Whether its Pappa Rich's nasi lemak burger or Betty's Burgers' prawn roll, limited-edition sandos are an easy way to have some fun with your menu, and Sydneysiders love when a local favourite pulls together an inventive new creation between two buns. The latest spot to mix things up in the burger world is Nashville-style fried chicken chain Super Nash Brothers who are bringing an outlandish Barbacue Shapes-flavoured burger to their three Sydney stores and to Deliveroo. The Super Shapes Sando takes the basics of the Nash Brothers' popular Super Nash Sando and adds the nostalgic flavour of Arnott's beloved snack. On the burger, you'll find a super-crispy fried chicken thigh, first seasoned in the Super Nash Brothers secret breading before it's deep-fried and then completed with a healthy amount of Barbecue Shapes-inspired seasoning. From there, it's joined by slices of pineapples and a tangy tomato and onion relish. The burger can be ordered solo or in a combo, which comes with chips, a Shapes-flavoured chicken tender, a drink and a sachet of Shapes seasoning which you can add to your chips. "Nostalgia is a big part of our vibe at Super Nash Brothers so we're super pumped to be working with such an iconic brand and flavour," Founder and CEO at Super Nash Brothers Ross Kemp said. The limited-edition burger is available at Super Nash Brothers Waterloo, Waitara and Willoughby, and can be ordered for delivery via Deliveroo. If you want to get your hands on one, you'll have to act fast. It's only available for the next six days, between Tuesday, September 20 and Sunday, September 25. The Super Shapes Sando is available in-store from Super Nash Brothers at 503 Wiloughby Road, Willoughby, 29 Amelia Street, Waterloo and 22 Waitara Avenue, Waitara, or via Deliveroo.
Last September, John Malkovich took time off from being John Malkovich to be Everyone Else for a change. Shot by Sandro Miller in Los Angeles, the highly publicised series of photographs dubbed Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich recreated some of the most iconic portraits in recent history — from John and Yoko to Che Guevara, Dorothea Lange's Migrant Woman to Andres Serrano's Piss Christ. And now the series is coming to Sydney as part of this year's Head On Photo Festival (running May 1 - 31), showing at Darlinghurst's Black Eye Gallery from April 28 - May 5. Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich is just the tip of the iceberg for Head On. The photography festival will showcase works from local and international photographers in over 50 featured exhibitions across Sydney, running from May 1–31. There's some pretty diverse exhibitions at the new Head On Festival Hub at Sydney Lower Town Hall. There's Georges Pacheco’s exhibition, Amalthée, which takes cues from Italian and Dutch renaissance painting to look at the universal and timeless act of breastfeeding. There's also Sydney-based photographer Nic Bezzina's show Cam Girls, which consists of screen grabs from 'Cam Girl' websites — where women enact instructed sexual fantasies via webcam. There are retrospectives aplenty this year too. Internationally acclaimed photographer Emmanuel Angelicas has a retrospective detailing his 45 years of documenting Marrickville's often overlooked residents, and portrait photographer to the stars George Fetting will also delve into years of shooting the likes of Buzz Aldrin, Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Spike Milligan, Lee Lin Chin, Marcel Marceau, Barry Humphries, Ralph Fiennes, Billy Idol and many more.
Summer, glorious summer: we spend all year waiting for the perfect weather and a respite from the responsibilities of everyday life but, too often, the holidays pass us by without any noteworthy adventures. No longer. To help you take full advantage of this summer break, we've teamed up with Expedia to select five destinations that are guaranteed to take your holidays from average to exceptional. Each location is less than a nine-hour flight from Sydney — perfect for a cheeky little trip — you'll be soaking up the good life in exotic surroundings before you know it. Because we know that you're all just as into food as we are, we've hunted down somewhere to eat once you get there, from fine dining, to cafe and street food and waterside restaurants. Happy adventuring. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND FLIGHT TIME: THREE HOURS Overlooked by many tourists who rush onwards to the North Island's more famous landscapes, Auckland is something of a hidden gem. There are waterfront vistas that give Sydney a run for its money, world-class restaurants and a burgeoning art scene all to be explored. Book at room at the colourful boutique Hotel DeBrett and start your visit with a wander around Viaduct Harbour, a glittering precinct with numerous bars and restaurants offering gorgeous views over the harbour. With its acclaimed seafood dishes, Euro is a particular highlight. For your culture fix, head to the Auckland Art Gallery, home to over 15,000 works by Māori, Pacific Island, and international artists. Pop into the gallery cafe for delicious pastries and coffee served in a bright, airy space. Still hungry? If you're in town during a weekend, don't miss French-inspired farmers market La Cigale, where you can gorge yourself silly on a selection of cheeses, pastries, artisanal bread and other delicacies. Next, it's time to get outdoors. No visit to Auckland is complete without a trek up one of the city's 53 volcanic peaks. Mount Eden is a favourite for its jaw-dropping crater and sweeping views over the city. For a unique beach experience, head to the western shore, where black sand beaches are flanked by dramatic cliffs and dunes. More of a classic white sand/emerald waters person? Catch a 40-minute ferry to stunning Waiheke Island. The retreat of choice for Auckland's affluent types, the island is also home to dozens of world-class wineries (try the secluded Te Whau for its delicious blends and award-winning restaurant). EAT: KAZUYA Auckland's legendary Japanese restaurant Kazuya is not something to miss. At this fine dining establishment the waiters wear white gloves. Try the signature dish 'Texture' — 30 different types of vegetables, from tiny shavings of baby beetroot to exquisite mustard greens and perfectly cooked, bright green broccoli. Check out Concrete Playground Auckland for an entire city's worth of more handy eating, drinking and playing tips. [caption id="attachment_580107" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Levi Morsy.[/caption] BALI, INDONESIA FLIGHT TIME: SIX HOURS With its lush landscapes, gorgeous beaches, rich culture, and relative affordability, it's not surprising that Bali is on practically every Aussie's bucket list. Plus, the paradisiacal island offers something for everyone: from the party animal to the surf bum to the yogi. If it's nightlife you're after, skip overdone Kuta and head to still busy but less saturated Seminyak. Hang out at Ku De Ta, an upscale restaurant and bar that morphs into a club in the evenings or catch a live gig at Potato Head bar. If it's gourmet eats you want, Seminyak's buzzing foodie scene offers endless options. Two standouts are Sardine, where oh-so-fresh seafood is served in a bamboo structure overlooking emerald rice paddies, and Barbacoa, a South American joint with stunning decor. More of a beach type? Don't miss Uluwatu, an area famous for its pristine beaches, amazing surf, and awe-inspiring sunsets. Grab your board and spend the day riding world-class surf breaks, or simply grab a book and a cocktail and while the afternoon away on the sand. Keen to create your own version of Eat, Pray, Love (stay with us)? Then Ubud is the place for you. Bali's cultural heart offers yoga and meditation studios aplenty, and has spas on practically every street corner. Our pick is Putri Bali Spa, which offers an insanely affordable five-hour package that will leave you glowing. Book your visit just before you hop on the plane, and you'll return to Sydney entirely blissed out. EAT: DAMAI This poolside restaurant serves award-winning cuisine using local Balinese ingredients, many of which are grown in the restaurant's kitchen garden. Meat and shellfish come from the villa's boutique farm, and eggs and poultry are gathered from locals. Book a room in the accompanying, stunning villa and treat yourself. SUVA, FIJI FLIGHT TIME: SEVEN HOURS With dazzling sand, crystal clear waters, and palm trees at every turn, there's almost no better place than Fiji for a beach-heavy holiday (plus, your Instagram photos are guaranteed to make your mates cry with envy). Composed of 333 islands, choosing where to spend your time in Fiji will be the hardest part of your holiday. We suggest you start with Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island and home to the nation's capital city, Suva. Filled with striking colonial architecture, temples, mosques, and museums, this is the perfect place to get your culture fix before heading to the beach. If you're in town on a Saturday morning, don't miss the municipal market for a heady taste of local life and a great selection of fresh produce, clothing, and souvenirs. Once you've fully explored Suva, it's time to make a beeline for the ocean. For stellar snorkelling and diving, look no further than the impossibly picturesque Mamanucas and Yasawa Islands. For some of the world's best surfing breaks, head to Namatou Island, where you'll be spoiled for choice. In between your water activities, try some yaqona (or kava). This ceremonial drink is ubiquitous in Fiji and should be tried at least once — in fact, if you're invited to join a local kava ceremony, it's considered impolite to say no. Once you've soaked up the idyllic beachside lifestyle for a few days, tear yourself away from the water and venture into some lush island interiors. For gorgeous hikes through a protected rainforest with plenty of waterfalls and deep pools, try the Bouma National Heritage Park on Taveuni Island. For a stunning accomodation option, we reccomend the Tokoriki Island Resort — it has fishing, snorkelling and sailing on site. EAT: TRADITIONAL DELICACIES There are a wealth of restaurants to eat at when you're in Fiji, but the local cuisine trumps it all. Heavily influenced by the water that surrounds it, Fijian food is filled with seafood options — like octopus, sea urchin and fish. Each island in Fiji will have their own version of Kokoda — finely chopped raw fish dressed with a thick coconut cream, onions, spices and lime juice. It's traditionally served in half a coconut shell, or a clamshell. [caption id="attachment_574226" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Kai Lehmann via Flickr[/caption] SINGAPORE FLIGHT TIME: EIGHT HOURS Once just somewhere to kill time during a layover, the Lion City has reinvented itself as a destination in its own right. A melting pot of Asian cultures, the bustling city-state is a foodie's heaven and you could easily spend your entire holiday stuffing your face. In fact, that's exactly what we suggest you do — plan your itinerary around food and fill time between meals with a few of the city's top attractions. Of course, Singapore offers a lot beyond incredible food. For a slice of nature, head to the stunning Botanic Gardens, Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage site, or spend hours wandering around the Bukit Timah Naturae Reserve. And don't miss the Singapore Zoo — the only place in the world where you can have breakfast with an orangutang family (really). Of course, no trip to Singapore is complete without a little shopping: for the best retail therapy, head straight to Orchard Road, which boasts 22 (!) shopping malls and six department stores. For a good home base, book a room at the stunning Park Royal — it's surrounded by the city's beautiful greenery. EAT: WAKU GHIN Seafood is the focus at Waku Ghin, a Singaporean restaurant by Tetsuya Waduka (of the legendary Sydney Japanese restaurant Tetsuya's). Save up and sit down for a degustation in a stunning, fine dining restaurant within the Marina Bay Sands hotel — which overlooks the Singapore bay. Cocktails and sake options are just as innovative as the food. While Singapore is home to many upscale restaurants, make like the locals and eat at the city's hawker centres, where you can sample the city's iconic dishes without burning a hole in your wallet. For the best Hainanese chicken rice, look no further than Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle in the Chinatown Complex hawker market. Other musts are chilli crab (head to Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant for this) and nasi biryani (Tekka Centre for South Indian cuisine serves up some of the city's best). OAHU, HAWAII FLIGHT TIME: NINE HOURS If you like your beach holidays with a generous helping of non-beach activities, you'll fall head over heels for Oahu. Hawaii's most populous island offers laid-back island living on its eastern and northern shores and the bustle of urban life in the capital Honolulu. What's not to love? Start by checking in and blissing out at The Royal Hawaiian hotel, then spend a few days on iconic Waikiki Beach, where you can snorkel, swim, or learn to surf during the day and relax over a few drinks and nibbles at night. To enjoy Oahu from a different vantage point, hike up Diamond Head crater for epic views over the island. For a more challenging climb, try the Olomana hike: your efforts will be rewarded with striking panoramic vistas. Make time to catch one of the island's legendary sunsets from the aptly-named Sunset Beach. Then, it's time to head to the North Shore. If you're an advanced surfer, you'll know this corner of the island is famous for its giant waves. Once you've worked up an appetite, feast at one (or a few) of the many food trucks or tiny restaurants that dot the area. Make sure to try the iconic poke (Pupukea Grill serves up particularly tasty bowls) or shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, which has become something of a local institution. EAT: PEACE CAFE Maybe Honolulu's only vegan restaurant, Peace is located in a tranquil, tropical cottage in Honolulu. They serve up delicious sandwiches, sweets and lunchboxes made with organic vegetables and local ingredients. Pick up a healthy Vietnamese tofu or teriyaki tempeh sandwich for sustenance before heading off on a hike. Become an Expedia+ member and book your summer holiday — you'll have access to prices that others don't see.
Alaska Projects, the artist-run space nestled inside a parking lot, will be hosting Conor O'Shea's Repeat/Patterns exhibition starting Wednesday, April 30. A recent graduate from Sydney's National Art School, O'Shea has previously contributed to a number of group shows and exhibited as part of the Damien Minton Gallery's Graceland with the late Martin Sharp. O'Shea's Repeat/Pattern doesn't exhibit individual artworks but rather is one entire body of work. Intended to be viewed as a visual essay, O'Shea's exhibition features images of planets, lights and universal forms against a wall of patterned houndstooth. Repeat/Pattern will transform Alaska Projects into one enormous optical illusion of sorts, with his paintings, silkscreen and photographic prints as well as a projection and single wall graphic. Head there from 6pm on Wednesday, April 30.
So, you've always wanted to explore Australia, but keep jetting off overseas instead. Or, maybe you like the idea of travelling more than actually doing it. For anyone keen to experience destinations they haven't yet visited — and for those that are happy enough to pretend that they're on holiday instead of hopping on a plane — virtual reality offers a solution. And, with their new VR app, Qantas is jumping on that bandwagon. Fresh from announcing that they're closing in on non-stop flights between Australia and Europe, the airline has released their next attempt to change travelling as we know it. Courtesy of 13 immersive 360-degree videos, you can now enjoy everything from a world-first virtual fly over of Uluru to diving at the Great Barrier Reef off Hamilton Island. Heading to Sydney's VIVID, climbing the Harbour Bridge, taking a sunset river cruise through Kakadu National Park, and discovering the spectacular sights and inhabitants of Ormiston Gorge — they're all on the agenda (and once you've felt just like you're there, Qantas is clearly hoping that you'll book a real trip). You can also glide in a hot air balloon over Alice Springs and sail to Whitehaven Beach as part of your virtual tour of the country. Additional content showcasing other locations will be rolled out over the coming weeks, so if you've caught the VR travel bug, your journey is just beginning. And while the Qantas VR app is currently available on iPhone, Android, Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive devices, don't stress if you don't have the requisite headwear — you can also watch in 2D mode on your phone.
Overnight, Jimmy Fallon lived out every '90s kid's dream — he danced with the Fresh Prince. Oh yeah, and he hosted his first Tonight Show, inducting him into late night history forever. But who's to say which makes him more successful? The Tonight Show is a big deal, and some still had their doubts about Fallon. Even after proving himself as a host for five years on Late Night, many just couldn't shake that first impression of him as the baby-faced goofball who screwed up every SNL skit by laughing. (Seriously, he even laughed through Will Ferrell's classic cowbell scene). In last night's show, Fallon played up this doubt in a clever bit about celebrities making $100 bets against him even making it to the Tonight Show. Cue appearances by Robert DeNiro, Tina Fey, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey (WHAT?), Joan Rivers, Seth Rogen and a spiteful Stephen Colbert. But, after an emotional opening monologue and a solid first show, it's clear Leno's legacy is in good hands. With his backing band, The Roots, travelling over from Late Night, it's been clear for awhile now that Fallon loves himself some hip hop. We saw it at the end of last year too when Justin Timberlake came by for a duo in the History of Rap. This was reinforced further with last night's show, as Will Smith dropped in for an excellent demonstration of the Evolution of Hip Hop Dancing. Pulling moves like 'the running man', 'the pop and lock', 'the MC Hammer' and 'the I'm about to breakdance', Fallon showed he's not scared to bring some fresh ideas to the much-coveted show. He even finished it off with a twerk. I doubt Leno would have ever pulled that off.
After the Sydney Opera House replaced its Festival of Dangerous Ideas with Antidote last year, we didn't think we'd see it again. But the festival will rear its head for its ninth iteration, this time trading in its Bennelong Point digs for a space on Cockatoo Island. Co-founded by The Ethics Centre (TEC) and the Sydney Opera House back in 2009, FODI 2018 won't just have a new venue, but a new partner as well — teaming up with the UNSW Centre for Ideas for the first time. But the concept will remain the same, again bringing together thought leaders and creative thinkers for a weekend of critical discussion around the most important global issues of today. While the program has not yet been revealed, we do know that this year's festival will specifically examine themes of trust and truth, and will again aim to incite debate, push boundaries and inspire intellectual freedom. Previous years have seen discussion topics like 'open the borders', 'let banks fail', 'a foetus is not a person' and 'the end of men', with a focus on themes of asylum, gender, justice and race — to name a few. "Knowing who to trust and what to believe has never been so complicated," says co-founder Danielle Harvey. "FODI has a legacy of exploring polarising ideas and making bold curatorial choices. These dangerous conversations are even more critical when truth and clarity are hard to find." Longstanding FODI curator Simon Longstaff will again be at the helm of the program. In the past, he has signed on high profile though leaders like activist Alicia Garcia (founder of the #BlackLivesMatter movement), feminist protest punk band Pussy Riot, international journalist Mona Eltahawy, political activist Tariq Ali and WikiLeaks' Julian Assange. Based on that, it's fair to expect another big list of names for 2018 — we'll keep you updated as the program is unveiled. The 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas is coming to Cockatoo Island on November 3 and 4. Tickets will go on sale in August and you can sign up here to get first dibs.
Dee Why is a sporting beach through and through. It's the site of the annual Ocean Thunder Surfboat competition and was once home to major surfing comp Beachley Classic. Essentially, it's a beach set up for those who want to get active. Just next to it is Long Reef Beach, with the two stretches of sand separated by a shallow lagoon, so there's heaps of space. You'll even find an outdoor table tennis spot, so you don't even need to bring any equipment to get competitive with your crew. There's also a playground for obstacle course-style games as well as barbecues for post-game feasts. Image: Destination NSW
Calling all architecture aficionados and design devotees — if you secretly nerd out on blueprints, buildings and basically all things construction, then you'll want to check out Sydney Open. Presented by Sydney Living Museums, this annual architecture event is set to spill out across suburbs from the harbour to Parramatta River on the first weekend in November. Take your pick from over 35 expert-led Focus Tours ($30–60), starting from 9am on Saturday, November 5. Discover the secrets and stories of over 50 of the most iconic spaces across both the CBD and Greater Sydney — including for the first time, Parramatta. Or, grab a City Pass (from $39) for Sunday, November 6. This multi-venue ticket gives you access to explore more than 25 buildings across the CBD at your own pace. Go contemporary and check out Quay Quarter Tower and 50 Martin Place, or lose yourself in the history and heritage of Government House and the Anzac Memorial. As a bonus, book your City Pass by Thursday, October 20 for the chance to win a Golden Ticket that'll unlock a range of exclusive experiences — including a luxurious night's stay and dinner at the Kimpton Margot Sydney. Sydney Open hits the city on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6. For more information and to book your tickets head to the website.
It's that time of year, somehow. Christmas is fast approaching, winter has well and truly fallen by the wayside, and you're probably thinking about your summer shenanigans. While jetting overseas still isn't an option for Australians at the moment, you can make plans to roam around much of this country we all come home now that borders are reopening — and, if you'd like to head up to the Northern Territory, its government wants to give you an extra incentive. As part of the NT Summer Sale campaign — which launched at the beginning of October — the NT Government and its tourism body are offering discounts on trips to Australia's red centre and top end. To all of the Northern Territory, actually. For each $1000 you spend up to $5000, you'll receive a $200 discount. It maxes out at $1000 off, but that's still 20-percent off the price. The discounts are available for a number of things too — covering plenty of essential elements of every holiday. You can use them on flights, accommodation, tours and attractions, and vehicle hire. You will need to both book and travel between now and March 31, 2020, however. The other big stipulation: you'll need to book through one of Tourism NT's campaign partners to score the discount. They include retailers such as Holidays of Australia, Helloworld Travel & Viva Holidays, and Flight Centre. [caption id="attachment_785574" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] If you've always been meaning to make the trip — and you've had both Uluru and its incredible Field of Light installation on your must-see list for ages — here's a mighty fine excuse to put those dreams into action. Border-wise, the NT currently doesn't require interstate visitors to quarantine unless you've been in a declared hotspot in the 14 days prior to your arrival — which, at the time of writing, only covers a number of Local Government Areas in Victoria. It's best to keep an eye on the NT Government's coronavirus hub, though, for any future changes, For further details about the NT Summer Sale campaign — which is available for travel between now and March 31, 2020 — head to the Tourism NT website. Top image: Field of Light: Bruce Munro. Photo by Mark Pickthall
If you're a seasoned traveller (or at least you were pre-COVID-19) you've almost certainly run into an e-scooter. The speedy transportation option has overtaken streets in the US, Europe and, closer to home, in Melbourne and Brisbane. Here in Sydney, however, the electric scooter is few and far between. Under current NSW road rules, electric scooters are prohibited from being ridden on the road. While this hasn't stopped e-scooter retailers like WalkSmart opening stores in Sydney, riders could be issued fines and the legislation has prohibited street rental organisations like Lime, Beam and Neuron bringing their scooters to Sydney. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, in 2019, eight Sydney councils were in discussions with the NSW Government about hosting e-scooter trials that would see the ban temporarily lifted. These trials never came to be, despite multiple subsequent reports in support of e-scooters. One report conducted by the Electric Scooter Advisory Working Group (ESA) for Transport for NSW in March 2020 recommended a six-month trial of e-scooters in bike lanes and on shared paths. Similarly, an August 2020 report by the National Transport Commission recommended e-scooters be permitted on most pedestrian infrastructure with a ten kilometre per hour speed limit. Following months of silence from the NSW Government on the proposed trials, or any planned legalisation of e-scooters, the NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance was pressed on the issue during the 2020/21 Budget Estimate inquiry on Thursday, February 25. When asked if the electric scooter trial had been abandoned, Constance replied that it had been put "on hold" and that he was "not in the mood" to run an e-scooter trial in NSW at this time. [caption id="attachment_802481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NSW Minster for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance by John Cowper[/caption] One reason cited for the minister's hesitation towards running the trial was issues faced by other cities that had legalised electric scooters. When pressed further on what these issues are, Mr Constance said: "people getting killed, e-scooters being left up trees, e-scooters littering parks and footpaths, people falling over them. I can send you a bunch of pictures if you want." While NSW continues to wait for regulated e-scooters to arrive in the state, leading e-scooter company Lime's e-bike sharing services have been operational in the Sydney since 2018, with bike sharing services a part of the city since back in 2017. E-scooters are currently illegal in NSW.
A bustling little corner of lunchtime and late-night activity in Bondi, Mamasan is Moulin Rouge-meets-1920s Shanghai. Pull up a plush seat in your very own Bondi opium den and start ogling the menu, a tempting fusion of Taiwanese street food and Japanese deliciousness — the chef grew up in Taiwan before living in Japan. Alternatively, you can perch at the bar and let the bartenders talk you through the excellent sake, whisky and Japanese plum wine lists. Try them straight or in a signature cocktail. Like the Jap Dak, a twist on the daiquiri, with Okinawa Rum Rebellion Shochu, cloudy Aragoshi Umushu plum wine and fresh lime juice; or the Japanese Penicillin, with 12-year-old Yamasaki whisky, ginger, lemongrass and honey. Drop by on Sundays for the Mamasan markets, where Asia-inspired artists and designers put their wares on display. And keep an ear out for live jazz gigs, which happen every now and again.
Interpersonal relationships are all about compromise. I'll cook, you clean. I'll be designated driver this weekend, you can do it next weekend. Still, quite possibly the biggest source of compromise – or conflict – is choosing where to go for dinner. Fortunately for residents of and visitors to south Sydney, this is all about to change. The culprit? Highfield Caringbah, the Sutherland Shire's first "vertical pub", offering up a bevy of themes and dining options under one roof. With their newest offering, the Feros Group have quite literally built on the success of Ugly Pizza and Huxley's Sports Bar. Both existing venues remain on the ground floor at the MacKay street site, with new venues The Public House and The Botanical opening up top. No-fuss joint Ugly pumps out its New York-style pizzas for dine in or takeaway. Huxley's, meanwhile, serves as a shrine to the USA, offering up diner staples – burgers, hot dogs, mac'n'cheese – to an overlapping soundtrack of American sports playing on dozens of TVs. On the middle floor, The Public House sticks to standard Aussie pub traditions: a TAB, domestic and craft beers on tap, and a menu featuring good old schnitties and steaks. And if you're looking to add a touch of elegance to the evening, rooftop hangout The Botanical offers a dedicated cocktail bar, a living green wall and food prepared on a Japanese-style Robata grill — not to mention spectacular views of the city skyline. Find Highfield Caringbah at 22-24 MacKay Street, Caringbah. For more information, visit their website.
'Wine' and 'festival': they're two words that almost always lead to happy times for you and your gang. The Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival will return come Saturday, April 6, and with it comes a celebration of the region's food and wine. Local winemakers will engulf the town centre — Rosalind Park to be precise — for five hours of alfresco fun. Over 60 different wines will be on show for you to sample, so grab a glass, have a chat to the winemakers and do a big collective 'cheers' to the end of the harvest. Remember to pace yourself (small sips, not big gulps) and that eating isn't cheating — there'll be plenty of food stalls to keep you plugging along wholesomely. There'll also be live music from The Deans and The Funk Junkies and competitions running all day. You can BYO picnic rug or, if you're feeling ritzy, nab a private VIP marquee for $750. It'll get you and eleven mates entry to the festival (with a souvenir wine glass and complimentary wine tastings), access to the special private digs all day and a 30-minute private wine masterclass with a Bendigo region winemaker. Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival will run from 11am–4pm on Saturday, April 6. Tasting tickets start at $45, which includes a souvenir wine glass and complimentary wine tastings. Non-tasting tickets are available from $25. For more information and to purchase tickets, head this way.
Dust off your skinny jeans. In news that we hope doesn't trigger memories of the era of Sydney's lockout laws, legendary DJ collective Bang Gang is returning to Club 77 this month. The Friday night party starters are returning to the subterranean Darlinghurst club to help it celebrate its 28th year. The Sydney-born collective that helped define a generation of dance floors is reuniting for the first time in over ten years, and they'll be taking over their spiritual home for one massive night on Friday, May 16. It's part of a month-long birthday program for 77 that brings together past legends, rising selectors and the club's own residents, in a celebration of the past and future of Sydney's club culture. Some context for younger readers: Friday nights in the 2000s were ruled by Bang Gang. Known for their high-energy sets and bold selections, the crew made Club 77 ground zero for Sydney's early-internet-era electro scene, and came to embody the sound and spirit of a generation. "It gives me this kind of excitement that's hard to explain — not nervous or anxious, just that fuck-me-this-moment-can't-come-soon-enough kind of excitement," shares Bang Gang member Dangerous Dan ahead of the upcoming gig. "The Club 77 crowd has always been there for one reason — to dance. It's dark, it's loud, and you can't really talk much anyway. But they know what's up. That's my favourite kind of crowd." Sydney — indeed, the world — looked very different when Club 77 first opened its doors in 1997. The club stared down lockouts, lockdowns, licensing crackdowns and the ever-fluctuating tides of the city's live music and nightlife scene. These days, it's where you'll find some of the sharpest programming in the city, and May's stacked birthday lineup proves it: alongside Bang Gang, you can catch returning heroes like Phil Smart, Robbie Lowe and Dreems, as well as next-gen selectors like Mowgli, Deepa, Ciara, Aquenta, DJ D.Dee and more. Whether you were around for the Bang Gang days or are part of the newer set keeping the party going, this month presents a rare opportunity to experience a slice of Sydney nightlife history in one of the city's most iconic nightlife destinations. All of Club 77's birthday events are free to enter with guest list registration before midnight, and $25 thereafter. To sign up for the guest list and to check out the full program, head to the Club 77 website. Top image: Benjamin Weser.
The pandemic has changed much about travel over the past year and a half, including the way that Australians approach roaming throughout our own country. Booking a ticket to another state or territory is no longer something we all just do whenever we feel like without checking the rules, restrictions and requirements first — because closed domestic borders will do that. But with New South Wales and Victoria both progressing through their roadmaps for reopening following both states' respective (and lengthy) lockdowns, venturing a bit further around the country might soon become a little easier. Exactly what domestic border limits will remain in place, and where, hasn't yet been revealed; however, Qantas and Jetstar have announced that they'll start ramping up their flights around the country anyway. Firstly, the two airlines will increase flights regionally within NSW, starting from Monday, October 25. That's around when the state is expected to hit the 80-percent double-dose vaccination mark, which is when travel throughout NSW will be permitted again. Next, Qantas and Jetstar have brought forward the start date for trips between NSW and Victoria. Instead of recommencing in December, these flights will now resume on Friday, November 5. [caption id="attachment_823330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brent Winstone[/caption] So, if you're a Sydneysider eager to escape the city — either within NSW or to Victoria, you're about to have options. For Melburnians, heading north will be possible as well. Obviously, this all depends on the rules both states put in place regarding travel between them, because that's the world we now live in. The airlines haven't changed their flights between Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia just yet, though, with trips to WA still remaining sparse for the foreseeable future due to its strict border arrangements all throughout the pandemic. The two carriers won't restart legs from WA to Victoria and NSW (and vice versa) until at least February 1, 2022 for that reason, other than the five return flights it's doing from Perth to both Sydney and Melbourne at the moment for folks with permits — but it's hoping to increase flights between Queensland and WA in the coming weeks. No matter where you live, expect to see a few incentives popping up trying to tempt you to holiday in certain parts of the country. The Northern Territory is doing discounts of up to $1000 for fully vaxxed folks who head to the NT from spots that aren't deemed hotspots, for instance, and there's also $250 tour vouchers up for grabs in Queensland's tropical north. For more information about Qantas and Jetstar's increased domestic flights as NSW and Victoria reopen, head to the Qantas and Jetstar websites.
We are all well aware of the pervasive effect social media has on our lives in terms of connecting, conversing and sharing with others on an unprecedented scale. Yet there are a whole myriad of other uses that social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter provide, which can have immensely positive effects. Take a look at a few valuable uses for social media sites that you probably didn't expect. 1. Mapping Infectious Diseases Graham Dodge founded a cunning website called Sickweather which ingeniously uses Facebook and Twitter updates to track infectious diseases. Unlike Google Flu Trends, which launched in 2010 and is based off people's searches, Sickweather can actually track the occurrence and locations of specific ailments. Dodge is also optimistic that through the use of event schedules, travel and weather patterns and environmental data, social media will be able to predict the spread of diseases. He has already noted pertinent trends of the spread of disease throughout America, and now hopes to win a $21,000 prize in a government-sponsored competition for a new app, which uses Twitter to warn us about public health issues. So next time you feel a cough creeping up on you, do us all a public service and tweet about it. 2. Helping the Homeless find Equality A study conducted by the University of Dayton has discovered that Facebook provides a refuge for homeless people by making them feel more equal. Everyone on Facebook is equipped with the same services and benefits, whether that be liking, commenting, messaging or uploading photos. This, and the fact that people can't smell if they didn't shower yesterday, or even know that they are homeless, which, says one of the subjects of the study, makes them feel accepted. Facebook is also important in helping them establish community networks, and helping solve practical issues such as where to find social services, a meal or shelter. 3. Tracking Public Opinion Topsy released a new political index last week called Topsy Pro Analytics whereby we can use Twitter to gauge public opinion by searching particular topics or hashtags. The complex technology delves into two years of data from Twitter feeds and is updated in real time. The mass number of results from the search not only reveal the frequency and number of tweets about a topic over time, but it also measures the tone and actual content of the tweets and who is conversing most about it. 4. Getting Your Voice Heard Thunderclap is a new site, which allows users to send out a message. Once enough people tweet it or post it on Facebook (at this stage 500 messages over 5 days) the site reaches its threshold and all the updates are sent out at once. This not only increases the chance of the message becoming a trending topic on Twitter but it also increases chances of people seeing multiple updates on Facebook and paying more attention to it. The tool could be a dream for non-profit organisations and the like to help amplify their message. 5. Educating Conservative Cultures about Sex Social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are transforming the way youth consume their media, even in developing nations such as Ethiopia, Mozambique or Indonesia. Social media is also a great tool in educating young people about safe sex practices and the importance of condoms. Through Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and YouTube videos younger audiences can learn about condom use without the embarrassment of their parent's presence and remain anonymous if they wish to. Through these social media platforms it is significantly easier for youth in these lesser developed countries to access information about HIV protection and family planning and chat about sensitive issues. 6. Engaging a 3000 Student Class The thought of teaching a 3000 strong student cohort would surely be enough to plague any teacher or lecturer with terrible nightmares. But John Boyer at Virginia Tech seems to find this massive class a piece of cake. Boyer introduced a novel system of 'gaming principles' by which students can rack up points to determine their notes. On top of this, Boyer poses regular questions on Facebook and Twitter for his students to respond to and also holds office hours using instant messaging on Ustream so he can respond to his many pupils in real time. Skype is also utilised to host interviews with important figures in global issues, such as Kony2012 creator Jason Russel, or a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. 7. Sharing your Organ Donor Status Facebook has introduced a new status option in the United States and United Kingdom which allows users to proclaim their organ donor status. By openly advertising in their biographical information that one is willing to be or already is a registered organ donor, doctors and advocacy group leaders believe that this will have a domino effect and encourage many others to sign up to be an organ donor. As well as this, being able to view it on Facebook would most likely hasten the decision and make it easier for family members to approve their loved one's donation. The company is looking to expand the tool to other countries in the coming months.
For your next Netflix binge, the streaming platform isn't simply suggesting its latest must-see series — it's also telling you what you should be eating. Crack out the tortillas, start marinating some meat and whip up a bit of guacamole, because it's taco time. No mere mortal can sit down to watch a show about this Mexican dish without devouring a whole plate of them, after all. Called Las Crónicas del Taco in Spanish and Taco Chronicles in English, the new series fittingly stems from Netflix's Latin American division. Also unsurprisingly, the show is an ode a meal that's beloved not only in its country of origin, but the world over. Expect to learn more about the versatile tortilla, including its immense cultural significance. And expect to start craving the many different varieties of tacos, too, such as pastor, carnitas, canasta, asada, barbacoa and guisados. Ample gushing about the dish is part of the package — this is a show made for taco lovers, by taco lovers — as is a feast of taco visuals. As any fan of food-focused documentaries already knows oh-so-well, viewing this multi-part effort on an empty stomach is not recommended. Taco Chronicles does boast Javier Cabral among its behind-the-scenes team, with the culinary writer acting as an associate producer and 'taco scout'. The series' English-language trailer is only available on Netflix itself, but if you can speak Spanish — or fancy looking at a whole heap of tacos anyway — Netflix Latin America's unsubtitled clip is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qist_IxZI The first season of Taco Chronicles is now streaming on Netflix. Updated: August 12, 2019.
If the stones and shopfronts of Lygon Street could talk, they'd surely do so in Italian. Sometimes referred to as Melbourne's Little Italy, the iconic Carlton thoroughfare has played a major role in Australia's cultural and gastronomical development over the past 60 years, and it is now the subject of a new home-grown documentary: Lygon Street – Si parla Italiano. The story begins in the years following World War II, during which time millions of migrants left Europe in search of new beginnings. Of those that made the long journey to Australia, one in six were from Italy, many of whom came based on the promise of jobs that in reality didn't exist. At first, the government funnelled them into migrant centres (viewers are left to draw their own parallels to the treatment of asylum seekers today). The conditions were shabby and the means of entertainment scarce, but the biggest sticking point for the Italians was the terrible quality of the food. Soon, the migrants flooded out into the community in search of a place where they could call their own. As if by fate, they settled on a street named Lygon. Before long, the road was littered with restaurants, coffee bars, grocers and delicatessens, many of them with written signs in the window reading 'Si parla Italiano', meaning 'we speak Italian'. Locals were suspicious of the settlers at first, but were soon won over by the quality of their cooking. By the '80s, Lygon Street was one of the hottest night spots in the city, home to bars, clubs and theatres, not to mention, the scene of raucous celebration in the wake of Italy's 1986 World Cup victory. Silky narration by Anthony LaPaglia keeps the film from feeling too much like a history lesson. Directors Shannon Swan and Angelo Pricolo combine archival footage and traditional talking heads with a more flavoursome approach to storytelling by inviting some of the street's oldest pioneers — the owners of establishments like L'Alba and University Cafe — out for dinner. Over plates of pasta, the old friends recall stories from their past, laughing and shouting over the top of each other as they argue about which one owned the first espresso machine in Australia. It's an ingenious way of making viewers feel included — a Saturday night dinner in one of Lygon's bustling eateries. Admittedly, it's hard to imagine Si parla Italiano being as interesting to anyone from outside of certain areas of Melbourne (although the film has just scored a limited release nationwide). Locals will be thoroughly charmed, particularly when factoring in the rather surreal experience of exiting the theatre onto the boulevard they've just been watching. If nothing else, the doco is a savvy marketing tool for traders. No one's likely to walk out of the film not craving an Italian meal. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WOsIFtJTkiE
Going to the theatre used to be a ceremonious occasion. Gloves were worn, bow-ties were tied in bows, and monocles were skillfully balanced on noses. Now there are jeans, mixed demographics trying to pull off various fashions, and well, there are still glasses but some of them are filled with cleanskin wine. It can be expensive to see a show, so here’s a guide of when and where to go to get some culture into your life, without having to eat noodles for the remainder of the week. Belvoir St Theatre Where: 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills Who: Belvoir has been nurturing Australian works and artists for 25 years, with a rich history of outstanding plays under its belt. They have two theatre spaces — Upstairs and the smaller, cosier Downstairs. How: Both Upstairs and Downstairs have student rush tickets — they're on Tuesday evenings and Saturday matinees — to be purchased on the day. Upstairs Theatre is a touch more expensive, costing $42 for previews/concessions, and student rush is $29. Downstairs, however, is only $32 for previews/concessions, and student rush tickets are $25. Griffin Theatre Where: SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross Who: Nestled on Nimrod St in Kings Cross since 1979, Griffin offers fantastic new Australian works and contemporary theatre. How: You can still get a ticket for a mere $15 on Monday nights from 6pm. The only catch is that you have to line up to get a ticket — and people start lining up at 5:30pm, so get there early. Sydney Theatre Company Where: Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Who: STC has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment in 1978, staging an annual 12-play program. How: STC offers Under 30 tickets for all mainstage productions for $35 and, if all seats are sold out, standing room tickets for $30 available two hours before the show. Old Fitzroy Theatre Where: 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo Who: The Old Fitz, home to one of Sydney’s first independent live theatre companies, the Tamarama Rock Surfers, has been staging independent Australian theatre since 1997. How: Tickets to previews or 'cheap Tuesdays' throughout the season are just $21. Their famous 'beer, laksa and show' deal has been superceded by the 'beer, meal and show' deal with the opening of the new bistro. It comes in at $34 on ‘cheap Tuesdays' and $41 on all other nights. Darlinghurst Theatre Where: 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point Who: They've staged over 120 shows since starting producing diverse artistic visions in 2001. How: Darlinghurst Theatre has 'Wallet Friendly Wednesdays' for artist and industry folks, when all tickets are $21 but must be purchased from 10am on the day of the performance. Throughout a production's run students pay $33. Bell Shakespeare Where: Often but not always at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre. Who: John Bell’s company that has been breathing new life into Shakespearean plays since 1990. How: Youth Under 30 tickets for all productions are less than half the price of a full ticket; however, their availability is dependent on each production so it's best you call up (02 8298 9000) and enquire before heading out. CarriageWorks Where: 245 Wilson St (cnr Codrington St), Eveleigh Who: CarriageWorks is a wonderful and unique space that puts on great contemporary theatre from local and international artists from various cultures and communities. How: With previews and concession prices varying depending on the production, they do have $20 student rush tickets for some performances, to be bought from the box office one hour prior to the show, generally on a Tuesday or a Wednesday within the season. New Theatre Where: 542 King Street, Newtown Who: Working under the mantra "Always real. Always raw. Always New", Newtown’s New Theatre is a visceral theatre experience, full of heart and driven by passion. How: They have a student rush ticket price of $17 every night. During the run they also have Pay What You Can nights ($10 min). Usually this is the first Sun after opening for New Theatre shows and every Tuesday for their Spare Room season (independent companies). They also have normal student pricing $20 for recognised Acting Schools, Universities and Colleges and SUDS (Sydney University Drama Society). Finally, if your wallet is too light and your fingers are click-savvy, get onto the HalfTix website for theatre tickets that are on offer at 30-40 percent off full price. Want to know what's on these stages right now? Check our performance section.
Back in 2019, Sydney fine-dining institution NEL introduced tastebuds to a whole new culinary world: a decadent Once Upon a Time degustation inspired by all things Disney. Unsurprisingly, it provided a magical meal and proved a massive hit, returning in 2020 and 2022 with themed dishes created by the Surry Hills' restaurant's created by Executive Chef and namesake Nelly Robinson. Come winter 2023, it'll be back again for a fourth chapter. Amid NEL's creative spreads, this one now feels like a tasty tale as old as time — repeatedly popping up amid KFC-inspired dinners, Moulin Rouge!-themed and Christmas degustations, and one heroing native Australian ingredients as well. But whenever it unleashes its 11 courses upon plates, the Once Upon a Time serves up new and fresh dishes riffing on the Mouse House's favourites. Accordingly, even if you've been before, you haven't feasted your way through the latest menu. An alfredo linguini that nods to Ratatouille? Yes, that twist on the classic dish — and flick — featuring a lasagne-style structure layered with confit vegetables, pasta sheets, béchamel, mozzarella cheese foam and basil dust is on the lineup. So is The Tugley Wood, which combines mushrooms and fresh Australian truffle to nod to Alice in Wonderland. And when things get sweet, there's a honey-soaked sponge with a nest of honey curd topped with bee pollen, then served in a honey pot, that Winnie-the-Pooh would clearly covet. As for what else will be bothering your appetite in the best possible way, discovering the full range is part of the fun of heading along — no matter whether you're a Sydneysider with more than a few nights' experience tucking into Robinson's creations or a Disney fan keen to make a date on a future interstate trip. NEL doesn't need a reason to bring back the Once Upon a Time menu again and again — it was always going to be popular — but Robinson still keeps finding plenty of inspiration in the Disney theme. "The team and I had a blast creating and curating this one. It was so much fun to create a whole new menu around some of my favourite films and we have carefully crafted dishes to bring out each diners' inner child. Indeed, we paired it with fun cocktails and some sensational wines, too," he explains. The Once Upon a Time menu's fourth chapter will start serving on Tuesday, May 30 and run for eight weeks only, with bookings available now. Price-wise, this childhood-inspired feast will require an adult salary, costing $185 per person, with beverages matched for an extra $165. Reserving a spot ASAP for dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 5.15pm is recommended — this unsurprisingly always books out. NEL's Once Upon A Time (Chapter Four) degustation is on offer for eight weeks from Tuesday, May 30 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
Want to experience the buzz of live sumo without the hassle of that long flight to Tokyo? You're in luck, because you can experience the thunder of one of Japan's most ancient and traditional sports here in Australia over one action-packed weekend. On Friday, January 19 and Sunday, January 21, Melbourne and Sydney respectively will play host to 'Sumo International Downunder'. Punters will get to experience all the show and panache that comes with live sumo, including a traditional pre-match Taiko drumming show. Hiroki Sumi, a huge figure in the sumo world, will be the star of the show. Known for his appearance in Netflix's 2023 series Sanctuary, he has gained international recognition beyond traditional sumo circles. Although he plays a fictional character in the series, Sumi is a genuine world-class sumo wrestler, and his appearance in Australia is a massive get. Special VIP tickets are available if you fancy donning a mawashi (sumo belt) and trying some sumo wrestling on stage. VIPs will also get an exclusive meet-and-greet with the sumo wrestlers, including Sumi himself. Melbourne's Festival Hall will host two events on the same day, with the first starting at 11am and the second at 6pm, while Sydney's Aware Super Theatre will host the final show at 7pm. [caption id="attachment_878169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessio Roversi (Unsplash)[/caption]
Every neighbourhood needs a reliable Thai restaurant. For Potts Point, it's Llankelly Thai. The laneway restaurant is perfect for when you and your mates desperately need a catch-up but you're all on a budget. It likes to pride itself on simplicity, offering up food that always tastes great. The service is friendly and relaxed and they're open every day for lunch and dinner. The lunch special runs from 11:30 in the morning until 4:40 in the afternoon and it is a great place to swing by with a group of mates or colleagues. The laksa chicken is prepared in a homemade laksa based soup, paired with your choice of vegetables including carrot, broccoli and beansprouts before being topped with dried red onion. Alternatively the wanton soup with chicken wontons, vegetables and egg noodles is especially delicious. Vegetarians might enjoy pumpkin and tofu stir fry served with rice. The dinner menu is more eclectic but still has a traditional approach. Start with a roasted duck salad tossed in lychee with tomato, cucumber, shallots and chilli jam dressing and the tom yum noodle soup with Thai herbs and bok choy. For a main, the brave can try the spicy panang curry with bamboo, chilli and basil leaves, while a gentler option is the massaman with slow cooked beef, coconut milk and roasted peanuts. As you'd hope, the chef recommendations are spot on. Our favourite being the 'Holy Duck' — a stir fried roasted duck with chilli, mixed vegetables, pumpkin and basil. Llankelly Thai is the kind of Sydney restaurant you head to for classic and tasty Thai eats in a laidback setting. It's not trying to invent the wheel. That ain't necessary when the food tastes this good.
Messina's next guest for its monthly Messina Eats pop-up is Melbourne's Mr Miyagi. The inventive Japanese eatery hit Sydney for the first time ever last August, and now its heading back up north with some new dishes. This time round, the Windsor eatery is serving up three dishes in edible waffle baskets. Choose from a bowl filled with fried chicken, ramen noodles and spicy Japanese mayo, one with slow-cooked pork and popcorn, and a third with truffled mushrooms and tomato tempura. Make sure you order a side of Miyagi's wasabi fries, too. Not to be forgotten, Messina will join in, too, with its take on a melonpan — a sweet Japanese bun with a cookie dough crust. Here, it's stuffed with strawberry sorbet and vanilla gelato. You'll find it exclusively, alongside Mr Miyagi's waffle bowls, in Messina's Rosebery HQ on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. Messina Eats will be open from 12–9.30pm or until sold out.
Reckon your pup gets a bit lonely sometimes? Well, now you can find him a bunch of new mates with just a few swipes of your phone. It's all thanks to a clever new smartphone app, which helps dog owners to connect their pooches with other local doggos and dog communities. Created by Queensland University of Technology business student Josh Fritz — who came up with the app when he moved to Brisbane, adopted a cavoodle called Quincy and wanted to find him some buddies — PatchPets works a little bit like Tinder. Users create a personalised profile for their pup, and then use the app to find and network with other fur parents in their area, based on location. You can scroll through photos of local hounds, check out their details and get in touch with their owners to set up doggy play dates. To keep you informed about your pooch's possible new pal, profiles feature information about which vaccinations each dog has had, whether it's been desexed and what their all-important Instagram handle is. Got a particularly picky pupper? You can even filter the results by dog breed and size. PatchPets also comes loaded with plenty of other nifty features, including a directory that lists pet-friendly businesses nearby, plus real-time dog park maps — allowing you to see when four-legged friends are hanging out at your local park. No more rocking up to the park for a play sesh, only to find there's no one else there. And, you can use the app's message function to join group chats with your dog's new mates. Having launched in May, PatchPets has already clocked up over 5000 users — which means your doggo will be totally spoilt for choice in the friends department. PatchPets is now available to download for free, for both iOS and Android, from the iTunes App Store and Google Play. Images: QUT Media
Muogamarra Nature Reserve, a hidden oasis of native wildflowers located near Cowan, is closed to the public for most of the year in order to protect its fragile ecosystem and its First Nations cultural heritage. But every now and then, it opens for everyone to enjoy for a limited time. That time is about to arrive for 2024, with the reserve welcoming guests for six weeks from Saturday, August 17–Sunday, September 22. The reserve is a thing of beauty, playing home to more than 900 species of native wildflowers that fill the area with a sea of vibrant colours when they bloom. Waratahs, angophoras, old-man banksias, pink boronias and native orchids — they're all here among the site's expansive bushlands and rainforests. [caption id="attachment_962237" align="alignnone" width="1920"] J Spencer[/caption] You can also catch a glimpse of First Nations rock engravings, and take in expansive views of Hawkesbury River, Berowra Creek, Bar Island, Milson Island and Spectacle Island. If this all sounds right up your alley, you've got a couple of options when planning a trip to Muogamarra Nature Reserve. You can book one of four different guided tours led by experienced NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) volunteers, who will take you through the reserve, teaching you about the floral wonders surrounding you. [caption id="attachment_962239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pan Goldie[/caption] The tours each cover different sections of the park, and range from three to ten kilometres of walking. Or, if you want to tackle the reserve by yourself, you can also reserve a time slot for a self-guided tour. Slots for both are limited, so the NPWS is encouraging anyone keen to explore the wildflower haven to get in quick. Each of the four guided tours and the self-guided tours are available to book at different dates and times. Head to the NSW National Parks website to see the selected dates and to make a booking. [caption id="attachment_962236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] J Spencer[/caption] Muogamarra Nature Reserve is located three kilometres north of Cowan Station, on the western side of the Pacific Highway. It will reopen to the public for 2024 across selected dates between Saturday, August 17–Sunday, September 22. Head to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for more details. Top image: J Spencer.
As restrictions continue to ease and Sydney's cultural calendar begins to fill up, the city's theatres are starting to come alive with shows, performances and gigs once again. But, if you've been to a theatre any time in the past couple of months, you would've noticed quite a few empty seats — even at sold out shows. Under current NSW restrictions, indoor entertainment facilities, including theatres, music halls and dance halls, can only have a 75 percent capacity audience and a maximum of one person per two square metres. In exciting news for theatre-goers, however, one Sydney venue has just been given the go-ahead to perform shows to a full house. Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has become the first live performance venue in the state allowed to host shows with 100 percent capacity audiences, with NSW Health granting the company an exemption from the current Public Health Order. https://twitter.com/SydneyTheatreCo/status/1367610943564251139 This means, STC will be able to have a full house for Playing Beatie Bow at Wharf 1 Theatre from Tuesday, March 9, and for Appropriate and Fun Home at Roslyn Packer Theatre when they open later this autumn. New seats for these performances will go on sale at 10am on Tuesday. As performances at Sydney Opera House and Seymour Centre are not covered by these exemptions, STC's Home, I'm Darling and The Wharf Revue will remain at 75 capacity. As part of the STC's COVID-19 Safety Plan, masks are currently mandatory for all theatre-goers 12 years and over. You can check out all the company's safety protocols over here. [caption id="attachment_802326" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Playing Beatie Bow' at Wharf 1 Theatre by Daniel Boud[/caption] The announcement comes as NSW records its 47th consecutive day of no locally acquired cases of COVID-19. The state's restrictions were last eased back on Friday, February 26, when indoor private gatherings were allowed to increase to 50 and cinemas could return to 100 percent capacity. Seated outdoor entertainment facilities are currently allowed to run at 100 percent capacity with a max of one person per two square metres. More restrictions — including allowing vertical drinking — are expected to be announced on Wednesday, March 17. Sydney Theatre Company will be allowed to host 100 percent capacity audiences at its Roslyn Packer, Wharf 1 and Wharf 2 theatres. Additional tickets for Playing Beatie Bow, Appropriate and Fun Home will go on at 10am on Tuesday, March 9 via sydneytheatre.com.au. Top images: The Wharf Theatres by Hugh Hamilton and Brett Boardman.
Becky Sharp is pretty, clever at living luxuriously above her means and ruthless; thus, basically a perfect personification of vintage shopping. Lovely things can be even lovelier when someone else paid full price for them, another someone else restored them and brought them together for sale and yet another someone else wants them but isn't as quick as you. And if the key to getting away with murder (which Thackeray's heroine basically does) is having enough style to pull it off, well, you'll need a good wardrobe. At these vintage markets you'll find authentic period garments as well as hats, gloves and sunglasses enough to look mysterious or witty forever. Also featured are buttons and bows for the restorer and adorner and boudoir pieces to indulge one's ladylike impulses toward self-regard. Stocks are replenished each month by the regular storeholders. Just remember that while you can absolutely get amazing designer pieces in near-perfect condition, sometimes vintage is cheaper for a reason, and what looks hilarious tried on amongst a mix-up of styles can just be awkward on the street. Make sure they work for you would be Becky's advice were she to care about the welfare of others, and it's mine as your faux-didactic narrator.
Grab the glitter (eco-friendly, please), let your rainbow flag fly and get ready for the Sydney Mardi Gras 2019 festivities to begin. To properly celebrate this year's LGBTQI+ festivus, Merivale and Absolut have come together to join the Mardi Gras party with a nonstop party at The Beresford, running till Monday, March 4. The pub welcomes one-and-all to embrace equality with festivities aplenty; think laneway parties, Sunday sessions, movie nights, brunches, bingo and even a dog show. Apart from the jam-packed lineup of events, there'll be special Absolut offers on each day, too. This year's featured cocktail is the Absolut Yasss Queen — a fruity concoction of Absolut lime, watermelon and citrus — and it'll only set you back $12 a pop. Plus, $2 from every drink will be donated to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Australia's oldest HIV charity. And for when you're not partying at The Bero, you'll be able to find the Absolut Yasss Queen at the ivy Pool Club, Ms.G's, Vic on the Park, El Loco Excelsior, The Fish Shop and Queens Hotel. To help you start planning your Mardi Gras outings, we've rounded up some of the best ways to show your pride all while enjoying a few blow-out bashes while you're at it. [caption id="attachment_708573" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Will Salkeld.[/caption] ABSOLUT BERESFORD SUNDAY Kick off your Mardi Gras celebrations with a big ol' party at Upstairs Beresford. It's all going down on Sunday, February 24 when the UK's famed DJ Neil Singleton will be spinning some sweet, sweet tunes. Hailing from London, he'll play a mix of funky, high-energy beats that'll put you in a dancing mood. This Sunday session is hosted by beloved Sydney drag queen Decoda and will feature other guest DJs, too. The festivities will run all arvo, with plenty of bevvies and eats from the kitchen to keep you fueled. Sunday, February 24 MOVIE NIGHTS When you need a bit of chill, head to The Bero's courtyard for a movie night. The first will take place on Monday, February 25 with a screening of A Beautiful Thing — a 1990s coming-of-age drama from the UK that follows two teenage boys exploring their sexuality. The following Monday, March 4 will see a necessary screening of the cult hit, Rocky Horror Picture Show — featuring unforgettable performances by Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. Each screening will start at 8pm, with the kitchen slinging pub classics and pizzas to snack on during the movie. The screenings are free, but be sure to get in early to nab a good seat. Monday, February 25 and Monday, March 4 PASSPORT PARTY The annual passport party will again take over the pub on Thursday, February 28 with a lineup of international DJs taking the stage. Expect a blow-out bash, with beats from the likes of DJ Wayne G from the US, DJ Neil Singleton from the UK and DJ French Kiss from, well, France. Plus, Sydney's much-loved drag queen Decoda will again take the stage for a special sky-high performance — this time with her 'air hostess stewards' Rhys and Heath in tow. The night will take place at Upstairs Beresford from 7pm–1am, with free entry for all and free Absolut drinks on arrival for the first 100 partiers. This is your chance to show these foreign DJs how to party Straya-style. Thursday, February 28 MARDI GRAS PARADE The pinnacle of the week is, of course, the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. But, if crowds aren't your thing, The Beresford has you covered. From 7pm, the pub will be live streaming the parade in the courtyard so you can see all the action up close without standing on your tiptoes or getting an accidental elbow in the tum. Plus, you'll be able to watch it all happen with a cocktail in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other — no risk of hanger here. Entry is free and open to all, but, as you can imagine, you'll want to get in early to nab a table for you and your mates. Saturday, March 2 LANEWAY PARTY To recover from a week-long of partying, sometimes it's best to cap it off with just one more. What started out as a small street gathering among friends has become a long-standing tradition and the best way to farewell another successful Mardi Gras. The party will take over not just the laneway adjacent to the pub, but also the entire Beresford and the surrounding streets from 2pm on Sunday, March 3. Expect DJs and surprise guest performances throughout the arvo, plus expansive indoor and outdoor party spaces to choose from. Tickets will cost you $75 — you can nab them here — but they're going fast. VIP tickets have already sold out. Sunday, March 3 MARDI GRAS BRUNCHES No matter how hard you go, these boozy brunches are here to help you dust off the night and get back in the partying spirit. Brunches will take place on Sunday, February 17 and 24 from 11am–1pm, plus there'll be a final recovery brunch on Monday, March 4 from noon to 3pm for all those chucking a sickie the weekend after the parade. Each brunch features drinks on arrival, one Absolut cocktail during brunch and one of five mains — all for just $40 per person. For arrival drinks, you can choose from a peach mimosa or the Absolut Citron bloody mary. And during the meal, there'll be three more cocktails to choose from, including the Absolut Summer (Absolut Lime, St Germain, lime juice and mint), the KamiKaze (Absolut Lime with Cointreau and lime juice) and an espresso martini (Absolut, Kahlua and coffee). If you want another drink or two to wet your whistle, cocktails are only an additional $10 a pop till 3pm. For eats, expect falafel with grilled spicy chorizo, a fried egg and haloumi topped with tahini sauce; a bacon and egg roll with dry-aged bacon, buffalo mozzarella, avocado and tomato relish on ciabatta; and smoked salmon with crispy kale, kipfler potatoes and pumpkin seeds topped with a horseradish créme fraiche. Sunday, February 17 and 24 and Monday, March 4 Celebrate Mardi Gras to the fullest and check out the full program of events taking place at The Beresford here.
Country and city will collide this September when Pyrmont and Orange join forces for the annual Pyrmont Festival. The collaboration will bring you the culinary powers of not just one, but two mighty gourmet scenes with Orange on board for the second time this year. As always, the event's centrepiece is a two-day extravaganza of food, wine, music and art on Sydney Harbour, at Pirrama Park. On Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, head along to sample delightful regional produce, tuck into decadent eats and sip on some of the 120 or so fine wines on offer. Plenty of winemakers, growers and chefs will be on-hand to share their stories, ideas and secrets. As an added bonus, it's dog friendly, too. Before and after Pirrama Park's fun and festivities wind up, Pyrmont Festival will continue in the form of food and wine happenings throughout the neighbourhood. Local bars and restaurants will be teaming up with winemakers and producers from Orange to bring you a series of degustations and one-off events. We'll let you know when more details about those drop.
Among the latest list of temporarily shuttered venues to drop a revamped online offering for the sanity of us isolated locals, are the Museums Victoria stable of cultural institutions: Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and Scienceworks. The three sites can now be experienced from any screen, whenever you fancy, thanks to newly launched virtual programming Museums at Home. Museums Victoria's digital channels will now play host to a suite of videos, live streams, online events and other experiences, to keep you connected and indulging that curiosity while cooped up at home. You can take a virtual tour of Melbourne Museum, hitting exhibitions like Phar Lap: A True Legend, Dinosaur Walk, and brain-focused collection The Mind, seeing and learning plenty along the way. There'll be regular Q&A videos with the museum experts, too, where you can jump online and ask your own burning question about something that's got you stumped. Meanwhile, Scienceworks' new online offering is sure to inspire a few at-home scientists, packed with virtual tours of its own exhibitions, research videos and links to loads of fascinating science stories. You can journey to Pluto with NASA's Alice Bowman and watch a hilarious video of 'things you shouldn't put in a microwave'. Don't try and recreate at home, folks. And the Immigration Museum will have you embracing Victoria's multicultural roots, exploring personal stories and historic photos on a virtual tour of the current exhibitions. Identity: yours, mine, ours questions what it means to belong in Australia, while video footage captures award-winning First Nations artist and choreographer Amrita Hepi taking over the Immigration Museum's Long Room for a special performance last year. Or, you take a peek at much of the Museum's extensive Migration and Cultural Diversity collection, while reading up about the colourful history of migration in Australia. Check out the full Museums at Home offering at the website and each of the museums' social channels. Top image: Scienceworks, 'Beyond Perception' exhibition courtesy of Museums Victoria. Photo by Benjamin Heally.
As NSW's COVID-19 restrictions start to ease and more Sydneysiders are heading back to work, the Government is discouraging commuters from travelling during peak hours as the public transport system nears its new socially distant capacity. At a press conference this morning, Monday, May 18, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, "We recommend people who aren't already on the system in the peak, especially on buses and trains, to travel in the off-peak, so after 10am or before 2pm." NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance reiterated this sentiment, saying "please don't travel in the peak — walk, ride your bike or drive instead". Constance also outlined the new safe capacities for the city's public transport vehicles, with two-door buses able to carry just 12 commuters (14 percent of normal capacity), Waratah trains 35 per carriage (24 percent) and Freshwater ferries 245 (22 percent). With these new capacities, Constance said the city's public transport is only able to carry 550,000-600,000 commuters compared to its usual 2.2 million. Last Friday, Constance said already 570,000 commuters travelled on public transport. While the Government says buses and trains are nearing capacity during peak hours, light rail and ferries do still have some room, so commuters should look at catching those instead if possible. To help ease some of the congestion, the Government is launching a pop-up car park in Moore Park from next Monday, where commuters will be able to catch a shuttle light rail service to the city, and six pop-up bike lanes heading into the city. The real-time public transport apps — including TripView, TripGo, Google Maps and the Opal App — now also show the safe capacity for each service and you can look at the capacity of trips from the day before to help plan your trip. 400,000 green dot decals will also be rolled out across the public transport system this week, showing commuters where safe, socially distant spots to sit are. To plan your journey and for more information about Sydney transport options, head to the Transport for NSW website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Imagine a space bustling with bartenders creating new drinks and learning innovative techniques. Then, imagine a space where you can pull up a stool to be whisked away on a tasting journey. This is the scene Orion Leppan Taylor and Mitch Bloomfield are envisioning with their new Cocktail Lab in Wollongong. The 26-year-old south coast locals pitched the concept to Idea Lab — an initiative run by Beam Suntory, which awards grants to change-making hospitality ventures. The pair won $20,000 to help turn their plans into reality. The pair currently work at Wollongong's Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms, which is where they're planning to build the new Cocktail Lab. "It'll be a space where we can educate the bar scene of Wollongong from an industry perspective," says Leppan Taylor. "But also, where we can run classes, educate and broaden [the public's] palates." While Leppan Taylor is now the bar manager at Breakout, he was brand new to hospo when he joined the venue three years ago. "As a bartender, I've had to self direct. But a big part of that has been [being connected to] the great community we have here," he says. "There are people I can reach out to if I'm hitting a wall, or running into problems, who are very open with volunteering their time and expertise." Bloomfield was also a fresh face behind the bar when he first came to Breakout. With a background in entertainment, he was more familiar with the escape room side of the business. "I got thrown straight into a Christmas hospitality period, which I had never experienced before. So it was very much the deep end," he says. A previously under-utilised space at Breakout will become the new Cocktail Lab, which will be fitted out with sleek prep benches and storage cages filled with bar equipment like centrifuges. With a little luck, Bloomfield says the Cocktail Lab should be open by March 2021. "We're familiar with the idea of Heston Blumenthal going very technical and science-y to try and do interesting things with ingredients," says Leppan Taylor. "At the end of the day, flavours, aromas and everything that goes into a drink is just a different series of chemical compounds," he says. When the lab opens, the pièce de résistance will be a rotary vacuum — a tool for redistilling liquids, which can infuse drinks with exciting new flavours. During the week, bartenders will be able to come in and use the space and equipment for research and development. "Or, to create ingredients they can take back to their own bars," says Leppan Taylor. However, for those who don't work in the industry and just want a fun, new place to go come Friday night, the public will be able to come to the Cocktail Lab for spirit tastings, cocktail classes and well-made tipples. "The goal is also to broaden the customers' vocabulary a little bit. So when they see something on a menu that has 'centrifuged' it doesn't look intimidating. It'll be something they're excited to try." The team hopes the venue will attract interest from bartenders further afield, too, as the local bar scene evolves. "There's a bit of an underdog mentality in the community," says Leppan Taylor. "Part of the reason we all like to support and help each other is because we have this feeling we're all in it together. We want to show we have the knowledge, expertise and experiences comparable to anywhere else in Australia." Top image: Mitch Bloomfield (left), Orion Leppan Taylor (right) in the new Cocktail Lab space in Wollongong.
Drinking sessions at home just got a whole lot more stylish thanks to the arrival of Pord — a new company combining art and wine in a rather gorgeous way. Pord has pooled the talents of three female Australian artists and Victorian winemakers Mitchelton to create its first series of mini wine barrel masterpieces, designed to bring more art and beauty into your everyday life. Each artist has contributed a limited-edition and eye-catching work to grace one of Pord's three-litre barrels, which each hold a neat four bottles' worth of wine. Illustrator Filippa Edghill's monochromatic artwork, titled Ancient Lines, is inspired by nature's curves; Melbourne artist Hannah Nowlan has contributed The Last Resort II from her most recent exhibition; and designer Evi O.'s work Sorbet is a vibrant painting with bold colours and pastels. Customers can select their favourite design and have it filled with one of three Mitchelton wines from the 2017 and 2018 vintages: pinot grigio, shiraz or rosé. Unlike regular bottles of wine, your beautiful barrel will keep wine fresh for four to six weeks after opening — and it can be repurposed. Hand-signed and numbered by the artist, and teamed with a certificate of authenticity, it's the kind of statement piece destined to be the talk of your dinner parties for years to come. And there are plenty more exciting artist collaborations in the works for future Pords. A pre-sale for Pord's covetable launch series kicks off at midnight on Saturday, July 14, with the goods to be delivered in October. The limited-edition barrels will set you back $160 each. Images: Josie Mackerras
Well, it's finally happened. Google has gone and ruined Pictionary forever. The internet giant has just unveiled a new web-based tool for computer, mobile and tablet that helps translate your incomprehensible scribbling into legible images. And while it's certainly got lots of useful applications, one thing is crystal clear: family game night will never be the same again. AutoDraw uses "machine learning" to deduce what users are trying to draw, and then presents them with a number of simple artist drawn sketches to choose from. Basically it's like autocorrect for art. Google released an explainer video, which you can check out below. You can have a play around with the tool over here. And no, for the record, it doesn't spit out dirty pictures, no matter how much you might want it to (full disclosure: we tried, a lot). That said, Google is accepting artist submissions, so maybe someone can sneak one through. And look, if nothing else, at least it'll help people avoid situations like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-NH6TGZTcc
Update Monday, March 7: Due to severe weather warnings for the weekend, King Street Carnival has been forced to cancel its two outdoor stages at Camperdown Memorial Park and Sydney Park. Refunds will be provided for the ticketed events. The in-venue gigs in the style of King Street Crawl will still go ahead across all three days. The festival is working to secure indoor performance spaces for some of the artists on the original outdoor lineup. Keep an eye on the King Street Carnival Instagram for up-to-date information. Before 2020 turned the world upside down, King Street Crawl was a yearly tradition. After taking the last two years off due to COVID-19, the inner west institution is returning with a massive new three-day event pushing out from King Street and into neighbouring roads and two idyllic outdoor spaces. King Street Carnival will run across the weekend Friday, March 11 and Sunday, March 13 throughout Newtown's main road as well as Enmore Road, Erskineville Road, the Sydney Park Amphitheatre and Camperdown Memorial Park. Heading up the outdoor concerts is legendary group Yothu Yindi who will share the headlining spots with the likes of Rolling Blackouts C.F., Sarah Blasko, Middle Kids, Stella Donnelly and Ratcat among others at Camperdown Memorial Park throughout the weekend. Over at Sydney Park, Horrorshow, Confidence Man and You Am I are topping the bill, accompanied by Barkaa, Young Franco, King Stingray and Tropical Fuck Storm. Sydney party mainstays Heaps Gay and Inner West Reggae Disco Machine will also be taking over the park's Brick Pits throughout the weekend. This year, the Camperdown Memorial Park and Sydney Park Amphitheatre showcases will be ticketed. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $55 for a Friday-only past and increasing up to $137 for all three days. However, if you're strapped for cash, never fear, as King Street Crawl's usual array of free gigs will still be stretching out along King Street and across the inner west, with local artists like 1300, Dante Knows, Liyah Knight, Big Skeez, Ultracrush, Party Dozen and Good Pash taking to the stage across the weekend. Check out the huge (and we mean huge) lineup at the King Street Crawl website. [caption id="attachment_793807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Buoys; April Josie[/caption] Top image: Destination NSW
If you didn't miss a single chapter of Dr Death and you spend more time on Audible than you do with your friends, then this extravaganza is for you. Meet Audiocraft Podcast Festival, a three-day happening dedicated to podcasts. Whether you make them, listen to them or obsess over them, there are talks, panel discussions and workshops for you. Highlights include a session on true crime podcasts with Stephanie Van Schilt (Sisteria) a performance by Avery Trufelman of 99% Invisible, and a live recording of Hey Aunty!. Other names to look out for include Ian Chillag of Everything is Alive (Radiotopia), Mark Pesce of The Next Billion Second (PodcastOne) and Travis De Vries (Broriginals). The action will kick off on Friday, May 31 with an opening night listening party at Forest Lodge's Harold Park Community Hall. A full day of talks will then take place at AFTRS the following day, where you'll learn about everything from pitching to the future of podcasts and recording the sound of icebergs in the Antarctic. On Sunday, the talks will move to The Calyx at the Royal Botanic Garden and will feature a showcase of some of the best moment's from Radiotopia's podcasts. There'll also be a host of workshops happening across the three days, for those keen on creating their own audible series. Image: Bryce Thomas.
The Imperial Erskineville's revamp has brought the inner west a lot to love — a new rooftop bar, a veggie-focused menu, regular drag shows, DJ sets and LGBTQI+ inclusive parties, plus signature cocktails in honour of iconic queens. The venue will add a new queen to that list this weekend with Karen's Martini Bar. It's a Will & Grace-themed pop-up that'll take over the space from October 5–7 and sling $9 martinis — that's right honey. Fans of the 1990s show already know that a new season will premiere on October 5, and the bar celebrates its renewal in truest fashion. First up, choose from character-themed cocktails like Karen's pink martini or Jack's espresso martini, both at just $9 a pop. The food menu will be New York City inspired, too, and each dish is paired with your choice of cocktail — think combos like the martini and hot dog ($20), martini and oysters ($24) or a shared meal of two martinis and a pepperoni pizza ($38). Then you've got the real Karen making an appearance (in the form of drag queen Krystal Kleer) to 'prop up the bar' from 4–7pm daily. And back-to-back reruns of the show will be played on large projector screens throughout the weekend, with prizes on offer to boot. Karen's Martini Bar will be open Friday from 5–8pm and Saturday through Sunday from noon–8pm.
October is made for weird, wild and wonderful movies filled with shocks and scares. 'Tis Halloween season, after all. So, the world obliges, including on screens big and small — and, in 2023, via the return of Australia's genre film festival Monster Fest, which is dedicated to flicks of the spooky, dark, twisted, offbeat and out-there variety. Monster Fest doesn't always pop up in the month when everyone is worshipping pumpkins and thinking about costumes; however, the timing obviously couldn't be more perfect. In Sydney, it's heading to Event Cinemas George Street between Friday, October 27–Sunday, October 29. On the lineup: the latest and greatest in genre filmmaking, spanning horror, sci-fi, comedies with elements of either and all-round unnerving movies. Standouts titles on the 2023 program include Suitable Flesh, which stars Heather Graham (Extrapolations) as a doctor going mad, takes its inspiration from HP Lovecraft and boasts Joe Lynch (Creepshow) behind the lens; The Last Video Store, a horror-comedy set, yes, in one of the last video stores; and Norwegian flick There's Something in the Barn, about a gnome uprising that plagues an American family (including Party Down's Martin Starr) who've relocated to Scandinavia. Or, there's also sci-fi comedy Time Addicts, Australian slasher Bloodmoon getting a 4K restoration 33 years after its OG release and Trim Season's nightmarish trip to a weed farm.
Next time you're looking for a healthy lunchtime meal near Circular Quay, you'll be able to head to the MCA. Its in-house cafe, which has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the harbour, has just launched a new vegetarian menu in collaboration with Sydney cafe and picklery Cornersmith. In great news for CBD pickle lovers, it means that you'll be able to get your daily dose of the cafe's salty and briny vegetables (in toasties, salads and bibimbaps) without heading out to Annandale or Marrickville. The Cornersmith menu, which launched on Friday, March 1, is available from 10am–4pm every day — and till 9pm on Wednesdays (when the gallery stays open late). Its launch corresponds with the gallery's new exhibition, Janet Laurence: After Nature, which explores the environmental challenges facing the world today — from coral bleaching to deforestation — through living sculpture, photography and video. It's only fitting, then, that Cornersmith's ethos is also focused on the environment. The cafe and cooking school advocates low-waste and uses minimal meat and produce that is sourced locally and sustainably. And it's making damn tasty fare — and it's super affordable, too. Everything on the new MCA Cafe is under $20 — from the kimchi and cheddar toastie with coriander slaw ($12) to the a brown rice bibimbap with kimchi ($16) and poached egg roll with red cabbage, chilli and pickles ($10). Meat-eaters will be happy to know that they can add leg ham ($2) to the latter if they please, while vegans will find solace in the Vegan Surprise Plate ($16), which comes complete with vegan cheese. Like the MCA's new exhibition, the Cornersmith menu is around for a good time, not a long time. So if you'd like to get your city dose of Cornersmith eats, you'll need to head along before Monday, June 10, 2019. The regular MCA Cafe menu will also be available during this time. The MCA Cafe's new Cornersmith menu is available from 10am–4pm Thursday to Tuesday, and 10am–9pm on Wednesday. It's available until June 10, 2019. The MCA's Janet Lauren: After Nature exhibition is also showing at the MCA until June 10. Images: Anna Kucera.
Ready to hit the open road? If you're looking to add a dose of wacky charm to your next road trip, follow the lead of our readers who've shared some excellent suggestions for offbeat attractions that'll have you chuckling all the way to your destination. From oversized critters to weird sculptures, here's our guide to the lame (but legendary) stops you won't want to miss — as recommended by you — as well as the nearest The Bottle-O so you can stock up on bevs for a winner of a weekend. [caption id="attachment_697951" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Big Merino, Goulburn NSW No surprise, one of Australia's best famed big things is first on our list: the Big Merino in Goulburn, NSW. This colossal concrete ram stands tall and proud, paying homage to Australia's wool industry and is a favourite for our reader Anita: "It's a baa-rilliant photo op you need for your Insta feed." If you're on a road trip from Sydney to Canberra over the long weekend, you've got no excuses not to pull over for a quick photo opp with this absolute unit. And before you park up at your accommodation in Canberra, swing by The Bottle-O to grab some tinnies and snacks to celebrate your arrival. Closest The Bottle-O: Mitchell [caption id="attachment_944023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Australia Rock, David Burke[/caption] Australia Rock, Narooma NSW Are you planning a coastal road trip in NSW for an upcoming long weekend? Head to the coastal town of Narooma and you'll come across the iconic Australia Rock, a natural formation that looks a lot like the outline of this fair country. "Australia Rock in Narooma is an excellent road trip attraction," says reader Ned. "There's also loads of seals or seal lions on the rocks below. Perfect spot to stretch your legs when driving down to Bermagui, where I'll be heading this long weekend!" Stop in at The Bottle-O on the way down so you have ice cold brews to enjoy with your epic coastal views. Closest The Bottle-O: Ulladulla [caption id="attachment_944024" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SapiTerbang via Canva[/caption] Jacob's Ladder, Ben Lomond National Park TAS Feeling brave? Love a driving challenge? How about a seriously steep zig-zagging road that makes a dramatic ascent to a plateau? Make your way to Jacob's Ladder in Ben Lomond National Park for some serious adrenaline-pumping action. "Jacob's Ladder is iconic", says reader Greg. "It's well worth the trip from Launceston." Grab a few cold ones from The Bottle-O in Launceston to celebrate your driving victory after you return safely to your accommodation. Cheers to that. Closest The Bottle-O: Launceston Penguin, TAS No, we're not talking about the cute and cuddly kind – we're talking about the town of Penguin in Tasmania. Tassie has a fun habit of naming its towns and villages ridiculous names — we're looking at you Nowhere Else, Break-Me-Neck Hill, Doo Town, etc. But Penguin really takes the biscuit. "We always make a pit stop in Penguin to snap a pic with the giant penguin statue, and if it's late in the day, you could spot some local fairy penguins making their way to the water," says Penguin-town enthusiast and reader Laura. Grab a meat pie from the local bakery and enjoy a picnic by the beach with some beverages from The Bottle-O in town. Closest The Bottle-O: Penguin [caption id="attachment_944026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Big Pineapple, Alpha via Flickr[/caption] The Big Pineapple, Woombye QLD Planning an escape to Noosa Heads or up to Rainbow Beach for the long weekend? Hop on the Bruce Highway and make a stop at the endearingly retro Big Pineapple in Woombye, not far from Nambour. This fruity landmark is a true Aussie icon, and our readers reckon it's worth the detour for the cheesy photo op alone. "Of the Big Things in Oz, it's definitely my top choice for a road trip detour," says reader Aidan. There's even a heritage-listed Pineapple Train through the sugar cane there, which might just be the most Queensland thing in existence. Closest The Bottle-O: Maroochydore [caption id="attachment_944027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Jones via Flickr[/caption] Tin Horse Highway, Kulin WA If the outback is calling you this long weekend, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more lame (with all due respect) but still legendary road trip detour than the Tin Horse Highway in Kulin, WA. This stretch of road is lined with homemade tin horses, each more ridiculous than the last. "The tin horses get more amazing the further your drive because the locals have been one-upping each other for decades," says reader Scott. "There's a slide made of tin horses, a horse riding a horse, and so much more." What started as a lark is now a fully-fledged competition with prize money, bragging rights and more tin horses. Now there are over 60 horses out there to discover. Take in a stretch, then you can debate your favourites when you pitch up at your campsite over a cold one from The Bottle-O. Closest The Bottle-O: Byford [caption id="attachment_944028" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Burke[/caption] The Giant Koala, Dadswell's Bridge VIC If you're travelling around The Grampians for the long weekend, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't head south to Dadswell's Bridge and pay your respects to the Giant Koala. Towering over the surrounding countryside, this oversized marsupial is a legendary and ever so slightly cursed sight for any road tripper. "Nothing can prepare for looking into those wild red eyes," says reader Kate. "it reaches into your soul. Best Big Thing. No contest". Recover from the soul-piercing eyes as you relax as the sun sets over the mountains at your campsite with a much-needed bev from The Bottle-O. Closest The Bottle-O: Sebastopol [caption id="attachment_944029" align="alignnone" width="1920"] GrainCorp Silos at Sheep Hills, Artist Adnate, Credit Aaron Powell[/caption] Silo Art Trail, VIC We received a lot of recommendations for Silo Art, from the cockatoo-clad silo on Kangaroo Island to Newdegate in WA. But one state copped more recommendations than any other and that is Victoria. Whichever direction you head from Melbourne, you'll have plenty of silos to add to your roadside attraction list. "I love the Silo Art Movement. I've knocked off ten around Melbs and I'll be heading further into regional VIC to check off a few more this long weekend," says reader Michelle. And don't forget to pick up some drinks at The Bottle-O to enjoy while admiring your snaps when you reach your accommodation. Closest The Bottle-O: Doreen Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: David Burke
As Mother's Day fast approaches, finding the perfect way to honour the incredible women who have shaped our lives can be a challenging endeavour. But what better way to show gratitude and celebrate than with a glass of champagne? Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to indulge in the best, so together with G.H. Mumm or Perrier-Jouet Champagne, we've rounded up we've rounded up a selection of experiences featuring great cuisine, creative pursuits, and (of course) premium champagne that you can book now. Reign at the QVB Celebrate Mother's Day in the stunning, light-filled champagne parlour, Reign. Located in the QVB, the space exudes that old-school, classic charm with sprawling marble floors and iconic arched windows that overlook the city. For Mother's Day, Reign will host brunch and lunch sessions for $79 per person ($29 for kids). The Shared Feast Menu (fittingly) features a glass of complimentary G. H. Mumm upon arrival. Plus, a live DJ will set the vibe to commence the celebrations. You can book your table here. [caption id="attachment_786070" align="alignnone" width="1918"] Robert Walsh[/caption] Infinity at Sydney Tower Head up 81 floors to the top of Sydney's iconic Infinity at Sydney Tower, an unforgettable way to treat your mum this Mother's Day. Infinity is offering a three-course menu for $179 per person. Enjoy a decadent lunch with revolving city and harbour views, a glass of G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon on arrival, and live jazz from their two-piece band to set the mood. After dessert, your mum will walk away with an individual rose and homemade truffles, a perfect Mother's Day treat. Reserve your table here. Nour Treat your Mum to a Modern Middle Eastern feast at Nour in Surry Hills. The hatted restaurant will serve a special Mother's Day banquet lunch for $119 per person, featuring classic Lebanese flavours with a contemporary twist. Soak in the ambience in the light-filled dining room and give your mum the day she deserves. You can even elevate the occasion and organise some bubbly or oysters on arrival. The best part? Nour will send every mum home with a complimentary G. H. Mumm Champagne — a perfect end to the perfect lunch. Book your Mother's Day banquet here. Icebergs Club There's nothing that exudes a more iconic Sydney moment than looking out over Bondi Beach at the legendary Icebergs Club. The sun-drenched venue is a perfect place to celebrate Mother's Day. Enjoy a laidback, bistro-style lunch with that signature Iceberg flair and raise a glass to Mum with some Mumm champagne. The Club will offer $99 bottles of Mumm for the month of May to celebrate Mother's Day — a great deal to help you celebrate with the finest. Book your spot here. Finer Rings Jewellery-Making Class at Four Hundred Treat your mum to something special this year and relish bonding time with a jewellery-making class on Saturday, May 11. North Sydney's Mexican bar and kitchen, Four Hundred, will host Finer Rings, an afternoon of creativity and indulgence. For $120 per person, enjoy half a bottle of Mumm champagne and a gourmet grazing platter as you create a stamped initial necklace and pearl earrings. The class is intimate, so book in now to secure your spot. Book your spot here. Henry G's Wine Parlour Looking for a unique Mother's Day experience? Intimate boutique wine bar Henry G's in Manly will host a Mumm champagne masterclass with a paired menu of signature pintxos. Celebrate Mum with Mumm and discover the world of champagne while enjoying Perrier-Jouet Belle Époque by the glass. The immersive experience also includes a live pianist for that signature Henry G's touch, making it a Mother's Day celebration to remember. The event is spread across the Mother's Day weekend, and you can book your spot here. Mother's Day QTea High Tea by Adriano Zumbo For a real taste of opulence, indulge your mum in a High Tea experience at the QT Hotel. The world-famous pâtissier Adriano Zumbo has crafted a selection of decadent treats to enjoy for the very special occasion. Start off with 'Sconez' with Tasmanian strawberry, lemon myrtle jam and clotted cream, then move on to the Japanese Miso Chicken Roll with yuzu, avo and sesame. The tea can be perfectly paired with Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne for $130 per person to ensure you sip in style. Spoil your mum and book a High Tea celebration now. Bistro Mosman Celebrate Mother's Day in style at Bistro Mosman, the resort-style dining room will be serving a three course menu of Provencal French cuisine, embracing classic charm for the classic woman. Or, if you are looking for something a little less traditional, head to the intimate Juniper Lane for the signature ½ lobster and fries, served with a glass of Perrier-Jouet – a truly decadent Mother's Day treat. Every Mum will receive a beautiful flower upon arrival, along with a special surprise treat from The Beuna team. Whether it's lunch or dinner, make a reservation now to ensure a memorable celebration for the special woman in your life. Spoil your mum this Mother's Day by treating her to a glass of G.H. Mumm or Perrier-Jouet Champagne one of these stunning restaurants in your city.
It just got real dark in Sydney. And in Sydney in summer, that only means one thing: a storm is coming. So if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of the afternoon. After a slew of shorts storms over the last week (and last night), another one is heading our way for at least the next few hours. And not just any old wet weather, either. At 4pm today, The Bureau of Meteorology reported that heavy rainfall is on its way to Sydney, which "may lead to flash flooding, damaging locally destructive winds and large, possibly giant hailstones". A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Sydney, with south Sydney, the Sutherland Shire, Campbelltown and the south coast set to be the worst hit. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1075619880790093825 The wild weather looks to ease later tonight. At the moment, public transport looks to be running on time and no major roads have flooded, but this could change as peak hour is about to hit. Stay dry out there. And remember to check Live Traffic, Transport Info and BOM for warnings and updates. Image: Live Traffic NSW.
There's a certain entrancing quality to rooftop bars — maybe it's drinking at altitude, maybe it's the fresh air on your face or the sun beating down on your Vitamin-D-deficient skin — whatever the reason, these beguiling open-air beauties consistently draw us in. Thankfully, Sydney has just scored five more swish new rooftop bars just in time for spring. While it might be tempting to head to the same old al fresco stalwarts you know and love, why not soak up the sun someplace new. From a Palm Springs-inspired bar to a plant-filled seaside oasis, these new rooftops on the block are pulling out all the stops. And, we're glad — cocktails taste infinitely better skyward in new surrounds. Here are our favourite new rooftop bars to visit in Sydney — so, next time it's sunny, you can spend less time Googling venues and more time drinking. You're welcome.
First, gyms. Then, saunas. Now, skincare is the latest service to get the membership treatment. Late-2022 saw the launch of Fayshell, Australia's first membership-based skin clinic in Bondi Junction. A second clinic is due to open on Sydney's North Shore any day now. Katelin Gregg and Ella James are behind the new beauty concept. After years of educating others on cosmetic enhancements and skincare via their podcast Cosmechix, the powerhouse duo are now channelling their knowledge into a bricks-and-mortar offering. The aim is to rebrand facials from a once-in-a-blue-moon treat to a regular step in a monthly self-care regime. "Facials shouldn't be reserved for a big event or a luxury day spa. This was our inspo behind the brand. We wanted to bring facials into the every day, educating our clients about their skincare needs and offering a customised experience to ensure they put their best face forward," says James. There are three membership tiers available, starting with the Basic Fayshell. For $169 per month, members will get one facial fully tailored to their skin concerns and goals. A dermal therapist will also help you craft an at-home routine, including skincare recommendations and nutrition advice. For $229, you'll also score unlimited LED light therapy sessions as well as more advanced treatments such as skin needling, hydrabrasion, herbal peels and chemical peels. "The monthly treatments are like PT sessions; they push your skin hard to get lasting results. The LED members lounge is like the gym; the more you go, the better the results," says Gregg. Not ready to commit just yet? A once-off facial will set you back $179, including skin consultation and an ongoing skincare plan, while a drop-in LED Light Therapy session is $59 a pop.
Redfern's Cult Design has been Sydney's acclaimed home of designer furniture for over 20 years now. Here, you can nab expertly crafted pieces from both international and local brands, many of which you won't find anywhere else. Expect designs from the likes of Denmark's Fritz Hansen, Carl Hansen & Søn and Louis Poulsen, as well as Italy's Poltrona Frau, Zanotta and Cappellini. On Aussie shores, Cult's own design brand, Nau, promotes Australia's leading designers. While Cult has showrooms across Australia, the Chippendale outpost is the main branch, so it has the best of the bunch. Can't make it into the shop? Check out the online store, which will ship heaps of designs to your doorstep.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. If you’re a committed singer-in-the-shower, here's one way to relax your inhibitions during a karaoke session. At Tokyo's Lovenet, there’s a karaoke room that comes with a hot tub, known as the ‘Aqua Suite’. For ¥25,000 per hour (around AU$261) up to six people can jump in the water at any one time and find out how what a little heat does for their vocal abilities. There’s space in the room for an extra eight singers. And if you forget your swimmers, you can buy some on the spot for ¥1,000 (that’s about AU$10). The Aqua Suite is but one of 33 themed rooms in the Lovenet. For Stanley Kubrick fans, there’s the Heaven room, where the white-as-white interior and underground crystals bring to mind A Clockwork Orange’s Milk Bar. For something more intimate, reserve the cosy Morocco Suite, which accommodates only two people. Then there’s the brightly coloured Candy Room. Karaoke in a hot tub hit the UK in 2013, when the Hot Tub Cinema folks, who have been up and running since 2012, decided to extend their warm, watery formula beyond movies. However, rather than setting up a room, they run their hot tub events as one-off, ticketed shindigs. Find the Aqua Suite at Lovenet, 3F-4F Hotel Ibis, 7-14-4 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Open Monday to Saturday 6pm-5am, closed Sunday and holidays. To book phone +813 5771 5511.
Across the past eight years, Sydney's All About Women festival has featured sessions on everything from hip hop and toxic masculinity to the post-#MeToo era — and, for its ninth iteration in 2021, it's once again presenting an exciting and eclectic program. When the event returns on Sunday, March 7, it'll feature talks, panels, workshops and films about the evolution of the feminist movement, its limitations, the gendered nature of household responsibilities, misogynistic online communities and the judgements built into artificial intelligence. There's also a session about coping with doomscrolling, because that topic couldn't be more relevant after the past 12 months. Once again, the fest will take place around International Women's Day — happening the day before, though, so it can still be held on a weekend. And while AAW has always covered a huge array of bases each and every year, there is a particular focus on power structures that limit the female experience in 2021. That subject will come through in sessions about identity, sexuality and resilience, and others that explore technology, entrenched inequalities and feminist futures. Talks about sex work and mindfulness are also on the bill, too. Leading the lineup of speakers is writer Isabel Allende, who'll be discussing her 2021 memoir The Soul of a Woman — which explores her role in the feminist movement across continents, cultures, and centuries. She's joined on the program by How to Be A Woman and More Than a Woman author Caitlin Moran, who'll examine the realities of of middle-aged life; Koa Beck, the ex-Jezebel editor-in-chief who penned White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind; and Laura Bates, author of Everyday Sexism and Men Who Hate Women and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project — with the ways in which the individual is often valued over the community and the corners of the internet swaying the mindsets of boys and young men all on the agenda. [caption id="attachment_797616" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Isabel Allende. Image: Lori Barra[/caption] For folks interested in AI, researcher and professor Kate Crawford will chat about machine classification and its role in entrenching inequality. Covering completely different subjects, one panel session will examine the often-complicated relationship between sex work and feminism, too, while another talk will help participants learn to cope with uncertainty in today's COVID-afflicted world. Or, attendees can head to workshops about making zines, weaving baskets — as led by Yorta Yorta woman Tegan Murdock and her mum Margaret Murray — and using music to help let go of the past. Unsurprisingly given the state of Australia's international borders, speakers from overseas will appear via video, rather than in-person. For those who can't attend AAW in person — including those located outside of Sydney — some sessions will be live-streamed as well, and made available to watch on-demand afterwards. The jump to online also includes AAW's film component. Two documentaries, Brazen Hussies and Coded Bias, will screen at the Opera House — and they'll also be available to stream online, alongside a lineup of short documentaries from female Australian filmmakers. Top image: Prudence Upton
In great news for cat-loving cinephiles, 2019 is shaping up to be a huge year for felines on film. Photorealistic big cats prowled around the remake of The Lion King, and they'll soon be joined by a bunch of singing, scurrying street mousers in the silver-screen adaptation of stage musical Cats. For nearly four decades, Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed production has pranced across stages everywhere, turning a tale inspired by poems from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats into an award-winning theatre hit. But, while plenty of other popular musicals have made the leap to cinemas, this one hasn't until now. The trailers for the new flick might just explain why. The first trailer dropped back in July and inspired much talk about its strange CGI decision to combine cats with human faces. Terrifying? Maybe. Entertaining? Definitely. If you've recovered from the first 2.23 mins of Cats madness, you'll be happy to know a second, equally bizarre, trailer has just dropped. [caption id="attachment_751620" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Judi Dench as a cat[/caption] Ever wanted to see Taylor Swift pouring cat nip on a crowd of cats from a suspended gold moon? Keen to soothe your disappointment over the fact that Idris Elba isn't James Bond by spotting him with whiskers, fur and a tail? Perhaps you've always dreamed of watching accomplished actors such as Judi Dench and Ian McKellen channel their inner feline? Have you ever hoped for all of the above, and for the actors to all play cat-sized cats? That's what's on offer in the just-dropped second trailer, as well as a heap of dancing and singing. In terms of story, Cats zaps Swift, Elba and company down to feline height to spin a narrative about the Jellicle cat tribe, who spend a night deciding just which four-legged moggy will get to leave their group, ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. The movie comes with a significant pedigree, with Les Miserables' Tom Hooper in the director's chair, Webber on music duties, Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler doing the choreography, and the cast also spanning James Cordon, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, Ray Winstone and Rebel Wilson. And yet, it all looks a little odd. But we'll let you decide for yourself. You check out the second Cats trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNTDoOmc1OQ Cats opens in Australian cinemas on December 26.
