Australians haven't had many chances to attend a music festival or escape the mainland in the last twelve months. Festivals around the country have been few and far between, with even approved large-scale events being called off last-minute. And, as for travel, a lot of the nation's usual island getaways have been off limits due to domestic border closures. But, if you've been longing to sing along to your favourite tunes while surrounded by your friends and to take a trip to a secluded beachside resort, a newly announced festival has you covered. Dream Machine, the new venture from the team behind Wine Machine and Snow Machine, will see music lovers travel to The Whitsundays this October for a stacked lineup of local electronic talent. Heading up the party-forward lineup is the fan-favourite combo of Flight Facilities and Hayden James — and they'll be joined by the likes of former Triple J House Party presenter KLP, Touch Sensitive, CC:Disco!, Set Mo and Yolanda Be Cool. The Jungle Giants, Confidence Man and Cosmo's Midnight are also onboard, hitting the decks for DJ sets. If the simple activity of grooving to tunes on a tropical island isn't enough motivation for you, festival-goers will also be treated to an island-hopping adventure between Daydream Island, Paradise Cove and a surprise location. Your itinerary can also include kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and waterside cocktails, and, if you stay at Daydream Island Resort, you'll have four restaurants, three bars, a pool and a spa to enjoy as well. Dream Machine will run from Wednesday, October 6–Sunday, October 10, with festival events running for three days within that five-day, four-night period. Unsurprisingly, it isn't cheap, with packages starting from $1899 per person for a yacht stay and $2099 for a stay in the resort. The extravagant price tag will get you accommodation, breakfast each morning, ferry transport to and from the airport, and tickets to the festival (of course). DREAM MACHINE 2021 LINEUP: Flight Facilities (DJ set) Hayden James CC:Disco! Cosmo's Midnight (DJ set) Confidence Man (DJ set) Dena Amy Fleetmac Wood Generik Happiness is Wealth Jimi the Kween KLP Kristina Jaman Made in Paris Mira Mira Owl Eyes (DJ set) Poof Doof DJs Set Mo Squeef The Jungle Giants (DJ set) Touch Sensitive Wax'o Paradiso Yolanda Be Cool Dream Machine takes place from Wednesday, October 6–Sunday, October 10 in The Whitsundays. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, April 7 — visit the festival's website to sign up for pre-sale access.
A man, his family and a firearm: all three sit at the heart of The Seed of the Sacred Fig. A girl and a gun might've been late, great French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard's perfect formula for a movie, but Iranian writer/director Mohammad Rasoulof now adapts that setup around his own cinematic passion: fighting back against the Iranian regime. IRL, over the course of more than two decades, he's faced the wrath of his homeland's censorship, seen his work banned, been prohibited from making movies and from leaving the country, and endured multiple prison sentences. When Rasoulof's eighth and latest masterful and moving feature debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, he was in attendance after fleeing Iran, where a new eight-year jail term had just been handed down. The first shoots of the idea for The Seed of the Sacred Fig came to the filmmaker while the now-exiled talent was incarcerated. Imprisoned during the 2022–23 Women, Life, Freedom protests that sprang from the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, he saw the movement from inside Evin Prison in Tehran. Upon his release, it became part of his new big-screen narrative, with the picture even incorporating real on-the-ground footage. Also guiding The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a question that Rasoulof has long contemplated from his dealings with the regime — and that flowed through in his prior film, 2020 Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear-winner There Is No Evil — also: "how do people who work with the system function internally?". As the protests about the loss of a woman arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly also were, Rasoulof's Best International Feature Oscar-nominee is a snapshot of generational clashes and change, too. The man: Iman (Missagh Zareh, Homeless), who has just been promoted to investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court. The family: his wife Najmeh (Soheila Golestani, Two Dogs), college-aged daughter Rezvan (debutant Mahsa Rostami) and younger offspring Sana (Setareh Maleki, Cafe). The gun: Imam's service piece, freshly bestowed upon him for his new role. When the weapon goes missing, he starts pointing fingers, already paranoid about the public fallout from his job and now suspecting those closest to him — the youngest of which are only just learning what he does for a living. Adding to the powder-keg situation: the nationwide political uprising, which has Imam signing death sentences, comes to his home courtesy of Rezvan's friend Sadaf (Niousha Akhshi, The Lion Skin) and puts the family matriarch at odds with his horrified daughters. At Cannes — where Rasoulof's 2013 film Manuscripts Don't Burn won the FIPRESCI Prize and his 2017 feature A Man of Integrity emerged victorious in the Un Certain Regard section — The Seed of the Sacred Fig collected five different accolades from its berth in the main competition, a Special Jury Prize among them. Other film festival audience awards have also come its way, including in Sydney, plus nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. To get the movie to viewers, though, and to make it to begin with, involved shooting in secret with Rasoulof largely unable to be on set. Then came the 28-day journey out of Iran to Germany, the country that The Seed of the Sacred Fig represents at the 2025 Academy Awards. What does the global response to the film — the festival slots, popping up at Locarno, Melbourne, New Zealand, Telluride, Toronto, New York, Busan, London, Adelaide and Brisbane events as well, and many others; the nominations and prizes, right through to the Oscars — mean to Rasoulof given what he went through to bring the movie to fruition and ensure that audiences could see it? "I'm very happy that a film that half of which had not yet been shot exactly one year ago, while we were shooting, is being seen by worldwide audiences and doing so well," he tells Concrete Playground. "And I think it's not just me. I think everyone involved in its making is very happy, because what brought us together really was fighting for artistic freedom — and all we dreamt of was managing to complete the shoot without being arrested." How does Rasoulof navigate the scrutiny, oppression and attempted censorship that comes his way each time that he makes a film? How did The Seed of the Sacred Fig evolve from seeing how Iranian women were protesting to following a family of three women and an investigating judge impacted by the uprising? What does the reality of directing a movie in secret entail — and what impact does it have on the finished product, given how much energy is expended just to avoid the authorities' attention? Digging into a powerful picture that's designed to inspire questions with the man behind it, we also asked Rasoulof about all of the above. On Navigating the Scrutiny, Oppression and Attempted Censorship That Rasoulof Faces Whenever He Makes a Film "Well, I think the biggest difference, if I think about one year ago and now, is hope. Of course, I did have hope one year ago, but the hope I have now is much greater. It was really like a small crack through which the lights came in that I could see in the distance. And it's grown, and this gives me greater energy to continue working and to continue living. And I don't think it's just me. I think again, all my cast and crew feel exactly the same way or similarly." On How The Seed of the Sacred Fig Evolved From Seeing How Iranian Women Were Protesting to Following a Family of Three Women and an Investigating Judge Impacted by the Uprising "For many years, I was very curious about the people who work in the regime, in the different parts of the regime that I had dealings with — the security operators, the censorship operators, the judiciary. And I was really concerned with trying to understand, on the one hand, how they think, but also while they interrogated me, I'd be wondering 'how do we differ? Why are they unable to understand me and why am I unable to understand them?'. And so this curiosity stayed for me, and I was always hoping I could find an opportunity to explore it in a film. In 2022, I was arrested a few months before the Woman, Life, Freedom movement began. And after the movement began — at its height, in fact — I had a chance encounter with a senior prison official, who told me how he'd come to hate himself and even thought about taking his life because of his job and his collaboration with the regime, and how fiercely he got criticised and pressurised all the time by his children because of his job. And at that point I thought it would be really interesting to tell a story about a family where such a big divide had arisen, but which would also, at the same time, allow me to pursue that question that had stayed with me for all these years about how do people who work with the system function internally." On the Parallels Between the Film Being Made Clandestinely and the Secrets Being Kept Among the Family in the Movie "The limitations move along with you from the moment you start writing the script. They always accompany you when, of course, you're working in a repressive regime. And so you've got to find new ways ahead to make your film, but that also leads to a very strong awareness of the choices you're making — because if you make the wrong choice, you might not be able to continue. So we go to sets on the basis of decisions we've made early on to suit in a very precise way. And yet, during the shoot, there will always be unpredicted variables, things, problems, unexpected scenarios whereby you've got to make a different choice to what you were expecting in the moment. So you can plan as much as you want, but it's only when it comes to executing the work that you realise 'if I can't shoot, if I can't do that as planned, how can I proceed?'. And limitations really force you to find new paths forward." On Directing a Feature When You're Not Able to Be On Set "I started shooting and making films and 35mms during the analogue periods, when you didn't know what you'd see, really — what you were filming until later when it was developed in in a lab. And so you had a general impression and general image, but you didn't have a precise image or impression. And then later on, the video assist was introduced, where you could sort of control the set and watch the monitor at the same time — which became very fascinating for me and for lots of other filmmakers, because we were able to focus on the monitor. And in a way, [that's how] we made this film — we had a monitor that I had access to online while directing remotely. And then I had a secure sound connection to the set, mediated by a number of assistants. Of course, it was very slow. There were interruptions. There were moments when the connection was lost, and so I'd lose the control of the set for various minutes and then we had to reestablish it — so it was very laborious and difficult. But what mattered the most was that I was able to maintain, the priority was for me to maintain my concentration, but also to make do with the slowness and the inevitable delays. Wherever possible, of course, I would come as close as possible to set or actually appeared a few times, and that was much more fun and much better." On the Approach to Casting — and to Building an On-Screen Family — When You're Making a Movie in Secret "It's always difficult to compose a family in any film, because the members of the family have to look similar in a convincing way to the audience. So of course, if you're making a film underground, it becomes much more difficult to compose a believable family, because you're choosing from a much smaller pool of actors. But we spent a lot of time on this with my close collaborators, examining all the possibilities. And once we selected the father and the younger daughter, we then managed to find the mother and the older daughter. But yes, it was very difficult. It was extremely time-consuming. But I think in the end we were very successful." On How Having to Work in Secret, and the Energy That Goes Into It, Impacts a Finished Film "Well, when you're working with this kind of pressure, you always do have this feeling that you may manage to escape the system, and to ignore it and to defy it, but it doesn't mean you're escaping limitations. You're simply working with a different set of limitations. What is paramount to me is that the audience, when it watches the film, should not feel that the film was made with this sort of limitation. Of course, there are lots of aspects that I would have liked to play more with under different circumstances, but let's say the priority is really for the audience to feel that they're watching something that wasn't shot under this kind of duress." The Seed of the Sacred Fig opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
When the latest lockdown first came into effect, Melburnians were only allowed to shop and exercise within five kilometres of their home. Then, when stay-at-home conditions entered their second week, that distance was extended to ten kilometres. Now, from 11.59pm on Thursday, June 10, lockdown is ending. New rules will be in place, though — and the distance you can travel from your house is ramping up to 25 kilometres. People living in metropolitan Melbourne will be able to travel within the larger distance for any reason they like, too — so not just for exercise and shopping. You no longer need to adhere to the two-hour time limit, either; however, you still cannot enter regional Victoria. Hankering to go on a four-hour run or have a lengthy picnic session? Soon, you can. Those picnics can also get a little bigger as well, without outdoor gatherings of up to ten people allowed. These rules are set to stay in place for at least a week, which means you have seven days to get reacquainted with whatever is within 25 kilometres of your home. There are a few easy ways to check out your household's government-approved travel radius, but none have proved quite as popular as KM From Home — a website that originally launched in Ireland back in March 2020, when that country introduced its own travel restrictions. Melburnians jumped on board in August 2020, too, with creator Dave Bolger tweeting at that time that over 225,000 Aussies had checked the site in 24 hours. The online map is free and easy to use — simply centre it to your address, select a 25-kilometre radius and you'll see a big red or blue bubble encompassing the zone you're free to travel in under the Victorian Government's new rules. https://twitter.com/davebolger/status/1290012131702628353 You'll find other radius apps out there as well, including the likes of Map Developers and The Age's tool. Alternatively, if you've got a Garmin watch, you can download this range warning and it'll alert you when you're closing in on a certain distance from your run's starting point. Want to check a specific cafe or shopping centre to see if it falls in your 25-kilometre zone? There's a function on the Google Maps app that allows you to measure a distance as the crow flies. Simply touch and hold the location on the map until the red pin appears, then scroll down and click 'measure distance' below the venue's details. That'll tell you how exactly how far the address is from your starting point. Victoria's latest round of eased restrictions come into effect at 11.59pm on Thursday, June 10. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, head to the Department of Health website. Top image: Km From Home
Since 2019, witnessing David Tennant utter the word "angel" has been one of the small screen's great delights. Playing the roguish demon Crowley in Good Omens, the Scottish Doctor Who and Broadchurch star sometimes says it as an insult, occasionally with weary apathy and even with exasperation. Usually simmering no matter his mood, however, is affection for the person that he's always talking about: book-loving and bookshop-owning heavenly messenger Aziraphale (Michael Sheen, Quiz). With just one term and two syllables, Tennant tells a story about the show's central odd-couple duo, who've each been assigned to oversee earth by their bosses — Crowley's from below, Aziraphale's from above — and also conveys their complicated camaraderie. Also since 2019, watching Tennant and Sheen pair up on-screen has been supremely divine. The actors clearly realised it themselves, spending lockdown making comedy Staged as versions of themselves, which they then continued for two more seasons. Great double acts feel like they've always been a twosome. They seems so natural that you expect them to continue the same routine off-screen as innately as breathing. They can be playfully parodied by themselves, as Staged does, and still just as winning. And, they're often the heart and soul of whatever project they're in. Good Omens, which hails from Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's award- and fan-winning 1990 novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, was always going to be about Aziraphale and Crowley. And yet, including in its second season on Prime Video from Friday, July 28, it's always been a better series because it's specifically about Sheen as the former and Tennant as the latter. In the first season, the end of the world was nigh (the fact that Good Omens debuted the year before the pandemic arrived and life began to feel ominous in reality was pure coincidence). In the show's narrative, Aziraphale and Crowley faced their biggest test yet after observing humans since biblical times: the always-foretold birth of the antichrist and, 11 years later, cosmic forces rolling towards snuffing out the planet's people to start again. Hell, where Beelzebub (Anna Maxwell Martin, The Duke) led the forces, was primed for a fight to claim power. As guided by the archangel Gabriel (Jon Hamm, Confess, Fletch), heaven was up for the fray, too. But in a comedic fantasy involving satanic nuns, witch hunters, prognostications, hellhounds, the four horsemen, seances, and also the simple pleasures of two pals bickering and bantering, the crisis to end all crises was ultimately averted. In the long-awaited second season, neither Aziraphale nor Crowley are beloved by their higher-ups or lower-downs thanks to their thwarting-the-apocalypse actions. One fussing over his store and remaining reluctant to sell any of its tomes, the other continuing to swagger around like Bill Nighy as a rule-breaking rockstar, they've carved out a comfortable new status quo, though, until a naked man walking through London with nothing but a cardboard box comes trundling along. He can't recall it, but that birthday suit-wearing interloper is Gabriel. He knows he's there for a reason and that it isn't good, but possesses zero memory otherwise. And, in the worst news for Aziraphale and Crowley, he has both heaven and hell desperate to find him. Returning for a second season saddles Good Omens with a considerable obstacle: when you've already told the tale that was laid out in print, what comes next? Thankfully, Gaiman is back as executive producer and co-showrunner, building upon his text with the late Pratchett by enlisting John Finnemore (That Mitchell and Webb Look) as his new co-scribe — and with director Douglas Mackinnon (a Doctor Who veteran) again helming every episode. The approach? A mystery, as Aziraphale and Crowley try to discover what's behind Gabriel's terrestrial visit. Gaiman crafts a missing-person search as well, including by the demon Shax (Rams' Miranda Richardson, switching into a new role from season one), and archangels Michael (Doon Mackichan, Toast of Tinseltown) and Uriel (Gloria Obianyo, Dune). Good Omens season two also takes a few sizeable trips elsewhere, spending time with Job (Peter Davison, Gentleman Jack) in the Land of Uz, during the Victorian era when robbing graves was a key way that surgeons advanced medicine and among undead Nazis in the Blitz in 1940s England (Finnemore solely scripts the Job segment, Ten Percent's Cat Clarke the body stealing, and Ghost Stories' Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman the zombies.) Also crucial: a few romances, commencing with Aziraphale and Crowley trying to get coffee shop proprietor Nina (Nina Sosanya, His Dark Materials) and record store owner Maggie (Maggie Service, Life) to fall in love by cribbing from Jane Austen and Love Actually filmmaker Richard Curtis. Any future season of Good Omens that purely regales audiences with Aziraphale and Crowley's past escapades would be a certain winner, but weaving such jaunts into season two still works a treat. For all of the show's drawcards — the irreverent battles for the fate of the universe, the heaven-versus-hell hijinks, the gleeful satirising of organised religion, the Paddington-esque aesthetic, the fact that anything and everything can occur (and does) in a comedy about angels and demons — Gaiman knows that Sheen and Tennant are its biggest. Cue more eager digging into Aziraphale and Crowley's bond, and more of Sheen and Tennant bouncing off of each other brilliantly. In the process, cue more unpacking the fact that Aziraphale isn't just pious and dutiful beneath his halo, nor fallen angel Crowley simply evil. And, also cue more examining what Aziraphale and Crowley mean to each other as an ever-wonderful chalk-and-cheese pair. Sheen and Tennant are visibly having a ball again, with both expressing oh-so-much through gazes, glorious line readings and the vibe that sparkles during their patter. They aren't the only ones enjoying their Good Omens stints, with Hamm leaning into his comic side — see also: 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Toast of London, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Childrens Hospital, Medical Police, Angie Tribeca, The Last Man on Earth, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Confess, Fletch — with gusto. Richardson is as much of a scene-stealing marvel as she's kept proving since her Blackadder days, Bridgerton's Shelley Conn relishes playing Beelzebub's new guise and Quelin Sepulveda (The Man Who Fell to Earth) is joyous as a daffy lower angel. Indeed, even when season two overtly puts the wheels in motion for a third spin, its cast ensure that too is a great and welcome omen. Check out the trailer for Good Omens season two below: Good Omens streams from Friday, July 28 via Prime Video.
How much green will be seen at 2025's Laneway Festival? With Charli XCX headlining, expect the Brat hue to be everywhere. After all of the talk talk of announcing its dates and venues, then splashing around everyone's current favourite slime colour, St Jerome's Laneway Festival has confirmed that Charlotte Emma Aitchison is indeed leading its 2025 lineup. Given the fest's February timing — kicking off in Auckland on Thursday, February 6, then hitting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth by Sunday, February 16 — it's going to be Brat summer Down Under. It's set to be a Beabadoobee-, Clairo-, Barry Can't Swim- and Remi Wolf-soundtracked summer as well, with the quartet also among the big names on Laneway's bill. Charlie XCX was last in Australia in 2023 for Sydney WorldPride and For the Love, and before that in 2020 at Laneway. If you're keen to see the 'Guess', '360', 'Apple', 'Speed Drive', '1999', 'Doing It' and 'Boom Clap' talent this time, you'll need a Laneway ticket, as she's playing exclusively at the fest. In 2025, she'll have company from BICEP doing their CHROMA AV DJ set, Olivia Dean, Eyedress and Skegss, too, alongside STÜM, RONA, Hamdi, Joey Valence & Brae, 2hollis, Fcukers, Ninajirachi, Julie, and Girl and Girl. The event started by Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio in the mid-00s will head to Western Springs in Auckland, then hop over the ditch to Brisbane Showgrounds, Sydney Showground, Melbourne's Flemington Park, Bonython Park in Adelaide and Wellington Square in Perth. Laneway joins the list of festivals locking in their comebacks after a tough year of cancellations across the live music scene. Also returning: Golden Plains, Bluesfest (for the last time), Wildlands, Good Things, Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Meredith. Laneway Festival 2025 Lineup Charli XCX Beabadoobee Clairo Barry Can't Swim BICEP present CHROMA (AV DJ set) Remi Wolf Olivia Dean Eyedress Skegss STÜM RONA Hamdi Joey Valence & Brae 2hollis Fcukers Ninajirachi Julie Girl and Girl + Triple J unearthed winners Laneway Festival 2025 Dates and Venues Thursday, February 6 – Western Springs, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau Saturday, February 8 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane / Turrbal Targun Sunday, February 9 — Sydney Showground, Sydney / Burramattagal Land & Wangal Land Friday, February 14 — Flemington Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri Biik Saturday, February 15 — Bonython Park, Adelaide / Kaurna Yerta Sunday, February 16 — Wellington Square, Perth / Whadjuk Boodjar St Jerome's Laneway Festival is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, and to register for ticket pre sales — which kick off at 10am local time on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 — or get tickets in general sales from 10am local time on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Top Charli XCX image: Harley Weir. Laneway images: Charlie Hardy / Daniel Boud / Maclay Heriot / Cedric Tang.
If you are thinking about planning a really big trip in the next couple of years, the sky may no longer be your limit. Space tourism has long been touted as the new frontier for the seriously adventurous traveller, and it looks like it may become more commonplace in the not-so-distant future. Orbital Technologies, Sierra Nevada Corporation and NASA have collaborated to develop the Dreamchaser Vehicle, a multi-purpose commercial space craft which will primarily be dedicated to scientific research and tourism. The Dreamchaser, which will also act as an emergency station for passing space craft, will include a space hotel with four hotel cabins to accommodate seven guests. And while guests will not be able to expect all the conveniences of home (internet access may prove a bit tricky), they will have access to zippered sleeping bags, waterless flushing loos, shower facitlities and gourmet meals —a little more luxury than your average astronaut is afforded. And, no doubt, the views from the hotel portholes will be entirely out of this world. Five nights in the space hotel will set you back about $165,000, and the transfer to and from your hotel another $826,000 - a pretty penny for an experience that gives a whole new meaning to sleeping under the stars.
From January 13, Melbourne will have its very own Rooftop Tennis Club, proving this city has some serious game. Like no ordinary tennis club of sweaty change rooms and musty trophy cabinets, Melbourne Central’s Rooftop Tennis Club has the best view of the Australian Open outside of Melbourne Park, and best of all, it's completely free. This is the tennis club for people who may not be able to serve like a pro, but know how to balance ice cream while lounging in a deckchair like a true master. Completely open to the public, the otherwise secret space atop Melbourne Central will feature the live Channel Seven broadcast of the 2014 Australian Open accompanied by a selection of gourmet street food, Nike product displays and its very own purpose built three-quarter sized tennis court. Not keen on being stranded on a roof for days over 30 degrees? This tennis club has thought ahead, with food trucks providing some much-needed refreshments. Handmade Ice Pop will be serving all natural frozen treats, Little Champs will be dishing up mini brioche rolls full of flavoursome goodness, while Corn Boss has a selection of vegetarian delights involving corn on the cob spiced to mouth-watering perfection. It’s all you could want from a courtside member’s box: views, refreshments, and courtside action, with the added luxury of having readily available bathroom facilities and transport options. So pull the visor out from the back of your closet and if you come across your long abandoned tennis racket bring that along too — it’s encouraged to have a hit and try the rooftop court out for size. Match point. The Rooftop Tennis Club is located on Level 3 of Melbourne Central next to Strike Bowling. Entry is free, and the venue will be open from 11am - 7.30pm daily from January 13 - 26. For more information check their website.
Let's face it, for most of us the number one reason to go on holiday is, well, to eat. And when we travel, we want to know the best of the best to maximise our often limited time in a city. This is especially true in Adelaide, which, though small, is packed with cafes, eateries, bars and restaurants, some of which are easily the best in the country. We're bringing you the top five foodie experiences in Adelaide so you can live it up with the limited time you'll likely have. NATIVE AUSTRALIAN FARE AT RESTAURANT BLACKWOOD While Restaurant Blackwood's big sister, Orana, is perhaps the most renowned restaurant in Adelaide, its downstairs sister is, in our opinion, just as impressive. Both restaurants focus on using native Australian ingredients in ways you've probably never see before — think saltbush crisps and kangaroo puffs to start. The smoked pumpkin ($19), served with wild spinach and fresh goats cheese, reinvents the way you think about simple veg, while the creamy broth of the Goolwa cockles ($35) demands extra bread for dipping purposes. As in Orana, the ingredients are bush-foraged and fresh as can be. Blackwood may not be laid back, but it is relatively casual compared with Orana and is an ideal start to a night exploring the bustling Rundle Street. BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITA AT PINK MOON SALOON Pink Moon Saloon is possibly the coolest looking bar in the city — located in the site of a former service laneway, the space best resembles a log cabin set in between two tall city buildings. Just in October 2016, the team won Best Bar Australia/Pacific at the London Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. The space is well matched for Adelaide's blooming small bar scene and, while the vibe itself is worth the visit alone, the cocktail are where it's at. The menu is inventive and playful — think a spiced wine sour and a tangelo ginger julep ($18 each). Our favourite is by far the blood orange margarita ($19). The perfect tangy-sweet combination, the drink is miles away from the classic and yet is still reminiscent of the Mexican mainstay. If you're peckish, the food menu is also well designed for drink-induced nibbling. Try the barbecue pork belly in a lettuce cup or smoked trout on cuttlefish ink toast ($8 each) to keep the hangover at bay. [caption id="attachment_584445" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Lucas Richarz.[/caption] DIY PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH AT CENTRAL MARKET Adelaide's Central Market is quintessential to the city's food scene and is very much the root cause of why Adelaide became such a foodie haven to begin with. Opened in 1869, the 'old world' market still draws such a demand that it's still boasting a 29-vendor waiting list. Central Market even houses the oldest pizza joint in town — Lucia's, opened over 50 years ago and a true Adelaide institution. The market acts as melting pot of cuisines, from Latvian to Korean and everything in between, making it the perfect spot to DIY a top-notch ploughman's. First, head to Barossa Fine Foods for your free-range, ethically sourced meat component. Next, hit up Say Cheese, which has been around for 20 years and is, as the name suggests, dedicated to all things cheese. While they have an impressive international selection, go for the local — when in Rome, after all. They also have plenty of locally-made smallgoods to accompany your ploughman's. Finally, check the Wild Loaf for freshly baked sourdough, find a seat and dig in. ECO-CONSCIOUS BRUNCH AT CAFE TROPPO The leafy Cafe Troppo is set in an airy eco-building and they've taken such planet-friendly design as their mantra — spanning from the mismatched, crafty tableware to the eco-friendly cleaning products and locally sourced produce. The building itself looks like a grounded treehouse and the menu is seasonal, using the maximum amount of South Australian ingredients. Dishes include a poached pear toastie with ricotta, honey and walnuts ($9), along with a harvest bowl of fresh grilled veggies, organic feta and topped with a poached egg ($15). The coffee is also ethically sourced, fair-trade and organic, while the teas are single origin and hand-blended in the Barossa Valley. If you're after a boozy brunch, the two beer taps house local craft brews like Little Bang and Big Shed — two of the best in the region. COLD PRESSED JUICE FROM THE TAP AT THE MARKET SHED The Market Shed is a gem among markets. Open on Sundays only, Adelaide's certified organic market has quickly gained much love since opening last November. While the stalls include vegan and organic waffles from Live a Little and woodfired pizza from Little Orange Arancini and Pizza Bar, the only way to start your trip among these exquisite stalls is at Juice Quest — situated right up front and boasting some seriously delicious, hangover-curing drinks, these cold-pressed juices will prepare you for all else that is in store. Even more epic is that they've just started kegging said juices and are poured straight from the tap going forward. Drink on, organic-loving friends. Drink on. Marissa Ciampi travelled as a guest of the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival.
It's been 15 years since The Notebook made everyone fall in love with Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams and locking lips during a downpour, and the Nicholas Sparks-penned effort isn't done spreading its sappy brand of romance just yet. Soon, the book-turned-movie will make another leap, bringing its lovestruck drama to Broadway. As reported by Variety, the first bestseller from the author also responsible for A Walk to Remember, Dear John, The Last Song and The Lucky One is being turned into a stage musical. Expect singing in the rain, obviously, as well as crooned declarations of love in a rowboat. Expect a song-filled account of an heiress falling in love with a poor quarry worker, too. Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch — plus Sparks himself — are behind The Notebook's jump from tear-soaked pages to weep-inducing celluloid to a stage version that should probably just hand out tissues with every ticket. McCollum has earned Tony awards for In the Heights, Avenue Q and Rent, while Deutsch is the founder of both Sh-K-Boom and Ghostlight records, which both have a theatre and cast-recording focus. While a production timeline hasn't been announced (so don't go booking your New York flights just yet), the script and songs are being handled by Bekah Brunstetter and Ingrid Michaelson respectively. The former a writer and producer on TV show This Is Us, and the latter is best known for singles 'The Way I Am' and 'Girls Chase Boys'. It's way too early to talk about casting, but if Gosling can sing in La La Land, then you can start dreaming that he belt out a tune again. Of course, it's almost 100-percent guaranteed that that fantasy won't go any further than your head. If you've been keeping track, The Notebook's musical adaptation taps into a trend that just keeps growing, aka singing-and-dancing versions of beloved movies. In recent years, everything from Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bring It On, Mean Girls and Clueless has made the leap to the stage, plus The Bodyguard, Amelie, Waitress, Muriel's Wedding and Moulin Rouge!. A stage version of The Devil Wears Prada is also in the works, as well as Empire Records, Mrs Doubtfire and Aussie classic Starstruck. Via Variety.
In case we didn't have enough endangered phenomena to worry about, what with the encroaching extinction of the Black Rhino, the disappearance of the Barrier Reef, and the centralisation of indie culture, the United Nations has thoughtfully added a new category to the list. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has this week released a fresh batch of the world's endangered 'intangible cultural traditions'. French-style horse back riding, Chinese shadow puppetry, and poetic dueling in Cyprus were amongst the newly endangered traditions added to the 250-strong list compiled last year. The new additions encompass rituals and art forms passed down orally from generation to generation, lacking any formal documentation system. Recipes and food preparation methods can also be found amongst the UNESCO's list of disappearing acts, including the Japanese ritual of transplanting rice, and the ceremonial Turkish meat dish, Keskek. Those recipe books brimming with scrawled post-it notes and hand-written recipes born of the mind of your Great Great Grandmother just got even more precious. These 'intangible' traditions provide the cultural glue for some of the world's smallest communities, encouraging unity in a world of increasing globalization and cultural dilution. Hopefully awareness generated by the UNESCO list will stop these traditions from pulling a Houdini any time soon.
After opening eight Queensland locations in the past two years, announcing plans to launch 50 more Australian stores over the next three years and finally swinging open the doors on its first Victorian Taco Bell just last weekend, the Tex-Mex chain is doubling its Melbourne footprint a mere week later. The second Victorian store is welcoming in hungry patrons on Glenferrie Road from Saturday, December 14. Menu-wise, the usual Taco Bell range will be on offer, complete with burritos, quesadillas, nachos and, of course, tacos. For those dining in, frozen margaritas and a range of craft beers will also be available. https://www.facebook.com/tacobellaus/photos/a.1463337403754522/2632105830211001/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBE3WQojP42qvV9wxvs2Mym4D4ZzhGO8bsYBPPOcOxwVjji3Jg9_vtcyJZSNfHpRZII0Bo-lZKK4KSk2laC-YAgJg7FGV4Lfye3N7xpJIr0o9DB7f73Uz2GhYmqhdxe3j2hdGqcCCit2mZfhmhEZsee0RkgtLJ7ZGVEgN-XrvB0cPp0BP7INRhj4vbE01psyXiLSRImOxGZdC23e71g5R75SDNU-RAI2HqmJd9mfmvM9tkyBGHkROOVEzty56JBU9mvHhvYgBzFEFa30EYWBA6Vhg39UUaJzUVgINmkzw2wKu049mm7iuuyqHf-BfeOtkqSI-LKILUFq86A3PaFVhkItVNf&__tn__=-R Taco Bell's Australian arm has been busy of late. As well as its Victorian outposts, its range of local stores now spans Annerley, Cleveland, North Lakes, Robina, Southport, Logan Central, Townsville and Ipswich in Queensland, plus Newcastle and a soon-to-open site in Blacktown in New South Wales. Given its promises to launch more than 50 across the country, we can expect a few more to open in Melbourne in the upcoming months and years, too. This is, however, Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market. The chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997 — but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew. Find Taco Bell at 650 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorne, from 10am on Saturday, December 14.
"We were just saying, we love an Aussie." When you're My Old Ass writer/director Megan Park and Australia's own Margot Robbie has produced your latest film, it's easy to understand why. Gleaning why she greets Concrete Playground that way isn't hard, either. "We do," adds Maisy Stella, the movie's star. "Yeah, we really, really do," Park chimes back in. Robbie's production company LuckyChap Entertainment, which has I, Tonya, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and Barbie to its name as well — and, among flicks that don't boast its co-founder on-screen, Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, too — is also onboard for Park's next release after this marvel of a coming-of-age tale. Viewers of My Old Ass have more from Park to look forward to, then. Right now, though, they already have a must-see to enjoy courtesy of her second feature as a filmmaker. Actually, that also applies to her debut. An actor herself, Park initially jumped behind the lens on 2021's excellent Jenna Ortega (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice)-led The Fallout, which plunged into the aftermath of a school tragedy. Now, the former The Secret Life of the American Teenager star has penned and helmed a picture set as its protagonist gets ready to leave her small-town home behind for college. [caption id="attachment_974458" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages[/caption] For her second movie about teens making sense of their world, too, Park embraces a high-concept setup — and one that heads down a universal path that resonates with viewers of all ages. Have you ever wanted to get life advice from your future self? Or, conversely, to give your younger self some words of wisdom, whether about what not to worry about or who to avoid? Focusing on Nashville's Stella as the just-turned-18 Elliott — and featuring Parks and Recreation, The White Lotus and Agatha All Along favourite Aubrey Plaza as the older version — that's My Old Ass' storyline. If you're wondering how the two Elliotts come to meet, the film uses a mushroom trip to head into magical-realism territory. When they come face to face, Plaza's 39-year-old Elliott has a specific piece of advice for the girl that she once was: stay away from Chad (Wednesday's Percy Hynes White). We all know what happens when you tell someone not to do something, especially a carefree teenager, so of course Stella's Elliott doesn't heed that warning. This is a film, however, that understands the urge to want to send your former self in a certain direction, because it understands what it's like to live with the ups and downs that life takes us on just as firmly. It equally appreciates that it's those ebbs and flows — and joys and hurts as well, so our course for better and for worse — that make us who we are. [caption id="attachment_974462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marion Curtis / Starpix for Amazon MGM Studios[/caption] What would Stella do if the Sundance Film Festival-premiering movie's premise became an IRL possibility for her? It depends on which way the advice was flowing. Park is of the same opinion. They'd each be keen to talk to their younger selves, but not their older guises. "I've decided that I reject it. I really reject it. I've been asked this and every time I try to think of something, and I think the reason that I don't have anything is because I would not take the opportunity. I would take the opportunity to meet younger self. But the older, it just feels a little scary to me," Stella tells us. "It gets dicey. See, it goes dark quick. I mean, it really takes a turn," she continues. "Yeah, it's a it's a scary one," agrees Park. "I think I'm going to hard pass on it too, probably. I'd want to go back and meet my younger self." Thinking about these questions is unavoidable after watching My Old Ass, no matter whether you decide that you'd seize or shirk the chance that Elliott is given. Also part of the viewing experience: wishing that Plaza could pop up in your life either way. We also chatted with Park and Stella about where the idea for the film sprang from, what Park was interested in exploring with it, Stella's excitement about playing Elliott, how she approached the character, and working with both Plaza and Robbie. On What Inspired My Old Ass, and What Park Was Interested in Exploring Megan: "I think the themes that I really wanted to explore were grief and time passing, and nostalgia — and motherhood, truthfully, was a big one that I wanted. I was a new mum when I wrote this script, so it was those feelings that were really the entry point into this idea that's so universal, I think, of wanting to talk to your older or younger self. Or regrets. Regret is another big one. I think I'm such an emotionally driven writer that I'm not thinking about necessarily the structure of the story, and what's going to happen and what are people going to take from the movie — I'm just driven from that emotional place, at least I have been so far in the two movies I've written. It's all I really know how to do it. So those were the themes I wanted to explore. And then as I didn't know where it was going, as soon as Elliott came to me, and older Elliott, I just followed that lead and figured out the story as I went." On Stella's Initial Reaction to the Script, and What She Thought That She Could Bring to the Younger Elliott Maisy: "My first reaction to it was just beaming with excitement. It was funny, because I had been auditioning for so long and I really enjoy auditioning, and I really enjoy reading scripts and I read a lot of scripts at that time, and it was just my favourite thing I'd read in forever. And I was immediately met with anxiety. The second I started reading it, the thought of it being taken from me, I was like 'no!'. And it wasn't even mine at all. But the thought of not getting to be a part of this amazing project was so scary to me. So yeah, my initial reaction to it was deeply, deeply moved; really excited and inspired by it; and would have just been so grateful and lucky to have been a part of it. And it worked out for me. I'm very grateful and lucky." [caption id="attachment_974461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marion Curtis / Starpix for Amazon MGM Studios[/caption] On the Journey to Realising That Aubrey Plaza Was the Ideal Older Elliott Megan: "Truthfully, I'd written the role for somebody to be much older, like in their late 40s, early 50s. And we cast the film around Maisy, and so we were really stuck on who looks the most like her, who's in that age range and who's available to come to Canada to film the movie. And there just was never anybody that came up that was the right match for the tone of the movie, for energetically with Maisy, for the comedy. It wasn't until there was a list of names that somebody had suggested, and Aubrey was on there. It was like 'wait a second, I'm such a fan of hers' — and I knew Maisy was a fan of hers. She was not even 40 and doesn't look anything like Maisy really, but we were like 'wait a second', and for some reason the energy and the chemistry was just such a connection. And it just made the whole movie make sense in a whole new way for me. I'm close to age to Aubrey and I thought 'wow, I've actually never felt older than hanging out with all the 18 year olds'. And there was something so funny to me about this idea that she thinks she's so old and she's not even 40. And even the title became funnier when it was Aubrey." Maisy: "Yes!" Megan: "So then, luckily we sent it to her, and only her, and she read it and loved it and wanted to be a part of it. So once we got it to her, the stars really aligned quickly, but it was kind of me getting out of my own way and being like 'wait, instead of worrying about who looks the most like Maisy, who fits into the movie?'." Maisy: "Instead of worrying about who's blonde?" Megan: "Yeah, exactly." On Collaboration When You're Playing the Younger Version of a Character While Sharing Scenes with the Older Version Maisy: "It was quick. What happened, I was filming for like two weeks when Aubrey was officially attached. So my younger Elliott was already kind of established. On anything else, if this was any other situation, I would have been meeting Aubrey — and she kind of had to meet me because I was filming. So it was a quick thing, she came for like a week and we just went for it." [caption id="attachment_974460" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marion Curtis / Starpix for Amazon MGM Studios[/caption] Megan: "She'd been watching dailies and studying Maisy a bit before." Maisy: "And then when we met, I felt Aubrey staring and filming me with her eyes, and getting the mannerisms and physicality. I think that was probably more what we focused on. And also just creating a friendship and a nice connection was probably the most important part, rather than mimicking each other. It felt more enjoyable." Megan: "I remember Aubrey asking me 'do you want me to mimic her? How deep do you want me to go with this?' And I was like 'I feel like that's not the most important part of it. I'd rather we just build the chemistry and the rapport'. And that was totally what I think was the main thing. We just spent the weekend together, talked through stuff." Maisy: "100 percent." Megan: "And it was just about building that chemistry — which, they're both genius actors, they can build chemistry so quickly. That's a skill that I think the best actors can do. And the two of them together were just able to connect so quickly." [caption id="attachment_974459" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages[/caption] On Having Margot Robbie as a Producer, and How That Helped Shape the Film Megan: "As we were saying, we love an Aussie. Our other producer, Bronte Payne at LuckyChap, is also Australian. It happened really organically. I had a general meeting with the company, with Bronte, who had seen The Fallout — and she really loved the film, and she just wanted to sit and chat. And she was the one, honestly, who was like 'do you have any other ideas?'. And I was like 'I mean, there's this one thing I'm thinking about'. And she was like 'we'd love to hear more about that. We think that's a great idea'. Then she introduced me to the rest of people at the company, Tom [Ackerley, also one of LuckyChap's founders] and Margot and Josey [McNamara, another LuckyChap founder]. And they are just so — it's really hard to find good people in this industry who are really honest and smart and hardworking, and treat everybody, no matter if it's the star of the movie or the PA, they're just so consistent. And they're so grounded and down to earth, and there's a reason why they get so much repeat business with their directors. It's because it's genuine, and they're obviously very smart. So they were incredibly helpful, not only helping me build the script, but every step of the way — they've just been so invaluable and so easygoing. And just lovely, lovely human beings. I'm doing my next film with them, and I hope to work with them over and over again. They're incredible." On Balancing Playing a Carefree 18-Year-Old with Their Whole Life Ahead of Them with Elliott Getting to Take Stock of Her Existence Decades Before Anyone Usually Expects To Maisy: "Preparing-wise, I honestly read the script so many times. That was really my prep, just reading it. I didn't do too much, I didn't practice the deliveries." Megan: "We just talked through the scenes." Maisy: "We'd just talk it through. And on my own time, I had months before I went to film — but after I booked it, I enjoyed reading it so I would obsessively just read it and think about it a lot. I really lived with the concept and with the message. I thought about it a lot. I think was my preparation." [caption id="attachment_974457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages[/caption] Megan: "And you believed in it." Maisy: "And I believed in it and I meant it. I really meant it. Everything that Elliott says, I ended up meaning on the day. Even if I was learning from her and trying to mean it, I did end up meaning it." Megan: "Yeah." Maisy: "And with an indie, with the director like you [talks to Megan], where you really like things to feel like you press record and you're just like watching people exist, there's only so much you can do for prep to keep it feeling natural and real and sparky." My Old Ass opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, September 26, 2024. My Old Ass images: Marni Grossman © Amazon Content Services LLC.
In the heart of Chapel Street, Imperial South Yarra is a modern and vibrant spot to enjoy a couple of drinks after a day of shopping or a long week at the office. The sleek bistro fit-out is paired with street-side tables so you can take in all the area has to offer. The menu covers contemporary global fare, from small dishes to designed share, to hearty pub meals, pizzas and burgers. A classic drinks list is bumped up with specialty cocktails and huge fishbowls to share — or not to share. The Imperial has a bunch of weekly specials and events, including bottomless brunches, leisurely lunches, Sunday recovery sessions and a $5 happy hour, Monday–Friday, 4–7pm. Image: Giulia Morlando.
Australia is just getting accustomed to life without single-use plastic bags; however Europe is set to go one step further, backing a directive to ban a number of single-use plastic items within the European Union. The European parliament's plan was drawn up to specifically combat the growing amount of plastic that's clogging up the world's oceans, specifically targeting plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers and straws, as well as cotton buds and balloon sticks. And the target date for phasing out these products is soon: 2021. The EU's highlighted items rank among the top ten products found in the sea, the directive states, with reducing the consumption of food containers and beverage cups also on the agenda. By 2025, all EU members will also be required to collect 90 percent of single-use plastic beverage bottles for recycling, while awareness campaigns will ramp up for the likes of general plastic packets and wrappings, sanitary items such as wet wipes and sanitary towels, and cigarette butts. The draft legislation received overwhelming support, passing 571 votes to 53, although it's not yet law. It is, however, the latest recognition that the war on waste is one that needs serious attention. The British parliament announced plans to go plastic-free earlier in the year, France has banned plastic plates, cups and cutlery from 2020, while the Australian government has pledged to ensure that 100 percent of the country's packaging is recyclable, compostable or reusable in the next seven years. And that's on top of the flurry of supermarkets, big name brands, well-known food chains and furniture behemoths making their own commitments to reduce, recycle or eradicate single-use plastics from their operations.
Much-loved brewery and cider producer Kaiju has opened its very own brewpub, beer hall and pizzeria, after close to a decade spent crafting award-winning drops. The lofty 445-square-metre warehouse space rocks a fun fitout by We are Humble Architects, filled with bright pops of colour and large-scale hand-painted murals by Mikey Burton — the same US-based artist responsible for much of Kaiju's distinctive can art. It includes a playful, 12-metre work depicting the Melbourne city skyline complete with landmarks like the MCG and St Kilda Beach. Kaiju Cantina's 16 taps are pouring house favourites like the Kaiju Krush tropical pale ale and Aftermath double IPA, alongside limited-edition and small-batch brews crafted on the site's own dedicated six-hectolitre brewing setup. Keep an eye out also for regular collaborations done with local emerging brew stars and brewing students. A locally-focused lineup of booze-free options, wine and spirits is also on offer, including pours from the likes of Seaford's That Spirited Lot Gin and The Gospel Whiskey out of Brunswick. Meanwhile, the food menu is all about beer's true BFF, pizza. Expect seasonal ingredients, hand-stretched bases and plenty of classic Italian flavours — think, a vegetarian combination of mushrooms, parmesan and truffle oil ($24); a classic capricciosa number topped with artichokes and olives ($26); and even a cheeseburger-inspired creation featuring American-style cheese, beef, pickles and mustard ($25). And those midweek munchies are sorted with selected $20 pizzas — and $8 schooners — every Wednesday and Thursday. [caption id="attachment_841812" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kim Jane Photography[/caption] Images: Kim Jane Photography
During the summer months, there's often one thing at the top of our to-do lists: hitting up as many beaches as possible. Australia has a lot of them (11,761 of them, to be exact) and choosing which ones to go to can be difficult. Where won't be too busy? Too seaweed-y? Which one has the whitest sand? The bluest water? Is the best for beach cricket? There's a lot to consider. Thankfully, Tourism Australia's Beach Ambassador (how do we apply?) Brad Farmer AM has done the hard yards and pulled together a tidy list of the top 20 Australian beaches for 2020. Farmer chose the beaches based on water quality, cleanliness, capacity, facilities, safety and 'wow' factor, as well as a host of other factors. Topping the list for 2020 is Cabarita Beach on the Tweed Coast, tucked between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. As well as being a great surfing spot that's reasonably quiet, Cabarita is filled with lauded dining destinations and a brand-new glamping retreat a thong's throw from the award-winning beach. Farmer calls it a "quintessential Aussie beachscape showcasing a truly diverse range of settings to swoon over". [caption id="attachment_754821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wagga Wagga Beach by Destination NSW.[/caption] Also on the list, for the first time, is an "inland beach". Wagga Wagga Beach, coming in at number nine, is located on the banks of the Murrumbidge River a five-hour drive inland from Sydney. It's far from the coast — and the seashore — but Farmer said "it's time we extend the meaning of a beach". "There are so many aquatic environments across Australia's interior," Farmer said in a statement. "These water spaces...socially connect rural and remote communities in often dusty and dry, drought conditions." At a time when so many parts of rural Australia are suffering through a two-year drought, it seems a fitting time to recognise our inland water bodies. A second non-coastal beach made the list, too: the pristine Lake McKenzie on Queensland's Fraser Island, which came in tenth. Rounding out the top five are the Gold Coast's Currumbin Beach at number two, NSW's hidden Minnamurra Beach (aka Mystics Beach) at number three, and Maria Island in Tasmania and Queensland's Cape Tribulation at number four and five respectively. Some of Australia's busiest (and, arguably, most popular) beaches — ie Bondi and Jervis Bay— didn't make the short list, but are both on Farmer's long list of 101 top Australian beaches for 2020. As did the Whitsunday's Whitehaven Beach, Australia's top-ranking beach in FlightNetwork's global list. So pack your togs (and your beach cricket set), round up some mates and start ticking these off. We see many road trips in your future. [caption id="attachment_754820" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake McKenzie by Ashley Dobson[/caption] THE TOP 20 BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES FOR 2020 1. Cabarita (NSW) 2. Currumbin (Qld) 3. Minnamurra (NSW) 4. Maria Island (Tas) 5. Cape Tribulation (Qld) 6. Brighton Beach (Vic) 7. Bettys Beach (WA) 8. South Port Beach (SA) 9. Wagga Wagga Beach (NSW) 10. Lake McKenzie (Qld) 11. The Basin, Rottnest Island (WA) 12. Fingal Bay (NSW) 13. Smiths Beach (WA) 14. Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island (NSW) 15. Quobba Station Red Bluff (WA) 16. Cossies Beach (Indian Ocean) 17. Lake Tyers Beach (Vic) 18. Diamond Head (NSW) 19. Pondalowie Bay (SA) 20. Killiecrankie Beach, Flinders Island (Tas) Top images: Cabarita Beach by Destination NSW
Everyone has one main motivating factor in the career path they choose, and if you're passionate about helping humanity and the state of the world, you've got a bunch of options available. Doctors, lawyers and politicians may take a lot of the credit for shaping our futures but they're not the only options. In fact, there are plenty of other avenues to explore. Whether you're at the beginning of your education, looking for a career change or wanting to gain some additional professional experience, knowing where to start can be hard. That's why we've tracked down a selection of degrees from leading Australian universities to study online via Open Universities Australia(OUA) if you're desperate to make a difference in the world. With the threat of climate change and limited natural resources becoming a reality in the not-too-distant future, the time for a focus on the environment, sustainability and education has never been greater. Here's our list of which degrees to study if you want to inspire or create change. BACHELOR OF EDUCATION Imparting wisdom to our younger generations is a hugely important undertaking — after all, these are the people that'll one day inherit the earth. Curtin University offers one of the best teaching degrees for primary education (years one to six). After studying the Bachelor of Education or the Master of Teaching degree via OUA, you will leave the course with advanced training for leadership roles in a teaching career. Although you'll be studying primarily online, the degree also includes hands-on experience in a range of schools and across year levels, and it culminates in a five-week professional placement. Your studies will also include lesson planning, classroom management, special education and digital literacy. BACHELOR OF ARTS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Change starts from the ground — so getting involved in community-based projects, be it services, welfare or not-for-profit organisations, is a great way to see your effort being put into action before your very eyes. A Bachelor of Arts in Community Development will hone your communication, critical thinking, ethics and social justice knowledge — and that's just the start. The program from Murdoch University (available online through OUA) focuses on a wide variety of perspectives and solutions that can benefit different communities — from Indigenous and First Nation peoples to overseas aid development. You will graduate with the ability for persuasive oral communication and a broad knowledge of research methods. DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY WELFARE AND WELLBEING Outside of teaching, another obvious do-gooder career path is within the welfare and health sectors. Whether you're interested in nursing, community service or social work, gaining a Diploma in Community Welfare and Wellbeing from the University of New England allows you to earn credits toward many community-minded degrees — and to develop the foundational skills for employment or toward further study. The course provides students with the theoretical and academic groundwork for a career in overall social care. Within the elective subjects offered, you can opt to specialise in working with members of the community dealing with disability or ageing, or working with Aboriginal people. BACHELOR OF ARTS: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Marching for climate action is a great start, but if you're passionate about finding more sustainable ways for you and your neighbours to live and preserve the environment, this Murdoch University program is worth exploring through OUA. Sustainable Development is a newer profession but is growing in popularity. The more prominent career paths you could take from this degree include joining the public sector, a local council or an NGO, or working within research institutes or national and international aid organisations. But the skills gained here are much more far-reaching and can also lead to careers in sustainable tourism, media, education and resource management. MASTER OF ENVIRONMENT Already got a degree in environmental science under your belt? First of all, good for you. Now, keep channelling that passion and experience into a masters degree from Griffith University. After all, it's arguably one of the most important fields of study you could enter into at the moment. Within this degree, you can choose to specialise in several different areas of expertise, including climate change adaptation, sustainable business, economics and policy, environmental planning and environmental protection. Career options hit a huge range, too, and include the likes of environmental assessment officer, consultant for government agencies and environmental and biosecurity management. Explore these degrees and hundreds more from leading Australian universities, available online through Open Universities Australia. You'll be making a world of difference before you know it.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are various interstate border restrictions in place. Up-to-date information on restrictions are available at your state's health websites (click through for NSW, Victoria and Queensland). Of course, even border closures don't mean you can't start dreaming — bookmark this for when you can explore freely once again. Australia's hugely diverse landscape means there's plenty of choice when it comes to finding an off-road experience, no matter how you like to get around. From twisting turns across the Australian Alps to tropical rainforest descents, epic all-terrain mountain biking adventures can be discovered in every corner of the country. When you're ready to hit the road, don't forget to pack the new Sonos Roam. Designed to withstand a rough-and-tumble lifestyle, this lightweight and portable smart speaker is drop-withstanding and waterproof, making it the perfect device to soundtrack your journey. [caption id="attachment_812642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ain Raadik Photography[/caption] THE AUSTRALIAN ALPINE EPIC, VICTORIA When it comes to the Alpine Epic, everything you need to know is in the name. The first trail in the southern hemisphere to be designated, quite literally, 'epic' by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, this exhilarating cross-country trail begins from the lofty Mt Buller Alpine Village. From there, you'll pedal through 40 kilometres of incredible alpine terrain, including many of the region's most picturesque destinations. Passing through snowgum groves and wildflowers via Soul Revival, One Tree Hill and Gang Gangs on this challenging descent, the Australian Alpine Epic is suited to experienced riders, and takes around seven hours to complete. The trail is open from December to April. [caption id="attachment_818224" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ready Aim Media[/caption] OURIMBAH STATE FOREST, NSW Situated at the southern end of the Watagan Mountains, just west of Wyong, Ourimbah State Forest is a popular destination for outdoor adventure activities near the Central Coast. As well as stellar hiking and ziplining experiences through the treetops, mountain biking is high on the agenda for many visitors with a series of well-maintained downhill and cross-country trails suitable for both beginner and experienced riders. You'll find plenty of obstacles and jumps to test your skills, with many of the routes designed with progression in mind. Plus, a convenient shuttle bus ensures you get a break on the way back to the top of the mountain. [caption id="attachment_818229" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SMITHFIELD MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK, QUEENSLAND The dense, lush landscape of tropical north Queensland makes for the perfect destination when you're looking for some serious thrills. Featuring more than 60 kilometres of trails set deep within the rainforest, Smithfield Mountain Bike Park is considered one of the top all-terrain trail systems anywhere in the world. It hosted the 1996 and 2017 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships — and it's also the oldest mountain bike park in Australia. You can bounce your way across craggy hillsides and fast-flowing streams as you ride through vine-covered jungle and jagged ridges overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. While experienced riders flock to Smithfield for its great selection of quick technical routes to test their skills, beginners will discover a series of spacious, smooth trails that skirt the lower edges of the park. [caption id="attachment_812640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] ARTHURS SEAT PARK, VICTORIA Surrounding the 314-metre summit of Arthurs Seat State Park is a striking network of mountain biking trails that wind through the region's native bushland and rocky terrain. There are suitable off-road adventures for every experience level here, with 14 trails of varying difficulty. Beginners will prefer the well-connected Pink Line Trail, Slippery Gypsy Trail and East Link Trail with their low gradients and minimal obstacles. More accomplished riders can take on the highly technical Deadwoods Trail or the sharp drops of the Pins and Needles Trail. [caption id="attachment_812638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] THREDBO MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK, NSW Alpine mountain biking doesn't get much better than what's on offer at the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park. The trails are open from November to May each year and offer an evolving network of cross-country adventures that ensure you can find a path to match your skillset. Featuring Australia's only chairlift-accessed gravity trails open throughout summer, Thredbo is a great place for riders with a bit of experience to test themselves on berms, rock drops and other technical obstacles. For those who'd prefer a more relaxing off-road experience, Easy Street and the Thredbo Valley Track offer a stellar combination of thrills and alpine scenery. Thredbo Mountain Bike Park also offers clinics for all ages and skill levels. [caption id="attachment_812641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] BIG HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK, VICTORIA Situated atop the appropriately named Mount Beauty, Big Hill Mountain Bike Park is widely regarded as one of Australia's best mountain biking destinations. This labyrinth of downhill and cross-country trails spans more than 40 kilometres, with over 50 trails to choose from ranging in terrain and difficulty. Big Hill is home to the National Mountain Bike Championships, but there are a number of trails suited to less experienced riders including the Dart Spur Track and Sesame Street. With the charming town of Bright located within close proximity of this track, you can round out your outdoor adventures with a visit to the Bright Brewery or one of the many cafes in town. [caption id="attachment_818518" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stromlo Forest Park[/caption] STROMLO FOREST PARK, ACT Stromlo Forest Park is the best place for mountain biking when you don't want to totally leave civilisation behind. Just a 15-minute drive from the centre of Canberra are over 40 kilometres of world-class trails that are suited to a wide range of riding abilities and age groups. Cemented in Australian mountain biking folklore thanks to its hosting numerous national championships and professional competitions, Stromlo Forest Park offers highly technical routes, including log rides and bridges, alongside easier trails with long, flowing descents. Stash away your lunch and Sonos for a relaxing post-ride picnic amongst the trees. [caption id="attachment_818267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] NOOSA TRAIL NETWORK, QUEENSLAND Spanning a vast section of Queensland's rural landscape, the Noosa Trail Network encompasses eight distinct hinterland trails ideal for biking, hiking and horse riding. While these scenic journeys are slightly more focused on the incredible vistas that make up this part of the world, there are still plenty of challenges to be found. The 25-kilometre Kin Kin to Lake Macdonald Trail, for example, delves from wide-open countryside into the rainforest, while the Kin Kin Countryside Loop is a leisurely ride linking peaceful picnic spots with bird watching opportunities. Find out more about the new Sonos Roam at the official website. Top image: TBC
If you, like us, have binged every episode of the renowned crime podcast Serial, are still following the news roller-coaster on Adnan Syed's case from season one and are counting down the days until the HBO series airs — take a deep breath, because there's finally more where that came from. Serial will return for its third season on September 20, having been dormant since season two aired back in 2015. Season three will focus on the entire criminal justice system in the US — more specifically on the inconsistencies and failures of the courts in Cleveland, Ohio. "What does season one tell us about the criminal justice system?" asks host Sarah Koenig in the season's trailer. She concludes that instead of using Syed's extraordinary case to examine the system from the inside, she must use many ordinary cases. Koenig and her crew spent one year in the Cleveland courts, where they recorded not only in courtrooms but also in judge's chambers, prosecutors office and back hallways, plus outside the courthouse in family member's houses, streets and prisons. In the season three trailer, Koenig mentions one case in particular — that of Greg Rucker, whose prison recordings include an admission of guilt. Yet, in just this one trial, Koenig is witness to an onslaught of court offences, including extra charges, pressure to plead guilty, shabby police work, "eleventh hour" evidence, dozing jurors and judge — all ending with an outsized prison sentence. But, since Rucker is guilty, should we even care? This is a question that Serial will explore throughout the season. Again, the story will unfold week-by-week. To listen to the season three trailer or catch up on past seasons, check out the Serial website. The first two episodes of Serial season 3 will be released on the morning of Thursday, September 20 — Eastern Daylight Time (New York). No exact time has been announced, but past Serial episodes have dropped around 9.30am EDT, which corresponds to about 11.30pm in Australia and 1.30am in New Zealand. So, you can either stay up late on Thursday and listen, or wait until your Friday morning commute to work. One new episode will be released each Thursday thereafter. Image: Moth Studio, mural by Adam Maida
UPDATE, June 14, 2020: Devs is also now streaming in full on new Foxtel-run platform Binge. This article has been updated to reflect that change. If you're a fan of watching smart, rewarding, deep-thinking science fiction, then you're probably a fan of Alex Garland's. Originally an author, he initially came to fame as the writer of 90s bestseller The Beach, before moving into screenwriting with the script for 28 Days Later. More screenplays followed, including Sunshine, Never Let Me Go and Dredd — but it was his 2014 directorial debut Ex Machina that showed the extent of his filmmaking prowess. Annihilation proved a highly worthy addition to his resume in 2018, too, even after it was shuffled onto Netflix rather than screening in cinemas in much of the world. Given his track record so far, any new project by Garland is cause for excitement. This year, direct your enthusiasm towards new series Devs. The writer/director has made the leap to television with a cast led by Nick Offerman, Ex Machina's Sonoya Mizuno, Love's Karl Glusman, American Horror Story's Alison Pill and Bad Times at the El Royale's Cailee Spaeny — and, as currently streaming on Foxtel Now and Binge in Australia, it's a trippy ride into cerebral sci-fi territory. The eight-part show also radiates unease from its very first moments, all while sporting both a mood and a futuristic look that prove simultaneously unsettlingly and alluring. The setting: Amaya, a US technology company that's massive in size yet secretive in its focus, especially when it comes to its big quantum computing project. When Sergei (Glusman) is promoted to its coveted, extra clandestine Devs division, his girlfriend and fellow Amaya employee Lily (Mizuno) is thrilled for him. But when Sergei doesn't come home from his first day, Lily starts looking for answers — including from the company's guru-like leader Forest (a long-haired, very un-Ron Swanson-like Offerman). As intriguing as it is involving — as both Ex Machina and Annihilation were, too — Devs is the kind of series with twists and turns that are best discovered by watching; however as each second passes by, the stranger and more sinister it all appears. Expect conspiracies, tech thrills and big questions, in a series that does what all the very best sci-fi stories do: tackle big existential questions and intimate everyday emotions in tandem, all while asking 'what if?'. Also a highlight is Devs' spectacular set design and overall look, with Garland bringing striking, dark yet vivid images to his first small-screen project. Giant woodland areas, floating cube-like workspaces glimmering in golden hues, shimmering fields, a towering statue of a small child — they're all part of the show's appearance, and its mysteries. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8klax373ds The first season of Devs is available to stream on Foxtel Now and Binge. Images: FX Networks.
Hosting your own craft beer-tasting event is a great way to discover the breadth and variety of the good stuff in a fun and highly convivial situation. Plus, you'll appreciate your casual Friday tipple more than ever. If you're a fan of the James Squire craft beer range, chances are you enjoy talking the ears off of your buds about your favourite type and why you think they should try them. Alternatively, you may be a devotee of one or two beers in the range and are now ready to explore a little further, with a mate or two coming along to keep you company on your journey. Either way, we've got all your home-hosted beer tasting ingredients right here. Friends Don't look at us like that. Obviously you're going to invite buds, this is a beer tasting. Four or five would be a good number for a tasting, this ain't a keg party. Food You don’t have to serve up a Michelin-starred degustation menu, but snacks provide the dual purpose of keeping alcohol levels lower and cleansing the palate between tastings. Make sure you don't choose food that could overshadow the taste of the beer. Having water on hand is also a good idea. Beer You could say this is somewhat a crucial element. You could go full throttle and sample the full range of nine James Squire craft beers and two James Squire Orchard Crush ciders or maybe you'd prefer to taste just a handful. Depending on which approach you choose, you could consider buying some of the beers (One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale, Nine Tales Amber Ale and The Chancer Golden Ale) in 568mL Friendship Pint format rather than six packs of the standard 345mL bottles. To keep costs down, you could suggest that each guest/participant/contestant/buddy ol' pal supplies one of the beers. Glasses The aim of the night is to taste rather than scull, meaning proper beer tasting glasses would be ideal. However, if you don't have any of these to hand (and since you don't live in James Squire Brewbar, that’s hardly surprising) any glass will do. You'll earn bonus craft beer cred points for having the 'right glass' for each style of beer (have a look over JS's Guide to Glassware Etiquette), but it's not the end of the world if you don't. Pour about three fingers worth into each glass, allowing the aroma to fill the rest of the space. Remember, the night is about tasting the beer, not simply drinking it and gettin' crunk. Materials You’ll need to provide pencils or pens, along with paper or notecards. If you’re a particularly efficient and overly-excited host, you could create a print a simple tasting score sheet with spaces for notes on appearance, aroma, flavour, mouth feel, overall impression and final total score. Guidelines Each beer should be judged in the same way, as follows: - On pouring, immediately sniff the beer to detect initial aromas. Write these down in the 'Aroma' section of the score sheet – e.g., 'nutty malt' or 'citrusy hops'. - Note the beer's appearance, particularly its colour (golden, copper, etc.), clarity (cloudy, clear, etc.) and head characteristic. - Taste the beer by taking a sip and keeping it in the mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Note both the immediate finish and aftertaste, the malts and hops and the balance. - Assess the mouth feel — this includes body, carbonation level and alcoholic warmth. - Write down your overall impression and give a final score for each beer. For more detailed judging information, head over here. Now there's nothing left to do except begin the tasting — and enjoy. Image credits: *vlad* via photopin cc, oskay via photopin cc, nahlinse via photopin cc, Fixed in Silver via photopin cc.
Have you ever looked at Sydney Tower, the Harbour City's tallest structure, and wondered what it'd look like with 40-kilometre-long laser beams shooting out of it? When Vivid Sydney arrives for 2024, you'll no longer need to just ponder that question. The answer comes via Global Rainbow, which will project a fan of light from the tower courtesy of US artist Yvette Mattern. Vivid always boasts light installations and openair art as one of its key pillars, but the annual festival just might outdo itself with this year's display in the heavens. Across 23 nights between Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15, in what marks the event's 14th year, Vivid has a plethora of other ways to liven up the New South Wales capital on its just-revealed 2024 lineup. Whether you'd like to hear tunes by Air, Budjerah and Yasiin Bey, or see artwork by Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman on the Sydney Opera House's sails, or feast your way through a night food market, you'll be catered for at the winter showcase of music, luminous sights, culinary events and conversation. The theme: humanity. "Humanity is at the core of everything we do, and this year Vivid Sydney is diving deep into what makes us uniquely human," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. "We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world's most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate." The Vivid Light program doesn't just include lengthy lasers and Gutman's Echo, but also the return of Lightscape to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney so you'll be able to mosey through lit-up leafiness again. Plus, Reg Mombassa is turning the Customs House facade into a tribute to Aussie road trips, while Guan Wei's works will deck out the Museum of Contemporary Art's exterior. Our Connected City will light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as The Rocks, Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and a range of buildings in the CBD. If you head to Barangaroo, you'll be able to see two dazzling displays. First, the Stargazer Lawn will welcome a circular projection of the brolga's mating dance called Nest from Leila Jeffreys and Melvin J Montalba. Also, Sinclair Park's Stateless will get 4000 solar-powered LED candles glowing amid the sandstone blocks at Barangaroo Reserve. Vivid Music, the fest's music festival within the broader festival, is anchored by a heap of must-see gigs at the Sydney Opera House — French favourites Air celebrating their 1998 debut album Moon Safari chief among them. After playing Vivid 2019, Underworld are back to bust out 'Born Slippy (Nuxx)' again at more Australian-exclusive shows. Arca, Sky Ferreira, Fever Ray, Snoh Aalegra, Devonté Hynes with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: they're all on the bill, too, as are parties from House of Mince, Mad Racket and Astral People. Budjerah is one of the highlights on Tumbalong Nights' free lineup, which also features grentperez, Mallrat, sunwoojunga and Silica Gel. And Yasiin Bey, who was formerly known as Mos Def, has a two-night stint at Carriageworks, where he'll work through his tunes and influences. Other standouts on the music program include working the Machine Hall Precinct into the mix, which is where Deerhoof, Underscores, Jen Cloher, No Fixed Address and Ngulmiya will play — and where Trackwork, The Huxleys and CLUB 4A will throw shindigs. Mary's Underground will again host the Vivid Sydney Supper Club. Back at Carriageworks, the venue will welcome Tirzah, Yves Tumor, Electric Fields and X CLUB as well. At Vivid Food, Vivid Fire Kitchen will go all in on barbecue in its new location at The Goods Line. Vivid Residence and Vivid Chef Series will also be back, but with details still to be revealed. Kyiv Social's Plates with Purpose: A Taste of Ukraine is a ten-course degustation that will make you feel like you're sat at a Ukrainian family's table. And, don't miss the chance to hit up the VividPlace Food Trail, which'll turn Sydney Place and Bulletin Place's laneways into a night food market each night of Vivid. There's also Our Shared Humanity at Refettorio OzHarvest, with Christine Manfield, Darren Robertson, Mitch Orr and more whipping up three-course vegetarian menus using rescued produce — plus Aurorae at Bennelong Bar, Bennelong's pop-up snack and cocktail bar. Also, A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez celebrates women in the Australian food and wine scenes in Sydney Opera House's Yallamundi Rooms. [caption id="attachment_945243" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] If you're eager to dissect the current state of the world, that's where Vivid Ideas comes in — and, in 2024, After the Fact especially. It's a new nightly chat through the news cycle, with the panel of guests set to rotate, but keeping the topics up-to-the-minute the aim. Or, if you're keen to embrace Vivid's overarching theme, Golden Age of Humanity will feature Kylie Kwong, Kate McClymont and other influential Aussie introducing films that typify humanity to them over nine evenings. Plus, at AI Will Destroy Humanity: A Future Science Debate, what the future might hold for humankind gets a comic spin. Add in the participatory A THOUSAND WAYS: An Encounter by New York company 600 Highwaymen, the Kings Cross- and Darlinghurst-focused Sex Work: A legal and social history, and Say My Name: The Humanity of Names — which is all about monikers that are unfairly considered tricky — and there's much to get you thinking. Two other such chances: Window Dressing, with Liesel Badorrek getting audiences peering into folks' ordinary lives via eight windows in a Frank Gehry building on The Goods Line; and Shifting Perspectives, featuring dancers performing around 24 mirrored plinths. [caption id="attachment_945240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shifting Perspectives, Saige Prime[/caption] Vivid Sydney runs from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15 at various locations around Sydney. Head to the festival website for further details and tickets. Top image: Destination NSW.
Unique accommodations are available in abundance on Airbnb. So what makes Aussie Host Quentin Dempster's Table Cape home, which was recently named Australia's Best Unique Airbnb Stay, the most innovative of all? Affectionately named The Winged House, this extraordinary Tasmania property boasts a long list of features that has seen it recognised as one of Australia's best stays. It starts with its ability to stand out — literally — with architecture that sees it cantilevered over a cliff to deliver dramatic 180-degree views of the seascape that surrounds it. Designed by Australian artist Richard Goodwin (and engineered by Harry Partridge), Dempster's abode is a liveable art installation, inspired by the appearance of the wings of an aircraft stretching over a cliff. Guests who drive into the property have also noted its resemblance to a bird poised to take off. However, not content to simply serve breathtaking vistas of waves breaking on rocks to the east and Rocky Cape National Park to the west, changing cloud formations, eagles and even an occasional seal, Dempster's commitment to offering guests an unforgettable experience extends to every room of his house. The bathroom features a traditional Japanese soaking tub, the living room shelves are stocked with best-selling books, the gourmet kitchen is fully equipped and the pantry is packed with premium condiments — including extra virgin olive oil produced by Dempster himself. In addition to complimentary bottles of local wine on arrival, Dempster also offers a unique "call-in" service, where guests can dial-a-massage or dial-a-chef, connecting with the best local suppliers and service providers. Impressed with Dempster's understanding that "it's the hospitality that truly makes all the difference when it comes to helping guests feel like they are living in a place, not just travelling to it," we caught up with him to talk about his Airbnb hosting journey, as well as what he believes makes for a truly unique Airbnb stay. What made you decide to become an Airbnb Host? My wife and I use Airbnb when we travel. We've enjoyed it from a guest perspective so I joined up as a Host and things developed from there. We've attracted people from all over the world. What do you think Hosts can do to make an Airbnb listing outstanding? We provide a stocked larder, breakfast victuals, a complimentary bottle of Josef Chromy chardonnay or Tasmanian pinot noir as well as our own extra virgin olive oil. In addition to the dramatic views, we have found this warm welcome and generosity makes all the difference to the guest experience. What do you love about sharing your unique property? The sense of a special place and guests who love to share it with us. We chat happily with guests from all over the world and give advice on local things to do. What's something you wish you knew when you started hosting? The importance of taking the edge off guest stress about cancellations. During the early stages of the COVID pandemic we quickly adopted a lenient booking policy, one which gave a full refund to people who had to cancel because of lockdowns. Or offered them a credit voucher against a future stay so they were not out of pocket. What are some of the benefits of hosting? The income derived through hosting has allowed us to pay for a cleaner, manager, suppliers and tradies, which all helps to contribute to the local economy. We also pay Tassie land tax which returns some revenue to the Tasmanian taxpayer. So it's a win-win. Want to begin your own hosting journey with Airbnb? If you're feeling inspired, head to the website to find out how to get started. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Bec Baxter
In an effort to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that everyone arriving in the country from overseas will need to self-isolate for 14 days, effective from 12am on Monday, March 16. Announced at the first meeting of Australia's new coronavirus national cabinet, the mandatory self-isolation requirement applies to everyone — no matter where you're entering the country from, and regardless of whether you're an Aussie citizen or permanent resident coming home, or a tourist arriving for a holiday. "Its legal enforcement, that will be the change. If your mate has been to Bali and they come back and they turn up at work and they are sitting next to you, they will be committing an offence — so I think it's up to all of us that we are ensuring it is in place. Australians will exercise commonsense. This provides the backstop of a legal enforcement," said Morrison. The self-isolation requirement only applies to overseas arrivals. At this stage, domestic flights are not affected. The government will also ban international cruise ships from docking in Australia for 30 days, with that decision due to be reviewed on a rolling basis. Australians have also been advised to take social distancing measures, including refraining from shaking hands. The current moves come a day after New Zealand implemented the same measures, and two days after Morris announced an indefinite ban on non-essential organised gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, March 16. He confirmed that ban in today's press conference, and advised that state and territory governments will legislate to officially put it into effect. As was the case on Friday, schools, universities and public transport will not be impacted by the mass gatherings ban at present, Morrison also confirmed — nor will shopping centres or airports themselves. [caption id="attachment_721751" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Vivid Sydney. Image: Yaya Stempler.[/caption] Since Friday, many large-scale Australian events have revealed their cancellations and postponements for 2020. The AFL, AFLW and NRL football leagues announced that they'll play in empty stadiums, with fans locked out. Big events such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Vivid Sydney and World Science Festival Brisbane have all been scrapped for the year — and many more smaller events, too, including the Gold Coast Film Festival, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Ability Fest, Sweetstock, Wine Machine, Comedy Steps Up for Bushfire Relief and Cirque du Soleil's Melbourne season of Kurios. Australia's tactics are in line with global moves, too. Over the past days, weeks and months, large swathes of cinemas have shut across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and theme parks have been doing the same in Asia, Europe and the US as well. We've also seen the cancellation of Texan music and film festival South by Southwest and postponement of Coachella. And, before Friday's ban was announced, the Grand Prix in Melbourne, Tasmania's Dark Mofo and Brisbane's Paniyiri Greek Festival all announced their cancellations as well. The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced early this week that COVID-19 is a pandemic. As at 3pm AEST on Sunday, March 15, Australia has 249 cases confirmed cases of COVID-19. 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.
Watching I Hate Suzie Too isn't easy. Watching I Hate Suzie, the show's first season, wasn't either back in 2020. A warts-and-all dance through the chaotic life, emotions and mind of a celebrity, both instalments of this compelling British series have spun as far away from the glitz and glamour of being famous as possible. Capturing carefully constructed social-media content to sell the fiction of stardom's perfection is part of the story, as it has to be three decades into the 21st century; however, consider this Stan- and Neon-streaming show from Succession writer Lucy Prebble and actor/singer/co-creator Billie Piper, and its blood pressure-raising tension and stress, the anti-Instagram. I Hate Suzie's unfiltered focus: teen pop sensation-turned-actor Suzie Pickles, as played with a canny sense of knowing by Piper given that the 'Honey to the Bee' and Penny Dreadful talent has charted the same course. That said, the show's IRL star hasn't been the subject of a traumatic phone hack that exposed sensitive photos from an extramarital affair to the public, turning her existence and career upside down, as Suzie was in season one. In episodes named after emotions — shock, denial, fear, shame, bargaining, guilt, anger and acceptance — the eight-part initial go-around stepped through the fallout, as unsurprisingly frenzied as it was. Suzie's professor husband Cob (Daniel Ings, Sex Education) reacted with fury and selfishness; their young son Frank (debutant Matthew Jordan-Caws), who is deaf, got swept up in the tumult; and manager and lifelong friend Naomi (Leila Farzad, Avenue 5) endeavoured to save Suzie's career. As I Hate Suzie's name makes plain, sentiment didn't often flow Suzie's way — from Cob, the media, everyone pulling the strings behind her professional opportunities, and also the world at large. In I Hate Suzie Too, she has a new manager Sian (Anastasia Hille, A Spy Among Friends) and a new chance to win back fans, returning to reality TV after it helped thrust her into the spotlight as a child star to begin with. Dance Crazee Xmas is exactly what it sounds like, and sees Suzie compete against soccer heroes, musicians and more. But when I Hate Suzie Too kicks off with a ferocious, clearly cathartic solo dance in sad-clown getup, the viewers aren't charmed. In fact, instantly damaging her already fragile self-esteem, Suzie is the first celebrity voted off. Although arriving a couple of years later, season two takes place six months after the first, which ended with Suzie all over the papers — again — and facing another life-changing development. Spanning three episodes, I Hate Suzie Too is a chronicle of a comeback that isn't quite allowed to be, because that's the relentlessness of being in the public eye when you're a woman who's deemed to have erred. Suzie herself simply wants to work to be able to share custody of Frank, the fight over which is cruel and demanding at the hands of the still-vicious Cob. She wants to dance, too, because that was always her first love. What she gets is the unceasing pressure to be flawless, as dictated by everyone else around her, but with zero interest in what'd truly make her content, safe, secure and fulfilled. Fearless, audacious, honest, dripping with anxiety, staggering in its intensity, absolutely heart-wrenching, always unflinching: with Prebble and Piper reteaming not just after season one, but also 2007–11 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, all of these terms fit. This is a head-in-your-hands dark dramedy, a reaction incited by everything that comes Suzie's way as well as the choices she makes in response. The demands and decisions don't stop. Everyone always needs something, and needs Suzie to make a call. In this season, that still includes her mother (Lorraine Ashbourne, Bridgerton), father (Phil Daniels, House of the Dragon) and younger sister (Elle Piper), who are now joined by Suzie's first ex-husband Bailey Quinn (Douglas Hodge, The Great), plus former footballer-turned-streamer Danny Carno (Blake Harrison, The Inbetweeners) — both fellow Dance Crazee Xmas contestants, and reasons that the press' attention hones in again and again. With its claustrophobic cinematography constantly staring Piper's way — and, more than that, usually getting closer than anyone would feel comfortable with — I Hate Suzie Too apes what Suzie's fans and detractors are always doing: surveilling intently. No one performs well under such meticulous examination, with the series pondering the exacting standards placed upon well-known figures and the hypocritical reactions when they don't handle the scrutiny faultlessly. Steely eyed but empathetic, it's an exploration of mental health as well, and the fraying space that takes over when the world's wants take precedence over your own. "The team are choosing between you looking needy and you looking miserable,' Suzie is told about Dance Crazee Xmas' behind-the-scenes footage, to which she replies "well, those are my two states". I Hate Suzie Too shows how untrue that comment is, and how deeply it has been internalised. When she starred in a 2016 UK stage production of Yerma, Piper won six Best Actress awards for her performance — all six that she could — but, on-screen, she's never been better than she is in I Hate Suzie's two seasons. All that up-close peering at Suzie's face is revelatory, conveying every twitch of thought and emotion as she navigates the persistent onslaught of everything everywhere all at once, and attempts to package and repackage herself to be all things to all people. The focus and adaptability required on Piper's part is stunning, especially given I Hate Suzie Too's fondness for long, unbroken shots onstage and careening through backstage corridors. She's equally phenomenal whenever Suzie does snatch a quiet moment to herself, usually brimming with uncertainty, and she's heartbreaking when she's just trying to be a mum to her son. Like Suzie, Piper benefits from her own popstar background in I Hate Suzie Too, with Dance Crazee Xmas' dance numbers — for an audience and in rehearsals alike — proving the powerhouse centre of the series' latest run. Spectacularly choreographed and performed, and incisively paired to Suzie's inner state like a musical, they almost tell this season's tale without anything else needed around them. And, they help emphasise that this story isn't Suzie's alone. Too many women in the spotlight, and in general, have been held to unrealistic ideals, then pilloried for not meeting them. Much lingers when I Hate Suzie Too comes to an end in a whirlwind of distress, that fact included. Check out the trailer for I Hate Suzie Too below: I Hate Suzie Too streams via Stan in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
It's said we make 35,000 decisions a day. The weight of these choices varies greatly, but often it's the small decisions we make that can have the greatest impact, particularly on a global level. From bringing a reusable cup to the coffee shop to buying high-quality threads, there are plenty of small changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint and still make an impact. Sustainability is not a buzzword; it's something that should be at the forefront of our day-to-day decision making. For Australian menswear brand M.J. Bale, moving towards a more sustainable future drove the decision to launch a new range of single-source garments from a low-impact farm in Tasmania. To celebrate the Kingston Collection, we've partnered up with M.J. Bale to give you five simple tips to help you make more sustainable choices in your daily routine. BUY LESS AND BUY QUALITY Although nabbing a fast-fashion bargain seems like a good idea at the time, after a couple of washes it will probably look a little worse for wear. Why? Because these trend-driven pieces aren't designed to last. Investing in higher-quality items means you'll have a closet that'll stand the test of time as well as reduce your impact on the environment; clothes manufacturing has a pretty dire impact on the environment, so the less often you buy, the better. M.J. Bale is just one Australian fashion house that favours timeless, well-made threads over seasonal trends — although it is always sartorially suave. "We don't believe in trends at M.J. Bale," says founder and CEO Matt Jensen. Furthermore, the new Kingston Collection range heroes sustainable wool. For Jensen, traceability was key to his decision to partner with Simon Cameron — a sixth-generation farmer of the environmentally low-impact Kingston Farm. "The wool in these Kingston suits comes from this exact farm," explains Jensen, "and this is the grower who produced it, and this is how well he treats his merino sheep, and this is how he takes care of the land." Head into your nearest M.J. Bale store and make the conscious effort to ditch the fleeting trend-based fashion cycle and create a timeless wardrobe with premium pieces that'll serve you for years to come. [caption id="attachment_710930" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WALK OR CYCLE TO WORK Getting to the office doesn't have to include a crowded commute or circling the block for hours trying to find a park. Boost your step count and hit the pavement or hop on your bike and cycle to the office. Not only will you get the blood pumping but walking and cycling also help to reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you'll skip the congested city traffic making for a much calmer start to your day. If walking, set yourself up for success by starting small. Aim to get off a couple of bus stops earlier than usual or try walking home a couple of afternoons each week. Get creative and find ways to maximise this time by tuning into a good podcast, crafting a killer playlist or scheduling a phone call with one of your out-of-town mates. If you're cycling, you're likely to get home faster rather than sitting in the evening car crawl after work. BRING YOUR OWN CUP TO YOUR COFFEE RUN For the caffeine addicts among us, our day doesn't start until we have a coffee in hand. But our love for a cup of joe shouldn't cost the earth. As most notably brought to light by the War on Waste, it is estimated that Australians throw away 50,000 disposable cups every half hour. That's roughly 2.7 million a day, or one billion each year. In Sydney alone, we discard approximately 100 million annually. And that's mostly all into landfill. Nabbing yourself a re-usable coffee cup is a no-brainer in 2019. It's one simple change to your morning routine that can make huge strides towards reducing unnecessary waste. Plus, these sturdier cups make for a damn good drinking experience, with sealable lids and thermal insulation designed to keep beverages hot all the way to your desk. Taking things up a notch, Sydney has just launched Green Caffeine — the city's first free re-usable coffee cup sharing network. If a city can take this simple sustainable step on board, so can you. [caption id="attachment_698391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carriageworks by Jacqui Manning.[/caption] PREP YOUR LUNCHES WITH LOCAL FARMER'S PRODUCE No one really wants to spend their Sunday night slaving over the stove, but hear us out. Meal prepping is one of the best ways to save yourself some extra dosh each week and means you'll avoid splurging on pricey UberEats orders when you're too busy to grab lunch. Plus, by going to some local markets, you can turn your grocery shop into a delightful weekend jaunt. Who doesn't want to spend a morning patting pooches, grabbing a coffee (using your keep cup, of course) and soaking in some sunshine all while smashing out the weekly grocery shop? Farmers' markets have fresh, sustainable and often organic produce from nearby farms. Not only does eating local help support grass-roots farmers, but it also lowers the distance produce has to travel to arrive from paddock to plate, meaning fewer carbon emissions polluting the environment. Sydneysiders, head to Marrickville Organic Food Market every Sunday morning from 9am, Carriageworks Farmers Markets each Saturday from 8am or Erskineville Farmers Market every Saturday from 9am. GO DIGITAL AND SAY NO TO UNNECESSARY OFFICE PRINTING Let's face it, office printers are the pits. They're constantly jammed, out of ink or running low on paper. And don't get us started on scanning. Next time you mindlessly hit Command + P, think again. What are you about to print? How long will you use this hard-copy? Could you work from the digital version instead? Take a moment to question your decisionmaking and consider ways to reduce the number of runs you make to the printer. Sure, there are some cases where you can't escape printed documents, but making a start by not printing unnecessary emails or files will help limit that churn through huge quantities of ink and paper. Top image: M.J. Bale Kingston suits by Jamie Azzopardi.
Prepare to say "accio remote!" and get comfier than Hermione Granger in a library. In news that'll keep you glued to your couch this winter — timely news given that Sydney is currently in the middle of a lengthy lockdown — everyone's favourite boy wizard is now working his magic on Netflix. You won't need the Marauder's Map to find these enchanting flicks. Today, Thursday, July 15, all eight movies in the Harry Potter series have hit the streaming platform, bringing their Hogwarts-set adventures to Australian subscribers. If you've watched your DVD copies from the 2000s so many times that they're showing a little wear and tear — or your laptop no longer has a disc drive — this is butterbeer-worthy news. Yes, everything from Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) first visit to Platform 9 and 3/4, the Yule Ball and the Triwizard Tournament to many a fluttering snitch and He Who Must Not Be Named are now at your fingertips. It's prime viewing for wizards, witches and muggles alike — all 19 hours and 39 minutes of it. The Fantastic Beasts films haven't joined them, though with wizarding journey keeping its focus on the original franchise. If you're thinking that a time-turner might come in handy over the next few months, we completely understand. And if this sounds like familiar news, that's because all eight movies were also available on Netflix back in 2019. They jumped to Binge after that, too, because the thing about streaming services — unless they're making and funding a movie or series themselves, films and shows can switch platforms as the rights deals behind them change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG37G--drDs&list=PLnpIp0ksj4UlQWQlPaRd6WrI9XSmS6B4u Find Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 are all now streaming on Netflix.
Melburnians won't be heading back to Docklands' Central Pier for a wine, dine or a dance by the water any time soon, with the century-old pier remaining closed indefinitely. After evacuating the site back in August 2019, then undertaking engineering evaluations to determine the extent of the structure's safety risks, Development Victoria has now revealed that it won't be reopening the spot as it currently stands. Central Pier — and all the businesses located on it — were initially deemed off limits after engineers advised the structure had suffered significant deterioration and was unsafe for use. Popular residents including gastropub The Woolshed, artisan breadhouse Mill & Bakery and Middle Eastern eatery Mama Rumaan were evacuated on the spot, while nightclub Alumbra and the pier's numerous events spaces were also declared no-go zones. At the time, Geoff Ward, spokesperson for Development Victoria — the pier's landlord — revealed the site had undergone structural stabilisation in the past two years and had consistently been given the safety tick of approval."Engineers have been inspecting the pier every two months since November 2018 and had previously provided certification that supported the ongoing occupation of the pier," he confirmed. But August's assessment saw immediate closure of the pier, as well as the implementation of fencing and signage across the front of Central Pier, preventing any access — and the beginning of a 15-week assessment process. [caption id="attachment_644027" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Woolshed[/caption] The results of that investigation are now known, with Development Victoria deciding that "due to the complexity and age of the structure of the pier, repairs required to bring the pier back into service would be extensive". The move comes after engineers found that "despite previous repairs, the rate of deterioration to the piles that support the pier is accelerating due to rot, marine borer and termite attacks". Explaining the decision, Angela Skandarajah, Development Victoria's CEO, advised "even if we were to invest significant funds and time in repairs, our engineers advise the issues will continue to resurface without ongoing specialist maintenance work. This investment would still not guarantee that the pier can be made safe for public access in the medium to long term due to its ongoing deterioration." Just what the future holds for Central Pier is now unclear — it won't be reopening in its current form, but Development Victoria says that it "will work closely with Heritage Victoria, the community and a range of other stakeholders to identify opportunities to rebuild the pier so it can be safely used by the community." In a Facebook post, Atlantic Group (which leases and operates several venues and event spaces on the pier, including nightclub Alumbra) expressed disbelief at the decision, as well as its timing during the current bushfire crisis — and advised that it'll be postponing any press conferences about the news until after the natural disaster subsides. Top image: Giulia Morlando.
Thanks to the wonders of technology, overcoming the language barrier isn't as difficult as it used to be. Forget phrasebooks — if you've got a smartphone, these days you're usually covered. Not all translation apps are created equal, however. In fact, only one promises real-time translation of both words and voice in 90 different languages. The free piece of software destined to find a home on every traveller's device of choice is DoTalk, an Australian-made invention aiming to make the process of making friends overseas even easier. And asking for directions, ordering a drink, trying to work out the local public transport system, asking for directions again (we all get lost while venturing far and wide, admit it) — plus all of the other routine holiday situations that involve human interaction. Available now for both iOS and Android, DoTalk offers users two options: translating via text, which is great if you're emailing or trying to read a sign; and translating live voice conversations, which is ace in plenty of other scenarios. For a fee, it can also handle group chats with up to 10 participants, even in multiple languages. As for just where it'll come in handy, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, French and Indonesian currently rank among the app's most popular languages; however you'll also find everything from Albanian to Zulu on offer."Our goal with DoTalk was to create a free, fun and easy-to-use app which provides an open forum for people to easily connect and communicate, regardless of language barriers or location and without delay," says founder Reno Nicastro. For more information about DoTalk, visit their website.
We've seen some pretty amazing accommodation locations in our time (caves, catacombs and ski jumps included), but none quite take the cake like atop one of the world's most recognisable and romanticised landmarks: the Eiffel Tower. Yep, the Eiffel Tower. This new accommodation option (way better than the Montmartre apartment you rented in 2014, sorry) comes from holiday rental website, HomeAway. They've created a casual luxury apartment up there that can fit you, five of your closest friends and only the one of the best views in the goddamn world. Airbnb, you've been one-upped. Of course, you can't actually book this on the site — you'll have to win your way in. In what promises to be the most epic of all Paris holidays, the winner and five friends will receive airfares from their nearest city to Paris and one night (as well as dinner and brekkie) in the luxury Eiffel Tower digs. They'll also chuck in another three nights accommodation in another HomeAway apartment so you don't have to fly to Paris just for one night — but, let's be honest, it's only going to be a letdown after your Tower stay. The trip must be taken from July 2-6, but unfortunately it's only open for US residents. Boo. The promotion follows a slew of similar competitions from Airbnb, the latest of which gave punters a chance to spend a night in a Parisian shark tank. So for our next holiday, accommodation booking companies, we'd like to request a bed in the Statue of Liberty's torch.
Nothing says luxury like a stay on your own private island. Fraser Island Retreat in Victoria (no, not Queensland) boasts beautiful seaside views, a fully-equipped house decked out with 11 bedrooms and endless outdoor activities, including a pool, nine-hole golf course, two tennis courts, and even a private beach. Perfect for an indulgent summer holiday with your crew, the 65-square-metre homestead sleeps a whopping 38 guests in the generously sized rooms. Located in the Gippsland Lakes region, the 30-hectare island paradise is home to an incredible range of wildlife — nearly 50 different species of mammals, to be precise — so you can expect plenty of serenity. In terms of getting there, a private ferry from Kalimna or Lakes Entrance is part of the package, or you could really flex and arrive in a light aircraft thanks to the on-site airstrip. Image: Fraser Island Retreat
Most of Australia's cinema industry has earmarked July as its relaunch date, aiming to reopen in time for the planned release of Christopher Nolan's Tenet. But if you're a film fan keen for some big-screen fun before that, the country's drive-in theatres are filling the gap — and, given that their whole concept involves folks watching flicks in cars, social distancing is already part of the experience. At the beginning of May, Queensland's Yatala Drive-In welcomed movie buffs and their vehicles back through the doors. After a successful return over the state's Labour Day long weekend, the site halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast has worked its way up to screening films seven nights a week across its three fields. Run by the same team behind Brissie's New Farm, Elizabeth and Red Hill cinemas, Yatala is playing a mix of classics and recent releases. Viewers can pick from retro titles like Shrek, Dirty Dancing, The Princess Bride, Jaws and Toy Story, or opt for newer fare such as Jumanji: The Next Level, Bad Boys for Life, The Gentlemen or Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). In Sydney, Blacktown's Skyline Drive-In quietly relaunched over the weekend of May 23–24, selling out its two sessions quickly. It's now officially reopening for regular showings from today, Thursday, May 28, screening from Thursday–Sunday each week (plus a Monday night session on the Queen's Birthday public holiday, too) — with four flicks playing each night. Films on the bill include The Invisible Man, IT: Chapter Two, Spies in Disguise, Joker, Grease and Knives Out, with horror-themed Friday nights and retro programming on Saturdays also on the agenda. Its diner is also back in business, serving burgers, hot chips, choc tops and other snacks. [caption id="attachment_622465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] Melburnians looking to catch a flick in their car under the stars will need to wait until 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31 — so, Monday June 1, effectively — which is when Victoria's next stage of eased restrictions kick in. Drive-ins will be allowed to reopen then, with Dandenong's Lunar Drive-In relaunching on that date, Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In doing the same on Wednesday, June 3 and the Dromana Drive-In restarting is projectors on Thursday, June 4. On the various cinemas' lineups: The Fast & the Furious, Shaun The Sheep: Farmageddon, 1917 and Bloodshot at Lunar; Cats, Mad Max: Fury Road, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction at Coburg; and Sonic the Hedgehog, Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Muriel's Wedding at Dromana. Each of the reopening drive-ins is implementing additional social-distancing measures, ranging from the provision of hand sanitiser stations to asking attendees to take their rubbish home with them. Online bookings are required in some cases and recommended in others, while bathrooms at some sites are only available in emergencies — and candy bar and diner patron limits are being enforced, with some venues delivering snacks straight to vehicles. For more information about each drive-in, or to book tickets, visit the websites for Yatala in Queensland, Skyline in Sydney, and Lunar, Coburg and Dromana in Melbourne. Top image: Yatala Drive-In and Skyline Blacktown
Everyone's got their Thing. Electrical engineer Scott Brusaw and his partner Julie are passionate about solar panels. If they had it their way, they’d cover every single concrete/asphalt surface on the Earth with them – including major roads. However, before taking on Highway One, they’re starting with more modest aspirations: parking lots. And they’re looking for crowd funding support to get things moving as quickly as possible. Over the past eight years, the Brusaws have devised a modular system named ‘Solar Roadways’. With the help of US Federal Highway Administration funding and an Indiegogo campaign in the works, they’ve developed panels that can handle traction, loading and impact resistance. In other words, you can drive all over them to your heart’s content. A prototype parking lot has been tested and now the Brusaws are ready to go into production. Not only does a Solar Roadway parking lot enable the nearest buildings to come off the grid, it also provides a clean energy source for the recharging of all-electric vehicles. Plus, there’s enough heat to melt ice and snow — salting the streets will be a chore of past grumbling teenagers. Each panel is fitted with LEDs, reducing the danger of night blindness, as well as enough intelligence to warn drivers of unexpected obstacles, such as wandering animals. No more deer in the headlights. What’s more, the inclusion of special ‘Cable Corridors’ means two things. On one hand, they’re an easily accessible home for open air cables and fibre optic internet. On the other, they enable the storage, treatment and redirection of storm water. So many wins. Solar Roadways have already won the blue ribbons around town. The road received First Prize in GE’s 2010 Ecoimagination Grid Challenge for 'Powering the Grid' and First Prize in GE’s 2011 Ecoimagination Challenge for 'Powering the Home'. The Brusaws' Indiegogo campaign, running until May 31, is hoping to raise $1 million. [via PSFK]
Thanks to her vibrant, playful and dot-filled body of work, Yayoi Kusama is known for many things. Her brightly coloured pumpkins, often blown up to larger-than-life size, are instantly recognisable. Her mirrored infinity rooms constantly dazzle the eye, too. But when it comes to interacting with her pieces, the Japanese artist's obliteration rooms might be her most entertaining creation. The concept really couldn't be more simple. As every visitor enters the space, they're given a page of stickers. Then, as quickly or slowly as each person sees fit, it's their job to place those stickers around the room. If you're heading along at the beginning of the exhibition's run, you might see plenty of white surfaces just waiting to be covered with circles of colour. If you're taking part towards the end of its season, a rainbow of dots might already fill every nook and cranny. First developed for children as part of an Australian show — Queensland Art Gallery's APT 2002: Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art — back in 2002, obliteration rooms have been part of Kusama's repertoire ever since. That said, in almost two decades, she hasn't extended the idea to a greenhouse — until now. As announced in mid-2019, a huge site-specific Kusama exhibition will display at the New York Botanical Garden, kicking off in May this year. KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature sprawl over The Bronx venue's entire 250 acres, both inside and out. And, while the broad details were unveiled when the show was first revealed, the site has started announcing specifics — such as Kusama's first obliteration greenhouse. Called Flower Obsession, the interactive artwork will task visitors with applying coral flower stickers throughout the interior of the space. Given that KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature is all about celebrating the natural world and its inspiration on the artist's work, it's safe to assume that the greenhouse will actually function as a greenhouse. Just don't go plastering any stickers on the plants, of course. [caption id="attachment_732283" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] New York Botanical Garden, Robert Benson[/caption] Another just-revealed highlight: Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart, which'll take Kusama's famed infinity room concept outdoors, responding to changing light throughout each day and season. Dancing Pumpkin will tower 16-feet high — and be shaped like the vegetable, naturally — while the vivid I Want to Fly to the Universe will span 13 feet in height, with the biomorphic form featuring a yellow face and polka dots. They're all brand new works; however the exhibition will also reimagine some of the artist's existing pieces. A recreation of the painting Alone, Buried In A Flower Garden might be the most striking, with the NYBG's horticulturists planting a whole garden that mimics its shapes and colours. Elsewhere, tulips and irises will be planted in formations that'll resemble pumpkins when they bloom. Also, floral presentations will bring another of Kusama's pieces to life in a new medium — using violas, salvias, zinnias and chrysanthemums. [caption id="attachment_758873" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart (2020)[/caption] As all of these aspects of the exhibition make plain, attendees won't just be walking through multiple halls filled with Kusama's work or moseying around an entire gallery. This is a multi-sensory experience, involving wandering around the whole grounds and spying her pieces not only placed on walls and floors everywhere, but mixed among the natural wonders outside. When the showcase kicks off in 2020, running from May 9 to November 1, visitors can also expect a host of Kusama's giant floral pieces, nature-based paintings, botanical sketches, collages and soft sculptures. KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature marks the first-ever large-scale exploration of the acclaimed artist's overflowing fondness for the natural world — and, taking its cues from nature, the show is designed to transform over the course of the exhibition. Obviously, interactive installations such as Flower Obsession will evolve thanks to audience participation, but the whole space will also change with the seasons. Transitioning from spring to summer to autumn during the exhibition's duration, the different conditions will add a new tone to Kusama's work. If you've been contemplating making New York travel plans for this year, consider this some extra motivation. Yayoi Kusama's exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden will run from May 9, 2020 to November 1, 2020. Head to the venue's website for further details — and to purchase tickets from February 26.
Music is an integral part of Brisbane's identity, with many of the country's most beloved musicians getting their start in the Queensland capital. Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, Kate Miller-Heidke, Waax, The Go-Betweens and many more spent their formative years gigging around the city. From the punk scene that emerged in the seventies and eighties to the thriving Fortitude Valley suburb and multiple music festivals held each year, Brisbane is also something of a cultural hub. Whether you're a local wanting to support Australia's live music scene or are heading to the Sunshine State and need a steer for your itinerary, here's a curated list of live music venues to check out in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_1029305" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] LiveWire Located in The Star Brisbane, LiveWire is your destination for headline entertainment and a vibrant mix of weekly events. Whether you're into live music, drag bingo, or music trivia, the variety on offer ensures there's always something exciting happening. One act to watch out for is on Friday, October 24, when Brisbane musician Jarryd James will perform his hits, including his ARIA award-winning song "Do You Remember," at LiveWire. Several other singers, DJs and artists perform at LiveWire every week, so check out The Star Brisbane's schedule to see what's on. Looking for a pre-gig tipple? Head to one of The Star Brisbane's cocktail bars, the panoramic Cicada Blu and 360º bar Cherry, before the performance and get into the party spirit. If you'd prefer dinner before dancing the night away, Cucina Regina is The Star Brisbane's Italian eatery. It offers hand-stretched pizzas and delicious homemade pasta. Meanwhile, Aloria is a rooftop restaurant with a European-Australian menu and delicious cocktails. For those making a weekend of it, consider a stay at The Star Brisbane's five-star hotel. If you're a music lover, The Star Brisbane is a one-stop shop for drinks with your mates, dinner with a view, and a free gig to top the night off. [caption id="attachment_1029306" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marlon Trottman[/caption] Fortitude Music Hall The Fortitude Music Hall was built to offer the city of Brisbane a middle ground venue between its small dive bars and larger sports stadiums. Located in the city's CBD entertainment precinct, Fortitude Valley Music Hall is a 3000-person venue that hosts a number of international and local acts. In 2025 and 2026, acts such as Royel Otis, Noah Cyrus, CMAT, Ben Folds, and Travis will take to the stage, making Fortitude Music Hall a venue to add to the top of your live music list. Fortitude Music Hall is located in the middle of the buzzing Brunswick Mall, giving you a number of options for a pre-gig beverage or takeaway on the way home. [caption id="attachment_1029307" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Triffid[/caption] The Triffid If you're looking for live music and pints on tap, head to The Triffid. Located in Newstead, the venue is within walking distance of the buzzy Fortitude Valley area and has everything a music lover could want. Housed in a converted World War II aircraft hangar, The Triffid has an indoor venue and a smaller stage outside in the beer garden, making it an excellent spot for a Sunday session. The venue was created by Powderfinger bassist, John Collins, who knows the importance of fostering local acts and building a community around music. As a result, The Triffid is a hub for music fans—plus, their beer garden serves a mean hot chips if you're looking for a snack to pair with your pint. The Tivoli Originally built in 1927 as the Adams Bakery, today The Tivoli (or The Tiv, as locals call it) is one of the city's most beloved music venues. The Tivoli has hosted some of the country's most prolific artists, such as Powderfinger, Silverchair, Missy Higgins, and Paul Kelly, as well as international acts including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Bob Dylan. Housed in an art deco building, the Fortitude Valley venue combines heritage, charm, and a roster of iconic acts all in one place. Head to the Jubilee Hotel for a pint and pub meal before the gig, or, if you're after something a little more elevated (literally), the Soko Rooftop Bar is a great shout. [caption id="attachment_1029308" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Crowbar Brisbane[/caption] Crowbar A favourite among punk, metal and rock fans, the Crowbar has endured a lot in recent years. After launching in 2012, the venue sadly closed during the pandemic. Thanks to the locals' efforts, Crowbar Brisbane has moved to Ann Street in the Valley and is once again a thriving music venue. No need to make multiple bookings if you're heading to the Crowbar, as the venue offers burgers and barbecue at its bar and restaurant as well as a selection of local beers on tap, making it an easy stop on a night out. This list scratches the surface of iconic venues in Brisbane, Australia's unofficial music capital. Be sure to check out each schedule and make a booking to support live and local music. Explore more at The Star Brisbane. Lead image: LiveWire at The Star Brisbane. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter LiveWire and the casino.
The Upside Down has arrived in Australia, specifically Sydney, again. When season four of Stranger Things dropped in 2022, a rift to the show's netherworld popped up in Bondi. Three years later, as everyone waits for the Netflix favourite's fifth and final season to stream sometime before 2025 is out, Stranger Things: The Experience has brought a whole host of Stranger Things nods this way — and entering its eerie realm is indeed one of them. Stranger Things: The Experience is making its Aussie debut at Luna Park Sydney courtesy of Vivid Sydney's 2025 program. Between Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14, wandering into the venue's Crystal Palace means visiting 1986 — and also Hawkins, Indiana, of course — in an interactive stint of Stranger Things-loving fun. Locations from the show are part of the setup, as is a supernatural mystery. And yes, you can expect to feel nostalgic, even if you don't have your own memories of the 80s because you hadn't been born yet. Stranger Things: The Experience isn't just about exploring recreations of settings that you've seen while watching Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, The Electric State) and the gang, however. The installation features its own storyline, where playing along means trying to save Hawkins from yet another threat, alongside making a date with the Upside Down. Christmas lights in the Byers' living room? Tick. Vecna? Tick again. Scoops Ahoy serving up banana splits and Surfer Boy Pizza offering slices? Keep ticking. The latter pair are found at Mix-Tape, an 80s-themed mall experience — as is the Palace Arcade, where MADMAX's high score begs to be bested, plus the themed cocktail-slinging Upside Bar. It's also where you can grab limited-edition merchandise. This trip into the TV series created by the Duffer Brothers was designed and developed with the duo. In its first-ever journey to Australia — after initially opening in New York in 2022, then enjoying stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Toronto, London, Paris and São Paulo since — it falls into the Ideas portion of Vivid's lineup. Luna Park Sydney and immersive experiences based on Netflix shows keep going hand in hand of late; since the end of 2024, the Harbour City tourist attraction has been hosting Squid Game: The Experience, letting small-screen fans dive into another streaming smash. At the time of writing, playing Red Light, Green Light with Young-hee in Luna Park's big top is on the agenda until late June, which is also when the South Korean show's third and final season premieres. Stranger Things: The Experience runs at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, Sydney from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14,2025. For more information, head to the Luna Park Sydney website. Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
You demanded it, Australia. After apparently hypnotising the country with The Ghan, a three hour documentary about a train travelling from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs, SBS Viceland has announced it'll be broadcasting the extended edition of the film, which clocks in at a whopping 17 hours. Take that, Return of the King director's cut! The initial three-hour cut — billed as Australia's first foray into 'slow TV' — was a massive surprise hit for the network, drawing an average of 583,000 viewers. That makes it Viceland's biggest hit of the past 12 months. The doco was also widely discussed on social media, with #TheGhan trending nationally last Sunday night. https://twitter.com/mel_laah/status/949940354588999681 https://twitter.com/sgbrens/status/949959735905722368 https://twitter.com/quinnal/status/949932847497846785 https://twitter.com/kplyley/status/949959657530916864 The extended version will air this Sunday, January 14 starting at the bright and early time of 2.40am. It'll feature the entire 2979 kilometres, minus the sections at night when the screen would just be black, which, even by slow TV standards, doesn't sound all that interesting. In the meantime, you can catch up with the (relatively) short version of The Ghan via SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiG3ipuB0Sw
There's a reality TV show for everything and, via the 2014–9 series Wahlburgers, that includes burger joints owned by actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers. Fancy eating the chain's fast food fare, rather than just watching it? After opening 52 stores in the US, Canada and Germany so far, Wahlburgers is launching Down Under. The first place that'll be serving up the chain's burgers, shakes, beers and 'wahlbowls' — aka burger ingredients, but without the bun — is the Sydney CBD. Folks in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane can all expect to tuck into the brand's bites to eat, too, and New Zealanders as well. Just where Wahlburgers will be opening in NZ hasn't been revealed, but the chain will be launching 20 stores across the two countries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wahlburgers 🍔 (@wahlburgers) If the Wahlberg name has you thinking about movies — with Mark starring in everything from Boogie Nights to Instant Family, and his co-owner and brother (and ex-New Kids on the Block member) Donnie Wahlberg also featuring in The Sixth Sense and the Saw franchise — then that won't change at Wahlburgers' Aussie and NZ joints. The chain's venture Down Under is a collaboration with United Cinemas, and some of the former's sites will be located within the latter's picture palaces. United Cinemas currently operates venues at Narellan, Collaroy, Warriewood, Avalon and Opera Quays in Sydney, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, Craigieburn in Melbourne, Indooroopilly in Brisbane and Rockingham in Perth, so that's where you might be getting your Walhburger fix; however, Walhburgers will be opening stand-alone stores as well. Just when the chain will launch hasn't been revealed, but news.com.au is reporting that the first store in Sydney's Circular Quay will be open in the next few months — and that the restaurants will play up the movie theme. [caption id="attachment_796269" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Michael Rivera via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Wahlburgers is also co-owned by chef Paul Wahlberg — another Wahlberg sibling — and, given its name, the chain decks out its sites with photos and memorabilia from the brothers' lives. If you happen to remember that Mark Wahlberg was in the music business before he started acting and, as part of his hip hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, he released the 1991 single 'Good Vibrations', then you might be wondering if Wahlburgers serves Sunkist — because it's referenced in the lyrics. Based on its US menu, the answer is no, but fingers crossed that changes Down Under. Wahlburgers is set to open in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and New Zealand — we'll update you with exact locations and dates when they're announced, and you can keep an eye on the chain's website and Facebook page in the interim. Top image: JJonahJackalope via Wikimedia Commons.
Australians have always liked cheese, and we have everything from dedicated fromageries and festivals dedicated to the dairy foodstuff to cheese wheels filled with pasta and bottomless raclette sessions to prove it. Our stomachs are working overtime to digest all the lactose — and, honestly, we've never been happier. And the love affair continues with this latest cheesy announcement. Bon Fromage — a festival specifically celebrating European cheese — is returning in 2020, and it's making a few changes. Like plenty of events this year, it's moving online and going national. So, more cheese for everyone, obviously. The whole thing will be taking place from Saturday, November 21–Sunday, November 29. First and foremost is cheese, cheese and more cheese — which you can order in gourmet tasting packs until Sunday, November 15. They'll then be delivered to your door, ready for you to devour. And if you're wondering what you'll be feasting on, each pack comes with half a kilo of cheese made in France, plus a recipe booklet and cheese tasting notes. But the virtual cheese festival isn't just about eating so much cheese that you puke. Masterclasses will be held on different varieties of cheese, the history of cheese, cooking with cheese and, we assume, the correct way to draw a cheese fondue bath for yourself. You can also obviously use the who event as an excuse to buy some cheese yourself and watch along.
Another of your childhood favourites is making the leap from movie to stage musical — this time, the Robin Williams-starring Mrs Doubtfire. The theatre production will once again follow the plight of a divorced dad and struggling actor who's desperate to see his kids, and so dresses up as a kindly English nanny in order to spend time with them. Originally based on Anne Fine's best-selling novel Alias Madame Doubtfire, the 1993 film won two Golden Globes — for best musical or comedy, and for best actor in a musical or comedy for Williams — as well as an Oscar for best makeup. Just when the stage musical version will be giving audiences hot flashes yet to be announced, the creative team of director Jerry Zaks, and writers John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick (book) plus Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick (music and lyrics) will take on the task of bringing the beloved flick to Broadway. Between them, they boast an impressive history. Zaks has won four Tonys, including for the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, and also has Little Shop of Horrors, Le Cage aux Folles, A Bronx Tale, Sister Act and Hello, Dolly! on his resume. As for the writing team, they're behind nine-time Tony nominee Something Rotten!. If the project sounds familiar, that's because it was originally mooted back in 2015, but with different folks behind the scenes. This time, however, the musical seems set to forge ahead — unlike the film sequel that was planned in the early 00s, but didn't ever come to fruition. And no, Arrested Development's homage (aka Tobias Funke's Mrs Featherbottom) doesn't really count. If it wasn't evident before this news, then it is now — the combination of nostalgically remembering enjoyable flicks from years gone by and adding songs to the mix seems to be a licence to print money. In recent years, everything from Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bring It On and Mean Girls has made the leap to the stage, plus The Bodyguard, Amelie, Waitress, Muriel's Wedding and Moulin Rouge!. A stage version of The Devil Wears Prada is also in the works, as well as Empire Records. Via Entertainment Weekly / Playbill.
Everyone loves Jamie's Italian. Or at least that's what we discovered when, back in November last year, we reported that the Jamie Oliver had officially bought back his Australian restaurant chain after its parent company, the Keystone Group, went into receivership. People were ecstatic. Now the deal has officially gone through and the man, the myth, the legend himself is heading to our shores to relaunch his six Jamie's Italian restaurants with a greater Aussie focus in mind. Oliver will visit Sydney between May 8 and 12 to launch a brand new menu that will centre on Australian produce and wine, collaborating with local suppliers including Sydney's Joto Fresh Fish and Serendipity Ice Cream, Adelaide's Boulangerie 113 and Melbourne's That's Amore Cheese. He's also got managing director Ben Shaughnessy in the fold, who moved to Sydney earlier this year after seven years at the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group UK – no doubt to get this Aussification process started in advance of the big boss' arrival. The menu will continue to feature Italian classics, but will now be more focused on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients — think wild mushroom ravioli (made fresh daily on-site), 12-hour slow-cooked oxtail lasagne and slow-roasted juicy porchetta stuffed with garlic, chill and herbs. The updated wine list will be decidedly more Australian too, which is a welcome (and necessary, in our opinion) change for the restaurants. To celebrate the launch, Jamie's Italian will offer a signature pasta dish for only ten bucks, starting May 8 through to the end of the month and changing every Monday. Oliver is also introducing 'kids eat free' during the Easter holiday in all six of the restaurants, with a selection of six 'award-winning' kids' menu dishes available for every main course ordered. To maintain brand consistency, Parramatta's Jamie's Italian Trattoria will change names and become the sixth Jamie's Italian in Australia, joining existing locations in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and, of course, Sydney. Perhaps Oliver's arrival in Australia will even see him scope out a location for a venue in Melbourne, which has oddly been left out of the Jamie's Kitchen fold. Either way, we can't wait to dig in to some delicious, lovely jubbly pasta and know that it was made with the Australian climate and produce in mind. Jamie Oliver will visit Sydney from May 8–12 to officially relaunch Jamie's Italian. But you can visit any of his six restaurants at any time. For more information, visit jamieoliver.com.
There are no maybes about the Melbourne International Film Festival's major high-profile guest for 2018 — but, as fans of the Bluth and Fünke families will know, there is one Maeby. Best known for playing Arrested Development's resident teenage film industry executive, ignored daughter, slacker banana stand employee and alluring cousin, Alia Shawkat is headed to Australia as part of this year's fest, where she'll chat about her career and her life in general. Taking place on Saturday, August 18 as part of the 18-day film event, MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will see the actor talk for an hour with writer and presenter Lorin Clarke — it will be her only Australian appearance. Considering she's officially attending the fest in support of her new film Blaze, a biopic about country and western songwriter Blaze Foley which Ethan Hawke directed, we're guessing there won't be any dancing like a chicken. Thanks to TV series Search Party and Transparent — plus movies such as Green Room, 20th Century Women, Nasty Baby, Night Moves and Whip It — Shawkat's resume spans much, much further than television's worst real estate family, and that's just on the screen. She's also a jazz singer, pianist, painter and illustrator, and recently starred in, co-wrote and executive produced the film Duck Butter. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation joins MIFF's growing 2018 program, which also includes an all-night Nicolas Cage marathon and a screening of Drive with an all-new live score. The fest has also announced its first 32 titles for this year, including Blaze, with the full program set to be revealed on July 10.
If you’re a chocaholic and a Hunger Games fan, take a deep breath and try not to hyperventilate with greedy excitement. Two American chocolate companies have teamed up to create a range of chocolate bars inspired by The Hunger Games. Only in America, right? Themed around both the districts and lead characters, the range created by Vosges Haut Chocolates and Wild Ophelia includes a 'Katniss' bar — milk chocolate combined with what they describe as the “subtle, salty crunch of hickory smoked bacon accented by sweet, crisp apples. Yum. But some dozen times better is the 'Chocolate Bar Library' — a collection of 12 bars representing all 12 districts of Panem. Included are such imagination- and tastebud-stirring numbers as the mined salt and milk chocolate (District 12, which specialises in mining), beef jerky and smoked mesquite in milk chocolate (District 10, livestock), smoked chipotle chilli and milk chocolate (District 7, lumber) and crispy crunchy caramel corn and dark chocolate (District 5, power). The smartarses at BuzzFeed pitted the whole range of bars — or chocolatey 'tributes' — against each other and ranked them in order of deliciousness. The victor? District 9's milled oats, vanilla, hemp seeds and dark chocolate (representing grain). Sadly they don’t ship to Australia, but if you’re in the US, Canada or the UK (or are willing to test out parcel forwarding on a meltable item) you can get your gluttonous little hands upon these slightly ridiculous, slightly overpriced yet undeniably tempting goodies. Via Buzzfeed.
Juniper has come a long way — from curing stomach pains and repelling snakes to burning sprigs to ward off the plague, and on to its most common use today in our beloved gin. To dig deep into the history of the botanical tipple, we spoke to master distiller Joanne Moore from Greenall's Gin (produced at England's oldest gin distillery — G&J Distillers) for advice on bluffing our way through junipers and genevers to get to the good stuff: gin. WHY DOES GIN HAVE AN EMOTIONAL REPUTATION? There are two sorts of people who drink gin: one, that after a touch grazing the lips, starts to bare their heart and soul and drags you into a D&M, and the latter, a shark-fresh-outta-water sort who can sink snooker balls like it ain't nobody's business. So what's the deal, Joanne? "I think this stems from the poor reputation of gin following the gin craze of the early 18th-century when there was no regulation around making it. The result was a lot of 'gins' of dubious quality being drunk, which was immortalised by William Hogarth's infamous painting of Gin Lane. There's nothing in gin that would make you cry any more than if you drank the same quantity of another product with the same alcohol level." [caption id="attachment_663983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida.[/caption] THE TASTE OF A GOOD GIN First up, genevers. We know this to be the drink that begat gin; the older Dutch spirit cousin you might say. But what else should bluffers know about gin to charm all their mates? "London dry gins, such as Greenall's original, are traditionally distilled white spirits, made from three building blocks: grain spirit (in Greenall's case, English wheat), botanicals and water. The only botanical we have to use to be legally defined as a gin is juniper berries, and for london dry, this should be the predominant aroma. "A good gin should have recognisable juniper notes — after all, that's what legally defines a gin — so, it should be dry, not overtly sweet, balanced and have a good soft mouthfeel. It shouldn't be too harsh or burning to the taste. "Much like wine tasting, gin tasting uses the same basic principles. Aerate your glass and nose the aromas, as your sense of smell signals to your brain what you are going to taste. There's no need to hold the spirit in your mouth like you do with wine though, just sip and enjoy," says Joanne. [caption id="attachment_638855" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Brook James.[/caption] A PERFECT TIME AND PLACE Like rosé to spring, red to winter and white to summer, is there a best time to drink gin? "That's a difficult one to answer as it all depends on the individual, how they feel and what sort of day they have had — do they want a long drink like a refreshing G&T, a cocktail or a short drink? For me, that's the real beauty behind gin. It's so versatile that you can drink it responsibly in lots of places," says Joanne. AN OPTIMAL VESSEL Now we know when we should be drinking gin, but what about how we should be drinking it? Are there certain vessels that are better than others? "It could be argued that for the optimum drinking experience, you need a glass with a narrow neck to allow the concentration of aromas to be appreciated. Plus, glass as a material is better suited than say, plastic, as it doesn't contain any elements that could potentially react with your spirit and leach into your drink." [caption id="attachment_663977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida.[/caption] HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT G&T A classic gin and tonic can be traced back to when colonial Britain spread its tentacles across the world and the English encountered a whole range of new tropical diseases, including malaria. To try to combat the disease, troops in India were given rations of the very bitter cinchona bark, which contains quinine, a treatment for malaria. And from there, these wily soldiers mixed their rations with sugar, soda water and gin to make it more palatable. Now, when mates come over to celebrate being malaria free — or really for any occasion — we tend to go for a splash mighty enough to fill half a glass. What's the best way to mix up a good ol' G&T? "Gin is best served chilled with a good quality mixer and appropriate garnish to bring out the key flavours. For mixing a classic G&T with Greenall's gin, we recommend using some good quality tonic such as Fever Tree, lots of ice and a wedge of lime to bring out the rounded juniper notes, warm earthy spice and mature citrus notes of our Greenall's Original gin recipe. "It's also important to mix the gin and tonic to avoid layering flavours. Mixing allows the two to marry together and complement each other." WHAT'S TRENDING? Throughout gin's long life many trends have come and gone. There have been gins made with ants and seaweed, gins bottled with flecks of gold and turkey-flavoured gin (yes, really). Luckily, the latest trend is a bit more palatable (or, if we may, palette-able). While gin may traditionally be clear, that's no longer the hard-and-fast rule. And gin's colour of the moment is pink. Was it inspired by Regina George's midweek mantra? The millennial colour of the moment? A certain animated feline detective? We don't know. But we do know that it certainly adds an extra shade to your G&T. And, in the case of Greenall's Wild Berry gin, it tastes good too. This variation of the pink libation is made with natural blackberry and raspberry flavouring. As you'd expect, it has berry notes (on the nose and tongue) but the combination with juniper botanicals gives the drink a warming spice and slightly peppery after tones. [caption id="attachment_663980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida.[/caption] AND FINALLY, SHAKEN, STIRRED OR THROWN? The martini is the quintessential gin cocktail, a blend of gin and vermouth mixed to the drinker's exact specifications. But when you order a martini should you ask for it shaken, stirred or thrown? Many people will tell you there is a definitive answer, but the only difference is that the ice breaks into smaller chips and waters down the martini when you shake the cocktail. Joanne say, "too much ice doesn't dilute gin, but it does keep it chilled, dulling the effect of the alcohol in the mouth and making for a more pleasant drink." So tosh to them; drink it how you like, we say. Grab a bottle of Greenall's, throw that dry martini, aerate until it breaks into tiny droplets, serve in a chilled glass and don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong. Header image: Brook James.
By the time that 2022 is out, lovers of Studio Ghibli's films (aka everyone) will have two places to visit if they'd like to get as close as humanly possible to walking into the animation house's gorgeous frames. Already, you can head to the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka, a city on the western outskirts Tokyo — and you really should; it's as magical as it sounds, giant catbus and all — but now Ghibli's very own theme park has officially set a November launch date. Come November 1, the new location in Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture — which is around a three-hour train trip from Tokyo — will start spiriting away Ghibli fans across its 200-hectare expanse. The studio initially announced that it was creating its own theme park back in 2017, and originally planned to open in 2020. Then, in 2018, it pushed back its launch timeline to 2022; however, this is the first time it's set a specific date that everyone can mark in the calendars. The opening day of the Ghibli Park was announced today. pic.twitter.com/01vhPGuJgq — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) January 27, 2022 The Aichi Prefecture Expo Park spot is already home to a replica of Satsuki and Mei's house from My Neighbour Totoro, and it's gaining plenty of other attractions as it becomes a fully fledged Studio Ghibli thee park. Totoro features heavily, understandably, with the site even initially described as having a My Neighbour Totoro focus. However, you'll also be able to check out a life-sized version of Howl's Moving Castle, the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, Kiki's home from Kiki's Delivery Service and a village area that pays tribute to Princess Mononoke. Also slated to feature: nods to the cat from Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns, buildings with design elements that take their cues from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and a super-sized garden that'll make you feel like you're one of the tiny characters in Arrietty. There'll also be a permanent exhibition room, a special exhibition room, a video exhibition room, a playground, and a shop and cafe, so you'll have plenty of places to explore, eat and browse. Expect more nods to Ghibli's various features to follow, recreating other aspects from its three-decade-old body of work — and possibly its most recent movie, Earwig and the Witch, too. And if the end result is even half as wondrous as the studio's aforementioned museum, then fans are in for a treat. There, you can also climb up to the building's rooftop garden to see one of the robots from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and watch exclusive shorts (including a sequel to My Neighbour Totoro) in a cute little cinema. Indeed, the museum is such a tourist attraction, you have to buy tickets over a month in advance — and experiencing the rush of folks in the merchandise-packed gift shop will make you feel like a susuwatari (Totoro's gorgeous little balls of floating soot). [caption id="attachment_799539" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Studio Ghibli[/caption] Incorporated into the existing parklands, the Studio Ghibli theme park will be heavy on greenery and the natural surroundings, which matches the environmental messaging that plays a prominent part in Ghibli's movies. The site will also encourage "enjoying walking", according to the draft concept outline, while aiming to offer "a one-of-a-kind park loved by more people". We don't think either will be difficult. If you're now planning a Ghibli-centric holiday, you'll need to cross your fingers that Japan's border rules change before November to allow foreign nationals to enter the country — something that's currently suspended until at least the end of February 2021. And if you won't stop dreaming about the Studio Ghibli theme park anyway, the Aichi Tourism Bureau has released a trailer — which is largely an ad for the surrounding area, but also features Satsuki and Mei's house prominently. Check it out below: The Studio Ghibli theme park is slated to open on November 1, 2022. For more information, keep an eye on the animation company's website.
There's nothing little, only big, about Liane Moriarty's success as both an author and the source of twisty TV shows. There's nothing minor, only major, about Danielle Macdonald's success as an actor over the past 15 years, too. The Last Anniversary brings both Australian talents together — adapting Moriarty's sophomore novel of the same name two decades after it initially hit the page, and starring Macdonald alongside Teresa Palmer (Mixtape) and Miranda Richardson (Good Omens) as it tells of a multi-generational family's dramas and secrets on the fictional Scribbly Gum Island on New South Wales' very real Hawkesbury River. From Moriarty's bibliography, Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall all reached readers after The Last Anniversary, but made their way to screens first. Macdonald is part of a new achievement among the genre that is Moriarty adaptations, however: this is the only one of the scribe's novels to retain its Australian setting on-screen so far. The debut season of Nine Perfect Strangers was made here, as was Apples Never Fall, but both changed the locales in their plots to the US — as Big Little Lies, the American-filmed series that got viewers hooked on Moriarty's tales, also did. The idea that something homegrown needs an overseas stamp of approval before Australia embraces it isn't new in the film and TV industry — and it isn't quite the situation with The Last Anniversary. But that concept also floats over Macdonald's career, after she made the move Stateside when she was 18, featured in a 2011 episode of Glee and in 2013 movie The East, then popped up in Pretty Little Liars, 2 Broke Girls, The Middle and American Horror Story before her breakout lead role in 2017 Sundance sensation Patti Cake$. Fellow films Lady Bird, Skin, Bird Box, Dumplin' and French Exit all followed, as did streaming series Easy, Unbelievable and Poker Face. As Macdonald tells Concrete Playground, yes, that makes coming home to feature in gripping shows like this, and also The Tourist before it, all the more special. "Absolutely. It's funny that l went overseas and found some success there, and then got to come back for jobs at home, and that feels special to me. Because a lot of people, they start out in Australia and then they try to branch out overseas — and I'm like 'I had to do the opposite just to be able to work in Australia'," she advises. "And it is funny and ironic, but at the at the end of the day, I love coming home. It's my favourite thing in the world. And you're never going to have to try too hard to convince me to work here, because it's where I love being. I feel completely at home here. I love Aussie crews. I love Aussie casts. It feels always like coming home and getting to do my job at the same time. It's this beautiful thing. It's always going to be special. It never won't be special. And it's not really for any reason than it just feels like coming home, at the end of the day. And getting to do what I love to do at home is something I never really thought I'd be able to do, so that will always be special to me. It just will." One of 2025's standout local series since it debuted earlier in the year, The Last Anniversary has Palmer's Sophie Honeywell, an unlucky-in-love 39-year-old journalist, at its centre — as well as the waves that she makes when she inherits a house on Scribbly Gum Island from Connie (Angela Punch McGregor, Troppo), the grandmother of her ex-boyfriend Thomas (Charlie Garber, Barons). Macdonald plays the latter's twin sister Veronika, who is angry and antagonistic about Sophie being bequeathed one of her family's homes, still harbours resentment over their friendship fading, and is struggling with her own recently divorce and move back in with her parents (Aftertaste's Susan Prior and Audrey's Jeremy Lindsay Taylor). She's also attempting to kick her life back into gear with a project: a podcast about the baby Munro mystery that the small island is known for. As a teenager, Connie (Elizabeth Cullen, Last King of the Cross) and her sister Rose (Josephine Blazier, also an Audrey alum) found and brought up an infant girl after young couple Alice and Jack Munro suddenly disappeared. Cue The Last Anniversary's jumps back and forth between decades. In its modern-day timing, that baby is now Enigma (Helen Thomson, Spit), and has a daughter, Grace (Claude Scott-Mitchell, Hotel Portofino), of her own that's just given birth herself — and the pair, plus Grace's partner Callum (Uli Latukefu, Countdown), are as much a part of the family, and the island, as Veronika, her mum and dad, and Rose (Richardson). As both Veronika and Sophie dig into everything they can about baby Munro, then, cue also long-kept-clandestine truths being spilled. The Last Anniversary follows not only the Jamie Dornan (A Haunting in Venice)-co-starring The Tourist among the recent titles to Macdonald's name with local ties, but rom-com film Falling for Figaro, an Australian–UK co-production also featuring Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), as well. If I Had Legs I'd Kick You isn't Australian, but it did earn fellow Aussie talent Rose Byrne (Physical) the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for Best Leading Performance — and it's opening 2025's Melbourne International Film Festival. Firmly homegrown is the upcoming Saccharine, though, with Australian Relic and Apartment 7A director Natalie Erika James behind the lens, and with Macdonald leaping into a genre that she doesn't watch herself: horror. That journey from Glee and Patty Cake$ to The Last Anniversary, what appeals to Macdonald in a new project — Australian or not — and the mystery angles that have been appearing among her recent work: these also fuelled our discussion. We explored what excited her about stepping into Veronika's shoes, too, as well as playing a character that's almost reverting back to her teenage self, joining the growing lineup of Moriarty adaptations, working with her The Last Anniversary co-stars and more. On Macdonald's Journey Over the Past 15 Years From an Episode of Glee to Patty Cake$, French Exit, The Tourist, The Last Anniversary and More "Honestly, I think it's weird — because some people, you start out as an actor and you're like 'I want to be the lead of this and this', and I think I never actually really expected that, in a weird way. I think I was like 'I really want to be a working actor'. Like, 'I'll go from guest star to guest star, and I'll hopefully do recurrings on a show here or there, or maybe get a series regular, as a supporting character'. I never actually expected what has happened, in a strange way. That wasn't actually part of my plan. I just really wanted to be a working actor — and I am a working actor, which is amazing. But I've had more roles than I could have imagined that are just really, really cool, integral lead female characters That is really incredible and I didn't quite expect that, I'm not going to lie." On What Excited Macdonald About The Last Anniversary and Specifically Stepping Into Veronika's Shoes "She was fun. She's gone through something — but for me, it was really fun to explore. I knew that I got to deal with someone that's regressing in life. She's someone that had moved out of home, had a job, was married. And now she's divorced, she's moved back home, she doesn't have a job and is just trying to figure out who she is. That's fun to explore because it's that part of you that has to revert to being a teenager, in a weird way. Like when you move back in with your parents, or you go home just for the holidays, and your mum starts doing your laundry and cooking for you and everything. It's that kind of vibe. And that was actually really, really fun for me to just get to play with, especially filming in Australia, because I moved away from Australia when I was 18. And so when I'm in Australia, that is weirdly where I revert a little bit more into being a teenager. So it was fun to get to come back here and play a character that is reverting a little bit more into being a teenager again. So that was that was interesting to me. But I just love the story. I love the story. The story was amazing. And I knew I get to have a lot of fun with Veronica, and I just wanted to be a part of this world." On What Macdonald Looks for in an Australian Project "I think I look for the same thing no matter where in the world it is, to be honest. If I love a script, I love a script. And sometimes it's a first-time filmmaker that's directing it. Sometimes it's a first-time scriptwriter. That doesn't really sway me. It's always stories first. That is the number one thing. So if I read a script and I love a script and I relate to a script, I want to be a part of that. So that's always number one. And I think it's a feeling that you get. That's the best way to put it. It's not anything specific in a script — it's the feeling you get when you read it. And I felt that for many, many different ones. For The Tourist, I could not put it down. I read four episodes in one sitting, could not put it down. I loved it. So I really wanted to be a part of it. Same with this script. I read three episodes in one go. I think Saccharine was actually interesting. It was a little different, because I don't read horror movies. I don't watch horror movies, so I'm not great at reading horror scripts. And my managers loved it, and so I read it, and I was like 'here's the thing — as someone that doesn't understand horror movies, I refuse to watch it because it terrifies me'. But I can tell that it's a really well-written script, and this is a really interesting concept, that it was so funny — because that was actually a different experience going into it. Because I was like 'horror is the one genre that I don't understand and don't watch'. So that was actually more like I really loved the director, and I loved her vision, and that was really what drew me in. And talking to her about it, I was like 'oh, this is bringing the script to life now in a way that I don't understand from initially reading, because I don't understand this genre — and when you explain it to me, I can visually see it'. And then it became really real. So it really depends on the piece. And it always depends on the creatives. When you talk to people, that's when it really comes to life and you can see if their vision aligns with what you've read or not." On Whether It's Exciting, Stressful or a Bit of Both to Step Into a TV Adaptation of a Liane Moriarty Book "Liane's books just adapt really well. They're like these really strong characters. They're really complicated people. There's always a mystery-thriller element to it. And they work really well on-screen. I've always found that with all of her stuff. And it is daunting in the sense that you know that there is all this pressure to follow up and everything. But in a weird way, I just saw it as an individual thing. I was like 'this is just an awesome book that has been adapted into an amazing script that has got this amazing cast and crew around it, and I get to be a part of it'. I try not to really put expectation on any job I do. I think that that helps, because that way you just really stay in the moment and focus on what it is and the creative part of it. So for me, it was more just loving the content that I got to work with. But, yeah, when you think about it, it's like 'wow, it's really cool that I get to be a part of this world that she has created'. And it's like little family in and of itself." On Veronika's Path From Antagonism, Anger and Reverting Back to Her Teenage Self, Through to Perhaps Finally Realising Who She Is for the First Time — and the Juggling That Comes with It "When you start, you know that the character's going to go on a journey — which is amazing because you don't want to ever have something be just two-dimensional. So it's definitely a balancing act of seeing a character grow. And especially because we always shoot out of order, it's definitely trying to figure out 'okay, so this is the headspace that my character is in — and I know that she's growing here, but this hasn't quite happened yet. What impacts her? What is the change?'. It is definitely a lot of figuring out, kind of like a mental timeline, honestly, for someone. And I'm really big on writing notes about where my headspace is at the time of which scene, so that I can shoot out of order and make sure that it tracks the whole way through. But it's definitely a balancing act, because I want to keep the character, like who she is, Veronika, who she is from the beginning to the end — she is the same person. She is brash. She is going to speak her mind. That's not going to change just because she's becoming aware of what she wants to do with her life and who she loves. That's all happening, but she's still herself at the end of the day. You don't want someone to be unrecognisable. It's baby steps. This happens over the course of not a huge amount of time. So it's like someone growing and evolving, but also remaining who they are at their core." On Why Series with Mystery Angles Keep Popping Up on Macdonald's Resume — and Keep Appealing to Audiences "I don't know. I feel like true crime has always been a thing, but it was never really talked about the same way. I think with social media and everything, all these true-crime lovers had all these spaces to talk about it for the first time. Which I think is really cool — because when I think about it, there were all of the crime movies, they were always so popular when we were younger, or well before I was even born, even. If you think about the movies — like The Godfather, that's a crime family. That's one of the greatest movies of ever. So it's always been something that I think people have been fascinated by. There were also all those reenactment crime shows when I was growing up, I remember. And now that we have social media and we have Instagram, TikTok, there's now forums for people to chat about things. And then when you hear about people online figuring out mysteries themselves, they're like Internet sleuths — you're like 'that is so cool'. Like, 'wow, everyone can become a detective'. I used to watch Veronica Mars and it was about a teen PI, and I was like 'that's so cool'. I feel like it's always been around, and now there's just a forum for people to talk about it and share their passion and love for mystery and thrillers and stuff. So I feel like this generation has evolved with technology into making it more of a thing that people talk about, maybe, but I feel like it's always been like bubbling there around, and it's just now kind of come into light." On How Being Surrounded by Such a Stacked Cast Helps Your Own Performance "It was so fun. It just really was. We all got along really well. We became this big, dysfunctional family. Our favourite scene that we filmed in the entire series was just a big dinner scene together. It was so much fun. We had a great time. We had to really keep straight faces a lot of the time, because we were dying laughing — we were just having a good time. And that's a lot. When you're doing a 12-hour day and you're doing the same thing over and over again, it can get monotonous. And it wasn't. We were enjoying each other's company. And then there was another day, later on in the series, there's a big anniversary — the last anniversary party — and we're all filming different little segments, and then we all get brought back to the same area. We got in trouble for being too loud because we were playing cards, and we were playing games together and having too much fun. They're like 'we're sending you guys back to base so you don't interrupt filming' because we just had so much fun. It was just such a great time. We did genuinely love each other. And it happens on some sets. Some sets you just all click, you all find your way together and it's beautiful. And then other times, it doesn't quite happen that way — but this was one of those jobs that just was magical. And I'm so, so glad we had such a great group of people that just really, really embraced each other. I think that's the big thing. It's being open to each other — and that was really beautiful about this job. I honestly loved it." The Last Anniversary streams via Binge. The Last Anniversary stills: Mark Rogers.
Over the past few years, Melbourne's famed floating bar has become a summer staple — because soaking up the warm weather and sipping cocktails on the Yarra clearly go hand-in-hand. Thankfully, that won't change in 2020, as Arbory Afloat has returned once more. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, has reclaimed its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra as of Monday, October 26. As part of its annual revamp, the temporary bar and restaurant is taking inspiration from beach houses in our own backyard, which means lush greenery, wicker furniture, lime-washed timber and lots of blues and greens. To complete the picture, the 69-metre floating venue has two bars, an upper deck and an undercover dining area — so plenty of space to social distance. And, if that's not enough, the onboard swimming pool has made a triumphant return. Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which is packed full of local ingredients and inspired by all things Mediterranean. You can snack on fried calamari ($19), pomegranate-studded baba ganoush ($10) and fried zucchini flowers ($6), or go big with minute steak and fries ($29) and one of nine different pizzas ($23–35), including a Nutella and strawberries ($16) number. And would it be a visit to the floating bar without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there are plenty. As well as Four Pillars pink gin, there are craft beers, wine and six cocktails on tap. [caption id="attachment_754392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Arbory Afloat is open at Flinders Lane from 11am–1am daily. Bookings are free or you can claim a daybed package for $375.
The Russell Street space most recently home to Twenty-Pho Seven has had a shake-up. It has transformed into the neon-lit Straight Outta Saigon — and it no longer serves up pho 24 hours a day. Owners Midawell Phal, Thai Ho and George Do — also the minds behind Hochi Mama — are sticking with the vibrant Vietnamese flavours they've made a name for, but this time around they've created a space that's little more intimate and a menu designed for long 6pm dinners instead of speedily slurped bowls of 3am noodle soup. Now, to match a strengthened focus on the restaurant's dine-in experience, the menu is more extensive, with everything from traditional soups to modern snacks and slow-cooked meats. You'll find stand-outs like a signature pho, in a range of beef, chicken, ox-tail and vegan varieties, with a sprawling lineup of add-ons to match. Small plates might include the likes of traditional beef betel leaf skewers, fresh rice paper rolls stuffed with crisp pork belly or tofu, and a couple of sliders inspired by the humble banh mi. Larger feasts call for plates like the caramelised lamb ribs, served with spicy sauce and slaw, a serve of fried chicken winglets, or the restaurant's rendition of thit kho starring six-hour slow-cooked pork. If you've got at least two diners, you can save the decision-making and order the $29.50 chef's menu, featuring two smalls, two large plates and a side. And groups of eight or more can take advantage of a shared set menu for an easy $39 each. A comfy, neon-splashed design sets the tone of the space, while the bar offering's also one to keep you sticking around. You'll find imported Asian brews for cutting through the spice, alongside playful cocktails like the namesake Straight Outta Saigon — a punchy fusion of vodka, cucumber, lemon, mint and ginger beer, spiked with fresh red chillies.
Let's face it: finding the perfect plans for New Year's Eve is stressful. With all the parties, festivals, ticketed venues and firework displays on offer in our cities, sometimes it feels like new year planning — which you're expected to start now, mind you — is more trouble than its worth. But if you're looking to ring in 2019 by getting away from it all, we've got you covered with some top-notch alternatives to your usual New Year's happenings. Here's our top picks for getting out-of-town this year — which we're bringing to you early so you can get a head-start on booking, too. TASTE ALL THAT TASMANIA HAS TO OFFER Each year, revellers make their way down to Tassie for Falls Festival at Marion Bay. But, if you want to avoid the chaos of navigating stages and finding your tent in the dark, we have a festival of another kind that's worth the trip. Food lovers can indulge in the best of Tasmania's culinary scene as The Taste of Tasmania food festival returns to Hobart's Princes Wharf from December 28 to January 3. Entry is free, but the range of masterclasses are ticketed and run by some of the best chefs in the region — think cheese making with Analiese Gregory (Franklin and ex-Sydney's Bar Brosé) and sausage making with Rodney Dunn (Tassie eatery The Agrarian Kitchen), plus a long-lunch hosted by Alice Chugg and Vladimir Panevin (local bar Ettie's). And that's just three of the 15 events on offer. Apart from the eats, there will also be 120 live bands and circus, cabaret and dance performances, along with a twilight cinema. For more information and to book masterclass tickets, head to the Taste of Tasmania website. This will require flights and accomodation, so you might need to book this ASAP. CLEAR YOUR MIND WITH A YOGA OR DETOX RETREAT If you're looking to enter the new year with a clear mind, there's still time to book into a full on retreat. Billabong Retreat offers an annual new year's yoga getaway, for either five or seven nights, spanning from December 26 to January 2. The eco resort is located 45 minutes northwest of Sydney and the program features twice-daily yoga, nighttime meditation, daily wellness workshops and tranquil treehouse accommodation. Plus, two New Year-specific ceremonies: a letting go ceremony on New Year's Eve and a setting intentions ceremony on New Year's Day. If you're looking to be closer to Queensland, another retreat option is the Gwinganna new year detox, which is a seven-night spa getaway just south of the Gold Coast, taking place from December 27 to January 3. It's no doubt pricey, but includes massages, facials, all organic meals, evening meditation sessions and a wellness consultation, along with a $100 therapy credit. [caption id="attachment_695264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ray and Lystra Bisschop[/caption] TAKE AN EPIC OVERNIGHT HIKE (WITHOUT BOOKING A THING) Australia is home to some of the most stunning national parks and coastlines in the world, with many of the best hiking tracks taking more than a day to complete. One of the best is the Six Foot Track in NSW's Blue Mountains, which spans a 45-kilometre distance from Katoomba's famous Explorers Tree to the stunning Jenolan Caves. This challenging hike is most comfortably done in three days and two nights. Luckily, the overnights are free and don't need to be booked ahead of time, thanks to the easily accessible campsites along the route at Coxs River and Black Range. Another booking-free option up in Queensland is the newly completed Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, which offers free overnight camping at several spots along its 161-kilometre trail, including outside Fernvale, Toogoolaawah, Harlin, Moore, Linville and Benarkin. There are plenty of coffee stops along the way too, so you don't need to plan (and lug around) all your meals. CAMP OUT AT ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST STUNNING BEACHES Spending New Year's at the ocean is as Australian as it gets, and some of the country's best spots across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland offer top-notch beachside camping that will truly take your breath away. If you really want to go all out this new year, our pick is Mesa Camp at Cape Range National Park in Western Australia. You'll have to spend a pretty penny on flights to Exmouth, but the site is set overlooking a secluded bay within the UNESCO Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast and is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling or swimming holidays. Booking ahead is a must, but prices are set at an incredibly reasonable $11 per adult per night. For more information and to book Mesa, head over here — but it's best to book in advance, as there are only 23 campsites available and they'll likely book out fast. If you're looking for even more options, check out our list of the top beach camping sites around Australia. [caption id="attachment_660068" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Berry Springs[/caption] FINALLY TAKE THAT TRIP TO DARWIN If a trip to Darwin has been on your list for a while now, heading up north over New Year is an ideal time to see the Northern Territory capital in full swing. Explore the George Brown Botanic Gardens, go for a swim at Berry Springs or be the ultimate tourist and cuddle a crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove. For New Year's specific entertainment, The Darwin Waterfront hosts an annual New Year's Eve party with live music, entertainment, food stalls and the requisite fireworks at 9pm and midnight — all for free. Picnics, beach blankets, lawn chairs and booze-filled eskies (no glass, though) are all encouraged and there's plenty of space for the masses. The event continues into New Year's Day, when another free live concert will take place. [caption id="attachment_693452" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Pickthall[/caption] CHECK ULURU OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST Uluru is on the bucket list of most Australians, and what better time to finally take the trek to this sacred site than at the start of a new year. Once you've got flights to Alice Springs, you can easily organise your own trip. Of course, you'll want to cop an eyeful of Uluru and learn about its history and that of Arrernte country (as it's known to the traditional custodians of the land). Make sure you see the landscape lit-up by visiting Field of Light at night, stop in at the Kangaroo Sanctuary and go for a swim at Ormiston Gorge. We've got a few other ideas here. If you really can't be bothered, Intrepid Travel hosts a three-day, two nights Uluru adventure from December 30–January 1 — and for a relatively reasonable $695 per person. Your group will be honoured to have a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guide, who will explain the spiritual significance of this ancient site while you hike to Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and Uluru. Transport, meals and tent accommodation is all included, so you can just focus on being in complete awe of your incredible surrounds.
Detroit chef Kyle Hanley has created a ten-course meal based entirely off Radiohead's classic 2000 album, Kid A. For one night only, a pop-up restaurant will host 36 guests to enjoy the menu, drink pairings and a full stream of the album . Hanley, who studied music before becoming a chef, told Huffington Post when he listens to music he hears "textures and colours" and explained that Radiohead are a very textural and "very visceral band”. "Most people put out CDs, and this is an actual album," he said. "One song flows into the next, and we kind of want to do the same thing with the courses." The menu includes pan seared scallops and Pfalz Riesling paired with opening track 'Everything In Its Right Place', black caprese and a glass of Alto Adige Kerner to accompany the title track 'Kid A' and mousse dou with blackberry pâte de fruit Niepoort LBV port to see out the album alongside 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'. See the full menu below. Everything in Its Right Place: Pan-seared diver scallop, yuzu fluid gel, fried cellophane noodle, lemongrass ponzu, chili oil. With Pfalz Riesling. Kid A: Black caprese. With Alto Adige Kerner. The National Anthem: Pan-seared lamb chops, crispy pig ear, blood orange reduction. With 100 percent Mourvedre. How to Disappear Completely: Oil-poached monkfish, white asparagus, white balsamic vinaigrette, daikon sprouts. With Leelanau Good Harbour Golden Ale. Treefingers: Tomato granita. With cilantro-infused gin, jalapeno syrup, fresh lime, sea salt, chilli oil. Optimistic: Maple sugar-seared duck breast, pink peppercorn gastrique, orange juniper pearls, shredded confit. With Anderson Valley Knez Pinot Noir. In Limbo: Shades of Bouillabaisse. With Cava VallDolina. Idioteque: Arugula salad, sous-vide egg, lardo croutons, manchego crisps, crispy pancetta, smoked sherry vinaigrette, Meyer lemon foam, caper dust. With Mezcal Chartruese sour, dash of Ango. Morning Bell: Meyer lemon sorbet. With gin and tonic. Motion Picture Soundtrack: Mousse dou with blackberry pate de fruit Niepoort LBV port. Via Huffington Post.
