Melbourne loves a good pop-up almost as much as we also love Mexican inspired anything. Las Laneway Fiesta from Si Senor Pop Up Art Taqueria brings these two favoured somethings together in a perfect marriage over four weekends. The work of four up-and-coming street artists will offer an aesthetic accompaniment to the tasty tacos, with an additional ten artists part of the wider festival. Speaking of tacos, they will be served courtesy of ex Mamasita Chef Guillermo Ortiz, to be washed down with tequila and mezcal cocktails by Cabo Wabo and Espolon. Expect Latin beats, a cool visual projection from the peeps behind White Night Melbourne (Projection Teknik) and live graffiti in this all round Mexican fiesta. Leave the fish bowl at home — that's just tacky!
There is nothing wrong with grown ups playing with Lego. Just ask architectural artist Adam Reed Tucker. In collaboration with Lego, Reed has created two new series in the Lego line which aim to celebrate the world's most iconic landmarks by bringing them to Lego life. For Reed, the humble lego brick has been somewhat of a revelation and he sees his mini lego creations as 'interpretations rather than replicas'. And he's right. Despite the fact that his creations are made of a toy you may have tried to eat as a toddler, they are undeniably sophisticated, artistic and a challenging exercise in right-brained fun. The Lego Architectural line consists of a Landmark Series and an Architect Series. The landmark series allows architectural enthusiastics to assemble their very own Empire State Building, White House or Rockerfeller Center, while the architect series pays homage to some of the world's greatest architects, in particular Frank Lloyd Wright. There is both a Lego creation of Wright's Solomon R. Guggneheim Museum and his Fallingwater, now one of the world's most famous and visited residences. The Lego Architectural line is a fresh and clever take on a much loved old toy , and a great gift for the young (or not so young) architects in your life. Or you might just want to keep it for yourself.
As far as food preservation methods go, smoking might just be the tastiest. It's one of the oldest ways of keeping food edible for long amounts of time, but nowadays, its popularity probably has more to do with how tasty the results are. "You can't really recreate it, that extra flavour you get from the wood and the charcoal," says Jose Lagos, head chef at The Erko in Sydney, "you can't get that any other way." In case you haven't noticed, smoking has become something of a trend for all kinds of food — and even drink. Take for example the Wild Turkey Kentucky Firebird cocktail smoking things up at The Beaufort and Ike's every Thursday this month until June 15. Obviously, smoking stuff now applies to more than just meats. So, how can you bring this trend home and start smoking things in your own kitchen? We caught up with Jose, as well as Jaimee Edwards from Sydney's Cornersmith and Eli Challenger of Challenger Smallgoods (who both teach Cornersmith workshops on home smoking if you find yourself in Sydney) to chat about the best ways to start smoking your own food and drink at home. From meats to vegetables, drinks to dairy to desserts, everything's up for grabs when it comes to home smoking, provided you get it right. "Fuel, temperature and time," Eli says. "Manage those three variables and you're good." MEATS There is a slew of methods to smoking at home, but arguably the easiest — also the method taught by Cornersmith in their workshops — is wok smoking. Rather than splashing out on a full-on smoker, look to your wok to get things smoking. It's as simple as lining the bottom of a wok with tin foil, heating up your fuel (wood or charcoal) in the foil until it smokes, and sticking your meat on a rack above. Cover the whole deal with more foil, and you've got a smoker you can stick right on your stovetop. Consistency and the right product are key to smoking meat at home. Also, fat content is essential to getting the whole spectrum of flavours into smoked meats, as some of the compounds in the smoke will only be absorbed by fat. "In any smoke that comes off the wood," Eli says, "you're going to have some compounds in the smoke that are fat-soluble and some that are water-soluble." According to Eli, picking a cut with a bit of fat and a bit of lean is essential to getting the right result. "That's why you'll often find when people do barbecue for example, they use fattier cuts like brisket and shoulder, because they have a good mix of fat and lean, so you get a really complex depth of smoked flavour in there." VEGGIES While smoking revolves primarily around meats, bear in mind that you can smoke pretty much anything if you're brave enough. Smoking is not a process reserved just for brisket and pork, explains Jaimee Edwards, workshop coordinator and fermenter at Cornersmith. "It's used in so many different cuisines, and non-animal products really take up the smoke flavour really well." Smokey veg is absolutely delicious, but getting vegetables in prime smokey form can be a little trickier since they don't have much fat content and the fat-soluble smoke flavours can't squeeze their way into the flavour profile. With that being the case, it's essential to add a little fat to your raw ingredients. Oils are a great source of fat for smoking vegetables. Something like a good sesame oil is ideal, which allows the smoke to form a flavour profile, all while adding its own nutty taste to the end product. You should also note that veg smokes excellently on a stovetop wok smoker, given the versatility and ease of the homemade apparatus. "You can do everything," Jaimee says, "from tofu to nuts, to pieces of meat, seafood and vegetables." COCKTAILS Although for food, that smokey taste is a happy by-product of a technique originally developed to preserve food, when it comes to smoking a beverage, the whole process simply boils down to getting those smokey flavours into a drink — there ain't nothing functional about it. There are many ways to make this happen, whether it's by using a smoking gun to inject hot smoke into an old fashioned, using smoked water to make ice for the drink, or by simply burning a cinnamon stick inside a glass. Whatever your method, the result is delicious, especially with whisky and bourbon. That's why the Wild Turkey Kentucky Firebird cocktail works so well. The cocktail combines the sweetness of bourbon, with the bitterness of Cinzano Rosso and a citrus kick from Grand Marnier, taking it all to another level with American oak chips smoked to order for each cocktail. "You can't go wrong with that," Eli says about smoking drinks. "I mean, you're just adding more depth and complexity to it." CHEESE Welcome to the advanced class. Smoking things requires well, smoke, thus requiring heat, so something that melts when heat is applied makes the process a bit more complex. While smoked cheeses are incredible, they require a more complicated cold smoking method, where the smoke is kept between 20 and 30 degrees. Maintaining this kind of temperature at home can be a bit tricky, but if you can pull it off, the rewards are plentiful. Since cheese is already packed with its own individual flavours, you don't have to go to town with the smoker to get great results. "You don't want [the cheese] to be too flavoursome," Jaimee says. "Unlike meat, where the flavours are all really robust, with cheeses and butters, it's a bit more delicate." Rather than smoking for hours on end like you might do for a cut of brisket, use a lighter touch to smoke your dairy. Once you get it right, it's totally worth it. "Man, when you get a smoked brie, or a smoked butter, or a smoked olive oil…" Eli says, "it's awesome." DESSERTS Speaking of smoking dairy, when it comes to smoked desserts, Jaimee explains how most are generally dairy based, which is the part that needs gentle smoking. Desserts tend to have the same qualities as cheese — see high melt factor — so you can't directly apply them to heat and expect great results. As such, getting smoke into your desserts also requires a cold smoke. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, however, there are other ways to get that smokey goodness into your sweet treats. Jose simplifies the process by suggesting smoking the smaller elements of a dessert, which can then be added to the bigger dish. For example, nuts have a high-fat content so they smoke well and can be managed on your home wok smoker. Take some macadamias, smoke 'em good, then bake them into a brownie — you get all the rich, sweetness of the brownie delightfully paired with pockets of smokey flavour. There are plenty of ways to get excellent smokey goodness into your desserts, and finding out those combinations is the best part of the game. Overall, smoking is all about trial and error. "Keep playing and keep experimenting," explains Eli. "That's the fun of barbecue." If you need some extra inspiration to kick your home smoking into gear, head to The Beaufort and Ike's on Thursdays until June 15 to sip a Wild Turkey Kentucky Firebird smoked cocktail, and contemplate all you can start smoking at home.
After more than three decades on the road, Counting Crows are heading back Down Under. The Grammy-nominated rockers will return to Australia and New Zealand in March and April 2026 for The Complete Sweets! tour, marking their first visit in several years. Kicking off at Auckland's Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on Sunday, March 23, the band will then head to Adelaide's Festival Theatre on March 27, Sydney's Enmore Theatre on March 29, and wrap things up at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on April 1. View this post on Instagram A post shared by adam d (@countingcrows) The tour celebrates over 30 years of the group's signature mix of heartfelt lyrics and melodic storytelling — the sound that made tracks like Mr. Jones and Accidentally in Love enduring favourites. Led by frontman Adam Duritz, Counting Crows continue to draw crowds around the world, praised for their powerful live performances and nostalgic setlists that blend hits with deep cuts. Tickets go on sale to the general public from Monday, October 20 at 11am local time, with Mastercard, One NZ and Live Nation pre-sales opening from Thursday, October 16. Counting Crows' 'The Complete Sweets!' tour hits Australia and New Zealand in March and April 2026. Visit Live Nation for full ticket details.
Nearly twelve months after announcing the location for Australia's first Pride Centre, the Victorian Government has revealed the designs for the St Kilda structure. Local firms Grant Amon Architects and Brearley Architects & Urbanists will be responsible for what's certain to prove an important and influential building, both in its appearance and thanks to its status as a dedicated LGBTI hub. The St Kilda outfits were selected from a pool of 18 submissions, with the finished product due to open at 79-81 Fitzroy Street in 2020. The building will house up to ten major resident organisations — including JOY FM, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Midsumma Festival, the Victorian Aids Council, LGBTQI Multi Culture, Multi Faith, Team Melbourne and the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives — and also offer flexible and multi-use spaces. Among them: a health service, library, training room and meeting rooms, as well as a café and bar, a theatrette and a gallery. "We wanted the winning design to be a building that our LGBTQI community can be proud of owning, a place of celebration and a safe sanctuary," said Jude Munro AO, Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre board. "This design is inspirational and more than satisfies these criteria. Our aim is for the Pride Centre to be a catalyst for the revival of Fitzroy Street and to fit into the St Kilda design vernacular which this design does superbly." Modelled after San Francisco's LGBTI Community Centre, the Victorian Pride Centre will receive $15 million in State Government funding, plus $13 million from the City of Port Phillip. "It will be a space for the community and LGBTI organisations to share ideas, collaborate and celebrate our diversity — it's also at a key site the Pride March goes past," said Minister for Equality Martin Foley. For more information, visit www.pridecentre.org.au
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Jackalope Hotel at the Mornington Peninsula. We've partnered with this boutique hotel to create a wine-filled weekend getaway that can only be found on Concrete Playground Trips. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Inside and out, this is one sexy hotel. The sleek interiors were dreamt up by Carr — one of Australia's top architecture and design firms — and are complemented by specially commissioned artworks. The entire building is also designed to take advantage of the stunning views across the surrounding vineyard, whether it's from the rooms, restaurant or 30-metre infinity pool. THE ROOMS Each of the 45 rooms comes with floor-to-celling windows and private terraces overlooking the estate while the suites (saucily referred to as "lairs") are even more luxe — think fully-functioning fireplaces, loft ceilings and even greater views. A dangerously attractive Bond villain would be right at home. Design wise, the rooms are understated with simple black and white finishes (mostly black), filled with custom-built furniture from Melbourne designer and manufacturer Zuster as well as lavish bathroom features including rain showers and jet-black bathtubs. FOOD AND DRINK When staying at Jackalope Hotel, you should dine at its opulent on site restaurant, Doot Doot Doot. Head chef Guy Stanaway runs the kitchen, serving up a regularly changing degustation menu that celebrates farm-to-table dining, injecting refined playfulness into each dish (and is an extremely reasonable $140 per person). You can also head over to Flaggerdoot, the hotel's cocktail lounge, that feels more like a gallery space than bar. It is housed in Edwardian homestead McCormick House (which dates back to 1876) but has been filled with an eclectic collection of art pieces. The faceless busts, geometric light installations and mirrored surfaces make the space a feast for the eyes. THE LOCAL AREA Set between Red Hill and Balnarring at the Mornington Peninsula, Jackalope is in the perfect position for exploring the famous region. There are over 50 cellar doors and restaurants scattered across the surrounding hills, as well as a stunning collection of beaches, golf courses and hiking trails — there's no doubt a long weekend spent here will be a memorable one. THE EXTRAS Extras abound at Jackalope. First off, there is the obligatory spa. Head here for massages, facials and scrubs or purchase the Jackalope x Alba package to get special access to the new Alba thermal spa oasis. They also run yoga classes, organise day trips around the area and take guests on guided tours of the vineyard. It truly is an incredible stay in every conceivable way, and that's why we've teamed up with the boutique hotel to create a one-of-a-kind long weekend package that includes a two-night stay, a wine tasting experience at its own cellar door, daily breakfasts at Doot Doot Doot and a whole host of extra bits. This is perfect for those wanting to relax in style, filling their days with sensational food and wine. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Housing shortages in Australia are pushing residents and buyers to extreme lengths. That's old news, but realestate.com.au reports that buyers are moving closer to the shoreline and away from capitals. Fair enough, considering that Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra are among the 100 cities with the highest cost of living worldwide. According to a 2025 study by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, over 85 percent of Australia's population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast. That's not stopping aspiring homeowners from pushing closer and closer to the water, with value booms well underway in coastal towns nationwide, while other suburbs still fly under the frenzied market radar. But which towns are seeing the most excitement? [caption id="attachment_990482" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Courtesy of Lake Macquarie City[/caption] NSW's Port Kembla, with a comparatively generous average median price (AVM) of $1.01 million, saw a 13 percent growth in enquiries in the last year, making it the most in-demand regional suburb in the entire state. It's followed by other New South Wales coastal towns such as Tweed Heads, Swansea, Wollongong, Byron Bay, and multiple suburbs in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area. In Victoria, Geelong is a red-hot area, with Newcomb leading (AVM $609,000), and East Geelong, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, and Ocean Grove all seeing growth in enquiries over the last year. Gippsland follows, with Grantville, Ventnor and Coronet Bay all taking other spots in the top ten. [caption id="attachment_890754" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Queenslanders are flocking to the Gold Coast in droves, specifically to Currumbin, Tugun, Southport, Runaway Bay and Labrador — which has the lowest AVM of its neighbours at $1.12 million. The Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday area is also seeing interest in Bucasia, South Mackay and Slade Point, while the Sunshine Coast is seeing action in Currimundi and Mooloolaba. In WA, the Bunbury region is dominating the market in all ten places, with Quindalup leading by 54 enquiries, a 21 percent growth and with an AVM of $1.883 million. In South Australia, Port Augusta is the most sought-after location, with 41 enquiries per listing, while Devonport in Tasmania leads with 48 enquiries per listing. This article references data from PropTrack, as reported on by realestate.com.au. Lead image: FiledIMAGE via iStock
Christmas Day is a time of gathering together and celebrating the year with loved ones, but too often we can get bogged down with the stress of preparing an extravagant spread for our guests. Book in for a multi-course feast that's prepared for you this year, so you can ditch the time spent in the kitchen and simply sit back and enjoy a hassle-free Christmas Day with family and friends. The Pass has you covered with a range of festive feasts across their venues in Melbourne, from Italian fare at sunny Tippy-Tay to oysters at the beachy Prince Hotel and Christmas classics at Melbourne's oldest licensed pub. The Prince It wouldn't be a summer Christmas without some fresh seafood, so get your fix at this airy art-deco dining room near the beach in St Kilda. Gather your family at The Prince for share-style plates, including Sydney rock oysters, prawn cocktail and prosciutto with gnocco fritto, before moving on to the main course of corn-fed roast duck and vintage sirloin steak, balanced out with some sides. After lunch, walk it off with a short stroll to the beach for a true-blue Aussie Christmas. Tickets are $130 for adults and $60 for kids, with two seating times. Book your spot at The Prince's website. Tippy-Tay Make this Christmas stand out with a trip to the Amalfi Coast, sans the airport queues and long flights. Vibrant Italian restaurant Tippy-Tay, located in the Garden State Hotel, is serving a four-course menu on Christmas Day, with a cheeky drink on arrival included. Start with some antipasto, such as salmon crudo, squacquerone cheese with tomato and gremolata, and Akoya oysters with a peach and finger lime mignonette, followed by two pastas, a roast flounder and lamb shoulder. If that's not enough, you'll also be treated to a classic Christmas trifle and pavlova before you leave. The set menu is $150 per person and $75 for kids. Book your spot at Tippy-Tay's website. State of Grace For something more low-key, head to CBD bar State of Grace for a casual — but hearty — three-course lunch of modern Australian plates. Expect dishes such as a seafood platter with rainbow trout carpaccio and oysters, stracciatella with pickled mushrooms and crispy fruit loaf, roasted porterhouse with red wine jus, pan-seared barramundi with sauce vierge, and cannoli and Christmas pudding for dessert. A vegetarian menu is also available. Close out the day at the rooftop bar with festive drinks and city skyline views. The set menu is $165 for adults and $55 for children, with two seating times. Book your spot at the State of Grace's website. Village Belle Known for its beloved Sunday roast, you can look forward to standout Christmas classics at this laidback St Kilda pub. The Village Belle's Christmas offering is full of familiar family favourites, including oysters, Queensland prawns, a tomato and mozzarella salad and cold cuts, followed by bourbon and apricot-glazed ham, slow-cooked turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing. For dessert, there's mince pies, cherries, and a loaded strawberry and passionfruit pav. The set menu is $125 for adults and $50 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book your spot at the Village Belle's website. The Smith For al fresco vibes without the risk of getting caught in any unpredictable weather, pull up a seat at The Smith's light-filled atrium with a retractable roof. The menu has a real mix of surf and turf, from prawn cocktail and oysters to pork terrine, honey and mustard-glazed ham, and turkey with sage and onion stuffing. The Smith have swapped out the pavlova for a cosy Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, as well as a tasteful cheese selection. The set menu is $145 for adults and $45 for kids, with two seating times. Book in at The Smith's website. Yarra Botanica Skip the meal prep and cleaning duties, and ring in Christmas with a glass of bubbly overlooking the Yarra River instead at the Yarra Botanica. The pontoon bar is serving their full food and drinks menu all day, but you can also opt out of any decision making with a $95 set menu, which includes a glass of sparkling. The share-style menu includes prawn cocktail, lamb chops with coffee-infused jus and curry leaf cream, cherry-infused meatloaf with cherry jus and burnt onion, and lamingtons and pavlova to finish. Book a table at the Yarra Botanica's website. Imperial Hotel One of the advantages of a summer Christmas is that you can celebrate in the sunshine. Head up to the Imperial Hotel's rooftop for lunch and tipples paired with panoramic views across the city skyline. Downstairs, the Bourke Street pub is serving a range of festive plates with a three-course, share-style feast. If you'd rather pick and choose, the Imperial Hotel will have its usual à la carte offerings available on the rooftop. The set menu is $140 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book a table at the Imperial Hotel's website. Bridge Hotel Keep Christmas casual this year at the charismatic and eccentric pub that is the Bridge Hotel. The Richmond institution features five themed spaces, a loft area and cobblestone laneway running through the venue. Come for a three-course feast of festive faves — think oysters, prawns, ham, turkey, mince pies and pavlova — and stay for 20 beers on tap and drinks in the laneway. The set menu is $120 for adults, $60 for kids 15 and under, and free for kids under four. Book your spot at the Bridge Hotel's website. The Duke of Wellington Since Christmas is so steeped in tradition, why not celebrate at Melbourne's oldest licensed pub? Don't let the recently renovated fitout fool you — The Duke of Wellington has been slinging drinks on Flinders Street for over 160 years. Enjoy a merry three-course spread at the pub's rustic Public Bar or elegant Dining Room, before closing out the day with drinks out on the rooftop. The set menu is $159 for adults and $49 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book your spot at The Duke of Wellington's website. Tables are filling fast so book in now. Find out more about The Pass at the website.
Located in Highett, southeast of Melbourne, Third Wheel must be doing something right. Only a few months after opening in June 2023, it had already won the prestigious Toby's Estate Local Legends award for Victoria, voted by members of the public. It's the brainchild of married chefs Jen Anstey and Mere Herewini and their friend Suzy Kyriakopoulos — the name Third Wheel is an in-joke about Suzy going into business with a couple. All three had over two decades of experience in the hospitality game before deciding to open their own space. Unsurprisingly, having professional chefs behind the wheel means the menu is a cut above your standard cafe fare. There aren't many local spots offering aleppo pepper calamari or chilli eggs with prawn toast alongside your daily cappuccino. The culinary adventures don't stop there, though – there's a rotating cast of specials. Pork katsu ciabatta and confit duck with poached egg and potato rosti are just two of the recent highlights. The trio has also branched out into pop-up dinners with snacks, share plates and main courses, meaning that, if you were so inclined, you could visit Third Wheel for your first, second and third meal of the day.
In White Oaks, New Mexico you won't find much. It's a ghost town. The place now only exists in the collective memory of 'Merica as the place frequented by Billy The Kid and other Old West ratbags; if the saloon doors could talk, they would have had a lot to say. That's why they called it the Wild West. So, from one saloon to another, Greville Street's White Oaks Saloon Bar & Dining is a world away from the New Mexico desert, after which it is named. But the best thing is that it doesn't matter — White Oaks isn't a venue that relies on the theme of the southwest pocket of the States, but one that simply encompasses it in its details, drinks and bar food. It's not so much a love of the Wild West that spurred Nick Welch to open the western-inspired bar, but a love of the regions' spirits. He also runs an importing business — bringing in top-shelf spirits, bitters and liqueurs from the US — so the shelves are stocked with lots of interesting liquids. This ensures the cocktail list sees a classic repertoire spun with a unique, southern influence, even boasting a few barrel-aged sips. Hard liquor shouldn't be ingested on an empty stomach, so the White Oaks kitchen matches the booze with some warm, heavy comfort food. Choose from things like the Cajun chicken tacos, deep-fried shrimp sliders, Louisiana crab cakes and southern fried chicken. This stuff's good for snacking, but comes secondary to what's behind the bar. It's all in the details here though: the special Japanese ice machine, the metal straws, the brass-topped bar. It's also in the fact that Welch knows his stuff about spirits (just ask) and can make you a drink you probably won't get anywhere else in the city. The ability to book a table might have something to do with it, too. If you don't want to sit up at the bar under their red neon sign, the space continues into the next shopfront, with many a dark corner to cosy up into. Tackling the southern-western double whammy without sending the theme into overdrive is a tough line to toe, but White Oaks does it with finesse. This isn't a themed bar — although swinging saloon doors do feature — it's a bar with style and some of the best cocktails south of the river. Images: Griffin Simm.
There's nothing like escaping your neighbourhood and hitting the road to explore a new one with a great playlist pumping through the car speakers. One common journey is that from Melbourne to Sydney and, with so many places to stop off, it's clear why travellers choose to drive it. Plus, the Dog on the Tuckerbox needs a regular visit. We've highlighted ten country towns to visit along the way, so you can fill your journey with nature walks, wineries, the Big Merino and some of the best bakeries the country has to offer. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_795806" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yindyamurra Sculpture Walk, Destination NSW[/caption] CYCLE THROUGH AN OUTDOOR SCULPTURE GALLERY IN ALBURY Right on the border between Victoria and New South Wales, you'll find Albury. This vibrant city neighbouring Wodonga has plenty to explore. Stretch your legs by taking a stroll or hiring a bike and riding around the bends of the Murray River Precinct. By taking the Wagirra Trail, you can spot a string of sculptural works by local Aboriginal artists that portray the Wiradjuri peoples' connection with the river. Alternatively, grab some cheese from The Riverina Dairy and set up a picnic at one of the many riverside spots. For a more substantial meal, try out The River Deck, surrounded by the native trees, for some regional food. Spending the night? Book a room at the Astor Hotel, which was given a multimillion-dollar, Palm Springs-inspired revamp last year. [caption id="attachment_795807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courabyra Wines, Destination NSW[/caption] SIP ON COOL-CLIMATE WINES IN TUMBARUMBA Tumbarumba, locally known as Tumba, is a tiny town located on the western edge of the Snowy Mountains. It's known for its cool-climate wines and nature walks. Head to Courabyra Wines to pick up a bottle of chardonnay or pinot grigio — any passengers not sharing the driving can also enjoy a wine tasting — and, if you're feeling peckish, enjoy a seasonal produce platter on the balcony. Or, head to Nest to tuck into a dish made with local ingredients, take a look around the bookstore or catch a flick at the on-site cinema. This charming little cottage, located on the Johansen Wines vineyard, is the perfect little retreat for your overnight stay. [caption id="attachment_795792" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Batlow, Destination NSW[/caption] STOCK UP ON FRESH PRODUCE IN BATLOW Batlow is the apple of the Snowy Mountains region's eye. It's known for its apple orchards and bountiful produce, including cherries and pears. Grab some apples and local harvest from Wilgro Orchards' roadside stall and stop by Mouat's Farm for seasonal fruit, fresh apple juice and other goods, such as apple jelly and honey. And don't forget to take a photo at the Big Apple, too, just five kilometres north of the town. We suggest bunking down at art deco spot The Batlow Hotel for the night. [caption id="attachment_795793" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tumut, Destination NSW[/caption] CYCLE, HIKE AND SWIM YOUR WAY AROUND TUMUT If you like getting out in nature, you'll love what Tumut has to offer. Wander around the Tumut Wetlands or along the Tumut River Walk, hike one of the trails at Tumut State Forest or take a dip in Blowering Dam. Get to the know the landscape even better by heading to Kosciuszko National Park, which boasts plenty of wildlife, and take the Wiradjuri Aboriginal Cultural Tour to learn about native plants and bush tucker. The town is also home to plenty of country pubs, including The Royal Hotel and the Oriental Hotel, which offer great local feeds. Spend the night at heritage-listed luxury property The Monarch. [caption id="attachment_795809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dog on the Tuckerbox, Destination NSW[/caption] VISIT THE LEGENDARY DOG ON THE TUCKERBOX IN GUNDAGAI Home to the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox is Gundagai, a town just off the Hume Highway that has long provided weary travellers with a much-needed pee break, a spot for lunch and a place to stretch their legs. If you're in the mood for a hot pie, sausage roll, sandwich or sweet treat, head to Gundagai Bakery. If it's a good cup of coffee you're after, try The Coffee Pedaler along the main street. The town is also steeped in history, which you can learn about by taking the Architectural Heritage Walk, doing a tour of the Old Gundagai Gaol or stopping by the war memorial, ANZAC Grove. Kimo Estate has plenty of accommodation options for you, from luxury off-grid eco huts (complete with woodfired hot tubs and log fires), cosy cottages, the rustic six-bedroom Shearers Quarters and boutique hotel Flash Jacks. [caption id="attachment_795795" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Long Track Pantry, Destination NSW[/caption] STOCK UP ON LOCALLY MADE SNACKS IN JUGIONG Jugiong is a charming town just 20 minutes down the Hume Highway from Gundagai, sitting along the picturesque Murrumbidgee River. It features the award-winning Long Track Pantry, which boasts jams, relishes, chutneys, vinegars and sauces — all handmade in small batches — as well as olives, muesli and granola bars for the drive ahead. There's also the Jugiong Wine Cellar, sporting fine drops and beautiful artworks, and the Jugiong Country Experience where you can explore the town's history, heritage and rural allure after being 'held up' by a bushranger — who then becomes your tour guide. And every visit to Jugiong must include a visit to The Sir George. The local institution has a pub and an artisanal bakery, plus 19th-century former stone stables and modern barns, if you wish to spend the night. [caption id="attachment_795796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clementine Bakery, Destination NSW[/caption] ENJOY AN IMPROMPTU PICNIC IN THE PARK IN YASS Yass, a lively town right in the middle of sheep grazing country, offers a glimpse of laidback country living, scenic parks and plenty to eat and drink. Start by grabbing some handmade baked goods from the small artisanal bakery, Clementine Bakery, and finding a spot under a tree to eat them at Banjo Paterson Park, named after the famous writer and poet. Then, step back in time at Yass Railway Museum, which boasts a black 1307 steam locomotive, as well as the original loading bank, station building and station master's residence to peruse. This self-contained barn, based on a working cattle farm just out of town, hits the balance between luxurious and rustic country abode. [caption id="attachment_698049" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Big Merino, Destination NSW[/caption] SAY HELLO TO THE BIG MERINO IN GOULBURN Two hours shy of Sydney is Goulburn, known as the fine wool capital of Australia (and the world). This is proudly commemorated by the Big Merino — affectionately nicknamed Rambo by locals — standing over 15 metres high and 18 metres long. Suffice to say, it's hard to miss while passing by. The country city is also home to the historic 1830s inn Riversdale Homestead and the Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum which remembers the locals who fought in WWI. After your dose of history, feed your appetite at Harvest, a charming eatery that fuses fresh regional produce with contemporary food trends. If you're keen to spend more time in the area, we suggest booking in to Towrang Farm Stay, which is 20 minutes out of town. The homestead is based on a working farm, complete with sheep, horse, geese and chickens. Guests are encouraged to collect eggs for brekkie, pick fresh fruit from the orchard and even fish for trout in the nearby dam. [caption id="attachment_795799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bundanoon, Destination NSW[/caption] WANDER THROUGH BUSHLAND IN BUNDANOON Bundanoon, locally known as Bundy, is a small town in the Southern Highlands. Explore Fairy Bower Falls in Morton National Park, where a one-hour loop walk will take you past moss-covered rocks, small streams and to the top of a flowing waterfall said to sparkle in the sun. Or, take on the Erith Coal Mine Track, where a walk through heath, woodland and rainforest leads to an old coal mine, last in operation in 1915. After all that walking, stop off at Potter's Pantry for an award-winning coffee and bite of banana bread. A five-minute drive out of town is The Hut at Morton Ash Stable, a modern hut the owners built using timber milled from the property after the 2020 bushfires. [caption id="attachment_770408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dirty Janes, Destination NSW[/caption] DO A SPOT OF BOUTIQUE SHOPPING IN BOWRAL Bowral is about 90 minutes southwest of Sydney, making it a perfect place to refresh and revive before making the last leg of your journey. The town is full of boutique shops, such as Barbara's Storehouse, which is full of vintage furniture and home decor, and Cookshop Plus, perfect for cooking enthusiasts. Corbett Gardens is another stop for the agenda — the beautiful park is full of colour thanks to tulips, trees and shrubbery. Then, grab a coffee from The Press Shop and head over to Glebe Park to take a photo with the Mary Poppins statue and enjoy a spot in the shade. If you want to extend your time and explore everything the Southern Highlands wine region has to offer, accommodation options abound in Bowral. Some of our favourites include the stylish Berida Hotel and five-star estate Milton Park Country House. Start planning your great escape to New South Wales this season by visiting the Visit NSW website. Top image: Bendooley Estate, Destination NSW
If Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar get teamed up again on-screen after Drop, don't be surprised. In a film set in a swanky sky-high Chicago restaurant, the two make a dream first-date pair. The importance of that shrewd casting move shouldn't be underestimated, because this thriller relies on its stars perfecting a number of complex tasks that are crucial to the feature's vibe. Viewers should feel the sparks between them, even when things get awkward. They need to want to like them as a couple, too. A layer of suspicion also has to float over Sklenar's Henry — but when Fahy's Violet is told by anonymous airdrops to kill him or there'll be grave consequences, no one should hope for that to happen. Directed by the Happy Death Day franchise and Freaky's Christopher Landon, Drop turns the initial in-person encounter been two people who've been connecting online into a fight for survival, and a puzzle. Inspired by IRL unrecognised messages coming producer Cameron Fuller (The Astronaut) and executive producer Sam Lerner's (The Goldbergs) ways on a holiday, the flick boasts a "what would you do?" scenario as well. In actuality, no one was told to get homicidal, of course, but that's what awaits Violet in a largely one-setting mystery where almost everybody is a suspect, tech surveillance and safety are also in focus, and the relatable fears that bubble up about the difference between how we present ourselves online and reality also drive the narrative. Landon's aim: to make a film with a modern Hitchcock feel that also takes inspiration from 90s thrillers, both things that audiences don't see every day in cinemas of late. That mix, that mission, that mood that Landon was looking for — and achieves — stood out to both The Bold Type, The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple's Fahy and 1923 and It Ends with Us' Sklenar. "It had a very clear point of view, which is part of what I found so attractive about the idea of it. I think it really knew what it wanted to do and knew what it was," Fahy tells Concrete Playground. Adds Sklenar: "it's a decisive film". Drop's villain is equally resolute: if Violet doesn't do what she's told or informs anyone about the instructions that she's being sent, this nightmare will impact her young son (debutant Jacob Robinson) and sister (Violett Beane, Death and Other Details). She can see on her home security cameras that someone has already broken into her house while she's out, waiting to harm her loved ones, all as she's attempting to be charismatic with Henry and uncover who is behind her hellish ordeal. Landon is purposeful himself, especially about plunging viewers into an immersive setup. The same applied with his cast and crew: to help those on the filmmaking journey with him, the production built a fully functioning restaurant to shoot in, right down to a real chef creating the menu. [caption id="attachment_1000353" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages.[/caption] Do real-life awkward date moments — including the highly relatable type when unease simmers, even if just to you, because small things have gone wrong but they feel huge inside your head — assist when that's what you're enlisted to navigate? "We've all had those kinds of experiences," Fahy advises. "Definitely," chimes in Sklenar, noting that he "can't do mouth noises". The duo riff about it. "Like chewing and stuff," says Fahy. "That would be a thing for me," stresses Sklenar. "Makes you twitch. I get that. Noted," responds Fahy again. As the two bounce back and forth while speaking with us, they're in the same bantering mode that Violent and Henry are early in the movie, and charmingly, before the picture's date is saddled with life-and-death stakes. Drop places Fahy in another twisty mystery, as The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple both have in the last few years. With survivors of abuse also factoring into the storyline, as was the case in It Ends with Us, Sklenar is similarly in familiar territory. Symmetry also echoes in the two talents' paths to here, after starting out as actors at around the same time — onstage in the late 00s for Fahy, and in 2011 film Cornered for Sklenar — then working their way through the likes of One Life to Live, Political Animals, Miss Sloane, Mapplethorpe, Vice and Emily the Criminal between them to their recent respective TV successes. Amid jokes from the pair about their parallels, plus also potential other genres that Drop could've taken its thriller-slash-relationship drama into, we chatted with Fahy and Sklenar about the latest standout addition to their resumes. How pivotal it was for the movie to be as invested in the date as in the unnerving airdrops, shooting in the film's very own restaurant, Violet's survival story, approaching the picture as a long play: they all came up as well. On How Crucial It Is That the Film Is Invested in the Date, and in the Relationship at Its Centre, as Much as Its Horror-Thriller Setup Brandon: "It was important." Meghann: "I think it's part of what totally is so fun about the movie, because it has a romantic component to it, it is sort of a date movie, but it is also kind of a thriller. You get both. It's very much a hybrid." Brandon: "There was a sci-fi element early on, but we took that out — we just thought it was too genre-bending." Meghann: "But I think ultimately the story is about this relationship, and these two people who really are connecting in a way that is important and new for both of them. And it would be a great date if she didn't have to kill him." Brandon: "Yeah, it would be." Meghann: "It would be great." Brandon: "And in the end, it ends up being a good thing, I think. I think that it's not all bad." Meghann: "Nope." On Shooting in a Fully Functioning Restaurant That Was Created Just for the Film, Right Down to a Real Chef Whipping Up the Menu Meghann: "It was hugely helpful. I mean, you're in the environment, and it's so real that there's not even a big weird movie light in your face. It's just the lighting on the table and in the ceiling, so you really genuinely walk onto that set and you think 'I'm in a restaurant right now'. Which is incredible. It was very realistic." Brandon: "Yeah, it was." On Fahy's Task Digging Into Violet's Survival Story, and What It Takes to for Her to Keep Enduring Meghann: "I think that the way that we meet Violet is so violent and disturbing, and it has so much to do with her journey as a woman after that — and how she interacts with him, and why she's so nervous to go on the date in the first place. And so it's hugely informative, and was something that Chris and I talked about a lot, because it was so important that we honour her journey into moving on and having a healthy relationship — and being happy and feeling brave, and getting outside of herself and trusting herself. And I think that's what feels so good about this film, is the audience really gets to see her kind of become her own superhero. And it's just so wonderful to see that happen." On How Sklenar Approached Portraying Someone That Viewers Have to Remain on Edge with and Suspicious of, But Also Still Want to Like Brandon: "I think that there's a small degree of being aware of the plot and where it's moving, and trying to mislead the audience consciously in a certain way — and how you look at somebody or how you speak a line, or maybe a moment that you do that isn't scripted necessarily to misdirect the audience. And other than that, I think that it's on the page, mostly. And then, in just finding a rhythm with Meghann, and doing these scenes — it's essentially one giant scene, because it's in real time as soon as we get to the restaurant. So it's one 70-something-page scene." Meghann: "Yeah." Brandon: "And I prepared it like that. I memorised it like a play. And then you just show up and do it, and it just requires a great deal of presence and being present, as it is really like an acting exercise. And just being as present as you possibly can be." Meghann: "I don't think he gives himself enough credit for how interesting he made that character and how many tiny, nuanced things he layered into Henry, but it was really impressive." On Whether Fahy's Run of Twisty Mysteries, Including The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple, Is an Active Choice or How Great Parts Have Come Her Way Meghann: "I guess it's a little bit of both, to be honest with you. It is a genre that I really enjoy myself when I'm watching stuff, and it's super fun to make. So yeah, I think it's kind of — it was never consciously something I was chasing. I think it's just how things worked out. But yeah, there's definitely a mixture of both of those things for sure." On Fahy and Sklenar's Similar Journeys to Drop, After Starting Acting Around the Same Time and Enjoying Recent Small-Screen Successes (Including in 1923 for Sklenar) Brandon: "I guess we kind of do have paralleled situations. Same age. Kind of hitting it at the same time." Meghann: "Same hair." Brandon: "Same hair? Yeah, both Irish. I think that it's cool. I mean, I wouldn't have it any other way." Meghann:"Yeah, me either." Brandon: "I think there's something, there's a certain appreciation you have for the journey when you're not, I think, in your early 20s and you reach a certain level of success, and you've sort of worked at it for a really long time and tried to improve yourself personally along the way — because I'm a firm believer that the external is just a reflection of the internal. And neither of us would be sitting here at this table had we not grown as human beings outside of this crazy thing we decided to do with our lives. So that's imperative. And I think they're one and the same, and it's just a testament to keeping at it." [caption id="attachment_1000366" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages[/caption] Meghann: "Yeah, taking it as it comes." Brandon: "And trying to do the best you can." Meghann: "Yeah, day by day. 100 percent. I completely agree." Drop opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Gaspar Noe is a filmmaker with vision — of that, there is little doubt. Whether his vision is something you would ever want to watch is where things get a little more complicated. An Argentinean expat living in France, he's best known among cineastes for his 2002 film Irreversible, a non-linear crime thriller whose bold cinematography and ruminations on revenge are inevitably overshadowed by discussions of its most notorious sequence: a nine-minute rape scene shot in one unflinching take. Noe's most recent film, Love, isn't shy on graphic sexual content either, although thankfully this time it's of the consensual variety. Debuting at this year's Cannes Film Festival to a mixture of boos and rapturous applause, it's a divisive picture that bares all from the very first frame, opening with a static shot of a man and a woman masturbating one another to orgasm. It's the first of many long sequences of graphic non-simulated sex in the film — sex that Noe uses as emotional markers in his 130-minute portrait of a tumultuous young relationship gone bad. The story, such as it is, is told from the perspective of Murphy (Karl Glusman), a self-involved American film student living in Paris with his French girlfriend Omi (Klara Kristin) and their infant son. After a drug-fuelled New Year's Eve, a groggy Murphy awakens to find a voice message on his phone from the concerned mother of Electra (Aomi Muyock), an ex-girlfriend who has gone missing, and for whom Murphy still harbours strong feelings. The rest of the film unfolds through a series of flashbacks, as Murphy reminisces about his tumultuous past with his former lover and the mistakes that tore them apart. Like all of its director's films, Love is worth seeing for its formal elements alone. Long, gliding camera takes and blink-like edits capture the feeling of slipping into a memory, while Noe's use of lighting and colour, although less overt than in Irreversible or his 2009 headtrip Enter the Void, remains as evocative as ever. The soundtrack is a deliciously eclectic grab-bag that makes use of everything from classical compositions to slow electric guitar jams to the iconic score from Assault from Precinct 13. The latter track pops up during a scene set in an underground sex club, and frankly, could hardly sound more at home. But most memorable of all is the film's use of 3D — and we're not just saying that because Noe includes a close-up of a penis ejaculating directly into the camera. A born provocateur, the director can't help but indulge his juvenile side — yet for the most part he uses the added dimension in subtler and more imaginative ways. A heated argument at a rave is made all the more intense by strobe lights firing from the back of the frame. A lengthy threesome, meanwhile, is shot from high above, its participants seeming to plunge deeper into the bed as their lovemaking picks up steam. Indeed, it's the sex scenes that are perhaps the most elegant and fully realised segments of the film. At one point, Murphy talks about wanting to make a movie that shows "sentimental sexuality" — and that's clearly Noe's intention as well. Over the film's two-plus-hour runtime, Noe's depiction of sex ranges from loving to spiteful, exciting to mundane, erotic to repulsive and joyful to just plain sad. And yes, at times he aims to titillate. Yet he never loses sight of the human feeling behind the sex. As a result, Love never feels pornographic in the way you might expect. But Love isn't just about sex. It's also about masculinity and misogyny — and it's in the film's handling of these prickly subjects that many viewers will (perhaps justifiably) take issue. It's hard to think of a film with a less sympathetic protagonist than Murphy. He's a selfish, whiny, insecure, arrogant, sexist, homophobic, slut-shaming loser who frankly made this writer embarrassed to be in the possession of a Y chromosome. But then again, that may very well be the point. Personally, we'd argue that Love condemns Murphy's views and behaviour. The truth, though, is that you could just as reasonably claim that it endorses them. And perhaps more to the point, no matter which reading you subscribe to, it won't make the dickhead's company any less difficult to stand. Still, in a strange way, that's actually another aspect that makes the movie worth watching. Like we said at the outset, Noe is a filmmaker with vision — and to be brutally honest, we'd rather watch a disastrous, offensive failure than something bland and middle of the road. See Love. See it in 3D. For the craft, and for the arguments you'll have with people once it's over. Love is screening exclusively at The Lido in Melbourne for a limited number of evening sessions. For tickets, head to the Lido website.
Quite simply the hippest spot south of St Kilda, Olie & Ari in Brighton's Were Street Village is the discerning, contemporarily designed hot spot Bayside was desperately lacking. Serving good coffee and an all-day breakfast, the menu also offers a decent lunch selection including the wagyu beef burger with salad and red wine onions in a brioche bun ($17.50) and a tasty selection of toasted pides and wraps. The smoked ocean trout toasted pide, with dill, mayo, capers and rocket ($15.50) is absolutely delicious — a perfect flavourful choice that won't leave you feeling too bloated or over sauced. For breakfast at any time of the day, however, don't look past the organic quinoa breakfast salad with fresh orange segments, toasted walnuts, almonds, sultanas and honeyed yoghurt ($14). By Brighton's standards, the interior is positively inspired. Guttered out and stripped back, the former shop front has been transformed into a high-ceilinged, light filled space. Even the rear storage areas have been opened up with rendered concrete, mouse hole-style arches leading into the back, providing a more intimate, rustic sitting. The expansive, central space, by comparison, is defined by the hanging wire light globes, while iron and light wood fixtures decorate the high walls and ceiling. Continuing the theme, large glass vases perch on the communal dining table, where light bulbs replace pebbles to support the towing twigs inside. The staff are friendly, sporting their fetching denim aprons. As one diner expressly commented at our visit: "denim is such a nice break from all the black aprons around Brighton cafes". Perhaps it's the quirky detail that, in this suburb at least, sets Olie & Ari comfortably above their local competition. Not to mention, Olie & Ari is fully licensed everyday from midday, making those lunches stretch out long into the afternoon. The Were Street Village is a quiet pocket of suburban Brighton, and an ideal place to relax over lunch with this discreet little gem.
The Auburn Hotel's beer garden has been a favourite among the stacked Hawthorn pub scene for years. And, this winter, it's being transformed once again into an igloo garden and it's here to stay for a while — keeping things cosy right through 'til September. To make the snug arrangement even better, the Auburn Hotel has teamed up with Wild Turkey American Honey Whiskey to create a selection of belly-warming drinks and sweet treats to enjoy once inside, including three specialty cocktails — the old-fashioned with honey, bitters, and honeycomb ($18), a hot toddy with lemon and honey ($16) and a pineapple and mint julep ($18). There are two igloo packages available. Groups of eight or less can book the small igloo package for $49 per person. Expect a tasting board piled high with cured meats, cheeses, hummus, pickled vegetables and chutney to start, followed by a decadent chocolate and honey fondue. The dessert will be accompanied by strawberries, marshmallows, biscuits, popcorn and honeycomb for all your dipping needs, plus your choice of an American Honey cocktail, espresso martini, wine or Hawthorn pint. If your crew is a little bigger, opt for the large igloo package ($79 per person). It caters for up to 28 people and features a three-course meal with canapes on arrival. You'll be served a large grazing board to start, followed by braised lamb and roast chicken with a selection of roast vegetables — or eggplant stuffed with couscous and vegetable risotto for vegetarians. You'll also get to finish things off with the chocolate fondue as well. There are also American Honey-glazed doughnuts ($12) and peanut butter parfait ($12) on offer, too. Setting the wintery mood, the beer garden will be landscaped with wild plants and lanterns at each igloo entrance. Meanwhile, the igloos — decked out with lights, plush cushions and blankets — will be transparent, allowing for plenty of stargazing opportunities, minus the winter chill. The Winter Igloo Garden will be open from Thursday, May 2 to Sunday, September 1. To secure your spot in the igloo, head over here.
Since 2016, Bruce Munro's spectacular Field of Light has been illuminating Uluru, giving the already-stunning Northern Territory sight an ocean of colour via 50,000 glass lights spread across a 62,500-square-metre area. The glowing multi-hued installation unsurprisingly proved popular, and instantly, first getting extended until 2020 and then being locked in indefinitely — and now the Red Centre is scoring Light-Towers, another dazzling work by the acclaimed artist. Add Light-Towers to your must-see list, and make a date with Kings Canyon to bathe in its radiance. Up and shining since April 2023, it's part of Discovery Resorts, and turns both light and sound into an immersive piece. Like Field of Light, it's also sticking around permanently. This time, Munro has constructed a heap of two-metre towers that change colour, swapping their tones in response to music that echoes from inside each structure. There's a whopping 69 towers spread across a circular pattern, all with Kings Canyon as a backdrop — giving visitors quite the visual and aural experience. Light-Towers' soundscape hails from Orlando Gough, while the work helps mark 40 years since Munro's first visit to the Red Centre. If you're keen to drop by, you can pick between three different types of sessions spanning sunrise, sunset and evening. The first two feature a local guide hosting your visit, plus a food and beverage package. For those attending by night, the Luritja Lookout will have somewhere for you to eat and drink before and after you peer at Munro's latest luminous expanse. The British-born Munro first came up with the idea for Field of Light while visiting Uluru back in 1992. When that artwork was earmarked to become one of the area's ongoing feature, he said that he is "truly honoured that the Field of Light will remain at Uluru". He continued, "the ancient landscape of the Red Centre continues to inspire my thoughts, feelings and ideas that shape my life and work." Since then, Munro has displayed large-scale installations in Darwin and in Albany in Western Australia, and has two more pieces on their way to the New South Wales–Victorian border from late 2023. Find Light-Towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon, Luritja Road, Petermann, Northern Territory — and head to the resort company's website for bookings and further details. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Nigella Lawson, Adam Liaw or David Chang? When all this time inside, at home, away from bars, pubs and restaurants comes to an end, which culinary whiz will you most resemble? We know you're getting plenty of practice, hopefully making something other than just sourdough — and we're betting your kitchen skills are stepping up a level with each iso meal you whip up. We're also certain you're eager for culinary inspiration. This isn't the time to live on two-minute noodles, grilled cheese on toast or that one dish that's always been your speciality ever since you moved out of home, after all. Whether you're eager to emulate one of the aforementioned chefs, focus on a certain type of food or just have some fun with your cooking, there's plenty available to stream to help — not only tempting your tastebuds, but your cooking abilities, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ1Rd5HOEK4&list=LLV8ReLqD50OV_hnTTQgFFZg&index=417 NIGELLA AT MY TABLE AND NIGELLA FEASTS More than two decades since Nigella Lawson published her first cookbook and hosted her first cooking show, Britain's kitchen goddess is still going strong. That means she's racked up more than two decades worth of fantastic recipes and excellent culinary TV series — so you could probably make a different Nigella dish for every day you spend in quarantine. It also means there's plenty to watch, whether you fancy heading back to 2006 for Nigella Feasts or catching her most recent series, 2017's Nigella at My Table. The former will give you dinner, leisurely weekend and all-day brekkie ideas, while the latter features puddings, brownies, waffles, lamb kofta and chicken marsala. Nigella at My Table is available to stream via ABC iView, while Nigella Feasts is streaming via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wKIOTJtLdQ CHEF'S TABLE Scrolling through Netflix, you might start feeling hungry. While the streaming service is known for many things, it has also become a hub for culinary-themed docuseries over the past few years. There's nothing quite like the original though: Chef's Table, the platform's first step into the foodie game. Created by Jiro Dreams of Sushi filmmaker David Gelb, each of the series' 30 episodes to-date focuses on a different chef, a different restaurant and a different place around the world — taking your stomach on a global tour. Watch Massimo Bottura do what he does best, spend time behind the scenes with Attica's Ben Shewry, and journey everywhere from Argentina and Sweden to Slovenia and Turkey. The US also features heavily, but this acclaimed show never repeats itself. Chef's Table is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxlVVL-Hzks DESTINATION FLAVOUR Once, he was a lawyer. Now, Adam Liaw is one of Australia's top culinary talents. The winner of MasterChef Australia's second season back in 2010, he's become a mainstay on TV and in various publications' recipe pages for a good reason: his dishes aren't just delicious and creative, but they ensure that even the most complex-seeming meals are a breeze to make at home. And, he celebrates international cuisine, as his SBS program Destination Flavour demonstrates. While the first series, as co-hosted with Renee Lim and Lily Serna, kept a local focus, Liaw has since taken the show to Japan, Scandinavia, Singapore, China, and then back to Australia and New Zealand — and it's the perfect travel/food series hybrid. Destination Flavour's original season, as well as its Japan, Scandinavia, Singapore, China, and Australia and New Zealand-focused seasons, are all available to stream via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb7CBZ952zs NAILED IT! Admit it: while you've been spending all your time indoors, you've put your oven to good use. And, you've whipped up more than just bread — because who hasn't been hankering for cakes, brownies, muffins and all manner of other sweet baked goods? If you've been trying to take your cake-making to elaborate extremes, or you've always wanted to, then Nailed It! is the show for you. In each episode, the competitive Netflix series tasks three amateur bakers with creating complex cakes, then watches as they succeed and/or fail. As hosted by comedian Nicole Byer and pastry chef Jacques Torres, the show proves particularly fun when the contestants don't hit the mark. In fact, ensuring that the series is incredibly relatable, Nailed It! focuses on bakers who definitely aren't going to be jumping over to MasterChef anytime in the near future. Nailed It! is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxKrJYsZnCU THE PIZZA SHOW AND THE ICE CREAM SHOW One can be topped with almost any ingredient you can think of, tastes divine when it's fresh out of the oven and also goes down mighty well eaten cold for breakfast. The other is the ultimate in frosty, creamy desserts — and it's just as versatile. Obviously, we're talking about pizza and ice cream. Yes, they pair nicely together, too. Thanks to the aptly named Viceland duo that is The Pizza Show and The Ice Cream Show, you can devote your hours to learning all about each dish. Spend your time feasting your eyes on everyone's favourite Italian meal, and you'll be hanging out with Brooklyn Pizzeria owner Frank Pinello as he ventures across the US and Italy. Opt for a chilled sweet treat, and you'll follow third-generation ice cream maker Isaac Lappert around America as well. The Pizza Show and The Ice Cream Show are available to stream via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eyFq3addMs UGLY DELICIOUS Food and travel: if there's a combination that's better suited to today's current situation, we're yet to find it. Any TV show that combines both not only provides viewers with a whole heap of culinary suggestions, but lets everyone cooped up at home indulge their wanderlust. That's the case with Ugly Delicious. It's the case with the bulk of Netflix's cooking shows, including fellow David Chang-hosted series Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; however Ugly Delicious' focus on a different type of food per episode is a winner. Chang also weaves in the history of each dish in the spotlight, so prepare to learn more about tacos, Korean barbecue, fried rice and Indian cuisine — as well as steak, fried chicken, skewered meat, and shrimp and crawfish. Ugly Delicious is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4fx6V7ura0 DISHMANTLED Given that Dishmantled's episodes clock in at less than ten minutes each — it's a Quibi show, and that's what the new streaming platform specialises in — don't expect a step-by-step walkthrough explaining how to make each dish in detail. Instead, this amusing spin on the culinary TV genre's competitive strand literally throws food at its blindfolded competitors, forces them to guess what kind of meal they're now covered in, and asks them to make said dish in 30 minutes. Expect quick meal ideas, an entertaining and enjoyably over-the-top concept, and plenty of attitude, with the latter coming from host Tituss Burgess. If his Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt character Titus Andromedon hosted a silly cooking show in bite-sized pieces, it'd look exactly like this (although it could use more pinot noir). Dishmantled is available to stream via Quibi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzSTqVUWEzU THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF Fifteen years ago, if someone had suggested that Noel Fielding host a cooking show, you would've started laughing. Or, you would've thought that they were dreaming up a hilarious scenario for a new episode of The Mighty Boosh. But co-hosting The Great British Bake Off is exactly what Fielding has been doing since 2017. He's great at it, too. And, if watching British cooks compete for glory by baking up a storm isn't entertaining enough for you, then Fielding's involvement will be. Combined, though, you're in for a big dose Fielding being Fielding, plus oh-so-many delicious-looking baked goods that you'll instantly want to whip up at home. The Great British Bake Off is available to stream via Foxtel Now. Top images: Chef's Table, Ugly Delicious and Nailed It! via Netflix; Destination Flavour: China via SBS.
Australians have hotly anticipated the opening of the very first Il Mercato Centrale in Melbourne ever since it was first announced in 2022. At that time, it was expected to launch late the same year. But it's now 2024, and we still have no hard date for its opening. The highly ambitious venture came across a heap of setbacks, as the team behind it is determined to create a hospitality venue unlike anything that Melbourne has ever seen. All the red tape has now been sorted, however, and construction is charging ahead at 546 Collins Street at lightning speed. [caption id="attachment_856983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale in Turin[/caption] First off, the 3500-square-metre space, spread across three stories, truly is enormous. The first floor will have a market feel to it but with more flash, fun and tech. Each of the vendors will be slinging their own specialty goods, with none competing with the other. There'll be a bakery, patisserie, pasta shop, pizza joint, cheese maker, butcher and seafood stall, to name a few. Here, you can get fresh produce to take away or order it to be cooked up right in front of you. That means that you can buy a steak to eat at home or ask them to pop it on the grill while you start on some wine that you ordered from the bar right in the centre of the ground floor. Want to make it a surf and turf? Order some grilled calamari from the seafood stall next door and create your own feast. Conveniently, you'll be able to order from any and all vendors all in one transaction by using a QR code — or even pre-order from your office to pick up when it's ready. It going to be one of the easiest Melbourne food halls to order from. Then, on the second floor of Melbourne's Il Mercato Centrale, you'll find a fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar, pasta restaurant (all made by hand), pizzeria, gelateria, wine bar, a gin and vodka distillery, and live music stage. We told you, it's huge. Up here, you'll even be able to order some of the food from downstairs to be delivered to you. Say you're sipping on a negroni at the bar upstairs and get a bit hungry. All you've got to do is order a cheeseboard and perhaps some slices of pizza on your phone, and the team will bring it up to you. If it all works out how the crew wants it to, it will be a huge feat of tech and service ingenuity. The top floor of Il Mercato Centrale will then be dedicated to private events and masterclasses, where each of the vendors will run workshops on their particular trades each month. [caption id="attachment_856981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale Rome[/caption] There will even be a big outdoor seating area right on Collins Street, something that was not easy for the Il Mercato Centrale team to secure. Taking Concrete Playground on a tour of the site, General Manager Gary Patikkis couldn't share the details about the outside area, but he noted that it is set to be unlike any other street-level drinking and dining space in the CBD. The venue will have a 3am liquor license (another rarity for new venues in Melbourne) and be open until from 7am–12am every day of the week. Patikkis was reluctant to share any opening dates, but rest assured that Il Mercato Centrale is coming. And Melburnians and visitors alike hopefully won't have to wait much longer before being able to dine on a massive range of Italian eats in the Victorian capital's CBD. [caption id="attachment_856978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale Firenze[/caption] Mercato Centrale Melbourne is set to open at 546 Collins Street, Melbourne. We'll share more information as it is announced, and you can head to the venue's website in the interim. Top image: Il Mercato Centrale Milan.
We all have movies that change us, open up the world to us and/or make us feel seen. Most folks, whether they're filmmakers or not, don't then bring new versions of those pictures to cinemas — no matter how much they might want to. Andrew Ahn's feature filmography started with his 2016 debut Spa Night, then delivered 2019's Driveways and 2022's Fire Island, and now adds a fresh take on a Berlin-winning, Oscar-nominated 90s box-office hit that marked just the second film from Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi Best Director Academy Award-winner Ang Lee. 1993's The Wedding Banquet was also the first gay movie, first gay Asian movie and first gay Asian American movie that Ahn ever saw. The man behind the camera on 2025's The Wedding Banquet was eight when he watched the original picture courtesy of a video-store rental. When he started on the path to becoming a filmmaker himself, and even once he had a movie or two under his belt — long before this project came his way, then — crafting his own version didn't ever occur to him. "Oh, it never crossed my mind — like, not a direct remake," Ahn tells Concrete Playground about the fourth feature on his resume, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. "I think I thought about similar themes and ideas, but to make something that would be called The Wedding Banquet, I could never have imagined. It really took the producers approaching me. Our producers had been chatting before I was in the picture, and I think their scheming led to this." Three decades back, The Wedding Banquet focused on Manhattan-based gay Taiwanese man Gao Wai-Tung (Winston Chao, Daughter's Daughter), whose parents (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Sihung Lung and Qing yu nian's Ah-Lei Gua) had no idea that he wasn't straight, let alone any awareness of his long-term American partner Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein, Modern Houses), and so had matchmaking their son with a future bride and stressing their yearning for grandchildren firmly on their minds. As co-written by Lee with James Schamus (The King's Daughter) and Neil Peng (The Candidate), the film makes Wai-Tung's mother and father's dreams come true via Wei-Wei (May Chin, now a Taiwanese politician), a Chinese artist who'll be deported if she doesn't get a green card. Of course the eponymous event takes place, with Mr and Mrs Gao in attendance and in the dark that it's all a sham. Lee's movie is a comedy, romantic and screwball alike, and equally a deeply considered and thoughtful relationship drama, plus a compassionate family drama. A reimagining rather than a remake, 2025's The Wedding Banquet falls into all of the above categories still, so it's a rom-com, it's screwball, and it's both a relationship and family drama as well; however, Ahn and Schamus — who returned to co-write another The Wedding Banquet, after initially collaborating with Ahn by producing Driveways — have their eyes firmly on the queer experience right now. As a result, while there's winks and nods to the original, and clear affection for it evident across its frames, this take on the film is guided by how the initial flick's setup would truly play out two decades into the 21st century as it explores queer identity, cultural heritage and community. Accordingly, audiences meet two Seattle-based queer couples: Angela (Kelly Marie Tran, Control Freak) and Lee (Lily Gladstone, Fancy Dance), plus Min (Han Gi-Chan, Dare to Love Me) and Chris (Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live). Among their families, Angela's mother (Joan Chen, Dìdi) wins awards for her allyship, while Min's grandmother (Youn Yuh-Jung, Pachinko) is the head of a Korea-originated multinational company that he has always been expected to take over. Having children is Angela and Lee's priority, but after two unsuccessful rounds of IVF they're now out of money for a third. While cash isn't a problem for Min, the fact that his student visa will soon expire is — and so is Chris' commitment-phobic reluctance to marry him. The plan, then, is for Angela and Min to wed, helping the latter stay in the US in exchange for financial assistance for Lee's next IVF treatment. [caption id="attachment_1003561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Janice Chung[/caption] One of the key points that's pushed further to the fore this time around is parenthood — and what it means to have a family as a queer couple. Ahn's fondness for the families that we choose, as seen across his filmography so far, remains a pivotal element of The Wedding Banquet, but so does the specific intention and effort needed to pass on your genes when getting pregnant can't just happen accidentally as it can for some in heterosexual relationships. That thread, and even a specific line of dialogue about it, comes from Ahn's own life. As such, he's not just lending his loving eyes to a new iteration of a movie that's personally important to him — alongside his Korean American background, he's lending parts of his existence. Ahn's on-screen ensemble is clearly phenomenal, including Gladstone in a more-comedic role than audiences are accustomed to seeing the Killers of the Flower Moon Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe-winner in, the director giving his Fire Island star Yang a more-dramatic arc, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker's Tran in a film with a smart and funny Star Wars line, Han getting his feature film and English-language debut, Chen after she was almost cast in the original and Youn's first American film since winning her Oscar for Minari. Also exceptional: how lived-in that they make their characters' connections feel. We spoke to Ahn about that, drawing from his own reality to highlight queer parenthood, how his past work — episodes of Bridgerton among them — led him here, fleshing out the narrative for 2025, tonal balance, found families and more. On Ahn's Past Work, Including Spa Night, Driveways, Fire Island and Directing Episodes of Bridgerton, Leading Him to a New Version of The Wedding Banquet "I think everything that I do feels informed by what I worked on in the past. Even Bridgerton I feel like snuck its way into The Wedding Banquet a little bit — the romanticism of it. I think The Wedding Banquet definitely required me to pull from so many different parts of my life, as a person and as a filmmaker, to make this film the best that I could." On Working Out Where to Take a New Iteration of The Wedding Banquet, Including a Broader Range of Characters, Exploring the Korean American Experience, and Examining Allyship, Found Families and Having Children "It was kind of step by step. When I rewatched the film in preparation for my conversation with the producers, there were first instincts that were just inspired by how beautiful the original film is. I wondered 'what if the bride in the original film, Wei-Wei, what if she also were queer and had a lesbian partner?'. And then, thinking about how gay people can get married now, I wondered 'now that we can, should we?'. Like 'do we really want to?' And then in the original film, there's an accidental pregnancy — 'but what if we see a couple trying to get pregnant, and planning to have a baby?'. And so these were very helpful foundation-building elements to the story, and I worked with James Schamus to really breathe life into these characters, and engineer the many different themes and questions that we were wrestling with. It was a very difficult process. We worked very hard, and we were writing the film for more than five years, and so it was a real labour of love. I'm so thankful for James, and just the years of experience that he had — not just as a screenwriter, but also as a producer and a director. You could not ask for a more-experienced collaborator." On First Watching Ang Lee's Film at the Age of Eight, Then Reimagining It Three Decades Later "I think it definitely helped that I had a really special relationship with the original film, but that wouldn't be enough. I think what helped me understand 'this is my film that I can make' was the phase of adulthood that I found myself in when I was working on this — and really thinking about getting married and having children. I had a lot of conversations with my boyfriend about marriage and kids, and I realised that I felt very strongly about how important and how beautiful queer family-building is — and that really was my guiding light through this whole process in making this movie." On Drawing One of the Film's Key Exchanges About the Intention Needed for Queer Couples to Start a Family From Ahn's Own Life "I wanted to talk about how that's a reality of queer people's existences — and one of the challenges of building family that's not even defined by homophobia. It's not like there's a straight person keeping us away from building family. It's our own hesitations. There's definitely, of course, a lot of financial and legal reasons that complicate queer family-building, but we kind of have to get out of our own way first, and just believe that this is something that we can do and that we want. And so I really wanted to talk about this particular nuance that I don't think has been explored in an in-depth way on the big screen. So it was an insight that I had only come to in having a conversation with my boyfriend, and I took that line of 'if it happens, it happens' straight out of my boyfriend's mouth onto the page." On Helping Ensure That Years and Even Decades of Intimacy Shone Through Among the FIlm's Characters Thanks to Its Stacked Cast "It's such an incredible ensemble, and I had so much fun working with them. They were all so game. They wanted to be vulnerable, and they showed so much generosity with each other and with me. I think of directing as creating an environment where these actors can feel safe and inspired, and so there was a lot of conversation that I had with each of the actors before they came to set — and then as much as we could find rehearsal time, we built in rehearsal time in our schedule so that we could fast-track an intimacy. I think these actors are all incredible, incredible actors, and so it's not hard to get a great performance out of them — and so for me, it's just about creating an energy and a space for them to really be present and work with each other well. And for me, I think a lot of that had to do with just putting together a cast and crew that really valued the story and what we were doing, and understood the meaningfulness of our work." On Casting Gladstone in a More-Comic Role Than Audiences Are Used to Seeing Her in, and Also Giving Yang a More-Dramatic Arc "I love being able to work with actors in a mode that they might not be used to or have been cast in before. I think it's fun to broaden the horizon for an audience of who these actors are and can be. Bowen, I loved working with him on Fire Island, and I just see so much charisma and vulnerability that I think is undeniable. And then when Lily, she's so serious in some of her work, but I saw her in some interviews and she's such a goofball. And I love that. And so I had a lot of belief that she could have fun in this role. And the way both of those actors — the way that all of our actors — traverse the balance of comedy and drama, it was very inspiring to watch." On Making a Romantic Comedy and a Screwball Comedy That's Also a Family Drama, and Is Deeply Considered and Thoughtful About Queer Identity, Cultural Heritage and Community "I think tone is one of the hardest things about filmmaking, and it's because it takes the entire process to figure out. You are writing it, you are directing it, you are editing it, and it's not until the very end, even with score and sound design and colour correction, where you've figured out the tone of your movie. And so it's really about trusting the artistic process and giving yourself options. In the script, we had alt lines for other jokes, for different zingers. On set, we would do certain takes more dramatically, do certain takes more comedically. In the edit, we're constantly adjusting. And so we had to just trust in the process — and in some ways trust in my own intuition and just energy. My editor Geraud Brisson [Lessons in Chemistry] mentioned that the film, it kind of feels like hanging out with me. And I used that as a creative north star in helping find that really complicated but fun balance of comedy and drama." [caption id="attachment_1003558" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fire Island, photo by Jeong Park. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved[/caption] On Why the Idea of Found Family Interests Ahn and Keeps Popping Up Through His Work "I think found family, it is something worth celebrating, and I think we can take it for granted sometimes. Our friends, our relationships — there's so much there, there's so much that needs to happen, there's so much work you need to put in in creating your chosen family. And so when you can create your own chosen family, it's really worth celebrating. And so it's something that I feel like whether you're queer or not, it's a very meaningful reminder" The Wedding Banquet opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The Wedding Banquet images: Luka Cyprian, Bleecker Street.
Getting to the Yarra Valley is half the experience; trailing through those straw-yellow hills is the closest thing to Tuscany Melburnians are going to get. But there's no use driving around aimlessly. You'll need to head to the Valley with a plan of where you are going to eat, otherwise you'll be totally overwhelmed by the number of tempting wineries that spring up every couple of hundred metres. All up, there's about 160. So let us introduce Meletos. A beautiful eatery brought to you by the founders of nearby estate and restaurant Stones, the Meletos estate features a 23-room boutique guesthouse and, beside it, a restaurant and cafe. Located on a dirt path just off the gloriously straight St Huberts Road — which makes you feel like you're driving to nowhere — the stunning eatery is open for lunch and dinner every night of the week. On the weekends, the place is buzzing. Chances are you'll have to endure a wait. But it's not that bad of a place to hang around — you could certainly do a lot worse. In the heart of the Yarra Valley, you can take a stroll around the grounds, to the church, the guesthouse and take in panoramic views of the surrounding area. When that's all done, enjoy a glass of your preferred drop on the communal concrete tables that line the entrance to the restaurant or perhaps in the weathered steel-framed glasshouse. But now for the important stuff: the food. You can go down the road of sharing or going solo — either should be satisfying. The menu is made up of an appetisers section, salumi, around six mains, knockout wood-fired pizza, a few sides and, of course, dessert. Starters include European-inspired dishes such as saffron and prosciutto arancini with salsa verde ($12), and a barbecued quail from nearby Wandin with skordalia (a Greek garlic dip), mixed cress and cracked wheat ($18). The pizza menu is almost torturous to choose from. All are $25 (so not even price can determine your decisions) and a few standouts include the cotechino sausage pizza with pickled zucchini and provolone cheese and the prawn-topped pizza with confit tomatoes and feta from the restaurant's neighbour, the Yarra Valley Dairy. The wine list is a combination of the region's highlights, some New South Wales and South Australian drops and others from New Zealand, France, Switzerland and Italy. All that's left to wish for is beautiful weather.
There's much that's wild and unlikely about Kneecap's story — the band, that is, but plenty of it fuels the movie of the same name, too. When Naoise Ó Cairealláin, aka the Irish-language trio's Móglaí Bap, was christened, the British Army thought that the ceremony was an IRA meeting, even bringing in a helicopter. When the Belfast group formed decades later, Móglaí Bap and Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, aka Mo Chara, found their third member in then-schoolteacher Jj Ó Dochartaigh, who took the moniker DJ Próvaí and dons a balaclava in the colours of the Irish flag onstage. Their first single 'C.E.A.R.T.A' was banned from the radio. They've now turned the whole ride so far into a big-screen music biopic. In said flick, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí all play themselves. It's true of Kneecap the band and Kneecap the film alike, of course: yes, their shared title springs from a form of violence well-known in the trio's parts during The Troubles. Leaning in in the name of subversion is one of the things that this threesome does best — and via their music and now their feature as well, they're passionate about reframing the way that the world thinks about their home city. Championing their mother tongue, and the sense of Northern Irish identity that it helps forge, is equally crucial. Roll all of that into a movie, then enlist Michael Fassbender (Next Goal Wins) and take some inspiration from Trainspotting, and the result is a blast of a picture — and one of the instant greats of its genre. Naturally, all of the details mentioned above — the christening, which made the newspapers; DJ Próvaí's background, plus his school's reaction to his side gig; the disdain from the airwaves; the texture of Belfast beyond the well-documented conflicts; the fight for the Irish language — were always going to be key elements of any silver-screen take on Kneecap, even a purposefully playful one that isn't afraid of diverting from the facts if it suits (director Rich Peppiatt has claimed is about 70-percent true). As Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara tell Concrete Playground, starring in the movie themselves felt just as inevitable. They call their on-screen parts the roles they were meant to play, which is a cracking line, but the proof is in the vibe and vitality of the film. The trio also co-wrote the feature with British filmmaker Peppiatt, who made their acquaintance by being persistent about trying to have a drink with them, and helmed their 'Guilty Conscience' music video. Ensuring that Kneecap reflected Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí, their tunes, their personalities, their experience, the causes they're committed to and their view of their hometown was obviously paramount. Ask Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara, too, if they ever thought that this was a path that Kneecap would take when they formed the band, and they joke about awards and recognition — "we knew the accolades were coming after the first song," says Mo Chara; "we're waiting on a Nobel Peace Prize next, hopefully," adds Móglaí Bap — but, when they get serious, they stress that hitting cinemas was all about making a movie for Belfast. "It's a very colloquial film with lots of slang, and lots of jokes that maybe people only from where we are from would understand. And we never dumbed that down. We never made it more digestible for anyone outside of Ireland in that way," explains Móglaí Bap. "And I think for that reason, we didn't think beyond Ireland. The movie was made for Ireland, for Belfast. And we didn't think beyond that. I think that's the reason that we created such an original, authentic movie, because we weren't looking outside of Ireland to try and make it more digestible. We're just making it for people like us." Adds Mo Chara: "I think a lot of funders would like to feel like if they give half a million towards the movie, they would like to feel like they've had half a million worth of input. And whenever you let many people have input, it waters it down. It becomes digestible for the world, but it means nobody likes it, and especially people from where you're from." Kneecap haven't had to worry about nobody liking their film. After picking up the NEXT Audience Award at Sundance, it earned the three main gongs at Galway Film Fleadh — the Audience Award, plus Best Irish Film and Best Irish-Language Film — which has never happened before in the fest's history. It's also in Oscar contention, selected as the country's submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. Across the whirlwind last eight months, the band released their second album Fine Art as well. In March 2025, they'll tour Australia for the first time. We also spoke with Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara about everything that this year has brought their way so far, the reaction to the movie in Belfast even before it hit cinemas, riffing on reality, taking a risk in bringing their story to the screen, dream casting, balancing everything they wanted in the film, enlisting Fassbender's involvement and more. On How 2024 Has Panned Out Since the Film Premiered at Sundance — and with a New Kneecap Album Out, Too Mo Chara: "We've been busy little boys. We've been very busy, but we're getting opportunities that not a lot of young people, especially where we're from, get. So we're enjoying it. We're loving it. We've seen a lot of the world that we would probably not have seen, Iceland and all sorts of places. So we're enjoying it. It's hard to balance the music and the movie at the same time, but we're giving it a good go." Móglaí Bap: "Ying and yang." On the Response to the Film in Belfast, Even Before It Hit Cinemas Mo Chara: "I feel like people in Belfast — well, most, the majority of people — are very proud of us, because Belfast is something that has always just been negative in world media. And it's seen as a place that's not very …" Móglaí Bap: "Progressive." Mo Chara: "… or fun or whatever it is, or that people do well or get creative in. So I feel like a lot of people, especially the older generation, they're all just very, very proud and they're very happy that there's two or three young people, or bands, coming up, or movies being made that show Belfast in not such a negative light all the time, even though there's negativity." Móglaí Bap: "There's a little bit, just like with anywhere." On Bringing Their Origin Story to the Screen, Riffing with Reality and Rich Peppiatt's 70-Percent True Claim Móglaí Bap: "He made that up, surely." Mo Chara: "70 percent — how the fuck does he judge that? But the origin story of Kneecap, though – we're not getting into the blurred lines, but 100 percent, DJ Próvaí was a teacher. And we released the song, and the school started finding out that he was the man behind the mask and sacked him, basically. That's true." Móglaí Bap: "And the police meetings and the Irish language legislation, and all these things. Most of the crazier stories in the movie are true. The christening at the very start of the movie with the British Army helicopter is based on a true story, that's based on my christening. I was christened on a mass rock. It was kind of like an altar made of stone hidden away in the forests when Catholicism was outlawed during the Penal Laws, and I got christened there in the 90s." Mo Chara: "The first christening there for 200 years." Móglaí Bap: "Yeah, the first mass there for 200 years. And the British Army thought there was some sort of IRA meeting going on." Mo Chara: "Like a training camp for the paramilitaries." Móglaí Bap: "And then they hovered above the procession for the whole time as being as being squirted with water by priest." Mo Chara: "I hope it was water." Móglaí Bap: "I think it was water, anyway. And they hovered there above the whole time. There's a newspaper article about it. It was quite an iconic moment. So like stories like that are based on truth, and we like to leave it there. But as Rich says, some of the crazier stories are based on truth." On Eventually Saying Yes to Rich Peppiatt's Persistent Efforts to Have a Drink with Kneecap — and How the Film Started From There Móglaí Bap: "We were very skeptical, of course, because Rich is obviously from England." Mo Chara: "Don't be so hard on him." Móglaí Bap: "And we're very skeptical of English people who want to profit off Irish people. So we kept him at arm's length for a while. But eventually, his arm reached across with a pint and we accepted it. It was from there that we got together very well. I think because Rich is from England is actually is his best quality. It sounds like a negative thing, but it was the best thing about him because he didn't come with any preconceived ideas of what we should represent or what culture we come from. He kind of left it to us to tell him. And because of that, there was a great line of communication in the back and forth. If we didn't feel that some scenes represented our culture or the youth culture, he would listen to us in that way. So there was a great communication between us and Rich, and he was very open director." Mo Chara: "He's done a great job portraying Belfast." Móglaí Bap: "Yeah, he did a great job of portraying Belfast — and portraying the modern era of Belfast and the youth in Belfast. So kudos to Rich." On Taking a Risk by Trusting Kneecap's Story to Any Filmmaker Mo Chara: "The biggest risk of all was the fact that our music career was on the up, and we were doing very well — well, very well for where we were at that time — and the last thing that we would have needed, for example, was a really cheesy, shit movie to come out that was hard to watch and made people cringe. Nobody's going to be able to take a music career seriously after doing a really shit film, I feel. So it was a risk we didn't need to take, but some risks are worth taking and we consider ourselves to be risk-takers. And we put a lot of trust in Rich — and I think Rich put a lot trust in us." Móglaí Bap: "It paid off for him." On the Decision to Play Themselves — and Dream Casting Ideas If That Didn't Pan Out Móglaí Bap: "I wanted to get Brad Pitt, but he was too old." Mo Chara: "He was too old, too ugly." Móglaí Bap: "And then Cillian Murphy, he was too small." Mo Chara: "As we always say, they were the roles we were born to play. So we were glad it was us and we felt like we were the only ones who could probably do it justice. It was funny, we got one of the reviews that said 'at the start I thought these actors were really good rappers. It actually just turns out that these rappers are really good actors'. So we fooled a lot of people with. I'm glad we did it." Móglaí Bap: "I think actually it still happens — during some of the film premieres, some people leave the movie still not knowing that we're an actual band and think that we're just a fake band that we created for the movie. So I think that's a good sign." On the Kind of Preparation That Goes Into Playing Yourself in Your First Acting Roles Mo Chara: "We got an unbelievable acting coach called Kieran Lagan. At the very start, it was a lot of warm-up games — and as Kieran would say, in acting, if you're in your head you're dead. You have to be present. You have to be in the room. There was a lot of staring into each other's eyes for five minutes. I don't know if you'll ever be close enough to somebody to do that. It's very awkward. And you have to describe each other's face and stuff. So there was a lot of really awkward games for us at the start. But by the end of this couple of months that we did, it became very therapeutic for us to go and do these sessions, and then we would leave and everybody would be in good form." Móglaí Bap: "We all nearly fell in love, because apparently if you stare into someone's eyes for ten minutes, you fall in love. I don't know if that's true." Mo Chara: "Speak for yourself." On Covering Kneecap's Lived Experiences, the Post-Troubles Reality in Northern Ireland, the Impact of the Police, the Campaign for the Irish Language to Be Recognised and More, All in One Film Mo Chara: "We had the term 'kill your babies'. So we would have some great ideas, but it just wasn't going to work in the film. So stuff that we really liked, we had to just cut it. And that's always tough. But I suppose that's the game. Even some scenes that were in it that have been cut that we really liked, because the the first draft was like two hours and 15 minutes. And so we went and had to cut loads of scenes. So that's always tricky. But yeah, there's a big political sphere here that we wanted to represent, but we just couldn't get everything in because it's such a complex history here. But we got what we felt was important to the story and what was important for people to understand the contacts of the of politics here. I think we got most of it across with the Irish Language Act, and the Unionist and Republican politicians." Móglaí Bap: "I think the core element of the movie, which we always came back to, is identity. Identity is so important, especially in post-colonial countries that do have Indigenous languages. Language and identity are all intertwined, and I think that's something that resonates with people. We've seen in America or places where they speak minority languages, that what resonates with them mostly is identity. And people I've met people who watch the film, they literally instantly either want to learn Irish or want to learn whatever their own Indigenous native language is. That's something that we're very proud of. That's the effect this movie is having." On Getting Michael Fassbender Onboard to Play Móglaí Bap's Father Dad Mo Chara: "It made the difference." Móglaí Bap: "He was completely starstruck when he met us." Mo Chara: "We always say that, that he was completely starstruck — but he actually was a fan of Kneecap. And I feel like he really liked the script. So it was amazing to have him. So we wrote the film. We were ready to go, basically, in a few months time, but COVID happened. So it put everything back a few years. But COVID actually in itself was a blessing, because it was after COVID or towards the end of COVID, that we got Fassbender involved. So COVID actually worked in our favour. But it made all the difference. It gave the film legitimacy, whenever you have such a big star like that involved. We already had Josie Walker [The Wonder, This Is Going to Hurt, Belfast] and Simone Kirby [The Buccaneers, Hidden Assets, His Dark Materials], who've done plenty of huge, huge roles as well. But Fassbender brought this new legitimacy to it. And also it meant anyone who was on set the day of Fassbender, everybody upped their game. Everybody wore their best clothes. The catering was better. Everyone acted better." Móglaí Bap: "We got real plates." Mo Chara: "We got real plates and cutlery." Móglaí Bap: "We got real forks and knives, instead of all the paper ones we were using." Mo Chara: "So it really just upped everyone's game, having him involved, and it it just pushed everyone just to strive to be better." Kneecap opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Images: Madman / Sony Pictures Classics.
Luxe basement bar and eatery The George On Collins has scored a makeover and a brand new menu, as it moves into the next phase of its life. The sprawling basement space, designed Hecker Guthrie (responsible for Ugly Duckling, Ruyi and Longrain, amongst others), now features a collection of revamped private spaces, geared towards upscale celebrations with the crew. Make yourself at home in The Attic, tucked upstairs and behind a curtain; enjoy an intimate celebration in The Den; or settle into a feast in the new-look private dining room, The Rumpus. The glass-fronted Cellar, with views across the rest of the venue, has room for a up to 220. Alongside these sleek new additions to the space, The George has also treated its food offering to a complete overhaul, now plating up vibrant, mod-Vietnamese fare for lunch, dinner and late-night sessions alike. The three new menus are the vision of MasterChef Australia 2018 contestant Khanh Ong, and have been brought to life by Head Chef Quim Hernandez. While they're anchored by traditional flavours and techniques, there is still plenty of creativity. Head in for plates like glass dumplings with prawns, pork and heirloom carrots ($12), slow-cooked lamb shoulder matched with coriander sauce ($36), and a half rooster ($32) done with a ginger and fish sauce caramel. The dessert situation proves equally impressive — starring creations like Khanh's 'drunk' sticky date pudding ($14) with whisky caramel and vanilla — as does the drinks list, which Khanh has also had a hand in. Vietnamese flavours make themselves known throughout the cocktails, which include the lemongrass and chilli infused Hot In Ha Noi ($22) and the guava- and coconut-heavy One Night in Saigon ($22).
When Fitzroy's venerable old pub The Rose — famous for their bangin' street parties and being a top-notch place to watch the footy — shut down in December 2015, it was to the dismay of locals. Luckily it was only for a few months to undergo renovations, which has seen the pub get a new lick of paint, a welcome refresh and, most notably, a wine bar upstairs. New owners Tim Hogan and John Tennent — who also own Port Melbourne's greatest wine bar, Harry and Frankie — have reinvigorated The Rose, but Fitzroy locals will be comforted by the fact that their natural watering hole retains the essence of the original pub. The front bar has lost the carpet, but kept the central bar and classic TV setup for watching a game and enjoying that classic Aussie pastime: a pot and a parma. However, upstairs has seen the biggest change. It's Fitzroy version of the pair's popular wine bar, and comes complete with a separate entrance. Up here the focus moves to wine (obviously) and away from pub food to a light charcuterie. There's also a walk-in wine cellar for diners to pluck their wine of choice fresh from the shelves.
Sure, Bali's known for its beautiful resorts and lively beach clubs, but venture a little deeper and away from the classic Aussie tourist traps, and you'll find plenty of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will make your trip one of a kind. How does river tubing through rainforest canyons sound? Maybe you'd rather make your own silver jewellery? Or get up early to watch the sunrise from the top of a volcano? We've rounded up eight unique, local-led adventures that let you see a different side of Bali (and beyond). And the best part? When you book an experience with your Visa card through our dedicated travel platform, Concrete Playground Trips, you'll score 10% off. So, start exploring – these are the kind of days you'll still be talking about on the flight home.
The year is 1987. One way or another, the residents of Hawkins, Indiana that viewers know and love will have their last experience with the eeriness that's been plaguing their town for years. That's the promise of Stranger Things' long-awaited fifth and final season, even if the hit Netflix show saying goodbye won't be the end of the franchise's universe. Audiences, start looking forward to 2025. More than two years after season four's arrival — a wait extended due to 2023's Hollywood strikes — the streaming platform has confirmed that Stranger Things will be back in 2025. More than that, it has revealed a few key details. The first: that the new season will be set in the fall of 1987, which means a jump from the fourth season's spring 1986 timing. The second: the titles of the eight upcoming episodes. [caption id="attachment_978610" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix © 2024[/caption] There's no specific release date yet, other than 2025 — and nothing more in terms of a storyline, either. But if you feel like obsessing over the episode monikers for clues, you've now got eight hints. The season will kick off with 'The Crawl', then deliver 'The Vanishing of ...', 'The Turnbow Trap' and 'Sorcerer'. Next comes 'Shock Jock', 'Escape From Camazotz' and 'The Bridge', before it all ends with the enticingly named 'The Rightside Up'. Netflix unveiled the titles with a teaser video that's just text on-screen, plus the familiar — and always-welcome — sounds of the Stranger Things theme. Wondering who or what vanishes? The details are also part of the episode name, but the spoiler part has been blurred out to keep everyone guessing. Fans already know, however, that this season features Terminator franchise icon Linda Hamilton, jumping from one sci-fi hit to another. That said, there's no news yet on who she'll play, where she'll fit in, what relationship that she'll have with the usual Hawkins crew, how many episodes that she'll feature in or if she'll be visiting the Upside Down — or how pivotal she'll be to the show's big farewell. And as for more Stranger Things-related antics after season five, when creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that their sci-fi show was working towards its endgame back in 2022, they also said that they had more stories to tell in this fictional realm. Instantly, we all knew what that meant. Netflix doesn't like letting go of its hits easily, after all, so the quest to find a way to keep wandering through this franchise was about as surprising as Jim Hopper's (David Harbour, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story) usual gruff mood. Check out the title tease video for season five below: Stranger Things season five will arrive some time in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. You can stream the first four seasons now via Netflix — and read our review of season four. Images: Netflix.
A well-known brand among brewery aficionados, Urban Alley has opened a massive flagship drinking and dining destination at 'The Fashion Capital', Chadstone. This latest opening adds to Chadstone's growing hospitality offering, making it much more than just a place to shop till you drop. The $7 million brew pub is Melbourne's largest on-site shopping centre bar and the biggest hospitality venue at Chadstone, with a capacity of 620 people spread across two enormous levels. The new flagship venue brings together dining, drinking and entertainment, with a large beer hall, several bars including a sports bar, an open-air balcony and private dining rooms. Dean Grant, Co-Founder and CEO, says, "This is Urban Alley like you've never experienced it before. We're creating something that reflects the energy and creativity of Melbourne, a space where you can drink beer brewed metres away, eat incredible food and enjoy a world-class hospitality experience, all in one place." Expect pub classics such as parmas, fish and chips, burgers and steaks, a selection of pizzas, snacks such as Korean fried chicken and mac and cheese croquettes, and even healthy salads like ancient grain and Vietnamese calamari. We don't need to tell you that there is a healthy selection of top-class beers to work your way through, so we suggest starting with a customisable beer tasting flight. Chadstone Centre General Manager, Daniel Boyle, says, "Urban Alley's flagship adds a new dimension to our entertainment and dining precinct. Urban Alley is a unique attraction that further strengthens Chadstone's position as a world-class retail and lifestyle hub and will be a unique drawcard for both local and international visitors." Images: Supplied.
The sourdough masters at Rustica might be best known for their cult-favourite breads and pastries, but they've also got a soft spot for great coffee. So much so that the team launched its own specialty coffee roaster, First Love Coffee, which has been pouring at the brand's local cafes for the past few years. And now, it's got its very own home, with the opening of First Love's flagship store in Collins Arch. Sporting a chic fit-out full of peach- and green-hued terrazzo by Fiona Drago Architect, the pint-sized standing room-only espresso bar is both a caffeine pit-stop and retail space, heroing First Love's globe-trotting menu of beans. The coffee lineup features single origins from Brazil, Ethiopia and Nicaragua, alongside the popular house-blend Polaroid, while the food menu runs to a selection of easy grab-and-go items. Swing past for the likes of a classic brekkie roll ($9.50); a smoked mushroom sanga loaded with taleggio, baby spinach and truffle mayo ($14.50); and a poached chicken salad with Vietnamese slaw, toasted coconut and a nam jim dressing ($15). Rustica's signature breads feature throughout, too, and, if the mood calls for something sweet, the brand's legendary pastries will always be in strong supply. Images: Rebecca Newman
Thanks to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gracing both the stage and the page, and the film adaptation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them making its way to movie screens, 2016 has offered plenty of opportunities to step back into the magical world of everyone's favourite wizard. Of course, there's a difference between eagerly heading to the theatre, ripping through a book or rushing off to the cinema, and entering a real-life Hogwarts-style school. HP fans, you might want to book a flight to Utah. Blackburn Academy of the Magical Arts is the passion project of Springville artist Benjamin Lee Roche, as inspired by J.K. Rowling's finest creations. And, as he puts the finishing touches on the kind of Harry Potter-themed home makeover that even the most enchanted among us would need an army of house elves to pull off, he's opened the abode's Gryffindor-centric bedroom to Airbnb travellers. Yes, you can spend a night or several in a room decked out like a cross between the Gryffindor common room and Harry Potter's dorm room — and you won't even have to exclaim "alohomora!" to get in. You'll also be able to access what's described as "an immersive environment meant to inspire imagination," complete with "multiple exotic animals that are available to see and potentially interact with". Decor-wise, the house includes hanging candles to mimic Hogwarts' Great Hall, as well as spaces dedicated to different magical arts. In addition to Airbnb bookings, it's currently open for tours and parties, with actual classes teaching divination, potions, calligraphy, care of magical creatures and more on the horizon. Via Daily Herald.
When Sydney Film Festival unveils its complete lineup in May each year, it lets Australian movie lovers know which features are on the way to the Harbour City just before the cinema-adoring world turns its eyes to Cannes. Consider the Aussie fest a cure for film FOMO, then. Plenty of the movies that are set to wow audiences in France this month will head Down Under next month. SFF always adds more such titles just before it kicks off, as late additions to the program, but 2025's roster of flicks already boasts 15 entries in the direct-from-Cannes camp. Here's a few, all playing between Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15: Josh O'Connor (Challengers) and Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza) in heist-thriller mode in filmmaker Kelly Reichardt's (Showing Up) 70s-set The Mastermind; It Was Just an Accident, the latest feature from acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi (No Bears), who is also the subject of one of SFF's 2025 retrospectives; and Dangerous Animals, hailing from Australian helmer Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones, The Devil's Candy) and telling a tale of a shark-obsessed serial killer on the Gold Coast. Musing on its eponymous author as only filmmaker Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) can, Orwell: 2+2=5 is also taking the Cannes-to-Sydney route. So is coming-of-age story Enzo from BPM (Beats Per Minute)'s Robin Campillo; Mirrors No 3, which sees German director Christian Petzold reteam with his Transit, Undine and Afire star Paula Beer; Nigeria's My Father's Shadow, the first-ever movie from the country to be selected to play on the Croisette; The Secret Agent, led by Wagner Moura (Dope Thief) for filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho (a Sydney Film Festival Prize-winner for Aquarius); and Vie Privée with Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country). Some of the aforementioned titles are vying for this year's SFF prize, in the competition's 17th year — where opening night's already-announced Together, a new body-horror by Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks (The Wizards of Aus) starring Alison Brie (Apples Never Fall) and Dave Franco (Love Lies Bleeding) is also in contention. A few movies that the festival announced back in April, when it started giving sneak peeks at its 2025 lineup, are equally on that category. Will DJ Ahmet, a Sundance-winner after collecting its World Cinema — Dramatic Audience Award, emerge victorious? Or will that honour go to 2025 Berlinale Grand Jury Prize-winner The Blue Trail? They're in the running, with The Narrow Road to the Deep North filmmaker Justin Kurzel, one of his recent stars in Thomas Weatherall, the latter's Heartbreak High co-star Rachel House, plus Hong Kong-based producer Winnie Tsang and Marrakech International Film Festival director Melita Toscan du Plantier all doing the judging. What features Tom Hiddleston's (Loki) newest performance as well, with The Life of Chuck directed by The Fall of the House of Usher's Mike Flanagan and based on a Stephen King novella? What also boasts Jacob Elordi (Oh, Canada), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Twisters) and Will Poulter (Warfare) in queer romance On Swift Horses, plus Richard Linklater's (Hit Man) Blue Moon with Ethan Hawke (Leave the World Behind), Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Andrew Scott (Ripley) — alongside Carey Mulligan (Spaceman) in music-fuelled comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island, the Dylan O'Brien (Saturday Night)-led Twinless and Pike River with Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets) getting its world premiere? This year's Sydney Film Festival. Which event is adding to its screening venues in 2025 in a spectacular way by showing films at Sydney Opera House, too? And which fest has 201 movies from 70 countries on its lineup, with 17 world premieres, six international premieres and 137 Australian premieres among them? The answer is still the same. How does long-term Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley characterise this year's program, the event's 72nd? "The 2025 Festival offers a bold and expansive view of cinema today, with films that confront the urgent realities of our world, while also revelling in the power of imagination and storytelling," he advises. "From astonishing Australian debuts to daring new works by global auteurs, this year's program is a celebration of creative risk, personal vision and artistic resilience. We invite audiences to explore this thrilling lineup, connect with filmmakers from around the world, and share in the transformative joy of cinema." Other 2025 highlights include Berlin's Golden Bear-winner Dreams (Sex Love); Aussie effort Death of an Undertaker, the directorial debut of actor Christian Byers (Bump), who uses an IRL Leichhardt funeral parlour as his setting; Dreams, with Jessica Chastain (Mothers' Instinct) reuniting with her Memory helmer Michel Franco; satire Kontinental '25, from Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World and Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn's Radu Jude; and What Does That Nature Say to You, the latest from South Korea's prolific Hong Sang-soo (In Our Day). Or, there's the near-future Tokyo-set Happyend, the Luca Guadagnino (Queer)-produced Nineteen, Tibetan-language anthology State of Statelessness (the first ever, in fact), Naomi Watts (Feud) and Bill Murray (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) in page-to-screen dramedy The Friend, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, and Vicky Krieps (The Dead Don't Hurt) and Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things) tackling grief and possession in Went Up the Hill. Among the standouts on the festival's documentary slate, Jennifer Peedom (River) turns her focus to the quest to make the world's deepest cave dive by Thai cave rescue hero Dr Richard Harris in Deeper, 20 Days in Mariupol's Mstyslav Chernov works bodycam footage from the Ukrainian frontline into 2000 Metres to Andriivka and All I Had Was Nothingness features unused material from iconic Holocaust documentary Shoah 40 years on. Plus, Floodland is focused on Lismore, Journey Home, David Gulpilil charts the iconic actor's journey to be laid to rest, Prime Minister shines a spotlight on Jacinda Ardern and trying to open a Tokyo restaurant is at the heart of Tokito: The 540-Day Journey of a Culinary Maverick. Fans of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, take note: it's up for discussion in Chain Reactions from Alexandre O Philippe (Lynch/Oz). If you miss the video-store era, Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell) understands, and has made Videoheaven about it — a film essay solely comprised from movie and TV clips. A New Leaf, The Heartbreak Kid, Mikey and Nicky and Ishtar director Elaine May earns SFF's second 2025 retrospective, while the fest's lineup of restored classics includes the Aussie likes of Muriel's Wedding, Somersault and Mullet, plus Angel's Egg from Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii. For viewers of all ages, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is also on the program. SFF's 2025 announcements until now were already impressive, so there's not only more joining the above flicks courtesy of the full program — they already have great company. Barry Keoghan's (Bird) new Irish thriller Bring Them Down; the Australian premiere of homegrown animation Lesbian Space Princess; music documentaries One to One: John & Yoko and Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao e Rua — Two Worlds; Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door)- and Michael Shannon (The Bikeriders)-starring post-apocalyptic musical The End; intimacy coordinators getting the doco treatment; Ellis Park, about Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds collaborator, Dirty Three founder and frequent film-score composer Warren Ellis: they're on the lineup, too. So is the one-film movie marathon that is 14-hour picture Exergue — on documenta 14, which is set inside the 2017 edition of the documenta art exhibition in Germany and Greece. Audiences will watch it in four- to five-hour segments — because, if it wasn't already apparent, there's no such thing as too much time spent in a cinema at Sydney Film Festival. [caption id="attachment_1002690" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Christian Schulz/ Schrammfilm[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1002697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1002698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greg Cotten[/caption] Sydney Film Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at cinemas across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information and tickets.
Melbourne sneakerheads, get ready to geek out over some of the rarest sneakers, streetwear pieces and apparel on the market — because Australia's largest sneaker convention, Sneakerland, is coming to town. The event creates a huge space for all collectors, resellers, content creators and creatives, plus anyone who just loves sneakers. If you can't get enough kicks, you'll want to be there. On Saturday, November 19, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be filled with over 3000 sneakers from different 52 vendors. Expect rare footwear including Jordan 1 OG Chicago (1985), Nike SB Dunk Low Paris and Nike Air Yeezy Red October. These shoes are ridiculously expensive, but we know some folks are willing to drop big bucks for the right pair. Expect hardcore sneaker lovers to be at Sneakerland, obviously. Come ready to fight over incredibly exclusive shoes and apparel. But this event isn't only for cashed up collectors. First off, there are stacks of more affordable sneakers available from both local and international sellers. And, the sneaker museum will be a huge drawcard — no matter your budget. Sneakerland will also feature a heap of entertainment, setting the vibe as you peruse — and maybe purchase — all that footwear. So, as well as live sneaker auctions, plus exclusive sneaker and streetwear drops, attendees will be able to get around some basketball competitions, try to win raffles and prizes, hit up the tattoo station and listen DJs. Guest appearances from local celebrities and sporting icons have also been promised, although further details haven't been revealed as yet. While general tickets cost $40, if you nab a VIP ticket for $100, you're in for some extra swag. You'll score early access to the event, food and drinks, and a private lounge to relax in. There'll also be special live auctions featuring the most sought-after items — so if you're looking to beat all others on the trading floor, this is likely for you. Sneakerland takes place on Saturday, November 19, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information, head to the event's website — with tickets on sale via Ticketmaster.
Bespoke butchers and bakeries aren't quite a dime a dozen in Melbourne just yet, but there's certainly no shortage of options when it comes to finding top-notch pastries or meat cuts within the city and the suburbs. Finding a quality boutique shop dedicated to seafood is much harder, which is exactly where this humble Nicholson Street store comes in. Taking over the space left behind when Canals Seafood shut up shop after 100 years of service, The Fishmonger's Son offers an abundance of freshly caught goodies sourced directly from the wholesale market each morning, plus preserved and pickled seafood delicacies. The son in question aims to provide a seafood deli with quality produce, service and advice, in honour of his late father, who supplied fresh fish to Melbourne retailer's from the Footscray Wholesale Market for 40 years. Images: Brook James.
Don't believe that boy bemoaning, loudly, the lack of live music venues in Sydney. There's no truth to that rumour. Dig a little deeper, kid, and you'll see there's a whole range of places out there. Choose your own adventure from Concrete Playground's list of favourite spots, featuring everything from long-term Sydney stalwarts to DIY new kids on the block. 1. The Enmore TheatreWhere: 118-132 Enmore Road, Enmore Undeniably Sydney's most beautiful theatre, the Enmore maintains an antique, old-world feel inside a contemporary venue. Built in 1908, this art deco theatre has gradually been transformed into the kind of luxury that is pure rock 'n' roll: band posters are plastered beneath luxurious chandeliers, drinks are purchased from a bar in the foyer, and the seats in the stalls are, depending on the occasion, removed to make way for standing room audiences. If the ambiance alone isn't enough to entice you, never fear: the Enmore plays host to some of the biggest acts to visit our shores. We're talking The Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, Wu Tang Clan, The Pretenders, Grace Jones... The list goes on. And while the size and prestige of this place is strong enough to attract the big acts, the performance space remains cosy and intimate. The combination of the theatre's traditional acoustics and an immense front of house system also results in exceptional sound, making the Enmore one of Sydney's premier live venues. Click here for venue review and details. 2. The Red RattlerWhere: 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville A new arrival on the live music scene, the Red Rattler is a community-based venue and innovative arts space. It's a space determined to make a lot of noise, and is named for the old Red Rattler trains that did the same. Building on the shoulders of Sydney's infamous illegal warehouse scene (which many of these Rats were involved in), this is a completely legal venue that seems far too good to be true. It's an inspiring space that feels more like a home than a warehouse. Plush red velvet curtains, mismatched second-hand couches and an intimate, friendly atmosphere make a night spent at the Rattler completely unique. The fact that it's run by a collective of artists guarantees an exceptional spectrum of performers, with past highlights including The Church, Naked On The Vague and the High Reflections experimental music nights. Click here for review and details. 3. The Annandale HotelWhere: 17 Parramatta Road, Annandale This pub rock institution is the lifeblood of the Sydney music scene. A '30s Aussie pub, converted in the early '80s into a live music venue, the Annandale has long been the quintessential Australian rock venue. There's the distinct stench of blood, sweat and tears in the air to prove it. With a substantial stage and lighting rig, and a sound system perfectly worn in to the room, any Australian band worth their salt aspires to play here (or already has). A rite of passage for up and coming bands, a night at the Annandale is memorable for musicians and punters alike. And to help the memory factor, the paved courtyard behind the hotel hosts 'pub cha' every Saturday and Sunday, offering regular favourites as well as weekly specials. Click here for review and details. 4. GoodGodWhere: 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney This cosy danceteria is bursting at the seams with character: think walls covered with coloured tiles and wooden wagon wheels, mirror balls and bright disco lights, and a crowd that still manages to distract from the interior. The most important feature here is the dance floor, which I guarantee you'll find yourself carving up in no time at all. The music policy varies each night, so look to the website if it's live music that's your thing. Past favourites include Jack Ladder, La Mancha Negra, The Coolies and live karaoke (meaning you plus live band), run by Siberia Records. Click here for review and details. 5. 505Where: 280 Cleveland St, Surry Hills Spartan would be one word used to describe 505. You'd quite easily walk past its front when strolling down Cleveland Street without even glancing up, or knowing that behind a bland, unobtrusive door lies a music venue showcasing some very groovy up and coming Sydney talent. And not just that - it also hides a great place for a drink. While it's not somewhere that you'd visit if you were just after a quiet night out, if you like music with your beverage of choice then this is the place, though that does mean there's usually a cover charge in order to get in. Still, with an array of music to suit your appetite and the fact that it's an artist run space that brings local talent to the stage nearly every night of the week, 505 definitely deserves to not escape your notice. Click here for review and details. 6. The VanguardWhere: 42 King Street, Newtown While it might feel as if you've slid back into the '20s, this comfortably luxurious venue was in fact purpose built. Channeling New Orleans in the heart of Sydney, the Vanguard is a bohemian haven and a place to experience something a little bit different. The restaurant offers a mix of modern Australian and 'soul food', while the stage plays host to an eclectic range of musicians and performers. For those whose tastes lie in jazz and blues, cabaret and burlesque: you've found your man. Click here for review and details. 7. The Factory Theatre Where: 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville The intentions of this venue are clear: a bar, a wide open space (soon to be dance floor) and an empty stage. If you arrive early, it may all feel a little bare, but this only means more room for shenanigans later on. Live music is the core of the Factory's operation, with acts as diverse as Ratcat, the Herd, Holly Throsby and Jamie Lidell. There's plenty of other good options to look out for as well, as this venue also plays host to unique events like the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Click here for review and details. 8. The LansdowneWhere: the corner of City Road and Broadway, Sydney Previously better known for its $10 meals than its live music policy, the Lansdowne is an old pub that's making way for new music. The recently renovated band room is impressive, and now offers live music six nights in a typical week. What's even better is that all shows are free, with an impressive array of local bands on board. Recent shows have featured The Laurels, Dark Bells and Domeyko/Gonzalez. Plus, the cheap meals are still on offer in the cosy bistro upstairs. In other words, a win win situation. Click here for review and details. 9. Black Wire RecordsWhere: 219 Parramatta Road, Annandale If it's the underground you're seeking, this is where you'll find it. Technically a record store, Black Wire offers not only an impressive array of music to purchase but also an enviable dedication to showcasing live bands. Rough and ready is the rule, with bands setting up to play early evenings on the shop floor. All shows are cheap and all ages, providing a vital opportunity for everyone to access cult music. Recent performers have included Alps of New South Wales, Kirin J Callinan and Slug Guts. 10. Oxford Art FactoryWhere: 38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst Perhaps one of the most ambitious venues to open in Sydney in recent years, the Oxford Art Factory is inspired by Andy Warhol's seminal Factory, and intends to operate as a focal point of music and the arts in Sydney. The main room caters to larger and international acts, such as The Dead Weather, Digitalism and Warpaint. The Gallery Bar showcases local acts, with a feature wall repainted frequently by guest artists. Between the two lies the Glass Cube, an exhibition space that regularly features live performance art. Click here for review and details.
With everyone spending our days, weeks and months inside due to COVID-19, we're all putting that extra time at home to good use in different ways. Perhaps you're streaming your way through anything and everything you can find. Maybe you're playing board games, doing jigsaws and building Lego. Or, you could be cooking up a storm, getting a workout or being practical by learning a new skill (or several). For many folks, home renovation is on the agenda — whether you're finally painting that wall, putting up that shelf, making over your garden or doing all the odd jobs around the place that you've been putting off for far too long. That means that Bunnings Warehouse has been mighty popular, and busy. And if you're eager to pick up hardware supplies while still maintaining social distancing requirements, you're now in luck. The chain has just implemented a new drive and collect service, which is available at 250 of Bunnings' larger stores around Australia — excluding Tasmania. The contactless option is an extension of its existing click and collect option, just adapted so that you don't have to get out of your car. DIY enthusiasts just need to complete their purchase online, wait for notification that their order is ready, and select their preferred pickup date and time. Then, when you drive to the store, you'll park in a designated drive and collect bay, and text or call the store to let them know you've arrived. All you need to do next is wait for a staff member to bring out your goods and put them in your car boot. [caption id="attachment_767993" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bidgee via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sadly, drive and collect doesn't apply to Bunnings' sausage sizzles, which have been suspended since mid-March in response to the coronavirus. Drive and collect isn't available at smaller Bunnings stores, so check online to see if your local warehouse is participating. For further information about Bunnings' click and collect service — or to place an order — visit the chain's website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
From Swan Street to Bridge Road and the boutiques buried throughout the backstreets of Cremorne, Richmond is recognised as a pretty fashionable area. Since 2009, Royal Order of Nothing has been contributing its fair share to the region's stylish reputation, stocking a cool collection of men's, women's and children's clothing, plus accessories and gifts. Located near the bustling junction of Church and Swan Streets, snag yourself a coffee at one of many nearby spots before heading into RON and searching through the range. With brands such as The Assembly Label, Elk, Brixton, Status Anxiety and Happy Socks to choose from, a visit to Royal Order of Nothing will quickly get your wardrobe updated for the new season. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
Australia's human history makes for a dense history book, filled with highs and lows from tens of thousands of years of culture, war and identity recorded in words and stories alike. But what about the history before then? The millions of years that only survive by etchings and impressions in the rock? Australia's prehistoric past is filled with creatures you wouldn't believe, and they're the stars of the show in the first-ever Queensland Dinosaur Week. Queensland is home to many of Australia's paleontology sites, and a lot of what we know about the giants of the ancient land, seas and skies of our country comes from the dirt and stones of the north. So, to expand on the already-existing National Dinosaur Day, Dinosaur Experiences Australia is inviting Aussies to explore that history in full over the course of a week, Monday, May 4 to Sunday, May 10. Throughout the week, events will be hosted at museums, science centres and dig sites across the state, welcoming experts from the Australian paleontology community to share their knowledge of Australia's ancient history and its ongoing impact on us today. Choose from events like Dinosaurs After Dark at QLD Museum Kurilpa and seeing Australia's most important fossil finds in person — you can also venture into the outback and see the biggest bones in Australian history or become a volunteer fossil preparator to handle and prepare fossils (under supervision, of course). If you prefer a more choose-your-own-adventure-style itinerary, you can browse a number of pre-prepared road trip itineraries to visit Queensland's biggest and best fossil sites and most famous discoveries — such as the big seven. These fossils chart Queensland's history from the ancient Eromanga sea to coastal floodplains and ice-age riverlands that giant mammals and birds called home before humans hunted them to extinction. The legendary finds, scattered everywhere from Mt Isa to Eromanga, are among the largest and most fearsome animals ever to exist in the world, let alone Australia. They include Banjo, the most complete Australovenator (a vicious carnivore) to ever be discovered, Cooper the Australotitan, one of the biggest animals of all time, Krono, the killer king of Australia's Cretaceous-era seas, and the so-called demon ducks, giant flightless birds that lived just before the ice age. Whether you're planning on attending one of the many events or designing your own prehistoric adventure, Karen Hanna Miller, Executive Officer of Dinosaur Experiences Australia, says you'll see that "Queensland's fossil story is not complete. Every season, new finds reshape our understanding of ancient ecosystems and evolutionary changes. Visitors are not just observing history, they are stepping into a landscape where science is still unfolding." And as Dr Scott Hocknull, Principal Research Fellow in Applied Palaeontology & Palaeotourism at CQUniversity puts it, "When most Australians think of dinosaurs, they picture Hollywood blockbusters or far-flung fossil fields overseas. But if you want to stand where giants actually walked — or swam — you don't need a passport." Queensland Dinosaur Week runs from Monday, May 4 to Sunday, May 10. For more information, visit the website. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox. Images: supplied
Ikea may have been the brand on everybody's lips when they recently blessed Sydneysiders with a new store in Tempe, but the Swedish design giants are turning more heads with their latest advertising stunt in France. Ikea have built a whole apartment inside Auber subway station in Paris. Sitting at just 54 square metres, it is currently housing five people, who are staying there from January 9 to 15. The aim of the campaign is to show people how to use space effectively in their own homes with Ikea furnishings. With windows for communters to peer inside, they get a first-hand look at the inhabitants eating, sleeping and lounging away in the space, all with the help of Ikea's premium products. Apart from feeling sorry for the five people trying to sleep right next to the constant arrival and departure of passengers and trains, this is a great advertising stunt that fuses private and public spaces to spark customers' creativity within their own homes. Check out the apartment's construction and some of the reactions below. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oMEi9vzWdug
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you might want to put Tasmania's newest place to stay on your radar. Mövenpick Hotel Hobart marks the Swiss brand's first site in Australia — and if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's offering. Between 4–5pm daily, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart celebrates chocolate hour. That's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. If you fancy tucking into something sweet at another time of day, you'll also be able to book in for a chocolate-tasting package. And, Mövenpick's hotels serve the brand's line of food and beverages, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is on the menu as well. One of more than 80 of the chain's sites worldwide, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart also boasts 221 guest rooms across levels three to 18 — because you need somewhere to enjoy its sweets. Located near the city's waterfront, the venue has been decked out with nature design-inspired interiors that take inspiration from Tasmania, with Jaws Architects doing the honours. Think: wall panelling, furniture, fabrics and colours that have all been selected to the local landscape. For guests in the mood for more than just chocolate, cocktails and ice cream, the hotel is home to Tesoro Modern Italian restaurant, and also has a big focus on nutritious breakfasts. You can start your day with a shot of juice or yoghurt blended with fresh fruit and vegetables, or with other health-focused dishes. Facilities-wise, there's also a function space that can cater for up to 100 people and a gym — and, inside some guest rooms, you'll be treated to panoramic views over Hobart, too. Find Mövenpick Hotel Hobart at 28 Elizabeth Street, Hobart — and head to the chain's website for bookings and other information.
If you cast your mind back far enough, you might be able to remember a time when Tazos, Gameboys and the temperamental Tamagotchi reigned supreme, when a sherbet bomb or a Spice Girls playing card was the most respected form of social currency, the term 'apple' still referred to a fruit, bucket hats were cool in a non-ironic way and, most importantly, reading was exciting. It was an illicit and novel (mind the pun) activity, best carried out with the aid of a night light or torch after 8.30pm on a school night. It seemed the most pressing matter in the world was knowing what happened The Day My Bum Went Psycho and Andy Griffiths was the only one with the power to tell you, one five-page, giant-font-sized chapter at a time. No Mum, this could not wait until tomorrow morning. When the lunch orders, political games of four square and designated readers of primary school gave way to the cafeteria, MSN and condom-on-banana era of high school, English class filled the book-shaped void of childhood for many. If, like me, you were lucky enough to be graced by a literature teacher with an uncanny physical and temperamental resemblance to Miss Honey (if you don't get that reference, you’re reading the wrong article), a lifelong love of books was at this point cemented, as definitive as carefully scripted calligraphy on paper, preferably penned with the aid of a feather and pot of ink. As an adult sans parents, you are free to stay up as late as you want, poring over Hemingway, Bronte, Austen and… E.L. James. The only problem is, beyond a questionable internet forum of Pride and Prejudice enthusiasts who like to discuss Mr Darcy via webcam whilst simultaneously coiling their hair in rags to get into character (this is a very real phenomenon), it is difficult to find likeminded individuals with whom you can debate and pick apart the bitter lows and dizzying heights of your favourite protagonists before assigning each fictional character to a member of your friendship group and yourself. (Duh, of course you're Jane Eyre, except way prettier.) Enter the book club — not half as cringe worthy as a knitting group, less tragic than ballet classes for grown ups and offering similar potential for romance as speed dating, minus the unmistakeable whiff of desperation, they might just be the next big nostalgic hipster trend. You heard it here first. Courtesy of Laneway Learning's Book Club for Beginners class, led by self-confessed book nut Nicola (this woman once faked the death of a book club before reforming it, sans underperforming members, read: book clubs are her crack), here are the most important things to remember when starting, or attending, the intellectual's equivalent of the discotheque. Read the book — this one seems obvious, but in the excitement of choosing which spectacles to wear and what snack to bring in order to show everyone else up, it is often overlooked. Sparknotes don’t count. You’re only cheating yourself. Don't talk too much, nor too little. Just like Goldilocks, it's important to find the right balance between assuming the role of annoying know it all, unnecessarily referencing vaguely relevant high-literature to assert your intellect and the dreaded mute, offering nothing but unrelated everyday banter that has no place in book club. Which is a more serious offence, I cannot decide. If you're organising the book club, now is the time assume dictator-like authority. Book club is not a democracy — the instigator has the final word on location, reading list, members and snacks. The only thing up for discussion is the actual text and if you choose the right books, that should be more than enough to handle. Nicola regaled us with her one recorded observation of a book to the face — choose your members wisely, preferably without a history of violent paper-related assault, or it might not be the last. To theme or not to theme? This really is the eternal question. Opting to do so allows one to narrow down membership based on shared interest, whilst opening up the reading list to eclectic liquorice all-sorts exponentially increases the chance of discovering untapped passions, in the kind of magical way that can only take place from the comfort of one's lounge room, cup of Milo and paperback in hand. If you do decide to theme, examples include 'Dystopian' (1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and, The Passage by Justin Cronin), a theme which lends itself well to aluminium foil costumes and space cakes for afters, or my personal favourite, 'Mad Women' (The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys). That one's best served with a side of your head in the oven. The last and most important rule of book club? You don't talk about book club. Because, well, they'll never understand. Image via hotgirlsreadingbooks.tumblr.com
Though technically a pop-up, Miss Katie's Crab Shack has won itself a pretty permanent place in Melbourne's collective hearts, currently enjoying a third kitchen residency, at Ding Dong Lounge in the heart of Chinatown. And if there's any feast primed for spring evenings, it's Katie's Southern-style menu of crab, fried chicken and seafood-heavy snacks. Get in early to kick things off with a few $1 oysters (5–6pm), then don your plastic bib and dig right in to one of the signature crab boils, loaded up with your pick of seafood, chorizo, corn, potato and buttery goodness.
Between Thursday, December 8–Wednesday, December 14, Palace Cinemas is giving movie buffs in Melbourne an extra present. 'Tis the season, after all. It's not just the gift of great flicks — that is, the chain's daily bread and butter — but the gift of cheap great flicks. The one catch: you need to be a Palace Movie Club member. Head to the company's venues around the city — so at Pentridge, Brighton Bay, Westgarth, Balwyn, Como and The Kino — across the week in question, and you'll only pay $8 to see a film. Haven't yet seen Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bros, Don't Worry Darling or Top Gun: Maverick yet? Catching up will cost you $8. Keen to check out Decision to Leave, Bones and All, She Said, The Menu, Seriously Red, Violent Night, The Velvet Queen and Armageddon Time? Also $8. We'd keep naming movies, but you get the picture. Booking in advance is highly recommended, given how much everyone loves going to the flicks for little more than the price of a cup of coffee. If you do nab your tickets online, you will have to add a transaction fee to the cost. You won't be able to use the $8 deal on special events and film festivals, or on two-for-one offers and other deals — but you've now got plenty of movies to see for cheap.
Earlier this year, Mondrian Hotels launched its debut Australian stay just steps from the iconic Burleigh Heads beachfront. And like its other design-first accommodation, spanning glam locations from Los Angeles to Cannes to Seoul, the Aussie foray brought wall-to-wall luxury brimming with natural light, million-dollar views and a calming neutral colour palette. Now Modrian has opened reservations for its two highly anticipated Beach Houses. Following a similar rhythm to the hotel towers, this addition offers something of a residential experience (if you could imagine being so lucky), just with the service and amenities of a world-class hotel. Guided by acclaimed Los Angeles–based designers, Studio Carter, guests can expect privacy, luxury and bespoke hospitality. Across two- and three-bedroom stays, you can live out the beachfront lifestyle of your dreams. Accessed through private entrances, both through the hotel lobby or off the esplanade, these homes away from home come complete with magnesium plunge pools, terraces primed for entertaining, convenient laundry facilities and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that invite the Gold Coast warmth. Meanwhile, a full-sized kitchen enhances the long-stay appeal while bringing another level of residential comfort. The smaller details are just as impressive. Think sandy-toned interiors that reflect the laidback essence of the hotel and relaxed textural finishes inspired by coastal life. In fact, those seeking the most opulent stay can combine both residences into a five-bedroom retreat, perfect for big family vacations or celebrations with all your pals. Of course, a five-star stay like this also comes with plenty of guest perks. That includes expedited in-suite check-in, a curated gourmet welcome basket and a personal host and contact throughout your stay. Plus, you'll relish a daily à la carte breakfast at LiTO, the in-house Italian restaurant, and make the most of personalised experiences, from private chefs cooking up a feast to spa and beauty appointments, VIP restaurant and bar reservations, shopping services and more. Naturally, you're also welcome to enjoy the rest of the hotel's amenities. Step into Haven, serving elevated coastal cuisine, or slide into the Ciel Spa for holistic remedies and a high-performance gym. When it's time to explore beyond the hotel, the stunning stretch of Burleigh Heads is directly across from your accom, while the suburb's easy-breezy restaurants, bars and shops are just a few steps away. Mondrian Gold Coast's Beach Houses are now open for bookings at 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads. Visit the website for more information. Images: Justin Nicholas.
You could be forgiven for initially thinking that Chris Jordan's collections of digital photographs were nothing more than faded photos of iconic pieces of art. But on closer inspection, Jordan's photo of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus is actually made up of very small images. On even closer inspection, those very small images are actually plastic bags. The work is accompanied with this description: 'Depicts 240,000 plastic bags, equal to the estimated number of plastic bags consumed around the world every ten seconds'. Jordan's photos are made up of images of everyday items we consume everyday. Or, rather, we overconsume everyday. Some pretty scary statistics about consumption become the starting point for both his idea and the composition of the photo. And so it follows that Jordan's photo of Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Tatte is actually made up of images of 400,000 plastic bottle caps. His take on Van Gogh is made up of images of plastic lighters. Jordon also also creates his own images; a bust made up of 32,000 images of Barbie dolls - equal to the number of elective breast augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006 - and a moon made up of 29,000 credit cards - the amount of personal bankruptcy filings every week in the US in 2010 - also feature in the collection. https://youtube.com/watch?v=f09lQ8Q1iKE
Melbourne is consistently voted the world's most liveable city, and it's not just because of the obvious tourist destinations, award-winning restaurants and laneway coffee culture. Melbourne is an onion city — it has layers. One of the best parts of living here is the culinary gems you find hidden away across all corners of the city. And our reputation as a foodie city is by no means concentrated to the CBD. In fact, out in the 'burbs, where the rent is cheap and the people are hungry, you'll find some of the most experimental, underground and downright weird cafes. And with Melbourne's extensive bus network on hand, nowhere is off-limits to the enterprising foodie. Think of your myki as a passport to gastronomic delight in the quieter corners of our fair city. We've been exploring Melbourne's east to bring you a list of easy and amazing cafes, all accessible via the bus network. CHURCH OF SECULAR COFFEE Monash Uni is worth a bus trip on the 742 to check out the leafy campus and its glorious space-aged architecture. But the campus itself is also chock-full of cafes (gotta keep students caffeinated to get through those all-nighters) and the Church of Secular Coffee is undoubtedly the best one. (It's no wonder — it being part of the popular coffee-roasting St Ali family and all.) As well as serving up their house-roasted coffee, it also has a weird and wonderful menu of what we like to call 'high-art concept breakfast' ideas. There's brioche french toast served with a mulled wine glaze and vanilla mascarpone ($16.50) and 'sweet potato toast' made up of a slice of roasted sweet potato, smothered in smashed peas and almond feta, and sprinkled with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, quinoa flakes and pomegranate ($14.50). Trust us — you'll want to be spending your Sundays in prayer at the Church of Secular Coffee. 38 Exhibition Walk, Clayton. REUNION CAFE Both the Box Hill Bus (284) and the 612 bus will drop you just down the road from this sweet cafe — just make sure you come with a monster appetite to defeat its portions. The menu is two parts traditional to one part experimental, with jazzed-up cafe mainstays using local and regional produce and unlikely flavour combinations. We recommend the zucchini, cauliflower and amaranth fritters with eggplant kasundi and greens ($18.50). Or, for the sweetest of teeth, try the simple apple and chia muesli with lemon curd labna, strawberry coulis and fresh apple ($15). Pair it all with a freshly squeezed juice or smoothie, and you'll be laughing all the way back to the CBD. 160 Union Road, Surrey Hills. MR HENDRICKS It may be bold to say, but it's cafes like Mr Hendricks that make the home-ownership dream a reality for our food-obsessed generation. Why rent forever in the inner city when the outer suburbs have cafes like this? Mr Hendricks is a trendy and exciting cafe-coffeehouse on Whitehorse Road in Balwyn, and it's well-serviced by a number of popular bus lines with stops on Union Road just a short walk away. The menu doesn't play by the rules, so don't expect a traditional cafe experience. (It also may help lure you out to the 'burbs, but its prices won't necessarily help you save up for that home ownership.) We recommend the indulgent crispy eggs dish, a reimagining of your traditional brekkie, with sweet potato puree, smoked ham hock, baby cos, bacon crumb and ranch dressing of sourdough ($20). The soft shell crab roll is excellent too, served with cabbage, cucumber and Thai dressing on a charcoal bun ($23). And the best part? The cafe fully licensed. Breakfast bloody mary, anyone? 468 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn. AURA CAFE Hidden out in Lower Templestowe on the 907/908 bus line is Aura Cafe, an unassuming little eatery that cooks up meals that look more like art. The broad menu is what you'd expect from a friendly neighbourhood cafe (think various smashes, bowls and brekkies of varying bigness) but damn, they know how to plate up. Do not forget your phone when you head out to Aura because you're going to want to document this. We recommend the corn fritters with smashed avo, feta, bacon and egg ($18.90) or the French toast for maximum aesthetic (and flavoursome) delight. 401/200 High Street, Lower Templestowe. 929 CAFE 929 Cafe, conveniently located directly on the 766 bus line, is an experimental newcomer on the scene but has been getting rave reviews for both food and service. The menu here puts an Asian twist on Mediterranean food (a unique combo). And while it does serve up some more demure breakfast dishes, why would you bother with those when you can get carrot kataifi pastry with whipped feta and black garlic dressing ($17.50) or the cream cheese pancake garnished with pistachio and fresh fig ($13.50)? When we say experimental, we mean experimental. It's a testament to Melbourne's diverse cafe scene that boldness, weirdness and culinary innovation crop up all over the city — all you need to know is how to get there. 929 Riversdale Road, Surrey Hills. Jump on a bus headed toward Melbourne's eastern suburbs to explore more of the area. Find your best route here.
Darling Group is best known for opening and acquiring some of Melbourne's top cafes (Higher Ground, Top Paddock, The Terrace, Kettle Black), while recently branching out into the restaurant scene (Token and Stringers). Like many of the larger hospitality groups in Melbourne, the Darling Group continues to expand (even if the industry is struggling right now). Most recently, it opened Cheri — a new all-day eatery located right across from South Melbourne Market — on Wednesday, November 6. Cheri has taken over neighbouring sites Bibelot and Chez Dre, transforming them into one huge 150-seat venue that's open from 7am–5pm every day of the week. Darling Group's Executive Pastry Chef Michael Germanos is making sure Cheri is home to incredible pastries, cakes and bread, made on-site every morning to be exclusively sold here and across all of Darling Group's other venues. Expect an expansive collection of sweet and savoury croissants, classic eclairs, small and large tarts and cakes, sourdough loaves, baguettes, piadinas and focaccia sandwiches. It's giving full bakery energy throughout the morning, while also serving up an all-day dining menu that covers most of your breakfast and lunch bases. Brekkie bites include polenta porridge with confit spiced dates, mandarin, creme fraiche, cinnamon and pistachios; croissant loaf french toast with maple syrup and cultured butter; eggs benedict served on a croissant wheel; and a lamb merguez fry-up with poached eggs, za'atar yogurt, preserved lemon, mint and pita bread. This is a stacked morning menu that reads like those at Melbourne's best breakfast spots. For lunch, you've got ricotta gnocchi with pancetta, broad bean leaf verde, spring peas, stracciatella and green onion oil; chicken cotoletta with sprouting broccoli leaves, asparagus and cafe de Paris sauce; and seven different pizzas made with 72-hour fermented dough. Pair this all with some signature cocktails — you can never go wrong with a cheeky bloody mary — teas, shakes, sodas, and a decadent Cheri hot chocolate made with milk chocolate, whipped cream and crema di pistachio. You can drop by this spot for a quick takeaway pastry and coffee, or choose to sit in the main dining room or 50-person courtyard — when the sun is shining. We have high expectations for Cheri, not only because Darling Group has proven it knows how to cafe, but because this food menu sounds like an absolute banger. Cheri — located at 285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne — is open from 7am–5pm daily. For more information, check out the venue's website. Images: Julian Lallo.
Mirek Aldridge is one of a new breed of indie brewers: a ragtag bunch of beer nerds, home brew and craft enthusiasts whose love for beer has driven them toward turning pro. But brewing independently needn't mean recklessly. A vintage arcade machine sits in the corner. "I bought it from America, 10 years ago," says Aldridge, which was roughly around the same time he began home brewing. He'd bought the machine to one day go in his bar. "It actually came with a stack of quarters and a bible stashed inside of it, which was pretty weird." In the corner opposite, hidden behind a row of shiny chrome fermenters, is Aldridge's old 70-litre all-grain home brewing kit. All of the recipes being brewed at The Mill Brewery, Aldridge's first venture into commercial brewing, were captured initially on this 70-litre system. It's no match for the 600-litre system he's brewing on now and which dominates the rear third of the bar and brewery, but it's the perfect size to test out a new batch or to brew a limited one-off keg. "Because we're so small it makes it hard to lock in contracts," says Aldridge. "We're not asking for 100 kilograms of hops at a time, we're asking for maybe five kilograms. But in saying that, it opens up opportunities for us to go and talk to hop growers directly and actually go out to the hop farms and pick our own hops." The Mill will be running up to eight taps in total but to start with, Aldrige intends to keep things simple. Three taps pouring an American-styled pale ale, a black Indian pale ale and a vanilla porter will round out the offering in addition to another guest beer tap and a cider tap. Just as much attention has been poured over the wine list which features a bold selection of Victorian varietals, a Pinot Noir from New Zealand's North Canterbury, a Barossa GSM and Canberran cool climate Shiraz. The Mill, from the homemade red gum tables to the self-confessed obsession with hops and aromatics, has been a lifelong labour for Aldridge. The Mill is pet-friendly and will be serviced by a roster of food trucks on launching. Images: Nic Allchin.
Besides the lamington, fairy bread and the democracy sausage, the humble meat pie is as close to a national dish as Australia can claim. With an obligatory slather of ketchup, the classic Four and Twenty is a faithful hunger buster at the footy, but chefs across the country have also sought to elevate this faithful snack, lofting it from simple grab-and-go grub to a thing of culinary beauty. To celebrate this gourmet glow-up, The Great Aussie Pie Competition, now in its 35th year, searches the country for pie perfection. At an event held in Melbourne between September 2–5, over 1500 pies vied for the title of Australia's best as 16 of the nation's "most dedicated pie connoisseurs" considered the colour, flavour, size, pastry and finesse of the meat-filled morsels in the running. In addition to bragging rights and eternal glory, competing bakers were also battling it out for more than $30,000 worth of prize money spread across the competition's various categories. Much to the delight of the local crowd, Victoria's Buddy's Bakery in Melton took out the top spot in the coveted Best Plain Meat Pie category, beating Four Seasons Patisserie and Bakery in High Wycombe, WA, which took home the sliver. However, Western Australians still have plenty to be proud of, with the state racking up the most awards with a haul of seven gongs including a win for Four Seasons Patisserie and Bakery in the Best Apple Pie category. In addition to the top honours, Victoria earned another four awards, while New South Wales took home four awards, including Best Gourmet Sausage Roll, Best Slow Cooked BBQ Pie, Best Vegan or Vegetarian Pie and Best Gluten-Free Pie. Meanwhile, South Australia took home three awards and Queensland, just a single laurel. The Winners of The Great Aussie Pie Competition Plain Meat Pie: Buddy Bakery in Melton, Vic. Runner-up: Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery in High Wycombe, WA Gourmet Pie: Jack's Bakery in Halls Head, WA Plain Sausage Roll: Orange Spot Bakery in Glenelg, SA Gourmet Sausage Roll: Orange Pie Company in Orange, NSW Pastie: Orange Spot Bakery in Glenelg, SA Tom Lindsay Pepper Steak Pie Award: Country Cob Bakery in Springvale, Vic Apprentice Category (Pepper Steak Pie): Sam Anderson from Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes in Ocean Grove, Vic Shepherd's / Potato Top Pie: Jack's Bakery in Halls Head, WA Slow Cooked BBQ Pie: Forster Bakehouse in Forster, NSW Game Pie: Paradise Bakehouse in Bundaberg, Qld Poultry Pie: Country Cob Bakery in Springvale, Vic Red Meat Pie: Jack's Bakery in Halls Head, WA Vegetarian/Vegan Pie: Forster Bakehouse in Forster, NSW Pork Pie: Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery in High Wycombe, WA Seafood Pie: The Little Red Grape in Sevenhill, SA Apple Pie: Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery in High Wycombe, WA Brekkie Pie: Jack's Bakery in Halls Head, WA Gluten Free Pie: Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah in Ourimbah, NSW Gluten Free Sausage Roll: Jojo's Gluten Free Goodies in Kernot, Vic For a full list of all the nominated bakeries and their placings, visit The Great Aussie Pie Competition website. Top image: Jelleke Vanooteghem
Few cocktails have the staying power of the negroni. It's bitter, bold and perfectly balanced. Made with equal parts Campari, gin, and vermouth, the apéritif is a fixture on many Melbourne menus. While some bartenders swear by keeping it classic, in true Melbourne style, there are several spin-offs across the city that shake up the Italian icon. This September marks Negroni Month. It's four weeks of national celebrations (because there's no negroni without Campari), featuring rooftop parties, bar takeovers, and negroni-obsessed menus. From a $105 tableside service to the stalwart served in CBD restaurants, ahead of Negroni Month, we've rounded up the city's best negronis. Above Board Above Board Hidden one floor above Smith Street, this tiny cocktail bar has earned numerous awards and accolades, including Concrete Playground's Best Bars in Melbourne in 2023. It's no surprise then that its negroni is a must-try. The intimate 12-seater bar offers an elevated experience and world-class service. Its classic negroni is poured with precision and served in solid glassware with a giant ice cube to create a perfectly cool cocktail. [caption id="attachment_936276" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Johnny's Green Room[/caption] Johnny's Green Room Described as a southern twist on the Italian icon, the Arancia Rossa Negroni at Johnny's Green Room is worth the hype. Crafted with blood orange gin and Campari, this negroni is perfect for sipping on a spring afternoon as you watch the sun set over the city. On Sunday, September 14, Johnny's Green Room is hosting a Negroni Month event titled 'Johnny's Sunday Service' where you can dance to Kuzco, who'll be spinning decks, enjoy food by chef Mischa Tropp (of The Toddy Shop) and peruse the Campari-inspired menu. [caption id="attachment_819113" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Tom Blachford[/caption] Society Lounge Chris Lucas' Society Lounge bar on Collins Street sports timeless and dramatic aesthetics. The theatre doesn't just stop at the interiors. Society Lounge bar is home to one of Melbourne's most decadent negronis: the Vintage Bianco Negroni. Featuring 1960s Campari cordial, 19502 Suze, 1970s Gordons Dry Gin and Carpano Bianco, this negroni is made tableside and will set you back $105. The reason for the high price tag is the use of a rare (and now discontinued) raspberry distillate liqueur. If you're a negroni fan, it's a must-try bucket list experience. [caption id="attachment_921864" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Frederic[/caption] Fred's Bar Cremorne's Frederic is all about French classics, but head next door to Fred's Bar, and you'll find an Italian negroni—the ultimate after-work pick-me-up. The team rotate the menu seasonally, but you can guarantee that whether summer or winter-inspired, the negroni will be strong and stiff. Crafted with Campari and gin, Fred's negroni is the perfect apéritif to sip alone at the bar or with friends on the sunshine-drenched footpath. [caption id="attachment_854879" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Heartbreaker[/caption] Heartbreaker If you love a strong and bitter Campari, this is the bar for you. American-style dive bar Heartbreaker serves rock 'n'roll energy until late into the night (or, morning). This high-octane energy is felt in its drinks menu. Heartbreaker has four pre-batched cocktails to choose from, one of which is the negroni. Don't let the 'pre-batched' label scare you off though. The cocktails are still packing a punch and don't compromise taste for time. [caption id="attachment_1020308" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Grossi Florentino[/caption] Grossi Florentino This Italian institution is a 'must try' for negroni lovers. Made with Barolo Chinato, Malfy gin and Campari, the house negroni at Bourke Street stalwart, Grossi Florentino, is sure to scratch your bitter-loving itch. The restaurant has been setting the standard for Italian dining in Melbourne for close to a century, which means that the timeless menu pairs perfectly with a classic apéritif. [caption id="attachment_1019843" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Black Pearl[/caption] Black Pearl A Fitzroy favourite, Black Pearl is a bartender's bar. This means they can make a mean negroni. The Merri Negroni is mixed with Campari, gin, Americano vermouth and curacao, creating a cocktail that doesn't disappoint. For Negroni Month, the team is flexing their bartending skills with a curated negroni menu that pushes the classic's boundaries while keeping Campari front and centre. Head to the Brunswick Street bar this September to try it for yourself. [caption id="attachment_1020309" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Code Black Coffee[/caption] Code Black Flinders Lane What's a Melbourne recommendation without some coffee? At Code Black in Flinders Lane, they serve a negroni with a caffeinated twist. Aptly named the Coffee Negroni, it features coffee-infused Campari (yes, it's a thing), gin, and vermouth. If you love beans and bitters, this Melbourne cafe should go to the top of your list this Negroni Month. Whether you're a hardcore bitters lover or are dabbling in the Italian apéritif, Negroni Month is your excuse to round up the crew and cheers to the classic cocktail. See which Melbourne venues are serving curated negroni menus this September here. Please remember to drinkwise.
