When Drake plays his first Australian shows in eight years on his 2025 Anita Max Win tour, he isn't just dropping in for a few dates. Since first being announced in November 2024 for a run in February, the Canadian artist's trip Down Under keeps being extended. Now, he's even sticking around at the beginning of March, adding new shows in Sydney and Brisbane. That makes five gigs in the Harbour City and three in the Sunshine State capital. Drake will play Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17, then on Wednesday, February 19–Thursday, February 20, and now on Friday, March 7 as well. In Brisbane, he's headed to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, February 24–Tuesday, February 25, and also on Tuesday, March 4. Yes, you're now going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head. Drake last hit the stage in Australia in 2017 on his Boy Meets World tour. Also on the five-time Grammy-winner's Australian itinerary this time: two gigs at RAC Arena in Perth and four at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star and platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. Last time that he played to Aussie audiences, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. The Anita Max Win tour's initially announcement wasn't new news if you'd been paying attention to Drake's social media, where he'd been teasing details — but it keeps expanding. Drake's 'Anita Max Win' Tour 2025 Australian Dates Tuesday, February 4–Wednesday, February 5 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10 + Wednesday, February 12–Thursday, February 13 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17 + Wednesday, February 19–Thursday, February 20 + Friday, March 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 24–Tuesday, February 25 + Tuesday, March 4 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Drake is touring Australia in February and March 2025, with tickets to the new Sydney and Brisbane shows on sale from 1pm local time on Wednesday, January 15. Head to the tour website for more details. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
Surfers of Melbourne — all 300,000 of you — don't go anywhere. Come Easter, the first waves will be rolling through Australia's very first surf park. And, no, you won't have to drive all the way out to Torquay or the Peninsula. Instead, Urbnsurf Melbourne will be located on a huge site in Tullamarine, just near the airport. Plans for the park first surfaced way back in 2016, and Urbnsurf has today announced that the park has installed its wave generator. That means it will be pumping out surf by April, with a view to be open to the public by spring this year. At the moment, the site is still a hole in the ground — but when it opens, the two-hectare lagoon will power up to 1000 waves per hour, day and night. And you'll get a choice of waves. Want to ride nothing but perfectly-formed right-handers for an hour? Or would you prefer a random selection, like what you'd experience in the ocean? You'll be able to take your pick. According to Urbnsurf founder Andrew Ross, "every wave has six different take-off spots", which equates to 3600 surfable positions every hour. The waves are created by Wavegarden technology, which was developed by a Spanish engineering firm of the same name. So how does it work? Basically, the waves come from an 85-metre pier that runs down the centre of the lagoon (which you can see in the image below). A series of pistons located on the pier then push the water to the left, then to the right, to create the waves. Ross likens the movement to "moving your hand back and forward like a shark's tail". [caption id="attachment_707250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Urbnsurf lagoon under construction.[/caption] If you're worried about the amount of energy needed to drive such an operation, take comfort in the fact that Urbnsurf aims to run on 100 percent renewables within the first 12 months of opening. From the get-go, the rest of the facility's built environment — which includes a beach club, loads of eateries and a retail space — will be partially solar powered (with the rest sourced from renewable sources), and water will be sourced from storm water stores near the airport before being treated and filtered. Once the lagoon is filled, the team will then enter a testing period — if you're a keen surfer, you can sign up to give it a test drive before the park opens to the public in spring this year. The ability to create waves means that the park will be built for both pros who are looking for steep, barrelling waves and novices looking for a safe place to get their start in the surf. "Becoming a great surfer is all about getting waves under your feet," says Ross. "But, in Melbourne, the nearest waves are over an hour away. Unless you set up your life so you can get down there regularly, it's difficult to progress as a surfer, without dedicating decades of your life to it." At Urbnsurf, Ross predicts, most novices will stand on their board within an hour and ride across the green face within two. And not only will you get guaranteed waves — you won't be fighting for them. The park holds 84 riders per hour. And, should you get seriously hooked, you'll be able to enter amateur competitions, maybe with (or against) your mates. When completed, it will be the fourth commercial wave park in the world, and the first in Australia. But not for long. Urbnsurf has already has plans for a Sydney park approved, and it's also lodging a development application for a site in Perth. Another park has also been proposed for regional Queensland. https://vimeo.com/256710737 Urbnsurf is due to open in spring 2019 near Melbourne Airport. You can sign up to test out the surf park before it opens on the website. Top image: Wavegarden San Sebastian, by Ed Sloane. All images courtesy Urbnsurf.
It's something you're hoping you only have to do once (more) in your life, you're probably not looking forward to it and your entire future is riding on the outcome. And yet this outing — the one where you first meet your partner's parents — might also be one you look back on fondly around shared dinner tables for years to come. To set your day or night on the right trajectory, the perfect backdrop is key. Nothing too fancy or cool; you want a place that will put everyone at ease, you included. We've partnered with American Express to scour Sydney for ten such spots, all of which will make a solid impression on any potential future in-laws. These restaurants are easy to enjoy, take bookings, accept Amex and give you the best chance of winning over the rentals. They have personality, charm and are serving up some great food and booze to help the sell. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Gelato Messina — the geniuses that brought us the beautiful combination of salted caramel, fudge and meringue, have concocted a new flavour — and this time, it's made from the ingredients we usually reject: food scraps. Dubbed 'Bread and Butter Pud for Good', the flavour will be available for one week only, starting July 18, to help launch and publicise Virgin Mobile and OzHarvest's #mealforameal campaign. "[The flavour] will be a citrus spiced custard smashed with bread and butter pudding," says head chef and Messina partner Donato Toce, the guy that gets to eat half a litre of gelato every single freaking day. "These ingredients are what OzHarvest has in excess, so we thought this would be a good opportunity to make a unique flavour with that." Messina has been donating to OzHarvest for the past three years, so this project is right up their alley. "It works in so well with what we do, we would never want something out there that's half-hearted," he says. "For us it's all or nothing, and that's why this Virgin campaign is such a beautiful thing; it's them giving 100 percent to the needy". The #mealforameal campaign trades on our existing preoccupation with photographing our food. It encourages you to snap, crop, filter and share images of food to your heart's content. For every one image that you upload to social media with the hashtag #mealformeal, Virgin Mobile will donate one meal to OzHarvest. The target: 400,000 meals donated to charity. OzHarvest is an organisation aimed at addressing the disparity between enormous waste on the food production end, and the multitudes of people who go without food on the other. In Australia alone, $8 billion worth of food goes to waste annually. OzHarvest actively tries to minimise this gap by distributing surplus food from participating restaurants to charities all over Australia. It's a good partnership for Messina, who pride themselves on community engagement. "Messina is not just ours, it's everybody's," says Donato. "It's a neighbourhood thing and it’s the interaction with our customers [that] makes us what we are." There's a lot of people power in the long queues spiralling around the corner of their establishment. You were going to wait for an indefinite amount of time for some of that creamy joy in a cone anyway. Now you have the extra pleasure of helping someone in need get a good meal at the same time.
Half-priced airfares have been quite the topic of conversation over the past 24 hours, with the Australian Government announcing a scheme that'll see the country's airlines sell 800,000 flights at the discount rate. That starts in April — but if you're keen on getting away before then, Virgin is doing a flash sale that'll also slash fares by half. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, less than 12 months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital, launched a comeback sale in early July and its voluntary administration officially ended on Tuesday, November 17. With so many folks talking about the government's half-price fares, Virgin is capitalising upon the chatter; however, it's only putting this current set of cheap tickets on sale for two hours — from 5–7pm AEDT today, Friday, March 12. These fares don't form part of 800,000, and you'll need to be keen to travel in the next fortnight, with the flights covering trips between Monday, March 15–Sunday, March 28. The discounted economy flights include seat selection and checked baggage. All Virgin-operated routes nationally form part of the sale, with some of the specials on offer including Sydney to Byron Bay for $55, Sydney to the Gold Coast for the same price, Melbourne to Launceston from $64, Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast from $78 and Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $88 (and vice versa in all cases, naturally). As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights also became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin's half-price flash sale runs from 5–7pm AEDT today, Friday, March 12 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
Sydney's street art game has become more publicly known over in the last few years. Melbourne had been stealing significant thunder with its clandestine laneways plastered with all forms of art, but Sydney has always been a quiet achiever in this wall-based cultural realm. But those days are done, as Austrian artist Nychos makes his mark around town, another artist will work on his own wall canvas live for all to watch. Russian-born, Sydney-based artist MCRT, aka Maxim Chikanchi, is known for his portraiture and wild animals found in some prime Sydney spots. You may recognise his work from the walls of Garçon at Tramsheds, Paddington's Captain Cook Hotel and café-book-nook Ampersand Café. And this week, the artist returns to Ampersand to take on eight metres of fresh wall canvas. My new #artwork for #garconsydney at #tramshedsharoldpark #sydneyart #coffeeart #gabrielgarciamarquez #mural A post shared by MCRT (@mcrt.studio) on Oct 13, 2016 at 7:22pm PDT Bringing "The cool chill of Russian winters to the tropical heat of Sydney's busy streets," Maxim will paint a massive polar bear inside the cafe to submerge the space in Artic waters, and perhaps add a bit of world contemplation to your morning latte. "The piece is about contrast," he explains, "with the world temperatures rising, and the hottest summer ever recorded here in Sydney, I thought a polar bear swimming through the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean to be an apt thought for contemplation on both the direction our environment is going in, and a fresh reminder of what we are hoping for on a hot summer day." Head to Ampersand this Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3 from 10am to 3pm, and if you're lucky, you may even snag a one-off replica of MCRT's polar bear for your home. A collection of his original works and prints will also be sold. Images courtesy of the artist.
Tio's is unabashedly fun. Head inside this laidback tequila-filled drinking den to find a huge selection of margaritas, ice cold tinnies with fresh lime and salt on the rim as well as a free bag of popcorn every time you order a drink — "Scientifically matched to the flavour of Old El Paso taco seasoning, circa 1999". Or so they say. Consider yourself a tequila and mezcal connoisseur? Then make your way through some of those on offer — choose from hundreds of varieties of these agave-based tipples. We bet you'll find stacks you've never tried before. The owners, Jeremy Blackmore and Alex Dowd, are big tequila fans and have spent many years curating this list — with some also featuring on the menu of their other Sydney bar, Cantina OK! [caption id="attachment_834813" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Or if margaritas are more your jam, be sure to try some of their cheap as chips $10 margs — the flavour of which changes each week. Past creations have combined pandan with coconut and blueberries with hibiscus. But the purists out there can also expect the classic varieties too. Tio's also has stacks of beer options. Expect a few local Aussie brews, but you come to this bar — a somewhat drunken love letter to Mexican culture — to drink some Mexican bevs. Try the Tecate, Negra Modelo, Carona or Tio's own Loco Lager on tap. [caption id="attachment_761744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] And if the bottomless bags of spicy popcorn aren't enough for you, fill up on some super loaded nachos. These cheesy treats come with either chorizo, roasted pork or refried pinto beans (vegan cheese is also available). Enjoy all of this within some sensory-overloaded surrounds. The inside of Tio's is adorned in religious iconography — think Virgin Mary statues, melted church candles and a few Jesus' on the cross. Fairy lights and colourful paper lanterns are strung up all over, too. More is more at Tio's. And we can't get enough of it. [caption id="attachment_834811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] You'll find Tio's at 4-14 Forest Street, Surrey Hills — open from Tuesday to Sunday. Top images: Letícia Almeida and Nikki To
Hollywood director James Cameron has successfully completed a solo mini-submarine dive in a vertical ‘torpedo’ of his own design. For the past seven years, Cameron, who is better known for creating the epic blockbusters Avatar and Titanic, has been working in secret with a team in Australia to design and build a 12-tonne, 12 metre-long sub called ‘Deepsea Challenger’. The National Geographic Society, who sponsored the expedition, reported Cameron’s record-breaking descent to the deepest point in the ocean - over 10 kilometres down into the Mariana Trench, southwest of the Pacific island Guam. He returned to the surface after less than three hours under water. The director has been fascinated by oceanography since he was young, and he undertook 33 deep-sea dives to the wreck of the Titanic during the making of his 1997 film. Cameron planned to film what he could see during his solo dive to later share with the world in 3D. In preparation for the expedition, Cameron had researched submersible technology to find the best possible way to explore the seabed, and had practiced yoga in order to endure the mission in the one-person vessel. Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard and US navy captain Don Welsh are the only two other men to have reached the same depth, in the same place, in 1960. Their visibility was poor due to the amount of sand kicked from the ocean floor.
A staple of holiday dining tables the world over, the humble Christmas ham is too often sidelined as a one meal wonder. Add a slice or two of really good bread and suddenly a problem leftover transforms into a culinary masterpiece. Behold, the humble ham sandwich. After the festive rush is done and dusted, and the downtime between Christmas and New Years gets underway, let Abbott's Bakery's loaves do the heavy lifting when it comes to high adventure, low touch meals. Surf and Turf Sandwich While you may be off the clock and in relaxation mode in the days after Christmas, time waits for no crustacean and is definitely of the essence if you've got leftover prawns piled up from Christmas lunch. A surf and turf sandwich is an ingenious way of using up some of Christmas lunch's most perishable ingredients and comes together in less than 10 minutes with no cooking required. All you need to do is lay out a few slices of your favourite Abbott's Bakery bread, on which you'll spread on a tangy green pickle relish, before adding lettuce and whatever ham you have on hand — that can be store-bought slices or sliced off the last of the Christmas ham. Then top the bottom layer with another slice of bread, add tartare sauce, lay down some prawns and any extra tartare to taste. Finally, top with some more greens and a final slice of bread. Lunch is served and leftovers are given new life. Provolone and Ham Melt This provolone and ham melt makes the most of the mish mash of charcuterie board leftovers that litter kitchens throughout the holiday season. Combined with leftover ham and sandwiched between two slices of Abbott's Bakery Sourdough White, this is an inventive toastie that packs a flavour punch and can be made in 20 minutes or less. Start by spreading mayonnaise and mango chutney on two slices of Abbott's Bakery bread. On the slice with chutney, add shaved ham, pear slices, roasted peppers and provolone cheese before topping it with the other slice of bread. For the perfect golden brown crunch, brush both sides with melted butter and grill on a griddle until the cheese is oozy and melted. Classic Croque Madame A croque madame is one of those indulgent breakfasts that requires time more than skill. Difficult to throw together in a rush, but deceptively easy, this grilled cheese sandwich is a classic for a reason. This particular recipe comes together in just 20 minutes and starts with a fresh slice of Abbott's Bakery sourdough. Spread on some fruit paste and your favourite chutney, layer with ham and a mix of cheeses and top the filling with your second slice of bread. Then, heat half a tablespoon of butter and cook your sandwich in a frying pan for two minutes on each side with the lid covered. Remove your sandwich from the pan, add another half tablespoon of butter and fry an egg to place on top of the sandwich. Voila, breakfast — or lunch or any old meal in between when you're pottering around and feeling peckish — is ready. Ham, Brie and Spiced Mango Sandwich Summer means mangoes and this recipe demonstrates there's more than one way to skin a mango. This sandwich starts with the mango salsa which is acidic, spicy and sweet in equal measure. Once the salsa is ready, set it aside and spread butter and mustard on a slice of Abbott's Bakery Wholemeal bread. Then, layer lettuce, ham, brie and the salsa on the buttered bread before topping with microherbs and another slice. Plate it all up with a fresh wedge of lime. Ripping Two-Cheese and Ham Toastie The combination of flavours in this toastie call for a darker bread with a slightly more nutty, malty and earthy flavour. A mixture of sharp Dijon and sweet mustard pickle adds zing, while the blend of cheeses used — gruyere and colby — elevates this sanga into something special. Layer the spreads, cheese and ham between two slices of Abbott's Bakery Dark Rye bread, give them a grill in a fry pan for two minutes on each side. Then, remove them from the heat, add rocket for a fresh, peppery and ripping toastie to tuck into. Ham, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich (HLT) Forget the BLT. Meet its Christmas cousin the HLT. Proving that there are countless ways to mix up what goes between two great white slices, the ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich is both a spin on a classic and fantastic in its own right. Ready in mere minutes, assemble this classic lunchtime feed by layering ham, sliced cheese, tomato and lettuce on Abbott's Bakery Rustic White bread that's been spread with mayo and mustard. Discover the full range of Abbott's Bakery bread and create your ideal sandwich.
What happens when New Zealand's own Rose Matafeo (Baby Done) takes on British romantic comedies? In 2021, the answer was Starstruck. It's the rom-com sitcom that doesn't just fit the genre, but also loves it, unpacks it, and knows how to adapt its tropes in a smart and hilarious way. In fact, it was a delight in its first season, and then again in its second run in 2022. Here's hoping that when September rolls around, it'll prove the same once more in season three. One of the best of new shows of its debut year and best returning series of its second year, Starstruck was renewed for a third shot of love in London last year — and now the latest season arrives when romance is usually in the air, aka spring Down Under. This time, Matafeo's Jessie is single after breaking up with famous actor Tom (Nikesh Patel, Four Weddings and a Funeral), and now navigating what that all means. No matter who's starring in them, when and where they're set, and whether they're showing on the big or small screen, romantic comedies do adore telling tales about trying to hold onto a good thing. Two people meet, fall for each other — whether immediately or eventually — and work through whatever it takes to enjoy their romantic bliss: that's it, that's the genre's familiar formula. It's a setup that TV series Starstruck has been both adhering to and interrogating over its run so far, too, but the show is branching out narrative-wise when it returns in Australia via ABC iView from 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 6 and in New Zealand via TVNZ+ from 8.30pm on Saturday, September 2. If you're new to the series, New Zealander Jessie didn't realise that Tom was so well-known when they met. Once she was aware, that fact was inescapable as they tried to make their fairy tale relationship work. And yes, before the show entered its post-Tom era (although he still pops up) as its just-dropped season-three trailer notes, Matafeo — who stars, writes and created the series — well and truly knew that Notting Hill got there first. To-date, the series has proven a wonderful showcase for Matafeo, and also a savvily smart exploration of rom-com tropes as well, embracing and subverting them as needed. Nodding to romantic comedies such as The Graduate, Love Actually and Bridget Jones' Diary has also come with the territory, amusingly, affectionately and astutely so. Matafeo co-writes Starstruck with fellow comedians Alice Snedden and Nic Sampson, with Matafeo and Snedden also directing the third season. Check out the trailer for Starstruck season three below: Starstruck season three will stream in Australia via ABC iView from 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 6 and in New Zealand via TVNZ+ from 8.30pm on Saturday, September 2. Starstruck's first and second seasons are available to stream in Australia via ABC iView and in New Zealand via TVNZ+. Read our full review of Starstruck's first season — and our full review of its second season, too. Images: Mark Johnson/HBO Max.
Not content with doing big business in cinemas over the past decade, Marvel is bringing its superhero tales to the small screen, as part of Disney's already-announced plans to broaden out the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That was always going to be the case once the Mouse House moved into the streaming realm. In fact, producing a slew of high-profile titles for Disney+ was on its agenda right from the beginning. But, while Star Wars fans have already been able to enjoy The Mandalorian — which aired one season in 2019, and launched its second season this year — Marvel aficionados have had to hold out a little longer to get their episodic caped crusader fix. With 2021 almost upon us, that wait is almost over. Come Friday, January 15, the six-episode series WandaVision will become Disney+'s first MCU show — focusing on Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), as the title suggests. But it'll have company within months, with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier due to hit on Friday, March 19 and Loki dropping sometime in May. And, if you've been feeling the lack of Marvel action this year due to worldwide cinema shutdowns, the latter two shows now have their first trailers. Clearly, no one at Marvel and Disney+ has been taxing themselves while naming these series. So, you instantly know who they're about. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise the eponymous characters and head off on a global adventure. Their exploits will span six episodes, too, and will co-star Daniel Brühl as Baron Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter,and Wyatt Russell as John Walker. In Loki, Tom Hiddleston is obviously back as the God of Mischief — and enjoying stepping into the trickster's shoes again, if the trailer is anything to go by. Viewers will watch his antics post-Avengers: Endgame, with Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E. Grant rounding out the cast. Yes, there are more shows in the works, too, with Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye due to hit sometime later in 2021, and She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Secret Invasion (about Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury), Iron Heart, Armour Wars, I Am Groot and a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special all slated as well. But, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki are the only ones to drop their first sneak peek as part of Disney's big 2020 Investor Day on Friday, December 11 Australian/New Zealand time — while a new trailer for WandaVision also hit. Check out the first trailers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki, and the new WandaVision trailer, all below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkBfGvb7NzM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JuopziR3Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhlqe2OTt4 WandaVision will hit Disney+ on Friday, January 15, 2021. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will hit the service on Friday, March 19, while Loki is due on a yet-to-be-announced date in May.
If you have a case of herpetophobia, this mightn't be for you. If you're fascinated by crocodiles, however, an array of Australian museums have snapped up a showcase that'll pique your interest. Making its world premiere in Brisbane, Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends is the next exhibition that's headed to Queensland Museum Kurilpa, celebrating one toothy creature. It also has three other stops around the country locked in. Exact dates for Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends' debut run in the Queensland capital haven't yet been announced, but it will pop up before 2025 is out. After that, with timing also still to come, the exhibition will chomp its way into the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, plus the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin. Townsville will also welcome the showcase in the future, too. And if you're wondering why news of Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends has arrived right now without dates to go with it, the announcement has dropped to mark World Croc Day on Tuesday, June 17. Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Australian National Maritime Museum, and Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory are behind this ode to a critter that some famously love and many deeply fear — and an apex predator that Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson dubs "the ultimate survivors". They're "older than the dinosaurs, feared across cultures and still inspiring awe today," Thompson continues, also describing Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends as a "tale of evolution, culture, conservation and curiosity." "This groundbreaking exhibition showcases the incredible story of crocodiles — from prehistoric superpredators to cultural icons — through cutting-edge science, rich cultural knowledge and captivating interactive experiences. Crocodiles have long fascinated and challenged us, and this exhibition offers visitors of all ages the chance to see these remarkable creatures in a whole new light." The history of crocodiles, how they've outlived dinosaurs and survived mass extinctions, their evolution, the critters today, Egyptian god Sobek, their standing in First Nations knowledge, conservation efforts: expect this all to be covered. How crocodiles have sunk their teeth into pop culture, including movies and music, will also be in focus — if you don't already Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock' stuck in your head. Visitors will peer at specimens and life-sized models, as well as immersive visuals — and getting hands-on is also part of the family-friendly exhibition. "Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends plunges visitors into the astonishing world of crocodiles — ancient survivors, apex predators and masters of adaptation," adds Australian National Maritime Museum Director and CEO Daryl Karp. "This exhibition not only celebrates the science and natural history of crocodiles but also shines a light on the deep and enduring connections First Nations communities have with these animals. Prepare to meet the crocodile as you've never seen it — powerful, mysterious and more relevant to our world than ever." 'Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends' is set to premiere at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane, before 2025 is out — and also has dates with Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, plus Townsville in its future. We'll update you when more details are announced. Keep an eye on the Queensland Museum website for more details in the interim. Images: Gary Cranitch / Queensland Museum.
By now, the fact that any new season will likely be hotter than average in Australia should hardly come as a surprise. It's a recurrent trend, especially in autumn and winter, when things are supposed to cool down. And, now that summer is behind us for 2021, this year is staying true to form. According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook for the March to May period, much of the country is in for both warm weather and wet conditions over the coming months. If you live in Australia's north, Tasmania, southern Victoria or along the west coast of Western Australia, expect toastier autumn days this year, with a more than 60-percent chance that'll be the case. Nights are also expected to be warmer over the same period, hitting an 80-percent likelihood in the northern tropics, eastern Queensland, southern Victoria and Tasmania. For folks in New South Wales, you could buck the trend. BOM is currently forecasting cooler than average autumn days for parts of the state, with a 60-percent probability. But, overall, even when Australia gets down to its minimum temperatures between March and May, they're expected to be higher than average across most of the country (other that parts of southern WA and western and central South Australia). To give an idea of exactly what that all means, the average daily maximum temperature for March sits at around 23.9 degrees in Melbourne, 24.8 in Sydney and 28 in Brisbane. In May, it's around 16.7 degrees for Melbourne, with 19.5 for Sydney and 23.2 for Brisbane. BOM is forecasting that in all three cities we'll see warmer temperatures than that across the three months — and in Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin as well — although some rises might be minimal. In good news for farmers, much of the nation's east looks set for more rain, too. That's predicted to be the case in most of NSW, southern and eastern Queensland, Arnhem Land in the NT, eastern SA and eastern Tasmania — although, the higher probability of that happening (over 70 percent) is largely concentrated to small parts of southern Queensland and northeast NSW). In WA, the rest of the NT, Victoria, and the western parts of Queensland, SA and Tasmania, there's no indication that it'll be much wetter or drier than normal. Autumn's predicted wetter and warmer conditions across parts of the country follow Australia's rainiest summer for four years, BOM announced, topping figures since 2016–17 everywhere except greater southeastern Queensland (from the NSW border up to the Capricornia region). To finish off 2020, the country actually experienced its third wettest December since national records began in 1900; however, the nation's summer temperatures also look set to be our lowest since 2011–2012, only reaching above average in parts of Queensland and WA's west coast. If you're wondering why rain has been such a feature lately, BOM attributes it to La Niña, but notes that it is starting to subside. Bureau climatologist Dr Naomi Benger says that "the tropical Pacific Ocean is forecast to return to neutral conditions (neither El Niño nor La Niña) during autumn, consistent with the typical lifecycle of La Niña events. However, it is not uncommon for the effects of La Niña to still be felt as the event declines. That means an increased chance of above average rainfall, particularly for eastern regions". For more information about forecast weather conditions between March–May 2021, head to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook.
Any design led by Norman Foster paired with the resources that Apple can muster is guaranteed to impress. And judging by renderings of Apple's new eco-friendly headquarters in Cupertino, CA, the design team heading the project have not disappointed. The development proposal for the so-called 'Apple Campus 2' was released this week on Cupertino.org. According to Slashgear, the 60.7 hectares site surpasses the U.S Pentagon in size. CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, has described the design as a "spaceship". And rightly so. The centre-piece of the entire construction is a circular structure that is to house research and development facilities, an auditorium with a 1000-person capacity and a fitness centre amongst many things. Perhaps the most impressive (and ambitious) feature of the Apple Campus 2 will be the underground parking lot which will allow 80 percent of the 60.7 hectare property to be landscaped under the guidance of an arborist. Interestingly, Mercury News points out that while Apple plans to "generate its own electricity from natural gas" at the new HQ, the plans don't consider the use of renewable energy resources. The design team behind the project includes Foster & Partners, ARUP and Kier & Wright. [via Inhabitat]
As a filmmaker, he co-created the Saw and Insidious franchises, and has since been tackling iconic horror tales with The Invisible Man and 2025 release Wolf Man. As an actor, he popped up in The Matrix Reloaded. Before all of that, he was a film critic on beloved late-90s Saturday-morning music TV show Recovery. That's a helluva career so far — and next, Leigh Whannell is heading to AACTA Festival to chat about it. In 2024, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards launched a festival to sit alongside its accolades, and to celebrate the latter's move to the Gold Coast. That event is returning in 2025 in a bigger guise, running for five days between Wednesday, February 5–Sunday, February 9, and hosting more than 100 sessions. The initial program details were revealed in November 2024, but a few more high-profile names have just been added. AACTA Festival will also welcome Australian The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey, who has been earning some love from the academy of late. Better Man, his unconventional Robbie Williams biopic, topped the 2025 AACTA nominations — and attendees will hear all about the film at his festival session. Equally huge news is enlisting Paul Kelly to perform at the live How to Make Gravy concert, which also features Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean and Beddy Rays — and yes, it's easy to predict what the Australian icon will be singing. Plus, Late Night with the Devil is in the spotlight via filmmakers Colin and Cameron Cairnes getting talking, while Netflix's upcoming Apple Cider Vinegar series will score a behind-the-scenes look. [caption id="attachment_926549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moshcam[/caption] Featuring 20-plus new sessions, the expanded lineup builds upon a roster of events that already boasted plenty of highlights. One such drawcard: the Working Dog team, aka Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Michael Hirsh and Rob Sitch, coming together for an in-conversation session that's bound to touch upon everything from The Castle, Frontline, Thank God You're Here and Utopia to The Dish, The Hollowmen and Have You Been Paying Attention?. The Dish is also the screening program, and the Working Dog team will receive the prestigious AACTA Longford Lyell Award. Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won an Oscar for Dune and is highly tipped for another one for Dune: Part Two, is another big-name inclusion, chatting about his Hollywood work. Also in the same category: John Seale, who took home an Academy Award for The English Patient, and was nominated for Witness, Rain Man, Cold Mountain and Mad Max: Fury Road. Everyone can also look forward to authors Trent Dalton and Holly Ringland returning from 2024's lineup, chatting about Boy Swallows Universe and The Lost Flowers of Alice on the small screen, respectively; a dive into the Heartbreak High soundtrack; a panel on queer storytelling with RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season two winner Spankie Jackzon and Deadloch's Nina Oyama; and a session with First Nations filmmakers. And if you're keen to watch movies, Gettin' Square followup Spit will enjoy its Queensland premiere, complete with star David Wenham (Fake) chatting about the feature's journey; Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up will make its Australian debut, at Movie World, of course; and upcoming action film Homeward with Nathan Phillips (Kid Snow) and Jake Ryan (Territory) will take viewers behind the scenes. [caption id="attachment_985262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Netflix © 2024[/caption] [caption id="attachment_927965" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netflix © 2023[/caption] AACTA Festival will run from Wednesday, February 5–Sunday, February 9, 2025 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast. For further details, head to the fest's website.
Does your breakfast involve a slice of toast slathered with Vegemite, plus a serving of baked beans? Have you ever had a cheeky mouthful of both at the same time and found the combination to your liking? Is a tin of Vegemite-flavoured baked beans now your fantasy idea of brekkie heaven? If you've answered yes to these questions, prepare to have your tastebuds well and truly tempted. Because simply scraping Vegemite across bread is boring, it seems, the yeasty Australian staple has worked its way into plenty of other food items — such chocolate, milk shakes, icy poles, ice creams, burgers, popcorn, booze and pizza, just to name a few examples. So, SPC's decision to add Vegemite to baked beans isn't all that surprising. And, like all culinary mashups that call upon the famed spread, you'll either be ridiculously excited or so put off that you may never eat baked beans or Vegemite ever again. Inspired? Gross? Only you know the answer — because the response is different for all of us. And yes, you and your stomach are definitely allowed to feel confused about the whole concept. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPC (@spcgloballtd) Wondering how it tastes? SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite still has a cheesy tomato sauce, but with Vegemite added. So, the whole combo is Vegemite, cheese, tomato and baked beans. For some, that'll make it better. For others, it'll make it worse. If you're nonetheless keen, the new product is being sold in two ways — as single 425-gram tins of SPC Baked Beans & Vegemite in Rich Tomato (RRP$1.70) and in four-packs of 220-gram tins (RRP $5.00). Breakfast, brunch or whatever meal you feel like pairing baked beans and Vegemite for will never look the same. SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite tins are available in supermarkets now.
A true Sydney stalwart, Marrickville Pork Roll has long been considered one of the best bánh mì shops in the city. And now you can enjoy the same quality Vietnamese sandwiches in the CBD, with the opening of the Darling Square outpost along Steam Mill Lane. The Darling Square location is decidedly snazzier than its Marrickville namesake, with neon lighting aplenty and timber courtyard seating. But you can expect to find the same delicious rolls at an equally appealing price point. Open weekdays from 7.30am (and weekends from 9am), the shop bakes its baguettes fresh every morning. That fluffy-yet-crunchy baguette is schmeared with pâté and mayo, then loaded with your choice of meat, fresh herbs, pickled veg, salad and chilli. While the traditional pork is the go-to, we rate the barbecue pork and crackling pork belly. Meatball, chicken, salad and veg varieties are also up for grabs — and all for just a few dollarydoos ($6–8). It's hard to say exactly what makes these Vietnamese sandwiches better than all the rest, but that classic combination of pork roll goodness is difficult to beat.
Saltburn. Priscilla. Dune: Part Two. Anyone But You. Madame Web. Immaculate. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The Color Purple. Drive-Away Dolls. As that list illustrates, a trip to the movies Down Under over the past few months has generally meant seeing a cast member of Euphoria, such as Jacob Elordi, Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer and Colman Domingo, on the big screen. Enjoy them there, because they won't be back in the HBO TV show that helped make them huge stars for a bit longer. Production on Euphoria's third season has been delayed, Deadline and Variety report. Scripts are still being worked on, but shooting has been pushed back — so much so that Euphoria's cast are free to keep adding to their resumes beyond the award-winning series for the time being. "HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season," a HBO spokesperson told both American publications in a statement. "In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities." There's no word yet regarding when the cameras might start rolling on season three, but it's hoped that it will still arrive on HBO sometime in 2025. That's when the US cable network was aiming for anyway, as it noted when it outlined everything that's on its lineup in 2024 and 2025. Obviously, though, there's a big difference between Euphoria's third season hitting in January, mirroring the timing of season two — or arriving in June, which is when its first season premiered. If it takes its cues from the two specials between season one and two, that'd mean dropping in December 2025. Euphoria's on-screen talents have been busy since season two aired. Schafer's new horror movie Cuckoo premiered at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, Elordi has been back in Australia making miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Zendaya swings a racquet around in Challengers in April. Also, Domingo was nominated for an Oscar for Rustin, while Storm Reid won an Emmy for The Last of Us. Maude Apatow has been doing voice work on Pantheon, and Dominic Fike was in Earth Mama — and played Laneway. Apparently the idea of doing a movie instead was floated, but giving Euphoria a third season remains the plan. Given the passage of time — come 2025, it will have been three years since season two, and almost four if season three doesn't arrive till the end of the year or later — it's also being reported that the show's main characters will no longer be in high school. There's obviously no trailer for Euphoria season three yet, but you can watch HBO's 2024–25 roundup trailer below: Euphoria season three doesn't have an exact release date yet — we'll update you when further details are announced. Via Deadline / Variety / The Hollywood Reporter. Images: Eddy Chen/HBO.
Over the past decade, Sydney Film Festival's opening-night movies have included Goldstone, The New Boy and We Don't Need a Map, all Australian titles from Indigenous directors. It's too early to say what 2024's fest will launch with to mark the cinema celebration's 71st year; however, First Nations filmmaking will firmly be in the spotlight via a brand-new cash prize that joins the event's slate of awards. SFF will now be home to the world's largest cash accolade for Indigenous cinema: the $35,000 First Nations Award. Set to debut at the 2024 festival, which runs from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16, the prize will be handed out in Sydney but is open to films from around the world — shorts as well — as long as it is featured in Sydney Film Festival's annual First Nations program strand. "The First Nations Award is more than a celebration of unique storytelling; it's a crucial investment in the future of Indigenous cinema. By offering this level of support, we hope to encourage more First Nations filmmakers to share their stories, enriching the film industry with diverse perspectives and voices," said SFF's long-running Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "This award aligns seamlessly with Sydney Film Festival's long-standing commitment to fostering cultural diversity and amplifying Indigenous narratives." "It is entirely fitting that the Sydney Film Festival, which for so long has been a champion of First Nations stories and storytellers from around the world, now offers the largest single cash prize for First Nations film globally," added SFF Chair Darren Dale. "This prize will inspire, motivate and reward established and emerging First Nations filmmakers with the promise that their art is important, is valued and will be seen." The First Nations Award is supported by Australian production company Truant Pictures, and joins SFF's annual gongs alongside the annual $60,000 Sydney Film Prize, the $40,000 Sustainable Future Award, the $20,000 Documentary Australia Award and the range of Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films. If you're a First Nations filmmaker with a movie that you'd love to be considered to screen at this year's SFF, and to go in the running for the new award, you have until Friday, March 1 to submit. Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Tim Levy / Luke Latty.
"No touching" isn't a warning you'll be given at Sydney's newest interactive experience. UNSW Galleries staff won't tell you to keep your mitts to yourself and wall signs won't recommend polite behaviour. Here, getting hands-on isn't just encouraged — it's imperative. So is taking off your shoes and letting your feet get in on the action as well. Welcome to Snoösphere, a two-month-long sensory environment that forms part of The Big Anxiety Festival. There's nothing like running your fingers and toes over all manner of surfaces to help de-stress, after all. Here, you'll roam, touch, see, smell, snooze and sit, with everything within the dark, silent space responding in some way. Want to stroll over things? Sit inside them? Stand in a silver curtain that smells like chocolate? As well as different lighting and textile sensations, they're all on offer. Designed by Lull Studios, created with collaborators that include autistic artists, and arising from research and workshops with autistic young people and adults in Sydney and Singapore, Snoösphere endeavours to engage all of the senses in a playful, smart, inventive and meditative ways. Dubbed a sensory wonderland, it's a simultaneously calming and engaging experience — and one that'll make you think differently about life's perceptual interactions.
Of Sydney's rapidly developing inner city suburbs, Redfern is one that's changed the most in recent years. The area's main drag, Redfern Street, is almost unrecognisable to what it was five years ago. But, while lots of small bars and fancy cafes have moved in, the history of Redfern hasn't been lost, and neither has the community feel. Redfern locals are understandably passionate about their home and are big believers in buying local. So we've teamed up with American Express to show you where they shop small — whether it's for late-night obscure groceries, homewares or a good bottle of plonk. Shop small at these venues with your Amex Card.
The underworld beckons: in 2025, hit musical Hadestown is set to take to the stage for the first time in Australia. Initially premiering as an indie theatre piece in 2006 in Vermont, then reaching off-Broadway in 2016 and Broadway in 2019, the show from musician and playwright Anaïs Mitchell plunges into the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. Audiences at Theatre Royal Sydney can see the production give the ancient Greek myth a new spin from February. The Harbour City is hosting the Aussie debut season of the musical that spent 2019 and 2020 collecting accolades after accolades. From 14 Tony nominations, it won eight awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. At the Grammys, it took home Best Musical Theatre Album. If you're new to the show – which has been seen by more than three-million people and streamed over 350-million times — two love stories get Hadestown's narrative burning. Orpheus and Eurydice share the spotlight with King Hades and Persephone, as Mitchell accompanies their intertwined affairs with a soundtrack of New Orleans-inspired jazz and American folk. The production's Sydney season kicks off on Monday, February 10, 2025. Images: Hadestown Original London Cast.
Imagine a world where totalitarian forces rule the United States, women are subjugated to the point of being deemed property, protestors rally in response and the authorities try to keep everyone in line. Okay, imagine a fictionalised version of the above dystopian society — or let The Handmaid's Tale help you. Margaret Atwood's book has been doing just that since 1985, with a new Elisabeth Moss-starring Hulu series due to help come April. Now, large groups of red-clad ladies are also playing their part, freaking people out at Austin's South by Southwest in the process. They walk in pairs, don't say anything, and generally unnerve everyone around them. Yes, it's clearly a clever SXSW promo for the show, but it's an effectively creepy one. https://twitter.com/erica_grossman/status/840294583170936832 https://twitter.com/HandmaidsOnHulu/status/840288331250319360 https://twitter.com/HandmaidsOnHulu/status/840649469624377345 https://twitter.com/MargaretAtwood/status/840630956801327105 If you're up for even more anxiety-inducing tension, check out the trailer for the series below. The Handmaid's Tale screens on Hulu from April 26.
These days you can’t tell if it’s going to rain or shine. You could be heading to the beach and get caught in the rain, so rather than hedge your bets and end up wet, head to the AGNSW and see a perfect landscape in The Royal Paintings of Jodhpur. Garden & Cosmos shows the artist’s command over the land. Flora and fauna are simultaneously reduced and elaborated, laid out in an ordered yet sumptuous manner, as the artists (commissioned by the Maharajas over the 17–19th centuries) depict the physical and the metaphysical. Some paintings show courtly life full of splendorous robes and stately pleasures, while others ponder the universe and our existence. All share an elaborate style, exquisite detail and humour. This momentous exhibition, which has travelled from London’s British Museum, marks the first display of these rare paintings outside India. It forms part of the Gallery’s Indian Summer at the Gallery, celebrated with events from performances to lectures, garden walks to workshops.Garden & Cosmos may not represent Indian life as others knew it at the time, but it sure makes for sweet daydreaming.Bulaki, The Practice of Yoga, 1824, opaque watercolour and gold on paper
After opening in early 2023, Beau underwent a quickfire revamp before the end of the year. The result is a welcoming laneway restaurant and bar just 150-metres down from the team's flagship venue NOMAD. Beau 2.0 is a little more stripped back, shifting from two distinct dining concepts to one in order to place the focus on what's made NOMAD so beloved: fresh produce, flavour-packed dishes and quality wine. "We are relaunching our restaurant and wine bar with a better and more concise offering," NOMAD Group co-owner Rebecca Yazbek said. "We aren't trying to be everything, we've learnt what works." The charming laneway space blends the casual and the luxurious. You're welcomed by floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing light to stream in during lunch services Thursday through Saturday, with the addition of a black granite bar, leather banquette seating and a private dining room. Highlights from Head Chef Troy Spencer's menu include duck liver parfait tartlets, labneh- and chilli-topped broccolini, fried bread covered in padrons and anchovies, spanner crab spaghetti and Black Angus tri-tip served with bordelaise. Group Beverage Director Ged Bellis oversees the wine program alongside talented Head Sommelier Zoe Pyo. The pair have curated a crowd-pleasing slate of drops both by the glass and the bottle, with Beau offering a comprehensive selection thanks to its 600 temperature-controlled wine bins and taps. Hot tip: A table out on Franks Lane is calling out to be enjoyed on a sunny afternoon. Nab one of the al fresco seats and order a few oysters, some padron-topped fried bread and a standout glass of vino.
Soufflé? Good. Pancakes? Good. Soufflé pancakes? A match we're very keen to get behind — and one Sydneysiders can now experience for themselves at Gram Cafe's first store on Australian soil. Founded by Takeshi Takata, Gram Cafe opened its first store dedicated to sky-high soufflé pancakes in Osaka back in 2014, before quickly gaining a cult following across Japan (and across the internet). Since then, it has opened more than 60 stores in Asia, Canada and the US. As of last Friday, a Chatswood cafe is among that number, too. To make sure each pancake is as light and fluffy as its Osaka counterparts, the Sydney chefs have been trained by the big boss from Japan. They're whipping up a batter heavy with egg whites, steam it under metal domes and then cook it until its golden on the outside and white and fluffy on the inside. For $18.90, you'll get a stack of three ultra-light pancakes, each with a soufflé consistency and drizzled with syrup. There are eight different flavours to try, including matcha, tiramisu, caramelised banana and honey apple with earl grey cream. Plus, there are a few other brunch items on the menu, too, including french toast, savoury pancakes, parfaits and smoothies. Of course, such aesthetically pleasing food comes in a pretty package, with the cafe itself sporting a luxurious green, grey and gold colour palette, complete with velvet chairs, luscious hanging plants and neon lights. We're told only limited numbers of the soufflé pancakes are available each day, so we suggest you head in earlier rather than later. Gram Cafe and Pancakes is now open seven days a week from 11am–9pm, at Shop 67, Podium Level, Chatswood Interchange, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood.
A 90s-set musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. A crime thriller starring Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. Amy Poehler's latest stint behind the camera. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence teaming up in the newest film from The Big Short's Adam McKay. They're just some of the big new movies heading our way in 2021 — and they're all coming to Netflix, with the streaming platform revealing its slate of features for the year. Miranda's tick, tick…BOOM! will mark his filmmaking debut as a director, while Johnson plays an FBI profiler forced to team up with rival crims played by Gadot and Reynolds in Red Notice. As for Poehler, she's directing (and co-starring in) Moxie, about a 16-year-old fed up with the sexist attitudes at her high school. And the collaboration between DiCaprio, Lawrence and McKay — and Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep, too — happens in Don't Look Up, about two astronomers trying to warn humanity that a comet is about to wipe out the earth. [caption id="attachment_796892" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Moxie. Colleen Hayes/NETFLIX © 2020[/caption] They're just some of the films on Netflix's lineup for 2021 — and if you can't wait to check them out, the streaming service has released a sneak peek that rounds up a heap of its other titles for the year, too. Thunder Force sees Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy play superheroes; western Harder They Fall features everyone from Idris Elba and Lovecraft Country's Jonathan Majors to Watchmen's Regina King and Atlanta's Zazie Beetz; and Escape From Spiderhead plunges Chris Hemsworth into a futuristic tale about experiments on inmates using emotion-altering drugs. Or, there's a remake of The Guilty, this time starring Jake Gyllenhaal; the third and final films in both the Kissing Booth and To All the Boys trilogies; The Power of the Dog, the latest movie from filmmaker Jane Campion; and Robin Robin, the newest release from Aardman Animation, featuring the voices of Gillian Anderson and Richard E Grant. Some flicks, like the Zendaya-starring romantic drama Malcolm & Marie, already have release dates. Plenty of others don't as yet, including zombie movie Army of the Dead, starring Dave Bautista; Blonde, a fictional portrait of Marilyn Monroe featuring Knives Out's Ana de Armas as the real-life figure; Halle Berry's directorial debut Bruised, about an ex-MMA fighter; and thriller O2, which starts with a woman waking up in a medical cryogenics unit that's no larger than a box. Either way, though, Netflix has announced that it'll be releasing at least one new movie a week for the entire year. More than a few of these titles might hit cinemas, too. The Vanessa Kirby-starring Pieces of a Woman already has in Australia, while The White Tiger, an adaptation of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, will release on the big screen in January — as will fellow page-to-screen affair The Dig. And, some were originally supposed to screen in theatres, but have made the jump to streaming due to the pandemic, such as The Woman in the Window with Amy Adams. Whether Netflix's 2021 movies get a cinema run or not, they'll obviously pop up on the platform. So, expect a hefty list of star-studded flicks sitting in your streaming queue throughout the year — and making sure that you're still well-acquainted with your couch. Check out Netflix's trailer for its 2021 films below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9t86v_JMG0&feature=youtu.be New movies will hit Netflix every week throughout 2021 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue.
Choosing a birthday gift for your food-loving friends is easy. You just wine and dine them, meaning you both get to enjoy the spoils of dining out. But when it comes to the holiday season (AKA silly season), our calendars are already filled with parties, lunches, drinks and every other type of social occasion — and this year is tipped to be busier than most. So, what do you get them? After a year of being relatively housebound (or, at least, state-bound), it's time to up the ante by treating them to a full blown food-fuelled travel adventure. There's more to fancy big-city fine diners, after all. Dig a little deeper and you'll discover Australia's exceptional culinary offerings from country to coast. In partnership with Tourism Australia, we've rounded up ten gift-worthy dining (and wining) experiences to rock a food-lover's world, including everything from guided bush tucker tastings to sky-high feasts. You can bet they won't be forgetting these next-level presents in a hurry.
To ring in the year of the rabbit, dumpling master Din Tai Fung created cute chocolate and Biscoff bunny buns, continuing its annual tradition of welcoming the Lunar New Year with an adorable addition to its menu (see also: its tiger buns from 2022 and the ox buns it brought out in 2021). But creative dishes aren't just a once-a-year thing here. Now that Easter is almost upon us, the chain is serving up something else to tempt your tastebuds: hot cross bao. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, with the bao only available for a limited time. And, while you might be familiar with the concept from previous years' incarnations, Din Tai Fung has changed things up a bit for 2023. The treats are made to look like traditional hot cross buns, only they're crafted on fluffy steamed bread and filled with gooey molten chocolate lava instead of the usual raisins or sultanas. And this time around, the dough is also made on cocoa, so it's all as chocolatey as ever. The hot cross bao are available at all Aussie Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets. Sydneysiders will want to hit up its World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, Westfield Sydney, Broadway Shopping Centre, Gateway Sydney, The Star, Greenwood Plaza and MLC Centre venues. In Melbourne, you have one spot to head to, with the bao on offer at Emporium Melbourne. If you'd rather have them brought right to your door, they're also available for delivery in frozen form. If you're keen to stock your freezer and enjoy them once Easter passes, that's an option as well. The only problem we can foresee with this Easter hybrid dish? Wanting to devour as many as possible. They'll cost you $8.90 for two in-store, and $12 for a three-pack of frozen dumplings. Hot cross bun bao are available for $8.90 for two at all Din Tai Fung stores. They're also available for delivery.
Come on Australians, why don't we paint the town? With all that jazz, Broadway favourite Chicago is shimmying back onto stages around Australia from late 2023. Last touring the country in 2019, the record-breaking Broadway hit is bringing a healthy dose of 1920s razzle dazzle our way again on a three-city tour — so far — debuting in Perth in November, then hitting Brisbane in January 2024 and finally heading to Melbourne next March. For musical fans in Sydney, cross your fingers that a Harbour City stop is also in the show's future. Chicago isn't any old musical — it's the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, as well as the longest-running production now currently playing the former. [caption id="attachment_714916" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeremy Daniel[/caption] So far, the original Kander & Ebb musical has reached the eyeballs of over 34-million people worldwide in 38 countries, playing more than 33,500 performances in 525-plus cities. It's also won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy. Inspiring 2002's Renée Zellweger (Judy)- and Catherine Zeta Jones (Wednesday)-starring Academy Award-winning film of the same name, it tells the tale of Chicago housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart. In the decadent 1920s, she twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism — all set to a toe-tapping soundtrack. [caption id="attachment_714915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Kolnik[/caption] "Chicago has everything that people love about a Broadway musical — a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping number after another; and the most amazing dancing you've ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia," said producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones, announcing the new Aussie run. Who'll be taking to the stage for Chicago's next local seasons — following on from acclaimed all-rounder Natalie Bassingthwaighte and musical-theatre veteran Alinta Chidzey in 2019 — is yet to be revealed. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award-winner Ann Reinking. CHICAGO 2023/24 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: From November 2023 — Crown Theatre, Perth From January 2024 — Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane From March 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne Chicago returns to Australia from November 2023. For pre sales from Monday, August 14, general sales from Friday, August 18, to join the waitlist or for more information, head to the production's website. Top image: Jeff Busby.
If you've been counting down the days until you see Deadpool, Captain America and Blade's next stints on the big screen, you'll now be counting for longer: as part of a post-SAG-AFTRA strike shakeup, Marvel has pushed back some of its upcoming cinema release dates. And, by doing so, the comic-book company has created a rare situation: only one Marvel Cinematic Universe movie is set to hit cinemas in 2024 as a result. Earlier in 2023, when Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told Entertainment Weekly that the MCU might slow down its pace, neither the writers' nor the actors' strikes had happened. Now, those words are proving true for four upcoming films. Deadpool 3, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts and Blade will all release later than planned, with experiencing the latest in a series of shifts back. This year has seen Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Marvels hit the silver screen. In 2024, the next date with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds, Spirited) — and with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, The Son) as well — will now happen on Thursday, July 25 Down Under instead of Thursday, May 2. Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts were both slated for releases in 2024, too, but will now arrive in 2025 instead, moving from Thursday, July 25, 2024 to Thursday, February, 13, 2025 and Thursday, December 19, 2024 to Thursday, July 24, 2025, respectively. The same year, Blade will now drop on Thursday, November 6 instead of Thursday, February, 13. Obviously, while writers and actors have been striking for improved working conditions across 2023, none of Marvel's movies were being made, so these delays aren't surprising. Deadpool 3 will see both Deadpool and Wolverine enter the MCU, while Captain America: Brave New World focuses on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) with the cape and shield. Thunderbolts will be all about the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan, Dumb Money), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen, Breaking Point), John Walker (Wyatt Russell, Under the Banner of Heaven), Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, You Hurt My Feelings), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh, Oppenheimer), Red Guardian (David Harbour, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story) and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko, Extraction II) — and the return of Blade stars Moonlight and Green Book Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Nothing else has shifted so far, which means that yet another Fantastic Four film — with no cast revealed as yet — is due on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in a year that has four MCU flicks set to drop. After that, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars are due to follow on Thursday, April 30, 2026 and Thursday, May 6, 2027 — if they aren't also delayed in general, due to the domestic violence allegations against Jonathon Majors (Loki) or even as a result of recasting. So, yes, all these MCU movies are still happening, but not as quickly. We've said it before and we'll say it again: maybe this far in, more breaks from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will make the heart grow fonder, especially if you've been feeling more than a bit of MCU fatigue. For more information about Marvel's upcoming slate of films and TV shows, head to the company's website. Images: Disney.
Maybe you've experienced the gothic charm of QT Sydney. Perhaps you've enjoyed slumbering at the site of a former cinema at QT Melbourne. At QT Gold Coast, you could've slept in rooftop cabins. At QT Newcastle, you might've bunked down in a clock tower. QT Queenstown comes with alpine views, while QT Auckland heroes the harbour. They're just some of the hotel chain's experiences in Australia and New Zealand, the two countries that it operates in so far — until it launches in Asia in September. Meet QT Singapore, QT Hotels & Resorts' first hotel beyond Down Under, which will open its doors from Monday, September 16, 2024. When it starts welcoming in quests, you'll be able to check into one of 134 rooms in the city-state's Eastern Extension Telegraph building, which dates back to 1927. You'll also be in a prime position: right next to the Lau Pa Sat hawker centre. Behind the striking facade, which is staying the same, the building has undergone a complete interior revamp to deck it out in QT's aesthetic. The brand's look varies from hotel to hotel, but always stands out from other places to stay. Interior designer Nic Graham is doing the honours, with reflecting the city-state's climate and evolution — and the building's location and heritage — the main aim of his approach to the site's decor. Holidaymakers can also expect a signature bar and grill, plus rooftop bar Rooftop by QT, which will sit alongside a sky-high pool for sips and splashes with a view. If you're keen on having a shindig on your getaway, private dining will also be on offer. "We're excited by the liveliness QT will bring to Singapore's diverse tourism landscape and ever-evolving metropolis later this year," said EVT Hotels & Resorts Group General Manager Callum Kennedy. "QT Singapore will be championed by QT's luxurious playful personality, from design to signature service and exciting collaborations, bringing the QT energy and vibrancy guests love from the world to be discovered by locals and travellers in southeast Asia." Leading on the charge on the ground will be QT Singapore General Manager Doron Whaite, a veteran of QT Perth and QT Sydney, who comes fresh from a stint at QT Auckland. Find QT Singapore at 35 Robinson Road, Singapore, from Monday, September 16, 2024 — and head to the hotel's website for further details.
Island Radio – the 140-seater hawker-inspired diner in Wunderlich Lane, Surry Hills – has been getting a lot of attention for its dazzling colours, tropical cocktails and excellent curries. And now, you can experience the latter for a rather wallet-friendly half-price. Swing by on a Monday evening for half-price curries night, and you'll be feasting on wagyu rendang with toasted coconut for $18.50, yellow rock flathead curry with crispy shallot for $17.50, and a pork-and-prawn wonton laksa for $15. They're all the creation of Head Chef Andrianto 'Andy' Wirya (ex-Queen Chow and Mr. Wong), who takes inspiration from the street markets of Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Every curry on the menu is part of the deal, plus there are specials that rotate each week. With your spare change, do be tempted to try a signature cocktail – like the Junglebird (Husk Bam Bam spiced rum, Planteray pineapple rum, Campari, tamarind, pineapple, lime) or the Singapore Sling (Widges gin, Bénédictine, pineapple, baking spices, pomegranate, cherry, whey). Alternatively, head back on a Sunday for all-day happy hour, when drinks are half-price. Half-price curries night is happening every Monday from 5pm. Book your spicy session over here.
The teenagers of Point Place are at it again: hangin' out down the street, that is, usually in the Forman family basement. This time, decades have passed on- and off-screen since the world first met a group of high schoolers happily doing the same old things they did last week in the fictional Wisconsin town. Netflix's new That '90s Show picks up just over 15 years after That '70s Show's timeline, embracing all that the mid-90s had to offer from raves and Alanis Morissette's initial fame to video stores and Donkey Kong. (Yellowjackets isn't the only series going all-in three decades back right now.) For viewers, the 1995-set series arrives 17 years after its predecessor said farewell. The years might've changed, but the basics stay the same in a wave of familiar places, faces, scenarios and themes — and the overall formula. From 1998–2006, Eric Forman (Topher Grace, Home Economics), girl-next-door Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon, Orange Is the New Black), and pals including Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher, Vengeance), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis, Luckiest Girl Alive) and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama, NCIS) earned That '70s Show's attention as they chatted through their hopes and dreams, got stoned frequently, and tried to work out who they were, who they loved and what they wanted. Now, doing the same is Eric and Donna's 14-year-old daughter Leia (Callie Haverda, The Lost Husband), plus the new friends she makes while visiting her loving, supportive but sometimes embarrassing empty-nester grandparents. It's during a July 4th weekend stopover at Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp, WandaVision) and Red's (Kurtwood Smith, The Dropout), aka her dad's childhood home, that Leia finds something she doesn't have in Chicago: peers that truly understand her. Despite dashing Eric's dreams of a father-daughter space camp trip just as Red is informing him and Donna that they're now "upstairs people", Leia decides to stay in Point Place for the summer. As perky as ever, Kitty is thrilled to have the house — all levels — filled with kids once more. The perennially cantankerous Red doesn't share or even feign her enthusiasm, but he is eager to start threatening another generation with an emphatic kick in the rear — and to call them all "dumbass". Those new teens? The elder Formans' neighbours Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide, Four Kids and It) and Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan, Gabby Duran & The Unsittables) — one a feisty riot grrrl getting Leia to rebel for the first time in her life, the other the airhead successor to Michael Kelso — and their existing friends. There is a genuine Kelso, too, in the form of hunky ladies' man Jay (Mace Coronel, Colin in Black & White), who's firmly his dad's son. Rounding out the gang: the witty Ozzie (Reyn Doi, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), the openly gay member of the group, and Nate's super-smart girlfriend Nikki (Sam Morelos, Forgetting Nobody). Including recognisable character traits and the entire new pot-smoking, basement-dwelling crew's dynamic, as well as their hijinks — and spanning the chaos brought by Gwen and Nate's mother Sherri (Andrea Anders, Ted Lasso) as a replacement for Eric's elder sister Laurie, plus the return of the same theme tune (but given a decade-appropriate makeover), the stoner circle and each episode's interludes — That '90s Show is the blatant doppelgänger of TV sequels. Reviving teen-centric hits from decades back is one of pop culture's favourite recent trends, covering everything from Saved by the Bell and Gossip Girl to Bel-Air, but this comeback is deeply determined to give exactly what worked the first time — and for 200 episodes at that — another spin. In a series developed by That '70s Show creators Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner alongside their daughter Lindsey Turner and also That '70s Show producer Gregg Mettler, cue layer upon layer of nostalgia — for That '70s Show and for the new series' own titular decade alike. Entertainingly for fans of the original, That '90s Show's love of nods and references to its predecessor is as vast as Eric's still-buzzing love for Star Wars (see: Leia's name, and Eric's job as a professor exploring the religion of Star Wars). Obviously, the Netflix continuation couldn't be called That '90s Show if it didn't embrace its namesake as well, complete with references to Clerks, Home Alone and Free Willy, and a Beverly Hills 90210-inspired fantasy sequence. The extra dose of nostalgia? Not only getting viewers thinking about That '70s Show and the 90s, but recalling watching it in the 90s and 00s, and also wading through its affection for the 70s at the same time. Here, nostalgia and familiarity are in, making any big new moves is out — other than for Leia when she decides to stay with Kitty and Red the summer, putting herself out there to make new friends and chasing her heart. Sticking with what this franchise knows could've been unambitious and straightforward, but it couldn't suit both That '70s Show and That '90s Show better. Before it made stars out of Grace, Prepon, and the now-married Kutcher and Kunis, a considerable part of the first series' appeal was its low-key vibe; it was a show to hang out with, just as its main players did with each other while they navigated recognisable and relatable suburban teen life. This follow-up knows not to depart from that key trait, just as it knows that the mechanics of being in high school haven't shifted no matter how long has passed. Could this be a continuation of That '70s Show if the old gang didn't show up at various points, including the OG Kelso, Jackie, now-celebrity hairdresser Fez and always-high hippie Leo (Tommy Chong, Color Out of Space)? Of course not. Could this new series escape the temptation to have Leia fall for Jay and use that will-they-won't-they situation as one of its ongoing threads? Of course not again. That '90s Show is an endearing, laidback, easily bingeable throwback all the same — well-cast, too, although Doi and Morelos deserve more focus if it returns for a second season — and one that gets its levels of dripping nostalgia exactly right. Case in point: when it opens, it's with Kitty dancing in her kitchen to the apt 'Groove Is in the Heart', that 1990 Deee-Lite hit that hailed back to the 70s. Check out the trailer for That '90s Show below: That '90s Show streams via Netflix. Images: Patrick Wymore/Netflix © 2022.
It's a great privilege to experience the homelands of Traditional Owners — and it's even more exceptional when you have a local to guide you along the way. Tropical North Queensland is blessed with many experiences that'll allow you the opportunity to connect and learn from Traditional Custodians as they generously share their art, food, dancing and customs. We've teamed up with Tropical North Queensland to share one-of-a-kind experiences to add to your hit list if you're passionate about travelling consciously. By supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses like those mentioned below, you're helping to preserve sacred practices that have been passed down for thousands of years. SEEK OUT SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL INDIGENOUS ART This year, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will be held from July 6–10. This annual festival attracts thousands of local and international visitors to the city to celebrate Indigenous artists and their latest works. The program includes a visual feast of artwork and performances, alongside fashion shows, workshops and symposiums. While it honours Indigenous culture and traditions, the event also provides economic and personal development opportunities for the artists. Some artworks are acquired by private collectors, while others are purchased for display across the world. Previous years have seen impressive buyers representing the Harvard University Art Museum and the National Gallery of Canada. TAKE A THREE-DAY 4WD TOUR THROUGH THE REGION The team at Culture Connect prides itself on providing visitors with authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences from Cairns to Cooktown. The small tour group sizes allow for an intimate opportunity to explore the region, with local Aboriginal guides who are passionate about their homeland and history. Experiences range in length from half-day nature walks to a full-day scenic flight adventure. There's also a three-day 4WD tour on offer with meals and accommodation included. Guests have the opportunity to explore ancient rock art galleries, learn traditional coastal survival skills or or learn to paint from an acclaimed local Indigenous artist. [caption id="attachment_846219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Island Stars Cultural Experience[/caption] EXPLORE THE REGION WITH THE HELP OF AN INDIGENOUS GUIDE Hundreds of islands make up the Torres Strait region and just 17 are currently inhabited. Touring this area without local knowledge is tricky, which is where Strait Experience steps in to help. This Torres Strait-owned business offers incredible opportunities to explore remote destinations such as Thursday Island and Horn Island. Strait Experience connects visitors with exclusive accommodation options, unique beachside activities and tours focusing on historical sites and ancient traditions on some of the islands in the Torres Strait. And, if you time it just right, you might even be lucky enough to observe turtles nesting on the beach. TAKE A BOAT TOUR TO A TRADITIONAL SMOKING CEREMONY The traditional lands of the Mandingalbay Yidinji People cover an impressive 10,000 hectares, which allowed ancient ancestors to develop an impressive range of survival and conservation skills. Just a short river cruise with Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours will transport you thousands of years back in time. Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina, a 15-minute boat journey will take you from Trinity Inlet to Hills Creek. Once arriving at the destination, guests are welcomed with a traditional cleansing smoking ceremony. Other tour options include eco walks, overnight camping expeditions and dance performances. The famous 'Deadly Dinners' give you the opportunity to sample delicious local ingredients such as kangaroo, crocodile and mud crab. [caption id="attachment_829657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] WANDER THROUGH THE WONDERS OF KUKU YALANJI COUNTRY Did you know that two World Heritage-listed sites meet in Tropical North Queensland? Yep, in Kuku Yalanji Country, you'll see where the epic Daintree Rainforest juts up against the iconic Great Barrier Reef. And you can explore all the wonders of this area on a half- or full-day tour with Walkabout Cultural Adventures. This 100-percent First Nations-owned and operated cultural tour company offers you the opportunity to learn about this unique environment and the foods and medicines that are produced here. You'll get to sample bush tucker, swim in freshwater streams and maybe even try spear and boomerang throwing. Your tour guide takes care of everything — all you need to do is wear comfy shoes. [caption id="attachment_830381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] PLUNGE INTO THE DEEP BLUE Experiencing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef is an irrefutable addition to any TNQ itinerary. But doing so with Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel will leave you with an even greater understanding and appreciation of this natural beauty and the connection that local First Nations people have with it. Across a five-hour tour, you'll get to hear the creation story of the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel or dive in two outer reef sites, sample native bush food and be entertained by a traditional dance. The tours are run by First Nations sea rangers whose passion for reef preservation and sustainable tourism is evident. TAKE A DIP IN AN OUTBACK POOL Update: Talaroo Hot Springs 2022 season will run from April 1-October 31. It may take about 4.5 hours to drive from Cairns to this outback pool in the heart of Ewamian Country. But boy, oh, boy is it worth it. The hot springs here formed millions of years ago with the water seeping from underground and heated by granite rocks along the way. When it reaches the pools, it's a whopping 68 degrees celsius and cools as it flows across the rippled travertine terraces. You can't directly enter the natural hot springs, but you can take a dip in one of the site's private soaking pools which can be accessed via a timber boardwalk on a First Nations-led tour. Talaroo Hot Springs also has an outback caravan park and campground if you'd like to stay a little longer (and we wouldn't blame you if you did). [caption id="attachment_842421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF THE TROPICS Located in Burketown, Yagurli Tours is a First Nations-owned and operated tour company. With local Gangalidda and Garawa guides, these experiences offer a unique opportunity to learn about Gulf Savannah country from the Traditional Custodians of the land. Yagurli Tours offer five different immersive adventures, like Yaliya's Stories (Stargazing) on Australia's largest salt pans and the Gambumanda Sunset Cruise with dinner and drinks. Also on offer is the Marrija 4WD Cultural Tour and Aloft Hot Air Balloon flights showcasing the Albert River, salts pans and the Arafura Sea in the Gulf of Carpentaria. [caption id="attachment_845212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DISCOVER HISTORY THROUGH MAGNIFICENT ROCK ART Jarramali Rock Art Tours are perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds and experience an intimate and rugged adventure. This authentic Aboriginal cultural experience will commence with either a 4WD drive with a Traditional Owner or a scenic helicopter flight depending on if you want a day trip or would rather embark on an overnight stay. We suggest an overnight stay where you will camp in an exclusive location, only accessible to Jarramali guests. Discover the history of the Kuku Yalanji people through magnificent Quinkan Rock Art. Traditional Owners will guide you through the 20,000 year old art found among sandstone escarpments near Laura in North Queensland. You will gain a deeper understanding of Australia's Indigenous history while soaking in the beauty of the remote wilderness - making this definitely, a once in a lifetime experience. [caption id="attachment_844022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] FLEX YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLES WITH AN INDIGENOUS PAINTING WORKSHOP Owned by renowned First Nations artist Brian 'Binna' Swindley, Janbal Gallery offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture through art and storytelling experiences. Binna is a local Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman and the gallery is lovingly named after his late mother. Binna hosts painting workshops on weekdays, with morning and afternoon sessions available. Choose from either a small boomerang or canvas to paint, with all paints and tools supplied. An impressive range of Aboriginal artwork is on display at the gallery, with items available for purchase, too. Ready to plan a trip to the tropics? For more information visit the Tropical North Queensland website.
Think there's just one Hottest 100 in January? Think again. The second important countdown of the month actually goes rather well with the music poll that just proclaimed The Wiggles' cover of Tame Impala's 'Elephant' as the nation's best track of 2021. In fact, while you were listening to the hottest songs of the past year, you might've been sipping some of these other winners. That'd be the great brews in the spotlight on the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers list, which does for yeasty tipples what Triple J's poll does for bangers. And, just like its music counterpart, a worthy victor has come out on top. That'd be Bentspoke Brewing Co, with the Canberra brewery taking out the top spot with its Crankshaft American IPA for the second year in a row. In doing so, it bested 2017 and 2018 winner Balter Brewing Company, which came in second with its Balter XPA; Your Mates Brewing Co, which took third spot with its Larry pale ale; and Stone & Wood's Pacific Ale, the winner of the 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2019 polls, and 2020's second-place getter, which nabbed fourth position this year. As it did in 2020, Bentspoke had five beers in the 2021 top 100 list in total, which is clearly something to toast to — also coming in 12th for its Barley Griffin Australian Pale Ale, 41st for its Sprocket American IPA, 45th for its Cluster 8 Imperial IPA and 91st for its Red Nut Red IPA. Run by GABS — or the annual festival also known as the 'Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular' — the countdown is a people's-choice poll decided by booze-lovers around the country. Now in its 14th year, it saw a huge 2238 beers nominated this time around, hailing from 281 breweries. Still playing the numbers game, 58 beermakers nabbed a spot on the 2021 list — and, states-wise, Queensland emerged victorious with 30 brews on the full rundown of 100 beers, followed by Victoria with 22, New South Wales with 20, the Australian Capital Territory with 12, and South Australia and Western Australia with eight apiece. 2021 was also a big year for new brews, with 37 beers making their GABS Hottest 100 debut. And, low- and no-alcohol tipples also made a splash, including Heaps Normal's Quiet XPA debuting at 20 and Sobah Beverages' zero-alcohol Pepperberry IPA taking 69th place. If you're thinking "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Black Hops, Better Beer, Capital (with two showings), Ballistic and Young Henrys round out the top ten, while Coopers, Bridge Road, Pirate Life, Gage Roads, Kaiju!, Heads of Noosa, Brick Lane, Moon Dog, 4 Pines, Philter, Stomping Ground, Grifter, Hawke's and Mountain Goat and are among the other brands featured. Working your way through the whole 100 isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews, either — consider it research for the 2022 countdown. GABS HOTTEST 100 AUSSIE CRAFT BEERS OF 2021: BentSpoke Brewing Co — Crankshaft IPA Balter Brewing — Balter XPA Your Mates Brewing Co — Larry Stone & Wood Brewing Co — Pacific Ale Black Hops Brewery — G.O.A.T. Better Beer — Better Beer Zero Carb Capital Brewing Co — Capital XPA Ballistic Beer Co — Hawaiian Haze Capital Brewing Co — Coast Ale Young Henrys — Newtowner Coopers Brewery — Original Pale Ale BentSpoke Brewing Co — Barley Griffin Balter Brewing — Balter Hazy Bridge Road Brewers — Beechworth Pale Ale Beerfarm — Royal Haze Pirate Life Brewing — South Coast Pale Ale Gage Roads Brewing Co — Single Fin KAIJU! Beer — KRUSH! Tropical Pale Ale Black Hops Brewery — East Coast Haze Heaps Normal — Quiet XPA Heads Of Noosa Brewing Co — Japanese Lager Brick Lane Brewing Co — One Love Pale Ale Little Creatures — Little Creatures Pale Ale Moon Dog Craft Brewery — Old Mate Philter Brewing — Philter XPA Mountain Goat Beer — GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer Feral Brewing Co — Biggie Juice Brookvale Union — Ginger Beer 4 Pines Brewing Co — 4 Pines Pacific Ale Big Shed Brewing Concern — Boozy Fruit Hawke's Brewing — Hawke's Patio Pale Bright Brewery — Alpine Lager Grifter Brewing Co — Pale Blackflag Brewing — Rage Juicy Pale Green Beacon Brewing Co — Wayfarer Stomping Ground Brewing Co — Gipps St Pale Ale Akasha Brewing Co — Hopsmith IPA Dainton Beer — Blood Orange NEIPA Revel Brewing Co — Strawberries & Cream Sour Ale Coopers Brewery — Sparkling Ale BentSpoke Brewing Co — Sprocket Capital Brewing Co — Hang Loose Juice Blood Orange NEIPA Coopers Brewery — Coopers XPA Your Mates Brewing Co — Sally BentSpoke Brewing Co — Cluster 8 Black Hops Brewery — Neverland Balter Brewing — Eazy Hazy Ballistic Beer Co — Hawaiian Haze IPA Capital Brewing Co West Coast NEIPA — Mountain Culture Collab Coopers Brewery — Coopers Pacific Pale Ale Bodriggy Brewing Co — Speccy Juice Colonial Brewing Co — Colonial Pale Ale Grifter Brewing Co — Serpents Kiss Sunday Road Brewing — Cryotherapy Deeds Brewing — Juice Train 10 Toes Brewery — Pipeline Pale Burleigh Brewing Co — Bighead No-carb Lager Hop Nation Brewing Co — J-Juice Range Brewing Co — Lights + Music Black Hops Brewery — Hop Swap Black Hops Brewery — Black Hops Pale Ale Your Mates Brewing Co — Macca Balter Brewing — Captain Sensible Capital Brewing Co — Trail Pale Ale Hawke's Brewing — Hawke's Lager Burleigh Brewing Co — Twisted Palm One Drop Brewing Co — Double Vanilla Custard Pancake Imperial Nitro Thickshake IPA Cronulla Beer Co — Next Level XPA Sobah Beverages — Pepperberry IPA Jetty Road Brewery — Jetty Road Pale Ale Brouhaha Brewery — Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Stone & Wood Brewing Co — Cloud Catcher Blackman's Brewery — Juicy Banger 4 Pines Brewing Co — 4 Pines Pale Ale Brick Lane Brewing Co — Sidewinder Hazy Pale Hop Nation Brewing Co — Rattenhund Sunday Road Brewing — Enigma Ale Otherside Brewing Co — Anthem IPA Bad Shepherd Brewing Co — Peanut Butter Porter Ballistic Beer Co — Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout Black Hops Brewery — Hornet Little Creatures — Pacific Ale Your Mates Brewing Co — Eddie Dainton Beer — Jungle Juice Bodriggy Brewing Co — Utropia Pale Ale Young Henrys — The Unifier Hawkers Beer — West Coast IPA Mismatch Brewing Co — Mismatch Session Ale Gage Roads Brewing Co — Side Track All Day XPA Little Bang Brewing Co — Face Inverter BentSpoke Brewing Co — Red Nut Tumut River Brewing Co — Ginja Ninja Eumundi Brewery — Eumundi Alcoholic Ginger Beer Deeds Brewing — Once More Into the Fray Akasha Brewing Co — Mosaic IPA Ballistic Beer Co — Low Ha Capital Brewing Co — Rock Hopper IPA Wayward Brewing Co — Raspberry Berliner Weisse Willie The Boatman — Nectar Of The Hops Balter Brewing — CryoHaze For more information about the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2021, head to the GABS website.
On the cusp of a sun-filled scorcher of a summer, it’s hard to imagine going as long as three months without seeing the sun. But it’s precisely this seasonal phenomenon that Norwegian designers Christine Istad and Lisa Pacini have responded to, creating a travelling circular sculpture whose warm-coloured LED light mimics the absent sun. Three metres in diameter, the glowing core of SUN changes in hue, moving from sunrise to sunset tones. The design is portable and adaptable, capable of being freestanding on a base or hung on a wall as an installation. The sculpture was transported by cruise ship and pick-up truck around Norway, bringing illumination to darkened cities starting from Tromsø in the country's north and ending in Bergen. The project most recently journeyed as far as London, where it made an appearance at London Design Festival as part of the 10th anniversary of the annual 100% Norway exhibition run by the Norwegian Embassy, Norwegian Design Council and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each year the exhibition showcases the best and brightest from Norway’s art and design world, with this year’s special focus being light. Via DesignBoom
Meeting, dating, relating, cohabiting — the way we do it all is changing. So what does marriage mean today? For the third incarnation of Junkee: Take On, four speakers will meet at Giant Dwarf to talk about tying the knot. Marriage equality is the hot topic of the week, but that won't be the only issue in the ring. There'll also be chats about arranged marriages, civil unions, Married at First Sight and whether or not marriage needs a revolution. Sitting on the panel will be feminist and writer Clementine Ford who's not married "but would do it for the bar tab", Triple J Hack host Tom Tilley, LGBTI advocate and Sydney Law School teacher Senthorun Raj and volunteer matchmaker Cara Suttner, who works at J-Junction, an introductory service for the city's wider Jewish community. Lex Hirst will be taking care of the moderation. If you have a question for any of the panellists, email it to takeon@junkee.com asap.
We've almost made it to the end of this chaotic year. Holidays are looming ever closer, and it's time to hang out with friends and fam, recharge and reflect — potentially doing so at beaches, in ocean pools, while hiking or chilling out in parks — and maybe logoff from social media for a bit. And Pantone is suggesting we do so surrounded by 'life-affirming' coral. Living Coral (PANTONE 16-1546) has just been named as Pantone's 2019 Colour of the Year. The energising — and appropriately summery — shade was chosen by Pantone's colour experts not only because it "provide[s] comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment", but because it encourages lighthearted activity and pursuit of fun — exactly what we're all hoping to do over the next couple of months (and, ideally, throughout the New Year). Of course, coral is associated with nature, too, in animals (like flamingos) and in Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. While we doubt it was on the minds of Pantone's colour experts, the colour is timely due to the recent, reinvigorated fight for emergency action on climate change in Australia. Hundreds of school students, just this Wednesday, descended on Canberra's Parliament House to demand action on climate change and to stop the Adani coal mine — a proposed Queensland mine, which, if it goes ahead, could have huge impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Then there's Living Coral's reinvigorating nature — it's said to energise and enliven. So paint your room in it, cover your body in it or just buy some snazzy coral socks — it might help you get through this crazy messed up world in 2019.
One great thing about street art and public art is the way they make you see your surroundings in a different way, and draw your attention to spaces you might not have noticed otherwise. French artist Julien Coquentin has captured this in Please Draw Me a Wall, a photo series that playfully blends fantasy with reality. The photos include things like a man with a fishing rod in front of a wall of painted fish, or a little girl in a red coat staring at what appears to be a wolf. Coquentin hasn't revealed the location of the images, but Paris would probably be the most likely — the city is known for its vibrant street art scene and Coquentin is currently living in France. See more of Coquentin's images on his website or on his Behance page. Via Flavorwire
The Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf is an icon of Sydney. Standing on the harbour for over 100 years, seeing goods and people flow in and out of Sydney through some of history's most pivotal moments. Inside that heritage-listed space also happens to be one of Sydney's funkiest hotels. The Ovolo Woolloomooloo takes what the space of a former industrial wharf can offer and runs with it, to spectacular effect, thanks to architecture firm Hassell Studio and designer Matt Sheargold. The majority of the space remains open, with the on-site eatery Bar Woolloomooloo running along the first floor, providing ample lighting and ambience to the three floors of rooms above. There's a total of 100 rooms, the majority of which have Sydney Harbour or city skyline views, with eight options available.From the baseline of Superoo, and even that has a king bed, to double rooms, loft suites and the most luxurious AC/DC and INXS suites: loft rooms with in-room bars, a reading nook, hammocks and mirrored ceilings. The aforementioned eatery is open for breakfast and dinner, often with special menus such as Italian-inspired high teas and bottomless steak frites. On the evergreen menu are regular weekly specials, cocktails and a solid selection of wines both Aussie and international. Come summertime, since you can't swim in the harbour, you can park up on a cabana by the indoor pool — and there's a mix of event spaces for meetings and special occasions alike. Mere minutes away from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Potts Point, it's a great launchpad for visitors, and if you're a Sydney local looking for a staycay — it's enough to make you think you're way out of town.
Paddington's Italian eatery Barbetta wears many hats, including daytime cafe, gourmet smallgoods store and workshop space. The venue on Elizabeth Street is the casual sister venue to nearby Cipri Italian and the owners are, not surprisingly, focusing on classic Italian food. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee, the all-day cafe is designed by ACME & Co. — that is, the team who brought you a long list of successful Sydney favourites including The Grounds of Alexandria (and The Grounds of the City), Archie Rose, Fred's and Happy as Larry. The contemporary, bright interior adds nostalgic elements that are reminiscent of classic Italian cars and 1950s movies. For breakfast, think deconstructed Sicilian buckwheat pancake with fresh ricotta, figs and crushed cannoli ($16) and Italian sausage with baked free-range eggs, Tuscan cabbage, baked ricotta and toasted sourdough ($20). Lunch will focus on heartier dishes, like house-made lasagne and spinach ricotta ravioli ($22 each), porchetta paninis ($18) and spicy meatball burgers ($21), along with salads and snacks. The cafe's Neapolitan pastry-chef is also turning out a daily selection of Italian desserts, cakes and gelato to accompany your afternoon coffee break. On the drinks side of things, the requisite coffee and juice is paired with milkshakes and Italian soft drinks. The venue doesn't have a liquor licence just yet, so at present there's a sweet no-corkage BYO deal. Plans for an Italian snack bar are also on the horizon. In the smallgoods deli, takeaway meals like lasagne, gnocchi and slow-cooked lamb shanks will be on offer, along with fresh pastas, sauces, cheeses and meats. The store's selection of packed Italian products include coffee, condiments and biscuits, and pre-packed picnic sets are ready for Centennial Park lazing. If you're looking for your next date idea or just want to learn a new skill, Barbetta is also hosting twice weekly pasta making workshops on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes include a hands-on cooking demo with antipasti and BYO wine, followed by dinner/lunch and the pasta you made to take home. Images: Nikki To Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
On May 3, 2012, over 3000 women came together in Sydney's iconic Centennial Park for the inaugural Nike She Runs the Night event. It made Australian history by being the country's first women-only night race. After a sell-out in 2012, the course has expanded for the 2013 race, giving more space for more runners. With a now 90,000-strong Facebook community, the 2013 Sydney race will without a doubt attract even more racers. The event includes bands and DJs throughout the course to help motivate the runners, and after the run participants are invited to a post-celebration with live music, massages, giveaways, refreshments, Nike Free Run+ 3 trials, Nike+ demos, and a photo booth. The Nike She Runs campaign has become something of a movement for Australian women to share their common love of running and sport together. If you're a female runner looking for a fun and challenging race, this is certainly the event for you. Registration opened Thursday, February 14, 2013, and continues until the event date. There are 6000 available spots, but do make sure to sign up before those 90,000 Facebook fans swoop in.
It's been a staple of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney and a bustling nightlife spot for decades. It even features in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It's The Imperial Erskinville and now it has new owners. The storied pub has officially been sold, with Universal Hotels taking the reins. Universal Hotels is owned and operated by the Kospetas family. The group's footprint on Sydney's hospitality scene is significant, with venues like Newtown Hotel, Universal, Oxford Hotel, Civic Hotel, Hotel Downing, Bat and Ball Hotel, The Riley, Tempe Hotel and V Bar all falling under the group's portfolio. "The opportunity to transact on the Imperial was one in which we believed had great synergy with our group of venues. We have a strong connection with the LGBTQIA+ community and are very excited about the next chapter for the venue," said Universal Hotels in a statement to Concrete Playground. "To begin we will take some time to build relationships with the staff and community. We are attracted to the strong legacy of The Imperial and will endeavour to continually improve and evolve the venue." Since the group took over the venue, things have remained business as usual — so don't expect any radical changes to the beloved community venue. You can still pop into The Imperial for sweaty dance floors and singalongs on weekends, live drag Wednesday–Sunday, trivia on Wednesdays, bingo on Thursdays or for a feed at one of its dining rooms including Priscilla's and Carlotta's Rooftop. The Erskineville mainstay last closed in 2018 for a $6 million makeover. After an eight-month revamp it reopened with its current slate of dining and entertainment offerings including its vibrant new rooftop bar and basement party area. You'll find The Imperial Erskineville at 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville. It's open 4pm–12am Wednesday–Thursday, 4pm–3am Friday, 12pm–4am Saturday and 12pm–12am Sunday.
Change is on its way to Surry Hills' much-loved Hollywood Hotel, with the pub currently on the market. The venue, which sits at the corner of Forster and Hunt streets, has been listed by HTL Property. The property agency specialises in the hotel and hospitality industry, and expects the sale to be "one of Sydney's most keenly contested pub sales this year". The sale comes after Hollywood Hotel publican Doris Goddard passed away in July 2019, and marks the first time it has been sold in more than four decades. Goddard owned and operated the pub for 42 years, running the Belmore Park Hotel in Surry Hills, Balmain's West End and Newtown's Marlborough Hotel before the Hollywood. Goddard was an industry pioneer, a 50s film star, a cabaret performer and an activist, actively protesting against Sydney's lockout laws during the final years of her life. Goddard's estate appointed HTL Property in charge of the sale of the hotel following her passing. The agency describes the venue as "a veritable blank canvas for an incoming operator", featuring a 3am liquor license, gaming machines, and hotel accommodation located among high profile Sydney restaurants like Chin Chin, Nomad and Poly. Also noted: the hotel's sun-drenched rooftop, which it's suggested could become a rooftop beer garden. HTL Property also mentions significant redevelopment potential, marking the possibility that the pub's last drinks could be fast approaching. [caption id="attachment_734411" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] El Scrapeo via Flickr[/caption] The impending sale of the Hollywood Hotel comes after a string of recent hotel sales, including Merivale's purchase of The Duke of Gloucester and the $7 million sale of Paddington's Four in Hand. Over the past two years, HTL Property has overseen the sale of Darlinghurst's Courthouse Hotel, Pyrmont's Quarryman's Hotel and The Bells Hotel in Woolloomooloo. The expression of interest campaign for the Hollywood Hotel will end at 4pm on Thursday, May 20. The Hollywood Hotel has been listed for sale by property agency HTL Property. You can find out more at the agency's website. Top image: Bidgee via Wikimedia Commons.
These days, you don't have to search too hard to find a bar that talks big about its low-waste ethos and sustainability focus. But the soon-to-open venture from Sydney hospitality stars Matt Whiley (Scout) and Maurice Terzini (Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, Ciccia Bella) will be taking the philosophy to a whole new level and very much putting its money where its mouth is. Making its home in a heritage-listed, late-19th century railway engineering workshops in the newly revamped South Eveleigh precinct from February, Re- is on track to become the first permanent no-waste bar on the planet. It's designed to be a truly world-class drinking destination, but with every single aspect built on an overriding commitment to sustainability — from the furniture, to the light fittings, to the glassware. Having already earned a reputation for his pioneering, planet-conscious methods at Scout, Whiley is keen for this new bar to become a world leader in the low-waste game, helping to shift perceptions and spur on some big changes for the entire hospitality industry. "This is not about preaching what should be done, it's about creating the platform to take the vital conversation around waste in hospitality forward," Whiley said in a statement. Re- is set to serve up a regular rotation of around eight-to-ten signature cocktails, driven by both a strong sense of innovation and that minimal-waste mentality. Expect reimagined classics, including plenty of creatively charged highballs and spritzes. There'll be a tidy food menu of flatbreads, toasties and other snacks to match, heroing reclaimed produce and sustainable ingredients. Whiley will be joined behind the bar by some big-name local talent with Evan Stroeve (Bulletin Place) and Jake Down (This Must Be The Place), who currently work at Four Pillars Laboratory, both set to join the team. [caption id="attachment_716905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Whiley's now-closed Sydney bar Scout.[/caption] Of course, with a visionary like Terzini at the helm, Re-'s space is set to be every bit as groundbreaking as its offering and ethos. Creative production company Alfred is transforming a section of the historic former Eveleigh Locomotive Workshop into a study in sustainable design. You'll find stairs made from recycled plastic bags, terrazzo-inspired tabletops crafted from recycled bottles and tupperware, and banquette seating finished with pineapple leaf fibre. Reclaimed materials star throughout an assortment of furniture by Philippe Starck and Odger, while mycelium has been used to create the light fittings and wine coolers. Last year, it was announced that the Mirvac's ambitious South Eveleigh project will also play host to a huge dining precinct, espresso bar and coffee research lab from The Grounds team, as well as a new modern Cantonese restaurant by acclaimed chef Kylie Kwong. Re- will open at 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, from February 2021. We'll share further details as they drop. Top image: South Eveleigh Precinct by Mirvac
The Odd Culture Group (The Old Fitz, The Duke of Enmore, The Oxford Tavern) is bringing its love for odd and interesting food and drink to its latest Inner West venue through a series of wine parties. The group's much-hyped King Street bar and restaurant Odd Culture — one of our 20 favourite bars in Sydney — is hosting an event series dedicated to tastes and culinary techniques from off the beaten track. Following the success of the first edition, Oddity is returning on Thursday, March, 23 with a showcase of progressive wines from Switzerland's first biodynamic wine estate Domaine de Beudon. While the first iteration included an extravagant set menu, this time around things are a bit more casual, allowing wine lovers of all budgets to come in and try these fine drops. Your guide for the night will be Paul Hervy of Brix Fine Wines, taking you through some of his favourite bottles from the Swins vineyard. Located at an altitude of 900 meters, Domaine de Beudon can only be reached by foot or cable car. The Granges family behind the grapes only produces a very modest amount of wine, making it highly sought after. Accompanying your wine-tasting journey will be a collection of snacky culinary delights. There will be potato rosti with smoked quail egg and sage, malakoff accompanied by fried gruyere and pickles, and pizzoccheri au for grass made using buckwheat noodles and foie gras butter — all available a la carte alongside the regular Odd Culture menu on the night. There are limited seats available for the night, so make sure to book your spot if you want to secure a place. There are more iterations of Oddity planned for the future, with Odd Culture promising no two events will be the same. [caption id="attachment_868444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption]
Spike Lee. Denzel Washington. They're two of the biggest names in America cinema, and they're back in business together, teaming up for Highest 2 Lowest. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the latest Lee-directed joint not only sees two icons reunite, but also reimagines the work of another. With their new collaboration, the two Oscar-winners (Lee for BlacKkKLansman's screenplay, Washington for Glory and Training Day) are reinterpreting 1963 crime thriller High and Low from Akira Kurosawa. If you've forgotten where else Lee (American Utopia) and Washington (Gladiator II) have joined forces before, the just-dropped teaser trailer for Highest 2 Lowest offers a reminder, starting by running through their past flicks together: Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game and Inside Man. "There's more to life than just making money," utters Washington as the film titles flash up on the screen. "There's integrity. There's what you stand for. There's what you actually believe in," he continues. In the New York City-set flick, Washington plays a music mogul who is about to navigate quite the chaos. "Can you handle the mayhem?" Highest 2 Lowest's star also asks in the movie's debut sneak peek, which is set to James Brown's 'The Big Payback'. His character is renowned for having the "best ears in the business", then is saddled with a ransom plot. "Can you handle the money? Can you handle the success? Can you handle the failure? Can you handle the lovers? Can you handle the memes? Can you handle everything that there is in-between?" he also queries. While this is Lee and Washington's fifth time working together in 35 years, it's their first collab in 19 years, since Inside Man released in 2006. It's also Lee's first film at all since 2020, when both feature Da 5 Bloods and concert movie American Utopia released. Washington's Highest 2 Lowest costars include Jeffrey Wright (The Last of Us), Ice Spice and A$AP Rocky (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You). After premiering at Cannes, the movie has a date with US cinemas from Friday, August 22, 2025, but details of a Down Under big-screen release haven't been revealed. Whether or not it hits picture palaces in Australia and New Zealand, viewers will be able to watch Highest 2 Lowest via Apple TV+ from Friday, September 5, 2025. Check out the first teaser trailer for Highest 2 Lowest below: Highest 2 Lowest opens in US cinemas from Friday, August 22, 2025 and doesn't yet have a Down Under big-screen release date, but screens via Apple TV+ from Friday, September 5, 2025.
