Sydney's ever-growing appreciation of fusion cuisine and experimentation has ushered in the arrival of Moku, a Japanese fusion restaurant and bar on Crown Street. Across two storeys the venue boasts Japanese dishes with a modern twist, creatively crafted cocktails, as well as the city's first-ever bottomless highball brunch offering. Moku's dining menu is led by celebrated Head Chef Ha Chuen Wai, alongside mixologist Charles Chang, who keeps a watchful eye over the restaurant's drinks menu and designs artisanal cocktails for thirsty guests. With Japanese inspiration at the forefront, it heroes Japanese flavours and cuisine paired with native Australian ingredients. When arriving at the venue, the first thing you do is take in the intimate dining atmosphere and attractive fit-out of textured brick walls, earthy tones and timber furniture, and the bar on each level where bartenders mix cocktails, bespoke highballs, and pour sake and the best Japanese whisky. When it comes to the dining experience, each day of the week looks slightly different at Moku. There's a daily dinner menu and lunch seating on Fridays and on Saturdays when Moku also does a bottomless highball brunch for $95 per person, which gives you 90 minutes of chef-selected dishes and free-flowing highballs. Settle in for dinner instead, and you'll find a variety of plates to choose from. The smaller plates include dishes like Sydney rock oysters, bacon katsu sandos, mini seared engawa don and sashimi. Larger plates include the likes of braised mushroom noodles with garlic miso, nori and onsen egg, hojicha smoked duck breast with heirloom carrot, hibiscus and plum dashi and chicken karaage with lemon myrtle salt and sriracha mayo. The dessert selection completes the fusion menu with cheesecake served with Davidson plum, mandarin curd, matcha tiramisu and ice cream mochi. For the indecisive or adventurous, you can taste your way through the banquet menu. For $95 per person, you'll be able to sample the venue's best, from tuna carpaccio with smoked cream cheese and bacon katsu sandos, through to the torched edamame and the dessert of the day. The omakase experience headed up by Chef Wai is an intimate culinary journey across a range of premium dishes focusing on fresh seafood. This option is available only on Wednesday and Thursday nights, so be sure to secure your spot in advance.
Summer nights mean warm air, good vibes and great company shared longer and later. One iconic summer experience is food markets, treasured events for communities around Sydney, and some experts in that field are launching a new series of markets this summer in Canterbury Park. Taking place at Kia Friday Racing in Canterbury Park, the Canterbury Summer Night Markets are the latest project of Cambridge Markets — organisers of similar events, day and night, year-round across Sydney. Now, the team is coming to Canterbury for this evening offering alongside events at the park. The markets are kicking off on Friday, November 17, and will run sporadically at Canterbury Park until Friday, February 23. Coinciding with the summer racing calendar, attendees will be able to take advantage of both events simultaneously. Expect free activities for the kiddos, like face painting, a petting zoo and a jumping castle. Plus, for all ages — there'll be local (and delicious) hot food, decadent desserts and cool drinks to beat the summer heat. The Canterbury Summer Night Markets will run alongside Kia Friday Night Racing throughout summer. For more information, visit the Cambridge Markets website.
Camping is an excellent way to get away from the buzz of city living, to slow things down and reconnect with nature. While you may be stripping back to the very basics, that doesn't mean your menu has to be — even if options can feel limited when figuring out what to eat around the campfire. To help you out, we've whipped up a full menu of tasty camp cooking hacks and tips to make your next outdoor trip a culinary delight. With a little bit of prep and a few handy tools, these meal ideas won't make you feel limited by your outdoor camping kitchen. Treat yourself to these easy, delicious dishes no matter where you are. BREAKFAST Paper Bag Bacon and Eggs Love camping, but hate washing up? This is the perfect no-fuss breakfast for your next rendezvous with the great outdoors. All you need to do is rub the inside of a paper bag with bacon to grease it, then line the bottom with a few strips of bacon, creating a nest for your eggs. Crack one or two eggs into the bag, fold the top down a few times, then poke a hole through the fold and put a stick through to hold the bag over the fire — though not so close that your breakfast bursts into flames (which can happen, so take care). Your bacon and eggs should take around five to seven minutes to cook, depending on how crispy you like your bacon and how soft your eggs. Make sure you have a bit of paper towel underneath the bag as you eat, otherwise you may end up with a nice greasy patch on your pants. Hot tip: Take your eggs and bacon to the next level by adding add some mushrooms or spinach. Campfire Blueberry-Orange Muffins For something pretty special for your next camping breakfast, we recommend breaking out these special muffins. All you'll need is twelve oranges and some blueberry muffin pre-mix from the supermarket. Make up your muffin mix in a jug so it's easy to handle, slice the oranges in half and scoop out the flesh (which you can save for your camping sangria — more on that below). Pour the muffin mix into one orange cup, then top with the other emptied half. Wrap each orange in a layer or two of al foil, and rest them on some hot coals just next to the flames. Turn each wrapped orange over every minute or so for about ten minutes until they're cooked through. Unwrap and enjoy. [caption id="attachment_630716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/brenneman.[/caption] LUNCH Campfire Nachos The secret to making exceptional nachos is all in the layers. Making these nachos is super easy with a good camp oven and your preferred ingredients: tortilla chips, cheese, tinned black beans, tinned tomato, avocado, coriander, shallots, lime, salsa and more cheese. Start with a hefty layer of chips, followed by black beans, salsa, shallots, tomatoes and cheese, then repeat. Cook over the fire, so the cheese melts and the ingredients are warmed through. If you have an esky, bring some sour cream to add on top post-cooking, and unless you're a fan of warm avocado, top with avo and coriander as well. Finish off with fresh lime. Camping Toasted Sandwiches Few things hit the spot better than a gooey, melty toasted sandwich — especially when it's infused with some campfire smokiness. Bring a great jaffle iron, some bread and the fillings of your choice, and you're in business. If you don't have a jaffle iron, you can achieve similar results with foil and a skillet, or by cooking straight on the pan with some oil to stop your sandwiches from sticking. Filling options can range from roast chicken, swiss cheese and avocado to gruyere and blue cheese with fig jam. DINNER Campfire Potatoes Cold nights call for toasty warm, wintry food, and you can't go past campfire-cooked potatoes. As you fry up the spuds, the campfire will add a highly delicious smokey flavour. Warm up your camp oven by resting it over the fire on a tripod or straight on some hot coals. Slice brown onion into rings, and add them to your pan or camp oven with some minced garlic. Get those bits sizzling, as you cut your spuds into slices about half a centimetre thick. Toss the potatoes and a handful of diced bacon in with the onion and garlic, then pop on the lid, stirring every five minutes to make sure nothing sticks. Once everything's cooked, top your smokey, meaty, potatoes with that sour cream you brought for the nachos. Camp Oven Pizza Make sure you have plenty of hot coals for this one; it takes around 20 minutes to bake through. For ease's sake, grab some pre-made pizza dough — or prep some dough beforehand if you have a good recipe. Line the bottom of the camp oven with baking paper so that some paper sticks up on the sides, and press your dough in. Top with sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you fancy, put the lid on, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and dough is cooked through. Using the extra baking paper on the sides, lift your pizza out, slice and dig in. [caption id="attachment_630717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @racheena.[/caption] DESSERT Campfire S'more Cones Bring along some some waffle cones for an easier-to-eat, more decadent take on the s'more. Fill the cones with marshmallows, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, almond slices, coconut, peanut butter and anything else you can think of, and wrap each cone tightly in foil. Roasting them in the fire takes a bit of balancing skill, as you'll want to roast them upright if possible. Leave them near the fire for about five minutes. The al foil shouldn't get hot, but if the cones are too hot to hold, use tongs to hold them, or MacGyver some kind of cone holder. Ten points of the latter. Baileys Marshmallows This is straightforward excellence. Toast your marshmallows as usual, and once they're golden and gooey, dip them in Baileys. That's all there is to it — be warned though, things can get a bit messy. Best for each person to have their own little mug of Baileys for sipping and dipping. DRINKS Campsite Sangria Be the hero of the campsite with this boozy, fruity sangria. The night before you head off camping, add fruits like the orange flesh from the muffins, apples, peaches, strawberries and blueberries, plus a quarter cup of vodka to a large mason jar. Fill the rest of the jar with white wine, and leave to sit overnight. Once you arrive at the campsite, you'll have the perfect mix to combine with ginger ale and lemonade. Speedy Mulled Wine Mulled wine at a campfire is mighty fine, but there's a lot of fussing around with sugar, cinnamon and spices, plus the mulling time. Keep things simple with two easy ingredients: cinnamon tea and port. Use a billy can to brew up some of the spicy tea, which is as simple as steeping cinnamon quills in water. Once the tea is sufficiently brewed and hot, fill mugs halfway and top off with port. The sweetness of the port balances out the cinnamon tea to add some extra warmth at night.
Hungry locals are spoiled for choice along Fountain Street, Alexandria, and Nguyen Brothers definitely has the hearty Vietnamese offering down pat. The team behind former Marrickville eatery Yen for Viet are responsible for this eatery. Nguyen Brothers is a fresh take on this much-loved southeast Asian fare. The menu has all the usual suspects and is sure to satisfy no matter the weather. Balmy summer nights can be spent enjoying a vermicelli bowl with sugar cane prawn or grilled chicken salad. In winter, a belly-warming cooked brisket pho is the way to go. The modern approach carries through to the fit-out: unlike the dimly lit and slightly cramped qualities that normally distinguish a Vietnamese eatery, the space is bright, spacious and airy. Wood heavily features in the design (chairs, tables, the ceiling and wall panelling) and is contrasted by flourishes of copper and the colourful rooster paintings that line the walls. Other menu highlights include Vietnamese crispy pancakes and grilled pork belly for an entree, while the salt and pepper squid is especially flavoursome. For mains, try the wok-fried wagyu beef cubes with snow peas and onions or the deep fried whole barramundi (sometimes snapper) served piping hot with a side of tamarind fish sauce. Drop by during lunch for a banh mi with grilled meats and pickles or try one of its zesty salads. It's the perfect place to swing by for a casual lunch or an easy dinner with a new or old friend. Images: Kitti Gould.
This huge 1100-square-metre warehouse nursery on the Princes Highway is your go-to for plants and pots — especially if you're on your way to IKEA. Garden Life specialises in high-end plants and is frequented by professional designers and landscape architects as well as those looking to make their home more green. The space is filled with a wide range of specimen trees, indoor succulents and outdoor plants — sourced both from Australia and around the world. Apart from plants, you can also shop for a range of outdoor homewares, gardening tools and a whole heap of pots.
After closing its doors in 2016, Sydney's Theatre Royal will finally reopen. The 1200-seat Theatre Royal is one of Australia's oldest theatres, dating back to the 1870s. But most Sydneysiders will know it in its current form, which reopened in the 1970s and was designed by famed Australian architect Harry Seidler. It was built as a replacement for the old theatre, as that was demolished when the MLC Centre was erected — and, before sitting idle for the past five years, it's played host to everything from the Australian-premiere season of Cats to a three-year season of The Phantom of the Opera. In terms of physical changes during the multimillion-dollar refurbishment, leaseholders Trafalgar Entertainment has kept true to Seidler's original designs, while also increasing capacity from 1100 to 1200 via a redesign that's added an extra row of seats. The venue now sports a two-tiered setup, with no seat within the auditorium any more than 23 metres from the stage. Red and gold still feature heavily, colour-wise. There's also a new circular glass entrance space decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows, for views of King Street from the internal theatre foyer — and vice versa, including being able to see Theatre Royal's ribbed ceiling and geometrically precise hanging Mercator sculpture, as designed by Italian structural engineer Pier Luigi Nervi and American sculptor Charles O Perry respectively. And, there's a new Theatre Royal sign, as crafted and produced by Newcastle-based Owen Signs.
The term 'hotel bar' has taken on a whole new meaning with the opening of Estate within the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach. The four-in-one venue boasts a seafood-focused dining room, a tropical terrace bar, a dedicated taqueria and even a hidden karaoke room. The multimillion-dollar refurbishment is headed by Chef (and Creative Director) Matthew Butcher, who has worked alongside a few of the culinary greats — including big names like Gordon Ramsay and Vue de Monde's Shannon Bennett. Butcher is joined by Head Chef Scott Eddington, who has clocked time with Rene Redzeppi at Noma, as well as at Australian favourites A1 Canteen, Belle's Hot Chicken and Melbourne's Mamasita. Start off at the Terrace, an outdoor bar giving off Bali beach club vibes. Think beanbags, heaps of tropical palms and a projector screening sunset films and live sporting events. Bar snacks — such as fish tacos ($20 for three), oysters ($27 for six) and totopos with guacamole ($14) — are served out of a vintage Airstream trailer alongside locally made beers and wines. Meanwhile, over at the dining room — dubbed Kitchen — expect an ocean-themed fit-out that reflects the menu's focus on fresh, local seafood. King salmon with ginger sauce ($36), zucchini tagliatelle ($32) and spicy tuna with kaffir lime ($26) all make the regularly changing menu. In the Taqueria, there are neon lights, orange furnishings and bright patterns aplenty. The main offering here is the soft-shell tacos, which come in four varieties: chicken and avo ($6), fish with mojo-spiced cabbage ($7), beef with ancho sauce ($7) and huitlacoche ($6). Otherwise, you can tuck into a big ol' bowl of vegan nachos ($18). There are heaps of margaritas and micheladas going around, too. Also hidden within the premises is a private karaoke room that can (and should) be reserved for late-night revelry. Views of the Coogee coastline surround the venue and it's set up to fully embrace in those views —the courtyard even has three-step bleachers installed, from which punters can look out over the the ocean. Estate will be run separately from the hotel, though nothing is stopping you from turning your night out into a new excuse for a staycation.
First, Good Things confirmed that it would be back in 2025, and also announced its dates. Now comes the next key detail: where the festival is heading this year. Music lovers already knew that the event is returning to its three annual stops — Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane — but now organisers have locked in the specific venues in each city. There's no change in the Victorian capital, with Flemington Racecourse again playing host to Good Things. In the Sunshine State, Brisbane Showgrounds is doing the honours again, too. But Sydneysiders will be hitting up Sydney Showground instead of Centennial Park, in a move made to increase capacity, shelter, transport options and accessibility. As it has in past years, the fest will play all three cities across one huge weekend. So, you can mark Friday, December 5 in your diaries for the Melbourne, then Saturday, December 6 in the Harbour City and Sunday, December 7 in Brisbane. As for who'll be on the bill, that still hasn't been revealed as yet, but it's safe to expect it soon. While 2022's lineup dropped in June, 2023's and 2024's each arrived in August. Last year, Korn, Violent Femmes and Billy Corgan were on headlining duty, with Electric Callboy, Mastodon, The Gaslight Anthem, L7, Kerry King, Jet, The Living End, The Butterfly Effect and Killing Heidi among their company. 2023's fest featured Devo, Limp Bizkit, Corey Taylor, Pennywise, Bullet for My Valentine, Taking Back Sunday, I Prevail, Enter Shikari, Pvris, Behemoth, Sepultura, Spiderbait, Frenzal Rhomb, Jebediah and Eskimo Joe, among other acts. In 2022, the reunited TISM, Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, NOFX and Millencolin led the roster. Good Things 2025 Dates and Venues Friday, December 5 — Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Saturday, December 6 — Sydney Showground, Sydney Sunday, December 7 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Good Things will hit the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in December 2025. We'll update you when the lineup is announced and tickets go on sale — head to the festival website for more information and to sign up for the event's mailing list in the interim. Images: Kane Hibberd.
For decades, the corner of Liverpool and Yurong streets in Darlinghurst has been home to some of Sydney's most beloved Italian restaurants. In the 1980s, eastern suburbs glitterati rubbed elbows at Tre Scalini, which spearheaded the recession-era move to pared-back trattoria-style dining. In 2019, the space became Bar Vincent, a cosy but polished neighbourhood Italian that shuttered in June 2025. And for its third act, 174 Liverpool Street has been reborn as Vin-Cenzo's, the latest opening from The Goodies Hospitality (Bar Copains, Bessie's, Alma's). This next chapter keeps the Italian spirit alive while adding a late-night twist, with the restaurant open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, and transforming into a weekend supper club that runs until 2am. In the kitchen, Nathan Sasi (ex-Nomad, Mercado, Adelaide's Leigh Street Wine Room) takes a produce-driven approach that adds clever Euro spins to Italian classics. Start with the likes of flame-licked scampi dressed simply in chilli, garlic and Sicilian oregano, a selection of salumi served alongside giardiniera and grissini or an umami-laden bite of zucchini flower with five cheeses that's topped with an anchovy. Mains include handmade pastas like a roast chicken- and mortadella-packed agnolotti in an aromatic brodo, while mains are hearty and homely — think veal t-bone with shimeji mushroom and marsala and a house-made pork belly sausage with lentils and quince mustard. Desserts lean nostalgic but bold, with burnt lemon tart, pig fat cannolo packed with ricotta and Sicilian almonds, as well as traditional Italian biscuits served in vintage tins, inspired by recipes from Sasi's Sicilian godmother. [caption id="attachment_1018054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] On the drinks side, group sommelier Ishan Kaplish (ex-Mimi's, Tetsuya's) has assembled a list rich in Italian, French and Australian drops, interspersed with rare vintages from Co-Owner Morgan McGlone's personal cellar. Cocktails are classic and Italian-leaning, with bottled negronis and sgroppinos with house-made sorbet among the signatures. Fans of Bar Vincent's pared-back neighbourhood vibe should like what Studio Gram has done with the place, reimagining the interiors to suit the late-night vibe but keeping the same feeling of low-lit intimacy. There's a nod to New York's red-sauce dining rooms, with tiled floors, warm wall sconces and hand-painted wall art paired against burgundy leather banquettes and walnut timber finishes. Perhaps the most dramatic change is the increase in seating capacity, which has jumped from 36 to 68 pax, thanks to the addition of a leafy new al fresco area on Liverpool Street set aside for walk-ins. Top images: Jason Loucas.
Bali is a no-brainer for Aussie travellers. It's close, beautiful, and it's packed with the kind of beaches, spas and resorts that make you want to quit your job and move there permanently (kidding…sort of). If you're going to do Bali, you have to do it right – which means finding the best accommodation. Luckily, you've got some incredible options. And now, thanks to Visa, you can book your dream stay with 10% off through our dedicated platform, Concrete Playground Trips. Whether you're chasing waves and smoothie bowls in Canggu, planning a honeymoon getaway in Uluwatu or heading to Ubud for something a little more off-radar, these eight hotels will have you booking that flight ASAP. Simply book using your Visa card to score the discount, then start packing.
Journey to Europe at the vibrant tapas bar Paripé, founded by two passionate Spanish people who dreamt of bringing their traditional cuisine and culture to Sydneysiders. Located in Kensington Street, a bustling culinary spot that is also home to numerous international cuisine-themed eateries, including Spice Alley, the Spanish spot is a place where friends and family can gather to enjoy tapas, pintxos, and other delights such as jamón iberico, artisanal cheeses and hand-tinned Cantabric anchovies. The menu at Paripé reflects a commitment to tradition and quality. The team sources almost every ingredient from handcrafted producers across Spain. One of the co-founders, Maria Fernandez, lends her own family's cherished recipe for handmade Spanish tortilla to the menu alongside other favourites like croquetas and boquerones. To complement the Spanish fare, Paripé offers a selection of Spanish vermouths, signature cocktails, wines from across the Iberian Peninsula, and, of course, sangria.
There's a moment in the (so underrated) spy-comedy show Chuck that I think we can all relate to. Rachel Bilson's character, trying to cope with a stressful situation, closes her eyes and starts intoning under her breath: "Turkey, Muenster cheese, egg bread, grilled". That's right, she's gone to her happy place, and it's a sandwich. Sandwiches are just an excellent thing, having brought solace into the middle of our days for centuries. Now new Redfern cafe Three Williams has taken it upon themselves to not only put the sarnie in the spotlight but to up the ante with what they've called a 'narnie', which comes wrapped in their glistening, signature house-baked flatbread that's much like Indian naan. Oh yes. Three Williams is the kind of next-level cafe Redfern has been waiting for, with a vibe that's a little bit Grounds of Alexandria. That's not entirely surprising, really, given that former Groundsman Glen Bowditch leads the team on the floor, while the menu comes from Tim Bryan, who's ex-ARIA looking to get homey. It's a big, warehousey cavern that's been warmed up with beech wood, wall lights and plain old conviviality. The team is clearly positioning the place as a neighbourhood hub where you know you'll always be welcome. They've got free Wi-Fi if you want to get some work done, tables big enough for a crowd and a kids' corner where any tykes can be kept occupied. Coming here is a no-brainer; it's good at any time. The only thing missing, perhaps, is some sound baffling; noise bounces around the exposed brick chamber. But it's the narnies that people are particularly flocking for. Priced between $11-$14, gloriously rich and too loose to hold in one hand, these aren't the sort of sandwiches you're meant to eat every day at your desk — and yet, since Three Williams is literally next door to the Concrete Playground office, I've done basically that. The pick of the trio of flavours is the grilled prawn with avocado, sweet corn, tomato salsa and aioli ($12 take away/$13 eat in). Packed with juicy prawns, it's beautifully fresh, summery and seductive, like a taco in overdrive. Runner-up is the glazed beef brisket with slaw, gherkins and chipotle mayonnaise ($13/$14) — a sublime combination that's sometimes let down by a lingering layer of fat on the meat. The fried tempeh with pickled veg, Sriracha and lime mayo ($11/$12) is decent — excellent texturally but in flavour a bit stubbornly earthy. There's also a range of hearty and wholesome salads ($12-$14), perfect for people who want a light meal but not necessarily salad lovers who crave the burst of raw veg and zing of vinaigrette. The breakfast menu is short, but you don't want to miss it. The star of the show is the boldly reinvented French toast ($14), which instead of being soggy with egg (don't get me wrong; that's how I usually like it) is light and crisp, crusted on the outside with toasted pecans and maple syrup and topped with yoghurt and fresh berries. It's beautiful to eat and beautiful to Instagram. The poached eggs with marinated bull horn peppers, Serrano ham, feta and dukkah on toast ($16) is another solid choice: the ingredients are perfect individually and in combination, though a sauce could help to tie them all together. Also on the brekkie menu are the likes of granola with hibiscus pear ($12) for every day, and bacon-and-egg-roll-with-a-vengeance 'The Merchant' (that's chilli fried egg, crispy bacon, pickled slaw and ranch dressing on a brioche bun) for special occasions (like hangovers). Couple anything with a smooth Single Origin coffee and you'll be set to face the day. So what are you waiting for? Three Williams is out there, awaiting you with open arms and a sandwich of kings. Images: Kitti Gould.
The renowned Sydney Seafood School has revealed a brand new look that has been developed as part of the Sydney Fish Market's sweeping renovations, which is set to open in January 2026. The new space is high above the water and comes with a cracking view of Blackwattle Bay — a vibrant space where Sydneysiders can learn what it takes to prep seafood like a pro. The transformed space upgrades the school's offering in several ways. There's now a dedicated event space, an oyster bar and upgraded appliances from Neff and Gaggenau. The program has been similarly upgraded, classic courses like the Singapore chilli mud crab and barbecue courses have been reimagined ahead of summer, while some new offerings have joined the program too. The Seafood Discovery course educates guests on the history of Sydney Fish Market and provides hands-on experience in preparing NSW-native species, while the Land & Sea class focuses on native ingredients and showcases how easy they are to prepare at home. If you're not a seafood fan, you can instead book classes in baking, preserving, pasta making and gluten-free cooking. The guest chef classes continue, each led by Sydney hospo legends like Danielle Alvarez (Culinary Director, Sydney Opera House Events), Khanh Nguyen (King Clarence), Joel Bickford (Shell House, The International), Brendan Pang (author, street food expert and content creator), Giovanni Pilu (Pilu at Freshwater and the soon to open Flaminia) and Alessandro Pavoni (Ormeggio, a'Mare, Vineria Luisa), with more to be announced. Sally Webb, General Manager for Sydney Seafood School, says "Unveiling the new space is such a special moment for us. We've taken everything people have always loved about the school – the expertise, the joy and the incredible seafood – and brought it to life in a fresh new way." "We've designed classes that reflect the way Aussies love their seafood. From learning how to confidently handle a whole fish to exploring underutilised species to build your seafood repertoire – we'll do it all!" The Sydney Seafood School can be found at 25 Bank Street, Pyrmont, in the Sydney Fish Market. Bookings are available now for 2026, and you can make yours here.
Despite boasting a city right on the water, most of Sydney's inner-city harbour shores have been definitively off-limits to swimmers for decades. This is all beginning to change, however, with significant investment in cleaning up our waterways leading to the reintroduction of swimming in Barangaroo — the first new harbour spots for summer dips in what could be many according to plans from the City of Sydney and NSW Government. Today it has been announced that Marrinawi Cove, a secluded section of Barangaroo Reserve that boasts skyline views, has just reopened to swimmers. The introduction of this swimming enclosure marks the first new harbour swimming spot to be created west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in more than 50 years. "Our city stopped building ocean and harbour pools more than half a century ago — it's past time to provide more great, safe public places to swim," said Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes. "Being able to swim at Marrinawi Cove is only possible because we have invested in cleaning up our harbour from industrial wastelands to aquatic playgrounds." "Marrinawi Cove offers a fitting foundation for a swimming enclosure, and we know for thousands of years our traditional custodians, the Gadigal, used the land around Barangaroo for fishing, canoeing and swimming," Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said before taking a fully-clothed dip in what he described as Sydney's first city beach. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Greenwich MP (@alexgreenwich) Stokes also promised that the push for harbour swimming spots wouldn't stop with Marrinawi Cove. The minister said he's bookmarked spots at Blackwattle Bay, Bays West and other Barangaroo locations as possible sites for urban renewal and future summer swims. This isn't the first Sydney spot to reopen to swimming in recent years. Improvements to water quality have also seen the likes of Bayview Park reopen for safe swimming. That section of the Parramatta River recently joined Dawn Fraser Baths, Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths and Lake Parramatta as one of five areas along the waterway where people can now swim. The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) has also earmarked spots including Bedlam Bay, McIlwaine Park and Putney Park as possible new swim sites along the river. If you're in need of additional inspiration our list of the best swimming spots around Sydney and local swimming holes for any mood ought to keep you busy. You can read all about the reintroduction of swimming to Marrinawi Cove at the NSW Government's website. Images: Bec Dreher
An exciting new culinary precinct has arrived in western Sydney. Taking over a heritage building on the banks of the Georges River, The Paper Mill Food houses four different eateries, open for morning coffees, dinner feeds and everything in between. While the development was first announced back in 2017 as part of a broader cultural and community development, The Paper Mill Food officially launched in August 2019. Its lineup is diverse and multicultural, with offerings for all budgets and cravings, as well as both dine-in and takeaway options. Georgie's Pizzeria & Bar is serving up Neapolitan-style pizzas ($20–26), while casual restaurant Firepit showcases dishes cooked over charcoal or in one of two woodfired ovens. Here, expect corn-fed chicken breast with miso ($36), barbecue-glazed charcoal pork ribs ($59) and even charcoal lobster served ($89) with fermented hot sauce butter and chips. Over at Shepherd's Lane, you'll find a patisserie and cafe during the dar and a dessert bar after dinner, with dreamy sweet treats, house-made gelato and decadent cocktails. Highlights include the morning mezze plate ($24–31), Nutella waffles ($18–24), manoush ($6–15) and a passionfruit curd tart ($12). And at Charcoal Joe's, expect a modern take on Lebanese charcoal chicken ($7–23), alongside a menu of mezze, meat skewers, burgers and fried chicken. The backdrop is an impressive one. Once home to Australia's largest paper mill, the building has been brought into a sleek new phase of life. Dating back to 1868, it's now sporting a contemporary makeover at the hands of DS17's Paul Papadopoulos, with the original brickwork and saw-tooth roof offset by a modern assembly of stone, steel and glass. Visitors will spy lots of custom joinery and a sprawling handmade mosaic tile floor as well.
When the director and lead of one of 2021's best Norwegian films — and best movies from anywhere that year — joined forces again, of course the Scandinavian Film Festival needed to get the resulting picture on its program. Accordingly, Sentimental Value from The Worst Person in the World filmmaker Joachim Trier, once more starring Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent), is one of the big highlights at 2025's Australian showcase of cinema from the Nordic region. Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) and Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown) also feature, and the results won this year's Cannes Grand Prix (the award below the Palme d'Or). At the Scandinavian Film Festival, Sentimental Value is getting the centrepiece treatment. Movies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are always in the drawcard at this Aussie fest — so a Norwegian spy drama to kick things off in 2025, then an Icelandic black comedy to wrap things up, are both on the itinerary. This year's national tour starts on Friday, July 11 in both Melbourne and Ballarat, with Scandinavian Film Festival's opening nights staggered as it then heads to Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Byron Bay and Ballina on various dates, wrapping up countrywide on Wednesday, August 13. Launching the fest: Number 24, the latest from The Burning Sea and The Quake director John Andreas Andersen, recounting a true espionage tale from World War II. The aptly named Grand Finale comes in at the other end, spinning a Reykjavik-set story about a struggling chamber orchestra's efforts to endure. Alongside Sentimental Value, Quisling: The Final Days is another of the festival's big-name titles, this time from The King's Choice and Utoya: July 22's Erik Poppe, with the trial of its controversial namesake head of state the film's focus. Cannes favourites, blasts from the past, laughter-inducing fare: they're all on the lineup, then. Add watching Björk's daughter in her first feature role, multiple dates with Danish actor Trine Dyrholm (The Girl with the Needle) and celebrating the 25th anniversary of a Swedish romantic-comedy to the list, too. The first comes courtesy of The Mountain, a coming-of-age and road-trip flick starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. Dyrholm pops up in both the healthcare-centric Second Victims and the David Dencik (Other People's Money)-co-starring Beginnings. And Jalla! Jalla! is marking its quarter-century milestone. Audiences keen to spend Australia's winter feasting their eyes on colder climes from the other side of the world can also look forward to the Faroe Islands-set The Last Paradise on Earth and heading into an Icelandic seafood restaurant with Odd Fish. Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Riders of Justice) leads Way Home, about a Danish father endeavouring to save his loved ones. With heist effort The Quiet Ones, Denmark's biggest-ever robbery makes its way to the screen. Finnish relationship dramedy Sudden Bursts of Emotions, the nation's great Heikki Kinnunen playing 'The Grump' in Long Good Thursday, three siblings returning to the house they grew up in in Everything Must Go, the couch-surfing antics of Live a Little, the beer-brewing sisters of 100 Litres of Gold, My Father's Daughter's focus on a Sámi teenager: add them to your Scandinavian Film Festival list as well. Scandinavian Film Festival 2025 Dates Friday, July 11–Sunday, August 3 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre, Melbourne Friday, July 11–Sunday, August 3 — Palace Regent Cinema, Ballarat Wednesday, July 16–Sunday, August 10 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, July 17–Sunday, August 10 — Palace Norton St, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, July 23–Wednesday, August 13 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, July 23–Thursday, August 14 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Wednesday, July 24–Wednesday, August 13 — Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square, Perth Wednesday, July 24–Wednesday, August 13 — Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Fair Cinemas, Byron Bay and Ballina The Scandinavian Film Festival tours Australia in July and August 2025. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.
It's not every day that two cult Australian brands go on sale in the same place at the same time. Yet that's what going down from Thursday, October 23–Sunday, October 26, as Brie Leon and Friend of Audrey come together for a massive warehouse sale. With prices up to 80 percent off, this is your chance to shop archival favourites, best sellers and past-season treasures. So, make space in your wardrobe for FoA's wool coats, knitwear and elevated basics alongside Brie Leon's sought-after bags and jewellery. Launched in Sydney in 2015, Friend of Audrey has made its name on pieces that resonate with timeless sophistication. Inspired by the iconic elegance of Audrey Hepburn, the brand's philosophy speaks to quiet refinement that makes just enough of a statement. Also Sydney-born, Brie Leon has been shaping classic, well-crafted pieces since 2016, striking a balance between quality and style that make for versatile silhouettes that transcend trends. If that sounds like you, perhaps check out this sale and level up your look with a selection of coveted pieces.
In what can only be described as an odd turn of events, Top3 was founded by Terri Winter after she saw a German cabaret show featuring a woman, a walrus and a trapeze artist. As it happens, these three acts were the best in their field — and this inspired Winter to translate the 'top three' concept into a retail store. As it turned out, it was a huge success. Now with four stores around the country — two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and one in Canberra — Top3's mission is to offer customers the best products based entirely on their design merits. The store stocks well over 1000 different products — but only three of each type — across homewares, clothing and travel accessories. You're bound to find something you need and/or want here. Images: Trent Van der jagt.
Although it sits outside the CBD, Newtown has everything you could want from a city centre. The inner west suburb — and its bustling bloodline, King Street — is packed with thrift shops, live music venues, pubs, vegan spots, nurseries, rooftop bars and even a cinema. No matter what you enjoy doing in your spare time, Newtown can deliver it — wander through one of the many vintage clothing stores and catch a limited release film at the Dendy, then, when night falls, grab a bottle of pét-nat to take home or join locals and uni students at the pub for a happy hour pint. If there's one thing Newtown has too much of, it's choice. So we've joined forces with American Express to create a guide to the must-visits — the stores that locals love. These eight shops sell everything from vintage Levis to indoor plants, and you can shop small up and down King Street with your Amex Card.
It was in 2017 that Paddo Inn reopened alongside other Oxford Street greats like The Unicorn, The Paddington and The Light Brigade. The Paddo mainstay received a new lick of paint and a new lease on life. Ownership now rests in the hands of Sydney venue group Solotel, the company behind venues like North Bondi Fish, Aria and The Sheaf. The old front bar of the Paddo Inn was renovated into a bar and casual dining spot, with a more formal eatery out the back. But we're here for the full shebang, so we head down into the lovely dining room designed by George Livissianis, who is also responsible for the redesign of The Dolphin in Surry Hills and Matt Moran's Aria. Visually, it's exactly what you want from a contemporary pub bistro — high ceilings, painted brick, wood and marble textures with a casual elegance. The open kitchen looks fresh and well-appointed, and the menu too is instantly appealing, with a good number of dishes and interesting flavour combinations. The room is packed with upwardly mobile locals and industry folk, a crowd that gets busy even on quieter weeknights. The food matches that contemporary design flavour with a selection of Italian dishes from Il Baretto, which operates out of the back of the venue. Starters are light in style but heavy on the seafood with the likes of insalate di polpo (octopus salad with butter beans and salsa verde) and yellowfin tuna carpaccio with broad bean dressing and sugar snap peas. The mains are straightforward, with a Caesar salad, chicken schnitzel and sirloin steak on offer — things get more diverse when you inspect the seven choices of pasta. Shoutouts have to go to the wine list, which is compact, thoughtful and food-friendly, with a great selection of red, white, sparkling, rosé, natural and low-to-no options. And cocktails are, of course, an option, with all the classics plus signatures like the pesto smash (Hendrick's Gin, almond, lime, basil) and vanilla and fennel Cuban (Bacardi Spiced Rum, pickled fennel, lime). Images: Byron Martin for PADDO(Collective)
When that big city life feels like it's getting a little bit much, there's no better antidote than to whisk yourself away for a dose of countryside. Lots of fresh air, an abundance of nature and a slower pace that's guaranteed to relax and revive. And you can find all of that just a quick hop out of the big smoke, with idyllic country cottages, wilderness huts and secluded farm retreats dotted all across the state. Places where you can wake up to nature and spend your days lounging by the fire or exploring acres of surrounding bushland. Well, we've done the hard work for you and pulled together twenty of the most unique country stays you can book right now in NSW. Choose a favourite, pack those bags and get set for a taste of rural living. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains Wilderness Hut Studio, Worrowing Heights Embrace the best of country and coast, at this secluded, self-contained cabin. It's a modern beauty, surrounded by nature and crafted from reclaimed timber. From $335 a night, sleeps two. Casa Del Casson, Smiths Lake A little slice of Mexico in the coastal village of Smiths Lake. With a wood fireplace and dense wilderness surrounds, this log cabin is endlessly cosy. From $250 a night, sleeps six. Billabong Cottage, Termeil This secluded cottage for two overlooks its own lush billabong. Enjoy a cosy fireplace, sunny verandah and complete serenity throughout. From $160 a night, sleeps two. Laguna Sanctuary, Upper Colo A Balinese-inspired cottage, bordered by a freshwater lagoon. This one's got a firepit, heated outdoor spa and sun-drenched overwater deck. From $390 a night, sleeps four. The Stables, Holgate A secluded country escape, just minutes from the beach, this modern cabin is primed for relaxing and romancing. And that bath features incredible views. From $250 a night, sleeps two. JR's Hut, Nangus Escape the world at this mountaintop eco-hut, complete with 360-degree views. It's entirely off-grid, with a fire to keep things extra snug. From $660 a night, sleeps two The Shed at Broger's End, Upper Kangaroo River This former machinery shed is now a stylish cottage, cleverly built with reclaimed materials and boasting its own outdoor pizza oven. From $600 a night, sleeps seven. Japanese Studio, Fitzroy Falls Enjoy your own private Japanese-style retreat set among the lush surrounds of Fitzroy Falls, which is on the doorstep of both national parkland and wine country. From $250 a night, sleeps two. Nearest Neighbour Cabin, Cambridge Plateau Unplug at this charming, off-grid couples' cabin, backing onto heritage-listed rainforest and rolling green acreage. It's as private and peaceful as they come. From $80 a night, sleeps three. Spiral House, Robertson This unique tiny home comes complete with alfresco tub, sweeping views and 33 acres as your private backyard. From $277 a night, sleeps two. Warramba, Glen Alice A contemporary country cottage with styling that'll make you swoon. Unplug, recharge and soak up a taste of rural life. From $805 a night, sleeps six. Romantic Guesthouse, Foxground Recapture the romance at this private studio, overlooking rolling green hills. Enjoy cosy nights around the firepit and sunny days in the infinity pool. From $514 a night, sleeps two. Strikes 2, Eurunderee Enjoy an epic outlook and serenity aplenty when you book a stay at this eco-friendly couples' cottage, set high above the Eurunderee Valley. From $357 a night, sleeps two. The Treehouse, Kangaroo Valley Nab your own treehouse paradise, overlooking the Kangaroo River. This group-friendly retreat is enveloped in nature, featuring a firepit and sun-drenched deck. From $508 a night, sleeps four. The Shearing Shed, Cowra This stylishly repurposed shearing shed makes for a dreamy couples' escape, complete with log fire and loads of farm-style charm. From $250 a night, sleeps two Black Rose Cottage, Mudgee A sweet country cottage with room for ten, this stylish retreat sits just minutes from the heart of Mudgee and is surrounded by wine country. From $375 a night, sleeps ten. Kookawood, Rydal A quaint farmhouse cottage perched high overlooking the Blue Mountains. Enjoy the cosy log fireplace and some truly breathtaking views from the outdoor bath. From $550 a night, sleeps four. Loughmore Cottage, Kangaroo Valley Load up on country-style tranquility at this revamped Irish settler's hut, complete with comfy furnishings and a library full of books. From $250 a night, sleeps two. Barrington Eco Hut, Cobark An eco-friendly tiny home that's primed for an unplugged getaway, featuring a hot shower, cosy fire pit and delightfully remote wilderness setting. From $230 a night, sleeps two. Practice Ground, Glen Davis Surrounded by the rugged cliffs of the Capertree Valley, relax and unwind in this architectural wonder nestled on a 20-acre plot of bushland. From $455 a night, sleeps four. 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: courtesy of Airbnb.
If, for you, warmer weather brings with it a craving for fruity gelato and a nostalgic longing for that tell-tale sound of 'Greensleeves' playing through your neighbourhood, say no more. The Mr. Mercedes Ice Cream Truck has got you — it might not be summer yet, but the wheels are already a-rollin' on this particular mobile candy dream machine. But, beware, this is no ordinary ice cream mobile. The truck will be handing out cones to mark the launch of Foxtel's new thriller series Mr. Mercedes. The show stars Brendan Gleeson as a retired police detective being taunted by a serial killer who masquerades as the local ice cream man. The story is based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, which should be a dead giveaway of the creepiness you can expect from this pop-up. We don't want to completely scare you off, though, so here's the good news: the cones are free and you've even got a shot at winning $1000 in cash. And, there'll be no actual cold-blooded killers present — just cold soft serve and cold hard cash. The truck will be in Chatswood, opposite The Concourse on the corner of Spring and Victoria streets, between 9am–1pm and 3–8pm, and the Foxtel offices in Macquarie Park between 2–2.45pm. Head over for flavours including chocolate eclair, Whistle Pop and Berry Good Bar. Stream season one of Mr. Mercedes on Foxtel On Demand or screen on showcase Mondays at 9:30pm. Image: courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.
Taco Bell, Wahlburgers, Five Guys and Wendy's all did it. Now, Chuck E Cheese is as well. Big-name American food chains keep making the leap to Australia, with this US restaurant-slash-entertainment centre brand first announcing its Down Under plans in 2024, and now backing it up by confirming that it'll launch in 2025. Yes, Charles Entertainment Cheese is heading this way, ready to delight kids, families and Australian adults who've always wanted the Chuck E Cheese experience. The children's birthday-party go-to is set to open its first Aussie venue in the coming months, in Perth. Exactly where in the Western Australian capital will be revealed in April. Chuck E Cheese's jump Down Under is a result of the WA-based Royale Hospitality Group signing a master franchise partnership for the country, adding to a stable that also includes Outback Jack's and Milky Lane. It's helping extend the chain as it closes in on five decades of existence — launching in 1977 — and as Asia and Europe also become a global focus. On offer: the place to eat slices, play games and watch animatronics that's been parodied in the likes of Five Nights at Freddy's and Willy's Wonderland, but obviously without the horror. And yes, that spans the company's characters. Yes, Charles Entertainment Cheese is Chuck E Cheese's mouse mascot's full name. Patrons can look forward to pizza, arcade games, climbing walls, an interactive dance floor and other play areas, plus VIP birthday party rooms and a space for parents to kick back sans kids. On the menu, smoothies and milkshakes will also be a feature, as will healthy options. "Perth has a strong culture for family entertainment, so bringing Chuck E Cheese to Australia is incredibly exciting — we can't wait for families to experience the fun, games and great food that have made it famous around the world," said Royale Hospitality Group General Manager Christian Beaden, announcing that Perth will play host to the chain's first Aussie store. If you live elsewhere around the nation, you'll need to keep waiting to find out when you'll be able to take your nieces and nephews to Chuck E Cheese in other Australian cities. Chuck E Cheese will start opening in Australia in 2025, starting in Perth, but exactly when and where hasn't yet been revealed — keep an eye on the chain's website, and we'll update you with more details when they're announced.
The chilly season has arrived, the perfect time of the year for getting cosy next to a bar's fireplace with a dram of your favourite whiskey in hand or a delicious wintry cocktail. We've got the perfect shout for you as the temperatures drop: the Gold Rush Cocktail. Maker's Mark Bourbon and Beechworth Honey have come together to create this cocktail, a sweet symphony of Australian honey and bold characters of the bourbon. It's a riff on an old-fashioned but with a locally grown twist. It's a very straightforward recipe that you can find here. At first glance, it might seem odd that an American distillery and an Aussie beekeeping family have come together. But, when you scratch underneath the surface they have a lot of similarities. To celebrate the partnership, we've rounded up a selection of cosy underground and hidden bars where you can enjoy the Gold Rush cocktail. Some venues have even made their own version of the cocktail.
A familiar sight to backpackers galivanting across Europe, catching a bright-green FlixBus is one of the cheapest, most convenient and comfortable ways to get across the continent. Now, the long-distance coach company is preparing to launch in Australia, revealing its first two routes hitting the road on Thursday, November 20. Kicking operations off down under, passengers can soon commute from Melbourne–Sydney and Canberra–Sydney. And to encourage people to climb abroad, prices across the network start at just $9.99 until the end of November. While cheap, the FlixBus experience isn't as no-frills as you might imagine. Featuring free Wi-Fi, power outlets to keep charged, plenty of legroom and toilets, passing the time on the journey between capital cities can be surprisingly comfortable. "We're confident that Flix will resonate with Australians by setting a new benchmark for convenient, affordable and sustainable travel powered by technology," says Flix Founder and CEO, André Schwämmlein. For the Melbourne–Sydney route, stops take place in Albury, Canberra, Sydney International Airport, Sydney Domestic Airport and Sydney Central Station. Then, for those making the shorter journey from Canberra–Sydney, expect 12 daily departures hitting the same strategic stops on the way to the Harbour City. "As in every market we enter, we are committed to a long-term presence as a trusted and reliable partner in the travel sector, and we are taking the first steps by opening sales on Australia's busiest travel corridor," says Schwämmlein. Besides the cost benefits, FlixBus says hitching a ride on a coach from Melbourne to Sydney also reduces an individual's carbon footprint by approximately 90 percent. "These new routes embody our commitment to making sustainable travel affordable to everyone travelling in Australia," describes Senior Managing Director of FlixBus Australia, Yvan Lefranc-Morin. FlixBus routes from Melbourne–Sydney and Canberra–Sydney commence on Thursday, November 20. Head to the website for more information.
Merivale's Mr. Wong further dispels the myth concerning Sydney's lack of serious post-midnight dining options and in epic proportions. With room for over 200 guests, Mr. Wong could very well put an end to the kebab-eating rituals of CBD drunkards by offering them a class act alternative. And an alternative that, thanks to the business' signature design team, is exceptionally pretty to look at. Head chef Dan Hong (Ms. G's, MuMu) serves up authentic Cantonese fare in plush 1930s Shanghai-inspired surrounds. Contributing to the reawakening of laneways across Sydney's centre, Mr. Wong's guests enter via Bridge Lane; an exemplar laneway vouching for our city's fondness of pocketed, back alley dining. Guests are seated over two levels – on the upper level if they're walk-ins or on the lower level if they've booked in advance – and with atmospheric buzz aplenty, are likely to experience more than just a few things sizzling hot. Service included. The steamed dim sum platter including scallop shumai, jade seafood dumpling, har gau and Chinese mushroom dumpling is a solid option to start as is the yellowfin tuna served with kohlrabi, sweet wasabi, soy and ginger dressing. Both standouts on Mr. Wong's large Cantonese repertoire, the dishes reflect the intricate technical skill required by the maestros behind it. Tail this with a half serve (8 pancakes) of the peking duck pancakes and the braised asparagus, broccoli and sugar snap peas with garlic and rice wine and you'll quite openly celebrate the fact that you've over eaten. It was for a good, and indulgently flavoursome cause. For dessert try Mr. Wong's deep fried ice cream served with butterscotch sauce, vanilla or chocolate or the green apple ice, osmanthus jelly, water chestnuts and coconut sorbet Expect an entertaining contrast in textures from the former and a refined delicacy from the latter. And with an accomplished wine list by Merivale's Group Master Sommelier, Franck Moreau, Mr. Wong ticks the tipple box, too. As a serious addition to hospitality tycoon Justin Hemmes' dining empire, Mr. Wong will stride forward with might. Whether you're there for the dim sum or a more involved eating experience, this place guarantees one thing: satisfaction.
Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most luminous 2.1-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this when Lightscape heads to Sydney for the first time in 2023. Already a hit in Melbourne, the after-dark light festival will be taking over the the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17, beaming away from 5.30pm each night as part of another dazzling Sydney event: Vivid. While the leafy spot is already extremely scenic, and Sydney's annual lights, music and ideas festival is already vibrant to look at as well, saying that Lightscape will be brightening up both is quite the understatement. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along that 2.1-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after first taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas. Fingers crossed for pop-up food and drink stalls scattered throughout Lightscape in Sydney — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm during the chilly winter nights. Lightscape sits on a Vivid Sydney bill that'll also see the event host its first-ever food fest, and also feature plenty of other lit-up spaces around the Harbour City. The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is back for 2023, this time with 49-plus light installations and 3D projections along its illuminated eight-kilometre stretch; Barerarerungar from First Nations artist Maree Clarke will be projected across the Museum of Contemporary Art; and Jen Lewin's The Last Ocean will also be a highlight, hitting Sydney after premiering at Burning Man in 2022. Lightscape will light up the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Queen Elizabeth II Gates, from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Vivid Sydney website.
On- and off-screen, Bluey is inseparable from Brisbane. For its setting, the hit animated series takes inspiration from the Queensland capital. It also hails from a studio based in the River City. The Heeler home resembles Brissie's Queenslanders. And back in 2022 when a replica of the Bluey house popped up temporarily, of course it happened in Brisbane. It makes sense, then, that you can now step inside the famous Brisbane series at the new Bluey's World experience in Brissie. Announced in 2023 and open since early November 2024, the attraction will get you walking around life-sized sets that recreate the beloved family-friendly show. Yes, the Heeler house and yard are part of the setup — for real life. Yes, you can expect to hear "wackadoo!" more than once while you're there. Movie World might've badged itself as Hollywood on the Gold Coast, but it's no longer the only big tourist hotspot giving visitors to southeast Queensland — and locals as well — a chance to explore their on-screen favourites IRL. An immersive installation sprawling across 4000 square metres, Bluey's World features the Heelers' living room, playroom, kitchen, backyard (poinciana tree included) and more. Alongside bringing the global TV sensation's sets into reality, it also boasts familiar interactive games such as Keepy Uppy and Magic Xylophone, plus other activities for both kids and adults. Maybe you'll be accompanying your own little ones, or your nieces and nephews. Perhaps you know that appreciating the adorable Aussie show about a family of blue heelers isn't just for children. Either way, this new addition to Northshore Pavilion in Northshore Brisbane is big — literally thanks to its sizeable floor plan. And yes, as seen in the series, you can arrive via CityCat. Visitors should plan to spend 70 minutes bounding through the experience — and will also find an indoor playground that nods to Bluey's Brisbane neighbourhood, plus spring rolls and pizza on offer at the cafe. There's a soundscape to match, plus a gift shop. For big Bluey birthday celebrations, the site is hosting parties as well. Bluey's World is exclusive to Brisbane, making it a tourist attraction to fans not only locally and nationally but worldwide. Unsurprisingly, that's a big part of the push from both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, who are supporting the BBC Studios- and HVK Productions-produced experience.
Compared to the likes of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Central Coast may not come to mind as a specialty coffee destination. Yet, away from the city crowds, close to the water and without the urban dwellers, are a number of local cafes serving freshly roasted brews in a sustainable and ethical manner. The best Central Coast cafes have not only brought the community together through a shared interest in specialty coffee and honest food, some have even helped revitalise certain parts of the coast.
What's better than Australia being home to 11 of the 101 best steak restaurants on the planet, as proved the case in 2024? Upping that number to 17 in 2025. Last year, more than a tenth of the top spots for a steak worldwide were located Down Under according to the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants List. This year, that number gets closer to a fifth of the eateries around the globe. As in 2024, you'll find every single one of 2025's ace Aussie steak joints in Sydney and Melbourne. Most of the Australian restaurants that made the cut last year did so this year — and one, Neil Perry's Margaret, not only made the top ten for the second year running but jumped from third to second place. Yes, that means that the Double Bay venue is now the second-best steak eatery in the world. [caption id="attachment_1001992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petrina Tinslay.[/caption] "We're absolutely thrilled that Margaret has been named one of the best steak restaurants in the world. For our family-run restaurant to receive this recognition is an incredible honour. It's a testament to the passion we've poured into our meat program — from working with exceptional producers like Blackmore Wagyu and CopperTree Farms to ensuring every cut served is perfectly dry-aged and cooked," said Perry. "It's also fantastic to see 17 Australian restaurants featured on the list this year, a reflection of the outstanding quality of our beef producers." Which global restaurant took out the number-one spot, sitting above Margaret? Buenos Aires' Parrilla Don Julio seared itself into first place again, as it did in 2024 and in 2023 before that. After Australia's highest placement, Laia Erretegia in Hondarribia in Spain came in third, then I due Cippi in Saturnia in Italy in fourth and Singapore's Burnt Ends in fifth. Bodega El Capricho in Jiménez de Jamuz in Spain, last year's number two, ranked sixth, with Casa Julian in Spain's Tolosa, Lana in Madrid, AG in Stockholm and Cote in New York rounding out the top ten. Australia's next showing came at number 12 courtesy of Rockpool in Sydney — followed by four more spots in the top 20, giving the nation six of the 20 best steak joins in the world. Sydney's The International ranked 14th, then the Harbour City's Firedoor came 16th (after placing third back in 2022), followed by Victor Churchill in Melbourne at 18th and Porteño in Sydney in 20th position. From there, the remainder of Sydney's 11 places on the list arrive courtesy of The Gidley at 32, Aalia at 36, Shell House at 51, The Cut Bar & Grill at 62, 20 Chapel at 93 and Bistecca at 99. In Melbourne, Steer Dining Room ranked 37th, Gimlet at Cavendish House sits 45th, Matilda 159 is 57th, Meatmaiden came in at 91 and Grill Americano took out 92nd spot. 2025's selections where whittled down to 101 from 900 restaurants, each evaluated against 28 comprehensive criteria, such as the quality of the meat, its sourcing, ageing techniques and cooking precision, as well as service, wine expertise, ambiance and authenticity. Alongside Australia's huge showing, another good news story comes from Japan, which scored eight restaurants in the Top 101 for the first time ever. [caption id="attachment_1001993" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petrina Tinslay.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_699842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] [caption id="attachment_844448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Christopher Pearce[/caption] [caption id="attachment_956587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_675814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_860199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Earl Carter[/caption] For the full rundown of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants for 2025, head to the list's website. Top image: Petrina Tinslay.
Perched on the fifth level of the newly renovated Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is one of the most impressive additions to Sydney's rooftop bar scene in recent years — a lush terrace watering hole that looks fated to become a popular go-to for an inner-city sundowner. Designed by Fender Katsalidis, who also delivered the interiors of Wentworth Bar's sister venues Delta Rue, tilda and bar tilda, the space is sophisticated yet relaxed, combining leafy planting, natural finishes and soft lighting. Conceived to cater to punters throughout the day, there are a variety of seating options, from low-slung chairs for sun-basking, cocktail in hand, to high tables with stools for those looking to perch for a quick drink and generous seating areas intended for group gatherings. Terrazzo tables and verdant planting centred around an impressive focal point — a mature tree — transport guests far from the urban hustle just five storeys below while DJ sets keep the good times rolling. The cocktail menu amps up the fun with playful mixes that are easy to drink. A signature will be Wentworth Bar's party cocktails. Priced at $220, they come served in a showstopping glass fountain that holds 12 standard drinks. Get the party started with the Tai Chi Mumma, a refreshing mix of Ketel One vodka, rosé, and prosecco, rounded out with raspberry, lemon, and lychee or the Strawberry Yuzu Spritz - a bright blend of white wine, herbal aperitif, yuzu, and a fruity hit of mango, passionfruit, and grapefruit.
A Dowling Street stalwart, Woolloomooloo's Old Fitz has undergone many a transformation over the past decade, but it's still an old pub at heart. The one thing that remains consistent is the familiar yet elusive je ne sais quoi of any great pub: You always feel like you've made a good choice as soon as you step your feet on that carpet, perch your elbows on the bar and have a tap beer mid-pour. This beloved Sydney pub has really stepped it up when it comes to the food offerings as well. The menu at Bistro Fitz overseen by Head Chef John Hockey (under the direction of the Odd Culture Group's executive chef James MacDonald) sees classic French bistro and Old English pub influences seamlessly combine. Whether you're just after a lengthy session of beers on the sunny sidewalk or pursuing a more elevated pub dining experience, you can find it at the Old Fitz. Images: Tanya Saint James. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Sydney
Voila! The Four Horsemen are hitting Australia, in magical news if you like illusionists and the Now You See Me film franchise. Back in 2018, it was announced that the Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain)-, Woody Harrelson (Last Breath)-, Dave Franco (Together)- and Isla Fisher (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy)-starring cinema saga was making its way to the stage — and while that's proven the case elsewhere since, the IRL production is making its first trip to Australia before 2025 is out. Now You See Me Live doesn't feature the cast of the films, but gets real-life illusionists demonstrating their skills instead. Their Aussie stop: the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall across Friday, December 19, 2025–Saturday, January 3, 2026. Audiences will see Adam Trent from the US, Enzo Weyne from France, Andrew Basso from Italy and Gabriella Lester from South Africa step into the Four Horsemen's shoes. From Trent, expect plenty of sleight of hand, while Weyne specialises in large-scale magic. Basso prefers death-defying acts and Lester is a master of Houdini's upside down straight-jacket escape. The ensemble have taken to the stage for residencies on Broadway and in Las Vegas, and also in hundreds of other cities. Now, it's Australia's turn. 2025 is a big Now You See Me year: a new movie in the franchise hits cinemas, too, with Now You See Me: Now You Don't releasing in Aussie picture palaces on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Some people won't leave the house without their reusable water bottle. And that's a good thing, considering the amount of single-use plastic saved from the waterways. With Frank Green long at the forefront of fashionable drinkware, the brand has a big announcement for Sydneysiders. For the first time ever, Frank Green is bringing their rare warehouse clearance sale to town, with nothing priced at over $40. So, now is the ideal chance to score that retired colourway or a limited-edition print you've been thirsting to get your hands on. Taking over The Venue Alexandria for three days only, this special event is happening from 8am–7pm on Friday, July 18, and from 8am–5pm on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20. Got other plans? Tell them your dream water bottle is calling. As you might expect, stock is strictly limited, so once your must-have item is gone, it's gone for good. However, you might just have the chance to level up your designer bottle collection without forking out for the full price.
Balmain scores a new all-day dining bistro and live music hang-out, as Elliott's opens on an iconic corner in the heart of the buzzing neighbourhood. The venue that was once home to Casa Esquina has been entirely reimagined with a new layout and design, a reenergised team, a fresh culinary direction, and a bar reworked into a standalone destination. The vision of evolving from a regular dining space to a hybrid social and dining entertainment destination was sparked by the recently loosened live music laws. Michael Fegent, Director of Atticus Hospitality, says he has "imagined it as a space where people could enjoy a meal or just come in for drinks and let their hair down with live bands and vinyl DJS bringing a festive upbeat vibe. When council finally approved the courtyard cover this year and live music rules changed, it was the perfect moment to bring that vision to life." The menu, which leans into classic European technique, is designed to pair with great wine, good company and an energetic soundtrack. A dedicated kids' menu makes families feel at home, while generous share plates invite relaxed group dining, whether it's leisurely lunches or lively dinners elevated with Elliott's signature cocktails. Classic dishes are refreshed with thoughtful amendments, such as steak tartare served with crisp rice, garlic and chives, oysters dressed with ponzu mignonette or a cheeseburger sandwiched between a croissant bun. Elliott's live music program officially launches in September, however, surprise acts will roll out from opening day. Jordan McDonald, Director of NITE-RITE Entertainment, who heads up the music program, is thrilled that the team behind Elliott's have taken advantage of the new music reforms so quickly. "The atmosphere in this place is pretty special, it's that blend of buzzy service, high calibre food and drink and masterful performance that you don't often find hanging out under the one roof. I think the neighbourhood's gonna [sic] love this, but I'm excited to give music-fans another compelling reason to visit Balmain". Guests can expect DJs on the decks every weekend from lunch until late, with some of Australia's most celebrated funk, soul, boogie and blues personalities set to curate bespoke sets for Elliott's courtyard showcase act each Saturday. Images: Leigh Griffiths.
Two years since opening in Surry Hills, Bar Suze has announced that it will be taking part in a well-worn hospitality tradition: pivoting. The small Foveaux Street bar that's been specialising in natural wines and Swedish snacks will shift its focus and reopen as B.S. Pasta Palace on Friday, July 7. Expect the same great Bar Suze atmosphere with a no-fuss menu focusing on pasta and snacks. Thankfully, this means that Surry Hills isn't losing the bustling spot, but you do only have a couple more weeks to get your hands on the venue's toast skagen or eggplant galette. [caption id="attachment_907153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Toast skagen, Nikki To[/caption] To celebrate the site's time as Bar Suze and mark its evolution, the team is throwing a Midsommar party on Sunday, July 2 before the bar shuts down for a four-day hibernation. This walk-in-only celebration will feature plenty of natural wine, signature Bar Suze Nordic snacks and DJs setting the soundtrack. Not content with just an overhaul of their original venue, Bar Suze owners Greg Bampton and Phil Stenvall are also opening a new outpost in Potts Point. Named Caravin, this 30-ish-seat French wine bar will arrive in the former Dumpling & Beer site next to Piccolo Bar on Ward Street. [caption id="attachment_808310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Suze, Nikki To[/caption] Bampton and Stenvall will bring their learnings from Bar Suze over to this second venue, where they're aiming to really put their stamp on Sydney's wine bar scene. Expect a diverse list of vino partnered with an experimental menu of European snacks. The opening will solidify Potts Point one of the best spots in Sydney to find an understated haunt with a standout drinks menu. Caravin will join its neighbour Piccolo Bar — one of our picks for the 20 best bars in Sydney — as well as Piccolo's sibling Vermuteria, the Love Tilly Group's Dear Sainte Eloise, Bar Lucia, Chester White Cured Meats and Jangling Jacks, just to name a few, in the vibrant late-night suburb that has enjoyed a major comeback since the end of the lockout laws. [caption id="attachment_907152" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Suze, Nikki To[/caption] B.S. Pasta Palace will open at 54 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills from Friday, July 7, while Caravin will open at 9 Ward Avenue, Potts Point in spring 2023.
Having run The Newport since March 2016, Merivale decided it was about time to add something new to the sprawling northern beaches venue. And this weekend it will open Bert's, a brasserie and bar brimming with oysters and lobster. As we've come to expect from Merivale, Bert's won't be doing anything by halves. Getting its inspiration from the 1930s — when hotel dining rooms were grand destinations — the restaurant will be an extravaganza of jade green and coral pink, with an open kitchen as its centrepiece. The menu, sorted out by executive chef Jordan Toft, aims to transport you to some fancy European seaside resort. Look out for a dedicated raw bar, crowded with oysters, mud crab and brioche canapés, and a larder loaded with charcuterie and salads. Among the decadent mains are lobster (straight from the tank, mind you), a few steaks and a whole fish, baked in a charcoal oven or cooked over the grill. "We want to create that sense of relaxed indulgence you experience on a coastal European holiday — to capture the feeling when you decide to order the fresh lobster or relax into the afternoon with champagne and oysters," said Toft. Walking in, you won't be able to miss the cellar of 750 wines, put together by master sommelier Franck Moreau. Its contents include a selection of European drops, an array of rose (including Jeroboam), plenty of Aussie classics and a bunch of left-field bottles from creative labels, such as Lucy Margaux 'Wildman' and Patrick Sullivan 'Windy Cottage'. Meanwhile, Sam Egerton and his team will be hard at work in the cocktail bar, mixing new versions of old classics using seasonal produce. Egerton's favourite is a take on the Royale, with vodka, ginger cordial, Champagne and finger lime caviar. Needless to say, Bert's comes with gob-smacking views, of both The Newport's expansive outdoor area and stunning sparkling Pittwater. This isn't Merivale's only northern beaches venue, either — the group is set to open The Collaroy (which it bought in August last year) nearby very soon. Bert's opened on Sunday, January 21 at The Newport, 2 Kalinya Street, Newport. It's open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. For more information, visit merivale.com.au/thenewport. Updated: January 23, 2018
Three shows on the Australian leg of Lady Gaga's The MAYHEM Ball tour were never going to be enough. First, a second Melbourne gig was added during the presale period — and now a second Sydney concert has joined her Aussie trip as well. If you're hoping for more from there to meet demand, however, that's all there'll be. Tour organisers have advised that the latest Harbour City concert is the singer's final Australian date on this run. Little monsters, you were already excited — but now you have more chances to see Mother Monster live. On her December 2025 visit this way, Lady Gaga is playing five gigs: across Friday, December 5–Saturday, December 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, then on Tuesday, December 9 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, before finishing up over Friday, December 12–Saturday, December 13 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. When the 14-time Grammy Award-winner takes to the stage at the quintet of massive concerts, she'll not only play her first Australian shows in 11 years — she'll do her first-ever Australian stadium concerts as well. The tour kicks off in Las Vegas in July, a few months after Lady Gaga finishes her two-weekend Coachella headlining gig — the second of which can be livestreamed worldwide across Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Australian time, just as everyone did with the first. Before The MAYHEM Ball tour begins, she's also doing shows in Mexico City, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro. After her Vegas dates, everywhere from Las Vegas, New York and Toronto to London, Stockholm, Berlin and Paris will also score Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta's presence. Given that this is Gaga's first Aussie visit since 2014's ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball gigs (with the Joanne and Chromatica Ball tours bypassing this part of the world), tickets for the local leg have understandably been going fast. When she added 13 new dates to the initially announced first shows on the tour overseas, they all sold out swiftly. As the name makes plain, Germanotta is touring on the back of MAYHEM, her latest album — and seventh in a row to go to number one on the Billboard 200. It also debuted in the top spot on Australia's charts, and gave Gaga her biggest streaming week ever by notching up 240-million streams on its first week alone. In addition to MAYHEM tracks such as 'Disease', 'Abracadabra' and 'Die with a Smile', fans can likely look forward to hits from across the artist's career, such as 'Poker Face', 'Bad Romance', 'Paparazzi', 'Born This Way' and 'Rain on Me' — plus, of course, seeing Gaga live onstage, rather than getting your fix via her film work in recent years in A Star Is Born, House of Gucci and Joker: Folie à Deux. Lady Gaga's The Mayhem Tour Australia 2025 Dates Friday, December 5–Saturday, December 6 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, December 9 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Friday, December 12–Saturday, December 13 — Accor Stadium, Sydney [caption id="attachment_998819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frank Lebon[/caption] Lady Gaga is touring Australia in December 2025. General sales kicked off at 12pm on Thursday, April 17 for more shows, with times varying per city. For the second Sydney date, presales will start at 12pm on Tuesday, April 22, then general sales from 1pm on Thursday, April 24. Head to the tour website for more details. Live images: Raph PH via Flickr.
When the National Gallery of Victoria dedicates its blockbuster summer or winter exhibitions to big fashion names, one word usually applies no matter which designer is in the spotlight: stunning. It was true back in 2022 when the Melbourne venue turned its focus to Alexander McQueen, for instance, and also in 2021 when it did the same with Gabrielle Chanel. Expect the same across the summer of 2025–26 — it's Vivienne Westwood's time to shine, plus Rei Kawakubo from Comme des Garçons' moment as well. Displaying at NGV International across Sunday, December 7, 2025–Sunday, April 19, 2026, Westwood | Kawakubo is both an Australian and a world first, pairing pieces by both the British talent and the Japanese designer in one massive showcase. No matter which of the duo's works you're looking at, you'll be revelling in rule-breaking, status quo-subverting threads. Some helped define the fashion of the punk movement in the 70s. Others have earned the world's attention at the Met Gala. In-between, items donned by supermodels, seen in films and from collections worn by plenty of well-known names feature. [caption id="attachment_1011671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rhianna wearing Comme des Garçons, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei Kawakubo (designer) at The Met Gala, 2017. Photo © Francois Durand via Getty Images.[/caption] In total, more than 140 designs are gracing the NGV. To assemble such a wide range, the gallery has sourced pieces from New York's Metropolitan Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Palais Galliera and the Vivienne Westwood archive, plus its own collection. Over 40 works are new gifts to the gallery from Comme des Garçons especially for Westwood | Kawakubo, as chosen by Kawakubo. Among the full lineup of items: punk ensembles made famous by The Sex Pistols and Siousie Sioux, the wedding gown that Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) wore in Sex and the City: The Movie and the tartan dress that Kate Moss stepped into in Westwood's Anglomania collection in the mid 90s — and also a version of Rihanna's petal-heavy 2017 Met Gala outfit, plus pieces from collections that Lady Gaga and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black Mirror) have sported. Westwood | Kawakubo spans from taffeta to tweed, vinyl and leather to silk, and corsetry to ruffles and knitwear, then — and much beyond. The exhibition is designed to step through Westwood and Kawakubo's careers across five thematic strands, including the former's punk-era work and the influence of the movement on the latter, their shared needs to rebel against the norm, how the two women have looked either forward or back in their pieces, eschewing objectification and using fashion to make a statement. [caption id="attachment_1011673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer) Look 49, from the Anglomania collection, autumn–winter 1993–94. Le Cercle Républicain, Paris, March 1993. Photo © firstVIEW. Model: Kate Moss.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Vivienne Westwood, London (fashion house), Vivienne Westwood (designer) Look 49, from the Anglomania collection, autumn–winter 1993–94. Le Cercle Républicain, Paris, March 1993. Photo © firstVIEW. Model: Kate Moss.
What do the Australian comedy scene, YouTube, international festivals, Netflix, wine and picture books all have in common? Aunty Donna have conquered them all. Here's another thing to add to that list: Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. The Chris Pine (Don't Worry Darling)-, Regé-Jean Page (The Gray Man)-, Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious 9) -and Hugh Grant (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre)-starring film doesn't just bring of Stranger Things' favourite role-playing game back to cinemas — it does so in Australia with Aunty Donna among the cast. Since forming over a decade ago, the Aussie comedy troupe led by Zachary Ruane, Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno hasn't stopped making audiences laugh — in-person in Australia, online and around the world; while watching the side-splitting Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun; over a $30 bottle of wine literally called '$30 Bottle of Wine' and while flicking through Always Room for Christmas Pud. Later this year, they'll get folks giggling over their upcoming ABC sitcom Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe, too. But for now, playing corpses revived by Pine, awakening from their eternal slumbers to talk about century-old battles and cats, does the trick first. Aunty Donna are no strangers to Dungeons & Dragons. Back in 2017, on YouTube Channel Insert Coin, they gave D&D an Aunty Donna twist in a now-classic sketch — one that did for owlbears what 'Morning Brown' has for calling your wake-up cup of caffeine "morning brown". And, a couple of years back, they also endeavoured to create their own D&D monsters. How did those comic ties to Dungeons & Dragons lead to Aunty Donna playing undead in Hollywood's latest D&D flick, and the latest movie based on Hasbro's toys and games after the Transformers series, the GI Joe films, Battleship, Power Rangers and more? We chatted to Ruane, Kelly and Bonanno about their new on-screen stint, comedy goals, D&D podcasts, missing out on the first Fast and the Furious movie, visiting cemeteries, flatlining and getting buried alive. So, just a normal Aunty Donna chat, then. ON LIVING THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DREAM Zachary Ruane: "We'd talked about it at length. So, when we first got together as a comedy group, we made a list of goals. This was at a Starbucks in…" Broden Kelly: "Melbourne." Mark Samual Bonanno: "Southern Cross Station." Zachary: "We sat down and we had a list of goals. One of them was a comedy festival show. And on that list was 'if Hollywood ever moves towards a more IP-dependent business structure and Paramount teams up with Hasbro to reboot the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, we' — and this is on the list — 'we would like to do voice work for the Australian release of that film'. We didn't think it was going to happen. I'd pretty much given up on that dream. And then, when we got the call from Paramount, I wept." Mark: "You wept for days." Zachary: "I wept for days." Mark: "It was too much." Zachary: "It was a very emotional experience for me, because that was the final thing to cross off the list, you know — so a really big moment for me and for all of us in our careers." ON COMEDY'S FONDNESS FOR DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Broden: "When I started, I'd never played Dungeons & Dragons before. I only knew it as a board game from the 80s. But being in comedy, Dungeons & Dragons is constantly just adjacent to it. There's so many funny people doing podcasts about it. So if you're in the comedy world — I'd never played it but I've been on every podcast about Dungeons & Dragons. And what it is, it seems to be just a community of people who are very warm and welcoming, and it's a world where you can do everything and nothing's wrong, which is just really fun and cool. It nurtures creativity. It nurtures imagination. Even just from doing this, we've seen how warm that community is." Zachary: "I should say, the film isn't just for those fans. It's really for everyone. It's a romp, it's an adventure." Mark: "Well, it's not about people playing D&D, is it? It's a fun…" Zachary: "It's a romp." Mark: "It's a fun romp set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Owlbears..." Broden: "I didn't know an owlbear until I did that sketch, and now I feel ashamed that I didn't know an owlbear before." Mark: "Don't be ashamed!" Zachary: "We watched the film with a big Dungeons & Dragons fan, and she was telling us all the little references. She was saying 'oh, they got perfect and that right'. And then I was like 'that's so crazy' because that was her experience, but then for me who hasn't played it that much, I just had a great time. It's really funny and fun." ON HOW AUNTY DONNA CAME TO BE IN A DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MOVIE Broden: "Well." Zachary: "Well." Mark: "Well, they just kept knocking at our door until we said yes. [To Zachary and Broden] How many times did we turn them down?" Zachary: "We were initially offered the part of — Broden was offered the part that Chris Pine plays in the film, I was offered the Michelle Rodriguez part. Which is funny because I was also offered that part in the first Fast and the Furious film, and I turned it down. And if I had known what franchise would become — oh my goodness!" Mark: "Sometimes you just miss your shot with those kinds of things." Zachary: "Yeah, absolutely. [To Mark] And then you were up for which part?" Mark: "For every other part in the film." Zachary: "So it was going to be a three-hander." Mark: "Originally it was going to be a vehicle for Aunty Donna to promote our YouTube channel — and we were just like, 'we're so busy'. We were so busy. [To Zachary and Broden] What did we have on?" Broden: "A birthday party or something." Mark: "Yeah, we had a party, and we were going to do half a run at Edinburgh Fringe. A two-week run at Edinburgh Fringe." Zachary: "And then when they folded in the Dungeons & Dragons layer to it, because originally it was just a sketch series of ours, it just became a little too big for us. And we said 'you know what, I'm going to handball this to the real professionals over at Hollywood'. And you'll see the film, you'll see — you're going to have a great time." ON PREPARING TO PLAY CORPSES REVIVED BY CHRIS PINE Broden: "I went to a lot of cemeteries, and it didn't do the trick. So I went back with a shovel, and someone stopped me — but I was going to get in there and really…" Mark: "That was me. I was like 'Broden, if you start digging up corpses to play this role, for this role, even though I know that's under false pretences...'. [To Broden] Because you love robbing graves, don't you?" Broden: "Yeah. Yeah. You can't go back from that." Zachary: "We call him da Vinci. He loves robbing graves and drawing really intricate drawings of the bodies." Mark: "Oh and of flight machines." Zachary: "Like Leonardo da Vinci. Me, I flatlined. I did some flatlining, like the movie Flatliners starring Kiefer Sutherland. So I stopped my heart until I was through the tunnel, and then I was reanimated. So I was able to experience death and coming out of it. And I think you'll see that with the corpse when I go [groans and gasps loudly]. That's from a real place." Mark: "Perfectly recreated." Zachary: "Yeah." Mark: "Broden and I ended up — I just buried myself in my backyard, Broden came and dug me up. It was kind of like a role play." Zachary: "How apropos." Mark: "How apropos! [To Broden] And then did you get enough out of that Broden, that experience?" Broden: "Yeah, so we do that every Saturday morning now, where we…" Mark: "Chuck on Cheez TV." Broden: "Yeah, I'll bury Mark in a garden with a little straw out for air." Mark: "Yeah." Broden: "And then I'll dig him up." Mark: "It's just for lunch." Broden: "And then we'll go have lunch at a cafe, or…" Mark: "That's what Hollywood is so great for: bringing friends closer together." Zachary: "I don't flatline anymore. I discovered that there's a darkness in the other realm and I realised that I had to stop." Sarah Ward: "Just like the movie." Aunty Donna [in unison]: "Just like the movie." Check out the new Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves trailer below: Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves opens in cinemas Down Under on March 30.
Now, before you get us all wrong, this is a guide to hotels where you can swing back and forth on actual swings and hammocks. It's not for the other kind of swingers. These hotels have swings on the beach, by the pool, at the bar and in the rooms — on which you can gleefully rock back and forth and take in spectacular views in total comfort. Read on to find our favouriting swinging spots. Recommended reads: The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Hotels in Melbourne The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Australia SHINTA MANI, CAMBODIA You'll rethink your kitchen chairs after a stay at Shinta Mani, where the streetside Kroya restaurant boasts dreamy swings on a breezy terrace. The idea of swings and food might sound messy, but you'll soon get the hang of things in no time. Plus, these swings are huge — you really shouldn't be falling off them. The excellent Cambodian dining options available will also make practice a pleasure rather than a chore (perhaps only the steady-handed should order crab bouillabaisse). American architect and interiors whizz Bill Bensley styled the hotel and added in all the swinging details. NALADHU PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT, MALDIVES Why doesn't every hotel have beach hammocks and in-room swing chairs? Naladhu Private Island Resort, set between a lagoon and the sea, boasts both. That's not all it has, either: each of the 19 intimate beach houses comes with its own private pool and romantic semi-outdoor glass-sided bath and shower. With all this in your villa, don't be surprised if you never reach the main pool, flanked by inviting sun loungers and overlooking the lagoon. When you want to have both feet planted firmly on the ground, head to the Living Room, a thatched-roof restaurant with an openair hardwood deck, to feast on local seafood as the sun sets over the water. COQUI COQUI COBA, MEXICO This luxury Mexican resort is a swinger's paradise. Within the Coqui Coqui Coba suites and villas, you'll find hammocks hanging in the centre of rooms, wooden swings in the bathrooms and hammocks simply used as decorations on the walls. You can even head down to the pool located by the lagoon and surrounded by Mayan-inspired towers to swing about on one of the outdoor hammocks all day long. Order some food and cocktails from its restaurant and swing here while watching the sun set over the mountains. THE GRAY, ITALY The swinging scene at Milan's The Gray revolves around the lobby, where a giant fuchsia-upholstered swing with lipstick-red cords drops from the ceiling: a memorable first impression, regardless of whether you're bold enough to go and sit on it. If you take the swing as a promise of the unexpected, you won't be let down. The rooms have ivory-silk curtains that whoosh open at the touch of a button; there are Jacuzzis in bathrooms; the restaurant has black-velvet chairs, grass-topped tables and spoons and forks suspended from light fittings. It's all over the top and we love it. SAL SALIS, AUSTRALIA A little closer to home, this swingers accommodation is set right on the Ningaloo Reef, where the desert meets the sea — an extraordinary and unique part of Australia that should be on all travel bucket lists. The 16 off-grid wilderness tents are located right on the beach, surrounded by little else but untamed nature. Swing in your hammock all day long, gazing into your stupid-beautiful views with an ice-cold beer at hand, or get out on a sea kayak to explore the nearby reefs full of colourful sea life. Not only is this one of the best accommodations for swingers, it's also one of the best glamping spots in Australia. COMO COCOA ISLAND, MALDIVES COMO Cocoa Island is your quintessential luxury Maldives resort that's home to villas hovering on stilts above clear blue waters. It's the kind of place you see in honeymoon brochures and would expect to be the next location of The White Lotus. It is pure luxury. It's also where swingers can hop from beachside hammock to beachside hammock throughout a long sunny day. When you grow tired of your own private pool and the waters full of turtles and dolphins, you can hit up some of the swings dotted about the island. Bring a good book and a few beers with you and spend your holiday swinging by the sea. RUSCHMEYER'S, UNITED STATES This grown-up, summer camp-style boutique hotel in the Hamptons is home to 19 detached rooms surrounding a large swath of grass that provides a back-to-basics luxury — with swings, a tepee and lawn chairs aplenty. Swingers will even find hammocks in some of the Ruchmeyer's bedrooms. And come night-time, the lawns host summer parties and outdoor cinemas. This means you can swing here all day and all night long. GAYANA MARINE RESORT, MALAYSIA At Gayana Eco Resort, you can take swinging to whole new heights: this eco-luxe hideaway has jungle paths with a canopy walk and zip line, so you can whoosh through the trees like an over-caffeinated monkey. For calmer moments, there's also an excellent spa with horizon-view rooms and a selection of massages, scrubs, facials and beauty treatments. There's even an on-site marine research centre: a hub devoted to giant-clam breeding and coral restoration programmes, where guests can feed man-sized groupers in floating pens, plant coral, or scoop up starfish and squishy sea cucumbers in the touch tanks. WALDORF ASTORIA LOS CABOS This Los Cabos resort is huge and opulent. The 115 individually decorated guestrooms feature fireplaces, private plunge pools and balconies overlooking the private beach. Swingers won't find any swings in their rooms, but there are plenty dotted about the resort. On the beach, stacks of hammocks line the shores, while the beach bar has swapped out the stools, preferring guess to sip cocktails while sitting on wooden swings. These may get a little dangerous once you've had a few bevs, so you best head to the beachside hammocks or one of the four Waldorf Astoria restaurants soon after. THE KOROWAI, INDONESIA Each of Korowai's wood-framed rooms are carved into the limestone cliff overlooking Bali's famous Impossible Beach (known for surfing, not partying). Marvel at the ridiculous uninterrupted 180-degree views across the ocean from the privacy of your own little balcony adorned with traditional Balinese décor — including many hammocks and crochet nets. It's one of the most romantic places to stay in Bali. The glitz and glam of other Uluwatu resorts doesn't exist here. Instead, you and your partner will feel as if you've found your own hidden oasis. But, when or if you do want to get into town, the hospitable resort staff will rent you a scooter or organise a taxi ride. Plus, there are a few walkable restaurants nearby if you somehow get tired of dining at their restaurant overlooking the beach. Top images: Naladhu Private Island Resort Feeling inspired to book a swinging getaway? Book your next dream holiday with Concrete Playground Trips — with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations around the world.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Chatswood's main shopping strip, this little tea nirvana is trying to teach people about the lost art of relaxation. The owners source all their Chinese herbal teas from two family-owned plantations in China, and offer tea appreciation classes on Wednesday evenings. Stop by for a cuppa in-store and staff will try to match you to a blend that not only tastes good, but has medicinal benefits matched to your needs. Still not enough? Try one of the tea-scented snacks on offer — the rose and black tea chiffon cake is incredible.
If you didn't see The Fall Guy, Twisters, Deadpool & Wolverine, Challengers, Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot, The Substance, Kneecap, It Ends with Us or Despicable Me 4 on the big screen already in 2024, here's the perfect way to catch up with them: under the stars, while sprawled out on a picnic blanket or sat on a bean bed, at the latest season of Moonlight Cinema. And if watching Christmas films is one of your festive traditions, here's a scenic way to do that, too, with this annual opportunity to enjoy a movie outside packing its just-dropped first lineup for this year with seasonal flicks. As it does every summer, Moonlight Cinema is returning for another run of films in the open air, locking in its dates, venues and first program details for its 2024–25 stints in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. While the outdoor picture palace is synonymous with the warmest season of the year, it kicks off at the end of spring in most cities, and runs through to the end of the first month of autumn in some as well. The projector will start rolling in Brisbane first, with the River City's season taking place across Thursday, November 21–Sunday, February 16 in Roma Street Parklands. Next up is Sydney, in Centennial Parklands from Friday, November 22–Sunday, March 30. Then comes Adelaide and Melbourne a week later, the former from Thursday, November 28–Sunday, February 16, 2024 in Botanic Park and the latter across Friday, November 29–Sunday, March 30 in Royal Botanic Gardens. Perth movie lovers can get their fix in Kings Park and Botanic Garden from Thursday, December 5–Sunday, March 30. Lineup specifics always vary per location, so not all of the aforementioned titles — or the ones below — show in every city. But the program still gives patrons a mix of recent, new and classic fare wherever they're sitting on the grass while soaking in the evening, the fresh air and a movie. Among the brand-new titles, Gladiator II and Wicked are also on the bill, as are advanced screenings of the Hugh Grant (Unfrosted)-starring horror film Heretic and Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. When Paddington in Peru gets the same treatment, you'll want marmalade sandwiches in your picnic basket. The OG version of Mean Girls will grace Moonlight Cinema's screens, too, as will 2023's smash-hit Barbie. And for a merry time at the movies — a jolly one as well — the roster of Christmas fare spans the new Red One, as well as classics Elf, Love Actually, The Holiday, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. If you're wondering what else Moonlight will show across its full season, it now drops its program month by month, so watch this space for more announcements. As always, the films and the setting are just two parts of the cinema's experience. Also on offer: the returning Aperol spritz bar. Nosh-wise, the event will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds. There'll also be two VIP sections for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, a platinum package with waiter service in Sydney and Melbourne only, and a beauty cart handing out samples. Plus, dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — there's even special doggo bean beds. Moonlight Cinema 2024–25 Dates Brisbane: Thursday, November 21, 2024–Sunday, February 16, 2025 in Roma Street Parklands Sydney: Friday, November 22, 2024–Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Centennial Parklands Adelaide: Thursday, November 28, 2024–Sunday, February 16, 2025, 2024 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Friday, November 29, 2024–Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Royal Botanic Gardens Perth: Thursday, December 5, 2024–Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2024, running through until March 2025. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
If Swillhouse can nail anything, it's a city-best moody underground venue — and the hospo crew's impressive CBD bar The Caterpillar Club is just that. From the team behind beloved subterranean standouts Frankie's (RIP), Restaurant Hubert and Shady Pines (plus Le Foote and Alberto's Lounge) the inner-city haunt is serving up sultry tunes, exceptional service and incredible cocktails right by Martin Place. Discover the venue's hidden entryway tucked away among office buildings and convenience stores on Pitt Street, then descend down the stairwell to find the expansive new walk-in-only record bar in all of its glory. On arrival you'll find an ultra-long bar backed by shelves filled with more than 10,00 records — one of the biggest private collections in the country. At the end of the bar, there's a DJ spinning selections from the collection, before the space opens up into a lounge area with larger tables, romantic red booths and a stage for live bands. Every time you head in, you can expect either one of the city's top tastemakers on the decks or a tight-knit band jamming out. A genre-less list of performers is known to pop up with an emphasis on jazzier sounds. Leading the kitchen is culinary superstar Isobel Little (ex-LP's Quality Meats), who's crafted a casual but sophisticated selection. The cheeseburger is one of Sydney's best, standing tall while remaining perfectly soft and juicy. There's also a tuna melt perfect for a late-night feed and bite-sized lettuce leaves topped with crab and avocado. The bartenders here are happy to whip up your favourite standard, but there are a few delightful Caterpillar Club creations to dive into. The cherry Manhattan is a particular highlight — so good you'll struggle to savour it for longer than a few sips. The final element of The Caterpillar Club is the hidden speakeasy. Found through a discrete door out the back, The Bamboo Room serves as a secret cocktail den for those in the know, reviving memories of Frankie's famous Fun Room. And, in Frankie's and Shady Pines style, the specialty here is freshly squeezed grapefruit juice paired with vodka or gin and a salt rim. The venue not only serves as another exciting place to get a drink and listen to good music in Sydney, but also adds to the growing number of venues reviving the city's status as a late-night destination. Licensed until 5am, The Caterpillar Club keeps the martinis flowing, vinyl spinning and kitchen open all the way until 3am Sunday–Thursday, and 4am Friday–Saturday. Images: Andrea Veltom
Melbourne institution Padre Coffee's first inter-state outpost has landed in Paddington, complete with a storefront where you can peruse the brand's beans alongside all of the equipment you could ever want for home brewing. And, if you're looking to take your coffee knowledge to the next level, the charming no-frills cafe also boasts a dedicated education and training space. Following its massive success at its flagship stores across Melbourne and Noosa, as well as online, the brand decided it was finally time to branch out into new territories — and venturing into the ever-growing Sydney caffeine market was up next. Setting up shop at Paddington's Five Ways, Padre Coffee has brought its beloved blends to Glenmore Road. For less adventurous coffee drinkers, opt for the brand's staples like the Seasonal Blend and the Golden Rule — a sweet, fruity blend featuring notes of plum, peach and apricot. If you want to expand your pallet, try the Wild Child and its flavour profile of dried fruit, honey and dark chocolate. Although they specialise in organic beans and brews, the brand is not limited to coffee — you'll also find a range of exciting teas, chocolate and sugar for sale at the Sydney outpost as well. Feeling snacky? You can also nab a sweet treat from local vendors to pair with your freshly made cup of joe. Expect pastries and bread from Staple Bread & Necessities, cookies from Cut Lunch Deli or famed Portuguese tarts from Clovelly's Tuga Pastries.
Situated in Haberfield, a suburb of Sydney's inner west that locals like to call their own 'Little Italy', sits an IGA that is not your average supermarket. The air smells of prosciutto and gorgonzola and more often than not, you'll hear Italian being spoken rather than English when eavesdropping on customers ordering with the deli staff. Some of the tastiest mortadella and some of the largest jars of grilled eggplant call Lamonica IGA home, along with aisles of authentic Italian sauces, pastas and other authentic antipasto goods. The line of people clutching ticket stubs at the deli's glass cabinets is also a testament to how right Lamonica IGA gets it. Its expansive cheese selection is matched by an expansive cured meats selection and an expansive antipasti selection. It also won't cost you a pretty penny, Lamonica IGA is cheap as chips compared to other cheese shops and delicatessens, so you can really go ham on your charcuterie board when shopping here. Images: Top image by Federico Arnaboldi, body image by Arthouse Studio
Bringing a hearty serve of la dolce vita to Barangaroo, Gina is a breezy, sun-washed diner inspired by the classic coastal trattorias of the Amalfi Coast. Brought to life by Wondrous Entertainment (Izgara, Malika Bakehouse), the 170-seat venue brings an approachable produce-led menu, aperitivo hours and handmade pasta to a prime harbourfront location. Interiors by Tom Mark Henry strike a balance between laidback Mediterranean charm and contemporary polish — think rattan pendants, golden terrazzo, walnut timber, glossy amber tiles and plenty of natural light. The venue features a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, including a semi-private space inside for intimate get-togethers and one of Barangaroo's largest terraces, complete with heating and cover for year-round al fresco dining. In the kitchen, Group Executive Chef Michael Chang (ex-Maydanoz) and Sicilian native Giuseppe Pappalardo (ex-Molto Italian, Canberra) are plating up refined takes on classic Italian fare. It's a crowd-pleasing selection that's just as suited to a lingering, grazing sundowner as it is to a hearty lunch or dinner. Start with a spread of creative antipasti like a punchy crostini topped with tonnato, cherry tomato and fresh tuna; golden, generously sized arancini with a gentle gorgonzola and pea mix; and an umami-laden calamari lifted with soppressata and XO, before moving to a daily-rotating selection of five house-made pastas — highlights might include hand-rolled leek and ricotta-filled caramelle in brown butter, Moreton Bay Bug pappardelle with chilli oil and cherry tomato and a grass-fed lamb ragu, rosemary and parmesan casarecce. There's also a curated edit of cold cuts sliced to order, as well as a grill section that includes a trio of steaks served with house-made mustard, with prices starting at $35. Cocktails also lean into the coastal vibe. Veteran bartender Grant Collins (Gin Lane, Zephyr) oversees a tight menu that riffs off the Italian canon — the sgroppino is backed by house-made lemon sorbet, the house negroni is given extra depth with a pink peppercorn and dill-infused gin and the Sole Spritz is a summer-ready combo of Aperol, coconut, passionfruit, lime, lemon prosecco and mint. Meanwhile, a 200-strong wine list features top Australian producers and an international selection of old- and new-world picks, spanning everything from easygoing whites to full-bodied reds and rare cellar finds. Images: Steven Woodburn.
In the age of streaming, DVD commentary tracks are no longer as much a part of the home-viewing process. If you're keen to hear insider details about the making of Sydney-shot 1999 sci-fi great The Matrix and 2025's Melbourne-made horror hit Together, however, SXSW Sydney has you covered. 2025's event has unveiled more details of its Screen Festival program for this year, with the return of its Screen Commentary sessions among the highlights. Costume designer Kym Barrett, who has also worked on everything from Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, The Nice Guys, The Shallows, Aquaman and Us to Charlie's Angels, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Three Thousand Years of Longing — and on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, plus the Wachowskis' Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending — will talk through her efforts on The Matrix as the film plays. For Together, writer/director Michael Shanks will dig into his debut feature, which also opened 2025's Sydney Film Festival. SXSW Sydney has also announced Screen conference sessions as part of its roster of seminars, workshops and more, with Whitney Fuller, the Development Executive of Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, one of the big names. Fittingly, Fuller will be part of the festival's Women in Genre panel. Also, producer Liz Watts (The Royal Hotel) and filmmaker Tony Ayres (The Survivors) are teaming up for the What Is an Australian Story? session, while Fantastic Festival Director Lisa Dreyer, Rachel Watt from Watt Social, Yellow Veil Pictures' Joe Yanick and Oscilloscope's Alexandra Fredericks are set to get chatting as well. The panel lineup also spans Jill Kingston from Pacific Shadow Pictures, Enzo Tedeschi and Helen Tuck from Deadhouse Films, and Lake Martin Films' Kate Separovich unpacking all things indie horror from a filmmaking perspective, as well as Invention Studios' Carmen Knox and actor Remy Hii (Arcane) on deciding whether to make the leap to LA. SXSW Sydney's latest screen-centric additions join Paul Feig (Another Simple Favour) hitting the Harbour City as the Screen Festival keynote speaker and its first recipient of the new SXSW Sydney Screen Pioneer Award — and also a 14-hour Freaks and Geeks marathon, plus sessions of Bridesmaids and The Heat, to go along with his time at the fest. There's more to come; however, as similarly announced earlier, viewers will also be able to catch By Design, $POSITIONS, Dead Lover, Zodiac Killer Project, The Last Sacrifice and Bokshi. Among that group, body-swap effort By Design features Juliette Lewis (The Thicket), Mamoudou Athie (Kinds of Kindness) and Robin Tunney (Dear Edward); horror-comedy Dead Lover is a SXSW Austin award-winner; Charlie Shackleton (The Afterlight) digs into a famed serial killer; and everything from comedy to folk horror features. [caption id="attachment_967878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2025, including the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, runs from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details and tickets. The Matrix image: Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images. Together image: Ben King, Neon.
