Anyone in Sydney who considers themselves a Sider knows the Sun-Herald City2Surf. What with it being the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting over 85,000 participants, this charity fundraiser/epic test of stamina and virtue is hard to miss even on the laziest of radars. With our partners The Athlete's Foot, we're putting one of our team to the test, giving him four weeks to get in shape and make it to that starting line (and, hopefully, the finish line) on August 11. Follow his ups, downs and diversions here, in his #ididit diary. And for all of you out there looking for some extra motivation to join in? The Athlete's Foot is giving away a pair of running shoes each week to their favourite #ididit photo during the running season. The Runner: Jack Arthur Smith, 24, Rugby Born and Bred I'm not from around here. In fact I was born, raised and schooled in the small market town of Rugby, England. Yes, the birthplace of that great game we Poms and our neighbours are apparently better at playing than you. But don't let this consequence fool you; I ain't no sports fan. If I was a Lion I'd be skipping down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and letting the Tinman do things to me after dark. However, while I may have spent last Saturday watching Pirates of the Caribbean and drinking Earl Grey tea, I do strongly believe in trying new things and pushing myself to stay active. I figure if I can pack my bags and travel halfway across the planet, I can handle jogging 14km through one the greatest cities on it. So when the chance to run the Sun-Herald City2Surf came along, just like when I danced in the Mardi Gras parade (twice now) or shaved my head for the World's Greatest Shave, it was against my nature to say no. Friday, July 19, 12.13pm Friday, July 19, 12.35pm Friday, July 19, 4pm My dad once told me if you're ever going to do anything, do it properly or don’t do it at all. So to fully prepare myself for the onslaught of 14km in less than four weeks, I knew there was only one thing to do: 60 minutes of pure remedial massage bliss. Say what you like, but we all know if you want something done in life, it’s better to butter up whomever you need it from first. And if that's yourself, well, too easy. Saturday, July 20, 11.40am Friday, July 26, 12.44pm Jack: Did 8km todays in 53 mins - #city2surf is just over double that... #FML #ididit http://t.co/tRMT8j07z5 — Concrete Playground (@PLAYGROUNDnews) July 29, 2013 Tuesday, July 30, 8.45pm Ever since I arrived in Sydney it's become increasingly clear it's true what they say: you people like to exercise. None more so, I would argue, than my good friend Jess Robinson who spends her free time training wannabe athletes or inspiring people from across the globe on her blog, Lazy Girl Fitness. Naturally, being somewhat allergic to exercise, it seemed more than appropriate to seek a little expert advice. A week and a bit later and I’ve run a total of almost 44km, done 96 push ups, 96 kettle bell swings, 96 squats, 160 Bulgarian lunges (honestly, don’t ask), 96 TRX rows, 40 burpees, planked more than I care to account and come close to vomming all over the gym floor about seven times. It's been all systems go, literally, and if I’m 100 percent honest, I couldn't be luckier to have such skilled support and encouragement by my side. Only two more weeks to go! Need some fitness inspiration yourself? Pay Jess a visit on Facebook or Twitter. Wednesday, July 31, 9am Sunday, August 4, 9.44am Jack: At Button Bar psyching myself up for the #city2surf. #ididit with #negroni. http://t.co/tRMT8j07z5 — Concrete Playground (@PLAYGROUNDnews) August 8, 2013 Friday, 9 August, 12.50pm Saturday, 10 August, 5.30pm As I recline here in my bedroom, rubbing my stomach and groaning from the pains of a triple-decker, hazelnut meringue cake slice from The Rocks, I honestly have no fear for tomorrow. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s going to be killer, I know about 11km in I’m going to want to throw myself onto the ground and let the thousands of feet trample me into an early grave, but I also know I’ll push through. Why? Because it’s fun. Training has been excellent, I’ve become closer with fitness-enthused friends, and, ladies and gentlemen, my love handles have become smaller by the day. It’s a win-win-win if you ask me. I just hope no one in a Vegemite costume overtakes me. Tuesday, 13 August, 6.50pm Two days ago I ran past the finish line of this year’s Sun-Herald City2Surf on Campbell Parade, Bondi. It was fabulous: the sun was out, the sky was blue and Sydney was alive with the sounds of school bands, house parties and thousands upon thousands of runners hitting road. Atmospheres don’t get much better than this and I managed to smash the race in just over 80 minutes. Proud of myself is an understatement. Now as I sit at my desk with a one sore big toe, but otherwise generally unharmed, I can’t help but think back to when I was a fat little school kid, getting chafe on my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award because my chubby legs rubbed together. It’s nice saying “I’ve come a long way”, and I’m pretty chuffed #ididit for Concrete Playground.
Bondi Festival is back bigger than ever for 2025, and it's set to heat up the beachside 'hood between Friday, July 4–Sunday, July 20. On the bill you'll find a jam-packed lineup of comedy, theatre, live music, art installations and interactive experiences, alongside beloved mainstays like the beachside ice-skating rink and the 25-metre-high Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel. Plus, a brand-new food market will showcase delicious local eats in Bondi Park every Saturday throughout the festival. On the music front, you'll be able to catch a powerful NAIDOC week performance starring soulful Sydney songstress Mi-Kaisha and 2024 triple j Unearthed winner RIAH, while four-time ARIA award-winner Meg Washington will bring her magnetic voice to Bondi Pavilion Theatre for a Friday night special on July 18. There's also an eclectic spread of stage acts, from the debut of the Bondi Festival Comedy Gala — which takes place across two nights at Bondi Pavilion Theatre — to the experimental three-night production POV by re:group, a mash-up of stage and screen in which a film is made on stage. Meanwhile, award-winning comedian and disability advocate Madeleine Stewart will make her debut at Bondi Festival this year as the host of Bondi From the Barber's Chair, an interview series spotlighting prominent neighbourhood personalities in barbershop Badlambs. Among the returning favourites is the Pavilion Paw Parade — an activity-packed, family-friendly day out for doggos and their humans — and Gladdy Drawing Club's inclusive life drawing sessions. Of course, no Bondi Festival is complete without the Bondi ice-skating rink and the 25-metre-high Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel, which will both be back this year. And over three massive Saturdays, the all-new Blue Sky Markets will fill Bondi Park with food stalls from some of the Eastern Suburbs' favourite restaurants.
Meet Australian cinema's new heroine. Myrtle 'Tilly' Dunnage (Kate Winslet) wouldn't consider herself a star at anything other than making stunning dresses, nor does she try to conquer anything but her own doubts and cruel small-town gossip. However, she's the guiding force in a film that warmly embraces local flavour, deftly navigates everything from drama to mystery to comedy, and serves up an offbeat, engaging time at the movies. Tilly is the titular figure in The Dressmaker, which charts her homecoming to outback Australia after being driven away as a child. Scandal surrounds her return, linked to the death of a boy years ago. She can't remember all the details, yet is determined to do whatever it takes to put together the pieces. Her mother, 'Mad' Molly (Judy Davis), isn't much help, and most of the townsfolk barely offer a hello. Only the handsome, lovelorn Teddy McSwiney (Liam Hemsworth) and the secretly fashion-conscious Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving) give Tilly a warm welcome, until the rest of her neighbours get wind of her winning ways with a sewing machine, that is. Soon, she's transforming the drab populace of housewives and shopkeepers' daughters with Parisian designs — but, as often proves the case in such insular, one-street communities, their newfound politeness can't always be trusted. If Tilly's scenario sounds like a bit of a mixed bag of figures and genres, that's because it is. The motley crew of characters she's surrounded by includes a stern schoolteacher (Kerry Fox), mean pharmacist (Barry Otto) and more, as played by a who's who of Australian actors (Sarah Snook, Gyton Grantley, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson, Alison Whyte, Shane Bourne and Sacha Horler among them). Her story flits between romance and revenge, laughs and long-held secrets, and standoffs and tears. Happy moments are followed by sad, with the film's tone veering in several directions. Thankfully, though, none of this mishmash of elements can be seen as a bad thing. Even when it threatens not to work, it still does — and in quite striking fashion. Skipping between seemingly mismatched parts is what The Dressmaker does best; this is a movie that introduces its lead with the words "I’m back, you bastards," then later has her stop a footy match by showing up in a jaw-dropping outfit, after all. There's always a bit of quirkiness, though not too much, to balance out the darker narrative threads, or some stunning sartorial sights to brighten up the frame, or a sympathetic exchange between Tilly, Teddy and/or Molly to temper the broader strokes of comedy. Accordingly, it's a fine return to film for writer/director Jocelyn Moorhouse — making her first feature since 1997’s A Thousand Acres — who brings Rosalie Ham’s 2000 novel of the same name to the screen with verve and then some. It's also a fine return to Australian shores for Winslet, who starred in the locally made Holy Smoke back in 1999, and hasn't lost her gift for our accent. That's not Winslet's only strength, nor the handsomely shot, 1951-set film's either. She perfects the mix of determined and vulnerable that Tilly radiates— though Davis, Weaving and Hemsworth do their parts, stealing scenes with one-liners, making a supporting player more than comic relief, and oozing allure and emotion respectively. Together, they make for a multifaceted bunch, as does The Dressmaker as a whole. And if the film encourages Australian audiences to see homegrown fare in a cinema — as it should — then it's a champion in its own right, alongside its shining protagonist.
If you only get stranded on one island this year, be sure to make it this one. After the colossal success of their inaugural endeavour, Wine Island is returning to Sydney Harbour this November for another long weekend of fun, food and sweet, sweet wine. For those who missed out last time, Wine Island is more or less what it sounds like, in that it's an island where you drink a lot of wine. More specifically, it's a four-day mini festival on Clark Island in Sydney Harbour, where you can spend your time knocking back glass after glass while feasting on mouth-watering cuisine. If it's anything like last year, there'll also be a range of activities to enjoy – think cooking classes and treasure hunts. Yes, treasure hunts. No wonder we dubbed it the Best New Event of 2015. Wine Island 2016 is set to run from Thursday, November 10 to Sunday November 13, and general admission tickets ($95) include vintage ferry transport to and from the island with a glass of sparking on board, five wine tastings, masterclasses and your own wine glass — however, there's only a few tickets left for the Thursday session at this point. For the real fancypantses, the VIP package ($190) gives you all that plus a meal voucher, licence to sip away to your heart's content with unlimited tastings (not a challenge), and access to the Friday sessions.
Francophiles, rejoice! Circular Quay and The Rocks will once again overflow with the spirit of liberté, egalité et fraternité — as well as lots and lots of cheese — for the annual Bastille Festival, a free-to-enter four-day celebration of all things French from Thursday, July 11 until Sunday, July 14. The event has been a winter mainstay in the Harbour City since 2012, so while it is technically in honour of France's national holiday, commemorating the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution, the fest has become just as much a local tradition as it is an international one. This year, revellers can enjoy 124 free performances from 344 artists across seven locations around Sydney's historic harbourfront including live performances, DJ sets, pumping dance classes and even al fresco film screenings at Le Mulled Wine Cinema at Cadmans Cottage. From jazz and samba to cabaret and capoeira, the range of creative talents on show is set to be truly dazzling. Food is always a major drawcard, with numerous stalls selling French street-eat favourites including ooey-gooey raclette, garlic-drenched escargot, freshly-made crêpes, hearty saucisson and of course, more fine fromage than you can shake a warm baguette at. This year, however, gastronomes can delve even deeper into France's rich culinary traditions via a series of cookery masterclasses. Highlights include a class from the coach of the 2019 Australian World Pastry Cup team, master pâtissier Yves Scherrer, showcasing his legendary soufflé and chocolate fondant recipes and sessions from chef Fabio Salvato, who'll be sharing techniques learned during his stints in Michelin-starred kitchens. Still hungry? Another new addition this year, Le Diner Extraordinaire is a series of luxe meals at Quay Quarter Lanes, championing the culinary talents of this new hospitality hotspot. The collaborative four-course menu will include tapas from Deux Freres, Italian-inspired dishes from Bar Mammoni and a creamy dessert from Zini Contemporary Gelateria. There'll be different live entertainment accompanying each of the sessions, too, ranging from a classical symphony to a DJ and sax live-set combo. If there's one thing the French love as much as dining, it's wine. The Bastille Festival's wine-tasting tour is an annual staple, spanning 1.4 kilometres and featuring bottles from top wine regions including the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Alsace, Rhône Valley, Provence and Languedoc. Simply grab your Bastille Festival wine passport and branded tasting glass and tick off each drop on your self-guided tour. One notable addition to this year's proceedings is the Bastille Olympic Village outside Customs House, where sculptures of iconic Parisian landmarks, including a six-metre-high Eiffel Tower, will transport Sydneysiders to the heart of the French capital. To mark the 2024 summer games — the first Summer Olympic Games to be held in France in a century — visitors will be able to take part in fencing, basketball, badminton, and archery workshops led by seasoned coaches. Finally, on Saturday, July 13, an Olympic Parade, featuring a procession of athletes, local organisations and roaming performers, will march from Circular Quay to the Rocks to celebrate the Olympic values of sportsmanship and community.
2024 was a year of heartbreaking cancellations in the Australian music scene. Not every festival that took some time out has returned a year later, but 2025 has thankfully seen more than a few comebacks. Here's the latest: Harvest Rock, the Adelaide event that cemented itself as a fest worth travelling to in its 2022 debut and 2023's second spin, has locked in a two-day 2025 instalment in October. It was in August 2024 that Harvest Rock revealed that just two years after initially popping up, the decision had been made to postpone that year's event. The news came after Splendour in the Grass announced its 2024 dates and lineup, then ditched its plans — and following Groovin the Moo going through the same cycle of reveals and cancellations. Spilt Milk, Summergrounds Music Festival and Dark Mofo also sat the year out or said goodbye permanently. Dark Mofo returned for 2025, as is Spilt Milk — and now Harvest Rock is joining them. Only Teenage Joans have been named on the lineup for this year's stint at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina so far, but you can pop Tuesday, August 12 in your diary, as that's when the full roster of acts that'll be taking to the stage will be unveiled. Also crucial, dates-wise: Saturday, October 25–Sunday, October 26, when the festival is taking place. When Harvest Rock was first born, hailing from the Secret Sounds crew — who were also behind Splendour in the Grass — it aimed to get everyone dancing in a park in Adelaide each spring, including interstaters heading to South Australia to enjoy the fest's visitworthy lineups. The first year welcomed Jack White, Groove Armada, The Avalanches, Crowded House and Courtney Barnett, for starters. 2023 backed that up with Jamiroquai and Beck doing Australian-exclusive shows, plus everyone from Sparks and Nile Rogers & Chic to Bright Eyes and Paul Kelly. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock also spans Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up dishes, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings. 2025's iteration will include Wildwoods & Cellar Door by Duncan Welgemoed and Nick Stock, for starters. "We're thrilled to see Harvest Rock return to its Adelaide home to deliver a festival that brings global stadium-sized artists to South Australia, while also championing the region's world-class food, wine and culture for interstate guests. Harvest Rock not only drives tourism and benefits local businesses, but offers a unique festival experience for all ages across the local community and beyond," advised Festival Director of Harvest Rock Ryan Sabet. "Music to the ears of festival lovers and our hospitality and tourism operators, Harvest Rock will return to Adelaide this October. The beauty of this festival is that it combines what we do best in South Australia — offering premium food and beverages and delivering memorable events," said SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison about Harvest Rock's comeback. "Held in 2022 and 2023, Harvest Rock has contributed a combined $34.5 million to the state's economy. We continue to see the impact major events like this deliver to our economy, while reinforcing our state's reputation as the ultimate destination for bucket-list events — whether you are a sports fan, art lover, foodie or just enjoy a good festival." Harvest Rock 2025 is set to take place across Saturday, October 25–Sunday, October 26 at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide. Head to the festival's website for further details — with presale tickets available from Tuesday, August 19 and general sales from Wednesday, August 20. And check back here on Tuesday, August 12 for the lineup. Image: Ian Laidlaw / Mitch Lowe / Zennieshia Butts.
For most people, a trip to Noosa means soaking up the sun on pristine beaches, hiking through verdant rainforests and shopping on Hastings Street. But there's so much more on offer throughout the region, from beachfront dining and kayaking through the Everglades to chasing dolphins and meeting local artists. Together with Visit Noosa, we've put together a guide on some lesser-known experiences around Noosa so you can discover something new on your next adventure to the Sunshine Coast. Whether you're after an adrenaline fix or want to sample some oysters by the beach, all you need to do is book your flight, check into one of our suggested accommodation options, and start exploring. Play Kick off your Noosa trip in style as soon as you touch down. Book a Tesla Transfer service to pick you up from the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane airports and take you straight from the terminal to your accommodation in Noosa. There are a range of Tesla sedans and SUVs to choose from, with complimentary child seats available. Noosa is famed for its tranquil beaches and lush hinterland, but if you're keen to inject some excitement into your visit, join the Adventure Tribe for one of its many outdoor experiences. The team hosts tours and expeditions around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, from rock climbing and abseiling to kayaking the Noosa Everglades and hiking the Cooloola Great Walk. The experiences range from two hours to multi-day trips, with private tours also available. For more thrills, spend a day at Aussie World, which features over 30 rides, attractions and games like mini-golf, a haunted maze and a trippy 'illusionarium', as well as eateries and a beer garden. There is a range of rides to suit the whole family, from the cruisy ferris wheel and carousel for smaller tots to the unmissable Dingo Racer rollercoaster and SX360 pendulum — the latter of which reaches speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour as it completes full revolutions 32 metres up in the air. There's no better way to explore the coast than from the water so book in for one of Noosa Wave's four maritime adventures to meet Queensland locals of a different kind, including whales, dolphins, turtles and tropical fish. Embark on a whale-watching tour or an exhilarating dolphin-spotting boat ride, or get up close and personal with a snorkelling or swimming-with-whales experience. But Noosa doesn't have to be all about chasing thrills and outdoor expeditions — culture vultures can get their fix at Noosa Open Studios, which hosts a free annual Art Trail. For 10 days, visitors are invited to explore the workshops and studios of 100-plus local artists around Noosa to meet the creatives, discover their processes and purchase artworks. Eat There's nothing quite like cracking open a cold one after a day spent outdoors, so hit up the Heads of Noosa Brewing Co taproom for an icy bev. Pair one of its crisp lagers with share plates such as fried brussels sprouts with lime mayo, tempura king prawns with golden curry mayo, Thai satay chicken roti, or beef cheeks braised in Heads Black Lager with mashed potato and honey carrots. For an intimate dining experience, visit Humble on Duke in Sunshine Beach. The cosy, 14-seater restaurant is run by sole chef Stacey Conner and partner Jade Tareha and offers a seasonally changing set menu inspired by modern Australian and Middle Eastern flavours. Expect snacks such as Lebanese fried dumplings with spiced lamb and house-made Turkish bread with baba ganoush, followed by larger dishes like spiced wagyu flank with salsa verde or line-caught Pearl Perch with carrot sauce and barbecue fennel. Sides, desserts and wines are available to add on as you wish. You can't leave Noosa without dining by the beach, and Bistro C is the ideal spot to wrap up your Sunshine Coast holiday. Situated right on the boardwalk, the airy restaurant looks out onto Laguna Bay. For dinner, start with Coffin Bay oysters and calamari before moving onto bigger plates such as pork and prawn tortellini with XO butter, caramelised pork belly with toffee pear and crackling, or a spatchcock pie with pickled blueberries and a sticky jus. Finish off with a Mars Bar-inspired caramel chocolate delice, sticky date and ginger pudding with pear ice cream or coconut kaffir tapioca pudding with lychee and pineapple salsa. Start planning your Noosa getaway and find out more at the Visit Noosa website. Images: Tourism Noosa
One thing is certain: the Affordable Art Fair is one of the best opportunities to refresh your home with a little more colour and flair. And with the Sydney edition headed to Carriageworks for the first time from Thursday, November 6–Sunday, November 9, getting to know the program ensures you not only discover great pieces from leading galleries, but also catch all the unskippable live events, kid-friendly encounters and foodie endeavours. Joining over 65 galleries in attendance, Surry Hills' N Smith Gallery is bringing its artist roster to the event for the first time, including Sulman Prize winners Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, as well as award-winning First Nations artist Sally Scales. Plus, other Sydney galleries making their hometown debut are Paddington's Art2Muse Gallery, Pyrmont's Audrey Fine Art and Woolloomooloo's Frances Keevil Gallery. "Our new venue allows the event to grow its footprint and impact, while staying true to its mission of making art accessible, affordable and exciting for all," says Australian Fair Director Georgia Huestis, estimating that 14,000 art-lovers will roam the venue across its four jam-packed days. The Artist in Action live demonstrations return once more, featuring renowned creatives like Brad Turner, Joanna Davies, Wendi Leigh and the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. Melbourne-based artist Jackie Case's Art ATM will also reappear, with visitors inserting a drawing idea only to have it emerge from the machine shortly after. Meanwhile, Jason Parker will debut his large-scale suspended rotating floral mural, in addition to completing a six-metre work he began on-site at the Melbourne event. As you browse the huge collections on display — priced from $100 and $10,000, as always — sip back a glass of sparkling from the new Bird in Hand Wine Bar. Families should also make tracks for a newly unveiled Children's Art Studio, curated by artist Tenyka Jay. Here, kids of all ages can explore an underwater wonderland filled with sea life and submarines, from a seven-metre hand-painted mural to watercolour whales and free face painting. "Affordable Art Fair is hands-down the easiest and most enjoyable way to explore and buy art, whether you're hunting for your first piece or your fiftieth," says Huestis. "Everything is from a living artist, prices are clearly listed and you can take your new artwork home on the day. What's not to love?" Affordable Art Fair Sydney is happening Thursday, November 6–Sunday, November 9, at Carriageworks. Head to the website for more information.
Winter might currently be in full swing in Australia, but here's a trusty reminder that there's plenty of summer fun to look forward to: the ticket ballot for 2025's Meredith Music Festival is officially open. If spending three days and two nights watching one stage at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre is your favourite way to kick off the warmest season of the year, then you'll want to go in the running to attend the regional Victorian fest ASAP. 2025 marks the beloved event's 33rd year, and its' promising "a midland melodrama in three parts". This three-decade-plus tradition will take over its namesake locale across Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025. In the festival's own words, patrons can look forward to the "same shape, same size, and all on the one stage" once more. The other crucial date for your diary right now is Monday, August 11, 2025 — and 10.33pm AEST specifically that day. As at Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that's when the three-day BYO camping festival's ticket ballot is open until for this year. So, book that long weekend, enter for tickets, then cross your fingers that you'll be spending a trio of days at The Sup. There's no lineup as yet, as Meredith has long stopped being the kind of festival where attendance is dictated by whoever is taking to the stage. In both 2023 and 2024, the roster of acts dropped in mid-August. This year, Meredith has confirmed that 2025 lineup will be revealed with the ballot draws. 2023 saw Kraftwerk, Caroline Polachek, Alvvays, Alex G, Eris Drew & Octo Octa, Flowdan, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Sneaky Sound System, No Fixed Address, Souls of Mischief and plenty more on the bill. For 2024, Jamie xx, Waxahatchee, Genesis Owusu, Mk.gee, ZAPP, Angie McMahon, The Dare and Glass Beams were just some of the fest's names. Meredith Music Festival will return to Meredith from Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025. To put your name in the ballot to get your hands on tickets, head to the festival's website before 10.33pm AEST on Monday, August 11. Images: Chip Mooney, Ben Fletcher, Chelsea King and Steve Benn.
International sportswear label Adidas continues its efforts to save the world's oceans, unveiling a new range of running kicks crafted ingeniously from recycled plastic pulled from the beach. It's the latest in a series of collaborations with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans, with the two groups teaming up to reduce ocean plastic by transforming it into sports gear. Set to drop on April 16, the planet-friendly range features two slick new shoe designs — the UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X — in variations for both guys and girls. The colour palette of deep blues and greens takes its cues from "the urban harbour", and an integrated NFC chip in the right sole lets you access learning experiences about plastic pollution with a few taps of your phone. But even better than looking and feeling good, each pair means that approximately 11 plastic bottles will prevented from reaching the ocean. This new line follows the success of Adidas' previous Parley collaborations, which sold over one million products in 2017 alone. This year, the two companies have their sights set on cracking the five million mark, which you have to agree is no small drop in the ocean. The UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X will only be available for a limited time, though keep your eyes peeled for new and updated Adidas X Parley products dropping regularly throughout the year. Adidas has also committed to phasing out the use of newly-manufactured plastic in its products, and to supporting Parley in a range of research and development, innovation and education initiatives. Find the latest collaborative ocean plastic range online and instore.
Fancy soaking in Sydney's expansive coastal surroundings while putting one foot in front of the other? Then head to the city's newest attraction. Stretching between the two titular beaches, the just-launched Bondi to Manly Walk spans 80 kilometres along the east coast and harbour foreshore — connecting the existing tracks in the area into one epic, super-scenic seaside trek. First announced in November 2018 and now open for Sydneysiders to stroll along, B2MW meanders past all of the expected highlights; think secluded coves, spectacular views, bushland, clifftops, and landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. As the name makes plain, it starts and ends at Bondi and Manly beaches, but there's plenty to see in-between. You'll also wander everywhere from the Hornby Lighthouse and Mrs Macquarie's Chair to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Curlew Camp. Specifically winding through Bondi, Watsons Bay, Rose Bay, Darling Point and Kirribilli, past Taronga Zoo, over to Spit Bridge, then through Manly Wharf to Manly Beach, the track combines a host of already-popular trails. Stroll along the South Head Heritage Trail, Green Point Walking Track, Hermitage Foreshore Track, Bradleys Head Walk and Georges Heights Walk, then head through the Manly Scenic Walkway, North Head Sanctuary, Australian Memorial Walk and Fairfax Track. Emphasising the people of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land through which the B2MW travels, the trail also journeys past significant Indigenous sites such as an Aboriginal People's midden between Fisher Bay and Sandy Bay, Aboriginal engravings at Grotto Point, and the ancestral reburial site and rock art at Reef Beach. Plus, while you're moseying, you'll follow 350 Aboriginal Whale Symbol signs along the mega trail's lengthy expanse — with an app also available to help you plan and track your walk. Sixty kilometres of the massive track runs over public land, including bushwalking paths, while the other 20 kilometres takes walkers along footpaths — with the trek coming about after considerable co-operation between the relevant local, state and federal government bodies. And if you're wondering how long it takes, suggested itineraries split the walk into four, five and seven-day routes, although you can obviously make the journey however you see fit. The Bondi to Manly Walk is now open. For more information, visit the walk's website. Images: Destination NSW.
Naeem Rana and Nusra Qureshi are both artists of Pakistani birth who have adapted traditional forms of representation to depict their contemporary experience of the world. Having migrated to Australia in 2001, Rana and Qureshi have continued to practice Urdu calligraphy and Mughal miniature painting, and for this exhibition combine them with sculpture and digital photography in a reflection on (in)visibility and adopted spaces. Qureshi's calligraphy is recontextualised within advertising and pop culture and digital media, and Rana has transformed the scope and the scale of the works she creates using techniques for miniatures. This exhibition offers insights on several levels: into Pakistani art, history and development, and on how the ancient and contemporary can be synthesised. There's also a point being made about how Australian culture has responded to and influenced Rana and Qureshi as people and as artists, perhaps suggesting that they've garnered more recognition as the latter than the former.
Lego Camera is a 3-Megapixel camera made entirely out of its namesake. It is a new go-to gadget for any shelf that’s looking a little bare and any hands that are feeling a little bored because, being Lego, you can add extra pieces to build a totally customised camera. Fortunately, it can't be pulled apart, which means you won’t find yourself scrambling on all fours looking for that missing piece. The camera, available online at Urban Outfitters, has pretty simple features: fixed focus, digital zoom, in-built flash and a 1.5 inch colour-screen with memory to store 8 shots. This may be marketed to the younger generation, but for those who never outgrew their childhood Lego fixation to operate this is certainly a fun option. [Via Desktop Mag]
A clear sign of a great place to feast is a short menu — there's not a lot of choice, but it's a good bet that what is on offer is top notch. To see this theory in action, head to Banh Cuon Ba Oanh on Marrickville's Illawarra Road. The tiny Vietnamese corner spot is signposted with its sunshine-hued walls, hanging baskets and long lunchtime lines. And it specialises in a singular dish: banh cuon. The dish consists of thin rice noodle — made in house — filled with mince and wood-ear mushroom, then folded into delicate parcels. Banh cuon cha que ($11) sees the filled noodles served alongside fried cinnamon pork, fresh herby greens, dipping sauce and housemade fried onions. Want to pump it up? Adding a $3 serve of extra cha que (fried cinnamon pork) or a $3 hit of thit nuong (grilled pork) is a very sensible choice.
Once the full effects of summer take hold it's hard not to feel a little trapped in the big city. Luckily, Sydney is so big that you don't need to try too hard to escape the chaos. Tucked away at the uppermost corner of Sydney, the coastal haven of the northern beaches feels more like a collection of sleepy beach villages than suburbia, and it's well worth the drive for the views alone. If you find yourself with a spare day and wanting to explore a part of Sydney that you don't usually frequent, this guide to the 'insular peninsula' will sort you out. And since the area isn't exactly renowned for its public transport, if you're in need of some wheels, check out Popcar. The car-sharing service has brand-new cars, kept in immaculate condition, stationed in parking bays all over the city — including small city hatches to spacious SUVs if you need extra room. Just make a quick booking via the app, turn up to the vehicle, tap your access card to unlock the doors and start your adventure to one (or all) of these epic northern beaches gems. Update: This year's bushfire season is particularly dangerous. Before you head on an out-of-town adventure, check the RFS NSW and NSW National Parks websites and heed any alerts and warnings. [caption id="attachment_717598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] GRAB A SNACK FOR THE ROAD AT ROLLERS BAKEHOUSE It would be a mortal sin if, fresh off the morning ferry into Manly, you skipped out on a pre-trip power snack from the legendary Rollers Bakehouse. The sheer volume of decadent pastries that this joint churns out every day — from savoury scrolls to sugary sweet croissants — is nuts. And these OTT treats make the perfect snack for your road trip around the northern beaches. Before you pick up your Popcar and set off your adventure, nab a still-warm croissant to enjoy as you wind your way up the peninsula. STOP FOR BRUNCH AT CAFE MONAKA Northern beaches locals take their breakfast food seriously — they definitely don't give just anyone their golden stamp of brunch approval. So when you come across a place that's filled with regulars, it's a good sign. That's exactly why Mona Vale's Cafe Monaka is a non-negotiable for your brunch fix north of the bridge. The asagohan Japanese-style breakfast is a sight to behold — featuring steamed rice with furikake seasoning, grilled salmon, egg omelette, marinated vegetables and miso soup — and the matcha chiffon cake is so light it shouldn't count as dessert. For drinks, you'll find coffee by Single O and a selection of single origin Japanese teas by PNT. HIT THE SHOPS IN AVALON VILLAGE Did you really go to the northern beaches if you didn't buy something a little bougie? To pick up a unique souvenir, take a leisurely stroll through one of the northern beaches most eccentric high streets filled with cosy fashion boutiques and luxe homewares stores. This is the spot for an unusual shopping spree and a nosy around. Special shout out to the longstanding Bookoccino, which combines great coffee with even better book recommendations, and Avalon Art Gallery, which supports both local established and emerging artists. [caption id="attachment_703445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gregory / Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A HIKE THROUGH KU-RING-GAI NATIONAL PARK There are not a lot of major cities with beautiful national parks on their doorstep, so it's a little surprising that there aren't swarms of people in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park every day — but that's a very good thing when you're chasing some solitude. A massive stretch of almost 100 square-kilometres, this park could take weeks to explore in full, but if you just want a little taster of some of the best bits, start with a mid-morning visit to Great Mackerel Beach. Next, try the Red Hands Cave Walk for a look at some of the area's oldest Aboriginal cave art, then finish your adventure off with a stop at West Head Lookout for truly awe-inspiring water views. STOP FOR LUNCH AT BERT'S OR BARREL ONE COFFEE ROASTERS You're spoiled for choice come lunchtime. Whether you're looking to go all out or pig out on a budget, rest easy knowing there are plenty of top-notch options. For a taste of the high life, try Bert's Bar and Brasserie atop The Newport. The lobster pasta will make your eyes pop — first thanks to the price (a cool $129) and then from the taste. Suffice to say, it goes down pretty well when you're propped up with a cocktail on the waterfront patio. For a more low-key approach to lunch, head to Brookvale's Barrel One Roasters. Sweet-toothed visitors will enjoy the Nutella, banana and cinnamon maple syrup bagel paired with a coconut jaffa hot chocolate, while savoury lovers should opt for the Cubano sandwich of roasted pork belly, smoked ham and cheddar or the grilled cheese sando with jalapeño cheddar, roasted red peppers and cornichons. TAKE A STROLL ALONG NARRABEEN LAGOON TRAIL There's something really magical about Narrabeen Lagoon Trail — it's a winding, otherworldly trail that transforms with every step. At one point, you'll be deep in the thick of a forest that is alive with wildlife, then all of a sudden you'll be covered in basking light and admiring a wide-open view of the tranquil lagoon. It's a great walk for everyone — long enough for you to really burn off that long lunch, but flat and forgiving enough for a food coma stroll. If you're not up for a trek, you can always hire a kayak or paddleboat from Pro Kayaks. [caption id="attachment_718035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] STOP FOR DINNER AT CORRETTO DEE WHY Like most good venues in this neck of the woods, Corretto prides itself on understated quality by serving up some lavish eats — seared yellowfin tuna salad is a must-try — at a surfed-up location right on Dee Why Beach. Ransack the sharing menu for a feast of baked parmesan scallops, pulled pork sliders, grilled haloumi and glazed barbecue wings — you've earned it after a long day of adventuring. Thirsty passengers can take their pick from 15 different cocktails, including The Corretto — a super-sweet take on the espresso martini bolstered by aniseed myrtle — or a native old-fashioned, which features beeswax Jim Beam Black, wattleseed, hopped grapefruit bitters and green ants. HEAD BACK TO MANLY FOR A NIGHTCAP AT SUNSET SABI Drop your Popcar back to its dedicated bay in Manly and you'll be within walking distance of one of the suburb's best cocktail spots. At Sunset Sabi, you'll find excellent Japanese-inspired tipples. We think there's no passing up the Dragon Ball Tea, which has tea vodka with rockmelon and yuzu, or the Aloe'ha Big Wave with tequila, aloe and umeshu. If you're still a little hungry, you can order some Japanese bites from the share-style menu, too — think sushi rolls, cold soba and gyoza. A big day needs a big finish, and Sunset Sabi is the perfect goodbye before the ferry ride home. Get out and explore beyond the city this summer with Popcar car share. To sign up for just $1 and get one-day free hire ($80 driving credit), head this way. Top image: NSW Parks.
Walking around Brisbane is a great way to enjoy your own backyard, see the local sights and get in some exercise. For a 17-day period between Friday, March 12–Sunday, March 28 in 2021, doing just that will also allow you to engage with a series interactive installations. They're called 'curiocities', and they're part of the returning Curiocity Brisbane festival, which focuses on the interaction of science, technology, innovation and the arts. Spread around town — across a 6.8-kilometre circuit that links the City Botanic Gardens, South Bank, the Cultural Precinct and the Brisbane CBD, in fact — these hubs will serve up both physical and virtual experiences. One, Platonic Volumes & Cosmologies by Bits to Atoms, is a large scale-translucent matrix of recycled plastic beams, while another, Evanescent by Chimera Atelier and Pineapple Design Studios, will use colour-changing film that'll make it look like a huge bubble. Or, you can check out two augmented reality works, either venturing back to Brisbane on the day prior to First Settlement or working with other folks to build a digital ecosystem. Also on the bill: a chat-fuelled program called Curious Conversations, where Benjamin Law will host a range of speakers to talk about the future; a giant vertical kaleidoscope in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens; and The Party Button, an interactive artwork on the Goodwill Bridge that plays party tracks and turns on flashing lights when pressed. And, a number of other big events fall within the program also — such as World Science Festival Brisbane and GOMA's Up Late sessions as part of its new motorcycle-focused exhibition.
Steam Mill Lane nabbed another good'un when Edition Coffee Roasters opened its second location in the foodie precinct this June. And it's a good thing, considering the recent announcement that the original will close in Darlinghurst location this October. Edition Haymarket has a similar minimalist vibe to the Darlinghurst digs, but is otherwise a stark departure from the original. Haymarket takes note from its surroundings and focuses on Japanese design to match its cuisine — it's meant to emulate a traditional Japanese-style farm house. While Darlinghurst was more bright and airy, Haymarket has a much darker colour palette with charred and exposed beams, a gray-blue concrete bar with stone tiles and textured walls. The seasonal menu carries across the cafe's signature Japanese-meets-Scandinavian flare, though this time it has a deeper focus on the former, thanks to Japanese-born head chef Shinichi Hasegawa (Bentley, Icebergs). There's a lot of Japanese representation in the team, actually. "I have a Japanese army over here," says owner Daniel Jackson. "[There's also] store manager Cana Terasawa, who has been in the coffee industry for years, [and] our head roaster Taku Kimura, who will be running the coffee section. We have scored some new up and coming chefs for the kitchen, too." Many of the Darlinghurst cafe's cult favourites have already made their way to Haymarket, including the famous soufflé pancake topped with berry compote. New dishes have a bit of a fine-dining lean — something not common in cafes — with the likes of grilled king prawns with shellfish butter and charred lemon. In case you haven't noticed, this team really likes to char veggies. More casual lunch dishes include the udon noodle bowl with pipis, egg yolk and XO sauce, pork katsu breakfast rolls and a Japanese twist on skagen (Swedish prawns on toast) with pepper prawns, apple, radish and yuzu on rye crisps. And you can, of course, expect the brand's top-notch cuppas all day, too. As for the the Darlinghurst closure, it's a bitter-sweet goodbye for patrons and owners alike. "With the lease coming up for renewal soon, it was the right time," says Jackson. "Of course we are sad to see it go. It's where Edition started. But its time to move on to bigger and better things." Images: Trent van der Jagt
Whatever your plans are on Tuesday, November 8, change them — or find a way to include peering at the sky into your diary, too. For 85 minutes, folks Down Under will be treated to a blood moon and a total lunar eclipse, giving you a stellar reason to spend your night staring upwards. While blood moons aren't particularly rare, there is one big reason to look up this time around. This total lunar eclipse is the last one that'll be able to be seen in Australia and New Zealand until 2025. If you're wondering what else you need to know, we've run through the details below. WHAT IS IT? If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know. When a full moon happens to coincide with a total lunar eclipse, it's also called a blood moon. Why? Yes, it has to do with the colour. When the astronomical body passes directly into the earth's actual shadow, it turns a blood-red shade thanks to sunlight that's filtered and refracted by the earth's atmosphere. WHEN CAN I SEE IT? If you're keen to catch a glimpse, you'll want to peek outside on Tuesday, November 8. According to Timeanddate.com, the total lunar eclipse is due to begin at 9.16pm AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne — and, because of daylight saving in the southern states, at 8.16pm AEST in Brisbane. Those times adjust accordingly in Adelaide (8.46pm) and Perth (6.16pm) — with the full total lunar eclipse running for 85 minutes. In NZ, you'll be looking up from 11.16pm. Moonrise will happen before that, and the partial eclipse will begin 67 minutes prior to the totality times, too — so at 8.09pm in Sydney and Melbourne and 7.09pm in Brisbane, for instance. WHERE CAN I SEE IT? You can take a gander from your backyard or balcony, but the standard advice regarding looking into the night sky always applies. So, city-dwellers will want to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the absolute best view. Naturally, you'll be hoping for cloud-free skies that evening. If you can't get a clear vantage, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live-streaming from the skyline above Rome from 8.30pm AEDT / 7.30pm AEST / 10.30pm NZ time. The blood moon and total lunar eclipse will take place on Tuesday, November 8, with the full total lunar eclipse starting at 9.16pm AEDT / 8.16pm AEST / 11.16pm NZ time. For further information, including about timing, head to Timeanddate.com.
Melbourne's Moon Dog has gone and brought a whole new meaning to the words 'go big, or go home'. The brewing company has unveiled its hotly anticipated, mammoth new brewery in the suburb of Preston, dubbed Moon Dog World. And it's somewhere you'll want to put on your list for your next Melbourne visit. The team's made good on the grand plans it announced for the venue back in March. Clocking in at 12,000 square metres, the multi-warehouse site is supposedly longer than the MCG end-to-end, and has room for a huge 725 punters. The name hints at a theme park or adventure land and, between the jungle of greenery, the Tiki-style bar, the indoor waterfall and the illuminated rainforest lagoon flowing right through the centre, that's basically what awaits. Blue and white-striped deck chairs perched right by the water promise to be prime real estate in the coming months. Over to one side presides an elevated DJ booth and VIP terrace, while opposite, a two-level conglomeration of shipping containers has been transformed into a series of cosy rooms, hidden booths and open balconies. You'll even find a mini pinball arcade tucked away somewhere inside. A hefty central bar is pouring one heck of a beer list, decked out with no less than 72 taps — never has there been this many Moon Dog brews offered in one spot. True to form, it's a diverse collection, featuring label favourites including the Old Mate pale ale and Cake Hole black forest stout, alongside seasonal releases like the Cherry Seinfeld sour ale. A rotation of guest drops rounds out the beer offering, though there's also an all-Aussie wine lineup, classic tap cocktails and a few signature concoctions, for those after something different. [caption id="attachment_744578" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The swordfish skewers.[/caption] It's a space for all occasions, with a food offering to match, featuring burgers, share plates and charcoal dishes. Grab a beer and settle in with some crispy chicken ribs doused in lime and chilli caramel, squid karaage served with lemon and kewpie mayo, or maybe the swordfish skewers finished with feta, almond dukkah and a capsicum mojo rojo. Burgers run from the likes of a crispy chicken number loaded with kewpie and barbecue sauce, to a vegan creation starring a sweet potato and kimchi patty. You can even grab a half or whole free-range chook, hot off the kitchen's charcoal rotisserie and served with gravy, chilli oil or spicy za'atar oil. Perfect Sunday session food. Add to all that the handful of sports screens and a sunny outdoor beer garden, and this is one boozy theme park you'll never want to leave. The venue was heaving on its opening weekend — and it looks set to be an interstate beer destination worth travelling for. Find Moon Dog World at 32-46 Chifley Drive, Preston, Melbourne. It's open from 11am daily. Images: Kate Shanasy.
With every Australian state and territory doing its own thing regarding borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, travelling around the country isn't a simple feat in 2020. But, if you're planning ahead, you might want to add Western Australia's Kalbarri National Park to your must-visit list — especially given that it has just opened a 100-metre-high skywalk perched atop Murchison Gorge, complete with mighty impressive views. Welcoming the public since mid-June this year — just WA residents so far, with the state's border currently closed to residents of the rest of Australia — the Kalbarri Skywalk features two cantilevered platforms over the 80-kilometre-long gorge. When you're standing on either of the two lookouts, you'll also be located 100 metres above the ground, with cliffs falling beneath you. The pair of platforms are within easy walking distance of each other, too, with one jutting out 17 metres from the cliffside and the other reaching out 25 metres. Built as part of a $24 million project, the Kalbarri Skywalk is also accompanied by an environmentally friendly kiosk that's designed to operate off the grid on low to no emissions, shade shelters, toilets and parking, as well as 22 kilometres of park roads, plus upgrades to existing tourist sites at Meanarra Hill and Z Bend. Also onsite: recognition of the region's Nanda Traditional Owners, their culture and stories, including via an entry sign emblazoned with 'kaju yatka' — the Nanda words for 'sky' and 'to walk' — and other artistic elements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZK7MtyuZNs&feature=emb_logo Located 150 kilometres north of Geraldton and almost 600 kilometres north of Perth, Kalbarri National Park welcomed more than 450,000 visitors in 2019 — so, when the rest of the country is permitted to enter WA again, expect to have company. If you're wondering about finding your way around the park, the WA Parks Foundation has just added Kalbarri National Park to its Smart Park mapping program, too, which allows you to download a park map, then navigate through the area offline and in real time. Find the Kalbarri Skywalk in the Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri, in Western Australia's mid-west region. For further details, visit the park's website. Top image: Shem Bisluck/Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Cape Town duo Die Antwoord's new music video 'Cookie Thumper' will probably burn into your longterm memory. Between lead singer Yo-Landi's creepy innocence and a frankly traumatising shock ending, you'll get the gist of the quirky rap-rave band's modus operandi. Known for their unique aesthetic, statement-making videos and catchy beats, photographs from their acclaimed cult YouTube video 'I Fink U Freeky' (2012) by frequent collaborator Roger Ballen are now on display at Stills Gallery. Die Antwoord's older videos like 'Fatty Boom Boom' and 'Enter the Ninja' are super-striking, too, with their cast of freakish faces and the bold primitivist artwork embellishing both walls and clothing. These drawings are by black-and-white photographer Ballen, a native New Yorker working out of South Africa who channels Jean-Michel Basquiat's style (shared more recently by Jody Morlock). Ballen's trademark? Glyph-like symbols scrawled with messy but deliberate lines. In his illustrated world, bird men have vaginas which they fondle, bird women have spurting penises, and totem poles of smiley faces tower next to nonsense slogans. Is it awesome? Yes. The sketches also provide the backdrop to the award-winning 'I Fink U Freeky'. Ballen photographed a series of tableaux vivants during the video shoot, and it's these that you can scope out for the next month at Stills in the form of archival prints. Ballen is no stranger to the distorted features of people populating Die Antwoord's videos; see, for example, his 1993 portrait of Dresie and Casie, twins with incredible Neanderthal faces. The often freakish yet souped-up weirdos in Die Antwoord's videos get across the message 'inbred white trash' loud and clear — which is appropriate since the band self-identifies as 'Zef', a counterculture movement whose name translates roughly as 'common'. In the words of Yo-Landi, Zef means, "You're poor but you're sexy, you've got style." The resulting images are like a cross between a Diane Arbus photograph and the tribal regalia portraits of Maske by Phyllis Galembo, all peppered with the trappings of Zef. They're weird. They're cool. They're what the band call 'documentary fiction'. Favourites include: Shack Scene, Bath Scene and Skelm. Ballen, whose work has hung in MoMA, Centre Georges Pompidou, the Tate and more, embraces Die Antwoord's surrealist project with the passion and weirdness of a true auteur. The music video is also on display at the gallery for your viewing pleasure, and a book is being released this month.
It's been 21 years since the first of The Lord of the Rings movies had everyone rushing to cinemas, obsessing over hobbits and elves, saying "precious" too many times and ogling New Zealand's natural splendours. Come September, this time via your streaming queue, get ready for much of the above to happen all over again. After five years of talking about it, Prime Video's new series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is mere months away from reaching eyeballs — and the platform has just dropped another trailer to tease what's in store. Yes, Middle-earth is about to sprawl across your TV screen — or whichever other screen you use to access your streaming queue. The JRR Tolkien-inspired fantasy series will return to the franchise's elves, dwarves, epic cities and leafy landscapes, as its first sneak peek back in February made plain. And, thanks to the just-dropped new footage, it looks set to spend a fair amount of time looking up. "The skies are strange," viewers are told at the beginning of the minute-long clip — and a fiery ball in the heavens does indeed demonstrate just that. The clip is big on mood and light on story, but still offers a fresh look at The Rings of Power's world. Full sneak peek exclusively for Prime Members on https://t.co/cofBDVThEu. #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/Md8SAMk2aT — Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) July 6, 2022 The one catch: if you're keen to check out the whole new clip, you'll already need to be a Prime member. If so, you can head to Prime Video now to watch the full teaser — as part of the platform's push to promote its upcoming Prime Day. If you're not up to date on The Rings of Power, it features a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) and a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man). As seen in the initial trailer, it's also set to include elves catching arrows, humans stuck on rafts on stormy seas, cave trolls, raging fires and orc battles. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set a premiere date of Friday, September 2, 2022 back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, the series will spend time in Middle-earth's Second Age, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to show's official synopsis, The Rings of Power will follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, The Rings of Power features an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. After you've hopped over to Prime Video to scope out the new trailer, you can revisit out the first teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power below. And, watch this space — as announced in the just-dropped new clip, another trailer is coming on July 14, too. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
I have been to Ching-a-Lings many a time, yet never can I remember precisely where it is. Despite its entrance being located on Oxford Street, Ching-a-Lings has an almost Harry Potter-esque ability to disguise its entrance from the eyes of the public. All I can ever remember is that it's kinda near an Indian restaurant. To avoid looking lost, I recommend counting the building numbers in a nonchalant manner from the opposite side of the street. Ching-a-Lings was one of the first small bars to pop up a couple of years ago and it has stuck, because it's good and it's friendly. There's nothing that makes you feel like you're wearing the wrong shoes or sipping the wrong drink when you walk in. Most importantly, it's not ostentatious and there's no gimmick. That's why people love the place and keep coming back. The whole thing is a little bit industrial, with a dark staircase you ascend only by following the shadows of the feet in front of you. You emerge upstairs to exposed brick walls, a recycled bar, people reposing on couches and a DJ pumping out some rather fine beats in the corner. You'll find more people hanging out on the deck, which is a little on the slender side. While there's nothing amazing out there, it's simple, well-designed and, as one of my friends has often pointed out, a very good spot to watch the bats fly over the city in summer. One of the nicest things about Ching-a-Lings is that its drinks are unpretentious. Wine and beer are pretty standard, nothing special, but Ching-a-Lings is a chilled place and it all fits with the vibe. Because while it's great to have bars in Sydney that have three hundred types of wine and cocktails mixed from strawberry and pixie tears, it's also nice just to go somewhere and not have to stress about what you're ordering. You come with good company, pull up a couch or a bench outside, and while away a couple of hours while Oxford Street seethes and pulses below you.
This sleek-yet-cosy cafe on Rangers Road is just a stone's throw from bustling Military Road, but feels worlds away. So although you're spoiled for choice when it comes to brunch spots in Neutral Bay, At Neutral is well worth a stop in. Expect the usual suspects on the breakfast menu, but with some unique dishes thrown in such as the Za'atar roasted eggplant with sunflower seed cream, roasted cherry tomatoes, crispy curry leaves and dukkah on toasted sourdough ($19). Or, if you're after an OTT brekkie, order the lobster toast served with citrus creme fraiche, pickled fennel, finger lime, fresh greens, anchovy oil and 63-degree egg ($21). Coffee here is from local roastery Calibrate Coffee and, for the sweet tooths among us, there's a selection of pastries on offer, too — think house-made muffins, friands and flaky croissants.
A few years ago New Zealand's famously sulphur-scented town of Rotorua was a thriving centre of tourists and adventure-seeking locals alike, thanks to attractions like zorbing, luge rides and more. The region was hit particularly hard by COVID which saw tourist numbers dry up and adventure outlets forced to close. With borders now open, those looking for a spot to spend a long weekend over the ditch shouldn't overlook it in favour of some of its flashier city siblings. In fact, Rotorua recently joined places like Bucharest, Athens, and Seychelles on Forbes' list of the top 50 destinations to travel to in 2023. Concrete Playground recently visited Rotorua for the weekend and found it rich not only in culture, but in luxe and relaxing experiences. Here's our guide on where to eat, drink, play and stay next time you're in this hot pool hotspot. EAT AND DRINK You're might be already familiar with Eat Street, a famous laneway of restaurants and bars in the heart of Rotorua, but there is a far greater bevvy of spots hidden around the town's streets — you just need to know where to look. Fuel up with a morning coffee and brunch at Junction on Fenton, a family-friendly eatery attached to the historic I-site building in town. Here you can learn a little about the area before fuelling up for the day with a filling feed — we'd recommend the aptly named breakfast dish 'No Time to Waffle' to send your blood sugar sky-high. For a relaxed yet vibey dinner of share plates and truly excellent cocktails, look no further than Poco Tapas on Arawa Street. Tucked up an unassuming staircase above a lawyer's office — don't get confused by the very corporate entry — this eatery specialises in share plates like flatbreads and dips, fried chicken and some truly standout vegetable side dishes. The cocktails are also excellent. Don't sleep on the espresso martini. Unlike many of New Zealand's tourism hotspots, Rotorua isn't stacked with wineries — but its best-kept secret for wine fans is, surprisingly, found up the gondola. If you're begrudgingly being forced into some daredevil activities, find an excuse to sneak away to Volcanic Hills' tasting room. Rotorua's only cellar door, this stunning spot offers vinos with lake views — and is also in a great supervisory position over the luge. Make sure to include a walk through the Redwoods on your weekend trip — either marvelling from the ground or from 20 metres in the air during the treetop walk. Once you've sufficiently worked up an appetite, head to Eastwood Cafe, a chic eatery found in the stunning new Scion Innovation Centre on the outskirts of the forest. Perfect for a post-ride or hike refuelling, this new spot is a real standout, thanks to its modern fit-out, stacked menu and above all, a giant authentic pizza oven behind the counter churning out fresh 'zas. Conk yourself into a carb coma with the carbonara pizza which manages to combine two excellent Italian dishes in one. Feeling extra peckish? Splurge on a side of spicy chicken wings — and do not miss the daily $10 margarita. PLAY You're going to need at least three days in Rotorua to really soak up all the activities so book that annual leave now. And don't worry if you're not a thrill seeker or 'outdoorsy' type — even those without a penchant for adrenaline will find plenty to do. For an activity that manages to blend both exercise and geology (but in a fun, non-school-like way), opt for a kayak tour with Paddle Board Rotorua. These tours allow you to see steaming geothermal activity from the water and get up close and personal with some pretty stunning geysers — which have a cute tendency to explode when you're near them. On our trip, a geyser blew that guide swore hadn't happened in the three years he'd been running the tours. This was very exciting and only mildly terrifying. If you've never seen a real-life kiwi (the bird, not the people) you're going to want to pay a visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery — yes, this is where that famous picture of Harry and Meghan with the kiwi was snapped. The tireless work this team does is, quite simply, amazing: retrieving kiwi eggs and bringing them to their onsite incubators, raising them as hatchlings and allowing them to grow strong enough to survive in the wild — without being food for pests like stoats and rats. You'll get to see eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks, and all of your ticket cost goes into back into the hatching programme. After all that education, it's time to find your zen. Luckily Rototua is known for its hot pools. For an authentic clay-smeared experience, hit Hell's Gate. Here you'll soak in the mud pools slathered in the good grey stuff before getting into the "health-giving" sulphur pools for an Insta-worthy soothing soak. Just be sure to give your swimsuit a good wash separate from the rest of your clothes — ours still smell a little sulphury a few months down the track. Otherwise, opt for one of the Polynesian Spa's famous private pools for a delicious soak overlooking the lake. STAY If you're looking for a romantic spot to soak up the views and just get away from it all, there are several glamping experiences nearby, including the stunning Kokako Retreat, 30 minutes from Rotorua. With an outdoor tub, firepit and epic sunset views, it's the perfect way to really feel like you've managed to escape from the city. If you want to stay right in the heart of things — including a stone's throw from some of the aforementioned eateries — opt for the newly refurbished Pullman Rotorua. Rooms start from AU$170 a night, and the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating. The buffet breakfast each morning is worth a stay alone. GETTING THERE Rotorua is located in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island: a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Auckland and a five and half-hour drive from Wellington. Alternatively, there are breezy twice-daily 45-minute flights from Auckland Airport. Feature image: The Polynesian Spa
Months of lockdown might have spelled the end of productivity for many — but that sure doesn't seem to be the case for Melbourne chef-restaurateur Joe Vargetto (Mister Bianco, Massi) and good mate Maurice Terzini, aka the Sydney-based heavyweight behind Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and CicciaBella. The pair have kept busy working on their new joint venture, Cucina Povera Vino Vero, which is gearing up to launch in Melbourne's CBD in mid-November. The project will see the site of Vargetto's existing venue Massi stripped back and reimagined as a cosy Italo-Aus diner that's a little bit punk and, as the name suggests, built on a simple 'less is more' approach to cooking. The vibe is inspired by the garages of suburban Melbourne and Sydney, with Terzini defining the style brief as: "Rick Owens makes passata". "We want this juxtaposition of these beautiful old traditions that we respect and this really old Italian peasant food, but brought into a really high contemporary punk setting," The restaurateur explained to Concrete Playground. "We always say, traditions are beautiful but it's time we create our own." [caption id="attachment_720794" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Massi[/caption] With front-of-house led by Terzini's son Sylvester and Vargetto heading up the kitchen, Cucina Povera is set to champion simplicity from its food right through to its styling. A minimalist makeover by multi-disciplinary firm Latitude will see the 52-seat space transformed, with various tones of grey and heavy timber swapped out for a cleaner, more contemporary vision. The equally simple menu is set to showcase a modern interpretation of Italian peasant food, while a short, sharp drinks offering will feature around eight wines sourced hyper-locally and served by the carafe. "Stuff that might not make the bottle, but makes the winemaker's table," explains Terzini. Meanwhile, Romeo Lane's Joe Jones is working on developing a short crop of fun, reimagined classic cocktails, all designed to be quaffed alongside good food. And guiding the sonic side of things is long-time Terzini friend and collaborator Mike Simonetti, of techno label Pale Blue, tasked with creating a soundtrack that sums up the restaurant's vibe. "We just want it to be really, really authentic in its approach to dining and to eating," says Terzini. "You don't have to be at the Icebergs all the time to have a great meal ... this one is no budgets, no forecasts — it's just a real gut feeling of this is just going to be really good, you know?" Cucina Povera Vino Vero will open at 445 Little Collins St, Melbourne, from mid-November.
This summer, Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria has brought together works from two of New York City's legendary 80s art figures. The world-first Crossing Lines exhibition showcases the art of Keith Haring alongside that of his good friend and creative rival Jean-Michel Basquiat. Emerging during the early 1980s, both artists found their start on the street before becoming hot properties in galleries around the world. Regarded as two of the most influential artists of the late 20th century, Crossing Lines draws parallels between the pair's differing and distinctive visual language of lines, signs and symbols. Both Haring and Basquiat commented heavily on society and politics in their practice; Haring was a champion of gay rights and sexual expression and, as an African-American artist, Basquiat explored race prominently in his work. Running until April 13, 2020, across painting, sculpture, objects and photographs, the NGV presents 200 artworks amassed from prominent galleries and private collections. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be taken on a deep dive into each artist's personality and struggles, experiencing how they navigated their way from being relatively obscure street artists to global icons within only a short few years. As you make your way through Crossing Lines, you'll see some of the work Haring and Basquait created on New York City's streets and subway stations, as well creations from their early shows that propelled their careers onwards. Near the end of the exhibition, there's an array of important works created in the lead up to their deaths, which were both tragically premature. With so much to unpack, we've picked out six of the most impressive works you can find at Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines. KEITH HARING: UNTITLED (1983) Featuring many of Haring's trademark characters, this untitled work explores one of Haring's most discussed topics: technology and mass media. From the rise of personal computers to video games and cable television, the 1980s was an era of technological innovation. While many hailed these developments, Haring often expressed his concerns about how computers would influence society and especially its relationship with art. In 1983, Haring wrote: "The human imagination cannot be programmed by a computer. Our imagination is our greatest hope for survival." KEITH HARING: PROPHETS OF RAGE (1988) Whether it was the AIDS epidemic, the anti-apartheid movement or children's health, Haring was renowned for using his art to bring attention to many of society's most important issues. Painted in 1988, Prophets of Rage is Haring's take on race relations in the United States during such a turbulent era. Diverging from Haring's more lighthearted creations, this work demonstrates how he used his art vocabulary to tackle major topics like injustice. KEITH HARING: A PILE OF CROWNS, FOR JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1988) Found towards the end of the exhibition, one of the key pieces presented at Crossing Lines is titled A Pile of Crowns, for Jean-Michel Basquiat. Following the death of Basquiat on August 12, 1988, Haring produced this touching tribute to his friend, combining Basquiat's iconic crown motif with his own distinct use of line and symbolism. Haring was deeply heartbroken by the death of his friend, journaling extensively about his life. Alongside this work, you can find a handwritten draft by Haring for Basquiat's obituary. JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: UNTITLED (1982) While Haring was known to carefully plan out his murals, Basquiat found it almost impossible to stop adding to his. Layered with endless references and metaphors, throughout his work you'll notice his iconic crowns, skulls and copyright symbols. This work from 1982 sees Basquiat at his best, producing a vivid yet chaotic artwork that can be examined through multiple lenses. With the lines, colour and layers coming together with great effect, this work alludes to the concept of American identity. JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: ISHTAR (1983) Basquiat was known to have a deep interest in ancient mythology. This massive triptych painting — named after the Egyptian goddess of war and fertility — is again layered like almost all of Basquiat's work, with the background created using photocopied drawings, which was a common practice in his work. Drawing from a host of influences and cultural materials, Basquiat would often recreate text from books he was reading. In the top left corner, you can make out a list from Harold Bayley's 1912 book The Lost Language of Symbolism. JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: CANTASSO (1982) As one of Basquiat's landmark paintings, Cantasso marks an important moment in his career where he went from a modest graffiti and street artist to an internationally celebrated star. Featuring bold lines and colours emblematic of Basquiat's work, Cantasso is an attention-grabbing piece that displays his admiration for artists ranging from Pablo Picasso to the frenetic work of Cy Twombly and Jean Dubuffet. Cantasso is also recognised as the first in a series of Basquiat's work that included exposed stretcher-bars, where he would fashion ad-hoc canvasses out of just about any material available to him. Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne until April 13, 2020. It's a ticketed exhibition — you can buy them in advance on the NGV website. All images: Installation view of Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines for NGV International. © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring Foundation. Shot by Tom Ross.
When searching for cultural after-dark adventures in Sydney, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia's (MCA) Artbar series never disappoints. Taken over by the singular vision of an artist, curating an evening of art, installations, live music and performance, it's a playful space dedicated to artistic talent and good times. This April, revered Bundjalung painter, photographer, musician and tattoo artist Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal) is serving up a unique and exclusive 18+ program dubbed Artbar: Liner Notes—visual, sonic and social melting pot of uncommon encounters "connect, contrast and complement one another". [caption id="attachment_997524" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] As you move between the levels of the Museum encounter instrumental improvisation performed by award-winning musician Jono Ma, Lake Kelly and more. Rooftop sounds reverberate on the harbour with music by Beth and Blue, Mark Callaghan and a DJ set by Oxford Art Factory co-founder, Edward Woodley. Plus, you can even take home a more permanent keepsake with tattoo artists Sophia Baughan (Hand in Hand) and Garth Neale (Eazy Tiger) inking designs on-site. This is a one-off event you don't want to miss. For more information or to grab your tickets to Artbar: Liner Notes, visit the website here and see current exhibitions for the night here. Images: Alex Cooke and Anna Kucera By Elise Cullen
The Giant Dwarf loves to bang on — so much so, they're dedicating two whole weeks to celebrating the art of it. A brand new festival for the Redfern theatre, YACK will bring together a selection of Sydney's funniest, smartest and most provocative comedians, podcasters and panellists. The little festival will feature big laughs with a great lineup of people who like to have a good ol' chinwag. We're pretty excited to see the Kates (of The Katering Show) live In Konversation and Sam Simmons read a phone book in his hilarious and celebrated show A-K. Peter Helliar, co-host of The Project, will be debuting his first family-friendly show following the release of his bestselling children's novel and Hannah and Eliza Reilly (who you might know from the ABC's Growing Up Gracefully) will remind us of our public speaking insecurities with The Yarramadoon PS Debaters Night. Add to the mix a performance by The Chaser — who will be reminiscing on their most audacious stunt ever (can you guess which one?) — and the first ever live performance of Zan Rowe and Myf Warhurst's podcast Bang On, and you'll most probably be on the ground in stitches. Some of Australia's most witty writers, including Benjamin Law, Cameron James and Caitlin Welsh, will be collaborating with Songs and Stories to pay their respects to the music that has shaped them and Rebecca Huntley and Sarah MacDonald will host The Full Catastrophe, an afternoon-slash-therapy session with people well known for turning horrible moments into hilarious stories. Judging by the state of world affairs, two weeks of non-stop laughing at YACK will be just what the doctor ordered, so head over to the Giant Dwarf website for tickets here. The festival will run from November 6–19.
Barangaroo House is giving you more reason to stop by for an afterwork bev this August. Harbourside restaurant and vinyl bar Rekōdo is welcoming a series of sonic residencies from acclaimed Australian record labels to switch up those Wednesday nights. From 6pm every Wednesday in August, you will find some of the top names in the Australian music industry in charge of the Rekōdo decks — with residencies from the likes of Planet Trip, Elefant Traks, Utopian State, Future Classic and I OH YOU. Enjoy your nightly dose of sensational mixing with a side of Japanese-inspired food. Head Chef Tara Chua will be curating a limited-edition menu featuring fried cheese sandos, togarashi popcorn, and wagyu hotdogs – food you can easily snack on between trips to the dance floor. [caption id="attachment_871572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rekodo, Steven Woodburn[/caption] On drinks we have Creative Bar Manager Jai Lyons and Otis' Connor O'Brien. Cocktails will be music-inspired and minimal-waste, creatively using leftover kitchen produce to create some seriously innovative flavours. The Another One will have you repeating DJ Khaled's iconic catchphrase after you taste the blend of Tenjaku whisky, mezcal, blood orange, Japanese-inspired Mexican mole, egg foam and lemon. The series is set to honour the Australian music scene while creating an immersive experience where food, drink, music work together to create the perfect vibe for your Wednesday night. You can check out the full program and lineup here. Images: Steven Woodburn
When New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that gathering restrictions would come back into effect in the Greater Sydney area in response to the northern beaches COVID-19 cluster, she also revealed that the next big piece of news would come on the morning of Wednesday, December 23. The timing is obvious, because everyone wants to know what's in store for Christmas. And so, at her daily press conference today, Premier Berejiklian advised that the current gathering limits that have been in effect since Sunday, December 20 will continue. That means that, in the Greater Sydney area including the Blue Mountains and Central Coast, caps remain in place for gatherings at home and in indoor venues. If you're keen to have folks over to your house, that's limited at ten people. At all other indoor settings other than the family home — which includes hospitality venues — the one-person-per-four-square-metre rule is still in effect. And, a cap of 300 people remains for big venues, even if a large space can hold more than that and still abide by the density requirement. The at-home ten-person rule was originally due to expire at 11.59pm tonight, Wednesday, December 23, so it has been extended indefinitely in this new announcement. And the one-person-per-four-square-metre rule for venues wasn't given an end date when it was reintroduced, so it's in place until advised otherwise, too. Wondering what that means for New Year's Eve? At present, the NSW Government statement advises that "decisions on New Year's Eve and upcoming sporting events will be made after this Christmas period". Yes, that's mighty vague. There is one change coming into place for folks getting together at home over Christmas, though, and it only applies from Thursday, December 24–Saturday, December 26. On those three days, the ten-person limit doesn't include children under the age of 12. So, you can have ten adults and however many kids under 12 at your house. But, you can only have one group of people over on each day — so you can't have different lots of ten people and children coming over at different times. This very minor change stops at midnight on Saturday, December 26, with the hard ten-person rule — for visitors of all ages — back in effect from Sunday, December 27 until further notice. For folks in the northern beaches, which is presently in lockdown, the area is being split into two zones. The northern half, from the Narrabeen Bridge up and east of the Baha'i Temple, can have five visitors over including kids from Thursday, December 24–Saturday, December 26, as long as their visitors live in the peninsula zone. Then, it'll go back into the current stay-at-home conditions. The lower half can have ten visitors plus kids during that period, including folks from the rest of Greater Sydney, and will then be told what happens afterwards in an announcement on Boxing Day. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1341536333106298881 Announcing the news, Premier Berejiklian revealed that nearly 42,000 people came forward for COVID-19 testing in the past 24 hours, with eight new local cases diagnosed — and seven of those linked to the cluster. She also revealed that, from Friday, January 1, using the NSW Government QR code system will become mandatory for all hospitality venues and hairdressers. As proved the case the moment the current cluster popped up, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week — and, if you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days after your visit. In terms of symptoms, Sydneysiders should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Being a Barbie girl in a Barbie world wasn't just a 2023 trend, back when Greta Gerwig's (Little Women) Margot Robbie (Asteroid City)-starring — and Oscar-nominated — film became one of the biggest and pinkest movies to ever hit cinemas. The 2025 way to get your Barbiecore fix Down Under from Friday, June 27, 2025 through till summer 2026: by enjoying ice cream floats served in a pink Barbie convertible car at the Malibu Barbie Cafe, plus sipping fairy floss-topped cocktails at the Ken Kabana bar, all at The Social Quarter at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne. The Malibu Barbie Cafe has been popping up across the US, with New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, Austin and Houston all welcoming the venue — and the Victorian capital is hosting its debut stop beyond America. Pink hues? Beachy decor? Kicking it back to the 1970s, when Malibu Barbie initially debuted, at the onsite watering hole? A rollerskating rink lined by artwork of palm trees? A life-sized Barbie box? An installation that celebrates how Barbie as a brand has changed over the years? That's all on offer at the Malibu Barbie Cafe. So is merchandise that you won't find anywhere else, if you need a memento from your visit — although, with that in mind, we're sure that you'll fill your phone with plenty of photos. Ken's job isn't just beach here, given that his name adorns the cocktail-slinging upstairs bar in the two-storey site. On the drinks menu: that gin and lemonade concoction with spun sugar on top; themed takes on mojitos, margaritas, cosmopolitans, espresso martinis and old fashioneds; and more. If you're keen on a booze-free version, some of the tipples are available as mocktails. There's also a snack range, including fries with pink mayo, prawn cocktails, sushi and baked brie. Does putting your skates on appeal? You'll find that on the second level, too. Downstairs, Malibu Barbie Cafe's menu is an all-ages-friendly affair, with that ice cream float just one option. Sticking with sweets means choosing from doughnuts, pink cookies, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, fruit and marshmallows. If you can't decide, the dessert sampler dishes up a mix of picks on a Barbie boat for between four and eight people. Savoury dishes span the same small bites as at the Ken Kabana, plus burgers, poke, garlic prawn linguine, beer-battered fish tacos, club sandwiches, grilled cheese, mac 'n' cheese and salads. Or, tuck into avocado toast, açai bowls, bacon and eggs, parfait or pancakes from the all-day brunch selection. Then, to drink, milkshakes, pink lemonade and pink lattes are among the options. If you're thinking "come on Barbie, let's go party", party packages are indeed a feature — including three-hour adults-only private-dining experiences from 6.30pm Thursday–Sunday.
Sure, picnics are a common enough pastime for Sydneysiders. But now that double-vaxxed residents of NSW can get together in groups of five outdoors, it's high time to champion the return of the humble BYO picnic. In partnership with Rosie Spritz, we're helping you jump on the picnic fever that's taking over the city this spring. Whether you want to simply lay in the sun and read Sally Rooney's latest novel or to plan a full-blown al fresco feast with four mates, we've got you. And for northern beaches folk, that means uncovering the most idyllic parks, bays and beaches where you can throw down a rug — and BYO booze. So, grab your wicker basket and head to these top spots to fill your gob with cold cuts and sip an ice-cold spritz in the afternoon sun. [caption id="attachment_827080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] CLONTARF RESERVE, CLONTARF Despite beaches reigning supreme on this side of town, there's no shortage of beautiful bays and parklands either — and Clontarf Reserve, on the fringes of Balgowlah, ticks all of the worthy park boxes. Beach? Check. Leafy tree-filled space? Yep. Netted swimming zone to keep any purported finned friends at bay? Yessir. It also overlooks the Spit Bridge (in case engineering marvels are your thing) and features a play area for fully vaxxed picnickers with young kids in tow. Physical attributes aside, the reserve is also BYO booze-friendly from 8am–8pm, making it perfect spot for a spritz. [caption id="attachment_827079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] CLAREVILLE BEACH RESERVE, CLAREVILLE If sun and sand is more your speed, get on down to Clareville Beach for your next picnic. This lesser-known (but equally impressive) stretch of beach tucked away near Avalon is the kind of sandy serenity you no doubt seek. Expect calm waters, lightly bobbing sailboats, shady pines and a soft seabreeze to keep you cool long into the afternoon. Add four vaxxed mates, a picnic spread of prawns rolls and freshly shucked oysters, and a cooler full of rosé spritzes and, congrats, you've mastered the casual beachside picnic. You'll just have to quit any boozing from 8pm–8am. [caption id="attachment_827078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] WINNERERREMY BAY, MONA VALE If you're looking for the most family-friendly picnic spot on the northern beaches, feast your activity-hunting eyes on Winnererremy Bay. It's got an epic flying fox ride for one, plus a skate park, playground, picnic shelters and barbeque facilities, so you can throw a shrimp on the barbie and sip a spritz (from 8am–8pm). There's also a swimming area and trails featuring stone carvings if you want a quick dip or walk before you tuck in. Then, roll out a blanket under one of the many shady trees at this relaxed spot and you'll feel a world away from the bustle of the more publicised picnic spots in the area. [caption id="attachment_827076" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] DES CREAGH RESERVE, AVALON The northern beaches lays claim to quiet, sandy coves by the dozen. But if you're looking for somewhere a bit livelier to lay down a picnic spread, head to Des Creagh Reserve in Avalon. This stretch of tree-lined park is right opposite Avalon Beach, meaning there's plenty of action to be witnessed, as well as uninterrupted ocean views. Plus, it's just a short stroll to some of the sweetest Avalon eateries on offer for all your takeaway picnic needs. So, live out your Puberty Blues dreams with a Chiko Roll and watch the surfers duck and glide along the waves as the sun starts to set. Like much of the northern beaches BYO-friendly spots, alcohol is banned at Des Creagh Reserve from 8pm–8am. [caption id="attachment_827088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] THOMAS STEVENS RESERVE, CHURCH POINT As far as remote-yet-accessible picnic zones go, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pick than Thomas Stevens Reserve. Located on the shores of Pittwater and overlooking the alluring Scotland Island, Thomas Stevens Reserve is laden with shady spaces and secluded coves to meander until you find the perfect picnic possie. Booze is usually off-limits, but you can imbibe on Fridays, weekends and public holidays between 3pm-9pm, so plan accordingly if you're looking to BYO booze. Thankfully, snacks are allowed any day, any time. [caption id="attachment_825771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Michele Cooper/DPIE[/caption] BARRENJOEY HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK Everyone's favourite natural backdrop from Home and Away, Barenjoey Head and its famed lighthouse are also home to an unbelievable picnic spot with views for days. It's a bit of a trek — around 30 minutes from the car park — but once you're there, you're gifted with 360-degree views of pristine coastline stretching from the Central Coast and long sandy beaches to the south. Across the water, there's the winding bushlands of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the dazzling bays of the Hawkesbury. If that's not the backdrop for a picnic cheers, we don't know what is. [caption id="attachment_827083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] EAST ESPLANADE RESERVE, MANLY Located on the harbour side of Manly, East Esplanade Park is one of the most-loved parks on the northern beaches. While the majority of the park is an alcohol-free zone, there is one small pocket where you can sip a cold one (responsibly, of course). Locally known as 'The Office', this section of grass is in East Esplanade Reserve and it's one of the very few outdoor areas where you can BYO booze in Manly; however alcohol consumption is banned between the hours 8pm–8am. So, we recommend coming here to watch the ferries to and fro across the harbour and sip a spritz at sunset, then get dinner from one of the local restaurants, like Queen Chow or Chica Bonita (which are both currently serving up takeaway options, too). Rosie Spritz is an ideal springtime sip and is available at BWS, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor stores across Sydney. For more picnic inspiration, check out our guides to idyllic picnic spots where you can BYO booze in Sydney's inner west, inner city, lower north shore and eastern suburbs. Top image: Clareville Beach, Elliott Kramer Remember to Drinkwise.
Tokyo might be filled with dotty creations thanks to its Yayoi Kusama museum, not to mention gorgeous animation at its Studio Ghibli museum; however that's just the beginning of the Japanese capital's immersive creativity. From June 21, it'll become home to a new digital art museum — the city's first, and one that'll dedicate its more than 10,000-square-metre space to interactive, kaleidoscopic artistry. While one-off Tokyo events have combined multi-course dinners with multi-sensory projections and turned a greenhouse into a light and music-filled garden patch, Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless will offer up those kind of attractions all year round. In fact, it's a collaboration between interdisciplinary art collective teamLab, aka the folks responsible for the aforementioned animated meal, and urban developer Mori Building, whose sky-high gallery in the city's Roppongi district hosted a giant game of Space Invaders 52 storeys above the ground last year. Set to feature more than 50 works, the museum will be split into five different areas — but, as the site's name indicates, there won't be any walls or borders between each space. Instead, visitors will roam from through a gallery where art works blend into each other, communicate with each other, move across installation rooms and even fuse with other pieces. Highlights include installations that'll make you feel like you're wandering through lily pads, sliding through fruit and sitting in an aquarium; a tea party that pairs real-life cuppas with virtually blooming flowers; and a forest of lamps that respond to human interaction, spreading their light as people approach each bulb. Still on the garden theme, the museum will also feature an 'athletics forest' complete with spaces for jumping, hanging on swinging bars, navigating a weightless space and climbing on gradients of different elevations, bridging the gap between the artistic and the physical. Plus, the site is located in Odaiba — which means travelling over the city's famous Rainbow Bridge to get there, and adding some extra brightness to your visit. Due to open on June 21, the museum will operate seven days a week, all year round. For more information, visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless website.
If you live in Manly, your ferry commute home just got a little bit more bearable (a whole lot tastier). Harbour City Ferries has just opened bars on the four vessels that service the northern beaches suburb, and they're being helmed by local craft brewers 4 Pines. The on-board bars are a first for a Sydney public ferry — until now, you could only buy a bev on privately owned services, like the Manly Fast Ferry. The 4 Pines Ferry Bars can be found on the four Manly ferries: Collaroy, Narrabeen, Freshwater and Queenscliff. The brewery's core range will be kept on-board, including sips like the Indian Summer Ale, the In Season IPA and the Brookvale Union Ginger Beer. While booze will only be available from 4–8pm each day, non-alcoholic drinks and a food menu available at other times. Those that rush to work will especially find a lot to love — think, smoothies, frittatas, granola yoghurt pots and the Le Pig toastie, made with leg ham, gruyere, cheddar and Dijon mustard. All the food will be whipped up by the 4 Pines kitchen. According to Sydney Harbour Ferries Managing Director Martin Kearney, the move is about improving the onboard experience. "We have listened to what our customers want and believe the bar service on Manly ferries adds an enjoyable dimension to the journey of regular commuters and visitors to our city," Kearney said. The 4 Pine Ferry Bars are now open on the four Harbour City Ferries Manly services, with alcohol served between 4 and 8pm.
Have you got a lot of pent up energy you can't wait to let loose? Luckily, you don't have to travel far to blow off steam. A full spectrum of thrills is on offer within Sydney and its surrounds, and you don't need to plan these adventures months in advance either. We've teamed up with Adrenaline to highlight some of the high-energy activities it offers for whenever you're ready to get going. Give the rest of the year the boost it sorely needs by canyonying your way through the Blue Mountains or leaping out of a plane over Wollongong. These eight top-notch experiences are a stellar way to set the tone for things to come. FLY OVER SYDNEY IN A BLACK OPS MILITARY-STYLE HELICOPTER If there's one thing guaranteed to put your heart in your mouth, it's a death-defying helicopter flight ramping up to almost 240 kilometres per hour. Lifting off from Sydney Airport, the helicopter will fly high above the city skyline and along the coastline. You'll be safely inside the same type of helicopter used by military forces around the world, and your flight helmet comes complete with a GoPro to capture the entire experience. Once you've safely landed, you'll receive your footage edited together with the in-flight communications and an action-packed soundtrack, providing you with endless memories of this Mission Impossible-esque experience. RACE THROUGH A RAINFOREST ON A ZIPLINE The warm temperate rainforests of the Southern Highlands make quite the impression from the ground. But they're even more awe-inspiring when you're strapped into Australia's highest zipline adventure. Soaring across a series of cables and suspension bridges at 35 metres above the ground, you'll get to experience remarkable vistas stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. If you decide to embark on this journey, you'll also receive an educational rundown on the region's vibrant flora and fauna, and gain access to the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk where you can stroll among the seemingly endless green canopies. TEST YOUR UPPER BODY STRENGTH WITH AN INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING SESSION You don't have to be free soloing up a sheer cliffside like Alex Honnold to get your palms sweaty from rock climbing. You can achieve a similar rush from the safety of the Villawood's Indoor Climbing Gym, as you spend the entire day taking on a variety of challenging obstacles. The gym has 250 unique routes to test your technique on, so you'll encounter overhangs, vertical drops and sharp slabs on your way to the top of the 16-metre-tall walls. This centre serves as the perfect indoor adventure to conquer within Sydney's limits before deciding whether you have what it takes to scale an openair peak. [caption id="attachment_702979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Aquarium[/caption] MAKE SOME NEW TOOTHY MATES AT SYDNEY AQUARIUM There aren't too many places where you want to come face to face with a shark, but this 30-minute diving encounter at Sydney Aquarium is a rare exception to the rule. Although you're probably eager to leap straight in with these notorious creatures, first you'll undergo a detailed introduction to scuba diving and apply your new skills in the training pool. Then it's time to take a deep breath, as your expert instructors lead you inside the aquarium tanks teeming with over 30 sharks, including 4.5-metre long wobbegongs and other marine life, like stingrays and turtles. Friends and family can watch on from the spectators' tunnel, so get them to snap some photos of you with your new sharp-toothed pals. ZOOM OVER SYDNEY IN A FIGHTER JET Do you like to live life in the fast lane? Well, there's almost no faster lane than the one used by fighter jets. This high-octane adventure places you in the rear seat of a blisteringly quick L-39 fighter jet, with your veteran pilot more than happy to put the aircraft through its paces. Before take-off, you'll get dressed in a military-style flight suit (BYO aviator sunglasses) and partake in a safety briefing explaining the extreme g-forces your body is about to experience. Soon you'll be zooming down the runway and bursting through a 15-minute sequence of high-velocity manoeuvres that'll expand your definition of speed. Let's hope you can hold onto your lunch. JUMP OUT OF A PLANE OVER WOLLONGONG Few things are bound to satisfy an adrenaline junkie more than skydiving from a plane at 15,000 feet. And there aren't many better places to experience the thrill of plummeting towards the ground at 200 kilometres per hour than over the picturesque landscape of Wollongong Beach. Don't worry, you won't have to fling yourself into thin air on your own — you'll be jumping in tandem with a highly trained instructor who'll ensure you reach the beachfront safely. Following an electrifying free-fall lasting up to 60 seconds, you'll get to soak up the coastal views as you glide down and eventually get your feet back on solid ground. GO HORSE RIDING AND QUAD BIKING THROUGH BUSHLAND If you've been cooped up inside for the last couple of months, getting some fresh country air sounds like a smart idea. You won't have to head far beyond Sydney's outer suburbs to reach Glenworth Valley's sprawling 3000 acres of countryside for a horse riding and quad bike combo tour. You'll be given the option of trail or free-range riding depending on your previous horse riding experience, then you can spend two hours exploring the surrounding valleys and rainforests. Next, it's time for part two of your adventure as you have another 90 minutes to motor through the property's myriad bushland tracks and river crossings on a high-speed quad bike. Treat yourself to a trip that's guaranteed to jump-start the rest of your year. Head to the Adrenaline website and find an adventure that won't disappoint. Top image: Adrenaline
Pulling together a dazzling glimpse of more than a century of historic photos, the CLICK! exhibition at Badger & Fox Gallery has many a story to tell. The exhibition features original vintage prints (some signed) from as far back as 1853 and features renowned Australian photographers Bill Henson and Narelle Autio, as well as international photographers from Germany to Japan. There is a story behind each of these photos, be it the mystery behind the stunning Japanese Sitting Nude, taken sometime in the 1880s by an unknown photographer, or the pinholes left in Max Dupain's Your Girl Is Cheating, an early piece by the Australian photographer — famous for his iconic shots of Bondi beachgoers — left marked from being hung at a 1960s Royal Easter Show. The Badger & Gallery, usually open by appointment only, will share the CLICK! exhibit with us Wednesday-Friday 6pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm until December 21. Image credit: Women Are More Beautiful than Men by Gary Winogrand.
Indie vibes, great coffee, even better food, and a nightlife that cannot be beaten? We're obviously talking about Newtown. The best part about this inner west neighbourhood is that there's no single thing that makes it great — its beauty lies in the fact that it is so eclectic. And no matter what has brought you to this part of town, with so many excellent businesses along King Street (and beyond), you're sure to find the thing you're looking for. Together with American Express, we've highlighted some of the local businesses that make Newtown such an amazing part of town to eat, shop and play in. Read on to discover where to buy last-minute gifts, a midweek meal staple and one of the best bottle-os in town.
Some visit Bali seeking romantic places to stay, where they can treat themselves to pamper packages within wild natural surroundings. Others want a tropical adventure — hiking up volcano craters, riding quad bikes through the jungle or swimming beneath hidden waterfalls. And, of course, there's the party atmosphere, from group day trips to places to dance the night away. To help any kind of traveller have the best time in Bali, we curated a selection of local trips and tours that can be booked through Concrete Playground Trips. Read on to find a few of our favourites. [caption id="attachment_892435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juan Cruz Mountford (Unsplash)[/caption] SUNRISE VOLCANO HIKE WITH THERMAL SPRINGS SWIM This trek could quite easily become the highlight of your trip to Bali. You'll get up early to hike to the summit of volcanic Mount Batur to catch the sunrise and enjoy breakfast cooked over volcanic steam. It's not a difficult climb, but the natural hot springs waiting for you at the bottom are a magical treat. Enjoy the view of the volcano and the surrounding mountains while you soothe your muscles in the natural springs. Not a morning person? Book a midnight hike or a private jeep ride up to the volcano and into the crater instead. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob M Visuals (Unsplash)[/caption] RICE TERRACE CYCLING TOUR When visiting Bali, go beyond the island's famous beaches and head inland to explore the untamed jungle and thousands of miles of rice terraces. While you can drive to many of them, the best way to see a bunch is by going on a cycling tour. This particular one focuses on the Bangli region. It is a less commercialised area, boasting some of the world's most beautiful rice fields with views of Mount Batur in the distance. Alight from your bike to walk between the terraces, little huts, tumbling waterfalls and quaint temples before sitting down to a big lunch overlooking the stunning scenery. We could think of worse ways to spend a day. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892434" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jared Rice (Unsplash)[/caption] FIVE-DAY HOLISTIC RETREAT Bali abounds with wellness retreats, and Y Retreats is one of the best budget-friendly options. That's why we teamed up with Y Retreats to sell some of the spots available on its upcoming Reset and Recharge retreat. Over the course of five days, you'll be immersed in a carefully curated combination of breathwork, cold exposure, yoga, self-development sessions, leadership and resilience workshops, physical adventuring and so much more. It's held at a secluded beachfront property in Tabanan and includes all your meals. It's the perfect place to relax and work on yourself. BOOK IT NOW. BALI SEA WALKER This is a really random travel experience. But it's heaps of fun. You pop on a glass helmet that's fed oxygen via a long tube and walk along the sea floor spotting tropical fish swimming about coral reefs. It's much easier than proper scuba diving (no training is required for sea walking). Add this little activity to a day spent at the beach. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Fewings (Unsplash)[/caption] UBUD DAY TRIP The Ubud region has become increasingly popular these days, but remains quieter than most parts of Bali. It has many picturesque temples, coffee plantations, rice fields, museums and small villages filled with markets and great places to eat. But seeing all its best bits can be tough without a guide. So, we teamed up with Candidasa Taxi to offer this unique private tour of Ubud that also includes a trip to Tegenungan Waterfall and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tandya Rachmat (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY GILI ISLANDS AND LOMBOK TOUR The Gili Islands is one of our favourite places to go in Indonesia. These six small islets are all located by Bali's neighbour sister Lombok and offer up exceptional experiences. You can swim with turtles, explore small fishing villages, relax on long white sand beaches and simply escape the crowds of Bali. And if you book this Gili Island and Lombok tour, you'll get to take your time seeing all the best bits over three days — you'll really want to spend more than just a day in these parts. The tour will also pick you up from Padang, so it's a great addition to any Bali holiday. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Florian Giorgio (Unsplash)[/caption] REGIONAL BALI TOURS Bali is a diverse place when it comes to culture, food and natural sites. That's why you shouldn't spend your entire holiday in just one place. But packing up all your things to stay in several different areas can also be tiring. The solution? Get on the day trip bandwagon. We have a bunch to help you see it all. Spend a day in the north, south, east or west of the island with each of these unique trips that take you to all the most popular parts — as well as a few hidden gems only locals know about. [caption id="attachment_892438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nattu Adnan (Unsplash)[/caption] NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP Nusa Penida is an absolutely stunning island located just off the shores of Bali. It's a beach lover's paradise, with countless hidden coves located all over. A great way to see them is by joining a day tour. This particular one takes you to Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay. You can even book a really affordable private boat tour of Nusa Penida to see it all from the water. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bali Surgawi Tour Travels (Unsplash)[/caption] QUAD BIKE ADVENTURE As an ATV rider, you will be challenged to conquer some of Bali's rugged off-road terrain and muddy rock formations for 90 to 120 minutes. You'll see some great scenery, rice fields, rivers and beaches while zooming about with some mates. This will be followed by a two-hour snorkel trip that will take you to two different swimming spots. It's a two-in-one. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world. Top image: Jamie Fenn (Unsplash)
Tsukemen is the signature ramen at this cute World Square restaurant. When you order this ramen, two bowls arrive — one containing the noodles, the other containing the extra-thick broth. To eat it, you dip the noodles in the broth then slurp it down (a technique that can take a mouthful or two to perfect). The broth is a richly flavoured tonkotsu soup — pork broth boiled over 12 hours to create a delicious ramen you'll keep coming back for, with pork belly that melts in your mouth like it should. Spice it up and go for the extra chilli kick by ordering the Tonkatsu Red for a full flavour hit. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the set deal, which lets you order your favourite ramen and add a small donburi on the side, such as a mini karaage don for seven bucks.
Butter is expanding its streetwear and fried chicken empire and opening a third location on the lower north shore. Set to launch just days before Christmas, the Chatswood Chase location will have Butter's signature combo of fried chicken, sneakers and serious champagne. But, it'll also have something entirely new for the brand: charcoal chicken. It's been a big year for charred chook already, with Henrietta opening in Surry Hills and both Frango and El Jannah launching their first-ever drive-thrus. Now, the lower north shore is getting in on the action. Like Butter's existing Surry Hills and Parramatta stores, the Chatswood Chase shop will have a lineup of hard-to-find sneakers from brands such as Raised by Wolves, Hypebeast and Smile + Wave, as well as Butter's own branded merch. It'll have a full bar, too, with cocktails and huge range of champagne. Executive Chef Julian Cincotta is bringing the original Butter food menu over to the lower north shore but with a few added extras — so you'll be able to order the same chicken sandwich with pickles and the '3 Pac' box of fried chicken and hot sauce. But there'll also be new menu items, such as a bigger range of beef burgers, salads and charcoal chook. The smoky chicken will be rubbed with Butter's signature red spiced pepper, marinated for 48 hours and cooked over fire. Whether this new charred chook will be served with garlic sauce (like El Jannah), chilli sauce (like Frango) or something completely different is still unknown, but we're keen to find out. We're also keen to find out exactly how you order these new dishes. Supposedly, they won't be on the 'normal' menu and you'll need to "put in some work to find them". To be the first to try, you can enter the draw to win an all-expenses-paid ticket to the invite-only launch party over at the Butter website. Butter is opening inside Chatswood Chase sometime in the week beginning Monday, December 21. We'll let you know when an exact date it announced.
If you don't like anything to stand between you and the sea, here are your new plans for Sunday, March 1. At 8am the third Sydney Skinny will be kicking off, as hundreds of people disrobe and dive into the calm waters of Cobblers Beach at Mosman's Middle Head for a nude swim. For those of who you didn't hear about last year's event, basically it's a ticketed swim (and the largest nude ocean swim in the world, apparently; on a similar scale to Hobart's Dark Mofo winter solstice swim) that raises money for the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife's conservation work. In 2014 more than 700 totally starkers Sydneysiders took part, and by all accounts it was a pretty liberating, joyous experience for all involved. All participants must be over 18 and capable of swimming at least ten laps of a 50-metre pool. If you're a bit of a novice, choose the 300m option, while the more confident can plump for the 900m swim. Lifeguards will be stationed out on the water, and only people with tickets to swim get access to the beach, so you don't have to worry about creepy clothed spectators watching you disrobe. There will even be a festival area with refreshments and post-plunge freebies from event partners like Nudie juice. Non-participants are welcome to join in this portion of the event for free. You can organise to swim with a group of friends, or go solo. Whatever works. Just be mentally prepared for the possibility of running into your old high school physics teacher or your ex-boyfriend's dad.
What do Byron Bay, Busselton, Bali and Bangkok all have in common? Alongside everywhere from Launceston, Newcastle, Uluru, Cairns, Darwin, The Whitsundays, and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts through to Singapore and Phuket, you can nab a cheap flight there and back as part of Jetstar's latest sale. This time around, fares start at $33. The one catch: you'll need to be a Club Jetstar member (but you can sign up now to get in on the bargains). There always seems to be an airline sale popping up, but this one has a heap of discounts on a huge number of fares, with 100,000 flights on offer. You do need to get in quick, however, as it's running for just 48 hours. The cheapest domestic price, $33, gets you between Sydney and Ballina/Byron, but Launceston–Melbourne is only $43, Brisbane–Whitsunday Coast and Newcastle–Melbourne are both $49, Gold Coast–Sydney is $50, Sunshine Coast–Sydney starts at $52 and Hobart–Melbourne begins at $58. To get from Brisbane to Cairns, you'll pay $76 — and from Sydney to Uluru is $105, Melbourne–Busselton / Margaret River is $135 and Darwin–Sydney is $156. The list goes on, including for overseas jaunts, where the Perth–Singapore route starts at $139, Melbourne–Singapore begins at $189, Adelaide–Bali is $215, Sydney–Phuket kicks off at $279 and Brisbane–Bangkok starts at $285. If you're keen, the sale runs from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 19–11.59am ADST on Friday, March 21, 2025 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. And yes, if you're eager for a holiday at reduced prices, you'll want to get in quick. Travel periods vary, but you should find dates betwen late-March 2025–early-February 2026 across the full spread of specials. You'll pay extra for checked baggage if you need it, however, or you'll want to travel super light. Club Jetstar membership costs $65 a year, which you can join online while making a flight booking, and also gives you 20-percent off checked bags and seat selection. [caption id="attachment_976497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Shaw Photography[/caption] The Club Jetstar March member-only sale runs from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 19–11.59am ADST on Friday, March 21, 2025 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. 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.
The summer of 2021–22 is shaping up to be the summer of travel, as Australia's borders start to reopen. That'll apply internationally, much to the delight of everyone who has long been dreaming of an overseas holiday — and it'll also kick in domestically, too, as Aussie states and territories begin to reopen up to each other. Queensland has recently announced when it'll welcome in residents from other parts of the country — specifically states who've just weathered big outbreaks and lockdowns, such as New South Wales and Victoria. And, for the past week, those latter two states have been revealing their plans with each other. The big news: from Monday, November 1, double-jabbed folks from both NSW and Victoria can travel between the two states without quarantining. On Thursday, October 21, NSW Health advised that the current public health orders requiring 14 days quarantine for Victorian arrivals are still in place, but will lift when next month hits — just for the double-vaxxed. If you haven't had both jabs and you've been in Victoria from that date onwards, you won't actually be permitted to enter NSW for a holiday or recreation at all. That announcement follows Victoria's similar revelation last week, on Friday, October 15, that it was changing its border permit system for double-vaccinated NSW residents. All Aussies need a permit to enter Victoria under its traffic light-style setup; however, since 11.59pm on Tuesday, October 19, those hailing from places deemed 'red zones' in NSW — including folks who aren't Victorian residents — have been able to head to the southern state without quarantining. [caption id="attachment_776506" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mulwala Bridge by Yun Huang Yong via Flickr.[/caption] In Victoria, you do still need to get a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your arrival if you're coming in from a NSW red zone — and, after entering the state, you need to get tested again within 72 hours, and isolate until that comes back negative. If you aren't double-jabbed and you're heading to Victoria from a NSW red zone, you also have to do 14 days quarantine in addition to those tests. Those arriving from NSW orange zones who are double-vaxxed don't need to do any of the testing. NSW hasn't yet revealed if there'll be testing requirements for those heading north, with more detail expected before Monday, November 1 hits. Still, whether you're a Victorian eager to visit Sydney or a NSW resident keen for a trip to Melbourne — for a holiday, to see loved ones, or for any other reason — you can now start planning. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, head over to the Victorian Government's website.
"I never expected that my work would amount to anything," says celebrated Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee in conversation with Concrete Playground. "One dreams, but I never dreamed that I would ever have a proper career in art," she says. It's a humbling statement from the artist whose retrospective Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop opened at MCA Australia earlier this month. Celebrating her dynamic and often experimental 40-year practice, with more than 70 works including paintings, flung metal pieces and immersive installations, the exhibition is one of the most exciting events in Australia this summer. If you're not familiar with Lee's art, she says her work is never about giving off a message or trying to explain something. "But rather [to create] an experience for the viewer where they find themselves whittling out questions and curiosities," says Lee. "Art exceeds what anyone can say about it. When viewing it, it is almost self-reflective." The multidisciplinary artist has a playful approach to her art in which process is as important as the finished piece. There are Lee's early photocopy works from the 80s, wax paintings and whole-room installations. And there's the dazzling steel sculpture 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember', made up of thousands of tiny perforations and located in the Museum's forecourt, which you'll want to catch at night — and undoubtedly take a selfie. But there are also six artworks that are particularly close to Lee's heart, which, according to the artist are not to be missed. For Lee, they represent different points of her practice, direction and philosophies — and they're pretty great to look at, too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'NO UP, NO DOWN, I AM THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS' Lee's practice is deeply rooted in Daoism and Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism philosophies, with her works often examining the connection between humanity and the cosmos. But it wasn't always so, which is why her work 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' is such a seminal piece. "[It] was the first work that I ever created with a direct intentional relationship with Zen philosophy," says Lee. 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' takes over an entire corner of the Museum, with approximately 1200 colourful photocopies, marked with flung ink (an ancient Chinese art form), scattered across the walls and floor. The bold work first exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1995 and has been recreated by Lee thanks to the MCA's Director and exhibition curator Elizabeth Ann Macgregor — her first curated exhibition since the MCA's 2012 Anish Kapoor show. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ken Leanfore[/caption] 'MOONLIGHT DEITIES' This massive, immersive piece of art was commissioned especially for the exhibition and is made up of 31 perforated paper discs, varying from two to ten metres in diameter. So expect the wow-factor when walking through this one. Predominantly black and white with "the silvery light you get on a full moon night", 'Moonlight Deities' has a sense of otherworldliness to it. On the surface, it's all about dark and light, silhouettes and shadow, with moon crater-like projections dancing across the room. There's little difference between the discs and the shadows they cast, which, as you walk through the room, create a sense of liminality — all connecting back to Ch'an buddhism. "I have a fascination with time. In Zen philosophy, the thing I find immeasurably fascinating is the notion that time is actually an ingredient of what we are," says Lee. "We're all impermanent. And in the universe everything changes." [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'BIRTH AND DEATH' 'Birth and Death' is Lee's most personal work in the exhibition. "It remains one of the most important works I've ever done," says the artist. Created as an homage to her late nephew Ben after he passed away aged 22 from cancer, 'Birth and Death' touches on political and cultural themes such as migration, Chinese culture and the White Australia policy. "But the essential purpose of this piece was to honour Ben and give him his place in five generations of family," she says. "It's about paying honour to someone I cared very much about." The work is made up of 100 accordion books, with books dedicated to members of Lee's family at various stages of their life. Using red, the work evokes an association with blood as much as it does with China. It is as visually impactful as it is evocative. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'STRANGE CONDENSATIONS' Lindy Lee is no stranger to experimentation in art. In fact, it is a major part of her process and with 'Strange Condensations' she surrenders to it. Her flung bronze works came about from seeing accidental bronze drippings on a foundry floor and, naturally, she wanted to turn it into art. By taking molten bronze and flinging it at surfaces, the artist creates almost cosmic constellations — in a hazmat suit, no less. Again stemming from her Buddhist beliefs, 'Strange Condensations' — and its making — is symbolic of the universe as an infinite net, constructed and dependent on everything within it. "What I love about [flung bronze] is that it's uncontrollable. Everything that exists in that moment makes that mark," says Lee. "Each shape is unique and it is absolutely about the conditions of the time that creates them. And thus it is with life." [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'OPEN AS THE SKY' AND 'UNNAMEABLE' If you thought splashing 1200-degree metal around was experimental, think again. Wanting to make her flung bronze works three-dimensional, Lee turned to a litre of Pauls custard — as a cooling substance to drop molten metal into. With the metal rolling into itself while cooling, it creates spontaneous forms that Lee then scales up. The end result is a series of gnarled, pitted sculptures like 'Open As the Sky' and 'Unnameable'. As well as being the product of a cool science experiment, these works are the artist's own version of gonshi (ancient scholar's rocks) and, in turn, celebrate her Chinese heritage. "It takes an immense energy of geological transitions and force over thousands of years to make [gonshi]. That's why they're admired; they literally contain the movement of the universe through them. So, you know, I wanted to make my own." 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop is showing at MCA Australia until February 2021. The gallery is currently open 10am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday, with COVID-19 measures in place. Entry is free and unticketed. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively. Top images: Anna Kucera.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER Black Panther: Wakanda Forever isn't the movie it was initially going to be, the sequel to 2018's electrifying and dynamic Black Panther that anyone behind it originally wanted it to be, or the chapter in the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe that it first aimed to be — this, the world already knows. The reason why is equally familiar, after Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020 aged 43. At its best, this direct followup to the MCU's debut trip to its powerful African nation doesn't just know this, too, but scorches that awareness deep into its frames. King T'Challa's death starts the feature, a loss that filmmaking trickery doesn't reverse, no matter how meaningless mortality frequently proves when on-screen resurrections are usually a matter of mere plot twists. Wakanda Forever begins with heartbreak and pain, in fact, and with facing the hard truth that life ends and, in ways both big and small, that nothing is ever the same. Your typical franchise entry about quick-quipping costumed crusaders courageously protecting the planet, this clearly isn't. Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler (Creed) like its predecessor — co-scripting again with Joe Robert Cole (All Day and a Night) — Wakanda Forever is about grief, expected futures that can no longer be and having to move forward anyway. That applies in front of and behind the lens; as ruminating so heavily on loss underscores, the movie has a built-in justification for not matching the initial flick. The Boseman-sized hole at Wakanda Forever's centre is gaping, unsurprisingly, even in a feature that's a loving homage to him, and his charm and gravitas-filled take on the titular character. Also, that vast void isn't one this film can fill. Amid overtly reckoning with absence, Coogler still has a top-notch cast — returnees Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, plus new addition Tenoch Huerta, most notably — drawing eyeballs towards his vibrant imagery, but his picture is also burdened with MCU bloat and mechanics, and infuriating bet-hedging. The emotional tributes to T'Challa and Boseman hit swiftly, after the former's tech-wiz sister Shuri (Wright, Death on the Nile) agonises over not being able to save him. In a swirl of song, dance, colour, movement, rhythm and feeling on par with the first instalment, but also solemn, Wakanda erupts in mourning, and the film makes plain that the Black Panther audiences knew is gone forever. A year later, sorrow lingers, but global courtesy wanes — now that the world knows about the previously secret country and its metal vibranium, everyone wants a piece. Such searching incites a new threat to the planet, courtesy of Mesoamerican underwater kingdom Talokan and its leader-slash-deity Namor (Huerta, Narcos: Mexico). The Atlantis-esque ocean realm has vibranium as well, and it's not keen on anywhere else but Wakanda doing the same. If Queen Ramonda (Bassett, Gunpowder Milkshake), Shuri and their compatriots don't join Namor to fight back, Namor will wage war against them instead. Given Coogler and Cole's basic premise, bringing back Okoye (Gurira, The Walking Dead), head of the Wakanda's formidable Dora Milaje warriors, is obviously easy. The same applies to fellow soldier Ayo (Florence Kasumba, Tatort), and to introducing Aneka (Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You). Straight-talking tribal leader M'Baku (Duke, Nine Days) makes a seamless comeback and, although she's working in a school in Haiti, former spy Nakia (Nyong'o, The 355) does the same. Even excusing seeing CIA operative Everett Ross (Martin Freeman, Breeders) again is straightforward enough, but keeping overarching Marvel saga cogs turning means a pointless reappearance for another character familiar from the broader series but new to Black Panther movies. And, it results in the clunkiest of kickoffs for "young, gifted and Black" college student Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne, Judas and the Black Messiah), the star of upcoming MCU Disney+ TV show Ironheart, who is needlessly shoehorned in on the big-screen. Read our full review. THE VELVET QUEEN "If nothing came, we just hadn't looked properly." Partway through The Velvet Queen, writer Sylvain Tesson utters these lyrical words about a specific and patient quest; however, they echo far further than the task at hand. This absorbing documentary tracks his efforts with wildlife photographer Vincent Munier to see a snow leopard — one of the most rare and elusive big cats there is — but much in the entrancing film relates to life in general. Indeed, while the animals that roam the Tibetan plateau earns this flick's focus, as does the sweeping landscape itself, Munier and his fellow co-director and feature first-timer Marie Amiguet have made a movie about existence first and foremost. When you peer at nature, you should see the world, as well as humanity's place in it. You should feel the planet's history, and the impact that's being made on its future, too. Sensing exactly that with this engrossing picture comes easily — and so does playing a ravishing big-screen game of Where's Wally?. No one wears red-and-white striped jumpers within The Velvet Queen's frames, of course. The Consolations of the Forest author Tesson and world-renowned shutterbug Munier dress to blend in, trying to camouflage into their sometimes-dusty, sometimes-snowy, always-rocky surroundings, but they aren't the ones that the film endeavours to spy. The creatures that inhabit Tibet's craggy peaks have evolved to blend in, so attempting to see many of them is an act of persistence and deep observation — and locking eyes on the snow leopard takes that experience to another level. Sometimes, pure movement gives away a critter's presence. On one occasion, looking back through images of a perched falcon offers unexpected rewards. As lensed by Amiguet (La vallée des loups), Munier and assistant director Léo-Pol Jacquot, The Velvet Queen draws upon hidden cameras, too, but so much of Tesson and Munier's mission is about sitting, watching and accepting that everything happens in its own time. Letting what comes come — and acknowledging that some things simply won't ever occur at all — isn't an easy truth to grapple with. Nonetheless, it's also one of this contemplative feature's achievements, even though it's a type of detective story through and through. Tesson and Munier follow clues to search for the snow leopard, moving positions and setting up blinds wherever they think will score them their sought-after footage. In the process, they learn a lesson as all sleuths do. As they face the possibility that they might not be successful, which Tesson's perceptively navel-gazing narration explains, The Velvet Queen becomes a mindfulness course in filmic form. It has something astonishing that all the Calm, Headspace and similar apps in the world don't, though: the film's on-the-ground recordings (well, 5000-metres-up recordings), which show why finding peace with life's ebbs and flows is all that we can really hope for. Accompanied by a stirring score from Australian icons and lifelong bandmates Warren Ellis and Nick Cave — their latest contribution to cinema on a resume that includes The Proposition, The Road, Hell or High Water and Wind River before it — it's no wonder that The Velvet Queen's philosophising voiceover also notes that "waiting was a prayer". It's similarly unsurprising that Tesson penned a book, The Art of Patience: Seeking the Snow Leopard in Tibet, based on the trip captured in the documentary. In fact, if you're the kind of person who keeps their peepers peeled for feline life in any new neighbourhood you visit, or even if you're just strolling around your own, this feature firmly understands. More than that, it one-ups you, while also connecting with the act of scouring and seeking as much as the potential joys of getting what you wish for. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on August 4, August 11, August 18 and August 25; September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22 and September 29; October 6, October 13, October 20 and October 27; and November 3. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Bullet Train, Nope, The Princess, 6 Festivals, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Crimes of the Future, Bosch & Rockit, Fire of Love, Beast, Blaze, Hit the Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing, Orphan: First Kill, The Quiet Girl, Flux Gourmet, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Moonage Daydream, Ticket to Paradise, Clean, You Won't Be Alone, See How They Run, Smile, On the Count of Three, The Humans, Don't Worry Darling, Amsterdam, The Stranger, Halloween Ends, The Night of the 12th, Muru, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, Black Adam, Barbarian, Decision to Leave, The Good Nurse, Bros, The Woman King, Sissy, Armageddon Time and The Wonder.
If you're a dessert fiend, you've probably spent much of the pandemic satisfying your sweet tooth with a little help from Gelato Messina's long list of specials. The chain is clearly known for it frosty scoops, but it also likes to dabble with Iced VoVo cakes, cookie pies and sticky scrolls, among other dishes. If you're eager to try its latest treat, however, you'll need to place an order with online bakery Black Cream. Messina now makes its own couverture chocolate, so Black Cream is putting it to work in its new Messina Chocolate Basque cheesecakes. There's no gelato in sight — but if you order one of these beauties, which has been dubbed 'The Black', you'll be able to sink your teeth into a cheesecake made with Messina's 65-percent dark chocolate. Don't like choccies? This obviously isn't for you. Love chocolate more than most things? Then we've just found your next excuse to treat your tastebuds. The Black costs $65, with the 18-centimetre cheesecake designed to serve between six and eight people — and, given the time of year, that screams festive season. "We use only the best Australian ingredients in all our cheesecakes. Messina chocolate brought a bold richness of flavours to our cakes. There was no choice but to create the Messina Chocolate Basque cheesecake," explains Black Cream's Ant Sandler and Lucie Bertiau. When they started their cheesecake business in 2020, the pair actually sought inspiration from Messina. And, after taking a tour of Messina's HQ, they were inspired to start experimenting with its couverture chocolate in their cheesecakes. Given the bakery's online setup, Sydneysiders can get The Black delivered to their doors, too. You do need to order at least two days in advance, so take that into consideration if your stomach is now rumbling. To order Black Cream's Messina Chocolate Basque cheesecakes, head to the online bakery's website.
