The way we work out is changing. Where cookie-cutter chain gyms once dominated the playing field, the past decade has seen a steady rise in smaller, more considered operations that cater to more specific needs and wellness goals – evidenced by the continuing proliferation of bathhouses dotted around town. At the forefront of this wellness revolution in Sydney is homegrown brand One Playground, which bills itself as a 'superboutique' studio that blends cutting-edge training, boutique-style classes and next-level recovery, all under one roof. And it's this model that One Playground has now debuted in Sydney's west with the opening of One Playground Merrylands, a sprawling two-level facility spread across 3000 square metres. Located within the architecturally striking Mason & Main mixed-use precinct, the new gym — the group's largest to date — boasts a massive 1500-square-metre training floor fitted with over 100 state-of-the-art machines, from Technogym cardio equipment to custom Gym80 strength machines and sleek, stainless steel Watson dumbbells. Plus, 11 squat racks, 24 benches and four leg press machines means less chance of awkwardly standing around waiting for equipment to free up. There's also a quieter Comfort Zone catering to those seeking a more relaxed training environment, whether warming up or cooling down. Beyond the weights room, six purpose-built studios offer over 300 classes every week. Whether you're punching it out in the boxing-focused Legacy room, flowing through a yoga class in Space or pushing your limits in high-intensity Force classes, there's a variety and volume of programming that you'll be hard pressed to find at any other gym. Add in reformer pilates and semi-private studios, and there's something for every fitness level and personality. It's not all pumping and grinding, though, as One Playground Merrylands also has a big focus on recovery. The expansive studio features a dedicated tranquil zone featuring private infrared saunas and communal traditional saunas, ideal for post-workout resets or mindful solo sessions. Think of it as a one-stop shop for both performance and restoration, all under one beautifully designed roof. And it's in its design that the gym truly sets itself apart. Inspired by the opulence of Dubai and Morocco, the interiors channel desert resort vibes, from its soaring 5.5-metre-high ceilings framed with elegant arched windows, to the terracotta-rendered walls, natural stone accents and micro-cement floors. A custom pink marble water fountain anchors the wellness lounge, setting the tone in the tranquil space. "One Playground Merrylands is our most exciting project to date — it's an ambitious design on an enormous scale, unlike anything else in the world," says Justin Ashley, One Playground CEO and Co-Founder. "When we started this project three years ago, it was always more than 'just another gym'. Our goal was to bring a world-class health and wellness destination to Western Sydney." It's fair to say the brief has been nailed. One Playground Merrylands is now open at 233 Merrylands Road, Merrylands. It's open to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, head to the studio's website.
Pizza is not only restaurateur and pizzaiolo Luigi Esposito's life's work — it's also how he's sharing his life story with Sydney. Each of his three Crown Street eateries is a chapter of this autobiography. Opened in 2015, his flagship venue Via Napoli — which heroes the food and culture of Naples, where Esposito was born — was one of the first Italian joints in Sydney to serve authentic Neapolitan pizzas, cooked at 450–500 celsius in a woodfired oven for that distinctive bubbled and charred crust. His second venture, Pizza Fritta 180, which opened on the corner of Crown and Foveaux Streets in 2020 before moving next door to Via Napoli earlier this year, serves the same flash-fried calzones Esposito helped his grandparents sell on the cobbled streets of Napoli when he was eight years old. The most recent addition to his collection of diners is 170 Grammi. With a minimalist, all-white fitout in the Crown Street corner spot formerly occupied by Pizza Fritta, it pays tribute to the heritage of his wife, Sonia, a native of Rome, where Esposito also briefly lived before immigrating to Australia in 2007. After charming the Harbour City with the flavours of Naples, Sonia urged her husband to champion the dishes she grew up with. "I promised her I would open a Roman pizzeria," he explains with a smile, pizza peel in hand, as he stands in 170 Grammi's bustling kitchen during a packed Friday night service. True to his word, the la tonda Romana-style cuisine his wife had been craving is now available to hungry Sydneysiders. And if the white-knuckle pace of the waitstaff and the size of the crowd outside on our visit was anything to go by, it's already a hit. [caption id="attachment_963278" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luigi Esposito by Trent van der Jagt[/caption] What makes a pizza Roman is the thin and crispy base. For each 13-inch pizza, just 170 grams of dough — hence the restaurant's name — is stretched thin, before being tossed and shaped to ensure an even thickness with just enough elasticity to hold its structure. After toppings are added, the pie is baked for a matter of minutes in the hand-built woodfired oven that dominates the restaurant's surprisingly compact kitchen — not at the blistering 500 degrees of its Neapolitan cousins, but at a gentler temperature, around 250-300 degrees. The result is a tell-tale crunch to the crust and a pizza that is less about piling on ingredients and mountains of cheese, and more about the balance of flavours in every bite. While Roman pizza may be a new culinary discovery for many Sydneysiders, pasta dishes from the Italian capital have household cachet. You won't find a single strand of spaghetti on 170 Grammi's menu, but Esposito has found a way to harness the popularity of those pasta faithfuls by translating them into pizza toppings, including the rich and salty cacio e pepe and the ripe tartness of amatriciana. Far from being a gimmick, it's a brilliant sleight of hand, particularly in the the a'carbonara. Uncannily capturing the interplay between the salty edge of pecorino romano and the gamy funk of the cured guanciale, mellowed with generous daubs of free-range egg yolk, it perfectly summons the flavours that set authentic carbonaras apart from the cream, bacon and parmesan pretenders. Another must-try pizza-fication of a Roman classic honours a family recipe passed onto Esposito by his uncle-in-law, Tonino Toscano. Gathering all the elements of the traditional porchetta di ariccia on a pizza, slices of herbed pork and rosemary-kissed potatoes are brought together with a judicious sprinkle of smoked scamorza. However, the dish Esposito feels most quintessentially captures the essence of Rome is not, in fact, a pizza, but an antipasto. Next to familiar crowd-pleasers like calamari fritti, buffalo mozzarella with prosciutto and fresh-fried suppli (Rome's answer to arancini), the trippa alla Romana — tripe (cow stomach lining) braised in white wine and served in a tomato sauce — might not sound all too appealing. "But you must try, you must! Otherwise you cannot really say you have eaten like a Roman," Esposito insists, as he finishes off a serving at the pass with a hearty dusting of pecorino romano. Trust this advice and you won't regret it — the perfectly cooked organs absorb the glossy sauce and fall apart in the mouth, leaving the sweetness of the tomatoes and the subtle tang of the wine to linger pleasantly on the tongue. When in Rome — or Surry Hills — it's also wise to do dessert as the Romans do. One of the various riffs on the cream-filled maritozzi pastries, with flavours ranging from the traditional, such as pistachio and tiramisu, to the irreverent, such as Kinder Bueno, are the ideal sweet finish to the meal. Sweeter still, the bill is unlikely to leave a sour taste. Esposito has crafted an affordable offering with no pizza priced over $26 and no bottles on the small but considered wine list priced over $65. "It's cheaper than a flight to Rome," Esposito jests. It's also cheaper than a lot of dining options in inner Sydney right now, too. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Dust off your picnic blanket: Tropfrest is back. Following a six-year hiatus, the world's biggest short-film festival — which launched in 1993 and, at its peak, would pull crowds of up to 100,000 — returns to Centennial Park this February for a free celebration of short-form cinema from Australia and around the globe. While the world has changed quite a bit since the last edition in 2019, Tropfest's core mission remains unchanged: to give filmmakers at any stage of their careers a genuinely global platform. The traditional Tropfest signature item — included in every film to prove it was made specifically for the festival — is also back. This year's prompt is an hourglass, so keep an eye out for the creative ways it appears on screen. New for Tropfest 2026 are two initiatives in partnership with YouTube. The first is a digital development program for emerging filmmakers and creators; the second, launching in February, is a series of talks, workshops and masterclasses spanning everything from screenwriting to working with AI. As well as premiering their work to tens of thousands of cinephiles — both in Centennial Park and via a global YouTube livestream — filmmakers will compete for some serious prizes, including a $50,000 first prize and a share of $100,000 through the new CommBank-Tropfest Emerging Filmmakers Fund. And if you needed any more incentive to snag a spot on the lawn, Tropfest has a long history of spotting talent early. Past alumni include Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Rebel Wilson, Nash Edgerton and Sam Worthington — so you might just catch Australia's next breakout star before Hollywood does.
In Sydney, you needn't travel too far to find some truly breathtaking natural wonders. Our national parks are filled with not only pristine beaches and adventurous walking tracks, but also magical sites. We're talking spots of awe-inspiring beauty that, at one glance, will carry you out of the ordinary. On this list alone — which is only the tip of the iceberg — there's a towering waterfall, a panoramic lookout affording epic views, and giant-sized moving sand dunes. All you have to do is jump in your car (or on a train) and make tracks. [caption id="attachment_845273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WEST HEAD LOOKOUT, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK There's no shortage of extraordinary vistas in Sydney, but West Head Lookout is one of the best. This mind-blowing spot gives you panoramas to the south over Pittwater, east over Barrenjoey Head and north to Broken Bay. Smack bang in the middle of it all is Lion Island, backdropped by the Central Coast's uncrowded beaches. You could easily spend a day here, so it's a good idea to pack a picnic. To add some art, take a wander on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, along which is Red Hands Cave, where you'll see historic works from First Nations artists. Idyllic Resolute Picnic Area is nearby, too, as is the stunning and secluded Resolute Beach. West Head Lookout is a one-hour drive from the Sydney CBD, just off West Head Road. BOUDDI COASTAL WALK, BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK To see several of the Central Coast's wildest and most beautiful beaches, take the Bouddi Coastal Walk. This eight-kilometre adventure hugs the coastal edge of Bouddi National Park, beginning at Putty Beach in the south and ending at MacMasters in the north. Stop by lookouts affording sweeping ocean views and rest at rainforest-encircled picnic spots. If it's low tide, see if you can spot the shipwreck of the PS Maitland at Maitland Bay. If you're keen to extend your visit, camp overnight at Putty Beach or Little Beach. It's also possible to split the trail into short sections, namely Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (three kilometres), Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5-kilometres) and Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7-kilometres). Note that a section of Bouddi coastal walk between Mount Bouddi walking track and Old Quarry trail is currently closed for upgrades until mid-May 2022. Check the website for more details. STOCKTON SAND DUNES, WORIMI NATIONAL PARK The 4200 hectares that make up Stockton Sand Dunes form the biggest system of sand dunes in Australia. Some are as high as 40 metres. You'll find them in the Worimi Conservation Lands, about 190 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, just beyond Newcastle. Adding to their beauty is their stunning location, foregrounded by Stockton Beach — which, at 32 kilometres, is the longest beach in New South Wales — and backdropped by 1800 hectares of forest. While you're there, consider a beachfront horse ride, a sandboarding session and/or a visit to Tin City, an 11-shack off-grid village that appeared in Mad Max (1979). Note that Worimi Conservation Lands will remain closed until 10 March, 2022, due to extreme weather. [caption id="attachment_845272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] JENOLAN CAVES, BLUE MOUNTAINS A classic for a reason, the Jenolan Caves are a long winding collection of stunning passageways. Located 175km west of Sydney, here you'll discover some of the most ridiculously beautiful rocks on the planet. There are nine caves altogether, filled with limestone formations, pristine underground rivers and secret chambers. The only way to visit is by tour — choose the cave that most appeals to you, take it easy with a one hour Imperial Cave Tour or get an adrenaline hit on an abseiling escapade. [caption id="attachment_845277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BELMORE FALLS, MORTON NATIONAL PARK The area surrounding Kangaroo Valley is a haven for incredible waterfalls with both Fitzroy Falls and this towering beauty. Belmore Falls offers a wall of tall sandstone cliffs, plus a rewarding two-kilometre walking track with endless views of the surrounding bushland. On your walk around the waterfall, take in the beauty of Australia's local flora and keep a lookout for sandstone flowers like the honey flower, banksia and wattle. The falls are located two hours south of Sydney with the option to venture back up through Wollongong and grab lunch or dinner at one of the city's beloved venues. Top image: Destination NSW
There aren't many restaurants in Sydney quite like Catalina. A waterside institution of almost three decades, this award-winning destination from the McMahon family, led by Judy McMahon, offers diners a heady combination of peerless harbour views and some of the city's most impeccable service. While the pressed white table cloths, elegant service and well-heeled clientele reflect the upper level of hospitality, there's none of the stuffiness of some traditional dining institutions here. It runs with a perpetual buzz and lack of formality among the patrons — perhaps it's the proximity to the water and the sea breeze that naturally lends itself to the sense of being on summer holiday, regardless of the time of year you visit. The views bring in guests from all over Sydney and Australia (and beyond) but it is the food that brings people back for return visits. Executive Chef Mark Axisa and Head Chef Alan O'Keeffe execute beautifully rendered dishes that showcase the highest quality produce in a menu where contemporary meets classical and brings fresh Australian seafood very much to the foreground. Before you advance to the a la carte menu ($140 for three courses, $110 for two courses from Monday to Thursday), start with the freshest Sydney rock oysters, beautiful buckwheat crumpets topped with hand picked spanner crab, or go full luxury with the caviar service. For main courses, evergreen classics like the pan fried snapper, Glacier 51 toothfish and the roast suckling pig are permanently installed on the menu, unlikely to ever leave. The drinks program is ever impressive, consistently earning a Three Glass Wine Rating from Gourmet Traveller Wine and features some 50 pages of wines sourced from around the world. Connoisseurs will be thrilled, while non-experts can put their palates in the safe hands of Catalina's sommelier team. There's also a lengthy cocktail offering that includes martinis, an entire page of margaritas, and mocktails for the alcohol-free. With seaplanes bobbing gently or taking off in a flurry of noise and excitement to your right, the greens and blues of the harbour in front of you, it's impossible not to enjoy yourself. Image credit: Steven Woodburn
One underground restaurant dedicated to steak wasn't quite enough for Bistecca's James Bradey and Warren Burns. The Liquid and Larder directors, and minds behind The Wild Rover and Grandma's Bar, then opened The Gidley — an opulent basement restaurant inspired by old-school New York and London steakhouses. The subterranean setup means there are no windows and no distracting "beautiful harbour views", says Bradey. Lack of distractions is a passion of the restaurateur duo, who banned phones at the table at their original steak spot Bistecca. The same goes here, too. [caption id="attachment_751378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] Instead of Instagram, you'll be soaking up the lusciously designed space, by Darlinghurst studio Tom Mark Henry, which was made to feel like a "rabbit warren" that you could lose yourself in. Split into several rooms, including a lounge, dining area, wine bar and private room, the restaurants seats about 120 all up. Expect lots of velvet (both drapery and furnishings), along with dark timber veneer, herringbone floors and plush leather lounges — aka all those vintage steakhouse feels. Linking the space back to its home shores is the ornate wallpaper, which depicts native Australian flora and fauna. Overseeing the menu, that has its own notable throwbacks, is Bistecca Head Chef Pip Pratt. Taking inspiration from supper clubs and steakhouses, the menu heroes one dish: the Riverine black angus rib eye. Here, it's done three ways: chargrilled on-the-bone, a bourbon-glazed chop (300 grams) and a hard-to-come-by spinalis steak. To finish your steak off, douse it in your choice of roast chicken gravy, homemade barbecue sauce, cafe de Paris butter or garlic butter. While the rib eye is the star of the show, unlike Bistecca, steak isn't the sole dish vying for your attention at The Gidley. Other mains include jerk spiced charcoal squid with squid ink taramasalata, kangaroo loin with saltbush and cafe de paris and lion's mane mushroom with green peppercorn sauce and onion rings. It wouldn't be a traditional steakhouse without a burger, either — this one has a double beef patty with cheddar, pickles and optional bacon and egg. There's also a raw bar serving up the likes of oysters, caviar and prawn cocktails for starters, plus heaps of sides and salads — sizeable orders come in the form of seafood towers and a quarter suckling pig with confit potato, seeded mustard, thyme, iceberg and radicchio salad, homemade barbecue sauce, apple puree and cider jus. Desserts come with a bit of nostalgia, too, with the likes of corn and apple doughnuts, bourbon baba and buttermilk ice cream. Prefer drinking your desserts? There are plenty of sweet cocktails on offer too — take the Grasshopper Pie, made with Bulleit Rye, Archie Rose Double Malt, mint, cacao, Creme de Menthe, caramel and bitters. Since no steak is complete without a good glass of red, there's, thankfully, plenty of that. The extensive wine program is looked after by The Gidley's sommelier Seán McManus, with the 23-page list featuring many well-made drops from many well-known brands, many of which are bio-dynamic and sustainable. Bartender extraordinaire Jonothan Carr (Archie Rose, Kittyhawk, Door Knock, Burrow Bar) is pouring a "straight and stiff" array of batched and bottled cocktails at The Gidley. Expect all of your usual suspects and more creative options, including negronis for two and martinis served on silver trays. Images: Dominic Loneragan Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
As Sydneysiders, we're lucky to be situated so close to so many of Australia's most celebrated wine regions — Orange, Mudgee, Hunter Valley et al. Whether you're looking for organically-produced, family-operated, or even inner city-located, wine lovers have got it all at a stone's throw away. If you're a fan of the plonk and you're not taking advantage of NSW's seriously kickass vineyards, it's time to get those engines revving. Here are ten top notch vineyards in your own backyard, from the best wine regions in NSW. Take a few pro tips before you head along though. Cellar doors and tastings are, for the most part, free. FREE. Some you'll have to book in advance, but most just let you rock up on the day. You're not obliged to buy anything, but you do have to be polite and respectful (don't guzzle yourself into oblivion on someone's hard work). Have a chat, talk to the winemakers, taste as many wines as you like, and you'll probably buy a bottle of something — and prices are usually wholesale, so cheaper than buying it later at the bottle shop. Also, do not drive home. Have a plan. The rest? These winemakers will take you through the tasting process (novice winos are always welcome). You just have to get there. ORANGE The Orange region is known for its sophisticated winemaking and cool climate which creates wines with bright fruit and deep, balanced flavours. [caption id="attachment_565814" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] PHILLIP SHAW Lead by Orange wine pioneer Phillip Shaw himself, this family-owned and operated vineyard has been kicking goals since 1988 and they take wine very seriously — award-winning seriously. The wines are 100 percent sourced from the 47-hectare vineyard and their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both life-changing. Believe us, this is a Chardy not to be missed. A trip to the cellar door is more akin to visiting a wealthy friend's country house; the building is distinguished by a stone exterior and interior, with large share tables for tastings and stunning mountain views. You might even meet the famous Big renovations are planned for this site, and could change the game for Orange cellar doors across the board. 100 Shiralee Road, Orange; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 11am – 5pm [caption id="attachment_565815" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] SASSY WINES This single vineyard winery is family-owned and operated by husband and wife duo Rob and Felicia 'Fliss' Coles. Their signature wine, the Arneis, is an ancient Italian white varietal that dates back to the 15th century. Their newish cellar door is simple and modern, with glass walls showcasing their vineyard views. The head winemaker, none other than Peter Logan of Logan Wines, is a big part of the process; the two vineyards share grapes and techniques, the Coles taking over the process in barrel phase. 569 Emu Swamp Rd, Emu Swamp; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm KANGAROO VALLEY The Kangaroo Valley region is distinguished by its rich volcanic soil which is ideal for viticulture — aka growing grapes. YARRAWA ESTATE The winding pathway to the remote Yarrawa Estate is not an easy one to follow, but you'll be pleasantly surprise as the path opens to this lakeside vineyard. If the golden retrievers and frolicking children remind you of a visit to your family country home, well, it should — the cellar door is quite literally set in the Foster family dining room, where strangers momentarily become relatives. Apart from the incredible wine, they also offer a range of nuts, jams and pickles made from homegrown produce. Be sure to taste their homemade walnut liquor wine, a combination of both passions. 43B Scotts Rd, Upper Kangaroo River; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10.30am – 5.30pm; Sun 12.30pm – 5.30pm HUNTER VALLEY Hunter Valley is known for their Semillon and Shiraz and is easily the most popular of the NSW wine regions. BROKENWOOD This vineyard was established in 1970 and they've been turning out impressive, award-winning wines for decades. In this small barn of a cellar door, you'll find a fun and relaxed staff who are clearly passionate about winemaking, giving the place an infectious energy. It's a snob-free atmosphere where you can taste some great wines without being pushed to buy. Their Semillon is a must try, having just won best varietal of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2016, and the Cricket Pitch blends are ever-popular. Overall, the bright, airy atmosphere of the place makes it one of the more fun tastings to be had. 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sat 9.30am – 5pm and Sun 10am – 5pm TEMPUS TWO Tempus Two is one of the more famous Hunter Valley vineyards for good reason — the wine here is a high-end, classy affair and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Founded by the well-known McGuigan family, this slick, contemporary cellar door is a modern take on a country shed. The best part is that they'll let you taste the most expensive, vintage wines with no fee. The wine to try right now is their Uno Series Shiraz (2013), a cellar door exclusive. Feeling especially lavish? Set up a private tasting for up to 30 of your nearest and dearest. Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS The Southern Highlands are characterised by the long, slow ripening period and high natural acidity which gives the wines a clean finish and noticeable fruit character. TERTINI WINES A relatively young vineyard, Tertini Wines has received much acclaim since establishing itself in 2000. Their award-winning Reserve Pinot Noir is worth the trek alone and their Riesling is especially tasty with honeysuckle and green apple notes. They hand-prune and handpick their grapes, with little cropping involved. The cellar door is a simple barn attached to the vineyard, amplifying the country feel of this notable winery. Kells Creek Road, Mittagong; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm MUDGEE Mudgee styles are known for their diversity, from organic to international varietals, and turn out some seriously impressive wine for a small region. LOWE WINES For some ungodly reason, organic wine has gotten a bad rap over the years. Thankfully, Lowe Wines disproves this fallacy time and again. Owner David Lowe is extremely passionate and specialises in small-batch winemaking, his most popular varietal being the Zinfandel. The vineyard is untrellised, unirrigated and certified organic. Their wine is distributed mainly to independent bottle shops and restaurant and Lowe is truly a no-intervention grower that we'd love to see more of. Tinja Lane, Mudgee; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm HILLTOPS The Hilltops region sits atop a large granite rock, creating deep soils that are well drained and ideal for grapevines. FREEMAN VINEYARDS Freeman Vineyards uses this unique region to their advantage, providing Australia's only plantings of two northern Italian origin grape varieties – Rondinella and Corvina – which are the source of their flagship and award-winning Freeman 'Secco' wine. Their winemaking process is also unique; the grapes are dried in a neighbour's solar-powered prune dehydrator and then aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. All this work is worth it: the wine just received the Red 5-Star rating in the Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2016. 101 Prunevale Road, Prunevale; Tastings by Appointment SYDNEY CITY For the lazy Sydneysider who deserves great wine anyway. NOMAD Nomad champions the little guys in the winemaking business; they sell wine solely from local growers, giving the small producers out there the time to shine. Their cellar door offers wines that are generally not sold commercially, many of which you can also taste at their celebrated adjoining restaurant. Stop in for some charcuterie and a glass or two, or stay for the full shebang with the chef's premium share menu ($85 per person). If you're too lazy to make such a short trek, go for online delivery of these exclusive wines. 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills; Cellar Door/Restaurant Hours: Mon – Tues 6pm – 12am; Weds – Fri 12pm –2.30pm; 6pm – 12am; Sat 12pm – 2.30pm; 5.30pm – 11.30pm CAKE WINES Just opened on March 10, Cake Wines is shaping up to be Sydney's new go-to city winery. Set in a restored warehouse, the space pays homage to its industrial roots with recycled wooden furniture, barrel wall and exposed brick interior. You won't just be getting simple wine tastings here — head winemaker Sarah Burvill is running masterclasses, blending sessions and workshops. Apart from their own award-winning wines, they'll be stocking small-batch wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, all Sydney local. Add live music and late nights to the mix and you've got one out-of-the-box cellar door on your hands. 16 Eveleigh St, Redfern; Cellar Door Hours: Wed – Fri 5pm – 11pm; Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm. Honourable CBD mentions: Handpicked Cellar Door Urban Winery Sydney Top image: Nomad.
Every time you enter a darkened cinema to spend a few hours gazing at the silver screen, you pay tribute to French movies. More than a century ago, the European nation was at the forefront of the medium — its filmmakers are not only responsible for the oldest surviving film in existence, but also the 46-second piece considered the first true film ever made, as well as many influential early efforts. They're still helping shower audiences in movie delights today, of course, with Australia's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival providing an annual snapshot of just how busy and bustling the French film industry remains. When you're selling more than 212 million cinema tickets to eager audiences in a single a year, as the country did in 2016, you need plenty of great flicks to show them. As far as our slice of Gallic cinema in Australia is concerned, the numbers keep coming: reaching its 28th year, the 2017 festival will screen 45 films in nine different cities and towns, and will try to exceed its 168,000 admissions from its last outing. That all adds up to a great problem for a cinema lover to have: being spoiled for choice. Should you opt for watching many a French movie star? Exploring many an intriguing tale? Or try to combine both? Let us help steer you in the right direction with our ten must-see picks of the fest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ-y_3mquoc THE ODYSSEY When The Odyssey starts relating the tale of Jacques Cousteau, you can be forgiven for expecting to see Billy Murray's face, hear Brazilian versions of Bowie tracks and laugh at Wes Anderson's sense of humour. We all love The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which comically paid homage to Cousteau — but, taking to the seas for a biopic of the famous French oceanographer, director Jérôme Salle favours a much more traditional approach. With Lambert Wilson playing the man in question and Audrey Tautou co-starring as his wife, expect more than a few waves to result as the film examines Cousteau's professional and personal lives. The Odyssey opens this year's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival with a splash, which is exactly how you want things to kick off. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu3OdZ8RJd4 BEING 17 It's okay if Being 17 sounds familiar — it has been doing the rounds of Australia's major film festivals over the past year. However, one of the great things about the AFFFF is the opportunity to catch up with movies you might've missed elsewhere. And, if you haven't put this vibrant coming-of-age flick in front of your eyeballs just yet, make sure you rectify the situation. The story itself makes a certain impact as it charts two teenage boys exploring their feelings for each other, then grappling with the uncertainty that follows, as told with sensitivity and insight by Girlhood director-turned-Being 17 screenwriter Céline Sciamma. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAOVBV670XM DAGUERROTYPE Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa is well known for dwelling in horror territory — in fact, his last movie screened at the Japanese Film Festival late last year. Here, he makes the jump to France to tell a Gothic ghost tale, enlisting the help of actors Tahar Rahim and Mathieu Amalric. At the centre of the film sits the titular form of photography, which involves capturing images on a silver surface, and requires those getting snapped to sit still for hours on end. The film moves similarly slowly; however, it doesn't take long for its Gothic charms to work their magic. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnp0f9xoAfM IN BED WITH VICTORIA When it premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, In Bed With Victoria earned comparisons to Trainwreck. So if that's your kind of film, get excited. Yes, that means you should expect an account of a woman's quest for romantic success, relayed in both a frank and funny fashion. It also means you'll be falling for an engaging lead performance, with Up for Love's Virginie Efira more than handling the task of playing a Parisian lawyer and single mother trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, dating and finding happiness. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5dh7UWbSZI IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD Prepare to question your life choices. In the last nine years, French-Canadian writer/director Xavier Dolan has made six films, five of which have screened at Cannes. He'll turn 28 this month, and he's currently working on his seventh effort, his English-language debut starring Kit Harington, Jessica Chastain, Natalie Portman, Thandie Newton, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon and Room's Jacob Tremblay. That's quite the accomplishment — and while his most recent movie, It's Only the End of the World, has received mixed reviews, there's still plenty of emotion-dripping French family drama and eye-catching visuals to enjoy. Gaspard Ulliel, Nathalie Baye, Léa Seydoux, Vincent Cassel and Marion Cotillard star, with the film taking out Cannes' 2016 Grand Jury Prize. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H96Qxp-3ssc A JOURNEY THROUGH FRENCH CINEMA We've already told you that France and cinema go hand-in-hand, but there's no need to simply take our word for it. Trust the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival to screen just the movie that'll teach you everything you ever needed to know about French filmmaking, with veteran writer/director Bertrand Tavernier's A Journey Through French Cinema an informative and engaging guide. Be warned: because there's plenty to cover, you can expect to get comfy for more than three hours. And remember to clear your schedule for months afterwards, because you're going to want to spend every waking moment delving into as much French movie history as possible. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmPTQdW79Tg PLANETARIUM With a title like Planetarium, writer/director Rebecca Zlotowski will have you thinking about stars — and seeing them as well. Expect to be dazzled not by the shining lights above or a place dedicated to them, but by the talents of Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp (yes, Johnny's daughter). The two combine to bring a pair of American sisters to life on a stylish journey through pre-war Europe, complete with seances and other paranormal phenomena, as well as the process of bringing supernatural magic to the movies. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elM9HxIlDnQ THINGS TO COME Come on, admit it: we were all hoping that Isabelle Huppert's name would be read out at the Oscars this year. Alas, there was no envelope mix-up in the best actress category. Elle wasn't the only astonishing performance that the French actress gave in 2016 though, with her work in Things to Come just as moving and revelatory. Under the affectionate direction of Eden's Mia Hansen-Løve, Huppert is once again at her best as a philosophy professor forced to reassess her life. And, if you can't get enough of all things Isabelle, she also pops up in fellow festival effort Souvenir. Double feature, anyone? View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRgjsnadqOA THE INNOCENTS Cinema has made a habit of following those in habits, pondering faith and exploring the space where religious beliefs and the realities of life meet. Add The Innocents to the contemplative pile, as a young French doctor visits a Benedictine convent to tackle the one scenario that's not supposed to happen: several pregnancies. Set at the end of the Second World War, Anne Fontaine's film proves all the more compelling by taking its tale from a true story. No wonder it got audiences talking when it screened at last year's Sundance, and no doubt it'll do the same again at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=FWaf830692s TOMORROW After wowing audiences as one of film's most memorable cinema owners in Inglourious Basterds, Mélanie Laurent hasn't just continued to pop up on-screen — she has stepped behind the lens as well. In fact, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival gifted Australian audiences with the chance to see her last fictional feature, Breathe, and they're coming through again. This time, Laurent turns documentarian with co-director Cyril Dion to dive into today's environmental issues, and just what they might mean for tomorrow. If that sounds powerful, it should. It also won the duo the Cesar award for best documentary at France's top film awards. View sessions here. The Alliance Française French Film Festival will visit Sydney from March 7 to 30; Melbourne from March 8 to 30, and Brisbane from March 16 to April 9.
Paddington favourite Tequila Mockingbird brought its South American and Mexican flare to the CBD when it opened the doors to its pop-up restaurant in an old printing press on Temperance Lane, Tequila on York. That was then replaced by this permanent Mexican spot, Esteban. The multi-level venue is split into three distinct offerings: an upstairs restaurant, a downstairs mezcal bar and a laneway dining space. And now boasts two hats to its name — the first Mexican restaurant to do so in Australia. In the kitchen, Head Chef Will Quartel is serving Mexican share plates created using traditional cooking techniques with sustainably sourced Aussie produce. Corn tortillas are made in-house daily, while the custom-built parilla grill and vertical charcoal rotisserie have been installed to turn out the likes of tacos al pastor and ironbark-grilled chicken. Other specialties served in the upstairs restaurant include pink ling ceviche with leche de tigre, karkalla and fried plantain; seared pork belly with pickled watermelon radishes and salsa tatemada; and a massive one-kilogram wagyu rib eye paired with black garlic and chipotle butter. Meanwhile, in the basement bar and al fresco dining area, it's all about the street food — with tacos, ceviche and tortas on offer from lunch straight through until late (four days a week). Alongside the taqueria-style menu is an emphasis on mezcal and tequila, with a roving trolley pouring drops for patrons throughout the night. Designed by Sydney architects Humphrey & Edwards (Barangaroo House), the space takes inspiration from the underground basement bars of Mexico City and 1930s art deco buildings. The building's heritage aspects, including its exposed sandstone walls, high archways and existing timber beams, have also been preserved. Upstairs, the intimate 45-seater boasts an open kitchen with counter seating and a floor-to-ceiling mural created by Sydney artist Nanami Cowdroy. Other artworks include hand-painted and beaded bottles crafted in Oaxaca. In Esteban's basement, you'll find leather booths and banquettes, plus a granite bar top and custom-built timber cabinets to hold all of that distilled agave. The bar claims to be home to the largest collection of mezcal and tequila in Australia. On the way in, take a closer look at the 400-kilogram front door, which was created from acid-aged steel by Byron Bay artist Daniel Heapy. Images: Steven Woodburn
For more than 20 years, Il Baretto served up its pappardelle with duck ragu and just the right amount of hipster charm on Bourke Street. In October 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, it suddenly shut up shop — but, thankfully, it's reopened on Oxford Street. The Italian diner relocated to Paddington, bringing many of its signature dishes with it, including, yes, that ragu, as well as the spaghetti alla carbonara and the rigatoni alla aroma. But, apart from a very similar black-and-white Il Baretto sign, the setup and fit-out is a little different. Instead of its own space, Il Baretto 2.0 is located out the back of Solotel's Paddo Inn, in the former dining room space. It has a similar "unpretentious, relaxed charm", but it's no longer cash-only — and, sadly, no longer BYO. On the upside, though, the restaurant has a bigger drinks offering with a list of ten Italian and Australian wines — including a Das Juice fiano and Sicilian nero d'avola. The hospitality giant's front bar remains open and continues to serve up spritzes and blood orange negronis, alongside bar snacks alla Il Baretto. Expect the likes of the bruschetta al pomodore, salame norcia and beef carpaccio. Despite the move, owner Gabriella Fedeli says Il Baretto is still laidback and affordable. "We have always had a 'no fuss', 'simple' and 'traditional' approach to the way we do things, " Fedeli said in a statement. "The attitude and style of the place is not something that I want to change. I have always liked the fact that we are a broad-church for all types of customers – families, corporates, musicians – whoever. Our price and manner of service is intended to be for everyone." Images: Cassandra Hannagan Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
UPDATE: MAY 25, 2020 — The Grounds of Alexandria is great, but have you ever wished you could have a space all to yourself? No lining up for hours, no waiting for a table, no jostling for a primo spot under the fairy lights, just you and your nearest and dearest dining and wining. Well, for a limited time, you and nine of your mates can hire out The Arbour, The Bakery or The Lock-In for a night. For $195 a head, you'll get a three-course meal and unlimited drinks from 6pm on Friday or Saturday. This will book out fast, so email events@thegrounds.com.au if you're keen. There are plenty of reasons why (what feels like) half the city chooses to take their midday meal at the Grounds of Alexandria. Aside from checking out the weekend markets and beautiful sprawling gardens, or paying a visit to Harry Trotter and his barnyard buddies, the food you'll be served is pretty darn delicious. The most coveted tables are those in The Cafe where you can order the signature granola, health bowls, pasta and sandwiches made on house-baked bread. If you'd rather eat outdoors, opt for The Garden kiosk, which serves woodfired pizzas, burgers and salads. Or, head to The Potting Shed for bistro fare, from scotch fillet slathered with café de Paris butter to the whole grilled snapper in a ginger dashi broth.
For eight years, Pilu Kiosk — the cafe-shack at Freshwater attached to the eponymous double-hatted restaurant — was a Northern Beaches go-to for coffee and paninis. After closing down and being revamped, it reopened in March 2017 as Pilu Baretto. For avid food connoisseurs, this means Italian wines, cocktails and fresh Sardinian dishes within view of beautiful Freshwater Beach. Design-wise, the team kept the space's beach shack look and feel, with the addition of a copper-topped bar, timber surfaces, greenery and seating along the existent hedge overlooking the water. During the day, beach-goers can expect traditional cafe fare including muffins, toasties and paninis. As the sun goes down, Pilu Baretto's menu shifts to a sophisticated selection of Italian dishes — think cured meats, slow roasted pig with pumpkin, quince and buffalo fru, scallops with chickpea cream, chestnut mushrooms and Pilu bottarga, or squid ink spaghetti with mussels, cuttlefish, tomato and friarielli. Match your choices with Italian wines by the glass, craft beers and creative takes on classic cocktails. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Thrifting vintage clothes in Sydney is about to get way easier with the arrival of not one, but two new Savers superstores. Lined with rack after rack of preloved discoveries and secondhand rarities, you won't have a problem getting lost in these sprawling locations. Opening on Thursday, July 31, Savers Camperdown will land on Parramatta Road, offering the company's first-ever three-level site. Teeming with vintage clothing, accessories, homewares and more, this 2000-square-metre store will become a go-to thrift shop in the Inner West. Then, just three weeks later, Savers Marsden Park will swing open its doors and join the party on Thursday, August 21. Serving as the headline destination in a brand-new Richmond Road development, expect another weird and wonderful collection of fashion, furniture and electronics. "Each store has been purposefully located to meet the needs of its surrounding community — whether that's busy students and Inner West locals in Camperdown, or young families and growing neighbourhoods of Marsden Park, Sydney's diverse communities are embracing what it means to be Thrift Proud." It's been a big year for Savers, having only expanded to the New South Wales market 12 months ago. Now, these new stores represent the for-profit retailer's fourth and fifth Sydney locations, proving that shopping secondhand has become second nature for many. Of course, the sustainability benefits can't be overlooked either, with Savers' brand network diverting 9.1 million kilograms of reusable items from landfills each year. Now with two new locations to explore, reclaiming eye-catching vintage fashion and homewares is even more convenient. Savers Camperdown opens on Thursday, July 31, at 93-99 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, while Savers Marsden Park launches on Thursday, August 21, at 2 Ultimo Place, Marsden Park. Head to the website for more information.
Music and sport will collide again this summer as AO Live returns to John Cain Arena for its biggest edition yet. The only music series held at a Grand Slam, AO Live has grown into a major drawcard of the Australian Open calendar — and for 2026, it's getting even bigger. Running from Wednesday, January 28 to Sunday, February 1, the series will stretch across five nights of live performances, with a lineup that blends local favourites and global heavyweights. Headlining acts include The Kid LAROI, Spacey Jane, Peggy Gou, The Veronicas and Sofi Tukker, with additional artists still to be announced in the lead-up to summer. [caption id="attachment_1031979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sofi Tukker[/caption] The expansion follows record attendance at previous editions of AO Live, which transforms Melbourne Park into a festival-style precinct after the day's matches wrap up. Alongside the main stage at John Cain Arena, fans can expect live music and DJ sets scattered across the grounds — from laidback acoustic sessions in Garden Square to high-energy local talent spinning on Grand Slam Oval. According to organisers, every ticket "unlocks more than just epic music", offering access to both the AO's tennis action and the wider event atmosphere — including premium food, drinks and summer entertainment. It's an experience that continues to blur the line between sport and festival, delivering one of the city's biggest multi-night celebrations each January. Tickets start from $99 and go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 14. AO Live 2026 runs January 28–February 1 at John Cain Arena, Melbourne. You can view the full lineup and ticket details via AO Live. Images: Supplied
Big changes have come to The Newington on Stanmore Road, with the familiar local set reopening under a new moniker after extensive renovations. To be henceforth known as Public House Petersham, the venue has overhauled its traditional pub decor, transforming the space into a 'local cultural hub', inspired by the vibe of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The rebranding is the idea of hospitality group Solotel, who purchased the venue and also operates the likes of Opera Bar, Paddington Inn and Goros. The venue features two unique street art designs by Sydney artists Phibs and Numskull, new booth seating, a community herb garden made from repurposed pallets and a shipping container beer garden. Under newly appointed head chef, Martin Cerny, the menu and drinks list has also had a facelift with a focus on craft beers, fresh produce seasoned with plants from the herb garden, wine and share food (including gingerbread men-topped desserts), as well as pizzas cooked in a brand new wood-fire oven. The owners will also be encouraging local community groups and clubs to use the venue as a place to meet and host activities. Licensee Amanda Veratti said in a statement that the owners "are thrilled to be able to give the old Hotel a new lease of life, where people can meet and socialise over a fantastic range of beverages and food that is made to be shared". Images: Nikki To.
With Spit, one of the best Australian films of the past quarter-century gets a sequel — and so does one of the finest and funniest scenes in an Aussie movie. A crime comedy set on the Gold Coast, 2003's Gettin' Square earned well-deserved affection for its tale of a just-out-of-jail ex-con trying to rebuild his life but being pulled back to the wrong side of the law for a last big job. It also scored David Wenham (Fake) his second Australian Film Institute Award, and first for his big-screen work. Sam Worthington (Horizon: An American Saga) played the paroled Barry Wirth, but Wenham's turn as the mullet-topped, tight jeans-wearing, thongs-adorned Johnny Spitieri stole every sequence that he was in. One such specific moment: when Johnny, aka Spit, is forced to front court. Thanks also to director Jonathan Teplitzky (Churchill, The Railway Man) and Gold Coast lawyer-turned-novellist and screenwriter Chris Nyst (Crooked Business), movie comedy masterclasses are made of this. Wenham's filmography is immense across both the silver and small screens, and in Australian and international fare alike. Name an Aussie TV show of the 80s and 90s and he probably popped up in it, before he became known as Diver Dan in SeaChange. In 1998, the same year that that series started, he was haunting in Aussie cinema masterpiece The Boys. Then in 2000, he initially teamed up with Teplitzky for intimate rom-com Better Than Sex, before reuniting on Gettin' Square and now Spit two decades later. Around that collaboration, plus everything else mentioned above, Wenham has jumped between Moulin Rouge!, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, two Lord of the Rings films, Van Helsing, The Proposition, 300, Goldstone, Lion, a Pirates of the Caribbean flick, The Furnace and Elvis, and also Killing Time, The Code, Iron Fist, Top of the Lake, the TV versions of Wake in Fright and Romper Stomper, Les Norton and Pieces of Her — and more. There's one part that has long stood out among that lengthy list of on-screen credits, though, especially for audiences. "It's strange even now, that much time later, nearly every day of my life I have somebody approach me — and out of all the characters that I've played, that's the one that most of them want to talk about. And they quote lines from that film from 20-something years ago, which is extraordinary considering it didn't do very well at the box office originally," Wenham tells Concrete Playground. He's talking about Johnny Spitieri, as distinctive a figure as he'll ever play, and as distinctively Australian, but one that viewers keep seeing their loved ones in. "Oh my god, my uncle, my uncle, my whatever, he's Johnny Spitieri," folks tell him, Wenham advises. "Talk to people all around the country, 'oh yeah, I went to school with Johnny Spitieri'. He seems to exist in so many communities all around Australia. There's an ownership of Johnny Spitieri, which is great." Exploring more of Johnny's story — and bringing him back to the Gold Coast, too — wasn't originally the plan, or something that either Teplitzky or Wenham even dreamed might happen when they were making Gettin' Square. "Far from it, far from it. You so often do these things and as soon as they're finished, you put them out into the world and you move onto other things. And it probably took ten or 15 years before we even started thinking about it again, but the power of Spitieri was something that drew us all back in eventually," notes Teplitzky. "People found that film originally on VHS and then DVD. It developed this cult classic-type status," adds Wenham. "It's amazing. So the fact that that character still resonates was probably the little ember that fanned the flame in the beginning of the discussions for this film, which began probably about ten years ago." In Spit, two decades have passed for the movie's namesake as well, time that he's spent on the run overseas. Although Spit remains another comedy with the small-time ex-criminal at its heart, Wenham, Teplitzky and Nyst haven't just brought Johnny back home for a repeat of Gettin' Square's antics. This is as much a character piece, and it also thoughtfully surveys Australia today. When Spitieri's return Down Under draws attention, his first stop is an Immigration Detention Centre, where the film starts digging into the nation as a multicultural country and what being an Aussie means, complete with Johnny teaching his fellow detainees local terms. As fans of the first film will remember, Johnny had fled abroad for a reason, which is where plenty of other familiar characters also pop up. David Field (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Helen Thomson (Colin From Accounts), David Roberts (Territory) and Gary Sweet (A Savage Christmas) are all back, for instance, while Bob Franklin (Bay of Fires) steps in for the late Richard Carter (Mad Max: Fury Road), and Arlo Green (Bump) and Pallavi Sharda (The Office) also join the ensemble. Is there yet another potential future for Johnny, after trying to avoid retaliation for 20 years ago from crims and dirty cops alike, giving prosectors grief again, finding a new friend in Green's asylum-seeker Jihad and reforging family connections in Spit? Another big-screen outing, even if it takes 20 more years or so to make it happen? "There's no plans for it," Wenham says. But "never say never", he also notes. "Twenty-two years to the time, maybe Johnny might be in an aged-care facility somewhere. I think that'd be it. That'd be an interesting movie." Among other subjects, we also chatted with Wenham and Teplitzky about why Johnny strikes such a chord with audiences, not just trying to remake Gettin' Square, how Wenham gets into character as Spitieri, balancing humour with deep emotional resonance and making Gold Coast movies. On Whether Wenham and Teplitzky Predicted That Johnny Spitieri Would Be So Beloved by Audiences Jonathan: "When we were making it, you're so in the moment of that experience of making the film, but I always knew that it was a beautifully written character and full of laughs. But there's so many elements — we could be here for hours going through them all — elements within that, taking it off the page and turning it into comedy/drama, that created unexpected classic moments. And the strength of Chris' screenplay allowed David and I, it was like a perfect playground, to be able to just play and find different spontaneous things that very much came out of the situations that he created. But the success or the iconic status, for example, of the courtroom and what have you, I always knew that was an amazing scene — but there was probably more talk about 'is it too long? Is it too this? Is it too that?' at the time, when now, you go look at it and you go 'if it was twice as long, you'd be happy'. So I think that's something that develops. I don't think you can ever say you knew that it was going to be fantastic. It's something — because at that stage, the audience weren't involved, and that's what the relationship is, it's between a film and an audience, not between the filmmakers and the audience. We're just the people who hopefully provide something for them to have that incredible cinematic experience." David: "The audiences, it was interesting — after the very first screening [of Spit] on the Gold Coast, which is Johnny's spiritual home, to have audience members from the general public come up and chat, and I thought 'okay, this is interesting'. The level of conversation that they wanted to engage with about the character, about the film, and about surprising moments in the film and the surprising narrative alleys that it takes you down, was really, really intriguing. And it's happening, I don't know how many screenings we've done now, and it's been embraced in a similar way by each audience. Hilarious, much laughter, but much connection emotionally to the film as well, in a really fascinating way." Jonathan: "I think Johnny is a very universal-type character. And I think when you, as an audience, you get access to — yes, it's brilliant when you laugh out loud, but also there's something very rich about being able to connect with a character in a film, whereby you have access to their dramatic emotional life. And the combination of the two really endears in many ways, even more so than [Gettin' Square], because it's different, it's much more of a character piece, this film, than what Gettin' Square was." On Not Trying to Remake Gettin' Square with Spit — and the Importance of It Being a Character Piece as Much as a Comedy David: "We both, and Chris as well, had exactly the same thought. We were not interested in making, remaking or making Gettin' Square 2. There had to be a really unique, really solid reason for us to come together and do this again. And Chris found it, quite some time ago actually. Just the kernel of the idea came from — he was thinking about, he was just sort of cogitating on all the hoo-ha that was occurring, and it pops up every now and again, about migration in this country. And he thought 'this is a bit ridiculous, really', because we're all migrants. All of us are migrants. We're products of migrants and today's migrants are tomorrow's excellent, wonderful Australian citizens. And he just came up with an idea of 'I wonder what would happen if we throw Johnny Spitieri into this question?'. And that's the beginning of his exploration. From there, he just started to explore the history of Johnny as well, and why Johnny ended up the man he is and where he came from. So the first time I read the very first draft, I thought 'oh my god, this film is inspired'. Yes, it's got the same texture and flavour of Gettin' Square — there's nods to wonderful memories from that film — but it's definitely its own special entity. And people can come and see this film without knowing anything about Gettin' Square and be able to embrace it, laugh along with it and come out of the cinema bouncing with good vibes." Jonathan: "I think, also, Chris' script for Gettin' Square, it played out that story. There's nothing else to tell about that story. It was a done story, and so the only time sequels really work is when the story still has something to explore — and I think we did that with Gettin' Square, or certainly enough of it, that, as David says, we really wanted to find the next level. And for us as filmmakers and what have you, it's over 20 years and we didn't want to revisit the same thing — we wanted to challenge ourselves and explore something deeper and more interesting." On How Wenham Stepped Back into Johnny's Shoes After So Much Time — and If It's the Distinctive Wardrobe David: "It is, actually. It is one of those characters that — my approach to characters and films changes depending on, obviously, the type of film, the role, the character, all that sort of stuff, but for me, this one I work from the outside in. It's physical, how I find him. As soon as I read the script the very first time, 20, how many years ago, I could hear that character. I knew the way he spoke. Tonality, I knew where it should sit in face. The rhythm, I knew the character's rhythm. I could see him physically. And all this came about by, I lived near King's Cross for 30 years of my life. I knew Johnny Spitieri. I've met many, many, many of them. So the character originally, as soon as I got the right wardrobe, it came to me relatively effortlessly. I don't mean to say that it was easy because it's not, but it's a character I knew so so well. So in order for me to come back — and I've never played another character twice, any other character twice, and especially 20-something years. I haven't worn thongs in 20-something years. As soon as I step my feet into those thongs, instantly it took me back to Johnny Spitieri. It's as though that character lays within me at all times, it just needs something for me to tap and I'm back there. And then when we step into the courthouse after 20-something years, it was the most surreal moment for Jonathan, myself, Gary Phillips who shot it. And you can feel it. We all felt exactly the same thing. We looked around and went 'oh my god'. It felt as though time had been condensed, and it felt as though we only there last week. The oddest thing. And it was as though we were literally, we all had, we all knew each others', we had a shorthand for how all of us work together as a team, and it just comes back and it knitted together so seamlessly." Jonathan: "Things like the courtroom, because you then, you create a great scene out of it and the experience of it — even watching or listening to the dialogue in that courtroom scene today, it's still hilarious, and I'm still astounded at how clever the writing is at times. And it's a big, big part of our working lives, those sort of moments and those kind of scenes, because you invest so much in them. When they work, it's a little miracle." On Making a Film That's Both Very Funny and Has Deep Emotional Resonance Jonathan: "It's definitely one of the challenges. But at the same time, I really believe that that the deeper the emotional, dramatic life of the characters in whatever type of film it is, the flip side of that and in contrast to it, the comedic elements of it, if you can find that balance, it provides such a rich experience for an audience. And I think the more dramatic and the more emotional elements that we've got in the film, it also embraces universal themes. Everyone in the film is trying to start a new life in some form, looking for a second chance. And that's a very day to day — everybody's involved in that sort of thing. People, I think, can really identify." David: "In terms of the balance between comedy and drama, it's real life, it's what happens. We all have had moments that change so dramatically. I can remember when my mother was dying and she was literally on her deathbed, and around the bed were seven children — me being the youngest. And the moment was very tender and delicate, because she was literally just about to take her last breath. We're all there and there was just a sense of calm and stillness, and then literally a nurse pulled open the curtain and said 'dinner: the chicken or the vegetable?'. Seriously. You couldn't write that." Jonathan: "That's just genius." David: "It's like 'oh my god, oh my god'. I thought 'I will always remember that moment'." Jonathan: "I completely agree. It's so key to life. And often, you talk about it in often-cliche ways and I don't even totally understand it, really, but the idea that you search for some kind of truth regardless of how comedic or how dramatic a film might be in the characters, the more that you have the essence of that, the more I think an audience can easily identify and find a place for themselves within the experience of watching it. I think our job is to bring the elements, yes, to balance some of them and to try things — and that's what the editing is about. It's not just about putting the story together. That's one element of it. The other is to really find the nuance. And in a sense, it's like when someone talks about reading a novel. It's about what's not written. And the richer films are the ones that give you something that is not just at face value." David: "It has been very rewarding to actually sit in the cinema and watch that instant transition between comedy and pathos that occurs within the audience, and then talking to people afterwards and they're saying 'it was unexpected, it was a surprise' — and the fact that the kleenexes did come out. People, it was a very, unexpected added bonus for them, that made the film all the more richer than they'd even anticipated." Jonathan: "And going to the cinema is about surprises. Film is about surprises. It's about revelation. That's what you're trying to do. If the audience is ahead of you and knows what's happening — you hear it all the time, 'I knew', 'I could see the end coming a mile off' and all those sort of comments. When you sit in a cinema and have things revealed to you as you go along — so with a film like this, the expectation is and the hope is that they're going to have a good laugh, which, our belief is that you will. But then if we can also provide unexpected pleasures along the way, both emotional and dramatic, it only makes the experience better." On Reuniting with So Much of Gettin' Square's Cast and Crew for Spit David: "In terms of getting them back together, it was probably one of the easiest things we've both ever done in our lives. As soon as the possibility of this film became a reality, and the fact that the characters, Helen Thomson's character, David Field, Gary Sweet, their characters were there, it was an instant yes. It's like 'whenever it is, yes, I'm there'. And there was bugger all money for wages, but it doesn't matter. Same thing happened with the crew, actually. We've got Gary Phillips, who shot the film. We've got the same production designer, Nicholas McCallum. My makeup artist and hair artist Tess Natoli. A whole heap of key crew members. Tess is a really interesting one. This film got pushed back time and time again, and she kept getting offers to do really, really big Hollywood films, and she would turn them down in order just to work on this film. And a lot of the crew members who we shot with on the Gold Coast, they did the same thing. They wanted to work on it because they read the script and they thought this is a little treasure that we've got here. And they want to tell an Australian story that they believe that they'd have a great time working on. But it's a film that they know, they thought that they would be proud of and wanted to be part of it. So people were jumping over themselves to come onboard for the film, and that's so pleasing." Jonathan: "It was really pleasing, that. And a lot of them are bringing really positive baggage from having worked on Gettin' Square — that was an experience. And they bask in where Gettin' Square has gone. To have worked on Gettin' Square is something that they've taken ownership of and it is really important to them, because so often you don't get to make a film about your life experience, which, if you live here or just being any Australian, it's very particular. And so they love it. They love it." On Gettin Square and Spit Being Gold Coast Films, But Also Quintessentially Australian Films David: "The Goldie is a really unique place. I have got such a warm affection for the Gold Coast. And the fact that, look, Chris Nyst, he knows the place so well. He is an identity. He's like the king of the Gold Coast, really. No one doesn't have a relationship with Chris Nyst on the Gold Coast. He's probably represented half the people there. He knows the Gold Coast better than anybody else, and the characters that he writes — and he writes them so beautifully as well, he's got such a wonderful ear for character and dialogue — and it's a very particular thing. And he knows, Jonathan could talk to this as well, geographically, it's very, very distinctive, the Gold Coast — and he writes the characters up against that landscape in a really, really fascinating way. And that obviously gives Jonathan a wonderful springboard to leap off, to be able to think about how he's going to actually shoot the film in such a wonderful way that he does." Jonathan: "And also what's interesting about your question, in a way — because this film is set on the Gold Coast, has something to say about the Gold Coast, Gettin' Square is very identifiable as the Gold Coast, but at the same time, we have one tiny little scene on the beach in this. In many ways, it's an Australian community rather than the Gold Coast, but it carries the DNA of the Gold Coast and it carries within the characters, in their behaviour and what have you. And so it's great that you feel that and it's a good question, because it's great that if we can be — it's not just about the physicality of the Gold Coast, it's about the environment, what it is to live in the sunlight all the time, all those elements that are not necessarily obvious. The Gold Coast is very identified physically, but there's a whole lot of stuff underneath the surface that it's great to imbue characters with." On How Wenham and Teplitzky's Working Relationship Has Evolved Not Just Between Gettin' Square and Spit, But 25 Years After First Collaborating on Better Than Sex Jonathan: "Well, we did that first film together. It was my first film. I just loved the experience of it, and I found working with David really just collaborative but also really creative. And I feel we created a bond, we had a good communication, and then when we did, quite soon afterwards, Gettin' Square together, it cemented it. Because you trust the person, you don't feel like you have to control the person — you want to be able to have a general conversation. We don't always agree, but it's always a really rich conversation and that's what you want it to be. You want to challenge each other for the betterment of the film, the betterment of the character, because always exploring it, you're always trying to find something, another hidden dark little area of the character, another light moment. So much comes out of that almost-loose relationship." David: "It's a great working relationship. I love it. Working on this, the shooting period was one of the most-fertile creative periods of my working life. Jonathan creates an amazing atmosphere on set and it's an ease of communication. We understand each other. We're open and honest, and it's like we can just be allowed to deliver our best work. It's wonderful. It's a relationship with great respect." Jonathan: "Completely. And when you're dealing with a character like John Spitieri, we have these conversations about 'I wonder what Johnny would do, what Johnny would think in this situation, what he would do in this situation?' — and try, in a sense, to push each other and challenge each other, and laterally think about it, because that's where some certain gold is found. I remember on Gettin' Square, when I'd seen David doing that thing with the chair and started talking about it. We were just waiting for the lighting to happen or whatever. And that's where that evolved from, and it ended up this brilliant sequence. Part of the mythology of that film are those little moments that come out of just purely the relationship and exploring the character." Spit opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Discreetly tucked away behind three heritage-listed buildings down a covered laneway just off Kent Street sits a secluded courtyard oasis decorated with artworks, murals and strings of bistro lights, where one of the city's longest-operating small bars calls home. Let's get the obvious out of the way: yes, the bar is named after the song by The Avalanches. "I liked the opening lyrics," says owner Nick White. "Watch the steps, get a drink, have a good time..." They're words that certainly fit the easygoing energy of this welcoming watering hole. Located in the heart of the Purple Flag-accredited YCK Laneways precinct, Since I Left You — SILY for short — is one of a clutch of secret bars, speakeasies and cocktail lounges in this corner of Sydney, offering the after-work crowd an alternative to the often packed and soulless CBD pubs. Since opening in 2011, SILY has settled into a comfortable zone between offering a relaxed neighbourhood bar atmosphere — with a largely Australian-sourced wine, beer and cider list — alongside a more elevated cocktail menu featuring a streamlined yet creative collection of signature drinks. From the simple (such as SILY's take on hard lemonade) to the sublime (don't miss the Shirazzle Dazzle, a tart yet refreshing mingle of Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz gin, italicus bergamotto, lemon, apple and prosecco), there's something to suit every palate. SILY takes a similarly crowd-pleasing tack with its dining options. Gourmet toasties have been a faithful fixture on the menu for more than a decade. There are now seven variations to choose from, although The OG — SILY's original toastie packed with smoked ham, cheddar and caramelised onions — remains the reigning favourite. There are also classic bar snacks like corn chips with guac, house-marinated olives, and baked camembert served with garlic crackers all vying to be your beverage's tasty sidekick.
The team behind North Sydney's The Greens and Camperdown's Acre are at it again. This time, they've expanded operations on the lower north shore with the opening of The Fernery: a rooftop eatery and bar in Mosman. As you might expect, the venue is far from any old rooftop. Located above Mosman Club, it offers extraordinary views of, well, everything: the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the heads and the city skyline. And you'll be gazing at them all while immersed in greenery. Interior designers Pony Design Co have transformed the main space into a greenhouse-inspired oasis. If you're up for a more intimate chinwag, head into the sleek gin room overlooking North Head. Also on the rooftop will be a kitchen garden, cultivated by Adrian Baiada, the man responsible for Acre's urban farm. That means head chefs Gavin Gray and Mitchell Davis have plenty of opportunities for experimenting with new plants and drawing on seasonal ingredients. They'll be doing much of their cooking over a high-temperature Josper grill. In addition to the gin room, where the focus is on Australian distillers, there's a bar devoted to rosé. And yes, it's very much pink. A handpicked selection of wines, served straight from the barrel, is on the drinks list, as is a collection of signature cocktails flavoured with just-picked herbs. The Fernery opens on December 1 above Mosman Club, 719 Military Road, Mosman. For more info, visit thefernerymosman.com.au.
It's that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — all thanks to Westpac OpenAir. There are plenty of outdoor cinema options in Sydney come summertime, but none can hold a candle to the scenery and luxe experience of Westpac OpenAir. Plus, it's a hell of a lot more than just a cinema. Forget popcorn and choc-tops; Westpac OpenAir boasts four equally luxe culinary options for all attendees. Options include The Point with Luke Nguyen, which brings fresh and vibrant Vietnamese flavours to anyone with a general admission ticket. Summer House Dining by acclaimed Sydney chef Danielle Alvarez takes things up a notch with fine Mediterranean feeds for premium ticket holders — and Chandon Garden guests will have exclusive access to a seafood menu and a dedicated oyster bar. No matter the seating and menu, you'll be able to enjoy your feed with live music from top Sydney DJs and one of the best views in Sydney. Then, as dusk settles, the hydraulics whir into action and raise the famous OpenAir screen three stories high for the movie of the evening. But what's on the program? As always, there are choices from every genre. Fancy a full-on big theatre blockbuster? You can grab tickets for F1, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Wicked: For Good, One Battle After Another and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Some of this year's hit indie additions include Marty Supreme, How to Make a Killing, Hamnet, Song Sung Blue, Is This Thing On?, Bugonia and Wuthering Heights. There's also a promise of nostalgic favourites like Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia, The Devil Wears Prada, How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days and Ten Things I Hate About You. For all that and more, check out the full program here. Westpac OpenAir runs from Friday, January 9 to Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Tickets go on sale from Monday, December 8. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website.
Potts Points proudly welcomes Parisian-inspired Le Frérot. The all-day diner serves crisp croissants from first thing in the morning and slings midday salads and sandwiches before transforming into an elegant yet easy-going bistro come evening. Standing alongside its older sibling, Franca Brasserie, which you might save for a special occasion, Le Frérot is designed to be a casual and inviting space to be enjoyed seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Le Frérot is the latest venture from Rivage Hospitality, which follows the success of their upscale, elegant French brasserie Franca, serving reimagined French classics such as a chicken liver parfait eclair with hazelnut praline and a pumpkin tarte tatin with blue cheese. Andrew Becher, Managing Director of the group, says, "We're absolutely delighted to be opening Le Frérot in the heart of Potts Point. This new cafe, bar and bistro will bring a fresh French concept to the neighbourhood, right alongside our beloved Franca…Le Frérot gives our guests an all-day dining experience while adding an exciting new layer to what we offer across Franca and Armorica. It's a natural little brother to Franca, with familiar nods to what has made it so successful, but with its own unique character and energy." Taking the lead in the kitchen is José Saulog, Group Executive Chef, who brings classic technique and a creative vision to create a menu that is both luxe and accessible. Mornings are made easier with fresh boulangerie baked goods, woodfired tartines, as well as more lavish dishes such as steak and eggs, Moreton Bay bug benedict and spanner crab omelettes. Classy lunch options include a smoked duck salad or a classic tuna nicoise, as well as speedy sandwiches. Bottomless fries are the star of the show come evening. Served alongside mussels in white wine and kombu butter, pork cutlets, roast duck breast and Black Angus hanger steak, they'll keep coming, as long as you keep eating. Images: Supplied.
The North Shore's after-dark credentials have been further bolstered with the arrival of Loom Lounge, a sleek listening lounge that's landed in Crows Nest. Brought to life by the teams behind Li'l Darlin (with which it shares its home) and Sydney party-starters Sultry & Sample, Loom Lounge promises an atmospheric blend of curated music, a snappy, snacky menu and a whole lot of mood lighting designed to shape the experience from start to finish. The venue's programming is overseen by Sultry & Sample and features a lineup of DJs, selectors and live musicians there to set the atmosphere, rather than dominate it. The music unfolds as the night does, becoming a carefully woven part of the experience that encourages conversation and connection over chaos. Drinks lean into familiar flavours with a twist here and there — think Aperol margaritas, pinot noir negronis and a cola-infused riff on an espresso martini. Half of the twelve-strong wine list is available by the glass, with drops sourced from three continents. You can pair your pour with a selection from a tight food menu that's built for sharing and slow grazing, with options ranging from guac and chips or truffle fries to duck pancakes, chicken tacos and pizettas in flavours like margherita, chorizo and truffle and cheese. Almost all dishes sit between $9–$19, making it an easy go-to for a late-night snack and sip or a casual date night. The space, designed by Obi Kyei, favours texture over flash, featuring velvet seating, sculptural lighting and a patchworked textile installation made from salvaged fabric offcuts. It's soft, low-lit and deliberately layered, designed to weave music, people and mood into a night that unfolds at its own pace. Images: Supplied.
It's easy to overlook Sydney's upper North Shore as a dining destination but Bar Infinita is looking to change that. The hot Italian spot opened in Gordon in March 2024, setting up on St Johns Avenue just off the Pacific Highway. Bar Infinita offers Italian fare that combines traditional methods with modern creativity, all championed by head chef Francesco Iervolino (formerly of Firedoor and Ormeggio). There may be a pizza oven here, but there's not a slice to be found on the menu. Instead, the oven is put to use cooking steaks over wood embers and there's more than enough handmade pasta and antipasti treats to make up for the lack of doughy delights. Ease into things with truffle mortadella or a crunchy-yet-tender wagyu croquette with black garlic aioli. The Fremantle octopus with purple potato foam and octopus chips is the smoky hit you need to warm up for mains. There are a few homemade pasta dishes to choose from—our pick is the squid ink tagliolini with blue swimmer crab, tomato and lemon myrtle. For something more substantial, there are weekly catches, duck breast or two woodfired steaks served with sweet potato and burnt butter puree, kimchi brussel sprouts and lavender jus. If you've made it this far without collapsing into a food coma, it's time for dessert. Nonna's pistachio tiramisu is nothing short of spectacular — creamy, just the right amount of sweet, and scooped out of the tray right in front of you for an added touch of theatre. If you have an eye for decor, you won't be disappointed. Giant Design Consultants (Rengaya, North Sydney & Oborozuki, Circular Quay) is behind the design intended to transport diners to laidback aperitivo hours in Italy. There are deep burgundy and cream tiles complemented by wooden accents and brass touches, while family pictures on the walls add to the approachable and homely character. Top tip: during winter, outdoor diners will be given an extremely fluffy blanket to keep warm. Images: Chad Konik
Hospitality hubs are all the rage in Sydney right now — throw a stone in any direction and you're likely to hit one of these drinking and dining one-stop-shops. However, while they may be plentiful, few of this new wave of mega venues can hold a candle to the polish and vision of The Bristol — the five-level nightlife hotspot that has taken over what was formerly The Bristol Arms Hotel on Sussex Street. The Oscars Group has sparred no expense renovating the interiors of the 126-year-old building, creating six distinct spaces. These include a Greek restaurant helmed by celebrated chef Peter Conistis (ex-Alpha), a pub-esque casual bar, a state-of-the-art sports bar, a nightclub (complete with 200 disco balls), an opulent cocktail lounge and The Rooftop, a Mediterranean-coded bar with three outdoor terraces, marble-clad DJ podium and a street eats-style bar menu also created by Conistis. Whether you're wistfully reminiscing about this year's jaunt to the northern hemisphere or you've been enviously scrolling through your globe-trotting friends' Insta-feeds, a trip to The Rooftop delivers the Euro-summer vibes you've been craving. The pretty pastel decor, featuring a sunny pallete of creams, corals, blushing pinks and accents of chartreuse, wouldn't look out of place on the Amalfi Coast or perched on the shores of Saint Tropez. While the interiors set the tone, it's the three outdoor terraces that steal the show. Flanking the main bar is a slender balcony offering leafy views towards Darling Harbour and a smaller al fresco area for smokers. Leading off The Rooftop's rear is a more expansive terrace, decked out with built-in seating, wicker sculptures and a striped awning offering ample shade for those blistering Sydney summer days. While the view is urban, the vibe leans beach, with macrame umbrellas and lush planters further selling a seaside aesthetic. Behind the bar there are more than 20 wines available by the glass as well as a small but considered menu of refreshing signature and classic cocktails that make for the ideal afterwork sundowners or hot-weather thirst-quenchers. For those who favour a sip that isn't too serious, the perky and playful Cherry Bomb is a fruity riff on a martini starring gin and cherry liqueur, topped with a vegan-friendly aquafaba sour cherry foam. Alternatively, you can turn up the heat with a Tommy's Tropicana, a margarita variant mingling jalapeño-infused tequila, guava, pineapple and lime. A mix of easy-to-like skewers and souvlaki-style wraps make up a bar menu that supplies tasty sidekick snacks for the pekish and heartier informal feeds for those with a bigger appetite. The excellent service team nimbly navigate the bar with both cocktail-laden trays and food orders, ensuring that even when there's a packed house, guests can enjoy the convenience of having their order brought directly to them. Images: Steven Woodburn
Want to hit up all the best wine bars in Sydney? Prepare to take your sweet time. Our wine-loving city is packed with fab spots to down a cheeky bottle of vino. A select few celebrate nothing but local tipples. Others focus on particular regions of Europe. And some have encyclopaedic volumes of wine that require a sommelier to decipher. Food is also big at these Sydney wine bars. Cheese and charcuterie boards abound, and a select few have kitchens that give the city's top restaurants a run for their money. So, whether you're after a cheeky pét-nat served with stuffed zucchini flowers or prefer tempranillo and tostadas, Sydney's best wine bars have you covered. Recommended reads: The Best Bars in Sydney The Best Pubs in Sydney The Best Boutique Bottle Shops in Sydney The Best Underground Bars in Sydney
One of the most famous artworks in the world is coming to your home, ready for you to peer at whenever you want. Even better: you don't need a hefty bank balance or to be a Glass Onion-style tech mogul to afford it. You will have to build the iconic piece yourself, however, and it will be fashioned out of plastic bricks — all thanks to the latest addition to Lego's art range. That masterwork: The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, aka the woodblock print that dates back to 1831, is part of the artist's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series and is instantly recognisable. Depicting a stormy sea with Mount Fuji in the background, the piece might just be the best-known Japanese artwork ever, with original versions on display everywhere from the Tokyo National Museum to the British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Great Wave is certainly one of the most reproduced in history, but making the leap to Lego is a first. How many bricks does it take to turn such a beloved nearly 200-year-old print into a Lego creation? That'd be 1810, including tiny circle blocks for intricate detail. Indeed, this layered 3D set doesn't just recreate just the design of Hokusai's original, or the overall image, but its lines and depth as well. The Lego Art Hokusai: The Great Wave kit has started hitting stores worldwide, and will be available Down Under from Wednesday, February 1. Genuinely big enough to hang on your wall, The Great Wave set is unsurprisingly aimed at adults — a group that Lego has been courting for years, including with succulents, orchids, bouquets and bonsai fashioned out of bricks, because the toy brand knows that you don't ever really grow out of its interconnecting blocks. Lego's latest artistic reimagining follows in the footsteps of the company's The Starry Night set in 2021, which gave Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece the same treatment. Also included in The Great Wave kit, which'll cost AU$169.99 / NZ $179.99 when it goes on sale: a decorative tile with Hokusai's signature. Plus, Lego has created a soundtrack to go with it, so you can listen along as you build, as part of its ongoing focus on adults using its bricks to relax. For more information about Lego's new 'The Great Wave' kit, which goes on sale on Down Under on Wednesday, February 1, head to the company's website.
And just like that, Christmas gifting season is upon us. If your life is blessed with book lovers, you may want to focus your gifting attention on Sydney's best kept bookish secret. Kinokuniya is an inner city treasure trove with a packed Christmas catalog waiting to be explored. Their Sydney store is filled with what feels like an endless supply of books. That's why we've teamed up to curate a page-turning selection of the best books to gift this Christmas. Young or old, reader or not, this guide is guaranteed to delight the special people in your life. For The Foodies: Modern Australian Baking [caption id="attachment_1041478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] If a foodie is on your Christmas list, they're most likely familiar with Christopher Thé. He's the mastermind behind the revered Black Star Pastry. And, most importantly, he's the brains that brought us the Strawberry Watermelon Cake. Thé has also won Kinokuniya's Cookbook of the Year 2025, which means you can pick it up with 20% off, plus you can even find signed copies in store. The book is filled with more than 80 sweet and savoury recipes that have been arranged by season. The ingredients focus on what's native to Australia. Modern Australian Baking is available online and in store for $48.00 (normally $60.00) with the Kinokuniya special discount. For The Cat People: Seishin Self-Watering Cultivation Kits [caption id="attachment_1045241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Browse the rows upon rows of books at Kinokuniya and you'll come across some fun trinkets—like, the Seishin Self-Watering Cultivation Kits. Not only are they shaped like tiny, adorable cats, but they are self-watering planters. The adorable kits are perfect for herbs in the kitchen or adding flecks of green to desks and windowsills. The kits even include seeds. Seishin Corocoro Cat Planter in store for $19.95 For Good Reads Challenge Participants: Chosen Family [caption id="attachment_1041476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Book worms in your circle will be delighted to be gifted one of this Summer's most anticipated releases. Madeline Gray's breakout debut, Green Dot, has earned her a legion of fans. Now, her latest release, Chosen Family is similarly breaking the internet with lovers of literary fiction. The book follows Nell and Eve, both brilliant, odd and friendless. We watch them grow into themselves and slowly love and destroy each other from school, to careers and motherhood. Expect humour, heartbreak, romance, and one of this year's best queer stories. If you're buying for a Green Dot super fan, you'll be pleased to know signed copies are also available. Chosen Family is available online and in store for $34.99 For Non-Fiction Readers: Ankami [caption id="attachment_1041473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Author Debra Dank had always wanted to learn more about her family. For a start, she knows her father had five siblings. Dank had lived life with an understanding that her family was one of the few who survived the Stolen Generation without having any children stolen. That is, until she uncovers her paternal grandmother gave birth to ten children, not five. What follows is a story unlike anything you've read before. It's blisteringly honest and unforgettable. The book is written from the perspective of those left behind. Ankami is available online and in store for $32.99 For Kids Who Hate Veggies: Dear Broccoli [caption id="attachment_1041472" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] If you're responsible for bedtime stories, or know someone who is, Dear Broccoli is an essential in your roster. This hilarious illustrated story is perfect for kids who don't like their greens. The story follows Frank who makes a polite request each night for broccoli to stop showing up in his dinner. But, night after night, there it is on his plate. The story is a laugh-filled read for little ones and may even make them like broccoli. Make the gift a little special with a signed copy. Dear Broccoli is available online and in store for $24.99 For Graphic Novel Fans: Cry Wolf Girl [caption id="attachment_1041477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Fans of graphic novels and manga will love Cry Wolf Girl. The Aussie-authored story follows Dawa. Dawa has lost her family to sickness and is now left alone and empty—that is, until she discovers that trickery keeps her rather fulfilled. The story is an artistic, colourful and cheeky retelling of The Boy Who Cried Wolf from the pen of Melbourne artist, Ariel Slamet Ries. Kinokuniya will be one of the few—if not the only—bookstores with local stock. Cry Wolf Girl is available online and in store for $38.77 For the Pop Culture Fluent: The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? For the friend in your life whose reference repertoire is unmatched, grab them a copy of The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? The book comes with praise from Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Hunt For The Wilderpeople), "Kayleyne Whiskey is an artistic Swiss Army knife," and Dolly Parton, "I was very excited that Kaylene honoured me through her art." In the book you'll find a collection of Whiskey's art, where she puts brightly coloured pop stars—painted with Indigenous style dots and hilarious speech bubbles—into her remote, Central Australian community. Alongside Dolly you'll find Tina Turner, Cat Woman, Cher and Wonder Woman telling the Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurpa (Seven Sisters) story. The Art of Kaylene Whiskey is available online and in store for $90.00. For more gifts you can find at Kinokuniya, look no further than their 2025 gift guide.
The response to COVID-19 in Australia doesn't just change by the day, but by the hour and even minute, as the country endeavours to stave off the spread of the coronavirus throughout the community. Indeed, already today, Wednesday, March 18, the Australian Government has banned non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and effectively scrapped all international travel from our shores. Now, we're now seeing our first national cinema closures as well. Palace Cinemas has just announced that it is shutting down all of its Australian venues from Thursday, March 19. Like many other closures across the arts and entertainment industry at present, this is a temporary but currently indefinite shuttering — with a re-opening date to be determined as the situation progresses. In a statement emailed to customers and available on the chain's website, Palace said that it made the decision after it "reviewed advice from the Australian Government regarding non-essential services and public gathering mandates, as well as examined safety concerns for our patrons and staff". Venues affected include Palace Norton Street, Verona, Central and The Chauvel Cinema in Sydney, as well as Palace Byron Bay; Palace Cinema Como, Balwyn, Brighton Bay, Westgarth, Palace Dendy Brighton, The Kino and The Astor Theatre in Melbourne; Palace Barracks and James St in Brisbane; Palace Electric in Canberra; and Palace Raine Square and Cinema Paradiso in Perth. As a result, all Palace screening events and Palace-organised film festivals are also obviously currently on hold — including the cancellation of the remainder of this year's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, which Palace doesn't run but many of its venues host. Palace ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds if they booked online, and are asked to contact their relevant cinema if they booked in-person. It's highly likely that more Aussie cinema chains will also close, especially with such a large number of films postponing their upcoming releases. No Time to Die, A Quiet Place Part II, Fast and Furious 9, Mulan, The New Mutants, Black Widow, Spiral: From the Book of Saw, The Woman in the Window, Antebellum, Peter Rabbit 2, Trolls World Tour and The Secret Garden were all due to hit screens between mid-March and late May, but have now delayed their plans. The news of Palace's temporary closures came on a big day for the Australian film industry, with the Sydney Film Festival cancelling its entire 2020 festival, which was scheduled to run from June 3–14. It's the first time in the fest's 67-year history — so since it started in 1954 — that the huge annual celebration of cinema has been scrapped. The festival will return in 2021. Palace Cinemas across Australia will close from Thursday, March 19. For further details, visit the chain's website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Backed by sand dunes and bushland that conceal the streets and buildings beyond, One Mile Beach feels more remote than it actually is. Just ten kilometres from the Port Stephens town centre, One Mile is a popular destination in the warmer months for beachgoers, particularly those staying at nearby holiday parks. But even when the weather is less than favourable for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, the beach is worth a look in for an easy stroll along the sand. Start at the southern end and walk towards Samurai Point — and be sure to keep an eye out for sea life as you walk. Beyond the point is Samurai Beach, a clothing-optional spot, which also has free campground accessible via 4WD. Image: Destination NSW
The meat's in the oven, the pavlova's ready to decorate and the Christmas carols are cranked. All that's left to do is take a load off with a drink of choice. This year, that might be Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin, with the much-loved distillery bringing back this limited-edition release for another festive season. Conceived as holiday spirit distilled in a bottle, this tipple combines all flavours and notes you'd normally taste in a classic Christmas pudding. That means warm spices and dried fruit like nutmeg, sultanas and citrus peel alongside pine-like juniper, cassia and star anise. The result? Gin that has that familiar botanical scent, but tastes like Christmas. Now on its tenth annual release, the inspiration for Four Pillars' Christmas Gin involves more than just the mere arrival of the holiday season. Instead, Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie wanted to replicate his late mother Wilma's Derby Day tradition. With the family listening to the races, she'd whip up a Christmas pudding, with its warming scent taking over the entire house. To make each release even more special, Four Pillars teams up with a different artist every year, asking them to produce a brand-new label that reflects what an Aussie Christmas means to them. For this merry season, 2021 label artist and 2023 Archibald Packing Room prize winner, Andrea Huelin, has composed a piece incorporating elements from every past release. "Who would've thought ten years ago that Australian Christmas Gin would still be the gift that keeps on giving? This recipe is one we'll be passing down for generations to come, and all thanks to Wilma and Cam," says Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse. Alongside complementary stocking stuffers like jars of gin and orange relish and Christmas gin puddings, Four Pillars has also revealed four jolly cocktails in collaboration with award-winning bartender Nick Tesar. From Gin & Ginger to Strawberry Smash, these easy-to-make concoctions will make listening to your odd uncle's ravings a little more bearable. Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin is now available online and from select bottle shops. Head to the website for more information.
A mega-venue has opened in the heart of Sydney's Circular Quay, adding four unique venues to the harbourside CBD suburb. The new Hinchcliff House has overtaken the heritage Hinchcliff Wool Store, a huge sandstone structure dating back to the 1860's that has been restored and revived as part of the ever-evolving Quay Quarter. Two of the Hinchcliff House's four venues are now open to the public, with the other two set to follow suit in May. Grana, located on the ground floor of the former wool store, is an all-day Italian restaurant and bakery, while Apollonia is a low-light cocktail bar in the venue's lower ground. Head to Grana early for a taste of its breakfast treats. Think blue swimmer crab omelette ($23) or a classic bacon and egg roll on schiacciata with chilli mayo and a hash brown ($18), alongside a selection of breakfast cocktails. All of Grana's bread is made at its onsite mill, providing fresh morning pastries, or ideal starters come dinner. Once breakfast is finished, turn your attention to Grana's standard menu. On the bread and dairy section, sourdough is served alongside a rich macadamia butter ($4 per person) and cheese is wrapped in thin and flaky house-made focaccia ($16). While it would be easy to fill up on bread, make sure you leave room for the cauliflower cotoletta ($24) or market fish tartar with trout roe ($26). Of course, a healthy selection of pasta is available including ricotta and pumpkin occhi, swimming in a lemon balm and served with pickled pumpkin ($25), or a seaweed gigli paired with Moreton Bay bug ($34). All four of the venues at Hinchcliff House are the creation of prolific New Zealand restauranteur Scott Brown (Amano) alongside the team at House Made Hospitality. Brown has been running restaurants across the Tasman for over a decade, founding Auckland's Hipgroup in 2004, responsible for venues like seasonal Spanish restaurant Alma. Images: Jiwon Kim
Spend less time in the air and more on the snow: that's the thinking behind the new route that Qantas is launching at the end of 2025. When winter arrives in Japan, travellers flock in to hit their skis and snowboards, with the island of Hokkaido a popular destination. To get visitors there faster, the airline will start flying direct from Australia to Sapporo. From Monday, December 15, 2025, Qantas flights will run non-stop from Sydney to Sapporo, providing the only direct service between the two cities. Of course, this means that Aussies elsewhere at home will need to get to the Harbour City first, but the leg from Sydney will shorten travel time. Qantas advises that the route, which will fly seasonally — its first season will last until Saturday, March 28, 2026 — will cut several hours off the usual duration to get to Japan's northernmost island. Travelling there, you'll leave Sydney in the morning and arrive at Sapporo's New Chitose Airport by early evening. Coming home, you can enjoy the snow in the morning, then depart at night. When it kicks off just in time for the peak of the 2025–26 snow season, the new journey will fly three times a week on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. In total, over 20,000 seats will be on offer across the three-and-a-half months. This is all great news if you're keen for a getaway at the Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro ski resorts; to hit the hot springs in Noboribetsu and Jozankei; and to attend the Sapporo Snow Festival. When the Sydney–Sapporo leg takes to the skies, Qantas will boast four direct-to-Japan routes, alongside its Tokyo services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — from Sydney–Haneda and Melbourne and Brisbane to Narita. And no, it's not too early to start planning your end-of-year — or beginning of 2026 — getaway. Qantas' Sydney–Sapporo route will launch on Monday, December 15, 2025 and run seasonally, with the first season flying until Saturday, March 28, 2026. Head to the Qantas website for more details.
Salt Meats Cheese has expanded again. This time, it's headed down south — to the Sutherland Shire. The restaurant chain's fifth New South Wales establishment is a 87-seater located within the art deco and heritage-listed Commonwealth Bank building on Ocean Grove. It boasts big open windows, exposed brick walls and its signature woodfired pizza oven. The pizzas are, of course, the hero here, and include house favourites like the Amatriciana — topped with smoked scamorza, amatriciana sauce, pancetta and pecorino — and the Tartufo, made with fior di latte, mushrooms, gorgonzola and truffle oil. There are gluten-free bases and dairy-free gorgonzola up for grabs, too. With pizza must come pasta, and a standout is the tagliolini with blue swimmer crab, zucchini and chilli. Other Italian staples on offer include antipasti and cocktails. The latter includes a menu of signature spritzes, like the Yarra Valley (Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz gin, prosecco and soda) and the Riviera Spritz (ruby red grapefruit aperitif, prosecco and soda). Cocktails better suited to later in the meal are the amaretto sour and tiramisu martini — which is made with Frangelico and Sydney's own Mr Black coffee liqueur. Salt Meats Cheese's NSW expansion doesn't stop in the Shire, either — a sixth instalment is coming to a rooftop bar in Circular Quay soon, along with a seventh location in Dee Why. Keep an eye on this space for updates. Images: Jiwon Kim.
While everyone's been wining and dining in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Newtown, Crows Nest has been sitting on one of Sydney's best-kept foodie secrets. Hailing itself as "the best dining experience north of the bridge" (big call), Annata brings inventive Italian dishes from an exciting young chef and an unbridled love of wine to its humble neighbourhood surrounds. Unlike many of the other long, narrow spaces on Willoughby Road, this one doesn't sell hand soaps or cardigans. Instead, you'll find a hatted brick-walled wine cave serving seasonal produce-driven food with a perfectly paired drop patiently waiting. Owner John Bligh brought his passion for hospitality to the restaurant when he took over operations during the pandemic, pushing the menu to more intriguing places with the help of the new Head Chef Jordan Garcia. Garcia's menu changes every six weeks, ensuring it's built around fresh seasonal produce, delivered daily. Italian sensibilities run through the dishes, but the Anatta team isn't afraid to stray from the classics. While each time you visit, you'll be presented with a fresh selection of eats, you'll be treated with a mix of the expected — like marinated olives, Bass Strait beef tartare or ricotta and chilli fregola — and the unique — like toast soldiers with smoked eel, coffee-cured ocean trout or Japanese cheesecake. The simplest way to approach the menu is to opt for the five-course sampler which guides you through that six-week period top picks for $95, or $185 with wine pairings. If you can afford it, the wine pairings are a must — this is a haven for one of the most impressive collections of bottles on this side of the bridge. Whether you decide to indulge in the pairing experience or just after a solitary glass, Restaurant Manager and Sommelier Cisco Ramirez and the Annata staff can guide you through the possibly intimidating 250+ wine list personally curated by Ramirez. Bligh's ownership has also brought with it a push for Annata to be a neighbourhood mingling spot, introducing events like the Wine Lover's Club tasting afternoons, regular wine-driven degustations highlight drops from specific regions, and Chef's Tuesday Tasting, at which you can be the first to sample the latest dishes Ramirez has been whipping up. Adding further to the community feel is the ongoing art auction running on the walls of Annata. Bligh and the team invite local artists to exhibit their works in the restaurant with price tags, so if you see a piece you like as you're enjoying your duck breast, you can take it home with you.
Set just a stone's throw from Sydney's CBD, Centennial Homestead recently became the proud host of two new dining destinations – The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop and Bar. Immersed in the lush surrounds of the Centennial Parklands, plans for these new venues were in the works for the past decade. The results were worth the wait, with both spaces bringing an exciting element to this expansive central location. Open every day of the week for breakfast and lunch, The Paddock is a light and breezy space with stellar park views and greenery adorning virtually every nook and cranny. The menu is similarly lush, with local, seasonal and native ingredients used to produce flavourful dishes like tempura zucchini flowers with pumpkin, goats curd, dukkha and chilli oil; and grain-fed Angus top sirloin with charred broccolini. In addition, The Paddock was also conceived as a dynamic event space, featuring plenty of room for you and your best 220 pals. If that isn't enough capacity, you can fit 1000 guests when combined with the venue's adjoining Oak Room. So, whether you've got a corporate function, a social get-together or even a wedding to host, this high-end venue makes elevating the experience that much easier. There's also the option of taking things up a level, with Centennial Homestead's other new arrival – Treehouse Rooftop Bar. Open from 12–7pm on Saturdays and Sundays, this stylish vantage point offers great views across the parkland and even more space for guests to spread out. Find a lounge beneath a shady umbrella to soak up the warm weather or head to the bar to score a refreshing cocktail. "We're so excited to open The Paddock and Treehouse venues at Centennial Homestead to Sydneysiders," says Kevin Zajax, CEO of Trippas White Group. "While both venues celebrate the local community and have a local charm about them, we want to welcome guests from far and wide, as well as those planning events, to experience these dynamic new venues." The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop and Bar are open now – head to Centennial Homestead at 1 Grand Dr, Centennial Park. Check out the website for more information.
Don your birthday suit. Get your kit off. Disrobe. You're going swimming — the way nature intended. Like Michelangelo said: "What spirit is so empty and blind that it cannot grasp the fact that a human foot is more noble than the shoe, and the human skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed?" So — you heard the man — it's time to get nude. And because it's not exactly legal to do it just anywhere, here are five beaches where your feet and skin can embrace their noble, beautiful selves, without inciting the wrath of the law. [caption id="attachment_556370" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] LADY BAY BEACH, SOUTH HEAD We have the late Neville Wran to thank for all the naked bodies at this glorious stretch of sand, which is tucked into the harbour just north of Watsons Bay. In 1976, as Premier of New South Wales, he legalised going in the buff here, turning Lady Bay into one of Australia's first legal naturist beaches. The easiest way to get there is via ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay Wharf, from where it's an easy one-kilometre walk. Those pesky clothes might well be weighing you down — but do try to keep them on 'til you hit the sand. [caption id="attachment_556382" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] COBBLERS BEACH, MIDDLE HEAD This 100-metre strip of sand, flanked by rocks, is located just north of Middle Head and 700 metres east of Balmoral. It's best known as the starting point for the Sydney Skinny. Heading into its fourth year on February 28, this event involves hundreds of people stripping off, diving in and swimming 900 metres around a diamond-shaped course. But you can take a dip in the raw there any time. Park at the end of Middle Head Road and follow the signs marked Cobblers Beach. [caption id="attachment_556386" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ernest McGray Jnr. via Flickr[/caption] OBELISK BEACH, MIDDLE HEAD Another nudie opportunity awaits you on the southern side of Middle Head. Obelisk Beach is even smaller and more private that Cobblers — plus, it comes with panoramic views of Watsons Bay. Drive to the car park at the crossroads of Middle Head Road and Chowder Bay Road. Walk along the latter, until you see a marked track on the left. Follow the path downwards. [caption id="attachment_558305" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] WERRONG BEACH, ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Located at the southern end of the Royal National Park, this is one of the most remote and wild beaches on the list. Getting there takes a bit of effort, though — it's a two-kilometre walk each way, down a steep path, starting from Otford Lookout. That said, you'll pass through some stunning scenery, taking in sandstone rock formations and lush rainforest, with cabbage tree palms and ferns. The beach isn't recommended for swimming, as the surf is pretty rough, rippy and unpatrolled by lifeguards — clothed or unclothed. [caption id="attachment_558306" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Webaware via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] BIRDIE BEACH, CENTRAL COAST To fit a naked dip into a Central Coast weekender, head to Birdie Beach. It's located between Wybung Head and the Budgewoi Peninsula, and is backdropped by the Munmorah State Conservation Area. You can drive straight there along Birdie Beach Drive and even camp the night at nearby Freemans campground. Or, to add a hike to your beach visit, walk along the Geebung Heath Track, off Wybung Head Road. Top image: Dollar Photo Club
What do Cher, Frank Sinatra and Neil Perry share in common? Much like the Goddess of Pop and Ol' Blue Eyes, the revered chef and restaurateur isn't much good at sticking with retirement. In July of 2020, after nearly four decades as one of Australian dining's brightest guiding lights, Perry announced that he would be stepping down as Culinary Director of Rockpool Group and hanging up his apron for good, much to the dismay of his many foodie fans. Just over a year later, however, Perry backflipped on this supposed farewell, making his comeback in spectacular fashion with what would be the first site of his now four-venue-strong Double Bay empire. While we now know that Perry had a lot more to show Australian diners (although he insists that his recently opened martini lounge Bobbie's and the sprawling three-storey Cantonese diner Song Bird, also in Double Bay, really are the last ventures of his career), when it opened in 2021, Margaret was pitched as the chef's final swan song. Named in tribute to his mother, it would be the first restaurant launched by Perry without any outside financial backing, giving him the freedom to create a fine diner entirely of his own making — a deeply personal ode to his years in the kitchen, free from the pandering pressures of expectant business partners. The menu reads like an autobiography, showcasing the cuisines that have defined Perry's career. His love of Asian flavours is writ large with dishes like Perry's delicate signature Thai-style salad — fragrant and fresh with shreds of blue swimmer crab meat and sweet pork, the textural foil of green mango and crushed cashews, and a thrill of heat from sliced red chilli. A spicy, kimchi-inspired Korean-style tartare is another Eastern standout, with generous cubes of bigeye tuna tossed in a sweet-yet-bold gochujang sauce and finished with sesame and the bright zing of house-made pickles. Surf and turf, kissed by flame, has long been an idée fixe of Perry's previous venues, so it's little wonder that the char and complexity of woodfired cooking is another key pillar of Margaret's offering. Seafood lovers are well served with red throat emperor with peanut salsa; southern garfish with an Asian tilt, spiked with yuzu and fermented green chilli; and Eastern Rock lobsters, served dressed with either a sparkling lime and sambal sauce or mornay style, with a bubbling topping of cheese and garlic. Slice into a perfectly cooked wagyu fillet or bone-in sirloin and you'll see that it's not for nothing that Margaret was declared the second-best steakhouse in the world by the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurant rankings in 2025. While the skilled team under Perry's veteran eye are experts at achieving just the right sear and smokiness from every cut on the grill, it's also the provenance of Maraget's steaks that make them world-leading. Indeed, the relationships Perry has carefully cultivated over decades with the nation's finest producers underpin this menu's magic — the likes of small-scale, low-impact fishers Bruce Collis and Anthony Heslewood, and organic beef producers CopperTree Farms and Blackmore. With such a kaleidoscopic range of world cuisines represented, navigating Margaret's menu could seem daunting. Rather than sticking to either Asian fare or committing to the more Euro-leaning dishes, we suggest a more cohesion-be-damned approach. Perry is offering diners the chance to colour outside the lines, hopscotching from one spectrum of flavours to another within the same meal. An extensive wine list, with by-the-glass options paired upon request by the restaurant's superb sommeliers, help blur the edges, but what really brings it all together is the vision and passion of a once-in-a-generation chef displaying the full gamut of his technical powers, his understanding of what makes food great, and a love of cooking that even retirement couldn't contain. Images: Petrina Tinslay
If life's chaos has made your world feel a little small of late, what better antidote than to head outdoors and catch a few of the world's biggest creatures frolicking majestically in the sprawling blue ocean? Watching whales swim around, complete with tail-slapping acrobatics and clouds of water sprayed from blowholes, is sure to instil a sense of wonder and release. When it comes to whale watching, us Aussies have it made. Not only are we surrounded entirely by water, but our east coast is a route favoured by many whales on their annual migration to and from Antarctica. And that means ample opportunity to spy these gentle giants in action — either from atop dry land, or right out there beside them on the water. From the scenic lookouts of Eden to a boat cruise around Wilsons Prom, we've rounded up eight of Australia's best spots for whale watching. Grab your binoculars and venture coastward for a whale spectacular. Recommended reads: The Best Whale Watching Spots Along the NSW Coast The Best Beaches in Australia Eight Epic Holidays for Animal Lovers You Can Book Now [caption id="attachment_772713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Melbourne[/caption] Bass Coast, Victoria From May to October, the waters of Gippsland's Bass Coast come alive with migrating marine mammals — mostly humpback and southern right whales, but also the odd orca flashing its distinctive black and white markings. And you'll find plenty of opportunities to catch them all in action, by embarking on a jaunt along the Bass Coast Whale Discovery Trail. Running the perimeter of Phillip Island and around to Inverloch, this coastal stretch is peppered with primo whale viewing points, most decked out with informative signage so you can dabble in some history and knowledge along the way. Some of the most popular pit stops include Cape Woolamai and the soaring cliffs of Pyramid Rock. [caption id="attachment_772704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Warrnambool[/caption] Warrnambool, Victoria Located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, the coastal hub of Warrnambool is a renowned spot for scoping out these majestic creatures, as scores of female southern right whales descend on the waters of Logans Beach to calve between June and September. A dedicated platform located in the dunes often offers the best vantage point for views of this 'whale nursery', and you can call ahead to the Visitor Information Centre to check up on any recent activity before you visit. Got some time up your sleeve? Make a road trip of it by following the Whale Trail west through more viewing spots near Port Fairy and Portland. [caption id="attachment_772711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wildlife Coast Cruises[/caption] Wilsons Promontory, Victoria The secluded beaches and rugged wilderness of Wilsons Promontory have made it a favourite destination for hiking and camping, but the waters surrounding its scenic coastline also happen to pull their fair share of humpback whale visitors, stopping by on their southerly migration between late August and October each year. For a shot at seeing a few of these majestic travellers up close, opt for a day on the water with the Wilsons Prom Whale Cruise, helmed by the team at Wildlife Coast Cruises. Departing from Port Welshpool Jetty, this informative six-hour boat trip takes you past stunning coastal hotspots like Refuge Cove, promising a high chance of spying at least one or two new whale friends. [caption id="attachment_772705" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jervis Bay Wild[/caption] Jervis Bay, New South Wales Sitting halfway along the whales' annual 5000-kilometre migration route, Jervis Bay on the New South Wales South Coast is known to be a favourite pit stop for humpback and southern right whales. Between May and November, the region's calm, still waters are an aquatic playground of choice for many of these supersized creatures, as they take some time out from their lengthy journey to rest up and play with their babies. For some great whale spotting, with views across the Jervis Bay Marine Park, try the Cape St George Lighthouse or the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse — where a lookout towers 90 metres above sea level. Otherwise, you can opt for an on-water whale experience with a renowned operator like Jervis Bay Wild. [caption id="attachment_772830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Park for Destination NSW[/caption] Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park, New South Wales Promising striking sandstone clifftops, sweeping ocean views and an excellent vantage point for the passing pods of humpback whales each June and July, Cape Solander makes for a worthy winter day-trip destination. Located in the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, this scenic coastal spot has been known to notch up over 100 whale sightings in one day, with the gentle giants frolicking as close as 200 metres from the shore. A dedicated viewing platform features plenty of whale-related information, and there's usually a couple of knowledgeable volunteers there sharing facts and tallying up the day's sighting count. Southern right whales also make an appearance here, along with the odd orca and minke whale. [caption id="attachment_772710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Eden[/caption] Eden, New South Wales The Sapphire Coast town of Eden is a whale-watcher's paradise. After all, the surrounding waters of Twofold Bay are known as the 'Humpback Highway' — so numbered are the humpback whales that swim through here en route home to Antarctica each year. You'll spy plenty of these mighty creatures between September and November, while pods of baleen and toothed whales make their own similar journeys in early spring. The town itself is chock-full of great vantage points for shore-based whale spotting, not least of which is the Rotary Park lookout, set right out on the point. And for those braving the water, there's no shortage of charter boats offering a variety of whale-watching tours. Also, head here in October and you can hit up the Eden Whale Festival. [caption id="attachment_772707" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stradbroke Island[/caption] Minjerribah, Queensland For some breathtaking whale-watching action just a quick ferry trip from Brisbane's bayside, lock in a trip to Minjerribah, aka North Stradbroke Island. Between late May and early November, the region welcomes scores of its most majestic annual visitors, with up to 200 humpback whales passing through each day on their journey between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Perched at around 35 metres above sea level, the headland at Point Lookout offers a top-notch view of these creatures breaching and tail-slapping in the balmy waters. Hervey Bay, Queensland Located across from K'gari, the protected waters of Queensland's Hervey Bay entice thousands of humpback whales each year, so your chances of scoring a sighting are solid. It is the world's first Whale Heritage Site, after all. The ocean giants are usually spotted here between mid-July and November, frolicking and launching themselves spectacularly into the air as they teach their young the tricks of the trade. For the ultimate close-up, your best bet is to head out on the water yourself, joining one of the many local whale-watching tours. If you're feeling brave, the crew at Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters even offers the chance to jump in and swim right alongside these mega-sized mammals. Top image: whales at Hervey Bay by Visit Fraser Coast. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Maybe Sammy is not only on our list of the best bars in Sydney — it's on just about everyone else's too, including anyone who gives out bar awards. It was named in the top 50 bars in the world in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 — and named the Best Bar in Australasia at The World's 50 Best Bars in all four years. Back in 2019, it was also named the Best International New Cocktail Bar at the 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans. It was even named the Best International Bar Team at the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Spirited Awards. The accolades come hard and fast. And it's clear to see why. The team, led by Creative Director Martin Hudak, has created one of the most spectacular cocktail menus — ranging from mini cocktails to the martini trolleys and extra opulent Premium Pours made from some of the finest spirits in the world. Its coffee cocktails are also that extra bit special. There's a total of five different versions, including the classic Espresso Martini made with vodka, Mr Black coffee liqueur and a shot of espresso and the Irish Coffee made from Irish whiskey, Honduras Montecillos coffee, muscovado, honey, almonds and cream — this last one being the perfect dessert cocktail. Head to Maybe Sammy for one of these bad boys after dining elsewhere in The Rocks. And if you want to try Maybe Sammy but don't live in Sydney, it also sends a series of bottled cocktails all over Australia. Go for the Jasmine Negroni, Eucalyptus Gimlet or Chamomile Martini. They also make a great present for your cocktail-loving pals. A team with this many awards isn't going to let you go hungry either. The food menu comes equipped with the expected range of bar snacks done to the highest standard, including Sydney rock oysters, truffled cheese toasties, tinned fish and mortadella focaccia. The Maybe Sammy experience is complete with a fit-out that emulates a high-end hotel bar. Designed by Sydney's LD Studio, the space is opulent, with pink velvet banquettes, gold lamps, brass fittings, marble tiles and lots of indoor plants. You can pop into Maybe Sammy for happy hour and taste your way through the mini cocktails or go full on treat 'yoself by ordering the extra spenny tipples — the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in Australia. Either way, you'll see why the team have won so many local and international bar awards. Drink up. Images: DS Oficina Updated Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
Following a transformation of its ground-level space into a fancy French bistro, The Strand Hotel has relaunched its rooftop bar, dubbed Kasbah. Located on William Street among heritage-listed and brutalist gems of Darlinghurst and Wolloomolloo, Kasbah's rooftop bar consists of a sun-soaked courtyard, Balearic tunes, cosy terracotta lounges, luxe Persian rugs and vibrant patterned tiling, which draw inspiration from Marrakesh's pastel tones. For bites, Kasbah serves French and Moroccan-inspired fusion cuisine in the form of grazing plates to the tune of ginger, turmeric and coriander-spiced tiger prawns. To pair, there's an array of Mediterranean-leaning cocktails like The Silk Road and Ficus and a short offering of natural wines. Each weekend, the rooftop hosts DJ sets and live entertainment. Plus, once the in-house DJs wrap up, anyone looking to kick on until the early hours of the morning can then head down to the newly refurbished Club 77, just a few doors down. "Leigh and the team have the expertise to provide a renewed experience in food and service across Strand Bistrothèque and Kasbah upstairs on the rooftop," said Wells."You'll be able to make your day or night whatever you want it to be at The Strand." The walk-in-only bar is complete with a retractable roof, meaning it can accommodate big doses of Vitamin D when needed or a shady place to escape the sun during summer. Just ensure your footwear is staircase-ready, as the only way to get up to the roof is to ascend the hotel's multiple levels on foot. Head to 99 William Street, Darlinghurst, to check out the new and improved pub. For further information and operating hours, head to The Strand Hotel's website. Image credit: Parker Blain Updated, October 25, 2023 Appears in: The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
What music goes best with turning eight-million Lego bricks into the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled? 'Luke's Theme', aka the franchise's main tune? 'The Imperial March' when things get tricky? 'Parade of the Ewoks', just because? That's a question for Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of a galaxy far, far away. The end result: Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, which is a world-first showcase of Lego models based on the George Lucas-created space saga. It'll arrive in Australia in 2025, making its global premiere — and it sparks another question for attendees: which tracks will pair well with walking through this Lego Star Wars wonderland? The force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is. Exactly where all of those millions of Lego bricks will display hasn't been revealed as yet, and neither have exact exhibition dates, but you can start getting as excited as a Skywalker learning how to first use a lightsaber. The full list of models that'll feature also hasn't been unveiled so far, but battle scenes between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader will be on display, plus Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul duelling, and also Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards. If you're in Melbourne and Sydney, you can also get a sneak peek right now — with the first two at Westfield Doncaster from Wednesday, May 1–Monday, May 6, and the third at Sydney Arcade's huge Lego store (the world's largest, in fact) for the month of May. As it constructs an immersive experience and follows in the footsteps of the Jurassic World franchise, which has also scored the Lego treatment from Brickman, Star Wars: The Exhibition has plenty of material to draw upon. On-screen, the series spans the initial film trilogy that released from 1977–83, then the prequels from 1999–2005, then the sequels — including The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker — from 2015–2019. Rogue One, Solo, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka: the list goes on across the big and small screens. There's also TV's The Acolyte, which arrives in June 2024, plus the wealth of animated efforts in the saga. "Building real people and characters is one of the hardest things you can possibly make out of Lego bricks. Each model not only has to represent who it is in incredible detail, but also needs to capture the moment, the emotion, the struggle, the tension," said McNaught about Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. "Translating those epic scenes, iconic characters and spacecraft from Star Wars into little bricks is really hard and that's why they are rarely done, and even more so on this scale. Nobody has ever recreated these fight scenes at this scale out of Lego before — and I'm excited to be able to help premiere this in Australia for the first time in 2025." Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition will hit Australia in 2025, with when and where still to be revealed — we'll let you know more when it is announced. Head to the exhibition's website to sign up for updates in the interim.
Saying goodbye to 2025 at Lost Paradise means farewelling the year with a jam-packed lineup of tunes. Ben Böhmer, Chris Stussy, Confidence Man, Duke Dumont, I Hate Models, KETTAMA, Marc Rebillet, Maribou State, Underworld, X CLUB: they're all headlining the annual end-of-year music festival in Glenworth Valley on the New South Wales Central Coast this year. You should already have the dates in your diary, given they were announced at the end of July — but if you don't, mark Sunday, December 28, 2025–Thursday, January 1, 2026 on your calendar and prepare for a huge few days. Other acts on the bill include Anna Lunoe, BIG WETT, Channel Tres, Fcukers, DJ Heartstring, Hot Dub Time Machine, Omar+, VTSS and plenty more. [caption id="attachment_1017760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Gorrigan[/caption] Some people love last-minute New Year's Eve plans, going wherever the mood takes them. Others can't start planning early enough. If you fall into the latter category, this December is for you. For Lost Paradise newcomers, the multi-day event turns a slice of its setting — which is located an hour out of Sydney — into one helluva shindig, complete with live music and DJ sets spanning both international and Australian talents. This year, organisers are promising newly reimagined versions of the festival's Arcadia, Lost Disco and Paradise Club stages. Tunes are just one part of the Lost Paradise experience, though. Here, art, culture, wellness, and food and drink also get a look in. And, at Shambhala Fields, you can hear talks and take part in workshops — so that's where you'll find the likes of Dr Karl, Eric Avery, Deano Gladstone, Lara Zilibowitz, Kath Ebbs, Sez, Tom Carroll, Simon Borg-Olivier, Gwyn Williams and others. Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become a go-to way to wrap up one year and welcome in the next — including if you're keen to camp for its duration. Lost Paradise 2025 Lineup Ben Böhmer Chris Stussy Confidence Man Duke Dumont I Hate Models KETTAMA Marc Rebillet Maribou State Underworld X CLUB Anna Lunoe Baby J Bad Boombox & Mischluft Balu Brigada Bella Claxton BIG WETT Blusher Bullet Tooth Cassian Channel Tres Dameeeela DJ Heartstring Dombresky presents Disco Dom Dr Banana Fcukers Folamour Heidi Hot Dub Time Machine INJI Jazzy Josh Baker Juicy Romance Kilimanjaro Luke Alessi Merci, Mercy Narciss Notion Odd Mob Omar+ Pegassi Prospa Riria Ross From Friends presents Bubble Love Sex Mask Silva Bumpa Sim0ne Sumner Swim (live) Two Another VTSS Wolters Alex Dowsing Badassmutha Bella Backe Caleb Jackson Couch Mechanic Cricket Dayzzi B2B Daug Disco Dora Elijah Something GMOZ Grooveworks Kai Kawai Large Mirage LAYTX Lily FM Lost Soundsystem Madame Reve Maina Doe Mash Middle James Mina Tonic Oscill8 Pamela Penelope People's Party Roxy Lotz Salarymen Selve Siila Silly Lily Sim Select Tia Lacoste Tokyo Sexwale Tseba Waxlily Yasmina Sadiki Shambhala Fields: Benny Holloway Catriona Wallace Chanel Contos Deano Gladstone Dr Karl Eric Avery Gwyn Williams Kath Ebbs Lara Zilibowitz Plastic Free Mermaid Sez Simon Borg-Olivier Tom Carroll [caption id="attachment_965688" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley, New South Wales from Sunday, December 28, 2025–Thursday, January 1, 2026. Sign up for presale tickets online, with general tickets available from 10am AEST on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Head to the festival website for more details. Underworld image: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns. Lost Paradise images: Jess Bowen, Jordan K Munns, Byravyna and Amar Gera.
There are so many reasons to head to Phillip Island for a seaside escape. You might be drawn there for the famous penguin parade, the unbeatable surf, the delicious locavore delights or for a hike into the coastal wilds. Maybe you're looking for a spa day — or maybe you're more of the adrenaline-pumping motorsports persuasion. Wherever the adventure takes you, you'll need somewhere to rest your head at the end of the day. We've rounded up the best spots to stay on your next island break — everything from surfside stays on a budget to full island resort luxury. Your getaway awaits. HIDE OUT AT A LUXURY COASTAL ESCAPE Want to enjoy the splendour of nature without roughing it? You won't sacrifice any creature comforts at Five Acres. This trio of luxury cabins ten minutes from Cowes is situated on a working, sustainable micro-farm, complete with orchards and livestock. Each one-bed one-bath cabin (charmingly named Barley, Clover and Rye) are sleek, stylish and open-plan, with top-quality linens, crackling log fires and views over Western Port Bay. Your deluxe sanctum is just a stone's throw from the island's nature parks, but you can enjoy some casual wildlife watching through the wide, full-length cabin windows — or from the steamy embrace of your handcrafted concrete outdoor bath. A STUNNING CLIFFTOP HOME WITH PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS Waikiki Beachfront is smack bang on the clifftop above Smiths Beach, with easy access to the surf and sweeping coastline. It's channelling Hamptons vibes — all sleek timber and bright white interiors. This expansive six-bed holiday house can hold up to 15 guests, making it perfect for multi-family getaways. You won't feel cramped with multiple airy living spaces, generously sized bedrooms and a big open kitchen with all the modern conveniences — including a damn fine view from the breakfast bar. The property also boasts a games room, play equipment and even hammocks, plus two sea-view sundecks and a third for the barbecue. Wander, surf, build sandcastles and explore nature all day, then return to watch the sunset from your private deck. A BOUTIQUE BEACHSIDE BED AND BREAKFAST Old-world charm meets modern comfort and convenience at this award-winning country house. Glen Isla House at Cowes is just a short walk from the beach, situated in idyllic private gardens complete with shady oak trees from the original 1870s homestead era. It's also an easy 15-minute drive to the Phillip Island Nature Parks if you're seeking inland adventures. If you like your accommodation to come with character, you'll love the classic country estate decor, antique-style furnishings and a cosy living room fireplace here — not to mention the scenic garden views. Book in on the right days for inclusive breakfast in the dining room, or wander to one of the nearby cafes. A HOLIDAY PARK SITUATED CLOSE TO TOWN Right on the sandy surf beaches of Cowes, this holiday park is perfect for happy campers or holidaymakers looking for good old-fashioned family fun. Stay in one- or two-bed cabins with kitchen-diner, TV and your own verandah (and pet-friendly options) or set up at a caravan spot on the expansive grounds. Want to be so close to the sea that you can smell it? Pitch your tent on the grass and wake up to the sounds of the waves. There's a playground at the park — but on Phillip Island, all of nature is your playground. Pack the fishing rods and surfboards, drive out early for a full day of parks and coastal adventures, then come back for a barbecue dinner. Don't worry if you don't catch anything — the shops and cafes of Cowes are right on your doorstep. PUB ACCOMMODATION A STONE'S THROW FROM THE SEA The North Pier Hotel above Western Port Bay has a place for every solo traveller and exploring troupe to bed down, beachside. There's everything from backpacker-style dorm rooms to simple guest suites, spacious family rooms, luxe stays with bay views and self-contained flats and townhouses. There's also an outdoor pool — but you're so close to the beach, you may as well head to the sea. If you're in one of the accommodation options with a kitchen, take advantage of the excellent local produce and vineyards for your cosy night in. Otherwise, the bar and bistro is open seven days a week, lunch through dinner. They've got the classics like fish and chips, pizza, steak and parmas, as well as fun twists like miso-corn cob, duck spring rolls and a spicy shark burger. Kids can amuse themselves in the play area while you grab a beer with a beach view. A LUXURY BED AND BREAKFAST WITH STUNNING RURAL VIEWS To really get away from it all, go rural. Just five minutes' drive from Cowes, Grey Goose sits on ten secluded green acres. It's your home away from home, with good old-fashioned country comfort and hospitality. And you won't have to share this peace and quiet with many people — there are only two charming guest suites and a shared lounge, plus a self-contained one-bed loft apartment. And that loft apartment is spacious, with an open-plan living space and huge sliding doors leading to the verandah. Take in the views of farm life and wildlife out over the peaceful rolling hills, and down towards the sweeping sands of Smiths Beach. A FAMILY-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE RESORT In the hills above San Remo, Silverwater Resort offers four-and-a-half-star family-friendly accommodation. Whether you're looking for a comfortable hotel suite or a self-catered apartment, this modern, spacious accommodation is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Phillip Island and Bass Coast. On-site leisure activities include pools, a spa, a full gym, a kids' playground, basketball and tennis courts, plus an arcade room. The Watermark restaurant showcases the finest produce from around the region. Start the day with a gourmet breakfast and an enviable view of the sparkling sea, and finish with a hearty meal of pizza, pasta and bistro classics, or stop in at the Lounge Bar for cocktails and nibbles. LUXE HILLTOP APARTMENTS AMONG A RAMBLING HILLTOP GARDEN Looking to treat yourselves to a romantic getaway? Head to this luxe little spot in the scenic fishing village of Rhyll, overlooking Western Port Bay and Bass Coast on the eastern side of Phillip Island. This hilltop accommodation is set amidst a garden and orchard — you might stay in the Mangrove or Sandbar apartments with fully equipped kitchens, or the Black Swan and Pelican lofts. Rhyll Haven Cottage itself is for lovers of extra luxury, where you can enjoy designer interiors and spa bathrooms with all the trimmings. On cool days you can cosy up to the gas log fire, and when the sun emerges, laze on the verandah and cook up a storm on the barbecue. Breakfast is also provided, with options including fresh bread, free-range eggs, juice and muesli. Once you're fuelled, take an easy stroll to the pier and do a coastal walk, or head to the nearby Rhyll Inlet to spot black swans and pelicans. Keen to explore Phillip Island? For more information and to start planning your trip, visit the website.
Wedged between Bridge Street and the heritage-lined laneway of Underwood Street, on the ground floor of an otherwise unassuming office tower, Ette is the kind of place you could easily miss — but you definitely shouldn't. The sleek CBD dining room brings a new perspective to Sydney's dining scene, thanks to a 'fast fine dining' model that provides finesse without the fuss — and a tight menu of hearty, produce-driven mains all priced at $39. Pairing the precision of fine dining with the pace and price point of a weeknight drop-in, Ette's menu revolves around ingredients sourced directly and daily from trusted local suppliers, ensuring the kitchen has the day's best produce at its disposal. These ingredients are showcased in its inventive snackEttes: small share plates all priced at $9.50 and designed to hit the table within five minutes. You might find the likes of pork crackling paired with a spiced apple dipping sauce, a seaweed cracker cone loaded with tuna tartare, Calabrian chill and whipped avo, or baked scallop with nduja, avocado and pineapple. Those after something larger can take their pick from the Steak, Land, Sea and Grain menu. These hearty dishes are all priced at $39, with current highlights including the yuzu beurre blanc-topped fish of the day, wild mushroom linguine finished with black truffle, marsala and pecorino, and coq au vin jazzed up with pancetta and shimeji mushrooms. Whether you go for small or large dishes, you can whet your appetite with complimentary house-made focaccia and olive oil served on arrival. The dining room itself is just as flexible. With opening hours of 11.30am–2am, the venue has been designed to easily transition from a restaurant by day to a buzzy bar by night and a fully equipped event space on weekends. On one side of the sleek, mood-lit space is a theatrical open kitchen helmed by Adam Grimsley (ex-Icebergs, Jacksons on George, two-Michelin-starred Oxford restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons), whose modern European training and love of local produce meet over a Scheer adjustable lava rock grill — the centrepiece of the kitchen and the key to Ette's clean, fire-backed flavours. The other side of the space is home to an equally considered bar, with house infusions and creative twists in tipples like the seasonal sorbet-topped Sgroppino Affair or the South by Southwest, a rob roy and negroni love child featuring Woodford Reserve and Laphroaig. A standout feature is the restaurant's climate-controlled wine room that's maintained at 16 degrees celsius and equipped with internal fridges, ensuring wines remain at precise drinking temperatures ranging from 3–15 degrees celsius. On the list, you'll find a tight selection of half-bottles and full bottles by boutique Australian producers and prestige winemakers. Open from Monday to Friday only, Ette is a smart new option for the city crowd, whether for a fast solo lunch, a slow night of cocktails and snacks, or a low-fuss, post-work dinner. Images: Steven Woodburn.
It's fair to say the whole world is ready to tune in to the final season of Netflix's Stranger Things. The gates to Hawkins, Indiana — and the Upside Down — are about to open for the final time. But the dark and dreary alternate dimension has bigger plans than just taking over your streaming queue, it's reaching into Sydney too. You may remember when a tentacled rift split open the sand on Bondi Beach. Strange sights are being reported all over Sydney this time, and Vecna's since lost a fight with a few teenagers, so he's back with a vengeance and a much bigger appetite. This time around he's setting his sights on Sydney Harbour. Tonight and tomorrow night (November 25–26) are your opportunities to grab your bike and your flashlights. You'll see something eerie lighting up the area at 8.30pm as the Upside Down breaks through the veil. Predictions are saying the Northern Wharf by the Overseas Passenger Terminal will have the best view of this otherworldly phenomenon. At the same time on Wednesday, November 26, the Harbour Bar at Squire's Landing will play host to a Hawkins hotspot, since the Upside Down is nothing without its real-world hunting grounds in the once-sleepy Indiana town. You'll be able to make the most of themed photo spots and a special viewing deck of the corruption down by the water. This all coincides with the premiere of Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 on November 27, at midday AEDT. These last episodes — the remainder of which will be released in separate volumes on Boxing Day and New Year's Day — return us to Hawkins for the last time. It's 1987, scarred by Vecna's assault and the intrusion of the Upside Down, Hawkins is under quarantine and Eleven is once again on the run. The anniversary of Will Byer's disappearance is fast approaching, and our heroes have to reunite the party for one last fight, to finish what they started and complete the mission they've previously failed: find and kill Vecna, once and for all. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PssKpzB0Ah0[/embed] Watch 'Stranger Things' on Netflix, plans start at $9.99 a month. Images: Marty Rowney
There's no shortage of Aussies trying to become global social media stars. If that's your goal too, a first-of-its-kind experience will give your influencing career a significant boost, as Australia's first TikTok content house launches in Adelaide. Known as The Party Games House, this $10 million beachfront mansion in Moana is officially on the lookout for five more influencers keen to live, create and party for free for a minimum of seven days up to two months. The brainchild of Adelaide-based entrepreneur Shane Yeend, a self-made multimillionaire who made his fortune in party games, this extravagant property already has its first tenant, Frida Khalife, a 23-year-old real estate and hospitality worker from Adelaide. With the decision still to be made on who else will be moving into this luxe home, there's still time for influencers of all stripes to submit their applications. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime," says Yeend. "We are looking for Australia's next social superstars. Huge global names like Alex Warren and Addison Rae began in content houses just like this one, and now they have billions of views, brand deals, and are selling out arenas. We believe we will find the next generation of stars right here in Australia." It's not Yeend's first venture into viral escapades. He got his start in 2001 — before most even understood the concept — by creating the official Big Brother Board Game. Becoming an overnight hit, pallets of board games were craned over the Big Brother house wall for housemates to autograph. Now Yeend is returning to the world of virality, this time targeting the Gen Z wave of influencers. "In 2026, anyone with a social media presence should be able to make $1 million a year from social commerce. There's no better time or place to get started than the Games House this summer," says Yeend. Set against the backdrop of Moana Beach, the lucky few who call The Party Games House home will have access to a private chef, a massive pool and a dedicated production team, ensuring each TikTok post does massive numbers. Best of all, influencers living in the house retain full ownership of their channels and commercial activity, with any deals made during their stay theirs to keep. Applications to live in The Party Games House are now open. Head to the website for more information. Images: Benjamin Liew.
