The urge to explore can be a little tricky to satisfy in this day and age, but the desire to find something new, go somewhere different and get an adrenalin hit along the way remains. Silent UK tells the stories of urban explorers, an emerging (and international) subcultural group dedicated to delving into closed, unknown and abandoned city spaces— the derelict buildings and the drainpipes we walk past everyday. In a new short film that takes viewers into London's underground tube network, the explorers talk frankly about what motivates their adventures — the appeal of unknown places, the beauty in what others may deem ugly, and the photographic opportunities. Mostly the explorers just do it because it's fun. That, and the fact that there is also a real risk of danger, something you should give some serious thought to if you find yourself eyeing off your local drainpipe.
Here's news to restart Australia's city rivalries: in 2024, just like in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Melbourne is home to the country's best pizza. This year, however, so is Sydney as well. That's the word from the experts at the 2024 50 Top Pizza awards for the Asia Pacific, which keeps enjoying slices from Victorian chain 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar — but this time, it loved the Harbour City's Al Taglio just as much. Both pizzerias have been named in the top-five slice-slinging joints in the Asia Pacific for this year, sharing fifth spot. They're the only Australian eateries in the top ten, but New Zealand's Dante's Pizzeria Napoletana came in sixth. If sending some affection 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar's way sounds familiar, that's because it happens often. As well as its Top 50 Pizza successes, the Melbourne pizzeria with outposts in South Yarra and Elsternwick was also crowned #1 Pizza in Australia at the Pizza World Championships in 2019. Back at the Top 50 Pizza gongs, only 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar placed on 2023's global list, too, with the Melbourne chain coming in 41st. Al Taglio popped up in the next 50, at number 63. How they'll each fare worldwide in 2024 won't be announced until September. This year's best Asia Pacific pizzerias were named at a ceremony at the Italian Institute of Culture in Tokyo. Running for the last seven years, the 50 Top Pizza awards are chosen by around 1000 experts across the globe, who visit the pizzerias anonymously to judge and rank their offerings. The annual international pizzeria guide chooses its picks based not just on the merit of their slices, but on each pizzeria as a whole, rating the food, drinks, service and overall ambiance. In top spot in the Asia Pacific this year: The Pizza Bar on 38th in Tokyo, which also earned the same placing in 2023. In second came Crosta Pizzeria in Makati in The Philippines, followed by RistoPizza in Tokyo in third, Hong Kong's Fiata by Salvatore in fourth and then the Aussie double shared fifth spot. A handful of other Aussie venues were also among 2024's Asia Pacific top 50 best pizzerias, starting with Sydney's Queen Margherita of Savoy in 23rd place. Lil Franky Pizzeria, also in the New South Wales capital, ranked 27th — and Gigi's Pizza, similarly in the city, came in at 30th. From Melbourne, Il Caminetto sits in 31st spot, Shop225 in 32nd and +39 Pizzeria in 33rd. Maestro Sourdough Pizza in Perth also earned some attention, ranking 43rd — and Sydney's Pizza Madre rounded out the list by coming in at 50th. Find 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar at 373 Malvern Road, South Yarra and 15 Gordon Street, Elsternwick. For the full 50 Top Pizza Asia Pacific awards list, jump over to the website. Craving a slice, Melburnians? Check out our top picks for pizza in Melbourne. 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar images: Hi Sylvia.
Two months, five new Wes Anderson films: that's the maths Down Under in 2023. Asteroid City reached cinemas in August, and September will bring not one, two or three but four brand-new shorts directed by the symmetry-adoring director. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar had already been announced, and it now has fellow Roald Dahl-based company. Netflix is bringing the 39-minute The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar to streaming on Wednesday, September 27, following its recent world-premiere slot out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. So, viewers at home get to see the flick in mere weeks after its big-screen debut. The day after it arrives, The Swan will also drop on Netflix on Thursday, September 28. Next comes The Ratcatcher on Friday, September 29. And, Poison will wrap up this Anderson-meets-Dahl frenzy on Saturday, September 30. All four shorts not only stem from Dahl's pen originally, but cycle through a few core cast members — all of which play multiple roles. Stepping in front of the camera for Anderson: Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), Dev Patel (The Green Knight), Ben Kingsley (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Richard Ayoade (The Souvenir: Part II) and Rupert Friend (Asteroid City). In glorious news for The Grand Budapest Hotel fans, Ralph Fiennes (The Menu) also reteams with the director. Fingers crossed for more line readings that are so completely perfect that they're unforgettable. Now, the stories. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar comes from one of the seven tales in Dahl's 1977 book The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, telling of a wealthy man who is so fond of wagering that he comes up with a crafty plan. After discovering a guru who can see without using his eyes, he decides to learn to the same to cheat while having a bet. Running for 17 minutes, The Swan also takes inspiration from a tale in the same book, this time about a small and smart boy being bullied. Clocking in at 17 minutes as well, The Ratcatcher adapts a lesser-known story of the same name — not from the same text this time — which is unsurprisingly about a rodent exterminator. And, running for the same duration, Poison dates back to 1950, focusing on a man finding a venomous snake. In 1958, the same tale was adapted for TV by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, in an episode of anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. All up, that's 90 minutes of new Anderson work that'll be ready to stream by the time that September is out. If you watch them all together rather than day by day, it's basically an anthology feature. There's no trailer yet for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Ratcatcher or Poison, but you can enjoy the Asteroid City and The Grand Budapest Hotel clips instead in the interim: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 27. The Swan arrives on Thursday, September 28, then The Ratcatcher on Friday, September 29 and Poison on Saturday, September 30. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
Music festival lineups are always cause for excitement, but sometimes spending a whole day at a fest doesn't fit into your schedule. Thankfully, life found a way to ensure that you can still see your favourite acts: festival sideshows, which a heap of talent on the 2024 Groovin the Moo lineup just announced. Can't head to Newcastle, Canberra, Bendigo, Adelaide Showground, the Sunshine Coast and Bunbury this April and May to catch GZA, Claire Rosinkranz, Kenya Grace, Stephen Sanchez and The Beaches? All five have announced their own gigs while they're Down Under. In great news for folks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, they're all playing all three cities. Perth gets a few sideshows as well; however, if you're elsewhere, you'll have to travel. Wu-Tang Clan's GZA is taking to the stage with full live band The Phunky Nomads, on their Liquid Swords Live Australian tour — starting at Sydney's Liberty Hall, then heading to 170 Russell in Melbourne, The Triffid in Brisbane and Magnet House in Perth. And yes, the set usually includes a heap of the tunes that GZA is best-known for, because Wu-Tang Clan covers ain't nuthing ta f' wit. Rosinkranz has her debut 2023 album Just Because to play through at Max Watts in Melbourne, Oxford Art Factory in Sydney, The Zoo in Brisbane and Perth's Rosemount Hotel. Making her first trip to Australia, 'Strangers' artist Grace will play Melbourne's The Night Cat, Fremantle's Freo.Social, and also Oxford Art Factory and The Zoo just like Rosinkranz. After hitting our shores last year, Sanchez returns to bust out 'Until I Found You' again, this time at Enmore Theatre in Sydney, Forum Melbourne, The Tivoli in Brisbane and Perth's Astor Theatre. And Toronto's The Beaches have dates at The Lansdowne, The Zoo and Howler in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, respectively. [caption id="attachment_939692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Caity Krone[/caption] Groovin the Moo 2024 Sideshows: GZA + The Phunky Nomads Thursday, May 2 — Liberty Hall, Sydney Friday, May 3 — 170 Russell, Melbourne Tuesday, May 7 — The Triffid, Brisbane Friday, May 10 — Magnet House, Perth Claire Rosinkranz Tuesday, April 30 — Max Watts, Melbourne, Wednesday, May 1 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Tuesday, May 7 — The Zoo, Brisbane Friday, May 10 — Rosemount Hotel, Perth Kenya Grace Tuesday, April 30 — The Night Cat, Melbourne Thursday, May 2 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Wednesday, May 8 — The Zoo, Brisbane Saturday, May 11 — Freo.Social, Fremantle Stephen Sanchez Monday, April 29 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, April 30 — Forum Melbourne, Melbourne Monday, May 6 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Wednesday, May 8 — Astor Theatre, Perth The Beaches Wednesday, May 1 — The Lansdowne, Sydney Monday, May 6 — The Zoo, Brisbane Thursday, May 9 — Howler, Melbourne Groovin the Moo is touring Australia in April and May 2024. For tickets and more information, head to the festival's website. The festival's sideshows are touring across the same months, with presale and general sale dates varying — head to the tour pages for GZA, Claire Rosinkranz, Kenya Grace, Stephen Sanchez and The Beaches for all the details. Top image: Azuree Wiitala.
Winning the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll for 2023, Mountain Culture's Status Quo Pale Ale is living up to its name. The tipple from the New South Wales brewery in the Blue Mountains was also anointed 2022's top drop. So, from that ranking to the just-announced new countdown — which was unveiled on Saturday, January 27, 2024 — the existing state of affairs has indeed been maintained. When the end of January rolls around in Australia, folks get a-counting — and brews sit alongside tunes. The nation loves working through the top 100 songs of the past year thanks to Triple J's huge annual music poll, and has for decades. And, it loves celebrating the beers that everyone is likely sipping while listening to that countdown, which is where GABS' ranking of Aussie craft beers has come in for 16 years now. This yeasty poll does for beer what the other Hottest 100 does for bangers, and it loves repeat winners. In both 2020 and 2021, Canberra's Bentspoke Brewing Co did the honours with its Crankshaft American IPA. In 2022 and 2023, that brew came in third instead. Mountain Culture also bested 2017 and 2018 winner Balter Brewing Company for the second year running, with its Balter XPA notching up second position in 2022 and 2023. And, it beat out Your Mates Brewing Co, which nabbed fourth place this year. In fifth: Bridge Road Brewers' Beechworth pale ale. The rest of the top ten includes Gage Roads Brewing Co's Single Fin Summer Ale in sixth, Coopers Brewery's Original Pale Ale in seventh and Stone & Wood Brewing Co's Pacific Ale — the winner of the 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2019 polls; 2020's second-place getter; and 2021 and 2022's fourth beer on the list — in eighth. Young Henrys sits ninth with Newtowner, while Pirate Life Brewing came in tenth with its South Coast pale ale. Mountain Culture, which is run by husband-and-wife team DJ & Harriet McCready, also placed 22nd with its Cult IPA, 41st with its Be Kind Rewind NEIPA and 46th with its Summer Pale Ale. Obviously, it made more than a little company. 2023's hottest 100 was whittled down from 436 vote-receiving breweries and 1877 of their beers. From that hefty list of contenders, 63 different breweries scored a spot on the full list of 100 brews. That covers 27 beers from NSW, 24 from Queensland and 22 from Victoria, plus 11 from Western Australia, and eight each from the ACT and South Australia. 2023's rundown saw quite the turnover in tipples, too, with 28 of 2022's top brews dropping out and being replaced in 2023's rundown. Held by GABS — or the annual festival also known as the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular, which returns for 2023 this May and June — the countdown is a people's-choice poll decided by booze lovers around the country. If you're thinking "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Working your way through the whole 100 isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews, either — consider it research for the 2024 countdown. GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2023: 1. Mountain Culture Beer Co — Status Quo Pale Ale 2. Balter Brewing — Balter XPA 3. BentSpoke Brewing Co — Crankshaft 4. Your Mates Brewing Co — Larry 5. Bridge Road Brewers — Beechworth Pale Ale 6. Gage Roads Brewing Co — Single Fin Summer Ale 7. Coopers Brewery — Original Pale Ale 8. Stone & Wood Brewing Co — Pacific Ale 9. Young Henrys — Newtowner 10. Pirate Life Brewing — South Coast Pale Ale 11. Philter Brewing — XPA 12. Black Hops Brewing — G.O.A.T. 13. Little Creatures — Pale Ale 14. Beerfarm — Royal Haze 15. Capital Brewing Co — Coast Ale 16. Range Brewing — Disco 17. 4 Pines Brewing Company — Pacific Ale 18. 10 Toes Brewery — Pipeline 19. The Grifter Brewing Co — Grifter Pale 20. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co — Jindong Juicy 21. Coopers Brewery — Sparkling Ale 22. Mountain Culture Beer Co — Cult IPA 23. Balter Brewing — Eazy Hazy 24. Stomping Ground Brewing Co — Gipps St Pale Ale 25. Moffat Beach Brewing Co — Passenger Pale Ale 26. Mountain Goat Beer — GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer 27. Better Beer — Better Beer Zero Carb 28. Blackflag Brewing — Rage Juicy Pale 29. Heads Of Noosa Brewing Co — Japanese Style Lager 30. Blackman's Brewery — Juicy Banger IPL 31. Green Beacon Brewing Co — Wayfarer Tropical Pale Ale 32. Heaps Normal — Quiet XPA 33. KAIJU! Beer — KRUSH! Tropical Pale Ale 34. CBCo Brewing — CBCo Pale Ale 35. Matso's Broome Brewery — Mango Beer 36. Feral Brewing Co — Biggie Juice 37. Hawkers Beer — West Coast IPA 38. Bright Brewery — Alpine Lager 39. Brick Lane Brewing Co — One Love Pale Ale 40. One Drop Brewing Co — We Jammin' 41. Mountain Culture Beer Co — Be Kind Rewind 42. Balter Brewing — Hazy 43. BentSpoke Brewing Co — Barley Griffin 44. Capital Brewing Co — Capital XPA 45. Balter Brewing — Cerveza 46. Mountain Culture Beer Co — Summer Pale Ale 47. James Squire — One Fifty Lashes 48. Your Mates Brewing Co — Sally 49. Gage Roads Brewing Co — Side Track All Day XPA 50. Little Bang Brewing Co — Sun Bear 51. Hop Nation Brewing Co — Rattenhund Classic Pilsner 52. Hiker Brewing Co — Cloudscapes 53. Bodriggy Brewing Company — Speccy Juice 54. Akasha Brewing Co — Super Chill Pacific Ale 55. Hop Nation Brewing Co — J-Juice Hazy IPA 56. Range Brewing — Lights + Music 57. Seeker Brewing — Mystic NEIPA 58. Heads Of Noosa Brewing Co — Black Japanese Lager 59. White Rabbit — Dark Ale 60. Bridge Road Brewers — Bling IPA 61. Coopers Brewery — Australian Lager 62. The Grifter Brewing Co — Serpents Kiss 63. Dainton Beer — Blood Orange NEIPA 64. Moon Dog Craft Brewery — Old Mate 65. Hawke's Brewing — Hawke's Patio Pale 66. Shout Brewing Co — Mullet Pale Ale 67. Modus Brewing — Modus Cerveza 68. Deeds Brewing — Juice Train 69. Coopers Brewery — XPA 70. Kosciuszko Brewing Co — Kosciuszko Pale Ale 71. Black Hops Brewing — East Coast Haze 72. Balter Brewing — Captain Sensible 73. 4 Pines Brewing Company — Japanese Lager 74. Stone & Wood Brewing Co — Hinterland Hazy Pale Ale 75. BentSpoke Brewing Co — Sprocket 76. Capital Brewing Co — Hang Loose Juice Hazy IPA 77. Little Creatures — Rogers 78. Sunday Road Brewing — Cryotherapy 79. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co — Rock Candy 80. Margaret River Beer Co — In the Pines 81. Big Shed Brewing Concern — Boozy Fruit 82. Blackflag Brewing — Affinity Tropical Pale 83. Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel — Three Sheets Pale Ale 84. Brouhaha Brewery — Strawberry Rhubarb Sour 85. Helios Brewing Co — Dionysus Oat Cream DIPA 86. Banks Brewing — Cake Eater 87. Coopers Brewery — Best Extra Stout 88. 4 Pines Brewing Co — Hazy Pale Ale 89. Fixation Brewing Co — Fixation IPA 90. Little Creatures — Little Hazy Lager 91. Bad Shepherd Brewing Co — Peanut Butter Porter 92. CBCo Brewing — CBCo IPA 93. Yulli's Brews — Amanda Mandarin IPA 94. Stone & Wood Brewing Co — Cloud Catcher 95. Moffat Beach Brewing Co — Moff's Summer Ale 96. Capital Brewing Co — Trail Pale Ale 97. Young Henrys — Hazy Pale Ale 98. Wolf of the Willows Brewing — Wolf PUP Hazy Pale Ale 99. Range Brewing — Dripping in Green: Citra 100. Your Mates Brewing Co — Macca For more information about the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2023, head to the GABS website.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Come Thursday, February 4, 2021, you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka. Its launch was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic but, after revealing back in October that it'd open early in the new year, the fresh addition to the theme park has an official date. Actually, Universal Studios Japan has done more than lock in an exact date. It has dropped a heap of new details — and a couple of sneak peeks, too. The fact that there'd be Mario Kart and Yoshi-themed rides isn't new news; however, until now, only a few clues about what they'd entail had been released. For those keen to hop on Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, prepare to race through familiar Mario Kart courses that've been recreated in real life. And yes, as you're steering your way along the track, you'll be surrounded by characters such as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. You'll also be able to throw shells to take out your opponents — because it wouldn't be Mario Kart without them. If you're wondering how it all works, expect physical sets, plus augmented reality, projection mapping and screen projection, all designed to make you feel like you're really in the game. As for Yoshi's Adventure, it'll see you climb on Yoshi's back — and it's designed to be family-friendly. So, you'll hop on, then set off on an adventure. You'll follow Captain Toad to find three coloured eggs, plus a golden egg as well. Taking over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also feature Bowser's Castle, complete with spiked fences and heavy iron doors. Peach's Castle is part of the park, too, as are other rides, restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which has already launched ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons are surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space is kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors are a feature. As for snacks, there are Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. The theme park is also introducing wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as keys and character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. If you're keen to take a look, Nintendo has released two videos that take you through Super Nintendo World — one brief, and the other running for 15 minutes. The latter is hosted by 'Mario's dad', aka Shigeru Miyamoto, the video game designer who created Super Mario Bros all those years ago. It provides a detailed walkthrough, so you'll spy everything from huge piranha plants to giant bob-ombs, all with Miyamoto's commentary . You can check out both videos below — and yes, the music will sound very familiar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Nc9au7FjY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQaRBOI-9kg Nods to other Nintendo games are expected to pop up around the park but, for now, all other specifics remain sparse. Given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. While no one is travelling far at present, Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore — if you need to add more places to your must-visit list when international tourism starts returning to normal. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka on Thursday, February 4.
Since the untimely passing of legend David Bowie in January, mourning fans have been creating respectful and fitting ways to remember him. They've held tributes all across the country (and the world) in the form of concerts, karaoke, screenings and dance parties. But fans looking to get closer to the life of the prolific artist now have another avenue to consider: a stay in Bowie's former holiday house in the Caribbean. The house, which is on the luxury Caribbean island of Mustique, has just gone up for rent — albeit for a whopping $52,000 AUD (or $78,000 AUD in high season) per week. That's cool, right? I mean, what you're paying for is priceless. Bowie had the villa built himself back in 1989, and a lot of the original design and fixtures still stand. Everywhere you stand, it's likely you'll be standing in the exact same spot that Bowie once stood (we're not sure how long it will take for that game to get old, but we're guessing a substantial amount of time). Of course, the house — named the Mandalay — comes with a lot of non-priceless things too, like an infinity pool, personal waterfalls, an epic outdoor dining pavilion, views of the Atlantic Ocean and a staff of 10 (including your own personal chef). It has five bedrooms (each with their own private verandah), sits on 6.2 acres and comes with neighbours like Kate Moss, Hugh Grant and royals Will and Kate. It's important to note that the home doesn't come straight from Bowie's hands — he sold the property back in the '90s to publisher Felix Dennis. Following Dennis' death, it was bought by English entrepreneur Simon Dolan, who has now put the house up for rent for the first time. But if you've got $50k to spare on a lavish Caribbean trip, you may as well go all out and holiday like Ziggy Stardust. Via Travel + Leisure.
When the latest version of Mulan starts its story, it does so with a crucial piece of narration that clearly signals the movie's intentions. "There have been many tales of the great warrior Mulan, but ancestors, this one is mine," Hua Mulan's father Zhou (Tzi Ma, The Farewell) advises the audience. Most viewers know the titular character's name from Disney's 1998 animated musical. The Mouse House is behind this new film, too, as part of its growing stable of live-action remakes of its own past hits (see: everything from Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast to Aladdin and The Lion King). But Mulan circa 2020 isn't interested in slavishly recreating the company's last take on the tale frame by frame, just with flesh and blood rather than illustrations — instead, it's smartly interested in retelling the Chinese legend in a rousing and vibrant way. As first transcribed in the Ballad of Mulan in the sixth century, the story of Hua Mulan holds a considerable place in history — and it is easy to understand why. When her elderly and ailing father is conscripted to serve in the Imperial Army, with no son of an acceptable age to take his place, Mulan steals his armour and sneaks off to join the forces for him. To do so, she disguises herself as a man, which none of her colleagues or superiors suspect. The fact that she has considerable martial arts, swordplay and archery skills assists, of course, but Mulan's kindly subterfuge sees her become a formidable and respected warrior who helps save her kingdom. With Whale Rider and The Zookeeper's Wife's Niki Caro in the director's chair, Mulan covers the expected tale; it wouldn't be a Mulan movie otherwise. But this story first fought its way across the big screen in a 1927 silent film, and has been no stranger to the page, stage or cinema over the past 93 years — so just repeating the 1998 movie really would've been the laziest option. Accordingly, the feature's four writers (Jurassic World's Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, plus Christmas Perfection's Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek) aren't afraid to wrangle their own version of the narrative, and Caro doesn't shy away from imparting a specific tone and focus either. Where its animated predecessor played the situation in a lighthearted but still respectful manner (think: talking dragons, cricket sidekicks and lively songs about arranged marriage), this iteration adopts a weightier mood, stressing the significance of its protagonist's journey at every turn. Cue details both familiar and new, including ditching the aforementioned Eddie Murphy-voiced dragon for a symbolism-laden (and mute) phoenix, scrapping the romantic subplot with Mulan's commander and delving into the treatment of women in multiple ways. As the Emperor's (Jet Li) military battles invading northerners led by the revenge-seeking Böri Khan (Jason Scott Lee, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny), Mulan (Liu Yifei, Once Upon a Time) not only fights alongside her peers and tries to keep her secret from her mentor (Donnie Yen, the IP Man franchise) and her rival (Yoson An, Mortal Engines), but also comes up against shapeshifting sorceress Xianniang (Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha). Mulan isn't very subtle about juxtaposing the two women's plights — nuance is rarely Disney's specialty — but the comparison is always moving. And, with Liu serving up a quieter, more stoic performance and Gong getting a showier part as the outcast on the other side, they offer something that the company's movies aren't always known for: multiple visions of femininity, even in a story that literally tasks its lead with pretending to be male. As a result, Mulan feels like it's forging its own path even when it does hit recognisable notes, either from the 1998 film or from general cinematic tropes. Its central figure is given an almost superhero-esque origin story, involving her innate ability, or qi, because Disney is also the home of Marvel and Star Wars — but in charting her quest to succeed, the film never merely drums to the requisite beats. This version of Mulan was always going to heighten the inspirational angle, too, to rightly reflect today's attitudes; however the emotions it earns are genuine. When a coming-of-age story about a determined young woman defying the shackles of her gender and her culture in a groundbreaking way is treated thoughtfully and intelligently, it's always going to evoke a reaction. While viewers will be watching Mulan on a small-screen — after the feature was originally scheduled to play in cinemas in March, had its date delayed several times until July and August due to COVID-19, then opted for a streaming release via Disney+ instead — there's no missing the movie's visible spectacle, too. Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker (The Mountain Between Us, Hidden Figures) delivers a sweeping feast of lush imagery across a plethora of landscapes, and lenses energetic wuxia-inspired combat action as well. Indeed, this is one of Disney's most sumptuous-looking remakes, and one of its better examples in general anyway. The chasm between the company's best do-overs (Pete's Dragon, The Jungle Book) and its worst (Alice in Wonderland, particularly) is considerable, but this big-hearted, captivating and striking film easily falls into the first category. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK8FHdFluOQ Mulan is available to stream via Disney+ from Friday, September 4, for an extra price of AU$34.99/NZD$39.99 on top of your regular Disney+ subscription. It'll join the service for no extra fee from December 4. Top image: Jasin Boland. © 2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Pairing movies with music is no longer new news, but the latest returning event that's serving up that combo is hoping for two things. Firstly, it's betting on a whole lot of love for Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a classic 1987 romantic drama. Secondly, when it comes to getting excited about seeing that now 36-year-old flick on a big screen with its soundtrack performed live, it's hoping that you've never felt like this before (or, not since 2022's shows). Obviously, Dirty Dancing in Concert wants to give you the time of your life as well — and to not only let you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most charming film roles, but to immerse you in the movie from the moment you take your seat. No one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, but the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, and a live band and singers will perform its iconic songs as it plays. Just as swoon-worthy: the fact that those musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. This blast-from-the-past affair is touring Australia and New Zealand across September and October, with dates locked in for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, the Gold Coast, Auckland and Christchurch. And yes, because Dirty Dancing in Concert is certain to be popular, it's bringing its 80s-themed fun to sizeable venues, so you'll be having the time of your Dirty Dancing-loving life with plenty of people. DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT 2023 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR: Friday, September 1 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Saturday, September 2 — Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney Friday, September 22 — Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Saturday, September 23 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide Sunday, September 24 — Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth Thursday, September 28 — The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast Saturday, September 30 — Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland Sunday, October 1 — Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch Dirty Dancing in Concert will tour Australia and NZ in September and October 2023 — head to the show's website for tickets and further details.
UPDATE: APRIL 21, 2020 — This Marrickville cafe is still open for takeaway, so you can order everything from coffee and eggs on toast to gluten free toasties, burger and curries to enjoy at home. To place an order, visit the website. A wholefoods cafe with a touch of fine dining flair, Warren & Holt is out to show Sydney's inner west that eating healthy needn't be boring or complicated. The family-owned Marrickville spot embraces the idea of mindful eating, while championing food that's sustainably, ethically and locally produced. The menu is as fun and flavourful as it is nutritionally informed, the kitchen helmed by chef Joey Ingram (Tetsuya's), who's bringing just enough of those fine dining sensibilities into play. You'll find zero in the way of refined sugar, but a plethora of allergen-friendly fare, with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options always in strong supply. Breakfast might mean fermented sourdough crumpets by fellow locals Merna, piled with cultured cream and chia jam ($13), gluten-free hotcakes with maple-poached quince ($22) or the kale and zucchini fritter with pickles, caramelised onions and poached eggs ($17). Lunch runs to the likes of a grass-fed beef burger ($22) on a Brickfields Bakery bun, a vegan 'good health bowl' loaded with roast pumpkin, spiced cashew dip and miso-roasted eggplant ($20), and a 48-hour beef bone broth with organic soba noodles ($17). To match, you'll find coffee by Single O, a range of nourishing smoothies and a selection of house-made sweet treats (like chocolate fudge doughnuts).
Ignite your imagination at IAC 2025 Space Day as LEGO PLAY transforms Darling Harbour into a free intergalactic wonderland on Friday, October 3. Inspiring adults and kids alike to look to the stars and beyond, expect a free, family-friendly festival of space exploration and curiosity. Equipped with myriad building blocks alongside curious characters, ranging from spacewalking astronauts to shape-shifting mutants, guests can spend the day building rovers, shuttles and space stations primed to take a minifig on an interplanetary adventure. Meanwhile, the program is jam-packed with fascinating encounters. Moonwalk into Martin Place to snap a selfie with a 10-metre-tall inflatable astronaut, then take remote control of Roo-Ver — an Aussie-built rover destined for the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis campaign. There's also the chance to meet and greet astronauts, including Australia's first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, alongside a host of other international space leaders. With loads more to explore, IAC 2025 Space Day is ripe for all things celestial fun.
When something on HBO proves a huge hit, the US cable network goes all in. One case in point: all things Game of Thrones, including the just-arrived House of the Dragon, plus the hefty list of other spinoffs also in the works. Another example: Euphoria, with creator Sam Levinson now behind another HBO series that's filled with parties, drugs, attractive actors and plenty of drama — aka The Idol, which keeps dropping teaser trailers. The show itself doesn't have a release date yet, but it has just released its second sneak peek after first giving viewers a glimpse back in July. This time around, the teaser builds on the music industry-set show's suitably wild vibe and spells out the cast list. With both, it isn't holding back. Levinson teams up with Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye on the series, with the latter co-creating The Idol and starring in it. The focus: a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, played by the musician, as well as the up-and-coming pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp, Voyagers that he starts a complicated relationship with. From the two trailers so far, Depp's character clearly gets thrust into a heady new world — and here, as gets mentioned in the latest clip, sex definitely sells. For viewers, a cast that includes Red Rocket's Suzanna Son, Boy Erased's Troye Sivan, Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy, singer-songwriter Moses Sumney, BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, Only Murders in the Building's Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Hacks' Jane Adams, Bodies Bodies Bodies' Rachel Sennott and Inglourious Basterds' Eli Roth should be a definite selling point, too. Also set to pop up in the series: Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Hari Nef (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel), Steve Zissis (Happy Death Day 2U), Melanie Liburd (This Is Us), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story), Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Saved By the Bell) and Nico Hiraga (Booksmart), plus Anne Heche (All Rise) in what'll be one of her last performances. When it was originally announced in November 2021, The Idol was set to span six episodes, all filmed in Los Angeles — with She Dies Tomorrow's Amy Seimetz directing every single one. But back in April this year, it was revealed that Seimetz had left the project and reshoots were underway as a result. How that'll impact the end product is obviously yet to be seen — but the teasers so far should have you intrigued anyway. Check out the latest teaser trailer for The Idol below: The Idol doesn't yet have a release date, including Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
This leafy inner west suburb is home to local artists, students and creative start-ups, and the charming mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops along Glebe Point Road reflects the laidback attitude of the people who choose to live and work there. Alongside secondhand bookshops that have thrived in the area for decades, you'll find pocket breweries and cute grocery stores — plus, it's all within a short walk from Sydney's CBD. With so many unusual and distinct businesses along one stretch, it can be hard to know where to start. So with the help of American Express, we've picked out the best places to shop at in Glebe so you know you're supporting the indie businesses that make it such a great place to visit. Follow our locals' guide to Glebe Point Road and shop small with your Amex Card.
Early in We Live in Time — early in the film's running time for watching audiences, but not early in its central romance thanks to the movie's non-linear storytelling — Florence Pugh's Almut reacts to significant news about her health by delivering her own to Andrew Garfield's Tobias. Years after a meet-cute involving a hospital (and also a car accident, with her behind the wheel and him lightly struck by the car), they're again at one. Their relationship has never been much of a stranger to them, in fact. This time, however, as the chef and the Weetbix employee stand in the carpark after an appointment, they ponder a question that lingers over everyone but never as much as those forced to reckon with the knowledge that their future might not be guaranteed: is life best lived for quantity or quality? Charting a decade in its characters' existence, from a surprise encounter to falling in love, weathering heartbreak, starting a family, pursuing professional dreams, navigating challenges and facing mortality, We Live in Time isn't a strict two-hander in terms of casting. Still, it's so intimately a double act between Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven) that it feels like one. See: this crucial moment, which conveys everything about Almut and Tobias' dynamic. She speaks carefully but passionately. He listens devotedly. Nothing else could be more important to either of them. Pugh's performance simmers with raw emotion. This interaction isn't about him, but Garfield turns in some of cinema's most-moving reaction work as Tobias takes in what he's being told. Asked how important that scene is for him, Garfield is quick and decisive: "very pivotal," he tells Concrete Playground. It also cuts to the core of exactly what helps make We Live in Time so affecting. This is a heartfelt romance dealing with the fleeting nature of life — and in other hands than Garfield and Pugh's, and director John Crowley (Brooklyn) and screenwriter Nick Payne's (The Last Letter From Your Lover), it'd risk being dismissed as a weepie — but it's always about who Almut is regardless of anything that she can't control. It's about how people endure, create a life together and cherish their time together, while the hourglass empties, too. The impact that a person has beyond just being someone's parent, someone's partner or someone's child also sits at the centre of the film as much as Almut and Tobias' relationship. And, as it delves into weighty topics for its genre while stepping through Almut and Tobias' tale, We Live in Time firmly never falls into the common trap of heroing what Tobias is going through over Almut's experience — as a person, not just as someone with an unwanted diagnosis. It doesn't dream of defining her or them through the worst thing that they'll ever confront, either. In some features, letting time jump around can be a gimmick, but here it is done with touching purpose. As the movie flits between the duo's first weeks and months together, one specific day spent in the bathroom of a service station and also their well-established romance, the non-linear structure ensures that the full wave of life and love — not specific pieces of news, or coping with their aftermath — are always pushed to the fore in an immensely well-rounded narrative. For Garfield, Tobias is the role that brings him back to the screen. 2025 marks 18 years since his film debut in Boy A, another empathetic and sensitive film directed by Crowley — as well as a feature that earned its star a BAFTA TV award — and he's rarely been far away the viewers' gaze since, until 2022. Before half a decade had passed from his first movie, he'd made an imprint in three-time Oscar-winner The Social Network opposite Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain) and slung webs in a comic-book blockbuster in The Amazing Spider-Man. Another five years later, he had his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for Hacksaw Ridge. Before, in-between and afterwards, Garfield kept adding interesting projects to his resume, the page-to-screen Red Riding crime saga, dystopian romance Never Let Me Go, housing-crisis drama 99 Homes, the Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)-helmed Silence, LA-set neo-noir Under the Silver Lake and Lin-Manuel Miranda's (Hamilton) Jonathan Larson biographical musical Tick, Tick... Boom! — the source of his second round of Best Actor love from the Academy Awards — among them. Two more stints as Peter Parker also eventuated, including in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then, after television's Under the Banner of Heaven, he took some time off. One of the things that made We Live in Time a must-star for him: a memorable birth scene that Garfield likens to an action sequence. What did it mean to join forces with Crowley again after the filmmaker gave him his initial movie role? And to dive into the meaning of life and what truly matters in We Live in Time — and to create such a deep sense of intimacy with Pugh, too? Over a cup of tea, we chatted with Garfield about all of the above, the film's efforts to avoid the tearjerker label and two key instances, one off- and the other on-screen: the "this is it!" moment that made him know he wanted to make this movie, and that carpark scene. On Reteaming with John Crowley on We Live in Time After Boy A — and Collaborating with the Director on Empathetic and Sensitive Films "It's quite natural because John is naturally that, and I think I'm quite naturally that, and I think it just works. There's nothing better than on a film set feeling like you have room to take ownership over a moment, to breathe as the character, to not feel like you have to get it right — and it's an important thing for me to feel when I'm on a set. John is one of those filmmakers that provides that for his actors. He creates a lot of space for breath. He creates a lot of space for exploration and nuance, and interior life and subtlety, and for life to unfold. I felt that when I was first working with him and then it's remained now." On Diving Into Weighty Notions Such as How People Create a Life, Cherish Their Time Together and Have an Impact in a Romantic Drama "I love these ideas and I think that you said it perfectly — they are weighty and they are about the meaning of life, and they are about what matters and what doesn't, and how we keep our attention and our hearts trained on that which is nourishing and that which is mysterious and meaningful. So I love these ideas, and I love being able to hang out in them and to ask questions within them, within the question. And to explore these themes with great artists and collaborators is a dream, and with such great writing. I think that these are the questions that I ask myself on a daily basis anyway. So it felt very natural to slide into this character's skin, and all of the difficulty and beauty of the experience he was having." On What Excited Garfield About Starring in We Live in Time as His First On-Screen Project Since 2022's Under the Banner of Heaven "I think while I was reading the script, and I was reading how this dynamic was unfolding and how it built particularly to the birth scene, I thought 'my gosh, this is such an epic action sequence in domesticity'. I thought: 'oh, man, I want to see this, and how this plays out'. And there were a few scenes of just deep beauty and tenderness, and funny — they were just so sweetly funny within such pain. And I thought 'that just feels like a balm'. It feels like a balm for me, as a person that's been through his own grief. But also it will feel like a balm for other people in the audience who are going through their own version of what these people are going through in this film. So it felt like an act of service. It felt like a real act of service to make this film for myself, but also for an audience, hopefully." On Building Deep Intimacy with Florence Pugh as Tobias and Almut "So the writing is very good. The writing was the jumping-off point and thank god it was a great script, otherwise I don't think we'd be talking — I don't think the film would have been made. So that was the beginning. And then it was me and Florence just finding this natural trust and depth of intimacy and nakedness and vulnerability together. And joy and play together. We can go from being feeling like two childhood friends to feeling like parents. That's a really important thing, I think, for this film. That was rather easy for us to find together. I think we're both just up for it. We're both just two actors and two people who are just like 'what are we doing today, and how do we make it as fun and as silly and as real and as deep as possible?'. That's what we came into every day looking for — and not just for ourselves, but for the other, too. We were two actors who really, really loved being a part of the other person flying. And that's a really special thing." On Ensuring That The Film Tells a Well-Rounded Story That Reflects Life and Is Never a Weepie, Even as It Deals with Love and Mortality "We didn't want it to feel sentimental or saccharine. We didn't want it to feel imbalanced. We didn't want it to feel manipulative. We wanted it to feel, as you say, like life. We wanted it to be very, very rich, diverse experience that felt like watching life unfold for these two people — in all of the agony and all of the ecstasy and all of the complication. What's amazing about Florence's character is she's not this lionised, idealised survivor/victim. And I think the same thing with Tobias, he's not some overly soppy, wet, sympathetic, sentimental character. They both have flaws. They both have fallibility. And they're both deeply human. So that was very, very important for us to keep our eye on." On What Garfield Was Hoping to Express in the Movie's Pivotal Carpark Scene "I was hoping to convey just an impossible contradiction in impulses. I think there's no easy path in that moment for these two characters. And for Tobias, I wanted to convey a thousand things at once. I wanted to convey overwhelm. I wanted to convey being unable to offer anything concise or rational or useful. I wanted to convey deep understanding of where she was while also wanting to kick and scream — and I wanted to convey, on top of that, 'all I've got to do right now is not make this about me. I've just got to listen and I've just got to support and let this moment be this moment, not have an answer'. Just the humility of 'I don't have anything to say here and I'm not going to force it' — like I think most of us want to do in those situations, we want to have a fix-it answer. We want to have some kind final solution. But I think Tobias, in that moment, is humble enough or overwhelmed enough to be able just to stand there, not having anything to offer apart from comfort." We Live in Time opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday, January 16, 2025 and in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Ever since the ABC's War on Waste aired in May this year, we've seen a significant shift in the way people think about waste — from the bananas amount of bananas that are thrown away each day to the single-use coffee cups and plastic items we thoughtlessly use whenever we like. But it's that last item — plastic — that's seen some big companies spring to action. Last month grocery chains Coles, Woolworths, and NSW-based Harris Farm announced that they would ban single-use plastic bags by from 2018 — a huge (and influential) example of big business leading change. Now Hobart City Council is planning to take city-wide action by phasing out single-use plastic takeaway containers and cutlery completely. According to the ABC, the council voted 10-1 to amend draft environmental health bylaws which will see the items banned by 2020. They'll be replaced by compostable alternatives, which will be processed at a proposed new facility. If the changes are implemented, Hobart will be the first Australian city to completely ban single-use plastic containers — and it's quite possible others will follow suit. Last year France last year committed to phasing out single-use plastic plates, cups and cutlery across the entire country by 2020. Slowly, it seems the tide is finally changing — and hopefully we'll see a lot less plastic in it. Via ABC.
First came the return of the Kirra Beach Hotel, pouring drinks again after three years out of action while the surfside pub was rebuilt as an all-new 1300-square-metre watering hole with a sunny beer garden. Then arrived Kirra Beach House, with multiple spaces to eat and drink — and cabanas for both — on the beachfront. Now, for everyone heading to the Gold Coast to take advantage of the two venues, or just in general, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments is up and running. Out-of-town visitors and staycationers alike have a new spot to stay at Kirra Point, the precinct that's reshaping this part of southeast Queensland's coast. If you're keen to slumber for at least two nights — with longer trips welcome, too — this sleek new accommodation boasts one-, two- and three-bedroom options, all in a prime location. Killer views from each apartment overlooking the beach are a huge highlight. So are expansive balconies that are designed for hanging out outside as much as in, whether you're going solo, or you're with your partner, mates or travelling as a family. No one usually books a holiday apartment with more room than they need — and with prices starting at $395 per night, that'll prove the case here — but whichever size abode you pick, you'll still be peering at the water. Beach vistas are part of every apartment, so you won't miss out on making the most of the scenic surroundings. Fancy taking a splash, too? That's where the block's elevated pool deck comes in, also with stunning views. As you swim in the 25-metre heated pool or kick back on the poolside lounges, you'll have an uninterrupted vantage of the beach. The communal al fresco area also includes barbecue facilities and an outdoor shower. Back inside, expect a contemporary aesthetic; sizeable bedrooms, with the main featuring a king-sized bed; a full kitchen with European appliances and a Nespresso coffee machine; a 65-inch television with a Chromecast; internet access; and a full laundry. Plus, Kirra Point Holiday Apartments has its own air-conditioned gym, and hires out beach carts, umbrellas and bikes for exploring the area. Need a charcuterie platter or picnic hamper to make your stay even better? They can be delivered. If you're new to Kirra, you'll be venturing 70 minutes from Brisbane, 30 minutes from Broadbeach and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. And if this is the first that you're hearing about the Kirra Point precinct, it's all about giving folks the beach life whether they're dropping by for a sip and a meal, residing onsite or temporarily calling it their home away from home. Find Kirra Point Holiday Apartments at 4 Miles Street, Kirra, Queensland — head to the apartments' website for bookings and further details. Images: Elise Hassey.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, you can't go on an interstate holiday just yet. But, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said it could be back on the cards by July, 2020 — so, it's time to start dreaming. There's no shortage of on-snow accommodation in Australia — from ski lodges to chalets. But a lot of it is designed for function, rather than romance. Finding a cosy cabin of your own, however, where you can snuggle in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine in your hand, while watching the snow fall all around you isn't easy. But it's not impossible. We've searched far and wide, to scope out five cabins where you can stay right on the snow. Just don't forget to pack your skis — or snowshoes. NUMBANANGA LODGE, SMIGGINS HOLES, NSW Opened in July 2018, this secluded lodge is just minutes (by skis) from Smiggin Holes ski resort and two kilometres from Perisher Valley. Whether you want to ski or snowboard downhill all day or go on a cross-country adventure, you can – from your door. Plus, there are loads of restaurants, bars and pubs nearby, too. Three bedrooms provide room for up to six guests. The only catch is, you'll need to be quick. This is one of the only isolated, free-standing huts on snow in Kosciuszko, so it's pretty popular. Bookings, at $1200 per night in winter, are available via NSW National Parks. How much? From $1200 a night. [caption id="attachment_733860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lean Timms[/caption] THE EASTERN, THREDBO, NSW For incredible views of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in Australia, stay at the Cedar Cabin, which makes up one half of The Eastern: a pair of beautifully designed, luxe stays in Thredbo. The open-plan, loft-style space features vaulted ceilings, exposed timber and a piping hot Japanese-inspired onsen — the perfect place to relax after a day spent outdoors. You'll find this haven on the village's western side, around four minutes from restaurants, bars, shops, and Thredbo's diverse, scenic ski runs. How much? From $700 a night. MOONBAH HUT, SNOWY MOUNTAINS, NSW Moonbah Hut is located on private frontage on the Moonbah River, the Snowy Mountains' cleanest, most unspoilt home for trout. Give your fishing muscle a flex from your front doorstep, while keeping an eye out for wildlife – from wombats to deer to brumbies. Or bunker down inside, with a huge, open stone fireplace for company. Previous guests have taken the experience next level and invited personal chefs along for an evening. Moonbah Hut is around 20 minutes' drive west of Jindabyne. How much? From $245 a night. FOREST VIEW BUSH CABINS, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS Smack bang in the middle of Tasmania's Cradle Mountain National Park are two bush cabins surrounded by forest and run by Highlanders Cottages. Hand-built with local Tasmania timber, each offers two bedrooms, den lounges and a log fireplace, plus a private deck and a fully stocked kitchen. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, you'll find a soaking tub and a shower. This is an ideal spot to unwind after wandering around Cradle Mountain's magical, snow-covered forests. How much? From $215 a night. WOMBAT CABIN, MT BAW BAW, VIC Located on the edge of Victoria's Mount Baw Baw Village, the simple, super-cute Wombat Cabin is just a quick shuffle away from both Maltese Cross T-Bar and the Frosti Frog Hollow Toboggan Park — so there's fun to be had for skiers, boarders and tobogganers of all kinds. There are two cosy bedrooms, with room for up to five guests, plus a private deck, where you can surround yourself with snow gums. When you're not adventuring on the slopes, explore Mount Baw Baw's many offerings, including Howling Huskys' husky sled dog tours. How much? From $419 a night. Looking for more? Check out these seven cosy cabins around the country. Top image: Numbananga Lodge
Surry Hills' creatively charged culinary hot-spot, the 'unauthentic Indian' restaurant Don't Tell Aunty, is one of the highlights of the Sydney Indian restaurant scene. Inspired by the welcoming homes of traditional (yet, slightly eclectic) Indian aunties — complete with blue velvet banquettes and bright pink walls — the food here does not stick to the rules. Instead, innovation is the hero, as the team sticks to its signature envelope-pushing approach. An oft-changing menu trips all across India, with touches of Aussie and American influence peppered throughout. Street eats might include the likes of Colonel Tso's Indo-Chinese-style cauliflower with tomato and chilli; the 'Yoghurt Kebab', featuring a spiced yoghurt croquette in a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce; and the nachos-like papadi chaat. The tandoor is turning out dishes like charred salmon with spice and curry leaves, and there's a slew of crafty curries, including the short rib korma and a coconut cashew gravy. Head in for lunch, and you can snag a super affordable canteen-style selection of curries and street food. Meanwhile, Rajat Parr — an international winemaker and sommelier — has worked his magic on the drinks offering. Watch retro Bollywood films flicker on the walls, while tucking into drops from the self-serve beer fridge, approachable wines from around the world, and lively cocktails like the namesake Don't Tell Aunty — a concoction of mezcal and beetroot rimmed with black lava salt. There's even a bottomless brunch option available on weekends, serving up a tasting menu with unlimited wines and beers (bottomless margaritas cost an extra $20 per person). Head to Don't Tell Aunty for something different, but altogether fun and delicious.
Whether you're in lockdown, working from home, social distancing in general or just in need of a pick-me-up, your day could always do with a few more cute animals. And, if you didn't realise this before the pandemic, you definitely will have over the past 18 months: the internet is always happy to oblige. Over the last year or so, Melbourne's zoos have live-streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, while Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong — and the Wild Life zoo opted for cuddles with quokkas, and Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary went with a non-stop look at one of Australia's cutest native marsupials. The list of animal-focused streams has kept growing, too, including Melbourne Aquarium's own series of meditation and relaxation videos. And now, also from Melbourne, a den of small-clawed otters are getting in on the fun. Melbourne Zoo set up this webcam last year, actually, when it was trained on the venue's four Asian small-clawed otter pups. Now, it's still capturing the little cuties — and their parents — via two cameras. The word you're looking for? "Awwwwwwww," obviously. The pups were born in February last year to otter parents Paula and Odie, who became the first of their species to breed at the Victorian site since back in 2011. And, whether they're sleeping or playfully fighting — a type of behaviour that helps them bond — these little critters are immensely adorable. The otter webcam joins Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal, where you can also peer at the aforementioned penguins, snow leopards and giraffes — and lions, too. As the otter live-stream runs all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your usual plans — and, on weekdays, your productivity — but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal via its website. Images: Zoos Victoria
Talk about a show that delivered on its promise the first time around: when a fresh-from-Russian Doll Natasha Lyonne teamed up with Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery filmmaker Rian Johnson on a whodunnit-of-the-week TV series, Poker Face did indeed prove a delight. A second season was quickly greenlit, in fact, and now it's on its way to your streaming queue. The sleuthing gem has also just dropped its full season two trailer. While the combination of Lyonne (Fantasmas) and Johnson was always set to be an ace, Poker Face gave the detective setup a particular spin. Protagonist Charlie Cale has a handy gift: being able to tell when someone is lying. In each weekly episode, she then worked her way through resolving a different crime, all while on the road in a Plymouth Barracuda. Then and soon, when season two kicks off on Thursday, May 8, 2025 Down Under — where it streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand — Lyonne also has a heap of other well-known faces for company. Where season one boasted The Brutalist Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, to name just one high-profile figure, season two will feature fellow 2025 nominee Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) in multiple roles. If you're a fan of John Mulaney's wonderful Everybody's Live talk show, rejoice: not only Mulaney but also Richard Kind (Mid-Century Modern) are guest starring in Poker Face season two. From there, this season's roster also includes John Cho (AfrAId), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Katie Holmes (Rare Objects), Awkwafina (Black Mirror) and Giancarlo Esposito (The Residence), as well as Alia Shawkat (Severance), BJ Novak (Lessons in Chemistry), Carol Kane (Between the Temples), Corey Hawkins (The Piano Lesson), Saturday Night Live pair Ego Nwodim (Mr Throwback) and Ben Marshall (Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain), Sam Richardson (It's Florida, Man) and Margo Martindale (The Sticky). Then there's Cliff 'Method Man' Smith (Power Book II: Ghost), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Justin Theroux (Running Point), Kathrine Narducci (The Alto Knights), Kevin Corrigan (Deli Boys), Kumail Nanjiani (Only Murders in the Building), Patti Harrison (The Electric State), Sherry Cola (Nobody Wants This), Gaby Hoffmann (Zero Day), Simon Rex (Red Rocket) and more. As well as the stellar lead turn from Lyonne and the show's smart writing, part of the fun of Poker Face stems from seeing how the series weaves in such a dream supporting lineup. The above list follow in the footsteps of The Menu's Hong Chau and Judith Light, Lil Rel Howery (Deep Water), Danielle MacDonald (The Last Anniversary), Chloë Sevigny (Bones and All), Ron Perlman (Nightmare Alley), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pinocchio), Ellen Barkin (Animal Kingdom), Nick Nolte (The Mandalorian), Cherry Jones (Succession), Jameela Jamil (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once) in season one. And yes, you'll have two chances to get a mystery fix from Johnson in 2025, given that Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out movie, is also on its way this year. It too boasts another stacked cast, this time surrounding Daniel Craig (Queer) with Josh O'Connor (Challengers), Glenn Close (Back in Action), Josh Brolin (Outer Range), Mila Kunis (Goodrich), Jeremy Renner (Mayor of Kingstown), Kerry Washington (The Six Triple Eight), Andrew Scott (Ripley), Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) and Thomas Haden Church (Twisted Metal). Check out the full trailer for Poker Face season two below: Poker Face season two streams from Thursday, May 8, 2025 via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand. Read our review of season one. Images: Sarah Shatz/PEACOCK.
When you were watching Ocean's Eleven, did you ever think to yourself "this is great, but I really wish someone was trying to eat George Clooney's brains?". Every time you settle in for an episode of The Walking Dead, do you find yourself hoping that someone — anyone — would mastermind a scheme to break into a casino vault? Whichever thought has popped into your head, you'll soon be able to see what a Las Vegas heist flick looks like when it's paired with the zombie genre. That's the whole premise behind Netflix film Army of the Dead, one of the big new movies the streaming platform has lined up for 2021. If the overall concept sounds somewhat familiar, that's because you probably saw Train to Busan sequel Peninsula last year — another zombie-heist film hybrid. The huge difference here, of course, is the Las Vegas setting. Well, that and the fact that Army of the Dead stars Guardians of the Galaxy's Dave Bautista and is directed by Justice League's Zack Snyder. You definitely won't forget the latter based on the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Army of the Dead, because it spends about half of its brief running time stressing exactly who is behind the lens. And as for all the shuffling undead hordes and pilfering antics, the movie follows a group of mercenaries who decide to take advantage of the situation by breaking into the casino-filled quarantine zone. When the movie hits Netflix on Friday, May 21, viewers will also spot Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood), Tig Notaro (Music), Ella Purnell (Sweetbitter), Omari Hardwick (Power), Ana de la Reguera (also from Power), Theo Rossi (Luke Cage) and Matthias Schweighöfer (Resistance), plus Nora Arnezeder (Mozart in the Jungle), Hiroyuki Sanada (Westworld), Raúl Castillo (Knives Out) and Huma Qureshi (Viceroy's House). And yes, Snyder has toyed with zombies before, in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead. Here, though, he's aiming to set up his own franchise — with a prequel movie and an animated spinoff series already greenlit. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H83kjG5RCT8 Army of the Dead will stream via Netflix from Friday, May 21. Top image: Clay Enos, Netflix.
In Sydney, you needn't travel too far to find some truly breathtaking natural wonders. Our national parks are filled with not only pristine beaches and adventurous walking tracks, but also magical sites. We're talking spots of awe-inspiring beauty that, at one glance, will carry you out of the ordinary. On this list alone — which is only the tip of the iceberg — there's a towering waterfall, a panoramic lookout affording epic views, and giant-sized moving sand dunes. All you have to do is jump in your car (or on a train) and make tracks. [caption id="attachment_845273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WEST HEAD LOOKOUT, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK There's no shortage of extraordinary vistas in Sydney, but West Head Lookout is one of the best. This mind-blowing spot gives you panoramas to the south over Pittwater, east over Barrenjoey Head and north to Broken Bay. Smack bang in the middle of it all is Lion Island, backdropped by the Central Coast's uncrowded beaches. You could easily spend a day here, so it's a good idea to pack a picnic. To add some art, take a wander on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, along which is Red Hands Cave, where you'll see historic works from First Nations artists. Idyllic Resolute Picnic Area is nearby, too, as is the stunning and secluded Resolute Beach. West Head Lookout is a one-hour drive from the Sydney CBD, just off West Head Road. BOUDDI COASTAL WALK, BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK To see several of the Central Coast's wildest and most beautiful beaches, take the Bouddi Coastal Walk. This eight-kilometre adventure hugs the coastal edge of Bouddi National Park, beginning at Putty Beach in the south and ending at MacMasters in the north. Stop by lookouts affording sweeping ocean views and rest at rainforest-encircled picnic spots. If it's low tide, see if you can spot the shipwreck of the PS Maitland at Maitland Bay. If you're keen to extend your visit, camp overnight at Putty Beach or Little Beach. It's also possible to split the trail into short sections, namely Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (three kilometres), Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5-kilometres) and Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7-kilometres). Note that a section of Bouddi coastal walk between Mount Bouddi walking track and Old Quarry trail is currently closed for upgrades until mid-May 2022. Check the website for more details. STOCKTON SAND DUNES, WORIMI NATIONAL PARK The 4200 hectares that make up Stockton Sand Dunes form the biggest system of sand dunes in Australia. Some are as high as 40 metres. You'll find them in the Worimi Conservation Lands, about 190 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, just beyond Newcastle. Adding to their beauty is their stunning location, foregrounded by Stockton Beach — which, at 32 kilometres, is the longest beach in New South Wales — and backdropped by 1800 hectares of forest. While you're there, consider a beachfront horse ride, a sandboarding session and/or a visit to Tin City, an 11-shack off-grid village that appeared in Mad Max (1979). Note that Worimi Conservation Lands will remain closed until 10 March, 2022, due to extreme weather. [caption id="attachment_845272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] JENOLAN CAVES, BLUE MOUNTAINS A classic for a reason, the Jenolan Caves are a long winding collection of stunning passageways. Located 175km west of Sydney, here you'll discover some of the most ridiculously beautiful rocks on the planet. There are nine caves altogether, filled with limestone formations, pristine underground rivers and secret chambers. The only way to visit is by tour — choose the cave that most appeals to you, take it easy with a one hour Imperial Cave Tour or get an adrenaline hit on an abseiling escapade. [caption id="attachment_845277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BELMORE FALLS, MORTON NATIONAL PARK The area surrounding Kangaroo Valley is a haven for incredible waterfalls with both Fitzroy Falls and this towering beauty. Belmore Falls offers a wall of tall sandstone cliffs, plus a rewarding two-kilometre walking track with endless views of the surrounding bushland. On your walk around the waterfall, take in the beauty of Australia's local flora and keep a lookout for sandstone flowers like the honey flower, banksia and wattle. The falls are located two hours south of Sydney with the option to venture back up through Wollongong and grab lunch or dinner at one of the city's beloved venues. Top image: Destination NSW
Flight sales pop up all the time, which is excellent news for everyone that's obsessed with taking holidays. So, it's great for everyone. But Virgin Australia's latest batch of cheap fares is a once-in-four-years offering. It's doing big discounts for Leap Day, because February 29 is worth celebrating when it rolls around. For today, Thursday, February 29 only, then, more than 200,000 sale flights are up for grabs across a range of both domestic and international destinations. In other budget-friendly news, the cheapest starts at $35. As is always the case with these kinds of specials, that's the price from Sydney to Byron Bay — but Melbourne to Launceston will only cost you $39, too. Other options include Sydney to the Sunshine Coast from $55 and to the Gold Coast from $59, Melbourne to Uluru from $89 and to Hamilton Island from $99, and Brisbane to Cairns from $75 and to Hobart from $99. Folks in Adelaide can hit the Gold Coast from $85, while Perth residents can go to Cairns from $129. And they're just some of the one-way deals available. Internationally, the return deals start with Adelaide to Bail from $385, and also include Melbourne to Bali from $439, Sydney to Queenstown from $405 and Brisbane to Fiji from $479 — with more where they came from as well. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, there's a range of dates from Monday, April 1–Sunday, June 30, 2024, all varying depending on the flights and prices. Getting in quickly is always recommended when it comes to flight sales — but when they only run for a day, finishing at 11.59pm AEST, you need to take that advice seriously. Virgin's 2024 Leap Day sale runs until midnight AEST on Thursday, February 29 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
It truly is the greatest time of the year to eat. From towering grazing platters to prawn cocktails and unnecessary cheese courses at every meal, this is where you can really pull the rip cord and unleash your BES (Best Eating Self). But let's face it, tis the season for eating meat (with apologies to our plant-based friends). And while it's hard to beat the enduring festive classics like a gleaming glazed ham dotted with cloves or the once-a-year visit to turkey town, Christmas is also a great time for doing things differently so they feel special — and your third and fourth helpings are really well-earned. In this quest for memorable Christmas meat feasts, we turned to the experts. The carnivore whisperers. The ones behind the slabs representing that great trade that will never die. We asked the butchers. DARREN O'ROURKE - VIC'S MEATS, NSW "When it comes to something new as the showstopper on your festive table, in my world it's all a fantastic cut of meat. If I have the energy after the madness leading up to it, I would try a milk-poached pork neck in a bread sauce (pork neck is really versatile and where a scotch fillet steaks comes from), a slow-cooked lamb leg with a whiskey and pepper berry glaze or whole roast beef tri-tip with salsa verde as that centrepiece. And you can't forget the greens, of course." Here is Darren's beautiful collection of recommended sides: Brined and roasted whole cauliflower, anchovy and thyme beurre noisette Broccolini, kale and green beans, lemon vinaigrette Iceberg lettuce (yes iceberg lettuce!), eschallots, green olives and chardonnay vinaigrette Roast potatoes and fried caper berries and chilli Raw vegetables, bagna cauda LUKE LEYSON - GOODWOOD QUALITY MEATS, SA "Starter — Sausage rolls should be front of mind when thinking of Australian Christmas starters. To start with, you want to grab some English pork sausage meat from your local butcher. If they don't sell it separately, just remove the skins of their pork sausages (they won't be offended). Add some Christmassy flavours, such as sage and macadamia nuts, and these beauties can be prepared before the big day so you can pop them into the oven on Christmas, hassle-free." "Main course — For me, Christmas is about two things: being organised and pork (I could fit family in there somewhere, but I'm happy with my decision). This Christmas Eve, or Beermas as we call it in our family, I am slow-cooking a Boston Butt for pulled pork for the big day so all I need to do is re-heat and eat. Two things, amazingly delicious and you can use your favourite ham glaze on this whilst smoking to add a bit of Christmas spirit. Wraps, burgers, sliders, or part of a salad; pulled pork is very versatile." "Glazed ham – If you love your Australian ham and want to take your relationship with it to the next level, you need to be glazing your ham. Peel the skin off, score the fat, heat up the ham in your oven or BBQ and lather that good flavour of an amazing glaze over the top. Normally, I would go anything sweet and citrussy as my go-to but this year calls for Australian Pork's newest glaze recipe Spiced Coffee, Maple Syrup and Bacon Glaze. After all the work involved during the Christmas Week rush, us butchers will need the extra caffeine to get us through the day." ANDREW VOURVAHAKIS - ANDREW'S CHOICE, VIC "There is something really comforting about a meal centred around a roast. It's about so much more than putting food on a plate as it seems to somehow capture a theatrical element of cooking and eating whilst honouring the cook who has infused the meal with their very own meraki. We strongly believe food is a celebration and we aim recreate flavours that transport you back to time spent around the family table." "This Christmas you can't go past an Italian favourite: the porchetta. A noble dish that usually takes centre stage of family feasts around the festive season. There is a certain opulence reminiscent of Medieval banquets, sans the wild boar with an apple stuffed into its mouth. At Andrew's Choice our St. Andrews Roast Porchetta is made using the finest Australian pork loins that are hand rolled and seasoned with a traditional spice blend of garlic, rosemary and a hint of chilli, before it is tied and slowly roasted to perfection." ALASTAIR STEVENSON - GILLY'S SMALLGOODS, QLD "I think a rolled collar butt with some sweet glaze would be a great roasting option, obviously the loin is very popular but I think the collar butt is perfect with the marbling through the meat. At Gilly's we also produce mini portion hams utilising the primal cuts in the leg but I don't think you can beat the traditional bone-in leg ham … it is Christmas!" Alastair is right: it is Christmas. So whether you're sticking with a classic leg of ham, going all-out on slow-cooked lamb and homemade sausage rolls, or saying 'screw you, meat, I'm barbecuing a whole fish!', we salute you and wish you the warmest tidings for the festive season. Happy beermas, everyone. Main image: Darren O'Rourke (L) and Luke Leyson (R),
Summer might be over, but when winter adventures abound somewhere like Tasmania, there's no excuse for hiding indoors. Surrounded by views so awe-inspiring, you really won't care if you need to pack an extra jacket or two. Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state, but it's got a massive reputation, especially among hikers and adventurers from all over the globe. From epic multi-day coastal walks and summit lookouts to remote islands that display the state's famously rugged landscape, Tasmania is a natural wonderland that'll satisfy your explorer spirit. To help you get prepped and planned, we've tracked down five breathtaking places to hike that perfectly express why folks just can't get enough of this beauty. THREE CAPES TRACK Considered one of Australia's most impressive bushwalks, the Three Capes Track combines soaring clifftops that offer incredible views of the Southern Ocean with a myriad of rugged windswept landscape and the possibility of peeping some glittering Aurora Australis. Over the course of 48 kilometres, this multi-day hike tours across the southeast's most famous capes: the trio of Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul. Along the way, the natural landscape shifts from woodland to eucalypt forest — before you arrive at the coastline and get a spectacular view of the Blade, which juts out into the ocean. If you feel like making your visit extra-special, consider taking the Three Capes Lodge Walk, dotted with boutique overnight eco-stays and making your adventure a little cosier. [caption id="attachment_718814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Painted Cliffs on Maria Island. Courtesy of Flow Mountain Bike.[/caption] MARIA ISLAND Just off Tassie's celebrated east coast, Maria Island boasts a seemingly endless variety of wildlife and plants. Whether you're keen on spotting wallabies, Tasmanian devils or wombats, you're bound to see at least one. Plus, in the winter, there are fewer crowds here so you'll get all of these sights practically to yourself. There's also an astounding range of natural landmarks, such as the island's famed marbled sandstone marvels, The Painted Cliffs and Haunted Bay, which showcases enormous granite cliffs overlooking the sea — a very dramatic site to see during Tasmania's rugged winters. Accessible only by ferry, Maria Island is covered by dozens of spectacular walking tracks with lots of picturesque spots to pitch a tent. There are also firepits already stocked with wood for you to cosy up to at night. If you have less time on your hands, e-bike trips around this World Heritage Listed island are another great way to cover some ground. It'll be quite the active stay and a seriously scenic trip, too — with all those trails highlighting the very best of Tassie's coastline from an offshore vantage. [caption id="attachment_718811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania and James Bowden.[/caption] PANDANI GROVE The drive to Mount Field National Park is almost as special as the destination, with the park located 80 kilometres west of Hobart through the Derwent Valley. Your trip isn't over yet; in fact, you'll have to trek deep into the state's oldest national park, which is often dusted with snow in winter. On your hike, you'll pass rushing waterfalls before reaching the Pandani Grove. This otherworldly nature walk winds its way alongside Lake Dobson and features the rather odd looking pandani fern, which only grows in Tassie and is quite the marvel, especially when cloaked in snow. Even compared to Tasmania's wealth of natural landmarks, Pandani Grove stands out — it's the kind of place you won't find anywhere else in a hurry. MOUNT RUFUS CIRCUIT Starting from the Lake St Clair visitor centre, the Mount Rufus Circuit walk takes hikers on a journey through an incredible display of natural beauty. Take the Watersmeet Nature Trail through a peppermint gum forest and, eventually, you'll come to the Mount Rufus summit track junction. Make a turn upwards and trek seven-and-a-half kilometres to the peak where you'll be welcomed with panoramic vistas that are hard to beat. As well as looking over Lake St Clair far below, you'll also score views of Mount Olympus, the immense Frenchmans Cap and the Franklin River that winds its way through the landscape. And the fact that all of these sights will be dusted with snow, will make your trek through this veritable winter wonderland all the more magical. [caption id="attachment_721403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Fleming.[/caption] MARIONS LOOKOUT Cradle Mountain is possibly Tasmania's most popular mountain, typifying the rugged terrain that the island is known for. The sprawling region is filled with highlights just about everywhere you look, but few can match the beauty of Marions Lookout — especially when it's covered in snow. To get there, you'll have to be willing to take on a rather strenuous three-hour return trek, but the gradual climb will take you through stunning scenery like snowy forests, white-frosted peaks and around some glacial lakes. Of course, once you reach the summit, you'll almost certainly forget that your legs feel a bit like jelly — unsurprisingly, the 360-degree views of spectacular winter wonderland provide the perfect distraction. Roam the summit and admire the vantage over the rest of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes. Yep, this is quite the hike. Top image: The Candlestick at Cape Hauy by Jason Charles Hill.
Streetwear store and fried chicken restaurant Butter is expanding with a second two-storey location in Parramatta. When the Surry Hills eatery launched a year and a half ago it knocked our socks off. Was it more fried chicken? Or mostly sneaker? But we stopped thinking when Butter's juicy, dashi butter-lathered fried chicken arrived at the table in a shoe box. With a glass of Champagne on the side, no less. Chef Julian Cincotta is bringing the original Surry Hills menu over to Parramatta but with a few added extras — so you'll be able to order the same chicken sandwich with pickles and the '3 Pac' box of fried chicken and collard greens, just like in Surry Hills. But there'll also be specials like the Butter 3000, a new burger that sees fried thigh fillet, smoked pastrami, pickled daikon and kabayaki sauce on a steamed milk bun. Drinks will revolve around Champagne and Hennessey, both in a glass and as part of a cocktail. Cocktails include the Blackberry Hammer-Thyme with Veuve Clicquot, gin, blackberries and thyme and the P&P with pomegranate liqueur, Prosecco and pomegranate seeds. This is all happening on the bottom level. The level above will house the Butter store, where high-end and rare streetwear from US and Europe will be up for purchase, with brands such as Wood Wood, Daily Paper and Carrots by Anwar decking the shelves with rare and high-end kicks. It's all about luxury here and you're encouraged to browse the shop with Champagne in hand. Butter Parramatta will be double the size of Surry Hills and have an industrial, concrete interior complete with bubble light bulbs and granite table tops, thanks to award-winning architect Tarek Elkassouf. Butter opens at Shop 3, 45 Macquarie Street, Parramatta on Friday, December 22 at 11am. It will be open Monday to Thursday, 11.30am to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 11.30am to 12am and Sunday, 12pm to 9pm. For more info, visit buttersydney.com.au.
Our Melbourne comrades are doing it especially tough right now, currently pushing through the fourth long week of their current stage four lockdown. But if you know a southerner who could use a distraction from their 8pm curfew and five-kilometre travel restrictions, you can now send them a little sweet relief courtesy of Uber Eats. This week, the delivery service is allowing interstate mates to send Victorian friends free dessert or ice cream, via its new #lockdownlove offer. From today, Monday, August 31, to Friday, September 4, you can surprise your Melbourne mate with a free Uber Eats dessert delivery, up to the value of $20 (including delivery fee). There are 1000 of the freebies available each night, starting from 8pm. To share the love, simply plug your friend's address into the app, order from one of their local dessert venues and enter that day's promo code (it's 'mondaylove' for Monday, 'tuesdaylove' for Tuesday and so on). Once you've ordered, you can click 'Share This Delivery' at the top of the app and your pal will be able to track their sweet treat on the move. Brighten their day with some Pidapipo gelato, send some Greek doughnuts from Lukumades, or maybe treat them to a wedge of cheesecake courtesy of the iconic Brunetti. If you're a sweet-toothed Melburnian who could do with some free dessert, we just send this article to an interstate friend — as a very unsubtle hint. [caption id="attachment_687498" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Doughnuts by Shortstop[/caption] Top image: Lukumades
Is it a balloon? Is it a giant beach ball? No, it's (This is) Air, the National Gallery of Victoria's 2023 Architecture Commission. Thanks to the St Kilda Road arts institution's annual commitment to livening up its garden by celebrating design, a towering sphere is making Melbourne home until June 2024. This isn't just any old 14-metre-tall globe: as everyone can see while in its presence, it breathes, inhaling and exhaling to draw attention to air. When the NGV International hosts this yearly architecture commission, almost anything can grace the venue's grounds. In the past, that's meant a colourful mini Parthenon, a bright pink pool to wade through, a bamboo garden with its own deck and a pink carwash, all memorable. Among a series of pieces all literally designed to stand out, (This is) Air might just have them beat. A lofty sphere that expands with air, then releases it — doing so all day from Thursday, November 23 — isn't easily forgotten. One of (This is) Air's aims: to make the invisible substance that's there in its name visible. Australian architect Nic Brunsdon has joined forces with ENESS — the art and technology company behind public artworks such as Sky Castle, Airship Orchestra, Cupid's Koi Garden, Lost Dogs' Disco and more — on the work that promised to make quite the sight when it was announced back in July, and proves the case now that it has been installed. No one in the vicinity will be able to miss it, either, thanks to that 14-metre height when it's fully inflated. To get to that measurement, it uses air as a building material. And when it breathes out, it does so by releasing gusts, forming different cloud-like shapes, then filling back to capacity again. Brunsdon and ENESS also want everyone taking in (This is) Air to think about humanity's need for and relationship to air. While you're peering at the commission, you'll see air in action and notice how essential it is. Also highlighted: how dependent we all are upon the element, how finite it is and how its quality is being impacted. "The idea for this project was conceived by the architect during the global pandemic, when the air we breathed was suddenly at the forefront of everyone's mind. Taking the form of a giant inflatable sphere, this living structure inhales and exhales before our eyes, giving presence to that omnipresent yet invisible element that connects us all," said Ewan McEoin, the NGV's Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. "Air can be understood as part of our global economic, social and ecological realities. And yet, the quality of air we breathe varies depending on where and how we live. Air is universal, yet clean air is not." As (This is) Air gets viewers pondering, it's also designed to be uplifting. As is always the case with the NGV's yearly commission, it'll provide a place for accompanying performances and other public programs in the NGV Garden, too. (This is) Air also forms part of this year's NGV Triennial exhibition, which will display from Sunday, December 3, 2023–Sunday, April 7, 2024. On the agenda: robot dogs, a room-sized ode to plants, Yoko Ono's work and more, with 75 works set to feature, including more than 25 world-premiere projects. The art showcase will respond to the themes magic, matter and memory, with (This is) Air fitting in with the matter strand. (This is) Air displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 3, 2023–June 2024 — head to the NGV website for further details. Images: Installation view of the 2023 NGV Architecture Commission: (This Is) Air designed by architect Nic Brunsdon in collaboration with ENESS. (This Is) Air is on display from 23 November 2023 until June 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Ben Hosking
Whether you're currently in lockdown or not, a lot of the world's most exciting and wondrous attractions are off limits right now. Thankfully — in these self-isolating, social distancing, closed borders times — many of the globe's top museums, galleries and landmarks offer virtual tours. Want to ogle the National Gallery of Victoria's collections? See the Smithsonian's dinosaur fossils? Check out the Sistine Chapel? That's all as easy clicking a few buttons. Whether you're eager to experience Japan's luminous digital art museum or peer at cute critters in a zoo, you can spend a night — or day — at a museum, gallery or other culturally significant spot from the comfort of your couch. Here are ten highlights to get you started — and if you're keen on others, Google Arts and Culture will point you in the direction of even more. THE LOUVRE Nothing really compares to visiting The Louvre and standing in front of the Mona Lisa yourself, your eyes roving across the Leonardo da Vinci-painted artwork's enigmatic smile. Now, for the first time, the Parisian venue is allowing you to experience it virtually with a Mona Lisa VR experience. If you are equipped with a next-level VR setup, you can explore a bunch of the gallery's exhibitions online. Via its virtual options, wander through exhibitions exploring the relationship between art and political power, Renaissance artworks and myths told through art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRDEmb5Eo_Y&t=7s VAN GOGH MUSEUM If you missed out on Van Gogh Alive's first run of Australian shows, Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum is home to the largest collection of the artist's work in the world, including more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 750 letters. That's a hefty array, which you can peer at yourself via Google Arts & Culture's virtual tour. Yes, Sunflowers is one of them, although there's plenty of inimitable artistry also on display in his other still life pieces, landscapes and other painted scenes. Rove around at your own pace, then zoom in to see the detail and read the accompanying descriptive plaques. And if you're eager for an overview first, you can check out the museum's YouTube tour as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmVeh4fS2HQ&t=14s TEAMLAB BORDERLESS DIGITAL ART MUSEUM The word 'immersive' gets thrown around much too often these days, but if anywhere deserves the term, it's TeamLab's Borderless Digital Art Museum. Sprawled across a Tokyo warehouse, this eye-catching venue fills every available surface with moving, changing and interactive artworks — so you can watch flowers bloom across the floor, wall and ceiling; then sit and stare at the ocean's waves crashing through a room; then roam through lit-up lily pads. Or, thanks to its hefty array of YouTube videos, you can get a taste of its vibrant installations from home. TeamLab's online archive also includes materials from its many other exhibitions beyond its Tokyo base's borders and, while they're each only a minute or two long, there's plenty to choose from. Make sure you have your sound on, too. THE SMITHSONIAN As you live through a historic global event, why not spend some time exploring the planet's natural history? That's what The Smithsonian is all about, with more than 145 million specimens and artifacts in its collections. And while you can't see them all in its online tour, you can virtually mosey through its current, previous and permanent displays. That means dinosaurs, of course. Peering at a stegosaurus' spikes or a tyrannosaurus rex's face is still just as impressive when you're doing it via your phone or computer. It also means everything from butterflies and bones to gems and humanity's origins — and, if it isn't too grim for you at present, there's also an exhibition dedicated to outbreaks, epidemics and the spread of diseases. NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA Maybe you're a Melburnian who has been keen to visit the National Gallery of Victoria's current big exhibitions. Perhaps you live elsewhere, but had a trip to the Victorian capital in your future — including to the NGV. With the gallery currently closed, that's obviously off the cards; however you can still take a gander at last year's blockbuster Triennial, the Tiwi Islands off the coast of Darwin and Japanese Modernism. Just head to the new NGV Channel, where curator-led tours are being added to the online library on an ongoing basis. A whopping 75,000 pieces from the NGV Collection are also available as well, so you'll really feel like you're actually there. [caption id="attachment_765593" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sturm via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] MUSEU DE ARTE DE SAO PAULO Think you know what all museums and art galleries look like in broad, general, overall terms? Think again. Museu de Arte de São Paulo, or MASP, doesn't simply put its many artworks on its walls. Instead, it places them on crystal sheets anchored by concrete blocks, in a design that's meant to emulate an artist's easel — and then spreads them through large, cavernous rooms. That makes looking at the site's paintings, sculptures, photographs and other objects a completely different experience, even when you're doing so online. If you take the tour via the Google Arts and Culture app for iOS or Android, you can also explore a virtual reality component to really make you feel like you're there. [caption id="attachment_765594" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jean-Christophe Benoist via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] THE SISTINE CHAPEL The Sistine Chapel boasts as much stunning artwork as any other gallery or museum. More than some, in fact. And, via the Vatican's online tour, you can scope it for as long as you like — and take in the immense detail on Michelangelo's wall-to-wall frescoes, of course — without crowds or time limits. These pieces have glistened for more than five centuries and, as absolutely everyone knows, they comprise quite the sight. After you're done perusing, scrolling around and zooming in, you can also explore other museums, wings and chapels in the Vatican thanks to the rest of its virtual offerings. If you're keen not just on art and sculpture, but on architecture, prepare to be in your element. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hunddVoMjo SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE When it comes to visiting the Sydney Opera House without physically visiting it, you have multiple online viewing options. Take the 360-degree tour, and you can jump around Australia's most iconic landmark at your own pace — and check out a number of online exhibits, too. You can watch the YouTube video tour accompanied by a the soundtrack that usually echoes through the opera houses' halls, or steam a range of gigs and talks on its new streaming service. No matter how you explore, you'll see the venue as you've never seen it before, which is one of the joys of going virtual. You mightn't peer into every nook and cranny while you're actually there but, via remote means, who's going to stop you? BLARNEY CASTLE Who doesn't wish they were holed up in a castle right about now? Dating back to 1210 originally and 1446 in its current form, Ireland's Blarney Castle is up there with the best of them — and, as its name gives away, it's home to a very famous attraction. Located at the top of its tower, the Blarney Stone is supposed to bestow anyone who kisses it with the gift of eloquence. You can't lock lips with it virtually, of course, but perhaps staring at the site in general will do the same thing? On the castle's online tour, you'll also explore its stony interiors and sprawling gardens (and likely feel like you've stumbled into an episode of Game of Thrones). SAN DIEGO ZOO Sometimes, you just need to watch adorable animals go about their business. Actually, as the internet's never-ending stream of cat and dog videos firmly shows, there's never a bad time to lock your peepers on a cute critter. Absolutely everyone feels this way, because of course they do — which is where San Diego Zoo's live webcams, which peer into several animal enclosures all day long, come in. Check out majestic elephants as they swing their trunks, watch African penguins scamper around and see polar bears snoozing happily. You can also catch apes and baboons for your monkey fix, see condors fly about, and get a dose of big cats in the tiger enclosure. Oh, and if you want to spend some time staring at an Australian animal, there's also a koala cam as well.
Fan art has been deemed the domain of the obsessive. Whether that is reserved for the creator or extends to the viewer is still undecided. Nevertheless, Seinfeld - the show about nothing that graced our television screens for 9 years and 180 episodes - is being remembered in a unique way in Newcastle's ArtHive. During the month of May and thirteen years after the show ended, ArtHive, an artist-run initiative, will be home to a new exhibition, Art Vanderlay. The showcase, curated by Jessica Louttit, will showcase art inspired by the show's 9-season run and feature works from local artists including Mike Foxall, Ry Wilkin, Sarah Mould and "many sponge-worthy others in one huge Seinfeld fan flaunt." The opening night on May 27 will see the exhibition come to life with episodes of the hit television show being beamed onto the walls, prizes awarded for the best character costumes, as well as catered to the brim with your choice of muffin tops, black & white cookies, Junior Mints and Pretzels. To get in contact, share your ideas, get more details, yada yada yada, keep an eye on the gallery's blog at subjecthive.blogspot.com https://youtube.com/watch?v=t_nCmj9IyLo [via Lost at E Minor]
Game of Thrones might be coming to an end, but HBO isn't done with secrets, scheming, lies, bickering, battles and betrayal just yet. After all things Westeros wraps up later this month, the network is returning to Monterey, California — with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz and Meryl Streep. Put any one of those actors on screen and viewers will follow. Stick them all in the same TV program, and it's set to become one of the biggest shows of the year. Yes, Big Little Lies is back for a second season, and it's added three-time Oscar winner Streep to its latest dose of murky mysteries, tested friendships and life-altering events. And more lies, obviously. If you missed the huge Emmy and Golden Globe-winning first series back in 2017, it follows a group of women whose children all go to the same school. Oh, and who all got caught up in a murder tale, naturally. Based on the book by Australian author Liane Moriarty, it originally aired as a one-season once-off, but its enormous popularity (and a hefty swag of awards) has helped bring the drama back for another series. While an initial teaser dropped in April, HBO has just released the first proper look at the new season. Unsurprisingly, the drama has been ratcheted up a few levels, with the arrival of Streep's new character hardly helping matters. Witherspoon, Kidman, Dern, Woodley and Kravitz were all among the cast the initial time around, but Streep joins the fold as Mary Louise, the visiting mother-in-law to Kidman's Celeste. And, like everyone else, she doesn't quite expect she'll hear the truth when she starts asking questions about the previous season's developments. Also hopping on board is director Andrea Arnold, of Fish Tank, Wuthering Heights and American Honey fame, who is helming all seven episodes in the season season. She takes over from C.R.A.Z.Y., Dallas Buyers Club and Wild filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, who did the same for the first season. Check out the new full trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCWevZV945M Big Little Lies airs on Foxtel Showcase weekly from Monday, June 10. Image: Jennifer Clasen/HBO.
When March 18 hits, it will have been 12 months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Accordingly, just when jetting overseas will be back on the agenda has been the subject of much discussion. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate — and, earlier this year, Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy (now the Secretary of the Department of Health) said that we might not be going anywhere until 2022. Whether that last forecast comes true is obviously yet to be seen but, thanks to a new extension of the human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015, Australians definitely won't be travelling overseas until at least mid-June. Yesterday, Tuesday, March 2, Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced that the emergency period now spans until June 17, 2021, which'll mark 15 months since it was first put in place. The extension comes on the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, with the former advising "the Australian Government the COVID-19 situation overseas continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk to Australia, including the emergence of more highly transmissible variants". So, it means that the current rules regarding international travel will remain in place for at least another three months, restricting Aussies wanting to fly overseas and folks wanting to return home, and also cruise ships keen to enter Australian territory. It also extends current limits on trade of retail outlets at international airports, and requirements for pre-departure testing and mask-wearing for international flights. This isn't the first time that the emergency period has been lengthened, following several moves in 2020 — however, the government has noted that they "can be amended or repealed if no longer needed". With vaccinations starting to roll out around Australia, Qantas and Jetstar have begun selling tickets for overseas flights for trips scheduled from October, demonstrating hope that the country's international travel rules might ease by then. Of course, the fact that you can book a trip doesn't mean that you'll actually be able to take it — because the current border closure may get extended again — but if you're keen for an overseas getaway, you might want to cross your fingers. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
He's played a shimmering vampire in the Twilight films, a circus newcomer in Water for Elephants, a photographer friend of James Dean in Life and a desperate small-time criminal in Good Time. Also on his resume: battling in the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, stepping into Salvador Dali's shoes in Little Ashes, roaming around the Australian outback in The Rover, heading to space in High Life and enduring a nightmarish seaside ordeal in The Lighthouse. Yes, we're talking about Robert Pattinson, who'll also add Batman to his hefty list of roles next year — but, before then, he's playing a creepy man of faith in Netflix's new thriller The Devil All the Time. Since leaving terrible supernatural teen romance franchises behind, Pattinson has chosen many an impressive, interesting part. Indeed, add the David Cronenberg-directed Cosmopolis and Maps to the Stars, the unnerving The Childhood of a Leader, biographical drama The Lost City of Z and Shakespeare adaptation The King to the above lineup, too. So, playing an unholy and unsettling preacher in a small Ohio town between World War II and the Vietnam war seems right up his alley. That said, as The Devil All the Time's just-dropped first trailer shows, Pattinson is just one of the film's many stars. Tom Holland leads the charge as Arvin Russell, who finds himself surrounded by sinister figures — including not only Pattinson as Reverend Preston Teagardin, but Jason Clarke and Riley Keough as a twisted couple, plus Sebastian Stan as a corrupt sheriff. In a movie adapted Donald Ray Pollock's novel of the same name, IT's Bill Skarsgård also pops up, as do Aussie actors Mia Wasikowska and Eliza Scanlen. If it all sounds rather disquieting, that's the point, in a tense feature that promises a fight between the just and the crooked. It certainly looks the part and, hitting Netflix on September 16, The Devil All the Time also boasts Simon Killer and Christine's Antonio Campos behind the lens as well. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIzazUv2gtI The Devil All the Time hits Netflix on September 16. Top images: Glen Wilson/Netflix.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's 22nd film might be called Endgame, but we all know there's more where it came from. Of course there is. In July, Spider-Man: Far From Home will swing into cinemas, continuing the MCU and the story of everyone's favourite friendly neighbourhood web-slinger (the Tom Holland version — sorry Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield fans). If you haven't seen Endgame, and you're averse to spoilers, we're not going to tell you anything that isn't already widely known. Far From Home has been in the works since 2017's immensely fun Spider-Man: Homecoming proved a hit, it released its first teaser back in January and it's officially considered the end of the MCU's phase three. But if you don't want to know what follows on from the huge Avengers showdown that's currently in cinemas, then you definitely won't want to watch Far From Home's new trailer. Consider this an official spoiler warning — something that the trailer itself includes at the start. Yes, really. By getting Holland to deliver the caution to camera, Marvel and Spider-Man distributor Sony shows it clearly has a sense of humour, especially since the young star is known for being loose-lipped with important MCU details. Picking up where Endgame left off, Far From Home sees Peter Parker pondering what the end of its immediate predecessor means, all while he's headed to Europe with his friends. Step up for the good of the world, or pursue his crush on MJ (Zendaya)? They're some of Spidey's options. Once again directed by Jon Watts, who helmed Homecoming, the movie also features Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio — as well as familiar faces in the form of Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, Jacob Batalon as Parker's best friend Ned, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan. Oh, and because it's an MCU film, Samuel L Jackson as well. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoz8ZJWmPs Spider-Man: Far From Home releases in Australian cinemas on July 4.
If you've read much of Stephen King's work, then you'll agree with some of the first words spoken in the just-dropped debut teaser trailer for HBO's new IT prequel series: "anywhere but Derry". That's a great motto if you're keen to avoid unnerving and supernatural events, which have frequented the fictional town's streets in the author's pages for decades — and in their screen adaptations, too, including the hit 2017 IT movie and its 2019 sequel IT: Chapter Two. HBO and its streaming service HBO Max are in franchise mode of late, adding The Penguin to the world of The Batman, expanding the Game of Thrones realm with not only House of the Dragon but also the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, announcing a new drama series set in The Conjuring universe and locking in a Harry Potter series that readapts the books. As first revealed in 2023, IT: Welcome to Derry falls into the same camp. It'll arrive in your streaming queue sometime in spring 2025. If you're not fond of clowns, find yourself scurrying past sewers and simply can't stand red balloons, there's probably one big reason for your phobias. Maybe you read King's horror tome IT, which first made its way to bookshelves back in 1986. Perhaps you saw the 1990 miniseries, which turned Tim Curry from The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Frank N Furter into the transdimensional evil entity known as Pennywise. Or, you might've caught the recent two IT flicks. Whichever fits, your fears are about to get another workout. King's go-to Maine town is clearly the setting, with the series stepping through the locale's scares before the terror that viewers have already seen and experienced. And yes, Pennywise does indeed feature. So does a spate of missing children, more kids seeking answers, a new family moving in, uncaring police, eerie smiles and cackles, voices in the pipes and a crimson balloon. Returning to oversee the show is filmmaker Andy Muschietti, who helmed the most-recent two IT movies and last directed DC Extended Universe flick The Flash. He's also behind the camera here on multiple episodes, expanding his Derry-set vision from his two features. "As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King's IT until the thick paperback fell to pieces," said Muschietti and his sister Barbara Muschietti, who is also working on IT: Welcome to Derry, back when the show was first revealed. "IT is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our IT movies. We can't wait to share the depths of Steve's novel, in all its heart, humour, humanity and horror." "I'm excited that the story of Derry, Maine's most haunted city, is continuing, and I'm glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!" added King at the time. If you've somehow missed all things IT so far, it follows the exploits of maniacal clown Pennywise, as well as the folks he's rather fond of terrorising. In the 2017 and 2019 movies, Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu) put on the demonic makeup. In the first of those films, his targets were all kids. In the second, those teens — the Losers Club — were all grown up and still getting spooked. Skarsgård is back as Pennywise in IT: Welcome to Derry, with Taylour Paige (Brothers), Jovan Adepo (3 Body Problem), Chris Chalk (Feud), James Remar (Megalopolis), Stephen Rider (What Lies Under the Tree), Madeleine Stowe (Soundtrack) and Rudy Mancuso (The Flash) as his co-stars. Watch the initial IT: Welcome to Derry teaser trailer below: IT: Welcome to Derry is set to stream via Max in Australia and Neon in New Zealand sometime in spring 2025 — we'll update you with an exact release date when it is announced. Images: HBO.
In the ultimate blend of gastronomy and performance art, dynamic duo Sam Bompas and Harry Parr are about to host the most intimate of Valentine's Day parties. The jelly-lovin' brains behind wobbling, edible houses of parliament and the lava-powered barbecue, Bompas and Parr are about to host a whisky tasting — an anatomical whisky tasting, in which guests are invited to taste 25, 30 and 50-year-old whiskies from the bodies of people born the same year the good stuff was casked up. Poured onto the natural contours of 25, 30 and 50-year-old performers, the whiskies will naturally react to the body heat and surface saltiness of each human, bringing out different flavours within each spirit. So you'll taste a 25-year-old single malt from a 25-year-old body — a predicted contrast to a 50-year-old scotch from a 50-year-old body. After you've slurped the smoky goodness from their body, the performer will then spin tales of their life story — they've been alive as long as that whisky has, so you'll add a bit of context to the matured mouthful you just downed. And any bored hesitation you have to hearing their life story, remember, you just drank whisky from the small of their back. They earned it. You'll have to book an airfare to enjoy Bompas & Parr's sensory experiment; the tastings are being held in collaboration with culture journal The Gourmand on February 14 at Shoreditch's Ace Hotel in London. Via Londonist.
"On a bitter, cold Christmas eve, one dark soul is selected for redemption by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come". So starts the narration for the trailer for new festive flick Spirited — and so starts another new take on A Christmas Carol, too. But this adaptation and updating of Charles Dickens' well-known tale has a few things that most others don't, plus a twist. First, there's tunes, because this movie is a musical, complete with plenty of big song-and-dance scenes in the just-dropped sneak peek. Also, it features Will Ferrell (The Shrink Next Door) and Ryan Reynolds (The Adam Project) leading the show. (Yes, you now have another Ferrell movie to add to your Elf-led festive binge.) Reynolds yet again plays 'ordinary guy that something unusual happens to'. Actually, he plays Clint Briggs — but thanks to films like Free Guy and The Change-Up, he has slipped into this kind of part before. Here, he's the "level-20 pain in the Dickens" who is selected by the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) to get a haunting visit, to hopefully spark him to reform his ways. As brought to the screen and stage countless times, transforming from curmudgeonly to compassionate is the aim of this spirited intervention, which also features Octavia Spencer (The Witches) as Clint's boss — and someone that the Ghost of Christmas Present is quite fond of. The twist with Spirited, other than the songs? The film unfurls A Christmas Carol's narrative from the perspective of the ghosts. Writer/director Sean Anders and his co-scribe John Morris say "bah humbug!" to the regular version of the story, clearly, with the pair reteaming after Instant Family, the Daddy's Home movies and Horrible Bosses 2 — and reuniting with Ferrell after Daddy's Home franchise as well. Apple TV+ will stream the end result, releasing Spirited on Friday, November 18, and adding it to the 'films based on A Christmas Carol' subgenre alongside everything from Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Scrooged. Check out the trailer for Spirited below: Spirited will be available to stream via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 18.
If your ideal kind of getaway is one that's both comfy and minimalist — and doesn't skimp on majestic views — then Tiny Away's latest addition is destined to impress. The accommodation crew has once again expanded its stable of eco-friendly tiny house stays, this time unveiling a 155-square-foot studio nestled amongst the vine-covered hills of Toolleen near Victoria's Bendigo. The newly launched Vineyard Retreat has made its home on the lush grounds of winery and distillery Domaine Asmara, set on a secluded pocket of the property yet still easily accessed. Not only does it boast dreamy views of Mount Camel, plus nearby olive groves and farmland, but it's located right on the doorstep of much-loved regional spots like the O'Keefe Rail Trail, Axedale Tavern, the award-winning Gaffney's Bakery, Palling Bros Brewery and Peregrine Ridge winery. The tiny house itself is primed for switching off and unplugging from the daily grind of city life, without giving up any of those creature comforts. It's kitted out with a queen-size loft bed, fully stocked kitchenette with fridge and stove, additional convertible couch, and split-system air-con and heating. The private balcony is perfect both for stargazing sessions and sunset sips overlooking the vineyard. There's even a proper little ensuite complete with a gas-heated shower and a waterless composting toilet. And of course, if you're after a vino or two during your stay, Domaine Asmara's cellar door is only a quick stroll from your front door, offering spirit and wine tastings daily. You can even take one of the free distillery tours. Tiny Away's other Victorian escapes include an idyllic stay located in a Gippsland olive grove, while the company's first two Tasmanian houses launched in the middle of last year. Find Tiny Away's Vineyard Retreat at Domaine Asmara, 61 Gibb Road, Toolleen. Bookings are now open online, with rates starting from $179 per night. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
One underground restaurant dedicated to steak wasn't quite enough for Bistecca's James Bradey and Warren Burns. The Liquid and Larder directors, and minds behind The Wild Rover and Grandma's Bar, have just opened The Gidley — an opulent basement restaurant inspired by old-school New York and London steakhouses. The subterranean setup means there are no windows and no distracting "beautiful harbour views", says Bradey. Lack of distractions is a passion of the restaurateur duo, who banned phones at the table at their original steak spot Bistecca. The same goes here, too. Instead of Instagram, you'll be soaking up the lusciously designed space, by Darlinghurst studio Tom Mark Henry, which was made to feel like a "rabbit warren" that you could lose yourself in. Split into several rooms, including a lounge, dining area, wine bar and private room, the restaurants seats about 120 all up. Expect lots of velvet (both drapery and furnishings), along with dark timber veneer, herringbone floors and plush leather lounges — aka all those vintage steakhouse feels. Linking the space back to its home shores is the ornate wallpaper, which depicts native Australian flora and fauna. "It's a fun bit of 80s nostalgia," explains Bradey, who says the space is a throwback to a time when "the stock market was booming and everyone was wearing big puffy jackets". [caption id="attachment_751374" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] Overseeing the menu, which has its own notable throwbacks, is Bistecca Head Chef Pip Pratt. Taking inspiration from supper clubs and steakhouses, the menu heroes one dish: the Riverine black angus rib eye. Here, it's done three ways: chargrilled on-the-bone, a classic prime rib roast in either English cut (300 grams) or Gidley cut (700 grams) and a hard-to-come-by spinalis steak. "That fatty side of the rib eye is called the spinalis, and we've taken it off and are cooking it as its own standalone steak," say Bradey. "It's very rich, decadent and delicious." To finish your steak off, douse it in your choice of green goddess, confit garlic mustard or truffle, mushroom and burnt butter sauce. While the rib eye is the star of the show, unlike Bistecca, steak isn't the sole dish vying for your attention here. Other mains include whole grilled flounder with butter and lemon, brick chicken in a good old-fashioned British bread sauce and a savoury pumpkin pie that's layered with whipped goat's cheese and better resembles a lasagna. It wouldn't be a traditional steakhouse without a burger, either — this one has a double beef patty with cheddar, pickles and optional bacon and egg. There's also a raw bar serving up the likes of oysters, caviar and prawn cocktails for starters, plus heaps of sides and salads — expect mac 'n' cheese, potato gratin and caesar salad sit alongside broccolini with braised leek and shaved brussels sprouts. Desserts come with a bit of nostalgia, too, with the likes of pecan pie, raspberry cheesecake and bowls of chocolate and eucalyptus ice cream. Prefer drinking your desserts? Order the banana split old fashioned cocktail with ice cream-washed Jack Daniels and salted maple syrup. [caption id="attachment_751371" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] Since no steak is complete without a good glass of red, there's, thankfully, plenty of that. The extensive wine program is looked after by Bistecca's award-winning sommelier Alice Massaria, with the 13-page list featuring many well-made drops from many well-known brands, many of which are bio-dynamic and sustainable. Massaria's list also shines a light on female winemakers, with a special focus on Vanya Cullen of Cullen Estate. Bartender extraordinaire Jonothan Carr (Archie Rose, Kittyhawk, Door Knock, Burrow Bar) is pouring a "straight and stiff" array of batched and bottled cocktails. Expect all of your usual suspects and more creative options, including negronis for two and martinis served on silver trays. Other house specialties include toasted chamomile spritzes and a banana split old fashioned. Find The Gidley at 161 King Street, Sydney. It's open Tuesday–Saturday from 5.30pm–late and Friday 12–3pm. Images: Dominic Loneragan
After a night of festivities there's nothing worse than waking up to an abode with chip-trodden carpet, questionable wall smears and a never-ending sea of empties ultimately destined to inhabit your (and your neighbour's) rubbish bins for the weeks following. Such a scene is what initiated Morning-After Maids, a new Auckland startup set to take the hassle out of the weekend clean-up by delivering "an exceptional 'post-party' cleaning service". As well as the lesson in hygiene, the maids will go the extra mile by cooking up a quintessential fresh breakfast too. They have two menus available: one clean and one greasy. The blessed hangover angels also offer fast food runs, coffee, chocolate milk and all those little extras you always wish you'd thought of stocking up on the night before (blue Powerade, fried chicken, Panadol, etc.). The service is only available in Auckland at the moment, and seems like a more niche version of Airtasker or Sydney's Whizz. Their prices seem ridiculously cheap, with two cleaners costing just $30 per hour along with a mileage fee. Do note that you'll have to shell out $10 extra for every pile of vomit they have to deal with, and if you need an emergency clean up, it'll be $50 on top of other cleaning charges. Also, their price list mentions they can provide puppy cuddles free of charge. Puppies.
Floristry duo and partnership George Low and Elizabeth Johnson have been working together for decades to craft beautiful floral designs for private residences, corporate clients and the occasional sweet sixteenth or 90th birthday garden party. The pair had a shop in Ultimo for ten years, but are now based in Alexandria, where they handle giant slipper orchids and tall branches of cherry blossom for by-order-only business. To make an order, Seed Flora is best contacted through its Instagram page, or via the phone. The duo isn't afraid to make an entrance, and experimenting with unnatural colours like metallics and blue dyed roses is part of the fun of playing with what nature provides.
First, Australian supermarkets introduced restrictions on the amount of toilet paper that customers could purchase. Next, as COVID-19-related panic-buying ramped up, Aussie chains also announced dedicated shopping times for the elderly and people with disability and implemented limits on a wide range of everyday items. Now, in their latest attempt to help combat the spread of the coronavirus, local stores are putting a cap on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time. Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have each announced plans to restrict the number people who can shop for groceries at once, marking the supermarket chains' next tactic to enforce social-distancing measures. The move comes after stores have already implemented a range of other initiatives in recent weeks, including rolling out plexiglass screens to separate checkout clerks from customers, placing stickers on the floor 1.5 metres apart at checkouts and encouraging shoppers to use the length of their trolleys as a distancing guide. Coming into force from this Monday, April 6, the restrictions will vary store by store, depending on each shop's size. Overall, though, each chain is taking a similar approach — enlisting staff and security to enforce limits, decide how many customers are allowed in every store at any one time, and make sure that queues outside each shop also adhere to the 1.5-metre social distancing requirements. Outside Woolies stores, for example, there'll be signage and a coned area, showing customers where to queue. The chain will also employ a one in, one out policy in terms of letting customers inside its stores. Coles advises that shoppers will be assisted at the entrance to each store, and may be asked to queue to get in where necessary. And it's worth remembering that Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA have all also released a collective plea for consideration, stressing the need to stick to new restrictions — and reminding shoppers something that should just be a given, aka that hardworking supermarket staff should be treated with courtesy and respect. For more details on Australian supermarket customer limits, keep an eye on Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA's websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
You've forsaken smashed avocados, saved all your cash and somehow have enough money to purchase your own property — and, naturally, you want to make the transaction count. May we suggest a 16th-century British cottage that's been dubbed the most haunted house in the UK? Anyone can buy an apartment in the suburbs, but only one person can nab a notorious spot that was once a medieval witch prison. Located in St Osyth in Essex, the property in question is known as The Cage. Back in the late 1500s, it was used to house 13 women accused of witchcraft while they were awaiting trial. Three were ultimately sentenced to death by hanging, including the infamous Ursula Kemp — a midwife and healer who came under suspicion after people in her neighbourhood, including children, became sick and died. That's not the end of The Cage's unnerving story. In the years until 1908, the house was also used to detain men, women, and children. Unsurprisingly, the spot has featured on local ghost tours and as the subject of a television docudrama, with current owner Vanessa Mitchell even co-writing a book about her spooky experiences living in the property. [caption id="attachment_726177" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Right Move[/caption] Mitchell's time onsite was short-lived — she moved out "because of the relentless paranormal activity" according to Home Domus, who've listed the house for sale — however she has owned the spot since 2004. If you're keen to follow in her footsteps and you have £240,000 or more to spare, the two-level house features three reception rooms, a kitchen, a ground floor cloakroom, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside, a walled courtyard comes complete with a door to a walkway known as "Coffin Alley", where dead bodies were once transported on the way to the local cemetery. Top image: Home Domus 360.
When Dexter wrapped up its blood-splattered run back in 2013, it left plenty of fans wanting more. By now, the fact that almost every beloved TV show arises from the dead at some point is hardly new news — see also: Gossip Girl, Saved By the Bell, Twin Peaks and the upcoming Sex and the City small-screen sequel series, just to name a few — but resurrecting television's mild-mannered forensics expert by day, serial killer by night feels particularly fitting. So, get ready to watch your way through Dexter: New Blood, which sees Michael C Hall (Shadowplay) return as Dexter Morgan. The series wouldn't be worth it without him, obviously. He leads a ten-episode limited series that's due to hit the US on Sunday, November 7 and then arrive Down Under via new streaming platform Paramount+, although exactly when it'll start streaming locally hasn't yet been revealed. Hall isn't the only familiar face making a comeback, either, with Jennifer Carpenter (Dragged Across Concrete) set to return as Dexter's sister Debra. If you're wondering how that works because you remember how the original series ended, the just-dropped full sneak peek for the Dexter revival gives a few more details. John Lithgow (Perry Mason) is also coming back as the Trinity Killer — presumably in flashbacks, given the character's fate the first time around. As both the show's first teaser trailer and this new glimpse demonstrate, eight years have passed when Dexter: New Blood kicks off, just as they have for audiences. Accordingly, the series finds its namesake living a quiet life in the small town of Iron Lake, New York, and trying to forgo his murderous urges. He's going by the name Jim Lindsay, which nods to author Jeff Lindsay, who penned the series of novels the show was initially based on — and he seems happy in his new life. But then Dexter's new hometown is rocked by unexpected events, and his old ways start calling again. As fans saw over and over in Dexter's original eight-season run, resisting picking up a knife isn't all that easy for the program's protagonist. Both trailers feature plenty of blades, all within its namesake's vicinity. And if you're wondering what else to expect, the cast also includes Julia Jones (The Mandalorian), Alano Miller (Sylvie's Love), Johnny Sequoyah (Believe), Jack Alcott (The Good Lord Bird) and Clancy Brown (Promising Young Woman). And, this new trailer comes with a big surprise at the end as well. Check out the latest Dexter: New Blood trailer below: Dexter: New Blood is set to stream in Australia via Paramount+. The new series will start airing in the US from Sunday, November 7; however, an exact streaming date Down Under hasn't been announced as yet — we'll update you when it is.
If your ultimate holiday involves a beach dedicated to you — and only you — then make the Far South Coast your next destination. This wild stretch of shoreline, beginning at Moruya in the north and ending at the Victorian border, is so far from both Sydney and Melbourne it can easily be forgotten. Here you'll find some of Australia's most pristine beaches, hidden away at the end of long, winding dirt roads and protected by national parks. And in between beach days, you can visit 19th-century lighthouses, cruise deep natural harbours, sample award-winning oysters and snorkel with fur seals. If those aren't reasons enough to book your night in the Far South Coast, we've listed a few more below. From coastal getaways to outback adventures, Australia is home to a wealth of places to explore. Every trip away offers the chance to not only reconnect and recharge, but also to support the communities that have been affected by bushfires. Your visit plays an important role in Australia's recovery, which is why we've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your next Holiday Here This Year. Some of the places mentioned below may still be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_772991" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dee Kramer Photography[/caption] MAKE YOUR FIRST STOP GREEN CAPE LIGHTHOUSE It's a long drive to the Far South Coast if you're travelling from Sydney. Prepare for a seven-hour drive south, or a 70-minute drive from Merimbula Airport if you've chosen to fly there. Make your first stop Green Cape lookout, where you'll find a lighthouse surrounded by wilderness, perched on Disaster Bay's rocky northern peninsula. Forget mobile coverage. Step into the 19th century in the former keeper's cottages — which have been turned into cosy accommodation, with classic wooden furniture, claw foot baths, open fires and shady verandahs. Between May and December, you may even spot whales from the lookout point. But if you don't spot one, there's plenty of other wildlife to look out for, including fur seals, dolphins, albatrosses, gannets and sea eagles. [caption id="attachment_772989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] EXPLORE THE DEEP NATURAL HARBOUR IN EDEN Fifty minutes north of Green Cape is the 3000-person settlement of Eden, which spreads over undulating cliff tops on the shores of one of the deepest natural harbours in the world. Formerly a whaling capital, Eden is now better known for whale watching. Cat Balou Cruises runs ocean-going adventures from the main wharf. During whale season, you could be spotting as many as 70 in a day. Between January and April, you can spot dolphins and seals, too. [caption id="attachment_772990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF KILLER WHALES IN EDEN To know about the history of Eden's relationship with the mighty whale, make sure you visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum. It's $12 entry for adults, and you'll get to explore permanent exhibitions that relate the story of Old Tom — an orca known to whalers in the port of Eden during the 1930s — and others that look at the continuing use of the port for tourism and as a food source. Hungry? Head to the Great Southern Inn afterwards. It's self-dubbed "that nice pub on the coast", and the seafood here is locally caught and served unpretentiously with salad and chips. Also keeping matters simple is Sprout Cafe, with its fresh, pesticide-free produce. Slip into the sunny courtyard for a toasted ciabatta with house-made salmon pate and local salmon gravlax. Or, down the road at Eden Smokehouse, there's smoked-on-the-spot rainbow trout, eel and hoki. [caption id="attachment_772995" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tathra Hotel, Destination NSW[/caption] VISIT THE HOME OF WORLD RENOWNED ROCK OYSTERS Make your next stop the home of the best bivalves in Australia, if not the planet: Tathra Oysters. They've won 180 awards and are Neil Perry's favourite, mainly because they grow in pristine Nelsons Lake, surrounded by national park. What's more, the Rodeley family have been running this oyster haven since the 1980s. And the oysters taste even better eaten from Tathra's dramatic headland. Head to Tathra Hotel to sample a few. The traditional country pub has been a beacon for locals for 100 years and the family friendly establishment has all the pub classics, like schnitties and steaks, as well as a platter of oysters served natural, Asian-inspired or kilpatrick. Order a dozen and wash them back with a tap beer made at the onsite craft brewery, Humpback Brewery. [caption id="attachment_773007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FIND THE HORSE HEAD ROCK AT WALLAGA LAKE In Bermagui, you can seek out a rock formation that's thought to be 500 million years old. It's majestic, and has a curved shape that you can't help liken to a graceful horse's head. You can see it from an elevated walking track between Camel Rock and Murunna Point at Wallaga Lake. Allow for an hour to complete the 1.5-kilometre track, and if you choose to get up close to the rock be aware that it's not an easy task, and should only be attempted during low tide. [caption id="attachment_772999" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SNORKEL WITH FUR SEALS AT MONTAGUE ISLAND Rise and shine, your next adventure is Montague Island, a magnificent nature reserve nine kilometres off shore. It hosts the biggest fur seal colony in New South Wales, which attracts as many as 2500 seasonal residents, as well as over 90 bird species and a 12,000-strong little penguin colony. The best time to visit if you want a good chance of seeing these animals is during spring, but from late winter the seal colony on the island starts to grow and you're likely to spot penguins on an evening walk around the island. For a more organised tour, Lighthouse Charters offers a variety of options, including day trips with whale watching, snorkelling with fur seals and little penguin watching. To make the most of your trip, book an overnight stay. Montague Island's Assistant Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage sleeps seven people across three bedrooms, and you'll more or less have the island to yourself. Before leaving Narooma, grab an antipasto grazing box from Mr Bold Catering Co, which comes packed with local cheeses, chutneys, cured meats and fruit. [caption id="attachment_773000" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SEE MORUYA'S BEAUTY FROM THE SKIES Drive 40 minutes north to the riverside town of Moruya, where you can level up your trip with a 15-minute flight taking in views of unspoilt beaches directly below, and mountains to the west. You'll be in prime position to spot whales in the Batemans Marine Park, too. It's $188 for a scenic flight with Moruya Sea Planes, and if you want to spend more time in the skies there are flights around Montague Island, Tross Falls and special occasion experiences where you'll break up the in-air fun with a picnic on a secluded beach. [caption id="attachment_775021" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tanja Lagoon Camp[/caption] SLEEP UNDER CANVAS AT TANJA LAGOON CAMP Twenty-two kilometres east of Bega is a wilderness camp surrounded by spotted gum trees, overlooking Tanja Lagoon. Expect to be greeted by kangaroos before being shown to a luxury safari tent, one of only four, on the edge of Mimosa Rocks National Park. For active types, there is a chance to go paddling and bushwalking to secluded beaches. For lazy bones, options include lolling about in the handcrafted bed followed by moonlit soaks in a giant bathtub, which looks out to the surrounding trees through a big picture window. Expect to pay upwards of $600 per two-night stay, and plan your trip well in advance as this place tends to book out quickly. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Montague Island Nature Reserve courtesy of Destination NSW.
For any regular gig-goer, tickets are the least of your organisation troubles. One of the real thorn-in-side struggles in planning a night out is finding a place to grab a bite beforehand; you want something casual, somewhere good for groups and nothing too 'ten course degustation'. It's pretty damn difficult finding that optimum ratio in an eatery that's within walking distance of the venue but doesn't compromise when it comes to food. Plus there's so many darn choices now. So we've narrowed down some of our favourite go-to Sydney music venues and compiled a list for you, so you can nosh before you mosh. Enmore Theatre Hartsyard There's no denying Hartsyard's heritage; it's palpably American in taste, substance and style. As soon as you push open the glass door, the smell of hickory smoked pork greets you with open arms. Salvaged timber and industrial lighting, utility and charm, Hartsyard sits at the intersection of bustling farmhouse kitchen and buzzing late-night diner. A visit wouldn't be complete without feasting on their fried chicken, served with buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy ($29) just like they do in the South Carolina low country. Just remember that you won't be able to enjoy KFC in the same way ever again. Walking distance: Four minutes. Lentil as Anything Who said you can't make friends with salad? The not-for-profit vegan chain Lentil as Anything has quickly become the darling of King Street. No need to book, just turn up for amazing food and an atmosphere that can't be beat. As 30 percent of the ingredients are donated from food rescue operations, the menu changes often so you'll need to ask your waiter what's on offer. If you swing by on a Friday or Saturday night, head upstairs for a tasty tonic in their new Lentil on the Rocks mocktail bar. Walking distance: Six minutes. The Sultan's Table Anyone who calls The Sultan's Table purely a takeaway joint is doing it a significant disservice. Situated right opposite the Enmore Theatre, this place is usually packed to the brim with diners looking for a quick feed before or after a gig. Specialising in authentic Turkish food, they deliver a countless range of pides, kebabs and dips. The only danger here? Stuffing yourself full before jaunting off to a gig, because you just can't get enough. Walking distance: Three minutes. Metro Theatre / Goodgod Small Club Yebisu Izakaya Stepping away from the hubbub of George Street and into the neon-lit eatery of Yebisu Izakaya is not too dissimilar to slipping into the sake dens hidden along the side alleys of Tokyo. All the well, since the restaurant prides itself on its selection of the aromatic Japanese beverage. It's even harder to resist when trolleys of the stuff are being trundled by waiters around the room. The food menu too, is an ambitious affair, clocking at over 100 dishes. Within the traditional Japanese fare – sashimi, yakitori, gyoza, rice and noodles – are a few more unusual options you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, such as homemade tofu and stewed wagyu tendon. There can often be a fair wait, so make sure you time your visit before beginning your late night festivities. Walking distance: Three minutes. Mamak Mamak really doesn't require any introduction. Line up to sample exceptional Malaysian hawker food, still offered at an authentic price. The star here is the roti, the delectable layered bready snack that's crispy yet fluffy all at once. Out front, workers whip the dough into shape, much to the entertainment of the otherwise restless diners waiting in queue. Don't forget to leave room for the roti tisu ($10), the pyramid shaped cone of carby goodness encased in condensed milk to end off your meal. Walking distance: Five minutes. Menya Mappen This Japanese DIY noodle canteen is the haven for udon and soba lovers. There aren't too many Sydney joints you can nab a bowl of noodles with tempura to boot for under $10. Don't skip their perfectly oozy ontama eggs or the prawn tempura, fried to a perfect crisp. Not a restaurant to dwell and chitchat, Menya Mappen is the place to go if you're short for time and looking for a quick in-and-out before a late night gig. Walking distance: Two minutes. Oxford Art Factory Mr Crackles Situated opposite Oxford Street's strip of clubs, Mr Crackles consistently tops the list as one of the go-to options for a 3am feed or a cheap dinner spot before a night out. Their pork crackling has become somewhat of a citywide legend; one of those rare things everybody raves about that actually lives up to its esteemed reputation. Their signature menu item, pork belly with Vietnamese salad served in a bread roll sets you back an easy $12. But for those who can take it, the Manwich ($17) contains double the meat and half the salad of the regular roll. Bring it on. Walking distance: Three minutes. Phamish Tucked away in a courtyard along Darlinghurst's back streets, Phamish's deceptively no-frills appearance and unfazed service hides a real penchant for producing cheap and authentic Vietnamese food. Plus, it's BYO. Come any night of the week and you'll find the place absolutely full to the brim. You can't go wrong with their salt and pepper anything (prawn, calamari, tofu) or their caramelised pork belly. Actually, make that everything on the menu. If you're still feeling adventurous (and have room), duck by next door to Jazz City Diner for one of their awesome pies for dessert. Summer nights dining outdoors never sounded better. Walking distance: Five minutes. The Commons Local Eating House Amidst Darlinghurst's shoulder-to-shoulder apartments, congested streets, and endless noise, The Commons is a welcome oasis of calm. The exposed sandstone walls, amber lighting and wooden finishings of the restaurant's heritage building is a fitting complement to the hearty comfort food served here — think homemade crepes gratin, lavender infused risotto and fish cartoccio. If you're lucky, catch Delta Blues, a Chicago blues and jazz band, pluck out a few tunes on certain nights. A perfect pre-gig warmer. Walking distance: Two minutes. The Basement The Morrison If you've never been to an oyster room before, then here's your chance. A welcome addition to the lower end of George Street and a proper alternative to the vicinity's 'pubish' priorities, the Morrison Bar and Oyster Room is a class act. Perch yourself on the bar and you can watch the action right before your eyes as Morrison's oyster maestros shuck your Pacific, Angassi or Rock oysters to order. Between the main dining hall, with its industrial exposed brick and concrete pillars, the open-air terrace and the parlour, there's plenty of space for diners to feel at home. Walking distance: Four minutes. TapaVino In the otherwise bland dining scene of Circular Quay, TapaVino has spruced up the CBD surrounds with traditional tapas offerings and a veritable bible of Spanish wines and sherries. Here the drinks take centre stage, but that's not to say the food is any less than excellent. The focus here is on unpretentious, naturally presented dishes that allow the produce to shine – think plates of freshly shaved slices of jamón serrano, burrito and pickled onion; pan-fried garfish fillets; and fennel, mint and manchego salad. Tapavino represents everything tapas stands for: eating fine food and drinking even finer wine. So whether you're in the market for one or both, you won't have to look much further. Walking distance: Two minutes. Uncle Ming's If it weren't for the scribbled sign out front, Uncle Ming's would easily be mistaken for just another nondescript office building. Venture down the stairs however, and the unmistakable scent of incense and retro Chinese posters lining the walls will immediately transport you straight back to the world of old China's forbidden debauchery. The premise of Uncle Ming's may border on kitsch, but the drinks, served in porcelain teapots and tumblers, are worth coming back for. If you're feeling nibblish, their dumplings, filled with your choice of pork and chive, or chicken and coriander, are more than satisfactory. Walking distance: Ten minutes. The Factory Theatre / Red Rattler Theatre The Henson Marrickville's been going through a turnaround of late. What used to be a forgotten suburb is quickly becoming the new area for youngsters to migrate to, thanks to its cheap rent and blossoming café and bar scene. Tucked away on a corner along Illawarra road is the Henson, an ex-dive bar turned pub. Previously a pokie player haunt, the Henson has undergone a smart makeover, with tiled walls and communal tables. The cherry on top is Reuben Hill's chef Megan McCulloch's colourful pub grub menu, which prides itself on sourcing the best farm-to-table produce there is. The best thing about the Henson is that it's a pub without a novelty theme — no New York styling, no Americana throwback, and thank god, no Mexican paraphernalia in sight. Just Marrickville flavour. Walking distance: Six minutes/ten minutes. Gasoline Pony Another day, another small bar in Sydney. What differentiates Gasoline Pony from the rest is it's super homey and relaxed atmosphere, thanks to its mismatch of furniture and courtyard out back, which could be easily mistaken for your own backyard garden thanks to its roller door entrance. There's a wide selection of cocktails, wines and craft beers on tap. While the drinks are the specialty here, don't forgo the dining options, of which nearly all can be bought with a tenner — try the cheekily named Black Eyed Peas Nachos or the Kung Pao Tacos. Walking distance: Twelve minutes/six minutes. Pho PHD Walk through Marrickville and you'll spot a Vietnamese restaurant on every street corner. Pho PHD, as the name suggests, is best at one thing: their awesome pho. Their broth — slightly sweeter than average — is nevertheless rich and full-bodied in flavour. This is what comfort food is about: fresh rice noodles topped with coriander, sliced onions and shallots, all in that heady broth. They also have a myriad of other dishes available, but if we're being honest, we're only here for one thing really. Walking distance: Fourteen minutes. With contributions from the Concrete Playground team. Top image: Goodgod Small Club.
On a huge corner location in one of Sydney's most vivid and exciting suburbs, Malabar in Darlinghurst is classic south Indian cuisine done with style, flair and a healthy sprinkling of tradition. As you enter the dining room you'll first notice the life-size murals of people in traditional south Indian dress staring across at you, like stoney faced Maharajahs willing you to sit down and feast with them. The table settings are elegant and understated, while historical artworks are thoughtfully placed around the room, as if to remind you that tradition and history are intricately linked with Indian cuisine. Tradition is big here, with all the spice masalas ground in house, meat cut on the premises and fresh produced sourced from local farms — whatever local farms means when in Darlinghurst. Malabar's menu is all about colour, texture and flavour and the chefs prepare everything using traditional methods. The starters include cauliflower florets mixed with spicy potato, fresh coriander and red onions, and wild caught barramundi marinated in a coulis of chilli powder, crushed coriander, turmeric and homegrown curry leaves. [caption id="attachment_912373" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Malabar's famous dosai[/caption] They also offer a range of dosai — these are a South Indian specialty of light and crispy fermented rice and lentil crepe wrapped around a filling. Options include the masala dosai with mashed potatoes and mustard seeds, the chicken paneer with pulled chicken, tomatoes, curry leaves and black pepper, or the prawn dosai with a tangy and spicy tomato relish and green capsicum. Our favourite Malabar main? It has to be the a medium-hot goat mappas marinated in green chilli and turmeric, slow cooked with fresh coconut paste. And for vegetarians, there's the matthanga kootu with split chickpea, pumpkin and coconut paste dressed with ginger, green chilli and cumin. Order some basmati rice and a heap of garlic and cheese naan to create a veritable Indian feast. Malabar South Indian Restaurant also an impressive wine list here, which pairs with the food wonderfully. For a crisp white, try bottle of Italian pinot grigio from Corte Giara, while if you're after a bold red to pair with your beef vindaloo, then the Running with Bulls Tempranillo from the Barossa is a fab option. Alternatively, Malabar has a BYO license for wine only (corkage $5 per person) if you feel like bringing your fave drop from home.
Ethical shopping is really goddamn hard sometimes. On one hand, you don’t want clothes that have been painstakingly made by someone earning a dollar a day in a sweatshop. On the other hand are a bunch of shopping bags because you've no idea where to even start shopping ethically. Like everything, an ethical mindset happens incrementally and the first step you can take is here — the Good On You ethical shopping assistant app is seeking crowdfunding. Intended to help you make better consumer choices, the Good On You app amalgamates information on the ethical rating of fashion brands, either by search term or in your local area. The app also measures different production impacts and processes such as child labour, treatment of animals and contribution to climate change. Basically, the app tells you all the real ingredients that went into making your must-have leather jacket, leaving no stone unturned. At times, it may be a hard pill to swallow if your favourite brands don’t pass the test, but the GOY team don't want you to stop shopping — the app also feature alternative suggestions, based on your style, that do better ethically. And perhaps the feature with the greatest potential to catalyse change is the ability to directly message brands who don’t pass muster (fire up your emoji dictionary for maximum emotional impact). There are a few ethical shopping assistant apps on the market right now, however this is the first that systematically catalogues Australian fashion and beauty brands — and it’s about time. Ethical shopping needn’t be a time-consuming ordeal and with an app that creates brand transparency it hopefully soon won’t be. Image: Dollar Photo Club and Good On You. UPDATE DECEMBER 18, 2015: Thanks to awesome crowdfunded dollars, Good On You reached their target of $15,000 and the app is now live. You can download it from their website. Go team!
