In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to KU Villas in Lombok, Indonesia, where you can live that glamorous island life without breaking the bank. We've teamed up with the KU Villas team to bring our readers one massive island holiday deal. Book here to get a three-night stay, hour-long massage, personal chauffeur, $200 food and beverage voucher for the nearby SIWA Clubhouse and daily breakfast for only $455 — an absolute bargain by anyone's standards. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Get that luxe Indonesian island experience on the cheap. It's incredible just how little you will spend to stay in these stylish Lombok villas — with private pool included. THE ROOMS This small resort has a few different accommodation types, ranging from individual rooms and suites (either with or without a plunge pool) to larger villas with private gardens and larger pools. Modern simplicity is key when it comes to design and amenities — expect large open rooms with classic wooden furniture and crisp white linens. You'll get the essential aircon and wifi, too. Plus, almost every room has double doors that open onto the gardens and pools — indoor and outdoor living spaces are seamlessly woven together. FOOD AND DRINK KU Villas has its own little restaurant onsite, offering a range of Western and traditional Indonesian dishes. Locally sourced, healthy cuisine is the aim of the game here. The chefs get produce from the property to create super fresh and light dishes from breakfast through to dinner. But, these guys are aware that you're on holiday — so you can get pizzas, chips and gelato too. Beers, wine and cocktails flow freely, and are brought out to the pool for those long days spent dipping in and out of the water while getting some well-needed vitamin D. [caption id="attachment_883655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Bixler (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA KU Villas is located on the island of Lombok, east of the ever-popular Bali. Stay on Lombok to get the full Bali experience, but with fewer crowds. There are quaint villages full of character, countless beachside restaurants and bars, nearby islands for day trips (the trio of Gilis) and rainforests ripe for exploring on hikes or 4WD adventures. KU Villas even has its own mountaintop bar and pool, SIWA, with stunning views across the island — the intel: our Concrete Playground Trips package includes a $200 voucher to spend at this picturesque spot. THE EXTRAS When visiting these parts, a rejuvenating spa day should be firmly on the cards. Thankfully, you'll find one on the property. KU Day Spa offers up a series of massages alongside other treatments — there's coffee and chocolate scrubs and a special magnesium pool experience. Once you're done relaxing, roll over to the pool to hold onto that new-found peace and glow for as long as you can. We're all chasing that feeling — and this ain't a bad place to find it. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Back for its sixth edition, Newcastle Food Month is not your average foodie celebration. Taking over Newcastle with over 70 special events and 70 more plate dates — signature dish and drink pairings for $30 or less — the entire affair is described as Australia's largest and longest regional food festival. If you're yet to visit, make this year the one for getting to know Newy's top-notch hospitality scene and world-class produce. In 2026, Newcastle Food Month is happening from Saturday, March 28–Wednesday, April 30. Though the entire program is worth checking out, there's a trio of signature one-off events to plan your calendar around. The first — Soundbites Food & Wine Festival — is happening on opening day at Newcastle Racecourse, featuring a day-long experience complete with 40 wineries, breweries, producers and chefs alongside roaming performances, grape stomping and more. Then, on Wednesday, April 1, the HCA x First Creek Waiters' Race offers the chance for someone with the fastest feet and the steadiest hands to claim the ultimate hospitality bragging rights. Rounding out this trio, Newcastle Food Month will also feature two sessions of the Customs House x Tinta Belmont Autumnal Garden Party. Held on Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 18, expect four hours of Usher Tinkler drops, Tanqueray gins and roaming canapes. Of course, there are dozens more events to explore throughout the month. Think degustation cruises, multicultural fiestas and seafood long lunches served by the waterfront. No matter your tastes, this sprawling regional activation is one of the best ways to celebrate everything Novacastrian cuisine has to offer, whether you're keen to dine, sip or level up your culinary skills with an expert-led masterclass. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox. Images: Dom Cherry.
Austrian-British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once famously stated that "the limits of my language means the limits of my world". Wittgenstein was part of a philosophical movement whose intense and sustained navel-gazing gave rise to an idea known as the "linguistic turn". This was an idea, with which everyone from novelists to zoologists jumped on board, suggesting that our creativity and conceptual imagination is limited by the fact that our languages are made up of a limited number of words. So we are stuck with a limited number of meanings. As such Wittgenstein, and his quite morbid buddies, argued that language is inadequate to the task of expressing human experience. The website "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" are doing their little bit to make the inexpressible more expressible, by creating an ever-growing list of new words to describe the sad little idiosyncrasies that make up modern life. This consistently hilarious and subtly insightful website believes that if words like "gif" and "trolling" deserve a place in the Macquarie Dictionary then why shouldn't words like "astrophe" or "heartworm." (Which describe, respectively, the hypothetical conversations we have with other people in our head, and those past relationships that are buried deep in our psyche.) With Dictionary.com recently releasing their "word of the year" here are our five favourite contender entries for next year from of "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows". Contact High-Five An innocuous touch by someone just doing their job—a barber, yoga instructor or friendly waitress—that you enjoy more than you'd like to admit, a feeling of connection so stupefyingly simple that it cheapens the power of the written word, so that by the year 2025, aspiring novelists would be better off just giving people a hug. Reverse Shibboleth The practice of answering a cellphone with a generic "Hello?" as if you didn't already know exactly who was calling—which is a little like the egg requirement that marketers added to early cake mixes in the 1950s, an antiquated extra step that's only there to reassure you that it's an authentic homecooked meal, just like grandma used to make. Sonder The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you'll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk. Astrophe A hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head—a crisp analysis, a cathartic dialogue, a devastating comeback—which serves as a kind of psychological batting cage where you can connect more deeply with people than in the small ball of everyday life, which is a frustratingly cautious game of change-up pitches, sacrifice bunts, and intentional walks. Semaphorism A conversational hint that you have something personal to say on the subject but don't go any further—an emphatic nod, a half-told anecdote, an enigmatic 'I know the feeling'—which you place into conversations like those little flags that warn diggers of something buried underground: maybe a cable that secretly powers your house, maybe a fiberoptic link to some foreign country. Entries and text from the wonderful Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.
With restaurants in both Sutherland (which is taking a brief hiatus due to staff shortages) and Cronulla, Alphabet Street is where to go for an upmarket Thai meal in the Shire. Its bubblegum-pink walls also make it a bit of an Instagram fixture. Leaning more towards the upper end of the spectrum than your standard Thai establishment, this venue specialises in flavoursome small bites designed to share. The contemporary and the traditional collide in dishes such as five-spice squid with lemon dipping sauce, tapioca dumplings with sweet pork and peanut, and enticingly soft and crispy bao with fried chicken and chilli mayo. There is also a range of dumplings available including chicken dumplings with prawn and sweet corn in a plum sauce, beef dumplings with soy and chilli oil or vegan mushrooms with shiitake dressing. The bao buns include crispy fried chicken and tofu with chilli mayo. If sharing isn't your thing, or if you're in the mood for something more substantial, Alphabet Street's selection of mains is equally irresistible. Try the choo chee curry with prawns, lychees and coconuts or the crispy pork belly with plum sauce and green apple. Alternatively, the jungle curry of beef, kaffir lime leaf and pea eggplant is criminally delicious. Can't decide what to get? Let the experts make the choice for you and order one of their banquet options. There is also a limited (but thoughtful) selection of vegetarian dishes to choose from, and one vegan curry. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
For 117 years, drinkers of the inner west have been gathering at the Salisbury Hotel for a brew and a chin-wag. This week, the pub reaches the end of a major, year-long renovation. Next time you visit, expect an extended, repositioned kitchen; wooden beams and cobblestone; and a quirky outdoor beer garden, with a Chinese elm tree and a 1926 bright red brewery truck. The menu's had an overhaul, too, under Singaporean-Malay chef Ridz Ma'rop (ex-Henson Park Hotel, The Trinity). The motivation for the revamp was publican Trish Larkin's desire to increase the pub's appeal to everyone, families included. "The Salisbury is a meeting place for all, young and old," she says. "We wanted to create a pub environment where you'd be happy to take your mum, grandad or children — somewhere that has a consistently solid offering and where all are welcome." To that end, the new menu is all about high-quality pub classics. The Brew Truck Angus burger comes with egg, beetroot, pineapple, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce and chips, while the Salisbury steak sandwich features roasted tomato, onion relish, lettuce, aioli and chips. There's also a beef and Guinness pie with colcannon, and maple-miso salmon with Asian slaw and ginger-shallot dressing. Drop by on Thursdays for Curry House, when 20 bucks buys you a curry and sides, plus a Young Henrys' longneck. Then, on Sundays, it's time for The Feast—a $100 cornucopia of meats, fish and sides that feeds four. Behind the bar, in addition to Young Henrys, you'll find beers by 4 Pines and Stone and Wood, as well as a bunch of Australian wines. If you're travelling in a group, nip through to The Hall, where there's a 12-seater table beneath a high ceiling. Otherwise, continue through to the beer garden to find banquettes, or head back inside to drink and make merry among the pub's exposed brickwork, recycled timber, wooden beams and cobblestone. On Wednesdays, get involved in Drag Bingo and, on Sundays, kick back to live music. Find The Salisbury at 118 Percival Road, Stanmore. Opening hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-midnight, and Sunday, 10am-10pm. Visit the hotel's website for further details
Lockdown is bringing wholesome home activities back into the spotlight. If you've already birthed a sourdough starter, planted new seedlings and started leaning te reo Māori, it may be time to start flexing your puzzle skills. New Zealand's national museum Te Papa is getting in on the action for those who forgot to stock up and has turned taonga (treasures) from its collection into online jigsaw puzzles. Unwind as you piece together Bernard Roundhill's colourful 1956 painting of Auckland, make up the skeleton of a Stewart Island brown kiwi or complete the fossil of an iguanodon tooth from 132-137 million years ago. Te Papa is closed to the public until further notice. Read about the museum's collections, research and stories at tepapa.nz.
Surry Hills' beloved drinking establishment and local institution The Cricketers Arms has welcomed a winning new update to the dining room. Head up the stairs from the boisterous revelry of the always-jammed front bar to find Chez Crix, a bistro with unpretentious but beautifully-executed French-leaning food and a predictably excellent drinks offering including a forward thinking wine list focused on natural and low-intervention drops and killer martinis. The evolution of Chez Crix has been a collaborative effort from long-time owner Dominic Juillet, Head Chef Antoine Vassallo and and General Manager and drinks list curator Jackson Duxbury (formerly of The Agrarian Kitchen and Franklin Hobart). And the result is a laid-back dining room with a frisky atmosphere where the service is warm and effortlessly efficient. Duxbury sums it up perfectly: "Our community, and the legacy of the Cricketers Arms, is certainly at the forefront. We talk a lot about the sense of ownership long-term patrons hold of the venue — it's the people's pub. For years, this place (certainly downstairs), has felt like an extension of people's living rooms. We hope Chez Crix feels like an extension of their dining room." While the feel of the room does indeed have a casual dinner party vibe, the food is several notches beyond what the average person can achieve on a Friday night in the home kitchen. Antoine Vassallo has pulled together a menu of approachable hits like a gorgeously juicy roast chicken with jus gras and steak frites with Bordelaise sauce, and the house-made chicken liver parfait (to be ordered with a chewy baguette) might just be the pick of the menu. The wine list is firmly focused on natural wines and the entries traverse the globe with selections from across Australia, Europe and beyond. If you're perpetually wine-curious or just plain indecisive, leave your choices in the hands of Duxbury and the floor staff who'll delight you with a compelling selection by the glass or bottle. Chez Crix is the restaurant the Cricketers Arms deserves and has been long overdue for. Booking is very much recommended as the venue has been full-to-overflowing ever since it opened.
It's that time of the year when people get extra lovey-dovey, so booking a romantic escape feels like the perfect move. Alternatively, the love-sick nature of Valentine's Day might just make you want to escape to a different continent altogether. Whatever your motivation for boarding a plane, Scoot's latest Gotta Scoot Tuesdays sale is stacked with heavily discounted fares to a host of dream destinations. This way, you can plan out one romantic experience after the next, or trade the overpriced roses for a date-worthy retreat. Running now through Monday, February 16, this limited-time sale features stellar travel periods, so you can take your romance to the next level right away or hold off until later in the year. This time around, the available travel dates are: February 24–March 20, April 14–May 29, July 13–September 17, and October 4–October 31. And the destinations? Well, they're primed for starry-eyed couples' trips, backpacking adventures with your best pals or an overdue solo vacation where you hopefully won't have to hear another word about Valentine's Day. Highlights include one-way fares from Sydney or Melbourne to Singapore starting from $210. You can also book flights to Koh Samui from Sydney for $315 or from Melbourne for $300. If you'd prefer the Thai mainland over the island life, Sydneysiders fly to Chang Mai from $295, while fares from Melbourne start from $285. For those envisioning nonstop date nights in big cities, Scoot is offering discounted airfares for those places, too. Trips from Sydney or Melbourne to Bangkok start at $255 and $260, respectively, while fares to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City start from $230 for Sydney travellers or $245 for lovebirds departing Melbourne. Scoot's Gotta Scoot Tuesdays sale is on now, running until Monday, February 16. Head to the website for more information.
The historic space at 10 Neild Avenue has left a bit of a black mark on the Sydney restaurant scene, with both celebrity chef Robert Marchetti's Neild Avenue and Keystone Group's Rushcutters closing after just brief stints in the location. But, not to be deterred, chef Paola Toppi and co. have taken on the enormous Rushcutters Bay warehouse. About 30 years ago she and her mum opened Machiavelli Ristorante, a Sydney institution that championed Italian home cooking, and this newest venture is an extension of the Machiavelli brand. The focus here is on antipasto and homemade pasta, which is a pretty appealing combination. But is it the right fit for a grand venue with a pretty grand price point? I'm not sure. Even though simple Italian food is harder to achieve than many realise, paying a fair amount of money for it can feel extortionate — especially in an area like Sydney, where so many good options are readily available and expectations are always high. The huge warehouse space has been reimagined by a deft hand in design Jason Mowen, who's used lighting, acoustics and creative flair to turn the previously cavernous and austere room into something quite appealing. He's used dark bare timber tables and some well-placed tall lamps to create a warm glow in what could easily be an open, cold atmosphere, and a mural coupled with cinematic images projected onto the high bare brick walls creates a fun, unpretentious feel to it all. There's an energetic hum from the clientele, who are mostly the kind of folks who pop into Catalina for a bite to eat on a Tuesday. The service is mostly attentive and enthusiastic, particularly behind the bar; they're keen sellers of items from their signature cocktail list, which includes the fresh and sharp peach and whisky number the Impeachment, and a surprisingly good take on a Negroni. As for the food, it's a bit of a hit and miss affair. On one hand, Bar M has some of the best salumi in town; the prosciutto, for example, with burrata and figs ($28) is perfect. Also on the antipasto menu, you'll find kingfish tartare with fennel salad, fried king prawns with Japanese breadcrumbs and grilled cuttlefish with caramelised onions and chilli. The pasta, which is served in pretty big portions and is beautifully made, has moments of total loveliness; the scampi spaghetti in a light tomato, chilli and garlic sauce ($59), a simple spaghetti carbonara ($39) and a duck ragu fettuccini ($39) are all hits. However, you can give anything with a beurre blanc sauce, like pappardelle with crab meat ($49) a miss. For mains, expect classics. There's a wagyu scotch fillet with potato ($49), rack of lamb with sweet potato mash ($49) and john dory fish served with panfried broccolini ($49). The desserts are a bit heavy, resembling something out of an '80s cookbook, like the tiramisu, ricotta-filled cannoli and profiterole with ice cream. Overall, Bar M is buzzing with hype and patronage at the moment, but it'll be a test of time to see if it can live on in its newest palatial home.
Australia's reigning gelato kings are back at it. Gelato Messina, which transformed from a single Sydney store in 2002 into a bona fide national empire, has just launched two Woolworths-exclusive flavours — and we are running, not walking, to get out hands on these ones, winter be damned. Landing now in freezers nationwide and online, the brand-new P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline and Super Flan sound exactly like the types of indulgent flavours that has seen Messina become a household name, stacked with in-house sauces and signature mix-ins. Channeling strong 'give the people what they want' energy, each of the new flavours is a riff on a beloved Messina signature. Long-time devotees might find the P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline familiar, and they wouldn't be mistaken — it's a supermarket-ready take on one of the brand's most in-demand scoop-shop specials. Each tub is a flavour bomb of creamy peanut butter gelato swirled with house-made peanut praline and rich peanut fudge. Meanwhile, Super Flan brings one of the brand's biggest fan faves to the masses: a creamy vanilla custard gelato rippled with Messina's in-house dulce de leche, made the proper Argentinian way. Each flavour comes in a 475ml pint, and joins the five Messina tub flavours lining Woolies shelves — namely, Pistachio Praline, Tiramisu, Dulce de Leche, Hazelnut Praline and Dulce de Leche, and Robert Brownie Jr. Since its October 2024 launch, the tub line has become one of the supermarket's best-selling frozen dessert lines, with over 500,000 pints already having flown off the shelves. While you're likely more concerned with what's going on inside the tub, the artwork on the front is worth a second look. The colourful characters that adorn each tub have been designed by Bondi-born, New York-based artist Jeremyville, who was also responsible for the vibrant murals in Messina's original Darlinghurst store. "Gelato Messina has always been about quality, creativity, and making people happy, and pushing the boundaries of flavour and quality," says Gelato Messina founder, Nick Palumbo. "Expanding into Woolworths has allowed us to share our passion with more Australians, while staying true to our roots." Messina's new P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline and Super Flan flavours are available now and exclusively at Woolworths, in the freezer aisle or online. For more info, head to the Messina website.
Want a place to drink by the harbour but don't want to to Opera Bar again? Head to Squire's Landing, a two-storey mega venue from brewer James Squire at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. From wherever you sit, the views of the Opera House and Bridge are truly splendiferous. Moreover, the space — which is restaurant, bar and microbrewery — is right next to Campbells Cove, where real-life convict-turned-Australia's first brewer James Squire arrived on the First Fleet nearly 230 years ago. All nine beers in James Squire's core range — from the 150 Lashes Pale Ale you see on taps everywhere to the Jack of Spades Porter — is available on-tap. Plus, there's an ever-changing selection of limited-edition releases, concocted by head brewer Peter Merrington both at the brand's brewery and Camperdown Malt Shovel Brewery and the new one glass-walled one on-site. The most interesting brew on the list right now is The Wreck Preservation Ale, which is made with 220-year-old yeast. It was discovered – still alive – by conservator David Thurrowgood of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in bottles recovered from The Sydney Cove, a merchant ship that wrecked at Preservation Island, just off Tassie's northeast coast, in 1797. Taking care of the kitchen is head chef Chris Evanges, who works closely with Deniz Coskun, executive chef at Mantle Group, which owns the venue. Downstairs serves a casual menu, loaded with pub classics, including burgers and upstairs. For a fancier meal, book a table upstairs, where you'll be lingering over beautifully composed dishes, driven by premium produce. Think wood-fired octopus with roasted peppers, olive, nduja, lemon and pangritata (fine, crispy croutons made of sourdough and herbs, toasted in olive oil) or coffee-cured and smoked duck breast from the Hunter Valley with confit leg beignet, celeriac remoulade, pickles, salt-baked beetroot and jus. Squire's Landing is the seventh James Squire Brewhouse in Australia. The rest are dotted across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle and Brisbane. Good news is that you can book, so you can guarantee a seat looking over the harbour.
Though the Art Gallery of New South Wales was established in 1871, its international contemporary art collection started 50 years ago — and it really took off in the 1980s. Art Gallery of NSW director Michael Brand wanted the new exhibition, Some Mysterious Process: 50 Years of Collecting International Art, to honour the work of those curators, directors, benefactors and donors who've helped build the collection across the last five decades to what it is today. The exhibition is the result of two years of contemplating how the Gallery's international contemporary art collection came about, and the decisions that were made along the way. Split across four rooms, Some Mysterious Process charts key moments in the Gallery's acquisitions, including purchases of artworks by well known artists like Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin, Michael Armitage, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. But also of perhaps lesser-known artists such as Nona Garcia and Lubna Chowdhary. The title of the exhibition refers to a musing on the act of making art by American artist Philip Guston. But Brand says it's as much about the mystery of curation, too. "How public collections come together is a totally mysterious process," he says. "Local history, local interest, local taste, local wealth, or lack of wealth — all those factors come into play." We spoke with Brand about the artworks that prompted the most interesting insights into how and why they were acquired, and what's next for the Gallery's future acquisitions as it looks to the Sydney Modern Project (set to open in late 2022). Read on to discover more. [caption id="attachment_774794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yinka Shonibare 'Alien toy painting' (2011), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Tony Gilbert Bequest Fund 2012 © Yinka Shonibare, MBE[/caption] AFTER THE PANDEMIC: SEEING ART WITH NEW EYES Though Some Mysterious Process had been ready to install in March 2020, the Gallery was forced to close its doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Nothing much changed within the exhibition itself, but as the Gallery geared up to welcome back visitors in June 2020, Michael Brand noticed that living through a pandemic did affect how he experienced some of the artworks. In particular, British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare's 'Alien toy painting' (2011). The giant wall installation features printed cotton fabric manufactured in Dutch colonial mills in Indonesia, sold in West Africa. "I'd always thought about that work — which is about invasion, and movement of people and ideas, and trade, and colonisation — and that it had this viral overlay," says Brand. "But I never realised quite how pertinent it would be when we opened the exhibition." Likewise with Richard Hamilton's 'Kent State' (1970) — "one of the first international works acquired in the 1970s". One of the weeks during installation coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings (May 4, 2020). "It's the first work in the exhibition. We're trying to highlight that 1970 was a moment of incredible political action, worry and anxiety." And it's easy to draw parallels with today's protests and ongoing uncertainty. [caption id="attachment_774738" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Some Mysterious Process: 50 Years of Collecting International Art' featuring: Louise Bourgeois's 'Arched figure' (1993, cast 2010) and Philip Guston's 'East Tenth' (1977). Photo by AGNSW, Diana Panuccio[/caption] HOW THE GALLERY'S ART FUND CHANGED ITS COLLECTING POWER Some Mysterious Process charts both when the artworks were made, but also when they were acquired by the Gallery. "So even though the exhibition starts in 1970, collecting at the gallery doesn't start taking off in a really significant way until, say, 1983, when the Foundation is established," says Brand. "Which was created to bring money in for major acquisitions." At the centre of the exhibition is a large space filled with masterpieces acquired with funds raised by the Foundation." The Art Gallery of NSW Foundation is the Gallery's major acquisition fund, and, thanks to the fund, the Gallery was able to make some significant purchases of international art. 'Arched figure' (1993) by Louise Bourgeois, was purchased 23 years after it was created by the artist. "What an amazingly important artist, but a woman artist that hadn't been bought earlier by us," says Brand, who made the decision not to correct the gender inequality of the Gallery's early acquisitions in the exhibition. In the same space, you'll see Philip Guston's 'East Tenth' (1977) — the artist's musings on art-making inspired the name of the exhibition. Acquired in 1988, it was the fourth work to be purchased with funds raised by the Foundation. [caption id="attachment_775760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gordon Walters 'Painting no. 1' (1966), Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1968 © Estate of Gordon Walters[/caption] EARLY ACQUISITIONS: PLEASANT SURPRISES When Brand started digging through the archives, he was pleased to discover two smart choices made in the early days of the Gallery's collecting. "There were a couple of early acquisitions which were fantastic," says Brand. "In 1968, a painting by the Maori-New Zealand artist Gordon Walters is a terrific painting which I think most people don't realise we have — that was a really smart move. "Then, in 1976, a painting by Bridget Riley, an English artist, was bought in the same year it was painted. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they were buying a totally contemporary work by a woman artist at the time — they could have bought a few more — but that's how collections develop. They develop against history, with history, with different personalities involved... and what you hope to show after 50 years of collecting is that it adds up to a really good collection." [caption id="attachment_774796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zhang Xiaogang 'The boy who sticks out his tongue' (2001), Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 2002 © Zhang Xiaogang[/caption] BRINGING DIVERSITY INTO THE COLLECTION The director admits the Gallery could have taken steps earlier to balance its art collection in terms of gender, nationality and overall diversity. Pinpointing the shift towards broadening the Gallery's collection can be seen in the Universal ideas section of the exhibition. "Certainly there were major shifts and major bold steps taken well before my time here," says Brand. He notes the influence of former curator of international art Anthony Bond, for example. But what you can see in the Universal ideas room is a shift in how the Gallery started to collect artworks. "In that room, there are quite a few women artists, which is great to see. Miriam Schapiro — her work 'Black bolero', partly embroidered and appliqué, made in 1980, was in the fourth Biennale of Sydney 1982. That was a really good step. And I think it was quite expensive at the time, too. In 2001, in that same room, there's a painting by [Chinese artist] Zhang Xiaogang, who was becoming very important. It certainly signals a turning towards [buying] contemporary art from Asia," he says. [caption id="attachment_775754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lubna Chowdhary 'Certain times IV' (2019), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mollie Douglas Bequest Fund 2019 © Lubna Chowdhary[/caption] BUYING NOT ONLY THE BIG NAMES, BUT ALSO THE UNDERREPRESENTED One of the other big decisions made by those in charge of the international art collection is whether to use funds to buy well known artists, to build a collection based on personal preference, to seek unknown artists, or to respond to a cultural movement. "There's so much fantastic art out there if you look widely and if you don't always buy just the big names," says Brand. "For example, buying ceramics by Lubna Chowdhary — who I have to say I had not known about until I saw her work at Art Basel Hong Kong. [Head of international art] Justin Paton and I compared notes and we reserved them immediately. You've got to get a great curatorial team together, and to encourage everyone to have an open mind, and I hope that last room shows that — while also showing that we have amazing philanthropic support, because without that we couldn't be adventurous. We couldn't do anything, actually." [caption id="attachment_775756" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tracey Emin 'I do not expect' (2002), Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Geoff Ainsworth AM 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Tracey Emin[/caption] HAVING OPEN-MINDED PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT Which is a really important point. Without private financial support, the Art Gallery of New South Wales wouldn't have an international art collection. "We've been very blessed here at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; our philanthropic supporters have been very constructive and respectful of that relationship between the benefactor and the public art museum curator and director, and we work really well together," says Brand. "Perhaps the best example is Geoff Ainsworth, who was a trustee until the end of 2018." Ainsworth also chaired the Gallery's acquisitions committee and he was involved in the acquisition of nine works in the exhibition. "Which is pretty remarkable in a show of 70-75 works." Brand says he's a perfect example of that philanthropic support that means the Gallery can continue to collect works like these in the future. "He's incredibly generous, very modest, and all about working with the curator and the director where we think he can help us the most." 'Some Mysterious Process: 50 Years of Collecting International Art' runs until September 13, 2020 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It's free to attend. Top images: Installation views from 'Some Mysterious Process: 50 Years of Collecting International Art' exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. All photography: AGNSW, Diana Panuccio.
Making a cup of barista-worthy coffee at home is an art. But, it needn't be daunting. With a combination of science and play, crafting a delectable morning brew simply takes a bit of practice. If you've decided that 2026 is the year you level up your coffee game (and stop spending six dollars every single day), we tapped the owner of Clubhouse in Nundah, Brisbane, Josh Prete, to learn how to become an at-home barista. Josh has been working in the coffee industry since 2016 and says it was the "reliability and consistency" of a good cafe that drew him in. "When you visit the same place often enough, you meet people, you hear stories, and you naturally become part of the community. That led me into the science behind making coffee well. I don't think about one perfect cup. I think about making great coffee all day, every day, and teaching people how to do the same." [caption id="attachment_1044092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clubhouse[/caption] What equipment do I need to make great coffee at home? To make coffee from home, the first thing you're going to need is equipment. Don't worry. You don't have to shell out for a $4000 state-of-the-art espresso machine straight off the bat. If your go-to brew is an espresso-based drink, Josh believes you can get a lot out of entry or mid-level machines. Josh notes the most important three items for barista-worthy coffee are: A good grinder, fresh, quality beans (ideally within 30 days of being roasted), and a simple scale so you can repeat your results. "Most people think the espresso machine is the hero," says Josh. "The grinder is the real engine." For the new coffee aficionado, Josh recommends investing in a 0.1g scale, a gooseneck kettle, an AeroPress, V60 or Chemex, and a good hand grinder. "They can give you an incredible cup, and you get full freedom to experiment. There are so many variables. The fun is discovering how you like your coffee." According to Josh, the pour-over method (i.e. pouring hot water over freshly ground coffee, which then drips into a mug or carafe) is the best method for making barista-style coffee at home. "It teaches you the fundamentals: grind size, flow rate, water temperature, bloom, and timing, and those skills translate into every brewing method, including espresso," Josh shares. "Pour over gives you clarity and consistency. If you learn to control flavour on a V60 or Chemex, you'll understand how coffee actually works, not just how to use a machine." What beans should I start with? Josh recommends looking for beans with a recent roast date, but make sure it's not too recent. "If it was roasted yesterday, it's still going to be degassing. This means that if you brew it too soon, it may taste overly acidic and be prone to channelling." Channelling is when water finds a narrow path through the espresso's coffee puck in a machine, creating an uneven extraction. This can result in an espresso shot that may taste weak, sour or bitter. Not ideal. Josh also recommends looking for coffee beans with clear details on origin, process, and tasting notes. "If there is a recommended brew method, and recipe that's awesome too." If you find your at-home coffee tasting less than desirable, Josh has some tips. Does your brew taste sour? It's under-extracted, meaning you need to grind your beans more finely. To fix a bitter coffee, grind more coarsely because your coffee is over-extracted. If your coffee is too weak or watery, you have to increase the amount of coffee and decrease the water. When adjusting your grind size, be sure not to change any other variables. The dose and yield should stay the same, notes Josh. "If [your shot] ran short or long, just taste it. Learn to understand what over and under-extraction tastes like." What's dialling in? While coffee jargon can be a little intimidating at first, it's simply a science. Dialling in refers to the practice of fine-tuning your coffee's variables, i.e., brew time, grind size, and water quality. "It's simply adjusting the variables to get the flavour you're aiming for," says Josh. For example, when it comes to espresso, a great starting point is a one-to-two ratio—20g of ground coffee yielding 40g of espresso in about 25–30 seconds, and using a medium or medium–dark roast that's roughly ten days post-roast. [caption id="attachment_1060672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clubhouse[/caption] Simply dose out 20g of coffee, brew the espresso until 40g of liquid espresso flows into a cup (i.e. one-to-two), and then time how long your shot takes to pour. If your shot takes 14 seconds to run through, the grind is too coarse, and you need to make it finer. On the other hand, if your shot takes 46 seconds or longer, the grind is too fine, and you need to make it coarser. "Keep adjusting until you're consistently hitting that 25–30 second window, then taste it," says Josh. "That alone will get you most of the way there." "Espresso is all about accuracy," says Josh. "It's a short, sharp extraction, and it can frustrate you quickly when you're learning. No machine will dial in the coffee for you, so if you buy an espresso setup, you have to take some ownership of the process. Don't blame the beans." How do I heat barista-worthy milk? Often, the difference between a cup of coffee you're willing to trade for a minimum of five dollars and a burnt, foamy brew at home comes down to its silky smooth milk. Josh's tips for creating a barista-worthy flat white or latte are all about the technique. Oh, and don't even think about latte art until you've mastered the texture. "The depth of the wand dictates the amount of air you are letting enter the milk," says Josh. "Too shallow, and you will have too much air and a big mess. Too deep and you will just heat the milk up. You want to start shallow, allowing air in, and then slowly move the wand deeper into the jug. You only need to adjust the depth of the wand. Practice makes perfect." Once you've mastered well-textured milk, you can get started on latte art. Josh's final tips Hopefully, you're feeling a bit less intimidated and more inspired to tackle your goal of crafting a barista-worthy cup of joe at home. Josh's biggest tip, however, is to start simple. "You don't need premium equipment; you just need to understand the basics. Once you get a feel for flavour, you can make incredible coffee with very little—and have a lot of fun doing it." Image credit: Clubhouse
Australia's got plenty of top-notch bubble tea spots. Now your home is about to be one of them. Boba Barista's new DIY boba kits let you get the authentic bubble tea experience at your place and the only parts you need to supply are hot water, ice and a large boba-worthy drinking vessel. Boba Barista's kits come with milk or fruit tea depending on what kind of boba enthusiast you are. Each kit includes teabags of your choice, flavoured syrup and fructose. Add some toppings to your cart and you're ready to go. All of Boba Barista's bubble tea ingredients are sourced from Taiwan and provide your pick of 15 flavours including brown sugar, matcha, taro and jasmine milk teas, or mango, peach, passionfruit and grape fruit teas. When it comes to toppings, you can pick from all your usual in-store favourites like tapioca, lychee and mango pearls, or coconut, mango or grape jelly. If you're after a true bubble tea experience, you can also buy tea cups, tea shaker sets and bamboo straws so it feels like you've just picked up your drink from your local Gong Cha. The need-to-know details: Boba Barista offers free shipping across Australia on all orders over $69 and free shipping to New Zealand for orders over $149. Bubble tea kits start at just $19.95 per kit and can cost as little as $1.60 per drink. Boba Barista is offering a special discount right now, with $10 off your first offer if you use the code LOCKDOWN10. You can browse its full range at the website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
When Robert De Niro asked his reflection who it was talking to, Joe Pesci questioned whether he was funny, and Leonardo DiCaprio crawled along the ground under the influence of Quaaludes, one man was responsible. Over a career spanning almost six decades, Martin Scorsese has brought tales of taxi drivers, goodfellas and wolf-like stockbrokers to the screen — and now an exhibition dedicated to his work is coming to Australia. From May 26 to September 18, the Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will pay tribute to one of America's most iconic directors, exploring everything from his early experimental beginnings to the award-winning films that have shaped many a movie buff. If you're already a fan, you'll be in Scorsese heaven. If you've somehow resisted the charms of (or completely missed) the likes of Raging Bull, The Departed and Hugo — or his concert flicks such as The Last Waltz and Shine a Light, or even Boardwalk Empire and Vinyl on TV — then prepare to have your eyes opened. [caption id="attachment_561113" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Exhibition section "New York". Photo: Deutsche Kinemathek / M. Stefanowski, 2013.[/caption] In its only Australian stop after wowing Berlin, Ghent, Turin and Paris, SCORSESE will present a collection of more than 600 objects spanning the filmmaker's entire cinema resume, as curated by the Deutsche Kinemathek, Berlin's Museum of Film and Television. Expect storyboards, hand-annotated film scripts, unpublished production stills, costumes, film clips and more, all drawn from the private collections of De Niro, Taxi Driver writer Paul Schrader, and Scorsese himself. No ACMI exhibition would be complete without a bustling lineup of screenings, talks and other events, so expect plenty of those as well. The complete program is yet to be announced, but we'd advise blocking out a few days to delve into the influence and impact of the guy who hasn't only mastered movies, but directed the music video for Michael Jackson's 'Bad' too. SCORSESE will run from May 26 to September 18 at ACMI in Melbourne. For more information, visit the ACMI website. Top image: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino, Martin Scorsese, Joe Pesci in GOODFELLAS, USA (1990). Source: Sikelia Productions, New York.
If only we could marry cafes. If we could, there'd be quite a few people down on one knee proposing to the Pig & Pastry. This charmer of a cafe is pulling all the right strings and you'll be hard pressed not to consider a lifelong commitment to them. Let us detail our incentives for such love-struck madness. Come here on any day — rain, hail or shine — and the cafe will be on maximum dazzle. Big windows flood the room with light, making it open yet still cosy. There is a communal table with mismatched chairs, or benches along the window with cushions make for more intimate sittings. Exposed brick walls are dotted with shelves for crockery and the rustic, wooden decor further evokes this countryside feel. P&P even overlooks a paddock — well, almost. Petersham park is just across the way and the perfect spot to take your Little Marionette coffee ($3.50) and sandwich ($8.50) to sit in the sunshine. The team behind this sunny pocket of Petersham are husband and wife Iain and Katherine Smart. Neither are strangers to the hospitality field: Iain is a trained baker and Katherine previously at Kitchen By Mike. So it's fair to say, the menu is pretty spesh. They source all their ingredients locally to complement their own house-made products; including bread, brioche, cakes and ice cream. Breakfast is served until midday, with the usual staples dazzled up to be tastier creations than usual. Fruit and nut toast ($9) is drizzled with honey and a generous dollop of ricotta and banana; and a warming porridge is topped with winter fruits and a toasted seed mix to add some crunch ($11). House-made braised beans ($14) come with a poached egg and if you want some extra pizzazz, add chorizo for an extra $2. Where this cutie really hits its pace though is with its license to serve you a refreshing ale along with your schnitzel come lunchtime. That's right, the list of available booze isn't lengthy, but substantial enough to satisfy the craving should you feel like a refreshing Vale Ale lager ($7.50) to accompany the crumbed chicken schnitzel ($16) or crisp confit duck leg ($21). Or perhaps a Baby Doll sav blanc ($7.50a glass/$36 a bottle) is more your poison — pair this with the pumpkin risotto ($16) or a tuna nicoise salad ($17) and like we said — that marriage proposal isn't as mad as it seems. For something lighter, soup of the day is $10 or portions of salad go for $6 a pop. Pastries are a key feature of their name, thus it's only fitting that a pumpkin, fennel & goats cheese quiche ($8) is divine, so too is a spiced lamb sausage roll ($6). The dessert pastries are just as decadent — it's hard to refuse these glorious morsels of sweetness. And the name? Attributed to Iain's sister and brother-in-law who have a Pig & Pastry café in York, England, it's becoming somewhat of a global brand. So go on, get down on one knee and consider some sort of marital agreement. It'll certainly be a nourishing, happy relationship.
If the end times were coming, and the antichrist as well, how would an angel and a demon on earth cope? That's the question that fantasy authors Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman explored in 1990 novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, winning awards and plenty of fans as a result. Now, what'd happen if Michael Sheen (Quiz) was that heavenly figure and David Tennant (Doctor Who) his demonic counterpart? That's exactly what the Good Omens streaming series dived into when it initially arrived back in 2019. Four years later, the Prime Video show is finally returning for season two. With Sheen back as Aziraphale and Tennant as Crowley, that key casting remains intact. Jon Hamm (Confess, Fletch) also returns as Gabriel, this time showing up at Aziraphale's bookshop with zero memory of who he is — sparking the show's new mystery. Cue hiding the archangel from all interested parties — below and above — and, as is Good Omens' custom, getting Aziraphale and Crowley leaning on each other. Cue jumping from before The Beginning through to modern times as well, including stops in the biblical and Victorian eras, and the Blitz in 1940s England. As the trailer for season two shows, divine chaos ensues, even though Aziraphale and Crowley thwarted the apocalypse in season one. How it all turns out, other than amusingly, will be revealed when the series hits streaming again on Friday, July 28. Also back for a second go-around are Doon Mackichan (Toast of Tinseltown) as archangel Michael, plus Gloria Obianyo (Dune) as archangel Uriel, while Miranda Richardson (Rams), Maggie Service (Life) and Nina Sosanya (His Dark Materials) return as well — but in different parts. They're all joined by series newcomers Liz Carr (This Is Going to Hurt), Quelin Sepulveda (The Man Who Fell to Earth) and Shelley Conn (Bridgerton), the latter as Beelzebub. And Neil Gaiman is back as executive producer and co-showrunner, helping guide a season that now expands past its source material. Check out the trailer for Good Omens season two below: Good Omens returns for season two from Friday, July 28 via Prime Video.
It's been 18 years since Australia's first taste of acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. He then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, and came back to Australia just last year to shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. This month, Tunick made the trip to the shores again — and this time, he went tropical. On Saturday, November 23, a whole heap of Aussies stripped off on a beach in the Whitsundays, with the internationally famed artist returning to Australia to stage the newest of his famed mass nude photographs. In Tunick's latest visit to Australia, his sights were set on the white sands and sparkling blue waters of Haslewood Island — near Whitehaven Beach, aka the second best beach in the world. That's where Tunick assembled another contingent of naked folk for a work titled Sea Earth Change. Interestingly, the shoot was part of The Iconic's (yes, that online clothing store) summer campaign We Are Human. Naturally, the resulting images feature the sky, the ocean and the sand — and the nearly 100 nude participants — with Tunick making an artistic statement on the fragility of both the natural environment and humanity. "Using a pristine location like Haslewood Island in the Whitsundays to highlight the need for us to protect these areas, while exploring the vulnerability of the human form and importance of community is something I hope I've communicated with these images," he explained. Tunick captured a diverse mix of bodies in the shoot, with participants each receiving a print of the photograph and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. The artwork was unveiled at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane on Wednesday, November 27, marking the latest striking images in the artist's career. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Images: Spencer Tunick's Sea Earth Change installation artworks.
When Heartbreak High returned in 2022, the Sydney-set series benefited from a fact that's helped Degrassi, Beverly Hills, 90210, Saved by the Bell and Gossip Girl all make comebacks, too: years pass, trends come and go, but teen awkwardness and chaos is eternal. In its second season, Netflix's revival of an Australian favourite that first aired between 1994–99 embraces the same idea. It's a new term at Hartley High, one that'll culminate in the rite of passage that is the Year 11 formal. Amerie (Ayesha Madon, Love Me) might be certain that she can change after the events of season one — doing so is her entire platform for running for school captain — but waiting for adulthood to start never stops being a whirlwind. Streaming from Thursday, April 11 and proving as easy to binge as its predecessor, Heartbreak High 2.0's eight-episode second season reassembles the bulk of the gang that audiences were initially introduced to two years ago. Moving forward, onwards and upwards is everyone's planned path — en route to that dance, which gives the new batch of instalments its flashforward opening. The evening brings fire, literally. Among the regular crew, a few faces are missing in the aftermath. The show then rewinds to two months earlier, to post-holiday reunions, old worries resurfacing, new faces making an appearance and, giving the season a whodunnit spin as well, to a mystery figure taunting and publicly shaming Amerie. The latter begins their reign of terror with a dead animal; Bird Psycho is soon the unknown culprit's nickname. Leaders, creepers, slipping between the sheets: that's Heartbreak High's second streaming go-around in a nutshell. The battle to rule the school is a three-person race, pitting Amerie against Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween) — one as progressive as Hartley, which already earns that label heartily, can get; the other season one's poster boy for jerkiness, toxicity and entitlement. Heightening the electoral showdown is a curriculum clash, with the SLT class introduced by Jojo Obah (Chika Ikogwe, The Tourist) last term as a mandatory response to the grade's behaviour questioned by Head of PE Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson, Bump). A new faculty member for the show, he's anti-everything that he deems a threat to traditional notions of masculinity. In Spider, Ant (Brodie Townsend, Significant Others) and others, he quickly has followers. Their name, even adorning t-shirts: CUMLORDS. Only on Heartbreak High — or on Sex Education, which it continues to resemble — can a faceoff between SLTs (aka sluts) and CUMLORDS fuel a season-long narrative. For Bird Psycho's campaign against Amerie, the warring factions also provide a handy backdrop, as well as a distraction that has most of the school looking the other way. But Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Spooky Files), who is running for vice captain, is determined to work out who's masterminding the vehement vendetta. Almost everyone is a suspect, especially after an attack comes during the grade's annual camp — well, nearly everyone among the dozen-ish Hartley students that earn the series' focus. The season's romantic threads also push Amerie to the fore, rekindling her romance with last term's newcomer Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, RFDS) until Dubbo export Rowan (Sam Rechner, The Fabelmans), the latest arrival, gets a love triangle burning. Darren (James Majoos) and Ca$h's (Will McDonald, Blaze) relationship has roadblocks to overcome, such as jail and libidos at vastly different speeds. Missy (Sherry-Lee Watson), Sasha's ex, finds herself attracted to someone that she'd never expect. Zoe (Kartanya Maynard, Deadloch), another of season two's additions, spearheads a Puriteen movement that advocates celibacy. As she pieces her life back together after grappling with some of the show's heaviest past storylines, Amerie's best friend Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman) now has Ant pining over her. Hartley's principal Woodsy (Rachel House, Our Flag Means Death), plus Ca$h's nan (Maggie Dence, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) and criminal pal Chook (Tom Wilson, Last King of the Cross), round out the season's key players, on a character list that's as jam-packed as the antics filling the series' frames. Heartbreak High is in its lean-in era, where nothing is off the table. Drug-induced declarations, sex in school stairwells, pregnancy and abortion storylines, surprise redemptions, stalkers, childhood traumas, moving out of home, the utter cartoonishness of Voss (who dubs the school a "woke snowflake nightmare", and is the least successful element in the new episodes), busting out the Nutbush: they're all included, as is dancing from OTT to earnest and silly to serious. For creator Hannah Carroll Chapman (The Heights), who is behind the show's 2020s comeback — and also for her writers (Paper Dolls' Marieke Hardy, Sara Khan and Thomas Wilson-White; Safe Home's Jean Tong; Totally Completely Fine's Keir Wilkins; and The Heights' Megan Palinkas) and directors (Seriously Red's Gracie Otto, Mother and Son's Neil Sharma, and Why Are You Like This duo Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet) this time around — there's meaning in the season's tonal rollercoaster. Whether skewing light or heavy, entertainingly riffing on Rage or charting the constant quest to work our who you are that everyone endures in their teen years, or bringing Euphoria or the OG Heartbreak High to mind, all of the series' pinballing around explores a formative time when everything keeps seesawing and swinging by intentionally mirroring it. As was true during its debut Netflix stint to awards, acclaim and worldwide viewership, not to mention three decades back when 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid sparked Heartbreak High to begin with, an excellent cast can ride every up and down that the show throws their characters' ways. Weatherall, Yasbincek and McDonald continue their thoughtful and layered portrayals of Malakai, Harper and Ca$h from 2022. Watson and Chapman Parish benefit from meatier storylines and deeper dives into Missy and Spider. Madon, Majoos and Hayden give Amerie, Darren and Quinni walk-right-off-the-screen energy. Rechner makes a meaningful imprint as Rowan, who is never a one-note enigmatic outsider. Investing in them, just like bingeing Heartbreak High season two, is always something that secondary schooling never is no matter what decade you're hitting the books, then the parties: easy. Check out the trailer for Heartbreak High's second season below: Heartbreak High season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, April 11, 2024. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
There are 8222 islands within Australia's watery borders. You could spend your entire life hopping from one Aussie island to another and never quite make them all (well, unless you're very, very quick). So, we thought we'd save you some time by teaming up with Jim Beam and handpicking 12 of the best islands in Australia. That should at least get you started. Next time you start imagining you and your best mates on a white-sanded beach with quokkas close by, sea lions in the distance and your desks a few hundred kilometres away, these are the spots to catch a boat, plane, or ferry to. Remember: an adventure like this is best enjoyed together. Right? Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in Australia The Best Beaches in Australia The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia [caption id="attachment_688591" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coral Coast Tourism[/caption] Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia The Houtman Abrolhos isn't just an island, it's an archipelago. 122 isles make up the marvel, more or less clustered in three groups across 100 kilometres. They lie 60 kilometres off the Coral Coast, west of Geraldton, which is four hours north of Perth. Lose yourself snorkelling or diving among colourful coral, spotting Australian sea lions and looking out for more than 90 species of seabirds, including majestic white-breasted sea eagles. For mind-blowing views, jump aboard a scenic flight and see the best Australian island from a bird's eye view. [caption id="attachment_688571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Ewart for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] North Stradbroke Island, Queensland Located 25 minutes by ferry off the Queensland coast, Stradbroke Island is an easy day trip from Brisbane. It's the second biggest sand island in the world after K'gari (more on that Australian island later). For swimming in gentle waves, head to idyllic Cylinder Beach; for wilder surf, make your destination the 38-kilometre-long Main Beach. Overnight stays include beach camping, as well as an array of cottages, hotels and B&Bs. Just north of Straddie is Moreton Island, a wonderland of long beaches, clear lakes and a national park. Consider sleeping over at Tangalooma, an eco-friendly resort where you can hand-feed wild dolphins and swim around a shipwreck. [caption id="attachment_773788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Archer, Destination NSW[/caption] Lord Howe Island, New South Wales Just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Lord Howe, a two-hour flight east of Sydney, is explorable within a few days. Whenever you travel on this top Australian island, you won't have to fear tourist crowds: only 400 visitors are permitted at any one time and the population is just 382. Prepare to have pretty beaches, spectacular diving sites and rugged terrain all to yourself. Among the best adventures are the Mount Gower Trail, a steep, eight-hour trek that carries you 875 metres above sea level, and Erscott's Hole, a natural wonder where you can snorkel among staghorn coral, bluefish and double-headed wrasse. With all this natural beauty, it's easy to see why it made our list of the best islands in Australia and best overall places to visit in Australia. [caption id="attachment_770035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Bruny Island, Tasmania Bruny feels completely remote, yet it's just a 20-minute ferry ride from the coast and, with driving time added, 50 minutes from Hobart. The beauty of this proximity to the city is that, despite all the wilderness, you can find some top nosh: for fish and chips head to Jetty Cafe; for pub grub swing by Hotel Bruny; for cheese visit Bruny Island Cheese Company; and for a tipple, there's the Bruny Island House of Whisky. Meanwhile, nature lovers will find white wallabies at Inala Nature Reserve, windswept headlands at Cape Bruny Lighthouse and head-clearing watery views at Cloudy Bay. [caption id="attachment_688568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Khy Orchard for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Magnetic Island, Queensland There are hundreds of islands in the Great Barrier Reef area, offering everything from secluded campsites to five-star luxury resorts. But, for convenience, outdoor adventures and, most importantly, koala spotting, Magnetic Island is hard to go past — found just 20 minutes from Townsville. Get active with sea kayaking tours and yoga classes, get artsy at beachside markets and galleries or relax at stunning beaches like Horseshoe Bay. If you're keen to venture further, jump aboard a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, diving or sightseeing tour. [caption id="attachment_688400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isaac Forman for SA Tourism Commission[/caption] Kangaroo Island, South Australia With a whopping 509 kilometres of coastline, Kangaroo Island could have you exploring for weeks. To get there, take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula — around 100 kilometres south of Adelaide. Then gear up to share your holiday with sea lions, fur seals, little penguins, echidnas, koalas and, you guessed it, kangaroos. The Australian island is a haven for creatures who've struggled to survive elsewhere, especially local sea lions, who were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are numerous national parks and conservation areas, and the almost 5000-strong population is big on food and wine. You also can't talk about this Aussie island without mentioning the spectacular beaches — our favourite being the one and only Stoke's Bay. [caption id="attachment_874908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Guillaume Marques (Unsplash)[/caption] The Whitsundays, Queensland In total, The Whitsundays is made up of 74 islands. It's hard to choose the best, especially as each depends on what kind of holiday you're after. You can go camping on the famous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, live it up at The InterContinental Resort on Hayman Island or even escape to an adults-only oasis like Elysian Retreat on Long Island — one of the best adults-only accommodations in The Whitsundays. From any of these small islands in Australia, you can easily get to the Great Barrier Reef and countless other stunning natural landscapes. This region is also one of Australia's national parks, so it will continue to be preserved for many years to come — even if the reef itself does die off. [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] Rottnest Island, Western Australia Rottnest Island is a 90-minute ferry ride from Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, or 25 minutes from Fremantle. Like Kangaroo Island, Rottnest has given a big dose of much-needed love to Australia's wild creatures, particularly quokkas, which now number 12,000 or so. Dedicate some time to spotting them (though please don't go touching, patting or feeding) before visiting pristine beaches, such as The Basin, where you'll find an underwater playground, and Little Parakeet Bay, backdropped by striking rock formations. The best way to explore the Aussie island is by bike, but we are also big fans of getting on a sea kayak for the arvo as well. Prefer to stay here longer than a day? We recommend spending a few nights in Discovery Rottnest Island's luxe glamping tents by the beach. Phillip Island, Victoria Phillip Island's biggest drawcard is its penguin parade. Every night, at sunset, the island's resident little penguins return to their terrestrial homes, having spent the day out and about fishing. Beyond wildlife watching, go wine and craft beer tasting, bliss out with a massage or spa treatment or conquer a trail on foot, such as the Cape Woolamai Walk, which traverses dramatic clifftops along Phillip's southernmost point. Follow the links for suggestions on where to eat and drink and the best outdoor activities on Phillip Island. Unlike most of the other Australian islands on this list, you can reach this one by road: it's around 90 minutes' drive south of Melbourne, making it one of the most accessible islands in Australia. [caption id="attachment_911608" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort[/caption] K'gari (Fraser Island), Queensland World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island) is the biggest sand island in the world. There are 184,000 hectares of the stuff, made up of 72 colours and mostly in the form of magnificent dunes, much of which are covered in rainforest. If you've time on your hands, take on the Great Walk, an eight-day epic that visits many of K'gari's 100 freshwater lakes. If not, jump aboard a 4WD and cruise along 75 Mile Beach (one of our favourite adventure experiences in Australia), take a dip at Champagne Pools along the way and pay a visit to awe-inspiring Boorangoora(Lake McKenzie), a perched lake made up of rainwater and soft silica sand. [caption id="attachment_688583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Wilson for Tourism Tasmania[/caption] King Island, Tasmania You might have no idea where King Island is, but may have seen its cheese at the supermarket. King Island Dairy's decadent triple cream brie is an Aussie gourmet staple. But it's far from the only treat you'll be sampling in this lush place, which lies in the Bass Strait, halfway between Victoria and Tassie. Count, too, on super-fresh seafood, flavourful beef and a cornucopia of produce from local growers. When you're finished feasting, stroll along the white sands of Disappointment Bay, visit a 7000-year-old calcified forest and go horse riding by the sea. This under-the-radar travel destination is undoubtedly one of the best islands in Australia. [caption id="attachment_856441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Bribie Island, Queensland Bribie Island isn't that far from Brisbane (a little over one and a half hours), but is a haven for local wildlife. That's because this Australian island is home to the Pumicestone Passage, a protected marine park where you'll find dugongs, turtles, dolphins and a diverse range of birdlife. All the classic Aussie land animals will be found all over the island, too. And, of course, the beaches are just stupidly beautiful. Whether you're a local or tourist, this island offers all the quintessential Australian sites you must see. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top images: K'gari Island, courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort.
The atmosphere of a writer's den, insanely long opening hours, fun and flavorsome food, a drinks menu that will keep even the most inspired drinker guessing, and not even the slightest degree of pretension. In short, Hemingway's must be one of the best spots in town right now. And it's perhaps not where you would expect it to be. A far cry from the back lanes of Darlinghurst or even the fame of King Street, this bar is firmly situated on Manly's main strip, right across from the beach. Despite this, it's about as dissimilar from a tourist trap as you can imagine. For a start, the prices. The house cocktails are $15 and the suggested mixers, almost good enough to be cocktails themselves, are a mere $10. Hemingway's Cup is the ten to one favourite cocktail, spotted in the hands of almost every lady in the place. It's gentle mix of Hendrick's gin, rose and apple tea, sugar, and spice, served in a tea cup and saucer with slices of cucumber alongside. While it's very good, my pick would be the Miffy: house-infused vanilla rum, Falernum, orange, lemon and egg white whisked into a cloud-like dream. On a summer's day, the Creaming Soda might be more your style, with vodka, crème de cassis, home-made lemonade, wild berry foam and a paper cocktail umbrella. As far as mixer ideas go, Aperol and Fanta isn't a bad choice, and neither is Rum, Spicy Bitters and Ginger Beer. Both pack a flavoursome punch. The food, too, picks up on this childhood-made-tastier theme. From the bar menu, the Corn ($6) with lime butter, black salt and finely grated Manchego is reminiscent of one of the Norfolk's best menu items. Of the sliders , we're told that the Beef ($14 for two, $26 for four) is the best pick and it definitely lives up to the hype. With cheese, bacon, barbeque sauce, mayo and pickles, it's the burger you wish fast food joints served. The Chilli Dog ($8), with a smoked frankfurt, chilli con carne, mustard, jalapenos and cheese, rounds the meal off nicely. For two, that is. While dessert might sound like a stretch, these offerings demand to be taken up. We tried a new one, titled simply Milo ($10). It turned out to be a rich chocolate marquise with vanilla ice cream to the side, balanced on a soil of Milo and Coco Pops, alongside a smear of salted caramel, and topped with milk foam. In other words, a stoner's dream. It's worth mentioning that these are only two of the many menus on offer. Hemingway's serves breakfast and lunch and, between Monday and Saturday, offers a full, fancy dinner upstairs. In a place this good, I suspect that I'll be an expert on all of those menus within the month. [nggallery id=117]
As we transition back to the office, it's time to make the most of what Sydney's thriving, creative and vibrant working hubs have to offer. One of the biggest benefits of working in neighbourhoods in and around the city is the excellent dining options, from coffee boltholes to airy rooftop bars. Now, thanks to a City of Sydney initiative, some of Sydney's best outdoor restaurants and cafes have even more relaxed outdoor dining spaces. And, we're blessed with a couple of new openings, too. So, while we still have warmer days, set a date for a working lunch at one of these nine eateries in the inner city. Recommended reads: The Best Cafes in Sydney The Best Restaurants in Sydney The Best Bottomless Brunches in Sydney The Best Bars in Sydney [caption id="attachment_682634" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] BILLS, SURRY HILLS Bill Granger's daytime diner has earned itself global repute for delivering simple, but superb, cafe fare. This Sydney mainstay isn't just a breakfast spot, it's also an excellent choice for a midweek lunch. You can still order those ricotta pancakes and corn fritters, but from midday Bills serves up Japanese- and Korean-influenced bowls and plates, like crispy chicken with gochujang, peanuts, brown rice, gem lettuce and miso buttermilk sauce, or avocado and tuna poke atop brown rice, samphire and cherry tomatoes. Find a spot of sunshine and order a white peach bellini or spiced bloody mary while you await your lunch. THE DOLPHIN, SURRY HILLS This multifaceted pub has become a mini epicentre of Surry Hills since swinging open its refurbished doors in 2016. With its Crown Street corner position, and new al fresco seating, The Dolphin is a top spot to be in come 1pm. Savour a pizza while people watching or catching up on your work agenda with colleagues. Executive chef Tom Walton and head chef Josh Carrick turn out northern Italian-style pizzas, and sommelier James Hird looks after the natural-leaning wine list, so you're in good hands. Grab a seat at this Sydney pub with a great outdoor dining area and settle in for a long lunch with mates or colleagues. [caption id="attachment_748868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petrina Tinslay[/caption] NOMAD, SURRY HILLS Head chef Jacqui Challinor may have had a tumultuous 2019/20 with a kitchen fire, restaurant relocation and a pandemic to battle, but you wouldn't know it stepping into the calm and cool Nomad today. Here, you can order excellently made charcuterie with charred flatbread; smoked mussels with toum and a golden hash brown; and just-shucked oysters with house-made worcestershire sauce. As you're here for a long lunch, dive in to the menu of wood-grilled meats, seafood and veggies, all while enjoying the outdoor seating and Surry Hills buzz. [caption id="attachment_738777" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] SUSHI ON STANLEY, DARLINGHURST This Japanese mainstay is best known for its well-priced, extensive menu. Nab an outdoor seat — there are heaps of additional tables now — and order tempura veggies, edamame and chicken karaage to start. For a feast, the family sushi platter comes with a mix of rolls and plenty of fresh salmon, prawn and tuna, plus your choice of mini rolls. If you don't feel like sharing, the set menus are also great value; you'll have a choice of main with 13 different options, including teriyaki salmon and chicken katsu curry, served with rice, miso soup and salad. Sushi on Stanley is an easy addition to this list of the best outdoor dining spots in Sydney where you can enjoy a fab long lunch. BARTOLO, SURRY HILLS This swish Italian diner in Surry Hills is the perfect spot to watch passersby as you enjoy a relaxed feed. It takes reservations, making Bartolo ideal for a midweek group lunch. The expanded outdoor dining section spills onto Crown Street, from which you can enjoy bucatini with spanner crab, salsa verde, green chilli and pangrattato or pork cutlet milanese with chipotle butter, kohlrabi and green apple, all while sitting underneath sprawling striped umbrellas. SOHO ESPRESSO, CBD This CBD coffee hotspot is also an easy-going space to stop in for a midday meal. Its range of flatbreads, wraps and sandwiches are serious hunger-busters, and picks include the poached chicken and avocado wrap; the reuben bagel; and the truffle mushroom toastie. Outside, you'll find petite black tables and umbrellas lining Pitt Street, where you can kick back and enjoy an iced latte made with The Little Marionette beans. [caption id="attachment_802126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jes Lindsay[/caption] REPUBLIC HOTEL, CBD This cornerside pub spreads out across four levels, and it's often packed come 5pm with office workers looking for a casual pub feed at the end of the day. At street level or up on the rooftop, you can take a pew in the open air and order some schnitties with a bunch of mates. Or, come on Friday and Saturday nights for rooftop DJ sessions — perfect for when long lunches turn into long nights out. [caption id="attachment_801113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] PIÑA, POTTS POINT Though not part of the City of Sydney's latest outdoor dining initiative, we also love this new one from the crew behind Room Ten. They have opened another unstoppable cafe taking the classic Sydney brunch and lunch menu to lofty new heights. At sister venue Piña, you can order a plate of thick-cut seeded toast, crowned with braised greens, pine nuts, raisins and stracciatella, and you can also opt to add on anchovies (which is always a good idea). Or, try its signature hunger-busting bacon and egg roll with hash brown and perfectly crisp bacon. Whatever you choose, it's made all the better by eating outdoors in the vibrant surrounds of Llankelly Place in Potts Point. RESTAURANT LEO, CBD This Angel Place gem is another ideal lunch spot in the city when you want to bring out the big guns. Swift-of-foot, attentive waiters will guide you through the elegant Italian-influenced menu created by notable chefs Federico Zanellato, of Pyrmont's Lumi Bar and Dining, and Karl Firla, formerly of Newtown's Oscillate Wildly. The skilled chefs dish up seriously elegant plates of pasta, from glossy tubes of maccheroncini with hunks of champagne lobster in a shellfish bisque to rich pork loin puttanesca. Linger here a little longer to enjoy a cooling serve of tiramisu or panna cotta afterwards. It's not part of the City's outdoor dining initiative, but an excellent spot to have on your radar all the same. Top image: Bartolo
Balmain locals are spoiled for choice for harbourside parks in this suburb, with waterfront views of the world-famous Sydney Harbour. Whether you're with your family wanting to advantage of a playground — check out Gladstone Park or Punch Park — or with a group of friends searching for a fantastic picnic location — which you could find in Elkington Park overlooking Iron Cove (and a post-picnic swim in Dawn Fraser Pool) — or even on the hunt for open spaces and sports facilities centrally located in Balmain, like Thorton Park, you'll definitely find what you are looking for in Balmain. Enjoy stunning waterfront views and lush greenery, and take a break from city life in the serene harbourside parks. [caption id="attachment_948522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dawn Fraser Pool[/caption] Top Image: Getty Images via Canva
Some say good things come in small packages, which is true of both Tuckerbox and the range of grab-and-go bites it sells. The tiny cafe opened in Paddington in October 2019 and is a go-to for locals — like CP reader @isyrouslstone, who recommended it to us — for its range of takeaway salads, sandwiches and hot meals, which are prepared daily in an off-site commercial kitchen. Pair your feed with a coffee — a Mecca roast is the bean of choice — or a cold-pressed juice from nearby Simon Says Juice. [caption id="attachment_798468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
IMAX theatres are the cutting edge of the film industry, and no IMAX screen in the southern hemisphere can really hold a candle to IMAX Melbourne. It's kitted out with IMAX Laser 4K resolution, the only IMAX 1570 film projector in the country and the largest 1.43:1 cinema screen in the southern hemisphere. All that makes it the perfect home for Big Best IMAX Festival, which has set a Saturday, January 31 opening date for its 2026 return. The festival puts the biggest and best of Hollywood, both new and old, front and centre on the IMAX screen, with reruns of recent releases and remastered classics alike for eager theatre attendees — presented in Australia's only IMAX 70mm film prints and IMAX 4k Laser. This year, the program is led by Christopher Nolan classics like The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar and Oppenheimer. They're joined by award season frontrunners from 2025, including Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another — and blockbusters like F1: The Movie and Denis Villeneuve's award-winning Dune and Dune: Part Two ahead of the release of Dune: Messiah later this year. Other entries to the program include a Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 double feature, George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road in 3D and Francis Ford Coppola's divisive Megalopolis. Several classic films will get the remastered IMAX treatment, including The Matrix, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Apocalypse Now, Se7en, Back to the Future, The Shining, Princess Mononoke and more. [caption id="attachment_1061503" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Director/Producer/Co-Writer Christopher Nolan on the set of INTERSTELLAR, from Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures.[/caption] The Christopher Nolan entries are a special standout, as Nolan is known to create films with IMAX theatres in mind. His last release, Oppenheimer, has a film reel that's 18km long and weighs over 270kg, seeing it in IMAX 1570 is an extremely rare treat. His upcoming release, The Odyssey, will be the first film in history to be entirely filmed on IMAX cameras, the film reel is supposedly even longer than Oppenheimer, and IMAX Melbourne will be the only theatre in the southern hemisphere to screen the film on IMAX 70mm when it releases in July. Tickets to BBIFF 2026 go on sale from Wednesday, January 14 at 1pm for IMAX Big League members and 3pm for the general public. Visit the IMAX Melbourne website for more information. Images courtesy of Warner Brothers via Museums Victoria
After unveiling first-look images for Fallout season two, Prime Video hasn't left fans of the game-to-streaming series waiting long for a deeper dive into what's on the way in the post-apocalyptic hit. A day later, the platform has revealed the show's first trailer for its second season. Also included: an exact release date, after previously advising that Fallout will return in December 2025. You'll start watching the eight-episode sophomore run on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with instalments dropping weekly. "I'm looking for someone," Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell, Yellowjackets) notes to kick off the season two teaser. The reply: "common story around here". The Ghoul (Walton Goggins, The White Lotus) pipes in when she's also asked if she's seeking "someone you care about ... or someone you hate?". "Oooh, what a great question" is his observation — and everyone who has watched season one will surely agree. When it dropped its initial eight episodes in 2024, Fallout took its cues from the games that debuted on computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. The live-action television iteration follows Lucy, a lifelong vault-dweller, who leaves her cosy underground digs to navigate the irradiated wasteland that earth has remained for two centuries after the nuclear apocalypse. Crossing her path: bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has ties to life before the devastation; and Maximus (Aaron Moten (Emancipation), an aspiring soldier with the Brotherhood of Steel, who don giant robotic suits. In this nightmarish future, a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence lingers beyond the bunker that the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan, Overcompensating), who oversees Vault 33, has always called home. New Vegas is now her destination with The Ghoul — because if "you wanna know why the world ended," he advises, that's where this story will take you. The first season two trailer also features a glimpse at Justin Theroux (Poker Face) at Robert House in the show's jumps backwards, as well as a peek at a Deathclaw, one of the franchise's post-apocalyptic predators. Bringing the chaos to life is a behind-the-scenes team featuring Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, plus Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) as writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in it as well. After premiering in 2024 and becoming one of the platform's top-three most-watched shows ever, notching up more than 100-million viewers globally, this game adaptation isn't just making a comeback for its second season — earlier in 2025, Prime Video advised that Fallout has already been renewed for a third season, too. Check out the teaser trailer for Fallout season two below: Fallout streams via Prime Video, with season two premiering on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
Redfern hotel Woolpack Hotel is a local favourite for its craft brews and creative pub fare. On its taps, you'll find top-notch Aussie craft beers from the likes of Moon Dog, Colonial, Akasha and Moo Brew. For eats, there's plenty of classic pub grub like fish 'n' chips, schnitties and parmas, plus osso bucco, jalapeño chicken burgers and sticky date pudding. Every Tuesday, Woolpack's chefs whip up homestyle feasts for $26, With it, you'll get you a house wine or craft beer and a meal — think jerk chicken maryland with slaw, roast potatoes and grilled corn, or vegan eggplant pepperonata with cauliflower bechamel and couscous. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
You won't have to hack together IKEA's latest collection, as the iconic furnisher of homes everywhere has just released its collaboration with Stockholm-based architect-turned-designer Gustaf Westman. Renowned for his bubbly, curvaceous pieces, it's Westman's first-ever product design collaboration, though he's far from an unknown quantity. He counts design-conscious celebs like Tyler, the Creator and Olivia Rodrigo among his fans. While we usually associate the Swedish giant with ready-to-assemble furniture made for functionality, this collaboration brings a little more personality to the fore. Created with joyful informality, Westman's 12-piece collection is inspired by seasonal celebrations, challenging tradition through his trademark sculptural shapes and bold colour combinations. "For me, this was an opportunity to take traditional holiday decor aesthetics and turn it on its head, instead, introducing a sense of playfulness and boldness," says Westman. "This is my interpretation of the holidays; it's a new design for a new generation." So, what's in store for IKEA and Westman fans? As you might expect, there's no shortage of pieces celebrating food and togetherness. The most attention-grabbing is a dedicated meatball plate — especially appropriate considering IKEA's iconic dish turns 40 this year. Meanwhile, Westman has designed an offbeat porcelain cup and saucer set for glögg, aka mulled wine, shaped by memories of his grandma's holiday baking. Westman's collection is also here to level up your lighting. There are matching candlesticks and holders in two candied colours — red and blue — and a portable, rechargeable lantern that twists from a round shape into an orbital one. Those familiar with Swedish Christmas traditions will also recognise a reimagined candelabra-style lamp, traditionally placed in windows during the holiday season. "Celebration often comes with established traditions, and we were curious to explore a more fun and inclusive take," says Maria O'Brian, IKEA Range Identity Leader. "Teaming up with Gustaf Westman felt like a natural match to help us reimagine the holidays with a twist." The limited-edition IKEA x Gustaf Westman collection will be available for purchase from Monday, September 29. Head to the website for more information.
Hailing from Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, The Emporium Barber migrated to Sydney and opened its Bondi Beach shop back in 2016. It promises 'the ultimate man's grooming experience', with premium haircuts and shaves ($45–65), facials, waxing and threading all on offer — along with Toby's Estate coffee while you wait. Those premium shaves include scented hot towels, pre-shave oils, shaving creams and aftershave balms, too. While they specialise in men's cuts, the barbershop also offers women's cuts for short-to-medium hair. [caption id="attachment_780135" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yaya Stempler[/caption] In addition to the actual grooming, the shop also sells hair care products, face masks, fragrances, beard balms and shaving kits. Set right along Campbell Parade, the barber is a prime location for quick freshening up pre- or post-swim, too. Images: Yaya Stempler
First films are special. With Aftersun as her feature debut, Charlotte Wells knows this. Ahead of dedicating time to writing her second movie, a project eagerly awaited by the cinema-loving world, the Scottish filmmaker is deep in celebrating fellow directors starting out — leading the jury for the Bright Horizons competition at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival, then jumping to Venice afterwards to do the same for its debut film accolade, the Luigi De Laurentiis Award. She's an apt choice for both, given Aftersun's dream run from its premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival onwards. Widespread acclaim came the coming-of-age gem's way, and deservedly; so did a strong bond with viewers who saw themselves in a picture that Wells drew in part from her own experiences. When Concrete Playground first interviewed Wells at the beginning of 2023, as Aftersun was about to enjoy its Australian theatrical release — after its local premiere the year prior in MIFF's the Bright Horizons competition, fittingly — she advised that she "had naively not thought about what came after making the film". She continued: "it's been really special. I don't think you set out to make films to get that type of award recognition, but it's been really nice to see the work recognised, and the work of my collaborators recognised". At the time, Wells and Aftersun had been nominated for four BAFTAs, but hadn't yet won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. (Among the prestigious award's other recipients before and since: We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here's Lynne Ramsey, Senna and Amy's Asif Kapadia, Pride & Prejudice and Atonement's Joe Wright, American Honey and Bird's Andrea Arnold, Shame and Widows' Steve McQueen, Moon and Source Code's Duncan Jones, Four Lions' Chris Morris and, most recently, Rich Peppiatt for Kneecap.) Speaking with Concrete Playground again now, Wells is grateful for the opportunities that Aftersun's recognition gave her to share in that success with its cast and crew, and with her family. "I kind of took each of them as an opportunity to recognise different people who had a role in the shaping of the film," she explains. For portraying Calum, father to 11-year-old Sophie (then-debutant Frankie Corio), in a movie that sees the adult version of the latter (Celia Rowlson-Hall, Vox Lux) look back on the dad and daughter's 1999 holiday to Turkey, Paul Mescal (Gladiator II) earned his own acclaim for Aftersun: an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and the same recognition from the BAFTAs, Gotham Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards and a wealth of critics' associations, plus winning the field at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Speaking about the experience to GQ in 2024, he shared that he was keen to have "a De Niro–Scorsese relationship" with Wells. She's eager to collaborate again as well, she tells Concrete Playground. "I'm excited to work with him again." Casting Aftersun wasn't simple, Wells stressed to us in 2023. "I think when before I worked on things that were inspired by experiences that I had or people that I knew, my instinct was always to cast away, as far away as possible, and that was my instinct here — and yet I was constantly drawn back, apparently, as Barry Jenkins [the Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk and Mufasa: The Lion King filmmaker produced Aftersun] likes to point out in public when we're together, to people who were fairly close in resemblance to their sources of inspiration. And that was really challenging in the casting process," Wells told us at the time. "And Lucy [Pardee], our casting director, was really patient with me as I was constantly articulating wanting something and then responding to something very different, and I think that's just the push and pull of one's subconscious throughout this process. And some things were easier to separate from myself than others. Casting proved to be really quite tricky in that way. But ultimately, I don't think it was a physicality that I responded to most of all, but I think it was an energy more that I was looking for. I think it was the stability that I feel in Paul, and the vulnerability that he's able to portray." Back to 2025: in Melbourne for her Bright Horizons Jury President stint, Wells also chatted with us about Aftersun's BAFTA, the film's resonance with and love from audiences, becoming closer with Mescal and Corio while actually taking the movie around the world, and, yes, what's next. [caption id="attachment_1018670" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA[/caption] On Aftersun's Widespread Recognition, Including Winning the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer — and Its BAFTA Scotland Award Wins "The special thing about home screenings and home awards was the opportunity to share it with my family. My mum and brother were there that night, and the film team. Any time I was anywhere with our crew, in whatever configuration that was — that night was with my producers and Paul and Frankie — it was just a really special place to be. I just enjoy all of those people so much. And that felt like in many ways — I think that was the last event that Frankie, or maybe there were a few in the US after, but if felt like one of the last events with kind of all of us there, and it felt like very much the peak, I think, collectively of that experience for the three of us, Paul, Frankie and I. It was a really special night, and it definitely helped the film continue to be seen and pick up momentum with audiences. It played really well in the UK, which was a really special thing. But more than anything, I think about that night, I think about having my mum there and just having the opportunity to acknowledge her. I think that's what was so nice about many of the award ceremonies is, I kind of took each of them as an opportunity to recognise different people who had a role in the shaping of the film — either directly, like our team, or indirectly, like family." On If Wells Has Any Thoughts on Why Aftersun Resonated So Strongly with Audiences "Yeah. Maybe. No. I don't know. I think there's something about a parent-child relationship that is a lot more relatable than I maybe thought. I had always thought personally of Aftersun as Sophie story, I suppose because to the degree it was a personal film, that was my story, and I saw the film as being through her eyes — and the overarching point of view of the film was Sophie as an adult looking back. I didn't really count on so many people connecting with Calum, which I think really broadened people who felt like the film was also about or for them. But I think ultimately, themes of grief, specifically parental grief and that pivotal coming-of-age moment — not just for Sophie age 11 or so, but also for Calum kind of tipping into his 30s, just connected with a lot of people. I think the alchemy of those things together just gave it a certain reach. At least, that's how I think about it. But I'm always curious on other people's take on this, because it's just a special thing, I think — a moment in time where people happen to connect with something that you've made. I think it's always hard to identify exactly why, but those are the things I tend to think of when I reflect back on it — and I consider that every film I make will not be about themes or characters that can connect with so many people." [caption id="attachment_1018669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images[/caption] On Paul Mescal Saying That He Wants to Have "a De Niro-Scorsese Relationship" with Wells "I love Paul. I'm excited to work with him again, and definitely giving present consideration as to what that next project will be. It's kind of funny, because I think on set, Frankie and Paul really had the closest relationship between the three of us — and that was what was important. That was the most-important thing to me, was that those two were connecting and that they had a foundation on which to build the performances on-screen. But really afterward and through the distribution and sharing of the film, I really got to know both of them a lot better. So it's kind of a funny thing. I feel like the three of us became a lot closer in the sharing of the film than we were on set, just because we were pulled in the directions of our respective roles there. So it will be really nice to get back on set with Paul at some point and have that foundation, and I think we were able to have a certain trust in the making of Aftersun that you're able to have in a feature that is very difficult in a short. The idea of building on that in future projects is really exciting. Yeah, I'm all for it." On How Taking the Film Around the World, Including Festivals and at Awards Ceremonies, Brought Wells, Mescal and Frankie Corio Closer Together "I think for a film, the vast majority of it is not production — unfortunately, because production is, in so many ways, the most-fulfilling part, at least for the director. It's the part I would like to be experiencing a lot more often, but it's really the shortest part. You're editing for two, three, four times as long. You're writing for many times more than that. And then you're promoting the film for more as well. So yeah, it's a funny thing. I think people tend to think about production itself, but it's just a small, although very important, obviously, part of the process of making a film." On What's Next for Wells — What She Can Share Right Now, At Least "Can? Want to? I think I went into this post-Aftersun process wanting not to be in the position I'm in right now again, which is to say not knowing exactly what comes next. I think I had a fancy of when I got into the edit for Aftersun I would start writing again, which really turned out to be not so much a fancy as a delusion as to what's possible — because the edit process was so consuming. And I took a bit of time. It was nice to have that time just to live my life a little bit again. And I wanted to know not just what's next, but what's next after that, so inevitably that takes a little bit of time. So now there are a few things in the works, I suppose, is all I'll say — a couple of which are kind of New York-based, where I've lived for a long time now, which is exciting." The 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. For further details, visit the MIFF website. Aftersun is available to stream via SBS On Demand and iTunes. Read our review, and our interview with Wells from 2023. Aftersun images: Sarah Makharine.
When a restaurant is named after a dish, you can be pretty sure that it's going to live up to its name. Set beneath an inviting red brick archway, 1915 Lanzhou Beef Noodles is something of a Burwood institution. And it's no surprise its eponymous signature dish — a rich, hearty, aromatic broth with tender beef slices, delicate egg noodles and plenty of coriander and spice — continues to gain legions of new fans with every bowl. The beef-based broth is rich and spicy, as befits its origins from China's frosty northwest. The option is also available for you to customise the noodle saturation levels, shape and width and the spice level of the broth in order to best suit your cravings.
Formerly a craft beer bar with a dedication to the Sunday roast, The Taphouse in Darlinghurst was reborn in 2023 under the guidance of Applejack Hospitality (RAFI, Forrester's, The Butler). The new iteration of the multi-storey pub is breezier, specialising in approachable drinks and nostalgic eats indebted to suburban Chinese restaurants. After resurrecting Forrester's a few years back, the team turned its attention to this historic corner pub, maintaining the heart of the original while giving its fit-out and menus a makeover. The result is a classic ground-floor watering hole and a breezy rooftop bar, all with cracking Cantonese eats. The menu has been curated by Applejack's Director of Culinary Patrick Friesen, (ex-Queen Chow, Ms.G's) and The Taphouse's new Head Chef Sam Ng, who comes to the pub after previously working across acclaimed Hong Kong venues Ho Lee Fook, Praya and Stanley. The resulting menu is a hearty and crowd-pleasing affair. Entrees include prawn wontons, barbecue pork buns, salt and pepper oyster mushrooms, pork spare ribs and spring rolls with a plum sauce. Further down the menu, you'll stumble upon steam scallops, wok-fried mud crab, sweet and south pork, and egg noodles topped with braised wagyu beef rib. Craft beer enthusiasts will be pleased that despite its new owners, The Taphouse still has a hefty roster of brews on offer, including Mountain Culture Status Quo, Grifter Serpents Kiss and Hawke's Patio Ale. There's also long necks of Tsingtao, adding to the playfulness of the venue and providing the perfect counterpoint to the menu of Cantonese favourites. Applejack's love affair with wine has really shone through its North Sydney restaurant RAFI, and this passion for vino continues at The Taphouse. Alongside your classic chardonnay and shiraz, you'll find Applejack's own Luce Del Sole pinot grigio available on tap, a few skin-contact drops, and Unico Zelo's Fresh AF Nero Bled, served chilled. If you need even more of an excuse to head in, there are some sizable weekly specials on offer. Visit during lunch hours Monday–Friday and you'll find a range of hefty dishes available for just $18. This includes sweet and sour pork, wagyu beef and broccolini, and wok-fried market vegetables with tofu. Every Monday, you can enjoy a pork chop curry dinner with steamed rice for $12; on Sundays, frozen cocktails and bloody marys are on offer for $15; and $7.50 beers and wines are available during one of the city's longest happy hours, 12–6pm Monday–Friday. Images: Steven Woodburn
Right near Paddington's well-known Five Ways junction, a vintage set of Swedish industrial windows give way to Saint Cloche, an independent art gallery championing contemporary Australian art and some of the best fresh creatives behind works worth investing in or simply observing in-person. Inside the space, concrete, glass metal and polished marble provide the ideal blank canvas for a number of exhibits, works and installations thoughtfully chosen by gallery founder and curator Kitty Clark. At any given time on display you'll find art from many disciplines and mediums, including painting, photography, ceramics and sculpture created by both up-and-coming and well-established artists — all in a non-intimidating setting that draws prospective collectors in and encourages aficionados to better connect with the work. Saint Cloche also exclusively represents an excellent lineup of local artists including Leanne Xiu Williams, Saxon Quinn and Evi O for any purchases of works or potential commissions, should you be in the market for a specific special something. The space is also available or functions, as well as hosting a number of artistic workshops throughout the year. Saint Cloche opening hours Wednesday to Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Monday and Tuesday: By appointment only Public Holidays: Closed For details of upcoming shows or to peruse works available for purchase visit the website. Images: Kitti Gould
When Shazam first hit mobile devices in 2008, it helped iPhone users solve a minor but common and often frustrating problem. By listening to a snippet of a song, the app identifies exactly what the tune is — so if you hear some music on TV, the radio or in the background but don't know what it is, you can easily find out. That's all well and good for songs that are playing somewhere around you, of course. But it doesn't help if you've got a ditty stuck in your head, have absolutely zero idea what it is and are becoming increasingly desperate to know what has wormed its way into your brain. We've all been there, and we've all been annoyed by it, too. Via a new addition to its search functions, however, Google has just announced a feature that resolves this very issue. If you want to find out what a specific tune is called, now all you need to do is hum, whistle or sing it — and Google will listen, then tell you what it is. The feature is available via mobile devices, through the Google app, the Google Search widget and Google Assistant. On the app and in the widget, you need to say "what's this song?" or click the "search a song" button before you start busting out a melody. With Google Assistant, you'll say "hey Google, what's this song?" first. It doesn't matter if you're not quite in tune (or nowhere near the right pitch), thankfully. After listening, Google will provide search responses that it thinks matches your song, so you can learn more about it, watch music videos, listen to the song itself, find the lyrics and more. The function uses Google's machine learning algorithm, building on work the company has been doing with artificial intelligence and music recognition technology — and it's now available in English on iOS, and in over 20 languages on Android, with plans to expand to other languages in the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW61PpKJGm8&feature=emb_logo To use Google's new 'hum to search' feature, either visit the search engine on your mobile device or use Google Assistant. For further details, head to Google's blog.
Australian property developer has announced a proposed plan to build Australia's tallest-ever building in a partnership with the Trump family, with the goal of constructing Australia's first-ever Trump-branded project on the Gold Coast shoreline. Now in its final agreement stages, the partnership aims to construct a 91-storey tower on Rickett Street packed with 272 luxury apartments, a 285-room resort hotel, an exclusive beach club and a retail plaza. According to Altus Property CEO and founder David Young, the starting price of the apartments will be five million dollars, with the hopes of "attracting the world's wealthiest people." It's not set in stone yet, as Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel told the ABC that the council is yet to receive a formal development proposal on the tower, which will occupy a lot that's sat vacant since 2013. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Trump Organization (@trump) In a press release, Eric Trump, Trump Organisation EVP and second son of the mogul and US President, said This development exemplifies the Trump brand's dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community." The enthusiasm was shared by David Young, who travelled to the Trump family complex of Mar-a-Lago in Florida to seal the deal, and wrote, "Trump International Hotel & Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand." [embed]https://twitter.com/erictrump/status/2025936863001723097?s=46[/embed] The court of public opinion is less enthusiastic. On a video shared by Sky News Australia, one commenter wrote "when can we start pelting it with eggs?", while on X, author Craig Hill wrote, "I don't think Australia should allow Trump to build a tower on the Gold Coast. The man is a convicted criminal, adjudicated rapist and alleged pedophile. He should not be allowed to do business in Australia." Another X user said, "The Trump Tower being in the Gold Coast is the most Gold Coast thing to ever Gold Coast." Petitions are already circulating on platforms like Change.org to have the project stopped, but until the Gold Coast council receives a formal proposal, it's unknown when, or if, the project will commence in earnest.
107 Projects is a community-funded, community-driven space run by a collective of artists. 107 was born (or rather, reborn) from City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program in 2011. It inhabits a warehouse space in Redfern. In addition to a donation-led co-working space (with free wifi), café, bar and garden rooftop, the space includes a gallery and performance area that host an ongoing roster of performances, exhibitions, markets and workshops. The vision of the space is simply to cultivate creativity in its vast and varied forms, supporting emerging and established artists. Image: Rhiannon Hopley.
This friendly neighbourhood bar won over Marrickville locals when it opened its doors in 2015, and it'll undoubtedly win you over too — it's the perfect place to stop in for a nightcap after hitting one of Illawarra Road's affordable Vietnamese eateries. The late-night small bar always has soul and hip hop on the speakers, ingenious cocktails and local craft brews on the menu, and serves up mouthwatering tacos. And we can't forget to mention the must-try Frankencheese Toastie, a multi-level grilled cheese served with Frank's Hot Sauce, pickles and crisps. A recent change of ownership has ushered in more live music, too, including Saturday afternoon sessions, when you can also nab two-for-one cocktails. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
Matt Moran's greenhouse-inspired restaurant at Chiswick Woollahra is ready to welcome you in from the cold with weekly winter roasts, accompanied by live jazz performances. The dinner-and-a-show offer will run on every Sunday in July, with jazz from The Tilly Street Trio kicking off at 3.30pm, followed by the feast at 6pm. Each week's roast comes complete with a meat, three sides and a dessert — and each week, it's a little different. Kicking things off on July 7 is a rolled suckling pig with baked apples stuffed with onion and sage, served with treacle tart and clotted cream for dessert. On July 14, tuck into roast beef and yorkshire pudding topped with fresh horseradish and roast gravy — this one is paired with an apple and cinnamon jaffle. Then, July 21 will see the kitchen dishing up roasted fennel seed pork belly with red cabbage and quince, plus steamed golden syrup pudding for dessert. And, on July 28, a Christmas in July-themed feast will be on offer — expect roasted turkey served with pigs in a blanket and all the fixings (stuffing, cranberry sauce and bread sauce), along with a rhubarb crumble with vanilla custard. Each roast will also come with duck fat and thyme roast potatoes, mashed carrot and swede and wilted greens, too. The meal will cost you $75 per person and is designed for sharing — so make sure to bring along a date, mate or family member to this one. Jazz starts at 3.30pm followed by the meal at 6pm.
Gaffa has built a solid name for itself on the Sydney gallery trail over the last few years. Perched atop the one and only Ding Dong Dang Karaoke Bar, this artist-run space held consistently innovative exhibitions showcasing the work of emerging artists and designers. Now it has seriously outdone itself with an uptown relocation and huge expansion. Spread over three levels, the new Gaffa is more a CBD art precinct than conventional gallery. On the ground floor is a coffee shop and a space for rotating temporary art and design stalls. Three galleries occupy the first level and several studios and jewellery/object design workshops make up the second. It's all launching on 11 February from 6pm with the new exhibition Fidelity, featuring work the likes of Ella Barclay, Sumugan Sivanesan, Mark Gerada, Sean O’Connell, Marcelle Robbins, Ben Backhouse, Geoffrey Farquhar-Still, Andrew Lavery, Melinda Young, Zoe Brand and Kath Fries. Keep an eye on Gaffa's website for details of future jewellery workshops and other events.
The SOUL Group have struck gold, again. After launching two hugely successful local haunts, the dynamic duo have branched out once more to open Sydney's first-ever Korean tapas and wine bar in familiar Surry Hills digs. Taking over SOUL Deli's former place of residence — which has now moved a few doors down— the Campbell Street locale is serving up a fresh take on Korean snacks. Aiming to showcase the depth of the country's cuisine, husband and wife team Daero Lee and Illa Kim have birthed the concept of pairing tasteful wine with Korean food. The tapas-style menu champions creativity, blending staples from contemporary Australian dining with Korean staples to form a menu like no other. The cosy all-day diner and wine bar is filled with inviting warm-toned interiors, accompanied by lively traditional folk Minhwa prints throughout the space. Plus, if you pay a visit during the day, you and your pooch can put the al fresco dining space to good use and soak up some rays with your meal. Seating 30, the third SOUL Group outpost is led by Head Chef Sunny Ryu. Expect to find top-notch dishes that aren't afraid to stray from the traditional Korean norm — scallop crudo with Korean ajo and blanco, corn cheese croquettes and hand-rolled Korean pasta accompanied by dry-aged Murray cod, all of which can be paired with a wine from the carefully curated list or a serve of soju. If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, pick from the Choco Pie with housemade marshmallow and a hazelnut praline, the peach sorbet with lemon cream or the chestnut tiramisu. And, while the Surry Hills spot is to be a gorgeous nighttime dining experience, the outpost also offers a breakfast and lunch menu daily for a great start to the morning or an exciting boozy lunch. The daytime menu at Bar SOUL is filled with a blend of Korean favourites and Australian cafe staples. Bread sits at the centre of the offerings, with standout dishes like toast topped with burrata, roasted beetroot, quinoa and blood orange; Murray Cod fish burgers with pickled cucumber tartar and fennel on potato buns; and MB9+ wagyu open sandwiches. No matter which time you head in, it's best to lean into the theme. Where else can you pair a loaded fish burger with Bokbunjajoo Black Raspberry Wine, or gang-doenjang with a glass of Mudgee rosé?
The very best seafood restaurant in Sydney is hard to nail down. There are just so many standout spots to choose from. You've got intimate omakase experiences where chefs prepare all kinds of fresh seafood right at your table. There are Sydney fine diners that serve the most luxe lobsters with champagne or caviar bumps with ice-cold vodka shots. And local neighbourhood diners also offer up some of the best Sydney seafood in a laidback and homely setting. Thankfully, we've eaten at all these kinds of places to create the ultimate list of the best seafood restaurants in Sydney. These joints give all the love to the freshly caught and ethically sourced seafood we are so lucky to have swimming around our shores and down our rivers. No matter which one you visit, you're guaranteed a fish feast made for a king. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Sydney The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney The Best Steaks in Sydney The Best Beachside Restaurants and Bars in Sydney
When the Australian Government introduced an indefinite ban on all overseas travel in late March, Qantas and Jetstar suspended all scheduled international flights and temporarily stood down two-thirds of its staff. Today, Thursday, June 25, the airline has revealed that overseas flights will not takeoff again until at least July 2021. At a press conference this morning, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced 6000 job cuts across all parts of the business and the continued standing down of 15,000 employees until flights return — which, for international flights, won't be for a while. Referencing a report released earlier in the year by an airline industry expert, Joyce said that it is expected to take three years for international travel to return to 2019 levels. "We think international will take a long time," Joyce said. "There'll be nothing this next financial year, July next year we may start seeing some international services and that will only get us to 50 percent. The following year, only two-thirds of the pre-COVID international schedule." [caption id="attachment_773510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A trip to Japan won't be on the cards until 2021[/caption] The likelihood of international travel not returning for Australians until at least 2021 isn't new, news, though. Earlier this month, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said as much, telling the National Press Club, "international border restrictions are likely to be there for some time to come" — and that "keeping those border restrictions largely in place is a price we're going to have to pay to keep COVID under control". The good news is that, as has come up frequently over the past few months, implementing a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — aka reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide — is still under consideration according to Birmingham. Whether Qantas and Jetstar will run flights across the ditch if a travel bubble is allowed before July 2021 is currently unknown. The airlines will, however, definitely still be running domestic flights — and expect domestic travel to be back to 100 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels by 2022. "We're very optimistic about domestic," Joyce said at the press conference. "The domestic market will get back to maybe 70 percent of pre-COVID levels in the next year and the following year to 100 percent." The airlines have started ramping up domestic flights again and even held a big sale, with one-way flights as cheap as $19, last week. https://twitter.com/Qantas/status/1268341083257233408 It's worth noting, of course, that many of Australia's state borders are still closed. Queensland is working towards reopening to visitors from other states on July 10, although that hasn't been officially confirmed as yet, while the Northern Territory announced it'll reopen on July 17 — and South Australia is slated to do the same on July 20. While Victoria, NSW and the ACT currently have open borders, numerous state health ministers — including NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard today — have encouraged their residents to avoid travel to Victoria, especially to Melbourne's COVID hotspots, as the state has seen a recent uptick in new cases, with 33 recorded in the last 24 hours. Qantas and Jetstar's 6000 job cuts are part of post-COVID-19 recovery plan for the airlines, which also includes the retiring of the remaining 747s six months early and the grounding of 100 aircraft for up to 12 months. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Bondi welcomes a new drinking, dining, and hang-out spot, just in time for the summer months, as Pavilion Social opens on level one of the Bondi Pavilion. When you need a break from the sand but don't want to go far, head upstairs to Pavilion Social, located right behind Bondi Beach, for ocean views, refreshing drinks, tasty bites and feel-good vibes. For sunny afternoons that turn into long, warm nights, Pavilion Social offers leisurely lunches, sunset drinks, relaxed dinners, live music and more, all with unmatched sweeping views of iconic Bondi Beach. The menu is snacky and straightforward, think bread and dips, freshly shucked oysters, prawns with cocktail sauce, marinated olives and kingfish crudo. Sea salt crisps with mortadella and peppers, or charcuterie with pickles, are the perfect accompaniment to a round of Bondi Breezers with vodka, pineapple, lime, agave and soda. If you're hungry after a big day in the surf, go for a prawn roll with yuzu koskō mayo, or a cheeseburger with sea salt fries. A range of frozen cocktails, such as the Coastline Marg, or the Peachy Frosé with rosé, peach liqueur and grapefruit soda, are sure to be the perfect antidote to a scorching summer's day. Images: Supplied.
A new 94-seat bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean eats and oysters with ocean views has officially opened its doors in Bondi. Lola's Level 1 is the venture of Sydney hospitality mainstays Marco Ambrosino (Fratelli Paradiso) and Manny Spinola, and will serve a mix of small and large plates along with a cocktail and wine-heavy drinks menu, breathing delicious new life into Bondi's Pacific Building. Ambrosino and Spinola have pulled together an all-star team for Lola's. Running the pass is head chef Paula Pantano, who has previously played a key role in the kitchen at five-star hotels like Crown Sydney and the Mandarin Oriental Group. To quench your thirst, Louis West (Bentley Restaurant Group) and Mon Ditbunjong (Dear Sainte Eloise and Ragazzi) are joining forces as sommeliers. "Lola's is all about fun and we've assembled one of the best restaurant teams in Sydney that will be able to deliver that," Ambrosino says. "We want Lola's to be approachable – a place where you can drop in for a drink and some oysters; a place for a dinner with the family; or a long lunch on the balcony overlooking Bondi." Oysters ($6.50) are a big focus of the menu, with three types on the menu (natural, with vermouth granita or with Lola's mignonette), all shucked at the bar. If you're dropping in for a drink and you're looking for a snack, you'll find citrus and basil burrata ($21), pan tumaca ($15), and Pioik sourdough with 25-year aged balsamic vinegar and Alro Evoo olive oil ($7.50) on the small plates menu. For more filling feeds, spiced lamb skewers ($15 each) and peri-peri chicken ($34) prepared on the plancha grill can satisfy your carnivorous yearnings, and large plates like saffron socarrat ($30) and lasagnetta topped with osso buco ragu and gremolata ($29). A tightly edited wine list mixes artisanal producers from warmer European climates alongside local Australian drops. And those looking for something stronger can hit the cocktail list which features two type of martinis ($23) and twists on the Bloody Mary and Rosita ($22). Lola's location in the Pacific Building means balcony-seating promises a panoramic view of Bondi Beach and the surrounding park. So, come summer, its sure to be a hit with beachgoers for a pre- or post-swim drink (and then some).
No one's saying streaming isn't convenient, but most of the time, there's no denying movies hit different on the big screen. With plenty of discourse in recent weeks about the future of the humble movie theatre, Palace Cinemas has just revealed a brand-new discount designed to get more people watching flicks not on the couch, but where they were meant to be seen. As a national-first initiative, Australia's premier independent cinema group has announced the Royal Discount, where movie-lovers can score discounted tickets on Mondays and Tuesdays across every Palace Cinemas location. Launching on Monday, February 2, this cost-saving discount means more chances to catch must-see flicks for a stellar price every week. "Royal Discount is our way of keeping great cinema accessible while also ensuring our cinemas stay full during off-peak times. It is good for audiences, good for film culture and good for the long-term health of cinemas," says Palace Cinemas CEO Benjamin Zeccola. Priced at $10 for Palace Movie Club members or $12 for non-members, you'll have more room in your budget for a night at the cinema — or at least more to spend at the candy bar. According to Zeccola, it's not just about lowering ticket prices, but maintaining the cultural importance of cinema. "In an increasingly private and digital world, that shared experience matters more than ever," he says. That idea was echoed by a host of stars at the recent Golden Globes, with beloved actor Stellan Skarsgård offering up a similar message in his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in Sentimental Value. "In a cinema where the lights go down, and eventually you share the pulse with some other people — that's magic. Cinema should be seen in cinemas." And with loads of highly anticipated films and Oscar contenders now screening — think Marty Supreme, Hamnet, Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident, and No Other Choice — trading the remote for the big screen makes perfect sense. "No matter where you are in Australia, you will know that Monday and Tuesday are your Royal Discount days at Palace Cinemas," says Zeccola. Palace Cinemas' Royal Discount is launching nationwide on Monday, February 2. Head to the website for more information.
Welcome to the future of libraries, where it's about more than just books. Green Square Library has upped the ante and moved beyond the standard collection of pageturners. Within the swish new space, you'll find a high-tech lab, underground reading garden, amphitheatre, music room, cafe and meeting rooms. The building, which is located in Zetland – around three kilometres south of Central Station – is hard to miss, thanks to its six-storey glass tower, which emerges from a tree-dotted plaza. Behind the partially-subterranean architecture is Alexandria-based studio Stewart Hollenstein, whose design topped a 167-strong international competition held back in 2013. While books — and underground gardens in which to read said books — are still the central focus of the library, it also features many spaces dedicated to music. The sprawling music room has a baby grand piano, which can be hired out by Beethoven hopefuls stuck in tiny Sydney apartments, and the open air amphitheatre plays host to public gigs. As well as being an eye-catching piece of art itself, the library also contains two stunning installations. High Water, a series of massive LED screens that interpret local weather patterns in abstract colours, by Indigo Hanlee and Michael Thomas Hill dons the plaza, and Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro's Cloud Nation – a vintage aircraft with wings containing the miniature world of Laputa, from Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels – hangs inside the library. Spending the day surrounded by art, with a book in hand, sounds like perfection to us. Green Square Library is now open at 355 Botany Road, Zetland. It's open 10am–7pm, Monday to Wednesday; 10am–6pm, Thursday and Friday; and 10am–4pm, Saturday. Images: Katherine Griffiths.
If golden leaves and blustery weather make you want a weekend away in the countryside, then pack a bag, jump in the car and make a beeline for Bathurst. Sure, it may be known to many Australians for its car races at Mount Panorama, but there's a whole lot more to this town than endurance motorsports. Not only is the Bathurst region home to wineries and cellar doors galore, but it also has a burgeoning foodie scene, up-and-coming art spaces and outdoor adventures aplenty. Not to mention it's only about a three-hour drive from the big smoke. Don't know where to start? To help you put together a top-notch itinerary, we've teamed up with Bathurst Region Tourism in celebration of its much-loved Autumn Colours festival. So, whether you're after rolling green hills, heartwarming feasts, cultural trails or just sitting by crackling fires this autumn, you'll find it all in the rural NSW pocket of Bathurst. [caption id="attachment_807238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] General Store at Hill End Historic Site[/caption] EAT If you're arriving early, your first port of call should be The Hub. Located in the centre of Bathurst, the aptly named cafe serves up locally roasted coffee and hearty breakfast and lunch options. It also runs regular events showcasing live music and entertainment, making it a hive of activity. And that's not all for Bathurst's bean scene, with shipping container cafe Doppio Espresso, located in the Tremain's Mill cultural precinct, also high on the list. Keen to go a little further for your cup of joe? The General Store at Hill End Historic Site is a perfect pit stop for a coffee and a bite to eat. After you refuel, you can pick up some local produce and learn more about the former gold mining town that's now home to a thriving artist community. Back in Bathurst, head to Vine & Tap for lunch or dinner in its leafy courtyard (just be sure to nab a spot under a heater). Inspired by Italian spuntini (snacks), the dishes are designed to be shared. And, as you're on holiday, you'll no doubt want to order yourself some vino from the lengthy list of local and European drops. Feel like a good ol' pub feed? Book a table at The George Hotel. Helmed by Executive Head Chef Matthew Hayden, the kitchen serves up sophisticated gastropub grub like steak, battered fish and lamb rump. Another go-to spot is American-style diner Dogwood BX, which promises a slice of small-town US atmosphere and hospitality out in regional NSW. Food-wise, you'll be tucking in to deep-fried pickles, jambalaya, burgers and brisket. No matter where you dine, you'll want to save some room for dessert at the old-fashioned Annie's Ice Cream Parlour, which serves up ice cream (obviously) that's made fresh on-site every day. [caption id="attachment_807239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Victoria[/caption] DRINK Thanks to its high altitude and unique terroir due to the rolling granite hills, the Bathurst region is known for some pretty top-notch vino. So, unsurprisingly, it's a great place to visit and channel your inner sommelier. At 800 metres above sea level, the family-run Rock Forest Vineyard specialises in chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and shiraz varietals, made with minimal intervention. For tastings, drop by the cellar door on the first Sunday of the month between 10am–2pm. Over at Vale Creek Wines, located on the outskirts of the town, you'll find only Italian grape varieties such as sangiovese, vermentino and dolcetto, with the cellar door open most weekends. If you'd prefer to drink your wine then sleep among the vines, make tracks to Winburndale and book a night in one of its on-site cottages. Want even more wine? Beginning as a side hustle in 2001, Renzaglia Wines is headed up by the award-winning (and former Winburndale viticulturist) Mark Renzaglia, who moved to Bathurst from Illinois in the 1980s. Since then, the winery has been producing critically acclaimed drops, which you can try at the cellar door by appointment only. But it's not wine all the time in the Bathurst region. For beer lovers, 1859 Brewing Company at The Beekeeper's Inn, located midway between Bathurst and Orange, is where you'll want to be. It's an English-style alehouse that produces small-batch, seasonal craft brews. While you can't nurse a cold one inside the brewery, you can at the Inn — as well as purchase takeaways. Back in town, you'll find go-to watering hole Church Bar in the old digs of the Anglican Church School House. Despite the autumn chill, you'll want to sit in the stunning beer garden as you sip cocktails and tuck in to woodfired pizzas. Another local institution is The Victoria, where you can get amongst the local nightlife scene. Self-described as a 'food, beverage, arts, music and events hub', the pub is a melting pot of fun. Plus, it's got a cracking pool table. [caption id="attachment_807252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Renzaglia Wines[/caption] DO No doubt after all that wining and dining, you'll want to do some moving. Bathurst's Autumn Colours festival celebrates the area's rich history with activities ranging from guided walks and cultural trails to high teas, workshops, performances and behind-the-scenes night tours. For a more comprehensive look at the area's heritage, head on a 4WD excursion with local Wiradyuri elders who educate, promote, build and preserve the cultural significance of the Wiradyuri people. If you're still after more culture kicks, the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery runs three to four exhibitions at any one time, with shows changing up to every ten weeks. So, you're sure to find something that catches your eye — plus, it's free to enter. For the more wine-inclined, Simmo's Off-Road Winery Tours will show you the ins and outs of the Bathurst wine region, as only someone who's lived in the region for over quarter of a century can. Simmo can tailor his tours to any location preferences, drink desires and group sizes, too. And, since wine accompanies food, why not head down to Bathurst Farmers Market to pick up some goodies? Held at the historic Bathurst Showground on the fourth Saturday of the month (January–November), the market offers up all the local produce you could dream of — think sweet treats, fresh fruit and veg, meats and flowers. STAY If you want Bathurst as your base, it's hard to do much better than The Mill Apartments. Located just 100 metres from the railway station, the boutique apartments are situated in a 19th century flour mill. It's ideal for couples, with five equally quaint studios available. Bathurst obviously knows how to repurpose its historic attractions, because you're also able to stay at the Old Milltown Police Station, which is now a popular bed and breakfast. Here, there are three ensuite rooms to choose from or, if you're travelling in a larger party, the entire house is available to rent with additional facilities. Big groups who prefer somewhere further away will love Hosies. The seven-bedroom, two-storey 1870s building is situated in Hill End, making it ideal for picturesque views, as well as brining you close to a plethora of walking tracks. Or if it's the high life you're after, the luxurious Wilga Station is a must. Just 12 minutes' drive from Bathurst, the 260-acre working sheep farm offers two idyllic options: the secluded Farmer's Hut, which is sleeps two adults and is completely off-grid, and The Shearer's Hall, a beautiful retreat that can meet the needs of up to ten people. Choose your autumn adventure at Bathurst Region Tourism. Top image: Bathurst Region Tourism
