Almost every trip to Japan features visits to FamilyMart, 7/11 and Lawson — ubiquitous convenience stores, or konbini, stocked with surprisingly good food, functional clothing and services for paying bills and printing documents. If you're lucky enough to have experienced them yourself, whether you knew it at the time or not these chains are at the heart of Japan's konbini culture, where these round-the-clock, one-stop shops play a crucial role in modern Japanese life. Taking inspiration from konbini, newly opened Suupaa offers the efficiency of a Japanese konbini with the refinement of Melbourne's contemporary dining scene. Tucked into Cremorne's 65 Dover Street precinct (also home to Baker Bleu), Suupaa boasts a dynamic setup that's part convenience store, part casual eatery, and serves as a thoughtful homage to the 56,000 or so konbini found throughout Japan. Suupaa is led by Stefanie Breschi and Alex Boffa, the brains behind Richmond's Future Future, and they're bringing a similar kind of lens to their latest Japanese-inspired venture. The kitchen is helmed by head chef Atsushi Kawakami, who brings a wealth of experience working in Tokyo's dining scene and some of Melbourne's top Japanese restaurants, including Izakaya Den and Hihou. Though speed is a factor when it comes to Suupaa's food, don't assume it equals compromise — here, you'll find Japanese staples reimagined with a distinctly local edge. On the menu: a range of grab-and-go onigiri, spanning a range of traditional and less traditional flavours — mortadella, anyone? — as well as donburi and sashimi. There's also a wide range of ekiben-style dishes — the boxed bento meals like those you'd find in a sprawling Tokyo train station — with options like wagyu beef, chargrilled chicken and kimchi rice. Suupaa is also open for dine-in lunch and, on Thursdays and Fridays, dinner. If you're planning on an extended visit, you can the likes of umami-packed black garlic tan tan men, udon bolognese with parmesan cream and crispy pork loin tonkatsu with a Vegemite-powered house-made sauce. On the drinks front, you'll find punchy $16 cocktails to get around, including a wasabi margarita and mango negroni. There's also a fun self-pour counter, where Good Measure's Max Allison has crafted a series of signature drinks like matcha Milo and banana cold brew. A concept this considered needs the space to match, and on this front, delivers in spades. Designed in collaboration with IF Architecture (the studio behind Marion and Culter & Co.), the inviting space features deep red hues and bold navy accents contrasted against soft furnishings and polished stainless steel surfaces. As is befitting of a venue inspired by konbini culture, Suupaa also boasts a curated retail offer. Take a moment to explore design-forward tableware from brands including KINTO, HAY and Niko June, magazines and books from cutting-edge publishers like Popeye and Luncheon, as well as a range of house-made condiments. Suupaa is now open Monday–Wednesday and Saturday from 11am–3pm and Thursday–Friday from 11am–9pm at Shop 1, 65 Dover Street, Cremorne. Head to the venue's website for more information. Images: Pier Carthew.
Downtown Melbourne might feel a long way from any kind of underwater paradise, but it's not as far as it seems. Within 30 minutes of reading this, you could be submersed in crystal-clear water — surrounded by colourful coral gardens, dreamy seagrass beds, spiny sea urchins, pretty nudibranchs and spectacular weedy sea dragons. Here are five of the best spots for snorkelling near Melbourne, from tranquil Half Moon Bay to the wild Bunurong Marine Park. So, grab your flippers and go. Recommended reads: The Best Beaches in and Around Melbourne The Best Kayaking Spots in and Around Melbourne The Best Swimming Holes in Melbourne The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under in Victoria [caption id="attachment_704320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Blairgowrie Pier, Mornington Peninsula In the southeastern corner of Port Phillip Bay is the lively underwater community around Blairgowrie Pier. Stick to the shallows near the shore to meet weedy sea dragons, or head further out for colourful sponges, schools of fish and crustaceans. Away from the pylons, the bay's sandy floor also provides ample gliding room for rays and flathead. Other top-notch snorkelling spots on the Mornington Peninsula include Rye Pier — where's there's a signposted Octopus Garden and exploration trail — the rock pools of Sorrento Back Beach, and (if you've got a boat or booked tour) Pope's Eye and Chinaman's Hat. Blairgowrie Pier is a 90-minutes drive southeast of Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_704332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parks Victoria[/caption] Half Moon Bay, Black Rock When you're keen to get underwater but don't have much time on your hands for travel, grab your snorkel and head to Half Moon Bay, which sits on the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay in Black Rock. The underwater terrain varies from jetty pylons to rocky reefs to seagrass beds. You'll have all kinds of company, too, including sea urchins, anemones, nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopuses (poisonous) and scores of fish varieties. A Also taking up residence in the water is the famed wreck of the HMVS Cerberus, built in the 1860s and scuttled in 1926. Half Moon Bay is located just 30 minutes from Melbourne and you can also reach it by public transport. [caption id="attachment_704319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Kitty Miller Bay, Philip Island Kitty Miller Bay, a horseshoe in Phillip Island's southwestern corner, is one of the area's best-protected beaches. Its 500-metre stretch of shoreline shelters vast rock platforms, seaweed gardens and seagrass beds, bustling with zebra fish, leather jackets, rays and Port Jackson sharks. Inexperienced snorkellers should stick to the shallows of the western edge, while the waters to the east are best suited to those with a little more confidence. Take care at all times: the water might appear calm, but conditions can change quickly and the beach is not patrolled. You'll find Kitty Miller Bay located just under two hours from Melbourne — along with a slew of other great Phillip Island adventures. Bunurong Marine National Park, Near Inverloch Hugging the South Gippsland coastline for five kilometres, Bunurong Marine Park gives you a diverse variety of habitats to explore — from caves and gullies to reefs and ledges. More than 80 species of fish live here, including blue-throated wrasse, old wife and Tasmanian blenny, as well as a bunch of shark varieties, including Port Jacksons and gummies. Keep an eye out for starfish, lobsters and marine snails, too. Bunurong's most popular beaches for snorkelling are Eagles Nest, Shack Bay and Flat Rocks. You'll find it all around two hours' drive southeast of Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_704333" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parks Victoria[/caption] St Leonards Pier, Bellarine Peninsula One of the best places to snorkel southwest of Melbourne is St Leonards Pier, which juts into Port Phillip Bay at the end of the Bellarine Peninsula. Over years and years, the pylons have attracted a diverse community of underwater creatures: on a typical afternoon, you'll spy seahorses, nudibranchs, puffer fish, stargazers (recognisable by the eyes on top of their heads) and rays, among many others. Octopus and dumpling squid tend to appear at night. St Leonards Pier is located 90 minutes southwest of Melbourne. Top Images: Chinaman's Hat by Mark Chew for Visit Victoria, Pope's Eye by Ben Savage for Visit Victoria.
The Waterside Hotel, standing tall and proud on the corner of Flinders Street and King Street, is finally opening its doors following a massive transformation. The revitalised venue now showcases a beer garden, multi-level South-East Asian restaurant, rooftop bar, outdoor terrace, ground-floor pub and additional event spaces. While it was an enormous undertaking, the project was in the safe and experienced hands of Sand Hill Road, a group known for redeveloping some of Melbourne's most notable and loved pubs. Their previous renovations include The Espy in St Kilda, the Richmond Club Hotel on Swan Street, and the Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane. "The Waterside Hotel is the culmination of decades of revitalising pubs across Melbourne. We're deeply passionate about breathing new life into treasured venues, and we felt that now was the perfect time to revive The Waterside Hotel — restoring this iconic landmark while offering something truly unique for Melbourne, that is on a global scale," says Matt Mullins, co-owner of Sand Hill Road. This project has been in the works for an eye-watering eight years. While the heritage-listed 1925 facade has been preserved, the interior has been entirely renovated to modernise the venue and create a new destination for Melburnians to head to for a night out in the CBD. The ground-floor pub will uphold traditions, offering modern pub fare. At the same time, the new PAST / PORT restaurant, which spans three levels, will serve a Southeast Asian-inspired menu, all under the watchful eye of executive chef Sarah Chan (from the Espy's Mya Tiger). Sand Hill Road has led the project with their signature 'Melbourne-first approach', which seeks to honour the legacy of historic venues, while revitalising them for future success and longevity. Mullins says, "The Waterside Hotel is not just about grand design — it's about how people connect to the rooms, the mood, and each other. We've strived to create something that carries the soul of a Melbourne pub, but on a scale and ambition that feels truly world-class." The Public Bar and Beer Garden has a capacity for 400 patrons, with an extensive 18-meter-long central bar anchoring the space and ensuring that everyone is well-hydrated. The Private Lounge Bar on level five is set to become one of Melbourne's most sought-after private dining rooms. It can seat up to 50 guests, and with personalised butler-style service, it's an exclusive setting for celebrations. There are also additional event spaces throughout the seven-level venue, with a capacity of up to 300 people. PAST / PORT, led by Head Chef Liam Lee, showcases Australian produce while celebrating Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. "Growing up around slow-simmered curries, sambals pounded by hand, and family feasts prepared with painstaking detail, I learned early that food is memory, love, and tradition on a plate. PAST / PORT draws upon the flavours of my heritage and the diverse places I've lived and travelled to across South-East Asia, all brought to life with the vibrancy and energy of this city," says Sarah Chan. Chan's personal favourite dish, a nostalgic homage to her hometown roots, is Sarawak laksa, which is a weekday off-menu lunch special. Menu exclusives include pre-order showstoppers such as the lobster with salted egg yolk popcorn, Singapore chilli mud crab with fried mantou, and a hefty 600 gram O'Connor ribeye. Other signature dishes include tom yum prawn dumplings, crying steak tartare, Balinese crispy fried duck, chicken curry Kapitan, and spanner crab pad thai, as well as chilli caramel eggplant. Mullins says, "The Waterside Hotel is the most ambitious project we've ever undertaken, and we're thrilled to finally open the doors and share it with the city. It's a venue that stays true to the soul of a Melbourne pub while setting a new benchmark for world-class hospitality experiences, with each level having its own energy and character." Images: Arriana Leggierio.
Melbourne is unrepentantly tricksy about its hidden bars — poking them down alleys, up flights of stairs and through fake doors. You'll find Melbourne underground bars scattered all over the place too. The city wants you to work for your liquor. But hey, where's the fun in a well-lit, obvious bar that everyone knows about? No matter how many hoops Melbourne makes punters jump through, there's no denying it's home to some pretty beaut bars. The word "underground" certainly echoes around the traps when it comes to the coolest places to check out — with a swag of venues embracing the secretive speakeasy culture. And a lot of these bars speak to that second meaning of "underground", too: they are literally located under the ground. Good for impressing a date, taking someone from out of town or just for a well-deserved after-work tipple, these are the best basement bars in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Bars in Melbourne Melbourne's Best Pubs and Bars with Fireplaces The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Sunday Roasts in Melbourne State of Grace When State of Grace served its last drinks on Collins Street in 2017 — shutting up shop along with its secret cellar bar Fall From Grace — it wasn't gone for long. In 2018, the city hot-spot made a triumphant return. Resurrected in style on King Street, the well-loved venue made one hell of a comeback. At its new digs, old-world decor meets contemporary flair, finished with a touch of the experimental. Mirrors, marble and chandeliers abound through both the European-style restaurant at street level and the hidden drinking den tucked below. As with the original, the latter is accessed through a bookshelf, though here it's swapped the soaring ceilings for a more intimate space that's scattered with lounges and vintage knick-knacks. Beneath Driver Lane Beneath Driver Lane has a tonne of atmosphere, even before you get inside: there's a velvet rope ushering you in, and a door that opens automatically. That's a whole lot of fanfare, but it'll make you feel pretty special. The Melbourne basement bar pulls its influence from New Orleans — all blues and rum, moody lighting, and black and white photos on the walls. There's a raclette sourdough toastie, which, obviously, would be worth trekking across several cities for, along with jamón croquettes and dijon chicken wings with spicy aioli. Add to that the over 400 different spirits, plus the sweet touches like refreshment mints in the bathrooms (in case you're on a date and it's going well) and stacks of live music, and Beneath Driver Lane makes for a very worthy underground jaunt. Juliet Punch Lane's downstairs sibling Juliet has a bunch of cool stuff going on — including the fact that its modus operandi is to support and represent female winemakers, distillers and cheese producers. For a dose of girl power and, really, just a great night with nice vibes, head down to the basement bar on Little Bourke Street — it's all pink neon, concrete and hand-blown glass down here. The venue offers a swag of signature cocktails, alongside cheese, charcuterie and snacks; think: salt cod croquettes, freshly shucked oysters and anchovies on toast. Settle in with a tasty bite and a mandarin martini or two, and you'll never want to come up from underground. [caption id="attachment_747858" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jana Langhorst[/caption] Dessous As the name — which means 'underneath' in French — suggests, this cosy wine bar and eatery is of the subterranean variety. Sibling to restaurant Hazel above, Dessous boasts a charming space deep within the heritage-listed T&G Building, featuring interiors by award-winning design firm The Stella Collective. Hop on down to this underground bar in Melbourne, nabbing a plush banquette seat and tucking into the likes of pork jowl skewers, dry-aged duck, spanner crab doughnuts and red curry corn fritters. To match, expect a globe-trotting wine list and plenty of chic cocktails — the rhubarb- and cacao-infused Manhattan feels especially well suited to an underground sipping session. Bar Margaux Old-world Parisian style meets New York chic at this underground haunt from the crew behind The Everleigh and Heartbreaker. Step down into its vision of chequered floors, marble-topped tables and rich burgundy banquettes, and you'll feel like you're escaping to another time and place. Bar Margaux's food is French and effortlessly sophisticated, running to classics like tartare, escargot, steak frites and a daily-changing souffle. An expansive drinks program heroes top-notch Aussie and French wines, and plenty of Champagne, along with revamped classic cocktails for any time of day. This one's partial to a late-night underground session, too, given that it's open till 3am on Saturday nights. Trinket Flinders Lane bar Trinket is well-known for its sourdough pizzas, chic cocktails and the roaring open fire that graces its elegant front bar. But dig a little deeper — namely, through the back of a secret wardrobe — and you'll also discover a hidden Melbourne basement bar tucked away downstairs. Much like its upstairs counterpart, the space is a plush, velvet-filled hideaway — just with the addition of heavy curtains and moody lighting to transport you far from that street-level buzz. Steal away down here for a quiet tipple or two; perhaps a classic bramble, a spicy riff on a margarita, or the spiced rum- and coffee-infused Vintage Charm might tempt your tastebuds. Castlerose Glen Bagnara knows a thing or two about opening a treasured neighbourhood bar, as one of the minds behind Hemingway's Wine Room and Prahran's Bar Bianco. For this next trick, he transformed the basement beneath his daytime diner Clementine to create a moodier and altogether more playful old-world bar: Castlerose. Fine champagne is served in vintage-style coupes. Classic European cocktails come in intricate stemware. An old-school cheese cart is wheeled around for anyone who wants to handpick wedges of local and imported cheeses that regularly change. But the most playful aspects of the dining experience are those with supper club touches. At this Melbourne basement bar, the confit duck comes wrapped up like a cigar, served in a wooden cigar box with an ashtray of olive dust. And the duck rillettes come in a sealed tin, ready to be peeled open and enjoyed with fig jam, cornichons and slices of toasted baguette. It's delicious and fun. Bar Clara Located in a basement space in Chinatown, under the arch near Exhibition Street, this watering hole slings a custom, frequently changing cocktail list that blends fresh ingredients with modern techniques. Bar Clara's neat selection of beer, cider and wine is also a winner, as is the kitchen's tasty range of bites — such as a baked brie served with cranberry sauce and mini toasts, mushroom and miso toasties, and panna cotta that comes with a seasonal coulis and white chocolate lattice. Decor-wise, prepare to sip and snack in a dimly-lit space decked out with plants, concrete beams, a copper bar top and green velvet couches. The George on Collins Designed by Hecker Guthrie, this sprawling basement space features a collection of revamped private rooms geared towards upscale celebrations with the crew. Make yourself at home in The Attic, tucked upstairs and behind a curtain; enjoy an intimate celebration in The Den; or settle into a feast in new-look private dining room The Rumpus. The glass-fronted Cellar, with views across the rest of the venue, has room for up to 220. The George's most recent menu overhaul sees the kitchen plating up vibrant, Asian-fusion fare for lunch, dinner and late-night sessions alike. Head in for plates of prawn toast, soft shell crab, a selection of stuffed bao buns, miso glazed octopus and tuna tartare. The $89 bottomless brunch every Saturday is also a big win, which includes three sharing dishes, rice and baos, plus free-flowing wine, beer and cocktails for two hours. The Moat The Moat is a step away from the Swanston Street rush, and a step down from the Wheeler Centre entrance on Little Lonsdale Street. Nestled beneath the State Library of Victoria, the bar is located in the basement of the 19th-century bluestone building. Set yourself up with a wine or three while considering the weight of the literature that sits directly above you, and perhaps toasting to Jack Kerouac or Oscar Wilde. Happy hour (4–6pm Tuesday–Saturday) brings with it a whole menu of happy times — i.e. Spanish anchovy crostini with whipped ricotta, handmade pastas and mixed antipasto bites to accompany your wine. It's most definitely worth going underground for. Bodega Underground If you have a big crush on tequila shots, have been giving mezcal some side-eye, or just have an achin' for a margarita, Bodega Underground in Melbourne's CBD might be the place to descend to. The Mexican-themed mezcal bar is located in some pretty cool digs. Hidden up the Parliament end of Little Bourke Street, it boasts scores of vintage Mexican posters as decor and serves up some serious tacos to go along with its extensive tequila selection. There are many – the mezcal and tequila options take up pages and pages of the menu – so you know you're in good hands. Food-wise, try the brisket tacos, slow-cooked lamb ribs or perhaps some Mexican fried chicken. They're all good alone, but they switch to another level when paired with some agave options from the bar or when included within it's bottomless brunch offering. Valhalla A moody underground oasis for the after-work crowd, Valhalla is a Nordic-inspired drinking den nestled within the Olderfleet building on Collins Street. The brainchild of international coworking space company Work Club, the bar is decked out in dramatic dark tones, with leather booth seating, metallic finishes and lots of statement furniture pieces. From the bar comes a playful and inventive cocktail lineup that changes seasonally. Knock off and pop down to this Melbourne underground bar to enjoy a top-notch cheese platter and a memorable tipple or two. We're all about the reworked negroni crafted on a Davidson Plum aperitivo by Autonomy Distillers. Gin Palace Renowned for its martinis, late night snacks and popularity with both insomniacs and Melbourne's hospitality crowd, Gin Palace a great location to bag a bartender after a long shift. Rich, luxurious and flush with cushioned surfaces and secretive enclaves, it almost begs for a sneaky pash on a dim corner lounge. Ever better, escape with your date to the hidden, fairy-light-lit den that links the venue to Bar Ampere next door — which is open until 3am every night of the week.
Much like its vinyl obsession (with the highest concentration of record stores per capita in the world), Melbourne is fevered with vintage fashion. Magpies, old souls and arbiters of taste flock here in search of archival frocks, well-worn Docs, and '70s stock — creating one of the most extensive and diverse ecosystems of vintage clothing stores in the country. While Fitzroy and Brunswick often come to mind, it'd be remiss for serious collectors to ignore the gems hidden in unlikely neighbourhoods and unassuming buildings. From haute couture finds in halcyon Hampton, to one of the world's most comprehensive Commes des Garçons archives tucked beneath Rooftop Bar in Curtin House, Melbourne's vintage scene is rich, layered, and full of pre-loved pieces waiting to begin their next chapter. SWOP 8 Peel St, Collingwood View this post on Instagram A post shared by SWOP (@_swop) As the name suggests, the Collingwood favourite — with beloved outposts in Sydney and Brisbane — invites everyday tastemakers to swap their (good-quality) clothes and accessories for cash or in-store credit. Unlike some seconds stores, SWOP doesn't take on just any Depop-friendly wardrobe — their expert curation looks for on-trend, sustainable, and archival looks from brands such as Dries Van Noten, Acne Studios, Issey Miyake and more. With swish interiors in a New York-inspired warehouse, you'll be lost in a vintage state of mind. Paris '99 281 Hampton St, Hampton View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yahav Ron (@yahav_paris99) Who knew Paris was only a 30-minute drive bayside? Since 2011, Yahav Ron, a fashion reseller and designer, has been alchemising couture looks, curating a salon-style experience for discerning sartorialists from his studio on Hampton Street. The by-appointment-only showroom exhibits Parisian flair and luxury goodness — with hard-to-source pieces in inclusive sizing (from sizes six to 16) across brands such as Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Alaia, and Tom Ford. Come for the collection, stay for the champagne service. Lost and Found Market 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lost and Found Market (@lostandfoundmarket) To the naked eye, Lost and Found's almost as hidden as a secret garden. But to locals or those in-the-know, all it takes is an unassuming door and a flight of stairs to arrive at Fitzroy's bazaar. The vintage mecca houses everything from quirky clothing to well-loved trinkets, even groovy records, and eclectic knick-knacks for collectors and sentimentalists. Pieces come from a variety of vintage sellers, offering diverse price points, eras, and styles. A bopping soundtrack also helps you get in the mood. Reina Melbourne Level 3/252 Swanston St, Melbourne View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reina Melbourne (@reinamelbourne) Less rave cave, more whimsy — Reina embraces chic femininity with an anthology of French girl favourites. Also within Curtin House, the pastel-hued archival specialist— (founded by former Parsons School of Design student, Romy Theodore) —has everything from collared Miu Miu coats, to sought-after Prada prints, and even ballet slippers a la Chanel, all from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s. There's even a scattering of Japanese designers, such as Yohji Yamamoto, for a dollop of avant-garde. Goodbyes 2 Johnston St, Collingwood 127 Sydney Rd, Brunswick 142 Commercial Rd, Prahran View this post on Instagram A post shared by Goodbyes (@goodbyes) Farewells are never easy, unless you're consigning here. If you want to give your well-worn piece a new home or adopt a new staple, Goodbyes is all about the circle of (fashion) life. With three stores across Melbourne — Brunswick, Collingwood and Prahran — there's plenty of style blueprints and brands to consider. Australian and New Zealand labels shine bright here, as do international designers. You might even pick up a rare leather bag to wear on rotation. Retropolis 1 Newman St, Preston View this post on Instagram A post shared by ✪ Jojolicious Vintage ✪ (@jojolicious.vintage) If you're after something a little more camp, head to the 'burbs for a trip down the rabbit hole. The northside haunt Retropolis has all the idiosyncrasies your vintage heart (or costume party curator) could want: we're talking kitten-covered frocks, bell-bottoms, gogo boots, Roaring Twenties get-ups, and more. You might even find some home decorating inspiration here, with an assortment of mid-century furniture and bric-a-brac. Martin Fella 556 Queensberry St, North Melbourne View this post on Instagram A post shared by Martin Fella North Melbourne (@martinfella) Martin Fella is your favourite vintage store's favourite vintage store. Intimately located in North Melbourne, the teeny treasure trove is big on bags (vintage Celine satchel, anyone?) and archival designs. With most pieces bought at auction, whether it's Australia-wide, Asia or beyond — you're sure to get your hands on the most covetable of garments and accessories. There's also a few options for the fellas, including well-tailored suits, classic dinner shoes, and unique ties. Irvrsbl 116 Greville Street, Prahran 3181 View this post on Instagram A post shared by IRVRSBL (@irvrsbl) Designer threads and Fendi baguettes await at Prahran's Irvrsbl, a boutique vintage destination founded by devotee, Clare Ferra. Before opening the store, Ferra built a reputation sourcing museum-worthy garments for global clients (even fielding enquiries from Loewe for a rare Issey Miyake piece), before turning her focus to more accessible, on-trend finds. Named as a nod to the irreversible passing of time, Irvrsbl now showcases Gucci, Margiela, Rick Owens and other cool-girl favourites online, alongside in-person appointments and styling for dedicated dressers. Vintage Sole 258 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 6/37 Swanston St, Melbourne 489 Chapel St, South Yarra View this post on Instagram A post shared by VINTAGE SOLE (@shopvintagesole) With a penchant for American vintage, Vintage Sole has diner-cool energy — selling everything from Levi's denim to tie-dye tees, motorcycle jackets, and even its hero item: Western boots. Founded in 2005, Vintage Sole has expanded to three stores in Fitzroy, South Yarra, and the CBD, and hand-picks from all over the world. Promising ethically sourced, timeless, and affordable clothing and accessories, rest assured that vintage lovers can build their wardrobe in slow style. Opera 308-310 Rathdowne St, Carlton North View this post on Instagram A post shared by Opera (@opera.opera.opera) Housed within a repurposed Victorian terrace on Rathdowne Street, Opera's about as Melbourne as it gets. But that's where it stops — you'll find a collection so extensive and international here it'll remind you of those hazy Marais shopping days. There's Chloé, Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier, and many more designers — just be mindful, items go fast. Check out the Instagram for a first-glance, first-in-best-dressed purchase. Zinc 56 Sydney Rd, Brunswick View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZINC (@zinc_au) There's no shortage of memorable stores to check out on Melbourne's longest continuous shopping strip, Sydney Road — but if you're in a hurry, make sure Zinc's at the top of the list. With fewer international labels than others, the family-run business celebrates Australian design with bold archival pieces, homegrown designs, and locally-made basics. Tracing our fashion history, while supporting the local creative industry, you'll find vintage and second-hand Carla Zampatti and Scanlan Theodore, with a few Y2K favourites such as Miss Sixty in the mix. Not done supporting Melbourne's independent retailers? Check out our guide to Melbourne's best boutique retailers.
The newest Australian TV show to hit streamers is Stan Original Sunny Nights, and the series is equal parts bizarre and relatable. It follows siblings Vicki and Martin Marvin, played by Hollywood comedians D'Arcy Carden and Will Forte, as they attempt to start a spray-tan business in Australia. After getting into some precarious situations, the duo find themselves in hot water with members of the Sydney criminal underground, fighting to stay alive. It's an outrageous setup, and the show also includes an exploding crocodile, an ex-NRL thug for hire and evil blackmail schemes. It seems far-fetched at first glance, yet audiences continue to be drawn to the crime-comedy genre in droves. Australian shows He Had It Coming, Good Cop/Bad Cop and Population 11 were all released recently, showing the genre is holding firm. [caption id="attachment_1051421" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] Principal Psychologist Carly Dober from Enriching Lives Psychology says that the crime setting is so far removed from our everyday lives that it piques interest. "For many of us, this is a world we will only be spectators of and there is a fascination with how the criminal underworld operates. Without ever having to step into the dangerous world of crime, we can see some fictional depictions that keep us hooked," Dober tells Concrete Playground. "Escapism isn't a bad thing, it can be helpful to be distracted sometimes from day-to-day stressors. Plus, it's culturally relevant and keeps us with things to talk about with people." In the same way, watching comedy can tickle parts of your brain that make you feel good, which is why audiences seek out lighthearted content to unwind. "Comedy and things we find to be humorous lights up the pleasure centres of the brain. Like sex, or delicious food, laughing at something we find funny makes us feel good and creates a rush of endorphins," Dober adds. "It can also be a mood lifter and provide an adaptive coping strategy to dealing with stress." [caption id="attachment_1051422" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] Family is at the heart of Sunny Nights, with the Marvin siblings bickering throughout. Vicki has confidence in droves and tends not to consider other people's feelings, while Martin is slightly pathetic and has a tendency to let people walk all over him. Their main criminal nemesis, Mony (Rachel House), is also driven by her love for her brother Kash (Miritana Hughes). In the same way that audiences are drawn to the crime and comedy genre, there's also something satisfying about watching a dysfunctional familial relationship play out on screen. Dober says family dynamics can be a "winning recipe", because it creates a sense of relatability — even when placed into a strange setting like the criminal underground. "Everyone has a family — irrespective of whether they are in contact with them or not. There are so many stories that resonate, and given that many are off kilter, this provides relatability to viewers," Dober explains. [caption id="attachment_1047812" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] "Viewers do compare their own families to what they see on screen, [whether that's in] positive, negative [or] neutral ways. We might see an example of a family that we would like to one day have, or notice how often our family bickers with one another while watching an absurdist [or] dramatic on-screen family." Considering many Australians have had a busy festive season — whether that's with a dysfunctional family or not — it's nice to have the option to watch the drama on-screen instead of in our own lives. The full season of Sunny Nights is now available to stream on Stan, if you're looking for your next escape from reality. Stream the Stan Original 'Sunny Nights' now, only on Stan By Rachel Choy
There's something about a speakeasy bar with a hidden entrance that gets people excited. Enter via a trick bookcase at Loch and Key. Find a secret key that unlocks the door to another bar at Trinket. Or step through a 19th-century floor-length mirror to find a themed bar with cocktails and light bites. The latter is CBD speakeasy, Mill Place Merchants. Just off Flinders Lane, guests will have to seek out a monogrammed red door that leads them into an old dressing room filled with mannequins, rolls of fabric and a vintage sewing machine. Yes, it is a little creepy. It's also a nod to the garment workers who once called this part of the city home. Within this room lies a 19th-century dressing room mirror. Check yourself out, and then push past to find the hidden bar lined with original bluestone walls that's been decorated with vintage rugs, chaise lounges, antiques and leather Chesterfields couches. It's all very old-world opulence, but still with plenty of grit. Thankfully, it's not too polished. But the drinks certainly are. Award-winning Italian bartender Giancarlo Mancino has designed a cocktail menu that oozes with old-school charm, paying homage to legendary cocktail masters of the past. Try their version of a Millionaire, made with bourbon, dry curacao, absinthe, lemon and aquafaba, or opt for the Opera that comes with gin, dubonnet, mandarin liqueur and orange bitters. These cocktails are made for slow sipping in basements hidden away from the rest of the world. You won't find spritzes, spicy margs or super fruity numbers. It's all moody and hush-hush. Those not wanting a cocktail can always get some Victorian wines or craft beers. But you really go to Mill Place Merchants for the signature cocktails. Drinks are the highlight here, but Chef Deepak Mishra has designed a set of light bites that pair with the vintage theme. He's got devilled eggs, steak and ale pies, jamon croquettes, and charcuterie and cheese boards. Snack through these before heading up to some of the best restaurants in Melbourne's CBD for more substantial eats. If you're feeling mysterious, dark and moody this winter, Mill Place Merchants might be the perfect place to brood. That's if you can find it. Images: Bonnie Savage
Moving into Malvern East in May 2025, Breadcetera has wasted no time adding a second location, soon launching a new European-inspired corner store in Mount Eliza. In the heart of the shopping village, Breadcetera's premium pantry staples, fresh bread and hot coffee will make for a convenient morning perch. Plus, you're welcome to linger a little longer, browsing assorted bites and a tightly curated collection of homewares and gifts. Leading the new spot will be Mount Eliza local Natalie Osborne, who brings plenty of experience to the role. For those familiar with Melbourne's inner-south cafe scene, Natalie and her partner, Sam, were behind popular cafes such as Piccolo in Prahran and Mister Zen in South Yarra. Now, Natalie will be tasked with bringing this new breed of Melbourne-style cafe to the Mornington Peninsula. [caption id="attachment_1023600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Breadcetera Malvern East[/caption] Like the original Malvern East location, Breadcetera Mount Eliza won't be easy to define. Not quite a cafe or a supermarket, it combines elements of both to serve up a sophisticated neighbourhood market suited to daily visits. And like the OG spot, this second location will also evolve alongside its local community. Aiming to reflect the food, drinks and gifts that matter most to the Mornington Peninsula community, the team will draw from long-standing relationships with trusted producers and suppliers to create a distinctive in-store offering. Guided by the brains behind Melbourne's Riserva, Baia Di Vino and Lucia, expect an array of sought-after goods. [caption id="attachment_1005456" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Breadcetera Malvern East[/caption] Opening in late March on Ranelagh Drive, don't be surprised to see a new burst of colour light up the streetscape. Bringing the same soft pastel tones you'd see roaming Italian Riviera towns, the Malvern East store's refined design drew inspiration from European market culture, complete with microcement walls, custom timber joinery and mosaic tiling. "Breadcetera is basically a collection of the things we use and love most. It's personal, but we've always believed the personal can be universal," said Breadcetera co-owner Frank Ciorciari, describing the Malvern East location's opening. "We didn't want to overcomplicate it — somewhere to grab good bread, a coffee, something for dinner, or even just a great pantry item you didn't know you needed." [caption id="attachment_1005455" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Breadcetera Malvern East[/caption] Breadcetera Mount Eliza is expected to open in late March at 26 Ranelagh Drive, Mount Eliza. Head to the website for more information. Images: Michael Pham.
Run by Ross and Sunny Lusted (Sydney's Woodcut and Aman Resorts), Portuguese-inspired restaurant Marmelo, along with late-night basement bar Mr Mills, are the beating heart of ultra-cool, HYDE Melbourne Place hotel. Known for cooking with wood and charcoal, Ross has centred Marmelo's open kitchen around a custom-built charcoal grill and woodfired oven. His menu is inspired by the kind of Portuguese food he grew up with in South Africa, as well as dishes that were built on spices and flavours, from as far as the South China Sea, India, Africa and the Americas, that were introduced into Portuguese cooking. All of this results in mains such as wood-roasted cockerel with African spices, chilli and fried potatoes; Otway pork with rhubarb, red elk and burnt orange; and arroz de marisco (similar to a paella) with grilled, poached, and cured seafood. The menu also features snacks such as cod and potato croquettes with hot mustard sauce, oysters warmed over fire with charcuterie dressing, tuna with botarga cream and vegetable escabeche, and a savoury take on the much-loved pastel de nata, with celeriac and pickled crab. The dessert menu is refreshingly interesting, think a 19th century steamed pork and egg pudding, a woodfired olive oil cheesecake, and perfumed fruits with feijoa skin syrup, guava sorbet and coconut milk clouds. Sunny Lusted says, "Ross and I feel a real synergy with the vibrancy of Melbourne and all of its culinary offerings, so it is an honour to be welcomed so warmly into the local dining community; Ross and I can't wait to share our take on the food and hospitality of the Iberian peninsula, here in this beautiful city." You can also head down a grand chartreuse-hued staircase to find the duo's Mr Mills, a late-night basement bar. It's an altogether moodier space, with intimate booths as well as the option to dine at the bar or overlooking the open kitchen. Snack on Iberian-inspired small plates such as cold meats with guindillas and manchego, Portuguese prawn rolls with watercress, smoked eel doughnuts with ocean trout caviar, and always finish sweet with a pastel de nata. An extensive cocktail menu also features adorable 'Tiny Tinis' (available between 5 and 7 pm). Try a mini dirty martini with saltbush and lemon geranium brine, a Vesper martini with olive leaf gin and tangerine bitters, or a dry martini with Vetiver, pine and peppermint gum gin. Images: Supplied.
Real estate in Australia is a complex and pricey market, with prices in most cities steadily rising year on year. The median house price in Australia is now $883,000, and in capital cities, things are getting dire — dire enough that Sydney buyers are paying seven-figure sums for driveways, let alone houses. But hard as it may be to believe, some property is still cheap in Australia, as long as it's rural and small, according to a report from Realestate.com.au. In NSW, January's cheapest sale was a fraction of that media price at a mere $80,000 — the property in question being a sandstone Anglican church on 2000 square metres of land in Wilcannia, a town outside of Broken Hill with 735 permanent residents. According to Realestate.com.au, the property was put on the market because its Sydney-based owner failed to anticipate the logistical challenges of the renovation. [caption id="attachment_1074362" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Realestate.com.au[/caption] In Victoria, a low record for the month was set by a fixer-upper weatherboard cottage in Walpeup, which sold with an acre of land for $115,000. The decades-old, three-bedroom cottage had been abandoned for the last eight years but reportedly still attracted a lot of interest from cash buyers before it sold. Up in Queensland, Mt Isa saw the cheapest sale in the state, $105,000 for a three-bedroom home pitched as a 'renovator's delight'. With a plywood-covered exterior setting the scene for a bare, linoleum-floored interior. [caption id="attachment_1074361" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Realestate.com.au[/caption] It's not much of a step from Tasmania, where the cheapest deal was $110,000 for a two-bedroom lake shack set in a township of just 11 residents in the Central Highlands. Size didn't matter in South Australia either, where a partial ocean-view studio apartment sold for $165,000 in Victor Harbor. Prices were higher in the ACT and Northern Territory. In the former, the cheapest sale was a studio apartment for $235,000, while in the latter, an Alice Springs ground-floor apartment with 51 square metres of living space, a pool, a basketball court, and a barbecue area sold for $190,000. But the cheapest sale in the country occurred in Western Australia, where a rundown three-bedroom home with almost no images listed sold for just $60,000. Images: Realestate.com.au/sold
What do Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night and Sunflowers, Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa all have in common? Yes, they're all masterpieces. Yes, they all hail from iconic talents. And yes, they're all works that art lovers need to see in-person with their own eyes. Here's something else that they each share: they've all received the Lego treatment, letting you build them yourself, then hang them on your own wall. Lego has announced that Sunflowers is the latest great work to get turned into plastic bricks — and the latest reason that your own home can hold its own with the world's greatest galleries. The company's art range not only lets you display stunning art in your own house, but gets you recreating these masterpieces, too. To construct van Gogh's rendering of golden flowers, you'll be using 2615 blocks. Releasing on Saturday, March 1, 2025, but available to preorder already (for AU$299.99 and NZ$349.99), the new kit is a collaboration between Lego and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Together, they've designed a set that reimagines Sunflowers with 3D bricks, using the blocks to help convey brushstrokes, plus light and shade — and they've also fashioned a Lego creation that isn't small. The finished piece measures 54 centimetres in height and 41 centimetres in width, so you really will want to find the right space to display it. As you construct Sunflowers, you'll be putting together the painting's 16 sunflowers, all with adjustable petals, as well as a removable frame. The kit comes with a hanger, too, alongside a tile with the artist's signature. Lego and the Van Gogh Museum are also dropping a podcast via LEGO.com, YouTube and Spotify on Saturday, March 1, which'll chat through both the artwork's history and the Lego set's design — and is recommended listening while you build. "Working on one of the world's most-famous paintings can be quite daunting, but recreating Sunflowers has been a dream come true. We collaborated closely with the Van Gogh Museum and its experts, delving into the details to meticulously craft a 3D version of the original artwork," said LEGO Designer Stijn Oom. " One of the most challenging yet crucial aspects was translating the impasto effect into Lego bricks while preserving the painting's asymmetrical yet balanced composition. We are incredibly proud of the result and hope our fans enjoy building it as much as we enjoyed bringing Van Gogh's masterpiece to life." For more information about Lego's new Sunflowers kit, which goes on sale on Down Under on Saturday, March 1, 2025 — but is available to preorder already — head to the company's website.
On the outskirts of Tokyo sits one of the city's most coveted spaces: the Studio Ghibli museum. It's also one of Japan's hottest tickets, with locals and tourists alike needing to book well in advance to get in. You'd expect that of a place that features a life-size catbus, a towering robot on its roof and Totoro sitting behind the counter of its box office. You'd expect it of any venue celebrating this beloved animation house, to be honest — even though it now has company three hours out of town thanks to Studio Ghibli's very own theme park. For almost four decades now, Studio Ghibli's movies have possessed their own kind of magic — the type that made viewers want to get spirited away by their gorgeously animated frames long before the company made a film of the same name. Indeed, in the 38 years since Studio Ghibli was formed by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata with producer Toshio Suzuki, it has introduced the world to all manner of delightful and moving on-screen experiences. Cute balls of soot, determined teenage witches and pining high-schoolers sit side-by-side in the company's filmography with war-torn tales, sitcom-style family antics and more than one ecologically minded fable. And, in the process, Studio Ghibli has achieved a significant feat: it has never made a bad movie. Including TV films and co-productions, it has 25 to its name to date in total — with the latest and Miyazaki first film in a decade, The Boy and the Heron, in cinemas Down Under now. While every single Ghibli flick is worth feasting your eyes on, we've ranked them all. Now you know where to start during your next binge-viewing session. 25. TALES FROM EARTHSEA Combine Studio Ghibli with any number of dragon-filled fantasy tales, and the result might look like Tales from Earthsea. It's actually adapted from one such series of books, Ursula K Le Guin's The Earthsea Cycle. The feature directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki's son, Gorō Miyazaki, this is the most standard of the company's features — although its characters, including a troubled prince and a young girl saved from slavers, always strike a chord. Tales from Earthsea streams via Netflix. 24. EARWIG AND THE WITCH The studio's first movie made solely using computer-generated 3D animation, Earwig and the Witch immediately stands out thanks to its plastic-looking visuals. And, despite the fact that it's about a determined young girl, features a witch, and even includes a talking cat and other helpful tiny critters, it never completely feels like a classic Ghibli film either. That said, a by-the-numbers Ghibli flock is still better than many others, especially of the family-friendly variety. Earwig and the Witch streams via Netflix. Read our full review. 23. ONLY YESTERDAY Based on the 1982 manga of the same name, Only Yesterday explores the incredibly relatable inner turmoil of 27-year-old Tokyo worker Taeko when she heads out to the countryside for a working vacation. Charting her efforts to reconcile her childhood dreams with the life she's living now, it's a mature and thoughtful film from Isao Takahata — and a wistful and sensitive one, too. Only Yesterday streams via Netflix. 22. FROM UP ON POPPY HILL Gorō Miyazaki's second feature heads to Yokohama, in 1963, when high-schooler Umi Matsuzaki lives in a boarding house. Adapted from an 1980 Japanese comic, this sweet and gentle effort charts her quest to stop a beloved school building from being demolished — and benefits from a tender screenplay co-written by none other than Hayao Miyazaki. From Up on Poppy Hill streams via Netflix. 21. PORCO ROSSO Inspired by his family's business from when he was a child — aircraft parts manufacturer Miyazaki Airplane — many of Hayao Miyazaki's movies take to the skies. Porco Rosso, with its high-flying eponymous man-pig pilot, is one of them. This wartime adventure follows the First World War veteran's clash with a group of sky pirates and the American hotshot they've hired to help, as told with wry humour and, obviously, spectacular flying sequences. Porco Rosso streams via Netflix. 20. MY NEIGHBOURS THE YAMADAS The studio's most visually distinctive effort, Isao Takahata's My Neighbours the Yamadas is based on the manga series Nono-chan, and favours the look of a hand-drawn, watercolour-painted comic strip. That stylistic choice suits the content perfectly, immersing audiences into the quirky series of vignettes about the Yamada family, and offering a visible reminder that nothing is ever as simple as it appears. My Neighbours the Yamadas streams via Netflix. 19. THE CAT RETURNS The only Studio Ghibli movie to continue on from one of its earlier films, The Cat Returns is a spinoff from Whisper of the Heart. As the name makes plain, felines take centre stage. That proves entertaining and even often enjoyably silly for audiences; however, for the film's protagonist Haru Yoshioka, it forces her into a battle with the Cat Kingdom after she saves a four-legged fur ball from being hit by a car — and is told she'll have to marry him. The Cat Returns streams via Netflix. 18. ARRIETTY For a movie filled with tiny people who live in the walls of human houses, Arrietty certainly does brandish a big heart. Based on Mary Norton's 1952 novel The Borrowers, this story was always going to fall into Studio Ghibli's wheelhouse, especially given its focus on a new friendship between unlikely pals. As soulfully relayed by director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film charts the connection that between its diminutive titular character and a human boy. Arrietty streams via Netflix. 17. WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE When Marnie Was There champions the importance of friendship, acceptance, understanding and looking to the past to embrace the future, all recurring themes in Studio Ghibli's work. That's hardly surprising in a melancholy and contemplative movie about a lonely foster child and her new friend, of course, but they also take on a different tone here. Made in 2014, Hiromasa Yonebayashi's film adapts Joan G Robinson's novel of the same name into a bewitching gem. When Marnie Was There streams via Netflix. Read our full review. 16. OCEAN WAVES Made for TV, this 1993 Studio Ghibli movie spends the bulk of its time in the city of Kochi, where friends Taku Morisaki and Yutaka Matsuno both become smitten with new high-school classmate Rikako Muto. When the animation studio isn't marching off to magical worlds, it's pondering the emotional turmoil bubbling within everyday characters, with this quiet and moving drama falling into the latter category. Ocean Waves streams via Netflix. 15. THE WIND RISES When it first hit cinemas, The Wind Rises was presented as Hayao Miyazaki's final film — and, if that had stayed the case, it would've been a fitting farewell. Thanks to The Boy and the Heron, the acclaimed animator hasn't said goodbye to viewers yet; however, he gets especially reflective in this rich and bittersweet fictionalised biography of aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi. Like all of Miyazaki's output, of course, there's much more to this understated gem than the obvious. The Wind Rises streams via Netflix. Read our full review. 14. PONYO As well as boasting quite the catchy theme tune, Ponyo takes inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Here, though, the story focuses on an escaped goldfish — and explores the cute critter's new bond with a five-year-old boy. Following in the footsteps of fellow Hayao Miyazaki movie My Neighbour Totoro, the film is perfect for audiences of all ages. It's also bright, bouncy, exuberant and poetic as well. Ponyo streams via Netflix. 13. THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA In The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, the eponymous girl blossoms within a bamboo shoot. She's not the only thing that blooms in this hand-drawn beauty, which marked Isao Takahata's first film as a director in 15 years — and, sadly, his last. Spinning an elegant and entrancing story, this Ghibli wonder evolves from a seemingly standard setup into something subversive and meaningful. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya streams via Netflix. 12. KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE Feisty kids are as common in Studio Ghibli movies as jaw-dropping visuals, and 13-year-old Kiki well and truly fits the mould. In this Hayao Miyazaki-helmed coming-of-age fantasy, the fledgling witch moves away from home to prove her independence — as all teen witches must at that age. As well as relaying a smart tale about finding one's place in the world, Kiki's Delivery Service boasts another big highlight: a very amusing talking cat. Kiki's Delivery Service streams via Netflix. 11. WHISPER OF THE HEART Playful, heartfelt and sometimes melancholy, Whisper of the Heart is one of Studio Ghibli's under-appreciated gems — and not just because it features two very memorable cats. It was the company's first film to be directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Miyazaki wrote the screenplay, though, with Yoshifumi Kondō helming this story about a Tokyo high-schooler obsessed with the boy who borrowed all the same library books before her. Whisper of the Heart streams via Netflix. 10. LAPUTA, CASTLE IN THE SKY Studio Ghibli's first offical feature, Laputa, Castle in the Sky heads back to the late 19th century, as a young girl, Sheeta, endeavours to fend off the cunning and determined government agents on her tail. They're chasing not only a rare magic crystal, but a fabled city floating in the clouds — and as Hayao Miyazaki depicts with steampunk flair, endearing characters and a spirited statement, it all makes for an entrancing adventure. Laputa, Castle in the Sky streams via Netflix. 9. POM POKO Mischievous racoon-like critters called tanuki sit at the heart of this Isao Takahata-directed film — creatures with a basis in folklore, boasting the ability to transform into almost anything and possessing very flexible scrotums (yes, really). Alas, their habitat outside of Tokyo is under threat from developers, with this touching delight combining magical wonder with a message. It's an impassioned, affectionate fable, matching its narrative and overtly offbeat sense of humour with memorable imagery. Pom Poko is available streams via Netflix. 8. THE RED TURTLE In its first-ever collaboration, Studio Ghibli teamed up with Dutch-British illustrator Michael Dudok de Wit — and earned a Cannes Un Certain Regard special jury prize-winning for their efforts. A film of narrative simplicity but both visual and thematic intricacy, this textured and meditative feature explores the complicated splendour that springs from humanity's relationship with the world around us after a man is washed up on a deserted island. The Red Turtle streams via Beamafilm. Read our full review. 7. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE If ever a movie encapsulated everything that's made Studio Ghibli such a beloved filmmaking force, it's Howl's Moving Castle. Energetic, creative and sensitive, this Hayao Miyazaki-helmed fantasy not only unfurls a mesmerising story — about a young milliner who is cursed by a witch, transforms into an elderly woman and becomes a wizard's housekeeper — but does so with beautiful imagery, endearing characters, and strong anti-war and pro-feminist sentiments. Howl's Moving Castle streams via Netflix. 6. THE BOY AND THE HERON Trust Hayao Miyazaki to return from a ten-year absence, and his latest purported retirement, to deliver one of the best, most breathtaking and most gorgeous movies that he ever has. This World War II-set "semi-autobiographical fantasy" follows 11-year-old Mahito after his mother is killed in an air raid, his father moves him to the countryside and the titular bird beckons him into an otherworldly realm — and every frame feels like a culmination of Miyazaki's career. The Boy and the Heron opened in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, December 7. Read our full review. 5. MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO It's the film that immediately found a place in viewers' hearts and never left. Thanks to its heartwarming mood and emotions, astute observations, adorable characters and eager sense of adventure, Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbour Totoro has become Studio Ghibli's best-known movie for many great reasons — all as it chronicles two sisters' exploits when they not only move into a new house, but make a new pal in the forest (and discover the catbus). My Neighbour Totoro streams via Netflix. 4. PRINCESS MONONOKE Hayao Miyazaki has never shied away from making an ecological statement; however, Princess Mononoke might just send his most forceful message about humanity's impact upon the earth. As set in Japan's Muromachi period (from the 14th–16th centuries), this involving fantasy charts the paths of a young prince with a curse and a young woman raised by wolves, as well as the conflict between a modernising town and the forest it's destroying. Princess Mononoke streams via Netflix. 3. NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind technically pre-dates Studio Ghibli, but Hayao Miyazaki's post-apocalyptic fantasy has been claimed as the company's own. Charting the battles of a young princess as she fights an invading kingdom and tries to reconcile the damage ravaged upon the planet, the 1984 film became an instant classic, with its environmentally conscious story, stunning animation and stellar score all proving beguiling. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind streams via Netflix. 2. SPIRITED AWAY In Spirited Away, ten-year-old Chihiro stumbles across a magical and mysterious world, then wants nothing more than to escape back home. Viewers of Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning masterpiece, however, are happy spending as much time as possible in the film's wondrous realm — which, as set around a luxurious and busy bathhouse that caters to spirits, constantly surprises, delights, and revels in inventive storytelling and animation. Spirited Away streams via Netflix. 1. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES The most heartbreaking animated film ever made, Isao Takahata's touching war drama Grave of the Fireflies is the rarest of inclusions on Studio Ghibli's cinematic resume. Plunging into dark and sombre territory, it tells the tale of two siblings desperately struggling to survive in the last days of the Second World War. From its fleshed-out characters tussling with life and death to its striking visuals, the movie's handling of its moving and sorrowful story couldn't be more astonishing. Grave of the Fireflies is available on DVD. Images: Sugoi Co / Madman.
The East Malvern RSL has undergone a family-friendly upgrade, just in time for the warmer months ahead. The RSL has unveiled Banjo's Social Club x Stomping Ground Beer Garden, on the decommissioned bowling green, offering an easy-going, spacious outdoor area for eating, drinking, and letting the kids run free. The project was undertaken by experienced publican Matt Vero, whose venues include the much-loved and family-friendly Orrong Hotel and the Healesville Hotel. Vero says, "The old bowls green had been sitting empty, and we wanted to bring it back as a space for locals to enjoy and hang out. The idea is for Banjo's Social Club to feel like a backyard extension — somewhere you can bring the kids, catch up with mates, or drop in with the dog." The bowling green is now home to a container bar slinging Stomping Ground beers and drinks, picnic tables, and a Mexican food truck serving fresh tacos, salads and nachos. There will be live music and afternoon DJs on the weekends, and even cinema screenings and a Sunday petting zoo. The community-oriented, laidback venue is not only a great place to bring the kids, but it's dog-friendly too. Now, that really is how you do fun for the whole family. "It is all about giving locals a place that feels both familiar and new," says Vero, "We've taken inspiration from the old suburban bowlos that so many Australians grew up around and reimagined them for today. Banjo's Social Club is casual and welcoming, but with great food, great beer and plenty of space for the whole family." Banjo's Social Club will open Fridays through Sunday until November, when it will extend its hours to Wednesday through Sunday. RSL members will enjoy $1 off food and drinks year-round, as well as a free beer on joining. Banjo's Bistro, the restaurant upstairs, will continue to operate as usual. Images: Marcie Raw.
Each autumn, cinephiles across Australia score a super-sized French treat: a feast of flicks hitting the big screen, all thanks to the Alliance Française French Film Festival. In 2025, the festival broke attendance records. For its 37th run in 2026, the festival is stepping up to go even bigger. On the program, expect pictures that span the full depth of French filmmaking. The festival's complete offering is in the dozens, but if you're short on time and ticket funds, several headline titles have been announced as the standout entries you'll be able to watch in cinemas across the country come March and April. [caption id="attachment_1060633" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Stranger, François Ozon[/caption] Leading the pack is The Stranger, a new drama from director François Ozon (Swimming Pool, 8 Women) that adapts a novella by Albert Camus into a black and white tale of a young expatriate charged with murder in 1930s French-colonised Algeria. Then there's a more heart-warming entry, What is Love? from director Fabien Gorgeart (Diane Has the Right Shape) that explores the complexities of love and new beginnings through a couple that must prove to the church that their marriage is fit for annulment. Then there's the bilingual Coutures, directed by Alice Winocour and starring Angelina Jolie, which follows the intersecting, rebellious paths of three women on opposite sides of the runway as they seek solidarity during Paris Fashion Week. [caption id="attachment_1060631" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] DOG 51, Cédric Jimenez[/caption] Amélie Bonnin's Leave One Day is a feature film adaptation of her award-winning short film of the same name, where a promising Paris chef and restaurateur-to-be has to drop everything and return to her small hometown to help her ailing father. Science fiction fans should bookmark DOG 51, where director Cédric Jimenez has envisioned a murder conspiracy set in a dystopian Paris divided by social classes and ruled by an AI program. The Party's Over! from Antony Cordier dives into social issues in a more grounded present-day setting, with a dispute between two parties threatening to upend the beginning of a young corporate lawyer before it even begins. [caption id="attachment_1060632" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jean Valjean, Eric Besnard[/caption] And finally, a supplement to one of the most famous works of French literature, Les Misérables, is Jean Valjean. Stripping back the musical element, this film from Eric Besnard focuses on the origins of the tale's protagonist and the crucial decision that defines his future. [embed]https://youtu.be/D3I_B6Qf__4?si=-kHUvAF7Kwdw5ACo[/embed] The 2026 Alliance Française French Film Festival will run in various theatres in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide from Tuesday, March 3 to Sunday, April 26. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, February 5, visit the website for tickets to screenings at your nearest theatre and the full program. Lead image: 'Coutures' by Alice Winocour
Hector's Deli has taken the humble sandwich to greater heights, helping to kick-start a new era for Melbourne's sangie scene. Sure, it's not exactly reinventing the wheel, but the fact that you're getting a damn good sandwich each and every time keeps people flocking to its six stores across town. However, there's more to Hector's than just toasties, fresh sandwiches and doughnuts. The crew behind the American-inspired deli is also a fashionable bunch, with regular merch drops and collabs with admired brands like menswear label Porter James, an increasingly common part of the sandwichmaker's lasting success. Now, Hector's is ready to reveal its latest finger-licking collab. This time teaming up with global fashion retailer UNIQLO, the deli's fans can now deck themselves out in a series of wearable love letters to Melbourne. Just like the satisfying flavours whipped up by the kitchen crew, this collab nails the basics. View this post on Instagram That means two t-shirts and a pair of tote bag designs, all featuring Hector's classic red-and-white branding, so you can rep your love of a good sandwich (and doughnuts) as you wander the streets. Available at UNIQLO Emporium, which recently reopened after a major transformation, the collaboration is part of UNIQLO's first Australian UTme! Collection. This service invites customers to design fully personalised t-shirts and tote bags in-store, tailoring photos, images and text to express their individual style and culture. Besides Hector's Deli, UNIQLO has also partnered with other local artists and creators, with Brunswick-based artist, designer and author Beci Orpin and multidisciplinary artist Docg also creating exclusive designs for the Melbourne-inspired collection. The Hector's Deli x UNIQLO UTme! Collection is available at UNIQLO Emporium for a limited time. Head to the website for more information.
As announced in 2017, officially given a green light in 2018 and then launching a couple of years back, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has been a two-building art museum since late 2022. The first space, the 153-year-old AGNSW's OG structure, boasts a sandstone facade dating back to the 19th century. The second came about as part of the $344-million Sydney Modern Project. But even when the venue's extension opened its doors to the public, it didn't have a name. Meet Naala Badu, then. AGNSW has finally announced a moniker for the space that's been known as Sydney Modern to art-loving visitors for more than a year. The term is the Aboriginal word for "waters" in the Sydney language, and has been paired with Naala Nura, which means "seeing Country", as the new name for the gallery's first building. [caption id="attachment_880685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] Overall, the institution itself is still called the Art Gallery of New South Wales. That hasn't changed. But each part of it now has a distinct title, each reflecting its location and architecture. Naala Badu earned its moniker thanks to its proximity to Sydney Harbour, plus the waters that've long been pivotal to NSW's communities. Naala Nura's counterpart nods to the building's sandstone, as well as Indigenous Country in general. Now displaying on both buildings, the names were chosen after AGNSW consulted with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council among other key Aboriginal stakeholders and communities, with the gallery's board of trustees, Indigenous Advisory Group and Indigenous staff in support. "Aboriginal language has a deep and spiritual connection to Country. We hope this can be felt by everyone when the building names Naala Badu and Naala Nura are used by the community and visitors to the Art Gallery of New South Wales," said Indigenous Advisory Group chair Rachel Piercy. [caption id="attachment_749853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jenni Carter[/caption] "We are greatly honoured that the Art Gallery's two buildings on this significant site in Sydney will bear the Aboriginal names Naala Badu and Naala Nura. They evoke a powerful sense of place — this place of extraordinary physical beauty with its complex, contested histories. We intend to carry these names with the deepest respect," added AGNSW director Michael Brand. Located on the hill beside Naala Nura, which gives it a view of Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf, the four-level Naala Badu sprawls across 7830 square metres and is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architects SANAA (with Australia's Architectus as the executive architect). One of its highlights is the Yiribana Gallery, which moved over from Naala Nura to showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work. "As an Indigenous Australian for whom English is my second language, having not had the opportunity to learn my first language, I applaud the gift of living, breathing language for the Art Gallery's two buildings. With the spotlight on the Art Gallery's new initiatives for Aboriginal art and culture, we've created a globally renowned art destination where visitors can experience the best art and culture Australia has to offer," noted Tony Albert, an Art Gallery trustee and also the inaugural chair of AGNSW's Indigenous Advisory Group. [caption id="attachment_880684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_909005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] AGNSW[/caption] [caption id="attachment_880682" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Iwan Baan[/caption] Find Naala Badu and Naala Nura at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney. For more information, head to the AGNSW website. Top image: © Iwan Baan.
Sunhands had big shoes to fill, taking over the space that was home to much-loved Ima Project Café, but it's more than earned its keep with its combination of stunning all-day fare and sun-drenched, earthy interiors. Sunhands straddles the line between café and wine bar, transitioning from one into the other on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Founded by first-time business owner Ishella Butler and Heartattack and Vine co-owners Nathan Doyle and Matt Roberts, Sunhands combines ingenuity with experience through an ever-changing menu with head chef Phil Tran of Carlton Wine Room fame at the helm. Small-scale, local producers and vegetables from Keilor's Day's Walk Farm are prioritised in the construction of the dynamic menu, which can range from the signature 'pick and mix' Sunhands plate chock full of seasonal produce and dippy eggs with soldiers during the day to oysters, pickled octopus and cured fish come sundown. The wine list spotlights local winemakers who engage in natural and biodynamic practices. A wine shop, deli, café and wine bar all in one, Sunhands is a versatile offering that satiates the appetites of locals as much as it's come to embody a destination you'd travel for. It's only been around for slightly more than two years, but it feels like forever — in the best way possible.
Fable is taking the concept of sky-high sips to a whole new level — at a lofty 14 storeys above Lonsdale Street, it has swiftly claimed the title of Melbourne's tallest rooftop bar. The latest venture from hospitality veteran Gehan Rajapakse (The Sofitel, Hyde Bar, Rah Bar), it's a plush, Mediterranean-inspired affair. The space rocks an elegant fit-out, along with exceptional panoramic views on show through the bar's huge wraparound windows and retractable roof. You'll also find a creatively charged menu of libations led by Bar Manager Chantalle Narith. It's a considered lineup with a penchant for storytelling and history, filled with many clever — sometimes cheeky — reworkings of the classics. Expect two pages of martini variations, and a stiff scotch and brandy cocktail that pays homage to the Icarus myth which arrives at the table alight ("be careful not to get too close to the flame, or like Icarus, down you will fall"). Each page of the menu is a pleasure to read, and the cocktails are as good as they sound. Meanwhile, Executive Chef Alex Xinis (Press Club) is plating up a Mediterranean-accented food menu with a taste for decadence. Match those sunset views with Yarra Valley trout caviar blinis, grilled halloumi with blistered grapes and sherry vinegar, or hot focaccia bites dipped in white taramasalata. [caption id="attachment_832319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aaron Francis[/caption] Images: Aaron Francis and Nicole Cleary
Melbourne is a city of literary diehards. Maybe it's because we produced Helen Garner, Peter Carey and publications like The Monthly, Lifted Brow and Meanjin. Or maybe because our climate provides some excellent indoors weather, primed for plenty of snug afternoons curled up by the fire with a good book for company. Maybe it's because our reading pairs perfectly with a coffee, of which we truly excel at producing. But it's probably because of the many resilient, independent Melbourne bookstores that bustle with readers who understand the magic of paperbacks. To help hook you up with your next great read, we've rounded up some of Melbourne's best bookshops. Next time you're on the hunt for a good page-turner, hit one of these favourites and support a local business. Your next literary adventure awaits, now go find it. Recommended reads: The Best Plant Shops in Melbourne Where to Shop Like a Local In and Around Melbourne CBD The Best Hair Salons in Melbourne
The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants have just announced the top 25 burgers in the world, and three of Australia's most popular burgers have featured impressively in the list. A huge congratulations is in order for Melbourne's own Charrd, with the Brunswick East hole-in-the-wall takeout joint being ranked number 14 in the world. At Charrd, there are just two burgers on the menu, available in single or double, and there are no additions. The charry patties are slathered in truffle mayo and chilli jam and sandwiched between pillowy buns. The concise menu also features fries, charcoal wings, and homemade iced tea. This is a remarkable achievement for owner Ogulcan 'OJ' Atay and head chef Cagri Ergin (of Yakamoz) when you consider the pedigree of restaurants being considered for the list. One of New York City's most famous restaurants, 4 Charles Prime Rib, which boasts one of the most globally recognised burgers (no doubt you've seen viral videos of waiters dripping the gooey yolk of a fried egg over the burger loaded with thick-cut bacon), was only ranked 23rd on the list. Neil Perry's Sydney restaurant Next Door came in at number 10, and The Gidley's burger came in at number 12, making it the only Australian burger to be featured on the list for two years running. Earlier this year, the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants were announced, with Australia taking out 17 of the top spots. Neil Perry's famed Double Bay restaurant, Margaret, came in second on that list. While we don't need international rankings to tell us our food is world-class, it's still impressive to receive global acclaim. So, burger for lunch then? Images: Supplied | Dominic Loneragan. If you're craving a burger today, check out the best burgers in Melbourne. If you're after a steak, here are some of the best around town.
Elizabeth Street could be on the verge of a fairly drastic (and particularly green) facelift. Taking cues from cities like Seoul and Fukuko, Japan, a globally-renowned urban planner has put forward a radical new proposal to transform the Melbourne's Elizabeth Street thoroughfare into a leafy tropical canal. Speaking to The Age, Gilbert Rochecouste, founder and managing director of Village Well, said he'd like to rip up the old bitumen and replace it with "a walkable green oasis full of quirky shop and spontaneous day and night experiences." Elizabeth Street already has a waterway, although you wouldn't know just by strolling down the sidewalk. Although confined by storm drains, William’s Creek runs straight down Elizabeth Street to empty into the Yarra. It's the reason that the street is prone to flash flooding during periods of heavy rain — as we saw in 2010. Although it may sound like a bold idea for Elizabeth Street, Rochecouste has a tried and true history when it comes to revitalising urban spaces, having previously helped breathe new life into Melbourne’s dilapidated laneways. This also isn’t the first time Rochecouste has floated the idea for the Elizabeth Street waterway, having previously spoken about it back in 2009. Rochecouste’s new plan would be to expose the creek, lining its banks with trees and local foliage. "Footpaths would become shared spaces that bleed into the creek with activation supported by the myriad of restaurants and cafes,” he explained. “The footpaths/piazza would also become and ancillary events space to happenings throughout the CBD." This GIF gives you a pretty dramatic idea of what to expect: The plan would mirror similar projects in cities around the world. Cheonggyecheon, an 11km redevelopment in downtown Seoul, has proven enormously popular with tourists and locals alike, while urban canals have also been proposed in places like Berlin, Rotterdam and Suqian City, China. Unfortunately, one man who seems less keen on the idea is Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. “There's no doubt it's useful to have some radical ideas thrown up from time-to-time [but] this one's just a bridge too far,” he told Fairfax radio. Via The Age.
The great Aussie tradition of getting together at the local park with a few mates, a frisbee, a speaker, a picnic spread and a few drinks is one of the best things about summer, especially in Melbourne where the weather is temperamental and sometimes you have to make the absolute best out of a sunny day. To aid you in your quest for the perfect spot to throw down a blanket and set up camp for the day, we've located eight patches of green where you're legally permitted to enjoy a picnic with cocktails around Melbourne, and where we think you should pick up snacks beforehand. Recommended reads: The Best Bottle Shops in Melbourne The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne The Best Walks in Melbourne The Best Picnic Spots in Melbourne [caption id="attachment_754315" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Fitzroy Gardens Get snacks from: Square and Compass or Spring Street Grocer A classic and popular choice, Fitzroy Gardens is set out like your typical Victorian-era park with plenty of lush lawn space surrounded by shady elm trees, pathways, fountains and a conservatory. It's been a reserve since 1848 and you're legally allowed to drink alcohol in this park — and all of the parks in the City of Melbourne. Before you get cosy, make sure you stop by Square and Compass cafe or Spring Street Grocer. The grocer has an underground cheese maturation cellar, and everything you need for a next-level picnic platter, including sandwiches if you don't feel like carrying a board and cheese knife around. [caption id="attachment_754318" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Carlton Gardens Get snacks from: Smith & Deli This Melbourne park where you can drink booze is unmissable, as the heritage-listed gardens is home to the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum. There's plenty of space, so you never have to fight with other picnic-goers for a good spot under the shady trees, and it's super close to all the food vendors of both Carlton and Fitzroy. Plus, everyone's favourite vegan delicatessen Smith & Deli is barely a ten-minute walk away. Pick up a couple of epic sandwiches or vibrant salads and some baked sweet treats for dessert. [caption id="attachment_754320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Flagstaff Gardens Get snacks from: Queen Victoria Market One of the oldest parks in Melbourne, Flagstaff Gardens is always a popular choice for those on the west side of the city. Find yourself a spot under a eucalyptus, Moreton Bay fig or elm tree, and enjoy more greenery than you would expect from a park in the CBD. Before you head there, pay a little visit to the park's neighbour Queen Victoria Market for some picnic grub. There you'll find plenty of deli-style vendors, fresh fruit and veg, pastries, cakes and carnival snacks. There's even a few booze stalls at the market that you can easily hit up before enjoying a day of drinking in the park with mates. [caption id="attachment_982035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Blackburn[/caption] The Domain Parklands Get snacks from: Tarts Anon and Saluministi Okay, we're cheating a little here — technically this is six parks in one. It's not our fault that all of these parks are lovely and the City of Melbourne lets you bring booze to your picnic wherever you like. Take your pick from 123 hectares of greenery, from Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens and Kings Domain at the north to the lush expanse of the Royal Botanic Gardens and its lakes and lawns. A short walk across the river, you'll find Tarts Anon, where you can grab some of the best sweet treats in Melbourne, or head to Saluministi for all manners of delicious sandwiches that travel well. You could even stop by a CBD supermarket and grab some sausages and burger ingredients — cooking them up on the free-to-use barbecues located on the river. Women's Peace Park Get snacks from: Local Folk A little further out of the CBD, there are a number of lovely neighbourhood spots perfect for a picnic — try the Women's Peace Park in Kensington. Not only is this serene patch of garden dog-friendly and filled with plenty of peace symbolism (down to the colours of the garden representing the women's movement) but also it's a five-minute walk from Local Folk. [caption id="attachment_754754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] City of Port Phillip[/caption] St Vincent Gardens Get snacks from: Gum Tree Good Food or No.84 Head just past South Melbourne and you'll find this quaint little haven of greenery and flowers, which Albert Park locals have been loving for decades. If it's a boozy picnic you're after, make sure you head there between midday and 8pm, as the City of Port Phillip has restrictions on when you're allowed to enjoy a couple of cold ones. Get some snacks from Gum Tree Good Food — a grocer that does a cheese of the month and all the platter trimmings, or No.84 for classic cafe fare and impressive cakes. [caption id="attachment_706399" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria; Josie Withers[/caption] Edinburgh Gardens Get snacks from: Piedimonte's IGA or Just Falafs It's just not summer if you don't have at least one little gathering at Eddy Gardens. One of Yarra's largest parks, Edinburgh Gardens has facilities galore — including picnic and barbecue areas, a skate park, lawn bowls, tennis courts and sports fields — it's very dog friendly, and you're welcome to have a few drinks between 9am and 9pm. If you're travelling there by tram, take the 11 down Brunswick Street and jump off at Scotchmer Street — from here you'll find one of the best supermarket deli sections for putting together a top-notch picnic at Piedimonte's IGA. Or you can pick up Middle Eastern dips, pita wraps, plates and salads from Just Falafs. With all the ammenities and access to great local stores, Edinburgh Gardens is easily one of our favourite Melbourne parks where you can drink booze. [caption id="attachment_754751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] City of Port Phillip[/caption] Point Ormond Reserve Get snacks from: Hunter & Co. Deli On the other side of town, the parks come with an extra dose of sea views. Point Ormond Reserve in Elwood — which falls just outside the City of Port Phillip's St Kilda Foreshore alcohol ban — is the perfect hill on which to perch yourself for a beachside picnic with a couple of bevvies (between midday and 8pm). In neighbouring Elsternwick, Hunter & Co. Deli is the ideal spot to find delicious picnic fare, as the cafe-grocer hybrid has everything you need from gourmet cheese, charcuterie and smallgoods to house-made salads to take away.
Under the supervision of acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co.), the Builders Arms Hotel's restaurant offering has been an oft-evolving one, debuting as fine diner Moon Under Water in 2012, then dishing up modern Chinese as Ricky & Pinky since 2016. And back in 2018, the public bar and restaurant was given its latest makeover, turning it into a quintessential locals' pub that has enough style to impress your mum. British Michelin-trained head chef Andy Barkham has designed one venue-wide menu: a contemporary, UK-accented lineup with something for after-work snack sessions in the bar, lazy weekend lunches in the dining room and everything in between. It's menu changes regularly, but you should expect to find dishes like Barkham's signature scotch eggs, mussels cooked with fermented chilli and pork sausage, and a proper Brit-style fish pie, loaded with rockling, prawn and smoked ocean trout. Public bar favourites like the legendary cod roe dip and the Builders Arms cheeseburger have stuck around, while the courtyard rotisserie spins a daily changing meat offering to really get excited about. Like all good neighbourhood pubs, this one's also plating up a solid crop of weekly specials, from the locally loved Monday steak night, to Sunday's generous roast offering, cooked over charcoal and served with all the trimmings. To match, there's a 12-strong tap beer rotation filled with favourites, and a considered crop of wines to suit just about every palate. Take yours out back to the leafy, secluded courtyard for the ultimate summer arvo pub sesh. [caption id="attachment_872111" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roberto Pettinau[/caption] Top image: Harvard Wang. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
In addition to its laidback house-party energy and sweeping city views, Collingwood rooftop bar Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout is giving guests more reasons to settle into one of its plush leather banquettes with the launch of its new kitchen. And, in keeping with the playfully cheeky spirit of the venue, the food is flipping the script when it comes to bar menus — there's not a slice of focaccia or kingfish crudo in sight. Instead, you'll find a thoughtful selection of refined comfort classics on a menu that takes its cues from old-school American diners. The tight menu — designed by Slowpoke Co-Founder and Head Chef Bradley Wynne — will always feature three hearty mains, as well as a seasonally rotating list of specials that riff on fast food classics, sans nasties. That means that instead of focaccia, you'll find hash brown fries: golden savoury churro-style sticks served with a secret sauce. And in place of the ubiquitous steak tartare, you'll be able tuck into the Slowpoke Cheeseburger: a grown-up take on the Maccas classic featuring two smashed beef patties encased in a soft bun. And for dessert? What else but a slice of apple pie, served with your choice of cream or ice cream. Slowpoke's eschewal from the typical small-plates-and-pâté wine bar formula that Melbourne knows all too well is very much in keeping with the ethos of the venue. Says Wynne: "The kitchen is a natural evolution of our vision to create a space that invites people into our lounge room — a place where they can relax, connect, and enjoy familiar tastes elevated to something truly special." The kitchen's launch also sets the stage for guest chef collabs and one-off events with some of Melbourne's most creative culinary minds — itself a nod to the venue's broader ambitions as a community space and creative playground. The food is also a clever complement to the equally fun but serious cocktail program, which showcases fresh produce and surprising combinations, as well as considered booze-free options like house-brewed iced tea and homemade lemonade. Slowpoke's kitchen is open Wednesday–Friday from 5–10pm, Saturday from 2–10pm and Sunday from 2–9pm. Find it at Level 4, 50 Gipps Street, Collingwood. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Chege Mbuthi.
Like many a Fitzroy pub, the Marquis of Lorne has been through a few refurbs over the years, finally settling into its current form spread across three levels. On the ground floor, you'll find your classic public bar with a tele in the corner and all your usual suspects on draught. Head up the stairs to then find the more refined dining room (another staple amongst some of Melbourne's best pubs). Up here, you'll find your classic pub grub has been given a makeover — think rockling burgers, chicken schnitzel with salsa verde and slaw and fried corn ribs with sweet peppers and labneh. Thankfully, it hasn't gone full fine dining restaurant on us, firmly keeping true to the pub vibes. We are also glad to see that the wine list has also been given a heap of love. Find some pet nats and really decent proseccos alongside some skin contact vinos and your usual whites and reds — focusing on bottles from Australia and Europe. Then there's the Marquis of Lorne's almighty rooftop bar — easily one of the best in Melbourne. Head up here on a sunny day to find tables full of spritzes and tinnies. But be sure to arrive somewhat early on a weekend. It fills up fast. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
New just in, St Kilda's lively hangout, Trinity, found at the intersection of Brighton Road and Chapel Street, will close temporarily to allow massive renovations to take place. The $2 million makeover is set to broaden the food and drink offering, expand the live music program, upgrade the popular kids' playground, and improve weatherproofing to make it a year-round venue. A few years back, St Kilda's historic Trinity church hall entered a new era when it was reborn as a 300-person pub, beer garden, event space and food truck park. Now, the owners are doubling down to continue developing the space, leaning into its role of being a true social community hub. "We want to be that everyday local. It's not just about drinking alcohol. You can have a good meal, play games, and spend time with friends. I think that's key to modern-day hospitality," says owner Matt Nikakis. The next phase of the reno marks a full takeover of the site from the neighbouring church, for the first time in the building's 100-year history. With plans to redesign the front courtyard with a clear glass roof, the space will become even more weather-proofed, and with flexible furniture and upgraded acoustics, it will be an ideal space for events. The new enclosed design will also allow Trinity to extend its outdoor licence, giving way to a late-night outdoor music program To enable a more extensive food offering, the Airstream kitchen will be replaced with a fully electric shipping-container kitchen. So alongside the signature burgers, expect pub classics, Sunday roasts, fresh seafood and salads. Images: Supplied. Trinity will close temporarily on April 19, with an opening predicted for Spring 2026. In the meantime, check out the best pubs in Melbourne. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
When your name is Kate, you make a series with a heap of other Kates — "I think there was nine of us working on the show," Kate Box advises — and the streaming hit with all that Kate energy is the brainchild of Australian comedy queens Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, accidentally punning on Deadloch's creators, aka The Kates, is probably inevitable. Ask Box about getting started on the award-winning mystery-comedy's upcoming second season, as Concrete Playground did, and the Rake, Wentworth, Stateless and Boy Swallows Universe star drops the perfect response: "I can't wait to get cracking on it". "Oh my god, they've taken over my body," she laughs about referencing one of the TV series before Deadloch that helped cement McCartney and McLennan's status as comedy greats, as sharp and smart satirists, and as creators of the very best comic television that viewers could ask for. Unlike morning TV spoof Get Krack!n, however, or cooking show sendup The Katering Show before it, McCartney and McLennan left the acting to others on Deadloch. Earlier in 2024, Box deservedly won an AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy for co-leading the series as small-town cop Dulcie Collins. She's also rightly up for a Logie for Best Actress in a Comedy. The character of Dulcie is one half of Deadloch's lead double act, and also one part of a TV cop show staple: the odd couple. The Senior Sergeant was once a Sydney homicide detective, then moved south with her vet wife Cath (Alicia Gardiner, The Clearing), finding more solace in the routine and rules of the job than in a quieter Tasmanian life. Donning sandals and Hawaiian shirts, loving swearing as much as Dulcie loves structure, and incapable of containing her emotions for a moment, Eddie Redcliffe arrives from the Darwin Major Crimes division to complete the series' key duo. As the new colleagues investigate why the bodies of dead men have started piling up in the show's titular town, cue pairing Box with The Breaker Upperers, Baby Done and Our Flag Means Death's Madeleine Sami, and giving the small screen an instant-favourite chalk-and-cheese twosome. Imagining anyone else as either Dulcie or Eddie is impossible, but Box was initially in line to play the latter role. When the project came the Offspring, The Daughter and Fucking Adelaide alum's way, that's what she first auditioned for. Envisaging anything about Deadloch's first season differing from the eight excellent episodes that hit Prime Video in 2023 is equally inconceivable; however, knowing what might've been sparked some on-set fun. "I mean, I gave Mads quite a lot of shit when we'd get to the scenes that we were shooting that I'd done in my audition scene," Box explains. "I was like 'ohh, are you going to do it like that? Yeah, I wouldn't have when I was doing it'." It doesn't come as a surprise for a second that Deadloch's first season was a delight to make; as it charted Dulcie and Eddie's investigations, expertly parodied its genre, made a killer feminist statement, and always proved both a hilarious watch and a gripping crime series, the end product certainly was a joy to watch. It might've taken its streaming home a full year to greenlight more episodes of a show that The Kates originally gave the working title Funny Broadchurch, but that a second season is on the way is similarly understandable — and eagerly anticipated. As set up at the end of season one, Deadloch's return will take Dulcie and Eddie to Darwin, looking into the death of Eddie's former partner — plus beyond when more bodies pile up again. We not only chatted with Box about what she's excited about the second time around, but also the response to the show so far, why it has resonated with viewers, working with The Kates, auditioning for both Dulcie and Eddie, how she prepares for stepping into former's shoes not once but twice, what gets her interested in a project and more. On the Enormous Response to the First Season of Deadloch "Obviously it's been so wonderful. It's a project that I feel so deeply proud to be a part of. There's this really wanky thing, I suppose, in the industry where you're like 'don't say it was like a family' — but it really was. It felt like an incredible bunch of artists who all really were looking out for each other and looking out for this incredible new life that would be Deadloch. I think that everybody who worked on it had such great passion for it — and when you see something that you love reach so many people and have the response that it did, it's a pretty great feeling." On Why Deadloch Has Struck Such a Chord with Viewers "It's so funny, isn't it — you never know what's going to stick, really. But I think The Kates write such brilliant characters, they write such tight plots and their voices are so incredibly unique. I think watching Deadloch was that beautiful feeling of danger and surprise, because all of this feels very new — but also of real safety in trusting that the show was going to deliver the goods in terms of great characters and great politics. And once you got into the show and you got used to the fact that it was a fairly new genre — in the way that it was trying to balance these very dark topics with this very wild humour — I think there's that feeling of joy that you get in watching something that is so unique, that is really universal, that you're witnessing something new and wonderful. The Kates just managed to bring that genre to the world in such a smart and generous and joyful way." On How Box Reacted When a New Project by The Kates Came Her Way "I auditioned for Eddie, so when I got sent the first script or the first scene, that was to put down a tape for Eddie. And I read that character — and I'd been a bit madly in love with The Kates for a while now, and had watched their work and had always found them to be exceptional — and then I read this character and I was like 'who is this woman? This is a role that I don't see come across my iPad very often'. I was kind of gobsmacked by that. And I spent the first week preparing Eddie and just having the most-amazing time doing that. It was one of those things I was so excited to go into the audition for and just put the tape down. I just really wanted to play in that world. That's a really good sign, because it doesn't feel like it's a job interview — it feels like an opportunity to just relish a very cool human. Then, before I sent the tapes in, they said 'oh, can you also put something down for Dulcie?'. I'd grown so in love with Eddie and I hadn't read much of Dulcie's material, and then they sent the stuff through for Dulcie and I was like 'well, this is a different hat to put on' — and I had to really recalibrate how I imagined living in that world. Obviously Eddie and Dulcie approach the world in very, very different ways. But it was actually such a great start to being a part of Deadloch, because I got to inhabit the the madness and the straightness of what they were trying to create with this dynamic. It was really wonderful." On Working with Madeleine Sami as Eddie "I think nobody else could play Eddie except Mads. She's the perfect fit for that sandal, and so I was standing opposite her and just watching this cyclonic force of comedy — and Eddie had such big kid emotions and Dulcie is an incredibly restrained adult. Watching Mads was just a comedy masterclass, and my task was to try to stick to the words on the page and to the crime that needed to be solved, and just manage this whirlwind of madness around me. It was just fun. It was very, very fun — and really hard to keep my shit together in a lot of scenes." On How Box Approaches Playing Dulcie "If you look at who Dulcie fell in love with, they're not a buttoned-up, repressed, tight-lipped human. Dulcie's love for Cath speaks volumes in the kind of energy that Dulcie may thrive off internally as well. So while there's all this kind of madness around her, I think her love for Cath indicates that she is drawn to the parts of her that she can't access, which is that chaos and big emotion. And so I think in playing Dulcie, I was always really wary of giving her this massive internal life of responses. I would look at a scene and imagine the screaming and shouting and tantrum-throwing that Dulcie would be doing internally, and then shut the lid on that and play the professional, straight, repressed version of that — which was a really fun task. I think that the chaos of the show and the brilliance of the show is that it is able to hold this incredibly dark and serious storyline, and tackle some pretty rough and intense and vulnerable issues, but it also does it in a way that is wildly funny and absurd. And so finding that balance within Dulcie of somebody who can feel all this stuff but hold everything in felt like the right match for the piece." On the Preparation Process for Stepping Into Dulcie's Shoes the First Time Around "Because the script is so extraordinary, so much of your information is handed to you because The Kates are so specific and so excellent. I chatted to a few folks in the police force, a few women in the police force, and had discussions with them about what it was like working in a pretty dick-swinging environment. And I just watched the way in which they would talk about it. Often the women that I met had taken on a lot of the mannerisms of what you would imagine that really heavy testosterone environment is like. That was really interesting to watch, because I thought 'I don't think Dulcie's gone that way'. I think Dulcie doesn't play the game in that way. I think what she does is she follows the rules, and she does that hopefully to the point where she can't be thrown off or criticised because she's done everything by the book. So I chatted to quite a few yeah folks in the police force. And I rewatched Broadchurch, because that was such an amazing inspiration for it. And I tried to just get incredibly precise in my note-keeping, which is very different to me. Like me, Kate, my notes are chaotic. My brain is a bit messy. I'm not a particularly ordered person. And so as I was preparing for Deadloch, I tried very hard to keep really neat notebooks and to have little codes as to what certain things in the scripts would refer to. I tried to get into the mind of someone with that much precision. Unfortunately it didn't stay. And I'm a big fan of writing personal history for characters, so I have notebooks filled with imagined events that had happened to Dulcie in her life, like the first time she met Cath and the day of their wedding, and when she graduated from the police academy — all that kind of stuff. I journaled." On Returning to the Character Again for Season Two "I feel like I've got access to so many of Dulcie's memories because I wrote them down, but otherwise I may have forgotten. You know when you're moving house and you open that box of letters and photos and you're like 'oh my god, that!'? I feel like I've got Dulcie's box of letters and photos in my desk drawer, all ready to pull out and get going again." On What Box Is Most Looking Forward to with Deadloch's Second Season "I cannot wait to be in Darwin. I spent primary school in Darwin, and I've gone back there quite a lot in my life, and I love it. So I'm really looking forward to spending some time up north in the heat. And hopefully as we get closer to wet season, watching those clouds roll in and waiting for that rain to break at the end of the day. I'm looking forward to all of those things that the place dishes up so beautifully, the sunsets and the markets. So I'm looking forward to the lifestyle — not that I'll get out much because I'll be on set all the time. And obviously just being around Mads and Alicia and Nina [Oyama, Utopia] and The Kates again. I just adore them as humans. They are really good mates, and people that I feel really joyous around and really lucky to be in their company, so I'm looking forward to being in their orbit again." On What Gets Box Excited About a New Role at This Stage of Her Career "I think I'm at a point in my life where the greatest joy is the people that I'm working with. I get really excited about having opportunities to work with people who I love and whose work I find thrilling and challenging and smart. I think I get most excited about collaboration, to be honest. I get excited about building humans alongside other people who have great insight into humanity, and into how folks think and feel and walk through the world. The good thing about being at this point in my career is I feel like I'm able to come into conversations much earlier on than I was when I was younger. I feel like when I was younger, I'd enter projects at the final stage of everything and not trust my voice enough, either, to be able to help fill out those characters through conversation with the writers and the directors. So I think what I love now most is that I trust myself a lot more. I have some excellent relationships with artists who I admire wildly, and that collaborating with those people feels like a real two-way street rather than me getting a script and just trying to give somebody what I think that they want. The inventiveness that comes with working now, I find really thrilling." Deadloch streams via Prime Video, with no release date announced as yet for season two. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. Deadloch images: Bradley Patrick / Prime Video.
Great cinema often feels timely and topical. Even just from its two trailers so far — and even while remaking a South Korean sci-fi comedy from 2003 — Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone's next movie together already seems to fit that description. A battle between the one percent and the conspiracy-obsessed is at the heart of Bugonia, when a CEO is kidnapped by two young men who are convinced that she isn't from earth. Another year, another collaboration between two big names who keep teaming up to make stellar films, then. With Bugonia, Stone and Lanthimos combine for their fourth joint feature, following 2018's The Favourite, 2023's Poor Things and 2024's Kinds of Kindness. The first of the bunch earned them both Oscar nominations. The second scored Stone her second Academy Award and made Lanthimos a contender again. The latest? It's a remake of Save the Green Planet!. If you've seen that film, then you'll know the story. If you haven't, get ready for Lanthimos' take on it. Either way, the Greek filmmaker's newest movie is all about a CEO of a major company, two men obsessed with wild theories, the belief that said head honcho is an alien who'll destroy earth and, as a result, an abduction plot to attempt to hold her to account. In her second feature of 2025, and second this year to see her wrapped up with conspiracy-spouting folks after Ari Aster's Eddington, Stone is the CEO in Bugonia. Doing the abducting: Jesse Plemons — who also worked with Lanthimos on Kinds of Kindness, and won the Best Actor Award at Cannes for his efforts — plus feature first-timer Aidan Delbis. Bugonia's cast also spans Stavros Halkias (Tires) and Alicia Silverstone (Y2K). Behind the camera, while Lanthimos directs, Will Tracy (The Menu) adapted the screenplay from Jang Joon-hwan's film. Stone is one of Bugonia's producers, too — and so is Aster. The movie just premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where Poor Things did and won the Golden Lion. For audiences Down Under, Bugonia has a date with local cinemas from Thursday, October 30, 2025. Check out the full trailer for Bugonia below: Bugonia releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Images: Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
The Australian Open has changed a lot over the years, becoming far more than just a tennis competition. Nowadays, it's giving full festival energy — with Kesha, Armand Van Helden, Kaytranada and Benson Boone set to perform at the 2025 Australian Open. This iteration's food and drink lineup is also no joke, with some of Melbourne's best chefs serving up their famed eats to punters, while a few big booze brands are setting up their own pop-up bars. You'll find fine-dining fare in the VIP areas and a huge range of traders in the Garden Square, Western Courts, AO Ballpark and Grand Slam Oval. Check out the full list of food and drink vendors here. Garden Square Melbourne's famed French restaurant and steak spot Entrecote is setting up shop in Garden Square for the 2025 Australian Open, pumping out mitraillette baguettes and classic cheeseburgers with fries. These guys will be setting up shop next to the iconic A1 Bakery stall, which will be baking a selection of its Lebanese pastries. You'll also find Italian sandwiches (including epic meatball subs) and sweets at Piccolo Panini Bar and Maltese-inspired pastizzi and Mediterranean salads from Julia Busuttil Nishimura's Ostro. This is the first time any of these folks have cooked up dishes for the Australian Open, and we are pumped to check them out. Western Courts Those watching matches out on the Western Courts will find fresh Vietnamese salads at the Good Days food stall and Nashville-style fried chicken courtesy of the Tennessee Wingboys. You've got one healthy and one not-so-healthy option depending on your mood. But the main spot to visit around the Western Courts during the 2025 Australian Open is the Grey Goose Rooftop Bar, which you'll find overlooking Court 6. Here, you'll be sipping on vodka-based tipples — including Grey Goose's signature Lemon Ace cocktail made with vodka, passionfruit syrup and sparkling lemonade — and getting into a few snacks. This will be more of a party court, where plenty of folks will be drinking and eating while watching matches. Grand Slam Oval You've then got the Grand Slam Oval where you'll find the peak festival vibes. It's also home to some of our favourite Melbourne dishes. D.O.C is firing up the pizza ovens, El Jannah will serve its famed Lebanese chicken all day long, Easey's will be pumping out deliciously greasy burgers, CDMX will have all your taco needs, and Stalactites will have you sorted for souvlakis. These eats are ace, whether you're watching a day or night game. Here, you'll also find barbecue chicken skewers, empanadas and green papaya salad from The Filipino Project, salads from Fishbowl, and Asian canteen-style dishes from Silk Spoon. Grand Slam Oval will also be home to the pop-up bar Terazza Aperol, which has been decked out with a 15-metre-long bar, plush lounges and an elevated cabana experience. Rest here with a few spritzes AO Ballpark Pop around to the Ballpark to find two more food spots. First off there's the social enterprise cafe All Things Equal, which is staffed by an all-abilities workforce who are some of the friendliest waitstaff in Melbourne. And they'll be joined by Wonder Pies, which'll be serving — you guessed it — hot pies. [caption id="attachment_956590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rockpool[/caption] AO Reserve Premium Experiences Lastly, you have the more luxe dining experiences inside the AO Reserve. Here, you'll find food from Brigitte Hafner (Tedesca Osteria), Shimpei Raikuni (Brisbane's Sushi Room), Alejandro Saravia (Morena, Farmer's Daughters and Victoria by Farmer's Daughters), Martin Benn and Vicki Wild (ex-Sepia), Blake Shailes (Grandmaster Recorders), and the Rockpool crew. Some of Melbourne's best restaurants are represented here. To round it all out, Nick and Nora's will also be shaking up damn good cocktails throughout the Australian Open. [caption id="attachment_975777" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Piccolo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_975769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] CDMX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_975776" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Filipino Project[/caption] The Australian Open is running from Sunday, January 12, 2025–Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Melbourne Park. For more details, check out the AO website. Top image by Arianna Leggiero.
Australians can now send emoji-filled text and online messages featuring illustrated boomerangs, the Aboriginal flag and other visual representations of the country's Indigenous culture. As first announced earlier this year, Ingenous Studios has created a set of Indigenous images that are now available to download on both Android and iOS platforms — marking the first such collection of emoji-like symbols that celebrate the nation's first peoples. Called Indigemoji, and originally slated to feature 19 pictures but now spanning a whopping 90, the set was developed on Arrernte land in Mparntwe, aka Alice Springs, by Central Australia's young Aboriginal people. The Northern Territory residents were asked to design new emojis that were relevant to their culture and lives, with symbols that feature the Aboriginal flag on crowns, hands and hearts among them. Other images include animals, plants, landscape, vehicles, faces, gestures and symbols. Each of Indigemoji's images also feature their name the Eastern and Central Arrernte language, which is spoken around Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Amoonguna, Ltyentye Apurte/Santa Teresa and Titjikala. And while the set of symbols features the term 'emoji' in its name, they function as stickers — because getting any new emoji approved by overseeing body Unicode, let alone a set of 90, is an extensive and difficult process. If you're keen to start adding them to your messages, that means that they don't officially feature in your phone's inbuilt emoji keyboard. But, once you download the Indigemoji app from the App Store or Google Play, you can share them to text messages, WhatsApp, Messenger and social media platforms. The Indigemoji app is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play. For further details, visit the Indigemoji website or Facebook page. Image: Ingeous Studios.
Perched on Brunswick Street, Elektra is a local for the lucky residents of Fitzroy. Opened by two Nepalese mates, the cafe remixes Himalayan flavours into some of Melbourne's favourite brunch orders. Inside is bright, bohemian and slightly bonkers: exposed brick takes a backseat to bold colours and curios lining the walls. The venue's unbuttoned energy draws you right in, where you'll land among low sofas, mismatched cushions and a cheerful collection of cups. The whole setup has the air of a friend's house that also happens to serve excellent chai. The menu is notoriously dietary-friendly, catering to the vegan and gluten-free crowds without losing an ounce of soul. Expect hearty Himalayan-inspired riffs on familiar brunch plates. Eggs Benny is reimagined on rice crepes, the chilli scramble stars sautéed lamb and bocconcini, and pancakes take a savoury turn with a green lentil batter, hummus and coconut yoghurt. If you're chasing a sugar hit, there are sweet chocolate pancakes, too, alongside a morning porridge made with black rice, quinoa and coconut milk. For something truer to the region, order the momos (Nepalese dumplings stuffed with chicken or vegetables) and pair them with Himalayan sticky chai. The latter is made from Nepal-grown black tea leaves, perfumed with seven types of spices and organic honey, and brewed in earthenware pots. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
If you've got a sharp eye for detail — or you're eager to learn — Melbourne Design Week (MDW) is a veritable wonderland of beautiful objects and ideas presented through myriad forms. Returning for its tenth edition from Thursday, May 14–Sunday, May 24, MDW is widely regarded as Australia's leading design festival, giving designers and thinkers the space to showcase new work and prove why design can, and should be, a force for good. In 2026, the program is as stacked as ever, with over 400 events to explore. Highlighting practitioners working across dining, fitness, tech, product, architecture, industrial and interior design disciplines, there's also a special focus on celebrating Australia's rich design legacy. Receiving a special spotlight on the schedule are the likes of Danielle Brustman, Studio Shields and Dutoit, among several other local difference-making designers. One of the program's leading international voices is a keynote lecture by Japan's Shunji Yamanaka, an influential industrial designer whose work blurs the boundaries between humans and machines through prosthetics, robotics and product design. Meanwhile, Alison Page — a descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin people — will explore her 25-year career, revealing how Blak design informs and enriches everyday Australian life. Built-environment buffs can also catch acclaimed American architect Tom Kundig in conversation at the NGV, where he'll delve into the nature-led philosophy behind his convention-defying work. Also on the architecture front, Grand Designs Australia presenter Anthony Burke joins local design legend Mary Featherston to discuss her extensive body of work that came to define Australian mid-century interiors. With the intersection of design and food growing ever stronger, MDW 2026 has carved out some impressive hospo-related events. Celebrated architect John Wardle joins prodigious chef Hugh Allen to discuss the design behind Allen's recently launched fine-diner, Yiaga. Then, a new exhibition, Table Manners, showcases fascinating cutlery designs new and old, while designer-chocolatier Ryan L Foote presents edible treats inspired by architectural landmarks. Keen for more? There's also the next instalment of the Melbourne Art Book Fair — this time focused on printed matter from Southeast Asian, Latin American and Australian-Chinese imprints. Plus, you'll encounter an exhibition of techni-colourful posters drawn from the International Poster Biennial of Mexico's archives. Finally, for a graff-inspired souvenir, local street artist Blinkerfluid is hand-drawing custom bookmarks shaped by b-boy aesthetics.
In a city saturated with as many outstanding bars and restaurants as Melbourne, sometimes you have to do something a little different to stand out. When Moondrop opened in December 2025, it brought a new taste and energy to the Melbourne drinking and dining scene as a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar. The hotspot celebrates traditional flavours reimagined in playful new ways, from a crew with impeccable hospo history. Moondrop is the latest venture from the team behind Carlton North's beloved Sleepy's Cafe & Wine Bar, self-described as "your local caffeine dealer, funky wine sommelier, comfort food hotspot and third place." Following the success of Sleepy's, Moondrop "started as a joke", but quickly became serious when all the pieces seemed to land in just the right place, at just the right time. It's all about 'location, location, location', isn't it? So when the boys — Steve Chan, Jesse Kourmouzis and Jacob Muoio — were sent a copy of the lease for the formerly loved and sorely missed, The Everleigh, they couldn't resist popping in just to take a look. Things snowballed, and before they knew it, they had signed the lease. The way it all came together, says Jesse, "cemented that our ethos, hospitality and work ethic are pretty much identical…the stars aligned and everything fell into place." The low-lit drinking den harks back to the old-world glamour of 1920s Shanghai, and pays homage to Chan's family history. Ascending into Moondrop's foyer, guests will be greeted with touches of Chan's Chinese heritage on all fronts: custom-made Mahjong tables serve as furniture, curated Chinese knick-knacks decorate the space with fascinating detail, and Chinese hip hop and R'n'B play through the speakers. "Working with our brilliant Australian-Asian design teams, Studio Jomi and Local Optima, no detail has been overlooked. The moon rabbit emblem, steeped in Chinese folklore, is interwoven into the fabric of the venue — from our uniform pins and ice stamps, to the embossed leather-bound menus. Everyone on the team shares the same vision: to create a welcoming space that's authentic, immersive and uniquely Moondrop." Chan says, "I started in this industry because I love sharing experiences, and hospitality has always been such a beautiful facilitator of this. Over the years, I've really been leaning into my Chinese identity, using food and drink as a way to connect with my culture and share it with others…I want people to remember the hospitable part of hospitality — hosting and taking care of people. While Moondrop is an elevated offering, we welcome everybody and want to be approachable, because everyone deserves to have an elevated experience." Moondrop is set to redefine the flavour palette of cocktail menus in Melbourne, with a focus on the traditional flavours of the east. Jesse Kourmouzis, the Head of Beverage (who previously managed Above Board), has curated an intriguing menu of 26 cocktails, featuring ten seasonal variations that showcase Chinese ingredients and lesser-known Chinese spirits. Jesse says, "We're going out on a limb. We noticed that a lot of venues are playing it safe, and we wanted to step out of our comfort zone. We really wanted to create a venue that takes you away from the day-to-day, that feels like an experience." It's hard not to crack a smile when perusing the drinks list, with cocktails including the Hakuna Martini, the 5-Spice Girls and Steve's own namesake drink, the Chanhattan. Signature drinks include a wild assortment of ingredients and flavours from homemade hot sauce and radish to MSG brine and lapsang souchong tea-infused vermouth. The Me & Ube riffs on bubble milk tea with clarified oat milk punch, tapioca pearls, pineapple juice, Licor 43 and three varieties of rum, whereas the Honey-Bun mixes Nodo Repo Tequila, yuzushu, Cointreau, lemon, Jacob's hot honey and mint. While you might need to consult a glossary to decide what to order, each drink is marked with a flavour profile stamp, ranging from sweet to sour to bitter to savoury to dry, to help you work out what might suit your tastebuds. We've even heard whispers of a Weet-Bix milk punch that may appear on the menu in the future, once the summer heat passes, which is a shining example of how Moondrop intends to seamlessly blend a touch of Australiana into the mix. While the drinks list might be the main character, Jacob Muoio's menu of Chinese-Australian bar snacks, including a rotating dumpling menu, plays an excellent supporting role. Pick at a bag of prawn crackers, sichuan pepper-marinated olives, or anchovies with bread, butter and sweet and sour onions. You might find pork and chrysanthemum or prawn and ginger dumplings, and barbecue mushroom baos, sitting alongside an impressive selection of cheeses, salumi and caviar (served with scallion pikelets). And don't miss the signature snowskin mooncake filled with vanilla and red bean ice cream. At its core, Moondrop is a venture with the hospo industry at its heart. Jesse says, "We're giving it everything we have…and we really want to celebrate the industry. We want to host hospitality sessions, have lots of friends and people to enjoy the old Everleigh building, but in a new, bright, fresh and modern way." Whether it's friends' weddings, industry-led events, discussion panels, cocktail or wine tastings, "wacky events" or Mahjong nights, Chan says, "We just want to celebrate and have a good ol' time, with people old, new and everything in the middle". For the month of February, Moondrop is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a host of festive specials. Moondrop will gift the first 17 people at the venue each day in February with a lucky red envelope. Each envelope will gift the recipient a lucky prize ranging from complimentary cocktails to free dumplings. On Tuesday, February 17, Moondrop Lion Dancers will put on a special performance from 8.30pm to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. While enjoying the show, sip your way through a special cocktail menu devised by Jesse Kourmousiz, which plays with ingredients such as MSG, imported Chinese teas, and Baijiu. February will also see the launch of Moondrop's Mahjong Nights, beginning on Sunday, February 28. Try your luck with the traditional tile game, with a $20 buy-in per person and the winner of each table receiving an $80 bar tab. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us! Images: Mike Lam.
Omakase is hot right now. And it only seems to be getting more and more popular. Melburnians can't get enough of this high-end Japanese dining experience where guests are served multiple courses of artful, meticulously crafted seafood-centric eats from what is basically their personal chef for an evening. Sit back and chat with your chef as they plate up 20 or so small dishes (sushi, nigiri, sashimi — and more). And these are chefs who are the elite and total masters of their trade. Yes, the highly fought-over chefs and the quality of ingredients will make this an expensive dining experience, but it is worth it if you can afford it — and if you you know where to find the best omakase in Melbourne. We've lined up a few of the greatest below, so read through and see which will best suit your next extra luxurious date night or birthday celebration. Recommended reads: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Sushi in Melbourne The Best Ramen in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
There's no shortage of excellent films these days, and there are plenty of great movies releasing in April, whether you're a regular theatregoer or more comfortable watching at home by renting or streaming the latest blockbusters and indie films. If you've lost track of the release schedule or you're simply curious about what's in theatres this month, as well as what's landing on streaming and VOD (video on demand — renting or buying on your platform of choice), these are all the films the Concrete Playground team will be watching throughout April. Not keen on the movies releasing this month? Check out our guide to all the TV shows hitting streaming this month instead. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — In cinemas now Nintendo's iconic moustache-sporting, goomba-stomping plumber is back on the big screen this April. When the heir to Bowser's empire, Bowser Jr., arrives to break his father out of his tiny prison, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and Yoshi are drawn into a new adventure, this time with intergalactic proportions, and probably a galaxy's worth of Nintendo cameos and references. Father Mother Sister Brother — In cinemas now Family is complicated. That's the heart of this triptych feature film, composed of three stories about adult children and the complex relationships with their parents and siblings. A father in the northeast US, a mother in Dublin and two siblings in Paris, all character studies, and all humorous but woven with threads of melancholy. The Drama — In cinemas now For young couple Emma and Charlie (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson), just a week away from their wedding, everything in life is perfect. In the midst of speechwriting and party planning, a harmless conversational exercise with friends — what's the worst thing you've ever done — is meant to blow off steam. But Emma's answer leaves the room in shocked silence, sparking a pre-wedding spiral of doubt and confusion that could bring this happy story of young love violently crashing down. 500 Days In the Wild — In cinemas now The Trans-Canada Trail is the longest recreational trail in the world, covering 24000 kilometres and connecting the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. For decades, no one had completed it until filmmaker Diane Whelan set out to change that. This film is the result, compiling footage from six years of walking, canoeing and biking the trail in its entirety. You can catch it in limited screenings at Govinda's Cinema, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Hayden Orpheum and Cinema Nova in Sydney and Melbourne. All That's Left of You — In cinemas now Jaffa, 1948. A young family faces eviction from their home by settlers, and questions whether to leave and face poverty or stay and face violence. That decision kickstarts a story charting three generations of one Palestinian family, exploring the occupation of Gaza from the side of the people who called it home, from the very beginning in the aftermath of WWII, all the way into the 2020s. Outcome — Streaming on Apple TV now Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves) is one of the most prolific actors in modern movie history, but after several years away from the cameras, he's ready to get back in the game. Until he's extorted with a mysterious video that could destroy his career and alienate everyone he loves. The solution? Identify all the people he's wronged, and tackle his demons head-on by apologising to all of them and right every wrong before it's too late. My Father's Shadow — Streaming on MUBI now The first feature film of director Akinola Davies Jr., My Father's Shadow is a deeply personal story of fatherhood set against a backdrop of politically charged chaos. Inspired by real events from Davies Jr's life, it follows a father taking his estranged sons through the city of Lagos as the chaos of the infamous 1993 democratic elections and the subsequent military annulment unfold on the streets around them. Lee Cronin's The Mummy — In cinemas now Sick of sandstorms and scarab-laden mummy stories? This spine-tingling take from Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise) is for you. When the parents of a missing girl are told she's been found after eight years, and was sealed inside a 3000-year-old sarcophagus, their happiness at seeing her again doesn't last long. She resembles a corpse more than their daughter, and frankly, is acting scary as hell. That said, they still seem to think taking her home is a good idea. Screams ensue. Normal — In cinemas now The town of Normal, Minnesota, seems like a good place to wind down and enjoy the small-town way of living. At least that's the thinking by substitute sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk), but as a winter storm rolls in and a bank robbery unfolds in the snow, exposing a dark secret, Ulysses quickly learns that this town is anything but normal. Since this comes from the creator of John Wick, Derek Kolstad, and Nobody producer Marc Provissiero, expect bullets to fly and bones to crunch by the dozen. Michael — In cinemas April 22 Even the King of Pop had small beginnings. The latest biopic from the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody stars Jaafar Jackson as his late uncle, exploring the man behind the music. From the Jackson 5 days to his relentless pursuit of a solo career and some of his biggest performances, Michael charts the meteoric rise and heights of one of the most influential artists in music history. Alphabet Lane — In cinemas April 23 One of the benefits of rural life is the quiet. But quiet can lead to boredom, and in boredom come jokes, fantasies, silly stories and the like. But what happens when these distractions take on a life of their own? In this Australian-made and set musing on romance and creativity, a young couple who've moved to the countryside quickly lose control of jokes about their imaginary friends Joe and Michelle. Exit 8 — In cinemas April 23 This claustrophobic, mind-bending thriller, adapting an indie video game of the same name, takes the famously confusing underground passages of Japanese train stations and turns them into a waking nightmare. A man is seemingly trapped in an infinite underground passage, surrounded by eerie posters, strange anomalies, unresponsive passerby and dire warnings of only one exit that can save him — if he can make it there without losing his mind. Apex — Streaming on Netflix April 24 Shot in the Blue Mountains, Apex brings a terrifying prospect to life when the kindness of strangers comes with hostile intentions, and you have no one but yourself to rely on to escape them. Sasha (Charlize Theron) is headed into the Australian wilderness for a solo canoeing trip, but after taking directions from a local (Taron Edgerton) — she finds herself as prey in his sick hunt or be hunted game in remote and unforgiving country. Greenland 2: Migration — Streaming on Prime Video April 27 There are plenty of natural disaster apocalypse films out there, but not that many of them get a sequel. In Greenland, John (Gerard Butler) did everything he could to get his family to a safe bunker in the Arctic before a rogue comet impact. Now, five years later, the world is being ravaged by radiation, and the bunker is on its last legs. John and his family will have to cross a scarred surface to get to a new safe haven — the comet crater itself. The Devil Wears Prada 2 — In cinemas April 30 Runway is no mere magazine, it's where icons are born, and as said by the dulcet tones of Stanley Tucci, it's a winding road that brings us back together again. 20 years on that road, and Andrea has found her way back to where it all began, now the new features editor of Runway. Emily can hardly believe it; Miranda doesn't even remember who Andy is. At least everybody still looks so damn chic. Wolfram — In cinemas April 30 A follow-up to Warwick Thornton's award-winning Sweet Country, this new feature film returns to Australia's colonial past for a story inspired by the true history of the Thornton family. In the 1930s, two white outlaws were hoping to strike it rich in the mines of a small settlement. Their arrival sparked a wave of chaos and violence, resulting in three kids escaping their white masters and setting off across the sweet country to find their family and safe haven. For more movies releasing this month, check your local theatre website or a streaming platform of your choice. Images: Supplied | 20th Century Studios.
When someone like Andrew McConnell opens a wine bar, the expectations are high. When that bar sits beside the guy's iconic, two-hat Fitzroy restaurant Cutler & Co., forming some kind of wining and dining super-spot, you can bet they're even higher. But you can rest assured that Marion lives up to all that hype. In the space that housed Supernormal back in its pop-up days, it's proved a solid addition to Gertrude Street's ever-blossoming hospitality scene. The clientele is a mix of Fitzroy's hip, young things — grazing on charcuterie and showing off their grape knowledge — and more mature punters quaffing interesting wines while waiting for their table next door. The space itself bears a similar blend of young and old; a brushed copper bar and khaki-hued banquettes offset by concrete and exposed brick. [caption id="attachment_781187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harvard Wang[/caption] The drinks list is a stunner — an exhaustive compilation with something for every palate and budget. You can drop by for an aperitif, unwind over a couple of glasses of local wine, or really settle in and share your way through a bottle of something foreign. Serious wine buffs will appreciate the commitment to the more interesting stuff, with orange wines and less familiar grape varieties given lots of list space, and well-informed staff happy to give you the lowdown. Even the hefty pouring selection might feature the likes of a skin-contact pinot gris out of Central Otago ($21), Heathcote's 2019 Kennedy Shiraz ($17) and the Vicoletto Catarratto from Sicily ($12). A succinct, rotating food menu hangs on one wall, with dishes ranging from elegant snacks to more generous belly-fillers. At the dainty end, you might find small plates like mussels atop grilled sourdough with tomato and a saffron aioli ($22), and asparagus matched with salsa verde and a tumble of manchego ($22). Bigger appetites can feast on the likes of a whole flounder finished with kombu and beurre blanc ($46) or roast chicken with tarragon and butter beans ($43). It's safe to say McConnell has done it again. Images: Harvard Wang Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023 The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne for 2023
As far as next-level design goes, the humble bowling alley has quite the tendency to err on the side of OTT. They either take us back in time to the '50s, milkshakes and the halcyon days when bowling was literally the most fun you could have, or they blast us forward in time to a super luxurious, neon space rave. Sometimes they let you play in an underwater grotto. Wherever they take us, bowling alleys are always an adventure. They're the perfect setting for novelty dates or big group outings because they allow everyone, from graceful sports stars to kidults who need bumper bars, to look cute in bowling shoes. We're getting into the Lebowski-loved art that is bowling this winter (even if we have to use bumpers), so we thought we'd take a little desk trip to some of the most unique bowling alleys around the world. If you've a hankering to drink, bowl and party closer to home, check out your local bowling alley's seasonal deals (like these clangers Kingpin are offering right now). It might just be one of the best date ideas under $50 this city's ever seen. [caption id="attachment_578915" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] WHITE HOUSE BOWLING ALLEY, WASHINGTON The President of the United States may spend his days running the country but you know he spends his nights obliterating pins in his swagged out bowling alleys. That's right, plural. There are two bowling alleys in the White House and one is, naturally, decorated in blue and red (patriotism never sleeps). You can access the bowling alley during your overnight stay at the White House (which will set you back a surprisingly doable US$400 a night). ALL STAR LANES, LONDON Now, All Star Lanes may be a franchised restaurant/bar/bowling alley, but they really turn up the charm. Their Brick Lane location in London is dripping in old-school glam, the Holgate iteration takes it back to retro middle America in the '70s while the Bayswater venue is, rather inexplicably, retro-Western. All the venues include break-away dining and bar areas with a killer menu. Come for the bowling, stay for the grilled cheese (with a stacked shake on the side to make your retro experience more authentic and belt-loosening). UNCLE BUCK'S FISH BOWL AND GRILL, TACOMA Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill, a family restaurant in Tacoma, may boast one of the weirdest bowling alleys in the world. The whole venue is styled in an under-the-sea theme (because, y'know, they serve seafood) but they've reeeally pushed the boat out (yeah we did) on this concept. Nowhere is this more acute, or disturbing, than in the 16-lane bowling alley. The room shimmers like it truly is underwater and large colourful fish hang from the wavy ceiling. Your bowling balls are spat back to you from the terrifying maws of crocodiles, sharks and octopus. In summary: it's amazing, tacky and we want to go to there. BROOKLYN BOWL, NEW YORK Rolling Stone called it "One of the most incredible places on earth" and we can kinda see why. One of New York's best loved establishments any night of the week, Brooklyn Bowl in New York is a hybrid rock 'n' roll music venue and bowling alley. The alley is decked out with Chesterfield lounges and boasts a menu by the world famous fried chicken institution, Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken. And on the other side of the venue, the stage has hosted bands like Gun N Roses, Elvis Costello and the Roots and frequently throw rockin' tribute and DJ nights. Also, it's co-owned by André 3000. So, we're in. PINEWOOD SOCIAL, NASHVILLE The Pinewood Social bowling alley is a retro, yet minimalist, bowling alley in Nashville and it might be the cutest place on earth. It's not like most bowling alleys with its high ceiling, exposed trusses and complete lack of neon lights, the complex also includes a café, dining area, bar, lounge and outdoor area with bocce ball court and a pool — all gloriously retro without crossing into tacky territory. You'll also find a mural alongside the lanes made up of specially printed cans. We'll call it, Pinewood Social may be the hippest place in America. SPLITSVILLE, TAMPA Splitsville is not just a place you temporarily populate after being dumped in primary school. It's also a retro-fantastic bowling alley and funtorium in Tampa, Florida, that looks like it's remained exactly the same since its conception in the '70s. In fact Splitsville has had an upgrade (they serve sushi now!) but despite this, it's still a pretty retro joint. You'll be able to see it from a mile away if you look for the two-storey pin (purportedly the largest in the world) on the front door. THE SPARE ROOM You might not think squeaking across a polished wooden floor hurling hefty balls about as a classy activity, but at The Spare Room it can be. Rich mahogany wood finishes, chandeliers and arched windows pair nicely with the bar's ridiculous, but classic, cocktail list. They've complemented their highly resplendent cocktail bowling facilities with other sophisticated pursuits like chess, dominoes, old school bingo, a wooden Connect Four set and an amazing, old school menu. XLANES LA If you're after an integrated, flashy bowling experience, XLanes in Downtown Los Angeles might be just what you need. It's a big (we mean big) bowling alley with 16 lanes and all the flashing neon lights you could ever dream of. But its real value is in the extras, like the full bar, massive gaming arcade (hello Fruit Ninja, we meet again), darts, karaoke and pool and billiards room. It's like a hedonistic adult playground of excess and bowling. Take our money. THE BROADMOOR, COLORADO The Broadmoor in Colorado is a bonkers holiday destination for the insanely wealthy. It's really damn decadent. It's so fancy the bowling alley doesn't even look like a bowling alley — it's decked out in leather couches, chandeliers, gold gilt and affluent smuggery. You will not be ordering a margarita slushie here or entering your name as ASS on in the scoreboard, no. Instead you can partake of adult shaved ice topped with locally made liqueurs and parmesan white-truffle popcorn (seriously, these are things they serve). You might have to sell a kidney to get onto their six lanes or stay the night in their digs, but you can guarantee you'll have the swankiest bowl of your life. SILVER DOLLAR SALOON, MONTANA If you've found another bar in this crazy world of ours boasting stools that are saddles, please let us know. As well as being a rootin' tootin' bar, the Silver Dollar Saloon also boasts a Western-themed, four-lane bowling alley. This kitted-out saloon also features a billiards table, a private theatre, shuffleboard table and darts. It's part of the Rock Creek Ranch in Montana and while a night there will set you back a minimum of US$800, it does include all alcohol and unlimited bowling time so you might just break even. Inspired? If all this reading about bowling has given you a hankering to knock down some pins, let's get you a lane. Kingpin is doing unlimited bowling and laser tag for a cheeky $30pp from 7pm till close. That's quite simply one of the best affordable (and actually fun) date ideas we've seen in this fine city of ours.
Jim's Greek is home to authentic, traditional, fresh and downright delicious Greek cuisine. Opened by husband and wife team, Leonidas and Aphrodite Panagopolous, way back in 1980, it has been delighting residents of Melbourne (which has the largest Greek diaspora in Australia and one of the largest in the world) for decades. From the whitewashed walls and unpretentious wooden tables to the smorgasbords of meat and seafood, this endearingly rowdy restaurant is the way to go for no-frills, good food eating. You won't find menus here, but don't worry — its Australian-Greek waiters will run you through the options, which include homemade dips, saganaki and all the protein you can think of. The night we swung by, we were treated to traditional bread with a side of dips, halibut fillets with prawns, as well as saganaki, salad and calamari. BYO is welcome, and corkage is free. Otherwise, there's a great range of beers to choose from. There's little more to say other than we highly recommend you give Jim's Greek Tavern a visit next time you have a hankering for great Greek eats. Images: Tracey Ah-kee
Melburnian adventurers, this one's for you. Over the last little while, we've been going on about pristine waterfalls right outside the city, we've given you the keys to secret gardens around town, and we've sent you valiantly exploring on Melbourne's very best walks. Haven't done it all? Haven't kind of sort of gone camping? Haven't elegantly dog paddled with your dog at a nearby pooch-friendly beach? Yet to take your ol' trusty two-wheeler on the city's best bike trails? Fill up your canteen with water (wink), pack a little lunchbox and get going this weekend. Here's a little guide to help you.
It's no secret that Melbourne boasts a bountiful array of bangin' bakeries. From traditional European-style bakehouses to Japanese-inspired cafes, Middle Eastern bakeries to sourdough specialists, Melburnians are truly blessed with the best of the best. There are so many outstanding options that sometimes you need a bit of guidance (or else just follow your nose and chase the inimitable smell of freshly baked bread), so we've done the carb-loaded work for you and rounded up the best bakeries in Melbourne. Here you will find classic croissants, savoury-stuffed pita pockets, seeded sourdoughs, seasonal danishes, soft shiopans and crackled melon pans, crowd-favourite egg sandwiches, chewy bagels, thick cookies, and so much more. Some are quiet and calm hideouts, many require time in a line, some are new with a few old favourites, but what they all have in common is that they produce consistent, top-quality, doughy and buttery goods that make your day instantly better. Recommended reads: The Best Cafes in Melbourne The Best Coffee in Melbourne The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Boozy Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne
Two Succession brothers facing off in the same category. A musical crime melodrama making history, earning more nominations than any film not in the English language ever has. Brazil's second contender for Best Actress ever — the daughter of its first, in fact. A female filmmaker in the running for Best Director for only the tenth time in 97 years. They're some of the big stories among the 2025 Oscar nominations, involving A Real Pain, The Apprentice, Emilia Pérez, I'm Still Here and The Substance. There's more where they came from — but which of those movies, and the talents involved, will earn shiny statuettes on Monday, March 3, Down Under time? And will Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Nickel Boys and Wicked have any luck, too? Just like in 2022, 2023 and 2024, we've watched everything — many of which you can as well in Australia right now — and singled out who and what will likely be credited as an "Oscar-winner" moving forward. Surveying 11 categories, we've also named which nominees deserve to, and what else might be in with a chance. Best Motion Picture The nominees: Anora The Brutalist A Complete Unknown Conclave Dune: Part Two Emilia Pérez I'm Still Here Nickel Boys The Substance Wicked Should win: The Brutalist Could win: Conclave Will win: Anora What a field. Worthy films will always miss the cut among the ten Best Picture nominees each and every year (Love Lies Bleeding, A Different Man, The Apprentice, I Saw the TV Glow, A Real Pain, Challengers, Babygirl, Hard Truths, All We Imagine as Light, Kneecap, La Chimera and Kinds of Kindness are just some absences in 2025), but the current batch nominees still showcase a staggering variety of movies. Sandy sci-fi blockbusters, hit musical adaptations, body-horror, papal thrillers, multiple features that show how stunning that filmmaking ambition and an unflinching vision can prove: they're all there. Brady Corbet's The Brutalist is a towering achievement. It could repeat its Golden Globes glory at the Oscars. It should. But Anora won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, then top gongs from America's Directors Guild and Writers Guild, and is also a tremendous winner. Conclave emerging victorious wouldn't be a miracle, though, after its BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild wins. Best Director The nominees: Anora, Sean Baker The Brutalist, Brady Corbet A Complete Unknown, James Mangold Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard The Substance, Coralie Fargeat Should win: Coralie Fargeat, The Substance Could win: Sean Baker, Anora Will win: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist Some films feel like a force of nature — and like a vision ripped from a filmmaker's mind wholesale to dance and strut across the screen, too — and Coralie Fargeat's The Substance is one such movie. Jane Campion is the only woman to have been nominated for Best Director twice so far (for The Piano and The Power of the Dog), but this shouldn't prove the only nod in Fargeat's career. Likely down to Brady Corbet and Sean Baker, where the field actually goes might depend on which of the pair's features win Best Picture — and if the Academy is in the mood to share the love or consolidate it. Awarding Corbet's achievement for a three-and-a-half-hour film that's had audiences glued to the screen, was made using a format in VistaVision that was favoured by Alfred Hitchcock on masterpieces such as North by Northwest and Vertigo, and brings back intermissions seems the most probable — and well-deserved — bet. Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The nominees: Cynthia Erivo, Wicked Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez Mikey Madison, Anora Demi Moore, The Substance Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here Should win: Demi Moore, The Substance Could win: Mikey Madison, Anora Will win: Demi Moore, The Substance She's been giving stunning speeches around Hollywood, and Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild-winner Demi Moore best have another prepared. Rewarding her for a deeply committed performance more than four decades into her acting career, and after a significant time lacking substantial roles, also rewards The Substance's hefty and blatant fight against women being deemed past their prime when they hit a certain age. If Mikey Madison repeats her BAFTA feat, the Anora star will join the top-ten youngest-ever Best Actress-winner's ranking, knocking Gone with the Wind's Vivien Leigh off the list. The film's final scene alone, in all of its emotional glory after Ani's rollercoaster ride, could nab her the accolade alone. Had Marianne Jean-Baptiste been nominated for Hard Truths, however, it'd be hard to see how anyone else could grasp the accolade. Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role The nominees: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown Colman Domingo, Sing Sing Ralph Fiennes, Conclave Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice Should win: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist Could win: Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown Will win: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist Will the youngest-ever winner of the Best Actor Oscar make history again 22 years later, joining the incredibly small list of two-time victors (only ten other performers have one this accolade twice or more)? Or will someone else not only grasp this year's prize, but also that spot as the gong's freshest-faced recipient? The Brutalist's Adrien Brody is the former. A Complete Unknown's Timothée Chalamet is the latter. Neither of their movies would be the films that they are without either actor leading the charge. Intensity simmers in their respective performances alike. Either could take it — but Brody's portrayal wouldn't just be a once-in-a-lifetime piece of work for another actor; it'd be impossible. As for the rest of the field, in other years Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice (or for A Different Man, which he won the Golden Globe for) would be certain winners. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role The nominees: Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown Ariana Grande, Wicked Felicity Jones, The Brutalist Isabella Rossellini, Conclave Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez Should win: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez Could win: Isabella Rossellini, Conclave Will win: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez Emilia Pérez will always be the first non-English-language film to receive 13 Oscar nominations, but its chances of scoring a big bag of trophies have dwindled courtesy of lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón's awful past tweets. As a result, the excellent Zoe Saldaña, portraying the eponymous character's conflicted lawyer, might end up being the movie's only winner — and hers is a powerhouse performance. Or, Emilia Pérez mightn't even be a lock here, despite Saldaña winning the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award in the lead up. Isabella Rossellini is exceptional in Conclave as Sister Agnes, the nun that's also the Head Caterer for the bickering cardinals — and it'd recognise her for her entire career, and redress the fact that she wasn't nominated for David Lynch's Blue Velvet. Ingrid Bergman, her mother, won three, including in this category in 1974 for Murder on the Orient Express. Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role The nominees: Yura Borisov, Anora Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown Guy Pearce, The Brutalist Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice Should win: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain Could win: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain Will win: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain There's no bad picks in the Best Supporting Actor field. There's the vulnerable yet irreverent portrayal that's clearly going to win — the recipient of accolades at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Film Independent Spirit Awards as well — and there's also the spur-of-the-moment speech that everyone will get to enjoy when Kieran Culkin does, but each one of the five nominated performances is outstanding, including from first-time Australian nominee Guy Pearce for The Brutalist. Jeremy Strong is on another level even for him in The Apprentice. The lifelong Oscar fan will win one of the coveted awards before his career out. He knows what it's like to lose out to Culkin, though, and not just on-screen in Succession — the only time that they were both nominated for the Best Actor in a Drama Emmy in the same year, Culkin won (beating Roy family patriarch Brian Cox, too). Best Original Screenplay The nominees: Anora, Sean Baker The Brutalist, Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg September 5, Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum and Alex David The Substance, Coralie Fargeat Should win: A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg Could win: The Brutalist, Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold Will win: A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg Sean Baker took out this category for Anora at the Writers Guild Awards, where Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold weren't nominated for The Brutalist. But at the Oscars, A Real Pain should go home a winner in every field — two in total — that it's up for. The Academy does have a history of pairing the winner of Best Original Screenplay with Best Supporting Actor, including with Django Unchained and Green Book. As a performer, Jesse Eisenberg has only been in the running for an Oscar once, in 2011 for Best Actor for The Social Network — and in a different year, he could've been nominated for starring in A Real Pain as well. His script for the film makes the personal universal, and understands existential angst and anxiety, and how it manifests in different manners, with both intensity and humour. That said, this could also be where Coralie Fargeat gets some love for The Substance. Best Adapted Screenplay The nominees: A Complete Unknown, James Mangold and Jay Cocks Conclave, Peter Straughan Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard in collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes Sing Sing, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin and John 'Divine G' Whitfield Should win: Sing Sing, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin and John 'Divine G' Whitfield Could win: Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes Will win: Conclave, Peter Straughan The possibility that either or both of Nickel Boys or Sing Sing could go home empty-handed from this year's Oscars is a travesty. Each 2025 releases in Australia, where the former sadly didn't get the big-screen date that it deserves, they're already among the year's best for viewers Down Under. Both possess screenplays of deep feeling — one adapting a Pulitzer Prize-winner, the other drawing from a helluva slice of real life. Nickel Boys emerged victorious at the Writers Guild Awards, but over A Complete Unknown, plus three films not in the running here: Dune: Part Two, Hit Man and Wicked. Here, this looks like Conclave's guaranteed time to shine, and the Vatican City-set script based on Robert Harris' novel about electing a new pope after the sudden death of the last one — and what the manoeuvring around it says about faith — is indeed a gem. Best International Feature The nominees: I'm Still Here The Girl with the Needle Emilia Pérez The Seed of the Sacred Fig Flow Should win: The Seed of the Sacred Fig Could win: The Seed of the Sacred Fig Will win: I'm Still Here Once a near lock for Emilia Pérez, Best International Feature now has fellow multiple-nominee — and fellow Best Picture and Best Actress contender — I'm Still Here in its sights. Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles has notched up two nods in this category over his career, and winning for his Fernanda Torres-led account of love, loss and holding onto life under the shadow of a dictatorship would be an extra-nice feat given he was last in contention for Central Station starring Torres' mother Fernanda Montenegro. Dialogue-free animated marvel Flow deserves to win every award that it's nominated for, so this and Best Animated Feature, but The Seed of the Sacred Fig is as powerful as filmmaking gets — with Mohammad Rasoulof (There Is No Evil) fighting on- and off-screen against the regime that's long tried to silence his voice. Best Animated Feature The nominees: Flow Inside Out 2 Memoir of a Snail Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild Robot Should win: Flow Could win: The Wild Robot Will win: Flow Flow's title couldn't be more perfect. To watch Latvia's first-ever film to be nominated for an Oscar is to swirl, surge and sweep along with the gorgeous dialogue-free feature, and with the animals — a cat, some dogs, birds, a capybara, a lemur and more — that are trying to survive, and learn how to heal together, when a flood gushes in. It's astonishing. The Wild Robot doesn't scrap chatter, but it too is heartfelt and wondrous as it watches animals carve out an existence — here, with the sudden arrival of a robot (voiced wonderfully by Lupita Nyong'o) disrupting the usual status quo, and also redefining what makes a family. Australian claymation Memoir of a Snail would easily win in many previous years, deservedly so. For big-name animation studios Pixar and Aardman, it doesn't look likely that Inside Out 2 and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will back up Inside Out and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit's past Oscars. Best Documentary Feature The nominees: Black Box Diaries No Other Land Porcelain War Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat Sugarcane Should win: Black Box Diaries Could win: Porcelain War Will win: No Other Land Fury or hope? What takes home 2025's Best Documentary Feature prize might come down to how voters want to feel. There's no escaping anger while watching No Other Land or Black Box Diaries, both deeply personal docos featuring their filmmakers and telling their stories — one about the Israeli campaign of displacement in the West Bank region of Masafer Yatta, the other about a Japanese sexual-assault survivor taking on the system that won't punish her attacker. In Sugarcane, too, digging into the abuse experienced at a Catholic Church-run mission school isn't just a job for Julian Brave NoiseCat, nor an outrage-free watch for audiences. Porcelain War heads to Ukraine, as 2024's victor 20 Days in Mariupol did — but there's more optimism in its heroing the power of art, even in small acts, amid the fight. It's also among Australia's Oscar hopes for 2025, as an Aussie co-production. The winners of the 2025 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 3, Australian time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Wondering where to watch this year's Oscar contenders? We've put together a rundown for Australia.
Once upon a time, the office coffee run was akin to a sacred ritual. At 10am every morning — caffeine consumer or not — the crew would assemble and make its way to the local. It wasn't until you'd been invited on the 10am coffee run that you'd truly infiltrated the inner sanctum of a new workplace, a milestone more imperative to your corporate survival than passing your probationary period. And it was always one place, and one place only. Loyalty mattered. The first time the barista at LaManna&Sons in Cremorne remembered my "just the usual?" (a strong latte with one) I all but levitated off the ground. Before we all became home baristas, coffee culture felt inseparable from identity. There was the low-stakes intimacy of the barista who knew your order, the tiny social choreography of "I'll get this one, you get me tomorrow" between colleagues, even the way a branded cup would appear on an Instagram Story like a lifestyle signifier, captioned something excruciatingly millennial like: "Keep calm and drink coffee!" Buying coffee at a cafe and carrying it around was simply part of how we moved through the world; making one at home meant depriving yourself of a crucial semiotic accessory and a necessary microdose of community: I am busy, I belong. [caption id="attachment_921824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Small Batch coffee roastery and cafe in North Melbourne[/caption] Fast-forward to 2026, and everyone I know has a coffee setup at home that could quite convincingly rival a cafe-style beverage of their choosing. For some reason, even people who have never worked a day in hospo in their lives know how to steam milk just right — so there's no head on their flat white and just enough on their latte. The most likely culprit is COVID-19. Aside from the obvious inability to leave the house — cue Melburnian PTSD flashbacks — lockdown made domestic projects feel strangely meaningful. We were baking sourdough, pickling vegetables, reorganising shelves and romanticising the kind of small, repetitive labour that made time feel structured again. Coffee fit that era perfectly: practical enough to justify, complicated enough to become a hobby and aesthetic enough to post about. If you wanted a neat cultural timestamp for the moment it tipped into mass behaviour, Dalgona coffee probably was it. Vogue Australia's April 2020 explainer on fluffy coffee captured it exactly as a pandemic pastime — easy to make, highly visual and a way of "bonding with everyone else working from home" while stuck indoors. As of the time of writing, the TikTok #coffeetok page houses a staggering 1.3 million videos. @imhannahcho yes i hand whisked this whipped coffee for like 20 mins bc my mommy wanted to try it 👻 she loved it!! (달고나 커피) #korean #fyp #aesthetic ♬ Put your head on my shoulder cover by karlo - K a r l o Rohan Cooke, former barista and co-founder of Golden Brown Coffee, gives the clearest timeline for when the shift stopped being niche. In his view, home machines "finally got good enough" around 2010–15 to make cafe-quality coffee, but COVID was the real turning point: suddenly, "everyone's like, I need this great quality coffee" and plunged into a "deep dive" of learning and gear. What has happened since, he says, is that home coffee has moved beyond the enthusiast crowd and into the accessible mainstream, with better machines and more guided brewing helping "everyone at all levels" make something good. [caption id="attachment_1081968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Golden Coffee Founder and Ninja Ambassador, Rohan Cooke[/caption] I'd like to offer up, as research, a completely scientific and watertight sample size of the five people in the Vinyl Media office present while I'm writing this story. Of the five, four of us start our day with at-home espresso setups of varying degrees of manual involvement. Charlotte, our partnerships manager, bought a Smeg espresso machine during COVID, taught herself to froth milk on YouTube and now alternates between weekday iced lattes and a weekend French press with her partner. Denise, our head of social, has a Breville Barista Pro with saved settings and milk-specific customisation, so it makes her coffee "exactly how I want it". I start my day with a manual, no-frills DeLonghi Dedica Arte, making a latte before work — which I admittedly usually follow with a cup of instant coffee later in the day because I simply cannot be bothered cleaning the machine twice. Jasmine, our Branded Content Director, is truly the only person in the group qualified to have a properly sophisticated home setup. An ex-Sensory Lab barista and St ALi waitress, she has an impressive Lelit Bianca, which she says has "massively improved me and my partner's quality of life". Then there's the outlier: James, our Head of Creative Strategy. In a very on-brand move (you'd agree if you met him), he "drinks rooibos tea". But on the rare occasion that he does "need a double espresso straight to the dome", it's via an Aeropress. So I guess that's the tea (or the coffee, LOL) — your average person may not be a coffee snob, exactly, but they have become oddly specific. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Golden Brown Coffee (@goldenbrown.coffee) That specificity is probably the real story. Once you've learned the version of coffee you like, and once the tools to make it have become more available, more affordable and more teachable, it becomes harder to be impressed by an average latte bought on the run. Rohan is clear that what cafes still do better is consistency: the water filtration, the repetition, the inbuilt scales, the workflow, the fact that someone is tasting and adjusting throughout the day to keep everything dialled in. At home, he says, you can absolutely get milk "just as silky and beautiful" as a cafe, but the real value a great cafe still offers is service, hospitality and understanding exactly what the customer wants. He is equally firm that "adding milk is not blasphemy" — it just changes what matters, especially when you are choosing beans that need enough body to still sing through dairy or alt milk. The Machine Guide If the home barista era is here to stay, the best machine is not the most expensive one — it is the one that suits the way you actually drink coffee. Rohan's most useful advice is to think less romantically about the machine itself and more practically about the hierarchy of what matters. First: good beans. Then, if you care about taste and consistency, a burr grinder and a scale will often make a bigger difference than people expect. For the novice: Nespresso Creatista Uno Breville Black Sesame Look for guided brewing and minimal admin. This is the person who wants cafe-adjacent results without developing a new personality around extraction, which is why assisted machines have become so appealing. They remove enough friction to make home coffee feel achievable rather than aspirational. For the time-poor: Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine Go for one-touch convenience, saved settings and automatic milk functions — a machine that remembers your preferences, handles the grind and makes your coffee exactly the same way every morning. Bonus: you can head to the Ninja x Luxe Café Pop-Up, running 13–17 March in Melbourne, to give the machine a whirl before committing. For the ex-barista: Lelit Bianca This is the grinder-scale-separate-machine crowd. If you enjoy dialling in, adjusting dose and chasing repeatability, Rohan's advice is clear: buy good beans, get a quality burr grinder and use a scale precise enough to keep your results consistent. For the old-school: Moccamaster Select Coffee Maker You may not need an espresso machine at all. An Aeropress, French press or simple filter setup can make excellent coffee with fewer variables, less cleanup and less bench space, which is partly why these methods keep surviving every new gadget cycle. Still need a little more guidance? You can catch Rohan talking all things beans, machines and accoutrements on his 'It's Just Coffee!' podcast. Images: supplied. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence our recommendations, but they may earn us a small commission. For more information, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these in your inbox.
While the Gold Coast might be known for its beaches, you don't have to be an ocean person to enjoy the relaxation of the destination. Beyond the sand is a leader in Australia's booming health and wellness scene. Whether you're planning a dedicated wellness escape or weaving a little indulgence into a holiday itinerary, Get Up and Gold Coast to the destination's best spa and wellness experiences for slowing down and switching off. [caption id="attachment_1067919" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Native State[/caption] Bathhouses Bathhouses are all the rage at the moment, including on the Gold Coast. SOL Elements in Mount Tamborine is described as a transformative sanctuary where ancient healing meets modern-day wellness rituals. Enjoy the elemental bathhouse, float caves for weightless stillness, and hands-on massages and treatments. If you can make it midweek, SOL Elements offers a midweek bathhouse session and a private floatation cave session, with a wellness drink on arrival and robe hire, for $150. In Coolangatta, Native State is the Gold Coast's premier bathhouse, offering hydrothermal pools, steam rooms, and quiet spaces to boost your immune system, reduce stress, revitalise your body, and more. Its 90-minute bathhouse sessions are currently available for $49 with code 45ONUS. [caption id="attachment_1067921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ground Bathhouse[/caption] Worth bookmarking for your hinterland escape are Ground Bathhouse in Currumbin and Greenhouse Bathhouse in Tallebudgera Valley. Both are known for their calming atmosphere, mineral pools, and community-driven approach to modern wellness. Ground Bathhouse offers bespoke facials, hydrotherapy spas, a traditional cedar hot tub, a large wood-fired hot stone sauna, and an outdoor infrared sauna. Greenhouse Bathhouse is the Gold Coast's original bathhouse, having been established in 2017. It offers massages, an on-site restaurant, a magnesium pool, a red cedar sauna, and more to help you unwind and relax in the hinterland. [caption id="attachment_1067922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spa by JW Marriott[/caption] Day Spas For those craving hands-on treatments and experiences, the Gold Coast's hotel spas deliver polished, high-end experiences that will have you feeling like a new person. Inside The Star Gold Coast, Azure Spa is a destination for moments of solitude, offering treatments that focus on relieving tension, rejuvenating the skin, and providing full-body restorative treatments. The Babor facial is $160 for 60 minutes, giving you an hour of indulgence and self-care. Over at The Langham, Chuan Spa blends traditional Chinese medicine philosophies with modern spa techniques. Restore your balance with massage, detoxifying face masks, and more. [caption id="attachment_1067923" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuan Spa[/caption] If you're looking for a spa destination for a bachelorette party or birthday, the Spa by JW Marriott at Surfers Paradise is ideal for groups. A four-hour pamper package comes to $539 (valued at $702) and includes a one-hour facial, a one-hour massage, high tea, sauna and steam shower, a glass of champagne and more. [caption id="attachment_1067924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gwinganna Retreat and Spa[/caption] Retreat-Style Wellness Escapes If you're ready to take the (cold) plunge and book an overnight retreat, the Gold Coast hinterland is the perfect place to escape and switch off. For two decades, Gwinganna Retreat and Spa in Tallebudgera Valley has been a leader in holistic wellness retreat experiences. With the principles of organic living, healing spa treatments, and restorative rest in nature, you're guaranteed to feel rejuvenated. Currently, guests can stay five nights and pay for only four, plus experience a massage, facial, $100 wellness therapy credit, and complimentary Gold Coast Airport transfers. Use the code GCSTAYS to redeem and prepare a schedule built around movement, nutrition, rest and reconnection. [caption id="attachment_1067925" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eden Retreat[/caption] Eden Retreat in Currumbin Valley is designed for those looking to step away from everyday life in a secluded, nature-focused environment. The retreat offers stays that are focused on realignment through holistic wellbeing, meditation, nourishing food, and therapeutic treatments. If you want to experience Eden Retreat without staying overnight, its day spa is also open to guests seeking restorative treatments. Finally, On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa in the hinterland is a relaxing retreat set in the rainforest. The two-and-a-half-hour soak spa package, which lets you recharge your body and take in the incredible skyline views from the infinity pool, is currently priced at $159 per person and includes infrared therapy and mineral spas. [caption id="attachment_1067926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa[/caption] The Gold Coast's wellness scene proves that relaxation here goes far beyond the shoreline. From accessible bathhouse sessions to luxury spa treatments and immersive hinterland retreats, these experiences show just how zen a Gold Coast getaway can be. Image credit: Supplied
For the second year in a row, heading to the movies wasn't a simple activity in 2021. Sometimes, it wasn't even possible at all. But when picture palaces were open, their projectors whirring and the scent of popcorn floating through the foyers, Australians went to see big-budget blockbusters such as Godzilla vs Kong, Fast and Furious 9, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Black Widow and No Time to Die en masse. We also threw plenty of love — and cash — at Aussie page-to-screen adaptation The Dry as well. They're some of 2021's cinema success stories in dollars, but money never tells the whole movie-going story in any year. Plenty of other films reached the silver screen Down Under over the past 12 months, didn't set the box office alight, but absolutely rank among the year's best. They're the must-sees that, based on their cinema takings, you likely didn't actually see — and you really should've. Whether you missed them because of lockdowns, restrictions, a lack of time, they weren't showing near you or just due to life in general (sorry, Jurassic Park, but sometimes life doesn't find a way), here are 12 top-notch flicks that hit Aussie cinemas in 2021 that you need to add to your catch-up list right now. EMA A new project by Chilean director Pablo Larraín is always cause for excitement, and Ema, his drama about a reggaeton dancer's crumbling marriage, personal and professional curiosities, and determined quest to be a mother, rewards that enthusiasm spectacularly. It's a stunning piece of cinema, and one that stands out even among his already-impressive resume. He's the filmmaker behind stirring political drama No, exacting religious interrogation The Club, poetic biopic Neruda and the astonishing, Natalie Portman-starring Jackie, so that's no minor feat. For the first time in his career, Larraín peers at life in his homeland today, rather than in the past. And, with his now six-time cinematographer Sergio Armstrong (Tony Manero, Post Mortem), he gazes intently. Faces and bodies fill Ema's frames, a comment that's true of most movies; however, in both the probing patience it directs its protagonist's way and the fluidity of its dance sequences, this feature equally stares and surveys. Here, Larraín hones in on the dancer (Mariana Di Girólamo, Much Ado About Nothing) who gives the feature its name. After adopting a child with her choreographer partner Gastón (Gael García Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle), something other than domestic bliss has followed. Following a traumatic incident, and the just as stressful decision to relinquish their boy back to the state's custody, Ema is not only trying but struggling to cope in the aftermath. This isn't a situation she's simply willing to accept, though. Ema, the movie, is many things — and, most potently, it's a portrait of a woman who is willing to make whatever move she needs to, both on the dance floor and in life, to rally against an unforgiving world, grasp her idea of freedom and seize exactly what she wants. Di Girólamo is magnetic, whether she's dancing against a vivid backdrop, staring pensively at the camera or being soaked in neon light, while Larraín's skill as both a visual- and emotion-driven filmmaker is never in doubt. Read our full review. PIG Nicolas Cage plays a truffle hunter. That's it, that's the pitch. When securing funding, those six words should've been enough to ensure that Pig made it to cinemas. Or, maybe debut feature writer/director Michael Sarnoski went with these seven words: Nicolas Cage tracks down his stolen pet. Here's a final possibility that could've done the trick, too: Nicolas Cage does a moodier John Wick with a pig. Whichever hit the spot, or even if none did, Pig isn't merely the movie these descriptions intimate. It's better. It's weightier. It's exceptional. It always snuffles out its own trail, it takes joy in subverting almost every expectation and savouring the moment, and it constantly unearths surprises. When Cage is at his absolute best, he plays characters whose biggest demons are internal. Here, he broods and soul-searches as a man willing to do whatever it takes to find his beloved porcine pal, punish everyone involved in her kidnapping and come to terms with his longstanding, spirit-crushing woes. And, it's a measured gem of a portrayal, and a versatile, touching, deeply empathetic and haunting one that's up there with his finest ever. Sarnoski keeps things sparse when Pig begins; for the poetically shot film and its determined protagonist, less is always more. Rob Feld (Cage) lives a stripped-back existence in a cabin in the woods, with just his cherished truffle pig for company — plus occasional visits from Amir (Alex Wolff, Hereditary), the restaurant supplier who buys the highly sought-after wares Rob and his swine forage for on their walks through the trees. He's taken this life by choice, after the kind of heartbreak that stops him from listening to tapes of the woman he loved. But then Rob's pig is abducted in the dark of the night, turning him into a man on a mission. As the swine's distressed squeals echo in his head, Rob stalks towards Portland to get her back. He has an idea of where to look, but he needs Amir to chauffeur him around the city — and Pig is at its finest when its two main characters are together, unpacking what it means to navigate tragedy, fear, loss, regret, uncertainty, an uncaring world and a complicated industry. Read our full review. LITTLE JOE Pipes blow gently. The camera swirls. Rows of plants fill the screen. Some are leafy as they reach for the sky; others are mere stems topped with closed buds. Both types of vegetation are lined up in boxes in an austere-looking laboratory greenhouse — and soon another shoot of green appears among them. Plant breeder Alice (Cruella's Emily Beecham, who won the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actress award for her work here) is cloaked in a lab coat far paler than any plant, but the symbolism is immediately evident. Audiences don't know it yet, but her shock of cropped red hair resembles the crimson flowers that'll blossom in her genetically engineered new type of flora, too. "The aim has been to create a plant with a scent that makes its owner happy," she tells a small audience, hailing the virtues of a species that's been designed to make its owners love it like it was their own child. So starts Little Joe, which shares its name with the vegetation in question — a "mood-lifting, anti-depressant, happy plant," Alice's boss (David Wilmot, Calm with Horses) boasts. She's borrowed her own teenage son's (Kit Connor, Rocketman) moniker for her new baby, although she gives it more attention than her flesh-and-blood offspring, especially with the push to get it to market speeding up. The clinical gaze favoured by Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner (Amour fou) is telling, though. The eerie tone to the feature's Japanese-style, flute- and percussion-heavy score sets an uneasy mood as well. Making her first English-language feature, Hausner helms a disquieting and anxious sci-fi/horror masterwork. Like many movies in the genre, this is a film about possibilities and consequences, creation and its costs, and happiness and its sacrifices — and about both daring to challenge and dutifully abiding by conformity — and yet it's always its own beast. Read our full review. RIDERS OF JUSTICE Few things will ever be better than seeing Mads Mikkelsen get day drunk and dance around while swigging champagne in an Oscar-winning movie, which is one fantastic film experience that 2021 has delivered. But the always-watchable actor is equally magnetic and exceptional in Riders of Justice, a revenge-driven Danish comedy that's all about tackling your problems in a different and far less boozy fashion. In both features, he plays the type of man unlikely to express his feelings. Here, he's a dedicated solider who's more often away than home. Beneath his close-cropped hair and steely, bristly beard, he's stern, sullen and stoic, not to mention hot-tempered when he does betray what's bubbling inside, and he outwardly expects the same of everyone around him — including when a a train explosion taints his character, Markus, with tragedy, leaving him the sole parent to traumatised teenager Mathilde (Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Pagten). With a name that sounds like one of the many by-the-numbers action flicks Liam Neeson has starred in since Taken, Riders of Justice initially appears as if it'll take its no-nonsense central figure to an obvious place, and yet this ambitious, astute and entertaining movie both does and doesn't. When Markus returns home from Afghanistan, Riders of Justice's writer/director Anders Thomas Jensen (Men & Chicken) and screenwriter Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair) send statistician Otto (Nikolaj Lie Kaas, The Keeper of Lost Causes), his colleague Lennart (Lars Brygmann, The Professor and the Madman) and the computer-savvy Emmenthaler (Nicolas Bro, The Kingdom) knocking at the grieving family's door — a trio of stereotypically studious outsiders to his stony-faced military man who come uttering a theory he seizes upon. Narratives about seeking justice often ride the expected rails on autopilot, getting from start to finish on the standard vengeance template's inherent momentum; however, this layered gem questions and subverts every usual cliche, convention and motif along the way, including by putting its characters first. Read our full review. LAMB Staring into the soul of a woman not just yearning for her own modest slice of happiness, but willing to do whatever it takes to get it — and starring Noomi Rapace (The Secrets We Keep) in what might be her best role yet, and best performance — Lamb is all animal at first. In this Icelandic blend of folk-horror thrills, relationship dramas and even deadpan comedy, something rumbles in the movie's misty, mountainside farm setting, spooking the horses. In the sheep barn, where cinematographer Eli Arenson (Hospitality) swaps arresting landscape for a ewe's-eye view, the mood is tense and restless as well. Making his feature debut, filmmaker Valdimar Jóhannsson doesn't overplay his hand early. As entrancing as the movie's visuals prove in all their disquieting stillness, he keeps the film cautious about what's scaring the livestock. But Lamb's expert sound design offers a masterclass in evoking unease from its very first noise, and makes it plain that all that eeriness, anxiety and dripping distress has an unnerving — and tangible — source. This enticing, surreal and starkly unsettling is as human as it is ovine, though, as it unleashes an intense and absurdist pastoral symphony of dread and hope, bleakness and sweetness, and terror and love. The farm belongs to Rapace's Maria and her partner Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason, A White, White Day), who've thrown themselves into its routines after losing a child. They're a couple that let their taciturn faces do the talking, including with each other, but neither hides their delight when one ewe gives birth to a hybrid they name Ada. Doting and beaming, they take the sheep-child into their home as their own. Its woolly mother stands staring and baa-ing outside their kitchen window, but they're both content in of their newfound domestic happiness. When Ingvar's ex-pop star brother Pétur (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) arrives unexpectedly, they don't even dream of hiding their new family idyll — even as he's initially shocked and hardly approving. Read our full review. SAINT MAUD If humanity ever managed to cure or circumvent death — or even just stop despairing about our own mortality — the horror genre would feel the difference. Lives are frequently in peril in films that are meant to spook and frighten. Fears of dying underscore everything from serial killer thrillers and body horror flicks to stories of zombies, ghosts and vampires, too. Indeed, if a scary movie isn't pondering the fact that our days are finite, it's often contemplating our easily damaged and destroyed anatomy. Or, it's recognising that our darkest urges can bring about brutal repercussions, or noting that the desperation to avoid our expiration dates can even spark our demise. Accordingly, Saint Maud's obsession with death isn't a rarity in an ever-growing genre that routinely serves it up, muses on it and makes audiences do the same whether they always realise it or not. In an immensely crowded realm, this striking, instantly unsettling feature debut by British writer/director Rose Glass definitely stands out, though. Bumps, jumps, shocks and scares come in all manner of shapes and sizes, as do worries and anxieties about the end that awaits us all. In Saint Maud, they're a matter of faith. The eponymous in-home nurse (Dracula and His Dark Materials' Morfydd Clark) has it. She has enough to share, actually, which she's keen to do daily. Maud is devoted to three things: Christianity, helping those in her care physically and saving them spiritually. Alas, her latest cancer-stricken patient doesn't hold the same convictions, or appreciate them. Amanda (Jennifer Ehle, Vox Lux) isn't fond of Maud's fixation on her salvation or her strict judgements about her lifestyle. She knows her time is waning, her body is failing and that she needs Maud's help, but the celebrated ex-dancer and choreographer does not want to go gently or faithfully in that good night. Instead, she'd much prefer the solace that sex and alcohol brings over her palliative care nurse's intensely devout zeal. Read our full review. THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS In a sparse small town — with the film shot in Kanosh, Utah — the separated-and-unhappy-about-it David (Clayne Crawford, Rectify) attempts to adjust to living with his ailing widower father (Bruce Graham, Forty Years From Yesterday). His wife Niki (Sepideh Moafi, The L Word: Generation Q) remains in their home with their four children, as they've agreed while they take a break to work through their problems. David isn't coping, though, a fact that's apparent long before his teenage daughter Jess (Avery Pizzuto, We Fall Down) gets angry because she thinks he isn't fighting hard enough to save their family. He's trying, but as Crawford conveys in a brooding but nervy performance — and as writer/director/editor Robert Machoian (When She Runs) and cinematographer Oscar Ignacio Jiménez (Immanence) can't stop looking at in lengthy and patient takes — he can't quite adapt to the idea of losing everything he knows. There's an element of Scenes From a Marriage at play here, although The Killing of Two Lovers pre-dates this year's remake — and so much of the feeling in this gorgeously shot movie comes from its imagery. When it's hard to look away from such rich and enticing visuals, it's impossible not to spot and soak in everything they depict. Each frame is postcard-perfect, not that those pieces of cardboard ever capture such everyday sights, but wide vistas and the snowy mountains hovering in the background are just the beginning. With its long takes, The Killing of Two Lovers forces its audience to glean the naturalistic lighting that never casts David and Niki's hometown in either a warm glow or grim glower. Repeated images of David alone, especially in his car, also leave a firm impression of a man moving and solo. Read our full review. HERSELF Survivalist films typically pit humans against the elements, nature or space, testing a character's endurance when they're cast adrift in the ocean (as in Kon-Tiki and All Is Lost), enduring unwelcoming expanses (Into the Wild, Arctic), faced with animal predators (The Grey, Crawl) or navigating the heavens (Gravity, The Martian). Herself doesn't tick any of those boxes, but it still fits the genre — because what else is a movie about a woman trying to escape an abusive marriage, care for her two young daughters alone and build a safe future if not a story of survival? In Dublin, Sandra (Spider-Man: Far From Home's Claire Dunne, who also co-wrote the feature's screenplay) is unhappily married to Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson, Vikings), and has the bruises to prove it. When he finds money hidden in her car, a badly fractured hand becomes the latest marker of their domestic horror. Sandra leaves, children Molly (Molly McCann, Vivarium) and Emma (debutant Ruby Rose O'Hara) in tow, but forging a path forward proves complicated at every turn. As a writer (with What Richard Did's Malcolm Campbell), Dunne doesn't make easy choices. Her narrative doesn't follow a straightforward path, either. Herself's script highlights the devastating complexities that surround Sandra, but avoids plotting the obvious course — because more hopeful and more grim moments are always in everyone's futures, even when it seems that worse surely can't come. Stress, resilience, tender gestures and uncaring powers-that-be are all a part of this story. So is interrogating a system that's quick to push back at victims in the name of family, and the impact upon children who grow up in a household blighted by domestic violence. Herself fleshes out this reality, but always hurtles forward, because that's all that Sandra can do. Worlds away from the two other features on her resume — Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady — director Phyllida Lloyd helms an intense, compassionate but still clear-eyed drama without any cloying sentiment, but still rich in hope and tenacity. Read our full review. THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS Northern Italy's woods are abundant with truffles, especially the tuber magnatum — otherwise known as the white variety. But before these highly sought-after morsels can make their way into kitchens, onto plates, and into many a willing and eager mouth, someone has to spend their time and expend their energy finding the edible fungus. Accordingly, The Truffle Hunters introduces viewers to multiple elderly men and their adorable dogs who all do just that, with their lives revolving around roving the forest and searching out the prized food. It might sound like a relaxed pursuit — as walking through trees with your pet pooch to fill your pockets with a delicacy is bound to — but it's a highly competitive endeavour, and one that the documentary's central figures are intensely passionate about. Charting four men's stories — tales that involve canine partners, cantankerous veterans and sneaking out at night to search with a torch in hand, lest one truffle hunter be caught by his wife — directors Michael Dweck (The Last Race) and Gregory Kershaw (cinematographer on The Last Race, and also on this) survey a wealth of details. The titular subjects try care for their dogs, argue with others encroaching on their turf, type missives about how the world has changed and, in one case, keep absconding by moonlight. Dweck and Kershaw aren't above using puppy cam as well, and it's both a joy and a thrill, as well as emblematic of the film's fondness for flavour and character above all else. The Truffle Hunters is a leisurely movie that's content to chronicle its subjects' easy-going lives, lean into their eccentricities and survey their lush surroundings — and, even clocking in at just 84 minutes, it's an unhurried gem of a film — however, it's also carefully compiled. Read our full review. MY ZOE Rare is the film that nods overtly to more than a few of its influences, yet still manages to inhabit its own niche and no one else's. My Zoe is one of those movies. Its first half bears much in common with 2017's exceptional French drama Custody, while its second half takes its cues from the greatest horror novel ever written, aka Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. That combination works astonishing (and almost disarmingly) well, and nothing here every feels like a mere clone of better material. Indeed, writer/director/star Julie Delpy (Looking for Jimmy, 2 Days in Paris, The Countess, Skylab, 2 Days in New York and Lolo) blends relationship dramas, a tragedy and a science fiction-tinged exploration of loss into a gripping and empathetic film that ponders how grief leads to drastic reactions, how science can let humans play god in increasingly bold and consequential manners, and how we're hardwired to use the latter to work through the former, as well as our fears of mortality. In the movie's opening section, Berlin-based geneticist Isabelle (Delpy, Wiener-Dog) juggles the struggles of co-parenting with her ex James (Richard Armitage, The Lodge). They both dote on seven-year-old Zoe (Sophia Ally, The Current War), but they also argue incessantly — largely due to James' dour behaviour, cruel demeanour and ludicrous demands. By the time that Isabelle calls him "just an awful human being" in one of their arguments, the audience is already on her side. They settle their custody dispute, but the bickering doesn't subside when Zoe is found unconscious and requires hospitalisation. Eventually, though, Isabelle has another dilemma to navigate, involving a desperate ploy to get back what she's lost, a risk-taking doctor (Daniel Brühl, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) in Moscow and an option his own wife (Gemma Arteton, Summerland) warns against. Read our full review. FANNY LYE DELIVER'D Even on a sunny day, a storm can darken a dazzling blue sky, cracking through that gorgeous facade with the weather's version of stress and woe. That's the sensation that emanates from Fanny Lye Deliver'd's early shots, which show a picturesque Shropshire farm shrouded in mist so scenic that the entire image looks like it could've been rendered in watercolours — back in 1657, too, when the movie is set. But little is perfect behind this bucolic beauty, and that's true even before two strangers unsettle the household. As they prepare to attend church on an otherwise ordinary Sunday, Fanny Lye (Maxine Peake, Peterloo) is used to being treated with disdain by her Puritan husband John Lye (Charles Dance, Game of Thrones), including in front of their son Arthur (Zak Adams, Alice Through the Looking Glass). But then young lovers Thomas Ashbury (Freddie Fox, The Pursuit of Love) and Rebecca Henshaw (Tanya Reynolds, Emma) sneak their way into the Lye home, and nothing is the same again. Fanny Lye Deliver'd isn't writer/director Thomas Clay's first feature or even his second, but it's made with a distinctive vision. Every visible detail, meticulous performance, probing line and weighty rumination upon the subjugation of women and the ills enforced in faith's name — here, during Oliver Cromwell's reign over Britain following the English Civil War — is that fastidious and intoxicating, even when depicting brutality. Clay's picture could easily sit in the mud, folklore and farmland anxiety with The Witch, a film that similarly steps into a god-fearing community where the hatred of women ascending beyond the meagre station allotted them has infected every thought and action. It plays like a cousin to that similarly entrancing and potent movie, however, rather than a sibling. Fanny Lye Deliver'd also benefits from Peake's ferocious and arresting work in the eponymous role, in what proves a stunning survivalist film about women attempting to persist amidst violence and persecution. Read our full review. FIRST LOVE When boxer Leo (Masataka Kubota, Diner) receives news that no one wants to hear — he has a brain tumour, it's inoperable and he doesn't have much time left — he takes it as gloomily as anyone would. But when he subsequently crosses paths with sex worker Monica (Sakurako Konishi, Colorless), his evening takes another unexpected turn. She's fleeing the yakuza gangsters who forced her into prostitution, including one particularly scheming underling (Sometani, Detective Chinatown 3) who plans to use her in a ploy with a crooked cop (Seiyô Uchino, 13 Assassins) to eradicate a Chinese triad gang. They start off as strangers, but Leo swiftly becomes Monica's only friend amidst the bloody mayhem. Iconic Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike has more than 100 movies to his name, shows zero signs of stopping and is clearly doing something he knows he adores (and that he's proven he's great at) with First Love. That doesn't make the prolific Audition, Ichi the Killer and Yakuza Apocalypse director's latest any less inventive, dynamic, enjoyable or brilliant, though. Here, pulp violence, a twisty crime tale and the Japanese auteur's gonzo energy all combine in a Tokyo-set noir-thriller, which ripples with Miike's distinctive brand of magic again and again — including in the movie's blending of gleefully cartoonish mania with a poignant outsiders-against-the-world narrative, and in everything from its jazz-rock score to its immaculately executed hardware store showdown as well. The inimitable talent can never be accused of painting by numbers, with everything here fitting and working as it should. Yes, he's both found and embraced his wavelength. Read our full review.
We're definitely biased, but Sydney's one of the most beautiful places to see and stay. There's always something to do, some place to drink, somewhere to swim (winter doesn't stop those Sydneysiders from achieving their morning dip). And if you're touring in style, you might as well get the full experience with a luxury stay. Whether you're visiting from interstate or a few suburbs over, Sydney is packed with five-star hotels offering plush sheets (there's no better feeling), silver-platter room service, pamper packages, and infinity pools overlooking heart-stopping views. Capella Sydney, Loftus Street Ever wondered what it's like to stay in one of the world's best hotels? Look no further than Circular Quay — with Capella Sydney crowned the 12th best hotel on The World's 50 Best Hotels list. A feast for the architectural eyes, the meticulously restored former Department of Education building invites discerning guests to another kind of art deco wonderland. Hiding behind a historic facade lies a "meadow garden" — a kinetic lighting installation, featuring wildflower-like lanterns that bloom and fold; a Baroque-style indoor pool and wellness sanctuary, including the serene Aruiga Spa, as well as some of the best dining experiences in the city. Find timeless, moody glamour at the Victorian-style drinking den, McCrae, and award-winning and seasonal brasserie classics at Brasserie 1930. The rooms also fuse heritage motifs with contemporary furnishings and appliances — think Dyson hairdryers, intuitive tablets, and oversized bathtubs. Because what's a staycation without an indulgently long morning soak? 24 Loftus St, Sydney [caption id="attachment_1069490" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Justin Nicholas[/caption] 25 Hours The Olympia, Paddington Ever return from a holiday or staycation wishing you had more time? Well, at 25 Hours Hotel Olympia, you've got an "extra hour" to play around with or lazily sink into — with an unhurried, halcyon-like atmosphere designed for comfort and presence. The global hotel chain, known for its soul-driven, chicly themed outposts, recently opened its first Australian branch at the original West Olympia Theatre in Paddington. Featuring 109 rooms for both the "dreamers" and "renegades" (the hotel's divided into two bold archetypes), wanderlust cinephiles are taken on a cinematic journey. There's "25 hours" service, retro furnishings, and a swathe of onsite destinations to check out — from the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, The Palomar, on the ground floor (helmed by Luke Davenport, ex-The Palomar, London), to a buzzy Los Angeles-like rooftop, Monica. Guests can even pick up their morning brew and pastry at Jacob the Angel, the UK's specialist coffee house. With an international feel in one of Sydney's most fashionable enclaves, you'll totally absorb main character holiday energy. 1 Oxford St, Paddington InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach Bondi may be Sydney's most famous beach, but Coogee's now home to the area's most luxurious hotel. Opened in December, the old Crown Plaza has transformed into a sparkling Grecian escape thanks to a not-so-little makeover by The InterContinental. The five-star utopia features 198 light-filled rooms and 22 sea-facing suites (some with lavish outdoor baths), all inspired by the undulating rhythm and colours of the shoreline. Because it's the eastern suburbs, obviously, there's a clear focus on wellness and rejuvenation: you'll find sunrise yoga sessions on the sand, pickleball courts for sprightly travellers, and lavish spa treatments for the digital detoxer. The palm-fringed infinity pool, bar, and leisure deck are now open, with the fully immersive Èliva Spa and Club InterContinental set to open in May, offering stellar rest and recovery alongside members-only perks. In the meantime, guests and visitors can check out Shutters Restaurant & Bar, a fitting Australian-Mediterranean fusion, as well as the hotly anticipated Rick Stein at Coogee Beach. The influential British chef's second Aussie outpost (he's got Bannisters by the Sea in Port Stephens) heroes Stein's "fresh seafood, simply prepared" ethos for a glitzy Sydney audience. You can order everything from Singapore chilli crab to hot shellfish platters, and even classic fish and chips. 242 Arden St, Coogee View this post on Instagram A post shared by The EVE Hotel (@theevehotel) The EVE, Redfern With Palm Springs sensibilities and a seriously cool, biophilic design, The EVE is a hidden oasis in Sydney's inner city. The five-star hotel by the TFE Hotels (the hotel management team behind Brisbane's southern-Cali-inspired hotel, The Calile) sits on the chic new Wunderlich Lane in Redfern, where some of the best new Sydney restaurants, bars and boutiques are situated, such as lifestyle brand Saardé (which partners with the hotel for luxury bathroom essentials). You'll find a mixed bag of clientele here, from tastemakers and It-girls in new-season St. Agni to corporate somebodies and aspirational digital nomads — languidly soaking up the lobby's mid-century modern interiors, as well as the piece de résistance: the rooftop pool. Featuring rust coloured sunloungers, cabanas, and bar service amongst the palms, this 102-room and suite space feels more like an exclusive members club than a standard hotel. 8 Baptist St, Redfern [caption id="attachment_986313" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Christopher Pearce[/caption] The Grand National Hotel, Paddington The Grand National Hotel isn't your average foodie hotel. Founded by renowned restaurateurs Josh and Julie Niland, the restored neighbourhood pub punches above its weight in both flavour and flair. Tucked away from Oxford Street, the Paddington venue expands on Niland's three-hatted seafood-first restaurant, Saint Peter — while offering those in a food coma a place to nod off. Seamlessly blending the building's heritage charm with their ethos of sustainability and modern innovation, the 14-room boutique hotel heroes natural materials and local artisans. Eucalyptus and earthy brown tones encourage the outside world in, meanwhile custom-rendered walls and ribbed tiling mimic the ocean's ripples and fish scales. There's even fish-fat candles, ceramics made from fish bones, and custom plates and cups using discarded fish bones, in each distinctive room. As for the menu? Saint Peter 2.0 invites visitors to lap up their yellowfin tuna cheeseburger at the bar, and guests to embrace their three-course breakfast of champions. The marron scrambled eggs is a must-order. 161 Underwood St, Paddington [caption id="attachment_797071" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] George Apostolidis[/caption] Crown Sydney, Barangaroo The shining, sculpturally designed beacon of Barangaroo is the city's first six-star hotel — with everything at its doorstep. From the moment you walk in the lobby, Crown Sydney exudes Hollywood glamour. You'll be greeted by distinguished uniformed doormen before being dazzled by a gigantic six-storey crystal chandelier and monolithic white marble columns sourced from Europe. Sydney's tallest hotel offers 327 guest rooms, including premium villas and two super-prime villas, featuring deep-soaking baths and floor-to-ceiling windows, showcasing sweeping sea vistas. Postcard views aside, guests can relish in a true staycation experience here — with an incredible infinity pool that seems to flow into the harbour, as well as an open-air tennis court, a luxurious day spa optimising La Prairie products, and 14 restaurants and eateries to taste test at. Have a cucumber-infused tequila cocktail on the rooftop at CIRQ, followed by Nobu's signature black cod miso for dinner. Dessert on white chocolate mousse at Teahouse… then rinse, rotate, and repeat the next day. 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo W Sydney, Darling Harbour Darling Harbour is so back. The '80s and '90s weekend hotspot for food, entertainment and immaculate views underwent a major a revitalisation in the early 2020s — and W Sydney is part of the glow-up. The largest of the global W Hotel group stands tall like a wave (it's shaped as such), luring tourists and locals seeking some "big smoke" energy. There's 588 maximalist rooms and suites to soak in harbour views, with pulsating beats reverberating through the high-shine hallways. A two-storey rooftop bar and infinity pool encourages the party at night with bold flavours and innovative cocktails; whereas the on-site restaurant BTWN (because it sits directly "between" two motorways on each side of the hotel), honours locally-sourced, seasonal produce from morning to night. If you're a sweet treat before bed kinda person there's also 2am: Dessertbar by Janice Wong inside. Indulge in one of the world's best sticky date puddings and Basque cheesecakes (Wong won Asia's Best Pastry Chef) while watching the world go by. 31 Wheat Rd, Sydney [caption id="attachment_854324" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ace Hotel[/caption] Ace Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills One of the world's most stylish hotel chains finally opened its doors Down Under in 2022. Ace Hotel has built itself up a cult following since opening in 1999, with the boutique chain going for a luxe-vintage vibe — and now, it boasts a sleek 18-storey outpost in Surry Hills. Apart from the 264 rooms (some that are pet-friendly), there are heaps of spaces to hang out in. Once you make your way past reception, you'll stumble upon the fun, laidback lobby cocktail bar that's regularly offering up DJ sets, artistic residencies and absolutely killer negronis. There are also two restaurants — the ground-floor neighbourhood diner Loam and Kiln, a rooftop restaurant and bar by Mitch Orr. They're joined by the final piece of the Ace Hotel's culinary puzzle, laneway cafe and bar Good Chemistry. Either spend the night at one of Sydney's best hotels or just drop by for drinks and dinner. 53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney Paramount House, Surry Hills When Paramount House Hotel was first announced back in August 2017, it promised it wouldn't be your standard luxury Sydney hotel but rather an experience that would immerse patrons in the inner-city culture of Surry Hills. And when it opened in 2018, it delivered on that guarantee. You'll never have a dull moment at Paramount (unless you actively want one) as the building offers up a rooftop gym, gorgeous independent cinema and one of Sydney's best cafes — plus, depending on when you book your stay, you're likely to find a dance party, art exhibition or a film retrospective awaiting your attendance. There's also a new mini mart, Paramart, in the hotel lobby, which blends the classic Australian milk bar experience with the convenience and style of Tokyo vending machines. Designed by Anna Wu of AWA Studio, the concept heroes local restaurants, bars, cafes, and stores — while injecting a playful edge into your stay. Guests can mess around with vintage Nintendo Game Boys, chess sets, and even tarot cards. Set in an old 40s warehouse, the 29-room hotel features soaring ceilings with exposed brickwork, luxury copper finishes and Jardan sofas that complete the Paramount House identity. 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills The Langham Sydney, Millers Point Just a ten-minute walk from Circular Quay and The Rocks, The Langham is the epitome of indulgence. With 96 rooms on offer, demand for even just one night at this Sydney institution is high all year round. And with facilities like its fitness centre, sauna, day spa and spectacular indoor pool with a star-dappled sky ceiling, you'll find it hard to tear yourself away from the Sydney hotel to explore the amazing surrounding areas. Within the suites, expect plush furniture, high ceilings and large windows overlooking the western side of the harbour. Bed and breakfast specials are also on offer, as is a 'pampered pets program' — making it one of Sydney's few pet-friendly accommodation options at the luxury level. We're also very big fans of The Langham's traditional afternoon tea. Enjoy a bespoke version of this beloved British tradition, elevated with classic Wedgwood teaware and The Langham Sydney's champagne of choice, Laurent-Perrier. 89-113 Kent Street, Millers Point Oxford House, Paddington Find West Hollywood (or year-long summers) in Paddington with one of the city's sunniest hotels. Revitalising a mid-century gem, Oxford House (or OH! for short) comprises 56 rooms and suites of earthy hues, layered textures, and natural light. There's a stylish nod to local and international artisans and designers with curated art and photography by Ksubi co-founder George Gorrow — including work by Lena Gustafson, Adam Turnbull, and Niah McLeod — as well as custom bathrobes by Paddington designer, Double Rainbouu. In-house wine, restaurant and hi-fi bar Busby's promises dimly-lit hedonism, groovy tunes, and steak frites. If you fancy breakfast, you can carb-load with potato rostis and poached eggs. But the main event revolves around the bright and leafy courtyard pool (which many rooms face), which absolutely pops off on weekends. Poolside DJ sets and digital projections lift the mood, meanwhile, the bar keeps you well-fed and "hydrated" with Mandarin Palomas and club sandwiches. 21 Oxford St, Paddington Little National Sydney, Clarence Street A pint-sized national treasure. The Little National Hotel may be just steps away from Barangaroo and the CBD, but inside, there's a sense of zen. The intimate hotel honours Japanese minimalism with 230 petit-chic rooms and bare necessities. Little luxuries include plush king-sized beds, crisp white linen, skin and hair products by Appelles Apothecary and Lab, bathrobes by Brogo, complimentary movie access, intuitive tablets, and a partnership with UberEats. That means you can order from any available CBD-based business — and have food items delivered straight to your door by hotel staff, along with sustainable disposable plates and cutlery. Head up top, and you'll find a rooftop oasis featuring a timber-decked balcony, lush greenery, and communal sofas. Order a spritz at the bar in summer, and sip on a negroni in the indoor velveted lounge areas during winter. For commuters, businesspeople, and digital nomads, there's also "the library" (a quiet workzone) to get in a flow state and print those tickets. If you're after big-city vibes in mindful settings, The Little National is your gateway to productive rest. 26 Clarence St, Sydney [caption id="attachment_975684" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Old Clare Hotel[/caption] The Old Clare Hotel, Chippendale Since its highly anticipated re-opening back in 2015, Chippendale's Old Clare Hotel has held a firm place as one of the best hotels in Sydney. Reborn from the (metaphorical) ashes of the historic (and dearly beloved) Clare Hotel, and adjoining Carlton United Brewery Administrative Building, the city stay boasts heritage timber panelling and exposed brick walls, furnished with pendant lighting and vintage furniture. You can also bring your pooch along, thanks to several dog-friendly suites. Other hotel amenities include a rooftop pool, private gym and in-room massage services. Guests can also take advantage of custom-made bicycles to explore the surrounding neighbourhood. At night, simply relax at The Clare Bar or on the city-sweeping rooftop bar. 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale Shangri-La Sydney, The Rocks The views from Shangri-La Sydney look as if they have been plucked right out of a Tourism Australia ad. Look to the left and you'll see the Harbour Bridge up and close. Roll over in bed and look to your right, and you've got the Opera House just sitting there looking right back at you. It's pinch-yourself stunning. And everything you get is centred around those panoramic harbour views. Each of the 565 rooms has a different angle of the harbour. The restaurant and bar, up on level 36, are also made for gawking out at the surrounding Sydney landmarks. As you'd expect from a five-star hotel, the Shangri-La also has its own opulent spa facility. Relax here before heading to the gym, indoor swimming pool, hot whirlpool bath or sundeck. Deep dive into that self-care life. We could think of worse places to rest your head for a few nights. 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour This 590-room five-star haven was Sydney's very first luxury hotel built in the CBD. And it has never fallen behind the pack, constantly setting the standard for all new hotels in the area. It is a true Sydney institution — for overnight stays, pampering and dining. First off, the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour rooms are just stupid glamorous. Spread over 35 floors in Darling Harbour's tallest building, guests enjoy all the latest tech and contemporary design with chic French touches. The rooms are classically designed, but they never feel old or outdated — much of this is thanks to the constant updates going on here. If you're not trying out its new luxury spa facilities, be sure to at least take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the harbour. Food and drink-wise, you'll be sorted too. Visit the French-inspired grill combining French flavours with locally sourced produce at Atelier, order a poolside cocktail at Le Rivage Pool Bar, take in the sunset at the award-winning Champagne Bar or grab a coffee & croissant at the Esprit Noir Lobby Bar on Sundays. It's clear why Sofitel Sydney remains one of the very best hotels in Sydney. 12 Darling Drive, Sydney Crystalbrook Albion, Surry Hills Crystalbrook Albion is a luxurious operation in the heart of Surry Hills. It was launched back in July 2018 by 8Hotels, but has since been acquired by the Crystalbrook Collection hotel group. With 24-hour service and brekkie included, this guest house is pitched as a fusion of hotel and home. Here, at one of the best hotels in Sydney, you'll get to lounge around in designer interiors decked out with a covetable art collection — and in a rooftop garden complete with an outdoor shower and panoramic city views. There's also an honour system bar, where guests can help themselves to high-end nibbles and drinks. When it comes to the food and drinks, both at the breakfast table and in the mini bar, working with local businesses such as Brix Distillery, Infinity Bakery and Poho Flowers is of major importance. 21 Little Albion Street, Surry Hills [caption id="attachment_936166" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kimpton Margot Sydney[/caption] Kimpton Margot Sydney, Pitt Street Kimpton Margot Sydney may have only opened in 2022, but the Sydney hotel has some real old-world energy about it. Stacks of heritage-listed art deco architectural features have been paired with some contemporary Aussie style. The art deco vibe flows through to each of the 172 spacious rooms and suites, as well as the four restaurants and bars. Out of these drinking and dining spaces, Luke's Kitchen is the centrepiece — helmed by chef Luke Mangan. You can't stay at Kimpton Margot Sydney without taking a dip in the sun-drenched rooftop pool overlooking the city — especially come summer in Sydney. It's a proper concrete oasis, decked out with lounge chairs and couches, surrounded by city towers. All these luxury offerings are also paired with a heap of complementary amenities. Grab a free bike for the day, do some yoga in your room with all the gear and online tutorials provided, and even bring your dog — at no extra charge. 339 Pitt Street, Sydney QT Sydney, Market Street Every one of QT Sydney's guest suites has been carefully crafted to reflect and honour the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings in which it resides. QT's exterior sports a striking blend of gothic, art deco, and Italianate-influenced architecture — and inside, the luxurious rooms carry through that art deco-meets-gothic aesthetic to quite a striking degree. Plus, thanks to its location right in the centre of the CBD — and alongside one of the city's most famous theatres — the luxury Sydney hotel is a great pick for out-of-towners, while locals can often be found making the best of its various bars, bistros and restaurants. Want to stay a little closer to the beach? Hop over to the QT Bondi for a coastal escape. 49 Market Street, Sydney Travelling with a four-legged friend? Check out our list for the best dog-friendly hotels in Sydney before you go. Images: supplied
One of the most-stunning parts of New South Wales, and Australia, now boasts a new reason for locals, Sydneysiders and interstate visitors to make a date with its spectacular scenery — and a new way to get immersed in its heritage-listed wonders. Everyone should visit the Blue Mountains at least once in their life. Everyone should combine that trip with soaking in Blue Mountains National Park. And now, everyone should also hike along Blue Mountains' Grand Cliff Top Walk. Back in 2019, it was announced that the popular trail — which passes many waterfalls and lookouts on Gundungurra Country, and offers up some dazzling views of the national park and its many eucalpyts— was getting up upgrade to the tune of $10 million. It's taken some time, but the results have been unveiled. Walking the full new stretch now means taking a two-day, 19-kilometre journey, including along more than 4000 steps and ten kilometres of track that have been newly added. Among the highlights: the rainforest, falls such as Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Cascades, and peering out over the Jamison Valley towards Mount Solitary, for starters. You'll also potentially spy everything from lyrebirds and yellow-tailed black cockatoos as you wander between lookouts, including on restored 100-year-old sandstone paths. And, the Three Sisters Aboriginal Place is on the walk as well. If you're keen to experience the entire new Grand Cliff Top Walk, it's suggested that you take an 11-kilometre stroll on the first day, beginning at Wentworth Falls, with Gordon Falls at Leura your destination. Then, on day two, you can enjoy an eight-kilometre walk that kicks off at the same spot, heading to Scenic World at Katoomba via the Three Sisters. The entire route is planned around access and accommodation, so the idea is that folks can spend two days putting one foot in front of the other is scenic surroundings without needing to carry a huge backpacks or take camping equipment with them. Walkers will also find public transport handy at either end, as well as dining options. If that still sounds like a massive endeavour, you can make your way along sections of the track as half-day or full-day walks instead. There's also guided tour options, starting with a two-hour hike with a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger. Find the Grand Cliff Top Walk in Blue Mountains National Park, starting at Wentworth Falls and ending at Katoomba. Head to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for further details. Images: R Brand.
The patch of greenery at the heart of Werribee City Centre is set to score a glow-up this autumn, as it's transformed into a luminous after-dark wonderland for the return of immersive installation Lit at Wyndham Park. Come 8pm each night from Friday, March 17–Sunday, March 26, Wyndham Park will come alive with a collection of glowing artworks set against its leafy natural spaces. You're invited to wander through the pop-up openair gallery for free, where you'll encounter a cast of colourful characters and creations. Among them, catch a touch-controlled work by Yandell Walton featuring ever-shifting projections of native flora, and a laser show lighting up the main lawn every half hour. Elsewhere, award-winning art experience crew The Indirect Object has created an inflatable glowing installation inspired by mangroves, an 800-metre trail of luminous creatures stars as part of Skunk Control's The Great Escape, and you're invited to lose yourself in the interactive installation of glowing streamers that is Morphology. Plus you'll catch 40 supersized mirror balls sparkling amongst the tree canopies and light-drenched foliage sparkling from every corner of the park. As for refreshments, you can pack a picnic or hit one of the many nearby eateries for a range of dine-in and grab-and-go options.
