If you're keen to treat yourself to a nice glass of wine and a good feed, head to Inverloch Esplanade Hotel (or the Invy Espy as the locals call it). Established in 1896, the seaside pub has been owned and operated by the Cook and Clark families for more than two decades. It's got space aplenty, with an al fresco dining area with ocean views, a family-friendly bistro, a sports bar and a beer garden, plus a drive-thru bottle shop. If you feel like a classic pub feed, the Invy Espy serves up chicken parma ($27), scotch fillet ($38), burgers, fish of the day, a beef and Guinness pie ($26) and, on Sundays, a hearty roast ($26). Want something beyond standard pub fare? Head upstairs to the Captain's Lounge, which is open Thursday through Sunday, for split king prawns with chimichurri, roasted chicken with maple brussels sprouts or pan-seared mackerel. Images: Nicky Cawood, courtesy of the Inverloch Esplanade Hotel.
Husband and wife team John and Kerry Sartori have been supplying Melbourne's vintage lovers with all their 70s, 80s and 90s retro needs since 1995. Luckily, unlike other secondhand stores, the racks at American Vintage are always easy to explore, so finding that limited edition dark denim wrangler jacket, or scoring a pair of USA Levi's signed by Australian actor Eric Banner, isn't out of the question. In case you couldn't tell from the name, it's all very Americana – which means checkered flannels and Harley Davidson tops galore. But hey, that's the point. Images: Parker Blain.
This urban beer bar occupies a prime Southbank location, offering plenty of beers, garden vibes, killer food and river views. Pull up a stool in Hopscotch's leafy beer garden with a pint from one of the 52 taps, or a tasting paddle for the true beer enthusiasts. As well as a rotating selection of Aussie wines, there's a decent list of sweet and fruity cocktails, plus spiked slushies and cocktail tasting paddles. The food menu is divided into bar snacks, dishes you can eat one-handed, and those that'll take two. Then there are bowls, a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner to share between four, a nitro ice cream bar and mega steak and chicken sangas — these come as one- or two-foot sandwiches with bottomless fries on the side.
It seems we cannot get enough of the world's most famous inflatable yellow duck. After wowing Sydney Festival-goers at the turn of the year, the 16.5 metre giant then sailed into Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour. When it suffered from a minor deflation, the internet went into overdrive. Now Florentijn Hofman's colossus has become the victim of Chinese censorship after an edited image of the notorious 1989 'tank man' picture emerged this week, mocking Chinese censorship of the June 4 Tiananmen Square massacre. We are electing to call this controversy 'Duckgate'. Whilst the photoshopping may seem like a joke and draws a laugh worldwide, it is actually representative of the primary form of protest that internet activists can take against Chinese censorship of that day. The events of that tragic day are unsearchable in China on Weibo, the nation's most popular microblog, with the Chinese Communist party (CCP) having banned searchable number combinations associated with the events. They also blocked any other words even remotely associated with the Tiananmen Square massacre, including simple adverbs such as 'tomorrow' if one searched on June 3 and 'today' on June 4, the 24th anniversary of the tragedy. 'Big yellow duck' swiftly joined the censored list on Tuesday afternoon as Weibo became aware of the new 'duck man' image, joining 'lego tank', which was banned after this artwork surfaced. The censorship is all due to the CCP fearing a threat to their legitimacy, because apparently pretending that something never happened does not threaten your legitimacy at all. Protests like Duckgate are thus important stances taken by online users to circumnavigate censorship and commemorate that day and those who stood up for what they believed in, even if China would have you believe that nothing happened. Images: Twitter/weibo.com/weibolg
If there's one thing that puts Australia head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to tourism, it's that you can enjoy every type of climate in one place. Enjoy shredding it on the ski slopes? You're sorted. Love sojourning balmy beaches in your speedos? No worries. Over 18-percent of the country is made up of desert, which also makes Australia one of the best places for the ultimate desert experience. From red sand dunes and dramatic sheer cliffs to wallabies around watering holes and ancient rock formations, the desert could not look any better than in Central Australia. So, we've teamed up with Tourism Central Australia to give you the ultimate desert itinerary in the Red Centre. Want to plan your very own adventure to the Red Centre? Take a look at our handy trip builder to start building your custom itinerary now.
This month, we've partnered with Miller Genuine Draft to celebrate Melbourne's thriving art and design scene with a series of events dubbed the Miller Design Lab. Across six nights, we'll be showcasing a bunch of emerging creatives doing exceptional things in their respective areas of expertise. The parties are an opportunity for you to discover and experience upcoming trends and mingle with like-minded culture vultures, plus enjoy complimentary food, beer and live music. Chances are you'll be having such a good time, you'll want to kick on once the gallery shuts. So we've taken care of that, too. Across four of the six nights, when the main event wraps up at 10pm, the revelry will move to the rooftop bar at The Emerson — the official after-party venue — for more music, dancing and beers. And if you buy four bottles of Miller Genuine Draft, you'll score a piece of exclusive merchandise designed by Melbourne label Nana Judy. After the launch event on Thursday, March 21, DJ Sunshine will be on the decks. And on Friday, March 22, Alice Q and DJ Paz will keep the festivities going after Buff Diss's Design Lab. Everyone who attends one of the Miller Design Lab events is invited. Entry is free, but there are limited spots available so enter your details below to ensure you're on the guest list. And to check out the full program of Miller Design Lab events, head this way. [competition]712147[/competition] Follow @millergenuinedraftaus for more details.
The best rooftop south of the river. Pull up a day bed on the Emerson's full-length deck with cocktail in hand and sunglasses firmly in place, as there's no better bar in South Yarra to watch the sun go down. Images: Giulia Morlando.
Looking to get more active in 2026? Now you have a convenient list of breathtaking tracks to explore on foot, as go-to hiking and biking app AllTrails has revealed the top-rated one-hour hikes and day trips within touching distance of Melbourne. According to the data, Australians are loving the great outdoors more than ever, with users on our shores navigating over 28 million kilometres in 2025. That's nearly three times the distance logged during the previous 12 months. [caption id="attachment_691799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] Topping the list of one-hour loop trails outside Melbourne is the 3.9-kilometre Ker-Bur-Rer Walk. Situated near Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula, this easygoing trek pairs gentle hills with stellar views and wildlife encounters, from wallabies to emus. Other highly rated walks were Doncaster's Ruffey Lake Park Circuit, the Albert Park Loop and the Parkdale Beach Walk. Primed for laidback strolls in a convenient location, it's no surprise these walks are considered some of Melbourne's most popular. If you're keen for a little more adventure, the list of top-rated day trips looks further afield. At number one, Berwick's Pinetree Walk offers relaxed hiking amid the Wilson Botanic Park, while the Queenscliff Beach via Point Lonsdale Beach provides dazzling views of Port Phillip Bay. As for Australia's top-rated hikes overall, a trip to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania is required to reach AllTrail's best. That'd be the loop trail spanning Crater Lake, Marions Lookout, Lake Lilla, Dove Lake, with each vista more stunning than the last. Keen for more hikes? Check out Ten of the Best Walks in and Around Melbourne, or head to AllTrails for more information.
The Heide Museum of Modern Art is one of Melbourne's most significant cultural institutions — with a history that dates back to 1934 and an exhibition program that often plays host to some of the biggest names in Australian art. Boasting 15 stunning acres in Bulleen, it's a prime spot for laidback weekend adventures. We suggest you spend a blissful Saturday out here, browsing the architecturally stunning galleries, exploring the mid-century Heide house, and cruising through the sculpture park while moseying among the lush green grounds. When lunchtime rolls around, be sure to hit Shannon Bennet's on-site Café Heide for some top-notch coffee and seasonal fare courtesy of the nearby kitchen garden.
To celebrate the latest drop in its Bonded series, Triple Mash, Jack Daniel's is hosting a series of immersive whiskey tastings dubbed Triple Mash Medley. It promises to be a sensory session like no other, featuring whiskey (of course), country music compositions crafted for the tasting, cocktails and canapes. It's landing in Melbourne at the returning rooftop bar Blue Diamond on Monday, October 7. The Bonded Series is named for The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, which stipulates that the whiskey must be from a single distillery, a blend of whiskies from a single distilling season, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof (American parlance for 50 percent ABV). The Triple Mash meets these requirements as a blend of three straight bottled-in-bond whiskies made in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It is 60 percent Jack Daniel's Straight Rye Whiskey, 20 percent Jack Daniel's American Malt Whiskey and 20 percent Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. Triple Mash is a bold whiskey ideal for sipping. Its dried fruit aromas, warm, rounded mouthfeel, and honeyed sweetness are balanced by subtle grain spice and a spicy finish. It also serves as a rich base for complex whiskey cocktails. Triple Mash is best enjoyed with soothing country music, which is exactly why the Jack Daniel's crew is curating a series of sonically immersive tastings in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The Melbourne event is happening at the soon-to-be reopened Blue Diamond, a luxe rooftop bar perched 15 floors above the CBD. Boasting decadent cocktails and excellent views, the Blue Diamond is set to be the go-to spot in the city. Music is a big game here, with beats from resident DJs and international acts. Now, Jack Daniel's is bringing a country element. At the tasting, guests will be invited to put on headphones — but rest assured, this isn't a silent disco. They'll be guided through a one-of-a-kind sensory journey, listening to tracks created by Professor Charles Spence, a leading sensory expert from the University of Oxford, alongside award-winning musicians from String Musicians Australia. These tracks pair classic country sounds — acoustic guitar, fiddle and double bass — with the whiskey tasting and experience how the music can bring out tasting notes like grassy herbs, peppery spice, rich toasted oak and deep caramel to enhance the whiskey's flavours. If you're a whiskey lover, get yourself to the Blue Diamond. Book your spot via the link. Please drink responsibly.
When Australia started to get excited about Brisbane potentially hosting the 2032 Olympic Games — with the Queensland capital named as the preferred host last month — one important detail stood out. Planning for an event 11 years away is all well and good (and necessary, of course), but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics hasn't yet been held, with the Games postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. With COVID-19 case numbers still high around the world, there has been much speculation about whether the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this year, too; however, Japan is currently forging ahead with its plans. Much will likely be different about the event, which is slated to run from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8 — and a lack of overseas spectators looks set to be one of the big changes. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting that the Japanese government has decided to exclude international fans from attending both the Olympics and the Paralympics, in a bid to stop the coronavirus spreading at the event. The move is sparked by fears of more contagious variants of the coronavirus that are in circulation outside of Japan. At present, restrictions on international travellers entering the country are in place in general. Japanese officials are due to meet with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee by the end of March to make a final decision on overseas spectators, and then to decide capacity levels — including whether Japanese spectators will be permitted to attend at all, too — for the Games in April. If international spectators are banned from attending, current ticket holders that fall into that category would receive refunds. Spectators would also be banned from the opening ceremony for the torch relay, which is due to kick off on Thursday, March 25 in Fukushima. [caption id="attachment_801246" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Department for Culture, Media and Sport via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Of course, even if Japan does allow folks from overseas to travel to Tokyo to attend the Games, both Australia and New Zealand presently have international travel restrictions in effect. In Australia, a travel ban is still in place until at least mid-June, with Aussies unable to depart the nation unless they seek an exemption from Home Affairs. And in New Zealand, the government still currently advises that all New Zealanders do not travel overseas at present. For more information about the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which are due to be held from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8, 2021, head to the event's website. Via Kyodo News Agency. Top image: IOC Media.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. This year, more than 300,000 Aussies are expected to take part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, and hold more than 11,000 sales. A huge array of events will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions items. And, when the Garage Sale Trail sprawls across two big spring weekends — between Saturday, November 12–Sunday, November 13, and then again from Friday, November 18–Sunday, November 20 — online garage sales will once again be part of the fun. According, whether you're buying or selling, you have two options: do so in person, or take the virtual route. It's only the third time ever that the Garage Sale Trail is going digital, too. And, digital workshops are still also on the bill, so you can learn everything from DIY wardrobe tips to hosting the best sale. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Melbourne, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood. [caption id="attachment_783811" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jo Lowrey[/caption] Images: Garage Sale Trail.
Yeah, yeah it's chilly. We know. We get it. Polar bears get it. Uniqlo gets it. Layer up, ditch that scummy polar fleece rug and get out of the house this weekend. After you've briefed up on Melbourne's latest music strategy and settled dinner plans, hit up one of these sweet things happening aroundaboutown. At the very least you'll have 'grammable material for your friends still wallowing at home. Domestique Tour de France Pop-Up Bar Is your sleep schedule still ruined from the FIFA World Cup? Are you gradually making your way to being fully nocturnal? Good news, sleepyheads: the Tour de France is about to touch down on the streets of France (and late night SBS), and we have the perfect place to huddle up and watch it. Presented by the legends from The Shadow Electric, Domestique is a pop-up bar now in its third annual form. Far from the bogans that pack our your local while the footy's on, the organisers of this slick little happening knowingly describe it as "a sports bar for those who prefer bars to sport". Domestique will feature a live feed of the mountain stages and time trial via HD projection, music, drinks, food, heating and ping pong. Friday and Saturday nights will offer food from Fancy Hank's BBQ and DJs, and every other night you can snag yourself some Polish dumplings from Peirogi Peirogi. Domestique will be open 7pm till late on select dates of the Tour de France. Head to their Facebook page for more details. When: Saturday, 5 July - Friday, 25 July Where: Domestique Pop Up Bar , 83 Kerr Street, Fitzroy How much: FREE Alien In space, no one can hear you scream. But the darkened aisles of the Astor Theatre are quite another matter. 35 years after changing the face of science fiction forever, the terrifying final journey of the star-freighter Nostromo will light up the screen once more, followed by a special Q&A with two of its ill-fated crew. Presented at The Astor on 35mm in its extended director's cut version, there will never be a better way to view Ridley Scott's masterpiece, a film that demands to be seen in a theatre. After the screening, actor Tom Skeritt aka Captain Dallas will take to the stage to answer questions about their experience making the film. For more information and to book tickets, visit The Astor's website. When: Friday, 4 July - 7:30pm Where: Astor Theatre , 1 Chapel St, St Kilda How much: $24 - $28 Independence Day at Le Bon Ton Known for their smoky meats, stiff drinks and saloon style, these proven purveyors of American eats, Le Bon Ton, are hosting a big party on Sunday, July 6 from 2-9pm. And, though it may not be the official date of Independence Day itself, everything else about the event screams tradition. For $75, patriots can treat themselves to a fully-fledged Texan barbecue of pulled pork, smoked chicken and brisket with all the trimmings. There will be brass bands, hot rods out the front, and a portion of the street closed to accommodate all the rollicking New Orleans jazz. Time to forget your winter woes, and grab an ice-cold Budweiser. Book your tickets by emailing bookings@lebonton.com.au or calling (03) 9416 4341. When: Sunday, 6 July - 2:00pm Where: Le Bon Ton , 51 Gipps Street, Collingwood How much: $75 Henry V - Bell Shakespeare Battles will be had, blood will be shed, and brothers will unite on stage in this Bell Shakespeare production of Henry V, but not quite as you remember it from high school lit. Shakespeare's tale tells the story of King Henry V who, having ascended the throne following the death of his father, promptly — after a few people tell him he should probs do something else — declares war on France. In this production, director Damien Ryan is bringing the story to life with a contemporary take, inspired by a true story. During the London Blitz in 1941, a group of young men, bored and stuck in a bunker, started a club, where they would rehearse and perform plays to others in the shelter. When: Tuesday, 1 July - Saturday, 12 July Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio How much: $65 - $79 Aldous Harding Heads up Australia, Aldous Harding is one of those Kiwi musical talents we'll casually be calling our own in a few years. You may not have heard much from her yet, but this Christchurch folk queen is just about to drop her debut album and head out on her first tour of Australia. Be sure to check her out — by all accounts, she's killin' it across the Tasman. Her self-titled debut so far has just the one single, 'Hunter', with the rest to be released on July 25. Harding's shows are sure to be a very chilled affair — perfect for red wine, big jumpers and melodious swaying. When: Sunday, 6 July - 7:30pm Where: The Public Bar , 238 Victoria Street, North Melbourne How much: $FREE Tim's Vermeer Watching a man painstakingly recreate an oil painting doesn't exactly sound like the basis for a winning documentary. Yet in the hands of popular TV double act Penn and Teller, that's exactly what it turns out to be. Told in clear, accessible terms that laymen can understand, Tim's Vermeer is a lively, intriguing look at the line between artist and inventor, one that challenges the very notion that the distinction should be made at all. When: Thursday, 3 July - Wednesday, 30 July Where: Selected Cinemas How much: $15 - $25 Melbourne Magic Festival While there are lots of words you might use to describe Northcote, 'magical' wouldn’t normally be one of them. But that all changes for two weeks in July, with the arrival of the largest magic showcase the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. With more than 50 different acts hosted at the Northcote Town Hall, the seventh annual Melbourne Magic Festival looks to have plenty of tricks illusions up its sleeve. The MMF Galas highlight top acts from the festival, although you'll need to act fast to grab tickets before they sell out. Of the individual shows, some of the more intriguing titles include Sarah Jones' Talking to Yourself: A History of Ventriloquism and Dane Certificate's Vanishing Elephant. High profile international performers, meanwhile, include America's Got Talent finalist Dan Sperry, and Singapore's enchanting Yong Tian. Just try not to set yourself on fire. For more information about the Melbourne Magic Festival, check out the website. When: Monday, 30 June - Saturday, 12 July Where: Northcote Town Hall , 189 High Street Northcote VIC 3070 How much: Various Unplugged Live: Portrait of an Artist The National Gallery of Victoria are hitting all the right notes this month with the introduction of their musical programs. Last week the much-loved Friday Nights series kicked off for another year, now there's this: a series of thoughtful discussions examining the boundaries of art with some of the country's top musicians. Led by Jae Laffer of The Panics, these weekly laid back wrap sessions will see the likes of Bob Evans, Adalita and Paul Dempsey tackle the themes and meanings of art in the NGV Australia collection as well as some related songs. With all sessions being followed by an intimate live performance, this a great chance to see some amazing Aussie talent on the cheap. And by cheap, we mean entirely free. Unplugged Live: Portrait of an Artist will be held on Level 2 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Check out the full program here. When: Sunday, 6 July - Sunday, 7 September Where: National Gallery of Victoria , 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC How much: FREE Words by the Concrete Playground team.
Already in 2024, one huge Australian music festival that calls Byron Bay home has shut up shop, hopefully only temporarily. After Splendour in the Grass announced its dates for this year, then its lineup, only to swiftly cancel mere weeks later, another event that's synonymous with the coastal New South Wales spot is now also taking itself off the town's calendar. Bluesfest is bidding farewell — and its plans to say goodbye are definitely permanent — but it will host a final hurrah in 2025 on its way out. So, the sad news: once Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20, 2025 passes, Bluesfest will be no more. The silver lining is that last fest, a four-day event that'll mark the Easter long-weekend mainstay's 36th year. [caption id="attachment_969990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] "After more than 50 years in the music business, Bluesfest has been a labour of love, a celebration of music, community and the resilient spirit of our fans. But after the 2025 festival, as much as it pains me to say this, it's time to close this chapter," advised Festival Director Peter Noble in a statement. "As I said earlier this year at Bluesfest 2024, next year's festival will be happening and it definitely is, but it will be our last," Noble continued. "To my dear Bluesfest family, I want to make it the most unforgettable experience yet. If you've been thinking about it, now is your last chance to experience our beloved festival." [caption id="attachment_969986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] There's no word yet on who'll be gracing the stages at Bluesfest's swansong, following on from 2024 headliners Tom Jones and Elvis Costello. Since 1990, everyone from Bob Dylan, BB King, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait and Santana to Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige, Beck, Midnight Oil and Crowded House have played the fest. And even if you've only ever been to one Bluesfest, you've likely seen Jack Johnson and/or Ben Harper on the bill. The last few years have been tumultuous for the Byron Bay event. 2023's fest lost a number of acts, including King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Sampa the Great, after Sticky Fingers were added to the bill. Bluesfest ultimately dropped the controversial band. And while the fest went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. [caption id="attachment_969988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roger Cotgreave[/caption] Bluesfest calling time follows Mona Foma doing the same after its 2024 event — plus a lengthy list of festivals beyond Splendour that've ditched their plans this year, sometimes also without announcing their intentions for the future. Just two years after debuting, Adelaide's Harvest Rock has scrapped its 2024 fest as well. Spilt Milk cancelled its 2024 festivals, while Groovin the Moo did the same after announcing its lineup. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also pulled the plug. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather in 2024. Yours and Owls has postponed its next fest until 2025, too, but is hosting a pre-party in October this year. [caption id="attachment_969989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_867504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kurt Petersen[/caption] Bluesfest 2025 will run from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Early-bird tickets are on sale now — for further information, head to the Bluesfest website.
Roll up, roll up. The unique travelling venue that is the Famous Spiegeltent throws opens its doors at the Arts Centre Melbourne on Wednesday, with a spectacular Opening Night Gala. Audiences will be treated to a test taste of the Spiegeltent's 2013 season, which runs until April 21 and will showcase an array of circus, cabaret, music, and and comedic performers, all served with a side of 1930s glamour. Set to grace the tent in the coming weeks is Sydney songwriter Brendan Maclean, soon to star on the silver screen in Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, opera diva and Spicks and Specs regular Antoinette Halloran, Melbourne theatre favourites Bernadette Robinson and Lucy Maunder and a dance show by Jason Coleman, of So You Think You Can Dance fame.
In honour of the recent selection of the winner of the World Press Photo awards this week, here are each of the winners from 1955 to 2011. They say a picture tells a thousand words, and this old statement is strikingly appropriate for what's displayed here. Some truly moving and iconic pieces are featured; let's hope that the coming year's winner can uphold the tradition. Warning: some images contain graphic or objectionable content. 1955 A competitor tumbles off his motorcycle during the Motorcross World Championship at the Volk Mølle race course. (Mogens von Haven) 1956 A German World War II prisoner, released by the Soviet Union, is reunited with his daughter. The child had not seen her father since she was one-year-old. (Helmuth Pirath) 1957 Dorothy Counts, one of the first black students to enter the newly desegregated Harry Harding High School is mocked by whites on her first day of school. (Douglas Martin) 1958 National Football Championships between Prague and Bratislava. (Stanislav Tereba) 1960 A right-wing student in Japan assassinates Inejiro Asanuma, Socialist Party Chairman, during his speech at the Hibiya Hall. (Yasushi Nagao) 1962 Priest Luis Padillo offers last rites to a loyalist soldier who is mortally wounded by a sniper during military rebellion against President Bétancourt at Puerto Cabello naval base in Venezuela. (Héctor Rondón Lovera) 1963 Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc sets himself ablaze in protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. (Malcolm W. Browne) 1964 A Turkish woman mourns her dead husband, a victim of the Greek-Turkish civil war. (Don McCullin) 1965 A mother and her children wade across a river to escape US bombing. The US Air Force had evacuated their village because it was suspected of being used as a base camp by the Vietcong. (Kyoichi Sawada) 1966 The body of a Vietcong soldier is dragged behind an American armored vehicle en route to a burial site after fierce fighting. (Kyoichi Sawada) 1967 The commander of an M48 tankgunner of the US 7th regiment in Vietnam's 'Iron Triangle'. (Co Rentmeester) 1968 South Vietnam national police chief Nguyen Ngoc Loan executes a suspected Viet Cong member. (Eddie Adams) 1969 A young Catholic wears a gasmask during clashes with British troops. People had been fleeing from teargas after a night of street fighting. (Hanns-Jörg Anders) 1971 During negotiations on the safe-conduct of a group of criminals on the run, police superintendent Gross suddenly shoots down gang leader Kurt Vicenik. The gang, who had disappeared after a bank-robbery in Cologne, re-emerged near Saarbrücken, carrying a hostage with them. A chase followed and the police and the robbers met at Baltersweiler. The two other men were captured in a wild fight. The men running away from the bullets are policemen. (Wolfgang Peter Geller) 1972 Phan Thi Kim Phuc (center) flees with other children after South Vietnamese planes mistakenly dropped napalm on South Vietnamese troops and civilians. (Nick Ut) 1973 Democratically elected President Salvador Allende moments away from death during military coup at Moneda presidential palace in Chile. (Orlando Lagos) 1974 The Faces of Hunger. A mother comforts her child, both victims of drought. (Ovie Carter) 1975 A mother and her daughter are hurled off a collapsing fire-escape in an apartment house fire in Boston. (Stanley Forman) 1976 Palestinian refugees in district La Quarantaine. (Françoise Demulder) 1977 Police throw tear-gas at a group of chanting residents of the Modderdam squatter camp protesting against the demolition of their homes outside Cape Town. (Leslie Hammond) 1978 A demonstrator is engulfed in flames of the molotov cocktail he was about to throw at the police during protests against the construction of the New Tokyo International Airport. The original Narita Airport plan was unveiled in 1966. To acquire the initial land, the government had to evict protesting landowners. Violent clashes between the opponents and authorities resulted in 13 deaths, including five police officers. The new airport opened in May 1978. (Sadayuki Mikami) 1979 A Cambodian woman cradles her child while waiting for food to be distributed at a refugee camp. (David Burnett) 1980 A starving boy and a missionary in Uganda. (Mike Wells) 1981 Lt. Col. Antonio Tejero Molina orders everyone to remain seated and be quiet after armed Guardia Civil soldiers stormed the Assembly Hall of the Spanish Parliament. Three hundred deputies and cabinet members were in session to vote upon the succession of premier Suarez. They were released next morning after having been held hostage for almost 18 hours; the coup was a failure. (Manuel Pérez Barriopedro) 1982 The war in Lebanon: The aftermath of the massacre of Palestinians by Christian Phalangists in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. (Robin Moyer) 1983 Kezban Özer (37) finds her five children buried alive after a devastating earthquake. At five o'clock in the morning she and her husband were milking the cows as their children slept. A few minutes later, 147 villages in the region were destroyed by an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter scale; 1,336 people died. (Mustafa Bozdemir) 1984 A child killed by the poisonous gas leak in the Union Carbide chemical plant disaster. (Pablo Bartholomew) 1985 Omaira Sanchez (12) is trapped in the debris caused by the eruption of Nevado del Ruíz volcano. After sixty hours she eventually lost consciousness and died of a heart attack. (Frank Fournier) 1986 Ken Meeks' (42) skin is marked with lesions caused by AIDS-related Kaposi's Sarcoma. (Alon Reininger) 1987 A mother clings to a riot policeman's shield at a polling station. Her son was one of thousands of demonstrators arrested because they tried to prove that the presidential election on December 15, which was won by the government candidate, had been rigged. (Anthony Suau) 1988 Boris Abgarzian grieves for his 17-year-old son, victim of the Armenian earthquake. (David Turnley) 1989 A demonstrator confronts a line of People's Liberation Army tanks during protests for democratic reform. (Charlie Cole) 1990 Family and neighbors mourn the death of Elshani Nashim (27), killed during a protest against the Yugoslavian government's decision to abolish the autonomy of Kosovo. (Georges Merillon) 1991 US Sergeant Ken Kozakiewicz (23), gives vent to his grief as he learns that the body bag at his feet contains the remains of his friend Andy Alaniz. 'Friendly fire' claimed Alaniz's life and injured Kozakiewicz. On the last day of the Gulf War they were taken away from the war zone by a MASH unit evacuation helicopter. (David Turnley) 1992 A mother carries her dead child to the grave, after wrapping it in a shroud according to local custom. A bad drought coupled with the effects of civil war caused a terrible famine in Somalia which claimed the lives of between one and two million people over a period of two years, more than 200 a day in the worst affected areas. The international airlift of relief supplies which started in July was hampered by heavily armed gangs of clansmen who looted food storage centers and slowed down the distribution of the supplies by aid organizations. (James Nachtwey) 1993 Boys raise toy guns in a gesture of defiance. The Palestinian uprising, which began in December 1987, strengthened the Arab population in their determination to fight the occupying force. In March Israel closed its border with Gaza, causing a massive rise in unemployment. With more than 800,000 people contained in the Israeli-patrolled, eight-km-wide strip of land, bloodshed increased sharply. The peace agreement signed in Washington on September 13 promised limited authority for the Gaza Strip and a withdrawal of the Israeli army. (Larry Towell) 1994 A Hutu man at a Red Cross hospital, his face mutilated by the Hutu 'Interahamwe' militia, who suspected him of sympathizing with the Tutsi rebels. (James Nachtwey) 1995 A bus on the road leading to Grozny during fighting between Chechen independence fighters and Russian troops. The civil war which erupted when President Yeltsin sent troops to the rebellious province in December 1994 was still dragging on months later. When the Chechen fighters fled Grozny, the capital, where the war had claimed a horrendous human and material toll, Russian troops pursued them into the countryside to the south and east. (Lucian Perkins) 1996 Landmine victims in Kuito, a town where many people were killed and traumatized during the civil war. (Francesco Zizola) 1997 A woman cries outside the Zmirli Hospital, where the dead and wounded were taken after a massacre in Bentalha. (Hocine) 1998 A woman is comforted by relatives and friends at the funeral of her husband. The man was a soldier with the ethnic Albanian rebels of the Kosovo Liberation Army, fighting for independence from Serbia. He had been shot the previous day while on patrol. (Dayna Smith) 1999 A man walks the streets in one of the largest gathering points for ethnic Albanian refugees fleeing violence in Kosovo. (Claus Bjørn Larsen) 2000 The mother of a Mexican immigrant family makes piñatas to support herself and her children. The family numbers among the millions of 'uncounted' Americans, people who for one reason or another have been missed by the national census and so don't exist in population records. (Lara Jo Regan) 2001 The body of a one-year-old boy who died of dehydration is prepared for burial at Jalozai refugee camp. The child's family, originally from North Afghanistan, had sought refuge in Pakistan from political instability and the consequences of drought. The family gave the photographer permission to attend as they washed and wrapped his body in a white funeral shroud, according to Muslim tradition. In the overcrowded Jalozai camp, 80,000 refugees from Afghanistan endured squalid conditions. (Erik Refner) 2002 A boy holds his dead father's trousers as he squats beside the spot where his father is to be buried, surrounded by soldiers and villagers digging graves for victims of an earthquake in Armenia. (Eric Grigorian) 2003 An Iraqi man comforts his four-year-old son at a holding center for prisoners of war, in the base camp of the US Army 101st Airborne Division near An Najaf. The boy had become terrified when, according to orders, his father was hooded and handcuffed. A soldier later severed the plastic handcuffs so that the man could comfort his child. Hoods were placed over detainees' heads because they were quicker to apply than blindfolds. The military said the bags were used to disorient prisoners and protect their identities. It is not known what happened to the man or the boy. (Jean-Marc Bouju) 2004 A woman mourns a relative killed in the tsunami. On December 26, a 9.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a series of deadly waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean, wreaking havoc in nine Asian countries, and causing fatalities as far away as Somalia and Tanzania. (Arko Datta) 2005 The fingers of malnourished Alassa Galisou (1) are pressed against the lips of his mother Fatou Ousseini at an emergency feeding center. One of the worst droughts in recent times, together with a particularly heavy plague of locusts that had destroyed the previous year's harvest, left millions of people severely short of food. (Finbarr O'Reilly) 2006 Young Lebanese drive down a street in Haret Hreik, a bombed neighborhood in southern Beirut. (Spencer Platt) 2007 A soldier of Second Platoon, Battle Company of the Second Battalion of the US 503rd Infantry Regiment sinks onto an embankment in the Restrepo bunker at the end of the day. (Tim Hetherington) 2008 Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office enters a home, following mortgage foreclosure and eviction. He needs to check that the owners have vacated the premises, and that no weapons have been left lying around. (Anthony Suau) 2009 Women shout their dissent from a Tehran rooftop on 24 June, following Iran's disputed presidential election. (Pietro Masturzo) 2010 Bibi Aisha, an 18-year-old woman from Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, fled back to her family home from her husband's house, complaining of violent treatment. The Taliban arrived one night, demanding Bibi be handed over to face justice. After a Taliban commander pronounced his verdict, Bibi's brother-in-law held her down and her husband sliced off her ears and then cut off her nose. Bibi was abandoned, but later rescued by aid workers and the U.S. military. (Jodi Bieber) 2011 A veiled woman holds a wounded relative "inside a mosque used as a field hospital by demonstrators against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen. (Samuel Aranda) [via Buzzfeed]
Musicals don't get much bigger than Les Misérables. That's been evident on the stage for more than four decades. When the production has been adapted for the screen, too, it's also been clear. In Australia, next comes Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, which will put on a show set in 19th-century France on a three-city tour from April 2025. Do you hear the people sing? Audiences in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane definitely will when the production gets the music of the people, plus the songs of angry men, echoing. A stacked cast and a 65-plus-piece orchestra will bring Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular to life at ICC Theatre, Rod Laver Arena and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, with the format heading Down Under after playing the UK and across Europe. Starting on Wednesday, April 30 in the Harbour City, Australia is getting a five-week-only run, before the show travels through Asia — including Japan, Taiwan and China — and then returns to Europe, with American and Canadian seasons also planned. What makes this an arena spectacular, other than the venues that it's playing? The production isn't just taking the stage iteration of Les Misérables as is to sizeable sites — as a concert, it has been specifically created and designed for such locations. Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular was born to celebrate a hefty milestone for the song-filled theatre take on Victor Hugo's famous 1862 novel: the London production of Les Misérables reaching its 40th year in 2025. Yes, it's West End's longest-running musical. But the arena spectacular's origins hail back earlier, to not long after Les Mis debuted on the stage in 1980 — and also have ties to Australia. "I have long dreamt of taking an Arena Tour of Les Misérables around the world, but I am especially thrilled to be bringing it back to Australia where the outrageous of idea of doing Les Mis as a concert began," explains producer Cameron Mackintosh. "When I first did the stage production of Les Misérables in Sydney in 1987 — with the wonderous Marina Prior as Cosette (only two years after its London opening) — we were invited to do a concert in Sydney's Domain in January 1989 as part of the Sydney Festival. It was very early in the life of Les Misérables, so we had no idea if anyone would turn up, let alone know the music, as the show had only been playing for a year in the 1000-seat Theatre Royal. But, to our astonishment, 135,000 people turned up and embraced the show with a mighty roar — it was a night I will never forget, and the concert was born." On its three Aussie stops, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular will star Tony-winner Alfie Boe and British talent Killian Donnelly sharing the role of Jean Valjean, while Michael Ball — who featured in the original London 1985 production — plus Bradley Jaden are doing the same with Javert. Prior is back as Madame Thénardier, as part of an international cast that also includes Little Britain's Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, Jac Yarrow as Marius and Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette. Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular Australian Dates 2025 From Wednesday, April 30 — ICC Theatre, Sydney From Wednesday, May 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne From Wednesday, May 28 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular is touring Australia from April–June 2025. Ticket presales start at 1pm local time on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, with general sales from 1pm local time on Friday, November 29, 2024. Head to the production's website for more details and to sign up for the waitlist. Images: Danny Kaan.
Winter has come to Scotland — and with it, the perfect place for Game of Thrones fans to have a pint or two. Here, pretending that you're wetting your whistle in a boozy establishment in the Seven Kingdoms is easy as heading to Edinburgh's latest popup. Taking inspiration from the pages of George R.R. Martin's epic 'A Song of Ice and Fire' as well as the accompanying TV adaptation that no one can stop watching, Blood & Wine is the latest venture from events team The Pop Up Geeks. Every Wednesday and Thursday evening throughout January and February, they'll serve up GoT-inspired wines, ales, spirits and infusions. When you're sipping on Myrish fire wine and eating Frey pies (yep, they went there), you'll forget that new episodes of everyone's must-watch program aren't slated to return until June. https://www.instagram.com/p/BPKpLalDCok/?taken-by=thepopupgeeks Drinks wise, you'll also find the likes of Dornish Sour Red, The Imp's Delight and The Old Bear's Hot Spiced Wine on the menu, as well as a flight of seven tipples that lets you sample everything that Westeros and its fellow realms has to offer. Or, if you still have a Lannister-like thirst, opt for a Goslings Hot Mead or a glass of Icelandic Mountain Vodka. If the picture on the back of the bottle doesn't tip you off, the latter is made by a company co-owned by Hafþór Júlíus "Thor" Björnsson, the actor who plays Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane on the show. To add the requisite finishing touches, the whole candlelit space is decked out with the appropriate bits and pieces; think shields, swords, posters, props and medieval-like flourishes. If that's not enough to send you scurrying over land and sea like a lost Stark child, then keep an eye on The Pop Up Geeks next venture, Perilous Potions, where they'll delve into the wizarding world of — yep, you guessed it — Harry Potter. Via Uproxx. Image: The Pop Up Geeks.
Legendary Scottish brewery BrewDog didn't hold back when it came to creating its first Melbourne venue. Off the back of the brand's 2019 Aussie debut in Brisbane, it unveiled this absolute monster of a brew bar within the historic Pentridge Prison site in November 2022. Done in partnership with Australian Venue Co (Harlow, The Smith, State of Grace), the $3 million beer bar spans two spacious levels within the prison's E Division building. At 12,000 square feet, it's got room for 500 punters; complete with a ground floor dining room and den, three upstairs function spaces, and a gigantic beer garden with its own container bar and dedicated games area. From the bars comes a 20-strong tap beer lineup, starring numerous BrewDog drops alongside a rotation of guest brews. Favourites like the Dead Pony Club pale ale ($14.40), the Punk XPA ($14.90) and the Elvis Juice American-style IPA ($15.90) make an appearance, as do newcomers like an E Division pale ale ($14.90). Expect drops from the likes of Hop Nation and Hawkers, too. To match, there's a sprawling menu of classic pub fare, featuring an impressive ratio of plant-based and gluten-free options. It jumps from a range of schnitties, parmas, tacos and burgers — including one done with XPA-braised brisket ($27.95) — to pizzas and a whole stack of wing varieties. Grazing plates include the likes of buffalo chicken loaded fries ($18.95), and haloumi with native pepper berry ($18.95); while the Hoppy Meal option gets you a burger, a side and a beer icypole for $25.95. Like all good pubs, weekly specials abound here — from Monday's two-for-one vegan menu, to an all-you-can-eat wings situation each Wednesday. Images: Anna Kucera
Back in May 2013, we brought news of NASA's US$125,000 3D pizza printer to your cyber-doorstep. Now, we've got something cheaper, sweeter and much more personal for you. At the 2014 CES (Consumer Electronics Show), held January 7-10 in Las Vegas, US company 3D Systems unveiled the world's first kitchen-ready 3D food printers, the Chefjet and the Chefjet Pro. Designed with pastry chefs as the target market, the Willy Wonka-esque contraptions can print sugar in three different flavours (cherry, sour apple and mint), as well as milk chocolate. The Chefjet, which will retail for less than US$5,000, can conjure up single-colour goodies, such as cake decorations and fancy sugar cubes. The Chefjet Pro will carry the heftier price tag of US$10,000 but will offer the creative flexibility of full-colour printing and the ability to handle larger volumes. A digital cookbook will take over the role of the likes of Jamie's 30-Minute Meals and Nigella Express. "The machine uses an ink jet print head that's just like the one you would find in your desktop 2D printer," said Liz von Hasseln of 3D Systems. "It spreads a very fine layer of sugar then paints water onto the surface of the sugar, and that water allows the sugar to recrystalise and harden to form these complex geometries." The Chefjet and the Chefjet Pro will hit the commercial market sometime later this year. Via dezeen magazine.
If there was ever a year to see if you could stream every film and television show ever, it's the one that we've just lived through. We've all heard the jokes about 'finishing Netflix', which have felt particularly accurate in 2020. But, en masse, Australians have been gravitating to the same movies and TV programs over the past 12 months — and Netflix has just revealed the 17 most popular titles. The streaming platform hasn't detailed them in order, so no one flick or series tops the list. But it has broken down 2020's huge hits by genre, naming a film and show in each — except in the reality TV field, for self-explanatory reasons. The big trends: stars and twists. Famous faces and thorny stories feature prominently, as you probably noticed all year based on Netflix's in-platform top ten feature. So, what were we all watching? In the action genre, Aussies feasted their eyeballs on Chris Hemsworth vehicle Extraction and Karate Kid spinoff Cobra Kai. We went light and fluffy in the comedy category, thanks to Holidate and Emily in Paris. In the horror realm, IT: Chapter Two and The Haunting of Bly Manor emerged victorious — and if you're wondering about the former, which first hit cinemas in 2019, Netflix counts anything that debuted on the platform across 2020. When it came to drama, Aussies couldn't get enough of Enola Holmes and The Queen's Gambit (if you've been scoping out chess sets for Christmas, you know that's true). Spenser Confidential and The Sinner: Jamie were the top thrillers, The Kissing Booth 2 and Dash & Lily the most popular romances, and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous the kid-friendly hits. Too Hot to Handle took the reality TV crown, while, doco-wise, everyone watched American Murder: The Family Next Door. And Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, of course, because no one can now remember a time when we didn't know who Joe Exotic was. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 Netflix didn't announce any figures to go with this list, so we don't know just how many people watched any of the above. And, obviously, popularity isn't the same as quality. Some of the above hits are great, and some are downright terrible. If Extraction and the Mark Wahlberg-starring Spenser Confidential didn't release in March and April, when the world was going into lockdown, maybe they wouldn't have attracted so many eyeballs, for instance. Australian-made shows and movies didn't score their own category, but the streaming platform did note that Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun spent almost two weeks in the local top ten. In other trends, Aussies watched 60 percent more flicks and series in languages other than English compared to 2019, doubled our viewing of Korean dramas and checked out more than twice as much anime as well. For more information about Netflix, or to stream any of the above shows and films, head to the streaming platform's website. Top image: Phil Bray/Netflix.
To mask up or not to mask up? Over the two years of the pandemic to-date, that's been a big question, and one that the Victorian Government has frequently changed the answer to. The rules around covering your face have tightened and loosened depending on case numbers, lockdowns and other restrictions, including bringing back in compulsory indoor masks in mid-December in response to the Omicron wave — but just in time for the coming weekend, that mandate is easing. At 11.59pm on Friday, February 25 — so practically on Saturday, February 26 — masks will no longer be mandatory in most indoor settings. Instead, as the Victorian Government announced today, Tuesday, February 22, you will only have to don a mask in certain scenarios. And if this sounds familiar, that's because Victoria has been in this situation plenty of times before. From the weekend onwards, you'll now just have to mask up on public transport, in taxis and rideshare services, on planes, and indoors at an airport — and if you're working in hospitality, retail and the court system, and either working in or visiting hospitals or indoor areas at care facilities. Masks will also remain mandatory for folks working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people in attendance, for workers at justice and correctional facilities, for workers at early childhood centres and primary schools, and for kids in year three and above at primary schools. Also, if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact are you're leaving home in special circumstances, you'll need to keep masking up, too. While it won't be compulsory, wearing masks if you work in a job where you're serving or facing members of the public — if you're at reception, meeting guests or serving customers — is also recommended moving forward. As well as easing the mask rules, the Victorian Government is ditching the recommendation to work and study from home at the same time. So, you'll be seeing more people in general, as well as more of their smiles. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Victorian Government's coronavirus website.
From atop South Yarra's Goldfields House, Beverly soars above the Chapel Street precinct from the 24th floor. Yet those hoping to soak up the 270-degree views in recent times might have been surprised to see the venue shut: unexpected water damage saw the venue close its doors in March. But putting a bad time to good use, the venue has quietly reinvented itself with new menus and experiences alongside a limited-time activation, Late Night Tales. Just in time for Beverly's second birthday, the venue's relaunch offers elevated yet easygoing lunch services, post-work DJ sessions and new function packages with unbeatable views. But it's the Late Night Tales sessions — held Thursday through Sunday from 9.30pm until the end of July — that are bound to attract attention. Here, guests choose a crafted cocktail and a handmade dessert for $45 per person. Perfect for the cold season, these cocktails go above and beyond. The indulgent Banoffee Bonfire features burnt butter-washed rum, banana liqueur and miso caramel, while the Cognac Cacao presents a luxe hot chocolate with a French twist. Adding to the cosiness, the menu also offers a winter-warming Gingerbread Amaretto and an Irish Coffee, brimming with refined espresso notes and a soft bourbon undercurrent. Each complements the venue's new dessert lineup, which includes treats like a Maya brownie with tequila-glazed pineapple, or the Mont Blanc with meringue and crumbly hazelnut streusel. "With Late Night Tales, we wanted to provide Melburnians with a luxurious respite from the cold and the opportunity to make the most of our vibrant city even as temperatures drop," says Beverly Co-Founder and Director Cameron Northway. The daytime dining menu has also received a makeover following Beverly's reopening. Head Chef David Ball's à la carte offering builds upon the venue's modern Australian cuisine, served with subtle Southern Californian flair. New dishes to sample include a prawn dog inspired by Ball's travels to Los Angeles and a bluefin tuna crudo, finished with bright winter citrus, black olives and pollen. "I see Beverly as a tree putting down roots," says Ball. "The more established she becomes, the further those roots grow. We're on an ever-expanding journey of progression, and capitalised on our temporary closure as an opportunity to really reflect and curate an approachable, produce-forward menu that's fitting for Beverly as she enters her third year." Beverly is open Monday from 4pm–late and Tuesday–Sunday from 12pm–late at Level 24, 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Head to the website for more information.
Drop everything, it's time to book a holiday for next year. At this time of year, every dollar counts, and when else can you book a return flight (domestic and international) and only pay for half the fee? Jetstar — ever the patron saint of affordable getaways — has just announced its latest special offer: three days of deals that offer essentially two flights for the price of one. From midnight tonight (or midday today if you're a Club Jetstar member), customers who purchase an outbound starter fare on select flights will get their return flight completely free, until 11.59pm on Sunday, November 30, or until the 90,000 available fares sell out. As mentioned, the offer is available across both domestic and international trips. Sydneysiders could skip the eight-hour drive to Byron and instead book a flight to Ballina from $42, or to Cairns from $102. Brisbane travellers can book a Whitsundays flight from $63, and Perth locals looking to go cross-country can fly to Melbourne from $199. If you're going out of the country, you're spoilt for choice. Sydneysiders looking for a quick and easy trip to Bali can do so from $249, Melbournians can immersive themselves in the cultural melting pot that is Singapore from $209, and if you're part of the Aussies that have yet to visit the 'it' destination of 2025: you can fly from Brisbane to Tokyo from $373 and Sydney to Osaka for the same price. Just next door is South Korea, which has gone underappreciated for too long — but Brisbanites can fly to Seoul from $309 in 2026. In terms of dates, the availability varies per route, but the offer is open for domestic flights between early February and late October 2026, and for international flights between early February and mid-September 2026. The Jetstar Return for FREE Black Friday sale runs from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, November 27 for Club Jetstar members, and from 12am AEDT for the general public. The sale will run until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, November 30, or until fares sell out. Visit the Jetstar website for more information.
Don't stress about packing your bags — a new breed of playcation has just launched at QV Melbourne. Opened in the CBD for the first time, Hijinx Hotel is combining its immersive quick-play challenge rooms with a sprawling Archie Brothers arcade-meets-cocktail bar experience. Together under a single roof, expect a kaleidoscopic entertainment destination that delivers a double dose of fun. If you haven't experienced Hijinx Hotel Chadstone before, just know these 'hotels' are designed for action-packed play, not overnight stays. Set around a series of hypnotising challenge rooms hidden behind hotel suite doors, guests swipe their keycard to enter a world of brain-teasing adventure. There are ten in total to explore, spanning massive ball pits, giant puzzles and a mega light-up floor grid made for dancing and dodging. When it's time to play, teams of two to six players complete a course of five challenges, with guests given just four minutes to crack each room's task. If you succeed, you've earned yourself a point for the leaderboard. Along the way, these brand-new challenge rooms will test your precision, teamwork and quick thinking skills. Featuring chaos and creativity in equal measure, this multi-sensory experience offers a next-level adventure without leaving town. "We set out to create a destination that brings pure joy to Melbourne's social scene," says Michael Schreiber, CEO of Funlab. "What excites us most is how this venue is set to bring everyone together, from couples and friends to full corporate teams looking to shake up their next event. We've built a space where play leads the way and memories are made from the moment you arrive." Once you've finished decoding the puzzles, step into Archie Brothers, an impressive 1600-square-metre arcade filled with circus-themed gaming. Think claw machines, classic arcade games, and engrossing VR experiences that offer nostalgic and future-forward encounters side by side. Plus, there are comprehensive karaoke rooms and function spaces perfect for catering to private events and parties. What's more, Archie Brothers is renowned for its theatrical cocktail bar, with creative concoctions like the Bubble and Pop featuring tropical rum-drenched flavours and topped with a scented bubble that bursts into a suspended vapour. There's also a crowd-pleasing food menu to fuel your crew, with pizza, tacos and chicken bites on offer. So, leave the toothbrush at home and check in for an offbeat night of fast-paced gaming and unique challenges. Hijinx Hotel QV Melbourne is open Sunday–Thursday from 10am–11pm and Friday–Saturday from 11am–1am at QV Melbourne, Level 3, Cnr Lonsdale and Swanston Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Images: Zennieshia Butts.
Dance music hits. An orchestra. Combine the two and Ministry of Sound Classical is one end result. For a few years now, this event has been giving Australia what no one probably knew they wanted when Ministry of Sound first started as a London club night back in 1991: tunes that usually fill dance floors performed by classical musicians. If you're a fan of making shapes and you're fond of getting nostalgic, then Ministry of Sound keeps indulging — sometimes by throwing huge 90s and 00s parties that nod back to raves three decades back and club nights at the turn of the century, and sometimes via this orchestral tour that gives bangers from the past 30 years a new live spin. In Australia, the latter is returning before 2025 is out, including seeing out spring in Melbourne. This year's run heads to Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Victorian capital on Saturday, November 29, with Cassius headlining. Conducted by Vanessa Perica and with DJ Groove Terminator on backing duties, the Ministry of Sound Orchestra takes pride of place, of course, with vocalists and other talents on hand to assist. Ministry of Sound Classical is calling 2025's run a summer dance music festival — even if Melbourne's date is a few days prior — which means that a curated food and bar lineup is also on offer, as is a silent disco. As for the soundtrack, the event surveys tunes that've packed dance floors over Ministry of Sound's existence — so you just might hear classical renditions of Basement Jaxx, Darude, Röyksopp, Robin, Underworld, Moby, Fisher and more played by its orchestra. Images: Ruby Boland, Ashlea Caygill and Jack Dullard.
They nailed the contemporary wine bar brief with their Collingwood corner gem, Congress, then delivered design-driven mod-Japanese at Richmond's Future Future. Now, the siblings behind Milieu Hospitality have their shifted focus to Italy, for their all-day Northside haunt Lagotto. In the space below the group's residential development Nth Fitzroy by Milieu, Katie and Michael McCormack have created a destination for all occasions, with an influence that's undeniably Italian — a contemporary restaurant, wine bar and food store. [caption id="attachment_860811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] Inside, design work by Flack Studio nods to those European sensibilities, boasting a charming assembly of glossy burgundy accents, sweeping curves, marble-topped benches and blush-hued terrazzo flooring. With Matteo Fulchiati (Osteria Ilaria) now at the helm, the kitchen's paying homage to timeless Italian flavours while showcasing plenty of creative spirit. That means you're in for small plates like wholemeal focaccia paired with smoked malted butter ($8), kingfish with saffron water and finger lime ($24), and a tartare finished with rhubarb and horseradish ($24). [caption id="attachment_860813" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jana Langhorst[/caption] Handmade pasta is a must-try; maybe in the form of lemon spaghettoni with Queensland scampi and bottarga ($42) or campanelle teamed with an oxtail ragu and confit chilli ($38). And feast-worthy mains might include the likes of swordfish cotoletta matched with wild garlic and charred lemon ($43), and a wagyu scotch fillet with chicory and egg yolk ($48). Team it all with a drop from the tidy wine list heroing plenty of minimal intervention pours, the growing selection of amaro, or Euro-centric cocktails like the signature winter negroni ($25). And, if you'd like to take home more than just memories, check out the provedore and wine store — a retail corner filled with pantry essentials, take-home feasts and reasonably priced vino. [caption id="attachment_860812" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jana Langhorst[/caption] [caption id="attachment_860854" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jana Langhorst[/caption] Top Images: Parker Blain and Anson Smart
It seems there is no better time to bust out the picnic rug and lap up the sunshine with your closest pals than right now. Since it's also barbecue season, we've teamed up with Jim Beam to bring you five public barbecue spots where you can crack open a cold one and enjoy a leisurely afternoon cooking up a feast. [caption id="attachment_794065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] ALBERT PARK Albert Park is right near Port Melbourne Beach, so you can take your afternoon from barbecue to sandy beach. Extending from St Vincent Gardens to Mills Street, the park has lots of land for you to set up your picnic rug and gather your pals for a good time. The space is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend with you. Plus, Albert Park has over nine areas with public barbecue facilities, which means there's plenty to go around. You'll often see people rowing or paddle boarding in the lake too, which sounds like the ideal long afternoon activity after your feast. [caption id="attachment_794134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creative Commons[/caption] PRINCES PARK Princes Park is a classic Carlton barbecue spot due to its expanse of land. With a playground, soccer field, barbecue grills and plenty of areas to lounge around, it is a great option for those with larger groups, or with kids in tow. Princes Park often has sports games during the mornings on weekends, so we suggest heading there for an afternoon feed for more space to spread out. As it is further away from Faraday Street, Princes Park is a great option for those who want to BYO barbecue, rather than fight for a public one. WERRIBEE PARK Built beside a mansion and the Victoria State Rose Garden, Werribee Park is a fun place to pretend you've stepped into an episode of The Crown. The estate is heritage listed and boasts a beautiful rose garden and manicured landscape, as well as a picturesque lake for a wonderful post-feed stroll. Parks Victoria has tried to restore the original orchard that was planted by the Chirnside family in the late 1880s, which makes for a good place to wander. Werribee Park has electric barbecues, public toilets and decent parking, too. ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS If you prefer eating city-side, head to the famous Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Next to some great bars and restaurants in Melbourne's south, as well as the Yarra River, the Gardens are a very convenient and scenic spot for a barbecue. Woodland Picnic area has free barbecue facilities, or you can bring your own. After you eat, head to the National Gallery of Victoria, or take a walk around the lake up to Melbourne Cricket Ground. Or, stay put. There are just over 86 hectares of the Botanic Gardens to explore. [caption id="attachment_784754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] CARLTON GARDEN One of Melbourne's most famous barbecue spots, Carlton Gardens spreads over 26 hectares and contains the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum and the IMAX Cinema. Adjoining Rathdowne and Victoria Streets, the park has lots of BYO food options nearby, as well as barbecue facilities onsite. It is also home to wildlife, an award-winning children's playground and a maze, so it has heaps to entertain the whole family at your next get-together. Top image: Carlton Gardens; Visit Victoria
Just like a cooler, more urban chocolate mythical figure, Monsieur Truffe is Melbourne's Willie Wonka. And to get inside his wondrous factory, you dont need a Golden Ticket — you just have to find the red door. It's unmarked, of course, and from the outside, gives no indication of the sweetness behind it. Inside, two of the best worlds collide: it's one part chocolate factory, one part café. On the right, you have Monsieur Truffe's single origin chocolate bars, blended blocks and confections being made with cocoa beans from everywhere from Vietnam to Venezuela. And on the left is the café space, East Elevation. It's clear their proximity to the chocolate making influences their menu; the granola comes with nuggets of dark chocolate, the hot chocolates are exquisite, and if you're there on the right day, you might be able to grab a decadent brownie or fondue, made with the good stuff. Even still, a visit to the chocolate shop is more than necessary before you leave.
Maybe you loved Knives Out, rightfully so. Perhaps you adore Agatha Christie's books, and couldn't watch the latest big-screen versions of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile fast enough. Or you might've become a true-crime podcasting obsessive thanks to Serial and found yourself instantly hooked. Whichever category fits — and perhaps several of them do — it's likely that you're a murder-mystery fan. We all are. And, it's just as likely that you adore Only Murders in the Building, the true-crime and true-crime podcasting comedy that proved one of 2021's surprises and delights. We're never too far away from a new murder-mystery in some shape or form, of course, and the second season of Only Murders in the Building knows it — because it's tasking its NYC neighbours-turned-sleuths (and true-crime podcasters) with investigating a second killing. This time, though, the trio of residents in the fictional Arconia in New York are suspects, and they're also the subjects of a competing podcast. That's what the just-dropped new trailer for the show's second season teases, following on from an initial sneak peek a couple of months back. If you missed the first season in 2021, Only Murders in the Building takes a great idea and turns it into a breezy murder-mystery gem. If you've ever listened to a true-crime podcast, decided that you'd make a great Serial host yourself and started wondering how you'd ever follow in Sarah Koenig's footsteps, then this is definitely the series for you. The show focuses three New Yorkers who basically follow that same process. Here, actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) are all addicted to a podcast hosted by the fictional Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). They find themselves unexpectedly bonding over it, in fact. And, when someone turns up dead in their building, they decide that they can sleuth their way through the case by getting talking themselves. That's how the first season panned out. Now, Charles-Haden, Oliver and Mabel are weathering the fallout from the last batch of episodes. Complicating their efforts in season two are a trio of factors: their public implication in the death in question; that new podcast about them and this murder; and the suspicions of their neighbours, who think they're guilty. Exactly how that'll play out won't be unveiled until Tuesday, June 28, when Only Murders in the Building returns — but you don't need to be an amateur detective to know that it's bound to be both amusing and twisty. Whatever happens, both Cara Delevingne and Amy Schumer are involved, with the pair joining the cast as guest stars. Check out the latest trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season will start streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28. Read our full review of the show's first season.
The thought of taking a dip in the Yarra's not-so-clear waters is more appalling that appealing. But a blissful splash in an infinity-edge pool sitting atop the river? That, we can definitely get around. And it's exactly the situation that now awaits you aboard Arbory Afloat's latest incarnation, after the floating bar today launched its final offering — a new pool nestled up the venue's western end, flanked by towering palms and cabanas. Inset into Arbory Afloat's lower deck with views across the river and the city, the pool is laid with imported Italian tiles and comes complete with a hydraulic floor allowing lifeguards to adjust the water depth as required. The surrounding pool deck area is also kitted out with day beds and cabanas, primed for those post-dip cocktails and snack sessions. And of course, it's all rocking a similar Balearic Islands-themed look to the rest of the over-water bar. The new swimming spot will be open every day, but with visiting times varying throughout the week — you can keep track of opening hours via Arbory Afloat's Instagram page. A towel concierge service is also running if you'd like to travel light, and essentials like hats and sunscreen are available to buy onboard. Arbory Afloat's 2022 design pulls inspiration from the free-spirited energy of Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca and Mallorca, dishing up holiday vibes in abundance to match a Spanish-accented food and drink offering. Find Arbory Afloat and its new pool at 2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne. For pool opening hours, see Instagram. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Feeling bold to start 2023? Brave? Fearless? Ready to take on a new year, embrace life and show your spirit? That's the standard January vibe, but this year has a colour to match: Viva Magenta, aka the hue of the year according to the Pantone Colour Institute. Each year, Pantone's colour experts pick a tone for the 12 months ahead. As announced back in December 2022 but supremely relevant now that 2023 is actually here, its latest selection is Pantone 18-1750. This hue from the red family — a colour that Pantone says "vibrates with vim and vigour" — is meant to both set the trend for and sum up the year ahead. Pantone is never short on words for its picks of the year, and has also dubbed this tone as "a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative". Viva Magenta is meant to be powerful and empowering, too, and a colour that "revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint — an electrifying and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a standout statement". View this post on Instagram A post shared by PANTONE (@pantone) "Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all," Pantone's announcement continues. Explaining the decision, Pantone Colour Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said that the tone has a natural, primordial, galvanising feel to it. "Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known." Expect to see all things Viva Magenta popping up around the place throughout 2023, with Pantone suggesting how it can be used in fashion and accessories, home decor, design and beauty, too. The new shade takes over from 2022's Very Peri, and 2021's Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating before that. In 2020, Pantone went with Classic Blue, while 2019's colour was Living Coral, 2018's was Ultra Violet and 2017's was Greenery. To find out more about Viva Magenta — and to check out all the previous Colours of the Year — head to the Pantone website.
If there's a single universal truth that people of all denominations can agree on, it's that first dates are awkward as heck. What to wear? When to meet? Whether to reveal your dorky side or pretend to be cool? Should you spontaneously burst into flames right then or wait until you get home? It's a complicated equation to balance. There's one thing you shouldn't worry about though, and that's the venue. We've got you covered on that one. There are plenty of factors that make a venue ideal for a casual first date. After years of field research in the form of many, many awkward dates, we believe the magic sweet spot is somewhere between rowdy and stuffy, and between day and night. They have to serve food so you have something to stuff in your mouth and stop yourself from babbling, and, ideally, the venue should have that certain je ne sais quoi that's both buzzing and intimate. It's a tall order, but we've enlisted some help from American Express to uncover the least awkward places in Melbourne to take a casual date — where you can also tap and earn some points from that Amex you just signed up for. Now all you have to do is swipe until your fingers bleed and make it to the second date with your dignity intact. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Hornbags of Melbourne, get ready to put those post-Christmas muffin tops to good use because Good Things is throwing the Kath & Kim-themed party of your dreams. On Australia Day eve, Kath & Kim's Aussie Shindig will see the South Yarra bar celebrate two of our most iconic silver screen heroines, complete with life-sized cutouts, a photobooth, and a free BBQ feast from 6-8pm. The legends in charge have come up with a cracker of a drinks list, starring Aussie-themed creations like Barbecue Shapes Margaritas, Bloody Marys with footy franks, vodka Passionas and of course, Kim's beloved Cardonnay (the h is silent). Post your favourite Kath & Kim moment on the Facebook event page before the party, for the chance to score yourself some free drinks. There's even a $50 bar tab up for grabs, going to the best-dressed foxymoron or hunk 'o' spunk on the night. Best start assembling your finest netball skirts, midriff tops, matching tracksuits and lycra in preparation.
This January, Melbourne's Federation Square will play host to a fun new addition in Arboria — a huge, blow-up sculpture featuring a walk-through labyrinth of winding tunnels and lofty domes. On exhibition from January 6–28, the inflatable structure takes its inspiration from the forest, incorporating tree-like spaces, stylised leaf patterns and a soundscape from Ecuador's Mindo cloud forest, to create an immersive, multi-sensory experience for visitors young and old. A maze of pods and domes leads to a stunning central space, where massive columns and soaring Gothic-style windows mirror those of Chapter House at the UK's York Minster cathedral. It's the work of world-renowned group Architects of Air, who've created and exhibited a whole series of these 'luminaria' structures across the globe. Arboria will be open from 10am–8pm daily between January 6 and 28. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for concession holders and $14 for kids, available soon from the Fed Square website. Image: Jesus Fernandez via Architects of Air.
Despite its nickname as "the city of angels", Los Angeles is hardly angelic. It's an idea that comes up time and time again throughout movies, television, music and literature — the seedy underbelly of a city that hails itself as the gateway to fame and riches, to dreams come true. So while David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars isn't the first, and most definitely not the last, to mine this terrain for metaphoric scraps, it is quite surely one of the weakest. And though a film by Canada's master of body horror, one of the tamest. Agatha Weiss (Mia Wasikowska) arrives in Hollywood and quickly gets into the backseat of a car chauffeured by wannabe screenwriter Jerome (Robert Pattinson). She gets a job as an assistant to a narcissistic, over-the-hill actress named Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) while tracking down the child star Benjie (Evan Bird) and his father, Stafford (John Cusack). Their inter-connected lives become melodramatic fodder for Cronenberg as he navigates the incestuous nature of the American film industry and peels back the sunny exterior of its destructive nepotism and skewed standards. Like I said, this is hardly new terrain for any filmmaker, but for Cronenberg it feels like a drastic step backwards, even from the doldrums of Cosmopolis. One of the ugliest films of the year, Maps to the Stars finds no visual storytelling methods at all, which is especially disappointing given the director's trademark audaciously sexualised grotesquery would have been a perfect fit for Bruce Wagner's screenplay. Wasikowska, perfectly fine in the role, is even dolled up to look like Holly Hunter in Cronenberg's Crash, only worsening the comparison between this and his earlier work. It's up to Moore to save the film, and indeed she does some of the best work of her career as the ridiculously named Havana, who is attempting to star in a remake of her own mother's defining role. She is able to fill the character to the brim with all of the Hollywood insecurities to inevitably come with being an actress of any age, let alone one pushing 50. Her lips perma-glossed, her hair bleached blonde, and constantly shopping just in case she needs to be seen; it's a deliciously hilarious role, and without Moore's keen instincts with the part, the film would be a disaster from start to end. Maps to the Stars still isn't a good movie, but Moore gives it a life it doesn't deserve.
There's only one problem with the beach: it can make you dumb. Seaside days are the most tempting time to read trashy chick lit and airport novels, but what does that do to your brain? And what if you forget your book altogether and are forced to passively admire the glittering horizon while your companions enjoy tales of adventure and romance? Enter the beach pop-up library: a terrific notion from French architect and industrial designer Matali Crasset (whose website is really worth a visit for playtime). Currently popping up at La Romaniquette in Istres, France, the cute 'Bibliotheque de Plage' boasts more than 350 titles, so there's little chance you wouldn't find something that appeals. Adding a personal touch to the venture, the books on offer have been carefully selected and include many of Crasset's own favourites: for example, the classic architecture text The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard's beautiful and influential meditation on how we experience interiors. The beach library creates its own special space to be experienced, composed of a simple steel frame with tarpaulin wings that form three shaded alcoves for peaceful reading. The idea for the project arose partly out of local government's focus on encouraging literacy. It would be great if charming libraries like this one were a common sight beside the food and drink kiosks that appear on beaches, ensuring you would never be stuck without a quality seaside read again. Via PSFK.
Having tackled southern American fare with their Greville Street original White Oaks Saloon, and recreated the Southern Cali taphouse experience for follow-up Silverlake Social. Now, brothers Nicholas and Thomas Welch are trekking across the border for their latest hospitality project, Prahran's Casa N.O.M. Bar y Restaurante. Sitting just across the road from its oldest sibling, this mezcaleria and restaurant is dishing up an authentic taste of Latin America, with a focus on fine booze offerings from all across the region. Here, a diverse lineup of mezcal reigns supreme, while strong collections of tequila, rum, pisco, aguardiente and cachaça showcase Latin America's broad-ranging spirits offering. You'll also spy an impressive rotation of imported craft beers and lots of cocktails such as the Jamaica Crush — a blend of hibiscus, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and lime. And the Welches have a good game when it comes to the boozy stuff, having spent the past few years scouting out countless interesting international drops through their importing business, High Spirits Beverages. They've even named this newcomer after the Norma Oficial Mexicana (Official Mexican Standard), which refer to the guidelines and standards for mezcal and tequila production in Mexico. The food menu is also replete with traditional Latin flavours, kicking off with punchy snacks like loaded blue corn chilaquiles, and Yucatan-style croquettes stuffed with plantain and raisins. Larger plates include Colombian-style black bean arepas served with spring pea guacamole, quesadillas filled with mushroom, asparagus and leek, and fried globe artichokes starring the house chipotle mayo. Dulce de leche-loaded alfajores headline the dessert lineup, and you'll find a swag of great weekly specials, including Wednesday's $20 quesadilla and beer deal, and $15 margaritas each Sunday. Find Casa N.O.M Bar y Restaurante at 110 Greville St, Prahran. It's open from 5pm–midnight Tuesday–Friday, and from 12pm–midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Images: Griffin Simm
Work has kicked off on the Regent Theatre's first makeover since the building reopened to the public back in 1996. What's more, the Melbourne heritage site's new look will be making a rather dramatic debut, having landed a blockbuster show that'll help celebrate the revamp in fittingly huge style once complete. With upgrade works slated to wrap up next year, The Regent's confirmed that in 2021, its stage will play host to the Aussie debut of Moulin Rouge! The Musical — a new production based on Baz Luhrmann's award-winning musical film, which arrives Down Under hot off the back of a much-lauded launch season on Broadway. The show brings to life the famed Belle Époque tale of young composer Christian and his heady romance with Satine, actress and star of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret. Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, the film's known for its soundtrack, celebrating iconic tunes from across the past five decades. The stage show carries on the legacy, backing those favourites with even more hit songs that have been released in the 18 years since the movie premiered. [caption id="attachment_734113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Regent Theatre by Josie Withers[/caption] The musical is heading to Melbourne in the hands of production company Global Creatures, along with the Victorian Government. The Government will also be a big player behind the Regent's upgrade works, having dropped a cool $14.5 million towards the $19.4 million project. It co-owns the site, along with the City of Melbourne. Once complete, the new-look theatre will be able to be set to three different configurations, from 1500 seats, to 1700 seats, to 2300 seats for the bigger shows. As well as upgrades to its façade, the building will enjoy improvements to the theatre seating, revamped bar and foyer areas, extra women's bathroom facilities, and an extension to the existing balcony. Having survived a fire, a flood and a twenty-year closure from 1970 to the mid-90s, as well as many threats of demolition, the Regent seems pretty well deserving of its coming makeover. The Regent Theatre, at 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, is set to be completed by early 2020. It'll host Moulin Rouge! The Musical in 2021. Moulin Rouge! The Musical image: Matthew Murphy.
Staying up late absorbing after-dark art and culture might sound like a pastime reserved for inner city folk, but come May, that's exactly what the crowds will be doing in one of Melbourne's outer suburbs, too. Werribee is set to score a brand-new 24-hour arts festival filled with music, performances, live art and film. Simply dubbed 24, the inaugural fest is set to take over Chirnside Park from 6pm on Saturday, May 6 to 6pm on Sunday, May 7. It'll be an all-ages affair that's free to explore, with a jam-packed program of happenings to keep you entertained non-stop for 1440 minutes straight. The Riverside Stage will play host to a broad-ranging lineup of acts, including all-female Wurundjeri dance outfit Djirri Djirri, reggae singer-songwriter Nhatty Man, hip hop and spoken word artist NOMAD, and Amadou Suso & Friends Band, showing off those legendary skills on the kora (a West African stringed instrument). [caption id="attachment_895392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Chromatica', by David Beach[/caption] Tarabeat and MzRizk will treat audiences to a fusion of classic and contemporary Arabic tunes, Halo Vocal Ensemble will be delivering their signature RnB-soaked sound and indie-rock three-piece Berkeley will have the crowds thrashing. The multi-sensory fun continues away from the stage, with a slew of giant installations and live art performances. You'll spy the massive tune-spinning robotic insect UKI, recognisable from appearances at White Night and Burning Man, plus pop-up dance performances by Janette Hoe and a colourful cast of roving entertainers weaving through the night. [caption id="attachment_895393" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'UKI', by John Palmer[/caption] You can unleash your own creativity with a couple of large-scale interactive works by Slow Art Collection, wander through a luminous garden maze made entirely from recycled plastics, and see artist and designer Callum Preston (set builder for RONE's Time) transform a beat-up car into a neon masterpiece live in front of your eyes. There's a giant interactive kaleidoscope, games of glow-in-the-dark tennis and a silent disco that'll have you bopping from 11pm until 7am. You can even put your feet up, pop on some headphones and catch a flick, thanks to the 24-Hour Outdoor Cinema, which'll be screening back-to-back classics right through the festival. And of course, to keep you fuelled for all that late-night action, there'll be food trucks onsite slinging a wide array of goodies. [caption id="attachment_895397" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Callum Preston[/caption] [caption id="attachment_895388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Slow Art Collective[/caption] [caption id="attachment_895389" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Imaginary Botanicals' by The Indirect Object[/caption] The inaugural 24 will run from 6pm on Saturday, May 6–6pm on Sunday, May 7, at Chirnside Park, 220 Watton Street, Werribee. Top image: Halo Vocal Ensemble
When something on HBO proves a huge hit, the US cable network goes all in. One case in point: all things Game of Thrones, including the just-arrived House of the Dragon, plus the hefty list of other spinoffs also in the works. Another example: Euphoria, with creator Sam Levinson now behind another HBO series that's filled with parties, drugs, attractive actors and plenty of drama — aka The Idol, which keeps dropping teaser trailers. The show itself doesn't have a release date yet, but it has just released its second sneak peek after first giving viewers a glimpse back in July. This time around, the teaser builds on the music industry-set show's suitably wild vibe and spells out the cast list. With both, it isn't holding back. Levinson teams up with Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye on the series, with the latter co-creating The Idol and starring in it. The focus: a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, played by the musician, as well as the up-and-coming pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp, Voyagers that he starts a complicated relationship with. From the two trailers so far, Depp's character clearly gets thrust into a heady new world — and here, as gets mentioned in the latest clip, sex definitely sells. For viewers, a cast that includes Red Rocket's Suzanna Son, Boy Erased's Troye Sivan, Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy, singer-songwriter Moses Sumney, BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, Only Murders in the Building's Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Hacks' Jane Adams, Bodies Bodies Bodies' Rachel Sennott and Inglourious Basterds' Eli Roth should be a definite selling point, too. Also set to pop up in the series: Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Hari Nef (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel), Steve Zissis (Happy Death Day 2U), Melanie Liburd (This Is Us), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story), Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Saved By the Bell) and Nico Hiraga (Booksmart), plus Anne Heche (All Rise) in what'll be one of her last performances. When it was originally announced in November 2021, The Idol was set to span six episodes, all filmed in Los Angeles — with She Dies Tomorrow's Amy Seimetz directing every single one. But back in April this year, it was revealed that Seimetz had left the project and reshoots were underway as a result. How that'll impact the end product is obviously yet to be seen — but the teasers so far should have you intrigued anyway. Check out the latest teaser trailer for The Idol below: The Idol doesn't yet have a release date, including Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
Size might not always matter, but when it comes to a sun-drenched rooftop? Well, that's when that saying about bigger being better most certainly rings true. And Melbourne's CBD is about to score a sizeable sky-high destination that's on track to be its biggest rooftop bar yet. The crew behind barbecue joint Fancy Hanks and openair upstairs sibling Good Heavens first revealed their expansion plans for the two Bourke Street venues back in late 2021, after acquiring multiple levels of the site next door. On the cards: a tripling of Good Heavens' sky-high footprint, a refreshed look for the space, and the addition of new bar and pub Springrock downstairs in the former Grand Trailer Park Taverna digs. While the project has been met with delays across the past 12 months, the build is now underway — and the team's dropped a few more details as to what we can look forward to when it's all done and dusted. [caption id="attachment_890060" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Patrick and Kent Bell, by Eugene Hyland[/caption] Slated to open in June is Good Heavens' new and improved rooftop, occupying a record-breaking monster of a space above the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets. Under its next guise, executed by Ewert Leaf, the venue's set to embrace a modernised 70s look, sporting a central al fresco fireplace and brutalist-inspired bar façade. As hinted last year, an expanded bar offering will include up to 40 taps, celebrating beer, spritzes and cocktails for all palates. Good Heavens will remain open as normal while the works continue. The wait will be slightly longer for the next phase of the expansion, Springrock, which is set to launch towards the end of the year. Here, the owners are out to offer a destination dedicated to "uncomplicated fun" — a casual, unpretentious pub-style haunt that'll have a 3am license, footy on the big screens and live tunes playing until late. Springrock's menu will take some cues from the taverns of NYC, while also taking advantage of Fancy Hanks' impressive smoker. It's a playful, creative lineup set to feature the likes of crab cake sandwiches, hotdog beef tartare, chicken nuggets paired with Yarra Valley caviar, and a nod to the age-old favourite banana split. Local wines and a hefty range of Long Island iced tea varieties will headline the drinks list. In the meantime, Fancy Hanks is kicking on as usual. Once the whole project is complete, the three venues will work as separate haunts, although you'll be able to easily hop between them all. [caption id="attachment_635010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fancy Hanks[/caption] The next phase of Good Heavens will open at Level 2, 79 Bourke Street, Melbourne, from June. Springrock is set to open in late 2023. Top image: Chip Mooney.
THE Rodriguez is coming back to Australia. Touring nationally this October and November, the 72-year-old enigmatic legend was last here in 1981 playing with Midnight Oil, after touring in the late '70s to small success. Now he's riding a wave of newfound support back to our biggest venues, thanks in part to two South African fans. Most people had no idea who Sixto Rodriguez was until the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man dropped in 2012, prompting longtime fans to shake a fist and spin a bitter "I told you so." A self-taught guitarist, Rodriguez played around the traps in Detroit during the '60s but saw no real success in the States with his two albums Cold Fact (1969) and Coming from Reality (1971). Different story in South Africa, where he was pretty much bigger than Elvis — inspiring South African anti-Apartheid activists and musicians alike (unbeknownst to Rodriguez himself). One of music's most mysterious heroes, Rodriguez was even thought to have died until two Cape Town fans in the late 1990s, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom went to find out if the rumours were true (cue Oscar-winning doco). The man also has a cheeky bachelor's degree in philosophy from Wayne State University, he ran for political office and he's had to work construction jobs to support his family. Undeniable and relatively unknown legend. Rodriguez will play Brisbane Convention Centre, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne's Palais Theatre, Adelaide's AEC Theatre and Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Tickets on sale on Thursday August 28 at 12pm local time. Members of the Niche mailing list and ticket agent mailing lists can purchase pre-sale tickets on Tuesday 26 August at 12pm until Wednesday 27 August at 5pm. For further details or to sign up to the mailing list please visitwww.nicheproductions.com.au. Rodriguez Australian Tour Dates: Sunday October 19 — Convention Centre, Brisbane. Tickets via Ticketek or 132 849. Tuesday October 21 and Thursday October 23 — Sydney Opera House. Tickets via Opera House Box Office or 02 9270 7111. Saturday October 25 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne. Tickets via Ticketmaster or 136 100. Wednesday October 29 — AEC Theatre, Adelaide. Tickets via Ticketek or 132 849. Friday November 7 — Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth. Tickets via Ticketmaster or 136 100. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qyE9vFGKogs
To find perfection in one single, suburban cafe, nestled snugly at the end of the 96 tram line seems so scandalous you'd find it only on Today Tonight (RIP). So when Milkwood provided all this with one visit, a single lamington, a take-home baguette and a perfectly frothed latte, I felt a little stunned in my strangely satisfied stomach. Milkwood is one of those rare cafe's that builds precedent for visitors to prance around Melbourne with an upturned nose and unrealistic standards for meals that can sometimes be matched, but never exceeded. The coffee was beyond spot on, the chicken baguette was lashed with so much mayo I could have happily drowned in it, and the lamington was deserving of a paragraph all to itself. Here is said paragraph. Lamingtons are begging to be messed up. They combine three components, each as difficult as the next to perfect, with the ratio of each being just as susceptible to failure. Milkwood's lamington got it all right to a tee. The sponge could have stood solo as a cake, the chocolate covering was sweet, smooth and anything but sickly, and the coconut was the thick, soft kind that doesn't come in a black and gold packet. And, the jam – an addition usually added to a baked good to compensate for lack of thrill — just added to an already sold spectacle. I ate one that day. And then close to a dozen in the weeks that followed. Lamingtons aside, there's something remarkably humble about Milkwood that is striking from first step up and in to the cafe. It's cosy, without being claustrophobic, pretty without being tacky, and smells like grandma, but not the one in the nursing home. All of their baked goods are made in store, the selection of which is anything but constrained. From carrot cake to muffins, baguettes to a perfect eggs Benedict, they've got enough meals and treats to fill a Margaret Fulton cook book, and cement it as a best seller. All it takes is the simple perusal of some photos and the realisation that Milkwood is affordable, cosy and delicious to catch on to the questions that its customers tend to ask — why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast food?
One of Australia's most beloved film critics is coming to a cinema near you — and she's bringing some of the greatest movies ever made along for the trip. Co-curated by Margaret Pomeranz, the Hollywood Retro Film Festival will showcase 22 classic titles from the 1930s to the 1960s, many which have not been seen on the big screen in decades. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Trying to narrow down the program into a list of highlights is all but impossible — after all, there's not a single weak film on there. The Searchers, Spartacus and Gone with the Wind should please fans of historic drama, while lovers of film noir can catch Sunset Boulevard and The Maltese Falcon. If you want something a little lighter, try It's a Wonderful Life, or tap your toes along to Singin' in the Rain. And if you're really undecided, perhaps try Citizen Kane. We hear that one's meant to be pretty solid. See the full Hollywood Retro Film Festival program here.
Huge news, food lovers — especially if you've ever had a steak at Rockpool Bar & Grill, a pink blossom cocktail at Saké, some meat and bread at the Burger Project, a parma pizza at Fratelli Fresh or a stein at Munich Brauhaus. Until this week, some of those eateries were owned by Urban Purveyor Group, and some by Rockpool Group. Now, they've joined forces, pulled them all under one umbrella, and created the epic hospitality venture that is Rockpool Dining Group. Yep, all of your favourite restaurants are now part of the same company, including Spice Temple, The Cut Steakhouse, Rosetta, Bavarian Bier Cafe, El Camino Cantina, Fratelli Famous, Café Ananas and Saké Jr as well. The group's portfolio spans 47 places and 15 restaurant brands across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth, and features Tex-Mex and Asian-fusion venues, plus everything in between. Sounds pretty epic — and if you're a fan of Rockpool's Neil Perry, don't worry' he's the head of culinary for the combined outfit. His most recent venture, the more casual Eleven Bridge in Sydney, isn't part of the merger. Creating a tasty Frankenstein's monster of the culinary and dining world comes with added resources, obviously, which all us hungry folks will enjoy in the form of new must-eat destinations. Rockpool Dining Group expects their portfolio to grow to more than 80 eateries over the next 12 months. And, if that's not enough, they plan to expand to more than 200 over the next few years. We already knew that Brisbane is going to get on the Munich Brauhaus train; however other new projects such as a second Rosetta at Grosvenor Place in Sydney, a smaller-format Spice Temple and a Rockpool Bar Series are also slated. And they're looking abroad as well, with the group in early discussions to open first venues in both London and Los Angeles.
Describing itself as a candy store but for herbs and spices, Gewürzhaus presents visitors with 350 single-origin spices, herbs, salts, peppers, teas and sugars imported from around the world. Located inside the CBD's Block Arcade, the shop also stocks more than 100 small-batch blends that are mixed and milled in-store on a weekly basis. From premium quality thyme to sage and tarragon, send your tastebuds into overdrive as your cooking will assuredly be taken to whole new levels following your visit. Images: Parker Blain.
Julie — the hatted bistro in the Abbotsford Convent — is getting a helping hand through the cold weather. Each month in winter, a different chef is taking over the restaurant, bringing unique and, most importantly, comforting dishes to the menu. In May, Canadian chef Emmanuelle Leftick was in charge. Now, it's Diana Desensi, who'll be running the show throughout June. She's worked with a bunch of Melbourne's top chefs, including Karen Martini and Matt Wilkinson, and was a key player in the opening of Saint George in St Kilda. At Julie, Desensi is bringing a five-course feast to the table. Start with house-made ricotta and agrodolce alongside fresh focaccia, before moving onto bacalao croquette and Zio's salumi with persimmon relish. Next comes Desensi's favourite — the pasta — in the form of cacio tortelli with radicchio and milk sauce. The main is lamb abbacchio with Reggiano, served with sides of Roman beans with olive and lemon, and garden leaves dressed in anchovy and lemon. Finish up with amarena cherry and chocolate torte. Desensi will be at Julie from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 29th. In July, chef Harriet Tomlinson will take the reins. Top image: Marie-Luise.
Here's news to restart Australia's city rivalries: in 2024, just like in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Melbourne is home to the country's best pizza. This year, however, so is Sydney as well. That's the word from the experts at the 2024 50 Top Pizza awards for the Asia Pacific, which keeps enjoying slices from Victorian chain 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar — but this time, it loved the Harbour City's Al Taglio just as much. Both pizzerias have been named in the top-five slice-slinging joints in the Asia Pacific for this year, sharing fifth spot. They're the only Australian eateries in the top ten, but New Zealand's Dante's Pizzeria Napoletana came in sixth. If sending some affection 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar's way sounds familiar, that's because it happens often. As well as its Top 50 Pizza successes, the Melbourne pizzeria with outposts in South Yarra and Elsternwick was also crowned #1 Pizza in Australia at the Pizza World Championships in 2019. Back at the Top 50 Pizza gongs, only 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar placed on 2023's global list, too, with the Melbourne chain coming in 41st. Al Taglio popped up in the next 50, at number 63. How they'll each fare worldwide in 2024 won't be announced until September. This year's best Asia Pacific pizzerias were named at a ceremony at the Italian Institute of Culture in Tokyo. Running for the last seven years, the 50 Top Pizza awards are chosen by around 1000 experts across the globe, who visit the pizzerias anonymously to judge and rank their offerings. The annual international pizzeria guide chooses its picks based not just on the merit of their slices, but on each pizzeria as a whole, rating the food, drinks, service and overall ambiance. In top spot in the Asia Pacific this year: The Pizza Bar on 38th in Tokyo, which also earned the same placing in 2023. In second came Crosta Pizzeria in Makati in The Philippines, followed by RistoPizza in Tokyo in third, Hong Kong's Fiata by Salvatore in fourth and then the Aussie double shared fifth spot. A handful of other Aussie venues were also among 2024's Asia Pacific top 50 best pizzerias, starting with Sydney's Queen Margherita of Savoy in 23rd place. Lil Franky Pizzeria, also in the New South Wales capital, ranked 27th — and Gigi's Pizza, similarly in the city, came in at 30th. From Melbourne, Il Caminetto sits in 31st spot, Shop225 in 32nd and +39 Pizzeria in 33rd. Maestro Sourdough Pizza in Perth also earned some attention, ranking 43rd — and Sydney's Pizza Madre rounded out the list by coming in at 50th. Find 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar at 373 Malvern Road, South Yarra and 15 Gordon Street, Elsternwick. For the full 50 Top Pizza Asia Pacific awards list, jump over to the website. Craving a slice, Melburnians? Check out our top picks for pizza in Melbourne. 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar images: Hi Sylvia.
