It's easy to devour an entire pizza to yourself here — and unashamedly so. The Mario crew has built a solid reputation in Surry Hills with Pizza Mario, and although the Rosebery branch offers a more extensive menu, the pizza's just so good it'll sabotage your ability to try anything else. Housed in a former cannery, Da Mario inhabits a large and open space — possibly selected to house the big red oven. Toppings are minimal yet deliciously paramount. Take, for example, the gorgonzola con radicchio ($21.50) or the full-flavoured Calabrese with salame, mozzarella and olives ($23). Traditionalists will love the Margherita, while calzone fans should opt for the Salame — oozing with soft ricotta, melted mozzarella and black pepper. It's all stupidly delicious. Images: Kitti Gould Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pizza in Sydney for 2023
"Why did you choose pizza? It must've been fate." They're the words of Yoshihiro Imai, a pizza chef in Kyoto, in the trailer for Chef's Table: Pizza — but for anyone who loves pizza, that dialogue could've been plucked out of your own head. No one just likes pizza. No one is just happy with one slice of it, either. If you adore pizza, you're all in. Pizza is dinner. Pizza is lunch. Pizza is breakfast, too. And, pizza is life. You mightn't really eat pizza for every single meal, no matter how much you'd like to; however, if you're fond of orbs of dough stacked with toppings, then baked in an oven, then Chef's Table: Pizza is serving your next streaming feast. The latest addition to the Chef's Table franchise, arriving on Netflix on Wednesday, September 7, it's set to dedicate its entire six-episode run to pizza and the folks who make it. Accordingly, viewers will watch pizza chefs cook up the beloved dish around the world, including in Portland, Phoenix and Minneapolis in the US; in Rome and Caiazzo in Italy; and in Kyoto, Japan. The latter is where the aforementioned Imai comes in, but he's joined by fellow pizza-cooking talents Sarah Minnick, Chris Bianco, Ann Kim, Gabriele Bonci and Franco Pepe. If you're a Chef's Table fan already, you'll know the format. Each episode hones in on a specific chef, and steps through their approach to cooking. The only difference here: everyone featured whips up pizza, whether opting for traditional slices or mixing things up. In the trailer, flowers even feature atop one pizza. Chef's Table: Pizza joins the franchise after five previous seasons focusing on a broad array of chefs — celebrating the stellar kitchen skills of talents such as Massimo Bottura, Francis Mallmann and even Attica's Ben Shewry, for instance — plus a four-episode instalment devoted to French cuisine, a four-chapter run that's all about pastry and another four-episode focus on barbecue. The usual advice applies while watching anything food-related, whether it's this, chef dramedy The Bear or everything in-between: eating beforehand or as you press play is clearly recommended. Obviously, this time you'll want to eat pizza. Already feeling your stomach rumble? Check out the trailer below: Chef's Table: Pizza will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 7. Images: Netflix © 2022.
In a year that's seen us all pondering holidays close to home, the New South Wales National Parks department has just gifted the state's residents with a trio of new reasons to book a local trip. Perhaps you feel like heading north and enjoying a coastal getaway? Maybe you'd rather go south and roam around the bushland? Either way, there are now three refurbished cottages across both spots ready and waiting for reservations. The first — and perhaps the one you'll be instantly enthusiastic about with the weather warming up — is Davies Cottage, which is located in Myall Lakes National Park on the mid north coast. It was built back in the 50s, on the eastern headland at Seals Rock village, and boasts views out over Boat Beach and Sugarloaf Bay. Here, you can vacation in a group of up to six, and spend plenty of time sitting on the timber deck and staring out at the water. The self-contained abode also comes with an outdoor barbecue and sun lounge chairs — or, for when you'd rather relax inside, a fully equipped kitchen and an open-plan living space. In terms of things to do, you'll be less than a kilometre from Sugarloaf Lighthouse. Or, you can indulge in a bit of dolphin-spotting at Lighthouse Beach or wander through Treachery Headland. Drive over to Wallingat National Park and/or Booti Booti National Park, and you'll find more places to bushwalk, more lookouts and more beaches. [caption id="attachment_784630" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Davies Cottage via Brent Mail, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] The second two refurbed places to stay are located in Kosciuszko National Park, in the Thredbo-Perisher area. It mightn't be ski season at present, but the Creel Bay cottages are open year-round in the Snowy Mountains region. Both — Creel Retreat and Creel View — are surrounded by eucalypt woodland, and boast views over Lake Jindabyne. Three-bedroom abodes that can sleep six guests each, and feature new kitchens and bathrooms, large outdoor decks and barbecues, they're actually former staff lodges that have been repurposed. On the agenda here: peering over the lake and up at the mountains, and, in winter, using it as a base to get to Perisher Valley (which is less than a 30-minute drive away) and hit the snow. In summer, you can take a bushwalk via the nearby waterfall, through the Main Range or along the Mount Kosciuszko Summit. On Lake Jindabyne, you can also fish, paddle and boat — while the Thredbo Valley Track is also ten minutes away by car. [caption id="attachment_784626" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Creel Bay cottages via Murray Vanderveer, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.[/caption] If you're eager to kick back by the sea, Davies Cottage's rates start at $1400 — for a seven-night stay (which is the minimum booking period) for up to six people. For those who'd rather a mountain trip, the Creel Bay cottages start at $265 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. Both Davies Cottage and the Creel Bay cottages are now available for bookings. For more information, or to make a reservation, head to the Davies Cottage and Creel Bay cottages pages on the NSW National Parks website. Top images: Davies Cottage via Brent Mail, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment; Creek Bay cottages via Murray Vanderveer, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Famous for its 55-minute workouts and worldwide following, Barry's Bootcamp has become a fitness heavyweight since first setting up shop in West Hollywood back in 1998 — and now it's bringing its studios to Australia. From September 2018, Sydneysiders will be able to put themselves through Barry's high-intensity interval training sessions in Surry Hills, Martin Place and another yet-to-be-revealed CBD location. Then, in early 2019, the brand will set up its first Melbourne location. If you're a gym junkie, celebrity obsessive or just familiar with the term "Barry's body", then you'll have heard of Barry's. Already active in 18 cities around the globe — including Los Angeles, New York, Milan, London and Dubai — it's claimed that the studio's sessions burn over 4000 kilojoules. That's thanks to a regimented program that incorporates 25 minutes of treadmill work, 25 minutes of strength and conditioning with free weights and resistance bands, and then a five-minute cool-down. The focus of each class changes daily across Barry's weekly schedule, with each session targeting a different muscle group. As extra motivation, Barry's classes are held in high-energy red rooms, complete with mood lighting and the kind of music you're more likely to hear in a nightclub. Adding to the vibe, each location features its own bar serving up locally designed shakes and smoothies — and patrons will also be able to buy workout outfits onsite. "From the time the client arrives in studio to when they're ready to leave, we've accounted for every step of their visit to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience," says Australian head of operations Heston Russell, who's overseeing the brand's local launch alongside fellow fitness guru Blake Bridges. That might be their aim, but we're guessing everyone else's involves working out and finding a new spot for luxe gym Instagram posts. Find Barry's Bootcamp at Sydney's Surry Hills, Martin Place and another yet-to-be-revealed CBD location from September 2018, and in Melbourne from early 2019. Visit the Barry's Bootcamp website for further information.
Not many people, let alone many 19-year-olds, can say they've spent four months immersed in a Catholic community of transsexual prostitutes. But Australian photographer Billy Maynard isn't your average teenager — he caught the isolated peoples on camera during a trip to East Timor last year, and is now shedding light on them in his debut exhibition Trans/Tender at the Damien Minton Gallery's Annex Space. Shot entirely in darkness on black and white film, Maynard's gritty photographs depict undeniably human moments that are the rare product of a remarkable amount of trust between artist and subject. In this case gaining that trust meant a complete, almost naive immersion into this impoverished community. Indeed Maynard admits to finding unlooked-for friends amidst the mud, rain, heat and sex of the tiny island — most notably a woman called Peppe, whom he admires for her ability to turn the straightest men in uniform into salivating animals. The candidness and sexual ambiguity that Peppe epitomises are evident in each of Maynard's 17 photographs — whether a moonlit face, a naked body, or a pile of crumpled bedding. It's almost as if there's only one wall separating the Damien Minton gallery from the anxiety-ridden East Timor island, and you’ve just poked a hole through it — though actually, a 19-year-old did that for you.
You don't have to be a lady who lunches to lunch with the ladies. Sydney's lunchtime dining scene offers plenty of options catering to a range of budgets, tastes and purposes. Whether it be for your monthly girls' catch up, a boozy post-exam celebration or a long luncheon with workmates, your midday munch need not be bland because choices are aplenty these days. Sydney’s best places for a ladies lunch are here, so gather the girls and set a date for good food, wine and that long overdue catch up. Chiswick Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan co-own and operate this ‘neighbourhood’ restaurant located in Chiswick Gardens. With a seasonal menu that celebrates produce from the kitchen garden, the restaurant’s emphasis is on shared foods; tuck in over a wood-roasted chicken or Moran family lamb. Groups are welcome but bookings are highly recommended. Lunch Tue-Sat 12 noon-2.30pm, Sun, 12 noon-3pm; 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra; 02 8388 8688; www.chiswickrestaurant.com.au Orto Trading Co. ‘Orto’ in Italian means ‘vegetable garden’, and the simple, homely, rustic dishes pay homage to the connotation of a leafy veg patch. Try the Orto take on traditional British dishes like bangers and mash or a Ploughman’s with duck scotch egg, pickles, epicure cheddar, wagyu silverside and sourdough rolls. Lunch Tue-Sun 11.30am-3pm; 38-52 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills; 04 3121 2453; www.ortotradingco.com.au The Victoria Room Whatever time of day it’s always cocktail hour at the Victoria Room in Darlinghurst. The dimmed lights and ornate British-Raj style interior transport all who enter into a world of decadence and fantasy. Come for high tea and stay to join the night owls for champagne and cocktails. Lunch Sat-Sun 12-noon-5pm; 235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst; 02 9357 4488; www.thevictoriaroom.com The Boat House Fresh deli-style produce, a relaxed cafe vibe and the beautiful beachside location make this a perfect spot for a ladies’ lunch. Get there after breakfast to secure a picnic table on the timber deck and order the famous beer-battered fish and chips or a bucket of fresh tiger prawns. Lunch Mon-Sun 12 noon-3pm; Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach; 02 9974 3868; www.theboathousepb.com.au Bar Reggio Regarded locally as an institution, this Italian restaurant in Darlinghurst has more than 20 years of delivering good quality, no-frills pizza and pasta dishes at affordable prices. There’s a vibrant, busy atmosphere and the option to BYO is a popular choice any day of the week. Lunch Mon-Sat from 12 noon; 135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst; 02 9332 1129; www.barreggio.com.au Le Kiosk This long-standing restaurant, is located at Shelly Beach, is a popular place for weddings and functions, but if you can secure a place at lunch the beach hut-style dining area and beach views are worth the effort. Sharing a bottle of wine and Sydney rock oysters is a blissful way to enjoy a long lunch with friends. Lunch Mon-Sun 12 noon-3pm; 1 Marine Parade, Shelly Beach, Manly; 02 9977 4122; www.lekiosk.com.au The Village Gastro-pub meets Italian restaurant, this wine bar-come-eatery is the latest to join the list of lunch favourites. The Village has a special ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ menu at the weekend, with antipasti share plates, pizza and a fair selection of wines. Lunch Thu-Sun from 12 noon; 1 Kellett Way, Potts Point; 02 8084 6057; www.the-village.com.au Pink Salt Head chef Nathan Tillott, previously at Prime steakhouse, moved to Pink Salt in January this year. He takes pride in producing every dish in-house, including the churned-on-site butter in the bread rolls. Bask on the patio terrace over a long lunch and enjoy the laid-back afternoons and a gourmet degustation ($90 per head). Lunch Tue-Sun 12 noon-3pm; 2/53 Cross Street, Double Bay; 02 9328 1664; www.pinksalt.com.au Gazebo This busy wine bar in Elizabeth Bay is also open for lunch at the weekend. Take a seat in the ‘suntrap’ courtyard and share some of their famous veal and chorizo rolls. For a bit of theatre, book a private ‘rose garden’ for groups of 20 or more ($50 per person). Lunch Fri-Sun from 12 noon; 2 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay; 02 9357 5333; www.gazebowinegarden.com.au The Winery Sister to Gazebo, this playful Keystone establishment is rammed in the evenings, however, lunchtimes during the week or weekend are ideal for a small bite or more substantial main inside or out. Like Gazebo, the Winery offers a ‘Girls Picnic Lunch’ on Saturday and Sunday ($40). Lunch Mon-Sun from 12 noon; 285a Crown Street, Surry Hills; 02 9331 0833; www.thewinerysurryhills.com.au
Next time you sip a G&T, or whichever other gin cocktail takes your fancy, you could be drinking a new Australian label that puts homegrown ingredients to great use. That'd be Taka Gin, a brand that's just hit the market thanks to Melbourne's Niyoka Bundle — who has branched out into the world of spirits from her Indigenous-fusion catering company Pawa Catering. Like plenty of recent new businesses, the idea behind Taka Gin came about in lockdown, with Indigenous woman Bundle and her husband Vincent Manning inspired to take on a new project — and to continue to highlight First Nations people's native foods in the process. That's why their tipple heroes lemon-scented gum leaf and native lemongrass, two plants that the duo consider underutilised. They're paired with a base of seven other botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, cassia chips, finger lime, orris root and desert lime. Taka Gin's key ingredients have been foraged from around Melbourne, and sourced from Indigenous wild harvesters, including via Natif Super Foods and Warndu. The gin is then distilled by Gypsy Hub at Collingwood's Craft & Co, and sold online via the brand's website, with a 700-millilitre bottle costing $90. In terms of taste, this is a smooth gin. Expect soft citrus flavours, as well as a fragrance that helps bring out the tipple's flavour. The brand takes its name from the Gunditjmara language, which hails from southwest Victoria, with 'taka' meaning taste. And, its eye-catching labels are designed by Bundle's mother and Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong artist Vicki Couzens. Against a white background, the minimalistic images represent the phytochemical molecular components that comprise Taka Gin's flavours. Handily, Taka Gin is doing free shipping Australia-wide, too, if you need another reason to expand your gin shelf. For more information about Taka Gin, or to buy a bottle, head to the brand's website. Images: Marcie Raw Studio.
Bloodhound Espresso, based on the corner of Palmer and Liverpool Streets, is precisely the type of reliable cafe you'd like to call your local. It's set a little away from the hustle and bustle of Darlo's busier thoroughfares, while still being easily accessible. It has a decent amount of both indoor and outdoor seating — particularly useful if you've got your doggo in tow — plus a window set up beside the coffee machine for takeaway brews. The brekkie menu, available until 11.30am and all day on weekends, is simple but covers all bases. The Turkish Breakfast is a highlight — hummus, dukkah, falafel, salad, boiled egg and turkish toast. And the brekkie burger is a winner, particularly if load it up with an extra hash brown and avo. Images: Terence-Kent Ow
Kurumba is Surry Hills' breezy two-level Sri Lankan restaurant from the crew behind The Fold in Dulwich Hill. The beloved Inner West diner closed in 2023 so The Fold team could move into this ambitious new Crown Street space. Upstairs at Kurumba, the dining room spotlights traditional Sri Lankan eats. The team's also mixing things up with Sydney menu staples like Sydney rock oysters, Western Australian lobster and smoked brisket. Downstairs, there's a casual bar where you can snack on hoppers over a glass of vino. Highlights from the main dining room include smoked brisket pan rolls, kajugama tiger prawns in a chilli cashew butter and crispy pork belly curry. If you're okay with splurging a little, Kurumba's signature dish is the lobster kottu — a chopped roti, vegetable and lobster-head curry. The set menu is a great way to attack the meal, especially for groups. The $85 per person option runs through the pan rolls, hot butter soft-shell crab, three different curries and tempered cauliflower, all paired with hoppers and rice. Or you can go big with the $125 premium menu, adding the signature lobster kottu and oysters topped with calamansi, coconut water and coriander root to the fold. If you've got the space, there's only one way to round out your meal at Kurumba. While a few desserts are on offer, the falluda soft serve is a must-try, adding rose syrup, crystallised pistachio and crispy vermicelli to the nostalgic sweet treat.
2025 is a shaping up to be a big year for Netflix finales — and it will end that way, too. First, Squid Game is coming to a conclusion in June 2025. Then, Stranger Things will begin following suit with its fifth and last season. You'll be tuning in not once, not twice, but three times for this farewell trip to Hawkins, Indiana, however — starting in November 2025, then checking in again twice in December this year. Those specific dates: Wednesday, November 26 for the first four-episode volume of season five, then Thursday, December 25 for its second three-chapter volume, followed by Wednesday, December 31 for the finale. Netflix locked in the release schedule as part of a date-announcement video which also provides an initial glimpse at how everything will wrap up. Included in the clip: looks backwards at the tale that Stranger Things has told so far, which means peering at how young the cast was when the show premiered in 2016. From what's to come, comas, bedside vigils, the military, exploring via torchlight, shaking floors and a key piece of advice — "run" — all feature. Season five makes finding and killing Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower, Emmanuelle) its main aim, all while the town has been placed under quarantine and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, The Electric State) has been forced into hiding We know already that the year is 1987 and the time is autumn, jumping forward from the fourth season's spring 1986 timing. We're also aware that one way or another, the residents of Hawkins that viewers know and love will have their last experience with the eeriness that's been plaguing their town for years. That's the promise that accompanies saying goodbye to Stranger Things, of course, even if the hit Netflix show's end won't be it for the franchise's broader universe. If it feels like there's been a lengthy wait for more — even with the series no stranger to long delays between seasons — that's because there has been. When November rolls around, it will have been almost three-and-a-half years since season four, a gap extended due to 2023's Hollywood strikes. Before that, just under three years elapsed between seasons three and four, and just under two between the second and third seasons. The 13-month gap between seasons one and two seems positively short, then. Late in 2024, Netflix revealed the titles of Stranger Things' eight season-five episodes. If you feel like obsessing over the monikers for clues, you've had eight hints for a while, then. The season will kick off with 'The Crawl', then deliver 'The Vanishing of ...', 'The Turnbow Trap' and 'Sorcerer'. Next comes 'Shock Jock', 'Escape From Camazotz' and 'The Bridge', before it all ends with the enticingly named 'The Rightside Up'. Fans also already know that this season features Terminator franchise icon Linda Hamilton, jumping from one sci-fi hit to another. Season five brings back all of the usual faces, too — so, alongside Brown and Bower, Winona Ryder (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), David Harbour (Thunderbolts*), Finn Wolfhard (Saturday Night), Gaten Matarazzo (Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain), Caleb McLaughlin (The Deliverance), Noah Schnapp (The Tutor), Sadie Sink (O'Dessa), Natalia Dyer (All Fun and Games), Charlie Heaton (The Souvenir: Part II), Joe Keery (Fargo), Maya Hawke (Inside Out 2), Priah Ferguson (The Curse of Bridge Hollow), Brett Gelman (Lady in the Lake) and Cara Buono (Things Like This). As for more Stranger Things-related antics after season five, when creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that their sci-fi show was working towards its endgame back in 2022, they also said that they had more stories to tell in this fictional realm. Instantly, we all knew what that meant. Netflix doesn't like letting go of its hits easily, after all, so the quest to find a way to keep wandering through this franchise was about as surprising as Jim Hopper's (Harbour) usual gruff mood. Check out the date-announcement video for Stranger Things season five below: Stranger Things season five will arrive in three parts, on Wednesday, November 26, Thursday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 31, 2025. You can stream the first four seasons now via Netflix — and read our review of season four. Images: Netflix.
When I travel, I don't buy souvenirs — I bring back groceries. I find this a particularly rewarding thing to do when I spend time in a place where I don't speak the language. Food, after all, is the universal language. And a grocery store can act as a window into cultures that are different to my own. In multicultural and ethnically diverse places like Sydney, grocery stores are especially important for diaspora communities — new arrivals seeking a connection to home (like my own Greek and Cypriot grandparents). It's this connection that inspired Ketan Patel and other partners to open Indian grocery store Radhe in Harris Park in 2006. "As young migrants to Australia during that time, we were desperate to find ingredients for cooking our everyday staples and we realised this is a shared struggle for many Indian-Australians." Opening in Harris Park was no accident, either. "Harris Park is the hub for all things Indian-Australian," Patel says. "We genuinely appreciate its multiculturalism, diversity, happening nature and vibrant energy. Many of our friends mention that whenever we miss our home country, just a ride around this bustling area makes things right." In the years since Patel and his partners opened Radhe's Harris Park outpost, Australia has become home to one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora. Our Indian-born community is in fact one the fastest-growing migrant groups in the country. Radhe has expanded in line with the population growth, with the grocer now boasting six locations throughout Sydney. It's also since cemented its position as a key pillar in the communities it serves. "Our food was not only a daily meal for us," Patel says. "It was our connection, a feeling of being truly at home and missing it was irreplaceable for many — but what we did get was quite expensive due to the lack of shops. That is how Radhe was incorporated — to make sure all Indian-Australians and everyone else can get the ingredients for cooking tasty and healthy Indian meals at home." Browsing the aisles, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast selection of products on offer. Indeed, the Radhe range is reflective of the diversity within India itself. "India, being a multicultural and diverse nation, has a variety of cuisines as per its different regions," Patel says. "It is important to us that we can make a variety of ingredients available to suit all cuisine types. Especially with Indian-Australians now one of Australia's biggest migrant groups, it is crucial for stores like ours to supply everything they need to build a kitchen and a home for themselves here." So, where to start? Patel highlights five items to find at Radhe that will add depth to any pantry. PANTRY ESSENTIALS TO SHOP AT AN INDIAN GROCERY STORE FROZEN GOODS "Samosas, naans and other frozen varieties are ready to eat and great for all foodies looking for a quick treat at home." Patel notes that not only are frozen items "hands-down" a favourite among Radhe staff, but a hit with customers, too. SPICES "Turmeric, cinnamon, chilli powder, the list goes on. These are a staple in every Indian household and gaining popularity in many other cuisines, too. Indian spices are undoubtedly a must-have for that perfect synchrony of taste in your dish." FRESH PRODUCE "Indian cooking liberally uses fresh coriander — in chutneys, as a seasoning, as an ingredient and more. Fresh herbs and veggies — from the common ones to the more exotic Indian vegetable varieties — are a must to prepare an excellent salad or a healthy cooked dish at home." LENTILS AND PULSES "These are the heart of Indian cuisine — think red lentil dal, yellow dal and more. They make for a filling and hearty meal." CHEESE, PLEASE "Paneer, or Indian cottage cheese, is soft, healthy and tasty. It is fabulous for a range of delicious curries, barbecuing or adding to salads." You can find Radhe Wholesale and Retail at 8/10, Harris Street East, Harris Park. For more ways to experience Harris Park, head to the website. Images: Nikki To
A CBD institution, Frankie's Pizza is known for its live music, pinball machines, freshly squeezed apple juice an,d of course, its pizza menu. The much-loved pizza menu is now getting a revamp, however, with the help of Swillhouse collaborator Dan Pepperell (Restaurant Hubert, Alberto Lounge) and a trip to New York City. Pepperell and Swillhouse co-founder Anton Forte headed on a research trip to New York back in a pre-COVID February 2020 to experience the best pizza by the slice the city had to offer. The pair returned to Sydney with a swathe of new ideas for the Frankie's and have subsequently conjured up the venue's new menu. Along with a new dough recipe that includes a three-day fermentation process, Frankie's has introduced 13 new pizza toppings for you to get your mouths around. Leading the charge are new takes on classics like a three-cheese margherita, the pepperoni featuring Frankie's hot honey and a rosemary number with scamorza and garlic. On the more extravagant side of things, you'll be able to grab yourself a slice of zucchini pizza with lemon, chilli, garlic, stracciatella and mint; the Texas, which combines two different cheeses, roasted corn, red onion, jalapeños; or the Bismark with truffle salami and egg yolk. You can add on dipping sauces for $3 a pop, too, and a tin of Cuca anchovies for $6. Plus, despite the makeover, the venue's pizzas are available at an affordable $6 a slice. The venue has also expanded its already extensive beer list in conjunction with the new menu, which now stars the likes of a wasabi porter, a blood orange gose from California's Anderson Valley and Moon Dog's Coconut Cake imperial dark ale. You can find the full menu here. If you're looking for an excuse to stop and try the new range of pizza on offer, you can catch Frankie's House Band every Monday, karaoke and trivia every Tuesday, and bands every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.You can check out what's on at Frankie's at its website. Frankie's Pizza is located at 50 Hunter Street, Sydney and is open 4pm–3am Saturday–Thursday and 12pm–3am Friday. Top image: Katje Ford
Penrith is growing from a regional town to a main player in the suburb wars of Sydney. And one of the lovely things about the area is that you can still find some great independent shops to support. There's a special place in heaven for those of us who show some love to these local legends who are the heart and soul of this fast growing region. To showcase some of the best businesses in Penrith, we've teamed up with American Express to create this guide to shopping local in the area. These businesses demonstrate exactly why western Sydney is such a great place to live right now, and you can shop small at these stores with your Amex Card.
There are plenty of aspects of lockdown that suck, but one giant ray of sunshine through the whole experience has been all the top-notch, inventive takeaway options coming from some of our favourite Sydney businesses. One such restaurant is Redfern's Bart Jr. The Pitt Street spot is cooking up a range of lockdown specials including date night packs, heat-at-home meals and fancy panko-crumbed market-fresh ling Fillet-O-Fishes — but the crowning jewel of Bart Jr's lockdown menu is its lobster roll. Piled high with fresh WA Rock Lobster, NSW Clarence River king prawns, tarragon, chive and horseradish, Bary Jr's lobster rolls are available every Friday from the restaurant's takeaway window — lovingly named Bart Mart. With local lobster prices lower right now due to slower international trading, the Bart Jr team jumped at the opportunity to add a more affordable lobster dish to its menu. The rolls were originally created as a one-off dish, but after a huge community response, they've been added to the Bart Mart menu as a weekly Friday item. "I had about 50 people on Instagram message me asking if they could pre-order for next time, and so many people came by afterwards and said, 'please do it again'," Bart Jr owner George Woodyard said. [caption id="attachment_824127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] George Woodyard, Destination NSW[/caption] If you miss out on a lobster roll you can pre-order a beef brisket roll packed with cheddar, zucchini pickles and chipotle mayo, available every Saturday. You can also keep your eyes on the Bart Jr Instagram for weekly deals. Last week's date night pack was filled with fried halloumi dusted in a za'atar-spiced semolina, 12-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder, orange and polenta cake and a set of two bottled cocktails. At Bart Jr's Instagram you'll also find the details on how you can pre-order both hot rolls and DIY at-home dinners. Once you pre-order, you can pick up your lockdown dishes between 12–3pm, Thursday–Saturday. Bart Jr is open at 92 Pitt Street, Redfern. During lockdown, Bart Mart is open 12–6pm, Thursday–Saturday. Remember to wear a mask and social distance, and you can keep up-to-date with the latest restrictions including mask-wearing and travel limitations via the NSW Health website. Top image: Destination NSW
With warm weather fast approaching, now is the perfect time to plan your next getaway out of the city. These 16 Victorian stays all radiate tranquil energy, so you can escape the city for a holiday surrounded by vast fields, leafy bushland or lush rainforests. Recommended reads: The Best Hotels in Melbourne The Best Glamping Sites in Victoria The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels, B&Bs and Self-Contained Getaways in Victoria The Best Places to Stay on the Great Ocean Road Luxury Spa Cabin, Wilsons Promontory Located in the expansive Wilsons Promontory National Park, this deluxe cabin offers the opportunity to catch Aurora Australis if you're lucky, as well as a range of wildlife including koalas, alpacas and whales at the nearby beach. From $344 a night, sleeps two. Manta Ray One, Skenes Creek With stunning ocean views from its floor-to-ceiling windows, this unique property radiates sun and summer all year round. Wake to the sights and sounds of the beach before walking down for a morning dip. From $403 a night, sleeps seven. Wild Orchard Cottage, Olinda Hidden within the Dandenong Ranges, this private cottage may look quirky from the outside, but it houses a lush renovated living space and a cosy fireplace. From $350 a night, sleeps two. Lake View Private Retreat, Port Fairy Yambuk Located next to Lake Yambuk and its neighbouring beach, this homely stay promises serenity and relaxation. Keep an eye out for the local peacock who is known to come and visit the property. From $210 a night, sleeps four. Spring House, Apollo Bay Here, as the living room opens onto the deck, you're in for stunning natural ocean views. Feel the sea breeze as you relax in this one-bedroom pavilion-style home located southwest of Melbourne, just outside Great Otway National Park. From $425 a night, sleeps two. Jeraboam Eco Lodge, Moyston This environmentally friendly house in the Grampians National Park exists off-the-grid, aiming to be completely self-sufficient in energy and water. Feel good about your sustainable holiday whilst enjoying tranquil bushwalks and visits to the nearby wineries. From $140 a night, sleeps six. The Newstead Haven, Newstead Unwind in this cosy, private country home under the stars. The property's seclusion provides breathtaking views of the Milky Way. From $220 a night, sleeps six. Romantic Studio Cottage, Bright This unique two-storey cabin is engulfed in greenery from every side. Primed for relaxation, it even has an in-bedroom spa bath looking out over the trees. From $254 a night, sleeps two. Rivernook Cottage, Johanna A classic coastal Australian home with modern furnishings, ocean views and a heated indoor swimming pool. From $374 a night, sleeps four. Tranquil Getaway, Yea Designed and built by a local architect, this quaint cabin looks out over the area's reserves and mountain ranges. Bask in the serenity with the convenience of still only being a 15-minute walk from town. From $259 a night, sleeps two. Avalon House, Harrietville Featuring original timber wall panelling dating back to 1889, this beautifully-restored cabin is charming, pet-friendly and rich in historic detail. From $207 a night, sleeps two. Studio Apartment, Saint Andrews Beach Find the perfect balance of fun and relaxing at this peaceful private studio located close to a beach, brewery, wineries and several golf courses. From $165 a night, sleeps two. Coorabell, Mount Dandenong A comfy converted barn set amongst the trees. Relax in this peaceful space complete with a log fire and a spa bath looking out onto the bushland. From $450 a night, sleeps two. The Farm on One Tree Hill, Smiths Gully This stylish, modern two-storey cabin is set on 18 acres of kangaroo, horse and goat-filled fields. The pet-friendly property is located by the Yarra Valley wine region, near Kinglake Mountain Ranges and just 50 minutes from Melbourne Airport. From $230 a night, sleeps four. Avalon Spa Villa, Elevated Plains With both an indoor and an outdoor spa (that's right, two spas) overlooking lush bushland, this villa is primed for a romantic weekend of relaxation. From $260 a night, sleeps two. Cottage by the Lake, Cobaw Surrounded by lakes and gardens, this cottage sits on 50 acres of bucolic farmland. You'll feel like you're in a children's book as you cruise out onto the water in the rowboats supplied with the house. From $300 a night, sleeps eight. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Airbnb
Bookshops are known for their variety. Everyone should be able to step into any store celebrating the printed word and find something they want to read ASAP. Writers festivals operate under the same principle, bringing together a wide array of authors covering a broad range of subjects and styles — so of course the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival jumps from viral recipes to beloved movie stars, and also from award-winners to Australian music icons. One huge highlight of this year's MWF program: Alison Roman, whose home-cooking tips you might've followed more than once. Making her first trip to Australia, the Brooklyn-based food writer and chef will chat about her dessert-focused cookbook Sweet Enough, and also all those recipes that've had the internet salivating, plus her general approach to the kitchen. [caption id="attachment_894138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alison Roman by Chris Bernabeo[/caption] Roman leads a lineup with its commitment to surveying writing in a wealth of forms, and from a swag of scribes, firmly intact — and a festival that hits Melbourne a little earlier in 2023, too. If it feels like the last MWF was just upon us, that's because it happened in September last year. From now on, however, the fest is settling into May dates instead, running from Thursday, May 4—Sunday, May 7 in 2023 at a variety of venues around the city. One such location is Melbourne Town Hall, which'll play host to four blockbuster sessions over two evenings to get MWF 2023 started. That includes an opening night event that asks a cast of writers to reflect upon the fest's theme 'I've Been Away for a While', with Penguin Random House copy chief and author Benjamin Dreyer doing the honours alongside nonfiction writer Bill Hayes, Sweet Country filmmaker and Kaytetye man Warwick Thornton, writer and critic Sarah Krasnostein, and Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money. Also at the same venue that evening: Paul Kelly celebrating words penned by others — and likely not about making gravy — which'll see him perform Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, Les Murray and more. Jurassic Park favourite Sam Neill is set to do the writers festival rounds, coming to Melbourne to chat about his career and new memoir with comedy star Jane Kennedy before doing something similar in Sydney — and two Booker Prize-winners are hitting both fests as well. So, the Victorian capital can also look forward to the most-recent recipient, with Shehan Karunatilaka emerging victorious in 2022 for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida; plus Girl Woman Other's Bernardine Evaristo, the first Black woman to ever win the award. Other 2023 highlights include Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow's Gabrielle Zevin exploring the New York Times bestseller; Emma Straub, writer of This Time Tomorrow and owner of Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic, getting talking; and Grace Tame chatting about The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner: A Memoir. Or, there's Dreyer doing his 'Guardian of Grammar' thing in-conversation with Richard Fidler — and Fidler himself focusing on his new historical nonfiction publication The Book of Roads and Kingdoms. Stan Grant will discuss his latest The Queen is Dead — on the weekend of King Charles' coronation, no less — and Ellen van Neerven will unpack Personal Score, their examination of sport from a First Nations and queer perspective. Also, aforementioned author and photographer Hayes dives into Sweat, which is about exercise and its history; and actor Heather Mitchell (whose recent credits include Love Me, Blaze and The Great Gatsby) joins the guests with memoirs to unfurl. The festival's events lineup also features the return of the MWF Big Debate, asking 'do books matter more than sport?'; Queering the Canon, which'll see its speakers plunge into the texts that influenced how they think and write about sexuality and gender; and a discussion of the past year in politics. Spanning talks, panels, workshops and other activities, the program keeps turning pages from there — so if you're keen on hearing from Shirley Hazzard's biographer Professor Brigitta Olubas, learning about art and writing from a First Nations viewpoint, exploring where memoirs stand in the search for meaning, pondering how difficult it is to write about your heroes and celebrating the return to travel, that's all on the bill. So is the In the Suburbs series, which takes authors beyond the Melbourne CBD. This year, that includes The Dry writer Jane Harper chatting about Exiles, her final instalment in the Aaron Falk series, in Narre Warren — a handy session to go to ahead of Force of Nature hitting the big screen in August. Melbourne Writers Festival 2023 runs from Thursday, May 4—Sunday, May 7 at a variety of venues around Melbourne. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the festival's website. Top image: Alison Roman by Chris Bernabeo.
Sometimes Vivid Sydney can get a bit much. The streets are packed with people, bright lights are strobing all around you and multiple soundscapes compete with one another. Many folks love it. Some are understandably overwhelmed. But thankfully, you don't have to get caught up in all of this to enjoy Sydney's famed winter light festival. Nocturne: An Immersive Journey is a nightly event that helps people explore hidden parts of the city at a much slower pace. You'll be given a smartphone and headphones before the Nocturne team sends you off into The Rocks and Walsh Bay by yourself (or with mates, if you don't want to be totally alone). A group of First Nations guides will speak to you throughout your 90-minute walk via a series of recordings, telling you where to go while sharing stories about their culture, history and the local area. It's altogether calming, with ASMR-like talking and relaxing soundscapes changing throughout. You'll be guided down to the wharves to learn about the long history of the harbour — from the perspective of First Nations people — before slowly ascending to Observation Hill via a series of hidden alleyways and parks. We don't want to give too much away, but the ending is fairly magical and cosy — and at no point will you feel rushed. The whole Nocturne experience is quite meditative. It's a brilliant way to see some of Vivid's lights and installations while getting away from the crowds.
Gracie's Wine Room is one of Melbourne's latest hospitality success stories. In an industry full of shuttered venues, price hikes, and quiet nights, at Gracie's Wine Room in South Yarra you can find bottles being popped, a bustling golden hour courtyard, and bread always being broken with friends. For owner Kelsie Gaffey, whose TikTok videos showing her process of opening a venue from scratch amassed hundreds of thousands of views, the current climate of people spending less and staying in more was one her concerned family warned her of. [caption id="attachment_1036436" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Gracie's Wine Room[/caption] "Before opening Gracie's, our more conservative relatives warned us that people are spending less. [Gracie's] hasn't experienced this." According to Kelsie, Gracie's Wine Room's main demographic of 23–33 year old women are actually spending more on nights out with their girlfriends than anyone else. New data from Visa backs Kelsie's observation up. Melbourne is Australia's Number One Night-Time Hot Spot The Visa Australia Night-time Economy Index 2025 is a new in-depth analysis that measures data such as spending, vibrancy, and venues open in cities across the country. According to the index, Melbourne has been crowned the number one night-time hot spot. This doesn't come as a surprise to Kelsie. "Melburnians really know how to have a good time," Kelsie tells Concrete Playground. "The city has such a vibrant culture around wine, food, and spending quality time with mates, and we're genuinely spoilt for choice. There's always something happening, and that energy makes working in hospitality here incredibly dynamic and inspiring." [caption id="attachment_1028074" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Gracie's Wine Room[/caption] The Visa Vibe Economy report, also commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, found that venues like Gracie's Wine Room have hit the sweet spot when it comes to the reasons Australians love to go out. The main motivation for getting off our couches post-work is to enjoy a meal, catch up with friends and unwind from our busy schedules. Gen Z in particular are factoring night-time activities into their budgets with over half of them considering this type of social spending "essential". In fact, Kelsie has already seen an increase in patrons on weeknights as the weather has begun to warm up as well as a jump in their average spend per head. Kelsie recognised this cultural sweet spot within her demographic and created a curated menu of share plates for friends to split over a bottle of wine. Customers can enjoy freshly shucked oysters, focaccia, and a snack plate of cured meats, cheese, and lavosh. [caption id="attachment_1036434" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Gracie's Wine Room[/caption] "I wanted Gracie's to be known as a place where you connect with mates, drink some good wine and eat some good bread. I didn't want the frills and price tags that come with fine dining, and I really do believe that staying true to this is what has kept people coming back," says Kelsie. With 73 percent of Gen Z's going out once or more a week, tapping into her own peers has helped to increase revenue and patrons through the door — even on weeknights. How to Spend A Night Out in Melbourne What does a dream night out in Melbourne look like for the 25-year-old founder? Kelsie shares that it always starts with a sunny afternoon. "I'm definitely starting at Gracie's and then making my way down to Republic Economica before ending the night at HER Rooftop in the CBD." Data from the Visa Vibe Economy Report found that of all the generations, Gen Z is the most adventurous, choosing to stray away from their local haunts and try new things, and just under half plan two activities in the one night to make the most of their city after dark. Half of Gen Z also believe that nights offer more new experiences than the daytime. Kelsie agrees. "I love being able to experience something new every single time I leave the house for a night out. It's so exciting, and has unlocked some of my greatest memories with friends." Gracie's Wine Room hasn't yet operated for a full calendar year, but Kelsie is feeling optimistic about the state of hospitality and business projection. At the heart of her success lies the Gen Z community that she built through TikTok. "I never imagined it would grow into what it is today, but the community that's formed around Gracie's has been the most rewarding and unexpected part of it all." Discover the vibe near you. Lead image: Gracie's Wine Room
Regardless of how hard you hit the clubs or your Netflix account on a Friday night, you can rest assured that your weekend morning hunger pangs will be fully satiated by a hot plate of juicy dumplings at one of Sydney's best yum cha destinations. Dim sum literally means 'to touch someone's heart', so no matter what your preference — soupy xiaolongbao, prawn har gow, pork belly bao, crispy duck spring rolls, sang choy bao or those creamy mango pancakes, there's a carb combo out there waiting to touch your heart and fill your grumbling stomach. But not just any Sydney dim sum spot will do. It's only the best for us. That's why we created this definitive of the top places to find yum cha in Sydney. So, rather than spend your precious free time huddled over a hot stovetop, put on your stretchiest pants, grab some eating amigos and hit up one of the many incredible, dumpling depositories that Sydney has to offer. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney The Best French Restaurants in Sydney The Best Burgers in Sydney The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney
Sydney is an absolute beauty of a city. Sure, it's expensive, the public transport is a bit hit or miss, and there's a few that think the coffee is better in Melbourne — but you can't beat the views. That harbour, waterfront delights aplenty — you simply can't beat it. When you walk along the nearest shoreline and stop to really take it all in, worries seem to melt. That's not a quick look, mind you, as you cross the bridge on your way to work. But when you stop and really look at it. Naturally, we Sydneysiders know that the city offers more than just a pretty harbour. There are scenic experiences scattered all over town, and we've gathered a list of the absolute must-see spots. These are more than just eye candy — there are activities and top-quality eats, but like your friends may say, pics or it didn't happen. Together with Journey Beyond Cruises, the biz offering a truly spectacular way to experience Sydney's scenery, we've compiled a list of sights and bites will look as good on your Instagram feed as they do in person. MAKE THE MOST OF THE HARBOUR WITH JOURNEY BEYOND CRUISE SYDNEY Sure, Sydney is more than just a harbour. But you have to admit, it's a pretty spectacular part of the city. With so much history, culture and activity packed on and around the water, you're best to opt for a truly stellar way to take it all in. Here's that option: Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney, the biz dishing up more than a few scenic cruise packages on its two- or three-hour sightseeing route around the harbour's edge. If you like your Instagram photoshoots in the daylight hours, book a lunch or sundeck cruise — which are indoor and outdoor, respectively — that includes an a la carte food and drink menu and tasting platters. You'll see Sydney Harbour and its many iconic sights as you make your way from Barangaroo to Watsons Bay and back. Alternatively, take in the intimate after-dark ambience with a dinner cruise, which floats you along the same route but includes a luxurious three-course dinner. DINE OR STAY AT THE COTTAGE POINT INN Residents of the Insular Peninsula (aka the Northern Beaches) may prefer this to remain a hidden local spot, but frankly, it's too good to stay that way — sorry everyone. Built by the waters of Cowan Creek, Cottage Point Inn started life as a boathouse but expanded its offering by opening a truly standout restaurant and two bookable rooms in the 1950s. It's a decent drive from the CBD — approximately 50 minutes — but its isolated location makes it a top spot to reach by water or air. Book a water taxi (or use a private boat) to sail in from the Northern Beaches or Central Coast, but if you want to dial up the luxury meter, you can book a seaplane flight. This much-faster (and much more scenic) route departs from Rose Bay or Palm Beach. Cap off your visit with an overnight stay — just make sure to take plenty of pics to upload later. [caption id="attachment_890036" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robert Walsh[/caption] GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE WITH THE SYDNEY TOWER EYE VIP EXPERIENCE This is a little less hidden — it's hard to ignore a tower piercing the Sydney skyline, 245 metres above the streets below, after all. Most locals have probably seen the view from the top before, but in recent years the team at Sydney Tower Eye have expanded their operations beyond the classic viewing deck. The full VIP experience package is a bundle of everything you need for a day on top of the city. Your ticket includes general admission to the indoor observation deck, a 60-minute SKYWALK session and photoshoot (a tour of the tower from the outside, hundreds of metres in the air), and experiences in all of the tower hospitality venues. That means a VIP tour, three-course lunch and bubbles at Infinity, and a signature cocktail at the style-heavy Bar 83. SPEND A NIGHT IN NATURE AT TARONGA ZOO'S WILDLIFE RETREAT The fact that Taronga Zoo houses over 5000 animals from all over the world, just across the harbour from the Sydney CBD, is pretty amazing. The harbourside institution has been bringing locals up close and personal with their menagerie for over 100 years. And in 2019, they opened their most intimate and luxurious experience yet — Wildlife Retreat at Taronga. This is an award-winning eco-hotel built on Taronga Zoo grounds, which includes The Sanctuary, a beautiful reserve where guests can spot native flora and fauna, including wallabies, platypuses and koalas. Packages include accommodation, parking, zoo admission and a tour of The Sanctuary. You can book a luxury breakfast and dinner at Me-Gal, the onsite restaurant, and lunch is available inside the N'Gurra Lounge at reception. CONNECT WITH COUNTRY ON THE BUSH TUCKER TOUR AT ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY There's more than one way to both take in the scenery at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney while learning a thing (or three) about botany, sustainability and conservation. The 30-hectare site is packed with serene gardens, sweeping views and sun-soaked picnic spots — but there's one spot in particular where you can see the sights, learn a lesson and get a bite to eat. The activity in question is the Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, one of several First Nations heritage tours on offer at the waterfront gardens. This one in particular takes you on a delicious hour-long journey through the Cadi Jam Ora Garden with a First Nations guide, who will take you through a history lesson and culinary experience simultaneously. You'll get to sample the seasonal bush tucker grown in the garden as you wander — a true treat. For a scenic experience on Sydney Harbour, you're looked after by the team at Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney. For more information and to book your aquatic adventure, head to the website.
The Rocks' free live jazz sessions have become so popular they're back for an extended season. Get down to The Rocks Square any Thursday night between April 3 and September 25, and you'll be kicking back to the sounds of some of Sydney's best jazz acts — while sipping on gin cocktails. Launching the season on April 3 is trumpeter and recent Sydney Conservatorium graduate Bernice Tesara and her trio. Then, on April 10, catch guitarist Aaron Flower — winner of the 2007 National Jazz Award — alongside vocalist Kate Wadey. They'll be dueting on a range of jazz standards, plus songs from their upcoming album. Hickson House Distillery will be onsite serving creative gin-based cocktails, made from spirits brewed onsite at its stunning headquarters just up the road. Try a Hickson House Classic Dry, made with classic London tonic and garnished with lemon, olive and marjoram, or an Australian Dry, made features pink citrus tonic, finger lime, pink grapefruit and fresh basil. Rain or shine, you can take a seat from 6pm every week, with the first set starting at 6.30pm and the second at 7.30pm. If it does happen to be a wet evening, you'll find everyone at 6-8 Atherden Street, a short stroll from The Rocks Square. Images: Anna Kucera
The latest cure for festival FOMO is here: for the first time ever, two of Glastonbury's headline performances are being livestreamed around the globe for everyone to watch. Won't be in the UK during the fest? Always wanted to see big names take to the event's famed Pyramid Stage? A fan of Dua Lipa and/or Coldplay? Thanks to the BBC, you're now in luck. When Coachella rolls around each year, it's not just an exciting time for folks fortunate enough to be on the ground in California, but for audiences worldwide via the fest's arrangement with YouTube. Glastonbury and the BBC might only be streaming two sets across the planet and not the majority of the British event, but it's still a welcome development. [caption id="attachment_926976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] Your destination: the BBC's Glastonbury website, where you can catch Dua Lipa's set on the morning of Saturday, June 29, then Coldplay's — before the Chris Martin-fronted group returns to Australia and New Zealand later in 2024 — on the morning of Sunday, June 30. Dua Lipa's stint in the high-profile slot also marks her first-ever time on the Pyramid Stage. As for Coldplay, they're headlining the fest for the fifth time, albeit in their first visit since 2016. [caption id="attachment_963580" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Raph_PH[/caption] "The Glastonbury Festival is an icon of British culture, and this livestream will give fans around the globe a front row seat to headline performances like never before. This is just the latest example of our focus on bringing more cultural-defining moments like Glastonbury to fans on our platforms outside the UK so users can experience the best of British culture wherever they may be," said BBC Studios' Chief Commercial Officer Tara Maitra, announcing the global livestreams. "From this exciting live music experience from two of the biggest names in music, to the BBC News channel livestream that is coming soon in Australia, our digital platforms offer immediate, unrestricted and tailored access for all audiences," added BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand General Manager Fiona Lang. Also on the Glastonbury 2024 bill across Wednesday, June 26–Sunday, June 30 UK time but not being beamed to the world, sadly: SZA, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Cyndi Lauper, Janelle Monae, Shania Twain, Disclosure, The Streets, Camilla Cabello, Bloc Party, The National, Avril Lavigne, Jessie Ware, Sugababes, Jamie XX, Kim Gordon, James Blake, Sleafod Mods, Orbital, The Breeders, Peggy Gou, The Cat Empire, Eric Prydz and a whole heap more. Glastonbury 2024 Livestream: Saturday, June 29 — Dua Lipa, 7–8.45am AEST / 6.30–8.15am ACST / 5–6.45am AWST / 9–10.45am NZST Sunday, June 30 — Coldplay, 6.45–8.45am AEST / 6.15–8.15am ACST / 4.45–6.45am AWST / 8.45–19.45am NZST [caption id="attachment_963582" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Raph_PH[/caption] [caption id="attachment_926978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] Glastonbury's 2024 livestream will broadcast Dua Lipa's set globally on the morning of Saturday, June 29 Down Under, and Coldplay's show on the morning of Sunday, June 30 — head to the BBC's Glastonbury website to watch. Dua Lipa images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Often when a musician or band announces a world tour, they start with dates in America and Europe, but leave fans Down Under waiting for local details to drop down the track. That isn't the case with Tyler, The Creator's new Chromakopia tour. Mark your diaries: as well as revealing US gigs, plus shows in a heap of European city, the hip-hop and fashion trailblazer has locked in a new trip to Australia and New Zealand. Tyler, The Creator last headed this way on a headline tour in 2022, and played Splendour in the Grass as well, and will now return in August and September 2025 on a five-city, seven-show visit that celebrates a new album also called Chromakopia. That record drops on Monday, October 28, 2024, and has unveiled its first single 'Noid' complete with a music video starring The Bear's Ayo Edebiri. [caption id="attachment_976993" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] The tour details for your calendar: Auckland's Spark Arena is the first Down Under stop on Monday, August 18. After that, Tyler, The Creator is hitting up Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne for two shows across Friday, August 22–Saturday, August 23; Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney for another two gigs on Tuesday, August 26–Wednesday, August 27; Brisbane Entertainment Centre for one evening on Saturday, August 30; and RAC Arena in Perth on Thursday, September 4. On all local dates, the genre-bending rapper will have Lil Yachty and Paris Texas in support. The Chromakopia tour follows Tyler, The Creator's 2024 Coachella headlining set, on a bill that also included Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, No Doubt and plenty more. Before 2022 — which marked Tyler's first set of headline shows down under in over eight years — the last time that the star graced Australian shores was for a series of festival appearances over New Years 2020–21, hitting up the likes of Beyond the Valley and Field Day. [caption id="attachment_823369" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Demxx via Flickr[/caption] Tyler, The Creator Chromakopia World Tour 2025 Monday, August 18 — Spark Arena, Auckland Friday, August 22–Saturday, August 23 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, August 26–Wednesday, August 27 ‚ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, August 30 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, September 4 — RAC Arena, Perth [caption id="attachment_823366" align="alignnone" width="2556"] Luis 'Panch' Perez[/caption] Tyler, The Creator is touring Australia and New Zealand in August and September 2025. Ticket presales start at 10am local time in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and 12pm local time in Auckland, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 — with general sales from 10am local time on Friday, November 1, 2024. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Already a go-to for budget-friendly groceries, snow gear and whatever other specials that it can rustle up, ALDI is now bringing its discounted prices to your wardrobe. Selling clothes isn't new for the chain, as everyone who regularly trawls its middle aisles will be well-aware; however, for the first time ever, the brand is releasing its own ALDI streetwear collection. And yes, everything comes cheap — under $20 cheap, in fact. We all know someone that's bought a fridge, bed or TV at ALDI. You might even be that person. Now, everyone can know folks — or be them — that rock an ALDI-branded hoodie, track pants, slides, sneakers, socks or beanie. The list of items on offer in the new collection, which is called ALDImania, also includes sweatshirts, t-shirts, bucket hats and caps. For some pieces, there's also multiple colours available, with grey, navy and white the range's base hues. In total, there's 23 items made from sustainably sourced or recycled materials, with compact umbrellas and double-walled insulated mugs helping round out the collection. The socks have the lowest price, coming in at $4.99 no matter which of four styles you choose from. And the dearest item is the sneakers, which cost $19.99. In-between those maximums and minimums, fleecy hoodies will set you back $14.99, slides and beanies $7.99 each, and tees $8.99. From top to bottom — excluding underwear — you could deck yourself out in ALDI gear for less than $50. You'll only find the ALDImania collection in ALDI stores from Saturday, April 13. Given how popular the chain's usual specials are, expect the range to get snapped up quickly. "We have been offering our shoppers high-quality, affordable loungewear for years, but this is the first time we've brought our own brand of leisurewear to the middle aisles," said Belinda Grice, ALDI Australia's Buying Director for ALDImania. ALDI's streetwear range will hit the chain's supermarkets around Australia from Saturday, April 13. Visit the ALDI website for more details.
Holidaymakers love staying in them. TV shows sing their praises. Everyone has wondered what their days would be like if they lived the tiny house life. Expect to explore that train of thought at the National Gallery of Victoria until April 2025, all thanks to the latest temporary addition outside the NGV International on St Kilda Road in Melbourne: Home Truth, the NGV's Architecture Commission for 2024. How big does the average Australian home need to be? How many tiny houses could fit in the space that a standard Aussie abode takes up? These mightn't be the normal questions that anyone tends to ponder when they visit an art gallery, but it's the query that Home Truth wants everyone to contemplate right now. First, you'll see and enter a standard-sized Aussie house. Inside, you'll then find an abode of much smaller size — and you'll notice the difference between the two. Each year, the NGV unveils a site-specific pop-up construction that experiments with design concepts while musing on subjects of public importance. This year's pick is a tiny house — which wouldn't sound out of the ordinary if it wasn't a pint-sized abode within the frame of the average Australian home, and if drawing attention to the contrast wasn't its aim. Created by Melbourne-based architecture and design studio Breathe, Home Truth continues the firm's focus on sustainable architecture that'll endure and has a purpose — and, since Wednesday, November 13, it's getting NGV visitors walking through a house-within-a-house labyrinth. The larger building represents the average 236-square-metre Australian residence. Nestled within it, the smaller-scale home is designed to spark conversations about alternative modes of housing. To get from one to the other, visitors enter via the larger house's garage door, then wander through rooms and hallways. When you reach the tinier home, you'll feel like you've hit the centre of a maze. Attendees will notice two different materials distinguishing each abode, too, with the bigger spot constructed from framing pine and the smaller house from the waste-made and silver-hued saveboard — offering up a comment on how homes are currently built in Australia as well. "Through its clever play on scale and materials, this thought-provoking work of architecture sparks a fascinating conversation about housing and sustainability in this country," explained NGV Director Tony Ellwood when he announced the 2024 Architecture Commission back in September . "Home Truth speculates that overconsumption of space and materials translates into ecological and social consequences — for both us and the planet. But importantly, it offers a provocative vision of a new way of thinking about building — seeing the value of living in spaces that are of smaller scale — a vision that prioritises people and planet," added Ewan McEoin, NGV's Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. Home Truth follows 2023's stunning pick (This is) Air, a giant inflatable sphere that breathed, as created by Australian architect Nic Brunsdon with Sky Castle, Airship Orchestra, Cupid's Koi Garden and Lost Dogs' Disco' ENESS. The 14-metre-high piece did indeed expand with air, then release it — so, yes, it inhaled and exhaled all day — to get everyone thinking about humanity's need for and relationship to air, how essential it is, how dependent we all are upon the element, how finite it is and how its quality is being impacted. In the past, NGV's Architecture Commission has also seen a colourful mini Parthenon, a bright pink pool to wade through, a bamboo garden with its own deck and an unforgettable pink carwash pop up, all as part of an initiative that started in 2015. 'Home Truth' by Breathe is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until Sunday, April 27, 2025 — head to the NGV website for further details. Images: installation view of the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe. on display from 13 November 2024 until April 2025 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Derek Swalwell.
It's the trend that's spreading the fun of surfing beyond the beach, and it has finally hit Sydney: man-made surf parks in general, and the Harbour City's first Urbnsurf specifically. From Monday, May 13, surf's now up at Sydney Olympic Park. Who said that you could only ride waves on the coast? Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on Urbnsurf Sydney took its time; however, the facility has been targeting opening before winter 2024 since last year. Back in April, the Urbnsurf crew confirmed the Sydney site's exact launch date, and that it had begun pumping out waves — and the time to welcome surfers of all skill levels into the lagoon is now here. The brand's second location in Australia, after opening in Melbourne in 2020, the $75-million development isn't small. How much space do you need to give Sydney its first Urbnsurf complete with perfect waves year-round, plus impressive food and beverage offerings? And to be able to accommodate up to 1000 people a day? A whopping 3.6-hectares. The diamond-shaped lagoon pool with waves up to two metres in height — and capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch between ten and 12 waves per hour — also isn't petite, coming in at around the same size as the Sydney Cricket Ground. "Finally seeing the gates open and the wave machine pumping is a feeling like no other," said Urbansurf CEO Damon Tudor. "Just like Melbourne, Urbansurf Sydney offers the perfect surfing conditions that cater for high-performance athletes and advanced surfers through to people trying surfing for the first time. We're extremely proud to be celebrating this achievement and we are stoked to see our customers ripping it up in the lagoon." "Urbansurf is much more than a surf park and one of the benefits born out of Melbourne is the strong sense of community guests feel when walking through the doors, creating a sense of culture is deep rooted in our core values — and we're excited to start to build our Sydney community," continued Tudor. Urbansurf Sydney offers a range of sessions catering to all types of surfers, whether you're just learning, are returning to the sport or consider yourself an expert. Also, thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors have the option of an evening swim. When surfers are done riding waves, Urbnsurf Sydney also features a wellness studio, skate park, Rip Curl store and a surf academy for those looking to take their skills to the next level. Just keen to swim, not surf? There's a pool for that as well. Plus, Sydney hospitality group Applejack is in charge of the culinary offerings at the park, as announced in 2023. Applejack owns and operates venues across Sydney such as Forrester's, The Butler, RAFI and Bopp & Tone. The team is bringing the same produce- and service-driven approach found at its other venues to surfside eatery Sandy's, which launched with the park — and RAFI Urbnsurf, which is on the way, opening this winter. Applejack joins the Urbnsurf family alongside farm-to-table favourites Three Blue Ducks, who provide the food and drink offerings down in Melbourne. Find Urbnsurf Sydney at Sydney Olympic Park — open from 6am–10pm daily.
Remember the Pokémon Go phase? What a time in millennial history. And while you may not see hordes of people playing it in your local park these days, fans need not despair. Because Pokémon is coming back to you in real life. Three years after the game temporarily took over the world, a pop-up bar decked out in everything Pokemon is hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this year. We don't have specific details, like the when and where of it, but can tell you to expect everything to do with the franchise: Pokéball-shaped burgers, as well as games, themed cocktails and prizes. The bars will supposedly be divided into seven regions and each session will includes two hours of 'hunting, battling and catching time' — we're interested to see how that will be interpreted. You can complete all regions to be the ultimate winner, where we suppose you might win one of the aforementioned Pokémon prizes. There will also be prizes for the best dressed and a DJ spinning tracks. The nitty gritty of it all, though, is yet to be revealed. Will you be playing on the app, or will you have to find Pokémons in a scavenger hunt? Does anyone still actually play Pokémon Go? The mystery is yet to be solved, but you may want to start rounding up your old catching team. We don't know dates for this one, but you can be the first to know when tickets are available by signing to the mailing list. The event comes from the same group that have previously announced a Simpsons-themed Flaming Moe's tavern and a Harry Potter-themed Cauldron Bar. While neither of these events have actually happened — even though the Cauldron Bar initially scheduled for last month — organisers have told Concrete Playground that they are trying to find the perfect venues for the bars, and both of them are still "in the pipeline". The Pokébar should hit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane later this year. Tickets will be $35 for a two-hour session. They're not yet on sale, but you can register here.
If there are two things that all of Sydney can agree on, it is that this city gets very warm in summer, and that ice-cream is delicious. There is no denying the sensory excitement created by the meeting of this delicious cold snack and your mouth. Sitting atop the summit of this tantalising ice-cream mountain is everybody's cinema favourite, the choc top. After all, there's no better way to enjoy an ice cream than encasing it in chocolatey goodness. And what could make this choc top better? As a MasterCard® cardholder, you will receive a free choc top with the purchase of any full priced movie ticket at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick. Just swipe and enjoy your treat. Movie theatres are one of the last remaining habitats of this increasingly rare treat and the Ritz Cinema in Randwick is arguably the king of the choc top in Sydney. Hand-made for you by Ritz staff, the personalised touch will remind you of the pure joy the movie experience held for you as a child. With flavours changing regularly, you can keep returning to find your favourite. Once you've found it, come back for more of your favourite. This offer ends on April 22, 2014, so they have you covered for all of summer.
Some shows commence with a dead girl wrapped in plastic. Others begin with a plane crash on a spooky island. With Outer Range, it all kicks off with a void. On the Abbott family ranch in Wyoming, in the western reach that gives the show its name, a chasm suddenly appears. A perfect circle swirling with otherworldly mist and resembling an oversized golf hole, it's just one of several troubles plaguing patriarch Royal (Josh Brolin, Dune), however. There is indeed a touch of Twin Peaks and Lost to Outer Range. A dash of Yellowstone, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and whichever family-focused prime-time soap opera takes your fancy, too. As a result, while Royal is visibly disconcerted by the unexpected opening staring at him in an otherwise ordinary field, he has other worries. His rich, ostentatious and increasingly madcap neighbour Wayne Tillerson (Will Patton, Halloween Kills) suddenly wants a parcel of the Abbotts' turf, claiming mapping inaccuracies. One of Tillerson's mouthy and entitled sons, Trevor (Matt Lauria, CSI: Vegas), ends up in a bar spat with Royal's sons Rhett (Lewis Pullman, Them That Follow) and Perry (Tom Pelphrey, Mank). And there's also the matter of Perry's missing wife, who disappeared nine months back, leaving both her husband and their young daughter Amy (Olive Abercrombie, The Haunting of Hill House) searching since. Into this sea of faith-testing chaos amid such serene and dreamlike scenery, a stranger arrives as well: "hippie chick" backpacker Autumn Rivers (Imogen Poots, The Father). She just wants to camp for a few days on the Abbotts' stunning and sprawling land, she says. She just happened this way, she claims in the process. But the always-guarded, fiercely protective Royal is immediately suspicious — and while he still takes the fat wad of cash she waves around as payment to stay on the outskirts of the property that's been owned by his wife Cecilia's (Lili Taylor, Perry Mason) ancestors for generations, he remains openly and grimly wary. That's Outer Range's setup, although it's also just where the genre-bending new addition to Prime Video launches into its many mysteries. Across its eight-episode first season, it's a ranch-dwelling western, complete with a family battling secrets and struggles of both the internal and external kind, and left grappling with existential doubts when they keep being stripped of everything they believe in. It's an offbeat enigma, too, where bottomless gaps in the centre of the earth aren't the only things that can't be easily explained. Thanks to said hole and surrounding supernatural occurrences, it dives into eerie sci-fi as well. And with Indigenous acting sheriff Joy (Tamara Podemski, Run) trying to work out what's going on on several levels, all while campaigning to be elected to her job outright, it's also a detective quest and a thriller. In other words, it's a puzzle box of a program — and the weirder that Outer Range gets, and moodier as well, the more it intrigues and engrosses. Its giant twists are obviously best discovered by watching, but its small quirks are quickly compelling. This is a series where an ethereal feeling permeates the land, even when Royal is nowhere near the void he's desperate to keep hidden. It's a show where one of the other neighbour sons, the quiet yet perturbing Billy (Noah Reid, Schitt's Creek), loves breaking out into song, crooning 80s and 90s pop and rock hits at odd moments. At a funeral, he even sings Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush duet 'Don't Give Up', covering both parts himself and leaving mourners utterly bewildered. Reid is unnervingly difficult to peel your eyes away from in Outer Range, but the series is well-cast in every part — starting with Brolin as Royal, naturally. While the Milk Oscar-nominee has been happily dallying with sci-fi of late, including getting villainous in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Deadpool 2, his is a grounded performance here. He sidles in as a stern-and-silent western archetype, unfurling more of Royal's layers — and unpacking what it means to embody that portrait of western masculinity in the process — with each grimace and glare. Taylor does phenomenal work in support, and although Poots sometimes suffers from the thinner writing establishing Autumn's moves and motivations, she still commands the frame. Family, faith, fate, the land, legacies, the ties of love, the disappointments of life, the inexplicable elements inherent in all of the above: they're all baked into Outer Range, providing plenty of puzzle pieces for its actors to play with. That said, as created and co-written by TV first-timer Brian Watkins, the series turns those familiar components into something shadowy and surreal. Its narrative path isn't always tricky to predict — one huge late revelation especially — however, it constantly surprises in how it tackles its moments and dynamics on a scene-by-scene basis. That's what lingers in Billy's songs, overtly so. It's there in Cecilia's response to every trying development that's sent the Abbotts' way, usually with her at home, on the sidelines, yet no less impacted. And it blazes through in the choice of shots, which bask in the glory of nature's vast expanse but also see far more than just postcard-perfect wonders. The latter stem from a strong roster of contributors, spanning filmmakers such as She Dies Tomorrow's Amy Seimetz and A Cop Movie's Alonso Ruizpalacios in the director's chair, as well as cinematographers such as Waves and Red Rocket's Drew Daniels, The Last Black Man in San Francisco's Adam Newport-Berra, and Seimetz regular Jay Keitel. Helping ramp up the tension, composers Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans' (Windfall, Becoming Cousteau, The White Tiger) anxiety-inducing score drips with tension, too. Pondering big ideas with heaving style and hefty ambition, Outer Range frequently looks and sounds cinematic — and, from the moment it first spies its gaping chasm, swiftly makes for beguiling viewing. With Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope also on its way in the coming months, 2022 seems set to be a big year for disquieting screen stories set amid vast American ranches and springing from stellar talent. What that film will bring is currently yet to be seen, of course, but Outer Range gives this entrancing trend an impressive start. Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range's first two episodes are available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, April 15, with two new episodes dropping weekly until Friday, May 6.
Whether played by Julie Andrews in the original 1964 musical film or Emily Blunt in its 2018 sequel, Mary Poppins has always been a quintessentially English character. The beloved nanny is as well-known for being British as for her magical abilities and winning ways with an umbrella, after all. However the famous fictional figure also boasts a link to regional Australia — and now there's an Aussie museum dedicated to that fact. While Maryborough in Queensland's Fraser Coast region may seem worlds away from London, let alone Cherry Tree Lane, it's where author PL Travers was born. She also lived there until she was five, when her family relocated to Allora on the Darling Downs, as the 2013 movie Saving Mr Banks explored. Later, in her twenties, she moved to the UK, where she penned the eight Mary Poppins books that she's best known for. Because claiming any and every possible connection to fame is a thoroughly Aussie trait, Maryborough has long marked its link to Travers — the city hosts an annual Mary Poppins Festival, has been home to a bronze statue of the writer since 2005, and even has Poppins-shaped pedestrian crossing symbols on its traffic lights. With that in mind, the opening of The Story Bank of Maryborough is just the latest step in the town's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious celebrations, forming part of a hub focused on the Aussie-born writer. [caption id="attachment_732352" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Where Imagination Lays in Wait in Maryborough / Gerard via Flickr[/caption] Inside The Story Bank, which is located in the heritage-listed Australian Joint Stock Bank building where Travers actually entered the world, visitors will find a whole showcase about Maryborough's ties with Travers. The museum steps through her life story, her family and the influences on her work — and, as well as featuring plenty of Poppins-themed items (yes, expect umbrellas), it includes images and documents from Travers' estate. If you've ever wanted to Mary Poppins figurines everywhere (including sliding down bannisters, obviously), feast your eyes on book and film memorabilia, or pretend you're in Cherry Tree Lane, here's your chance. The site also features a theatrette, gallery and workshop space, all as part of a $1.5 million restoration project. As well as Travers and Mary Poppins, The Story Bank highlights other talented local artists, as well as the art of storytelling in general. Find The Story Bank of Maryborough on the corner Kent and Richmond Streets, Maryborough, Queensland — and head to the museum's website and Facebook page for further details.
This summer, The Rocks Homegrown Christmas 2024 is set to be the ultimate spot for Christmassy festivities and good ol' catch-ups in the lead-up to the all-important day. Whether you're looking to unwind after work, planning something fun to do with friends, or are simply keen to get your hands on some bespoke gifts, head down to The Rocks for a quintessentially Aussie Christmas. Homegrown Concert Series Grab a picnic rug, head down to Tallawoladah Lawn, sit back and enjoy a celebration of Aussie music with the Homegrown Concert Series. At these intimate summer music events, you can expect some of Australia's best homegrown talent performing their original work, as well as a sprinkling of Christmas with a few covers of popular songs. The lineup includes ROSHANI and Triple J Unearthed's PEPTALK and Betty, as well as seasoned performers at The Rocks Markets, Big Wheels and Jess Beck. The perfect way to relax after a long lunch or to get the vibes started before a night out. When: Saturday, December 14, Sunday, December 15, Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. Where: Tallawoladah Lawn (in front of the MCA) The Rocks Markets – Christmas Edition Everyone loves The Rocks Markets, and the Christmas edition is (somehow) even better. Perfect for finding last-minute pressies, you can wander around the many stalls and choose unique gifts from local artisan makers, food, jewellery, illustrations and lots more. To avoid crashing mid-shop, get some sustenance from yummy street eats – you will find Spanish paella, fresh juices, handmade chocolates and Italian focaccia, just to name a few. When: Every weekend from Saturday, November 30 – Sunday, December 22, from 10am – 5pm. Where: George St, The Rocks Christmas Connections The festive season is all about community and connecting with people, new or old. The Christmas Connections series by Conscious Connection is your chance to connect with like-minded people at one of three picnics at Dawes Point Park. All you have to do is book your ticket for the small price of $20, which you essentially get back in the form of a $20 gift voucher to spend at The Rocks Markets during your picnic. And for all the dog owners out there, a special 'Paws + Pals' picnic is all about connecting dog owners with new pals who also have dogs, with some hilarious activities for you and your pup. When: Sunday, December 8 from 11am – 1pm, Sunday, December 15 and Sunday, December 22 from 12pm – 3pm. Where: Dawes Point Park Christmas Decorations One of the things we love most about The Rocks is the way it transforms come Christmas time. It's the ultimate place to get in that summery, festive mood. Just walking around the streets you'll not only see the classic Christmas tree, but Australian-style, decorated in native florals and custom decorations by First Nations artists. You will also stumble across mini Christmas Villages, each modelled after historic buildings in The Rocks and hand-painted by local artist Nico Nicoson. Spending a day or even just half an hour here is guaranteed to get you feeling that laid-back holiday vibe that can only mean one thing – an Aussie Christmas. When: Monday, November 18 to Wednesday, December 25 [caption id="attachment_982196" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] Laneway Cinema There's nothing better than an outdoor cinema sesh during summer. You get to watch a movie while still making the most of the cracker weather – what could be better? And The Rocks' Laneway Cinema has got to be one of the most unique out there. It's free, and unlike most open-space outdoor cinemas, it's nestled within the beautiful, cobbled streets the locale is known for. Perfect for a midweek hang when you feel like something chill, but you still want to do something. Sit back and enjoy a film with some popcorn. Entry is free, so all you have to do is walk in. But for the best seats in the house, be sure to register for your free ticket or arrive early. When: Wednesday, 4 December (Planes, Trains & Automobiles), Wednesday, 11 December (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas) and Wednesday, 18 December (Home Alone 2: Lost in New York). Doors open at 5.30pm. Where: Atherden St, The Rocks Festive Feasting If there is one time of the year that you have permission to eat out and indulge in food and drink, it's Christmas. And, The Rocks have got a lot of festive feasting options for you and your mates or for a family lunch, perfect for Christmas catchups. We're talking extravagant set menus, classic pub meals or casual cocktails. There's something for everyone. Some top picks include fresh seafood at Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant, wood-fired grill at Pony Dining and contemporary Asian Fusion at Luna Lu. Our tip? Hit up The Argyle for a fun way to round off the night. Where: The Rocks When: Everyday Christmas Gifting This is the place where you'll find those extra special gifts that make everyone say, "Wow! Where did you get that!?" There are so many stores here, each with distinct offerings. Take a look at the Christmas Gift Guide or simply walk through the lanes and you will find goodies from candles, First Nations art, clothing or unique jewellery, among plenty more. The Rocks has also compiled guides on gifts for her, gifts for him and affordable gifts under $50 to help you out. Some of our go-to's include Aesop Gifts and DUX Collection Christmas Gift Packs For the art aficionados – unique gifting at the MCA store, art by Shazia Imran and whimsical gifts by Squidinki. Where: The Rocks When: Everyday Visit The Rocks Homegrown Christmas 2024 from Friday, November 15 2024 to Wednesday, December 25 2024. To learn more about the event and giveaways visit the website. Images: Anna Kucera, Cassandra Hannagan.
Keen to feast on oysters right by the ocean? Then head to Tathra Hotel to sample a few. The traditional country pub has been a beacon for locals for 100 years and the family friendly establishment has all the pub classics. The oysters are served natural, Asian-inspired or kilpatrick and come in half-dozen ($18) or a dozen ($36). Other smaller plates include Vietnamese salad ($17), spice-dusted calamari ($17) and mushroom arancini ($14). Then, there's schnitty ($24), parmy ($25), sirloin steak with mash($35), burgers and fish and chips ($30). Or, you can pick from the chef's specials, which includes the likes of house-made gnocchi ($22), prawn and vegetable curry served with yellow rice and chutney ($32) and Taiwanese braised beef and noodle stew ($22). Basically, you're spoilt for choice. But, whatever you decide, be sure to wash it down with a tap beer made at the onsite craft brewery, Humpback Brewery. Image: Destination NSW
Music is an integral part of Brisbane's identity, with many of the country's most beloved musicians getting their start in the Queensland capital. Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, Kate Miller-Heidke, Waax, The Go-Betweens and many more spent their formative years gigging around the city. From the punk scene that emerged in the seventies and eighties to the thriving Fortitude Valley suburb and multiple music festivals held each year, Brisbane is also something of a cultural hub. Whether you're a local wanting to support Australia's live music scene or are heading to the Sunshine State and need a steer for your itinerary, here's a curated list of live music venues to check out in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_1029305" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] LiveWire Located in The Star Brisbane, LiveWire is your destination for headline entertainment and a vibrant mix of weekly events. Whether you're into live music, drag bingo, or music trivia, the variety on offer ensures there's always something exciting happening. One act to watch out for is on Friday, October 24, when Brisbane musician Jarryd James will perform his hits, including his ARIA award-winning song "Do You Remember," at LiveWire. Several other singers, DJs and artists perform at LiveWire every week, so check out The Star Brisbane's schedule to see what's on. Looking for a pre-gig tipple? Head to one of The Star Brisbane's cocktail bars, the panoramic Cicada Blu and 360º bar Cherry, before the performance and get into the party spirit. If you'd prefer dinner before dancing the night away, Cucina Regina is The Star Brisbane's Italian eatery. It offers hand-stretched pizzas and delicious homemade pasta. Meanwhile, Aloria is a rooftop restaurant with a European-Australian menu and delicious cocktails. For those making a weekend of it, consider a stay at The Star Brisbane's five-star hotel. If you're a music lover, The Star Brisbane is a one-stop shop for drinks with your mates, dinner with a view, and a free gig to top the night off. [caption id="attachment_1029306" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marlon Trottman[/caption] Fortitude Music Hall The Fortitude Music Hall was built to offer the city of Brisbane a middle ground venue between its small dive bars and larger sports stadiums. Located in the city's CBD entertainment precinct, Fortitude Valley Music Hall is a 3000-person venue that hosts a number of international and local acts. In 2025 and 2026, acts such as Royel Otis, Noah Cyrus, CMAT, Ben Folds, and Travis will take to the stage, making Fortitude Music Hall a venue to add to the top of your live music list. Fortitude Music Hall is located in the middle of the buzzing Brunswick Mall, giving you a number of options for a pre-gig beverage or takeaway on the way home. [caption id="attachment_1029307" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Triffid[/caption] The Triffid If you're looking for live music and pints on tap, head to The Triffid. Located in Newstead, the venue is within walking distance of the buzzy Fortitude Valley area and has everything a music lover could want. Housed in a converted World War II aircraft hangar, The Triffid has an indoor venue and a smaller stage outside in the beer garden, making it an excellent spot for a Sunday session. The venue was created by Powderfinger bassist, John Collins, who knows the importance of fostering local acts and building a community around music. As a result, The Triffid is a hub for music fans—plus, their beer garden serves a mean hot chips if you're looking for a snack to pair with your pint. The Tivoli Originally built in 1927 as the Adams Bakery, today The Tivoli (or The Tiv, as locals call it) is one of the city's most beloved music venues. The Tivoli has hosted some of the country's most prolific artists, such as Powderfinger, Silverchair, Missy Higgins, and Paul Kelly, as well as international acts including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Bob Dylan. Housed in an art deco building, the Fortitude Valley venue combines heritage, charm, and a roster of iconic acts all in one place. Head to the Jubilee Hotel for a pint and pub meal before the gig, or, if you're after something a little more elevated (literally), the Soko Rooftop Bar is a great shout. [caption id="attachment_1029308" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Crowbar Brisbane[/caption] Crowbar A favourite among punk, metal and rock fans, the Crowbar has endured a lot in recent years. After launching in 2012, the venue sadly closed during the pandemic. Thanks to the locals' efforts, Crowbar Brisbane has moved to Ann Street in the Valley and is once again a thriving music venue. No need to make multiple bookings if you're heading to the Crowbar, as the venue offers burgers and barbecue at its bar and restaurant as well as a selection of local beers on tap, making it an easy stop on a night out. This list scratches the surface of iconic venues in Brisbane, Australia's unofficial music capital. Be sure to check out each schedule and make a booking to support live and local music. Explore more at The Star Brisbane. Lead image: LiveWire at The Star Brisbane. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter LiveWire and the casino.
When an Australian series becomes the Foxtel Group's most-watched original scripted show of all time, it's bound to keep bounding back for more seasons. That program is Colin From Accounts — and after 2022's gem of a first season saw it renewed for a second, the latter has sparked a third as well. Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall will be back on-screen, and also writing and executive producing, as the Aussie rom-com follows what comes next for their characters Ashley and Gordon. "We're very excited to bring you season three of our show. To be honest, with the way we ended season two it would have been weird not to make a third, so here we are. We promise we won't leave you hanging like that again. Probably," said Dyer and Brammall, confirming Colin From Accounts' third run. "We couldn't pass up the opportunity for fans to see what's next for Ash and Gordon (and Colin!). Colin From Accounts has delighted fans the world over and we're proud to commission a third season of this hilarious, chaotic and relatable series that has stolen our hearts," added Foxtel Group's Head of Scripted Lana Greenhalgh. When the series began, Dyer's (American Auto) Ashley and Brammall's (Evil) Gordon first crossed paths thanks to a flashed nipple and an injured dog, then an agreement to co-parent the pooch as it recovered. As a relationship blossomed beyond more than just taking care of the titular canine, little has gone smoothly — with the adorable Colin, and also with the pair's romance. As well as proving an Australian hit — complete with AACTAs and Logies to prove it — for real-life couple and No Activity stars Dyer and Brammall, the show has earned fans overseas, with Foxtel Group licensing it to 150 territories globally. There's no word yet as to exactly when Colin From Accounts will return, what the narrative will follow, and who among the rest of the cast and past guest stars will be back, but renewing the series comes at a crucial time for Binge. With Max launching in Australia at the end of March 2025, the latter has lost its initial big selling point: HBO's content. Here's hoping that more homegrown shows like this charming hit will get the green light to help fill the gap. There's no trailer for season three of Colin From Accounts yet, but check out the trailers for seasons one and two below: Colin From Accounts streams via Binge — we'll update you with a release date for season three when one is announced. Read our review of season one and our review of season two, plus our interview with Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall. Images: Lisa Tomasetti / Tony Mott / Brook Rushton.
This haphazard little produce market has some of the friendliest staff you'll ever meet, and it's sort of a classic Aussie corner fruit shop and Asian grocery rolled into one. Redfern Fruit Market stocks some impressively diverse items, so it has a reputation as the go-to place if you can't find an uncommon ingredient. As well as fresh, well-priced fruit and vegetables, they also offer a wide range of spices, nuts, organic goods, ready-to-eat Asian meals, and some luxe gourmet goods. Image: Trent van der Jagt.
It's a nice feeling to bring a little something into the world. Feeding it, taking good care of it. A plant is just like a pet, or even a child – just half the trouble. But if you live in an apartment, there's not always the room to undertake extensive horticultural projects. If your green thumb is itching to get gardening, IDEA award-winning Simple Garden will tickle your fancy. They've created a gardening 'starter kit' with everything you need to cultivate your own piece of earth. They even throw in the earth itself – just add water and the NutriRich soil brick will be just the stuff to raise your seedlings into healthy plants. Gadgets like the Lite Stick help provide enough natural light to indoor plants, while the colourful plastic pots are specially designed to improve air flow, water circulation and nutrient absorption. Sweet and self-contained, this is one hell of a city-living solution. [Via Cool Hunting]
Whether you associate it with lunchtime eats or late nights at the Greenwood Hotel, Greenwood Plaza is set to raise the bar as the team behind Plate It Forward brings two new venues to North Sydney. The pair of exciting openings north of the bridge celebrate feel-good food that affects real social change. The retail precinct has already welcomed the arrival of Anything But Humble, the second pie shop from Shaun Christie-David and his crew. Plus, a second Kabul Social eatery is on its way to Greenwood Plaza as well, following the overwhelming success of the initial location in the CBD's MetCentre. You'll find a fusion of culinary inspiration at Anything But Humble, with the presence of bold Mexican flavours alongside subtle Sri Lankan cues and nods to Afghani cuisine — or Australian food at its multicultural best, as the team behind the forward-thinking eateries like South Eveleigh's Coyoacan Social and Enmore Road's Colombo Social defines it. The soon-to-open sophomore outpost for Kabul Social will bring the flavours of Afghanistan to the lower-north shore. Expect to find an array of menu items dedicated to Afghani-style eats, from the Kabuli burgers and fresh dumplings to build-your-own lunchboxes perfect for North Sydney office workers. The Greenwood Plaza eatery owes its restaurant concept and menu to a collaboration between the Plate It Forward crew and a group of female refugees, so the careful curation of its offerings pays homage to authentic Afghani food. At the forefront of its ethos, the Plate It Forward crew aims to serve up hearty food that is truly impactful. As a result, every dollar spent at any of the group's venues, including the two new outposts, is donated to a great cause. Anything But Humble passes on its earnings to providing training and employment opportunities to empower individuals with disabilities, while the second Kabul Social eatery will dedicate its practice to providing meals to disadvantaged communities. Every meal purchased will provide a two-meal donation to Afghan communities in need. And what better way to contribute to long-lasting social change than by sinking your teeth into a flavour-filled and impact-driven meal? The proof is — quite literally — in the pastry. For those seeking to track their contribution, the impact of your purchases is available in real-time — take a look at the digital display while ordering and you'll be able to see the number of donated meals you've provided. You'll find both Anything But Humble and Kabul Social's North Sydney outposts inside Greenwood Plaza. Anything But Humble is open now 10am–4pm Monday–Saturday, while Kabul Social is set to open in the coming weeks.
With a big question mark looming over the future of international travel, it is only natural that we're craving a cultural escape. Luckily for Japan enthusiasts, Sydney is home to world-class Japanese cuisine and cultural experiences, so you have ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun in the meantime. To help point you in the right direction, we've teamed up with The Japan Foundation, Sydney in celebration of its current exhibition Steam Dreams: The Japanese Public Bath. So, whether you're looking to take your taste buds down memory lane with a bowl of tonkotsu ramen, relive the electric nightlife of Shinjuku or explore the history of Japan's bathhouse culture, these eight experiences are sure to curb your wanderlust — and you won't even have to fork out for the flight. [caption id="attachment_796391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kotaro Imada, Koto-ku Tokiwayu, 2009. ©️ the artist[/caption] CATCH 'STEAM DREAMS: THE JAPANESE PUBLIC BATH' Steam Dreams: The Japanese Public Bath is The Japan Foundation,Sydney's exploration into all things sentō (Japanese communal bathhouse). The Australia-first exhibition celebrates the history — and future — of Japanese bathhouse culture and is running till Saturday, May 22. Expect to see historical artefacts, mural paintings and photography, all documenting more than 150 years of Japanese communal bathing. Examining everything from the distinct bathing practices of the Meiji and Shōwa periods and changes to design features, gender divisions and the importance of the activity to the country, it's a unique and insightful show not to be missed. And did we mention entry is free? [caption id="attachment_760782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gogyo, Julia Sansone[/caption] SLURP DOWN A BOWL OF STEAMING-HOT NOODLES As winter draws closer, the call for hot noodle soups grows stronger. Thankfully, there are plenty of top-notch ramen joints around Sydney where you can get your fix. Those looking for a no-frills bowl of ramen should head to Ippudo. The international chain's Sydney location is where you can slurp down a silky tonkotsu broth paired with signature pork chashu. If you're looking for something a bit left-of-field, opt for Chaco Ramen's yuzu scallop ramen with wontons, or head to Gogyo for kogashi ramen, which is burnt fresh to order and made by cooking lard at over 300 degrees till the substance turns black and bursts into flames. Keen for noodles in the AM? Then make tracks to Newtown's Rising Sun Workshop for its breakfast ramen of buttered toast bone broth topped with bacon, egg and tomato. [caption id="attachment_803431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan, Destination NSW[/caption] GET FRESH-AS SEAFOOD AT SYDNEY FISH MARKET If there's a delicacy that Japan is renowned for, it's seafood. And Tokyo's Toyosu Market, replacing the famed Tsukiji Fish Market, is the largest in the world. However, right here in Sydney, we have the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere. Sydney Fish Market sells everything from bluefin tuna and prawns to lobster and eel. Keen to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at making sushi for an at-home feast? Head to the Pyrmont-based market early in the morning to nab the day's freshest catch. Or, if you'd rather leave it to the experts, venture there around lunchtime and take your pick of sashimi, sushi, grilled eel and more at one of the on-site diners. [caption id="attachment_803326" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Provider Store[/caption] PICK UP JAPANESE WARES Anyone who has visited Japan before will know of its rich and beautiful history of ceramic production. Fortunately, you don't have to venture overseas to get your hands on such wares — or stress about the potential breakage from lugging it through an international flight. You can head to Simply Native's showroom or Provider Store, both located in Surry Hills, to pick up beautiful, one-of-a kind pieces for your home. These stores are filled with carefully curated homewares like candles and bowls that are both sustainable and ethically produced, as well as skilfully produced by artisans. If you're more of a book lover, check out CBD bookstore Kinokuniya, which boasts an entire Japanese section, a great range of graphic novels and manga and an incredible range of art and design books, as well as every kind of fiction under the sun. SING YOUR HEART OUT AT GOROS Wander down the rabbit hole and enter the weird and wacky world that is Goros. The inner city izakaya and karaoke house is sure to transport you out of Sydney and into the neon-lit, anime-clad streets of Tokyo as soon as you walk through the doors. After indulging in some karaage chicken, gyoza and maple miso pork belly — and sipping sake and whisky highballs for courage — head to one of Goros' free karaoke rooms and get ready to belt out a banger. Whether you're in the mood for ABBA, Bon Jovi, INXS, Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston, you're sure to find your go-to tune on the extensive song list. [caption id="attachment_789327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brett Broadman[/caption] LEARN THE LANGUAGE AT THE JAPAN FOUNDATION, SYDNEY Anyone that's tried to learn a language overseas will know that the hardest thing to do is retain it when you get back home. For Japanese language enthusiasts keen to commit the language to memory, The Japan Foundation, Sydney's language classes are a good place to start. Catering for all skill levels, the language school offers plenty of options, from beginner classes to ten-week courses and ones for advanced students. Currently, classes are online due to COVID-19, but in-person classes are slated to resume later in the year. So, if you're hoping to master basic greetings and directions to prepare for when borders open, or your one goal is to finish an untranslated Murakami novel (which FYI you can borrow from the Foundation's public library), these classes have you covered. [caption id="attachment_776236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kuro, Kitti Gould[/caption] HAVE A FINE DINING FEAST As much as we love the convenience of grabbing a hand roll, there's nothing quite like treating yourself to a Japanese fine dining feast. Impeccable service, fresh produce, exquisite drinks menus and a big focus on presentation are what make this experience truly stand out. And in Sydney we're fortunate enough to be spoiled for choice. If you're wanting to try the new kid on the block, Kuro in the CBD offers both a la carte and set menus. Though if it's A-class cuisine you're after, you'll want to book in at the on-site, eight-seat restaurant Kuro's Kitchen, which offers a chef's table experience at certain times throughout the year. Otherwise, you can't go past Tetsuya's for a high-flying feed. From the low-lit dining rooms overlooking a Japanese-style rock garden to the eclectic artworks, the heritage-listed building and its dishes, the Sydney institution is white tablecloth dining to a tee. Or, you can head to Sokyo at The Star for some of the finest sashimi, tempura and chargrilled meats our city has to offer. HEAD TO TRANQUIL HAVEN RYOKAN GOJYUAN Given we can't visit Japan, we may as well make tracks to the next best thing: Ryokan Gojyuan. Located in Balmain, this traditional Japanese-style hotel has just two guest rooms — a deliberate decision to offer guests the 'hospitality and service that is customary in Japan'. Here, guests are surrounded by traditional decor — tokonoma (alcove), oshiire (futon cupboard) and shoji screens opening onto a verandah overlooking a tranquil garden. Of course, with just two rooms it's difficult to get a booking. Fortunately, though, Ryokan Gojyuan also offers a heap of cultural workshops and experiences for day visitors. So, book yourself into a calligraphy or origami class, sit down to a tea ceremony and have a soak in the purpose-built hinoki bath. The Japan Foundation, Sydney's 'Steam Dreams: The Japanese Public Bath' exhibition runs till Saturday, May 22 and is free to enter. Head here for more details. Top image: Goros
HBO's Cordyceps infection isn't going anywhere soon — not for the seven more weeks that The Last of Us' first video game-to-TV season has left to air, and not for a further season after that either. In excellent news for fans of the PlayStation title, the Pedro Pascal (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent)- and Bella Ramsey (Catherine Called Birdy)-starring show it has inspired, and both, the US network behind it has officially announced that its first massive hit of 2023 will return for a second season. This development is hardly surprising, but still obviously hugely welcome. When it comes to mashing buttons, the 2013 game also inspired a 2014 expansion pack and 2020 sequel. Also, even just two episodes in so far, HBO's version has been attracting viewers faster than any sudden movement attracts zombies. When the series' debut episode aired on Sunday, January 15 in the US and Monday, January 16 Down Under — where it screens and streams via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and on Neon in New Zealand — it became HBO's second largest debut ever. The first? A little show called House of the Dragon in 2022. In America alone, The Last of Us' movie-length first instalment has notched up more than 22 million viewers, while its second episode earned 5.7 million viewers just on one night — more than a million than that premiere chapter, and giving HBO its largest-ever growth from week one to week two of any series it has ever made. In other words, even after leaping to television with a huge gaming fanbase behind it, The Last of Us' popularity is spreading. Given how impressive the HBO series' first season is — how thoughtful, character-based, well-cast, and committed to exploring not just what's happening in its contagion-ravaged dystopian world but why life is worth fighting for — that too is unsurprising. For newcomers to the franchise on consoles and as a TV series, it's set 20 years after modern civilisation as we know it has been toppled by a parasitic fungal infection that turns the afflicted into shuffling hordes. Pascal plays Joel, who gets saddled with smuggling 14-year-old Ellie (his Game of Thrones co-star Ramsey) out of a strict quarantine zone to help possibly save humanity's last remnants. There wouldn't be a game, let alone a television version, if that was an easy task, of course — and if the pair didn't need to weather quite the brutal journey. As a television series, The Last of Us hails from co-creator, executive producer, writer and director Craig Mazin, who already brought a hellscape to HBO (and to everyone's must-watch list) thanks to the haunting and horrifying Chernobyl. He teams up here with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. Alongside Pascal and Ramsey, the series also boasts Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate) as Joel's younger brother and former soldier Tommy, Merle Dandridge (The Flight Attendant) as resistance leader Marlene and Aussie actor Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as smuggler Tess. And, Nico Parker (The Third Day) plays Joel's 14-year old daughter Sarah, Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Nick Offerman (The Resort) feature as isolated survivalists Frank and Bill, Storm Reid (Euphoria) pops up as Boston orphan Riley, Jeffrey Pierce (Castle Rock) plays quarantine-zone rebel Perry and Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey also guest stars. HBO hasn't announced when season two will arrive, but cross your fingers that it drops early in 2024. Check out the full trailer for The Last of Us below: The Last of Us screens and streams via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and on Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of the first season. Images: Liane Hentscher/HBO.
If anyone knows how to throw a tequila festival, it's the agave experts at Sydney's Méjico — Australia's biggest tequila bar, with over 250 different varieties. And that's exactly what it's doing, throwing a celebration of things agave on Saturday, October 6. The four-hour tasting session will takeover the CBD eatery from midday, showcasing over 20 different tequila creations, many of which aren't usually available on Aussie shores. You'll have the chance to chat with some of the country's top tequila suppliers, sip many different agave spirits and maybe a cocktail or too. Ticket prices — $15 online, $25 on the door — include tequila tastings and Méjico's tasty tacos, and it'll be slinging $5 sol and $10 margaritas all day, too.
Three years in the making, SPON is a new kind of bottle shop for NSW. For several years, the Odd Culture Group has been pushing to open a venue where you could sample the wines before buying after seeing the success of similar venues in Melbourne and overseas — but Liquor and Gambling NSW is a tough negotiator. "Being able to finally open the doors to SPON is due to the landmark decision to allow these cohabitating licenses and a sign that the regulatory environment is shifting and red tape is finally starting to be lifted," says Odd Culture Group CEO James Thorpe. "The two-license model is convoluted and contrived — so, very NSW — but it works, and we're excited to finally get a cab off the rank, and be able to operate a business of this type in Sydney." The decision has seen a couple of these exciting new hybrid venues pop up in recent weeks — namely Famelia down Enmore Road and Frankie & Mo's in the Blue Mountains. And, it's allowed Odd Culture to finally transform its King Street bottle shop into the venue the team always imagined in the space. The result is SPON, a small 20-seat bar and bottle shop named after the process of spontaneous fermentation. As with the previous Odd Culture bottle shop, SPON is all about the weird and the funky in the drinks world. Rare wines and eccentric ales are available here, either for takeaway or to be drunk in the venue with the addition of a touch of corkage. If you love to bring a natural wine over when you're catching up with friends but your mind goes blank when presented with a wall of exotic pét-nats and skin contacts, this is the spot for you. Each day, 12 wines and ales are added to the open-bottle list — two chosen by the house and ten by customers as they venture in and want a try of something. This means you can sample your way through a couple of different vinos before deciding what to purchase — and if you're in early, you can even add a bottle to the open list for you and any other visitors that day to taste. "The concept lends itself to being able to open some really cool, rare and exciting stuff that wouldn't normally make it on by-the-glass lists in your standard bars or restaurants," says Group Beverage Manager Jordan Blackman. For those who are dining in (or rather drinking in), there's an ever-changing and affordable by-the-glass list featuring a mix of wine varieties and price points. To celebrate the opening, SPON is even offering $6 glasses of pét-nat, orange and chilled red wines, alongside half-priced corkage, throughout the rest of August and September. "The spirit of SPON is to make the inaccessible or esoteric into the easily consumed and understood and increase the level of interaction and knowledge sharing with our guests which is our favourite part," says Thorpe. Snacks like yellowfin tuna, LP's charcuterie and Odd Culture's beer bread will also be brought down from the group's beloved King Street restaurant. Plus, the space will be used to host local and interstate winemakers so they can share their craft with Sydney's wine lovers. It really is your one-stop wine shop. SPON is now open at 256 King Street, Newtown. Both the bottle shop and bar are open 12pm–10pm Monday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday and 11am–12am Saturday.
If you're lucky enough to score tickets to Meredith Music Festival in any year via the event's ballot, one of Australia's best fests awaits no matter the lineup. 2025's roster of acts is characteristically impressive, however. On the just-dropped bill: TV on the Radio, Atarashii Gakko! and Perfume Genius, for starters, as well as Thee Sacred Souls, Pa Salieu, HAAi, Bar Italia, Colin Hay and Mildlife. And, there's still more where the came from. Folk Bitch Trio, Saya Gray, RONA. and Omar Souleyman are on the lineup, too. So are Dames Brown, Radio Free Alice, Sam Austins RP Boo, Wax'o Paradiso, Florist and Jack J. Add in Drifting Clouds, Dr Sure's Unusual Practice, Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, Mouseatouille, Brown Spirits and Lazy Susan on MC duties, and expect a jam-packed three days across Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1017126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sumner Dilworth[/caption] How is the fest crew describing this year's event? "One of the best places on earth to spend a weekend, the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre has been natured and nurtured and then natured again, for the singular purpose of hosting the time of your life," organisers advise. So, expect "a permanent and purpose-built underground wunderland that provides optimal conditions for rarefied reverie", as well as to get "lost in music, lost in one another, for three days and two nights of Sup'ed up saucery". 2025 marks the beloved festival's 33rd year, with this three-decade-plus tradition taking over its namesake Victorian locale to kick off summer. The first round of the ticket ballot for the three-day BYO camping festival opened in July and ended on Monday, August 11, 2025, but you still have a chance to enter. The second round is now open, and you've got until 10.33pm AEST on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 to put your name in. So, book that long weekend, go in the running for tickets, then cross your fingers that you'll be spending a trio of days at The Sup with Tunde Adebimpe and company. [caption id="attachment_1017128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cody Critcheloe[/caption] Meredith Music Festival 2025 Lineup TV on the Radio Atarashii Gakko! Perfume Genius Thee Sacred Souls Pa Salieu HAAi Bar Italia Colin Hay Mildlife Folk Bitch Trio Saya Gray RONA. Omar Souleyman Dames Brown Radio Free Alice Sam Austins RP Boo Wax'o Paradiso Florist Jack J Drifting Clouds Dr Sure's Unusual Practice Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir Mouseatouille Brown Spirits Lazy Susan Meredith Music Festival returns to Meredith from Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025. To put your name in the second round of the ballot to get your hands on tickets, head to the festival's website before 10.33pm AEST on Tuesday, August 19. Meredith Music Festival images: Chip Mooney, Leah Hulst, Ben Fletcher, Chelsea King and Steve Benn.
There aren't many events where you can learn about crowdfunding, press freedom, investing, acting, pro surfing, science, the future, robotics, astronaut diets and New Zealand tourism all from the same lineup — and also about neuroscience, cyber intelligence, ethical leadership and sustainable food as well, and more. SXSW Sydney will present sessions on or featuring experts on them all when it returns for its third year. In its first lineup drop for 2025, the event has unveiled 40 of its speakers, also spanning topics such as quantum physics, the future of work and how the creative industries are evolving. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan is one of the folks on the roster, taking to the stage between Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19, 2025. So is former foreign correspondent Peter Greste, whose arrest and imprisonment in Egypt fuels new Australian film The Correspondent. Girls That Invest founder Simran Kaur, Crazy Rich Asians actor Remy Hii, former pro surfer and current World Surf League Commissioner Jessi Miley Dyer, Science Vs' Wendy Zukerman, Women's National Basketball League CEO Jennie Sager and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki are also among the initial names. There's not just more on the list now — ethical technologist Andi Mastrosavas, Silicon Valley Robotics' Andra Keay, neuroscientist Dr Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, space nutrition expert Flávia Fayet-Moore, Black Excellence Fund co-founder Kyah Bell, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy, actor Shuang Hu (Future Date), filmmaker Neil Sharma (Heartbreak High), screen producer Julie Eckersley (Erotic Stories) and The Conversation CEO Lisa Watts, for example — but more to follow. Among its 1600 sessions and events, 2025's SXSW Sydney will include over 400 conference sessions, alongside 150-plus professional development sessions. "You'll experience dynamic keynote sessions, powerhouse panel discussions and hands-on industry workshops that deliver practical skills you can apply immediately," said SXSW Sydney Head of Conference Fenella Kernebone about this first peek at 2025's program. [caption id="attachment_971190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] "With a focus on innovation, leadership strategies and experience-driven learning, you'll gain fresh perspectives to help you implement meaningful change in your organisation. This first release of speakers is just the beginning — prepare to build an even more comprehensive toolkit as we announce many more industry leaders," Kernebone continued. After initially making leap to the Harbour City in 2023, then returning in 2024, this annual massive music, technology, screen and gaming festival will also boast more than 300 gigs, 95 film screenings and 150 games on its 2025 bill. Those program details haven't yet been revealed; however, once SXSW Sydney starts dropping announcements for the year, as it has now, they keep coming right up until the event takes place. [caption id="attachment_971189" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] Already in 2025, the fest has advised a number changes, all designed to give more people more reasons to head along. One: additional free programming. Another: more flexibility with ticketing. On the fest's Sunday date this year, for instance, Darling Harbour will become a hub of family-friendly entertainment. Fancy hitting up the Innovation Expo without bothering your wallet? That'll now be on offer on the Saturday. As for ticketing, the single-day conference pass will set you back $295 and get you access to more than 75 sessions. The full-week pass to the conference and festival starts at $495. Plus, for movie lovers who you just want to see one flick, you can now do so for $25. SXSW Sydney's festival wristbands are back, though, giving access to either the screen, music or games showcases. [caption id="attachment_953712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_967878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2025 will run from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Nina Franova/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
How much green will be seen at 2025's Laneway Festival? With Charli XCX headlining, expect the Brat hue to be everywhere. After all of the talk talk of announcing its dates and venues, then splashing around everyone's current favourite slime colour, St Jerome's Laneway Festival has confirmed that Charlotte Emma Aitchison is indeed leading its 2025 lineup. Given the fest's February timing — kicking off in Auckland on Thursday, February 6, then hitting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth by Sunday, February 16 — it's going to be Brat summer Down Under. It's set to be a Beabadoobee-, Clairo-, Barry Can't Swim- and Remi Wolf-soundtracked summer as well, with the quartet also among the big names on Laneway's bill. Charlie XCX was last in Australia in 2023 for Sydney WorldPride and For the Love, and before that in 2020 at Laneway. If you're keen to see the 'Guess', '360', 'Apple', 'Speed Drive', '1999', 'Doing It' and 'Boom Clap' talent this time, you'll need a Laneway ticket, as she's playing exclusively at the fest. In 2025, she'll have company from BICEP doing their CHROMA AV DJ set, Olivia Dean, Eyedress and Skegss, too, alongside STÜM, RONA, Hamdi, Joey Valence & Brae, 2hollis, Fcukers, Ninajirachi, Julie, and Girl and Girl. The event started by Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio in the mid-00s will head to Western Springs in Auckland, then hop over the ditch to Brisbane Showgrounds, Sydney Showground, Melbourne's Flemington Park, Bonython Park in Adelaide and Wellington Square in Perth. Laneway joins the list of festivals locking in their comebacks after a tough year of cancellations across the live music scene. Also returning: Golden Plains, Bluesfest (for the last time), Wildlands, Good Things, Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Meredith. Laneway Festival 2025 Lineup Charli XCX Beabadoobee Clairo Barry Can't Swim BICEP present CHROMA (AV DJ set) Remi Wolf Olivia Dean Eyedress Skegss STÜM RONA Hamdi Joey Valence & Brae 2hollis Fcukers Ninajirachi Julie Girl and Girl + Triple J unearthed winners Laneway Festival 2025 Dates and Venues Thursday, February 6 – Western Springs, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau Saturday, February 8 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane / Turrbal Targun Sunday, February 9 — Sydney Showground, Sydney / Burramattagal Land & Wangal Land Friday, February 14 — Flemington Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri Biik Saturday, February 15 — Bonython Park, Adelaide / Kaurna Yerta Sunday, February 16 — Wellington Square, Perth / Whadjuk Boodjar St Jerome's Laneway Festival is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, and to register for ticket pre sales — which kick off at 10am local time on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 — or get tickets in general sales from 10am local time on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Top Charli XCX image: Harley Weir. Laneway images: Charlie Hardy / Daniel Boud / Maclay Heriot / Cedric Tang.
Wave your hand, see a massive roster of musicians behind the microphone across the Harbour City: that's the SXSW Sydney Music Festival setup. The live tunes part of the event lets you wander between more than 200 performances on 25 stages over seven days if you have a wristband, and the 2024 lineup just keeps expanding. After a successful Australian debut in 2023, SXSW Sydney is back for a second year from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 — and the program announcements continue to drop. This time, the festival's music strand has added over 25 acts, plus a heap of speakers. When you're not dancing to China's Berlin Psycho Nurses, Indonesia's KATHMANDU and mindfreakk, YONLAPA from Thailand and Sydney's own 2touch making their live debut — and also the likes of Touch Sensitive, Heno., dogworld, GIMMY and Kurilpa Reach — you'll be hearing from Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman as the man behind the Slumdog Millionaire score gets chatting. SXSW Sydney 2024 started revealing its lineup details back in May, and has kept growing it since. A further announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Accordingly, no one can say that they don't have anything to see when the fest makes its comeback this year, especially if the music bill gets your toes tapping. Other fresh additions span Arky Waters, Bakers Eddy, Big Sand, Charm of Finches, Dave Kent, Elizabeth M Drummond, Holiday Sidewinder, Hydra Fashion Week, Ivoris, Kinder Bloomen, Majak Door, Nao Yoshioka, overpass, Rub Of Rub, Tim Hicks, YAHYAH and Yawdoesitall among the folks taking to the stage. Joining the speakers: Priyanka Khimani, who was named one of the top music lawyers by Billboard; veteran bookers Marty Diamond and Larry Webman; A&R Island Records head Marihuzka Cornelius; and plenty more. In one of those aforementioned July drops, 2024's SXSW Sydney Music Festival also added 40-plus talents, such as the UK's Jorja Smith on the 'Be Honest' musician's Australian tour — and also Canada's Aysanabee, Thailand's PYRA, New Zealand's Brandn Shiraz and XUZZ, and the UK's Submerse. Aussies Brazen Barbie, Jamahl Yami, Kitschen Boy and Special Feelings scored a spot as well. And prior to that, the 2024 program already confirmed human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, pianist Chad Lawson, Westworld's Luke Hemsworth hosting a session about the Tasmanian tiger, Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, TikTok marketing head Sofia Hernandez, Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, cricketer David Warner, Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid and documentary Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, about the new uses of former Pizza Hut buildings across America — and that's barely scratching the surface of the lineup specifics announced so far. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Images: Peter McMillan, Jordan Kirk, Jess Gleeson and Ian Laidlaw.
