Maxwell Wines isn't just known for its exceptional cellar — its flagship restaurant is lauded for its innovative and produce-led offerings. If a trip to McLaren Vale isn't on the cards, Executive Chef Fabian Lehmann brings a taste of Maxwell Restaurant to Arthur. [caption id="attachment_1019299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image supplied[/caption] For an intimate Monday night dinner, Lehmann is teaming up with Arthur's Head Chef Juwon Gwak on six innovative courses at the Surry Hills diner, paired with a curated Maxwell Wines selection. With both restaurants sharing a philosophy rooted in a respect for seasonality, producers and thoughtful technique, it's shaping up to be a promising meal that does right by its ingredients. Expect small bites like carrot tartlets filled with rosella and honey custard and kombu-cured hiramasa kingfish croustades, alongside contemporary rustic-style plates like carrot-glazed bay bugs in mussel butter sauce and dry-aged quail stuffed with mushroom duxelle. The highlight? A Maxwell Restaurant signature — smoked rainbow trout with chives and black garlic. [caption id="attachment_1019298" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image supplied[/caption]
If dessert is your favourite meal of the day, then you should make your way to the sugary sweet and whimsical world of CandyFest High Tea at Shangri-La Sydney. The limited-time high tea is only available from September 28 until October 13, right in time for the school holidays. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the luxe hotel, candy lovers will delight in the confectionery creations the dessert masters of Shangri-La Sydney have dreamt up. Choose between a slice of the giant rainbow swirl lollipop cheesecake or fluffy fairy floss fraise gateau, or opt for a chewy, gooey marshmallow brownie or a jelly bean cupcake. Get involved and create your own decadent desserts like a lolly pizza cookie at the interactive stations. Sweet treats aren't the only dishes on offer. Savoury options include the ratatouille vegetable calzone, barramundi fish pie, Grandma's beef croquette and scalloped potato gold coins. The food isn't the only reason to make your way to the high tea. The Grand Ballroom will be decked out with balloons in the shape of giant gummy bears, unicorns, rainbows and colossal candy canes (of course). It's a dream setting for any child — or adult looking for a luxe afternoon of delicious treats to satisfy the sweetest of sweet teeth. CandyFest High Tea is available for a limited time only across three weekends. It will be hosted in the Grand Ballroom on September 28–29, October 5–6 and October 11–13 in two seatings at 11am–1pm and 2–5pm. Bookings can be made on the website, priced at $84 per adult (aged 12 and above) and $64 per child (aged 11 and under). There is no charge for children under two years old.
Despite the shared disappointment that our after-work hours are a little less sun-filled, our clocks turning back an hour means there's more time for fun — and cultural explorations — after dark. This is something Sydney Living Museums knows all too well. The historic collective is bringing another instalment of After Dark, the late-night series that welcomes live music and art to the Hyde Park Barracks. This April, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site will play host to a swathe of creatives. Be wowed by the concentrated skill of Mark Eliott as he blows fantastical glass creations, or watch on tentatively — or excitedly — as WT Norbert and CP Martin (of Tattoo Rosie's) ink their designs live. Joe Glover will bring music to your ears with his handcrafted banjo (and then teach you how to make one) and Tarni Eastwood will showcase the craftsmanship of our Traditional Owners with a weaving tutorial. Take in some history as you wander the Barracks collection with Living Museums' curators, or settle in for some olfactory delight courtesy of perfumer and scentsmith Ainslie Walker. FBi Radio will keep vibes high with a lineup of DJs and live acts, and your tastebuds will stay happy with Nighthawk Diner's feel-good eats and Archie Rose's gin-laced cocktails. It's a night of tradition with a contemporary twist that you won't want to miss. And if you're a member of Sydney Living Museums (or you sign up at the checkout), you can score a sneaky discount on tickets too. After Dark will hit the Hyde Park Barracks from 5–9pm on Thursday, April 28. Head to the website to book your tickets. Top images: James Horan
This independent boutique on the corner of Booth and View Streets is where you come when you know you need to buy a gift, but you're not yet sure what to get. It started life as a children's toy and clothing store in 2002, but five years ago it broadened its range to include women's fashion, homewares, beauty products and indoor plants and pots. It still has kids' toys and a cute selection of baby clothes, swaddles and teething toys, but if you're not here to purchase a baby shower gift (and even if you are), you'll find Australian made products like Bondi Wash body wash, Leif kakadu plum hand cream and hand-poured soy candles from Maison Blanche. [caption id="attachment_779245" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] You'll want to run your hands over the soft blankets and quilts from Kip and Co, Indus, Citta Design and Jamie Kay; finger through the racks of dresses and shirts from Elk the Label; and open every Gentleman's Hardware pocket tin of miniature tools. Whatever the occasion, there'll be a gift here that fits the brief. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Tucked between Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich, and sprawling around the towns of Beaudesert and Boonah, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region is home to scenic sights, national parks, mountains and plenty of other reasons to head outdoors. Come October, it'll also boast another attraction luring visitors into the area's the natural surroundings — a 55-kilometre walking trail, complete with eco-cabins. Dubbed Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, just approved by the Queensland Government and expected to take six months to complete, the new route will start at the existing Spicers Hidden Vale Retreat and venture through Mt Mistake, up to Spicers Peak Nature Reserve and through parts of Main Range National Park. Extending existing walking tracks, it'll trek through sub-tropical rainforests, eucalypt forests and mountain heathlands over five days. And if the frequent name-dropping didn't give it away, the venture is being spearheaded by the Turner family, who founded the Spicers Retreats chain, to the tune of $10 million. The Turners are building two new sustainable eco-camps along the path, both within Main Range National Park. The first, Spicers Amphitheatre, will feature light coloured cabins perched above the floor of the forest, surrounded by gum trees, decked out with king-sized beds and adjacent to an observation deck. As for the second site, Timber Getters Eco Cabins, the structures will take on a darker hue. Both will include six sleeping pods, two wash pavilions and impressive views. As well as bunking down for the night, the full walk itinerary includes a visit to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a 4WD trip to a private nature reserve, and hiking along the Scenic Rim's Main Range. Weekly journeys will depart on Sundays from October, costing $3190 per person twin share with all accommodation, meals and beverages included, while the 2020 season will run from March to November. The venture comes in response to a state initiative to increase ecotourism in Queensland's national parks, with Main Range National Park featuring one of 42 reserves that comprise the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area (GRAWHA). For those planning a visit to the area in general, without booking in for the official trail, the project will also include improvements to public camping and hiking facilities. Spicers Scenic Rim Trail and eco-cabins are slate to open by October, with bookings now open. For more information, visit the trail website. Images: Spicers Retreats and Spicers Scenic Rim Trail.
Whether or not we wanted it to, the pandemic threw a stick in the hamster wheel of life. For some, it caused a permanent change to their 9-to-5s. For others, holidays and plans halted. For many, it meant stepping back and reassessing: with regular life on pause, were there any changes to make before it all starts spinning again? Career and sea changes aside, this could mean choosing to swap the screen for stargazing — or working overtime on the weekend for two days of waterfall chasing — a little more often. In the words of twins Cam and Chris Grant, maybe now's the time to live a life a little more unyoked. The Grant brothers founded Aussie startup Unyoked back in 2017 and now have 15 — soon-to-be 17 — off-grid cabins across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to well and truly escape the big smoke. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, Single O coffee, cocktails made in collaboration with Archie Rose and Capital brews. With its remote cabins, Unyoked encourages Aussies to travel more, log off more and challenge the typical 9-to-5. To help you do just that, the company is giving you the chance to break free from the grind and get off-grid with two-night getaways in a remote cabin — every three months for the rest of your life. Yep, it's the offer of a lifetime. To win, Unyoked needs your help naming one of its new cabins. The company names all its locations after 'unyoked' people Chris and Cam have met on their travels. There's the Lucia, named after a woman they met in London who had quit her media gig to travel; and the Miguel, who was "floating around the jungle outside Chiang Mai" in Thailand when the twins met him. So, if you know a free-spirit who inspires you to live a little more nomadic, you just need to put their name forward. Then, if your suggested name is chosen, you'll be able to escape to any of Unyoked's cabins for two nights, four times a year, every year — and be a little bit more like your nominated unyoked mate. [caption id="attachment_774963" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maddy Tonks[/caption] To enter, see details below. [competition]774540[/competition]
Not so long ago, Newtown locals went to the 'Townie' to drink and a handful of cafes to eat. Now there's a long list of options each quirkier, cleverer and more welcoming than the last. But one does not simply open a venue in Newtown. Its locals are fiercely loyal and discerning, known for having evicted a McDonalds back in the '90s. A bar or restaurant opening up in Newtown has to feel like it was made by Newtown, not just plonked down in it, and that's produced some excellent establishments that are loved by both locals and outsiders. Check out these ten standouts. Miss Peaches Soul Food Kitchen American food may be flavour of the month, but it's also the flavour of Newtown, as several recent openings attest. Step off Missenden Road and be transported to a pseudo-Louisiana where Miss Peaches and her Soul Food Kitchen are waiting. The spacious brick bar has old-school Southern charm with plenty of comfy booths, a balcony overlooking the hustle and bustle of King Street below, plus a blues-infused vinyl collection to get any feet dancing. The menu is the antithesis of all diets and not for the faint of heart. Think cornbread sliders filled with deep-fried mac and cheese, chicken or beef short rib (3 for $18), crispy tater tots with maple bacon ketchup ($8) or flaky crawfish pies ($12). Cornerstone Like Tutankhamun's tomb, Carriageworks' food and drinks site seems to have had an ancient curse menacing it. Venues have come and gone (most recently John and Peter Canteen), perhaps banking on a more formal, sit-down crowd than they can reliably attract in a pre-show context. New bar and restaurants Cornerstone has a real chance of kicking this hex. It's grazing menu is masterminded by the Fresh Catering team, and it boasts a truly gorgeous fit-out that lures you in even if you're not spending the evening with a show at Carriageworks. The Garden Bar at the Marly The Marlborough Hotel has tried to banish the ghosts of first years past with its new fit-out, and it's doing surprisingly well. New owners John Singleton and Geoff Dixon have breathed new life into the pub by introducing the Garden Bar while still maintaining the old-school charm for which the Marly is known. back courtyard is the perfect spot to spend the afternoon catching some rays in the secluded, art deco-furnished terrace. The kitchen has gone Deep South, and not timidly. You gotta try the waffles — choose from crispy buttermilk deep-fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, cheesy BBQ sirloin or Mexican lentil toppings ($8). Soda Pony Newtown has always had a superlative cafe scene, and Soda Pony is the latest bearer of that tradition. Positioned at the south end of King Street, Soda Pony fits in seamlessly amongst the many second-hand vintage stores, invoking feelings of nostalgia with its mismatched chairs and antique posters. Try their epic choc-malt frosty thickshake ($5.50) — only for the courageous, but totally worth it. What's more of a bonus is that they're serving a mean Double Roasters coffee ($3.50) here, so reheating your mitts is taken care of. You may, however, have to take care of your landlord — you've found a new home. Mary's The fit-out is undoubtedly cool, a step up from some of the surrounding venues without a doubt. From the literally bottomless Jack Daniel's bottle light fixtures to the big, chunky, brother-made wooden table on the far right ground floor corner, it's clear a great deal of time and effort has gone into gutting what once was and tailoring it to suit Newtown's growing crowd of aesthetes. Luckily, judging from the diversity of said crowd, and much like the suburb itself, everyone and anyone seems to be welcome. The burgers are already famous — like Maccas in style, but with the fancy finger work of Powell on the grill, not to mention the fabulously now trashcan-lid-smoked bacon as an optional extra, the taste beats that shining yellow M any day. The Bank Hotel Beer Garden The Bank's got a reputation as being a boozy outer suburbs drinking den frequented by out-of-Newtowners and doesn't quite fit into the area's grungier vibe. Now the longstanding Sumalee Thai restaurant downstairs, which was serving Newtown's international cuisine of choice for about 20 years, has made way for a gourmet gastro pub grub kitchen. The nameless kitchen offers restaurant-standard meals rather than dishing out just burgers and chips (although that too is on offer, if renamed 'bun stuffers'). There's no reason why the Bank won't enjoy the same success as the Newtown Hotel, and there are plans to extend the terrace to a front balcony, like the Newtown (though some work needs to be done on the bland front bar to make the back garden, which is very inviting, to be more than a hidden secret). Osteria Russo & Russo Technically, this may be Enmore, but Russo & Russo's effect is definitely felt towards the Newtown end of the street. It's building up the local fine dining scene pioneered by Hartsyard, Spencer Gutherie and Sixpenny. Head chef Jason Saxby bent the norm at The Bridge Room with nice, quirky takes on traditional dishes, but he's free from the semi-corporate environment now. There are no Italian standards on the menu, but rather busy, fussy dishes such as the wild hare ragu intertwined with scarlet red, hand-rolled beetroot pasta ($24). The glazed beef cheeks with semolina gnocchi, broad beans and radicchio ($28) is a hit, too. Newtown Social Club It was a sad day for Sydney's live music scene when Newtown's beloved Sandringham Hotel was placed in receivership last June, and even sadder when it was finally forced to shut its doors in December. But there was also cause for cautious optimism, with word that the team behind two of Melbourne's most iconic venues, the Corner Hotel and Northcote Social Club, would be taking over the site. Bands haven't started playing yet (the band room on the second floor needs renovations), but it's a nice place for a cheap pizza and beer in the meantime and has retained a lot of the old venue's spirit. Newtown Hotel Okay, this one's been open since October last year, but it's been such a pioneer of the Newtown Renaissance, it deserves a long celebration. The pub oozes Newtown; from local street artists' art adorning the walls, to the cinema on the second floor, which shows indie flicks during the week. And you may remember the pop-up bar Freaky Tiki, which operated in the hotel before the refurbishment? Well, the Tiki is well and truly alive too, with cocktails from the former bar that scream rock and roll. Try the Janis Joplin, chamomile tea-infused Jack Daniels, white crème de cacao, Cointreau and lemon ($16). Hartsyard Hartsyard may be the oldest venue on this list (one year old in May), but it's the kind of place that keeps surprising you anew. It's American food again, this time with the experimental touch of a fine diner. Start with the poutine ($23) for a no-holds-barred introduction to American cuisine that borrows generously from the Bible Belt, French Canada and the friction between urban and rural dining. Hartsyard prides itself on homegrown ingredients and traditional recipes reappropriated for a modern palette, and it delivers on all three fronts. So, grab your friends, order generously, and be prepared to use your hands and lick your fingers. By the Concrete Playground team.
It's December, so summer has been steaming up Australia for a week now. It's also predicted to be a particularly warm and wet season. So, you might think that snow is off the agenda for a few months. That's a reasonable view to hold. It's sensible, in fact. But it seems that the weather has other ideas, with New South Wales and Victoria's alpine regions getting more than a little frosty this week. Yes, it has been snowing in places such as Perisher and Mount Hotham. The former got down to -0.8 degrees overnight last night (as Monday, December 7 became Tuesday, December 8), as recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology. It's also forecast to hit a -1-degree minimum on Wednesday, December 9. At the latter, the mercury is only tipped to hit 7 degrees maximum on Tuesday, December 8, while Weatherzone reports that it got down to -1.4 degrees overnight. Numbers are all well and good, but if you want on-the-ground details — and images — a number of places in both areas have you covered. Perisher Resort and Hotham Alpine Resort have each posted videos to their social media showing the conditions. If you haven't seen snow in summer before, well, consider that a new 2020 achievement. https://twitter.com/PerisherResort/status/1336068906327318528 https://twitter.com/_hotham/status/1336079287091269632 As the Bureau of Meteorology in both NSW and Victoria have reported, wintry conditions are indeed on the cards in both state's alpine regions this week. Perisher is expected to have minimums between -1–3 degrees until Monday, with maximums between 9–17. At Mount Hotham, the corresponding ranges span -1–7 in terms of lows and 7–17 degrees in top temps. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1335690118133321729 https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1335766642475880456 As for Sydney and Melbourne, it won't be anywhere near that frosty, unsurprisingly. But Sydney's maximums are due to stay mild, between 22–25, for most of the week. In Melbourne, the city isn't predicted to top 18 degrees either today or Wednesday — although temps will rise over the weekend, leading to a 32-degree maximum on Monday, December 14. Top image: Mount Hotham, Rob Blackburn.
While seeing fruit mince pies in your local shopping centre in October feels downright disturbing, there's one Christmas treat that no one ever minds arriving early: Four Pillars annual Christmas Gin. The third iteration of the Healesville distillery's seasonal sip is coming in strong, set to hit shelves next Saturday, November 3. It's the delicious result of a yearly tradition that sees a bunch of Christmas puddings — handmade with the owner's family recipe — distilled with various festive botanicals to create a sought-after tipple that pretty much screams December 25. The flavours of an Aussie Christmas are captured in notes of cinnamon, star anise, juniper, coriander and angelica. The Christmas gin is then blended with some earlier gin that's been carefully ageing in old muscat barrels. It's all finished with a hit of Rutherglen muscat and some of Four Pillars' own matured muscat for a bit of added richness and complexity. Each year, a new unique label is chosen to wrap up this Christmas creation, setting out to evoke that same festive spirit. 2018's bottle design is the work of Stephen Baker, the Melbourne artist responsible for the mural outside Fitzroy Pool and one of the Art Trams currently rattling around the city. The bottle is decorated with his bold geometric shapes and bright hues of bathers by the pool, and pretty much nails the feel of a hot and summery Aussie Christmas. The distillers recommend you drink it in a Christmassy G&T with grapefruit sherbet and star anise, or a cobbler with lemon, muscat and a bit of sugar. Or you can just splash a bit of it on your Christmas pudding — Four Pillars is selling its own four-serve puds for $25 alongside the gin. If you want to nab a bottle, have your fingers poised over the 'buy' button when they go on sale online on November 3. Alternatively, you can stop by the distillery's CBD pop-up on level six of Myer, or Four Pillars HQ in Healesville. Bottles are $100 a pop and you can get it shipped in a copper gift box (with a stirring spoon) for an extra $15. Four Pillars Christmas Gin is available from November 3, in selected retail stores and online. But you'd best be quick — there's only a limited amount of bottles.
Whether you are a south coast local or a city slicker who needs a quick getaway to paradise, the Huskisson Hotel is the place to be this summer. Situated right on the sandy shores of Jervis Bay, the Husky Pub is a much-loved institution. And if you are looking for an excuse to plan a pub visit, we've got some good news. Veuve Clicquot is taking over the Huskisson Hotel lawn to bring a touch of luxury to that enviable laid-back coastal lifestyle. Until the end of February, you can relax on a deck chair under a bright yellow Veuve umbrella and enjoy sweeping ocean views while sipping on quality bubbly. A cheeky glass of Veuve Clicquot will set you back $30, or you can splash out on a full bottle for $140 — you're on holidays, after all. Pair your bubbles with some top-notch snack from the bar menu — think, freshly shucked oysters topped with wakame and Japanese dressing, tiger prawns with caper lime aioli or a charcuterie grazing board. Veuve Clicquot in the Sun x Huskisson Hotel is running until Monday, February 28. To make a booking, head to Husky Pub's website.
When warm weather arrives, the Snowy Mountains transform into an adventurer's playground. Lakes you wouldn't dip a toe into during winter become dazzling, sun-kissed visions, perfect for windsurfing, sailing and fishing. Walking, cycling and horse riding trails buried in snow thaw out, allowing you to wander through twisted snow gum forests, across wildflower meadows and along majestic mountain ridges, surrounded by incredible panoramas. Here are ten ways to spend time in the Snowies during the warmer months — from paddling the legendary Snowy River to catching trout in Lake Eucumbene to camping by tranquil Thredbo River. [caption id="attachment_659671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WINDSURFING AND SAILING ON LAKE JINDABYNE Whether you're completely new to windsurfing or a seasoned expert, peaceful Lake Jindabyne, one of the highest lakes in Australia, offers escapades a-plenty. Winds are pretty steady (yet gentle) and there's not too much traffic, so you don't have to continually stress about bumping into someone else. What's more, the mountainous scenery is stunning. There's a bunch of windsurfer hire spots about, including Sacred Ride and Snowy Mountains Holidays. Alternatively, you could consider a sailboat. If you're looking for fellow sailors, check out Lake Jindabyne Sailing Club, which runs a busy program from November to March. [caption id="attachment_659673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jon Armstrong / Destination NSW.[/caption] PADDLING THE SNOWY RIVER Starting on Mount Kosciuszko's slopes and flowing into the Bass Strait in Victoria, the Snowy River's 352 kilometres provide ample opportunities for paddling. That said, there are rapids and tight spots a-plenty, so, unless you're experienced, it could be a good idea to find a guide. Alpine River Adventures runs adventurous, yet suitable for newbies day trips and multi-day expeditions through the ancient Byadbo Wilderness. Expect to meet platypuses and brumbies, to journey through steep gorges and to rush down grade-three rapids. [caption id="attachment_661863" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] HORSE RIDING IN THREDBO VALLEY Unencumbered by snow, Thredbo Valley is a picturesque garden of pretty snow gums, towering mountain gums and open plains, with the wild Thredbo River running through. To find out what The Man from Snowy River was all about, experience it from a horse's back. Thredbo Valley Horse Riding has been running trail rides since 1993. For a taster, book a one or two-hour ride, or to spend a bit longer in the saddle, go for a half-day adventure. All rides include gear and basic instruction. If you're interested in a multi-day trip, get in touch with Cochran Horse Treks. CAMPING ON THREDBO RIVER It is, of course, possible to camp in the snow, but you've got to be tough and well-prepared. In the warmer months, pitching a tent is a lot more comfortable. There are stacks of stunning campgrounds in the Snowies and one of the loveliest is Thredbo Diggings. Perched right on Thredbo River, this gorgeous spot surrounds you with snow gums, backdropped by mountain ranges. Spend your days lazing about, going for dips, trying your luck at fly fishing and strolling or cycling on the Thredbo Valley Track. If you're in need of a nightcap, Wild Brumby distillery's warming schnapps, made with local fruit, are just up the road. Another camping option along Thredbo River is Ngargio Campground. [caption id="attachment_661864" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] TROUT FISHING AT LAKE EUCUMBENE You won't have any trouble finding a spot to throw in a line at Lake Eucumbene; it's the biggest lake of the many created by the Snowy Hydro scheme. At full capacity, it's nine times the size of Sydney Harbour and 30 metres deep on average. Plus, a total of 145 kilometres of shoreline gives you lots of room to explore. Before getting started, be sure to pick up a NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, usually available at servos and caravan parks. If you don't feel confident fishing on your own, then consider a visit to Eucumbene Trout Farm, where gear and guidance are provided, as is a barbecue for a post-fishing feast. VISITING A WATERFALL There are several waterfalls in the Snowies that'll capture your imagination. One of the easiest to access is found along a walking track that leaves from Kosciuszko Education Centre, about 12 kilometres west of Jindabyne. The six-kilometre loop passes through an impressive diversity of scenery, from heathland dotted with wildflowers to giant granite boulders to mature gum trees. Keep an eye out for echidnas, wallabies and kangaroos along the way. When you reach the waterfall, be sure to wander onto the viewing platform for some beautiful sights. [caption id="attachment_659669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Sinclair / Destination NSW.[/caption] CYCLING COOMA TRAILS On the outskirts of Cooma lie 80 hectares of land known as North Ridge Reserve. Speckled with granite boulders, basket grass and bright wildflowers, including native bluebells, everlasting daisies and black anther flax lilies, it's a great spot for mountain bike riding. There's a variety of trails, offering something for everyone, from beginners to pros. And, if you're not keen on cycling, you can always walk. Whichever way you travel, the views are breathtaking — over Cooma, east towards the coast and west towards the Snowy Mountains. If you're looking for a coffee or a bite to eat in Cooma afterwards, head to The Lott Food Store. [caption id="attachment_659675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WALKING THROUGH YARRANGOBILLY CAVES The oldest of these limestone spectacles, found in the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park, was formed millions of years ago. Several are accessible by self-guided tour, including the biggest, South Glory, where a 500-metre trail passes vast chambers like the dazzling white Ice Age Chamber, stunning rock formations and a natural skylight 55 metres above the ground. Other caves to check out include Jillabenan, covered in delicate cave coral, stalactites and helictites, as well as Jersey Cave, whose extraordinary grey and black flowstone was created by bushfires thousands of years ago. Round out your visit with a swim in Yarrangobilly thermal pool, which is a toasty 27 degree celsius all year round. [caption id="attachment_658614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Facebook / Heli Fun.[/caption] TAKING A SCENIC FLIGHT IN A HELICOPTER Regardless of whether you've skied, snowboarded, hiked, cycled or paddled the Snowy Mountains, a scenic flight will give you a whole new perspective. Heli Fun will take you soaring above Australia's highest peaks, including Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Townsend and the Ramshead Ranges — make sure you look out for wild brumbies and familiar landmarks, such as Thredbo ski fields as you're flying high. Choose between 30-minute and 60-minute trips or a speedy ten-minute swoop over Lake Jindabyne. For an even more exciting adventure, book a wilderness picnic. Your pilot will take you on a one-hour jaunt, before leaving you in the middle of nowhere with a gourmet picnic and bottle of sparkling. [caption id="attachment_659674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] GOING WINE (AND BEER AND SCHNAPPS) TASTING The Snowies' wines might not be as well known as those of the Yarra Valley or McLaren Vale, but there's no shortage of decent drops to try. If you're into beer, get started at Kosciuszko Brewery at the Banjo Paterson Inn in Jindabyne. From there, head to Snowy Vineyard Estate in Dalgety, where Dalgety Brewing Company serves up a variety of ales, including pale, golden and red, as well as a selection of wines. On the other side of the mountain lies Tumbarumba cool climate wine region, which specialises in chardonnay and pinot noir. It's easy to spend an afternoon in the lush, Italy-inspired grounds of Tumbarumba Wine Escape and Courabyra is worth a visit, too. Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from jam-packed adventures to culinary excursions and so much more.
Sydney Airport's next public art installation is a colourful reminder of Australia's roots, in a place where cultures and people from all across the globe converge daily. The work United Neytions by Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore will set a pretty striking scene, hung from the 17-metre-high ceiling of T1 International Terminal's Marketplace. Featuring 28 distinctive flags to represent the diversity of our country's Aboriginal cultures, the piece was chosen by The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Sydney Airport for their latest art commission, edging out works from seven other leading Aussie artists. According to MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, the work, by "one of our nation's most important contemporary artists", is a fitting one to be shared with the 15 million passengers that flow through this part of the airport annually. "Archie Moore has approached this exciting opportunity with great flair and his visually striking installation will no doubt intrigue, engage and capture the imagination of the millions of passengers passing through the airport's International terminal every year," she said. Moore himself explained that the flags would help draw attention "to the histories, voices and presence of local Indigenous people on which land the airport – an international zone/'no man's land' – lies, but also the passages of cultures, pasts, territories, ages and cultural knowledges that airports foster." United Neytions is set to be completed and unveiled at Sydney Airport in 2018.
This post is presented by the All New Toyota Corolla Sedan. There's plenty of fun to be had in this city each week, but there's only a small handful of truly fresh urban adventures to be had. We've partnered with Toyota to bring you a series showcasing the very best of these shiny-new experiences in Sydney. Presented by the All New Toyota Corolla Sedan, these are our picks to put you on the road to a lifetime of goodtimes. Now your only challenge is getting to them all. This week, we recommend the New Zealand trip you don't have to fly to, the yacht club to call your own, the most stylish crab races this decade and the strange fairground on Sydney's Heritage island. Eat: Seawall Walsh Bay may be a swish city playground waiting to happen, but it's not there yet. The just-opened Seawall Bar and Restaurant — with its deck stretching to the water's edge, yacht club style — is one vote of confidence for the spot. Executive chef James Watson has designed a suitably seafood-focused menu, with Bondi Hardware's Dion Green rattling the pans day to day. Drinks there come from UK Bartender of the Year, Kieran Bailey (Sugar Lounge, Manly), who puts a twist on classics from Britain, the Amalfi Coast and the Caribbean (perhaps because that would be a good route for your fantasy yacht to take). For now, this looks like one harbourside spot where you can escape the crowds and practise being a real person of leisure. Shop 6/17 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Drink: Urban Vineyard For the first week of April, The Winery in Surry Hills will be tranformed into a mini-Queenstown. There’ll be an alpine-esque makeover, passionate producers and a handpicked selection of wines and gastronomic specialties. As well as a series of dinners and Wine 101 wine school, the Break Out Menu will be available all week, showcasing Amisfield Bistro head chef Jay Sherwood's signature creations, matched with wine from several Central Otago wineries, including Amisfield, Mount Edward, Gibbston Valley, Two Paddocks, Peregrine and Valli. The Winery , 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills See: 19th Biennale of Sydney Right now on Cockatoo Island, there is a ghost train running through the Dog Leg Tunnel. A ghost train (!) running through the Dog Leg Tunnel (!!). That's because the 19th Biennale of Sydney is on, and artists are wonderful people who like to realise those amorphous desires that we all have deep down but can't give expression to alone. This is a Biennale that really gets Sydney's obsession with Cockatoo Island, which now looks like something of a Heritage-listed fun park. And that's just one of five venues that have been put to inspiring use during the festival. March 21 to June 9, various locations. Do: Crab Carnival at the Morrison Enjoy the festivities of the Morrison's inaugural Crab Carnival (a successor to last year's Oyster Festival). What would a carnival be without the games? Each Thursday for the duration of the Crab Carnival, the Morrison will hold hermit crab races at 7pm. If you're more in the market for eating crab, face off against the chefs in their crab eating contest. The entry fee is $20 and all profits from the contest will go to the SeaLife Conservation Fund. Look out for all the crab menu specials — including $5 crab tacos — and crab-inspired cocktails. April 1-13, The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room, 225 George Street, Sydney
The northern beaches aren't famous for their burgeoning art scene. Not yet, anyway. Enter Fifty-One: it's a monthly event founded with the purpose of uniting creatives on the northern beaches and developing the art scene. Promising pizza, beer, music, local art, and plenty of people with whom you can hold an interesting discussion, there are huge things that can be expected of Fifty-One. December's Fifty One: Havana Nights donates its proceeds towards Cuban surf-charity Royal 70. Surf + philanthropy might seem like a strange combination, but it's an approach that's already been successfully mooted by Aussies abroad elsewhere in Latin America. Art support this month comes from the likes of Paul Rodger and Jimi May, while Lime Cordiale cover the music front.
Ever thought that your childhood toys defined who you've become as an adult? Photographer Richard Hedger's Toy with Me is a new body of work exploring the intricacies of that notion. In a series of intriguing portraits, Hedger portrays people from all walks of life — such as Tom Ballard, Brendan Maclean and Alex Greenwich — through the toys of their past. It's an invitation for audiences to visually match each toy with its significant other, while reflecting on the debate around the increasingly gendered presentation of toys. Want more Mardi Gras events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
There's escaping the city for an afternoon, and then there's driving 20 minutes down a dirt road to a secluded river and hopping into a canoe. In this canoe, it's quiet, very still. The Kangaroo Valley's bushland surrounds you, ascending on either side of the waterway, creating a landscape that's punctuated only by the occasional kingfisher flapping by or a solitary trout breaking the surface with a small splash. And I haven't even mentioned the best bit: this canoe is filled with wine. And snacks. So as you're floating down the river — minimal paddling is necessary — you'll be able to pop a bottle of local sparkling and tuck into a few canapés. Maybe you'll try a glass of top-notch sparkling Riesling from Mittagong's Artemis Wines and a yabby roll with native lime mayo supplied by The Loch in nearby Berrima. As you might have guessed, this isn't an ordinary off-you-go oar-bearing experience. This one is part of WildFEST, a new three-day celebration of the food, drink and wilderness of NSW's Southern Highlands. Led by experienced paddler Travis Frenay, the Canoes, Champagne and Canapés experience will lead you along the Kangaroo River in a custom-built double canoe, through the sunken forest and past a convict-built sandstone wall. Travis has an insane amount of knowledge on the area and will be able to answer pretty much anything you throw at him. There will be three sessions a day (9am, noon and 3pm) on October 27, 28 and 29. The whole thing sets off from Beehive Point and takes around two to three hours. Prices are on the heftier side at $195 each, but includes all food, wine and equipment. Plus, this part of the Valley isn't highly accessible for people without their own gear, so it's a great (and bloody delightful) way to explore the area on the water. Note: if weather conditions suggest your rusty old sedan won't make it there and back, the organisers may provide transport down the dirt road. But if it's dry, you're all good. It's part of the adventure.
Imagine you only see one film this year (because of e.g. extreme electricity rationing, extreme ADHD, etc). You'd want to make it one that would blow your freaking mind. So take some advice from sad parallel universe you and, in a year where you'll probably see many films, make one of them Upstream Color, the dreamy feature that emphatically puts paid to the idea that there are only seven (or nine, or twelve) stories in fiction. Upstream Color is only the second movie from writer/director Shane Carruth, whose indie time travel headspin Primer won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2004 and a cult following soon after. The many fans of that film have since been hankering for another dose of Carruth's signature style. (If it seems unlikely a one-film wonder could have a 'signature style', you have not seen Primer.) However, it turns out festival success does not a Hollywood career ensure, and after some upsets (his much-talked-about feature A Topiary never came to fruition), Upstream Color finally exists in the world, having been written, directed, produced, shot, scored, edited and acted in by Carruth himself. The guy is a lesson in self-sufficiency. This gorgeous, unknowable, deeply affecting film makes Primer look almost conventional, given time travel is a genre filmgoers know a little something of. If Upstream Color had a genre, it'd be something like 'biological art sci-fi'. It starts with a worm. A worm found in the roots of a rare orchid stocked at an ordinary nursery. One of the nursery's customers (Thiago Martins) distills the worm into a drug, which we see, taken recreationally, allows its users to connect telepathically. This man, however, uses it to drug young professional Kris (Amy Seimetz) at a club, and through a complex process of manipulation lasting a week, rob her of her tangible assets. When Kris comes to, the worm is still in her body, wriggling about. Soon enough, a man (Andrew Sensenig) using infrasound lures her to a field, where he removes the worm from her body — and transfers it into a pig. In this world, or any other, a person does not bounce back from the experience lightly. Years later and convinced she's suffering a mental illness, Kris is still trying to piece her life back together. A man she connects with on the train, Jeff (Carruth), might be her shot at a real relationship. Meanwhile, Kris's pig goes back to life in its sty under the watch of the infrasound/surgery man, who also seems to indulge a sideline in field recording. Upstream Color is all this, but it's also not this. The effect is all in the way the story is layered, the way it cuts between these seemingly separate ecosystems, and the sensuous, organic cinematography throughout. It's not abstract — it is meticulously, concretely plotted — and yet the telling of it is open-ended and deliberately foggy as remnants of a dream. It moves like poetry but has the shape of quantum physics, conveying the beauty and pain of fate, as shaped by chance. It's a film you desperately want to piece together, and yet you know that piecing it together is not the point. (Though Carruth will spell it out for you if you want, and it won't disappoint a la Richard Kelly on Donnie Darko.) Sam Adams of the AV Club argues that we're mistaken in holding up puzzle-box movies with that perfect twist, like Memento or The Usual Suspects, as a cinematic holy grail when the rewards of a film like Upstream Color are greater, and he's right. You might solve the puzzle but it will open to reveal another. You might solve the puzzle but find the value was in the pieces. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SilYsr_3vrA
On Thursday nights, Yulli's Brews in Alexandria transforms into a jazz den with the arrival of the Tilly Street Trio. Long-time friend of the Yulli's team, Tilly sings jazz standards, accompanied by her two loyal band members. You can usually count on a surprise guest or two, too. Tilly gets started at 6.30pm and finishes up two or three sets later. In between listening to her smooth vocals, taste your way through Yulli's own drops, from the Norman Australian Ale to the Margot Dry Apple Cider. Meanwhile, the food menu is completely vegan. Start with steamed miso cabbage dumplings, before moving onto gyros, which comes in four varieties: The Australian, The Greek, The Korean and The Vietnamese.
This performance includes a local octogenarian couple still adorably in love, jelly-like lilo seating, and a trip into the belly of a whale. You're totally sold on it already, right? Fortunately, The Moment I Saw You I Knew I Could Love You seems to live up to its promise, with Lyn Gardner of the Guardian giving the show four stars, saying, "There is something immensely wistful about a piece that demonstrates that we are merely chemical compounds, and yet also shows us how to discover equilibrium." Creators Leslie Hill and Helen Paris from UK company Curious have worked with filmmaker Andrew Kotting, composer Graeme Miller, and chanteuse Claudia Barton to combine film, live performance, soundscape, and installation in unexpected ways, coming up with something truly special. It comes to Sydney as part of the Sydney Festival's About an Hour program of short, sharp works for $35 a pop. Read our list of the 12 best things to see at the Sydney Festival in 2013.
While some of us don't mind waiting around for a really good meal, not everyone wants to spend their evening glaring down diners as they sip and chew in slow motion and take an eternity to leave. With some of Sydney's top restaurants, such as Restaurant Hubert, operating under a strict no-reservations policy (for less than six), the question remains, how much do you really want that charred bavette steak, slathered in melty café de Paris butter, or that quivering egg custard with bitter caramel sauce? If you're not prepared to put your name on a clipboard and your hunger on hold, check out our list of emergency back-up plans, to help save your night.
The premise of Between Two Ferns couldn't be more simple. Zach Galifianakis interviews other famous folks, all while sitting in the middle of two leafy plants. Staged to look like a no-budget community television show, it's purposefully silly and surreal, whether Galifianakis is nattering with Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. Starting off as a short film, then becoming one of Funny or Die's hit webseries over the past decade, the wholly improvised show satirises the Hollywood publicity machine by making fun of the polished promotional chats that are so common whenever a big star has a new movie or TV series to plug. In its latest incarnation, Between Two Ferns will jump on another trend, turning its anarchic antics into a Netflix film. If you're wondering just how the Between Two Ferns concept can sustain a whole movie, there's a story to go with it. Embarrassed by the viral mockery he received when Will Ferrell uploaded his original series, Galifianakis — well, the show's version of Galifianakis — tries to track down a heap of celebrities in attempt to restore his reputation. That involves hitting the road, sitting down with everyone from Paul Rudd to Keanu Reeves and Tessa Thompson, and even momentarily killing Matthew McConaughey. Calling Jon Hamm an idiot and getting propositioned by Chrissy Teigen are also on the agenda. The list of high-profile figures making an appearance goes on — and includes Brie Larson, Peter Dinklage, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Letterman, Adam Scott, John Cho, Chance the Rapper and Rashida Jones. Based on the just-dropped trailer, all of the above folks are in for a rather ridiculous experience — as are Netflix viewers, too. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjljgkCQv5c&feature=youtu.be Between Two Ferns: The Movie hits Netflix on September 20. Image: Adam Rose.
Navigating Australia's vaccine rollout hasn't been easy or straightforward throughout 2021 so far, thanks to changing messages around who can get jabbed and when, as well as the Federal Government's frequently shifting plans and timeframes. And, when it's your turn to roll up your sleeves, booking in isn't always simple either — especially if you're looking for a Pfizer appointment. Every state has their own booking system, although residents in New South Wales are first directed to the Federal Government's online vaccine eligibility checker. You answer its questions, and the site then points you in the right direction if you're eligible. Well, it directs you towards a list of individual spots where you can get the jab — state-run hubs and GPs alike — and then leaves you to contact them all and work things out from there. That's not the most efficient or convenient system, which is where new website Covid Queue comes in. Purely directed at Sydneysiders, it aggregates data regarding available vaccination slots at the RPA Hospital, St Vincent Hospital, Sydney Olympic Hub and Westmead Hospital. All you need to do is hop in line — virtually, by pressing a button on the site — and it'll sound a bell when an appointment is available. If you hear one bell, there's a single appointment on offer. If two bells ring, there's two appointments available within three weeks apart. You can then click through to register from there, although it is recommended that you log in to the RPA Hospital, St Vincent Hospital or Sydney Olympic Hub sites beforehand. That way, when you go to book because an appointment has popped up, you'll already have gone through that step. At present, the Pfizer vaccine is available to folks aged between 40–59 years, and to people between 16–39 in certain circumstances. The latter applies if you're from an Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander background; are an NDIS participant, or care for NDIS participants of any age; are pregnant; work in quarantine, health care, aged care, disability care or as a border worker; live in aged care or disability care; or have an underlying medical condition or significant disability — and if you're deemed a critical or high-risk worker because you're employed in defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing. The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for everyone under the age of 60, but Australia's vaccine rollout hasn't reached the stage of jabbing everyone under 40 yet. If you'd like to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, that's recommended for folks over 60 — but it's also open to all ages if you're informed about possible side effects. For more information about Covid Queue, head to the online tool's website.
UPDATE, November 13, 2020: The Front Runner is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and Prime Video. A true tale of scandal on the election trail, The Front Runner is inspired by events from three decades ago. The book that it's based on — non-fiction tome All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid — was published in 2014, while columnist-turned-author Mat Bai started the ball rolling with a profile in 2003. And yet, this is a film blatantly begging to be made in the current political climate. Adultery, cover ups, a media firestorm, and debates about the ethics of news coverage and what's even newsworthy all fill the movie's frames. Sound familiar? When Gary Hart's (Hugh Jackman) private life makes the headlines, with a young woman (Sara Paxton) who isn't his wife (Vera Farmiga) seen leaving his Washington DC townhouse, the US politician's response is simple. He might be the Democratic party's leading contender for the 1988 presidential nomination, but he believes that what happens behind closed doors is nobody's business. He's the young, handsome, idealistic hotshot with a real chance of mobilising the masses — the beloved midwestern senator with real policies and real momentum. He's about as far away as you can get from sitting American president Ronald Reagan and likely Republican candidate George HW Bush, and he's certain that his professional deeds matter more to voters than his personal peccadillos. Call Hart naive, call him optimistic or call his judgement incredibly poor; when first asked about his alleged womanising ways, he even dares one Washington Post reporter (Mamoudou Athie) to follow him around. Whichever description you choose, there's one thing that you can definitely call Hart: caught in interesting times. In the thick of the 80s, JFK's rumoured affairs were old news, Bill Clinton's impeachment was still to come, and everything that Donald Trump has brought to the presidency couldn't have been dreamed up. Forced to fight for his political life as stories keep circulating and reporters keep chasing, Hart's situation proves a time capsule of sorts. Unfaithful politicians are splashed across the news with frequency today, but we no longer live in a world where a highly publicised extramarital affair (or worse) precludes someone from becoming America's commander-in-chief. Is that the right outcome or the wrong one? Without overstating the parallels between then and now, The Front Runner successfully shows just how much has changed. That said, the movie also leans heavily on Hart's chief rebuttal to his attackers — that exposing his indiscretions cheapens political discourse. Initially shot and packaged with jaunty, fast-paced flair reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin's political dramas, or of writer-director Jason Reitman's own Thank You For Smoking and Up In The Air, the film doesn't always find a comfortable position. It wants viewers to condemn the current status quo, feel for Hart, experience the deflating effect the controversy has on his loyal staffers, and realise that, without this incident, history could've been very, very different. They're not always compatible ideas, even in a movie that knows how complicated the scenario is. More than that, they're not always given the depth they need by Reitman, Bai and Jay Carson's screenplay. Never lacking in complexity is Jackman, whose performance is charismatic without being smooth and serious without being sombre. Hart isn't the greatest showman, but rather a great believer in the power of elected office — and someone who believes he should get his chance to ascend to the top job. It's the kind of layered portrayal that hasn't featured on Jackman's resume that often of late. Beyond its leading man, however, The Front Runner is well-served by its entire cast. Paxton is never simply the stereotypical other woman, and nor is Farmiga just the bland, dutiful wife. JK Simmons, alongside Paranormal Activity alum Molly Ephraim, convincingly rides the ups and downs that come with working for the senator. But, worlds away from his work in Patti Cake$ and The Get Down, it's Athie who threatens to steal the show. Playing a young journalist trying to do what's right even when he's told that it's wrong, the actor provides the film's conflicted centre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R-vFH_G0V4
With mountains to the west, beaches to the east and pretty Tuggerah Lake on its doorstep, the little Central Coast town of Wyong has adventures for everyone and every season. Set up home base at the Mercure Koonidah Waters Central Coast and follow our guide to the area. Start your day whale watching from a windswept headland, spend your afternoon horse riding through rolling paddocks and drift into the evening with a dreamy sunset over the Great Dividing Range. Along the way, there's a milk factory-turned-cafe (and pub), an old-school Italian restaurant and a bunch of other eateries to explore. Wyong lies just 80 minutes' north of Sydney, which means you don't have to spend too much of your precious weekend stuck behind the wheel. EAT AND DRINK You'll eat well in Wyong, with restaurants here drawing on fresh produce sourced from the Central Coast and the farms just beyond. But first thing upon arrival, how about starting with coffee? Head to the Milk Factory, on the idyllic banks of Wyong River, a couple of kilometres west of Wyong. Built in 1906, this rather epic property still produces food of the best kind: chocolate and cheese. It's also home to a cafe — where hearty eats include brioche French toast with berries, pecans and maple syrup — as well as a friendly pub. Come back at lunchtime for classics like Wagyu rump or a pulled pork burger with slaw and smoked barbecue sauce, accompanied by a craft brew — be it a Mountain Goat from Melbourne or a Murray's from Port Stephens. Another option is to jump in your car and drive southeast for 20 minutes to Wamberal, where you'll find Lotus Cafe. This airy, sun-filled spot does Toby's Estate coffee and decadent dishes like breakfast coconut panna cotta with mango puree, seasonal fruit and granola. Say yes to a Nutella hot chocolate afterwards — that's the whole point of a winter weekender. By the way, the beach is just a stumble away over the dunes. Back in Wyong, book a table at Osteria A'Mano for dinner. This top-notch Italian restaurant occupies a beautifully restored 1914 building, with original timber floorboards and tiles. Head chef Alessandro Cigola oversees the creation of traditional dishes featuring fresh, premium-quality produce sourced from nearby. Start on duck liver pâté with red wine jelly, sour cherries and pickles, followed by homemade fettuccine with lamb ragu, mint and pecorino. All pastas, breads and desserts are made from scratch, while the featured Italian and Australian wines area all made "the old way". Another option is Karinyas, within the Mercure Kooindah Waters. Here, the emphasis is on simple yet creative combinations, driven by local produce. Think scallops with burnt butter and local macadamia nut sauce and duck breast with cauliflower puree, asparagus and sour cranberry jus. There's also a long, long wine list, big on local drops. The Hunter Valley is just an hour's drive away, after all. DO If there's one surefire, environmentally friendly way to warm up on a cold day, it's got to be a bike ride. The Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway begins just six kilometres from Wyong in Chittaway Bay then follows the foreshore for a peaceful 12 kilometres before reaching The Entrance. Don't have your own bike? Hire from a self-service station — there's one at The Entrance visitor's centre on Marine Parade. Once you've conquered that, your next stop is Crackneck Lookout on the coast, around 20 minutes' drive southeast of Wyong. Anytime between May and August is ideal for whale watching. Moreover, this spot doubles as a stop along the three-kilometre Coast Walking Track, which stretches to Bateau Bay in the north and Forresters Beach in the south. Meanwhile, on Wyong's inland side lie vast expanses of state forest, conservation area and national park. Among them is the TreeTops adventure park in Ourimbah State Forest, where you can ride the world's longest roller coaster zip line, a one-kilometre adrenaline rush at canopy level. There are also three high ropes courses, covering more than 100 obstacles, from ladders and bridges to tunnels and cargo nets. For scenery, the Watagan Mountains — around an hour's drive north — are particularly spectacular; immerse yourself in rainforest on the Circuit Walk or valley views at Monkey Face Lookout. Alternatively, if you're keen to get in the saddle, then give Peppercorn Park a call. The good folks there will happily take you on a trail ride around the stunning property, just ten minutes' north of Wyong, in Jilliby. Adventures begin at $70 for a 90-minute beginner's journey, and lessons and overnight treks are available, too. SLEEP To surround yourself with nature without resorting to a tent — book a sleepover at Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast, a golf resort and spa encircled by wetlands and bush. If you're travelling in solo or duo mode, sleep over in a King Room; if you're with buddies, there are one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all of which come with golf-course views. The resort also knows how to settle in for the winter — they provide giant Jenga (and other board games), which you can enjoy on the terrace while toasting equally oversized marshmallows made by the chef in-house. Mulled wine or Baileys-infused hot chocolate complete the winter idyll. Don't forget to make the most of the facilities. Among them, you'll find two pools, tennis courts, a gym, barbecues and a day spa. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in Wyong, and to discover more of regional NSW, swing by Visit NSW.
If we're to believe any film about pirates, famous shipwrecks or Pixar fish, there are a lot of secret treasures to be found on the ocean floor. But surely, none as grand as this. English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has just laid to rest one of his finest works in the Bahamas. Measuring in at over 5 metres tall and weighing a whopping 60 tonnes, this enormous and serene lady is officially the world's largest underwater sculpture. Though it's hard to imagine that dumping 60 tonnes of foreign material in the ocean can be a good thing, this work, entitled Ocean Atlas, actually doubles as an artificial reef for marine life. The sculpture is made of long-lasting, pH-neutral marine cement and was created in consultation with the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation. "[The work shows] the vital role the local community and especially the younger generation have in conserving the islands' natural resources," said the artist. The artwork's name makes similar allusions to such environmental responsibilities. In Greek mythology, Atlas was condemned to hold the sky on his shoulders — an idea beautifully represented in the hunched female figure just below water level. As the tide draws in and out, locals are reminded of her constant watchful presence off their coastline. Though Sydney in particular is familiar with sculptures by the sea, the idea of underwater sculpture is a bit of a novelty for us. But this artist has been pioneering the concept for nearly ten years; he now has hundreds of sculptures to be found all over the world's most idyllic beaches. His underwater sculpture park in Mexico even features over 400 life-size works — a glorious incentive to take diving lessons. 'Ocean Atlas', on the other hand, is a special case. She is so large she in fact had to be lowered into the ocean in separate portions. Being face to face with this work would be a completely unique experience. Even more so as she gathers spooky seaweed and marine life. Don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us. We're booking flights to the Bahamas and stocking up on snorkelling gear ASAP. Via Forbes and Daily Mail. Photos via Jason de Caires Taylor.
Remember the Pokémon Go phase? What a time in millennial history. And while you may not see hordes of people playing it in your local park these days, fans need not despair. Because Pokémon is coming back to you in real life. Three years after the game temporarily took over the world, a pop-up bar decked out in everything Pokemon is hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this year. We don't have specific details, like the when and where of it, but can tell you to expect everything to do with the franchise: Pokéball-shaped burgers, as well as games, themed cocktails and prizes. The bars will supposedly be divided into seven regions and each session will includes two hours of 'hunting, battling and catching time' — we're interested to see how that will be interpreted. You can complete all regions to be the ultimate winner, where we suppose you might win one of the aforementioned Pokémon prizes. There will also be prizes for the best dressed and a DJ spinning tracks. The nitty gritty of it all, though, is yet to be revealed. Will you be playing on the app, or will you have to find Pokémons in a scavenger hunt? Does anyone still actually play Pokémon Go? The mystery is yet to be solved, but you may want to start rounding up your old catching team. We don't know dates for this one, but you can be the first to know when tickets are available by signing to the mailing list. The event comes from the same group that have previously announced a Simpsons-themed Flaming Moe's tavern and a Harry Potter-themed Cauldron Bar. While neither of these events have actually happened — even though the Cauldron Bar initially scheduled for last month — organisers have told Concrete Playground that they are trying to find the perfect venues for the bars, and both of them are still "in the pipeline". The Pokébar should hit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane later this year. Tickets will be $35 for a two-hour session. They're not yet on sale, but you can register here.
There are few things more exciting for fellow foodies or experienced home-entertainers than walking into a delicatessen — a retail space designated for foods that are hard to come by and special in their own way. Foods that are delicacies, as the name implies. Whether you're after a grazing platter for your next dinner party or searching for some easy-to-pack goods to take down to the beach for a picnic, delis are an important go-to one-stop-shop. From tinned martinis made in Sydney to marinated octopus imported from Spain, read on for the best delis Sydney has to offer.
Few individuals cut to the heart of American society with the same degree of wit or insight as author Gore Vidal. And for a man who once said, "there is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise," he didn't have much humility about it either. Highly outspoken on all the issues you're never meant to talk about — sex, politics, religion — and capable of savaging conservatives with either his pen or acid tongue, Vidal was one of America's foremost public intellectuals, until his passing in 2012 at the age of 86. A friend of Vidal's nephew, Burr Steers, Australian-born filmmaker Nicholas Wrathall first sat down to interview Vidal in 2005, laying the foundations for what would eventually become the documentary Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia. In anticipation of the film's release at Melbourne's Cinema Nova, we spoke with Wrathall about the making of the film and his impressions of the man himself. MEETING VIDAL "I really started to taking notice of Gore again after 9/11," says Wrathall. "I was living in New York, during that horrible chaos, and Gore was one of the only people in the media landscape who seemed to be speaking sensibly to how the US should be reacting, and speaking out against the drumbeats to war and the media propaganda and the Bush administration's rush into the Middle East." "Then a few years after that, in 2004, I had the opportunity to meet him in LA in a casual way with Burr and the family," Wrathall continues. "One of the first conversations I had with him was actually about Australian politics. He was very interested in an update in what was going on in Australia, and was asking me for an update on Bob Carr … I didn't realise at the time that he was actually friends with Bob, and also knew Gough Whitlam quite well. That was probably one of the bonding conversations where I gained his trust a little bit, in that it was something that I could actually speak intelligently to." Certainly, one wouldn't want to look stupid in front Vidal. "You can be quite out of your depth with Gore in a serious conversation," says Wrathall. "It can be very intimidating. He certainly doesn't suffer fools. But he's also very generous, and loves to inform, and share his knowledge and experience. So he's very kind, in my experience, especially to younger people... you wouldn't want to get into an argument with him though." MASTER OF THE MEDIA Famous for saying he never missed a chance "to have sex or appear on television," part of Gore's rise to prominence, Wrathall asserts, came from his ability to play to the camera. "He really knew how to work the media," says Wrathall. "He was always being interviewed and being invited on talk shows, and because of his humour and his wit, I think he was a great guest for someone like Johnny Carson or Dick Cavett to have on dick their show. "He loved to push the envelope, and say the things that other people might think, but wouldn't dare to say. He was very outspoken. I think you can see in a lot of the clips [in the film] from the 50s and 60s that many of the things that he said were ahead of their time … he was a great guest in the media landscape at the time, which was maybe less afraid, and less conservative than it is today, and was willing to have these sorts of public debates and issue-based conversations more openly." POLITICS AND POWER Vidal was never shy about his opinions, particularly when it came to politics. "I think he was very pragmatic," says Wrathall. "He was brought up a lot by his grandfather, who was a senator, and a great orator himself. He had people like [Senator] Huey Long coming to his house for dinner, and he'd see their conversations. And then he'd take his grandfather to the senate the next day, and he'd see the same speech that Huey had rehearsed at the dinner table on the senate floor. So he realised that there was a lot of showmanship, and a lot of strategy … He was very clued into that even as a teenager. He came to politics, and to writing about politics, in a very informed way. And that's really his power." Of the current administration, Wrathall believed Vidal had "great hope," but that he also "measured that hope," because "in reality, there are so many compromises that had to made to get to that position". Perhaps Vidal put it best himself when he said that "any American who is prepared to run for President should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so." Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia opens at Cinema Nova on March 6.
Facade at Artereal Gallery will feature current and past artists in residence at Parramatta Artists Studios, an important space set up to nurture the new generation of creatives. Tackling the divide between interior and exterior are artists Liam Benson, Linda Brescia, John Spiteri, Hossein Ghaemi, Leahlani Johnson, Mason Kimber and Tom Polo. Each artist will explore how meaning is concealed, constructed and obstructed. This group exhibition will represent a versatile range of art practices, from Tom Polo’s ceramic conversation piece through to Linda Brescia’s uncanny painted body suits. On the whole, it’s an enticing curatorial vision and a solid lineup of talent.
It was once a thriving hospitality empire with giant doughnuts on seemingly every corner, pink-hued ice cream parlours slinging hip hop-themed desserts, over-the-top cakes tempting tastebuds, and everything from luxe hotels to cruisy bars lining the streets (and sometimes the same block) of Brisbane. And, as far as those round, doughy iced sweet treats were concerned, Damian Griffiths' footprints spread right throughout Sydney and Melbourne too. Now, however, the mogul's string of businesses have faltered. Given how prominent Doughnut Time's heaving presence proved across the east coast — rapidly expanding to 30 locations in the three years between 2015 and 2017, plus its own food truck at one point — the brand's demise has been impossible to miss. After a tumultuous few months, where its pastel green-coloured hole-in-the-wall outlets once littered Brissie, Sydney and Melbourne's streets, empty stores painted stark white now sit. But Doughnut Time is just the tip of the iceberg — Griffiths has been caught up in bankruptcy proceedings, liquidation, attempted sales and more since late 2017. Hundreds have lost their jobs (some reportedly without payment) and there's been a huge cloud of uncertainty around what this means for the slew of venues that operate under Griffiths' name, particularly in Brisbane. If you're wondering what the situation means for some of your former favourites, here's a rundown. DOUGHNUT TIME The doughnut chain has been splashed across the headlines in recent weeks, and for good reason. Reports include failing to pay staff, breaching rental contracts and racking up huge debts, which ultimately led to a potential sale to former Doughnut Time CEO Dan Strachotta. When that fell through, the company went into liquidation and promptly closed all of its stores. There's now no salvaging the business — as reported by the ABC, liquidator Michael Caspaney has noted that "there is no money anywhere". Staff owed backpay and superannuation can seek compensation through the Australian Government's Fair Entitlements Guarantee, but only if they're an Australian citizen or permanent resident. MISTER FITZ While Doughnut Time has monopolised attention of late, Mister Fitz's apparent demise has flown under the radar — but visit one of its three former Brisbane sites and you'll find empty stores. Indeed, East Brisbane has been closed for at least a month, pre-dating the shuttering of Doughnut Time next door. Over at South Bank, where it also shared space with Doughnut Time, a sign advises "our lease has ended and we are planning bigger and better things." And, at the original Mister Fitz site in the Valley, a sign states "we are taking a little holiday while we undergo renovations" — with the confusing addition of "but don't worry, you can still find us at South Bank". LES BUBBLES Opening in 2015, Les Bubbles courted controversy from the outset. When you launch a bar and steakhouse in a site that was once Bubbles Bathhouse, a seedy underground casino and 'massage parlour' back in the late 80s, then you're clearly asking for attention. The Wickham Street joint got it — not just via its neon sign announcing "we regret to inform you we are no longer a brothel", but courtesy of a wind-up application from the ATO in November 2017, then administration this year. At present, it's still trading, after being sold to a business owned by Strachotta last year. CHESTER STREET BAKERY Les Bubbles wasn't the only Griffiths business in trouble in 2017. Around the same time that the ATO was pursuing the Valley joint, Chester Street Bakery was collapsing. The Griffiths-owned KTG Bakeries went under in November, with CSB's once-bustling Newstead store now sitting empty — with not a towering, rainbow-coloured piece of cake in sight. THE LIMES The original jewel in Griffith's hospitality crown, The Limes is up for sale, under the instruction of the receivers charged with managing the business at present. Expressions of interest close in April, but this isn't the first time it's been in this position, with an attempted sell-off in 2015 failing to come to fruition. The Limes is currently still taking bookings. ALFRED & CONSTANCE Alfred & Constance is also up for sale — separately from The Limes, but under the same instructions — with expressions of interest also closing in April. The Valley hangout has also garnered news headlines in the past few months after unexpectedly shutting up shop over the Christmas period, and failing to open for a planned New Year's Eve party, despite selling tickets (and not even bothering to notify patrons). Amidst questions about the venue's future given Griffiths' situation, it reopened in February and continues to trade. On-site restaurants Kwan Bros and Alf's Place remain closed, however. A&C and Kwan Bros have also been put up for sale previously, back in 2016.
The Snowy Mountains has long attracted snow bunnies from across the state, nation and even oceans to play. Though these days the area is buzzing with much more than skiing fresh powder to entertain you. Whether you've never so much as seen snow before, or are a seasoned pro, there's plenty to taste, see and do when you're not flying down the slopes. A big draw card during the winter season is the Snowtunes music festival, returning to Jindabyne this year to host an epic snowy weekend. The breathtaking lakeside town of less than 3000 people is set to explode with music from a swag of Australian and international artists. Unzip your puffer jacket and warm up to some fiery sets from Gang of Youths, Safia, Tigerlily, Mashd N Kutcher, Klingande, Royal and Skeggs — just to name a few. This is not a drill; if you're looking to see this winter out dancing it up to some electro tunes, surrounded by some pretty stunning snowy vistas, you'll want to mark this one in your diary for the first weekend of September. The two-day music festival is just the tip of the 'snowberg', if you will. We've partnered with Destination NSW to bring you a Snowy Mountains getaway cheat sheet, so before, after and between sets, you can pack in as many snowbound activities as possible. [caption id="attachment_632818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK From your road trip to the snow and into the wee hours of après ski, the Snowy Mountains region has a bustling food scene that'll keep you going. Make your first stop Ingelara Farm Truck. This bright blue food truck sits just outside of Bredbo and caters to all your stop, revive, survive needs from coffee to homemade sourdough. And once you've settled in The Snowies, there's plenty more tasty goodies to discover for all budgets. Take a culinary journey down the Alpine Way running between Jindabyne and Thredbo. Stop by award-winning Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery Door and Café for a free tasting of their wide array of schnapps — our picks are the butterscotch and spicy devil's tongue — and stay for the hearty Euro-inspired meals like German smoked sausages, the schnitzel burger and Austrian beef gulasch. Next stop along the way is Crackenback Farm Restaurant. If you splurge anywhere, make it here. The French farmhouse-style cuisine is best enjoyed leisurely by the fireside. And make sure to save room for dessert, because the hot chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream and marinated mandarins will crack even the most seasoned dessert connoisseur. [caption id="attachment_633133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Crackenback Farm.[/caption] If you're based Thredbo village way, take a tour through the brimming offering of eateries, bars, pubs and even a nightclub. Stop by Central 2526 for their dumplings of the day, or wander up to The Denman Hotel for the fanciest cocktails in town. Looking for a mid-ski refuel? The classic drive-thru's got nothing on Eagles Nest. Ski in and out of Australia's highest restaurant perched 1937 metres above Thredbo at the top of Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. The show-stopping 270-degree view pairs nicely with some hearty classics such as a rather generous parmigiana schnitzel, loaded waffles and a cold German beer. DO Of course, a trip to NSW's snow capital wouldn't be complete without a bit of shredding — they don't call it 'Shredbo' for nothing. Whether you prefer one plank or two, investing in lessons for those just starting out or even those in need of a refresher will definitely pay dividends. Thredbo runs two-hour group lessons three times a day at Friday Flat. You'll find solidarity in your fellow students as five-year-olds fly past you down the mountain. Many locals and visitors alike have not ventured beyond the resorts into the surreal wilderness, but K7 Adventures opens this world up with their snowshoeing tours leaving from Thredbo resort. On a clear day, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views across the valley. On a snowy day, the hike across fresh snow is well worth the unexpected beauty of snowy gums and staggering rock formations that emerge from the white silence. You'll feel like you've just discovered frozen Atlantis. K7 also hosts cross-country skiing, photography and ice climbing tours. After carving up the slopes, or just making some casual snow angels, slip on your après-ski boots and get ready for the evening's entertainment at Snowtunes. If you're feeling extra celebratory, opt for one of their sweet package deals like the Snow Worries. As the name suggestions, the festival legends organise it all for you, including a two-day admission ticket, express entry, return bus from Central Station in Sydney to Jindabye, accommodation and brekkie at the Snowy Valley River Inn. You'll be sorted for a full weekend in the snow, without a care to dampen those spirits. And finally, a tough day playing in the snow or burning up the dance floor is sure to take it out of you, so the Lake Crackenback Spa & Wellness Centre is the chilled-out cherry on top of an action packed weekend. Book into a facial, massage or go all in with a spa special like their Winter Day package that sees you massaged, exfoliated and completely relaxed. Go on, you've earned it. STAY To fully immerse yourself in alpine luxury, check in to Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa nestled at the foot of the mountains on the edge of Kosciusko National Park. The striking lake view apartments and mountain view chalets cater up to seven mates, while the expansive grounds are a playground for wildlife and visitors alike. Greet the day with the local kangaroos, try your hand at archery in the afternoon, take a dip in the indoor heated pool pre-dinner, then grab a pizza to-go for some in-room dining with a view from Alpine Larder or dine at onsite Cuisine Restaurant & Bar right on the edge of the lake. The resort also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the Skitube that connects you via rail to Perisher and Blue Cow. It's also only a 20-minute drive along the picturesque road to Thredbo village. Alternatively, you have the option of staying in one of the several ski-in, ski-out chalets on the fields. The big four resorts – Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort – all offer a huge array of accommodation for all budgets. Though, many of the best value spots can be found in Jindabyne. Round up your nearest and dearest to rent one of the many large guesthouses there. For a splashy stay, split the bill with sixteen mates and enjoy large, private entertainment areas, fancy tubs and open fireplaces. And for a no frills kind of stay, try The Banjo Patterson Inn and take advantage of their pool table, the onsite Kosciusko Brewery and an energetic Tuesday night trivia. Head to the snow to eat, drink and play, then hit the dance floor at Snowtunes, taking place September 1 and 2.
It's one of Sydney's most anticipated restaurant openings of the year — and now, bookings are officially open for Rick Stein at Coogee Beach. The new Australian flagship from Rick and Sarah Stein will welcome its first guests on Monday, December 1, bringing the legendary British chef's world-famous seafood to one of the city's most beloved stretches of sand. Set within the soon-to-open InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the restaurant marks the beginning of a new coastal chapter for the Steins. Much like their restaurants in Mollymook and Port Stephens, this seaside dining room will celebrate the best of Australia's coastal produce — but this time, the setting is quintessential Sydney luxe. Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Colin Chun, who brings more than two decades of experience in top hotel kitchens across Australia and Asia, including leadership roles at Hilton Sydney, the Pullman and W Taipei. A longtime admirer of Stein's philosophy of "fresh seafood, simply prepared", Chun brings a refined, produce-driven approach to the table. While menu details are still under wraps, diners can expect a showcase of local and seasonal seafood from New South Wales and beyond, paired with coastal-inspired cocktails and a wine list made for long lunches and sunset sessions. The 224-seat space comprises a main dining room, courtyard terrace and relaxed bar, designed to reflect Coogee's breezy mix of sophistication and surfside charm. "Sydney's Coogee Beach is the perfect location for our flagship Australian restaurant," says Stein. "It's relaxed yet sophisticated, with that incredible connection to the ocean that has always inspired my cooking. For us, this feels like coming home." Rick Stein at Coogee Beach opens on Monday, December 1, at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. For more details and to make a reservation, head to the venue's website.
The Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street is known for a few things, but most arguably this strip of Sydney is famous for all things queer. Fabulous drag queens tottering into Stonewall and the rainbow pedestrian behind Taylor Square. And, of course, Mardi Gras. Also in this colourful corner of Sydney, you'll find The Bookshop Darlinghurst: a specialty store dedicated to LGBTQI+ literature and film. You may well have passed this little shopfront before, with the rainbow flag or a saucy book cover catching your eye. It's been around for over 35 years and has played an integral role in Sydney's queer community and culture. The Bookshop is jam-packed, stocking everything from books to calendars, magazines and DVDs. Whether you're here for the Priscilla Queen of The Desert DVD, some erotica, a calendar or a good read — Call Me by Your Name, Holding the Man and Benjamin Law's recent Growing Up Queer in Australia, for example — this bookshop's got it all.
When winter rolls around, it can be mighty tempting to just spend the entire season holed up at home in front of the telly. But we did enough of that last winter. This year, it's all about getting out and exploring everything our country has to offer in the cooler months. Roasting marshmallows in front of an open fire. Foraging for truffles, then enjoying your spoils in a decadent long lunch. And escaping the outdoor chill in one of the country's best art galleries. You'll find all this — and much more — in Canberra this season. We're here to help you carve out your ideal winter itinerary to the capital city. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Whatever happens to Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) at Nevermore Academy in the second season of the Netflix series that bears her name, she'll be back at school afterwards. Before the sophomore run of the streaming hit begins dropping episodes from August 2025 — splitting season two into two parts, with the first arriving on Wednesday, August 6, then the second batch on Wednesday, September 3 —Wednesday has already been renewed for season three. Of course, all things Addams Family have been delighting audiences for almost 90 years, with the first-ever cartoon panel featuring the creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky brood published in 1938. Following a lineup of other TV shows between the 60s and the 90s, as well as a range of films — live-action and animated alike in both cases — the first season of Netflix's take on the clan became and remains the most-viewed English-language series of all time on the streamer. As for when season three will hit and what's in store, details are unsurprisingly scarce given that season two hasn't yet premiered. "Our goal for season three is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can," Alfred Gough, one of the series' co-creators and showrunner alongside Miles Millar, told Netflix's Tudum. "We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday, added Millar. "We will be seeing more Addams family members and learning more family secrets in season three." The pair, who also penned Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — and are clearly fond of working with the filmmaker, since he's also behind Wednesday, including as both a director and an executive producer — are already promising to expand the Addams crew in season two. Enter Joanna Lumley (Amandaland) as Hester Frump, Wednesday's grandmother, for instance. In the show's second season, its black-clad protagonist is back at Nevermore Academy and being heralded as a hero thanks to her efforts in season one. Wednesday is characteristically unimpressed by the attention, the trailers so far illustrate. Soon, her focus is elsewhere, however, thanks to a premonition of her roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie) coming to a grave end, with Wednesday determined to do whatever she can to stop that from happening. Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) are also among the series' new cast additions in season two, while Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History), Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) and Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) are back as Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley — plus Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago. Among its fresh faces, Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) are also onboard — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, though — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's been talk of a spinoff about the character. Check out the full trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. We'll update you with more details about season three when they're announced. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan and Jonathan Hession/Netflix © 2025.
Becoming something of a tradition around this time of year, Sydney Restaurant Group is kicking off its winter campaign by offering up to 50 percent off set menus at eight of its most popular restaurants. Slashing prices from Sunday, June 1–Sunday, August 31, now is the perfect time to get the crew together for a long overdue catch-up that leaves considerably more in your wallet. Up first, Postino Osterio's standout sharing menu is available for lunch and dinner on Monday–Friday for $59 per person. Think thinly sliced Blackmore wagyu tonnato, kingfish crudo, homemade egg linguini with charcoal-grilled Morton Bay bug, and beef cheek with bone marrow and pepper puree. Next, luxe waterside spot Ormeggio at The Spit is taking 50 percent off its Tribute to Australian Produce Menu, featuring a five-course feast and snacks. It's available every lunch and dinner until Monday, July 14, with reduced slots beyond this date. Over at Ripples Chowder Bay, its modern Australian cuisine will taste even more special after ordering a three-course set menu plus sides for $59 per person. Plus, it gets bonus points for a priceless harbourside view. Available for dinner Wednesday–Sunday and lunch Monday–Friday, you're welcome to BYO for $16 per bottle. For extra savings, sister venue Ripples Little Manly has three courses and sides for $49, served for lunch from Friday–Sunday and dinner from Thursday–Saturday. In Balmain, The Fenwick's historic stone building and old-world wood beams will house a three-course set menu plus sides for $59 per person. Get down for lunch on Monday–Friday or make a dinner reservation on Sunday–Friday. Then, from its perch above Elouera Beach, Summer Salt's three-course feed offers a rotating lineup of tantalising options, like wild mushroom ragu, crispy pork belly and handmade burrata. With BYO available for $16 per bottle, book for lunch or dinner on Tuesday–Sunday. When cosy Italian cuisine is the vibe, Noi has got you covered in Petersham. They're also serving a three-course set menu, including a side with your main, for $59 per person. Available across all services, BYO is $15 per bottle. Lastly, Chiosco by Ormeggio is making winter that much better with a premium four-course sharing menu plus bread for $59. This offering is available on weekdays for lunch and dinner, but just note that the venue is closed for renos from Monday, June 30–Thursday, July 17. Sydney Restaurant Group's winter discounts run from Sunday, June 1–Sunday, August 31 at various venues across Sydney. Terms and conditions apply — head to the website for more information.
Solar power helps save the world and is one of the easiest renewable energy sources to tap, and now you can source it from the comfort of your own home, office and even on a plane. Designers Kyuho Song and Bao Oh have created the Window Socket, a plug socket that harnesses solar energy to charge your appliances. Just attach it to any window that receives sunlight using the suction plate, and the solar panels on its rear will start collecting energy from the sun, which is then transformed into electrical energy via an in-built converter, which is then stored on an internal battery for immediate or later use. The socket takes 5-8 hours to charge completely and will last up to ten hours once fully charged. The greatest thing about the Window Socket is that it was designed for portability to allow electronic accessibility everywhere. So once charged you can carry it on the move and rejuvenate the iPod in your bag or take business outside and power your laptop in the park. This revolutionary technology is an evolution of pre-existing solar battery backup technology and will transform the accessibility of solar power for everyday users. However, the product is still in its concept phase, with the designers wanting to further improve its storage capacity and product efficiency before placing it on the market, so keep an eye out. [Via PSFK]
Hailing from Western Australia, Pond will perform in Sydney from their newly released Beard Wives Denim album. The trio — Joseph Ryan, Nick Allbrook and Jay Watson — have recorded three previous albums and held shows around Australia and Japan. They have supported MGMT and performed at the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Now it is time for their label debut; Beard Wives Denim was released on Modular this past March. Recorded at a friend's farmhouse and mixed by Tame Impala (Kevin Parker), the album is best described as psychedelic rock, with elements of '70s funk and glam styles. Make sure to check it out before the band heads off on their American tour.
Keeping the romance alive can be difficult when your girlfriend is thousands of miles away and sometimes phonecalls, frequent visits and even video chat don't cut it. But Walter C. May has officially upped the ante on romantic gestures with this viral love letter. With his roommates, who just happen to be a band called the Daylights, May wrote a song called "I Hope This Gets To You", filmed silvery hands coming together to form faces that mouth the lyrics and unleashed it upon the Interwebs. It's already been tweeted by Katy Perry. May is hoping this video reaches his girlfriend, who's on the other side of the country at grad school, solely through the power of the viral internet, because he wants to show his lady that they "can feel close without having to be close every day." All together now: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EjgtxVxE14A [via Gizmodo]
Sydney Festival 2012 may have wrapped up on Sunday, but you can still catch a number of Concrete Playground's highlights — all presented in conjunction with Sydney's theatre companies — on stages around town for the next few weeks. These are the top five shows worth grappling for tickets to. 1. I'm Your Man (Belvoir) The most surprising thing about this Sydney Festival show is that we love it despite its not-so-palatable subject, boxing. But this documentary theatre work immerses you in the world of a boxing gym that has more depth than you would have thought it could possibly contain. Knockout. 2. Thyestes (Belvoir and The Hayloft Project) Simon Stone and his stellar collaborators have been nice enough to bring Thyestes up from Melbourne so we could see what all the fuss was about. Turns out this thoroughly modernised version of the Greek tragedy that birthed all other Greek tragedies is brilliant, a true shock and a joy to watch. 3. The Boys (Griffin Theatre) This revisit of a past classic is as devastating as it feels real, and nightmarish in its intensity. The Sprague brothers, headed by the fresh-out-of-jail Brett, head out to enact their vendetta against women. 4. A History of Everything (STC and Ontroerend Goed) Fast, kinetic and incredibly thoughtful theatre from these Aussie-Belgian collaborators. Their careening ride through the history of human society, organic life, tectonic shifts and the birth and expansion of the universe takes you to some amazing places. 5. Never Did Me Any Harm (Sydney Theatre Company and Force Majeure) Think your parents messed you up? Share in stories of child-rearing and suburban life that are alternately painful and amusing, infuriating and touching in this powerful dance theatre work.
Next up at Gaffa Gallery is Chindia, a group exhibition exploring the multiplicity of migrant identities in Australia. Showcasing six artists with Chinese and Indian heritage working across various disciplines, the show explores a complex array of themes including politics, displacement, performance, folklore, colonial legacy, violence, diaspora histories and issues of cultural and national identity. Featuring work from Anindita Banerjee, Anurendra Jegadeva, Guo Jian, Lilian Lai, Lucy Wang and Texta Queen alongside short films, Chindia invites its audience to share in the inspirations, motivations and family stories of the artists and performers involved, whilst asking what the lessons learnt mean for the future. Gallery manager and show curator Kimberley Peel explains the exhibition "aims to increase community engagement and participation to create an inclusive, culturally rich, diverse and vibrant society" by both increasing the visibility of migrant artist communities and providing a forum for them to engage with one another creatively. A short run from February 15–26 — don't miss out. Image: Anurendra Jegadeva, Migrant Altar, 2012, Oil on canvas with mounted painted objects, 132 cm x 122 cm with 122 cm x 46 cm. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.
When Yours and Owls announced that it wasn't going ahead in 2024, joining the long list of music festivals scrapping plans for this year, it thankfully only put its fun on hold for a year. Returning in 2025 was always the intention, and now that big comeback has dates. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2. Yours and Owls didn't completely sit 2024 out, however. Earlier in October, it held a pre-party, aka the event you put on when you can't put on the full festival experience at your usual time of the year because it doesn't work for your headliners' calendars. So, a tunes-filled shindig still took over the University of Wollongong campus — complete with Golden Features, Peking Duk, Alice Ivy, Anna Lunoe and more — to keep things warm for next year. [caption id="attachment_965220" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] There's no word yet as to who'll be taking to the stage when Yours and Owls starts autumn 2025 in the best possible way, but organisers have advised to expect details soon. It's been a rollercoaster ride of a few years for the fest. It only turned into its new site in 2023 after it was forced to cancel in 2022 when La Niña flooded its Stuart Park venue. Affectionately labelled 'Gong Christmas', Yours and Owls moved to UOW as part of the fest and university's three-year partnership, with the all-weather solutions available at the campus cited as one of the driving factors behind the team-up — plus the uni's picturesque green spaces and a mutual commitment towards carbon-emission reduction. [caption id="attachment_906428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Gleeson[/caption] 2023's Yours and Owls featured Oliver Tree, Chet Faker and Descendents, and also Hilltop Hoods, Earl Sweatshirt, Golden Features, Ocean Alley, Flight Facilities and Pendulum — so expect 2025's fest to be worth waiting for. Confirmation that the event will be back next year follows locked in details for the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 for a heap of fellow festivals, such as Laneway, Golden Plains, Bluesfest (for the last time), Wildlands, Good Things, Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Meredith. [caption id="attachment_906426" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ruby Bowland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_906427" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] Yours and Owls will return to Wollongong on Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2, 2025. Head to the festival website for more details.
If a group of contemporary artists took over Hobbyco, it might look like this. Walk through the narrow gap between the boom gates at Casula Powerhouse and you’ll find five model railways that have been reimagined in fantastical ways. The Infinite Everything by Claire Thackway and Gregory Hodge is a baroque-inspired installation built from paper cut-outs. Bursting with bright patterns, this miniature landscape is full of people caught in motion. From dancers to bathers, there is something quite joyous about these acrobatic figures. There also seems to be a focus on different cultural communities. Bringing together their distinct painterly styles, Thackway’s figurative work weaves in and out of Hodge’s kaleidoscopic swirls. These fluid brushstrokes are nicely paired with the rolling motion of the train. There is an unfathomable amount of detail in Emily Hunt's Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence. Everything is textured with busy fingerprints. Filled with little shrines and Aztec-inspired totems, the lush wilderness holds a pseudo-religiosity. Hunt uses found materials in her work, picking up the pieces of modern waste — it's a recycled utopia of sorts. The only self-portrait in the exhibition belongs to Owen Leong, who has chiselled his face into a mountain. Away from the sunny optimism of Thackway and Hodge, this work is dark and decadent. The mountain is made from black glitter and the little train carriages are filled with rose quartz. There is a pool of white salt that seems to be funnelling into a stalactite — or an inverted mountain — shining underneath the table. Like a lump of treasure in the shadows, there is something enticing about the symmetry of this work. Jaki Middleton and David Lawrey's Time Trap is also on the darker side of things. Their “ghost train” travels on an ultraviolet ribbon of light through a dark trench that resembles a decaying Australian countryside. Unlike Hunt’s environment, these artists envision a somewhat dystopian future. Due to mechanical difficulties, not all trains were operational during my visit. A bit disappointing but not entirely unexpected, these issues will probably be ironed out. On the whole, this exhibition is pretty damn delightful. The artists preserve the delicacy of the traditional model railway but colour it with their own form of social critique or self-examination. You can and should take the train out to Casula for a sight sure to please big and small.
Within Darling Square's stunning new food complex lies a haven for all things brewed, distilled and made in small, limited batches: Bucket Boys. Having established their roots in Marrickville in the form of a bottle shop before expanding to a bar, then adding a co-op bottle-o in a Petersham pub to their belts, the boys behind Sydney's craft beer go-to are now in the city. You'll find this is not your run of the mill watering hole. The bar has 20 taps, each pouring wonderful and 'weird' beers, from a locally brewed raspberry and guava gose to ales, porters, the occasion Belgian brew and a range of BB's own attempts. Not a beer drinker? You'll also find specialty, natural wines and small-batch spirits aplenty. If you're just passing through and looking to pick up a six-pack (or few), the adjoining bottle-o is just as impressive as the bar. It more closely resembles a sort of art gallery for alcohol, and houses just about everything a new-age drinker could ask for. Sours, saisons and stouts? Of course. Limited runs of Tasmanian gin and wine on skins? You bet. Aussie and Kiwi craft brews are extensively represented as are wines (including BB's own) and spirits, with a carefully selected bunch of international alcohols also available. Basically anything BB deems worthy (which may as well be doctrine) has made it onto the shelves. Images: Kimberley Low
Back in simpler times, say about 30 years ago, it felt like every special occasion was topped off with a slice of Viennetta. Call it nostalgia, but this frozen treat seemed like the height of culinary indulgence, at least compared to the usual scoop of the most generic Neapolitan ice cream imaginable. However, things have changed in the world of dessert, especially since serious ice creameries like Gelato Messina hit the big time. Now that most of us have somewhat higher expectations when it comes to rounding out our meals, inspired creations like the Milo Messinetta offer a throwback bite with a lot more quality. Conceived as the ultimate Aussie summer dessert — and playing on the once-loved Viennetta — the experts at Messina have teamed up with the malt-based favourite to serve a reimagined frozen dessert featuring Milo gelato layered with Milo fudge and chunks of baked Milo cheesecake, finished with Milo crème chantilly. As malty as it sounds, the Milo Messinetta is available for pre-order online from Tuesday, October 14, or for pick up in stores from Friday, October 17–Sunday, October 19. For those seeking even more Messina-Milo goodness, the crew has also whipped up a decadent Milo Dinosaur Sundae for its Keng Eng Kee collaboration.
Ever since Sex and the City wormed its way into our collective subconscious, brunch has been synonymous with getting boozy. And Luke Mangan knows it. This year, Brunch of Fun is coming back to his Waterloo restaurant Mojo, and it's sweeter than ever. On Sunday, April 23, Mangan is bringing together some big foodie names for a brunch that would even make Samantha blush, including Insta-famous baker Andres Fatso and the ballers from N2 Extreme Gelato and Black Star Pastry. On the menu you'll find brunch delicacies aplenty to line your stomach such as sweet treats from the above stallholders and burgers from Mangan's own Chicken Confidential. You'll be able to wash it down with coffee, juices, cocktails and a selection of wines. Those of you who really, really love brunch can buy a seat at a five-course bottomless brunch (tickets are $75) to be held at the same time. It will also featuring endless free-flowing sparkling and mimosas. Trade Weet-Bix for champers? Fabulous.
Sent to gay conversion camp after being caught with another girl on prom night, Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz) lies on the ground with one of her fellow campers. They're taking part in a class exercise, but when Cameron doesn't express herself in the way that's expected, she's accused of being hostile. More than that, she's told that by remaining more reserved than her classmates — by simply being who she is — that she's attacking everyone around her. While hardly one of The Miseducation of Cameron Post's most dramatic moments, the scene perfectly encapsulates the antagonism that is often directed towards the queer community just for existing. Adapting the applauded novel of the same name and earning the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival for its efforts, The Miseducation of Cameron Post deploys the tactics mentioned above on several occasions. The film includes scenes that appear ordinary within the narrative, and don't always stand out when the end credits roll, yet still speak to something broader. In another example, Cameron peels potatoes in the camp kitchen. The 4 Non Blondes hit 'What's Up?' starts playing on the radio, and Cameron begins to sing along. She's timid at first, but as the song continues — complete with a chorus that screams "what's going on?", as well as lines about praying for a revolution — her enthusiasm grows. In specific scenes and in its overall mood, The Miseducation of Cameron Post is compassionate and sensitive — not to the concept of gay conversion therapy, but to teens who are chastised for deviating from society's narrow idea of normality. Focusing on 16-year-old Cameron, the film explores the struggles faced by those packed off to the strict God's Promise facility as they're lectured about gender confusion and instructed to bury their urges. Under the watchful eyes of Dr. Lydia Marsh (Jennifer Ehle) and her supposedly saved brother (John Gallagher Jr.), attendees are taught how to be more stereotypically feminine or masculine. Girls are pushed away from sports, and guys with long locks are given haircuts. Unsurprisingly, Cameron is far from happy to be there, although she has like-minded company in the world-weary Jane (Sasha Lane) and the thoughtful Adam (Forrest Goodluck). While her film is set in the 90s, writer-director Desiree Akhavan wades into topical territory with her follow-up to 2014 comedy Appropriate Behaviour. It's timely, too, with The Miseducation of Cameron Post the first of two high-profile titles about gay conversion heading to screens before the year is out. (The second, Boy Erased, stars Lady Bird's Lucas Hedges, with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as his parents.) That said, it's not the movie's subject matter that makes it revolutionary, but its approach. Although it details a horrendous practice, this is a quiet film. It's not sharply subversive like the similarly themed But I'm a Cheerleader from 1999, and it doesn't need to be. Rather, with a big heart and some well-deployed low-key humour, The Miseducation of Cameron Post demonstrates unshakeable strength and defiance — just as its eponymous figure does when she's torn in multiple directions by her feelings, yet refuses to submit to anyone else's ideas about her sexuality or identity. It's little wonder, then, that Akhavan rarely takes the camera away from Moretz's face. When you're making a movie that's so steeped in the emotions of its protagonist, that's an understandable choice. Given that Moretz turns in a performance that's more nuanced and textured than anything else across her career, it's doubly so. The Miseducation of Cameron Post also finds ample time for the excellent Lane and Goodluck, who ensure that their supporting players feel exceptionally well-rounded. It gives other figures their small but important moments too, fleshing out the myriad of ways that places such as God's Promise can do damage. But whether Akhavan is rendering the picture's frames in muted tones that match Cameron's reserved personality, or simply capturing the pain flickering across Moretz's brow, she always adopts her lead character's perspective. This is a movie that gazes with the young woman at its centre, and strives to convey her experience in difficult circumstances, instead of merely looking at her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6yPs5Nayog
We all love a good day trip, but when it comes to experiencing the wintry delights of a powder-covered ski resort, it's hard to beat an overnight stay right there atop the mountain. Clicking on those skis in the morning, opening the front door and launching straight into the thrill (or perhaps spill) of it all is a pretty sweet deal. Minimal travel time, maximum snow. So, we've rounded up a few of NSW's best on-snow stays, to help take your next winter escape to a whole new level. From luxury mountain lodges, to private self-contained chalets, here are eight ski-in ski-out stays you can book right now. NSW's latest COVID-19 restrictions allow regional travel within the state from June 1. While all NSW ski resorts are preparing to reopen as soon as possible, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said that they may need a little time to put COVID plans into place so you should get in touch before visiting. That said, this year's ski trip will look a little different to usual, as resorts and operators strive to meet current public health protocol, with limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings set to continue. SMIGGINS HOTEL, PERISHER Gently sloped and protected from the weather, Perisher's Smiggin Holes village is a favourite for beginner snow-trippers. And Smiggins Hotel is located right there at its centre, offering a whole range of top-notch ski-in ski-out accommodation options. It's a modern resort set-up, based just metres away from all the area's chair lifts and t-bars — simply coast out the front door and straight into a choose-your-own-ski-adventure each day. There's a variety of hotel rooms and chalet apartments to suit different groups, while the onsite snow sport school and hire shop will have you mountain-ready, without stepping foot outside of the hotel. Plus, the newly renovated hotel deck is ready and primed for apres-ski sessions around the fire pit. NUMBANANGA LODGE, PERISHER Owned and operated by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, this self-contained six-sleeper lodge offers the full snow experience, sitting pretty on the outskirts of Smiggin Holes. With ski-in ski-out access, it's mere metres away from the village's assorted ski lifts, lessons and hire joints, so you can get up and at 'em within minutes of cruising out the front door. Numbananga Lodge is also primed for group snow adventures, featuring three cosy bedrooms and a fully-kitted kitchen. And if you are after a night on the town, simply hop on your board or skis and glide over to suss out the village's many apres-ski options. Following the government's easing of travel restrictions, NPWS is working towards reopening its accommodation and visitor services. Many sites are set to become available from June 1, with the booking system expected to reopen in the days prior. Check out the website for updates. [caption id="attachment_771410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] KOSCIUSZKO CHALET HOTEL, CHARLOTTE PASS As Australia's highest snow resort, Perisher's smaller neighbour Charlotte Pass is a winning option for snow bunnies keen to feel on top of the world. And the 90-year-old Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel is one of its most popular ski-in ski-out stays, offering killer views, loads of history and a ripper location close to the village's chair lifts. Comfy rooms overlook either the valley or the mountain, and when the day is done, you'll find a whole collection of onsite bars and eateries for those apres-ski activities — including a cocktail bar complete with roaring fire. Keep an eye on the calendar, too, for regular gigs, bingo sessions and trivia nights. [caption id="attachment_771411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SNOWBIRD LODGE, CHARLOTTE PASS Handily located for those embracing the less hectic pace of Charlotte Pass village, Snowbird Lodge is a quaint ski-in ski-out retreat within eyeshot of the ski lifts. This one's a relaxed, rustic set-up, with a range of heated ensuite rooms overlooking the white curves of the valley. Though for even better panoramas, check out the sprawling top-floor common room, with central log fire and nightly party vibes. Meanwhile, the licensed dining room will keep you well fuelled for all those on-snow adventures, kicking off with a classic English-style breakfast each morning. And sore muscles are in for a treat, too, with a spa and sauna housed right onsite. SKI IN SKI OUT CHALETS, THREDBO With a name like that, there's really no doubting it. Ski In Ski Out's sleek chalets boast some prime real estate, located right amongst the action of Thredbo Village. We're talking, smack bang on the Supertrail and offering dreamy views across the snow-topped gum trees. There are 25 luxury chalets to choose from, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms. And, while they don't come cheap, they sure will save you time when it comes to getting up the mountain each day. The accommodation's decked out stylishly and for maximum cosiness — think, wood fireplaces, high-end bath products and even the odd private jacuzzi, which you'll be able to jump into just minutes after cruising in from the slopes. RIVER INN, THREDBO A win for novice snow-trippers especially, River Inn is Thredbo's only ski-in ski-out hotel, handily positioned within stumbling distance of Friday Flat — a dedicated beginner-friendly area. It's also perched right beside the Gunbarrel chair lift, so you're primed to beat the crowds and be among the first on the slopes each morning. Here, there's a range of different ensuite rooms to suit various group sizes, with daily breakfast included the rate. After a big day carving up the mountain, you can look forward to a soak in the hotel's heated spa. Or, head straight to the Bavarian-themed restaurant to warm up over a hearty feed and a few beers. BARRAKEE SKI LODGE, PERISHER Just a 50-metre glide from the North Perisher t-bar, you'll find the cosy escape of Barrakee Ski Lodge — a popular ski-in ski-out stay with over 50 years under its belt. It's comfy and modern, with a range of different room options and plenty of stunning white mountain greeting you from out the window each morning. The lodge has its own sauna, bar and games room for kicking back after a day on the slopes, as well as a cranking log fire cosying up the communal lounge each night. And you won't need to venture anywhere else to get your culinary fix — Barrakee's onsite restaurant is helmed by a former personal chef to the Prime Minister of Australia. TAMBAROORA SKI CLUB, PERISHER A picture-perfect, self-contained lodge sitting right in the heart of Perisher Valley, cosy Tambaroora Ski Club is the kind of ski-in ski-out accommodation you'll want to snap up quick for your next group snow trip. It sleeps six and is hidden among the trees, with a front door that opens right onto the slopes and an enviable location just a quick cruise from the Perisher Quad Express chair lift. The Ski Tube rail terminal is also just a few hundred metres away, for those who've parked off-snow. Inside, the chalet's set up with a full kitchen ideal for post-ski cook-ups, and while there's no TV or wifi, you've got your pick of board games to keep your crew entertained beside the lounge heater each night.
The impression I had of The Spectacular Now before seeing it was that it was another teen movie about a cool guy falling in love with a dorky girl — but this time genuine and refreshing. 'Not possible!', thought I, as I anticipated counting off all the ways that the film failed. Cool guys and dorky girls don't mix, and if they do, Hollywood filmmakers cannot be counted on to explain it. Now I'm forced to eat my words. The Spectacular Now definitely is that genuine and refreshing take on the cool-guy-falls-in-love-with-the-dorky-girl story. It succeeds by focusing secondarily on the romance, and primarily on the shambolic and troubled life of its protagonist, Sutter Keeley (Miles Teller). Sutter is cool not because he's a jock, a leader, a looker or a bully — he's just the most fun. He and his girlfriend, Cassidy (Brie Larsen), are the life of every party. And that's in good part because Sutter has no self-worth, no ambition and knows how to drink without cessation. The Spectacular Now is unique in its portrait of what alcoholism can look like in adolescence, beyond the usual hysteria over binge drinking. Cassidy leaves Sutter when she realises that, even though their chemistry is the stuff of legend, she wants more out of life. Sutter then meets Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley, last seen in The Descendants) — a quiet, swotty girl whose interests include manga and French club (the type who's going to own the college campus soon enough) — when she finds him passed out on a neighbour's lawn in the wee hours. Remember, Sutter is good and fun; he has no ulterior motive for hanging out with Aimee afterwards, besides that he likes her company. But, aided by his inebriation and her infatuation, that friendship quickly escalates. The Spectacular Now has ten times the nuance and complexity of the previous film from the writing duo of Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, (500) Days of Summer. It might be that they had strong source material in the book by Tim Tharp, or that they've simply matured as writers. The Spectacular Now is a standout achievement that makes you care for its characters and leaves you with plenty to think about afterwards. It's true the character of Aimee is sidelined, but she's not just a cipher; she's a multidimensional character who is only known to us through Sutter's eyes, because he's who the film is really about. The relationship between the two characters is strong, interesting and believable, with their complicated mothers being a particular source of commonality. Woodley and Teller really help to sell the roles with their incredible performances. "When you look at her, you really see her," Sutter tells his buddy at the halfway point of the movie, and much the same can be said of the two actors. They add so much depth with their mere presence. The Spectacular Now is a beautiful surprise package. High school has never looked so worth revisiting. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wceaLzbtuDY
