On a warm night, there's no more consoling sound than crashing waves and on a blistering morning, there's no more refreshing wake-up than an immediate plunge into the sea. You and your mates can treat yourselves to both with a fun road trip to a beachfront camping spot in NSW. Because nothing brings people together like a group getaway, we've teamed up with Jim Beam to bring you this must-visit list of the best beach camping sites near Sydney — from secluded five-tent campgrounds to easily reached gems a stone's throw from the city and everything in between. Expect good times, core memory-making moments and plenty of fun in the sun at the best spots for beach camping in NSW. Recommended reads: The Best Ocean Pool Around Sydney The Best Hot Springs in NSW The Best Free Camping Sites Near Sydney The Best Beaches in Sydney [caption id="attachment_601757" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park Diamond Head Campground lies in the sheltered southern corner of Dunbogan Beach, on the watery edge of Crowdy Bay National Park. There's plenty to do at this NSW beachside campsite, from swimming in the calm, aquamarine water to exploring spectacular Split Rock. Walkers will be keen to conquer one of the nearby hiking trails, which take in swamp mahogany and paperbark forests, as well as coastal panoramas aplenty. Just check NSW National Parks website first, to make sure there are no closures. The campground has 75 pitches for tents, but you're welcome to pull up in your caravan or motor home, too. Among the facilities are showers, toilets, barbecues and picnic tables, so you're fully covered here. [caption id="attachment_602747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jervis Bay Wild[/caption] Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay This magical beach is tucked inside Jervis Bay's northern head, just a stone's throw from magnificent Point Perpendicular in Currarong. It's made for lazy, sandy days and safe swimming. If you're keen for a bit more of an adventure, bring your snorkel along and follow the rock ledges beyond the bay's entrance to meet garfish, yellowtails and old wives. The NSW beach campsite is pretty rustic, with facilities limited to portaloos and rubbish bins, plus no fires or pets allowed. And don't forget to BYO drinking water, cooking gear and toilet paper. But the extra effort is so worth it for these pristine surrounds. Outside of the summer months (when you need to book through a ballot system), this campsite is only available on a first-in, best-dressed basis — so be sure to get in early to nab a spot. Word has gotten out that this is one of the best places for beach camping near Sydney. For more information, head to the Shoalhaven website. [caption id="attachment_601760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast Tourism[/caption] Little Beach, Bouddi National Park Little Beach is another spot for people who don't like to share. You and five mates can claim the entire campsite for yourselves — there are just six pitches in this tiny campground. It's hidden along a small, secluded cove within the Central Coast's expansive Bouddi National Park. Backed by coastal rainforest and shaped by stunning cliffs, the Little Beach surrounds are hard to beat. The NSW beach campsite also offers picnic tables, barbecues and toilet facilities for those who need a little extra creature comfort. If you have time to spare, take on the eight-kilometre Bouddi Coastal Walk, which runs between MacMasters Beach and Putty Beach. [caption id="attachment_602765" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gregory for Destination NSW[/caption] The Basin, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park At The Basin, you can camp on the beach without leaving the city limits. Perched on Pittwater's western shore (with Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park as a backdrop), it's the ideal campsite if you're looking for a quick, nature-drenched getaway. Forget long drives, or driving at all — the easiest way to get there is by boat, in the form of a water taxi or ferry from Palm Beach. Another option is to park at West Head Road and walk, but keep in mind the trail is steep and 2.8 kilometres. It's a big beachside campground, with space for 400 campers, and boasts facilities, including showers, toilets, barbecues, drinking water, picnic tables and — in case you're feeling nostalgic — public phones. Be sure to pack your snorkel because we rate The Basin among Sydney's best snorkelling spots. [caption id="attachment_602773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dee Kramer Photography[/caption] Mystery Bay, Eurobodalla Those really looking to get back to nature should make tracks down the south coast — five hours' down from Sydney, to be exact. Here, the Mystery Bay campground boasts one of the few 'off-the-grid' Beach campsites in New South Wales. This means cold showers and pit toilets, to be exact. There are fire pits for cooking, and the nearest supermarket is 12 kilometres away in Narooma. But, for those that don't mind roughing it, the surrounds are truly spectacular. Expect turquoise waters, rocky coves and surf beaches to boot. The beach campsite near Sydney is also dotted with native bush, including spotted gums, acacias and banksias, and is a good spot to try your hand at fishing, too. You can also spend your time just hanging out on the beach or exploring the nearby Eurobodalla National Park — here, you'll find lookouts and walks, plus quiet stretches of sand and stacks of picnic spots. [caption id="attachment_601755" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Picnic Point, Mimosa Rocks National Park You'd be hard-pressed to find a camping site any closer to the sand than at Picnic Point Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park — and it's a lovely stretch of sand at that. Commit your visit down the far south coast to beach hangs, fishing and exploring the nearby coastline. Or jump in your car and check out the park's many other beaches filled with active wildlife. Picnic Point has room for 18 tents, plus barbecue and toilet facilities. Pitches are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, though, so get in early. Luckily, if you miss out, you can drive 30 minutes further down the coast to the 70-site Gillards Campground. [caption id="attachment_601899" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] Woody Head, Bundjalung National Park As the chilly weather heads our way, set your sights on the Far North Coast, where the perennially warm temperatures make camping in winter a breeze. Pitch your tent at Woody Head Campground, which sits just north of Yamba on the southeastern corner of Bundjalung National Park. There's room for up to 94 tents, so the facilities are pretty schmick — expect toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, picnic tables and even a boat ramp. The beach campsite in NSW also gives you direct access to the Iluka Rainforest Walking Track, which travels through the ancient, heritage-listed rainforest and offers breathtaking coastal views for 2.6 kilometres. [caption id="attachment_601927" align="alignnone" width="1280"] National Parks NSW[/caption] Brought Island, Myall Lakes National Park Broughton Island — which lies near Hawks Nest off Dark Point — is the only beach campsite in New South Wales where you're allowed to sleep among a sea bird colony. Here, you'll wake up surrounded by wedge-tailed shearwaters. The pint-sized campsite is set at Little Poverty Beach and fits just five tents, so you can enjoy the island's pristine beaches and walks without having to worry about the crowds — even in the height of summer. The limited size also means it's crucial to book in advance, though. And facilities consist of toilets only, so be prepared to boat in with everything you need, including drinking water. Depot Beach, Murramarang National Park Depot Beach is another NSW campsite that's just a stone's throw from the beach. And, unlike the beaches in nearby Batemans Bay, it doesn't draw as much of a crowd — leaving a pristine, white sand beach that's ideal for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and canoeing. Local dolphins are often sighted just offshore, too. Apart from all of the beachside activities, the location is also home to plenty of treks, including the Rock Platform walk and the Depot Beach Rainforest walk. Just check NSW National Parks website first, as some are still closed because of the bushfires. Back at the spot, one of the best beach campsites in NSW, you'll be sleeping among spotted gums and heaps of wildlife, including kangaroos, possums, goannas and native birds. [caption id="attachment_508361" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Coledale SLSC.[/caption] Coledale Beach, Thirroul A quick 1.5-hour train ride from Sydney, Coledale Beach boasts a vast, rocky landscape that has a real 'edge of the word' vibe. And its small, grassy campsite is so close to the beach that you can almost reach out of your tent and touch the sand. With a glorious backdrop of green hills and all the amenities — including a kitchen with power points, a laundry facility and hot showers — this is an ideal getaway from the city without going too far at all. Or even needing to rent a car. While you're at the beach campsite in NSW, check out the beach's deeply carved rock pool, which made our list of the best out-of-town ocean pools near Sydney. Or, if you're keen to traverse on foot, you can also walk along the incredibly idyllic Sea Cliff Bridge. [caption id="attachment_602771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Pebbly Beach, Murramarang National Park Want to share your brekkie with wild kangaroos? Set up your tent at Pebbly Beach, which you'll find nestled behind the forest of Murramarang National Park, about four hours' drive south of Sydney. The beachside campground near Sydney is just a stumble from the sand, with room for 23 tents all up. And you can pitch just next to your car, unlike other campsites in the area. Facilities include barbecues, showers, toilets and drinking water. From here, you can take a dip in pristine waters, go fishing or tackle a bushwalk — the campsite is a jump-off point for quite a few treks, including the Durras Mountain and Snake Bay walking tracks. Keep an eye on the National Parks NSW website for updates. Like Jim Beam, camping and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top image: Mimosa Rocks National Park by DNSW.
We've all heard that Christmas isn't about presents. It's about spending time with family, blood-related or otherwise. For others, it's a time to wind down after another year, to celebrate a certain person's birthday, or to tuck into an epic turkey feast. Whatever the story is, though, turning up to Christmas lunch empty handed is not something many of us are all too keen on. But what do you do for the person who already has pretty much everything imaginable? Well, you could give them the gift of experience — and make it one they're sure to remember for years to come. In partnership with Square, we've found nine unique Aussie experiences that'll make for great gifts — and you'll be buying from local legends who, after a pretty tough year, need your support. If you are a small business owner, Square has the tools you need to take payments and maximise your sales, including an ebook with tips to help you get started this holiday season. DOVECOTE FARM STAYS (FROM $1150) After a year that's seen us staring at our own four walls more than we'd like, why not gift your bestie, parents or partner an escape to the countryside? Located on the South Coast, just a two-hour drive from the city, is Dovecote. The property boasts 150 acres of oceanfront farmland and two private accommodation stays, both with private access to Werri Beach. The Range fits up to four guests, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, oceanside deck and a plunge pool. Otherwise, you can book in a stay at The Headland, which sleeps up to eight people and comes with a rumpus room, lush lawn, pool and firepit. SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT, BALLOON JOY ($300) Know someone who's always got their head in the clouds? Whether they're a hopeless romantic or just someone who dreams about reaching great new heights, giving them a hot air balloon flight will set you above the rest this Christmas. Aussie company Balloon Joy Flights offers both sunrise and sunset tours over the historic rural town of Canowindra. Or, you can book in an exclusive two-person hot air balloon ride if that's more your speed. Otherwise, simply purchase a gift voucher online, which is valid for up to three years. HAMILTON HOUSE STAY ($800 FOR TWO) If you want to treat your partner in crime to a next-level getaway, then consider a stay at this quirky house located at Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island. Sure, you'll be forking out for more than just a night here — you'll need to save up some cash for flights, as well as activities and dining out. But, as international travel is likely to be off the cards for a while to come, there's never been a better reason for Aussies to explore their own backyard. Hamilton House is set on 4000 square metres of land and is just a short walk from the white sandy shores of Emu Bay Beach. BURRATA & BOCCONCINI CLASS, OMNOM CHEESE ($79) We all know a hardcore cheese lover. Instead of simply buying them their one true cheesy love, get them a gift that'll let them feed their own gouda-loving gobs time after time: a cheese-making workshop. Rosebery cheese-making studio Omnom Cheese hosts a range of classes. We reckon the Burrata & Bocconcini class is the standout, where your mate will be making a whole kilogram of cheese. However, Omnom also offers haloumi and feta and ricotta classes. We recommend getting a voucher if your friend is particularly picky. [caption id="attachment_755511" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unsplash; Kelsey Knight[/caption] FULL-DAY MUDGEE WINE TOUR, MUDGEE EXPLORER ($130) Naturally, after all this cheese talk, we're moving onto wine. It'd be rude not to, really. While bottles of wine make for a mighty fine pressie (in our opinion anyway), you can take it up a notch and buy your shiraz-loving grandad, sauvignon blanc-sipping aunt or pét-nat-popping bestie a ticket to a wine tour around Mudgee. The full-day tour will bus them about, covering five wineries and a leisurely lunch either at a local pub or yet another winery. It also includes pick-up (10am) and drop-off (4.30pm) and a photography service to capture all the fun wine times they'll be having. [caption id="attachment_791340" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reuben Gibbs[/caption] EVENING TASTER CLASS, BONDI CLAY ($59) Like many of us, you probably have someone in your life who tested out a few new hobbies this year. If playing with clay is still on their list, then they're likely to love a class at eastern suburbs ceramic studio Bondi Clay. It offers a bunch of classes, from one-off wheel-throwing nights to month-long masterclasses. But, we think, the pick of the bunch is the Evening Taster Class, particularly for a newbie. Or, let your mate decide and give them a gift voucher. WINERY TOUR, BINET FAMILY WINES ($50) If you're keen to keep the wine party going, then buy your wannabe sommelier mate a tour around the Hunter Valley's award-winning Binet Family Wines. The winery, headed up by young gun Daniel Binet, is known for its exceptional drops, including semillon, verdelho, chardonnay and shiraz. The two-hour tour is led by winemakers, so your friend can expect to garner a lot of knowledge on all things terroir and tannins. It includes a walk around the picturesque vineyard, a barrel tasting and a seated tasting of Binet's wine ranges. [caption id="attachment_791348" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMB (FROM $198) Even though we live in Sydney, many of us give the activities you'd find on a backpacker's bucket list a miss. And that's fair enough. But, if you know a daredevil in your inner circle who's never climbed one of Australia's greatest engineering marvels, then we'd say this case is closed. Nab them a ticket to step up into the skies on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and it's sure to be a gift they won't forget. Better yet, Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is currently offering climbs for less than $200, which is a whole lot cheaper than usual. And, it offers gift vouchers, valid for up to three years. [caption id="attachment_665014" align="alignnone" width="1920"] KOI[/caption] KOI SET DESSERT MENU ($95) If you have someone on your Christmas gift list who is a devout Masterchef Australia fan, then lucky you, you've just found the perfect pressie. KOI Dessert Bar is from the Masterchef wizard Reynold Poernomo and his brothers Arnold and Ronald. Treat your friend to a dessert degustation at its Chippendale outpost, where they'll be feasting on four decadent — and theatrically plated — dishes. Rather than the risky business of picking a date at random, though, opt for a KOI gift card. Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. If you are a small business owner, Square has guidance on how best to maximise sales in the run up the Christmas holiday period in its ebook, found here. Top image: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Destination NSW
Every year, no matter which movies earn Oscars — regardless of what and who is nominated, the titles and talents that miss out, the fun of the ceremony and the scandals that pop up beforehand — the best way to celebrate a great 12 months in cinema is also the easiest. Films are made to be watched, be they blockbuster musicals, deeply personal documentaries, gorgeous animation, sci-fi spectacles, top-notch dramas or anything and everything in-between. If you hadn't seen 2025's newly anointed Academy Award-winners in advance, now's the time to change that. Almost every feature that picked up a gong on Monday, March 3, Down Under time is available to watch this second. Put Flow on your list for later, when it releases mid-March — but check out these other ten winners now. Need the full list of 2025's Oscar recipients? The nominees? Our pre-ceremony predictions regarding what would and should win? A rundown of where the rest of 2025's contenders are screening in Australia? Consider that pre-movie reading, then get comfy at your favourite picture palace or on your couch. Anora Along with playfulness, empathy, and an eagerness to look beyond the usual characters and pockets of America that tend to grace narrative cinema, tenderness is one Sean Baker's special skills, as splashed across the New Jersey-born talent's filmography for more than two decades now. It's in Tangerine, The Florida Project and Red Rocket, for instance, all three of which are stunning feats. It also couldn't be more evident in his Cannes Palme d'Or-recipient and now five-time Oscar-winner Anora. The writer/director's work has always been as clear-eyed as movies get, unflinchingly seeing the struggles that his protagonists go through, though — but their troubles are never the be-all and end-all for anyone in front of his lens. No one should be defined by their circumstances, their misfortunes, their unlucky lots in life, their woes, their mistakes, their missed chances, or how their existence does or doesn't measure up to anyone else's, and no one is in Baker's features. He pens, helms and edits with a wholehearted commitment to seeing people who they are. The fact that he undertakes all three roles on his films, each of which earned him an Academy Award here, means that the credit is almost all his, too; it isn't just the use of his beloved Aguafina Script Pro font that signifies a Baker flick. Spotting Cinderella elements and riffs on Pretty Woman isn't hard in Anora, as the picture's eponymous Brooklyn erotic dancer (Mikey Madison, Lady in the Lake) meets, dances for, hangs out with and is soon wed to Vanya, the son (Mark Eydelshteyn, Zhar-ptitsa) of a wealthy Russian oligarch (Aleksey Serebryakov, Lotereya). But just as Ani is always her own person, the magnificent Anora is always a Baker film. Fairytale experiences in life don't always come with a happy ending. Failures aren't always the worst options. Following your heart or whims is rarely either solely sublime or awful. Baker knows this, and so does this feature. Assured yet vulnerable, playing a woman capable of holding her own against mobsters — and standing up to almost anything else that comes her way — but not immune to sadness and disappointment, Madison is hypnotic as Ani. Eydelshteyn, Compartment No 6's Yura Borisov as one of the henchmen tasked with babysitting Vanya: they're mesmerising as well. The spirt of Anora — the vivid and audacious way that it bounds from start to finish, the grit and heart that it sports — is equally as pitch-perfect. Oscars: Won: Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing Other nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Yura Borisov) Where to watch: In Australian cinemas, and via Apple TV and Prime Video. A Real Pain He didn't feature on-screen in his first film as a writer/director, but 2022's When You Finish Saving the World couldn't have sprung from anyone but Jesse Eisenberg. Neither could've 2024's A Real Pain. In the latter, the Fleishman Is in Trouble actor plays the anxious part, and literally. He's David Kaplan, with his character a bundle of nerves about and during his trip to Poland with his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin, Succession) — a pilgrimage that they're making in honour of their grandmother, who survived the Second World War, started a new life for their family in the US in the process and has recently passed away. David is highly strung anyway, though. One source of his woes: the ease with which Benji seems to move through his days, whether he's making new friends in their tour group within seconds of being introduced or securing a stash of weed for the journey. With A Real Pain as with When You Finish Saving the World, Eisenberg is shrewdly and committedly examining an inescapable question: what is real pain, and who feels it? Are David's always-evident neuroses more worthy of worry than the despondency that Benji shuttles behind his carefree facade, and is it okay for either to feel the way they do, with their comfortable lives otherwise, in the shadow of such horrors such as the Holocaust? As a filmmaker, Eisenberg keeps interrogating what he knows: A Real Pain's main train of thought, which was When You Finish Saving the World's as well, is one that he ponders himself. Although he's not penning and helming strictly autobiographical movies, his latest does crib some details from reality, swapping out an IRL aunt for a fictional grandmother, as well as a trip that Eisenberg took with his wife for a cousins' act of tribute. It's no wonder, then, that he keeps crafting deeply felt features that resound with raw emotion, and that leave viewers feeling like they could walk right into them. With A Real Pain, he also turns in a stellar performance of his own and directs another from Culkin, who steps into Benji's shoes like he wears them himself everyday (and takes on a part that his director originally had earmarked for himself). Thrumming at the heart of the dramedy, and in its two main players, is a notion that demands facing head-on, too: that experiencing our own pain, whether big or small, world-shattering or seemingly trivial, or personal or existential, is never a minor matter. Oscars: Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Kieran Culkin) Other nominations: Best Original Screenplay Where to watch: in Australian cinemas, and via Disney+, Apple TV and Prime Video. Read our full review and our interview with Jesse Eisenberg. The Brutalist Since switching from acting to writing and directing — in his on-screen days, Thirteen, Mysterious Skin, Funny Games, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Melancholia, Force Majeure, Clouds of Sils Maria, Eden and While We're Young were among his credits, spanning works by quite the array of excellent fellow filmmakers — Brady Corbet hasn't lacked in ambition for a second. Still, as excellent as both Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux are, and they are, his third feature towers above them. With Adrien Brody (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) as Hungarian Jewish architect László Toth, The Brutalist is as epic as a three-and-a-half-hour drama about trying to escape life's horrors, including those of the Holocaust, by chasing the American dream can be. The buildings designed by its protagonist aren't the only things that are monumental here, career-best turns by Guy Pearce (Inside) and Felicity Jones (Dead Shot) among them. The Brutalist is a vision, too, with Corbet's ambition apparent in ever millimetre of every frame. (Shooting in VistaVision, a format used for Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest and Vertigo, but last deployed in the US for an entire movie with 1961's One-Eyed Jacks: yes, that's bold as well). Crossing the world is meant to bring the Toth family a new beginning. Waiting for his wife Erzsébet (Jones) to follow, and their young niece (Raffey Cassidy, a Vox Lux alum) with her, László arrives in New York and then Philadelphia solo, however — and etching out a fresh start with help from his cousin Attila (Alessandro Nivola, The Room Next Door) doesn't pan out the way he hopes. Neither does scoring a job revamping the personal library of the wealthy Harrison Lee Van Buren (Pearce), even when it seems to, then doesn't, then sparks the opportunity of László's dreams. Given everything that its protagonist needs to wade through, as does Corbet thematically, it's no wonder that The Brutalist clocks in at three-and-a-half hours with its intermission. Not a moment is wasted, that mid-movie pause included. As it muses on what it means to leave a legacy, this is a film to sit with. It's filled with performances that demand the same. Brody, Pearce, Jones: what a haunting trio. Oscars: Won: Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Brady Corbet), Best Supporting Actor (Guy Pearce), Best Supporting Actress (Felicity Jones), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design Where to watch: In Australian cinemas. Read our interview with Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones and Brady Corbet. Conclave Who knew that papal succession would become a film and TV trend? Fights for supremacy have driven three of the biggest television shows of the past 15 years, of course — Game of Thrones, Succession and Shogun — so repeatedly bringing the battle for the head Catholic Church job to the screen shouldn't come as a surprise. The Young Pope, The New Pope, The Two Popes, Conclave: they've all headed to the Vatican. The latter is quite the entertaining thriller, too. The idea behind this page-to-screen delight, as based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris: cardinals, they're just like everyone else seeking power, aka bickering, gossiping, scheming, feuding and trying to find their way to the top by any means possible. Here, when the pope passes, Canadian cardinal Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow, The Old Man), American cardinal Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci, Citadel), Nigerian cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati, A Gentleman in Moscow) and Mexican cardinal Vincent Benitez (feature first-timer Carlos Diehz) are among the contenders vying to step into their religion's ultimate position — all with differing views on social issues, ranging from liberal to conservative leanings. Voting for a new pope is a ceremony that lends itself to theatricality on-screen, which Conclave eagerly captures. The manoeuvring guiding the College of Cardinals' various rounds of choices is the movie's focus; trying to win support is an election campaign, and a heated one. At the heart of the drama is Britain's cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, The Return), Dean of the College, and also responsible for ascertaining the complete circumstances surrounding the last pope's death. Aided by a stellar cast that's answering viewers' prayers (also outstanding: Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini as Head Caterer Sister Agnes), filmmaker Edward Berger swaps World War I's horrors in fellow Oscar-winner All Quiet on the Western Front for a pulpy and twisty but smart affair. He hasn't completely switched thematically, though: how tradition and modernity butt against each other also remains in the director's view amid Conclave's many secrets and scandals. Oscars: Won: Best Adapted Screenplay Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Supporting Actress (Isabella Rossellini), Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design Where to watch: In Australian cinemas, and via Apple TV and Prime Video. Dune: Part Two Revenge is a dish best served sandy in Dune: Part Two. On the desert planet of Arrakis, where golden hills as far as the eye can see are shaped from the most-coveted and -psychedelic substance in author Frank Herbert's estimation, there's no other way. Vengeance is just one course on Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet, Wonka) menu, however. Pop culture's supreme spice boy, heir to the stewardship of his adopted realm, has a prophecy to fulfil whether he likes it or not; propaganda to navigate, especially about him being the messiah; and an Indigenous population, the Fremen, to prove himself to. So mines Denis Villeneuve's soaring sequel to 2021's Dune, which continues exploring the costs and consequences of relentless quests for power — plus the justifications, compromises, tragedies and narratives that are inescapable in such pursuits. The filmmaker crafts his fourth contemplative and breathtaking sci-fi movie in a row, then, after Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 as well. The vast arid expanse that constantly pervades the frames in Dune: Part Two isn't solely a stunning sight. It looks spectacular, as the entire feature does, with Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser (The Creator) back after winning an Oscar for the first Dune; but as Paul, his widowed mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Silo), and Fremen Stilgar (Javier Bardem, The Little Mermaid) and Chani (Zendaya, Euphoria) traverse it, it helps carve in some of this page-to-screen saga's fundamental ideas. So does the stark monochrome when the film jumps to Giedi Prime, home world to House Harkonnen, House Atreides' enemy, plus Arrakis' ruler both before and after Paul's dad Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) got the gig in Villeneuve's initial Dune. People here are dwarfed not only by their mammoth surroundings, but by the bigger, broader, non-stop push for supremacy. While there's no shortage of detail in both Part One and Part Two — emotional, thematic and visual alike — there's also no avoiding that battling against being mere pawns in an intergalactic game of chess is another of its characters' complicated fights. Oscars: Won: Best Sound, Best Visual Effects Other nominations: Best Picture, Best, Cinematography, Best Production Design, Where to watch: Via Netflix, Binge, Apple TV and Prime Video. Read our full review and our interview with Greig Fraser. Emilia Pérez As it follows its namesake character's (Karla Sofía Gascón, Harina) identity-swapping journey from cartel leader to trying to live her authentic life, Emilia Pérez isn't just a musical and a crime drama rolled into one. It's also happily and devotedly a melodrama — and French filmmaker Jacques Audiard (Paris, 13th District) goes bold in leaning in, and in embracing the juxtapositions of the movie's three main genres as they jostle against each other. That audacity; that willingness to be both spectacular and messy again and again; the feature's three key performances, including from Zoe Saldaña (Special Ops: Lioness) and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building): they all assist in making this vivid viewing. Also pivotal: the clear cues that A Prophet and Rust and Bone writer and helmer Audiard has taken from the work of Spanish great Pedro Almodóvar. The Room Next Door, the latter's latest, was completely overlooked by this year's Oscars, but it's easy to connect the dots between Almodóvar's immense filmography over four decades now and the look, feel and themes of Emilia Pérez. In Mexico City, defence attorney Rita Mora Castro (Saldaña) begins the film languishing in her job and its grey areas. She wins a high-profile case, but knows that she shouldn't have. Then comes a proposition delivered via an unexpected phone call, plus a secret meeting that she's whisked off to blindfolded: a job to assist a drug kingpin with transitioning from Juan 'Manitas' Del Monte to Emilia Pérez. Making that mission happen isn't simple. Everyone connected to Manitas' old life, wife (Gomez), children and colleagues alike: none of them can know. As it unfurls its story largely through exuberantly staged songs, the film is still really just kicking off when it then hops forward in time, diving into what comes next when Emilia is living her new life and Rita has been well-compensated for her efforts — and, in the process, exploring the consequences of getting what you want, or seeming to. The entire female cast won Cannes Best Actress prize but, after years spent on-screen tinted green (in the Guardians of the Galaxy films) and blue (in the Avatar flicks) in big-budget fare, this is Saldaña's moment to shine. Oscars: Won: Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña), Best Original Song — 'El Mal' by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), Best Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón), Best International Feature Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Original Song — 'Mi Camino' by Camille and Clément Ducol Where to watch: In Australian cinemas. I'm Still Here It came as no surprise when Fernanda Torres (Fim) won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Eunice Paiva in Walter Salles' (On the Road) deeply moving political and personal drama. Her understated yet also expressive performance as the real-life wife of Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello, Bury Your Dead), who was taken away by Brazil's military dictatorship in 1971 and never seen again, is that powerful. I'm Still Here poignantly charts the task of endeavouring to endure under such heartbreaking circumstances — under oppressive rule, when your existence crumbles, when your family is fraying courtesy of the trauma and when fighting back is the only choice, too. The film sees the early happy times for the Paivas, even as uncertainty lingers. It watches their lives by the beach, where Eunice, Rubens and their five children fill busy days. It then looks on as the military raids their home, as more than one Paiva is imprisoned and interrogated, and as the husband and father who was previously a congressman doesn't return. Also, it stares solidly as the quest for answers and justice never fades among Rubens' loved ones. Conveying the pain, the fortitude, the grief and the despair of someone in Eunice's situation might seem easy, not that relaying those emotions ever is; who wouldn't feel that way in these circumstances, or understand how someone would? It isn't a straightforward ask, though, giving a part the complexity that every role should demand when much about a character's inner life appears obvious — because the job is to dig far deeper than that, and to unpack what that natural reaction means for this person and this person only. Torres perfects the task. As a director, working with a screenplay that Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega (also collaborators on Mariner of the Mountains) based on Eunice and Rubens' son Marcelo's memoir, Salles is in superb form as well. Teaming up with the filmmaker keeps turning out exceptionally for Torres and her IRL family, with her mother Fernanda Montenegro also Oscar-nominated for Salles' Central Station back in 1999, long before featuring here as the elder Eunice. Oscars: Won: Best International Feature Film Other nominations: Picture, Best Actress (Fernanda Torres) Where to watch: In Australian cinemas. No Other Land In No Other Land, Basel Adra films what he knows but wishes that he doesn't — and what he knows that the world needs to see. Co-directing with Israeli investigative journalist Yuval Abraham, plus farmer and photographer Hamdan Ballal and cinematographer Rachel Szor, the Palestinian activist chronicles the takeover of the West Bank region of Masafer Yatta, purportedly for an Israeli military base. As a result of the latter, families with generations and centuries of ties to the land are forced to dwell in caves, battle soldiers and fight to survive. Their possessions, their homes, their lives: none seem to mean anything to those displacing the area's villagers. The suffering, the deaths, the grief, the children growing up knowing nothing but a literally underground existence: that doesn't resonate with the occupation, either, or with the trigger-happy soldiers patrolling in its name. Also falling on deaf ears: the please that gives this documentary its title, from a woman understandably asking where else these communities are meant to go. The apathy and worse that's directed towards Adra's family and other Palestinians in No Other Land, as captured in footage spanning from 2019–2023, could never be shared by this film's audience. As is plain to see by everyone watching, making this doco is an act of bravery of the highest order. It's also a downright daring feat — not only to record its contents in the most difficult of circumstances, at a potentially fatal cost, but with two Palestinians and two Israelis coming together to make the movie happen. Viewing No Other Land, and bearing witness as Adra demands, couldn't be more essential. It's as distressing as cinema gets, too, especially as the campaign of destruction against Masafer Yatta's residents just keeps repeating within its frames. While the urgency of Adra, Abraham, Ballal and Szor's film is inherent, thrumming from start to finish, so too is the thought and care that's gone into its construction. As with 2024 Oscar-winner 20 Days in Mariupol , this is truly unforgettable cinema. Oscars: Won: Best Documentary Feature Other nominations: NA Where to watch: Via DocPlay. ano The Substance If you suddenly looked like society's ideal, how would it change your life? The Substance asks this. In a completely different way, so does fellow Golden Globe-winner A Different Man (see: below), too — but when Revenge's Coralie Fargeat is leading the charge on her long-awaited sophomore feature and earning Cannes' Best Screenplay Award for her troubles, the result is a new body-horror masterpiece. Pump it up: the sci-fi concept; the stunning command of sound, vision and tone; the savagery and smarts; the gonzo willingness to keep pushing and parodying; the gore (and there's gore); and the career-reviving performance from Demi Moore (Landman). The Substance's star has popped up in Feud, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Please Baby Please and Brave New World in recent years, but her work as Elisabeth Sparkle not only defines this period of her life as an actor; even with an on-screen resume dating back to 1981, and with the 80s- and 90s-era likes of St Elmo's Fire, Ghost, A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal and Disclosure to her name, she'll always be known for this from this point onwards, regardless of whether awards keep rolling in. Turning 50 isn't cause for celebration for Elisabeth. She's already seen film roles pass her by over the years; on her birthday, she's now pushed out of her long-running gig hosting an aerobics show. Enter a solution, as well as another 'what if?' question: if you could reclaim your youth by injecting yourself with a mysterious liquid, would you? Here, The Substance's protagonist takes the curious serum. Enter Sue (Margaret Qualley, Drive-Away Dolls), who helps Elisabeth wind back time — and soon wants Elisabeth's time as her own. Just like someone seeking the glory days that she thinks are behind her via any means possible, Fargeat isn't being subtle with The Substance, not for a second. She goes big and brutal instead, and audacious and morbid as well, and this is the unforgettable picture it is because of it. No one holds back — not Elisabeth, not Sue, not Moore, not the also-fantastic Qualley, not Dennis Quaid (Lawman: Bass Reeves) eating shrimp, not Fargeat, and definitely not cinematographer Benjamin Kracun (Promising Young Woman) or composer Raffertie (99). Oscars: Won: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Coralie Fargeat), Best Actress (Demi Moore), Best Original Screenplay, Where to watch: Via Stan, Apple TV and Prime Video. Read our full review. Wicked The colour scheme was always a given. "Pink goes good with green," Galinda (Ariana Grande, Don't Look Up) tells Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo, Luther: The Fallen Sun). "It goes well with green," the grammar-correcting reply bounces back. The songs, beloved echoing from the stage since 2003, were never in doubt, either, as both centrepieces and a soundtrack. As a theatre-kid obsession for decades, it was also long likely that the big-screen adaptation of Wicked — a movie based on an immensely popular and successful musical springing from a book that offered a prequel to a film that walked the celluloid road 85 years ago, itself jumping from the page to the screen — would have big theatre-kid energy as it attempted to ensure that its magic enchants across mediums. Enough such buzz and verve to fill every theatre on Broadway radiates from Grande alone in the two-part franchise's first instalment, beaming from someone who, as a kid, won an auction to meet the OG Wicked good witch Kristin Chenoweth (Our Little Secret) backstage. For audiences watching on, that enthusiasm is impossible not to feel. No one would ever want a muted Wicked, where the hues, in yellow bricks and emerald cities and more (rainbows of tulips and sprawling university campuses, too) weren't trying to compete with Technicolor — and where the tunes, with Chenoweth and Idina Menzel's (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah) voices previously behind them in such full force, weren't belted to the rafters. Jon M Chu has a knack as a filmmaker of stage hits reaching cinemas: matching the vibe of the show that he's taking on expertly. It was true of his version of In the Heights, which is no small matter given that it's a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. It now proves the case in its own different way with Wicked. Achieving such a feat isn't always a given; sometimes, even when it does happen, and blatantly, any stage spark can be lost in translation (see: Cats). Again, movie viewers can feel that synergy with Wicked's first part, and also feel how much it means to everyone involved. Oscars: Won: Best Costume Design, Best Production Design Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande), Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects Where to watch: In Australian cinemas, and via Apple TV and Prime Video. Read our full review and our interview with Nathan Crowley. Looking for more Oscar-nominees to watch? You can also check out our full rundown of where almost all of this year's contenders are screening or streaming in Australia.
After months of anticipation, the revival of Chippendale's Old Clare Hotel has at long last been completed. Spearheaded by Singapore-based hotel and restaurant entrepreneur Loh Lik Peng of Unlisted Collection, the revamped watering hole as boutique hotel on Kensington Street is finally open for business — and it's spectacular. Reborn from the (metaphorical) ashes of the historic (and dearly beloved) Clare Hotel and adjoining Carlton United Brewery Administrative Building, the newly-opened hotel boasts 62 rooms and suites featuring high ceilings, heritage timber panelling and exposed brick walls, furnished with PSLAB pendant lighting, vintage furniture and cushions 'inspired by Australian flora and fauna'. Further hotel amenities include a rooftop pool and bar, private gym and a heritage meeting space, as well as a day spa expected to launch early next year. Guests can also take advantage of custom-made bicycles to explore the surrounding neighbourhood, or simply relax at the indoor bar near reception and enjoy the honest-to-god bespoke scent created by local perfumed candlers Maison Balzac. That being said, the biggest drawcard might be The Old Clare's three new high-end restaurants. Automata, the first solo venture from Momofuku Seiobo sous chef Clayton Wells, opened earlier this week, with a rotating five-course menu laden with such extravagances as storm clam with rosemary dashi, cream and dulse, and partridge with witlof, burnt apple and caper. Noma alumnus Sam Miller, meanwhile, opened Silvereye on September 22, offering short and long seasonal tasting menus featuring young coconut and mud crab, pumpkin with pomello, leeks with pig feet and white beer, and a plum and coffee tart. Last but not least, there's the Kensington Street Social, by Michelin-starred globetrotter Jason Atherton. Based on the competition, we have to assume they'll be bringing their A-game.
Ascending the steps and passing through the glass front of Gaden House feels like stepping into another era — one of big, confident dining rooms where the service is crisp, the wine list deep and the food unapologetically generous. Gran Torino is Neil and Samantha Perry's contemporary ode to that golden age, pairing old-world glamour with classic Italian flavours and signature Perry precision across two floors of Double Bay's modernist marvel. The menu, developed by Perry with Executive Chef Richard Purdue (who previously ran Perry's Rosetta) and Head Chef Ervin Mumajesi (who's come over from Margaret), champions seasonality and quality, spotlighting some of the country's most respected producers. It takes its cues from the traditional Italian emphasis on fresh, market-driven ingredients, with antipasti like Mishima bresaola with reggiano and extra virgin olive oil, Burraduc Farm buffalo mozzarella with artichoke caponata and a fritto misto di mare piled with Spencer Gulf king prawns, squid, scallops and coral trout. [caption id="attachment_1017640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yusuke Oba[/caption] Handmade pastas might include agnolotti del plin filled with veal and guinea fowl luxuriating in sage butter and a classic tagliatelle alla bolognese, while mains range from single-line-caught fish and Wollemi duck alla cacciatora to dry-aged CopperTree Farms steaks served with an array of condiments. Desserts — like a textbook tiramisu, classic cassata and vanilla cream and raspberry conserva-filled bomboloni — channel the same confident simplicity. The food is matched with a deep, globetrotting wine program. Alongside a strong showing from Italian and Australian makers, there are bottles from Europe, South Africa and the Americas, plus a champagne list that spans both established houses and emerging makers. Gran Torino's dining spaces, brought to life by longtime Perry collaborators Collette Dinnigan and Earl Carter, feature more than 50 photographs — including many black-and-white images from the 1950s and 60s — lining the dark wood walls and playing nicely against the space's chrome accents. It's a space made for long lunches and lingering dinners, whether in the 130-seat main dining room or on the 30-seat al fresco terrace overlooking Bay Street. [caption id="attachment_1017636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yusuke Oba[/caption] Top images: Yusuke Oba.
Wedged between Bridge Street and the heritage-lined laneway of Underwood Street, on the ground floor of an otherwise unassuming office tower, Ette is the kind of place you could easily miss — but you definitely shouldn't. The sleek CBD dining room brings a new perspective to Sydney's dining scene, thanks to a 'fast fine dining' model that provides finesse without the fuss — and a tight menu of hearty, produce-driven mains all priced at $39. Pairing the precision of fine dining with the pace and price point of a weeknight drop-in, Ette's menu revolves around ingredients sourced directly and daily from trusted local suppliers, ensuring the kitchen has the day's best produce at its disposal. These ingredients are showcased in its inventive snackEttes: small share plates all priced at $9.50 and designed to hit the table within five minutes. You might find the likes of pork crackling paired with a spiced apple dipping sauce, a seaweed cracker cone loaded with tuna tartare, Calabrian chill and whipped avo, or baked scallop with nduja, avocado and pineapple. Those after something larger can take their pick from the Steak, Land, Sea and Grain menu. These hearty dishes are all priced at $39, with current highlights including the yuzu beurre blanc-topped fish of the day, wild mushroom linguine finished with black truffle, marsala and pecorino, and coq au vin jazzed up with pancetta and shimeji mushrooms. Whether you go for small or large dishes, you can whet your appetite with complimentary house-made focaccia and olive oil served on arrival. The dining room itself is just as flexible. With opening hours of 11.30am–2am, the venue has been designed to easily transition from a restaurant by day to a buzzy bar by night and a fully equipped event space on weekends. On one side of the sleek, mood-lit space is a theatrical open kitchen helmed by Adam Grimsley (ex-Icebergs, Jacksons on George, two-Michelin-starred Oxford restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons), whose modern European training and love of local produce meet over a Scheer adjustable lava rock grill — the centrepiece of the kitchen and the key to Ette's clean, fire-backed flavours. The other side of the space is home to an equally considered bar, with house infusions and creative twists in tipples like the seasonal sorbet-topped Sgroppino Affair or the South by Southwest, a rob roy and negroni love child featuring Woodford Reserve and Laphroaig. A standout feature is the restaurant's climate-controlled wine room that's maintained at 16 degrees celsius and equipped with internal fridges, ensuring wines remain at precise drinking temperatures ranging from 3–15 degrees celsius. On the list, you'll find a tight selection of half-bottles and full bottles by boutique Australian producers and prestige winemakers. Open from Monday to Friday only, Ette is a smart new option for the city crowd, whether for a fast solo lunch, a slow night of cocktails and snacks, or a low-fuss, post-work dinner. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Working from home is a dangerous perk. Whether you're a freelancer or lucky enough to have a flexible full-time gig, using your couch as your office can end in disaster. You start with good intentions. You write a list. You send a few emails. You open that report that needs fixing. Then you open Facebook. Next, you check Instagram. And text back your mate to lock in drinks on the weekend. And then it's 11.15 am and you're no closer to the finish line. Sometimes, we need some fresh air to get the work done. Although a visit to the library can be productive (we recommend heading to the ones in Green Square or Surry Hills if you're in the area), there's something strangely motivating about working from a cafe. There's the soft hum of conversation, the friendly faces behind the bar and, of course, infinite quantities of caffeine on hand. If you're looking for the perfect spot to pull up a stool and hit to the keyboard, we've rounded up ten of the best Sydney cafes you need to visit with your laptop in hand.
Many of us head to Adelaide for its world-class wineries. While its vineyards are a true highlight of South Australia, you also can't miss the vibrant city centre. With chic wine bars and award-winning restaurants, Adelaide's CBD makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Situated in the middle of the city's block (that's surrounded by lush parkland), you'll find Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets. The boutique accommodation is inspired by the city's festival influence, with colourful wall art and posters as interior decorations. Locally influenced decor is celebrated in the tessellated tile patterns and copper fixtures, which pay homage to the state's rich copper mining history. Filled with nods to the neighbourhood, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets is a central base to everything you could need to make the most of the city. Here's how to spend a weekend eating and drinking your way through Adelaide's CBD. [caption id="attachment_934956" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Adelaide Central Market[/caption] To Market, To Market The Adelaide Central Market is a gem of the city. Established in 1869, it's a hub of food and culture (and one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere) where you can lose hours wandering the stalls and chatting with local producers. Don't miss Lucia's, the authentic Italian deli that has been a part of the market since 1957. [caption id="attachment_915248" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Osteria Oggi[/caption] Foodie's Paradise Don't think you have to be in the vineyards to experience Adelaide's food scene. Just a stone's throw from Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, you'll find several restaurants that rival the larger cities. Osteria Oggi on Pirie Street serves fresh, handmade pasta daily and offers a modern twist on the Italian you love. Long, communal tables are encouraged, and plates can be shared easily for an Italian-style feast. Right next door to Osteria Oggi is Soi 38. In 2014, the restaurant began serving street food snacks and dishes not found on other Adelaide Thai menus. Now, Soi 38 is an unrivalled dining experience that's serving regional dishes in the heart of the city. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soi.38 Adelaide (@soi.38) Nearby, restaurant and bar Fino Vino offers a curated menu inspired by regional South Australia. Named a top ten restaurant in 2024 by Gourmet Traveller, Fino Vino is one to add to your must-try list when visiting the neighbourhood. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@finovino_adelaide) Soak In the Neighbourhood Famous for its vino, sitting and sipping in the city's wine bars is a necessity when in town. When staying in the CBD, take a trip to Leigh Street. Located in the heart of the city, the cobbled street is full of character and heritage buildings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leigh Street Wine Room (@leighstreetwineroom) There are a number of small bars dotted down the street, but be sure to drop by Leigh Street Wine Room. The cosy bar serves over 400 drops and dishes up small plates to snack on while wine-tasting. On the same character-filled street, you'll find cocktail bar, Leigh Street Luggage, while award-winning cocktail bar, Maybe Mae, is located one street over. Really, you could spend all weekend flitting between Leigh Street haunts. Get Some Air After exploring the side streets of the city centre, find your bearings on its rooftop bars. Merrymaker is situated at the top of Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets. Located 16 floors above the city streets, Merrymaker is Adelaide's tallest rooftop bar and serves a select menu of cocktails, aperitifs, and snacks. With a limited selection of seating available, it's recommended that you book a table at the award-winning Merrymaker in advance (even as a hotel guest) to avoid missing out on the breathtaking city views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Merrymaker Rooftop Bar Adelaide (@merrymaker_rooftopbar) 2KW Bar and Restaurant is another rooftop bar in Adelaide with spectacular views of the Adelaide Oval, Festival Theatre and Government House. On the weekends, you'll find DJs spinning tunes as the sun sets over Adelaide. [caption id="attachment_1038261" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets[/caption] Rest Up in Style With its stylish streets and reputation as a foodie hub, Adelaide's CBD is a vibrant neighbourhood that inspires. At the Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, you can continue the energy of the city in its colourful boutique rooms. On the ground floor, you'll find modern Italian restaurant and bar, Market & Meander, as well as its famous pink booths. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Market & Meander was recently named a top ten hotel breakfast in Australia. You can also rest and recover in the hotel's luxe pool and gym. Situated in the heart of the action, the boutique accommodation makes for the perfect base to continue to explore South Australia's capital. Want to stay in the thick of it? Find out more about Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets here. Lead image: Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets
Pour one out, cheeseburger spring roll lovers, as long-running Sydney restaurant Ms. G's has just announced its closure. After 15 years in Potts Point, the pan-Asian eatery will shut its doors for the last time on Sunday, December 21. Launched by executive chefs Dan Hong (Mr Wong) and Jowett Yu in 2010, the Merivale-owned restaurant quickly earned a reputation for its bold, playful approach that spanned a host of Asian cuisines. Drawing inspiration from street food across the continent, locals gravitated towards the rule-breaking Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean combinations. The aforementioned cheeseburger spring rolls were a fave, but dishes like the 'Strange Flavour' burrata kept guests coming back. "Ms. G's has been a beloved part of our Merivale family and local community, and an influential component of Sydney's dining scene," posted Merivale on Instagram. With the hospo group looking ahead to "several new venues and development projects underway," Hong and Yu are also focusing more attention on their recently expanded portfolios. In the former's case, he just took over Good Luck Eating House on November 12. "We've loved every memory, meal and moment you've shared with us, and we'd love to see you before 21 December so we can send you off properly...with one last plate of our cheeseburger spring rolls," concluded the Merivale statement. Ms. G's will close its doors on Sunday, December 21, at 155 Victoria St, Potts Point. Head to the website for more information.
Most of us have our favourite neighbourhood drinking den, it's easy to get lost when searching for the best bars in Sydney's CBD. It can be unfamiliar territory for those of us who don't head into the city centre regularly. And even if you do work in the area, you're unlikely to have explored all the bars hidden down laneways, in basements or on rooftops. To help you find the best bar in Sydney's CBD, we've compiled this list that includes all kinds of boozers. Whether you're after experimental cocktails in hotel bars or laidback bevs in unpretentious surroundings, we've got you sorted right here. Recommended Reads: The Best Bars in Sydney The Best Wine Bars in Sydney The Best Pubs in Sydney The Best Restaurants in Sydney's CBD
If you enjoy getaways of the pampering, wellness-oriented and soaking kind — you're in luck. Victoria is quickly becoming a hot spring haven, with future plans including a 900-kilometre trail of bathing spots dubbed The Great Bathing Trail to span along the Victorian coast. In the meantime, there are plenty of newly-opened and established favourites to explore. Regional Victoria boasts some of the best hot springs in the country, from geothermal pools overlooking stunning views to majestic spa precincts complete with restaurants. If you're looking to escape the city for some well-earned self-care, here are the natural hot springs and wellness destinations to put on your must-visit list. Recommended reads: The Best Spas in Melbourne The Best Heated Pools in Melbourne A Weekender's Guide to the Mornington Peninsula The Best Winter Day Trips From Melbourne
The industrial grid-like backstreets of Brookvale are best known for their breweries, but among the tanks and taps, one spot is trading pale ales and parmies for garam masala negronis and slow-cooked goat curry. Bazaar & Bar reimagines the wine bar through an Indian lens, plating up bold, spice-driven dishes alongside natural wines and cleverly layered cocktails — and proving there's more to this patch of the Northern Beaches than just beer. The venue has been brought to life by experienced operator Kabir Arora (the brains behind Manly mainstay Sketch) and Head Chef Adwait Jagtap (Raja, Kolkata Social), whose produce-forward menu draws on personal memories and regional recipes. True to the wine bar template, there's a menu of small plates and share-style dishes — but instead of focaccia, you'll find pillowy naan, and kingfish crudo is swapped for a semolina-crusted kingfish collar with fiery recheado spice rub. The usual hanger steak gets a hearty upgrade in the form of champaran mutton, which replaces lamb for goat that's slow-cooked on the bone and dressed with a fragrant mix of smoky garlic and spice. It's confident stuff, but remains familiar and approachable. "We're not trying to reinvent Indian food — we're showcasing it in a setting people might not expect," says Arora. The cocktail list picks up where the food menu leaves off, showcasing classics with a distinctly Indian twist — think curry leaf gimlet, smoked jaggery old fashioned and a garam masala-infused negroni. A tight, accessible wine list champions Australian producers, with a handful of internationals also in the mix. It takes place in an inviting space that mirrors this blend of tradition and modernity, with design elements drawn from the vivid colours and textures of Indian bazaars. To that end, the venue's name isn't just a case of clever alliteration — a small spice bazaar shelf near the bar is lined with house-made pickles, chutneys and sauces available for purchase.
Sydney may be well-known for its sand and surf — from beachy, bleachy Bondi to the Harbour's numerous secluded coves — but Sydney waterfalls don't often receive the same attention. Our shores are home to some of the best, whether that's within a national park or set right along the coast. Here are five waterfalls in and around Sydney to tick off your swim list this summer. At each, you can cool off in crystal clear pools while marvelling at the rush of water above you. And, since many are lesser-known, you might just have it all to yourself. Recommended reads: The Best Ocean Pools in Sydney The Best Beaches in Sydney The Best Swimming Holes in Sydney The Best Rivers for Swimming in Near Sydney [caption id="attachment_784927" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Rainbow Falls, Macquarie Pass National Park A two-hour drive south of Sydney in Macquarie Pass National Park, you'll find a hiking track scattered with waterfalls. Walk through the rainforest, eucalypts, Illawarra flame trees and ferns of Clover Hill trail to find a big waterfall — Rainbow Falls — and three smaller falls upstream on the Macquarie Rivulet, which you can swim under. But, bring a towel and a brave face — the water can be very chilly. The whole walk will take you about two-to-three hours, plus swimming time. Want to ignore the words of TLC and continue chasing waterfalls? A five-minute drive away, you'll find the easy Cascades walking track, which takes you along a creek to the stunning Cascade Falls [caption id="attachment_784921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Goran Has via Flickr[/caption] Collins Beach Waterfall, Spring Cove If it weren't for the occasional passing ferry, swimmers at Collins Beach could easily be fooled into thinking they were in the middle of nowhere. Located in Spring Cove (near North Head), it's one of Sydney's least-visited beaches despite being just 1.3-kilometres from the Manly Wharf. The trick is, it's only accessible on foot — or by boat. You can't exactly swim under the waterfall, but you can partake in the slightly surreal experience of standing in it — or behind it — while looking out at Sydney Harbour. Visit shortly after the rain to see the waterfall at its best. You may just catch a few fairy penguins sunbathing on the rocks while you're visiting the Sydney waterfall, too. [caption id="attachment_703777" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Brown via Flickr[/caption] Wattamolla, Royal National Park As far as watery day trips go, Wattamolla has everything — not only a waterfall but a lagoon and a beach to boot. It's a bit of an adventure to reach the seven-metre high waterfall, requiring a 50-metre swim from the lagoon's edge to start. Some people attempt a shortcut by jumping straight in, but that's actually against National Parks and Wildlife regulations. After a swim, relax in the shade of cabbage tree palms, take a bush walk or spend the rest of the day looking out for sea eagles and oystercatchers. Set in the eastern section of the Royal National Park, Wattamolla has the added benefit of being about a one-hour drive from the Sydney CBD. [caption id="attachment_703779" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Harvey via Flickr[/caption] Winifred Falls, Royal National Park To reach Winifred Falls, you'll need to take the one-kilometre, occasionally steep Winifred Falls Fire Trail, which begins near Audley at Warumbul Road. This more difficult track might sound like a bit of an effort, but it's worth it. Seven metres in height, the falls tumble down a series of steps before hitting a deep, forest-green pool. If you want to continue your adventure, you can take the track the rest of the way (about another three-kilometres in total), continuing on to the South West Arm Pools and Anice Falls. We suggest you travel during the week, when there's every chance you'll have one of the best waterfalls near Sydney all to yourself. [caption id="attachment_703780" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martyvis via Wikicommons[/caption] Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park You'll find this misty, magical swimming hole in the Budderoo National Park, near Robertson in the Southern Highlands — about a two-hour drive from Sydney. Home to lush, ferny vegetation, brightly coloured orchids and satin bower birds, Nellies Glen is like a scene from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, a two-hour 'hike' (it's part bush-bash, part rock scramble) will take you to the base of the spectacular 50-metre-high Carrington Falls. Note that this trail is unmarked and therefore unsuitable for inexperienced walkers. For those that do not boast the experience, the other option is to drive to Carrington Falls picnic area. Top image: Macquarie Pass National Park by Destination NSW
Need a special spot for a cute catch-up? Eternity Cafe is bound to impress. First up, the cafe's setting beneath Sydney Town Hall deserves an obvious mention. Here, you and your pals will encounter a soaring indoor waterfall, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the year-round culinary delights set to arrive at your table. This might include the Waterfall High Tea, featuring three tiers of tantalising creations for $56 per person. Alongside sweet treats like mini almond croissants and tiramisu, savoury bites such as slow-cooked chicken sliders make for a sumptuous feast. Plus, each table gets a pot of English breakfast tea or a refreshing jug of sparkling orange, ginger and hibiscus iced tea. Meanwhile, another special menu item certain to make your day memorable comes in the form of an edible garden. While this dessert might look too beautiful to nibble on, the decadent combination of chocolate mascarpone, glazed almonds, fresh fruit and crumbly Oreo 'soil' topped with edible flowers will be too good to resist. What's more, there's no need to book this unique feast.
As the warmer months approach, bringing blue skies and long days with them — and Sydney begins to open up from another lockdown, too — the New South Wales Government has announced the reopening of outdoor pools across the city from Monday, September 27. While Sydney's beaches are some of the best in the country, we sometimes forget that we also have a collection of outdoor pools unlike anywhere else in the world. There's no better time to go for a swim and take advantage of these hidden inner-city spots and historic oceanside sanctuaries. ICEBERGS Undeniably the best place to see the spectacular views of Bondi Beach, Icebergs has been around almost 100 years and has become a Sydney institution. No other pool can really compete with the views, atmosphere and history of Icebergs. It also has the added benefit of being one of the only licensed swimming pools in the world — and, being a swimming club, the drinks are pretty reasonably priced. Hang out by the side of the pool, or head upstairs to one of the balconies for a view of the ocean. Where: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi How much: $9 [caption id="attachment_826745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josef Nalevansky/City of Sydney[/caption] PRINCE ALFRED PARK POOL For inner-Sydney locals who can't quite make it to the coast for a swim, Prince Alfred Park Pool is a slice of summer perched between Surry Hills and Redfern. It's the buttercup yellow sun umbrellas that bring the Riviera vibe, as well as the lawns strewn with sunbathers. If the area around the pool is a bit crowded, you can always head to the park to soak in some sun after your dip. The facilities here nabbed two National Architecture Awards back in 2014 when they were upgraded, and the 50-metre pool is always at that jump-right-in temperature. Consider getting the 360 Membership, which gives you access to the City of Sydney's four outdoor pools plus fitness facilities. Where: 105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills How much: $6.90 [caption id="attachment_826623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] ANDREW (BOY) CHARLTON POOL Hidden away within the green expanses of The Domain, the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool feels a world away from the city while still being in the heart of the CBD. The saltwater pool is perched on the edge of the harbour, with spectacular views over the city and the Botanic Gardens. Hang out on the wooden terrace or grab a drink upstairs in the openair cafe for a spot to eat — just make sure you wait to swim after eating if you believe the old tale. While the pool can get crowded at lunchtimes and weekends, its worth it for the views and the refreshing salt water. Where: 1C Mrs Macquarie's Road, The Domain How much: $6.90 DAWN FRASER BATHS Constructed in the 1880s, Balmain's Dawn Fraser Baths is Australia's oldest public pool. The beloved inner-west swimming hole was renamed after Olympic swimmer Dawn Fraser in the 60s and has recently undergone a huge multimillion-dollar renovation. The pool reopened to the public on Wednesday, September 8 after two years which saw it score a series of structural and cosmetic improvements. The revamp ensures the public pool will be standing for many years to come, while protecting its heritage architecture. Here, you can hit up the beach are for a sunbathing session and a more low-key dip, or stay fit by taking on the lane pool. Where: Elkington Park, Balmain How much: $6 (but free until the end of September) [caption id="attachment_754009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WYLIE'S BATHS Just south of Coogee Beach along the coastal walk, Wylie's Baths has a picturesque canopy and kiosk elevated above the pool to provide panoramic views over the ocean. The baths were established in 1907 by long-distance swimmer Henry Alexander Wyllie, whose daughters went on to become Australia's first two female Olympic swimmers. The historic pool also boasts Massage by the Sea, an outdoor seaside massage therapy centre where you can get warm rocks placed on your back as you eavesdrop on the swimmers below. There's also a saltwater ladies pool just north of Wylie's that's recently undergone work from the council if you're looking to have a dip with the girls. Where: Neptune Street, Coogee How much: $5.50 [caption id="attachment_826661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MURRAY ROSE POOL Murray Rose Pool is less of a pool and more of a fenced off section of the harbourside Seven Shillings Beach, adjacent to Blackburn Gardens, but that doesn't stop it from providing scenic and serene saltwater swims. While it can get pretty busy on weekends, head along at the right time and the pool is a little piece of inner-east paradise, hidden from the road and only accessible by foot. Head down the stairs behind the Woollahra Council Offices on New South Head Road to discover the ocean pool and its boardwalk, which runs around the top of the shark net — providing a spot to stop and look out over the ocean. Plus, if you're seeking a short respite from your swim or to imagining yourself in a summery coming-of-age film, there are two floating pontoons in the centre of the pool. Where: 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay How much: Free [caption id="attachment_826666" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FRESHWATER ROCKPOOL Freshwater Beach and its locally loved ocean rockpool can provide a relaxed respite from its generally busy neighbour in Manly. This northern beaches gem can be found at the head of Curl Curl Board walk just north of Freshwater Beach, with the picturesque spot placing you into the middle of the sea with endless ocean views in front of you. Here, you'll be splashing around in a simple 50-metre pool in which you can stand and soak — or take off for a few laps if you're looking for more of a workout. Where: 4 Lumsdaine Drive, Freshwater How much: Free GUNYAMA PARK AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTRE Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre is the largest aquatic centre to open in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics. The Zetland facility was unveiled back in February and features four different swimming areas. Gunyama, which means "wind from the southwest" in the local Dharug language, is fitted out with a 50-metre heated outdoor pool surrounded by a 'beach' area inspired by Sydney's ocean pools. Around the facility you'll also stumble upon three indoor pools, an indoor and an outdoor gym, an openair yoga deck, a cafe and a multi-purpose sports field. Where: 17 Zetland Avenue, Zetland How much: $8 SHELLY BEACH OCEAN POOLS If you're down in Sydney's southernmost suburbs, head to Shelly Park Beach where you'll find an expansive ocean pool alongside a big patch of green. Dunk your head in, set out to do some laps or go for a dip with the family at this saltwater swimming hole, before drying off by soaking in some rays in the park. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the park, so you don't have to worry about leaving Spot at home — as long as you have someone to watch over him while you hit the water. Where: 63–66 The Esplanade, Cronulla How much: Free [caption id="attachment_826654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] DEE WHY ROCKPOOLS The Dee Why rockpools are easily reached by the promenade along the beach, and are formed out of concrete walls as well as the natural sandstone wall to the side. While the surfers head down to the beach, the slower-paced head to the rockpools. There are two pools up among the rocks: the family-friendly toddler pool, and the 50-metre pool that's ideal for a quick dip of some early-morning laps. On weekends, the pool is a bustling hotspot for families — so if you're a solo swimmer looking for a more peaceful swim, head by on a weekday or late afternoon. Where: Oaks Avenue, Dee Why How much: Free [caption id="attachment_826656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BRONTE BATHS Bronte Baths sits a little south of the beach, surrounded by the cliffs and park. Its location at the end of the popular Bondi to Bronte costal walk makes it ideal for anyone looking to squeeze in a walk and swim into the same afternoon. The baths were built in 1887 and have remained a favourite for locals and tourists ever since, attracting everyone from families to serious swimmers. Here, you can hang out on the rocks, warming yourself like a lizard before diving in — or you can float along the edge of the pool as you stare out at one of Sydney's most photographed beaches. Where: Bronte Road, Bronte How much: Free [caption id="attachment_826659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MACCALLUM POOL Mccallum Pool was originally a rockpool created by locals in order to facilitate safe harbour swimming, before being built up into a proper 33-metre harbourside pool. If you appreciate a little early-20th century charm, this spot will delight you with its unique heritage feel. The current facilities were restored in the 1980s by North Sydney Council, while ensuring they maintained the pool's original 1920s features. Located just across the bridge in Cremorne Point, the harbour views here are unbeatable, with a panoramic perspective of Sydney's CBD and the Sydney Opera House. Where: Milson Road, Cremorne Point How much: Free
Usually, heading to Bondi Beach means keeping your kit on. Visitors can expect to see swimwear as far as the eye can see, but no stark-naked bodies. The morning of Saturday, November 26 wasn't a usual morning at the famous Sydney spot, however, with more than 2500 folks baring all — for art, and for an excellent cause. Back in October, acclaimed New York artist and photographer Spencer Tunick announced that he'd be staging another of his mass nude shoots in Australia, this time heading to a Harbour City beach. That destination: Bondi, which has welcomed everything from a Stranger Things rift to a WorldPride rainbow already this year, and now went naked ever so fleetingly. Kicking off before sunrise and snapping to capture the early-morning light, the art installation marked the first and only time that Bondi has become a nude beach. That said, getting starkers was only permitted for the shoot. Dubbed Strip Off for Skin Cancer, Tunick's latest work was timed to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week, which started on Monday, November 21 and runs till Sunday, November 27. More than making history, raising awareness about — and funds for — fighting the disease was the main aim. "Skin unites us and protects us. It's an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks. I use the amazing array of body types and skin tones to create my work, so it feels perfectly appropriate to take part in this effort in that my medium is the nude human form," said Tunick back in October, when the installation was announced. "It is only fitting that I use my platform to urge people to get regular check-ups to prevent skin cancer. I have not had a skin check in ten years, so I am one of the many who have wrongly ignored getting them regularly. One can say I am traveling all the way to Australia to get one!", Tunick continued at the time. For more than two decades, Tunick has been staging mass nude photographs in Australia. In fact, it's been 21 years since the country's first taste of the internationally famed talent's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square in Melbourne as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Tunick then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, headed back to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths, and went to the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. The list goes on. Wondering why Tunick amassed at least 2500 volunteers this time? That exact number of participants reflects the 2500-plus Aussies who pass away each year due to skin cancer. "With Australia recording the highest number of deadly skin cancers in the world every year, it made sense to host this monumental public awareness campaign in a city that has so many people at risk," said Scott Maggs, CEO and founder of Skin Check Champions. "Beach life is synonymous with Australian culture, but it's also where a lot of skin cancers can start... We need to send a clear message that skin cancer is real, and it can be stopped in its tracks if more people get their skin checked." Strip Off for Skin Cancer took place on Saturday, November 26 at Bondi Beach. Head to the installation's website for further information. Images: Drew Lambert.
Located in the Quay Quarter Tower, Martinez is a stunning two-parter from the Hinchcliff House and Promenade team. For casual drinks and al fresco dinners with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, head to the rooftop bar. Or, for more intimate meals, grab a spot indoors in the Martinez dining room. Either way, you're in for a bang-up time. Let's start with the rooftop. As you walk out onto the terrace, you'll catch a glimpse of the harbour. It's the kind of view that makes you go, "Oh wow". The bar is designed to facilitate any occasion — there are intimate two-person tables and long benches designed for group catch-ups. Emilie Delalande of Etic (Barangaroo House) has led the colourful design work across the venue, with both the terrace and the dining room containing odes to artist residencies in the south of France. Once you've found your spot, you'll be presented with a versatile menu ranging from spritzes, rosé and oysters to negronis and steak frites. Highlights from the feeds available on the terrace include grilled swordfish steak, blue swimmer crab pasta, whipped roe and raw scallops with white soy and fennel pollen. As the sun sets, the tables on the terrace light up from within, adding to the magic. It's a perfect inner-city spot for a glass of wine paired with snacks at sunset. Then there's the dining room, serving up French and Mediterranean eats for lunch and dinner. If you're in the mood for a big night with your mates, opt for the plateau de fruits de mer — a delectable selection of the best seafood of the day, both cooked and raw, such as scallops, oysters, mussels and Moreton Bay bugs. Further down the menu, there are plenty of exciting entrees, including gnocchi Parisienne, tuna niçoise and steak tartare, as well as playful takes on French mains, like the aforementioned steak frites and swordfish steak, a crumbed pork cutlet with jamon and brie fondue, and a next-level wagyu burger topped with gruyère and maple bacon. Rounding out the myriad offerings at Martinez, you'll find a fun and sophisticated drinks list in the dining room. House Made Hospitality's producer-led approach to wine continues here, with a selection of drops that the team had a hand in crafting themselves, sitting alongside a variety of Australian and European whites, reds, and rosé. There's also a range of petit martinis, all of the cocktails from the rooftop bar, and magnums of wine. If you're a fan of your wine bright and pink, pair one of these generous bottles of rosé with the seafood platter, and you're in for a truly luxurious night of group dining.
Need some perspective? Grab your hiking boots. There's no better way to get yourself out of your head (and your altitude) than a good old mountain climb. Australia's ranges might not have the height and ruggedness of the Himalayas, but they do have snow gums, wildflowers, seemingly infinite space and wallabies. Autumn is a great season for conquering a peak or two. Depending on where you live, you can knock them out on a day trip, conquer one on a weekend away or plan a whole holiday around a climb. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. [caption id="attachment_750964" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] MOUNT KOSCIUSZKO, NSW Start at the top. Mighty Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak in Australia. You'll find its towering 2228 metres in the Kosciuszko National Park, around 500 kilometres southwest of Sydney. The most popular route follows the Old Summit Road for 18 kilometres, beginning at Charlotte's Pass. For a longer adventure, take the Main Range Walk, a 22-kilometre loop that takes in several impossibly blue glacial lakes. Either way, you'll find yourself surrounded by spectacular wilderness — and you'll end your journey looking down on Australia. [caption id="attachment_688566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trevor King/Destination NSW[/caption] MOUNT GOWER ON LORD HOWE ISLAND, NSW Perched 875 metres above the Tasman Sea on Lord Howe Island, the Mount Gower summit walk isn't just a mountain climb — it's a serious adrenalin rush. You'll need a guide in order to tackle this 14-kilometre trail through the island's most inaccessible — and most beautiful — terrain, where you can expect to meet endangered creatures and unusual plants. The peak is covered in a seemingly enchanted forest, filled with mosses and ferns, soundtracked by the sounds of waves crashing nearly a kilometre below. Lord Howe Island is just under two hours' flight east of Sydney and is one of Australia's best islands for a holiday. [caption id="attachment_690974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Charles Hill/Tourism Tasmania[/caption] CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TASMANIA From a distance, Cradle Mountain, which is perched on the shores of Dove Lake, looks like a challenge fit for Frodo Baggins. And it pretty much is. The 13-kilometre circuit includes quite a bit of rock scrambling and boulder hopping among ancient rainforest, rushing streams and wild creatures. Get to the summit and your efforts will be well rewarded with absolutely magical vistas of Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Finish off your holiday with a food-centric road trip or continue hiking along the iconic Overland Track, a 65-kilometre, six-day adventure. [caption id="attachment_690956" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Rains/Tourism WA[/caption] BURRINGURRAH (MOUNT AUGUSTUS), WESTERN AUSTRALIA Burringurrah (also known as Mount Augustus) isn't just a mountain, but an island too. Like Uluru, it's an inselberg — that is, an island mountain, a single rock formation that rises dramatically from surrounding plains. But you can climb it. The tough 12-kilometre return trail spends most of its time among native shrubs and flowers, including wattle, cassias and figworts, and the views are panoramic. As the day passes, you'll notice the changing light bringing various colours out of the landscape. If this walk sounds too difficult, there are plenty of shorter trails to choose from. However, you can only climb during the day, as the Wajarri community — Burringurrah's traditional custodians — request that no one climb the inselberg after dark. [caption id="attachment_690946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World Expeditions/Tourism Australia[/caption] MOUNT SONDER, NORTHERN TERRITORY There are two ways to master Mount Sonder: as the finale of the 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail, or as a day trip. Its rich red peak, at 1380 metres, is the highest point in the West MacDonnell Ranges and the fourth highest mountain in the Northern Territory. The trail is a steady climb, leading eventually to high slopes dotted with round-leafed mallee and native pines. Keep your eyes down for grey-headed honeyeaters and desert mice and up for wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons. [caption id="attachment_724172" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn courtesy of Visit Victoria[/caption] MOUNT DUWUL (WILLIAM), VICTORIA Another peak that's good for newbie mountain goats is Mount Duwul, also called Mount William. At 1167 metres, it's the highest peak in the Grampians, which lie around 270 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. You can drive much of the way to the base, so the walk is just 45 minutes. For minimum effort, the rewards are major: the summit affords mind blowing views of the Grampians' many plateaus, rocks formations and swathes of wilderness. [caption id="attachment_690954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rawnsley Park Station/South Australia Tourism Commission[/caption] RAWNSLEY BLUFF, SOUTH AUSTRALIA There are numerous peaks to conquer in the Flinders Ranges, a mountain range 200 kilometres north of Adelaide. St Mary's Peak is the highest, but since the Adnyamathanha People have requested that walkers keep away from the summit, considerate hikers have been pursuing other possibilities. One of these is Rawnsley Bluff. The 11-kilometre return trail immerses you in a spectacular arid landscape, dotted with wildflowers, roos and emus. At the top, prepare for breathtaking panoramas of Wilpena Pound (Ikara), the Elder Range and the Flinders Ranges. [caption id="attachment_614775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tamyka Bell/Flickr[/caption] MOUNT BOGONG, VICTORIA Mount Bogong, at 1986 metres high, is the highest mountain in Victoria. It's in the Alpine National Park, around four hours' drive northeast of Melbourne. The one of the more challenging routes is the Staircase Spur: a steep, 16-kilometre climb to the summit. You'll pass through a forest of peppermint gums before reaching Bivouac Hut, which marks the halfway point. Beyond, snow gums line the way, opening onto a rocky ridge and then Bogong's summit: an open plateau that affords 360-degree views of the High Country. If you're looking for a cosy campsite, head to Cleve Cole Hut. [caption id="attachment_690972" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gray/Wikimedia Commons[/caption] DIDTHUL (PIGEON HOUSE MOUNTAIN), NSW If you're keen to climb, but don't have the skills and fitness of a pro mountaineer, make tracks to Didthul (Pigeon House Mountain), which lies around four hours south of Sydney in the Budawang National Park. Unlike many of the other peaks on this list, it's a relatively easy trail. The five-kilometre return walk is clearly marked and ends in awe-inspiring views of wilderness plus coast: on a good day, you'll see as far north as Jervis Bay and as far south as Bermagui. [caption id="attachment_690952" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] MOUNT BARNEY, QUEENSLAND Twenty-four million years ago, the Focal Peak Shield Volcano erupted leaving behind a collection of craggy peaks, including Mount Barney, which, at 1359 metres, is the second highest mountain in South East Queensland. You'll find it within the Scenic Rim, a land of ancient rainforest, rugged scenery and little villages in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Fair warning: the trail is challenging and tricky to navigate at times, so you'll want some bush walking experience under your belt. Should you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded with uninterrupted views of nearby volcanic peaks Mount Maroon, Mount Ernest and Mount Lindesay. Top image: Cradle Mountain by Jason Charles Hill/Tourism Tasmania.
The turn of the century was a helluva time. Excitement and a nervous anticipation of a potential apocalypse filled the air. If you, like me, weren't around to see it firsthand, there was concern that computing systems worldwide would flatline at the turn of the century as the dates became impossible to compute. Obviously, that didn't happen. We're still here and, for better or worse, so are the computers. The entire situation left quite a mark on our culture. Now, 23 years later, the notion of Y2K is on the rise once more. As our world once again gets a little bit scary, we need to make every day count and just be ourselves. These are the brands that are bringing Y2K back for... Y23K? We'll workshop the name. PIT VIPER If Y2K is about being unapologetically yourself, Pit Viper gets top marks. There's no piece of eyewear on the market quite as flashy as these beauties. In Pit Viper's own words: "Sunrise to sunset, reef breaks to ridgelines, holeshots to holy sh*t, we build the functional, fun-loving gear that is serious about taking things less seriously". It's hard for an Aussie not to recognise these flashy fluorescent designs, and when you take a spin on the website, you'll be teleported straight back to the 2000s. Once you've adjusted, take a tour through the product range; from the iconic polarised range of 'The Originals' (The 1993 or The Miami Nights) sunnies to the rounded, heavier-duty range of 'The Slammers', there's eyewear of every shape and colour on offer. Pit Viper extends its identity through goggles suitable for dirt and snow, clothes for your head, top and 'power bottom', and even rigs to help keep the glasses on your face. [caption id="attachment_924540" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Oleg Shatilov via Unsplash[/caption] CHAOTIC THREADS While the cultural concept of Gen Z has really only grown in recent years, the generation was quite literally born in the Y2K era, between 1997 and 2012. We might not be able to remember it all physically, but thanks to the internet, its memory is well preserved. The style of Y2K is growing in popularity among Gen Z, and that harmony is plain to see with brands like Chaotic Threads. Chaotic Threads was founded in Melbourne and prides itself on sustainability and style in equal parts. Each piece is created from a single inspiration, meaning every design is limited-run. The upside is every bit of scrap fabric will be reused to create more accessorie. The product range is always shifting, so check the website or Instagram to see what's currently available. [caption id="attachment_924503" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lilli via iStock[/caption] ACTUAL ANGEL A similarly Gen Z-charged brand (which also happens to be based in Melbourne) is Actual Angel. You might take a shine to these pieces if you have ever had a goth phase. Every design is handmade, ranging from heavy gothic designs to mystical pieces that tread closer to the modern fairy core. Actual Angel's range spans gorgeous stellar earring designs, chokers of all textures and colours and even tote bags made from the likes of velour satin and lace designs. It's all whimsical, comfortable and, most importantly, it's handmade independently. Actual Angel can be found on Instagram, but you can find the entire product range on Depop. [caption id="attachment_924511" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ivan Martynov via iStock[/caption] THREADHEADS A marker of Y2K fashion is graphic design — as technology and pop culture evolved, the option to print customised designs onto clothing became more accessible. One of the most popular graphic tee brands right now is Threadheads. Quickly achieving viral status thanks to a satirical but stylish approach to designs, this is the ideal brand for anyone with a sense of humour. Design themes cover pop culture, gaming, 80s and 90s, parody, retro, anime and more. Threadheads also loves a collab, with official collections made with Rick and Morty, DC Comics, NASA, Seinfeld, Cobra Kai and others. A new addition to the catalogue is custom tees, a great gift for any lovers of bootleg designs. [caption id="attachment_924502" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] IC Productions via iStock[/caption] DIESEL Diesel predates Y2K, going back to the vintage days of 1978. But as many fashion labels move to the next new and exciting thing, Diesel reflects on all the wonder of the Y2K era with a product range that will take you back to the finest pop videos of the noughties. How so? Diesel's specialty denim line still reigns supreme, but a closer look through the catalogue will reveal the likes of tie-dyed belt bags, futuristic metallic tops, baby tees, frayed high tops and other icons of the era. Ranging across men and women, clothes, accessories, homewares and more, there has to be something for everyone in there. [caption id="attachment_922788" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Millie Savage[/caption] MILLIE SAVAGE The final cornerstone of Y2K fashion for us to discuss is the statement jewellery pieces. Big and bright — there was nothing minimalist about these pieces. A brand that keeps that trend alive is Millie Savage. Yet another fashion label based in Melbourne (though now also boasting a Bali studio), Millie Savage is run by an all-female team of designers that specialises in precious gems, all ethically sourced. Millie Savage has a particular love of opals, mainly sourced from South Australia. Every product has the Millie Savage touch: namely, a lack of playing by the rules. It's especially visible in the one-off beauties collection, where no two pieces are alike in the slightest. Check out the designs across rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. For more information on Pit Viper or its products, visit the website.
2026's Down Under live music calendar already boasts David Byrne, Lorde and G Flip, to name just a few big-name acts hitting the stage. Now, in another of the year's must-see tours, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have announced a slate of shows in Australia and New Zealand in January and February. The group's Wild God tour is finally making its way to this part of the globe, after dates across UK, Europe and North America in 2024 and 2025. Fans can get excited about a two-and-a-half-hour show focused on the band's 2024 record Wild God, but also spanning their four-decade career. 'Red Right Hand' and 'Into My Arms' have indeed been on the set list so far. Fremantle Park in Perth will host the first Aussie gig on Saturday, January 17, with Cave, Warren Ellis and company then heading to Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, January 20. Two shows will take over The Domain Sydney on Friday, January 23–Saturday, January 24, before a single-night stop at Victoria Park in Brisbane on Tuesday, January 27, then three concerts on Friday, January 30–Sunday, February 1 at Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne. In New Zealand, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are headed to TSB Arena in Wellington over Thursday, February 5–Friday, February 6, in their only NZ gigs — which are taking place in association with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. "I can't wait to get to Australia and New Zealand with The Bad Seeds and to bring you our epic Wild God show. It's been a long time coming, and I've missed both Australia and New Zealand very much. It will be a wild and mighty joy," said Cave, announcing the Aussie and NZ leg of the tour. Cave and Ellis last hit the stage Down Under sans the rest of The Bad Seeds on the Aussie run of their Carnage tour in 2022, supporting the 2021 album that shared the tour's name — which actually marked Cave and Ellis' first studio album as a duo. Bandmates across several projects since the 90s — including Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, and Grinderman — Cave and Ellis are Aussie icons, with careers spanning back decades. Together, they also boast more than a few phenomenal film scores to their names as well, including for The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Road, West of Memphis, Far From Men, Hell or High Water and Wind River. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Wild God Australia and New Zealand Tour 2026 Saturday, January 17 — Fremantle Park, Perth Tuesday, January 20 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Friday, January 23–Saturday, January 24 — The Domain, Sydney Tuesday, January 27 — Victoria Park, Brisbane Friday, January 30–Sunday, February 1 — Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne Thursday, February 5–Friday, February 6 — TSB Arena, Wellington Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds' Wild God tour hits Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2026. Tickets go on sale at 10am local time in each city on Friday, August 29, 2025 — for more information, head to Nick Cave's website. Images: Megan Cullen.
Sex: we all know what it is. If you don't, stop right here because this isn't the article for you. Sex on-screen has become commonplace. TV and films frequently include spicy scenes for many different reasons, but as perceptions about sexuality rapidly evolve off-screen, the on-screen representations have to keep up. In 2023, the wide and wonderful world of romance and sex is bigger and more inclusive than ever. A TV series that has embraced that fact is Erotic Stories, a brand-new drama anthology from SBS On Demand, it's the latest addition to a fantastic range of drama programs available on the platform, all of which are completely free. Across eight episodes, Erotic Stories tells stories of love and intimacy in modern Australia with on-screen protagonists that aren't always written as sexual leads. We've watched it, and we're here to rank all eight episodes from least to most spicy. First, a quick disclaimer: this article contains mild spoilers, but it isn't a review of Erotic Stories. This is a ranking of how 'spicy' we believe the episodes to be. Spiciness and sexuality are subjective to every individual, so we strongly encourage watching the series and deciding for yourself. VANILLA: EPISODE 6 — 'IMPERFECT PAW PAW' What happens? 'Imperfect Paw Paw' star Zahra Newman (Thirteen Lives) as Leila, a woman from Sydney who works in marketing for a vitamins company; she's overworked and dealing with significant stress in her personal life. When she heads to the Gold Coast on a work trip, she has a chance encounter with a group of locals, including an attractive surfer who encourages her to abandon her commitments to join them on a free-spirited night out. Watch this episode if you like: stories about seizing the moment and embracing spontaneity. Why the rating? Spice in this episode is minimal. The majority of spice is built up through sexual tension over the course of the night out. When the spice kicks in, it's short but hot. SEASONED: EPISODE 1 — 'PHILIA' What happens? 'Philia' stars Catherine McClements (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) as Sam, a single mother of a teenage girl who works in digital publishing. With her job on the line against a fellow writer, she is assigned an advertorial story — a review of a new smart sex toy for couples. With no partner to help her review the male side of the remotely operated machines, she turns to George, a longtime family friend, for help. One problem: he's a married father of two. Watch this episode if you like: a side of comedy with your spice. Why the rating? Spice is definitely present in 'Philia', offering an insight into modern sex tech, but it isn't overtly explicit and isn't the key focus of the episode. BIT OF A KICK: EPISODE 5 — 'WALKING GAMBIT' What happens? 'Walking Gambit' stars Yuchen Wang (Safe Home) as Patrick, a man out for an after-dark walk with his beloved staffy Gambit. He arrives at a secluded bushland park where men gather at night, in secret, to hook up. After enjoying the company of another attendee of the park, Patrick returns to Gambit to find him missing without a trace. With the help of his new companion, Patrick searches for his dog while dealing with a previously hidden grief. Watch this episode if you like: stories about the complexities of grief and the unconditional love of dogs. Why the rating? 'Walking Gambit' gets spicy early on and, while short, it's more explicit than our previously ranked episodes. The rest of the episode is spice-free. SPICY: EPISODE 4 — 'POWERFUL OWL' What happens? 'Powerful Owl' stars Rarriwuy Hick (Wentworth Prison) as Kiarra and Googoorewon Knox (Black Snow) as Drew, a First Nations couple living in Sydney. Kiarra has a challenging but successful legal career, while George travels around Australia on contract work. After remarking their connection to the lifetime bond of the native Aussie powerful owl, Kiarra and George find their relationship on the rocks when faced with the complications and temptations of long-distance intimacy. Watch this episode if you like: stories about true love. Why the rating? 'Powerful Owl' keeps the spiciness consistent throughout the episode, but at different levels of explicitness over the course of the story. SMOKING: EPISODE 2 — 'THE DELUGE' What happens? 'The Deluge' stars Kate Box (Rake) as Cara, who shares most of her life with her best friend Ginger (Danielle Cormack, Wentworth Prison). Together, they practice shibari, a Japanese style of bondage, for Ginger's photography career, while Ginger encourages Cara to break her sexual drought. Once Cara turns to dating apps to find a new partner, she has a passionate encounter with a younger woman, but that passion quickly leads to unexpected ramifications for everyone involved. Watch this episode if you like: stories about meaningful connections. Why the rating? 'The Deluge' is spicy throughout, with some very intimate and descriptive scenes spread throughout the episode. Ultimately, though, that's not the main focus of the episode. RED HOT: EPISODE 8 — 'MASC UP' What happens? 'Masc Up' stars Bernie Van Tiel (Jade of Death) as non-binary lesbian Cal and their new partner Mish as the two join Cal's friends on an annual New Year's holiday to a luxurious homestay. All the members of the group are extremely close, challenging Mish to find her place among them. Cal faces a challenge of their own when the talent they pride themselves on, making partners climax, is much harder than usual with Mish — testing their relationship and forcing Cal to face long-buried insecurities. Watch this episode if you like: stories about overcoming self doubt. Why the rating? With 'Masc Up', Erotic Stories enters its top three spiciest episodes. This episode is very spicy, thanks to explicit scenes and dialogue throughout. BURNING: EPISODE 3 — 'BOUND' What happens? 'Bound' stars Joel Lago as CJ, a gay man living with disability that impedes his mobility and who has a preference for less-than-ergonomic positions during sex. While travelling from a doctor's appointment, CJ is sexually propositioned by an older man, who invites him to an exclusive and spicy nightclub. What happens that night challenges CJ to confront the intersections of disability, sex and self-respect. Watch this episode if you like: stories about knowing your own worth. Why the rating? The spicy elements of 'Bound' revolve around sexual kinks, consent and objectification, and feature lots of bondage. DEADLY: EPISODE 7 — 'COME AS YOU ARE' What happens? 'Come As You Are' stars Frances Ann O'Conner (The End) as Annabel, a woman who holds a senior role in a corporate office. She lives a life of routine and deals with trauma from a past relationship, but all that changes after a chance encounter with an intern named Florian. His confidence and free-spirited nature opens up a new world of sexuality for Annabel, but forces her to decide where she draws the line and how she can maintain control of her own desires. Watch this episode if you like: stories about sexual exploration and self-confidence. Why the rating? 'Come As You Are' is the spiciest episode of Erotic Stories since the spiciness involves both sexual tension and outright steamy scenes throughout the episode. All eight episodes of 'Erotic Stories' are streaming now for free alongside other great drama series on SBS On Demand. Images: SBS On Demand.
Gone are the days when foil-wrapped burritos and sweaty quesadillas were the sole representatives of Mexican cuisine in Sydney. The Harbour City is now home to a variety of refined Mexican diners specialising in little-known and regional fare that showcases the diversity and depth of Latin-American flavours. Among them is Alegre, a stylish yet laidback eatery heroing dishes from Tulum, the popular tourist hotspot on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. This latest venture from the team behind Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Callao in Barangaroo, is led by chef-owner Rasel Zaman, who oversees a team with a superb pedigree, including Mexico City-born sous chef Alvaro Valenzuela, formerly of Alma, and Ivan Castillejos, who sharpened his skills at Chula. The menu is not just an introduction to Tulum's culinary traditions but also an ode to the kitchen team's personal food memories, drawing on family recipes, such as the restaurant's signature mole madre with wagyu and fresh lime, inspired by Castillejos' recollections of cooking with his grandfather and mother. Reflecting Tulum's coastal locale, seafood is a prominent presence on the crudo menu, including a silky octopus ceviche tostada, spiked with pico de gallo, spicy Yucatecan aioli and finished with a local wink of saltbush. The Mayan-spiced charcoal king prawns are another highlight, served with a picante chipotle tomato salsa and a refreshing spritz of fresh lime. Carnivores are equally well served by a mighty, meaty al carbon selection including a Range Valley wagyu tomahawk and a chargrilled half-chicken served with mole amarillo and chochoyote dumplings. Diners with a sweet tooth shouldn't miss Alegre's riff on the banoffee pie: a burnt platano custard tart, topped with vanilla mascarpone, dulce de leche jam, cajeta ice cream and roasted macadamia. Besides its sunny skies and crystal waters, Tulum is also famed for its agave spirits, so naturally, tequilas and mezcals are a vital pillar of Alegre's bar offering. You'll find more than 150 varieties on offer, from bright and easy sips perfect for newcomers to Mexico's national liquors, to rarer, more complex pours for curious connoisseurs. Located overlooking the gentle waters of Darling Harbour and King Street Wharf, the rustic elegance of Alegre's interiors — featuring a relaxed palette of earthy tones, natural finishes, Mexican furnishings and leafy planting — transports diners to the shores of Tulum, no passport required. The dining room is designed to cater to multiple types of gatherings, from intimate tables for two with harbour views to large communal tables and private spaces for bigger celebrations. While Alegre takes its food seriously, the atmosphere here is playful. From Friday to Sunday, a trio of resident DJs help get the party started, while the bottomless lunch menu, offering free-flowing spritzes, wine or beer alongside a menu of share plates, available Saturday and Sundays for $99 per person, helps diners start (or end) their weekend as they mean to go on.
The Surry Hills shopping experience is a rite of passage for Sydney locals. There's something distinctly cosmopolitan and a little bit magical about wandering the streets of Surry Hills, looking for your next purchase. One of the harbour city's most thriving cultural hubs, the suburb is known for its vibrant collection of shops that have everything you need, from artisan cheese to designer threads and rare books, as well as plenty of coffee. But with so many places to choose from scattered across a labyrinth of streets and lanes, it can be hard to know where to start. That's why we've put together a list of where to shop like a local in and around Surry Hills to help you navigate the quaint corners of Bourke Street and bustling crowds of Crown Street like a seasoned professional.
In 2024, there was plenty of crying over Spilt Milk, when the touring music festival took itself off of Australia's cultural calendar for the year. It still popped up in a few cities to throw events it dubbed house parties, with Troye Sivan, Glass Animals and G Flip leading the lineup, but the full Spilt Milk experience was put on hold until 2025. Here's the excellent news for this year: Spilt Milk is indeed returning, and has just announced its summer 2025 dates. Not every fest that sat 2024 out has made a comeback — both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass have scrapped their events in both years — but this one has stops in Ballarat, Perth, Canberra and on the Gold Coast locked in for December. 2025's run of Spilt Milk fests will take place across two weekends, hitting two locations on each. It all starts on Saturday, December 6 at Victoria Park in Ballarat, before heading across the country to Claremont Showground in Perth on Sunday, December 7. Then, it's Canberra's turn at Exhibition Park on Saturday, December 13, followed by a trip to the Gold Coast Sports Precinct on Sunday, December 14. As for the lineup, it's on the way — and soon. For now, expect the return of sing-alongs at Guilty Pleasures, plus country bar Howdy Howdy and the Bus Da Move party bus. The art component will feature artists from Studio A. When it cancelled in 2024, the festival advised via social media that it was pulling the plug because it "couldn't get you the Spilt Milk you deserve this year". In 2023, Post Malone, Dom Dolla, Latto, Tkay Maidza and Aitch led the lineup. Flume, Stormzy and The Wombats were named as headliners in 2022 — the first Spilt Milk since the pandemic began — although Stormzy subsequently dropped out and cancelled his Australian tour. Khalid and Chvrches topped the bill in 2019, and Childish Gambino did the honours in 2018. Originally only popping up in Canberra, then expanding to Ballarat, then the Gold Coast and finally also to Perth, multi-city one-dayer Spilt Milk had cemented its spot as a must-attend event on the annual Aussie calendar before it took a year off, including for its lineups — and for its food offering as well, which spanned bites to eat from Chebbo's Burgers, 400 Gradi, Chicken Treat, and the BBQ and Beer Roadshow in 2023. Spilt Milk 2025 Dates and Venues Saturday, December 6 — Victoria Park, Ballarat Sunday, December 7 — Claremont Showground, Perth Saturday, December 13 — Exhibition Park, Canberra Sunday, December 14 — Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Gold Coast Spilt Milk is returning in December 2025, heading to Ballarat, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast. Head to the festival website for more information Images: Jordan K Munns, Mackenzie Sweetnam, Jess Gleeson and Billy Zammit.
The rooftop at The Royal Hotel in Paddington has long been a favourite among pub-goers and Paddo locals for about as long as cold beer's been coming out of taps. After a decent trek up a few flights of stairs, juggling coldies, you're rewarded with an outstanding view of the city, the bays and the harbour — an impressive setting to watch the dusk wash over Sydney. You can't eat up here, so you'll have to head downstairs to one of the pubs other large spaces — perhaps the main bar or the verandah bar where you can eat on the wrap-around balcony. The menu features traditional pub food at a decent price with a regular board of specials. Either way, get in there early, because the rooftop isn't big, and it fills up quickly for summer sun downs. Appears in: The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
Whichever miniatures are stuffed inside a snow globe, a simple shake surrenders them all to the same fate: flakes falling in their tiny dome. Pop culture's enduring murder-mystery obsession can feel much the same way. When the pieces start raining down in Disney+'s seven-part miniseries A Murder at the End of the World, there's much that instantly feels familiar from a heavily populated field of recent and classics whodunnits. That checklist includes a confined single setting, potential victims cooped up with an unknown killer, rampant secrets and lies, fingers pointed everywhere, Nordic noir's frosty climes, an eerie butler, a wealthy host who might just have the most to lose and, of course, a gifted gumshoe sleuthing through the group. A Murder at the End of the World radiates its own Gen Z Sherlock Holmes vibe, though. That's even how its sharp protagonist is described, and early. In the role of 24-year-old hacker-turned-author Darby Hart, Emma Corrin (Lady Chatterley's Lover) also turns Agatha Christie. The OA creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij have put their own intriguing, involving, can't-stop-watching spin on their addition to the genre, as they make clear early. As the duo share writing duties and split time in the director's chair — with Marling also co-starring — they take cues from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Stieg Larsson's sequels as well, all while also sliding their series in alongside Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery; however, the mood, ambition, pursuit of weighty themes, shadowy conspiracies, earnestness and love of telling puzzle-box tales match perfectly with their last show, plus their film collaborations Sound of My Voice and The East. A Murder at the End of the World is a murder-mystery that's as much as twisty, chilly game as it is a musing. Its name nods to its remote Iceland setting, where untimely death does indeed stalk, and also to humanity's possible demise if the warming earth becomes uninhabitable. Among the assembled guests beckoned to a yet-to-open Scandi minimalist-style hotel, topics of conversation include the climate apocalypse, technological possibilities, space's potential, robotics, ever-present surveillance and AI — which the handpicked group's billionaire recluse host Andy Ronson (Clive Owen, American Crime Story) prefers to call "alternative intelligence". Whether the money and power that's splashed around by rich innovators is a lifeline or catastrophic also lingers, even when it isn't specifically addressed. (Yes, A Murder at the End of the World slips into the affluence-savaging terrain that everything from Succession to The Fall of the House of Usher has trodden upon of late.) Introduced walking to a bookstore listening to 'The End' by The Doors and therefore bringing Apocalypse Now to mind, then reading aloud from her true-crime tome The Silver Doe, Darby's existence has been entwined with death since her childhood. The daughter of a coroner, she grew up around crime scenes and in the morgue, and can recite crime statistics about unidentified murder victims. When she was a teenager, she also started investigating a Jane Doe who was found in her town, putting her own detective skills to the test after apathetic law enforcement decided there wasn't enough information to go on. Darby's debut novel steps into that case, particularly the road trip she took with fellow Reddit-aided citizen detective Bill Farrah (Harris Dickinson, Scrapper) to solve it. Flashbacks to the journey flicker through A Murder at the End of the World, twinning the show's two quests to find killers. In the present-day storyline, an unexpected invite follows Darby's reading, with Ronson selecting her to attend an exclusive ideas salon where the future fuels the discourse. From the moment that she steps onto a private jet that looks like a library, she stands out — and long before freshening up the pink in her cropped hair, too. Also en route to the Iceland chatfest: smart-city designer Lu Mei (Joan Chen, The Heart), astronaut Sian (Alice Braga, Hypnotic), filmmaker Martin (Jermaine Fowler, The Drop) and businessman David (Raúl Esparzam, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit). Upon arrival, not only Ronson, his famed coder wife (and Darby's idol) Lee (Marling) and their five-year-old son Zoomer (Kellan Tetlow, This Is Us) await, but also climatologist Rohan (Javed Khan, Blind), activist Ziba (Pegah Ferydoni, Almania) and robotics whiz Oliver (Ryan J Haddad, The Politician) — plus security head Todd (Louis Cancelmi, Killers of the Flower Moon) and his doctor partner Eva (Britian Seibert, The Knick), all-knowing AI butler Ray (Edoardo Ballerini, Quarry) and Bill, who is now a Banksy-esque artist known as Fangs, and that she hasn't seen for six years. For the innately cautious Darby and for A Murder at the End of the World's viewers alike, there's zero doubting that everything at this symposium isn't what it seems — and everyone for that matter. Then there's a body in the hotel's frozen midst, with more questions showering down, Darby the chief person doing the asking and the reception mostly biting. Interpretative dance doesn't play a part, but The OA's commitment to fleshing out its own engrossing realm and reverberating on its own frequency remains alive and well in Marling and Batmanglij's latest project. They're masters of atmosphere. They adore dwelling in complexity. They know how to make compulsive viewing, too, and to think and feel big while doing so. (Another function of the parallel timelines: swelling, sweltering emotions, as a new couple on the road chasing a serial killer are bound to feel, then carry with them for life.) Marling and Batmanglii also push Corrin to the fore, as well as far away from stepping into Princess Diana's shoes in The Crown's fourth season. The resulting performance is magnificent. Casting is as crucial to any whodunnit as a case to solve — or two here — with A Murder at the End of the World's lead proving an impeccable choice. Their task is considerable, both as their Nancy Drew surrogate embarks upon a chase with American Honey's warm aesthetic and as the character gets so immersed in iciness that they could use The Killing's jumpers. While flitting between those sultry and glacial surroundings, and from the eagerness of a shy but razor-smart teen pursuing a passion and discovering more of the world to a warier twentysomething grappling with loss and survival, their face conveys a blizzard of thoughts and feelings. Cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen (Sharper) patiently and probingly stays close, usually. A Murder at the End of the World's penetrating frames also revel in Corrin's chemistry with Dickinson, a pair to run away to the end of the world with. This is a stylishly shot and seductive series, but it's all the more alluring when Corrin and Dickinson are together at its centre; empathy beats at the core of Darby and Bill's approach to righting the world's wrongs and finding justice for victims that time has forgotten, as it does in the portrayals behind them, plus the series around that. Owen and Marling make another entrancing pair, embodying the trait that Marling and Batmanglii love as much as sincerity: slipperiness. Craftiness abounds in the plot, in its hack-or-be-killed tech-driven sleuthing and in weaving together the show's many potent fixations — misogyny, capitalism and economic inequality among them. Shake this snow globe for more and you won't want to stop. Check out the trailer for A Murder at the End of the World below: A Murder at the End of the World streams via Disney+ from Tuesday, November 14.
Now in its 34th year, Primavera 2025: Young Australian Artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia spotlights early-career Australian artists aged 35 and under whose works rethink production, labour and transformation in a rapidly changing era. Curated by the MCA's assistant curator Tim Riley Walsh, the exhibition invites visitors to consider what it means to continue making art in a digital and post-industrial world. The five selected artists — Francis Carmody, Alexandra Peters, Augusta Vinall Richardson, Keemon Williams and Emmaline Zanelli — work across a wide palette of mediums, from boomerangs and birdcages to bronze, corten steel, video and enamel paint. The artworks engage with the fraught relationship between human creativity and machine manufacturing, exploring the pressures on the role of artists in a rapidly changing world. [caption id="attachment_1045266" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Francis Carmody, 'Canine Trap I', 2025, installation view, image courtesy the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia © the artist, Photograph: Hamish McIntosh[/caption] Among the works: Carmody's narrative-laden installations that marry digital processes like 3D modelling with experimental materials that explore histories of ensnarement and trap-making as metaphors for capitalism; Zanelli's two-channel video and immersive installation that reimagine the subterranean spaces of mines as fantastical realms home to strange beasts; and Williams' sharp critique of cultural labour, featuring 999 outsourced aluminium boomerangs stacked into teetering towers that echo corporate skylines and the unsustainable pressures placed on artists. Running through to Sunday, March 8, 2026, Primavera continues its annual legacy of providing an early-stage platform for emerging Australian artists and curators. With more than 250 artists and 30 curators among its alumni, the series has helped launch numerous artists onto national and international stages. For art lovers, this is an opportunity to engage with the cutting edge of contemporary art — whether you're already plugged into the local creative ecosystem, or looking for new points of entry. [caption id="attachment_1045267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamish McIntosh[/caption] Top image: Emmaline Zanelli, Magic Cave, 2024-2025, installation view, image courtesy the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia © the artist. Photograph by Hamish McIntosh.
Paski Vineria Popolare brings together three acclaimed Sydney hospitality mainstays for a two-storey bar and eatery with a love for wine. Italian wine importers Giorgio De Maria (Giorgio De Maria Fun Wines), Mattia Dicati (Vino Mito Wine Imports) and chef Enrico Tomelleri (Ragazzi, Alberto's Lounge, 10 William Street) are behind the Oxford Street spot that's found its home in the former digs of now-closed spritz bar This Must Be The Place. Paski Vineria Popolare is named after both De Maria's beloved dog and the Italian meaning of Popolare ("of the people"). Running with that mantra, it looks to bring rare and different wines to Sydneysiders in a welcoming way. Downstairs, you'll find a 25-30 seat wine bar with all wines available to enjoy on site or take home for a romantic evening in. Wine is also ordered by producer instead of style in order to spotlight the people behind these wines. Accompanying the extensive selection of wine is an array of pantry items and a reserved menu featuring charcuterie, cheeses, and small plates to enjoy with the wine of your choice. Upstairs, there's a heartier menu on offer with a focus on underrepresented Italian ingredients. Named Paski Sopra (translating to Paski Above), the 35-40 seat venue overlooks Oxford Street, pairing rare wines and a reserved Italian menu. All the snacks from downstairs are still available here, but if you're in need of a proper feed you can opt for the kingfish crudo with cucumber, shiso and chilli. On the horizon are wine tasting events and a range of collaborations with nearby bars and restaurants. De Maria and Dicati have plans to host weekly wine tastings in Paski Sopra where they'll take guests through their favourite wines and connect Sydneysiders to some of their favourite Italian producers. And, with Cafe Freda's and Dimitri's Pizza both close by, and Fabbrica Pasta Shop's production space is a few doors down, they're also planning some exciting team-ups with their popular neighbouring venues. Images: Nikki To Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
There are baths, and then there are baths. And, we're sorry to say, your questionably clean five-foot bath with a view into your neighbour's backyard just isn't going to cut it after you've been exposed to the beauty of Japan's many bathing houses — no matter how many 'winter forest'-scented candles you burn. The ritual of visiting an onsen is one that's intrinsic to Japanese culture. As well as the healing and meditative qualities of the baths, it's pretty special to be able to sink into a hot body of water (naked, of course) with nothing but a view of a snowy Mount Fuji to distract you. People have been bathing naked in the natural hot springs of Japan since way back, and while it's basically second nature for its inhabitants, tourists are welcome to jump on board (as long as you can respect and adhere to their customs). There are over 2000 onsen in Japan, and Steve Wilde and Michelle Mackintosh visited a whole heap of them as 'research' for their new book, Onsen of Japan. While they've collected handy information about 140 onsen across the country, we've pulled out ten of the more secluded, snow-surrounded, totally idyllic spots that you should pencil in for your next trip to Japan. GOTENBASHI ONSEN KAIKAN, GOTEMBA Day or night and in any season, Gotemba offers you a knockout view of Mount Fuji that you don't have to shell out the big yen for. At around one‑and‑a‑half hours from Toyko, Gotemba makes for an excellent day trip. A shuttle bus from Gotemba Station will whisk you to an onsen where, for a rock‑bottom price, you can get the full Fuji‑san view that would cost a bomb at a ryokan or designer hotel. KAWAYU ONSEN, WAKAYAMA One of the three onsen to make up the Hongu onsen-kyo area, Kawayu stands alone due to its popular Oto-gawa River bathing. Deep in the forest, this remote, majestic river bath was discovered in the mid-1600s when a local was tipped off to its existence by an enigmatic stranger. Fast forward hundreds of years later to a township that now has actual roads and hotels, but somehow manages to maintain its reputation as an esoteric and remote haven. SHIMA TAMURA, SHIMA ONSEN Founded in 1563, Shima Tamura is a ryokan experience that shows you just how the Japanese have elevated hospitality into the realm of an art form. The building itself is beautiful, with a traditional and inviting wood–entrance and sliding doorway under a thatched peaked triangle roof that looks almost like it has grown organically from the mountain slopes around it. Shima Tamura features an outdoor bath by a waterfall and seven hot-spring baths nestled in the forest; if you've dreamed of an onsen girded by foliage, hidden from the world and touched with the scent of forested glades with woodland creatures flitting among the cypress, Shima Tamura exists to make your dreams a reality. ZAO ONSEN, YAMAGATA In winter, Zao Onsen (a 40-minute bus ride from Yamagata station) is one of Japan's top ski resorts and the trees become pudgy with snow, so much so that they are known as 'ice monsters', snow-smothered conifers that take on the appearance of a crowd of glacial goblins that huddle together on the mountains as if plotting to take over civilisation (don't worry, they're way too cold to bother). In other seasons, the abundance of nature, greenery and the changing hues of the foliage make Zao popular with lovers of the great outdoors. TSURUNOYU, NYUTO ONSEN A fairytale onsen village hidden beneath low-lying clouds among mountains thick with beech trees, Nyuto Onsen is famous throughout Japan, and the seven hidden onsen all have something magical to offer. Catch the onsen bus (it has a model onsen bath on the roof) that ferries you around to each different hot spring. We've featured Tsurunoyu, Taenoyu and Kuroyu, but everything here is something special. Ogama Onsen is housed in a picturesque old wooden building that was once a school. Ganiba Onsen dates back to 1846 and has a beautiful outdoor unisex bath hidden in a beech forest. HOSHI ONSEN CHOJUKAN, MINAKAMI Hidden in the depths of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Hoshi's dreamily beautiful building with a stunning dark wooden exterior accented by flecks of green foliage, flowers, leaves or snow, will transport you to simpler, quieter times. Inside you'll find winding corridors with low ceilings showing faded photographs of times gone by, taxidermied local fauna and small mementos of the building's past – all in glass cases. The 140-year-old Hoshi is a Meiji-period onsen featuring six baths of equal size under an awe-inspiring vaulted wooden ceiling. The architecture echoes the waiting rooms and stations of the railway boom of the 19th century and its beauty has earned it status as a protected 'cultural property'. MANZA PRINCE HOTEL, MANZA ONSEN With more than a hint of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's horror flick The Shining, the Manza Prince, set along an alpine ridge, is a sprawling hotel that has acquired the well-deserved description of 'grand' over the years. The world surrounding the Manza Prince is a snow-dressed highland in winter (skiers flock here), an ocean of rusty gold in autumn, and intense greenery in spring and summer. Like the lord of the peaks, the Manza Prince perches serenely among the clouds surveying all before it. The hotel has a memorable bathhouse alongside its labyrinthine corridors and abundant rooms, and they happily throw their doors open to day visitors. TAKARAGAWA ONSEN, MINAKAMI Takaragawa means 'treasure river'. Legend has it that the Yamato-dynasty prince Takeru fell ill on his journey east and a hawk led him to this hidden spring where he was miraculously healed. Today you can heal your metaphysical wounds in this hidden forest retreat. Sheltered in deep, wooded groves, Takaragawa's outdoor mixed baths are perched on the banks of the Takara River and encompassed by hewn rock, weathered wood, stone monoliths and a vista of charming traditional Japanese buildings. SATONOYU-WARAKU, KUROKAWA ONSEN Kurokawa Onsen is Kyushu's heart, a 300-year-old onsen town, lost in the mountains, barely touched by modern life and channeling the true spirit of the Edo era. Twenty-four inns line the Chikugo River, housed on winding lanes with small bridges, narrow pathways, moss covered stones and lazily spinning waterwheels. It's here you'll find the onsen, as most of these ryokan open their doors to day bathers. Many of the inns have private baths for an extra cost, giving you choices usually reserved for ryokan guests. HAKONE YURYO, HAKONE The free shuttle bus from Hakone‑Yumoto Station takes you on a steep winding ride into the mountains, delivering you to this contemporary, ultra‑stylish onsen nestled among some of Hakone's most beautiful mountainside foliage. This is the perfect city day escape, a bath in a forest, surrounded by Japanese nature at its finest. The range and quality of the outdoor baths is excellent, the pinnacle being the cypress bath that extends out over the forested glade. The many spacious rock baths are perfect for lying back and gazing at trees towering into the sky while you listen to insects as they lazily drone by. Solo baths give you your own space, and well‑spaced‑out benches allow you to kick back and be nude in nature. This is an edited extract from Onsen Of Japan by Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh published by Hardie Grant Travel, RRP $29.99. The book is available in stores nationally and online.
Carrie Bradshaw once said that Vogue fed her more than dinner – a hot take in the early 2000s, when skipping a few meals was á la mode. Alas, flipping (or scrolling) through a fashion mag today might not have the same effect. Tinned fish, cherries, lemons and lobsters appear on the clothes, like one big grazing plate. Every Loewe ad features sculptural heirloom tomatoes, while Jacquemus' are a reminder to butter your toast. [caption id="attachment_1042055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maison Batard servers wearing bespoke tuxedos from The Service Club.[/caption] The obsession has even spilled over to the beauty industry in recent years — Nude by Nature's lippies are stirring martinis and scooping up whipped butter. Food motifs aren't new in fashion, but in the latest wave of the food-fashion zeitgeist, the people behind what we eat are also shaping what we wear for the first time. Amidst workplace misconduct and financial pressures, working in hospitality is notoriously tough. But 'chefcore' has officially become a thing, thanks to shows like The Bear, which have turned our attention to what chefs wear. Fashion publications dissect the show's thoughtful costuming every season, with iconic looks including vintage designer pieces that reference Chicago history, Carmy's perfect (and pricey) white t-shirt, and the $600 Thom Browne chef whites gifted to Sydney in the season two finale. Another thing: The Bear doesn't shy away from the industry's harsh realities — and the grittiness appeals. It's why Jeremy Allen White, who plays Carmy, now fronts Calvin Klein campaigns. And why Gio Luciano, a real-life line cook in New York City, went viral on TikTok for "line cook food hauls". It makes sense that brands are clamouring to cash in on this cultural cachet. Incu asked Messina to reimagine its brands as gelato flavours in 2020. In Hollywood, Mel's Drive-In made a sky-high pancake stack for Skims, which homegrown Scarlet and Sam referenced with its monogrammed birthday pancakes. Last month, Tarts Anon teamed up with Birkenstock Australia to spotlight their professional footwear range. [caption id="attachment_1042052" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tarts Anon Head Chef Gareth Whitton in his trusty work clogs.[/caption] "Fashion brands want to be part of culture and create experiences that feel tangible and memorable," Tarts Anon founder Gareth Whitton says. "Food and hospitality are inherently social and sensory experiences, which makes them perfect for lifestyle storytelling." Borrowing from the thyme-hued Boston clogs he wears around the kitchen, Whitton created a one-weekend-only thyme, chocolate and verjus tart, finished with a cocoa dusting in Birkenstock's signature bone pattern. [caption id="attachment_1042054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An exclusive thyme, chocolate and verjus tart at Tarts Anon that pays homage to Head Chef Gareth Whitton's Birkenstock Bostons in Thyme.[/caption] These collabs are a win-win for Whitton: his team is excited to experiment, while retail brands gain exposure to "a highly curated audience in a relaxed social setting". This face time is especially valuable to brands without a brick-and-mortar presence, but it's also a way for those with a physical storefront to draw more curious browsers. [caption id="attachment_1042053" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birkenstock's iconic Boston clogs, made for work.[/caption] Luxury maisons have long paired fashion with fine dining. In 2004, Chanel brought on celebrated chef Alain Ducasse to open Michelin-starred French restaurant Beige alain Ducasse Tokyo in its Ginza flagship. Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren and more followed with similar concepts, all meant to draw crowds to their stores. As designers join diners at the table, Whitton warns against collabs that feel "forced and gimmicky". He offers a hot tip for fashion marketers: "Typically, chefs collaborate with brands that share a similar aesthetic, ethos, or target audience. The best collaborations are always the ones where both sides feel the partnership enhances their story, rather than serving as a one-off promotion." Keeping that in mind, workwear labels might have an edge in the game. Sydney-based designer Johnny Schembri, who started hospo-dedicated diffusion line The Service Club, explains: "Chefs are incredibly particular, and rightly so, they spend long hours in these garments. We listen carefully to their notes around comfort, heat, and movement. The same goes for waitstaff; they need to be able to move freely, and everything must be easy to wash and wear." Schembri has been dressing women under his namesake label, By Johnny, for the past 16 years, but he earned his stripes making uniforms for the now-defunct Keystone Group. Two years ago, the designer turned his eye back to the kitchen with The Service Club. Venues can pick from a collection of 40 ready-to-wear garments or opt to collaborate with Schembri on custom uniforms. [caption id="attachment_1042057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The crew at Bobbys Cronulla kitted out in nautical-inspired uniforms designed by The Service Club.[/caption] "Historically, chef uniforms have all looked the same, very standard and not especially considered," Schembri says. But now, chefs are looking for design-led options to inject personality into their attire. The Service Club outfitted 20 venues in its first 12 months, ranging from a breezy all-white look punctuated by blue and clay aprons at Sydney's beachside restaurant Bobby to tailored-yet-functional tuxes for Melbourne's Maison Bâtard team. While uniforms are a masthead for venues — Schrembi calls them "walking billboards" — the clothes worn during a busy shift still have to strike a balance between function and style. In an era of countless microtrends, practicality might be a virtue; The Bear's style explosion demonstrates a love for clothes that go just as hard as the people who wear them. Beyond chefcore, the people and pulse of a restaurant can also inspire the fashion world in its own right. London-based Melt Jewellery's most-hyped collection in five years features sculptural sterling-silver-and-gemstone rings and pendant necklaces that nod to the movement in a kitchen. [caption id="attachment_1042056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bertrand Kerleo shows off Melt Jewellery's new collection.[/caption] The collection took shape when Melt founder Prachi Jan met French pastry chef Bertrand Kerleo on the tube. Kerleo became the muse of the campaign, which is centred around his culinary journey and shot in a working kitchen where he busies himself making an avant-garde take on European milk pudding called blancmange. While Jan is well aware that no chef would actually wear jewellery during service, it's the unlikely crossover that intrigues her. "We're not encouraging people to sauté in silver," she says. "You see Bertrand wearing the jewellery while cooking, moving [and] sweating — all those human details that you don't usually associate with fine jewellery. It feels slightly surreal." With all the hype around hospo, high-concept collaborations like this could be where we're headed. As Schembri puts it: "There's something raw and real about the hospitality world that cuts through the noise; it's tactile, it's lived-in, and it feels genuine, which is exactly what people want from brands right now." Images supplied
Sydney, like most of Australia, is multicultural by design, and that includes our hospitality scene. One cuisine that you won't find to be up to the same bar as others, though, is Mexican. Truly excellent Mexican restaurants are rare, but one of the few true greats is Marrickville's favourite taqueria — San Pancho. This isn't a cutting-edge reinvention or reinterpretation. San Pacho means to represent Mexico, not reinvent it. Founders Umesh Datwani and Chef Roberto Garcia wanted to capture a simple idea in the restaurant: deliver the taste of real Mexico, one filled with noise, laughter, community and bold, honest flavours. "We're not here to reinvent Mexican food," García reaffirms. "We're here to represent it, to show people the beauty of the original. These are the flavours of our childhood, the dishes from our Abuela's table, and the spirit of the taquerías that bring people together every day." The dishes include plenty of street-style classics — there's al pastor, carne asada, baja fish, birria, and nopales tacos; each of which represents a different regional flavour of Mexico. Everyday classics like ceviche, chilaquiles, enchiladas, papas fritas and tres leches star as well, prepared exactly as they would be back in Mexico. Plus, mezcal lovers will be delighted when diving into the drinks list, with spins on margaritas and a house concoction that sells itself as a "spicy, weird but delicious mix of sauces, lime and beer." It all has a casual, authentic feel. The restaurant's name is taken from a beach town in western Mexico, and from its namesake it borrows a warm, sun-soaked spirit — encouraging diners to abandon fancy plates and to get their hands covered in flavour in a communal setting that feels far more alive than a heavily manicured fine dining restaurant.
You'll go mad trying to find the best burgers in Sydney on your own — there's an almost endless number of places serving them up in every size and variety you can imagine. Bun-wise, you've got your brioche, potato, milk and gluten-free options. Fill these with beef patties, pulled pork, fried chicken, battered fish or a whole selection of vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Add in secret sauces, pickles, bacon, cheese and whatever else you can dream up. Serve them up with straight, crinkle-cut, curly, waffle or thick-cut fries and then add a heap of extra sauces for dipping. Pair it with house-made sodas, beers or cocktails. And there you have a never-ending list of how to create the best burger combo — that no one person could ever get through alone. But that's why you have us. Our team has spent years searching for the best burgers in Sydney. We've tried them at fine diners. We've hit up food trucks. We've ordered them to our homes. We've sampled them at underground bars. And we've made our way through entire menus at Sydney restaurants that only serve burgers. Through this grease-filled journey, we bring you the ultimate list of the best burgers in Sydney. We are extra proud of this one. So take your time to peruse this list, your next favourite burger joint could be here. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney Best New Restaurants in Sydney
First, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under sashayed its way Down Under. Now, the series that's been known as Drag Race Down Under since RuPaul handed over hosting duties to Michelle Visage for season four is sharing its talents with the world. Or, to be more accurate, Drag Race Down Under vs The World is welcoming queens from around the globe to compete against Drag Race Down Under favourites. Stan has announced that Drag Race Down Under vs The World is on its way — although there's no exact release date as yet. The streaming platform has also revealed that Visage, who has been involved in the Drag Race world as a judge since the third season of the OG RuPaul's Drag Race, is hosting. PLus, Rhys Nicholson is back on the judging panel, joined by season four's winner Lazy Susan. Whenever it hits, there'll be eight hour-long episodes of Drag Race Down Under vs The World, all pitting Down Under competitors from the four seasons so far of Drag Race Down Under against contenders from beyond Australia and New Zealand's shores. Viewers will also be tuning in for a show that's following in the footsteps of other Drag Race spinoffs such as UK vs The World and Canada vs The World. The drag queens at the centre of the series haven't yet been announced, either, and neither has the lineup of guest judges. "After four incredible seasons of Drag Race Down Under, we're delighted to bring back our Aussie drag fan-favourites and unleash them onto the world stage," said Michael Healy, Nine Entertainment's Executive Director, Entertainment Content Commissioning. "With a formidable and familiar panel, and the reigning queen Lazy Susan joining the esteemed judges' desk, Drag Race Down Under vs The World will showcase the extraordinary talent we have in Australia and give local audiences a front-row seat to watch our queens shine globally." Drag Race initially made the leap Down Under in 2021 — and if you've been watching since, it's time to start guessing which past queens will be making a comeback for Drag Race Down Under vs The World. Of course, there's no trailer yet for Drag Race Down Under vs The World, but check out clips from past seasons of Drag Race Down Under below: Drag Race Down Under vs The World doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Stan and TVNZ when it returns — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Friends, it's time to pay fealty to the king of all food groups: pizza — that divine fusion of carbs, cheese and yummy toppings that's impossible not to love and will rarely let you down. In Sydney, pizza comes in many forms, from mammoth New York-style slices to authentically blistered Neapolitan pies. Here is our pick of the very best pizzerias the Harbour City has to offer. Image: 170 Grammi, Trent van der Jagt Recommended reads: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney The Mexican Restaurants in Sydney The Best Steak in Sydney The Best Burgers in Sydney
Lunar New Year is famously a food-focused holiday. With celebrations traditionally stretching over about a two-week period, Lunar New Year dinner is one of the holiday's highlights. The dinner, which typically happens on the eve of Lunar New Year, is more accurately described as a feast — one where families gather, and the table teems with mouth-watering, home-cooked dishes. [caption id="attachment_987282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] We love a celebration at home centred around good food, so, in partnership with Oriental Merchant, we sought out expert advice from chef Jason Chan on what essentials to stock our pantries with for Lunar New Year and beyond. Not only is Chan the owner of Rice Kid, a newly opened pan-Asian restaurant inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine, but he's also clocked up well over a decade as a chef in leading Chinese restaurants in Sydney. He snuck us into his pantry to show us exactly what he'll be cooking with come this Lunar New Year. Our best discovery? His go-to essentials aren't reserved exclusively for Lunar New Year — they're versatile ingredients that are just as invaluable for special celebrations as they are for midweek meals. [caption id="attachment_987274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] Surprisingly, Chan reveals that despite going all out on premium ingredients for Lunar New Year, he'll season them during the cooking process with everyday pantry staples. "Lunar New Year is more about the family gathering. You'll splurge and have things you don't normally have everyday, I think that's what makes it special. For our Lunar New Year feast, we usually have e-fu noodles, mudcrab, pipis — we go all out." On Capturing the Essence of Asian Cuisine The flavours of Asian cuisine though, are achieved with familiar products like "soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing [wine]." "Asian — Chinese — flavours [are] bold. I wouldn't use the word heavy, but it's flavoursome. It's every bite that you take. There's sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami, you get the taste of all that." "I think that's what Asian cooking is all about, especially Chinese cooking, where there are so many different ingredients and so much variety [to choose between]. It's just packed with flavour." "In my pantry at the moment, I've got the Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce, the Lee Kum Kee Dark Soy Sauce, the Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce." [caption id="attachment_987275" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] He also showed us his stash of Hakubaku noodles and Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli Oil. "It's about what you can do with the ingredients out of the pantry to create something amazing," explains Chan. Some staples are genuine must-haves for Chan. "You can't cook without soy sauce, that's what I say. I think every household should have [it]." Meanwhile, others he believes are slept on. "I think oyster sauce is amazing ... it gives more body and more depth [to dishes]." [caption id="attachment_987280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] Ultimately though, it's not about a single ingredient. "It's more about how you incorporate everything together. I think every dish has a different element to it and every ingredient in our pantry, I think, works with a certain dish to enhance its flavour." On Making the Most of Pantry Essentials Chan says the special dishes of Lunar New Year can easily be translated into everyday dishes too." Let's say we did a lobster, for example, for Lunar New Year. How do you tone it down and still use all the pantry ingredients that you have? You choose a different protein. You might use fish, you might use prawns." The same applies to the e-fu Lunar New Year noodles he calls out. [caption id="attachment_987276" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Mullins[/caption] "[You could substitute] egg noodles — thin egg noodles, thick egg noodles. If you're [feeling] brave, you can use ramen noodles, soba noodles, udon noodles. It's how far you want to explore, but they're all good." Experience the flavours of Lunar New Year everyday with Oriental Merchant authentic Asian ingredients.
Great cinema often feels timely and topical. Even just from its two trailers so far — and even while remaking a South Korean sci-fi comedy from 2003 — Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone's next movie together already seems to fit that description. A battle between the one percent and the conspiracy-obsessed is at the heart of Bugonia, when a CEO is kidnapped by two young men who are convinced that she isn't from earth. Another year, another collaboration between two big names who keep teaming up to make stellar films, then. With Bugonia, Stone and Lanthimos combine for their fourth joint feature, following 2018's The Favourite, 2023's Poor Things and 2024's Kinds of Kindness. The first of the bunch earned them both Oscar nominations. The second scored Stone her second Academy Award and made Lanthimos a contender again. The latest? It's a remake of Save the Green Planet!. If you've seen that film, then you'll know the story. If you haven't, get ready for Lanthimos' take on it. Either way, the Greek filmmaker's newest movie is all about a CEO of a major company, two men obsessed with wild theories, the belief that said head honcho is an alien who'll destroy earth and, as a result, an abduction plot to attempt to hold her to account. In her second feature of 2025, and second this year to see her wrapped up with conspiracy-spouting folks after Ari Aster's Eddington, Stone is the CEO in Bugonia. Doing the abducting: Jesse Plemons — who also worked with Lanthimos on Kinds of Kindness, and won the Best Actor Award at Cannes for his efforts — plus feature first-timer Aidan Delbis. Bugonia's cast also spans Stavros Halkias (Tires) and Alicia Silverstone (Y2K). Behind the camera, while Lanthimos directs, Will Tracy (The Menu) adapted the screenplay from Jang Joon-hwan's film. Stone is one of Bugonia's producers, too — and so is Aster. The movie just premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where Poor Things did and won the Golden Lion. For audiences Down Under, Bugonia has a date with local cinemas from Thursday, October 30, 2025. Check out the full trailer for Bugonia below: Bugonia releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Images: Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
The return of spring and summer in Sydney means all sorts of things, but for cinephiles it means that its outdoor cinema season — when favourites like Sunset Cinema once again take over parks and ovals across the city with inflatable screens, beanbag seating and programs of movies new and old. Sunset Cinema's Bondi edition is back in form for 2025, running a six week program of 29 screenings until Saturday, December 20th. So, what's on? Like any good outdoor cinema, viewers can pick from a mix of 2025's biggest movies and classics in equal form. You'll be able to catch the Keanu Reeves-starring angelic comedy Good Fortune, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro's critically acclaimed tale of revolution in One Battle After Another and Jeremy Allen-White stepping into the shoes of Bruce Springsteen in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. There's also Glen Powell running for his life on a bloody game show in The Running Man; the highly anticipated return to Oz in Wicked: For Good; the latest Benoit Blanc whodunnit in Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out Mystery; Jaime Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan back in a body-swapping predicament in Freakier Friday and a strange true story of a serial McDonald's robber played by Channing Tatum in Roofman. Pick a card, any card in Now You See Me: Now You Don't, watch Emma Stone get accused of being an alien infiltrator in Bugonia, go on a date unlike any other in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, witness romance intertwine with tragedy in Regretting You or dive deep into a technicolour fantasy in Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Beyond the blockbusters, you can get tickets for screenings of Kangaroo, Love Actually, Spirited Away, The Goonies, Hook, Home Alone and more. The food offering has levelled up in 2025, with Promenade Beach Bar serving everything from vermicelli noodle salad to chicken schnitzel burger snackpacks and indulgent desserts. Drinks come in the form of g&ts, Gravity Seltzers, Coopers beers and Poco Vino wines. Bondi a bit far? You can catch films up in North Sydney as well. Sunset Cinema Bondi Beach runs from Thursday, November 13 to Saturday, December 20. Find out more or get tickets on the website.
It's hard to look past the historically bright personality and sticky pub floors of Oxford Street when passing through Paddington, but the beating heart of Sydney's eastern suburbs has spent the last few years undergoing a facelift amid the challenges of lockouts and lockdowns. Paddington has one of the most tightly-knit communities of the city, with a shared pride in both its history and present-day diversity of venues and businesses. Here, we've distilled a taste of it in partnership with Paddo Collective the locals who know it best. Read on to discover some of our favourite spots to visit in the daytime, then flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do once the sun goes down.
Rising above cookie-cutter treats, Butterboy has become one of Sydney's favourite destinations for creative and choc-filled cookies. Following the success of its Manly and Chatswood stores, the much-loved bakery has launched its third location at Broadway Sydney. Arriving in the inner city, Butterboy fans will notice a slight change in aesthetic, as the Broadway store trades in the brand's usual laidback, coastal vibe for something a little more future-focused. Gleaming with stainless steel and polished chrome finishes, a lilac-accented design draws inspiration from science labs and test kitchens. "Broadway gives us a totally different energy — it's fast, central, and full of people from all over the city," says Butterboy founder James Sideris. "We wanted the space to reflect that dynamism and feel a little unexpected, while still bringing the warmth and joy people associate with Butterboy." While the design is changing, the beloved menu is still very much the same, featuring all of Butterboy's best-known classics. From rotating cookie six-packs and tins to its signature soft serve and syrupy milkshakes, the new location will also serve up the bakery's famed limited-run seasonal drops. While nothing is exclusive to the Broadway store, a new part of Sydney can get a convenient taste. Sidaris launched the brand in 2019, after discovering a passion for whipping up cookies and muffins from his home kitchen during his university days. As his inventive ideas and clever branding attracted a following, he traded in his commerce books for the dessert business. Alongside Butterboy, Sidaris is also the co-owner of Manly's Rollers Bakehouse and Norma's Deli. Butterboy is open Monday–Wednesday and Friday from 10am–7pm, Thursday from 10am–9pm, Saturday from 9am–6pm and Sunday from 10am–6pm at Broadway Sydney, 1 Bay Street, Glebe. Head to the website for more information. Images: Dexter Kim.
There's no shortage of Greek restaurants in Sydney, but few channel the spirit of a true village taverna quite like Jimmy's Kitchen. Set within The Rocks' heritage-listed Campbell's Stores, this intimate diner from hospitality veteran Chris Drivas — who boasts more than 50 years in the game — brings the warmth, flavour and heart of a Greek family kitchen to the city's oldest precinct. With just 22 seats and a palette of royal blue and gold against rugged sandstone walls, the indoor-only dining room feels both cosy and celebratory. At its core is the Greek principle of filoxenia, a moral code of generosity, courtesy, and kindness towards guests. The restaurant serves as a heartfelt tribute to Drivas' late father, Jimmy, alongside whom he began working at the age of seven in their native Greece. Jimmy's philosophy — "When customers walk through your door, you treat them like they're coming into your house" — shapes every part of the experience. [caption id="attachment_1041327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] That sense of home is evident in the tight, one-page menu of classic homestyle dishes. On it, you'll find a standout astakos kritharaki (orzo pasta cooked in lobster and tomato bisque) and slow-cooked lamb kleftiko, as well as inventive small plates like moussaka croquettes, haloumi saganaki and a gluten-free spanakopita baked en croûte. The drinks list is proudly Greek, too, from crisp assyrtiko and bold xinomavro wines to mastiha-infused cocktails and Greek beers rarely found beyond the Med. Overseeing it is Chef Marko Taxidis, now 82 and still moving effortlessly between the kitchen and the floor. A lifelong friend of the Drivas family, Taxidis first worked alongside Jimmy in Sydney in the 1950s and has been part of the family ever since. At Jimmy's Kitchen, he delivers the kind of unpretentious, heartfelt hospitality that never goes out of style. [caption id="attachment_1041329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] Top images: Leigh Griffiths.
If you're spending a night in a hotel for a romantic evening away from your own sheets, W Brisbane wants to give your next visit to the riverside spot a buzz. Because it's that time of year where everyone's thinking about love and lust (like that's not happening everyday anyway), the inner-city hotel is transforming its suites into sexual wellness havens. And as well as nabbing access to an in-room lingerie selection, you'll also get to play with a mini bar filled with sex toys. Whether you're enjoying a Brissie staycation or you're in town from further afield, you you can book into the hotel chain's new 'love your buzz' package, which is on offer in partnership with Lovehoney Australia. It's available from Monday, February 14 (of course) up until Thursday, March 31 — and while it doesn't come cheap, with prices starting at $1569, hopefully you and your partner will be coming into quite the pleasurable stay. As well as that $800-plus mini bar filled with sex toys and the Lovehoney lingerie — both complimentary — the room includes access to a 'sexologist concierge' service, which lets you book in a free phone consultation through sexologist Chantelle Otten's clinic. You'll also be able to watch a dedicated on-demand streaming service filled with educational sexual wellness videos (so no one will be blushing over in-room movie rental charges), and listen to playlists that've been curated by sexologists and sex coaches to get you in the mood. The package features champagne on arrival as well, plus breakfast for two in your room and a bath soak — because you'll be staying in one of W Brisbane's luxury suites, which has a tub. If you do celebrate Valentine's Day, this is quite the way to do it. And if you're after something slightly less pricey, there's also a 'what the buzz' package from $969 (yes, we meant it when we said slightly cheaper) that comes with a night in a luxury suite, champers upon arrival, a bubble bath, in-room brekkie for two and a Lovehoney couples sex toy kit. For more information about W Brisbane's 'love your buzz' and 'what the buzz' packages, or to book a room before Thursday, March 31, head to the hotel's website.
Behind the Betta Meats butchery facade, you'll find a secret but beloved cocktail bar: Earl's Juke Joint. It has been around since 2013 and remained a firm Newtown favourite since then. Owner and ex-Shady Pines head honcho Pasan Wijesana has pulled off the seemingly impossible — soul without kitsch — and given King Street a grown-up bar with a New Orleans edge. On the spectrum of masculine broody, the Earl's decor comes in at about the 'thick with bourbon' mark — you could be forgiven for swearing there is a haze of cigarette smoke in the air. They have gone with a basic but effective design brief: dim yellow lighting, dark wood and corrugated iron, topped off by faces like Fats Waller and T-Bone Walker looking down at a comfortably eclectic crowd from the whitewash walls. The feature of the bar, is, well, the bar; a goliath amongst bar tops that coolly dominates the space and invites you to take a seat. If you're not so keen on bartender banter there are a few booths at the back of the room, and plenty of side tables if you're after a touch of privacy. Once you've secured a menu look over the house rules. Rule # 2: 'Don't be creepy' is a built-in conversation starter (or ender) for those on dates. Move on down the menu to the cocktail list, which rotates through eight options every two months and uses native ingredients like saltbush and kaffir lime. If cocktails aren't your port of call, there is plenty else to love about Earl's extensive beer list, which has taken a turn toward mainly Australian and New Zealand craft. Like the cocktail list, it too changes regularly but has an intriguing roster of local legends Wildflower, Yullis, and Philter as well as craft breweries further afield. Wines take a heavy natural and organic lean, with rare 'cult' drops making an appearance every month. The only disappointment here was that we didn't get to see Rule # 5: 'If Triumph by the Wu-Tang Clan plays there will momentarily be no bar service. At least for the first verse anyway.' Updated April 28, 2023.
