The initial event announced for RISING 2025, Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf was always going to be one of the Melbourne winter festival's big highlights for this year. Combining mini golf and art, exploring the feminist history of the short game, getting folks tap, tap, tapping across the entire upper level of Flinders Street Station, and boasting talents such as Kajillionaire filmmaker and All Fours writer Miranda July designing courses: what a combination. Accordingly, months after the fest wrapped up its later iteration, it should come as no surprise that its putt-putt experience has not only proven a hit, but is also sticking around even longer than planned. While RISING ran for 12 days from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 for 2025, Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf was locked in until Sunday, August 31 from the beginning. Now, that season has been extended. With a new closing date of Sunday, September 21, you've now got three more weeks to take to the greens. Expect company, as more than 25,000 people have headed by so far, resulting in soldout sessions. What do you get when you create an art exhibition that's also a mini-golf course? Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf answers that question with its playable setup. The piece's greens are designed by female-identifying and gender-diverse artists, resulting in surreal and mindbending creations in a work that also aims to get attendees thinking about the sport's beginnings. July's contribution, for instance, riffs on her latest book's name with an 'all fores' setup. Also helping to shape Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf: Soda Jerk switching from bringing TERROR NULLIUS and Hello Dankness to the big screen, plus Australian artists Kaylene Whiskey and Nabilah Nordin, Japan's Saeborg, the United Kingdom's Delaine Le Bas, Indonesia's Natasha Tontey, Atlanta rapper BKTHERULA and Hobart-based photographer Pat Brassington. "It's been fantastic seeing the diverse groups of people coming through the space, having fun, playing and learning about all of the beautiful, unusual artworks," said RISING's Grace Herbert, who curated the work. "So far, Swingers has hosted many families, friend groups and dates, and we've even had a proposal in the ballroom. I'm so glad that RISING is extending the season so that more people can enjoy this experience." As for the festival itself, it came, it celebrated, and it filled Melbourne with art, music and performances in June — with help from 100-plus events from 610 participating artists, including 16 brand-new commissions. Not only was Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf the first 2025 announcement, but it's the longest part of this year's program. And, while a few other events extended past RISING's official dates, this will also be the last to wrap up. Swingers — The Art of Mini Golf runs until Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Flinders Street Station, Flinders Street, Melbourne — head to the event's website for further information. Images: Remi Chauvin.
If Neil Buchanan taught us anything on Art Attack it was that a toilet paper roll can be used to design an array of artistic works. Whilst the word 'intricate' may never be used to describe the toilet roll castles he helped us build, it perfectly describes the artworks created by artist Anastassia Elias using only toilet rolls and a scalpel. Since 2009, the French artist has sculpted 67 works from these rolls, with each as spectacular and beautiful as the next. She carves the detail of each scene from other rolls and then delicately inserts them through a slit cut into the roll that frames each individual piece. Her works include dancing ballerinas, a busy construction site, an incredibly detailed science laboratory and an amusement park spanning two toilet rolls. Rouleaux, the title of the series and the accompanying book, is available here. In the meantime, you can check out our favourites below. Via Huffington Post.
UPDATE, November 10, 2020: Bunnings has confirmed that its snags will be cooking again at selected metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5. This article has been updated to reflect that change. It's a tradition well-known to many Australians: wake up on the weekend, make a beeline for your closest Bunnings, down a snag in bread. It's also a tradition that's been around since the 90s, and one we've been missing for eight very, very long months since Bunnings postponed its sausage sizzles back in mid-March because of rising concerns around COVID-19. In good news for Victorians, the weekend ritual is about to make its long-awaited return. First relaunching in some regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, the charity sizzles are set to roll out across selected metropolitan Melbourne venues from Saturday, December 5. In a statement released today, Monday, November 2, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer Deb Poole said, "Victorians have done such an amazing job flattening the curve and we hope bringing back sausage sizzles will be yet another sign we can reclaim a sense of normality while remaining COVID-safe." Each year around 40,000 sausage sizzles are hosted at Bunnings stores, help raising much-needed funds for local charity groups and sporting teams. Community groups that had sizzles pre-booked will be prioritised, with 130 already booked in for the first weekend back. When they do return, there will, of course, be social distancing and hygiene measures in place — measures we're all very used to at this point — including spaced queues, increased cleaning and separate ordering and pick-up points. Bunnings sausage sizzles are set to return to select regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, then to select metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5.
Now that we all carry digital maps in our pockets, finding our way around is as simple as whipping out our smartphones, typing in a location and following the stated directions. And, with Google Maps featuring extensive real-life images of the globe's roads and spaces in its Street View mode, it couldn't be easier to double-check that the place in front of you is your intended destination. If the above describes your usual process when you're trying to navigate your way to somewhere new, then you'll also be keen on Google Maps' new Live View feature. Using augmented reality, it combines the service's directions with Street View, superimposing arrows, street names and directions over the actual view that's in front of you — rather than a map or photographic representation of it — literally pointing users in the right direction. Whether you've been distracted while walking around New York and ended up in the wrong place, or found Tokyo's busier districts a bit of a labyrinth, this'll help. The same applies if you're notorious for paying more attention to the sights and sounds around you instead of looking at where you're going, which, when travelling, is an experience we can all relate to. After testing Live View with its local guides and via Pixel phones over the past few months, Google is now expanding the feature — which is currently still in beta testing — to Android and iOS devices. To use it, your phone will need to support ARCore (the company's platform for building augmented reality experiences) and ARKit (Apple's equivalent). Then, after typing in a location into Google Maps, you'll just need to tap the directions button, select walking directions and look for the Live View option. The rollout comes part of the tech giant's broader suite of updates in the travel space. Users can now also use Google Maps to track hotel and flight bookings, find restaurants tailored to their tastes and use their Location History timeline to make notes on each place they visit. Google Maps' Live View is now available on Android and iOS devices. For more information, visit Google Maps.
With its hot-ticket pairing of bubbles and crustacean-stuffed rolls, Pinchy's has spawned a few popular pop-ups over the of years. But, thankfully, its latest venue is sticking around for a bit longer than usual. Pinchy's has opened a (very permanent) snappy first-floor eatery and sun-drenched terrace perched above Bourke Street. The newly hatched Pinchy's Champagne and Lobster Bar comes decked out in a rainbow of candy pinks and loud neon, with 75 seats inside and room for another 60 out on the balcony. It's fun and playful, with pops of greenery and splashes of terrazzo, and a very suitable set-up for those balmy evenings to come. The kitchen is whipping up a menu where seafood reigns supreme, but it's not just about the signature lobster rolls, loaded with buttery lobster sourced from over in Maine. You'll also find a tapas-style lineup with the likes of fat scallops served in the shell with cauliflower puree ($10), Alaskan crab tacos ($7) and snapper croquettes ($9). Meanwhile, a newly launched menu of vegan fare is also causing a splash, featuring crafty plant-based bites like spiced tofu tacos with avocado mousse ($8); vegan 'oysters' made with rice crisps, sea lettuce cream and black garlic ($4); and dainty carrot cornettes filled with a jalapeno salsa and wasabi mayo ($8). If you're craving red meat, best venture elsewhere. [caption id="attachment_809985" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinchy's new vegan menu[/caption] Here, seafood's perfect match is a bubbly one — so you'll find plenty of fizz on the drinks list. A hefty Champagne selection sits alongside brews from Colonial Brewing Co, Bodriggy's speccy juice and a spread of classic and champagne-based cocktails; such as the grapefruit & elderflower blush with yuzu and white grapefruit ($20). Images: Jana Longhurst and Jake Roden
James Klapanis of Eastern Grace Group (St. Cloud Eating House and Young's Wine Rooms) recently brought on Matteo Tine (ex-Grossi Florentino, Bar Carolina, Tetto di Carolina and Pixie) as the restaurant group's Executive Chef and Creative Director — and they're already working on some big plans. Tine first assembled a new team at Young's Wine Room to reinvigorate the Hawthorn wine bar. But the duo's main focus right now is on Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar Orlo, slated to open in late June. Set within the old Dyason Cordial Factory in Collingwood, the Oxford Street venue will have a heap of distinct drinking and dining areas split across multiple levels. In the main restaurant, Tine is leaning heavily into his Sicilian roots, plating up contemporary Italian eats influenced by a smattering of other European cuisines. Tine is all over the food, but the duo has brought on a couple hospo heavyweights to dream up the drinks menus. When it comes to wine, Grossi Group's Carlo Grossi has curated a list of vinos that pair well with Tine's Med-inspired dishes. He's been tasked with making these fun, bright and accessible, meaning you don't have to spend the big bucks when ordering a few bottles for the table. And when it comes to cocktails, the Orlo crew has enlisted none other than Joe Jones (Purple Pit) to work his magic. We're huge fans of his Purple Pit libations, so can't wait to see what he does at Orlo. Here, he has designed a few signature sips, including seasonal cordials that'll be served in old cordial bottles as a fun nod to the building. We're sure the best place to find these bevs will be in Orlo's downstairs bar Cordial Club. The 1880s red brick factory has been revived by the team at McCluskey Studio, who've made sure to keep plenty of its original features while glamming it up a little. They've also worked with Klapanis to use his collection of reclaimed materials and vintage furniture throughout the site. Klapanis and Tine have gone all out with Orlo, and it's hard not to have high expectations. Orlo will open at 44 Oxford Street, Collingwood, this June, and be open every day of the week from 12pm–late. For more information on the new opening, visit the venue's website.
Carnegie might be a bit of a hike away, at 12km from the CBD, but think of it as a pilgrimage, or another couple of steps along the path you're taking on the necessary journey that is your ramen life. Shyun Ramen Bar — named for the word "shyun" which means "season" in Japanese — follows its own instructions carefully and uses only fresh and seasonal ingredients in its bowls. The broth is simmered for the hours necessary to refine really good soup and the umami score is off the charts — we suggest you try the chef's pick pork ramen with your choice of shoyu or miso. It's also an incredibly reasonable $12.40 — another reason for you to make the ramen trek.
Located within the historical Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane, Tippy-Tay is Melbourne's love letter to the coastlines of Italy. Walk across the yellow and green brick-framed threshold of this stylish trattoria and be transported immediately to the Mediterranean. The menu embraces everything that we love about Italian food: simple, well-sourced ingredients and dishes designed to share. Start your meal with freshly shucked oysters, octopus 'salami' or pumpkin and goat's cheese arancini. Move onto antipasti with wagyu carpaccio, yellowfin tuna or parmesan custard with radicchio, orange, and hazelnuts. Pasta dishes include a classic spanner crab fusilli or Manjimup truffle and porcini mafaldine — or try something a little different with two-sheet lasagne verde with slipper lobster, prawn, mussels and scallops in a white sauce. Tippy-Tay is slinging pizzas like the lobster diavola with slipper lobster, 'nduja, cherry tomato, chilli and garlic alongside classics like margherita and cacio e pepe. Mains include options like grilled swordfish with golden olive caponata and fennel, roasted eggplant with chickpeas, tomato and chilli, and 250-gram Jack's Creek bavette steak with rocket and parmesan. Can't decide what to eat? Go for the 'Feed Me Menu' — there's even an option to add three paired wines and a limoncello to finish. If you're thirsty, there's plenty to choose from on the drinks menu. There is a thoughtfully curated wine list that heroes Italian grapes with a couple of vinos from South Australia, Victoria and New Zealand. The cocktail menu features the classics like negroni and margarita, as well as some house creations such as the frozen limoncello — made with Tippy-Tay's own limoncello — and frozen Malfy G&T, Tippy-Tay's OG cocktail made with Malfy blood orange gin, pineapple, citrus and tonic.
Meatlovers, keep it together. Richmond’s carnivore-frequented restaurant, Meatmother, will open their second offering in the CBD: Meatmaiden. Creators Neil Hamblen and Nick Johnston have teamed up with Melbourne chef Justin Wise for their latest meat-focused dining project; Wise has already made a name for himself with his handiwork at The Point Albert Park and Press Club. Opening on August 27, Meatmaiden will unveil its new digs in the basement of the Georges Building at 195 Little Collins St, all decked out den-style by Urchin Associates. Prepare to sink your teeth into 12-hour F1 Tajima wagyu brisket smothered in a native Tasmanian pepper berry rub, or a 10-hour pasture-fed beef short-rib from Gippsland, both pulled from a custom-made Silver Creek smoker. Meatmaiden also boats some great sharing morsels if a mountain of meat is a little daunting; we’re keen to check out the southern fried chicken ribs with jalapeno mayo. While this is a particularly carnivorous affair, vegetarians have not been forgotten — give the smoked eggplant a try, or if you're pescetarian there's a sumptuous-looking lobster mac and cheese. As for the drinks, there'll be a six-tap system constantly rotating a mix of local and American craft beer. If you’re after something a little punchier, the sharp cocktail menu is generous on the bourbon and best enjoyed paired with Meatmaiden’s bar snacks. The wine list is concise and champions local winemakers, as well as stocking some exceptional international bottles. The house of meaty shenanigans can accommodate 120 in its den of iniquity, with sprawling communal tables made larger groups. Prepare to feast on some juicy, fall-apart-in your-mouth meaty goodness, Meatmaiden is on her way. Meatmaiden opens Wednesday, August 27 for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday. Find her at 195 Little Collins St, Melbourne CBD and www.meatmaiden.com.au.
Located a mere 40-minute drive from Auckland CBD, Kumeu has become one of New Zealand's most versatile drinking and dining destinations. Here, you'll find lush rolling hillsides, stunning natural sights and a high concentration of family-run estates. It's also the perfect backdrop for everything from cosy winter lunches to celebratory family feeds, casual summer picnics and a slew of wine-related tastings, tours and experiences. If you're after a short break, flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand offers great everyday direct fares from all three cities. Here are our picks for where you should head for a glass (or two) once you've touched down. WEST BROOK WINERY Nestled amongst the gently undulating hillside of the Ararimu Valley, West Brook Winery is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque pit-stops on this tour of the west. Framed by row after row of glorious grape vines, the cellar door is fully equipped with a serene view out over the terraces toward a lily pond. While the tranquil grounds offer warm respite from the stresses of the working week, the real treat at West Brook must be its comprehensive menu of cellar door experiences. Designed to please every level of wine lover (from the curious to the aficionado), these packages have every budget catered for with prices between $6 and $50 per person for wine tastings, wine and cheese matches and the full monty tasting tour. Consistently applauded for its flawless production of chardonnay and riesling varieties, it's the Sparkling Crackling Rosé which has proven to be most popular with punters. And with tasting notes such as raspberry, mandarin and paprika, it's not a surprise. THE HUNTING LODGE WINERY Despite a history that stretches all the way back to 1868, current owners the Sutton family have reinvented The Hunting Lodge as one of Auckland's most exciting restaurant destinations. Positioned atop 80 acres of lush green hillside, The Hunting Lodge has a lot to offer, from the rustic cellar door and lawn bar through to the slick restaurant, olive groves, manicured gardens and family zone. You'll envisage a way to celebrate every kind of occasion. Summers here are synonymous with Mediterranean-style platters and a glass or two of dry chardonnay, yet a transition to the approaching winter should also get you excited — imagine curling up in the comfort of the homestead sampling the rich, gamey flavours of chef Des Harris' seasonal creations. Backed by a slew of industry accolades, which commend everything from the ambience to its aroma, The Hunting Lodge should skyrocket straight to the top of your 'to do' list. KUMEU RIVER WINES Winning international acclaim and the hearts of visitors far and wide, the family behind Kumeu River Wines definitely deserve some of the credit for putting New Zealand's chardonnay (and damn good pinot gris) on the map. Established in 1944 by Croatian migrants, the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River Wines may just be the most serious of the wineries on this list — but no less warm and inviting. With 40 hectares of vineyards, which bottle around 250,000 wines annually, the operation has become an international benchmark for non-Burgundy produced chardonnay. Stop in and soak up some serious wine knowledge from the incredibly informed team at the cellar door, where you taste up to five different drops for $5, while overlooking Maté's Vineyard just across the road. BABICH WINES Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's premier wine estates, Babich Wines has a distinct family history that filters into every aspect of the 103-year-old business. Managed by third generation family members, visitors to the flagship cellar door, winery and vineyard in Kumeu can expect a tender family atmosphere where nostalgia and comfort envelope you just like a hug from your nan. Arriving on the shores of Aotearoa in 1910 with a dream of gum digging in the far north, penniless Babich patriarch Josip gave the family a century's worth of family lore — anecdotes they are all too willing to share over the eight-strong tasting menu. The Babich family has traded the traditional restaurant for an easy-going picnic area — a feature which ensures the focus remains on the award-winning wines. Along with a game of petanque, guests are encouraged to bring their own nosh to be enjoyed with an impressive selection of in-house drops. Or, you can nab a spot on the sunny verandah and enjoy a glass of the East Coast Vintara while overlooking the vines. SOLJANS ESTATE Like many other successful wineries across Auckland's west, Souljans Estate Winery began and continues to thrive as a family business. From humble beginnings in 1937, it has become one of the neighbourhood's most visited wineries today. Soljan is known for producing pinot gris, chardonnay and pinotage from its picture-perfect vineyard. Plus, visitors might be surprised to find that its Fusion Sparkling Muscat is, in fact, New Zealand's most awarded sparkling wine — and an ideal accompaniment to a feast of Mediterranean bites at the adjoining restaurant. The sunny grounds are completed with a casual cage and a surprisingly decent gift store. Soljans has cemented its place in the hearts and bucket lists of wine-lovers both near and far. Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Plus, Vinomofo has released a case of wine featuring six delicious wines representing the diverse and unique sub-regions of Waiheke, Kumeu and Matakana. Every case has a one in 50 chance of winning return flights to Auckland (from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). T&Cs apply.
Money can't buy you love, as four mop-topped Brits first sang 59 years ago, but it can buy you tickets to see the music legend who wrote one of the catchiest pop tracks ever released — and co-performed it — play it live in Australia. When Paul McCartney heads Down Under this spring, he'll have a wealth of material to choose from. One of his favourite openers: 'Can't Buy Me Love'. Hitting our shores for the first time since 2017 on his Got Back tour, McCartney will work through a massive catalogue of hits from his time in The Beatles, Wings and also across his solo career on a six-city stint around the country. Arenas and stadiums will welcome Sir Paul, starting at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, October 18, then heading to Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium and Allianz Stadium in Sydney before the month is out. Then, to kick off November, McCartney will take over Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and finally Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast. This tour will mark the Beatles icon's first-ever Newcastle and Gold Coast shows, and also commemorate almost six decades since the band that helped McCartney make history famously toured Australia in 1964 amid a wave of Beatlemania. In Adelaide all of those years back, it's estimated that 350,000 people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the group, packing the stretch between the airport and Town Hall. McCartney's Got Back setlist has featured everything from 'Hey Jude', 'Let It Be' and 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' to 'Love Me Do', 'Blackbird' and 'Got to Get You Into My Life' from The Beatles across its stops so far. Yes, 'Get Back' gets a whirl. Wings tunes 'Live and Let Die', 'Band on the Run', 'Letting Go' and 'Junior's Farm' usually pop up, too, as does McCartney's own 'Maybe I'm Amazed'. The Got Back tour kicked off in the US in February 2022, wrapping up last year's run with a massive Glastonbury set. McCartney now brings his usual band — keyboardist Paul 'Wix' Wickens, bassist and guitarist Brian Ray, fellow guitarist Rusty Anderson and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr — our way after picking up a Helpmann Award for Best International Contemporary Concert for his last visit. PAUL McCARTNEY 'GOT BACK' TOUR 2023 DATES: Wednesday, October 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Saturday, October 21 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, October 24 — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Friday, October 27–Saturday, October 28 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney Wednesday, November 1 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Saturday, November 4 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Paul McCartney tours Australia in October and November 2023, with Telstra Plus members pre-sale tickets from Thursday, August 3, Frontier members pre-sale ticketing available from Wednesday, August 9 and general tickets from Friday, August 11 — all at staggered times. Head to the tour website for further details. Images: MPL Communications.
Peninsula Hot Springs has officially won the title of Best Luxury Hot Springs at the 2025 World Luxury Spa Awards, solidifying its status as one of the world's leading wellness destinations. The Mornington Peninsula spa beat out contenders from across the globe, earning the honour through more than 250,000 votes cast by spa guests, travellers and wellness industry experts. The award recognises destinations that consistently deliver standout service, innovation and truly transformative guest experiences, and according to the international scoreboard, Peninsula Hot Springs is now the very best of them. In a widely competitive field, the Victorian hot springs stood out for its forward-thinking approach to geothermal bathing, its long-term sustainability work and its dedication to creating experiences that nurture both people and the environment. "For twenty years, our vision has been to create a space where people can reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves," said Peninsula Hot Springs Co-Founder and Chair Charles Davidson. "To be recognised as the world's best is a profound honour, not only for our team but for the entire Australian wellness community." The award comes as Peninsula Hot Springs celebrates 20 years of immersing its guests in its brand of wellness and nature, having welcomed more than eight million visitors since opening in 2005. Its natural geothermal waters draw from 637 metres below the surface, feeding a network of pools and experiences across 42 acres of coastal bushland. The site's offering has steadily grown to more than 70 globally inspired bathing and wellness experiences, from hot and cold therapy and immersive saunas to spa treatments, glamping accommodation and eco-lodges. Each element designed to deepen connection to the natural landscape and encourage a slower, more intentional rhythm for guests. Peninsula Hot Springs is located at 140 Springs Lane, Fingal, Victoria. For more information about the site or to make a booking, visit the website.
This could be love: a classic 80s film that's been adored for decades, a new date with the big screen, and a live band and singers bringing its soundtrack to life as you watch. Dirty Dancing in Concert isn't new to Australia, but it keeps returning to tour the country because the movie at its centre is one that audiences can't get enough of. If you're a fan, you'll know which phrase fits: ideally, you'll have the time of your film-watching life. In September and October 2025, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey will dance up a storm in the 1987 romantic drama. While the tour is clearly hoping that you've never felt like this before, that'll only apply if you didn't go to 2022's or 2023's shows. Whether you're a Dirty Dancing in Concert first-timer or returning after seeing it before, you'll not only see the movie — you'll also hit up the party afterwards. Accordingly, as you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most-charming film roles, you'll be immersed in the world of the picture from the moment that you take your seat. Although no one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, its iconic songs will get a workout live, then the musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. This blast-from-the-past affair has dates locked in for Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne — on Saturday, September 6 at the Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney; Saturday, September 20 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena; Sunday, September 21 at Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre; Saturday, October 4 at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre; and Thursday, October 9 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Around the world, Dirty Dancing in Concert has staged more than 200 sessions so far. Dirty Dancing in Concert 2025 Australian Tour Saturday, September 6 — Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney Saturday, September 20 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide Sunday, September 21 — Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth Saturday, October 4 — Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Thursday, October 9 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Dirty Dancing in Concert will tour Australia in September and October 2025 — head to Ticketek for tickets and further details. Dirty Dancing in Concert images: Zdenko Hanout.
The winter chill is starting to set in across Melbourne, which means it's time to bust out your warmest winter woolies once again. Happily enough, to coincide with the start of winter, a heap of private igloos are popping up across the city so you can get your winter escape without even having to leave the big smoke. As part of the Winter Igloo Garden, these pop-up winter wonderlands are set to descend this week on The Auburn Hotel's beer garden, Footscray's Station Hotel, Studley Park Boathouse and the banks of the Yarra at The Wharf Hotel. Each see-through structure can fit up to six people and comes decked out with twinkly fairy lights and winter-inspired furnishings. You can hire any igloo out for a two-hour time slot, which includes a different food and drink offering depending on the venue. The Studley Park Boathouse igloo is serving a winter high tea full of sweet and savoury bites with a glass of bubbly for $49 per person, with the option to add on 90 minutes of bottomless drinks for an extra $25. At The Auburn you'll be chilling out in your wintry bubble enjoying a shared three-course feast featuring the likes of mini lobster rolls, charred broccolini with toasted almonds, and a king salmon with saffron-braised fennel for $59. That'll also get you your choice of drink — think mulled wine, local beer, cherry spritz or a hot toddy. At the riverside Winter Igloo Garden at The Wharf Hotel, you'll part with $49 for your choice of wintery beverage, paired with a shared grazing board loaded with bites like southern fried chicken ribs, salt and pepper squid, and triple cheese pumpkin arancini. If you're looking for more soul-warming fare, The Station's igloos come with a meat-heavy set menu with options like short ribs, wagyu tartare and yakitori, teamed with your pick of drink for $69. Espresso martinis, house wines and boozy hot chocolate set the tone here. And while you're hanging out in any of the above igloos, further drinks can also be ordered via an app, so you don't have to leave your wintry lair. Private igloos are available to hire at Studley Park Boathouse from May 18, The Auburn Hotel from May 19, The Station Hotel from May 20 and The Wharf Hotel from May 21.
This week Art/Work has a chat with Jai Pyne, frontman of local Sydney band, The Paper Scissors. I won't bother with the talk up because I am sure you already know them, and if you don't - you should! - they have already reached Mecca in guest programming Rage, so there. Come with us as Jai takes us for a wander through his day and round his 'hood. Most days you'll find me in my kitchen. I cook as much as I can, it gets me away from the computer. There are so many virtual things in life that it's nice to get real things and combine them and eat them, for real. When I am not there I am behind my computer doing work on stuff for the band. In my day job I teach people how to make coffee, I'm a Barista trainer. I work for The Golden Cobra, which sounds like a martial arts school, but is actually a coffee roaster. I spent a long time working as a barista, but starting work at 7am very much conflicts with playing music. I'm also working at a restaurant in Surry Hills a few days a week, it's called El Capo. It's all Latin American style street food. At the moment I am working on some new songs with The Paper Scissors. In Loving Memory was made over the course of 18 months, so after purging that we have started working on new music. If money wasn't an issue I'd make more music, I'd have a better kitchen and I'd buy more clothes. Being a musician in Sydney is fun. I was tempted to say it was hard, which it is, but it's also pretty amazing. I've met lots of great people in the last 6 or so years through music, some of them I now count as my best friends, I've seen some of them succeed wildly, I've seen some of them have babies, buy houses, I play basketball with some of them, I have man dates with them, I have played music with them. Plus just being fortunate enough to be a musician is a very amazing thing, I've been able to travel, play to people that are having the time of their life because of your music, I've heard my music being blasted out of speakers, on the radio… all good things. I wish that there were more people with heaps of money that would open venues in Sydney, but hey, money is an issue. My neighbourhood is great. I live of the South end of King Street in Newtown. I've been here for 4 years. I think Newtown has its crap bits, lots of shit Thai restaurants, shit cafes, but I still love this end of town. There are heaps of cool little shops and random oddities, I love the Fiji Market - spices, coconuts, any random ingredient you need, and Pete's Musicians Market is always good for a browse. It's hard to find a good coffee but Addison Road and thus Alchemy is nearby which is some of the best coffee in Sydney. I like the fact that Newtown is at the edge of the inner city, so you can go to Marrickville, or Dulwich Hill or other spots that are a bit more removed from the upwardly-mobile-elite in the inner city and you get to see real people that have lived there for ever and will sell you olives or Portuguese custard tarts, or charcoal chicken or obscure Spanish beers. My favourite spot in Sydney is by the water. I grew up in Sydney and have lived everywhere from here to Bondi to Balmain, my parents and I moved almost yearly when I was a kid. I really like the cliffs at Coogee, the south end, I just like feeling like you are at the end of the earth although you are in a massive city. https://youtube.com/watch?v=H5EqYCBq0E4
Melburnians, it's time to step away from your streaming queue (and from that groove you've made in your couch) and watch movies on the big screen instead. When the city's next stage of eased restrictions kicks in, outdoor cinemas can restart their projectors. And at the beloved Coburg Drive-In specifically, flicks will start gracing its under-the-stars setup from Thursday, October 29. It's hopefully a case of third time lucky for the venue this year, with Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In obviously operating at the beginning of 2020 as normal — as we all were — and then reopening in early June after the first lockdown period. It has been closed during metro Melbourne's latest shutdown, which started in July. Yes, that means that it has plenty of movies to screen. Melburnians looking to catch a flick in their car under the evening sky — and to watch one on the silver screen in general — can expect to feast their eyes on both recent and retro titles, spanning movies new to Aussie cinemas over the past few months and classic fare. In the first category sits the Janelle Monae-starring Antebellum, Russell Crowe going OTT in Unhinged, the family-friendly fun of Trolls World Tour and horror sequel The Craft: Legacy. In the latter camp, there's the original version of The Craft, the 80s teen antics of The Breakfast Club and Will Ferrell-led laughs via Step Brothers, plus everything from The Princess Bride and Starship Troopers to The Matrix and The Big Lebowski. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nf--afqelY Given that the Coburg Drive-In is relaunching just in time for Halloween, scary movies are a feature — in the above-listed titles, and among a lineup that also includes Evil Dead II, The Invisible Man, Hocus Pocus, Scream and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Also, seeing as though the whole drive-in concept involves folks watching flicks in cars, social distancing is clearly already part of the experience. And if you're keen to catch a movie in the great outdoors, but prefer a car-free type of venue, the Classic, Lido and Cameo outdoor cinemas are also reopening. For more information about Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In, or to book tickets, visit its website. Top image: Brook James
For yogis who reckon they've conquered every possible distraction, here's a new challenge: doga. That's yoga with dogs. Or, as you could call it, trying to stay still and breathe deeply while stacks of curious, adorable puppies are trying to work out what you're up to. Moonee Pond's Studio 3 is teaming up with Campbellfield's not-for-profit Second Chance Animal Rescue to put you in a yoga class surrounded by fluff balls. Taking place on Saturday, December 8, the event aims to raise funds for a brand new community animal hospital. Every pup you meet will be from Second Chance's shelter and, therefore, up for adoption. Watch out: you might well find yourself falling in love before shavasana. Please note: for safety reasons and to keep the focus on the needy pups, Studio 3 asks that you leave your own furry friends at home.
A terrific talent begetting another terrific talent: that's the Kurt and Wyatt Russell story. An on-screen presence since the 1960s, the elder Russell has basically done it all, from being a child actor to becoming a Hollywood legend. Since the early 2010s, the younger Russell keeps proving one of film and television's must-watch stars. Both weaved sports careers — Kurt with baseball, Wyatt with hockey — between their early acting credits. The physical family resemblance is also unmistakable. The father-son duo now play the same role in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the initial giant step into television by the Monsterverse, the franchise that's sprung up around the recent American-made Godzilla and King Kong movies (2014's Godzilla, 2017's Kong: Skull Island, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the way in 2024). When we say that Kurt has virtually done it all, we mean it. He kicked Elvis Presley in the leg in his uncredited debut (It Happened at the World's Fair), became a Disney teen star (The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Now You See Him, Now You Don't and The Strongest Man in the World) and played Elvis in his first collaboration with John Carpenter. He kept working with the director (Escape From New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China and Escape From LA), and acted opposite partner Goldie Hawn multiple times (Swing Shift, Overboard), including while playing Santa (The Christmas Chronicles and its sequel). He's stepped into Wyatt Earp's shoes, toyed around with Stargate, featured in Quentin Tarantino movies (Death Proof, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and made both Marvel (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) and Fast and Furious (Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious and Fast and Furious 9) appearances. Entering the kaiju realm is a first, however, although sharing the same part with the Black Mirror-, Ingrid Goes West-, Lodge 49- and Under the Banner of Heaven-starring Wyatt is not. It was back in 1998 that Wyatt earned his first-ever screen credit, not by booting a music icon but as the younger version of his dad's character in Soldier. Twenty-five years later, the same dynamic exists in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which flits between time periods to deploy both Russells as Lee Shaw. In the 1950s, Wyatt plays him as another soldier, a colonel who helps found the titular Monarch with scientist Keiko Miura (Mari Yamamoto, Pachinko) and cryptozoologist Bill Randa (Anders Holm, Inventing Anna). Kurt follows in his son's footsteps this time, playing the elder version of Shaw in the 2010s, when the world knows about Godzilla but the titular government monster-hunting outfit is conflicted about how to handle it and its fellow titans — and about its history with Shaw, Miura and Randa. If making the two Russells its biggest stars — well, its biggest human stars — doesn't immediately give it away, then getting mere minutes into Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' ten-episode first season does: this is a kaiju tale where people matter. That hasn't always been able to be said about the Monsterverse, and both series itself and the saga overall is all the better for the new show's approach. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters also happily nods to Kurt's past when it gets him battling creatures in icy surrounds, which took him back into The Thing territory. "Very much so. We flew up every day in a helicopter. And, you know, you put it all together — the helicopter, whiteout, ice, glacier — it took me back 40 years, 40 years plus, something like that," Kurt explains. It might seem like an obvious choice to enlist the Russells to share the role of Shaw. It's certainly dream casting for viewers, and it's impossible to imagine Monarch: Legacy of Monsters with anyone but them in the part. But despite previous attempts to get them to work together again since Soldier, collaborating here — working together again at all, in fact — was a matter of being pitched something different. With Monarch: Legacy of Monsters currently screening its debut season on Apple TV+ — premiering in mid-November and running through until mid-January — we chatted with Kurt and Russell about only reteaming because the right project came up and getting into the same headspace. Also included in the round-table conversation: the opportunity to do something special, what they've learned from each other and their pre-Monsterverse experiences with the monster to end all monsters, aka Godzilla. ON SHARING A PART AGAIN, THIS TIME WTH ADDED GODZILLA Wyatt: "It was the right project coming up. It wasn't ever something we looked for or actively sought out. It was the idea that came from Ronna Kress, who is the casting director of Monarch, and Matt Fraction and Chris Black [who developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and also co-wrote and executive produced]. They came up with the great casting idea, but we had never really actively looked to work together." Kurt: "In fact, when we'd been asked that, we said nobody's done it before. Well, we had and we forgot about it. We forgot that we've done it before." ON EMBRACING A GREAT CASTING IDEA AND SEIZING AN INTERESTING OPPORTUNITY Kurt: "It was a chance to really do something special, and do something that had really never been done: two known actors that were father and son playing the same character. We actually recently just looked around about that — it had never been done. But we didn't even think about that. It was just like 'oh, this is an interesting opportunity and maybe we'll never get this opportunity again'. So we really wanted to go hard and try to make it work, because we didn't want to do something that we felt wasn't going to be at least as good or better than the idea itself of us playing the same person." ON EARLY MEMORIES OF GODZILLA, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF JOINING THE MONSTERVERSE Wyatt: "My earliest memories of Godzilla would have been when I was probably really young and I saw some Godzilla stuff on TV. I grew up in the 90s. I was thinking of this yesterday — I was a child of the 90s and I don't remember very many Godzilla things being around then. They didn't really start making Godzilla movies — somebody will say I'm wrong and they'll be right — but they weren't big in [US] movie theatres until a little later. I just didn't grow up with it. So this is my first real introduction to to Godzilla. I obviously knew who he was. Then joining it, we wanted to make something that was more character-based than what had been previously done, and previously the stories that have been told. Because it was a ten-part series, you could dive into characters, and that was relatively more interesting than just watching the monsters for for us. So I think that was a big, big reason." Kurt: "I was young kid, probably six or seven. First monster I remember. There was also The Blob, which was truly terrifying to me. Godzilla was just kind of like 'that's awesome, he's cool'. Then throughout the years, Godzilla was always around and stuff, but like Wyatt, I wasn't waiting for the next Godzilla movie to come out. I didn't really know much about it. I don't know much about the Godzilla lore — I learned more on this. So this was really more of understanding that with Godzilla, it was going to be a big plate. It was going to be a backdrop. And we had the sense from talking to the guys that Apple was very, very much behind it, and all that stuff was going to be great. But what we needed to do was make sure that over the ten-hour period, the people that you were watching dealing with these monsters were as compelling a story as just watching the monsters themselves in terms of entertainment." ON BOTH LEARNING FROM AND TEACHING EACH OTHER Kurt: "He has a very, very — I was always natural, but I was natural in my own way. Then when I wanted to play different characters, I would just invent them in my head, or maybe it was drawn off a little bit of somebody I'd seen or knew. Wyatt is naturally extremely real. He's just extremely real. I think that's a great quality in an actor to be able to do that. It isn't necessarily yourself, it might be a different character, but to be real in that character, it's really fun to watch Wyatt do that. I think I've learned that. Also patience. I watch Wyatt deal with certain things in a more patient fashion than generally have. In our family when I grew up, it was baseball that was the focus. And as Wyatt was growing up, hockey was his focus. And therefore our business was sort of how we made our money to run the family. Obviously Goldie and the kids all had to deal with the notoriety and whatnot. But Goldie, both Goldie and I, that wasn't a part of our home life. Wyatt didn't grow up in that kind of thing. So I tried to, I suppose, show him a world that naturally, to me, was a real one. I didn't really pass anything down to Wyatt in terms of specific knowledge or direction, and we never had any conversation in our family like that. It just wasn't the way our family was. We were just a family living our life. And yeah, we did something that people would recognise us from, but the importance of that was given very little — in fact, most of the importance of that came from the fact that we just sort of dealt with it. Sometimes, it was kind of in the way too much. Other times, you just avoided it. Other times, you understand you have to, it's time to go to work. You accept it. I guess you guys saw all of that. I mean, that's all I tried to pass — I didn't pass anything on Wyatt. Wyatt was Wyatt. He was always just Wyatt. I don't know how to say it other than that, he was just who he is. It's pretty much the same thing [now] with a beard — a five-year-old with a beard." Wyatt: "I like my dad more so as a parent, nothing with acting specifically. He's just a good, great dad and I love being around him, and we have a great time together — and we got to spend a lot of time together, more than most dads probably, because when he was working I could go to set, and when he wasn't working he was just around all the time. So yeah, it's like 'be a good person' and 'say please and thank you', and hopefully, you know, just being a good person. That's what I learned from my dad and my mum." ON GETTING INTO THE SAME HEADSPACE Wyatt: "Everything that we do is uniquely its own, and so drawing on characters of the past, at least for me, was not going to help this character. Although I guess I did characters that were similar in certain ways, but I don't think I really referenced them." Kurt: "I think that the obvious truth is you'd have to be pretending not to have seen things. You know what I mean? So I've seen a lot of what Wyatt's done, and vice versa. And so therefore, there's some things in our minds. We do know kind of where we are — I'll call them strengths. We also know our weakness. And what we wanted to do here, being in a Godzilla gigantic landscape, we didn't want to misuse that. We wanted to use it properly. So that was a focus of ours in co-creating the character, I guess you'd say, with the writer, head writer and the showrunner, Chris Black and Matt Fraction." Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+. Read our review.
One of the stranger reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic was the panic buying of toilet paper. If you didn't stock up early, you were probably left scouring the shelves for the last roll of TP — and never want to be that person again. Luckily, you don't have to be. How We Roll is delivering bulk boxes of toilet paper to homes across Australia, so you can finally lay your TP nightmares to rest. And the company is worth supporting for less selfish reasons, too. How We Roll offers 100 percent biodegradable and recycled TP — so it's good for the planet, not just good for you (and your pipes). If you haven't yet jumped on the recycled TP train yet, it's time to get on it. Regular toilet paper production sees a whopping 27,000 trees cut down daily. Plus, the How We Roll partners with One Tree Planted, a non-profit which has planted over 15-million trees to date. For every box of How We Roll TP sold, one tree is planted in an Australian bushfire-affected area. During the devastating bushfires that ravaged the country earlier this year, 12.6 million hectares were burned — so regrowing the country's flora is important. At How We Roll, you have two TP options: first there are the three-ply, double-length classic rolls, made from 100 percent recycled paper pulp; then, there's the luxe bamboo rolls, which are sustainably sourced, naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial and stronger than paper. You can bulk order 24 or 48 rolls ($28–58) and get them delivered to you in as little as one-to-two business days. Along with all that TP, you can also add compostable bin liners, paper towels and tissues to your order. If you subscribe — to fortnightly, monthly, six-week or three-month deliveries — you'll save 10 percent, too. To find out more about How We Roll and purchase some sustainable bog roll, head over over here.
Netflix, HBO and Disney+ have already done it — tease their upcoming slates for 2025, that is. If you're wondering what else is heading to the small screen this year, now it's Stan's turn to reveal what's on its lineup. The service's program drop for 2025 doubles as a celebration, marking ten years since the Australian platform's debut. Get excited about everything from a new Aussie series starring Will Forte (Bodkin) and D'Arcy Carden (A Man on the Inside) to the second seasons of both Poker Face and Scrublands, plus Keanu Reeves' (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) latest movie, a homegrown flick about a time-travelling bottle of tequila, a horror-comedy series about murderous garden gnomes and more. Crime dramedy Sunny Nights, featuring Forte and Carden, should be high on everyone's must-watch list. Directed by Trent O'Donnell (No Activity, Colin From Accounts), co-starring Rachel House (Moana 2) and Jessica De Gouw (Ladies in Black), and even featuring an appearance by Patrick Brammall (also Colin From Accounts), it follows odd-couple American siblings trying to start their own spray-tan business in Sydney, then getting immersed in the city's criminal underworld. The second season of the delightful Natasha Lyonne (His Three Daughters)-led and Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery)-created Poker Face, one of the best new shows of 2023, is another firm standout — especially if you love whoddunnits, plus Lyonne playing detective. Also returning: Scrublands, which is called Scrublands: Silver for its second go-around and picks up its narrative a year after the events of the first season. This time, investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold, Last King of the Cross) is back in Port Silver in Western Australia, his hometown, when he's tasked with digging into another murder. Keanu will be gracing Stan courtesy of The Entertainment System Is Down, the latest film from two-time Palme d'Or-winning director Ruben Östlund — and the latter's first since Triangle of Sadness. The setup: chronicling the results when the movie's title proves true on a long-haul flight between England and Australia. Kirsten Dunst (Civil War) and Daniel Brühl (The Franchise) also star, and the filmmaker described it as "once again a behaviouristic study, comical and tragic, about being a human being — and about contemporary times when we have become so addicted to these screens, and taking that away from us" while chatting with Concrete Playground about his previous feature. Set on New Year's Eve 1999, One More Shot is where tequila gets a new spin, with Emily Browning (Class of '07), Apple Cider Vinegar co-stars Aisha Dee and Ashley Zukerman, Sean Keenan (Exposure) and Pallavi Sharda (The Office) along for the ride. And those killer garden ornaments are the focus of Gnomes, which unleashes their rampage on a country town just as a Gnome-a-Palooza festival is about to kick off. Other upcoming Stan highlights include murder-mystery dramedy He Had It Coming, featuring Lydia West (Big Mood), Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Ahsoka) and Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets); Saccharine, the new Midori Francis (The Sex Lives of College Girls)-, Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist)- and Madeleine Madden (The Wheel of Time)-starring psychological horror from Aussie filmmaker Natalie Erika James (Apartment 7A); Brooke Satchwell (Triple Oh!) in Love Divided by Eleven, about a woman who goes looking for the people who received her fiancé's organs when he passed away; and Dee again in thriller Watching You, which adapts JP Pomare's novel The Last Guests and charts the quest to uncover the voyeur who filmed a one-night stand. There's also the return of Bump — this time as a movie, aka Bump: A Christmas Film, which takes the characters on a South American cruise. Or, you can look forward to Beast in Me, with Daniel MacPherson (Land of Bad) portraying a former mixed martial artist, and joined on-screen by Russell Crowe (Kraven the Hunter), Luke Hemsworth (Gunner) and Amy Shark making her feature film debut. If you liked The Tourist, The Assassin with Keeley Hawes (Miss Austen) and Freddie Highmore (The Good Doctor) hails from the same team. Season four of Hacks, Nicolas Cage (Longlegs) playing an expat Aussie returning home in The Surfer, Richard Gadd's first post-Baby Reindeer series Half Man, Amanda Seyfried (The Crowded Room) in crime drama Long Bright River, a series adaptation of Lord of the Flies, The Rainmaker making the same leap, Stephen King's The Institute following suit as well: they're all on the way, too. And, so is The Hack, which dramatises the UK phone-hacking scandal, with David Tennant (Rivals), Robert Carlyle (Cobra) and Toby Jones (The Instigators) leading the cast. New TV shows and movies will hit Stan throughout 2025 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue.
If variety is your M.O. — the Bells Hotel is the place for you. This sprawling South Melbourne venue boasts a multitude of indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate all kinds of people for all kinds of occasions. For those who prefer to hang within four walls, there's a sports bar, parlour bar and restaurant, conversely, the sun-hungry outdoorsy types can enjoy a rooftop terrace, garden bar and sun lounge. It has all bases well and truly covered. The menu contains all the classics and offers fantastic specials every day of the week. On Saturdays, punters can get wings and a pot for a neat $10. If you're keen for a boogie, head along to Twilight Fridays on the rooftop terrace and you can twerk the night away.
They first toured Australia in 1982. They've returned plenty of times since, including on the Big Day Out and Vivid lineups. When they were last here in 2020, the pandemic got in the way, causing them to cut short their plans — and now New Order are making their latest visit Down Under five years later. 'Blue Monday', 'Temptation', 'Bizarre Love Triangle' — more than four decades after forming, the group are playing them all on a four-city Australian tour, including at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner started New Order out of Joy Division, following the tragic death of the latter's lead singer Ian Curtis, and helped pioneer the synth-pop sound that not only helped define the 80s but has been influential ever since. If you've seen the films Control and 24 Hour Party People, you've seen part of New Order's story on-screen. And if you've caught them live before, you'll know that they're always a must-see. Top images: Erin Mc via Flickr, RL GNZLZ via Flickr.
The promises and proposals are flying in hard and fast as Victoria gears up for its next state election, and our railway situation is once again on everyone's radar. Five months after the current Victorian Government revealed it was gearing up to start work on a high-speed train line between Geelong and Melbourne, the Opposition has served up alternative plans for its own $15–19 billion regional rail network upgrade. Coalition's rail overhaul would see the Melbourne–Geelong commute slashed to just 32 minutes by 2022, using trains running at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. The current journey clocks in at roughly an hour, with the state's best tracks only allowing for speeds of 160 kilometres per hour. In the proposal unveiled today by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, the new 'European-style' rail network would also eventually drop travel times between Melbourne and Ballarat to 45 minutes, and squeeze the Melbourne to Bendigo trip down to 70 minutes. It would see currently closed passenger services to places like Mildura, Horsham, Donald and Hamilton reopened, and incorporate two new fleets of next-gen, high-speed trains. [caption id="attachment_691613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Opposition's proposed regional railway network.[/caption] According to the Opposition, the revamped network would lure a whole heap of people to move from the city to the country, and would take ten years to complete. Mr Guy also confirmed that his proposal would complement existing plans for an Airport Rail Link and the Metro Tunnel, hinting that he expects the Federal Government to chip in funds as well. Labour government's plans weren't a heap different, with proposed train speeds of 250–300 kilometres per hour and a link to the airport; however, it did not mention larger plans to link in and shorten times to Ballarat, Bendigo and other regional cities. Either way, it looks like Melbourne will be getting itself a fancy new high-speed train to Geelong.
Chocolate gelato works deliciously when you can't choose between chocolate and ice cream. When Easter hits, however, that won't do the trick. Hankering for a chocolate egg, because it's the time of year for it, but also want something creamy and frosty? That's where Gelato Messina's gelato-filled chocolate eggs usually come in. In 2023, the dessert chain whipped up packs with three eggs inside. This year, it's giving everyone the treat that we all coveted when we were kids: a hefty-sized egg. This one is even better than the foil-wrapped supermarket versions, of course, because it comes filled with Messina's gelato. The chain's 2024 Easter offering weighs a kilogram and is designed to serve six (but if you're keen to keep it to yourself, we understand). The shell is made of milk chocolate, which is then painted in bright Messina brand colours. Inside, as made at Messina HQ in Marrickville, is a wealth of flavours and textures. Milo gelato is one of the chain's tastiest varieties, and you'll find it inside this Easter egg. You'll also find Milo mousse as well. Among the other layers, the treat includes Oreo crumble and Oreo cookie chunks, plus malted vanilla chantilly. Finally, there's both hazelnut praline and a hazelnut caramel centre, too. Messina's 2024 Easter eggs can only be ordered online on Monday, March 11 for collection over Easter — of course — between Thursday, March 28–Sunday, March 31. Messina now opens its orders at various times for various places, so you'll want to hop online at 12pm AEDT for Queensland, South Australian, Western Australian and Australian Capital Territory stores; 12.15pm AEDT for Victorian shops; and at either 12.30pm, 12.45pm or 1pm AEDT depending on where you are in New South Wales. Gelato Messina's 2024 gelato Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, March 11 for pick up between Thursday, March 28–Sunday, March 31 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Dry July hasn't turned out how many Australians would've liked, thanks to lockdowns in Greater Sydney, Victoria and South Australia. But whether you were trying to take a break from booze for a spell, you've been cutting down on your drinking in general or you don't touch the hard stuff anyway, gin brand Gordon's has released a new tipple you'll want to sip even when ditching alcohol isn't the centre of attention for an entire month. The popular gin label has unveiled its own booze-free version, Gordon's 0.0% — and yes, that moniker makes its alcohol content clear. It still heroes the usual juniper flavour, and is still distilled using the same botanicals, but pairs it with zero booze. Two options are now available in bottle shops: Gordon's 0.0% in 700-millilitre bottles, so you can mix your own alcohol-free G&Ts and other cocktails; and 330-millilitre ready-to-drink gin-and-tonic mixes that come in four-packs. Whichever you choose, one thing is certain: however much you drink, you won't have a hangover the next day. Whether you're new to cutting out the sauce or you've always preferred your beverages sans booze, the alcohol-free drinks industry has been expanding in a big way over the past few years. Melbourne has its own booze-free gin joint, Sydney has a bottle-o dedicated to the concept, and actually decent mocktails are available on plenty of bar menus around the country now. The range of wines and beers with low or no alcohol has also been growing, too, so having a drink but skipping the headache — and not just sipping orange juice, sparkling water or soda — has never been easier. Gordon's 0.0% is now available in Australian bottle shops — in 700-millilitre bottles (RRP$34.99) and 330-millilitre ready-to-drink gin-and-tonic mixes (RRP$14.99 for a four-pack).
Fitzroy cafe Bentwood proves a fitting homage to the Thonet furniture showroom that previously occupied its Napier Street home, not only named for the brand's iconic chairs, but boasting a dining room filled with them. They're set beautifully against a warm, rust-hued fitout, where soaring ceilings, concrete pillars and walls of exposed brick give another nod to the building's industrial heritage. Here, Julien Moussi (Elsternwick's Penta and Northcote's Tinker) is delivering another stand-out cafe, where attention to detail extends well beyond the decor, into the coffee cup and onto the plate. The caffeine offering comes courtesy of Moussi's own Inglewood Coffee Roasters, with a tidy range of specialty options to satisfy the coffee connoisseurs of Fitzroy. Food here packs as much of a punch aesthetically as it does for the tastebuds, across a generous menu of brunch and lunch creations. You'll spy elevated classic like meringue-loaded hotcakes ($19) and an eggs benny with braised beef cheek ($20), sitting alongside contemporary hits like a poke-style assembly that comes atop slices of dark rye ($20). There's a big emphasis on seasonal produce and a clear love of vibrant veggies — team that with the designer backdrop and you've got one seriously Instagrammable experience. Images: Kate Shanasy
In what can only be described as an odd turn of events, Top3 was founded by Terri Winter after she saw a German cabaret show featuring a woman, a walrus and a trapeze artist. As it happens, these three acts were the best in their field — and this inspired Winter to translate the 'top three' concept into a retail store. As it turned out, it was a huge success. Now with four stores around the country — two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and one in Canberra — Top3's mission is to offer customers the best products based entirely on their design merits. The store stocks well over 1000 different products — but only three of each type — across homewares, clothing and travel accessories. You're bound to find something you need and/or want here.
If seeing a flick at an Alamo Drafthouse cinema across the US, or at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, has always been on your film-watching to-do list, you'll soon be able to enjoy a similar experience without the overseas trip. Australia is set to welcome the homegrown FoMo Cinemas, which takes its cues from those two cult-favourite American names in the movie theatre business, has a December opening locked in and will set up shop at East Brunswick Village in Melbourne. When the Angelika Film Centre launched in Brisbane earlier in 2023, it brought a New York-born American arthouse cinema chain to Australia. Now, when FoMo Cinemas starts welcoming in patrons, it'll take its cues from US picture palaces, too. The concept: seeing films, of course, but making in-theatre eats as much as a drawcard. So, you'll watch blockbusters and retro titles, and you'll have a meal from a specialty menu brought to you. Barry Peak and Natalie Miller AO are behind FoMo Cinemas, with both boasting Carlton's Cinema Nova on their resumes. With this new independent venture, combining film and food is firmly the focus — and not just via popcorn and choc tops. Think of it as dinner and a movie all in one place, as the flick plays, in a cinema that's devoted to the concept. A chef will design the menu, with dishes made onsite and able to be ordered on-demand to be brought directly to your seat. Also a highlight: a 20-minute pre-show presentation. Alamo Drafthouse is particularly known for the latter, as specifically curated to suit its movies — and featuring clips sourced far and wide. Exactly what bites and sips will be available hasn't been revealed, and neither has the exact opening date or the on-screen lineup, but the latter will show latest releases, classics and curated picks. Cost-wise, movie tickets will be standard prices, the venue's website advises. When it starts its projectors whirring in East Brunswick Village, which is also newly opened itself, FoMo Cinemas is aiming to be a cinema experience rather than just another place to see a film. Melburnians, you'll have a new movie-worshipping spot to head to. Tourists from elsewhere, you'll have another entry on your next Melbourne itinerary. The Victorian capital will gain not one but two new cinemas in December, with Palace's latest Melbourne cinema in Moonee Ponds also launching the same month. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FoMo Cinemas (@fomocinemas) Find FoMo Cinemas at East Brunswick Village, 133 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick from December 2023 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when one is announced.
Sydney might be world-renowned for its harbour, bridge and Opera House, and Melbourne's food and live music scenes might've won it plenty of fame and acclaim, but neither Australian city is one of the world's greatest places of 2023. Each year, TIME magazine singles out 50 locations around the globe that it considers extraordinary — and that travellers should make it a priority to visit — with just two Aussie destinations making the latest cut. Kangaroo Island keeps earning praise in 2023; already, The New York Times has named it one of the best places to head to this year in its version of the same type of list, and the South Australian spot's Stokes Bay topped Tourism Australia's best ten beaches for 2023, too. So, its place among TIME's picks is hardly surprising. But the publication also chose one Australian state capital: Brisbane. Move over Sydney and Melbourne — the rivalry that the New South Wales and Victorian capitals have is pointless, with the Sunshine State just sweeping in and nabbing the glory. In three words, TIME shouted out Brissie's "sports and sun", but it had more to say. And, while the hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games obviously got a mention, that's also just the beginning. "The capital of Queensland is already gearing up with ambitious infrastructural advancements, which visitors can enjoy before the crowds pour in," TIME notes. It then shouts out United Airlines' new direct flights between San Francisco and Brisbane; the soon-to-open Queen's Wharf with its bars, restaurants, four luxury hotels and sky-high observation deck; and co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. "Beyond the central business district, the James Street Precinct is a welcome testament to how urban development can champion local businesses and artisans rather than supplanting them. The semi-industrial area leverages Brisbane's perennial sunshine to showcase an outdoor promenade anchored by artsy boutiques and cafes, all under the canopy of Moreton Bay fig trees," TIME also advises. "The surrounding neighbourhood, Fortitude Valley, has recently evolved into a culinary epicentre with new places like sAme sAme showcasing inventive international fare within a laid-back, uniquely Australian atmosphere; a growing assortment of global flavours befitting a now-worldwide audience." sAme sAme has been around for a few years now, but otherwise TIME's praise tells Brisbanites what they already know: that the River City is ace. Fresh from noting that the city's Myer Centre shopping centre would lose Myer, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said "while this is a fantastic accolade for our city, it's also about time!". "It's no accident that Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in the country with people from southern states recognising that our city's incredible climate, lifestyle and liveability is second to none. We're investing in fantastic projects like Victoria Park, Brisbane Metro and our green bridges to help make Brisbane even better," the Lord Mayor continued. "Precincts like South Bank and Howard Smith Wharves are world-class destinations while our suburbs are great places to live, work and relax." Chosen by soliciting "nominations of places from our international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences," TIME explains, Brisbane sits on the world's greatest places of 2023 list alongside the likes of Barcelona, Kyota and Nagoya (home of the new Studio Ghibli Park) in Japan, St Moritz in Switzerland and Dijon in France. Also getting some love: Mexico City, South Korea's Jeju Island, Vienna, the pyramids of Giza, and the prime northern lights spot of Churchill, Manitoba in Canada. For TIME's full World's Greatest Places of 2023 list, head to the publication's website.
Was it invented in Belgium or France? Can you eat it and still call yourself left-wing? Which potatoes should you use? The steak frites might have inspired many debates over the years. But one thing is clear: we can't get enough of it. The folks at Dolly in Le Meridien Melbourne are well aware of this fact. And that's why they've launched Wednesday steak frites nights. That's right, you can now end hump day with a hearty plate of meat and potatoes, cooked French-style. Executive Chef Hervé Borghini has taken a refined approach to the classic dish. His steak is a 250-gram, MB2-grade porterhouse sourced from Victorian grass-fed cattle, topped with a disc of traditional Cafe de Paris butter. On the side comes a generous pile of golden, double-cooked frites. Usually $44, Borghini's steak frites is $32 on Wednesday nights. Plus, you can order matching wines at just $10 a glass. Bon appetit!
Whether it's opening a sprawling art museum, taking over a 400-year-old castle, turning old oil tanks into a digital waterfall or bringing waves of light to Melbourne, teamLab's digital installations are never less than dazzling. The term definitely applies to the interdisciplinary collective's latest venture, too, with teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live transforming Japan's Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo Hot Springs into its latest awe-inspiring artwork. Currently on display on Kyushu, the third largest and most southern of Japan's islands, A Forest Where Gods makes the most of its huge site. Created in 1845, and featuring gardens, shrines, forests, rocks and caves, the hot springs stretch across 500,000 square metres — within which teamLab has placed 21 installations, all playing with light, colour and movement as the group's eye-popping attractions always do. In Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo's bath house ruins, visitors can watch flowers, people and water particles dance across huge megaliths, and feel like they're wandering through a place where time has stopped in the process. Or, over at the hot springs' pond, you can see the water's surface come to life with koi and boats, the former reacting to the latter. Other highlights include floral displays blooming repeatedly on a 5.5-metre-high moss-covered rock, a digital waterfall falling on a shrine, lights fading and glowing across a valley of azaleas, butterflies fluttering through underground ruins, and multicoloured bulbs brightening up cherry blossoms and maple forests. And, it wouldn't be a teamLab site takeover without cups of tea filled with digital flowers, or without a sea of rainbow-hued lamps — both floating on a lake and suspended from above in spiral patterns. The interactive exhibition is split into two parts, with The Nature of Time running from 11.30am–sunset, and Earth Music & Ecology kicking in from sunset–10.30pm. The daytime element has a greater focus on Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo's existing wonders, while the evening session lets teamLab's shine under the night sky. Whichever you're keen on, if you're going to be in the vicinity and want to head along, you'll want to book a ¥500–1400 (AU$6.95–19.55) ticket in advance — unsurprisingly, teamLab's gorgeous work is always popular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmCaGTKxy54 teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live runs until November 4, 2019 at Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo Hot Springs, Kyushu, Japan. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Images: teamLab.
Wrap up the working week or kick-start the weekend festivities at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, as the upmarket hotel presents the Friday Nights Living Grand Buffet every week. Served in the hotel's signature Collins Kitchen restaurant, this indulgent affair offers abundant cuisine, no matter your tastes. Offering a sprawling selection of local, seasonal produce, the Living Grand Buffet features a tantalising seafood lineup, including blue swimmer crab and oysters. Then head over to the Japanese bar to find freshly made sashimi and nigiri that rival the best bite-sized portions from the cuisine's homeland. Moving from one food station to the next, don't skip the stir-fry from the Asian Kitchen. You're also invited to explore a myriad of meats and dips from the delicatessen, like grilled lamb rump and smoky chorizo. There's a good chance your plate is stacked high by now, but there's still at least one more stop to make. At the Pastry Counter, guests will find abundant sweet treats, from a decadent dark chocolate fountain to scoops of gelato and made-to-order waffles. Given its luxe surroundings, it's no surprise that Collins Kitchen has proved a hit. Specialising in the art of cooking over smoke and flame, extra care is taken to source fine ingredients from local makers and producers. Priced at $139 per person, the Friday Night Living Grand Buffet is certainly extravagant, yet you can trust that the cuisine on offer isn't your standard hotel fare. Decked out with wall-to-wall culinary excellence, expect a post-working-week feast where the options are almost limitless. The Friday Night Living Grand Buffet is served from 6pm–10pm at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
The house where the Kerrigan family came to enjoy the serenity in the 1997 Australian film The Castle is now up for sale. While there's no pool room, the two-bedroom fibro shack boasts an open-plan kitchen, bathroom, laundry and combined dining and living area which opens onto the verandah, complete with original mozzie zapper. In recent years, the property has been used as a rental home, attracting city dwellers who want to reconnect with nature, family, and the vibe. Located 2.5 hours drive north-east of Melbourne on the banks of Lake Eildon, the beloved Bonnie Doon is a waterfront haven for those who love water sports, carp fishing and the smell of a two-stroke engine. https://youtube.com/watch?v=PmlMv5givwQ The property is enhanced by a magnificent set of power lines adjacent to the property, which stand as an important reminder of man's ability to generate electricity. It's also flanked by a vacant plot, so there's lots of spare ground if you want to dig a hole or practise kickboxing. As well as the property, the buyer will also be the proud owner of other pieces of memorabilia from the film, including Tracey Kerrigan's diploma of hairdressing from Sunshine TAFE, as well as a set of jousting sticks – a must-have for all family holidays. Sydneysider Richard Moseley first bought the property in 2006 for $170,000. It went on the market again in 2011 with an asking price of $195,000 but failed to sell and now it's set to hit the market again next week for $240,000. The last time it went to sale, the real estate agent was bombarded with calls from people who would ask the price — only to be followed with "You're dreamin!" and a dial tone. It apparently began to wear thin quite quickly. Via Domain.
Two years after closing to the public back in early 2019 — and three years after first announcing it was undergoing a big makeover — Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image is set to reopen its doors on Thursday, February 11. And, when film and television lovers step back inside its Federation Square building, they'll notice plenty of changes. If you're going to shut down to undertake extensive $40 million renovations, you want people to see it, after all. Details have been announced over the past couple of years; however, that doesn't make the revamp any less impressive. So, visitors can expect revamped exhibition spaces, new immersive experiences and added interactive activations, including a permanent ode to Mad Max. And, the venue definitely looks different, all thanks to Melbourne architects BKK and experience design firm Publicis Sapient/Second Story. Also part of the makeover: the Lens, a handheld device made out of compressed cardboard that you use while physically moseying through ACMI's galleries, and tap at around 200 different touchpoints to collect objects of interest as you wander. You then take it home with you, and whip it out again to check out all the items you've collected — even after you've left the museum. One of the things you'll want to use the Lens on is ACMI's huge — and free, and permanent — The Story of the Moving Image exhibition, which has an online component and also physically sprawls across 1600 square metres. It's all about the past, present and future of screen culture in all of its forms, including optical illusions, the first projected images, and the ways in which cinema, TV and games have evolved over the past century. ACMI has also spent big on commissioning new work — to the tune of $880,000, which has gone towards 15 projects. Seventy percent are by First Nations artists, and 60 percent feature women in a lead creative role. Visitors will be able to see one, from Gabriella Hirst, during the venue's first solo exhibition after reopening. Called Darling Darling, the video work finds commonalities between the efforts to preserve colonial paintings of the Australian landscape and the real-world preservation of the Murray Darling Basin. The site's two cinemas are also restarting their screening program, beginning with Love & Neon: The Cinema of Wong Kar Wai, a season dedicated to the acclaimed director. And, its curated streaming service, which launched in 2020, is still up and running as well. Other big new ACMI highlights include the Blackmagic Design Media Preservation Lab, which is dedicated to preserving Australia's analogue past and also ensuring that the country's digital present remains accessible — and the high-tech Gandel Digital Future Labs, which are aimed at fostering young creatives. There's also a retail space that boasts decor as vivid as the film and TV-focused items on sale, plus a new dining space called Hero. The latter is a collaboration with Melbourne chef Karen Martini and new venture HospitalityM, takes inspiration from Jacques Tati's 1967 film PlayTime, and serves bites to eat and casual drinks all day. HospitalityM will also run a coffee cart on Flinders Street, and sell cinema snacks. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image reopens its doors on Thursday, February 11, at Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne. Images: Shannon McGrath.
Drop whatever it is that you're doing: the ticket ballot for the 27th Meredith Music Festival is officially open. Running from December 8–10, the latest edition of the much-loved dickhead-free music festival will take place at its usual digs, Meredith's Supernatural Amphitheatre, which last year got itself a brand new sound system and this year will no doubt take us to magical places once more. Aunty, meanwhile, has been working hard on the lineup, of which she has divulged just one part of this morning: self-described "gothic folk" New Zealand singer-songwriter Aldous Harding, who will play on the Friday night. Standouts from last year included Peaches, Kelela, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, BADBADNOTGOOD and Angel Olsen. The Meredith Ballot will be open from now until 10.27pm on Monday, August 7. Head on over to the festival website to sign up.
Heartbreak High obsessives, your time is now: the 90s favourite has been revived by Netflix, bringing a new generation of Hartley High dramas into your streaming queue. Let's be honest — if you loved the show since way back when, it's always been your time; however, now you can experience the ups and downs of the Aussie series' next batch of high schoolers. A fan since the OG run, and always wished you lived in the show when you were at school? Just discovered the homegrown classic via the new version? Either way, if you're in Sydney on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18, you can nab some free threads to look the part. Netflix loves launching its big titles with pop-ups, and this one's no different — joining its The Gray Man barber, Stranger Things rift and Squid Game doll over the past 12 months. One thing that this boasts that those others didn't? That free clothing, with 1000 pieces up for grabs all up. Head along and you too can look like you've just stepped out of class — at a school that doesn't have a uniform, aka most teenagers' dream. Netflix has badged the pop-up a 'uniform shop' to fit the theme, though, but the range includes local designers and keenly sought-after thrifted items. Sydneysiders and folks who happen to be in town for the weekend just need to make a trip to 520 King Street in Newtown, where the thrift shop will be handing out pieces by HoMie, Clothing The Gaps, Jody Just, Off White and more. It's a first come, first served affair, and there'll be 500 pieces on offer each day. So, as always with give aways, getting in early during the shop's 10am–6pm operating hours is recommended. Given that the new version of Heartbreak High decks out its characters in everything from bursts of colour to grunge 90s attire, expect a variety of styles on offer. And, expect free temporary tattoos, too, as well as a photographer capturing high school portraits. If you haven't started your new Heartbreak High binge yet — which revives the 1994–99 show, which itself was a spinoff from the Claudia Karvan- and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, which adapted the 1987 play of the same name — it starts with an unexpected fight between best friends Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect) and Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), plus a sex map charting who's hooked up with hook among Hartley High's year 11 students. Yes, that map is part of the Newton pop-up's artwork. Find the Heartbreak High Uniform Shop at 520 King Street, Newtown, Sydney from 10am–6pm on Saturday, September 17–Sunday September 18. Heartbreak High is available to stream via Netflix — read our full review.
Cyclists in the city could soon find themselves with their heads in the clouds, with Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday announcing that the State Government will build an elevated bicycle highway in Melbourne's inner west. If you're a regular commuter cyclist from Footscray, Yarraville or Werribee, this should be music to your just-beeped-at ears. The proposal — which was floated by the government in June last year — is set to come to life as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project, which will see a four-kilometre tunnel and freeway above Footscray Road be built as an alternative to the always-congested West Gate Bridge. The two-and-a-half-kilometre cycling 'veloway' — starting at Footscray's Shepherd's Bridge and finishing on Dudley Street in Docklands — will sit above Footscray Road, elevated from street-level and underneath the future flyover. As well as allowing cyclists to skip traffic lights and get to the city much faster, the separation of cyclists and motor vehicles will significantly increase the safety of those on their bikes. While Footscray Road does have a bike lane, the new elevated infrastructure will allow cyclists to bypass dodgy intersections (like at Sims Street and Shepherd Bridge) and more fluidly connect with other major bike paths, such as the Capital City Trail. The Footscray Road bike path won't be disused though — in fact, it will be widened. And with the new flyover road and the 24/7 truck ban that is set to be instated on surrounding Francis Street, Somerville Road, Buckley Street and Moore Street, we're guessing it will be a bit less precarious too. The West Gate Tunnel Project now has to be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement (EES), with construction set to start in early 2018. It's very focused on car transport, so we're happy to see that cycling infrastructure is getting a look-in too. The more we can do to encourage people to give up their cars for a healthier, more environmentally-friendly form of transportation, the better. Via The Age. Image: Yarra River Business Association. By Tom Clift and Lauren Vadnjal.
Pandemic times can be a bit of a struggle, with all those necessary lifestyle changes we've had to embrace. But, if you're as mindful as ever of our planet, there are still plenty of ways you can stick to your former eco-friendly habits, even while reality and routine have been chucked out the window. One of them is subscription-style grocery delivery service My Milkman, which is independent, sustainability focused and uses zero plastic packaging. This crew is currently doing plastic-free home drop-offs right across the inner north, delivering locally produced staples to your doorstep without the usual side of eco-guilt. Milk from Barambah Organics arrives in old-school reusable glass bottles, Marrook Farm's yoghurt comes by the jar and your Padre coffee is contained in a nifty refillable tin. Other suppliers currently include the likes of Josh's Rainbow Eggs, Dench Bakers, St David's Dairy and Jam Lady Jam, with more goodies added to the roster by the month. Once you've polished off your products, simply wash the reusable containers and leave them out in your designated drop-off zone for My Milkman's drivers to collect when they swing past with your next delivery. Drop-offs currently run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays (you can arrange for one, two or three weekly deliveries), with groceries conveniently deposited at your door before 7.30am to avoid any dreaded breakfast delays. Depending on your appetite, you can choose from the Basics Box ($35 a week) or the Deluxe Box ($60 a week), with a suite of add-ons available, priced by item. Delivery clocks in at a $4.99 flat-rate fee. My Milkman currently services a range of inner north suburbs, running three days a week. For more info and to subscribe, head to the website.
You can encounter the weird and wonderful within the crisp white walls of one of Melbourne's major galleries, but the Melbourne Fringe Festival's open program is where the city's art scene truly gets down and dirty. Just announced, this year's massive lineup is brimming with fearless, independent shows, from one-on-one encounters to large-scale outdoor spectacles that take pleasure in the experimental and unusual. Running from Tuesday, September 30–Sunday, October 19, the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025 offers more than 500 events. Presented in theatres, laneways, living rooms, beaches and carparks, nowhere is too strange to stumble upon a stage. Stacked with local and international talent, expect three weeks of singing, dancing, comedy and circus — often at the same time — performed in fascinating ways. [caption id="attachment_1019290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Carlin and Camera[/caption] As always, theatre is a rousing highlight, with two shows exploring Australian identity at this year's festival. Award-winning comic and broadcaster Sammy J presents Fiasco: A Burke & Wills Musical, a satirical reimagining of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition as a raucous live concert. Meanwhile, The Lucky Country sees director Sonya Suares explore what it means to belong through an original score paying tribute to Aussie musical greats, from Jimmy Barnes to Baker Boy. Of course, live music is also a major focus. Making the journey from NYC, the iconic basement piano bar, Marie's Crisis, is popping up for three nights only at Trades Hall, with Broadway pianists Adam Tilford and Kenney Green-Tilford leading showtune sing-alongs. Lung Swara is another must-see, featuring renowned Indonesian artist Cahwati Sugiarto and local experimental musicians Aviva Endean and Matthias Schack-Arnott, as they blend Javanese song and dance with visceral sonic textures. [caption id="attachment_1019293" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: NickMickPics[/caption] There are also genre-defying works that refuse expectations. Comedian Tom Ballard returns to Melbourne Fringe Festival with Jks: A comedy? — taking audiences behind the scenes on the bizarre night a comedy legend died. Plus, celebrated Hawaiian-Australian performer Lilikoi Kaos presents Too Much, a one-woman cabaret show blending circus, comedy and storytelling that details her life growing up in the circus, her Pasifika heritage and the contradiction of being too much, but not enough. "Melbourne Fringe Festival is the city's creative playground, a place where anyone can share their art, from first-time makers to some of Australia's most celebrated artists," says Melbourne Fringe Creative Director and CEO Simon Abrahams. "It's democracy in action: no invitation needed, no permission required. This is Melbourne's independent arts scene in all its bold, brilliant, messy glory." [caption id="attachment_1019292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Duncographic[/caption] Melbourne Fringe Festival is happening from Tuesday, September 30–Sunday, October 19, across multiple venues and locations. Head to the website for more information. Top image: Max Roux.
No one normally loves spending a weekend on the couch when there's a huge music festival happening, unless you can cure that FOMO by joining in from home. Coachella has been making attending the event without leaving home happen for years via its YouTube livestream, thankfully. And with the Indio, California fest upon us for 2024, it has unveiled its set times for its first weekend so that you know when to tune in. On the bill: Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and the reunited No Doubt as headliners. Coachella's first 2024 run spans across Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 in the US, which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 Down Under. On Saturday in Australia and New Zealand, you'll be making a date with Del Ray. On Sunday, tune in for Tyler, The Creator and No Doubt. And on Monday, you'll be able to see Doja Cat. [caption id="attachment_936351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casey via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Also among the highlights on Saturday in Australia and NZ: Justice, Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, Suki Waterhouse, Peggy Gou and Tinashe. The list goes on, of course. On Sunday Down Under, get excited about Blur, Ice Spice, Jon Batiste, Sublime, Dom Dolla, Vampire Weekend, Grimes, Orbital, Oneohtrix Point Never and RAYE, too — and more, obviously. And, come Monday for Aussies and New Zealanders, J Balvin, Lil Yachty, Kruangbin, Reneé Rapp, Flight Facilities and DJ Seinfeld are on the bill, plus a heap of others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Spotted a dreaded set clash? This year, for the first time ever, you'll be able to livestream multiple stages at once. How many? Four in total. Each year, Coachella and YouTube join forces to beam the massive music fest around the world, which is no longer such a novelty in these pandemic-era times — but being able to fill your screen with a quartet of Coachella sets at the same time definitely is. YouTube's multiview concert experience will enjoy its debut in the music space, and globally, at Coachella. This year, the service will be capturing six different stages, as it did in 2023 for the first time ever — with Sonora on the list for the first weekend and Yuma on the second. [caption id="attachment_950216" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clay Junell via Flickr.[/caption] That said, while you can feast your eyes on four stages simultaneously, you'll only be able to hear one, so you will still need to pick a favourite in any given timeslot. Coachella 2024 returns again from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21, which is Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under, if the first weekend's timings don't suit your schedule. Bookmark Coachella's YouTube channel ASAP — or hit it up below: Coachella 2024 runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 and Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 — which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: petercruise via Flickr.
If your seaside memories are painted with velvet pine trees, striped umbrellas and sand yellowed with rose-tinted glasses, look no further than Avoca for your next foray out of the city. Despite becoming a hot spot for tourists chasing great coffee, food, surf and adventure, it's managed to keep a firm hold on that laidback, they-all-must-be-locals ambience by not becoming overdeveloped. Situated just 95km north of the Sydney CBD, Avoca makes a perfect day trip or weekend away, even when a winter wind blows across the beach. Just pull your cable knit around you, stare meaningfully into the sea and then snuggle into the area's characterful cafes, eateries and shops. SEE AND DO Your first priority in Avoca is obviously to visit the beach — a 1km stretch of golden sand protected by headlands and dotted with beach chairs, umbrellas and surfboards. It's a great swimming beach, popular with families, and has patrol flags at each end and a safe shallow kiddie pool by the Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). Scramble around the rocks at the south head to find a platform of stunning rock pools and anglers taking advantage of the abundant sea below. Avoca is known for its surf and has great waves for beginners and advanced surfers. The Central Coast Surf School offers group and private lessons as well as two-day courses for all ages. Old hands can rent a board at Three Points Surf on Avoca Drive. If paddle boarding or paddle boating is more your speed, head to Avoca Lake beach behind the Avoca shopping village (or follow the lake's inlet from the centre of the beach), where you can hire a board from Aquafun for just $4, as well as kayaks, canoes and boats. Visiting scuba divers of all levels can explore the ex-HMAS Adelaide just 1.8 kilometres off Avoca Beach. The naval warship was sunk in 2011 creating an artificial reef, now teaming with life. Terrigal Dive run six dives a day to the site on weekends, as well as a number of other dives. Those who want to get off the beaten track should take a short drive down the coast to Bouddi National Park. The 8 kilometre coastal walk is broken into bite-sized sections with bays and spectacular whale-watching lookouts. The beach of Maitland Bay is the gem of the journey and can be accessed via the first leg of the costal track from Putty Beach (3km) or a (steep!) paved track from the car park (1.5km). For a change of pace, wander around the Avoca village on Avoca Drive and indulge in a spot of shopping at Avoca Beach Antiques. The 31-year-old store has the Central Coast's largest collection of antique jewellery, sure to see you part with some cold hard ones. Also not to be missed is the adorable Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, located behind the SLSC on Avoca Drive. The fourth-generation family business, which opened on the Hunter family's front garden in 1948, was named in the BBC's Top 20 Cinemas Of The World in 2014 and has also won awards for its highly curated programming. If the weather is coaxing you to stay outdoors, at least pop in to see the antique decor inside. EAT AND DRINK In the last two years, Avoca has bucked the beach-town trend of revolving seasonal eateries and has developed a stable foodie scene of its own. For the best coffee in town, visit Becker & Co. owned by Dale Hunter, formerly of Bird & Bear Boathouse in Elizabeth Bay. Have your day brightened by the typographic inspirations on the walls while you chow down on a bacon and egg breakfast slider with chilli jam. Oomph Cafe & Food Store, the little sister to popular Oomph Cafe & Foodstore in East Gosford, has an extensive menu featuring specialty products from their store. Their gourmet burgers, the best in town, will force you back into the water to wash the juice from your elbows. If raw, organic or vegan is your jam, see the super-friendly staff at Wise Food Cafe. They have a full breakfast and lunch menu, but their array of sweet health treats is second to none in town. Like Minds, lakeside and slightly back from main drag, is another popular hang with a creative-space vibe. Sit outside with strangers on a garden table or admire the work of local artists on the walls inside, also available for purchase. The best dinner in town goes to Bombini, a modern Italian fine dining restaurant with a seasonal four-course menu of sustainable and local produce- some from it's own 2-acre kitchen garden. Those just after a place to drink can settle into a veranda booth with their choice of French, Italian and Australian wines and cocktails. They also have lunch and brunch on weekends and a pantry store selling their fresh bread baked daily. For a quiet night, dine in or takeaway from All Malay Malaysian Restaurant. Don't be surprised by its popularity night after night; the beef rendang and salt and pepper soft shell crab are exceptional. It's BYO, so pick up a drop from the BWS across the road on your way. If you can't move from the beach, not even for food, never mind. The Surf Life Saving Club kiosk serves Allpress Espresso, takeaway meals and the ever important ice-block. For beachside fish and chips head to Avoca Beach Seafoods. It's BYO and open till 8pm. When it's time for an afternoon beverage, check out Mojito Joe's above the Avoca Sands Cafe. It's known for its punchy rum-based cocktails and Pacific island-inspired share dishes. The Avoca Beach Hotel is the pub of choice, with live music every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. It's also the best spot in town to watch the footy. Any footy. Words and images by Annabel Campbell.
Don't buy a ticket to see Hotel Coolgardie if you're feeling emotionally vulnerable. It's a difficult film to stomach, for many reasons, and just as tricky to critique. Directed by Pete Gleeson, the documentary follows the story of Steph and Lina, two young Finnish travellers set down in Perth to make some money after having their bank accounts drained in Bali. It's there that they're groomed by a recruiter to do some country pub work in the little town that gives the movie its name. "It's quite a big mining area, so a lot of the clientele of the pub[s] are going to be gentlemen," the recruiter says, ominously. "You have to be the kind of girls that are okay to have male attention and not really sweat it." Shortly after, when they arrive at the Denver City Hotel pub where they'll live and work for the next three months, the pair are greeted by a welcome sign that reads "New Girls Tonight". Lina and Steph meet the previous barmaids Becky and Clio. They've done their stint and seem almost sad to be leaving, partying with the locals at a final send off. They're bubbly and flirt with the clientele; they lean in and act like perfect barmaids. Steph and Lina do not. They're reluctant to play nice, can sometimes barely understand the thick local accents, and don't win a lot of sympathy from the men who have them trapped. Pouring drinks, they soon learn, is not the only task barmaids are expected to perform at the pub. The message is clear: be complicit in maintaining a structural framework that oppresses you, or GTFO. What follows is a deeply uncomfortable look at toxic masculinity, male domination of public spaces through microaggressions, and the binge drinking culture that rots small mining towns. The ensemble of local blokes bring a playful Aussie cadence to their misogyny, one that strikes a light-hearted note against the darkness. Admittedly, Coolgardie isn't entirely bereft of kind folk. But if this documentary doesn't make you feel physically sick, you may be part of the problem. Director Gleeson has been criticised in some corners for not taking a firmer stance against the mistreatment of Steph and Lina. The doco self-identifies as a "sometimes amusing, sometimes appalling, surprisingly moving portrait of small-town insularity, fragile masculinity and the plight of the outsider forced to adapt or face the consequences". The line between observation and interference can be hard to find, for documentarians and photographers alike. Once found, it can be similarly tough for the audience to stomach. Regardless, prospective viewers should not be deceived: the mild description belies a dark documentary that exposes the reality of life for marginalised folk (in this case, women and tourists) in patriarchal, racist outback Australia. If you've ever felt othered, Hotel Coolgardie will resonate with you like nails on a chalkboard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nop_Jq9M_R8
We were huge fans of W Melbourne's Paired at Culprit midweek deals, which saw city folks down bottomless food and drink combos for an absolute bargain in early 2024. The after-work events sadly ended in March, but they are finally back — just in a slightly different form. Lollo is now hosting the weekly specials, which are running from 5–7pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until summer. Tuesday nights see Lollo's team sling $2 oysters throughout the two-hour period, easily paired with a glass of bubbles or a cheeky cocktail. These days, fresh oysters go for about $6 a pop in restaurants, so seafood fans best not sleep on this Tuesday night aperitivo. Wednesdays are then all about margarita cocktails and margherita pizzas — we're not going to lie, this one is our favourite. For just $35, you'll get your own margherita pizza as well as a big carafe of chilled margarita. And if you rock up to Lollo on a Thursday after work, you can score 13 spicy chicken wings and two beers for a mere $35. But that ain't all. If you wander around to the Melbourne hotel's basement bar Curious, you'll stumble upon its own happy hour special. From 5–6pm, every Tuesday–Thursday, you can down $15 cocktails, gin and tonics, and wines by the glass. We recommend starting with a drink at Curious, and following it up with whatever midweek deal is running at Lollo the day you visit. [caption id="attachment_799205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Curious[/caption]
Need some encouragement to do something other than destroy brain cells this weekend? Take a look at this handy infographic, which suggests that Facebook's Ultimate IQ Test might have been lying to us all along. Unbelievable, I know! Apparently only 2.5% of the people really do fall into the "very superior intelligence" bracket, possessing an IQ of 130 or more, while only 0.5% of the population are sitting comfortably within the "genius" category with IQs of 140 or over. There's still plenty of room for the argument that it's accomplishments rather than IQ that make one smart. Take for instance theoretical physicist and decoder of the universe Steven Hawking who, as it turns out, has an IQ of only 160. Ha! That puts him 20 whole smart points behind James Woods, who dropped out of college to appear in Family Guy and voice Mike Toreno in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (though granted he also won three Emmy Awards and gained two Academy Award nominations). One of the even more genius geniuses is television writer Rick Rosner, who changed his name to stay in high school into his 20s. Rosner has an IQ of 192. Some dudes you may or may not have heard of have IQs well over the 200 mark, though I will leave the job of revealing details up to the chart because it's actually scary to talk about. Tthough not as scary as this list of 10 Supersmart Musicians put together by Time Entertainment, which reveals that Dexter Holland from The Offspring used to be a molecular biologist who went by the name of Brian Keith Holland. via Buzzpatrol
March is the month of movement here in Melbourne, all thanks to a brand-new major dance event twirling its way through the city. Running from Wednesday, March 1–Friday, March 31, the debut edition of dance biennial FRAME is serving up a stacked program of performances, talks, exhibitions, screenings and more. Expect a diverse lineup of events spotlighting talent both renowned and emerging, taking over venues including Arts House, The Substation and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Celebrated Aussie choreographer Lucy Guerin presents a 21-artist performance installation recapturing elements from 21 of her company's previous productions, while A Certain Mumble sees First Nations dancer Amelia O'Leary and Chinese Malaysian artist Janelle Tan dissect the nuances of cultural identity. [caption id="attachment_892123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'NEWRETRO', by Gregory Lorenzutti[/caption] Elsewhere, there's a huge participatory public dance work titled Us and All of This, Jackie Sheppard's visceral exploration of grief, and Yumi Umiumare's mystical performance piece IN-VOCATION, which features a Japanese clairvoyant and uses 3D video in a compelling homage to the divine feminine. Plus, Raina Peterson fuses traditional Indian dance with the contemporary for psychedelic work Mohini. Further highlights include film-based exhibition REALREEL, a work-in-progress showcase by The Australian Ballet and — for those inspired to get moving themselves — a stack of free morning dance classes led by the likes of Chunky Move and Lucy Guerin Inc. [caption id="attachment_892121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Slip', by Sarah Walker[/caption] Top image: Mohini by Anne Moffat.
Combining the best of modern Melbourne with a mix of enduring highlights from the past, Prahran remains one of the city's most happening suburbs. And at the centre of it all is the much-loved shopping strip Chapel Street, which provides an eclectic and cosmopolitan alternative to Melbourne's other major shopping and dining hotspots. We've teamed up with American Express to put together this list of choice local traders that make a trip to the shops an enjoyable experience. From gastronomic landmarks and shopping hubs to longstanding cultural institutions, these Prahran-based independent businesses all accept your American Express Card, making it even easier to shop small and support those that are keeping Melbourne's local communities great.
Whether you love spicy food for the taste or the thrill, Betty's Burgers is ready to reveal a limited-time offering that sits at the extreme end of the spectrum. Topped with hot sauce made from Carolina Reapers — one of the world's hottest chillis, estimated to pack 200 times more punch than your average jalapeno — the experience is so extreme, customers must first sign a waiver to bite into The Madman. But with ego-boosting food challenges no new thing, Betty's Burgers are serving up this range without the bravado. That means your order, all 1.6 million Scoville, can also come with a glass of milk and refreshing cucumbers, so you can quickly extinguish your taste buds if the heat becomes too much. "The Scoville rating speaks for itself. The waiver speaks for itself. But this isn't about proving you're the toughest person in the room. If you need milk, grab it. If you want to tap out, tap out. It's about bringing your mates and making it fun," says Betty's Burgers Head of Culinary, Jonathan Alston. Yet this hot new range is balanced by The Hot Shot, which delivers a more manageable heat. Dialling back the insane spice, this stacked burger is a more flavour-forward option that still offers a solid burn. While Betty's rates The Madman at maximum heat, featuring crispy chicken breast layered with fiery gochujang sauce and a Carolina Reaper chilli infusion, The Hot Shot skips the most fiery ingredients for a more pleasant experience, depending on your spice tolerance, of course. While people have been eating chillis since around 7000BC, extreme food challenges are a more recent invention. But new research shows that over a quarter of people now avoid food experiences designed to make people prove something. With its cooling sides, The Madman is made for fun, not a test of toughness. "Australians still crave bold flavour — they just don't want gatekeeping," says Alston. "People want to opt in, not be dared." Available at Betty's Burgers locations nationwide from Thursday, March 12–Wednesday, April 22, the Burners' range is made for experiencing with all your pals, spice-lovers or not. Just head along and sign the waiver, and trust that the built-in culinary safety net will offer up some much-needed protection from one of the world's hottest chillis. The Burners' range is available at Betty's Burgers locations nationwide from Thursday, March 12–Wednesday, April 22. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
New York is a very strange, very wonderful place. A city full of the quirky, the neurotic, and the downright weird, there is a place for everything and everyone in New York. That's why when I came across Rachael Morrison I was hardly surprised by her unorthodox performance art — in fact, I was completely spellbound. Morrison, a Senior Library Assistant at The Museum of Modern Art Library in New York, has launched a performance art project called 'Smelling the Books.' And yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. In early 2010, Morrison began her olfactory escapade, systematically smelling every book in the MoMA Library collection and documenting each new sensory experience in a ledger. Of the performance Morrison says her purpose is to "foster a discussion of the future of print media, the ways we read, methods of classification, and the way in which smell is entwined with memory." I love the smell of books. A book is like a lover — with each one you have a unique experience and with each you build a unique relationship, one that can't be re-fabricated by a computer or a kindle, no matter how hard you try. And that's why I'm asking you now, gentle reader, to join Morrison's crusade; pick up your favourite old classic or buy something new, curl up wherever you are with a cup of coffee, and nuzzle your nose between the pages. There has never been a better time than now to smell a book.
Four years ago, legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Fleetwood Mac toured Australia with Christine McVie, who'd just rejoined the band after a 16-year absence. This year, when the British-American group tours the country, the lineup will look a little different. Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, John McVie and Christine McVie will be joined on stage in August by Crowded House frontman Neil Finn and Mike Campbell, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with Lindsey Buckingham controversially axed from the band early last year. Despite the switch-up — it's not the band's first personnel change, and probably won't be its last — the band will be performing all its biggest hits, from 'Dreams' to 'The Chain' and 'Go Your Own Way'. The six will head to Australia's west coast first, hitting up Perth on August 9, before flying east to perform shows across the east coast — with one show in Brissie, and two in Sydney and Melbourne. Fleetwood Mac is one of the world's best-selling bands, selling in excess of 100 million albums worldwide, with the album Rumours one of the best-selling of all time. Their Aussie tour follows the band's 50-show tour of the US. FLEETWOOD MAC 2019 TOUR DATES Perth — RAC Arena, August 9 Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, August 20 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena, August 27 and 29 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, September 2 and 4 Fleetwood Mac pre-sale tickets are available from midday (local time) on Thursday, January 24, 2019, with general on-sale is at midday (local time) in Sydney and Perth, and 1pm in Melbourne and Brisbane, on Friday, January 25, through Live Nation.
When it comes to festivals, 2023 is gearing up to be a non-stop party all across the Sunshine State, right up to the year's end. We're looking at a jam-packed calendar of cultural events, from long-running festivals to exciting newcomers and immersive experiences. Whether you're into classical, country or blues, or folk and rock 'n' roll — or you simply want to discover the hottest emerging artists in the country — there's a good chance you'll find a fest that hits your chosen genre (or lets you delight in something new). And there's more than just tunes on offer. There's cultural spotlights and event programs highlighting fantastically unique communities, as well as activities bringing together artists and performers across different media forms for thought-provoking creative collabs. Plus, these festivals are in some pretty amazing locations, from the desert to the forest, seaside or sprawled across a vibrant city suburb — ideal for an adventure that mixes music with some travel. It's time to make space in the calendar, culture vultures — Queensland calls. [caption id="attachment_878012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] CMC ROCKS QLD Now in its 16th year, CMC Rocks QLD is a pilgrimage for every country-lovin' cowpoke. From March 17–19, the biggest country acts (and fans) will descend on Willowbank Raceway in Ipswich — just a short drive from Brisbane — for a three-day hoedown. The lineup this year features some real heavy hitters, plus Zac Brown Band's only Australian show. There's big representation from US artists, including Kip Moore and Morgan Wallen, as well as a truly standout suite of homegrown talent. While the 2023 edition is sold out, this red-hot event is one to keep on your music bucket list. Hopefully you can mosey on up in the future for three days of tunes, local markets and fully stocked food stalls and bars. Go enjoy some good old country hospitality. CMC Rocks QLD, Friday, March 17 till Sunday, March 19, 2023 BLUES ON BROADBEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL From May 18–21, Broadbeach is taken over by one of the biggest free, all-ages music festivals in the country. Blues on Broadbeach is in its 22nd year, and this celebration of blues and blues-inspired sound has some true legends hitting the stage — including two-time Grammy nominated acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame-er Don Walker, and acclaimed act Emma Donovan and The Putbacks. There's blues straight outta Memphis as well as a solid contingent of all-Aussie performers dominating the impressive roll call. The sprawling festival boasts multiple stages and venues around Broadbeach, so you can easily check out the local bars and restaurants between gigs. Blues on Broadbeach, Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023 BIRDSVILLE BIG RED BASH Run away from the cold this winter and hit the desert. Birdsville Big Red Bash has been going strong for a decade, drawing folks from all over out to the Simpson Desert. At 35km from Birdsville, it's the most remote music festival in the world. From Tuesday, July 4 till Thursday, July 6, this little patch of desert will become Bashville, the home of concerts, campsites and a festival community all beneath the Big Red Dune. The team have even got the nifty Bash App to help you navigate the massive site, epic lineup and vast array of food trucks and activities. This year's festival features headliners Icehouse, John Williamson, Hoodoo Gurus, Pete Murray and Kate Ceberano. As well as being an all-ages event, it's also dog-friendly and BYO friendly. Nice one. Birdsville Big Red Bash, Tuesday, July 4 till Thursday, July 6 AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC A festival for the classical connoisseurs, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music is a massive 10-day celebration of the genre — and it just so happens to take place in the gloriously idyllic tropics. From Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6, performers and composers from all over the world join Australia's finest chamber musicians in Townsville-Gurambilbarra. The celebration covers a broad range of chamber music — from full orchestras performing classic pieces to beachside acoustic sessions, solo singers, quartets, concert pianists and more. Stimulate your intellect and be stirred by old works, new commissions and collaborations, which explore many stories and themes, both modern and timeless. All that right by the beautiful northern beaches of Queensland? Perfect. Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6 GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER Penned as the "festival in the forest", this gathering has been going strong since 1982. And excitingly, after being on hold for 2020 and 2021, the Muster returned last year with a bang (and a hoot 'n' holler). This year, over four days and six venues, more than 100 artists, including country legends Kasey Chambers, Adam Brand and Troy Cassar-Daley, will perform in Amamoor State Forest on Kabi Kabi country. They're part of a huge lineup covering country, blues, folk and rock, which includes workshops and bush poetry too. This here is real country — proper bush — so bring your tent and your true-blue music passion and get in on this unmissable forest party. Gympie Music Muster, Thursday, August 24 till Sunday, August 27 [caption id="attachment_809942" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas, Kymie at BIGSOUND 2019[/caption] BIGSOUND Here it is: a mid-week music fest right in the heart of the big city. More than 180 exciting emerging artists will perform across 23 stages in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley from Tuesday, September 5 till Friday, September 8. Well-known up-and-comers like Budjerah, Mia Wray and Teenage Joans lead the way, but there are also so many fresh acts to discover across all genres. There's everything from indie pop, R&B, soul and electronic to heavy rock, country and an Auslan-incorporated performance from Alter Boy. There's a full First Nations program, with music, workshops, talks and gatherings, and a special After Midnight program of late night performances and parties. The festival runs alongside the BIGSOUND conference, which is the biggest music industry gathering in the southern hemisphere. Discover the future of Aussie music — the next big sound starts here. BIGSOUND, Tuesday, September 5 till Friday, September 8 [caption id="attachment_892555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cynthia Lee[/caption] CALOUNDRA MUSIC FESTIVAL A huge three days of "sun, surf and soul", the Caloundra Music Festival is a diverse showcase of the Aussie music industry that celebrates homegrown talent at the seaside Kings Beach Amphitheatre. Last year saw some of Australia's hottest acts, including Baker Boy and Client Liaison, and long-time faves Ben Lee and Missy Higgins, take to the stage, and this year's artists are sure to be just as impressive — keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. Both family friendly and not for profit, this festival has real heart, prioritising the support of all things local and welcoming excited festival-goers from all over Australia. Come for the music, stay to experience the unique Caloundra community and environment, from its natural beauty to its local vendors, makers and creative spirit. It's a one-of-a-kind weekend and well worth a visit. Caloundra Music Festival, Friday, September 29 till Sunday, October 1 [caption id="attachment_892225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Troy Cassar-Daley performing at Savannah in the Round[/caption] SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND From Friday, October 6 till Sunday, October 8, Savannah in the Round brings three days and nights of rootin' tootin' country music to tropical north Queensland's Mareeba, in the Cairns Hinterland. Although this is one of the newer festivals on the scene, it's already making its mark. In 2022, it brought in big names from overseas, including Brad Paisley, as well as local acts like Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins and The Waifs. The lineup for 2023 is yet to be announced, but promises to be packed with world-class country, rock and pop acts. What we can tell you is that music on the main stage kicks off late on Friday arvo, but the two support stages (Big Top Music Hall and Bull Bar) start in the morning and finish late. There's also plenty of art and cultural activities running over the long weekend. Expect a chockers First Nations-led cultural program complete with hands-on workshops, art installations, dance performances and storytelling. For your thrills, you can hit the fun fair's Ferris wheel and carnival games; and if you're a foodie, the paddock-to-plate experience will serve you the best of the region. Once you're there, you'll be just a moment from the gorgeous beaches and towering rainforests of the tropics — so it's well worth taking a few extra days to explore en route to the rodeo. Savannah in the Round, Friday, October 6 till Sunday, October 8 [caption id="attachment_891347" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bianca Holderness[/caption] GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Throw on your cowboy hat and tropical shirt, you're goin' to where the country meets the sea for three days this October. Each year, this award-winning three-day event delivers free live music via an exceptional mix of performers from all over. Whether you prefer traditional country, rock or laid-back acoustic sessions, you'll find it on the beachside main stage or other venues around Broadbeach's stunning locale. This seaside hoedown has something for everybody, including markets, food stalls and fairground rides, with a big focus on celebrating the local community and spotlighting everything that makes it unique. Groundwater Country Music Festival, Friday, October 20 till Sunday, October 22 WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL This immersive, magical — and quite frankly, iconic — festival is the perfect way to close out the year. Over 25,000 people gather annually in the temporary village of Woodfordia, on regenerated native habitat, to experience music, art, culture, craft and convivial camping in an eco-friendly setting. It's a massive event, with more than 2000 performers from around Australia and abroad bringing high vibes — as well as writer's talks, circus arts, parades, an environmental program, a children's festival and workshops where you have the chance to flex your own creative muscles. Woodfordia itself becomes a thriving little community, complete with cafes and bars, with activities all day and into the night. Woodford Folk Festival, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 till Monday, January 1, 2024 To explore more arts and culture events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website. Top images: Andrew Rankin (third); Matt Williams (fourth); Jess Gleeson (fifth).
