For nearly a century, 280 Little Collins Street has stood as a significant retail and social hub for generations of Melburnians. Designed by celebrated Melbourne interwar architect Harry Norris as the first significant Chicago-inspired gothic-style commercial building in Victoria, it opened in 1930 as the flagship store of the fast-expanding G J Coles empire — later rebadged as Coles — before David Jones took over in the 1980s, transforming the site into that brand's Melbourne menswear flagship. Now, the heritage-listed building has entered a new chapter as the home of Rodd & Gunn's new global flagship. The mega-venue showcases fashion, dining and design across its four floors, marking the New Zealand outfitter's most ambitious venture to date. It follows the recent arrival of Mecca's new Bourke Street flagship in the northern wing of the same building, marking a new era for one of Melbourne's most distinctive addresses. The crown jewel of the venue sits on level one: The Lodge Dining Room. Framed by soaring arched windows and antique mirrors, the grand yet intimate space brings together The Lodge Bar Group's Executive Chef Matt Lambert (former chef and owner of Michelin-starred New York restaurant The Musket Room) and Head Chef James Evangelinos (The Musket Room, hatted Sydney pub Hotel Centennial and James Packer's former personal chef) to deliver produce-led menus ranging from à la carte to ten-course tasting journeys. To start, dishes may include scallops with white asparagus, marron with summer bisque, smoked eel with new-season tomatoes and herb emulsion, and a sophisticated quail galantine with foie gras and whiskey jelly. Mains are along the lines of duck with beetroot and radicchio, and Bass Grouper bouillabaisse with prawns and mussels. Wines are curated by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, showcasing the best of New Zealand alongside standout Australian and international drops. At the same time, a reeded-glass private dining room with a striking white marble table adds a layer of exclusivity. Rodd & Gunn has worked with St Kilda-based Studio Y to reimagine the building's southern wing, weaving its art deco glamour with hospitality-led design. Arched motifs, curved joinery, stepped stone and metallic accents nod to the 1930s, while warm timbers, natural stone and marble accents echo Rodd & Gunn's contemporary aesthetic. "This building holds a special place in Melbourne's history, and we wanted our flagship to honour that legacy at every turn," says Mike Beagley, Rodd & Gunn CEO. "Every design choice was made to respect its heritage while creating something entirely new." Each of the four distinct but connected levels offers a different experience. The lower-ground Cellar Caffetteria pays homage to the famed Coles Cafeteria, combining a retail wine store with an innovative cocktail laboratory by Matt Bax (Bar Americano), an Italian-inspired menu featuring handmade pasta and all-day aperitivi. Oversized checkerboard flooring, bluestone laneway walkways, intimate booth seating and mood lighting evoke the feeling of a wine cave. The ground floor has been transformed into an elegant, immersive retail space, where cornice plasterwork and marble joinery are juxtaposed with modern display fixtures, heritage-inspired balustrades and robust timber finishes. The mezzanine, meanwhile, is now home to an exclusive Members' Bar (for Rodd & Gunn's loyal clientele), a handsomely wood-panelled, club-like space with sculptural lighting by Volker Haug, featuring Kiwi-inspired snacks and classic cocktails for loyal clientele. "This is a space built on relationships," says Josh Beagley, Director of The Lodge Group. "It's our way of giving something back to the community who continue to shape Rodd & Gunn. The Member's Bar is for them." "While New Zealand will always remain Rodd & Gunn's spiritual home, the opening of our Melbourne flagship is our way of giving back to a city that has supported Rodd & Gunn from the very beginning," says Beagley. "Every surface in this flagship tells a story — a dialogue between past and present that honours the history of the building and the fabric of our brand. Images: Supplied.
Alpha Ouzeri is a family-run, warm and lively venue that embodies the true spirit of an ouzeri — a Greek establishment that specialises in serving ouzo, Greece's distinctive and much-loved anise-flavoured spirit, alongside meze. The restaurant, a mezeklikia venue — with small snacks and meze plates — has made a triumphant return to Victoria Street, Brunswick. Alpha Ouzeri carries on the decades-old tradition of serving sharing plates as accompaniment to ouzo and other drinks (to help absorb the alcohol), which started back with the Greek blues bars, or Rembetiko clubs, back in the 1920s. Owners Harry and Rosie Tsuikardanis first opened Alpha Ouzeri in 2008, when it was located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, where it operated until 2016. Harry Tsiukardanis brings over 30 years of experience as a head chef to Alpha Ouzeri, having worked at many renowned restaurants such as Cafe Di Stasio, Epocha, Babajan and Philhellene, which he co-owned with his family. The home-style food is influenced by the flavours and techniques of Northern Greece, and pays homage to Harry's hometown of Kastoria. The extensive menu includes the usual suspects of dips, saganaki, grilled haloumi, Greek salad, lamb shoulder and fried calamari. However, it also includes less expected dishes such as Harry's signature triple-cooked pork belly with peppered Iranian figs, dates stuffed with labneh and served with cured beef, grilled spiced sausage with harissa, feta and caramelised onions, and ouzo-cured salmon with pickled rhubarb. The range of menu specials means you can keep coming back to the restaurant over and over again and try something new each time. You might sample baked goat with labneh and broad beans, a Greek seafood paella, potato and feta croquettes with muhammara, swordfish with beetroot salad, or a spinach and rice Greek risotto. While Harry is known for his syrupy loukomades, the dessert menu also includes a yoghurt tart with poached pear or an orange cake with curd for those looking for something less sweet. What sets Alpha Ouzeri apart is its admirable focus on inclusivity and accessibility. The concept behind the menu is to offer affordable sharing plates to cater for all budgets. You could pop in for a quick ouzo and snack, or settle in and go for the hearty set menu. The venue itself is also accessible, featuring an entrance ramp and other inclusive amenities. The welcoming atmosphere, flowing ouzo and generous food make Alpha Ouzeri a spirited yet easy-going location to celebrate with family or friends. The enclosed courtyard has a capacity of up to 50 people for functions and special events. Images: supplied.
There are plenty of ways to pretend that it's the 80s, you live in Hawkins, Indiana and vanquishing a demogorgon is your life's mission. Listening solely to eerie synth tunes, devouring pop culture from the era, playing Dungeons & Dragons — they all fit, and so does binging Stranger Things, of course. But for one morning only, if you happen to be in the vicinity of Bondi Beach, you can go a step further. Always wanted to have an encounter with the Upside Down (well, since 2016, when the hit Netflix series first appeared)? Until 12pm today, Friday, May 27 — aka right now — you can. An IRL Upside Down rift (not to be confused with a Fast and Furious drift) has taken over the famed stretch of sand in front of the skate park, but only for a few hours. Of course, when we say real, we all know that it's a Netflix promotional stunt and not really an opening to a terrifying, monster-filled alternate dimension — but hey, if you've been counting down the years between Stranger Things' third and fourth seasons, you'll be happy to go along with it. Glowing red in its centre — naturally — and filled with branch-like vines that stick out from that luminous void, this rift isn't small. It measures 20 metres by 16 metres in size, in fact. So, again, if you're in the area, you really can't miss it. And if you're a Sydneysider who now wants to take a detour to work, or a mid-morning trip, that's understandable. If you follow the Netflix Australia and New Zealand Twitter account, you might've already made the journey — yesterday, on Thursday, May 26, it teased that something spooky was coming between 7am–12pm today, complete with coordinates (written upside down, of course). That means you may have already seen the scientists patrolling the area in hazmat suits, too, and lifeguards setting up a perimeter. The reason for the Upside Down arriving Down Under: the return of Stranger Things after a three-year gap, with the first seven episodes in the show's fourth and penultimate season hitting Netflix today, at 5pm AEST, as well. Bondi is one of 15 sites in 14 countries getting a taste of the Upside Down — alongside the Empire State Building in New York City, Duomo Square in Milan, Malecon Barranquilla in Colombia, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Menara Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Al-'Ula National Monument in Saudi Arabia, Cologne Media Park in Germany, XBox Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, Wawel Castle in Krakow, Medborgarplatsen in Stockholm, the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao; and the Telefónica building and Plaza del Callao in Madrid. London and Tokyo are also on the list. It's been a big few years for pop culture-themed pop-ups in Australia, with the Upside Down following in Borat, Nicole Kidman, Homer Simpson and the creepy Red Light, Green Light doll from Squid Game 's footsteps in Sydney. Homer Simpson's huge head made its way to Queensland, too, while Melbourne scored an Everything Everywhere All At Once-style multidimensional laundromat and a massive Timothée Chalamet mural to promote Dune. Find the Stranger Things Upside Down rift at Bondi Beach until 12pm on Friday, May 27. You can also watch the first seven episodes of Stranger Things season four via Netflix from 5pm AEST on Friday, May 27 — and read our full review. Images: courtesy of Netflix and Aquabumps.
One of the top ways to treat yourself is to check into one of the best hotels in Melbourne for a few nights. At these joints, you get a little bit of everything (or even a whole lot of everything). Expect fresh plush sheets (this may seem basic, but god we all know how good this feels), room service that you can eat in bed, pampering packages at spas, pools with epic views and just about anything else your luxurious self desires. And Melbourne is packed full of five-star hotels and brilliant boutique stays that will help you live your best life. So check out our guide to the very best hotels in Melbourne, perfect for those after a luxury staycation or out-of-town visitors in need of a base for exploring the city. Recommended reads: The Best Day Spas in Melbourne The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia The Best Places to Go Glamping in Victoria The Best Dog-Friendly Accommodations in Victoria
Sex: we all know what it is. If you don't, stop right here because this isn't the article for you. Sex on-screen has become commonplace. TV and films frequently include spicy scenes for many different reasons, but as perceptions about sexuality rapidly evolve off-screen, the on-screen representations have to keep up. In 2023, the wide and wonderful world of romance and sex is bigger and more inclusive than ever. A TV series that has embraced that fact is Erotic Stories, a brand-new drama anthology from SBS On Demand, it's the latest addition to a fantastic range of drama programs available on the platform, all of which are completely free. Across eight episodes, Erotic Stories tells stories of love and intimacy in modern Australia with on-screen protagonists that aren't always written as sexual leads. We've watched it, and we're here to rank all eight episodes from least to most spicy. First, a quick disclaimer: this article contains mild spoilers, but it isn't a review of Erotic Stories. This is a ranking of how 'spicy' we believe the episodes to be. Spiciness and sexuality are subjective to every individual, so we strongly encourage watching the series and deciding for yourself. VANILLA: EPISODE 6 — 'IMPERFECT PAW PAW' What happens? 'Imperfect Paw Paw' star Zahra Newman (Thirteen Lives) as Leila, a woman from Sydney who works in marketing for a vitamins company; she's overworked and dealing with significant stress in her personal life. When she heads to the Gold Coast on a work trip, she has a chance encounter with a group of locals, including an attractive surfer who encourages her to abandon her commitments to join them on a free-spirited night out. Watch this episode if you like: stories about seizing the moment and embracing spontaneity. Why the rating? Spice in this episode is minimal. The majority of spice is built up through sexual tension over the course of the night out. When the spice kicks in, it's short but hot. SEASONED: EPISODE 1 — 'PHILIA' What happens? 'Philia' stars Catherine McClements (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) as Sam, a single mother of a teenage girl who works in digital publishing. With her job on the line against a fellow writer, she is assigned an advertorial story — a review of a new smart sex toy for couples. With no partner to help her review the male side of the remotely operated machines, she turns to George, a longtime family friend, for help. One problem: he's a married father of two. Watch this episode if you like: a side of comedy with your spice. Why the rating? Spice is definitely present in 'Philia', offering an insight into modern sex tech, but it isn't overtly explicit and isn't the key focus of the episode. BIT OF A KICK: EPISODE 5 — 'WALKING GAMBIT' What happens? 'Walking Gambit' stars Yuchen Wang (Safe Home) as Patrick, a man out for an after-dark walk with his beloved staffy Gambit. He arrives at a secluded bushland park where men gather at night, in secret, to hook up. After enjoying the company of another attendee of the park, Patrick returns to Gambit to find him missing without a trace. With the help of his new companion, Patrick searches for his dog while dealing with a previously hidden grief. Watch this episode if you like: stories about the complexities of grief and the unconditional love of dogs. Why the rating? 'Walking Gambit' gets spicy early on and, while short, it's more explicit than our previously ranked episodes. The rest of the episode is spice-free. SPICY: EPISODE 4 — 'POWERFUL OWL' What happens? 'Powerful Owl' stars Rarriwuy Hick (Wentworth Prison) as Kiarra and Googoorewon Knox (Black Snow) as Drew, a First Nations couple living in Sydney. Kiarra has a challenging but successful legal career, while George travels around Australia on contract work. After remarking their connection to the lifetime bond of the native Aussie powerful owl, Kiarra and George find their relationship on the rocks when faced with the complications and temptations of long-distance intimacy. Watch this episode if you like: stories about true love. Why the rating? 'Powerful Owl' keeps the spiciness consistent throughout the episode, but at different levels of explicitness over the course of the story. SMOKING: EPISODE 2 — 'THE DELUGE' What happens? 'The Deluge' stars Kate Box (Rake) as Cara, who shares most of her life with her best friend Ginger (Danielle Cormack, Wentworth Prison). Together, they practice shibari, a Japanese style of bondage, for Ginger's photography career, while Ginger encourages Cara to break her sexual drought. Once Cara turns to dating apps to find a new partner, she has a passionate encounter with a younger woman, but that passion quickly leads to unexpected ramifications for everyone involved. Watch this episode if you like: stories about meaningful connections. Why the rating? 'The Deluge' is spicy throughout, with some very intimate and descriptive scenes spread throughout the episode. Ultimately, though, that's not the main focus of the episode. RED HOT: EPISODE 8 — 'MASC UP' What happens? 'Masc Up' stars Bernie Van Tiel (Jade of Death) as non-binary lesbian Cal and their new partner Mish as the two join Cal's friends on an annual New Year's holiday to a luxurious homestay. All the members of the group are extremely close, challenging Mish to find her place among them. Cal faces a challenge of their own when the talent they pride themselves on, making partners climax, is much harder than usual with Mish — testing their relationship and forcing Cal to face long-buried insecurities. Watch this episode if you like: stories about overcoming self doubt. Why the rating? With 'Masc Up', Erotic Stories enters its top three spiciest episodes. This episode is very spicy, thanks to explicit scenes and dialogue throughout. BURNING: EPISODE 3 — 'BOUND' What happens? 'Bound' stars Joel Lago as CJ, a gay man living with disability that impedes his mobility and who has a preference for less-than-ergonomic positions during sex. While travelling from a doctor's appointment, CJ is sexually propositioned by an older man, who invites him to an exclusive and spicy nightclub. What happens that night challenges CJ to confront the intersections of disability, sex and self-respect. Watch this episode if you like: stories about knowing your own worth. Why the rating? The spicy elements of 'Bound' revolve around sexual kinks, consent and objectification, and feature lots of bondage. DEADLY: EPISODE 7 — 'COME AS YOU ARE' What happens? 'Come As You Are' stars Frances Ann O'Conner (The End) as Annabel, a woman who holds a senior role in a corporate office. She lives a life of routine and deals with trauma from a past relationship, but all that changes after a chance encounter with an intern named Florian. His confidence and free-spirited nature opens up a new world of sexuality for Annabel, but forces her to decide where she draws the line and how she can maintain control of her own desires. Watch this episode if you like: stories about sexual exploration and self-confidence. Why the rating? 'Come As You Are' is the spiciest episode of Erotic Stories since the spiciness involves both sexual tension and outright steamy scenes throughout the episode. All eight episodes of 'Erotic Stories' are streaming now for free alongside other great drama series on SBS On Demand. Images: SBS On Demand.
Scroll any FYP in the year 2025 and you'll see run clubs and coffee raves galore. As Gen Z emerges from the pandemic armed with their hobbies and strict morning wellness routines, it's easy to lament the "death" of nightlife. @bree.active Sober rave 🤌🏽 #runclub #melbourne #lskd #coffeerave #caferave #soberrave #coffeeparty #coffee #run ♬ No Broke Boys - Disco Lines & Tinashe As someone who ran their first half-marathon post-Melbourne lockdowns, I get it. When the world feels increasingly out of control, choosing to spend time on healthy habits and getting out in the daylight feels like an antidote. It's not just Gen Z who are getting involved with these clubs; brands are also joining the trend. The cult Surry Hills cafe, A.P. Bakery, hosts a run club on select Sundays, and Onair in Cremorne serves both iced coffees and DJ sets every weekend. [caption id="attachment_996531" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Onair[/caption] The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, shows that, despite Gen Z choosing cold brews over cocktails, the night-time economy is still strong — and young people in fact are leading the charge. According to the report, 32 percent of Australians consider night-time socialising either "extremely" or "very" important. Younger generations in particular value it for new experiences and social connections. Here's the cold, hard proof that it's not the last call for nightlife in Australia. Where are People Getting Out the Most? The Visa Australia Night-time Economy Index 2025, a new in-depth analysis measuring data such as spending, vibrancy, and venues open after dark, crowned Melbourne as the number one night-time hotspot in the country. Between its laneway bars, world-class restaurants, and sports and entertainment events, Melburnians are getting out of the house after dark the most frequently. [caption id="attachment_922915" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Her Bar, Melbourne[/caption] New South Wales, however, is rapidly catching up. Sydney's CBD outperformed Melbourne in terms of spending at night, but Melbourne took the top spot due to its night-time workers and merchants. Essentially, Melburnians are working late, with more inner-city haunts open longer than their Sydney counterparts. Sydney and its surrounding metro areas accounted for 12 of the top 20 night-time precincts in the country, proving that the after-dark economy may slowly but surely be recovering from the lockout laws. [caption id="attachment_1018911" align="alignleft" width="1920"] SXSW Sydney[/caption] According to the index, Canberra is the highest-ranked place outside the Sydney and Melbourne metro areas for evening spending. This is thanks to strong spending by tourists, people tapping their Visas after dark, and the fast growth in the number of restaurants open in the evening. A large percentage of Canberra's population is also young people and uni students aged 20-29, proving that Gen Z are helping to boost the economy with their socialising. That said, it wasn't just capital cities leading the charge. The regional university town of Newcastle, nearby Lake Macquarie, and the party town of the Gold Coast also made the top 20 list. Due to shift workers in industries like logistics and mining, rural areas, including Tasmania's South East, the Queensland Outback, the Northern Territory Outback and Warrnambool, had some of the highest night-time spending per active card. Why Are People Heading Out? We know, thanks to Visa's data, that Australians are still spending money after dark, but what are they doing? According to the Visa Vibe Economy report, dining out is the most popular night-time activity for a huge 76 percent of Australians. Over half of the people surveyed are also looking for night markets and festivals. [caption id="attachment_1014951" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Bessie's Restaurant[/caption] Despite what your FYP is telling you, the kids are alright. Gen Z is the most active demographic after dark, with 73 percent going out once or more per week (an average of 9.4 nights per month). Half of the surveyed generation also believes that nights offer more new experiences than the daytime, and 45 percent of Gen Z shared that going out after dark made them feel more connected to others than during the day. The Sober Curious Trend The data says that, despite our reputation as early risers and run club fanatics, Australians still try to find balance and head out after dark for a restaurant or festival experience. One thing our FYPs have right, though? We actually are drinking less. Only nine percent of Australians surveyed believe that alcohol availability when heading out for the night is extremely important. [caption id="attachment_1010146" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Katje-Ford[/caption] With Gen Z's "sober curious" attitude to alcohol, it seems that going out for a meal with friends is higher on the list for young Australians than hitting the clubs all night. Given Gen Z came of age during Sydney's lockout laws and the COVID pandemic, it's no surprise that the healthy habits of run clubs and pre-work coffee rave meet-ups are popular at the moment. The data has found, however, that Gen Z aren't resigned to their couches every Saturday night. Turns out, it's all about finding the balance. Discover the vibe near you. Lead image: Form Cafe Brisbane
MoVida was the term used to describe the cultural youth movement born in Spain after the death of dictator Fransico Franco. Today, it is also the name of Frank Camorra's most happening tapas joint. Tucked away in stencil-drenched Hosier Lane, MoVida offers a grazing extravaganza in an enchanting room akin to what you'd actually get in downtown Barcelona. Melburnians seldom see a bland menu around town and MoVida's never been the exception. With a grand choice of tapas and daily specials, the inner city hideaway is a well-packaged empire of Spanish goodness catering to locals and out-of-towners. You'd best make a booking because the place packs out. And fast. If you're anything like us, though, you'll be in super early and already perched at the bar by 4.30pm. And with the immense popularity of counter-culture in Melbourne, don't be surprised to notice you've joined a significant number of others who have already set up shop. With a sensibility towards how the real Spaniards do it, MoVida's got it down pat. Seriously though, we'd highly recommend you go right now because what's not to love about a place that offers an evening's good time with food and drink served fast?
Anything that chef Andrew McConnell touches turns to gold. With his indisputable Midas touch already valued in spades thanks to the Builders Arms Hotel, Cutler & Co., and the soon-to-be Supernormal, Flinders Lane's Cumulus Inc. is all part of the McConnell experience — and is one definitely not to miss. Cumulus Inc. is a sensory dream. A seamless mix of outstanding food and beautiful design, it's an encounter that makes good note of the self-professed 'eating house and bar' as truly that — a place to drop by any time of the day. With the expansive warehouse windows transporting you anywhere from New York's Meatpacking District to the narrow laneways of Paris' Montmartre, the space still remains inherently Melbourne, embellished with fine black details and an expansive marble bar. Consistently awarded one chef hat by The Age Good Food Guide since 2010, Cumulus Inc. caters for every desire and occasion from breakfast to dinner. A solo early morning coffee, a celebratory dinner or even a few after work drinks (upstairs at Cumulus Up) are all yours for the taking. With service that is intuitive, the experience is even better; taking your time is welcomed, not discouraged. Thanks to a modern Australian slant, the beauty of Cumulus Inc. lies in its elegant restraint. Dishes are unembellished, executed effortlessly and source only the finest of local produce to do so. Come waking hours the house made crumpets, whipped ricotta and rooftop honey ($10) are decadent, whilst the house breakfast — a boiled egg, toast, preserves, yoghurt, orange juice, coffee and tea ($16) — proves that sometimes the originals are the best. Such beautiful simplicity continues throughout the day, with the corn-fed chicken breast with puffed rice, pearl barley and sorrel ($34) easily a dinner party favourite. Whatever you do though, a visit to Cumulus remains incomplete without sampling their infamous madeleines ($2.50 each). Baked to order to arrive at your table filled with runny lemon curd and oozing with steam, they're an absolute delight. Pair them with a coffee or, even better, a glass of champagne. Cumulus Inc. is a reliable gem in the city's crown. If you are yet to visit, get to it. It'll remind you why Melbourne is one of the best cities in the world.
You can see Oprah, and you can see Oprah, and you can see Oprah: Oprah Winfrey has announced a December 2025 trip Down Under, including bringing her latest in-conversation events to Melbourne. At Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, December 11, you'll be able to see the famed talk-show host get chatting — in an intimate session rather than on TV, where The Oprah Winfrey Show ran for 25 years. This is Winfrey's first jaunt this way in a decade — and that tour sold out, so expect this one to be popular as well. Authenticity and resilience will be among the topics of conversation, in what's designed to be an inspirational natter. [caption id="attachment_1015691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Disney/Eric McCandless[/caption] "One of the things I have always enjoyed is sitting down for real, honest, enlightening conversations, and this experience is all about that," said Winfrey, announcing the tour. "The energy, warmth and spirit I feel in Australia and New Zealand have stayed with me, and returning will be an opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and be reinspired — together. I look forward to sharing stories, ideas, and meaningful connection about what's possible in our lives moving forward."
Mark this down as one of 2026's must-see tours: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are playing a slate of shows in Australia. Three gigs will take over Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne across Friday, January 30–Sunday, February 1. The group's Wild God tour is finally making its way to this part of the globe, after dates across UK, Europe and North America in 2024 and 2025. Fans can get excited about a two-and-a-half-hour concert focused on the band's 2024 record Wild God, but also spanning their four-decade career. 'Red Right Hand' and 'Into My Arms' have indeed been on the set list so far. Cave and Ellis last hit the stage Down Under sans the rest of The Bad Seeds on the Aussie run of their Carnage tour in 2022, supporting the 2021 album that shared the tour's name — which actually marked Cave and Ellis' first studio album as a duo. Bandmates across several projects since the 90s — including Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, and Grinderman — Cave and Ellis are Aussie icons, with careers spanning back decades. Together, they also boast more than a few phenomenal film scores to their names as well, including for The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Road, West of Memphis, Far From Men, Hell or High Water and Wind River. Images: Megan Cullen.
Victoria is upgrading its ticketing system to make everyday travel easier and more convenient. The headline change is moving from the myki system to universal contactless payments — credit or debit cards, smartphones and smart devices — which will begin a staged rollout from early 2026 to streamline moving across the network. Behind the scenes, new ticket readers are being progressively installed across the rail network and trialled on select bus routes: 903, 510 and 512. For now, those readers are myki-only — so keep using your myki card or mobile myki (Android only) — but getting the hardware in is a critical first step before switching on tap and go. New features will be tested, refined and introduced gradually from early 2026, but if you're attached to your current setup, you're covered — passengers, including school children, will be able to keep using a physical myki when the new options arrive. There are no immediate changes to myki, mobile myki or V/Line tickets, and the Department doesn't expect disruptions during the transition. This push follows extensive trials and community feedback. Since late 2023, new myki infrastructure — readers, screens and gates — has been tested, and a six-month tap and go pilot ran on local buses in Wangaratta, wrapping in May 2025. The program is underpinned by technical and customer testing to ensure it works for everyone — a change that should deliver a big lift in day-to-day efficiency. [caption id="attachment_882118" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Realview Studio, Yarra Trams[/caption] The upgrade is being delivered by Conduent Victoria Ticketing System, which has operated myki since December 1, 2023 while developing the new features. Expect a staged rollout across the network from early 2026, plus a support program to help passengers adopt new ways to pay. Until then, keep tapping on with myki — and watch this space as the state's ticketing (finally) goes contactless. The statewide rollout of contactless payment on public transport is expected from early 2026. Head to Transport Victoria for more information. Images: supplied
With people queuing for a table at 7pm on a Wednesday night, you can tell there's got to be something damn good about Bar Lourinha in Melbourne's CBD. Upon closer inspection, it is a combination of the three all-important aspects of any great venue: food, wine and service. It also helps that it feels like a tiny slice of Spain right here in Melbourne. The wine list is heavily focused on European offerings; Spain, France and Italy are the main contenders here. But most of the wines are sold by the bottle, so either come with a mate who shares your taste in wine or come a lone and prepare to leave a little tipsy. And the food? Tapas style. Start the evening with a salted cod croqueta sitting on a bed of aioli and a few bites of the wagyu cruda, which is like an even boojier version of your usual steak tartare. [caption id="attachment_853273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo Gamvros[/caption] You can take your time here, ordering as you go. The staff will talk you through the specials, perhaps a plate of pardon peppers, a paella of mussels, prawns chicken and chorizo, or oysters served natural with a squeeze of lemon. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the menu, they might even share the secret that most dishes can be ordered in half serves. Bar Lourinha's larger dishes are well balanced between red meats, seafood and vege options. The spiced chickpeas and spinach sautéed in slices of garlic and herbs is a flavorsome and strong vegetarian dish, while the slow-cooked veal with walnut sauce is a rich and indulgent option. If you're looking for some seafood, the grilled northern king prawns with chilli salt are served whole and are succulent and tender while the yellow tail king fish 'pancetta' with lemon oil is light and fresh. You might finish the evening with a plate of Toggenburger Nidel and muscatels or in true Spanish style go for the churros with dulce de leche. Bar Lourinha will no doubt be busy, but thankfully, these guys now take bookings (this was not originally the case). That means you won't have to line up — just be sure to plan ahead or you will be standing out in the cold while waiting for a table to open up. [caption id="attachment_853274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo Gavros[/caption] Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023
Perched atop a coworking hub and fitness studio in Collingwood's Zero Gipps building, Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout is equal parts rooftop bar, lounge room and whimsical daydream. It's the kind of place you can wander into on a whim, whether it's for a post-work cocktail, a late-night snack, or just to watch the sunset thanks to its sweeping 360-degree city views. Slowpoke has been brought to life by a trio of creatives whose collective resumé includes work with brands like Daybreak Festival, Tsu Lange Yor, 524 Flinders and Espace Noir, and together, they've created a venue that feels like a refined yet homely living room. The design is a considered mix of clean mid-century modern lines and raw brutalist accents, balanced with nods to 1970s Italian glamour — wood panelling, terrazzo and plush upholstery all feature in the space. Drinks are fun but serious. The cocktail program heroes both fresh produce and unexpected combinations — the likes of coconut margaritas, spiked yerba maté, hazelnut espresso martinis and a tequila-based sipper featuring house-made hot honey are playful yet refined. You'll also find considered zero-alc options, like house-brewed iced tea and homemade lemonade. An American diner-inspired food menu also nails the brief. Unlike the share plates that dominate wine bars throughout the city, the kitchen is going all-in on refined takes on comfort food. You won't find focaccia or kingfish crudo here — instead, you'll be tucking into hash brown fries with a secret sauce, a cheeseburger that's part love letter to Macca's, part gourmet reimagining, and apple pie for dessert.
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.
Anyone who has tasted The Gidley's extraordinary burger will know it's something special. Now, thanks to the annual rankings compiled by the respected World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants judges, we know just how special it is. Ranked ninth on The World's Top Ten Burgers list, the upmarket CBD steakhouse was the only Australian restaurant to earn a nod this year, making its burger the best in the nation. The two carefully hand-crafted beef patties are sourced from hospitality group Liquid & Larder's in-house butchery, located at The Gidley's sister venue Alfie's in the CBD. Once cooked medium rare, they're topped with mature cheddar and a few judiciously placed slivers of dill pickle, all contained within a soft milk bun. [caption id="attachment_751377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] While customers have the option of adding an egg or rashers of bacon to their sandwich, there are no additional condiments included on The Gidley's burger, and trust us, that's a good thing. When the meat is as tender and moist as this, the rich, beefy juices are more than sufficient to self-sauce every succulent mouthful, right down to the last bite. In other great news for Sydneysiders, The Gidley's award-worthy burger is now also available at Surry Hills whisky bar The Rover. The monster burger at Shoreditch barbecue joint Salt Shed in London took out the top spot on this year's rankings., leading an impressive showing for the British capital, including Bleecker in Bloomberg Arcade in third place, Black Bear Market in Exmouth Market in fifth position, and Burger & Beyond, also in Shoreditch, in seventh. Burgers from New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Miami and Valencia made up the rest of the top ten list. For the full list of the World's Best Burgers, head to the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants website. Images: Dominic Loneragan
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
Beloved Thornbury cake shop Mali Bakes is entering a new era, with owner and pastry chef Patti Chimkire having now released her debut cookbook, Mali Bakes, in October 2025. The book captures everything that has made the brand so loved: vibrant colours, nostalgic details and a sense of fun that runs through every design. Inspired by vintage decorating manuals and Melbourne's creative spirit, it offers a journey through baking and decorating, beginning with simple, flavour-led cakes and progressing to more intricate designs. For Chimkire, the book portrays a milestone that has been several years in the making. Although baking is now her full-time job, it wasn't part of her childhood. She grew up in Bangkok, where street food culture dominated everyday life. "I didn't actually grow up baking," she says. "Most days we were eating out or picking up takeaway. Cooking at home wasn't really part of our routine." The real spark came from long summers spent on her grandparents' farm, where her grandfather loved cooking everything from scratch. "Those summers became this special time where we'd slow down and just cook together," she says. "That's where I fell in love with being in the kitchen." After moving to Melbourne, she studied cookery and patisserie, eventually working across several kitchens before landing at Proud Mary. When COVID paused dine-in service, Chimkire moved to wholesale baking, where she worked independently for the first time. "It gave me the freedom to work at my own pace and explore what I enjoyed most," she says. When lockdowns paused everything again, she found herself baking at home and posting her creations online. "I started with those big chunky cookies, just baking for fun and delivering them around the city," she says. "Then I started making cakes too, and people really connected with them." Five years later, Mali Bakes has become one of Melbourne's most recognisable cake studios. Chimkire's designs are immediately identifiable, built on bold colours, nostalgic shapes and playful piping. Her style began simply, without formal training. "When I started, I didn't have any background in cake decorating, so I just did things my own way," she says. She drew inspiration from old Wilton cake books from the 1950s through the 1970s, along with a childhood love of Wes Anderson films and Japanese anime. "I think that's where my love of colour and slightly quirky details comes from," she says. But the appeal of Mali Bakes extends beyond appearance. Chimkire cares deeply about flavour. "I always bake like the cake is for me," she says. "It has to be something I'd be proud to eat and proud to share." Her Thai background influences her perspective on balance and contrast, often guiding her toward unexpected pairings. One example is her olive oil ricotta cake with blackberry and fennel jam. "Fennel in a cake might sound crazy at first," she says, "but once people try it, they understand. It's unexpected, but it works if you give it a chance." Building Mali Bakes has brought challenges and turning points. Signing her first commercial lease felt particularly challenging. "We didn't have a big budget, but Luke and I poured everything we had into making it happen," she says. They handled most of the renovation work themselves, learning as they went. Slow but steady growth followed, from custom cakes to Saturday slice days and a short-lived Fitzroy pop-up. "Seeing people come in, enjoy what we'd made and share that excitement felt like such a turning point," she says. Now Chimkire runs the kitchen on her own, with Luke working behind the scenes. "Success doesn't always mean getting bigger. Sometimes it's about finding balance and staying true to what works for us." The cookbook extends that philosophy. Chimkire wanted the book to feel approachable even to readers who might be intimidated by vintage-style cakes. "When you see a beautifully decorated retro cake, it can feel a little overwhelming," she says. "That's why the book starts with simpler cakes so that people can build confidence." She describes baking as something similar to painting, a process of building structure and detail. "Once you understand how the parts work together, you can create something truly special." She hopes the book will resonate with everyone, whether they bake frequently or are just starting. "You can make the cakes as they are, or you can try the decorating projects," she says. "My hope is that people can come back to it throughout their baking journey and always find something new." For Chimkire, the release also marks a new beginning. "It feels like a way to give back to the lovely cake community and the retro decorating scene that supported me from the very beginning," she says. Looking ahead, she's excited to continue exploring one-off custom pieces, especially wedding cakes. "Those projects push me creatively and keep me learning all the time," she says. "Right now, that's what I'm most excited about." As Mali Bakes enters this next chapter, the cookbook offers a way for baking (and decorating) enthusiasts to bring its colour, charm and creativity into their own kitchens, one slice at a time. Images: Supplied
If you're chronically online and/or partial to an Instagram photodump, you'll have noticed the quiet, yet decided, return of the vintage camera. Gen Z and millennials have been trawling Depop and eBay for point-and-shoots that bring back the joy (and chaos) of unfiltered photography, and those with more patience have rediscovered the magic of film. With the 24/7 convenience and technological sophistication of our pocket smartphones, this pull towards cumbersome (and often expensive) retro photography makes one thing clear — we're not looking for perfection, we want nostalgia, texture and fun. But as charming as those old cameras are, there's no avoiding the frustrations of outdated tech: short battery lives, low-resolution screens and the slow process of getting photos from an SD card to your library. Film, too, has its downsides — it's slower, pricier and less sustainable, and if you've ever experienced the heartbreak of a ruined roll, you'll know it's not always kind. Fujifilm's new X-T30 III promises the best of all worlds: the imperfection and spontaneity of early digital and film photography, paired with the reliability and ease of 2025 technology — and we got to test it out. [caption id="attachment_1037100" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The new Fujifilm X-T30 III in Silver.[/caption] Over the last few weeks, we swapped our phones for the X-T30 III — taking it to gigs, park hangs with friends and out for dinner — to see what it's like to shoot on a real camera again. The first thing we noticed was how different it feels to take photos without a phone. There's no rush to post, no automatic filters, no instant scroll. Just the act of noticing something, lifting the camera, and deciding what you want the photo to feel like. Learning simple things — such as how aperture affects depth and how exposure changes a mood — made us think more deliberately about what we were shooting. We started framing scenes with intention instead of snapping aimlessly. [caption id="attachment_1037071" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.[/caption] And maybe best of all, we were more present. Without a phone in hand, we weren't bouncing between apps or notifications — we were actually in the moment, noticing the light, the colours, the details. Design-wise, the X-T30 III nails that balance between retro and modern. Compact but weighty, it feels like something from the early 00s — a brushed-metal body with tactile dials and a subtle vintage edge. It's intuitive enough for beginners but still gives you room to play. At just 378 grams, it's light enough to carry everywhere yet solid enough to feel serious. [caption id="attachment_1037070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.[/caption] Fujifilm has long been known for its colour science, and the X-T30 III feels like a love letter to that legacy. The new Film Simulation Dial, borrowed from Fujifilm's premium X Series models, makes it easy to switch between iconic looks — from the soft, creamy tones of 'Nostalgic Neg' to the crisp clarity of 'Reala Ace'. There are 20 film simulations in total, each with its own texture and tone, plus three customisable slots so you can save your own 'recipes' for different styles. It's like carrying a film lab in your pocket — but one that never runs out of rolls. With a 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 engine, it's quick, sharp and reliable. Autofocus tracks everything from faces to fast-moving subjects, while the 6.2K video option and new 9:16 movie mode make it simple to capture both cinematic clips and vertical social content. It also features a built-in flash, tilting LCD screen and Wi-Fi connectivity for instant sharing or printing straight to Fujifilm's Instax Link printers. [caption id="attachment_1037072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.[/caption] And while shooting on the X-T30 III felt like a welcome break from our phones, it's still built for the world we live in. Through the Fujifilm Camera Remote app, photos transfer wirelessly to your phone in seconds — ready to post, send or edit on the go. You can even use your phone as a remote control, perfect for self-portraits or group shots when you want to be both in front of and behind the lens at once. We're no photography experts, and that's what made this camera such a pleasant surprise. It's genuinely beginner-friendly — from the one-touch Auto Mode lever that takes the guesswork out of exposure, to subject-detection autofocus that quietly does the heavy lifting. Once we started experimenting, we realised how much more intentional (and creative) our shooting became. Instead of solely focusing on the subject or landscape we were shooting, there was the ability to customise the feeling we were trying to capture — a little blur, deliberate overexposure, a hint of movement. [caption id="attachment_1037081" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.[/caption] And maybe that's the real appeal of the X-T30 III: it makes you fall back in love with taking photos. It's not about chasing perfection — it's about slowing down and seeing everyday moments differently. Not unlike the deliberately B-roll shots peppered through an IG dump, shooting on a camera with this much versatility allows you to tell a whole story. We loved the Fujifilm X-T30 III for its ability to speak to the nostalgia of the film and digicam revival, but modern enough to keep up with today's tech and creative demands. It delivers film-style warmth and depth straight out of camera, while staying light, fast and intuitive enough for spontaneous shooting. [caption id="attachment_1037080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.[/caption] For casual photographers or creative explorers, it's the perfect in-between: accessible without being basic, aesthetic without being gimmicky, and compact enough to live in your tote or handbag. In short, it might just replace your digi cam, your film camera — and (hopefully) your phone. The brand new Fujifilm X-T30 III will be available from late November 2025. Find out more. Images: Supplied | Eliza Campbell, shot on the Fujifilm X-T30 III.
When the 2025 FORMULA 1® SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX races on the Marina Bay street circuit from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, it's not just the drivers who'll be getting in on the action. For ten days straight from September 26, Grand Prix Season Singapore takes over and the entire city transforms into a hub of parties, dining experiences, concerts and one-off events that orbit the main race. Between the on-track events and the city's best food, culture and nightlife hot spots, there's more than enough to fill a week-long stay. So, if you're making the trip over, here's your ultimate bucket list to check out beyond the track. Singapore Sidecars If you're going to navigate Singapore during race week, you might as well do it in style. Singapore Sidecars runs 60-minute vintage Vespa tours that give you front-row access to the city's hidden laneways and street food stops. For the GPSS, the rides get an F1 twist, guiding you past iconic landmarks and F1 party venues while you ride shotgun in an old-school sidecar. This year, you can even end your ride at Prego's Italian restaurant for a post-track night out. Book it here Eat. Play. Race at Harry's Race week is all about stamina, and that starts with where you refuel. Local favourite bar collective, Harry's, is getting into the spirit with an 'Eat. Play. Race.' challenge for F1 fans. To get involved, you can dine at Harry's Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and South Beach locations, collect a digital stamp card and test your skills on the virtual F1 tracks to earn your place on the leaderboard. With heaps of exclusive gifts and prizes on offer, it's the perfect place to kick off race week. Explore it here Don Diablo at Zouk Singapore's nightlife is always energetic, but it gets even buzzier during the Grand Prix. Zouk is one of the city's longest-standing music institutions and nightclubs, featuring a rotating lineup of international talent. This year, Dutch DJ Don Diablo is on the decks for one night, playing tracks from his futuristic third album, *FORΞVΞR*. The multi-hyphenate artist is known for collaborating with Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. He is sure to keep your adrenaline pumping long after the last lap. Book it here Grand Prix Concert Lineup One of the worst-kept secrets about the Singapore Grand Prix? The concerts are just as big a drawcard as the race itself. Each year, the organisers book international A-listers who turn Marina Bay into a full-blown festival precinct. Previous years have seen everyone from Robbie Williams to Blackpink, and the 2025 lineup is promising another mix of global superstars, including Elton John, Lewis Capaldi and Crowded House. Even if you don't know your pit stops from your paddocks, these gigs are reason enough to buy a ticket. Explore it here Singapore Oceanarium After a few nights of partying, you might want to slow the pace with a visit to the Singapore Oceanarium on Sentosa. Recently reopened after a massive revamp, it's one of the world's largest oceanariums, home to more than 100,000 sea animals and immersive digital exhibitions. Wander past towering tanks, learn about ocean conservation, or book a seat at one of its underwater dining experiences. It's a chance to swap the roar of engines for the quiet hum of the underwater world. Explore it here New Bahru If you're looking to experience a different side of Singapore, make time for New Bahru. This creative hub is a cluster of design studios, galleries, boutiques and food pop-ups, all housed in what used to be a girls' school campus. It's where you'll find emerging fashion labels alongside artisan roasters, art collectives and indie events. While the Grand Prix is about the global stage, New Bahru proudly shows off local talent, brands and creativity. Explore it here PERFORMA at Plaza Singapura This year, a series of premium fitness and lifestyle events are popping up at Plaza Singapura for a first-of-its-kind experience. Across the ten days of GPSS, you can wander around the curated line-up of performance gear, join upcycling workshops that turn reclaimed plastics into racing-themed accessories, and squeeze in short, high-intensity workouts at the Speed Series sessions. There's a Refuel Bar for post-sweat refreshments, a gamified Mystery Garage Locker Wall with hidden prizes, and race-themed photo booths where you can walk away with a personalised driver profile card. Explore it here Whether you're an F1 super fan or just along for the ride, the Singapore Grand Prix gives you a chance to tap into one of Asia's most dynamic cities. Between the ten days of culture and music programming and the ever-growing list of new attractions, there's no excuse not to extend your stay. Can't make it in 2025? The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is on October 9 – October 11. Book your limited release early bird tickets here from 13th October. Regular tickets go on sale from 3rd November
All-day diners are becoming increasingly popular, likely due to the rising costs of running a hospo venue. If you're renting out a property to run your cafe or restaurant, you may as well stay open as long as possible and make as much money as you can. It's a smart move that seems to only benefit consumers. For it means we get spots like the new Elio's Place on Flinders Lane, which is now serving Euro-inspired food and bevs from breakfast through to dinner. No matter what time of day you're hankering for a feed, Elio's kitchen will probably be firing. Brother-sister duo Adam and Elisa Mariani (Greta and Maverick) officially opened the new Melbourne CBD bistro in August 2024, taking over a part of the historic Flinder House. Interior design agency Studio Co & Co has revamped the space, blending a little old-world European charm with contemporary aesthetics. The bistro now features checkerboard floor tiles, textured glass, timber table tops, a caramel-coloured front bar and playful marquetry artwork. Within these Euro-inspired surrounds, you'll unsurprisingly find Euro-inspired eats. Group Executive Chef Gareth Flood (Greta, Maverick and Mayday) has worked with Head Chef Matilde Razzoli (Bar Liberty, Capitano) to create an all-day dining menu that mostly leans into Italian flavours and sensibilities. When it comes to breakfast options, you will be limited to a small selection of very simple dishes. Think Austrian scrambled pancakes, smoked trout with eggs and gherkins on focaccia, and a compte cheese omelette. A couple of sandwiches are also available in the morning for those keen on grabbing some lunch before hitting the office. The breakfast menu is a bit bare-bones, but lunch and dinner are where Elio's Place comes into its own. Razzoli leans into her Italian roots when cooking up bites like the burrata with artichokes and crispy chilli oil; peperonata with smoked pecorino cream and thyme; and classic beef carpaccio. But other European flavours make their way onto the menu through dishes like the cabbage and ox tongue skewers, and potato rosti. From 3–5pm every day, Elio's Place also offers its own take on an Italian aperitivo, serving snack-sized plates alongside drinks deals. Speaking of drinks, you can expect to find an extensive selection of wines from Europe and Australia, signature and classic cocktails, and a short list of vermouths, digestifs and aperitifs — ideal for a cheeky nightcap in the CBD. Images: Jana Langhorst.
The FIM World Supercross Championship is heading down under in November — and this is your chance to win free tickets. On Saturday, November 29, round four of the Australian GP will take place in Robina, Queensland, at the CBUS Super Stadium. With a variety of ticket options still available, plus family and fan zones to make a day of it, the FIM World Supercross Championship is an adrenaline-filled way to kick off your summer season. From pre- and post-race live entertainment to the thrill-seeking riders carving it up, the WSX has something for everyone. [caption id="attachment_1031891" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] There's a packed lineup of riders making the trip down under, with reigning World Supercross 450 Champion and two-time AMA Supercross 450 Champion Eli Tomac returning to the tracks. Two-time German World Supercross 450 Champion Ken Roczen will also be taking part, while three-time AMA Supercross 450 Champion Cooper Webb is making his World Supercross debut. [caption id="attachment_1031892" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] It's set to be a night of pure adrenaline and thrills for all ages and fans. Keen to hit the track yourself? In partnership with the World Supercross Championship, we're giving away four Premium Reserved Seating Tickets, each valued at $874.92. There are also four World Supercross Championship hoodies up for grabs, each valued at $140, so you can get 'fitted out before you hit the tracks at CBUS Stadium. To be in with a chance to win, all you have to do is tell us, in 25 words or less, what would your dream adrenaline-filled day would look like? Whether it's getting on a motorbike yourself or bungee jumping off a cliff post-energy drink, your answer may help you score a coveted seat at the World Supercross Championship. [competition]1031904[/competition] [caption id="attachment_1031900" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] If you want to be guaranteed a seat (and a thrilling day out), you can buy your own tickets ahead of the World Supercross Championship on Saturday, November 29. Get tickets here. Lead image: FIM World Supercross Championship
The best pottery classes in Melbourne aren't only for those naturally gifted creatives who excel at painting, sculpting and learning musical instruments. The rest of us mere mortals who simply like the idea of having some kind of hobby — that isn't watching tele, propagating plants or going out to the pub — can also get a heap out of these experiences. Melbourne pottery studios run regular one-day courses for total novices, giving them a chance to spin some clay around a wheel or have a go at hand-building — in the hope that they might produce something cool. Longer multi-week courses are also on the cards for those who fall in love with the craft and want to fill their homes with their own masterpieces. To help get you started, we've compiled this guide to the best pottery classes in Melbourne — great for beginners and experts alike. Recommended reads: The Best Creative Classes in Melbourne The Best Plant Shops in Melbourne The Best Bookshops in Melbourne
Tucked away in Flinders Lane is one of the most striking dining rooms in all of Melbourne. Think black granite, dim lighting, sleek leather furniture and a dazzling, illuminated red ribbon streaking through the room from the ceiling. The thread has significance in Japanese mythology around the idea of two people meeting — and we'd agree there's probably nowhere better in the city to bring a cute date. They'll be thoroughly impressed. Akaiito offers an a la carte menu as well as the option for omakase. Omakase translates to "I'll leave it to you," with the idea being you trust the chef to decide and prepare your multi-course meal. With that in mind, it isn't possible to guide you through what you will be having, as it changes on a whim with whatever is freshest at the moment. But that being said, we can speak to some past creations at Akaiito. Its omakase dishes may include something like smoked Spanish mackerel with wasabi, daikon and truffle ponzu; spanner crab chawanmushi with aged pork dashi, foie gras and truffle and appellation oysters with watermelon and native sea herbs. Heavier options might include seven-day dry-aged duck with caramelised fig, oyster mushrooms and smoked butter or MB9+ wagyu striploin with baked turnip and truffle jus. For dessert, imagine something like a guava sorbet with lacto-fermented strawberry, quince, native liquor, honey palm and raspberry meringue. If you're vegetarian, don't fret. Akaiito also offers an entirely vegetarian omakase menu with plenty of tempura on offer. Compared to some of the more elaborate omakase experiences in Melbourne, Akaiito's is on the smaller end. You can choose from either a five or a seven-course experience rather than the 20-plus courses found elsewhere. This makes it a cheaper and more approachable experience for those of us on a budget. But if you book the private dining room, you can go full decadence. The Tsukiyo Dining Room is equipped with projectors that shine down scenes of nature onto the table and surrounding walls. The visuals are made to work with the dishes served, so you can start off by eating under the moonlight and end in a field of flowers. It is one of the most unique private dining rooms in Melbourne and fits from six to 12 people. Do consider this space in Akaiito if you want to pair your Japanese eats with some theatrics.
Melbourne CBD might be chock-full of skyscrapers and international powerhouses, but what really keeps the city buzzing is the plethora of small and independent businesses that are hidden away in the alleyways and backstreets. From the labyrinth of Flinders Lane to the Paris end of town, Melbourne CBD features a wealth of incredible stores that are well worth celebrating. That's why we've created a list of the local CBD businesses that are the the lifeblood of the city. These ten local businesses represent the best of what Melbourne has to offer — and should be one everyone's must-visit shopping list.
One of Australia's most beloved craft breweries has arrived in Melbourne. Mountain Culture Beer Co. — the trailblazing Blue Mountains outfit behind the three-time GABS Hottest 100-winning Status Quo Pale Ale — has opened a handsome brewpub in Richmond, marking its first foray south of the Murray (with a Hobart outpost not too far behind, either). Set in a striking space that the team calls "one of the most beautiful venues in Melbourne", the new brewpub brings together everything Mountain Culture is known for — fresh, hop-forward beers, a food menu that delivers bold flavours without taking itself too seriously, and the same laidback vibe that have made each of its three Sydney venues a hit. And if the Murphy Street space feels familiar, you're not mistaken — it was most recently home to Fox Friday Brewing, which Mountain Culture acquired earlier this year. Beer is naturally the focus here, and you'll find Mountain Culture's full lineup pouring from the taps. Repeat visitors will be rewarded with rotating limited releases and two brand-new brews dropped every Thursday, and there's a display of takeaway tinnies to stock your home bar. If you're not on the beers, there's a tight list of wine, sparkling, classic cocktails and non-alc serves. The drinks list is complemented by a food menu of remixed pub classics, including a range of hefty sandwiches, as well as plenty of options for vegetarians, gluten-free diners and a dedicated kids' menu. The venue also boasts a hulking on-site smoker that pumps out American-style barbecue — from 16-hour brisket to lemon tahini and chimichurri-basted cauliflower — served with your choice of sides. "This was a big move for Mountain Culture," says Co-Founder and CEO DJ McCready. "We started as a humble brewpub in the Blue Mountains and expanded to Sydney, but Melbourne is quickly catching up as our biggest market. It's never lost on us that the fans we first met in Katoomba are what built this brand into what it is today, and we hope to build a community that's just as strong in Melbourne."
Nestled between the business of St Kilda and the big houses of Brighton, Elwood locals enjoy the best of the bayside lifestyle — that is, a seemingly endless coastline, parks, walking trails and a village vibe without being too far from the city. Plus, the area boasts a number of quaint shopping and cafe strips both in Elwood itself and in neighbouring Ripponlea and Elsternwick. We've teamed up with American Express to encourage you to shop small and support local businesses. Below, you'll find nine shops and eateries that are helping make Elwood and its surrounds great. As a bonus, all of these businesses accept your American Express Card, so you can tap away and still get to the beach in time.
Suze might just be the ne plus ultra of Melbourne wine bars — the kind of place that balances quiet confidence with warm hospitality. This moody North Fitzroy hangout unfolds across two levels of a historic building on Newry Street, and makes smart use of its deceptively expansive space. Downstairs, you'll find seats at the concrete-topped bar and cosy banquettes as well as sun-washed al fresco spots, while a lively open kitchen overlooks the snug dining room upstairs. It's effortlessly stylish but never stiff. That's in no small part down to its owners. Giulia Giorgetti and Steve Harry — partners in life and now in business — have worked at some of the country's most beloved venues (like Gimlet, Marion, Auterra and Napier Quarter, among others), and their shared love of good food, great wine and unfussy service is the heartbeat of Suze. The wine program covers a fair amount of territory, with a thoughtful mix of Italian, French, Spanish, Australian and Victorian bottles. There's a strong pour-without-pretension energy here — staff are just as happy suggesting a punchy pét-nat as they are pouring something more traditional. A selection of vermouths, spritzes and aperitifs — including the French aperitif from which the venue gets its name — rounds out the drinks menu, while nodding to the venue's European sensibilities. In the kitchen, Steve and his team work closely with local suppliers like Day's Walk Farm and Somerset Heritage Produce to deliver produce-driven dishes. The seasonally evolving menu caters to both the sip-and-snack crowd and those who want to linger a little longer — it might feature creative small plates like crapaudine beetroot with hazelnut and wattleseeds or a daily house-made ricotta with persimmon and pepper berry, alongside larger serves like whole flounder with bone marrow and capers, and Aylesbury dry-aged duck, inca berry and erbette. Whether you're here for a pre-dinner drink or settling in for a long night with a mate (or a date), Suze feels like the kind of place Melbourne always does so well — grounded, generous and effortlessly cool.
If you're looking to spend a night belting out some hits, shimmy on over to Kono Karaoke, Melbourne's first coin-booth-operated karaoke joint. Located on Little Lonsdale Street, this unsuspecting two-level location is filled with several disco-lit booths that each come stocked with two microphones and a range of songs to choose from. Each song will cost you $2, but of course there are packages available if you decide you want (or need) to sing more. There are props you can use, and if you don't want to stay contained in a booth take over the 'stage' area with other happy musos. With enough space for a small group, songs in a variety of languages and a $2-drink vending machine, you're set to have a ripper night out on a budget.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from July's haul. Brand-New Stuff You Can Watch From Start to Finish Now Fake A drive to the airport in a rideshare is one of life's mundane experiences, whether or not you're en route to a wedding, and also regardless of if you're meant to be collecting your partner and their dry-cleaned suit along the way. In Fake, this routine journey on an average Melbourne day is a masterclass in tension, a portrait of an unravelling and an unwanted realisation unfurling with no escape. With journalist Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) sitting in the backseat as much that she's trusted melts down, it's a stunning episode of television, arriving five instalments into this eight-part Australian thriller that tells a page-to-screen and reality-to-fiction tale. Viewers spend the preceding four episodes of Fake waiting for a moment like this. For those who haven't read Stephanie Wood's memoir of the same name, charting her time dating a former architect-turned-grazier who pairs his grand romantic gestures with erratic behaviour, there's still no doubt that it's coming. It has to, and not just because series creator Anya Beyersdorf (The Twelve) and her co-scribes Jessica Tuckwell (Year Of) and Hyun Lee (Born to Spy) have Birdie's beau Joe Burt (David Wenham, Elvis) note in voiceover that she was onto him from the get-go. While Fake is a love- and lies-fuelled saga, it's also about how someone gets taken in not by the kind of narratives that Joe spins but by the emotions that they prey upon, even when their intuition tingles at the outset — and how deceptions like this, from someone manipulating others and someone fooling themselves alike, always shatter. The words "Joe, 51, grazier" on a dating app introduce the ex-property big shot to Birdie; however, everything that he utters on their first date almost halts their romance there. When the pair meet at a sleek bar, he has a business acquaintance (Yuchen Wang, White Fever) in tow and talks only of himself, grandstanding with the recognisable arrogance of someone who refuses to believe (or simply hasn't stopped once to consider) that they aren't the most-interesting person in the room. She cuts and leaves quickly, despite his insistence to the waitstaff that they'll share more wine. Then she ignores his persistent follow-ups afterwards, until she doesn't — but really should've. Fake streams via Paramount+. Read our full review. The Devil's Bath Suspense and tension, how to cultivate such a strong atmosphere of unease that it feels as if it drips from the screen, the darker side of human nature, sheer existential exasperation: writer/directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala know these things. The Austrian filmmakers are just as well-aware of how to make movies that crawl under your skin as much as distress does with their characters. For that sensation at its very best, see: Goodnight Mommy, their Oscar-submitted 2014 debut (which was then remade in America in 2022). The Devil's Bath earns the same description, too. The duo's first feature since 2019's Riley Keough (Under the Bridge)-starring English-language horror flick The Lodge, it needles deep as it follows new bride Agnes (Anja Plaschg, Axolotl Overkill), who is thrilled to be starting her married life to Wolf (David Scheig, Heribet), even if that joy doesn't seem completely reciprocated. Relationship disharmony bubbles at the heart of this 18th century-set film, but that's not the only force bearing down on a woman that no longer has any agency — and, soon, little hope left simmering as well. Franz and Fiala begin The Devil's Bath with a different scene of domestic struggle. They haunt their viewers from the outset, too. First up, a woman throws a baby over a waterfall, then turns herself in for punishment, knowing that she'll meet her end via decapitation. With that scene as a prologue, it hardly appears strange that Agnes is thrilled to receive a severed finger as a wedding gift — a digit that's meant to bring luck for starting a family. But nothing in the way of good fortunes spring when she's soon away from her other loved ones, left alone in a woodland cottage as Wolf works by day, stuck navigating his disinterest in the bedroom each evening and frowned upon constantly by her new mother-in-law (Maria Hofstätter, Andrea Gets a Divorce). There's history to Franz and Fiala's screenplay, which draws upon real events, and the mood of despair that seeps from returning Goodnight Mommy cinematographer Martin Gschlacht's grey-toned frames sports a can-only-be-true bite to it. There's little sunshine shed on the imagery, or on the way that people treat each other — and there's even more terror in realising that the lines between this arresting picture's vision of the past, even as set within a deeply superstitious and puritanical community, and today are far from faint. The Devil's Bath streams via Shudder and AMC+. The Imaginary Since Studio Ponoc made its feature debut in 2017 with Mary and the Witch's Flower, a question has remained: when is its next film coming? That query was answered in 2023 in Japan, and has now arrived in 2024 on streaming — and The Imaginary is a delight worth the wait. If you didn't know when sitting down to either of the company's movies that they hailed from an animation house founded by a Studio Ghibli alum, you'd guess while watching. A producer on The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There — and also The Boy and the Heron since — Yoshiaki Nishimura scripted Studio Ponoc's second picture, too. His source material is the AF Harrold-penned, Emily Gravett-illustrated British children's book that gives The Imaginary its name, just as Mary and the Witch's Flower found its story on the page as well. Prepare to be enchanted, even as viewers beyond the film's homeland get their third flick this year about imaginary friends. Not just Blumhouse horror movie Imaginary but the John Krasinski (A Quiet Place Part II)-directed IF have nothing on this, though, despite sharing more than a few plot details. This'll sound familiar, then: imaginary friends exist, but can't always be seen as children grow up and forget about their buddies. When they're no longer a kid's best friend, they dwell in their own space, eager to have a flesh-and-blood pal again. So discovers Rudger (Kokoro Terada, Tokyo Poltergeist), companion to Amanda (Rio Suzuki, Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!!). He's been dreamed up, she's human, and they spend every moment of her spare time in the attic above her home — which is itself above her widowed mother's (Sakura Andô, Godzilla Minus One) closing-down bookshop — going everywhere that she can conjure up. Alas, thanks to the sinister Mr Bunting (Issei Ogata, Kotaro Lives Alone), the one exception to spying imaginaries as an adult, they're torn from each other's side. Bringing Nishimura's screenplay to life with vivid and gorgeous hand-drawn visuals, director Yoshiyuki Momose's (Ni no Kuni) feature doesn't just cast aside the other recent pictures that served up spins on a similar situation. He does that as well, of course, but also achieves what Japanese animation manages so splendidly and consistently: dives into the fantastical with a wellspring of genuine emotions. The Imaginary streams via Netflix. Omnivore What does it take to get a world-famous chef out of their kitchen? Every time that a new culinary series reaches the screen, that should be the audience's question. Why has someone so skilled in the art of cooking — a talent that they've meticulously and passionately honed for years, to great success and also to the immense benefit of grateful diners — stepped out of their favourite place and in front of the camera? In plenty of such instances, chefs remain chefs on-screen. They talk. They cook. They give viewers the lowdown on how to prepare their dishes at home. Getting René Redzepi out of Noma and onto streaming wasn't about following that well-thumbed recipe, however. Rather, in the David Attenborough- and Planet Earth-inspired Omnivore, he branches beyond the three-Michelin-starred Copenhagen eatery that's been voted the planet's best by The World's 50 Best Restaurants a whopping five times — from 2010–12, and also in 2014 and 2021 — to instead tell the tale of some of the staple ingredients that humanity wouldn't and couldn't exist without. Eight types of foodstuffs receive Omnivore's attention in its first season, starting with chilli, then moving onto tuna, salt, bananas, pigs, rice, coffee and corn. A certainty while watching, and listening to Redzepi narrate the journey: never thinking about any of these ingredients the same way again. Expect to yearn to taste different spicy meals, to visit Japan's tuna markets, to cook with the best of the best salt and to try kinds of bananas that you didn't previously know existed. Expect to gain a greater appreciation of the entire ecosystem that gets each one of the show's chosen foods to your plate — and the impact of the world's ecosystem upon them, and vice versa. Alongside Redzepi and Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown alum Matt Goulding, filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga (No Time to Die, Beasts of No Nation, True Detective season one) is one of Omnivore's driving forces, and it shows visually. Also evident: the care and dedication that Redzepi has put into sharing the series' slices of life, including the intimate portraits of those involved in the production of everything from pork products to corn's many edible uses. Omnivore streams via Apple TV+. Read our interview with René Redzepi and Ben Liebmann. Abbott Elementary The Parks and Recreation comparisons were there from the start with Abbott Elementary. This Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning comedy charts the hustle and bustle at the titular underfunded school in Philadelphia, rather than a government department in Pawnee, but the similarities have always been glaring. Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson, Miracle Workers) is the eager-beaver second-grade teacher keen to do everything she can for her students. Ava Coleman (Janelle James, Monsters at Work) is the principal content with coasting by on the bare minimum. There's even a newcomer in substitute Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams, The United States vs Billie Holiday), with whom sparks fly on Janine's part. It might seem a bold move to use one of the greatest-ever — warmest-ever, too — sitcoms as a template, or even just follow closely in its footsteps, but Abbott Elementary is up to the task. Those awards, which Parks and Recreation also deserved but rarely received, are well-earned by a series that is all heart, kindness and affection for one of the most-important careers there is, as well as appreciation for the obstacles facing US public-school teachers today. In its third season, Abbott Elementary knows that even a winning formula that's been proven elsewhere needs shaking up. So, it does the equivalent of Parks and Recreation sending Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler, Inside Out 2) to Washington by having Janine work for the school district to attempt to bring about change for her pupils at a higher level. It's a move that brings in the always-welcome Josh Segarra (The Big Door Prize) as her new boss, and also Keegan-Michael Key (IF) as the Superintendent that's his boss — and disrupts the status quo at the educational institution that she adores, including for her idol Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ray Donovan), plus colleagues Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter, The Right Mom) and Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti, Sound of Metal). The idea that one person can and does make a difference, no matter the recognition they do or don't receive, beats strongly in this good-natured series, which Brunson created and co-writes. So does a sense of humour about grappling with whatever the day throws your way, be it professional or personal chaos. Abbott Elementary streams via Disney+. Arcadian Filmmakers love imagining the world once life as we currently know it ceases to be. Even if some scenarios no longer play like hypotheticals — anything about pandemics, obviously, a realm that Contagion perfected with prophetic skill years in advance of COVID-19 — post-apocalyptic stories help us sift through the what ifs that plague our worst nightmares about humanity's possible unravelling. Accordingly, Arcadian doesn't unfurl a unique scenario, as a family endeavours to endure 15 years after the bulk of civilisation has been eradicated. But as it fill its duration with a father and his teenage boys as they eke out as happy a life as anyone can under such circumstances, or attempt to, all while needing to avoid monsters that strike by night and fear the light, this film has a few key components that make it stand out. Director Benjamin Brewer (The Trust) taunts his characters with foes that prove a striking feat of creature design, instantly carving their own place apart from the hordes of prior movie monsters. Also, the patriarch doing whatever it takes to protect his sons is played the one and only Nicolas Cage, who continues to hop between vastly dissimilar roles in the same month in Australia that's also delivered Longlegs to cinemas. Cage's Paul could be pals with John Krasinski's Lee from A Quiet Place, although he's parenting solo in Arcadian. Giving his kids as normal a routine as one can in the circumstances is his aim. The script by producer Mike Nilon (Braven) also gives him offspring curious about their reality, and insistent critters who aren't going to leave anyone alone. While there's a little convenience to parts of the plot, Cage, plus Jaeden Martell (Barry) and Maxwell Jenkins (Dear Edward) as Paul's sons Joseph and Thomas — and also Sadie Soverall (Saltburn) as a survivor from a nearby farm that isn't fond of outsiders — all give weighty performances that convey the emotional toll of fighting for every second and deeply realising that you'll never know if your next moment will be your last. And don't discount what affecting portrayals and unnerving beasts can do when combined. It isn't easy to craft creatures that not just startle but surprise as much as Arcadian's do. Trust Cage's latest genre effort, which also brings his work in Mandy, Color Out of Space and Pig to mind, to achieve that feat. Arcadian streams via Stan. Skywalkers: A Love Story When it comes to scaling great heights on-screen, viewers often fall into two camps if they're not real-life daredevils themselves. Some appreciate the spectacular sights and stunning feats safe in the knowledge that all that they're viewing is filmed footage, even in a documentary. Some still feel the need to virtually peer through their fingers, riding the same nerve-shredding fear that'd rush over them if they were confronted with the scene IRL. Whichever is your go-to, expect one of those reactions to arise while sitting down to Skywalkers: A Love Story. The movie played Sydney Film Festival 2024 in IMAX, but seeing it on a small screen doesn't rob it of its visual impact. Russian couple Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau are rooftoppers, starting out solo, first joining forces when he asked her to collaborate on a sponsored trip, then climbing higher and higher around the world — and the recordings of their gravity-defying ascents up buildings, along sky-high ledges, onto cranes on towering building sites and wherever else they can clamber up to is jaw-on-the-floor material for those who'd much rather remain on the ground. With 2018 documentary Momentum Generation about the era of surfers that Kelly Slater came up in, director Jeff Zimbalist unpacked an insular world for the masses with its main players as guides. Sharing the same credit with producer and first-time helmer Maria Bukhonina on Skywalkers: A Love Story, he takes the same approach with a different pastime. As a subtitle, A Love Story doesn't merely describe Beerkus and Nikolau's fixation with rooftopping, though, with Skywalkers laying bare their relationship from its beginning to the climb that threatens to send them on their separate ways: making it to the the tip of Merdeka 118, the Kuala Lumpur structure that reaches 678.9 metres into the heavens, ranking second on the world's largest skyscrapers list only to Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Nikolau doesn't just stand atop lofty properties, either, but busts out gymnastic and acrobatic poses, adding even more peril to their endeavours. Folks with a need to conquer such buildings aren't always worried about the legalities of their feats, making such a mission doubly tense — and giving this doco a heist-film feel as well. Beerkus and Nikolau smartly earmark the date of the 2022 World Cup final, when Argentina beat France on penalties, as their moment to go where no one had before on the just-built structure. Watching the outcome is nail-bitingly riveting. Skywalkers: A Love Story streams via Netflix. New and Returning Shows to Check Out Week by Week Sunny It doesn't matter what the weather holds for Suzie Sakamoto: with her husband and son missing when Sunny begins, the series' titular term can't apply to her days. An American in Kyoto (Rashida Jones, Silo), she's filled with grief over the potential loss of her Japanese family, anxiously awaiting any news that her spouse Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima, Drive My Car) and their boy Zen (debutant Fares Belkheir) might've survived a plane crash. She'd prefer to do nothing except sit at home in case word comes; however, that's not considered to be mourning in the right way according to custom and also isn't appeasing her mother-in-law (Judy Ongg, Kaseifu no Mitazono). When Suzie soon has a robot for company — a homebot, an artificial-intelligence domestic helper that's an unexpected gift from Masa in this ten-part series, which adapts Colin O'Sullivan's 2018 novel The Dark Manual for the small screen — dwelling in her sorrow doesn't appear to be what he'd want in his absence, either. In this near-future vision of Japan, homebots are everywhere, aiding their humans with chores, organising tasks and plenty more — everywhere other than the Sakamoto house with its firmly anti-robot perspective, that is. Amid asking why her husband has not only sent the eponymous Sunny her way, but also why it's customised specifically to her, questions unsurprisingly spring about his true line of work. Has Suzie been married to a secret roboticist, rather than someone who designs refrigerators? What link does his job have with his disappearance? How does someone cope in such an already-traumatic situation when the person that they're possibly grieving mightn't be who they've said they are? Often with a science fiction twist, Apple TV+ can't get enough of mysteries. That truth is as engrained as the service's fondness for big-name talent, including across Severance, The Big Door Prize, Hello Tomorrow!, Silo, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Constellation, Sugar and Dark Matter. Thankfully, there's no content-factory feel to this lineup of shows. Sunny's closest equivalent hails from beyond the brand, bringing Charlie Brooker's Channel 4-started, now Netflix-made Black Mirror to mind, but even then it's far more interested in its characters than their relationship to technology. That said, that people and how they use tech remain the real enemy, not gadgets and advancements themselves, hums at the core of both series. Sunny streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. Futurama Good news, everyone — yet again. Futurama keeps returning, following an initial 1999–2003 run, then another from 2008–13, with a new comeback that began in 2023 and has not just this 2024 season locked in but also two more in years to come. Across the quarter of a century so far that Matt Groening's iconic show that's not The Simpsons has been on and off the air, much has changed about life off-screen. As a result, the details that it can project onto 31st-century existence have evolved as well. Squid Game parodies and NFTs would've made zero sense during the animated comedy's past stints, for instance. But whether satirising Y2K or chatbots, Futurama has almost felt adrift from time, blowing its own TV bubble to spoof the specifics of the day in its far-flung setting while consistently retaining the same vibe. Watch an early 00s-era episode, then one from the new batch, and it seems like nothing has passed between them. That's a skill that deserves all of the appreciation. For many other series, including ones that've existed for a far shorter duration, it's the stuff that dreams are made of — and, if he were real, that only someone like Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (Billy West, Spitting Image) could've managed. Futurama's longevity is a testament to its smart writing, sharp sense of humour and a setup that can keep pinballing in all directions. Where former 20th-century pizza delivery guy Philip J Fry (also voiced by West) can venture with the Professor and the crew of the latter's Planet Express cargo company — so, also with ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal, Dead to Me); robot Bender Bending Rodríguez (John DiMaggio, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts); and fellow employees Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr, Craig of the Creek), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom, Dragons: The Nine Realms) and Zoidberg (also West agin) — is limited only by Groening, fellow guiding hand David X Cohen (Disenchantment) and their team's imaginations. In the latest episodes, sometimes art heists come their way. Sometimes book clubs beckon. Bender's ancestry and the Martian equivalent of bullfighting all pop up, too. Layered in each is a mile-a-minute feast of jokes and a reflection of humanity's chaos today through a highly fictitious future. Long may it continue. Futurama streams via Disney+. Time Bandits If you're a history-loving kid who adores learning about existence before you popped into the world, doesn't fit in at home or at school thanks to that fascination, and regularly has your nose buried in a book, what's your ultimate fantasy? Time Bandits first explored that idea back in 1981, and now it's back to do it again in 2024. It takes bravery to go where Monty Python members Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin first did, remaking the pair's beloved movie — which The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's Gilliam directed and The New Incomplete and Utter History of Everything's Palin co-wrote with him — decades later. Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris are three such courageous folks. Together, the trio add a television take on the family-friendly flick to TV resumes that already include Wellington Paranormal, What We Do in the Shadows, Reservation Dogs, Our Flag Means Death, Flight of the Conchords and The Inbetweeners, and do so while giving audiences a gloriously entertaining time. Forget wondering if this second spin was necessary, aka the usual line of thinking when anything earns a new look; instead, the question is why didn't it happen earlier? Again, the focus is a boy called Kevin (Kal-El Tuck, Andy and the Band). Again, his parents (Wakefield's Felicity Ward and Deadpool & Wolverine's James Dryden) don't appreciate him or his interests. And again, the past demands even more of his attention when it suddenly and unexpectedly bursts out of his wardrobe. Cue zipping between different chapters of times gone by, via a scenario that the Bill & Ted franchise clearly owes a debt to, with the eponymous group (Better Nate Than Ever's Lisa Kudrow, Shardlake's Tadhg Murphy, You Don't Know Me's Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, The Riot's Rune Temte and Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities' Charlyne Yi) reluctantly taking Kevin in. Waititi (Next Goal Wins) directs a few episodes, too, and appears on-screen. Clement (Avatar: The Way of Water) also does the latter. They're having a ball both in front of and behind the lens, a sense of fun that infuses every episode whether it's taking a trip to Troy, making a visit to the Mayans or dwelling in medieval times. Cue spotting more familiar faces along the way, such as Waititi regular Rachel House (Heartbreak High), Wellington Paranormal's Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary, Next Goal Wins' Oscar Kightley, the What We Do in the Shadows movie's Jonny Brugh, Our Flag Means Death's Con O'Neill, plus Shaun Micallef (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe) and Ross Noble. Time Bandits streams via Apple TV+. Recent Big-Screen Gems to Watch (or Rewatch) Now That They're Streaming Perfect Days When Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' enjoyed its initial sublime movie moment in Trainspotting, it soundtracked a descent into heroin's depths, including literally via the film's visual choices. For three decades since, that's been the tune's definitive on-screen use. Now drifts in Perfect Days, the Oscar-nominated Japan-set drama from German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). This slice-of-life movie takes its name from the song. It also places the iconic David Bowie-produced classic among the tracks listened to by toilet cleaner Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho, Vivant) as he goes about his daily routine. Fond of 60s- and 70s-era music, the Tokyo native's picks say everything about his mindset, both day by day and in his zen approach to his modest existence. 'Perfect Day' and Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good' each also sum up the feeling of watching this gorgeous ode to making the most of what you have, seeing beauty in the everyday and being in the moment. Not every tune that Hirayama pops into his van's tape deck — cassettes are still his format of choice — has the same type of title. Patti Smith's 'Redondo Beach', The Animals' 'The House of the Rising Sun', Otis Redding's '(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay' and The Rolling Stones' '(Walkin' Thru the) Sleepy City' also rank among his go-tos, all reflecting his mood in their own ways. If there's a wistfulness to Hirayama's music selections, it's in the manner that comes over all of us when we hark back to something that we first loved when we were younger. Perfect Days' protagonist is at peace with his life, however. Subtly layered into the film is the idea that things were once far different and more-conventionally successful, but Hirayama wasn't as content as he now is doing the rounds of the Japanese capital's public bathrooms, blasting his favourite songs between stops, eating lunch in a leafy park and photographing trees with an analogue camera. Perfect Days streams via Stan. Read our full review. Love Lies Bleeding In Love Lies Bleeding, a craggy ravine just outside a dusty New Mexico town beckons, ready to swallow sordid secrets in the dark of the desert's starry night. Tumbling into it, a car explodes in flames partway through the movie, exactly as the person pushing it in wants it to. There's the experience of watching Rose Glass' sophomore film emblazoned across the feature's very frames. After the expertly unsettling Saint Maud, the British writer/director returns with a second psychological horror, this time starring Kristen Stewart in the latest of her exceptionally chosen post-Twilight roles (see: Crimes of the Future, Spencer, Happiest Season, Lizzie, Personal Shopper, Certain Women and Clouds of Sils Maria). An 80s-set queer and sensual tale of love, lust, blood and violence, Love Lies Bleeding is as inkily alluring as the gorge that's pivotal to its plot, and as fiery as the inferno that swells from the canyon's depths. This neon-lit, synth-scored neo-noir thriller scorches, too — and burns so brightly that there's no escaping its glow. When the words "you have to see it to believe it" also grace Love Lies Bleeding — diving into gyms and in the bodybuilding world, it's no stranger to motivational statements such as "no pain no gain", "destiny is a decision" and "the body achieves what the mind believes" — they help sum up this wild cinematic ride as well. Glass co-scripts here with Weronika Tofilska (they each previously penned and helmed segments of 2015's A Moment in Horror), but her features feel like the result of specific, singular and searing visions that aren't afraid to swerve and veer boldly and committedly to weave their stories and leave an imprint. Accordingly, Love Lies Bleeding is indeed a romance, a crime flick and a revenge quest. It's about lovers on the run (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's Katy O'Brian pairs with Stewart) and intergenerational griminess. It rages against the machine. It's erotic, a road trip and unashamedly pulpy. It also takes the concept of strong female leads to a place that nothing else has, and you do need to witness it to fathom it. Love Lies Bleeding streams via Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Rose Glass. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May and June this year — and our best 15 new TV shows, returning TV shows and straight-to-streaming films of 2024's first six months. There's also our highlights from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023. And, you can also scope out our running list of standout must-stream shows from last year as well — and our best 15 new shows of 2023, 15 newcomers you might've missed, top 15 returning shows of the year, 15 best films, 15 top movies you likely didn't see, 15 best straight-to-streaming flicks and 30 movies worth catching up on over the summer. Top image: Apple TV+.
Much-anticipated all-day venue Beverly graces the top of the Goldfields House building, soaring 24 storeys above Chapel Street and delivering show-stopping 270-degree views across the city. Helmed by Cameron Northway (founder of LOTI, Rocker Bondi and drinks company Sweet&Chilli), along with Goldfields' Marco Gattino and Lachlan Thompson, Beverly is designed as a serene, sky-high retreat that'll glide easily from a long lunch destination to after-dinner cocktail pit-stop. Taking cues from the cool-kid rooftop haunts of LA, the indoor-outdoor space has been imagined by acclaimed Melbourne studio Mitchell & Eades (Grill Americano, Carlton Wine Room, Rock Sugar). Boasting a retractable glass roof primed for Melbourne's erratic weather changes, it's a vision of earthy sunset tones and foliage set against that backdrop of sweeping panoramas. Sippers of all persuasions have found themselves a new haven up here, thanks to a broad selection of drops that celebrate local goodness. Biodynamic and organic pours rule the expansive wine list, while the globe-trotting cocktail lineup reimagines the classics using Aussie spirits and native botanicals. From the open kitchen, chef David Ball (the UK's Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, The Glass House in Hobart) delivers a menu anchored in seasonality and sustainability. It has swagger yet remains approachable, bundling southern Californian influences with a touch of modern Australian flair. Images: Jake Roden and Sean McDonald.
Brisbane has been laid bare. In one of the most-ambitious installations in a career filled with them, acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick has turned the River City's famed Story Bridge into the site of his latest mass nude photography work. Called RISING TIDE, the piece is a follow-up to his 2023 work TIDE. While the latter featured around 150 people posing naked by the Brisbane River, the former enlisted a cast of 5500 on one of the Queensland capital's landmarks. Tunick keeps using the River City for inspiration to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, with his latest instance literally stopping traffic. Indeed, it isn't just cars that've now brought Brisbane's Story Bridge to a standstill in 2024. On Sunday, October 27, the famed river crossing closed to vehicles from 1–9am to become the site of Tunick's newest nude photography work instead. In behind-the-scenes images from the shoot, the river crossing packs its expanse with unclothed participants — sometimes reclining on their backs, sometimes on their sides with their arms to the sky. Although the Story Bridge has shut for roadworks and even a market before, there's never been anything like this in the structure's 84-year history. Because taking over one iconic Brissie spot wasn't enough, RISING TIDE also incorporated the Brisbane Riverwalk. Both TIDE and RISING TIDE come courtesy of Brisbane's annual LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival Melt — and attendees can see the images from TIDE at 2024's fest at Brisbane Powerhouse until Sunday, November 10. That exhibition marks the first time that Tunick has put his work on display for the public, as well as his first-ever Australian showcase, with both milestones coming after 30 years and 100-plus installations spent making his style of art. There's no word yet if the Story Bridge images will get the same treatment, but folks who took part in RISING TIDE will receive a print of the final artwork. "This work on Brisbane's Story Bridge and locations around it has been my most inclusive installation to date. Five-and-a-half thousand people is my largest Australian work so far and this one is very special because it celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies," said Tunick about RISING TIDE. "Photographing all the participants on the bridge was like looking down the mouth of a whale, filled with love and diversity." "I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I've gone through illnesses, and you just get to a point where so many people have seen your bits over the years that you just go 'why not?'. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," noted one of the participants. "It's really nice to see so many different body types — shapes, sizes and age groups. I came alone so it's pretty fun to see that so many other people have braved it as well," added another. "It's a sense of unity that you don't often get. It's just an incredible opportunity for people to come together, to celebrate each other and to celebrate art," advised a third. Over the past three decades, Tunick's installations have seen him hit the Whitsundays with almost 100 naked Aussies in 2019 and briefly turn Bondi into a nude beach in 2022. The artist initially turned his lens Australia's way in 2001 in Melbourne, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a pic near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Since then, he's also photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, then returned to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. Elsewhere, Tunick has photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Spencer Tunick's 'RISING TIDE' installation took place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 on Brisbane's Story Bridge during Melt Festival. For more information about the fest, head to the event's website. Images: Markus Ravik.
A brilliant venture from the minds behind Sunda, Aru is an elegant, 120-seat restaurant that draws culinary inspiration from those early days of trade between Indonesian seafarers and northern Australia. Named after the cluster of islands on the pre-colonial maritime route that connected this corner of the world, it's championing the flavours of Southeast Asia, Japan, China and native Australia. Nico Koevoets' kitchen looks to eras past to inform the techniques that guide the menu — from curing and fermentation; to smoking and cooking over flames. There's a wood-fired hearth, and even an onsite dry-ageing room, turning out the likes of cured pork and Viet-style duck sausage. [caption id="attachment_815929" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Here, a creatively-charged menu pushes familiar flavours into innovative new directions, backed by those ancient techniques. An Aussie barbecue staple is reborn as a duck snag sanga finished with leatherwood honey and peanut hoi sin ($18), and classic banh mi ingredients become the filling of a house-made pate en croute ($34). Snacks and small bites run to the likes of sate wagyu tongue ($24), smoked scallops with turmeric mayo ($15), and raw beef matched with macadamia and salted chilli ($30). You'll find plates like barramundi with buttermilk dashi and desert Lime ($54), and a clay pot broken rice done with duck fat, sausage and egg yolk ($34). Clever desserts might include kaya and koji waffles ($24), and even a sourdough riff on the lamington finished with Vietnamese coffee ($24). [caption id="attachment_837098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ari Hatzis[/caption] [caption id="attachment_837108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] [caption id="attachment_837097" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ari Hatzis[/caption] Images: Interiors by Ari Hatzis; food by Kristoffer Paulsen. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
Marco Pierre White is a star of kitchens and screens alike. He was the first British chef — and the youngest chef at the time — to be awarded three Michelin stars. He's popped up on everything from Hell's Kitchen to MasterChef, including in Australia. Back in 2019, he was one of Melbourne Good Food Month's huge headliners. He's also the culinary force behind cookbook White Heat, the 1990 tome that played up his "bad boy" image. He's been dubbed "the first celebrity chef" as well. And, he's trained fellow famed food figures such as Mario Batali, Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay and Curtis Stone. That's a brief run through White's resume, but you're best to hear the full details — and the ups and downs that've come with being White — from the chef himself. So, in May, the culinary whiz is touring Australia's east coast capitals with his first-ever live theatre show. White's Out of the Kitchen gigs will chat through his beginnings, his training and his stardom, plus the kind of success that led to his "enfant terrible" label. That means hearing about his arrival in London with just "£7.36, a box of books and a bag of clothes", and his tutelage under Albert and Michael Roux at renowned French fine-diner Le Gavroche. And, there's nabbing those three Michelin stars at the age of 33, of course. Out of the Kitchen will start its Aussie run at Brisbane's Convention and Entertainment Centre, then see White head to Sydney's State Theatre and Melbourne's Hamer Hall. 2023 has already taken Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi around the country on a speaking tour, and is bringing Mauro Colagreco and his French Riviera eatery Mirazur to the Sydney in March, plus British chef Simon Rogan and his restaurant L'Enclume to the Harbour City for a five-week residency this winter, in what's clearly a great year for getting tips from the world's culinary masters. MARCO PIERRE WHITE – OUT OF THE KITCHEN: Tuesday, May 23 — Great Hall, Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre Thursday, May 25 — State Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, May 30 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Marco Pierre White's Out of the Kitchen tour hits Australia in May 2023. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the tour website.
Located in Hardware Lane, Claypots Barbarossa brings the wild, party atmosphere of a European market town to the heart of the city. If you're looking for somewhere to sip rose while listening to a two-piece jazz duo and enjoying the last rays of sun as "Aperitovo Hour" sets in, then this is the place to visit. This place works for every occasion, be it a first date where lingering silence isn't something you need to fear, a long business lunch where loosening the belt a notch or two is a given, or a boisterous night out with your mates. Oh, and the food is damn good too. The idea here is European fare with a heavy focus on the Spanish tapas tradition. Small plates include Kilpatrick oysters from Coffin Bay, king prawns with garlic chilli and coriander grilled in the shell, deliciously salty Spanish anchovies with caramelised onions on toast and grilled sardines just waiting to be peeled off their bones. Mains are divided between seafood, pasta, meat and vegetarian — they can be either shared or taken as a solo meal. Seafood highlights include a Moroccan clay pot with couscous and mixed seafood in an eggplant sauce or seared swordfish with pink peppercorn. From the Claypots Barbarossa pasta menu, look no further than the pasta puttanesca with a vegetarian option available, or the spaghetti alle vongole with squid ink and fino. The slow-cooked lamb with couscous is the pick from the grill, while vegetarians have an array of options to choose from, with the marinated grilled vegetables, the seared haloumi in minted oil and the field mushroom with dill the standout. To round it all out, choose from the cheese or the dessert menu, with classics such as pannacotta and creme brûlée making an appearance. Claypots Barbarossa has a bit of everything on its Eurocentric menu, but make sure you sample some of the seafood – it's what it's best known for. Top image: Hardware Lane courtesy of Visit Victoria
Nestled away in Collins Place, Kenzan has been one of Melbourne's favourite Japanese eateries for going on 35 years, and with damn good reason too. The tastefully decorated main dining room includes a side sushi bar where you can enjoy simple, tasty platters of thinly sliced sushi that rivals any upstart outfit in town. Indeed, several of Melbourne's best Japanese chefs owe a debt of gratitude to this particular restaurant, with Kappo's Kentaro Usami and Minamishima's Koichi Minamishima both honing their craft in the Kenzan kitchens. If that's not pedigree, then we don't know what is. For the full experience, we recommend getting a group together and booking a private room. Start with a misoshuri soup with soya bean and bean curd, seaweed and spring onions and a cold entree of sugaki, which is a serving of fresh oysters with citrus-flavoured ponzu vinegar. The hot entrees include delicately deep-fried prawns, fish and vegetables as well as fresh shiitake mushrooms stuffed with fried minced prawns. If you're after sushi, then look no further than the chirashi platter of assorted raw fish served on a bed of sushi rice or the California maki with avocado and prawn. Mains include a deliciously succulent pan-grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce and grilled eel in sweet soya sauce on a bed of rice. There is also the nabe ryori menu, which is for a minimum of two and cooked at the table by the chefs or yourselves. Kenzan has been around since 1981, a time when there were so few Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. And it has lasted the test of time, consistently serving up some of the best Japanese food in the city. If you love your Japanese eats, Kenzan really should be on your hit list.
Loving skivvies, winning Triple J's Hottest 100, performing at the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade: all three of these yummy yummy things now apply to Australian national treasures The Wiggles. And yes, as fans young and old have seen for more than three decades now, the children's music group clearly already has the outfits for it. The Wiggles' rainbow-hued threads will grace the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) when Mardi Gras' famed signature event returns on Saturday, March 5. The parade is being held at the stadium due to the pandemic, as it was in 2021, too — so, sorry, you won't see a big red car drive down Oxford Street. This year's Hottest 100 victors have promised to bring "their Wiggly friends" to the SCG with them, however — all to take part in Sydney's huge LGBTQIA+ celebration for the very first time. On the parade's lineup, they'll be joined by Savage Garden's Darren Hayes, who'll headline and do his first Australian performance in a decade; Vanessa Amorosi, for some more late 90s/early 00s nostalgia; plus Mo'Ju, Timothy Springs and Prinnie Stevens, as well as local DJs KILIMI, Charlie Villas and Division 4. And, the parade will host 40,000 spectators to watch 5800 marchers across 161 parade entries as well, celebrating the 2022 theme 'united we shine'. [caption id="attachment_828658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] This year's fest is ticketed, and there are still some available; however, if you can't head along for some fruit salad, hot potatoes and cold spaghetti in person — and perhaps the Hottest 100-winning 'Elephant' cover — in person, you'll be able to tune into the parade in a number of ways. So, whether you're a Sydneysider who'll be at home or you live elsewhere around the nation, you can watch on ABC iview from 6.30pm AEDT, ABC TV from 7.30pm AEDT, and listen via Triple J (including the Triple J and ABC listen apps) and ABC Local Radio Evenings from 7pm AEDT. The 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, March 5. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Mardi Gras website.
It's about time Torquay got a luxe day spa. The Great Ocean Road town does have a few wellness spaces that you can drop by for massages and skin treatments, but there's nothing quite like the bathhouses and natural hot springs found across the bay at Mornington Peninsula. But finally, on Thursday, December 26, About Time will open and Torquay will get the day spa it deserves. It comes from the people who created Little Company (champions of slow, pared-back facials and LED lightroom therapy) and STILL Beauty (massage experts), so you're sure to get some damn good wellness treatments here. The Torquay spa is also fully equipped for all your luxury bathing needs within its brutalist building. Inside, it will have a magnesium pool, cold plunge pool, traditional sauna, steam room, and private infrared saunas and ice baths that can be booked for groups of up to eight people. Step outside, and you'll find hot and cold magnesium pools that are tailor-made for social bathing with mates. You're free to chat out here, but it seems like the indoor bathhouse is more about quiet self-care. With so little competition out this way, About Time is set to be incredibly popular with locals and day-trippers alike. About Time is slated to open on Boxing Day, and will be found at 27 Baines Crescent, Torquay. For more information and to book a spot at the spa, check out the venue's website.
You can walk to the shops. You can walk to work. But not of these will feed your soul quite like a coastal walk near Melbourne. And your soul should be pizza-party-level full with the number of Melbourne walks featuring stellar water views. These nine coastal walks have it all — wild scrub, picturesque paths, hidden lagoons and even a few well-placed pubs. Some hikes can be blitzed in an hour, while the Great Ocean Road track can go for eight full days. Here's your guide to a huge summer's (or any season, really) worth of active leisure. Recommended reads: The Best Mountain Walks Near Melbourne The Best One-Day Hikes Near Melbourne The Best Walks Around Metro Melbourne The Best Bike Rides in and Around Melbourne [caption id="attachment_755969" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Garry Moore/Visit Victoria[/caption] Tidal River to Whisky Bay, Wilsons Promontory A much-loved playground for nature lovers, Wilsons Promontory National Park is packed full of scenic hikes, including plenty of ocean-kissing coastal treks. And you'll spy some of its best angles along the trails between the Tidal River footbridge, Picnic Bay, Squeaky Beach and Whisky Bay. It's a fairly easy hike, clocking in at about six kilometres return, that'll see you rolling along river banks, pristine beaches and picturesque headland tracks. There's a stunning lookout located at Pillar Point, and at the legendary Squeaky Beach you can have fun making noises with the fine quartz sand. Tidal River is a three-hour drive from Melbourne so it's easily doable as a day trip, but if you'd like to turn it into an overnighter, the area also has a stellar campground. [caption id="attachment_755971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson/Visit Victoria[/caption] Great Ocean Walk, Great Ocean Road The heritage-listed Great Ocean Road is a famously stunning drive, but you can experience its beauty from a different perspective, with a trek along the Great Ocean Walk. While the full seven-day trail is probably a bit much for some, it does encompass a bunch of different smaller stretches, with distances and terrain to suit just about any level of walking skill. Choose from routes like the seven-kilometre track between Castle Cove and Johanna — which promises plenty of beach, a hidden lagoon and even the odd peregrine falcon sighting — and the final, most western 16-kilometre portion (about five hours of walking) offering primo views of the world-famous 12 Apostles. [caption id="attachment_883857" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Tarasiuk for Visit Victoria[/caption] The Coastal Walk, Mornington Peninsula You won't find a much more breathtaking way to work off all that Mornington Peninsula winery-hopping than a jaunt along The Coastal Walk — a famous beachside trail linking the Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Point Nepean National Park. Thirty kilometres in total, it's made up of a variety of different smaller walks, so you can choose your own adventure as far as length and terrain goes. Expect a mix of sandy beachfront, coastal scrub, gravel tracks and rugged coastline, with a number of lookouts providing picture-perfect panoramas. Hot tip: if you walk in the direction of Point Nepean, you're in for some extra special views up the Bass Strait coast. [caption id="attachment_755968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Hannah/Visit Victoria[/caption] George Bass Coastal Walk, Bass Coast If you're after a walking trail that boasts buckets of solitude and serenity, consider the George Bass Coastal Walk a winner. This one will take you through seven kilometres of grassy cliff-top curves and secluded beaches, sweeping from the outer edges of San Remo through to the Bass Highway. It's also one to delight your inner history buff, following the coastal route that explorer George Bass took over 200 years ago. The whole trail is doable in about two hours and it even comes with a nice little reward at the finish line, in the form of a cold pint and pub feed at the Kilcunda Ocean View Hotel. [caption id="attachment_883858" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Hannah for Visit Victoria[/caption] Cape Woolamai Walk, Philip Island The Cape Woolamai Walk puts you up close and personal with the picturesque southern tip of Phillip Island. Starting and finishing at the Cape Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club car park, there are three different loops to choose from, ranging from a two-hour, four-kilometre stretch, through to the full 6.6-kilometre trail, which takes around 3.5 hours to complete. It's an easygoing track with manageable surfaces and minimal glute-burning hills, though the panoramic views from the top — the island's highest point — are sure to have you whipping out your phone quick-smart. Expect soaring clifftops and a possible sighting of some of the area's cutest feathered residents — the short-tailed shearwater. Bayside Coastal Art Trail, Brighton With an easel in hand and a stretched canvas, many famous Australian artists have captured the spectacular southern Melbourne coastline in their work. Boasting endless sea, red cliffs and hidden rock coves, it is the perfect art destination for painters. The Bayside City Council now highlights more than 40 talented creatives and their works along the 17-kilometre coastal walk from Brighton to Beaumaris, including Arthur Boyd and Frederick McCubbin. Don your sun hat and get ready to be inspired while you stroll. [caption id="attachment_711285" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Larry Koester via Flickr[/caption] Bushrangers Bay Walking Track, Mornington Peninsula The Cape Schanck lighthouse once guided ships safely on this dangerous stretch of coastal shore along the Mornington Peninsula; now the 150-year-old building greets sprightly walkers traversing the salty track. Launching from the Cape Schanck carpark, the 2.6-kilometre Bushrangers Bay Track — supposedly named after two escaped convicts — follows along the jagged rocks through banksia grove. Along the way, you'll spot hermit crabs in the passing rock pools, lots of birds above and possibly a kangaroo or two in the clearings. [caption id="attachment_883856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] Surf Coast Walk, Great Ocean Road The Surf Coast Walk is a 44-kilometre track connecting the towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. You don't have to cover all of it at once, either — just pick a section that suits you. The walk is one-way, so you'll need to car-shuffle, arrange a lift or jump on a local bus. Some sections weave along the beach, so we recommend leaving early in the morning before high tide. This walk is ideal for beginners, though probably not as well suited to those who hike for seclusion. Nonetheless, you will score some astounding ocean views, have multiple cafe options come lunchtime and be able to take a rewarding dip in the ocean at the end of your trek. [caption id="attachment_651723" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, Williamstown Teaming architecture, history and art with some idyllic water views, the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail offers more than just a healthy dose of Mother Nature. In total, this 23-kilometre stretch runs from near the Westgate Bridge, all the way east to Skeleton Creek by Sanctuary Lakes, with most of that set right on the water. You can tackle it without too much effort by foot or on a bike, and there's plenty to occupy your mind along the way. Keep an eye out for trail markers offering local information, significant historic buildings and a slew of public artworks, including Pauline Fraser's Seaborn — a collection of bronze and steel structures standing guard over Altona Pier. If you want to lock in a spot for a rest and refuel, Sebastian Beach Grill & Bar is located right next to the track, around 7.6 kilometres from Westgate Bridge. You can find Abbott's Bakery products at all major supermarkets — and discover more tasty sandwich recipes via its website. Top image: Great Ocean Walk by Mark Watson for Visit Victoria.
Between clean eating and superfoods, who would have thought fried chicken would be the craze that stuck around? And if you're one of many seeking out the best battered chook in the city, it's hard to go past Belles Hot Chicken, where their sole focus is just that. Formerly Belles Diner, chefs and co-owners Aaron Turner and Morgan McGlone have converted the space on Gertrude Street into their own, while leaving most of the original interior in tact. Brown booths keep it casual without crossing the line to kitsch, and tables are lined with dishes inspired by Nashville, Tennessee, where they've both just spent the better part of recent times. Let's be honest, if you find yourself at Belles, there's a good chance you're there for the chicken, but — just in case you're not — there are fish and mushroom alternatives too. The menu is laconic, but once you step up to the counter to order, there are more choices to make than you may first think. Which cut of chicken do you want: wings, tenders or dark meat? And which level of spice can you handle? Mild, medium, hot, really hot — or are you daring enough for the really f**king hot chicken? No matter your selection, the crunchy, golden coating gives way to juicy, tender meat and the heat has certainly got a bit of kick to it. It's served with pickles and your choice of a side on top of a slice of bread to soak up the oozing spices, which will set you back $16. For an extra $2, choose from three sauces to combat the fire in your mouth. The sides ($5), such as mixed pickles and mac and cheese, could do with a bit more spunk, but the star of the show shines. Wait until the weekend for the chicken and waffles special ($18). Yep, you have not lived until you've tried the sugary sweet leavened dough drowning in maple syrup, and coupled with the savoury pieces of poultry. There's American beer, there's wine, there's whiskey, there's a record player blaring in the background and staff are sometimes inclined to dance around the restaurant. It's fun. Sure, it's a little more expensive than good old KFC, but it comes without the stain of the fast food stigma. It's a hell of a lot tastier and it's so on-trend.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are various interstate border restrictions in place. Up-to-date information on restrictions are available at your state's health websites (click through for NSW, Victoria and Queensland). Of course, even border closures don't mean you can't start dreaming — bookmark this for when you can explore freely once again. It's not exactly news that connecting with nature has all sorts of benefits for your wellbeing. And, given what we've been through over the past year and a bit, there's probably never been a better time to get out and explore the natural beauty of our great land. One solution: pack your tent and sleeping bag, and embark on a multi-day hike. However, leaving the city behind doesn't mean you have to forgo every creature comfort. The new Sonos Roam is designed to take your backcountry adventure to the next level. Sleek, drop-resistant and waterproof, this lightweight, technology-packed speaker slips straight into your swag so you can soundtrack your day, dawn till dusk. [caption id="attachment_812488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] COOLOOLA GREAT WALK, QUEENSLAND Set on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach, the Cooloola Great Walk spans the entire Cooloola Recreation Area and its wonderful landscapes. With the trek's total distance clocking in at 102 kilometres, you're going to need to set aside around five days to journey from end to end. But this strenuous hike is more than worth it, as you wind through lush rainforests, coastal woodlands and the stunning Carlo Sandblow. With the region's heathlands coming to life with spring wildflowers between August and October, now is the perfect time to start planning. [caption id="attachment_812482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] YURAYGIR COASTAL WALK, NEW SOUTH WALES Linking a myriad of beaches, sandy tracks, lagoons and rocky outcrops, the Yuraygir Coastal Walk is ideal for those who want to fully appreciate Australia's rugged coastline. Stretching for 65 kilometres and considered around a four- to five-day hike, emu footprint signposts guide the way as you travel from the surfing hotspot of Angourie (pictured above) to the sleepy village of Red Rock, located about 40 kilometres from Coffs Harbour. As well as stunning coastal views for the duration of the hike, you'll also encounter endless opportunities to chill on the beach and listen to tunes in peaceful solitude. Head there between May and November and you'll likely see whales embarking on their annual migration. [caption id="attachment_812474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] TWELVE APOSTLES LODGE WALK, VICTORIA Don't want to embark on a hike that's going to leave you physically exhausted? The Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk is designed to keep you in luxurious comfort as you complete a 40-kilometre trek through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. Rather than struggling with your tent poles in the cold, you'll be whisked away at the end of each day to a private eco-lodge situated on Johanna Beach. You and your fellow hikers will feast on a sumptuous meal prepared by the live-in chefs, before enjoying a glass of wine in the spa, where you'll rejuvenate your weary legs in style. [caption id="attachment_812490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] GOLD COAST HINTERLAND GREAT WALK, QUEENSLAND Stretching 54 kilometres from the tiny town of O'Reilly to the Springbrook Plateau, the Gold Coast Hinterland Walk is a stellar way to spend three days off the beaten track. Leaving from the renowned O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat — where we recommend spending a comfy night before you hit the trails. On the hike, you'll explore the species-rich Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area of Lamington and Springbrook Plateaus via the scenic Numinbah Valley, as well as the ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed Volcano which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range. Upon delving back into the rainforest, you'll be guided into Springbrook via a network of tranquil streams and waterfalls. Celebrate your journey by uncorking a bottle at one of the nearby wineries. [caption id="attachment_812483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] GIBRALTAR-WASHPOOL WORLD HERITAGE WALK, NEW SOUTH WALES Get amongst New South Wales' Northern Tablelands by completing a challenging 45-kilometre loop that links the Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Parks, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. With around three full days needed to finish the journey, there's no need to rush your way through eucalyptus forests, granite tors and impressive falls. You're going to want some waterproof footwear as there are marshy streams and hidden waterfalls to navigate throughout the hike. Make sure you also pack some binoculars, as the region is also known for its endangered bird species. [caption id="attachment_812489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) GREAT WALK, QUEENSLAND Multi-day hikes don't come much more scenic than this 90-kilometre journey across K'gari (Fraser Island). With the full distance taking most people around six to eight days, this relatively relaxed trek exploring the world's largest sand island is punctuated by overnight stops at many of its most beautiful sites, including Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby and Wanggoolba Creek. You'll want to stay alert as things do get pretty remote when you head deep inside inland tropical rainforests before you eventually return to the pristine coastline at Dilli Village. Along the way, though, you'll be rewarded with incredible scenery and ever-changing landscapes including coastal heathland, mangrove forest, woodland and rainforest along the way. [caption id="attachment_812480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Don Fuchs; Destination NSW[/caption] NEW ENGLAND WILDERNESS WALK, NEW SOUTH WALES Consider yourself a serious hiker? The New England Wilderness Walk might just be the challenge you've been waiting for. Although it's only 33 kilometres in length, it's regarded as one of the toughest hikes in the region due to its rough, unmarked track, and quad-burning gradient. Best completed across three days, you'll descend over 1000 metres from the lofty New England Tableland down towards the edge of the Bellinger River. Along the way, you'll make several river crossings and wander through long-abandoned farms and stock houses. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can extend your trek and canoe or kayak down the river from Cool Creek Crossing. [caption id="attachment_812473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] WALLABY TRACK, VICTORIA Rolling countryside, volcanic hills, built heritage and mineral spas — the 52-kilometre Wallaby Track will definitely not bore you. Beginning in artist Norman Lindsay's hometown of Creswick and ending at Lake Daylesford, this three-day hike takes in a variety of terrain and elevations. Make your way through imposing forest and airy farmland, before walking next to an abandoned 19th-century railway track, which is still the longest timber track in the state. The home stretch sees a gradual uphill give way to a sharp descent and then a tough ascent, before you reach the blissful Lake Daylesford. Extend your stay and unwind in one of the restorative mineral spas in the area. Find out more about the new Sonos Roam at the official website. Need some tunes to soundtrack your stroll? Check out the all-Aussie playlist, curated by Concrete Playground, below: Top image: Destination NSW
From the mind of Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume, Grill Americano, Society) comes the 80 Collins venture, Yakimono — a two-storey Japanese diner with a street food menu that's fuelled by fire. An ode to the late-night izakayas of Tokyo — where Lucas spent three years living and working — it's serving a fresh riff on Japanese street eats, melding classic flavours with a touch of Melbourne flair. [caption id="attachment_921099" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Heading up the kitchen, Huxtaburger's Daniel Wilson is plating up an offering of adventurous dishes, with bites like spicy tuna tartare, curried sweet potato gyoza with miso apple yoghurt, and skewers of wagyu beef intercostal in a smoky soy glaze. Barbecued king salmon is finished with tomato ponzu and pickled cucumbers; a chicken katsu comes teamed with puffed rice and katsu curry; and you could easily fill up on some of the many sushi and sashimi dishes available. [caption id="attachment_921101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adrian Lander[/caption] Meanwhile, the bar is pouring ten beers and four wines on tap alongside a selection of bottled vino and sake that doesn't take itself too seriously. A range of Japanese-accented cocktails and bubble tea rounds out the liquid fun. It's a moody, yet colourful space, with digital art and clever lighting lending a futuristic edge. Both the central open kitchen and the bar feature ringside seats for those wanting to be close to the action, while the Corner Room boasts private dining for up to 14 guests. Top images: Pete Dillon and Adrian Lander
In late-November, Melbourne's southwest scored the perfect balmy weather venue. Meet Sebastian, a new Spanish restaurant right on Williamstown beach. After opening the doors to Southbank Argentinian grill Asado in August, co-owner Dave Parker (also one of the names behind San Telmo, Pastuso and Palermo) turned his sights to this project. He teamed up with longtime friend and Williamstown local Alex Brawn to transform the space once home to Shelly's Beach Pavilion into a breezy seaside bar and grill that nods to the Spanish town of San Sebastian. Acclaimed design studio Ewert Leaf transformed the heritage-listed space into a Hamptons-style vision of white, blue and oak befitting of the waves lapping at the shore just beyond it. The venue has space for 250, complete with dining room, bistro and a sprawling shaded deck that is literally on the beach. The all-day menu is available from noon, with lots of snacks, small and large dishes cooked over the charcoal grill and cold smoker. Snack on pinxtos like fried mussels and pork croquettes, or dive into some sardines, house-made sausage or a whole flounder. Meats and fish are cured in-house, too, which you can get into with the kitchen's signature charcuterie board. Patatas bravas make an appearance, thankfully, and Spanish wine, vermouth and sangria on tap will really top off your post-swim feast.
Lunar New Year is famously a food-focused holiday. With celebrations traditionally stretching over about a two-week period, Lunar New Year dinner is one of the holiday's highlights. The dinner, which typically happens on the eve of Lunar New Year, is more accurately described as a feast — one where families gather, and the table teems with mouth-watering, home-cooked dishes. [caption id="attachment_987282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] We love a celebration at home centred around good food, so, in partnership with Oriental Merchant, we sought out expert advice from chef Jason Chan on what essentials to stock our pantries with for Lunar New Year and beyond. Not only is Chan the owner of Rice Kid, a newly opened pan-Asian restaurant inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine, but he's also clocked up well over a decade as a chef in leading Chinese restaurants in Sydney. He snuck us into his pantry to show us exactly what he'll be cooking with come this Lunar New Year. Our best discovery? His go-to essentials aren't reserved exclusively for Lunar New Year — they're versatile ingredients that are just as invaluable for special celebrations as they are for midweek meals. [caption id="attachment_987274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] Surprisingly, Chan reveals that despite going all out on premium ingredients for Lunar New Year, he'll season them during the cooking process with everyday pantry staples. "Lunar New Year is more about the family gathering. You'll splurge and have things you don't normally have everyday, I think that's what makes it special. For our Lunar New Year feast, we usually have e-fu noodles, mudcrab, pipis — we go all out." On Capturing the Essence of Asian Cuisine The flavours of Asian cuisine though, are achieved with familiar products like "soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing [wine]." "Asian — Chinese — flavours [are] bold. I wouldn't use the word heavy, but it's flavoursome. It's every bite that you take. There's sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami, you get the taste of all that." "I think that's what Asian cooking is all about, especially Chinese cooking, where there are so many different ingredients and so much variety [to choose between]. It's just packed with flavour." "In my pantry at the moment, I've got the Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce, the Lee Kum Kee Dark Soy Sauce, the Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce." [caption id="attachment_987275" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] He also showed us his stash of Hakubaku noodles and Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli Oil. "It's about what you can do with the ingredients out of the pantry to create something amazing," explains Chan. Some staples are genuine must-haves for Chan. "You can't cook without soy sauce, that's what I say. I think every household should have [it]." Meanwhile, others he believes are slept on. "I think oyster sauce is amazing ... it gives more body and more depth [to dishes]." [caption id="attachment_987280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] Ultimately though, it's not about a single ingredient. "It's more about how you incorporate everything together. I think every dish has a different element to it and every ingredient in our pantry, I think, works with a certain dish to enhance its flavour." On Making the Most of Pantry Essentials Chan says the special dishes of Lunar New Year can easily be translated into everyday dishes too." Let's say we did a lobster, for example, for Lunar New Year. How do you tone it down and still use all the pantry ingredients that you have? You choose a different protein. You might use fish, you might use prawns." The same applies to the e-fu Lunar New Year noodles he calls out. [caption id="attachment_987276" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] "[You could substitute] egg noodles — thin egg noodles, thick egg noodles. If you're [feeling] brave, you can use ramen noodles, soba noodles, udon noodles. It's how far you want to explore, but they're all good." Experience the flavours of Lunar New Year everyday with Oriental Merchant authentic Asian ingredients.
When you've been sipping on blue milk, how ready will you be to battle the Galactic Empire? Will tucking into green burgers and dessert space stations get you fuelled to rebel against oppression? There's only one way to find out the answers to these questions: by visiting the brand-new Star Wars Galactic Cafe, an Australian-first eatery that's now open at Melbourne Museum. After the Victorian venue became the top spot right now, in this very galaxy, to see Star Wars come to life via Lego courtesy of the world-premiering Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition — and the only place to check out life-sized recreations of the space saga's locations, characters, duels and moments as made out of eight-million-plus plastic bricks, in fact — the same site has welcomed another Aussie debut. As first announced back in May, never before has an official Star Wars cafe popped up Down Under. This one is only here for a limited season. Yes, blue milk is definitely on offer, because it wouldn't be a Star Wars-themed spot for a snack and a sip without it. You can enjoy it chilled or as part of a slushie. And the source of that all-important hue? Butterfly pea flower powder. The cafe's full food and drink range features other dishes and selections inspired by the franchise — and while there's no green milk or fish eggs, green-hued burgs and a Death Star by chocolate sweet treat are ready to tempt your tastebuds. Fittingly, the bites and drinks have names like Canto Bight Burger, Naboo Garden Vermicelli, Outer Rim Chicken Katsu and Tatooine Sunset. Also on offer: a Chewie gingerbread cookie that adorably resembles its namesake. A range of kids meal packs are available, too, with monikers such as Endo Explorer (featuring chicken nuggets) and Padawan Power (with a hummus and salad sandwich). Open since Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Star Wars Galactic Cafe is the result of Australian-first collaboration between Museums Victoria, Disney and Lucasfilm. The decor matches the menu, with the pop-up delivering an immersive eating and drinking experience beyond what you're consuming by taking you to a Corellian Star Cruiser to get feasting. If this sounds like the kind of spot that'll be popular, that's because it already is — so bookings are encouraged, with walk-in availability limited. As for the Aussie-exclusive exhibition that goes with it and opened back in May, it's the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled and the biggest touring Lego showcase ever. The Millennium Falcon, Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards, a stormtrooper helmet, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader facing off, and the Mandalorian and Moff Gideon: they're all featured in Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, which hails from Ryan McNaught aka Brickman. Find the Star Wars Galactic Cafe at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, operating from 10.30am–3.30pm daily for a limited season. Head to the museum's website for bookings and more details. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition runs until Monday, January 26, 2026 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Head to the exhibition's website for tickets and more details. Images: Carmen Zammit, courtesy of Museums Victoria.
There are few places that instantly make you feel special. Tonka, formally Honky Tonks, is one of them. The moment you walk in, you know this place is different. The staff are warm yet professional and the dining room is beautiful, accented by a twirling white installation hanging from the roof. Follow the flashing neon sign to the very end of Duckboard Place off Flinders Lane, and you'll find your way. Start your Indian feast with a crisp pocket of spiced potato, mung beans, date and tamarind chutney complete with a jar of 'aromatic water' which is heavily spiced with coriander. Other good starters include the Crystal Bay prawn mollee with smoked Yarra Valley caviar and the tandoor paneer tikka with pineapple chutney and cos. Move to the larger dishes like the tender Avani's lamb curry with roasted coconut, black cardamom and white poppy seeds, or the nigiri vegetable curry with seasonal pickled vegetables. For something that packs a bit of heat try Tonka's chicken biryani with Sella rice, saffron and cassia. For dessert, the chocolate and caramel mouse with spiced pear compote is a standout, while the mango lassi ice-cream sandwich with a caramel spiced brownie is a textural experience in itself. Tonka's wine list also presents interesting wines with accessibility front of mind. The staff know their list and can recommend something regardless of your palate. There are also cocktails which take classics such as old-fashioneds and margaritas and give them an Indian twist — thoughtfully using aromatics and herbs. The rum mango lassi really needs to be ordered as well. It's approachable, fine dining if we've ever seen it. Go make an occasion of the whole experience, drinking it all in at Tonka. Images: Brook James.
Gerald's Bar is more than just an idiosyncratic local for Carlton North residents. It's the definition of what us grown ups want in a small bar: a relaxed atmosphere, golden service, and a compact, but considered menu. Owner, Gerald Diffey, makes strange sense out of Nan's lace curtains, of kitsch sporting paraphernalia, a stupendously broad wine list, vintage vinyl, and a food menu that changes daily. And this is exactly why we love him. Diffey's wine list is expert, comes with recommendations (a fairly scarce find these days), and caters to both international and local tastes. The entire wine list is potentially available by-the-glass at Gerald's – a selection of three reds, three whites, and one sparkling will be open at any one time throughout the evening depending on what customers pick first and next – so choose wisely. And of course, there's also Diffey's first-rate stable of fine liquors adoring the shelves across the walls for your tippling pleasure. The menu rejoices in local produce and offers a variety of European comfort food. The cured meats, sardines, pickled vegetables or imported cheese will tickle the grazer's fancy, while the pork belly or Gerald's fried chicken are more suited to those seeking out something more substantial. Food will be ordered from the hand-written menu on butcher's paper that hangs from the sliding ladder behind the bar, just one of our favourite Geraldy quirks. Every nook and cranny of this place oozes cosy, out-of-the way small bar. Gerald's may very well have put an end to the bar-hopping tendencies of industry folk with its atmospheric booze-den perfection. A package of charming décor, affable staff, and enviable food and beverage excellence, Gerald's is North Carlton's unchallenged gem. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023 The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne for 2023
