The North Face, who makes your favourite, cosiest down jackets and adventure gear, is celebrating 50 years of exploration and hosting a three-day exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery. From November 22 to 24 an immersive gallery will pop up — featuring adventure film screenings, guest speakers and live music. On the Tuesday night guest speaker Cas and Jonesy (explorers on The North Face athlete team) will take the stage, followed by a film screening of Antarctica documentary Crossing the Ice. On Wednesday you'll have the chance to meet and greet The North Face Australia and New Zealand athlete team and catch a screening of adventure film Meru. On the last night, Yosemite National Park-based film Valley Uprising will screen followed by live music from Winterbourne. The North Face opened its first store in 1966 alongside a concert from the Grateful Dead, so as a throwback, Winterbourne will open their set by covering the classic band. We've got two tickets for each night of the exhibition to give away — they include food, drinks, a movie screening and you'll get a sweet gift pack. Enter your details below to win. [competition]599076[/competition]
Dance classes, laidback pub parties, late night house sessions — this is going to be one energetic weekend. Celebrating its very first year in this beats-happy city of ours, MoVement Sydney is a brand new, four-day citywide festival celebrating some of Sydney's best and favourite dance party crews and artists. Running October 22 to 25, MoVement Sydney will see live shows, parties, workshops and more popping up across the city, from the likes of FBi Radio, Motorik, Heavenly, House of Mince, Champain Lyf and plenty more where that came from. Putting a big spotlight on the best party collectives, DJs and producers, and general beats lovers of Sydney, this is one of the most comprehensive marathons of dance, techno, house and everything in between Sydney's seen in an age. Stock up on Berocca. TAKE A DANCE CLASS AT FBi RADIO Sydney’s beloved community radio station and general bunch of legends FBi Radio have had enough of the lad-heavy dance industry and have teamed up with V Energy MoVement to launch to launch a brand new initiative called Dance Class, a means to get more female talent behind the decks. Of course, this needs a big ol' launch party. Kicking off the party and simultaneous live broadcast at 6pm on Thursday, October 22, FBi will see Perth producer Catlips perform, FBi DJs play tunes, and then (of course) there'll be an actual dance class from choreographer Amrita of Hollaback. It’s free and all ages, you'll need to RSVP to get a spot. Thursday, October 22 from 6pm, FBi Radio, 44-54 Botany Road, Alexandria, free with RSVP. GO CRATE DIGGING IN THE ROLLING RECORDS TRUCK This is music you'll have to chase around Sydney, but super worth it. Driving around the city for MoVement Sydney, Rolling Records is a mobile record store, all decked out with wood panelling, selling second-hand vinyl. But it's not just any pop-up shop set-up; there's a DJ booth, listening station and a big ol' sound system. Created by top notch Katoomba resident George Pizer, Rolling Records has been up and running since January this year, popping up all over the joint. Head to the MoVement Sydney website to find out where the truck and George will be parked over the four days of the citywide event. Thursday to Sunday, October 22-25, various Sydney locations PARTY IN THE SUPER OPENAIR WITH THE HOUSE OF MINCE If you're looking for some seriously top shelf and earthworm-level underground house and techno, this is your party. Super OpenAir, one of Sydney’s best outdoor beats parties, is heading back to the Factory for MoVement Sydney, presented by local party crew House of Mince. Music-wise, NYC club queen and genre-spanner Miss Honey Dijon will be bringing her brazen style to the Factory, alongside local legends Simon Caldwell, Ben Drayton, Phil Smart, Matt Vaughan and DREEMS, with Gang of She is hosting the whole thing. Sunday, October 25, The Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Tickets $12-16 +BF. DIVE INTO THE BAD DEEP AQUATIC Enmore's regular late night dance party crew, Bad Deep, is putting on the works for MoVement Sydney. They'll be rolling out their tried and true formula: take some of Sydney's best DJs, pick a crazy theme and bring it all together with some mad sick production design to create one heck of an immersive party. For MoVement Sydney, they'll be diving into an aquatic theme at the Sly Fox for a party tipped to go until 6am. According to the crew, "you might find some pretty weird creatures moving about, some who use bioluminescence to intrigue and entice." You'll also find triple j's Linda Marigliano, Simon Caldwell, The Completely Boys, Human Movement (DJ set) and Bad Deep DJs. Friday, October 23, Sly Fox, Enmore, 9pm - 6am, $10. FIND MOTORIK AND BOYS NOIZE SHOWCASING IN JAM GALLERY Sydney's long lauded rave generators and record label Motorik are teaming up with Alexander Ridha's German label Boysnoize (yep, the same Boys Noize), who have whittled their way into the Australian dance scene. Teaming up for one heck of a techno showcase for MoVement Sydney, the pair will take over Bondi Junction's Jam Gallery with Spank Rock, Jensen Interceptor, Stephane 1993, Made in Paris, Vivi and Motorik Vibe Council to throw everything in their god damn power down. Saturday, October 24 from 9pm to 3am, Jam Gallery, Bondi Junction, $20 first release or $30 on the door. KICK BACK AT A HEAVENLY PUB PARTY If you're looking for a truly local slice of Sydney beats, follow Heavenly to the Chippendale Hotel. Hot damn, local lads Ben Fester, T Mingus and Adrian E sure know their stuff, and they've invited quite the crew for a laidback but inevitably epic pub party. This isn't your regular collection of beatsmiths: Sleep D, Ben Fester back to back with Preacha, Luis CL, Alba, Hannah Lockwood, Cop Envy, Noise in My Head, Subaske, Lady Shave and Aidan Gavin. If you're looking for a different dance vibe, this is your party. Saturday, October 24 from 2pm - midnight, The Chippendale Hotel, Chippendale, $10-25 +BF. TAKE A UK GARAGE ODYSSEY If you've found yourself at Goodgod Small Club surrounded by garridge, chances are you've enjoyed the delights of Champain Lyf. Sydney's UK garage-loving collective have been putting on beats-heavy nights in the CBD basement for some time now, but now they're inviting Sydneysiders to board the H.M.A.S. Lyf and embark upon a UK garage odyssey, somewhere in Sydney. Expect two levels of UKG, NY Garage, 2 step and a whole bunch of Craig David from an Aussie-centric lineup: B_A (Just: Wax), Ritual (The Record Store), 'fm' (Dysney), T-Syd, Adrian E, LUPR, Jon Watts and Danny Banger. Saturday, October 24 from 6-11pm, H.M.A.S. Lyf, $15-25 +BF. ENJOY A FEW SUNDAY SUNDOWNERS AT DANIEL SAN It's not all late-night journeys and early morning kick-ons for MoVement Sydney, there's some daytime action as well. Daniel San's regular weekend session Sunday Sundowners has become a bit of a go-to in Manly, bringing all the deep tropical house to the beachfront. Manly's only Japanese fusion rock and roll bar, Daniel San is keeping punters on their toes as usual, teeing up six house DJ battles for a MoVement Sydney afternoon party, with Robbie Lowe, Tyson Bruun, Garth Linton, Pip Dalton, Tech No More, Persian Rug, Sam Roberts, Jimmi Walker, Kaiser Waldon and Tristan Case playing back to back. Spin the sushi roulette and let some solid Sydney tropical house soothe your wasabi rush. Sunday, October 25 from 3pm, Daniel San, Manly, free. There's plenty more where these came from, including a huge party at Chinese Laundry with Seekae and Ghastly, a huge S.A.S.H. day party at the Greenwood, Picnic Social at Harpoon Harry, vinyl DJ lessons at The Record Store, a UV party at Northies and more. MoVement Sydney runs October 22-25 across Sydney. Check the website for the full program and tickets. Images: MoVement Sydney, Rolling Records, Super OpenAir, Dollar Photo Club, Motorik, Heavenly, Champain Lyf.
A supermarket in Germany is cutting through the supply chain and giving a whole new meaning to the concept of farm-to-table. Located in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, a store in the METRO Cash & Carry chain is now home to the first in-store farm in Europe. The Kräuter Garten (herb garden) is a walk-in vertical farm built by Berlin-based startup INFARM. Resembling a small greenhouse, it utilises hydroponic technology to grow herbs and vegetables in a compact space. Shoppers are then able to pick the best looking greens straight from the growing plants. Good luck finding produce fresher than that. "This type of cultivation, which is termed hydroponics, enables customers to receive the freshest possible goods without any use of pesticides. In addition, METRO's carbon footprint benefits because of the absence of a transportation route," reads a statement on the METRO website. "The vertical cultivation saves space in terms of floor area. In METRO's Berlin-Friedrichshain store, various types of herbs and vegetables thrive on around five square metres of space. The high-tech facility supplies each individual plant with the optimum amount of nutrients and light." Given the high economic and environmental cost associated with transporting food, it seems like METRO could really be onto something with this idea. Hopefully someone at Woolies is paying attention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldJ66k2MPdQ Via Vice.
Fancy a fancy cuppa? Sydney’s first organic tea bar, The Rabbit Hole, has opened in Redfern, reviving the age-old cup of tea with experimental brewing techniques and eclectic tea variations — it's not everywhere you'll find chunks of real pineapple in your tea. Sitting pretty as a 50-seater bar on Abercrombie Street, The Rabbit Hole has been designed by Matt Woods (Devon on Danks, Bloodwood, Beccafico) as an ode to the humble cup of tea — from Chilean artist Valeria Burgoa's teabag sculpture to the revolutionary Steampunk crucibles used for brewing single origin teas. This isn't just any ol' flight of fancy by a casual tea drinker, the brains behind The Rabbit Hole take their tea seriously. This little labour of love has been pioneered by Corinne Smith and Amara Jarratt, co-creators of the Sydney Tea Festival at Carriageworks and founding members of the Australasian Specialty Tea Association. The Rabbit Hole has been supplying Sydney's cafes and restaurants with their own tea leaves for some time now, celebrated for their weird and wonderful additions like coconut shavings, pineapple chunks and unexpected spices. Tea-wise, there's an insane amount to choose from. The Rabbit Hole will see a seasonally-changing menu of innovative blends and single origin teas you can try in-store or take home, alongside unique creations like the Guayusa Tea Shot, a clean yet supercharged caffeine hit. Needless to say, you won't find a cup of coffee in this joint — although customers can make the signature Rabbit Hole Chai Latte ‘dirty’ with a shot of espresso. Democratic. Nosh-wise, tea seeps into every corner of the food menu, from matcha granola served with seasonal fruit and unsweetened yoghurt, to tea marbled egg with kimchi and black sesame, and beef slow-cooked in black tea. Expect plenty of tea-themed events at The Rabbit Hole over the next few months, including Bespoke Brew for Good Food Month, a hands-on single origin tea appreciation workshop on October 15. Find The Rabbit Hole at 146 Abercrombie Street, Redfern. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 4pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm.
The Australian ridesharing economy is set to go the way of Asia and Europe, with new company Scooti launching its fleet of scooter taxis on Melbourne today, Monday, March 25. CEO Brett Balsters boasts the service — which is, yes, government compliant — as a cheaper, faster and more eco-conscious mode of transport. It may sound odd for Australia, but scooter taxis are by no means a novel idea. Motorbikes and scooters already act as taxis all across Asia, as well as in European cities like Amsterdam and Florence — though this is the first time the concept has been implemented in Australia. So how does it work? Riders can request a pickup using the Scooti app, much like how you request a ride through Uber. The scooters will be available between 5am and 10pm and, for the moment, will only operate within a ten-kilometre radius of Melbourne Town Hall in the CBD. That means you'll be able to travel as far as Coburg, Footscray, Elwood, Hawthorn and Thornbury. Price-wise, you can expect it to be pretty on par with other ridesharing services per kilometre and minute — but, as you'll be on a scooter and able to move through traffic, your fare will presumably be lower. Also, as you'll only be able to ride solo, it could be a good option when you don't have anyone to split a cab with. Bikes will have a luggage box for small handbags and items, but you'll need to wear a backpack if you're travelling with more stuff. Drivers are also required to have an extra helmet for you, and they'll have hair nets on hand if you're grossed out by the idea of sharing headgear. As with any ridesharing company, drivers can use their own scooters as long as they meet Scooti's mechanical, safety, comfort and hygiene standards. All drivers are accredited by Commercial Passenger Vehicle Victoria and will have passed criminal, driving and medical history checks. Scooti is also offering up benchmark pay rates and rewards in the transport services/delivery category, which should mean the pay will sit fairly within Australian salary standards. If true-to-word, this could set them apart, as pay continues to be a major issue within the ridesharing and delivering industries. And while it's just tackling Melbourne for now, Scooti plans to launch in Sydney and Queensland soon. Stay tuned. You can now request a ride from Scooti in Melbourne, so keep an eye out for the scooters around town. For more information or to download the app, head to their scooti.com.au.
City-dwelling fans of a solid Sydney brewed growler won't need to venture to the west for a tipple this winter. Masters of wild inner west brewing Young Henrys and the CBD's go-to basement danceteria Goodgod Small Club are teaming up for one hell of a pop-up — dubbed the 'Young Henrys Road House'. A monthly pop-up tasting bar themed around the American road houses you might have seen on your travels but more likely in Patrick Swayze's Road House, The Blues Brothers and Footloose — yeah, those sexy, sexy abodes where dancing is legal, bar fights abound (leave that out) and pelvic thrusting is commonplace — the Young Henrys Road House will see growlers over the bar, special Young Henrys brews on tap, peanuts errrrrrwhurrrrr and rock 'n' blues bands playing on a 'stage in a cage'. Yep, bands in cages. Kicking off Thursday, June 4, the Road House will see Melbourne's Twin Beasts in the cage while Bottled Lightning Co. launch their collaborative Young Henrys brew. Best bit? The first 100 punters through the door get their first brew on the house. Following weeks will see rock'n'blues band Los Tones, rockabilly crooner Pat Capocci and Sydney's own Jack Carty — all in the cage. Remember, Thursdays are the only day you can get Belly Bao's insane Baoger, so wins all round. Here's the vibe, just leave the bar fights out: Young Henrys Road House pops up every Thursday from 7pm, from June 4 to 18. We'd usually leave the poster out, but this one's too good to omit.
If you live Camperdown, you may have noticed the stunning and speedy transformation of the suburb's dilapidated bowling club to a full blown urban farm. The space, now donned Camperdown Commons, consists of Pocket City Farms and Acre Eatery, which, with help from the Camperdown Project, turned the neglected space into a site for fresh organic produce and a farm-to-table restaurant to boot. The produce from the farm, headed by permaculturist Michael Zagoridis, will be used for the Acre menu, with enough for the community as well. Community is a major part of the PCF system — they will continue to host volunteer days, along with farm tours, slow-living workshops and a school education program. They're even starting yoga and meditation classes next week. The sustainable message doesn't just exist on the green, either, but reverberates in the restaurant. Acre is a gorgeous 350-seater, with beautiful wooden tables and Hamptons-style white chairs and booths. And while PCF hasn't yet had its first major harvest, fresh salad greens and edible flowers are already represented on the Acre menu. They're growing all seasonal produce, which, by necessity, makes the menu a truly seasonal one as well. "It's easy to say you're seasonal but we really need to follow it because people can see what's growing," says head chef Gareth Howard. "It keeps us pretty honest." Howard's background at Jamie's Italian in the UK paved the way for his interest and advocacy of farm-to-table. "The concept of Acre fit perfectly with my background, but this is on a whole new level to have [a farm] literally on your doorstep." They're going local and ethical on their protein as well, exclusively partnering with Vic's Meat Market, which guarantees full traceability of all of their meat. The menu uses some secondary cuts, like the beef cheek with oxtail and parsnip ($29) and the wagyu rump cap with garden béarnaise and pickled mushrooms ($34). Despite the delicious sounding meat, the team's favourite dish is actually the Acre garden salad ($14) – a hearty dish of winter vegetables, grains and hummus. "I know it's pretty rare for a chef to choose a salad as their favourite dish," says Howard. But co-owner Luke Heard, consultant for The Greens in North Sydney, and PCK General Manager, Emma Bowen, both agree. Both PCF and Acre are already partnering with locals as well, including using the spent grain from Young Henrys for compost — YH will also be represented on the beer taps, as well Camperdown locals Wayward Brewing. Though the restaurant has officially opened as of Monday, next week's PCF harvest will be the true test of how well this combo works – and we can only imagine how delicious that realisation will be. Find Camperdown Commons at 31A Mallet Street, Camperdown. Acre eatery is open Wednesday to Thursday from 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm and Friday to Sunday from 8am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm.
With summer glimmering on the horizon — bringing with it the promise of gloriously warm, long nights — it's the perfect time to start thinking about your first dinner party of the season. But if the thought of hosting yet another classic evening meal around your dining table fills you with something close to dread, why not make this summer one of experimentation instead? To help make this social season more exciting, we've collaborated with KitchenAid (to celebrate the launch of the KitchenAid Mini in Australia) and come up with five simple ways to take your next dinner party from conventional to creative. Pick your favourite idea, send out the invitations, and get ready to become your friends' favourite host. TAKE IT OUTSIDE There's something about dining al fresco that always feels so luxurious. So why not take advantage of the warm weather and host your party in the backyard? Decorate a table with a bright cloth, a few fresh flowers, heaps of candles, and artfully mismatched crockery and your guests will feel like they're dining in a romantic European café. For additional charm, hang fairy-lights from the trees and use lanterns to illuminate the walkway between your house and the garden. If you've got a pool, make sure to set your table near it — while it's not exactly oceanfront dining, it comes pretty damn close. You could also switch things up by taking a page out of the pop-up restaurant playbook and having dinner in the front yard – the enhanced opportunity for people-watching is an added bonus. PARTY FOR A GOOD CAUSE Take inspiration from initiatives like the Big Aussie Barbie and turn your dinner party into a mini fundraiser for your favourite charity. Simply ask guests to pay a small entry fee to attend (set up a simple webpage to streamline the process and avoid having to hassle your mates for cash on the day) and then donate the funds to the charity of your choice. Make sure to tell your guests a little bit about the organisation so they understand where their contributions will be going. As for the party itself, your options are endless. You could, for example, host a BBQ, a cocktail party, or a games night. You could also theme your event in a way that aligns with the charity, like having guests dress up in the colour associated with the cause (pink for breast cancer, for example). UP YOUR ALCOHOL GAME Instead of the predictable bottles of wine and beer, treat your guests to an alcoholic summer punch. Serve your concoction in a pretty glass bowl, with a medley of colourful fruits at the bottom, and you've also got yourself a sweet centrepiece. Another idea is to try your hand at homemade frosé—we promise it's easier than it sounds and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. If you're feeling especially creative, why not set up a little cocktail station with a few easy classics? Gin & Tonics, Dark & Stormies, and Caipirinhas are perennial favourites that can all be made with just three ingredients. Pre-garnish the glasses (ant-rimmed Aussie South Side, anyone?) for a lavish finishing touch. HOST A GIG IN YOUR HOUSE So you've hosted a brunch party, are an old-hand at whipping up delicious homemade cocktails, and have mastered the art of al fresco dining? Then it's time to take your party to the next level with Parlour Gigs. This ingenious initiative lets you bring live music into your living room. We know, it sounds almost too good to be true. Hosting a gig is insanely easy: simply sign up on the website, invite a local artist to play, and, once they've accepted, share a private invite with your mates. Then, set up your space with a few comfy chairs, plush pillows, and some mood lighting for a unique evening that is guaranteed to have your friends talking all summer long. BRUNCH PARTY? Yes, we know, "dinner party" connotes an evening meal but why not switch things up and host a brunch party instead? Not only is brunch arguably the best meal of the day, having people over in the late morning or early afternoon let's you make the most of the summer sunshine, while also being cheaper and easier to put together than dinner. What's not to love? To pull off a successful brunch party, make a few easy main dishes with your KitchenAid Mini (meals you can prep in advance, like french toast or quiche, are ideal), pick up some pastries from your favourite bakery (here are our picks), cut up some seasonal fruits, throw everything onto a pretty tablecloth and you're good to go. For an extra touch, set up a simple mimosa bar with a few pitchers of orange or grapefruit juice and a couple of bottles of bubbly.
Manila and Sydney-based Australian artist David Griggs has the first major survey of his work kicking off at Campbelltown Arts Centre with Between Nature and Sin. Curated by Megan Monte, the exhibition sees a combination of portraiture, photography and film developed in Griggs' adopted home of the Philippines. Inspired by his personal experiences as an Australian artist in Manila (where he's lived and worked for 12 years), the brazenly colourful show draws on underground media, political imagery and local subcultures to illuminate the darker side of life in the city. CAC director Michael Dagostino describes the exhibition as a "poignant narrative layered with personal stories, tribulations and defining moments of adjusting to life in Manila, a city he [Griggs] says 'tests him constantly' but inspires him to keep creating." You'll see the premiere of Griggs' major feature length film COWBOY COUNTRY, which he produced with the inmates of the Manila city jail, plus 2009 project New York London Paris Rome Manila City Jail. There's also Zombie Kiss and Frat of the Obese, which draws from the symbols and stories of the Manila underground scene to highlight what Griggs sees as the unjust socio-political structures of the Philippines. In other words, it's a massive show. Don't miss it. Image: David Griggs, Zoloft Nation [cropped], 2009, courtesy of Germanos Collection.
Amateur home brewers have a brand new toy. Arriving in Australia earlier this month, the WilliamsWarn Brewmaster is an in-home brewery that produces a high quality beer in just seven short days. Dubbed "the Nespresso of beer," the Brewmaster is the creation of Ian Williams and Anders Warn, and was originally launched in New Zealand back in 2011. Since then the device has generated a whopping $4.5 million in sales, and helped two home brewers take home gold medals at international beer competitions. According to their website, the WilliamsWarn Brewmaster "has six main technical features that, when combined together, create the world's first all-in-one brewing appliance." The brewery is capable of producing up to 23 litres at a given time, which can be consumed directly out of the draft beer tap, or transferred into bottles or kegs. Starting at more than $6,800, the home brewery isn't exactly cheap (although depending on how much beer you normally drink it could actually end up saving you money in the long run). WilliamsWarn also sell ingredient kits, with everything you need to produce a variety of different brews from Pilsners to Apple Cider. The WilliamsWarn Brewmaster is currently available online and at select Australian retail outlets. Via Executive Style.
The news has been unbearably grim lately, so whenever we hear about people doing kind things we can’t help but execute a joyful slow-mo fist bump and Billy Elliot-style heel clicking sequence. This week’s proof that humanity isn’t thoroughly rotten comes from 202 Broadway in Chippendale. This week, The Two Wolves community cantina has opened its doors and also our hearts (sorry for the cheese, we can’t help it). It's a not-for-profit establishment run almost entirely by volunteers, that pours its profits into worthy charity causes and plans to create training opportunities for long-term unemployed young people. If there were an emoji that represented a ray of pure sunshine cutting through the gloom, you can bet your butt we would be using it here. And when we say it’s run mostly by volunteers, we truly mean it. The cantina has been in the works for some time now and is the love-child of an eclectic group of dreamers including hospitality bigwig Fraser Short, Jesuit priest Father David Braithwaite, Ben Sweeten owner of the Rose Bay Diner and the Kansas City Shuffle and design guru Michael Delany. The team have all come together to work pro bono on the project for the last two years and bring the cantina into being. Father Braithwaite told us that the generosity they’ve encountered from all levels in the production has been astounding, from architects and tradesmen to the 150 volunteers who signed up to keep the cantina running and the profit margins high. Busy day at The Two Wolves. There's a lot going on behind these doors as we charge towards opening day #twowolvescantina #openingsoon #socialenterprise #sydney #countdown #doors #bar #eatery #chippendale A photo posted by The Two Wolves (@twowolvescantina) on Sep 18, 2015 at 12:14am PDT All the money raised goes to projects facilitated by the Cardoner Project, an enterprise Father Braithwaite has been running for five years. During its time, the Cardoner Project has set up volunteer projects and immersion programmes around the world and provided seed capital to worthy causes to help them become self-sufficient. One such project included setting up a small water filtration system for an orphanage in Vietnam, which they use as part of an ice-selling business in the summer, and is in line with their ‘teach a man to fish’ ethos. David says the long-term goal is to replicate the The Two Wolves cantina around the world and raise even more money to pour back into needy communities. Once established, the next phase of The Two Wolves and Cardoner Project's plan is to train long-term unemployed young people onsite, then seek to place them in employment in other venues. Faith in humanity = restored. Now get down to Chippendale and give something back. The Two Wolves Community Cantina is now open for dinner at 202 Broadway, Chippendale, Sydney. To book call (02) 8039 3595.
You may have noticed The Grumpy Baker bakery chain expanding Sydneywide (they’ve just opened their fifth store in Maroubra), but the Vaucluse cafe has recently landed itself two delicious new siblings. In the most mouthwatering venue sandwich ever, The Grumpy Baker is now flanked by gelati store Coppetta and Bazaar Deli. As if that’s not enough choice for local Vauclusians, in the coming months The Grumpy Baker will undergo renovations for a genuine Middle-eastern wood fired pizza menu. Lord, give us the strength to choose or the expansive stomach required to nom it all. The concept for all branches of the Grumpy Baker family is, well, families. It’s a family-run enterprise owned by Michael and Deborah Cthurmer and aims to accommodate families of all sizes as well as support the local community of producers. The Cthurmers have a knack for opening up shop in areas that aren’t renowned for their eateries and creating a food community based around paddock-to-plate ideals. Coppetta and Bazaar Deli are no different. At Copetta, all gelato is made on-site with biodynamic milk and shifting seasonal produce with some intriguing results such as lavender honey brulee and toasted marshmallow. The Bazaar Deli is also a treasure trove of locally produced wonders and a walk-in cheese room (walk-in cheese room: your new bedroom goal). Check out The Grumpy Baker and pals Coppetta and Bazaar Deli at 767 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse. Images: Liana Lorenzato/Two Quirky Birds.
It's almost here. We teased you with the idea of a Hello Kitty Diner a few months ago. Now, Sydney's very first official Sanrio-endorsed Hello Kitty establishment is about to open its doors, launching in Chatswood this Sunday, November 1 — Hello Kitty's birthday (really). The Diner is locked in as the newest and most adorable resident of the District of Chatswood Interchange, a brand new food destination that has already launched with the likes of Ippudo and Michelin-starred dumpling house Tim Ho Wan. Set to channel retro diner vibes, the whole predictably cutesy space has been designed by big gun design firm Luchetti Krelle, best known for working wonders on Momofuku Seiobo, Adriano Zumbo and more recently The Butler, ACME and the new Single Origin takeaway cafe. Even Yuko Yamaguchi, the official Hello Kitty designer, is traveling from Japan to attend the launch. "With such variance and possibility of what a Hello Kitty Diner could look like, our task is to go beyond these expectations and make her and the diner’s experience uniquely Australian,” says Stuart Krelle, director of Luchetti Krelle. "Playing on Hello Kitty’s cheeky energy, colour and pattern will be a central theme along with an understated nod to the iconic American Diner style." Chur Burger's award-winning chef Warren Turnbull has joined the team heading up the kitchen. American-style diner food with an Asian fusion twist, the HKD menu will be inspired by what Hello Kitty 'means' to each chef — think Korean fried chicken, burgers, milkshakes, sweet treats and so on. The first-announced 'local food hero' bringing their mad skills to the diner, Turnbull will be given the opportunity to interpret Hello Kitty according to his own personal style. Turnbull's Surry Hills laneway joint, Chur, still has lines out the door on a weekday, so this is a strong poach from the Diner team. For the launch, the diner has invited some of Sydney's best to create their own interpretation of Hello Kitty-themed fare. Instagram-happy bakery Bakedown Cakery are creating adorable cookies and Croydon bakery Spoon and Fork are making the centrepiece cake. Newtown tea specialists T Totaler have even created their own rosy apple tea for the occasion (apparently apples are Hello Kitty's favourite food, so there you go). Sydney, are you ready? Hello Kitty Diner VIP opening this coming Sunday in the Chatswood Interchange! Head on over to @hellokittydineraus to see how you can win yourself a ticket! Cutest cookies from @spoonandfork_sydney! A photo posted by Jen (@bakedowncakery) on Oct 24, 2015 at 5:26pm PDT Dessert tasting is the greatest job in the world! Sydney we have teamed up with the one and only @bakedowncakery for some awesome treats - more surprises are on the way so stay tuned xx #HelloKittyDinerAus A photo posted by HelloKittyDinerAus (@hellokittydineraus) on Sep 30, 2015 at 8:27pm PDT Another testing round! @bakedowncakery is too talented we can't wait to show you the final product ???? Have a great long weekend everybody xx #HelloKittyDinerAus A photo posted by HelloKittyDinerAus (@hellokittydineraus) on Oct 2, 2015 at 7:55pm PDT Hello Kitty Diner will host its grand opening event at The District, Chatswood Interchange on Sunday, November 1 from 12-2.30pm. Images: Hello Kitty Diner.
Get ready to pick your jaw back up off the floor, because the World Press Photo Contest have just released their winning images for 2016. Back for its 59th edition, the yearly photographic collection regularly leaves us gaping at the mouth — and this year is no exception. Right at the top with 2015 Photo of the Year is Australia's own Warren Richardson, with his poignant picture of a man passing his baby through a fence at the Hungarian-Serbian border. He beat 82,951 submissions by 5775 photographers from 128 countries for the top prize, while also taking out first prize in the Spot News category. After almost six decades of beautiful and devastating photojournalism, the WPP contest continues to be one of the world’s most important platforms for art, journalism and humanising the headlines. The exhibition travels the world each year, although sadly it won't be making a stop in Australia in 2016. Take a look through some of the landmark images that caught the eye of the WPP judges; from a Tibetan Bhuddist ceremony in rural China to a 16-year-old Islamic State fighter being treated for burns in Syria, to one of those epics #sydneystorms rolling over Bondi. With many of the photographs documenting the more saddening news headlines, they’re often not easy images to look at, but it’s the work of these photojournalists that wakes up an otherwise ignorant world. Hope for a New Life, Warren Richardson (Röszke, Hungary) 2015 Photo of the Year + First Prize Spot News, singles "I camped with the refugees for five days on the border. A group of about 200 people arrived, and they moved under the trees along the fence line. They sent women and children, then fathers and elderly men first. I must have been with this crew for about five hours and we played cat and mouse with the police the whole night. I was exhausted by the time I took the picture. It was around three o’clock in the morning and you can’t use a flash while the police are trying to find these people, because I would just give them away. So I had to use the moonlight alone." The Forgotten Mountains of Sudan, Adriane Ohanesian (Sudan) Second Prize Contemporary Issues, singles "Adam Abdel, 7, was severely burned after a bomb was dropped by a Sudanese government Antonov plane next to his family home in Burgu, Central Darfur, Sudan." Bliss Dharma Assembly, Kevin Frayer (Sichuan, China) Second Prize Daily Life, stories "A Tibetan Buddhist nomad boy in Sertar county. Tibetan Buddhists take part in the annual Bliss Dharma Assembly. The last of four annual assemblies, the week-long annual gathering takes place in the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar and marks Buddha's descent from the heavens." IS Fighter Treated at Kurdish Hospital, Mauricio Lima (Hasaka, Syria) First Prize General News, singles "A doctor rubs ointment on the burns of Jacob, a 16-year-old Islamic State fighter, in front of a poster of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, at a Y.P.G. hospital compound on the outskirts of Hasaka, Syria." Storm Front on Bondi Beach, Rohan Kelly (Sydney, Australia) First Prize Nature, singles "A massive 'cloud tsunami' looms over Sydney as a sunbather reads, oblivious to the approaching cloud on Bondi Beach." La Maya Tradition, Daniel Ochoa de Olza (Colmenar Viejo, Spain) Second Prize People, stories "Young girls between the age of 7 and 11 are chosen every year as 'Maya' for the 'Las Mayas', a festival derived from pagan rites celebrating the arrival of spring, in the town of Colmenar Viejo, Spain. The girls are required to sit still for a couple of hours in a decorated altar." Neptun Synchro, Jonas Lindkvist (Stockholm, Sweden) Third Prize Sports, singles "Members of the Neptun Synchro synchronized swimming team perform during a Christmas show in Stockholm, Sweden." See all the 2016 World Press Photo Contest winners and finalists here.
Michael Hutchence died here. Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior stayed here. Elton John played the lobby piano here. Now, one of Sydney's grandest hotels (with quite the rambunctious history) is still one of the city's glitziest spots. After dwindling into disrepair, the former Ritz Carlton swept away the cobwebs and reopened as the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay on in November 2015. One of the most talked about bits of the hotel? Aside from the hotel's own dedicated gin bar, Stillery, it was that outrageous jaw-dropper of a rooftop pool. Boasting sweeping panoramic views over Sydney Harbour and Double Bay, The Rooftop poolside bar is open officially open to both hotel guests and visitors again this summer (after a winter guest-only period), welcoming a new season from Saturday, October 1. Think blue and white striped cabana lounges and plenty of ostentatious cocktails ready for your diamond-encrusted paws. Winter's officially done. Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay's The Rooftop is open to both hotel guests and the public from Saturday, October 1. You'll find it up top at 33 Cross Street, Double Bay, with hotel bookings available from here.
A good martini is all in the detail — it relies on the skill of the bartender, the quality of the booze and the beauty of the glass itself — rarely will two ever be the same. Informed, friendly service, and an ambiance that matches the luxury of a martini is an added bonus. Sydney is spoilt for martini choice. Whether you like it shaken or stirred, above or below ground, loud and loose or classy and personal, someone around town is making your perfect martini. We've partnered with Grey Goose, one of the most luxurious brands of vodka you can get, for our series of guides that are helping you discover the luxury in your city. This one is for martinis — it's the most decadent cocktail you can sip on. Start ticking off the martinis at these ten bars, or if you're on a budget, grab a bottle of Grey Goose and take it home to make your own. ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLERY If you like getting up close and personal with the contents of your martini glass, go visit Archie Rose. The bespoke distillery in Rosebery provides a unique experience of creating your own vodka or gin on-site, with tastings and tours available for the interested. The glamorous old-world bar is also the perfect setting to sit down and taste test Archie Rose's four on-menu martinis. There's a dry option, a strong, option, an espresso martini and one made with a twist of orange. THE ROOSEVELT The Roosevelt is hailed by many martini snobs to have the best martini in town. It's next-level luxury at this Potts Point bar, with its cosy leather booths and tables that come complete with a hole in the middle for your champagne bucket. One part glam, one part retro and one part mixologist's fantasy, The Roosevelt is an irresistible mix that has almost immediately become one of Sydney's best cocktail destinations. One of their martinis is made with Grey Goose vodka and served with liquid nitrogen, but you should just order the classic here. BULLETIN PLACE The award-winning bartenders at this cosy joint can mix up a classic martini with the best of them. Industry favourite and much lauded Bulletin Place is pint sized but full of candle-lit character and quality drink making. These guys take their drinks, but not themselves, pretty seriously. SINCE I LEFT YOU Tucked down an alleyway, Since I Left You has one of the city's most coveted venue features - a courtyard. The whole bar is art deco themed, which makes it's the perfect old-school spot to sit in luxurious surroundings and sip on one of their martinis. The courtyard is decorated with fairy lights, and the cocktail list is impressive and creative. DEAD RINGER This unassuming but stylish casual bar in Surry Hills is doing some excellent work for the drinks category in Sydney. From the team that opened Bulletin Place, Dead Ringer is quietly setting an impressive benchmark for cocktails and bar food. Come for a martini, order some snacks, and then stay for dinner. ICEBERGS DINING ROOM AND BAR At some point everyone needs to sit with what is possibly the most Instagrammed pool in the world, at Icebergs. All the better to do it with a luxurious martini in hand, which will have been delivered to you by suited waiters, while perving on the fashionable crowd that generally occupies the elegantly understated bar. It's class all the way here, folks. Take a date, take an overseas visitor, and definitely take your credit card — don't forget to take a photo. THE BAXTER INN There might be a queue and it might be hard to find but The Baxter Inn is definitely worth seeking out when you've hit with martini cravings. This small cave-like, romping bar is all drinks and loud music. Bartenders use sliding ladders to scale a two meter wall stacked with beautiful bottles of booze and give every patron the personalised service that drinks this good require — even if you do have to lean over the bar and yell your martini order at times — you'll be glad you did. EAU DE VIE One of the most experimental and celebrated bars in town, Eau De Vie is also one of the original game changers in the scene. There's smoke, there's spherical ice, there's showmanship and Grey Goose vodka as well as an extremely high level of skill and care going into your drinks. If you like your martini ice cold — head to EDV, where the bartenders glove-up to mix your vodka of choice with liquid nitrogen and personalise every step to your preference. Trust us, your martini is in safe hands here. STITCH BAR In Sydney's inner city Stitch is known for their burgers, hotdogs and tacos as well as their stellar drinks menu. With luxuriously low lighting and bluesy tunes, this is a popular after-work drink spot for all the right reasons. Grab a martini made with Grey Goose and take a seat at the bar among the luxuriously casual setting. THE ROOK One word: Rooftop. Another word: Drinks. That's pretty much all you need to know about The Rook. One of the very few rooftop bars in Sydney, the view is mostly of the business district's skyscrapers, but being perched above the cars and noise below does invoke a sense of special occasion. Head here on a Sunday afternoon and sip on a martini to finish off your weekend in style. BUTTON BAR The leather booths, long timber bar and warm lighting makes Button Bar a favourite haunt for the hip crowd of the innermost part of Surry Hills. It's cosy, and hidden behind an unmarked doorway. Drinks are the focus here, with knowledgable staff taking the time to make a classic the way you want it — that means your martini will be personalised, and delicious. Not keen on a martini? Answer four simple questions and Grey Goose Vodka's discover function will tell you which cocktail you're perfectly suited for. Discover the luxury in your city with our Luxe Guide. Top Image: Steven Woodburn.
If you're going to truly get to know a suburb, ask a local. Bondi's full of proud neighbours, from top restaurateur Maurice Terzini to music duo Angus Mcdonald and Connie Mitchell of Sneaky Sound System, to life saving hero and Bondi Rescue star Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins. Hoppo is a bonafide Bondi local, having spent 25 years as a lifeguard in the beachside suburb. He knows the difference between a tourist trap eatery and damn good brunch destination — so it makes sense he's been appointed as an experience curator and partner at QT Bondi (Bondi's newest local). We asked Hoppo to hand over his go-to spots in Sydney's most famous beachside suburb. Write 'em down for next time you're beachbound. CHAPTER ONE "I like to start the day with the Bronte to Bondi coastal walk and watch the sunrise at the beach followed by brekkie at Chapter One on Campbell Parade. It's the locals choice for coffee and I recommend the old school boiled eggs and soldiers." ICEBERGS "Bondi is a hub of activity in the mornings with many taking to Icebergs pool for an early morning swim, a run on the beach or hitting the ocean for a surf." THE BUCKET LIST "For afternoon drinks you can't go past The Bucket List, a great way to watch the sunset close to the water." BONDI HARDWARE "A couple of my favourite spots for dinner include Hardware which offers a relaxed environment and great for groups or the famous Bondi Hotel for a traditional Aussie beach pub experience. Bondi has a diverse and multicultural environment and has something for everyone." Stock up on more tasty Bondi local secrets in our Bondi Neighbourhood Guide. Top image: Ted O'Donnell.
Sydney's reached peak burger obsession. No longer confined to the realms of American chains and RSL bistros, burgers now clock up appearances on the menus of top-tier, hatted chefs, each putting their own contemporary, fine dining spin on the longtime casual favourite. So we reckoned it was about time for a good ol' fashioned burger battle — and so did Merivale. This February, we invited 16 of Merivale's top chefs to Ivy Ballroom to hit the kitchen and cook up their ultimate burger for March Into Merivale's Between Two Buns. Some, like Mr. Wong's Dan Hong, opted for their widely celebrated, longtime burger recipes (hel-lo Lotus Burger), while others dreamed up new and strange burger possibilities —Bistrode CBD's Jeremy Strode did a chicken and eel burger (and nailed it). From dozens of entries, our enviable panel of burger experts whittled down the shortlist to six. You'll be able to try every single one of these juicy delights at March Into Merivale, at Between Two Buns on Wednesday, February 17. After you've tried 'em all comes the most important moment: vote for your favourite. The winner will not only score a spot on Merivale's pub menus for a year, and bragging rights forevermore. So, who won over the judges? Which Merivale chef makes the best burger? Try these at MiM and vote. BETWEEN TWO BUNS FINALISTS Dan Hong (Mr. Wong) — Lotus Burger Alex Lewis (The Beresford) — The ultimate lamb burger Jeremy Strode (The Fish Shop/ Bistrode CBD) — The Fish Dog (chicken and eel) Jordan Toft (Coogee Pavilion) — Aged trim beef, cheese, burger sauce, B&B pickle Paul Donelley (Ms.G's) — Beef, bacon and cheese burger Patrick Friesen and Chris Hogarth (Papi Chulo/Queen Chow) — Canadian beef and bacon burger Watch the video: Concrete Playground x March Into Merivale - Between Two Buns from Concrete Playground on Vimeo.
If you're ready to share a deep, dark, dirty secret that you've been harbouring your entire life, there's only one way to do it: on a stage, in front of a crowd. Well, that's the idea behind Confession Booth, anyway. After three years of dishing the dirt at Giant Dwarf and World Bar, Sydney's most debauched storytelling night has found a permanent home at Goodgod Small Club. Confession Booth sees writers, musos, actors, comedians and all-round creative types spill the beans on their most embarrassing, outrageous and top-secret moments — all facilitated by ever charming hosts A.H. Cayley and Matt Roden. Previous confessors include Tracey Spicer, Sarah Blasko, Osher Günsberg (Andrew G), Yumi Stynes, Benjamin Law, Rhys Muldoon, Gen Fricker, Catcall, Rainbow Chan, Michael Hing, Levins, SPOD, Nick Coyle and more. Spilling their guts on Wednesday March 11 will be actor and all-round legend Brendan Cowell, Collarbones/Black Vanilla brains Marcus Whale, MissChu's Nahji Chu, model and activist Ollie Henderson and JEKYLL X JAMES's Jared Jekyll. But it's not just a passive sharefest. If you've got a story you're dying to share, you can divulge during the audience confession segment — dig deep enough and you might find yourself carrying home a prize (probably booze and a significant weight off your shoulders). By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan.
It's almost too easy to fill up your calendar with fun activities in Sydney. Look this way and you'll get a smack of harbour vista, look that way and you'll encounter some public art, say 'yes' to any invite from a friend and you'll be feasting on something delicious. But seeing the best, truly distinctive things that Sydney has to offer — the things we do better than anybody else, the things that become burned in the memory — that can take some planning. Start scheming to get to these 26 bucket list places and events, our very favourites from across the whole city, and we guarantee you'll be goo-goo-eyed with love for Sydney. What are your favourite things to do in Sydney? Let us know in the comments. [A]rtbar at the MCA. Every day is good at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, but it's the nighttimes we savour. See the exhibitions, peek out over the harbour from the rooftop terrace and enjoy the party cooked up by the guest artist curator. [B]ondi to Coogee walk. It's a given the Bondi to Coogee walk would be on here, isn't it? It's just so damn beautiful. It's just so damn Sydney. Bonus: wherever you start from, there's always a great brunch waiting for you at the other end. (These other coastal walks come a close second.) [C]rosswords and breakfast dessert at Devon on Danks. If there's a downside to your usual breakfast, it's that it's over as quick as it came. But at the magical place that is Devon on Danks, you can follow your eggs with a filled doughnut ball (i.e. Danks-In-Donut), a cronut (cronnie) or soft serve with hot chips. Linger long enough with the Saturday papers and you might just fit in all three. [D]rinking coffee in Surry Hills. Sorry, Italy. Somewhere along the line, Australia really took the ball and ran with it when it came to coffee, and now New York and London clamour for our Antipodean alchemy. Enjoy the ready supply over at the legendary Single Origin, or hop over to Paramount Coffee Project, Reuben Hills and The Reformatory around the corner. [E]ating takeaway fish and chips from Bondi's Best on the grassy knoll of North Bondi. Fish and chips make winter taste like summer and summer taste like some kind of Coke ad for summer that's too good to be an actual thing that you get to live through. [F]ancy dinners at Quay. It's not cheap, but when we want to impress out-of-towners (or anyone really), this is where we head. Best bit: cracking into one of Peter Gilmore's famous Snow Eggs at the end of your meal. [G]igs at OAF chased by Mr Crackles in the late night/early morning. Ears ringing and mouths gummed with slow roast pork belly, this is when we feel most alive. [H]itting up Cabramatta for some freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and pandan waffles. There's a lot of great food adventures to be had in Sydney's west, but the mini Vietnam in Cabra takes the cake. A few banh mi heavier, waddle into a grocery store and stock up on those hard-to-find Asian delights to enjoy at home. [I]mbibing a vodka, gin and whisky flight at Archie Rose. Think you know your spirits? So did we until Archie Rose handed us an eye-dropper and got us reacquainted with the holy trinity. The old-world distillery bar does everything with excellence. [J]oining in a game of lawn bowls with city skyline views at The Greens. And just to make sure you're at peak bowling fitness, ordering one of those cocktails they serve in a whole watermelon. [K]ayaking on Sydney Harbour. If you want the feeling of joie de vivre that comes from a day out on sparkling Sydney Harbour, it helps to be rich. But anyone with 25 dollarydoos in their pocket can rent out a kayak from Rose Bay and paddle to nearby coves or even islands Shark and Clarke. We also rate these kayaking spots around Sydney. [L]icking chicken and garlic sauce from your fingers at El-Jannah in Granville. Look, everyone has their charcoal chicken loyalties. That's understandable. But if, in this dingy cafeteria, as you wipe clean your melamine plate of its slop of famous sauce, you feel anything less than truly satisfied deep within your soul, then you are a rare and unlucky individual. [M]essina sundaes and a John Candy Box at Golden Age. We love this Surry Hills cinema for its clever and quality programming, its vintage forest-green seating and its snack bar selection. For the perfect snuggly movie date, it's a close tie between this and Cremorne's glorious art deco picture palace, the Hayden Orpheum. [N]estling into your seat at the Opera House as the lights go down. Really, it's remarkable that this distinctive beauty even made it past the naysayers, reactionaries and xenophobes of 1960s Sydney and got built. When we go there now to take in one of the 1500+ theatre, dance, contemporary music, talks and art events they host throughout the year, we can't help but feel lucky. [O]gling the fishies while snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve. There are a number of fine snorkelling spots in Sydney, but the sheer volume and diversity of sea life here keeps us coming back. Plus, you're in Manly, so perfectly placed for barbecue meats at Papi Chulo or a restorative feed at Fika Swedish Kitchen afterwards. [P]laying on Cockatoo Island. There's something about that ferry ride to Cockatoo Island. It's like a rite that gets us to leave our inhibitions and expectations behind. We arrive ready to play at festivals like the Biennale of Sydney and Underbelly Arts, both of which have made the island a home for large-scale, interactive and fantastical art in recent years. [Q]uestioning everything you know about The Rocks with The City of Forking Paths. This is easily one of the best art experiences to be had in the city. Acquired by the City of Sydney during the 2014 Biennale, The City of Forking Paths is a mobile video work that is GPS-activated and time-locked so you can only open the app at Customs House after dark. Hold your phone up to your face and be led through The Rocks for a soul-rattling 70-minute walk. [R]iding the ferry during Vivid. It's more crowded and intense than your usual commute, but the visual splendour more than makes up for it. [caption id="attachment_526608" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Photo: Bodhi Liggett[/caption] [S]wimming and picnicking at Milk Beach. There are dozens of contenders for best place to swim (these beaches, ocean pools and secluded spots among them), and some have clearer waters, fun bars and impressive natural features. But sheltered Milk Beach, where you can dog paddle into a perfect harbour panorama, has got to be the most unique to Sydney. [T]wilight at Taronga — or anytime at Taronga. Baby animals: turns out, they're even better in real life than on YouTube. Go to Taronga to make some new penguin friends, spend time with nature, soak up summer concert series Twilight at Taronga and, every now and then, do the epic Roar and Snore campout. [U]nwinding with a day at Palm Beach. Or, when we really want to get away from everyone, hopping on the ferry from there to car-free Coasters Retreat. [V]isiting the White Rabbit Gallery for 21st-century Chinese art, tea and dumplings. Now, Chippendale is a thriving arts district. But back in 2009, there was just the White Rabbit and temporary tenant Fraser Studios giving the suburb a spark of new life. With collector-philanthropist Judith Neilson's eye for bold, political yet fun works, this place is a bit like Sydney's own MONA. [W]atching Opera on the Harbour with the Opera House in the backdrop. The problem with seeing a show at the Opera House (not that it's so problematic it didn't make the list) is that you can't see the exterior of the house once you're inside it. Have your cake and eat it too in March and April when Opera on the Harbour sets up at Mrs Macquaries Point, with views stretching across the water. It ain't cheap (or subtle), but it's truly spectacular. Summer's St George Openair Cinema is a well-priced alternative. E[x]panding your mind over drinks at Jurassic Lounge. This event series at the Australian Museum is the blue ribbon holder among after-hours culture parties for adults. The program varies but you can invariably have a few drinks, see some live acts, dance in the silent disco and hold a giant stick insect on your arm. [Y]ielding to another plate of meat at Porteno. There's no shortage of excellent barbecue feasts to be found in Sydney, but what we love about Porteno is that it's idiosyncratic, full of personality, always delicious and a real stayer in a dining scene regarded as fickle. Also, our mums thank them for finally converting us to Brussels sprouts. [Z]igzagging your way up the art-splashed stairs of Hibernian House for a fringe play, gig or haircut. It's been compared to Berlin's Kunsthaus Tacheles, but this rambling warehouse space exudes a force all of its own. As well as the ever active Old 505 Theatre, the venue is home to gigs, parties, art shows, a hairdresser, studios and residences. Just remember that last function and respect people's privacy when you're stickybeaking.
One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks – whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a day out, heading to the pub after a long day of work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for having friends over. We love summer afternoons, so we've spoken to a few of our favourite chefs, musicians and artists, to get their insights on creating the perfect balmy afternoon. And what's better than a barbecue? For advice, we asked the boys from Three Blue Ducks. Mark LaBrooy specifically — he's one of the co-founders of the restaurant-cafe hybrid that was born in Bronte but ended up being so popular it expanded to Byron Bay and, most recently, Rosebery. He and the team at Three Blue Ducks have made working with barbecue flames and smoke a priority at their venues. At their Rosebery location, there's a barbecue, a wood-fired oven and an outdoor charcoal pit. They're experts in barbecue. And more than that, they're experts in taking the standard barbecue fare you usually whip up to the next level, and LaBrooy has shared some tips so you can do the same. He's also given us some recipes, for a burrata salad, a seafood prawns main, and a charred pineapple dessert. "They're all about spring and summer flavours," he says. "Inspired by warm weather and catching up with friends." The burrata salad is a green (but hearty) vegetarian option for your barbecue friends who don't eat meat, while the prawn dish is "light, and great for entertaining because it's not rocket science to prepare". The pineapple recipe is LaBrooy wanting you to try something a little different by charring your fruit. "People should experiment more with fruit on the barbecue, vegetables too," he says. He says the first thing to think about when you're cooking is that produce is key to a good barbecue. He suggests going elsewhere than the supermarket to grab your ingredients. "Go to a real butcher, not a supermarket. Go to the fish markets to get your prawns, and a local organic growers market for your fruits and vegetables." Let the ingredients lead you — if the produce is good, just put it on the barbie and see what happens. "Like a whole bunch of Dutch carrots or something, just give them a wash, put on some good quality olive oil, salt and pepper and char it up. Don't be shy — the hotter the better." "Barbecuing is the cooking technique that fits in best with us," he says. "It's connected to the environment and there's something really intimate about using the fire — it's inconsistent, there's a real element of maintenance and care in the cooking process." When finished, all three dishes will look incredible, but don't get too caught up with perfection when you're hosting a barbecue. Part of the fun is that barbecue-ing isn't always pretty. "It's a bit ugly and charred," he says. "You can get those really aggressive, black tones in the appearance and colouration of your cooking." Follow these three recipes and transform your afternoon barbecue into one that's worthy of being on the menu at Three Blue Ducks. BURRATA WITH CHARRED ZUCCHINI AND SPRING ONIONS Ingredients: 4 pieces of burrata (about 100 grams each) ¼ bunch parsley ¼ bunch basil 1 clove garlic 100ml virgin olive oil 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 lemon zest and juice salt and pepper 1 bunch spring onion 3 zucchini cut in ¼ 100g toasted hazelnuts roughly chopped Method: Make a nice coal fire on the grill side of your barbecue. Char off the zucchini and the spring onions after giving them a good season and a splash of olive oil. When the zucchini and spring onions get some good colour, take them off the heat and start plating up. Take a food processor and place the herbs, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, zest and Dijon inside. Give it a good whizz until a bright green paste forms. Season well and set aside. Take a plate or bowl and arrange the zucchini and spring onions around the outside, making a well for your burrata to sit in. Flick in a few teaspoons of the herb puree, place the burrata in the centre and sprinkle over some hazelnuts. Season the burrata and drizzle a bit of olive oil if you feel you need it. Squeeze a bit of extra lemon juice over everything to finish off. CONFIT GARLIC AND CHILLI BBQ PRAWNS WITH BUTTERMILK AVOCADO AND RADICCHIO Ingredients: 1 bulb garlic peeled 3 long red chillies deseeded 1 cup olive oil 16 large king prawns cleaned and butterflied 3 avocados 1 lemon juice and zest 2 tablespoons olive oil 100ml buttermilk 1 large radicchio with the outer leaves pulled off and cut in ¼ Salt and pepper Method: Take the chillies and garlic and place in a small saucepan. Add the cup of olive oil and cover with foil. Bake at 160-degrees for 1-30 mins, then place in a food processor and give it a whizz. Using a pastry brush baste the prawns just before grilling on the barbecue. Take your food processor and add the avocado, olive oil, lemon juice and zest and the buttermilk, give it a whizz and set aside for when your plating up. Grill your prawns and radicchio on super high heat, season well and brush with olive oil. This should only take a few minutes. Give a good whack of buttermilk avo purée. CHARRED PINEAPPLE WITH CASHEWS, THAI BASIL AND LEMONGRASS GRANITA Ingredients: 1 pineapple skinned and cut into quarters 1 tablespoon brown sugar For the granita: 350ml water 180g sugar 3 stalks lemongrass, roughly chopped 2 chillies roughly chopped 80g ginger roughly chopped 100ml lemon juice 100g yogurt 1 vanilla bean scraped and deseeded ¼ bunch Thai basil 80g toasted and salted cashews Method: The granita needs to be made the day before and set in the freezer over night. To serve all you have to do is scrape it with a fork or give it a quick whizz in a food processor. Make sure you put the bowl in the freezer first so you don't melt the granita too much. Take a medium sized pot and add the sugar, lemongrass, chilli, and water. Bring to the boil and then set aside and let it cool down on the bench, then strain and add the lemon juice, and put in the freezer to set overnight. Sprinkle the pineapple with brown sugar and place on the grill on high heat. You're looking to get some good colour and charring on the pineapple, cooking it at the same time. Cut into chunks and set aside. Take a small bowl and add the yogurt and the vanilla give it a good mix. To plate up, arrange the pineapple on the base of the plate and a few dollops of the vanilla yogurt. Take a large spoon of granita and place in the centre, then sprinkle with cashews and Thai basil. Images: Kimberley Low.
It's that glorious time of year, that judgement-free zone in which inhaling hot cross buns for multiple meals a day is a perfectly acceptable activity. Sydney's pretty damn good at a hot cross bun — there's even a few sourdough versions in this delicious list. But there's one Sydney mainstay that let us in on their little secret to hot cross buns — beloved foodie wonderland The Grounds of Alexandria. Gearing up for their huge Easter celebrations from March 25 to 27, The Grounds handed over their own hot cross bun recipe for you to make at home. The Grounds crew love a spot of Easter indulgence — from Good Friday to Easter Sunday they're transforming their Alexandria digs into a magical storybook land. There'll be a Golden Easter Egg Hunt, a Humpty Dumpty Wall built for selfies, real-life roaming children's storybook characters, the beloved petting zoo and Australia's largest chocolate Easter egg — a three-metre-high, 300 kilogram chocolate egg which you can destroy in in the 'community cracking' on Easter Sunday. They're also using Easter as an opportunity to show off their mad culinary talents — including the delicious, delicious aforementioned hot cross buns from The Grounds' head baker. Want to have a go at making them before Sunday? Here's the recipe. THE GROUNDS' HOT CROSS BUNS Hot Cross Bun mixture Plain Flour 377g Castor Sugar 34g Butter 34g Egg 1 egg Mixed spice 9g Milk 179g Fruit mix 286g Dry yeast 60g Salt 7g Improver* 7g Citric acid** 1g Cross paste Plain flour 75g Sunflower oil 25ml Spice glaze Mixed Spice ½ tsp Castor sugar 125g To make the buns 1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degree Celsius. 2. To create your fruit mix, combine 286g of your favourite dried fruits. We suggest branching out from the ordinary sultanas, try some of the suggestions below. 3. Next, knead flour, sugar, butter (softened), egg, mixed spice, milk, yeast, salt, improver & citric acid together. 4. Once completely combined, fold in your fruit mix. Be sure to wait until the end to fold in your fruit to ensure they stay whole. 5. Roll out dough flat to 1 inch thick, cut into 12 equal portions. 6. Place into rows on an oven tray lined with baking paper. To make the paste 1. Combine flour and oil together until it forms a smooth paste. 2. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle. 3. Pipe a cross onto each ball, or long lines across the buns. 4. Bake at 180 degrees celcius for 16 mins, or until the tops are golden brown. To make the glaze 1. Place spice mix, sugar and 100ml of water in a saucepan over medium heat. 2. Bring to a simmer, stiring to ensure all sugar is dissolved. 3. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Once hot cross buns are cooked 1. Using a pastry brush, generously glaze the buns. Suggestions on fruit: - Persimmon - Hawthorn - Red date - Thai loganberry - Pickled pineapple *Can be found in the supermarket. ** If you can't find citric acid, combine in a splash of orange juice. By using measurements all in grams you will ensure you get a consistence result every time. The Grounds of Alexandria's Easter shenanigans are happening Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27 at 2A Huntley Street, Alexandria. Entry is free.
The Dolphin Hotel is using the most basic of meals to take your lunchtime routine to the next level. Today, Monday, March 13, the hotel launched its Proper Sandwiches menu — a five-sandwich rotating lunch offering, featuring everything from baked eggplant parma and meatball subs to smoked trout and egg salad. The $12 menu will change daily and has a solid mix of vegetarian and meaty options. From the full menu of delicious possibilities, we're most excited to try their Reuben homage, the 'Pastrami Rye', and the 'Go Getta Porchetta' — herb roasted pork topped with crackling, mustard and sage aioli. These bad boys don't just look great, either — they're made using locally sourced ingredients, giving them that 'good for you and the community edge' as well. The meats are sourced from LP's Quality Meats, the bread from Brickfields Bakery, and other deli products from from The Dolphin's Salumeria collaboration with Victor Churchill's. These insanely good looking sandwiches will be available Monday through Friday from noon until 3pm — or until sold out. Considering our mouths are watering just from looking at those photos, we have a feeling sold out will be a daily condition.
Portraits aren't all regal furs and awkward "Oh, didn't see you there," poses. Instead the genre now sees a bold, abstract lack of convention, a rebellion that runs through the Art Gallery of New South Wales' prestigious annual Archibald Prize exhibition, currently showing. Capturing a realistic, unrelentingly vulnerable likeness of your own reflection, someone you've just met or one of your oldest buds takes a fair few stories, maybe a few beers and a willingness to tackle the intimidating notion of thinking up something new after decades of Archie winners. At the risk of sounding like an HSC essay opener, the final image isn't the whole story. Here's eight of the Archibald finalists making us wake up and pay attention (whether for great or WTF reasons) to Australia's big ol' faces — as told to the Gallery in their own words. PAUL RYAN — THIRTEEN NOAHS Paul Ryan raided quite a few junk shops — and his own early work collection — to paint over these existing curiosities with Australian actor Noah Taylor's face. "I grew up watching Noah on the big and small screen. He is a similar age to me and it has been interesting to see him age and his acting skills develop, as I have also aged and developed as an artist," says Ryan. ‘With these works, I am painting Noah as a fictional character in fictional films. There is Noah the mysterious figure in Murders at the lake, Noah as a black American pimp in Hawaiian hustle, Noah in the Australian classic Death on the Murray, and Noah in Outback wanderer. "I met him through Olsen Irwin gallery who represent us both. Our relationship was born of a mutual respect for each other’s work. As I did successive studies and hung them at random on the studio wall, the idea of what to do for this year’s Archibald was born. Noah’s face is so interesting it practically paints itself. I painted more than the 13 studies that make up this piece, and spent a few days playing with different combinations." SOPHIA HEWSON — DELIVERED Paying tribute to different methods of pornography, Sophia Hewson's confronting self portrait came from one of her Melbourne public performance works. "I was using my body in this work to try to open up a dialogue on female self-objectification (when a woman intentionally sexually objectifies herself). Sometimes I think self-objectification can be constructive. It can be used to claim back ownership of the body or to assert: "I can exhibit my sexuality without it amounting to my sexual availability"." "Other times I think it can reflect the way the patriarchal value system has been internalised. But I don’t feel you can expect a woman, who has unconsciously internalised 'male' values, to see herself as a space where something has been lost. A new identity needs to be forged. I’m interested in this because I’m struggling with it myself. I have difficulty navigating the contradictions and differentiating between internal and external influences, but I see self-portraiture as a potent site for negotiating identity." JUAN FORD — A BUNGLED CLAIRVOYANCE The full title of Juan Ford’s self-portrait is: A bungled clairvoyance of William Buckley or Ludwig Leichhardt’s most intense moments (I can’t decide which, you choose). Attempted while atop a mountain. Phew. "Making straightforward portraits is something that bores me a bit," says Ford. "Sometimes boring is fine, but right now I feel adventurous. Take Ludwig Leichhardt, the Prussian explorer who disappeared mysteriously in the Australian interior. Idealistic and adventurous, he wandered off, never to be seen again. By all reports he went quite unprepared. Or William Buckley. An escaped convict, he lived for over 30 years with the Wathaurong people on the Bellarine Peninsula. He later married a woman so short she couldn’t loop her arm through his when they went for an evening stroll. What a character. "When I try to imagine such mythic men, I make a mess of it, applying my own conventions, thus misunderstanding them utterly. To do so on a mountaintop compounds the problem. But I like to get out into wilderness; it’s where many of my ideas come from. It helps me feel I’m insignificant in the grand scheme. I can’t hope to understand Australia: it’s too vast and unknowable. Buckley and Leichhardt signify this unknowability." MITCH CAIRNS — PETER POWDITCH The runner-up for the 2015 Archibald Prize, Mitch Cairn's portrait of renowned painter Peter Powditch takes the whole thing full circle — Powditch was the winner of the 1972 Sulman Prize. "I was drawn to the idea of painting Peter after attending the recent Pop to popism exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The inclusion of Powditch’s Seascape II 1969 to my mind reaffirmed the significance of his work,’ says Cairns. ‘In general, Peter’s work is characterised by a directness of purpose, exemplary draftsmanship and an incisive approach to painting problems. He is an unapologetic image-maker. "On accepting my invitation to sit, I spent a couple of days with Peter making drawings at his home and studio on the NSW North Coast. For this portrait, I chose to paint him in his studio. It had been raining heavily during my visit so the room was quite dark. We had a great conversation about his most recent assemblages. The beauty found and pleasure taken in the discovery of shape, here in the assemblages and also reminiscent of Seascape II, were the starting point of this painting." JASON PHU — LISA HAS A MUCH MORE PLEASANT FACE THAN GLENN... With Carriageworks director Lisa Havilah the subject of this strange portrait, the full title of Jason Phu’s painting is: Lisa has a much more pleasant face than Glenn. She also doesn’t sing horribly while playing a guitar or try to put a cat up a tree while I’m painting her. "I wanted to paint Noel but he hates doing that stuff," says Phu. "Lin was too busy with his footy schedule. Guan wasn’t in the country. So I had to settle for painting [curator] Glenn Barkley. Luckily while Glenn was distracted with showing me how much his cat loved climbing trees (which it definitely didn’t), Lisa was there so I painted her instead. Anyway, Lisa is much more prestigious in the arts and is also a lovely person. "I never really wanted to become an artist. I’ve always wanted to be a cartoonist, doing the Sunday comic strips, but I’ve been too scared to pursue it. In high school I decided I’d like to do engineering. I’ve always had a penchant for building little mechanical toys, but I didn’t have the marks to do engineering. So I had to do fine arts. It’s been all right and I’ve enjoyed it but I see myself becoming a chef in the not-too-distant future." SALLY ROSS — EVA This gorgeous portrait of Academy and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Eva Orner (Taxi to the Dark Side) wouldn't be out of place on the cover of Frankie. But there's nothing twee about this kickass human rights crusader, whose upcoming Australian-focused doco Asylum is sure to ruffle a few feathers. "I met Eva Orner through our mutual association with HAGAR Australia, an organisation working with survivors of trafficking and abuse in Afghanistan, Vietnam and Cambodia. I instinctively knew I wanted to paint her — I was struck by Eva’s sheer unselfconscious drive and her large black spectacles,’ says Ross. "In our image-saturated world I would love to see less selfies, gourmet meals, renovations and lingerie models blowing kisses, and more pictures of women, humans like Eva Orner," she says. "After an art-binge in Holland earlier this year, my head was filled with mysterious early Flemish portraiture. I wanted to work within a flat, almost dull palette and contrast a certain restraint with decorative motifs in Eva’s distinctive robe made by Afghan architect/designer Rahim Walizada.’ TIM GREGORY — SELF PORTRAIT AS ANCESTORS Putting Australia's muddled national identity on show, Tim Gregory describes this self-portrait as ‘a response to the confused, prosaic and performed nature of white Australia’. "European painting in Australia was founded by convicts who were themselves forgers, producing replicas of a landscape and life, which were facsimiles of European fantasies. In the main, this tradition continues," he says. "The combination of the redcoat and the convict is not about my own personal heritage, but more broadly about how many Australians still view themselves – as both larrikin/underdog and defender. The costumes I wear are eroticised reconstitutions of colonial history from a sexy costume store. They are in no way authentic, but held together by velcro and tassels, ready to be ripped off after the obligatory role-play of identity. "The painting is deliberately superficial: shiny, saturated, decontextualised. White painters (particularly male painters) in Australia, and the white Australian population more broadly, cannot contribute in any significant way to cultural, political or social evolution until we acknowledge that we are still a colonial country, absurdly and violently layered on top of the world’s oldest, continuous culture." PRUDENCE FLINT — BABY Writer Urszula Dawkins, who is not a mother, has been Prudence Flint's closest friend for 30 years. "When we first met she was a singer in a band. She began writing fiction in the nineties and has become a frequent lone traveller to Arctic Europe. We have supported each other in our unconventional life choices, balancing the demands of our creative lives and questioning social expectations. "The idea for the work came after seeing the late Gothic paintings of the Madonna and child in the Musée de Petit Palais, Avignon. I related to the ambivalence and the unnerving fierceness in the gestures between the mother and child," says Flint. "I wanted to paint Urszula with baby to show how the presence of motherhood is in our lives, whatever choices we make, like a parallel world. The painting began as a tiny sketch and I tried to keep it true to the tension between the monstrous and the tender. It felt like a delicate radiation area between beauty and repulsion that was tricky to paint." See the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until September 27. For more info or to book tickets, head over here.
The future of Sydney's nightlife in the face of the NSW Government's infamous lockout laws might still be in a state of polarising uncertainty, but the perseverant bunch at nightlife lobby group Keep Sydney Open is attempting to reinvigorate one of Sydney's central night spots. After a Kings Cross-wide event back in July, KSO is taking over Darlinghurst for a day-to-night takeover of the areas best venues. Alongside the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, the collective will take over 16 (and counting) Darlo nightlife venues for a precinct festival on Saturday, October 21 from 3pm all the way through to 3.30am. You'll be able to ho between venues such as Shady Pines Saloon, Golden Age, The Unicorn, The Colombian, The Cliff Dive and Stonewall, each of which will be throwing their own parties all through the afternoon and night. Some events will be ticketed while others, like markets and outdoor activations, will be free to attend. "A report conducted by the Darlinghurst Business Partnership found that bars and clubs took a 33 percent hit to their turnover after the lockouts, but shockingly, daytime business fell by 25 percent," says KSO campaign director Tyson Koh. "It shows how far-reaching the effects of the lockouts are on all aspects of the city's vitality. There's a sense now, however, that things are heading in the right direction. Creating a vibrant city starts with us, which is why we're putting on Meet Me In Darlo. I think it's time we get out there, take back nightlife and take back our city!" Who will you find having a mad boogie within these venues? Well, that's all set to be revealed soon, along with the full program and ticketing details. So keep October 21 free and stay tuned. Meet Me in Darlo is happening across Darlinghurst on October 21 from 3pm till 3.30am. Tickets will go on sale soon here. Image: Kimberley Low.
A Purity Ring gig is not just a concert, but an experience. This is due to three factors. One: their unrestrained dedication to deep, deep bass. Two: their hypnotising light show, which they've created themselves. And three: Megan James's extraordinary, soaring vocals. And their sci-fi costumes are pretty damn impressive, too. Hailing from Canada, the duo — who is made up of James and producer Corin Roddick — have been mesmerising crowds at festivals and clubs all over the planet. Following their breakthrough album, Shrines, they've since collaborated with the likes of Danny Brown and Jon Hopkins. Coming our way to play St Jerome's Laneway Festival in Melbourne and Perth, Purity Ring will make two headline appearances while they're here — one at the Sydney Opera House on February 9 and at Melbourne's Forum Theatre on February 11. Then they're off to the States to play a bunch of festivals, including Coachella.
Five sites along the future light rail line in Kensington and Kingsford will play host to public artworks by acclaimed local artists, as part of Transport for NSW and Randwick Council's ArtMoves program. The works will be gradually installed along the route from July, and will remain there until February 2018. At Southern Cross Close, the non-profit humanitarian organisation Ondru will install an enormous photographic mural featuring members of the Kingsford Community, while artists Sarah Barns and Michael Killalea, known collectively as Esem Projects, will celebrate music with their large gramophone sculpture. Meanwhile, Elliot Routledge, aka Numskull, will transform the site at Strachan Street with a brightly coloured mural; Nuha Saad will pay tribute to Todman Avenue's period architecture with a series of sculpted columns; and Adrienn Lord, aka Mandylights, will offer his very unique take on a park bench on Duke Street. Rounding things out, Borrodale road will benefit from the Chinese enamelware floral painting of Mimi Tong, as well as a new installation from Hand to Land Studios, the intriguingly named Surprise Dumplings. Construction on the light rail line has been dogged by long delays. On the plus side, at least now Sydneysiders will have something nice to look at.
It's hard work taste-testing all the desserts in Sydney, but someone's got to do it. And here at Concrete Playground we've endured the sugar highs and lows, the jittery mornings and sleepless nights to bring you this list of the best — and most enduring — desserts in the city. Whether you're into crispy, creamy, crunchy or crumbly, here are the sweet treats worth losing your teeth for. SNOW EGG, QUAY This week is your last chance to farewell Peter Gilmore's Snow Egg, an edible masterpiece that was too good for this world and was cruelly taken from us too soon. The Snow Egg won the hearts and stomachs of the nation when it appeared on Quay's menu over a decade ago — it also made grown men cry when it appeared in a finale challenge on Masterchef. Ever since, we've been bewitched by its biscuity maltose casing and its poached meringue and custard apple filling. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to crack one open for yourself, you've got from now until April 1 to get your hands on one. After that, we're all just going to have to make do with whatever desserts Gilmore chooses for the new menu. Which I guess we can manage. POUDING CHÔMEUR, LP'S QUALITY MEATS It may not have the most glamorous name or even a particularly neat appearance but the pouding chômeur from LP's Quality Meats is hands-down one of the most delicious desserts in the city. The poor man's dish, which translates as 'unemployment pudding' is created by soaking vanilla cake batter in maple syrup and then baking it in the oven. The result is a warm and gooey, nana-like pud with sticky pockets of caramelised maple. LP's serves its version in a rustic tin foil pie pan with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and a dusting of icing sugar. The generous serve is enough for you and your two best mates. STRAWBERRY WATERMELON CAKE, BLACK STAR PASTRY If you haven't already tried this dessert you've almost certainly seen it — after all it is the most Instagrammed cake in the world (allegedly). More than just a pretty picture, this pink-petalled gateau is impossibly light and fragrant, and with its hidden slab of watermelon I'm pretty sure it's good for you, too. Created by Christopher Thé of Black Star Pastry, the celebrated cake is made from two layers of almond dacquoise sandwiched with rose-scented cream and watermelon. It's then topped with dried rose petals, sliced strawberries and a scattering of pistachio kernels. Go on, Instagram it, you know you want to. DD SPECIAL, DEVON CAFE For a dish probably invented by a three-year-old, the classic combo of chips and soft serve works on so many levels. It's sweet and salty, hot and cold, crunchy and soft, it's actually genius. For the best version in town, head to fine-dining café Devon and order the DD special. There are two soft serve options to choose from, including a dual swirl of matcha and hojicha (roasted green tea) and the salted caramel with black sea salt flakes. Both come topped with hot chip dippers. Invite your nephew, invite your neighbour's kid, or who cares, just go by yourself. GINGER BRÛLÉE TART, BOURKE STREET BAKERY From all the delicious pastries on display at Bourke Street Bakery, the best would have to be the ginger brûlée tart. Inspired by a trip through the Indian Himalayas, the classic French dessert is given a chai kick, with zesty notes of ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. And the best part is, it's a perfectly snackable size, small enough that you can scoff one at any time of day. Oh and while you're there, you may as well get a chocolate ganache tart, lemon and vanilla ricotta cake, a sour cherry cookie and a pear Danish, too. [caption id="attachment_532255" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Brett Stevens[/caption] PAVLOVA, BENNELONG You really won't find a dessert more jaw-dropping than this sugary replica of the Sydney Opera House. Created by executive chef Peter Gilmore, Bennelong's signature dessert is made from poached seasonal fruits dotted in double cream and Italian meringue kisses and topped with crisp meringue sails. Gilmore has managed to get the angles just right — even Jørn Utzon would be impressed. Be mindful that this perfect pav doesn't come cheap. You'll need to order a two-($100) or three-course($135) set menu if you want to give it a try. Oh well, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. SEA SALT SOFT SERVE, AQUA S Instagrammability aside, there's something special about the dreamy fairy-floss wrapped soft serves from Aqua S. Inspired by the Japanese island of Okinawa, the signature flavour is the sea salt, a bright blue coil with a strong briny taste. It's like licking the ocean, if the ocean was delicious. While the sea salt is always on the menu, Aqua S runs a number of rotating specials, including honey lavender, elderflower and lychee, which can also be double twirled with sea salt. Decorate your colourful creation with one of the indulgent toppings, from the nest of fairy floss, to grilled marshmallow, popping candy and mochi. BREWNUT, BREWTOWN NEWTOWN I think it's fair to say that cronuts are here to stay. For an exemplary version, head to Brewtown Newtown where the flaky deep-fried rings go under the name of Brewnut. Baked fresh in-store daily, the assortment includes cinnamon, glazed and Nutella as well as more elaborate flavours and creations — think blood orange and chocolate custard, Brewnut ice cream sandwiches, Brewnut burgers, Brewnut benedict and Brewnut French toast. It's sweet, delicious madness. Brewtown also sources, blends and roasts its own coffee, so order a takeaway cup for the perfect accompaniment. LEMON TART, SAINT PETER Saint Peter's Josh Niland has received a lot of attention for his culinary abilities over the last few years, but let's not forget the restaurant's co-owner — and Josh's equally talented wife — Julie Niland who has created the meanest lemon tart in town. Formerly a pastry chef at Sixpenny and the now-closed Marque, Julie's lemon tart manages to perfectly balance sweet and sour notes, while the shortcrust pastry is buttery, crumbly and melts on the tongue. She also makes a killer lemon and passionfruit version, too. RICOTTA CANNOLI, PASTICCERIA PAPA We all know that Pasticceria Papa's makes the best Italian sweets in town. The real argument is whether to order the baked ricotta cheesecake or the homemade ricotta cannoli. It's a tough call but we think the crunchy bubbly pastry shells give the cannoli an edge. However, you should probably just get both and test for yourself. Just be sure to get there early while there are still some left.
Sydney, prepare to say ciao to Italian cinema throughout September and October, because the annual showcase of films from or about the European nation is back for another round. The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is back for its 17th year — and if the program is anything to go by, it's going to be another good one. Not only will the 2016 fest kick off with Italian box office hit Perfect Strangers and close with the digital restoration of the Audrey Hepburn-starring classic Roman Holiday, but it also boasts a world premiere. Local audiences will be the first on the planet to see the first-ever Australian-Italian feature co-production, The Space Between. Charting the intersection of an Italian ex-chef and a spirited Aussie in the scenic Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, it has been described as "a celebration of the Italian spirit of la dolce vita". All up, the program boasts 30 films. Because you probably won't have time to see them all, check out our list of the five must-see films of this year's Italian Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sYLibWZrRs THE SPACE BETWEEN The feature filmmaking debut of Melbourne director Ruth Borgobello, The Space Between marks the first ever co-production between Italy and Australia — and will fittingly make its world premiere at this year's Lavazza Italian Film Festival. A romantic drama, the film follows an ex-chef, Marco (Flavio Parenti) who falls for an Australian woman named Olivia (Maeve Dermody) after a chance encounter in the picturesque town of Udine in Northern Italy. Dermody and Borgobello are guests of the festival, and will take part in Q&A sessions following selection screenings in Sydney and Melbourne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBpVt7SiLVM FIORE Straight from the Directors' Fortnight section at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival back in May, the third feature effort from Claudio Giovannesi shapes up as one of the most intriguing titles in this year's IFF program. Fiore concerns a young woman, played by newcomer Daphne Scoccia, who must adjust to life in juvenile prison after being convicted of robbery. Giovannesi cast a number of non-professional actors, including several who had previously served time behind bars. The decision clear paid off, with the film — and Scoccia's performance in particular — scoring strong reviews from critics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg9avYV3FPs ONE KISS Best known for penning the Tilda Swinton vehicle I Am Love, writer-director Ivan Cotroneo here adapts his own novel, about a trio of unlikely friends living in a small Italian town. High school students Blu, Lorenzo and Antonio might not have much in common, but their shared outsider status soon brings them together. A coming of age drama, One Kiss scored a gong for Best Screenwriting at Italy's annual film awards, and is described in the festival program as a story about "friendship, the limits of imagination, and the consequence of honesty". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3al1PBx09A WHERE AM I GOING? The new comedy from Gennaro Nunziante broke box office records in Italy, to the point that it even gave Star Wars: The Force Awakens a serious run for its money. Where Am I Going? stars Luca Medici as Checco Zalone, a lazy, middle-aged bureaucrat willing to go to enormous lengths to keep his cushy government job and benefits package. A scathing critique of the Italian public service, the film also reportedly thumbs its nose of the concept of political correctness. Whether its sense of humour will be embraced by Australian audiences, we'll have to wait and see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twi3lQIDkiU ROMAN HOLIDAY Of course, we had to include at least one retro title on this list — and, honestly, who could look past this Audrey Hepburn classic? William Wyler's 1953 romantic comedy, one of the greatest and most iconic of all time, has recently undergone a brand new digital restoration, and will no doubt look amazing when it lights up the big screen on closing night. Join Hepburn and Gregory Peck on a Vespa ride around the Italian capital and fall in love with the city all over again. The Italian Film Festival will run from September 13 until October 9 at Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema and Palace Verona. See the full program at italianfilmfestival.com.au.
Overcoming systemic discrimination, both in the music industry and society more broadly, Indigenous hip hop artists are the vanguard of an exciting new era of Aussie hip hop. In the words of politically-conscious rapper Briggs, star of the ABC's Cleverman and Black Comedy: They're growing up fast, they're growing up tough, They're giving back everything they never got as a pup, And if they want something, you're giving it up, If they want something, you're giving it up. It's tempting to say that Indigenous hip hop is undergoing a renaissance of late, but it wouldn't be entirely accurate — the scene has been strong for years, it's just that now it's finally starting to get the attention it deserves. One initiative responsible for this greater recognition is Klub Koori, a regular showcase of emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians produced by Koori Radio. So, before they storm the stage on Thursday, July 7 at Carriageworks and with NAIDOC Week in full swing, we thought we'd introduce you to some Indigenous artists who are coming up fast and coming up tough. Oh, and they do want something: the throne. JIMBLAH Hailing from the Larrakia Nation in the Northern Territory, Jimblah sums up the paradox of 'traditional' (read: predominantly white) Aussie hip hop when he raps: "I see your fans, they're a bunch of racist kids, so who's to blame?" While there are few examples of overt racism in the local scene there is a definite racist undertone — so much so that those paragons of Aussie hip hop Hilltop Hoods felt compelled to write a whole song about it. Jimblah's fiery pull no punches lyricism — highlights include: "Australia just look what we made here/From slave ships to Great Britain's blood on their hands/Understand the royal fam, flying the flag/Unlawfully stands a generation unlawfully here" — has seen him garner significant critical acclaim. LADY LASH A Kokatha/Greek woman from far western South Australia, Lady Lash is a generic anomaly. Combing equal parts jazz, hip hop and soul interwoven with powerful storytelling, her music pushes sonic boundaries in profoundly beautiful ways. Having taken out the Victorian Indigenous Performing Arts Award for Most Promising Act and The Age Music Victoria Award for Best Indigenous Act with her debut album Crystal Mercy: The Fisherman's Daughter, Lady Lash is set to release her third album Therapy Tapes later this year. NOOKY 2016 has been an exciting year for Yuin Nation rapper and @IndigenousX host Nooky. Taking out the Australia Council Dreaming Award at the National Indigenous Arts Awards not only came with prestige but also a very tangible $20,000 grant towards developing his debut album. Signed to Briggs' label Bad Apples Music and having collaborated with Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas (after a chance encounter and cypher at The Block in Redfern), it's safe to say that his debut album is being hotly anticipated. It seems as though it's only a matter of time before Nooky blows up, so get on board early. TASMAN KEITH Splitting his formative years between inner city Sydney and Bowraville in the bucolic Nambucca Valley, Tasman Keith's music reflects these contrasting locales, combining sun-kissed beats with an effortless flow and lyrical dexterity reminiscent of early '90s East Coast hip hop. Having burst onto the scene in 2015 with his debut single 'B You', Tasman, the son of legendary Australian hip hop pioneer Wire MC, pays homage to his Gumbaynggirr heritage while epitomising the thoughtful, soulful sound that seems to be emerging in the local scene. At just 18 years old, Tasman Keith is definitely one to watch out for. Klub Koori is happening at Carriageworks on Thursday, July 7 at 7pm. Tickets are just $10 +BF.
The brains behind The Butler, Bondi Hardware, The Botanist and SoCal, Applejack Hospitality is opening one grand, grand new bar, Della Hyde. Headed for the Hyde Park end of Oxford Street, Darlinghurst from November 25, this brand new 150-seat bar will take inspiration from the "luxe lobby bars of the grand hotels of the past", according to the Applejack team. With opulent interiors, brick columns, Chesterfield banquettes, period feature lighting and a focus on old world, glamorous cocktails, Della Hyde ain't no speakeasy. Think more Grand Budapest Hotel meets the decadent palaces of Rajasthan, India. Owners Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts have even given this fancy new character a sort of backstory — just for fun. “We like the idea that the Della Hyde site was ‘apparently’ once a grand hotel situated on Hyde Park and named after the famous American actress Della Pringle," says Watts. "We’ve taken design inspiration and a bit of artistic license from that — we reckon it would have had a touch of opulence based on the Hawa Mahal or 'Pink Palace' in Jaipur, India and that maybe it was a member of the revered 'Society of Crossed Keys'. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it!" Shall we check in and have a tipple? Cocktail-wise, Della Hyde’s general manager Joe Worthington (ex-SoCal Neutral Bay) and Applejack Group bars manager Lachy Sturrock have created a super sophisticated menu. We're pretty keen to try the cold-drip espresso aperitif-styled cocktails served over ice. There's nibbles afoot too — and the kitchen'll be open late (the bar's inspired by grand hotels after all). Executive chef James Privett has crafted a menu of European and North African influences, mainly share plates and bar food. Think spinach and labna pizza, paprika chicken skewers or pea and pancetta croquettes. This new bar will be Applejack's fifth venue to open in four years. Look out, Drink N Dine, Merivale et al. Della Hyde will open at 34 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst on November 25. It'll be open 5pm until late, seven nights a week. Images: The Butler.
Australia's love affair with the meat pie has reached extravagantly unfathomable new heights, with today's unveiling of a pie worth a whopping $12,000. Billed as the world's most expensive pie, the gold-encrusted pastry is the result of a partnership between the Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington and Groupon Australia; celebrating the sale of the website's two-millionth food and drink voucher. Baked by Lord Dudley's executive chef Paul Medcalf, the so-called posh pie is made with David Blackmore's Wagyu beef eye fillet, rock lobster from Western Australia, Italian porcini mushrooms, 500g of black truffles and a selection of organically-grown vegetables, as well as two bottles of Penfolds Grange Reserve. The top of the pie consists of puff pastry covered in shaved truffles and — wait for it — 23 carat gold leaf from Germany. Yes, it sounds delicious and opulent and outrageous. But $12,000? To put that price into perspective, this pie costs roughly the same amount as 2500 Four 'N' Twenty Pies from 7-Eleven, or fifty-two thousand frozen party pies from Coles. But their gravy ain't made of the Grange. Groupon have released a video of the baking process, complete with inspiring MasterChef-style music, viewable below. Drooling is permitted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjpc_9auDA Anyone with a casual 12K lying around can make a purchase offer here. The rest of us plebs can also win a free taste, through a competition on the Groupon website.
There's a brand new Italian-focused eatery in Balmain, sitting within Darling Street's beloved Cricketer's Arms hotel. One Ford Street has opened within the recently refurbished pub, with chef Sam Bennett (ex-Bourke Street Bakery, Glebe Point Diner) running the kitchen. An intimate, 50-seat restaurant, One Ford Street is being pitched as a 'neighbourhood eatery' with a communal, Italian vibe. Accessed by a separate entrance hidden from the main Darling Street, the restaurant will bring Bennett's culinary skills and influences from his recent Italian trip to Balmain, with a focus on housemade produce and seasonal ingredients. Think handmade pasta, pickled olives, cured meats. “Having just returned from a year long working holiday in Italy, I was inspired by the big, simple flavours and beautiful ingredients," says Bennett. "I really want to bring a style of cooking based on what I was seeing in regional Italy and interpret that here in Australia — non fussy, casual feasting food using amazing, fresh produce." Bennett's serving up one innovative-sounding menu, from chopped veal cipriani and pizza crusts ($16) to just-cooked tiger prawns with sugar snaps and caramelle ($26). If you're just keen to see what the guy can do, you can go truly Italian-style with the 'Trust the Chef' options. Want to tackle One Ford's Italian wine list? You'll be in good hands if you're feeling a little intimidated; Front of House manager Fabio Dore (of Popolo in Rushcutters Bay and former winner of Gourmet Traveller's Maitre D of the Year award) has curated a wine list spanning all the Italian regions. There's also Italian craft beer on offer, so prepare for an education. With an outdoor courtyard filled with hanging baskets, pot plants and Mediterranean-inspired greenery, the restaurant is just one element of the Cricketer's refurb, after publican Tim Condon (responsible for The Three Weeds in Rozelle, The Riverview Hotel and East Village Hotel in Balmain) snapped up Balmain's former Monkey Bar and rechristened the pub with its original name. One Ford Street behind The Cricketers Arms Hotel at (you guessed it) 1 Ford Street, Balmain. Open Wednesday and Thursday for dinner, Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. To book, call (02) 9818 4232.
Royal Headache may have made history as possibly the first band to have an Opera House gig (almost) shut down by the police, but for the returning kings of the Sydney garage scene it's pretty much exactly what you would expect. Playing as part of the Repressed Records night for Vivid LIVE this past Saturday night, the band tackled the question of "Can a garage band really work in the Opera House?" with their typically riotous and joyful gig ending abruptly when security and NSW police responded to thirty or more fans who had jumped the stage, promptly shutting down the gig. Returning for their first hometown gig in more than two years, Royal Headache’s Vivid excursion to the Opera House (despite ending dramatically) is part of a commendable, if perhaps too-vaguely researched, experiment by the Opera House to open their doors to a different kind of Sydney scene. Audience members were free to wander in and out of the Joan Sutherland Theatre throughout the night — one doorwoman adeptly noted to ticketholders, "This isn’t the symphony." An excellent array of cross-genre bands took the stage, handpicked by those legends of independent music sellers, Repressed Records. Ranging from the eclectic ensemble of Snake and Friends (headed by Al Montfort from Dick Diver) to the blissful spotlight performance of solo pianist Monica Brooks, it was incredible to see such a diverse and original group of local performers alight the grand stage of the Opera House. In many ways, when Royal Headache took the stage, it felt like this was the stage they've always deserved. As a band that has always been more accustomed to playing in small local bars or literally in a garage out the back of their house, lead singer Shogun's vocals and energy have always seemed bigger than any space could fully contain. His charisma radiated venue-wide, as he paced rapidly back and forth across the stage quashing any question that the band might be overwhelmed by the cavernous space. Starting the performance with some more soulful songs from Royal Headache’s yet to be released second and final album, Shogun gave a typically raw and open performance — shirt off by the second song and channelling that patented and ever-endearing pessimism, drawing our attention to the "negative sweat" he was soaked in and unashamedly admitting when a song messed up. By the second song, people were on their feet, and by the third? Up on the plush red seats and in the aisles. With the opening chords of 'Down the Lane' — a crowd favourite and possibly their most complete song — the energy in the room peaked and fans began clambering onto the stage to surround Shogun in the mad crush Royal Headache gigs are known for. Followed quickly by the rapid-fire chords and hardcore vocals of 'Girls' (a personal favourite), a crowd of thirty or more fans found a manic — but certainly not destructive — tipping point, and despite one fan clambering on the kick drum and few water bottles being thrown, the only worries were what could only be incredibly expensive Opera House speakers embedded in the stage tripping up the feet of avid dancers. In what seemed like lightning speed (most likely helped by the ramped up police presence for Vivid), around twenty NSW police and Opera House security guards had appeared to escort fans offstage. The mood in the room quickly turned, with a disgruntled Shogun trying to move the band offstage, muttering into the mic what sounded like "Thank you and goodnight, I don't want to see my friends punched in the head by a bunch of fucking pigs. Take it easy." With the crowd back in the aisles and starting up a chant of "Let them play," the band eventually returned to the stage and were allowed to play a final song; although some fans were discontented by their choice to end on their cover of Womack & Womack's 'Teardrops'. Despite the rapid response of security, when asked, members of the NSW Police, Opera House security and staff on the door all expressed their surprise at the turn of events. One NSW police officer commented that the venue was "probably not" expecting fans to get as rowdy as they did, while an Opera House security member firmly stated that such behaviour was "not allowed" and that those involved in the performance had been informed beforehand that such behaviour would not be tolerated. Someone forgot to give the memo to the audience though, with most fans expressing annoyance that behaviour typical of any Royal Headache gig was dealt with such a heavy hand. While the night might seem to have settled the question of whether garage bands are suited to the grand, but strictly monitored venue of the Opera House, it would be a shame to think that this event would prevent a champion of the local alternative scene like Repressed Records from bringing new and non-mainstream talent back into the Opera House in the future. This experiment might seem to have failed, but one hopes that events like Vivid can find ways to continue to bring young alternative performers together with the grand Sydney stages they so deserve. Watch the stage invasion here: Images: Prudence Upton.
A few of Sydney's hospo greats have joined forces to revamp Double Bay's old Limoncello site, giving it new life as an Italian eatery. Orazio D'Elia (Da Orazio Pizza and Porchetta), Eddie Levy (Kittyhawk, Lobo Plantation and Darlo Country Club) and Adam Abrams (also of Darlo Country Club) will open Matteo on Wednesday, July 5. The restaurant is named after D'Elia's two-month-old baby boy. "Finding the name is the hardest thing and in the end Eddie convinced me to go with Matteo," says D'Elia. "It means I have to put a lot of soul and work into this restaurant because it has to be perfect with my son's name." This genuine big-heart Italian nature is indicative of of D'Elia and his signature ventures. The three mates had been chatting about opening a new venue together for a while — and when they visited the Limoncello site, things just fell into place. "They knew I was looking for something and said they liked the look of the Limoncello site,"says D'Elia. "I actually used to work as head chef there and we got a good opportunity to take it." While Matteo will cater to families during the day, the vibe will change to a cocktail den by night, with DJs on the weekends and Quynh Nguyen (Brooklyn Social, Luis Tan, Icebergs and China Diner) behind the drinks list. Cocktails will focus on simple ingredients with some Italian twists, like blood orange and Amaro Montenegro. As with Da Orazio, the Italian eatery will be all about house-made pastas, pizzas and share plates, focusing on simple Italian dishes — think seasonal snapper cooked in rock salt, char-grilled octopus (this reminds D'Elia of summer in Europe), and, for winter, saffron capunti (that's a pea pod-shaped pasta) with osso buco ragu. The traditional pizza menu will include a few focaccias and tiramisu for dessert because, as D'Elia puts it, "every Italian restaurant needs to have a tiramisu". The 150-seater features a Mediterranean-style fit-out by interior designer Ian Nessick, which includes a six-metre-long marble and stone bar, hand-rolled porcelain light fittings and upcycled aged timber ceilings and panelling that give the feel of an old Italian house. The new pizza oven, which just arrived from Italy, is the hero of the open kitchen and the finishes are multicoloured Italian terrazzo throughout — that chipped marble set in concrete that is characteristic of the Mediterranean. "We wanted to elevate the interior to match the food," says Nessick. "Ori [Orazio] is authentic Italian and cooks from the heart, so that is at the soul of the fit-out as well, and why the kitchen is at the centre of the venue." The colour palate is earthy and light, with blonde American oak tables and chairs with rust coloured upholstery. The open deck out front has been designed to feel like you're sitting on a luxury yacht, and will host an aperitivo hour. "The space has a really handmade feel and is turning into the most beautiful little restaurant," says Nessick. D'Elia has recently made the decision to leave his hatted Bondi restaurant so he can focus on Restaurant Matteo full time, with his business partner, Maurice Terzini, taking the reigns and Icebergs' chef Monty Koludrovic stepping up in the kitchen at Da Orazio. Of the new Double Bay restaurant, he says: "I want this space to be something people will enjoy as an experience and make them feel like they're coming to eat with me and my family." Matteo will open on Wednesday, July 5 at 29 Bay Street, Double Bay. For more info, visit matteosydney.com. Images and video: Steven Woodburn.
This winter, Falls Creek welcomes a slick, well-panelled new(ish) resident, as the just-renovated Astra Lodge opens its doors to the public. Having taken out the title of Australia's Best Boutique Ski Lodge at the 2016 World Ski Awards in Austria, the ski-in ski-out lodge is now ready to impress the locals with a new fitout, kicking off the season on June 10. Sporting downright dapper interiors by Grant Amon Architects, the Astra Lodge's aesthetic resembles a 1970s European alpine hideaway. Owned by locals Rosy and Seumas Seaton and run by general managers Tom and Sally Simpson, the lodge contains every last wintry comfort — starting with its own integrated day spa, where guests can unwind with a whisky and a moustache grooming session after a long day on the slopes. There's a heated magnesium mineral pool for soothing those muscles, a state-of-the-art ski drying room, a panoramic library, a Chesterfield-filled lounge bar, a generous wine cellar and a seasonally-focused Italian fine diner, headed up by hatted chef, Emma Handley (Villa Gusto). After dinner, roasting of marshmallows in the common fireplace is highly encouraged. Perhaps the biggest drawcard for serious ski bunnies is that Astra Lodge will host Skimetrics founder Adalbert Leibetseder, who'll be offering his tailored ski program and boot fittings, helping to ensure you've got all the right gear for a top-notch ski trip experience. Rooms come in five styles, from deluxe to two-bedroom apartment. Suffice to say, rates aren't cheap, with the lowest off-peak nightly rate at the deluxe room at $346 per night (sleeps two, minimum two-night stay) — the highest being the apartment at $1630 per night (sleeps four, minimum two-night stay). Astra Lodge is currently taking bookings for the 2017 ski season and is set to open on June 10. Find it at 5 Sitzmark Street, Falls Creek.
Horse racing has copped a fair bit of criticism over the last few years, and with the internet bringing to the table new and fun ways to throw money away (Kim Kardashian’s phone game, eBay and this wonderful device) why would a sane adult waste time on fascinators and animal cruelty when you could, you know, go to the pub and bet on where exactly a Shetland pony will lay a turd? This is an elaborate way of saying that The Vic is putting on an anti-Melbourne Cup day event that defies the nation's obsession with watching horses race and gives birth to a new obsession: watching them crap. The ‘Shitting Shetland’ game is, um, exactly what it sounds like. A live Shetland pony will spend the afternoon in its own VIP fenced off area, marked with a grid. Punters can buy a square on the grid and at the end of the day, the square with the most horse poop on it wins the kitty. The rest of the takings will generously go to the NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust, a charity that helps rehabilitate former race horses. It’s… it’s… well it’s actually genius and sweet and a little weird in a good way and probably stinky and sounds so much better than paying through the nose for a watery champagne in a plastic glass at the race track. They’ll also be donating to the same charity through drink sales, which is a hope-4-humanity moment if ever we’ve seen one. Here’s hoping this idea catches on in pubs and malls across Australia. The Shetland Shitting contest will take place at The Vic, 2 Addison Rd, Enmore, on November 3 from 1pm.
Consider this brow quizzically raised. The City of Sydney is looking to lift the ban on no less than 62 public alcohol-free zones — including areas of Redfern, Newtown, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Waterloo, Alexandria, Erskineville, Rosebery and Darlinghurst, according to The Daily Telegraph. Huh? Wha? Yep, these are the very same suburbs that Mike Baird and Barry O'Farrell's controversial laws have prevented you from buying booze after 10pm. But buy a bottle of wine early? You can drink it on the street. Apparently, rather than being a street party invitation, the move is being put into place for two reasons. Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney council stated yesterday that the decision was made after statistics showed the booze-free zones have only had a minor effect on crime. Alcohol-free zones cover public roads, footpaths, car parks and laneways. The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the lift is to the benefit of Sydney's homeless population — allegedly forced into unmonitored alleyways by the zones. Booze-free areas, Labor councillor Linda Scott told the Tele, have "criminalised those sleeping rough, and often fail to prevent problems they are seeking to address." Obviously, NSW Police aren't psyched. According to Nine News, police think the alcohol-free zones discourage and prevent "crimes such as malicious damage, stealing, offensive behaviour and acts of violence." Police Association of NSW's Scott Webe told Nine, "Removing alcohol-free zones makes the job of local police in these areas more difficult." Of course, a large majority of the public is on board — because drinking in public. City documents snavvelled by the Tele reported that when the City proposed the removal of the alcohol-free zones, they received 146 responses — with 80 percent for the removal. According to the report, "The majority of the objections received related to the view that drinking did not necessarily always lead to anti-social behaviour and that the creation of zones in residential streets and parks is infringing on the ability of citizens to responsibly drink an alcohol beverage in a public place." Via Nine News and The Daily Telegraph. Image: Wiki.
Whether you're heading north to chase the sun or to escape reality at Splendour in the Grass, there's no need to hurry to Byron Bay. In fact, with around 800 kilometres of road to cover — flanked by epic beaches, rivers, national parks, fresh produce, microbreweries and creative places to spend the night — it's your god-given duty to take your time. So, call your boss, nab a few extra days off and start planning your rest stops. Our road tripper's guide to the Legendary Pacific Coast will provide all the excuses you need. [caption id="attachment_576705" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pete Saw.[/caption] CENTRAL COAST Despite being a 90-minute drive from Sydney, the Central Coast, with its calm water, surf beaches, cute villages and swathes of national park, is surprisingly unspoilt. Light on cash? Claim a patch of grass or caravan at a Central Coast Holiday Park. Alternatively, check into a light and airy two-bedroom apartment at the Patonga Beach Hotel, perched on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Ten minutes drive east is pretty, pretty, National Trust-listed Pearl Beach. With just 600 dwellings and encircled by trees, it's home to two excellent lunch spots — the hatted Pearls on the Beach, specialising in Middle Eastern-inspired deliciousness, and the more budget-friendly Pearl Beach Cafe and General Store (go the choc chip pancakes with Nutella-maple fudge sauce, sliced banana and candied bacon). Across Broken Bay lies Killcare. Here, you can tuck into tasty, hatted Italian while surrounded by landscaped gardens at Manfredi or grab a $5 bacon and egg roll at The Fat Goose. Afterwards, stretch your legs while soaking in panoramic coastal views in the Bouddi National Park and, on the way out, swing by Distillery Botanica (home of an eponymous, garden-grown gin and Mr Black coffee liqueur), as well as the Six String Brewing Company. For more Central Coast tips, check out our weekender's guide to Patonga, Pearl Beach and Killcare and our day tripper's guide to Copacabana and the Bouddi National Park. [caption id="attachment_576728" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pete Saw.[/caption] NEWCASTLE Two hours drive will land you in mighty Newcastle, sometime steel capital, now artsy community and one of Lonely Planet's top ten cities of 2011. For a comfy sleepover in a sunny room downtown, stay at The Lucky, which reopened in 2014 after a $6 mill revamp. Not enough time to spend the night? It's still worth detouring for a coffee (and cosy lounges) at Sprocket Roasters, a meticulously prepared cuppa at Tea Project or a locally-brewed beer at Foghorn. For scallop chowder or wild-caught prawns while gazing at the Tasman Sea through floor-to-ceiling windows, book a table at Merewether Surfhouse or, to catch up with Silverchair bassist, Chris Joannou, pop into The Edwards, where he and barista Chris Johnston have turned Joannou's parents' laundry warehouse into a friendly, funky eatery-cafe-bar. Get some exercise wandering among the CBD's many independent artists' spaces and laneways plastered with street art, or take a stroll along the Newcastle Memorial Walk, which spans the clifftops between Strzelecki Lookout and Bar Beach, affording 360-degree views. You'll find loads more Newie ideas over here. [caption id="attachment_576734" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pete Saw.[/caption] PORT MACQUARIE Port Macquarie, perched on the Hastings River and bordered by eighteen beaches, is another three hours' drive north. On the way, stop overnight at Old Bar to sleep with your favourite rock star (be that David Bowie, Nick Cave, Dave Grohl or Louis Armstrong) in the Boogie Woogie Beach House. Each room in this designer, boutique hotel, located a short scurry from the beach, is dedicated to a music legend and comes with its own vinyl player (LPs supplied). Plus, there's live music on Fridays and Sundays. 30 kilometres inland, in the tiny town of Wingham, farm-fresh produce is turned into scrumptious dishes at Bent on Food. If you happen to be passing by in October, time your visit to coincide with the Wingham Akoostik Festival. For riverside accommodation in Port with a pool, as well as access to vintage bikes and paddle boards, there's Sails Resort By Rydges. Come lunch or dinner, head to the hatted Stunned Mullet for oyster flights, Glacier 51Toothfish or Orange-reared venison, as well as stunning views over Town Beach. Back in town, there's tapas, art and live music at Latin Loafer, and creative, local-produce driven dishes in Drury Lane Eatery's leafy courtyard. The best coffee in town is served among Social Grounds' murals and dark wooden tables and cracking beer is brewed onsite at Black Duck. The nine-kilometre Port Macquarie Coastal Walk is the place to work off your excesses. Start at Town Beach and finish at Tacking Point Lighthouse, taking in three beaches, several breathtaking lookouts and Sea Acres National Park, where the rainforest meets the sea. A shorter adventure is the 1.3-kilometre long, seven-metre high Sea Acres Boardwalk. Our weekender's guide can help with further explorations. [caption id="attachment_581230" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andrew Sutherland.[/caption] URUNGA AND BELLINGEN Drive another 130 kilometres to get to Urunga, a tiny town where two rivers — the Bellinger and the Kalang — meet the sea. To see both river mouths up close, take a stroll on the one-kilometre long, elevated Urunga Boardwalk. You can expect 360-degree views all the way — inland over the Great Dividing Range, north towards Mylestom Spit and south as far as Nambucca Heads. Next, take a break from the coast and head west to Bellingen, a laidback, artsy 3000-person town on the Bellinger River's banks. There are eco-friendly retreats aplenty, but, even if you don't have an over-nighter in mind, leave some time to wander among the art galleries and jewellery makers of The Old Butter Factory and hang out in local cafes. For rainforest walks and waterfalls, travel another 35 kilometres inland to reach Dorrigo National Park. Get a mid-road trip workout with views on the Blackbutt Walking Track or visit several cascades on the Casuarina Falls circuit. The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre will give you the lowdown on local flora and fauna, as well as a dizzying adventure on the canopy-level Skywalk. [caption id="attachment_576785" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andrea Schaffer.[/caption] COFFS HARBOUR Another hour of road time and you'll be in Coffs Harbour. Take your mandatory snap with the Big Banana before making tracks to Aanuka Beach Resort or, to escape the crowds, an Arthouse Beachfront Apartment on Emerald Beach, 20 kilometres north. May to July and September to November make up whale watching season, so head to a vantage point with a picnic and keep a lookout — Muttonbird Island's viewing platform and Emerald Beach's Look At Me Now Headland are both prime spots. Alternatively, jump on a local tour boat. [caption id="attachment_576794" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Richard Rydge.[/caption] HINTERLAND WAY For the final stretch — between Ballina and Byron Bay — try substituting the well-trodden Pacific Highway with the Hinterland Way. Starting at Ewingsdale, this idyllic, winding road takes you through the lush, green rolling hills west of Byron Bay. Make your first stop the Macadamia Castle and Animal Park, where you can sample local macadamias and hang out by a frog conservation pond. A ten-minute drive will bring you to teeny-tiny Newrybar, where the the oldest bakery in Australia has been transformed into the Harvest Cafe, Deli and Bakery. Linger over fresh sourdough baked in a 107-year-old woodfired oven, twelve-hour braised lamb shoulder or charcuterie, prepared onsite. Last of all, drop into Bangalow for heritage-listed buildings with shady verandahs, independent art galleries, peaceful parks and a stroll along Byron Creek. The epic Bangalow Market takes over the town on the fourth Sunday of every month, bringing live music, local farmers, artworks, design and loads more. [caption id="attachment_581233" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jeremy Foster.[/caption] YAMBA If, however, you decide to stick to the coast, then make Yamba, 140 kilometres north of Coffs, your final pre-Byron Bay stop. After all, the CSIRO and Stanford University reckon it has one the best climates in the world, alongside San Diego, California and Bunbury, Western Australia. Even in July, you'll notice locals swimming — a warm current comes through, often pushing water temperatures up to summer levels. If you're keen for a dip, try Brooms Head Main Beach, which is beautifully protected by Yuraygir National Park. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales while you're at it. Every Wednesday morning, local farmers bring their produce to the Whiting Beach Car Park for the Yamba Farmers Market. Alternatively, you'll find one of the best meals in town at the waterfront Yamba Shores Tavern. Definitely order the prawns — they're some of the freshest and most delicious on the East Coast. Top image: Richard Rydge.
These days, new restaurants love to shout about their ethical practices from the rooftop. A decade ago, this was less common. So, when sustainable seafood restaurant Love Fish popped up on the scene in Rozelle, it made quite the splash. Led by Michelle Grand-Milkovic and Michael Milkovic, Love Fish set about proving that sustainability didn't need to be adopted at the expense of innovation — and, in fact, it could do the opposite. In 2018, the couple brought these values to Barangaroo's waterfront with a second iteration of Love Fish. Here, you can expect the same focus on fresh, locally and sustainably sourced goods prepared with simple techniques that hero the produce. That means dishes like salt and pepper calamari with chorizo powder and wasabi mayo; chargrilled octopus with roasted chickpeas and tahini; and grilled Coral Coast barramundi fillet with butternut pumpkin, basil pearl couscous and marinated goat's feta. The wine list is equally considered with the majority of labels sourced from Australia and New Zealand. It's easy to see why Love Fish has been on of the best seafood restaurants in Sydney for many years. Images: Nikki To
Whether you're lining up to become the next David Attenborough or you're a mad Instagrammer, there's stacks of scope for improving your photography skills in the Blue Mountains. But with dozens of lookouts, scores of waterfalls and hundreds of walking trails to visit, how do you figure out where's best? Well, you could ask a pro. Expert photographer Gary P. Hayes, who's been snapping away since he was 12, spills the beans on several of his secret spots for us. Master the shots here and you'll be well on your way to snap-happiness. MIDDLE PLATFORM, KATOOMBA FALLS For the dream photo, you should get here for sunset. As the sun disappears, the cliffs glow an incredible, fiery red for just a few minutes each day, giving the location's extraordinary perspective its most magical feel. On your left, you have the Katoomba Falls seriously close, while on your right, Jamison Valley stretches out for what looks like forever, made even more dramatic by Mount Solitary. Photographers have been hanging around here angling for the perfect shot since the 1900s. SUBLIME POINT, LEURA Early risers, Leura's Sublime Point is for you. Sleeper-innerers, it's worth struggling out of bed for. Arrive at sunrise and you'll get to see Mount Solitary and the Three Sisters (from the back) in a whole new light. Fortunately, getting there is a cinch – there's no call for any strenuous walking first thing in the morning. GOVETT'S LEAP LOOKOUT, BLACKHEATH Like Sublime Point, Govett's Leap Lookout also puts on its best face at first light. The good news is, that, of all the spots listed here, this one gives away the most impressive shots most easily. Even absolute amateurs are highly likely to produce photos to make their folks proud. Govett's Leap is also one of the all-round most popular lookouts in the Blue Mountains – probably because it comes with 180-metre high waterfalls, ridiculously beautiful views of the Grose Wilderness and, if you keep your eyes out, king parrots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. VALLEY OF THE WATERS, WENTWORTH FALLS Pack your bags for this one – it's an all-day walk. But you and your Instagram account definitely won't be sorry you made the effort. Expect one stunning waterfall after the other and many an awe-inspiring vista. It's ideal for practising all your photographic techniques – from tiny details to mesmerising natural patterns and mind-blowing views. Images by Gary P. Hayes
Sydney's got a brand new Asian-inspired foodie alley, and chances are you might have walked straight past it. Hidden behind the brand new main facade of the Kensington Street precinct at Central Park, Kopi-Tiam Spice Alley is Chippendale's newest little food court. It's a pretty little corner of the world, decorated with lantern installations, but more importantly, there's a handful of damn fine food outlets in the space: Alex Lee Kitchen, Bang Luck, Old Jim Kee and Hong Kong Diner. Spice Alley is entirely cash-free — you can only pay with card or a special rechargeable Kopi-Tiam card — so let's load up and try the grub. Run by one of Sydney's most celebrated Singaporean chefs, Alex Lee Kitchen is your go-to for authentic Singapore dishes with a unique twist from the ex-head chef at Ginger and Spice in Neutral Bay. Next is Bang Luck, a hub of Thai and Vietnamese street food run by young gun Asian-Australian chef Tiw Rakarin (ex-Mama's Buoi, Surry Hills). Then we've got Old Jim Kee, home of authentic Malaysian dishes by veteran chef Jim Yong aka Uncle Jim, famed for his namesake restaurant in Mosman. Finally, there's Hong Kong Diner, managed by the team at Chef's Gallery and brimming with HK comfort food like dumplings and other yum cha morsels. Night Noodle Markets favourite POKLOL has also joined the party, doing their particularly modern style of Asian fusion alongside the Spice Alley core. Sydney's newest urban development, Kensington Street Precinct, is becoming quite the nosh nucleus of the Chippendale area. Following the opening of the highly-anticipated Old Clare Hotel, its reception bar and restaurants Automata, Silvereye and the upcoming Kensington Street Social to open in November, this shiny new street space is now home to some of Sydney's more creative culinary escapades. Find Kopi-Tiam Spice Alley behind Kensington Street, Chippendale. All stalls are open daily from 11am-10pm. Images: Bodhi Liggett, Lauren Commens.
"Beer and pies are a match made in heaven," says Goat Pie Guy owner and chef Mick Hobson. "The bite and flavour of hops or wheat or barley is perfect to cut through the buttery pastry and rich fillings that I make for my winter pie range." Brisbane-based bakery maestro Hobson is no stranger to mixing beer and baked goods. Rather than enjoying the two separately, Mick uses beer in his pies — there are no less than five pies on the Goat Pie Guy menu made with beer (and they're all Great Aussie Pie Competition gold medal winners). If he's using a brew in a pie recipe, Mick always matches his drinking beer too. "If it's a curry pie, I like to drink a pale ale or if it's one of my seafood pies, I always pair it with an amber ale." Mick actually uses beer in a lot of his recipes, not just pies. "Beer's an awesome base to build lively broths for seafood, rich sauces for grilled meat and lovely sweet and savoury layers in a slow braise." Certain beers with a more crisp edge, like a Little Creatures Original Pilsner, can cut through heavier, more buttery dishes, refreshing and reviving the palate, while more hoppy beers, like a Kosciuszko Pale Ale, can help you soldier on through spicy food. Let's get back to those award-winning beery pies. We're keen to test this secret ingredient for ourselves, so we asked Mick for a cheeky recipe. So what's Mick cooked up for Concrete Playground? One heck of a hearty wagyu beef and porter pie. "This one came about when I was experimenting for a meeting of brewers and meat merchants. It was important that both parties had their produce showcased in the best possible way so I decided to highlight the chocolatey flavours in the porter by caramelising it with the onions and adding the figs for extra sweetness. The beef flavour was intensified with allspice, black pepper and rosemary. Then I tossed them in a pot together, filled it with porter and crossed my fingers for six hours! And man, was it worth the wait." Let's do this. MICK HOBSON'S WAGYU BEEF AND PORTER PIE Ingredients: 2 medium brown onions sliced 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 50g raw sugar 1kg diced wagyu brisket 3 litres beef stock 60ml olive oil 4 sprigs rosemary chopped 2 bay leaves 10g cracked black pepper 15g allspice 150g dried figs 3.5 bottles James Squire Jack of Spades Porter 150g corn flour 1 egg whisked for brushing 4 sheets of shop bought shortcrust pastry (Borgs is a good brand) 2 sheets of shop bought puff pastry (Borgs is good for puff too) *(If you want to make your own shortcrust my recipe is below) Heat half olive oil in a heavy base pot. Brown onions in oil, add half a 330ml bottle of James Squire Jack of Spades Porter, balsamic vinegar, diced figs and sugar and reduce until sticky, then remove from pot and set aside. Heat remaining oil in the same pot and brown beef in small batches adding more oil as needed. Add all beef back into pot along with black pepper, allspice and chopped rosemary. Stir on low heat to completely coat beef. Add caramelised onion mixture, bay leaves, stock and porter. Bring to the boil then let simmer on low for three to four hours until beef can be cut with a fork. Combine corn flour with enough water to dissolve, and pour in slowly as you stir to thicken. You might like to add more or less corn flour depending on how thick you like your gravy. Grease pie tins with butter and line with shortcrust pastry, leaving a little overhang. Fill with thickened pie mixture and brush pastry edge with egg mixture. Cut puff pastry lids to suit base size and place on top, crimp base and top together with fingertips or a fork. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a cold James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. *Shortcrust Pastry 1 250g plain flour 125g unsalted butter, chilled, finely chopped 1 egg, chilled Process flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk egg and one tablespoon chilled water in a bowl until combined, then with food processor motor running, add to flour mixture. Process until mixture begins to form large clumps, stopping machine before mixture forms a ball. Turn pastry out on to a work surface and knead gently to bring together. Form into a disc for a round tart or into a log shape for a rectangular tart. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours. Roll out to 3-4mm thickness and cut out required size. If you love discovering more things you can do with beer (and some surprising facts, like beer being 99.9 percent sugar free), visit www.beerthebeautifultruth.com. You'll find information on fusing beer and food, matching different styles of beer with your meals, and how particular foods can enhance the distinct flavours of a well-brewed beer. You can even learn a few nutritional myths around beer, and bust 'em while you're at it.
And now for something completely impractical. Artist Victor Solomon has created our dream basketball hoop, one we're encouraged to miss and be too short to slam dunk. For his newest series Literally Balling (heh), Solomon has crafted three beautiful backboards of stained, Tiffany-style glass. The whole thing's kind of Meret Oppenheim for basketball. Solomon has made unusable the tools of million-dollar paycheck earners — the Le Brons and Durants of the globe's top basketball stars. Fascinated by the obvious link between the players and their affluent lifestyles, Solomon has cheekily rendered their main moneymaker useless — but pretty as hell. The artist spend hundreds of hours cutting and shaping the stained glass backboards, and used gold chains and crystals to replace the net. Pretty sure no one should try a Jordan on one of these. Via Vice.
UPDATE, May 22, 2021: Black Panther is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. There is one dull moment in Black Panther. Exactly one. And the fact that it comes courtesy of Stan Lee's now-inevitable cameo speaks volumes about this rich and electrifying instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the man who ostensibly founded the franchise shows up, it feels like a predictable, obligatory inclusion in a film that runs from those labels every other chance it gets. Lee's presence nods to the usual formula that's been deployed for 17 big-screen chapters — but, coming in at number 18 in a series that shows no signs of slowing down, Black Panther refuses to stick to that template. It's one of the few comic book flicks in living memory that doesn't spend its time setting up the next movie or shoehorning in links to past titles. The film stands on its own merits, and it's absolutely glorious. Although viewers first met Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, aka Black Panther, back in Captain America: Civil War, his debut solo outing is still something of an origin story. Despite this, in exploring who the newly crowned Wakandan king is, where he's from and the struggles he's facing, the film prowls down its own path. After the death of his father, T'Challa finds himself at a crossroads about the future of his nation — a place that has long chosen to hoard its considerable technological advancements, close its borders and hide its true nature from the world. Some close to him, such as his head of security W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), support the insular status quo. Others, including his ex-girlfriend turned secret special forces operative Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), advocate for helping those in need. A Marvel movie that weighs up the merits of isolationist policies versus social responsibility, all while grappling with race and class as well? With its eyes firmly on current world affairs, Black Panther certainly isn't afraid of getting topical. Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, the film blends the rousing politics of his debut, Fruitvale Station, with the earnest spectacle of his follow-up, the Rocky-spinoff Creed. It's a superhero flick with something to say and no qualms about saying it. At the same time, the ambitious effort nods effectively to Shakespeare in its family dynamics, and offers up smart spy action complete with its own gadget guru (Letitia Wright, a scene-stealer as T'Challa's younger sister Shuri). Packed to the brim (although it never feels overstuffed), the movie also makes a stand for formidable women through General Okoye (Danai Gurira), the king's loyal, lethal and highly memorable bodyguard. Marvel's last title, the wonderfully distinctive Thor: Ragnarok, successfully carved its own niche within the MCU's usual confines. While that film proved an impressive feat, Black Panther goes one step further, effectively smashing the standard mould to pieces. This shines through in two areas in particular. The first is in the film's treatment of its primary antagonist, with unruly weapons dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) a mere distraction on the road to the determined Erik 'Killmonger' Stevens (Michael B. Jordan). Villains aren't typically Marvel's strong suit, but here the fight between opposing forces feels refreshingly astute and even-handed. Casting assists considerably in this regard, with both Boseman and Jordan bringing considerable gravitas to their roles. Coogler also demonstrates an exceptional command of tone, delivering a film that serves up a few well-earned laughs, but takes its overall task seriously. In a picture positively teeming with highlights, however, Black Panther's greatest quality is its all-round embrace of African culture. In every aspect of its look, sound and feel, this chapter is like nothing else in the Marvel universe, and that's clearly by design. Twice during the film, outsiders enter Wakanda and try not to let their jaws drop to the floor — and it's easy to understand their reactions. Frankly, it's the same one we had as the end credits rolled. Coogler has crafted an entertaining, engaging and impassioned movie that is both proud of and confident in its differences, and is also committed to shining the spotlight on the people that blockbuster cinema so often ignores. What could be more awe-inspiring than that? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph9_oITIefE
Just four kilometres long and three kilometres wide, Hayman Island might be small, but it be fierce. In one day, you can snorkel with swirling schools of tropical fish, play Robinson Crusoe on very own private beach and trek through lush rainforest to Baraka-worthy sunsets. When you're ready to leave shore, there are uninhabited islands to explore, outer reef coral kingdoms to dive among and luxury yachts to climb aboard. Want to enjoy all this without spending a cent? Mastercard is giving away an all-expenses-paid Hayman Island adventure worth $6000 to one lucky, lucky Nemo. Jump over here to go in the running. This highly opulent prize includes flights, accommodation in a luxe suite in Hayman Island's only resort and a VIP dining experience with Neil Perry. In the meantime, start planning your itinerary with these ten tips. SNORKEL THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Hayman Island's busiest aquatic community is on its north-western side, at Blue Pearl Bay. Prepare to meet local resident Priscilla, an enormous Māori wrasse, among rainbow-coloured parrot fish and striped angel fish. For an off-shore escapade, catch a private boat to pocket-sized Langford Island, where you'll come across magical underwater gardens. Afterwards, you can kick back on the long, sandy spit, picnicking, swimming and lazing about. Another option is the outer reef — at the legendary giant Stepping Stones, which drop away to 40 metres. You'll be gliding among magnificent rays and scary-looking-yet-utterly-harmless reef sharks. TAKE A HIKE To get your bearings, start with a short climb to Cook Lookout, Hayman Island's highest point. At 250 metres above sea level, it gives you a bird's perspective on surrounding reef formations and the rugged shores of neighbouring Hook Island. Come late afternoon, set off for Whitsunday Lookout, from where you can see the sun setting over the Whitsunday Passage, or to Dolphin Point, Hayman Island's northernmost tip. Alternatively, for a d0-nothing day on perfect white sand, take a stroll to Blue Pearl Bay. Don't forget your swimmers and snorkelling gear. STAY IN AN ULTRA-LUXE SUITE Hayman Island is privately owned and there's but one accommodation option, appropriately named One&Only Hayman Island Resort. Fortunately for you, it's a bloody masterpiece. An array of room types are available and they're all ultra-luxe. We're talking Royal Family-level linen draped across four-poster beds, massive ensuites with separate showers and baths, dressing rooms fit for Marilyn Monroe and private balconies overlooking the resort's tropical gardens or the ocean — depending on where you are. Facilities include two pools, seven bars and restaurants, a spa and a fitness centre, for those who, inexplicably, can be bothered moving. GET PADDLING To see Hayman Island from the water, at human-powered speed, jump in a kayak or man a paddleboard. If you're a newbie — or not very brave — there's no need to travel far for beautiful views and, thanks to the island's crystalline waters, flashes of aquatic life. Meanwhile, Bear Grylls types can venture further afield, perhaps even attempting a circumnavigation. Along the way, be sure to stop by Coconut Beach, where you can regain your energy by sinking into a sun lounge, and Blue Pearl Bay. SWIM IN A 'LAGOON' SEVEN TIMES THE SIZE OF AN OLYMPIC POOL The likelihood of bumping into another guest in the One&Only Hayman Island Resort's behemoth of a pool is next to nix. It's seven times the size of your average Olympic Pool. So, whether you're lapping, synchronised swimming or simply bobbing about in between cocktails, no one's going to get in your way. There are day beds aplenty and four private cabanas. Super-keen swimmers can book a suite in the Hayman Pool wing, where the rooms open directly onto the water. Should you find yourself working up an appetite, swing by the nearby On The Rocks Restaurant and Bar. EAT DINNER WITH NEIL PERRY Even a multi-hat winning chef's gotta go troppo every now and again. So, why not join him for the ride? In July, Neil Perry AM (of Rockpool and $10 burger fame) will be cooking up a feast on Hayman Island and then hosting you while you munch your way through it. He hasn't given away any of the culinary details yet, but we imagine there'll be no shortage of seafood inspiration, as well a handpicked selection of fancy wines to match. The only catch is, the only way you can experience this hedonistic evening is by entering the comp mentioned above or by laying your card down — it's one of Mastercard's Priceless Dinners and spots are strictly limited. GET A MASSAGE FLOATING IN THE SEA No tropical holiday is complete without a massage. And, on Hayman Island, you can take yours next level by ordering it outdoors. For water babies, there's the 90-minute 'Ocean Dreaming' experience, which involves pretty much what you see in the pic above: lying on a bed, floating on still water and surrounded by clear sky. If you're more Jungle Book, book into a 'Rainforest Massage'. You'll be ushered into a private, canopy-sheltered cabana and given a massage according to your specific bodily needs. Yogis might also be interested in the 'Sun Salutation', inspired by Oriental techniques and involving acupuncture, stretching and rocking motions. LEARN TO SCUBA Yet to scuba? There's no more classic place to learn than the Great Barrier Reef. Except, of course, that it might make dives closer to home seem somewhat anti-climactic. On Hayman Island, you'll kick off with a basic coaching session, before starting your underwater explorations in the safe, shallow waters of Blue Pearl Bay. Next up is a guided tour of nearby The Maze, so named because wandering through it feels a bit like twisting and turning through a coral labyrinth. You'll then be taken to The Fish Bowl, which is absolutely teeming with diverse fish species. RIDE A SEAPLANE Many a traveller has seen the Great Barrier Reef through a snorkelling mask or from the deck of a boat, but, there's no more startling way to get your head around its extraordinary proportions than from the window of sea plane. So, if you can scrape some dosh together, make it happen. You'll soar high above the Great Barrier's 350,000 square kilometres (which is divided into 2800 separate reefs altogether) swoop down for a closer look, and even take a break for a spot of snorkelling in Hardy Lagoon. CLIMB ABOARD A LUXURY YACHT Go James Bond-style and travel to and from Hayman Island via luxury yacht. Or, while you're there, charter one and design your own Great Barrier Reef cruise. You can loll about on the deck doing not much, cruise on the bow pretending to be Kate Winslet or watch the crew in action. Needless to say, fine dining and premium beverages will be at your disposal. You're the boss, after all. Want to enjoy all this without spending a cent? Mastercard is giving away an all-expenses-paid Hayman Island adventure worth $6000 to one lucky, lucky Nemo. Jump over here to go in the running. Images: One&Only Hayman Island/Mastercard.
It's time to dig the gumboots out of the back of your closet — Splendour in the Grass is finally returning to North Byron Parklands for another year after a two-year hiatus that felt like an eternity. In 2022, Splendour celebrates its 20th year with what's set to be a memorable comeback after a string of postponements. The festival was originally announced with a mammoth lineup back in February 2020; however, that didn't come to fruition for obvious reasons. The rescheduled event will now land in across the weekend of Friday, July 22–Sunday, July 24 . At the top of the bill sits Damon Albarn's animated supergroup Gorillaz, chart-topping rapper Tyler, the Creator and New York indie legends The Strokes. And, they have plenty of company. The Avalanches and Liam Gallagher help lead the complete roster of acts for 2022, alongside Glass Animals, Kacey Musgraves, Violent Soho, DMA's, Tim Minchin and The Jungle Giants. As usual, it's a stacked and eclectic list. If you'd already purchased a ticket for SITG 2020 or 2021, you'll be happy to know that they're still valid for the 2022 edition. And if you don't have a ticket yet, you can head to the festival's website to nab a pre-loved ticket now. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2022 LINEUP Gorillaz The Strokes Tyler, The Creator The Avalanches Glass Animals Liam Gallagher Kacey Musgraves Duke Dumont Live Violent Soho DMA's Yungblud Jack Harlow Dillon Francis Tim Minchin The Jungle Giants Mura Masa Amyl & The Sniffers Aitch G Flip Ruel Oliver Tree Jungle Tom Misch Grinspoon Orville Peck Parquet Courts Tierra Whack Cub Sport Jpegmafia Ruby Fields Sofi Tukker Methyl Ethel Julia Stone Baker Boy Stella Donnelly Genesis Owusu Hooligan Hefs The Chats Confidence Man Biig Piig Holly Humberstone Chillinit Alex The Astronaut Maxo Kream Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Triple One Still Woozy Bad//Dreems Myd Northeast Party House Joy Crookes Wet Leg Mo'ju Pup Miiesha Mildlife Jarreau Vandal Brame & Hamo Shannon & The Clams Babe Rainbow Tai Verdes The Snuts Sycco Tom Cardy Sly Withers Hinds Dayglow Starcrawler Alice Ivy Budjerah JK-47 Jeff The Brotherhood Fazerdaze King Stingray Renforshort May-A The Lazy Eyes Banoffee Flowerkid The Buoys Moktar Stevan The Soul Movers George Alice 1300 Mickey Kojak Dro Carey & DJ Scorpion Pricie Mylee Grace Andy Golledge Charlie Collins Pink Matter Memphis Lk (DJ) Triple J Unearthed winners Mix-Up DJ's Dena Amy Jordan Brando Shantan Wantan Ichiban Luen Honey Point AK Sports Aywy Carolina Gasolina Munasib Pond Tasman Keith Top image: Dave Kan. Updated July 18, 2022.
