic from sliding to the bottom of the frame by looping the elastic in a diamond shape. Acting as a woven basket, the elastic holds your items in place along the triangle frame so you can ride off into the sunset or down the street with whatever tickles your fancy in tow.
Since mid-October 2020, New Zealanders have been able to visit some Australian states as part of a one-way travel bubble. The arrangement has been paused a few times due to COVID-19 case numbers in NZ, but it has remained broadly in place. In the coming months, Australians might also be able to hop across the Tasman as well — something that has been floated and discussed plenty of times over the past year, but now looks like it could soon come to fruition. Speaking with the media separately today, Thursday, March 18, both New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and NZ Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson advised that the NZ Government is progressing towards a trans-Tasman bubble. On Radio New Zealand, Robertson said that the country had been "working towards a joint framework, a joint set of protocols" with Australia, which didn't come into effect. Now, though, he doesn't think things are "too far off being able to create the New Zealand version to match up with the Australian version". "There's a few issues still to talk through there, including what we do in the event there is an outbreak — how we manage people who aren't in their home country at that time. But I'm very optimistic that we'll sort that out in reasonable short order, and we can move towards having our unilateral bubble alongside the Australian unilateral bubble," he advised. Speaking at a press conference to launch NZ's involvement in Expo 2020 (which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates from October 2021, after being postponed from 2020), NZ Prime Minister Ardern also discussed the potential travel bubble. "I haven't put firm dates because I don't want there to be moving goalposts. I want to present people with some definitive dates they can plan around — but we have said we'd like to see it soon," Ardern said. "Our goal, though, is that once we open, to be able to do it safely — to do it in a way that people understand the basis on which we may see short term closures, and to enable us to have a bubble that essentially sticks," she continued. At present, New Zealand travellers are allowed to visit all Australian states and territories, apart from Western Australia, without quarantining on arrival — but, because the bubble is only one way at present, they must enter 14 days of managed isolation on return to NZ and pay for it. New Zealand does currently have a travel bubble in place with the Cook Islands, but only one-way as well — from the Cook Islands to NZ. While the details of the quarantine-free arrangements for Australians travelling to NZ are yet to be finalised, it is great news for those who've been dreaming of overseas holidays since the pandemic began. And, it could possibly be in place while Australia's international border still remains shut to most global travel — and before a similar travel bubble could be put in place with Singapore. You can start slowly planning your NZ jaunt, too — we've rounded up some of our favourite glamping sites, wineries, sights and restaurants in NZ over here. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Disney has its own. Apple has one too. And so does Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. If you're fond of documentaries, you have not one but two local choices. The same applies if you're eager to get viewing for free, especially if you can handle retro flicks and titles that you've never heard of before. And if you're eager to support Australian content, there's one for that as well. We're talking about streaming platforms, of course. Throw in Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand and ABC iView, and Aussies can't say there isn't anything to watch. That's not an exhaustive list either, because this space just keeps growing — with a new service dedicated to British television now joining the fold as well. Britbox was already operational in the USA, Canada and, of course, the United Kingdom, but it only launched in Australia on Monday, November 23 — after announcing it was coming to our shores earlier this year. It's a joint collaboration between two English TV networks: the BBC and ITV. They both have a hefty stable of programs up their sleeves, and you can expect retro and recent series. Think Doctor Who, Absolutely Fabulous, The Office, Blackadder, Pride and Prejudice, Prime Suspect, The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean, for instance. There's also Luther, A Confession, and David Attenborough's Blue Planet and Planet Earth. And yes, the list goes on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2DCExerOsA Britbox focuses on box sets of UK shows, which means full seasons all there at once ready for audiences to stream. You can do to do so via mobile devices, tablets, connected TVs and Chromecast — and via the online site. And price-wise, it's offering a seven-day trial, with subscriptions costing $8.99 per month or $89.99 for a year. Britbox is now available to stream in Australia via the service's website.
Since it opened its doors in June, modern Scandi diner Freyja has been impressing locals with its sophisticated looks, Michelin Star cred and standout offering of 'new Nordic' cuisine. But alas, the experience was only on the menu for nighttime diners, as the restaurant opted to stick to just dinner service while its team perfected its rhythm. Now, much to the delight of lunch-breakers stuck down the western edge of the CBD, Freya has expanded its offering to include a new daytime menu, running every Tuesday to Friday. And yes, it's a primo spot to keep in mind for this season's long festive lunches. As at dinner, the new lunch menu deftly fuses traditional Scandinavian sensibilities with contemporary techniques, across a range of small plates and mains, at once crafty and approachable. You'll find plates like a beef tartare featuring tarragon, quince and Tasmanian mountain pepper; rainbow trout matched with broccoli leaf and a sherry sauce; and a kingfish dish elevated with fermented tomato water, blackcurrant wood oil and yoghurt. The Scandi classic and Freyja favourite, smørrebrød — a traditional open-faced sandwich — also gets a look-in here at lunch, with toppings set to change seasonally. Right now, you can try combinations like school prawns atop egg salad with mustard greens and cayenne; duck paired with olive and rosemary; and brassica veggies with mushroom, buckwheat and a hit of biquinho chilli. Plus, down the spiral staircase in the subterranean dining space, you'll now also find two semi-private dining zones available to book for those end-of-year food gatherings. [caption id="attachment_879490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freyja's Downstairs Space[/caption] Find Freya and its new lunch menu at 477 Collins Street, Melbourne. It's now open 12–3pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 5.30pm–late Tuesday to Saturday. Images: Parker Blain and Jason Boucas
Before Dolly Parton's own musical about her life makes its theatre debut, premiering on Broadway in 2026, always loving the music icon on stage is easy thanks to Here You Come Again. Telling the story of a massive fan of the legend and their imagined version of a star like no other, this fellow song-fuelled production is filled with Parton's tunes. It has her stamp of approval, too, and it's playing Melbourne in 2025. Here You Come Again will enjoy a stint at Comedy Theatre from Saturday, July 12–Sunday July 20. Get ready to hear 'Jolene', '9 to 5', 'Islands in the Stream' and 'I Will Always Love You', among other tracks, as the show's protagonist navigates the ups and downs of life with his own fantasy of Dolly by his side. Playing the pivotal Parton part, so slipping into the rhinestones and blonde hair, is Here You Come Again co-creator Tricia Paoluccio — and yes, she's also a lifelong Dolly fan. In the US and UK, Here You Come Again has played soldout seasons — and expect it to prove popular Down Under, too. Alongside Paoluccio, Australian Dash Kruck (Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar) stars, with the local run also featuring an all-Australian ensemble, plus a live band helping to bring Parton's music to life. And if you can't make it in July, the show will be back in the Victorian capital from Thursday, October 23–Sunday, November 2. Images: UK production, Hugo Glendinning.
Forget about trekking up north — at Boho Luxe Market, Byron Bay comes to Melbourne. Well, the beachy New South Wales spot's general vibe does at least. On the market's agenda: forgoing the trappings of the city for a big fix of bohemian fashion, jewellery, homewares, art, skincare and the like. If that sounds like your kind of thing, then block out Friday, August 26–Sunday, August 28 in your diary for the market's winter appearance. The Boho Luxe Market will head to Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building for a weekend of browsing and buying, food trucks, live music and more. There'll be a stack of vegan eats, plus plenty of libations from The Prosecco Van, Cheeky Rascal Cider and Kombi Keg. You can treat yourself to a sound healing session, try a cacao ceremony, or get creative in one of the guided workshops, ranging from henna art to flower crown-making. And if you're after some inspiration for your next event or outdoor adventure, suss out the gorgeous kombi and glamping displays. Entry costs $5 per day or $10 for all three. Drop by and pretend you're somewhere blissed-out and coastal on Friday from 5pm–9pm, Saturday from 10am–5pm, and Sunday from 10am–4pm. [caption id="attachment_865701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samee Lapham[/caption] Top Image: Samee Lapham
There's never a bad time for gelato. There's never a special occasion that couldn't use it, too. That's all in Gelato Messina's wheelhouse, with the chain mighty fond of releasing limited-edition treats to make holidays even tastier. The latest example: its Easter 2023 offering, which brings back its gelato-filled chocolate eggs. Dessert heaven? This is it. Also, if you've always wanted to smash open a Messina Easter egg, that's on the menu as well. Either way, you'll be tucking into an egg handmade out of Messina's milk chocolate — and it'll be filled with frosty, creamy goodness or six rocher balls. First, the gelato-packed eggs, aka a dream for gelato and chocolate lovers alike. That's tasty news as it is but, in even better news, these goodies come in a trio. So, you'll get the Ménage Egg Trois, as Messina has dubbed it, all for $95. The gelato chain says the three eggs can feed between six and ten people, but it's obviously up to you how much you share them On the menu: a custard and shortbread gelato number, with the chocolate egg also featuring strawberry jam yolk, and then dipped in strawberry white chocolate; and an egg packed with vanilla and coconut gelato, mango sorbet, mango gel yolk and baked cheesecake, then encased in white chocolate and desiccated coconut. And, rounding out the pack is a pretzel and milk chocolate-coated egg featuring chocolate gelato with peanut fudge, chocolate brownies and peanut butter caramel. Your tastebuds might already remember that Messina did gelato-free chocolate Easter eggs in 2022, too. This year's version sprinkles its shell with chopped roasted hazelnuts, and boasts two waffle cone and white chocolate rocher balls (filled with waffle cone cream), two 65-percent dark chocolate and salted peanut rocher balls (filled with peanut cream), and two milk chocolate and hazelnut rocher balls (filled with Messinatella cream) inside. That'll set you back $70, and apparently will keep two-to-four people (or just you) very satisfied. As a bonus, Messina is also making golden versions of both Easter sets — and the difference isn't just in the appearance. If your milk chocolate gelato-filled eggs happen to be gold on the outside, you've won a year's worth of Messina. If your giant chocolate egg has a golden rocher inside, same deal. You will need to take a photo, then email hello@gelatomessina.com to claim your prize. Messina's Easter kits can only be ordered online on Monday, March 20 for collection over Easter — of course — between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9. Messina now opens its orders at various times for various places, so you'll want to hop online at 9am for Queensland and Australian Capital Territory stores, 9.15am for Victorian shops, and at either 9.30am, 9.45am or 10am depending on where you are in New South Wales. Gelato Messina's Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, March 20 for pick up between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Whether you're after top-quality hot pot, grab-and-go lunches, or meat and marinades galore, Elizabeth Street's new three-in-one outpost has got you covered. Niku Shiki is a specialty wagyu house, a wagyu butcher and a takeaway restaurant all rolled into one, and it has opened a sibling CBD location to its OG Glen Waverley site. Co-founded by Kai Gu and Executive Chef Yasuo Matsuike (ex-En Japanese Brasserie in New York and Nobu), the wagyu house's newly opened second outpost offers top-of-the-range cuts supplied by Pardoo Wagyu. Chef Ken Kee (ex-Shoya, Shira Nui and Head Chef of Marble Yakiniku) has designed the menu, helping to curate a range starring wagyu sushi, quality cuts of meat, and Japanese classics like donburi and udon. In a texture-filled venue envisioned by Elvin Tan Designs, the atmosphere of Niku Shiki is intimate and inviting. Its black and gold theme, warm lighting and veined black marble — reminiscent of the memorable pattern that you'll find on a slice of wagyu — add a touch of elegance. Niku Shiki translates to "meat for all seasons", encouraging CBD-goers to enjoy its premium cuts all year round. For those on the go, takeaway is available for any of the restaurant's dishes, with a selection of grab-and-go sushi and sashimi taking centre stage. Or, you can opt to dine in at its sleek restaurant and enjoy wagyu sukiyaki hot pots, top-quality sushi and sashimi, donburi rice bowls and thick udon noodle dishes, all of which incorporate luxe ingredients like foie gras, caviar and truffle to elevate each dish. As for the in-house butcher and grocer, it slings a selection of wagyu cuts from hot-pot meat and fillets to steaks, fresh fish with pre-made marinades to pair, sake and specialty rice. Plus, you are also able to grab any cooking utensils you may need or simply want, including your own hibachi grill or hot pot. You'll find Niku Shiki at Melbourne Central, Shop GD070/360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne — open from 10am—6.30pm Sunday–Wednesday and 7am—7.30pm Thursday–Friday.
So there's a play called Mein Kampf. A comedy, in fact. Undoubtedly someone’s outraged already, just reading that. Adolf Hitler's notorious manifesto certainly seems like unusual fodder for comedy, but the play has been a perennial success since its first staging in Vienna in 1987. Written by Hungarian-born Jewish playwright George Tabori, who was himself an exile from the Third Reich, it casts the young Hitler in a farcical role as a penniless and pitiful wannabe artist. While staying in a seedy hostel, young Hitler strikes up a friendship with an old Jewish man, who becomes his inspiration for everything from the title of his book to his style of moustache. Despite the play's lasting popularity, this will be the first time it's been performed in Australia. Both a fast-moving lampoon and an exploration of the origins of evil, Mein Kampf promises to be outrageous in every sense of the word.
No holiday to Southeast Asia is complete without trying the many delicious street foods hidden down back alleys, laneways and side streets. But from this Friday, October 20, you'll be able to taste one of the region's tastiest snacks right here in Footscray. Located opposite Footscray Station, IKA8 is a new Southeast Asian eatery showcasing one particular dish: whole deep-fried squid. Refined by head chef Eddie Huynh, the seafood-on-a-stick snack — easy to eat as you're running to, or from, a train — comes in a range of flavours, including Singaporean salted egg sauce, tom yum sauce, soy and ginger Japanese glaze and an extra spicy variety with Korean seasoning. While normally priced at a reasonable $10, from October 20–21 IKA8 will be offering two-for-one giant squid to celebrate its Footscray launch. If whole squid doesn't quite tickle your fancy, the eatery also boasts a range of tasty sides: squid bites ($7) and squid balls ($5), calamari rings ($6), thick-cut chips topped with bonito flakes ($6) and a IKA8 bento box meal ($12). Find IKA8 at 24 Irving Street, Footscray, from Friday, October 20. It's open daily 11am–9pm daily. Images: Griffin Simm
Still looking for that perfect romantic gift to satisfy your lover’s expectations this Valentine’s Day? Don’t sweat it - Instructables.com has the perfect solution for those who are in a creative drought. DIY beef jerky briefs are sure to provide a deliciously amusing experience this 14th of February. Forget about gag-candy underwear. These hand-made meaty undergarments are packed with protein and are guaranteed to cause some heat in the bedroom. Fun- Check. Sexy – Check. Practical – Check. All you need is some ground beef, a few flavourings to taste, a dehydrator and a little time, effort and love and voila – Valentine’s Day sorted. For vegetarians, or those unwilling to jeopardise their sex life today it’s probably best to stick to the old roses and chocolates combo.
Gather 'round, chilli fiends. If the high that you chase is the capsaicin-induced burning sensation best achieved by ingesting spice, then prepare to enter your spiritual headquarters. Mat's Hot Shop is opening its doors in the heart of Collingwood on Wellington Street — the first bricks and mortar iteration of the online chilli playground which will boast a dedicated hot sauce 'tasting room'. As of this Saturday, November 6, Mat's will be welcoming you into the playfully laboratory-style concept store to try and buy an enormous lineup of sauces, ranging between 100 and 150 options from around the world at any given day. For those who prefer a more hands-on retail experiences, patrons can taste the full gamut of sauces available at Mat's courtesy of Australia's first-ever hot sauce tasting room. "It's not only about heat about blowing people's heads off... although if that's your thing, we stock that too," Mat assures us. "Every sauce we carry is thoughtfully made from ingredients you could find at your local farmers market - no additives, no thickeners, no preservatives. We enjoy all levels of heat, from mild to scorching, but only as hot as nature allows." So if you're struck by a case of the heat sweats or uncontrollable dribbling, that's just nature taking its course. Mat's Hot Shop is located at 204A Wellington St, Collingwood, Victoria and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. Images: Charlie Hawks
Most Aussies have never heard of Moutai. Even fewer have tasted it. But, this luxury spirit is one of the most prestigious tipples in China — coveted by the rich, famous and powerful. Now, the beverage has landed in Melbourne, with the recent opening of Moutai's store and tasting bar on Exhibition Street — right at the top end of China Town. Those in the know have already lined up to buy this prestigious brand of baijiu (a spirit made from sorghum grains), but the team is keen to teach more Melburnians about the drink. That's where the tasting bar comes in. Either rock up and order a tasting flight or cocktail made with Moutai at the circular bar in the centre of the store, or book ahead to experience one of the masterclasses for $98 per person. You'll learn a bit more about what lies within this white and red ceramic bottle and sample some paired canapes. Moutai has strong savoury notes, so goes well with all kinds of food. The team will also take guests through the pouring ritual which includes a whopping 78 steps. Thankfully, you'll be sipping cocktails while you wait. This spirit has 2,000 year-long history and the most popular Moutai Flying Fairy bottle will set you back $518. If you haven't had Moutai or any kind of baijiu before, you're definitely going to want to try before you buy. You can visit Melbourne Moutai Boutique at 193-195 Exhibition Street from 11am to 8pm everyday of the week and can book a masterclass experience by calling (03) 9650 1168.
Bringing a slice of inner-city cafe cool to Melbourne's northern suburbs, Parkstone is a lush, creative haunt in Pascoe Vale South. From part of the team that first brought you nearby George Jones Eatery and Richmond's Cheeky Monkey, the sunny corner cafe teams modern sensibilities with all the approachability of a tried-and-true local gem. Inside, sage accents, blonde timber and walls of greenery make for a cheery, comfortable setting to match a food offering that straddles the gap between the familiar and the inventive. In the kitchen, Brazilian-born Head Chef Leandro Mello draws on experience from the likes of Longrain and Sake, to deliver a lineup just about everyone can get behind. Traditionalists will take comfort in additions like the smashed avo — here, with whipped feta, fried basil and heirloom tomatoes — and a classic cheeseburger, while more adventure lies in the likes of a baba french toast, the Middle Eastern spiced lamb with house-made flatbread, or a modern riff on eggs benedict, sporting waffled hash browns and apple cider hollandaise. Vegans are in excellent company, with bites like barbecue jackfruit tacos and fluffy carrot cake pancakes teamed with coconut ice cream and walnut maple. To match, there's coffee, smoothies — including a decadent 'lamington' version — and, like all good locals, a tidy selection of beer, wine and breakfast cocktails. Images: Brodie Chan
This week marks the return of a much-loved St Kilda local, as Prince Public Bar reopens its doors and shows off the results of an extensive nine-month makeover. It's the latest piece of a multi-faceted overhaul for Acland Street's historic Prince of Wales Hotel — now just The Prince Hotel — which also included the closure of Circa and opening of fine-diner Prince Dining Room. The sprawling ground floor space has been reimagined at the hands of IF Architecture's Iva Foschia, while still respecting the building's Art Deco roots. Expect a series of light-filled, spacious zones, with a hefty oval bar taking pride of place at the heart and a staircase offering access to the hotel lobby and Prince Dining Room above. While it's best known as a spot for sinking beers, a kitchen expansion means Prince Public Bar now has those appetites sorted as well, serving breakfast through dinner daily. Roll in from 7am to fuel up with the likes of chilli and cheese scrambled eggs, mushroom shakshuka, or perhaps the honeycomb and vanilla hotcakes teamed with vanilla mascarpone and lemon balm. A range of Niccolo coffee, superfood smoothies and fresh juices paints a very different picture to the late-night visits of old. [caption id="attachment_758268" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Elsewhere, the kitchen's slinging a hefty offering of bar snacks — think, sweet and sour fried cauliflower, or homemade sausage rolls — and classic counter meals including the likes of chicken schnitzel and wagyu sausages on polenta. A woodfired grill and rotisserie turns out dishes like a share-size crispy pork knuckle and a slew of steaks, while the signature roast series offers a different cut of meat or seafood for $26, Monday to Friday. Of course, the booze situation hasn't taken a backseat — you'll find a diverse spread of brews on tap, classic cocktails like negronis and old fashioneds, and a largely Aussie wine list featuring plenty of options by the glass. Happy hour runs from 5–7pm weeknights, delivering $8 schooners, basics and glasses of wine. And February will see the last piece of the puzzle fall into place, as wine bar and underground cellar Little Prince Wine opens in the space next door. Find Prince Public Bar at 2 Acland Street, St Kilda. It's open daily from 7am. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 — Taco Tuesdays don't need to pause just because COVID-19 is here. You can have your own Mexican feast at home thanks to Benzina Cantina, which is now bringing its tacos and margaritas to you. You can order pick up by calling (03) 9480 2244 or head over to Deliveroo and Uber Eats for delivery. Preston's foodie revolution continues, with modern Mexican haunt Benzina Cantina opening on High Street. Run by motorcycle stuntman 'Lukey Luke' Follacchio — and located adjacent to his bike workshop, Benzina Garage, the laidback venue is tapping into those warehouse vibes, with a minimalist, industrial fit-out and its own rooftop space. For food, there's Carreto's gorditas ($8) — handmade corn flour pockets stuffed with refried beans and either cheese or chilli mince beef — alongside bites like chipotle grilled corn and cactus salad ($8). Crafty taco varieties feature the likes of beer battered fish with red cabbage ($7), or twice-cooked beef with carrots and potato ($6.50), and a slew of options for meat-free diners — including cactus mole ($6.50) and tortillas topped with smoky mushrooms ($6.50). To drink, choose between a tidy mix of local craft beers and Mexican imports, a concise crop of wines from Australia, Chile and Spain, and a hefty lineup of cocktails. Settle in with one of the watermelon margaritas, or the tequila-infused Espresso Martini and summer won't feel so far off at all. Images: Alex Jovanovic
Rooftop bars are having a moment in Melbourne's hospitality scene, seemingly undeterred by the chill of colder months and spurred on by a promising start to spring. The latest indoor-outdoor space to join this new wave of drinking destinations is Sardine, boasting sky-high views in Melbourne's east. Announced as part of Chadstone's new $70-million entertainment hub, The Social Quarter, Sardine will form the second level of the new White + Wong's. Nestled on the upper level of the 750 square-metre restaurant, the standalone bar is home to uninterrupted views of Melbourne's city skyline and can accommodate up to 95 patrons. The drinks menu runs to the likes of local beers, wine, mocktails and cocktails. Standouts include the Moon Rabbit which mixes Drambuie, Lustao Amontillado Jerez and Demerara black tea with fresh lemon. Spice-lovers should beeline towards The La, which heroes chilli mango, lime, cranberry and maraschino with vodka. Peckish patrons can access the full White + Wong's menu from downstairs, but the bites and snacks section is particularly suited for the openair courtyard space. Peruse through fresh and tempura oysters, the latter served with a fresh nahm jim and kaffir lime mayonnaise. A summer-ready kingfish sashimi is served with Fijian-inspired heirloom tomatoes, chilli, lime, coconut cream and coriander. Crowd-pleasing dumplings range from a modern duck and chive xiao long bao, to traditional crystal skin prawn dumplings. Vegetarians can look towards gochujang wontons with Chinese cabbage, shiitake and tofu, or a Korean glass noodle salad. Sardine is open from 11am until late, 7 days a week at White + Wong's, Chadstone. Head to the White + Wong's website for more info. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Footy and classical music don't normally go together, but at Hamer Hall this Thursday that's all about to change. Inspired by one of the most memorable AFL games of the modern era — the drawn 2010 Grand Final between Collingwood and St Kilda — composer Tamil Rogeon has created a new original symphony, one befitting the heart-stopping drama of that fateful September day. Co-presented by the Arts Centre and the AFL, The Draw will be performed live by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra while the thrilling match unfolds on the big screen behind them. Every kick, every tackle, every roar from the crowd will be punctuated by the orchestra's performance, in what the bill describes as "a truly unique collision of two of Melbourne's greatest loves". Bring your tux, but don't forget your beanie. No word yet on whether they'll be serving hot pies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8isRkjvX36A
If you haven't yet had a chance to check out Gelato Messina's Creative Department — its pop-up restaurant serving up gelato-led degustations — then this July is the perfect time to do so. The gelato fiends are adding truffles to all their dishes for a series of special, seasonal dinners. In conjunction with Parksbourne Produce and Oakfield Truffles, Messina's Creative Department is crafting a special seven-course gelato-meets-gourmet mushrooms degustation running for just ten days, held in a private room behind the Messina Windsor store. So what kind of truffle-gelato goodness have the masterminds come up with this time around? Expect truffle oil with grapefruit and ginger granita; truffles with Kiwi kosho sorbet and oyster snow; truffle mousse with eucalyptus jelly and berry pepper sorbet; and cured duck egg yolk gelato with shiitake, celeriac and truffle foam. You'll also be trying the black truffle gelato with potato and parmesan risotto, which comes with truffle oil-infused oolong tea — plus the caramelised oak gelato with truffle and passionfruit souffle. Tickets are $160 per person and, based off how quick these things sell out around the country, you'll want to grab your tickets ASAP.
For your next Netflix binge, the streaming platform isn't simply suggesting its latest must-see series — it's also telling you what you should be eating. Crack out the tortillas, start marinating some meat and whip up a bit of guacamole, because it's taco time. No mere mortal can sit down to watch a show about this Mexican dish without devouring a whole plate of them, after all. Called Las Crónicas del Taco in Spanish and Taco Chronicles in English, the new series fittingly stems from Netflix's Latin American division. Also unsurprisingly, the show is an ode a meal that's beloved not only in its country of origin, but the world over. Expect to learn more about the versatile tortilla, including its immense cultural significance. And expect to start craving the many different varieties of tacos, too, such as pastor, carnitas, canasta, asada, barbacoa and guisados. Ample gushing about the dish is part of the package — this is a show made for taco lovers, by taco lovers — as is a feast of taco visuals. As any fan of food-focused documentaries already knows oh-so-well, viewing this multi-part effort on an empty stomach is not recommended. Taco Chronicles does boast Javier Cabral among its behind-the-scenes team, with the culinary writer acting as an associate producer and 'taco scout'. The series' English-language trailer is only available on Netflix itself, but if you can speak Spanish — or fancy looking at a whole heap of tacos anyway — Netflix Latin America's unsubtitled clip is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qist_IxZI The first season of Taco Chronicles is now streaming on Netflix. Updated: August 12, 2019.
Got a passion for bacon that can't be tamed? Well, this weekend you'll finally have the chance to show that breakfast bae of yours just how much you care, at Welcome To Thornbury's inaugural Bacon Appreciation Day. Taking over the food truck park from noon on Saturday, June 24, is the porcine party of your dreams — that is, an ode to all things bacon, in all of its mouthwatering forms, as imagined by some of your favourite food slingers. Nem N'Nem's crisp bacon banh mi, triple-decker bacon creations from Mr Burger, and maple bacon sticks from Billy Van Creamy are just some of the bacony treats on offer, alongside inventive dishes from the likes of Donald & Tuck, Ostrich & Egg and YOMG. To back up its usual offerings, the bar will be working magic with a range of bacon-themed cocktails, and has even lined up a bunch of bacon-inspired beers for the occasion.
UPDATE: JULY 21, 2020 — This CBD cocktail haven is now bringing wattleseed negronis and fennel pollen sazeracs to your door, with 100-millilitre serves available for $20 and half-litres for $85. Delivery is available within ten kilometres of the bar and can be ordered over here. She's already sporting a diverse lineup of eateries, a program of live tunes, art installations and even a boutique bottle shop. Now, Melbourne's new CBD food and entertainment precinct Ella has added to the family again, this time with a venue that's sure to impress the city's cocktail aficionados. Cocktail bar Byrdi is the latest venture and first Aussie project for Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura — the bartending masterminds responsible for Singapore's multi award-winning Operation Dagger. Given the venue has claimed a spot among the World's 50 Best Bars for four years running (and currently sits at number 30), we're expecting Byrdi to bring some pretty exciting things to the party. At the bar, seasonality and locality aren't just passing flings — they're at the heart of absolutely everything Whearty and Nishikura do. Expect a constantly evolving cocktail list that showcases local ingredients sourced at their peak, with no two visits to be the same. Native botanicals are set to star throughout, while the 40-seat space itself heroes sustainable materials like bluestone and coconut husk flooring. Right now, you'll find sips like the In Bloome — a mix of freshly hand-picked jasmine, gin, Applewood's Red Okar, lavender tincture, mandarin vinegar and a house-made pear blossom liqueur. There's a handful of house-fermented creations, too, including a take on the much-loved Weis Bar with fermented Northern Territory mango, Gippsland cream and mango vinegar — along with highballs and a tight rotation of local craft beers and wines. The funky drops get plenty of airtime here, as do ingredients like strawberry gum and smoked davidson plum. The food lineup is concise, but clever, also built around local, seasonal goodies. Find the likes of tempura salt and vinegar green beans, grilled tiger prawns teamed with finger lime and broccolini matched with a fortified macadamia cream. Tired of decisions? Settle in with the three-course ($75) or five-course ($120) food and drink pairing menu. Byrdi joins Ella's ever-growing collection of food and drink haunts, alongside the likes of Chilli Everest, Lomah, Sam Sam and Reverie. Images: Kate Shanasy.
At age 30, Michelle Ryan, one of Australia's most celebrated dancers, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Intimacy is a reflection, of sorts, on Ryan's life since diagnosis. It offers a fictional stage for her experiences and delves into her most private thoughts and feelings. The show is a collaborative work between Torque Show, Michelle Ryan herself and Lavender Vs Rose, who play their original score live. Performers Michelle Ryan, Vincent Crowley, Emma Bathgate and Simon Eszeky explore real-life experiences with a sense of humour, dignity and sensitivity. Fans of Ryan's work as a choreographer, dancer, artistic director and advocate should definitely check this intimate dance piece out, and newcomers should prepare to get intimately acquainted. Intimacy plays as part of the Helium season of independent works, risk-taking stuff that is given a stage and resources through Malthouse. You can also catch the YouTube Comment Orchestra, Applespiel Make a Band and Take on the Recording Industry and META, a multisensory nightmare riffing on Kafka's Metamorphosis.
Australia's two most populous cities have once again ranked highly among the world's most liveable cities. Very highly, in fact. Melbourne, which had seven years at the top between 2010-2017, has come in second, with Sydney a spot behind at number three. Vienna for the second year running has taken the top spot on The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global 2019 Liveability Index, which was announced today. The index ranks 140 cities on stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment, giving each city a rating out of 100. Melbourne has retained its 98.4 score (the same as 2018), while Sydney has increased from 97.4 (and fifth place) to 98.1. Melbourne's score for culture and environment was one of the highest, 98.6, second only to Vancouver, which scored a perfect 100 in the category. According to the EIU, Sydney's ranking had climbed thanks to its: "improvement in its culture and environment score, reflecting an increased focus on combating and mitigating the impacts of climate change." The report talks directly to the city's 'Sustainable Sydney 2030' strategy, which was announced earlier this year by the City of Sydney and outlines goals to make the city "green, global and connected". The only other Australian city to make the top ten was Adelaide, coming in at number ten, while Perth and Brisbane claimed 14th and 18th spot, respectively. Rounding out the top five, were Osaka at third and Calgary at fourth, with both retaining the same rankings as last year. You can read the full Economist Intelligence Unit's Global 2019 Liveability Index over here.
Step inside Luna Park Sydney's big top and you might now see a rollercoaster and a hot air balloon. Underwater creatures could await, or fantastical critters, futuristic lights like you're zooming through space, skulls, eyes, spiders and geometric architecture. In fact, expect all of the above to greet you, plus an array of colours and trippy visuals, as you experience Dream Circus. Announced in November 2023, opening just before Christmas, and now welcoming in locals and tourists alike, this immersive $15-million experience has revamped Luna Park Sydney's big top to make you feel like you've walked into a movie. Intergalactic landscapes, webs, space scenes, nefarious monsters and, yes, a circus setup: they're just some of the other sights that Dream Circus can and does display with its 360-degree projections, holograms, motion-activated LED screens and lighting. When it opened 88 years ago at Milsons Point, Luna Park Sydney wasn't the world's first Luna Park, or even Australia's. But around multiple closures, reopenings and revamps, it's remained one of the Harbour City's go-to tourist spots. Its latest reason to stop by also features surround sound and spatial audio mapping to engage your ears as well as your eyes, and is Sydney's first permanent immersive-experience attraction — and a world-first type of attraction as well. Attendees enter a narrative journey, where characters and a spectacle for the senses combine. So, you'll follow Pedro, the showman managing other performers. As the aforementioned list of visuals makes plain, just don't expecting the tale that unfurls to stick to reality. In the 3000-square-metre big top, Dream Circus' sights fill a surface area of over 3500 square metres — with Artists in Motion, TDC and Auditoria, who have ABBA Voyage, King Kong on Broadway, works at Vivid and Walking with Dinosaurs to their names, behind it. Luna Park Sydney expects people to flock to see the results, predicting that 50,000 people will check it out over summer. The new attraction helps the site embrace the future, while still loving its status as an art-deco amusement park that dates back almost a century. "The launch of the Dream Circus marks the beginning of the transformation of Luna Park Sydney," said Luna Park Sydney CEO John Hughes. "Sydney has some of the best creative talent in the world, and we have been so fortunate to work with more than 140 creative practitioners and technologists to create something unique and of great value to Sydney." Find Dream Circus at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point — visit the park's website for more information and tickets.
Australia's toast game just levelled up with a little help from our neighbours across the ditch. If you're a fan of slathering nut butters across slices of heated bread, then you've likely heard of cult-favourite Wellington brand Fix & Fogg — and instead of stuffing your suitcases with their products when you're coming back from a New Zealand holiday, you can now head to Woolworths to pick up ten different types. Woolies already stocked two Fix & Fogg products: Everything Butter, which combines a bit of everything as the name suggests (aka hemp, chia, sesame, sunflower, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts and almonds), plus granola butter (which is made with toasted South Island oats, cashew nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and peanuts). Joining them are multiple types and sizes of peanut butter, plus a range of other creative flavours. Peanut butter and jelly in a jar, anyone? If you're all about the OG peanut butter by itself, you can go smooth or crunchy in either 375-gram and 750-gram jars. Or, there's the chilli and paprika-spiced Smoke and Fire peanut butter in 275-gram containers, as well as choc berry and almond-heavy versions of the Everything Butter. In Australia, you'll now find the ten Fix & Fogg varieties at all 990 Woolies locations nationwide from today, Monday, August 15. For folks new to Fix & Fogg, it makes the type of nut butters that you'll easily want to eat by the spoonful, sans toast — which is one of the reasons that the company has evolved from selling its wares at Wellington markets to picking up a huge homegrown and now international following. Fix & Fogg's expanded presence at Woolies comes after the brand hit the US in a big way in 2021, getting stocked at 3500 Whole Foods stores around the country. Find ten of Fix & Fogg's nut butters on Woolworths shelves from Monday, August 15.
Ophelia, the charming all-day Westgarth diner from the Yolk Group (whose stable also includes Tinker, Terror Twilight and Convoy), is officially turning nocturnal. From Tuesday, June 17, the High Street corner spot will dim the lights and welcome guests for dinner and drinks on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It's the first time the Yolk crew has taken one of its venues into after-dark territory, but the move has been on the cards from the start. "We've always loved the idea of a place that evolves throughout the day and shifts gears as night rolls in," says co-owner Kieran Spiteri. "Ophelia's got a laidback moodiness about her that's made for an evening operation, and is something locals have been asking us for." Much like the venue's daytime offer, Ophelia by night lets you choose your own adventure, whether you're popping in for a light snack-and-sip session or settling in for a relaxed dinner. Whatever you decide, you'll be in good hands — nights at Ophelia will be led by Yolk's newly appointed Executive Chef Mitchell Velo (ex-Cumulus Inc. and Marion) (pictured below) and new Venue Manager Heidi Modra (formerly of Pinotta). The approachable, European-leaning menu doesn't veer too far from the tried-and-true wine bar formula — the result is a smartly pared-back yet creative list that spotlights seasonal produce, including fresh fruit and veg from Collingwood supplier Natoora. On the list, you'll find the likes of dates stuffed with nduja, pancetta and olive, pickled mussel toast with aioli and Aleppo pepper and hot-smoked trout rillette served with crisps and caperberries. You can pair your plates with a selection from the chalkboard wine list, featuring Australian and European labels, or one of the evening-exclusive cocktails. Swing by on a Tuesday night when, from 6pm, you can take your pick from a tight weekly rotation of house-made pasta dishes for $20 a plate. Spiteri is hopeful it'll be the start of a new local tradition: "Westgarth Theatre slings its own Tuesday special just across the road, so we're hoping a budget-friendly flick and feed will become a midweek ritual for locals and beyond," he says. Fridays and Saturdays will see Ophelia invite local vinyl selectors to soundtrack Pour and Play sessions, where snacky small plates will do the rounds. And while dinner service doesn't start until 6pm, you can pop in for aperitivo from 4pm to enjoy roaming snacks and cocktail specials. Plus, with wine dinners, guest chef collabs and private events also in the works, Ophelia's night-time chapter is only just beginning. Ophelia will be open on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 4pm for aperitivo and from 6pm for dinner, from Tuesday, June 17. Find it at 85 High Street, Northcote. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Everyone has an opinion on what makes a true Aussie burger. Beetroot? Yes, please. Fried egg? Sure. Pineapple? Stay away. But what about throwing on some of that iconic spread that lives in every household cupboard, regardless of whether you're a lover or a hater? Well, chef Neil Perry is putting it to the test with the release of a limited edition Vegemite burger. From today, Wednesday, January 17, this questionable concoction will be available at Burger Project stores across Australia (including the one that opened last week in Melbourne), as well as the current Australian Open pop-up in Melbourne. "Vegemite is synonymous with our Australian way of life," said Perry. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to collaborate with such an iconic Australian brand." The spread will be paired with Burger Project's staple soft milk bun, grass-fed Tasmanian beef patty, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion. That distinctive salty tang of Vegemite is sure to add a salty flavour hit to the burger. It certainly appeals more than the creamy Vegemite icy poles which got a hard pass from us. The Vegemite Burger is available between January 17–28, 2018 at all Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane stores. For more info, visit burgerproject.com.au.
For many of us, the prospect of sitting through reams of photos from our recently-returned-from-travelling friends can be a little scary. Unless you happen to be friends with independent film maker Rick Mereki, that is. Then it is something else entirely. Mereki has created three short films taken from footage of a trip with two mates, covering 11 different countries and over 38 thousand miles in 44 days. Each film is only about a minute in duration and is based on a theme; in Move we follow as one of Mereki's friends walks through a series of stunning landscapes, in Learn we see the skills he attempts to acquire along the way (soccer, pizza making, wine tasting, weaving, guitar) and in Eat we see a smorgasboard of international delights. It's a simple idea, as the brilliant ones usually are. The themes are clear, the images strong and it is all held together by a lovely little soundtrack. Move, Learn, Eat are beautiful reminders of the joys of travelling, the fun of learning and the delight of food. They also remind you of the shortcomings of your own travel snaps.
The bayside suburb of Port Melbourne is diving right into the festive spirit with the return of its ever-popular Artisan Christmas Market on Bay Street. On Saturday, December 4, the buzzy shopping strip will be transformed into the ultimate Christmas gift-hunter's paradise (between Graham and Bridge streets), with a hefty array of stalls, plus food and entertainment options galore. Over 150 vendors will be showing off their wares, with handmade gifts, fashion, jewellery, homewares, art and more among the mix. Think: hemp-based craft spirits from Gippsland's Natural Distilling Co, Brentwood Collective's handmade soy candles, vibrant Making Trouble accessories and pooch-friendly goodies from the folks at Proud Pet Slave, to name a few. In between shopping your way through that Christmas list, you'll enjoy food and coffee from a bunch of local eateries, and a program of live tunes from local artists.
'Tis the season for catching up with friends. And if you'd like those catch-ups to involve soaking in natural geothermal mineral waters while enjoying the antics of the world's favourite TV friends on an al fresco big screen, it's time to make a beeline for Peninsula Hot Springs. The precinct's Bathe-In Cinema has kicked off a series of themed weeknight Friends screenings, where you can watch a few smash-hit episodes as you soak in the balmy hot springs and snack on a pre-ordered cheese platter. Screenings will run from 8pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, from November 16–December 2. And all the best-loved episodes will be covered across themed blocks including Best of Rachel, The Engagements and The Best First Kisses. Access to Bathe-In Cinema comes complimentary with any booking for the Revitalise Bath House Bathing experience, which clocks in at $65.
They started as an opening act for the Beastie Boys. They've been fighting the power for almost four decades. They're no strangers to big hats and giant clocks, or for fighting for a worthy cause. They've been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2013. They'll forever come to mind whenever Def Jam and Long Island come up. They're Public Enemy, of course, and they're about to get Australia believing the hype when they bring the noise — and their latest tour — Down Under in October 2024. Chuck D, Flavor Flav and company have announced six Aussie dates for their spring visit, starting in Perth at Red Hill Auditorium. From there, they'll head to Adelaide's AEC Theatre, John Cain Arena in Melbourne, Sydney's Hordern Pavilion and Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, before ending the trip in Brisbane at Eatons Hill Outdoor. Audiences, you're gonna get yours when the icons take to the stage to play through 37 years of tunes that began with 1987 singles 'Public Enemy No 1' and, yes, 'You're Gonna Get Yours', all from their debut studio album Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Expect tracks from 1988's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and 1990's Fear of a Black Planet — two of the most-influential records of the period, and home to 'Bring the Noise', 'Don't Believe the Hype', 'Rebel Without a Pause', '911 Is a Joke' and 'Fight the Power' — as well, through to songs from 2020's What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?, their most-recent album. For company, Public Enemy have AB Original in support, pairing one classic duo with another in Briggs and Trials — and matching the US group's commitment to social rights activism with an Australian act just as devoted to standing up against injustice. Public Enemy last played in Australia a decade ago, on a 2014 tour that included Golden Plains, plus gigs in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Launceston. Public Enemy On the Grid 35th Anniversary Tour Dates: Wednesday, October 2 — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth Friday, October 4 — AEC Theatre, Adelaide Saturday, October 5 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, October 9 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Friday, October 11 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Saturday, October 12 — Eatons Hill Outdoor, Brisbane Public Enemy are touring Australia in October 2024, with Telstra presales from 10am local time on Friday, June 28, Ticketek presales from 10am local time on Monday, July 1 and general sales from 10am local time on Tuesday, July 2 — head to the tour website for further details.
If you've spent the past few days puzzling over the weather and regretting your choice to stick that fan back in the garage, you're well within reason. As it turns out, parts of the state have this week smashed seasonal records, with an unusual autumn warm spell clocking some of the highest April temperatures we've seen in decades. On Tuesday night, Cape Otway took the cake, sweating through its highest April minimum in a whole 156 years. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1118298566835998722 Around Melbourne Airport, the average maximum temperature usually sits around 20.4 degrees in April, though this week, the city hit 30.3 degrees on Tuesday and 30 on Wednesday. As the Bureau of Meteorology told The Age, the last time time we scored two consecutive days over 30 so late in April, was way back in 1922 — a whopping 97 years ago. The balmy temperatures look like they'll be sticking around for Easter, too, with BOM forecasting a warm start to the long weekend. After a cooler top of just 18 degrees today, Melbourne's looking at a sunny 22-degree maximum on Good Friday and 28 degrees on Saturday. Showers might threaten some of those Easter egg hunt plans on Sunday, though, when a cloudy 25 degrees is on the cards with 30-percent chance of rain. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1118654549781360640 Top image: St Kilda by Visit Victoria.
