The L1 Dulwich Hill line of Sydney's tumultuous light rail has been closed indefinitely, with buses replacing trains across the line while major repairs are completed. The seven-year-old vehicles were revealed to have major cracking, causing them to be decommissioned for repairs. At a press conference on Friday, November 7, NSW Transport Minister Rob Stokes announced the cracking was worse than they originally expected and revealed the light rail could be out of action for up to 18 months. Stokes confirmed this was a worst-case scenario date and he expected the vehicles to be working again sooner than the 18-month estimate. Cracks were found in 12 trams that run from Dulwich Hill and the Central Grand Concourse. The inner west line was unveiled in its current form in 2014 after a significant extension that added 5.6 kilometres of track and a fleet of 12 new vehicles that have now presented cracks. "We believe this is the right thing to do," Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins proclaimed, saying that the vehicles are not currently dangerous to passengers but could become problematic if left to crack further. Collins also confirmed the government was looking into the idea of utilising the L2 and L3 light rail vehicles, however, revealed there are engineering challenges with this and said they wouldn't want to disrupt the other lines in order to plug a hole in the Dulwich Hill line. In order to soften the blow of this closure, the NSW Government is offering 50 per cent reductions on fare prices for replacement busses. These buses will run 6am–11pm each day, however will not stop at the Capitol Square and Pyrmont Bay stops, as well as the Exhibition Centre when travelling towards Dulwich Hill. The newer L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line have not experienced the same issues and will continue to run as normal. Stay up to date with the latest news regarding the L1 Dulwich Hill light rail via Transport for NSW.
This town's no stranger to glamorous pop-up bars. Over summer we've swung by Bennelong for specialty cocktails on their balcony, visited the MCA for G&Ts in their whimsical gin garden, and sipped chardonnay with our shellfish at Waterman's Lobster Co. pop-up on Bondi Beach. But Sydney's newest temporary tavern is serving the most precious liquid of all: good old H2O. Set amongst the beautifully restored, subterranean Paddington Reservoir Gardens, the H20: Water Bar is more than just a watering hole. It's a reflective glass art installation by renowned local artist Janet Laurence, and is designed to examine Australia's fragile relationship with our most precious natural resource. Laurence was Australia's representative at an art exhibition at the United Nations climate change conference in Paris last year, where she presented a work that showcased the hectic environmental damage done to the Great Barrier Reef. Her new installation resembles an apothecary or lab complete with glass beakers and vials, and will serve a number of different drops from various regions around the country. Have you ever noticed how water tastes different from one city to the next? Now you'll be able to compare for yourself. And unlike some trendy pop-up bars, you won't need to worry about forking over your life savings for a drink — entry into the water bar is free. Alongside the installation itself, Laurence has programmed a raft of water-themed events, including water-focused film screenings, workshops with Sydney Water scientists, water-themed poetry readings, panels of fellow artists unpacking the mystique of water and big discussions from leading environmental groups on the threats to our water sources (coal seam gas, coal, climate change, you name it). Check the website for session times. If you're a little peckish, Miss Chu will be running a pop-up stall serving fresh rice paper rolls each evening. Open Thursdays and weekends 5pm – 9pm. Image: Josef Nalevansky courtesy of the City of Sydney.
Finishing work on a Thursday afternoon, you can feel the weekend coming. You might want to hit the town but you're just looking for the right excuse. Powerhouse Museum has been offering up that excuse with a run of free late-night events happening every Thursday since January — and it's now it has extended its run with a fresh lineup for the cooler months. Part of the Culture Up Late initiative funded by the NSW government, the after-dark affair is running till the end of June. The festivities are on till 9pm each week, and you can expect talks on music, art and design, alongside musical performances and exhibitions. Highlights from the new program include a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community from Queerscreen, with film screenings and live performances on the bill; a night of electro tunes, performances and visual feasts courtesy of Electronic Music Conference (EMC); and the Museum's new exhibition all about the iconic Aussie gum, Eucalyptusdom, which you can be one of the first to check out — and after hours, no less. A pop-up outdoor bar is set up on the Harris Street terrace, featuring a special Campari cocktail menu for Thursday night refreshments. [caption id="attachment_811875" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] All exhibitions and events are free but bookings are recommended. Head to the Powerhouse Museum's website to browse the free program — and to book tickets. Images: Jordan Munns
When Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker that they're more than just mortal enemies, it became one of the most famous lines of dialogue in movie history (and one of the most mis-quoted). If you've seen Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, you'll know that it's a powerful, memorable moment that changes the shape of the entire space saga. Even if you haven't, you know what we're talking about. Now, imagine just how epic it'll feel when you're watching the flick on a big screen and listening to John Williams' iconic score played by a live orchestra. Yes, The Force is strong in Sydney once more, with Sydney Symphony Orchestra staging the next in its Star Wars screening and performance on July 27 and 28 at the ICC Sydney Theatre. Jedis, wookiees and droids alike can expect a night of tussles between the Rebels and the Empire, Luke learning his true parentage, Han flirting with Leia and getting frozen in carbon, Chewbacca being awesome, R2-D2 being adorable and C-3PO being annoying (well, he is). Plus, it's the flick that marks the first appearance of Lando Calrissian and the first time 'The Imperial March' is heard. If you're thinking that it's a great time to be a Sydney fan of the George Lucas-created franchise, then you're right.The Last Jedi is still fresh in everyone's memories, Solo: A Star Wars Story is only two months away and these types of special events keep on coming — we've got a good feeling that Return of the Jedi will eventually get the same treatment as well. Image: Robert Catto.
If you haven't nabbed tickets to see Kendrick Lamar when he tours Australia at the end of 2025, you now have more chances to head along. First, in news worth exclaiming "DAMN"- and "LOVE" about, he was announced as Spilt Milk's 2025 headliner. Then, not content with taking to the stage Down Under in Ballarat, Perth, Canberra and on the Gold Coast, the acclaimed hip hop artist locked in two solo Aussie stadium shows — one each in Melbourne and Sydney. Now Lamar has expanded those standalone gigs on his Grand National tour, adding an extra date in each city. Accordingly, after making its way around North America and Europe, Lamar's latest string of live dates now spans two nights apiece in the Victorian and New South Wales capitals. First up: Melbourne, at AAMI Park across Wednesday, December 3–Thursday, December 4, 2025. Then comes Allianz Stadium in the Harbour City over Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1008775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gregory Shamus/Getty Images[/caption] Lamar's Aussie stadium shows still kick off before his Spilt Milk dates, then slot in-between the festival's two weekend runs. The fest hits Ballarat on Saturday, December 6; Perth on Sunday, December 7; Canberra on Saturday, December 13; and the Gold Coast on Sunday, December 14. For company at his solo gigs, he'll have ScHoolboy Q in support on Wednesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 10, as previously announced. On the new dates — so on Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, December 11 — Doechii will be doing the honours. December clearly suits Lamar for a jaunt Down Under — that's when the Pulitzer Music Prize-winning musician also made the trip in 2022. Lamar is one of the most-critically acclaimed and successful hip hop artists of our generation. He currently has 22 Grammys to his name, plus an Academy Award nomination for one of his contributions to the Black Panther soundtrack. He won the 2017 Triple J Hottest 100 and, when he nabbed his Pulitzer in 2018, he also became the first ever artist to take out the prestigious award for contemporary music. GNX, his most-recent studio album, dropped in November 2024 — with his extensive catalogue also spanning 2011's Section.80, 2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly, 2017's DAMN and 2022's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Kendrick Lamar Grand National Tour 2025 Australian Dates Wednesday, December 3–Thursday, December 4 — AAMI Park, Melbourne Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney Spilt Milk 2025 Dates Saturday, December 6 — Victoria Park, Ballarat Sunday, December 7 — Claremont Showground, Perth Saturday, December 13 — Exhibition Park, Canberra Sunday, December 14 — Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Gold Coast Kendrick Lamar is touring Australia in December 2025, with ticket presales for his second Melbourne gig kicking off at 11am on Thursday, August 7, and for his second Sydney gig at 12pm on Thursday, August 7 — with general sales from 1pm on Monday, August 11 in Melbourne and 2pm on Monday, August 11 in Sydney. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Timothy Norris/Getty Images for pgLang, Amazon Music, & Free Lunch.
Your mission, movie lovers, should you choose to accept it: watching the first sneak peek at the new instalment in one of cinema's biggest franchises. The initial teaser trailer for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One is here and, yes, it's filled with espionage intrigue, explosions, chases, fights and Tom Cruise wearing masks. Also covered: stunts, stunts and more stunts, plus even more stunts still. At this point in his career, all new Cruise movies seem to belong to a broader saga. That'd be: "one of the world's biggest stars does death-defying stunts to lure audiences into cinemas". The Mission: Impossible flicks have been keeping those daredevil flames burning for almost three decades now, and its leading man just keeps upping the ante. And yes, he's still committed to doing as many dangerous feats as he can himself, including riding a motorcycle off a cliff this time around. Arriving more than a year before the movie hits cinemas — it'll release Down Under on July 13, 2023 — the debut glimpse at Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One isn't big on plot. There is a story to stitch together all those stunts, though. First, Cruise's Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt is told that his "days of fighting for the so-called greater good are over", and that the mission now is to control the truth, as well as the concepts of right and wrong. So, that leaves him needing to pick a side. So far, so vague — but that's what first glimpses are usually about, including at Tom Cruise-starring future blockbusters that are debuting their initial sneak peeks because another Tom Cruise-starring certain blockbuster (that'd be Top Gun: Maverick) is reaching the silver screen this week. The Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One trailer does cover plenty of other familiar faces, however, including the characters of Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg, The Boys), Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson, Dune), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames, Father Figures), and Alanna Mitsopolis (Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman). Also popping up: Hayley Atwell (Avengers: Endgame) and Esai Morales (How to Get Away with Murder), both as new figures — and the latter as the movie's key villain. Four years after helming the series' sixth film, 2018's Mission: Impossible – Fallout, writer/director Christopher McQuarrie returns for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One — his third M:I flick in a row after also doing the honours on 2015's Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. And yes, as the name makes plain, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One will have a sequel, which is set to release sometime in 2024. Check out the trailer for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One below: Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning — Part One releases in cinemas Down Under on July 13, 2023.
Whether you're looking to get more into wine or already consider yourself an aficionado, North Sydney's expansive new multi-faceted restaurant RAFI is launching an exciting ongoing series that will have you tasting rare and interesting vino from around the world. Named The Drop, this wine program will cycle through a selection of bottles from the RAFI cellar, hand-selected by Applejack Hospitality's Group Sommelier Amandine Rouviere (ex-Bert's). Each week two different wines will be chosen and available to sample and purchase by the glass between 4–6pm each day, Monday–Saturday. This way you can experience new premium wines without having to break the budget on a bottle. [caption id="attachment_881619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] There will also be The Drop supper clubs and pop-up events which you can stay on top of by signing up for the wine club mailing list. More wines are sure to be announced in the new year, so sign up to the mailing list or follow RAFI's Instagram for regular updates. And, to learn more about the wines on offer, head to the RAFI website. Top image: Steven Woodburn
Not every horror movie changes the way that its audience thinks, even if it conjures up haunting, engaging and entertaining bumps, jumps, spooks and scares. Since it first made its way to cinemas in 2000 after starting its life as an unsolicited and unproduced script for The X-Files, Final Destination and the franchise that it has spawned has indeed had that viewpoint-altering impact. For viewers, watching along with any of the saga's six films so far can get you seeing the deadly potential of every situation. That's the whole premise, after all: death's inevitability, plus how mortality stalks and creates fatal danger, including by taking everyday anxieties and fears to their worst and grisliest cause and effect-style possible outcomes. HBO's Six Feet Under, which arrived on the small screen the year after the first Final Destination movie, also played a little in this terrain, beginning most of its episodes with someone shuffling off this mortal coil, sometimes via accidents and misfortunes. But where it was a thoughtful and moving prestige TV drama, the Final Destination movies embrace their place in the horror genre, as well as blood and gore. After the OG flick, Final Destination 2 followed in 2003, then Final Destination 3 in 2006, fourth effort The Final Destination in 2009 and Final Destination 5 in 2011. Now Final Destination Bloodlines has following after a 14-year gap — and with a new twist, sending the end that awaits us all slaying its way through families. Is spying death lingering around every corner one of the side effects of directing a Final Destination movie, too? For filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein (who also co-helmed Freaks and Kim Possible), the answer is yes. "Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I think we've always been fans of how Final Destination really brings anxiety to life. And definitely when we're working with the writers and producers on all the things we could ruin for people in this movie, you really have to mind your own anxieties and your own fears to figure all that out," Stein tells Concrete Playground. "But we also had the fun of basically becoming death for this movie, because in Final Destination there's no killer with a knife coming after you. It's the filmmaking that comes for the characters. It's all the little close-up shots edited together that come for the character. So we got to be death in this movie, also." "I was driving down the highway just a few weeks ago," Lipovsky shares, "and a garbage bin came flying out of the back of the truck and kind of bounced down the road. And I saw it coming a mile away, because I was like 'ohh, here we go. I've seen this movie'. And I was able to pull out of the way." Pipes in Stein immediately: "Final Destination could save your life." In Final Destination Bloodlines, a huge scene-setting setpiece again establishes the story, this time harking back to 1968, to the opening of a sky-high restaurant in a new tower where young couple Iris (Brec Bassinger, Stargirl) and Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones, The Irrational) are excited to be in attendance. Premonitions have their part in the narrative, but this is a killer opening in more ways than one. From there, the film jumps to the present day, with college student Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana, The Friendship Game) and her loved ones learning that they're the next in death's grasp. Her younger brother Charlie (Teo Briones, Chucky) and estranged mother Darlene (Rya Kihlstedt, Orphan Black: Echoes), plus cousins Erik (Richard Harmon, The Flash), Bobby (Owen Patrick Joyner, Julie and the Phantoms) and Julia (Anna Lore, Gotham Knights), then start discovering what it's like to live your days attempting to outsmart eternal rest. Does spotting lethal peril IRL carry over to a Final Destination movie's cast, too? Bloodlines' lineup of actors vary in their answers when asked. "I feel like I've always been a little psychic. I'm not kidding. I have really great intuition. I'm so good at it. I mean, not as far as predicting that somebody's going to die. I have a really strong gut feeling and I feel like I can sense things around me," says Santa Juana, who, as Stefani, is the sleuth of the picture — the character who is definitely discerning everywhere that death might pop up. "Accident-wise?" Kihlstedt, her on-screen mum, poses in return. "Yeah. That's why I'm so afraid of power chords, because I know that those things are pesky little buggers, and they will, if you get some water on them, they'll explode." Kihlstedt doesn't think that way. Nor does Briones: "I just sort of stumble around life, no care in the world". And Harmon believes that "life's too short to be worried". Lore, though, advises that "I think that watching it, being in it, being around a Final Destination film, yeah, makes you very makes you a little paranoid". Notes Joyner: "it's a little spooky". They're all now part of not only Final Destination's comeback, but also of a wave of 90s and 00s horror becoming new again. Scream returned in 2022, dropped another sequel in 2023 and has Scream 7 on the way in 2026. The fourth I Know What You Did Last Summer film, also just called I Know What You Did Last Summer, hits cinemas in July 2025. News of more Urban Legend with Until Dawn's Gary Dauberman penning the script is mere weeks old as Final Destination Bloodlines releases. Bloodlines' stars and filmmakers also worked alongside a Final Destination original, with genre and franchise great Tony Todd (Candyman), who passed away in November 2024, making his final appearance in the saga. We spoke with Lipovsky, Stein, Santa Juana, Briones, Kihlstedt, Harmon, Joyner and Lore about what it means to step into a beloved franchise like this one, too, alongside Todd's involvement, shifting the way that audiences think, the family connection in Bloodlines, intergenerational trauma, great deaths in the saga, the fun of dying on-screen and other topics. On What Makes a Great Final Destination Death Setup Zach: "I think the key thing is what Adam was talking about, which is ruining something. Meaning it's something very relatable that we all experience, we all can run into in the rest of our lives, and figuring out a way to just dement that in a way that is incredibly scary and graphic and anxiety-inducing. And then figuring out all the different ways that you can make that ultimate death surprising. And so creating all sorts of misdirects around it with other relatable, realistic things that could theoretically happen — so that it's a sequence that is relatable, that is surprising, and ultimately incredibly graphic and gory." On Knowing You've Had a Part in Making People Think Differently About Everyday Objects and Situations Adam: "We hope people still go get their necessary MRIs. Let's just say that." Zach: "Even safer than they would have before." Adam: "But I think that's what's made Final Destination so iconic, that things just stick with you. Logging trucks — 20 years later, nobody can take it. We just hope that we can live up to the logging truck — and maybe when you have a frosty glass full of ice or you hear the song 'Shout', you think of our movie 20 years from now." Anna: "Very proud. Yeah, very proud. I mean, the goal of these movies is to ruin things for people." Richard: "Yes." Anna: "And the more everyday the thing, the better." Owen: "That's the number-one ambition." Anna: "The number one." Owen: "Not to entertain." Anna: "Even before making a movie of any kind or filming it or …" Owen: "How can we traumatise people?" Anna: "How can we traumatise?" Richard: "And I hope we did our jobs." On Whether the Cast Tap Into a Seize-the-Day Perspective While Making a Movie Where Death Can Be Anywhere Kaitlyn: "I think for this one it's a little bit different, because it's about a family. And when I think about what I would do to protect my family, I don't really think risk for myself is involved. I love my family and Stefani also loves her family, even though they are a little bit distant off the top. So I can only imagine that she would pretty much do anything and risk her safety to make sure that the others are safe, too, because that's what I would do." Rya: "I mean, the truth is if we could all carry that a little more into our day-to-day lives, it would be really great." Owen: "I guess that helps, right? That's a great tip. Maybe I should have used that. It could have helped. But, I don't know, it was such a weird flip-flop where you go through some traumatic moment with a family member, and then the next scene you're supposed to take the audience through a light-hearted scene and allow everyone to relax before you get into the next big scary murder plot. So, for me, it was really just taking it scene by scene, and trusting the writers and the directors of knowing how to transition out of different moments to lead the audience through a fun time." Richard: "Yeah. Hey, that's well-put." On Adding a Focus on Families as Death's Target to the Franchise for the First Time Zach: "That was the best part of hearing that they were making a new Final Destination movie, as we heard that it was about a family tree — because it does so many different things at once. Right away, it allows for the structure of Final Destination to be a little bit different, which freshens the franchise. Because now you have a whole group of people that are related but are different ages — and that creates a lot higher stakes because they really, really love each other. And we have this beautiful element of this family that starts with a rift and they're kind of apart from each other, having to come together as death comes for them one by one. And it really enriches each of the characters, because they can all have family secrets and grudges and alliances and history. And that allows for a Final Destination movie that I think people will be surprised has a lot more heart and depth to it on the character side — and all that comes from that bloodlines idea." Adam: "I heard the cast talking about it earlier today, and what they settled on as their tagline is: 'bigger heart, bigger stakes'." Zach: "Nice." On Playing Bloodlines' Sleuth, and Trying to Solve the Puzzle of What's Happening — and How to Save Stefani's Loved Ones Kaitlyn: "I have really strong family morals, so just thinking about what I would do to protect them. I would do all of these things to protect the people that I love. Another thing is, throughout the film with my acting coach, I worked on the three different people that Stefani is in this movie. And in the first little bit, she's the detective. Like you said, she's trying to figure out what's going on. In the middle sequence, she's what I would deem as a protector. And in the end sequence, she's a survivor. You shoot everything out of sequence, and just grounding myself and remembering 'who am I right now?' and 'what would I do in this scenario?' was what helped me stay true to my character arc." On Digging Into Intergenerational Trauma When Death Starts Stalking Families Rya: "I was really intrigued by and am very interested in the idea of family constellations and carried trauma — I feel like most of us carry some kind of trauma that maybe does not belong to us, that's been carried down for generations, that's not ours to own. And I think that's Darlene. That sums her up. She is carrying trauma from her mother, and suddenly realises that her daughter is now carrying this. She thought she left in the hopes that she was going to save her daughter from the same trauma. Exactly what she did is exactly what she didn't want to do. And I love that idea." On What It Meant to Be Able to Bring Tony Todd Back to the Franchise for the Final Time Adam: "He's an absolute legend. We were really grateful to be able to work with him, and it was so important to have him in this movie. We weren't sure if he would be able to do the movie, because we knew he was sick. And he kept telling us 'do not write me out of this movie, I have to be in this movie'. It was very important to him to be in the movie, and to do a couple of things. One, to give Bludworth a bit more of a backstory, a bit more of a human character to this character who, in the other movies, has been a bit mysterious and undefined. And it's led to a lot of fan theories about 'is he an angel? Is he death itself?'. And Tony was very excited to be able to bring a bit more of a backstory on a human level to the character, so he would have that explanation to why he is the way he is. And, to give him not just a proper beginning but a proper goodbye, because we were pretty sure this would be his last Final Destination movie — just because they take years to make and we knew he was sick. We didn't realise it would be his last movie overall, which is, of course, very tragic. And he was very excited, though, to say goodbye to the fans of Final Destination — to the point that on set, we asked him if he would be willing to put the script aside and speak directly to the fans in that final goodbye moment. 'Is there anything he wants to say? Is there anything he wants to leave the fans with?'. And the final lines he says in the movie were just spoken off-script, from the heart, of what he wanted to leave the fans with as a final message, and I think that's why it's so emotionally powerful." On What You Draw Upon to Convey the Fear That Clearly Has to Sink in for Bloodlines' Characters Richard: "Well, the acting went out of the window when they lit the fire underneath me. I think the acting just ... " Owen: "You went method right there." Richard: "You no longer act. You're just like 'I don't want to burn to death'. So yeah, I feel like that Final Destination does such a good job of that, even with like the fake blood and everything, where the acting just goes out of the window and you just do it." On the Fun of Playing Death Scenes Teo: "This might just be me, but I've died a few times at this point on-screen — I love filming those scenes. They're the most fun things to film. It's awesome." Rya: "I was going to say the same thing. They're really fun." Teo: "They're really fun." Rya: "They're hard work. It depends on how you die. it depends on the situation." Kaitlyn: "It's so epic. There's something so epic about doing it." Rya: "Particularly in this, because they're so heightened and so dramatic." Kaitlyn: "I know, it's beautiful." Rya: "It's bloody, gory." Kaitlyn: "It's honestly beautiful. It's so romantic. There's a romance to it." Richard: "It's some of the most fun I've ever had in my career, for sure." Owen: "It's the honour of the whole experience." On Adding a New Standout Opening Sequence to the Franchise Zach: "I think knowing that you're doing a Final Destination movie, the first thing you think is 'oh boy, that means that we're going to have to make an iconic opening', because these movies are known for their openings. And to even be given the torch to add one more to that pantheon is quite a weight to bear. And so we spent years, we were working on that opening setpiece to try and make it worthy of being in a Final Destination movie. We tried to give it a huge amount of scope. We tried to give it a huge amount of heart. We tried to prey on all sorts of relatable fears. Adam has a fear of heights, and so we really tried to bring a fear of heights into it and play with that in creative new ways. We didn't want to just do the standard push-pull vertigo shot. We wanted to try experimental other ideas to really create a sense of vertigo when you're that high up — and give people something that's also really beautiful and touching at the same time that it's horrifying. And we were really inspired by like movies like Titanic that balance all of those things — of being epic and beautiful and personal, but also just horrifying and stick with you forever so that you always think about them. And we're really glad to see that people are responding to that setpiece, because we spent years trying to make it worthy of that title." On Why the Final Destination Films Have Enjoyed Such a Following Over a Quarter of a Century — and Being Tasked with Carrying on That Legacy Zach: "I think that everyone has some amount of anxiety and has that little voice in their head saying 'you know what, this feels a little off — aaah, it's probably fine'. And in Final Destination, you see that 'no, it's not fine and it's actually horrible'. And so I think there's something that's kind of delightful about that. I also think that Final Destination is really unique as far as being an experience where you can have a lot of fun with how people are dying, I think that's quite unique. A lot of films that are gory end up being really dark in a non-fun way — and I think Final Destination strikes this perfect balance where you can kind of cheer and root for death, because death is so clever, but also root for the characters to escape and hope that they're okay. And it gives you all the different emotions that you can have in a movie theatre. And it just sticks with you — from the moment you leave that theatre, all the different things that are in a Final Destination movie, you'll never be able to look at the same way again. And every little weird accident or something that happens in your real life, even if it's not in a Final Destination movie, you'll think that it could be in a Final Destination movie, and that's just a testament to these films' staying power." Anna: "I think we all felt the pressure of it." Owen: "The thing that helped me was, there was plenty of pressure in terms of making sure that we made millions of fans happy, but we had an amazing team that really understood what the fans wanted and the fabric of the franchise, and what was important in each of them. But it did help that the real stars of the movie are the deaths, right? So as long as you can execute on those, I don't think you have to dig deep and bring out some riveting performance — just try to have fun with the audience." Richard: "Make it enjoyable. Make it entertaining." On the Significance and Fun of Joining the Franchise for the Cast Rya: "I think it's really finally hitting us. I guess I'll speak for myself, but I think we've been talking about this a little bit — I think it's finally hitting us how much this movie and this franchise means to its fans. So we're really aware of what an honour it is and how lucky we are." Kaitlyn: "Absolutely." Teo: "Something that was always on my mind while we were filming is making a movie that, because I'm a huge fan of this franchise — I just wanted to make sure that we were making a film that the fans would love, and the fans would love to watch over and over and over again. Because that's what these movies are for me. They're movies that you watch — I watched these a couple times a year, honestly. And I was just hoping that we'd be able to recreate that. And I think we really did." Kaitlyn: "I think so, too." Teo: "And I think the fans are going to really love it. And the fans are already loving it." Richard: "I was 11 when the second one came out, and I saw the second one at a friend's sleepover that we were having — and we got it and were were like 'we shouldn't be watching this'. And I just fell in love with it. Then I went back and watched one, and then I watched all of them when they came out after that. I've been a massive fan of the franchise since then — and this was, I literally cried on the phone when they told me that I booked this role, because I get to bring my dreams to reality by being a part of horror royalty. I'm not saying I'm horror royalty. I'm just saying Final Destination is horror royalty." Owen: "We are. We're saying it." Richard: "We're all horror royalty." Anna: "My first memory of Final Destination, I didn't see it, but I remember I think being in sixth grade or something and everyone talking about the rollercoaster. And they were like 'oh yeah, there's a rollercoaster, there's an accident with a rollercoaster'. And I was like 'what, that sounds really scary'. But I didn't watch the movies until actually after I auditioned for this, because, I was like 'I'm going to watch them all the way through before I go shoot it'. So I just started with one — and my boyfriend was a huge fan. He changed my name in his phone to 'Anna Final Destination' when I auditioned for it. I'm still to this day in his phone: 'Anna Final Destination'. And so while we're watching them, I was just like 'these movies are awesome'." Richard: "Fun." Anna: "Like 'these are so great'." Owen: "I think for me, I was at the age where it was just already such a big part of our pop culture, so I feel like it's just always been this thing for me. I was never like 'I woke up one day and I saw the film and there was like an explosion for me' — it's just always been huge." Richard: "It's been lingering over the top of you your entire life." Owen: "It's been lingering, sprinkling trauma." Anna: "Omnipresent." Owen: "And feeding my anxiety for years." On Everyone's Favourite Death Setups — in Bloodlines and in the Rest of Franchise Adam: "If we had to pick one individual death, the MRI sequence, usually it gets the biggest reaction from audiences — except for one death in the opening where a little boy gets killed. That really, I still remember the first screening we had for audiences while we were editing. When the audience cheered when that boy was killed, I realised 'okay, we're on to something here. This is a real audience movie'. And that was — it's just so much fun, every time." Rya: "The piano's a good one." Teo: "The piano's good. MRI machine is my favourite." Kailtyn: "I like the piano one, because I love music." Rya: "And I've got to say I like the Reese's peanut butter cups." Kailtyn: "Yeah, I like those too." Teo: "Those are good." Owen: "If Richard were to die. If Richard were to play a character named Erik, and that character were to die." Anna: "If he died." Owen: "I think that would be my favourite." Richard: "I'm emotional." Anna: "I really like all of them. It's hard to think what I don't like. But first thing comes to my mind is in the fourth one, this guy gets squished through a chain-link fence. That one was really gross. Because when you see him up against the chain-link fence, just standing there, you're like 'they're not going to squish him through the chain-link fence, right?'." Owen: "I thought a really smart one was the gymnastics one." Richard: "It's brutal." Owen: "Because I feel like if you're not involved in gymnastics and you see people do that, I feel like you naturally think that that's just going to kind of happen." Richard: "It's inevitable." Anna: "And that's a great swerve, too, the gymnastics one, because you're like 'what's going to happen' — and then it's so simple." Richard: "And then it's just the chalk up — and then it's so good." Anna: "Yeah, exactly." Richard: "I like Timmy in the second one getting squished by a pane of glass. I like that one." Final Destination Bloodlines opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Damn you, nostalgia! You've long been buttressing reactionary politics, and now you've gone and made what should have been a plainly repellent gross-out comedy into a fun two hours. The fact is, viewers will open their hearts to the five dirty, semi-grown men at the centre of American Pie: Reunion, and open them right from the start. It can't be helped; we've grown up with them, even if our visits took place with increasing levels of reluctance until we happily closed the door on them in 2003, when Jim (Jason Biggs) wed Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) in the tired American Wedding. In the present day, the couple have a two-year-old son but no sex life — a tragedy for the two dorky hornbags who separately experimented at band camp and molested a pie. When they're invited to their belated high-school reunion (it's 13 years since they graduated in American Pie, sticklers), they reunite with the gang they've lost touch with: Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) has a normal-looking life as an architect, Chris (Chris Klein) is a sportscaster ill at ease with his model girlfriend and celebrity lifestyle, Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) seems to just wander around being awesome, and Stifler (Seann William Scott) carries on with the entitled air of someone who was at the top of the hierarchy in high school and nowhere else. Whereas the previous films featured high-school-grade humour and high-school-aged characters, the new instalment flings high-school-grade humour at people who look a lot like grown-ups. Which is kind of great. Let's face it: people in their late twenties and early thirties are nearly universal in their premature ageing, declining alcohol tolerance, reliance on mod-cons and sudden preference for dinner parties. Boring! When we laugh at Stifler's disgust at being handed bottles of wine by subdued guests at his planned keg party, what we're really laughing at is ourselves. It's a nice bit of comedy therapy for late-Gen Ys in various stages of denial. The main disappointment of American Pie: Reunion is some of the things that both the filmmakers and audience still find 'gross' — men kissing and the performing of oral sex on overweight women among them. Of course, the films are based entirely on a discomfort with the body that it'd be nice if grown adults were over. But as long as we're not, the other pleasant surprise in this fourth film of the franchise is that it builds on initial audience goodwill by doing a lot of things very right, with joke set-ups that twist out of your grasp before you can predict the punchline. Each of its characters is given resolution, some particularly poignant ones, and much-loved minor characters are included, from Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) to Stifler's Mom (Jennifer Coolidge) and the MILF Guys (John Cho and Justin Isfeld). It's a very, very funny ballet of body parts and fluids, choreographed with the care and energy that went into the first American Pie.
They're famous for singing about an island in the sun. Come October, they'll be playing on one: Australia. Yes, add Weezer to the list of acts that first made it big decades ago that are hitting our shores again, and soon, with the Los Angeles-formed alt-rock band just announcing three big Aussie arena gigs for this spring. Expect the supremely cruisy, holiday vibe-heavy 'Island in the Sun' to get a spin, plus 'Undone — The Sweater Song', 'Buddy Holly', 'El Scorcho', 'Beverly Hills', 'Hash Pip', 'Pork and Beans' and more, all from across the group's three-decade career. Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Scott Shriner and Brian Bell will take to the stage in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on a whirlwind three-day, three-show trip between Friday, October 6–Sunday, October 8. [caption id="attachment_912637" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Murphy[/caption] Music lovers in Victoria and Queensland's capitals, you'll be catching Weezer play through its hefty discography as headliners, with the band picking up their instruments at John Cain Arena in the former and Brisbane Entertainment Centre in the latter. In support, Brissie legends Regurgitator will warm up the crowd in both cities — another favourite that began rocking the airwaves in the 90s. In Sydney, Weezer fans will need to see KISS, too, with Weezer's only Harbour City show in support of KISS in what's been dubbed the makeup-clad icons' last-ever Australian concert. Weezer love a bit of a nostalgia, at least where their Aussie tours are involved. Back in 2020, they were announced for the Hella Mega Tour's Down Under run, which was meant to hit the country that November with Green Day and Fall Out Boy also headlining. Then the pandemic hit, and the trio's successful worldwide combined gigs cancelled its Australian plans. WEEZER 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: HEADLINE SHOWS: Friday, October 6 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Sunday, October 8 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane KISS: THE FINAL CURTAIN WITH SPECIAL GUESTS WEEZER: Saturday, October 7 — Accord Stadium, Sydney Weezer will tour Australia in October 2023, with early-bird pre-sale tickets for their solo shows available from 9am AEST on Tuesday, August 15, and general sales from 9am AEST on Thursday, August 17. Head to the tour website for further details — and to Ticketek for KISS tickets now. Top image: Hunter Kahn via Wikimedia Commons.
Inland from Port Stephens, away from the beaches and coastal tracks and closer to Newcastle Airport, you'll find the two towns of Raymond Terrace and Medowie. They're separated by the Grahamstown Dam, which boasts a cycleway along its southern shoreline. It's an easy 11-kilometre ride that is entirely off-road, so you can take your time and make multiple stops whenever you need. The path starts at the Lakeside Leisure Centre and passes by the Finnan Park Picnic Area, which has toilet facilities and a barbecue if you need a rest — or you can keep pedalling onward to the Grahamstown Aquatic Centre, which has a couple of outdoor picnic tables. Finally, you'll arrive in the small town of Medowie, home to Medowie Macadamias farm.
Grab your bowling ball and swap your bathrobe for your best purple outfit — The Jesus Rolls, the two-decades-later sequel to the Coen Brothers' 1998 cult comedy The Big Lebowski, is due to hit the big screen in 2020. Instead of abiding by The Dude (Jeff Bridges), this follow-up spends time with John Turturro's Jesus Quintana, whose love of flinging gleaming balls down lanes means that he obviously isn't a golfer. Of course, if you still want to pour a white russian to celebrate this return excursion to the Lebowski universe, that's both understandable and warranted. Turturro not only stars, but writes and directs The Jesus Rolls, which was actually filmed back in 2016. Cast-wise, he's joined by a heap of familiar faces, including Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Jon Hamm, Susan Sarandon and Pete Davidson. The movie will be released in the US early next year just in time for The Big Lebowski's 22nd anniversary — and while plans Down Under haven't yet been revealed, start crossing your fingers. As well as following Quintana's exploits post-Big Lebowski, The Jesus Rolls will also act as a remake of 1974 French film Going Places. As per the official synopsis reported by IndieWire, the picture will chart: "a trio of misfits [Turturro, Cannavale and Tautou] whose irreverent, sexually charged dynamic evolves into a surprising love story as their spontaneous and flippant attitude towards the past or future backfires time and again, even as they inadvertently perform good deeds. When they make enemies with a gun-toting hairdresser, their journey becomes one of constant escape from the law, from society and from the hairdresser, all while the bonds of their outsider family strengthen." The Jesus Rolls doesn't have a teaser just yet, but there's never a bad time to revisit its predecessor's trailer, should you need a reminder of Quintana's initial big-screen antics. If you're keen to watch the The Big Lebowski in its entirety, it's currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd-go0oBF4Y The Jesus Rolls hits US cinemas at a yet-to-be-revealed date in early 2020. We'll update you with local release details when they come to hand. Via Deadline / IndieWire.
Houseboats are the aquatic equivalent of packing up a camper and taking yourself where the road leads. Rather than traversing the neverending highways that cut across our broad country, why not try cruising the rivers and waterways that trail like veins through some of the remarkable landscapes Australia has to offer? From fishing on the Ord River to skippering your own sailboat in the Whitsundays, sleeping on a boat opens up a whole new world of adventure holiday. For a cruisy vacation you haven't thought of yet, here are our top ten picks of houseboats around the land, and a couple that aren't technically houseboats, but provide an unmatchable experience on the water nonetheless. FIVE STAR SPA, WISEMAN'S FERRY, NSW Able Houseboats on the Hawkesbury River has a berth for 12 people, and as the name suggests, has a nice spa for soaking while boating. Wiseman's Ferry only takes an hour or so to reach by car from Sydney, so the boat is perfect for a cheeky weekend on the river. A weekend for 12 people on the stunning Hawkesbury River starts at $4820, which is starting to verge on the exxy side, but can you really put a price on happiness? Particularly happiness induced by houseboat? THE RIVERDREAM BOATEL, RENMARK, SA So, there's a luxury houseboat, then there's an insanely luxurious houseboat. Then there's the Riverdream. Boasting five king-sized bedrooms, a spiral staircase that leads you to the control room, a tinted ceiling, central heating, barbecue and everything short of its own helipad, this is the houseboat that Elton John would probably hire if he had any interest in houseboats. Operating along the Murray River, this boat shows off some of the most picturesque landscape that South Australia has to offer, all in the comfort of a floating five star resort. Prices start at $180 per night, per person. OCEAN SPIRIT, HOPE HARBOUR, QLD It's a general rule with boat-bound holidays that the stronger the pun, the better the boat. So Ocean Spirit (from Fantaseas) has to be one of the best boats out there. Ocean Spirit is moored at Hope Harbour, just north of Surfer's Paradise. It has four bedrooms, all lined with leather and panelled with polished wood, plus a barbecue on deck and what's that? A spa? Yep, there's one of those, too. Midweek prices in the normal season start at $3200 for four nights, and the boat can sleep you and 11 friends. CRUISE AWAY, WALPOLE-NORNALUP, WA A houseboat getaway doesn't mean you have to take a whole squad of mates. Instead, tear it up peacefully on the waterways with a romantic getaway for two. Cruise Away, a four-berth houseboat moored in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park on the southern tip of Western Australia, provides ample opportunity for exactly that. Cruise through the park, set off up the rivulets on the dinghy provided, try your hand at fishing for dinner, or simply sit on the deck and soak up the natural beauty of this less-explored landscape. Three nights in the peak season starts at $1225. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, KUNUNURRA, WA From the bottom of Australia's western edge to the top, Love At First Sight is a six-berth houseboat moored in Kununurra on the banks of the Ord River. This boat will take you away from the hubbub of urban living into the complete embrace of nature. Keep a line out for bream, catfish and even barramundi to catch yourself your very own dinner. Prices start at $1500 for three nights in peak season. PINK LADY, MILDURA, VIC It's all too often that a holiday house is a stark reminder that you've travelled far from the comforts of home. Pink Lady, however, aims to make this less and less obvious with an injection of what All Seasons Houseboats call the Platinum Indulgence. The boat has all the trimmings necessary for a fancy hotel, including a barbecue, spa, bar and a fitout worthy of a luxury hotel. Prices for a three-night sojourn on the Pink Lady start at $3200, but the upshot of this is that some of this coin goes towards the Breast Cancer Network Australia. HERO, ECHUCA MOAMA, SA Another entry on the list that isn't exactly a houseboat, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Echuca Moama sits on the banks of the Murray River, and has long been known as the paddle steamer capital of Australia, but only by those who knew Australia has a paddle steamer capital. Hero organises overnight stays in the floating hotel, where guests experience the luxury of 1874, the year that Hero was built. The crew do their best to maintain the beautiful interiors, which only accentuate the views of the countryside as they scroll past. The cost of staying on Hero varies, depending on your stay. SCALLYWAG, BLANCHETOWN, SA Although houseboats are an amazing idea for groups, it's always nice to spend a little time with just you and a special someone. In that case, the two-berth Scallywag has you covered. You can crew Scallywag, just the two of you, up the Murray River, soaking in the rugged scrub that lines the riverbanks. The queen bed sits below a panoramic window, so you can watch the moon and stars as you sleep. The roof is decked with timber, so there's plenty of space up there to soak in the sights. Scallywag is moored at Blanchetown, and prices start at $1050 for three nights in the normal period. LEOPARD 48, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, QLD Houseboats, given their general lack of the ability to brave any kind of surf, usually stick to rivers and canals. But what if you're feeling like an overnight holiday on the ocean? Bareboating uses the same principals as houseboating, where you acquire yourself a boat, a skipper and crew it yourself, and then return it when you're done. Whitsunday Escape provides everything from sailboats to powered yachts, including the very fancy catamaran, Leopard 48. Nightly rates for the five-star boat start at $1950 per night in the peak season, but when split between 11 mates, that's not too much to pay to captain your own sailboat around the Whitsunday Islands. SOLWAY LASS, WHITSUNDAYS, QLD While not exactly a houseboat, I think we can all agree that the Solway Lass definitely deserves to be on this list. I mean, look at it. It's a pirate ship. Tours start out at Airlie Beach, and the skipper takes you on a three-day voyage around the Whitsunday Islands, so you can cruise about on a 100-year-old pirate ship without worrying about having to steer the thing. The trip carries you to Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island, and through a whole heap of bushwalking opportunities. Prices start at $560 per person for three days with meals included, and accommodates groups of up to 30 people.
Serving up loaded vegan sandwiches on Iggy's bread since 2018, Joe's Sandwich Bar is Sydney CBD haven for a hearty veg-heavy lunch that will cost what a sandwich should. Using the loaves of one of Sydney's best bakeries as a base for the piled-high sambos, Joe's really shines through its inventive meat-free fillings. Take the miso eggplant for example, which pairs sticky sweet slices of eggplant with furikake, avocado, Japanese slaw and pickled ginger. It's magnificent. Other options on the menu include a classic reuben created with tempeh instead of corned beef, a chipotle pumpkin number, the Joe's take on a BLAT, a smokey potato sambo and a chilli broccolini option. Located on Kent Street in the heart of the CBD, the sandwich shop is a great value option, offering its sangas for just $13.90 among streets filled with quick lunch options that tip well past $20. Just make sure to take your lunch break on time as the shop is only open 11.30am–2pm, Monday–Friday.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, when we can indulge in our favourite treats, have one too many of our favourite tipples and spoil the special people in our lives with the perfect pressies. And you'll find everything you need to have a beautiful Christmas at the many Yuletide markets and festive events popping up all over Sydney this silly season. At these popular holly, jolly happenings, you'll find hand-crafted homewares, gourmet delights, farm-fresh produce and quality stocking fillers, plus live entertainment, delicious street eats and a heart-warming atmosphere perfect for the whole family. Here is our pick of the best Christmas markets and events taking place this year in the Harbour City.
Back in 2018, a new 270-metre-tall, 79-storey tower was proposed for Sydney's CBD, taking over the space at 505-523 George Street. Two years later, that development has just received approval — meaning that Event Cinemas George Street, which currently sprawls across the site, is set to be torn down. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, two development applications for the inner-city address were approved by the City of Sydney this week. The aforementioned towering skyscraper, which will include more than 500 apartments in a $692 million project, is one of them. Also receiving the go-ahead is a 43-storey building, which will feature a hotel, residential apartments and a car park. When news of the site's redevelopment first surfaced two years ago, retaining a cinema was part of the plan. That's still the case, although submitted design documents indicate that the current setup will be replaced by a one-level boutique cinema on the second floor of the building's public podium. Clearly, that's quite different to the existing multiplex, which means that it's the end of an era for cinephiles. Event Cinemas George Street definitely isn't the flashiest cinema in Sydney, but it is a huge multi-screen picture palace in the heart of the CBD, with cinemas forming part of the site since the 1970s. The current building was originally a seven-screen Hoyts complex and, in its present guise, it plays new release films, hosts high-profile movie premieres and welcomes a number of film festivals each year — including the Sydney Film Festival. As the ABC reports, Event Hospitality and Entertainment CEO Jane Hastings has said that "there are no plans at this stage to close the George Street cinemas" — although the development obviously can't go ahead without doing just that. Demolishing historic CBD cinemas isn't a new trend, but the Event Cinemas George Street news follows similar big losses across the east coast over the past decade. Melbourne's Greater Union Russell Street was torn down partway through the 2010s, with a hotel now standing on the site. Brisbane's Regent Cinema was demolished at the beginning of the decade; however the replacement development has yet to be built, with the space now a hole in the ground. Via Sydney Morning Herald / ABC. Top image: Russavia via Wikimedia Commons.
No longer confined to children's birthday parties, bouncy castles, inflatable obstacle sources and blow-up labyrinths have become hot property for adults (and their inner kids, of course). And the next blow-up event to return to Australia is big. Really big. Dubbed 'The Big Bounce Australia', it's an inflatable theme park made up of the world's biggest bouncy castle — as certified by the Guinness World Records — plus a 300-metre long obstacle course, a three-part space-themed wonderland and a sports slam arena. You're going to need a lot of red cordial to bounce your way through all of this. Set to tour the country in 2022, The Big Bounce is open to both littl'uns and big'uns, but there are a heap of adults-only sessions — so you don't have to worry about dodging toddlers on your way through. Tickets for adults will set you back $59, which gives you a whole three hours in the park. Yes, you'll need it. Inside, you'll encounter the aforementioned bouncy castle — aptly named The World's Biggest Bounce House — covering a whopping 1500 square metres and, in some spots, reaching ten metres off the ground. In this house, you'll encounter a heap of slides, ball pits, climbing towers, basketball hoops and (if you can believe it) a stage with DJs, confetti cannons and beach balls. Then, there's The Giant, with 50 inflatable obstacles, including giant red balls and a monster slide. [caption id="attachment_825374" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarasota Experience[/caption] Before you hit the next, three-part section of the extremely OTT theme park, you may need to pause, down some red frogs and maybe even have a nap. Or not, as you do only have three hours to explore it all. Either way, at Airspace, aliens, spaceships and moon craters collide with a five-lane slide, some more ball pits and an 18-metre-tall maze. After that, you'll certainly need a nap. And, new for 2022, there's also the Sport Slam, which is rather self-explanatory — and will be a must of you're keen to add a competitive spin to all that bouncing. THE BIG BOUNCE AUSTRALIA 2022 TOUR DATES: January 14–16: Eagles Sports Complex, Brisbane January 28–30 and February 4–6: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne February 18–20: Ellis Park, Adelaide March 4–6: Canberra, venue TBC March 11–13: St Ives Showground, Sydney April 8–10: Newcastle, venue TBC May 6–8: Claremont Showgrounds, Perth The Big Bounce tours Australia from January–May, 2022. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
Made in Japan using hakumai — 100 percent Japanese polished short-grain white rice — and filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka is as refined as vodka gets. Hakumai is prized for its purity and subtle flavour, and it's what gives Haku Vodka its smooth and subtly sweet profile and clean finish. It's a spirit that rewards slow sipping and thoughtful pairing — an ideal base, in other words, for a martini. This July and August, a handpicked selection of Sydney bars and restaurants are spotlighting the Japanese vodka with limited-time creative martini serves and paired snacks to match. From waterfront icons to buzzy newcomers, here's where to experience Haku Vodka in its most elegant form.
A road trip along Victoria's Great Ocean Road should be on every Australian's travel bucket list. Hit up the small beach towns of Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and Warrnambool to discover Aussie surf culture at its finest and spend some time within the region's stunning natural surrounds. But first things first: you've got to sort out your accommodation. You can live that camping life, but we have curated this list of luxe hotels, guest houses and villas for those wanting more comfort. TORQUAY RACV TORQUAY RESORT The RACV Torquay Resort is located right at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, boasting sweeping views of the coast and the surrounding golf course. Whether you join a chill yoga class, unwind with a sweaty sauna session or treat yourself to a day at the luxurious day spa, there are plenty of ways to unwind at this Torquay property. BOOK IT NOW. THE SANDS TORQUAY The Sands Torquay has been a mainstay of the area's luxe accommodation offerings for quite some time. People come back here, over and over again. And now that it has had a massive makeover, there are even more reasons to stay here. We're talking an indoor pool, outdoor tennis courts, large dog-friendly rooms, and Bunker restaurant, which serves up elevated pub classics to locals and hotel guests alike. BOOK IT NOW. WYNDHAM RESORT TORQUAY This large resort is one of the only hotels located right on the beach in Torquay — most are set back further, with local beach houses lining the shores instead. The location is one of Wyndham's greatest features. You can get down to Torquay's Fisherman's Beach within a couple of minutes and walk right into town in under 20 minutes. It's ideal for those wanting a chill beachside getaway. BOOK IT NOW. LORNE MANTRA LORNE This old-school resort has been a popular place to stay in Lorne for decades, and it's easy to see why. Mantra Lorne's heritage buildings are set right on the beach, within 12 acres of landscaped gardens (including tennis courts and croquet lawns). No other local accommodation will beat this location nor its traditional feel that's been seamlessly blended with modern amenities. The refurbished indoor mineral pool and glam steam rooms are just a couple of examples of such contemporary offerings. BOOK IT NOW. CUMBERLAND LORNE RESORT Cumberland Lorne Resort is located up on the hills above Louttit Bay, boasting stunning views across town. But it isn't up in the middle of nowhere. It's still close to the best bits, surrounded by local cafes and boutique stores. Head here for a sleek and modern stay, with luxurious penthouses as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments available to those road-tripping along the Great Ocean Road. BOOK IT NOW. APOLLO BAY SEAFARERS GETAWAY Few Great Ocean Road accommodations compare to this one. You have uninterrupted views up and down the coast from each of the studios and lodges that sit within eight hectares of grassland. From here, you can either head up to The Otway National Park's undulating green hills and woodland or walk down to the Seafarer's pristine beach within minutes. Whales and dolphins can often be seen in the surf, koalas can be found in the gumtrees and alpacas can be hand fed in the field. What more could you ask for? BOOK IT NOW. APOLLO PANORAMA GUESTHOUSE Perched up in the hills, a little further back from the beach, this five-bedroom guesthouse looks down over Apollo Bay and a big stretch of the Great Ocean Road. It is made for groups of mates or a big family, thanks to its many rooms, the kitchen with double-vaulted ceilings and the large deck with barbecue. We wouldn't blame you for stopping your trek along the coast to spend the rest of your time up here. BOOK IT NOW. PORT CAMPBELL EASTERN REEF COTTAGES Staying here feels like spending time at your mate's old family beach house. It isn't a glam hotel nor is it a bougie bread and breakfast. It is a humble set of cottages set within lush green surroundings not too far away from town. Either go for the large four-bedroom cottage or nab one of the smaller units that look out over the courtyard. Each accommodation has its own kitchenette and all the essential amenities. Eastern Reef Cottages is a really decent budget option in the sleepy town of Port Campbell. BOOK IT NOW. SOUTHERN OCEAN VILLAS If you're coming up this way for the 12 Apostles, then this spot will more than do. The famous cliffs and rock plinths are just a five-minute drive from the accommodation, while the town centre is easily walkable. The villas also offer a variety of different accommodation options. Capable of comfortably accommodating two to six people, each villa has an open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining room with two or three bedrooms and a scenic outdoor deck (each with a barbecue). BOOK IT NOW. WARRNAMBOOL DEEP BLUE HOTEL & HOT SPRINGS The Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, Victoria's very first hot springs hotel, is made for those who want to run away and really relax. We mean it — lean into that self-care lifestyle. Book some time in the many indoor and outdoor geothermal pools, treat yourself to a massage and scrub, then finish with champagne and oysters at the hotel's restaurant. You can then spend other days exploring the town and the nearby beaches — which can be seen from many of the rooms' private balconies. BOOK IT NOW. LADY BAY RESORT The Lady Bay Resort in Warrnambool is a self-contained accommodation located right across the street from the beach, allowing guests to do what the locals do — swim along the coast, hit the local bars and pubs and even do some work (if you must). There's also an in-house restaurant, arcade room and outdoor pool for those who just want to rest at the property. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world. Top image: Weyne Yew (Unsplash)
The last two years have been peppered with high-flying hotel openings, with the likes of Next, the W, AC Hotels and Movenpick just some of the brands that have come to make Melbourne home. But the city's next exciting accommodation addition comes not in the form of a sleek newcomer, but an old favourite reimagined. Rydges Melbourne is currently undergoing a top-to-toe transformation, slated to return in its next incarnation from autumn. And it's leaving the past well behind. You can push aside any existing notions you had of this long-running hotel brand — Rydges Melbourne 2.0 is a whole new kettle of fish. Set in the heart of the action on Exhibition Street, the hotel is set to reopen as a Rydges flagship complete with 370 freshly revamped rooms, including 35 suites, plus 25 new apartments catering to the business-leisure set. A completely overhauled look steered by the renowned Luchetti Krelle features soothing interiors of natural stone and pale timber complemented by loads of natural light. An impressive collection of local art has been curated by interior designer Janet Graham, and all the rooms are kitted out with Rydges' signature DreamBeds. Alongside all that, there's a hefty 1500 square metres of revamped event and conference spaces, including a lofty ballroom in the former Bobby McGees digs and a brand-new rooftop terrace. And there'll be more news to come soon about the property's signature restaurant, which is set to "celebrate the theatre of food". Rydges Melbourne is currently taking bookings from June onwards, with prices starting from $270 a night. Rydges Melbourne is set to reopen at 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne some time in autumn. We'll share more details about its offerings as they drop.
Thanks to everything that the last few years have served up, 2019 seems like a lifetime ago. So, waiting for anything since that innocent pre-pandemic time feels like waiting forever. On the top of the list: the next movie by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, after Parasite became the film of 2019. It won almost everything that it could, such as the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Sydney Film Festival Prize and four Oscars. Thanks to the latter, it became the first film in a language other than English to win Best Picture. The acclaimed filmmaker's next feature is Mickey 17, and it's been in the works for a while. It even dropped an initial teaser trailer at the end of 2022. Back then, the Robert Pattinson (The Batman)-starring flick was targeting a March 2024 release date. Now, however, it won't be hitting the big screen until 2025. Earlier in 2024, Warner Bros took the film off its slate for the year, but it's only now that it has been given a firm new date with picture palaces, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In the US, it will release on Friday, January 31, 2025 — so if Australia and New Zealand get it day-and-date with America, it'll arrive here on Thursday, January 30. Of course, any new Bong Joon-ho movie is biding your time for, as his impressive cinematic resume attests. He's also the filmmaker behind stunning crime procedural Memories of Murder, creature feature The Host, dystopian thriller Snowpiercer and the offbeat Okja, after all. And on his new feature, at least as far as the first sneak peek makes plain, he's embracing sci-fi intrigue. [caption id="attachment_844763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Batman[/caption] Directed, scripted and produced by Bong, Mickey 17 looks set to mark his third movie mostly in English after Snowpiercer and Okja, with Pattinson leading a cast that also includes Steven Yeun (Beef), Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma) and Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things). Story-wise, it adapts Edward Ashton's book Mickey 7 — and no, why the title has added ten to its number isn't revealed in the debut trailer. The novel follows an 'expendable' being sent to colonise an ice world, who doesn't want to let his replacement take his place. On the page, the lead character is the seventh clone trying to fend off the eighth, but Bong has clearly upped that to the 17th version of his lead character. [caption id="attachment_706462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] High Life[/caption] Science-fiction fans will spot that the premise alone gives off big Moon, Sunshine and Voyagers vibes — and brings High Life, RPatz's last exceptional sci-fi flick, to mind. That said, Bong isn't a filmmaker to follow in anyone else's footsteps. How he makes this concept his own will be a treat to see. Mickey 17 will be a return for Pattinson, too, given that he hasn't been seen on-screen since his debut turn as Bruce Wayne — although he could be heard in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron, adding a movie by another iconic director to his filmography. Check out the first trailer for Mickey 17 below: Mickey 17 now has a Friday, January 31, 2025 release date in the US — we'll update you with local details when they're announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
FBi Radio's boots are getting bigger, better and shinier by the day — for the first time ever, Sydney's independent radio legends launched an Australia-wide competition. Extending their Northern Lights competition nationwide (in which FBi flies two above-and-beyond newbies to Iceland Airwaves Festival in Reykjavik), the team looked for talent across the country this time. After trawling through this year's entries, FBi have announced their ten finalists. The 2014 Northern Lights competition finalists are: Shunya (VIC) Jasia (NSW) Hubert Clarke Jr (NSW) LUCIANBLOMKAMP (VIC) Kucka (WA) GL (VIC) Airling (QLD) WZRDKID (VIC) The Walking Who (NSW) White Hex (VIC) A hotly-anticipated date on the music festival calendar, Iceland Airwaves has seen everyone from Bjork to Omar Souleyman, Savages to Harpa Silfurberg playing to packed halls of Icelandic and international fans. FBi competition's now in its third year, offer two winning spots to join the Airwaves lineup — one solo producer/artist, one band. With the help of philanthropist Mitchel Martin-Weber and the federal government, this marks one of FBi's biggest-scale competitions to date, kicking another goal after the recent FBi Click launch. Winners of the first Northern Lights, Oliver Tank and Rainbow Chan, have seen super success following their Icelandic escapade (with Tank supporting Lorde on her recent national tour and Chan joining the lineup for Vivid LIVE's recent Avalanches tribute Since I Left You, no biggie). "It really changed my life that whole trip. It was so incredible," says Tank. "I got to play music overseas before I’d even done that many gigs in Australia. And there were people over there that were interested in my music and that just blew my mind. It was like a dream come true. It was such an experience." As always, the finalists feature on a special edition compilation put together by FBi Radio, yours to download free here. Northern Lights winners will be announced at the end of August, and will head over to perform at Iceland Airwaves in early November.
Brand X is the studio formerly known as Queen Street Studio. This is the same studio that’s been running creative spaces for emerging Sydney performers and artists, letting them get together and practise their craft at an emerging price. Under the Queen Street name, they’ve been behind rehearsal spaces Heffron Hall and the Marrickville Palace, as well as the Underbelly-loving, now former Fraser Studios. A new space is coming along with the change of moniker, with the new space Brand X will be officially launched on Friday. And you’re invited. Occupying this newest city art space will be a selection of Sydney artists, and the plan is to rotate them in and out on six-month shifts over the next three years. Among the first detachment of creative space makers will be taxidermist Eloise Kirk, kinetic sculptor Johannes Mulijana and doodle-crocheter [NSFW wool] to the Sydney Lord Mayor, Kirsten Fredericks.
Immersive and Instagrammable art is all the rage right now in Australia. Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Room has taken up permanent residence in Canberra, Sugar Republic's "dessert museum" toured the country in 2019 and an extremely photogenic pop-up "museum" for pets is set to hit later this year. Next on the must-photograph list: Happy Place. Dubbed the "world's most Instagrammable exhibit", the multi-room installation has already travelled across the US and Canada and is now heading to the rooftop of Sydney's Broadway Shopping Centre from Friday, March 6–Sunday, May 3. Once inside the exhibition, you'll find many OTT rooms to explore, including a rubber ducky bathtub room, a cookie room that actually smells like freshly baked cookies, a room filled with 40,000 golden handmade flowers and a giant rainbow with a golden ball pit (no leprechauns though, sorry). If that doesn't have you reaching for your smartphone, there's also a mind-bending upside-down room and the "world's largest confetti dome". As well as the rooms, the exhibition has a lemonade stand — with all money from the Sydney one going to Red Cross Australia — a retail store and a cafe. One million snap-happy folks have already visited Happy Place in the northern hemisphere — including, supposedly, celebs such as Adele, Hilary Duff and Kourtney Kardashian — and we're guessing it's going to be equally popular Down Under. While the exhibition is "on a mission to spread happiness around the world", let's hope it's not actually like The Good Place — or, speaking of Kardashians, as nightmare-inducing as Kylie Jenner's Stormi World. Either way, it's going to sell out — fast. Tickets are on sale now for $39 a pop, so go get 'em if you're keen. Find Happy Place on the rooftop of Broadway Sydney, 1 Bay Street, Ultimo from Friday, March 6–Sunday, May 3. It's open from 3–9pm Monday–Tuesday, 12–9pm Wednesday–Thursday and 10am–8pm Friday–Sunday. Tickets will set you back $39 and are available now via Moshtix.
If you like things that slither, slide and go bump in the night, you'll feel right at home with a visit to the soon-to-launch Sydney Zoo, which has just announced its grandest addition: the Reptile and Nocturnal House. The largest of its kind in the country, it'll be home to over 40 species of reptiles and another 20 species of nocturnal animals. The collection's set to feature creatures like ghost bats, endangered spotted-tailed quolls, giant grasshoppers and the world's two most venomous snakes: the inland taipan and eastern brown snake. What's more, these guys will be living it up in environmentally sustainable luxury. As one of Australia's first green roof habitats, the building and surrounds have been designed to blend in with the natural landscape, decked out with a carefully chosen collection of native grasses. The green roof also helps to keep a stable climate for the animals, and the interior of each exhibit has been created to mirror what they'd be used to in the wild. Opening in the city's west in Bungarribee, near the Great Western Highway, Sydney Zoo is set to be the first new major zoo to open in Sydney in over 100 years. First announced back in 2015, it's slated to finally launch to the public in the coming weeks with raised boardwalks and over 2000 animals. While it's exact opening date hasn't been announced just yet, we're told it'll be swinging open its doors before the end of the year. Sydney Zoo is slated to open at 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee before the end of the year. We'll let you know when an exact date is announced.
Wasting food can often just come down to aesthetics: a bruised apple, a twisted carrot, a dinted onion. So Harris Farm Markets is launching Imperfect Picks, a range of would-go-unloved fruit and vegetables that may not look perfect, but are just as delicious and nutritious as their counterparts who made the 'good looks' cut. Good thing is, the uglies are now available for up to 50% cheaper. Inspired by the success of the 'Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables' campaign by French supermarket chain Intermarche earlier this year, Harris Farm aims to raise awareness of the Australian supermarket industry's overly strict standards of perfection regarding the appearance of fresh fruit and veg. "It is our hope that through this campaign, we encourage Australians and the big supermarkets to rethink what's important when buying fruit and vegetables," says Harris Farm CEO Tristan Harris. "Our commitment to freshness and taste won't ever change, [but] we've come to realise that when it comes to fresh produce, we shouldn't always judge a product by how it looks." https://youtube.com/watch?v=-U23XgEkZf0 But who doesn't search for the roundest orange or the straightest carrot in the bunch when on their weekly grocery run? The startling fact is that our pickiness as customers, coupled with unnecessarily high industry standards, has lead to about 25% of fresh food wasted each year. With the stats being this high, there's no doubt we're facing a food waste crisis. "It's such a crime and everyone needs to get involved. Sustainability is everybody's responsibility," says Rockpool's Neil Perry. "I'm really hoping that the… campaign grows and that it forces the other supermarkets and Australian consumers to realise that there is such great food being wasted," he says. Perry is just one example of chefs taking part in a sustainable table movement spreading across the country, showing us that today's funnily-shaped fruit and veg can be tomorrow's gourmet offering — and proving our pickiness unwarranted. So next time you drop in to your local Harris Farm, why not choose that two-headed potato or that wonky zucchini? Not only will you be helping to reduce environmental waste, but you'll also be supporting Aussie farmers and saving hugely on your grocery bill to boot. On offer in the first range of Imperfect Picks will be Packham pears, Navel oranges, Pink Lady apples, plus bananas, carrots, potatoes, swedes and zucchinis — all deliciously imperfect and in need of some lovin'.
If Felix was in a Paris arrondissement rather than the Sydney CBD, no one would blink a perfectly curled eyelash. Yes, it's a little piece of Paris and no one's complaining. From the (sometimes) French waiters bustling around the tiled floors to the decadent crustacean bar and elaborate murals on the ceiling, Felix is the bistro the city has been waiting for - and we can't get enough of the Steak Frites. It's a humming, buzzing, people-watchers delight in here: all beautiful wooden finishes, crisp white table cloths and intricate tiling. Energetic chef Lauren Murdoch, a Merivale star from Lotus and Ash Street, delivers food of the same exceptional quality. All the classic French cues are here: the ever-changing 'Plat du Jour', the rotisserie section and that incredible oyster bar. You can lounge at the noisy bar and nibble some chicken liver pate with your champagne, or slide straight onto a banquette and begin with something raw and delicious. Ocean Trout Terrine ($20) or the classic Prawn Cocktail ($18) are a good place to start before you move on to something a little more serious, like Steak Frites, Lamb Pie ($32) or newly trendy Skate ($28), with brown butter sauce, capers and caramelised witlof. If you swing by for a light lunch, there are salads that take the leaf to another level. Grilled Rainbow Trout ($20), with pickled vegetables and radicchio, is the perfect mix of sweet and slightly sour, while a classic Reuben Sandwich ($18) brings a little bit of New York to the table. After a lighter than light Passionfruit Soufflé ($18) to complete the ultimate bistro experience, I'd be surprised if you don't leave saying 'Tres Bon'. [nggallery id=75]
When you're a single player in the arduous dating game, swiping can get old fast. You spend all your time sifting through the timewasters and sleazeballs, while your true love potentially slips through your too-busy-swiping fingers. Thankfully, lovers, there's a new app on the block pulling out all the stops to ensure you have a quality dating experience. The Inner Circle is a unique dating platform that brings together like-minded singles — online and offline. Turns out looking for love can be fun, after all. We've broken down the key features of the app below and paired them with a date idea for you to enjoy with your new flame. Bring on the lovefest. [caption id="attachment_637902" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katje Ford.[/caption] NIGHTS OUT The Inner Circle brings members face-to-face through unique events. You can rub shoulders with other singles while enjoying a night out with friends. For a similar vibe, take your date to pub trivia and get to know them within a social setting — and maybe nab a sweet cash prize. It's a win-win, literally. Sydneysiders, head to the Botany View Hotel in Newtown for Thursday trivia with a cash prize. Melburnians, make tracks to The Penny Black for trivia in the beer garden, and Brisbanites, you can catch beer-garden trivia at The Wickham. NO CATFISHING With its involved screening process, The Inner Circle cuts out any risk of catfishing. Basically, all the rotten fish are thrown back to sea. See a literal representation of this and plan a date to go fish picking with your partner. Then, spend the evening cooking your catch with your other 'good catch' while enjoying a glass of crisp riesling. For an upscale fishmonger experience, head to the Fish Butchery (Sydney), run by the Saint Peter crew. Or, for a no-frills affair, head to Ocean Made (Melbourne) or The Fish Factory (Brisbane). PERFECT PAIRINGS The Inner Circle's dedicated team carefully considers each and every application to ensure members are well suited, much like pairing a good wine and cheese. To channel the same meticulous attention to detail and to sample some tasty treats, take your date to a cheese and wine tasting. There are loads of fromageries around, but we suggest, Formaggi Ocello in Sydney, Milk the Cow in Melbourne and Fromage the Cow in Brisbane. If all goes well, grab some gooey delights and vino to go and enjoy them together back at home. ON THE GO The Inner Circle has a ton of travel features that make it is easy to use at any time. So you have access to the best, even when travelling. Take your date on a scenic hike; it's a great way to get to know someone while you both enjoy a nice rush of endorphins from the exercise and get a dose of vitamin D. No matter where you are in Australia, you can always find a good trail. Check out our guides for Brissie, Melbourne and Sydney, then get planning. NO SWIPING Forget about the awkward left and right swipes that have started to hurt your fingers. Say goodbye to RSI. The Inner Circle has no swiping, which means your hands are free to do other fun things, like dabble in pottery or craft a terrarium. Plan a phone-free date with your new main squeeze and not only will you enjoy the use of both hands, but you'll pick up a new skill, too. To relive that pottery moment from Ghost and try your hand at ceramics, head to Bea Bellingham (Sydney) or Céramiques Elsternwick (Melbourne). Or, if you'd prefer something more organic, make a succulent-filled mini-garden at Work-Shop in Brisbane. Get off the tired, old dating apps and jump into The Inner Circle. Sign up here and get exploring.
Every September and October, Germany erupts with brews, food and lederhosen-wearing revellers for its annual Oktoberfest celebrations. When that time rolls around Down Under, Australia follows suit. One such festivity is Oktoberfest in the Gardens, which has been throwing big Bavarian-themed celebrations around the country for 13 years — and has locked in a seven-city tour for 2023. Oktoberfest in the Gardens will make return visits to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and add three new stops: Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Newcastle. Across them all, it expects to welcome in over 70,000 people enjoying steins, schnitties and German shindigs. Every city's festival will serve up the same kind of beer- and bratwurst-fuelled shenanigans that Germany has become so famous for. So, if you have a hankering for doppelbock and dancing to polka, it's the next best thing to heading to Europe. Oktoberfest in the Gardens boasts a crucial attraction, too — as well as serving a variety of pilsners, ciders, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, it constructs huge beer halls to house the boozy merriment. When you're not raising a stein — or several — at the day-long event, you can tuck into pretzels and other traditional snacks at food stalls, or check out the hefty array of entertainment. Live music, roving performers, a silent disco, rides and a sideshow alley are all on the agenda. "Australia loves Oktoberfest. COVID was a tough time in the events industry and saw the demise of other events such as Oktoberfest St Kilda and Oktoberfest Brisbane. Our team was very fortunate to be able to run successful events in some parts of the country when others were in lockdown and this allowed us to make it through," said Ross Drennan, co-founder of Nokturnl Events, which runs Oktoberfest in the Gardens. "We're now going all in to really ramp up Oktoberfest in the Gardens and take it to the next level with events all around the country." OKTOBERFEST IN THE GARDENS 2023 DATES: Saturday, September 23 — Pinky Flat, Adelaide Saturday, September 30 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Saturday, September 30 — The Station, Newcastle Saturday, October 7 — Langley Park, Perth Saturday, October 14 — Brisbane Showgrounds Saturday, October 21 — Catani Gardens, St Kilda Saturday, October 28 — The Domain, Sydney Oktoberfest in the Gardens tours Australia in September and October 2023 — head to the event's website for tickets and further details.
An exciting venue celebrating music and Japanese cuisine is coming to Solotel and Matt Moran's Barangaroo House in September. Rekōdo is a new restaurant and vinyl bar set to arrive on level one of the expansive multi-storey restaurant and bar from Friday, September 16, offering up top-notch eats, sake and tunes curated by some of Sydney's most beloved musicians. Starting with the food, Head Chef Paddy McDermott's menu will be based around vibrant and inventive Japanese-style dishes. Guests will be able to keep things light with the likes of DIY tuna belly, avocado and roe temaki hand rolls, or kimchi and fontina cheese taiyaki waffles. Looking for something a little more hearty? Feast your way through Rekōdo's whole fried snapper or mondanyaki noodles — or the charcoal-smoked red miso eggplant, which will arrive to your table still cooking in a donabe clay pot. "Leaning into the music vibe of Rekōdo, I'd say we're going for a 'high fidelity' approach to the menu — familiar flavours but having a little fun in the way they're presented," says McDermott. While the food may be enticing, the most exciting element of Rekōdo is the music. Boasting a huge collection of vinyl records, the venue will enlist the curation skills of a different tastemaker each month to select the tunes. Kicking things off will be Meg Mac, showcasing the eclectic music taste that has inspired her beloved catalogue of ballads. Following Mac's reign as the curator, Donny Benét and Lazywax are already locked in to take over the speakers in October and November respectively. "I'm obsessed with all the amazing voices in the world, so I've included some of the singers I love like Sam Cooke, Amy Winehouse, Dusty Springfield, Enya, Leon Bridges and my new local discovery Telenova!" says Mac. "One of the things I love about vinyl is the artwork. I like to put the covers up on my piano when I'm writing, it helps inspire me and I can swap them around depending on what mood I'm in. So, I'm excited to flick through some of these covers at Rekōdo next month!" And yes, there will be vinyl dance parties. Acclaimed local DJs Ayebatonye, Adi Toohey and Soul of Sydney DJs are among the roster of talent that Rekōdo has pulled together, all hopping on the decks and get the party started each Thursday–Sunday. Rounding out your visit to Barangaroo's new multi-faceted space is the drinks list. Bar lead Pauric Kennedy is pulling together a now 20-strong list of sakes which will be able to be ordered by the glass, as a tasting flight or in cocktails. Add brown sugar umeshu, tangerine and elderflower tonic to your sake and you have a refreshing Tokyo Tipple, for instance "The Rekōdo experience is about mixing sound, drink and good times with shared friends," co-owner and restauranteur Matt Moran says. "Paddy has done a great job creating a menu that reflects this, with a mix of small and larger dishes all designed to share so you can tailor it to whatever vibe you're after." Rekodo will open on Friday, September 16 at Level 1, Barangaroo House, 35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo — operating from 12pm–12am Tuesday–Saturday and 12–10pm on Sundays. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Who knew ballet and rock music make such a beautiful team? The newest production from the Australian Ballet, Chroma, features four contemporary works and proves that ballet is not just classical orchestration and frou-frou. The White Stripes combine with contemporary costume and minimalist set design to make this not your mum's ballet. The quadruple bill takes its title from one of the works within, Chroma, a legendary piece originally created by Wayne McGregor for The Royal Ballet of London and using the aforementioned music from the Whites. McGregor's ballet differentiates itself from the classical style, with jerky movements meant to push the limits of the dancers' bodies. "The movement can be freaky at times and shows off every joint our bodies have, sometimes all at once," says Daniel Gaudiello, the male lead in Chroma. "The body is such an amazing instrument and you witness it at its limits." Also slated for performance are twin pieces choreographed by Jirí Kylián, Petite Mort (also featuring Gaudiello) and Sechs Tanze, as well as a new original work, Art to Sky, by the Australian Ballet's resident choreographer Stephen Baynes. The contemporary dances by Kylián and Baynes are paired with the classical music of Mozart and Tchaikovsky, creating a blend of old and new ballet styles. Both Chroma and Kylián's works will feature dancers in all white or neutral costumes, highlighting the motions of the dancers. "We are in these little camisole-like chiffon outfits that are designed to complement our skin tones," says Gaudiello. "The result I think is an inside-out view of ballet through an androgynous lens." The intensity of ballet, particularly when paired with the music of The White Stripes, shows off the pure athleticism of the dancers. "I feel Australia is such an athletic country and so is the ballet," says Gaudiello. "We all feel so lucky to have the chance to try such a coveted work and I really believe we will strive in every show to put in the raw intention, attack and groove that such a difficult piece like Chroma demands." As for the stories the choreography conveys, Gaudiello tries not to sway us. "That is the beauty of contemporary ballet, sometimes the ending is up to you," he says. Chroma is on at the Sydney Opera House from April 29 to May 17. Tickets can be purchased through the Sydney Opera House website.
One of the surprise hits of 2009 was Ruben Fleischer's offbeat black comedy Zombieland, a violent yet somehow delightful (and even romantic) parody of zombie horror movies that perhaps even bettered Shaun of the Dead. Zombieland brought together a diverse cast, a sparkling script, and gorgeous cinematography to create something quite unlike anything else seen that year. Four years later, those same ingredients seemed in place for Fleischer's next film Gangster Squad, particularly in the casting, where a covetable blend of old (Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, and Josh Brolin) and new (Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Robert Patrick, Michael Pena, and Giovanni Ribisi) created a credits reel almost as long as The Hobbit. And yet, to paraphrase Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, the principle of tiny variations can vastly affect an outcome. Goldblum's character called it 'chaos theory', and while Gangster Squad might not quite be chaotic, its imperfections are far more noticeable than those on Laura Dern's wrist. Moreover, and not unlike the mindless flesh-eating hordes in Zombieland, this film tends to feed off a collection of other, better, films in a desperate attempt to survive. It tells the 'based-on-a-true-story' story of '40s LA gangster Mickey Cohen (Penn), a boxer-turned-kingpin whose ambitions saw him aspiring to control all gambling operations across the entire US west coast. Cohen's power and influence rendered him altogether UNTOUCHABLE, with police and politicians either too corrupt or too afraid to stand against him. One good cop, however — war hero Sgt John O'Mara (Brolin) — refuses to lie down and watch his city fall into darkness. Deciding that Cohen represents a CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, he LA CONFIDENTIALLY forms a secret team of vigilante law enforcers and together those MAGNIFICENT SEVEN take on Cohen at his own game. In short, Gangster Squad apes several other great stories to tell its story of how the only honest cop in LA turns into a vicious vigilante murderer and is then lauded for it. With shootings, bashings, and blowings-up on both sides of the war, the moral compass swings around so fiercely in this film it's surprising it doesn’t wholly take off. Visually, it's a delight to behold, with elaborate set pieces, sumptuous period costumes, and grand architecture giving it a glamorous sheen; however, it can't gloss over the hammy script and one-dimensional characters whose journey only goes from A to A.
For Sydneysiders, the longest nights of the year mean one thing — more hours to party. The Solotel team are turning this month's winter solstice into a week-long affair called The Longest Night, set to light up pubs and bars across the city when the sun goes down. Over the six days from the solstice on Tuesday, June 21 until Sunday, June 26, music acts and art installations will be bringing 17 locations stretching from Kings Cross to Surry Hills and Newtown to Parramatta to life. Venues taking part in the winter celebration include Darlo Bar, Courthouse Hotel, The Marly, Paddo Inn, Public House Petersham, The Sackville, The Regent, Albion Parramatta, The Bridgeview Hotel and more. Solotel CEO, Elliot Solomon, is proud of the collaboration the hospitality group has had with local artists and their communities to bring the mammoth program to life. "Each neighbourhood venue has its own unique vibe and audience and so programming is individually tailored to reflect this," he explains. Some hotly anticipated acts will be bringing the tunes, such as Set Mo, Yolanda Be Cool and Northern Beaches band Crocodylus. Other music highlights include a dreamy set from Sydney sweetheart Dominic Breen at The Bank Hotel and an unmissable night of dancefloor fillers at Goros courtesy of beloved triple j DJ Shantan Wantan Ichiban. Incredible light and art installations will be illuminating things, as well as pop-up art installations from the National Art School — best viewed when the sun goes down. In particular, Barangaroo House, The Golden Sheaf, The Bank Hotel, and Kings Cross Hotel will feature bespoke ambient mirror and LED installations by Reelize Studio, Yeti and Vincent Buret. There will also be queer film screenings at The Bank Hotel as well as comedy sets and slam poetry readings at The Erko — whatever your arts and culture pick of choice, it will be catered to. A mix of free and ticketed events make up the lineup, so check out the full schedule for the week of music, art and entertainment on the event website. Keen to check it out? For more information and to peep the full program and participating venues, visit the website.
Located on the main strip in Ettalong Beach, Lords of Pour is a cafe with "killer brews and awesome chews". The cafe, helmed by Ben Coward, provides Coasties and visitors with coffee from all across Australia, including Melbourne and Newcastle, as well as beans from Norway. The house blend is by Sydney's Single O and a roster of guest roasters make up the cafe's single origin and filter offerings, which includes the likes of The New Paradigm, Square One, Floozy and Talor & Jørgen. The food menu stars with the usual suspects — eggs of toast ($12), smashed avo ($18) and granola ($14) — and progresses to more inventive eats, such as the smashed pumpkin ($18) served atop sourdough with charred cauliflower, pomegranate and goat's cheese. It also offers three takes on a B&E roll: one standard, one with maple bacon and pulled pork, and a vegan option pumpkin and mushrooms.
Cooking can be many things. For some, it's merely a means to an end; for others, it can be meditative to the point of being therapeutic. But no matter which side of the fence you fall on, there are days when we just can't be bothered doing it. And the same is true of professional chefs — after all, if you do something for a living there surely comes a point where you just don't feel like doing it in your spare time, right? But where do chefs eat in their downtime? We've teamed up with UberEats to ask four Sydney hospo stars — Nelly Robinson of progressive fine diner Nel, Kenneth Rodrigueza of Donut Papi, Eddie Stewart of Tokyo Lamington and Josh Raine of Tetsuya's — about their top local picks for those times they feel like handing over the reins to someone else. [caption id="attachment_697668" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bella Brutta, Kitti Gould[/caption] GO-TO MEAL FOR A HANGOVER Nelly Robinson: "It has to be pizza. If I could be bothered driving it would be Bella Brutta or Westwood, but Rocketboy [also] hits the spot. My go-to is [a] tomato base, cheese, sopressa, pepperoni, ham, peri-peri chicken and potato. Oh, and the garlic bread is a must — it's not your standard!" Kenneth Rodrigueza: Spice and rice is nice for Rodrigueza the morning after a big night. His pick: spicy sashimi tacos and eel and prawn futomaki from Kujira in Ashfield. "The rice absorbs the excess alcohol in your stomach (not sure if this is scientifically proven) and the spicy sauce of the tacos wakes you up." [caption id="attachment_642395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Loaded by BL, Kimberley Low[/caption] Eddie Stewart: The burg is the word for Stewart when it comes to hangover cures. "Loaded by BL always has my back after a not-so-amazing-feeling morning. [My order is] the Blame Canada with a side of poutine." Josh Raine: Raine's go-to for a hangover was also once the location of a special occasion. "I love Erciyes Restaurant so much that a few friends and I shared a birthday dinner there a few years ago. My favourite dish is the Erciyes Special Pide, which is cheesy, meaty goodness and served up with a chicken iskender kebab. My girlfriend also rates the homemade lentil soup and Turkish bread." GO-TO MEAL FOR A DATE NIGHT Nelly Robinson: "For date night, it would definitely be Indian from Delhi 'O' Delhi. You can't go past the samosa, chicken tikka, dahl, butter chicken, poppadoms and a naan." Kenneth Rodrigueza: "When you CBF cooking, you always go to the restaurants that are consistent because you don't want to ruin a good night with a bad dinner. My go-to is Bar Asia in Annandale. It's very consistent with every dish but my favourite is its beef rendang, [which is] a slightly modern [version of] home-style cooking that reminds you of your parents' cooking — except you paid for it and it was delivered to you." Josh Raine: "For us, it's Northeastern Family Chinese in Waterloo. We order the Sichuan hot spicy sauce chicken with curry fried rice — it's really epic every time." [caption id="attachment_622418" align="alignnone" width="1920"] El Jannah[/caption] GO-TO MEAL FOR A NIGHT OF NETFLIX AND CHOW Nelly Robinson: "It's El Jannah for me. I love the rotisserie chook with garlic sauce, tabouleh and pita. Also, the crispy chicken burger is amazing — I add cheese at home as well." Kenneth Rodrigueza: "If you're watching a movie while having dinner, you don't need any cutlery to distract you. When I get bored of a normal burger, I switch it up to a Japanese-style burger from Gojima, which uses sushi rice covered in seaweed as a bun. The signature sauce is to die for." [caption id="attachment_694684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RaRa, Luisa Brimble[/caption] Eddie Stewart: "My go-to comfort dish for a Netflix night is Johnny Gio's Pizza — pizza and Netflix is the ultimate ritual. I always go for the pepperoni or the meatball." Josh Raine: "My go-to comfort dish for a couch night is RaRa Ramen. I love the tonkotsu with housemate black garlic and chilli. Also, the vegan ramen is super tasty." [caption id="attachment_716742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mapo, Kitti Gould[/caption] GO-TO DESSERT Nelly Robinson: "We don't often order dessert but when we do, Serendipity's Death by Chocolate, which you can get from Rocketboy Pizza, is delish." Kenneth Rodrigueza: "I always explore new and interesting flavour combos whenever I crave desserts. Hakiki's feta and rockmelon gelato, Peanut Butter Bar's cheesecake and Panntea's French cake milk tea with pearls are my faves." Eddie Stewart: "Mapo Gelato — always. I reckon I can have a whole one-litre tub to myself, it's the best gelato in town. Oh, that gives me an idea — we need to collab on a lamington gelato, maybe with fior di latte or matcha?" Josh Raine: "It has to be Rivareno Gelato. You can't go wrong in the slightest with any of the flavours — it has experimental flavours but if in doubt, go for the classics. The caramello salato and matcha green tea, in particular, are incredible." Don't feel like cooking tonight? Jump on UberEats to discover a new local favourite. Right now, the delivery platform is offering discounts on a heap of restaurants around Sydney from Monday to Wednesday — find out more here.
If anyone can turn your perception of art entirely on its head, it's revered Australian performance artist and printmaker Mike Parr. And you can expect plenty of those mental shake-ups when the legend himself descends on Carriageworks this spring, for the fifth SchwartzCarriageworks artist commission. Running from October 25 to December, 8, this latest work from the thought-provoking Parr moves far beyond your standard gallery-hopping experience. In The Eternal Opening, an entire art gallery becomes an artwork, as a life-sized replica of Melbourne's Anna Schwartz Gallery is transplanted into Carriageworks. It sets out to reconstruct Parr's minimalist performance, LEFT FIELD [for Robert Hunter], which was held at the original gallery in 2017. Audiences will move through the long, rectangular box of the replica gallery, while watching video footage of the original performance, showing Parr climbing up and down a ladder, painting white onto walls. As an added layer, audio from the 2017 audience's first-hand experience reverberates through the space. The captivating exhibition is also set to show video documentation of Parr's 2016 work BDH [Burning Down The House], where hundreds of thousands of dollars (approximately $750,000) worth of the artist's own prints were artfully arranged, doused in petrol and set alight. During the exhibition's lifetime, Parr will also host two live performances. On the opening night of the Carriageworks exhibition — Thursday, August 24 — Parr will climb ladders to paint 'unseen black squares' around Carriageworks for Towards a Black Square — mark 2 (2019). Then, in the early morning of Saturday, November 16, he will create another live work — details on this are scarce for now, but we'll let you know when more drop. Mike Parr: The Eternal Opening will be open from 10am–6pm daily. Images: Mike Parr, Left Field [for Robert Hunter], 2017 by Zan Wimberley
What started as an old tin packing shed on an avocado farm overlooking Wollumbin (Mount Warning) has now evolved into the fully-fledged low-impact brewery, Earth Beer Company. The brewery distributes locally using minimal packaging and even reuses its spent grain as food for the venue's pet pigs. Earth Beer Company's ethos runs along the lines of good people, good beer, and a love of the land they brew on. It's an ideal place to stop by for a beer and some eats on lazy Sunday afternoon. Or, you can book yourself into one of the company's informal yet informative brewery tours. The tour includes a 45-minute information session and a tasting paddle for some all-important sampling — including a tasting of the brewery's seasonal release. If this sounds like your kind of place, make tracks to the venue's North Coast Festival of Flavour event, Beer School. Here, you'll get to taste the brewery's favourite beers and learn more about the process and history of the brewery.
More murderers. More mysteries. More moody musings about people who kill people. More chances for Damon Herriman to step into Charles Manson's shoes, too. Yes, the second season of Mindhunter will have it all when it finally drops on Netflix on Friday, August 16, returning two years after the David Fincher-executive produced and co-directed series first hit the platform. This time around, FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) no longer need to prove that chatting to incarcerated serial killers can help solve ongoing cases. Taking place a couple of years after the initial season's 1977 setting, Mindhunter follows the dedicated duo during the Atlanta child murders. Across 1979–81, at least 28 kids, teens and adults were killed — with the first trailer for the show's new season showing the reaction in Georgia, and teasing one unnerving incident. Ford and Tench keep gleaning insights from talkative murderer Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton), whose thoughts narrate the haunting clip; however, he's not the only notorious figure that they're set to cross paths with. As well as Herriman's second take on Manson, after the Aussie actor's role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the new Netflix series also features David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam. Expect more criminal profiling and psychological thrills, obviously, with the show based on the excellent non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit. Expect more meticulous Fincher magic as well, as the Seven and Zodiac filmmaker continues his on-screen fascination with serial killers. He has company behind the lens, thanks to Australian director Andrew Dominik (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and US helmer Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress, Out of Time). Get creeped out by the first trailer for Mindhunter season two below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIazdDw4tao Mindhunter season two drops on Netflix on Friday, August 16.
A Chippendale cafe serving up dishes of local and ethically-sourced produce from a predominantly plant-based menu — a lot of which looks like it's made for Instagram — sounds like a scenario we've heard before. Nearby Henry Lee's does it (and well), as do a heap of cafes in the area. But, still, the concept isn't one to be scoffed at — and new cafe Concrete Jungle does it well (though not without a flaw or two). As well as sounding mighty similar to Concrete Playground (hey, we were all thinking it), the cafe's name is a nod to the now iconic Central Park building around the corner, which successfully combines industrial and natural elements. Another successful combination, while not particularly revolutionary, is tuna and avocado, and in the form of Concrete Jungle's tuna tartare ($22), it's a dependable dish. The creamy avocado is helped along by tart apple matchsticks and savoury miso — the only thing I'd wish for is more of those airy teff crackers so I wouldn't have to ration them like a castaway. The Reuben, as it was listed on the menu ($17), had me expecting a play on the deli classic, but the dish that arrives is more pulled beef burger than Reuben. The house barbcue beef on its own with the soft sesame would've made for a great sloppy joe — but toss in an egg, tarragon mayonnaise, and a slice of pastrami and it becomes something simultaneously confusing and almost too rich. If the Ruben is an example of a dish not living up to expectations, the Blue Majik smoothie bowl ($17.50) with blue algae, blueberries, blackberries and coconut flakes is an example of Instagram-influenced food gone right. Aside from the questionable spelling — which no amount of menu-perusing or reading of the cafe's story will help you understand — there's nothing serious to fault here. It's tropical with a subtle coconut flavour, and much better than your usual acai bowl. Blue algae isn't the most attractive ingredient to see on a menu but it's consistent with the cafe's 'refuel with essential nutrients' mantra. Concrete Jungle shows that a focus on nutritional, sustainable eating is more than a millennial fad — it can result in some enjoyable food, with the (organic) cherry on top being that it's a mindful way to eat. We just think it wise to stick to the dishes that emulate their plant-based clean-eating ethos.
In the 17 years that Gelato Messina has been in business, over 4000 special flavours have made their way through its 20 gelato cabinets around the country. To celebrate some of these oldies but goodies, Messina is dedicating an entire weekend to its top 40 greatest hits. From July 27–28, lucky Sydneysiders and Melburnians will be able to treat themselves to an entire cabinet worth of limited-edition gelato flavours. The deal will only be available at Sydney's Rosebery and Melbourne's Fitzroy stores, where none of the classic flavours will be available. Instead, expect specials like the Just Like a Milkshake and Have a Gay Old Time. While the team is still compiling the full list, you'll definitely get to taste the Jon Snow (white chocolate gelato with dark chocolate mud cake and almond praline), the Fairy Bread (toast and butter gelato with 100s & 1000s) and the Robert Brownie Jnr (milk chocolate gelato, chocolate brownie and chocolate fudge sauce). Also making the cut is red velvet cheesecake number and peanut butter gelato with chocolate brownie and dulce de leche. If you've got your fingers crossed for an old favourite, Messina is taking suggestions via its Facebook, so be sure to let them know ASAP. Gelato Messina's Greatest Hits will be available from July 27–28 at Sydney's Rosebery (58 Mentmore Avenue) and Melbourne's Fitzroy (237 Smith Street) stores. Only the top 40 specials will be available from 11am until sold out — no classic flavours and no Deliveroo.
Harbourside hotel Pier One is coming in hot for the summer with an exciting new swimming pop-up for Walsh Bay sun seekers. From November–February, the hotel's PIER Bar is launching a floating pontoon that will feature a swimmable netted pool in the harbour. For revellers looking for a unique way to enjoy Sydney's glittering waterfront without breaking the bank, Pier One is offering free access to their pontoon, complete with pool toys for on-the-water relaxation. A curated selection of drinks and snacks will be available on the pontoon for groups to enjoy at an extra cost. PIER Bar's pop-up pontoon will even be accessible by boat, with moorings located just a five minute stroll from hotel. Special packages will be available for groups of twelve or more. Along with some spontaneous swimming, the Walsh Harbour hotel will be offering a new menu to kick off the new season. An array of seafood dishes will be available, including lobster rigatoni, calamari, soft shell crab baskets and tuna poke bowls. Summer greens complete the new menu, featuring a rockmelon, prosciutto, radish and rocket summer salad. Images: Anna Kucera
In need a domestic getaway? How about a sojourn down south to Tasmania? Jetstar is back with another sale of flights for way, way less — this time teaming up with Tourism Tasmania and connecting Aussies in six major cities to Hobart and Launceston for as little as $45 one way. The sale is already underway and set to run until 11.59pm Monday, March 16, or until sold out. Melbournians can fly to Launceston from $45 and Hobart from $66, the cost of the average dinner these days, while Sydneysiders can book seats to Launceston from $55 and to Hobart from $73, or drive to Newcastle and fly to Hobart from $61. Coming from Brisbane? Launceston flights are from $96, Hobart from $112 — or head to Gold Coast airport to fly to Hobart from $105, and Adelaide to Hobart is just $87. The discounts are eligible for flights between Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, December 16. [caption id="attachment_1043520" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kunanyi (Mt Wellington), Hobart[/caption] There's more than enough to do in Tasmania during those months. In April, the Autumn Festival will see the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands transform into autumn colours and themed events, followed by TrailGrazer, a three-day festival celebrating the flavours and growers of northwest Tasmania. Late May and early June see Hobart celebrate its UNESCO-listed status as a city of literature and invite readers and writers to revel in the craft during the Island Readers and Writers Festival. Then in mid-June, Tasmania's legendary midwinter solstice festival, Dark Mofo, returns for another year of fiery, late-night hedonism to fight off the winter chill. [caption id="attachment_998155" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dark Mofo[/caption] In August, Tasmanian Whisky Week puts the island's award-winning distillery scene into the spotlight through tours, masterclasses and peeks behind the scenes of the (literal) Tassie spirit. Then later that month, the focus shifts to science via the Beaker Street Festival and its big discussions on even bigger ideas. And if you're holding off for a springtime trip, the Wynyard Tulip Festival blooms into a family-friendly celebration for one day only in October. The Jetstar Tasmania Sale is on now until 11.59pm AEDT on Monday, March 16, or until sold out. Visit the website to book your flights. Images: supplied
Since Tony Abbott was elected Prime Minister last year, I can count on one hand the number of my acquaintances who have not, at one point or another, volunteered an elaborate or brazenly carnage-laden scheme for offing him (the pacifists outlined similarly detailed plans to emigrate). While these threats are in no way credible, they’re not exactly the idle grumblings of voters whose home team has been banished to opposition, either. They are products of the worst kind of political disaffection, that which breeds apathy and disinterest rather than incisive and reasoned opposition. Kill the PM, written by Fregmonto Stokes and directed by James Dalton for Unhappen, imagines a group of young, naive and poorly organised extremists railing against this sluggish political atmosphere in the most radical way possible. Debates about political assassination generally focus on the morality of killing one person for the benefit of many. The quandary here, though, is whether it can ever be morally acceptable to murder a head of state that the many actually voted for. The set, despite being attributed to Dylan Tonkin, looks like it’s been erected by Dexter Morgan. Concrete walls and musty furniture are hazy behind sheets of plastic which hang from the ceiling or are draped carefully over objects which might later register fingerprints. The quiet menace of the space is enhanced by the dull reflected glare of industrial worklights. Enter Pete (Michael McStay), Flick (Zoe Jensen), Naomi (Lily Newbury-Freeman) and eventually, Rowan (Nicholas Hiatt), four dissidents who have realised that the strongly worded letter isn’t quite the vehicle of political change they’d hoped it could be. Armed with a rifle, they intend to cast the ultimate vote of no confidence when the Prime Minister’s motorcade passes the building in an hour’s time. The fact that there’s a traitor in their midst is the least of the group’s worries. From the moment we discover that the designated gunman is a schizophrenic acrobat in his pyjamas, we’re fairly sure that Our Glorious Leader is going to make it out in one piece. The murder plot becomes largely immaterial, though, as the second half moves to explore the unravelling of the conspirators themselves. Reality quickly loses definition when word reaches that the Reptilians have begun their march on humankind. Through green smoke, the Pregnant Madonna is led away by the headsman and goannas casually munch the carrion of their own kind. Arresting visuals and an excellent sound design by Lucy Parakhina and James Brown, respectively, create a world which, though terrifying, is no more nonsensical or chaotic than the one we’ve just left. The narrative has evaporated but the imagery and the questions that remain are rich and challenging. Kill the PM might sound like an exercise in coarse wish fulfilment, but whether you consider that a major selling point or a reason to decry it, know this: it isn’t. By refusing to provide an easy or coherent conclusion, Kill the PM proves its unwillingness to sink to the level of a revenge fantasy. It shows that both the problem and the solution are far too complex to be solved by a single gunshot.
Parramatta might be smack bang in the middle of the Sydney metro area but it's home to a surprising amount of natural beauty. There are adventures of all kinds to be had — from swimming in wild water holes to strolling through ancient mangrove forests and discovering Indigenous bush foods. So, if you've been looking for new places to explore, here are eight ideas to launch you into action. Consider starting your day with a ferry trip: it's a one-hour journey from Circular Quay to Parramatta Wharf, which takes in all sorts of watery wonders, from Goat and Cockatoo Islands to Kissing Point and Homebush Bay. Once you've arrived, you have a bunch of ways to spend the day discovering something special. [caption id="attachment_703446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeffrey Drewitz via Destination NSW[/caption] SWIM IN LAKE PARRAMATTA After closing for 72 years, Lake Parramatta reopened for swimmers in 2015. You'll find it just north of Parramatta CBD, surrounded by 70 hectares of bushland. If getting in the water isn't your thing, try getting on it — specifically, in a rowboat which you can hire from Parramatta Rowboats. Grab a snack at Lake Parramatta Cafe or take your own and cook up a storm on one of the lakeside barbecues. There's also plenty of space to roll out a picnic blanket and relax. If you're feeling active, there are a number of walking tracks to conquer, from the 4.2-kilometre Lake Circuit, which follows the shoreline, to the 1.5-kilometre She-Oak Track. [caption id="attachment_748077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CYCLE THE PARRAMATTA PARK LOOP One of Sydney's great city parks is Parramatta Park, which has 85 hectares of greenery. See the best from two wheels on a cycle around the Parramatta Park Loop. This easy, 3.2-kilometre route passes through pretty grasslands and mature treescapes. Be sure to check out Grey-Headed Flying Fox Camp, home to around 5000 endangered creatures. To extend your adventure, follow the connecting cycle path leading to Sydney Olympic Park along the Parramatta River. WALK BADU MANGROVE BOARDWALK Before European invasion, the Parramatta River was flanked by mangrove forests. These days, many of them are gone, but, on Badu Mangrove Boardwalk, you can still surround yourself with trees that are centuries old. Wandering among the twisting branches and above-water roots, you'll also see the many creatures that call mangroves home, from crabs to cormorants. Be sure to wander north to the waterbird refuge to see all sorts of birds, including Australian pelicans, black-winged stilts and sharp-tailed sandpipers. Take your binoculars with you. PLAY IN DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS Have a four-legged friend who wants to get in on your adventures? There's a stack of parks in Parramatta where he or she is welcome off the leash. Get started at Dan Mahoney Reserve, which just happens to be across the road from dog-friendly pub Albion Hotel. Also worth a run are Burlington Memorial Park in Northmead, Dan Moore Reserve in North Rocks and Cowells Lane Reserve in Ermington. Should you or your pooch work up an appetite, there's a bunch of dog-friendly cafes to choose from, including River Cafe on the waterfront and Social Hideout in North Parramatta. DO LAPS AT THE BRAND-NEW AQUATIC CENTRE Six years and $88.6 million in the making, Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been one of the most highly anticipated openings in the area. The 40,000-square-metre facility is now welcoming swimmers, just in time for summer. For the littles, there's an indoor learn-to-swim pool and water playground — and a creche, if you really need some 'me time'. Whether you want to get your heart pumping in the gym (or a group fitness class) or unwind in the sauna or steam room, you'll be able to cool off in the 50-metre outdoor pool, then treat yourself to a smoothie at the on-site cafe. MASTER A 1080 AT THE JAMES RUSE WATER AND SKATE PARK James Ruse Water and Skate Park is a great spot to hang out during the warmer months, with barbecue facilities, picnic tables and plenty of shade available. A generously sized playground and skate park provide entertainment for kids, both big and small, all year round. There is also a water playground active from September to May, 9am to 8pm — perfect for those sweltering summer days. HAVE A SHOT AT ARCHERY Get your Robin Hood on at Sydney Olympic Park's Archery Centre. Built for the 2000 Games, it's now an educational facility where members of the public can have a go at the mighty bow and arrow. Casual sessions happen at 10am and 2pm every Saturday and Sunday (plus again at 5pm in summer) and run for about 1.5 hours. All equipment, as well as introductory instructions, is provided. If you get a taste for the game, you can continue to the Silver Arrow Program, during which you'll learn ten top shooting techniques over three one-hour sessions. WANDER THROUGH A ROSE GARDEN There is plenty to check out in the sprawling Parramatta Park, but the Rumsey Rose Garden is undoubtedly the prettiest (and the best-smelling) part. The peak of spring (October-November) is the best time to visit when the area, which once served as a lumber yard and a bowling club before being transformed into a garden in 1995, is in full bloom. Here, you'll find one of the biggest collections of fragrant heritage roses in the country, including some species that are rarely found in Australia. Stroll through the gardens, stopping to smell some of the more fragrant buds, and then continue your refined adventure by visiting Wistaria Gardens. FOLLOW PARRAMATTA VALLEY CYCLEWAY Parramatta River begins just north of the Parramatta CBD and meanders east for 15 kilometres, before flowing into Sydney Harbour. Thanks to a shared cycle path, which follows the water, you can experience it at a leisurely pace on foot or bicycle. You'll begin at the river's head in Parramatta Park and can continue as far as you'd like. Along the way, admire the views of Parramatta Park and Sydney Olympic Park. If you need some fuel, there are a few waterside cafes and restaurants to try, including 1021 Mediterranean at the southern end of the Alfred Street Bridge or Sahra By The River for Mediterranean-inspired eats. And if you really want to stretch your legs, head to Armoury Wharf Cafe in Olympic Park. For more historical landmarks and things to discover in Parramatta, head this way.
Halfway up Sydney's northern beaches you'll find a veritable Aladdin's cave of hidden goodies in Mona Vale — an idyllic seaside town where keen shoppers can find plenty of cool and unusual treats. The suburb is larger than most on the peninsula, with an enormous double beach and a bustling town centre. The latter is made up of locally run small businesses, selling everything from beautiful coastal homewares to delicious cakes. The beach attracts water seekers from young families to surfers, thanks to the south end's shallow waters and the north end's big waves. To help you navigate all of Mona Vale's many options to shop, eat and drink, we've teamed up with American Express and pulled together eight places to get you shopping like a local. You can shop at all of these community-minded businesses with your American Express Card, so you can go from strolling along the beach to sampling the wares without any hassle.
The 86 has always been Melbourne's coolest tram line (go on, prove us wrong), so dedicating an entire festival to the iconic route isn't strange or unfounded; it's a matter of course. From Monday, October 23–Tuesday, October 31, Melbourne's northern suburbs will buzz with electricity and the sound of music of all ilks thanks to The Eighty-Six festival. Running all along High Street, from Westgarth to Preston, the festival promises to be one hell of a party. Oh, and did we mention it's free? Just be sure to register for your ticket online as it's a first-come, first-served affair. The main event, Super Saturday on October 28, will be a 22-hour music odyssey spread across 40 venues along the 86 tram route. Expect a smorgasbord of live music and parties featuring over 200 artists including established names, emerging talents, and international guests. Okay, let's talk pasta. The folks at 1800 Lasagne are spicing things up with a dog-friendly street party complete with food, drinks and tunes. There's even going to be a pooch parade and costume competition to raise money for Pets Of The Homeless. Whether you dip in for an event or two, or try to ride out the full 22-hour marathon, one thing will be certain — Melbourne's vibrant, multifaceted music scene will be on full, proud display. This is a festival for everyone, from nonnas to toddlers, and everyone in between. See ya on the 86. Head to Visit Melbourne for the full rundown and to check out what else is happening in Melbourne this spring.
Come July, one of the most peaceful patches of Adelaide will become the most fiery. Don't worry, it's only temporary. Already a hit everywhere from Stonehenge to the Pont du Gard, and also in Melbourne, French art collective Compagnie Carabosse is bringing its acclaimed Fire Gardens back to Australia — specifically to the South Australian capital for 2024's Illuminate Adelaide. While the festival's full program won't be unveiled until Wednesday, May 1 — so, for interstate residents, what else will tempt you to SA hasn't been revealed as yet — this sprawling and suitably glowing installation is worth getting hot and bothered about already (in a good way, of course). For 12 nights, running Thursday–Sunday for three weeks between Thursday, July 4–Sunday, July 21, Fire Gardens will take over the Adelaide Botanic Garden. The North Terrace spot will be filled with thousands of fire pots, sculptures and terracotta urns — more than 7000, in fact. Pathways will be illuminated, archways will be lit by candles and huge spheres will roar and crackle. The installation will also feature luminous kinetic sculptures, and pair its sights with live music. Given that the group has been starting fires professionally for more than two decades, Compagnie Carabosse knows what it's doing — not only when it comes to safely cloaking a huge expanse of grass, plants and trees in flames, but in tapping into humanity's innate fondness for and primal attraction to fire. This isn't just about watching things burn, obviously, but about art. The soundtrack will also boost the mood and allure. Although Fire Gardens has popped up around the world, this iteration will be crafted specifically for Adelaide Botanic Garden. That means that you really won't see anything like it anywhere else. And, of course, you haven't seen the gardens set on fire before anyway. "The Illuminate Adelaide Fire Gardens experience is being designed specifically for our Botanic Garden, with Compagnie Carabosse already plotting and mapping out its largest-ever installation designed exclusively for Adelaide and the first time ever during an Australian winter," said Illuminate Adelaide co-founders and Creative Directors Lee Cumberlidge and Rachael Azzopardi. "Fire Gardens is the perfect way to experience Adelaide in July, and we know audiences will be blown away by this spectacle of leaping flames, fiery urns and smouldering archways." Fire Gardens will be part of Illuminate Adelaide 2024, running from Thursday, July 4–Sunday, July 21 at Adelaide Botanic Garden, North Terrace, Adelaide. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website. Images: Sylvie Monier, Jess Wyld, Regina Marcenkiene and Vincent Muteau.
Here is a little glimpse into a bizarre future where ideologies are amalgamated and the boundaries between class, sex and race have been erased. This is the forecast of Los Angeles-based artist Mark Whalen, who will be presenting Improper Fraction at Chalk Horse Gallery in May 2015. As you will see, the ceramic works in the show take the form of hand-sculpted books, which can be seen as the keys to unlocking his curiously complex paintings. Harking back to high modernism, his practice evokes the mathematical spiritualism of movements such as De Stijl and the Bauhaus painters. On first glance, these intricate paintings look like flat and futuristic adaptations of MC Escher drawings. He is also inspired by the fantastical chaos of Hieronymus Bosch; however, Whalen’s geometrically precise worlds have a certain order and rhythm — like neat little computer-generated packages. Come along for the exhibition opening on Thursday, May 7, at 6–8pm.
It'd be easy to be cynical about The Zookeeper's Wife. If it wasn't based on a true story, setting a World War II tale in a zoo could seem like an obvious attempt to wring cheap sentiment out of a tragic situation — we've already seen humans ravaged by combat, so we'll throw animals into the mix instead. Thankfully, that's not actually the case here. The drama might feature cute creatures big and small, but it's firmly concerned with the human impact in times of conflict. To be specific, The Zookeeper's Wife explores how people cope when their lives and livelihoods are threatened, and how they band together to help others subjected to unspeakable horrors. When war hits and Hitler's head zoologist Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl) arrives, it doesn't take long for Warsaw zookeeper Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh) and his wife Antonina (Jessica Chastain) to switch their focus. If they can't run their usual operation — their best animals are shipped to Germany, while others meet a bleaker end — then they'll do everything they can to help rescue the Jewish people that have been rounded up in ghettos and treated worse than cattle by the Nazi regime. Schindler's List might've just popped into your mind, as well as a plethora of other movies based upon tales of courage and sacrifice during the Holocaust. That's perfectly understandable. Familiarity isn't always a bad thing — there's a reason that filmmakers are drawn to similar stories, particularly when they demonstrate people displaying their best possible traits at a time when civilisation as a whole is doing the opposite. There's much about The Zookeeper's Wife that follows the expected path. Whale Rider director Niki Caro brings the non-fiction book of the same name to the screen with handsome images and a solemn tone. There are grim scenes of cruelty and carnage, although the darkest deeds are alluded to rather than shown. The movie charts acts of hidden resistance that saved lives, and paints its otherwise ordinary protagonists as extraordinary heroes. Not unlike the recent Their Finest, it also provides an unmistakably female-aligned view of war, from the nurturing urge that sees Antonina shelter as many escapees as she can, to the clear threat of sexual violence that lingers every time Brühl's villainous character makes his intentions known. Of course, that's where the reliably excellent Chastain comes in. After proving so ruthless and defiant in Miss Sloane, she's softer and kinder here, yet no less compelling. Indeed, there mightn't be much nuance in the film's melodramatic storytelling, but Chastain herself brings plenty. That applies whether she's saving a baby elephant, helping her secret house-guests, conveying a world of dismay in a glance, or rallying against oppression. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ibf46kh2Ec
