In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we set the compass to Tropical North Queensland and take a trip to Cairns for a special stay at Crystalbrook Riley. We love this place so much that we teamed up with the resort to offer an exclusive four-night travel deal — including in-room entertainment, aquarium access and accommodation in an ultra-refined Urban Room. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Queenslanders have had a good few reasons to celebrate of late: State of Origin wins. A low-intensity heatwave that makes it feel they're never going to break up with summer. First place in a new survey that asked Aussies to rank their favourite local travel destination. And while anyone who's not a Maroons fan probably doesn't want to hear them gloat about their footballing victories, we can certainly support a destination that grants us access to sunny days and balmy nights right now without the need to renew our passports. Pitching itself for consideration is Crystalbrook Riley, a five-star stay that's strategically situated along Cairns' iconic coastal boardwalk. It has some of the best beaches of the world literally at your doorstep. Luxe location aside, Crystalbrook Riley's outstanding amenities are equally impressive. They include a 1000-square-metre swimming lagoon, a private man-made beach, bustling bars and restaurants and some seriously stylish rooms and suites. THE ROOMS The Crystalbrook Riley team is proud to proclaim that its 311 rooms and suites most certainly do not feel like a home away from home. But before you think that's a typo allow us to explain its rationale. Basically, it's because the team believes that leaving your teeny one-bedroom with views over the main road to spend your time away in the same sort of set-up defeats the purpose. Instead, it delivers all of the good things you love about your own house (big beds, comfy couches, steaming hot showers) and adds some oomph by making the design a little more sophisticated, the furnishings a touch more elegant and the kind of contemporary cool accessories you'd find at a boutique homeware store. FOOD AND DRINK If you're in Cairns, you're probably going dedicate a couple of days to super-early-start excursions like the Daintree National Park or the Great Barrier Reef. On those occasions, when you come home exhausted and don't have the physical energy to untangle your salty hair let alone order an Uber, Crystalbrook Riley's own in-hotel restaurants are on hand. The highest rooftop bar in Cairns, Rocco, is all about generous serves, share-style dining and fresh dishes that take inspiration from the Middle East and the Mediterranean and recreate them with fresh regional produce. Highlights include mezza plates featuring freshly shucked oysters, house-made labneh cheese, Far North Queensland grilled tiger prawns, confit chicken and grilled lamb cutlets. Pair them with a smart selection of sweet and savoury cocktails, like the Moroccan-inspired Message in a Bottle, for an experience that is truly unmissable. On the other hand, if you're all about an Asian epicurean experience, then Paper Crane offers a modern menu that makes the most of Tropical North Queensland's fresh ingredients while highlighting the best of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese fare. Signature dishes such as the citrus soy-marinated Tableland rib-eye steak on the bone pair perfectly with Paper Crane's custom cocktails. Just be sure to pace yourself if you have another long day trip planned for the next morning. THE LOCAL AREA Know as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the place to base yourself if swimming and snorkelling among world-heritage-listed marine life is on your bucket list. Ditto those seeking easy access to the iconic Daintree Rainforest and its soaring green canopies. But beyond its beaches and bushland, Cairns is also a dream holiday destination for those who like to pack their itinerary with drinking, dining and days spent doing a little retail damage. Our suggestions include the tropical treats at Charley's Chocolate Factory, sunset cocktails at seaside bar Salt House, the small boutiques in Oceania Walk or Galleria for high-end designer stores. THE EXTRAS Did you even go on a holiday if you didn't treat yourself to a fancy facial and meditative massage? Although Crystalbrook Riley's Eleme Spa is temporarily closed, guests can still enjoy access to the equally fabulous Eleme Day Spa Crystalbrook Flynn just down the road, where treatments such as couples therapy and detox packages are all available. Additionally, those who take advantage of this exclusive Concrete Playground Trips promotion can enjoy two complimentary tickets to the famed Cairns Aquarium. It's home to the Southern Hemisphere's only two-storey Deep Reef Tank, the 360-degree Oceanarium and Underwater Viewing Tunnel. Guests can spot rare species of sharks, sting rays, crocodiles and more, as they attempt to find Nemo. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
COVID-19 restrictions across New South Wales have been easing over the past few months, including loosened rules for restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries, and on caps for-home gatherings. But if you're the type of person who not only likes hanging out with your mates at bars and pubs, but standing up while you're knocking back cold ones, sipping wine or enjoying a cocktail, you'll be particularly pleased with the latest announcement. Today, Wednesday, March 17, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have revealed that the state's residents can now drink while vertical indoors, with the change already in effect. Accordingly, your days of only being seated while you're having a few beverages have finally come to an end. If you feel like saying cheers to that, it's understandable. The news wasn't unexpected. Back in February, Premier Gladys Berejiklian had noted that standing up while you drink inside at a pub or bar would be back on March 17 "if everything goes well". And even though NSW has reported two locally acquired cases in the past few days — including one overnight — the rule about only sipping while you're sitting has still been scrapped. [caption id="attachment_779825" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Nothing else is changing at present. If you're hanging out to hit the dance floor, that's still off limits — unless you're at a wedding, where 30 people can make shapes at once. But loosening the dancing rules, and letting more people attend weddings funerals, are under consideration for future rule changes. As always, NSW residents are asked to continue to get tested immediately if you experience even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms — and to keep an eye on the list of locations linked to the current locations linked to cases, and monitor for symptoms, get tested and/or self-isolate if you've visited any of the named spots. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Images: Cassandra Hannagan.
Sydneysiders will soon farewell some of its oldest commuter trains, with the NSW Government revealing it's set to fast-track the delivery of 17 additional air-conditioned models for use on our busy rail network. The Waratah Series 2 trains will beef up an existing order of 24 vehicles, some of which were rolled out onto the tracks last September. You might have spied them cruising around with their bright orange driver cabins. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the new haul of trains won't come cheap, clocking in at around $900 million, taking into account ongoing maintenance. Most of that money won't be headed to local pockets, either, with the vehicles being built over in China — though upkeep will take place in Auburn, NSW. Once rolled out, the full collection of Series 2 models should make for more pleasant journeys across Sydney's rail network, as they eventually replace the remaining S-Set trains — a group of 40-year-old carriages nicknamed 'sweat sets' for their lack of air-conditioning. By comparison, these newer counterparts boast double decker carriages, HD information screens, priority seating, wheelchair spaces, hearing aid loops and full air-conditioning with temperature control. [caption id="attachment_707370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A 40-year-old S-Set train.[/caption] As well as the dire need to replace the old sweatboxes, the new trains are being fast tracked because of a boom in demand. Sydney's rail network has had a serious workout of late — it clocked 413 million journeys last year, a 38 percent increase from 2013. As to which lines the new trains will be landing on, Transport for NSW has said it will be prioritising T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown and T8 Airport and South Lines. The latest orders should hit the tracks from 2020, which is unfortunately a little too late to save you from this summer's sweaty commutes. But, when they do drop, the additional trains will also mean more trains on the tracks and — hopefully — less time waiting at the station. All 41 Waratah Series 2 trains are expected to hit the tracks by mid-2020.
This weekend, Mardi Gras is rounding out its 41st year with a downright epic finale and nothing's going to rain on its parade. Least of all, some pesky lockout laws. That's right — the NSW Government has again agreed to ditch Oxford Street's usual lockout restrictions on Saturday, March 2, as the famed strip plays host to the annual Mardi Gras Parade and the massive crowds of revellers it pulls. For this one night only, venues in the area will be allowed to let punters through the door beyond the usual 1.30am or 2am cut-off, though they can only serve alcohol according to their usual time restrictions — for most, that's 3am. Some venues, with half-an-hour live entertainment extensions, will be pouring and shaking till 3.30, including Stonewall, Oxford Art Factory and the Cliff Dive. The lockout exemption zone, highlighted below, will stretch from the Burdekin Hotel — on the corner of Oxford and Liverpool streets — up to Victoria Street and across to the corner of Flinders and South Dowling streets, where the Taphouse is. [caption id="attachment_709775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of the NSW Government.[/caption] The lockout laws were first relaxed last year after a request by Liberal City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster. She wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying the move would "be a particularly poignant gesture of reconciliation given the historic passing of Australia's same-sex marriage legislation on 7 December 2017." This year, Cr Forster took to Facebook again to call for the lockouts to be relaxed for the full week leading up to the parade, but was unsuccessful. Mardi Gras 2019 celebrations runs from February 15–March 3, with the parade taking place on Saturday, March 2. Image: Jeffrey Feng.
This small nursery is absolute magic. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm — and a finely curated selection of plants, which includes everything from orchids to cacti. The staff are great and always ready to help when you can't figure out what you've done to make your indoor rubber tree look so sad. They understand that shoppers come from all levels of green experience, offering hard-to-kill Zanzibar Gems (the magic plant that thrives on neglect and only needs watering once every three months) to those with black thumbs, as well as being able to talk through the intricacies of garden layouts with the pros. Possibly the most welcoming feature, the Newtown Garden Market also has great standing deals meaning you can build your own flower bed or herb garden in one cheap trip.
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, like last year, it's also bringing the decadence to you. Whether you're a Melburnian who can't make it to one of the three venues outside of town, or you're located elsewhere and you really love hot chocolate, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is churning out boxes filled with creative hot choccie flavours. Like this year's physical fest, the flavour range is being released weekly — so you have an excuse to order more than a few boxes. To kick things off, there's the Tim Tam caramel bomb, which turns caramel Tim Tams into a ball and serves it with a caramel hot chocolate. Also tempting: the Devonshire kronut version features a berry hot chocolate topped with — you guessed it — a kronut. And, the Snickertini includes shots of Baileys and vodka, while the Dreamtime hot chocolate features lemon myrtle. Fingers crossed that fan favourite flavours like Tim Tam Slam and Golden Nutella Spoon will pop up throughout the month, along with the more adventurous likes of If You Like Piña Colada, Zingy Chilli and Cherry Matcha. All limited-edition hot chocolates come with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and handcrafted marshmallow, too. Plus, in previous years, some of the highlights arrived with exploding marshmallows, melting chocolate discs and truffle balls. If the eight-flavour pack each week is a little much — it'll set you back $49.95 — you can also order individual varieties for $6.50 a pop. The boxes are available to order until the end of August, and there's a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia.
I’ll be honest: earlier this year, Belvoir put a wild duck on stage and a small part of me hoped there would be a repeat of the bird scenario in The Seagull. However, given that the eponymous seagull of Chekhov’s play is shot early on and inescapably symbolic, it’s just as well that director Benedict Andrews doesn’t give the audience one to coo over. Instead, Andrews lives up to his reputation as one of Sydney’s most confronting and challenging directors by raising the curtain on the resentful, miserable, and resolutely alienated Masha smoking a bucket bong. In one fell swoop, Chekhov’s nineteenth century Russian country estate is transformed into a dinky fibro shack on the Australian coast where people have very little to do other than get wrapped up in the intricate narratives of their own lives. The flat, grey lake in the distance is, quite often, all they have to focus on. Although the setting is distinctly Australian, Andrews’ maintains simplified Russian character names and places. The ingénue Nina, the diva Irina, the angsty Konstantin, and the middlebrow writer Trigorin all ask questions about what constitutes real happiness, freedom and love; tragically, they seem innately incapable of answering them. Konstantin aspires to write plays that will overpower the artificial constraints of traditional theatre and stages an experimental piece set “200,000 years from now.” When his mother patronisingly dismisses it as “a tantrum disguised as theatre”, her beau’s smiling superciliousness only serves to stoke her son’s simmering Hamlet aspirations. Heart-sick with addled ambition, Konstantin shoots a seagull and offers it to his lover, Nina, but she is “too ordinary” to figure out whether it symbolises his frustrated creativity or her own fragile idealism. The Seagull was described by Chekhov as a comedy; and it is – in a generally bitter and twisted kind of way. Occasional moments of comic relief are provided by Sorin, who wanted to be a writer and never got around to it, but for much of the play Andrews’ cages his performers in a featureless glass box — a placeless place, with no discernible way in or out. In the face of the irrevocable nature of time, Chekhov's characters cling to momentary symbols in a vain effort to define themselves and each other. The Seagull is a meditation on how art produces life and life produces art, and the casualties of the process.
The last time that Vince Gilligan created a series around an actor that he'd already worked with, television gained one of the best shows of the 21st century, one of its finest-ever tragedies and a spinoff on par with its inspiration: the Breaking Bad-connected Better Call Saul. Next up on his resume comes another project based around a star that he's already made exceptional TV with, and that should be just as keenly anticipated, with Pluribus led by Rhea Seehorn (Win or Lose). As Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, Seehorn was nominated for two well-deserved Emmys, but missed out to Ozark's Julia Garner in 2022 and The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge in 2023. Here's hoping that she earns accolades for her next effort with Gilligan. This time, the duo reunite for an Apple TV+ sci-fi drama, which has just dropped its first teaser trailer and announced its premiere date. [caption id="attachment_864124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Better Call Saul, Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television[/caption] From Friday, November 7, you can watch what occurs when Seehorn plays the planet's most-miserable person, who needs to save the world from happiness. That's all of the plot details that have been revealed so far. The first-look clip doesn't expand on the narrative, but does feature a woman licking doughnuts and placing them back in a box for others to help themselves to. If you're keen for anything that The X-Files alum Gilligan whips up — especially with the stellar Seehorn involved — then you'll be pleased to know that the nine-episode first season of Pluribus isn't all that's on the way. Already, the show has been renewed for a second season. [caption id="attachment_757257" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Better Call Saul[/caption] On-screen, Seehorn is joined by Karolina Wydra (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Carlos-Manuel Vesga (The Luckiest Man in America), Miriam Shor (Magic Hour) and Samba Schutte (Parallel). Behind the scenes, Gilligan has fellow Better Call Saul veterans Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock and Diane Mercer for company among the series' executive producers, as well as Allyce Ozarski (I Love That for You) and Jeff Frost. Also, if you're wondering right now if Gilligan isn't all that fond of pastries given the role of a particular chain in Better Call Saul, that's understandable. Check out the date announcement video for Pluribus below: Pluribus starts streaming via Apple TV+ on Friday, November 7, 2025.
A day out from December 25, the experts are forecasting some hot weather. And it looks like you'd better be prepared to embrace the sweats, with Australia's weather set to gift us with some very balmy Christmas Day temperatures across the board. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne will be turning on some pretty primo beach weather, with mostly sunny skies and a top of 26 degrees, shooting it past the monthly average of 24.2. With today set to hit 34 degrees, the temp will only get to a low of 17 — so you're probably going to want to make sure those Christmas beers are cold and a swimmable body of water isn't too far away. Sydney is slated to enjoy a similar situation, facing a maximum of 29 degrees, a whole stack of sunshine and lows of just 18 degrees. However, if you're going to be out west, you'll have to withstand a heatwave — Penrith will reach a top of 35 degrees Happily enough, it seems the city will have got the current sogginess out of its system, with a solid week of showers and storms drying up in time for Christmas Eve. As in Melbourne, Sydney's looking at a mere five percent chance of rain for December 25 — if that's not perfect barbecue weather, we don't know what is. Further north, Brisbane's Christmas Day forecast is surprisingly similar, despite the slew of sweaty mid-30s the city's copped in the lead-up. If you're up there for the big day, you can expect to unwrap those presents to a balmy top of 29 degrees — pretty much bang on the Queensland capital's December maximum average. Across the country, Perth punters are in for steamier festivities, with Christmas Day maxing out at 35 degrees and dipping to just 20. It's a little warmer than the city's December averages, but shouldn't come as too much of a shock to locals — December 25 runs off the back of five relentless days of mid-to-high 30s, scorching sunshine and pretty much zero rain. Best find yourself some air-con for the big day. Adelaide-bound folk are in for the same max of 35 degrees, following a string of mid-20s in the lead-up. Canberra's maxing out at a sunny, slightly breezy 33 degrees, while Darwin folk can prepare themselves for a dramatic combination of 34-degree maximums, a medium chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. If you're after a cool Christmas, it seems you'll have to venture down to good ol' Tassie to find it — Hobart's dishing up a partly cloudy day, with a manageable maximum of just 22 degrees. Updated: December 24, 2018.
Free stuff might not fix everything, but the organisers of Wine Machine are hoping it'll help cool a fraction of the heat they've copped in the past three days. They're offering two free gigs to disgruntled patrons of the musical festival's NSW leg. The Hunter Valley festival was dealt a big blow over the weekend, when a freak electrical storm put an early end to the event, shutting things down just before DJ and co-founder Hot Dub Time Machine made it on to the stage. And those in charge have copped some slack for the way the situation was handled, with festivalgoers complaining about shoddy evacuation processes, as well as lengthy bar lines and wait times during the festival. In now-deleted social media comments published in Tone Deaf, festivalgoers slammed organisers for their lack of concern for patrons' safety, apparently more focused on getting people out quickly than on the dangerous lightning. Attendee Samuel Brady labelled it the "worst event ever", saying, "a tree came down in front of us and a guy broke his leg. So much for duty of care". A heavy police presence caused more complaints, while stacks of patrons called out Wine Machine's hefty food and drink queues, with some saying they waited in line in the sun for over 45 minutes. In an updated statement released yesterday, Wine Machine Hunter Valley event organisers said the evacuation was initiated in consultation with medical, safety, police and emergency services officers, saying, "the safety of all patrons, artists, and staff is of absolute priority". They also called for feedback on the day's police and security methods, which can be submitted here. The statement also addressed bar queues, blaming lengthy wait times on NSW's strict new festival licensing restrictions, management by external operators and an incident between two staff mini-buses. In the wake of this, Hot Dub Time Machine has promised to make up for his missed performance, with two free shows for Wine Machine attendees. "We wanted to make it up to you with this small token of our appreciation," the DJ said in a statement, announcing a full-length show at the Enmore Theatre on April 11, followed by Newcastle's Exhibition Centre on April 12. The gigs are exclusively for Wine Machine ticket holders, who'll each receive an email with registration details for the coming shows. Read Wine Machine's full statement below. Statement from the organisers of Wine Machine Hunter Valley Over the weekend 11,000 patrons attended the Wine Machine event at Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley. Toward the end of the event, personnel in the Event Control Centre who had been monitoring weather all day were made aware of an extreme storm cell rapidly approaching the event. The decision to evacuate was made in consultation with event medical, safety, police and emergency services officers and evacuation procedures were initiated circa 2130, 90 minutes prior to the scheduled end of the event after The Presets performance but prior to Hot Dub Time Machine's performance. The extreme weather system included torrential rain and a high multitude of lightning strikes within close proximity. The safety of all patrons, artists, and staff is of absolute priority. Evacuations of this nature in such extreme conditions are never pleasant. If you have feedback on the method by which police and or security managed this please email the WM team at cellarmaster@wine-machine.com and we will come back to you personally. We take reports of over aggressive behaviour very seriously and will investigate accordingly. We must also address bar lines earlier in the day. It must be noted the venue Roche Estate was a dry hire and not responsible for the bars. There were a number of external operators managing the event. Due to the current climate in NSW, severe licensing conditions were placed upon the event limiting drinks to two per person causing unacceptable congestion at the bars. Adding to this were staffing issues from our external bar operators Prime Collective who've issued the following statement: "Whilst licensing restrictions played a significant role in bar congestion at the Wine Machine NSW event, we must unreservedly apologise for our role in this and take full responsibility. Two of our staffing mini-buses carrying 32 staff were reportedly involved in an incident whilst en route from Sydney resulting in bars being under staffed. We are currently investigating the circumstances of this and following up on the conditions of those staff involved. If you would like further information on this or the licensing restrictions please email us: info@primecollective.com.au and we will come back to you." Event medical, police and safety officers have commended the attendees of the event for an otherwise very well behaved crowd with minimal presentations and detections for an event of this size. Lastly, stay tuned for an announcement from Hot Dub Time Machine who is planning to throw a complimentary make-up show for those disappointed he didn't get to play.
Billboards are traditionally known for their advertising, but in a world first, Peruvians prove they can offer an alternative function: producing water out of thin air. The University of Engineering and Technology in Lima, the second largest capital city in the world set on a desert, has developed this incredible billboard, which could improve the health of hundreds of citizens. The contraption contains generators that capture the air's humidity, which due to the lack of rain in the region is usually at 98 percent. This is then treated through air and carbon filters, condensed into purified water, and stored in tanks to be accessed by taps at the base of the billboard. Because so many people in the area source their (often polluted) water from wells, this potable water is a real help to the millions of residents of the city. The billboard produces 9450L water over a period of three months, which is enough clean water to cover the consumption of hundreds of families each month. The multifunction billboard does also advertise for the University that developed it — but then, this innovative, life-saving creation does warrant the right to brag just a little bit. Take a look at this video to find out more about how the billboard works and the effects it's had on the people of Lima. Via PSFK.
The rapidly evolving landscape of the Sydney CBD continues to gain international recognition, raking in three nominations at this year's annual awards given by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The well-regarded, Chicago-based competition rewards outstanding design, planning and construction of tall buildings, and remains an influencer in future building projects worldwide. The most notable finalist are the International Towers at Barangaroo, which have been shortlisted in the 'Best Tall Building: Asia & Australasia' category. They will compete against eight office buildings and hotels in the region — including four in China, three in Singapore and one in South Korea. If awarded, Barangaroo will then go up against the three additional regional winners from the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa categories to be judged for the title of '2018 Best Tall Building Worldwide'. Sydney is not new to this honour, with One Central Park taking home the gold back in 2014. But the plaudits doesn't stop there, with two George Street buildings also in the running for lesser awards. The EY Centre is up for the Best Construction Award, making the final cut with five other buildings from New York City, Salt Lake City and Shenzhen (China). This building already gained national recognition in 2017, winning the Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture at last year's National Architecture Awards. In the Ten Year Award, residential complex Lumiere is a finalist against international designs in the States, the UK, Dubai, China and Bahrain. The award is bestowed on buildings that prove valuable to their cities over a period of time In all categories, the winning projects must display innovative designs that enhance their respective cities. The winners will be announced May 30-31 at the inaugural Tall + Urban Innovation Conference in Chicago, which will celebrate the best in international design innovation, technologies and construction. Via Commercial Real Estate and Architecture AU. Feature image via Wikimedia.
Let's be honest, interstate trips are the perfect budget-friendly breather. You get all your well-deserved downtime, without the fuss of long-distance flying and complicated international travel requirements. These Airbnbs are perfect for just that — with breathtaking views of cities across Australia for the perfect getaway. If you're eagerly planning day trips, weekend getaways and luscious week-long vacations, check out some of the best Airbnbs for the perfect vacation — or staycation — across Australia. Tamarama Panorama, Sydney In keeping with the beachside neighbourhood's "glamarama" reputation, the views from this home's floor-to-ceiling windows are dazzling. You can walk down your outdoor staircase to the beach, or just lay out on the balcony chairs and enjoy the ocean views from up above. From $700 a night, sleeps six. Harbour Hideaway, Sydney The views from this beachfront apartment and its gorgeous porch are hard to beat. If viewing the golden sand and blue water from above wasn't quite enough, the pad also has beach access. From $500 a night, sleeps two. Opera House Views, Sydney Whether you've lived in Sydney your whole life or you're just popping in for the weekend, this condo's jaw-dropping outlook over the city skyline will make you feel like you're seeing it for the first time. From $258 a night, sleeps four. Bondi Beach Ocean View, Sydney Only steps away from Sydney's most famous beach, this condo is close to not only Bondi Beach but also many nearby restaurants, bars and cafes. But its views will probably have you wanting to stay in. From $400 a night, sleeps two. Single-Bedroom Luxury Apartment, Melbourne Perfectly positioned near The Crown in the heart of Melbourne, you can take in pretty much all of the CBD from the floor-to-ceiling windows in this high-rise apartment. From $160 a night, sleeps two. Melbourne Spaceship Penthouse, Melbourne With windows on the walls and ceilings resembling a spaceship cockpit, enjoy an unmatched 270-degree view of Melbourne. From $258 a night, sleeps two. Breathtaking CBD Views, Melbourne Also conveniently located in Melbourne's CBD, the views from this apartment's bedroom are absolutely breathtaking. From $143 a night, sleeps four. Stylish Waterfront Apartment, Melbourne With utilities such as a gym, swimming pool and BBQ area all available, this property is a peaceful waterfront oasis — and only a free tram ride from Melbourne's bustling city centre. From $150 a night, sleeps two. Million Dollar Views, Brisbane Surprisingly, the real selling point of this high-rise apartment isn't its central location or its nice interior finishings, but the view from the apartment complex's rooftop pool. From $221 a night, sleeps four. Stylish One Bedroom, Brisbane Centrally-located and modern, the skyline views from this apartment and its roof will make even Brisbane locals feel like they're on a luxury vacation. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Riverview 29th Floor Apt, Brisbane Located in the heart of South Brisbane, treat yourself to stunning city views from the apartment, balcony, or rooftop infinity pool. From $205 a night, sleeps three. City View, Perth Slide open the glass doors after a long day exploring the city and enjoy the sunset over Perth from your living room. From $200 a night, sleeps two. Cottesloe Beach View, Perch Just steps from one of the most popular beaches in Western Australia, the ocean views are the star of this apartment. From $410 a night, sleeps four. French Farmhouse, Perth Craving a nature immersion? This pad is for the traveller whose ideal vacation involves forgetting about the outside world altogether. With a foliage-covered courtyard outside its windows, this rustic townhouse will help you forget about the existence of the city centre a mere five minutes away. From $200 a night, sleeps four. Glenelg Beachfront Apartment, Adelaide With arguably the best waterfront views on this list, this apartment gets up-close and personal with Glenelg Beach. But, just in case you get tired of the unrestricted views, there is plenty to do nearby in Adelaide's CBD. From $405 a night, sleeps four. Pearl, Adelaide A cosy and bright beachfront cottage, this recently renovated designer property boasts a sea view that can be enjoyed from the open lounge and kitchen or stone patio that leads directly onto the dunes. From $336 a night, sleeps four. Asri Garden Studio, Adelaide For secluded garden views, check out this tranquil studio inspired by Japanese and Balinese design. It's all about nature: nestled into a secluded garden and designed to incorporate natural materials and natural light. From $200 a night, sleeps two. View Studio, Hobart The best way to end an action-packed day in Hobart? Taking in the epic views of the city's lights from the bath in this Airbnb's master suite. From $235 a night, sleeps two. Tiny House Tasmania, Hobart For those looking to experience the tiny home craze, a trip to Hobart may be the perfect opportunity. This home overlooks the Derwent River and notably features an outdoor bathtub perfect for a relaxing evening after a day spent exploring. From $195 a night, sleeps two. Mountain View Retreat, Hobart If you prefer to get your outdoor fix in the mountains, this cosy mountainside retreat is only minutes away from Hobart — but has stunning views. From $140 a night, sleeps two. Marina Views, Darwin Enjoy this property's stellar view of the marina from its all-day shaded balcony, to keep you out of Darwin's heat. From $180 a night, sleeps four. Harbourfront Escape, Darwin This apartment right on Darwin's harbour will give visitors the perfect taste of Darwin's coastal life: explore during the day — or night — and then returning to the complex's outdoor pool and sunset views. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Opulent Ocean View Townhouse, Darwin Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this townhouse boasts waterfront views in a prime location in Darwin's Stuart Park. Suitable for families or for a private getaway, you can switch off in this spacious stay and soak in the gorgeous sunrises — or sunsets — by the pool. From $481 a night, sleeps eight. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb
If you thought Melbourne getting a George Costanza bar was cool (or maybe you're just more of a Beetlejuice fan), you'll be pretty impressed by New York City's latest attempt to one-up itself when it comes to themed establishments. Set to open early next month is a Tim Burton-inspired bar and restaurant, very aptly named Beetle House. Millennium made. The Manhattan bar comes from the same team who thought (and were indeed correct in doing so) that the island needed a Will Ferrell-themed bar, which opened in October last year. Beetle House, however, promises to recreate Halloween all year-long with "an atmosphere and menu inspired by the works of Tim Burton". Perfect for the regular Edward Scissorhands or ghosts stuck haunting the East Village. Potions will include the likes of the This Is Halloween (a concoction of pumpkin, cinnamon and apple liqueurs, ginger beer and apple cider) and the We Come In Peace, which is a questionable mix of salted caramel vodka, RumChata, cream and a caramel swirl salted rim. Other well-named sips include the likes of Edward's Lemonade, It's Showtime and Beetlejuice (naturally). Drink at your own peril. To eat, you can choose from the likes of Beetle Bread bruschetta, the Victor Van Pork burger and the Sweeney Beef steak. Beetle House is located in the East Village at 308 East 6th Street. If you've got a trip planned to NYC anytime soon, we suggest booking a table in advance lest you have to go to an unthemed restaurant instead.
When it was announced that Fiji was planning to open its borders to Australian tourists back in November, you could almost hear the collective woosh of laptop lids opening as everyone went straight to travel booking websites. After a long two years without island escapes, it seems like everyone is suddenly posting pics of boarding passes and palm tree-lined pools —and we simply love to see it, as our close island neighbours need our tourism and support more than ever. Airlines have ramped up their offerings in response — when the border opening was announced, Virgin Australia was quick to restart its twice-daily return flights to Nadi from Sydney, daily return flights from Melbourne and thrice-weekly return flights from Brisbane. These days, Jetstar, Fiji Airways, Virgin and Qantas are offering direct return services. So yes, get ready for some beach pics to fill your feed. But it's fair to say we're a little out of practice with international travel, and things have changed a lot since the last time we whisked away. Whether you're heading off for some sunshine or you're considering booking in a much-needed holiday, we chatted to the crew at Tourism Fiji to find out everything you need to know about testing requirements, currency conversion, and what happens if you test positive for COVID while you're away. What are the testing requirements for travelling to and from Fiji? For fully-vaccinated travellers, there is no need to complete a pre-departure test. Instead, Fiji requires all tourists aged 12 and over to confirm they have a pre-booked RAT test to be taken anytime within 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. This can be done at a hotel or nearby testing facility — you can find more information about that here. You'll need to provide proof of your vaccine status when checking in at the airport – digital or paper certification will cover you — and for holidaymakers, medical travel insurance with international coverage that includes COVID-19 cover is required. Before returning home to Australia, you'll need to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration, which can be found here. What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 when I'm in Fiji? So, the nightmare has happened. But don't stress — there are worse places to recover from COVID than a Fijian resort. You'll be placed in isolation, where possible remaining in the room you are already in. Tourism Fiji says that occasionally resorts will put people up in a room with a private pool to wait out their isolation in their own space, while still being able to swim and relax. If travel companions are testing negative, they can choose to join the positive person in isolation or stay in their original accommodation separately — that's a fight waiting to happen if we've ever heard one. If you're still testing positive after the seven-day isolation, a medical certificate will be provided by health officers in Fiji confirming that you are no longer infectious so you can travel home freely. What are the mask-wearing protocols in Fiji? Wearing a mask is optional in Fiji but it's recommended to protect yourself and the locals – especially when in indoor spaces, on public transport, or in taxis. You'll also need to wear your mask in the airports and on the plane, except when eating or drinking. How long is the flight and do I need to prepare for jet lag? Flying from Brisbane is the quickest way to get to Fiji — the flight time is only around two-and-a-half hours. The flight time from Sydney to Nadi is approximately four hours, while Melbourne to Nadi is closer to five — have a snooze on the flight and you'll be sipping a cocktail poolside in no time. Fiji is two hours ahead of Australia (AEST), so there shouldn't be major jetlag issues. Besides, you're on island time now, so turn off those alarms. Where can I stay in Fiji? Across Fiji's 333 islands there is a range of accommodation offerings from bougie to budget. Whether you're choosing a five-star resort on a private island or a family-friendly apartment, the island nation is famous for its hospitality, so you're bound to have a great time. If you're keen to splash out, check out Concrete Playground's guide to luxe Fijian stays to splash out on. For stays a little more off-grid, check out this guide to a "less obvious" Fijian holiday. Do I need cash in local currency? What's the exchange rate? Most retailers and tourism providers take card payments and have paywave, so if you're travelling on a package tour with transfers included it's unlikely you'll need cash. But Tourism Fiji says that if you are planning on travelling by taxi you're best to keep some Fijian cash on you as most don't take a card. ATMs at Nadi airport are the best place to get cash out on arrival — you will be charged a transaction fee, so be aware it's best to get all the cash you'll need at once. And the most important question for any traveller… Do I need to bring an adapter for my wall plugs? Nope! In Fiji, the plugs and sockets are type I – the same as here in Australia. One less thing to think about when heading away. Top images: Sofitel Fiji, Six Senses Fiji
28 Degrees is one of Byron Bay's true luxury accommodations that balances an ultra-convenient location in the heart of town centre with the sanctuary-like feeling and privacy of a true retreat. Some of the major selling points of this beautiful guesthouse include the fact the property is an adults-only stay for guests 21 years and above, eco-conscious elements in the lighting and water operations, the absence of television screens throughout ensuring that you can quite literally switch off from distractions, and all the thoughtful details — from the organic bed linen to Hunter Lab skincare products and provided beach towels, umbrellas and bikes to get you from one side of Byron to the next. The devil in the details are courtesy of 28 Degrees owner Deb Garske, an interior designer whose professional experience comes through in the level of curation you'll encounter during a stay here. No two rooms are quite the same but all have the same level of care and consideration including a complimentary minibar stocked with local produce. There are four different types of room: the Classic Rooms which include access to common areas like the lap pool and a reading room. The Luxury Master Room includes views of the Cape Byron Lighthouse and a large private balcony. The Lighthouse Room which does not offer pool access but includes lighthouse views and and a claw-foot bath for post beach soaks. And finally there's the Plunge Pool Rooms which include a private plunge pool, outdoor shower and private deck. And in the not-too-distant future, 28 Degrees will get the addition of a new wing, which will include the 'Luxury Villa Residence' — a two-story villa boasting a designer kitchen, private entrance, large private plunge pool and walk-in wardrobe. Serious honeymoon material. The Marvell Street location puts you just minutes away from the best of Byron, from Main Beach to the town's ever impressive lineup of great food and drink options (the excellent natural wine bar Bar Heather is a leisurely 10 minute stroll). But the best thing about 28 Degrees is the absolute privacy and ability to properly switch off in a genuinely lovely environment.
There's an unassuming poke shop sitting on Queen Street in Woollahra. Behind the charred wood wall at its back — actually a sliding door — you'll find Izy, the eastern suburbs' new modern izakaya. Previously home to Japanese eatery Kenny Rens, the space has been given a makeover, and the food and drinks list reinvented by chef Jack New (Icebergs, Sokyo), bartender Atlanta Pahulu (Ramblin' Rascal Tavern) and front-of-house powerhouse Sebastien Dallee, who previously co-owned The Nine in Bondi. While most dishes on the menu are cooked on a large robata grill — stretching along the length of the open kitchen and bar — they're anything but traditional. New is known for his fusion cooking, previously pairing Scandinavian techniques and Japanese ingredients at the now-closed Edition, and he's implemented it here, too. Japanese ingredients are featured throughout the menu — with nori, koji and miso making regular appearances — and they're often paired with Italian flavours and dishes. Burrata ($20) is served with sake-glazed grape, charred on the robata, and should be ordered with a thick slab of 'garlic bread' ($6.50) topped with vibrant spread of smoked garlic and garlic chives; and koji-fried quail ($18) pairs well with a side of brussels sprouts ($10) tossed in house-made XO. As is the case at most izakayas, the food here is meant to facilitate drinking, so most dishes are salt- and chilli-heavy and easy to eat with your hands — a standout being the Hawaiian skewers ($14), made from cubes of pineapple and chestnut-fed pork cooked on the grill and topped with kewpie. Sakes and accessible naturals lead the drinks lineup (the particularly peachy La Violetta pét-nat goes down a treat) but are backed up by Japanese whiskeys, craft beers and, surprisingly, punch. Served in sharing bowls — portioned for two-to-three people, or one, very thirsty, customer — the punch rotates often, including options such as white wine and rum with mandarin and clove syrup. Izy, like most good Sydney restaurants these days, uses local produce and has a focus on sustainability, purchasing meats from Victor Churchill and seafood from Costis — both located stone throws' away on Queen Street. The menu also adapts to absorb leftover ingredients from the poké shop out front and a regular wastage user is the Salmon vs Salmon ($16), a build-your-own taco made using dehydrated salmon skins cooked in squid ink. Sydney has no shortage of bars serving up natty wines and next-level bar snacks, but this one — with its moody, fiery dining room, inventive eats and dangerously quaffable pét-nats — is worth hunting down. Izy is now open at 146 Queen Street, Woollahra from 5–10pm every day except Monday. Images: Nick Diomis.
Is the story of the Presley family angling for a trilogy, each with a different cast, different acclaimed filmmaker at the helm and different person in the spotlight? After Baz Luhrmann's Elvis in 2022 and now the upcoming Priscilla by Sofia Coppola, that idea is two-thirds of the way there. Whether there'll also be a Lisa Marie movie is yet to be seen, but Coppola's take on the famous music name — which has A24 behind it — has just dropped its first teaser trailer. Coppola reteams with the coveted American distributor after The Bling Ring and On the Rocks to adapt Elvis and Me, Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir that was co-written with Sandra Harmon. This isn't the first time that the book has hit the screen thanks to a 1988 TV movie, but it clearly has its namesake's approval given that she's one of the film's executive producers. (Another: Coppola's brother Roman.) The focus: the tale from when a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu met rock 'n' roll superstar Elvis Presley at a party, following their courtship and marriage. It's a well-told affair both on-screen and in the media, taking the couple from a a German army base to Graceland, with Coppola's version seeing its ups and downs — thrills and struggles, too — through Priscilla's rather than her hip-swinging husband's eyes. Playing the rock 'n' roll couple, thank you very much: Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, plus Australian Euphoria and The Kissing Booth star Jacob Elordi as Elvis. The first sneak peek at Priscilla teases its eponymous figure's well-known look, first moments with Elvis, arrival at Graceland, wedding, pregnancy and being a mother to Lisa Marie. Elvis' music stardom also features, including the singer at the piano, onstage and being snapped by photographers. Coppola writes and directs Priscilla, making her first film since 2020's On the Rocks, while Succession and Hello Tomorrow!'s Dagmara Dominczyk also stars. The movie is due in US cinemas in October, with release details Down Under yet to be announced. Check out the trailer for Priscilla below: Priscilla doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Assistance Dogs Australia need you. They have an abundance of puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy educator, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–16 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as an assistance dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend puppy classes. A fenced-in backyard or outdoor area is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, all food and supplements, training equipment, and flea, tick and worming treatment. Assistance Dogs Australia is looking for people in Sydney's North Shore and Sutherland shire, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains; in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula area; and in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than four hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. Once the pups reach 12-16 months old, they'll move on to their advanced training at Assistance Dogs Australia's national training school in Sydney. And, after they graduate, the four-legged companions will provide support to people with disability. Keen? You can apply online. And send pics please. For more information about Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy educators, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
How much does Netflix love British royalty? If five seasons of The Crown so far and its Harry and Meghan specials are anything to go by, the streaming platform is more than a little fond of the monarchy. Or, to be more precise, it knows that its subscribers feel that way thanks to all our binge-watching — so expanding its focus on the UK's sovereigns and their families via new Bridgerton prequel series Queen Charlotte was always bound to happen. Initially announced in 2021, now slated for a May 4 release and just unveiling its first teaser trailer, too, this upcoming show was always likely for another reason: Bridgerton's huge success. And while the hit page-to-screen series focuses on a firmly fictional aristocratic family in the 19th century — set in the Regency era, it's a work of imagination as well as alternative history — Queen Charlotte was indeed real. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will delve into the figure's backstory within the Bridgerton realm, including her rise to power and prominence, and the importance and impact of her reign. Also covered: her relationship with King George, as well as Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury's early years. The prequel series will chart how the Queen's marriage to George also created a societal shift, in fact, sparking the world of the ton as seen in Bridgerton — and it's being called part of "the Bridgerton-verse" by Queen Charlotte and Bridgerton executive producer (and Grey's Anatomy and Scandal creator) Shonda Rhimes. So yes, as well as the already-announced third and fourth seasons of Bridgerton itself, you can probably expect more spinoffs to arise. After releasing a first-glimpse clip from the show in 2022, Netflix's debut trailer for Queen Charlotte offers further glimpses at its young titular figure (India Amarteifio, The Tunnel) and George (Corey Mylchreest, The Sandman). Queen Charlotte will also feature Golda Rosheuvel (Dune) as the older version of its namesake, as well as Ruth Gemmell (Deep State) as Violet Bridgerton and Adjoa Andoh (The Witcher) as Lady Danbury. They'll be joined by Connie Jenkins-Greig (Solitary) as young Violet, Arsema Thomas (Redeeming Love) as young Lady Danbury, Michelle Fairley (Gangs of London) as Princess Augusta, Sam Clemmett (Cherry) and Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton) as the young and old Brimsley, Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute, Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) as Adolphus, Rob Maloney (Coronation Street) as the Royal Doctor and Cyril Nri (The Witches) as Lord Danbury. Check out the first teaser trailer for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story below: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will stream via Netflix from May 4. The first and second seasons of Bridgerton are available to stream now. Images: Liam Daniel/Netflix.
When Jetstar launched a hefty domestic flight sale last June, it sold 70,000 seats in just five hours, with Australians keen to travel when and where they can in these pandemic-afflicted times. Unsurprisingly, discounted airline tickets have become a common occurrence since travel around Australia restarted — and the airline has just kicked off another sale. The latest Return for Free sale is already running, with discounted fares available until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 7 — if it doesn't sell out prior. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights across a heap routes from destinations right across the country. And, as the name suggests, it's doing return flights for free. So, you buy your ticket to your destination and then Jetstar will cover your trip home. There are a few caveats, as there always is. You have to depart and leave from the same airports and, if you need to make changes down the line to your flight dates, you will have to pay change fees and any difference in fare. The discounted flights don't include checked baggage, either — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. [caption id="attachment_785574" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Now that you know some of the things you'll need to take into consideration, here's where you can go. Sydneysiders can snag return tickets to Victoria for $65, Launceston for $89, Brisbane from $92, the Sunshine Coast for $96 and Hamilton Island for $151. Melburnians can book trips to Uluru for $185 and Darwin for $184, and to Hobart from $84, the Gold Coast from $107, and Ballina and Byron Bay from $116. And Brisbanites can head to the Whitsundays for $91, Cairns from $115 and Adelaide from $141. Yes, the list goes on. Tickets in the sale are for trips from April–December 2021, with exact dates varying in each region. If you're keen to get away, book some now and start planning. And, as always, keeping an eye on interstate border requirements is recommended. Jetstar's Return for Free sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 7, or until sold out.
Proving that Italian food is a universally accepted good for humanity, this year’s Sydney Italian Wine and Food Festival has something to suit everyone. Held at Sydney Town Hall, the festival will feature some of the best Italian chefs in Sydney, including from the kitchens of Pilu at Freshwater, Ormeggio, Balla, A Tavola, Aperitivo, Ajo, Osteria Russo + Russo and Capriccio. They’ll be serving up street-style pizza, freshly made pasta and all the finest dishes you would associate with your imaginary Italian nonna. Alongside them, the Gourmet Traveller food market will offer up 250 of Italy’s finest wines along with all of the most comforting take-home treats, from cheese and gelato to salami and coffee. But the Italian Wine and Food Festival is not just a chance to stuff your face with quality goods; it’s also a chance to learn a little something, with a wine masterclass led by writers Huon Hooke and Max Allen and an olive oil masterclass led by Nino Zoccali from Pendolino. If neither of those liquids satisfy you, make your way to the Espresso di Manfredi’s Espresso Martini Bar, the Menabrea Birra Beer Bar or the festival’s Negroni Bar, where Max Greco from Vasco will be acting as mixologist-in-chief. All this, plus a soundtrack of live Italian jazz and DJs drifting from the wine garden until 9pm. Sounds like la dolce vita. Image: A Tavola.
From humble food truck beginnings, Melbourne Greek doughnut-slinger Lukumades opened its first bricks-and-mortar spot in West Melbourne in 2017. Now, it's brought its chewy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside dessert to Sydney. The Lukumades Sydney outpost is located in DUO Central Park — the plant-covered skyscraper opposite the eyesore that is UTS Tower — and dishing up a modern spin on traditional Greek loukoumades. Cult favourites such as the Oreo Balls smothered in white chocolate and served with a scoop of cookies and cream gelato — and the White Nutella Balls topped with salted caramel sauce and crushed biscuits — will be on the menu, as well as more traditional doughnuts dusted with icing sugar or dipped in honey and cinnamon. To drink, Lukumades' specially roasted blend of coffee by Sydney-based William De Nass roasters is available, as well as milkshakes, traditional Greek soft drinks and tsikoudia — a Greek grape-based spirit. Lukumades is not just expanding to Sydney, either. As well as Perth and a second store in Melbourne, the brand has its sights set globally — thanks to its recent franchising — with stores in the United States and Cyprus anticipated to open by the end of the year.
An unassuming Brunswick silo has become a towering new mural showing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern embracing a Muslim woman. But the large-scale artwork has also rustled up plenty of controversy, with backlash over the depiction of a foreign leader, rather than a local. The original photo of an emotional, hijab-clad Ms Ardern was taken as she comforted members of Christchurch's Muslim community, following the March 15 terror attacks on two of the city's mosques. Captured by New Zealand-based photographer Hagen Hopkins, it's since become an iconic image, reproduced in various large-scale iterations across the world. Locally, a GoFundMe page drummed up $11,000 — in a single day — to fly renowned street artist Loretta Lizzio to Melbourne, so she could capture the image in paint, on the side of the 25-metre-tall Tinning Street silo. Any extra money has gone to supporting the attack victims' families, through the Christchurch Shooting Victims' Fund. Having lived and worked in Melbourne previously, Lizzio is a renowned artist and muralist whose work has appeared everywhere from Vancouver and New York, to London. She donated nine days of her time to creating the project, which was completed last Sunday. While the silo is privately owned and the project had full the support of its owner, it still managed to cop a bit of backlash. Some locals aren't on board with the idea of using the large-scale work to reference an attack that happened overseas, instead of something more locally focused. One Change.Org petition had 14,696 signees calling for the mural to be stopped, citing its so-called irrelevance to the Melbourne community. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxeo-irAmLN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link On her latest Instagram post for the mural, the artist shared her own views on the matter, in response to one of the critics. "Appreciate the feedback, though this has everything to do with Aus, as anywhere in the world," she writes. "Hate crimes are a global issue... This particular project is about love and acceptance of all that call Aus home no matter your background." Loretta Lizzio's mural of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is located at 20-24 Tinning Street, Brunswick.
Sydney's Nantes have been hovering just under the radar for a couple of years now, winning hearts and minds while seeing single after single gets added to Triple J. And now, following the recent release of BeingsBeing, their debut album, Nantes are hitting the road to bring you their take on atmospheric synth-indie-pop. Joining them are Battleships a Sydney-based band of transplanted Queenslanders making noise overseas as well as in this suburnt country. They list bands like The National, Elbow and Boxer Rebellion among their influences, and there's definitely a similar mesmeric, melodic quality to songs like 'Your Words' and 'Coming Back to You'. Both acts have been a staple of local festivals for a little while now, although they tend to be on right at the start of the day along with all the other undiscovered gems, at a time when most of us are still trying to decide which ironic T-shirt possesses an acceptable level of street-cred. And if you're worried about parting with $20 for their GoodGod show, they're doing it for free at Bondi's Beach Road Hotel on Wednesday, April 10. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8IaHeTxqUKs
UPDATE, November 25, 2020: The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Has there ever been a filmmaker more suited to a story than Terry Gilliam and Don Quixote? In trying to get his adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' 16th-century novel off the ground for three decades, the Monty Python alum shares many a trait with the literary hero — they're both dreamers driven to persevere, and to see the world as they choose, regardless of the factors stacked against them. Given that Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote has been in and out of production since 1989, the odds were rarely in the film's favour. Given that he turned a past failed shoot into making-of documentary Lost in La Mancha, it seemed like this movie would never come to fruition. But Gilliam kept toiling as funding came and went, and cast members too. Everyone from Johnny Depp, Ewan McGregor and Jack O'Connell to Jean Rochefort, Robert Duvall, Michael Palin and John Hurt have been attached to the project at various points. Starring Adam Driver and Jonathan Pryce, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote now definitely exists, as if Gilliam willed it into being with the sheer force of his undying dedication. If you still feel like you need to see the film with your own two eyes to believe that it has finally been unleashed onto the world, that's perfectly understandable. Awaiting in this comic adventure is an obvious passion project — the clear product of a single-minded talent with a specific vision, boundless enthusiasm and the willingness to devote a big chunk of his life to a particular cause. It's also gleefully anarchic, a missive on both making and being transformed by movies, and a romantic ode to the unflinching combination of fantasy and fortitude. A straightforward version of the tale, this isn't. Instead, Gilliam steeps his filmmaker protagonist, Toby Grisoni (Driver), in several layers of Don Quixote connections. (If you're wondering how much humour the writer-director brings to the movie, he co-wrote the screenplay with his Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas scribe Tony Grisoni, who, yes, has an immensely similar name to The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's main character.) In Spain shooting a Quixote-themed commercial and sleeping with his boss' (Stellan Skarsgård) wife (Olga Kurylenko), Toby is reminded of his last visit to La Mancha, when he made a black-and-white version of the classic story for his student film. Alas, journeying down memory lane, and reuniting with shoemaker-turned-leading man Javier (Pryce), has repercussions. As Toby discovers, Javier has spent the past decade or so thinking that he really is the chivalrous knight. Spying the director's familiar face doesn't snap him out of it; rather, he believes that Toby is his squire and sidekick Sancho Panza. When Pryce's Javier bellows "you think you can hide from me?" while immersing Toby in his fanciful quest, it doubles as The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's statement of intent. This flick spent so many years eluding audiences, and now it's determined not only to exist, but to go forth and prosper on its own terms. Go forth, Gilliam does — with the feverish inventiveness that made his early greats such as Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen such delights, and with a sense of spectacle and occasion to go with it. But there's no mistaking that the filmmaker has much in common with the movie's cynical on-screen filmmaker, too. He knows the reality of his chosen business, and how difficult and convoluted it can be. He also knows what's at stake when you don't follow your dreams. Perhaps that's why The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is so joyous, even when it's ambling about and feeling more than a little shambolic in sections. The film is the product of a guiding hand who's pursuing his passion, is aware of the costs and challenges, and knows that anything worth having is worth working and fighting for. More than that, he's decided that the fruits of his sacrifice and labour are worth sharing as well. As a result, every frame, whether rollicking across dusty plains or literally tilting at windmills, is infused with a can-do, must-do, never-say-die attitude. And while they mightn't have been the director's original choices, Driver and Pryce's intensely committed performances possess the same spirit. After spending so long lost in La Mancha, Gilliam has found his way out, and he's in great company. The twist: even when this loony labour of love proves unsurprisingly indulgent, audiences will still want to get lost in the madcap epic along with him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pf17xRtthc
It may well be time for chauffeurs around the world to come up with a backup plan. With every new insight, it seems that Google's self-driving car could have the potential to put them out of business. The above photo illustrates exactly what the Knight Rider-esque invention can see. As deducible from the orange concentric circles, it's capable of 360 degree vision, which is kind of like having someone with four heads in the driver's seat. Moreover, according to Bill Gross, who first Tweeted the image in late April, the car processes a whole gigabyte of information every second. So far, Google's prototypes have successfully covered 400,000 miles of road. Even though it has long been thought that self-driving vehicles wouldn't go public for another twenty years, it's now looking as though they'll be widely available within five. The law has yet to catch up, however - driverless cars are illegal in every state in the U.S., with the exception of Nevada, California and Florida. Of course, the enforcement of road rules becomes a tricky issue when there's no one behind the wheel. According to Google, the future promises less traffic and fuel consumption, as well as increased mobility and safety. Those incapable of driving can start looking forward to some new-found freedom. [VIA boing boing]
The warmer months are here, and our bodies are ready to take our indoor fitness routines to the outside world. Think yoga. Think nature. Think combining the two for the perfect summer activity. As well as mixing up your usual vinyasa routine, doing yoga in natural environments has great benefits for mental health since it combines the benefits of exercise with the restorative effects of being in nature. But where can you realign those chakras outside? We're here to point you to a few golden outdoor spots to practice your asanas. We've also found a few teachers who'll help you through the moves, but these spots are also excellent for when you need a solo session with just you and nature. Either way, make sure to be sun safe and do your sun salutations from the shade when that fiery ball you're saluting is at its strongest (11am–3pm). A sunrise or sunset yoga practice is prime for avoiding peak UV time and for ensuring you aren't a total sweaty mess by the end of class. Whatever time of day you practice, though, make sure to apply that SPF 30+, wear some protective clothing and lay your mat in the shade. NARRABEEN SURF CLUB, NARRABEEN BEACH Nestled halfway up the Northern Beaches, Narrabeen Beach is one of the most consistently clean beaches in Sydney, partly due to local conservation efforts aimed at protecting the ecosystems where Narrabeen Lagoon meets the sea. Slop on that sunscreen, plonk your mat right down on the sand with Louise Kelly of Surfside Yoga, breathe in the fresh air and flow to the calming sound of the waves rolling in. As a bonus, you can often spot dolphins here, giving you the full David Attenborough yogi experience. Corner of Ocean and Albert streets, Narrabeen BONDI BEACH A sweeping view of Bondi Beach, the splash of salt spray, an outdoor lap pool on hand and an outdoor yoga sesh makes an ideal start to any day. Yoga By The Sea runs sunrise classes at the southern pocket of the world-famous beach on Tuesday and Friday mornings, with sessions focusing on strength, fitness and flexibility. Can't make it to Bondi? Classes also take place at Bronte, Manly and Freshwater. 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach [caption id="attachment_852734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joppe Spaa (Unsplash)[/caption] MANLY BEACH So, you've mastered yoga on land and you're looking for a new challenge? Look no further: Manly's Flow Mocean has just the ticket with its weekend stand-up paddleboarding yoga classes. Paddle out to the floating studio for a 60-minute class that promises a lighthearted yet challenging practice that caters to just about any fitness and experience level. Prefer to stay on land? Flow Mocean also offers kayak yoga — no, it's not yoga on a kayak, but rather taking a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre Wharf to a secluded beach where you'll have a class on sand before taking a refreshing ocean dip afterwards. [caption id="attachment_852737" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hopefilmphoto (Unsplash)[/caption] YOGA IN THE PARK Health, happiness and community are at the heart of the mission of registered charity Live Life Get Active. Its online and IRL fitness workshops welcome people from all walks of life to stay healthy and active, with classes led by professional trainers. The charity offers regular yoga classes in parks throughout Sydney, from Cronulla to Castle Hill, offering yogis of all experience and fitness levels a chance to practice outdoors. The best part? All classes are absolutely free. If you are looking for more places to feel a sense of connection in New South Wales, head to visitnsw.com.
Whether you're a Brisbanite eager to head to another state, or you live elsewhere in Australia but you're keen on holidaying in Queensland, the past two years have been more than a little difficult. They've been hard for a heap of reasons during the pandemic, obviously, but the Sunshine State's border closures have definitely been tricky to navigate. In November and December, however, that'll all start to ease. Today, Monday, October 18, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the state will start to reopen to the rest of Australia once the Sunshine State hits the 70-percent double-vaccinated mark among its eligible population. Queensland's domestic borders haven't been closed to the entire country this year, but with New South Wales and Victoria both experiencing lengthy lockdowns, they've definitely been shut to Sydneysiders and Melburnians — so this'll be welcome news to plenty of folks. "If we keep getting our vaccine, we can welcome family and friends from interstate hot spots in a little over a month who are fully vaccinated — and a month after that, in December, they can come without having to quarantine in time for Christmas, but they too will need to be fully vaccinated," said the Premier. "Queenslanders will acknowledge that that is a sensible and cautious approach to ensure that families can be reunited, but the people coming into Queensland will have to be fully vaccinated." Palaszczuk continued: "the faster we are vaccinated, the faster these deadlines will be achieved. It means that some of these dates may come forward if we get the vaccination rates up." BREAKING: Today we're releasing a plan for Queensland borders. Travel restrictions will ease when 70% and 80% of eligible Queenslanders are fully vaccinated.#covid19 pic.twitter.com/4PANA1CBjF — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 18, 2021 So, when Queensland reaches the 70-percent double-jabbed mark — which is expected around Friday, November 19 — travellers who've been in a hotspot area within Australian in the past 14 days can enter the state again. They'll need to be double-vaxxed, to arrive by air and to have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before arriving. Also, anyone in this category will need to go into home quarantine for 14 days. Then, at the 80-percent double-vaccinated threshold — which is expected around Friday, December 17 — travellers from interstate hotspots can arrive by either road or air to enter the Sunshine State. They'll still need to be double-jabbed, and to have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before arriving. But, there won't be any quarantine requirements at that point. The announcement means that Queensland will be welcoming in travellers from elsewhere in Australia just as summer arrives — and that quarantine will be scrapped for double-jabbed Aussies before Christmas. When Queensland hits 70-percent double-vaxxed, international arrivals will still be handled as they currently are. At the 80-percent double-jabbed mark, though, double-jabbed overseas travellers will be able to undertake 14 days of home quarantine — if they've also received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before getting to Queensland. Finally, at the 90-percent double-vaccinated threshold across the Sunshine State, all entry rules and quarantine requirements will be ditched for folks who've had both jabs. For the unvaxxed, the 14-day quarantine rule will still be in effect. At the same press conference, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles revealed that more restrictions within Queensland will start easing at the 70-percent and 80-percent marks — covering things like gatherings, entering venues and the like. And, these relaxed rules will start having vax requirements attached, so both Queenslanders and visitors from interstate will need to be double-jabbed to take advantage of them. Exactly what that'll entail hasn't yet been revealed, so expect further details before mid-November. Queensland will start allowing domestic visitors back into the state from mid-November, when the 70-percent double-vaxxed threshold is met. For more information about Queensland's border policies, head to the Queensland Government website.
"Well sir, there's no easy way to say this. Your wife isn't who she says she is." So starts the just-dropped full trailer for the fifth season of Fargo, the anthology TV show inspired by the big-screen Coen brothers masterpiece. Spinning blackly comedic crime tales just like the movie, this series charts a different caper with each go-around — and enlists a different cast, too — with the wife being spoken about here played by Ted Lasso's Juno Temple. Like season one, two and the movie, Fargo season five spends its time in Minnesota and North Dakota. The year: 2019. Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon (Temple) is the otherwise-ordinary person falling afoul of the law, or so it seems. Indeed, as her husband Wayne (David Rysdahl, Oppenheimer) learns, she not an average Midwestern housewife. And, as also seen in two prior sneak peeks, there's plenty more to this story. With Jon Hamm (Good Omens) also starring as Roy Tillman, the North Dakota Sheriff (and preacher) on Dot's trail, this tale is set to get twisty fast — and also include a heap of other familiar faces. Joining Temple, Hamm and Rysdahl: Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hunters), Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Lamorne Morris (Woke), Richa Moorjani (Never Have I Ever), Sam Spruell (The Gold) and Dave Foley (The Kids in the Hall). In a case of spectacular casting, Keery will put his famous hair to good use as Tillman's son Gator, in a franchise that also loves unpacking the ties of blood that bind and cause chaos. Spruell plays a drifter who is enlisted to help on the search for Dot, while Leigh hops onboard as Wayne's mother, aka the 'Queen of Debt' thanks to being a debt collection company CEO — and Foley plays her in-house counsel. Among the cops, there's Moorjani as a deputy from Minnesota and Morris as a North Dakota counterpart. Oh you betcha there's accents, crime capers, dedicated cops, and people doing dark deeds for selfish reasons and then getting karmic comeuppance, with Fargo season five arriving in Australia via SBS On Demand on Wednesday, November 22. 2023 marks almost a decade since writer, director and producer Noah Hawley leapt from Bones, The Unusuals and My Generation to diving back into crime in often-frosty American places with sly laughs. The first two seasons arrived back to back in 2014 and 2015, with season three then following in 2017 and season four in 2020. Now, after another three-year gap, the show returns with another new story and cast, but still set in the same world as the Fargo movie. Check out the full trailer for Fargo season five below: Fargo season five will start streaming via SBS On Demand on Wednesday, November 22. Images: Michelle Faye/FX.
Having a meal delivered to your home was once the height of decadence, now it's practically an everyday choice because of the variety of cuisines and dishes on top of the unbeatable convenience. Happily, these days you can get spectacular eats sent piping hot to your casa as per our list below, delicious stuff you can eat in front of the TV without major inconvenience or skimping on flavour. Fire up a movie and start planning your meal. The only tricky part is deciding which to choose.
It’s always exciting when two people you love get together, like Seth and Summer on The OC or you and Johnny Depp in nightly dreams. But no pairing has excited us more than Morgan McGlone of Belle’s Hot Chicken and Monty Koludrovic of Icebergs Dining Room and Bar who are finally giving in to all that crazy culinary tension and bringing us a massive pop-up party at Harpoon Harry this long weekend. Morgan and Monty (aw so cute) are concocting a bespoke menu of wings, hotdogs and moonshine shakes for the shindig. You read that correctly, moonshine milkshakes. Morgan is cooking up a spin on Belle’s famous hot chicken with a Barbacoa flavour. And Monty has invented what may possibly be the most perfect hotdog in existence: handmade spiced pork and beef frank, wrapped in a soft bun with mustard, pickles and chilli. And while we’re a wee bit sceptical about the moonshine milkshakes (made with Morgan’s homebrew moonshine and fior de latte gelato), love does make people do crazy things. Of course, we'll give it a try. This isn’t the first time Belle’s Hot Chicken has taken over Harpoon Harry’s either. They did a pop-up several months ago and are back already because apparently Sydney can’t get enough of what Belle’s got. Happily for us, they’re not into monogamy and are working with a horde of hospitality legends to provide bevs and tunes. The boys at Young Henry’s are bringing tinnies, DRNKS are cracking open their vino and Kali from Picnic Social will be soundtracking the evening. Where else would you be this long weekend than at a moonshine shake shindig? Morgan and Monty’s Wings + Dogs + Moonshine Shakes pop-up is happening Sunday, October 4 from 5pm. Find ‘em at Harpoon Harry, 40-44 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills.
Remember dancing, that thing we used to do before the pandemic spread across the globe and we all started spending more time at home? In good news, Sydneysiders can soon get out there and dance again — not just in their rooms, but in public with other people. That's back on the cards when the clock strikes 12.01am on Monday, March 29. So, that's when Kings Cross Hotel will open its doors and roll out the dance floor for deprived dance lovers to cut shapes until they physically can't cut shapes any more (or the wee hours of the morning, whichever comes first). Back on Wednesday, March 24, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a whole slew of relaxed COVID restrictions, including relaxed mask rules, scrapping limits on at-home gatherings and permitting dancing on actual dance floors again. And Kings Cross Hotel isn't going to let a minute go to waste when the time for dancing arrives tonight. "Dance floors coming back is a significant moment for reviving the beating pulse of Sydney's nightlife and live music scene," said Elliot Solomon, CEO of Solotel Group, announcing the hotel's plans. "We can't wait a second longer and so we will turn the DJ decks on at Kings Cross Hotel the second we're allowed to at 12.01am so our guests, who we know have been so excited to get back onto a dance floor, can dance once again right away." "Importantly, the resurgence of live music and dancing also means many more jobs — both for performing artists, industry crew and in our venues," Solomon added. "It's been a long and challenging wait, but we are so ready to welcome people back to our venues that are thriving with live entertainment." So, if you've been starved for human contact and really miss the feeling (and the smell) of strangers' sweat, head on over to Kings Cross Hotel from 12.01am tonight. You've earned it. Kings Cross Hotel will have its dance floors running — and DJs spinning tunes — Friday–Sunday weekly afterwards. And, other Solotel venues such as The Golden Sheaf, The Marlborough Hotel, The Bank Hotel, The Clock Hotel, Barangaroo House and Goros will also be welcoming back fancy footwork from this week. The latest round of eased COVID-19 restrictions come into effect at 12.01am on Monday, March 29. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
When it comes to fashion, staying ahead of the pack can be a mighty tough feat. But if you're keen to kick monochromic minimalism to the curb, while giving a little back to your global community, we've found just the bold West African label to help you do it. YEVU, which means 'foreigner' in the local Ewe language, is a socially responsible clothing line bringing the wild traditional wax prints of Ghana to Aussie shores. Linking local African tailors with style-conscious global customers, founder Anna Robertson is creating serious change for Ghanaian seamstresses living on the poverty line. You can read more about the company's social impact here. After launching its sell-out debut range in October 2013, the company has gone from strength to strength, hosting pop-ups around the country, selling out eye-catching pieces and garnering a cult following along the way. Now, YEVU returns to Sydney, hosting a ten-day pop-up filled with its new summer range, limited-edition prints, archival pieces and samples — just in time to stock up for summer. From December 6–16, the store will also be filled with plenty of foliage, thanks to Leaf Supply — and, yes, every plant on display in the store will be available to buy. So both you and your house can acquire some fancy new accessories. The YEVU Pop-Up is open from 10am–7pm, Monday–Saturday and 11am–5pm, Sunday.
It is not easy to reference, much less celebrate, the work of Dada artists. By its very nature the Dadaist art movement self-destructs at the mere hint of mainstream acceptance. And yet here is Going Gaga for Dada – a dedication to the Dadaist chaos, nonsense and whimsy – so compelling and so deliciously relevant, it reminds the viewer that there is still plenty to be protesting about. Dada, the artistic and literary manifesto of nonsense, originated in Europe during World War I as a protest against the atrocities the war was bringing to the artists’ front doors. Out of disgust for a seemingly senseless war, the likes of Duchamp and Tzara created works intended to be provocatively absurd, as a metaphorical thumbing of the nose, if you like. Here, curator and Dada scholar Akky van Ogtrop seeks to, like the Dadaists, define the undefinable, with contemporary mixed media such as collages, books, zines, posters and sculpture. And while the Dadaist references in colour, composition and typography are frank and fierce, this exhibition still feels fresh, germane and utterly evocative. Here, the iconic, horrifying iron of Dada is manifested (Richard Tipping, the Gift) and is joined by an ironing board (Dianne Beevers, Bristling) as absurdly inoperable at the iron itself. Dianne Longley’s ceramics are wicked: the placement of Tim Burton-like baddies on the domesticity of plates is nightmareishly good. A giggle at the Chicken Tank (Will Coles) will lead your mind to questions of power in politics, and the anxiety of Rochelle Summerfield’s tumultuous cityscapes will evoke the words of Dadaist Hugo Ball who lamented that “words emerge, shoulders of words, legs, arms – Dada is the heart of words.” In support of the exhibition, there will be a zine fest at Brenda May on Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1, with a talk by MCA curator Glenn Barkley. Image: Bristling by Dianne Beevers.
The annual floral show Fleurs de Villes is returning to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with a vibrant new floral exhibition tailor made for this year's Sydney WorldPride. This follows the success of last year's popular FEMMES exhibition. Running from February 17–26, Fleurs de Villes PRIDE will showcase a series of fresh floral installations made by Sydney's top floral talent, each of which celebrates an inspirational member or ally of Australia's LGBTQIA+ community. This includes the legendary Kylie Minogue and some of Sydney WorldPride's Rainbow Champions like Courtney Act, Keiynan Lonsdale and Deni Todorovic. Visitors to the exhibition can also enjoy colourful flower markets, expert floral talks, demos and workshops and unique Floral Discos — where guests can toast to the start of Sydney WorldPride and party to live DJ tunes alongside the vibrant floral exhibit. In celebration of this kaleidoscopic exhibition, Fleurs de Villes is giving away a one-night stay at the Intercontinental Sydney (valued at $500). This lavish five-star hotel is located right on Circular Quay, boasting views across the famous harbour. The winner will stay in a City View room, getting access to the most luxe facilities — including an indoor pool that looks out over the Sydney Opera House. A decadent breakfast for two is also included. Ready for a luxurious city staycation? Enter your details below. [competition]887514[/competition]
Sydney loves a Sunday block party and Soul of Sydney’s a good'un — a funk/soul/hip-hop oasis for house heads, Bboys and Bgirls, and pretty much anyone who can get down with getting down to a good beat. This Sunday afternoon, Soul’s taking to yet another secret Sydney disco dance floor for an indoor/outdoor jam in homage to the godfather of house music, Frankie Knuckles. Knuckles passed away in March 2014, leaving a house music legacy like no other; he was credited as being there when the genre first got its name in the '80s, putting the ‘early’ in early Chicago house vibes. To celebrate his life and legacy, Soul of Sydney DJs will be spinning heaps of the disco funk and garage tracks that shaped house music plus — of course — a not-to-be-scoffed-at dose of solid '90s house. The lineup includes Superbreak, Scott Pullen and Phil Toke, and there’ll also be a stepping and house dance showcase. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, get on it. The super-cheap $5 round has sold out, but there a handful of still-pretty-damn-cheap $10 tix left to snap up.
Home to stacked burgers named after Kanye West, Drake and Kevin Bacon, loaded fries of both the potato and doughnut variety, and boozy shakes and spiders, Milky Lane's regular menu brings one word to mind: indulgent. We all know that we shouldn't be eating fried chicken and maple smoked bacon burgs, mac 'n' cheese croquettes and deep-fried Golden Gaytimes every day — or drinking Bubble O' Bill and Zooper Dooper cocktails, either — but that's exactly what the chain serves at its stores across Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Canberra. If you think that those aforementioned dishes are OTT, they are. The brand's latest additions to its menu earn the term several times over, too, because mixing up Caramilk and Biscoff cocktails will do that. From Monday, June 28, Milky Lane will try to tempt your tastebuds with 12 new items — and whether you're keen on its burgs, desserts or boozy beverages, you're likely to find something to try on the new menu. On the burger lineup, the Hail Caesar will feature a herb and panko-crumbed chicken schnitzel and a parmesan deep-fried mozzarella patty; the Chicken Parmy comes loaded with a schnitty, ham, mozzarella and smashed potato gems on a mozzarella coated bun; and the Big Poppa pairs a smashed pattie, pulled brisket, bacon, mozzarella and twice as much American cheese as usual. Still sticking with all things savoury, loaded potato gems are exactly what they sound like — and if you like the deep-fried cheese curds that come on top, you can also order them separately. For folks with a sweet tooth, the new desserts range spans deep-dried Snickers served with liquid peanut butter, Nutella, crushed peanuts and vanilla ice cream, as well as a Caramilk and Biscoff cookie skillet — combining two cult dessert items in one dish. And, there's more Caramilk and Biscoff concoctions on the booze list, including Biscoff espressos, shots and loaded shakes, all featuring crushed Biscoff pieces, and Caramilk-heavy cocktails and loaded shakes. A grape Hubba Bubba spider made with grape vodka, bubblegum syrup and grape Fanta rounds out the new offerings, if you'd like to combine sweet treats and booze in a different way. Sydneysiders can head to Milky Lane's eateries in Bondi, Cronulla, Parramatta, Gregory Hills and Crows Nest, with fellow New South Wales stores also located in Newcastle and Terrigal. Queenslanders can hit up joints in Newstead and Surfers Paradise — and there's a store in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, too. Milky Lane will start serving its new menu from Monday, June 28 at all of its stores across Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Canberra. For further details, head to the chain's website.
How do you start one of the most-anticipated film events on Sydney's annual calendar? For Westpac Openair Cinema, that's a familiar question. The answer in 2023: with the new movie by an all-time great, and one of the 2023 Oscar frontrunners: Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans. The prolific director's latest comes hot on the heels of 2021's West Side Story, which also received some Academy Award love via a swag of nominations and a win for Ariana DeBose for Best Supporting Actress. When The Fabelmans launches Westpac Openair's new season on Sunday, January 8, the next batch of Oscar nominations won't yet be out — but it'll still begin the beloved harbourside cinema's 2023 run in a glorious way. The Fabelmans follows a teenager who wants to become a filmmaker, and takes loose inspiration from Spielberg's own childhood and early years in the business. Gabriel LaBelle plays that 16-year-old, with Michelle Williams (Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and Paul Dano (The Batman) as his parents, and Seth Rogen (Pam & Tommy) as his dad's best friend. After already locking in its dates — with its 2023 season running until Tuesday, February 21 — and announcing that Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney will be behind its food range just like in 2022, Westpac Openair Cinema doesn't reveal its full 40-night lineup until Monday, November 28. But alongside announcing The Fabelmans, the event advised that both the also cinema-focused Empire of Light and the Cate Blanchett-starring Tár will also grace its giant 350-square-metre cinema screen at Mrs Macquaries Point. And, so will #MeToo drama She Said, the Emma Thompson-led Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and The Lost King with Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. Those six films join a trio of other already-unveiled titles: this year's Palme d'Or-winner Triangle of Sadness, the Harry Styles- and Florence Pugh-starring thrills of Don't Worry Darling and the fashion-focused Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. And, back when the dates were first announced, the team behind the beloved event did drop a few other names of movies that've caught their attention, and that "would be pretty awesome experiences on Sydney Harbour", though. On that list: Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, Fire of Love, Ticket to Paradise, Moonage Daydream and Bros. Whatever other flicks fill out the bill, they'll play at one of Sydney's favourite outdoor cinema spots, which comes complete with spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac Openair 2023 runs from Sunday, January 8—Tuesday, February 21. Check back here on Monday, November 28 for the full lineup — with tickets on sale on Monday, December 12. Top images: Fiora Sacco.
Sydney's cocktail scene is about to heat up this winter as popular Spanish liqueur Licor 43 is partnering with five top South American and Spanish restaurants to introduce the Carajillo 43. This twist on the classic Carajillo (kah-rah-HEE-yoh) cocktail combines fresh espresso with Spanish liqueur, known for its sweet, citrusy flavours, which come from a secret blend of 43 ingredients. For a limited time, from July 19, the first 43 amigos to order a meal can score a complimentary Carajillo 43 when they mention this promotion at each venue. Keep reading to find out where and how you can join the fiesta.
It's the main reason most of Sydney has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2018, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they're bigger than ever. Sure, every event says that these days — but the fact that 40 different stalls will converge on Hyde Park for a whopping 18 nights this October makes the claim seem pretty accurate. Among the spoils will be all manner of noodles, dumplings and other delights from Mr Bao, Grump G's Kitchen, Hoi Pinoy, Chat Thai and Chur Burger. For dessert, Gelato Messina will predictably be back with a menu of pure wonder (can it top last year's deep-fried gelato katsu sandwich?) Black Star Pasty will return for another year and Donut Papi will make its first appearance. The markets will again take place in Hyde Park, which will also be — for the the second time — a festival hub for the month. It's inspired by California's Palm Springs, dubbed 'Hyde Park Palms', and will host a bunch of talks, parties and feasts, starting on October 4. An opening night party will celebrate the festival's 20th anniversary with a lineup of Sydney food legends, including Christine Manfield, Neil Perry and Ross Lusted. We're a couple of months from the start date, and Good Food has promised it has more surprises up its sleeve — including a pop-up Noodles Kitchen run by some of the city's best chefs. The markets will run from Thursday, October 4 until Sunday, October 21. They'll be open Monday and Tuesday 5-9pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5–10pm, Friday 5–11pm, Saturday 4–10pm, and Sunday 4–9pm. Entry is free but the place — if other years are anything to go by — will be packed. Image: Bec Taylor
In the latest effort to do the environment a solid by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, Western Australia has banned takeaway coffee cups that are lined with plastic and therefore can't be composted. Getting your caffeine fix to go in the state now means either sipping out of paperboard or bringing your own reusable cup, with WA leading the nation in scrapping the single-use item. Rules on plastics such as shopping bags, drink containers and straws vary state to state across Australia, with WA the first to completely ditch plastic-lined takeaway coffee cups. All plastic lids are also now banned, with scrapping both coming into effect on Friday, March 1, 2024. The move in Western Australia isn't sudden. It's part of the phase two of the state's Plan for Plastic, and comes into effect after a 12-month transition period, plus widespread consultation. The aim is to save 154-million-plus cups from landfill each year. And the fines for non-compliance are hefty, at up to $5000 for individuals and $25,000 for businesses. Anyone that supplies takeaway cups for hot beverages — be it coffee, tea, hot chocolate or anything else — is covered by the ban. Plastic trays for takeaway foods have also been phased out in the state at the same time, while lids for takeaway food containers, bowls, plates and trays will be ditched from Sunday, September 1, 2024, as will non-compostable plastic produce bags. Finding alternatives to disposable cups, and ways to recycle them, has been a focus across the country for years — as has encouraging folks to bring their own reusable cup. Cafes have trialled 'more recyclable' versions, given out free coffee if you have your own cup and reduced prices. Complete bans at the cafe level have popped up, too, as have reusable coffee cup sharing networks. WA's statewide ban on non-compostable takeaway coffee cups hasn't been implemented before Down Under, however, and here's hoping that other states take note. South Australia is set to do the same from September, while Queensland has announced previously that it's working to identify alternative cups and intends to ban plastic-lined versions, with no date set. The ban on non-compostable takeaway coffee cups and plastic lids in Western Australia came into effect on Friday, March 1, 2024. For more information, head to the WA state government's website.
Don’t know if it’s meant to be, but his stage name is pretty apropros. Pitchfork points out that it’s partly because Alex Zhang Hungtai spent the majority of his life feeling “unmoored and adrift”, but also his music is like all the other sun-soaked beach-inspired music acts that have been cropping up as of late had a delinquent distant relative who was a bit moodier and sometimes even a little menacing. Hungtai’s music looks beyond the psychedelic ’60s and back to 1950s rock ‘n’ roll, before cranking up the distortion so it comes out sounding even older again. On top of this add his grungy falsetto vocals and you have something that should come across as dated, but “timeless” is probably a better word. On his debut album Badlands the tracks bounce jerkily between poppy and powerful, sometimes even sad, but the one thing they all have in common is that they don’t sound like anyone else’s songs. Though the ideal listening situation would involve a rumbling ute, a dusty road and complete isolation, these songs are also quite good when you’re indoors and around other humans. Get to FBi Social on February 11th for proof.
What starts with an anthology drama that tells eight tales by Western Sydney writers, then ends with Wes Anderson's latest? That'd be the 2021 Sydney Film Festival. Finally set to return to the city's big screens for a full festival run, the annual cinema showcase will unleash a lineup of 233 titles between Wednesday, November 3–Sunday, November 14 — beginning with Aussie effort Here Out West and ending with The French Dispatch. Other highlights include the Timothée Chalamet-starring new version of Dune, 2021 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner Titane, Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz's latest collaboration Parallel Mothers, Broadway-to-cinema adaptation Dear Evan Hansen and Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's latest A Hero. Also among the big-name titles, Aussie drama The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson sits among SFF's competition lineup, as does Memoria, the Tilda Swinton-starring English-language debut of Cemetery of Splendour filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul; and Petite Maman, the latest film by Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Céline Sciamma. Or, there's Jane Campion's new film The Power of the Dog, which stars Kirsten Dunst and Benedict Cumberbatch; televangelist biopic The Eyes of Tammy Faye with Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield; the Will Smith-led King Richard, about Venus and Serena' Williams' father; and Oscar Isaac and Tiffany Haddish in The Card Counter. Two Berlinale Golden Bear winners are on the bill as well, thanks to 2020's There Is No Evil and 2021's Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn. And, SFF has kept a heap of its initially announced titles — from way back in June — such as Undine, Christian Petzold's Berlin-set, fable-inspired romance; and New Zealand's The Justice of Bunny King, which stars Essie Davis (Babyteeth) and Thomasin McKenzie (Old). There's also 2020 Sundance hit Zola, which is based on a lengthy 148-tweet Twitter thread; The Kids, which sees Australian filmmaker Eddie Martin (All This Mayhem) explore Larry Clark's 1995 film Kids; and three-time Sundance 2021 winner Hive, the first film to ever win the fest's Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award. Obviously, the list of standouts just keeps on keeping on. Wash My Soul in the River's Flow hones its focus on Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, following the couple as they prepare for 2004's Kura Tungar — Songs from the River — a collaboration between the First Nation artists, Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra; River is the latest musing on the planet we all call home by Sherpa director Jennifer Peedom; Cow sees American Honey director Andrea Arnold explore the existence of a dairy cow, and Bergman Island is the Tim Roth and Mia Wasikowska-starring new drama from Mia Hansen-Løve (Things to Come). Also, Fist of Fury Noongar Daa dubs the Bruce Lee-starring Fist of Fury in an Aboriginal Australian language, and becomes the first feature to ever do so; SBS documentary Strong Female Lead, about media coverage of Julia Gillard's stint as Prime Minister, gets a big-screen berth; and SFF's usual lineups of family-friendly fare, wild and wonderful genre flicks, Aussie documentaries and features from talented female European filmmakers all return. SFF's full 2021 program spans 111 feature films, 50 documentaries and 72 short films, all screening at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Cinemas Newtown, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne and Ritz Cinema Randwick. The 2021 event will also make its debut at Palace Central Broadway, Palace Chauvel Cinema Paddington and Palace Norton Street Leichhardt. And, while the 2020 festival completely moved online, the 2021 event is actually going hybrid. So, Sydneysiders can get their movie fix in-person for 12 days, complete with those quick jogs down George Street to dash between sessions, before checking out SFF On Demand from Friday, November 12–Sunday, November 21. Thanks to the latter, 56 feature-length films and 13 shorts will be available to watch digitally — not just locally, but nationally as well.
In Sydney, you can roast any way you like — be it a massive Yorkshire pudding packed with meat, potatoes, stacks of veggies and buckets of gravy, or Dewsbury pork belly with sides of leek fondue, apple purée and mustard jus. But sometimes, there's nothing better on a Sunday afternoon than keeping it simple at a neighbourhood pub. If that sounds like you, factor the Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle into your weekend plans. Every Sunday, you can kick back with a traditional roast for just $27. Chilly day? Grab a seat by the fire, where you'll warm up in no time. After all, there's nothing quite like feasting in front of roaring flames when the wind's howling outside. Alternatively, rug up and head out to the balcony, where you'll catch lovely sunset views. People have been doing it since 1828, when the Red Lion opened. It's since had a $1.5-million reno, which has given the pub a good tidy-up — while still keeping its charming feel. Middle and bottom images: Kitty Gould
Vegans must have a tough time in pubs, with meat and cheese usually front and centre of most menus. The Green Lion — the new eatery above The Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle — however, is catering exclusively for vegans and recreating pub classics like burgers, hot dogs and nachos with meat- and dairy-free alternatives. If you're not vegan or a regular to the category, it can be hard to judge how good vegan pub food is. Visually though, the resemblance is uncanny. Here, soy-based products are turned into beef patties, mince, battered fish, pepperoni and even melting cheese — the success of which is variable. For instance, a Green Mack Burger with a beefless patty, 'cheese', pickles, and special Mack sauce ($18) definitely resembles a cheeseburger; the mind boggles at what has to be done to soy products to make them look, and taste (sort of) like meat. And while it's perhaps not the most delicious thing you'll ever eat, it's definitely not bad. But, for carnivores at least, the vegan substitutes don't live up to the rich, savoury, salty cheese and creamy mayo flavours the brain is expecting. The fish tacos ($16) are more successful — the fishy-tasting tofu is battered, fried and thrown into a tortilla, and benefits from a fresh tomato salsa. The Panko tofu chips with wasabi mayo ($11.50) are oil-heavy, not really crunchy and the mayo lacks any real wasabi heat. It's a shame the less processed options like a vegetable curry ($15.50) don't deliver in flavour or texture, but it's early days and we're hoping they're still tinkering with dishes in the kitchen; adding a bit more spice, sharpness and freshness could smarten things up. The tiny cups of chocolate coconut vegan ice cream ($4) are cute and tasty. The interiors are — to put it one way — eclectic. There's a fairly bare dining room that's generally busy with families, younger and older locals and other mix of other punters. It's pretty tattered, in a nearly charming pub-like way. There's a library-cum-bookshop, green carpet, dark brown upright dining chairs and a redeeming wrap-around balcony. Service is friendly and we give major props to the vegan drinks list, particularly the vegan wines. The soy-based meat substitutes at The Green Lion do an okay job of recreating the real thing, but if you're vegan, the experience of being in pub — and being able to order anything off the menu and drink anything behind the bar — is a fantastically rare experience. It's worth a visit for the vegan and the non-vegan, the curious and the ardent alike. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Before SXSW Sydney made its debut in 2023, movie lovers in the Harbour City — and those keen to travel there for a getaway spent in darkened rooms — had one major film festival to look forward to each and every year. Now, there's two. While Sydney Film Festival showcases the latest and greatest in cinema from around the globe each winter, SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival does the same in spring. Last year's The Royal Hotel-opened lineup was impressive. Revealing more program details for 2024, with plenty still to drop before the event's Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates, 2024's already is as well. SXSW Sydney has been unveiling the films on its roster for a few months, but this is its biggest lineup announcement for 2024 yet, with over 20 new movies added to the bill. Cults, cat-loving animation and Christmas carnage: they're all included. So are a heap of titles that've had festivals around the world buzzing — and an array of homegrown highlights. Azrael sports an Aussie link courtesy of actor Samara Weaving (Scream VI), who stars in a post-apocalyptic tale about a woman's attempt to escape from mute zealots. For feline fanciers and Japanese animation fans alike, Ghost Cat Anzu follows a girl with a phantom mouser for a guardian. And, the Yuletide mayhem comes courtesy of Carnage for Christmas, with a true-crime podcaster in the sights of a psychotic killer. Among the pictures continuing to do the festival rounds, mom-com Babes is led by Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty) and helmed by Pamela Adlon (Better Things); Audrey features Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) as a mother who steals the identity of her teenage daughter, who is in a coma; DiDi unpacks Californian adolescence for the Asian American son of immigrants circa 2008, and won two awards at Sundance; and Grand Theft Hamlet sees out-of-work thespians stage one of Shakespeare's most-famous plays in a video game during lockdown. Or, there's two different stints of incarceration: the maximum-security prison-set Sing Sing boasts Colman Domingo (Drive-Away Dolls) at its centre; and Inside, which stars Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders), is directed by Charles Williams, who won the 2018 short film Palme d'Or for All These Creatures. Other standouts span Pavements, which sees filmmaker Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell) focus on the band Pavement via an experimental blend of documentary, narrative, musical and more — and, still on tunes, the 2009-set mockumentary Rap World, about friends trying to make a rap album in one evening. Plus, doco Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird spends time with At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, while Teaches of Peaches goes on tour with its namesake. In a roster of flicks that has a little bit of everything, Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder) moves behind the camera for the first time to direct documentary Never Look Away about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth, Peter Dinklage (Unfrosted) and Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) lead western-thriller The Thicket, dark Australian comedy A Grand Mockery will make its world premiere, The Gesuidouz brings a slice of Japanese horror, and Witches digs into the connection between maternal mental health and society's depiction of witchcraft. Even sports graces the bill, with Aussie documentary Like My Brother charting the journey of four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands, and Queens of Concrete following three skateboarders trying to balance being teens with attempting to score an Olympics berth. The above movies — and more — boost a lineup that already features documentary The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons; S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge, which is executive produced by Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace; Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, about thrash metal in the Māori language; and, after That Sugar Film and 2040, Australian actor-turned-filmmaker Damon Gameau's Future Council, chronicling a cross-Europe trip with eight young minds to explore climate change solutions. There's also Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, the latest documentary from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker, who are no strangers to SXSW in Austin — with the Australian-born, Brooklyn-based duo exploring the US today through former Pizza Hut buildings. SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival includes a hefty lineup of speakers as well, which is where attendees can look forward to hearing from Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton (The New Boy), Aussie composer Jed Kurzel (Monkey Man), Barbie executive producer Josey McNamara, Brave co-director Mark Andrews and Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire composer AR Rahman — and Lawless, too. [caption id="attachment_971937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2024 runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
With active COVID-19 cases decreasing in New South Wales over the past couple of weeks — including two new cases reported in the past 24 hours — the state has been relaxing a number of coronavirus-related restrictions. Already, NSW residents can visit friends and family in their homes in groups of two. And, in the next week, a number of other limitations will also be lifted. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed the state's next stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions today, Sunday, May 10, following a similar announcement at the federal level on Friday. While Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the nation's three-step plan to lift lockdown limitations between now and July before the weekend, that country-wide framework needs to be implemented at the state level individually by each state — with NSW already flagging last week that it'd take a few days to explain what's to come. From Friday, May 15, NSW will ease a number of limits. A selection of normal, everyday activities that have been off the cards since March will be permissible once again, with the following allowed: Up to five visitors in your home (which includes children). Outdoor gatherings of up to ten people, including leaving the house for recreational purposes — at parks and for personal training sessions, for example. The reopening of outdoor gym equipment and playgrounds "with caution". The reopening of outdoor pools "with restrictions". Dining in at cafes and restaurants, with up to ten people allowed inside at any one time. Weddings with up to ten guests. Funerals with up to 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors. Church gatherings of up to ten worshippers. As the Premier noted, this is the first time that NSW residents will be allowed to gather outside for recreational purposes since COVID-19 restrictions were implemented. But, she still stressed the need to "exercise extreme caution", advising that people should "walk out the door assuming you have the virus, or someone you come into contact with does". https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1259291456482627585 When discussing the fact that cafes and restaurants will be able to open for up to ten dine-in customers, the Premier also recognised that this number mightn't be considered viable by many eateries — so, while they are allowed to open, some owners may still choose to remain closed. Unlike Queensland's easing of restrictions, which also come into effect on Friday, May 15, folks in NSW won't be able to travel regionally for recreational purposes. "Unlike other states, NSW is not yet ready," the Premier explained. If all goes well with this first stage of reduced limits, the NSW Government will explore the next stages — but it isn't outlining what'll happen next at this point. Both at the press conference and in a statement, the Premier advised that "the NSW Government will consider steps two and three of the plan in due course". In person, she provided further detail: "if there is evidence or if there is data that shows either a huge spike, then we have to go backwards. Similarly, if the data shows us that we're doing better than expected, we can move forward a bit faster." When the eased restrictions come into effect on Friday, May 15, standard social-distancing requirements will still apply. That means sticking with physical distancing, maintaining four square metres per person indoors, hand and cough hygiene, and frequent cleaning and disinfection. For more information about NSW's eased restrictions, read the Premier's press release. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Kitti Gould
After more than two weeks without any new COVID-19 cases, and the final active case now recovered, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that New Zealand will transition to the lowest possible alert level from midnight Monday, 8 June. All current rules and social distancing restrictions will essentially be lifted. The move means that gatherings of any size are allowed to take place, restaurants and bars can operate as usual without seating limitations, and large public spaces including retail outlets and cinemas won't be required to count heads. Alert Level 1 also sees everyone being able to return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel. Stringent border controls remain for those entering New Zealand, including health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14-day managed quarantine or isolation. Which, sadly for Australians, means the trans-Tasman travel isn't quite on the cards — yet. First floated back in back in late-April, the 'travel bubble' was flagged as a potential in step three of Australia's COVID-recovery road map, which could come into place as early as July. Last week, though, when asked about opening NZ to Australian tourists, Ardern said told 7 News reporters: "We're on a great track. Australia is still dealing with cases, so just a little bit more progress is required...It's fair to say we are all eager, but we're eager to do it safely." Australia currently has 455 active cases out of a total 7260. While travel to NZ may still be off the cards for now, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee — which advises the government on decisions during health emergencies, such as pandemics — is meeting today to discuss "stage three and beyond" of the road map, so it's possible we could find out about other eased restrictions relatively soon. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
