Here's one for the money: a huge Elvis Presley showcase, filled with around 300 artifacts owned by the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, all on display in Australia. Between Saturday, March 19–Sunday, July 17, you'll want to step into your blue suede shoes and take a trip to the Bendigo Art Gallery, which'll fill its walls and halls with Elvis' clothes, vehicles and other personal items. All those jumpsuits he was so famous for wearing? A selection will be on display. The only car from his movies that was actually his? That red convertible 1960 MG, from the film Blue Hawaii, is visiting Australia for the first time. The Bendigo Art Gallery will also showing some tender love to Elvis' military uniforms, first job application and wedding tuxedo — plus Priscilla Presley's wedding dress. Plenty of the items heading to regional Victoria rarely travel beyond Graceland — so yes, calling the exhibition is Elvis: Direct from Graceland is apt. It'll serve up this hunk of burning Elvis love in an Australian exclusive, as curated in collaboration with the Graceland archives. Other featured objects include Elvis' 1976 Red Bicentennial Custom Harley Davidson, his first grade crayon box from school and other garments from his personal wardrobe — if you're wondering what else will get the exhibition shaking, rattling and rolling. Costumes from his film career, movie scripts, jewellery worn by him and even vintage Elvis-branded merchandise will all be on display as well. Elvis: Direct from Graceland will step through all the key periods in the rock 'n' roll icon's life, from his early Mississippi days through to his Vegas years — and also peer beyond the pompadour and sequins, exploring his interest in books, karate and horses, and all things Graceland. It's Bendigo Art Gallery's latest huge exhibition to focus on style icons, after previously showcasing Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Balenciaga and Mary Quant. When it comes to celebrating high-profile figures, it seems the venue can't help falling in love. [caption id="attachment_829957" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elvis Presley strolls the grounds of his Graceland estate, 1957. Photo by Michael Ochs. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2021 ABG EPE IP LLC.[/caption] Top image: Elvis Presley in the 1968 NBC television special, Singer Presents... Elvis, later known as the 'Comeback Special'. Photograph: Fathom Events/CinEvents. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2021 ABG EPE IP LLC.
Kylie Kwong is one of Sydney's most admired chefs, and she'll share the secrets to some of her tastiest Australian-Chinese food creations at a cooking masterclass taking place at Carriageworks on September 17. Owner of one of our favourite Sydney restaurants Billy Kwong, Kylie is a powerhouse in the cooking world and has a lot of fingers in a lot of delicious pies. She manages the running of her busy fine-dining restaurant at the same time as hosting a cooking show (Heart and Soul), popping up on Masterchef every now and then, and writing six books that celebrate traditional principles of Cantonese food. She's also just returned from presenting at René Redzepi's MAD5 Symposium in Copenhagen, Denmark, so there's that. Kylie's philosophies are collaboration, celebration and community with a focus on using fresh Australian produce, while staying true to the Cantonese food principles she learned from her mum. We wish we'd listened more to our own mums on the cooking front and were as good as Kylie. In the meantime, there's this masterclass. Get your $25 ticket via Carriageworks.
Dimmies & Tinnies are on the move this month, having embarked on an East Coast adventure to spread the gospel about its new lineup of reimagined dim sims. The first stop is Redfern's Norfolk Hotel, which will play host to a one-day activation teeming with good food, cold beers and easygoing fun. Held from 12pm on Saturday, July 19, the whole crew is invited to dine on this iconic Chinese-inspired treat. Priced at $3, the dimmies are available in two flavours: spicy pork with red chilli and cabbage, and chicken and sweetcorn, featuring a hit of kombu. The tinnies form the other part of the equation, with $7 Reschs Pilsener cans pairing with the moreish staple to forge the ultimate afternoon snack combo. Perhaps it's time to load up the freezer, as these nostalgic bites are perfect for a quick cook-up, whether you prefer them fried or steamed. Not familiar with Dimmies & Tinnies? Expect to see the brand more and more. Radio and TV favourite Andy Lee, NYC-based hospitality duo Eddy Buckingham and Chef Paul Donnelly, and celebrated ceramicist Sam Gordon are the brains behind the biz, having spent the last four years perfecting their dream torpedo-style dimmie.
There's something unexplainably alluring about Melbourne in spring, a palpable vibration underfoot as the city shakes off the chill of winter and shudders in anticipation. Spring is here, bringing with it an energy that makes Melbourne the place to be. Melbourne in spring is not just a season; it's a wild ride through a tapestry of endless days and nights of fun and wonder, good food and better coffee, great wine and nights you won't forget. Melbourne in spring doesn't just open its doors; it unhinges them. And, as with all things beautiful, it can seem overwhelming at first glance. That's where we come in, with this handy guide on what to do, eat, drink — and where to rest your weary head by the end. So when Melbourne calls you, you can make the most of its embrace. Let's dive in. DO This is the department where Melbourne shines. Spring in Melbourne is a cascade of colours, sounds and styles, providing something for all tastes and types. Imagine strolling through the city's iconic laneways and hearing the electrifying beats of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Picture yourself following that sound through the city until you arrive at a vibrant parade headed by the Hot 8 Brass Band gracing Southbank for one hell of a street party. Enticed yet? After you're done with all that jazz, be transported into the chic, cool world of Melbourne Fashion Week, where, from pool decks to abandoned garages, the city transforms into a sprawling runway. Or head to the inner north, where The Eighty-Six festival sweeps you along the iconic 86 tram route, where pasta parties, dog fashion shows and free live performances await. EAT You could spend 30 years living in Melbourne and still not have scratched the surface of the deep culinary labyrinth that is ever-evolving and ever-enticing. But in spring, if you simply had to pick, you really cannot go wrong basking in the welcoming embrace of Reine & La Rue, a fine-dining palace carved from the historic Stock Exchange. With its unapologetically opulent stained-glass backdrop, it serves up some of the best French food in town. It's one you won't want to miss. But do not forget Morris House. The revamp of this icon — with its plush leather, marble bars and breezy rooftop — takes comedy pubs to new heights. It's a testament to Melbourne's timeless blend of class and comfort in one chill, multi-leveled space. Or why not swing by Kafeneion? The crusty bread, the hearty Greek meatballs and the whiff of portokalopita will transport you straight to the lively streets of Athens. It's traditional Greek, but not as you know it. If you want to finish your evening in style, head to Amphlett House. With its cool retro vibes and cocktail offerings from a world-class bartender, it's a cheeky wink to the 80s and an overt nod to good taste. It's playful yet polished; it's a must for the itinerary. DRINK Springtime in Melbourne means Arbory Afloat time, as it is in spring when it emerges from its slumber for another glorious season. If you head to Melbourne and don't spend a sunny afternoon sipping cocktails and munching on tasty snacks at the seasonal floating bar and cantina on the Yarra River, did you even go to Melbourne? When the charm of the river wears (it won't, but you can't stay there forever), head to No.100 Flinders Lane. It's a wine bar, it's a deli, it's a cosy bistro — it's your next stop. Indulge in to-die-for Euro-Australian bites or linger over a Martini 100, with tastes of eucalypt and vermouth. Or, for a sensory journey, let Black Kite Commune's cocktails transport you back to 20th century Melbourne, where supper clubs were the places to be. Melbourne in spring means pastel sunsets and rooftop bars, and for the best view in town, head to Blossom Rooftop — Melbourne's highest rooftop bar. Imagine a slice of wood fire pizza in one hand, a cocktail in the other, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world at your feet. What could be better? STAY Melbourne has a lush array of sleepover spots to provide a comfortable home base for your spring escapades. Slide into Dorsett Hotel, our new kid on the block, perched delightfully in the heart of leisure and luxury at West Side Place. Or why not treat yourself at the Ritz-Carlton? You haven't enjoyed a cocktail until you've sipped it while inhaling the 80-story-high panoramic views of its world-class Atria restaurant. Meanwhile, Le Méridien is where you pause, breathe, and immerse yourself in Melbourne's cultural delights, all while sipping an espresso under an art deco backdrop, or enjoying the never-gets-old view of Parliament from its stunning pool deck. Finally, Rydges Melbourne throws in a dash of theatrical flair — literally, as it is nestled in the happening heart of the city's theatre district. It's also mere moments away from Melbourne Central, Emporium, Chinatown and Bourke Street Mall. With all these options, it's quite a tough call. You might just have to try them all. Head to Visit Melbourne for the full rundown of everything happening in Melbourne this spring.
From 12.01pm today, Queensland is once again letting in tourists (with a border pass) from across Australia (except Victoria) to visit its white beaches and coral reefs. To celebrate, Virgin Australia is selling half-a-million cheap flights to the Sunshine State. Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, just months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital and launched a comeback sale in early July. Now, it has just kicked off its Good to Go sale, which is running from Friday, July 10 until midnight on Tuesday, July 14 (or until sold out) and includes fares as low as $85. It's not quite as much of a bargain as Jetstar's earlier $19 flight sale, but the tickets do include a 23-kilogram baggage allowance for economy class bookings. [caption id="attachment_770853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Sydneysiders can pack that bag and jump on a flight to the Gold Coast for $85, to Brisbane for $89 and to Cairns for $139, while Brisbanites can take their baggage to the Whitsunday Coast for $89, to Sydney for $99 and to Hamilton Island for $115. If you're hoping to head into Queensland in the next seven days, prepare for plenty of company: the government yesterday reported that 200,000 people had applied for the required border pass and that "congestion and delays" were expected. Virgin Australia's Good to Go sale runs until midnight on Tuesday, July 14.
Never heard of Foley Street? You're not alone. This Darlinghurst gem is discreetly tucked away a mere stone's throw from bustling Oxford Street — and one that's well-worth seeking out. "The reaction we get from people when they discover the laneway is amazing," says ceramicist Naomi Taplin. She's one of four artisans that have retail residencies on the street, which is a veritable treasure trove of local, ethical and well-designed homewares, fashion and accessories. So if you've yet to accidentally stumble into this hidden artisanal laneway while exclaiming, "wow this is so Melbourne" (as apparently everyone does), then we suggest you make an imminent plan to take a sharp turn off Crown Street and explore this small — but perfectly curated — design precinct. To prepare you for your visit, here are five things you should know. [caption id="attachment_680292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handmade boots on display at Bermuda Black.[/caption] IT'S LOCAL Surely there's a German word to describe the feel-good vibes that spring from supporting local designers, whether their studio is a couple of suburbs away or, in the case of Foley Street's fashion and accessories label Bermuda Black, a few feet away. Yep, you can literally stand and watch as founder Marina Roorda patiently crafts a pair of shoes in the atelier section of the store. Aware of how lucky they are to have access to affordable spaces in the city, the small group of residents are making the most of their prime location, creating their own supportive community (for which Clara Ho of men's lifestyle store Fine Fellow was particularly grateful after a recent flood) that always has its doors open for new visitors, inspirations and collaborations. The team at Bermuda Black are planning to create a mini gallery within its space, inviting local painters, sculptors and photographers to exhibit their work, with the aim of encouraging a greater flow and exchange of creative ideas. You get the picture. Visiting Foley Street is a reminder of just how awesome it is to support local. [caption id="attachment_680284" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marina Roorda at Bermuda Black.[/caption] IT'S INTERACTIVE The fun folk at Foley Street are all about drawing back the curtain and inviting you backstage. Once night falls, you can experience the spaces in a different way through pop-up events, like the new experimental dinner series at Studio Enti, which combines the brand's gorgeous porcelain ceramics with delicious food and live DJ sets. July's inaugural event, Korean Kitsch'n, featured Korean-inspired dishes showcasing seasonal Australian produce, K-pop tunes and bespoke ceramic tableware embracing the theme. Fine Fellow holds regular How It's Made events featuring some of the designers carried in the store, along with a bunch of other immersive events like workshops and wardrobe styling sessions. And if you're just as interested in the design process as you are in the finished product, check out Marina Roorda at work with the rest of the Bermuda Black team. "The production side of things is a little less glamorous than the design, but it's something that needs so much detail, focus and attention. When you see it, you get a much better appreciation of the finished product" promises the brand's Adrian Roorda. [caption id="attachment_680218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Naomi Taplin at Studio Enti.[/caption] IT'S ETHICAL There's a unanimous commitment to ethical design among the laneway's creative crew. Each brand believes you can create something beautiful while working in a way that allows for a crystal clear conscience. Studio Enti's Naomi Taplin sticks to Australian porcelain and employs strict recycling processes. Bermuda Black follows the ethos "what we can't use, we give a new purpose", sourcing materials following environmental standards and donating scraps to the grateful students at the nearby National Art School. Bex Frost and Christian Olea at Spunky Bruiser thumb their noses at mass-production, fashioning garments exclusively from recycled and reclaimed materials. You can even bring in some old fabric or clothes to be incorporated into a new piece, like that old tapestry of your Nan's or that dress with the awesome pattern you accidentally shrank down to child-size (lesson: never launder after rosé). [caption id="attachment_680286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Custom clothing at Spunky Bruiser.[/caption] IT'S PERSONAL At Foley Street, the retail experience is refreshingly human. Fine Fellow's Clara Ho works directly with the designers she stocks and knows most personally, seeking out makers who share her aesthetic sensibilities and sustainable philosophy. Spunky Bruiser's Bex and Christian blithely eschew conventional sizing, and instead, customise their clothing to honour your individual shape and personality. Plus, like we said, they love incorporating your sentimental mementoes into the design (i.e. Nan's tapestry). A large part of the laneway's charm comes down to the lack of barrier between customer and creator. How often do you get to meet the person who designed your shirt, crafted your dinnerware or spent a day making your shoes? "It's very intimate," says Naomi Taplin. "You get to meet the people who are making the products, so when you do purchase a piece you have the history, the story of the object." [caption id="attachment_680302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fine Fellow[/caption] IT'S QUALITY Along with good design, every artisan in the laneway deliberately avoids trends and fads. Bermuda Black's fashion and accessories embrace a minimalist, timeless aesthetic (albeit with the occasional eccentric flourish or, as Adrian Roorda puts it, "an exclamation mark"). The elegance of Studio Enti's classic ceramics belies their dishwasher-proof hardiness, and the designs of Spunky Bruiser can easily be considered "eternally relevant". Clara Ho at Fine Fellow wants to educate people about "buying less, but buying better." It's pretty simple, isn't it? Buying a small number of well-made items that will stand the test of time rather than replacing things every season is the more sustainable choice — although we get that switching your boots from fast fashion to designer may feel extravagant at first. "It takes time. It takes maybe spending that first few hundred dollars on that really gorgeous investment piece to understand and be converted," says Ho. Whether you're treating yourself or buying a gift, Foley Street is the perfect opportunity to start re-thinking the way you shop. Top image: Katherine Griffiths. Article images: Steven Woodburn.
UPDATE, January 25, 2022 — Top End Wedding is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. If Top End Wedding turns Miranda Tapsell into a huge movie star, then the Australian romantic comedy will have done its job. A shining light on local screens since first appearing in The Sapphires in 2012, she's not only the lead in this likeable film, but a co-writer with Joshua Tyler — and she's glowing across both roles. In fact, Tapsell is one of the key elements keeping the amiable movie bubbling, even when it favours well-worn rom-com cliches and tropes. Earlier this year, she was fierce and frank with Nakkiah Lui in their one-episode takeover of Get Krack!n. Now, she's a delight as an overworked Adelaide lawyer who's not only heading home to Darwin to get hitched, but trying to find her runaway mother before the ceremony. It's a familiar setup, in general terms: nuptials beckon, and so does both personal and professional chaos. Lauren (Tapsell) has been at her demanding boss' (Kerry Fox) beck and call for years, striving to secure a promotion. Then her boyfriend Ned (Gwilym Lee) asks for her hand in marriage on the same day that her work wish comes true. Complicating factors include Ned's newly unemployed status, although he doesn't tell Lauren, and the fact that she's only been given ten days to throw the wedding and return to the grind. Landing in the Northern Territory only adds to the couple's woes, especially with Lauren's mum Daffy (Ursula Yovich) gone AWOL, and her dad Trevor (Huw Higginson) spending his time bawling and listening to love ballads in a cupboard. Although there's no shortage of pals (Shari Sebbens, Elaine Crombie and Dalara Williams) on hand to help with the lightning-fast preparations, Lauren won't tie the knot without her mother present. Tracking Daffy down is a task that's easier said than done, sending Top End Wedding's lovebirds on a tour of the NT. While Australian cinema is guilty of using the country's landscape as an additional character to the point of overkill, director Wayne Blair (The Sapphires) and cinematographer Eric Murray Lui (TV's Rosehaven and Black Comedy) make vibrant use of their locations — indeed, their film is as much of a love letter to the region as it is to its leading lady. Of course, one influences the other. Tapsell is a local, and whether wandering through Kakadu National Park or journeying over to the Tiwi Islands, the movie always feels authentic. Crucially, Top End Wedding also overflows with warmth, which assists the film's template-like narrative considerably. It's glaringly easy to see where the story is heading, and more than a few developments strain the bounds of logic. But two details stand out amongst the hen's night shenanigans, anarchic road trips, convenient miscommunications and multiple layers of family mess. Firstly, there's a difference between lazily adhering to genre conventions and deploying them affectionately, with Tapsell and Tyler's script largely falling into the second category. Secondly, the power and tenderness that emanates from the movie's Tiwi Islands-set third act can't be underestimated. A big-screen sight that's even more rare than an Indigenous Aussie rom-com, the film gives the area a huge hug — embracing and including the local community, highlighting the importance of place to Australia's first peoples and culture, and showcasing this underseen part of the country. The feel-good vibe extends to the movie's performances, with Blair's cast all bouncing along. Like the other rom-com reaching cinemas this week, Long Shot, Top End Wedding also owes a debt to the chemistry between its main couple. When contrivance creeps in (such as detouring for a romantic break when it's already been established that everyone is racing against the clock), Tapsell and Lee surge through. Lee has been having just as a great a year as Tapsell, thanks to his bewigged role as Brian May in multiple Oscar-winner Bohemian Rhapsody, and the two actors make an engaging pair. In Top End Wedding, they help charisma, energy and a fond atmosphere mostly overcome familiarity. When the film finds its broad, joyous sweet spot, especially in its back half, it works a charm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoDBvGF9pPU
This weekend, online vintage treasure trove Hawkeye Vintage will let you into its covetable closet with a huge sale on clothing and accessories. You'll be able to get a feel of a Dior coat and fight over Chanel bags as a cavalcade of items take pride of place in Paddington's Mrs Banks Hotel on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16. The pieces on offer will run from the affordable right up to the super expensive, but all will be going at a reduced price with up to 60 percent off. Given some of the brands on offer — including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, YSL, Celine, Max Mara and Fendi — you'll be able to pick up some bargains, or opt for a few investment pieces. Covering fashion from the 80s onwards, the range will focus on handbags, scarves, jewellery, hats, belts and ready-to-wear clothing. Keep an eye on Hawkeye Vintage's Instagram to see more sale items, which'll be posted in the lead-up. Entry to the massive sale is free, but you will need to reserve a spot. We also suggest getting there early to snag the good stuff. The Hawkeye Vintage Luxe Sale will run from 10am–5pm.
It's a space usually reserved for local crime alerts, missing persons' notices and the odd cringeworthy dad joke, but the Victoria Police Facebook page stirred up quite the social media frenzy last week, when it popped up a public poll asking one little question: "When using a fast-food outlet's drive-thru service, can I use my phone to pay?" https://www.facebook.com/victoriapolice/posts/2927840057288111 A bit of a frenzy followed, as 55,600 votes came flooding in. Victoria Police, mercifully, gifted us with the answer a few hours after the initial August 2 post, dropping this bombshell: "No. Using a handheld mobile phone while driving carries a $484 fine and accrue four demerit points." They go on to explain, "If you intend to use your mobile phone to pay at the drive-thru window, apply the hand brake, switch the engine off and then access your mobile phone. In doing so, you are not considered driving." Punters haven't seemed overly happy with the response, or the news that using a smartphone to tap and go might not always be quite as "convenient" as it's cracked up to be. Plenty of commenters argued that the law was bizarre and needed to be reviewed — words like "pathetic", "revenue raising" and "dumbest thing I've ever read" were thrown around a whole lot. It seems Victoria's not alone, either. The NSW Government has similar legislation, telling Concrete Playground: "It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone at any time while driving or riding. If you want to use a hand-held mobile phone your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic." And as for that Macca's run? "Mobile phone rules apply to drivers on all roads and road related areas. A road-related area is an area that is open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking vehicles and therefore includes Drive-Thrus," the NSW Government confirmed. If you do decide to tap and go with your phone in NSW, you could be fined $344 and five demerit points. While the Queensland Government hadn't respond to Concrete Playground's request for a comment at time of publication, its website states that you can only use a mobile phone "held in your hand" if you are legally parked. If you do use your phone, you could be fined $400 and penalised three demerit points. So, next time you have a late-night junk food run remember to whip out the plastic (or cash) instead. To find out more about the use of mobile phones in cars in your state, head to the Transport for NSW, Vic Roads and Queensland Government websites.
Marvin Hamlisch's love letter to the theatre has, since its 1975 debut, become one of musical theatre cannon's most enduring and beloved productions. Its roll call of achievements alone is a testament to this: A Chorus Line has picked up ten Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize (not to mention a Helpmann for Best Musical following its recent Australian revival) on its way to becoming one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history. This production of the classic show from Darlinghurst Theatre Company takes its audience backstage to unveil the struggles of Broadway performers, exploring themes of exploitation, racism and sexism. The production also includes some of the all-time great musical theatre numbers, including 'I Hope I Get It', 'One' and 'What I Did For Love'. After four sold-out preview sessions early last year followed by two COVID-prompted postponements, this production of A Chorus Line has finally hit the stage, finding its home at the Sydney Opera House's Drama Theatre. This run of shows, running until Friday, March 11, is backed by some of the biggest names working in Australian musical theatre today, including Helpmann-nominated choreographer Amy Campbell (In the Heights, Funny Girl) and musical supervisor Andrew Worboys (Rent, American Psycho). Images: Robert Catto
Woolloomoolo's The Old Growler has (sadly) closed its doors, and an 80s-themed dive bar has taken its place. Chachi's takes 1980s kitsch to a whole new level with a loud fit-out, neon cocktails and trite food menu names. Like the 80s, the bar is home to some seriously bold patterns and a bright colour palette. Think vibrant painted tables, a Grace Jones mural and old-school arcade games. Behind the bar, it's got nostalgic wares like Polaroid cameras, Legos and Rubik's cubes, too. Even the drinks will match the colour scheme, with a neon blue Socom sour and seriously orange Hemmingway daiquiri joining modern favourites like negronis, espresso martinis and manhattans on the menu. The pub grub is over-the-top in its own right, with burgers like the Kevin with Bacon (chicken with bacon and beetroot) and Molly Ringwald (beef with wasabi beetroot coleslaw on brioche), and the Balboa on White jaffle — that's canned spaghetti with cheese. Though we wouldn't pay $12 for it, it is definitely a throwback to our microwaved Heinz days. The cauliflower and mac 'n' cheese jaffles are accompanied by loaded fries and fried chicken plates, plus a baked potato with sour cream. While the venue does sound like a bit of a gimmick to us — and we were big fans of The Growler — the Kings Cross location is well suited to a loud and proud dive bar. And Sydney could definitely do with a few more of those. Chachi's is now open at 218 William Street, Woolloomooloo. It's open Wednesday through Saturday from 5.3opm to midnight. For more info, visit chachis.com.au.
An installation inspired by drones; a theatrical exploration of mass food production, automation and human rights; and an opera based on Peter Carey's novel Oscar and Lucinda are just the beginning of Carriageworks' program for 2019. Unveiled on Monday, December 3, the program also includes several world premieres, across contemporary art, dance, performance, music, food and ideas. Oscar and Lucinda: The Opera will be premiered by Sydney Chamber Opera and directed by Patrick Nolan. Nolan transports to the stage the story of Oscar Hopkins and Lucinda Leplastrier, who after meeting on an English ship bound for Australia, discover a shared gambling addiction. Meanwhile, Back to Back Theatre will travel from Geelong to bring you The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes. If you've been questioning the impact of artificial intelligence, automation and/or mass food production, this is the show to see. As always, much of the program challenges audiences to consider new viewpoints. Sydney-based performance artist Mike Parr will blur the line between architecture and sculpture in The Eternal Opening. Samoan-New Zealander choreographer Lemi Ponifasio and Arabic poet Adonis will explore multiple perspectives of the much-contested city of Jerusalem in سدــــقلا Jerusalem. And the colossal Until, by American artist Nick Cave, will remain at Carriageworks until March, dazzling visitors with its monumental crystal cloudscape and fantastical world of found objects. If you've been troubled by the increasingly frequent buzz of drones, immerse yourself in A Drone Opera by New York-based artist and filmmaker Matthew Sleeth (Guilty: The Final 72 Hours of Bali-9's Myuran Sukumara). Played through three video channels and soundtracked by opera, this installation is a poetic expression of flight, surveillance and technology, loosely based on the Greek myth of Icarus, who, despite his father's warning, flew too close to the sun, melted his wings, tumbled out of the sky and drowned in the sea. Come January 9-27, Carriageworks will turn into a bustling hub when Sydney Festival 2019 takes over town. Look out for a crew of talented, fearless women, including singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry armed with new album Broken Politics; dancer-turned-playwright Henrietta Baird with the world premiere of her one-woman show, The Weekend; and Canadian violinist Jessica Moss (Thee Silver Mt. Zion) performing Dust while surrounded by Dancenorth's magical troupe and Liminal Spaces' architect-designed set. During all this art and culture, you'll want to make sure you stay fuelled, so hit up the weekly Carriageworks farmers markets. The markets run every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm and bring fresh, seasonal produce to the heart of the city. Also, along with the weekly market, summer and winter will see the always popular night markets return, where you can surely expect some of Sydney's top chefs dishing out the goods. In February, get ready to party at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Carriageworks will host the second edition of the Sissy Ball, a Vogue championship inspired by New York's ballroom scene, as well as Koori Gras, a cornucopia of performances, workshops and talks presented by Moogahlin Performing Arts Company, among several other happenings. You'll hardly have time to catch your breath before The National 2019 storms in. Running March 29–June 23, this epic exhibition dedicated to new Australian art is a collaboration between Carriageworks, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and takes place over three biennial editions (2017, 2019 and 2021). Carriageworks will present pieces by 18 artists, including Tony Albert, Sam Cranstoun, Cherine Fahd, Tara Marynowsky, Mish Meijers & Tricky Walsh, Eugenia Raskopoulos, Luke Roberts, Thom Roberts and Melanie Jame Wolf. Keep an eye out for stacks of other major events in 2019, including the Sydney Writers' Festival, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Semi-Permanent, South East Aboriginal Arts Market, Liveworks, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Pacific Runway, NAISDA and Sydney Dance Company's New Breed. Top image: Eric Bridgeman: Kuman Painting Workshop. Image courtesy of Eric Bridgeman and Yuriyal Artist.
Is the type of film festival that dedicates an afternoon and evening to a killer clown your type of film festival? If so, you should be excited about Monster Fest's return. In just a few short years, the Terrifier movies have become horror must-sees if you can't get enough of slashers splashing about gore aplenty. With the latest flick in the franchise on the way, Monster Fest is screening all three Terrifier titles, old and new — so, giving audiences an extended date with Art the Clown — as a key part of its 2024 program. The Australian premiere of Terrifier 3 will follow the OG Terrifier and first sequel Terrifier 2 on Saturday, October 5 in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. This year's Monster Fest is the first time that the event is running concurrently in all of its locations. The festival kicks off on Friday, October 4 in all five cities, running until Sunday, October 6 everywhere except Melbourne, where it finishes on Saturday, October 12. While getting creeped out by cinema's most-sadistic clown is a big Monster Fest 2024 drawcard, it's The Rule of Jenny Pen from Coming Home in the Dark filmmaker James Ashcroft that's the event's opening-night pick. At the other end of the festival, horror-comedy Frankie Freako by Psycho Goreman's Steven Kostanski is in the closing slot. Both pictures embrace puppets, the first with help from John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon) and the second featuring a dancing goblin. Other highlights playing in all cities include the latest Hellboy movie, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which heads back to the 1950s; Azrael, as led by Australian actor Samara Weaving (Scream VI), and telling of a woman's attempt to escape from mute zealots; New Zealand body-horror film Grafted; and documentary Generation Terror, which focuses on the horror genre from the late-90s to mid-00s. Some flicks are only playing a few locations, such as Occupation Rainfall filmmaker Luke Sparke's new film Scurry — plus Waves of Madness from The FP's Jason Trost, which brings sidescrolling to the cinema. Unsurprisingly given that it's on there for longer, Melbourne also has a number of exclusives such as Estonia's action-horror-musical-comedy Chainsaws Were Singing, French black comedy Ultimate Chabite, documentary Children of the Wicker Man, and retrospective sessions of The Final Destination 3D and Critters. Scurry and Waves of Madness are just two of the Australian movies on the bill, too. The former is on the program in Brisbane and Melbourne, the second in Sydney and Melbourne, and they have company in various locations. That's where fellow homegrown titles States of Mind (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney), Fear Below (everywhere except Perth), An American Masquerade (Melbourne only) and Freelance (also just Melbourne) come in — ensuring that this Aussie genre fest embraces the genre at home. Monster Fest 2024 Dates Friday, October 4–Saturday, October 12 — Cinema Nova, Melbourne Friday, October 4–Sunday, October 6 — Event Cinemas Burwood, Sydney Friday, October 4–Sunday, October 6 — Event Cinemas Uptown, Brisbane Friday, October 4–Sunday, October 6 — Event Cinemas Marion, Adelaide Friday, October 4–Sunday, October 6 — Event Cinemas Innaloo, Perth Monster Fest 2024 runs throughout October around Australia. Head to the festival's website for further details.
If you're all about that low-key life, then look away now, because you're not going to find it at Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection, New York. Instead, the art exhibition — which will be residing in the Gold Coast's HOTA (Home of the Arts) until Sunday, June 4, 2023 — is a vibe of everything bold, beautiful and even a little brash, making it a perfect addition to the locale literally known as The Glitter Strip. The show, which takes its name from the private collection of art collector Jose Mugrabi, will bring Big Apple cool to Queensland's coastal capital. On display in this world-exclusive, first-time-in-Australia exhibition are pieces by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat (pictured below), as well as a crew of contemporaries like Katherine Bernhardt, Kwesi Botchway, George Condo, Damien Hirst, Kaws, Joel Mesler, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Julian Schnabel, Mickalene Thomas and Tom Wesselmann. [caption id="attachment_880980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985 ©️ Lizzie Himmel. Artwork ©️ Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.[/caption] Does this add a mustn't-miss arty vibe to the state of sunshine, shopping strips and soaring roller coasters? Absolutely. However, if you're concerned about wasting precious beach time, you'll be happy to hear that HOTA is also offering an after-hours event. Held on Friday May 19, from 6.30–10pm, Up Late will give guests the chance to enjoy the exhibition in a whole new light (well, technically dark). Completing the concrete jungle experience, expect an evening of DJs spinning old-school Brooklyn-influenced hip hop, pop-up performances and delish food and drinks — specifically, hot dogs, pretzels, standout cocktails and even a five-course dinner, all inspired by the Empire State. Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection, New York is on at HOTA until Sunday, June 4. For further details and to book tickets, head to the website.
Almost a month after Queensland closed its borders to Greater Sydney, the Sunshine State is now shutting down to all of New South Wales. From 1am on Friday, July 23, the entirety of NSW will be declared a hotspot for four weeks, meaning that its residents won't be permitted to enter the Sunshine State — unless they qualify for an exemption, or live in an area that's been classified a border zone. It's a familiar process; whenever an Australian state experiences a new COVID-19 outbreak, a few things tend to happen, as we've all seen over the past 18 months — and this is one of them. As cases grow, restrictions are implemented, masks are mandated and other parts of the country start closing their borders. Usually, the latter happens incrementally, starting with banning folks from certain areas, then moving onto the entire city, and then the whole state if necessary. The fact that it has taken almost a month for Queensland to close its borders completely to all of NSW is a little surprising; however, the former's authorities have continually said that they've been guided by the latter's regional case numbers. The decision to declare all of NSW a hotspot now has also been motivated by changing restrictions, with the Sunshine State loosening its gathering and venue rules from 6am on Friday, July 23. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418008865925320704 So, if you're a Queenslander with a trip to NSW in your future (or vice versa) the pandemic has definitely interrupted your plans. Folks who've been in NSW will no longer be permitted to enter Queensland, other than in a few circumstances. Queensland residents coming home will need to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days — and non-residents will only be allowed to enter if they receive an exception, and will also need to go into hotel quarantine for a fortnight. Plus, everyone going to Queensland will need to complete one of the state's online travel declarations first, after that system was brought back into effect last month. There will be some exceptions, however, including in the border zone. "It will allow people to move around those communities for essential reasons, all the things that you would expect like to go to school to go to work, for health care or to care for others," said Deputy Premier Steven Miles, announcing the news. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418011948432515080 The border zone will include the Ballina, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Byron, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Lismore, Moree Plains, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, Tweed, Unincorporated Far West and Walgett Local Government Areas and regions. For the state as a whole, it's possible that the hotspot declaration and border closure could be reviewed before the four-week period is up, although that'll depend on NSW case numbers. For more information about Queensland's COVID-19 border restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Like any great metropolis, Sydney is growing exponentially, and the hustle and bustle of urban life never seems to slow down. While there's something soothing about the commotion of everyday life, sometimes even the most seasoned city slickers among us need time for quiet — a break from the noise and a little respite from the chaos. So next time you find a free day during the week, or manage a few hours at the very least, here's a compass guide to some of Sydney's quiet places. Places where you're well advised to switch off your phone, pull out your headphones and whittle away the hours doing sweet nothing at all. Whether it's a secluded park to enjoy the sound of birds chirping or an off-the-beaten-path trail to ponder life's big questions, Sydney has it all. [caption id="attachment_899314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] NORTH While its beaches make Sydney glitter, it's the harbour which makes it sing, and there is no more satisfying way to explore it than by ferry. Catching a ferry just about anywhere across Port Jackson is highly advisable, but the trip over to Taronga Zoo wharf, while short, is especially enchanting. Once there, skip the tigers and the capybaras and cut along the track into Sydney Harbour National Park along Bradley's Head. On a quiet day, you'll find no other company than the sound of the sea and a few flighty lizards and brush turkeys. The views of the city are unrivalled and the plaques along the trail paint a storied history of a country at war. Follow along until Chowder Bay where you can strip down and bathe in the sea, and then reward yourself at Ripples. For perfect solitude, opt out of the fine dining and enjoy a glass of prosecco and oysters on the balcony. Return the same way and arrive back at the Quay feeling a decade lighter. Alternative itineraries: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park; Whale Beach; The Manly Ferry. [caption id="attachment_899312" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WEST Leaving the harbour for the glory of the railways, the rattling, purple train to the Blue Mountains is about as romantic as a commuter train gets. Rising out of Emu Plains, the Blue Mountains rail line is one of the great engineering feats of 19th-century Australia. The current fleet of trains dates back decades and it'll be a sad day when they're eventually replaced by the more modern, and less charming, fleet in waiting. But for now, they're here, and when boarding one at Central be sure to stock up on snacks and take a seat in one of the two quiet carriages. As you leave Sydney be prepared for spectacular views as you approach the towns of Lapstone and Glenbrook. If there's been recent rain you may even spy a momentary waterfall. Once in the mountains, there are literally hundreds of different tracks you can take, although some of the more isolated places are reachable only by car. For rolling hills and imposing valleys, where there is often no one else, do the thirty-minute drive or the three-hour walk to Mount Hay from Leura. With low-lying scrub and a cavernous sky, there is a kind of land-before-time feel here, which can be quite overwhelming. Alternatively, for ethereal sunset vibes, make your way to Boars Head Lookout and lose yourself gazing over the Megalong Valley. Stay at The Carrington in Katoomba for a solid dose of nostalgia and a few quiet cocktails by the fireplace. Alternative itineraries: Bicentennial Park; Lake Parramatta; Wianamatta Regional Park. [caption id="attachment_702792" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Molloy Photography via Flickr[/caption] SOUTH Conveniently located just minutes from Cronulla Station, the Curranulla, Port Hacking's beloved and historic ferry, is another brilliant way to explore Sydney's waterways. Dating back to 1939, a trip on Sydney's oldest running ferry is akin to experiencing the Sydney your grandparents might have known. Arriving in Bundeena, take a stroll along Horderns Beach before swinging by Vinegar and Brown Paper for some of the best fish and chips in the south. Then, time and weather permitting, begin the 11km walk to Marley Beach. The track itself can be quite muddy at certain times of the year but if you walk in the off-season you'll find plenty of solitude to soak up. The Royal National Park is a naturalist's dream so keep an eye out for white-breasted sea eagles, swamp wallabies and if you're especially charmed, short-beaked echidnas. Arriving at Marley Beach you'll do as you please — read a book, take a nap or lose yourself in the sea. Or nothing at all. Not far north of the beach, you'll find Wedding Cake Rock, a spectacular lookout where a glimpse of a breaching whale is almost a given between May and November. Follow the track back towards Bundeena, and enjoy the setting sun as you drift on back aboard the Curranulla. Alternative itineraries: Darook Park; The Grand Pacific Drive; Kamay Botany National Park. [caption id="attachment_825765" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shark Island, John Yurasek/DPIE[/caption] EAST Returning to our beloved harbour, the perfect way to explore it in solitude is by hiring a kayak at one of two locations at Rose Bay. If you're in need of some turquoise tranquillity, then make your way to either Point Piper Kayak or Rose Bay Aquatic Hire. Once on the water, paddle at your leisure as you explore the numerous inlets and coves around the bay itself. Discover one of the most isolated spots on the harbour by landing at Shark Island, which, despite its ominous name, is the perfect place for a swim. Dry off exploring the rocks and cliff faces while keeping an eye out for pelicans, pied cormorants and the impossibly elusive little penguin. After a well-earned siesta, continue your paddle over to Queens Beach which, on a weekday, is nearly always deserted. Enjoy the sunset with some smuggled wine as the city lights up and the sky fades away. Return your kayak and wander along the foreshore before dropping by the Rose Bay Hotel for a quiet schooner. Alternative itineraries: Hornby Lighthouse; Cape Banks Walking Track; Centennial Parklands. [caption id="attachment_789422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the 'Streeton' exhibition at Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW[/caption] CENTRE While nature is synonymous with solitude it doesn't have to define it, and in the pulsating, furious heart of Sydney's CBD there are plenty of opportunities to drown out the noise. Start with a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, once Australia's first European settled farm, today it's a world-class botanical garden with spectacular species such as the Wollemi Pine. After exploring the lush greenery and succulent garden, take the Mrs Macqaurie Rd exit and enter the Art Gallery of NSW. During the week the gallery is less crowded and it's not unusual to find yourself in a hall all alone, with the works of Australian artists like Brett Whitley and Margaret Olley and international names like Picasso, Francis Bacon and William Blake your only company. After an hour or two, continue your afternoon with a stroll through historic Darlinghurst and drop into somewhere for a drink. There's a healthy amount of bars in Darlo, and while none of them are particularly quiet you're bound to find a corner to yourself. We'd suggest Shady Pines Saloon, a low-lit cowboy joint with premium whiskeys and a soundtrack designed to let the feet tap and the mind wander. As the city swells around you, sometimes the best place to disappear is amongst the crowd as you watch the world go by. Alternative itineraries: Cockatoo Island; Sydney Park; Camperdown Cemetery. Images: Destination NSW
Following a huge ground-floor renovation, the Harbord Hotel reopened at the beginning of 2021 with a new-look terrace and main bar, a new head chef, and a commitment to surf culture and live music. The historic hotel is keeping to that focus with the launch of Froth Fest, a new 11-day festival centred around surfing and encompassing art, film, music, food and drink. Froth Fest will take over the Freshwater spot between Friday, April 16–Monday, April 26 to coincide with the the 2021 World Surfing League Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic. The stacked program is full of talks, demos, film screenings, exhibitions and gigs that celebrate the area's love of surfing and storied history with the ocean. "Sydney's Northern Beaches have been an incubator for surf culture for more than 60 years, producing some of the greatest heroes, larrikins and infamous characters in surfing and Australian counter-culture," said Harbord Hotel owner Glenn Piper. "Froth Fest is a celebration of their art, their films, their song, their history." The festival kicks off at 7am on Friday, April 16 with 45 minutes of yoga with Divine Flow Yoga founder Eliza Hayward — followed by coffee and breakfast in the Harbord courtyard to raise money for Waves of Wellness, an organisation that tackles mental health through surfing. And, in one of the program's big highlights, seven-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley will host a lunch-and-learn session accompanied by a three-course set menu in the Harbord Hotel's Balsa dining room on Thursday, April 22. Throughout the rest of the program, you'll find an exhibition about pro surfer Peter Crawford, another from designer Steve Gorrow, a screening of surf film Men of Wood & Foam, surfboard demos from multiple brands, a longboarding competition and an ANZAC Day dawn service. On Wednesday, April 21, Triple J favourite Ruby Fields will bring her unique brand of punk and indie rock to the hotel for an intimate set with support from Love Drunk Hearts — and on Monday, April 26, podcast hosts The Swellians are throwing an unofficial Surfing League afterparty to close out the festival. Events are both free and ticketed, with ticketed events ranging from $35–150 per person. Froth Fest will take place at the Harbord Hotel, 29 Moore Road, Freshwater, between Friday, April 16–Monday, April 26. For the full program and ticket information, head to the venue's website.
Wish you could be taste-testing your way around Asia this spring? Well, this October, renowned Singaporean chef and author Tony Khoo is coming to town — and he'll be whipping up a seafood feast. Taking over PARKROYAL Parramatta's sleek, retro-inspired hotel restaurant, Table 30, the corporate executive chef of Pan Pacific Hotels Group will be bringing a bit of Singapore to Sydney. Head on down from Tuesday, October 15 to Sunday, October 20, and you'll find a huge Asian-influenced seafood buffet, available from 6–9pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 12–3pm on the Sunday. For just 79 clams, you'll be eating all the chilli crab and fresh fish your heart desires. To start, you'll be treated to a selection of seafood platters, including mirin- and sake-cured ocean trout and steamed mussels in a coconut and lime dressing. Then, move onto dishes like baked sambal fish and, of course, chilli crab. There'll also be a salad bar with barbecue pork noodle salad and mizuna with fennel capsicum. For dessert, you can pick between mango cheesecake, Chinese custard tarts and coconut mousse — or grab all three. And that's just the beginning, with Khoo's Taste of Asia offering three varying menus across the six days. Looking to extend your night of indulgence? You can book yourself into the hotel with the Love That Club package for a luxe staycation. For $249 per night, expect complimentary sparkling wine and chocolate truffles on arrival, drinks and canapes at happy hour, plus breakfast the next morning. Or, hit up western Sydney's huge food fair, Parramatta Lanes, by day then swing by Table 30 to keep the good times rolling.
Summer days when we were kids were all about running around barefoot, angering our parents by getting sunburnt, chasing ice cream trucks and shoving huge amounts of the frozen treat in our mouths (then, getting brain freeze). A new ice cream truck in Sydney's Northern Beaches is capturing this nostalgia and serving it back to the public, along with a dose of quality ingredients and friendliness to those with dietary restrictions. Pepita's is run by two pastry chefs, one French, Mélanie Chaix, and one Australian, Elliott, and together they've realised all those sweet-toothed, summer-missing folks' dreams. Out of its eye-catching mint-green Kombi van, the duo is serving up ice cream that is almost as sweet as the throwback vibes. Or perhaps less, the ice cream has less sugar than standard ice cream, and all flavours are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. All the sorbets are nut-free, too. Using cashew and coconut milk as the base, the duo whips up all the flavours from scratch, including Earl Grey, mocha, hazelnut, raspberry and thyme and calamansi (a citrus similar to lemon). During the wintry months, you'll be able to grab some soul-southing cups of hot chocolate — to thaw your cold fingers and brain — and a range of homemade jams and spreads are available, too. We think that's more than enough to have you waving your arms around frantically to hail them down if you see the Kombi cruising by you. Luckily, you don't have to, you can track down the van via the GPS tracker on its Facebook page. The van cruises around the Northern Beaches during the week, from 12pm–5pm Wednesday–Friday in winter, and is often at the Manly Market on the weekends. You'll find Pepita's cruising around the Northern Beaches from Wednesday–Sunday, check the Facebook page for exact hours and locations. Images: Tony Nolan
The Strand Hotel, a Darlinghurst favourite that's often in pursuit of its next great culinary idea, has switched up its offering yet again (last renovating its space and menus in 2023) with a facelift for the Public Bar and gourmet burgers. A corner bar that always has patrons spilling onto the sidewalk, The Strand has upped its appeal for anyone in the area in need of a post-work pint. That's thanks to Toby Wilson (executive chef at Rico's Tacos and The Norfolk) and Solotel's Executive Chef Hamish Ingram. Together, they've crafted a main menu of six burgers, and you can give them a try for five sweet days of discounts, starting Wednesday, August 20. Samples from said menu include hero burgers like the Smashed Burger with American cheese, bacon, burger sauce and pickles, the Hot Bird burger with fried chicken, black pepper, hot honey and iceberg and chive slaw, and the Fresh Fish burger with crumbed ling and house tartare — all of which are $5 for the first five days. Toby Wilson said "We've looked at what everyone else is doing and realised what the neighbourhood was missing — a seriously good burger. Between Hamish and I we've come up with six cracking burgers that cater to a few tastes." "We're celebrating the new menu launch [Wednesday, August 20] with $5 burgers for five days only - our way of inviting the neighbours, regulars, and anyone passing through to come in and road test the lot - the perfect excuse to grab a mate and work your way through the menu without breaking the bank." It's not just the menu that saw a revamp. The cocktail list now stars four signature sips, including the punchy-sounding Bulls on Parade, with pisco, macadamia, passionflower, lime and paprika oil. Strand regulars will also notice jazzy new interiors — no more carpets, it's back to the original marble flooring, with a fresh new fireplace for cold nights and a sprinkling of art deco throughout the entire space. Images: Take Studios
Romance Was Born has grown into a force that mere textiles can no longer contain. Weeks after closing the doors on their first art exhibition, designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales have gone and tried their hand at interiors, decking out Darlinghurst's Lo-Fi bar in their signature technicolour splendiferousness. Lo-Fi owners the Riversdale Group (already doing clever things with venues such as The Standard Bowl, Tokyo Sing Song and The Vic on the Park) apparently gave the duo full creative control of the space, and together with 'Tribal POP' artist Camille Walala, they've created one damn memorable space. Consider it an antidote to the minimalism we're drowning in everywhere else. Custom-made wallpaper, upholstery and even drink cups fight to delight your eyes, with coloured fluorescent rods demonstrative of the designers' continuing interest in light and refraction. Lo-Fi by Romance Was Born is open to the public from 6pm on Wednesday, June 18. The design is permanent (or as permanent as a bar can be in Sydney). Romance Was Born are also on board to launch a series of monthly events beginning in July, of which we only know that "entertainment will be unpredictable and meticulously visually curated". But enough talk; here are the pretty pictures. Images by Ari Pashalis.
Last time Hunx & His Punx were here — back in 2012 — they charmed many an Antipodean heart with their penchant for getting (nearly) naked, offers to autograph genitalia and expletive-rich expressions of self-desire. In short, they delivered nothing less than what you’d expect of San Francisco’s maddest and baddest bubblegum punk band. So it’s only natural that we’ve invited them back. And this time, they’re bringing Shannon and the Clams in their suitcases. On Friday, March 14, tickets go on sale for a five-date April tour that will see the two bands smashing genres in Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane and Perth. Since their previous visit, Hunx & His Punx have been busy blending ‘80s hardcore and ‘90s grrrl sounds to create nasty yet catchy tunes for their new album Street Punk, which was released in 2013 via Hardly Art. Meanwhile, co-tourers Shannon and the Clams have lately been spending time playing SXSW sideshows and Psych Fest and hitting the road via Burgerama tours. They mash ‘60s girl group sounds with West Coast garage rock, delivering “doo woppers, bomp stompers, punk rippers, country clippers and psych-o trippers”. Trying say that really quickly five times in a row. Here are the dates: THU 17 APR – Copacabana, MELBOURNE. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 19 APR - Oxford Art Factory, SYDNEY. Tickets via OAF. SUN 20 APR – Farmer and the Owl Laneway Party, WOLLONGONG. Tickets via the Farmer and the Owl. TUE 22 APR - The Zoo, BRISBANE. Tickets via the Zoo. THU 24 APR - The Rosemount, PERTH. Tickets via the Rosemount. Tickets go on sale on Friday, 14 March. Tickets via Oztix.
A year goes slowly when you're waiting for one weekend but, at last, Harvest Rock season is almost upon us. We're all in full prep mode for the 2023 iteration of the huge South Australia music festival, and it's looking like it might be one of the biggest yet. The good news doesn't stop coming, after the absolute banger lineup dropped our attendance was all but guaranteed. Luckily, we have an exclusive deal over on Concrete Playground Trips that wraps up a brilliant VIP package under one ribbon of convenience. That package includes nearby accommodation, VIP entry to the festival and loads of goodies (from exclusive dining options to an Archie Rose gift pack) to complete your experience. In case you're not across the deets of this year's festival, it's taking place on the weekend of October 28–29 in Adelaide and offers a real superstar lineup that includes exclusive Australian performances from Jamiroquai and Beck. This is a show curated by Secret Sounds, after all, the maestros behind Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival. It's not all music though, the festival splits the spotlight onto food too. Everything from fine dining curated by leading APAC chefs to food trucks and live mixology sessions with culinary geniuses from around Australia, like wine expert and personality Nick Stock and Sydney distillery Archie Rose, will be on offer. This year the festival also features The Grape Escape, a dedicated wellness centre designed to help you unwind from the hectic activities outside. Expect hot drinks, tarot readings, massages and more to help you enjoy some well-deserved time to yourself. Harvest Rock will take over Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park/Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. Tickets are on sale now. To secure yours and find more info, visit the website, or visit Concrete Playground Trips to book our exclusive VIP package.
When trouble strikes, tragedy gets a catchphrase: "life goes on." You might hear it from well-meaning acquaintances, or even loved ones. As accurate as those words may be, however, the reality is far less simple. In the case of Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) in Manchester by the Sea, pain and heartbreak become like a second skin, numbing him to the outside world. As he goes about his job as a Boston janitor he encounters complaints, advice and even awkward romantic advances, and yet he can barely bring himself to react. "You're rude, you're unfriendly, you don't say good morning," his boss tells him after a complaint is lodged. Lee remains unfazed. Manchester by the Sea tackles heavy subject matter as Lee is forced to return to his hometown and take custody of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges) after the death of the boy's father (Kyle Chandler). From this relatively simple dramatic premise, writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret) masterfully pieces together fragments of past trauma, present malaise and future uncertainty, delivering a complex portrait of a haunting but rarely acknowledged reality. Whether we've charted the same journey as Lee or endured ordeals of our own, most of us are broken in our own way. Surviving that pain, rather than fixing it, is perhaps all we can really ever hope to manage. Lonergan stresses this idea in a number of different ways. Stellar performances from Hedges and Michelle Williams (as Lee's ex-wife) seethe with inner turmoil. The snowy Massachusetts setting, meanwhile, provides further obstacles. And then there's the filmmaker's approach to filling in Lee's backstory, via flashbacks that slip into the main storyline so seamlessly that it takes a moment to realise that the timeline has changed. Of course, that's how everyday pain manifests itself. It coats life with an extra layer, even when things otherwise appear fine. It intrudes seemingly at random, even when you're not expecting bad memories and heartache to rear their ugly head. In an Oscar-nominated performance, Affleck broods, frowns and furrows his brow. Don't think he's just serving up his own version of Sad Affleck though. Here, despair runs much deeper than a bad interview about a superhero flick. Conveying the deep-seeded misery that can only come from years of suffering and regret, Affleck plays Lee with naturalistic agony of the festering variety, while also providing a glimpse at something more. An exploration of grief and loss, Manchester by the Sea is undeniably bleak. But don't be surprised by the movie's sense of humour, either. Laughter is a necessary cathartic device even in the darkest of situations, and here it makes the drama feel that much more real. Combined with the movie's commitment to laying bare inescapable inner struggles, and Lonergan's latest proves both devastatingly relatable and sincerely affecting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVoD0pTge0
Real life has enough drama, as we all well and truly know at the moment. When it comes to getting cosy on your couch, you can be forgiven for wanting to forget the world's troubles — and your own, and this year's — and get caught up in a side-splitting comedy instead. Our tip: pick a top-notch TV series of the rib-tickling kind and stream (or re-stream) your way through it. Some you can knock out fairly quickly, filling your weekend with laughter. Others will take weeks and months, and will constantly brighten up your days in the process. From acerbic delights and absurd wonders to heartwarming gems and instant classics, streaming platform Binge isn't lacking in the comedy department. Because being able to lose yourself in a hilarious TV series is one of life's simple but much-needed pleasures, we've teamed up with the Australian service to highlight five shows that are guaranteed to have you giggling and guffawing — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Pre-work swims and afternoon picnics in the park just became a whole lot more enticing in Petersham thanks to a new opening that's reinventing the classic pool canteen. Splash Coffee has just taken over the food and drink offering at the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, setting up shop right next to Petersham Park with standout coffee, loaded sambos, fresh salads and a freezer stocked full of ice creams. Splash is the second Inner West opening from the team behind Newtown's always-pumping Soulmate — an accomplished crew also boasting the minds behind northwest Sydney favourites The Tuckshop and the now-closed Baron. Open seven days a week, Splash begins to stir from the early hours, swinging open its doors from 6.30am each morning. That means pre-work swims paired with a hearty brekkie and Single O coffee are well and truly on the cards. As with Soulmate, all your classic lattes and flat whites are on offer alongside batch brew, cold brew and even a maple and cinnamon oat-milk cold brew. The all-day breakfast section of the menu spans granola, smashed (or splashed) avo and B&Es (or V&Es — vego and egg rolls). There's a handful of salads, including the plentiful seasonal salad chocked full of roast potatoes, peas, beans, asparagus, pickled onions and red wine dressing. If you're after a more-sizeable option, picks include fish and chips, a selection of sandwiches and a loaded Bradman burger. The fish sandwich is a certain summer hit, packing thin pieces of fish schnitzel, American cheese, house-pickled beetroot, white onion, shredded lettuce and a signature sauce between two ultra-fluffy pieces of white bread. Summer swimmers can head to the takeaway window inside of the pool in order to elevate their dips with a heap of nostalgic treats on offer at the cafe — including a chip butty with optional curry sauce, milkshakes, smoothies, fresh-squeezed juice, and your classic ice cream selections from Paddle Pops to Bubble O'Bills. Splash's proximity to the park also opens it up to servicing leafy picnics under the nearby trees. The team has even supplied picnic blankets, which you can borrow when you order a coffee or a feed. Splash is located at the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, 2A Station Street, Petersham — open 6.30am–3pm Monday–Sunday. Head to the cafe's website to view the full menu.
Dystopian life isn't something that's easily or quickly shaken. Exploring what it means to survive and endure in the aftermath of global devastation isn't a fast process, either. Due to that fact, as well as the huge success of HBO's big game-to-TV hit show about that topic, it should come as no surprise that The Last of Us will be officially returning for season three. There might only be two The Last of Us video games so far (plus expansion packs and remasters), but there'll be at least a trio of seasons of the Pedro Pascal (The Wild Robot)- and Bella Ramsey (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget)-starring hit television series. The news comes before season two even arrives, and means that viewers can watch the new seven-episode run safe in the knowledge that the story isn't ending there. "We approached season two with the goal of creating something we could be proud of. The end results have exceeded even our most-ambitious goals, thanks to our continued collaboration with HBO and the impeccable work of our unparalleled cast and crew. We look forward to continuing the story of The Last of Us with season three," said Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), creator, executive producer, writer and director of the TV adaptation. "To see The Last of Us brought to life so beautifully and faithfully has been a career highlight for me, and I am grateful for the fans' enthusiastic and overwhelming support. Much of that success is thanks to my partner in crime Craig Mazin, our partnership with HBO and our team at PlayStation Productions. On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog, our cast and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportunity. We're thrilled to bring you more of The Last of Us," added Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. There's no details yet regarding when the third season of The Last of Us will drop, how many episodes will be in it or the cast, but season two's arrival from Monday, April 14, 2025 Down Under will help distract you from those questions for now. Streaming via HBO's own platform Max in Australia — fresh from its late-March launch — and Neon in New Zealand, the second season takes place five years after the events of season one. As well as a time jump, audiences should prepare for a guitar, hordes of infected, flames, sirens and flares, plus a stern warning. "There are just some things everyone agrees are just wrong," one of the season's teasers advises. In the first season, set 20 years after modern civilisation as we know it has been toppled by a parasitic fungal infection that turns the afflicted into shuffling hordes, Joel (Pascal) and Ellie (Ramsey) didn't always get along; however, their best chance for survival was together. In season two, as the full trailer for the HBO hit's long-awaited return shows, that may no longer be the case. Amid warnings about monsters — and scenes showing why those cautions are so important — the most-haunting moment of the sneak peek arrives with two words: "you swore". When The Last of Us initially made the leap from video games to TV in 2023, it was swiftly renewed after proving a massive smash instantly. The series gave HBO its most-watched debut season of a show ever — and its first episode was also the network's second-largest debut of all time. Back then, locking in a second season was also hardly unexpected because the 2013 game inspired a 2014 expansion pack and 2020 sequel. There's obviously no trailer for The Last of Us season three yet, but check out the full trailer for season two below: The Last of Us season three doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. The Last of Us season two streams from Monday, April 14, 2025 Down Under, via Max in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of the first season. Images: Liane Hentscher/HBO.
You'll be able to go further into brain-imploding Water Temples, delve into more shitty dungeons and ride Epona across more of the Sacred Realm gathering rupees; the brand new Legend of Zelda game is going to go open world. Finally (finally) taking cues from long-celebrated megamap games like Oblivion and Fallout 3, Nintendo looked back to Zelda's history to develop their eighteenth official adventure — and online opinions are predictably flying. Series producer Eiji Aonuma announced the new Wii U Legend of Zelda game during the Nintendo Digital Presentation at the annual E3 annual video game conference overnight in LA. Nintendo needed a big ol' eel slap of a new game announcement last night, leaning on Mario Kart 8 to kickstart struggling Wii U sales. Looking back to older Zelda games, the developers decided it was high time for Link to explore bigger maps again (many, many years after Oblivion, Skyrim and even Fallout 3 had delivered gamechanging —heh — open world formats). Expanding the best bits of the old school 2D Link to the Past, everyone's favourite Ocarina of Time and GameCube's 2002 Wind Waker, Nintendo are finally cottoning on to the joys of open world in RPGs. To be fair, the new game looks badass. If I had an Ocarina in my possession, I'd be throwing down notes on Epona's Song and hitching a ride there immediately. The new Legend of Zelda is expected in 2015. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mM9MGY2OL8o Via Kotaku.
There's a moment in Netflix documentary Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened that no one will ever forget. While much of the film falls into that category — cataloguing an utter trainwreck of a festival will do that — one scene particularly stands out. When event producer Andy King reveals what he was asked to do to secure bottled water for the fest's stars and patrons (and the fact that he'd resigned himself to doing it), it instantly underlines the scope and shamelessness of Fyre's catastrophic mismanagement. Given that the doco not only became an instant must-watch, but that the similar, Hulu-funded film Fyre Fraud did too, it's safe to say that everyone wants to know more about this story. Australians will be able to get the full details at this year's BIGSOUND, with King himself joining the lineup as a late addition. He'll be heading to Brisbane as one of the four-day conference's keynote speakers, appearing an event called Fyreside Chat with Andy King on Wednesday, September 4. King will likely be offering his advice on what not to do in the music festival industry, and why being willing to go the extra mile for a gig isn't always a good thing. As Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened demonstrates, he isn't shy when it comes to taking about his experiences — and he has a sense of humour about it. He also has a considerable resume that ranges well above and beyond Fyre Festival, spanning more than 25 years in the event business. Expect to hear about that, too, which ranges from hosting the launch of the world's tallest ferris wheel in Las Vegas to running the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation's annual gala. Amusingly, King also oversees a zero-waste event company that focuses on environmental and social impacts, including when plastic bottles of water are involved. Until he makes his way Down Under, revisit King's must-see doco moment via the Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened trailer below. The film itself is available on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ0KNVU2fV0 BIGSOUND 2019 runs from September 3–6 at various venues around Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For further details or to buy tickets, visit bigsound.org.au. To discover what to do, see, eat and drink while visiting Brissie for the annual event, check out our weekender's guide to Brisbane during BIGSOUND.
Can we all agree that Thursday is an underrated day of the week? It's the Friday of Fridays — a day when you're over the hump of the work week and oh so close to the weekend. And because of this, it can be a real treat to catch up with friends or grab an after-work drink on a Thursday. Chin Chin knows this better than most, and is celebrating the magic of Thursdays with a deal-heavy happy hour running every week through September until October. As part of the new Cocktail Hour program that Lucus Restaurants is running, Chin Chin's Sydney outpost is rolling out a set of three $9.50 cocktails alongside discounted beer, wine and snacks every Thursday until October 5. The pick of the bunch is the Watermelon Margarita. The mix of Reposado Tequila, Aperol and fresh watermelon packs a real punch thanks to its chilli salt rim. If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, opt for a $9.50 Elderflower Spritz made from vodka, elderflower, apricot, raspberry, lemon and prosecco. And, rounding out the happy hour cocktails is a vibrant purple Lychee Violet Daiquiri which combines white rum, yuzu-shu, lychee, peaflower and lime. Elsewhere on the drinks menu, there are $6.50 tap beers, plus discounted wines including a $10 glass of Marquis de Pennautier Rosé and a $22 glass of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvee Brut NV (usually $27 a glass). Then there are the happy hour snacks — all loaded with the typical big, bold Asian flavours of the Chin Chin menu. The must-try menu item is the jungle pork sliders featuring a spiced pork patty — setting you back $15.50 for two sliders. Round up your bestie and head to Chin Chin on a Thursday to nab a watermelon margarita and a pork slider for a grand total of $17.25 each. There's also citrus-forward kingfish sashimi on a rice cracker ($9.50 for two), $9.50 bowls of larb-spiced popcorn and puffy typhoon-style popcorn prawns, also for $9.50. The deals are on offer from 4–6pm every Thursday throughout the promotion — the perfect excuse to knock off work a little early.
Filling your house with Swedish furniture is already a wallet-friendly affair, much to the joy of anyone who likes nice homewares but also likes sticking to a budget. Come 2020, however, it'll also be an environmentally-friendly choice, with IKEA announcing plans to ramp up its sustainability measures. Over the next two years, the furniture retailer will phase out all single-use plastic products from both its range and its restaurants all around the globe. That's right — you won't find all those Allen keys in tiny plastic bags taped to your Billy bookshelves, or whatever other flat-packed wares you're fond of. And you won't be taking any frozen meatballs home in throwaway plastic bags either. IKEA has also pledged to only use renewable and recycled materials in all of its products by 2030, alongside a range of other initiatives — upping its plant-based menu items from this year, reducing its home delivery emissions to zero by 2025 and expanding its range of solar offerings to more countries by the same year. It's all part of the company's goal to abide by 'circular principles'. As IKEA's Sustainability Manager Lena Pripp-Kovac explains, "becoming truly circular means meeting people's changing lifestyles, prolonging the life of products and materials and using resources in a smarter way." Accordingly, they'll be designing "all products from the very beginning to be repurposed, repaired, reused, resold and recycled." It's not IKEA's first attempt to shake off its 'fast furniture' reputation, with the brand unveiling a non-disposable collection with Danish designers HAY last year. Still, the announcement brings the company into line with the growing movement towards ecologically conscious packaging and products, as seen in supermarkets and other businesses around both Australia and the globe — eradicating singe-use plastic bags, straws, takeaway containers and more, and working towards banning non-recyclable packaging outright.
As the source of those bright green hotdog buns and pancake stacks dominating your Instagram feed, entrepreneur Sarah Holloway knows a few things about how to spot (and start) a food trend. In 2014, she went from corporate lawyer to professional foodie when she started her own business, tea company Matcha Maiden, and then expanded it to vegetarian cafe Matcha Mylkbar (purveyor of said buns and stacks). A big part of her life (which she documents as @spoonful_of_sarah) involves swotting up on Melbourne's best food, drink and wellbeing offerings, so if total nourishment is what you aspire to on your upcoming visit to the city, she's an ideal guide. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Melbourne, we've called in Sarah, whose favourite spots range from Burnley's happiness-promoting Serotonin Eatery to Windsor's degustation-sporting Morris Jones. A stay in one of Pullman's two locations in Melbourne — Albert Park or On the Park in East Melbourne — will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you rest and digest in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Sarah's top Melbourne food hot spots in her own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. BREAKFAST AT MATCHA MYLKBAR My (completely non-biased, of course) Melbourne favourite is Matcha Mylkbar. It has everything I love in one spot (by no coincidence). Breakfast outings are my favourite way to start the day, food innovation and creativity are my great passions and healthy living is my philosophy. Our menu unites clean eating with satiation and excitement — plus it's a stone's throw from the beautiful beach in St Kilda. The "vegan egg" is a must-try! It's made from coconut, sweet potato and turmeric, but the texture and protein content is almost like the real thing. BRUNCH AT SEROTONIN EATERY Happiness + cafe go together in my world, so eating at a "happiness cafe" speaks to my heart. Serotonin Eatery has beautiful, colourful, nourishing bowls, served in a happiness-promoting environment complete with swings, tucked away in leafy Burnley. Don't miss the Positive Pancakes! Dehydrated organic bananas are ground into banana flour to make the pancakes, which are topped with banana nice-cream, coconut yoghurt and berries. ELIXIRS AT GREENE STREET JUICE I visit this stunning elixir bar filled with soul-replenishing goodness most days. Greene Street Juice's flagship "elixir bar" has the best juices in town, as well as smoothies, broths, tonics and even crystals. If you make one stop for your wellbeing from inside to out, make it here. The New Yorker smoothie — a twist on banana — is my favourite, but their concoctions range from alkaline activated charcoal and lemon water (Gotham City) to an energising carrot and beetroot juice with burdock root extract (The Bronx). MINDFUL MORNINGS AT GREENFIELDS This beautiful new venue on Albert Park Lake mainly caters to events, but it also hosts a monthly "Mindful Morning" with meditation, yoga, tunes and a delicious healthy breakfast from their eatery. A truly nourishing experience for mind, body and soul! Greenfields focuses on which local, raw, organic and fermented ingredients, and if you miss the Mindful Morning, you can grab a la carte eats from Wednesday to Sunday instead. BITES OF ALL SIZES AT LBSS Literally the place where you can get a bite that's little, big, sweet or salty, LBSS (Little Big Sugar Salt) in Abbotsford is another favourite for breakfast or lunch with something to suit every palate. The seasonally changing Plate of Health is my favourite for something healthy, filling and delicious. The cafe is also known for offering "Eggs with Friends" — a spread of breakfast dishes for sharing selected by the chef. LUNCH AT URBAN PROJUICE Tucked away in a converted terrace house, Urban Projuice is the home of health. Run by a beautiful family who glow with vitality, the menu here is absolutely delicious, with lots of takeaway options too. I love to grab a snack then go for a walk around Albert Park Lake nearby. The Smoothie Bowls here include a Snickers-inspired option with cacao powder, natural peanut butter, banana, soy milk, dates and fresh seasonal fruit and nuts. QUICK CUPPA AT MAGIC ON FERRARS Not far away from Urban Projuice is the Melburnian coffee lover's best-kept secret, Magic on Ferrars. It's known for its amazing St Ali coffees and very cosy setting (its few seats are almost always occupied), but it also does a mean breakfast and a solid matcha latte using Matcha Maiden. I love popping by for meetings. AFTERNOON DELIGHTS AT PANA CHOCOLATE Even though I don't have a sweet tooth, there is nothing quite like a dessert experience at Pana Chocolate. Perfect for a guilt-free afternoon snack indulgence, the store on Church Street in Richmond not only stocks the range of Pana's beautiful organic, raw vegan chocolates but also offers a range of delectable dessert creations. I can't go past the cookie dough caramel slice, which features layers of crunchy activated buckwheat, chocolate cheesecake and cashew nuts, and is sweetened with agave and coconut nectar. DEGUSTATION DINNERS AT MORRIS JONES Morris Jones on Chapel Street, Windsor is one of our favourites for a night out. Head chef Matthew Butcher brings a wealth of experience and culinary flair to the degustation menu, which always keeps us entertained and infinitely satisfied. His Nitro Violet Crumble dessert is next level! It combines the flavours of violet ice cream, chocolate soil and frozen honeycomb, and the plating is finished at the table from a pot of liquid nitrogen. SEAFOOD SENSATIONS AT NOBU Our first foodie tradition ever was date night at Nobu, and eight years later, nothing has changed. This Melbourne outpost of the famous New York Japanese restaurant has been open at the Crowne since 2007, and overlooks the Yarra River. The miso cod keeps us coming back every time, along with some of the most exquisitely prepared seafood around town. Plus, don't miss the green tea dessert bento box! Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
The kind of place where 18 degrees is considered freezing, Brisbane is hardly a snowman's natural habitat. But that'll change come summer, when South Bank's Gallery of Modern Art welcomes its own icy figure — and, yes, it'll be made out of real snow. GOMA's latest high-profile acquisition, Snowman is the work of artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss, and dates back to 1987. First conceived as part of a site-specific work at a German thermic power plant, the fairly typical-looking snowman is made from three balls of snow, with the top one boasting hand-drawn eyes and a mouth. What's not typical of this well-travelled snowman, however, is its ability to survive full summers. To protect Snowman from Brisbane's subtropical climate, it'll sit encased in a glass and metal industrial freezer — so, while GOMA visitors will be able to see the frosty sculpture, you definitely won't be able to touch it. But, lucky gallery staff members will be given the task of retracing its eyes and smile every few days, with the artwork's enigmatic expression expected to shift subtly over time from happy to quizzical to maybe even diabolical as a result. When Snowman brings its literal chill to Brissie, it'll mark the piece's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere. Understandably, it's usually exhibited in locations where it's much, much older — including a hit season at New York's Museum of Modern Art. [caption id="attachment_743010" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2017-19). Copyright: Peter Fischli David Weiss, Zurich 2019. Courtesy Spruth Magers, Matthew Marks New York and Los Angeles, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich.[/caption] The icy work will first go on display on December 7 as part of GOMA's huge summer showcase, which is completely dedicated to the theme of water. As well as marvelling at Snowman — because a snowman in Brisbane is definitely something worth marvelling at — visitors will also be able to walk across a massive indoor riverbed, with Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation another of Water's centrepieces. More than 40 works by international and Australian artists will be featured across the entire exhibition. Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Curatorial Manager of International Art at GOMA, hopes the sculpture will help inspire visitors to contemplate topical environmental issues. "In the context of Water, Snowman prompts us to think about issues such as global warming and climate change," Barlow said in a statement. While Water runs until April 26, 2020, Snowman will become a permanent feature at GOMA. The piece isn't just on loan to the gallery, but has been acquired thanks to philanthropic support — and, according to The Courier-Mail, may even eventually tour the state in its freezer. Snowman will display at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane as part of GOMA's forthcoming Water exhibition, which runs from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Top image: Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2016). Installation view: SFMOMA. Copyright the artists. Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photograph: Mary Ellen Hawkins.
Rapid Prototype 2 plans to bring to new art space 107 Projects some of three-dimensional printing's make-sure-things-get-made-right attitude of print out, check out and recycle. The night is part of Legs on the Wall's Open Source program, with this tilt letting artists try out their new ideas in rough draft form on a looming public. The follow-up to August's inaugural Rapid Prototype night, held at Alaska Projects, has a special focus on experiments in sound and will feature spoken word artist and composer Tom Hogan, the commanding headphones of Roslyn Helper, evolving compositions from ClulowForester, musical poetry by Marcus Whale and Pip Smith, cityscape sound quests by Erica and Tom Brennan's, live audiovisuals from Circle Path, and the blindfolded concert experience Noise Exposure. Image: Toby K, Helmet Project, Rapid Prototype 1, Aug 2012. Photo by James Brown.
It seems like every rooftop, garden and open-air space in Sydney has been transformed into a winter wonderland this year (not that we're complaining). And the latest venues to join the wintry pop-up trend are harbourside spots Untied and Bungalow 8, which have teamed up to bring the cosy cold weather vibes to the inner city. Over at Bungalow 8 on King Street Wharf, a tree-lined path leads to six apres ski-inspired timber 'cabins' with plenty of blankets to keep you warm and heaps of skiing paraphernalia, too. Sip on a range of French Alps-inspired cocktails, including a honey mead-spiked iced tea, or stop by a pop-up bar dedicated to the drink of the moment: espresso martinis. Here, it's served nitro and comes with DIY optional toppings such as dark chocolate, hazelnuts, marshmallows and even fairy floss. You can pair all this with woodfired pizzas, cherry wood-smoked hummus, plus skillets of s'mores for dessert. Each 'cabin' fits four to eight mates, and bookings are recommended. A stone's throw away, Barangaroo's rooftop bar Untied has been transformed into a luxury ski resort. It comes complete with magnums of Champagne, absinthe-misted highballs and a new winter menu — with honey chicken wings and crème brûlée waffle cones. Bungalow 8's Winter Wooodlands is now open and Untied's Apres Ski Bar launches on Friday, June 21.
I don't know about you, but I usually don't associate Russia with summer homes. In fact, 'Russian summer home' seems a bit of an oxymoron. However, Moscow-based architect Peter Kostelov has created this all-white 'origami house' for Russia's reality show, Dachniy Otvet. His only guidelines were to create a summer home where the family could enjoy athletic activities outdoors and host gatherings for friends. The house has no doors or windows, allowing guests to get some of that Russian sunshine (catch it while you can) whilst still being protected from Russia's often unpredictable weather. Built with sustainably-sourced timber, the origami house also uses a solar battery to heat water. The design folds and wraps, representing an origami-like structure. Check out some photos of this unique contemporary design.
With the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and everyone in a royals fervour, it's all too fitting the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney is hosting a series of dinners fit for nobility — only this feast is fit for a French king. And while the French monarchy hasn't been around since 1870, The Bonaparte Dinner series will help us commoners live like Franco royalty, only if just for a few hours. Being reimagined at the hotel's Altitude Restaurant, the sumptuous three-course French feast was first staged at the former mansion of Prince Roland Bonaparte (the grand nephew of Napoleon) — which now houses the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. The dinner will pay homage to the finest French cuisine with a menu crafted by chef Christophe Moret, who helms the two Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant L'Abeille. Guests can expect decadent classics, from shellfish bisque with foie gras to Cape Grim filet de boeuf and green peas, all expertly paired with a throng of Australian wines handpicked by Altitude's sommelier Matt Herod. And for dessert, you'll be served the classic Saint Honoré cake, complete with profiteroles and wild berries. If you want to experience all the elegance and grandeur of noble French dining without leaving Sydney, this is the dinner for you. Eat like a royal, treat your tastebuds to a night of unfettered opulence and take in some French history, all the while soaking in those unbeatable panoramas. The Bonaparte Dinner runs Monday to Thursday from 6pm till Thursday, November 1 and is priced at $145 per person or $270 per person with matching wines. Go on, grab your cheri, pretend you're off to French court and make a night of it — just make sure you're out of there before the clock strikes 12 and you turn back into a pumpkin. For more information and to make a reservation, visit the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney website.
When we think of things associated with "fun", lockdown ranks at the very bottom of that list. Memes, on the other hand—pure comedy gold. So if you've been oscillating between "alright" and somewhere south of "fine", here's a little story to brighten up your day. Like most businesses in Sydney's current lockdown, the Art Gallery of NSW has been forced to get creative. Its solution? Pair up artwork from its huge historical collection with Instagram captions that are so clever and on the nose that we here at Concrete Playground expect someone to get a pay rise after all this is over. Seriously. Check out some of the best memes below if you need a giggle. You can also follow the Art Gallery of NSW's Instagram page for more content. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) Top images: Wenceslaus Hollar, after Albrecht Dürer, A stag lying, after Dürer, 1649, etching, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1979. Photo: AGNSW. David Davies, From a distant land, 1889, oil on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1968. Photo: AGNSW. Roddam Spencer Stanhope, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" St Luke 24 v5,1870s, oil, gesso, goldleaf, wax medium, on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Arthur Moon KC in memory of his mother, Emma, born in Sydney in 1860, the daughter of John de Villers Lamb 1950. Photo: AGNSW.
As part of the NSW Government's $3.4 billion revamp of Darling Harbour, Lendlease is building a six-storey Japanese-designed development called Darling Exchange. And at its heart is a whizzbang, high-tech library. Stretching over two storeys, the library will house much more more than just books. It's been planned with start-ups, entrepreneurs and makers in mind, so look out for a Makerspace and IQ-Hub, with oodles of room for collaborations, workshops, meetings and events. "Working with Lendlease, we're developing a library where innovative, creative and sustainable communities can thrive," says Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "Encouraging entrepreneurs to start and build global businesses will create more jobs, boost our economy, strengthen global connections and make the city a more attractive place to live, work and visit." The library is four times the size of the one it will take the place of at Haymarket, which occupies a heritage building at 744 George Street. It shouldn't be hard to find — the building, designed by Kengo Kuma, will be wrapped in a facade made of 20 kilometres of recycled timber. In addition to the library, there'll be a market hall, a child care centre, a mezzanine restaurant and a rooftop bar overlooking Tumbalong Park, the Chinese Gardens and Cockle Bay.
Getting a decent, healthy feed when you're on the road isn't easy. From the highway, Maccas and servos can look like your only options. However, if you know where to go and when, there are some top spots serving delicious feasts, from The Sir George in Jugiong to The River Deck in Albury. The latest addition to this top-notch class of vendors is the Ingelara Farm Truck, a roadside food truck serving up fresh (and warm) seasonal and organic dishes on the Monaro Highway on the way to NSW's snow fields. Co-owners Tom Osborne and Daniel "Sausage" Nixon live the biodynamic Snowy Mountains farm after which the food truck has been named, where they grow their own produce and create their offerings from scratch. This includes organic soups, sourdough, smoked pork and chicken, pumpkin pie, filter coffee and biodynamic veggies. Right now, the duo is set up with one crowd in mind: keen skiers. Whether you're heading to the slopes at Perisher, Jindabyne or Thredbo or sadly making your way home, you'll find the micro kitchen in Bredbo Village, about an hour south of Canberra. They're just outside the Christmas Barn on the Monaro Highway every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am till 5pm until the end of September. And, when the ski season is all over, keep an eye on their travels by following @ingelarafarmtruck. The Ingelara Food Truck is currently located outside the Bredbo Christmas Barn, 23 Monaro Highway, Bredbo on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For mroe info, visit their Instagram.
Can a pair of glasses really help a world-renowned superhero become unrecognisable? If you've always queried that detail in Superman's story, rest assured that James Gunn has thoughts, too — as the full trailer for the writer/director and DC Studios co-CEO and co-Chairman's Superman makes plain. The latest sneak peek, following an initial teaser late in 2024 and an almost five-minute glimpse earlier in 2025, begins with an interrogation. Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) is doing the questioning, and a normally close-kept secret is clearly not a factor in this take on the Kryptonian. As Lois and the Man of Steel (David Corenswet, Lady in the Lake) dig into what makes a hero — and how accountable they need to be — the just-dropped trailer also offers looks at Superman's other battles. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, Nosferatu) features, naturally. So do Superman's efforts to stop wars and save everyday folks, and take on other villains. The new sneak peek has arrived just two months before the film hits cinemas, racing onto the big screen Down Under on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Gunn has penned, helmed and produced Superman. In his DC roles, he's also overseeing the new DC Universe. His picture will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026, as directed by Dumb Money's Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) — after she also plays the part in Superman. Clayface will release in the same year as well, working with a script from Doctor Sleep and The Fall of the House of Usher's Mike Flanagan. Alongside Corenswet, Brosnahan, Hoult and Alcock, Superman features Gunn regular Nathan Fillion (Deadpool & Wolverine) as Green Lantern and Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho, plus Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Frank Grillo (Tulsa King), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) and Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth). As always in the Super, The Suicide Squad, and three-time Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker's work, Gunn's brother Sean (Creature Commandos) is among the ensemble. An angle for this Superman: Gunn's take on the character is a superhero who believes in humanity's goodness — even if presumably Lex Luthor tests that idea, and even if he draws queries about why he does what he does. If it feels like Superman has been missing for cinemas for a while — well, in these superhero movie-heavy days, that is — that's because it's been eight years, since Justice League. That's when Zack Snyder's film initially arrived in its theatrical version (Zack Snyder's Justice League, aka the Snyder Cut, debuted on streaming in 2021). Check out the new Superman trailer below: Superman releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Read James Gunn's thoughts on the initial trailer.
Gambling sites are so often accused of being scummy. Confined to the cracked iPhone screens of sweaty middle-aged men watching the races, or nestled up against a footy fanatic's much-pounded Tinder app, these sites don't often conjure up images of class. But for this year's FIFA World Cup, Sportsbet have pulled out the big guns. They've called upon the classiest dude bro they could think of. They've let Jesus loose upon our skies. In a marketing stunt that seeks to mimic Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, Sportsbet have created a hot air balloon in an arguably sacrilegious image of Jesus Christ. They've encapsulated his transcendent essence in 46 metres of gassy latex, slapped a hashtagged Socceroos jersey on him and launched him off into the atmosphere because culture or sports or betting or something. It's a move that's understandably enraged Melbourne's religious community. Director of the Australian Christian Lobby Dan Flynn has spoken out against the stunt on 3AW saying Jesus has been co-opted into endorsing gambling. "Jesus was very much for the poor and we know the effect of gambling on the poor, they take the biggest brunt of that," he said. The balloon has also been condemned by Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce, and the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. However, Sportsbet's representatives claim the balloon is nothing more than a morale booster to get people behind the Socceroos this week. "Let’s be honest — the Socceroos need divine intervention to progress past their three group games, so the message we’re aiming to get across is that for all Aussies to keep the faith in [them]," PR manager Shaun Anderson told the Herald Sun. Sportsbet also claim they haven't received any complaints from religious groups directly. Spokesperson Matthew Campbell even went so far as to reassure readers at the Sydney Morning Herald: "We certainly don’t believe we’re being insensitive to anyone’s religious beliefs." This isn't the first time Sportsbet have been accused of insensitivity. In fact, their last controversy came only one year ago with this charming piece of good ol' Aussie animal porn. Any of the @QantasWallabies see this little guy upon landing in Melbourne today? #rootingforoz pic.twitter.com/NOei58MFNv — Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) June 23, 2013 Though today marks just the second day of flight for the holy balloon, it's already received a huge amount of attention. Not only has it faced scrutiny from those religious groups mentioned above, it's featured on the front page of mX, and made an appearance on both the Daily Mail and Wall Street Journal. How embarrassment. Despite all this, Sportsbet claim the only thing that could bring down our ever-present lord is the weather. The betting site intend to keep him airborne over Melbourne for the next couple of days before a national tour starting next week. If you weren't already having moral dilemmas with this year's World Cup, you sure as hell will now. Via Herald Sun and The Sydney Morning Herald. Photos via Sportsbet.
If you stare at something long enough, you don't just see the obvious. You notice everything, from the details that fail to immediately catch your attention to the way things can change instantly right in front of your eyes. The Killing of Two Lovers is all about this idea, and on two fronts. It puts a fractured marriage before its lens, ensuring its struggles and troubles can't be ignored. It also takes its time to peer at its protagonist, the separated-and-unhappy-about-it David (Clayne Crawford, Rectify), and at all that his new life now entails. In a sparse small town — with the film shot in Kanosh, Utah — its central figure attempts to adjust to living with his ailing widower father (Bruce Graham, Forty Years From Yesterday). His wife Niki (Sepideh Moafi, The L Word: Generation Q) remains in their home with their four children, as they've agreed while they take a break to work through their problems. David isn't coping, though, a fact that's apparent long before his teenage daughter Jess (Avery Pizzuto, We Fall Down) gets angry because she thinks he isn't fighting hard enough to save their family. He's trying, but as Crawford conveys in a brooding but nervy performance — and as writer/director/editor Robert Machoian (When She Runs) and cinematographer Oscar Ignacio Jiménez (Immanence) can't stop looking at in lengthy and patient takes — he can't quite adapt to the idea of losing everything he knows. Not just wed young, but welcoming Jess into their lives when they were basically kids themselves, David and Niki have spent their entire adulthood together so far — and as parents. They've agreed that they can date other people during their time apart, which Niki is doing; however, David just wants what he's always had. Indeed, The Killing of Two Lovers opens with him appearing poised to put that title into effect. He even has a gun, in fact. But nothing is that simple here, or for everyone in the movie's frames, or for anyone. From that very first moment, with the camera lingering on him wrestling with a big decision and radiating pain, anger and uncertainty, this is a feature that's determined to keep staring while its characters grapple with complexities both intimate and commonplace. David can't handle that Niki has started seeing Derek (Chris Coy, The Deuce), who works in the same building. He can't face the fact that she's been promoted at work, which brings more opportunities for her to be independent. And he certainly can't abide by only spending time with his beloved kids — including pre-teen boys Alex, Theo and Bug (Arri, Ezra and Jonah Graham, God Bless the Child) in agreed slots, instead of being there for their every moment. The Killing of Two Lovers watches David rage and fray. It sees him try to be the cool part-time dad, buying his brood toy rockets to send soaring into the sky in the local park, and waking up his sons in the middle of the night to show them he's taken their comedy advice. The film observes as he weathers Jess' anger, fear and disappointment, too, and as he tries to make his date nights with Niki the kind of evening that'll get them back together. It notices his self-centred wish to keep everything frozen in time, his stubbornness to accept any other fate, and his posturing with the unpleasant, jerk-ish Derek. Crucially, though, this is a movie about domestic disharmony that witnesses as much as it can, and lets as broad a spectrum of its protagonist's life as possible tell its tale. The Killing of Two Lovers ensures that Niki's predicament is just as complicated as well. This isn't just a movie that explores what happens when a man could lose everything that's made him who he is; it's also a portrait of a woman torn between a past she knows and a future that's on her own terms. And, it definitely isn't a film that condones David's actions, or offers any neat or predictable answers, explanations or options, but rather it's a snapshot of just how tangled and elaborate life always becomes. There's an element of Scenes From a Marriage at play here, although The Killing of Two Lovers pre-dates the new remake — and so much of the feeling in this gorgeously shot movie comes from its imagery. When it's hard to look away from such rich and enticing visuals, it's impossible not to spot and soak in everything they depict. Each frame is postcard-perfect, not that those pieces of cardboard ever capture such everyday sights, but wide vistas and the snowy mountains hovering in the background are just the beginning. With its long takes, The Killing of Two Lovers forces its audience to glean the naturalistic lighting that never casts David and Niki's hometown in either a warm glow or grim glower. Repeated images of David alone, especially in his car, also leave a firm impression of a man moving and solo. And, presenting most of its frames in the 4:3 aspect ratio, the film also possesses an astonishing and telling sense of space. Nothing is bluntly boxed in here, but everyone is trying to roam within the claustrophobic patch of turf they've scratched out. And, within the feature's square-shaped visuals springs an added fountain of intimacy that cuts to the heart of such close relationships, such as when David and the kids all pile into his truck, or during one of David and Niki's car-bound dates. Of course, without the right actors inhabiting those shots — and the right performances emanating from them — Machoian's stunning sights would ring hollow. Crawford is as soulful as the film's cinematography, and as jumpy as the metallic-sounding audioscape that echoes during its 84-minute running time. He's both masterful and devastating as he, like the overall feature itself, tussles and jostles with David's internal and external chaos. His is a raw and invested portrayal, so it comes as little surprise that he's one of the picture's executive producers. Crawford is aided by spot-on work by his co-stars, though; by smartly penned, stirringly insightful dialogue that most scripts wish they could muster, too; and by a piercing use of silence to let everything sink in. The devil isn't in the detail here — the minutiae is the entire movie, and what an unflinching, evocative and heady vision of yearning and emotionally churning it is.
Dodging peak hour traffic, avoiding unmindful pedestrians and negotiating road rage - all the while exposed to the elements - are part of a day's work for the average city bicycle courier. With this in mind, Renault has put together the 'Twizy Cargo'. First presented in concept mode at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, and now on the market, it's a one-seater electric car with an over-sized boot, designed to make urban delivery easier, faster and safer. Sharing the convenience associated with a bicycle, with its small size enabling parking in the tiniest of spots, the Twizy also offers a seatbelt, an airbag and a sealed cabin. In other words, protection from the weather and from crazy drivers whose legal access to a licence remains a mystery to us all. Plus, it's super cheap to run. The boot has a 180-litre capacity and can handle weights of up to 75 kilograms. It might not be able to take an elephant, but it can certainly handle more than a party's worth of pizzas. And the doors open to a blissful 90 degree angle. So there's no more trying to prop the door open with your leg while juggling boxes and keys. Two versions of the Twizy Cargo are currently available. The granny-style 'MA L6e' has a maximum speed of 45 km/hr and is selling for $US10,433; while the more rock-starrish 'MB L7e' can handle speeds of up to 80km/hr and retails at $US11,337. Both require a Renault-rented battery, which comes in at about $US65 per month. [via PSFK]
Napoli Food and Wines is a mega warehouse for all things Italian and it has been serving the Marrickville community for nearly 30 years. The wholesaler is owned by Raffaele Angrisano, who is considered a neighbourhood local legend. The expansive warehouse contains imported goods directly from the motherland (as well as carrying local produce, such as Australian cheese). You can get it all here, from Italian salumi and burrata, bocconcini and fresh mozzarella to imported coffee and olive oil. There's even an entire pizza making section and plenty of pasta, too. In addition to the food, Napoli also carries Italian wines and craft beers, and the deli is currently offering home delivery to boot. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
This time last year, Hartsyard became Hartsyard 2.0 when then owners Gregory Llewellyn and Naomi Hart swapped the deep fryer for the charcoal grill. Then, late last year, they sold it. Now, to kick off 2019, the much-loved Newtown restaurant has reopened with new owners. Except they're not exactly new. One, Jarrod Walsh, has been Hartsyard 2.0's head chef for the past year, and the other is Momofuku Seiobo chef and Walsh's partner, Dot Lee. "We were wanting to open our own restaurant, then Greg and Naomi told us they were thinking of selling and that was it," says Walsh. "It was too good an opportunity not to miss." To celebrate the takeover, the two have added a splash of paint, in the form of black-and-white tattoo-inspired artworks by local artist Isabel Williams. Besides that, the 50-seater space has keep its light, fresh look, dotted with oak, tan, black steel and greenery. "Food-wise, it's the same style — share plates and snacks designed to be eaten with your hands," says Walsh. "There are lots of vegetarian and vegan options." Take your pick of 13 individual dishes or one of two set menus ($75/95). Among Walsh's new creations are marinated and grilled Clarence River baby octopus with roasted peppers and smoked charcoal potatoes, stone fruit with smoked sheep's milk yoghurt and yukari shiso (an umami-heavy seasoning made from shiso leaves) and Geraldton kingfish tartare with seaweed chips. [caption id="attachment_705252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] But the one that's already won over the crowd is the fried cheese. "It's like a cheese toastie, but with layers of cheese on cheese on cheese," says Walsh. "We start with Parmesan, with roasted black pepper stock — cooked with tapioca pearls, so it's gluten free — then, we add hot mustard sour cream, which we top with gruyère, gouda and roasted black pepper salt. We served it last night and customers were ordering it again and again." Behind the bar, restaurant manager and sommelier Andrea Spagna has expanded the wine list with a bunch of Australian and international drops. Look out for several experimental, organic numbers, too. Meanwhile, bartender Paddy O'Rourke (The Gretz, Bulletin Place, Dead Ringer) is pouring local craft beers and signature cocktails, which change every week. Kicking off the inaugural list are the Stonefruit Slipper (stone fruit vodka, maraschino cherry and lemon sherbet) and the Pepito (spiced coconut rum, mango, yoghurt, honey and pistachio). The new-look Hartsyard is now open at 33 Enmore Road, Newtown. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 6pm till late, and Sunday 12pm to 3pm. Saturday lunch will follow in February. Images: Steven Woodburn.
If you haven't been to Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) — or it's been a while — it's time to get (re)acquainted. Emanating a fresh urban energy, Auckland is buzzing with bar and restaurant openings, thought-provoking exhibitions, and thrilling outdoor adventures — all while honouring its unique cultural legacy. If you play it right, Auckland feels more like a creative playground than a city — you just need to know what mood you're in. Whether you're feeling adventurous, romantic or indulgent, here's how to nail your next Auckland visit. What To Do When You Feel Like… A Hit Of Adrenaline Need a healthy rush? It's not every day you can jump off a country's highest landmark but Auckland's Sky Tower offers you the chance to do just that. Described as base jumping by wire, SkyJump is an 11-second freefall from 192 metres high. Reach speeds of up to 85 kilometres per hour before coming to a smooth landing at the base — so enjoy the view up there. Too fast? Scale the Auckland Harbour Bridge with a two-hour guided tour right to the top. Soak up 360-degree views of the city, embark on a sunset tour, or double down on the adrenaline by bungee jumping off the bridge instead. Auckland's Waiheke Island is home to an array of zip lines guaranteed to get your heart racing. EcoZip Adventures offers a three-hour zipline journey through the treetops, soaring high above lush, native forest, while the Man O' War Forest Flight allows you to comfortably zip at your own pace across three 200-metre ziplines and boardwalks, ending at Man O' War's magnificent winery for a tasting. What To Do When You Feel Like… Indulging In Some 'Me Time' While a holiday is generally considered 'me time', jam-packed itineraries and travelling with others can sometimes leave us craving a solo outing. Luckily, Auckland boasts many indulgent treatments to help you find solace. Treat yourself to spa treatments at Chuan Spa in the city. Offering luxurious experiences that blend traditional Chinese medicine with modern wellness, you can expect a satisfying menu of treatments and facilities, including massages, facials, saunas, herbal steam rooms, and a heated rooftop pool. They also won spa of the year, so you know you're in good hands. Abstract Hotel's in-house award-winning Sa-Ni Spa offers affordable treatments in the city's heart. Devoted to holistic healing and wellness, Sa-Ni Spa incorporates ancient techniques and traditional aromatherapy throughout its offerings. Our top pick? Deep Sleep Therapy. A signature massage that calms your nervous system, inducing the most peaceful sleep you've ever had. While an escape to Auckland can bring a world of calm, a visit to East Day Spa at the Grand by Sky City will deepen your relaxation even further. Promising an oasis of healing with a no-phone policy so you can switch off from the world, East Day Spa boasts 11 treatment rooms — including four double suites, zen heat experiences, and a relaxation atrium. What To Do When You Feel Like… You're Overstimulated and Need To Zen One of the best antidotes to burnout? Immersing yourself in Mother Nature or moving your body — combining the two is even better. And you're certainly spoiled for choice in Auckland. Craving zen? Roll out a yoga mat in one of the coolest settings: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Immerse yourself in the calming, meditative practice of Hatha yoga while surrounded by magnificent, historic artworks and sculptures. Classes run for an hour every Sunday and Tuesday evening. If you'd rather be outdoors, swap the mat for a picnic rug among beautiful plants and lush gardens. Wander through Auckland Domain's impressive Wintergarden—an ever-changing trove of rare plants, including the Amorphophallus titanum (corpse flower) — and follow a trail of captivating outdoor sculptures. Alternatively, hop over to the city's southern side and explore Auckland's Botanic Gardens filled with aromatic flowers and a picturesque lake. It's an idyllic slice of stillness in Auckland. The best part? It's free. Speaking of picturesque, Waiheke Island offers you a hike for every mood, whether after a leisurely stroll or a more challenging trek. If you're eager to take it easy and slow, we recommend the Whakanewha Loop. The two-hour, grade four hike is through Nikau forest and native bush with cascades along the way. But, if you're up for something that's a little more challenging, set out on the Mokemoke Pā headland walk — a two-hour, grade seven walking loop that hugs Waiheke's stunning coastline. What To Do When You Feel Like… A Fancy Snack Auckland's vibrant food scene offers plenty of gourmet bites, share-worthy small plates, and indulgent treats perfect for a snack-filled day of exploring. If you're in the mood for a taste of Italy, head to pocket-sized Pici, where its signature cacio e pepe pasta is a must-try. For a twist on Mediterranean classics, Lebanese favourite Gemmayze Street serves up heavenly homemade hummus, which you can even take home to keep the flavour lingering. For high-brow fancy snacks, look no further than Bar Magda. Here, Filipino-inspired plates like tuna on toast with mayo, anchovy, and flying fish caviar bring a refreshing take on bar snacks. Alternatively, visit local favourite Atelier, where French-style tapas and freshly shucked oysters await, alongside a curated selection of local and international cheeses — or, if you're on the hunt for incredible vegetarian bites, swing by Hatted restaurant Forest in Mount Eden. Think small plates like seaweed-dusted fries with toasted chilli goop and crunchy crudités dunked in creamy garlic pine nut dip. If you're near the CBD, Auckland's snack scene has you covered. Darling On Drake offers a sprawling terrace where you can sample saucy prawn rolls or short rib nuggets with mustard mayo. For something sweet, Giapo is a must-visit. Known for its world-famous hokey pokey ice cream, it isn't your average ice creamery. Its inventive flavours — like velvet cake with cream cheese or pumpkin seed praline are as much of an experience as they are a treat. Craving luxury? Miann Chocolate Factory is a dream dessert boutique. From fairytale-like mousse mushroom cakes to imaginative tiramisu treats, each dessert is meticulously detailed and (almost) too beautiful to eat. What To Do When You Feel Like… Learning Something New Auckland is the perfect destination for those who crave fresh experiences and the thrill of learning something new. Whether you're exploring your creative side or honing a new skill, the city offers plenty of opportunities to expand your horizons. Get your green thumb wagging at Babylon, Auckland's beloved plant store. Learn how to create a Japanese Kokedama or build a vibrant terrarium. Plus, for the most heinous indoor plant killers, Babylon offers courses on how to nurture your own plant babies. If you're in the mood to get your hands dirty, The Clay Centre in Mt Wellington runs creative workshops, including its popular "wheel and wine" class. It's a great way to unwind while learning the art of pottery. For a quieter but equally rewarding experience, try its Saturday morning coffee-and-clay sessions. To refine your artistic skills, Studio One Toi Tū in Grey Lynn offers a variety of classes, from life drawing to knotting macramé bracelets. They even offer specialised workshops like traditional Māori jewellery carving. Don't forget to check out one of the exhibitions at the studio, which showcases local and international talent. If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, why not learn to surf at Muriwai Beach? Set against dramatic dunes and cliffs, the beach is about 40 minutes north-west of Auckland and is an idyllic spot to learn the basics of surfing (or advanced technical skills if you've surfed for years). And don't worry about the cold — winter wetsuits are included, so you can stay warm while soaking up the stunning coastal views. Just a short flight away, Auckland is the perfect long weekend destination for travellers seeking urban energy and unexpected natural gems. Find out more here. By Jacque Kennedy
When someone spots a giant spider, they take notice, even when it's simply a tall metal piece of art. Seeing one of Louise Bourgeois' towering arachnids is indeed a stunning experience; however, so is watching people clock her lofty works. Her Maman sculptures demand attention. They're the type of public art that audiences just want to sit around, soak in and commune with. They're photo favourites, too, of course — and one has just arrived in Australia. This is the first time that Maman has displayed Down Under, with the world-famous piece arriving in Sydney as part of Sydney International Art Series. Bourgeois is one of three hero talents scoring a blockbuster exhibition during event, alongside Wassily Kandinsky and Tacita Dean. The nine-metre-high, ten-metre-wide sculpture that Bourgeois is best known for is currently on display on the forecourt of the Art Gallery of NSW, towering over the historic South Building. The sculpture hails back to 1999, and boasts its name because it's a tribute to Bourgeois' mother. The artist described her mum as "deliberate, clever, patient, soothing... and [as] useful as a spider". [caption id="attachment_927831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] If you're keen to see Maman on home soil, Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day? is running at the gallery from Saturday, November 25, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024, boasting 120 different works — the most comprehensive exhibition of Bourgeois's work ever to grace a gallery in the Asia Pacific. The Bourgeois exhibition is on display 13 years after the Paris-born artist passed away in New York in 2010, and after she stamped her imprint upon the art of the 20th century. Visitors will see her Arch of Hysteria work down in the gallery's underground Tank, textile works of the 1990s and 2000s, and plenty in-between. Other highlights include The Destruction of the Father, which is among the pieces that've never been displayed in Australia before; Clouds and Caverns, which is rarely seen in general; and the mirrored piece Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day?, which shares the exhibition's moniker. Alongside the display of art, there will be a free film series curated by the AGNSW's Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd. A heap of Louise Bourgeois' favourite flicks will be screened at the gallery's cinema, including 1958's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1971's Harold and Maude, David Lynch's Eraserhead, John Waters' Pink Flamingos and The Wizard of Oz. [caption id="attachment_927828" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the Louise Bourgeois 'Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] Top image: installation of Louise Bourgeois 'Maman' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Felicity Jenkins.
Coca-Cola has been turning green lately with sustainable bottles and recycled store shelving already upping their eco-cred, but their latest venture in the Philippines might be the best yet. Partnering with WWF, their new 60 foot by 60 foot billboard features 3,600 Fukien tea plants held in pots made from recycled Coca-Cola products, the plants defining a simple silhouette of a Coke bottle. As well as catching the eye the billboard should soak up carbon from the immediate atmosphere, as each plant is capable of absorbing 13 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year. Critics have cited it as mere greenwashing, and only a drop in the ocean compared to Coke's giant production and transport carbon outputs. Nevertheless, at least it's a step in the right direction, and as well as advertising their product the billboard also highlights the issue of climate change. But, will it ever make up for the decades of flashing lights on the Kings Cross Coke sign? Will Sydney ever see the lights dimmed and replaced with some greenery? [via PSFK]
